Issue 7 February 14, 2011

Check us out at Wildcattales.com For College of the Week, Gleeview, sports coverage and more

Volume 65

Issue Seven

February 14, 2011

What’s Inside?

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

S ka ti n g o

s

P I S D Fa c How Far is Too Far

Dirty Rotten Cheaters Page 7

Meet Andrew Flory

Page 9

Top 5 Last Minute Valentines

Page 10

t C u ts el Nicho

G Page 5

es Bud g e

By Micha

Page 3

Plano Post Secret

n T hin I ce

rowing up in a privileged school district like ours is easy. As students we have always been motivated to do our very best, and to excel to our very highest potential.

There has never been a need to worry about a lack of teachers or technology, until recently.

Our district has been forced to cut millions of dollars in spending on everything from clerical positions to teaching and coaching positions in order to make up for a recent budget shortfall.

“All districts are in financial t r o u b l e because the Legislature is planning to cut education funding by 10 billion dollars over the next biennium,” superintendent Dr. Doug Otto said.

While the district does know that substantial budget cuts are eminent,

It’s in the Stars

What really happened to your horoscope?

By Lindsey Kehlmann

The last few years have been full of fundamental scientific discoveries.

First, scientists declared that indigo was no longer a color in the rainbow. Next astronomers announced that Pluto was no longer a planet. Now astrologers have some ‘new’ information that has shocked and confused people across the country.

According to astrologer Parke Kunkle, the system of horoscope that the majority of the western world adopted after Ptolemy developed it in the 2nd century, is incorrect.

Kunkle also proposed the addition of a 13th zodiac named Ophiuchus.

This news stirred up those who follow their horoscopes as soon as it hit the internet, going viral as people discovered that their sign might have changed.

“I am not happy about the change because I am a Leo,” senior Rachel DeRouen said. “I like being a Leo. The signs were either supposed to go backwards or forwards, so I’m supposed to be either a Virgo or a Cancer now, and that is just not true about me.”

Changes in signs are leading some students to be skeptical of the authenticity of horoscopes.

“If the signs change, it’s basically admitting it isn’t real,” junior Madeline Kinnaird said. “I mean, you can’t just change destiny. I’m still going to follow my same sign. I’m not going to change just because someone said so.”

While some are reluctant to give up their sign, others are unconvinced that the change will have any impact.

“I’m not overly bothered by it,” junior Matt Zagurski said. “I think it’s kind of stupid because it’s really a science. It’s just vague ideas thrown out there for people to read.”

The stars may not have the power to tell a person who he or she is, but some people believe that they do have some influence.

“A zodiac could help people define themselves,” AP Psychology teacher Jeff Brooks said. “But not necessarily because ‘that’s the way a person is.’ Rather, a person might ‘become’ the person the zodiac tends to describe just through expectations and beliefs.”

Brooks is not the only one who holds this belief.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

the exact amount, and the effects are still unknown.

“We will probably target $15-20 million for next year,” Otto said. “Current estimates range from $55-65 million as a result of preliminary budgets introduced in both the House and Senate.”

This unprecedented amount of budget cuts will inevitably have some effect on everybody in our district.

However, the extent of the effect of these changes will be unknown until legislature passes their final budget in May. Otto hopes that the total amount of cuts by the legislature will not be as severe as currently proposed.

“Everyone and every program will be affected

lson

if we are reduced by the amount now proposed,” Otto said.

The severe nature of these possible cuts leaves many students worried about the possible effects on our school.

“It saddens me that innocent teachers may be let go because of budget cuts,” junior Bryna Herskowitz said. “The reality is that any time spending is reduced, something important is going to get cut.”

The decision made last month to slash administrative positions is effective immediately and leaves many students and faculty members wondering where this budget shortfall may affect us next.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

news Issue Seven

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 Meital Boim Haley Bunnell Paul Burnham Whitney Fein Dayna Gettel Alex Gonzalez Laurel Guild Diva Gulati AJ Hill Daniel Hinson Lindsey Kehlmann Madison McDaniel Claire Minor Elena Nelson Michael Nicholson Meaghan Pulliam Clarissa Reeves Amber Robinson Maelyn Schramm Sapna Sharma Eilie Strecker Sofia Toohey Jessica Yee

Page Two

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Skating on Thin Ice PISD Faces Budget Cuts

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

CONTINUED FROM COVER

By Michael Nicholson

district’s budget cuts will effect the students so much as it will the teachers and faculty and people trying to buy stuff for the schools,” junior Danielle Deraleau said. “I hope the teachers will take pay cuts rather than getting laid off; I would hate to lose teachers.”

While no cuts in teaching or coaching positions have been announced, many anticipate that additional budget cuts will likely have a direct impact in the classrooms.

“I think every department is at risk of losing a teacher or two,” Herskowitz said.

“Perhaps it’s not really the departments that will be most affected.

Instead, I predict larger class sizes in every subject will be in effect next year.”

Herskowitz believes that our school, which already has considerably large classes, due to a large student body and many team-taught classes, will undergo an additional growth in class size. However, some students fear that the effects of these changes will be felt far beyond larger classes.

“You have to have math, English, science, your basics,” senior Uman Gahlot said. “I think the departments that will probably be most effected will be music and theatre, the fine arts, those classes are really important to students who are involved in them, but to people who aren’t they may seem unimportant and unnecessary.”

Gahlot believes that having a large fine arts department is important

to many students who are involved in them because it allows them to express their creativity and their individuality, and helps them grow as well rounded students.

“I’ve been in band for four years,” Gahlot said.

“We need to be exposed to the arts. I think being exposed to the fine arts is really important to become a well-rounded student. If you cut back or even take away fine arts, what are students supposed to do to express themselves?”

Gahlot said that becoming a wellrounded student, a trait that colleges look for in potential students, and a quality found in many of our peers, is encouraged in our schools fine arts departments.

“I love music at our high school,”

Gahlot said. “Our fine arts department is awesome; it gives you more independence than other fine arts departments do, and it helps you develop your talents and express your creativity; it helps you grow as a person.”

However, regardless of where these changes will affect students, it is almost unanimous between them that these changes will have some effect on everyday life at our school.

“It’s difficult to predict how my experience would have been different at Plano if the budget cuts took place this year,” Herskowitz said.“I would assume less resources would be available to me; less tutorials offered, and shorter library hours.”

While it may seem that the integrity of a

fortunate school district like ours would be challenged during a time of financial turmoil like this, students accept the fact that times are tough for everybody, and sacrifices must be made now in order to preserve the districts reputation for years to come.

“This won’t really change the way I view our district,” Deraleau said. “Pretty much every school district is in debt right now.”

It does not surprise many students that our district is experiencing a budget shortfall, because almost everybody is affected by the economic downturn. Herskowitz believes that it’s also becoming more difficult to clearly determine what makes a school district privileged.

“We are very fortunate,” Herskowitz said. “Budget cuts are inevitable. I do not think that one year of budget cuts challenges the integrity of our district; it’s not the money that makes the district what it is, but rather the students who excel that give our district such a great name.”

While these changes will affect everyone, students remain optimistic that our district will get through it, and remain strong for many years to come.

“Budget cuts are unfortunate,” Herskowitz said. “I have confidence that our school district will soon recover, and our school will remain the best.”

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, 75075 469-752-9300

By Daniel Hinson

Bob Marley once said, “The people who are making the world worse aren’t taking a day off so how can I?” Ali Mahmoud really took these words to heart and decided to try to make the world a better place. His idea of Press Play Plano was born after observing students and different situations at Plano.

Press Play Plano is a series of videos where Mahmoud ask students for their opinions about different topics.

“I felt that I was obligated to take the initiative to help kids out in certain problems that we have,” Mahmoud said. “I felt obligated to understand where we are as kids and provide them solutions to their problems from their own perspective rather than from a perspective that they wouldn’t listen to such as their parents.”

Mahmoud was encouraged by his parents and community leaders to start a project however, the idea of Press Play Plano came directly from his head.

He has a hobby with making videos and helping people out.

“I really didn’t have a

base of what I was going to do with the episodes,” Mahmoud said. “I just thought I would start out with interviews but I noticed that those interviews were turning out more successful than what I thought. I was hoping to put on skits to help promote the messages in fun was but it turned out working the way it was.”

Mahmoud wanted to make a video that impacted students in a positive way. At the same time he wanted to make it entertaining for the students in hopes they would listen to the messages found in the video.

“The mission of the whole show is to bring benefit to people who are at harm and to make sure kids are making the right choices,” Mahmoud said. “It would be awesome if I could expand it to help more kids around the city or the state or the country or the world. That would be awesome. It is about helping people out. It won’t take away my love for the school or the community. And the more people I help or the more people that end up better as a result then I think that is a better goal.”

The reception by the

student body towards Press Play Plano has been a positive reaction.

“As much as it has gotten around I think it can be a very positive impact on the student body,” junior Michael Shell said. “A lot of students are getting the chance to voice their opinions. We as a generation feel that we are not really given the opportunity to voice our opinions. This video gives us a chance to share them, even though it is only a high school video. It’s awesome to know that someone is listening and someone is watching.”

Students love that another student is going around trying to find the opinions of students and allowing them to have a medium to share it.

“It benefits the students first because it gets us thinking about things that we might not have thought was a big deal,” Shell said.

“And then it allows teachers and parents and other adults to watch the videos and see what goes through the mind of a student when they are just with their friends.”

The topics found in Press Play Plano come from a variety of different sources. Some of the topics

are obvious and come from the problems Mahmoud sees around school. His inspiration also comes from topics that community leaders talk about.

“I like to talk about some of the unspoken issues like the respecting your parents.

A lot of kids disrespect their parents,” Mahmoud said.

“But I don’t really have a story list. Mostly my parents and community leaders and their talks influence what I address in my videos.”

In the future Mahmoud does plan to have teachers and adults make appearances in his videos. The one obstacle that he finds is he doesn’t always have enough time and the resources to interview teachers, students, and parents.

“We only had one day of school to do the third episode so I had kids send me their videos instead,” Mahmoud said.

Junior Kendall Parker feels that Press Play Plano can also be used as an introduction to Plano.

“It shows what Plano is all about,” Parker said. “It shows that here it is a lot of work and there is some play time too.”

Junior Terence Shipp has made an appearance in three episodes of the Press Play Plano. He feels like someone needs to add a comedic effect to the videos.

“I think it is a really cool thing,” Shipp said. “The dude Ali is trying to change Plano. I think it is my duty to be the mascot of the video, to bring humor to the video. I think it will show them another side of Plano. It can be good for the school.”

Mahmoud is pleased with the reactions of students and hopes that more people will be willing to talk to him and share their opinions in the future. Overall he would like students to try to look through the fun that is in the videos and try to really find the deeper meanings and messages.

“Its great that we are having fun but, if there was one thing to say about the video it would be to make sure you are looking at it from a perspective where you can understand the message and apply them to your life, so that we can all improve as a school and the community together.”

Issue Seven

Page Three

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

news

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

How Far is Too Far

The Limits of Creeping

On Facebook you see you have a friend request from Robert Smith. Never before have you met him, but you know it’s your best friend’s cousin. After a couple of hours, you receive a text.

Robert had somehow gotten your number. You don’t text back even though he keeps texting you. You block his Facebook, but somehow he keeps getting access to it and starts contacting your family. Calls start coming in from his number and voicemails over flow your inbox, none with Robert talking, all with cheesy love songs. He keeps texting you that he loves you and has a

picture of you on his phone.

In this day and age, sometimes creeping can be innocent, however many times it goes too far.

“It can start out as flattery, but then it can go one step further and it turns into creeping,” senior Seth Russell said. “I think if you find out someone’s address, then you go too far. Or where they work and their class schedule is probably crossing the line.”

Junior Chelsea Williams* experienced this first hand at a high school football game. While watching the game in the stands with her friends, Chelsea* had three

men, clearly over the age of 30, making comments and looking at her from a few rows away. One of these men came over and actually asked for her name and tried having a conversation.

Her friends made efforts to make the men stop, but after patiently waiting for the men to stop being inappropriate, the police were finally brought into it.

“Basically the whole time they were just giving me the creeps because they were saying things, and it was just weird. I could still tell you what they looked like right now,” junior Chelsea Williams* said. “My dad had to pick me up and walk me to my car. I had to change my Facebook picture and stuff because they knew my name and that I went to Plano and what I looked like.”

Creeping on someone in person, however, is not always considered going too far. Knowing the difference in the boundaries of creeping and creeping someone out is some necessary knowledge.

“I think when people stare at you its okay, but you kind of get that creepy vibe,” junior Abby Ryan said.

“If people are like always

By Dayna Gettel

trying to talk to you and are always around you, it’s kind of like they’re always near you or up in your bizz.”

Following someone around or talking to them often is frequently considered creeping, or even stalking in many cases.

“I remember one time during a Missouri winter trip, a girl actually stalked me and I had no idea,” senior Nathan Chiu said.

“I only learned about it on the bus back home, because one of her friends told me.

Apparently the girl lives in Colorado, and she followed me around the whole trip.”

Today on Facebook, clicking on someone’s profile from your newsfeed and looking at their wall, or going through pictures has earned the name ‘Facebook Creeping’.

Creeing on the internet or on any form of technology is often taken more lightheartedly than physically following or talking to someone you don’t know.

“Yeah, I ‘Facebook creep’ on people,” Chiu said. “I’m not afraid to admit it, but creeping on people in person is crossing the line for me.”

The difference between

It’s in the Stars

creeping and stalking is a thin line, and many times depends on the personality and opinion of a person.

“I don’t think it’s right if you get that unsettling feeling in your stomach, that means it was taken too far,” Williams* said. “If you’re making the person feel uncomfortable you need to stop, but if it’s like flattering then it’s okay.”

Although some people find creeping weird and uncomfortable, others take it to be less offending to a point.

“Creeping is the biggest form of flattery since imitation, you know,” Chiu said. “I think it’s just a nice way of saying ‘Hey, I really like you’. It might be a weird way, but it still works. I think if someone goes ‘Oh my gosh why is he stalking me, I’m just so offended’, they aren’t really offended. They like the attention. It is just for show. They just want to say that they’re creeped out.”

The idea of creeping has grown more and more accepted in the world today due to new advancements in technology, especially the internet.

“I feel like it’s a lot easier to be a creeper today

because back in the day before the internet you had to make an effort to creep on somebody and be a Peeping Tom,” Russell said.

“Now it just kind of like a click away and computers are your binoculars.”

Websites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Myspace, have allowed the creeping to continue.

“Twitter is especially easy to stalk,” Russell said.

“Most of the time you don’t even know the person and then you follow them and get updates on their lives. That’s just creepy.”

Any form one uses to creep, it can always be taken too far and make the person feel stalked and awkward.

But how far is too far?

“I feel there’s a difference between creeping and stalking,” Chiu said.

“Creeping is just like, you know, getting on Facebook and just like checking out who someone is. Creeping is just getting a view of who the person is, without them knowing who you are. Stalking is different because you start following them around physically.” *name changed

CONTINUED FROM COVER

By Lindsey Kehlmann

“I think people find ways to relate themselves to it,” Zagurski said. “They find anything that would match who they are and try and base themselves off of the characteristics of their signs. Some people get really into it.”

Still, many people like to read their horoscopes from week to week to enjoy the predictions “The thing is magazines are usually printed at the beginning of the month and then I forget what my horoscope said by the end of the month,” Kinnaird said. “I just read it because I think it is interesting.”

In fact, many people flip to the back of a magazine or newspaper to read their horoscope.

“I’ve never known a major newspaper that did not have a horoscope section,” Brooks said. “When I lived in England, everyone I knew read it and believed

it. It was a bigger deal there. If anything, this 13th zodiac sign has only heightened interest in horoscopes.”

So what really happened to our horoscopes?

Absolutely nothing.

The truth is there is no reason one would have to change their sign.

In the western world, tropical astrology is the prominent form of astrology.

Tropical astrology is based on the path the sun appears to take around the earth.

As the year progresses, the sun travels between the earth and each of the 12 zodiac constellations. When the sun passes through one constellation, it appears to be “in” that constellation. However, the sun is “in” each constellation for varying time lengths, so in order to simplify the system astrologers split the sky into 12 equal parts, which generally matched with the constellations. Over time as the earth

“wobbled” on its axis due to the pull of the gravity, the way the sky was split up matched up with the actual constellations less and less. For this reason, tropical astrology is often criticized as incorrect, just as Kunkle said in his article.

This is where Ophiuchus comes into the picture. There have always been more than 12 constellations in the sun’s path, but classic astrologers thought it would be more convenient to only include the 12 most visible.

However, with the shift in the earth’s axis, Ophiuchus has become as visible as many of the other constellations.

To put it in simpler terms, astrology has never been an exact science, and if Ophiuchus wasn’t established as a sign thousands of years ago, why start now?

With or without Ophiuchus, those who follow their horoscope will be able

to enjoy the predictions published in magazines, newspapers, and online.

“I’m glad it didn’t change because I feel like I can identify with my sign,” DeRouen said. “Leo is courageous and strong and it’s nice to think, ‘hey, maybe I’m like that too!’”

For many, believing in who and what you can be is what reading a horoscope is all about.

“There is something powerful about believing or expecting things, even if unlikely,” Brooks said. “If people believe something long enough, and with enough fervor, they can sometimes make them happen. It’s self-fulfilling.”

wildcats Issue Seven

By Amber Robinson

T

here are only three girls who are taking auto-tech.

“I took auto-tech this year because I love cars,” senior Victoria Wolford said.

“And because when I went to college, I did not want to be calling my dad asking what was wrong with my car.”

Wolford has learned many things this year.

“Changing the water pump was definitely the hardest thing I have done this year,” Wolford said. “We had to take everything under the hood out to do it.”

At the beginning of the year, Wolford faced some difficulties.

“I had to earn respect from a lot of the guys in the class,” Wolford said.

Wolford enjoys auto-tech immensely, but there is one part that is her absolute

Page Four

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Every class has its common misconceptions. For physics, people assume they are going to fail every test before they take it. In auto-tech, some believe it to be a class strictly for boys. And then, a lot of people never expect to see a boy in fashion design. However, despite these thoughts, some students are switching things up.

F

ashion design is a class made up of basically nothing but girls. But one boy is trying to make a difference and change things up.

“I originally took fashion design because I wanted to design hoodies,” junior Alex Miranda said. “But now I have become interested in designing other things as well.”

Being the only boy in fashion design, Miranda has had to face some very difficult challenges.

“It is kind of awkward,” Miranda said. “Because I am in fashion design, people automatically assume I am gay, which makes it kind of hard to be in there.”

Despite the difficulties, Miranda has learned a lot this year.

“Fashion design is about more than clothes,” Miranda

favorite.

“It is a handson learning class,” Wolford said. “You get the opportunity to learn about something, and then walk out into the garage and then actually see what you are talking about.”

For other girls and even guys interested in taking the class, Wolford highly advises it.

“I love it,” Wolford said. “It is one of the most interesting classes I’ve ever taken, and I would totally recommend it to anyone who has considered taking it.

“If anything, people should take it because it is a good life class,” Wolford said. It teaches you how to take care of your car when something’s wrong with it. And you can help yourself.”

said. “It is about how clothes work with the world, and how they have changed throughout history.”

With so many different eras and styles, Miranda has had a lot to learn.

“I’ve become really inspired by some of the dresses.”

For those interested in fashion design, Miranda highly encourages it.

“The actual designing of things is awesome,” Miranda said. “But it is really cool to learn about the history of some designers too.

“I would recommend that other guys take it as well. A lot of guys do keep up with men’s fashion. You know, with the designer jeans and things like that. And I think that some of them might actually enjoy it, if they gave it a chance.”

If You Really Knew Me: Life in the Fast Lane

By Haley Bunnell

Getting to class, senior Eric Edling does not have the advantage of mobile feet, but has to wheel his way around the halls instead.

Edling was born with spina bifida, a disease where the spine isn’t fully developed, leaving a hole at the bottom of the spine. The doctors sewed it up, but Edling still has no function in his legs.

Edling said that although his parents were shocked, they were happy to have a son.

Despite Edling’s inability to walk, he lives life like everyone else. Nothing prohibits him from achieving daily tasks.

“I can drive, cook, take care of myself, basically do everything,” Edling said. “I played wheelchair basketball

for eight years. I also play sledge hockey, I ski, and I scuba dive.”

Throughout his years, he has had to endure much pain.

It was in his freshman year where he wounded his hip skiing. He took a few falls on the slopes, which confined him to lie on his left side only. He had to stay in the hospital bed for three months away from all of his friends and hardly able to move. For Edling it was difficult to lose almost all of his independence in order to heal.

“Everyone has their ups and downs, but I’ve always been able to find ways to have fun in the worst situations,” Edling said. “I’m the guy making jokes, teasing the

surgeon, and listening to loud music before a surgery.”

It was a Victorian poem called “Invictus” by William Ernest Hendley that inspired him to keep his head held high as he was lonely in the hospital.

“It really spoke to me about not giving up, and mastering yourself as a person,” Edling said. “It was even written by a guy in a hospital bed, after having his leg amputated.”

For Edling, this is his life and who he is, and he never wants to change.

“I am not only very proud of who I am,” Edling said.

“But I love it and couldn’t imagine life without it.

Being in a wheelchair has taught me valuable lessons,

brought me to amazing places, and introduced me to some great people. I do hope that spina bifida eventually comes to an end, but if they do come up with a cure, I’m not going to take it. I find it pointless to focus life on if ’s, and maybes.”

Through every fall, he get’s back up, and wants to be treated like everyone else. He doesn’t want to be treated like he is Tiny Tim. “If there is something you believe you can do,” Edling said. “Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t. Do what you can, with what you have and don’t worry about the rest. If you really knew me then you would know I live life in the fast lane.”

Issue Seven

Page Five

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

wildcats 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

By Meital Boim

Senior Curtis Bouvy announced that he is gay on the world wide web.

One of many, Bouvy participated in Student Congress’s Plano PostSecret project, which has given students a chance to proclaim anything and everything.

“I posted that I’m proud and that I have my friends’ love and support,” Bouvy said. “It felt great because being in the closet literally made everyday a lie, and coming out and loving yourself for who you are was the most liberating feeling I’ve ever felt.”

While all are significant, other posts reveal personal details that are not as life changing. These range from confessions regarding cartoons to confessions regarding makeup.

“It can go from ‘I’m depressed’ to ‘I read this book and nobody else does. I feel so alone,’” senior Andrea Bazemore said. “It goes to such extremes. I’ve seen people find each other, [saying], ‘I like to read poetry,’ ‘I like to read poetry, too,’ or when people admitted that they also cry in the shower. It really does make you feel like you have problems [that are] just like everybody else’s.”

It started when junior Laura Gammon realized that everyone has a secret and decided to act.

“I had known about the [PostSecret] site before,” Gammon said. “I decided that Plano needed something like that, and I told Andrea.”

Student Congress picked up the idea. With the help of members and faculty, they drew up a plan to create a Plano PostSecret.

“Andrea Bazemore set up the website and students can post their secrets anonymously,” Student Congress sponsor Linda Clanton said. “During our committee meeting, members had taken those secrets from the website, put them on note cards and put those on a banner to be put somewhere where kids can read these secrets. Later on, they will put boxes around the campus with postcards on them so you can decorate your own postcard, put your secret on it and drop into a box.”

While she was concerned about the side effects that such a project would have, Clanton feels that it has been a success.

“I was worried due to the sensitivity that some of the

secrets may have, and I was a little worried about things getting too personal or too inappropriate but also too depressing,” Clanton said. “I didn’t want any students to feel uncomfortable, but I think everyone has been happy to accept other people’s secrets and share their own.”

Students do express gratitude and appreciation towards Plano PostSecret. Gammon defines its purpose as showing people that they are not alone, and students agree that the project has done just that.

“I feel like the purpose is being achieved,” senior Keira Dowd said. “It’s really nice for people to be able to come together like that. I know it was for me. It felt really good to get off my chest. It’s a relieving feeling to be able to get that off because sometimes you feel like you can’t tell people. It’s a great way to find sincere people. I always see comments that say ‘Whoever posted this secret, I’m here to help.’ People are really reaching out to the ones who need help. No one’s going to say ‘I’ll talk to you’ if they don’t really want to do it. It’s really nice and it shows them that they have another way instead of letting it bottle up inside.”

The success of Plano PostSecret has been attributed by some to the anonymity option on its Formspring and Tumblr pages.

“There’s a lot of stuff some people have done that they’re ashamed of and feel really guilty about and don’t like thinking about, let alone putting it out on the internet for everybody to see,” Bouvy said. “I think [Plano PostSecret] gives people a sense of freedom to say something that’s been eating at them and, in my opinion, the first step to feeling better about something is admitting it. Then you can deal with it.”

Not everyone, however, has chosen to remain anonymous. Bouvy feels that posting his secret with his name might help others.

“I chose to post with my name because I know other people struggle with their sexuality,” Bouvy said. “I want those people to know they’re never alone, and I wanted to help give them courage to come out also. I think more people should post with their names as long as what they say doesn’t hurt anyone.”

Just like any Internet site, Plano PostSecret’s

Formspring and Tumblr watch the kinds of posts and comments that they receive.

“People might abuse the anonymity to call people out simply because they know the other person really can’t do anything about it because they don’t know who the person was,” Bouvy said. “People have used it to ‘attack’ other people like the Planoettes. People were giving the Planoettes crap, and Andrea eventually had to just stop responding to the submissions concerning them. The purpose of the site is to get something off your chest, not start a fight.”

Despite risks like that of using anonymous posts, students see Plano PostSecret spreading to other schools.

“People from West, East, John Paul, everywhere have been contacting us,” Bazemore said. “There’s bound to be one post that you gravitate towards and that relates to your life. I told them, ‘I don’t care if you’re from East or West or whatever school you’re from. Yes, it says Plano PostSecret, but this is an open forum.’”

Bazemore also sees the project moving away from its online safety blanket.

“I wish we could do something where everybody would come together for an evening and just talk,” Bazemore said. “That’s where I wish it would go. I hope people would be willing to do that. There’s a Formspring, but there’s also people, as well.”

Other students not only see Plano PostSecret shifting away from the Internet but also away from Student Congress.

“I feel like the Formspring hasn’t changed much, and I don’t really think it will, but Plano PostSecret should get more involved at our school over time,” Bouvy said.

“There could be a Plano PostSecret club at school that puts the Plano PostSecret art up in the hallways.”

Aside from the obvious reason for Plano PostSecret, Bazemore feels that the project has a secondary advantage and a greater significance.

“The [posts] about people’s houses being foreclosed on and people not being able to afford stuff, I think , put things back into reality,” Bazemore said. “It’s in perspective. It’s the real world. It’s a good reality check.”

advertisers Issue Seven

Page Eight

February 14, 2011

p SAT/ACT e r p SAT and ACT prep for students seeking dramatic score improvements.

At Huntington Learning Center we’ve been helping students improve their SAT and ACT scores since 1977 with: • 1-1 Instruction for SAT and ACT • Critical Reading, Writing, and Math • Proven teaching methods • Test-taking strategies • Flexible scheduling • Trained, experienced teachers

Call today and receive $100 off* your child’s academic deagnostic evaluation.

Conveniently located in your neighborhood!

3020 Legacy Drive Plano, TX 75023 972-801-9933

1-800 CAN LEARN

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Issue Seven

Page Nine

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

fine arts 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Planoettes

Star in the Superbowl

By Whitney Fein

On February 6, over 100 million people crowded around their televisions, froze in the cold, or stuck to their seats to watch Super Bowl XLV. Whether you watch the Super Bowl for the commercials or the game, most people don’t choose to refill the chip bowl during the half time show. When the first half ended and both teams went to their respective locker rooms, the stage crew started moving huge set pieces to the field, as 800 dancers prepared for the opportunity of a lifetime. From long dance rehearsals, to stressful weather conditions, to last minute technical difficulties, the Planoettes helped create a memorable half time show performance.

“The whole

experience was stressful but worth it,” Planoette director Meredith Walraven said. “We are currently working on contest and Spring Show and the weather was also really hectic.

We were supposed to have practices on Wednesday and Friday, but they were cancelled because of the snow.

The last rehearsal was Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl, and we could only run it twice because the stadium was being used for other things. Saturday’s long rehearsal was great because the Black Eyed Peas and Usher were there practicing too, and you could feel the excitement the girls had.”

The weather wasn’t the only thing that was hectic. Just minutes before the half time

show was going to start, many of the girls’ glow suits that they wore for the dance weren’t working properly.

“Five minutes before we went on to the field, my green button wasn’t lighting up, and my white lights were all purple,” junior Plano Taylor Newroth said.

“The buttons were easy to push while dancing, but stressful that they weren’t working just minutes before we went on.”

“When I pressed my light, some of the strips of lights on the front and back of my suit turned yellow, I had red and purple on the back of my knees, and this was all when they were supposed to be pure white,” junior Planoette Rachel Traxler said.

“Also, we had these headphones and radios

that we were supposed to hear the music out of because they cancel the echo, but instead, all I heard was a talk show and a whole bunch of static.”

“The suits were awesome and a great affect for the crowd,” senior Planoette Captain Stefani Sandridge said.

“There were some difficulties with the lights not turning on or the lights turning a funky color in some parts, but there was a great wardrobe crew that helped tackle those problems immediately.”

But with all the chaotic changes and crazy weather, the girls really did enjoy the awesome, once-in-alifetime experience.

Having rehearsals cut because of the snow and last minute changes the day before the Super

Bowl, couldn’t have been easy, but the girls worked together and participated in a great half time performance.

“It was definitely worth it, hands down,” Traxler said. “You’re on national TV with tons of people watching you, and you get to do something that you love. Things like, seeing celebrities closer then normal and seeing all the fans cheering and yelling at us was unbelievable. We even got escorted to the field by ten police cars.”

The Super Bowl doesn’t let just anyone dance in their shows, and many people are wondering how the girls who danced were selected. The Planoettes were selected to be part of the 800 girls dancing.

“Joyce Pennington, the President and CEO

of the American Drill Team School, chose six groups for the Lit Cast and 12 other groups for the field cast,” Walraven said. “The dancers were different drill teams and dance schools. We were in the Lit Cast, the girls who were dancing around in the glow suits and the field cast girls were the ones in the white sweat suits jumping and dancing around the stage.”

Although there were many dancers who participated, some of the girls saw their teammates and even themselves on TV when they went back and watched it.

“Our arrow and heart were actually the camera shot that they used for TV, so we were shown multiple times throughout the performance,”

Sandridge said. “I spotted my face when they scanned the girls on the close up, so that was really neat.”

From national champion titles the past two years, to Super Bowl half time dancers, the Planoettes have accomplished a lot in the past few years.

They fought through technical difficulties, annoying weather and so much more to get to where they are. Who knows what is in-store for the Planoettes in upcoming years, but it looks like it is going to be hard to top the half time performance in Super Bowl XLV.

‘

t o g L P A N O S talent

By Claire Minor

The hallways are alive with the sound of music. Or at least the stage was at National Honor Society’s Plano’s Got Talent. An array of singers, musicians and dancers filled up most of the slots for the show, so it was no surprise one of them won.

Senior Andrew Flory played a solo guitar set, a song he wrote himself, in addition to playing a duet with Ryan Prim on drums. It was obvious that Flory was no amateur when it came to playing the guitar.

“I used to listen to a lot of metal from my dad, like Metallica and stuff,” Flory said. “I really liked their guitar style and so I’ve always wanted to play guitar. I played metal for awhile

And His Name is Andrew Flory

and got in a band and things weren’t working out the way I wanted it to, so I got into finger style acoustic guitar because you don’t have to have a band and you can stand alone. It’s hard to get everybody on the same page in a band. I’ve been doing finger style acoustic for about a year now.”

After three years of classical lessons, Flory took matters into his own hands and taught himself how to play finger style acoustic guitar.

Finger style acoustic guitar is a different kind of guitar playing most people probably aren’t familiar with. The complex style of playing is what truly awed the audience at the performance.

“You try to get a solid bass line going at the same time while you’re playing the melody,” Flory said.

“It’s kind of like in band: you have the bass doing the bass and the drums keeping the beat and the guitar doing the melody. In finger style acoustic guitar, you’re doing all those at the same time; there are some percussive things you can do with your fingers also to give it a drum sound.”

One of the major parts of the music industry is getting a fan base, and to get fans people have to listen to your music and for people to listen to your music you have to play for them. Flory hasn’t had much luck with

landing gigs around town, which was why the Plano’s Got Talent slot was such a good opportunity for him.

“It was awesome,” Flory said. “It was fun to share my music with people.”

Flory has plans for keeping with his guitar through guitar performance in college and is auditioning for SMU and Arkansas University. He also has an album in the works which he hopes will come out in early April with 10 songs on it.

“It’s fun to play,” Flory said. “I love playing, there’s no other feeling in the world when you write music.

It’s the best feeling ever.”

!

Issue Seven

Page Fifteen

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Blockbuster: An American Pastime store, it was a Plano pastime, comparable to midnight Wal-Mart runs. It was just an understood fact; even if you didn’t have the slightest interest in renting a movie, it was just a way to pass time with friends. Walking up and down the colorful soda-stained carpeted aisles until an extremely vibrant DVD case caught my eye, and before I knew it, I’d be back at home watching an underrated Hollywood gem like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The point of going to Blockbuster with friends wasn’t just to find a movie that would have an extremely thin plot, and showed celebrities’ early career blunders, it was a way to have a few good laughs and make even better memories with your best friends.

Sadly, Blockbuster stores are becoming increasingly endangered and are close to extinction as a species because of

new, more “convenient”, ways to watch movies such as Netflix. Don’t get me wrong, I love Netflix and Redbox because they do have the most recent movies ready to go for you on the spot. However, I can’t wander through Redbox for hours on end just to find my favorite cliché 1980s film hiding on the lowest shelf, in the back corner of the store like I could at Blockbuster. Sure, no late fees is an incredible concept but I would much rather be able to walk into the store and switch out my DVD on the spot instead of mailing it back in and waiting three days just to have the next one on my queue sent to me. What if I don’t want that one anymore? What if I’m not in the mood to sit through Dear John for the 97,000th time? No way out, except to send it back and wait another three days.

I do miss the good

“I was s in ‘Diary o ging along to f Benjam Jane’ by Break ing in I was sa and I realized yi instread ng diarrhea .I me. My t sounded righ t to bad.”

-Julie W eltman, senior “My little brothers always thought the song ‘G6’ by Far East Movement said ‘like a cheese stick,’ not ‘like a G6.’”

-Megan Heaton, junior

old days when there were late fees, when there were tangible DVD choices in my hands, when the cashier had to call the manager over to get the little yellow bar out of the case, because they were new and didn’t know how to work it yet, when I had to wait in line and stare at all the candy and popcorn, and would end up buying an amount that was worth twice as much as the DVD rental itself, and when I could find literally any movie ever produced in the western hemisphere all in one place. I guess it’s in the rearview mirror, but I will never forget my favorite childhood pastime: Blockbuster.

st time, e g n o l “For the he song er tt I though s’ by John May ter ‘Daugh rics, ‘Girls ly had the mons who turn le become s.’” ior lon into me Thompson, sen -Taylor

Top 5

Here it is folks, that time of the year has creeped up behind us yet again. Nope it’s not Christmas; Nope, not Halloween; But the one and only celebration of love, Valentines Day. If you hadn’t noticed yet you clearly need to get your eyes checked so schedule that appointment right away. With all the hearts, reds, pinks and lace it sure is hard to miss. Ok, so now you know, better late than never! But how will you get a gift for that special person with less than twenty four hours to deliver it? Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to make thoughtful memorable gifts in a short amount of time, without breaking the bank.

3

1

If you are not necessarily romantically involved with your Valentine, but still want to tell him or her you love them as a friend and appreciate having them in your life, head straight to the kitchen.

Baked goods really send a positive message and especially if he/she has a sweet tooth, the thought will be much appreciated. If at all possible, try to make the cookies or cake homemade. After all, it really is the thought and effort that count.

2

Another great gift for a platonic friend or even romantic interest is the new fad, Pillow Pets. These soft and cuddly two functioning items are hot on the market right now, and who can resist their furry faces. The Valentine’s special features a pet with a heart nose and will be sure to be a hit. Not only are these cheap ($19.99), but will also make a statement in telling someone you want to be their snuggle buddy.

Though it may be small, no one can ever truly take away the powerfulness of candy hearts. Around forever, these small tokens with messages on them can create a cute romantic mood for virtually no cash. If in a hurry, always a great pick.

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

s c i r y L d r a e h s i M t Bes

By Megan Pulliam

In hindsight, many of my childhood memories involve Blockbuster.

Some of my fondest memories are of me and some of my friends taking a midsummer’s bike ride, in soffee shorts and all, to the nearest Blockbuster in the scorching heat, and all too vividly I remember the feeling of relief to set foot into the wonderfully air-conditioned establishment. It became a central part of my life as a youngster. I can even recall to when Blockbuster only had VHS, and how my world was turned upside down when the slow and gradual transition to DVD took place. Evolving from a simple compilation of my favorite Disney videos, like Cinderella and Bambi, Blockbuster transformed into a wonderland of infinite possibilities right before my eyes.

Even as a teenager, Blockbuster served as more than just a simple

opinion

5

Lastly, the one quick present that can never be beat, is the card. Whether on stationary or on a piece of notebook paper, just tell the other how you really feel and open your heart to the paper.

Nothing feels better than being told you are loved. Sign with a heart, and you are good to go.

Last Minute Valentines

By Sofia Toohey

4

Though perfume may be pricey and way out of reach, body spray is not at all and has virtually the same effect! Take five minutes to hours smelling different scents of spray at easy to locate stores like Wal-Mart, Target, or Bath and Body Works to find something that depicts you and your valentine. The girl will love it, and you will love the way she smells. Win-Win situation.

These will help you get through the day with great success, and avoid gifts that are flops. Just remember, be honest with your valentine and let them know how you feel, and from there you can’t go wrong. In the end, it’s not about the gift, but the love that comes with it.

opinion Issue Seven

Page Fourteen

A Heart Shaped Mess

By Madison McDaniel

February 14, 2011

Plano Senior High School

Cat Quips 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 9 4

The second week of February is always By Eilie Strecker the same. The stores are decked out in PeptoSnow, ice, and 5 days off from Bismol pink streamers, cupid shaped cards school. Student snow-day-oand the shelves are always stocked with the meter: Yay! No school!, Alright! same sweetheart candies that taste like chalk.

Going on day two!, okay…sleep, alright Oh, the joys of Valentine’s Day. It’s either the kinda ready to get back, seriously? What most romantic day of the year or the most do I do with my time?! dreaded. Of course past the age of 13 every girl secretly hopes for her Valentine even if 400 people with high hopes and when she denies it, but you can’t always battled through the traffic and get what you want and this day of the year is weather only to find that their not as simple as it used to be. seats at the Super Bowl did not Flash back to elementary school, exist. Poor fans, they only get three kindergarten, circa Bonne Belle Lip Smackers times as much money as their tickets and the peak of the Spice Girls. Our teacher were worth, bills paid for hotel and had assigned each of us to decorate our own flight, and access to any super bowl in shoebox to hold all of our valentines. When the future…poor, poor football fans.

I got home I immediately went to work, with In recent news, palm readers the help of my mom, on creating the perfect in Romania have been warned box. Although she didn’t know the real against giving people false reason why I so desperately wanted my first readings or else they may get sued.

Valentine’s Day party to be perfect, my first Alright, picture a little voodoo lady Valentine himself. with all her beads and jewelry and The next morning I woke up full with the bangles with turret cards, sitting on energy only a peppy kindergarten girl could some ancient arm chair, hovering over a muster and excitedly awaited the school day. At crystal ball….ahhh destiny. seven forty five I waltzed into my classroom, shocking pink box in hand and skimmed the “For the land o’ the freeee room. My eager eyes scanned all around until and the home of the I spotted him. Being my first crush I will brAAAAAooooooave!” never forget Nathan. He had been one my Personally, I don’t know how Christina first friends in kindergarten, platonically of Aguilera could have improved…maybe course, and I had fallen for him as soon as not forgetting a key line in chorus he had drawn a picture of me and put it in would have helped, but who was my student of the week book. To my five year keeping track as she screamed her way old self he was the ultimate catch: sweet, cute, through the traditional song. and artsy. So when my kindergarten teacher told our class about the Valentine’s Day party I was more than ecstatic to receive a valentine from him.

I walk over and neatly placed my box as well as my valentines for the rest of my class on the table and walked over to the reading rug to wait for my teacher to instruct us on our valentine exchange. After giving us the countdown we all rushed around the room, shoving our Disney valentines and candy into as many boxes as we could. We spent the rest of the day decorating heart shaped cookies and playing games. When the school day was finally over, I rushed into my room and ripped open the stuffed box. I rummaged through the pile, not stopping to look at a single valentine until I found the one. When I had gone through the stack four times and not finding it I began to cry. My first valentine had not given me a card, and I was devastated.

“So this is what it’s like to have your heart broken.” I thought to myself.

My mom came into my room after hearing my melodramatic breakdown.

“Honey, what’s the matter?” she said.

“I- I didn’t get a valentine.” I sobbed “Of course you did.” My mom picked up a handful of cards and read them. “In fact it looks like you got quite a bit.”

“I know, but I didn’t get the one I was hoping for the most.” I looked down, flushing with embarrassment.

“Oh, I see.” She patted my back and pushed back the hair from my face, beginning to look in the box again.

“It’s no use, mommy. I’ve looked in that box a gazillion times. You won’t find anything.” I rubbed my eyes and looked up at her. She continued to rummage through the box holding it out at every possible angle until she tugged at the corner of something.

“Hmm, well it seems you might have overlooked this one.” She pulled out a card and handed it to me.

There it was a pink and purple Valentine’s Day card with a doe-eyed kitten on the front.

I turned it over and it read “I purrfurr you!”

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Lindsey Lohan steals necklace from jewelry store. Gosh! I hate it when I forget all my credit cards and have to shove the diamond necklace into my large Channel bag! So inconvenient!

Prince kicks Kim Kardashian off the stage! ‘Don’t have to be rich to be my girl, don’t have to be cool to rule my world’…but you’ve gotta dance. That’s the deal breaker.

Dallas city council member gives the key to the city to Michael Vick. Ahhh glad to see that the city of Dallas has honored such a high, upstanding, football playing, animal torturing individual to be welcomed to our city. We are all so very proud and honored to have him here.

Justin Bieber’s new movie Never Say Never hit the big screen Feb 11th. Yep America, thank you. That’s exactly what we need to see, MORE Justin Bieber.

It’s Valentine’s Day! And you know what that means!

Overpriced chocolate, hearts, cheap stuffed animals, and tons of girls crying themselves to sleep on this S.A.D.(single awareness day).

10

“I saw a full-grown man with a briefcase bundled in a brown snuggie with blue and purple daises on the way to class this morning. Cold weather does funny things to us Texans...”

Mother Natu re vs. PISD

By Lindsey Kehlmann

“Is it on the Ps yet?”

“Yes, look!”

“Pheonix… Pilot Point… We’re getting there!” my sister says, both of us staring adamantly at the list of names scrolling unhurriedly by at the bottom of the screen.

“Look, there it is. Plano ISD!” And thus began the magic week of snow.

Day 1: Drink hot cocoa and watch a movie Day 2: Try and do homework. Give up and go sledding.

Day 3: Sleep. All day.

Day 4: Wish for social interaction outside of your family.

By day 3 I already knew that people wanted to go back to school, even if just to see their friends again, and by day 4 I will admit I was among them. But none of us were surprised that we had school off. After all, nothing says PISD like five snow days in two weeks. Oh wait.

I watched as the magic of the snow day melted away and the frustrated facebook statuses piled up. Kids were actually asking to go back to school. What was the world coming to? What happened to praying for ice the night before a freezing rainstorm?

And above all, what had happened to the people who run PISD? The street had a thin layer of ice over it and the whole district was closed. Did one of the higher ups get a concussion from a fall on the ice that caused him to suddenly care about children?

I remember days when there was torrential rainfall that threatened to sweep away cars and we still had school.

What I think is that Mother Nature is finally having her revenge. Too many times she took Plano’s defiance while other school districts backed down. Too many times Plano students trudged through the snow, rain, and sleet. Finally in 2011, she said “It is on like Donkey Kong, Mr. Administrator”, and with a winter storm she did the impossible and beat down PISD. I have a bad feeling, though, that when long weekends roll around we will be regretting our snowy fortunes. PISD may have lost the battle, but it is still feisty and the students will be the ones paying the price. Our administrators are applying for more make up days that will bite into our long weekend time. But what can we do? It doesn’t make sense for us to rally an army of snow plows to scoop away the three inches of snow we get yearly on average. In the frozen tundra of New York and Chicago up north our ‘dangerous ice days’ probably seem like a joke. We get half an inch of sleet or snow, and the roads look like something out of Zombieland, while in the north they hop on their snow plows like tweens on Justin Beiber. They don’t have to worry about make-up days because they are equipped for this weather, but since we almost never get it we certainly aren’t.

I say when the snow comes, give us a break. Let us have our days off without worrying about making up days during our precious long weekends. Let us have our three inches and make our tiny snow men. A few days less of summer isn’t going to hurt anybody.

Issue Seven

Page Twelve

February 14, 2011

advertisers

Plano Senior High School

2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

Need Help With Plano eSchool Physics?

Expert tutoring at fair prices 18 years of Physics tutoring experience Spaces filling up quickly!

E-mail: troywingert@charter.net or Call: 214-692-9075

Present this Ad for a 10% discount on services