Hisd magazine by Insight

INSIGHT

HISD teens covering HOUSTON

When abuse hits close to home pages 13- 14

Debate Life in HISD Pages 8-9

Soccer brings peace to Davis senior Page 20

Couple in love 50 years later Page 22

13 4

Around Houston

HISD News

Debate scores big

Twins share valedictorian spotlight

HIDDEN SECRETS

Dads raising kids on their own

Former teacher now a pastor

Chirac moves to the top

Love after 50 years

Cute dates

INSIGHT STAFF Editor in chief Cindy Wakiyama

Online editors Elisabeth Gray Jaliyyah Hodge

Page Design Jarvis Dillard Photo Editor Guadalupe Rodriguez

Marycler Catalan Kymyatta Gabriel Helen Lu Laila McCutcheon Chris Melara Cristian Moralez

Heaven Murphy Ixchel Perez Maria Ramirez Iezai Thomas-Arnic Maritza Xiloj

Adviser: Cynthia P. Smith

Violence in Mexico hits close to home Maritza Xiolj

FURR HIGH SCHOOL

Felipe Reyes’ father went missing in Mexico

Since Felipe’s aunt was in Mexico, they deferred to her to handle the logistics. Meanwhile DNA sample were taken from Reyes and his mother to determine if that was his father. Results

September 2013. No one knew what happened to the taxi driver - that is until a family member was alerted - via Facebook - that human remains had been located 13 months later. According to Felipe, his aunt saw a reporter’s blog on Facebook. In the post, the reporter mentioned police located four determined it was Reyes’ dad in the or five shallow graves. shallow grave. But that was just the beginning. “I’m very happy we found him The reporter’s blog also included a but it’s very depressing that we only photo of personal effects which included found his body remains,” Blanca a wallet, bankcard and an ID bearing the A young Felipe with his father. Reyes said. “It was a sad day for same name as Felipe. Photo Credit 1 everyone.” “My aunt saw the blog on Facebook and immediately alerted my mom,” the Now that family members know it’s Felipe’s former Furr High School student said. father, they want to give him a proper burial. It was not a coincidence they shared the same “All we want is for my father to finally rest in name. Felipe Para Reyes was a taxi driver in Mexico. peace,” Felipe said. Felipe de Jesus Parra will finally be laid to rest His mother reported him missing September 7, 2013. in Mexico. “I was afraid that something like that would Now Felipe dreams of the day he is able to go happen because most taxi drivers were disappearing and visit his father’s grave. and were getting killed,” Felipe’s mother Blanca Reyes said.

Felipe Reyes wants his dad to finally rest in peace. This Facebook post led family members to Parra’s grave.

Sunnyside tries to combat the increasing crime rates

Can I find some peace? Heaven Murphy WORTHING HIGH SCHOOL

magine going to bed every night hearing sirens and gunshots echoing throughout your neighborhood. The clock strikes midnight and the police at your neighbor’s door produce a knock that could wake the dead. Yellow tape hangs like confetti throughout the neighborhood and it seems that every other month a crime scene is adjacent. I feel that the crime in my neighborhood has robbed me of my peace of mind. I live in an apartment complex that is known for its rapid crime rate. Outsiders say that Missionary Village is home to hustlers and gangsters. I find myself being extra cautious. I am always on the lookout for weapons and if I see a large congregation, I avoid them. I’ve lived in Missionary a good seven months and so far I have seen two police chases, two murders and countless arrests. The apartment complex is heavily populated with children. Throughout the day they play and it is pretty peaceful. I haven’t witnessed so much as a fist fight in the complex during the daylight hours. On the contrary, all hell breaks loose as soon as the moon takes the sun’s place. People began shooting, robbing and even selling their bodies. This makes me very uneasy. To know that these unholy acts are taking place on the other side of my door makes me cringe. It’s very ironic how there are two policemen that are stationed at the entrance of the complex yet a mother was murdered by her boyfriend in a unit yards away from the officers. I really do hope that my community gets better. But by the rate that we are going, it seems that it’s going to be a long journey. I just hate I haven’t been able to enjoy being a teen in my own backyard.

Heaven Murphy WORTHING HIGH SCHOOL

apid crime rate has drawn attention to Southeast Houston area. Residents blame this surge of crime on an array of reasons. However the majority of the residents believe that the youth is responsible for most of the crime. “I blame the youth,” 52 –years-old A. Moses said. “A lot of these kids stay on these blocks. They need to be in school. They need something to do in the day. It wasn’t all this riffraff back in the day. But that was a day when the schools actually taught and the teachers weren’t there to just collect a check.” The Southside of Houston offers many outreach programs such as Sunnyside March against Crime, Sunnyside Community Against Crime Program, Sunnyside’s Gansta’s in the Hood-Gang Prevention Program (Junior Achievers) and Sunnyside National Night Out. Junior Achievers keeps young adults out of the streets by redirecting their energy in a positive way through community projects. There are numerous reports that link crime to dropout rates. According to PBS Dropout Fact sheet, dropouts commit 75 percent of crimes. Some say that lack of religious presence is to be blamed for such high crime rates in the southeast side of Houston. “Young peoples’ morals are so reckless nowadays; Mrs. H. Matt said. Their morals are not in place. They will value materialistic things over a person’s life. They need the Lord in their lives. It used to be enforced that young folks go to church on Sundays. I don’t know what happened to that.” Others think that it is due to the lack of communication throughout the community. “A lot of violence derives from lack within a neighborhood,” Sunnyside’s Honorary Mayor Sandra Massie Hines said. “And Sunnyside is one of those communities that have issue with lack. We sometimes lack communication between political leaders, the church community, the parents and teachers - everybody has their own agenda is what I am saying...and the kids are doing their own thing.

Hurricane Katrina survivors at home on Angel Lane

Jezai Thomas-Arnic MADISON HIGH SCHOOL

When Angel Lane was first established in

2006, the community was promised a community center. After eight years of waiting, it’s now a reality. Residents say it is a great step toward progress for the community on Angel Lane, the southwest Houston neighborhood built by Oprah for survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To take action against the homelessness, Winfrey’s organization, “Oprah Angel Network” collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to build and furnish about 65 homes for families forced to relocate. To date, about 60 percent of the original hurricane evacuees still reside in the neighborhood. Gerald Thomas, one of the original members of the community is grateful for his home and says he and his family plan to stay in the beautiful neighborhood. “This place gave us some stability.” Thomas said. “I was in the process of retiring at the time from a 30-year teaching career in the New Orleans public school system. We were actually looking for a place to stay and hurricane Katrina settled all of that. “We were fortunate for the Angel Network to bless us with a home and here we are,” he added. “We plan to stay. It’s a nice, safe place to live and I like Houston. I think Houston is a great place to retire and grow. This is perfect for me.” Lewis Hodges, another Angel Lane resident, said he has seen the neighborhood change over the years. “Lots of people have moved and gone. We got a lot of newbies in here. There’s more fighting and animosity here now than there was before. They must’ve forgotten the struggle and what brought us here,” Hodges said. “I remember when we first got here how close everyone was. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. We cooked for each other, we celebrated and we all took care of each other. We had a stronger value of life because we all saw how quickly and how easily it could be taken away. ” Angela Bennett said the community has “grown on me over time.” “I didn’t like Houston when we first got here,” the Madison High School senior said. “I remember being very bitter. I rejected everything because I just wanted to go back home to New Orleans. I missed my friends and my

school and my old life.” But after a while, the teen began to appreciate Houston. “After I grew up a little bit, I started to realize how much of a blessing it was to have a home on Angel Lane,” Bennett said. “After the move, I (was more Lewis Hodges has lived on Angel Lane comfortable since the beginning. Photo by Jezai Thomas-Arnic

because I was around other people from New Orleans who were going through the same thing I was. “Even though I still miss home, I made some great friends that I can’t imagine my life without now.” The community center is a great place for all the youth to come together and enjoy each other’s company. “It’s really easy for us to kick it in a cool place, play games and eat snacks. It’s just like the old days, but cooler because we have phones,” she said with a laugh. “The community has played a major role in my healing and making me who I am today. It’s my home away from home.”

For the past eight years, students at Lee High School have benefited from free medical services - from minor acute illnesses to comprehensive lab testing on the very campus where they attend school. Baylor College of Medicine (BMC) Teen Health Clinic provides health care to all students equal to or better in quality than the private sector. Students are able to seek medical attention, get sports’ physicals, rehab sports injuries and obtain general health care at no cost to their parents. Other services offered to the students are: vision/hearing screening and immunizations, well-woman exams, pregnancy prevention/ birth control, STD/HIV testing and treatment. “The purpose of having a Teen Clinic at Lee High School is to provide care to the students who come from a low income family,” nurse manager, Kathy Zaborowski said. “Any student can come to the Clinic - it is completely free.” Even students who are on Medicaid can receive free service. “Even if the students have Medicaid they can still come here if they are sick or need a check-up,” she said. Lee’s teen clinic is one in five clinics in the district.

“I do not have medical insurance. Thanks to the Teen Health Clinic here at Lee High School I get free pain relief medicine and other helpful sources,” senior Kelly Reyes said. The clinic also provides the students with the necessary medication. “As an athlete, I get injured all the time. I have injured my ankle. I popped a rib and I also jammed my finger,” Reyes said. “The Teen Health Clinic has been very beneficial because I always get medical attention at no cost whatsoever.” A year ago when Reyes visited the teen clinic for a well-child checkup, the nurse found something strange on her breast. The nurses immediately treated her. “When I went to the clinic, the nurse told me that I had something that did not seem right,” said Reyes. A tumor was found in one of her breast but she was able to get rid of it before it damaged her completely. “Thanks to the amazing nurses, I was able to find out about the tumor that was growing before it developed into cancer,” Reyes said with a smile. Students often visit the clinic

for a well-child checkup. “I have been to the teen clinic for a physical checkup to make sure I did not have any diseases,” junior Kathryn Mejia said. “They took good care of me and I felt like I had a successful visit.” In addition to all the services they provide, the teen clinic is also convenient because it is inside the school and the students do not have to miss a whole day of school. “I am very glad that is was free and I also did not have to leave school to get a check-up. I could just go back to class afterwards,” Mejia said. The main goal of BCM Teen Health Clinic is to establish relationships with the community and those organizations or individuals with common goals and to have all programs evaluate with academic excellence. “We provide so much care for all the students at Lee High School,” said Zaborowski. “It is a confidential clinic.” In order for students under 17 to be seen, parents must sign a consent form. Zaborowski said she is looking forward to having more space once the school is rebuilt. “I am very excited for the new clinic,” said Zaborowski. “The new clinic will be a lot bigger and better, it will look like a doctor’s office.”

The Baylor Teen Clinic offers a variety of services including immunizations, sports physicals, and yearly checkups. Photo by Ixchel Perez

Ixchel Perez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

Baylor College of Medicine provides free health care to Lee students

Cindy Wakiyama LEE HIGH SCHOOL

Iago Ferraz began learning English about 10 years ago,

in order to help him to play his favorite video games. Today he is a study-abroad student temporarily attending the University of Houston as part of a program funded by the Brazilian government. Although he did not struggle with a language barrier, having a community of people from his homeland helped him adapt. According to UH Director of International Student and Scholar Services Anita Gaines, there are current 41 students who are part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program who return to Brazil after completing one academic year at the university. “They required us (to have) good high school and university grades as well as a good TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score for them to send us to the United States for one year to study,” the 21-year-old industrial engineering student said. “The exact location in the United States is given by IIE (Institute of International Education) in accordance with the universities.” Feraz said the instruction he has received in the United States is more hands on than in Brazil. “Here I could experience working with softwares that are used in real life,” the Federal University of Pernambuco student said. “And also I had some projects in real companies with their real problems and we were required to help them with the knowledge we got from the classes. This is… the most exciting part of being here.” UH has been hosting Brazilian students since fall 2012, all who have developed a support group inside the big university. “We have a great group here at UH,” Institute Maua of Technology student Ana Luiza Stopanovski Becker said. “We always do something together and most important we always help each other when (needed). Now we don't need that much help anymore since we've been here for a while, but when we first got here it made a big difference to have some people you could count on especially when we are talking about language and culture barriers.” The UH While furthering their knowledge in their prospective majors, the students had to Brazilians have made learn to adapt to the new country. themselves “There are some things that we had to figure out when we got here, about the at home program or even how to behave in certain situations,” the chemical engineering stuin Housdent said. “And I'm talking about small things such as holding the door or even ton and what to say when someone (says) "thank you" to you. I'm not saying Brazilian now call it people are (impolite), that's not it. It is just different.” home. Ferraz has enjoyed his time living in a big city and experiencing school Courtesy while experiencing a new culture. Photo “My experience so far has been awesome,” he said. “Houston is a great city with too many things to do, too many important things going around and I'm enjoying it a lot. Also, I have great professors here, they are very helpful and friendly.”

Helping kids is a sure bet for Bailey Jarvis Dillard NORTH FOREST HIGH SCHOOL

Seeing kids grow from the little babies she once knew to

young adults achieving in life is what Cynthia Bailey loves most about what she does. Growing up, Bailey’s mother opened doors for her and experienced different things which made her childhood wonderful. “My mother exposed me to a lot of different stuff,” Bailey said. “I was always doing different things like at Astroworld when it was open and went to all the Rodeos that Michael Jackson performed at.” Bailey mocked her mother’s active spirit with her own child which was heightened when she was approached by some girls who needed a coach for their softball team.

Bellaire teacher creates award-winning yearbook and exemplary students Helen Lu BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL

The colorful Bellaire yearbooks filled with

photos of fun times belies the enormous amount of laborious hours the yearbook staff spends in order to create an award-winning book. For 25 years, Patti Simon worked as the Bellaire yearbook teacher and she continues to return and advise the staff after retiring at the end of last year. Simon comes back to watch the kids mature and has always felt comfortable as an advisor, keeping the kids on task and helping them develop leadership skills. As a graduate of the class of ’61, Simon’s own black and white yearbook proves the progress the yearbook has made through the years. She came back to Bellaire as a French teacher and applied for the yearbook teacher position at her daughter’s suggestion. Simon remembers the somewhat sudden birth of the yearbook legacy. “My seventh year, we won the gold crown from Columbia, one of the highest awards you can win in the Former Houston Oiler standout Earl Campbell nation. It was because it was a high caliber book - well joins Cynthia Baily at a recent Easter festival. edited, well written, a very popular and well done book,” Simon said. “Since then, the kids want to achieve that “Some girls needed a coach for their softball team and I was level every year. I knew what I wanted to produce, so I more than happy to be their coach,” Bailey said. “Their name was the just kept asking them to do it.” Sure Thing Softball Team.” In her career, Simon has obtained some indelible Eventually, it grew into more than just a softball team. Bailey memories. In January 2000, Simon was diagnosed with started Sure Thing Inc., a program designed to keep kids off the street breast cancer and had to tell her staff to steer the boat. and do volunteer work in the community instead. “I said I have no idea how this is going to work “We started focusing more on kids and developing them for out . . . They all put their arms around me and said ‘You the future - wanting them to learn structure and responsibility so they’ll don’t worry about this, we’re going take care of it.’ I’ve be ready for anything that may come their way in the future.” had several staffs where I felt that I could walk away from Member Jeremy Lathan said Bailey has been the role model and they could run the book,” she said. he needed. Rena Li, current yearbook editor-in-chief, re “She is a wonderful role model for all of those who watch members some advice that Simon shared. and see the work that she does. She loves the kids and we love her for “I remember her telling me, ‘I want these chilthat,” he said. dren to call you our leader - not “the” leader.’ Ms. Simon Patti Simon has created multiple award-winning yearbooks shapes my manners and how I present myself,” Li said.“ at Bellaire High School. Photo by Helen Lu I always feel like I need to impress her. In freshman year, she spent a whole period teaching us how to use a knife and fork.” Current yearbook teacher, Micaela Segal, was a former editor-in-chief under Simon. Segal came back and felt that the yearbook room still had the same atmosphere. “It’s a well-oiled machine. We’ve been able to maintain it and make some tweaks,” Segal said. “I was mostly worried that I was rusty because I hadn’t done something as long term as this since high school, but Ms. Simon had it set up perfectly.”

SENIORITIS: Prescription S

econd semester of senior years is when most students experience senioritis, also known as the imaginary disorder that hits high school seniors who have been accepted into college and have given up on their school work. The excuse that is thrown around most often is, “Well, isn’t the whole point of high school to get you into college?” The speaker will believe their statement to be insightful, though provoking, as if Shakespeare himself would hop off his grave to honor with a nod of approval. I am sorry to be the one to shatter this illusion, but this attempt at being clever is a laughable excuse to lazy your way into graduation. I will not act as a saint, I have also fallen victim to this epidemic –for about a week, in my defense. Instead of a lecture, this is a testimony of one’s ability to overcome senioritis. I let my excitement for college get in the way of my responsibilities. It is much too easy to get caught up on the next chapter of your life, looking up traditions, online shopping for spirit gear and looking for a roommate. I got so far into this that I have printed out A&M’s core curriculum, the engineering school’s freshman year class and the curriculum for a computer science major. One may say I have an ad dictive personality. As I was looking into the curriculum, I found out that I am exempt from my first English class because of my AP scores from last year. This motivated me to shake off the sneaky little bug that caught me for a minute and work hard

on the AP tests that I have coming up. Something to keep in mind is that of course the work done prior to the applications is what is considered for admission but colleges can still retract admissions if one’s end-of-year grades do not reflect the student that was admitted into the school. Remember, another reason we all go to high school is to prepare us to be grownups. If you develop bad habits now, it will be difficult to grow out of it later on in life. If you have given up on trying, picking up a pace and being productive come September, after months of laziness will be very difficult. Point is - just get up every morning and end this year with a bang. Cindy Wakiyama is a senior at Lee High School.

Vox Culture partners with Lee to improve literacy rates Vox Culture plans to help

with Lee High School for the year, specifically to put and test our orgaLee High School by raising awarenization’s plan which, if successful, ness of the needs of its students to could have a greater impact on Lee the general public. students and (hopefully) later on the district as a whole,” Executive Director Viktor Kopic said. Vox Culture is a Houston-based non-profit organization. Its mission is to connect the Houston community to social issues in creative ways. “Through our year’s theme, Bridging our Future, Vox School officials were inCulture’s partnership seeks to adterviewed as part of Vox Culture’s dress the issues facing education in 2015 partnership with H.I.S.D. “As part of our partnership, Houston – issues that are also seen HISD assigned Vox Culture to work across the United States, such as

low literacy rates – and find creative ways to bridge the existing gaps for the benefit of the students,” Kopic said. Lee High School senior Saras Paudel said he is looking forward to the benefits of Vox Culture. “I think that (principal) Mr. Trinh will have a meeting with various departments and we may see some changes,” Paudel said. Another Lee senior believes the organization can change Lee’s future. “I am looking forward to talking more with Mr. Trinh and seeing some progress,” senior Prashanitka Guatam said. Cristian Moralez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

Furr students do it just for kicks Chris Melara LEE HIGH SCHOOL

uring lunch at most high schools, students use their lunch periods to eat and socialize with their friends and peers. But at Furr High School, students use their one-hour break to play friendly games of football (soccer). Since the area is rather small, there are fewer players on each team. In order to knock a team out, one team has to score a goal before the 5-minute limit expires. If both teams in match fail to score a goal and end in a stalemate then it goes to penalties. The winner of the penalties, wins the match and proceeds on. ‘’This tradition started several years ago by the soccer coach at Furr, who encouraged his players to get extra practice during lunch to better themselves,” Assistant principal Martinez said. “When the coach couldn’t be there to supervise the kids, he would leave me in charge to keep an eye on them’’.

Pretty soon after, this attracted other participants - especially students who originate from Latin American countries that live and breathe football. Since children from these countries don’t speak English very well, playing soccer is a way for them to meet and interact with other students. “When I first arrived here, I didn’t know anyone,” said Jairo Florez, a junior, who was born and raised in Honduras. “Since I started playing football during lunch, I’ve made a lot of new friends”. Students from all parts of the globe come together to do something they all know and love. “Soccer is my pas-

sion and it’s amazing to play with people my own age and from other countries just like me,” said Kevin Riveria, a sophomore from Guatemala. Senior Daniel Go-

mez said the time spent together is more like family time. “I feel like these people are my soccer family,”’ the senior from Columbia said. “We all take care of each other like if we all were related”. Even principal Dr. Bertie Simmons enjoys watching the students bond. “ It’s one of the things that makes Furr High School unique and diverse,” she said.

Twins share the stage as dual valedictorians

hat was thought to be a race between two twin sisters to become valedictorian is now being called a “part of life.” At least that’s what Amy and Emma Liang have called it. The two sisters came from China and moved to Texas in 2011. They have been using their time here in the United States to become all that they have wanted to be. “We weren’t intentionally aiming to take challenging courses to become valedictorian,” Amy Liang said. “Throughout our high school career we’ve chosen to take courses that will interest us, all the while studying and this just so happened to benefit us by putting us in the role we have now.” Teachers believe that the two sisters work very hard. “They are very exceptional and very gifted for the classes that they are in,” Art teacher Kevin Ellis said. “I am very honored to have them in my class.” Ellis says the girls play a big role in the student body. “They also play a role in helping their peers out,” she said. “They help out a lot of students.” Ellis said she believes the

twins go above and beyond and always exceed expectations. “They are so very creative! They actually made a program that allowed them to create a comic strip for my AP 2D class. I am really amazed at their progress. As for the twins, they don’t pay attention to their g.p.a, because they are more focused on studies and learning as much as possible. “It’s a daily ritual to study. Seeing all of our other friends attending Harvard and seeing what they did just shows us that studying is important,” Amy Liang said. “It’s through studying and all the hard work that we will be able to attend the college of our dreams.” Becoming valedictorian has not surprised these girls at all. “When doing the work, we look at it and of course everyone is always going to ask themselves why they are doing something,” Emma Liang said. “It’s for the moments when we are setting up goals for ourselves that we recognize this. I’ve never stopped setting up goals for myself.” Ambition and drive have led the twins to where they are now. “I never even thought of be-

11 Maria Ramirez LEE HIGH SCHOOL The Liang twins will be attending the University of Texas at Austin together in the fall of 2015. Photo by Maria Ramirez

coming valedictorian,” Emma Liang said. “I just thought of following my passion and always giving my best to work or study.” Both Amy and Emma say they have no problem sharing the valedictorian spotlight - after all, they do almost everything together. “I’m perfectly fine with it,” Amy said. “We share commonalities in academics so if we get accepted to the same college, we will not be surprised since we do everything together.”

12 Guadalupe Rodriguez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

Life is

D E BAT E

Alyssa Arceo has qualified for state and national competitions several times in her high school debate career. Courtesy photo

After living in Belize for 13years, Vilma Alyssa Arceo opened herself a door that led her straight to being Debakey High School’s very first debate legend. After deciding she wanted to be a doctor, a family friend introduced Arceo to Debakey High School for Health Professions where she discovered her next obsession. Her love for debate did not start at first sight. Despite being initially puzzled by the nature of debate, Arceo’s passion ignited the moment she went to her first tournament. “I didn’t go because I wanted to try out other clubs. I went to the soccer meeting and that was a mistake,” she said with a smile. “Then I showed up at the meeting and they were talking about things that just didn’t make any sense. They were like ‘register for the tournament with your PF (Public Forum style debate) partner, write your cases and we’ll look at your contentions,’ and I was like I don’t know what’s happening. But I did it anyway and then after my first tournament I was like ‘Wow I want to keep doing this. But I want to win this time.’” Arceo describes her love for debate as a “drug that’s good for your life.” “You kind of get addicted to it. The whole writing cases and once you figure out that someone’s going to make an argument and that you can write a

response in advance and be prepared to say something too - that just gets really addicting and it became a part of me.” Arceo may be a nationally-qualified debater but her beginning was far from smooth. “It wasn’t until the 10th grade until she turned the corner, she spent more than a month preparing. I think that’s when she realized how much it took to prepare a case and from that point forward, she just became a workhorse and the amount of time she puts into the case I think is astronomical,” Debakey Debate coach Sandra Rodriguez said. “I knew that she was dedicated and she wanted to participate so I had to find someone that was willing to compete at the level she was willing to compete. I can tell that she really wanted to excel.” Rodriguez could see the potential Arceo’s passion and abilities and made it her mission to lead Arceo to success. In Arceo’s second year debating, Rodriguez paired Arceo with Poornima Tamma. Arceo and Tamma took over the debate scene as they defeated “legends” as well as other big debate programs. “One significant memory was qualifying for nationals against (a team from Bellaire). They were known as the debate legends so we used to be scared of them. But we beat them and I got over my fear but Alyssa still used to get scared.” Arceo said she is extremely grateful to those that helped elevate her success. “None of it would have been possible without Ms. Rodriguez. Not anyone could or would give up their weekends for years with loud annoying teenagers that complain about losing 90 percent of the time. She gave us a gift,” she said with tears in her eyes. Arceo is undecided about what college she will attend, but one thing’s for sure: debate will continue to be part of college and the rest of her life. “I don’t think I can stop (debating.) I’ll probably be 40 years old and walk into a tournament just to judge for fun. They’ll ask me ‘why are you here?’ ‘I don’t know!’ ‘Do you have kids?’ ‘No.’ ‘Do you have a team?’ ‘No, just feel like judging around.’”

The Practice

Students break barriers through debate

HAIS talk it out

“To make academic debate an educational resource available to all students” is the mission of the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL). “About seven years ago, a group of lawyers in town who used to be debaters when they were in high school, noticed that in HISD debate wasn’t as prevalent as they thought it should be,” UIL specialist Mark Niles said. “So they did some research and they found this national organization called NAUDL, the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. “The lawyers formed the nonprofit and they came to HISD and started talking to district leadership and they really liked it,” he added. Immediately the program began to achieve big numbers of high school debaters starting with 15 schools to almost the whole district in 2014. “A HUDL, in partnership with HISD and private donations from community leaders and businesses, affords inner city schools the opportunity to participate within this academic activity which goes unfunded by schools due to the lack of funding from the state,” Westbury coach Greg Mayo said. “As an educator within the area of communication, HUDL affords me the ability to continue exposing students to a worthwhile activity which enhances his/her success in - as well as outside of the classroom.” In addition to six tournaments, HUDL also offers two seminars and a summer institute. “We brought in people from all over the U.S and even outside of the country. We had the World Schools coach from Mexico and brought some of his debaters to work with our students.” Niles said “We brought in a professor down from New York and people from all over the community.” But beyond tournaments, seminars and a summer institute HUDL offers a camaraderie that cannot be found at other leagues. “My favorite thing about HUDL has always been the people. I’ve made lifelong friends, made useful connections, and helped other students build the same network,” HUDL alumni Emma Wu said. “My favorite round since I’ve been in debate has and will always be one of my first rounds as a novice. Most of the round was spent rapping our speeches and joking and it brought me closer to both my friends and the judges in that round.” Apart from teaching speaking and writing skills, debate teaches how to be a better person. “Students learn how to be gracious winner, on the flip side they learn how to be losers because you’re not going to win every round. So learning how to lose and hear no is very important.” Niles said.

HUDL hosts two debate seminars per year at colleges in Houston in order to promote debate throughout the city and help their students gain a wider skill-set.

Teen tries to heal from abuse by dad Jaliyyah Hodge WESTBURY HIGH SCHOOL

Each person discovers their personal

passion at different stages in their lives. Some people discover their own path early, like in childhood; others in their teenage years and some even in their adulthood,. “I had one goal in life which was to stay pure by any means necessary,” J. Lewis said. Lewis had a rough time growing up. She lived in a duplex apartment because that’s all her parents could afford. “I always thought life would be as it was on TV; reality has proven that wrong,” Lewis said. “The power was off from time to time, but the struggle didn’t keep me from being successful. Although Lewis stayed with both parents, she wasn’t close to them. “(My mom) always cared more for my father than she did for me,” she said. “Sometimes I believe I was a mistake out the womb.” The majority of the time Lewis was home with her dad while her mom worked overnight. “I can’t talk to a man molester about my problems; whenever I needed my mother she wasn’t there,” Lewis said. Lewis’ dad had a severe drinking problem. He would constantly drink 40 oz. bottles

of beer to “ease the pain away,” according to Lewis - which only made things worse. “All I can remember is I went to sleep next to him (my father) and woke up with my clothes off,” Lewis cried. She didn’t know who to tell or what to say. For all she knew, everyone could think she was lying. “Words can’t describe how I felt,” the teen said, tears flowing down her face. “It took me a while to process what happenedmy own father raped me. Never in my life had I thought something like this could happen - especially from someone who called himself my father. Everything I had wish to live for was ruined that moment. Whenever I questioned things, I got beat like a slave.” She kept herself busy with school work at school. She had to find a way to live with what happened. It was so intense that she couldn’t function without being paranoid of every male figure that came her way. “There were always males that were complimenting and attempting to hug me, but who’s to say they wouldn’t degrade me like my father?” Lewis expressed. “I had the fear of them attacking me because I had been betrayed by the person closest to me. As time passed by, Lewis mother was informed about her daughter’s rape. Lewis’ mother was outraged and tried to be there for her

Abuse Center & Expe M

any teens experience abuse during their childhood or teen years. Those teens often do not know how to seek help and allow themselves to deal with the mental damage for many years while keeping quiet. Ruth Buzi, PhD., Director of Social Services at the Baylor Teen Health Clinics and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine Ruth Buzi, Ph.D., has advice for teens who are dealing with abuse. Q: How should teens approach speaking to an adult? A: Teens who experience abuse or suspect they are currently experiencing abuse can approach a trusted adult. It can be a parent, family member, friend, teacher, clergy or physician. It is very important to share this experience with someone who can be trusted in order to

prevent further abuse.

Q: Many teens think that it is their fault. What is your response? A: It is never a teen’s fault if they are abused. The behavior of the teens is not the reason for the abuse. The reasons why people abuse teens are complex. However, it is always the fault of the perpetrators who manipulate the teens and do not use good judgment when targeting teens unable to protect themselves. Q: What are signs parents should be looking for? A: There are many signs that can indicate that a teen is abused. Parents may notice difficulties in concentration, dropping grades, withdrawal, sadness, new fears of going to school or other places, difficulties sleeping and loss of appetite. Teens can also act out sexually or engage in self-destructive behaviors. If parents or other

ad ge ab ha tee

A: the wh ne off or

“I had one goal in life which was to stay pure by any means.” daughter, the teen recalls. But tragedy would strike again when Lewis’ mother suffered heart failure and died. “My mother’s death did not have a big impact on me compared to others,” Lewis said. “She did what she could for me; so it was more of a wakeup call to escape. “My father has scarred me for life,” Lewis said. “I still can’t eat, sleep. For a while, I felt I didn’t have the right to still be alive. The worst feeling is to have something happen to you and you don’t know where to turn.” Lewis said after being neglected and unnoticed, it’s only right she make an attempt to move forward. She has not seen her father in years and she does not know where he is. “Senior year hasn’t been easy for me,” she said. “Instead of dropping out, I believe it’s best for me to try and start a new life. Just me, myself... There is a life lesson to be learned in this Lewis said: “Always keep your guard up. Your worst enemy may be closer than you think.”

This Westbury senior vows she will succeed despite what happened to her in the past. Photo by Jaliyyah Hodge.

pert Advice Q: Any additional information? A: It is important for teens to know about the laws of consent in their state. It is illegal for teens to engage in sex with a partner who is more than three years older than them. Teens or their partners who engage in these illegal behaviors can be charged as sex offenders.

Cindy Wakiyama LEE HIGH SCHOOL

adults notice these changes, they should approach the teen and gently initiate a conversation. They should state their observation about the changes they have noticed and ask whether anything has happened. It is important that parents listen and allow the teens to express themselves without being judgmental.

For more information on the Baylor Teen Health Clinics or to make an appointment, teens can call 713-440-7456

Senior raped by uncle kept quiet for 9 years

Ixchel Perez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

B ryan Smith hid the truth from his family for nine years, a year after Uncle Bob passed away.

Smith finally revealed the secrets that Bob took with him to his grave. Bob, who was around 60 at the time, was a well-recognized man who had served in the U.S. Military for many years. He never got married and never had any children. His family respected and looked up to him. “I always spent time with Uncle Bob when I was seven years old. I slept at his house most of the time,” Smith recalled. “Since I was afraid of the dark, I always asked him if I could sleep with him; he never said no.” One night when Smith spent the night at his uncle’s house, something happened that changed his life forever. “In the middle of the night, I felt my uncle’s hands in my pants, he did stuff that felt weird,” Smith said. “I had never felt like that before. I was not sure of what was happening.” It did not feel right to him. “I told my uncle to stop, I said to him. ‘Please stop I feel weird,’” Smith said. “He did stop but I still kept feeling weird. The next morning was very awkward to me but he acted like nothing had happened.” An innocent seven year old, Smith did not know what had just happened. “I did not know better when I was a kid. My innocence was taken from me when I was seven and I did not even know it.” Smith, now 16, said he never told anybody because he was afraid that his family would not believe what “that great military man” had done. “I felt like I did not have enough support; I wish I could have spoken up a long time ago.” The teen said he escaped his problems by doing drugs and by isolating himself. A year after his uncle died, he told his mother the truth. “I finally decided to tell my mother the truth behind my actions,” he said. “I cried in her arms like a baby.” His mother was speechless; she could not believe that someone that she looked up to had hurt her baby boy. Without words, his mother hugged him and comforted him. “I was feeling devastated and extremely protective,” Smith’s mother said. “I did not know how to react. I just wanted to make sure my son was okay.” Smith now wishes he would have trusted his mother. “For everyone that has been through this nightmare or can relate to this situation, know that you are not a bad person; you did not have control over what happened to you,” Smith said. “Always speak up and let someone know what is going on.”

JUMP

to it!!

Despite not working together professionally, the Jumps continue to work together to spread their love of debate throughout the district. Courtesy photo

Marsha and Stephen Jump met on a blind date shortly after she moved into town.

The love quickly blossomed as time passed. Then the duo joined forces in love and now debate as they continue to transform the lives of debaters. “I was new to town, I didn’t really know people and he was kind of dating around and so in the beginning we took it pretty slow but we saw each other almost every day,” she said. “When we decided it was worth being exclusive, we were pretty much inseparable after that.” Two years later Mr. and Mrs. Jump tied the knot and began the next chapter of their life at Westbury. During the early years, they coached he national award-winning Westbury debate team in 2008. “He came over and took me by the hand told me to sit down and he got down on his knees and he said something really sweet and pulled out a gorgeous ring and that’s all I remember,” Marsha Jump said. “We got married barefoot by the lake.” Soon after their marriage the dynamic duo started their debate journey together as co-coaches for the very first cross examination team at Westbury. Marsha Jump took this opportunity to work closer to the only person she could trust. That year she took her cross examination team to nationals and her UIL team to state. “My first thought was the only person there that I trust to be a hard worker and to be intelligent and to just be good partner in this new venture was (Stephen),” she said. “We got the OK from the principal and two years we coached together and we were very successful in HUDL and in UIL (University Interscholastic League)” During their second year coaching they once again broke at nationals and took the top three spots in UIL. But the dynamic debate duo was soon moved from their haven in Westbury to Davis High School in 2010. But the dream team did not last long after they took over Davis. Stephen Jump took over as the League director in spring 2012. Although the duo no longer work together, they admit that debate has helped their relationship. “When we were coaching together we’d come home and talk about debate, we’d stay up late and talk about debate I think it actually held our relationship together. It made it stronger because it was us against everybody else,” he said. Debate has even proven to be helpful for their communication. “We actually really don’t fight. We went through rough times like every couple does but I think we know how to argue with each other and if we have a problem with each other, debate has taught us how to communicate with each other” Mrs. Jump said. “Even though we’re not partners anymore, we still have that debate connection.” Debate helped build the unbreakable connection that is unlike any other, her husband admits. “When we started coaching together we really got a connection and it cemented that we were best friends. She’s my best friend...we’re a team not just in debate in but in real life,” he said. Guadalupe Rodriguez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

Teacher raises his children alone “The reason they are with me is because we both felt as though I was the most responsible parent of the two. I had my life more under control...”

Kymyatta Gabriel LEE HIGH SCHOOl

Single father of two, Mario Carrillo is doing whatever it takes for his

Carrillo enjoys outside activities such as exploring caves and playing soccer with his children.

children to have a great life. “My mom was a single mom so I know how tough it was and that was something that I really wanted to avoid,” Carrillo said. “I was trying to work things out with their mom because I really knew how hard it would be regardless of which parent is absent. It’s a really hard life for the kid.” Although Carrillo found it very hard in the first years, he knows he has come a long way from his beginning. “It is very difficult but it has gotten a lot easier,” Carrillo said. “The first year was extremely difficult but once I got used to it and they got used to it and we had good routines and procedures, it became easier. It’s still hard but I know how hard it could be so I try to not think so much about how hard it is.” Since their mother had been gone for most of their life, the kids do not question her absence. “They were little when I first had them so it was a smooth transition,” he said. “Before they were really old enough to ask, they were already used to it just being me. But when it comes time, I will explain to them that sometimes people can’t work things out and that will have to be

the first thing they will have to understand. I think that they will understand when it’s that time that I made the right decision to be a single dad because I can handle it.” Carrillo said he and the children’s mother decided it would be better to not be together rather than constantly argue in front of the children. “Me and their mom couldn’t work things out so we couldn’t be together,” he said. “The reason they are with me is because we both felt as though I was the most responsible parent of the two. I had my life more under control while she just didn’t have the time for them and wasn’t attentive enough for them. Even though I was just starting graduate school, I still felt as though I was better suited to care for them.” Although Carrillo has a busy schedule being the soccer coach as well as an algebra teacher, he takes his kids along. “When I am at soccer practice, they have a routine,” Carrillo said. “They come in and help out in my classroom, they do their homework and they do their own physical conditioning. They have requirements they have to run the track, they have to touch the ball. This is just so they have everything done by the time we go home and they can do whatever they want.” Carrillo said that single parents should not give up on their dreams in order to take care of their children. “Whatever plans you had for your life before that, keep them,” Carrillo said. “When I became a single father, I still went to graduate school for my Master’s Degree in electrical engineering. I didn’t let that stop me. Although it was harder than it should be, I never once thought about changing my plans or my goals. I may have changed the time line it took to finish but I did what I planned for my life as well as my kids’ lives.”

Dangers of drinking and driving on display

Using a re-enactment of a car crash, Shattered Dreams teaches the danger of drinking and driving to students before Prom season. Photo by Cristian Moralez

by Cristian Moralez

Unique in its design and powerful in its

impact, Shattered Dreams brings to life the dangers associated with drinking and driving. Students at Westside High School hosted the dramatization of a real-life alcohol-related accident. The scene was real, the actors were real, the emotions were real - all to show the effects of drinking and driving. “Shattered Dreams is a program that Harris Health and Ben Taub Services have been doing since 2006,” Harris Health System Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator Jessica Daly Carillo said. “It’s an anti-drinking and driving campaign directed toward our teenage population here in Harris County and surrounding counties.” With an up-close look at death, Westside seniors experienced a real-life example of tragedy. “We created a mock crash with real wrecked cars, emergency vehicles (fire, police and paramedics) in an attempt to show that drinking and driving is essentially dangerous,” she said. “We put some students into the scene that looked like they were critically injured and created a very realistic tragic event.” Dettling Funeral Home even cooperated with Shattered dreams so that students could see a snippet of what their actions can cause. “Showing teens the reality of what can happen in an accident and to paint them a picture of

an accident is what we bring for the students,”Dettling said. According to Dettling, the most shocking part of the mock car accident is the parents’ reactions. “To me, seeing the parent’s reaction when they see the children in the car dead is the most heartfelt because parents forget that this is all a script and then it turns into reality,” Dettling said. Senior Raul Alviso said this opened his eyes to the seriousness of drinking and driving. “There’s a lot of emotion and a great eye opener for us teenagers,” Alviso said. “ I don’t wish to live this experience in real time.” Don’t drink until you are 21 and never drink and drive - the main message the program hopes to convey, Carillo said.

hen Daniel Reinhold began his contract with Teach for America, he originally was going to start off his teaching career at Sam Houston High School, but he didn’t get the job. Reinhold believed that God had other plans for him and his life and that he had yet to see the adventure that he was about to embark on. He was offered a job at Lee High School - during a time when hurricane evacuees were enrolling in Houston schools. Reinhold was impressed with how the Houston community had reached out to those who were suffering. But it wasn’t four years later, after the community had changed and students performances on test lowered, that everything about Lee changed. “They changed the leadership, and it was then that the large teacher population turned over and many would leave,” Reinhold said. The whole dynamics of the school changed and Reinhold wanted to help be the positive energy in it.

room before the day started, the classes were much more at ease and students seemed to be comply with information they were taught. “It was the ‘need’ in the school that motivated me,” Reinhold said. Lee was being assessed by rates and wasn’t succeeding. “To change the rates in schools, the government does interventions and at lee they changed the leadership. With the new change and with more students enrolled, more and more students began to be faces in the crowd.” With these new frustrations, Reinhold wanted to create a program to help teachers get support on effective teaching. “The teachers liked the sound of it, but many didn’t have to the time for it,” Reinhold said. “I brought the idea to the principal at the time, to make it apart of the teacher’s schedule, but she never got around to it.” Reinhold began to see that what he was offering was not going to be effective, so he left. “I began to work at the church down the street, Servant of Nations,” Rein-

“More periods of the day were focused on passing tests, the enrollment became stricter and the school day was extended,” Reinhold said. “This increased the schools performance, but now it felt like the freedom of teaching was not so free.” Reinhold appreciated the times where he had memorable moments with students. He noticed on some of the days where he prayed in the class-

hold said. “It was then, that I was fully in ministry.” Reinhold has now become an ordained pastor at Servant of Nations Church and has been doing ministry with the community in and around Lee High School. “I feel now I have more of an open door to help Lee as a Pastor then I did as a teacher,” Reinhold said. Reinhold, his wife Karen and the Church continue to serve and help Lee year after year, whether it be through clothes that students need, a mentor or even food that

Former teacher becomes neighborhood church pastor --------------by Maria Ramirez

the church distributes in the school cafeteria once a month. Youth group attendee Sandra Tzul said Dan has had a positive impact on her life. “Pastor Dan has helped me understand what it means to have faith and how faith can change people’s lives for good,” the Lamar freshman said. “He always finds a way to answer the questions I have.” Lee freshman Valentin Rodriguez agreed. “He’s a good, hardworking man that does not give up,” he said.

20 Marycler Catalan DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL

Four years ago, a timid and

self-conscious Chirac Hitiman tried out for the Davis High School soccer team. He had excellent skill, but he lacked confidence. But it did not prevent him from playing the sport he loves. Most would say Chirac was a fine player playing in a very physical district. Now he was part of a new team with a different style. Chirac was out of his comfort zone and his new coach Daniel Van was asking him to play a style he was not used to. Despite the struggle and challenges he faced for several years – trying to find his place within the team, the senior did not throw in the towel. He was determined to overcome the obstacle. Born in the country of Democratic Republic of the Congo, a place that once was his beloved home,

War refugee finds peace on soccer field Chirac’s life as a child was not easy because his family was always moving to different places - seeking safety from the war and looking for a place to work. His home turn into a nightmare due to the war. “The turning point in my life was coming to the United States, a place where I didn’t have to worry about war,” Chirac said. “This country gave me opportunity to become a better person.” Coming to a foreign place was something new and scary for Chirac. The language was a big challenge in his life because he was unable to communicate and understand people. “It made me feel alone.” However, soccer offered a positive and bright horizon to his life. Soccer meant everything and ever since he was a little boy, he dreamed of becoming a soccer player. It made his life complete. “Soccer helps me forget about

the problems I am facing in my life. It helps me stay away from trouble,” he said. What Chirac did not know is that Coach Van would become more than just his soccer coach. Last season after the playoffs, Chirac went to his coach and asked what he could do to get better. “I asked him did he want to be a good player or a great player? He said (he wanted to be a great player) Van recalled. “I told Chirac he had the skill and soccer brain to be great he just lacked the confidence necessary to complete the transformation he wanted.” With the help of Dr. Raymond Tucker program, a program where Chirac did weights three times a week for six months, the real Chirac came out of his shell. “I was so inspired by his dedication that I accepted an invitation to get

back into shape by working out with him. He stated he wanted to be captain. “His defining moment came during athletics when some of our seniors were goofing off and not taking workouts serious. Chirac spoke up and corrected the behavior but he spoke not as shy soft-spoken Chirac but a strong leader that commands respect,” Van recalls. Chirac, who plans on attending Texas Southern University, started with the team three years ago. This year he started and was the team’s captain.

Sisters dominate Austin High School sports teams Cristian Moralez LEE HIGH SCHOOL

The Fuentez sisters are not only each other’s inspiration but they are also each other’s critic and they push each other to work harder. Photo by Cristian Moralez

Star athletes at Stephen F. Austin High School, sisters off the court. Kimberly and Angelique Fuentez say they enjoy playing various sports together and are always committed to winning. Junior Kimberly Fuentez, team captain of Austin High school Basketball team said that most of her success comes from a lot of practice. “Practice and a lot of team effort is what helps us win games,” said Kimberly Fuentez. “Coach motivates us and tells us what we have to work on to do better.” Sophomore and younger sister Angelique also agreed that most of

the games won are because of intense practice and team work. “We work so hard in practice and work on what we need to work on,” she said. “Working hard to win and come out with a victory is the best feeling.” Although both sisters have strong individualities, they always manage to keep strong teamwork. “We have ambitions to win because we play on the same team,” Angelique said. “It takes effort and commitment to win a game and playing with my sister is the best feeling ever because I know I can always depend on her,” Angelique said. Basketball coach Sargent Dickey also mentioned the girls’ basketball season and the dedication they have. “These girls knew they wanted to be here. They wanted to play,” he said. Helen Lu BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL

n any given afternoon, the semi-circular glass wall of Bellaire’s cafeteria gives a panoramic view of wrestling practice. The team rolls out their mats and methodically starts mopping them down. Coach Hector Mendoza joins in to help and yells ferociously at members who are slacking off. After the scrub down, the wrestlers immediately engage in practice rounds to warm up. The cohesive team effectively mixes the girls’ and boys’ team, albeit with only one girl member. Callie Clark, the only member on the girls’ wrestling team, was recruited by her U.S. history teacher Coach William Durning last year as a junior. She befriended the one other girl on the team at the time and picked up the sport quickly. Juggling activities like ROTC, being a club officer and other responsibilities of senior year, wrestling has become her first priority. To Clark, wrestling is the quintessential sport. “I love that it’s a contact sport. I get to beat up people legally for fun and it takes a lot of coordination. (Athletes) from other sports say it’s easy, then they spend 10 minutes on the mat with us and they just leave because it takes a lot of mental and physical strength,” Bellaire’s first All-American wrestler said. Sporting one of the best records on the team, Clark won the District 126A title. Her run ended after losing by decision in the regional semifinals. The only reason Coach Mendoza treats Clark differently is because she’s a captain and carries more responsibilities. He believes that wrestling has not attracted many girls because of a lack of knowledge and fear of the sport due to misconceptions broadcasted by the WWE. Mendoza continues to seek new methods to recruit more girls on the team. “I (want to) tell all the girls who are fans of Katniss from the Hunger Games (that) if they really want to know the adrenaline rush of being in a hunger games - one on one - and literally feeling that your life is going to end at that moment, join wrestling,” he said. “Being pinned is like (that) for us.”

Couple keeps 58-year marriage strong through faith in God

A long marriage comes with many struggles; each couple must find something that keeps them strongly bound together. For Bob and Lee Edmondson, the glue that holds them together is their relationship with God. “Marriage is a covenant with God,” Lee Edmondson said. “There have been times when we wanted to quit. Things happen throughout a marriage and you get upset. We didn’t bail out because we do not believe in it. Even if things are bad, you don’t bailout unless it is hurting others, like your children.” “Absolutely!” Bob Edmondson firmly agreed. “We want our children to know the Lord. One of the examples we have set for our children is keeping the whole family together because we think that it is really important. We also hope that our grandchildren will think that too.” The couple feels that marriage is an unbreakable bond that is far greater than the couple involved. The bond of marriage includes their children, family and God. Throughout their many years of marriage, they have shared many experiences, gifts and many holidays together. They attempt to make each one a special event although the experiences have greatly changed as they had each of their three children. “We usually go out (but not Valentine’s Day) as it has gotten so commercial that a lot of things have lost their meaning. Moo (his pet name for her) always gives me a real nice card,” Bob Edmondson remembered. “She writes things on it that are real important, like how much she loves me.” “There are a lot of special memories!” exclaimed Lee Edmondson. “Last year Papa (her pet name for him) took me out to a really nice place for dinner. He gave me a special flower and it was really sweet.” Thinking back on special gifts they have received from each other, Mrs. Edmondson laughed. “One time heave me a red flannel night gown and I hated it.” “It looked good in the advertisement but not in person,” her husband said with a smile. Through the years, the one thing that has truly kept their relationship strong is their faith, the couple insists. “Without a doubt that is what has kept us together,” Edmondson said. “Our trust in Jesus and what he did for us.” His wife of 58 years agreed. “Every day I wake up and am thankful that we have a new day to be together,” she said.

Cutesy dates Laila McCutcheon CARNEGIE VANGUARD HIGH SCHOOL 1. Do a re-run of your first date The first time you met or went on a date is a special happy time. Repeating it will help bring back all that joy and love from the moment that changed your life. 2.Finger paint each other pictures of what you love about them This is a cute fun craft to do with everyone. It can get a little messy but that’s the fun part. 3.Have a living room campout and make a fort For couples and families, this is a cute thing to do indoors and brings everyone closer - literally. 4.Roller-skate or bike together Physical activities are great because they actually make you happier but these two are special because you can actually talk and bond while you do them together. 5.Go to a rock wall or play laser tag Indoors and outdoors these activities are fun. Helping each other and working as a team can help everyone be closer and work together better. 6.Picnic On a nice day go outside and have a picnic. Enjoy spending time with one another and playing outside without all the technology. 7.Cook Some Heart Cookies You love these people, show it to them by making heart cookies together. While you’re making it you can tell them how important they are you your heart. 8.Ice skating Ice skating is something everyone can do from couples to whole families. Teaching others how to skate is always a fun experience and can really bring people closer. 9.Go Star Gazing Star gazing is a fun relaxing activity. What’s better than laying down with the people you love and looking at the beauty of our universe? 10.Dancing Hearts Experiment This is a fun activity for all age groups to watch when it’s gloomy outside. Crush up four Alka Seltzer tablets in the bottom of a glass, then place a hand full of conversation candy hearts and pour water on top to see the magic.

LAILA!