KP Times March 2016

KP TIMES

Issue 5, Vol. 3 s March 2016 Kingwood Park High School s 4015 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339

Varsity baseball looks to go beyond Freshman Andie Unwin excels on the Pinterest Club kicks off in the library, last year’s record-setting season. volleyball court, in the pool and in the keeping students’ hands busy in the See page 10. classroom. See page 11. hours before school. See page 3.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TREES? Is deforestation a threat to The Livable Forest? See pages 8-9.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO...

Picture this: art students paint the town

By Maddy Berry Editor-in-Chief

Mar. 25 PGood Friday- No School Mar. 29 P Student Council Social (5-6:30 p.m.)

P Choir Pre-UIL Concert (7-10 p.m.)

Mar. 31 P Band Pre-UIL Concert (4-9 p.m.)

Apr. 1 PBe An Angel Golf Tournament (7 am.- 3 p.m.)

P Drumline Family Show (7-8 p.m.)

P Orchestra April Fools Benefit Concert (7-9 p.m.)

Apr. 2 PProject Grad Senior Dinner (5-9 p.m.)

Apr. 5 P Choir UIL Concert @ Porter HS (8 a.m.-8 p.m.)

Apr. 7 P Student Council & AVID Banquet (7-9 p.m.)

Apr. 8 P Spring Basketball Game between teachers and students (9-9:45 a.m.)

Apr. 9 P Best Buddies Talent Show (7-9 p.m.)

Apr. 14 P Theater 2 Performances (6:30-9 p.m.)

Apr. 18 P Silver Stars Try Out Clinic (4:306:30 p.m.)

Apr. 19 P Silver Stars Try Out Clinic (4:306:30 p.m.)

P STUCO Charity Craft Night (5-7 p.m.)

Apr. 20 P Silver Stars Try Out Clinic (4:306:30 p.m.)

P Athletic Physical Day (7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

Apr. 21 P Silver Stars Try Out Clinic (4:306:30 p.m.)

P Theater 2 Class Play (7-9 p.m.)

Apr. 22 P Silver Stars Try Out Clinic (3-8 p.m.)

P Theater 2 Class Play (7-9 p.m.)

2 News

March 2016

V

ASE, or the Visual Arts Scholastic Event, was held on the third Saturday of February and marked the end of the competition season for the majority of art students. Of the over 60 submissions from KPARK, 10 received perfect scores and four are moving on to the state level.

The students were divided on years of art experience, and the first round of scoring held a one-onone interview and critique with a judge to discuss the purpose and technique of each submitted piece.

The work was rated on a scale of 1-4, and those with a 4 – the highest score – were separated. At the end of the day, the judges collectively decided on a percentage of each division to be sent on to the State level.

Sophomores Carsen Creech and Ariana Harding and senior Maddy Berry are all advancing to State for Division 2; and senior Margarita Quezada is advancing in Division 4.

“VASE was a fun experience,” said Creech. “It was interesting to be in the judging rooms, and it was fun to act confident in my work and see their reactions.

It’s really great to have one of my pieces go to State, I really wasn’t expecting either of them to do anything, let alone get perfect scores. It was also good to gain experience for future competitions, and the judges gave me great advice to work on in my art.”

Art teacher Melanie Hunt expressed immense pride at the news that four of her students were advancing.

“The State pieces were impressive,” said Hunt. “The students did a lot of work to get there, and it really showed. It didn’t just happen.”

Though all hope to do well, senior Margarita Quezada is just ready for the experience.

“My favorite part is getting genuine good criticism of my artwork and discussing my artwork with professionals,” said Quezada. “[I’m hoping for] maybe a medal, but I’m going to be happy just being there.”

Quezada, Berry, Creech and Harding will travel to San Antonio on April 22, 2016 for the State competition.

While most of the students in upper level art were focusing on the winter competitions, Harding was unknowingly receiving another honor that no KPARK student has won before.

Harding’s work is currently on display in the State Capitol for Youth Art Month.

“There aren’t that many people who go – this is my first year entering anyone,” said Hunt. “It’s very exclusive and impressive for Ariana.”

The award came as something of a shock to Harding, who was unaware she had even been entered.

“The piece that was sent to Austin was a large self portrait that was made during the first semester of art class,” said Harding. “It is a picture of me holding my cat, Tammy, who, at the time, was a bit reluctant to be held.”

Harding will travel to Austin to view her art later in the month.

The four state submissions competing in San Antonio in April. From left to right: “Sweet Licks” by Carsen Creech, “Dancing At The Dead Of Night” by Margarita Quezada, “The Sky Is Awake” by Ariana Harding, and “Chaos” by Maddy Berry. Photos courtesy of the artists.

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TAYSHAS program encourages students to read more Librarian Ruth Parrish reads hundreds of books to keep shelves fresh.

A

By Allyssa Reed Staff Reporter

nyone who visits the school library knows librarian Ruth Parrish loves to tell students, teachers, and anyone who is willing to listen, all about the library books – especially those categorized under TAYSHAS. “The TAYSHAS list is a great place to find books that are current, wonderfully written and ones that received great reviews,” Parrish said.

“It helps the decision-making process for students who want recommendations.”

TAYSHAS is a reading incentive program designed for students grades 9-12 to encourage students to read books for pleasure from a selected reading list prepared by the TAYSHAS committee.

This year approximately 109 books were nominated to be on the TAYSHAS list, and in mid-November of last year the committee voted on the nominated books. However, before voting can take place, all 11 members on the committee have to read ALL of the nominated books. Parrish is part of that committee.

After reading the nominated books, the members judge the books based off genre, quality of writing, setting, voice, appeal to their students, character development and so much more.

“The best thing about TAYSHAS and being on the committee for me is that I was forced to read books that I might not have picked up, only to discover that they were wonder-

ful and worth sharing with students,” Parrish said. “Did I agree with every book’s worth that was put on the list?

No. But just because it wasn’t my favorite doesn’t mean that one of my students wouldn’t love it.”

The librarians can also find books to nominate as long as the books have a publication date of the current year or the previous year and they MUST have favorable reviews to be nominated. The librarians on the committee receive the books via mail.

“I received hundreds of books, with packages coming almost daily,” Parrish said. “If you are smart, you read as many as you can a month, because near the end people rush to nominate more. I was reading a book a day for the last two months.”

Parrish gets to keep all of the books she receives. She keeps the ones she really likes to herself and the others become part of the library’s collection. The library has many TAYSHAS books from past years and all 62 of the 2016 TAYSHAS books.

“Once I have read the books, they are mine to keep or share,” Parrish said. “For the most part, I brought them to school and they are in our collection. There were a few that I kept for myself but not many.”

With approximately 15,000 books in the school library, there are so many genres to choose from.

“It doesn’t seem to be cool to read any more, but reading can take you on adventures that you don’t get from movies or video games,” Parrish said. “If you were to Google celebrities who read, I think you would be amazed. Try it, you might like it.

It exercises your brain and expands your horizons. Well worth the time it takes, for sure.”

Rebecca Howell, James Fretwell and Elizabeth Pittman, make their Valentine’s Day tote bags in the library during the first day of Pinterest Club.

Parrish has high hopes for new Pinterest Club

E

By Maddy Berry Editor-In-Chief

very other Thursday morning, the library will hold more than just books; the tables will be covered in an assortment of paper, paints, and other crafting supplies for the new club that librarian Ruth Parrish has begun.

It’s called the Pinterest Club, and Parrish started it for all the students who arrive hours early for school on Thursdays as an alternative to sitting in the cafeteria alone.

“I love crafts and I feel like you guys don’t have opportunities to just chill and do something with your hands” said Parrish. “I love Pinterest, so I just thought it would be fun. Also, so many students get here so early before school on Thursdays, so I thought it would be fun for them to do.”

Parrish and a parent volunteer chose crafts based on the supplies they found in the back rooms of the library, aiming for things both girls and boys would love. If they need extra supplies, they use the money drawn from

Parrish’s book sales and go to Hobby Lobby. The first craft was painted Valentine’s day bags, and it drew a surprising amount of attendees for the first meeting.

“I thought there was a good turnout, since the time was so early in the morning,” said junior Liz Pittman, “and I thought it was an interesting little project.”

In addition to the good turnout, the club had an immediate and surprising effect.

“It was fun because you got to hang out with people – it was connecting people together,” said freshman James Fretwell. “There were people there who stay by themselves a lot, and it was really nice to see them communicating.”

However, Parrish hopes that the Pinterest Club does more than just bring entertainment to Thursday mornings.

“I hope [students] will gain appreciation for the library as a fun place to go,” Parrish said, “and I hope they find something they might repeat for friends, or family, or just to share.”

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News

3

Hard work pays off for Velasquez

want to listen to the other flute players.”

After performing at Area, Velasquez remembers being extremely anxious for the results, as they took longer than normal to come back. Finally, the reveal came through band director Robbie Sitka, who waved for her to depart from where she Triumph felt by junior Andrea Velasquez was and come outside where it was quiet.

When Sitka told her she made State, she was iniafter she earns All-State band honor. tially in denial; but the biggest shock came when

By Sydnee Miano she was told she made 1st chair.

Staff Reporter “I actually just started crying right there, and he rom the first time junior Andrea Velasquez walked off because he didn’t want to see me cry,” picked up a flute in the sixth grade, Velasquez said. “Then I hugged (semusic has molded her life. Practicing for nior) Amanda [Rose] because she was hours every day earned her good standing there and I called my mom. She started within band and eventually led to competcrying too.” ing at the State level as a junior, becoming Because Velasquez’s emotions were the second band student in school history contagious, Rose remembers being to go on the prestigious Pride of Kingwood overjoyed upon hearing the news of Park wall. her best friend’s advancement.

“Ever since freshman year, I really wanted “I was really, really excited for her,” to make State because only one person ever Rose said. “She worked extremely hard had made it from our band, and I really for it so it was good to see it pay off.” wanted to be that next person,” Velasquez Despite the excitement of making it said. to State, Velasquez’s work was far from Velasquez began practicing the Region over –– her music for the competition VELASQUEZ and Area music in July, later successfully arrived only six days before the compeadvancing past Region. With Area only a tition, giving her much less time than few weeks away, she kept at it, hoping she’d place her competitors to memorize the 11 excerpts. among the top two flutes advancing onto State.

“I practiced so much in those six days that I “Last year, I was one chair away from making did well enough to earn third,” Velasquez said. “I State,” Velasquez said. “[This year,] I was pretty think Friday alone I practiced five hours, just Frinervous. I even tried to go to sleep because I didn’t day. Probably way more than what I practice in a

F

week, I practiced in those six days.”

Once Velasquez arrived in San Antonio, she rehearsed alongside the 145 most prominent high school musicians in Texas in order to perfect the music they were to perform at the All-State Band concert Feb. 13.

“In total, we had 15 hours of rehearsal in those two-and-a-half-days,” Velasquez said. “That was really fun, but probably the best part, I think, would be the actual performance. It was definitely one of the best concerts I’ve ever performed in.”

Reflecting the work that went into performing the State concert, Velasquez’s determination to better herself as a musician shines through her accomplishments and her involvement in Kingwood Park’s Wind Ensemble.

“This is really something she’s worked hard for,” Sitka said. “She’s very motivated...and she puts a lot of forethought into everything she does so it’s actually quite an advantage to have a child like her in the band.”

Though Velasquez ultimately achieved her goal of making it to State, her success represents one stepping stone of many, as she hopes to make a career from her love for music.

“I, hopefully, plan on double majoring in flute performance and music education,” Velasquez said. “I would really love to see myself performing in a symphony or being a professor at a university. I can’t see myself doing anything else in the future.”

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Race to Presidency 6 1 20Republicans D emocrats Immigration

Immigration

"I will stand up against any effort to deport dreamers. Immigrants are vital to our economy." (Reported by Jeremy Baker, KENS 5)

“We need strong borders. We need a wall. The king of building buildings, the king of building walls--none of them can build them like Donald Trump.” (Reported by CBS News)

Abortion

Pro life - with caveats such as: life of the mother, incest and rape.

(Olivier Douliery/TNS)

Donald Trump

#TrumpTrain

Education

Abortion

Gun Control

Fully supports and backs up the second amendment.

(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Time/TNS)

#ImWithHer

Immigration

Abortion

(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Ted Cruz

#CruzCrew

Gun Control

Abortion (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

Cruz’s Five Freedom Plan ends the federal overreach such as Common Core.

including high-quality preschools. Also believes in balancing standardized testing in schools.

Sanders will make sure that, “11 million undocumented people in our country no longer have to live in the shadows, no longer have to live in fear, but can live in security and dignity.” (Reported by Nicole Gaudiano, USA TODAY)

For the right to keep and bear arms.

Education

by Ben Terris of The Washington Post)

Abortion

(David Becker/Zuma Press/TNS)

John Kasich

#Kasich4Us

Kasich says there are exceptions for aborting a baby. The case of rape, incest, and life of the mother are “reasonable” options.

Education

Gun Control

Supports keeping guns out of the hands of mentally ill people. He also is 2nd Amendment advocate.

Kasich says he doesn’t believe in free college anymore than he believes in Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream ever being free. Public education-wise he believes in local control over school with high standards.

Terms to know...

Caucuses- are unique in that they allow participants to openly show support for candidates, through group voting.

Delegate- a person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference.

Common Core- a set of high-quality Primary - similar to the general elecacademic standards in mathematics and tion process, primary voters cast secret English language arts/literacy (ELA). ballots for the candidates of their choosing.

Gun Control

Wants sensible gun control Sanders says that the decision of abortion is between a in legislation, along with better enforcing instant woman and her doctor. background checks.

Bernie Sanders Education #FeelTheBern

Immigration

“In response to a question about illegal immigration, Kasich said, “I do not think we should be demonizing people who are law-abiding hard-working folks.” (Reported

Fights for common sense reforms to keep guns away from terrorists, domestic abusers, and other violent criminals.

Immigration

“We should deport them. We should build a wall, we should triple the Border Patrol. Federal law requires that anyone here illegally that’s apprehended should be deported.”

Pro life- Fights to protect the sanctity of life.

Education

Gun Control

to make college affordable. Says that every student Hillary Clinton Plans from every ZIP code has the right to world-class education,

Supporter of education, but education has to be at a local level. He also believes that Common Core is a total disaster that cannot continue.

(Reported by Victor Morton - The Washington Times)

Clinton supports women’s access to critical health services, including safe, legal abortion. She also is an advocate for Planned Parenthood.

Sanders says that when people talk about free public education in America, it shouldn't mean just K through 12, it should mean free tuition to public universities and colleges all over the nation.

2016 Primary and Caucus Results

(As of 3/21/16)

Republican Delegates

1,237 to win nomination 384 673

Donald Trump Ted Cruz

410

John Kasich

Democratic Delegates

143 627 2,383 to win nomination

Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders

By Mackenzie Kisslinger

1,139 825 Staff Reporter March 2016

Features

5

Unexpected furry friend unites class A

By Emily Humble Staff Reporter

guinea pig was the last thing that chemistry teacher Laurie Rosato expected to show up for first period that Wednesday. As the cage was set down in front of her and she spotted the little black and white creature inside, she realized that her student’s joke the previous day about a class pet had not been a joke at all.

The two students responsible for Avogadra’s appearance that morning were sophomores Morgan Korb and Matthew Fazzino, both in Mrs. Rosato’s pre-Ap chemistry class. It was Fazzino who came up with the idea.

“Ms. Lynam used to have a class pet, and all the [science] teachers at Kingwood High School have one,” he said. “So I asked Mrs. Rosato, and she said no,; and I said ‘I’m still gonna get you one,’ and she said ‘Ok, sure.’”

That same night, Fazzino and Korb went to the pet store and bought Mrs. Rosato a guinea pig.

Fazzino wanted to get something soft and furry, in contrast to the reptiles that make up most of the population of KHS’s class pets. When he saw Avogadra, he thought she stuck out among the other guinea pigs.

“I didn’t want like a basic guinea pig – I wanted one that was cool,” he said, laughing. “This one was black and white and had crazy hair.”

Sophomores Sara Martinez and Abbie Wolfe hold Avogadra in Mrs. Rosato’s chemistry class. Photo by Ashley Villagomez.

When the two students brought her in the next morning, Rosato, though known for her loud voice, didn’t say much.

“Actually I was a little bit in shock,” Rosato said, “but I was okay with it. I’m pretty easy going.”

In Rosato’s 29 year teaching career, Avogadra is her first class pet. The name was decided by the class, as Rosato was currently teaching Avogadro’s Number, ( 6.02×10^23), which signifies how many atoms are in a mole of a substance. When they realized the guinea pig was a girl, she was renamed Avogadra.

Though she’s accepted Avogadra and is taking

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care of her, it’s pretty clear that Rosato isn’t as ecstatic as some of her students with the addition of Avogadra to the classroom.

“I’m the one that cleans up after her and provides her with all her stuff,” Rosato said. “I did have one student donate some food so far, but… A class pet should be everyone’s responsibility.”

Her students, however, are pretty thrilled. “[Avogadra] comes and she’ll sit in the sink, and she’ll just run around and squeal. It’s so cute,” Fazzino said. “I think that [with a class pet], kids can have more fun… It’s like a mascot.”

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6 Features

March 2016

Frenzy at the Farmer’s Market Local sellers worry as business dwindles at Town Center’s Farmer’s Market.

I

By Amanda Aleman Staff Reporter

n the middle of the Town Center area on a sunny Thursday afternoon lies the Kingwood Farmer’s Market. The sunlight shines brilliantly, reflecting off the various tents in the afternoon glow as vendors sell their wares to the intrigued patrons surveying their products.

The tents house many home-made products, from farm fresh veggies to the exotic flavors of homemade A customer at the Farmer’s Market in Town Center surveys some produce. The Farmer’s Market is open every Indian food; and each tent is closely Thursday. Photo by Amanda Aleman. watched by a smiling vendor happily helping each potential customer rally raised vegetables, offered details a greater number of customers, there as they graze the market. Although on the work that is required to make would be the potential for a bigthere are not too many people roam- a profit at local markets. ger market with a greater variety of ing the market, there is still an air of “My products are locally grown and products sold. However, at the curliveliness that keeps the area bustling picked fresh,” Edmonds explained. rent rate of sales, this seems far from with a pleasant energy.

“We raise our vegetables without any happening.

Even with the welcoming atmo- additives, hormones, growth stimu“The Town Center Market has its sphere and cordial vendors, the lants, chemicals or anything else ups and downs,” said Edmonds. “If Kingwood Farmers’ considered harmful, we had more community involveMarket is still fairly it’s all raised naturally. ment in the market then we would “If we had more We buy the seeds and see the market grow and we would empty. While other markets tend to house we plant them and have a lot more come through. This community hundreds of consumgrow them. I self market used to be a lot bigger than ers on a weekly basis, involvement manage everything this. If the community would supthe Kingwood market with my wife and my port the market I think we would see then we would two kids that work a growth in the products sold here. has only a few dozen customers drift by see the market the field. It’s a family We would start to see people get back throughout the afto what the world used to be without thing.” ternoon. With so few grow.”

Even with the effort it all being processed.” buyers, many of the Local markets offer much more sellers such as Ed- Jason Edmonds vendors are forced to monds place in their to customers than standard grocery close up shop with the majority of work, the Kingwood market is dwin- stores, even if it means opting their wares still displayed upon their dling fast. With fewer patrons visit- for a limited selection of products. tables. ing the market, vendors are forced to Often times, sellers want nothing Jason Edmonds, a seller of grass fed close their business and move loca- more than to please their customers beef, free range chickens, and natu- tions. If the market were to receive and will take the time to explain the

methods used to grow and produce their wares allowing consumers to understand what they are purchasing while also supporting small businesses in the area.

Pamela Sharp, vendor and owner of Gulf Coast Honey Bee Farms, offered her view on the subject.

“The fact that you can talk to the producer about their practices and how they produce their product makes the farmers market 10 times better that a regular grocery store,” Sharp said. “My product in particular is raw honey, I can tell people that I don’t process my honey, I can tell people where my hives are, it’s much more reliable. One of the biggest issues in a lot of grocery stores is labeling, here the label can be verified by the producer themselves, which is incredibly important.”

The Kingwood Farmers’ Market is an ideal place to get to know from whom you are buying everyday products from, all while being a stone’s throw away from your home.

The local market is guaranteed to offer consumers a more enjoyable and personal shopping experience while also promising products that were grown in the local area by natural means.

“I like to support the local farmers since they have great products here,” said Barbara Leathers, a frequent customer at the Kingwood market.

“A lot of them try to use as little pesticide as possible, which I really like. I love shopping here because it’s fresh that day and it’s so convenient.

I think if more people would take some time to check out the market we would just see a lot more available.”

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Features

7

Deforestation in

“The

Livable

Forest” Kingwood is known for its trees, but is deforestation threatening our community? And is our forest more extraordinary than most of us think?

K

BY EMILY HUMBLE STAFF REPORTER

ingwood has been known since the beginning as “The Livable Forest,” but as the suburb’s population continues to grow, space for all the people hoping to make a home here is beginning to run out. That means an increasing amount of the forested land that defines Kingwood is being replaced with more homes, more stores and more concrete.

World History teacher Quinton Harlan has seen lots of change in the 11 years he’s lived in Kingwood.

“The trees, ‘The Livable Forest’, that’s the charm of Kingwood,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that, especially up front, so many of those trees have disappeared.”

The forest that makes up Kingwood was once at the fringes of what is called the Big Thicket, a forest that’s been in this part of Texas since the Ice Age. Contrary to the idea of being a “livable forest,” the thicket was never permanently inhabited by Native Americans due to how thick and impassable it was, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Before settlers began to use it for lumber, the Big Thicket was said to be inhabited by bears, panthers, and wolves, in addition to a large population of deer and other smaller animals. It’s been called by some researchers the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the world, possibly above the Amazon Rainforest.

The Big Thicket National Preserve, located an hour and a half north of Kingwood, has preserved 112,000 acres of the forest. This, however, is only about 37 percent of the land said to originally be part of the Big Thicket, which, while its boundaries were never officially defined, likely covered more than three million acres.

Park ranger Mary Manning has worked at the preserve for six and a half of her 27 year career. “[The Big Thicket is] an area where many species of plants – and possibly some animals – may overlap at the southernmost, westernmost and easternmost parts

8 Features

March 2016

Tree trunk art by Carson Creech. Photography

by Amanda Aleman and Emily Humble.

of their ranges, leading to this great diversity,” she said. “It’s possible that the Big Thicket doesn’t get much recognition for its diversity because it takes time and attention to detail to notice all the different life forms here. It’s primarily scientists – biologists, botanists, entomologists, birdwatchers, and others – who really notice the diversity of life found here.”

While the Big Thicket National Preserve has done extensive work to protect the forest, outside of the preserve human development has continued to expand. From 1990 to 2000, Kingwood expanded its population by 45,500 people. This in turn required the construction of more homes and businesses; an example of this lies directly behind KPARK. Woodridge Homes, the neighborhood development which begins near St. Martha’s, has begun development on a strip of 70 new homes wrapping around the back of the high school. To build the new section of the neighborhood, the 300-acre piece of land had to be completely cleared of all vegetation.

Harry Masterson is in charge of development of the new part of the neighborhood. While the clearing was drastic, Masterson explained that it was necessary to prevent flooding in the neighborhood, as the ground was very low and had to be evened out by adding more dirt. This is a problem with many developments in the north of Kingwood.

Masterson said deforestation is an issue in this area of Texas.

“We’ve got a population that’s growing, and there’s nothing we can do about it… Everyone likes the woods, but they don’t want the woods too close to them,” Masterson said. “It’s kind of a funny thing.”

Residents want to enjoy the woods, he said, but don’t want native plants scratching them as they walk on the paths, or snakes crawling out of the bushes at them.

“It’s difficult to balance,” he said.

After the homes are built, trees will be replanted throughout the development. The timber that was cleared also did not all go to waste, as the salvageable wood was turned into lumber, and smaller trees were chipped into mulch which will be used in the neighborhood.

Other developments in Kingwood have also been environmentally conscious. Burdette Huffman, head of development of the new H-E-B shopping center off of Kingwood Drive, stated at a town hall meeting back in October that: “We took lengths to come up with the tree program… We took 18 trees off the site, and relocated those elsewhere in Kingwood.”

Similar to the issue that caused the extensive clearing in the Woodridge Homes development, “Two thirds of the site is in a floodplain,” Huffman said. “That’s a very, very, very complicated site to develop into something that I think everyone in this room wants to have, which is a first class shopping center.”

One hundred twenty-five trees will be planted in the shopping center once it is finished, and trees in the median where the shopping center’s turn lanes

will go have also been relocated.

Still, with any human development on the scale of Kingwood, the natural environment ultimately takes a hit despite what can be done to rebuild.

Despite how ecologically minded the whole of Kingwood would like to be, since it’s beginning, it has fundamentally altered the natural landscape.

According to Energy Metropolis: An Environmental History of Houston and the Gulf Coast, a book published by the University of Pittsburgh, “[Kingwood] may preserve some aesthetic qualities of the forest but has fundamentally changed the character of the land away from forest… It may ‘feel’ like traveling through a forest, but strips of forest buffers along roads do not offer the same habitat, hydrological control, or heat-absorbing properties as a forest that extends more than a few yards before meeting a lawn, parking lot or structure.”

For Harlan’s parents, who moved to Kingwood around 1990, the forest was one of the main reasons they chose to relocate here.

“My dad, man, he fusses and cusses about [deforestation in Kingwood]… That was part of the desirability of Kingwood,” he said.

Students are concerned as well.

“It’s kind of horrible that we have all these beautiful forests around, and people are just cutting them down… We’re supposed to be the livable forest, but we’re not very much of a forest,” sophomore Kamryn Goolsby said.

Sophomore Aria Dang is also concerned.

“There’s been an excessive amount of cutting down trees lately,” she said, citing the Woodridge neighborhood development behind the school, the new H-E-B development, and behind the KPARK tennis courts, where trees are being cut for a new parking lot for Northeast Christian Academy.

“You know, is it nice to have a Costco? Is it nice to have Carrabba’s and all that stuff? Yeah. But I don’t mind driving 10 minutes down the road. I’d rather have the trees,” Harlan said. “It’s the appeal of the place; I mean, it’s the livable forest. If we’re no longer a forest, we’re just livable. You can be livable anywhere.”

HISTORY OF KINGWOOD • •

•

•

•

Foster Lumber Company owned the land since 1892 before selling to developers.

The name Kingwood is a split of the two companies that developed the city: King Ranch and Friendswood Developing.

Kingwood offers more than 72 miles of Greenbelt trails, and hosts large nature preserves such as River Grove, Deer Ridge and East End Park.

In 1994, the City of Houston began to attempt to annex the area of Kingwood; Bob Lanier, the mayor of the city at the time, believed the annexation of ever growing Kingwood would cause a four-million dollar gain for the city of Houston. Houston annexed Kingwood in 1996, adding about 15,000 acres to the city limits. Though the movement angered many residents and many lawsuits were filed, arguing that the action were not in the city’s legal power, the annexation stayed.

In 1999, a group of four KHS students and female alumni., who called themselves The Queens of Armed Robbery, committed five robberies before being caught. The movie Sugar and Spice was loosely based off the legacy of the crime spree.

Infographic by Kirby Woodyard

• • • • •

- Fast Facts -

Kingwood is a part of The Big Thicket National Preserve, and is said by some researchers to be the most biologically diverse area for its size in the northern hemisphere and possibly the entire world.

Kingwood has over 15,000 acres of nature preserves, parks, and greenbelts.

On average, the trees in Houston remove 60,000 tons of air pollution each year (Houston Chronicle) Due to the drought in 2011, 66 million trees were removed in the Houston area. (Houston Chronicle) Kingwood is the second largest master-planned community along the San Jacinto watershed. Its development is controlled and regulated by a private centralized authority and companion homeowners’ associations.

March 2016

Features

9

Girls continue quest to repeat as State champions

Senior Steve Hodgkins connects with the baseball in the Panthers 10-0 win against Baytown Lee during a tournament held at Kingwood Park in March. Photo by Chris Luck.

Panthers set goals high, looking for a fast start Junior Arianna Seanz finishes through on her tee shot at Oakhurst Golf Club. The girls’ golf team continues its strong season as State nears April 24. They remain the No. 1 golf team in the State.

Seanz is ranked No. 8 in the state. Hanna Alberto is ranked No. 1, Tori Gatling is No. 11, Elise Parel is No. 21, Leah Alberto is No. 22 and Gabby Segura is No. 66. Photo by Kylee Wing.

Softball team finds success early

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By Michael Horton Staff Reporter

he softball team has high expectations for the upcoming season, and things are looking solid so far. They’ve stayed focused and seen success early on.

“They show up everyday ready to work hard and get better,” coach Sara Koym said.

The team’s dedication has been evident early on, as they’ve started out 9-4-1 overall (3-0 in district), including a dominant 13-2 win over Clear Falls and a 11-1 victory over district-rival Humble. Sophomore pitcher Mattie McQuary also recorded a perfect game against Porter during spring break.

With the season just underway, the Lady Panthers hope to stay motivated on and off the field.

“This team is full of hard-working and committed softball players,” Koym said. “There is a lot expected of them daily in the weight room, in the classroom, and on the softball

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March 2016

Senior Kendall Searcy looks to throw the runner out stealing second base. Photo by Tori Gatling.

field.”

The team has large goals for the season, including winning district and making a deep run into the playoffs.

“I’m confident in my teammates.

In order to succeed, we have to trust one another on the field,” Kendall Searcy said.

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By Chris Luck Sports Editor

s the 2016 baseball season kicks off, the baseball team looks to build off the momentum they gained last year going four deep into the playoffs before a heartbreaking loss to Tomball Memorial and ending their season along with their hopes of a State Championship.

This year it looks as though the Panthers have other plans. The Panthers headed into district hoping to capitalize on strong pre-season performances.

Baseball coach Bruce Cox is very confident this year’s team can surpass last year’s success.

“Our ultimate goal is to get to the Dell Diamond (in Round Rock) and have a chance to compete for a State championship,” Cox said. “But you can’t get there overnight. It takes hard work, time and effort; and our team is willing to do that.”

The baseball team is very determined this year. On the back of their shirts and hanging in the back of the dugout is an old Pirate’s skull and crossbones symbolizing no mercy this season and their determination to win it all.

Junior catcher/second baseman Blake LeDoux has complete confidence in this team and said it could be the best team he has seen in his three years on the varsity squad.

“This team is special,” LeDoux said. “I trust my teammates and all

we can do together. In our pitching staff, we have a handful of guys who can go out and perform for us every night. So far this season everyone is hitting well and we are confident we can beat any team who tries to get in our way.

LeDoux is coming off a very stellar sophomore season last year where he batted a .303 batting average and knocked in 25 runs off of 33 hits and gained college exposure.

Sophomore first-year varsity pitcher Daniel Bresko looks to be one of the consistent options on the mound this season as they face some of the tougher teams in the district such as Crosby who is ranked 4th in region and Barbers Hill who is ranked 5th.

Heading to State would be a dream come true for the all the coaches and players, especially the seniors.

“It would mean a lot to the seniors who have been building this program up throughout the years to win State; and for us younger guys who have never experienced a playoff run it would be an absolute blessing,” Bresko said.

Anything less than a deep playoff run for the Panthers will result in sheer disappointment.

“We aren’t scared of any team in the state of Texas,” Cox said, “and I am confident we can compete and beat the best teams out there any day.”

Unwin makes a splash during freshman year

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By Kylee Wing KPTimes.com Editor

wimming since she was just 4 years old, freshman Andie Unwin has learned her ways through the water not just by her own experience but by having something to look up to as she swam her way to the top.

“In summer league, when I was 8, I would always look at the 15-18s being like, ‘Wow, they swim so fast,’” Unwin said. “Now this year I’m a 15-18.”

Reaching this level means more opportunities for Unwin’s success as she continues to swim in meets, including the recent State meet where Unwin broke two school records.

“The first [record broken] was part of a relay and she was very excited with and for her teammates,” swim coach John Dissinger said. “The second time she broke the school record in the 100 free and there was a big smile on her face.”

Swimming is just part of Unwin’s story. She is also ranked first in her class with a schedule packed full of

advanced courses, including AP Spanish IV Dual Credit after having come through Humble ISD’s Spanish Immersion program. She was also a starter on the varsity volleyball team, helping lead the team to the playoffs and winning first-team all-District honors.

“She’s a great role model from top to bottom,” said freshman Katey Searcy, who has been friends with Unwin for four years. “She has great grades, is a great athlete, great friend. And the only thing I got that she doesn’t is a dog.”

With such a jam packed schedule there is little time to make plans with family, but they somehow find a way.

The former club swimmer is now focusing on select volleyball.

“Like most families, we have crazy full schedules and a lot of time together in the car racing from one activity to another,” Lora Unwin said. “Luckily we like the drive time and the opportunity it creates for great discussions.”

For Unwin the crazy running around with her family has really shown her how much of a support system she has.

Freshman Andrea Unwin swims one of the several events at the 2016 state swim meet. Photo by Nick Farace.

“My parents are so hard working and motivational,” Unwin said.

Having been in the sport so long, she has found her favorite parts of being on a swim team.

“I like to swim because it’s rewarding,” Unwin said. “If you put in the work, you get a good outcome.”

Unwin puts in her all whether it be bonding with teammates or leading them.

“She has great leadership skills and is easy to follow,” Dissinger said. “She’s one of the girls.”

Being in these two sports has allowed her to branch out and meet the people she is closest to.

“Our volleyball season together really created a great friendship,” Searcy said. “She’s always fun to around and is always willing to help people get better.”

Unwin ultimately enjoys volleyball and the characteristics that make it so riveting, from playing on the court to laughing with teammates off of it which is what has kept the game so worthwhile to her.

“I like volleyball because it’s the ultimate team sport,” Unwin said. “You have to communicate to reach your goal.”

To get where she is today and stay there, Unwin has had to adapt to a responsibility filled life. Because of this Unwin has had a chance to learn important life lessons that have helped her so far in high school and will help her later on in her life.

“It takes hard work, time management, and being able to persevere,” Unwin said but “if I work out hard I get to eat junk food.”

JOIN US

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Sports

11

Coaches John Dissinger and Greg McLain jump in excitement after the boys 200 free relay when Lang, Stevens, D. Johnson, and Broussard finished in third place, earning them a medal. Photo by Nick Farace.

Swimmers, divers make mark at State again

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By Kat Smith Staff Reporter

he guys swim team placed 5th at the State champion meet with 140 points with the help from sophomore Tate Stevens, junior Shane Flake, junior John Johnson, senior David Johnson, sophomore Chris Marrici, senior Hunter Lang, senior Eric Broussard, junior Cory Majid, junior Mario Foltz, senior Tommy Holbert, junior Trent Guzman, and senior Jonathan Floyd.

The girls swim team tied for 11th place in the 2016 State championship meet with 86 points with the help from freshman Emma Frey, sophomore Alexis Baker, freshman Andie Unwin, junior Camilla Stephens, freshman Abby Bennett, junior Sarah Crowe, sophomore Kemper McEacharn, sophomore Hannah Hosier, and freshman Kaleigh Waskow.

“Being a part of a team of the caliber of KPark is like nothing else,” Flake said.

The 200 free relay was the closest and most exciting event for the guys because of Lang out reaching the guy next to him by .02, getting them a bronze medal.

“It was pretty exciting to watch a relay, with half of the people who didn’t even swim at State last year, make it to the medal stand,” Flake said.

After the girls 400 free relay they felt relieved and proud of their swims because of their accomplish-

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March 2016

ments.

“Everyone was really excited because they broke the 400 free relay record,” Unwin said.

Broussard contributing the most points individually on the guys team with 25 points, swam the 50 free and 100 free individually.

“Swimming four events was stressful and very emotional but, most of all, tiring,” Broussard said.

Unwin and Frey both scored nine points in their individual events, which was the highest scored on the girls team individually.

“We were delighted with the way we swam,” Mosier said. “And we aim to do even better next year.”

The boys placed third and ended up getting fifth, earning themselves a State banner as a team.

“I enjoyed the team bonding the most,” Holbert said. “Nothing is better than being close to your team.”

The girls were placed eighth, but ended up getting 11th. Some might view this as a bummer, but the girls actually did better than last year.

“As a team we succeeded in getting more points than the previous year which is good because we just want to keep improving,” Unwin said.

The girls and boys both expect nothing less than this year.

“I look forward to improving on all the work we’ve put in and everything we’ve accomplished this year,” Mosier said. “There is definitely room to improve, but I’m proud of the team and look forward to working with them to be the best we can be.”

Senior Matthew Reyna passing up Kingwood High School in a relay.

Track jumps into State, national rankings with fast times

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By Owen Herbert Staff Reporter

he track season has kicked off, and the Panthers have made a noticeable impact already this

year.

“I think we have some really good athletes who are strong in some events; we just need to continue to build our depth,” eighth year head track coach Chris Elliott said.

Elliott has high expectations for his team and feels as if his athletes can go far if they keep up the good work on the track and in the classroom.

“I think we have several guys that could do really well in Regionals and have a shot of going to State,” Elliott said.

Track enthusiast senior Matthew Reyna has been running since seventh grade and has really come to respect the sport.

“I’ve gotten faster over the years,” Reyna said. “ [I’ve] built more character, and I’ve gotten stronger.”

He has proven this through the several school records he holds such as the 100 meter dash, 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay, and the SMR (sprint medley relay).

As of Feb. 27, Cameron Elle, Matthew Reyna, Denzel Oppong, and Carter Floyd hold the National record of SMR time. The relay consist of two

Senior Rebecca Lewallen runs the 100 meters at the Kingwood track meet earlier this season.

runners sprinting the 200 meter, one running the 400 meter, and the last runner finishing it off with the 800 meter.

Senior Rebecca Lewallen was first introduced to track in the sixth grade, now she runs the 100, 200, 400, and currently switches off in the relays and enjoys every second of it.

“Track allows you to focus on yourself,” says Lewallen, “but also has that special team bond.”

STAFF EDITORIAL

KINGWOOD: The Livable Parking Lot

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lthough the idea of cutting down all the trees in Kingwood and replacing them with palm trees came up many times in our discussion, we, the newspaper, feel that the cutting of the trees isn’t needed.

The deforestation was like a domino effect: first they started building more and more housing developments and then the roads needed to be widened because of all the people. And now we need bigger stores because of all the people.

In the doing of this, the trees had to come down. This all could’ve been avoided if they hadn’t built more homes. In the areas of construction there is not a single tree standing. Our forest is getting smaller and our community is getting bigger. The more trees being taken down, the less privacy we have.

Kingwood is not like the other communities around Kingwood.

The houses in other areas are close together and you can see your neighbors’ backyards. In Kingwood, our trees protect our privacy, and our houses aren’t as close.

We, the newspaper, feel that the new H-E-B that is soon to be built isn’t necessary. There’s a perfectly fine H-E-B across the street, there’s a Kroger right up the street, and also a big H-E-B in Atascocita.

Some of the companies were digging up a majority of the trees and moving them, but where the new Costco is being built all the trees were in piles. For a while there were just mounds of trees that looked as if it were never ending.

Our bubble is changing. The construction is making Kingwood more populated. Watch out, our bubble must pop some time. We are no longer “Kingwood, the Livable Forest.” We are now “Kingwood, the Livable Parking Lot.”

Should pep rallies have mandatory attendance?

PRO: Pep rallies stay the same

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By Michael Horton Staff Reporter

o me, attending a pep rally beats sitting in a classroom any day.

Even though many students would rather be doing other things, I believe that pep rallies should be mandatory at Kingwood Park; it just makes sense. They serve as a good opportunity to encourage and excite the students to attend school sports events.

I’ve been informed about several sports events at pep rallies that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about. Plus, it does a lot for a sports team to feel like the whole school is on your side.

They also give the cheerleaders and Silver Stars a chance to show off their hard work and skills for the entire school. After all, everyone deserves a chance to be seen.

I do agree that the time spent at pep rallies could be used to study; but we only really have pep rallies during the football season so most weeks, it shouldn’t be an issue.

I also agree that some sports are underrepresented, and it can be discouraging to not be recognized for your success in your particular sports. But they could easily give those sports the attention they deserve. It’s an easy fix that could really improve the quality of pep rallies at KPARK. We should have more pep rallies in the spring, so more sports teams get recognized.

Optional attendance or cancelling pep assemblies altogether would completely ruin the overall school spirit and the sense of pride Kingwood Park High School has tried so hard to build in its nine years of being open.

CON: Optional pep rallies for all

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By Emily Humble Staff Reporter

t’s no secret that many students would rather be doing something else, rather than attend the mandatory prep rallies occasionally held on Fridays.

Though the cheerleaders’ performances are dazzling, the drum line inspiring, and the most recent Silver Stars performance very moving, a sizeable part of the student body would rather stay in their classroom and study than be packed into a hot, loud, overcrowded gym.

KPARK doesn’t have a lot of school spirit to begin with. The occasional pep rally is not enough to create a healthy sense of pride in one’s school, and secondly, I think KPARK is probably too big for the kind of school spirit these pep rallies are for. It is much easier for a small school to have a strong sense of community and identification with their school those schools care if their sports teams lose, even if they don’t know anyone on the team. I have never felt a sense of large-scale community at KPARK. Another part of that disconnect is the compulsory attendance of the pep rallies. Ideally, a pep rally is a sort of thing that feels natural to let out your pride in your school or team. When KPARK’s rallies try to force that spirit out of the students, it causes further resentment and leads most to the idea that the rallies are silly and a waste of time.

Another point that is often made is that their group does

not get recognition. Football gets the great majority, as all of our pep rallies except for one have been during or around football season. People in other sports see this, and they are not very happy about it. During the last pep rally, the girls varsity soccer team, which has been undefeated and is number one in their district, planned to storm the gym floor to secure a seat where the team being honored at the pep rally sits. That didn’t happen though, and they only got a brief shout out during the part of the pep rally where the names of the list of teams that aren’t cared about enough about to throw a pep rally for is read out.

All this leads to the consensus that pep rallies should not be mandatory. So should we make them optional, knowing that doing so would cause attendance to drop to dismal numbers? It may be pretty unfair to all the groups who perform at the pep rally; but I still say that, yes, they should be optional. Without a solid foundation of enthusiasm, KPARK’s pep rallies are a waste of time.

Students (and teachers) could be doing something other than being stuffed into that hot gym, pretending to cheer for something they don’t care about. We need to have school spirit first, before we put on all the theatrics to celebrate it.

The purpose of a pep rally is to rally school spirit and get the student body excited for an upcoming game or event. But do our pep rallies have this effect? Maybe for some students but, for most of us, not really.

March 2016

Opinion

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Unrealistic pressures harm American girls

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here is a lot of pressure on beauty these days. Many girls believe that if they cannot conform to the popular perception of beauty, they will never be cared for as much as those who can. Through television shows or movies, images on social media, internet stories or blogs, and pressure from peers or boys, girls are given a very narrow view of what their bodies should look like. Fashion models and celebrities set the standard for the average girls of America and make them strive to be something that they might never be. These types of unrealistic ideals, set in action by the ever growing media, are harming young girls in America.

One would think that America would be promoting young individuals to have confidence in

BY JORDYN themselves and embrace KOLAR who they are so that they can obtain internal happiness. Yet if you “flip through any teen fashion magazine… you will find countless advertisements and articles glorifying the importance of perfecting one’s body to achieve an ideal physical form.” There are even blogs and articles about specific body parts that give girls the steps to creating this idyllic body. Waist slimming devices, unrealistic butt and leg workouts, homemade acne treatments and ways to get fuller and shinier hair are just a few of the many headlines that will attract all types of teenagers to a magazine or commercial ad.

The curvy and skinny, tan and tall body type is rarer than one would think seeing as every girl plastered on the wall of a bus station or in a popular magazine is exactly that.

Girls should not have to be constantly

striving to look like this in order to have confidence in themselves. Having confidence as a girl is hard enough without the pressure of becoming something that everyone else thinks you should be. Young girls should not be wearing makeup just to go to school.

Girls should not have to suffer from bullying by other girls because they are overweight.

Boys should not be taught to only praise one kind of woman. Every girl is different in her own unique way, and we should be taught from a young age to respect ourselves and others around us, not to correct ourselves because our genetics are not within society’s restrictions. Women are not magical objects that can just shape shift into the perfect idea of whichever societal whim happens to be forced into their heads. We must have confidence in ourselves in order to be happy, and that starts from what we are impacted by from a young age.

A grass roots movement in New York City is treating this modern trend as a public health issue because they have found that girls at risk of negative body images could lead to “eating disorders, drinking [habits], acting out sexually, suicide, and bullying” later in life. As a community, we should initiate a movement showing young girls how beautiful they are, and we, as a school, can get it started. Girls need to learn early and hear often to love themselves, and this can be done most easily and effectively by connecting with them in the places they are most likely to be impacted. I believe this is the right plan of action to create a better environment for young girls in our community; it’s about time that the rest of the country catches up.

* This column was written in Dual Credit English IV and submitted for publication.

What would you like to see added to pep rallies?

“Maybe if they added random dares “Something that’ll actually get for the teachers to do.” me excited. Maybe a different Veron Morrison, 10 routine than usual.”

Jake Ahearne, 12

“I think they are good the way “Less football, more other stuff.

There are teams and clubs that are they are.” doing well.”

Emily Callens, 11 Bri Crockett, 12

“Get the crowd more involved in pep rallies.”

Caitlyn Dickerson, 9

“(They should) have more student-teacher games.”

Kyle Stansy, 10

Censorship of art in society should end; all works deserve respect

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have never felt the embrace of anything more comforting than provocative art. The most obscene, depraved, and immoral are particularly the most satisfying. I also can sympathize with artists on the idea of getting a reaction out of people. That I believe is the most enjoyable part of art.

Provocative art does not have to be overtly offensive nor is it the only art I enjoy; however, it is the most interesting to me. Many others unfortunately do not find the joy in provocative art as I do, which is absolutely justified. If something disgusts you or offends you, you don’t have to like it. Art is subjective. What is not justified, however,

BY ZACHARY is the outright censorship of art on the basis that it is SAAVEDRA provocative.

These regressive attitudes have been prevalent since the conception of art.

Classic works such as Michelangelo’s paintings at the Sistine Chapel were considerably racy in the time they were painted. These antiquated ideas of censorship that personal feelings should always trump artistic integrity are still prevalent to this day. I would not be surprised if even in those times public leaders would be squealing, “Oh, will you think of the children.” Collectives will always find reasons to censor art on the basis that it is offending to the sensibilities. Women’s breasts cannot be shown because it is seen as

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March 2016

degrading. Violence should not be shown because it may spawn violent tendencies to those in reality.

What those who cry for censorship do not understand is that art reflects reality, not the other way around. We live in a depraved, violent, and sexual world. While also somewhat contradictory, we live in a beautiful, vibrant, and expressive world. They are both two sides to the same coin. Those that wish to censor art are wishing to censor reality. This dishonest mindset is still prevalent; many people do not want to face reality for the sole reason that it offends them. Even the most inflammatory works deserve respect.

You don’t have to enjoy the art, but you cannot try to actively destroy it.

Many of these base ideas are invading mediums I enjoy on the grounds of representation of minorities or marginalized groups most frequently colluded with violence in media. Artists should not have to devolve their art to the sensibilities of society and should actively be encouraged to do avoid doing so.

Recent attacks on art such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting and popular censorship of media call into question our honesty as a society. These attacks should also inspire, not discourage, artists from making art, to carry the torch for the downtrodden or oppressed artists of the past, and to continue a legacy of the obscene, the offensive, and the beautiful.

* This column was written in Dual Credit English IV and submitted for publication.

Album Review s By Emily Humble

The 1975’s new album is strikingly eccentric

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knew The 1975 were a piece of trash. They’re a nearly-mainstream British boy band, who’s music video for their biggest hit to date is all artsy shots of the band members smoking and driving around London, looking perpetually mopey in black leather jackets. At seemingly every live performance, the lead singer, Matt Healy, seems to be under the influence of something or another and then continues to smoke and drink on stage.

The main demographic of their audience is teenage girls.

That being said, their debut album had a great sound. The core of their songs were built up with layers of tidy electronic intricacy, so much so that it sounds as much like EDM as it does indie pop. It’s all pretty mindless and repetitive, sure; but it sounds good, good like the best remixes. So I begrudgingly liked them, like you like someone you think is attractive, but you don’t want to talk to them because you know there’s not a lot going on under the surface.

And that’s how I felt going into their brand new album, “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It” (which really should be called anything other than that).

The album’s made me question if it is such a bad thing to love a band for their sound alone. The main goal of ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI (Dear Lord!), similar to their last album, is to create sleek, young, bright, unadulterated pop, which has indeed been carried out extremely well.

Something I’ve been fascinated with this band, though, forgetting their music, is their complete reversal in style. While their old look, now being

called by some their “black period,” involved mainly leather jackets and cigarettes, this new album, said to be the opening to their “pink period,” has involved Healy wearing eye makeup and getting a perm. It’s thrown a lot of fans, but I’m delighted with this development. It’s a hard thing for a band with a young audience to change their image, and I’m glad they had the guts to do it.

Their new sound has maintained the chill the first album had, but has upped the flirtiness and color several levels, drawing strongly from ‘80s pop, in addition to adding more depth and meaning to their songs than those of the first album.

Healy has also become more than a slurry British accent with using a wider range of his voice, delivering some great lyrics, which, while they’ve been called “super emo,” by critics and Healy alike, are wonderfully free from panache.

I still don’t think I’d want to see them live though. Healy has proven with his acoustic work in this album that he does in fact have some musical talent when he’s not drunk or high; but despite that, no four member band can perform the electronic mastering mixed into both new and old albums with traditional instruments. While the song quality has improved, it’s still only mediocre stripped down. That’s the case with most pop.

But I’ve moved on from the idea that people should only listen to “good” music. Praising only artists who create the audible form of kale is not for me. Every once in awhile, you need some ice cream. There is no shame in that. And, to me, that’s what The 1975 is - a giant bowl of gourmet ice cream. They don’t really pretend to be anything but what they are.

TOP TEN. . . realizations you’re done with school

10. Even your sweatpants seem too fancy.

9. You wake up already tired of the day.

8. You consider dropping out on a daily basis.

7. Your earbuds become your best friend.

6. You’d rather take defeat than Algebra.

5. *cries when lunch ends.* 4. You go to the bathroom to hide every period.

3. All you do is complain.

2. You Google jobs that don’t require an education.

1. Even reading this list made you exhausted.

By Claire Slaughter and Kaeli Davidson

Dress code rules are teaching boys horrible things

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ometimes there is nothing better than the feeling that comes from wearing an outfit that makes you feel both confident and comfortable, simultaneously. I distinctly remember one specific ensemble I wore, but for a rather less-incredible feeling that followed.

It was a chilly day, and I was clothed in a pair of simple black leggings underneath some high-waisted shorts, a pink sweater, a pair of knee socks rolled down, and some slightly-heeled boots. I would like to note: there was not a single shred of skin showing below my neck. The sweater was long sleeved, and the leggings covered all the skin on my legs. And as I was rocking this rather conservative outfit, I had a strange thought: My outfit would not pass my school’s dress code.

This was because my legs were only covered in a dark spandex material, even though my shoulders were not showing, and you wouldn’t be able to see my oh-so-scandalous backside in the spandex, which is the main reason why

BY SAWYER leggings are banned from some schools. My hemline was PATTON also appropriate, especially considering I was wearing pants under the shorts. And yet, despite all this, I would have been out of dress code.

Here is something else you should know about me. I, Sawyer Patton, a 12th grader in high school, do believe that a dress code is practical as well as responsible. What I do not believe in is the reason for a female’s dress code being based upon the fact that if they should wear those banned garments, they will surely detract from the male learning environment by distracting them.

If you take a look at my own school district’s website, the dress code policy states quite vaguely that, “Any form of dress that attracts undue attention,...

disrupts school,...or detracts from the learning process is not acceptable.” But who exactly does the school system seem mainly concerned about distracting? The answer of course is male students; however, the male students must abide by dress code rules as well, and in no way are they exempt from sexism considering they cannot wear earrings or sleeveless shirts so long as they pass the shoulder covering rule.

The difference between dress code rules for girls and dress code rules for boys is the fact that much of the girls’ rules are based around their effect on the boys, whereas the reverse is not true. Also, if you consider dress code violations according to gender, the male violations focus more around defiance as a reason for being inappropriate, whereas when a female breaks dress code, it is because of seductiveness.

If your beliefs are anything like mine, I am sure you can see how problematic this situation is. If we raise the male population believing that girls are meant to dress appropriately for them, how can we expect males to draw the line in what they expect females to alter for their convenience? It sends the message that not only can boys fail to control themselves, but also that they are not expected to be able to control themselves. And there lies the issue with telling the girls they must cover up for the boys and not for the purpose of professionalism. It perpetuates the incredibly outdated idea that women must revolve around the needs of men, as well as the idea that boys cannot exhibit a single ounce of selfcontrol when it comes to anything of a sexual nature involving girls.

* This column was written in Dual Credit English IV and submitted for publication.

March 2016

Opinion

15

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