Nervous balls: Tennis team talks regional competition

Opini ns... pg 2 Current... pg 3 Campus... pg 4 Sp rts ... pg 6 C mmunity... pg 7 Entertainment... pg 8

VOL. XLVIII, NUMBER 2 NOVEMBER 2019 THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF ALIEF HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL

NERVOUS BALLS Tennis team talks regional competition

Photo By: Les ie Gorostieta Senior Hieu Phan signs autographs along with his teammates as they head to regionals.

THAT’S WHAT WE SAID

The first Whistleblower came forward by filling out a nine-page complaint on August 12th saying that he or she learned from “multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election.” (CBS News) The complaint was revealed on July 25th, 2019 President Trump had a 30 minute phone call with the President of Ukraine. In this phone call, President Trump asked for an investigation on Democratic Presidential Joe Biden and his son Hunter was formerly director of a Ukrainian oil company. As a result of the report from the whistleblower, Nancy Pelosi opened a formal impeachment inquiry. This opens the question, Are people for Trump’s impeachment or against it? As stated by junior Favor George “I think he went beyond his power with his call with Ukraine trying to solicit information on Biden…that is legal…so if By Antonio O tiz

he does get impeached, I think it would be fair, but it seems a little unnecessary… to go for impeachment.” It goes to show people are on the fence of Trump’s impeachment, for it is not understandable if it even fair to take him out of office for the Ukraine incident. On October 3, 2019 Pres. Trump tweeted “As the President of the United States, I have an absolute right, perhaps even a duty, to investigate, or have investigated, CORRUPTION, and that would include asking, or suggesting, other Countries to help us out!” When asking junior Jennifer Williams if it’s right for Pres. Trump to go around and asking if it is right to ask for outside help, she responded “I don’t think that’s right or necessary… all that’s going to do is like cause trouble, scandals and you’re going to make people mad, because asking other countries to interfere with your elections that’s kind of cheating, just make it a fair race for everybody…” When asking students and teachers on what their

Students share thoughts about impeachment issue

opinion on Pres. Trumps impeachment is, and if they are for or against his impeachment their response vary. Senior Donna Robinson sides with for impeachment, “I think Trump’s impeachment is important. It is something that has become very favorable among Americans.” She refines by stating that “The only concern that I have with it, if (Vice President) Pence became our new president he’d be much more of a scarier force then Trump.” But she’s still for Trump’s impeachment. The House of Representatives, with the majority of the house being Democrats, brings up the inquiry of the process of impeaching a President. But it’s up to the Senate with it being ruled by Republicans if it is a viable reason to impeach Trump. It has been said that there is an unlikely chance Trump would get impeached for that reason. (Vox News) This includes senior Viviana Fernandez who offers

Hasting’s varsity tennis team played their regional game against Clear Falls High School on October 15. The team ultimately placed third in the district tournament but, for players, it was a nerve-wracking experience. “I was very nervous at first and couldn’t keep my legs from shaking in the locker room,’’ said Antoin Nguyen, varsity tennis player. Students are often told how much effort is athletes put into their sports. The scores, whether wins or losses, and the dates of upcoming games are consistently on school announcements. By Aniket R tt n

“Oh I definitely think they should carry through with it you know, I believe since he’s been in office he’s made like a lot of radical changes you know he’s a disrupt some families split apart like a couple of people I believe it’s very unjustified and I’m just waiting for someone to put in place” Guy Lumpkin, 12th

However, no one announces what happens outside of Hastings’ walls at these matches. Student athletes play in different areas of Houston and many things factor into the reason why sports teams win games or lose them. For the varsity tennis team, it was a very close call. “Regional was very tough,’’ said Melissa Valdez, varsity tennis player. “Back and forth again, and again, and again. Our opponents were pushing us to our limit and found our weaknesses in some matches we played. It was un-motivating for sure.”

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“I think that is the right thing to do because he’s very…he likes to stereotype people and he’s homophobic and doesn’t respect women”

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“I think they should look into his background and his records more and dig deeper than they already are.”

As a matter of fact, this was the first time the Varsity Tennis team went beyond District level competition. “Yeah, I never thought we would grow past district,’’ said Charles Demdem, varsity tennis player.” We played for many years and now we’ve become very good to go pass District. We train every day and put in the hard work. Endurance training, coordination, reflexes, speed, and practicing technique go in hand to what we do everyday. Some skills a bit more than others depending on what we needed to work on from the last game.” As far as competition goes, players said the tension was overwhelming due to the stakes this event had. Mistakes could ruin the team’s hard work and preparation for this moment. For varsity tennis players, how they handled this was crucial. “Even if everyone says you’ll lose, the moment you believe that is when you really lose,’’ said Valdez. “We win these games not just physically but mentally as well. We play a mental game with ourselves and our opponents in these matches to win”. Everybody is different in how they prepare for their challenges that come on stage For Nguyen, it was an experience that he was familiar with. “To be honest, I’ve always thought of big matches like regionals as another regular match,’’ said Nguyen. “It’s so that the tension wouldn’t be so huge. I would think back to the training and what I would have to lose if I didn’t give it my all. That’s because like all my other matches, I always play with my full potential and playing with a purpose to keep improving myself ”. During stressful times, having a mentor can be critical. The players believe their coaches do their best to allow them to see the hope within themselves. “On the bus to our regional matches with Clear Falls, our coaches were our biggest motivators,’’ said Valdez. “Coach Davis and Nguyen gave us a motivational speech, everyone hyped each other up, slapping each other’s backs and cheering along the way.” Many sports teams have their own trademark chant that they would usually cheer before a big game and the Bears at the regionals game were no different. “We do have a chant,’’ said Demdem. “It usually means as a way for the opponent to think we play bad. It goes 1, 2, 3 Boo Boo Bears!” Even if everyone says you’ll lose, the moment you believe it... that is when you really lose. TENNIS

By Li y T

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Many times when students play sports in high school because they enjoy and love it, but would they still want to play after high school as their career? Very few students that play in high school play in college or professionally, because there are so many people competing for a spot on the team. “A little over 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 14) went on to play a varsity sport in college and less than 2% of high school athletes (1 in 54) went on to play at NCAA Division I schools” reported Scholarshipstats.com in 2016-2017 school year. Unless they have amazing stats, D1 schools will not even look at the student. So

what is the back up plan? Asia Ashton Hastings volleyball player says, “[she] plans to major in education at Prairie View A&M University.” Ashton is currently a junior who plays as an outside hitter on the volleyball team. She is very passionate about volleyball, and would “love to play in college.” NCAA states that only “3.9% of volleyball girl players get to compete NCAA” even less get to a D1 school. Even though Ashton’s chances are low she still works hard to accomplish her goals. As of right now, her goal is to have “five kills each game and get a position as a left-side hitter.” So, what’s next for other athletes and their future?

A ove eft: Athletes are greeted by cheering classmates as leave campus for regionals.

Photo y: Leah Renteria-Cai edo

A ove ri ht: Coach Martel cheers for the varsity tennis players.

Photo y: Leah Renteria-Cai edo

Hasting’s varsity tennis team played their regional game against Clear Falls High School on October 15. The team ultimately placed third in the district tournament but, for players, it was a nerve-wracking experience. “I was very nervous at first and couldn’t keep my legs from shaking in the locker room,’’ said Antoin Nguyen, varsity tennis player. Students are often told how much effort is athletes put into their sports. The scores, whether wins or losses, and the dates of upcoming games are consistently on school announcements.

However, no one announces what happens outside of Hastings’ walls at these matches. Student athletes play in different areas of Houston and many things factor into the reason why sports teams win games or lose them. For the varsity tennis team, it was a very close call. “Regional was very tough,’’ said Melissa Valdez, varsity tennis player. “Back and forth again, and again, and again. Our opponents were pushing us to our limit and found our weaknesses in some matches we played. It was un-motivating for sure.”

As a matter of fact, this was the first time the Varsity Tennis team went beyond District level competition. “Yeah, I never thought we would grow past district,’’ said Charles Demdem, varsity tennis player.” We played for many years and now we’ve become very good to go pass District. We train every dayand put in the hard work. Endurance training, coordination, reflexes, speed, and practicing technique go in hand to what we do everyday. Some skills a bit more than others depending on what we needed to work on from the last game.” As far as competition goes, players said the tension was overwhelming due to the stakes this event had. Mistakes could ruin the team’s hard work and preparation for this moment. For varsity tennis players, how they handled this was crucial. “Even if everyone says

you’ll lose, the moment you believe that is when you really lose,’’ said Valdez. “We win these games not just physically but mentally as well. We play a mental game with ourselves and our opponents in these matches to win”. Everybody is different in

how they prepare for their challenges that come on stage For Nguyen, it was an experience that he was familiar with. “To be honest, I’ve always thought of big matches like regionals as another regular match,’’ said Nguyen. “It’s so that the tension wouldn’t be so huge. I would think back to the training and

what I would have to lose if I didn’t give it my all. That’s because like all my other matches, I always play with my full potential and playing with a purpose to keep improving myself ”. During stressful times, having a mentor can be critical. The players believe their coaches do their best to allow them to see the hope within themselves.“On the bus to our regional matches with Clear Falls, our coaches were our biggest motivators,’’ said Valdez. “Coach Davis and Nguyen gave us a motivational speech, everyone hyped each other up, slapping each other’s backs and cheering along the way.” Many sports teams have their own trademark chant that they would usually cheer before a big game and the Bears at the regionals game were no different. “We do have a chant,’’ said Demdem. “It usually means as a way for the opponent to think we play bad. It goes 1, 2, 3 Boo Boo Bears!”

Even if everyone says you’ll lose, the moment you believe it... that is when you really lose.

Above left: Athletes are greeted by cheering classmates as leave campus for regionals.

Photo by: Leah Renteria-Caicedo

Above right: Coach Martel cheers for the varsity tennis players.

Photo by: Leah Renteria-Caicedo

Left: Varsity tennis players show no signs of fear as they prepare to leave on the bus.

Photo By: Leslie Gorostieta

Senior Hieu Phan signs autographs along with his teammates as they head to regionals.

Tennis team talks regional competition

NERVOUS BALLS

By Aniket Rattan