The Dispatch, Vol. 36, Issue 3, 12/15/23

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FEATURES Creative writing students transform their writing into films with the help of Austin Film Festival members. pg. 5

IN-DEPTH The Bowie community explores materialism and its negative effects on the gift-giving season. pg. 7

SPORTS Bowie's cross-country team breaks barriers and excels at state competitions together. pg. 10

PHOTO ESSAY Students attend Bowie's beekeeping club, featuring live bee colonies and tasty honeycombs. pg. 16

PHOTO BY Nick Wood

ART BY Asher Hagan & Kate Davis

PHOTO BY Mars Canepa

PHOTO BY Nick Wood

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

Vol. 36, Issue 3 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX, 78749

Pride in Publishing

It's raining teddy bears

Basketball game attendees toss stuffed bears on the court to be collected for donation Charlotte Koellner Executive Editor: Content Warming up for her varsity district game, senior Micah Walton is overjoyed. She knows that this basketball game has the potential to benefit children in need, so she's happy to play in the game that ties her favorite sport with giving back to her community.

The Lady 'Dawgs basketball teams organized their own "Teddy Bear Toss" on December 8. This is a charity event that is often coordinated by collegiate sports teams around the holidays, to gather toys to give to disadvantaged members of their community.

“Being able to create a positive impact feels good, especially knowing that these types of events usually occur at universities that have a larger influence on their audience,” Walton said. “It feels like we're doing our part, even if it's on a smaller level.”

Attendees at the teddy toss game were encouraged to bring a new teddy bear or other stuffed animal to throw onto the court before the game began. People who brought a new teddy bear were also allowed free entry to the game.

“My family and I donated one bear because we thought the cause was very thoughtful,” freshman Maya Karivelithara said. “The team did a lot of advertising for the event, and I think that shows how much they cared.”

The team collected a total of 105 teddy bears. The teddy bears gathered from the game will be donated to St. David’s Children’s Hospital, just in time for pediatric cancer patients to receive a holiday gift.

TEDDY BEAR TOSS: Teddy bear's and various stuffed animals rain from the sky after families toss them into the center of the basketball court before the beginning of the Bowie-Austin High game on Friday, December 8. The teddy bears will be donated to a local children's hospital in time for the holiday season. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

“I feel great that our program can help out,” varsity coach Iesha Collins said. “It’s so easy to get wrapped up

in our own lives, so I love to see the girls take this event seriously and contribute to it in their own way.”

The players were also encouraged to toss bears, and many did. Walton looks forward to this event because of

the opportunity to give back.

“I’ve never spent time in a hospital, so I don't personally know what it's like, but every-

one sees commercials and hears about the challenge,” Walton said. “It's important to try to contribute what you can, even if it's not financially benefiting the patients.”

This is the second year that the girls’ basketball team has hosted this charity event, and each year has resulted in over a hundred donated bears.

“I coached at a different school where the boys program hosted this event, and I knew I wanted to host it when I became a head coach,” Collins said. “So, I brought it from there. Coaching here for two years and being able to coordinate the event both years is a really good feeling.”

In addition to giving back to the Austin community, the event serves as a way to boost sportsmanship. The teams feel that the event lifts their spirits at the beginning of the game, making it memorable and meaningful for everyone.

“The event brings both teams together,” freshman player Danica Williams said. “We both recognize that it's awesome that girl’s basketball can bring the community together, and get them involved with good charity opportunities, like the teddy toss.”

Bowie partnered with Austin High to ensure the event was as successful as possible.

“It’s easy to hone in on competition, and obviously we still had a competitive game, but I think that the event was an important bonding moment for both teams,” Collins said.

“It reminds us that we're all human, and it was cool to see Austin High bring bears, too.

Even though we're competitors, we know we can come together and help our community."

Cans captivate kindness Chicken contest collects cash for club

Student council runs annual can food drive Bowie students organize a canned food drive every November. History teacher and student council sponsor Alejandro Garcia coordinates the drive.

The canned food drive operates to help local Austinites who need a filling meal during the holidays.

Garcia believes the annual drive provides the community with an opportunity to help others, little by little.

“The canned food drive is a yearly event,” Garcia said. “Even when I was in high school at Bowie, we had food drives every year.

When people are given the chance to give, they give.”

Last year, students brought in 1,800 pounds of canned goods. This year, the organization aimed high for 2,000 but fell short with 1,300 pounds. Despite not reaching their goal, all of the cans will go towards the Central Texas Food Bank.

“Next year we’ll probably have a goal of around 1,500 and see if we can work our way up from there,” Garcia said. “I organized the canned food drive, but other groups participated in it, including the National Honor Society (NHS) and Spanish Honor Society (SHS).”

Student council vice president junior Bella Chu believes the canned food drive is essential for the Austin community to thrive.

INDEX:

PHOTO BY Gabriella Bochey

Bella Chu, 11 “The canned food drive this fall brought in rice, cans, and peanut butter to communities here in Austin that appreciate the love,” Chu said. “In mid-November, student council officers happily helped to relocate the student donations to the food bank, bringing love and gratitude to the community.”

Students interested in helping those in need can be on the lookout for the NHS toy drive, as well as other opportunities provided by organizations.

“Through student council, I have not only made new friends, but also became more involved in the Bowie community,” Chu said. “Other opportunities that the student council offers besides the canned food drive is teacher appreciation, tending to school gardens, homecoming, and many other events."

STORY BY Ryan Zuniga

Peyton Dorsey Dispatch Reporter

Scathing, spicy wings set mouths on fire during the Business Professionals of America (BPA) club’s fundraiser on November 15.

BPA club members organized the fundraiser together to help raise money for the competitions that they will participate in later this school year.

The fundraiser was organized as Bowie’s very own rendition of the popular YouTube series, "Hot Ones'' produced by the YouTube channel “First We Feast.” In those videos, celebrities participate in a game-show-like interview where they eat increasingly spicy chicken wings.

“This was only our second fundraiser,” BPA president senior Kaitlyn Kaiser said. “We want to do more fundraisers to get students involved.”

Last year during competitions, BPA students needed fundraising to support finances for common costs during their stay, so students had to pay out of pocket for their food, travel, and activities they participated in. This year BPA leaders attended a leadership camp that students also had to pay for.

“We wish we could’ve brought more people,” Kaiser said. “But people just weren't able to pay for it, and at that time we didn’t have the money as a club to pay for more people.”

The actual fundraising aspect of the Hot

SCAN TO HEAR MORE! PODCAST BY Noah Bihan and Noah Ellinger

NEWS 1, 2 STUDENT VOICE 3 FEATURES 4 , 5

FIERY FUNDRAISER: Staff members ate nine wings and sauces. These wings increased in spice as time went by. PHOTO BY Alex Edwards

IN-DEPTH 7, 8-9 SPORTS 10, 11 ENTERTAINMENT 12

LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS: History teachers Karl Lauer and Alejandro Garcia begin the first lunch wing-eating contest. Students voted to nominate four faculty members to compete in the contest, resulting in a face-off each lunch period. PHOTO BY Alex Edwards

Ones competition was obtained from vote sales. These votes decided which teachers would participate in the competition. The club sold individual votes to students for one dollar each. Some students purchased only one vote, however others purchased multiple.

“The students started kind of contributing one dollar here and there to the fundraiser through their votes,” assistant principal Hector Munoz-Levya said. “Then it’s accumulated to me being in the top-four.”

History teachers Karl Lauer and Alejandro Garcia were also in the top four staff members with the most votes and faced off during first lunch. Both Lauer and Garcia had seen the show before and had a general understanding of what they were getting themselves into.

“I’ve seen the competitions on YouTube

REVIEWS 13 OPINIONS 14, 15 PHOTO ESSAY 6, 16

and they look horrible,” Garcia said. “If I had to eat the whole wing it would not have been survivable for me.”

While Bowie’s version of the competition was not a replica of the original, in the original “Hot Ones” competition the contestants were required to finish eating the entire wing; while in Bowie’s rendition, the contestants were not required to eat the whole wing. However, every other component of the competition was there, making the contest a challenging feat.

“Bowie’s version of Hot Ones has got to be on par with what happens in the original,” Lauer said. “Or at least very similar to what contestants in the real competition have to go through.”

READ MORE “Club hosts a fiery fundraiser” pg. 2

FIND US AT @jbhs_dispatch

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2 NEWS

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

The battle for contraception continues U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit begins deliberation to reverse Title X restrictions Emerson Traugott Executive Editor: News

contraception needs.

“Birth control has uses other than preventing pregnancy. It can As the gavel lands and the ruling regulate menstruation, get rid of becomes official, the longevity of the acne, and reduce PMS symptoms Title X programs comes to an abrupt like cramping, mood swings, halt in Texas, marking another win for headaches, and bloating,” Hejny conservatives in the long road toward said. “For me, having access to restricting reproductive rights. birth control at 15-years-old made Title X is a federal program created my life so much easier. I was able in 1970 to provide family planning to control the debilitating pain that and preventative health services. This was associated with my cramps. umbrella of services includes providThere's no good scientific, politiing contraceptives, cancer screenings, cal, or religious reason to prevent testing and treatment for sexually anyone from having that medicatransmitted infections (STI), and welltion, for whatever reason that they ness exams. This program intends to need it.” make reproductive healthcare services The new restrictions made to available to low-income and uninsured Title X prohibits Texas teens from individuals, faces extensive backlash accessing birth control without from the conservative party. parental permission. Texas sets the “I think Title X plays a very import- example nationwide for a total reant role in adolescent and teen health peal of certain forms of healthcare, care and sexual from contraception well-being,” junior to gender-affirming Olivia Baird said. care.

“But, I think one “This newly apof the main things pointed federal judge, There's no good that people forget Matthew Kacsmaryk, scientific, political, or is that these clinics is affecting so many provide STI, pregpeople in so many religious reason to nancy, and human drastic ways, and prevent anyone from immunodeficiency there are going to virus (HIV) testing, having that medication, be long-term conwhich are all super senior for whatever reason that sequences,” important and poCharlotte Hill said. tentially life-saving “I think what people they need it.” services.” need to recognize is The program's Chrissy Hejny that stopping access ability to proEnglish Teacher to birth control vide confidential doesn't stop peoples’ services to anyone, need for it. It's one including minors, more step toward the annihilation has been a high point of controversy; of reproductive healthcare.” this became the basis for the DeanMore than 100 clinics have da v. Becerra court case. Alexander closed since the ruling last year.

Deanda, a father raising his daughters By limiting the number of clinics, ART BY Asher Hagan argued that Title X went against the accessing necessary healthcare Christian teaching on matters of sexubecomes more difficult, as most of moral, but the involvement of personality. After two years of deliberation, a Title X’s clientele do not possess the al bias, whether that is founded on a Donald Trump-appointed U.S. District resources to make an extended trip to religious basis, or if it’s what you have Judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, ruled get birth control from states that offer been brought up to believe, cannot be that Title X was both unconstitutional such medication. the sole course of decision-making in and unlawful under the Fourteenth “For many people, Title X was a legal context, especially in regards Amendment and the Constitutional their only option, like those who are to someone's rights to healthcare,” right of parents to direct the upbringfirst-generation immigrants who have Hill said. “If it was access to a flu shot ing of their children. just made it to the states, or people or dental care, there wouldn't be any “I was taken aback by the fact that in domestically abusive relationships question about it, but because it is the people who brought the case up who can’t pay full price for contraabout reproductive health, particularly have never even used Title X benefits ceptives,” Hill said. “This also affects women's reproductive health, there is before,” English teacher Chrissy Hejny teens who aren’t in the situation to this stigma around it, allowing prejusaid. “I feel like that's an abuse of ask a parent to get on birth control. dice to have legal standing.” the system. There's just no reason to I think this ruling has hurt a lot of Roe v. Wade, a landmark case that prevent anyone from getting reproduc- people and will continue to do so if federally protected women's rights to tive health care, whether it's because Title X is not reinstated to provide full abortion care, was reversed in June they're sexually active or not. It's just a resources to those who need it.”

2022, returning abortion rights to huge overstep from the government.”

Almost a year after the initial rulstate governments. As a result, aborTitle X serves as an affordable ing, the Fifth Circuit Court began to tion care has become almost entirely healthcare program, for those who hear oral appeals in November, 2023. inaccessible in Texas. According to do not have health insurance. As of However, deliberation was extended, the Texas Tribune this overturning, December 2022, when Title X was and oral appeals continue as a final in conjunction with the new Title X overruled, Texans can no longer rely ruling has yet to be made. restrictions, has negatively impacted on health centers to provide for their “Laws should be objective and

"

Club hosts a fiery fundraiser CONTINUED from pg. 1 The varying levels of wing spiciness were measured on the Scoville Scale, which is a method of measurement used to determine how spicy peppers are.

“I mean, I ate something with a three million Scoville rating,” Lauer said. “I didn’t think I’d ever do that.”

According to the Scoville scale website, the scale is determined by the amount of capsaicin in a pepper. Capsaicin is the compound that gives the pepper its heat and makes it spicy, so the more capsaicin in the pepper, the higher the Scoville rating will be.

The scale ranges from 0 to 16 million Scoville Units.

"The third, second, and last wings were brutal,and it went from like 1000 Scoville to one million to three million I believe," Munoz said.

"Once I crossed into the million Scovilles is when I started to feel a little dizzy and kind of lose my balance and breathe heavily."

Lauer and Garcia both had similar reactions to the wings, feeling that it was easy in the beginning but got tougher as time went on. Both agreed the dropper was the worst sauce that they tried during the competition.

“When she added

the one that was hotter than the dropper at the end I could barely taste the last one because my mouth was still on fire from the dropper,” Lauer said. “So, it didn’t seem as bad but it probably was.”

The history teachers raced each other to finish their increasingly spicy wings while answering questions about the subjects they teach. The questions ranged from ancient empire textbook content to questions on popular music references.

“The club met and planned the fundraiser, then we had to focus on promoting it,” Kaiser said. “Figuring out the questions took some time.”

The club is designed to help members gain business experience in high school and utilize opportunities like internships and careers.

“I want to go into hospitality or something related to business,” Kaiser said.

“So learning how to do things like that now will help me in a future career."

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VIDEO BY Austin Ikard & Alex Edwards

women across Texas.

“The Texas Legislature isn't thinking straight,” Baird said. “If you have a problem that you want to solve, like teen pregnancies or abortions, you then need to boost the accessibility to contraceptives to resolve these problems, because that is going to be more effective than relying on current sex education, which only teaches abstinence.”

Teenagers and young adults believe they are heavily affected by these rulings and policies. Conversely, awareness of these issues is lacking among that age group; supported by low voter turnout, this demographic is largely unable to enact change.

“Voting is one of the best ways to change these issues, but most students can’t vote yet; there are other options to start trying to make a difference, though,” Hejny said.

“Write letters to your senators and

congressmen, tell them about the issues that are important to you, how you’re going to be voting in ‘whatever’ amount of years, so they need to make this a priority. When we have a legislative session, go down there, and sign and register your testimony at the Capitol. Gather a whole group of kids, grownups, teachers, whoever you want to take with you, go down there and register your testimony, opposing legislation that would remove reproductive health care from the population of anyone who needs it.”

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Faulty electric grid fails Texans time after time Gabriella Bochey Dispatch Reporter

It is predicted that another freeze and a possible “snowpocalypse” will burden Texans again this winter. This is likely caused by the unstable power grid and may result in another power loss as in 2021.

On February 15, 2021, Texas encountered its first of many electrical grid complications that would begin to affect the public.

The loss of power resulted in a lack of water and electricity for multiple days. It is anticipated that Texans will experience similar hardships once again this winter.

“I lost power on the day it started snowing, and I woke up when my house was freezing, but it was so gorgeous outside,” history teacher Alejandro Garcia said. “I have never seen snow like that in my entire life in the city of Austin and it was almost like one of those childish dreams come true. When the power didn't come back on, it was a big wake-up call, realizing this might be a problem because it's super, super cold.”

During the 2021 winter freeze, the Bowie pipes, which cover the entire campus, burst and flooded due to the pipes being unconditioned to cold weather for long periods of time.

“Every pipe in every restroom here at school burst and all the urinals as well in every boy's restroom cracked,” Garcia said. “The pipes underneath the old gym, which is now the current band hall, burst and flooded the entire gym floor, ruining it in the process. Pipes burst in the theater, which flooded the theater under a couple of feet of water and once again ruined the space.”

This winter, students are concerned about missing school due to a freeze, similar to in 2021.

Students’ online school experienc-

WINTER WASTELAND: In the early days of February 2021, snow covered the streets of Austin. It was the most snow the city has received in years. PHOTO BY Gabriella Bochey

es suffered from the 2021 winter storm because of the loss of power, which made logging into class through Zoom challenging.

“My online school just disappeared. I really couldn't have one, I had no power so it was impossible to make attending online class work” sophomore Reed Watts said.

“Teachers ended up canceling classes anyway because so many of us lost power.”

According to Reuters, an additional two-thirds of America may be joining in on Texas' power outages this upcoming winter. This is due to the lack of natural gas provided to serve large areas of the country. Texas has few experiences with cold weather, so the

state is not well prepared when extreme weather occurs, and issues presented in 2021 could happen once again.

“Texas is not built for cold weather,” Watts said. “We have infrastructure that's built for very hot weather and climate because that's what Texas is used to. Now, with climate change, it's getting colder, snowing more often, and we can't handle that new kind of weather.”

According to KVUE, the best way to prepare for potential weather severity is to prevent expensive home repairs during the colder months. Clearing old brush from trees is one of the most helpful tips to prevent later home damage from fallen limbs as well as keeping a

small stream of water flowing outside of houses in the outdoor hose, to prevent pipes from freezing and damaging. To prevent pipes from freezing inside, it can be helpful to drip the taps.

“The storm was challenging because my family had to figure out how to work together better to make sure everything got done properly,” sophomore Brandon Beeler said. “Someone had to collect snow to melt, someone had to move the fallen branches, someone had to drip the faucets, and someone had to research which stores still had food available to get groceries. It was a lot of stuff we never thought we’d be doing.”

It’s also recommended to keep a portable charger on hand for phones or medical devices, as well as an extra packet of batteries to be used for flashlights or battery-powered lanterns “The hardest thing was not being able to communicate. I couldn't use my phone ever because I couldn't charge it,” Beeler said.

“So, not being able to communicate with the outside world made me realize how much I had that I've taken for granted. It opened my eyes so much, that was probably the hardest, the loss of communication.”

The state has made necessary updates to the grid in order to take on winter in the hopes of not running across a state-wide blackout.

According to the Texas Tribune, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has completed 1,648 inspections of power plants, as well as utilities to ensure updates for another cold winter.

“Aside from buying a $5,000 generator, you just kind of have to endure it,” Garcia said. “Possibly you may have to light a fire, but really, you're almost at the mercy of nature because there's not anything you can do about the changing and harsh weather.”

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STUDENT VOICE 3

FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

tudent Spotlight

Bulldogs got language second languages

Arabic 1.2% Vietnamese 1.6% Other 7.2%

spoken by

Spanish 92%

students in Texas schools

1 Five Texas Students are bilingual in

SOURCE Texas Education Association

ART BY Asher Hagan

A glance into the languages taught and spoken within the halls of Bowie "Heavy News"

Clyde Warren Senior

"I came up with the concept of making a mask out of multiple random materials, because I wanted to explore multi-media in the round. All in all, I think it turned out pretty okay."

Sasha Zimmerman Sophomore

This student chose not to submit any additional information.

"Breathe" Breathe You don't think about it You don't feel it You do it without thought Until someone points it out I feel it now It's in and out It's in and out My stomach is a balloon Why That is what happens to those who struggle We don't see it We don't feel it We live it Until someone points it out That's not normal it's okay to cry Just take a deep breath Now I can't unthink it Breathe

Asher Hagan Executive Editor: Art/Graphics When senior Chloe Yoo stepped into Korean Saturday school for the first time at the age of seven, she was as nervous as any other kid about going to a school with a language she didn’t speak. But as she listens to the teacher speak, the language starts to sink in.

Yoo believes that it’s easier to take in a language at a younger age, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make mistakes. Yoo went to a Korean Saturday school for many years, since she was about seven years old to when she was in middle school.

“It's so hard to switch between languages,” Yoo said. “It's actually kind of messed with me a little sometimes, especially when I'm trying to talk fast in classes. For instance, I was in debate sophomore year, and if I was trying to say my speech or fight back, I'd stutter or accidentally say a Korean word instead.”

Bowie has many resources to help students pursue language, no matter when you start. These include language classes and Honor Societies.

Bowie has three languages other than English (LOTE) classes: American Sign Language, Spanish, and French.

In order for each student to graduate, the Texas Education Association requires you to have at least two years of a LOTE class.

“I do wish that Bowie had more language opportunities,” Yoo said.

“I'm so mad that they only teach three languages. That's the best they could do? Kealing has German. LASA has what Bowie has, plus Latin, German, and Japanese. It is a shame, because I could have learned one of those languages instead, and I would have liked it more.”

While there are only three language options at Bowie, there used to be fewer. Until a few years ago, only French and Spanish were offered at the school.

“I've always been a little bit disappointed that we don't offer more languages, but I know it's also not been for lack of trying,” Preston said. “We tried to offer ASL and Latin a few years ago. Unfortunately, Latin just didn't get traction. ASL, on the other hand, is doing well, and that doesn't seem like it's going anywhere. I'm always a very, very strong proponent of language learning, so I would always wish that we could have more languages.”

1

According to a study conducted by Preply in 2023, over 30% of Americans learned a second language purely because of school requirements. Additionally, the study found that about 21% of Americans have missed out on a job opportunity because they didn’t know a second language.

“For my students, knowing a second language opens up lots of opportunities,” Spanish teacher Erika Mitchell said.. “It is important to me that when students graduate, they go out into the world knowing more than English. We have a very wide world, and we live in Texas, for goodness sake. So, knowing two languages definitely opens doors in students' professional lives.”

However high the need for bilingual people in the work environment, French teacher Rachel Preston recognizes how language barriers are being broken down with new technology. For instance, according to Google, Google Translate has been installed over one billion times since its release in 2006.

“Today, I could walk around Brazil knowing zero Portuguese and use my smartphone with Google translate to communicate, but there's still a delay,” Preston said. “I think that ability to directly communicate, even if you're not doing it perfectly, is what the students who continue on with their language really get out of the classes. They can build bridges and they can do it in multiple places, with multiple people, across boundaries.”

For some, language learning is less motivated by personal interest and more encouraged by parents at a young age.

“When I was two, my mom enrolled me into a Spanish immersion school,” junior Simone Baskin said.

“I went there from age two to about second grade. When my mom was in college, she went to Mexico for a year, and she worked in Mexico and really liked the language and liked learning new stuff, so she wanted to pass it on to me and my brother.”

Educational programs that teach students in more than one language, or dual-language programs, exist in many countries all over the world. For Mitchell, who grew up in Panama, she learned English in school alongside her native language, Spanish. Mitchell’s experiences with learning a second language at a young age have shaped how she thinks of language learning.

“Sometimes when we mix languages, we tend to confuse students,”

For the completed crossword go to @jbhs_dispatch on Instagram

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"Thinker"

Ryan Kohler

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Senior

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I was enrolled in an oil paint portrait class where we worked with live models. This is a piece I created during my last session there. I did this painting in three hours.."

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SCAN THE QR CODE! or go to bit.ly/DispatchSV

9. The Texas Court of Appeals wants to rule that in order for teens to have access to contraceptive they must have consent from what group of people? (pg. 14) 10. Gong Cha, a place featured on page 13, serves what kind of tea?

11. The __________ writing class is currently creating a short film. (pg. 5)

Down

2. The Texas Court of Appeals could ban the access of what resource for teens without parental approval? (pg. 2) 5. The In-Depth on page 8 focuses on self Across ____________ through fashion.

1. What ballet show is Gabriella Catalina dancing in? (pg.

6. Featured in a review on page 13, ______ 11) Crazy is a store that tries to employ hearing 3. What is the most spoken second language in the state of impaired employees.

Texas according to the Texas Education Association? (pg. 3) 7. The opinion piece on page 14 argues for 4. _____ Club is featured in the photo essay on page 16. _____ day school weeks 6. What Bowie program is putting on a winter concert? (pg. 13. Julia Lowes is highlighted on page 4 for 12) what extracurricular?

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Want to submit your own art, photos, or writing?

Mitchell said.

“I was able to identify an adult and match them with a language.

My parents were Spanish; my agriculture teacher was English; my Spanish teacher was Spanish.

So that really, really helped in separating both languages. I feel like I had very, very good models when learning these languages. That’s what I hope to give to my students as well.”

According to research from the United Nations in 2022, children are more perceptive to new languages before the age of 12. This is because, on average, children are better at passive listening and absorbing language, which allows them to grasp new words and grammar rules easier than adults learning the same language.

“Once you've started learning another language, it becomes easier to learn others,” Preston said. “Of course it’s easiest if you're raised speaking multiple languages, or if you start getting educated in two or more languages early on, but it doesn't mean that you can't learn later on. It is easier if you know another language or two to start off with, so you’re able to make comparisons between them all.”

When it comes to learning language, Education First (EF), a company that supports language and travel, says that while language apps like Duolingo are easy, they may not be the most efficient way to learn a language.

EF promotes the conclusion that in-person language learning is unparalleled.

“I've always felt that Spanish is kind of like my superpower,” Mitchell said.

“I understand it. It's easy for me to explain it, and I love it when students love the language like I do. I also love when I'm in the classroom, and they have questions. I just feel fantastic when I have the answers. It just makes me feel good, knowing that this is something that I do really, really well and that I'm passionate about.”

4 FEATURE

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY DEC. 15, 2023

Julia Low dominates in debate division Junior congressional debater qualifies for Texas Forensic Association State competition Sophia Sanchez Executive Editor: Writing Hand out the window, Doja Cat blasting through the car, junior Julia Low sings along to her favorite song on her way to her next debate tournament, ready to give her all.

Low was first introduced to debate her freshman year and immediately took an interest in the community and the competitions the team attended.

“I’ve always been a public speaker,” Low said. “I know a lot of people struggled to start with just getting over the learning curve of learning how to public speak or how to argue. I know that can be really difficult, but to me, it came naturally. It was really love at first sight with debate.”

According to Low’s mom, Nicole Shaw, many of these extroverted traits were noticeable from a young age and were heavily encouraged during conversations.

“Julia has long had an interest in discussing what is going on in the world,” Shaw said. “Conversations with family allowed her to become comfortable asking questions and clarifying information. Her curiosity and ease in engaging others in conversation allowed her to understand others’ points of view. This all contributed to her interest in the opportunities at the Bowie Debate Program.”

During Low’s first year in the debate program, she qualified for the Texas Forensic Association State (TFA State) and then advanced to the national competition.

“I became super dedicated,” Low said. “I’m most proud of my qualifications my freshman year. I didn’t think I was gonna make nationals. I told Mr. Mast, who’s our coach, that I’m not going to make this. He stared back at me and said you overthink yourself.

Turns out that every single time I have said that to him, I always end up doing better than I did. I like to look back and see that, I really did strive for success.”

Tournaments host a multitude of

ADDRESSING THE CLASS: Junior Julia Low throws her hands up in an attempt to cool down an intense debate between freshmen club members. Argumentative games are a common activity among the debate club members as they keep the novice competitors intrigued. PHOTO BY Emerson Traugott

speech and debate events, such as Public Forum, Lincoln Douglas, World Schools, Congress, and many more.

For Low, her focus is on Congressional debate where the contestant gives speeches to convince an audience to

ASSISTING THE NOVICES: Low observes freshmen Israel Chavez and Anya Ghimire as they participate in a speech and debate game. According to Low confidence plays an essential aspect of debate, and heavily encourages others to continue their careers in Congress. PHOTO BY Emerson Traugott

speeches and looked over them and affirm or negate a bill. Around three then we talked about random things.” bills are debated per round and conWith tournaments every other testers are then judged based on their weekend, event chair duties, and being speech and questions. a part of multiple clubs, Low’s sched“She is very assertive when she ule tends to be crowded. talks,” senior Bodhi Rosen said. “She “I am in multihas a very commandple organizations,” ing presence, which is Low said. “I do a good, and for congresbunch of different sional debate makes You feel the stress, things, but it’s really people think that they to just have to listen to her and you feel the anxiety important understand that. I’m hear what she’s saying.” but then after there’s definitely someone Inside the classgoes to speech room, Low is an event this adrenaline rush who competitions way chair for congressional that leaves you with too much, I went debate. A part of this every single one role is to assist novices, this feeling of I really to during my sophofreshman in debate, do love doing this. more year. You can with prepping for their really find a balance tournaments.

Julia Low that works for you.

“I joined the debate junior And for me personteam this year and I like ally, it just means to do Congress,” freshtaking breaks when I man Monalena Diab need them.” said. “I remember when I went to the Despite the hectic schedule, Low debate camp in the summer, she was super welcoming. I automatically liked has continued to pursue her passions in and out of debate. her and was super drawn to her. She “Julia really enjoys debate, which is super outgoing and we talked about is good because debate keeps her everything. She helped me with my

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very busy,” Shaw said. “She has been able to grow herself as a competitor.

The content of her writing and the structure of her writing has improved and the focus of topics in a discussion as well.”

Preparing for tournaments looks different for each section of debate.

For Low, certain methods have proven beneficial for speech.

“I really love speaking drills,” Low said. “Anyone who comes to the club or is in one of my events, they know I love speaking drills. It really helps with your performance and overall your argumentation. Just being able to think off the top of your head is super crucial and debate and I really love to work on that with speaking drills and making sure that we’re really fluent and being the best that we can be. One of the other main things in terms of preparation is just getting ready, like having your arguments ready.”

Qualification for TFA State is a long and extensive process requiring students to compete almost every weekend to gain enough state points to qualify. Congress requires 20 compared to public forums “At the last tournament I was nervous,” Low said. “I was scared. I felt unprepared. I was not ready and was just like, I had a million emotions running through my head. But I was supported by one of my best friends, and I had novices in the room with me, and I felt so happy at that moment. I didn’t even care about winning or doing well.”

Learning from past mistakes plays a vital role in advancing during tournaments. According to Low, the years of experience in her belt, and her positive outlook on competitions has helped her advance at a faster rate.

“I have never won a tournament.

I’ve come in second so many times,” Low said. “It ended up that I won and I broke down into tears. Multiple people have angles of me sobbing on the floor of Anderson High School. I was just so excited because not only was it my state qualification, but it also was one of the first times like the first time I’ve ever won a tournament. You feel the stress, you feel the anxiety but then after there’s this adrenaline rush that leaves you with this feeling of I really do love doing this.”

The TFA State competition will be held in April. With extra time to prepare, Low has taken this opportunity to further help the novices and contribute to other areas of debate.

“Julia’s state qualification came early this year,” Shaw said. “Her early qualification is only showing how much she has worked within the past few years and really grown as a competitor. While she has been pleased with her wins and placing as a competitor during her time in the Bowie debate, it has also helped her learn how to deal with adversity and loss when things don’t go her way.

That is a tough life lesson that extends far beyond debate.”

Freshman finds phenomenal fun in producing music Savannah Riggins Dispatch Reporter

that the next step is taking the idea and either adding instruments or recreating them digitally.

That is also when I write lyrics. Once I’ve created The strings of a guitar ring out, carrying the most of the instruments and vocals I just have to melody crafted by freshman Alex Doles. The spend some time going through it and producsounds of a piano add to the melody of the song. ing it so it all sounds good and then it can be The vocals are the final product as Doles sits uploaded onto the music streaming services.” back, satisfied with his latest song.

Alex’s music has reached wide variety of Doles began producing music about four people. Junior Andrea Abundis is a big fan of years ago, but his musical talents were discovAlex’s music. She has been listening since the ered long before that. Doles initially took interbeginning of the year. est in electric guitar when he was in elementary “I first learned about Aex’s music from people school, but began with piano lessons per his on the tennis team,” Abundis said. “I like his parents request. music because his songs are catchy. His music “I was really upset and didn’t really want to style is also different from others he does a mix take piano lessons,” Doles said. “I just wanted of rap and pop.” to play guitar but when I began piano I realized I Alex intends for his music to eventually span have a knack for music and playing piano, which across multiple genres such as rap, hip hop and led into playing other instruments. And next pop so that it reaches a larger audience with thing you know, I was writing songs. Over five differing musical preferences. years I went from not doing anything musically “I want to have a very diverse catalog,” Alex to realizing I love music and enjoy playing it all said. “Some of this is more apparent when the time.” looking at things like my SoundCloud page Over the years Doles has grown his musical which features a bit more of the unique tracks I knowledge and has learned to perfect different have put together but not fully instruments without professionreleased.” al training.

Songs aren’t the only things “At this point, he can basithat Alex produces. Accompanycally figure out how to play any some of his released songs Now the goal is with ing song in just a few minutes,” his are music videos. These videos father, Sean Doles said. “He will every music release began as a fun idea that Alex sit down at the piano or with his his dad decided to create to have something and guitar and figure out the music but over the years they have by ear. He can also figure out for the viewers to improved their techniques. new instruments pretty quick“When I first made a song watch, whether it ly. He played the saxophone in sixth grade, my dad said, oh, in middle school and can play be a video or some you should make a music video that really well, and now he has I thought it sounded like sort of publication. and figured out how to play an old a fun idea,” Alex said “It was flute that we have laying around really more of a comedy than a Alex Doles the house.” real music video. But, once we freshman Producing music isn’t as made that one, we had to make simple as just being able to play another. So, now the goal is with instruments. According to Alex every music release, to have there are many steps in the process of putting something for the viewers to watch, whether it together a song. be a video or some sort of publication on You“I usually start with the main melody or Tube, I find it really goes a long way in terms of chorus in my head,” Alex said. “Then I’ll sing getting your music out there.” the melody into a voice memo. It’s just a way to According to: 6 Tips to Succeed in the Combrain dump all the stuff I want in the song. After petitive Music Industry, the music industry is

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STRUMMING A TUNE: Freshman Alex Doles practices an original song which he has been working on for the past couple of weeks. Doles plans to release a holiday special this December that will have a variety of music genres. PHOTO BY Slyder Degelia

one of the most competitive and dynamic fields in the world. Alex states that building a liveable profession will be difficult so when thinking about the future of his career he takes a realistic approach to it.

“I’ve always thought of it as something I would do on the side,” Alex said. “But, things can change quickly. Something can go viral.

Right now, I’m just planning on focusing on other things, like going to college.”

While there are many positives to songwriting there are also drawbacks, especially when releasing music on social media. According to Alex, putting his music out in the world requires accepting the negative comments of others, specifically online.

“My harshest critic is definitely social media,” Alex said. “It is a lot easier for someone online to say something hateful to a kid whereas in person the vast majority of people aren’t going to say anything disrespectful. As soon as you put it on Tiktok or Instagram people are going to comment that things are hateful.”

The music industry can be daunting to those who are afraid to take risk. According to Alex, being able to pave your own path makes the experience all the better.

“If someone said that they were thinking about making music, I would say 100% go for it,” Alex said. “You have nothing to lose. There’s tons of tools and people that make it really easy.

When I first started making music, I had no idea what I was doing. You can experiment until you get something you like and use that skill to write your own songs.”

SCAN TO SEE MORE! VIDEO BY Slyder Degelia

FEATURE 5

Scroll and pen meet camera and lens FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

Texas murder spree

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Creative writing classes’ take on turning their writing into real life through two short films 2023

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Isabella Verette Feature Editor

Making a new world, creating something new and unique, is nothing but an every other day experience for students in Bowie’s creative writing class. These students decided to take their creations and turn them into something not only to read but also watch.

The creative writing class here at Bowie is taught by English Teacher Jacob Morgan and is offered to junior and seniors as an elective.

“The writing we do in school is very academic-centered, so being able to see students express themselves and just explore their creativity is refreshing,” Morgan said. “It’s refreshing to see and hear what they come up with.”

Throughout the school year, the students cover several different styles of writing.

“We do everything, non-fiction essays, short stories, poetry, and a few more,” Morgan said. “It gives students a real chance to experiment with format and style when it comes to writing.”

Morgan has been at Bowie for 10 years and has been teaching creative writing since he arrived at the school.

“The program has been around since my first day here, and the kids that take it seem to enjoy having an outlet,” Morgan said. “This class provides them with a place where they can express their creativity because in school the writing is so structured.”

Every year, Morgan partners with the Austin Film Festival to help teach students how to produce films and bring their stories to life.

“Each year they send a filmmaker from the festival with equipment,” Morgan said. “So, they are taught how to use everything by professionals and also have them as a resource throughout the process.”

With the help of one of the filmmakers from the festival, students produce two different screenplays.

“Each class period voted for the script they thought would be the best to film, and they made some really good choices,” Morgan said.

“This year both scripts were written by seniors, who are second year students in this class.”

Every student in class writes a screenplay and both classes have to narrow down the best options for their class. There are films made in each class period. Seniors Jadon Demetri and Sakari Jackson were the two writers whose screenplays were chosen.

“I was really surprised when they picked my story,” Jackson said “My classmates said ‘this is

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Senior Rosemarie Nevland takes hold of the camera, during the first day of work on one of the creative writing short films, ‘name of film’ with the help filmmaker Andrew Fisher from the Austin Film Festival. PHOTO BY Nick Wood the one we are gonna film,’ I was not expecting it at all,” Jackson wrote a script called “The Texas Murder Spree,” with the intention of it being a horror-based film with an underlying aspect of comedy.

“The goal was to make it funny, and everyone in the class seems to think it hilarious, and fun to film,” Jackson said The creative writing students are in charge of every step that’s crucial to creating their films and making the story come to life.

“I’m really open to feedback and ideas, if “While we do have a filmmaker come in and someone has something to say I want to hear it,” teach the students about how to use the equipJackson said. “This isn’t just my short film, it’s ment and create the overall film, it is very much all of ours and I want the final product to show them doing the work themselves,” Morgan said. that.”

“Unlike the other assignments they are being Although there are parts of the process that forced to share their creative processes and come Jackson isn’t looking forward to, overall she has together to collectively create something.” positive feelings towards the Creativity is the priority whole process. for this class. According to “ It’s a highly creative class, Morgan, it’s crucial to the in such a serious school setsuccess of not only their ting,” Jackson said. “I apprecidifferent pieces of writing I think its important to ate the opportunity it gives me throughout the year, but to express myself and have fun also with these short films. have this opportunities every other day.”

“The only really big limto write creatively in The second film chose by itation is the setting because the group, written by Demetri, they are filming everything High School,its fees is ‘Don’t Cry. Vote.’ is about a on campus,” Morgan said. freeing and you get to high school kid causing a ruck“So, getting some settings us on campus before having a that they want is more diffiexperiment. crisis of conscience. cult than driving somewhere “Its about a villainous kid that fits their vision.” named Dig Billbanks,” Morgan This year, the creative Creative Writing Student said. “Its really interesting to writing students have also see how these stories relate had to adapt to one more or don’t relate at all to the task, other than location students lives.” casting, filming, and editing.

For the creative writing students who have “Last year the guy from the film festival edited both of the short films for us, but this year we been working the last two weeks, their deadline is approaching faster. have to do it ourselves,” Jackson said. “And I’m “A lot is going on with editing, filming, and not looking forward to it, because I want the film putting everything together,” Morgan said. “Esto be perfect and come to life perfectly.” pecially when it comes down to, two films being While Jackson wrote the script, she wasn’t made that are very different.” alone in bringing it to life.

While the vision of Demetri’s film was dif“I wouldn’t say I had only one co-director,” ferent than that of Jackson’s, this class period Jackson said. “I was unable to be there the first was just as inspired to bring it to life and work day of filming, so there was a group of people together. who really stepped up, and I consider all of them “I think collectively both class periods have co-directors in a sense.” created something authentically them,” Morgan Other than just capturing the film on camsaid.“In the process, they have also created a very era, Jacksons co-directors also help make sure unique memory for themselves.” the film is exploding with the perfect balance of ideas.

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Sakari Jackson

READY TO ROLL: Preparing to begin their film, a creative writing student writes the details of the scene on the clapboard. ‘The Texas Murder Spree’ was originally written by senior Sakari Jackson, who intended the film to be a fusion of horror and comedy. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

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6 PHOTO ESSAY

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

Yearly Fall Fest kickstarts fall break

LIVE HONEYCOMB: Sophomore Bee Club vice president Pluto Trippe presents a live honeycomb collected from their own hives, which are located on campus, to the Fall Fest attendees. Trippe and other Bee Club members also handed out homemade hot honey tea to students visiting their booth.

“I think Fall Fest is the best way to spend the day before break,” Trippe said. “It allows students to make a better connection to not only Bowie but the clubs that Bowie has to offer and that unlocks so many opportunities for students that can help them throughout their life and high school.”

PHOTO BY Arden Ray

No Place for Hate group holds annual event for students and clubs Arden Ray Photo Essay Editor To kick off Thanksgiving break with fun and excitement, Bowie held its annual Fall Fest. Fall Fest is an event created and planned by the No Place for Hate organization and involves clubs and organizations setting up games and activities for students to learn about the variety of groups that Bowie has to offer.

The Student Council setup cornhole in the courtyard for students to play. Junior student council member Max Broderick spent time with his peers at Fall Fest checking out all of the activities.

“This was a great way for students to spend the day before break because it got their mind off school and let them spend some time with friends,” Broderick said.

Every year No Place for Hate picks a theme for the event that is

positive and uplifting for students. This year the theme was Fall.

“I liked the theme because it made me excited for break and it didn’t feel like I was really at a school,” Broderick said. “It was a fun way to show me different clubs at the school.”

Every club at Fall Fest set up games and gave out food with the goal to attract more students to their club and gain more members. Along with cornhole, the student council handed out cookies to any student who wanted them.

“We set up a booth that was fun and interactive with students,” Broderick said. “Our club did definitely attract people because we had a lot more kids at our next meeting after the break.”

Another Bowie club that attracted a big crowd at Fall Fest was the Bowie Bee Club. Sophomore and club vice president Pluto Trippe helped run the Bee

Club booth. They handed out hot honey tea and showed interested students a live honeycomb that came straight from the Bowie bee hives.

“I honestly believe everyone had an amazing time that day, students that seemed shy were coming up to me and asking questions and it was just smiles everywhere, even the teachers were having fun,” Trippe said.

The activities and drinks given out from the Bee Club made many students want to stop by and learn all about what the club does.

“It definitely attracted people, we had teachers and students asking for seconds of our tea,” Trippe said. “I think people really loved our club, we had people bring us live bees that they found around the courtyard and we had teachers coming up to us and saying our tea was getting popular.”

Among the many students curious about the clubs and

programs at Fall Fest, junior Lily Warren participated in different activities with her friends and got interested in what the clubs had to offer “I thought that every booth had a different spin on the theme that was connected to each activity and it was really interesting and cool,” Warren said.

Warren helped her softball teammates run their cup pong booth. Cup pong was one of the many booths that students were drawn to.

“Our activity attracted a good amount of people, everyone who participated seemed to be having a fun time,” Warren said.

With the fall theme in full effect, students had a fun transition from school to Thanksgiving break by being able to go enjoy fun games and activities.

“It really made me feel like we were about to go on break and I got to spend time with all my friends all day,” Warren said.

CUP PONG: Junior Softball player Lily Warren plays cup pong at the softball team’s booth. Warren helped set up the activity with her teammates. “It was really fun getting to hangout with my friends all day and seeing people enjoy our stand,” Warren said. PHOTO BY Arden Ray

CHESS GAME: Students gather around and play chess. The Bowie Chess Club held chess games all day long. “I think students definitely had a good time because we were very friendly,” Broderick said. PHOTO BY Arden Ray

SINGING LOUD: Liam Foster sings karaoke in the courtyard. The Gender Sexuality Alliance Club set up the karaoke activity to bring students over to their club. “I think it’s important to have these festivals and days so that students can just get a day to connect to Bowie and discover interests and hobbies,” Trippe said. PHOTO BY Arden Ray

CORNHOLE: Junior Max Broderick plays cornhole with Junior Daniel Soto at Fall Fest. Broderick is a Student Council member and helped out with their activities. “My favorite part of fall fest was getting to spend time with my friends and play the different games clubs had set up,” Broderick said. PHOTO BY Arden Ray

7

HO HO HOning in on materialism FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

Students explore how to avoid falling into the consumerism trap during the holiday season Kate Davis Editor-in-Chief

in the black, you're making money. And that ping online as compared to visiting stores traditionally was the day that businesses in-person. broke even and then started making money.

“Social media influences me to buy more Boxes upon boxes, bags upon bags. The Lots and lots and lots of businesses really because I wouldn’t discover the majority of weight in Santa's sack makes him want to the items I purchase without seeing them on depend on the holiday season just to break gag. even.”

TikTok, Instagram, or other apps,” sophoHe steps off the sleigh with help from an In order to best predict the future of conmore Ivy Newman said. “If you only phyself, he lumbers down the chimney eying the ically go to stores a certain amount, you’re stockings on the shelf. not exposed or influenced to buy things very MOVING FORWARD ‘Materialism is a problem,” Santa thinks often. Whereas when you see it online conas he walks, he is disgraced with the waste stantly you can just buy it from your home. in each and every box. sumerism, Narvaiz has been examining past The simplicity of it makes it so much more events and how they may be impacting our tempting.” current issues and their potential longevity.

This increased usage of social media has THE HOLIDAY SEASON accelerated trend-culture among adoles“I don't see the cycle of consumerism changing at all in the near future,” Narvaiz cents, leading users to fall into the cycle of said. “I think it's going to remain what it never-ending consumption. is now unless we have a serious economic “With the way trends work, seeing so Stores line their shelves with items bust. I think what we're seeing now is more many people around me wearing one thing decked out in drawings of Santa, elves, and consumerism as people or buying one thing makes reindeer, and the latest rendition of ‘Jingle had saved money during me want to buy it,” NewBell Rock’ plays over the store intercom. the COVID-19 pandemic. man said. “It makes me feel Senior Tatum Wilson watches as little kids And now they're looking like I need to purchase it rush past the nativity scenes and the relifor ways to spend that. So because everyone else has I think there’s a lot gious aspects of Christmas, in favor of the I don't I don't see a change it. I mean something will be of pressure during commercialized holiday artifacts. happening soon.” trending one day and you “As a Christian, I do really enjoy ChristConversely, others have buy it, but then the trends the holidays on mas and I think it’s nice to have everything a more optimistic outlook change so quickly, and you purchasing a bunch on the future of materiallike the decorations, but it also takes away buy the next thing. It’s from the meaning behind the holiday and its ism, anticipating a change just a continuous cycle of of gifts rather than importance,” Wilson said. “I feel like people in the way society appurchasing something, no focusing on the should not be mass producing and profiting proaches consumerism. longer caring about it, and off of a religious holiday. The focus of the “I’ve seen a big shift on then purchasing the next quality of gifts. religious holiday is now focused on things social media of people beitem.” that are not related to Christianity at all, Maggie Oliver ginning to use things they In 1899 economist such as Santa or elves. I don’t necessarily senior already have, or shortening Thorsetein Veblen coined have a problem with those things existing their makeup routine, or the term conspicuous and being a part of people’s traditions, but I other things like that,” consumption, stating that just feel like it takes away from the meaning Oliver said. “I think people will fall back people may purchase certain items, not for and the religious value of Christmas.” in love with simplicity. I think minimalism their practical use, but as a symbol of their Materialism, or an obsession with matewill become a trend again.” wealth to prove their social value to others. rial items and possessions, often comes into As the holiday season comes to a close “I don’t necessarily think I purchase play during the holiday season, as people and we look into the new year, people are things simply to say I have them,” Oliver feel the suffocating stress of finding the considering how we can combat the root said. “However, I watch people buy multiple perfect gifts for friends and family. of materialism in order to achieve a more colors of Stanley cups and things like that “I think there’s a lot of pressure during modest future. because they see it online and feel like they the holidays on purchasing a bunch of gifts “There’s this Buddhist saying that need those things in order to be trendy.” rather than focusing on the quality of gifts,” basically says that the cause of suffering is senior Maggie Oliver said. “It’s also stressful want, or that if you don’t want things you’ll THE CONSEQUENCES feeling like I have to buy certain things to be happier,” Narvaiz said. “So you should fit the trends, meaning I’m making so many stop wanting. I don’t know if the media can unnecessary purchases.” change people’s wanting things. I think it’s According to the US Bureau of Labor StaAccording to the National Retail Federajust human nature.” tistics, the average annual expenditures in tion (NRF), between 2016 and 2022, there Wilson has focused on improving her the US increased by 9% from 2021 to 2022. was a 43.7% increase in spending during the This increase in purchases being made has own spending habits and advises others to holiday season, or the months of November be conscientious of their own consumerism begun to have detrimental effects. and December. The NRF “Consumer-culture produc- tendencies. is predicting that the in“Just be aware of what you’re buying and es a lot of waste, and a lot of crease between 2022 and be aware of how companies produce their pollution,” Oliver said. “It’s 2023 will be between 3% items and whether or not they are ethical,” also ethically bad, because a I don’t have a and 4%. With this statistic lot of fast consumption means Wilson said. “Think before you buy stuff. I in mind, some students feel like lots of times people purchase that unethical ways of proproblem with the are making a conscious things and then it sits in their house or ducing things are used, and commercialization, but you’ll find a lot of that in third their closet and they never use it. So just effort to escape the consumerism cycle.

I feel like it takes away world countries that are mass ask yourself before buying something: do “Gift-giving is importproducing items we don’t real- you need it? Is it ethically sourced? Just be from the meaning and ly need.” ant to me, but I’ve always very aware of your own consumption of been the person that takes items.”

According to the National the religious value of people for experiences Library of Medicine, the nevChristmas. rather than giving items,” er-ending quest for material Oliver said. “I just think items and constant consumTatum Wilson that memories and spenderism has resulted in resource senior ing time with people is depletion, and the acceleration worth so much more than of climate change due to an just giving them items.” increase in demand for unsusSimilarly to Oliver’s passion for giving tainable goods. others new experiences, AP economics “The more we buy the more impact teacher Ruth Narvaiz has explored other we’re having on the environment,” Wilson avenues to participate in holiday traditions said. “The more we buy, the more compawithout falling into the materialism trap. nies want to produce, because they want to “I make a lot of gifts and I do lots of arts make the most profit possible. For example, and crafts,” Narvaiz said. “I love to give with fast fashion we constantly keep buying homemade gifts. And I like to get homeclothes instead of thrifting items or reusing made gifts too because of that. It takes a items. Then there’s the overproduction of lot more work and thought to do that. I've other items that could easily be reused or noticed some people really appreciate it. that could be bought more ethically. People I'll make gifts and some are like ‘wow this don’t really realize the impact and it ruins homemade’ and get excited about it.” the environment, with things such as factories, which contribute to greenhouse gases.”

In addition to the environmental conCONTRIBUTING FACTORS sequences, the increased commercialization and purchasing of material items has The holiday season is not the only thing impacted the scarcity of numerous cultural being affected by materialism. The ability to artifacts. easily purchase things online has increased “I feel like a lot of companies steal other the unneeded expenses of people’s cultures and they many consumers. mass produce it,” Wilson said.

“I could sit here during “It gives people this idea that my lunch hour and spend culture can be sold and can be hundreds of dollars withprofited off of. Then, people out ever going anywhere,” participate in these trends and Narvaiz said. “And a few purchase certain items not years ago I would have knowing that it’s cultural apnever ordered things onpropriation, and it just leads line or ordered things over to a lot of larger issues and mail. But now I wonder if mistreatment of cultures.”

I can find some random Despite the negative conthing and somebody out sequences of materialism, the there on Google sells that US economy has been built random thing that you upon consumerism and its Maggie Oliver think you need, it’s crazy.” benefits. senior With the expansion of “The reason they call Black technology and increased Friday, Black Friday is access to the internet because for lots of busihas come a new world of temptations for nesses that's the time when they start consumers. According to Statista, 43% of making money,” Narvaiz said. “If you're consumers in the United States prefer shopin the red, you're losing money. If you're

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Percent increase in holiday sales from 2003 to 2022 59.4%

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I just think that memories and spending time with people is worth so much more than just giving them items.

Holiday traditions in Austin that don't require material gifts:

VISIT A HOLIDAY EVENT

AT-HOME ACTIVITIES

Austin Trail of Lights

Bake cookies

Mozart's Coffee Roasters Light Show

Watch your favorite holiday movie

Ballet Austin Nutcracker

Cozy up in your favorite W

IN-DEPTH 9

8 IN-DEPTH

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

STYLING SELF LOVE

SELF-EXPRESSION According to senior Kinda Natsheh, fashion is key to self-expression. She feels that the clothes we wear communicate our personality, mood, and identity to others. When she feels good about the way that she looks, her clothing raises her confidence in a way that no other medium can do. Natsheh follows a trendy style, but she ensures that it is still comfortable, casual, and true to her personality.

“My style is very trendy, but I like to give it unique qualities, so it’s still me,” Natsheh said. “It took me a while to get comfortable with what I wear, but once you allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone, you can find styles and pieces that can be really special and unique to you. It just makes me really happy and it makes me feel like I know what I’m doing.”

According to the University of Fashion, music and clothing share an inextricable role in demonstrating the individuality, political beliefs, and personal interests of its users.

Junior Kinnley Shillings couldn’t agree more; she often uses her clothing to stand out from the crowd, while she expresses her love for her favorite bands. Her closet is stuffed with the designs and logos from bands like Deftones, Tool, Superheavan, and many more.

“I like being able to show myself in a way where everybody can see the real me,” Shillings said. “Style and fashion are so personalized, it shows who you really are as a person, what you can be and what you want to be. It helps people understand you, and I love to be

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WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

SELF-LOVE According to a 2012 study from Northwestern University, wearing certain clothes has a tangible effect on a person’s mental and physical health; this concept is known as “enclothed cognition,” which refers to the symbolic meaning of fashion and its influence on our mental state. Loyd dresses in professional basics to create a stronger image for herself, as she is beginning to step into the business world.

“My clothes betray a certain point of professionalism for me, because it helps adults take me more seriously, and it helps my peers take me more seriously,” Loyd said.

“I’m trying to branch out my professional life right now, and I know that mature clothing will help me do that.”

Natsheh believes that fashion is an important part of today’s society.

“Fashion is more than fabric,” Natsheh said. “It goes beyond what you wear. In some ways, fashion is art. Fashion is culture. It has developed over centuries. It’s something that we need to hold on to, something we should take pride in. Fashion is a very big part of what makes our community, a community.”

According to LeJeune, fashion can be an overlooked method to maintaining or improving mental health.

A study by the National Library of Medicine has shown that routine dressing rituals can help people ward off thoughts that contribute to anxiety and depression. This is because getting dressed in the morning is a relatively-easy aspect of self-care that can help combat depressive tendencies, and in turn become a practice of mindfulness.

“In the past few years, I have been struggling with issues in my personal life,” LeJeune said. “But getting to put on something colorful and nice in the morning gives me this moment of happiness, a spark of joy in my mornings and can really make my day better.”

According to Shillings, fashion and mental health are linked in a complicated, contradictory relationship that can, and does, affect each individual in a different way. While fashion can be used as a tool for empowerment and self-expression, it can also be a force of conformity and self-consciousness. Natsheh believes it’s important to prioritize your own mental health, and make fashion choices that make you comfortable and confident in your own skin.

“Fashion is something that you can control,” Natsheh said. “The way you dress, the way you style yourself, it’s all in your hands. Your appearance is something you have to live with, so you may as well discover different ways to love yourself, because you’re going to have to stick with this body forever.

Embrace your beautiful features, because they aren’t going anywhere without you.”

EMO

minimalist hipster academic

PUNK ARTSY

EMO grunge VINTAGE

chic

chic

girly

surf-stylish

goth

sporty

28.2% male, 62.9% female, 7.3% non-binary/other

nerdy

COMFORTABLE

goth elegant

nerdy

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trendy

preppy skate-style

Everything she wears comes with a story.

As sophomore Emily LeJeune glances in the mirror, she swells with pride. Her eyes are pulled to the bright yellow sweater spread across her shoulders, one of her favorites; thrifted from Goodwill, bought by a mother who knows her daughter’s style. The long, black skirt wrapped around her waist was specifically bought to see Book of Mormon at Austin on Broadway, but she ended up loving it so much that it became a staple in her wardrobe. She stood in soft, colorful socks that were knitted by one of her father’s old co-workers, and her shoes were scuffed, wornin by her mother during her school years in the ‘90s.

These stories have built her character, and she loves that she can use her clothing to portray the things that are important to her.

Symbolism is braided and weaved into every stitch she wears, filling her with love for her clothes and those who they came from. She knows that, no matter what outfit she creates, it will be an empowering piece that connects her to those she loves, wrapping around her in an embrace that makes her look, and feel, beautiful.

“Fashion is important because it reflects who you are,” LeJeune said. “Style is different for everyone because we are all so unique, and it’s nice to see how people take their passions and apply them to their fashion. It creates an amazing community, and it’s a way to show yourself and your story to the world.”

able to stand out like that.” able in exploitative clothing. This problem is For senior Adrian Ferretiz, fashion has further broadened as the pressure to conform allowed him to create a community of confito certain trends or standards weighs in on dence-boosting friendships. He feels that his teen’s minds, potentially leading to body clothing often allows him to say what cannot image issues and other negative impacts on be said, to present his engaging, colorful permental health. sonality that otherwise might be overlooked “Fashion began to impact my mental health based on a quiet demeanor; he feels that as I came into high school,” Ferretiz said. fashion is empowering and can “Once I started to care more help people reclaim control of about my image, I wanted their image. to try to look good for other “With fashion, you are able people. Eventually I stopped to outwardly present yourself caring what others think, Don’t apologize for to others, without even having and wore my clothing for looking a certain to say anything,” Ferretiz said. myself. If I decide to wear “I have met lots of my friends the same cardigan multiple way. Embrace because we all try to pick out times this week, who cares? yourself, because and create our own styles, and Why not? I have learned to it’s fun to be a part of that little present myself nicely for my you are unique and circle of people trying to wear confidence, not necesno one can take that own cool outfits.” sarily for others.”

LeJeune believes fashion Natsheh has had similar away from you. doesn’t always have a positive experiences. She comes impact, though. Societal expecfrom a culture that dresses Avery Loyd tations in the fashion industry in very modest clothing, Sophomore can play a role in mental health where it is more common issues like anxiety, depression, and acceptable to wear less and body dysmorphia. She believes that fixarevealing clothing. Having been a young teen tions on appearance can lead to harmful cycles during the COVID-19 pandemic, Natsheh of comparison, self-criticism, and struggles to gained weight and her body had matured in improve mental health or well-being. ways that made it hard for her to decide what “People will compare themselves to fashwas appropriate for both her body, and her ion models and supermodels, and it makes culture. them get insecure about the tiniest things in “There were just so many factors that went themselves, things that don’t really matter,” into picking an outfit and figuring out how to LeJeune said. “I can understand insecurities, see myself,” Natsheh said. “I had really bad they are real and they exist. But getting insebody dysmorphia, and the culture didn’t make cure over the way your eye curves down, or it any easier. I love my culture, but it can the way that your nose looks? It feels almost sometimes be hard to balance it with other unnecessary to focus on these minor features, aspects of my life.” and it sucks that a lot of people struggle with Although this was a challenging time for these problems.”

Natsheh, she truly loves her culture and the community it places her in. Throughout her high school career, she has been exploring her sense of self in conjunction with her culture’s conservative style, to find the union between Sophomore Avery Loyd grew up dancthe two things that are so important to her. ing. She spent hours and hours every week She encourages others to explore their own in a ballet class, where skin-tight costumes core values, and learn how to apply these to and community standards shunned anybody the image they are trying to create. whose body type did not follow the typical “Once I started learning size and shape expectations. more about my body shape and These conditions affected what clothing works best for Loyd’s confidence in her me, I really began accepting body image; she has grown how I look,” Natsheh said. “It’s Fashion is more than since then, and she now recfor every person, but fabric. Fashion is art. different ognizes the beauty inherent it’s important to understand in each and every individual, yourself before you care about Fashion is culture. including herself. what others see in you.”

It’s something we “For a long time, I wantFerretiz suggests minied to hide my body from mizing the focus on outside need to hold on people,” Loyd said. “But expectations when building a to, something we in the past few years, I’ve self-image, as he knows that learned that everyone is built conventional beauty standards should take pride in. different, and it’s okay to be often push for conformity in a built that way. You shouldn’t Kinda Natsheh way that discourages individual have to apologize for looking Senior style. a certain way, because you “It’s important to love yourhave no power over it. Emself and your image, because brace yourself, because you you matter and you should do what’s best for are unique, and you are awesome, and no one you,” Ferretiz said. “You need to put down can take that away from you.” expectations, focus more on yourself, and According to clothing brand June Adapdon’t worry about other’s ideas about you. If tive, those who experience clothing anxiety you can’t change something about yourself, commonly feel self-conscious or uncomfortembrace it.”

MAXIMALIST

popular casual

participant demographics: 3.2% freshman, 25.8% sophomore, 46.8% junior, 24.2% senior

BOWIE STUDENTS ARE...

Students study strong relationships formed between fashion and mental health Mazzy Warren Editor-in-Chief

student statistics

125 bowie students were surveyed on their opinions and habits regarding their style and the resulting impact on their identity

thrifty

VINTAGE

ALTERNATIVE street-stylish sporty

HOW HAS FASHION IMPACTED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

27% 6% Strong Negative Impact

43%

3%

Strong Positive Impact

6%

Where do students shop? % students surveyed

ART BY Asher Hagan

79.7% 61.8% 60.2%

shop

online

shop at

the mall

22% 21.1%

BLACK was the favorite clothing color

62.9% students describe their style as “comfortable”

shop at

thrift stores

45.2% students believe shirts are the most important aspect of an outfit

shop at

local businesses

shop at

grocery stores

21%

64%

FALL

was students’ favorite season for fashion

$$ students’

favorite online reatailer was

AMAZON

students believe fashion positively impacts mental health

ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

here are popular styles worn by today’s fashion icons

ALTERNATIVE

GOTH

PREPPY

SPORTY

VINTAGE

Colors:

Colors:

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Similar to:

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Alternative fashion focuses on self-expression and rebellion against mainstream beliefs and fashion trends.

This is a broad style that encompasses many different subcultures, like punk, emo, lolita, and many more. black, white, red, blue goth, grunge, emo SOURCE Medium Style Club ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

This style is marked by dark clothing, hair, and makeup.

Gothic culture emerged in the 1980s, and stands for challenging societal norms and encouraging mystery and complexity in a world full of expectation and order. black, scarlet red, dark blue alternative, grunge, hipster SOURCE Psylo Fashion ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

This style emerged in the 1900’s, and was primarily worn by wealthy students who attended Ivy Leagues or preparatory schools, hence the name. It now works to convey the cute, care-free vibes of wealthy students. burgundy, navy, white academia, sporty, vintage SOURCE InStyle Fashion ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

Sporty outfits are all about a relaxed look. They are typically styled with comfortable clothes such as sweatpants, leggings, tank-tops, tennis shoes, and other pieces of clothing that can be worn during athletic activities. red, blue, gray, pink casual, comfortable, chic SOURCE Autum Love ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

Found in thrift stores and hand-me-downs, this aesthetic is still developing. Modern styles typically features woolly sweaters, patterned dresses, dress pants, and unique colors like pistachio green or burnt orange. green, yellow, pink, teal academia, preppy, thrifted SOURCE LA Vintage Wholesale ART BY Sophia Sepulveda

10 SPORTS

A

THE DISPATCH DEC. 15, 2023

THLETES SSERT

Senior guard aiming to lead ‘Dawgs to playoffs Mason Wasserburger Shooting Guard Questions? Concerns? Email:

bowie.journalism@gmail.com

This season, we’re all expecting to compete for the district championship and to get first place, and we feel like we can beat anyone. We’re 10-4 right now and 1-1 in district.

That being said, we’re in a really stacked district for basketball with teams like Westlake and Lake Travis. There are many high ranked state teams in our district and we understand that it’s also easier said than done to win games.

We also want to not only make the playoffs, but make a long playoff run. Our bi-district is full of good teams, but if we can get hot shooting and play good defense we can match-up against anybody.

Last year, obviously the season didn’t end the way I wanted it to. We were in the top four in the district all the way until pretty much the last week of the season, and we ended up losing to Anderson in a “do-or-die” game to advance to the playoffs.

I got hurt early into the game, and although I tried to play on it, it ended up being a pretty long-term ankle injury.

Getting hurt and losing the do or die game was a pretty heartbreaking ending to my junior season. It left a bad taste in my mouth all spring, because we fell just short of a potential playoff run.

I feel like this team has a lot of scorers and play-makers, which is good because every game a different player can step up and help us win. That is the biggest difference between this year and last year, and that’s why I think we can be so successful.

We’ve lost some games we shouldn’t have this season, but I believe we’ve turned the corner and have a renewed focus going into every game, especially district, so something like last year doesn’t happen again.

After losing to Dripping Springs our first game, we managed to get a win against Austin High, which was super important. Getting our first district win gave us confidence to move through the rest of our schedule.

We have a lot of versatility and size with the lineups we’ve been using, and that has also won us games. We shoot a ton of three pointers, but we are also finding ways to win on poor shooting nights, which is what, in my opinion, makes us a good team.

Only two games into the season, there is still a lot of basketball to play, but I feel that we have the talent to finish over some tough teams and qualify for the playoffs. We also have generated a good crowd for all of our home games this season too, so that has definitely boosted our desire to win.

The support combined with our ability to win in games that we struggle to score in really defines our team. If we can continue to attract support and close out tough games, there’s not a doubt in my mind that we can compete against and beat some of the best teams in Texas. *Have a sports opinion or story you want to share? Contact bowie. journalism@gmail.com to be the next feature columnist.

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PHOTOS BY Will Olenick

XC competes at State Champs

‘Dawgs and Lady ‘Dawgs make history with two top-16 finishes in meet Ben Tillisch Executive Editor: Sports

Despite this, due to high dedication and chemistry within the team according to Johnson, the ‘Dawgs finished with a team Churning his legs, senior score, or the team’s cumulative Reiser Johnson urged himself placement, of 343. forward across the finish line.

“We practiced together, we Despite his lungs screaming treated our bodies right, we desperately for air and his went to Six Flags, we did everyheavy legs, Johnson sets aside thing together,” Johnson said. his own fatigue to encourage “We grew as a his teammates. team. Because After doing of that, we so, Johnson were strong awaits as the judges release It feels great. We’re and we raced really the results of going to be etched together well.” the 2023 Cross The ‘Dawgs Country State in history forever. qualified for ChampionIt’s a massive the State ships. Johnson, along with the accomplishment and Championfollowing other ‘Dawgs I’m glad I got to do it ships a fourth place runners, finish in the listen excitedwith that group.

6A Region IV ly as they’re Reiser Johnson regional meet announced as Senior Runner in Corpus the 16th fastest Christi. Fifthsquad in Texas. year head “It feels coach Lora Tilson attributes great,” Johnson said. “We’re their seasonal success to changoing to be etched in history neling the internal competition forever. It’s a massive accomwithin the team to meets. plishment and I’m glad I got to “The boys particularly do that with that group. We’re formed a really strong bond,” all so close with each other and Tilson said. “They’d always all great friends, and it was a kind of been a little competigreat experience.” tive with each other, but they Held at Old Settlers Park realized that not only did they in Round Rock, the ‘Dawgs need to be competitive with matched up against the best each other, but they had to teams in the state of Texas.

"

RUNNING HARD: Senior Henry Janes makes a turn at the State meet.

Janes finished as an alternate with a time of 17 minutes and 27 seconds. PHOTO BY Mars Canepa

FIGHTING FOR POSITION: Senior Reiser Johnson runs alongside a runner from Deer Park High School.

Deer Park finished with a team score of 342, one placement above the ‘Dawgs. PHOTO BY Mars Canepa

be competitive with the other teams too. I think they came together to encourage each other to see that, that was what it took to win.”

The ‘Dawgs state squad consisted of sophomore Griffin Hummel, senior Kaiser Kothmann, senior Josh Fluornoy, and sophomore Roman Jacobs along with Johnson. Johnson finished third within the team and 69th overall after completing the five kilometer course in 16 minutes and 26 seconds.

“People think that cross country isn’t a team sport but it really is,” Johnson said. “The closer you are, the faster you are. My teammates are like brothers to me. I’d do anything for them. And I feel like that really helped us. We’re all really competitive, so that’s why we became really close and meshed as a team.”

Along with the ‘Dawgs, the Lady ‘Dawgs also qualified for the State Championships. Led by sophomore Miah McAulay, the Lady ‘Dawgs concluded their 2023 season with a 13th place finish in the State meet.

“I think we definitely

exceeded our expectations,” McAulay said. “ At the beginning we kind of weren’t as confident, but after placing first in the district meet, that helped boost our confidence, and we were able to go to regionals and then state. It was very big, but we were more excited than shocked by our success.”

In a field of over 150 runners from across the state, McAulay finished 14th overall with a time of 18 minutes and four seconds. The Lady ‘Dawgs managed to place over teams like Lake Travis and Dripping Springs with a team score of 304.

“In preparing myself, I had to be there mentally,” McAulay said. “We trained as hard as we could and then just did our best but I think it’s all mental and the way that our team helped each other really contributed to our success. We were consistent and we all worked together really well.”

Going into the 2024 season, the ‘Dawgs will look to replace the three senior runners that competed at the 2023 State meet. This being said, both the

‘Dawgs and Lady ‘Dawgs have a young core that Tilson intends to rely on to lead both teams back to the State Championships.

“Looking back on the season, I’m really thrilled for the kids that we’ve had and thrilled for the work that they’ve put in,” Tilson said. “I don’t want this to be a one and done right. It’s definitely something that I’m looking forward to continuing to do. We’ve got a really young team, it’s exciting knowing that this could be our future.”

Despite having the Lady ‘Dawgs and ‘Dawgs both place in the top-16 teams in the state, Tilson believes there is room for improvement and hopes to solidify Bowie cross country as a yearly contender for the state title.

“We don’t want to either not make it to state next year or just barely make it,” Tilson said. “We want to see that we move up. And while we have to buy into what we do on a daily basis, it’s with the idea of where we’re going, not just where we’re at.”

Junior mountaineer scales his way to the top Michael Vienneau Dispatch Reporter

Fingers clutched up against the crimps, junior Cooper Lieberknecht uses his unique strength and problem solving to continue his away up the wall.

Lieberknecht has been climbing for two years, beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lieberknecht found interest in the sport after seeing his father go out several times a week.

“I began just because I wanted to exercise more,” Lieberknecht said. “My dad also rock climbs, so I began going with him about once a week. I wasn’t very interested in it until I joined the new climbing gym and it just motivated me to start working very hard. ” Crux Climbing Center, which has two locations in Austin, is the primary training sport for both Lieberknecht and his teammates. Crux is an indoor climbing facility with several different tracks for climbers at different levels.

“I typically train about four times a week,” Lieberknecht said. “I have two team practices a week and I will go on my own another couple times. The team practices have much stricter regimens compared to when I’m just having fun with my friends. It definitely gets tiring but it works for me.”

Crux hosts competitions against other climbing centers. Lieberknecht is a part of one of their several teams, all with different ages and skill levels.

Sophomore Ada Louderback has been teammates with Lieberknecht since September.

“I have been competing competitively in rock climbing for two years,” Louderback said. “I really love competing, especially at the higher levels. Last year I was fortunate enough to make it to divisionals which was an amazing

COMING UP IN SPORTS:

GETTING A GRIP: Junior Cooper Lieberknecht scales a wall with a negative incline. Lieberknecht competes in rock climbing at Crux Climbing Center. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

prevent injuries” Rock climbing has allowed Barnard to travel across the country, going to parks in Illinois, Colorado and areas of west Texas.

“I prefer climbing outside much more than inside,” Barnard said.

“Climbing outdoors takes more problem solving which challenges me more and I just enjoy being outside much more.”

Being teammates with Lieberknecht, Barnard has watched the progress that he has made over the last several months. Watching him compete several times as well as practicing with him every single week he has been able to watch him improve.

“We all support each other,” Barnard said. “I have watched him make tons of progress over the last few months which is cool to see. Our team is getting better and I think we are all motivated to become the best we possibly can.”

Lieberknecht had his first competition just under a month ago. The competition consisted of several different teams from across the area, the tournament was hosted at Cooper’s home gym, Crux Central Austin.

“I placed decently at it which was super cool,” Lieberknecht said. “One of my friends’ placed in the top three, which was really important for him to qualify. I was very proud of him since I know how hard he worked for it.”

Lieberknecht plans to continue competing for as long as possible. With the goal of making it into national competitions against climbers from across the country.

“As I get older I know I will get much better,” Lieberknecht said. “The whole concept of rock climbing is very rewarding, I like to work hard knowing that if I don’t someone will outwork me and I will lose my spot.”

opportunity to be able to compete with the strongest girls in the state.”

In order for Lieberknecht and his team to succeed, they had to create some different workouts in order to achieve the best results come competition time. At Crux, there are three seasons per year, consisting of four to five competitions every season.

“With climbing being such a competitive sport we have to get creative in order to do the best we can,” Louderback said. “We incorporate finger exercises, weightlifting and cardio. It’s very important to have a strong mental-

ity as well so we will do mental training sometimes.”

Alongside Louderback is Lucas Barnard. Barnard is a dual enrollment student at ACC Highland and teammate of Lieberknecht. Barnard has been climbing for roughly about four years, since he was around twelve.

“Cooper and I compete and do a lot of workouts together,” Barnard said.

“We both work on a lot of drills that help with problem solving, strength and technique that gets us ready for competition. We also do a lot of mobility work which is very important in order to

DECEMBER 20 Va r s i t y g i r l s

JANUARY 5 Va r s i t y b o y s

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Bowie High School

@ L a k e Tr a v i s H i g h S c h o o l

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SPORTS 11

FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

Bulldog rowing away the competition

Junior Olivia Branch has been a dominant force for the Austin Rowing Club varsity team Sam Vane Sports Editor

you can’t succeed.”

Salisbury is very fond of Branch and what she brings to the team, as The finish line is getting closer, her she helped the team excel this past heart beats faster. Junior Olivia Branch year in competition. can taste victory. Her body is ach“Branch is competitive and makes ing, but the thought of victory keeps other teammates work harder due her and her teammates boat moving to her competitiveness,” Salisbury toward the finish line on Lake Austin, said. “She was a really big addition to hoping of achieving that first place the team and helped us last season medal and etching their names into a lot.” the rowing history books.

As a leader, Branch has pushed Branch is relatively new to the her team to reach new levels and that sport of rowing compared to her team- aspect of collaboration is what fuels mates. This made joining the varsity her passion for rowing. team daunting, however she was up “I really like how much of a team for the task. sport it is because you have to rely “I started rowing on each other so just a little bit over much because you a year ago,” Branch really have to trust said. “I worked really the other people in hard to try to get on your boat that they’re Her team nickname the varsity team and pushing as hard as is baby branch, finally got a chance they can,” Branch last October to row said. because she’s competitively and Branch said most such a sweet and show the coaches people ask her how what I could do.” hard rowing is. Saying innocent person.

In rowing, there that it isn’t a sport She always has are multiple types that is physically of competitions, all demanding as others. the best intentions varying in number of However, according to paddles and rowers.

Taylor McIlvain Branch, rowing is one 1 2 3 ROW!: Junior Olivia Branch rowing on Lake Austin for Austin Rowing Club. Austin Rowing Club has practice everyday preThis variety allows Junior Rower of the most difficult paring for their next event on February 11. PHOTO BY Nick Wood for players with difsports. ferent skills to partic“Rowing is really ipate in a variety of which is going to be a lot of fun and each team. Due to this, Branch makes to continue rowing at the collegiate tough because you use more of your events, regardless of skill level. then I’m really excited for nationals,” sure to take the extra time to ensure level. lower body because the seat moves so “There’s a lot of different kinds of Branch said. “We’re gonna keep “We’ve had a lot of coaches come to she stays healthy. you push with your legs first,” Branch rowing, I usually do sweeping, which performing how we have in the fall “She does diverse workouts, warmsaid. “It’s a lot of the whole body work our practices during the week,” Branch is when each person has only one season and I think it’s going to be one ups, and cool-downs to take care of said. “The University of Virginia, Unibecause it uses 95% of your muscles.” ore instead of two,” Branch said. “I of our best years yet again.” her body and to prevent injury,” McIlversity of Texas at Austin, Georgetown Because of the variety of races, generally row with either eight or four vain said. “Nothing hurts the team University, and University of North Branch rows in all different positions people in the boat because of the team more than someone being careless and Carolina-Chapel Hill are all going to in the boat. Due to this Branch works aspect of it which makes it more fun.”

SCAN FOR MORE! be there and I’m really excited to show getting hurt, so her focus on learning on multiple skills for different posiBranch’s former teammate, Westher body and how to take care of it is them what I can do.” tions to help her team the most in the lake junior Sienna Salisbury, has been not only an advantage for her, but an Branch’s hard work isn’t going unrace. rowing for around the same time advantage for everyone.” noticed as her fellow junior teammate, “Branch usually rows on the starBranch has. Like Branch, Salisbury Rowing, like other sports, has two Taylor McIlvain, has seen the effort put board side, which is the side her oar is values the team aspect of rowing, seasons with spring being the more into rowing by Branch. on, on a multi-person boat,” Salisbury allowing them to create a bond over it. said. “She works really hard because “She always has a goal in mind, and competitive season. Going into the “Rowing might not seem like spring season, Branch believes in her works incredibly hard to execute that she also rows in the front during a huge team sport, but I think it’s eights so she has to learn two different goal,” McIlvain said. “She does two ex- team and thinks they have a chance to arguably a huge team sport,” Salisbury positions for two different races.” make a splash at nationals this year. tra lifts outside of rowing each week.” said. “Everyone in the boat has to be “I think we have a really strong Injury can be devastating to a team Branch’s dedication has paid off as VIDEO BY Will Olenick connected and have the exact same eight team this year and I’m really in any sport, especially in rowing due just in the last year of rowing she has motions at the exact same time or else excited for our race in San Diego to its limited number of people on gotten attention from college coaches

"

Freshman Joshua Baskin makes impact for the ‘Dawgs Cooper Ceniceros-Fike Dispatch Reporter

ICE COLD: Freshman guard Joshua Baskin makes a free throw against the Austin High Maroons. The Bulldogs ended up beating the Maroons 51-42.

PHOTO BY Nick Wood

Racing across the court, the sound of squeaking shoes ringing in his ears, freshman Joshua Baskin focuses on the ball as his teammates prepare to shoot.

Baskin started playing basketball at five years old. However, basketball was not his first choice of extracurricular activity.

“As a kid, all I wanted to do was play football,” Baskin said. “In middle school, my mom finally allowed me to play and I realized football wasn’t my sport, it was basketball.”

This year, Baskin was the only freshman chosen to be on varsity. Being selected for varsity has provided Baskin with the chance to grow his skills as an athlete and leader. Varsity basketball coach Trey Lindsey attests to Baskin’s willingness to improve.

“We don’t offer freshman spots often on varsity,” Lindsey said. “Joshua is different, he’s been a great teammate and is very coach-able.”

Being the only freshman on varsity is hard, but Baskin focuses on his individual progress.

“I know and trust my ability to produce on the court,” Baskin said. “I have helpful teammates that are always there for me even when I’m struggling. Their leadership helps relieve the pressure.”

The team has rallied behind the freshman, offering guidance whenever needed to Baskin.

Due to the stress of playing on varsity as a freshman, the team has placed an emphasis on supporting Baskin throughout his rookie season thus far.

“The only thing I say to the team about Joshua is put your arm around him,” Lindsey said.

“He’s going to have tough days because that’s just what happens when you’re a freshman on varsity. The good news is that we have a good group of seniors that are great kids and our captains have been such outstanding leaders.”

The captains of the basketball team this year have played a pivotal role in providing guidance and support to Baskin throughout this season.

Baskin expresses appreciation to senior Mason

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Wasserburger and senior Braeden Spinden for their assistance.

“Mason and Braeden have been good mentors to me,” Baskin said. “They understand that I’m younger and I’ll make mistakes. They help me become a better leader and teammate, even when it gets hard.”

Wasserburger believes Baskin has been able to impress and earn the respect of the older players on the team.

“He’s the most mature 14-year-old I’ve been around,” Wasserburger said. “A lot of freshmen in his position would be scared, but he’s done a really good job of keeping his cool.”

Baskin credits his success in basketball so far to his support system. His sister, junior varsity volleyball player Simone Baskin has witnessed his growth.

“In middle school when I used to play basketball, I would always practice with him,” Simone said. “I would win most of the time, because I always locked Joshua down on defense.”

Simone has seen a positive change in Joshua’s attitude and demeanor ever since he joined Bowie’s basketball program.

“Since joining basketball this year, he’s become more of a leader and more confident in himself,” Simone said. “Joshua is sometimes quiet around people, but he’s starting to get out of his shell.”

Joshua has been an impressive player this season, and his ability to come off the bench and assist his teammates on the court has played a vital role in the team’s success this year.

“Joshua is already physically more advanced than some of the other freshmen,” Lindsey said.

“Overall, we’re pumped about Joshua, and we think he’s a terrific player.”

Even though Joshua is a young member of the team, he has big goals for the ‘Dawgs before their season ends.

“This season, my goal is to help the team make it to the playoffs, since we didn’t make it last year,” Joshua said. “I’m trying to fill my role and help the team, in order to give the seniors a memorable last season.”

HE’S A FRESHMAN: Baskin gets back on defense after an offensive possession. The Bulldogs student section have started chanting ‘he’s a freshman’ when Baskin scores. PHOTO BY Nick Wood.

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12 ENTERTAINMENT THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

Annual Fall Dance Showcase dazzles

Dancers demonstrate their sensational skills in festive numbers at autumn performance Savannah Linscomb Entertainment Editor

For many dancers the show exhibits parts of the program that aren’t often shown to stuExcitement buzzes in the dents and family members. crowd as the first dancers take “I’m excited for family and the stage, each class and compafriends to see the Dance departny shows off their ever improvment,” Fielding said. “Especially ing skills to a hooked crowd. It’s the companies, which don’t get time again for the Fall Dance as much recognition.”

Showcase.

Many Dancers feel ShowThis year over cases are the 300 students companies time performed this to shine as the year including department is the new Dance mostly attributfor Athletes ed to the Silver program which Stars dance allows students team which who are inperform at Pep volved in other rallies and footsports to learn ball games. about dance.

“It’s very Alyssa Paramsjust like Silver ki, assistant Stars; it can be director of the easy to forget Dance DepartDerrick Neptune that we have a ment, assists Dance for Athletes student dance departher students for ment outside months leading of that because up to the show. you never see it.” Fielding said.

“As dance teachers we work The companies are more with dance aides to pick songs specific and rigorous programs and choreography,” Paramski within the Silver Stars, including said. “All dance classes perform a Hip Hop and Jazz company. with soloists, duets, and trios.”

“It’s a more advanced and With the teachers’ help time consuming commitment,” student aids are able to curate Fielding said. “Each company original dances each year to keep has one dance they perform at the crowd engaged and allow the the Fall Showcase.” department to not use recycled Every dancer will perform in material from previous years. at least one number, some stu“All classes perform both dents who are in various classes nights and the soloists are will perform in many. Junior different each night,” Paramski Nya Loo who dances in the Jazz said. “All the dances are new company where she is a student each year.” aide performed in multiple Many students have been numbers in the in the dance Showcase. department for “I dance years. Senior with the Jazz ShaeLi Fielding and Seeing other people company who is part of Silver Stars,” the Hip Hop Loo said. “I shine on stage Company for was in three is a huge part of Silver Stars dances but looks forward to watching other it, its so exciting the show. perform seeing others enjoy people “The show is will always be geared towards my favorite part themselves on bringing recof the Showstage. ognition to our case.” dance departDuring the time Nya Loo ment,” Fielding leading up to Silver Star and student aide said. “We recogperformances nize Silver Star, like this one solos, duets or dancers commit trios and their small ensembles.” considerable amounts of time to In order to fit the number of daily practices and rehearsals. students performing, the show “Usually we spend around features 25 numbers varying in like, two, three hours every day size, style and skill. practicing,” Loo said. “Some “A lot of the pieces are self days we have practice from choreographed by the students,” 7:00AM to 10:00 AM” Fielding said. “I love seeing what The dancers are not they bring together.” only practicing these numbers

"

It was fun to see the audiences reaction to our dance and to watch it back later and get a good laugh.

"

TAKING THE STAGE: Sophomore Gabby del Nido (Top center)dances in a bright number, senior Olivia Cassidy (bottom left) in a moodier number, and freshman Anna Deeb (bottom right) smiling on stage. “The Showcase helped me bond with my friends and my teammates and was a great experience” del Nido said. PHOTOS BY Adrianna Choueiry

for the Showcase but to take to competition in the coming months, meaning the stringent practices won’t stop after the show.

“Things definitely get more fast paced,” Fielding said. “But these are pieces we’ll be working on for a while.”

While most classes are working in and outside of the class the Dance for Athletes program approached the Showcase with a more laid back style. Senior Derrick Neptune kept dancing in dance class.

“I don’t think I ever practiced

outside of class,” Neptune said.

“The only time we practiced was during our class period.”

The athletes performed in one number for the Showcase which was choreographed for them by a student aid, this number features all of the student athletes in the class.

“It was fun to see the audience’s reaction to our dance,” Neptune said. “And to watch it back after and get a good laugh.”

Although it might seem nerve racking to some, many dancers look forward to performing in front of a crowd and

showing off the dances they’ve worked so hard on.

“For me, I love performing in front of the crowd,” Loo said. “I like seeing the audience understand the dance as we perform.”

For others the excitement is in watching their peers in different classes perform.

“Seeing other people shine on stage is a huge part of it too,” Loo said. “I think it’s so exciting to see others enjoying themselves on stage.”

This year each class got to take the stage and show off their hard work, soloists got a mo-

ment in the spotlight, and dance for athletes allowed many students a brand new experience.

“They spend a month preparing and it’s nice to see them excited to perform,” Paramski said.

SCAN FOR MORE!

PHOTO GALLERY BY Adrianna C

Bowie Choir rings in the Season with Winter concert Lucy Johnson Entertainment Editor Inside the theater, the audience is eagerly waiting for the winter concert to begin. The stage is adorned with sparkly Christmas lights that are ready to twinkle bright as choir students take their place on stage. The conductor raises his baton and the sweet Fa La La’s begins.

Community, warmth, and jolly attitudes are to fill the auditorium as choir students take on their annual winter concert. Melodies that range from the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Elf theme song and buzzing kazoos bring excitement to enter the winter wonderland.

“I like getting to showcase all of our hard work to all our friends and family,” choir president Isabel Cherukuri said. “It’s very rewarding when they come up to us and tell us what a wonderful job we have done.”

The concert promises to be a stunning

performance. Both the choir students and their parents arrive prepared to showcase their talent.

Choir parents are dressed in their best Christmas sweaters, warming up for their performance. The parent concert was a huge success last year, and the choir students are excited to see what’s in store this year.

“My favorite part about the winter show is the parent choir,” sophomore Darby Kendrick said. “Last year it was hilarious, and I’m looking forward to this year’s parent choir too.”

In addition to parents taking the stage, students will also spice up the concert with guitars, duets, and kazoos.

“I’m excited for the audience to see the songs that the mixed choir is performing,” Kendrick said. “We’re doing the theme from the movie Elf and there’s a part where we get to use kazoos.”

The playful songs are great, but to make such a truly enchanting experience, students

must work diligently. Choir students get all the rehearsing they can get so that their voices are up to par for their winter performance.

“Some of my favorite moments leading up to the winter show would be rehearsing with our vocal consultant Ms. Miers,” Cherukuri said.

“She gives us a lot of good feedback and always makes our rehearsal a little more fun.”

Just like rehearsing, to put on an impressive show, choir students come together and work as a team to put on the best concert that they can achieve.

“My favorite thing about choir and the concerts are the people you meet and work with,” Kendrick said. “I’ve made so many good friends in choir, and I always feel really close to everyone after finishing a performance.”

It is important that the show runs smoothly and that there are minimal hiccups in the performances. Choir students have small rehearsals

CAROLING AWAY: An attentive choir watches director Aaron Bourgeois for cues as they wrap up the night with their final piece. The annual “Night of Silence” fills the theatre with holiday spirit. PHOTO BY Alex Edwards

during class and then one big practice before the concert. This way, students make the most of their practice time.

“We usually have one big rehearsal before the show that allows us to practice our entrances and our exits on and off stage,” Cherukuri said.“It gives us more time to perfect any mistakes that we make in the songs we are performing.”

A primary part of the show’s success is choir director Aaron Bourgeois. According to many choir students, Bourgeois has a knack for guiding students in the right direction, setting the path for student success, and creating a fantastic winter show.

“I feel like Winter and holiday music is really the choir’s biggest time to shine throughout the year,” choir director Aaron Bourgeois said. “Kiddo’s faces light up when they recognize the song being handed out and it always makes them that much more invested.”

In the opinion of Mr. Bourgeois, getting students involved and invested in the music is of the utmost important part for the performance to be as cohesive and well-performed as it can be.

“The thing I would want the least is for that one shot not to be as devoted and full of a performance as possible,” Bourgeois said. “I want my kiddos to develop a lifelong knowledge of musicianship, knowing the many ways to make a piece of music expressive and artistic.”

Mr. Bourgeois wants his students to feel confident within themselves so that they are comfortable performing in front of an audience.

Bourgeois makes room for mistakes and fills them with passion and drive so that students can grow and become better musicians.

“We can’t completely prevent mistakes or unexpected things from happening during the performance,” Mr. Bourgeois said. “But what we can control is the passion with which it is performed.

Through months and months of practice and long hours of practiced melodies, Mr. Bourgeois and his choir are happy to share the holiday spirit of those who come to watch their winter performance.

“My goal is always to bring that sense of holiday joy to the audience and get them excited for the season,” Mr. Bourgeois said. “I love being able to provide that for the parents, friends, and relatives in the audience by doing what we do best.”

REVIEWS 13

Sip on beautifully brewed bubble teas FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

Taiwanese-based boba tea shop delights customers with their marvelous refreshments Claire Scott Review Editor The alluring aroma of sweetened milk infiltrates every corner of the shop, as fluorescent lights gleam against the newly painted walls, and the sound of straws popping into boba cups resonate across the room.

Gong Cha is an international refreshment franchise that serves a wide array of drinks, and it has now found a home in Austin. This sweet spot has everything from slushies to milk teas, and you even have the option to customize your own unique beverages.

This magnificent tea shop was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and made its way to the United States in 2014. It arrived in Austin on July 17, 2023. The restaurant has four locations in Austin: 2021 Guadalupe Street, 3210 Esperanza Crossing, 13201 Ranch Road, and 4220 West William Cannon Drive.

Gong Cha is a perfect place for Bowie students to unwind after a long day at school or visit on the weekend with friends. The William Cannon location is just four miles out from school and is close in proximity to students’ neighborhoods such as Circle C Ranch, Shady Hollow, and Ford Oaks.

If you decide to take a trip to Gong Cha, be prepared for limited seating, because the teahouse is too small for large crowds. Inside the restaurant, there are only two tables and a small counter with bar stools. However, if you want to take your drinks to go, you can order online from their website at gongchausa.com.

Walking into the establishment on a Saturday night, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the store.

Inside, there is a beautifully painted infographic mural and simplistic wall art to emphasize the bright red accent colors in the room.

Dirty Brown Sugar Milk Tea

Out of every drink I tried at Gong Cha, the Dirty Brown Sugar Milk Tea was by far my favorite. I could definitely see myself going back to Gong Cha specifically for this tea.

The drink can be served hot or cold, and has an overwhelming, yet heavenly, brown sugar flavoring. The drink is made with black milk tea, brown sugar, a sprinkle of salt, and topped with Gong Cha’s special foam milk. For this order, I customized it to have tapioca pearls, and I definite-

ly made the right decision. I loved how well the earthiness of the black milk tea complimented the sweetness of the brown sugar. The pinch of salt made the drink even more of a reason to love, due to the variety of flavor profiles.

I recommend this delicious tea to anyone who loves sugary coffees and teas, because the taste of brown sugar completely dominates this drink, which is topped with brown powdered sugar.

One of the employees at

Gong Cha recommended I add the tapioca pearls, which are delicious and authentic. The texture of the pearls is also enjoyable, and they don’t have the grimy texture found in cheap boba tea pearls.

I would rate the Dirty Brown Sugar Milk Tea with tapioca pearls five-out-of-five stars. This drink is perfect for a cozy winter night with friends and family, and the embracing flavor of sweet brown sugar makes it even more worth a taste.

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Strawberry Matcha Latte

Ordering a latte at a boba shop seemed strange, but Gong Cha knew how to do it right.

This beverage can be served hot or on ice, and has a wonderful blend of matcha and strawberry flavors. The drink has a natural source of caffeine from matcha tea, so it is a great option if you want to start your day off with a kick. I enjoyed this refreshment because I am a huge fan of matcha green tea, and the fruitiness of the strawberry made this matcha latte even more special. Overall, Gong Cha executed this unique

$5.75 One of the more classic teas I tried was the Pearl Milk Tea. This drink is best served iced, and has a simplistic, yet delicious, black milk tea flavor.

The beverage is made with authentic black milk tea and topped with chewy tapioca pearls. I customized the drink to have a sugar level of 50%, which is sweeter than how it typically comes. I thoroughly enjoyed how simple this drink was, even with the added sugar.

It was a nice break-away from slushies, lattes, and creative

Gong Cha

As expected, many customers were packed into the tight space as they waited for their orders to be taken.

Despite the buzzing crowd, the staff was extremely cooperative and kind, as they recommended some of their popular and well-loved refreshments.

The restaurant offers caffeine-free options, dairy-free drinks, an extensive coffee menu, as well as a variety of uniquely flavored waffles, and of course, their famous boba teas.

It was hard to choose what refreshments I wanted to review, but I settled on the Mango Milk Slush, the Dirty Brown Sugar Milk Tea, the Pearl Milk Tea, and the Strawberry Matcha Latte.

I would absolutely recommend a visit to Gong Cha. The menu is incomparable and inclusive, and the refreshments explode with flavor. You will be sure to find something to appreciate, whether that be a boba tea, latte, or slushie, at Gong Cha.

drink surprisingly well.

I ordered a large-sized cup and didn’t add any extra toppings, so the total came out to $6.75.

I don’t typically gravitate to sweet strawberry flavors, but the earthy taste of the matcha tea successfully leveled out the vibrant flavor of the strawberry syrup.

Unfortunately, the strawberry taste quickly blends into the matcha flavor, so you’ll need to be prepared to sip up this drink fast. Although the lack of diverse flavors was disappointing, the essence of the matcha green tea wasn’t

tarnished.

I would rate the Strawberry Matcha Latte four-out-of-five e stars. This drink has a unique touch that will leave you energized and refreshed for the day ahead of you. However, you’ll need to be prepared to only taste the delicious strawberry flavor for a limited amount of time before it dissolves into the matcha.

$6.75

Pearl Milk Tea boba tea recipes.

Because this tea is such a well-known classic on the Gong Cha menu, I would recommend it to people of all taste preferences, regardless of sugar and flavor preference. This is also a great tea to start off with if it’s your first time trying boba.

One setback about this tasteful tea was that, unlike all the rest of the beverages I tried, the ice in this drink melted rather quickly. This was disappointing, because the tea was watered down, which dulled

the delicious flavor of the black milk tea, and the beverage remained at room temperature for the rest of the time after the ice had melted.

I would rate the Pearl Milk Tea three-out-of-five stars.

The warming taste of black milk tea mixed with the tasty tapioca pearls made the cold autumn night much more comforting. Although this tea could be universally enjoyed by all, I couldn’t get past the watered-down taste due to the melted ice.

Mango Milk Slush Although I was hesitant to order a slushie at a boba tea shop, the Mango Milk Slush did not disappoint me.

This beverage is served icy, with a heavy tropical mango flavor profile. The slushie is made with Gong Cha’s premium green tea, milk foam, and organic mango. I loved how well this drink contrasted with the autumn season, as one sip brought me back to missing summer, with its cold temperature and delightful fruity flavor. Not only that, but the

texture was perfect, because the ice was fully blended and evenly incorporated into the milk foam.

The sugary milk foam makes the slushie sweeter than an actual mango. Anyone who has a serious sweet tooth will certainly get a kick out of this popular menu item.

If you’re not someone who craves straight sugar in refreshments, you may want to steer clear of the Mango Milk Slush.

I would rate this drink three-out-of-five stars, because it perfectly encapsulates the summer season, and is blended to perfection. For the price of $6, this beverage is definitely worth it. This slushie is arguably better than other popular slushie restaurants, like Sweet Caroline’s and Juice Land.

However, this sweet treat was more sugary than I anticipated, and I wasn’t expecting to have bought candied mangos with a side of ice.

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Try a brilliantly baked crepe at Lamar Boulevard bakery Val Tikhonova Dispatch Reporter

Crepe Crazy is a restaurant that specializes in gourmet and sweet crepes in South Austin, with a location on Lamar Boulevard. The restaurant was opened by a married couple, Vladimir and Inna Giterman, from Ukraine and Russia.

Their two children have hearing loss, which inspired them to come to Austin. The family wanted to open a restaurant that was mainly operated and managed by people who had impaired hearing, due to the children having trouble getting jobs. This allows for an inclusive and supportive environment for customers with hearing loss, but it is also a great place to eat for anyone who wants to try an interesting and tasty crepe.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, Crepe Crazy is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open from 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. The parking was surprisingly pleasant, considering Crepe Crazy is located in the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin. There is a parking garage directly behind the restaurant, as well as a parking lot adjacent to the

building.

As you walk into the establishment, you are met with an extensive menu written on chalkboards on the right wall. The menu consists of “sweet,” “savory,” and “kiddy” crepes. The menu also showcases the restaurant’s soups, salads, sandwiches, bagels, and croissants. In regards to drinks, Crepe Crazy has many coffees, smoothies, and juices.

In regards to customer service, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, but don’t know American Sign Language, you can write down your thoughts on your phone or on a board provided for you. When I visited, I wanted extra half-and-half cream for my drink, so I wrote on the board what I wanted, showed it to the employee, and they kindly handed me what I asked for.

I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, as there was faint calming music playing in the background and soft natural lighting provided by the large windows. There were plenty of tables both inside and outside of the building; the outside seating was covered by roofs and there was pleasant music playing outside as well. I was lucky, because I went on a Sunday and there weren’t many people in the area.

BEHIND THE COUNTER: Crepe Crazy employees smile behind the register. The bakery has an open kitchen their employees to move freely. PHOTO BY Val Tikhonova

There were many options, but I ordered the Nutella Royale, the Chicken Basil Pesto, and the Sweet Cheese Delight. It took about ten minutes for all of the crepes to come out of the kitchen, served on paper plates.

The first crepe I tried was the Nutella Royale. This treat was filled with Nutella, drizzled in chocolate, and topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream. It was one of the smaller crepes on the menu, and it

cost $7.49, but it was still sufficient in proportions. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Nutella Royale.

The next crepe I tried was the Chicken Basil Pesto. It had a savory flavor, and it contained chicken, cheese, pesto, and onions. This crepe also comes with a salad on the side.

The crepe itself was bigger than I anticipated, and it came with a charge of $12. Overall, I liked the Chicken Basil Pesto crepe, as it was perfectly

flavored, and didn’t need any extra salt or pepper.

The last crepe I tried was the Sweet Cheese Delight, which cost $9.50. It is a sweet crepe stuffed with sweet cheese, strawberries, and raspberry coulis, and is topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. This crepe was my personal favorite, and it also appeared to be a customer favorite as well. The Sweet Cheese Delight doesn’t need anything to enhance its delicious flavor, it is perfect on its own.

In terms of drinks, I had no complaints. The latte was a perfect mix of coffee, cream, and caramel. However, if you don’t enjoy sweet coffees, I recommend ordering an espresso or Americano instead. The smoothies at Crepe Crazy are made with fresh fruits, and they are definitely worth trying out. I recommend the Strawberry and Banana Smoothie, as the flavor profile is both sugary and fruity.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Crepe Crazy, as the staff was extremely kind and helpful, and every item I tried tasted amazing.

I would recommend this hidden gem on Lamar to anyone because, at Crepe Crazy, there is guaranteed to be a delicious crepe for everyone.

14 COMMENTARY

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

D ISPATCH STAFF Dispatch Print Co Editors-in-Chief Kate Davis, Mazzy Warren

Dispatch Online Co Editors-in-Chief Alex Edwards, Austin Ikard Evecutive Editor: Content Charlotte Koellner Executive Editor: Writing Sophia Sanchez Executive Editor: News Emerson Traugott Executive Editor: Art/Graphics Asher Hagan Evecutive Editor: Sports Ben Tillisch Executive Editor: Multimedia Mars Canepa Junior Leadership Team Vivi Lopez-Stern, Arden Ray News Team Peyton Dorsey, Gabby Bochey, Katie Grumet, Alec Morse In-Depth Team Liberty Pittman , Elizabeth Yowell Feature Team Savannah Riggins, Sam Bode, Bentlee Toland, Isabella Verette Entertainment Team Savannah Linscomb, Maddy Franco, William Balke, Lucy Johnson Sports Team Sam Vane, Cooper Ceniceros-Fike, Noah Ellinger, Michael Vienneau, Caroline Baxter Review Team Claire Scott, Val Tikhonova, Maddy Franco, Fiona Padillino Opinion Team Vivi Lopez-Stern, Madeleine Travis, Gianna Gonzalez Arts/Graphics Team Sophia Sepulveda, Iola Bidwell, Lane Foxcroft Multimedia Team Slyder Degelia, Madison Rasp, Nick Wong, Reagan Tso, Zach Tishgart, Quinn Wilkinson, Audrey Cullianane, Adrianna Choueiry, Pierre Vandervennet, Nick Wood, Noah Bihan, Arden Ray, Arlo Haug, Will Olenick, Ryan Zuniga, Charlotte Schwarte, Harrison Austin Advisor Michael Reeves, MJE

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Teens need contraceptives Texas courts should not require parental consent for birth control EDITORIAL Sex; this is a topic often seen as uncomfortable, awkward, or forbidden to discuss, especially among adolescents. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the years 2015 through 2017, 42% of females and 38% of males between the ages 15-19 had sex. With a significant number of the teenage population being sexually active, why is this topic such a taboo among this age group?

According to NPR news, a federal program, Title X, mandated that certain clinics could provide contraceptives, including birth control, to minors without parental consent.

The Texas Tribune reported that a recent court ruling has denied Texas teens access to birth control without parental permission, for over a year. An appeals court is now debating the issue before providing the final verdict on this attack of teenage reproductive rights.

This threat to bodily autonomy comes amid Supreme Court decisions to rescind Roe v. Wade, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health organization: both intended to protect access to reproductive healthcare, such as abortions.

The same NPR article indicated that Texas has among the highest teen pregnancy rates in the United States. Birth control should not be restricted for minors in a state where teen pregnancies are so prevalent, and abortions are illegal.

One reason why minors must have unbarred access to contraceptives is because the risk of teen pregnancy increases significantly when not using contraception during sex. For example, according to an article by Harvard Law, young women between the ages 15 and 19, who didn’t use contraception when first having sex, were twice as likely to become teen mothers.

Additionally, Planned Parenthood is able to provide minors access to condoms without a parent’s permission in Texas. However, parental consent is necessary for prescriptive birth control, jeopardizing an individual's bodily autonomy.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, forms of hormonal birth control are more effective in preventing conception than barrier methods such as condoms. Therefore, by blocking access to this basic healthcare, the government possesses control of consequential decisions regarding an adolescent's body and future, taking that right from the individual.

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Furthermore, a lack of access to contraceptives significantly impacts poverty rates. When young individuals are denied the right to plan when to have children, they must juggle the taxing responsibility of caring for a child with finishing their education. This may affect their future career options, potentially leading to financial instability.

NPR reported that only half of teen moms earn their high school diploma by age 22, and their children are more likely to drop out of high school or be incarcerated during their teen years. According to the Texas Adoption Center, minority groups are also more likely to be affected by teen pregnancies.

While some individuals believe that abstinence is a better solution, statistics display clearly that encouraging celibacy is ineffective.

According to the Texas Adoption Center, while 50% of high schools in Texas teach abstinence-only sex education, a study conducted in 2019 displayed that 42.7% of Texas adolescents had engaged in sex at least once.

This data points to one conclusion; that teaching teens that abstinence is the most effective form of birth control just doesn't work. The only way to decrease the number of teen pregnancies in Texas and promote safe sex practices among adolescents is to provide teens

with access to all contraceptives, whether or not they have parental permission.

Restricting access to birth control for minors will only result in detrimental effects. This decision may also cause teens to feel uncomfortable communicating with their parents about sex if the messaging they receive from society indicates it’s something that shouldn’t be discussed.

In order to create a society that actively encourages sexual and reproductive health, it is imperative to invite adolescents into the conversations surrounding this topic and put the emphasis on education rather than shaming.

The school week should be four days long Eve Johansson Journalism 1 Reporter Questions? Concerns? Email:

bowie.journalism@gmail.com

Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Indigenous People’s Day are happy days all around the U.S., mainly because people get time off. Three-day weekends are always a blast and extremely relaxing for citizens, especially students. But what if this was every weekend? Think about how much less stress and more relaxation there would be for students if Monday was an official part of the weekend.

These are only some of the reasons that threeday weekends should be an every week thing. So many more benefits could come out of Monday being an extension of the weekend. The most important thing though is the good things it brings for students. The mental and physical health of students and teachers alike will improve drastically.

Most students are constantly worried and in distress about homework or a big test coming up. An extra day of the weekend would give students an additional twenty-four hours to study or finish assignments. It would also give teachers more time to plan fun, interactive lessons that students are more engaged and interested in.

This three-day weekend would be a bonus day to catch up on school work, chores, and hobbies.

Most students can’t do this on Saturday or Sunday because they dedicate their time and effort to other extracurricular activities. For example, students who have to travel far for sports tournaments lose precious hours that could be spent working on school assignments and projects.

In addition, many people on campus hardly get a sufficient break from everyday stress until summer, which isn’t healthy for their body. In fact, according to an article by Healthline, the many stresses of everyday life can lead to serious, irreversible damages to your heart. Undergoing this significant amount of constant stress in high school could be really hurting student’s

bodies.

However, these individuals could get more than thirty extra days they can use as a break from this demanding atmosphere. Adding Mondays onto the weekends would give students and teachers thirty-six more days of freedom and relaxation. To get a break from the daily stresses of life can be hard, but one additional day a week would give people the time to disconnect and recharge.

Some people might be against weekly threeday weekends because they feel the requirement of hours in the classroom won’t be met. In order to meet the hour requirement, summer and winter breaks may be shortened by a few days.

Additionally, the school day could be extended to seven, eight, or nine hours. Finally, class periods could be two hours rather than 90 minutes, therefore allowing the required hours to be met.

All districts should make three-day weekends the new normal. This would be best for the mental health of not just students but all school staff as well.

Now students can have more time to rest!

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COMMENTARY 15

FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023 THE DISPATCH

The school schedule needs reviewing Dismissal times leave students, staff and neighboring communities at a major time loss Madeleine Travis Commentary Editor Questions? Concerns? Email:

bowie.journalism@gmail.com

As the final bell rings at Bowie at 4:35 p.m in the afternoon, 3000 kids are let out into soonto-be 5:00 p.m. traffic. The campus has two parking lots including the Bethany church next door where half of the students park. This leads to mass amounts of students clumping together onto two roadways in the afternoon.

Once you get out of the campus the traffic on the roads outside isn’t much better. The roadways become overcrowded at this time because most people are leaving work around 5:00 p.m.

This poses a problem because many students have extracurricular activities and jobs to get to and, in my experience, I will get home thirty to forty-five minutes after school lets out.

This proves to be a big issue when it comes to studying for upcoming tests or quizzes. Whether students are at dress rehearsals or scrimmages, most after-school activities end later and later as the year progresses. When students get home late they have to study for countless hours after the activity in order to be successful in their academics the next day. This means that the extra sleep most individuals are supposed to be getting the following morning ends up being minimal. This leaves most students who do outside activities with a difficult choice. Stay up and lose sleep to possibly succeed on their exam, or take the sleep in order to better focus the next day or their test.

Most would argue that the higher school levels need to start later. This is due to the fact that high schoolers getting more sleep generally looks when officials are discussing school times.

5:00 p.m. traffic can pose an issue to any school getting out, regardless of the size of the student body. This is especially a problem for the schools in larger cities that have very high enrollment numbers per school. With the current schedules of many schools, extracurricular activities are pushed to later in the day, which means students get home at late hours and have limited time to complete homework.

ART BY Layne Foxcroft Alternatively, high school students may go there will be more focused routes to their place from after-school activities to a job and then of work or after-school activity due to the struchave no time left for the actual school work. tural changes to the campus itself. This would Students traveling by car will benefit because help students get to jobs or other activities more

timely so they don’t have to miss hours and or practice time. This additionally helps individuals get home more efficiently to get general school studies done.

An alternate solution to this issue would be to better manage the structural situation of the campus itself. If the traffic was managed better the individuals who need to be directed to a certain roadway could be better placed throughout the campus during dismissal times. Directing the students who need to be going in a certain direction can ease the burden of the traffic and cut down on time lost waiting on school grounds.

The more effective routing of traffic getting off campus can help students who are struggling to get home and to jobs promptly.

Changing the start times wouldn’t be a practical solution for high schoolers because the traffic is an imminent problem in either scenario with so many individuals driving on campus. Even if the start times were changed you would have to deal with the traffic on campus until you reach the connecting roadways at any hour of the day.

This means the only worthwhile solution would be to install another exit going out through the neighborhood on the westward side of Bowie.

This would better distribute the traffic on campus and make sure that students who need to be going in a certain direction can be prioritized.

As opposed to all of the student traffic being funneled out onto a single roadway.

Overall, school should be let out at an earlier window for the betterment of student’s academic, social, and extracurricular endeavours. When forced to endure a late release straight into outside activities this makes it hard for students to manage their time effectively. The argument can be made that high school students need extra sleep in the morning, but this in reality creates a push-back of the schedule that forces them to do everything in their lives later. This negates the intended time of extra rest that the later start and in turn finish seek to create.

In many cases, this seemingly helpful accommodation is actually creating a net loss in sleep time for students. Clearly, the late start time that high school students are deceivingly granted, creating a later release time does more harm than good for students.

Students battle with time management during FIT period Hannah Salz Journalism 1 Reporter Questions? Concerns? Email:

bowie.journalism@gmail.com

The bell rings and you shuffle out of your first period class, tired and ready to get another school day over with. You make your way to your FIT, sit on your phone, and waste time.

After the short 26 minutes, you make your way to your second period class.

Flexible Instruction Time (FIT) shouldn’t be required, and students who really need the extra time to work should sign up for Study Hall as one of their electives. Study hall would give them a 90-minute period twice a week to get their extra work done, as well as learn useful time management skills and ways to take notes and stay on top of their work. FIT is often a waste of time that would be better served doing things students enjoy or are motivated to do.

Most of the time, when I’m in FIT I pass the time by scrolling on my phone or playing games on my chromebook. Sometimes I try to get homework done, but often the bell rings before I can finish my homework well. It’s easier to just focus on it sometime after school than stop and start it over and over again when I have spare five minutes.

If managed properly, FIT can be a vital resource for many students.

It can help people who are a part of extracurriculars or have commitments outside of school have a time built

into the school day for them to get their work done. FIT helps lighten the load for many students, and that’s why I think that a study hall class period would benefit many students.

When I missed a day of school or all of my teachers loaded me with homework on the same day, FIT can be useful and help keep my grades under control. The issue is that most students don’t take advantage of the time. I’ve seen my classmates use FIT for anything from catching up on their favorite show to doing their makeup with friends.

FIT has more issues than just poor time management, however. With the newly enforced hallway rules, students aren’t supposed to leave their classes and can’t even use the bathroom during FIT. But if you happen to leave your class, you’ll see students roaming the halls, sitting at tables, and talking to their friends.

With the block schedule this year, each class period is an hour and a half long. That’s plenty of time for students to learn the content and at least get most of their schoolwork done. Teacher’s should build time into their classes to review the content and finish the assigned work so that students can focus on jobs, clubs, and any extracurriculars they’re a part of.

FIT is a class period that theoretically would be helpful to many students, but is often mis-managed. It would be more beneficial to students to remove the required FIT period and instead encourage a study hall elective.

ART BY Layne Foxcroft

BULLDAWGS SPEAK!

PHOTOS BY Madeleine Travis

INTERVIEWS BY Madeleine Travis

What have you done to prepare this year for predicted grid outages?

Mattox Adams

Jackson Grosso

Emma McMillen

Elizabeth Alonzi

Kristen Mijares

“What we do is we have these blankets that we put on the pool pipes. So they don’t like burst or break.“

“We have stuff to cover the hose now so that they don’t freeze over, and have like a lot more containers to like hold water.”

“My dad bought a generator for our house. Since global warming it’s going to probably happen every year.”

“My family personally hasn’t done anything accept get more water bottles in case, but I know people have gotten generators.”

“I’ve prepared with bottled water stored and socked firewood.

Along with non perishable canned goods.”

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16 PHOTO ESSAY

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2023

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EXTRACTION TEAM: Members of bee club need to suit up in large bee-proof suits to help protect themselves from stings. These suits need to cover every inch of skin to ensure no bees can get inside. Bees die after stinging, if they are not able to sting the keepers, the bees are safer. “We’re not in control, the bees are, and mother nature is” Nona Spillers said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

The Bowie Bee Club checks in on their hives Noah Bihan Photo Essay Editor

In the meticulous world of beekeeping, with the smell of smoke in the air, and the distinct buzz of wings fluttering, a beekeeper’s suit protects them from the dangers of handling the thousands of bees. For many, finding the right equipment is the first step to starting their journey into bee keeping.

“Texas Bee Supply really stands out among local sources,” Bee Club Supervisor Nona Spillers said.

“What’s most important is that you get what you’re comfortable in.”

In the intricate dance with these vital insects, the backdrop changes drastically with the change of the seasons. According to the

HONEYCOMB HOME: These wooden slats act as shells for the bees to build their hives. Inside the hives are built in a hexagon pattern for the queen bee to store her eggs. “The hexagon is natures most efficient shape. It is both strong and allows the bees to store with the max amount of room,” Spiller said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

national institute of health, the average number of bee losses in winter is 32.2%, with some state losses as high as 58%. Once bustling communities dwindle to around 10,000 bees, underscoring the delicate balance and challenges beekeepers face in managing their colonies.

“With the cold weather we’ve just had, the size of the colonies are decreasing much more than we expected,” Spillers said.

When dealing with our friendly pollinators, unpredictable weather calls for an extra layer of caution, reminding practitioners that control is a luxury. The ever-changing disposition of bees demands constant vigilance to ensure both beekeeper and bee well-being.

CHECK-UP: Synthetic hives are used in order to check in on the bees. This is a very methodical process that requires full attention and awareness. “We always want to protect ourselves during check-ups,” Spiller said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

“When you’re in a vehicle, you’re not in control; the bees and Mother Nature are.” Spillers said.

Additionally to protecting bees when on the job, the bee club has been adamant on emphasizing the urgent need to raise awareness about the integral job bees play in sustaining our environment. According to regulations.gov, the American honeybee has declined by 89% in the last 20 years as well as completely disappearing from eight states.

“Bees have become an endangered species yet they are still extremely vital to our natural habitat and the ecosystem as a whole,” bee club president Julia Day said.

Despite these deeply concerning statistics, beekeeping is without a

doubt a fulfilling communal experience for many. This enthusiasm and curiosity signifies a broader truth— that people genuinely care about the well-being of these industrious pollinators.

“Onlookers are always asking us ‘Are the bees out’ and ‘Can I see the bees,” sophomore Blake Ferguson said.

SCAN TO SEE MORE!

VIDEO BY Mars Canepa

SLEEP SMOKE: Pine cones, dried grass, and other natural scruff are burned in metal canisters. Smoke produced helps calm the bees. “It won’t hurt the bees and its safer for us if we inhale it accidentally,” Day said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood

A DETAILED LOOK: This close up of a honey bee clearly shows all its details and attributes. The pollinators measure to about 15 mm long and are light brown in color, with their sharp eyes specialized to find pollen to bring back to the hive. “They’re our pollinators and without them all our crops wouldn’t be able to sustain themselves,” Day said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood DIRTY WORK: The thick leather gloves worn by the club members don’t just protect them from bee stings, but bee poop as well. Bees are very curious and tend to crawl on keepers hands. “Different beekeepers wear different types of gloves... tucked into the suit for even more protection,” Day said. PHOTO BY Nick Wood