Issue 11 May 13, 2011

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INSIDE

Volume 65

Issue Eleven

Student Voices Expressing Political Viewpoints

By Meital Boim

Grownups are not the only ones with political opinions. Students, too, are expressing their views and sharing their insight on President Obama’s May 2 announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death. Although thoughts vary, one thing everyone can agree on is the importance of the event.

“This is a very sensitive issue for most Americans,” junior Kaylar Fullington said. “Osama bin Laden’s death will definitely have a significant impact on Obama’s foreign policy and re-election campaign.”

April 4, Obama made his intentions clear to run for a second term, filing his candidacy paperwork and speaking with the electorate. Fullington believes that although bin Laden’s death may improve Obama’s chances of reelection, it may not have a large effect on the campaign.

“Bin Laden’s death will probably increase [Obama’s] ratings, but most people would not have agreed, for example, with the ‘respectful’ sea burial that the Obama administration gave him,” Fullington said. “People really hate bin Laden for September 11 and would prefer for him not to be treated with respect. I think that will decrease [Obama’s] approval ratings, if absolutely nothing else, and hurt his chances of re-election.”

Senior Andrew Leo agrees that the issue is controversial and ambiguous. He predicts the major topics of the reelection campaign based on what has happened not just in the last few weeks but also in past years. “[He’ll be campaigning] probably mostly on economic issues – the fact that the Republicans were the ones who were [in power] when the economy hit the ground, and now they can be blamed for it,” Leo said. “I think he’ll be talking more about that metaphor that he uses where [the Republicans] drove the car into the ditch and are now asking for the keys back. I don’t think his policies will change, [but] it will sway some of the undecided voters. I think it might make up for [the economy] in some people’s minds, and that’ll definitely sway several voters.”

Another interpretation of public opinion following bin Laden’s death regards the group who executed the mission that killed bin Laden.

“The general public will perceive that Obama is responsible CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

May 13, 2011

Tales

Plano Senior High School

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Tradition of Saving Lives Student Congress Prepares for 32nd Blood Drive

By Sarah Rosselet

The annual blood drive will be held on May 20, and while the perks of giving blood are obvious (cute t-shirts, free food & drinks, a brief escape from class) the amount of planning and work put into the drive are not.

As the host of the largest high school blood drive in the nation, there certainly is a record to uphold. Last year 1,052 units of blood were collected, more than the blood collected by Plano East and Plano West combined. Sponsored by Carter Bloodcare, the drive is completely self-sustaining: Student Congress makes the refreshments and advertises the drive, students run the stations, and Carter does all of the sanitation and set-up. Student Congress Senior Chairman Kelsey Wolf and Junior Chairman Ali Tejani are in charge of running the blood drive, and Wolf has increasing responsibilities as the drive nears.

“There’s a lot of things to do to prepare, there’s a binder that is probably about three inches thick full of things that you need to do,” Wolf said. “You have to make sure that the gym is reserved, you have to contact Carter Bloodcare to make sure that they know that they know the date that it’s happening, and get all of the information for the tables. They come the day before and set up everything, all we have to do is get the people to come and help run it.”

The drive is advertised weeks in advance to attract community members as well as students, and the amount of community involvement is reflected in the sheer amount of blood donated. Last year’s numbers were high, but this year Student Congress wants them to be even higher.

“We’re hoping to donate over 1000 units of blood, so that’s about 1000 people,” Wolf said. “It’s Ms. Roe’s (Student Congress sponsor) last blood drive so she wants it to be the best. The record being held is 1200 something, but that was when 16-year-olds were able to donate. So it’s kind of hard for us to beat it, but we want to.”

For many students wanting to give blood, the blood drive can be confusing and stressful. The multitude of stations may seem overwhelming at first, but Wolf explains the stations to prospective donors.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Construction Update

By Daniel Hinson

The construction occurring on campus will be finishing soon with the opening of three new additions to the buildings. Faculty and students have spent the last nine months watching workers construct new classrooms and storage facilities. All construction should be finished before the school year starts next year.

During the summer months work will still be going on.

Sidewalks, drainage, and painting the buildings are part of the final stage of construction. About 95% of the sidewalks on the campus are going to be torn out this summer and redone.

There are several areas where the ground has swelled up or dropped out from underneath the sidewalk causing water to

drain incorrectly. There are many areas where the concrete has cracked and crumbled apart.

“Next year when students return to school they will see a whole new sidewalk,” associate principal Glenn Davis said. “There is not going to be a whole lot of changes in the way things are laid out but there will be new sidewalks.”

Workers will also be looking at the backside of Building A. At the beginning of this school year, there was a problem with the amount of rainfall. Some of the classrooms on the bottom floor leaked inside. When it rained, water would run towards the building and some of it leaked inside the classroom.

To fix this problem, the ground will be dug out; the cracks

in the side of the building will be seal, and then ground around the building will be fixed so that water runs away from the building instead of towards it.

The portables will leave campus right at the end of school. Davis hopes the portables will be gone the first week after classes are done.

“They can’t take them out right now because we still have classes in there,” Davis said.

“The week after AP exams, we are going to move some of the government classrooms out into the new government area.

Art will start moving in as well.

Graphic arts won’t move until the end of school because all the equipment needs to go up to the classroom. Once we get everyone out, they will start dismantling the

portables and taking them out.”

Most of the construction has to do with the growth of the programs on campus. The four by four plan called for more science classrooms. The band and choir departments have also been growing for years and receive much needed space. “[The new additions] will improve the school by adding much needed space,” Davis said.

“With the addition of the four by four plan we needed more lab space. When we added more science classes, it took four classes of government away from us. It also took graphic arts away along with art. So there was a need to add additional classrooms for those subjects.”

News Issue Eleven

Wildcat Tales Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Taylor Thompson

Page Two

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Sneak Peak at the New Buildings

By Daniel Hinson

BABY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eilie Strecker Daniel Hinson

Building B2

Building D Addition

PRINT EDITORS Aleah Pushaw Julie Boyer ONLINE EDITOR Sarah Rosselet

BABY ONLINE EDITOR Diva Gulati Madison McDaniel

COPY EDITOR Anna Vicars

BABY COPY EDITOR Meital Boim

LAYOUT EDITOR Jamie Denison

BABY LAYOUT EDITOR Meaghan Pulliam

BABY BUSINESS MANAGER Amber Robinson

BABY EDITORIAL EDITOR Maeylnn Schramm

Skybridge between Building B and Building B2

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER AJ Hill STAFF WRITERS Haley Bunnell Paul Burnham Whitney Fein Dayna Gettel Alex Gonzalez Laurel Guild Lindsey Kehlmann Claire Minor Elena Nelson Michael Nicholson Clarissa Reeves Sapna Sharma Sofia Toohey 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.

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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.

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Band, choir, and theatre will receive much needed storage and rehearsal space with the new addition. The new wing will include a new band hall, choir hall, multiple instrument storage and uniform storage rooms, and thirteen practice rooms.

Orchestra is going to move into the old band hall. That room will be renovated and will give the orchestra bout twice the space they have to

practice in. The current orchestra area that will be redesigned to become a new space that Plano has never had.

“We’ve never really had a place for dance classes and drill team,” Davis said. “Drill team has had to practice in the gym, and when they get run out of there, they get put in the cafeteria.

They won’t have to be in the cafeteria any longer. They will have that space to practice in.”

Practice room hallway

Band hall

The outside of Building B2

BUSINESS MANAGER Abby Rener

CARTOONISTS Kelli Manning Ericka Lindsey

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Downstairs B2 Building

Building B2 will house the classrooms that were displaced by the addition of four science labs.

Downstairs there are four new art classrooms, so the art department will all be in the same place. Their instructional spaces will be in close proximity of each other, and the storage area will be condensed.

The teachers will have easy access to it and will have access to other teachers’ classrooms.

Upstairs will include the new graphic arts lab. That space has been designed and constructed with graphic arts in mind.

“Before it was a piecemeal thing,” Davis said. “You take the space and you start putting it together. There is also an additional classroom up there for speech.”

Uniform storage for band

For more pictures of the construction visit us online at www.wildcattales.com

Student Voices

By Meital Boim

CONTINUED FROM COVER

for his death, and really the president didn’t accomplish anything,” senior Tyler Adams said. “It was more our military, our special forces, especially the U.S. Navy SEALs. The person who doesn’t really follow politics will probably perceive him as a better politician and a better president because Obama accomplished what George Bush couldn’t, that is killing Osama bin Laden.”

Obama’s Approval Index rating has gone up several points since the news of bin Laden’s death. Leo is one of those who approve of Obama’s recent national security actions and bin Laden’s killing.

“I think it’s an important symbolic victory for the American people and that it’s helped lift a stain that has been on this country for 10 years,” Leo said. “His death obviously won’t undo the damage that he has done, but he certainly deserved what he got, and I have no problem with people celebrating and being happy over the death of this man, even though he was a human being.”

Fullington also approves

of Obama’s performance as president, noting some of his qualities.

“I saw, and still see President Obama as an honorable and very moral person - but history shows us that this is almost never enough for reelection,” Fullington said.

“President Obama seems to have pleased very few people.

It depends on how he acts from here.”

Already full ideas, Fullington hypothesizes about where Obama’s policies will go next. With nearly two years left in office, Obama’s politics may well be influenced by bin Laden’s death.

“I think he will attempt to balance defenses from remaining terrorists,” Fullington said. “I think he will [also use] appeasement of related foreign leaders who seemed to be stinging after the Monday announcement and subsequent burial.”

Adams’s prediction for the future is more solemn.

“Probably another terrorist attack will happen,” Adams said. “They’re not going to let their leader die and just stand by.”

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Issue Eleven

Page Three

Job Interview Tips

By Paul Burnham

1.

Being prepared for a job interview is crucial for an employment opportunity.

Attempt to gather as much information about the company as possible by researching prior to the interview.

2.

Appropriate interview attire is key. While work ethic, credentials and references may look good in the eyes of the employer, a first impression is a lasting one. Be sure that your attire is neat and tidy, that hair and nails are clean and natural looking.

3.

Staying calm shows the interviewer that you are confident and can handle situations well.

4.

One way to show interest in your position is to ask the interviewer questions. Avoid personal questions such as “do you have kids” and “how do you like your steak cooked” but rather topics that show your interest in the company.

5.

Finally, always follow up after your interview.

Write the interviwer a note reiterating your interest in the position.

WHAT TO BRING TO AN INTERVIEW - Social Security Card - Drivers License -Résumé and Application -References -Transcripts -Pen -Notebook -Questions for Interviewer

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

News

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Tradition of Saving Lives CONTINUED FROM COVER

“First, there’s the check-in station,” Wolf said. “Then there is the station where you make the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then there are tables where you get your blood drawn so you can make sure you have enough iron. Then, there’s the hydration table where you get water and a Nutrigrain bar while you wait. Then there are the people that actually take you to your beds where you get your blood drawn. After that, there’s canteen where you sit for 15 minutes after you donate blood to eat and drink. At the end, there’s the check out table where you get your t-shirt and you fill out a raffle ticket.”

There are limitations to giving blood: to give one must be over 17-yearsold, weigh over 110 pounds, and have sufficient iron levels. For students who are determined to give blood, limitations like iron do not discourage.

“I gave last year, and I’m going to this year,” senior Amanda Whiteside said. “I’ve tried to give blood several times since last year, but my iron count was too low.”

There are other temporary disqualifying factors, but the age limitation is most pertinent to students.

“I wasn’t old enough,” senior Elle Sanders said. “I’m going to give blood this year, and I would have given blood last year but they wouldn’t accept a parent note.”

This limited many students from donating,

Do’s

Bring your ID

Drink Lots of Water

Eat Meat or Extensive Soy Products Bring a Jacket

Bring Friends

but this year the rules have slightly changed.

“If you’re under 17 you have to wait until after school hours with a parental consent so you can give blood,” junior Student Congress member Grant Pieper said. “I’m giving blood after school, because I’m not old enough.”

For all of the students who give blood without any negative consequences, there are still the students who can’t handle the physical demands of giving blood.

Student Congress and Carter are well prepared to handle this as problems arise.

“There’s always a lot of fainting.. no offense, but it’s usually with girls,” Wolf said. “There was a big football player who fainted last year after he gave blood. That’s why we have blood buddies there, students that go and help you if you’re feeling a little scared. What they do is have you lay down and they get you to eat, then you go and you sit in canteen for a little extra time.”

The blood drive may be sponsored

by Carter Bloodcare, but it is Student Congress members that run all of the stations. Students from all committees are welcome to participate in the event, and it is their help that keeps much of the registration from getting backed up.

“I think I’m wearing the blood drop costume during the week, and also the day of,” Pieper said. “I’m not completely sure where they’ll have me working

BD

NOW HIRING

BLOOD DRIVE

but the sign in booth, making sure everything’s organized, making sure the line’s running smoothly, anything like that.”

In addition to the actual activities, blood drive holds other traditions for Student Congress. The junior chairman of the Health and Safety committee is invited to help with the planning and experience running the drive as well.

“Well I think from the many years of student congress, this is a tradition,” Tejani said. “The senior chairman passes on their experience and leaves their legacy for the junior chairman. So hopefully, I will learn the most that I can from Kelsey.

It’s an extremely life changing experience.

There’s just so much that I’m learning and that I can improve on. This is all helping me, and I’m definitely giving blood.”

The blood drive hype can be blinding: from the blood drop costumes, to the decorations, to the t-shirts and big event, it’s easy to forget why you are donating in the first place. But no matter why students donate, the student body is still doing their part to share with the community, in any way they can.

“One capsule, one donation of blood can save three lives,” Tejani said. “Just think about that, think about the magnitude of that... you’re saving three people’s lives. You can do that.”

Don’ts Skip Breakfast Wear a Skirt

Drink lots of Soda

Be under 110 pounds

Don’t forget your signed parent waiver

By Paul Burnham

With students leaving for college mid summer, the time for students looking for a job could not be more punctual. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 73% of graduating students work a part time job.

That means that there will be just over 1,000 students leaving for college that will leave a position open at their place of work here in town. While numbers say that jobs are everywhere, it is a matter of snagging one that will seal the deal.

“A common misconception with younger people is that they don’t realize how important honesty is when looking for a job.” former HR manager for Experian Staffing Ashley Osborne said. “When you fill out an application and it asks for your interests and experience, be truthful because some companies are looking for specific people and ‘dolling’ your application up isn’t going to help you in the long run.”

Although internships require an intensive resume and a significant amount of qualifications, the majority of students are looking for a part time job that will allow them time for school as well. In a recent survey also by the BLS, 58% of students enrolled in high school work part time in the food service industry, with 34% working in retail and the remaining 8% working in other various job places.

“You need to find a job where they respect your priorities as a student as well as an employer,” Osborne said. “When you determine your availability to work you can better balance school and work without having your job consume your entire life.

The job market has plenty of spots for teenagers looking to work a handful of hours during the week and weekend because they are a necessary component to the company’s productivity. Students often start off on the wrong foot by saying they are available all the time when the company may in fact be looking for just the opposite.”

While the concept of working while going to school is difficult for many students to figure out, there are programs at school designed to help. Lois Hollingsworth, director for the Co-Op Program on campus has a lot of respect for students who can learn to balance the two.

“We have about 75 students in the program and there is a whole range of reasons as to why students work,” Hollingsworth said.

“We have some who are working to save for college and some who are working to support their own family.”

Although there are many things that influence a future employer and their decision as to whether or not to hire you, Hollingsworth and co-op teacher Tricia

Cannon both agree that the importance of a first impression is key.

“I think the importance of first impressions cannot be over emphasized,” Hollingsworth said. “When you go into an interview you need to be knowledgeable about the business and knowledgeable about yourself. It’s distracting to have to look for things and have to look up references because it makes you look less organized. Having all that information at hand with you will make you look well prepared and represent yourself in a positive manner.”

“A mistake that I see all the time is when [students] leave an interview, they assume that the employer is going to call them back in a few days,” Hollingsworth said. “If it was that easy, we’d all have a job. It’s important to take initiative and show interest in the job by following up in a few days.”

Interviews and applications can often be a lengthy process and following up with the employer shows interest and self motivation, two things that are highly considered when looking for an employee.

“Students are coming home from college soon, and if people haven’t gotten a job yet they better get on it ASAP before they are all taken again,” Hollingsworth said.

Wildcats Issue Eleven

Page Four

May 13, 2011

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YEARBOOK PICK-UP

Y A M

Plano Senior High School

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Turn in all Library Books and Calculators

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E N JU

MEMORIAL DAY

BLOOD DRIVE ALL DAY GYM

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3

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1

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Senior Awards

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Final Exams

Final Exams

2nd 9:00-10:50 1st 11:10-1:00

4th 9:00-10:50 3rd 11:10-1:00

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Final Exams 6th 9:00-10:50 5th 11:10-1:00

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6 Final Exams 0 Hour/ 7th 9:00-10:50

Graduation 2:30pm Dallas

SUMMER

Convention Center

If You Really Knew Me: Kait Berteau

By Haley Bunnell

I

Photo Submitted by: Kait Berteau

t started as a competition. A competition of the best ballet dancers. It was not the triple turns in her mind that would make her the best, it was losing weight. She became obsessed with not eating.

“In order to be the best dancer I had to be the skinniest dancer, and in order to do that I had to starve myself,” senior Kait Berteau said. “I had an extremely distorted body image of myself at the age of 13; I was thin, I was skinny, but I thought I was fat, even though I wasn’t.”

The summer between sixth and seventh grade, Kait started losing a lot of weight. She wasn’t eating, and lost about 25 pounds in less than a month which led to mitral valve prolapse, a leaking heart valve. She came from dancing 35 hours a week to being stuck in a wheelchair.

“I was so scared,” Kait said. “My doctor told me I could have a heart attack at any given moment. So for about a year and half I was scared to death that I could walk across my room, and I could drop dead right there.”

Kait’s sickness was very sudden, and to her parents it was a huge shock. Their daughter’s illness affected and changed their daily routines and life.

“It was like an alien took over my child,” Karen Berteau said. “The first thing I thought is ‘what did I do wrong?

Should I have done this, should I have done that?’ For

awhile there I did a lot of self doubt and self guilt which is a normal parent thing, but then I had to get over that and say ‘ok I’ve got to do the best I can to get her through it.’”

Kait’s physical and emotional state had changed because of her anorexia. Many symptoms took over like a receding hairline, eyes popping out, neck and hands that looked older. She also began having nightmares, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Anorexia increased her ageing process. She now gets sick easily because of her compromised immune system.

“They were afraid if I went to school and caught the common cold that would develop into pneumonia and I would be hospitalized and wouldn’t be able to fight it off and die,” Kait said. “Because I wasn’t eating and I was exercising so much, my metabolism was so high that just sitting down I was burning way too many calories. So I had to eat 6,000 calories a day.”

Kait’s parents did everything they could think of to keep their daughter alive, and heal her from the sickness. Her mom fed her all day, took her to group therapy sessions, individual therapy, dietician appointments, and psychiatrist appointments.

“I remember once one of her therapists saying that Kait was going to hate me after all of this,” Karen said. “And I said if she is alive in the end to hate me then I have done my job. The goal at that point was survival of my daughter.”

At the end of eighth grade she was turning a new corner, and closer to a healthy body weight. However the pressures of high school were too much for her to handle, resulting in bulimia. With the help and support from her family, psychiatrist, dietician, and group therapy sessions her eating disorder ceased within seven months. Her internal fear of being fat had not only affected her physically and emotionally, but affected her friends and family. She lost all of her friends, because of her sickness, and it pained her family to see their loved one in such misery. Her mother was more understanding of her daughter’s problem, and was her guiding light, but it was her 9-year-old brother that inspired her to get better.

“I always felt that I needed to set a good example for him,

and I knew I couldn’t do that if I wasn’t there,” Kait said.

“He asked me out of the blue one day, ‘Kait are you going to die?’ And that was a wake up call.”

Currently Kait struggles with her distorted image of herself everyday, but is at a healthy weight, eats healthy, and is fit.

“I still struggle with it every day,” Kait said. “I have to sit down and look at the meal and say ‘ok this is good for me.’ I try not to count calories, and not distort what’s in the food.

Every day it is a challenge and it’s hard. I’ve realized that being a dancer isn’t the right path for me. I don’t have the psyche for it. I would kill myself so I chose a different path.

With musical theatre, I still get to dance, but the pressure of being 90 pounds isn’t there anymore. I have to be fit and look good but there is a difference between being fit and being thin, than being a stick and being sick.”

Kait wants to prevent others from being in a similar battle.

“Get help and don’t be in denial,” Kait said. “If people are telling you that something is wrong, believe them, and talk to your parents. If your parents refuse to get you medical help when you know there is something wrong talk to someone who will get you medical help.”

Kait’s anorexia affected everyone around her, and those times were not easy. Constant fights about what food she should eat were a regular routine. This was a learning experience for Kait and her family.

“I would have died if it weren’t for my family,” Kait said. “If it hadn’t been for them forcing me to eat, and forcing me to go to the doctor and keeping me home from school so I couldn’t get sick , and keep me going strong, not sulking about my life I wouldn’t be here. They taught me to push through.”

Anorexia is a mental illness, and a recovered anorexic is never completely cured, but will have to fight in the end to stay alive, which Kait is doing, and mastering.

“If you really knew me,” Kait said. “You would know that I really fought to be where I am today.”

Issue Eleven

Page Five

Wildcats

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

NHS Students Burnt Out

By Alex Gonzalez

T

he number of weeks remaining in the school year is now in the single digits, and for many clubs and organizations, final deadlines must be met. Students in National Honor Society must complete a certain number of projects each semester.

“A lot of times, getting all of the projects done on time can be difficult,” senior David Adamik said.

“Each member must complete six projects every semester, but I’ve only done four.”

With the end of the year approaching, organizations, including NHS, are having banquets. The NHS banquet will be held May 13, after AP exams are finished. The banquet may help certain seniors who haven’t finished projects.

“The upcoming banquet counts as sort of a blow-off project,” Adamik said. “Seniors who show up and stay the whole time get a project credit.”

With approximately 700 students, it may seem like there will always be someone available to help out with a project. However, some people take this for granted, and leave the job for

others to do.

“I think the reason a lot of kids procrastinate is because there are so many kids in NHS,” junior Katie Hart said. “They think that the task isn’t important and that there are enough volunteers.”

With a website called Closerware, the students can schedule the times they will be present at the project.

The calendar will remind them of these dates and times, so a student will know not to volunteer if he or she has made prior commitments.

“I don’t think my job gets in the way of completing projects because I’m able to pick which ones I want to do,” junior Cameron Weinert said.

“I honestly don’t have a legitimate excuse for not having them done. I’m just lazy.”

Because it is so easy to volunteer for projects, a couple of clicks will make a student scheduled to volunteer. However, students must register in a timely manner.

“I have finished all of my projects for the semester,” junior Tania Almonte said. “At times, getting everything done can be hard, because

Congratulations to the PALs 2011-2012

if you wait until the last minute to sign up, a lot of the projects get filled.”

If a student does not finish his or her projects, consequences will occur the following semester.

“If you don’t get your projects done, you get put on probation,” Almonte said. “You’ll also get put on probation if you sign up for an event, but don’t show up.”

There are three different types of probation in NHS, one of which is called project probation.

“When you’re on probation, the NHS officers basically keep an eye on you throughout the semester,” Almonte said. “I was on project probation at the beginning of last semester, because I had forgotten about a project I had signed up for.”

Multiple probation offenses may result in consequences worse than being watched by the officers.

“If you get all three types of probation, you get kicked out,” Almonte said. “You also get kicked out if you get the same probation more than once.”

ALLISON BUTLER

CHRIS PUCHALA

DIANE HARY

ZACH BENNETT

STACY PARKER

JORDAN BAIRD

HANNAH DONNELLI

SAM MORELL

BONNEY DENNIS

DANE OSBORNE

RACHAEL DAMON

ABE YUN

AMANDA EDINGER

LANCE LANIER

ALEXANDRA HAYS

THOMAS LANGFORD

ALLI MURPHY

TRAVIS WARMAN

DANIELLE COFFEY

BRIAN HAWKINS

SOFIA TOOHEY

CAMERON WEINERT

MEREDITH WILEMON

TAYLOR WATKINS

EMILY PODNIEKS

MICHAEL BAIN

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Ways to Maintain Grades

By Dayna Gettel

W

hen it gets towards the end of the year, and students can almost smell the faint, familiar hint of that upcoming summer, a common thought is “What’s the point of keeping my grades up?” But whether students are going to college next year or staying here for one more, grades are a key aspect of staying successful.

Some of students think that once they’ve gotten into a good college, they don’t need to worry about good grades, but that is an assumption.

Senior Jasmin Espejo believes that students can easily lose track of the fact that, in order to go to the college they were accepted at, they still need to graduate that means that they need to get better grades than just passing by, because some colleges can take back scholarships if they do not keep up their grades, or even revoke acceptances.

“People start to lose focus because a lot of kids start talking about their summer plans,” Espejo said. “Seniors really need to realize that even though they have already got accepted to a college, graduation is key in actually attending that college.”

One admissions requirement that students might not know is that colleges want to see that accepted students keep their grades up, even though they have already been accepted.

“For seniors, even though GPA is frozen, colleges can still go in to see their grades,” junior Derek Sheldon said. “That really tells the colleges a lot about a student’s work ethic and ability to focus towards the end of the school year.”

Dealing with distractions is one a major key learning technique used throughout high school. Students have to learn to deal with the fact that there will be things that take students away from their concentration, even if it is at the end of the year, when they need it most.

“A lot of seniors start freaking out about how they are going to pay for college, meaning, jobs,” Senior Bari Eichelbaum said. “They get preoccupied with the fact that they need to make money, and they stop worrying about the fact that to graduate they have to pass. But, really, that is something that they are probably going to have to do during college too, so they need to start figuring out how to balance things like work and school now, instead of waiting until they get to college.”

So what options are there to stay on top of the things that are really important at this time?

“Seniors really just have to focus on getting your work done. It’s more a matter of procrastination than it is the inability to learn or get good grades,” Sheldon said. “As long as people keep doing their work and are actually trying, they can maintain their good grades.”

Espejo believes that the best way to keep your grades up is to make a schedule.

“Keep up with that schedule, and plan things out ahead of time,” Espejo said. “You don’t want to do things last minute because that can mess up the whole schedule, which means that you might have less time to study or do homework.”

Things that people need to remember to staying on track?

Espejo and Eichelbaum have the answer.

“Even though it might sound fun at the time, don’t just do things sporadically,” Espejo said. “If you have a schedule, you can also plan out stuff like going to a movie or hanging out with friends, but still putting school first.”

Eichelbaum has another way of staying focused.

“Once you get accepted, pretend like you haven’t,” Eichelbaum said. “That way you are still trying to keep your grades good enough to ‘get in’ to that perfect school you’ve been wanting to go to, even though you’ve already gotten in.”

Sports Issue Eleven

Page Six

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

By Clarissa Reeves

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

District Champs

By Clarissa Reeves

With a winning streak of 25 games and a loss of 6 games, the baseball team is titled the district champions.

The baseball players are very proud of their wins and their titles. Now since they are competing in playoffs, they plan on winning it all, starting off with their first game against Denton Guyer in Allen. Head coach Rick Robertson, assistant coach Todd Harrell, and the JV coaches Kevin May and Toby Schulte are responsible for getting the boys to where they are today.

While the team prepares to give their competitors a run for their money on the field, coaches keep their players motivated.

“We try to keep everyone together so we can go to the games prepared and prevail during our games in a timely manner,” Robertson said.

Not only do the players love what they have accomplished this season, the coaches are proud as well.

“This year, early on we started off a little slow, but we started gaining momentum and we started accomplishing our goals as a team,” Robertson said.

“This season we had some lofty goals and so far we have accomplished them.”

The playoffs began May 6 and with a great start.

Coach Robertson spoke highly of his boys these next few weeks and is confident for the future.

“I tell them this all the time, we had a tremendous season,” Robertson said. “I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the best is yet to come.”

Top Left: Justin Arrington gets ready to move as the ball is pitched. Top Right: Matt McLean watches the ball as he prepares to swing. Bottom Right: Max Negoslowski runs to catch the ball. Bottom Center: Eric Gilstrap winds up to hit the ball. Bottom Left: Ryan McCarthy sends the ball straight to home plate. Left Center: Slater Arias watches for the pitcher to throw the ball.

Pom Squad A

By Sofia Toohey

s the year comes to a close, a new opportunity to support teams and become involved in the Plano atmosphere opens. Move over cheerleaders and Planoettes, the pom squad has now arrived and is ready to shake things up, literally.

If you haven’t seen the many posters and ads around school, maybe you need to take a couple sips of coffee and WAKE UP! On every bulletin board a sign lies about information for the new team. But many still wonder, what is it?

“The Pom Squad will be responsible for basketball season,” sponsor Kathryn Creveling said. “They will do offense/ defense cheers to get the crowd engaged in the game, time out dances and halftime dances.”

It goes without saying that football usually gets the most attention. By creating pom squad, the teachers and student body hope to bring more teams into focus and attract more attention to other successful teams on campus.

“Our hope is that we can get more students involved in things on campus,” Creveling said. “We want to encourage the crowd to engage more at basketball games.”

However, these were not the only reasons the pom squad came to be created. Creveling and Meredith Walraven , the other sponsor, came up with this idea on their own. “[We] got the idea because we have seen college pom teams do similar things at basketball games,” Creveling said. “We know that many girls like to dance and cheer, but do not have the time for drill team or

cheerleading.”

The sponsors are not the only ones excited for this opportunity next year. Many girls are considering trying out and preparing rigorously.

“I think pom squad would be really fun,” junior Ashlee Trotter said. “It would be great to meet new people and support Plano at the same time.”

This team is not only for upcoming juniors either.

“Applications are available now,” Creveling said. “You can find them at Jasper, Vines, or PSHS.” With all these schools competing for one team, there is no doubt the auditions are going to be tough.

“There are so many people trying out that I have heard,” Trotter said. “It’s going to be

extremely competitive.”

However, have no fear because pom squad can help you prepare. Their clinics are on May 23-25, which coincide with tryouts on May 23-26. The last day of tryouts is in front of judges. If you are interested be sure to get in your application by May 16th.

“If you enjoy team work and dancing I feel like pom squad is for you,” Trotter said.

If you fit this mold be sure not to pass this opportunity up; it’s never too late to gain more school pride and be a part of something new.

“Our hope is to find another way to bring our students to be a part of our teams,” Creveling said. “And hopefully lead them to victory.”

Issue Eleven

Page Seven

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Sports

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

The Winning Streak

By Haley Bunnell

Winning 33-3 this season, the softball team has made history being the first Plano team to win 30 games.

“The playoffs start the season all over again,” junior Jill Holub said. “A team who won fourth in their district still has the potential to make it to state, but for the softball, it really represents to us all of the hard work and effort we have put into our team throughout the whole year. We definitely have an intense atmosphere in the playoffs and try our absolute hardest every pitch and every play.”

These players are motivated to do their best and put effort into the sport in order to win.

“We worked hard every single practice by being a team and getting better every day,” senior Hayley Toups said.

With that mind set in place, the players do their best at each game, and soak in the atmosphere of the weekend games.

“Playoffs are a totally different world compared to district season,” Toups said. “More fans, louder, and more excitement. Everything is just crazier in playoffs. Everywhere we went the stands were packed with maroon.”

This team has passed the second round of playoffs, which is the farthest the team has

advanced. The girls beat Keller Central in two games out of three for the first round, and won the second round game against Mansfield.

“For the first round, beating Keller Central in just two games was a great moment,” Holub said.

“After that, we could settle down and tell ourselves that we can do this. For the second round, the best moment was probably scoring the winning run in the top of the first. We had to battle through adversity in that game and it meant a lot that we could get going in that first inning.”

This team is not all about the scores, the records, or the winning, however. It is about pushing themselves and doing their best.

“Our current record is 33-3 and we’re pretty proud of it,” Holub said. “Yet, even though our record is a pretty good one, we don’t really focus too much on it. We play for the next game, the next play, and the next pitch. Since we’ve been playing with each other since we were in fifth grade it’s very easy for us to work as a team to achieve our goals, and therefore very easy for us to believe, which is our team motto.”

For the team making it past the second round is a very rewarding achievement.

“It does feel good to make it this far in playoffs,

and even though we take it one game at a time, we still keep in mind one of our top goals which is going to state,” Holub said. “I feel like this round won’t be our last as long as we do what we’ve been doing this entire year. As long as we play our game, our team has the potential to make it past this round and further.

The challenge of beating the other teams to represent the school may be pressure, but the team has a good attitude to conquer this challenge.

“We are definitely ready,” junior Kristin Miles said. “We practice every day and this whole year we have been preparing for these games.”

The girls are not just teammates, and the team’s winning streak is no coincidence or luck. Practice and friendships are the secret ingredients.

“This team means the world to me,” junior Ashley McDowell said. “I feel like the only reason we are successful is because we are literally a family. We have a solid team because we can all pick each other up if we are doing badly which is the key to having a winning team. It also helps to have such great chemistry throughout the team.”

Photo by Terry Quinn

Issue Eleven

Page Nine

OMENS OF DOOM

B

By Madison McDaniel reaking mirrors, crossing the paths of black cats, walking under a ladder and opening umbrellas indoors are all omens of doom that, when the most unlucky day of the year rolls around, people everywhere try to avoid. As Friday the 13th comes along, superstitions are always brought to the attention of not only the superstitious, but even those who do not believe in the typical series of unlucky “signs.”

Growing up, the idea of dodging the “bullet of death” by knocking on wood or throwing salt over our shoulders adds to the appeal of Friday the 13th. Although, while some of us usually grow out of this, some people still hold on to these superstitions and believe in going to great measures in order to steer clear of bad luck.

“I’m pretty superstitious,” junior Jason Uche said. “If I find a four leaf clover I know it’s good luck to me. It always happens to me it seems. I also think it’s really bad luck if you break

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

a mirror. That’s seven years worth of bad luck.”

Usually, those who are superstitious try to avoid these wearisome warnings, but they also go out of their way to acquire luck themselves.

“I believe that if you eat black eyed peas on New Year’s then you will have good luck for an entire year,” Uche said.

On Friday the 13th, even though the whirlwind of chatter seems to float from one superstition to the next, the majority of people keep the daunting day in the back of their minds or not at all.

“I guess I’m a little on edge about things like 2012,” junior Rebecca Feronti said. “I don’t want to believe in them but I mean, you always have that nagging feeling in the back of your head that it might just happen.”

Those who choose not to believe in superstitions develop their own thoughts as to why others believe in unlucky actions.

“I don’t actually believe in superstitions,” junior Cali-Michelle Martin said. “Just because it seems like [superstitions are] stories people come up with to explain things that they don’t want to do or don’t want to happen.”

Students tend to believe that

superstitions are not only based on impractical fears, but are also used as excuses to avoid the inevitable.

“I think people make superstitions out of what they want it to be,” Feronti said. “I mean, you can really make anything into what you want it to be, like horoscopes.”

The majority of people that do not believe in superstitions form their own reasons for not accepting cliché “omens” as a form of predicting one’s luck for the future.

“I think some of the evidence behind a lot of the superstitions like ghosts and supernatural happenings are kind of sketchy,” senior Eddie Inyang said. “There’s really not a lot to go off of, just people claiming a lot of stuff has happened. A lot of videos and what not seem to have stuff going on behind the scenes that could be fabricated. It just doesn’t seem very believable.”

If a person him or her self is not a believer in superstitions, it seems that they most likely know or have heard of someone that steers clear of potential bad luck.

“I actually have an uncle who believes in superstitions, to an extreme,” Martin said. “For example, if a black cat crosses his path he will make an X in the air to ward off; the

Breaking a mirror

Top uperstitions of All Time

By Michael Nichelson

Walking under a ladder Friday the 13th Opening an umbrella indoors A black cat crossing your path An Itchy Palm Spilling salt

Placing shoes on the table or on the bed Treading on cracks in the pavement Knocking on Wood

Focus

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

evil he thinks comes from that.”

Despite knowing someone who is superstitious, people who are not set their own minds and don’t let others’ opinions influence them.

“It makes me laugh more than change my opinion,” Martin said.

“It’s just so silly to me to see someone doing that just because a cat walked in front of them,” Martin said.

Whether people stand firm in their beliefs of superstition, or rather lack thereof, some people really just seem to be indifferent and float somewhere in between.

“Depending on Friday the 13th I get a little nervous just because it’s the day,” senior Colleen Pacocha said.

“Overall I just kind of go with the crowd.”

When it comes to the population of people that are superstitious, there is usually not a particular type of person that comes to mind. It doesn’t matter what your personality or background is, in the end, you either believe in superstitions or you don’t.

“I wouldn’t say that there is a specific stereotype,” Inyang said.

“A lot of different people can be superstitious; different religions, different ethnicities, and what not.

Being superstitious isn’t just for one certain type of person.”

Focus Issue Eleven

Page Eight

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

FRIDAY THE

13th

Su o

Fine Arts Page Ten

Issue Eleven

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

CHO RSing Show

By Whitney Fein

F

rom being in a Broadway show, to the Madrigal Dinner, choir has accomplished many different things.

With the end of school close by, choir decided to do one last concert to pull together the entire year’s activities and accomplishments. They will perform their final concert of the year to the music from the Beatles.

“This concert is the last one we will be having this year and it is going to be fun,” junior Kayla Kehlmann said. “The last song that we sing is a tradition and is sung every year to end the concert; it is a really sweet song about moving on and it is a nice way to end the year for the seniors. While choir is always fantastic it is another opportunity for us to show how we have grown through out the year.”

I

AND Prism Concert

By Lindsey Kehlmann

f a student happens to walk by the band room in the next few weeks, he or she may be taken aback by what he or she hears. In lieu of the esoteric and intricate UIL pieces that could be heard a few weeks ago, the sounds of country western, acid jazz, the Beatles, or even Disney will be drifting down the halls of D building in preparation for the last band concert of the year.

“The Prism Concert is the end of the year concert where all of the bands play, like jazz band and concert band, and also small ensembles get to play,” junior Maddie Gallant said. “It’s all fun music, It’s not boring stuff that no one has heard of before.”

The idea of a more relaxed end of the year concert is a

commonality between all of the music programs, but the concept behind the Prism Concert is what sets it apart.

“We use the idea of a prism for the basis of the concert,” director Jeremy Kondrat said. “A prism is able to reflect all the different colors of light and so that’s kind of a metaphor for the idea that we use all of the colors of out ensembles here in the band, and we have so many different colors of ensembles.”

The colors of the ensemble shine through in many different ways, but this concert works to show every color in the spectrum by including performances by small ensembles.

“We have kind of a contest to find the best chamber ensembles,” Kondrat said. “We choose the best of those

from the UIL solo and ensemble contest which happens at the end of February. They kind of put the music away for a couple months but they take it back out in May and revive it and practice it again so they can perform it at this last concert.”

One way the directors make sure the music is entertaining for the audience is by putting the kids in charge of their own performances.

“Because prism is such different music, the directors like to pick out a few pieces and play what the kids want to play,” senior and band president Peter Ritz said. “We get to vote on which pieces we like the best. It’s not your regular everyday band concert.”

It’s not a regular everyday band concert for the players either.

For band members, preparing for this concert is different than it would be for a normal concert.

“Some of the music is easier than normal, just because if you know the pieces, like ‘A Whole New World’, you already have some of the music in your head,” Gallant said.

“But actually Pieces like Phantom of the Opera are pretty difficult, so a lot of us are going to have to put in some extra hours outside of class to get those ready in time.”

The band is working on a tighter schedule than normal.

“We just got our music last week,” Gallant said. “But it’s on the 26th so we only have about three weeks.

Not long enough in other words.”

All the band members have faith

that the show will come together in time as it has in past years, but the Prism Concert is supposed to be an experience- not just a concert; it involves a lot of different parts and pieces to make it work.

The band has worked hard to make sure that when the audience enters the auditorium that will not be hard for them to see.

“One cool thing about Prism Concert is that we don’t just play on the stage,” Ritz said.

“It’s multi-dimensional.

We have several different stages that are built into the part of the auditorium where the audience will be, so different performances will be going on at different times. People will be surrounded by music.”

The band may be focused on the audience’s experience,

but their own experience will be different.

“The fact is that as much as it is about performing for the audience, the Prism Concert is for us,” Ritz said. “It’s when we get to play the music that is interesting for us, it’s where we end our year, and it’s basically saying goodbye to band for seniors and saying goodbye to seniors for juniors.”

Saying goodbye means that many students feel that emotions are running high within the band.

“I think most of the students really treasure the experience they have in the band at Plano because it’s a really tight group of people, they get a lot of support from each other, and the music we play is always amazing, and that’s really hard to find in

ORCHE TRA “Pops by the Pond”

other places,” Kondrat said. “I think most of them are anticipating missing each other and the experience we have here, but also anticipating moving on and going to college.”

While going to college is the next step for many graduating seniors, the last few weeks they have in high school are significant for the band, and many want this concert to really count.

“There are solos, ensembles, concert pieces,” Ritz said.

“Every piece is so different it keeps you entertained the whole time. Everyone is so used to having that normal old band concert where you just sit there and fall asleep, and this is so different from that. It will be a lot of fun.”

By Danya Gettel

Senior Traci Mei playing her violin in an Orchestra practice room.

Senior Bryanna Givans practicing violin in Orchestra.

As the end of the year approaches, so do final performances for musical groups throughout the school, including orchestra. The concert has been long awaited by orchestra members, along with students who enjoy classical music. The end of the year orchestra concert is called “Pops by the Pond” and will be held on May 21 at 6 p.m.

“We will be playing ‘pop’ music, such as recognizable tunes like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars,” junior Lauren Bell said. “Also, ‘Pops by the Pond’ is on Armed Forces Day,

and we will be playing several patriotic pieces to honor our veterans.”

Many of the orchestra members have been playing music with one another all through high school, and have become familiar with the music along with each other.

“My favorite thing about orchestra is that sense of belonging to such a wonderful group of people,” Bell said.

“Everyone gets along so well. We all have such a great time together, mutually enjoying playing fantastic music.”

Many of the juniors and seniors have said they have been looking

forward to this concert for quite some time, frequently rehearsing and bonding with others along the way.

“Orchestra has been preparing for this concert all of April, and we are still rehearsing,” junior Timmy Chen said. “I love the people who are in orchestra. They’re a lot of fun even though it gets competitive sometimes.”

Due to all the work that members have been putting into practicing and being sure they are ready for “Pops by the Pond”, the two hour rehearsals each week are coming to a

close and the concert is approaching.

“It’ll be my last concert as an orchestra member,” senior Paloma Delgadillo said. “Although it really makes me sad to think about it, I’m happy to make music with all my friends at one last time.

I’m also really excited to be conducting the alma mater. Mr. Coatney started a new tradition this year where the president of orchestra council conducts the alma mater. I think this is a great way for us to finish off the year and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Although for seniors

it may be a goodbye to orchestra, juniors are just getting started and on the road to play next year.

“I’m personally very excited for this concert because our entire program will be playing together,” Bell said.

“People should go to ‘Pops’ because there is a great array of music that we will be playing, so there will be something for everyone’s different musical tastes. It’s going to be a really enjoyable concert, and we’d all love to see as much support as possible.”

Issue Eleven

Page Eleven

May 13, 2011

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Opinion Issue Eleven

Page Twelve

Very Superstitious, Writings on the Wall

By Lindsay Kelhmann

Yesterday I broke a mirror with an upside down horseshoe while standing under a ladder and intentionally spilling mounds of salt onto the ground. It was a nice day, so when I was all done with that I thought I’d walk over to the local 7-Eleven and buy a lottery ticket. On the way there I stepped on every crack I could find, and I’m pretty sure I saw a black cat cross my path. I bought myself a scratch off card, but since I didn’t have any coins with me I found a tails up penny on the ground and used that.

When I had uncovered all of the numbers, it turned out that I hadn’t won a single cent.

“How unlucky,” I thought. “It’s like I’ve been cursed. I bet it was that black cat. I don’t believe in other superstitions, but those sneaky guys freak me out.”

Sound familiar? Probably not.

Most of us have gone through that phase where we wore the same pair of socks for a week straight because they were ‘lucky’. We believed that knocking on wood would cure all bad luck. We had panic attacks when someone opened an umbrella inside. As the years passed we grew out of it because we realized that those socks were driving away friends and family, knocking on wood is confusing in a world full of fake wood floors and panels, and we decided that we would rather risk the eye patch than look like we had a nice shower with our clothes on before school.

While we slowly dropped our childish superstitious beliefs most of us held onto one or two, whether it was avoiding black cats or avoiding evil spirits by standing in a circle drawn out of chalk. You know, whatever floats your boat.

Make more sense now?

All of us still have that one irrational belief that makes us do things that make no sense.

“Not me,” you might say. “I don’t believe in that stuff.”

I only have one question for you: Really?

Let’s test this theory.

Have you ever wished on a shooting star? Probably. How many of you girls plan on wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue at your wedding? Quite a few. Have you said ‘bless you’ after someone sneezed? That’s a superstition. Made a wish at 11:11? That’s one too.

Why do we do these things? Well my friends, after many minutes of thought I believe that I have found the answer.

Superstition used to be about explaining things. When you sneeze it’s your soul trying to get out, so say “God bless you”. That thing shooting across the sky is magic, so make a wish. Garlic breath makes people avoid you, so why not vampires? In a world where we know that black cats are the same as white cats, stepping on cracks has no effect whatsoever on your mother’s back, and just because you passed a test wearing your plaid underwear doesn’t mean you should continue to wear those underwear until you graduate high school, it’s nice to have something to believe in. We throw salt over our shoulders and wear the same socks and get confused about different types of wood because everyone needs a little bit of magic in their lives. All of these things give us a feeling of a higher power that can take the wheel and steer our lives in the right direction whenever they feel like it, and that’s a comforting thought.

So next time you see someone walking backwards under a ladder or waiting until they get outside to wrestle their umbrella open, remember the good old days when you did it too, smile and join them, and try to keep the magic alive.

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

The Big Break

By Elena Nelson

Students Break up before College

The end of the school year is in sight and summer is just around the corner, many high schoolers in relationships become inquisitive.

There’s a question lingering in the air sort of as if to say, ‘should I stay, or should I go?’

So you’re boyfriend is going to OU and you’re going to stay here in Texas, the answer is there right in front of you. Don’t take emotion into this decision factor, go with your logic.

College is a time to meet new people and share new experiences with those people. If you are going t o a separate college than your significant other, than it’s even more of a chance to spread your wings.

I’m not saying forget about your first love and throw him to the side, stay close with them is need be, but don’t be as attached to him as you were before.

You could come to find that

while you’re away at college there’s someone better suited for you. If you don’t, well then, you can always call up ‘what’s his face’ after college and talk over some coffee. If you two were meant to be, then something will happen later on in both of your lives.

You can’t let him hold you up in life because you’re ‘so in love’ with him.

Sometimes when you love someone you really do have to let them go.

Put your future first, if you truly love whomever you’re with you’ll want what’s best for him. Make yourself happy, excel in school and have the college experience you deserve. Date new people. See if anyone new catches your eye, and you can always go back to your dorm room or your sorority house, and call up your past love on the phone and chat about how school is going for you both. Take a break at the least, go off to school, and when you get back they’ll still be there if they’re the one for you.

Cat Quips 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

By Anna Vicars

Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver separate: marriage, terminated.

Justin Bieber says he doesn’t like that he was called a ‘brat’: maybe if he stopped acting like a prepubescent teeny bopper...

Katie Holmes claims she isn’t pregnant: sorry honey, but a picture is worth 1,000 words, and yours just needed to use one.

Posh’s Pink Party: and it’s another little Spice Girl for the Beckham brood...let’s hope this one knows how to smile...

Bristol Palin and Kyle Massey join forces for a reality show: oh cool. Teen Moms meets That’s So Raven...what has this world come to?

The Young and The Reckless

By Meaghan Pulliam The other day, as I was falling asleep, I tried to think of all the exciting things I’ve done and amazing places I’ve been in my short lifetime. The more I thought about it, the harder it became to come up with things. I managed to list out the following: 2006- family vacation to Hawaii, 2000 & 2002- ski trip to Keystone, 2001- Cruise to Cozumel. Unfortunately, that is all. Don’t get me wrong- I loved those trips, but I want to do something amazing in my life; something that will make me feel alive. I’m not saying I’m going to do any crazy, stupid, teenageangst thing that comes my way; I’m just saying that I find myself perpetually bored and I need to get off of the couch and do something interesting with my life.

What got me thinking about this was a show on the Travel Channel called Burt the Conqueror.

The show’s premise is simple; a guy named Burt goes to different cities around North America, find the craziest traditions that city has to offer and tries his hand at them. Sometimes he fails horribly and sometimes he succeeds with flying colors. But the thing is that he doesn’t even care if he embarrasses himself to no end, he is just happy to be doing something exciting and having a good time while doing it. You know that kid we all grew up with, the one, who was willing to try absolutely anything; the one who would come to school Monday with a broken wrist and the next Monday with a broken leg? Yeah, that’s Burt. Looking back on my childhood, I wish I had been like him.

After I saw this show, I decided to think of all the things I want to do before I die- a bucket list, if you will. It would be simply impossible to list all of my goals, but here are a few: skydive without wetting myself, trek through the Aussie Outback, backpack through Europe, discover the true identity of Banksy, kiss the Stanley Cup and surf the North Shore of Maui.

Some outlandish aspirations, I’ll admit, but I’m fairly determined to do all of these things and many, many more.

Today, I made a late New Year’s resolution: to live more freely.

From today onward, I solemnly vow to take opportunity when it presents itself at the right time; to realize that I don’t have forever to achieve my goals and also to realize that timing is everything; to live like I’m dying; to seize the day because one day, I wont be able to anymore.

Issue Eleven

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May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Opinion 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Video Games: Intense Gaming or Innocent Entertainment?

By Maelyn Schramm

O

ver the years, video games have become increasingly popular.

Frequently played games like Halo, Grand Theft Auto, and Call of Duty have been rumored to poison players’ minds, causing the players to become more violent in real life. Although many believe that these rumors are true and therefore detest such video games, it seems as if these rumors are just that: rumors.

So far, no tests have officially proven that players transform into more violent, abrasive people because of these games, qualifying them as “innocent entertainment” for men and sometimes women of various ages.

Studies show that violent juvenile crime reached a peak in 1993 and has been declining

since then. Because of studies like this, parents of gamers should not stay up late worrying and should have a sound sleep instead. Gamers and teenagers especially get great satisfaction from throwing a grenade last minute instead of being blown up themselves, or surprise-attacking the Nazis in order to make the United States proud. Teenagers like how they can “live life on the edge” and have a near-death experience without actually almost dying in reality. Video games allow the players to finally kill the bad guys themselves, destroy the zombies, or wipe out the aliens.

Some games even let players be the bad guys themselves, putting an entirely new twist on things. More often than not, gamers are simply

getting into their roles in the virtual world, and not plotting out actual sadist actions in real life.

According to online studies, the average teenager plays video games about 14 hours per week. During these immense hours, when playing aggressive video games, he or she are put in different scenarios that cause them to defend themselves in numerous ways.

And while Mom may disapprove of Little Jimmy’s “mean” video games, Little Jimmy experiences all sorts of adrenaline rushes and excitement that he grows to love. Even better, gamers have a chance to escape reality, to put aside their AP English book for the moment, allowing themselves to relax before studying.

Boys and girls of

all ages enjoy playing different games because it allows them to live a “better life” in the virtual world, whether that means they have nicer homes, cooler clothes, stronger muscles, or bigger guns.

Although these games are enjoyable for kids to play, many parents have grown concerned about the effects these games have on their children.

They are apprehensive about the potential negative influences the games will have on their kids. Fathers and mothers are afraid that they will commit a random act of violence or something of the sort. However, parents have next to nothing to fear.

Needless to say, parents will always worry, no matter what.

In a sense, a parent’s job is to worry; it shows

that they genuinely care about their children.

Sometimes parents honestly do not understand the thrill of playing these games.

Other times, they are just nervous what goes in their kid’s mind will eventually come out through his actions. So next time Little Jimmy is raiding through the fields of Vietnam and Mom says, “I really wish you wouldn’t play that game,” Little Jimmy should not roll his eyes, but feel more understanding instead.

These worry warts should take a couple deep breaths and look at the facts: there is no direct correlation between acts of aggression and video games. In the end, it’s all fun and games.

Cartoon Corner Planolympics

By Ericka Lindsay

Keeping Score

By Kelli Manning

Review Issue Eleven

Page Fourteen

May 13, 2011

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

City Arts May 27-29, Fair Park

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p raws opping u m d ar er np umm vals begi tion of w the s is s ra ti , fes in celeb . Now erge r a e n lace ss days nd subm ther p e h Whe ide a ndle ver t all o r and e get outs culture. estival l is f to the wea ct time me loca food, th r o per fe elf in s music, o red. , e s your e into art you cov t r you’ e has go guid

A

Richardson’s Art and Music Festival May 20-22, Galatyn Park

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nother local art festival that features an ArtFest section that showcases all medias of art, including local and national artists. Other attractions include the Marketplace for artists to exhibit and sell their pieces, live performances, a culinary showcase and a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Friday night. The best part about this festival?

Admission is free

FESTIVALS AND CULTURES

By Claire Minor

dison le Park d A f o rc Taste ddison Ci dison ,A 2 f Ad best 2 o s 0 t 2 an eir staur e of th n enjoy May m a he re

t c o ’s taste les of s , guests his year d n a p T d out sam foo , and es. ome ey offer o great or manc s Young iety f i t r as th ddition usic per ind, Chr wide va to l a a m B e l n e be ve peop t s. I d Ey also nd li dishe l rides a des Thir ere will able for dly even ail en Th iva clu carn ineup in lldares. crafts av amily fri f i l a K d The arts an in. It’s es. e t a a l of al g cip parti fun for that’s

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ive performances take place all day on three different stages. This year’s headliners include Fuel, A Hard Day’s Night (a Beatle’s tribute band), Better than Ezra, and Jack Ingram. Various vendors create a market place with handmade art pieces, clothing, accessories, etc. The Food Garden offers a variety of meals and snacks for festival t in a lot goers, including vendors from large restaurant chains like time to fi With f o t n u it. mo Freebirds and Hooters in addition to classic festival food a short a ows how to do cluding e k li s m n k in ee such as funnel cake and cotton candy. Right outside ne day s t Warped Tour riety of artists, . A big a u v ne b o e , y n id r u e w f v the Eiseman center performances by the Calypso of for e ing a r e g tu a vorite ta e s f a s ir t the fa ugh to be stage e d e le Tumblers, COR Gymnastics, the Berkner Ramblers n m ip u lt o to u b m is ity ho pportun ds, there oths. T and other groups can be seen. Inside the local ban ome fans is the o e different bo e still some th s ar Eiseman center is an Art Guitar Auction draw for between sets at y music, there nonprofit tl s n in o a which features guitars designed by m s ts line d res artis val featu rnative clothing cash. This day ti s e f local art students. is a e th from alt have ome extr vendors tions, so bring s get outside and e organiza t opportunity to e enjoying som is a grea h friends whil fun wit sic. good mu

ed Tour p r a W s ’ Van avilion P y g r e n Gexa E June 24,

O

By Diva Gulati

The Voice

At first glance, NBC’s new television show, The Voice, looks like a cheap rip-off of American Idol. It utilizes all the ingredients for a bad TV show: an ambiguous name, famous judges, and of course, a reality talent show. However, The Voice, which is based on a Dutch TV show of the same name, managed to surpass most of my preconceptions, and surprisingly, made me feel a little better about the future of reality talent shows.

The one factor that sets The Voice apart from all other reality talent competitions is that the judges never actually see the contestants until after the audition. I always get the feeling that the judges on reality talent shows are judging people based on what they look like. Who cares if the girl wearing a banana suit can sing like Beyoncé? She’s wearing a banana suit so she must not be good enough.

There’s also always a handful of terrible singers

who look like supermodels. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out. That’s why The Voice is different. The judges sit with their backs towards a singer. While the contestant performs, if a judge likes the sound of the contestant’s voice, he just presses a button and his seat automatically turns around, allowing him to see what the contestant looks like. This way, there’s absolutely no bias coming from the judge.

Speaking of judges, The Voice has four of them.

All four have a background in the music industry. The four judges are Cee-Lo, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, and Maroon 5’s vocalist, Adam Levine. Each judge has to form a team of singers and coach them to become better. After that, different contestants are picked either by their coaches or by viewers at home to advance further into the competition. In addition to four noteworthy

judges, other famous musicians are expected to come on the show to offer help and advice.

The one thing I both like and dislike about The Voice is that they don’t really dig deep into a contestant’s background. While watching the American Idol auditions, it does admittedly get annoying to have to listen to each contestant talk about their life story. I don’t really care if you lived in ten different countries and were socially inept because of that. However, there’s always that one amazing singer who’s been through this life-scarring event, and I actually want to care about them. That’s what The Voice lacks. Although it seems like a great show with a lot of potential, it needs to give me somebody to care about and pay attention to in order for me to keep watching it. Until then, it’s good, but it’s not a show I would DVR.

Issue Eleven

May 13, 2011

Page Fifteen

Plano Senior High School

Reviews 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Something BorrOwed

By Julie Boyer

Rating

C+

A

twist on a classic love story, Something Borrowed is based on the novel written by Emily Giffin.

Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin star as lifelong best friends Darcy and Rachel, respectively.

This tale is one that has been told a million times. The best friend steals the true love because she is ‘more interesting,’ creating a super awkward love triangle. The characters seem to have the same personalities as the characters in other romances such as Bride Wars. Darcy is this type

of character, the bold, outgoing best friend who loves to party and doesn’t ever have to lift a finger in order to get what she wants.

The characters’ personalities aren’t the only things that one should recognize; many of the main characters should be familiar faces. The best friend of Darcy’s fiancé, Dex, is Steve Howey who is also from Bride Wars. In Bride Wars he ironically plays Hudson’s fiancée.

Goodwin is most known for her insecure main role in as Gigi in He’s Just Not That Into You, where she trusts

everyone and wants what she knows she can’t have. The face you should most easily recognize is that of Rachel’s confidant, Ethan, John Krasinski who is Jim in The Office.

Darcy and Dex’s engagement portrays them as the cookiecutter couple. They seem to be the stereotypical giggly, always happy, smiling, joking, cuddling couple: fake as all get out.

Told through a series of Rachel’s memories of childhood and law school, along with events leading up to Darcy’s wedding, the

story comes to life and the gaps of the story are filled in. This romantic comedy relied heavily on the humor to carry the story. Without it, the movie would have been completely dry and not worth any money to see. It was the movie’s only saving grace.

If you are a sap for a typical romance story, this is the perfect movie for you. If you simply are entertained by the underlying puns and storylines of movies, this would be an okay watch. If you are neither of the above, I don’t suggest seeing this.

Jumping the broom

By Sapna Sharma

T

he title of this movie comes from an African tradition.

Jumping the broom is a ceremony that is present during African American weddings.

This movie is about two African American families that come from differing backgrounds to celebrate a marriage.

This marriage takes place in Martha’s Vineyard and has a bunch of drama surrounding it.

Sabrina’s family comes from a wealthy

background, whereas Jason’s family originates from Brooklyn. With all of the differences between these two classes of people, there is bound to be a clash in personalities when the families meet, and as implied, there is.

I didn’t love this movie, but I didn’t hate it either. Basically, this movie comes down to the fact that it has a good storyline, but the execution of both the script writing and the acting was not up to par. This could be

due to the fact that the actors weren’t given that much to work with.

It is a comedy that has its moments, but then there are other times where I just didn’t feel that the comedy was up there. There was a very busy storyline. All of the small storylines that were going on were taking away from the main story, which I didn’t enjoy at all. The small plots weren’t even simple; no, they were intricate plots, so it was like a million different stories playing at one

time, and it was hard to keep track of those plus the main plot. I understand that they are trying to portray all of these subplots in a light that shows that everything goes wrong during weddings, but it was a bit overbearing.

There is nothing really out of the ordinary about this movie. It gave me a Meet the Parents vibe because it had the same plot. I really enjoyed the vibe the movie gave off, but in totality it was more of an “ehh” movie.

Rating

B-

PROM

By Eilie Strecker

P Rating

C-

rom night. The glitzy magical night that is looked upon as one of the ‘best nights of your life’. It’s easy to see how this movie could appeal to the young, day dreaming audiences.

Overall, this movie was decent. Unfortunately, it was a lot of ‘almosts’.

It was almost funny, almost romantic, almost had good actors, and in turn, the film was almost good.

The story begins with the hard work of the prom committee getting destroyed by an accidental fire. The main story focuses in on Nova, the class president, prom committee leader and all around go-getter type.

In a series of events she is forced to team up with the school’s bad boy, Jesse to work on saving Prom and (isn’t it poetic?) themselves.

The attempted comic relief came from Loyd.

A great guy who is shy and can’t get a single girl to go with him to Prom, his attempts range from letters on a locker, all the way to hanging signs from over passes. However, his quirky personality only works for so long and his jokes get less and less funny as the movie goes on. There are a few other story lines of a guy cheating on his girlfriend, a hopelessly in love sophomore, and a ‘been together forever’ relationship, though none of these stories truly hit home as

relatable characters.

Coming from Disney, this movie falls somewhere in between the first High School Musical and Sky High.

Not in plot or story line, but in quality.

The story itself was fine, unfortunately the actors’ portrayal was predictably played down and Disney-ized for the target younger audience.

It hit a weird middle ground where it had a couple laughs for older kids, but those few slightly more mature jokes may keep the intended younger audience away. By trying to hit both the young and older students, the film ends up having the wrong balance of both, giving it a feel of poor quality.

It has the dreamy, school-girl fantasy of what prom should be like down to a tee, however it lacked the reality that makes senior prom truly special.

With a predictable story line, awkwardly delivered lines and mediocre acting, this movie begins its induction into the ‘Oh yeah I forgot about that movie’ category of your graveyard of halfway decent movies.

If you are one of those who are crazy for the cheesy, younginnocent-love movies, this movie is for you, but unless you are a 100 percent cheesyhopeless-never-gonnahappen romantic, wait till your real prom because this movie is nothing like it.

Issue Eleven

Page Sixteen

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May 13, 2011

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