The Eagle's Eye; Issue 2; Volume 23; Akins Early College High School

Austin, TX NOvember 17, 2023

The

Issue 2 Vol 23

eagle’s Eye “Everything that concerns you”

isreal - hamas isrealwar explained Pages 8-9

News: AISD Implements new Internet Filter

A&E: Spider-Man Swings Back to the Playstation

‘Lightspeed’ Web filter on district devices causes frustration | page 6

Video Game review for the long anticipated “Spider-man 2” | page 12

About Us

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 2 | Nov. 17, 2023

Editors

Mark Lomas

Diego Hernandez Co-Editor In Chief

Co-Editor In Chief

Ashley Caceres

Rudy Morales

News editor

Samantha Limon Entertainment editor

Adamaris Olivares

Opinions Editor

Marcelo palacios entertainment editor

ely rodriguez

Sports editor

kairi Natal

Graphics editor

m pelt

photo editor

copy editor

Staff Writers devan flores

aubrey montaya

sarah flores

janelle ponti

aaliyah koehn-james

jason ponti

dean knowlton

fabi rodriguez

nadim lama

yanitzel salazar

river lehnhardt

ariadna vazquez

alex lindao

brandon wicken

morgan messer

jonathan wilson

@AkinsEaglesEye

School Events

NOV 04 DEC 05 5-12

20-24 Thanksgiving Break, No school Choir Winter Concert 7-8:30 in Theater Band Winter Concert 7-8:30 in Theater STAAR EOC Retakes for Students

Honors ILPc/UIL

CSPA

TAJE

NSPA

Staff Artists Cruz Burrows Adrian Orduna

@AkinsEaglesEye

sophia davidson Maxwell pearson

Akinseagleseye.com

The Eagle’s Eye Editorial Policy

The Eagle’s Eye is the official student newspaper of Akins High School. It is published six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community.

The Eagle’s Eye is an open forum for student expression. The Eagle’s Eye is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the adviser will not act as a censor. Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.

The Eagle’s Eye will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers. Our articles will reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality.

We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy.

We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph.

Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eagle’s Eye staff or administration as a whole.

The Eagle’s Eye welcomes reader Input. Please send any letters, articles, comments, or corrections to akins.journalism@gmail.com or mail them to 10701 South First Street Austin, Texas 78748 ir drop them off in room 223 with advisor David Doerr or an editor. Letters must be signed, and emailed letters will require verification before publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

Sections Front Cover Picture Courtesy of Roberto Rodriguez

Standing in solidarity Students among other attendants hold a candle vigil organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee near The University of Texas at Austin’s Tower on Oct. 18

News

04 05

biomedical program works with gene editor crispr new internet filter disrupts learning environment

editorial: internet filter needs to lessen restrictions the community should give back, organizations to help ORDER FROM YOUR PHONE.

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In-Depth

8,9

israel-hamas war, conflict explained

Photo Essay

theater production performs clue as first play 1 0 ,1 1 Akins

Entertainment

Opinions

06 07

THE eagle’s Eye

Expires: 7/31/24 12-18-2023

www.thundercloud.com

2 swings back in action, gaming review 12 spider-man choir program sings a new 1 3 tune | Choir director Q&A

Sports

soccer mini-pitch 14 new provided by austin fc opens linell makes strides, breaks records in track team 1 5 ava

Life and Style

STudents remember Loved ones with Ofrendas 1 6 teachers,

News

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 4 | Nov. 17, 2023

X Biomedical class works with CRISPR

Biomed students using micropipettes to prepare the necessary materials for their CRISPR Cas-9 lab projects.

ASHLEY CACERES-SANCHEZ FABY RODRIGUEZ

NEWS EDITOR

StAFF WRITER About 30,000 people live with cystic fibrosis in the United States, a disease with no cure that often results in a life expectancy of around 40 years.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body, caused by thick mucus. It often leads to frequent infections and loss of organ functions. While there is still no cure for cystic fibrosis, students in the Akins Biomedical Science program are using state-of-the-art technology called CRISPR to study potential cures for this condition.

Dr. Laura Govea, the CTE biomedical teacher, said using CRISPR exposes her students to the latest technology in biotechnology and genetic engineering.

“It will give them not just the concept but also the lab skills in order to understand the latest technology in the world, how to solve problems in health science,” she said.

CRISPR, which has only been known as a proven gene editing method since 2013, is the first technology that has provided scientists with a “cut-and-paste” tool that will allow modifications to be made, including removing, introducing, activating, and silencing genes. . Scientists are now exploring ways that CRISPR Cas-9 could be used to fight climate change, build stronger immunity for cattle against viruses and bacteria, and treat or change hereditary disorders and illnesses.

Juniors and seniors in the Akins Biomedical Science program are currently using CRISPR in a classroom project, giving them a unique opportunity to use this cutting-edge technology to edit a target DNA sequence.

On a molecular level, one wrong base in the gene sequence can trigger severe consequences in the human body. The gene that codes for a healthy CFTR gene allows the passage of sodium and water in and out of the cells, but in a cystic fibrosis gene, the proteins obstruct this passage.

Cystic fibrosis affects chromosome 7. This chromosome contains about 1,000 genes used to give instructions on how to make proteins for the body needed to function properly.

CRISPR is also used in other fields of biotechnology, including agriculture to modify crops and livestock. Juniors will be working on CRISPR in corn to improve crop production. At the same time, seniors will work on CRISPR to see how it can affect cystic fibrosis in E. Coli.

Govea said that her students can use this technology because of kits provided to them by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which seeks to support communities by providing health innovations and educational resources.

“CRISPR is one of the latest genetic engineering techniques used as part of gene therapy,” Govea said. “It’s a very promising technique because it offers easy manipulations of the DNA.” Before biomedical students could use the CRISPR kits, they had to learn the basic science behind this process. Some of the challenges the project has faced have been the complex lab techniques CRISPR uses. The students and teacher had to undertake a lot of research to understand the steps the project requires.

Seniors Ava Ritchie and Madison Flores said being involved in the CRISPR project has been challenging and exciting to use this advanced technology while still in high school.

“We are doing a lot more complicated stuff,” Flores said.

Ritchie, who wants to study electrical engineering after high school, said the project has been interesting.

“I’ve always been really interested by new medical advancements,” Ritchie said.

Ashley Caceres-Sanchez

The singular base that causes a life threatning mutaiton to the human body is determined by the guide RNA 1 that directs the Cas-9 to its target.

Once the Cas-9 is directed to the disturbed base it begins its “cut” process where it takes out the mutated base DNA template.

The edited base is then guided back by the guide RNA 2 and binded together with the Cas-9.

News

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 5 | Nov. 17, 2023

Openverse, used by Akins publications students to find open licensed pictures is blocked by filters, as well as many other useful websites.

Diego Hernandez

New internet filter causes frustrations

diego hernandez

Co-EDITOR-in-cheif A new Internet filter went into effect in September on the Austin Independent School District network, causing disruptions to lessons and access to online resources students and teachers .

The new filter suddenly blocked more websites, images, and videos than what was previously blocked by the old filter. Students and teachers were left bewildered and scrambling to figure out what happened and how to deal with the changes.

The new filter, known as Lightspeed Systems, restricts far more websites than Cisco Umbrella, the previous system the district used. Some students speculate this could be caused by the way the new filter works compared to the last one, using an “allow system,” which permits students to only access certain websites, instead of the previous “blocking system,” which only blocks certain “inappropriate” websites.

“It’s important for students to only be using computers for school-related activity, but having an allow list system is pretty overkill for a school,” said senior Renzo Montgomery, who has worked as an intern with AISD Security Systems. “This is negatively impacting more than helping, compared to previous firewalls. So far, it’s just making it harder to get the information we need online, especially for publication classes.”

According to responses to an online

survey conducted by The Eagle’s Eye, 88.6% of Akins students said the new filter has impeded their learning.

“Half of our assignments need us to research and half the websites that are reliable are blocked,” junior Andrea Riojas said in a survey response. “I understand the reason for it but the amount of websites that are blocked is a bit extreme. Especially if it’s to the point where I have to pull out my phone to do simple research, especially with the pictures. The upgrade of blocking literally almost all pictures makes no sense when inappropriate pictures were already blocked.

What more is there to block?”

The filter hasn’t just been impeding stu-

dents’ ability to learn, but teachers’ ability to teach as well. Specifically, teachers in publication classes, where access to websites online is critical for their lessons.

“There’s a lot of lessons that we’ve put together over the years that utilize sites like YouTube and other video streaming sites that we have used in instruction for our classes,” yearbook teacher Sean Claes said.

“And the filter is not allowing students to use those add-ons to the lesson. A lot of students learn visually, some learn by listening to the teacher. Some learn by watching videos, and that’s taking that whole aspect out of things.”

Teachers and instructors are allowed to submit help tickets directly to AISD technology staff to unblock certain websites from the filter to use during their lessons. However, some teachers have expressed their thoughts towards this process, believing that it’s complicated and tedious.

“I appreciate that they did communicate, in some ways, a process on how to change it,” newspaper teacher David Doerr said. “But it became very tedious and it required me to

go to individual websites or in some cases, individual videos that were hosted on Vimeo or YouTube and then send those links to the district to have those specific videos unblocked.”

Austin ISD’s Technology Operations team, replied to questions about the new filter sent by The Eagle’s Eye, stating that the filter is put in place to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, also known as CIPA, which was enacted in 2000 to protect studetns from inappropriate or harmful websites. “(The filter) allows us the ability to support a more secure online experience for our students,” they wrote in the email. “While we understand students and staff may not like having any resource blocked, it is essential that we have guardrails in place to ensure our policy is followed and we follow Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements.”

Despite the district’s good intentions to create a safe learning environment, teachers said the new internet filter is creating regular academic disturbances. Students also said they believe they are suffering more than benefiting from the new filter.

“I really think that this filter hurts the learning process in students that are in the realm that we’re in,” Claes said. “I’m teaching yearbook and graphic design. One of the biggest aspects of what we teach is how to have the knowledge to get a job in the world today once you graduate and the world today is set in social media.”

Opinion

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 6 | Nov. 17, 2023

Mark Ashley Diego Rudy Marcelo SAM Adamaris lomas hernandez caceres morales palacios límon olivares

Kairi Ely natal rodriguez

M pelt

Co-EIC

Photo

copy

Co-EIC

News

Opinion

Co-A&E

Co-A&E

Sports

Graphics

District internet filter goes too far

Legitimate educational resources, images often blocked for students Since late September, students and staff have struggled to access necessary websites, images, and videos because of the implementation of a new district internet filter called Lightspeed. As early as before this school year started there have been websites being blocked by the district. Starting the school year we students couldn’t view websites or certain pictures on Google. It started as not a big deal but going more into the school year we realized how much of a toll it is taking on our education. We can not view images on Google or even certain websites that are harmless.

Teachers have been forced to change their lesson plans and students are forced to find ways around the filter to do research and obtain images they can use for their assignments. Even though these websites contain useful and important information, the new filter blocks their use, making many believe that the district’s technology office has gone too far with restricting access to the internet.

The new filter has made work harder for those on campus and created more work as we are forced to look for other sites or change plans. We believe the new filter has created unjustified struggles for the campus, and improvements need to be made immediately to avoid hurting the educational experiences of students in Austin schools.

We agree that Internet filters should be put in place to make sure students are focused on school-appropriate content while they are at school without exposing students to obscene content that is prohibited by the Children’s Internet Protection Act. This law requires that schools use Internet filters to protect students from accessing visual

Ely Rodriguez

depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors. This new filter is gives a tremendous amount of benefits when it comes to blocking inappropriate things in a school setting such as immediate message when a site is not accessible to a user, as well as block thumbnail previews in image searches for images on websites that are not permitted. When we asked the Technology Operations Team for Austin ISD about their reasons to replace the old filter, they responded saying, “Yes, the old system did not allow us the granularity that we needed to allow access to some sites and remove access to others. This just goes to show that this new filter is meant to be more restrictive but also more helpful.

Although it has good intentions, the filter has impeded our learning environment. The filter blocks images online, making it very

difficult for students to use them as graphics in schoolwork such as Google Slides or Canva. Many of these images are appropriate for schoolwork and are still unnecessarily blocked, making it difficult to create or use these design programs. On top of that, the filter also blocks websites that are crucial for learning. Websites like Openverse and Pexels are blocked under the filter, despite giving us access to school-appropriate images that many students use for schoolwork.

Our very own school newspaper website, The Eagle’s Eye, was temporarily blocked under the filter, despite it being completely student-operated.

This new filter is supposed to give an immediate message when a site is not accessible to a user as well as block thumbnail previews in image searches for images on websites that are not permitted.

When we asked the Technology Operations Team for Austin ISD about their reasons to replace the old filter, they responded by saying, “Yes, the old system did not allow us the granularity that we needed to allow access to some sites and remove access to others.”

However, the new Lightspeed filter has gone too far and is blocking legitimate educational resources. For example, a lesson on the First Amendment provided by a news literacy curriculum called Checkology was blocked with the message that it was considered “mature.” It was only made accessible again after a teacher put in a specific request to have Checkology content unblocked.

This filter is meant to help both students and teachers receive and give the best education they can in the strenuous eight hours we are at school. This filter seems to ban way too much compared to the previous system the district used.

To fix the problem we’re having right now with the district filter, we should completely change how the filter works, or switch to a different service that doesn’t block so many legitimate educational resources.

The new filter is so restrictive that it gets in everybody’s way and is very annoying to deal with. They should have the filter block some of the worst things on the internet, but not block a website that would help students.

Instead of protecting students from harmful content, the filter is harming our educational experience by keeping us away from a world of helpful online information and content, stunting our growth as students. To access the websites we need to see for our education, the filter must change.

What is an editorial?

The Eagle’s Eye editorial board decides the postions taken in the staff editorial. The editorial board consists of the paper’s top section editors for the print edition.

Editorials are not given a byline because they represent the collective opinion of the board. The topic of the editorial is discussed by the board and a position is voted on. When deciding on the position, majority rules so most opinions reflect the majority of the opinions of the board. Editorials do not purport to reprsent the official opinion of Akins Earlcy College High School administration.

Opinion

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 7 | Nov. 17, 2023

Holiday giving is not enough

Akins should extend volunteering efforts year-round to help others morgen messer StAFF WRITER At Akins, we take pride in our work. We are a hard-working community of students, teachers, janitors, counselors, and APs. In my time at this school, I have been very impressed with our willingness to help each other and step up when the time is right. However, I strongly believe that we as a school should be doing more volunteer work. During the holiday season, we are especially inclined to volunteer and spread joy — should we not carry this sentiment year-round?

In order to show the value of volunteering, I wanted to gain some insight from one of our own teachers dedicated to helping students do just that. As the adviser of our school’s branch of Key Club (an international effort to build student’s character through service), Henry Perez believes that everybody should try to give back at least once in their life.

“It’s unfortunate that in the past we have used community service as a way of punishing kids,” he said. “We should recognize that it’s a way for them to contribute to society.”

Perez’s dedication to the program is a testament to the kind of work that I love to see done at Akins. In fact, it is not just his dedication, but the dedication of President Kaliyan Phany who has been a student leader in the club that is inspiring. In particular, Perez was proud of the fact that officers recruited more than 30 students for the club this year alone. This suggests that our school definitely has students who are willing to volunteer- we just need to get them on board with an organization that can give them service opportunities.

Leslie Tejeda-Pena is one of our student leaders who also holds this opinion. As the President of our National Honor Society chapter, she has many responsibilities. One of these is organizing community service opportunities for the members, which she finds especially important. To put it simply, she embodies our values and expectations of students in community and leadership. As a member of the National Honor Society myself, I have seen first-hand the way she has brought us together in a bigger way than has been done since before the pandemic. Working with our community extends beyond school groups though, as we can always think bigger than ourselves.

Helping those in need is rewarding because it can be an opportunity to create stronger bonds with those you help as well as with other volunteers. Fostering and nurturing social bonds is especially important for young adults who are making their way in the world. As a society, Americans are very focused on acting in self-interest and “pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.” While this mantra has worked out well enough for economic purposes, it strays from the traditions most cultures hold of togetherness. As I mature I have realized so much of my life seemed like “myself ” versus “them” when it should have been “us”. Working together to create a stronger community as a whole has been a goal of mine and my peers for the duration of my high school career.

In the past few years, we have attempted to return to life as it was before the pandemic, and though it can never truly be the same, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We can use challenges to create new and special opportunities to become a more united front. As a school we can benefit in so many ways from togetherness. Support for our local community will carry over into people’s attitude towards the school as well. In years past, our students have felt that we did not have much to be proud of as a community. While other schools excel in spirit, ours feels a bit dead. If we become closer and are able to look at ourselves more subjectively, I know that we can have that as well.

Adrian Orduna

In-Depth

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 8 | Nov. 17, 2023

A Long History of War Israel Defense Forces

Communities Destroyed Israeli forces walk through a residential area on Oct. 31 in the Gaza Strip destoryed by Israeli bombing. The Israeli military invastion into Gaza is based on a response to Hamas fighters’ surprise attack on Israelis in their homes and at a music festival on Oct. 7.

As Israel-Hamas war goes on in the region, calls for a ceasefire grow Co-Editor-In-Chief

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas, an organization deemed a terrorist group by the U.S., surprised the world when it launched a surprise attack, killing an estimated 1,400 Israelis in their homes and neighborhoods.

The day had started like every other day. Many were attending a Peace and Love festival only three miles from the boundary between Gaza and Israel. When dawn arose, many Israelis looked at the skies to see what they thought were fireworks. Those at the festival would be the first ones to witness the massacre. A bartender there described the situation to The New York Times, “There were these crazy maniacs with guns and people falling one by one, it was like a shooting range.” 1,200 lives were lost and 250 were taken captive before the Israeli Defense Forces stepped in.

The October 7th invasion’s goal, according to Hamas leadership, was to change the status quo of Palestine. One of the top members of Hamas said in a recent interview with The New York Times, “This battle was not because we wanted fuel or laborers,” he said. “It did not seek to improve the situation in Gaza. This battle is to completely overthrow the situation.”

Another member of Hamas’s leadership body said, “We

“

succeeded in putting the The history behind the Palestinian issue back on the conflict table, and now no one in the There were these crazy maniacs To understand what is happening region is experiencing calm.” between Israel and Gaza/Palestine, with guns and people falling one Since that invasion, Israeli it’s important to understand the by one, it was like a shooting officials estimate that 1,400 history behind the conflict. Many range people have been killed people have the misconception in Israel, and over 5,400 that this conflict has been going people have been injured.

-Israeli bartender who witnessed on for centuries, however, the The Hamas-run Ministry of story begins much more recently, October 7th attacks Health has said that in Gaza as early as the 1800s. at least 10,000 people have During the 1840s, the British been killed, and over 32,000 Empire was attempting to grow have been injured. Among those who have been killed its sphere of influence in world affairs. Its leaders decided include at least 32 U.S. citizens. Since then, Israel has put that Palestine would be the best place to do that in the Gaza under siege, cutting off Internet access, water, food, Middle East. However, Israel/Palestine was still ruled by the and supplies.

Ottoman Empire. It would take the conclusion of World In retaliation, Hamas has been sending rockets over into War I and the end of the Ottoman Empire to set the stage Israel. Israel has defended itself with the help of its “Iron for the beginnings of a Jewish State and the Britian’s dreams Dome,” which fires interceptor rockets that destroy any to come true. missiles that are entering Israel. This has led to less damage In 1917, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the Balfour in Israel compared to Gaza, which has had many of its comDeclaration was written, creating a national home for the munities destroyed due to the constant bombardment they Jewish people. Over the next couple of years, thousands of have received in retaliation for Hamas’s invasion.

Jews would move to this new state. However, the Balfour

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Mark Lomas

In-Depth

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 9 | Nov. 17, 2023

Declaration didn’t 17., the U.S. announced exactly outline how the that Biden would visit land would be divided, Israel. While there Biden what rights they would empathized with the have, or how their rights Israeli people. “You can’t It feels incredibly overwhelming would be protected. The look at what has hapto see everything happening allied powers agreed to pened here ... and not the declaration, with scream out for justice.” through a screen and know that many Palestinians disHowever, he warned there’s not much I can do to help agreeing with the loss of the Israeli government control over their lands. from going to far in a During World War II, quest for vengeance.

— Heba Dalu, Akins Class of Zionists, who wanted “But I caution this: to create a home for While you feel that rage, 2022 Valedictorian the Jewish people, don’t be consumed by urged Jews to move to it,” he said. “After 9/11, Palestine for safety. This we were enraged in the was because Jews were United States. And often persecuted in other while we sought justice countries due to their beliefs. Many countries proclaimed and got justice, we also made mistakes.” their sympathy but they wouldn’t take them. That’s when Since Oct. 7, 1,000 U.S. soldiers were put on heightened the Zionists told Jews to go to Israel alert and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited After World War II, the United Nations split Palestine Israel to help the humanitarian efforts. Shortly afterward, into two states — one for the Jewish population and one for on Nov. 5, 2023, Israel declared that they had cut Gaza into the Arab population. However, the Arabs opposed this plan. two halves.

Shortly afterward on May 14, 1948, the first Arab-Israeli An effect that this war has had on the Palestinians is that war happened when British troops pulled out of the region, those stuck in Gaza have had to deal with harsh living and Israel declared independence. Subsequently, Egypt, conditions. On Nov. 3, a United Nations official said that Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria invaded Israel because the average Palestinian lives on two pieces of bread daily. they didn’t support their independence. Israel expelled over Another U.N. official said “Many people are relying on 700,000 Palestinians, won the war, and gained more histori- brackish or saline groundwater, if at all.” cally Palestinian territory.

Many backup generators are failing as fuel runs out in Since then, the Palestinians have gradually lost control Gaza. Sewage is being pumped into the sea, but when the over their designated territory in what is known as the Gaza fuel runs out, sewage will start flowing into the streets. HosStrip, which today is a 25-mile-long strip of land along the pitals in Gaza have reportedly had to choose who lives and Mediterranean Sea that is the densely populated home of who dies due to the lack of resources. about 2 million people. After several uprisings and military Since the war began, governments around the world have conflicts in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Israel exercises repeatedly called for a humanitarian pause or a cease-fire in control over Gaza with walls, border crossing checkpoints, Gaza. However, Isralie Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a blockade that controls access to food, fuel, and other declined a pause stating that humanitarian aid would fall resources. into the hands of Hamas and would help them.

These conflicts led to the rise of Hamas as the governmenOn Monday, Nov. 6, Jordan airdropped medical aid to a tal group that provides basic services to Palestinians who field hospital that is run by Jordan in Gaza. A U.S. special live in Gaza. This militant group has gained popularity by convoy led by David Satterfield has denied claims stating opposing Israel, which it has declared an “illegitimate state.” that Hamas got its hands on humanitarian aid. Satterfield Since Israel’s independence, there have been many battles was a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and is now tasked fought between Arabs and the Israelis. The effect of these with leading U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region. wars was that Israel continued to take land away from the Palestinians.

Calls for peace grow Despite all the efforts of world governments and their calls Current Timeline of Events for peace, some Akins students and staff have been affected In retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack, Israel has slowly by the war. Heba Dalu, valedictorian for the 2022 senior prepared for a ground invasion to destroy Hamas. Since the class and is Palestinian, said that the war has taken a really Oct. 7 attack things have escalated rapidly in the war. On emotionally draining toll on her.

Oct. 8, 30 Israeli police were killed when Hamas took over “It feels incredibly overwhelming to see everything hapa police station. On Oct. 10, the U.S. confirmed that Amerpening through a screen and know that there’s not much I icans were taken in the Hamas invasion. On Oct. 13, the can do to help,” she said.

Israel Defense Force warned Gaza residents to leave Gaza From a poll taken from Akins students and staff, the immediately or be caught in the middle of their military majority of students and staff are very concerned about campaign. One day later, many Palestinians and foreigners humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Substitute teacher Stuart tried to escape Gaza through Egypt but were halted when Berkowitz said his heart goes out to the Israelis and the the border crossing was not opened.

Palestinians.

On Oct. 15, the U.S. citizen death toll rose to 31. On Oct. “It’s very sad that many thousands of innocent people are

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maybe having their lives destroyed or family members or themselves are dying or getting wounded,” he said. “They’re losing everything. They’ve worked their whole lives for and the unfortunate thing with the Gazans that are just trying to live their life is they’re not going to get compensated by the Hamas government.”

Since the Oct. 7 attack, the United States, a large military and financial supporter of Israel, has supported Israel’s efforts to defend itself from attacks by going after Hamas.

According to an NPR survey of about 1,313 adults, 65% of Americans believe that the U.S. should openly support Israel while 23% said they believe that it should say or do nothing.

Those who support the U.S.’s decision to support Israel said they believe it is the only way to bring peace to the region. Only, 8% of those surveyed did not support Israel.

Meanwhile, 79% of those surveyed said they are worried that the war will spread to other nearby regions.

Ceasefire and Privacy Concerns Calls for a ceasefire keep growing. Shortly after attacks on a refugee camp in northern Gaza, protests all around the world erupted calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In the West Bank, Palestinians have been heavily surveilled by the Israeli government. In an interview with Wired, a West Bank Palestinian said that living there was like being rats in a cage.

He went on to say that he “want[s] to go to the beach, I want to see the sea, I want to taste the water. Here, we don’t have this freedom.”

The Israeli Government has been dependent on security infrastructure code-named “Wolf Pack,” which creates a database of every Palestinian living in the West Bank. One strand of the software is called “Red Wolf,” which uses facial recognition cameras at checkpoints to either detain, arrest, or allow an individual through. Another one called “Blue Wolf,” which uses a smartphone app. It has Israeli soldiers photograph every one of the Palestinians living there so that they can be put in the database.

Disinformation misleads many Since the Oct. 7 invasion, disinformation has spread rapidly on social media sites like X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. It’s also important to know the difference between disinformation and misinformation.

Disinformation is when people purposefully spread wrong information and misinformation is when people accidentally share inaccurate information.

An example of disinformation, videos were of Putin saying that he would help Palestine. This was in fact an altered video. The original video was from 2021’s Victory Day parade, Putin was talking about defeating Nazism in World War II at the parade.

Another example was when a video supposedly showed an Israeli soldier being thrown to the ground as an airstrike hit an Israeli tank. This was a clip from the trailer for a first-person shooter game called Squad. The same thing happened with the war in Ukraine. A clip was being used from a military simulation game called Arma. This led many to believe that the clip was from Ukraine when it was from something completely different.

This war has rapidly escalated. It’s entirely possible that by the time this story is finally published, the war will be over.

It remains to be seen if this will change the status quo.

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THE eagle’s Eye

Page 10 | Nov. 17, 2023

Photo essay

Murder Mystery Madness

Akins Theatre production performs Clue as first play of the year

Kairi Natal

check every detail Senior Joaquin Arredondo who plays Professor Plum examans a glass while waiting to be served food with senior Q Perry who plays Ms. White.

kairi natal photo editor The audience only sees the finished product when they go see a play without knowing all the work that went in behind the scenes. From memorizing lines, building sets, pulling costumes, and lighting cues many little things go on behind the scenes to produce a play.

Senior Q Perry, who plays Ms. White in the theatre department’s production of Clue, said it’s challenging bringing a character to life who’s been played so many times before.

“It’s challenging it’s an iconic script.

It’s become a movie. It’s a well-known play,” they said. “ It’s hard to try and become a character that has been done so many times and make it unique to yourself as an actor.”

In addition to the challenge of producing a play, the cast and crew are also adjusting to working with Le Easter, as the new director of the theatre department.

Merritt Robertson, who plays Col. Mustard in the theatre department’s production of Clue said working with a new director is a new experience but it’s gotten easier to bring their vision to life as they’ve worked together.

“It’s definitely a new experience It takes a while to be able to learn how they direct in their teaching style,” she said “But I think that as we’ve gotten on it’s easier to figure out what they’re looking for and what I can do to help that vision”

Kairi Natal

what to do The Clue cast huddles together for a talk for a scene in the play during rehersal.

Photo Essay

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 11 | Nov. 17, 2023

Kairi Natal Kairi Natal

dodging a bullet Senior Joaquin Arredondo takes a dive during rehersal with freshman Keira Caldwell.

1+1+2+1 Freshman Lee Ridings who plays Ms. Scarlet confronts Wadsworth the butler played by senior Richie Wright.

Kairi Natal

Kairi Natal

wasnt me

is he dead?

Senior Merritt Robertson who plays Col. Mustard defends himself after being accused.

Mr. Green played by senior Egan Lutz Carrillo examens the body of Wadsworth the butler played by senior Richie Wright at the end of the play.

A&E

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 12 | Nov. 17, 2023

Spider-Man 2 webs up to the original game The famous webslinger returns and this time there is two of them

Jonathan Wilson

staff writer The original 2018 game release was already substantial for a Spider-Man game. It allowed you to smoothly web-sling across a small part of New York and fight iconic villains with an easy but challenging combat system. Its story was fun and emotional and felt like a true Spider-Man story. But can the same thing be said for its sequel? The answer is yes, and it goes beyond the original game in almost every way.

Starting with the gameplay, the game instantly reveals its large cityscape, with New York feeling two times bigger than the first game. Traversing throughout the city now has many more options for getting points A to B, including the usual fast travel option, now instant with the power of the PS5.

There are now more options on how you want your web-slinging to act. If you want it to be easy and feel like Spider-Man, or have a challenge and improve throughout the time you play, you can, as there are more accessibility options to make it more comfortable for the player to enjoy the game their way. The game’s combat has both been simplified and built upon from the first game, which makes the combat intuitive while also leaving a lot of room for the player to increase their skills to become the best Spider-Man they could be.

The biggest thing with the new release of the game is the full use of the PS5 controller. The game takes full advantage of the controller’s speakers, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers to give a more immersive experience that wasn’t possible in the previous two Spider-Man games. Spider-Man 2 introduces the idea of two playable spider-men in the game, which means that you play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. While their stories are connected, there are differences between their side quests and goals, which makes them feel unique from each other, rather than Spider-Man just being copied and pasted.

The Mary Jane missions have also improved from the first Spider-Man game. In the first game, there were many complaints about the shallowness of her gameplay, where the room for error was non-existent, which made her small moments of gameplay unfun in the 2018 release. Thankfully, Spider-Man 2 took the basic idea of Mary Jane’s missions and made it one of the most fun parts of the game. Mary Jane can defend herself from the beginning, unlike the original game where she was just moving from point A to point B. Not only can she stand her ground more, but being caught is no longer the same death sentence as in the original game.

While she does have a very limited amount of health compared to the Spider-Men, she still has enough that it makes her stealth sections less of a hassle while still keeping a small challenge in the game.

When it comes to the story, there is never a dull moment.

Once the story goes, it doesn’t stop until the end, especially with its first villain for the first half of the game being Kraven. Kraven is different from most of Spider-Man’s gallery as he isn’t hunting him down, but rather hunting down Spider-Man’s past villains that we’ve fought in the previous two games, which causes some new dynamics where we are trying to save the same people that were trying to kill us. The game also shows previous villains trying to redeem themselves, and it’s something that isn’t seen in much superhero media, so it’s a nice breath of fresh air. But Kraven isn’t the main villain.

About into the game, we are reintroduced to Harry Osborn, who was previously out of consciousness in the last two games. He immediately becomes a likable character who interacts well with Peter and Mary Jane Watson. We learn that his father, Norman Osborn, essentially has an alien symbiote connected to him to help fight against his illness, the same one that had killed his mother.

Over time, however, this symbiote starts to take over. At first, it was like a normal suit with some cool superpowers.

Still, after Kraven stabs Peter and essentially dies for a bit, the symbiote moves from Harry to Peter, causing Peter’s suit to become the iconic all-black suit. After this point, Kraven becomes the biggest focus for Peter, and the symbiote proceeds to change him as a person, not only isolating Peter from those whom he cares about but also causing him to become a more rude person.

After his fight with Kraven, Miles has to break the symbiote out of Peter to stop Peter from killing Kraven. After sep aration, Peter apologizes to the people he hurt and attempts to destroy the symbiote. Instead, Harry takes back control of the symbiote and transforms into the terrifyingly iconic Venom.

Venom introduces a new small segment where you get to play the villain for the first time in the series, and there is so much more to this story that needs to be experienced firsthand. Venom makes his presence known.

Something I also wanted to talk about was the overall improvement of the graphics in the game. From both predecessors, the lighting is the biggest improvement seen, with improved shadows and im-

proved interaction with the game’s shaders. Every character model has seen a substantial improvement and, in some cases, changes in their character’s design. The game looks incredible in many diverse destinations that make every mission that you complete a different experience from the other. That’s all with the default fidelity mode the game puts most players in, but it is locked to 30 frames per second.

There is a performance mode that, when enabled, does lower the graphics a tiny bit, but the boost to the game’s framerate is truly something to consider as the game runs butter smooth. When in this mode, it made me consider what mode I should use to complete the game.

There is no question that Spider-Man 2 lives spider-man 2 up to and beyond rating the original 5/5 stars 2018 release. The gameplay has seen improvements in every sense. The story is more emotional, packed, and an amazing experience that everyone has to see on their own. Spider-Man 2 did the impossible job of trying to live up to the original game, but the developers Insomniac Games, know what they’re doing.

This sequel is a masterpiece that I can fully recommend 5/5.

*****

Illustrations by Jonathan Wilson and Veda Larson

A&E

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 13 | Nov. 17, 2023

Choir prepares to sing a new tune

New director offers experience, plenty of new student opportunities

Jason Ponti

Staff Writter

Janelle Ponti Staff Writter Some choir students were nervous about starting the school year after their director left Akins over the summer, which can be a chaotic challenge for a group of singers.

Choir is all about uniting different voices into one harmony, so having a strong director is a must. Choir students said they were relieved when they got to know their new director, Andre Jackson.

He has since then stepped up to direct a new generation of students into success. While some students were worried about the future of Akins’ choir after the departure of the last director, Jackson has worked to make sure the choir is stronger than ever. With a new director steering the students in new

directions, the long-established Akins choir seems to have found its new voice and has begun singing a new tune.

Jackson taught choir and singing for eight years before coming to Akins.

Besides being a classroom teacher, he has also provided private lessons and served as a choir consultant in the Hays school district.

Senior choir student KC Perez said he appreciates the feeling of belonging when all the pieces come together.

“Choir is really rewarding when you put all the parts together and when you get to sing with everyone and I feel like I have a community in choir,” Perez said. “I feel like it’s something I’m also really good at and that gratification from doing something you’re really passionate about is really nice.”

In October, choir students were encouraged to compete in a regional competition hosted by the Texas Music Educators Association. Nine singers

earned a spot in the Region Mixed Choir, eight advanced to pre-area auditions, and one was named as an alternate.

Senior choir student Cash Simmons said Jackson is helping all of the choir students improve.

“And he’s not afraid to call us out when we’re wrong,” he said. “But he does it in a way that we can learn from it and be better in the future.”

Freshman Caden Ruiz shared his thoughts about Jackson.

“I love him. He’s amazing. And he supports us, no matter how hard we try and no matter how much we’ve been through for the past two months,” he said.

KC Perez said Jackson is a very hard working teacher.

“He cares about our emotions and our limits,” he said. “He listens to our critiques and he listens to us whenever we need things.”

Robert Stephenson

Akins Full choir perfoms Choir performs during its fall concert in October in the Akins Theater.

An interview with the director Janelle Ponti Staff Writter With the new school year comes a rush of new teachers. One to note is the new choir director, Mr. Jackson, who has done a plethora of things to bring attention to the choir and build a community with his students and the campus. With him in charge, he has plenty of plans to make choir more notable and build more of a community with it. The new director talks to the Eagle’s Eye about his plans to improve choir.

EE: Why did you want to come to Akins?

AJ:I heard that the Akins choir program was not in the best shape. I heard that I was gonna have a lot of talent and all the support in the world but the kids just needed someone who really really cared about choir. And what sold me was that they said that the choir was really small. And so I feel like that scares a lot of directors away because everyone wants to go get that choir that’s already established and a choir that’s already big. But I like the idea of taking a small choir and turning it into something real. And so the reason I wanted to come here was because I knew I get to build my

own program with great kids.

EE: Why did you become a choir Teacher?

AJ:Because of my high school choir teacher. She made the choir room feel like a home away from home. To be honest the choir room was more of a home than my own home was. Growing up, I found that I was always in the choir room. All of my teachers knew that if I was done with my work, I was most likely going to choir, I wouldn’t even have to ask, I would turn my work in and they would ask if I was going to choir and I would say “yup”. And that was freshman through senior year. My choir director was like my mom. She took me in at times. She fed me, she bought me clothes. She helped me graduate from school. And so I want to be able to do what she did for me and my friends because she created a choir where the kids that were in her choir, some of them are now married. A lot of them have kids together. A lot. A lot of us are still best friends. And we all thank her for that because if it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t have ever met each other. So she is the reason that I wanted to be a choir director.

EE: What would the students be surprised to find out about you?

AJ:When I’m not at work, I’m always thinking about my students, and at times I have to tell myself that y’all (choir students) are okay and I can be home and just relax.

They feel like y’all (choir students) would be surprised to know that I look at y’all (choir students) as more than just my choir students, I look at y’all (choir students) like my little kids. And I care way more about y’all(choir students) as human beings than I do as a singer. The fact that y’all sing for me is a blessing. But I think they’d be surprised to know that I really, I love y’all. (choir students) EE: What are your plans for the choir?

AJ:The first and always plan is going to be to love them, so much. My second plan is to grow the choir right now we’re sitting under 50 kids this year. I want 110 Kids in three years. I’m also enjoying the small moments that we have now because I’m going to remember these moments. I’m going to think back on these moments very fondly, because I’m gonna remember that we used to be a very small choir, and there where kids that really really cared and that helped take us to the next level. So my plan is to make us the voice of not only our campus but of our community.

Kari Natal

Meet the director Choir director Andres Jackson

Sports

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 14 | Nov. 17, 2023

Mini-pitch donated by 4ATX Foundation Adamaris Olivares

Cutting Open YETI representative cuts the ribbon to officially open the mini-pitch to the community on Sep. 29.

Mini soccer court provides new experience for the surrounding community Adamaris Olivares Sports Editor If you look outside, where there was previously a tennis court, you will see a green, black, and white mini-pitch in its place.

Instead of the white net that previously stretched across the court, there are now two goals standing on opposite ends, a mural painted on the court between them. Just in time for soccer season to begin, this mini-pitch hosts three versus three games between students, teachers, and community members who are also welcome to use it. Two months ago, this was being prepared for the inaugural, and is now available as a way to connect the community through soccer.

On Sep. 29, the Athletic Coordinators and Coach Castellanos (Coach Kat) stood in front of a crowd of students along with representatives and sponsors of the mini-pitch for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The mini-pitch was donated to Akins through the 4ATX Foundation along with a Verde Net as an award to Coach Kat for finishing runner-up in the Austin FC and NetSpend Coach of the Year awards. It is the eighth pitch to be opened in the Austin area through the partnerships of YETI, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Austin ISD. The mini-pitch is now placed by Old San Antonio Rd, and officially open to the public.

“The mini-pitches are just that, a dedicated space dedicated to free and public use,” 4ATX Program Manager Horacio Perez said. “These mini-pitches are meant to be a place in your neighborhood where you can go, and there’s always a space meant for soccer.”

The 4ATX Foundation has the mission of using soccer

to help communities connect and succeed. While hosting other programs such as clinics, the Verde Leaders, and scholarships, their focus has been to promote success through soccer.

“I feel like that’s where 4ATX’s spot is, helping lift up these students hopefully to a pipeline of employment, or soccer, or whatever it takes to continue building healthy communities, socially, emotionally, and physically,” Perez said.

The mini-pitch shared with Akins has helped create a safe environment for students to play and build the community they wanted to achieve.

“The pitch was needed and I love it,” senior Diego Zuniga said. “I’ve used it multiple times with my friends and will continue to do so. Austin FC has definitely invested in the right area and we thank them for that.”

The mini-pitch here at Akins contributes to the 4ATX Foundation’s goals. While they continue to build more pitches across Austin, Akins was the first to receive one with a mural painted onto the court by artist Alie Jackson.

“I hope that we can continue to do them (the murals) because I think it’s a great opportunity to promote the community, and Austin FC, and 4ATX Foundation, and the work that we’re doing in our community,” Perez said.

The 4ATX Foundation, while hoping for more murals in the future, continues to build mini-pitches throughout Austin for those locations that would need them the most.

Akins served as a strong location, which is ultimately why it was chosen.

“It’s a highly dense area that aligns with the communities that we traditionally serve, in terms of being predominantly Hispanic and Latino. And also, matching the income kind of that normally falls within our bounds as well,” Perez said.

“And so when it kind of aligns like that, it’s kind of like,

okay, I think that this is our spot.”

The 4ATX Foundation made the right decision placing the mini-pitch at Akins. The community has responded well to it, having the access here in school, students use it continuously.

“Growing up in South Austin there weren’t a lot of places where we could play pickup soccer that were close to where we live,” Zuniga said. “This pitch has definitely benefited the surrounding community by giving us a place to play and have fun.”

Choosing the location of these mini-pitches is only the start to the creation of them. These pitches can be a long and extensive process, which can lead to challenges during and after the making of them with questions arising even after the finish.

“I think that we’re working through the kinks of, you know, maintenance and who owns the trash?” Perez said.

“And how do we best make sure that we’re not just kind of placing it and then leaving it.”

While questions continue to arise through the creation of these pitches, the solutions are worth finding as it is deemed worthy to continue the use of them.

“I honestly love the mini-pitch,” junior Kim Hernandez said. “I feel like it’s such a great add-in for training and an amazing place for friends to come together and play, I’ve used it any chance I get.”

The time and energy that is placed into these pitches are always rewarded by seeing the students use these pitches as a place to connect and enjoy their love for soccer.

“I hope that these mini-pitches become an extension of that community and giving people a place to connect over their common love for not only Austin FC, or 4ATX Foundation, but the sport of soccer in general,” Perez said.

Sports

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 15 | Nov. 17, 2023

Ava Linnell makes cross country history

Junior becomes the first female cross country runner from Akins to attend state Samantha Limon Co-A&E Editor Junior Ava Linnell placed 7th at the 6A regional meet in Corpus Christi with a 5k time of 18:55. Linnell’s top 10 finish earned her a spot to compete in the state meet.

Linnell became the first Akins female cross country runner to attend the state meet, finishing her cross country season in 52nd place out of 152 runners with a time of 18:47.

Before she competed at the regional meet, Linnell made school history becoming the first Akins athlete to be named a cross country district champion when she ran a 5K in 18 minutes and 18 seconds. This run broke both her own school record as well as the Walter E. Long course record, where she also broke her own personal record.

Linnell has been running long distances with Akins since her freshman year, cutting minutes from her 5k every year as she progresses in the sport. With the continuous support of her coaches that have helped her improve, she has been able to succeed as she pushes herself further.

Training even before she joined high school, Linnell has put in miles throughout the years. Coach Fransisco Flores has been able to watch her rise to become a leader and one that he can trust as a captain. Linnell has been able to accomplish goals she has set for herself, and goals Flores has set for the team.

As an excellent athlete and example, Linnell has become a role model for the cross country team breaking records and making history for Akins.

The Eagle’s Eye interviewed Ava Linnell and Coach Fransisco Flores about her accomplishments throughout the season.

Junior Ava Linnell EE: How long have you been running long distance?

AL: “I have been running long distance since I was in 5th grade. My whole grade trained and ran the cap 10k and I have been running long distance ever since! My first year actually running track was 8th grade and my first year running cross country was freshman year.”

EE: Do you have any goals going forward?

AL: “Yes, my goal is to continue being competitive with the girls I have been competing with at my races and to just run

as good as I can and PR (personal record) if I can.”

EE: What is a piece of advice you have gained for running that you keep with you for races?

AL: “I just know that I am stronger than I think I am and I can always keep improving.”

EE: What do you believe to be one of your weaknesses and what are you doing to improve it?

AL: “Probably just underestimating myself. I try to run and keep up with people that I think I can’t beat but I know I can.”

EE: How do you condition yourself for these races?

AL: “I started by building up my endurance base during the summer by putting in a lot of mileage. When the season started I started working more on speed by running shorter distances and faster, but I still had easy runs and a long run on the weekends to keep my endurance up.”

EE: Do you have a strategy when it comes to these races?

AL: “I find a girl I know is a little bit faster than me so I try to keep up with her and then at the end, I try to make sure I use all my energy so I can pass people if I can.”

EE: Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model?

AL: “Absolutely Coach Flores and Coach C. They were both really good athletes in college and high school, they know a lot about the sport and they both help me and I respect them.”

Coach Fransisco Flores EE: What have you observed in regards to Ava’s progression as a runner over the years you have coached her?

FF: “The approach to coaching Ava has always been to not rush her progress. Her 5k time has dropped by over a minute each year and the plan is for her times to continue to steadily drop as she prepares to compete at the collegiate level.”

EE: What are some of Ava’s traits that make her a strong cross country and/or track athlete?

FF: “Ava has reached the level of running maturity where she understands that in order to reach peak physical performance, she’ll need to consistently put in the work.

She is also one of the most mentally strong athletes I have ever coached.”

EE: Now that she has won at both district and regionals and made it to the

Chance Dang

Running to State Junior Ava Linnell runs in the Westlake Chaparral Invitational on Aug. 25 at the Southeast Metro Park. She placed 10th at the Invitational being their first meet of the season. state meet, what do you hope she accomplishes next in cross country and/or track next year?

FF: “I expect Ava to go into next year’s cross country state meet fighting for a top 10 finish with a sub 18 minute 5k time. My dream is for the girls cross country team to advance out of our tough district and compete for a chance to make it to the state meet. Ava will be the leader of that team.As for track, I’d love to see her reach the state meet in either one of the distance events, especially the mile.”

We wish Ava the best of luck in basketball and track this school year.

Photo Courtesy of Ava Linnell

Medal Prize Ava Linnell holds her Regional Medal after placing 7th, advancing to State.

Life & Style

THE eagle’s Eye

Page 16 | Nov. 17, 2023

bringing life to the dead Miniature-sized ofrendas made by students in Spanish classes are on display at the front of the school as part of a Hispanic culture project.

Sarah Flores

Students, teachers create Day of the Dead ofrendas to remember Sarah Flores StAFF WRITER

Faby Rodriguez StAFF WRITER A cultural celebration with roots going back thousands of years made a big appearance near the front of campus at the beginning of November in the form of a large and colorful ofrenda created by students in Akins Spanish classes.

El Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration meant to honor loved ones who have passed away. On Nov. 1 and 2 of every year families build ofrendas (alters) designed to welcome the return of their ancestors’ spirits with food, drink, and their favorite souvenirs. Although widely celebrated in Mexico, El Día de los Muertos can also be seen in other cultures in Spain and other southern European countries.

Originating from Aztec and Toltecs beliefs dating back thousands of years, it is believed that on Nov. 1, a portal between the living and the dead opens. The spirits of loved ones follow the aroma trail that marigold flowers leave behind. These flowers are sprinkled from the ofrenda to the front doors of houses. Marigolds or cempasúchil (flower of the dead) are key components of El Día de los Muertos.

The tradition of creating an ofrenda involves the use of four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Water is represented by any liquid, such as a favorite drink of the relative.

Fire is usually represented by a candle and the wind is represented by tissue paper, which is also called papel picado in Spanish.

Papel picado is usually contains cut-out designs hung above the ofrenda, allowing sugar wind to flow through and around it. Earth is represented by food, especially breads like skull Pan de Muerto. Ofrendas can be personalized as much as the family wants by adding pictures, personal artifacts, or drawings that represent deceased relatives.

Spanish teacher Julio Nava Verdi organized

the effor to build the large ofrenda at the front of the school with the help of his students.

“I hope the community and some other teachers that are not from the culture like Hispanic cultures or other nationalities from the Hispanic world that don’t celebrate it like us, get to know a little bit of that culture and celebration,” he said.

To educate unfamiliar students who don’t celebrate or know about El Día de los Muertos, Akins Spanish teachers built the large ofrenda at the front of the school filled with pictures of deceased family members, beloved celebrities, and past pets. Students and teachers honored and celebrated the lives they lived.

Teachers who participated in the project to create the ofrenda at school said it was beneficial not only for students who are not part of Hispanic culture but also for the students who are Hispanic but have never been exposed to it.

With the Akind student population being 78.1% Hispanic, many were born and raised in America and are not connected to their cultural roots without being raised in Mexico.

marigold arch

water

copal

This Día de los Muertos project allowed students to connect and learn a part of their heritage they might not have known about before.

Students in Verdi’s classes made their own smaller ofrendas that were placed upon the larger ofrenda with five steps representing the layers of ascending and descending of life.

In addition, they also have had the freedom to make their ofrenda however they imagined.

Some students not only celebrate Dia de los Muertos at home and at school, but also at community festivals in Austin and other nearby cities. Viva la Vida is a Dia de los Muertos event that has occurred in Austin for more than 40 years.

This year the event was held on Oct. 28 at the intersection of 4th Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.

People wore costumes and make-up and marched down the street with floats, enjoying live music and performances by a mix of ballet folklorico and Matachines dancers.

Viva la Vida gathers the surrounding community to partake in supporting local Hispanic and Mexican businesses along with artists. Activity centers allowed kids and adults alike to make marigold flower crowns, and have their faces painted with a skull face, and draw catrines “elegant skulls.” The Mexic-Arte Museum dispalyed its Día de los Muertos exhibition, featuring photography by Mary J. Andrade, and artwork by other Chicano artists. photo of the Día de los Muertos is special to everyone who celebrates it. From students to teachers and deceased people in the community, each person has their reasons for celebrating it. Ninth grader Diego Enriquez celebrates Día de los Muertos with his family “to honor the people that came before them.” Some students even celebrate Día de los Muertos in Mexico with their families. “It’s not bread about celebrating people who are dead but also of the what they did in our life,” said Jason Ponti.

To some people, El Día de los Muertos is a dead solemn celebration to honor the spirits of loved ones passed. But to others, it is honoring the spirit that is constantly alive inside of them.

cross

salt

Ely Rodriguez