North Garland High School 2109 Buckingham Rd., Garland, TX 75042
Volume 40 Issue 2
Mothering
Deprived of
English teacher helps out teen moms, learns valuable life lessons pg. 5
Student loses sleep due to overwhelming schoolwork pg. 9
dozing
the moms
Rebels with
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a cause VANNAKEOMISY | Online Editor
ushing to the other side of the court, fatigue slowly creeps upon him. Beads of sweat drip down his face as he begins to run out of breath. However, senior Vincent Naidoo does not hesitate to quit. He is motivated by the thought of wanting to play college basketball, and eventually, playing professionally. He wants to make his family proud. “My big dream, since I’ve had since I was a little kid, was to play professional basketball,” Naidoo said. “I’m thinking it just depends on how hard I work. How
Photo illustration by THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
much I’m willing to sacrifice to get to that level.” According to the NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, an estimate of about 3.1 percent of high school senior boys playing basketball move on to play at the college, or NCAA, level. The probability, as a NCAA athlete, to play in a professional men’s basketball league is even less with a 1.2 percent chance. So counselor Sally Wooly believes professions, like athletes or musicians, need a back up plan. “Pursue your passion if you need to pursue it,” Wooly said. “A lot of people
spend years working towards [their] goal. But have a back-up plan that’s related [to your passion].” According to Wooly, students should look into what schools and programs their college of choice offers in order for them to work towards their passion. This year, Naidoo has been approached by about three colleges and has been invited to workouts every Sunday at the Dallas Christian College. He attended a basketball workshop this past summer in Chicago, introducing himself to different colleges. Continued on page 10
congrats
staff Editors
Kimberly Terrazas, Editor-in-Chief Thanh Ly, Photo/Design Editor Lisa Tran, Content Editor
Reporters
The Echo requests student and faculty submissions. Guest columns, reviews and letters to the editor can be submitted for possible publication. Regulations are listed below.
Elise Coleman Alma Lopez Nancy Tran
Photographers Jo(s)e Garcia Isabella Nguyen Jasmine Trotter Nayely Vallejo
Not pictured: Nayely Vallejo
North Garland High School 2109 W. Buckingham Rd. Garland, TX 75042 972-675-3120 adviser@raiderecho.com
Vanna Keomisy, Online Editor Kelly Stark, Copy Editor Audrey Smallwood, Adviser
The Raider Echo is the official student newspaper of North Garland High School. Its purpose is to educate, entertain and provide a valid source of news and educated opinion for the student body, faculty and community. The Echo is an open forum and invites and encourages its audience to submit letters and guest columns. All submissions must be signed. Names can be withheld on request, but must appear on the original document. The staff reserves the right to edit the material for grammatical errors, length, libel, invasion of privacy, obscenity and poor taste. Submit letters and columns to Mrs. Smallwood’s mailbox or the JLab. Sponsorships are due two weeks prior to publication date unless arrangements have been made. Sizes vary from 1/8 page to a full page. The Raider Echo reserves the right to refuse sponsorships that the staff deems inappropriate for a high school publication. The Echo is a member of Interscholastic League Press Conference, Texas Association of Journalism Educators and Journalism Education Association.
Congratulations …to the art students who were accepted to the Regional JURIED High School Art Exhibit hosted by Richland College: Estella Garza, Daniel Roque, Karina Nunez and Emely Villeda-Principe. Garza came in first place out of 28 students from around the area. …to band students Karli Cook, Allison Whitelock and Trenord Fobb for making Freshman All-Region band. Jesus Bermejo and Jason Gillman made alternate. …to Lametria Sewell for winning first place in the Beta Club Talent Show. Second place went to Abel Mathew and Mary Kim. The third place winner was Tu Le. …to the U.N. Club for getting 11 dogs adopted at their dog adoption event instead of the dogs being put to sleep. …to North Garland for being named a 2011 NCEA Higher Performing School. …to Girls Varsity Cross Country for placing sixth overall and Girls JV for placing fourth overall at the District 10-5A meet. ...to Boys JV Cross Country for placing second overall at District. Team members are: Astyn Paiz, Ceasar Zepata, Oscar
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Urbano, Jorge Mata, Diego Rodriguez, Zachary Valdez, and Emmanuel Santoyo. ...to Boys Varsity Cross Country for placing third overall at District and advancing to regionals. Team members are: Ismael Gonzales, Charlie Michel, Joseph Padron, Roberto Gutierrez, Jorge Valderama, Jeremy Butler, and David Lara. ...to the Academic Decathlon winners who placed at the contest on Nov. 19. Arlie Sam: third place math Varsity and third place interview; Annie Diep: third place math Scholastic; Nitika Malik: second place math Scholastic; Mark Do: second place math Scholastic and second place Interview; Monica Carmona: third place Essay. ...to Academic Octathlon winners: Nick Josey: third place math, second place language and literature, second place Art, and third Varsity Individual All-Around; Angelica Sandoval: second place music. Also the Octathlon team won third place in Super quiz relay and Super quiz overall. Team members are: Jancie Chacko, Cesar Zapata, Tim Lehman, Mitchell Nguyen, Henna Romero, Nick Josey, Ethan Barto
and Angelisa Sandoval. ...to JV Girls Basketball for winning fourth place in the GISD JV Tournament at Lakeview. ...to Isabella Fuentes, Daisy Calvo, Bryan Figueroa and Breann Corley who have been selected to attend the Best Fiction for Young Adults teen session at ALA’s Midwinter conference in January. ...to Kaitlyn Boone, David Estrada, and Emely Villeda-Principe who made the AllRegion Choir. David Estrada will try out for All-State Choir in January. ...to Stephen Thai for winning the Expert Division in the First NG Table Tennis Federation Tournament. Joseph Lobbin won the Beginner Division.
Sincerely, Dr. Susie Fegraeus paid advertisement
news wins college art competition Follow your art Junior with sculpture inspired by street art
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Photo of artwork courtesy of Mr. Lee McBride
n middle school, she would leave her house for the DART station. She would buy a local day pass and hop on the train to Deep Ellum. It did not matter that she might get in trouble. She just wanted to see the art splattered across the streets. She remembers how cool she thought the graffiti was, how someone could put so much effort into something that would become free art all over street corners. Even now, she draws inspiration from the train rides she used to take in middle school. Junior Estella Garza won first place in the Richland College Regional JURIED High School Art Exhibit. Around 90 pieces from students all over the district were entered, but only 30 were chosen and put on exhibition at Richland. Garza’s artwork was put on special display at the college. “It was a big art exhibition, in which Collette [Copeland], who is a big artist, was the juror,” Garza said. “So that was a really big deal. I got
to meet her, and we took a look around the campus [and she showed] me all the different art departments.” Garza says art has become such a big part of her life because of her brother, who is also an artist. It soon became something she wanted to do all the time. Though drawing is her favorite, Garza’s winning piece is a multimedia mixture of clay, spray paint and plaster. It is a gas mask sculpted with a pillar sprayed with graffiti underneath it, a style that is seen in a lot of her artwork. “I do a lot of creepy stuff, like gas masks,” she said. “It’s just whatever comes off of my mind. I carve a lot of graffiti into whatever I sculpt. It’s real like street art, kind of urban stuff.” She credits her teacher and mentor, Mr. Lee McBride, for widening her range of art mediums and teaching her more about art. She says he shows her how to craft things better and even gives her artists to look up for inspiration. “She’s naturally gifted,” Mr. McBride said. “She’s got the ability to really use her feelings in order to make art. She can tap into her emotions and translates that into her artwork, which is what makes it strong. She pretty much draws from her own experiences.” Though Garza has not really looked into colleges, she hopes to pursue art after
Photo by NAYELYVALLEJO | Photographer
KIMTERRAZAS | Editor-in-Chief
Working on her next sculpture, junior Estella Garza molds clay in her hands during class.
she graduates. She hopes to maybe get a scholarship, and go even further into her artwork. For now though, Garza just continues with her art. She hopes to compete in next year’s VASE competition and go further than she did last year. “If I’m in a competition, I want to win, so I want to try my best,” Garza said. “Winning is like everything, I think it’s because I want to please McBride. I like knowing that I’m his number 1 student. I think it’s the fighting to be that in spot, [to be] that one student that he is so proud of, that’s the main thing. If I win, it’s not for the prizes, it’s just to know that McBride is proud of me.”
History inspires student letters to administration
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ith a pen and paper in hand or by simply taking a stand, students’ voices can be heard. History teacher Ryan Victor gives his American history students a chance, each year, to send essays to the principals on ways to improve the school and to advocate their opinions. “Students have legitimate complaints and issues they’d like to address about this school,” Victor said. “I wanted to give them an opportunity to address those complaints to the principals.” Victor’s six classes sent different topics of letters on how the school can change. This year, his classes wrote about issues regarding the cafeteria, restrooms, the electronics policy, field trips and the seven-period schedule for next year. “How are they going to know if we
ALMALOPEZ | Reporter
don’t tell them how we feel?” junior Tichina Withers said. “I’m glad that we don’t have to worry about [not having the freedom to speak].” For students like junior Michelle Yochum, the assignment gave her an opportunity to express her opinions on the seven-period schedule next year. “Especially for [programs like] FTI [and] HOSA, it gets really complicated,” Yochum said. “That is just really what upsets me.” Assistant principal Jeff Dorman loves the idea of seeing people who want to change the school for the better and challenges students to talk to him to make positive differences in the school. “All the administrators’ doors are open to anyone who wants to discuss [things] with them,” Mr. Dorman said. “Never feel as
though your voice isn’t being heard.” Junior Darmy Robinson does not think enough students communicate their concerns with administration, because he says he has not seen any changes being made. “If they listened to us, I don’t think that we would have to write these essays every year,” Robinson said. “I think they would’ve probably done something by now and taken care of it.” Victor’s assignment gave students some insight on the flaws of the system that once ran America and emphasizes how much freedom the First Amendment right gives students. “You spend four years of your life here,” Victor said. “You might as well do what you can to make it a better place for yourself.”
3 | DECEMBER 2011
news
Underground achievers Robotics team competes at State competition after winning third in district JO(S)EGARCIA | Photographer
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n the Special Events Center floor, junior David Grob and seniors David Mendez, Heraclio Villegas, Roberto Rodriguez and Juan Lopez work on their robot, Fluffy.
Left: Controller in hand, senior David Mendez practices steering Fluffy.
Below: Using the controller, senior Dylan Moreland, along with Lopez and Rodriguez, makes commands.
Left: Barricaded by the blocks of wood, Fluffy fails to score. Below: Reaching its arm out, Fluffy makes an attempt to grab the styrofoam balls. Above: Crossing to another school’s area, Fluffy attempts to bring the styrofoam balls back to their territory. Right: Extending its arm over the wood, Fluffy is about to score.
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features
MO T H E R I NG T H E MOM S
VANNAKEOMISY | Online Editor
English teacher helps teen moms, learns valuable life lessons ISABELLANGUYEN | Photographer
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swarm of teenage girls crowd around the stainless steel oven. As they pull out a tray of golden sausage rolls, the scent of freshly baked bread makes their noses crinkle. Laughter erupts throughout the kitchen. Everyone has a smile on their face. Leaning on the counter across from them, English teacher Stephanie Dingle watches the girls bake. Another group of girls begin to huddle around her as she stretches her arms out to their shoulders, easing into a conversation. Every Wednesday night at The Heights Church in Richardson, Dingle meets with Teen MOPS, a national organization for Teenage Mothers of Preschoolers, as a table mom or mentor. It is a time for the teen moms to have two hours to themselves, Dingle said. Lessons, such as what immunizations their child needs or basic health care for the mom, are presented by guest speakers. Occasionally, the group will even have game night or arts and crafts. “[They learn] things that every parent should know,” Dingle said. “My life experience has prepared me for their life experience and to be a voice of, ‘You can make it. It’s going to be sucky sometimes, and it’s going to be really tough, but you can make it.’” In the eyes of Dingle, everyone must learn humility, grace and mercy in order to grow. These are the things Dingle has been taught through Teen MOPS. She tries to communicate these characteristics to all of her students. “It [has] taught me a lot about being
Bonding at the meeting, Dingle reaches out to feel the baby bump.
forgiving,” Dingle said. “Sometimes I am too quick to judge or I come to a conclusion without really knowing the whole story. It’s very humbling sometimes to be looked up to, even though you know you’re not perfect.” As a table mom, she is assigned to a Discussing their day at the meeting, senior Jacqueline Gutierrez comfortably group of girls. They converses with Dingle. have the opportunity to bond with her. Outside of meetings, she girls started coming for those reasons and will also supports them by providing them with a leave now without their free diapers because ride or babysitting when necessary. that isn’t their sole priority anymore.” “There are times when people call and The group is open to fresh, new faces at say, ‘Hey, I need something’ and it just cannot meetings. When a new teen mom shows up, happen,” Dingle said. “[If ] you wasted your she may choose to sit at any table or group. money on fast food this week instead of Someone at that table will ask her questions getting diapers, then it’s probably not good and introduce her to the group. Dingle says for me to bail you out. Because in the future there is not a lot of judgment. For the girls, you haven’t learned a lesson.” it is a place they can go where everybody According to Dingle, a lot of the girls’ understands each other. Senior Jacqueline parents were once teenage parents themselves. Gutierrez says Dingle helps her with advice. As a daughter of a teenage mother, she “I look forward to [coming here],” relates to their situation and wants to help Gutierrez said. “It’s a family-like atmosphere. out. At the beginning, Dingle’s husband I feel like it’s a safe place to come [to].” questioned why she volunteered at Teen Dingle says she looks forward to every MOPS. However, Dingle said, as he watched Wednesday to become selfless and focus on everything unfold, he began to understand the other girls. why she did it. She and her husband have also “I’ve been gifted with mercy,” Dingle had girls over for dinner to show them what said. “I have a tender heart for kids that need a healthy interaction, between the husband, stuff. It’s a crazy commitment and really hard the wife and children, is like. She believes if on me emotionally sometimes. I just feel like Teen MOPscan try and break the cycle, the it’s where God wants me to be.” situation will get better for them. The leaders of the group introduce “It’s important for them to have a model themselves to the moms and explain why of what so many things look like,” Dingle they became involved. For her, it is humbling said. “It’s important for them to see that they to be able to introduce herself and admit her can make a mistake and they’re not being faults. Her motivation to be a part of this ostracized or [become an] outcast for it.” organization is partly tied to her faith. She Donated items such as diapers, formula believes that some people are called to do or canned foods are up for grabs for the girls things that others are not. to take openly. But the program also has a “One thing I’ve learned the last couple points system to teach responsibility to the of years is that everybody’s broken in a moms. Bringing supplies or cleaning off their different way,” Dingle said. “Nobody is free tables earn points and can be rewarded with of hurt, pain or guilt. When we recognize the prizes like extra diapers, clothes or strollers. brokenness in other people and we share the “They understand that there’s more to it brokenness they have, then we allow ourselves than just the hand outs,” Dingle said. “Some to be open to that. That’s how we grow.”
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features
Sticking the landing
Teacher learns about life through gymnastics, reminisces on memories ELISECOLEMAN | Reporter
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panish teacher Margie Perez heard the townspeople whisper that she and her city gymnastics teammates “did magic.” They had just finished performing for a small town’s population in rural Columbia. Her teammates giggled at the comments. It was the first time these people had seen gymnastics before, and they were in awe. Starting at the age of five, Mrs. Perez was enrolled in gymnastics. Her mom thought it would be a good way to become an organized person. For the next 13 years, Mrs. Perez participated in gymnastics, acquiring 25 medals. “My parents were always talking to me, and they were telling me ‘You are good at this. We want you to be here. It’s going to help you with your life,’” Mrs. Perez said. In Columbia, all students are on a percentile rank based on their academic averages. Mrs. Perez’s mom wanted her to always be in the top fifth percentile of all students in all of Colombia. According to Perez, balancing her school workload and gymnastics was very difficult. “The majority of the time, I was in
“It was a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and live with other people, practice a sport and have a discipline in my life.” [the fifth percentile],” Mrs. Perez said. “For maybe two semesters, in grade 8, I was not able [to be in it]. She [would lecture] me about having to be in the fifth percentile.” Whenever her town, a school, or a university had an event, they often asked her team to showcase their routines. Her team traveled a lot and performed in many different places around Colombia. “We went to 10 or 12 cities,” Mrs. Perez said. “There was one competition outside of Colombia, in Venezuela. They tried to have the nationals in different cities every year. We went to every National [competition] and we had small competitions and presentations
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and invitations. We enjoyed it a lot.” When her team performed at Nationals, it was a very tense time for them. She had to think very positive when it came time for her to compete. “When I had national competitions, I was a little more nervous,” Mrs. Perez said. “You have practiced [for] many months, many years and you have just one chance to do well. So it’s a lot of tension. I always [thought] that [I was] going to do my best, because I wanted a medal. I also thought ‘This is the only chance I have [to do well].’” Despite all of the trainings and workouts, Mrs. Perez made mistakes throughout her career. In one of her local competitions, she became too sure of herself and did not concentrate enough. She fell on a floor event. She regrets it a lot, because she could have received a medal. “We were training for a National competition and I was doing very well,” Mrs. Perez said. “My coach was so proud of me. But in one of the trainings, I fell badly. I broke my ankle. All my friends went to the competition, and I had to stay at home.” Her parents supported her throughout her gymnastics career by encouraging her to do her best and to not quit. “Sometimes I [would fight] with them, because I didn’t want to go to the trainings,” Mrs. Perez said. “I wanted to stay at home or go with my friends or go to celebrations and I couldn’t because I had to train.” She wanted to continue to be active in the gymnastics world by becoming a coach or a judge. She could not because of her college schedule. Instead, she studied English, French, and Spanish at the Universidad Industrial de Santander. She instead turned to her other passion, teaching others. “It was a great opportunity for me to grow as a person and live with other people, practice a sport and have a discipline in my life,” Mrs. Perez said. “I’m so organized. And I’m so strict with schedules, because that was the way I had to be when I was training.”
JASMINETROTTER | Photographer
An earful of wisdom
features LISATRAN | Content Editor photo by JO(S)EGARCIA | Photographer
Student overcomes struggles in past childhood, looks into future
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t a young age, junior Braxton Miller could not imagine what it felt like to talk. He never knew the alphabet existed. He thought everyone communicated through sign language. He was diagnosed with chronic otis media, an infection of the middle ear, resulting in long term or permanent hearing loss. “Because of the opening in both of my Eustachian tubes, infections were coming in, and we weren’t really able to anticipate this until I was older,” Miller said. “So much infection had swelled up that I completely lost my hearing.” Unaware that he was then considered a special education student, Miller could not understand the reason why people’s lips could move. He thought that the mouth was specifically used for eating. At the age of two, Miller had his first surgery. “While I was going to the hospital, I noticed people communicating through their mouths,” Miller said. “I didn’t really know it existed until then, and it really shocked me because about two or three hours later, I was going to have my hearing.” However, receiving his hearing was delayed. Miller’s mother, a single parent, could not afford to pay for the cochlear implants for both of Miller’s ears. Without insurance, the surgery was said to cost about $20,000 to $30,000. “Because we didn’t have enough funds to actually get the surgery that I needed, we had to hold it off until we accumulated enough money when I was six years old,” Miller said. “I was able to get the surgery to make my hearing a lot better than it was.” In the meantime, Miller attended a deaf and hearing school. Although he could communicate with most of his friends through sign language, it was difficult for him to communicate with other kids who lived in the same neighborhood as he did. Even after he received his cochlear implants, Braxton says he was still made fun of. “Once I got my hearing back, I had to get a special hearing aid [to] help the process move along, and the other kids treated me funny because I had a hearing aid on,” Miller said. “I had this thing on the outside of my ear because I needed it. Back then the technology wasn’t that great so only until recently was I actually able to have a cochlear
implant. Up until that point I always had a hearing aid around my ear, and they would always laugh at me and say I had giant headphones or tumors around my ears.” Four years ago, Miller was able to put his hearing aids away forever. Surgeons made an incision in his ears and used small tweezers to insert a device to replace his cochlea, the part of the ear accountable for hearing. “I also have plastic parts in my ear right now,” Miller said. “If I don’t take care of my ears, I could lose my hearing instantaneously. I can’t really go into many water parks unless I have a lot of ear plugs, but they easily fall out. [I have to] make sure nothing huge gets inside of them and make sure there’s not a lot of build up and things like that.” Despite the hearing loss Miller suffered in his earlier years, he also Strategizing his next move, Miller is one step away from putting his opponent’s king in check. faced many obstacles growing up in his academic achievements, he is fonder of Memphis, Tenn. Occasionally, Miller found himself making wrong decisions and helping others in the community. “I don’t believe academic things are the spending time with the wrong crowd. “Growing up, we didn’t have that much best things in life,” Miller said. “I believe money, so we had to live in not that great of what you do for others always lasts, so I’d a place,” Miller said. “[I lived in] the kind say the best things I’ve ever done [is help] of neighborhood where things happened out homeless people. I worked in a soup sometimes, and you get into the things that kitchen, and I am now enrolled in Habitat for Humanity. We basically tear things apart you shouldn’t get into.” After seeing his best friend pass away and we build houses for people.” Miller already has plans for the future. due to gang violence, Miller decided to turn his life around after moving to Texas. Miller He wants to become a software engineer became more involved in school activities and make enough money to pay his mother back for everything she has done for him and attempted to make good grades. “I never cried that much [until] that day in the past. Because his mother loves him he died,” Miller said. “I never reflected as unconditionally and has cared for him all much as I did that day. It was a weird feeling, his life, Miller would like to pursue a higher because I was really sad that he died. But he education and take care of his mother, who taught me a lesson as well. I started pursuing suffers from high blood pressure, heart academics, because I thought academics was disease, kidney disease and cancer. “I feel like education is my only way out truly the only way to get out of the situation so I can help my mother when she gets older I was in.” Achievements made by Miller include since she has an illness,” Miller said. “She’s on being a superintendent scholar after scoring disability, and she can’t work. She can’t really high enough on the PSAT during his get up properly because of all her diseases, so sophomore year. Miller dedicates most of his a lot of times she feels uncomfortable. But time to Math UIL. In the latest competition, she’s still extremely active. I want to cover Miller placed second in mathematics everyone that has helped me throughout my and second in calculator. But despite the life. I want to be able to cover their retirement, significant amount of effort Miller puts into because they’ve helped me so many times.”
7 | DECEMBER 2011
features
Former seaman retires, focuses on teaching
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fter enlisting in the Navy for 21 years, technology teacher Andy Clements officially retired in October. However, he continues to teach elective courses for students interested in the technology field. After attending college, Clements enlisted in the Navy. His unit was construction, allowing him to work for the Rapid Marine Corps. Due to his devotion to the Navy, Clements found himself balancing two jobs: teaching Industrial Arts and participating in construction for the Navy Reserve. Clements says the most challenging part of serving his country is not being able to see his kids grow up and missing his family and friends. “My dad was an Air Force officer, so he was real excited that I joined the Navy. And my mom was excited [only] when I would come back home,” Clements said. “No matter how bad the job is [or] how hard the situation is, the worst part is being away from family and friends. I’ve missed three Christmases with my kids and my wife. I’ve missed tons of birthdays for my kids, and that’s just time I can’t make up.” Because the federal government has a law stating that a person who finishes his or her military service term shall be re-employed by the employees in his or her original occupation or job, Clements was able to choose a school
LISATRAN | Content Editor
in the district where he would like to teach. “The district said I could go to any school I wanted to,” Clements said. “Basically, if there was an opening, they would let me go there. It’s a protection that the federal government puts in place for people that have to be gone for a year or two because of military duty. I had heard good things about North, I knew some people here, [and] I heard really good things about Dr. Fegraeus.” Clements has taught technology classes for the past three years and enjoys working with students who are interested in the same field. Not only does Clements prefer to teach elective courses, but he would rather teach technology classes because they are not considered static. “My field is always changing, the way I taught five years ago is completely outdated,” clements said. “We teach a new different way, especially here at North Garland with the computers that we have. There’s a lot of schools that aren’t set up with the computer assets that we have just because it’s an MST program.” Because students can receive educational benefits by earning enough money in the Montgomery GI bill to go to the college of their choice for free after they finish a minimum of four years in the military, Clements encourages students to join the military.
photo courtesy of Mr. Andy Clements
“You can get on the job experience [and] learn a skill for free,” Clements said. “You also get the experience of putting that on your resume. [Going to college for free is an] expensive gift the military gives you to walk away from being in the military for four to six years, plus you still get the education benefits. You have all the skills, you have all the experience and you have all the money to go to a four-year college.” As a retired member of the Navy, Clements is aware that enlisting in the military is difficult and requires much strength. He believes the military, in general, teaches discipline and respect. “You need to be physically and emotionally ready for that challenge,” Clements said. “It’s not an easy job. Joining is not a cakewalk.”
Seaman Andy Clements activiely toured Iraq twice during his 21 years of military service.
H O W T O S AV E YO U R P H O N E F R O M WAT E R D A M A G E Dropping a phone in the toilet or sink can cause permanent damage. The Echo presents a step-by-step guide on how to save your phone before water seeps in.
Photos by JASMINETROTTER | Photographer STEP 1: Take the phone out of the water source as soon as possible; then remove the battery. Cutting off the power saves your phone. STEP 2: Remove your memory card. If you care about your saved data, remove this quickly. STEP 3: Remove covers, headphones and any other objects connected to your phone to open up all gaps/crevices in the phone.
STEP 4: Gently dry your phone with a towel or paper towel. Try not to shake the phone too much to avoid more water damage. STEP 5: Use a vacuum cleaner if possible. Do not use a hairdryer, heater, fan or any other movingair device under any circumstances. STEP 6: Place the phone in a bowl of rice, so the rice can absorb the water overnight. Then, take the phone out of the rice and lay it on a towel for an hour. After 24 hours, test your phone to see if it still works.
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Deprived of dozing NANCYTRAN | Reporter JO(S)EGARCIA | Photographer
features
Student loses sleep due to overwhelming schoolwork
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eeling mentally drained and physically exhausted after three consecutive days of no sleep, junior Adrian Escusa was walking through the hallways to his next class when he felt a warm trickle down his face. Bringing his finger to his upper lip, he discovered a stream of blood coming from his nose. After so many sleepless nights, his body was reacting to his lack of sleep. “School is so [stressful] and there’s so much homework,” Escusa said. “Sometimes I just don’t feel like doing it, so I don’t do it. But in the end I feel like it’s better for me to actually do the homework, [which causes] me to stay up even later.” Even though social networking sites such as Facebook are distractions, they can also be tools for students to help each other with assignments and lessons. Students have created Facebook groups for certain classes, so that they may help each other and give reminders for assignments and due dates. “Technology itself could make it where we actually have more time to sleep, but we have a tendency to want to play with everything,” HOSA sponsor Dr. Kevin Hunter said. “It’s all about using the technology, instead of abusing the technology.” Social networking sites are distractions for many students, but Escusa makes it a point to not allow unnecessary distractions to keep him from his priorities. Instead of using them to escape from his work at hand, he uses them as a break to relieve stress built up from hours of homework. “When your brain is about to be fried and you just can’t think anymore, you need a mental break,” Escusa said. “I usually limit myself to five or 10 minutes. Interesting stuff might come up on Tumblr, but I put strict limits on myself. I get tired of having to sleep at 2 a.m. in the morning every night.” Sleep deprivation causes many students to nod off in class which puts them at a disability when trying to learn the material. A full sleep cycle is called slow-wave sleep, also known as a deep sleep. When students nap in class, they may wake up feeling groggy, disoriented and even sleepier than before. This is due to sleeping too long and entering slow-wave sleep but not completing the cycle. “If you don’t get enough sleep, you’re not going to be able to stay awake in class,” Escusa said. “Not only that, but your thought
Taking a break from studying, junior Adrian Escusa poses a slumber party with his Pillow Pets.
process will be a lot slower than it would be when you’re well rested. When I fall asleep [in class], I don’t feel rested. When I wake up, I still feel unrested no matter what the amount of sleep that I got.” For students that are unable to balance their schedule, sleep is not normally a top priority. However, sleep deprivation is a serious condition and can cause harm to a person’s health and mental thought process. It is important to get enough rest every night so that the body can function normally throughout the day, or else it can lead to further health problems. “With less sleep, little things become much more difficult to do,” Dr. Hunter said. “Normality is completely changed to something else. Your behavior becomes abnormally erratic. The more sleep deprived you become, psychological issues will start to manifest themselves.” To avoid staying up late or to get more sleep, avoid distractions when doing homework or tedious projects by logging off Facebook, putting phones on silent or going to the library. Many students find it easier to study when they are isolated. Students should also invest in a planner so they can keep track of assignments and dates. This gets rid of the scenario where students have to get back out of bed upon remembering an unfinished task. “When I don’t have enough sleep, I’ve got problems,” Dr. Hunter said. “Your brain just doesn’t work the same as it usually does. It’s a scary thing with little sleep. You make big mistakes when you’re really, really tired.”
Do you sleep
in class? 381
out of 588 students
207
Yes
No
Sidebar by THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
9 | DECEMBER 2011
in-depth
Rebels with
a cause
VANNAKEOMISY | Online Editor Photo illustration by THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
“Learning from the camp, I realized that whether you [perform well or not during a game], just me going out there and taking that chance was an opportunity that could basically help me in the future,” Naidoo said. There have been others who have discouraged him, such as close family members telling him that he would not be playing basketball in the future and instead end up working at Wendy’s. The negativity, however, is a driving force to make him work harder to prove them wrong. “There are a lot of people that tell you things like, ‘You’re not going to be able to play college basketball here’ or ‘You’re not going to do that great,’” Naidoo said. “A lot of my coaches told me that you can’t let that get to your head.” Even though his dream is to continue playing basketball, he has a back-up plan to get a degree in finance or business. But Naidoo chooses to take a different career path from the rest of his family. Although his mother wanted him to go into the medical field and his dad hoped Naidoo would join the Army or Air Force, he wanted to do something else. “They didn’t think I’d be playing basketball in college,” Naidoo said. “They just wanted me to go to college and get a degree. Now, they’re more supportive towards me. Even though they know it is not the safest career path, they see that I put passion towards it.” After being approached by colleges and making Varsity, his family, including his parents, have become more supportive of his endeavors. His mother even attended the workshop in Chicago with him and watched him play. But the backbone of how Naidoo started becoming serious about pursuing college basketball is due to his older sister, alumna Valencia Naidoo. She pushed him to contact the colleges first instead of vice versa, convincing him to present his skills to them.
10 | DECEMBER 2011
“She was the reason I put myself out there,” Naidoo said. “She said ‘Hey, let’s be real about this and show coaches films of your games, email them and contact them through phone.’ She really showed me that I have to go and pursue the colleges I want.” But Naidoo’s biggest role model, the person who pushed his dream of playing professionally, was Valencia’s friend and alumnus, Kola Togunde. The summer before Togunde was preparing to go off to play college basketball in California, To g u n d e asked Naidoo to attend his work outs with him. For Naidoo, it had become the hardest summer of his life. He had even given up a couple of times, but eventually motivated himself to keep going. He looked up to Togunde
and was able to learn from the mistakes he made and better himself. “This dream playing basketball professionally, it started to come alive,” Naidoo said. “I could actually do what I want to do, if I work hard at it and have faith in what I do and believe in myself. [Togunde] taught me about work ethic and how you have to really work hard to be one of the best basketball players. He’s the one I give a lot of credit to. He always will be.” But after leaving for college, Togunde changed his career plans to pursue music instead of basketball, upsetting Naidoo. Togunde’s new career choice did not discourage Naidoo but instead motivated him to do anything but quit. “In my time being with [Togunde,] if you’re going to do something you love, you might as well do it to the fullest,” Naidoo said. “He got me that far. Look how far I’ve gotten to this day. I just think I might as well pursue it while I can.”
CAREER TIPS FROM THE
COUNSELORS Ask people for advice who have been successful in achieving your dream job. Accept job opportunities within your profession of interest while working towards that goal. Ask your college advisor for advice. As a freshman entering college, look at what the school and programs offer in order to work towards your passion. Apply for internships, as they offer experience that could contribute to what you want to do in life. Be focused and strategic. Look for what areas you want to work in, not the exact position as there are many options out there.
in-depth
Coach torn between mother’s wishes, mentor’s advice sophomore year, there was a point in which he actually considered dropping out like his mother wanted. “I messed up a lot,” he said. “I wasn’t making all the right choices. I was tired of trying to be good at school and athletics, tired of working. I was tired of everything going on in my life. Things were pretty bleak, and I guess things just started getting better and that’s what kept me going.” The person who drove him to stay in school was his track coach, Tom Mankins. He almost became like a second father to Jackson, helping him in sports and life. “He tried to raise me to be able to handle things on my own,” Coach Jackson said. “‘You’re the man of the house,’ is what he would say all the time.” By senior year, Coach Jackson’s life was back on track and thanks to Coach Mankins, he earned a scholarship to Baylor University. “I went from literally suicidal to getting a scholarship to a university,” Coach Jackson ISABELLANGUYEN | Photographer
A
fter six years of fighting, he finally hugged his mom. All the struggles they had when he was in high school, subsided as they helped each other realize that though he had left for college, he was not leaving the family. When his father died his freshman year of high school, math teacher and crosscountry coach Jeffrey Jackson was pressured by his mom to drop out of school to help support the family. This caused tension between the two as he struggled to make the decision between staying in school and finding a job to help pay the family bills. “When I was in high school, me and my mom did not have a good relationship,” Coach Jackson said. “It was a constant battle. I just wanted to get away from it all. I almost quit everything: school, athletics.” Coach Jackson met his track coach his junior year at North Garland. His influence inspired him to keep going and stay in school. However, in his freshman and
KIMTERRAZAS | Editor-in-Chief
said. “It went from one extreme to the next. It [went from] everything was being taken away from me to everything was being given to me.” As a coach today, he likes to be there for his players, like his coach was for him. He wants them to understand that there are more important things in life than just winning a game. Also, he tries to teach them what is right without disobeying the rules. “Defiance is good and bad, but the great thing about defiance is that it doesn’t have to happen right now,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest advice that I could give to kids. For that kid who wants to be in a band and their parents say, ‘No, get your education.’ Ok, be in a band, just not maybe right now. I think that’s the one thing that kids don’t understand is that things don’t have to happen right now.” As a high school student, he always wanted to be in the position he is in today: a coach, teacher, father and husband. “If I would have seen myself [now, back then,] I think I would have been pretty happy because I didn’t think I could get this far,” Coach Jackson said. “So it would be reassuring to see that it’s possible. I have my story to tell. I had a screwed up life and I ended up ok.”
Student to join military after defying parents’ authority
T
he thousands of troops who serve, especially on the frontlines, know they might never make it through the day. Senior Troy Tran knows the enormous risk, and despite it all, he is willing to take it. Growing up, Tran wanted to go into the medical field to become an anesthesiologist. Two or three years ago however, he decided to join the Marine Corps instead. “It’s something I made up in my mind that I wanted to do,” Tran said. “To protect and serve, in a sense. It’s what I want to dedicate my life to.” Tran is interested in the Marines, because he believes the Marines can give him self-confidence and self-discipline. “It’s just something that would help me be a better person,” Tran said. “It’d be nice to be more self-confident about things. It’s something I’m trying to strive for. When I see the other [branches], they’re just not as great.” He is chasing his dream alone due to the fact that his parents are against his decision. In
ELISECOLEMAN | Reporter
order to enlist in the Marines, or any branch, a person must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. It determines what job a person will have in the military. “I could be taking the ASVAB test to be a Marine right now, but my parents won’t consent to it,” Tran said. “I have to wait until I’m 18 before I can go in.” Because Tran’s parents lived through the Vietnam War, they are aware of how the army can affect one’s life. They do not want their son to be involved in anything military related. Tran declined an interview for input from his parents. “My mom had brothers who were forcefully put into the Vietnamese Army,” Tran said. “They don’t really want me involved in anything like that. I have a choice of anything else, but I don’t want to do anything else.” Throughout his life, his parents have tried to convince him to be a doctor and even bought him doctor kits.
“Even though they say, ‘Oh, We don’t care what you want to be,’ when I tell them what I want to be, they’re like ‘No.’” Tran said. His friends are there for him, but they do not understand how passionate or how serious he is about becoming a Marine. “I guess they are supportive, in a sense,” Tran said. “But they can support me to a point.” Despite the lack of encouragement, he has not had any second thoughts about joining. “I’m pretty dead set on it,” Tran said. “Whether it be right after senior year, or four years from now.” Regardless of the conflicting guidance he has received, when he leaves, he will miss people from his civilian life. “Honestly speaking, I’m at odds with my parents,” Tran said. “Of course I’ll miss them. I love them, they’re my parents, but there’s something in the back of my mind that makes it easier for me to go.”
11 | DECEMBER 2011
holiday
Christmas Pick-Up LISATRAN | Content Editor
Shouldn’t you be sitting on top of the tree, Angel?
KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor
THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
I must be a snowflake, ’cause I’ve fallen for you.
Not even Santa Claus makes candy as sweet as you. Where’s the mistletoe?
Those aren’t sugarplums dancing through my head. It’s all you.
Can I take your picture? Why? Because I want Santa to know exactly what I want for Christmas. Pick-up lines from: http://www.pickuplinesgalore.com/christmas.html http://www.bulli.com/toptensanta.htm http://christmaspartypickuplines.eu/
Seasonal Wordsearch Rudolph Carolling Travel Candycane Lights Joy Cheer Ashura Hanukkah Kwanzaa 12 | DECEMBER 2011
Santa Claus Holidays Friends Frosty Winter Snowflake Shopping Gifts Elf
holiday
Healthy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Alternative side dish sure to satisfy whole family • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 fresh butternut squash Extra virgin olive oil Salt and Pepper, to taste 1 tbsp butter 3/4 cup low fat milk 1 tbsp cornstarch 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp garlic powder Crushed red pepper flake, to taste 4 servings (8oz) whole wheat macaroni Mix-ins of choice (e.g., kale, spinach, broccoli, etc)
KIMBERLYTERRAZAS | Editor-in-Chief THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
Adapted from Ohsheglows.com
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a casserole dish with tin foil. Peel and chop squash. Mix chopped squash with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast for about 40 minutes, uncovered or until tender. 2. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce in a pot on the stove top. Add the butter to over low-medium heat. In a bowl, whisk together milk and cornstarch until clumps are gone. Add into pot and whisk. Stir in remaining ingredients (parmesan, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flake) and whisk over low heat until thickened (about 5-7 minutes or so). 3. Cook your pasta according to package directions. The sauce makes enough to cover 4 servings of pasta. 4. In a blender, blend the sauce with roasted squash, saving some to add in later 5. Add cooked, drained and rinsed macaroni into pot, along with sauce and mix-ins. Heat and serve.
AV O I D I N G H O L I D AY H E F T I N E S S Simple tips on how to maintain your weight over the holidays
Stop eating when you’re satisfied, instead of waiting until you can’t move Drink a glass of water before you eat, this will help curb your appetite Opt out on unnecessary calories, like skin, whipped cream, candy and extra fats Only choose helpings of what you actually plan on finishing
Don’t sit around before or after meals, be active to boost your metabolism (playing with family or preparing the meal) Skip on unhealthy snacks, holiday cookies and candy canes included. Instead, grab something from the fruit and veggie plate
Refrain from piling a variety of desserts on your plate.
JASMINETROTTER | Photographer
Opt for a smaller plate, less area equals less food so your portions will be reduced
VANNAKEOMISY | Online Editor KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor
Avoid drowning your food in dressings and gravy, put it in a small container to control intake Eat small snacks and meals throughout the day to avoid overeating during dinner Portion your foods to fit the size of your plate, and only get what you can finish.
13 | DECEMBER 2011
sports
Behind the sports scenes
Photo by NAYELYVALLEJO | Photographer
Student trainers provide medical assistance ALMALOPEZ | Reporter for athletes
T
he crowd of spectators dressed in red and black remain silent as the trainers come out to determine if the player’s ankle injury is serious. Trainers are a player’s first responders to injury and are there to keep athletes healthy and safe. The player limps to sophomore Musahsai Bonner who examines the player’s leg and announces it is just a bruise and that the player will be fine. After wrapping the player’s ankle accordingly in bandages, a giant roar is let from the fans as the player strides back into the game. “It’s [the trainers’] job to take care of them and get them back onto the field or court as soon as possible,” Montgomery said. Behind every team, there are people in the background, ready to help if a player gets hurt. Student trainers are educated by boys’ head athletic trainer Cody Montgomery and girls’ head athletic trainer Amy Perez on types of injuries and techniques to wrap body parts and on how to stretch a player.
“[Being a trainer] is like being a doctor, without an extra four years of medical school,” Bonner said. Trainers’ duties include injury assessment, such as icing and wrapping injuries, stretching out players and making sure everyone has the proper medication and equipment needed, such as inhalers. Many times, a large part of training responsibilities can go unseen by players. Now a trainer herself, junior Jazmine Marcum did not know the trainers’ responsibilities when she was in track. “The girls didn’t have that many trainers last year whenever I was in here, so I just thought trainers brought the water and went when they could to meets,” Marcum said. “But now that I’m a trainer, I see that we do a lot more.” Trainers are specifically trained for medical prevention and rehabilitation to care for athletic-related health. They must be ready to assist with health issues.
Helping an injured athlete, senior trainer Roxanne Kaaa places a bandage on freshman Pamela Ceku’s foot.
“Without trainers, all the sports teams would be at a disadvantage,” Montgomery said. “They would have to take care of a lot of needs by themselves.” Even though trainers do get recognized by the coaches, senior Tristan Brown knows that trainers are probably not on most people’s minds during games, unless someone is hurt. “We’re kind of like a face in the crowd,” Brown said. “When we’re needed, we’re there, and when we’re not we just kind of hang back in the shadows.”
Basketball Schedules Dec. 9 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 20 Dec. 20 Dec. 20 Jan. 3 Jan. 3 Jan. 5 Jan. 6 Jan. 6 Jan. 7 Jan. 10 Jan. 10 Jan. 12 Jan. 12
Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Boys Girls Boys Boys Girls Boys Girls
14 | DECEMBER 2011
Varsity vs. Dunne @ NG Varsity, JV & 9th @ Lakeview Varsity, JV & 9th vs. NFHS @ NG Varsity & JV vs. Sachse @ NG 9th A & B vs. Sachse @ NG Varsity, JV & 9th vs. Sachse @ NG Varsity & JV @ SGHS Varsity & JV @ SGHS 9th A & B @ SGHS Varsity & JV @ Garland HS Varsity & JV @ Garland HS 9th A & B @ Garland HS Varsity & JV vs. McKinney Boyd @ NG Varsity & JV vs. McKinney Boyd @ NG 9th A & B vs. McKinney Boyd @ NG 9th vs. McKinney Boyd @ NG
1:15 p.m. 6 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 4:30 p.m. 5 & 2 p.m. 10 & 11:30 a.m. 3:30 & 2 p.m. & 8:30 a.m. 7:30 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 7:30 p.m. 7:30 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 4:30 p.m. 10 & 11:30 a.m. 7:30 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 4:30 p.m. 6 & 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
15 | DECEMBER 2011
16 | DECEMBER 2011
sports
new Ray of hope
New head baseball coach brings changes to team, players adjust to KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor new workouts, equipment, style before new season
J
ogging around the track, the players struggle to catch their breath. Every day, since Nov. 8, the baseball team has been attending the voluntary workouts led by new head baseball coach Brett Ray. The schedule of the workouts vary, but they always involve jogging and running a mile and abdominal workouts. Coach Ray took over the team this year after previous coach John Hawley decided to focus on solely being a math teacher. “Coach Hawley built the foundation. I’m here to take it to the next step,” Coach Ray said. “That’s just where I stand with it.” Coach Ray has coached at over five high schools across Texas, plus Abilene Christian University and a select fall ball Dallas team, the Titans. He has been playing baseball since he was just four years old. His style and attitude towards baseball is a change the players are still adjusting too. “[Coach Ray] is more strict,” junior third baseman Christopher Robinson said. “He’s more about baseball. He actually seems like he knows what he’s doing. Coach [John] Hawley and Coach [Christian] Flores were more fun. [Coach Ray] is just more about baseball. He’s not as buddy-buddy.” The players recognize the need for more rigorous workouts, even though they are a lot harder then the previous year’s workouts.
photos by ISABELLANGUYEN | Photographer
“With our previous coaches, at this point, we would just run,” senior outfielder Jason Combiths said. “We usually wouldn’t throw and wouldn’t do ab workouts. I think we’re going to get in better shape, because we’re doing more football style workouts. So maybe we’ll get more muscle on us. We are using a different type of bat this year. It’s probably not going to be as easy to hit with, so I’m glad we’re hopefully gonna get more muscular.” Although most players are excited about getting a new coach, they still recognize the setbacks that it also brings. For example, some players are worried because Coach Ray does not know each player’s skills and position as well as the previous coaches did. However, Coach Ray does not think that will matter. “There’s going to be some head-butting. There’s no doubt about that, but if they buy in to a system that I’ve seen work in the six different schools I’ve been and in college ,then there’s no telling what’s gonna happen,” Coach Ray said. “All there’s gonna be is an upside. There’s not gonna be a down side to it. There’s never a down side of working hard and learning life lessons and becoming a better person.” Coach Ray is bringing with him several new changes, each one getting mixed reviews from players. Coach Ray says these changes
are crucial for the program to thrive though. “We’re doing things right now that haven’t been done in a long time,” Coach Ray said. “We’ve done fundraisers. We’re building a booster club. We’re changing the logo. We have a JV team, you know, that is a paramount - to have a JV team.” Regarding the fall and spring season, the players already see that Coach Ray is willing to do more for the team to help them win games, such as going to other games to watch certain players and revolve practices around these findings. “I know this district,” Coach Ray said. “I’ve played against this district, coached against this district. I know Rowlett’s good. I know the new guy at Naaman. I know they’re good. But I know this, they’re not going to work harder than I do. They say your job isn’t on the line by winning, but you need to win. You need to have positive things happen in your program and there’s positive things happening right now.” Coach Ray is excited that he has got the players this far, coming to voluntary workouts and into an organized team. “I got them in a fall ball league and they showed up, which is a big thing,” Coach Ray said. “First off, you have to show up. Second, you gotta decide if you’re gonna work hard. If you do those two things, it’s gonna pay off. It has to. That’s the system that’s been set in place since dawn of time. It does in education. It does in the business world. It does in athletics. That’s what we’re here to teach kids - show up, work hard, it’ll pay off. If they buy into that, we’ve got a chance.”
Also the freshmen football coach, Coach Brett Ray balances fall baseball and football off season.
17 | DECEMBER 2011
opinion COLUMN
Coming to terms
T
hinking about next year makes me cry. So I just push it to the back of my mind, and, for now, the nervous doubt is content to chew on my conscious while I pretend to ignore it. I have no way to pay for college. My rank is 155 of 518. My GPA is a 2.9. For me, college isn’t impossible, but it’s no easy stroll through admissions either. Last year, I bitterly and grudgingly let go of my dream to go to University of Texas at Austin. It was probably the single most painful decision I’ve ever made so far. Even if I was top 8 percent, there is absolutely no way I could afford to attend. Scholarships and FAFSA can only take me so far before I’m stuck with books and
Happy feet
I
am a pigeon-toed freak. One day, my friend randomly walked up to me in the hallway. He tapped my shoulder and then proceeded to glance at my feet. And then he decided to ask me an all too familiar question. “Why do you walk like that?” My mouth gaped open. I felt like I was talking to my mom. “I’m pigeon-toed.” But this answer seemed to confuse him, so he asked me another question. “What’s that, a disease?” I was starting to get extremely annoyed, and before I walked away, I told him to Google it, assuming he wasn’t going to actually do it. But he did. And the next day, he tapped my shoulder once again. “I YouTubed people who are pigeon-toed. It’s super weird. I think you’re malformed.” At this point, I was prepared to have his face meet my fist up close and personal. However, I just exhaled and hoped that my facial expression didn’t show how offended
18 | DECEMBER 2011
Senior makes peace with more realistic life goals, looks to future
tuition and living expenses and food and rent and everything else I can’t stand to think about. If and when I do let my doubts and worries and fears come into clear thought, I get overwhelmed and feel my throat start to close at the possibility of my seemingly hopeless future. More than the financial side of things, my biggest and greatest fear is being stuck in Garland while I watch my friends pack up for four year universities and leave me here - boring , static and alone. Even bigger than that immensely huge fear, is the actual root of my stress – being forgotten by my class mates and friends. I can’t really pretend that once they leave, they’ll come back the same. That’s just unrealistic. And sure, maybe I’m being a bit pessimistic, but sometimes I wonder what all my smart top 40 friends will think of me after they’ve left me behind to move on to bigger, brighter pastures. Will they forget me? Will they think I’m pathetic
KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor
for not following their steps? Will they still talk to me? Will they even remember me? I’m sure reading this will shock some people, since we aren’t really that close. But I want you to know that even though I tease and joke and we don’t hang out everyday, you guys keep me going and I think the world of each of you. I keep reminding myself that my future isn’t totally bleak though. I will go to a community college to save money, and, hopefully, make good enough grades to get a scholarship to the University of North Texas where I will pursue dance and journalism. June 2 will be the last day I have with my class and my friends and the first day of the rest of my adult life. This makes me dreadfully horrified and just sad. At the same time, the sense of unknown and the adventure excites me beyond belief. After all, I guess the destination doesn’t really matter; it’s all about who you take along for the ride.
COLUMN
Student shares similar flaws with mother, makes relationship with each other stronger
VANNAKEOMISY | Online Editor
I felt. And I know, being pigeon-toed does not seem like a pressing issue. It sounds like a flaw that is too menial and insignificant for people to even notice. But my mother thinks otherwise. She seems to take every opportunity she has to point out how awkward my walk is. And she’ll badger me with a series of questions, asking why I cannot angle my feet outward instead of inward or how I can even live with myself because the way I walked was just so ugly. I am not aspiring to be a model. Nor will I ever be forced to enter a beauty pageant again. Yet some days I find myself having to deal with my mother grabbing me by the feet and straightening them out for me. It will get to the point where I am pulling at my calves to jerk my feet away from her grabby hands. And what I find completely ironic from all the effort she puts into trying to change me is that she, herself, is pigeon-toed. The apple does not fall too far from the tree, huh? And the similarity of us being pigeon-toed does not stop there. We both
are completely stubborn and have a very short temper. I think that she sees so much of herself in me that she’s trying to undo all the things she hates about herself. . The only time she releases all of that negativity is when she’s trying to push it onto me. However, what my mother does not realize is that all these weaknesses we both share, such as being pigeon-toed, are what make me feel closer to her. And I want her to know that I am thankful for what she has given me, whether she finds it good or bad. This connection we have reminds me that she is more than just someone who nags at me every waking moment. She is my mother, the pigeon-toed freak, just like me.
opinion STAFF EDITORIAL
Defying others for a dream
N
ot all rebellion revolves around leather jackets, Ray-Ban sunglasses, cigarettes and James Dean. Sometimes kids have to be disobedient to get to the place they want to be in life. In this case, rebellion can be a good thing. Unfortunately, there are struggles that go along with opposition. For some, living their dreams is a risk they are willing to take. But just because someone chooses to rebel, it does not mean that things can not get better in the long run. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine the care-free youth to be resistant against authority for good reason. The older generation sometimes assumes kids rebel for the sole purpose of being defiant and causing problems. But on occasion, kids actually know what they are talking about. They know they don’t want to be doctors. They know they don’t want to go into the family business. And they know that they don’t want to go to a college close to home. All of these things make kids rebels, in a sense. And they will fight constantly with anyone who tells
them otherwise. Strangers, acquaintances, relatives or parents may act like they know what is best for another person’s future. But when someone knows what they want, there is no other option. It is understandable that parents want their children to have practical goals for their lives. Some moms and dads will not encourage their daughter to be a model or their son to be a rapper. They want their children to live comfortably and have a stable career. It is uneasy for a parent to see their child pursue a career that they do not understand or find risky. Most parents do not want to see their child struggling to feed themselves and make ends meet. Some parents, with a little persuading, can in fact accept what their child’s dream is. But this can only be accomplished with communicating, not fighting. Often times, parents are hesitant to let their kids do things if they do not understand it themselves. This is why it is important for teenagers to be able to explain their plans and how they will accomplish it. They also need to be able to
prove to their parents that they are willing to work hard to meet their goals. Practicing, attending camps/workshops, applying for internships, and contacting professionals within their field of interest are ways to prove their dedication. Kids should be able to answer any questions their parents have. Additional support from others will also allow parents to gain a new perspective. If by this time, you still do not have the support you want, consider reevaluating your desires. Have a back-up plan or consider postponing your dreams until a time when it is more achievable. Potentially, following your dreams can cause a rift in your family, and it might be up to you to decide whether or not you want to live for yourself or for your family. This type of rebellion is not a decision aspired by teenage angst. It is a difficult choice and may require you to go against your loved ones. But it is up to you to choose whether or not you want to play the role of James Dean in your life. Do not just be a rebel. Be a rebel with a cause.
GUEST COLUMN
Student debates losing family or aspirations
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he thought of disappointing my parents, especially my mother, is something I can’t stand the thought of. But the question arises, at what point do I begin making decisions for myself without feeling indebted to the very person that gave me life? Is this so-called “rebelliousness” justifiable, or am I supposed to live my life according to what my mother wants? If my mom could have it her way, my future would play out something like this: graduate high school, take a few classes at community college, while staying at home, and dedicate most of my time to my Christian ministry. Is there anything wrong with that plan? No. Is it what I want to do, though? No. If I could have
MYCAWILLIAMSON | Yearbook Editor
it my way, my future plans would be to graduate high school, attend a local four-year university while staying on campus, study abroad for a year, and occasionally make time for my Christian obligations. According to my mom, though, dorm life would just corrupt a young Christian woman. The atmosphere only consists of sex, drugs and other immoral dangers. What she fails to see, though, is that all these things could ensnare me no matter where I am. But my mother would rather me not have to deal with that at all. This has been the case my entire life. I have always been the one that wanted to please her. It started with my grades. Then it was my appearance. Now, it’s come to my future. Recently, though, I have decided that my future is my future. If I intend to work for her approval, I will never be satisfied with my life. I have to be my own person. But I still struggle with the feeling that I am obligated to her will. She has supported me, not only emotionally, but financially, even as a single mother for some time. I am eternally
grateful to her and the woman she has been to me. Does that mean I set aside all of my endeavors to gratify her wishes? If I were to satisfy my own desires instead of succumbing to her demands, I take the chance of not having a relationship with my mom. Part of me feels that it is wrong that I even have to make this decision, while the other part of me feels that maybe she really thinks she is protecting me. If that’s the case, there comes a point in life where she can no longer be my protector at all times. That is the point I have been trying to prove lately. I think the majority of this stems from her struggle of just letting go. Maybe I can’t understand this because I am not a parent, but there comes a time in my life where I am supposed to make my own mistakes and experience life. I can’t do that by sheltering myself from the world. My mom is shocked by my strong opposition to her wishes and continues to try and persuade me to stay home. But I know what I want to do with my life. I’ve made up my mind at this point.
19 | DECEMBER 2011
photo essay
POWDER rough ROUGH S
THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor
enior and junior girls battled for points and touchdowns in the annual Powder Puff game, while senior and junior boys cheered them on with stunts and dancing as male cheerleaders and the ‘Man’selles’ on Friday, Nov. 18. Traditional senior victory was beaten down when the game ended in a tie between the classes.
Seniors and juniors tie in the Powder Puff game
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1 1. Playing jump rope with senior Akhil Raju, senior Jacob Downer swings Raju back and forth as other male cheerleaders jump over his body. 2. Celebrating a touchdown, juniors Jasmine Lemus and Ar’Davia Amos dance. 3. Trying to score, junior Mary Dunbar is chased by senior Julia Hyder while Amos tries to stop the tackle. 4. Rushing to stop a touchdown, junior Priscilla Onyebuchi desperately chases senior Jackie Perez. 5. Disappointed in the score, senior Jennifer Morquecho expresses her grief while juniors celebrate behind her. 6. Showing off his high kick, senior Timothy Dang performs in the ‘Man’selles’ half-time kick routine. 7. Charging, the junior players rush to interfere a score for the seniors as her teammates try to keep the juniors away.
20 | DECEMBER 2011
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