Issue1 September 24, 2010

Volume 65

Issue One

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Construction on Campus

Plano Senior receives a 9 million dollar renovation

By Daniel Hinson

Parts of campus will continue to be under construction for a most of this school year. Renovations and additions are being added onto Buildings B, D and E. The project began in March 2010 and will continue until July 2011.

“The project consists of additions and renovations to provide additional science classroom capacity, upgraded fine arts areas and athletic improvements to the Photo By Amber Robinson

l o cke r r o o m , ” construction manager Doug Guynes said. “The addition to Building B is about 21,740 square feet (10,870 per floor). The addition on Building D for the fine arts will add approximately 16,620 square feet and will include a new band hall, choir room and theatre storage.

The addition on Building E will add approximately 3,200 square feet and will help add space to the boys’ football locker room, along with storage for football and PE.” The art classrooms and graphic

We all hear about fake IDs, whether it be the famous “McLovin’” from the blockbuster movie Superbad, or someone we know from school. Of course, just like every decision one makes, there are benefits and consequences, pros and cons, upsides and downsides.

It’s just a matter of weighing them and making a decision for you.

Many teens use fake IDs to help friends out with throwing parties.

To be hones, majority of parties involve alcohol now. In addition to buying alcohol, teens use them to buy cigarettes and to get into clubs.

“It’s a lot easier to get alcohol for parties,” senior Jack Sims* said, “[It is] worth the risk.”

Many students smoke cigarettes when they reach high school. Since tobacco is only available for purchase by 18 year olds and above, fake IDs are a necessity for them. Making and selling fake IDs has become a very lucrative business because of this vice.

“I started smoking cigarettes and I really wanted some so I decided to get a fake ID,” senior Jane Robinson* said.

Other than buying alcohol and

buildings to the portables, but when the new building opens they can stay covered.”

Teaching in the portables isn’t all that bad according to some of the teachers whose classrooms are located there.

“It’s kind of nice, because we have our own space, but it is a little rough on rainy days,” art teacher Laci Garza said.

“Actually this space is a little wider and than the old rooms.”

Once the new art classrooms are opened next year the art department will have more storage and working space.

“We won’t have to share rooms,” Garza said. “We won’t have stuff every where that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

HELLO

By Meaghan Pulliam

design labs that were located on the second floor at the northern end of Building B were converted to four new science labs. These classes were moved out of the building, and are currently residing in portables.

Government classes are being held there too.

“The relocation of the existing art rooms and graphics lab to a new building has allowed for the addition of a fourth art room in a growing program,” Guynes said.

“The science department will also receive an update with more classrooms and renovated labs. Fine Arts will have larger and more

up t o d a t e rehearsal spaces.

Athletics will also take on some needed additional space for athletes and storage.”

A new building will be built along side Building B and will house the art, graphic, design, and government classrooms.

It will be connected to Building B by a sky bridge.

“I really think the students will appreciate the new building,” associate principal Glenn Davis said. “Currently when it rains the students have to run from the

my name is...

Students and Fake IDs

cigarettes, fake IDs are used by teens for other things as well. Many students only get fake IDs that say they are 18 years or older so they can get into clubs.

So, when they reach 18, they no longer need one. Why risk getting caught for something you don’t even need?

“I used mine to buy lotto tickets,” junior John Kemp* said, “Not just to buy [alcohol] for friends.”

Senior Mike Blann* said, “I only had one that was over 18 so it was good for going to clubs and music festivals. It just makes everything a lot easier. You don’t have to hop the fence or anything like that [to get in].”

Surprisingly, those who have fake IDs are not asked to show ID every time they buy something that is illegal for a minor to purchase, like alcohol or tobacco products. Attitude and demeanor can effect how often one is asked to show ID. Often times, if one looks old enough or acts mature, they will not ask to show ID. “I got carded about [half the time] when I ought [alcohol] for friends,” Kemp* said. “You’ve just got to pretend to be older and not look nervous.”

“[When I used mine] they used just look at the picture, see it looked like me, then let me in,” said Blann*, “and half the time, I didn’t even get carded.”

Having a fake ID might seem harmless and fun but there are risks if you decide to get one. If one is reckless with their fake ID or is just unlucky, the chances of getting caught are increased substantially. One must be almost perfect to a fault in order to stay in the clear every time one uses it. “[My closest call] was when I went to [a club] and I gave them my fake ID and they were like, ‘where is your real ID?’ I argued with them for a little bit and they were like ‘ok just go in,” said senior Jack Sims*.

“I had a situation this one time at RaceTrac because I was an idiot. I was just getting cigarettes and I [asked for] a pack of Maribel Lights. [When I went up to him], he took [my fake ID] from me and had it for so long and he was [studying my card] and totally [messing] with me. It was like a fortysecond ordeal. So, he handed it back to me and I just left,” said Robinson*.

Some kids who have fake IDs

just have good luck. They might get carded less than others or never even have a close call with getting caught.

“I never got caught. They don’t want to catch you, it’s a waste of their time,” Blann* said, “When you go places and they ask you for an ID, its not because they want to actually check to see how old you are, its because you’re an insurance liability. But, if you can convince them because you have a piece of plastic that says you’re 18, then they just don’t care what you do. They just want your money.”

Some students don’t think having a fake ID is a big deal at all because they have so many peer s that have them.

Many kids convince themselves to get one by weighing the pros and cons. But many times, they disregard the cons and go through with getting a fake ID. “I don’t really see a risk in having one because it’s not that big of a deal and [people like] gas station owners don’t even really [care],” Robinson* said, “It’s just a risk if you’re stupid but I’m pretty smart about things.”

If one gets caught using or in possession of a fake ID, it is a Class

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

news Issue One

Page Two

September 24, 2010

Taylor Thompson

PRINT EDITORS Julie Boyer Aleah Pushaw

ONLINE EDITOR Sarah Rosselet

COPY EDITOR Anna Vicars

LAYOUT EDITOR Jamie Denison

BUSINESS MANAGER Abby Rener

CARTOONISTS Kelli Manning Ericka Lindsey

STAFF WRITERS

Chelsea Allen, Stephanya Barnes, Meital Boim, Haley Bunnell, Paul Burnham, Whitney Fein, Dayna Gettel, Alex Gonzalez, Laurel Guild, Diva Gulati, Daniel Hinson, Lindsey Kehlmann, Candace Kokish, Madison McDaniel, Melissa Meyer, Samantha Meyer, Claire Minor, Elena Nelson, Vivian Nguyen, Michael Nicholson, Meaghan Pulliam, Clarissa Reeves, Amber Robinson, Maelyn Schramm, Sapna Sharma, Eilie Strecker, Sofia Toohey, Renee Wysocki, Jessica Yee

ADVISER

Terry Quinn

MISSION STATEMENT

The Wildcats Tales is a student produced publication that serves to educate, inform and entertain the student body in a professional manner that will provoke thought while upholding the principles of a free press. This publication is a forum for the student of Plano Senior High School. Any opinions expressed in Wildcat Tales is the opinion of the writer and of the writer only.

ONLINE VIEWING

Additional and daily updates can be found at our website www.wildcattales.com

READER INVOLVEMENT

Students and faculty are encouraged to send in any questions, comments, concerns or criticisms to be published.

Letters to the editors can be put in the envelope in room B208.

ADVERTISING

Contact at planopub@pisd.edu.

We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be innapropriate.

WILDCAT TALES IS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PLANO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2200 INDEPENDENCE PKY PLANO TX, 75025 469-752-9300

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Construction (continued)

Wildcat Tales Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Plano Senior High School

By Daniel Hinson

9 Million Dollar Renovation

doesn’t need to be out all the time and we will have lot more room for kids to spread out.”

Construction is set to be finished on Building D by June 2011 with renovations going on inside through July 2011. The building will look entirely different once the construction is finished.

“Everything is shifting,” theatre teacher and fine arts department head Greg Arp said. “The current theatre room will become part of the music theory room. The current choir room will become an ensemble room. The current orchestra room will become a dance room. And the current band hall will become the orchestra room.”

Once the new additions to Building D are completed, the fine arts programs will have a lot more space to grow. “[The new space] will allow for rehearsal times to overlap,” Arp said.

“As far as rehearsal goes, it will open

up a lot more possibilities of rehearsal time so that the performances can be better.”

The fine arts department has grown quite a bit in the last couple of years.

Soon there will be an addition of dance classes.

“I think the facility is just busting at the seams with students,” Arp said. “The students currently have to practice in the hallway in bathrooms or wherever we can put them.”

Construction has also led to the sectioning off of the south parking lot located along the side of Building A. The construction staging area is located on the marching bands former practice field. Because of this, the band needed a new space to practice.

“The band needed a place to practice that they could use all year round, in all kinds of weather,” Davis said.

“The parking lot [along Independence Parkway] was the ideal lot, because it

was wide enough and didn’t have any islands.”

There are still plenty of spaces on campus for students to use. The lots located to the east lot to the north of the school both contain student spaces.

“If they want a closer space they will just have to get here a little earlier,” Davis said.

Once marching band is over the parking lot will be reopened for students to use. The reopening of the lot all depends on when the marching season finishes.

“The last scheduled game is the first week of November,” Davis said.

“If the football team goes into the playoff then the band will continue to use the lot. We think the lot will be reopened at the latest the week after Thanksgiving.”

Photo By: Amber Robinson

Fake IDs are on the Rise

By Meaghan Pulliam

C misdemeanor. This means that the police will confiscate the fake ID and a fine of $500 can be imposed. Many people believe it is worth having a fake ID despite the possible fines and consequences.

“I was pretty smart about it, I hid it well, I didn’t have it in the front of my wallet,” said Sims*. “I had secret place for it and I made sure to keep it away from my [real] license in case I got pulled over by the comps and didn’t hand them the wrong one.”

More often then not, parents will cease to trust their kids if they are caught doing something illegal, like using a fake ID. “[If my parents knew I had one] they would be so pissed,” Robinson* said. “I live a double life because to my parents, I’m like perfect, but I have a fake ID,” However, different home situations mean different consequences, or lack there of. “[If my parents knew I had one] they wouldn’t have really cared, to be honest,” said Blann*.

Everybody has a different experience with getting a fake ID. “I got mine through just a bunch of connections like a friend of a friend kind of

thing,” Robinson* said, “I also make [my fake ID] 21 because I’m going to be 18 in five months so might as well go big or go home.”

Some are sketchier than other and prices vary based on legitimacy of the fake ID. “[When I got mine], I felt really safe. They were really rich and had a huge house and Mac,” said Robinson*.

“It was no big deal. It was sketchy because I had to pay him before [I got the ID] but it was no big deal because he had given one to all [my] friends so I trusted him.”

Means of acquiring the ID differ as well.

“It was like a legitimate business, [where I got

mine],” said Blann*. “It wasn’t sketchy at all,” Costs vary based on legitimacy of the fake.

“I paid $100, which is really cheap because I had

[mine] isn’t scan-able.”

If a fake ID is scanable, information will come up to prove you are over 18 or 21, it will cost more than one that is not scan-able. “[Mine] was like $120, but it ranges,” Sims* said.

“It didn’t look that fake and it was scanable.”

It is common for people who make IDs to use software they downloaded off the c o m p u t e r.

“That’s Photo Illustration By Terry Quinn basically all the hookup because I was it is ,” said Blann*. “Just friends with his friends.,” knowing how to do it Robinson* said. But, right.”

However, even with the best software, there are still ways for business owners to spot a fake ID. Many business owners are becoming more vigilant about minors using fake IDs than in the past.

“There has been a steady use [of fake IDs] for the past few years,” said Officer Rick McDonald. “However, the kids are having a harder time making the fakes look real due to new watermarks and barcodes on the back. People between the ages of 17 and 19 are the ones who usually get caught [and] they are usually buying alcohol. We encourage community involvement and knowledge of how to spot a fake identification.”

news Issue One

Page Three

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Recession Rattles Teens

By Samantha Meyer

Economic times are tough. National headlines broadcast soaring unemployment rates while businesses fight to keep their doors open. The effects of the recession can be felt by all, but recently, a certain demographic has been heavily impacted by the economic downturn: teenagers.

Try as they might, many students actively searching for a job are still out of work.

“Nobody calls back,” junior Daniela Pawling said. “They give you the application, and they’re like ‘Oh yeah, we’ll call you’ and then they never call.”

It seems that because of the economic recession, teens are now competing with older applicants for the same jobs. Younger applicants applying for their first jobs have a disadvantage.

“You don’t have any experience,” Pawling said.

“I went to Plano Pets, but they only accept people over 18.”

Apart from being younger than most of their competition, teenagers struggle in many other ways while searching for a job. Junior Erik Niethamer stated that the most difficult part of his job search was actually walking in and talking to the manager.

Some teens can be intimidated when applying or interviewing for jobs. Despite their troubles, teens like Pawling and Neithamer were not giving up.

“I get an allowance, but now I have to pay for my own lunch,” Pawling said. “That really takes a lot of money out of my pocket.”

Students expenses really add up, a fact which is the main motivation for students getting a job.

“I just need money,” Niethamer said.

Despite the struggles of her peers, junior Katherine Imwalle said it wasn’t difficult to find her job as a gymnastics coach at the Plano Oak Point Recreation Center.

“I’ve been a gymnast for 11 years,” Imwalle said. “I got hired by the place where I used to do gymnastics.”

Imwalle was only 14 when she got her job.

“I’m the baby of the group,” Imwalle said.

Although she was still younger than many of her co-workers, her age did not interfere with her getting the job.

“I literally called my coaches boss, and told them I was interested in a job, and they were like ‘great!’,” Imwalle said.

Imwalle had some words of advice sure to help teens still searching for a job.

“Use your connections,” Imwalle said. “Be annoying. Constantly call the place asking for the job. That’s what they want.”

Photo By: Sarah Rosselet

wildcats Issue One

Page Four

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

Guten Tag to German Exchange Students Students Provide Host Homes For German Kids

By Jessica Yee

Family, friends, and students talk about going to places such as France, Italy, Spain, and even Germany. These foreign countries give people the ability explore and experience sights they see on television, or to get a taste of culture they read in those colorful guidebooks. Students involved in German club, or German class, are getting involved with a foreign exchange program by having host homes for German foreign exchange students.

“The first week of school the German teacher brought it up,” junior Katharina Moeller said. “It’s something done every year. They’re kids our age, smart kids.”

Fellow classmates or even best friends that came to Texas from another country could recall their own experience of how they stepped into a new neighborhood where there’s a McDonald’s at every corner, cars lined up at multiple gas stations, and handheld technology. Germany certainly has a verity of tasteful foods, cars, and tech gadgets unique of their own like bratwurst German sausages or BMWs, Bavarian Motor Works, which have been seen here in the United States. It is quite a trade off to experience both kinds of culture.

“I was nervous at first,” junior Madison Morgan said. “But it’s a really good experience and language speaking benefit.”

Students experience something American at least once a day. Whether it’s grabbing fast food at Sonic or Wendy’s, watching reality T.V shows, or shopping for the latest fad of brand clothes at malls. For German kids, coming out of their home country to a place like Texas may change from anxiety and curiosity to a dream come true or just a fascinating adventure.

“We take them to places they don’t have in Europe,” junior Madison Morgan said. “Six Flags, baseball games, and even food like corn dogs.

Germany is very different.”

Not only do the host homes benefit the German

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Meet the German Club

By Alex Gonzalez

kids that would come in, but also to the students doing the hosting. Getting to know another American student is one thing, but communicating with a foreign student whose culture defines similar activities differently go beyond those American boundaries. It can help prepare and even test students to use their knowledge and language skills to get to know a country like Germany themselves.

“The hosted kids chill at houses and have an American experience,” Moeller said. “During the day the kids could come to sit in on classes or take mini field trips. I like it because I think it’s really fun with a new culture and I can learn more German slang.”

For Moeller and Morgan, learning more typical German language plays a major benefit in their experience. Whatever benefits they gain during the hosting may become stories of their own that could spread from ear to ear. Being involved with a different foreign language course or happen to hear about German hosting in the halls may inspire others to join in on the fun and experience with their own class or even group of friends.

“The hosting is really cool that the Spanish class may want to do it too,” Moeller said. “It’s good for friendly relations with other cultures or countries.”

German kids taking a step into America seems like the end, but the experience can spread student’s interests into going out to foreign countries themselves. After providing host homes opportunity, students may be encouraged to step even further out of their comfort zone for more culture diversity. Some may want to teach English in a class abroad, build houses for missions, or even try their hand at cooking up a cultural cuisine.

“Even if you’re not involved with a foreign exchange program, that can’t stop you from seeing the world,” Morgan said. “It opens your eyes more and gives you a greater appreciation for what we have in America.”

There are so many things to look forward to after school.

Whether it’s going home, or spending time with friends, there are a variety of options. However, there are so many after school organizations to fit every student’s interest. The German Club is one of the many clubs on campus. In this club, students have the opportunity to learn about German customs, traditions and they have the opportunity to interact with students from Germany.

“Right now, the members of the club are hosting German exchange students,” German teacher Beth Smith said, “Over the summer, we’ll go visit them in Germany.”

The exchange students have already participated in multiple activities.

“We’ve had a pizza party, we’ve had a swimming party, we’ve gone to Six Flags, Main Event, and the Rangers game,” said Smith. “Over the next two weeks, we will tour Dallas, Fort Worth, The Currency Center, the Cowboys stadium and Fort Worth. We will also go for a Tex-Mex dinner.”

Over the next few weeks, the club will introduce the exchange students to the American culture “German club is definitely the most active,” senior Austin Camp said. “They host the most events, and neither Spanish nor French club get foreign exchange students.”

During their first week, the exchange students got to experience typical days in a modern high school student’s life.

“I went to lunch with one of [the exchange students] last week,” senior Cassandra McHutcheon said. “We bought him his first ChickFil-A chicken sandwich, and he seemed to like it a lot.”

The arrival of the German exchange students has become a school tradition.

“I was in Spanish club last year,” senior Danny McCarthy said. “And we didn’t get to do half of the fun stuff that German club gets to do.

I mean, it would be fun to host an exchange student.”

When the club is not hosting exchange students, or participating in events, they meet and have occasional discussions.

“We try to meet Wednesdays after school,” Smith said. “But we really don’t have meetings as much as we have events.”

The German Club is one of the oldest clubs on campus.

“I started teaching here the second year Plano opened,” Smith said. “And the German club has existed since then. We’ve also been participating in the exchange program since 1992.”

This club also hosts a variety of events throughout the school year.

“Next month we will have our first event, in which we will folk dance at the state fair. We will also have an Oktoberfest, a float in the homecoming parade, and a Zingen and Strudel contest with root beer guzzling,” Smith said. “We also, have our own booth at both Stay Days. In February, we have our Vinterfest, where students can play over 50 games and in the spring, we have our sports fest, bike races, folk lunches and soccer games. We also like to interact with the German clubs of other schools.”

The German Club has ways to fill in the time before and after the students return to Germany.

“We have little film festivals at the end of every six weeks,” Smith said, “and usually, they are American films which have been dubbed in German.”

Issue One

Page Five

September 24, 2010

wildcats

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Eric Kim:

Junior Class President

By Claire Minor

Campaigning, speech writing, new clothes and poster making are all a part of the strenuous process of running for any position of leadership. For a handful of juniors, this process just ended. A new junior class president has started his term. After a brief voting period, followed by a stressful runoff, junior Eric Kim has been elected. However, with four candidates running, no one could have predicted the outcome.

“I was actually surprised,” Kim said. “I felt like I accomplished something after I had a nervewrecking speech.”

In the candidate’s speeches, they had to address everything they hoped to do as junior class president and in a way that would swing the ballots their way. While some candidates put the focus on swinging the ballots their way, others, like Kim, focus on what is important for the school.

“There are many goals in my mind,” Kim said.

“I know not everything can happen, however, my most wanted goal is to do projects that can actually help the students.”

Other than speeches, candidates covered bulletin boards and walls with posters supporting their campaign. During the campaign period, not only are the posters important, but the candidate as a whole is important. Kim’s strategy was to reach out to the greatest amount of people possible.

“I just wanted to be a candidate who can somehow relate to everyone in one way or another,” Kim said. “I wanted to make sure that people know that I want this to be the best high school year.”

The junior class president position holds many responsibilities. The student has to rearrange their schedule to fit in the leadership class, make time for the projects and other tasks expected of them and do them all to the best of their abilities. Only someone who aspires to change things for the better would want to run.

“I wanted to represent my class,” Kim said. “I wanted to get to know more people and work with them. I wanted to make this the best school in the nation.”

There are clubs for everything from smoothies to anime and athletic teams for everything from football to golf, all with members wanting a junior class president to represent them. Representing such a large and varied group of people takes a well-rounded person who also possesses other leadership experience.

“I am a leader for Student Venture, a Bible study group,” Kim said. “I just make sure everyone has great time at events. I try to get as many people as I can to join the group. I am in football and FCA… I get to know a diverse group of people.”

Some of Kim’s goals for the year are the same ones promised by previous junior class presidents, some of them are different. The one that is repeated most is the one that needs to be repeated; with each new class is a new group of students that have yet to get close.

“I just want people to feel more united,” Kim said. “I want people to feel like the school is a big family.”

Uniting a large student body like this one takes a lot of work. To help bring the school together, Kim has thought of an approach to create a fun environment to meet people in.

“I am planning to have some parties,” Kim said.

“Where people can compete and have a great time.”

Kim is only one person, it is impossible for him to be aware of all that is going on in the school. As a representative for the junior class, Kim promises to be available for students to talk to about issues important to them.

“People can come and tell me their grievances,” Kim said. “I will listen to them and try to fix the problems.”

The most important factor for any leader of any group, whether it is the president of the United States or the junior class president at a high school, is enthusiasm.

“I am excited for this year,” Kim said. “I want people to know that we will have the best year ever.”

Photo By: Taylor Thompson

sports Issue One

Page Six

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Under the Helmet

By Lindsey Kehlmann

Football, from the player’s point of view

Everybody knows what it’s like in the stands on a Friday night. No matter how hot or cold it is, hundreds of students and families storm Clark Stadium, some with painted stomachs, some with bows and temporary tattoos, some with conch shells and foghorns, but all with undying spirit, a maroon t-shirt, and of course the competitive wish to kill the other team.

Junior Kevin Merrill, running back and wide receiver, knows what Fridays are like under the helmet, but it isn’t just the game day that makes playing for the team hard work.

“We spend a lot of hours between watching film and physical practice,” Merrill said. “We put in a lot of hours, and we lift weights in the mornings, too. I don’t know how many hours but I know we are out there a lot. Our coaches and the team dedicate our lives to football during football season.”

Senior Chris Love, defensive lineman, thinks the number of hours the team spends together affects the team’s relationship positively.

“We are more than a football team, we’re a family,” Love said. “Being a Wildcat is about tradition and keeping that tradition alive. My experience here has taught me so much about life, and will follow me for the rest of my life.

The atmosphere here is something special.”

The atmosphere the team feels

while in practice is one thing, but the atmosphere at school is just as important to boost the team’s morale.

“It feels good when you’re walking through the halls and you see everybody with football shirts on, it makes it all worth it,” Merrill said. “Out on the field it makes you feel really good to see all those people out there to support you and watch you play. There’s pressure, but the most pressure I think we feel is the pressure we put on ourselves.”

The pressure isn’t enough to stop Merrill from being at the top of his game. When the time comes to play, it isn’t even on his mind.

“When I get out on the field, I’m just ready to go,” Merrill said. “I hate waiting, I know we all hate waiting.

When you get out onto the field, when you run out of that tunnel, you’re just ready to get out there and get going.”

Love feels the same way, and they both know that winning and losing is an issue of pride for the school.

“There’s a little pressure but on the whole team we each have a role, and we just have to do our jobs and do them well,” Love said. “We know we have a reputation at stake every year.”

With his and the school’s honor on the line, Love does all he can to prepare himself mentally for a game.

“I barely talk,” Love said. “I really just focus on the opponent and think of those Friday night

lights shining on the field. When I get out there I get pumped. Adrenaline runs through my veins and my body gets numb at first, but once I walk on the field I feel at home.”

Every player has that one part of the game that makes all of their practice worth it, and feeling at home on the field helps Love stay focused on his favorite moments.

“I love me some defense,” Love said. “I like the contact and explosive hits. It’s a great way to take out aggression. The one thing I always remember from a game is my biggest hit.”

And hopefully with some big enough hits and support from the student body, the team will be able to maintain their perfect undefeated record.

“Everybody is really supportive,” Merrill said. “Coaches, parents, and people at school. It’s pretty cool to come back to school on Mondays after you’ve won and everybody’s like, ‘good game’.”

After all, a good game could be just what a player needs to have their dreams realized.

“It’s almost every athlete’s dream to play professionally,” Merrill said.

“Personally, I would love to play for the Cowboys.

Photo By Anna Vicars

Issue One

Page Seven

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

sports 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Volleyball Sets the Season off Right

By Amber Robinson

The wins. The losses. The team.

The girls talk about their season, and how well they get along with each

other.

“We’ve started off to a great season,” junior Brittany Brunson said.

“Let’s leave it at that.”

The team has had an excellent out-of-district season so far. Beating teams such as Arlington Lamar, Duncanville, and Arlington Martin put the girls on their “road to success”.

“Beating some of those teams was a real confidence builder,” Brunson said.

However as of September 17, they had only won four out of eight games. And only one of those wins came from a district game.

“Our record doesn’t really mean much,” Brunson said. “I mean, we’ve played teams that were a lot harder, and the scores don’t really prove that.”

“I know it doesn’t sound good,” Brunson said. “But you can’t really look at our record now and say that it looks bad.”

“The first two teams we played were Allen and Hebron,” Brunson said. “They’re both really difficult teams to beat. I mean, after all, Hebron’s ranked number two in the state right now. And Allen? Well, Allen is Allen. They’re always going to be good.”

The team started their district games on September 10, and they said that they were pumped to start their district season off with some wins...

“I was pretty sad that we lost,” senior Katie Rainwater said. “We work so hard as a team, but I guess it just didn’t work out.”

Even with the losses, the girls said that the team has managed to stay extremely upbeat and positive.

“We’re not gonna let it get us down,” Brunson said. “Our district season has just barely started. And there’s still so many more games for us to play and win.”

Although the season is really just beginning, for some, this will be their last. And because of that, all of the girls are trying to make it as memorable and exciting as possible for everyone.

“I feel like everyone gets along really, really well. All the time,” junior Bethany Werner said. “And we have so much fun together, so that definitely shows on the court.”

The girls will play a total of 14 district games, and they are more than ready to win.

“We’re young and athletic,” Werner said. “And I think it’s gonna be a really good season, because we’re always gonna give it our all.”

Megan Heaton, Junior Varsity

fine arts Issue One

Page Eight

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Presenting: The Triangle Factory Fire Project

The drama department mixes things up with “The Triangle Factory Fire Project” By: Whitney Fein

The Triangle Factory Fire Project, a story about the historic fire at a clothes washing factory in New York City, 1911, is the setting for the drama department’s first play.

One day, at a factory, a lit cigarette was thrown into a basket filled with fabric scraps. A fire started up that affected the seventh, eighth and ninth floors. It was believed that the door on the ninth floor was locked, so that the factory owners would not have to worry about their workers leaving or stealing anything. This door was one of the only doors, not blocked by flames, which led to safety. Although many women struggled to get out of the factory, the attempt was unsuccessful.

Even though the fire was contained in less than 30 minutes, almost 150 young immigrants died in the fire.

The play is all about the fire and the court case that occurred afterwards, told from the point of view of the women involved (victims and survivors).

“I feel obligated to work harder and to get every single line right, wordfor-word,” senior Kait Berteau said.

“Because these were real people and we need to be able to honor what they went through and what they said.”

The play was taken from news stories and court transcripts of the Photo by: Eilie Strecker

time.

“I play Ethel Monick,” Berteau said. “She is a 16-year-old working in the factory. She was one of the survivors and she saved herself by jumping into an open elevator shaft and sliding down the center cable with something wrapped around her hands.”

Through this experience of researching their characters, getting into the scenes, and seeing this whole situation played out in front of them things can get deep.

“I think the show is incredible,” junior Tara Brown said. “Just reading the script, it is very intense.”

Many kids in the theatre department think this show is intense as well as informational. It tells the story of young immigrants and how they struggled to make a living for their families, and then ended up being killed at a place they spent most of their time, the factory.

“I just hope there is not a dry-eye in the audience,” Berteau said.

Theatre will be performing “The Triangle Factory Fire Project” on September 23, 24, 25 in the auditorium at 7:30 p.m. all three days.

Tickets are $5 for left and right, $8 center.

Issue One

Page Nine

September 24, 2010

fine arts

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

The Big Move

As band changes practice fields, students feel the burden.

By Laurel Guild

As the school reconstructs and improves its physical appearance, the marching band has been ousted from their usual practice spot, the back marching area. Instead of marching in the midst of dust nails, and construction workers, they have moved to the student/teacher parking lot near the front of the building between buildings A and D. This has largely affected not only the marching band students, but the students as a whole as well.

“It’s annoying because it makes me late to class, because I have to park so far away from my first period class,” junior Hannah Donnelli said. “If the other lot were open, I would park there and would be a whole lot closer to it.”

Band director Jeremy Kondrat is very thankful to everyone for helping the band have a place to practice.

However, he does notice the small differences between the new and old areas.

“One negative is that there are a few light poles in the parking lot. We have to make sure that the kids don’t run into them, especially when they are marching backwards,” Kondrat said. “The parking lot is also very sloped and at an angle so certain moves are quite difficult to do and make them good. There is also the occasional car that ends up being in part of the barricaded area that we have to practice in. We then have to make sure that it gets out without injuring any of the students.”

The band also has quite a different atmosphere marching in the parking lot opposed to the old marching field.

“It’s definitely harder to concentrate and hear the directors because of all of the traffic and horn honking that is done on Park Road,” junior Nicolette Doan said.

As to how long the band will be practicing there, not even the director is sure.

“All I know is that we plan to have the barricades down by Thanksgiving, near the end of football season,” Konrat said.

On the plus side, the parking lot is closer to Band Hall thereby saving time and allowing for additional practice time.

“It’s also good because it is easier for pit ensemble because we have an area to stand or sit that is not in the mud,” Doan said. “Pit ensemble is the non-marching aspect of the band; xylophone, symbols, and some of the other percussion instruments.”

Even with some of the struggles, Kondrat said he was pleased with the outcome of everything.

“I feel like everything is going really well considering the situation,” said Kondrat. “And given the circumstances, I feel like, we, as a band, have been very well taken care of.”

“We plan to have the barricades down by Thanksgiving,” Konrat said.

Photo By: Erin Saunders

Dancing Through Life New dance class excites dance enthusiasts

By Chelsea Allen

The music fills the room as the track you have heard a thousand times before explodes into the air. Your mind no longer exists; only your body does, performing all of the twists and leaps you have rehearsed over and over again.

The music takes hold of you until you are one with the beat. For those with a passion for dance, no matter how much experience one has, Dance-1 is open to everyone who has a love for the performing arts.

“Ballet, jazz, Broadway, modern, tap—it covers whole new realms of dancing,” dance teacher Meredith Walraven said. “Plus, it counts as a fine arts credit and a P.E. credit.”

In Dance-1, students get to explore dancing from every angle by not only putting it in practice, but going through the history, learning choreography, and performing in the spring show at the end of the year. With much practice and a love for the art, students discover a wide spectrum of dance and gain experience in dancing.

“I’m really looking forward to teaching this class,” Walraven explained.

“Right now, I have two classes with about 40 girls. They’re really interested in learning and making progress.”

After a three year struggle over the creation of this class, Walraven

explained, Dance-1 is born, and interest is increasing as more people learn about the many exciting forms of choreographed dancing.

“I dropped Planoettes,” senior Cheyenne Crow said, “but I still wanted dance in my life. So, I took this class.”

So, what is there to look forward to in Dance-1?

“It’s stress free, keeps you in shape, and counts as a fine arts credit,” Cheyenne said. “You can have fun and be yourself. I’m looking forward to learning choreographed dance and performing in the spring show. Also, I love Ms. Walraven.”

This dance class is for everyone from beginning to advanced who wants to explore the realm of dancing through the ages, and have the opportunity to experience an expressive, deep, emotional art first-hand regardless of skill level and background.

“I’ve been dancing for 14 years,” said senior and dance class student Kaitlyn Berteau. “I’ve always loved to move and perform. The new class is easy, and will help my technique.

Even if you haven’t danced before, you should take this class. It’s fun, and helps give you a sense of self-confidence.”

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Page Twelve

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

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Issue One

Page Thirteen

September 24, 2010

cartoons

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Illustration By Kelli Manning

Illustration By Kelli Manning

Illustration By Ericka Lindsay

review Issue One

Page Fourteen

easy A

September 24, 2010

Rating: B

By: Eilie Strecker

Easy A is a quick witted comedy that is clearly made for a teenage audience. Although it touches on adult related material and is modeled after The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, its main focus is on high school popularity The main character, Olive Pendergast (played by Emma Stone), is portrayed as an innocent g o o d y - t wo - s h o e s who gets caught up in high school drama after pretending to sleep with one of her gay guy friends (played by Dan Byrd) in order to help his popularity status.

What at first seems like a simple Photo credit to letsnotandsaywedid.com favor to a friend soon becomes an all consuming whirlwind of lies and drama in which Olive finds herself alone and an outcast. However, instead of crawling into a shell and hiding, Olive embraces her new found infamy by embroidering a red letter “A” to the front of all her clothes, which is exactly what Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter was forced to do after being accused of adultery This film takes the stereotypical image of high school and intensifies it by a huge amount. The clubs and organizations are comically extreme, specifically the religious club led by Marianne (Amanda Bynes). Although her character is very funny Bynes seemes out of her element and slightly awkward playing the ‘mean girl’ considering she has always been the funny innocent ‘good girl’ in all her previous movies Throughout the story Olive’s love interest is Todd (played by Penn Badgley). Though Todd’s character is good for a few feeble laughs, and he is the typical good looking guy, his presence is random and there is not enough chemistry between him and Olive in order to create a good love connection.

Overall, Easy A is good. It puts a modern spin on a classic story and delivers a fairly predictable but humorous plot. This movie is good to see if you enjoy quick humor and clichés, if not wait for the dollar theatre.

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

The Town By: Anna Vicars

Rating: A+

The movie opens with the voice of Ben Affleck’s character, Doug ‘Dougie’ MacRay, telling his crew the details of their next ‘job’. This job consists of robbing a local bank in their hometown of Charelstown, MA. The town is a blue-collar community where crime is a way of life, and these men know this all too well. The gang, led

by MacRay, is known for bank robberies and jumping [money deliverers].

The first bank robbery of the film is executed according to every detail that MacRay has plotted. The team enters the bank at 8:10 a.m. wearing signature costume masks.

The men wait until 8:15 in the morning to have the bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), open the banks safe. Keesey opens the safe and the men go to work collecting the money, Photo credit to thetownmovie.warnerbros.com collecting everyone’s cell phones, and bleaching the entire building, which would ensure no DNA traces. The gang leaves, but not without a hostage, bank manager Keesey. They release her unharmed, but rattled. She files a report with the F.B.I., and returns home. Since this is the first time the gang has taken someone hostage, MacRay’s right-hand-man, James ‘Jem’ Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), asks MacRay to check up on Keesey and see if the F.B.I. has gotten involved. Dougie follows Keesey into the laundromat and makes polite conversation with her. She falls apart and he offers to buy her a drink. One thing leads to another, and the two are dating.

Throughout the film you watch the gang struggle with the fact that MacRay, their fearless leader, wants out. Not to mention, he wants to leave with Keesey.

This movie, although long, was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, and I applaud Affleck for writing, directing, and acting in this movie. He captures the essence of what growing up in Charlestown, or somewhere very similar, would be like. He portrays the raw emotion that goes along with wanting to leave a place but not the people in it. The inner struggle of gangs and family are displayed as MacRay fights to get out, and Affleck, having grown up in Charelstown himself, knows from experience the inner workings of the crime and the city itself.

His experiences from his childhood totally made the movie. This is definitely a must see.

Sam Tsui: Youtube Breakout Star

By Vivian Nguyen

Rating A

He has been hailed as the next Youtube phenom in a new crop of Youtube “celebrities”. His soothing Michael Buble-esque voice teamed with his charm has brought this Yale student to internet fame. Originally hailing from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, this singer grew up down the street from his Youtube partner as well as producer and accompanier, Kurt Schneider. Together, the duo’s videos of covers and original melodies have brought in well over seventeen million views, over 250,000 subscribers, and have caught the attention of many big names in the music industry. The bubbly medleys use multiple pitch variations and Sam Tsui’s voice to achieve a more natural tone, and their mash-ups are always arranged to near perfection, thus appealing to a wide audience. However, their videos, not usually very visually pleasing, tend to have Tsui using many unnecessary facial expressions; which does make one wonder whether he is just entirely too into the music or if he just needs to use the restroom. In his defense, Tsui does genuinely seem like a nice guy, and he happens to have the vocal chops to override his overenthusiastic expressions. While Tsui can be a touch over the top, at the end of the day, what truly counts is that this boy can sing. His catchy mash-ups and his soulful original songs can always be counted on to get stuck in your head or put on replay and his wide smile and charm are almost guaranteed to win you over

Watch: “Love the Way You Lie Mash-Up”, “Summer Pop Medley”, and “Lady Gaga Medley” Sounds Like: Michael Buble meets Glee’s Finn Hudson, but so much cuter.

Photo credit to Apple.com

Issue One

Page Fifteen

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

Red Mango 5700 Legacy Dr. Price: $.45/oz Rating: (3.5) Flavors: 12 Toppings: 44

review 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Spoonfull 2220 Coit Road Price: $.35/oz Rating: (2.5) Flavors: 10 Toppings: 25

Red Mango is located in the Shops of Legacy, making it a very hip and stylish eatery. At $.45 an ounce, it is one of the most expensive places I visited. But, one must pay a high price for quality. Each of their 12 flavors is 100 percent natural. This may have caused the slight lack of richness in the flavor department, but I simply adored the realness of each flavor and the commitment to stay true to the parent food. I would strongly recommend trying the Madagascar vanilla, key lime pie, pineapple and its signature flavor tangomonium, a citrus medley. Some of the other flavors Red Mango offers are acai berry, hazelnut, pomegranate, espresso and black cherry. It also dishes up fruit parfaits, smoothies, and cold teas. With 44 different kinds of toppings, including Pop-Tarts, jellybeans, mango, and butterscotch, it has an extensive variety of toppings.

Yumilicious 1900 Preston Rd Suite 337 Price: $.45/oz Rating: (3.5) Flavors: 12 Toppings: 48 For my last froyo mission, I ventured to Yumilicious. It is one of the more expensive venues, at $.45 an ounce. It offers 12 different flavors, from piña colada to red velvet. 48 different toppings are available, with the widest variety of fresh fruit options. Most of its flavors stayed true to their parent food, with the exception of avocado and strawberry tart. Some of my favorite flavors were peanut butter, taro and cappuccino because of their creamy textures, strong flavors and natural tastes. I really like the atmosphere that Yumilicious achieves with two large flat screen TVs, and free WiFi. Yumilicious also offers a Happy Hour for students on Thursdays, giving 50% off with a student I.D.

For my next froyo excursion, I went to the ever-popular Spoonfull.

At $.35 an ounce, it is about in the middle of the price range. The location is fabulous, as it is so close to campus. The atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed, but it unfortunately does not offer a wide variety of flavors or toppings. Some of my favorite flavors were the plain tart, NYC cheesecake, and chocolate. Some of the flavors had a slightly disagreeable aftertaste, while others were luscious, rich and full of flavor. On the positive side, it has freshly cut fruit and a water fountain. There is nothing better than cold water after eating frozen yogurt.

Nothing beats the heat like a cold bowl of frozen yogurt. With froyo places sprouting up everywhere, how do you know which one is king?

On a quest to seek the ultimate in soft, frozen, confectionary treats, I set off to four locations around the Plano area, Red Mango, Yogurtea, Spoonfull, and Yumilicious. All of them offer the increasingly popular extrusion method of self service.

Yogurtea 8240 Preston Road Price: $.30/oz Rating: (3) Flavors: 16 Toppings: 50 The next place I visited was called Yogurtea, near Stonebriar mall.

The location is slightly our of the way, but it is definitely worth it. This is by far the cheapest place I visited, at $.30 an ounce. It also has the widest variety of both toppings and flavors, with 16 flavor options and 50 toppings to choose from. Its flavors ranged from unpalatable (mango, coconut crème pie, and avocado) to decent (blueberry, peach, strawberry, and vanilla) to simply amazing (ginger lemonade, taro, icy tart, peanut butter and yellow cake batter). I admire their attempts on some unique flavors, such as ginger lemonade and peanut butter, but at least in one case (coconut) the yogurt just tasted like frozen suntan lotion. Most of its attempts at fruit flavors had unnatural tastes. In addition to froyo, it also serves bubble tea, slushes, smoothies, frappes, and cappuccinos. The owners were extremely friendly and willing to accommodate any of my needs and answer any questions.

Skimpy Spiritwear Shocks Students

By Melissa Meyer

At this time of year, most students’ weekends revolve around one thing: football. Hundreds of students and parents flock to the games Friday nights to socialize with their friends and root for their favorite Wildcats. The stadium becomes a sea of maroon as students get decked out in their favorite spirit wear and show their pride for our school. But some recent trends in spirit wear are showing much more than enthusiasm. Students altering spirit gear to make it more revealing is a trend that has people talking.

“Last year I didn’t see any girls with the painted bodies, but now it seems like it’s a really big trend,” senior Anna Barden said.

Students confirm that they have seen a large increase in provocative attire at football games this year.

“A big difference I’ve seen [from last year] is the cutting of shirts. People are cutting holes in them, and cutting out the sleeves so you can see their stomachs,” senior Kristen Sibert said.

Students are used to teachers and administrators reprimanding them for dressing inappropriately, but those who participate in these trends seem to go so far that it offends their peers.

“The people that cut up their shirts [cross the line], I think. I saw that last game ... I could see their bras … I don’t think that’s classy,” junior Sara Bynum said.

There are some students who feel that guys can get away with more than girls can.

“It’s not a big deal to see a guy shirtless, but the

girls who wear the sports bras with the painted stomachs? I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Sibert said.

Some students, however, feel just the opposite.

“I think that girls should be able to show their spirit anyway a guy does. It’s not like the girls who paint themselves are showing anything no one’s ever seen before, it’s no different from wearing a swimsuit… so I don’t see what the big deal is,” junior Anna Strakele said.

Yet many students feel that these trends don’t represent Plano well, and that those who participate are asking for the wrong kind of attention.

“I really think that the girls that aren’t covered to well are just trying to get a lot of attention, and that attention should go more to the football team or the band, and everyone that were actually rooting for. We’re not rooting for trashy looking girls,” Barden said.

Still, everyone wants to show their spirit at games, and students want to know what’s safe to wear.

“I really like the little tattoos of paw prints people get on their faces; I think that’s cute.”

Sibert said.

Some trends are timeless.

“I think just being comfortable at football games is the way to go,” Barden said. “Like a pair of jeans and a Plano shirt. Showing you’re spirit any little way you can.”

Photo by: Terry Quinn

opinion Issue One

Page Sixteen

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Tights are Tight

a positive view on tights as pants

a negative view on tights as pants

By Taylor Thompson and Eilie Strecker

By Dayna Gettel

Many times in the Hollywood and celebrity scene the fashion trends created transfer into the real fashion-judging world, the world of high school students. Often the trends are fashion faux pas, but one becoming more popular and stylish is wearing leggings or tights as pants. This trend is stylish, comfortable, and extremely convenient.

In the scorching Texas sun, when walking from class to class, one thought, “Why did I wear jeans? It is so hot,” always runs through my head when I begin to heat up. Tights and leggings are thinner and allow the body to stay cool while still keeping some warmth in. This allows them to be worn all year long, especially when you want to wear a summer outfit during the winter. With just the addition of a pair of dark tights a summer outfit can be easily changed to a winter outfit.

I know that I’m not the only one who has ever struggled with sliding my extra jean fabric into my shoes when wearing boots throughout the year. Having the extra fabric wrinkle and come up out of the boot is uncomfortable to both see and feel. With wearing tights as pants it is easy and quick to slide your boots on and walk out the door. While shoe shopping and places where you have to take off your shoes a lot, tights are the way to go.

Searching through the mall, it is almost impossible not to find a picture of

a model or an actual sales person who is wearing leggings as pants. The leggings carried in the stores come in various colors such as black, cream, white, and grey.

The ones that often interest people, including myself, are the “jeggings”, or jean leggings. These leggings are what appears to be a mix of jeans and leggings, but are fully legging material with a jean colored look. They allow the same movement and thinness as the average pair of leggings, with the appearance of pants. Without having to take as big of a step as wearing the average colored leggings as pants, the “jeggings” allow a perfect and comfortable balance between leggings and jeans.

While tunics can often be too long for jeans, but too short to wear just as dresses, tights are ideal for tunics. Although patterned pants were popular in the 1980s, slightly patterned tights can accent plainly colored tunics to make a more interesting outfit. Patterned tights are bold, while still very fashionable, and can give any tunic the flare it needs.

One of the many reasons people, teenagers especially, wear tights as pants is as a way to put emphasis on good, key features in the body, such as long and lean legs or curves. Also, darker tones can allow your legs to look longer and leaner. From being more comfortable than jeans, more stylish than plain pants, and overall a good buy, tights as pants is a fashion win.

Tights for pants or jeggings should be ripped and run out of our school fashion. I don’t care if you have a nicely sculpted tush or extra junk in the trunk, pants should be a requirement.

Tight is exactly what they are. Another layer of skin to cover unflattering features.

In fact the person’s curves are forced to go up and out in these fine garments, causing a woman’s thighs and hips to be enlarged.

Bending over in tights is a whole other matter. Tights are not thick enough to hide the Hello Kitty underwear you unfortunately decided to put on this morning. Even worse, Free Willy emerges with your whale tailing thong. Sometimes, the particularly destroyed leggings with rips all the way down the thigh will display puffs of skin popping out at odd angles.

Also, there is no such thing as jean-leggings or “jeggings” as they have come to be known. No matter what you convince yourself, navy colored tights fool no one into thinking you are wearing a pair of jeans.

Also forget about carrying anything in the front or back pockets , theses are purely for show and are not functional for anything but outlining your newly enlarged love handles. As tight as these leggings are they fail to stay high on your hips as you yank them up only to have them settle back into their unflattering spot.

Far from looking relaxed and nonchalant girls look unbearably uncomfortable constantly tugging and pulling at various places.

Most of the young ladies wearing tights for pants don’t even have unflattering figures. However without the firm reinforcement of thick material, muscle is pushed out in a wing like fashion soaring you into wide hips land.

I’m under the firm belief that anyone can look beautiful as long as they wear clothes fit for their body type. Tights fall under the “one size fits all” category. There is no such thing as “one size fits all”. There is a “one size fits most” but most does not include some of the larger members of our population.

With all the extrenities that girls go to to feel comfortable in their own skin, the last thing they need is yet another style choice which exemplifies so many of their imperfections. It is not that girls dont fit into these leggings. The fact is that leggings are simply not made to fit most body types.

Although this is far from being the first time in history a ridiculous clothing item has been in style, I’m sure it won’t be the last. Sometime in the future I am sure these “pants” will be lauded with items such as parachute pants, pleather mini skirts and hot pants. Unfortunately in the meantime, we must suffer through the sweeping epidemic that is leggings.

Illustration By Kelli Manning

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Issue One

Page Seventeen

September 24, 2010

Onion Goggles: The Time is Never

By Renee Wysocki

1

By Eilie Strecker

Plano Senior High School

Cat Quips

Katy Perry gets her husband’s face manicured on her finger nails when he could not attend the VMA’s with her. Katy, you have just given new meaning to “he’s wrapped around her finger.”

I do a lot of Internet windowshopping. I rarely buy anything, but lately in my excursions, I have noticed a retail trend. Specifically, a disturbing proliferation of these: What are they? Motocross reading glasses? No. Safety goggles that come with Malibu Barbie’s Table Saw? Sadly, no. No, these are Onion Goggles.

That’s right. They are safety glasses that are designed to be worn while chopping onions.

Seriously? Does anyone else have a problem with this? Now, before I proceed, let me say that I live for a good, silly product. I truly do. I absolutely love walking into CVS just to gawk at the shelves of the “As Seen On TV” aisle. But, come on.

Special goggles for slicing onions?

Is this how fragile we have become?

Is this only the tip of the iceberg?

What’s next? Bacon-frying helmets?

Steel-toed slippers?

Paper-cut survival classes? I like to think that I can take on pretty much any item in the kitchen and come out on top.

The way I see it, if Laura Ingalls Wilder could turn cream into butter without full body armor, I should be able to chop an onion and live to tell the tale. Besides, how many onions are being chopped on a daily basis? By the time I have rummaged through the drawers to find a knife and arranging the goggles so they don’t mess up my hair, I have lost every interest in cooking. Instead, I’m much more interested in reaching for the phone to order Chinese food from the little place down the street that barely speaks English. Oh, but wait, it gets worse.

It is not enough to fend off the ocular onion assault. One must defend with style. Forget the weapons- what color are your onion goggles? It must be a sin somewhere to be stricken with onion goggles that don’t compliment your outfit.

I need some help with this, what are the rules here? Can you wear white goggles after Labor Day? Are the red goggles too racy? Do the green ones make me look fat?

If the reality of the situation is that you are cooking while brandishing a knife and wearing brightly colored Onion Goggles, I’m going to make an assumption. Have you lost your mind?!

That being said I am not entirely adverse to the idea of tear-preventing eye wear. And, while I will continue to battle fruits and vegetables with only a scrunchie and a cutting board, it would be interesting to see if wearing a pair of Onion Goggles would allow me to watch “Titanic” without three boxes of tissues.

Ooh, do you think they come in lavender?

opinion

2

The vending machine in the Hudson Hotel in New York City now includes 24k gold hand cuffs and the option to rent a red Ferrari for a week for $10,000. Also for a limited time if you press B10 they will throw in a free bag of peanuts.

3

Photo credit to Katy Perry

4 5

Lindsey Lohan fails her first drug test after getting out of jail. “Oh they are just crushed mints, wait no, gum! I mean…did I already use that one?”

Recently Christiano Renaldo has made news for ‘losing his shirt’.

“Brandy Chastain!

Get over here I would like you to meet Christiano. You guys will get along great.”

Ryan Reynolds’ new movie “Buried” will be hitting the box office in October. The entire film will consist of Ryan in a box just large enough for him to fit. Can we get this mail order? Stick a bow on that box and you’ll have every girl’s dream gift.

Photo credit to Lionsgate

6

The movie “Devil”, written

by M. Night Shyamalan, is now in theatres. Honestly I think he should just quit while he’s ahead. It’s still a real nail bitter between Lady in the Water and The Last Airbender.

Photo credit to Cristiano Ronaldo

8

Paris Hilton recently tweeted a picture of her and her new pet bunny rabbits!

Yeah because we all need 20 new rabbits just for kicks. PETA: you may want to keep a look-out for Paris’s new fur coats.

Coincidence?

9

“The Town” is a new movie starring Ben Affleck and his love interest Blake Lively.

Match made in heaven.

7

TX/OU weekend.

And its kick off! Wait what’s this? Is that Bevo pulling a sooner wagon? Well, looks like the rivalry is over folks.

Photo credit to Paris Hilton

10

Favorite Facebook quote:“Today, my spunky bald professor placed a large rubber band around the top of his head. He continued to lecture until the top of his head turned purple from loss of circulation. Needless to say I heard nothing of the lecture as I watched his peach colored scalp fade slowly like 1970s horror film to a deep purple.

Where ...is the line drawn between freaky cool and disturbing? I’m still deciding...”

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

Great Expectations

By Madison McDaniels

School, homework, study, repeat.

School, homework, study, repeat.

This routine has become the basis of my everyday life and it still isn’t good enough. Going to bed at insane hours of the night and trying to keep up in school on a maximum of five hours of sleep should’ve been a sign, but of course I ignored this incessant reminder of how hard it’s getting to keep up in such a competitive world these days. Whether it’s the major state schools, or the prestigious Ivy League universities, the academic competition has exceeded its standards, and so have the expectation’s of our parent’s. And I am not an exception.

Ever since I could remember my dad has always wanted me to be a Texas Longhorn. Looking back at baby pictures I remember him dressing me up in Texas onesies, and holding my hand into the “Hook ‘em” position. My dad’s own obsession with me going to the University of Texas came from the McDaniel family tradition. All of his brothers and sisters got into Texas either their freshman or sophomore year. My uncle was a starting player on the football team in the 70s, playing along side of Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell.

And at first I went along with his dream for us. When his friends would ask me where I would want to go to school, just like I had memorized it straight from a textbook I would recite, “I want to go to the University of Texas where my dad went!” and at the time I did!

As I entered high school, the pressure to pick a school became more and more present. Following me like a shadow, the constant thought of where I wanted to go to college always seemed to be in the back of my mind. What was I going to major in? What if I don’t get into UT? And finally I had to admit to myself that the only reason that I still wanted to go to Texas was because that’s where my dad wanted me to go. Sure enough my brother got in to Texas so of course that was just one more person that would be down my throat about picking the right school; the only school. The orange blood that had been running through my veins since before I was even born had once seemed as if it was this “predestination”, like going to this college had always been picked out for me and there was not even another option to consider.

When we are younger we like to side with our parents no matter what. Their thoughts become our thoughts, until one day we grow up. We start to learn in school about the world and its culture and politics and we start to form our own ideas and thoughts as we branch off from our parents and become our own person. When this happened to me I knew that I was going to start seeing things in a different way and of course I did. As I started to become my own person I realized that a lot of things and the possibility of not going to the University of Texas was one of them.

I sit here now and I still wonder where I want to go to school and what I want to pursue. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that my family is just going to have to live with it because it’s my life.

advertisers Issue One

Page Eighteen

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

REACHING YOUR GOALS IS STRONG. REACHING BEYOND YOUR GOALS IS ARMY STRONG.

There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. As a Soldier in the U.S. Army, you’ll not only learn discipline, teamwork and leadership skills. You’ll also learn to succeed in one of more than 150 career fields, and you could be eligible for a college scholarship. To find out more, visit your local recruiter, goarmy.com or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.

Learn about how to become an officer in the U.S. Army or about enlistment bonuses up to $40,000. For more info, stop by the Plano Recruiting Station on West Parker Road or call 972-422-1090.

©2009. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

Issue One

Page Nineteen

September 24, 2010

photo essay

Plano Senior High School

By Sapna Sharma

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

TO INFINITY & BEYOND

Up, up, and away. Many students volunteered at the Plano Balloon Festival that took place September 17-19 and helped the Kids Corner become a huge success. The National Honor Society aided children in multiple booths that dealt with various activities.

“At the Plano Balloon Festival I had the opportunity to volunteer in the Kids Corner and help kids make balloons out of paper,” senior Geethika Nandam said.

Others had balloons in a kaleidoscope of colors. The environment, with lively music helped give the festival its laid back, yet energetic vibe. In the midst of the balloon launching and enormous inflatable kids jump houses, the laughter of children could be heard. The music brought couples together and resulted in an array of dances varying according to the genre of music. Soft music led to waltzing, while more upper beat music led to quick stepping.

The food could be bought at booths all over the grounds. There was also a massive grill that looked about 5 feet in diameter “They had this vendor at the festival called ‘Fried What?’ and we ate fried Oreos that were delicious,” Nandam said.

In the middle of the festival was a colossal field used to launch the balloons. The field was also surrounded by a picnic area that anyone could sit at and watch the set up of the balloons launching while sharing quality time with family and friends.

Photos By: Sapna Sharma & Jessica Akhras

advertisers Issue One

Page Twenty

September 24, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx

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