News Briefs TCC Tuition Due By Jan. 25
BY KALE WARD STAFF WRITER With the end of the fall semester coming up for TCC classes, students have a few things to take care of before winter break. Students must return their fall semester textbooks prior to being issued any textbooks for the spring semester. Also students on free/reduced lunch are not required to pay for spring tuition, but they are required to pay for any lost textbooks. The deadline for the spring semester tuition is on Jan. 25. The semester costs $50.
Yearbooks The final day to purchase a yearbook is Jan. 11. This year’s book has a few surprises. Orders can be taken online at www.therideronline. com or by calling (800) 853-1337.
The Rider
Jan. 156th, 7th and 8th exams Jan. 164th, 5th and 9th exams Jan. 171st, 2nd and 3rd exams
December 2012 Vol. 6 Issue 1
The Student Newspaper of Legacy High School: Covering Bronco Nation
Toys For Tots Partnership Brings Community Together
AMANDA GRANATO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The community wide Toys for Tots event Dec. 12 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts generated 16,148 toys and $15,550 in donations. Fox 4 media team covered the event on the nightly news. Principal Des Stewart felt strongly about the success of the toy drive. “Understanding that it’s tough economic times right now, I think Bronco Nation did a good job as far as contributing toys to the disadvantaged,” Mr. Stewart said. “I think, as a district and as a community, we did a phenomenal job.” Toy for Tots collection boxes were available at all MISD campuses, as well as at local businesses. “To see the community and the high schools partner for a common cause was powerful,” Mr. Stewart said. “I think as a whole, MISD as well as the city of Mansfield, we did our parts and showed neighboring cities how it should be done.” The free event featured pictures with Santa, reindeer, student performances, music, snacks and face painting. “I commend all the people who participated,” Mr. Stewart said. “Just to see all the young people — the little kids all the way up to our young men and young
women — performing and just being part of the whole event was fascinating. It’s good to see everybody coming together for a common cause.” Senior Morgan Nance attended the event and enjoyed helping children. “The best part of the evening was being able to help with loading all the Christmas presents onto the trucks,” Nance said. “It was amazing to see how many kids will wake up Christmas morning with a nice present.” Mansfield was designated an official toy collection site and Mayor David Cook believes the partnership with the charity was successful. “I think the success [of the partnership] was better than any of us expected,” Mayor Cook said. “Mansfield School District and the City of Mansfield did a wonderful job.” Mayor Cook attended the event and enjoyed the entertainment as well as the spirit, noting the mascot race as a highlight. “[The toy celebration] really showed the community pride we have in Mansfield,” Mayor Cook said. “I’m very proud of our high schools and our community.” The high schools competed to collect the most toys. Fox 4 featured Legacy
Fox 4 News anchor Steve Eagar broadcasts the Toys for Tots community event at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts on the 9 p.m. news.
as the winner of the halfway point prize, having collected the most toys at the end of the first segment of the competition. “Even though we’re all donating and contributing the common cause, there’s always a competition factor that plays a part,” Mr. Stewart said. “Everyone wants to win. But we all know that throughout the entire event every kid and every school in MISD is a winner. It’s a win-win for all.” Despite the success the
com- petition lent the toy drive, senior Christina Cranshaw believes the event should have been about more than winning. “I don’t think something of this nature should have been a competition, but instead it should have been through the willingness and kindness of our own hearts,” Cranshaw said. “It’s not about which school wins, but making sure that little kids out there have a
decent holiday.” Teen Leadership teacher Dena Schimming organized Legacy’s toy drive, and felt the event was a success. “I thought it was a great way to bring our school closer to the community,” Mrs. Schimming said. “Healthy competition at school is a good thing, especially when it brings people together for a common cause.” Mayor Cook had only one thing to say about whether or not MISD should take part in the charity again. “Absolutely.” See more photos on pg. 8
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Final Exams Jan. 14Review day
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ADRIANCE RHOADES PHOTO
Mansfield Legacy High School 1263 N. Main St Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 299-1100
DINI WYATT NEWS EDITOR Put It Down, Save A Life, replacing last year’s Every 15 Minutes, will take place Feb. 25 and 26. The program shows the effects of texting, drinking and being distracted while driving to juniors and seniors. “I really feel like it does change somebody’s life,”
Gas Prices Drop
Students take advantage as the price of fuel goes down NEWS PAGE 2
event organizer Stephanie Shackelford said. “I realize that some students take it as a joke and they don’t pay attention to it, but I firmly believe that each year there’s at least one person whose life changed. If I can change one person’s life, it is worth it.” Students participating in the program will take part in a staged alcohol or texting related crash produced by the Mansfield fire and police departments. To make the experience more lifelike, people from Methodist Mansfield Hospital, funeral homes, Careflite, local law enforcement agencies and pastors volunteer their time and resources.
“[My favorite part is] Seeing the kids experience afterward, at the assembly. Hearing their responses and how they took it because every year somebody takes it a different way or they get something different out of it,” Mrs. Shackelford said. The program has changed in many ways since last year. This year students will not be taken out of class and their obituaries will not be read. Instead everyone involved will leave on an all day retreat. Everyone will be able to go to the crash scene and
retreat, whereas last year only some could. “It think it will make a difference, I hope it will especially with the texting,” Mrs. Shackelford said. “A lot of kids understand ‘Oh I’m not supposed to drink and drive,’ but they think that ‘Well I’m just looking down for a second while I’m texting.’ I think that will make a big impact.” Applications for Put It Down, Save A Life are due Jan. 9. Student applicants and their parents are required to attend the orientation.
Scan for Put It Down, Save a Life Application.
The End of the World? People predict
Important Dates: Jan. 15 or 167 p.m. Student/Parent mandatory orientation at the Center for Performing Arts Jan. 30Mock crash scene Feb. 256 a.m. or 8 p.m. Participants arrive for retreat Feb. 269 a.m. Assembly for student body and participating parents
Splitting Time
Tullbane brothers apocalypse at end share father as swim of Mayan calendar coach with Lake Ridge team CENTER SPORTS PAGES 4-5
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Club Briefs Band:
All District Auditions Legacy band had 35 students make All District Band which set a record. Of those 35 students six made first chair. Students that made first chair were sophomore Audrey Snow for clarinet, senior Alec Girouard for bass trombone, junior Austin Pursley for bari sax, sophomore Jordan Hall for tenor sax, junior Dylan Peacock for trumpet and senior Landon Cowan for euphonium.
B.A.S.S. Club:
Inaugural Tournament
News
December 2012
Smith Joins Staff As Lead Nurse
BY BRYNNON WALKER MANAGING EDITOR
Sanya Smith walks into her new office, ready for a busy day of helping students medically. Smith’s day quickly passes by as though she turned on an autopilot mode. After school she will head to the Mansfield Methodist Hospital to help out in the emergency room, educating patients on medical procedures as well as caring for them. Smith has eight years of experience as a nurse. She works at the Mansfield Methodist Hospital, primarily in the critical care section of the emergency room. She joined the staff in the school’s clinic three weeks ago, overseeing medications for staff and students as well as assisting in general medical attention. “I like having the opportunity to help people,” Smith said. “I like to help people and educate them on medical conditions because that’s the scary part, not knowing about what’s happening.” Smith decided to follow the
career of a nurse because she likes to hear of patients’ success stories. She also received inspiration from her mother who used to work as a nurse in fields such as childcare and psychiatry. “I was inspired just by seeing her and hearing some of her stories,” Smith said. “[Nursing] is also very rewarding and diverse.” Smith said. Smith said, the job of a nurse contains a vast assortment of specializations, from office work to bedside assistance. Subject knowledge and experience are key to the day-to-day tasks a nurse performs. “I never stop learning, and there’s always education involved in the work,” Smith said. Smith plans to go back to school soon to get her master’s degree. She also hopes to continue working in the school’s clinic, as she doesn’t have as much experience with teenagers as with other age groups. “I’ve had a good time here. It’s A student sits in the clinic while new Registered Nurse Sanya Smith been short. All of the students are helps. Smith also works in the Critical Care section of the Mansfield pleasant, honest and sweet,” she said. Methodist Hospital.
Ten Students participated in Bass Club’s Inaugural Tournament at Lloyd Park Ramp of Joe Pool Lake. Three parents and four volunteers captained boats for the students to fish from. There was a limit of five fish per person and could only be under 14 inches or more than 21 inches. The official weight was taken by Todd Parris from the Mansfield Bass Masters. Final results: 1st: Tyler Arter 2nd: Bradley Ivie 3rd: Kyle Dragulski 4th: Lane Crabb
Fuel Charge: Cost of gasoline impacts student drivers
History Department:
BY MARIA CASTILLO STAFF WRITER
Christmas for the Critters Shelene Anderson’s Economics class started gathering supplies for the Mansfield Animal Shelter for Christmas. All Donations can be brought to T-204. Below are the supplies needed. -Pedigree Adult or Small -Bites dog food -IAMS or Science Diet puppy food -Cat and kitten food -Non-clumping cat litter -Towel/Blankets -Dog biscuits -Laundry Detergent -Dish-washing soap -Cat and Dog Toys
Upcoming January:
17- First semester ends 21- School holiday 22- Second semester begins
February: 16- District UIL 18- School holiday 25- PTSA meeting
March:
12-15- Spring Break 29- School holiday
April: 1-4- STAAR testing 22-25- STAAR\TAKS testing
May: 4- Prom 27- Student holiday
Everyday senior Eli Bell jumps into his 2006 F150 to drive to school. After school, he drives 11 miles to get to the Nike Outlet in Grand Prairie to work. Once Bell gets off the clock, he drives 11 more miles home. That’s a total of 22 miles just to work and school, not to mention other places Bell might travel for family or friends. As the cost per gallon of gas decreases, Bell’s ability to both save money and drive more increases. The price per gallon of gas has dropped nearly 20 cents from $3.05 to $2.85 in the past few weeks. “The lower gas prices let me be able to drive and fill up whenever I need to,” Bell said.
Driving for roughly a year, Bell’s Ford truck remains the only car he has ever used. The truck gets about 15 miles to the gallon. Bell drives 11 miles to and from work four days a week. Bell fuels up about once every two weeks. Bell bought the truck with the intention of using it to haul anything, not to pay so much money on gas. “I wouldn’t change my choice for anything, though,” Bell said. “I like it because it’s big.” Not only seniors who drive affected by the price change, but juniors and even sopho-
A
an exemption form and stickers, does not guarantee that they are exempt. The teacher will verify that the student has an 80 or above and that they have no more than 1 excused absence. • The student receives a sheet of paper and two stickers. The top of the paper is one exemption form, and the bottom is the other. Students and students’ parents must sign both copies. The student will determine what classes they want to be exempt from and fill it in on the form. Students can only be exempt from two exams.
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the money I get from mowing lawns. With lower gas prices, I get to save a lot more money.” Bell, however, doesn’t receive the financial help that Cordero does from his parents. He has to pay for every ounce of gas he puts in his truck, amounting to about $50-$60 each fill-up with the higher gas prices, and $50-$55 with the lower gas prices. “I don’t mind [paying] at all,” Bell said. “It’s my responsibility to keep it full.”
Most Fuel-Efficient Car
According to CNN Money, the Honda Insight ranked best in United States Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s 2004 Fuel Economy Guide. According to the tests made by the government, the Insight gets 41 m.p.g. in the city and 44 m.p.g. on the highway. The estimated annual fuel cost is $405.
Exams, exemptions set for January • Students pick up exemption forms and stickers on Jan. 11. • Only students who have NOT been in AC, suspended, or been in BIC will be given exemption forms. All exemption forms not handed out to students will be returned to an academic principal’s office. We will redistribute them to the appropriate principal. • If a student does NOT receive an exemption form and stickers and they think that they should have, they need to go to their principal’s office to see what is wrong. • Just because a student receives
mores as well. Junior Harrison Cordero drives a Ford Excursion that gets 12 miles to the gallon. Having to drive to the Mansfield Natatorium, roughly eight miles from Legacy, and back to Legacy for practice everyday makes Cordero have to fill up often. Cordero also enjoys hanging out with his friends, going to their houses and going places such as the park, therefore adding onto the amount of gas he expels. “My parents pay for some,” Cordero said. “Mostly I pay from
TIME
JAN. 14
7:25-8:55 Review day 9-10:30 10:35-12:05 12:10-12:55 Lunch 1-1:35 1:40-2:15 2:20-2:55
PHOTO BY WWW.BOLDRIDE.COM
Honda Insight Starting at $18,600
JAN. 15
JAN. 16 JAN. 17
6th exam 7th exam 8th exam
4th exam 1st exam 5th exam 2nd exam 9th exam 3rd exam
Tutorials 4 Tutorials 5 Tutorials 9
Tutorials 1 Attendance Tutorials 2 School/OCR Tutorials 3
• On Jan. 14 the student will take the form to the teacher of the class they want to be exempt from. If the student qualifies for an exemption, the teacher will take the sticker from the student and sign the exemption form and return it to the student.
• The form has to be filled out completely and must be signed by a parent before the teacher will accept it. The signed form is the student’s verification that they are exempt.
EVELYN HENDERSON PHOTO
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Sports
December 2012
Page 3
Basketball Teams Begin Season With Wins
Sports Briefs
Soccer Season Starts Soon
With soccer tryouts done and practice beginning, the anticipation of the soccer season begins. Coach Israel Stephens, varsity boys soccer coach, is a new coach to Legacy. He says that he is ready to show off his coaching talents to the population of Legacy. He has coached before, but says that he feels like this is going to be one of his better seasons because he has a lot of returning starters. Varsity girls soccer coach, Coach Heather Wilson, says that she is happy to be back and coaching the new and the old members of the team. Both coaches agree on the fact that the teams are bringing everything that they have to the table.
From new to tall players, both boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball show promise as beginning of season continues forward
Varsity men use height to their advantage
ADRIANCE RHODES PHOTO
The number three has much significance in the life of senior Rylie Morrison. It’s followed her from her old school in Oklahoma City and now determines the position she plays when out on the basketball court. Morrison qualified for the girls’ varsity basketball team. Morrison plays the position known as “three,” which means she guards and shoots for the varsity team. “I am really looking forward to this year,” Morrison said. “We have a hungry team that plays hard at all times.” Morrison transferred from Westmore High School in Oklahoma City to Legacy last year for her sophomore year; however, the school considers her a senior by her credits. The adjustment was difficult because the coaches taught basketball differently, and some things contradicted what Morrison had previously been taught by her previous high school coaches. For Morrison there was a learning curve at the beginning of practice. “It’s also a challenge to develop chemistry on a basketball team with someone new,” Morrison said, “but we managed to adapt pretty well.” In the off season of basketball, Morrison, teammate junior Shameka Dorsey, and the team worked on different drills in order to help their game. The coaches had the team work on fundamentals, footwork and lift weights. Also, in order to make the team, the girls had to run a mile under a certain time limit. “The tryouts for the most part were pretty easy up until we had to run a mile,” Dorsey said. “A
lot of people struggled through that, but other than that it was good.” Morrison and Dorsey say the team has a good work ethic and attitude in practice, as well as in games. The players get along, and they tell each other anything and everything. Not only do the players work together on the court, but also outside of it. They assist each other with homework and other things that happen outside of school. “We are a family, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Morrison said.
BY NICK GROSS SPORTS EDITOR Junior Trey Edwards ran up through the paint, dropping the ball into the basket for a layup. Although he made a layup, he could have easily dunked the ball because of the fact that he is 6 feet 6 inches tall. The varsity team consists of many tall players, who can all out-reach most of their opponents. “We outrebound most of the teams we play,” Edwards said. “It’s one of the advantages of being tall, we all play off of each other’s tallness.” The team feels being tall is a great advantage toward their playing ability. Also, Edwards said the team is great at 3-point shooting. Even though they are all tall with shooting skills, they still feel apprehensive about playing Arlington Seguin. Seguin has six division one prospects and two All-American candidates.
Rylie Morrison,12, blocks a shot from opposing team, Arlington, on Dec. 4.
“They’re going to be a tough team to beat,” Edwards said. “We might be taller than them, but they will come at us full force.” The varsity team sits at (record) at this point in the season. They said that the only reason that they ever lose a game is because of their defense. “Our only weakness is our laziness on defense,” Edwards said. “If we can just get better at defense, we would be unstoppable.” The team next plays Dec. 27 at Aledo High School during the winter break. “We are a talented team and work well together,” Edwards said. “We should make the playoffs this year without a doubt.”
Powerlifting Gets Ready For Big Season With Practices As the powerlifting season begins with practicing, the lifters feel good to “get swole.” “I have one goal,” senior Leanne Flores said. “I plan to go to state on my last year lifting. Not only do I plan to go, I will go. I want that State Championship ring.” Girls powerlifting has their first meet Jan. 23, and boys have their first meet Jan. 24 at Lake Ridge. Lifting starts at 5 p.m.
Football Awards
Trey Edwards, 11, jumps up to dunk the ball during practice.
CARRIGAN HERRERA PHOTO
BY MARIA CASTILLO STAFF WRITER
Academic award: Connor Johns Bronco award: Brady Burke Defensive MVP: Michael Sanders Offensive MVP: Kijana Amous Overall MVP: Marchie Murdock Fighting Heart award: Elijah Brady
Tullbane Brothers Share Father As Head Coach
BRENDA MORENO PHOTO
BY MARIA CASTILLO STAFF WRITER
On Dec. 7, Will Tullbane, 10, hangs out with Madison Yelle, 11, and the rest of the team in the middle of a meet, relaxing before he swims.
7501 Highway 287, Suite A-1 Arlington, TX 76001 Phone: 817-483-0032
Strolling side by side, the two brothers walk into the chlorine aroma of the Natatorium. Sophomore Will Tullbane, the older brother makes the first glance at the water, anxious about the grueling practice he has in store with his team that is coached by his father. Alongside, his younger brother Nicholas skips in, appearing as though he can’t wait. They must prepare for the upcoming meet, the Mansfield Invite, one of the harder meets in their season. Sophomore Will Tullbane has swam on the varsity swim team since his freshman year. Currently, Tullbane trains for the Mansfield Invite, one of the larger meets, as well as the district and regional swim meet toward the beginning of February. “It’s going pretty good,” Will said. “We’re getting better, so [training] must be working.” Will swims butterfly and freestyle both in the relays and as individual events, and places within the top eight in
every event. Currently the team has been to eight meets, four of them being larger meets with numerous high schools. Out of all eight meets, swimmers have placed in the top eight in almost all 24 events at each meet. “Anybody is competition,” Tullbane said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re slower or faster, I treat everyone the same.” Swimming with the varsity swimmers from Legacy, Will also has a chance to be coached by his father, Tony Tullbane, and swim alongside his brother, Nicholas. When Nicholas came to high school, he was unaware of the meaning of a team because in Club swimming everyone does what’s best for themselves. “Going against Will has motivated me to be better,” Nicholas said. Also, Coach Tullbane had to adopt the Lake Ridge High School swim team this season. The district didn’t have enough money to hire another coach for the team, so Coach Tullbane must coach as well as line up swimmers to go against his team. This poses a challenge when district and regionals comes around because both Legacy and Lake Ridge compete against each other. “A coach is a coach, so it doesn’t really matter what team he coaches.” Will said. “We’re still getting the same type of treatment.”
“A coach is a coach, so it doesn’t really matter what team he coaches. We’re still getting the same type of treatment.” - Will Tullbane
Yearbook Sales End January 11 No Extra Books Will Be Ordered www.therideronline.com
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In-Depth
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According to Coach Griffin, solar flares pose a small threat to Earth. Solar storms happen about every 11 years and the last solar storm was in 2001, so the sun should be welcoming its next solar storm within the next two years. Solar flares can only harm the earth if they hit directly. In the small chance of flares hitting the Earth, it would cause a complete electrical outage in which modern day civilizations would be thrown back more than 100 years and forced to survive without electricity. “We are entering a solar maximum,” Mr. Griffin said. “This is a time when the sun flares are the most common and most dangerous.” Scientists agree life coming to an end as human beings know it will most likely not happen, but on Dec. 21 the winter solstice will take place. The winter solstice takes place every year so nothing out of the ordinary should be expected. On Dec. 21 the sun will shine the least out of the 365 days in a whole year. Other than the annual winter solstice nothing special or life changing, ending is
“I don’t think it’s all that out of the ordinary for people to predict the end of the world,” -Mrs. Long
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object colliding into or desecrating the planet. “There are lots of things in the universe that could pose a threat to Earth,” astronomy teacher George Griffin said. “NASA has not reported anything to put the Earth in danger. The question is if they did know, w o u l d they tell us and start worldwide panic.”
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BY OLIVIA BEAUPRE STAFF WRITER The possibilities of something actually happening and the world going into complete chaos on Dec. 21, according to most people, are slim. Even if the chance of this event occuring is unlikey, thoughts of the world bursting into flames, all civilizations losing electricity or zombies taking over still looms in the back of many people’s minds. What if the world did combust into a fiery rage? What if solar flares knock out electricity poles and throw our civilization back more than 100 years into the past? No matter how little the chance of something catastrophic happening, no matter how ridiculous the scenario sounds, the “predictions” of what may or can happen on the day the Mayan calendar ends will haunt many human beings’ thoughts until the morning of Dec. 22. “I think the world is going to end when God wants it to end and everybody is going to die, so for me it’s something normal,” sophomore Christian Tolentino said. “It doesn’t scare me.” The fear of the world ending on Dec. 21 derives from a Mayan Calendar ending on that day. Rumors exist the Mayan people predicted the world to change in some way and an event to take place. However according to AP World History teacher Rena Long, the Mayans did not predict anything catastrophic at all. They did predict that the winter solstice would fall on this day. The Mayan calendar’s end simply marks the end of a calendar just like the Gregorian calendar, our modern day calendar, ends on Dec. 31 and starts a new cycle on Jan. 1. “There is no historical evidence that the world is going to end or that the Mayans predicted anything,” Mrs. Long said. “Not to mention they did not calculate in leap year [to their calendar.]” NASA monitors the planet and tracks anything that is within many miles of Earth. (nasa.gov) Although some people say there has been no proof of danger, others may disagree. Some predict the world ending includes meteors or other planets devastating Earth in some fashion. As far as it’s known, the earth has not come close to any danger from any type of debris or alien
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scheduled or actually predicted to take place. All in all, nothing has been predicted by the Mayans or by NASA. The 21 of Dec. should be just another day students have to wake up early for school, get their school day over with then get released from school to celebrate the holidays. Throughout history people have predicted the end of the world to come about and reign through our lives and end everything, but so far this possibility has not become part of reality. “I don’t think it’s all that out of the ordinary for people to predict the end of the world,” Mrs. Long said. “That’s something that’s been going on forever. That’s nothing new. It’s a popular thing to predict, but nobody knows.”
“The are lots of things in the unvierse that could pose a threat to Earth.” - Mr. Griffin
“I don’t know. I’ll be dead anyways.” -Kara Turney, 9
“All I know is th be a lot of chao probably going religion.” -Izael Valdez, 12
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Doomsday Preppers
Students share their plans for the possible end of the world BY MADISON MONDON FEATURE EDITOR Walking through the hallways of the school, senior Blake Beare sees the familiar hallways he has looked at almost everyday for the past four years. He continues to go through his normal routine not knowing if today the world will come to its end. With Dec. 21, 2012 here, many people all around the world have prepared for this catastrophic event. The predictions on how the world will end has sparked a survivalist movement called “doomsday prepping.” “Doomsday prepping” consist of people preparing for the imminent or foreseeable end. Because of this movement, National Geographic has made a reality t.v. show about how people prep for the end. “I think it is a great show,” Beare said. “Those people are prepared for just about anything that comes at them.” The Walking Dead, Day After Tomorrow and 2012 also incorporate the end of the world into the plot. These shows and movies have gained popularity among teenagers and adults. “I give props to the doomsday preppers, but I don’t think it will happen,” sophomore Audrey Snow said. “If it does then shame on me.” Doomsday Preppers has covered people who built a safehouse, a backyard food production system and an
underground bunker. If the world does indeed come to an end, Snow would stock up on guns and canned food. Beare would do the same. “I don’t know what will happen,” Beare said, “so I want to make sure I am prepared for anything.” Predictions on how the world ends vary. These predictions include the zombie a p o c a l y p s e , Armageddon, the second coming of Jesus and a supernova explosion. Beare believes the end of the world will involve something with space. “It would be like alien doomsday,” Beare said. “The aliens would come and start a war but win because they would have better technology.” The majority of predictions on how the world will come to its end derive from religion. Junior Lucas Loughner believes the world will end the way the Bible describes it. “The bible says there would be a lot of chaos,” Loughner said. “But it will happen whenever God wants it to happen.” Before the world does come to its inevitable end, Loughner plans to go bungee jumping and skydiving. “I want to go bungee jumping or skydiving because it looks fun,” Loughner said. “I would also tell my family I love them because it would be the last time I see them.”
“I don’t know what will happen so I want to make sure I am prepared for anything.” -Blake Beare
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67% have been based on religion 22% have been based on scientific reasoning
Past, Present, and Future Predictions
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Various Christians believed the 1000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus to be the end of the world
1996
Psychic Sheldon Nidle thought 16 million space ships and a host of angels would arrive on Earth
2000
Various people thought a Y2K virus would crash many computers causing catastrophes worldwide and society would no longer function
2012
There are various predictions for this year including Armageddon, supernova explosion and the second coming of Jesus
500,000,000 John Kasting predicts the atmosphere will drop due to the level of carbon dioxide making earth unattainable
11% by man-made disasters
“The sky opens, the floor opens, all hell breaks loose, then the angels and demons will start fighting. Those that are left behind are tortured.” -Mariel Garcia, 11
“I don’t think the earth will be destroyed but life and society as we know it will drastically change. Probably from some sort of natural disaster.” -Andrew Cameron, 10
“The world will end at a time that we don’t know and Jesus will come to take the Christians to heaven and the world will be left in chaos.” -Haley Downs, 12
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In Theatres Now “The Hobbit”- A young hobbit unexpectedly embarks on a journey across Middle Earth.
“Lincoln”- The president faces America’s greatest crisis and struggles to pass the 13th Amendment. “This is 40” - The indirect sequel to “Knocked Up,” the aftermath of Pete and Debbie after their wild ordeals. “Life of PI”- After being shipwreck, Pi finds himself alone with a tiger and must rely on his wits to survive. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2- The epic romance series ends with a grand climax.
December 2012
Horrible Christmas Gifts Educating shoppers by showing 1 absolutely abysmal presents BY MEGAN RATHBUN LBTV ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Books
I was once given book six of the Harry Potter series for Christmas, a wonderful book I’m sure. The only problem: I hadn’t read any of the five books leading up to the sixth- a perfect example of clueless relatives. This type of gift acknowledges they know you well enough to realize you can read, but they don’t know much of anything else about you.
Clothes
As children, the presents wrapped up underneath the Christmas tree possessed a magical quality; anything could hide inside the walls of brightly colored wrapping paper. The possibilities are endless- except, most children don’t envision underwear or socks lurking.
Grow a boyfriend/girlfriend
Quite possibly the most insulting stocking stuffer or gift ever. And even though one of the websites offering this gift says “great for a friend who has just broken up/splitsville,” I would rather deal with an angry grizzly bear than deal with the consequences of giving this to a friend who recently went through a breakup.
Holiday Classics
These include the annual Christmas sweaters, Christmas ornaments and fruitcakes. Personally, I don’t understand giving someone something that they will only ever be able to use one time a year. You don’t see people wearing a Christmas sweater in September.
Gift Cards
Upcoming Movies “D’Jango- After his wife becomes kidnapped by an immoral slave owner, D’Jango sets out to rescue Dec. 25. “Les Miserables”The classic novel adapts to flim as a musical Dec. 25. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D”The newest installment of the horror series comes on the big screen Jan. 4. “Gangster Squad” - Set in the 1940s, a group of cops try to keep the streets of LA safe from gangster on Jan. 11. “Iron Man 3” Robert Downey Jr. returns to the big screen as Tony Stark on May. 3. “The Great Gatsby”Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the emotionally tortured Jay Gatsby trying to reconnect with a lost love on
The gift card was invented for people who don’t want to put any actual effort into gift giving, but they still want to look they put some thought into it. A way of saying “Here is money you can only use in one place, because no one can trust you with what you’d buy with real money.”
Biopic Depicts Lincoln’s Struggle to Abolish Slavery BY JOHN HOANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR In Steven Spielberg’s historical biopic, Abraham Lincoln struggles with the grand tasks of reuniting the country during the American Civil War and passing the Thirteenth Amendment, affecting generations to come. The authentic costumes, eloquent dialogue, intense acting, beautiful cinematography and excellent music score created a beautifully crafted film evoking strong emotions from the audience. Great performances in acting contributed most in driving the movie forward. Daniel DayLewis portrays President Lincoln vividly as an authoritative, sagacious, self-sacrificing man leading the nation through one of its most difficult crises. It seemed as if Lincoln was speaking not only to the characters in the movie, but to the audience in the theater as well. Tommy Lee Jones’s performance as Republican
representative Stevens intensified debate scenes on the floor with his sarcastic, humorous comments directed toward opponents of the thirteenth amendment. Sally Field as Mary Lincoln and Joseph Gordon Levitt’s portrayal of Robert Lincoln complemented Abraham’s character by showing his more unknown, personal side of his life. The movie shows a part of Lincoln unseen in history books, his flaws and strengths as a man. S p i e l b e r g constantly reminds the audience of the social injustice of the era throughout from the domestication of women to the harsh treatment of African Americans, further adding to the themes of justice and equality. Overall the film has strong emotional appeals and relevance to modern times. The significance of “Lincoln” tells the story of the final and most pivotal time of Abraham’s life, showing modern and future generations the sacrifice and hardships he suffered for his nation.
Entertainment
Dillon’s Digest
My Driving Dilemma I do not enjoy driving, and I never have. I didn’t even appreciate the sentiment as a child. Never did I dream up my ideal car or the travels I intended to take. Truthfully, I’d rather rely on my parents as my personal drivers and avoid the anxiety of murdering a cat or pedestrian. That DILLON CAMP said, I was not thrilled with the task of taking my driving test for the driver’s license. In reality, I should not have passed my driver’s test. I admit openly that I did horribly during my test. In fact, I am blaming my instructor in advance for the probable wrecks and accidents that I will be involved in. The whole day at the Arlington DMV was brutal. I didn’t show up with the correct papers which was my first bad omen. My dad went back home to retrieve the water bill that was neglected at home. It didn’t help when my anxiety kicked into overdrive while I was left to fill out paperwork on my own, waiting for my dad to show up with the proper utility bill. The gravity of the task at hand, the stern faces on the driving instructors, the beige walls and drunk driving awareness posters plastered with scotch tape—all acted as a pressure cooker. When I finally had all the paperwork in order, I was given instructions to park my car in a numbered space and wait for my instructor. My instructor showed up, and I was told to parallel park. Or attempt to. It didn’t go well. After two failed attempts, my instructor walked me through the process that I forgot six months after driving school. I eventually got it, with the patient, yet agitated, direction of my instructor. Next, we drove into the busy street where I underestimated the distance between myself and the car approaching, cutting them off in the process. Honk. After reviewing the multiple mistakes, I made during my test, my instructor reluctantly passed me. I was baffled, considering I could hardly park straight. I can’t help but assume this plays a factor in why we have so many ill-trained drivers on the road. Needless to say, I am part of the problem. The average passing rate of drivers test falls between 60-100% according to Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in 2011 (rta. nsw.gov.), an excellent percentage. However, with 2,751 fatal crashes reported in 2011 in Texas (www.texas-defensivedrivingonline.com) , the adequacy of drivers’ tests are questionable. The driving standards in America are low and individuals who lack driving sense and skill can easily obtain a license. The solution to what I believe the basis of many accidents and incompetent drivers— the system by which people obtain licenses—may not be such an incomprehensible: make the tests more difficult. All this said: I apologize in advance for running over your cat. Sue the DMV.
“The driving standards in America are low and individuals who lack driving sense and skill can easily obtain a license.”
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Our Views
December 2012
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TheRider 9-Period Schedule Burdens Students, Teachers STAFF EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Amanda Granato
District should revise homework policy to alleviate schedule stresses With the intent to save money, the district moved from the A-B block system to the nineperiod schedule after official approval at the board meeting May 3. With the implementation of the revised schedule, the district decreased the number of teachers at established schools without having to hire any new teachers for Lake Ridge. While the district gained financially from this arrangement, both students and teachers suffer repercussions. Having nine periods in one day means students spend more school time walking to their classes during the passing periods, which amounts to a total of 40 minutes of traversing through the halls. In addition passing periods shrunk from seven minutes to five minutes, and the overall school day increased in length by 15 minutes. Shorter passing periods create problems of their own, since many students struggle to get to their classes on the opposite side of the building without tardiness. This time crunch combined with more classes to walk to each day makes students more physically exhausted, affecting their performance in class.
With the new schedule, students can receive assignments from up to eight different classes and teachers must grade and teach seven classes, one more than previous years. Experienced teachers with set agendas had to change their entire lesson plans to accommodate the 45-minute class periods as well. While giving teachers seven classes keeps the district from having to hire new teachers and allows them to keep all of the offered courses, it also harms teachers by making them perform more work for the same wages. By the end of the school day, teachers would have repeated themselves numerous times. Students also listen to eight different lectures throughout the day, decreasing their attention spans as the day progresses. The district tried to assist the student body by forming a homework policy, defining when a teacher could have students turn in work or take quizzes and tests. While this policy meant to rectify the problems students have faced with work, it merely moved the problems into large clusters of due dates throughout the week. Furthermore, it
Managing Editors Jesse Wright Brynnon Walker Features Editor Madison Mondon News Editor Dini Wyatt
With modifications to the existing policies, the district would alleviate some of the stress.
Entertainment Editor John Hoang Sports Editor Nick Gross EDUARDO MONROY ILLUSTRATION
interrupted teachers’ class work schedules by confining teachers to handing out assignments and testing students’ knowledge to certain days. If the district really desires to balance the new schedule and the repercussions created by it, it should modify the policies they have put in place based on the complaints of its students and teachers. The homework policy
iPads Distract Students In Class Ever since the district-wide deployment of iPads, numerous students, teachers and administrators have praised iPads for their effective use as a learning instrument. Conversely, many have complained about their equally effective use as nothing more than a distraction and outlet to in-class gaming, messaging and social networking. With their high cost of more than $6 million and constant distractions, the iPads deployed by the district fail to live up to their intended purpose. But because the district has already entered its contract with Apple and issued the devices, the only remaining viable option is to revise the current policy to ensure their use in class as an educational tool. Though iPads suit the needs of students for school-related purposes, they also offer students a portal to thousands of distractions, from the seemingly endless apps to nearly the full capacity of the Internet. Games, music, movies and videos, cartoon strips –all of these can steal a student’s attention throughout the entire day, easily outlasting each of the 45-minute blocks. Furthermore, because of the complexity of operating systems, especially those for tablets, which are relatively new to the world
of technology, students can bypass many of the current restrictions on the school’s wireless network through workarounds. Banned apps will have substitutes buried somewhere in the hundreds of thousands of apps in the App Store, and substitute site easily replace blocked sites on the LightSpeed browser. Unless teachers become more vigilant as they teach and the district grants them more control over students’ iPads, the devices will only prevent students from focusing on the class at hand. The district also spent about $6 million on the devices, and iPads have developed a reputation for their fragility, and students run the risk of dropping them down the stairs or breaking them in other, more reckless ways. The more the students become used to the devices, the less care they’ll likely to give to it. Even with the initial fee students pay for the iPads, the maintenance cost could easily surpass the devices’ worth, especially when keeping the software and support they require in mind. Admittedly, iPads can significantly enhance how teachers teach and students learn. Teachers can distribute homework digitally without having to spend time, ink and paper on printing hundreds of work-
The district is currently exploring FACT: the options of moving to a seven-period schedule in the future.
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Yay! Winter Break: The winter break sits on top of the list of anticipated school breaks. Not only do students and teachers alike get a break from lessons and tests, they also may get the chance to watch it snow this year.
Business Manager Ciara Gunter PR/Social Media Director Wyatt Zalatoris LBTV Directors Zach Hutchison Caleb Jones
should mimic the previous year in that teachers could not assign work they made due the following day because of the nature of the A-B block system, and administrators give students more time for passing periods. With modifications to the existing policies, the district would alleviate some of the stress caused by the nine-period schedule.
sheets, and most of the once-heavy textbooks now weigh no more than an iPad. Additionally, students can research in class, share information quickly across the classroom or any long distance in a matter of seconds and work in groups even when not in the same room. But with a multimillion-dollar price tag, the iPads have become nothing more than a new plaything to distract students in class when they should spend their time working and at home when they should spend their time doing homework and studying. Students can easily turn around every feature of the iPad that benefits students and teachers to detriment them both far more. Despite all the praise they’ve earned, the criticisms weigh far too heavily to go unnoticed, and the district must issue a new set of policies to reaffirm their original purpose as a tool. continue reading at therideronline.com
Fact or Fiction FICTION: Teachers and administrators cannot use the iPads front-facing cameras to spy on students.
Personalities Editor Carson Rahrig
Staff Writers Max Allsup Laura Baker Olivia Beaupre Dillon Camp Summer Campbell Maria Castillo Madison Fountain Gunnar Gillbreath Madison Hunter Thomas Moore Megan Rathbun Cody Taylor Angelica Vasquez Kale Ward
BY JESSE WRIGHT MANAGING EDITOR
The iPads deployed by the district fail to live up to their intended purpose
Visual Editors Brenda Moreno Taylor Trammell
Nay! End of the World: Rumors have circulated for centuries as to the end of the world. Now with the end of the Mayan calendar, new interests in the end have risen. Hopefully, people can now return their attention to everything else.
Nay! Flu Season: Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, begins its raids on immune systems yet again. Its effectiveness in making one’s day horrible turns even worse with its ability to spread quickly.
Yay!
Yay!
Toys for Tots: This year Toys for Tots collected more than 16,000 toys and raised more than $15,000 for families who can’t afford to buy toys for their children for the holiday season.
End of the World: The anticipated day finally arrives. If you’re reading this, the world really hasn’t ended and we can actually have an awesome winter break.
Advisers Leland Mallett Rachel Dearinger Principal Des Stewart
The Rider is a student publication of the Legacy Student Media Department and is free to all students. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the administration of the Mansfield Independent School District. The Rider is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC) and governed by all UIL guidelines. The Rider is also a member of TAJE, NSPA, CSPA and Quill & Scroll. Any complaints, comments or letters to the editor may be submitted to the below address. Ads are sold for $20 per column inch and are under the direction of the business manager. For advertising information, see our web page: www. legacystudentmedia.com The Rider is printed by the production staff of the Greater Dallas Press in Garland, Texas.
Letters to the Editor We welcome your letters about our publication and/or Legacy High School. To print your letter to the editor, email a copy to info@ therideronline.com. We reserve the right to alter the letter for space purposes and grammar issues. NSPA 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012: “All American Publication” Online Edition: 2010, 2011, 2012 CSPA Gold Crown 2012 NSPA Pacemaker
Legacy High School Student Media
1263 N. Main St. Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 299-1165 legacystudentmedia.com therideronline.com
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News
December 2012
Toys for Tots Toy Drive At MISD Center
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B.A.S.S. Club starts in fall semester
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Mansfield gathers gifts to donate to needy
New Club Looks to Hook Members
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Kyle Dragulski began fishing at the age of three and helped form B.A.S.S. Club. BY NICK GROSS SPORTS EDITOR
Junior Kyle Dragulski views fishing as a way of life. Dragulski started fishing when he was three years old, and has loved doing it ever since. The first time he went fishing was when his dad took him to a local pond to fish. Dragulski and his father have been trying to get Legacy High School to start a Bass Club for around a year. He wanted to make the club in order to give other students the opportunity to share the same love for the sport as he does. Journalism Adviser Leland Mallett took up the position as club sponsor. The first meeting was in the journalism room on October 15. The club is open to anyone. “I grew up fishing,” Mr. Mallett said. “I don’t get enough time to do it now, so hopefully this will give me the time to get away from work and relax.” In the club, the members will fish recreationally for the first year. Dragulski wants to spread the club to all MISD schools in order to have competitions either next year or the year after. Members of the club will go out on Dragulski’s boat, along with some of his father’s friends’ boats, and fish from them. “I feel that people at school will be
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Two D Three D: BY MEGAN RATHBUN LBTV ASSISTANT PRODUCER
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able to go enjoy something great that God has blessed us with,” Dragulski said. “They will get to enjoy the great outdoors, and just see how much fun fishing really can be.” Dragulski got the chance over the weekend of Oct. 6-8 to fish at the Paralyzed Veterans Association Bass Tournament on Lake Ray Hubbard. Dragulski’s partner, Ray Coffey, was a wounded veteran from Desert Storm who suffered a face and leg injury from a bomb blast while in Afghanistan. Dragulski and Coffey won first place at the tournament, resulting in a $1000 check for Dragulski.
FAQs about B.A.S.S. Club Can anyone join? Yes. The club is open to anyone. What if I don’t know how to fish? Someone will teach you. Do I need a boat? Well, doesn’t everyone need one? There will be dads who have boats. They will be glad to share.
The Relationship Between Dimensions
Senior 3-D art and photography students will display their work at the MISD Center for Performing Arts. The show will be available for viewing during normal business hours, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Dec. 10 to Jan. 10. A reception will be held at a later date. ALEX HORAN PHOTO
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1) Alex Barrett, 12, helps children decorate ornaments with the varsity cheerleaders. 2) Anai Vargas, 12, paints holiday themes onto faces at the event with art club. 3) Anchor Steve Eager of Fox 4 D/FW reports live from the MISD Center for Performing Arts. 4) Seniors Bri Rojas and Cody Crawford are accompanied by junior Chloe Beck while selling Legacy merchandise. 5) Live reindeer, provided by Down on the Farm petting zoo, are a main attraction at the event. 6) Members of the Marine Corps gather the gifts being donated. These gifts were later sorted through and grouped by the age of the children they would be given to. 7) Children at the event pose for pictures with Bucky the Bronco.
BRENDA MORENO PHOTO ALEX HORAN PHOTO