“Everything that concerns you”
America with executive orders
Akins reacts to how new policies will affect their lives
Pages: 12-13
Editorial: Trumps takes U-Turn on TikTok
Trump’s shifting TikTok stance sparks debate and youth support | page 7
Entertainment: Marvel Rivals challenges Overwatch
Superhero team shooter takes the gaming world by storm| page 16
Marcelo Palacios
Print Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 17: Student Holiday Teacher Work Day
McKenna Carpenter Opinions Editor
Ash Morris
Life & Style Editor
Adrian Orduña Graphics Editor
Aubrey Montoya Online Photo Editor
Madison Staman News Editor
Jasmine Woods
A&E Editor
Feb. 20: Black History Month Celebration
Feb. 28: Thon Fundraiser Party
Kairi Natal Photo Editor
Ashlyn Rodriguez Copy Editor
Julia Torres
Alex Enyart Will Melendez
Silas Baker
Silas Baker
Julia Torres
Melany Serrano
Aubrey Montoya
Jonathon Balderas
Kenzie Craven
Nadim Lama
Dean Knowlton
Iixe Hernandez
Dominic Arias
Melany Serrano
Devan Flores
Lillian Mendez Soleil Gutierrez
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.
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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.
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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 or 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.
1. Who is Luigi Mangione being compared to?
2. e game that challenges Overwatch is from what brand?
3. Which teacher is quoted by name in the InDepth article?
6. Students are being punished by new policies thanks to a few “Bad ______.”
What is Trump’s
5. What is considered an “Austin Landmark”?
Alex Enyart Staff Writer
Students returning from holiday break were greeted with a list of new rules aimed at restricting their movement across campus to maximize their time spent in classrooms.
The new rules include limiting bathroom passes to three passes per class and per semester, a rotating Eagle Time schedule for tutoring during the school day, and requiring students to get a tardy pass if they are late to their 1st or 5th-period classes.
Assistant Principal Melinda Van Horn explained the rationale behind the new policies in an email.
“All of these policies have the same ultimate goal: we want ALL students to be at school, in class, on time, and making academic progress towards graduation and college/career readiness.”
However, students have said that they have concerns with the new policies, especially when it comes to the new Eagle Time tutoring schedule. According to the results of an online survey distributed by The Eagle’s Eye, about 21.4 percent of students said that after the new tutoring schedule started they can get the tutoring help they need when they need it and 78.6 percent said they could not.
Under the new policy, students are required to rotate through all eight of their classes during Eagle Time on Tuesdays through Fridays over a two-week period. Students still attend their Advisory classes on Mondays during Eagle Time and then they will rotate to all of their A-Day classes during one week and then all of their B-Day classes the next week.
The schedule can be confusing for students, as they have to keep up with a calendar to help them remember which classroom they are supposed to go to based on the day of the week. However, some students said on the online survey that they like the new Eagle Time rotation system better than the rules during the fall semester, which allowed students to get passes to get tutoring during Advisory class time.
Junior Nidia Valencia wrote in her survey response that the rules that allowed students to get passes let too many students walk the halls during Eagle Time.
“(Students) would always be in the hallways taking space,” she wrote.
Van Horn wrote that administrators changed the policy because the previous Flexible Instruction Time concept during the Advisory period was not meeting students’ needs.
Under the FIT system, which the school had in place in some form since 2015, students were allowed to sign up to go to any teacher’s class to get help on any days students were not assigned to attend Advisory classes. In previous years, the school tried to manage student attendance of FIT sessions by using an online website that allowed students to sign up for days when teachers provided tutoring. However, there were problems with students who chose instead to leave campus or hang out in the hallways and bathrooms during this time.
“While FIT worked for some students, we had too many
Students stand in line to get a tardy pass during 5th Period because they were late to class. Lines have been long after administrators started enforcing the new tardy policy in January.
students who were choosing not to go anywhere,” she wrote. “Advisory was often viewed (incorrectly) by students as optional. This way, students see their own teachers and have a sense of accountability to go to the courses they are earning credits for.”
Some students have expressed frustration with what they say is a more restrictive Eagle Time policy. Senior Isabella Estrada Lopez said the new schedule sets students up for confusion and stress.
“We don’t know exactly what period we’re going to for advisory and it stresses students out when they have to wait two weeks to get help in a single class,” she wrote in a survey response.
Van Horn wrote that administrators will monitor data on attendance and grades as well as student, parent and teacher feedback to evaluate the success of the policy change.
“We rely on attendance and grade data, teacher feedback, and student/parent feedback as well,” she wrote.
Van Horn said that administrators are aware of student concerns about the rotation schedule and suggested that students seek out tutoring from their teachers at other times besides during the Eagle Time period.
“I would suggest that the student first goes to their teacher and asks what other times are available. All teachers offer 1 hour of additional tutoring per week. We are continuing to monitor the transitions, and if we can get to a point where this first stage of implementation is running with fidelity, I am optimistic that we can begin planning for
additional student options. The important thing right now is base-level accountability. We need to know where any student is on campus at any given time. If there is ever an extenuating circumstance, I encourage students to talk to their AP or counselor to see if we can help find a solution.”
Another point of discussion is the new rules regarding bathroom passes. Students are now given three bathroom passes in every class, these reset back to three every semester. Many students feel this is unfair. They feel as though all students are being punished for the actions of a few “bad apples”.
Freshman Andres Hernandez created a Change.org petition in response to this new rule. Since Jan. 9, the petition has received 185 signatures.
“I don’t think it’s fair to punish everyone in general, it’s unfair to those who haven’t done anything,” he said.
All of these policies have the same ultimate goal: we want ALL students to be at school, in class, on time, and making academic progress
— Melinda Van Horn Assistant Principal
Staff Writer
Today, Venezuela is known as a country experiencing high poverty rates, corruption, and injustice.
But many don’t realize that Venezuela is also home to the world’s largest oil reserves, which at times has provided the country and its citizens with great wealth when the economy is booming. For example, during the 1970s, a five-month OPEC embargo quadrupled oil prices and made Venezuela the country with the highest per-capita income in Latin America. Over two years, the oil boom added $10 billion to state coffers, according to a Council on Foreign Relations webpage.
However, because the Venezuelan economy is heavily dependent on the oil industry, the country is vulnerable to hardship when the price of oil drops. In recent years, the economic situation has been bleak, with inflation running so high that in 2018, it cost 14,600,000 bolivars to buy a chicken to eat, which is the equivalent of about $2.22, according to an article by The Guardian. Oil prices plunged from over $100 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 per barrel in early 2016, sending Venezuela into an economic and political spiral. This has caused many Venezuelans to leave their home country to find a better life in other nations.
Austin has become a popular destination among immigrants from Venezuela who have become economic and political refugees. Many Venezuelans fled their home country because of the fear of violence by police and military controlled by President Nicolás Maduro, who is known for using dictatorial tactics to oppress the opposition.
Despite all of the difficulty the country has experienced over the last 10 years, some Venezuelan students in Austin have family members who have shared memories of better times with them.
“According to what my father and grandparents say, Venezuela was a place where the basic human resources were stable, where one could work and have a justifiable salary,” said a student who asked to remain anonymous. “Through hard work, you could build a house and even give yourself some luxuries such as changing the furniture.”
These things are now out of the reach of Venezuelan citizens. Traditions such as painting the house for the New Year or replacing the furniture, as this student says,
have vanished due to the country’s inflation. In the words of another student, “Venezuela was a country of freedom where you could express yourself.”
According to Britannica, in 1998, the same year that Hugo Chavez took office, after attempting two coup d’etats, Venezuela’s population was below the poverty line and an inflation of 30 percent. Chavez’s platform promised “ the end of corruption,” something that Venezuelans desired the most.
After various scandals, Chavez’s death and the election of Maduro as president, Venezuela’s inflation climbed to 50%, and things such as toilet paper and gasoline were difficult to obtain.
Protests and strikes became common in Venezuela, as well as power outages, which can last several days, causing suffering among Venezuelans.
According to Venezuelan immigrants in Austin, these protests were meant to be peaceful but could turn violent if the police or military were involved.
“What I remember is that in my family there weren’t any casualties,” said a student who asked to remain anonymous. “We weren’t affected physically but mentally. The protests were violent, the citizens would throw bottles at buildings nearby. They would burn car rubber so the military couldn’t get into their apartment complex because if they did get in, physical aggression would have happened.”
Another Austin student shared their story about their father’s involvement with a peaceful protest. They said the father protested because the company where he worked suffered a power outage from the electricity company, with the excuse that the company had a debt of millions of dollars, which the student said was a lie.
“My dad with his coworkers went to a peaceful protest, and the military — the so-called “los guardianes de la ley” — threw tear gas bombs at them. His father and some coworkers were arrested, aggressively beaten, and the only way they could be released was that no one should know what happened.”
These groups of Venezuelans were obliged to keep silent, because if they were to say something they would be arrested again with a false reason. Both of these experiences are significantly different, but the feeling of anger and injustice was present in both of them.
Zulianos march to demand fair conditions for the 2016 recall election.
Yet amid all this frustration and fallen democratic leaders, a person, who now is the hope of Venezuela, emerged. Maria Corina Machado is the leader of the democratic organization and party of freedom Vente Venezuela (Come Venezuela). She and her team were the new hope of Venezuelans at home and abroad. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court of Justice in Venezuela ruled she could not participate in the presidential elections for the next 15 years.
AP News reported that after Corina’s substitute, a professor of hers, was also blocked from joining the presidential race, she reached out to Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old man who served in the Venezuelan embassy in Argentina, as the ambassador. He and Maria Corina joined forces to win the 2024 elections in July.
However, when the official election results were released, the government announced Maduro as the winner. However, a great percentage of the international community and Venezuelans have reasons to declare fraud. One of them is the denial for international observers to be at the place of their elections, a violation to the Barbados Agreement. Since then, many nations have recognized Gonzalez as Venezuela’s elected president.
The election result didn’t stop Machado, she urged the Venezuelan community to take to the streets on January 10, the day that Maduro was going to be sworn into the presidency for a six-year term.
On Jan. 9, Machado left her hideout to go to a large protest in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. After giving a speech including phrases like “We are not afraid,” she left the protest on a motorcycle, which was intercepted by the military, and forcibly
snatched out of that motorcycle by the regime officials who took her to another motorcycle.
After at least three hours, Machado was left in the streets of Caracas and had to search for a safe place. She wrote on her X account that she was fine. According to El Guardian, Diosdado Cabello, the interior minister, called this event “a lie “and said that “if there were a decision to detain her, she would be detained.”
This “incident” didn’t last long, but it opened the eyes of many people to the state of Venezuela’s “democracy.” International leaders criticized and condemned the regime’s actions. The Guardian mentioned some comments made by international leaders such as Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino which said the Venezuelan “dictatorial regime is responsible for her life.” Gonzalez, wrote on social media “As president-elect, I demand the liberation of Maria Corina Machado [who was] kidnapped by Venezuelan security forces. To the security corps who kidnapped her, I say: do not play with fire,” according to an article by The Guardian.
Despite the political turmoil, the Trump Administration recently ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan immigrants in the United States.
In response to the ending of TPS protections, Venezuela’s Democratic Unitary Platform opposition coalition in a statement voiced “concern for the well-being of hundreds of thousands of our honest and hard-working compatriots who have been forced to emigrate as a consequence of the complex humanitarian crisis our nation is going through.”
Will Melendez Staff Writer
On January 20, the amount of speculation about potential raids by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement police rose sharply along with the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States of America.
Trump made “mass deportations” a central theme of his campaign for president, making it an issue closely watched by undocumented immigrants in the United States and those who live and work with them. The immigrant community has been on high alert for raids that they expect to happen at any moment, driving some into hiding to avoid deportation.
As of February, there have been many news reports and videos about ICE raids all across the country. Some are real and some are just rumors that are flying around wildly.
One aspect that has alarmed educators and students is that Trump signed an Executive Order that repeals a prohibition on ICE officers from entering schools and churches to arrest suspects, ending a policy that has been in place since 2011. This prompted school leaders across the country to publish statements of support and reassurance to their communities, including Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura.
“We recognize the emotional toll that recent news cycles may be taking on our students, families, and staff,” Segura wrote in a public statement on the district website. “For many in our community, these are not just policy discussions, but deeply personal issues that can create uncertainty and fear.”
Austin ISD created a Frequently Asked Questions webpage to help answer questions from students, staff and parents, including guidance for navigating difficult topics with students and adults, as well as resources for how to respond to various situations that may arise. During a staff professional development day, Austin ISD staff asked the district’s general counsel questions about what they are allowed to do to protect students and their family members.
The Eagle’s Eye interviewed Austin-area students and teachers to ask them about their concerns.
Students said they are scared of the possibility of an ICE officer who would wait outside of school to detain them.
“It’s scary because what if you’re walking out after school and someone says, “No, they’re gonna get you, and you get taken away?,” said a student from Venezuela.
Despite the fear of agents showing up at schools, Austin ISD officials said they would only cooperate with ICE after administrators and district lawyers verify a valid warrant for arrest.
A student from Mexico said their biggest fear is being separated from their family members. They said their parents stop them from going out to public places.
“I think I won’t be allowed to go out as much, like to stores and stuff like that,” they said.
The student from Venezuela said they are trying different things to keep a positive mindset.
“I just distract myself by playing or conversing, and just
distracting myself, and the thought eventually goes away,” they said.
They also shared that in the midst of fear in their community, all they can really do is move forward and go on with their daily lives.
The Venezuelan student said they hoped that teachers would talk to them about their concerns.
“There are kids that are too afraid to say anything, but they need help, too,” they said. “Also, schools could provide more information on what to do in case of an emergency, so we don’t feel lost or alone. (Students are) just shy in general and timid and teachers should take the initiative to say that if they need anyone to talk to they’re there for them.”
A teacher reflected on whether student behavior had changed because of deportation concerns.
“Kids who don’t want to come to class don’t come to class — like, they weren’t coming already,” they said. “In some ways, I wonder if it’s because my Spanish isn’t high enough to really have good conversations with them.”
Austin ISD has issued guidance to teachers that they should not distribute “Know Your Rights” information to students in their classrooms, frustrating some teachers who want to do more to protect their students. However, the district has said that schools can provide such information on information tables in the front office and on public bulletin boards.
However, there are some students distributing information cards to other students on campus with information provided by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union.
The teacher said he recommends that students educate themselves on their legal rights.
“I used to teach government for ACC, and I used to say, ‘It’s the most American thing to say, No, I’m not gonna talk unless I have an attorney.’ I mean, that’s what the Fifth Amendment is all about. ‘No, I will not talk’ because we might say the wrong thing, or we might answer a question we don’t need to. That’s why they sit there and say, ‘Don’t
AISD
Images above come from an AISD presentation made for teachers and staff.
answer that,’ because they know. Don’t talk to anybody who wants to ask you questions about your status or anything. If they have a badge and they want to talk, not without a lawyer. Doesn’t matter what it is.”
In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyer v. Doe that all children, regardless of immigration status, have a constitutional right to a free public education from kindergarten to 12th grade. The case grew out of a 1977 attempt by the Tyler Independent School District in Texas to remove the children of undocumented workers – farmhands, for the most part – from the school system by imposing tuition of as much as $1,000 per student to attend public schools.
The teacher said they think other teachers should focus on treating their students as people no matter what their immigration status is.
“My only thought would be to treat people as people because that’s what we are. It doesn’t matter if you’re born on this side of an imaginary line or that side — whatever. We’re all still people. You can be kind to people — it doesn’t matter. Our job here is to educate, not to ask all these other questions. It’s just to teach people and treat people like people. I’ve seen it in other schools, and I’ve seen it here — teachers who don’t treat students as people, you know, kids don’t like them. I mean, it’s obvious. Be a human to other humans.”
On the night of January 18, at around 10 p.m., TikTok users were greeted with a dystopian final message to the U.S citizens:
“We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We’re working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.”
It appeared that TikTok had officially been banned.
However, about 12 hours later, access to TikTok in the United States was restored with a new pop-up message greeting users, praising then-president-elect Donald Trump.
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support,” the message read. “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!.”
Since then the company CEO has spoken positively about how he hopes President Trump would protect the app from enforcement of the law passed by Congress in the spring of 2024. The law forces TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its stake in the app or be cut off from the U.S. market. Despite this, TikTok is currently not on any of the app stores because of concern by these companies they could suffer large fines.
Someone must have told Trump that TikTok users love him because he claimed in a December press conference that he now has a warm spot in his heart for TikTok because he allegedly won the youth vote by 34 points.
Despite his claim that he won the youth vote, several exit polls show that Vice President Kamala Harris won 51 to 54 percent of voters under 30, leading Mr. Trump among those voters by 4 to 12 points.
But Trump caused the end of TikTok just as much as he tried to take credit for saving it. Since 2020, there has been a constant lingering fear of TikTok being banned. This ban has loomed over the United States for a while. However, now that it has officially happened, the one man who proposed this ban is now turning it on its head, trying to appeal more to the youth.
During Donald Trump’s first term, he declared the ban necessary for the safety of the American people. He claimed that the Chinese government was stealing American user data, and selling it to the Chinese communist party, leaving the U.S. vulnerable to Chinese spies. Consequently, to try and combat this he signed an executive order in August of 2020 to ban it. However, this executive order was blocked by the courts, saving TikTok addicts for another few years.
There have always been a lot of negative opinions about Trump spread on TikTok, so it would make sense if he supports a ban. Considering how much time he spends posting on his own social media app Truth Social, he is likely not aware of what happens on TikTok.
Many people from Akins have said that TikTok is how they get informed on important matters happening in places you would probably never see coverage for. Younger generations don’t typically receive the majority of their news from TV or newspapers. The proposal to ban the app made it look like he was trying to violate the rights of the young people who dominate the user base of the app. Unfortunately, oftentimes the younger generations are easily influenced by things in short-form content apps like TikTok or Instagram reels. If they see that their favorite app is promised to be restored, then their opinions may change without giving
What is an editorial?
much thought to what else Trump might want to do with his new power.
To further push the chances of youth siding with him, he started making posts on the app before the election, with captions going along the lines of “Why would I ban TikTok?”, when just 4 years ago he was hellbent on getting rid of the app, claiming it was spyware, made by the Chinese communist party to brainwash young Americans.
Now it seems Trump has fallen back on his words. To try and keep the app, he signed an executive order that gives ByteDance 75 days to sell to an American owner to comply with the law that Congress passed. This all seems like he was trying to do anything to turn the negative dialogue among the younger and middle-aged users of the app away from him and into a more positive light.
While Trump seems to relish the idea of being the person who “saved TikTok” it might be him who ultimately gets played by the TikTok CEO who attended Trump’s inauguration.
By shutting down the app for a short time, TikTok gave its regular users a taste of what their lives would be like without the app. And it created a brief standoff that Trump could use to make himself appear to be the savior if only for a short period.
Now that TikTok has somewhat returned, people did praise him for restoring the app, saying that we should be grateful that we elected him. The other half did not praise Trump. Conspiracies and stories are still pouring into people’s TikTok feeds. Thousands of videos of concerned people from all across the country and world, worried about the state of America and where it’s headed. After all, our government just took a big step into seeing what they can get away with. It’s ironic that fear that TikTok could be used for propaganda purposes against the American public seems to have now come true in the form of push notifications to users to praise Trump. TikTok’s leaders were smart to take themselves offline for a brief time and then praise Trump for allegedly working to save the app. The question is who is getting played by TikTok — Trump, the American people or both?
The Eagle’s Eye editorial board decides the positions 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 represent the official opinion of Akins Early College High School administration.
Julia Torres Staff Writer
Students at Akins were met with several new restrictive policies when starting spring semester, including new limits for bathroom passes. The new bathroom policy only allows students to have three restroom passes per class per semester. That means students can only go to the bathroom 24 times throughout the semester, not including advisory and lunch.
Only being allowed to use the restroom 24 times a semester is absurd. Some students may have some sort of medical issue and need to use the restroom more often than others, not only that, but girls need to use the restroom more when on their monthly cycle.
Whether or not it is a medical issue or a feminine issue, no student should be
limited to how many times they can use the bathroom. Limiting bathroom use will annoy students and cause them to rebel against staff.
Some students have already used their three passes for the entire semester that just started less than a month ago. Are students just supposed to sit there for an hour and thirty minutes and wait for the passing period to use the bathroom once we use up all of our passes?
We hardly have time during the passing period to make it early to class, so using the bathroom would just make us even more late. The bathroom lines have gotten way longer during the passing period ever since this bathroom pass policy was put into place.
An Akins student created an online petition on change.org with a demand to reverse the bathroom pass limits. So far 184 respondents have already signed this petition. It is disappointing to see that students must petition to have more rights to
the bathroom but it is also good to see students voicing their anger and concerns towards this new policy. Teachers are also put in an uncomfortable situation to have to deny students to use the restroom if they don’t have any passes left. Having to deny students something that should be a basic right at school can cause problems in the classroom. Teachers want students to have a comfortable learning environment, but I feel like this new policy is causing a bit of an uncomfortable shift with students. Students don’t want to have to be reminded about the policy and don’t
want to have to be talked to about the restroom by their teachers. While it is understandable why Akins created a stricter bathroom pass system due to students abusing their time with restroom passes, it is unfair to the students who actually would use the bathroom pass appropriately. The entire school should not be punished because of other students’ bad actions.
With the new Eagle Time schedule, some students are confused about what is happening and why students are now forced to follow a rotating schedule that cycles every two weeks. The new Eagle Time schedule is meant to help students get help with their classes. The way Eagle Time works is on Mondays you will go to your advisory class as normal, but then starting on Tuesday depending on what week it is, students will go to their 1st/5th period class then on Wednesday you go to 2nd/6th then on Thursday you will go to 3rd/7th and on Friday you go to 4th/8th.
Campus administrators say this system was set in place because of problems with students skipping advisory and not using Eagle Time for its intended purpose.
However, students have said this new system has some major flaws in how it works and how it is trying to achieve its goal. This new system may even get in the way of its main goal of providing tutoring when students need it. For example,if a student needs help in their 3rd-period class they might have to wait two weeks to get the necessary help they require, depending on the timing. When Akins followed the Flexible Instruction Time model and even when students were allowed to get passes to visit a teacher’s room during Advisory periods, we did not have this problem. Students could generally get the help they needed much faster and conveniently than the current system. This is a major problem that can directly affect students’
ability to get the help that they need.
According to the results of an online survey conducted by The Eagle’s Eye,the majority of the students who were surveyed, 81.8%, said they do not think this system is good. The majority of students responded that they do not get the tutoring they require.
The survey asked students if there have been improvements since the implementation of the new rotation system. One student acknowledged that it did appear that there were fewer kids in the halls during Eagle Time. However, they said they were frustrated with the restrictions of the rotation schedule and the lack of passes to teachers when tutoring is needed urgently.
With many people saying the same things regarding the new Eagle Time system the results have come back with the vast majority of students saying that they are not in favor of the new schedule and think that it interferes with them getting the necessary help. With the required rotation
system, getting tutoring help can feel like it takes a happy coincidence in order to get the tutoring students when they need it.
Although there are many changes we could make to this system we have to ask, why was the system changed in the first place? Administrators have said they were motivated to change the policy because there were too many people remaining in the hallway during advisory and too many students, skipping advisory altogether.
Administrators have said that students who need tutoring should talk to their teachers and ask them what other times are available besides Eagle Time. Administrators have recently asked teachers to offer one hour of additional tutoring outside of class time per week before or after school. Assistant Principal Melinda Van Horn said that the important thing right now is base-level accountability, including knowing where any student is on campus at any given time.
However, we need another way of fixing this problem in a way that does not limit students’ ability to get tutoring when they need it. To ensure that students do not skip Eagle Time we could have faculty, staff and administrators stationed at doors to ensure students cannot skip.
Although some administrators might say that is unrealistic, we should not be limiting students’ ability to get tutoring. The prior system that allowed students to get passes to go to teachers’ classrooms during Advisory had its flaws, but it did its job of ensuring that the students who needed help were guaranteed to get it. With its prior flaws, it had great upside, giving students a place to be while being able to receive passes to get the help they need.
On Dec. 4, Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare was shot in the back by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione who was then arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and charged with murder.
The murder set off a frenzy of reaction, some of which were favorable to Luigi, and even praised his actions. It was the kind of event that got everyone talking. News commentators, social media users, and everyday people in our lives all had something to say about it. Some people posted videos on how they were happy to see an insurance CEO gunned down while others even gathered in person to celebrate Thompson’s murder.
Before I share my thoughts on the matter, I want to be clear that I do not condone violence of any kind. However, I, like many other people, have had to wrestle with some difficult feelings about the matter. While the act of murder is cruel and never acceptable in our society, I have to admit to feeling sympathetic to those who took satisfaction in seeing a healthcare CEO taken down.
acknowledged the rage that people feel against the healthcare industry. Michael Stein, interim dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health, was quoted in an article published on the school’s website saying that people’s anger is understandable.
“There is rightful rage that we live in a country where one in five Americans spends at least one month each year without health insurance and even a brief coverage lapse can interrupt lifesaving treatment and cause financial ruin,” Stein wrote. “Add to that a system of profit maximization — prior authorization denials make us furious and feel the most personal—and the pernicious ongoing discussion of privatizing Medicare and Medicaid. These are political issues that affect the public’s health—but none of them will be solved by killing healthcare executives.”
While he may not be the best, but he seems like a good guy who let the anger get the best of him.
— Iixe Hernandez Staff writer
It is evident from others I know personally and from what I have seen online, that many people believe that Mangione’s actions were justified, believing that Thompson had it coming.
People have told me how after learning more about Mangione’s own health issues they sympathized with his plight. Some told me that they thought he seemed like a genuinely sweet and smart guy. People were understanding of why he murdered Thompson, and people online began idolizing him, seeing him as what seemed like a sense of justice being served against an industry that is notorious for denying people’s claims for coverage for major medical expenses.
Even experts in the medical field have
Following the shooting, social media was full of posts in which people shared their stories of insurance companies denying their insurance claims for medically necessary procedures, some of which were considered necessary to save someone’s life. People shared their cries of how they were wronged time and time again by health insurance companies. And apparently, when Mangione was finally arrested after a manhunt, he had three pages of writing that stated “Frankly, these parasites had it coming,” demonstrating his motivation for the killing.
Clearly, the public murder of a healthcare insurance CEO hit a nerve with the public at large. These insurance companies and rich CEOs seem to have no issues with ignoring the people, and the many issues they allow to happen due to their ignorance and neglect of their customers. Because that’s what we are to them, customers. And despite what the criminal justice system says, many see him as a modern Robin Hood-like hero.
While I don’t know much about him, I do feel strongly about his actions. And from what I have seen, he may not be the best, but he seems like a good guy who let his anger get the best of him. While he may have gone too far by committing a murder it makes me wonder if this incident will make insurance company executives reevaluate how their decisions to maximize profit harm their customers and our society. Sadly it seems like our complaints online or to their customer service phones don’t seem to have been effective.
If there is any kind of silver lining to this sad situation, perhaps, the insurance companies will pay more attention to our concerns and cries for help when we find ourselves in such vulnerable and desperate situations.
I know that some will say that murder is not acceptable in the slightest, which is understandable. It’s just a sad statement on our society if it takes a killing to get
through to the CEOs that control these companies.,
It’s truly unfortunate that many of us are so desperate for action that we have idolized Mangione, developing a mythos around him, using him to imagine all the ways we wish we could push back against the system.
And in all honesty, this all could’ve been avoided if they could just learn how to listen and understand what we, the people, are saying to them. The costs of living are just too high in our country and we need to do better to protect the most vulnerable among us, especially when we need to seek medical care. Genuinely we wouldn’t be this angry with health care insurance companies if they just learned to listen and lower their costs to make our lives just a bit more livable. That’s how they can fix the problem, our problem.
Kairi Natal
Photo Editor
On January 27, the U.S. Navy joined Akins for a special demonstration that showcased multiple different activities relating to the Navy.
Junior Esai Hernandez said it was fun to see the technology the Navy has and the difference between the technology the military and the Navy have.
“It was very fun to see the technologies that they have to offer and how advanced our Navy is,” he said. “It was really neat to see the difference between standard technology and the technology that the military has.”
Hernandez said that the Navy had so much to offer and had many technology aspects to show.
“They showed us that if you have an interest in technology, if you have an interest in drones, or if you have interest in other things,” he said. “They have so many opportunities there for you. And it was almost eye-opening to see how much you could take on when you joined the Navy.”
The Navy recruitment visited to show the students the various scholarship programs and assistance they have to offer.
At the event, the activities included Humanitarian Missions, Naval Aviation Experiences, the Navy Dive Test, Career Selector, Submarine Navigation, and the SEAL Workout Challenge.
A voluenteer who runs the Naval Aviation Experience helps a JROTC student get ready for the
PUSH IT TO THE MAX
Senior
Sophomore Moby Sanderson tests out the Navy Dive test with a partner to show their teamwork.
TEST YOURSELF
Marcelo Palacios
Editor-in-Cheif
“Flood the zone.” “Shock and awe.” “Blitz.”
These are all phrases that have been used to describe the speed and intensity through which Donald Trump has sought to remake the United States of America through the power of executive orders.
As of Feb. 11, Trump has signed 93 executive orders since his inauguration, aimed at advancing his policy agenda. These orders span a wide range of policy areas — from immigration to public school — and many of them have already been challenged in court.
Because the Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Trump has sought to push the limits of presidential power by issuing executive orders, which some critics have said are written in ways that make them unconstitutional. How are executive orders different than laws?
Executive orders do not carry the same legal weight as a law. Instead, an executive order is a written directive, signed by the president, that orders the government to take specific actions to ensure “the laws be faithfully executed.”
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, they could tell a federal agency like the Department of Homeland Security how to enforce immigration laws or declare new policy priorities.
However, executive orders cannot override existing federal laws and statutes, which are passed by Congress and signed by the president. Additionally, the Constitution gives Congress control over things like taxing and spending, which also appears to be in Trump’s list of targets to take control over.
“It’s up for debate, because executive orders have always been a little bit iffy on that line, on if they actually are constitutional, but that’s why we have,checks and balances. So my main concern isn’t whether or not they’re constantly, whether they’re constitutional, it’s whether the federal courts are actually going to hold him to that standard,” social studies teacher Adam Gorrell said.
What Trump can and cannot do through Executive Order?
With an executive order, President Trump can order the federal government to take steps that are within the scope of the constitutional authority of the executive branch, and do not violate any federal law, according to the ACLU. What Trump cannot do through an executive order is write a new statute. However, a president could use such an order to tell the Department of Justice how to prioritize the prosecution of certain offenses such as drug cases.
Because the founders of the Constitution sought to create a set of checks and balances so no one branch of the government is more powerful than the other, the courts have typically blocked presidents from using executive orders to sidestep those checks and balances.
While campaigning and in the first days of his second term as President, Trump has vowed to enact a sweeping agenda and reshape the federal government, naming priorities such as mass deportations, trade wars with other countries, and reprioritizing national security concerns. According to an analysis of Trump’s executive orders so far, he has signed orders in the following categories:
Various organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, and various federal employees unions have already sued the Trump administration to stop some of the orders. Some law firms and publications have made web pages tracking the status of these lawsuits to help people know whether the executive orders are in effect or not.
“So it’s really going to be up to the Circuit Court of Appeals, and we’re going to have to rely on federal judges that were put in place by the various administrations. So that’s the main thing that worries me, is that system going to hold,” Gorrell said.
For example, so far two federal judges have blocked Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally.
the federal government even though the limits of its authority have never been fully outlined.
While DOGE has little institutional authority on paper, in practice it has charged ahead, using what critics have called slash-and-burn tactics to gut the federal bureaucracy and fire federal workers. This includes DOGE staff gaining access to sensitive government payment databases, which are being combed through looking for anything that does not align with Trump administration directives. ‘Traumatically affected’
so that the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] can’t do all of the rules against our energy industry, because they have no bandwidth financially to do so.”
Trump’s effort to shut down the U.S. Department of Education
For now the order is on hold. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking its implementation, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” And then a day later, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland issued an injunction keeping Trump’s order on hold long-term.
Trump is simply trying to amend the 14th Amendment — which grants citizenship to those born in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction — for political reasons, Coughenour said after a hearing of the case, according to an article by the Associated Press.
“The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or something ignored, whether that be for political or personal gain,” he said. “In this courtroom and under my watch the rule of law is a bright beacon, which I intend to follow.”
Since then, the U.S. Justice Department appealed his order to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and will likely appeal the ruling in Maryland to the 4th Circuit.
Other Executive Actions to Remake the Federal Government
In addition to using Executive Orders, Trump has used other actions to exert control over the government through his cabinet members and socalled “Special Government Employees” like Elon Musk, who is heading up a new office called the Department of Government Efficiency, created by Trump. Musk, who is the world’s richest man and became a supporter of Trump during the campaign, has an office on the White House campus. Since Trump took office, Musk has worked to reshape
The Trump administration has also used the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to shrink the federal workforce when it sent two million federal employees an email containing a deferred resignation offer, encouraging them to leave their jobs. Lawsuits and court rulings have put this effort on hold for now.
After the U.S. Senate confirmed Russell Vought to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget, federal employees are worried about what else the Trump administration has in store for them. Vought, who is a co-author of the Project 2025 plan that became controversial during the 2024 Presidential campaign, has made public speeches in which he has said he wants “bureaucrats to be traumatically affected,” he said in a video of the speech.
“When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut
One of area of particular concern for public schools like Akins is whether Trump will follow through with his promises to close the U.S. Department of Education, which he promised to do during his campaign. The department has broad responsibility over three major areas: managing federal student loans, overseeing implementation and enforcement of the nation’s special education law, and administering Title 1, the main federal program aimed at improving outcomes for lower-income students.
Akins receives federal funding for special education and Title 1, worrying special education staff at Akins about what it could mean for students and staff.
“It makes me a little bit more afraid for job security, because I specifically teach special education, and one of the executive orders that he’s putting in is to try to eliminate the Department of Education,” an Akins teacher said. “If Texas were to decide that that wasn’t important anymore, without the Department of Education making sure that they’re doing that, they could just decide to fire all the sped teachers and save money. You know, if they wanted to do that,”
While Trump’s executive order is expected to outline significant cuts to the Education Department, the department cannot be closed through executive action alone because it was created by an act of Congress in 1979, meaning that it can only be eliminated by an act of Congress.
For context the orders mentioned/referenced are summarized and listed below.
This order is to protect citizens from immigrants who intend to commit terrorists attacks, threaten national security, spread hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes. This act states that the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that immigrants approved for admission into the US and do not intend to harm Americans or national interests. They must be identified before their admission to the United States. It says that admitted immigrants and immigrants already present in the United States should not bear hostile attitudes towards its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principals, and do not advocate for or support foreign terrorists and other threats to national security.
PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
The privilege of United States citizenship is a profound gift. The Fourteenth amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside.” That provision rightly repudiated Supreme Court of the United States’s shameful decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1857). This misinterpreted the Constitution as permanently excluding people of African descent from eligibility for citizenship solely based on race.
This said the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States. The Amendment always excluded birthright citizenship to people who were born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof”. Consistent with this understanding, the Congress has further specified through legislation that “a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” is a national and citizen of the United States at birth. Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of citizenship does not automatically extend to people born in the United States: (1) When that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth, or (2) when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States at the time of said person’s birth was lawful but temporary such as visa’s including student,work, or tourist visas and the father wasn’t a United states citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.
PROTECTS CIVIL RIGHTS AND MERIT-BASED OPPORTUNITY BY ENDING ILLEGAL DEI Protects the civil rights of all Americans and expands individual opportunity by terminating DEI preferencing in federal contracting and directing federal agencies to relentlessly combat private sector discrimination. It enforces long-standing federal statutes and faithfully advances the Constitution’s promise of colorblind equality before the law. It terminates “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) discrimination in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending. Federal hiring, promotions, and performance reviews will reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work and not, under any circumstances, DEI-related factors, goals, policies, mandates, or requirements. The order requires OMB to streamline the federal contracting process to enhance speed and efficiency, reduce costs, and require Federal contractors and subcontractors to comply with our civil rights laws. It revokes Executive Order 11246 contracting criteria mandating affirmative action. It bars the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from pushing contractors to balance their workforce based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, or religion. It requires simple and unmistakable affirmation that contractors will not engage in illegal discrimination, including illegal DEI. It directs all departments and agencies to take strong action to end private sector DEI discrimination, including civil compliance investigations. It mandates the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education issue joint guidance regarding the measures and practices required to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Individual dignity, hard work, and excellence are fundamental to American greatness. This Executive Order reaffirms these values by ending the Biden-Harris Administration’s anti-constitutional and deeply demeaning “equity” mandates, terminating DEI, and protecting civil rights.
If you’ve lived in Austin for a long time, you’ve probably heard of Waterloo Records.
The record store, which has been located at the bustling intersection of 6th Street and Lamar Boulevard for more than 35 years, is considered an Austin landmark and institution treasured by music fans all over Central Texas and beyond.
In late December, longtime Waterloo Records customers were surprised by the news that the store would be moving to a new location and two new people would be taking over ownership and operation. The new location will also be on Lamar Boulevard and is just a mile north of the current location. However, it will be a significant change for longtime Waterloo customers who will miss a place that has been a haven for music fans for decades.
John Kunz, who has owned and operated Waterloo for 42 years, has built a community both inside the store and among his customers. Local and big-name artists are invited to events at the store such as live performances and record signings when they release new albums. The store brings a warm and inviting atmosphere, creating an unforgettable experience. Because of the history behind it, it makes it one of the most distinctive parts of Austin. Kunz, who has decided to sell the business to Caren Kelleher and Trey Watson, is in the process of ending his time managing Waterloo. Store employees have already started the process of packing up merchandise ahead of the move that is expected to happen this spring. He shared a few of his favorite memories of live performances that have happened during his years at Waterloo.
“Well, I would have to say, since I’m such a big fan of the number of bands, that it would probably be when they were in the store performing live on our stage,” he said. “I’m gonna say four different people: Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Patti Smith, Richie Havens, and Norah Jones.”
Waterloo has stayed true to their customers and employees about how often music evolves in the industry; They will always carry everything from classic rock to hip-hop and will even do special orders for hard-to-find albums.
Yearbook teacher Sean Claes said Waterloo Records has been a special place in Austin for him and many others.
“As a record store, it holds many of the local and area and hard-to-find releases that the chains won’t have,” Claes said. “As a social hub, it has hosted some of the more memorable CD release parties and meet and greets I’ve attended. In the early 2000s, I would catch everyone from Vallejo to Edwin McCain to Ben Kweller to Bob Schneider at an in-store and get the chance to meet them and shake their hand and have a moment.”
The history behind Waterloo Records
Louis Karp originally opened the doors to Waterloo Records on April 1, 1982, at a small store on South Lamar. Kunz, who had recently quit his job, heard about the new record shop from a friend and soon became acquainted with Karp, helping him at this new record store. This eventually led him to become a partner in the company later that October, the same year it opened. After five years of partnership, Karp eventually departed ways from Waterloo and pursued a different career path, leaving Kunz as the owner of Waterloo Records.
This won’t be the first time they’ve moved, in 1989, they moved from their South Lamar location to the current location at 600 N. Lamar. The new location, which will be five blocks down from the current location, will mark the second move for the store. This current location is very special to many people because not only has it been open in the same spot for the past 36 years, but many people have visited this location since it has been there.
English teacher Greg Hall said he performed at Waterloo in the 1990s. Hall said he enjoyed performing at Waterloo because it was on such a small compact stage that made the performance full of energy and life.
“I like performing in places where the people who were there were right there in front of you,” Hall said. “It was very, like, intimate everybody was right there, plus, like, people were coming in off the street, and they could see what band was playing there. And we were loud, and I was like, a bunch of loud bands playing there. So it was really nice to kind of shake the windows, and people would like, look and see.”
Kunz said he is happy that he has a plan to keep Waterloo Records open after he plans to step back from managing the store.
“Well, I think it’s fabulous because I am gonna be 74 in a couple of months, so I wasn’t looking to move the store
myself and then sign a five or ten-year lease somewhere,” he said. “So fortunately, we found a really good place because we’ve known for five years that we were gonna have to move out of here and I’ve been looking for five years. I hadn’t found an acceptable place until just recently, and coincidentally there was a couple of great music industry associates of mine that wanted to become owners of Waterloo Records with me so that’s that’s just fabulous. There’s no other way around it. Otherwise, the alternative would’ve been something that I really felt was the last thing in the world I wanted to do, but that would’ve been to have a retirement and go out of business sale.”
With so many places shifting towards online shopping, stores like Waterloo Records keep the physical side of music alive. Whether you collect vinyl or you are just looking for something cool to listen to, Waterloo Records is worth checking out. Waterloo is one of the many reasons why Austin calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
Waterloo Memories
Akins students said they too value Waterloo’s role in shaping the local music scene. Senior Gabriel Walker shared a favorite memory of going to Waterloo Records at the current location. Walker said he got to meet a famous Austin-area musician there when he was just a young boy.
“Going to see my grandpa play there with Terri Hendrix at four years old and meeting Terri after,” he said. Now I’m a friend of Terri’s so that was a pretty amazing memory I have.”
Kunz released a statement along with the public announcement of the move and change in ownership, sharing his appreciation for the support he has had to make his dreams a reality.
“My decades-long hope, dream, and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Records & Video to live on forever, continuing to promote Austin’s vibrant music culture and community,” he said. “Now with this transition, all of my boxes are checked: a new larger home, just five blocks away; Caren and Trey buy in as my new, talented, local music industry partners; all of my team are retained and they will gain the opportunity for store ownership; all of the Waterloo Records hallmarks and traditions continue on, including innovation; and now as a minority partner and not sole proprietor, I get to work less, and play more. So thank you Austin!”
Kenzie Craven Staff Writer
Cory Williams, known on YouTube as CoryxKenshin scared his fanbase of 21 million subscribers in 2023 when he seemed to disappear from the popular video-sharing platform after posting videos regularly since 2009. And, then, out of the blue, Cory posted a new video in December 2024 and finally explained his long absence. He revealed that he had actually been working on a longtime passion project to create ahis manga series called “Monsters We Make.,” The manga, which he created with a team of artists, is a sci-fi thriller featuring a battle between humans and aliens.
Cory posted a trailer of his new series on YouTube and posted the project on his website for fans to purchase.
“I hope you’ve been well over this long period of us not seeing each other,” Kenshin said in his return video. “Praise God, it is good to finally be back.”
Cory has impacted the YouTube community and inspired people to become YouTubers. But before I talk about that, I will talk about how iconic CoryxKenshin really is.
From what we can see on his YouTube profile, Cory started YouTube on May 25, 2009, about 15 years ago called “Girls in Particular.” . Cory also made his first Spooky Scary Sunday video 6 years ago and it actually was on a Sunday, but since then it wasn’t always on that day of the week. The Cooking with Kensin series happened was 9 nine
years ago. I never really watched Cooking with Kensin because I became a fan of Cory about 5 or so years ago, so I didn’t know that series existed, but I have seen clips of Cooking with Kensin. Cory started playing Five Nights at Freddy’s about 10 years ago from what we can see on his YouTube channel.
A few of my favorite series Cory has done are Security Breach, Duck Season, Fears to Fathom, Puppet Combo, Dark Deception, and Chilla’s Art. These 6 video series have to be my favorite because of how Cory plays the game. Like Fears to Fathom, anytime Cory has to drive in Fears to Fathom he drives like a maniac.
Puppet Combo, in my opinion, has to be the best Cory videos. Just because of the sole purpose of how scary Puppet Combo games can be, and just how entertaining the
gameplay can be to watch.
When Cory played Duck Season it was pretty fun to watch, especially with the different endings that the game Duck Season has. What I also liked was when Cory was shooting the ducks, he would make most of the shots; however, but as soon as he said he was the best, he started towould miss his shots. I also think that Dark Deception is one of Cory’s best series because the game is just fun to watch. My favorite one has to be the chapter with the nurses or the Joy Gang. Those two chapters are so good. Cory’s play-through of Security Breach is just really good and I just love Five Nights at Freddy’s. Chilla’s Art is also one of Cory’s best series. It, Chilla’s Art is just scary and I love it. The random jumpscares, the PlayStation1-level graphics, and just how you can change the ending depending on what you do in the gameplay. I mean Puppet Combo also has PS1style graphics, which tends to make games even scarier because of how weird the characters look and move. If any game has PS1 graphics it gets another level of scary. Cory has inspired many YouTubers like my favorite YouTuber 3FS aka Max. I could write a whole thing about 3FS and how he has helped me tremendously, but we’re talking about Cory.
In one of 3FS’s lives, he talked about how Cory inspired him to start YouTube. Like how Cory doesn’t curse in his videos and just has a funny and nice personality to watch, and just nice to see there are nice people out there who care. I’m honestly really happy that Cory is back on YouTube to bring more smiles to his “samurai” followers.
With more than 350 million followers on YouTube, MrBeast is now trying to conquer the world of streaming television with his Beast Games series on Amazon Prime. The full show will be released on February 16, with 10 total episodes. The game show has 1,000 contestants competing for the grand prize of $5 million. It’s the biggest prize in game show history ever, this show broke a lot of Guinness World Records while in production. The sets for the Beast Games are the biggest ever made for a streaming game show experience.
Multiple sets were built for various competitions, requiring the construction of a huge facility to house the contestants called “Beast City.” The first episode of the show showed the 1,000 contestants fighting for a chance to survive for the second game. There was a lot of tension between the contestants.
Multiple contestants got along with different contestants, resulting in emotional moments when they were eliminated. Throughout the episodes, many contestants are focusing on getting themselves to the finals to win the grand prize. They make small alliances with other contestants to find a way to pass each round. However, before Beast
Games was released in December, multiple allegations were made against MrBeast about the treatment of the contestants. There were lawsuits filed by the contestants about the poor conditions during the filming of the game show. Many contestants were saying that they weren’t given full meals while filming.
They were also claiming that they weren’t given access to basic hygienic products needed for each contestant. Also, workers were accusing MrBeast of not giving them good wages. These allegations made people think badly about MrBeast, saying that his nice-guy persona is just an act for fame and money. But MrBeast and his team have denied the
allegations against him.
But without looking at the bad side of the Beast Games, the show is overall really good. This show is worth watching if you like the type of content he does on YouTube.
The games that were played throughout the show are insane. Multiple hard games cause people to be mad or sad with each choice being made. A lot of enemies were made each game and a lot of friendships were tested during games that required being paired with people.
Although MrBeast is known for making YouTube videos with physical and mental challenges, the Beast Game show is on a whole different level when it comes to intensity and production value. Most of his YouTube videos are not as intense and long as his episodes of Beast Games.
While some who have grown up watching MrBeast videos have a negative outlook on the content creator because of recent controversies surrounding him, the final results of the show should not be overlooked.
Honestly, doing a game show was a good decision for him because it allowed a different audience to see his style of content in a new format over an extended amount of time. Some wonder if the Beast Games will change MrBeast from being more than just a YouTube creator. It remains to be seen, but if the Beast Games is successful he can do more amazing content with a big budget like the Beast Games.
Marvel Rivals is a third-person hero shooter video game that came out last year on December 6th. It has some of the most popular Marvel characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, and many more to come. Its gameplay is a 6v6 shooter with roles such as Vanguards(tanks), dualists(damage), and strategists(support). There are multiple possibilities when forming your team. You could be a full tank team which, surprisingly, some people pull off; or you can be the one everybody chooses, which is 2 Vanguards, 2 dualists, and 2 strategists. Currently, the game has seven maps and 3 core game modes.
Now it is no surprise that every game that has come out over the last two years has a battle pass and Marvel Rivals isn’t an exception. Its battle pass isn’t something new, you have your game currencies and skins with some sprays and emoticons too. The game is full of missions that help you unlock in-game currency and free skins for characters.
Marvel Rivals Season One was released on January 10th, 2025, introducing Ms. and Mr. Fantastic with Johnny Storm and The Thing being released later in the season. In case you haven’t heard, a new Fantastic Four movie is releasing this year. The fact that Marvel Rivals added the Fantastic Four means that we can expect more Marvel characters to be released because of some MCU movies coming out this year. The game even promised to add a new character every month and a half to keep everyone
excited. There are over 80,000 characters in the Marvel multiverse; the possibilities are endless on who we’ll get next.
With the arrival of Marvel Rivals, it has only grown in popularity. The game has great gameplay that will improve with each update. We can’t talk about Marvel Rivals without talking about the infamous Overwatch. Overwatch was originally released in 2016, but later on shut down in 2022 to start the release of Overwatch 2, which came out later in 2022. The game has been active ever since and is currently in season 14. Overwatch originally began as a 6v6 but later changed into a 5v5. Although they added a new game mode that allows players to experience the 6v6 experience, it’s not the same as it used to be.
The game has been active for many years, and having Marvel Rivals against it may be negative, but competition might help Overwatch improve. The games have very similar gameplay because they are both hero shooters, but there are clear differ-
ences between both games. One of them is the queue time; Marvel Rivals’ queue time has been nothing but spectacular, with some queues lasting over a second. But when it comes to Overwatch, some queues have lasted over an hour long with the usual taking 5 to 10 minutes to load into a match.
Ever since its release, it has been doing great with players and the community has been nothing but active, but with its popularity there also comes controversy. Ever since Marvel Rivals was announced, the Overwatch community has had split opinions over the game. Some people call it a clear copy while others are quite interested in trying the game.
Before it even came out, a Black Widow reveal trailer was posted online, it caused an ex-president of Blizzard to go onto Social media to state that the popular Marvel character Black Widow was a clear copy of Widowmaker. Ex-president Mike Ybarra said, “I mean even the character nameWidowmaker in OW vs. Black Widow in
Marvel Rivals lol.” What Mr. Yabarra forgot to look at is that Black Widow has had her name since 1964, more than 54 years before OW was released.
It was discovered and later announced that Marvel Rivals would put players against bots if they were on a losing streak this had the community with mixed feelings although the intentions are sincere wanting the players to feel like they finally won after so long it does remove the fun of playing knowing you just won against bots.
Let’s focus more on what goes on in the community, many fans of both games have made social media videos just throwing dirt at each other. Some have come to accept both games and still play them but others are strictly chained to only one of the games and constantly fight with different people for wanting to play both games. Toxicity will always lurk around in video games, which is no exception with Marvel Rivals. Having the freedom to choose between 3 different classes in one match might lead to some teams without any healers, leading to some players getting a bit angry even with Overwatch. Although you already preselect your class, players will still be mad if they think you aren’t doing enough heals or damage.
With both games being free to play, there is no right or wrong choice on which one you choose to play. If you play Overwatch, you might enjoy Marvel Rivals. If you play Marvel Rivals, you might hate Overwatch. But you never know, they both might impress you. Don’t let this rivalry get in your way of thinking, feel free to try whatever game is in your mind, and remember to have fun while doing it.
Nosferatu, the vampire story that doesn’t die
Directors use atmosphere to set eerie, suspenseful
Silas Baker Staff Writer
Like a long-dead creature that has been resurrected from the grave, Nosferatu is the horror story that can’t be killed.
Director Robert Eggers is the latest to bring this vampire story back to life with the December release of Nosferatu, which quickly earned raves from critics and audiences alike.
After Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel was published in 1897, German filmmaker, F.W. Murnau, decided to adapt it into a film. He asked Stoker’s widow for the rights to the story but was denied. Instead of giving up, Murnau chose to change Dracula into Nosferatu (a.k.a. Count Orlok). He changed some of the other aspects of the story and made his “original” Nosferatu film in 1922. Stoker’s widow eventually caught on to this unauthorized adaptation and sued the production company Prana Film into bankruptcy.
The courts also decided that all copies of the film were to be destroyed. Many years later, people found and restored long-lost copies of the 1922 film. It is still praised to this day for being one of the greatest vampire/horror films of all time. In 1979, director Werner Herzog attempted his own remake of the film,. Aand now Eggers, the director behind The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, has made his mark on Nosferatu history.
The 2024 version of Nosferatu takes a different approach to telling its story, focusing on creating a foreboding feeling of fear and dread. It doesn’t use cheap jump scares and gore. Instead, Eggers uses masterful touches to create atmospheric horror, which is his specialty. In all of his films, there’s never really been a direct source to the horror. It’s always created through things like eerie and unsettling cinematography or sound design. Even though the film isn’t super scary, it successfully keeps the audience on its toes.
While sitting in the theater, staring at the screen, you can’t help but feel an intense sense of dread.
The film was nominated for four Oscar awards, including Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hair, Best Costume Design, and Best Cinematography. I do think that these nominations are fair, but I would’ve liked to see it get a few more nominations as well, such as Best Adapted Screenplay. I don’t really believe this film was snubbed, but a lot of people don’t take horror films seriously, which
is a shame because some horror films are really just as good as any Oscar-bait drama film. I think it’s time that the awards organizations start recognizing and appreciating horror cinema.
The entire Nosferatu cast did an amazing job portraying their respective characters, but there were a few standouts. Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok was completely unrecognizable. While watching the film, I completely forgot that Skarsgård was even in it. Part of that was, of course, due to the makeup and prosthetics he wore; however, Skarsgård brought a lot of unique traits to the character, such as his voice and physicality.
Another standout cast member was Willem Dafoe, who plays a mad, occult-obsessed professor named Albin Eberhart Von Franz. This performance was one of my favorite parts of this film. The professor serves as a major driver of the film’s plot, guiding the protagonists through the final confrontation. Another great performance came from LilyRose Depp as Ellen Hutter. Ellen is depicted as a vessel for Count Orlok’s obsession in the film. The film’s plot revolves around Depp’s character, so it was important to cast someone who could carry the film on their shoulders, and I think that Depp was a great choice for the part. Every scene she was in, she kind of stole the show.
One of my favorite things about the new Nosferatu was the cinematography. Jarin Blaschke, director of photography and director Robert Eggers used the dark, night-time lighting to great effect, often leaving the viewer to wonder what’s lurking in the shadowy backgrounds. It leaves the audience in suspense, preparing for something to jump out at them at any moment.
Nosferatu isn’t really what I expected going into the theater, but it was a fantastic film. And I think that any fan of vampire films or just horror films, in general, should go watch Nosferatu as soon as they possibly can.
Ash Morris
Eagle’s Eye recommends local cozy cafes to enjoy a sip
L&S Editor
Quackenbush is a local business established in 1983 here in Austin. An appealing thing about this cafe is its monthly specials and monthly events, ranging from book reading nights to gothic club nights. With one of the locations being near the south ACC campus, it makes it a great study and snack spot to go by in between classes.
5326 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Radix Coffee is a good place to stop, a very unique design for a coffee place while not owning a permanent building. Radix Coffee is a Coffee truck with one available in South Austin, known for their specialty coffee and drinks. They also have for adults infused baked goods and drinks with CBD. They were established in 2020, preaching the acceptance of love and kindness.
2701 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78745
The Hideout is an improv theatre with a cafe attached to it, established in 1999 making it a downtown staple to visit while wandering or needing a place to study. They host improv classes and showcases while holding special events throughout the month. They have their own special drinks, a good sweet one is their gorilla mocha.
617 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Dominic Arias Staff Writer
Congratulations you just turned 18 years old, you’re an adult now! The problem? You’re an adult now. So that means you need to learn how to “adult.”
Unfortunately, there are no guidebooks, but fear not, with this comprehensive “firststeps guide” I will guide you through some very important milestones in your journey into adulthood.
There are two big things that are a musthave for any adult: a State ID and a Drivers License. From opening a bank account to buying a car, you will need these essential identifications throughout your adult life. At first glance, it may seem daunting, and trust me, I felt that way too, especially for a newly minted adult who hasn’t got their footing yet. But after it is all said and done it is relatively straightforward. The process for a State ID and driver’s license is relatively the same: gather documentation, set appointments, of course, and patiently wait for your time at the Department of Public Safety. But for now, let’s talk about how we get a state ID.
To start, there are seven steps to the process of getting a state ID. I know it sounds like a lot but you’ll soon see it’s not that scary.
First: Complete the identification card application before arriving at the DPS (Department of Public Safety) office, this form is also available at the DPS offices, but I would fill it out before arriving (will be provided later).
number has been called) to the license and permit specialist! Of course, I will provide some documents and other information needed at the end of the steps, stay tuned!
Fourth: You must provide your signature, so brush up on your cursive! They also accept print, but it’s just not as cool.
Fifth: In tandem with number four you will need to provide your thumbprints. Thankfully they don’t use ink anymore. +1 for technology.
Adrian Oruduna
ranging from $16 to $21 for state ID, and for a Driver’s license it can be $16 to $33, unless you plan to ride a motorcycle things may differ. Keep in mind there is also a $1 administration included in all following fees. For more information go to: www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-fees
Congratulations! If you finish all the steps you will be issued a temporary ID. The real one will come in the mail in 2-6 weeks (I know right!? So long!).
transfer the file like a USB or download it to your Google Drive. (Do Not Use Your School Drive!).
The next thing you need to do is prove your U.S. citizenship so you will need your birth certificate & Social Security Number. In the event you are not a U.S. citizen then you must prove your lawful presence in the country.
After that, you are going to need to prove your identity. Again birth certificate and Social Security Number, but if that is not enough you can bring your school ID, and your report card. Remember, it is always better to over-prepare than to under-prepare because if you don’t have documents at the ready then you can potentially waste months of time.
And finally, the one I had the most hard time with, the document that proves your Texas residency. Now at the time, I did not know how to prove that so by the time I got to the DPS and went through the process of documentation, the lady gave me a form that stated that my parent vouched for me that I lived with her. Now what that did was allow her to use a previously paid bill (up to or over 30 days long since it was paid. I can’t remember the specifics) as proof of Texas residency. Of course, if you pay bills in your household then you should have no problem using that.
Now that you have all the documentation and know all the steps you, dear viewer, are ready to apply for your own State ID. These are your first steps into adulthood.
Congratulations!
Second: Make an appointment! You can schedule an appointment at www.txdpsscheduler. com or you can look up “Texas ID card appointment” and click the first or second link and follow the relevant instructions (I know it says Drivers License Service - Appointments It is fine to click the scheduler anyway)
Third (At the Scheduled Appointment): Provide your documentation (After your
Sixth: They are going to need a picture of you on your ID, don’t worry they will take your photo there so you don’t need to give them one. So make sure you do your hair, makeup, and clothes before you go to the appointment.
“Woah there!” I hear you say. “What about the documents that you promised I would need?” Worry not my fellow adult (Or soonto-be adult, I don’t know who you are?) as promised I will now reveal to you the secrets of DPS documentation (and viewer retention!).
Seventh: You have to pay the fee. Yes, I know what you are thinking ‘After so long and so many hoops you have to jump, they expect you to pay?’ But fear not, it’s relatively inexpensive
Of course, the first thing I would recommend you get is the “Identification card application” that we mentioned earlier, (Refer to step 1) Like I said you can get one at your local DPS but if you go to akinseagleseye. com and find the online version of this story I have linked all relevant links. Something to note if you fill out the Identification card electronically (PDF file) you will need to print it out before you get to your appointment. You can get this done by searching for “Print near me.” Two places where you can get the print done are FedEx Print and Ship Centers or Office Depot locations. Also, make sure you have something to
Alexander Luna Staff Writer
After the pandemic, several programs have experienced major setbacks with some of them losing members and teachers, and their activities have also tanked.
The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program is no stranger to setbacks, but it has since recovered and bounced back with a surging membership. And one reason for the growing ranks among JROTC is the growing list of activities and opportunities the JROTC program provides.
Rapidly improving in every aspect, JROTC has statistically done better in funding and they just about tripled their profit from events like Blue and Gold Night compared to what they had gotten two years ago. Some cadets remember when they returned from remote learning because of COVID that JROTC offerings were bare bones. Assignments and testing on paper with occasional physical training sessions on Fridays made it easy for cadets to say things were bleak. However, every year since then the JROTC program has aimed to do fun things throughout the school year such as field trips, drone piloting, and archery.
As Chief Master Sergeant Andre Davis says to the cadets in class, “more funds
means more fun.” This couldn’t be any truer as they have sent cadets on fun field trips, and taken cadets to march to the state Capitol in downtown Austin. Most recently the program has proudly announced the start of its archery lessons where students will learn to safely navigate around the range and shoot at targets.
Students start by learning the history of archery from its early roots to its current use as a sport. Instructors encouraged students to practice at home for roughly two weeks. They are then issued a rope that they tie a knot in to make a circle that fits their hands and arm length to simulate a bow. They practice until they feel ready to go to the range. Although very simple, cadets learn that it is effective and important to train with the rope.
The practice range consists of three areas in the gym, a waiting line where every cadet starts and waits for the first order to be called before they pick up a bow. Next is the shooting line where cadets will take their bow and arrow from the cone beside them. After notching the arrow they ready their bows and draw the string back and if all goes well they will have hit their target. After using 3 arrows they will switch with their partner and the partner will fire their 3 arrows. After every pair of cadets has used their arrows, they will both go down to the target line, remove the arrows from the target, and safely transport them to the shooting line before returning to the waiting area and returning the bows for the next people in line.
After learning archery, JROTC teachers introduced a drone flying program in which cadets learn how to fly professional-grade drones. While some people may hear about drones and think about the small toys you get at a Walmart, or the white ones everyone had in the mid to late 2010s. However, the drones in JROTC are completely different. This high-end drone must be registered and given its own airspace clearance, which is designated as our track and soccer field. Cadets must learn about this drone, its physics, safety measures, and the legal side of flying drones of this magnitude.
Just like archery, cadets learn the history behind drones, their use in the past and present, and how the drone’s many parts work as they put it together. But even after all of that, cadets still aren’t ready to fly drones just yet as they must first undergo
a simulation flight, fly small drones indoors, and finally pass the TRUST drone test to earn a certification.
Col. Kerry Lewis said he was when he first arrived at Akins in 2021, the gym had a supply of NASP-sanctioned bows locked away in a closet. After seeing this he recalled his time serving at a base in Georgia where it was common to see archery taught in the high school curriculum. In Texas, it isn’t as supported as it has to be discussed with the principal and then cleared to be taught as a Leadership Development Requirement (LDR), which would allow the lesson to be taught, but only outside of school hours. An exception was made and cadets at Akins can now experience archery firsthand during school.
A similar situation happened with the drones. When Lewis first checked the classroom for what could be used to better the program, he found a few drones, some were broken and some were usable. Lewis said it was easier to get the green light to teach drone piloting. Since then the JROTC program has received drones from Air Force JROTC headquarters and other donors.
Cadets have the opportunity to practice on cheaper drones with safety features like propeller guards, kill switches, and more while staying in the classroom before moving on to bigger, professional drones.
This would also serve as a marking of when the drone club starts. With drones received from donors and some bought, JROTC plans to start up its very own drone club where students can compete with rival schools or compete within the club itself. Whether it is racing or just practice flying around, there will be a place for every cadet who shows interest in it.
Cadet airman first class James Turner said he has enjoyed both archery and drone piloting this year.
“For drones, it was learning how to properly operate them, for archery it was learning how to shoot the bow without the string you knock the arrow on hitting your arm,” he said.
Tuner said the most difficult part of archery is learning to aim. For drone piloting, the challenge was adjusting to doing the real thing after training first on a simulator.
“For archery, it was aiming and guiding the arrow to where I want to hit,” Turner said. “And for drones, I would say the difference between is really noticeable when making the switch from simulations to the real thing.”
Turner said he enjoyed learning about both archery and drone flight. He said he appreciates that the JROTC instructors training cadets on new skills.
“Being able to do these things on my own really stuck out to me,” he said.
Make a night to remember by making a meal for two
Devan Flores Staff Writer
Valentine’s Day can put a lot of pressure on couples to devise plans for a big date night. Some people spend hours researching and booking reservations, making sure the weather is good so you know whether or not to eat inside or outside, and looking at couples’ deals all to make the supposed perfect date.
All of this adds up and it could be hundreds of dollars at the end of it all. Instead of all of these headaches and hassles planning a night out, another option would be to stay home and prepare. You could make it yourself and surprise your partner or you could make it fun and make it together with a little grocery shopping. The Eagle’s Eye has made a menu of simple, but delicious items to make for a memorable night with a special someone.
strawberries
Ingredients
● Strawberries
● Chocolate
1. Get your strawberries and rinse off however many strawberries you want to make
2. Then get a pot of water and bring it to a simmer and get a heat-proof bowl and set it on top of the pot so that the bowl rests on the pot make sure the bowl does not touch the water in the pot if you did it right there should be seal from the bowl being on the pot and the chocolate will melt from the steam
3. Put the chocolate in the bowl and mix occasionally
4. Then dip strawberries into the chocolate and let it drip into the bowl to get rid of excess
5. Let rest so the chocolate can harden
● Pita chips the circular ones
● Mozzarella cheese
● Tomato
● Basil
● Olive oil
● Italian seasoning
● Crushed red pepper flakes
● Salt and pepper
● Balsamic vinegar
In a small bowl put the mozzarella, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes, and add salt and enough olive oil to cover the mozzarella.
Cut the tomatoes into slices and salt and pepper.
After you do that, put that put the pita chips on the plate, add the mozzarella on the pita chip then add the tomato slice and a basil leaf on top of the tomato, then drizzle balsamic vinegar and repeat until finished.
● Half of a medium to small Lemon
● About 2 tablespoons of Parmesan
● 2 Tablespoons of Butter
● 1 Teaspoon of Garlic or 1 clove
● Noodle packet (I used a ramen noodle soup packet)
● Salt and pepper
● Water
1. Fill a pot with water then place it on the stove
2. Heat it to medium-high and wait for water to boil
3. Add noodles to boiling water and cook till al dente about 3 minutes then strain the noodles do not turn off the stove
4. With the now empty pot add the garlic and butter then add noodles back into the pot and place the pot on the stove again and mix
5. Put all of it in a serving bowl and add lemon, parmesan, salt, and pepper then mix
Maya Warnham-Martinez Staff Writer
When the lights in the gym turn off and the spotlight turns on, everything else melts away.
For the Akins wrestling team, the spotlight shining down from the ceiling puts the focus on just them and their opponents. Along with that, it also adds an extra bit of drama to each wrestling match, which is already a mental game as much as it is a physical contest of strength and agility.
Senior Diego Moreno, who has been on the Akins wrestling team for 4 years, said the spotlight allows him to focus on his opponent more, rather than having the distraction of everything around you.
“It’s nice how you don’t feel like everyone is watching you, it’s just you vs. the other guy you’re going against,” Moreno said.
So far the spotlight has only been used once in December, during the Akins wrestling team’s Senior Night match, which was the last time it had a tournament at Akins this year. However, the addition of the spotlight made the matches even more memorable for the team members who have worked to raise money over several years for its installation.
The spotlight was the brainchild of former Akins wrestling coach Roy Tambunga, who retired at the end of the last school year after coaching at Akins for more than 20 years.
Tambunga said he first saw a spotlight used in a wrestling match in a movie he saw in the 1980s called Vision Quest.
“One of my favorite movies is called Vision Quest,” he said. “Whenever we would make it to regionals it was kind of a tradition that we would all get in my room and I would show them the movie.”
The movie is about a high school wrestler defending a state championship, and in the movie the wrestling team had a spotlight for its matches. This was Tambunga’s first inspiration. A few years later when the team would go to duels or tris he noticed that some of the wealthier schools had spotlights, including Anderson, Navarro, and Bowie. After a few talks with the coaches at those schools and some research, Tambunga made it a goal to get a spotlight installed at Akins.
To earn the money, the team members worked at UT games which they did for around 10 years. For the last three years, the Akins wrestlers started hosting local wrestling tournaments, including those held at the Delco Center, where they could make around $10,000 just in concessions and working the front doors. Tambunga said the team members loved working the events and didn’t even consider it as work. The team was finally able to purchase the spotlight during the 2023-2024 school year. And then it took almost another year to get the spotlight installed because it involved electricians and getting permits to do the work. After Tambunga retired at the end of May, the responsibility to get the spotlight installed fell to Akins co-athletic coordinators Joey Saxe and Amanda Thomas, who also took over coaching responsibilities for the Akins wrestling team. Saxe said he ran into complications because the district electricians didn’t want to climb up on the tall lift needed to reach the ceiling in the gym. The district also has very strict
rules about adding such a big expense to the school.
“I would say it took 12 months of back and forth with the district, lots of work orders, lots of visiting with architectural design teams, electrical teams, roofing teams,” Saxe said.
Despite all the challenges of the installation, the team agrees it was worth it. Senior Vincenzo Moreno described how it feels to go against an opponent under the spotlight.
“(It’s) not always gonna feel like people are watching you,” he said. “But you don’t worry about them, you worry about yourself and what you are doing at that very moment.”
Although the spotlight has not been used much yet, it has finally been brought to Akins. After much hard work to accomplish it, Tambunga’s dream has finally come true. Now future generations of Akins high school wrestlers can have the concentration a spotlight brings to use for their matches.
“It’s nice how you don’t feel like everyone is watching you. It’s just you versus the other guy you’re going against”
— Vincenzo Moreno
EE: What’s your position, and how many years have you played your sport at Akins?
VL: I’m a guard, and I have played for four years.
EE: How would you say you have improved as a player since you joined the team?
VL: Well, I used to not make any shots, and now I would say, I make way more shots, and I’m better at dribbling.
EE: What is a challenge that you have overcome with your team in the last year?
VL: I mean, we have lost so many players. We have no players anymore, but, I mean, we still play but we barely have anyone. It’s challenging to lose parts of your team.
EE: What does leadership look like to you?
VL: I think leadership looks like that even when you’re losing, you continue to push your teammates and continue to take the ball down the court, even when you’re down by like 50.
EE: What do you do to help motivate your team?
VL: Even when we’re losing, you still cheer like when someone does something good. Just because you’re feeling down on yourself doesn’t mean you can’t still cheer on your other teammates. Because, like, losing doesn’t necessarily mean you’re all playing bad. So it’s okay to still cheer.
EE: What is your greatest challenge as a player?
VL: My greatest challenge as a player has maybe been
EE: What’s your position and how long have you played at Akins?
DH: I play point guard and I’ve been in that position for 3 years
EE: How would you say you’ve improved as a player since you started playing?
DH: Overall I think I’ve improved with my IQ with being the point guard as well as being a team player
EE: What’s a challenge that you overcame with your team this year?
DH: A challenge that I overcame with my team was being more vocal on court and helping each other with picking each other up when we aren’t doing so well with certain things
EE: What does leadership look like to you?
DH: Leadership to me means picking each other up on the court when we are doing something wrong but also help guide each other if we don’t understand something
EE: What do you do to help motivate your team?
DH: Something that I do to help motivate my team is talk to them everyday before every game and practice and try to mentally prepare us for games because as a team we have to motivate each other to do better.
my commitment to the sport, because I haven’t loved basketball. But I felt more motivated because of my teammates, and they just pushed me to be better.
EE: What’s your greatest strength as a player?
VL: My greatest strength is probably being left handed, so I can take the ball down the left side of the court, since nobody else wants to do that.
EE: What would you say is something the team should work on.
VL: Our chemistry. We have no team chemistry. We need to be playing out, and we need to be playing together more but I mean, everyone has their own strengths. I just think that we should be playing together more often.
EE: What’s your favorite memory playing on the Akins basketball team?
VL: My favorite memory? Well, one game, we were watching a JV match, and the ref started dancing on the court, like there was no music playing but he just started, like, boogie dancing on the court. It was so funny. And then me and my friend both jumped up at the same time and peed ourselves. It was a close game, like, JV was neck and neck with the other team. So we were all like, standing on the edge of the bench, and then someone made a shot and we both got up, but we both sat down fast, because we both peed ourselves at the same time.
EE: What’s the biggest thing you struggled with on the team?
DH: I think something I struggled with was getting back to what I used to do before I got sick. As of right now though, I’m getting back into my skills and getting my confidence back.
EE: What’s your greatest strength as a player?
DH: My greatest strength as a player would probably being vocal on the court and just being able to be a good teammate and bond well with the other players
EE: What would you say is something the team should work on more?
DH: I think we need to definitely like work on rotations and picking each other up and just being there for each other
EE: What was your favorite memory playing on the Akins Basketball team?
DH: I don’t really have a favorite memory playing on the court. I think overall this season has been fun. I’m building better bonds with my teammates and also getting better with my skills so overall I think this season has been pretty good.
Staman Senior, guard, Veda Larson, shares her reflections on the Akins Womens Basketball team, memorable times, and her future goals as her team’s season comes to an end.
Junior, point guard, Darius Hedspeth talks about lessons learned, team moments, and his leadership skills as the basketball season comes to an end.
24 | Feb. 14, 2025
To: Noelani Barrera To: Cannon McShan
From: Christian Rivera
To my love, Noelani I have never met a more pure person in my entire life. The way you look into my eyes and see me for who I am. The fact that you see me at my worst and choose to stay. I know how difficult I can be, so thank you for your patience. I’m so glad I met you. I love you Noelani <3
From: <3
Cannon, Always be kind to mom bc she’s old & has already raised 3 kids before you. Don’t talk back, get angry or impatient with her because she won’t be around forever. She loves you so extremely much!
XO Happy Valentine’s Day!
-From, Scooter
To: Hope Cortez
From: <3 Happy Valentine’s Day from The Eagle’s Eye!
I am probably not gonna ask you out but i have to get this off my chest, you are the prettiest person I’ve seen in this school by far, you probably don’t even know I exist but I know you exist and that’s enough for me
To: Alexa Reyes
From: <3
Hello future girlfriend I think about you a lot because you are SO fine literally the girl of my DREAMS- future Mrs.Reyes
