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www.wildcattales.com! 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