March 2019 Warrior Post

warpo

the warrior post at martin high school Volume 37 issue 3

the

Happiness

Deaf can do it • PG. 16/17

Mr mhs page two

issue

What You Missed

embracing before his departure, sophomore ryan young and senior audrey gerzsenyi share words of encouragement before young headed to austin for special olympics on jan. 31 after the clap-out.

Young competed in volleyball as well as basketball, earning a medal in both categories.

Photo by payton harris

2 • news

sharing one last song, senior varsity show choir members bid farewell to their time on stage together during their final pops concert on march 2. members wore shirts representing the college they will attend after their show choir career.

Photo by Matt franco Celebrating after being crowned as the 2019 mr. mhs, senior derrick hardin is praised by fellow mr. mhs candidates on feb. 28. money from ticket sales from the event go to benefit the senior breakfast on the day of yearbook distribution in may.

Photo by meridith moore attacking the rim with force, junior montreal pena scores against north crowley on feb. 1. pena plays center and power forward on the varsity team and averages five dunks per game. many colleges, including TCU, have offered pena scholarships since his sophomore year.

Photo by Trevor Evinger

Happiness

Positivity

vs.

The difference between what you radiate and how you feel.

From books labeled The Happiness Advantage to conversations with your inner circle about the supposed choosing of happiness, 2019 has allowed enough room for self care and internal growth. There hasn’t yet been a year in which we wrap our minds around the differences between what we radiate and how we feel.

Positivity can and has been defined as seeing things for what they are instead of for what they aren’t – the glass being half full instead of half empty.

It’s a short- or long-term choice to use objects in manners that give way to a healthy mindset, but also give way to a healthier culture because of choosing to sway from negativities. In shorter terms, though, positivity is a thought process, and we can control our thoughts. We choose to either allow situations to influence our thought process or to not influence us at all.

We can’t always control our emotions, including happiness.

The only time that happiness can be perceived as a choice is when we feel like we have more control over situations than we normally do. Control is a myth and a literal perception that can be covered similarly to the sun with a thumb, but with the ideology that happiness is a choice.

Happiness is not a choice, and

cover photo by meridith moore

WP

the warrior post

[staffeditorial] decades of being hungry for control over things that we have no say over has allowed us to think that our emotions are actions and not reactions to life itself.

This difference matters and it shapes our everyday logic.

Opportunities are waiting for each and every single one of us around every corner, and being told and accepting that we choose how we feel about the unknown is again, putting heavy chains on someone’s ability to breath an unknown air.

Knowing that emotions come and go and aren’t necessarily a choice allows for self discovery through trial and error.This knowledge that also allows for the older version of children to know how it mentally feels to put a fork inside of an outlet.

Knowing that we should allow ourselves to not be boxed in by the idea that we are choosing our emotions, we can become positive outlets regardless of what it is we are feeling.

Processing information once it has been received and making a conscious effort to put the well-being of others above whatever it is we’re feeling is spreading positivity. This makes for a society that’s enticed with moving forward in a positive manner over any unhealthy obsessions with always being a happy-go-lucky individual.

Two sides to every coin While books and seminars about choosing to be happy are overall wanting for America to be pushed forward in a positive direction too, they are also unwillingly creating an ideology that anything less than happiness is a choice of self destruction. There is no need to be chained by what is or isn’t a choice. Positivity is both a want and need in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing positivity over the perception created by society.

Pressure most definitely does create diamonds and overall builds anything and everything that’s worth your time. In no way is positivity supposed to come easier than any other task at hand, but choosing to be positive by surrounding yourself with other good influences allows for an easier path. A healthy lifestyle through positivity can be found by eating habits, sleeping habits, work ethic, but most importantly, overall choice.

Creating your own reality The cliché known as one day at a time is more than a silly slogan. Pursuing a purpose-driven lifestyle can be taken out of proportion if not grasped by the day. Doing so means taking in every situation as a task and not losing sight of the overall goal. To be the difference that each of us and all of us need inspired by positivity at our core.

Elena Regalado Editor-in-Chief Olivia Dague Copy Editor Shelby Simmel News Editor

Katie Kohutek & Meridith Moore Features Editors Chloe Christenson Sports Editor Alyssa Deluna Entertainment Editor Michael Sandoval Opinions Editor Brooklin Bruno Design Editor Aivrey Zaiger Photo Editor Tricia Regalado Adviser Marlene Roddy Principal Staffers: Collin Adams, Aisha Al-Refai, Sara Blasingame, Caroline Brown, Brandon Chrabasz, Hanna Clausen, Caroline Demby, Alysse Ellerbrook, Tristan Flores, Leslie Gomez, Erika Karaganis, Saber Lamb, Isabella Lozano, Caleb Martin, Colton Morrow, Rylee Richardson, Marleigh Richey, Wendy Rivera, Humberto Rodriguez, Leila Schwitter The Warrior Post is the official publication of Martin High School. Opinion columns don’t necessarily represent the opinion of The Warrior Post or of Martin High School.

opinions • 3

Listen to It Listen Caroline Brown • Reporter

As the year is moving forward, it’s good to keep your music moving too. These songs are sure to keep your spirits high and energy even higher.

With all different kinds of sounds and

beats, you can listen to these songs pretty much anywhere.

Whether it be during a car ride, at school, or laying in bed, it’s definitely worth it to give these songs a listen.

Adore You- Miley Cyrus The title of this album says it all: it’s a banger. This song brings all of the feels up, but in a good way. It’s perfect for either jamming out in the car with friends or just by yourself.

Sundress- A$AP Rocky This dreamy song is the perfect song for any kind of day. With a feel-good beat and catchy lyr-

ics, this song is guaranteed to improve your day Dreamcatcher- Swae Lee, Travis Scott In this song, Swae Lee’s voice carries this mellow tune. It’s definitely a great song to listen to when you’re having a night out with friends.

Wiped Out- The Neighborhood This song is filled with energy and emotion, which is a recipe for a great song. You can definitely feel this song in your soul with the powerful lyrics and instrumentals.

Watch it Brooklin Bruno • Designer

Green Book

It was unjust. It was 1962.

And this is Green Book, based on a true story of drudging through the pre-Civil Rights deep south amidst the difficulties of prejudice and bigotry.

Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class

African-American pianist, embarks on his concert tour and a profoundly moving film was based off the events. Shirley, highly educated and musically

talented beyond belief, hires a simple-minded, loyal Italian from the Bronx as a driver and protection. They bond over the juxtaposition of character and

setting to form a touching relationship.

The eye-opening writing and charm brings the 60s to life in the best, and the worst ways.

right way.

Resident Evil 2 Remake- This game came out on Jan. 25 and is a remake of the 1998 horror classic that revolutionized the horror game genre. It follows police officer Leon Kennedy and his new friend Claire Redfield as they struggle to survive in the fictional, zombie-infested Raccoon City. The game

has been praised for its updated graphics that have helped to up the terror of the game as well as the new areas and puzzles they have added to keep returning players guessing.

Anthem- This game came out on Feb. 22 and is the latest new IP from Bioware. It’s the next game in a long line of the highly popular “looter-shooter” subgenre, where the main goal is to collect the most rare weapons, armor and other items. It features a massive open world featuring multiplayer and co-

op that’s navigated by flying suits called Javelins that players are equipped with.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2This game came out March 15.

It’s another “looter-shooter” that’s set in Washington D.C. and follows a Civil War between survivors of the outbreak from the original and villainous marauders. It’s a multiplayer game where you are given the choice to squad up and fight together in teams of up to eight, or fight against other players around the world.

Play it Brooklin Bruno • designer

Sabor Lamb • Reporter

Early 2019 has delivered some great new games so far, and whether you’re looking for a good role playing game, an action adventure type, or you’re more of a horror fan, there are already plenty of new options to get the year started off the

4 • entertainment

Wear it Alyssa Deluna • Entertainment editor

Next stop, spring! Warmer weather calls for lighter layers, dress up or dress down this spring season with these trendy items.

Rompers: A must this season, they’re easy to throw on, super breathable and super cute.

Dad shirts: You can dress them up or dress them down.

Birkenstocks: They come in

many different styles, from suede to straps and everything in between.

Sandals: Are easy to pop on and come in so many varieties, so what’s not to love?

Half jean skirts: Denim anything will always be in style, but the new trend with denim skirts being half light wash and half dark wash the most amaz-

ing thing.

Woven purses: Are the cutest things ever right now, they are perfect for the spring and summer; they look so clean and dainty.

Translucent sunglasses: These sunnies are really popular at the moment and they add a nice pop of color to any look. They come in many different colors and

Read it

shapes, plus they look super cute in pictures.

Aisha Al-Refai •Reporter

The month of March is about cleaning up your act, so here are some clean books to help you along the way.

Non fiction pick: BecomingMichelle Obama Michelle Obama’s breakthrough novel depicts her life and how she grew to be one of the most influential people in America.

The major breakthroughs of her life are discussed and seem a lot more obtainable to the average

person, but then, again she’s just extremely talented and influential. Obama runs through her past success of graduating Harvard and Princeton University, being the First Lady, motherhood, and being one of the most influential women in the world. Her strides and struggles to success are inspirational and really motivational to help reach your own potential.

Fiction- Five Feet Apart Heart wrenching and beautiful,

Drink it

rylee richardson •Reporter

As the end of the school day comes and the pile of the homework begins to seem over-

whelming, coffee shops seem to be the answer whether it’s for energy or motivation. Dwell Coffee recently opened near TCU, and has attracted many customers due to their amazing biscuits and coffee.

Coffee: 8. I ordered the vanilla latte which was perfect – not too bitter but not too sweet.

Distance: 5. It is in Fort Worth so the drive can be a hassle, but good coffee is worth it.

Five Feet Apart depicts the love saga of Will and Stella, but the catch is that they can’t be within six feet of each other due to their shared diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

Basically they get sick easily and that’s why they have to stay away from people. The universe is practically against them in this novel because of their shared illness, but nevertheless, it’s a beautiful story about how love breaks all boundaries (literally).

Cost: 5. The most expensive thing on the menu, excluding food, is around $6 which is a lot for one drink.

Snacks: 9. The place is known for their biscuits, and they have a range of speciality selections like cookie dough and sausage.

Study Environment: 6. Because it just opened, it’s often very crowded which makes it loud and difficult to study without headphones.

Chatting Environment: 9.

Most of the tables are very small and intimate, plus it is almost always very loud, making conversation easy and not hushed.

Music: 6. The music definitely was playing from the radio, which isn’t always a bad thing, but very overplayed.

People: 9. The workers and people are normally very kind, and always make sure to tell you to “Have the best day ever.”

ENTERTAINMENT • 5

Be better,

smell better A guide to the best colognes for guys Reporter • Tristan Flores

Hello, and welcome to the world of cologne. I’d like to warn you, cologne is highly addictive, and once your collection starts, there is no turning back. With that being said, starting a collection of your own is one of the most enjoyable hobbies a person can have, but it does come with a price. With that said, there are some important things to know. First, without personal hygiene, a fragrance is absolutely pointless. Spraying a fragrance is not a replacement for a shower, deodorant, and not to mention, brushing your teeth. These three things alone are far more important than simply applying a fragrance.

Now that the basics are over, and due to the timing of this release, these fragrances listed are heavily spring and summer scents, and though they can be worn in the Fall and Winter, they won’t project as well.

Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum:

Sauvage EDP is amongst the most talked about colognes on the market today.

With beast mode longevity, as well as it being wearable year round, this is the number one scent that I’d suggest to buyers.

Released in 2018, this cologne will make your head spin in a thousand directions. It’s like the Exorcist – but a good version.

This cologne has a top note of Bergamot, and base notes of ambroxan and vanilla.

I’d give this scent an overall 8.5/10, and don’t call me generic, because this gets the job done.

You can pick this one up at local dealers for around $95 for a two-ounce bottle.

6 • ENTERTAINMENT

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue eau Intense:

Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man:

Oh how I love this fragrance.

If you are looking for a summer time scent that’ll get you compliments as well as several positive head turners, look no further.

Released in 2017, this is a more improved, or as the name itself says, intense version of the original Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue.

This cologne has top notes of mandarin, and grapefruit, and has a base note of amberwood.

I’d give this scent an overall 8/10.

You can pick this one up at different dealers for around $50 for a 3.3-ounce bottle.

A clone of the King: Creed Aventus. Creed Aventus is rated by most as the top cologne on the market, but starting at around $300, it also can clean out your wallet, causing several to make clones of it.

Though Club De Nuit’s opening is quite aggressive, the dry down through its great longevity is top notch. Club De Nuit will also get you the compliments you desire, but they will probably come from a more mature audience.

This cologne has top notes of lemon, and apple, with a base note of vanilla.

Overall, this fragrance is a solid 7/10, though some may not like the strong lemon vibe.

You can pick this one up at fragrancenet.com for around $25 for a 3.6-ounce bottle.

Versace Man Eau Fraiche: This is a safe crowd pleaser, and that is a fact. If you were to tell me that you need something affordable yet something that is liked by everyone, I’d suggest Eau Fraiche.

Though I don’t consider this groundbreaking, there is no doubt that it’s a beautiful scent.

What grabs my attention from this one is that though fresh, it’s very calming, but not overpowering.

This cologne has top notes of bergamot, cardamom, and lemon, and has base notes of amber and saffron.

Overall, I give this a 6./10, as it’s nothing special, but it’s liked by nearly everyone. You can pick this one up at fragrancenet.com for around $35 for a 3.4-ounce bottle.

Bringin’ in the dough •••••

The Parks Mall’s sweetest new addition •••••

Aivrey Zaiger • Photo Editor

W

ant to cure a sweet tooth? Here’s how: Dough Life A new store in the Parks Mall, Dough Life, sells edible cookie dough. That’s right, edible cookie dough. The make it edible by not including the eggs.

Now, without my mom on my behind warning me about salmonella, I think that all my wildest dreams have finally come true.

Flavors: Chocolate chip was the first one I tried and was by far the best. It was very sweet and had almost the exact taste of the Nestle Tollhouse cookie dough that we all ate as kids.

Snickerdoodle: The snickerdoodle was my second favorite because it was good, but it didn’t have the same nostalgic taste as the chocolate chip. Instead of being

completely sweet, it has more spice notes than the chocolate chip, so if you don’t want something so sweet but still flavorful, go for the snickerdoodle.

Sugar: This was my least favorite because it has the least amount of flavor. It kinda just tastes like butter. One thing I liked about it was that it had sprinkles in it which looked really cute on Snapchat. So if you’re just buying these to post them, get the sugar. If you want something that has a lot of flavor, I’d get something else.

Cost: The small size that I got was $4.99 which I thought was pricey until I started eating because the way that they scoop it, they give you as much as they can. I could barely eat half of mine, so I took it home and finished it the next day. I also had enough to share.

ENTERTAINMENT • 7

Joyful noise

Students describe the achievement of being the best orchestra in the state

P

eople all over the nation celebrate their love for significant others and family members on Feb. 14, but Symphony orchestra members showed their love and passion for music as they performed the Honor Concert at the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio.

The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) convention takes place every year in February. Every musical educator in the state attends along with over 400 vendors.

Students have the opportunity to audition individually for All-State orchestras, choirs and bands – and in Martin’s case, Honor Orchestras.

“Each year they invite various groups to perform at the convention,” Head Orchestra Director Jamie Ovalle said.

“And in the band and orchestra world they compete against each other until one wins, so winning the state title for TMEA honor orchestra is a rigorous process that’s a blind audition. Judges listen to record-

8 • NEWS

Rylee Richardson • Reporter ings without knowing what group they are hearing, and it goes through several rounds until the best groups are picked.”

According to orchestra students, preparing for a concert like this is not easy.

Through months and months of preparation and constantly perfecting every individual note within the music, sometimes the energy can drop. Members say that it can get hard to continue working and keep motivating others and yourself.

“Since we work on the music for so long it’s hard to not get into a slump,” senior Min Ishii said. “Especially when it gets to four or five weeks out. We’ve been playing the music for a long time and there’s a lot to fix. We still have to keep our attitudes and energy up so we can push to the end because the details and being able to clean everything up are what puts us above the rest and makes us the honor orchestra.”

The Honor Concert is drastically different from a concert performed here in the auditorium. Every music educator in the state is waiting

to pick apart every note being played on the stage.

“It’s all about who and what we’re playing for,” senior Angelique Madison said. “This concert isn’t just for our friends and family. This concert is for this state of Texas. It’s for directors and coordinators from all over the nation. It’s not to put on a show for a crowd.

It’s to crown Martin Orchestra with the highest honor it can achieve, to surpass and raise the bar it has already set so high for years and years. This performance is for the legacy of Martin Symphony. It’s called TMEA honor orchestra for a reason. It’s an honor to be that orchestra, and this performance is all about showcasing that.”

The rehearsals leading up to the concert are the most difficult to keep up energy and push through. Every member in symphony is double blocked for first period, and attend after school rehearsals every Tuesday and Thursday until 5:30.

“The two rehearsals we had right before TMEA were the most memorable,” Ovalle said.

“One was the worst we’ve ever

had, but we pushed through and made it sound fantastic.

The rehearsal immediately following that it was like the students came back with a vengeance and refused to play poorly. I think that shows how the whole orchestra was able to persevere through a really awful rehearsal, and come back not defeated and ready to show what they are made of.”

Being able to prove to others that Martin deserves the title of “best in the state” can be a challenge, but it brings a sense of pride to each individual player.

“TMEA has given me something to work towards during my senior year,” Madison said. “It has given me a chance to better myself in my playing as well as truly grasp what it means to be a Martin Symphony member. It’s an honor, privilege, and blessing to be in the orchestra program here, and it can be so easy to take it for granted, but TMEA has been a constant reminder of how amazing it is to be a part of the number one program and the number one orchestra in the state of Texas.”

Thinking outside of the box

The theater department puts on student-led productions

Top Left: Holding bubbles at each other, freshman Simon Kowalski and sophomore Ben Gervasi perform for “A New Player.”

Kowalski’s character, Grondar, takes on the persona of a DND character while Gervasi plays a mostly mute geek.

Top Right: Conversing on the couch, characters played by freshman Mark Regalado, sophomore Ryan Sheehan, junior Dylan Huurman, and sophomore Jordyn Clinton share wacky stories about their

Brandon Chrabasz• Reporter

P

rops? Set. Lights? Ready.

“Places!”

As the seats in the Black Box fill up, the cast remains behind closed curtains ready to conquer another night.

Black Box is a Martin Players’ production where anyone can submit a script for up to three shows to be performed, and from posters, to props, to casting, everything about Black Box is student-led.

The shows ran from Jan. 24 to 26 and has been a tradition for around ten years now. The shows sold out each night selling a total of 284 tickets and bringing in $1,420 to the department.

“It’s a completely different experience for us since we’re not actually teachers,” senior Erica

Herrera said. “But also, it’s a really great place for new people to start out in to become more comfortable with the whole theater process. I am friends with a lot of people that I was directing, so sometimes it was difficult getting that respect as a director, but I think in the endgame we were able to make it happen.”

Herrera was the director for “Blame It On McMurphy,” written by junior Roe Hale, and was in charge of putting all the elements of acting, costumes, lights, sounds, set, and everything else together. Herrera and the other directors received lots of assistance from other crew members as well.

“Being the youngest of eight siblings, it was nice being in charge for once and taking something and turning it into

something for people to love,” stage manager sophomore Allie Schaffer said. “I had to make sure every show was on task by having the right lights and making sure the actors and technical people were there on time.”

Without the constant supervision and direction from the theater directors, the students in Black Box had to be able to rehearse and stay on task and also make sure that everyone was confident and ready.

“It was really fun to work with the other cast members because we mainly just hung out with each other since that is how the show was written,” freshman Simon Kowalski said. “We would scream a lot and jump up and down to get ready. I know other groups meditated, but we just screamed.”

Although Black Box is en-

lives. “Work in Progress” follows a struggling artist and her relationships with others.

Bottom Left: Huddling together, junior Aaron Pryor, junior Kevin Monroe, Gervasi, Kowalski, and junior Ekin Bui discuss whether they want to let a girl join their Dungeons and Dragons group. Junior Meridith Blakely plays the role of Emily, which is Pryor’s character, Martin’s girlfriend.

Photos by Meridith Moore

tirely student-produced, the theater directors help guide the students to success.

“We hope that they make all the right directing decisions,” Theatre Director Jordan Chambers said. “We leave it up to them, but we give advice, watch rehearsals, and get them back on track, but all creative decisions are up to the students.”

After spending endless days rehearsing over and over for the shows, many cast and crew members enjoy watching it all fall together on the night of the show, including the theatre directors themselves.

“It’s amazing to see the kids working so hard and working truly together to make something work well without us interfering at all,” Chambers said.

NEWS • 9

Guard Strikes Back Colorguard prepares for competition season after band

F

lags fly as the crowd cheers for the color guard that dances, spins and performs their heart out on the gym floor. Color guard is a sport and an art that combines dance, use of equipment and body and facial performance.

The team puts forward a visual representation of the music that their show is set to.

The Martin team of 22 girls is filled with students of all grade levels. Freshman Cylee Thompson is one of the team’s younger members who has found a new family on the team.

“My friends help me keep going if I can’t do something or I don’t believe in myself,” Thompson said. “My favorite thing is the friends. We’re making a family.”

The sisterly relationship the members experience, the hard work and encouragement all work to create an environment

Erika Karaganis • Reporter that sophomore Emilyann Reeves said is very fun.

“I love the friendships while doing color guard, and even in marching and being with band.

It’s nice to have so many people to be around.” Reeves said. “I don’t know what I would do without these people.”

Junior Kayla Watson said she agrees that the friendships add to the experience. However, she thinks that the most important thing for everyone to know Senior Destiny Long catches a solo rifle toss as the entire team would be something else.

“It’s most important to listens to the crowd at the NTCA competition at Coppell High School. try new things and get the Photo by Erica Graves Practice and teamwork are tools experience,” Watson said. “The most important thing is just hope to do better in the future that color guard tech Caitlyn Boudreaux says can improve trying to do new stuff and get- performances.

“I think everything matters,” the overall score. ting the experience.”

“There are still a lot of new At the winter guard Reeves said. “The people, the competition on Feb. 9, the equipment, the dancing, the people who are struggling so we just need to help them,” color guard performed and whole thing.” ended with a score of 62.89. While a lot of hard work has Boudreaux said. “Everyone They were proud of their gone into the season, there is still needs to catch their tosses, pracperformance, but said they a lot of room for improvement. tice, and help each other.”

KENNEDY ASSASSINATED K e n n e d y Meridith Moore • Features Editor

O

ne after another, questions dart out of their mouths in the hope of finding out the truth. The truth of a case, while infamous, will never be solved. While this may be true about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Law Enforcement 1 class treats the case like it’s brand new, with the help of an esteemed defense lawyer.

On Jan. 29, the Law Enforcement 1 class had a phone call with Robert Shapiro, a defense lawyer famous for being on O.J. Simpson’s defense team, about advice on mock trials.

A s s a s s i n a t e d

“We learned quite a lot about the legal system,” junior Jason Stanley said. “Connecting with people is a big part of being an attorney. You need to know how to talk to people so you can get things out of them.”

Law Enforcement teacher Patrick McCray said he wanted one of the very best attorneys to talk to his students, so Shapiro was naturally on the top of his list. Shapiro taught the students about what’s it’s like to be an attorney and how to handle an infamous case.

“I wanted to make it as realistic a possible, so I tried to find one of the very best attorney,” McCray said. “He’s prob-

Class holds trial to investigate the death of JFK

ably one of the greatest trial attorneys of modern history. If there is anyone who knows or has experience about trials, it would be him.”

The teachings of Shaprio are put to the test in the theoretical mock trial case: Lee Harvey Oswald vs. State, a mock trial conducted as if Oswald, the main suspect, hadn’t died before a trial could be held.

“There’s no real proof that he did it or he didn’t do it,” Stanley said. “Since people can argue both sides, it’s perfect for a mock trial.”

McCray says that the assassination of John F. Kennedy was the most important event

in modern history, which he teaches through the mock trial.

“It caused a spike in crime that never changed after Kennedy was killed,” McCray said. “Us using it as our first mock trial reinforces how pivotal the JFK assassination was in history.”

Besides a look into the legal process, mock trials gave students the ability to explore career paths in the justice system.

“Honestly talking to Robert really did reinforce that I want to be a attorney,” junior Caroline Nash said. “Even though he’s defense and I want to be a prosecutor, it’s still cool to see someone who this has been their life.”

NEWS •

11

Vital Voices

Students partake in survey all about Martin Meridith Moore • Features Editor

“Yes, but with the seemingly constant news of school shootings and the knowledge that our security is stretched thin, I worry about whether a shooting could happen here.”

Do you feel safe at school?

“Yes, I feel safe, and you really “I feel like anyone could walk into Martin with anything. have no excuse not to feel safe.

We’re so worried about letting Be grateful that you attend a shady people into Martin, but school not overrun by gang activity and teen pregnancy.” what about what kids are carrying in their backpacks?”

What do you think of the new mascot?

“We didn’t have a mascot because it was seen as racist to have a Native American depicted as a warrior. It’s worse if it’s a kid underneath who doesn’t understand the culture.”

“Being the Warriors isn’t cul“The mascot really depicts tural appropriation, but having Native Americans in a positive someone dress up as a chief of light, portraying them as fierce, a tribe could definitely be seen courageous, and strong.” as cultural appropriation.”

What type of prejudice do students at Martin face?

“I’m afraid to socialize with those who disagree with my beliefs – which is the majority of Martin. I’m Buddhist. They’ve called who I worshipped a fat money grabber and worse.”

“Not everyone is directly “I am openly gay and non-reattacked on the basis of the catligious and I personally haven’t egories, but it isn’t difficult to ever felt prejudice against me.” observe the silent expectations for where they should belong and where they shouldn’t.”

Do you think Martin has a “rich kid” stereotype?

“You don’t see a lot of ‘rich snobs’ here. Sure you see the ones with the expensive cars and while I’ve never had interaction with these people, I can assume they aren’t all bad.”

12 • features

“That is a very well established stereotype. Partying is rampant, and there is little interracial mixing. Rich is arguable, but I’d say that’s true as well.”

“It is definitely a known part of Martin culture, but I believe it is a small group of people.

They are well-known but don’t represent fully the student body of Martin.”

The crowded halls are filled with conflicts. No matter if they’re good or bad, big or small, they shape the student body. The waves of change are muffled by conformity and the lack of a platform to express dismay. 100 people took an anonymous survey composed of students’ suggested questions to see to what extent these common issues affect them within their learning environment.

Do you think Martin will prepare you for college?

“Martin has plenty of clubs and organizations to look good on brag sheets. There are AVID, AP and Pre-AP classes.

We have it all.”

“Martin prepares you for college as well as any 6A public school can. Just take AP classes and try a little bit and you will be fine for college.”

“Depends on the courses you take, but if you take a lot of AP, then yes for sure.”

Do you think Martin will prepare you for a career?

“There are many different classes here that are available for many different trades, but I don’t believe core classes in themselves can prepare someone for a career.”

“In terms of time management “Martin can’t prepare for most careers because that’s not the and prioritizing, yes, but in end goal for most students and actual life skills, no.” professions. Go to community college, a trade school, college or start a business.”

Do you think there is a balance of privileges between students?

“Yes, rich vs poor kids, AP vs regular classes – there are unequal advantages for all students.”

“There is an inequality of privilege in every societal system ever. Complaining about it won’t solve anything and it’s just an aspect of humans and society.”

“At this school, unlikely. In the rest of the country, it’s way more likely.”

How does STEM fit in at Martin?

“The STEM Academy has more difficult classes as every other Martin student. They are given certain opportunities because they applied for the program.”

“As a STEM senior, I’d say it has almost no real advantages beside the free calculator. If you’re on the outside looking in, non-STEM kids have it better.”

“I want to be an engineer, but I couldn’t be in the program because I moved here as a sophomore. I didn’t get label despite being in the same classes with the same requirements.”

features • 13

’ their Pleasure It’s

A closer look at students’ favorite job

junior anna katherine august and senior Harrison moore stand in front the Chick-fil-a on sublett road where they both work. august and moore work on average three days a week. photo by aivrey zaiger

Sara blasingame • reporter

A

s the bell rings, students rush to their cars to start their afternoon adventures and leave thoughts of school in the Martin parking lot. However, there’s a small group of students that head to Chick-Fil-A. Theses students aren’t heading to get a snack, they’re off to start their second part of their day. ¨The job overall is fun,” senior Harrison Moore said. “But it wouldn’t be making me happy if it wasn’t for the people I work with. We have a really fun time while working.”

One of the goals for the Chick-Fil-A staff is creating a nurturing environment for their employees. ¨Here at Chick-Fil-A, we try to create a fun environment where students can make friends and grow as people,¨ owner Tiffany Hassler said.

There are many places that employ high school students in the area, but Chick-Fil-A stuck out to Moore and junior Anna Katherine August.

“I thought it would be a

14 • features

good learning experience and improve my social skills, because I don’t know how to talk to people,” August said.

Chick-Fil-A has a reputation for not only having great customer service, but for being a pleasant place to work. ¨CFA was first on my list of places to apply for a job because I knew the atmosphere around it,” Moore said. “I knew a whole bunch of people who worked there, so it was a no-brainer for the first choice.”

What makes working at Chick-Fil-A enjoyable for Martin students is their fellow coworkers.

“The people there are a lot of fun and we get along really well,” August said.

The staff at Chick-Fil-A really puts an emphasis on creating a happy environment for students to work in. ¨Culture is really, really important at Chick-Fil-A,¨ said talent director Jess Magana. ¨Tiffany had four core values: excellence, growth, stewardship and fun and we constantly go back to those core values¨.

However, working at ChickFil-A is not all rainbows and sunshine. Employees do work

long hours on school nights. ¨They won’t give you a break in the middle of a shift,” Moore said. “They’ll put you on a break 20 minutes in and then you’ll have a six hour shift.”

Just like any job, Chick-Fil-A can become stressful at times for workers.

“You have to multitask and I’m really bad at that, so it gets kinda stressful,” August said.

One thing about ChickFil-A that differs from other restaurants is that they are closed on Sundays and so their employees are off on Sundays.

“It’s great because when you close on Saturday, you know you won’t have to get up to work on Sunday,” August said.

Chick-Fil-A allows for high school students to take on leadership roles, such as being a shift leader. ¨We provide leadership classes that students do as they move into leadership positions,” Hassler said.

Chick-Fil-A has created a pleasant environment in order for students to grow as individuals and make mistakes.

“The people there make it easier to make mistakes and bounce back from it, instead of

going slow, making one mistake and it really ruining the whole shift,” Moore said.

By working at ChickFil-A, students in turn learn time management skills, responsibility and how to interact with people who are different than themselves. ¨My goal is for students to not always work at Chick-Fil-A, but to move on to college or a career,¨ Hassler said.

Moore said that working at Chick-Fil-A has taught him the value of loving your job.

“When something takes up a good portion of your life, you need to love what you’re doing,” Moore said.

The skills that Moore and August are learning by working at Chick-Fil-A can be seen by their parents at home.

“She is very independent and she has also made new friends working there,” parent Ronda August said.

The staff at Chick-Fil-A put a lot of focus on growing their employees and helping them improve themselves. ¨We not only pour into students, but also help them grow as individuals more than any other place,¨ Hassler said.

Shining the spotlight on tech theater Senior Logan Roscoe works the spotlight for the Mr. MHS show. Tech Theater students run lights, sounds and stage for performances and events. Photo by trinity stephens

Lighting designer shines in stage productions Caroline Demby • Reporter

M

ost of the time when students see a theater production, the actors take a bow after the show. But what about the people who helped make them look good? The only recognition they get is just their names in a program. Senior Logan Roscoe found her love for lighting design through the Theatre department.

“I got involved in the theatre department freshman year,” Roscoe said. “But I actually started doing lights my sophomore year for UIL One Act, when the directors asked me to do the lighting. I said, ‘I don’t know how to do lights,’ and they said, ‘You’ll learn in an hour,’ so I did.”

While acting gets the spotlight, the technical side of theater is unseen, but important enough to have its own Tech Theater classes, skill sets and individual directors and assistant directors.

Sometimes people can be hesitant to join the theater department because they may think it’s all about acting, but there are also different technical crews that do just as much work as the actors do.

“Originally I did it because I liked to perform, and I’m just a very outgoing person, so I knew it would be fun,” Roscoe said. “Theatre is not just about acting or performing.

You can be a lighting designer which is about engineering and programming.”

Technical designers are able to make the stage their canvas, and express their creativity.

Whether it’s the costumes the actors wear, or even the set they walk on, it is critical to the performance.

“The actors carry on the story, but when you add lighting to it, it adds affect and mood to the atmosphere,” Roscoe said.

Some people even can make a career out of technical theater.

“I plan on going to the University of Oklahoma to study theatrical design, the focus in lighting,” Roscoe said. “I eventually want to move to New York and do lighting design for film and theater, but starting with theater.”

The Theater program is rich with traditions and commitment.

“My favorite thing about Martin Theater is the dedication of excellence that we have,” Roscoe said. “Lots of times I’m up at school from seven in the morning to eight or nine depending on the production.

So I’m always up here working and creating art, which I think is just so beautiful. I’ve learned more about life from theatre than I have in the past 13 years of my education.”

Technical Theatre teacher Jordan Chambers has been teaching at Martin for three years. Students learn how to program lights, design sets for

productions, sketch costumes, and many other technical aspects.

“It impresses me to see students have the ability to learn from their mistakes and the courage to make them,” Chambers said. “We like to push each other to be the best we can be as opposed to just sitting back and doing a production.”

Most high schools have theater departments, but students say Martin’s tech program stands out.

“When it was my first year here at Martin, we were building the Macbeth set, and I didn’t know exactly the discipline level from the students or the amount of work they were going to do or what they were capable of on their own,” Chambers said.

“But I was very surprised and excited to see that on the first day of work, they were ready to work and they were excited about the ideas they had.”

“I’ve learned more about life from theater than I have in the past 13 years of my education.”

16 • features

what

sparks

joy?

Olivia Dague • Copy Editor

photos by aivrey zaiger Isabella lozano payton harris

Staff tidy their workspaces using the KonMari method

It’s just so overwhelming,” Biomed

teacher and Varsity Cheer coach Kristen SessionBrown said, shuffling through countless thank you notes, photographs and homemade cards that have accumulated from years of adoring students. While some teachers may find these mementos loving reminders of students, Session-Brown says that they are stored in a way that does not bring happiness, but stress.

Staff members were asked to participate in the KonMari method to create workspaces that spark joy and make their workdays and life much better.

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organising consultant and author and stars in the Netflix Original Series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” Her trendy KonMari method centers around decluttering and only having things around you that spark joy. features • 17

Beforeand after How to KonMari your space

Librarian suzanne severns

Key Ideas: Sort by category, not area - Clothes - Books - Paper - Komono (Miscelaneous items) - Sentimental items Pile everything into one specific spot, make a “mountain” of books, papers, or whatever category to see how much you really have. Then go through each item one at a time.

Only keep things that spark joy in your life. If they do not, thank the item for the role it’s played in your life, and get rid of it.

after

“I organized piles over the weekend, but the problem is that the piles are still there, and they’re growing, like mold.”

“I need to get my things off my walls, off my floor and scanned on the computer. That would make this a productive space”

Putting things back Every type of item should have a specific spot – not just a drawer or area, but a specific place where it should go every time.

Make use of storage bins so things stay tidy.

Everything should have a place.

Prioritize what you need often (make this more accessible) , versus what gets used once a year Other hints: See what you can hang to keep things off of desks and tables.

Scan what you can and put it on your computer rather than having lots of paper copies!

The more cleared off, blank space, the better.

18 • features

“You need someone who isn’t afraid to throw away things, most importantly.”

AP steve SM “Pictures of my family and my degrees give me joy. And anything ‘Longhorn’ because I’m a big Texas fan. And my music devices that I can play in the hallway.”

before

“I wish I could spend more time getting to know the kids who are doing good things.

Unfortunately, with this job, 90 percent of the time is taken up by 10 percent of the kids making poor choices.”

before Librarian suzanne severns

“I think it’s a natural part of this job [being cluttered] because I’m constantly being interrupted. I will have ongoing projects that I’m working on. It overwhelms me sometimes. I will try and find a “[Things that spark joy]: certain piece of paper and I will Personal mementos, a plant, go through stacks and stacks and some pictures of my dogs to find it. There’s paper mean a lot to me. They are like my children.” everywhere.”

“I wish I could spend more time teaching kids how to do research effectively without plagiarizing, and help kids find a good book they will enjoy.”

after “I felt in a constant state of stress before. Believe it or not, I actually am an organized person.

Before this project, though, my organization was in a state of chaos.”

,

lls, off ter. That ace”

t

AP steve SMITH

m vic”

before

“I could feel all of that stress when I walked into the classroom.”

Kristen session- brown

“The papers were the hardest part. There are so many fears that you will throw something away and then need it later on.”

“My personal cards that students gave me now sit in a beautiful container, not on display.”

“I pulled everything out and organized the cabinets by what unit I’m teaching.”

ting to things.

by

after

features • 19

features • 21

Seeing happy

Check out videos created by students, for students on the subject of happiness. Just scan the QR codes below!

ss Ottne Anna

10

py is me hap ve s e k a at m y I lo on wh hing th Somet and the reas use I see the s, ca sunrise o much is be in how just s s h e t s in at ally that sunri f God o s rson s e n e so pe h morning kind m s w o n ug God k n I have a ro xcited e t not e w so h s u w j n e m a ev no when I ould k aint or even ol, that He w tp s u j ould cho s w e e b H ce in o t at His gra tely th intima and I just see s. the sky sunrise

Katherine Sypien

11

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ale

11

I like d oing My family makes me happy because I like it things for oth e when I they support me whenever I do someon can do r people. e o a r job for m because good things. It makes me feel ake a m and the eal for y s h some that decision any in o me they support wa feels nic e. I like ppreciation. Th one I make and that feels good because words o like wh at even if I do something wrong, they okay. en people tell f affirmation, This me I’m doing always still love me unconditionally. office s will sound silly upplies and thin , but I like simple.

I li gs that are ke when I can that are empty but hav see things e poten tial.

The Art of Joyspotting What Makes You Happy? What is Happiness to You?

By Brandon Chrabasz

By Alyssa Deluna

By Brooklin Bruno

22 • features

I love being here, and I love what I do. “

Michell talks about the key to being a successful teacher

Tristan Flores • Reporter

W

hen approaching room 118A during passing period, 97 percent of the time you’ll see a tall man with a beard.

Standing outside of his classroom, waiting to greet and shake the hands of current and former students is English teacher Bennett Mitchell. In addition to working at Martin for nine years, Mitchell is also a Martin graduate, and his great experiences at Martin as a student lead him to come back and teach.

“I had a really good group of teachers,” Mitchell said.

“Coming into school years, I knew I always had really good teachers who would help me learn. So with that, I wanted to give students that same experience, coming to teach here.”

Many might

wonder what a handshake symbolizes, maybe business, or even respect. For Mitchell, a handshake is something much more.

“I think a handshake is a very strong way to show a first impression,” Mitchell said. “It also can show who you are as a person. If you have a very firm handshake, people are going to think very highly of you, and I hope that isn’t bias, as I just believe a good firm handshake can show a lot in a person.”

Before the class starts, Mitchell’s students shake their teacher’s hand and smile as they pass through the door frame to enter the classroom.

“I do think having a good handshake, as well as making eye contact, and greeting someone

photo by aivrey zaiger

correctly is part of a good first impression,” Mitchell said.

“As well as socially, it shows people you aren’t shy, and could mean you are very direct as a person.” Another thing that many student admire about Mitchell is that unlike most teachers, he brings a very positive vibe to his class.

Senior Zak Skinner is just one the several students who had high praise for Mitchell.

“Mr. Mitchell is very passionate about teaching,” Skinner said.

“He always has a smile on his face coming to class every day, as well as great positivity, and hilarious jokes. He made me a much better English student student, and I will never forget the impact he made on me.”

“The reason I have such a positive attitude is because I love being

here, and I love

what I do,” Mitchell s a i d . “I also tell my friends as we l l as my wife that I rarely have a bad day. Every day is a learning opportunity, and I ove learning new things. I also love my students, and I know that they don’t do well with negativity. It affects their thinking, and I think being positive around them is good.”

Along with being very positive, Mitchell keep things very straightforward. One example is his famous statement, “Don’t be sorry, just be better.” He said he doesn’t believe in ponying up to situations.

“It’s open communication, he said. “It’s just who I’ve always been. In school and outside of school I think to get things done you have to say what you mean, as well as mean what you say.

I’ve always respected those who are straightforward with me, and that’s just what I try to emulate as well.”

features • 23

Creativity 80

over acceptance

percent of United States college students change their majors from their initial study after a semester in school.

Americans pursue purposedriven lifestyles.

A “why” or reason for which a profession is chosen and shaped into a lifestyle is now more than ever allowing for personal creativity and longterm growth.

Many teachers say that their “why” isn’t found through money or a college degree, or else all teachers would’ve chosen a higher-paying profession and students would just follow the online route for schooling.

Contrary to popular opinion, most educators within the high school realm have a reason for which they deal with the crooked lines and rough edges, and that’s what lies on the other side of the frustration – the joy and happiness that’s found in both the big things and the little things of high school.

The why for which the pursuit is partaken in or for which they strive for greatness.

“I was going to school to be a science engineer originally,” Algebra teacher Josh Ogg said.

“But I remember seeing my mom come home when she was a teacher, and I was just a young kid and how happy she always was when her students would get that ‘ah-ha’ moment.

I wanted to be a part of some-

24 • features

thing like that. I wanted to be a difference similar to my mother.”

Yet while the original ideology one holds before going into a situation can be big and bold, the holes poked through their happiness over time can come in bunches once reality sets in.

Once dreams turn into reality and the happy face is now a tired look that screams fatigue and that has no more left in the tank. What then?

“I was in a difficult spot a few years back and at first it felt like I was just going through the motions for a long, long, time,” AP psychology teacher Griffin Goldstein said. “But thankfully the kids in my class and my friends outside of work reminded me what life’s about.

Life’s about making the most of it in your own way, and when it gets tough you just have to make sure to surround yourself with positivity. Things get better over time.”

Although many teachers believe they are harder pressed to remember why it is they choose to pursue a career that asks them to spend time with hormonal kids who don’t hold a strong grip of themselves, most students, find little to no reason why the effort is worth the trouble either.

Yet through strong influences, the why for which students pursue to achieve greatness also

What’s your ‘why’? Teachers discuss the differences between pursuing a purposful career and their ideas of success michael sandoval • opinions editor leads to growth in the eventual career field they choose to pursue.

“My English teachers have always pushed me in the right way, and reminded me why it is I need to work hard,” senior Tati Dodson said. “I need to work hard to make my family

proud, but I wouldn’t be able to do so without the English teachers I’ve had that continue to be difference makers in my life. They have given me reminders for soul searching and understanding that to be the best I can’t ever quit on myself.”

Touching on what different philosophers believe, AP Psychology teacher griffin Goldstein details several state of minds and how they affect our daily lives. “Life’s about making the most of it in your own way,” he said. “And when it gets tough you just have to make sure to surround yourself with positivity.” photo by Trevor evinger

H a p e p h t i e t s o t N Place Caroline Brown • Reporter

Students give their thoughts and opinions on what the school could change to make it a better place

A

s a school, it is easy to see everything that we have going for us.

This includes sports, academic groups, fine arts, and many other organizations that contribute to our student’s happiness.

However, upon taking another look, it can be seen that we have areas that we can improve on.

Less pressure One thing that students think could be changed for the better is the pressure that is put on athletes to be the absolute best at what they do.

“I feel like especially for fine arts and athletics, Martin in particular takes things to the next level and sometimes way more serious than it should be,” freshman Mallory Menard said.

“If they would just focus more on having fun than being the best, I think it’d be much better for everyone.”

Mental health days Many students struggle with mental health. With assignments due left and right, the stress of a normal school day can seem like a frenzy. For some people, these factors during school can push them to lose joy that they might’ve had. With

the risk of losing exemptions, many students have expressed how they don’t feel like they can miss school, even if they really need to stay home, so some might never get the small mental break that they need.

“I think that if the school included mental health days, or gave more attention to it, it would help a lot of people,” senior Mia Moore said. “Also, if they counted mental health as an excused absence maybe once per six weeks, it would be a relief to many students. I don’t think it’s unreasonable and I feel like they could add that in.”

More funding Some extra-curricular activities require rigorous amounts of practice time, to keep up with their esteemed titles they’ve earned. However, many students who partake in these groups can see they are still lacking funding and resources from the district and the state.

“I would like to see better funding for the orchestra program, because they’ve gone to state for the past three years and they’re still not getting enough funding,” junior Jessica Sailing said. “They’re one of the best in Texas and it just doesn’t seem like anyone cares that they don’t have many rooms and they’re overflowed.”

Color in the school When braving the hallways on a normal school day, all that can be seen is crowded halls and gray walls. These monotony often causes students to feel overwhelmed yet underwhelmed at the same time.

“I think we could paint our hallways bright colors or do some interesting joyful designs on our walls,” art teacher Dan Darr said. “I would like to also see smaller class sizes and less use of cellphones in the classrooms.”

Grade changes A common misconception is that regular level classes are easy, but that isn’t the case for everyone. Teachers of these classes often recognize this, too, and many students have said they don’t teach the students with the same methods they might use with a higher level class.

“I think that honestly the grading system could be changed for the better,” Moore said.

“Regulars classes should be improved because a lot of teachers teach them differently because they think everyone who goes into those classes doesn’t care as much. Some kids are applying

themselves but have challenges, and they just need a little more attention than the classes can give them.”

Better security As the need for security to be enforced in schools rises, students have said that Martin security remains overwhelmed.

“I noticed the other day that I don’t necessarily feel safe in the school,” Menard said. “The doors usually aren’t locked and the security can’t be on high alert constantly. With some of the fights that happen, it’s easy for them to get out of hand and they can get pretty scary.

I would like to see security at Martin change for the better.”

features • 25

Beyond

[

]

A few times people went above and beyond to change someone else’s life

expectations Erika Karaganis • Reporter

Endorsements, college majors, and careers are usually well thought out and planned carefully. But for many, the decision of what they will do for the rest of their lives comes out of a happy accident. Whether a random person who makes an impact or a class that changed their life, students’ and teachers’ plans can change completely and unexpectedly.

T

Teachers

eachers are people that students expect to have planned their careers, but in reality some teachers have entered this job entirely by accident. English teacher Rynthia Clements said she accidentally found her passion for teaching. Never expecting what she has now, her life was changed through the influence of a stranger giving her a facial.

“She never said a word,” Clements said. “I never spoke to her. But I knew this woman was praying for me.”

This sensation was unmatched by anything that she had experienced before. She didn’t know what to think, but knew that this moment had to be shared with this kind stranger.

“I said, ‘While you were doing my facial I knew that you were praying for me,’” Clements said. “She got these big tears and said, ‘I cannot believe that you said that because I made a deal with God a couple of years ago that if he would allow me to go in and finish school that

26 • features

I would make my work a ministry.’”

This experience of having an unknown woman praying for a stranger was one that touched her life and her heart. Clements decided that she would use this meaningful experience as inspiration for her career and her ministry.

“I left there and I thought, ‘You know what, I see at least 90 kids a day in my classes,’” Clements said. “If some woman who was working at Ogle’s could make her job into her passion and her ministry, that is what I needed to be doing with my job.”

Clements is not the only one who had a seemingly ordinary thing change her life. Art I and Ceramics II teacher Lauren Kulesz has had a similar experience, but in a very different way. Kulesz’s said her life was changed by the teachers she had in high school.

“I graduated from Martin in 2002 and while I was here at Martin I kind of stumbled into art,” Kulesz said. “I had

Mrs. Nagim and several other art teachers that aren’t here anymore. I also had Mr. and Mrs. Regalado for photography and journalism, and I took choir.

Those were all teachers who made me actually like school.”

Like many students, Kulesz said she did not really enjoy her school career. However, once she found where she belonged, her experience was one that she greatly enjoyed.

“Mrs. Nagim and Mrs. Kouba were the ones who actually got me to like art because I just had never really taken it before,” Kulesz said. “Mr. Regalado was my photography teacher and he was the one who really gave me a passion for teaching and really making an impact in students’ lives because I watched him do that in my life and in so many other people’s lives.”

These two women are now, thanks to the lives of others, in careers that they love and enjoy.

They are working to make a difference in other student’s lives just as these people have influenced theirs.

Photos by Macy Clift

Students

]

S

tudents throughout the school have also had accidental experiences that put them into situations they never thought they would be in. Senior Madeline Johnson was one student who was accidentally placed into a Criminal Justice I class and it had an impact that was far from expected.

“I had an open class because I finished German early,” Johnson said. “So I told my counselor to put me in there for all I care. I got put in it, and when I started taking the class it was really cool and I ended up loving it.”

This surprise was one that changed Johnson’s life completely. It changed her major

and her future simply using the influence of one class every other day.

“It helped me decide what I want to do with my life,” Johnson said. “Before I took it, I decided I was going to be a doctor. Now I’m doing something completely different. I want to either do something in counter terrorism or be a lawyer.”

Johnson is not the only student who has experienced an amazing accident such as this one. Senior Eden Caldwell was dropped into a Food and Nutrition course that made a very large impact. She used this accident as more than just a coincidence and decided to change her life.

“I accidentally took Food and Nutrition my sophomore year,”

Caldwell said. “I just didn’t know what class to take for an extra credit and just decided to take that and figured I’d change it at one point. It made me change the way I view food and cooking.”

This new perspective gives Caldwell a desire to change her life. Her view change gave her the opportunity to do something that she never knew she wanted to do. She said she never thought that her career would take her in this direction, but somehow the situation came and she took advantage of it.

“I did look into culinary school,” Caldwell said. “I’m going to do my basics at TCC and then go into culinary school.

I’m going to see where it takes me and figure it out from there.”

Whether it is a student accidentally ending up in an unintended course or a person making an unexpected impact in someone’s life, happy accidents happen every day. These incidents not only start out lucky, but end with a circumstance that leads to a feeling of fulfillment and joy.

Redifing smart

I finally figured out what it means to be successful received – scores that I would strive to reach for – made me question what being smart really meant.

Hiding from myself

Elena Regalado • Editor-in-chief 16.4 MB controlled my life.

The app that records our GPA, rank and grades became the epitome of my self-worth.

Sophomore year I developed an obsession. I looked at myself in the mirror and all I saw were my grades reflected back.

I checked Student Self Serve anywhere from five to ten times a day because I needed a constant reminder that grades measured how smart I was.

If I had below a 97, I would mentally beat myself up and start bashing myself for not being good enough. Everything in my life was centered around my identity in school and my false definition of what it meant to be smart.

Many of my friends rank in the top two percent of my graduating class. I recognize and admire their hard work and I know how much effort they put into their grades. However, being surrounded by people who are always scoring higher than me on tests caused me to believe I was dumb. Being the cheerleader for them when they were upset about scores they

28 • OPINIONS

I started being evasive when I was asked my average or I would lie and say I didn’t know.

I was so ashamed of the fact that I wasn’t making straight 100s that I began hiding the truth from my friends because I believed they would see me as a failure, the way I saw myself.

As the daughter of a teacher who works here, I’ve always had to focus on creating my own identity – one separate from my mom’s. I needed to prove to every teacher I had that I am my own person. I’m the student I am because of my work ethic.

I would describe junior year as a roller coaster that goes downhill for an insane amount of time, and just when you think you get your bearings, the roller coaster breaks down and you’re left to fend for yourself.

I know this is dramatic and I recognize how fortunate I am to even be able to attend school and even worry about college, but in my obsessive state of mind, every jerk of the GPA roller coaster crashed into my life with full steam.

Regaining control

My mom recognized my obsession with being kept up in my room for hours studying.

My constant urge to want to see my grades raised several red flags. While she always encouraged me to do my best, my mom knew that I needed

to break my stronghold. My iPhone gained back 16.4 MB of storage as I went on a cleanse from checking my grades for two weeks.

The first several days were stressful. I was frustrated because I didn’t know where to turn to for appreciation or motivation. Over time, I found security in knowing that in those 14 days I developed into a person who was smart because of my actions and words – not my grades.

When the cleanse was over, I wasn’t tempted to check my grades constantly. If I had a test, I would study for three hours instead of the usual seven. Yes, I know both of those numbers are still insane, but these were baby steps that helped me get control of my life back.

My relationship with my religion improved because I ditched the idea of finding my identity in schoolwork, and I re-found it in my beliefs. I became aware that my family would always be proud of me because they value my character over my grades.

My friends never condemned me for my grades. My insecurities around them were never their fault. But after my cleanse, I knew I couldn’t keep tiptoeing around them.

Moving forward

I made a commitment to myself that I wasn’t going to share my grades, GPA or class rank with anybody. I did this because nothing good ever came out of me sharing these numbers. My self-esteem either went down or the person who

asked might feel less proud of themselves for their own accomplishments. This promise to myself allows me to feel proud of my accomplishments without anyone bursting my academic bubble. It shows me that successes in school should be celebrated, but not glorified.

I check my grades once a day or even less than that now. It doesn’t control my life anymore, so I don’t turn to it to measure how smart I am. I focus on learning and understanding the material. I try and see the fun in learning because if I’m going to sit in a brick building with ugly fluorescent lighting for 35 hours a week, I want to enjoy what I’m being taught.

Being happy brings me more fulfillment than grades ever did.

Curriculum we need

In a school where grades are the end-all, be-all and being smart is glorified, it’s easy to be discouraged or feel dumb. But what school doesn’t teach you is how to be smart.

You can study all the Quizlets in the world, but it will mean nothing if you aren’t kind to yourself and others. Being smart means knowing when to keep things to yourself that may hurt others.

Being smart means recognizing when it’s time to help a classmate even when it’s inconvenient for you. Being smart means treating yourself with the same amount of kindness you would treat your best friend. Being smart means appreciating the opportunity to learn and maximizing its potential.

•••••

heart happy

Staying happy requires routine mental care

I’m sitting in a waiting room filled with brightly-colored magazines and fun little fidget toys. However, nothing about this room is happy. A girl a few feet away from me has anorexia and is losing her hair. The boy in front of me keeps cutting his arms and legs open, and the man being evaluated in the exam room is addicted to cocaine.

My struggle to find happiness had landed me in with those in their lowest of the low, in a mental institution. However, this was not the end of my journey, but my begining.

•••••

All my life, I’ve dealt with an anxiety disorder. Where normal kids would freak out about getting on a roller coaster, I would have a full blown panic attack not knowing what was for dinner. It became a routine with my mother having to comfort me multiple times a night, as I would freak about hearing my own heartbeat.

Though I became acclimated to my inordinate amount

•••••

Happiness can be found all around us. Beauty is all around us. Taking a moment to say, “Hey, my day is going pretty bad, but I like how the sky looks today,” can completely change the course of a day. It’s important to ground ourselves in reality so we don’t get lost in the deep insecurities of our minds.

I’m not saying I’m perfect, so when I start slipping up or struggling to feel that spark of joy, I simply point out a sight, smell, sound, taste, or touch I encountered throughout the day to help keep my mind clear, my soul full, and my heart upbeat. This idea of bringing myself to reality doesn’t just happen with senses. I meditate and run (sometimes). I read one of my favorite books, dance to a lot of Lady Gaga, and pray when I feel dogged. And I will never, ever forget the love of my

•••••

Keeping your mind healthy is important to keep your soul and heart-healthy as well, so learning positive mental habits is crucial. For me, spirituality is a strong factor in my mood, but if you don’t believe in a “God”, that’s fine sis! A healthy spirit can be obtained in many ways: friendships, meditation, aromatherapy, and so much more.

The most vital thing to remember with happiness is to enjoy it. Happiness is fleeting, so revel in it when you have the chance. I’m always so busy and constantly looking towards the future that I forget to live in the present. I know it’s cheesy, but it’s so true. I am always thinking about what needs to be done later and not what’s happening right now, because I thought of that two days ago. Taking a

moment to breathe and enjoy the present helps keep my heart happy.

“Happiness is fleeting, so revel in it when you have the chance”

•••••

~ ~ ~

February 22, 2017.

life, my dog, Oreo. She’s the best and is always there for me when I need her.

~

Caleb martin - Reporter

of anxiety through time, it still affects my daily life. And when depression tagged along in 2017, I was ruined. It destroyed my whole life: my motivation, my emotions, even my body. I can’t tell you exactly what saved me. It may have been the end of school, or it may have been a subconscious realization I made. But most likely, it was God picking me up again. I do know this: happiness is not always a choice. I was medically lacking serotonin, but persevering and finding the light in things is a choice.

~

OPINIONS • 29

Brain{storms}

Facing the rising mental health crisis in teens

Isabella Lozano • Reporter

H

er chest starts to tighten. Tears threaten to build up in her eyes, but she doesn’t let them get there. Instead, she lets the pain sit in her throat, making it hard to breathe. She starts the car and rolls the windows down so the breeze can clear her head.

The weight of the world starts to fall off while she watches the yellow lines on the street go by.

That girl is me, although I don’t suffer from mental health issues, and lots of other high school students around the world. You might not see people express themselves with as much of a dramatic flair as I tend to throw in, but everyone still has their inner struggles that need to be dealt with.

Mental health has become a growing topic of conversation among adults, teens, medical professionals, and basically anyone who doesn’t live under a rock. Celebrities, TV shows, books, movies, and many other widely-visited platforms have made an effort to normalize talking about the fact that people struggle with mental health.

As noble as their effort is, though, there doesn’t seem to be much of an improvement in mental health among any

30 • OPINIONS

group of people, or in how young people are given the tools to cope with their problems.

The National Survey of Children’s Health reported a 20 percent increase in diagnoses of anxiety in children ages six to 17 between 2007 and 2012.

Even more alarming, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 20 percent of young people in the United States suffer from some kind of mental health issue. To put that into perspective, 20 percent of our country’s population comes out to over 65 million people.

So why are teens facing problems like depression and anxiety so often these days? Social media is part of the problem.

It stimulates the brain’s reward system and gets the brain addicted to the scrolling, likes, and mostly unrealistic images.

This causes anxiety and depression when the life presented on social media doesn’t match reality, and when not enough “friends” like a certain post.

A lot of traditional media (I’m talking TV, movies, and such) also unintentionally magnifies mental health issues in younger, more impressionable, generations. Entertainment writers and producers love to tell stories about people with problems. It keeps viewership high because people like to see that they aren’t the only ones going through something tough.

The fact that the entertainment media are shining light on how big of a problem mental health is, and normalizing the fact that people sometimes need to get professional help is great, but there’s a catch to all these benefits.

The things we watch and read have a tendency to gloss over a lot of the complexities of mental disorders. One minute the protagonist is massively suffering from problems they don’t know how to control. Then an hour, episode, or chapter later, the protagonist’s problems are all wrapped up into a nice little happy ending. Sorry to say it, but that’s just not realistic.

This teaches young people that dealing with their mental disorders is easy and always has a quick fix. When people start to realize that getting healthy takes work and time, they feel discouraged and as if they can’t be helped because dealing with mental illness can be an uphill battle full of setbacks.

Most young people are already apprehensive about coming to adults for help, so making them feel as though their problems cannot be solved makes the situation worse. Presenting kids with situations similar to theirs and not providing them with the tools to handle their situation can magnify the feeling of helplessness and cause less teens to look for help.

The dilemma of mental health among youth needs to be targeted early. Due to the fact that half of the people with mental illness present struggles by the age of 14, students need to be exposed to coping mechanisms in a safe and educational environment, like school. The best way to do this would be to have school districts provide teams of child psychologists and counselors available to their students for free.

Although every school has regular counselors that are somewhat equipt to help stu-

dents deal with problems, they have too much going on to deal with the well being of every student that comes to them.

Counselors have to take care of student schedules, college planning, and standardized testing, so it would be extremely helpful to have people that students can come to for help that can be more devoted to the student.

The team of psychology and counseling professionals could teach young kids how to take care of their well-being in a practical way and decompress.

They would raise awareness of different disorders so students could determine when they’re just sad and when they are actually depressed, or when they are just stressed versus having anxiety. They would also be there for students who do not have mental disorders to talk through their struggles and emotions in a confidential, no-pressure, environment.

People who are high strung and prone to dramatic reactions to buildups of small inconveniences, like me, would have someone to teach them how to relax and let things go.

Implementing such programs can be expensive, and not every student suffering from mental health issues will utilize the services, but if problems are caught and handled early, there will be a greater chance of prevention and students will be better equipped to deal with problems on their own.

We need to find a better way to live and deal with all the complexities of life. Prioritizing mental health in young students could be the answer to creating a more capable, productive and happy population.

Social media

detox

Shelby Simmel• News Editor On Friday, Jan. 25, I deleted all of my social media in order to “cleanse” myself. My life was so ridiculously consumed by likes and retweets. My screen time was more than six hours a day spent scrolling down pointless timelines and tapping through stories that meant next to nothing to me.

It was a constant reminder of everything that wasn’t going on in my life.

Social media has more of an impact on my life than I would like to admit.

I constantly compare my social life to those who go out and party every day or my academic life to those who constantly study. I find myself striving to look like Facetuned girls and be as fit as people who basically live at the gym.

But in real life, that’s not reality.

Before my cleanse, I was getting around 500 notifications, on average, per day.

So I deleted Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest.

As these were the apps I spent most of my time on, I found myself reaching for them just about every second of the day, which is why I needed a cleanse.

I restricted myself to two hours a day of Netflix, and no You-

Tube. At first, it sounded awful.

I was anxious and I honestly was concerned about what I was going to do instead of posting my life for strangers to see. Since I decided to delete all my favorite apps on Friday, the coming weekend was the most difficult.

All night, whether I was with people or not, I was constantly checking my phone for updates and endless notifications – which weren’t there. I checked more often than I was actually talking to the people I was physically with.

But by Saturday night, I had already noticed a change.

I spent time away from my phone, and actually played games with my family. While this isn’t something completely crazy for most people, it was a huge step for me. I more often than not spend my Saturday nights out and about, and of course, posting every move I make.

As the next few days passed, I became less conscious of the fact that I had no social media. The hours I had spent on my phone before were now dedicated to more sleep and reading an actual 400-page book for pleasure. I noticed a more relaxing feeling of not having to worry about who was or who wasn’t answering my Snapchats.

As much as I want to claim that I didn’t miss social media, I did. On Feb. 6, after a (not so short) week and a half, I re-downloaded all my beloved apps.

I automatically signed in

How a simplistic change in my daily routine drastically changed my outlook and was greeted with the everpresent society I had just left a week and a half ago.

My first instinct was to open all my Snapchats, then Twitter, then Instagram. I felt way too relieved when I saw everything I had missed in my sabbatical.

But, despite the happiness I felt when I read through my notifications and saw updates on everyone’s lives, it didn’t have as big an impact on my day anymore.

I had absolutely no problem doing any tasks without checking my phone, and even less a problem of picking up Twitter out of boredom.

After the time I spent without just about every means of communication I was used to,

I came to this conclusion: social media isn’t toxic. It’s not evil or “ruining our generation.” Social media is everything WE make it. It can be as big or small, and matter as much or as little as we let it.

The impact that it has on me is way less even after a week. I do think that Twitter is a fun way to pass time, and Snapchat is my main way of seeing what’s happening with all my friends.

Instagram is a nifty way to keep up with people.

But as much fun as this social media all is, and as much of a necessity as it is to so many people, including me, these apps and program aren’t really as important as we make it out to be.

OPINIONS • 31

Stepping up

Tennis captains take on leadership role when coaches are out Colton Morrow• Reporter

L

eading is a part of life that many people have drastically different views on. Some say strong leaders must have harsh punishments and a stern demeanor, while others say more passive leaders that have more lax personalities are more effective. Regardless, leading is something that takes a special kind of person. Many of the sports teams at Martin have team captains that exemplify leadership in their own styles and techniques. However, they also play a big role in leading their fellow teammates and motivating them to do their absolute best every day.

Most team captains say they have the support of their coaches to back them up, but due to Head Tennis Coach Derek Moore’s newborn’s adoption and Assistant Coach Sara Boney’s late stage pregnancy, tennis team captains have had to face many challenges and deal with a lot of conflicts by themselves this past year.

“I feel like the only thing that could’ve potentially been rough in the team captain position was the drama between players, but I try not to get involved with it as much nowadays,” senior Jordan Moore said.

It’s apparent that the team captains have their work cut out for them. Many of the team captains have had to solve personal challenges between fellow teammates and be the overall adult in most situations. They are often seen as second coaches which boosts the expectation of them by their teammates.

“The hardest thing is living up to the expectations set by their peers,” Moore said.

32 • SPORTS

Although tennis players say captains have been known to act like adults in situations where it was needed, most of them are just normal teammates off the court.

“I feel like Jordan and I had to sit back and be the adults when we picked teams this year,” senior Megan Bishop said. “Everyone was screaming and being rambunctious but we had to sit back and think about what was best for the team.”

Even though most players have the potential to become a captain, it takes a lot of commitment and determination to truly be a great team captain.

It is a constant commitment to be a captain and it requires captains to lead by example all the time. These captains are on their A game 24/7 to put themselves above the normal player.

“I just always play as if I’m being watched and I feel like it has helped me lead a lot,” Moore said.

Teammates said they believe captains are really special and help make the team what it is today. Their leadership demonstrates a lot of key skills that are found in many of the world’s greatest leaders. With the end of this year not too far away, many of the current team captain roster will be graduating. New captains are already being mentored for next year by the current captains and the cycle will continue for years to come.

“If you want to be a captain you have to be willing to go beyond the requirements for just being on the team,” senior Katelyn Graham said. “Every day you have to be a role model to others and inspire people to do the right thing.”

Sophomore Max Ferguson and senior Quentin Lie congratulate each other after a doubles match win. The varsity and JV teams placed first in district. Photo by Isabella Lozano

“We play for each other” New varsity coach changes dynamic of team Leslie Gomez • Reporter Photos By Brandon Chrabasz

O

ver the last couple of years, Martin varsity boys soccer has been through a number of coaches with all different kinds of coaching styles and formations. No matter how many hours of intense practice was put in, the results were not meeting the coaches’ or players’ standards and their main goal of making playoffs.

This year, Coach Reid Pride was given the opportunity as the varsity coach, and the players came together and surprised the district with their drastic changes both on and off the field.

Senior Ashwin Menezes has been playing varsity soccer since his sophomore year and said he has been through his fair share of coaches throughout the years.

Menezes said he instantly noticed the difference from this year and last year when the players started having team dinners. Menezes said this helped the team create a stronger bond and build closer relationships between all of the players.

“We’re a tight group,” Menezes said. “We play for each other.

We’re like a family. The team really connected this year to where we’re competing at every game whether we’re ahead or whether we’re down.”

The players go out and play every game with one true intention: to win and represent Martin as a whole.

“The group is a lot tighter in general and we’re able to connect and play off of each other

and really work as a team instead of being divided as years before,” senior varsity captain Ben Williams said. “We don’t really have cliques, which makes it a lot of fun to be a part of.”

Both players said they agree that the coaching style this year has helped the team make drastic changes.

“Coach Pride coming in has been a great influence on the soccer program,” Williams said.

“His guidance has really caused the boys to really rally up and put some wins on the board.”

While the coaching style has changed for the players, Pride said he believes no matter the team, working on the fundamentals are a critical factor to building a strong group.

“With JV girls, we spent a lot of time on fundamentals and stuff like that and we don’t go a whole lot above that,” Pride said. “Then, jumping all the way up to varsity – where those fundamentals are still what we emphasize and spend a large majority of our time on – we’re able to build and progress things a lot faster than we did in the past.”

So far the boys have rallied up a total of 11 wins against Bowie , Paschal , YMLA, North Crowley, Trimble Tech, Crowley, Little Elm, Southwest, Timber Creek, Mansfield, and L.D. Bell.

As the boys continue to fight throughout the season, there is one thing certain: they will make Martin proud.

Dribbling down the field, senior Ashwin Menezes steers the ball against Lamar on Feb. 15. Memezes plays center attacking mid and has rallied up a total o f 15 goals so far this season.

SPORTS • 33

Average Collin Versus: theWomens golf team

An average guy named Collin takes on a varsity golf team in an extreme match of Putt Putt

Collin Adams • 940 PSAT score photos by brea flores 34 • SPORTS

Dodgeball legend, Peter La Fleur once said, “If you have a goal, you might not reach it. But if you don’t have one you will never be disappointed.”

I would quickly learn the veracity of this quote.

I came into this week with one goal. Not good grades, not becoming a better person, but to beat seniors Trinity King and Courtney Peterson in a non-professional small exhibition of par-2 golf, also known as Putt Putt.

Courtney, a varsity team member for three years at Martin, has shockingly only played for four years. Trinity, who is currently ranked 54th in the nation for womens golf and signed to TCU, has been playing since she was six years old.

I spent the previous weeks preparing my physical and cognitive ability for this by training very hard.

The first step was to learn the rules of golf, so I went to the Los Santos Golf course on my favorite video game GTA5 and started playing. Along with this, I walked the course multiple times to get a feel for the angles and intense obstacles. I bought a jump rope to make sure I was in peak physical

form. After maybe three days of training, I was ready.

I should have known I was in trouble when they walked in with real golf putters that looked like they were worth more than my car.

When the match first started, Trinty and Courtney both made par. I shot over par. I was in a morass. As the match kept going, I noticed something.

They don’t mess up. I was inept compared to them.

Even on the few holes they did mess up, they would do something to make up for it.

insane

They were using the wall to hit off and create openings and angles and I didnt even think that was possible.

After hole nine the score was Courtney: -1, Trinity: +1 and Myself: +4. I was competing. It was not very close, but it wasn’t a blowout yet.

Hole 17 was my downfall. I shot the max of five. To be fair, this was everyone’s worst hole. I started trash talking to see if it

could get into their heads and make them lose focus. It didn’t work. They shot better all of a sudden.

I had made one hole-in-one and that was all I had going for me. I was losing by eight strokes with two holes left. My crown of being the putt-putt champchamp was most likely gone.

Both Courtney and Trinity had made par on the last two holes.

I lost.

Courtney shot one over par and Trinity shot two over par.

Trinity did give me an out.

“Putt Putt isn’t fully like golf,” she said. “You have to challenge your creativity and imagination to do well.”

That was the conclusion to this debacle. Not only did I learn my physical ability was lacking but my creativity was too, at least compared to them.

1 1

In this picture, i had to perfom a tricky move with my feet.

2 I was informed my form was bad, so I bent my knees, despite the pressure of the crowd watching

2

3 me asserting my domiance.

SPORTS • 35 3