EAGLE ’ S EYE
Madison Staman
Salinas
EDITORS
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Opinions Editor
Dean Knowlton
Life & Style Editor
Micaela Rodriguez
Graphics Editor
Jasmine Woods
Co Editor-in-Chief
Silas Baker
SCHOOL EVENTS
SCHOOL EVENTS
May 23 & 27-29 – Final Exams
A&E Editor Yanitzel Salazar News Editor
Rami Kashakhi
May 21 – Principal Qualities Meeting Jun. 2 – Akins Graduation
In-Depth Editor
STAFF WRITERS
Perla Ledesma Alex Enyart Dominic Arias Caden Ruiz Janelle Ponti Andrew Copeland
Breelyn & Brennan West
HONORS
STAFF ARTISTS
The Eagle’s Eye is the official student newspaper of Akins High School. It is published six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community.
The Eagle’s Eye is an open forum for student expression. The Eagle’s Eye is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the adviser will not act as a censor. Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.
The Eagle’s Eye will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers. Our articles will reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality.
We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph.
Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eagle’s Eye staff or administration as a whole.
The Eagle’s Eye welcomes reader Input. Please send any letters, articles, comments, or corrections to akins.journalism@gmail.com or mail them to 10701 South First Street Austin, Texas 78748 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.
Akins High School 2025 Graduation
Campus set to undergo construction upgrades
A remodeled entrance and new fencing to be built this summer
Yanitzel Salazar News Editor
The Akins Campus Architectural Team has completed a plan to spend $17 million on campus improvement projects approved by voters in 2022. The plan includes high, secure fencing around vulnerable areas of the campus, including the portables. It also encompasses building a secure area at the front of the school where visitors can be screened before entering the rest of the main building. The current main ofce space will be completely transformed into a new mental health center.
Additionally, funding is allocated to construct a modular building that will house Green Tech Academy CTE programs, including Vet Tech and foral design. The new modular building will feature Vet Tech, foral programs, all-gender restrooms, and administrative ofces.
Other improvements will be made across the campus, including replacing aging air conditioning equipment. Initially, the budget was $8-9 million for deferred maintenance and security upgrades, but community pressure for additional enhancements led to a doubled budget to include CTE improvements. Future bond construction projects may focus on STEM lab and computer science upgrades.
There are ongoing daily safety and security concerns about the portables at the school campus. Senior Louisa Poage, who takes classes in the foral design program in the portable, said that the openness and proximity to the woods raise issues.
Big changes will occur with the new redesign of the main entrance. Parents will have easy access to registration and attendance through the main ofce, which will be moved closer to the front entrance of the school.
FIRST LOOK AT FRONT ENTERNCE
An architectual rendering shows what the new front entrance of the school will look like after construction starts this summer. The project is funded by a bond proposal election approved by voters in 2022.
lights the poor condition of the current portables, including structural issues and a lack of bathrooms for students, expressing hope that a new building will enhance the learning environment and attract more students to the CTE program. Additionally, Poage said that accessible restrooms near the portables would reduce travel time to and from the cafeteria or main building.
ence.
The new building will house multiple programs and feature gender-neutral restrooms with distinct visibility, which can, in turn, prevent vandalism. The fence also addresses the vulnerable areas. This CTE construction project is set to be com pleted by summer 2026.
— Michael Herbin Principal
“Most parents won’t have a need to come any further than that,” Herbin said.
An additional set of doors will block entrance to the rest of the school unless visitors and students are checked to ensure they should be allowed to go to other parts of the building.
Poage said the new fencing that will enclose the portables would deter unauthorized entry, although it may cause inconvenience. She also high-
Principal Michael Herbin is concerned that no proper fencing around the portables exists. This has caused major security concerns since students were constantly squeezing through the fencing near the fne arts building. Herbin said that the improvements will “fx” these troubling security issues; anyone who walks into the building must be checked in, preventing any unwelcome behavior or individuals.
With school security breaches in the picture, the evolution of school design has increasingly focused on safety and security; with this change, schools have been reimagined to prioritize the well-being of students and staf.
Herbin says, “I think it’s great. School designs have changed so much in the last 25 years, right? With all the things that happen in schools now, security is really a huge issue.”
Agricultural teacher Brandon Callis said that the Akins CTE program — the largest in Austin ISD — has long awaited these improvements. Covering the anticipated benefts of a new CTE building, which will provide relief to CTE teachers, replace outdated facilities, and provide modern amenities. Running water and better storage, Callis stresses that many of the portables are “falling apart”.He notes that this is a much-needed improvement. Callis emphasizes that security is only as efective as protocol adher-
Map showing where new secure fencing and gates will be installed this summer
Akins Early College High School
Courtesy Corgan
Grumbles wins district ‘Librarian of the Year’
Akins librarian to move to Baily Middle school next year
Perla Ledesma Staff Writer
Akins Librarian Terresa Grumbles proudly claimed the title of District Librarian of the Year on May 7.
This is Grumbles’ second stint at Akins, where she has served in different capacities over 10 years, including AVID and social studies teacher, academy coordinator, and librarian.
Grumbles was born and raised in Austin and started her career in education in 1999 at LBJ High School. Before she became the librarian at Akins, she worked as a librarian at Parades Middle School for two years.
Grumbles recently announced that she is leaving Akins at the end of the year to better care for her family. She is taking over the librarian position at Bailey Middle School.
“My decade at Akins has been one of the happiest in my educational career,” Grumbles wrote in an email to staff. “I’ve been able to work with some of my best friends, alongside the best students and staff. In the past few years, I’ve hit some professional highs, and I’ll always be proud of what I’ve accomplished here with the AVID program and in my role as librarian. My heart will always be a part of Akins, and I will be forever grateful for my time here with all of you. Wings Up and thanks for all of the amazing memories.”
EE: Where are you from?
Teresa Grumbles: I was born in Austin, Texas, and grew up on Manchaca. I’m one of those weird, South Austin unicorns, there aren’t many of us that still live and work in this area. I’m a product of Austin ISD schools, I went to Menchaca Ele-
mentary, Fulmore MS, and Travis HS. Had Akins been built when I was going to high school, this is where I would have gone.
EE: Why did you choose to be a librarian after being a social studies teacher and an AVID teacher?
TG: I chose to be a librarian because I love reading books, and I wanted to encourage students to become passionate about reading and finding stories that really resonate with them.
EE: What do you do as a librarian?
TG: I do so many things. I’m a jack of all trades. So I work with teachers to get them scheduled to come to the library, to get their students to check out books. I collaborate with teachers on library lessons and help them incorporate resources from the library into their units of study. I help them with research lessons. I host a staff book club and a student book club. I order books for the library, process
books, and teach a reading class. I help host events in my library. I have told you that students can come to lunch every day, and I try to make sure that the library is a safe, welcoming space for all students.
EE: What do you teach?
TG: I teach a reading intervention class. It’s called dyslexia reading. So I work with students who need help decoding words and who need, you know, help with, you know, writing and spelling, so I teach that on B days.
EE: What is the grant project that you ran this year?
TG: I applied for an A+ FCU grant last year entitled “Empowering Young Readers: A Library Book Club and Literacy Initiative for Title 1 Students.” I wanted to build my library student book club. We meet once a week and read our books for Battle of the Books as well as banned books. I found out over the summer that I received my grant, which was exciting.
EE: What else does the grant do?
TG: This grant will help support literacy on our campus by providing resources for our reading programs and library student book club. Students will be able to engage with their peers, think critically about books, and develop a love of reading in a safe space.
EE: How do you feel about being nominated for Librarian of the Year?
TG: I feel incredibly honored to have been nominated as AISD’s librarian of the year. This is my fourth year as a librarian in Austin ISD, but my role as the Akins librarian has brought me the greatest joy of my professional career!
Eagles end the year earning many awards
Alex Enyart Staff Writer
This year, many Akins Eagles earned awards, trophies, and other recognitions at a wide range of competitions.
Many were focused on career exploration, such as mock trials, veterinary studies, and agriculture. Others won awards for excelling academically through programs like Dual Language or art. Additionally, Akins’ track and field and a successful year with several students placing high at area-level meets.
Three students achieved state-level recognition for their art through the Texas Art Education Association. Katherine Hernandez, Dulce Lopez, Lelan Nguyen, and Nyshai Wilkerson all qualified for State during a regional competition in February. All students earned a state-level medal, with the top scorer earning a 4.
This year, Akins students participated in the Baylor University Entrepreneurship Challenge at the state level. This competition sees students giving a “Shark Tank” style pitch to judges to determine their entrepreneurship skills. Teams entered from schools all over Texas, and students Isaiah Moreno, Serena, Carolina Munoz, and Kelly Huynh achieved third place. Members of the team also won a cash prize from St. Edward’s University in a city-wide competition in
BILTERATE & BILINGUAL
Akins celebrated 22 seniors who will graduate with a biliteracy certification for completing the district’s dual-language program.
November.
Another big accomplishment was achieved by the 22 seniors who earned their biliteracy certification through Austin ISD’s bilingual program. Students earned an Austin ISD Seal of Biliteracy certification for taking dual-language courses since they were in elementary school.
The Akins Marching Band also had a very successful
season this year. Notable achievements include earning a superior rating at UIL, finishing 4th place out of 20 bands at the US Bands Southwestern Championships, and finishing 1st place in their division at US Bands Central Championships. Additionally, the Akins Varsity Band earned 3rd place for brass and 4th place for percussion at the Dallas Winds Invitational.
Several photography students were recognized in the ATPI Environmental Self-Portrait Contest. And several students competed in the Texas Association of Future Educators’ area competition with 22 students advancing to the state-level competition. They competed in events such as Ethical Dilemma, Children’s Literature Spanish, Professional Development, and Interactive Bulletin Boards. The Akins Diamonds and Sapphires competed at Johnson High School in the Ascension Dance Hill Country Challenge. Both teams were awarded 1st place in their division.
Students participating in Mock Trial excelled at the YMCA Youth and Government State Competition. Both participating judges placed in the top 10. Laila Seddiki placed 3rd overall as county judge. Emmanuel Sanchez-Portillo placed 8th overall. The Akins Correctional Services Internship competed in the Texas Public Service Teacher Association State Criminal Justice Competition in Houston. The Cell Extraction team were awarded the title of state champion.
Kairi Natal
Courtesy Bianca Muniz-Chavez
Stop vouchers before they hurt public schools
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law to create a $1 billion “Education Savings Account” voucher program for private schools in Texas on May 3, marking a huge shift in the state’s education policy. The newly passed private school voucher program has sparked a debate and harsh criticism from public education advocates.
This unsettling imbalance, advocates argue, exposes deep flaws in the state’s priorities and raises urgent questions about how the state prioritizes wealthy families without accountability or oversight of how public dollars are spent. There is also concern about how starting an entitlement program for private school families could grow exponentially in the future and blow a hole in our state budget.
The program, set to launch in the 2026–27 school year, will allocate about $10,000 annually per student for private school tuition or up to $2,000 for homeschooling expenses. While all students are eligible, priority will be given to those from families earning less than five times the federal poverty level. The new Texas school voucher program is a big change that could impact students, schools, and taxpayers across the state for years to come.
We believe vouchers are taking precious funding from public schools, and this program needs to be stopped before these handouts to rich families even begin. This is necessary to prevent the furtherance of more inequalities between rich and poor families in the state and to stop the defunding of our public schools.
First, let’s review the facts about private school vouchers. There are only a handful of well-regarded private schools in Texas, and the tuition of these schools is much higher than the $10,000 per year that this program would provide to parents. For example, the tuition for day students at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in far west Austin is about $35,900.
So this means a low-income family would have to come up with another $25,000 per year if they wanted to send their children to St. Stephen’s. Considering this is highly unlikely to happen, this means that the only parents who will be able to take advantage of the $10,000 from the state are the rich families who could already afford to send their kids to such an expensive school.
Secondly, public schools are funded by the number of days students attend school. If new private schools open in Austin, this means that our currently underfunded public schools will receive less funding than the paltry sums we already receive, as more parents decide to enroll their children in private schools.
Thirdly, private schools, by their nature, do not have to meet any state accountability requirements like maintaining high passing rates on the STAAR test. They also do not
have to follow federal and state guidelines for providing special education services to students. This means the state is literally just handing over public tax dollars to private schools with no strings attached. This is fundamentally unfair.
Lastly, just because a parent applies to a private school does not mean that they will be accepted. Private schools can set their own policies on who they will admit, which could potentially create a situation that will be rife with discrimination.
While advocates for private schools see vouchers as a solution to underprivileged families to attend these schools, they can deny admissions based on little to no reasoning, which contradicts the main purpose of these vouchers to provide “school choice.” Parents who feel like their children are not being served well by their
What is an editorial?
public schools will still be locked out of an alternative option.
In reality, It’s the school’s choice on whether or not to accept families who apply for these private schools unlike public schools who are legally obligated to accept families regardless of their socioeconomic status.
There is also a possibility that shady business people are able to establish schools in areas such as strip centers and label themselves as a school, these schools can be used as a potential money grab. These schools do not have to follow state regulations such as state testing, special education or certified teachers.
We firmly believe that vouchers are taking necessary funding from already underfunded public schools. This program needs to end before it begins during the 2026-2027 school year.
Counter to what Gov. Greg Abbott says, these vouchers do not cover the full tuition needed to pay for students to attend these private schools and therefore do not create an equal opportunity for all students, but instead, only benefit people who are already wealthy enough to pay private school tuition.
While it claims to give money to families who are initially unable to afford private school tuition, Schools can also prioritize some students over others, which in turn defeats the purpose of these vouchers’ main point of being accessible to low-income families.
The Texas Constitution says that our legislation must prioritize public schools and that all children in the state of Texas have a right to quality public education. By giving money to private schools, it takes away much-needed funding to already struggling public schools. State Rep. James Talrico spoke on the day Abbott signed the voucher bill, “Remember this day, next time a school closes in your neighborhood.”
The Eagle’s Eye editorial board decides the postions taken in the staff editorial. The editorial board consists of the paper’s top section editors for the print edition. Editorials are not given a byline because they represent the collective opinion of the board. The topic of the editorial is discussed by the board and a position is voted on. When deciding on the position, majority rules so most opinions reflect the majority of the opinions of the board. Editorials do not surpport or represent the official opinion of Akins Early College High School administration.
Madison Co-EIC & Photo
Jasmine Co-EIC & Sports
Rami In-Depth
Dean Life & Style
Yanitzel News
Micaela Graphics
Salinas Opinion
Silas A&E
Micaela Rodriguez
DEI or die Student calls for defense of diversity, equity, inclusion in AISD
Jonathan Balderas Staff Writer
Since President Donald Trump was sworn into office, he has been pushing his administration to make schools remove DEI from their policies. He’s railed against it in numerous social media posts and directed federal agencies to eliminate DEI in all forms.
You might be asking yourself, what DEI even is. Well, DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It was first created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this act, the federal law that outlawed various forms of discrimination.
But now, President Donald Trump has been wanting to stop DEI policies and stop funding schools that still have policies that support DEI. I hate that this is the plan that Donald Trump has while he is President. As a person who is part of a diverse community, it hurts me to see him pushing to get rid of these policies.
Trump also said that treating any person based on their race is illegal. This could have negative consequences for students in Austin ISD because most of the schools around the Austin area have high numbers of students from diverse backgrounds. Donald Trump is overall targeting people of color and the LGBTQ community rather than focusing on actual, real problems that need more attention.
displayed around the school. These policies will start to affect what the school will be allowed to put up around the school. Our school is mostly diverse, and it’s very open to different communities under DEI. If our school loses the funding we get because of the stuff we have around school, that will cause a lot of problems with the community.
Currently, in Texas, bills are being passed that will affect how schools function.
Senate Bill 12 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, will prohibit schools from factoring in DEI when they are choosing new staff or making programs for schools. This includes references to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation in their programs or when hiring new staff members.
There is also another senate bill authored by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, that could reduce the options of books available in school libraries. This will enable them to remove any books that mention diverse content. Parents will be allowed to censor certain books that they don’t want children to read.
Since Day 1 of his term as president, he has signed executive orders to push schools to remove their DEI policies.
— Jonathan Balderas Staff Writer
These bills getting brought up by representatives, will soon affect the mental health of many students around the world. Many students will feel like they are being targeted, and that will take a toll on their mental health. This can also be a safety concern for the students; the removal of DEI will dismantle safe spaces offered for students at school.
as president, he has signed executive orders to push schools to remove their DEI policies. He has been telling schools and their districts that they only have 10 days to tell the government that they have removed their policies. He is also threatening to stop federal funding for these schools.
The DEI policies in schools are typically focused on helping students feel welcome in schools. Many schools have posters or flags that show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. There are programs that provide resources to students that can help them. Many students rely on these policies for support when they need it. There are a lot of students who are in the LGBTQ+ community who will feel forced to act differently because of the policies that Trump has been implementing.
At Akins, we have a lot of pride flags
DEI policies are beneficial to have because they can protect the many students of diverse backgrounds. A lot of schools have diverse students, as half of their enrolled students are. That’s the reason why many schools have these policies in place. They need to have these policies for all the students they have who need support from the school’s DEI policies. Trump and his administration want to eliminate these policies because they feel they are unnecessary. He doesn’t support the policies and wants to demolish them. Since Day 1 of his term
A judge of the Federal District Court in New Hampshire has said that the policy will restrict free speech in classrooms. Judge McCafferty has told the Trump Administration that they do not have enough detailed definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion and has blocked their attempts to restrict federal funding to schools.
Trump will continue to sign more executive orders to push harder on schools to get rid of the DEI policies that they have. What we can do as a community to fight back against these problems is to vote to elect the correct people who can try to block the orders Donald Trump has issued. More people need to know about this because
if we don’t do anything about this, it could have severe consequences. We need to try to fight back against these orders trying to demolish the DEI policies.
In conclusion, we all know that the future is very clear: President Donald Trump wants to erase everything involving minority groups and DEI-based programs. Honestly, this will ruin many plans that students have for the future because it will take away their opportunities and the help they have available to them.
I really hate the idea of him taking away DEI policies. The school shouldn’t be pressured to comply with these horrible policies that Trump has. All of this is just horrible for all of us, it ruins the whole world. We all need to try to elect representatives who can fight against this. The President doesn’t care about the students affected by eliminating DEI policies.
Sophia Davidson
Akins hits the red carpet at 2025 prom
Students show off style with Old Hollywood glamour
Madison Staman Photo Editor
The Akins 2025 prom took place at the UT Alumni Center on Saturday, April 26. The theme of the prom was Old Hollywood and included details of old Polaroid photos with the seniors face on it, clapboards, fluffy feathers, and small golden award pieces.
When students entered into the prom, they walked a red carpet where their photo was taken with high flash to create a “Paparazzi” feel for the guests as they entered. There was then a room with tables and a wooden dance floor for students to dance and enjoy time with their friends.
Toward the end of the night, prom king and queen were announced. The women’s court nominees included Natalie Garcia, Marissa Ruiz, Ava Linnell, and Angela Vasquez. The mens court included Izaiah Rodriguez, Mathew Burke, and James Perez. The two winners were Ava Linnell and James Perez. Overall, the prom was a huge hit with the seniors, and hopefully memorable moment for the outgoing class of 2025.
Ava Ybarra
OLD HOLLYWOOD
The decor was a fitting for the proms theme, old hollywood.
Madison Staman
FIRST DANCE
Senior Ava Linnell and Senior James Perez have their first dance together as newly crowed King and Queen.
Ava Ybarra ON THE DANCE FLOOR
Senior Jose Acosta dances on the dance floor with his friends.
PHOTO ESSAY
PROM ROYALTY
CELEBRATE
FRIENDS OVER DATES
Madison Staman
Senior Ava Linnell and Senior James Perez are crowned King and Queen
Ava Ybarra
Senior Jade Ruval and her date, a recent Akins graduate Matthew Ybarra celebrate prom together.
Madison Staman
Many Akins students opted to go with their friend groups to prom. From left to right, Ariana Fernandez, Julie Centeno, Michelle Sanchez, Angela Vazquez, Serena Ritter, Julie Dinh.
Ava Ybarra
SENIOR SIGN UP
Senior Elijah Graber and Isaak Saez dance together throughout the night.
1st Street Scavengers thrift shop opens Student-run business finds success after successful business pitch
Staff Staff Writer
The phrase “someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure” is not just a saying; it’s a business model.
While the original definition of the word thrift means to use money carefully and not wastefully, the act of “thrifting” has come to mean the art of buying and reselling used clothing items. And while clothes purchased at thrift stores are usually cheaper than brand-new clothes, there is still money to be made as well as saved.
That’s at the heart of the 1st Street Scavengers, which is a student-operated business that opened on campus at Akins this spring. The business is the product of students in the new Entrepreneurship course taught by business teacher Jackie Ward. Students in her course develop a business pitch and then implement that plan. Ward said the pitch process is similar to what people would see in the TV show Shark Tank, in which a business person presents their idea to a panel of judges that decide whether to back the idea with an investment to make money together. In this case, Ward’s students made their presentation to judges from Junior Achievement of Central Texas, which is a chapter of an international non-profit organization that helps students apply entrepreneurial thinking.
Ward said the Entrepreneurship course has several objectives for students to accomplish.
“The goal is to make a profit. I hope they learn from this is, well, a lot of things,” she said. “They learn how to track their sales. They learn how to keep financial records. They learn how to create a bank account, make deposits. They learn how to work as a team, delegate duties to different roles in the team. They learn how to manage their inventory and also have to track inventory, and they learn how to handle roadblocks and obstacles when having a business.”
After their pitch session in November, the student group received a $150 cash prize in the city-wide competition for receiving fourth place against some stiff competition, Ward said.
The group used the prize as seed money to purchase the inventory and supplies they needed to start the business.
Besides the pitch presentation in Austin, a team in the Entrepreneurship course competed in a business pitch competition at a
THRIFTING GALORE
Senior Isaiah Moreno helps a customer at the First Street Scavengers thrift shop on April 14, outside the
The student-run thirft store was created as part of a buisness class project.
state competition held at Baylor University in late April and earned a $500 prize for winning 3rd Place.
Junior Carter Penwell, who participates in the 1st Street Scavengers, said the original idea for the business came from a student in his group who noticed that there was a lack of thrift stores near Akins.
Senior Naw Serena said everyone in the group had an interest in thrifting, which helped the business become a success.
“Most of us went thrifting like every weekend, and we were like, ‘Oh, why not just start a thrifting business so that every student could have it easily, like it could be easily accessible at school, and, you know, cheap prices,’” she said. “It’s a trend now, so that just felt like it’d be very successful.”
Part of their business plan included developing a pricing structure that addressed customer needs, he said. The group distributed a survey to Akins students to ask them how much they would be willing to spend on used clothing items.
“We learned that most students were willing to spend $20,” Penwell said. “For the more specific pricing, we just based it on what we thought we could sell it for. We rarely buy anything at $20, though. The average prices for the clothes we sell are
around $5-7.”
Serena said her group had several challenges to overcome with actually implementing their business plan.
“So the challenges were definitely finding a space for all the clothes, and we were looking for, like storage rooms, and just like trying to contact the office and the principal, and just approving it, because, you know, the students having a business at school and receiving money sometimes, you know, the principal doesn’t really agree with that, but we had, like, a whole presentation for him and all of that.”
Serena said that marketing the business was another challenge; however, that is also a fun part of the challenge.
“So I enjoy the process of what it’s like to start our business and knowing how to manage everything in the business. And I just like to be creative with how business can get.”
Serena said she plans to use the skills she learned from starting this business when she goes to the University of Texas at San Antonio to study accounting and entrepreneurship.
“I want to be able to, with my accounting degree, help entrepreneurs to grow their business,” she said.
ENDLESS VARITY
Students explore the variety of clothes avalible at 1st Street Scavengers outside the cafeteria during lunch. The student-operated thrift shop is open during lunch on A-Days.
Ricardo Ramos-Ramirez contributed to this story.
Christian Rivera
cafeteria.
Christian Rivera
LIFE & STYLE
How to unlock the road
A simple explanation on the process of earning a drivers license
Dominic Arias Staff Writer
Hello again, dear reader. I see you are back for more! This is some of your first (or second) steps to adulthood. As you, dear reader, are an adult or on track to become one, this article will focus on one of the many necessary things to have going out into the big bad world. Hopefully, this can help you get a head start or get on track to adulting.
Out of the many things an adult needs in their daily life, the driver’s license is probably among the most important. After all, in modern-day America, a car is almost a necessity, and you can’t drive without your license, at least not legally. I hope you are a law-abiding citizen and do not drive without one.
First things first, everybody’s favorite part of the government, Documentation! I know. I did a long sigh with you. But it makes up the bulk of why this may be ‘complicated,’ and besides, it ain’t all that bad.
Item 1:
This should be easy. Proof of citizenship (or lawful presence). A birth certificate or valid passport can be used.
Item 2:
your eyes from the blinding flash, you are told to cough up an application fee, luckily you read this article, so you came prepared, and you put down 16-33 dollars (16 for under 18 and 33 for over) in cash, while lamenting the fact that people don’t carry cash these days. Just when you thought you had finished, you are shuttled off to pass a vision, written, and Practical exam to ‘demonstrate your understanding of driving laws and safe driving practices’ or something like that, You grumble because you wonder if the people on the road to the DPS passed this exam because they seem to let anyone behind the wheel, as you found out after you pass the tests and are issued a temporary license. Great, after all that, you now have to wait 2-3 weeks to get the real thing. After cursing the government for taking so long, you can finally say you have one of the most important pieces of plastic in your life.
Proof of Texas Residency. To me, this might be the most tricky documentation to get. Unless you pay bills, you might need a parent or guardian who does, as it can be used as proof for you as long as you live with them. You may need to fill out a form there.
Item 3:
For this one, you just need to prove you are who you say you are. So if you have a birth certificate or a state ID, you should be fine. Keep in mind that it must be the original or a certified copy of the birth certificate for it to be valid.
Item 4:
You just need your Social Security number. Item 5:
For this Item, you need to prove that the vehicles you own or will be operating are registered
Item 6:
Ah, yes, probably the hardest thing on the list. Not because it’s hard to get, no, it’s just expensive. What is it? Insurance. You need proof of insurance for each vehicle you own or a statement that you do not own one (most of you will not have one).
Item 7:
For this item, you need to watch a 1-2 hour video (depending on if you’re an adult or not). After you complete the program, it stays valid for up to 90 days. You print the certificate and bring it to your driving skills test as you can not take the test if you do not have it.
Item 8:
Now, the last piece of documentation: if you are 18, you need to take a 6-hour driving course. Of course, if you renew your driver’s license, this is waived. Okay, if you have successfully collected all of the above documents, then you are about 60% done with this whole thing. The next Step in your journey is actually to schedule the appointment itself, which, if you didn’t know, is probably the longest part of this process.
So, to apply for an appointment, you just need to search up Driver License Appointment click the first dps.texas.gov link then click the blue button that says ‘schedule a drivers license appointment’ and follow all the steps from there. Next, you can complete the ‘Driver License Application’ at the DPS or online. If you wish to do this online, you can search ‘DL-14A’ and click the first dps.texas.gov PDF form. If you choose to do this online, once you fill out the form, you will need to get it printed, so save it to your drive. Do not use your school drive; just Google ‘printing services near me’ and head there to get it printed. As a disclaimer, it might cost you a little to get it printed, like .10 to .50 cents. Let me put you through the scenario you might expect. So you are at the DPS. It only took like 2 months, but you’re here now, so that’s all that matters. You have all your documentation; you just take your ticket and wait to get called. An hour of waiting occurs, and then, finally, it is your turn. You walk up to the desk and hand over all the documentation we’ve talked about so far. All things look good; now you’re prompted to provide your signature and thumbprints. You are now using the hand sanitizer because you do not want to think about the number of people who have touched that thumb pad. Now that they have your signature and thumbs, you are told to stand up and have your picture taken, taking you back to your last picture day. After you rub
So that’s pretty much what you can expect the process to be like, with only some deviations like some orders of the tests or something. You should note that you can complete the testing requirements at the DPS or a third-party provider.
Now, armed with everything you need to know, you are ready to go out into that big bad world and do some adulting. Good luck and I hope you don’t have to wait too long.
Liz Arzola
Minecraft movie takes world by storm Film lacks true spirit of the much beloved video game
Silas Baker A&E Editor
I know I’m not alone when I say Minecraft, the video game, was a very important part of my childhood. As a Gen Z kid, I have spent countless hours roaming the Overworld, digging for diamonds, and battling zombies.
So, when I heard they were making a Minecraft movie, I was ecstatic. I followed every little rumor and piece of news I got my hands on. Then I saw the trailer, and I was really disappointed. I was disappointed in the look of the movie, the mobs, the world, and most of all the live-action actors.
But, after a few of my friends told me they enjoyed the movie, I went to see it.
An argument I’ve heard often in support of A Minecraft Movie is that ‘it’s just a kids’ movie that’s not really meant to be taken too seriously.’ I do understand this, but as a fan of good filmmaking, I can’t ignore some of the movie’s fatal flaws.
One of my biggest issues with the film is its pacing. As soon as the movie starts, it doesn’t stop until it’s over. Everything just feels very rushed in the story. The film kind of skips over a lot of character development and worldbuilding just to shoehorn in a couple of dumb jokes. It feels like we’re just kind of forced through the story, instead of naturally flowing through and experiencing it.
A Minecraft movie also has three very awkward musical moments throughout the movie. When they happen, they kind of come out of nowhere and just feel very out of place. Each song really does feel like something Jack Black would perform in his movies, but for me personally, it just doesn’t fit in a Minecraft movie.
One positive thing I can say about A Minecraft Movie is that the environment is very accurate to the game. There are some small issues I have with things like the scale of certain things. For example, a lot of the blocks in the background are all sorts of different sizes, unlike the game, but overall, the visual world of A Minecraft Movie feels very true to its source material. While the world looks good, I didn’t really like the look of the mobs and villagers. Many people have voiced their complaints about the design of the villager, so I won’t talk about it too much, but they just look so weird and off-putting. I think a lot of the mobs look accurate to the game, but I think the problem lies in the film being live action,
as opposed to animated.
Some people do like the look of the mobs and animals, though. The Eagle’s Eye conducted an online survey to ask the Akins community to share their reactions to the movie.
“I really appreciate the work put into the props, especially the replicas of in-game items. I also really enjoyed the mobs, CGI, and effects of the film,” said junior Mateo Sanchez.
I do, however, have to give credit to the film’s set designers for really bringing the environment to life. They really built the blocks and items from the game. All the designs for those sorts of things felt like they were pulled straight from a Minecraft world.
When the Minecraft movie was first announced, I, like most people, assumed the film would be animated, but unfortunately, the filmmaker decided to have the protagonists of the film be live-action actors. Minecraft is so popular, largely due to its unique and very distinctive visual style. So, when you replace that style with real-life people and put them in a very accurate Minecraft world, it feels jarring. When I was watching the movie, all the live-action characters just felt so out of place.
I generally like the cast of A Minecraft movie; however, I didn’t really like their characters in the movie. I do think that the cast did the best they could with the material they were given, but I don’t think any of them were very well suited for the Minecraft world. Part of this is just that the movie was live action instead of animated, but it kind of felt like some of them were chosen just because of how famous they were.
I personally never really liked the idea of Jack Black playing Steve. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jack Black and I grew up watching a lot of his movies, such as Nacho Libre or School of Rock. However, I don’t believe that he, or any other actor, could really capture what Steve is to people. Steve is the main character you play as in the game, but Minecraft is a sandbox game, where no two players’ experiences are alike, so you can’t exactly capture the spirit of every single player.
I believe that the original characters from A Minecraft Movie don’t quite work. They look very out of place as live-action characters in an animated world, but a couple of them were just kind of there. They don’t
serve any real purpose. They don’t help move the story forward. They’re just there. For instance, Dawn, played by Danielle Brooks, was just very forgettable in the grand scheme of things.
The movie also sported a large number of
cameos
sprinkled throughout. One scene, showing a storage unit auction, DanTDM (Daniel Robert Middleton), Aphmau (Jessica Bravura), Mumbo Jumbo (Oli Brotherhood), and LDShadowLady (Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dwyer) all made an appearance, where they
Film Rating: 2/5
were bidding against Jason Momoa’s character on Steve’s old storage locker. Another major cameo came during the village sequence, where a pig wearing a crown crosses through the village path. This was a tribute to the famous Minecraft YouTuber, Technoblade (Alexander), who passed away in 2022 after building a huge following online.
A Minecraft movie has quickly become the highest-grossing film of 2025. It has broken the record for the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time. It made roughly $873.4 million worldwide, beating out 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
In many screenings of the Minecraft movie around the world, people have been engaging in disruptive behavior, ruining the experience for everyone else. Some Akins students said they were divided in their feelings about the behavior of audiences in theaters.
“It is nice to see the huge reactions from the audiences watching the movie... However, it becomes less of a positive experience when destructive behavior becomes an issue,” Sanchez said.
During some of the movie’s scenes, people have been seen throwing their popcorn and drinks in the air. There were even people caught giving speeches about the movie.
“I think that it’s funny and interesting how something so stupid has become such a mass phenomenon, though movie goers should definitely be more considerate of workers when they trash theaters,” said sophomore Max Melton.
In my screening of A Minecraft movie, a small child yelled “I am Steve!” at the top of his lungs. At other showings, it’s even worse. One incident in Warwick, Rhode Island, during the chicken jockey scene got so bad that the theater employees had to call the cops, and four teenage boys were escorted out of the theater in handcuffs.
“Clapping, I’m fine with, but like, don’t throw food all over the place and mess everything up,” freshman, Luke “Cheeto” Chico said.
A Minecraft Movie has gotten a lot of very mixed reactions. Some people are loving it, while others are hating it with a passion. I think that a lot of people are just appreciating the movie ironically. They don’t really enjoy the Minecraft movie or think it’s good. They just celebrate the movie because they think it’s funny. I do know some people who are having a great time with the movie because of the social/communal aspect of it.
“...with the company of my friends, it was an incredibly hilarious and fun theatrical experience,” Melton said. I think the marketing team behind AMinecraft Movie knew exactly what kind of movie this was, and were able to lean into all the dumb and cheesy moments in the movie. I think they intentionally released scenes that they knew were going to be turned into huge, viral memes, just to make those scenes so popular that everyone had to engage with the movie in some capacity. Overall, I did not like A Minecraft Movie. I think that almost every aspect of the movie should have been handled far more professionally. I know that this movie isn’t meant to be taken as seriously as I take it, but I just can’t overlook some of the movie’s major issues. Everything felt so rushed and awkward, I couldn’t really connect with it in any way.
So, I personally don’t recommend A Minecraft Movie. One Akins commentator summed up my feelings of disappointment.
“...I feel like it didn’t really capture the true feeling you get. The eerie loneliness of single player, The End, and idk, I kinda wish the movie had more of a nostalgic feeling to it,” freshman Camila Carlson said.
Do you think the producers of A Minecraft Movie did a good job capturing the feeling of playing the game?
“I liked the movie, but as a movie adaptation of a video game, it didn’t do as well. It felt weird seeing Minecraft depicted in a hyperrealistic way. I feel that it would have done a better job of capturing the Minecraft vibe if it was an animated movie.”
Do you think the producers of A Minecraft Movie did a good job capturing the feeling of playing the game?
“Nope. Minecraft, to me, feels much more like a grandiose adventure across the world and between dimensions. A place where castles can be built, alliances forged, and wars raged. While, at the same time, it can be a place where you run around laughing with your friends.”
Did you enjoy A Minecraft Movie?
Micaela Rodriguez
Max Melton
Mateo Sanchez
AI is the new cheat code for Hollywood
Melany Serrano Staff Writer
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has become a hot topic these days. The usage of it in Grammy-nominated movies like Brutalist and Emilia Perez, and the recent trend of Studio Ghibli-styled images, and whether that’s a copyright violation or not, had me thinking if, with the new rise of AI, artists’ jobs are at stake.
The recent trend of posting AI-generated images in the style of Studio Ghibli has become quite popular. Cute pets, memes, and memorable family moments are now depicted in the legendary hand-drawn style of Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli’s founder. However, these same trends have raised the concern that ChatGPT tools are being trained to copy certain art styles. According to an AP article, OpenAI, ChatGPT’s maker, is “fighting copyright lawsuits” thanks to its questionable chatbot.
The problem with this trend is an inquiry into whether the AI model was trained on Studio Ghibli’s work. In an AP article, Josh Weigensberg, who is a lawyer who works on legal issues surrounding the use of AI tech in media, told a reporter from the AP that this case raises a lot of questions. “‘Well, do they have a license or permission to do that training or not?” Weigensberg said if they are using the art style without consent or compensation, that could be “problematic.”
Furthermore, Miyazaki himself has had strong opinions on AI since its beginning. In 2016, an AI demo was shown to Miyazaki, who later said he was “utterly disgusted” by the
display. According to the AP article, the person displaying the demo said that AI could create movements that humans could not imitate or imagine. They also said that AI could be used for “zombie movements.”
After the display, Miyazaki told the story of a friend with a disability. Miyazaki said that for his friend, it was hard to even do a high five because the muscles in their arm were stiff. He said, “Now thinking of him [his friend], I can’t watch this stuff and find it interesting. Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what real pain is.” He also mentioned that “I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all,” and that it was an “Insult to life itself.”
Miyazaki is not the only one who sees AI as a tool “insulting” to art. Pinocchio movie director Guillermo del Toro
said that AI can merely be used to create semi-compelling screensavers and has echoed Miyazaki’s words. He has also joined the chorus of artists who argue that generative AI was “trained” on artists’ works without consent.
In 2023, Hollywood’s actors, writers, and screenwriters shut down Hollywood with strikes demanding protections from AI. The strike lasted about 5 months, and for some people, the results gave a little advantage to humans. However, AI has been creeping back to Hollywood, the Oscar-nominated film Emilia Perez and the Brutalist used AI to alter voices. According to the BBC, AI was used to finetune the Hungarian accent of Adrien Brody in his role in the film, he also won the Academy Award for best actor thanks to his role.
Tech companies have stated that they are unable to compete with China because of the existing US copyright laws. Because of that, big tech companies want the U.S. government to change copyrighted art, movies, and TV shows to “fair use” so they can train AI.
As an artist, it’s quite upsetting to see how an image that would take at least three days can be done in three seconds with the press of a button or a prompt submission. AI could be taking jobs away from graphic designers, illustrators, and many more. However, there’s still some hope for artists, Canadian illustrator Anoosha Syed said to The Guardian.
“As time goes on, users will become more attuned to it and start to turn away from it because of its inauthenticity and ‘cheapness’... we might even see a reemergence and appreciation of traditional media,” she said.
Choir groups make history under new director
Janelle Ponti & Caden Ruiz Staff Writers
During this past 2024-2025 school year, the Akins choir has made a name for itself. Growing rapidly from being a small program to a big family, over the past two years, the Akins choir has improved thanks to the hard work of Choir Director Andre Jackson-Hall.
This year, two choirs made school history while competing in UIL performances. UIL is the official state body that runs contests for fine arts programs in Texas. UIL for choir is a formal competition where each choir is judged on its concert and sight-reading abilities.
The top goal of award provided by UIL is to receive a sweepstakes award, meaning the choir has received all 1 scores from all six judges. This year, the Akins choir competed in several UIL contests, including Treble Choir, the Tenor Bass choir, and the Advanced Mixed Chorale. Choir members were pleased at the results of their endless
work and determination when both Tenor Bass and Advanced Mixed Chorale won sweepstakes, marking a first in school history.
Choir Director Andre Jackson-Hall said he encourages choir members to build trust with each other.
“First, they have to be able to trust you, and then trust each other, and then trust themselves,” he said. “I always tell my colleagues whenever they ask how I do, what I do. I tell them, build the culture first, and then everything else will fall into place. And so putting the needs and the culture of your kids first, all.”
Region is another level of UIL competition that the Akins choir students have a chance to compete in. The region is where students from choirs from Central Texas learn a few pieces of music and do a blind audition in front of three unknown judges. Only the top 20 students get picked to move on to the next level. This school year, the Akins choir had the most students make it into the regional choir, yet again making history.
The Akins choir is also a frequent performer at the Austin ISD central office, where staff have requested shows recently.
The Eagle’s Eye interviewed several choir members about the program’s rapid growth in the last two years.
“My favorite memory is making it into the region, because I was surrounded by the love and support of my friends who became my family,” senior Janelle Ponti said.
Sophomore Mauro Can said she appreciates the opportunities the program has provided members, including a recent choir bonding overnight trip to visit Galveston Island.
“For the past two years, the choir has been able to expand to things that weren’t even available last year, and compared to this year. We’ve been able to do things,” Can said.
As the choir continues to grow in talent, the Akins Choir has become a powerful voice in the district and a source of pride for the school.
Akins choir poses for photo on trip to Galveston.
Tenor choir poses after making ones in UIL competition.
Liz Arzola
Tariff Tantrum Trump’s trade war and its tax on teens
Rami Kashakhi In-Depth Editor
What Are Tariffs, and Why Should Teens Care?
Picture this: You’ve been eyeing a new pair of sneakers or maybe that slick new gaming console, saving up every penny. But when you finally go to buy it, BAM! The price shot up. That $12 phone case you wanted is now $18. The $400 gaming console? Now it’s $520—and out of stock! What just happened?
The culprit: tariffs. Tariffs are essentially extra taxes that governments slap onto imported goods. So, when your favorite sneakers from Vietnam, or the electronics you rely on from China, come into the U.S., businesses raise their price tags to cover the additional tax. That’s why everything you buy gets more expensive. But here’s the kicker: tariffs are not just about higher prices; they’re also about power moves in the political world. And if you thought it couldn’t get crazier, President Donald Trump’s back in action, using tariffs as his go-to weapon in the trade war. How Did This All Start?
Flashback to 2016: Trump’s first term was like a game on for the U.S.-China trade war. Trump argued that China was selling cheap stuff to the U.S., hurting American businesses. So, he slapped tariffs on all sorts of Chinese goods, hoping to force companies to start making more things in the U.S. instead of relying on China. Fast forward to 2025, Trump’s back in the White House, and
he’s doubling down. His new America First Trade Policy promises to shake up global trade. What’s new? Let’s dive in.
Trump’s Tariff Tactics: Round 2
Trump’s new tariffs are wild and all over the place, and we all need to understand the big shifts:
Universal 10%-20% tariffs: Trump wants to put a tax on nearly every import, so that laptop you love from Taiwan? Yep, it could cost more.
60% tariffs on Chinese goods: He’s not letting up on China, threatening major price hikes on tech, clothing, and even cars.
25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada: Remember that deal Trump renegotiated with Mexico and Canada in 2020? If no new deals happen, expect higher prices on everything from tacos to Toyotas.
Tariffs on BRICS+ and NATO countries: Even our allies are in trouble, especially if they question U.S. economic dominance or don’t spend enough on defense.
Economic Fallout: What’s Happening?
China’s not taking Trump’s tariffs lying down. They fired back with their own 125% tariffs on U.S. exports. To keep things rolling, China dumped $137 billion into its economy.
The Punchline? This back-and-forth has messed up the global supply chain. Things are getting delayed, and prices are going up everywhere. That means fewer jobs in retail, manufacturing, and shipping sectors, where many teens find part-time gigs.
So, if you were counting on that summer job to save for college or a phone upgrade, this could be bad news. It’s also why things
like gaming consoles, tech gadgets, and even your favorite brands are getting more expensive. Not ideal, right?
Why Should You Care?
You might be thinking, “I’m just a teen. I don’t run a business or sign trade deals.” But here’s why tariffs are your problem: Prices Go Up: Whether it’s a game console, clothes, or electronics, tariffs mean you’re paying more.
Job Opportunities Shrink: Retail, warehouse, even delivery jobs are getting harder to come by. Fewer shifts, fewer hires.
Global Hiccups in Your Future: Want to study abroad or work internationally? Trade barriers and tariffs could mess with global programs, internships, and collaborations, making it harder for you to get ahead in a globalized world.
A More Divided World: Trump’s “America First” policy might sound great if you’re all about U.S. independence, but it could also isolate America from other countries, leaving your generation with fewer allies and partners worldwide.
The Big Picture: What’s Next?
As of May 2025, Trump’s tariffs are still in play, and he’s not backing down. With every new tariff imposed, global trade gets more complicated. China, Mexico, and even our European allies are fighting back, and it’s shaking up the economy in ways that could last for years.
And guess what? Trump’s not stopping
here. Experts predict that things could get even more intense with new sanctions on countries like Cuba and Iran, tighter controls on tech exports, and possibly a new agency to regulate trade even harder. In short, we’re entering a world where trade wars are faster, riskier, and could have long-lasting effects on global jobs, prices, and even politics.
What Does This Mean for You?
Tariffs aren’t just an abstract political issue, they’re shaping the prices of the stuff you care about, the job opportunities you have access to, and the way the world works. Whether you’re into tech, gaming, or thinking about your future career, trade wars will be part of the world you inherit. So, next time someone mentions “trade wars,” you’ll know it’s not just about politics. It’s about power, prices, and your future. The world of global economics is shifting. Are you ready for the ride?
“Mend international ties before they’re forever broken and will take decades to remake.”
— Max Melton, Sophomore
Micaela Rodriguez
SPORTS
Athletes work to maintain positive mindset
Coaches support students dealing with high pressure in sports
Andrew Copeland Staff Writer
When the pressure is on, it can be hard to fight off negative thoughts when it’s game day and it’s time to hit the field or court.
Akins athletes are susceptible to mental health challenges and may face unique stressors such as pressure from coaches, fans, teammates, and school.
Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions and disorders that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior.
Cross Country Head Coach Caleb Calderon said he has helped his athletes deal with their mental health challenges caused by the stress of being a student athlete.
“Yeah, the mental health issues that have been laid out pretty much are like trying to balance between academic pressure, whether they’re like, in higher-level honors classes or AP classes, and still trying to compete, whether it’s like cross country or track,” he said.’
It can be difficult to see signs of an athlete struggling with mental health. Mental health issues can affect people differently, and athletes may be good at hiding signs of mental challenges. Many athletes pride themselves on being tough, which can make it difficult when they are struggling with stress.
Senior Alonzo Moore, a linebacker for the varsity football team, said he faced his share of stress as a student athlete.
‘’I was met with a lot of mental battles like fitting in and trying to impress our coaches,” Moore said.
This year was Moore’s first year at the school, and new to the varsity football team. In District 26- 6A, Akins sports programs face many challenges while facing off against wealthy athletic programs at Westlake, Lake Travis, Dripping Springs,
and Bowie. All of these teams are perennial contenders for state championships in various sports.
This can cause some athletes to experience anxiety before big games.
“I would get some anxiety before the game or during warmups, and to clear my mind, I would just close my eyes and breathe to calm myself down,” he said.
But playing these teams comes with extreme difficulty in winning against them. This leads our school to have a lower win record than most schools in the district. This inevitably leads to negative comments made by students of opposing teams and sometimes even from non-athlete Akins students, as well.
“I think it’s hateful and negative. Some people don’t know what’s going on inside the team and the struggles some of us go through in our daily lives,” Moore said.
Athletic success requires physical training and knowledge of your sport. But to perform at their best, they also must nurture their mental health, Varsity Football Coach Joey Saxe said.
“A lot of it stems from the demands that are kind of placed on them, and like high expectations not to let people down,” he said. “I think that’s where some of that pressure they feel comes from.”
Many athletes worry that admitting that they have anxiety or mental issues is a sign of weakness.
“I think the big thing is you’ve got to talk to somebody,” Saxe said. “You know, if you try to carry that around with you all day long, it just weighs you down. No one can help you unless they know how to help you. Our kids know that the doors are always open and that they can come to talk to us about anything.”
Coach Brandon Gonzales, “who coaches freshmen-level football said, it’s essnetial for athletes struggling with mental
health concerns to talk to a trusted adult”.
“Talk to an adult, talk to somebody whom they feel comfortable with. I know that was my problem; I never talked to anyone,” he said”. “So nobody knew anything that I wanted, which later on, would be a problem because there would be times when I was so mad and would say something, and then realize in retrospect, I would think ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have said that.’ So, yeah, going to talk to somebody about it like a counselor, see what options they have. To talk to somebody who has experience in that area, or that’s more, you know, that’s more important to you.”
Junior Adeleah Cardenas, who plays on the varsity girls basketball team, has faced some mental health challenges during the season.
“Multitasking, trying to finish doing all my work on time, and not being able to stay up late at night because of morning practice. In my opinion, it’s easy to fall behind on schoolwork,” she said.
Mental health is important for a number of reasons. It’s essential for our overall well-being. Just like physical health, mental health is a vital part of our lives. Unfortunately, mental health is often overlooked by other issues, such as academics or athletics.
In an article published on the website for the Mass General Brigham hospital system, Rachel Vanderkruik encourages athletes to focus on their mental health and speak up when they need help.
“There are many aspects of sport that can benefit mental health, including physical activity and social connections to teammates and a sport community,” Dr. Vanderkruik wrote. “However, the same risk factors that exist for any kind of mental illness certainly apply for athletes. For example, you may be more at risk if you have a personal or family history of mental illness, social isolation, or significant life stressors.”
Okay, hey chat. So I was on a hiatus and didn’t want to write this low-key. However, my newspaper advisor, David Doerr decided to harass me and here I am. :( I thought I was free and my shackles gone but noooo he had other plans. So alas, I have to remove myself from games and senioritis to talk about our senior class? Bruh what did we even do? Oh, okay, I see hmmm, some interesting things for sure.
Well, for starters, the graduating class of 2025 has been through hell and back. Our class came out of COVID with a sense of dread, not being able to finish middle school, let alone a “normal” 3 years of it, and straight into high school. However, we are the first class to graduate since 2019, having all 4 years in high school, even with masks and all. Our class has had such a rough start with the gun threat, a stabbing, the trashcan fire, and teacher shortages just in freshman year. Isn’t it quite funny that we also had a lot of issues our last year too, such as the gas leak and the flooding of our school. However, we still persevered despite it all. This class truly has been through the ringer, but somehow came out stronger.
Now, our senior class did have a few overachievers when it comes to accomplishments. Let’s go ahead and start with our sporty seniors and the colleges they signed to play for. Ava Linnell will be headed to Davidson College in North Carolina to run for track and cross country. Zoe Gregg signed to run track and cross country at Texas Lutheran University. Jamarion Carter signed to play football at Hardin-Simmons University. And Julianna Martinez signed to play softball for Vernon College.
Linnell also made school history by delivering an outstanding performance in the mile race at the UIL Region IV 4 track meet, finishing in 3rd place with a massive personal best — and new school record — time of 5:01. Although she narrowly missed advancing to the state meet, she solidified her legacy as the fastest female distance runner in
We Survived 2025
Akins history along with her existing school records in the 2 mile and 5k.
Another big accomplishment was achieved by the 22 seniors who earned their bilteracy certification through Austin ISD’s bilingual program. Students earned an AISD Seal of Biliteracy certification for taking dual-language courses since they were in elementary school. In April, Akins seniors won various awards at the Latino Academic Achievement Awards and received a special stole to wear at graduation.
Seniors also participated in various civic-minded activities, including internships with the City of Austin as well as competing in the Speak Up, Speak Out competition
and the YMCA Youth and Government State Competition.
Senior members of the Akins FFA chapter took home various awards in livestock shows as well as presentation competitions.
During the Travis County Youth Show in January, the Akins FFA sheep and goat raisers won various awards, including Andrea Riojas, who won Division Grand Champion goat, and 2nd in class - goats and medium wool. Lily Gonzalez Espinal and Zoe Gregg also picked up awards there, as well. FFA seniors also attended the Star District FFA Banquet and took home the Star District 2025 SDE & CDE Sweepstakes award and various individual speaking awards.
We also cant forget about our fine arts programs and the seniors that made those programs flourish. This past year is unforgettable considering how every department won sweepstakes this year such as Band,Choir, and Orchestra. A special congratulations to Katherine Hernandez, Lelan Nguyen and Nyshai Wilkerson, who not only participated in VASE but received State Medals and a top rating of 4.
So with that I say goodbye class of 2025. There is so much that happend these past few years! A big congradulations to all of you seniors and now I can go back to bed please for the love of all that is holy DO NOT wake me up me don’t wanna be adult.
Adrian Oduna
Marcelo Palacios Outgoing EIC
Seniors vote for Class of 2025 Superlatives
The Eagle’s Eye recognizes seniors who made an impact this year
Breelyn & Brennan West
Staff Writers
Senior Superlatives is a senior tradition that celebrates unique qualities and outgoing achievements. This is a tradition that is all in good fun and is meant to create a long lasting memory for the Class of 2025. We’re excited to be starting this tradition here at Akins sponsored by The Ea-
gle’s Eye and voted on by the senior class in these numerous categories. Firstly, the senior class nominated a variety of seniors in all 10 categories where then the seniors with the highest nominations were placed on a ballot for voting. The senior class then casted their vote and the winners were chosen.
Winners were not announced on social media or in person prior to this last issue of The Eagle’s Eye. The winners have remained a mystery until now as we are excited to exclusively present you the winners with photos and fun summaries. From “Class Clown” to “Most Likely to be Late
MOST LIKELY TO BE LATE TO GRADUATION
Zoe Paredes — You’ll never catch her late to a volleyball game but she may be running just a bit behind to walk the stage.
MOST SCHOOL SPIRITED
Symi Valenzuela- It’s no surprise our Homecoming Queen, Student Council President and Akins sports teams manager shows the most school spirit!
to Graduation”, these categories represent the embodiment of this 2025 senior class. This graduating class in no way fell short of those traits. These seniors stand out in their class through organizations and a variety of programs whether involved in a sport where their effort has stood out or a club where their effort has raised standards. These seniors have put in a large number of hours in and outside of school to contribute to the Akins community. Here is the full gallery!
Get ready to see familiar faces as we present you your 2025 Senior Superlative winners.
MOST LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Ava Linnell- Voting for her is easy as she is top in her class, has broken numerous school records in various sports and is committed to be a D1 Distance Runner.
WORST CASE OF SENIORITIS
Noah Loera- Living up to the name of senioritis, he’s hard to find and had been counting down the days until graduation.
Brennan West
Brennan West
Brennan West
Brennan West
BEST DRESSED
Dallas Washington- An example of style and grace as she dresses impressively and manages the Akins’ Diamond Dazzlers even more so.
BEST TEAMMATE
Lily Gonzalez- She’s sure to support you while she’s in the classroom, Akins basketball court or competing in statewide FFA competitions.
BEST GAL PALS
Abigail Gomez and Gabby Gutierrez- These gal pals are inseparable whether they’re on the volleyball court or sharing a bite.
Jade Ruvalcaba- Her smile radiates positive energy as she shines academically, on the Akins volleyball and basketball court.
CLASS CLOWN
O.C. Carter-When he’s not running for Akins Track and Field, cross country or representing JROTC, he’s sure to bring a smile and a laugh to your face.
Jamarion Carter and Eloy Espresion- This bromance has bonded on and off the Akins Football field and Track team through years of blood, sweat and tears.
Brennan West
Brennan West
Brennan West
Brennan West
BEST SMILE
Brennan West
Brennan West
BEST BROMANCE
The Eagle’s Eye
Page 20 | May 16, 2025
SENIORS
SENIORS
