Issue 3 November 4, 2010

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Top Story This Week: “Balancing the Sacred, the Scholastic, and the Social”

Volume 65

By Dayna Gettel

Issue Three

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Plano vs. West: Who’s the Best?

The name calling, creative posters, and arguments among students back and forth discussing who is better, all make up the rivalry against Plano West. Even in the beginning at the middle schools and high schools, the students learn, and participate in, the traditional rivalry between Plano and West.

“I think the rivalry became part of the Plano tradition because Jasper splits,” junior Travis Warman said.

“When you go to any city with two high schools as big as Plano and West, they’re going to want to compete with one another to be the best.”

With the rivalry part of the Plano tradition, the friendships made before entering the senior highs have competitiveness in them, even if it’s just fun arguments and silly jokes. The competition becomes so addicting for students that the most innocent comments during class spark up debates about the Plano and West rivalry.

“In our earlier years we’re all friends,” senior Jordan Wetherbee said. “It’s still always like who is better, but I don’t think anyone takes it to the extreme or anyone’s feelings get hurt over it.”

In past years slogans, such as “Wuck Fest”, have been created, which emphasize the split between the schools even more. Although some people question the classiness of the new rising traditions, others see them as adding to the tradition, and enhancing the excitement and thrill of the rivalry.

“It’s all supposed to be good humor,” Wetherbee said. “Obviously the administrators don’t like it,

but I don’t think we ever take it too far.”

The competition with West also lets the “Plano Pride” of students show through. The belief that Plano is better than West overall has been around since the day West opened, and many believe that this statement will always stand true.

“Going to Plano, I don’t think West is better than Plano in anything,” Warman said.

Some of the West students believe that Plano is supreme, even enough to transfer to for their last two years of high school.

“The transfers to Plano obviously know what they’re doing,” Wetherbee said. “I think if they want to come here because they like it better here, then good for them.”

However, some people transfer to West also. When going to rivalry schools, the tensions keep and add new competition to the friendships. The relationships between the students at the schools keep the rivalry interesting.

“I know people who transferred from Plano to West,” Wetherbee said. “It’s just all for different reasons.”

The rivalry, although may sometimes be considered over the top, is part of Plano and West. Students from young ages are brought up to support one of the senior high schools with an undying spirit, like showing support for colleges and other professional sports teams.

“In a weird way it shows our pride in the school,” senior Mitch Strahan said. “It really shows that we like our school.”

Stop Hunger: Community Effort to Recover from Recession

By Claire Minor

For 18 months the nation’s economy was in pretty bad shape. Not until recently was the news that the recession had ended in June 2009 released, and not many would believe that due to the discouraging conditions people are still facing. The down turn in the economy hit everywhere, and though some families may not have felt it, it even hit this town.

“Homeless families are the fastest growing population in the homeless community,” director of Samaritan Inn Lynne Sipiora said. “Of our current population 25 percent are from [the city of] Plano.”

The Samaritan Inn began in 1984 to aid the homeless in Collin County and has remained the largest homeless program in the county for over 20 years. In addition to the 130 beds at the shelter, residents are given three meals a day as well as any personal hygiene products or clothing as needed.

Various counseling, classes and programs are offered to support the people who come to the Samaritan Inn so that they won’t have to return. The goals are summarized in the following mission statement which is “We are a comprehensive homeless program that helps willing people gain dignity and independence.” Unfortunately, due to the harsh economic conditions they have had

difficulty keeping up with the rapid increase in demand for aid from the homeless.

“In the last 18 months we have been turning away 30 to 50 people a week,” Sipiora said. “Many people who used to be donors are now living here. Most of it is due to long-term unemployment.”

Food banks are seeing a similar pattern.

God’s Food Pantry is a local food bank in Plano that serves anyone who comes to them. Their mission statement states “God’s Food Pantry exists to serve the community by extending a helping hand and providing food, support, and love for those facing dire circumstances beyond their control.”

The Pantry was established in 1997 and has never had to turn away a person in need, though due to the recent recession that is becoming a tough reputation to keep.

“I remember seeing the economy flip, then [our numbers] doubled,” vice president of God’s Food Pantry Jerry White said. “We are now seeing 60 to 75 families a day. There are people who used to have high-end jobs who are coming to us now.”

Food banks are spread across the area, feeding the hungry of North Texas, but God’s Food Pantry is one of the few located in Plano. The reputation of not turning anyone away and having fewer restrictions Photo By: Jamie Denison

news Issue Three

Page Two

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

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 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

By Claire Minor

compared to other pantries makes it a popular place throughout the city as well as surrounding cities.

“We expand beyond Plano usually,” White said. “This is the first year we have to limit our Thanksgiving hand out to Collin County only. The recession has everybody watching their money, so there are less food donations and monetary donations.

It’s made it hard.”

Words like ‘less donations’ and ‘smaller budget’ are common in a recession, but on the other hand one thing has improved.

“The volunteer side of it has picked up,” White said. “We have Saturdays booked until January.”

Students here will be given the chance to bring up the donation side.

Student Congress has a project to bring awareness of the effects of the recession to the entire student body.

“During Stop Hunger Week we are going to encourage people to donate cans [of food],” said junior chairman of Student Congress Committee Unity Revian Chang. “It will be in the cafeteria during lunches. They will be donated to [Minnie’s Food Pantry] right off of Independence.”

The week-long event was inspired by the problem of hunger worldwide.

Student Congress members will promote the event throughout the week by relating the problems faced by the hungry to students. “[The reason for the project is] the recession as well as the children and other people who go to bed hungry

and the people who die of hunger,” Chang said. “We are going to promote it around school by showing how people who are hungry live.”

Times are tough and recovery is slow, but people have come together to help one another in a way that would not have happened if not for the recession. People are trying to do the best they can, whether it be volunteering, donating or just giving some one hope, which is what God’s Food Pantry does for the families that come to them.

“There is one sack per family and nine cans [of food] in a sack,” White said. “I’m trying to make sure everyone leaves here with some food.”

Forbes Declares Plano Safest City

By Diva Gulati

There have been many different reactions to Plano being named the safest city in America by Forbes Magazine. Out of the cities with a population of 250,000 people and above, Plano was the safest. For every 100,000 people living here, there is one violent crime and four fatal car accidents, as reported by Forbes Magazine.

“There are not many crimes,” junior Sheena Chokshi said. “Plano is safe; I haven’t heard of any major crimes. I’m not aware of them.”

The city’s police department keeps records of crimes in the city and citizens play a large role in determining how secure the city is. “[Our citizens are] very reactive to what’s going on in the neighborhood,” police officer Rick Armor said. “They question things and make calls; the citizens are basically the eyes and ears of the police department. If we didn’t have them to report crimes and call in about things and question things it’d be harder for us to do our jobs.”

Students feel as if the education system in Plano also has a lot to do with the safety of the schools and city.

“Everything is centered around being a good person, even in school,” Chokshi said. “That’s how we’re taught to live.”

Although many violent crimes do not occur here, crimes still occur at a smaller scale. Robberies and break ins are common in every city, and Plano is no exception.

“My friend’s house has gotten broken into three times,” junior Haley Breedlove said.

Despite rumors, no gangs exist at school.

“We don’t really have gangs here,” Armor said. “We may have some people who know of gang members.”

Students here are aware that small scale crimes do occur here.

“There was this guy [I knew] who would break into households and he showed me different stab wounds,” senior Thomas Ciminiello said.

Contrary to stereotypes that there are parts of Plano that are safer than others, the crimes that do occur in the city are not concentrated in a specific area.

“As far as crimes go, it’s kind of scattered throughout the city,” Armor said. “There’s nothing I can put my finger on and say here’s a little safer than there.’”

Despite the occurrence of smaller crimes, the majority of residents agree with the rating Plano got from Forbes Magazine.

“I think Plano is safe,” Chokshi said. “I feel safe here.”

Issue Three

Page Three

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

Why some people feel that it’s necessary to skip school

By Amber Robinson A great kid once said, “This is my ninth sick day this semester. It’s getting pretty tough coming up with new illnesses. If I go for ten, I’m probably gonna have to barf up a lung. So, I better make this one count.”

“I think every kid needs a Ferris Bueller day,” junior Courtney Weisell said. “But, I think that if they decide to take the day off, they need to be smart about it. What I’m saying is, don’t skip if you have a test that day, or if you don’t understand what you’re learning. It’s kind of stupid to miss a lesson if you already don’t understand what’s going on.”

The problem is a lot of people are skipping because of pure exhaustion, not just because they don’t want to go to class.

“I love being at school,” senior Erica Spinozzi said.

“Forcing myself to sit through class after class. But if I can’t focus because I’m

so tired, what’s the point in my even being there?

It’s not going to do me any good. In fact, it may hurt my average more than help, or ruin what understanding I might actually have of a class, by being there.”

Although they believe that a mental health day could be necessary, Weisell and Gary are not encouraging people to skip class.

“I would never skip class regularly,” Spinozzi said. “Because of the consequences. And not just the disciplinary consequences, but the academic ones as well. I know I wouldn’t be able to keep up my grades if I missed class once or twice a week, and that just isn’t something that I’m willing to deal with.”

This year there has been an increasing number of students choosing to miss class. And because of that, administrators are cracking-down and

making the punishments more severe than before.

“We’ve started filing truancy on any kid we catch skipping,” assistant sub-school principal Tracy Ryerson said. “They are also being forced to attend Saturday School as well.

What I don’t understand is why they’re skipping in the first place. They’re going to have to make it up anyway, so why not just sit through class the first time instead?”

So, why are kids really skipping school?

“There are two reasons why I would skip school,” junior Pedro Paz said. “First of all, if I haven’t studied for a test, there’s no way I’m going to take it. I don’t see the point in taking a test if I know I’m going to fail it. The main reason I would skip school though, is because I just don’t like it. I hate being here, and occasionally, I just need a break.”

news

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

National Merit Scholars

By Samantha Meyer

Every year hundreds of thousands of students take the PSAT with one goal in mind: the elusive National Merit Scholarship. Well the results of last year’s test are in, and Plano students can be proud that 40 seniors are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship 2010.

Students who get a very high score on the PSAT are selected from all over the nation to be a semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship.

“I think the cutoff was 215 this year,” semifinalist senior Katie Zeng said. “So if you’re above 215 then you’re a National Merit semifinalist. Then you had to send in an application, which was an essay, a counselor rec, and your extra curriculars.”

Students will have to wait till next semester to find out if they made the cut. A majority of the semifinalist took a class to prepare for the PSAT, such as Karen Dillard College Prep. In

these classes students study vocabulary, and take practice tests.

“I think they helped a lot, for me personally,” Zeng said. “They teach you strategies to do. A lot of people who go there don’t do the strategies, and they don’t see their score go up, but if you actually do what they tell you to do, I think it does work.”

After all their hard work, the semifinalists were excited to hear that they were in the running for this prestigious scholarship.

“I was happy,” senior Eric Coveney said. “It was like finding out you got an A on a test or something. Just like a good thing.”

The semifinalists are greatly motivated to get the scholarship.

“It’d be a nice honor,” senior Jessica Chao said.

It affects their future in many different ways, not just financially. If any of the semifinalist recive the

National Merit Scholarship, they will have new criteria when considering colleges.

“It influences my school choice,” senior Jake Sklar said. “Because OU would pretty much offer me a full ride, but other than that I wouldn’t really consider OU.” Overall, the semifinalists felt that Plano had prepared them well for the PSAT, and the National Merit selection process in general.

“We do higher level thinking, and higher level skills on a daily basis,” Zeng said. “When it comes to like, standardized testing, then that tends to be easier.”

After all their success, the semifinalists had some words of advice to share with students taking the PSAT. “Just take it seriously,” Sklar said. “A lot of people think the PSAT is a joke, but it can get you a lot.”

wildcats Issue Three

Page Four

November 4, 2010

Concurrent

By: Renee Wysocki

Everyone knows about concurrent classes, but it seems the only people who truly understand what they are, are the duel-enrollment students themselves.

Concurrent classes can be extremely difficult but can also provide a unique experience that would otherwise be unavailable to high school students.

Concurrent classes are college level courses offered

by Colin College. Similar to a college environment, students do not meet every day. As the classes are only scheduled for zero-hour, first, fifth and sixth periods, the students gain a freedom they would otherwise lack.

“I get a two-hour lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” junior Patty Neilsen said. “So that’s a big plus [of being in the class.]”

Similar to advanced placement classes, students who take concurrent are working towards achieving college credit in high school. But unlike advanced placement courses, duelenrollment students are not required to take the national exam to earn their credit.

“I don’t really know the difference between AP and concurrent,” said Neilsen. “But my mom said she would help me with the class and it would give me good credit.”

“[AP classes are] more like a high school class,” junior Megan Naccarato, who is taking an advanced placement class in addition to her concurrent history class, said. “Compared to the college style lectures [in concurrent.]”

Not only are their less days on the calendar for duel enrollment students, there is also a fraction of the inclass work that is required by advanced placement classes.

“You just act like you’re listening, but you don’t really do anything,” said Neilsen.

“There’s no homework or anything like that. He just talks.”

It may seem like a great class to take if you want to do as little work as possible, but that is not the case. The student’s grades consist solely on the tests they take; one bad test grade could fail the student for the sixweeks.

Plano Senior High School

v.s

“I haven’t studied a day in my life,” said Neilsen. “[But] to take the class, you have to study for a test because they are the only grades you have.”

“The tests are really hard,” Naccarato said. “[But] it’s a lot of reading but you don’t have any homework or notes, its just reading.”

Concurrent classes are offered in history, government, economics and English to seniors. Students who take the class seem to really enjoy the freedom provided to them by a college course.

“I liked the college atmosphere a little better than AP classes,” said Naccarato. “And with less days in the week I had more time to work and do other homework.”

Duel-enrollment can be extremely beneficial in providing a college-like atmosphere to prepare high school students, but also offer a challenging curriculum that will further groom young minds for the obstacles ahead.

“It’s fun,” said Naccarato.

“I enjoy being in the class.”

Who’s Who?

By Paul Burnham

For 35 years, the Planonian has been much more than another yearbook to collect dust on an old bookshelf, but a symbol of tradition and excellence for the graduates of years past.

Compared to most, the Planonian is so carefully crafted that every detail is examined time and time again. What one might not notice, however, is the amount of work that goes into those back few pages in the yearbook titled “Who’s Who”.

“Who’s Who has been a Plano tradition since 1976 that started with the schools first graduating class,” Student Activities Secretary Valerie Krajcir said. “It gives the students who go above and beyond a chance to really stand out and be recognized in the yearbook.”

Starting in the middle of

the fall semester every year, Krajcir sends out an email to the entire staff with the necessary qualifications needed for a student to be nominated. Although the qualifications are not very rigid, Krajcir, along with team member Glenn Davis and the committee for reviewing the nominees, look for students that stand out.

“After the email goes out, we start getting a lot of nominations from the teachers,” says Krajcir. “In years past, we have had sometimes up to nearly 300 nominations. Students are then notified of their nomination after the nominating-period ends and they are asked to come pick up an informational packet from myself that includes a letter that explains what [Who’s Who] is and a biography sheet that they must fill

out and return to me in order for their profile to be reviewed.”

The committee, made up of people from counseling, teacher staff and administration goes through the applications and decides who is most qualified for the position.

“To me, what stands out is the student that maintains a strong academic showing, also involved in the school and involvement in the community.” Davis said.

“It’s not that some people aren’t qualified for the position but we start to see as we go through that there are some students that stand out above all the rest. Who’s Who is about students that are serving their school and serving their community while maintaining a strong academic standard.”

When students sign up for their upcoming classes, they have to choose between the different levels of difficulty.

Some may wonder, is all the work really worth it? Or some may think regulars is just too easy. No matter the different opinions of AP classes, there are benefits and disadvantages to this type of course. Students place themselves in harder classes to possibly be with peers that take classes and their school work seriously.

“A lot of people [in the class] are smart so it makes you feel smart because you aren’t in a dumb environment,” junior Kelly Swaggerty said. “A main disadvantage would be because you are in a class full of smart people; it could make you feel dumb.”

Students who are currently taking AP classes could agree that even though the work is difficult, it helps raise a GPA but it depends on the student.

“Your grades can drop even though the GPA [points] is higher,” junior

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

AP classes By: Clarissa Reeves

Rufaro Zengeni said. “You might have a 76 in the class with a high GPA but your grade is still low. You just really need to work hard.”

While Zengeni believes it helps GPA but could harshly affect grades, some students may view GPA and grading worth it.

“It may be hard, but it really helps towards your GPA, unless you fail,” Swaggerty said.

AP courses aren’t just classes where material is taught so they can spit it out on paper.

“It shows you how college is really going to be, so you are able to see if you are ready for college or not,” Zengeni said. “It matures you; you work a lot harder than you worked if you were in regulars in honors.”

In regulars and honor classes the work load is lighter and the hours spend could significantly be shorter. Although, it does depend on the student, the class does take up more time.

“AP is time consuming

but it does excel you above regulars and honors making the class worth it,” junior Bianca Hernandez said.

While some students enroll in the AP classes just to be in an AP class, some students depend on AP classes to get into college.

“I am currently in 4 AP classes and I only have 5 a day so that’s 80 percent of my day,” senior Julie Weltmann said. “I take AP for the AP points because without them my rank would suck. I have to stay high so I can get into college.”

With so many credits, seniors who have taken more AP credits then necessary can skip freshman year in college; making AP worth in the long run.

“With all the AP stuff I have done; by the time I graduate it will be 11 and I will be a sophomore in college with all the credits I have,” Weltmann said. “My main reason is too look good for college. I have even taken the AP tests without being in class.”

Issue Three

Page Five

November 4, 2010

wildcats

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Waiting On The World To Change

What Makes People Tick?

A look into the Phychology club By: Michael Nicholson

Architecture Class’s Fight Against Global Warming By: Sapna Sharma

The United States emits 25 percent of the global greenhouse gases released, although the U.S. has only 4.5 percent of the world’s population. Five billion dollars were invested in the market for carbon offsets, in 2006. Many have heard of the “Go Green” idea, but students in the Architectural Design classes have decided to set this idea into action.

The classes have decided to distribute a school wide survey dealing with the different factors that contribute to the carbon footprint.

“We just wanted to know [if] the kids in our school and teachers and parents are aware of what’s going on in our environment and what we can do to fix it,” junior Amit Kudtarkar said. “We never actually think about it so we decided to issues a survey that would help us understand how the student body views that subject.”

Awareness, awareness, awareness. This class is exploring ideas that other people would never normally think of. This ties in with architecture because they need to find way to help this movement architecturally.

They need to be innovational and unique. By spreading the word, they hope to reach at least a few students that will take the idea and run with it. The students figure this generation is capable of change; it just needs a gentle nudge. The process begins with locating the solution.

The carbon footprint aids the students in finding the solution.

“The carbon footprint is just your impact on the environment by driving a car electrically used,” junior Chloe Hosid said.

Part of the class’s curriculum is to see where students go with the idea of the carbon footprint.

First, they plan to spread the idea of the damage their poor transportation habits have on the society and show them alternatives to all the bad ways they have been living. This survey isn’t meant to be a bad thing, but

result in a more positive end in the future. The survey includes questions ranging from “how many people are in your car when you drive?” to opinion questions like “How strongly do you agree with the following statement: ‘If there were more convenient bike racks positioned around the school I would be more inclined to ride my bike to school.” The students are trying to attack this issue from various angles.

“This class is studying the level of public awareness to alternative transportation in Plano,” architectural design teacher Steve Minnerly said.

This class is taking an optimistic approach to a not so hot problem. This class isn’t only meant to make a difference to the community physically, but also change the mentality of people. It’s like the saying, “There is strength in numbers.” The future of the environment depends on the small changes made in a student’s day-to-day life.

An article on NFL Redskins football player Buffalo Bill is what sparked the interest in these students. Buffalo Bill rides his bike everywhere including football practice.

This bit of inspiration sparked a movement within the students and now it’s up to them to make a difference. With this survey, the class is expecting to grasp a hold on exactly how much impact we have on the carbon footprint. With this information it is possible that the students can come up with easy ideas to have a lesser impact on the carbon footprint.

“The main reason we are doing this is not because we want raise awareness about our environment, but more to where we can move forward as a society and maybe as a school. We can change our lifestyle to help the environment,” junior Kudtarkar said.

“That’s where we’re going with this. We’re doing this so hopefully in the future we’ll be able to promote clean transportation.”

Photo by: Meital Boim

H

ave you ever wondered what makes us the way we are? Have you ever wondered about the biological processes that make us function properly?

Psychology Club has the answers. The Psychology club is one of the schools largest and most active clubs, the club focuses on keeping the campus informed of psychological and social issues especially as they pertain to teens.

“Basically it’s to have fun with psychology,” junior Saem Han said.

“The whole idea of finding what’s wrong with someone by going to the mind, and it’s about researching and finding out about disorders, and suicide rates. It’s all about the mind.”

Psychology Club has done extensive research on a variety of subjects.

“Every year we try to do some kind of research project, for example, polling the campus on their attitudes towards something like cheating,” sponsor Jeff Brooks said. “We’ve done one where we did a survey

Architecture Class Survey Results:

said they drive in a way that is efficient and wncourages a higher mpg (miles per gallon).

56%

said walking or biking to school they would go out of their way to avoid streets with heavy traffic flow.

51%

said they would walk or bike to school to reduce their carbon footprint. say they drive everyday.

5.47 3 22%

miles.

The average commute to school is

The average household has cars, yet households do not drive all the cars they own daily.

46% 8%

of

,of those surveyed, own a functioning bike,

and only

use it to get to school.

The average atuo miles per gallon of those surveyed is

21.44 mpg

.

Those surveyed drive an average of a week.

for them.

“I believe that there are some of the juniors there I’ve seen and I think it’ll help them tremendously. It’s something different,” senior Haleigh Leroy said.

Psychology Club services a variety of students with a variety of interests, but they all share one thing, a mutual love of psychology. Through their research, students are informed of psychological and social issues relevant to our campus. If interested in becoming part of the Psychology Club, look on the announcements for information regarding upcoming meetings and events.

“We don’t require that they take psychology, in fact, some of our presidents, some of our officers just couldn’t fit it in their schedule, so it’s not a requirement; and some are just interested in psychological and social issues that pertain to teenagers, what makes people tick?” Sponsor Jeff Brooks said.

Ready Or Not, Here We Come!

61%

41%

of Plano Senior High in their attitude towards academic dishonesty and then we followed it up two years later and that was published in the Dallas Morning News, actually. We also did one on comparing the three senior highs side by side in terms of their alcohol related behaviors.”

Through the “Psych” club’s research, it helps expose the field of Psychology to students who may be interested in becoming a professional in the field.

“Psychology Club is really exciting for me because I want to be a psychology major,” junior Saem Han said. “I never knew they had a club here for that, so I found out and I immediately joined. I’m excited about it.”

The Psychology Club not only helps people find their passion for psychology but it also helps people grow their passion for psychology and helps students find out whether or not psychology is a good career opportunity

76.94

miles

School Prepares for College

By: Whitney Fein

We spend our whole childhood in school. From when we are old enough to walk, to when we finally strut our stuff across the stage and grab that diploma.

But are we really learning what we need to learn to be ready for college? Is the 35 hours we spend here each week really going to help us in “the big league”, known as college?

Alumnus Eric Elfenbein, is a sophomore at the University of Texas.

“Kids who graduate from Plano are more prepared for college than students who graduate from other schools,” said Elfenbein. “I was prepared in the sense that I went to a highly respected high school, making good grades in all of my classes resulting in me graduating with honors. On the other hand, I really didn’t know what to expect from college, how the professors would be like, how big the classes were, and the list goes on and on.”

Sadie Liebman, junior, said “I think I will be prepared for college because I believe they treat us how professors in college would. They tell us about our assignments, and then it’s our responsibility to get it done on time”.

But is it just us, the students, who think we are prepared? And who can help us know we are prepared?

Shannon Reczak, English teacher, said “The best advice I can give, is that students get out what they put in, in terms of effort and work completion. Put in the effort and you will be prepared.”

So being here is actually helping us. Whether we like it or not, being at school everyday is helping prepare us for college. When you sit on stage with your entire graduating class, looking out at all the teary-eyed parents, you know that it isn’t the end, but the beginning of your new life away from home.

sports Issue Three

Page Six

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Lacrosse

By Sophia Toohey

Swooping for the ball, nets fly in the air, bodies crash as sweat trickles down their face. No, this isn’t basketball or football.

Meet the lacrosse team, a legacy in the making.

The game of lacrosse in itself is unique.

Many Ivy League schools consider it one of their high priority sports.

“It’s a sport that combines brute force and skill,” junior Matt Zagurski said, “It’s fast paced and combines soccer, hockey, and football.”

Although it is not UIL, the lacrosse team is highly competitive filled with players of developed skill.

“I started freshman year,” junior Nick Matos said. “It was pretty difficult to pick up because it’s a really complicated sport that requires a lot of coordination and skill.”

Matos played ‘swing’ this year, meaning that he played on both JV and varsity.

Zagurski has played varsity since freshman year.

“I started in seventh grade and it took me a year before I got any good,” Zagurski said. “So by ninth grade, I was good enough to make [it].”

Even though the level of competiveness does not change from UIL sports to not, according to the players, some things do.

“There is no UIL funding,” Matos said. “It’s all paid for through families and fundraisers.”

Other differences include the academic side.

“We don’t have drug tests,” Matos said.

“We can also fail and still play.”

An interesting aspect of lacrosse also is off the field, and on the sidelines. Girls gather calling themselves “Stick Chicks”.

Sporting shirts with their title and a wildcat paw, the group joined in after being asked by some of the lacrosse moms.

“We go to the games and cheer for the guys,” junior Hannah Stark said. “It helps the guys get motivated to win the games.”

The lacrosse team is expected to do well this coming season in the spring.

“We’ve traditionally been a pretty good team,” Matos said. “Two years ago we were especially good.”

A revival of two years ago perhaps? The team seems to think so.

“Our varsity team went three and one at the Ray Maitland tournament,” Matos said.

“We’ll be good this year.”

With the drama of the coach leaving just a few short weeks ago, the team does not seem too worried.

“I think were going to go back to the way the program was run before him,” Matos said. “In turn [we will be] successful.”

So if you are interested in seeing them play, the season does not start till spring, but there is still plenty of opportunity. “[We practice] Monday, Wednesday, Saturday in the fall and play tournaments on some weekends,” Matos said, “When real season starts in the spring, we practice everyday and games on Sundays.”

Football Prepares for Play Offs Photo By Anna Vicars

By Vivian Nguyen

When you live in Texas, you have to know that high school football is huge.

Colossal, even. That is why the football team is the crown jewel of every high school, and state, is their throne. They realize that this is something that isn’t just important to them, but to many people as well.

“We’re working our hardest to bring pride to the school, and to the city. We’re going all out,” varsity player, junior Bobby Geibler said.

How, exactly does one prepare for such a feat? Well, in order to make it to the play-offs, the team has to win all of their remaining district games. That, is when they qualify for play-offs, and then, are they in the running for state.

And to make it to play-offs, the team goes through rigorous training and dedication to excel at their next games.

“For practice, we will go a couple extra [hours] longer. We’re going one game at a time, so we have to keep our focus,” varsity player, senior Zach Laures said.

Though the team has struggled in the past, they find that it is learning from their mistakes and what they didn’t do earlier that can make them stronger.

“We really have to pull it together for the last few games, and stop making the mistakes we’ve been making,” varsity player, senior Collin Brence said. “We’re working really hard at practice, tearing it up a bit. We [will] try our best to win these last few games and make it to play-offs.”

In the end, however, their love of the game and knowing that they worked hard are the only things that matter. Play-offs are important, but the team also realizes that if they gave it their all, and if the play-offs are theirs to take, they know they will achieve it. “[Football] is a good thing to get into,” junior, varsity player Lance Lanier said, “It’s everything you need. The coaches love the coaches, the coaches love the players, and the players love each other, and if [the playoffs] happen, then we’ll be successful.”

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Issue Three

Page Seven

November 4, 2010

sports

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Off the Deep e n Edward Hunt, 11

d

Swimming team expects a promising year

By Chelsea Allen

“There’s nothing meaner than a wet cat,” the motto for the swimming and diving team on the district website reads, and with a chance of an undefeated season, this couldn’t be any truer.

“Swimming season begins when school does and ends first semester, sometimes longer,” senior Patrick Heath said. “After swim season, we run more to stay in shape.”

A successful season it has been so far, with varsity men’s and women’s winning against the competition against Marcus and Hebron.

With the meet against Dallas Cup coming up, swimmers and fans alike anticipate another victory. “[Men’s varsity] hasn’t lost a duel meet in seven years until this year,” senior Daniel Aselton said. “I really want to see us make up for that loss.”

The season having newly began, and, with the majority of the major competitions scattered from

mid-November to January, there are plenty more chances to win.

“A motto we follow is ‘you’re not special until you’ve done something special,’” Aselton said.

“Sometimes that leads to arrogance in the team.”

On October 27, varsity faced one of the biggest rivals of the season, Southlake Carroll. The match ended in loss, but there’s still time in the season to catch up.

“It’s important you have a certain mindset for when you swim at meets,” senior Branden Rudiger said.

A major part of being a swimmer is staying fit and keeping up with the rest of their team.

“It can get physically tough,” Heath said. “We do a lot of working out, and a lot is done in an hour. We do difficult strokes like the butterfly. Anyone else who tries it can’t do it.”

To be good at any sport, it takes practice and

determination; and opinions on its difficulty differ from person to person.

“For beginners, it’s really hard,” Aselton said.

“The better you are at it, the easier it is. It gets pretty challenging, but for the most part, it’s easy. The longer you swim, the more endurance you have.”

To swim in a pool with your friends in the summer and to compete as a swimmer are two very different things.

“It’s rough,” senior Seth Russell said. “It doesn’t help that it’s not the most exciting sport; all you have to look at is the bottom of a pool. But it’s worth it when it’s the end of the season and you’re going fast and you’re winning. It’s the satisfaction.”

But one can’t help but wonder what’s in the minds of these determined swimmers, as they spend hours a week practicing and preparing to compete.

“It’s pretty nice, because

it gives you time to reflect on your day and everything like that, because you’re not doing anything except staring at the bottom of a pool and swimming,” junior Edward Hunt said. “Sometimes it’s a contradicting feeling, because in a way it’s relaxing to just think about your day, but in another way you’re getting pounded by your coach to swim.”

Swimming gives people a chance to grow closer to one another, and meet others who have the same interest.

“I wanted a team sport,” senior Rosie Morales said.

“It’s really fun. I practice with East and West’s teams, so I meet a lot of new people.”

Like any sport, swimming can always use fans to help cheer them on.

“I think swimming is a good sport, and it doesn’t get enough recognition around here,” Rudiger said.

“So any swim fans we can get would be cool.”

Photo by Anna Vicars

Life in Full Swing Auto Merchants, Inc. Tennis team: behind the net

By Stephanye Barnes

The racket hits the ball clear over the net and the tension grows while a green ball goes widely in the air.

Yet almost immediately, the other side of the court’s crowd cheers while the other team has hit the green ball on the ground. 15-0 Plano.

“I don’t remember when I started playing,” senior Austin Davis said. “I know I’ve been playing for about five years though.”

Tennis is one of the big sports at this school with others such as football and basketball. However, tennis is centered more on concentration and speed to wherever an unpredictable target is going.

“I didn’t want to ride the bench in other sports,” Davis said. “I wanted to play in the line-up.”

Davis wanted to be near the action when it was happening instead of sitting out watching everyone else

play because there was no chance of him getting a turn.

“I really just wanted to try tennis for a while,” senior Mason Utley said.

“Eventually I just came to enjoy it.”

Utley started playing in the fifth grade and wanted to join the sport because it seemed like it would be fun.

It had competitive action and challenge to get the ball over the net, but when his first game came around it was scarier then he thought.

“I didn’t really know what I was doing the first time I played,” Utley said.

“But I got the hang of it.”

Utley began to practice more and became even fully dedicated as he started to take classes out of original practice time at school to practice on his skill. Tennis takes a lot of strength, a lot of practice, and effort just like any other sport.

Development of technique to be able to spike the ball

correctly as well as be able to have good timing so that the other team won’t get a quick win on your field. Practice is a necessity for it requires combining footwork and being attentive so that you won’t miss any chance, and a ball won’t slip you buy.

“The team has been doing pretty well,” Utley says. “We are going to district finals soon.”

Utley’s practice skill began to pay off with his team as they won against Allen, Plano East, and Lewisville. During the games this year it, has been a great experience to Utley with three wins and one loss.

“I like the team at school,” Utley said. “It’s fun and diverse.”

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fine arts Issue Three

Page Ten

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

ART

A . P.

By Elena Nelson

To many students art is more than just a class that has to be taken at school. It’s more than a forced course that colleges will look at and approve of.

It is a necessary part of life. No matter which art class a student takes, they have the ability to have their creativity flow freely.

“Art gives us the freedom to creatively show our talent,” senior Rachel Ngun said. “It’s a block scheduled class so it can be really relaxing, and since it is longer than other classes we

have more time to work on our projects.”

Different types of art classes work with different mediums. The AP art class works with different materials than AP drawing because they’re two completely different styles of art.

“This year we’re experimenting with new materials, at the junior high level we mainly worked with a lot of Prisma-color, colored pencils and graphite,” junior Katie Fitzgerald said. “In AP 2D art we get to experiment with new mediums that

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

aren’t available to a lot of students.”

Students say they appreciate many things about creating different styles of artwork; the art that’s being created depends on the art class that’s being taken. The piece being done also depends on the person and the type of art they enjoy producing.

“I love doing portraits,” senior Gigi Allen said. “I like capturing the personality in people’s expressions.”

Projects are always assigned by the teacher

of the class, but the medium can sometimes be left up to the students.

“For the first semester we’re assigned to a project called a ‘breadth’,” Ngun said.

“The teacher assigns you to do the project and it can be anything from drawing a picture to painting a still life.”

Besides the fun that creativity can provide, difficulties also can play into art.

No matter what, there is one that that can’t be overlooked; deadlines.

“Time management

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is the hardest thing about being in an art class,” Fitzgerald said.

“We’re working on two projects a week, so it’s kind of difficult to juggle.”

Aside from the deadlines the other thing that could possibly be a stressor is coming up with new ideas.

“I think the hardest part of being in art is being creative,” Ngun said. “Everyone is thriving to be creative, and is being made to think outside the box.”

As for competitions, art has what is called a VASE competition during the second

semester of school in the middle of February.

“You’re teacher selects a piece of artwork and it goes to district; if you qualify at district your piece goes to state,” Ngun said.

Other than competitions with other schools, there’s also competition in the classroom as well.

“Everyone in my class is super talented and everybody has a chance to go to VASE,” Ngun said. “Mr. Clark said that this year it’ll probably be more difficult than last year because the standards are so much higher.”

Page Eleven

Issue Three

November 4, 2010

Plano Senior High School

fine arts 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

The Drowsy Chaperone A Musical within a Comedy

By Lindsey Kehlmann

At one time or another, some people wish that life could be more like a musicalthat orchestras would appear at random to play a melody to match their every mood, that people would arrive to perform skillfully choreographed dance numbers that complement the pitchperfect chorus backing them up. But what if their life turned into a really bad musical?

In The Drowsy Chaperone, the cast of characters from a glitzy, over-the-top 1920s musical is abruptly swept into the main character’s apartment after he finds and begins to listen to the album of songs from a musical that he has listened to since his childhood. As the main character follows the stereotypical love

story of a debonair oil tycoon and a glamorous showgirl, he often interjects, poking fun at Broadway musicals in general in a witty and clever manner. In short, it is a musical that satires other musicals.

“It was a Tony award winning musical on Broadway five or 10 years ago, so when I saw it in New York I fell in love with it,” theatre director and director of The Drowsy Chaperone, Greg Arp said. “The humor is in the idea that the musical on the album, The Drowsy Chaperone, is really bad. It’s absolutely hilarious. Any show that has dancing monkeys is funny.”

While dancing monkeys may be a plus, actors and audience members alike are drawn into the lighthearted plot and playful

characters by much more than that.

“In a musical everything is extremely over the top,” junior, Brecken Wellborn said.

“Everything has to be twice as big as it is in a straight play. You want it to be fun; you want it to be completely entertaining the entire time.”

Something that has a hand in keeping both the audience and cast entertained is the variety of people that will appear in The Drowsy Chaperone.

“Only the honors production classes are able to audition for the Fall show and the one act play this year and the musical was something that is open to everyone, so there are people that are not in the class that end up being in the musical,” senior

Melanie Notinger said.

“It’s great because you get to spend a lot more time with people who like theatre but just may not be in the class with you.”

While spending time with each other during rehearsal adds to the actors’ love of the musical, non-theatre students will love having the opportunity to see a variety of their classmates on stage.

“A big variety of people come,” Arp said.

“I get more choir kids.

I get some speech kids and some kids who are just in school and couldn’t take theatre or speech or choir but wanted to do something theatrical.”

The students who wanted to do something theatrical certainly got their wish. The production requires a lot of work

showtimes THURSDAY NOVEMBER 11TH AT 7:30 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12TH AT 7;30 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13TH AT 7:30 and hours before the performances in November.

“Rehearsal lasts five weeks, and it’s usually three or four days a week for two to three hours,” Wellborn said.

“You put so much of your energy up on the stage, especially with learning dance routines. It can be really exhausting.”

Although rehearsal can be stressful for the actors, it can be even more so for the many directors.

“In a musical, you have a music director, a choral director, a technical director, an accompanist, and then you have an entire pit, not to mention the show is usually twice as big if not three times as big as a regular play,” Arp said. “We have 31 actors.”

Despite the work load involved in producing The Drowsy Chaperone, Wellborn and Notinger agree that the cast, crew, and directors are all giving

their all to breathe life into the characters and plot.

“It’s absolutely hilarious,” Notinger said.

“It’s going to be completely different from the Triangle Factory death everywhere situation in the last play. You can be prepared to laugh.”

String Sensation

A Closer View of the Orchestra Students

By Jessica Yee

In a church hall close to the school, students step into spotlight to create an evening of soothing, classical entertainment. It’s not band, choir, or theatre, but the orchestra.

“There was a concert at St. Andrews, it has great acoustics,” senior Elissa Hunter said. “It was one of our mini concerts to send in recordings to compete with other orchestras.”

One of the pieces performed at the concert was composed by a fellow alumni student. It was written in memory of another

student that had passed away.

“It was originally written for a band concert,” junior Nathan Yee said. “But then it was later composed for orchestra.”

People usually think of orchestra as just one orchestra where everyone’s in the same group, but orchestra has different levels too.

Philharmonic consists of the majority of orchestra, but chamber consists of fewer members with higher skill and performance.

In order to keep up with their own

standards, orchestra extends their area of playing by combining with different elements of ensembles. Chamber has rehearsal on Tuesdays, philharmonic used to be Wednesdays, and full orchestra will be meeting soon.

“We maximize the experience,” senior Mitchell Stobee said. “Full orchestra combines with members of the band’s wind ensemble with specific instruments and percussion.”

Not only does orchestra play with their own string instruments,

but also bring in band members for more different styles of performance. Familiar pieces like Star Wars or Pirates of the Caribbean are not purely strings and cellos, but they’re involved too.

“People underestimate the amount of work we do,” Hunter said.

“We do a lot of various things.

There are chamber groups, string music, movie music, and full orchestra.”

With several opportunities, every member is getting involved. It’s not just the top chamber members

doing everything, but everyone contributing something.

“It has a more relaxed atmosphere,” Hunter said. “More orchestra students get to participate as compared to Jasper in cluster or combined events.”

The events, concerts, rehearsals, or everything altogether wouldn’t be possible without all the members of orchestra coming to the school. Orchestra is competitive, but also open to helping other students from middle schools that may one

day join their place.

“We help younger orchestras,” Stobee said.

“We hold region clinics that students teach to middle schools and help with All-Region music.”

This is a significant step for students coming forward to being leaders and setting an example for all those mini musicians.

Students take what they’ve learned in the years of experience and use it as an act of service for the benefit of others “They don’t think high school can have that potential,” Stobee

said. “We don’t just play, but we also help others.”

Orchestra’s next concert is on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Go out and support friends in the ensembles or enjoy live classical music. It wouldn’t hurt to see them even once.

“Orchestra performs unique songs that can draw people who aren’t into classical music,” Yee said. “It won’t be a waste of time.”

opinion Issue Three

Page Twelve

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

r the A {ove selor, S P t a ed un “I work as a camp co } ed if I r e s a m sum -old k s dor a e y 0 1 a and this , and what I w le g in s was r.’ ing late man ler Free il M , r senio , so for & Sassy p litle t e e w S at ss u “I work arties, we dre ance p d y a d d n es a birth rincess and then this p e k li ut girls stage, potty, b em on with th ke ‘I had to go dancing li un girl was ing so much f .” v a me h u t s s a y co Iw m in d e e that I p ollom Paige C junior,

“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

m fire alar off the t e t s n e a c r “I on e restau , and th at work o everyone saw ,s g was full g around, tryin in n n u me r ger.” he mana to find t vis addy Da senior, M

Issue Three

Page Thirteen

November 4, 2010

I see London, I see France

Plano Senior High School

opinion 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75073

Cat Quips

By Madison McDaniel

“You want me to do what?” I gaped up

By Eilie Strecker at my dad, my jaw nearly hitting the floor I was so taken back in disgust.

Snookie from Jersey “Okay, well if you don’t have any to Shore dressed up like a wear then that’s what I would do.” My dad pickle for Halloween. said trying to calm me down Well, in all fairness, her costume I continued to look at him. Was he was more modestly cut than her being serious? There was no way! “Dad! usual attire. (Including her staff I am not wearing Jordan’s underwear!” I topped with a pickle.) couldn’t believe he had even suggested this, let alone thought it. “Need I remind you that I’m a girl?” I emphasized these last words in an effort to get through to him that the idea of an 11-year old wearing her brother’s underwear to school was the most scandalous thought that had ever Vanilla Ice is going to entered my mind. be staring in his own It was a Wednesday morning and I reality television show was at my dad’s house getting ready for The Vanilla Ice Project. Good school. Now let me make something news! Ice is back with a brand perfectly clear here; since he was a single new invention! Something grabs dad of two and didn’t have a lick of sense a hold of him tightly….will it when it came to the hygiene of a pre-teen ever stop? Yo, I don’t know. girl, his comment was both repulsive and pathetically adorable at the same time.

His hopeless advice in my crisis as a sixth grader was not exactly something you would hear from say, your mom, but I listened to him nevertheless.

“All I’m saying is that if you forgot an extra pair of ‘panties’ at your mom’s,” I could hear my brother snicker in the background “you should just borrow an old pair of your brothers that he keeps The World Series is in over here. They are clean and would full Swing! Rangers? probably fit you too.”

Cowboys? Mavericks?

“Oh poor, oblivious dad.” I thought.

Wildcats? So many great choices.

How could he ever expect me to do such a thing! Although glancing at the clock and seeing that I had less than 10 minutes left to get ready for school I took a second thought and barged into my older brother’s room. “Hand them over” I barked at my brother taking everything in me not to make direct eye contact out of pure embarrassment. He gave a raucous laugh and threw a colorful pair of tighty whites in my face, except they weren’t so Willow Smith recently much white as they were tight. I examined released a music video the Batman logo and tight blue elastic called: “Whip My Hair”, hesitantly. But what other choice did I in which she is constantly have? After squeezing into my superhero doing an akward head undies, I raced for the car, or rather limped bang that splatters paint on headed for school. everyone. Seriously just watch As soon as I entered my first class I it. It’s hilarious. knew I had a long day ahead of me. It was only eight in the morning and I had already, made several awkward movements in my desk in order to get comfortable in my brother’s ancient high wasted underwear. Trying with all of my might to forget about the unavoidable pain that I was in, I ignored Batman’s persistent attempts at becoming my mortal enemy The “Rally to Restore and tried to focus on my school work.

Sanity and/or Fear” took It was finally my last period of the day place on Oct. 30th. Stephen and I had managed to go seven hours Colbert+ Jon Stewart= the most without one word from anyone, so I had sane political argument in years. obviously made a good cover and hidden my pain. I had bent down to pick up my pencil that had conveniently rolled right off my desk when I heard a snort escape from the kid sitting next to me.

“Hahaha. Does the elastic on your underwear say “To the Batmobile?” He said with a teasing grin slapped across his face. I stared at him in utter disbelief, but couldn’t help and laugh. “Note to self,” I thought. “keep a spare pair of underwear with you at all times.”

1

3

5 7 9

2

Hilary Duff broke out a tooth the day of her wedding. Well at least her husband shouldn’t mind….after all, National Hockey players lose teeth all the time.

4

“The Situation” was recently on an ET interview where he repeatedly stated that he was a serious actor. Right. Because all the serious actors abs define their entire famous appeal.

6

Will Ferrell recently expressed his jealousy for Shakira’s new fragrance. Ferrell said, “This is funny, but I am also jealous…I want my own fragrance!” Unfortunately, if Will Ferrell had his own fragrance it would be inappropriate and overwhelming.

8

Justin Bieber punched a 12-year-old in the face at laser tag. Man, hitting cops with balloons, punching 12 year olds in the face…quite a criminal record for our young Mr. Bieber.

10

Favorite Facebook Quote: “Although it is balmy in Plano, we all know Hell froze over as God’s chosen university marched into the house of the Phillistines and beat the unrighteous on the banks of the Colorado river!”

Co m mo n Sc e n ts

By Renee Wysocki

Have you ever noticed how other people’s houses smell? It fascinates me. No two houses ever smell the same, even when they use the same air freshener.

Sometimes smells are uncomplicated, like cat pee. My grandmother’s neighbor has fourteen cats and her home would always reek of feline urine. It was very hard to stay and visit. Sometimes she burned incense, but that too smelled like cat pee.

And then there are the mystery scents. Like the mystery of the Bleach People, whose house gave off fumes that one could smell from the street. I am waiting for this house to explode. Bugs don’t even go in their yard. What are you doing in there, Bleach People?

Some house smells are wonderfully mysterious, like my cousin’s house, where it was a mix of mint, tangerines and library books. But why? I never saw any of those items lying around. “What’s your kind of air freshener, because that’s the kind I want my mom to get.” I once asked. “I don’t use air freshener, dear.” she responded. “Well, that’s weird because your house smells perfect.”

And the biggest mystery of all of course, is my house. I can’t smell it at all. For a while, I thought it didn’t have a smell, which didn’t make sense considering everything that went on there. Hairspray, a cat, fresh-linen scented candles, paint, constant cooking, a dog that rolls in things, now that I think about it, I probably have one of the strongest smelling houses on my street, except the Bleach People, but I had no idea what it smelled like until I heard a comment about it.

“My mom says that you save grease and boil pig’s blood which is the reason for the smell,” she said. “That’s why I’m not sposta come over ‘cause the smell gets on my clothes and makes my mom sick.” I innocently responded with, “What smell?”

The girl who shocked me with this news was the one with the house that smelled like a fresh bus bathroom. She had those car freshener Christmas tree things everywhere. Her mother was the most disinfecting-air-freshener-spraying person that ever lived. Even the Rice Krispie treats she made had a fresh pine scent The bus bathroom lady moved before I was able to ask her about her scent choices.

It took the new people almost a year to chase the smell out. I completely forgot about her until I was in bed the other night, reading about true crime stories. One of them told the story of a lady who killed her husband and hides his body in the attic but he starts to smell, so she starts buying air fresheners to put everywhere. I started thinking about my old neighbor. I don’t think she had a body in her attic, but there was something she was trying to spray away.

I have never heard a single person say that they like the smell of air fresheners, and yet there are so many people fill their homes with them. When air fresheners combine with natural, but powerful scents, you end up with traumatic combinations such as “Tropical Passion Aroma Therapy Cat Box”and “Vanilla-Spice Trash Can”.

My house smells like animals, burning foods, with a hint of paint. If you could put that in a spray can, I’d buy it.

review Page Fourteen

Issue Three

November 3, 2010

d a l a S a n a h t Mo re Burgers Review e

Veggi

By Haley Bunnell

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75073

Boca Burgers

This meatless patty, also tastes like beef, with thick ridges as if it came off of the grill. I could hardly tell that that this patty was filled with veggies. Out of all the other brands, this burger had the most flavor, and didn’t need any spices or buns for it to taste better.

This patty contains 14 grams of protein, 120 calories, and five milligrams of cholesterol. This was my favorite veggie burger, so I rate this four and a half veggies stars.

Amy’s

This organic vegetarian brand is gluten free, contains no dairy, and no cholesterol. If you want this veggie burger to taste similar to beef, this patty is not for you. Amy’s Veggie Burger was bland, and the texture was quite dry. Adding spices and even a bun may flavor this patty up a little bit. This veggie burger contains 150 calories, five grams of fat, and six grams of protein. Amy’s is healthy, but not exactly gourmet cooking. This vegetarian brand receives one veggie star.

Gardenburger

Those of you who love cheese, and mushrooms this patty you will enjoy. Gardenburger is similar to Amy’s in which it’s filled with vegetables, but the quality of taste is exceedingly better. This patty is juicy, and has a pasta feel to it. Gardenburger contains 110 calories, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, and five grams of protein. This burger tastes better than Amy’s, but contains less protein, and higher in cholesterol. I rate this brand two and a half veggie stars.

Morningstar Farms Grillers

When I took a bite out of this dark brown, meaty textured patty, I thought it was actual beef. Unlike Gardenburger, and Amy’s there was no identifiable vegetable bits, and it’s tastier. Out of all the other brands this meatless patty contains the most protein. This contains 130 calories, 15 grams of protein, and three grams of fiber. I give this meatless patty brand three veggie stars.

By Maelyn Schramm

Pants on the Ground

You see it all around campus, it’s something lots of boys do to attract attention, get a girl, or look cool: sagging. But, sagging is unattractive.

Sagging is unflattering and unappealing. First off, it looks like your pants don’t fit. It seems like you bought an XXL when instead you should’ve purchased a medium. You can ask any semi fashion forward person, and they will tell you that fitted clothes are the way to go.

Honestly, extra large and baggy pants aren’t attractive on any person, male or female.

Everybody knows that you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we all do it anyways. Girls, even if you have the sweetest, most honest guy as a date, when your parents take a look at his pants falling below his knees, he’ll be a “no-go” in their eyes.

Unfortunately, along with sagging illustration by Kelli Manning

comes prejudices and stereotyping.

Future-employers, teachers, and parents are just some of the many who look down on sagging. Those who sag generally aren’t as respected or taken as seriously as those who do not.

Some guys sag in order to get that cute girl’s attention. Oh, you’ll get her attention alright, but maybe not the right kind of attention. After talking to many girls about sagging, it seems like most girls, no matter the race, just don’t like it. A lot of them don’t think it’s cute or attractive, and don’t understand why guys sag.

Boys, if you really want to catch her attention, then pull up your pants and grab a belt! Sagging isn’t classy or reasonable, instead of looking all fresh and cool, you look more like a toddler just learning how to walk.

Photo by Jamie Denison

Issue Three

Page Fifteen

November 4, 2010

F

Plano Senior High School

irst of all I did not see the first Paranormal Activity, so I can’t speak for it, but as for the second go-round, I believe I can speak for all of my fellow horror movie-goers when I say that Paranormal Activity 2 was a sorry excuse for wasting millions of dollars.

There was nothing scary or horrifying about it. The entire movie was based off of “true” events that were so completely unreal; I spent half the movie laughing at the immaturity of it and the other half trying not to fall asleep. The entire movie in a few short words was: woman talking to her husband and step-daughter then a night time security camera view of the grounds of their house with absolutely no action except for the baby, Hunter, crying.

The director, Tod Williams, should have gone with a more appealing storyline than just a few “paranormal” events

caught on tape. The creepiest part of the movie is when the “demon” tries to drag Kristi, played by Sprague Grayden, down the stairs and into the basement.

Granted that it was a Monday evening and the theatres aren’t normally packed, my friend and I were joined in the theater by one other middle-age man.

About 25 minutes into the show, the man got up and left, and never came back.

This movie proves to be not only not “paranormal”, but not even climatic. Nowhere in the film was I saying to myself “This is where it’s finally

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75073 about to get good.” Then, when it was supposedly supposed to climax, I turned to my friend and said, “Was THAT where this story was going?”

Needless to say, this movie is definitely not a must see.

You’d be better off going to see Devil or You Again, and that’s saying something…

SAW 3D

Paranormal ActiviTy

By Aleah Pushaw

2

By Anna Vicars

S

review

aw 3D was the closer to a series of gory movies. The movie revolves around the legacy of Jigsaw, a man who constructs death traps for those he sees to be unappreciative of what they have. As Jigsaw’s

death came at the end of Saw 3, I didn’t see too much of a reason to continue making the movies. His traps always work exactly as planned, which is so contrary to life. I would have loved to see at least one trap fail at some point for believability’s sake. The only thing that can completely ruin this film now is greed, so hopefully Hollywood lets this series go, regardless

of how much money it makes.

Don’t worry Hollywood there’s still loads of money to be made from the box office. As the beginning credits started rolling on the screen, the cheap theater glasses allowed stuff to fly out at me bringing out 3D way too early. I thought 3D movies were made for the spontaneous pop at the audience to jolt or liven up the viewers. Coming from a person that seriously does not see the point in making 3D movies, Saw 3D was the final straw.

Even the most disgusting start didn’t faze me, with a woman’s intestines falling into the audience. The so called

“gruesome action” throughout the movie kept looking more and more unreal. After both a woman’s eyes and mouth were pierced by steel rods, the camera panned out and she looked like a big piece of wax.

It’s not rocket science to figure out that pink food coloring is definitely not blood. Whose imagination led us to believe that seeing people drilled, burned, stabbed, shot, crushed, needled, decapitated, dissolved, frozen, or gouged as a source for entertainment? And who decided it should only be offered in 3D, making all viewers pay three dollars extra, as if the price of movies wasn’t already expensive enough? It’s hard to find that I didn’t like Saw 3D because the previous films were so great, but I rate this movie at zero stars.

TAYLOR SWIFT: SPEAK NOW By: Madison McDaniel

With one love song at a time, Taylor Swift is living up to her reputation as the princess of pop-country in the creation of her newly released album, Speak Now. Leaving behind her lyrics filled with teenage crushes, pickup trucks and fairytales, Taylor’s new album reveals how, after four years following the release of her debut album Taylor Swift in 2006, this past year has guided her through the transition from a lost and love struck teenager to an even more love struck yet self-assured 20- year- old.

Even more so than her last album, Fearless, Taylor has once again nailed her

knack for writing songs relatable to girls who have ever experienced lost love, heartbreak and all of the complications of growing up. Speak Now exposes a stronger side of Taylor, which has never been strummed from the strings of her guitar, let alone shared with her millions of fans. Including 14 new songs packed with raw lyrics and enchanting melodies, her new album delves into her experiences of revenge, regret and her more independent life in moving out and growing up. Singing about past relationships, and the sparks of new love, a trademark

of Taylor’s, Speak Now goes beyond the skimmed surface of teeny bopper meanings and clichés, although some might argue, this third album hits about every aspect of her life. Songs like “The Last Kiss” and “Back to December” are included in the continuation of her boyfriend bashing songs about her famous relationships and the struggle in letting go and moving on as an independent solo artist.

For those who have only thought of Taylor Swift as a stagnant artist filled with bubbly and over recorded pitches, Speak Now is sure to make you think twice. Her

new album offers a variety of vocal ranges that keep you wanting to listen to each song after the next just to see what new sound she has introduced. With so much variety, Taylor has proved that she can escape through past the barriers of one hit wonders and become even more of a breakthrough artist than ever before. It’s sure that this winner of the album of the Year Grammy for Fearless will be sweeping away just as many awards with Speak Now, even if it does mean beating Kanye off the stage with her guitar.

I recommend listening to: Long Live & Haunted

Issue two

Page Sixteen

November 4, 2010

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