Fall Vibes

Written Art

Del Rio High School Literary-Art Magazine

Fall Vibes Fall 2022 Photo by Chanceine Saechao

Co Letter from the Editor-in-Chief Autumn. The sweltering and carefree air of summer fades as we return to our rigid schedules, soon to be reminded of the frigid winds of winter and academic stresses.

Though the temperature cools, our hearts are enkindled more than ever by the warmth of others and festivities.

The season of the distinctive aroma of pumpkin spice, the ghostly thrills of Halloween, and the flowing of leaves through the brisk air, all conclude with a celebration of the bonds we are endowed. As we progress through this season of flannel, fright, and feast, take a minute to enjoy these articles and art pieces that encapsulate the passions we experience during this bountiful period of our lives.

-Mario Perez

Photo by Carolina Aguilar

11

ontents

5 Death of the Teen Dance A word on teenage dances.

Scoreboard Drama Survey Results

15

Escobar’s Art Corner Autumn Art

Letter from the Editor Writing Prompts Poetry by Sydney Sanchez Prose Poetry by Elizabeth Chaney Calendar of Things to Do

2 3 10 12 19

2

Writing Prompts

by Sara Cadena

Photo by Mariela Alvizo

Write, write, write!

Practice your craft.

For a chance to be published in Written Art’s social media or in our NEXT issue, respond to at least one of the following prompts and send it to writtenart@sfdr-cisd.org. Be sure to tell us your name, grade, and phone number in the email.

Social Media Prompts.

Many events occur during the season of autumn. The trees change and the weather gets colder. Thoughts of pumpkins, scented candles, and hot drinks fill your mind. Then there are holidays like Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos. Share an autumn experience through a descriptive short story or poem!

As the leaves fall from the trees and the sky changes color, it is common to feel a strange mix of emotions. Write a poem about the emotions you feel as the weather begins to transition into the autumn season.

Write & get published in the NEXT issue!

The weather in the season of winter is typically freezing cold! People try to stay inside and bundle up in layers of clothing. Imagine if there could be warm moments in the cold of winter. Write a short story or poem about a time you felt warmth in the winter.

Around the time of the winter holidays, many different emotions are in the air. It can range anywhere from excitement to sadness. Write a short story or poem describing an emotional time that you experience around the winter holidays.

4

A word on teenage dances.

With the first dance of the season behind us, I have concluded that we as a student body don’t truly care about the school dances or any dance for that matter.

For as long as I can remember, when the next social event is a dance of some kind, people around me have always mentioned how they plan to stay at the dance for only an hour or a couple of minutes.

No one has ever been truly interested in being at the dance itself.

“…people …feel the need to partake in “outside activities” ‘liven up’ their experience…”

I admire the school's commitment in trying to make the dances seem like a bigger deal than they actually are, but dance organizers have to realize that these days no one goes to dances to have fun; students only go to say they went. Countless

people conveyed that they planned to attend the Homecoming dance because it is their “senior year.” Since when did the act of attending a dance become more important than the experience itself?

…being invited to one of these dances seemed so flattering and exciting…”

People are so disinterested in the actual dance that most people who plan to attend a dance feel the need to partake in “outside activities” before they arrive in order to “liven up” their experience. As a matter of fact, some skip the dance altogether and go straight to the after-parties instead. Of course, the difference between these afterparties and regular parties is that everyone is dressed in semi-formal attire.

The school dances are not the only social events affected by this mentality. Attendance of the winter dances outside of the school district suffer from this way of thinking as well. When we were young, the idea of being invited to one of these dances seemed so flattering and exciting as the essence of the innocence of our youth, but as the years have gone by, our mentalities have changed making these dances seem a bit overhyped.

Digital Art by Alex Stewart

6

A word on teenage dances.

Not to bash anyone involved, but for the amount of people who talk about dances, it is expected that the dances themselves actually be worthwhile to attend. I mean, even some of the people who host the dances have questioned the enjoyment and worth behind them.

In the end, past experiences and the attitude towards the recent Homecoming dance shows that most of the student body only attend dances to say that they went or to say that they got invited It's not like anyone really cares.

Will the next dances play out the same way? What can we do to make sure students go to dances and get the full experience and… well…dance?

XOXO, -Anonymous

Digital Art by Alex Stewart

8

Photo by Mariel Talavera

Poetry by Sydney Sanchez

Browning leaves and crispy air, Children run, wind blowing through their hair.

Pick a pumpkin and you will see, It is nearly Halloween.

Carve a face or bake a pie Anything to distract from the greying sky.

If pumpkins aren’t the choice for you, Apples are a good one too.

Autumn brings on wonderful treats Along with spookiness among the streets.

10

It is safe to say that our 2022 -2023 school year has not been like any we have ever had before. At the beginning of the year, we had many different changes come about. Some of those changes were in the form of budget cuts and new school protocols for safety, but among these latest changes, there is one that has faced much speculation and scrutiny. Of course, I mean the new score board on the football field.

Our fancy, state-of-the-art scoreboard is one of the most recent modifications made to our football field. With replay options and loud speakers, it is definitely a feature that will make Del Rio High School stand

out. Now why is it facing so much scrutiny?

A recent survey conducted by the Written Art team imposed the following question: Do you believe that the new scoreboard was a worthwhile purchase?

After receiving the results of the survey, we found that 82% of those who voted answered NO, while 18% answered YES. Why might the results be so drastically different?

Several interactions with the student body have drawn up the conclusion that many people believe the new scoreboard was the cause of the budget cuts in most of the programs.

Not only this, but the students seem adamant that the funding that went into this new feature could have been used for something more beneficial.

Maybe it is best that the district administration set the record straight.

Although their conclusions about the scoreboard have been made whether it is with consideration of all available information or not, the students at Del Rio High School might be missing the benefits this new addition has on our

community. As seen at our recent home football games, the new scoreboard has offered the ability for more crowd interaction. Not only this, but people can now have a better view of what is happening on the field. It has provided an outlet for beneficial advertisement from community businesses and local programs. As a symbol of our growing city, the new scoreboard is something Del Rio has never seen or had before. It shows that we are heading into a more advanced society.

Photo by Andres Hernandez

12

Ghosts are the soul of who we are. They are a shadow of who we once were - a glimpse of life’s challenges and enjoyments. Every scar, tattoo, and beauty mark show on what used to be us. In a way it's beautiful. Throughout life we go through many challenges. Some can be worse than others, but still they can be a traumatic part of our lives.

Becoming a ghost releases our worries and makes us invisible to life invisible to everything going on, to problems, and most emotional of all to people who we hold close to us.

Ghosts are the memory of who we used to be. Every time our legacy and memory is remembered, our souls shine a bit brighter. Every Dia De Los Muertos keeps our souls alive in their hearts. Our being never forgotten nor shattered.

Ghosts are respected. They lived their life in a way that people will never forget. They made an impact in others lives.

Ghosts themselves are the history that we have all been taught about since day one. They are the words spoken that are never forgotten.

Ghosts are remembered every October and November.

I hope my soul and my ghost will never be forgotten in others‘ hearts, for I know, ghosts are remembered in mine.

14

Escobar’s Art Corner

Art by Mia Villanueva

Art by Alexus Melendez

16

Art by Mia Lopez

Escobar’s Art Corner

Art by Flor Hernandez

Art by Rebecca Mitchell Art by Marlen Garza

Art by Alicia Flores

18

Nov. 1st - Dia de Los Muertos Celebration at the Whitehead Museum Nov. 4-23: Quilt Exhibit at the Firehouse FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK---NOVEMBER 4, 2022 LOCATIONS: Lee Bunch Studio - 100 W. Greenwood Casa de la Cultura - 302 Cantu St. Del Rio Council for the Arts - 120 E. Garfield Whitehead Memorial Museum - 1308 S. Main

Nov. 19: Farmers Market at the Del Rio Community Garden

Dec. 9: Christmas at the Museum – Whitehead Memorial Museum 20