The Paw Print - November 2020

November 2020 Volume III Issue II

Dripping Springs High School, School, Dripping Springs, Springs, TX 78620

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“My drive is to see how far I can go with the sport I was meant for,” Lucy Tyo said. “My coaches, teammates, and family push me to be the best I can be.”

“I love my sport because it is unlike any other sport I’ve played,” Mckenzie Mellen said, “and I have just found it the most fun and interesting.”

Photo by Mary Grace Allen

Photo by Hailey Jarvis

Photo by Julia Carter

Photo by Savannah Karas

“I think mental blocks when the score is down is the most challenging,” Gwendolyn Bailey said. “Learning to focus on each individual point and be able to not focus on the scoreboard has been something I have been working on.”

Diversity and School 2 Social Sleepwalking 5 Take a Closer Seat 7 News 2 Entertainment 3 Features 4 Editorials 5 Sports 6,7 Student Life 8 The Paw Print’s core purpose is to serve the students and staff of Dripping Springs High School, as well as the surrounding community, with the most meaningful news and content regarding our school’s culture and the student body that influences it. From students, to students. But this one is just for fun.

Lacrosse Photos Courtesy of Photographer Troy Walker

Photo by Julia Carter

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November 2020

The Paw Print

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News Creative Writing and 2020 Meraki literary magazine continues its development Alec Stuart News Editor

The creative writing program is fairly new, being founded only a few years ago. However, it has already rapidly taken off and expanded its activities.

“So, what happened five years ago, Joe Burns asked me to start a CW program, and I came up with it, and that’s how it happened,” creative writing teacher Katy Eyberg said.

The major staple of the program is the Meraki, the literary magazine. They are currently beginning to produce the sixth volume. While it may have a considerable amount of support and dedication right now, it started off as a small group of students who produced the first issue.

They laid the groundwork for what the creative writing program became as a whole.

“The foundation we laid in 2016 created what the Meraki is today,” Eyberg said. “I’m surprised it has stuck to now. I’m glad it worked and continues to work.”

For two years, Eyberg was overseas in Thailand, with Travis Crain leading the program during that time. The program has grown considerably since its inception, with Eyberg and Crain building on the original class format and improving it. Eyberg has some ideas for the future of the magazine.

“I want to do away with whispered rules and renovate the foundation, so it continues to be reliable for years to come. I want the seniors to leave behind something strong and durable,” Eyberg said.

Most of the current staff for the literary magazine are seniors, having been in the program for years. Once next year rolls around, this will open the space for a completely new team to take the reins. However, the program was off to a rough start since the end of last year with COVID-19 limiting technology access.

“It was rough because, essentially, there was one laptop that had InDesign on it,” senior Gabby Avena said.

“I was the only person experienced with InDesign.”

The program has since recovered mostly, with the team fully ready to produce the next volume. Planning has been underway for the past month, and the team expects to open submissions in mid November, lasting until spring break.

“Thankfully, more people got access to InDesign which helped out,” Avena said. “It was very fun but intense.”

Overall, the creative writing program has had a successful development in 2020 once the new school year began. Relatively undeterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, students have shown enjoyment in the program and are excited to see what comes next.

“This year I want to do something new to the Meraki,” Avena said, “and set in stone the way the team works together.”

The 2020 Meraki Cover.

Q&A with Tech Theatre student sophomore Victoria Reyes Q: How has COVID-19 affected the tech side of theatre?

A: COVID-19 makes it really hard to participate in tech considering tech theatre is very hands-on.

In our theatre department, safety is always the number one priority. So we don’t get to be building sets and working tech like we normally are doing during this time of year due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Q: How long have you been doing tech theatre?

A: I’ve been doing tech theatre since sixth grade so around five years in total?

I started taking the actual class in seventh grade.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of tech?

A: I would say my favorite aspect of tech would be the stage managing and running crew portion. Tech is great in the sense you can venture out and work in an area that’s suitable for you. I’ve always had an interest in running crew and managing! Props are wonderful as well. I will say, props from middle school to high school are very different but overall a very good area to be in if you enjoy working independently (or in small groups).

Q: Do you know what’s going to happen in the future with COVID-19 and its effect on productions?

A: There’s not too much out there nor am I sure I can share too much but we are trying to adapt our usual productions in a way that’s COVID-19 friendly.

Q: What would you say to someone who wanted to join Tech, but was too scared to?

Sierra Trbovich Staff Writer You’ll develop an overall knowledge of everything but like I mentioned before, you can pick where you feel most comfortable/ strive in and focus yourself there. However, you still will be able to get your fair share of being involved in everything else! Everyone’s super kind and ready to help you get in the habit of things. We all start somewhere.

A: You should join! I was scared at first because tools and et cetera can seem scary at first. We have a great department who teaches you what you need to know and we are one big family.

Diversity and School Gabriella Plasencia Staff Writer

Principal Angela Gamez shares hopes of encouraging empathy and conversations about diversity through her ethics operating amongst the students, faculty, and entirety of the learning community.

“My hope is that starting the conversation is the most important step, and that staff education and professional development in this area is the first step in creating a more inclusive environment for all students,” Gamez said.

Gamez hopes conversations among students and the whole community prioritize mindfulness and compassion for one another, and thought on the variety of needs that must be accounted for.

“We began the conversation district-wide last year and into the summer,” Gamez said. “There is a district diversity and inclusivity committee with administrators, teachers, and parents to discuss what this needs to look like district-wide.”

Plans are in the works on a district scale that are critically considering the diversity of the demographic of students that is ever-growing to this day. Parents of the students and educators are vocal with the administration for the school.

“During teacher in-service, a couple of our teachers ran a professional development workshop on diversity and inclusivity,” Gamez said. “Those teachers are also working on building a committee to support diversity/inclusivity on our campus.”

Teachers who have been educated and experienced in developing their teaching style interlocking with inclusivity are a part of the conversation in the school to encourage equity.

“All counselors, administrators, and a few teachers took part in a training called ‘Speak Up at School’ from the Teaching Tolerance group; essentially it is a see something/say something philosophy,” Gamez said.

The Teaching Tolerance group is an anti-biased group that has produced an abundance of accessible resources for teachers and schools to bring up students without any measure of biased prejudices. This tolerance-oriented teaching service shared amongst educators of the school is one of the strategies for subtracting biases in the classroom among preconceived notions of the majority.

“I think that the day of service would support the philosophies of thinking outside ourselves and giving back to our community, as well as seeing life from different perspectives,” Gamez said.

Students have the option to participate in Service Day, in which an entire day is dedicated to community service, usually in many numbers of people from 10th grade onward.

“There are also many student clubs on campus with a mission to support all students and encourage inclusivity,” Gamez said.

The International Club, Sign Language Club, Spanish Honor Society, UNICEF club, and German club are examples of preexisting opportunities the student body has access to that configures the thought of an open mind, welcoming multicultural and inclusive acceptance and support.

“In everything, [we’re striving for] a strong sense of empathy, sensitivity, and open-mindedness - a willingness to listen and allow others to be heard,” Gamez said. “I believe any attempt for our school community to grow closer and break down barriers is a success, and I will continue to support and encourage students and staff to find ways to promote inclusivity of all students.”

New theatre teacher Christine Hathcock joins the DSHS family Sierra Trbovich Staff Writer

This year has been rough for everyone. Whether you are a teacher or a student, we’ve gained some and lost some. Throughout everything that has happened, we gained a new member to our Dripping Springs family. Theatre Director Rachael Koske resigned in August paving the way for new Director Christine Hathcock to take on the productions in a challenging year. Hathcock was born and raised in Texas, before moving out to New York where she did some work on Broadway.

“I am one of seven endowed Master Class teachers in the state of Texas. I am originally from this area, and my family lives here,” Hathcock said. “DSISD is a fantastic school district that is rich in tradition and excellence. It was a pretty easy decision for me.”

Hathcock has been working in the theatre industry for over 30 years now, doing all different genres of theatre.

Hathcock got into theatre when she saw a production of “The Wizard Of Oz” on a kindergarten field trip. She knew right then that she had to do it.

Hathcock has been a part of many productions, but she says her overall

favorite was when she was an actor in the play “The Seagull”.

“The students are fantastic, and I’m excited to experience new things with them,” Hathcock said.

Hathcock has done so many different genres of theatre ranging from directing up to acting, musical theatre to straight plays, but she says that she does not have a favorite and loves all types.

“This year, with COVID-19, the focus has to be on performance in a safe environment. Health and wellbeing of people come first above anything,” Hathcock said.

With the crazy start to this year and everything that has happened, Hathcock wants to achieve making sure everyone stays healthy this year.

It’s important that everyone is safe, especially if the theatre department wants to put on a show for this year.

“Being careful [is the main thing],” Hathcock said. “There is so much to ittoo much for a short answer. Everyone will be safe.”

Hathcock’s advice to anyone who is interested in the theatre pathway, whether it’s later in the future or right now is to “Never give up. Tenacity is key. Create your own art. Think ‘Hamilton’.”

The advanced theatre production discusses script writing. Photo by Riordan Tiller.

Chiropractic and Sports Medicine 9300 Highway and Sports Medicine Building A

Austin, TX 78736 512.362.8865

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The Paw Print November 2020

Entertainment

The Stadium On Your Screen Taking Advantage of Live Streaming

Tell Me Something Good

Tia Davison Entertainment Editor

Positive Stories about Our Davison Community Tia Entertainment Editor

Want to watch the game but don’t want to Mackenzie Cunningham said. leave your house? The Dripping Entertainment The organization is using a program called Media Organization (DEMO) has got your back!

Productions truck to live stream events and DEMO is a live streaming service that provides various types of technology like iPads and Sony a safe way for parents and students to enjoy our cameras. school’s sports from anywhere.

“DEMO is a great opportunity for students “The goal of DEMO is to provide live interested in learning AV Tech, Broadcasting, and entertainment to the soon Marketing to gain parents and spectators real-world experience in of the Dripping Springs a ground-level program,” community,” safety and Marek said. events manager Curt The organization is Marek said. staying safe while helping Last year a group of the community stay safe, seniors who interned masks are mandatory for at UT football working the staff and there is hand on LED boards for the sanitizer is available in the Longhorns started press box, the gyms, and DEMO, due to the on the field. circumstances of this “We are required to year, the organization wear masks when we film, has come in handy as but luckily there is usually a platform for students only one person working to showcase their each camera so we abilities and serve the are pretty distant,” staff community. member Mattie Gretzinger “DEMO is an initiative said. to mitigate potential Students are COVID exposure encouraged to join if in a live spectator they are looking for an experience,” Marek opportunity to earn service said. hours and are interested in Currently, DEMO is technology and camera only covering athletic work. events in the stadium “Demo is super fun so or gym but is hoping far and I’m excited to to expand to other see how this organization Photo by Teagan Krewson events. Students operate grows,” Cunningham said. the cameras in the press box for “Something I’d like the student body junior varsity and freshman football games, field to know is that if you are truly interested in joining cameras for varsity games, and in the gym at you should.” volleyball games.

If you are interested in watching a live stream, “Roles are very flexible and everyone is DEMO is currently streaming on the high school learning how to do a little bit of everything and athletics site. also what position they like best,” staff member

Irene The Cheerleader

Irene is an 8-year-old girl at Walnut Springs Elementary. She has Williams syndrome which is a rare genetic condition that has cognitive disabilities, cardiovascular issues, learning disabilities, hearing and visual issues and a very outgoing personality. She was nominated to be a CC4C kid. CC4C is a nonprofit organization that supports children with rare undiagnosed conditions. Irene’s sponsor is the varsity cheer squad. You can find Irene cheering with the team at every home game!

Photo by Teagan Krewson

Band Accomplishment

The band was recently selected to perform as a Performing Group for the 2021 TMEA Virtual Convention. The band has been asked to prepare 25 minutes of music due to this year’s circumstances, they will record their performance ahead of time to be streamed for access by all the attendees of the convection in February of 2021.

Abby Tredway Staff Writer

Rising Artist Jean Dawson

Jean Dawson is an alternative artist from San Diego that has a very unique sound. He can’t really be boxed into any certain genre, as he tends to experiment with different styles on each song. Dawson released his freshman album Bad Sports in 2019, which featured songs such as Napster and 90’s Green Screen. Since then, he has released five singles and his sophomore album, Pixel Bath. Dawson’s second album dropped on October 23 of this year, and features his most popular song yet, Starface*.

He racks up over 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, but has yet to reach mainstream status. Go and give him a listen, you won’t be disappointed.

Apple Music Vs. Spotify

Students Honored by the College Board

Abby Tredway Staff Writer

Twenty of our students have been honored as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars, this was available to high school seniors who scored in the top 2.5% of the PSAT/NMSQT tests. The students who have been recognized include Gabrielle Avena, Aidan Bailey, Makayla Banton, Dylan Bao, Jasmine Bisett, Helena Bjeletich, Natalie Chavez, Avery Davis, Jake Fields, Caroline Gamble, Jackson Kaiser, Kaylee Longo, Thomas Olvera, Tyler Papp, Jack Perry, Jadon Putman, Gabriel Rey, Isabella Sites, Clara Smartt, and Talon Thayer.

Which is the better Music Service For the past couple of years, the debate of which music streaming service is better has taken over social media. For some background information, Spotify has been up and running since 2006, while Apple Music started in 2015.

These two streaming services have been the two most popular services for a while now, and are the cause of a lot of debate. To preface, I am a bit biased because I am an Apple Music user, but my point that Apple Music receives too much criticism is still valid.

Based off of layout alone, I believe that Apple Music is the better service. With Apple Music, it gives more of a minimalistic design, while Spotify is far too cluttered for me. It’s extremely easy to navigate, and the criticism that Spotify is better for discovering artists just isn’t valid. Apple Music has led me to many small artists, some that have blown up in the time that I’ve found them, and some that are still more on the unknown side.

Since I don’t regularly use Spotify, I can’t say that one is better than the other, but I can attest to the fact that Apple Music is very useful for finding smaller artists.

One common critique about Apple Music is

that it is a lot harder to upload things to it like you can on Spotify. While this is true, the process that Apple Music has you go through protects people from uploading things that are stolen from other artists. For example, if you looked up any artist’s name and then unreleased, you would find tons of podcasts on Spotify that are actually just unreleased songs that a random person has uploaded to Spotify. This is definitely better for the user, but it’s a major drawback for the artist that made the song.

Both Apple Music and Spotify create playlists for you based on the music you listen to, which can ease the stress of making a playlist. I’ve seen a lot of people who use Spotify claim that the playlists that Apple Music curates are bad, but I think they’re great. This point will stay up to debate because you have to actively use one of the platforms for the playlists to accurately represent the music you like.

Both have pros and cons, but if you don’t use Apple Music you do not deserve to hate it for no valid reason. At the end of the day, both are music streaming services, but think about how they feel. Streaming services have feelings too.

Photo by Camryn Sulser

Netflix November

Top 10 New Releases This Month • Christmas Break-in, Nov. 1 9-year-old Izzy is stuck in school on the last day before Christmas break.

When two bad-guys kidnap the janitor, it is up to Izzy to save the day.

•

The Garfield Show (Season 3), Nov. 1 More animated adventures with everyone’s favorite lasagna loving cat.

• Elliot The Littlest Reindeer, Nov. 1 Holiday film where Blitzen announces his retirement.

• Prospect, Nov. 2 A father daughter pair head to a mysterious moon to gather resources.

little red notebook passed between two lovers.

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The Liberator (Limited Series), Nov. 11 An animated WWII series about a true story of the bloody and dramatic march to victory.

•

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Nov. 13 A musical adventure holiday special.

• The Crown (Season 4), Nov. 15 In this season we are introduced to Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher as the historical drama continues.

•

•

Operation Christmas Drop (Season 1), Nov. 5 Holiday film about a political aide falling for an Air Force pilot.

• Dash and Lily (Season 1), Nov. 10 Set in the Holiday season, about a

Photo by Kayla Childress

Mallory Neff Staff Writer

The Princess Switch: Switched Again, Nov 19 The Sequel to the Princess Switch.

When Duchess Margaret hits a rough patch, it’s up to her double, Stacy, to save the day before another look alike foils their plans.

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November 2020

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Features Mars, Masks, Music Band Season Looks Different Due to COVID-19

Mallory Neff Staff Writer

The stars of the show march out onto the field in an orderly fashion that can only be described as precise and practiced. They begin playing their brass and wood instruments as they march to the beat and keep a steady breath. The sound is loud, and it can be felt in the bleachers. The brilliant music, classy uniforms, and unique performances were all at stake. One thing is for sure; this marching season is unlike any other. Whether there would be a marching season or not was a seriously considered question.

At the beginning of the 2020 school year, the marching band students didn’t know what to expect or how to react to the changes that would have to be made to their marching season due to COVID-19. Many things have changed, and the students have had to adapt, but the excitement is the same. This marching season and its challenges are new for everyone, even the seniors that have been doing this for three years already.

“Even with the limitations that this situation has placed on us, this group has risen to the occasion in making the most of this year with what opportunities we have left,” senior Pamela Lohman said. “Considering that we are having in-person rehearsals, band season is going far better than everyone was expecting.”

COVID- 19 hit the marching season hard. The students have had to adapt to the situation and find new ways of doing things. What they have had to do is an entirely different kind of chaotic than in other years. Previously, the band had been able to put on elaborate shows, practice nearby, and celebrate achievements as they wish, but that all changed this year. They now have had to be organized, cautious, and attentive while adapting to a very unordinary situation.

“The biggest changes this year are having to learn how to perform with masks, being socially distanced on and off the field, and having fewer in-person activities like football games, competitions, and practices,” Lohman said.

The marching band has big plans for its season despite the obstacles. As time goes on, the students will shift from half-time shows and senior features to a full show later in the season when things are more under control. There is no doubt that the show will be unique.

“For our football game performance with the senior feature, we will be playing Treasure

by Bruno Mars,” Lohman said. “For the show, we will be working on later in the season; we will be playing Mars and Take Five.”

“Our band show this year is called Journey from Mars,“ sophomore Caroline Hardegree said. “We’ve been given some music, but I’m not sure how it ties into the theme.”

The seniors are exceptional leaders for the younger students in the band, and although, sadly, this is their last year in the high school band, it hasn’t been all that terrible. In some ways, the seniors have come to appreciate the challenges that have come up as they

Far, Never Lost Away from home; not far from culture

Photo by Teagan Krewson

have provided more opportunities to learn and for the band to grow and improve.

“As a senior this year, I had a moment of realization that I had marched my very last show and not realized it,” Lohman said. “However, even though this year is different, I also recognize it doesn’t mean that it will be worse. I think that COVID-19 has opened up more possibilities for our band program moving forward, and even though I won’t be around to see how our band’s response to this makes our program stronger, I know that it will. Even though it may seem right now that this situation is limiting my opportunities in my last year of the high school band, I also know that it is opening up opportunities that I would not have had if this did not happen.”

With an exciting season ahead, the marching band students expect to grow from the challenges they have overcome and the ones that will come up. The future is unpredictable, and one can only hope for good things to come. Whatever does happen, the students will have a very memorable and story-worth year.

“I’m not sure what to expect in the future,” Hardegree said. “Hopefully, greatness. I’ve been going with the flow, and I’m just excited to see what this year will bring for us.”

Sophia Portillo Staff Writer

Colors illuminate through the open streets as the music keeps the tradition alive.

Yellow, red, and green consume the people as they walk in the Carnival parade in the sweet era of spring. The air filled with the scent of frittelle and feijoada and glasses of bright, red wine rich in flavor in Canastra Rio de Janeiro make this place one of a kind.

The country is known for its beauty and home to supermodel Gisele Bündchen and world-famous soccer player Christiano Ronaldo.

It happens to be the biggest in South America, Brazil. For one girl, life continues 4,544 miles from home, but she has not forgotten where she has come from.

“I don’t think I have adjusted completely, and honestly, it is not a goal of mine,” junior Luane Pizzo said. “One of my favorite things about Brazil is how friendly, and easy-going people are,” Pizzo said.

In America, people live up to stereotypes in which they are perceived to come off as rude and quiet compared to the bright and lively culture in which Brazilians live. Although one person cannot account for all, the difference in culture affects how people display their personalities.

“Brazil is what made me myself. The people, the smiles, the beaches, the food, the music, and every single part of it makes me happy,” Pizzo said, “I wouldn’t live there again because I also love it here, but Brazil is the place where I formed some of my best memories, so it will always have a huge part of my heart.”

Brazil, known for its distinct and unique culture found only within the country, remains vastly different from the United States in its mannerisms. When it comes to political implementations, such as immigration, the differences are emphasized even further.

“There isn’t a single soul that would like to come illegally to a country to suffer from racism, not being able to get a decent paying job, not being able to have health care, knowing that their children will go through the same situation, and losing everything they have ever had,” Pizzo said. “The problem is that immigrating requires a lot of time and a great amount of money. My family [was able to do it] because we had the privilege that most people don’t have, but the fact that we managed to do it, which was also very difficult, doesn’t make it less wrong,” Pizzo said.

After years of immigration controversy, it remains a political topic discussed only with specific groups of people.

However, immigration remains as another main difference we see between the cultures of Brazil and the United States. Even though immigration divides, culture brings us together, no matter how far one remains from home.

“Honestly, I love life the way that it is, but I would want my Brazilian friends, who live in Round Rock, to live closer, or at least have more Brazilians around, so I keep in touch with the culture,” Pizzo said.

Moving from one place to another has a significant impact on the way one perceives life, and from Pizzo’s experience, the difference in culture has made her recognize the beauty in the world that others fail to notice.

“Moving so much made me accept that people leave, and things end, and that doesn’t make anything less beautiful or special,” Pizzo said, “ I didn’t lose anything, but I started to value my connections more, and my loyalty to myself.”

“Brazil is what made me myself. The people, the smiles, the beaches, the food, the music, and every single part of it makes me happy. I wouldn’t live there again, because I also love it here, but Brazil is the place where I formed some of my best memories, so it will always have a huge part of my heart.” Luane Pizzo, 11

Q& Luane A Pizzo

Q: What part of aspect of your life

did you have to change in order to adapt to the United States?

A: “It is really hard for me to distin-

guish a change that happened to me because I’m growing up. Moving so much has made me accept that people leave, and things end, and that doesn’t make anything less beautiful or less special. So I didn’t lose anything, but a started to value my connections more and my loyalty to myself.”

Q: What is one thing you would

change about living in the United States?

A: “The hardest thing was having

to grow up faster. I wish I could slow down, I had to start helping my parents out a lot because my English was better than theirs. Even though it was very overwhelming in the beginning, I’m sure it’ll help me in the future.”

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The Paw Print

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November 2020

Editorials A Flawed System

Issues with the GT and AP educational system, and how we can fix it.

Alec Stuart News Editor Photo courtesy of Pixabay

For many years, the American education system has been dominated by programs that appeal to identified “gifted and talented” students. Big chunks of money have been diverted to these programs, with schools using the prestige and recognition included to climb the ranks of the educational system. However, while these programs may sound good initially, they are very flawed deep down.

Starting off specifically for GT, the “Gifted and Talented” label isn’t accurate. While the general concept is to train the skills of “gifted students”, it has been observed many times that most students in the program are actually average in terms of grades and skill/ knowledge. I personally recall an experience that I had a few years ago. I saw something written by a GT certified student. The entire work was filled with typos and horrible grammar/spelling errors. This wasn’t from a gifted student. This was at the level of a kindergartener.

What this exposes is that most students in the program aren’t gifted. In fact, the majority I have encountered have shown little to no willingness to work. They were forced into the program under pressure by others.

This causes unnecessary stress and overexertion by the students. By now, most of the students I’ve seen are seemingly burned out.

I recently got invited by my friend to an online chat server for students in the advanced programs. Upon reading some of the chat forums, I repeatedly found them showing anger and frustration over school. This is not what we want to see. School is

meant to be an exciting experience filled with exploration of new fields. Instead, we have a bunch of students angered, tired, and not willing to work. Worst of all, it got to the point where they began to insult teachers and staff.

The advanced programs are being used by a wide variety of groups for money, prestige, and power (i.e. College Board, student parents, school administrators, etc.).

Right now, let’s talk about the College Board.

The College Board is a non-governmental company that specializes in developing school programs and tests. Officially, they are non profit. However, much of their activities are corporate in nature. In 2019, the company made approximately $150 million in profit, and that was just one year. Their budget is estimated to be more than a billion dollars.

They also own much of the standardized tests and have, practically, no competitors. Why should a non-governmental organization have so much control over our educational system?

I think that AP should stay, but ownership of the program and SAT tests be handed over to the government.

The GT and AP programs are merely a label in nature. They do not determine someone’s individual knowledge and gifts. They are merely there for prestige and money. This is why I propose that GT either be renamed to something else (so it’s not strictly labeling students as gifted), or be dissolved entirely. In an age where more and more young people are being granted a decent education, we should be thankful for what we have and not be entitled. We also need to prevent more corporate intrusion on government institutions. The American school system is heavily flawed, but we can fix it together. We can make these programs actually mean something. School can actually do what it’s supposed to do, educate.

Social Sleepwalking The importance of media misconception awareness Sam Moore Co-Editor in Chief

Has Social Media Ever Made You Feel the Need to Change Your Appearance?

Social media such as Instagram and Tik Tok impact the fitness industry on a massive scale. These platforms are full of amateur “fitness coaches” telling young men and women to restrict their diet, workout twice a day, and do endless cardio. And most of the time, their fitness advice isn’t only true, but it is truly harmful. We need to make an effort in our school to educate students on how to healthily treat their body in fitness and nutrition.

The vast majority of media we consume is posed and modified to show us “perfection”. The fitness girls you see you Instagram, in reality probably look a lot like the rest of us. The difference is that they’ve spent a great deal of time figuring out what poses work best for them along with buying compression leggings that aren’t in a teenager’s budget.

Along with these perfectly planned images, there is a great deal of “What I Eat in a Day” content that is very misleading. It shows influencers eating healthy food, but not very much of it.

To lose weight it is true that you have to be in a moderate caloric deficit, but the goal should never be to eat as little as possible. Food is fuel and your body needs an adequate amount.

In addition to undereating being promoted, Fad Diets are a big niche

The results of a recent Instagram poll

61% said yes

Contact Us General Questions: dshsstudentmedia@dsisdconnect.com 512-858-3243

Advertising Inquiries: dshsadvertising@gmail.com

39% said no

November 2020 Volume III Issue II

The Paw Print

Teacher Pop: 144 Student Pop: 2171

Letters

The Paw Print encourages the student body to submit letters to the editor.

Letters, guest columns, and all material submitted for publication must include the writer’s name and stay under 400 words. The Paw Print does not guarantee to print or online publish work submitted. The meaning of any submission will not be altered, however The Paw Print reserves the right to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation when necessary, as well as condense.

Additionally, The Paw Print refuses to print criticism which is not constructive or unsupported by credible evidence.

Email submissions to dshsstudentmedia@dsisdconnect.com.

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Awards NSPA Best of Show 2020 ILPC 2018-2019 Honor CSPA 2018-2019 Second Place ASPA 2018-2019 First Place

on platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram.

While these diets can work for some people, they are not a long term solution due to being restrictive. These kinds of restrictions are not sustainable for long term health. According to the University of Minnesota’s Health and Eating Lab, there is a neurological reaction to dieting that causes your brain to be more aware of food and it becomes increasingly more tempting, setting the dieter up for failure.

The part of fitness that isn’t shown on social media is how much the body can change throughout a single day.

The average person gains around five or six pounds between the time they wake up and the time they go to bed.

This is due to simply eating and drinking water as well as hormone fluctuation throughout the day or month.

While social media is full of useful information, fitness culture online does not promote a sustainable lifestyle. As a community, we need to make an effort to be more conscious of the media we are consuming and be aware that not everything on social media is true.

As a school and a community, we need to educate ourselves on how to healthy nourish our bodies with exercise and food in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable.

Meet the Staff Co-Editor in Chief Sam Moore Co-Editor in Chief Evelyn Peterson Features Editor Sports Editor Sam Moore Cady RusselL Online Editor Cady Russell News Editor Alec Stuart

Entertainment Editor Tia Davison Opinion Editor Sam Moore

Student Life Editor Evelyn Peterson Staff Writers Brooklyn Hagblom, Abby Hernandez, Mallory Neff, Sophia Portillo, Sierra Trbovich, Abby Tredway Byline Illustrator Cat Covatta

Advisor Jessica Stamp

The Paw Print is inserted inside the Century News, and distributed to racks next to the front office, CL&I, and the student media room. 2,000 copies are printed.

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Sports From Field to Life Football Tackles COVID-19, Teaches Lifelong Skills Cady Russell Sports Editor

The cool fall breeze is just starting up, as players roll out Photos by Teagan Krewson. onto the field for practice. There’s shouting as players jog to their respective line, offense and defense, and special teams. It’s loud, the breathing of players harsh. Booming coach’s voices echoing off the stadium walls. Football season is well underway “I’m a fairly energetic non-quiet person. So, I think constant reminders of the little details we have to do, the same thing that everybody does, to wear masks, wash your hands, wipe down your phone regularly. Don’t drink after people. It’s not one big thing,” Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Galen Zimmerman said.

Football has plays and patterns, including practicing COVID-19 prevention.

“I think, the importance of it or the fact that we remind them to make it a habit, you know, try to continue to do these things,” Zimmerman said, “and it becomes a habit - a habitual kind of a mentality. I think, hopefully, [it will] will rub off.”

Sports are often the place for kids to let off steam, let their worries rest during practice.

But with the constant reminders of the pandemic, there is a worry about mental health.

“I mean, you’re trying to worry about it as a kid. You’re trying to worry about all your classes,” Zimmerman said. “You try to worry about remembering the offense and defense; you’re trying to worry about family stuff you got going on - a girlfriend or whatever. And then, on top of that, Coach telling you, reminding you all the time: wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, don’t do this, wash your phone. I think that, yeah, there’s a lot of stuff. And so, I think, it can drain you a little bit mentally, for sure.”

However, despite the worry that the player may become mentally drained, Zimmerman praises his players for handling everything so well, turning their eyes towards their goal for the season - a state championship.

“Oh, the biggest hope is the championship. I mean, that’s every year. Every year, we have the same goals - number one is for every kid to pass all their classes, and that’s a lofty goal, especially in 2020,” Zimmerman said.

And some of those goals have changed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Normally, we talk about being able to play in December. Well, now we’re talking about we need one of our goals is to play on New Year’s Day,” Zimmerman said.

But it’s not just about the season and when games get played, but about the program that football is building.

“We’re building a great program. And when I say ‘we’ that is the coaches, the players, the managers, the trainers, the support staff, the parents, not just a great team, not just this year, but a great program, where year after year, this is something that they can be proud of,” Zimmerman said.

Photo by Teagan Krewson.

Photo by Anastasia Thomas.

But no matter the season or the scores or how the pandemic impacts it, the impact of the program will last a lifetime.

“We want to produce men of character and teach them habits and the values that hopefully will make them better than anything,” Zimmerman said. “The same habits that make you a better football player generally make you better in any arena - your job and family. Successful people have the same habits no matter what their job is.”

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The Paw Print November 2020

Sports

Take a Closer Seat

Lacrosse

Inside Lesser Watched Sports Evelyn Peterson Co Editor-in-Chief Every sport is unique in its own way. In Texas, certain sports are capitalized more than others, such as; football, basketball, baseball. However, this school has many other sports that are just as good.

Photo by Savannah Karas.

Up north in the United States is where lacrosse is the most popular. However, in recent years lacrosse has been growing in popularity around Texas.

“Over the past few years, some games we would get a bunch, and sometimes we would only have families,” junior Lucy Tyo said.

The girls’ lacrosse team has made it as far as districts, and the boys’ lacrosse team has made it as far as state in the past. This sport is a team sport and requires a lot of group effort.

“I love my sport because of the family and the standards we hold ourselves up to,” senior Nathan Pruitt said. “The others around me really push me to get better and become a better player.”

Tennis For the past several years, the tennis team has made it to districts, bi-districts, areas, and all the way to regionals. However, they would fall short by a few points to Alamo Heights in the regionals a few times.

“We are in the middle of the fall season, but an accomplishment this season has been advancing as third into the playoffs,” junior Gwendolyn Bailey said.

Tennis is a growing sport in Texas, yet it does not have a wide fan-base compared to sports like football.

“In our school, tennis does not have as wide a fan base as other sports, such as football or basketball,” senior Aidan Johannson said. “However, with the rest of the world, tennis is pretty big, with large tournaments like Wimbledon gaining a lot of viewership. Tennis is also more popular in other countries than it is here, so it has a wider fan base in other parts of the world.”

Tennis can be looked at as an individual sport. However, there are still doubles matches and can be a team support.

“In general, I love tennis because it’s a sport where I can be playing for myself,” junior Corbin Adcox said, “for the team, and supporting the team all at the same time.”

Powerlifting

Photo by Austin Darby.

Photo by Olivia Funk.

Swim

Photo by Julia Carter.

Powerlifting is a sport that requires a lot of strength, focus, and accuracy, to perform three types of lifts; squat, bench press, and deadlift. One little mistake can cause an incomplete lift or an injury.

“Powerlifting is unique in the way that it is very much so tons of outside training,” senior Simone Swanson said. “A lot of competitive powerlifters are in the gym two times a day, six days a week, for two to three hours each session.”

Over the past years, many of the competitors in powerlifting have made it as far as to state and broke many school records and often have not been adequately recognized in our schools’ media.

“If we were to compare the fan base of powerlifting to football or basketball, then definitely not. I would describe it as modest,” Swanson said. “I would say a majority of our fans actually compete in powerlifting or have competed in the past, which is a unique concept.”

Texas is one of the top states for competing and training for swimming. Our school has had many swimmers make it to state and a handful win state. Not much is known about this because the media coverage of swimming at our school has been lacking.

“My accomplishments are that I’ve made varsity all four years and have been to regional meets every year, and hopefully this year,” senior Kasen Embrey said. “We have been pretty consistent on getting to regionals and won state my freshman year.”

There is more to swimming than meets the eye. It requires a lot of technique, dedication, and consistency. “[Swim] uses a lot of different muscles that some sports don’t work so that it may seem easy, but it’s actually so hard,” Embrey said. “Knowing that even the slightest mess up can ruin the one race you’re working for all year.”

Photo from Simonne Swanson.

Wrapping It Up Athletic Trainers Program, COVID-19 Brooklyn Hagblom Staff Writer Sophomores Addy Williams and Sara Dunn have been in the athletic training program since the start of freshman year. They both really enjoy the program, and plan on doing it the rest of high school. Since the pandemic, many things have been different, including the medical aid of our athletes. This involves some new, and some already made procedures to keep the athletes, and the trainers, healthy and safe.

What things have changed/how is this year different with the onset of COVID? Addy: We weren’t able to go on the field as much as we normally would pre-COVID. During football practice, the players are not allowed to touch the water cans to refill their waters so we have to do it for them. Wrestling isn’t even allowed to practice actual wrestling because of COVID. They aren’t allowed to touch each other, so they have been doing weight room and strength and conditioning.

Sara: We now have to wear masks 24/7 and we have to do everything for the boys. They are not allowed to touch anything, not even the water bottles.

Is it different being the experienced person in the room, and how is it helping the freshman learn?

Addy: It is really fun being the teacher not the student. The new freshmen are fun to be around and they are always up for learning. I remember last year it took a lot of time and effort to break the ice between the older girls and me but when some of the other trainers actually talked to me then I became really outgoing. I am trying to help the freshman become comfortable and not feel like the little kids of the class.

Sara: It’s really easy, the freshmen are always eager to learn and they are really good at getting a job or a task done.

Player Spotlight Senior Simonne Swanson, Varsity Powerlifting Evelyn Peterson Co Editor-in-Chief How have you/your team adapted to the challenges of this year?

“COVID has really put a pause in a lot of lifters’ progress. With the gyms closed for months a lot of us found that we were falling behind. A lot of us found ways to stay fit during the unprecedented times so that once the gyms opened up again we could make a quick recovery in getting our strength back.”

Why do you love your sport?

“There are so many reasons why I love this sport. But to keep it short, I love the self motivating aspect. I love having that purpose to go into the gym and train to be a better lifter.

Whether that’s for aesthetics or strength. That motivation and drive is rather addicting and is what made me fall in love with the sport.”

Photo by Olivia Funk.

What sports do you plan on working with this year?

Addy: I will be working with football and wrestling.

Football is what varsity trainers do. It is really fun because you get to know the players, and Photo by Teagan Krewson. other trainers it becomes like a little family. Wrestling too, the other trainers and I were some of the first trainers to do wrestling. We have built that program ourselves so all the athletes respect you and they treat you like family.

Sara: I will be working with basketball and football this year.

I chose to do them because they are really fun to watch, and I know a lot of people in these sports so I am very comfortable.

What cautions are you taking with the contact of athletes?

Photo by Ariela Barron.

Addy: We have to pretty much always be wearing gloves, especially if there is blood. If it’s just a quick wrap then I don’t put on gloves. We always wash our hands after touching an athlete whether it is taping an ankle or simply wrapping a turf burn.

Sara: Not really, we just always had to have our mask and gloves on.

How is your season going?

“I would say that our season is going well. Right now we are preparing for our competition season in February. My plans for this year are to make it to state and break the records in my weight class.”

What are your personal accomplishments since playing your sport?

“Last year was my first official year competing in the sport. By far my best accomplishment was breaking the bench record for my weight class of the time. I benched 155 lbs. in the 181 lbs. weight class.”

What are challenges you have faced in this sport this season or in past seasons?

“The judges. The judges could be hit or miss. Some are way harder and more critical than others. This means that any slight error in form could result in an incomplete lift. So recognizing that is crucial to a successful meet. Other challenges include energy level. We get up at 5 a.m. only to lift at 9 a.m. and our meets can last all the way until 6 p.m. Energy is important for making a lift because if you are tired then there is no energy to lift, which could result in an incomplete lift. Every lift is important so that you can qualify for regionals or state or whatever the competition may be.

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Student Life All Photos by Will Leibe

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“The skating community is very accepting,” sophomore Jack Reilly said, “because you’re constantly failing a trick and trying over and over again to land something; you kind of have to be there for each other to give your friends tips on how to do or land a certain trick. It is a very safe community, and I think that if you want to skate, you should go ahead. Don’t worry about what other people think or if they are judging you.”

Skating Through Town “I started when it wasn’t popular, and even some of my older friends have gotten made fun of for skating. But, yeah, Tik Tok and Instagram, so social media in general has had a big influence on the skating community.

People have started to dress like skateboarders and then they are considered one when they have never even picked up a board in their life. This doesn’t bother me very much though,” Jack Reilly said.

“I normally go to Ranch Park and skate there, or the Village and Belterra area,” sophomore Olivia Doran said.

“I do skate on my driveway though because I have DIY stuff.”

Design: Evelyn Peterson

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