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Volume 65
Issue Two
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
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Life is a little Off By Sofia Toohey
n’t too es they are and m ti e m o s kind ion, r depress e of any k fo jo s s a e ’t tr t n s s is the slighte epression eem to see nclusion: far off. D s lightly. rs n ,” Hunt* e lo k e s ta n d cou ne co on myself not be n o a n ld ts w u to o n o d h p re s ly t a m P on ju hard and s ge sometime myself working so r moil and students say this is on. I tu “ f o n sig er.” er, find pers n. Howev me togeth It’s like I s on the Depressio ue. It all depend rious issue of said. “ es it just doesn’t co moil in different t tr e se etim al tur somewha do face th the population som ens find emotion ts n e d tu s e f T d I got Although amount o rked up about mono an . “All o ns. . A large d o w n a ti ll io h a a s u s t I it e s d re g r n p e a de m nts ss, * said elieve pare pression with stre “Last sum ejuan Rodriguez I never b to s m e D se se de und and ,” senior nd confu g depressed ing was sitting aro ” in e nothing a b s. f o re u e o ody. ed em press ey I felt lik ging out with anyb ever, the most ely accus h it n other teen T “ fi e . d id a ts s n lt like han Sessions dents how ssion comes “My pare m lack of fe According to stu r Deanna o io fr n depre y ju d o ,” o port garding and m re stressed y g p p in a ut the sup n th s b , t ll n n a o t ta r e rs e g o p think I an ever imp epressed ss sleep th from not from the d le ied g in tt e sleep.” are g mes rtive and tr e . o o y m c p a e p d re th u to s u d s s s s n y n a u re Tee aro were alw “Everyon ed out. P l to home life. y parents] Rodriguez* said. ing stress [M “ s n io due to be ources from schoo s es p,” rough it.” fs gether,” S eer me u all sorts o rything to es, and on top to ch y helped me get th cusing it, or your e v e t s ju s eventuall ce. If nts are ac “It’s really y AP clas a lot.” s a presen ether pare HS, all m a ’s h h N it w , n s, d o e io n S s d a s B ra g back, epre be said. “ get good off your eling it, d seems to to t fe e ts g g n re in e a y d to tr rs tu t e s pe really on seem of tha re. If you ts won’t a n f pressure c o re y t a e o p th r ro s u e ne in ean ns yo Th y, it just m ou are not alone. O . If expectatio ctations. r e r t p o u x p w e ’t y in n ll a y re on do found r situation , pression, nts don’t hat I put facing de are in you “My pare said. “It’s more w re y a h a eone s d u to p d ts ing to som 21ard an lescen ions lk s h o s ta d y e a f ll S t a o h ,” re d e ig e e on m I work at 1-800-6 rself in ne hey know u find you epression Hotline o y selors lf e s myself. T t u hool coun een D ll abo c s a T e e ’s it th th .” y f ll a lf o a s er c myse visit one agree and ing closer and clos 00. Or go talk. Students 0 m 4 ir o e c d out,” th e g n e n stresse wn o sk to h coll o a o it d t d s W e k . ju s c s re d ra u re n c s a dep self, that nts pres n you’re ind your ay, stude e d h m y r re W e “ v d e n a e e okay.” here with id. “Breath and it’s going to b d I see w a n s a s t* s n e u tr . s H id of lives. there too Hunt* sa put a lot have been nior Hue I I “Parents ju . o peaker’s ,” to m o lf due to s myse ming fr d n o e o c g n re a re u a h s e c s y n the ant m f pre have bee ut a lot o as much as they w *Names y “But I p it t s m y ju non o well e wish for a k ta want to d is m s sometime to.” rents can a p h g u o Alth
Photo By Dayna Gettel
Not So Secret Life of the American Teenager A day in the life of a pregnant teen.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
By Amber Robinson
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, every hour and a half, a 16-year-old gets pregnant. Every 52 minutes, a 17-year-old gets pregnant. And every 35 minutes, an 18-year-old gets pregnant. Each year, a countless number of girls walk through the hallways, their enormous bellies leading the way. “Of course I think it attracts attention,” junior Kelsey Young said. “But it’s become so common, that I really don’t think twice about it.” But apparently, some people still seem to find a pregnant teenager surprising. “It was a little awkward [walking through the hallways],” senior Marci Clanton said. “I’m just about eight months along now, and when people saw me, they would talk behind my back, and not to my face. I’d much rather just have them confront me.” However, Clanton did not have to endure the stares for long. “I was at Plano for about a week this year,” Clanton said, “then the administration said that I needed to go to Special Programs.” The environment at Special Programs is definitely different when compared to
Plano. “It’s a lot easier being pregnant there,” Clanton said. “There are a lot more girls in my situation, and every one there is willing to confront me. If they have questions, they’ll ask me.” Becoming pregnant changes just about everything in a teenage girl’s world, including her relationships and what she can do in general. “You’re pretty bound,” Clanton said. “You can’t go out and do much. And you have to watch everything really carefully. What you do. What you eat. Who you’re with. Everything changes.” Clanton’s relationship with her parents has changed since she became pregnant. “They’re very supportive,” Clanton said. “And if anything, we’ve become a lot closer since I found out I was going to be having a baby.” “We’re really excited,” Clanton’s mother said. “When her dad and I walk into a store, we find ourselves heading straight to the baby stuff.” After Clanton became pregnant, her living conditions changed as well. “My boyfriend started living with my parents and me,” Clanton said. “And
Photo By Jamie Denison
news Issue Two
Page Two
Wildcat Tales Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Taylor Thompson
PRINT EDITORS Aleah Pushaw Julie Boyer
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, Stephanye 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
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Not So Secret Life of the American Teenager Cont. hopefully, we’re going to get married. Right now we’re taking things slow though, and waiting until the baby’s born. Then we’ll see if marriage is still the right choice.” Having a baby as a teenager or even as an adult is not cheap. Many teenagers turn towards the government for assistance in paying for everything. “My boyfriend has a job,” Clanton said. “But I’m also on Medicaid, and we’re getting food stamps. We’re going to try to pay for everything ourselves, but my parents said they would help pick up the extra costs.” If someone does become pregnant, there are different options that they can choose to look at. “Don’t think that there isn’t any help,” Clanton said. “There’s always help. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, go see a counselor. They’re extremely helpful with advice and other information.” Another option, instead of seeing a counselor, is to visit one of the local Planned Parenthoods, where anyone can receive information, as well as help. “Our Education Department provides all kinds of teen outreach programs and education opportunities,” Planned Parenthood’s Director of Communications Holly Morgan said. “We teach in small group sessions at colleges, churches and synagogues. Parent groups, high schools, middle schools, after-school programs, correctional facilities, shelters and treatment centers. It’s not like we don’t try to get the information out to
CONTINUED From COVER By Amber Robinson
people.” But, even with the information that’s available to them, there are still teenagers that are getting pregnant on a daily basis. “About 15 percent of the patients [that come to Planned Parenthood], are under the age of 20,” Morgan said. “We try to provide them with education and resources about how to take care of their baby if they want to keep it. We also have close relationships with adoption centers. And we’ll counsel people about our abortion services if they want to consider that option too.” Even with the option of an abortion, most choose to keep their baby or put it up for adoption. “Abortion makes up for about 2.5 percent of what we do at Planned Parenthood,” Morgan said. “And that percentage is based on everyone that comes into Planned Parenthood. Not just people under the age of 20.” Some see abortion or adoption as bad things, others as good things. However, Clanton was very set on her beliefs when she came to the decision on whether to keep her baby. “I decided to keep my baby,” Clanton said. “Because I was never really up for adoption, or abortion.” Although some people see teen pregnancy as one of the worst things that could happen, others might disagree. “I’ll be 18 in March,” Clanton said. “And I wouldn’t change anything. I mean, it happened. And everything happens for a reason.”
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year By Sapna Sharma
Resumes, recommendation letters, SAT and ACT scores, GPA, class rank, and essays. These factors build up to college application season. “I’m applying to a lot [of schools],” senior Poonam Benakatti said. “UT, A&M, Baylor, Penn State, UMKC; there are just so many colleges and I can’t pick because there are so many out there.” Decisions, decisions are up the wazoo and many teens have no idea how to deal with the stresses pertaining to college applications. Most react in the same manner. “I’m really stressed,” senior Kevin Wei said. “More on the inside, I just don’t tend to show it because deadlines are coming up and I have to arrange interviews
College application deadlines are getting closer
and I really have to get the essays done because college essay needs to be good.“ Others have differing views on the application process. “They make me feel bored and excited and stressed at the same time,” senior Krishnan Mistry said. Procrastination is a key in the art of college applications. It seems that most students are so busy with their own school work, that they keep pushing back college applications. “My friends and I always seem to end up talking about college applications,” senior Lyndsey Kohn said. “It’s just so stressful.” Universities such as Duke and MIT have also decided to have an undecided list for students
they aren’t completely sure about. This is due to the university reexamining what the student would like to major in. An excess in one major and a lack of in another makes the university unbalanced, so by putting students out into the “waiting list”, the university is just trying to make themselves more dynamic. Although it acts beneficial towards the university and its diversity, this adds even more pressure to the students. These stresses aren’t just involving the students, but their guardians as well. Questions such as “How secure is the campus?” and “How prestigious is the college?” add extra anxiety onto students. The cherry on top of everything is the pressure after the application is turned in. Many
colleges are increasing rejection rates due to an increase in students applying to college. All of these elements mixed together in a big boiling pot of fear create panic and frenzy amongst students. If the application process isn’t stressful enough, many students shoot for scholarships. “I’m just worried about the scholarship money the most,” Kohn said. “It all depends on my scores which is more stressful.” Students are also realizing that with choosing a college and completing the college applications, comes a huge responsibility. “It’s just now that it’s hit me that the decisions I make are going to affect me in the future,” senior Ingrid Ang said.
news Issue Two
Page Three
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Homecoming Fever Sweeps the Campus
Student Congress begins preparations for homecoming By Meital Boim
Coming soon, the social event of the season returns to campus. Homecoming. Preparations for the extravaganza began recently. While students wait, Student Congress committees plan the many aspects of the event. “My committee has projects all throughout the year, but our main project is Homecoming, and we plan it for about two months or a month and a half,” junior Laura Gammon said. “Jackson Goldberg, my senior partner, and I deal with all the stuff like buying the decorations, buying little stuff like cups and things that no one would think of.” Although the dance is held on campus, attention to detail will help complete the cafeteria’s transformation. These small components will help the dance committee fulfill its job. “Basically, it’ll be a ton of balloons,” Gammon said. “We’re using a lot of gold, pinks and purples. There’s going to be a lot of fabric and those onion domes, and our center piece is genie lamps. It will look a lot different when we’re done with it.” Homecoming, however, is about more than just the dance. Another unique tradition is the Homecoming parade. “West doesn’t have this,” senior Andrea Bazemore said. “I’m not positive whether East has it or not. It’s what Homecoming is about. It’s one of the components, and we’re really lucky at Plano Senior High to be able to do this.” Usually an annual event, the parade includes many clubs and organizations, which join by foot, car or float. Last year, it was rained out. “Both seniors and juniors are fresh on this idea,” Bazemore said. “No one at this school, student-wise, has ever done a parade, so it’s going to be interesting.”
For those who plan to join, the parade will be on Wednesday, Oct. 20, and will start at 6:30 p.m., at the corner of Parkhaven and Roundrock and advance towards Haggard Middle School and into the parking lot. Observing the parade and following the procession are not the only ways to get involved. “I know that people go all out,” Bazemore said. “They try to be as creative as they can because it is a contest, and you can win money for your club. The theme is the same thing that was for Cat Camp, which is ‘Wildcat Roots Run Deep.’ Student Congress members who are in Student Services will have a criteria sheet, and they will judge the parade as it goes along. They’ll judge for creativity, the use of the theme, how involved they were with the crowd and things like that. At the pep rally, it’ll be announced who won and they’ll get the prize.” With a monetary prize to the winning club, it’s no wonder that many are participating in the contest. “Student Congress always has a float,” Bazemore said. “They have three actually: one for the Student Congress itself, one for the senior class, and one for the junior class. I know drumline is in the parade, and so is drill team, and I’m assuming a lot of the other big organizations. They’re just going to do their normal tradition; things that invoke the pride of Plano.” The different organizations will take part in the parade by marching along or riding in a float. Clubs like French Club and Student Congress participate annually. For those who are on their toes about Homecoming king and queen, nominees will join the parade procession as well. In floats of their own, they will ride with the rest of the participants towards school.
“There are going to be convertibles with the two guy and girl nominees,” Bazemore said. “There will be five cars, one girl, one guy. Those are annually donated. It’s, like, ‘these are Homecoming nominees one and two,’ and they ride down the parade and wave.” Elections will be held that same week. Students and nominees will have to wait until the night of the game, though, to find out the results. At the dance the following night, the whole court will be introduce “Around 10 o’clock, they’re announced,” Gammon said. “Then each person from Homecoming court dances with their date.” Students and teachers are not the only ones who play a part in the Homecoming tradition. Alumni spirit continues long after their graduation. “It’s exciting to see all the alumni come back,” Bazemore said. “We have the old Homecoming queen who comes back, and she’s, like, 90 years old. It’s awesome to see how much pride she has. She has a float, too.” But between the parade and dance, there is another tradition: Homecoming game. One of the most attended games of the year, it is a demonstration of pride and spirit. “Everyone loves it,” Bazemore said. “The drill team is in all white. It’s just classy. When I was younger, just seeing everyone in their costumes and to see how much spirit there is at the Homecoming game was awesome. For the juniors who haven’t been to one or for the seniors who this is their first time, this is something you’ll never forget. You can see so much pride just in the Homecoming halftime. You see pride every Friday. Just think of that times 20. It’s amazing.”
wildcats Issue Two
Page Four
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
Life is Service
Benefits of giving back to the community
By: Haley Bunnell
Everyday families suffer without food or a place to sleep. Everyday people die of cancer. Everyday senior citizens sit in there room hoping to be visited by a new face. Everyday is a new opportunity to help this world become a happier and a better place by committing a few hours to do community service. “Community service allows students to organize their time and allows students to see different situations that people are less fortunate or more fortunate to have,” counselor Nancy Erickson said. “It’s part of giving back, it’s not always about me, the person, but it’s about other people and helping other people. I think sometimes we forget what it’s like to help someone else.” Helping at retirement homes, homeless shelters, hospitals, and animal shelters benefits the people who are being helped as well as the volunteers. “It makes me feel accomplished when I help at the Baylor Hospital.” senior Janice Kim said. “They say thank you with a smile, which makes me happy that I at least helped them in some way.” Last summer, the chairman of the community service committee in Student Congress, senior David Lee, built houses for the poor community in Louisiana. “After we finished with all of the construction,” Lee said. “I could really tell how much it meant to them [the people who needed new houses]. It’s a real experience to see that impact on them.” Many students say that they simply don’t have enough time in their schedule to help out someone else. However, there are many organizations, clubs, and groups that any student can join around campus. Some groups like Cats for Kids have fundraisers to raise money, and NHS holds bake sales and other fundraisers to give back to what is needed. “Plano students have an amazing opportunity for
the extracurricular activities,” Erickson said. “There are many on-going organizations, and fundraisers all around.” Sometimes students fear that community service is going to be dirty work, and not enjoyable. That problem can be fixed if the student finds something they enjoy or care about. “I do stuff I am interested in,” junior Morgan Thurmond said. “I help work with kids, help with cancer organizations, and different things that have affected me. It makes me more efficient because it’s something I really care about.” Everyone is passionate about something, whether it’s animals, nature, people, cars, sports, or any other interest. There is always something or someone in this world that needs help. “If you’re passionate about it, as long as it’s outside academics, you’ll find it within your heart to give back,” Erickson said. Other than the feeling of making someone’s day, community service interests colleges. Colleges like to look at whether students are balanced between a strong academic transcript, staying active in extracurricular activities, as well as what they do in their community. “How have they made a difference? Are they making a difference? They don’t want someone in their community absorbing a seat,” Erickson said. “They want someone out there helping. They don’t want people just receiving information, and not giving back; it’s a two way street. It’s part of growth and learning.” These students who are helping out feel that they are looking past the superficial things in life, and finding a greater purpose. “Every ones ultimate goal is pursuit of happiness,” Thurmond said. “Everyone is concerned about their future. But you also have to take another grain of salt and realize you have to be happy from different stages. And if you take what you’re given and realize people need your help, you find out helping other people can be fun.”
Students With Odd Hairstyles
By: Stephanye Barnes
Photo By Stephanye Barnes
Senior Jackson Parks rocks out his mohawk in the hallway.
Senior Akasha Yeoman shows off the many colors of her hair.
Slap on some gel, and shape it into a pointy mohawk. How about making your hair something rainbow like to stretch from the roots to the tips. Either way you wouldn’t be the only one with a bobbling head full of spikes or color. “I started in the fifth grade,” senior Akasha Yeoman said. “My mom actually helped me do it.” Yeoman started young and now has lovely streaks of violet in her hair as well as other colors under it, and usually she wears her hair down so people can see it. Yeoman had started with big blotches of blue in her hair, and would redo her coloring every time it began to fade. “I like a lot of colors,” Yeoman said. “I always have other styles in mind, but I try to make it as colorful as possible.” Even though Yeoman has dyed her hair with different shades of purple, she plans on changing it to another color soon. Many students choose to change the color of their hair so that it can make a fashion statement, to stand out, and sometimes it just tends to be a more convenient way of expressing yourself without going too bold or not bold enough. There are plenty of easy ways to dye your hair, such as having temporary hair color which is available in various forms including rinses, shampoos, gels, sprays, and foams. Temporary hair color is typically
brighter and more vibrant anyway, and much more preferred by parents who aren’t ready for a drastic change to their child’s head. “I always do this,” senior Jackson Parks said. “My mom didn’t mind, it was my dad who didn’t want it.” Parks’ hair is the probably the most recognizable at school, while he walks down the hallway with a mohawk, where on the sides it’s shaved and leaving a strip of noticeably longer hair in the centre so that the spikes can created can be up. Parks’ said his dad thought it was more improper then ‘cool’, but mostly because of the length. “My inspiration comes from music,” Parks said. “Like from Anti-Flag or Travis Barker.” Like most kids the influence comes from music or from other things that looks or feels awesome to them. The mohawk hairstyle is usually associated with mostly with punk rock fans and, Depending on how it is worn; the mohawk can be a style that requires a lot of work. Regular work is required to keep it looking nice, such as careful shaving or trimming to maintain a clean line between the shaven and unshaven (or short and long) portions of the hair. If it’s not taken care of it can look messy or confusing. “Most of it is just impulse,” said Parks. “I like the way it looks.”
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Issue two
By: Melissa Meyer
Page Five
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
No Place like Home
Many students have lived here all their lives. They grew up here, and went to elementary school with some of the same kids they have classes with now. Others, though, are relatively new to this Independent School District, and have had to adapt to the environment here, and find their way past the label of ‘the new kid,’ as they’ve had to do many times before. “My dad was in the air force, so we traveled a lot,” junior Sarah Scarborough said. “I think I’ve been to eight schools before coming here.” Many students are relocated throughout their childhood due to their parent’s careers. “We moved mostly because of my mom’s job,” senior Jamie Gibson said. “I’ve been to six schools before I came to Plano.” Junior Sara Menhart went to five schools before coming to Plano, and explained her
feelings on her most recent move. “It wasn’t that hard adjusting to the move new school,” Menhart said. “I’ve been to so many and each time it’s easier.” Menhart’s unique situation, however, made the environment a bit of a culture shock. “Plano was my first public school, so it was a lot different than anything I had ever really experience before,” Menhart said. Gibson also noticed a major difference, which set our school apart from other schools. “It’s much bigger here; the size was really intimidating at first,” Gibson said. Scarborough though said she that the size didn’t stop her from forming new friendships. “I made friends really fast.” Scarborough said. “People here are really nice.” Both Menhart and Gibson found they
liked the environment at this school. “There’s more freedom here,” Gibson said. “A lot of other schools are really strict. There’s also a lot of school spirit.” Menhart felt that academics were more emphasized here, than at her previous schools. “Most schools weren’t as focused on grades,” Menhart said. “They were just focused on extracurricular activities. It was a lot of fun, but it’s better to take school seriously.” Scarborough expressed that Plano stood out to her from the other schools she attended. “It’s a good school system; I like it more than any of the other schools I’ve been to,” Scarborough said. These newcomers feel they have found their place here at Plano. “I feel at home here,” Gibson said.
Hom e comin g Cou rt Nomin e e s
By: Jessica Yee
Kings
Queens
“Don’t vote for me, vote for Alex.”
“I”m really friendly and super outgoing.”
-Foster Daly
-Samantha Hoffman “It’d look good on college resumes.”
“I can balance a lot of activities, I’m well-rounded.”
-Jeremy Hintz
-Kaitlyn Klena
“Just a normal guy to be fun around, trying to have a fun senior year.”
“I represent many groups and it’d be really cool, as someone different, and I represent many personalities.”
-Collin Brence
-Bola Ibidapo “It takes less than five minutes to vote for your favorite Asian.”
“I do a lot for the school and have a ton of Plano pride.”
-Andrea Bazemore
-Isaac Lee
“I’m pretty sure I have maroon running through my blood and I’m one of the most spirited kids at school.”
-Taylor Thompson
“I live and breathe Wildcats.”
- Alex Rubin
wildcats 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Letter to The Editor
I’m a senior this year at Plano and I’ve always enjoyed reading the wildcat tales. I always think the stories printed are interesting and honest. This issue I was a little upset with the “skimpy spirit wear shocks students. I felt this story only showed one point of view. I am one of the girls who painted her body for the game. I’m sure you must have heard of super fans. In the past it has typically been senior boys, it has been tradition for them to paint their bodies. Normally they pass it down at the end of each year, this year that didn’t happen. My girls and I decided to step up this year. We don’t do it for attention, we do it because we love Plano football and we want to support our boys. It is just a stomach, we aren’t showing cleavage nor are our shorts too small or tight. The double standard is ridiculous on this issue. I sincerely hope next time the stories printed are justly written. Thank you. Jordan Wetherbee
sports Country Page Six
CROSS
Issue Two
October 14, 2010
Football, baseball, and also volleyball, are all popular sports amongst students, but cross country is a sport that is oddly overlooked. Cross country isn’t as simple as it seems; it’s not just running, it’s all about endurance. Whether you’re a junior coming from Vines or Jasper, or if you’re a senior and cross country is a first time thing, getting use to the hard work required to succeed at the sport can be a difficult task.
Photo Submission By Barry Rhoden
By Samantha Meyer
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
By Elena Nelson
“It’s kind of more hard work and less playing around,” junior Austin Fenton said. Students find cross country at the senior high level a bit more challenging than they expected. Though the experience is more difficult, students are handling the challenge well. Most seem to be keeping a positive attitude while enjoying themselves. “This is my first year in cross country,” senior David West said. “It’s been interesting, and it’s gotten more enjoyable.” With practices being everyday for the cross country runners, the schedule can get pretty difficult to keep up with. Having a different practice routine for every day of the week such as; Tuesdays running hills, Wednesdays running five miles, and Thursdays having practice in the field, can get complicated. “We practice daily at 6:30 a.m.,” junior Megan Cornelison said. “We run in neighborhoods, and at Saglon [elementary school]. We practice on Friday’s and have meets on Saturdays.” Practice can also cut into students’ free time after school as well as before school. Students practice during their first and or seventh periods. They show dedication by choosing cross country over another elective in knowing that these periods might be taken up by practices. “We practice through seventh period, always, until after school ends,” West said. “The practice is everyday whether it’s to Saglon or taking a bus.”
Aside from practicing five times a week; morning and afternoons, the runners also have meets every Saturday for the first six weeks of school. Not only do students on cross country not have the ability to sleep in those mornings, or hang out with their friends after school, they also have the meets that usually last up to three hours. “You expect a lot of competition, and you don’t know what to expect because the courses always change,” Cornelison said. What students should expect at meets is always changing, mainly because the location and the teams they go against are always different. Each meet has a large amount of competition. “Each meet we don’t just run against one school,” Fenton said. “It’s six or seven schools at once. Southlake Carol and Frisco are just a few.” With all the schools that cross country goes up against, the score and how it works gets confusing to keep up with, especially for those watching the events in the audience. “The farther you place [of each team’s five runners] whoever places higher in the points system is who gets the worse score,” Fenton said. The people that do attend the cross country meets pay close attention to the scores. Although not many people attend the meets; the runners work is well appreciated. “A large number of runners and not too many fans,” Fenton said.
The runners put dedication and effort into what they do. All of this work prepares them for their Saturday meets. It’s been said that runners judge their competition at first sight. “There’s always a competition so you don’t have to worry about scrutinizing anyone,” West said. The few things that runners do have to watch out for are far out of their control. Weather is a factor that runners or anyone can not control, and if they don’t pay close attention it’s one thing that could cause them to lose the race. “You have to watch for puddles… not fun, and cracks in the ground,” West said. For some, the competition is closer than the opposing team. To students like West, the competition is as close as family. The going get tough when you have siblings in the same sport as you. “For my first year I’d say I’ve done pretty will, though, I have a twin to compare to, and his times are better than mine at the moment,” West said. Aside from meets and practices the equality of the coaches also factors into this sport and in the efficiency of the running. Coaches are the ones that train the runners and make sure they are skilled at the sport to make sure they will do well at the meets. “I’ve heard last year he, [coach Eshelman], was slightly different,” West said. “But I heard that since we had a lot of top notch people he’s been giving us a lot of determination.”
Jaded J.V Its Friday night, the lights are blazing and the crowd is roaring in Clark stadium, while students link pinkies and cheer on our varsity football team. However behind the Friday night lights, there are the often overlooked Junior Varsity athletes. While they do not get the recognition that varsity players do, they are a vital part of every sports program. “The JV program is really there to help the varsity,” junior and varsity football player Connor Peska said. “They help us out every week, and they come ready to practice. They deserve just as much credit as we do.” For football especially, the JV program is unlike the varsity program in many ways. From the level of intensity of practices, to how they are treated by coaches and other students, JV players have a very different experience. “Varsity is a lot more in depth,” Peska said. “A lot more hours are put into it on varsity, we watch film a lot, we have weights Monday and Wednesday mornings. There are certain things that only varsity does that JV doesn’t get to do, but it’s all about the team experience.” In other sports, such as cheerleading, the JV and varsity programs are organized by age. The JV program is made up solely of juniors, and the varsity program is made up of seniors. “You get more perks when you’re on varsity,” junior and JV cheerleader Kelly Mccarthy said. It’s like, once you endure JV, when you get up
to varsity you’re rewarded. You just don’t get to as many things, but you still have the same goal: to cheer on the student body.” While it was clear that athletes were excited to move up to the varsity level, they felt that the JV program prepared them well for varsity. “When we go to the games and we go up against a defense that’s less experienced then our defense, or we go up against an offense that we actually get to hit on then it’s like, yeah it prepares us pretty well for varsity.” junior and JV football player Andrew Alexander said. The way the coaches treated the JV athletes and the varsity athletes varied from sport to sport. “There’s a JV coach and a varsity coach,” Mccarthy said. “But whenever we practice all together, the varsity coach takes over.” In other sports where they had the same coaches for both varsity and JV, the athletes felt differently about the way they were treated by their coaches. “All the coaching attention goes to the varsity,” Alexander said. “They pretty much tell us to get all our work done by ourselves. We just have to watch and learn from the older kids.” Varsity players were all about the team, and felt like they had a good relationship with the JV athletes. “We’re all a big family,” Peska said.
Junior varsity players had a different take on the dynamic between the two programs. “Its fun, they’re good kids, I love them to death,” Alexander said. “But you do have that sense of hazing and that sense of their ‘better than you’ mentality on the varsity level.” Different sports teams had different thoughts about how the JV players were treated differently from the varsity players by other students. “I don’t think there’s much difference,” junior and JV swimmer Louis De Torcy said. Football players however, felt that there was a drastic difference in the students’ attitude towards the JV program, versus their attitude toward the varsity program, particularly when it came to attendance at games. “We probably get about all our parents and about 30 to 50 students,” Alexander said, “While you have all the parents at a varsity game with pretty much the entire student body.” Without the cheers and admiration from a huge crowed that always accompanies a varsity game, you might think that moral would be low during the JV games, but JV players like Alexander don’t let that stop them from giving their all. “We just have to find it in our hearts to play the game that we love to play.”
Issue Two
Page Seven
October 14, 2010
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Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
fine arts Issue Two
By Dayna Gettel
Page Ten
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Speech Team: They Can Talk the Talk
The fast talking, quick paced, and talented students are only some of the appeals to the speech team. On the team, the competitions and tournaments all have a number of different events. “Well there are different events in speech,” junior Sean Oliver said. “There is a debate side and an interpretation side.” In the two types of interpretation, dramatic and humorous, a written selection is given to the interpreter where he or she is given an allotted amount of time to prepare, and then the interpreter must act it out. “In speaking, you’re given 30 minutes to create a speech about a topic that you got just before,” Oliver said. “In Public Forum Debate, two people go against another two people on a certain topic that’s prepared beforehand.” Having won the state tournament for the past two years, the team has great expectations. “My expectations for the team are to be very successful,” junior Alicia Li said, “and to have a lot of team work and cooperation.” Already, the team did very well in Grapevine at their speech competition on September 17 and 18, and their competition on October 2 in Grand Prairie. At the Grand Prairie tournament, the speech team students scored in the top 8 in all but a few events. “At Grapevine we had a lot of success for both sides of the team,” senior Shikha Garg said. “In interpretation, Thomas Ciminiello won first place, and Alicia Li and Sean Oliver ended up getting to semi-finals in Public Form Debate. We had a lot of success in the tournament.” This year’s speech and debate team seems to be just
as strong as the past years. From Jasper and Vines, several new debaters have joined to help strengthen the team. “We lost a lot of good seniors last year,” Garg said, “but I feel like there is a lot of potential with the juniors right now.” Some debaters, however, find that it may be more difficult to replace the graduated seniors. “I really think losing the seniors that we had last year is also detrimental,” Oliver said. “They were nationally ranked people, and although a lot of very good juniors have come in, I think the graduates of last year were a really big loss.” Either way the team hopes to build back to the strength of last year’s team and go for victory. “I really hope we can qualify as many people as we did to state last year,” Garg said. “Hopefully we can win state again, like we have the past two years.” The team has their next tournament this weekend, October 15. They are striving to do even better than they did at the Grapevine and Grand Prairie tournaments. With many promising competitors the team expects to do extremely well in their upcoming events. They have a number of speakers for each event and they expect to go far with these speakers and debaters. “My main goal this year is to get better at debating and public speaking in general, though above all, I want to learn, have fun, and enjoy tournament,” said junior Alex Zhang. “Really, it’s more a question of what I can do for my team, rather than what my team can do for me.”
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Issue Two
By Chelsea Allen
Page Eleven
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
fine arts 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Songs From the Heart Choir starts off the new year
No matter who you are or what you look like, everyone is affected by music, whether it’s soothing rhythms or bass-filled beats, it’s human nature to be drawn to it. This is especially the case for students of the choir department. “People need to realize, we’re not just a group of singers,” senior and choir president Bola Ibidapo said. “We’re musicians. Music is universal; people will always understand and accept it.” For those who want to support our choir, there are several concerts scattered throughout the season. “I’m looking forward to another great year,” choir director Derrick Brookins said. The most dazzling upbeat performance of the year is the Jazz Without Elephants show, hosted by choir’s Music Corp. It’s for one night— October 28—and tickets are in high demand. For an evening of splendid scenery and costumes that take you back to the medieval times, the annual Madrigal Dinner is held to satisfy one’s desire for medieval-based music, a play, costumes, and fantastic food, held on December 3 and 4. Other shows are the Fall Cluster concert that was held October 7, featuring choirs from surrounding middle and high schools
as well as our senior high, and the choir fall concert “Songs For the Heart” is on October 21. “I’m looking forward to the Jazz Without Elephants show, and the Madrigal Dinner,” choir director Doug Council said. For those in choir, there’s a lot to look forward to. They recently hosted a choir lock in, where students enjoyed staying at school after hours for a night of games and little sleep. The biggest trip of the year is their choir spring tour of Branson, Missouri, where they will perform and have some vacationing time at Silver Dollar City. “Another thing I want to do is have more community service involvement,” Ibidapo said. “We aren’t just singers. We can impact the world.” When it comes to everyday class time, students spend time learning and bonding with one another. “I’m looking forward to becoming a family, and getting to know everybody,” senior and choir student Katy Bauer said. “There are 200 of us, so it’ll take all year.” All three choir directors agree it’ll be a great year. “We have a great time,” choir director Maryanne Visconti said. We all know what being in the audience of a musical performance
feels like, but very few get to experience participating in it first-hand as choir students do. “Before I grab the microphone, I’m pretty much a nervous wreck,” junior and choir student Modupe Dina said. “I usually forget how the song goes, but when I start, I become someone else, and I’m like, wait, what just happened?” Being apart of the choir as a whole is a gives each singer a unique feeling. “Performing can always be defined as an experience; I get really into it,” senior and choir librarian Elizabeth Berry said. “Everyone wants to be there.” Between the six choirs—Music Corp, Chamber Singers, concert Treble, Men of Plano, Varsity Women, and Acapella—there are plenty of opportunities to support our choir. “Like Mr. Brookins says, ‘choir is representative of the entire campus’,” Berry said. “Choir is Plano. We have cheerleaders, football players, basketball players, theater people… All together in one.” Choir students understand the power of expression through voice. “Everyone has the same passion and puts all their heart into it,” Ibidapo said. “We don’t just regurgitate words; it’s a performance.”
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review Issue One
Page Twelve
October 14, 2010
The Social Network
Rating: A+
By: Vivian Nguyen
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
LIFE AS WE KNOW IT
Rating: B
By: Whitney Fein
you wish you attended the school where you knew the geniuses who built social networking sites. With a sharp and clever dialogue, and great performances by actors, this film is easily the best drama of the year –so far. “The Facebook Movie” is exactly what Facebook turned out to be: a basic simple idea, crafted into a brilliant and successful outcome.
Life as We Know It, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel, is the newest romantic comedy in theatres. Let’s be honest here. When I heard about the story line of this movie, I pretty much knew what was going to happen. But they surprised me. The many clever one-liners and plot twists had the whole theatre cracking up for almost all 112 minutes. The movie opens up with a flashback to when Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) are set up by their best friends, Peter and Alison Novack. Being complete opposites, the date was a disaster and the two don’t even get out of the driveway. Unfortunately, when their friends’ baby is born, Holly and “Messer” are forced to do everything together. Obviously, this isn’t how either one of them would choose to spend time with their Godchild, with each other. But when Alison and Peter die in a car accident, the two find out that they were chosen as Sophie’s legal guardians. And when the lawyer informs them that they must live together with Sophie, in the Novack’s house, Messer must trade in his care-free life for diaper bags and baby formula, while Holly must switch from restaurant owner to baby feeder. Through out the rest of the movie, we see the different steps of parenthood, but in the funniest way possible. I never thought
that watching two people change a baby’s diaper for the first time could be so entertaining. But the writer of the movie made the story flow together, showing how two people come together to help raise their best friends’ child. All in all, the acting was okay, but the story line was cute. I recommend this movie for anyone looking for a “date night” movie or who love Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel.
TOP 10 WORST MOVIES OF 2010
Facebook has indisputably become one of the biggest social impacts of the 21st Century. With terms like, “Facebook Me”, being thrown around in everyday conversations; it comes as no surprise that this billion dollar social networking site also had a movie about its origins made. The film, The Social Network, is based upon the book, The Accidental Billionaire. It stars Jesse Eisenberg as insensitive genius and Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and Andrew Garfield, as Eduardo Saverin, Facebook co-founder, and Zuckerberg’s former best friend. The film centralizes around the birth and development of Facebook, and the troubles and lawsuits that Zuckerberg faces getting there. The film is shot present-day, in a meeting room where Zuckerberg battles former classmates and a best friend in lawsuits surrounding the social networking site, and flashes back to Zuckerberg’s days at the prestigious Harvard University. His days as a college undergrad gives you a glimpse of what life must be like for some of America’s most brilliant young minds. It shows, essentially, what you get when you mix college life with a pursuit of a bigger ambition. The score, the directing, and the script, all beautifully perfected, combine together to make a film about a rather boring topic, into a film that makes Harvard actually look cool, making
Plano Senior High School
Bruno Mars: Doo-Wops and Hooligans By: Eilie Strecker
In his new album Bruno Mars manages to keep the listeners attention with his lovey-dovey lyrics, however the actual music falls short. It’s not that the music is bad, it simply does not vary from song to song creating the feeling that you are listening to the same song for the whole album. Bruno Mars’s voice is good but his range is limited and his voice tends to sound weak at unexpected times. This weakness was especially prominent during his performance on SNL. However he does mix things up on two of his songs (Liquor Store Blues (Ft. Damian Marley) and The Other Side (Ft. Cee Lo Green & B.o.B)) by featuring various artists. Although his songs have original lyrics his music tends to sound uncannily generic. He never branches out from the “106.1” sound of his music. Overall, Doo-Whops and Hooligans is good. It is nothing too far out there, or special but its decent. If you are in the mood for the standard “teen” music then you should absolutely buy this album, but if you are looking for a little more variety you will want to hold out for something better.
Best Songs to Listen To:
Just The Way You Are Grenade The Other Side (Feat. Cee Lo & B.o.B)
Sounds Most Like:
A mix between Jason Mraz and Michael Buble.
Page Thirteen
Issue Two
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
review
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Wing Stop 4/5
Buffalo Wild Wings 4.5/5
probably seen u’ve driven, you’ve yo e er wh er att m No in major cities. about every corner st ju on ted ca lo s and contain a one. They’re cks of buffalo wing bu ar St e th h uc m y rent sauces and They’re prett ns including 14 diffe fa s ng wi r fo ns tio icy, there are variety of op the wings are too sp if d An . bs ru y dr . My personal four different cool the wings down to es uc sa g in pp di otle barbeque five different wings, and the chip e uc sa ki iya ter e th with an order of favorites are moderately priced, is gs in W ild W lo Wild Wings has dry rub. Buffa $8.50. Plus, Buffalo nd ou ar to g in m and discussions. six wings co r business gatherings fo l ea id , -fi wi d an bar in the back, long tables ort, and there is a sh y irl fa is e tim tch the big game. The waiting to sit back, and wa s nt wa st ju o wh for anyone
As a favorite among for me r Cowboy player, Troy Aikman, Wing Stop is one of the most well known wing plac es in the metroplex. This place has a nine flavor selection of wings and four different side options. Plus, every Wing Stop has a tou ch screen Coca-Cola freestyle ma chine, in which customers can mix flavor options into there bev erages. This place is moderatel y priced, and an order of ten win gs costs $6.29 and Plano studen ts get a discount. A combo meal, which would nor mally cost $7.0 0, cost $5.00 dollars with the pre sentation of a student ID car d. Plus, on Mondays and Tuesda ys, each boneless wing costs 50 cents. However, one must order at least ten wings to get this dea l. Also, if you are not a big fan of wings, the menu also contain s boneless strips. The Hawaiian wings have a sweet, tangy taste, but my personal favorite was the hick ory smoked barbeque.
FINGER LICKIN’ GOOD! By Alex Gonzalez
Chili’s 3/5
Though very wel l known for its Chili’s also has w burgers and ribs, ings for appetizer s. There are only boneless or bone two options; -in. There are no flavor options; ho do get a choice wever, you of whether you want ranch dres cheese dressing. sin g or blue One also can no t choose how m or she wants, an any wings he d the price comes to about $9.00 fo of ten wings. Th r an order e wait time can als o be kind of long is busy. Despite if the staff these limitations, the wings have a with a semi-spicy good flavor kick to them. If you Google “Chi wings” a recipe w li’s buffalo ill pop up, so on e could easily mak home. e them at
By Lindsay Kehlmann
If you walk down the hall on the Friday of homecoming, it will sound like you’ve found a herd of cattle roaming the campus and it will look like 75% of girls have become 75% ribbon and the majority of the boys have had their left arms bedazzled by their girlfriends. Over the years, mums have steadily grown from the reasonable size of a sheet of paper to roughly the size of a four-year-old, and are now so heavy they are literally strapped around girls’ necks. Garters are a little better, though the fact that they are usually two feet long makes them about as practical as a baby tied to your arm. It makes some people wonder whether one day they will start selling them by the pound. It wouldn’t be surprising: everything’s bigger in Texas. Despite the unreasonable size, when homecoming rolls around everyone has them. The tradition
WingStreet 3/5
Pizza Hut, inside nearly every Conveniently located Th home. is place is and not just to your s, er liv de et tre gS in W ch wing only cost 50 on Wednesdays, ea d an d ice pr from $3.99 ly ab rd affo ek, the prices range we e th of ys da r e Pizza Huts cents. All the othe ngs. However, som wi 0 16 r fo 9 9.9 $6 e. Despite for five wings to always sit down insid t no n ca e on so , s. I personally do not have tables es pretty good wing ak m et tre gS in W lar a limited variety, s, which are just regu ffalo medium wing bu eque e rb th ba d y en ne m m ho e co re them, or th to k kic icy sp a th atter what boneless wings wi vor to them. No m fla et we i-s m se a g friends over wings, which have e perfect for invitin ar s ng wi e th , re he you order from wboy game. nday afternoon Co Su e th g in tch wa or
that has blossomed in the south is stronger than ever on campus. Wearing a mum or a garter is all about school pride (which there is no shortage of), the fun, overthe-top spirit of the night, and of course showing off your date. Mums and garters can be classy enough for the red carpet or as tacky as Snookie after a night out on the town. While most students know where to draw the line, those few who don’t make Friday a really special experience. One of the shabbiest things that people do with their mums is making them as big as they can. Big mums may be seen roaming across campus, but the biggest, nastiest one of all is the stack of nine mums circled into one. It’s like the Rachel Berry of mums: it’s super obnoxious but you can’t stop watching. Another example of a mum that could involve physical therapy in the future is the mum-dress, in other words a
mum on the back and the front of the wearer. They are just a really bad idea. In addition to making sitting down impossible, the mum-dress just looks ridiculous. The only plus is it covers the inappropriate slogans on homecoming shirts. Teachers won’t even bother pushing through the ribbon rainforest to try and take them up. Even when students have size under control, some don’t seem to know how to accessorize. While lights and boas can be cute and entertaining, no one needs to see you shining like a beacon from across the pond or flapping like a feathery octopus in the wind. But possibly the worst offense of all is one only a junior or underclassmen can commit: wearing a white mum when you aren’t a senior. There are a few things that the high school universe frowns upon, like breaking up over text, or the
new dress code, or juniors and underclassmen wearing white mums. It isn’t cute or clever, and if they do decide to wear them, they are sure to feel the heat from almost everyone. And even though all of this can go wrong and more, most of the student body ends up getting it right. Overall, most mums and garters are endearing, sweet, entertaining, personal, and spirited. The cow bells, themes, feathers, lights, bears and ribbons make each one unique and fun (not to mention eye-catching). They explain the way students feel about each other, the school, themselves, and high school in general. How big or flashy they get just reflects the amount of spirit and enthusiasm they have. So just remember that next time you see a colossal mum go by.
What’s Hot:
opinion Issue Three
Page Fourteen
November 4, 2010
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075
Degrading Comments
Girls View
By Laurel Guild
Lucy Lane walks down the hall of B building. She’s dressed in a modest cardigan and blue jeans. As she approaches her third period class, a group of guys start whistling at her and making offensive comments about her body. She feels humiliated and ashamed and even starts to feel angry because she knows that she did nothing to deserve this harassment. Uncomfortable. Insecure. Embarrassed. These are all just a few words that describe how we, as girls, feel when derogatory and degrading comments are made towards us. We know what you guys think, it’ll flatter them, make them feel pretty and good about themselves. NO. It’s all wrong. Please, for
everyone’s sake and sanity, just erase that mind set. You can go up to any random woman or girl and ask them how they feel when guys make derogatory comments and I can almost guarantee you that not one of them will tell you they enjoy it. It’s not only disgusting, sick, and perverted, but it’s rude, and uncalled for. We don’t like it, don’t enjoy it, and don’t want it. It also makes it even worse if you are with a group. We know what you may think, but really, it does not make you look cool. In fact, it makes you look like a complete tool, if not, you are a stereotypical man. Whether its wolf whistles, inappropriate anatomical references, “go back to the kitchen” or
“make me a sandwich” jokes, they are all the same; hurtful and humiliating. In the end, girls don’t feel flattered or pretty because a guy whistles at her. No, we feel pressured and disgusted and most likely angry at the fact that someone could have the guts to remark on something so personal. So please, even if you are with your friends, next time you see a pretty girl with a nice body, don’t tell the world, just hold it back. Trust me, the girl will respect you so much more if you just let her be and not make her feel like a big piece of juicy meat.
Boys View
By Daniel Hinson
There is this thing that girls do. It’s like window shopping, or gossiping in the bathroom, but not as appropriate. But is it really necessary? When I’m walking down the hall, or across campus sometimes I over hear small parts of conversations. Only hearing the higher pitched voice, I can assume, without looking, that the conversation is taking place between two girls. “Look at what she is wearing, it’s so last year.” “OMG why are they dating…again.” “What was she thinking when she put that on this morning.” “Wow, look at his body.” The list goes on and on. Girls will just stand there, in the way, making comments about any guy or girl that
walks past them. But why? Is it because they have nothing to talk about? Or is it some sort of bonding ritual? Or is it their way of practicing to the next host of America’s Next Top Model? To a guy it sounds extremely comical. It’s like watching an older SNL, but it is not late night, and its not live from New York.. Guys don’t spend their time constantly bashing (that’s too strong of a word isn’t it?) people as we head from English to economics and then on to Cat Corner. If you asked us to make a comment, any comment about anyone, we would stop, take a couple of long awkward pauses, and then say something along the lines of “So what do you want me to say?” Unfortunately there is
an awkward side of making snide comments. The person you are talking to might have more connections than Perez Hilton, and that one thing you said, won’t remain a secret for very long. And then you will be known as “that girl.” To be perfectly honest as much as I enjoy going places with my girl friends and just listening to all the snide comment they make, it needs to stop. Ok will it is impossible to stop, but at least tone it down a bit, or keep your comments to yourself. You never know if the other person will hear you and what their reaction will be. So for your own safety, and for the safety of other, please don’t let your comments turn our hallways into the post-burn book
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“This g uy and he s was on a date w p where. T illed a smoothie ith a girl, hen afte everyguy was r like ‘I’ve the girl left, the my life’ never do an n smooth d I was like ‘W e that in ie?’ and hat? Spil h l On-On e time w e was like ‘No. a Oneith a gir l” junior, A lex Her ndon
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Issue Two
Page Fifteen
Homecoming Happens By Madison McDaniel
“Believe me, I am not exaggerating! Everyone has a date but me!” I sat at the kitchen counter as my mom continued to make dinner and I was sucked into a frenzy of anxiety and fear. “Homecoming is the day after tomorrow and I still don’t have anyone to go with. At this point, I have no other option but to just go…” I shuddered at the thought of the word “…dateless.” “I told you honey,” My mom interjected with a note of hope. “Kathy told me that her son would be happy to go with you if you want!” “Mom, I hardly even know this kid! That’s pathetic!” “James sounds like a really good boy! He makes straight A’s and he’s really… nice!” I knew my mom was trying to make me feel better by throwing in the “nice” card. Might as well call him a geek and slap on an ugly badge too. But at this point I was so desperate that I took my only option into consideration. “Fine.” I kept my head down but peaked up at my mom as I said this. A wide grin spread across her face as I looked up and I knew that I had caved into what she had thought as a well devised plan. “Oh Kathy will be so pleased! And James, too, of course”! She chirped. “Oh, we have so much to do! You need a new dress, shoes, and what will you do with your hair?” Perking up a little more as she conjured every little detail, I began to regret more and more of what I had just gotten myself into. After all, I had hardly ever spoken to this kid except for the occasional awkward get together with our moms. But of course, it was too late. Because now I was bringing in the big guns; my mom and I couldn’t back down. Applying a few more coats of mascara was about the extent of my glamorous finishing touches for homecoming. I mean, it’s not like this guy was going to be living up to any expectations and I certainly wasn’t expecting anything spectacular either. Waiting for me downstairs I walked into the dining room where my mom, her friend Kathy and her son stood. I took a double take. Surely this couldn’t be the same guy, because he was definitely not a geek. Suddenly aware, I smoothed out my dress as I gaped at my mom open mouthed as she smiled; a grin as wide as the Cheshire cat himself. She had known all along that he was… well not a nerd to say the least! “Umm hi!” I said a little too enthusiastically and I felt the pink flush creep up my face. “Hey.” He replied back. A rush of “Oh don’t they just look so perfect together?” and “I knew this was a good idea” followed our few spoken words. I looked over at him mortified. He gave me a comforting smile that let me know that this was just as awkward for him as it was for me. After taking an absurd amount of pictures we finally left for the dance. The next few minutes we sat in silence until he broke the ice. “So…” He glanced sideways at me. “Who do you think was more embarrassing back there, your mom or mine?” I looked back at him as we both broke into fits of laughter. Maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad after all.
October 14, 2010
Plano Senior High School
opinion 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Cat Quips By Eilie Strecker
1
. Scott and Mark Kelly are soon to be the first blood relatives ever to meet up in space. They will also be the first “twin stars” to be human.
2
. “My Soul To Take” recently came out with a D- rating. One person commented “I won’t waste my time reviewing this movieI’ve already wasted my time and money going to see it. Sucks on all levels.” Okay so not only did this guy give the movie a review but, he also took the time to comment after he wasted his time yet again searching for this review. Nice.
3
. Justin Beiber recently launched his new line of nail polish. To be perfectly honest I was hoping for a line of hair care products…how does he keep that perfect bob?
5
. On a recent interview, the rapper, Eminem said that he doesn’t allow swearing in his household. A little ironic but at least he doesn’t take his work home with him.
4
. Last week on Glee, Finn spent the majority of the episode praying to a grilled cheese sandwich which he called “grilledchesus.” The crazy thing? Everything he prayed for came true.
6
. Jane Lynch was recently on SNL. Honestly? Nothing to say. She is brilliant.
7
. David Arquette and Courtney Cox recently split up. I guess filming Scream 4 was not exactly they marriage therapy they needed.
9
. The Social Network recently hit the box office with the slogan “ You Don’t Get To 500 Million Friends Without Making A Few Enemies.” A few enemies? Are they kidding? Everyone who knew him eventually hated Mark Zuckerberg.
8
. On Christine O’Donnell’s newest political commercial she firmly sates “I am not a witch.” Wow. This is the most moving statement since 1692 during the Salem Witch Trials.
10
. Favorite Facebook Quote: “to be straight up, i use to hate you like no other at times. youdont even understand! but now its hard to even get mad at you when we’re playing around! ahaha i love you so much nd your one of my really good friends that i can actually trust, i love you mama! :)”
Good Question
By Renee Wysocki
Kids. Aren’t they great? Inquisitive little boogers - always wondering, always seeking answers to questions that would stump Stephen Frickin’ Hawking (as he is known to his close friends). The science questions are bad enough - and they seem to come when you least expect them: in the grocery checkout line, through the bathroom door, while gesturing at an idiotic driver as you pass him at high speeds. In these situations, I’ve found that the inquisitive youngsters (and the folks waiting in line behind you while you try to sort your wad of crumpled cash) are most appreciative of an answer that sacrifices a smidgen of accuracy for the sake of brevity. For instance: Question: Why is the sky blue? Answer: Because no one looks good in yellow. Question: Then why is space black? Answer: Because they turned off the lights to save energy. In the 70s, space was lit up like a landing strip. And so on. Life moves forward, dinner gets made and somewhere out there in the future, a science teacher is hugging himself with glee at the discovery that yet another kid in class thinks the rings around Saturn were built by Nintendo as a Mario Kart practice track. Sure, these bite-sized science inquiries can be swatted away before the kid realizes we don’t know the answers either without too much effort, but what about ‘The Big Questions’? You know, the thanks-for-the-crayonsbut-can-we-get-back-to-the-matter-ofwhere-we-came-from-and-why-we’re-heretype questions. Many of you probably have religious or philosophical foundations that provide ready-made answers to these fundamental questions. There are many folks, however who haven’t yet found that single, ideal belief system that has it all: profoundly comforting answers to life’s monumental questions. And so, when little children come to us thirsting for knowledge about the workings of the universe and beyond, we want to provide answers, but we simply don’t have them. Nor does it seem appropriate to give a youngster a completely candid response along the lines of “Well, I don’t know!” Which leaves us somewhere in the middle: Question: “Where did people come from?” Answer: “In the steamy dawn of the beginning of time, it was decreed that certain things shall be so. Then, before we knew it, Bob’s your uncle and here we are. Now, then! [clap hands loudly] Who wants frozen yogurt?” Question: “Dad, what’s the meaning of life?” Answer: [ahem] “Hey, sport! Did I mention we’re getting a trampoline? Yeah! Let’s go pick out that bad boy right now!* * Unless you have a really big yard, I recommend using this answer only once. I hope you find these responses helpful as you are called upon to field ‘The Big Questions’ when baby sitting. In the meantime, if you happen to know the REAL answers to any of the queries above, please email me. Also, I would really enjoy a pony. Thanks. [Note: No deities were harmed in the writing of this column.]
Issue two
Page Sixteen
October 14, 2010
photo essay
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75025
Fashion Design: Plans for New York
Photo Essay Page By Anna Vicars