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School districts to sue Texas Debate team goes to Chicago SBISD, HISD team up to stand against legislature’s budget cuts to education
challenge is State leaders say $2.8 biggest STAFF WRITER billion is more federal getting a larger number his year SBISD has money that they have of students to pay attenhad to tighten its put into the public school tion to that one teacher. “Now with fewer belt. The state legteachers, state testing islature cut school is going to be affected funding by $27 million . drastically,” Stallworth The decreasing funds said. are a result of the state With Texas cutting out cutting school funding $5 billion in funding, all to individual districts. districts will have less SBISD had to layoff 105 money to provide propteachers and support er education. There will staff this year alone.The an estimated $1 billion ratio of the teachers to cut from the public edstudents has gone from ucation grants. Before 1 to 20 to 1 to 35. the state legislature HISD, one of the bigcan do anything, it has gest districts in the state to be looked over by of Texas, lost nearly the Supreme Court. $80 million in funding. Texas has tried many The state legislature cut times to put more school finance by $5 money into the public billion this year alone and the district should education system in school education system. In 2006, Governor lose $122 million in the many years. “ The way the state han- Rick Perry created a new 2012-2013 school year. As a result, HISD, dles the school funding business tax and raised SBISD and other districts needs to be fixed,” Prin- cigarette taxes which have decided to sue the cipal Lance Stallworth put some money back into the public education state of Texas for un- said. The decreasing edu- system, but the amount constitutionally funding public schools. The dis- cation funds from Texas put into the system was trict feels the funding is is what caused layoffs not enough to make it which affect the pub- successful. Texas also inadequate wanted hoto meet meowners increasto pay more ing state in property standards. taxes to inThis is the crease the seventh educational time Texas funding. But schools most counhave joined ties do not together want to raise in the past property tax30 years to es on their challenge residents. the state’s “Lawsuits school fican take nance sysyears to be tem. played out, “Spring but in the Branch is mean time going to we have to be a major deal with the player in increasing this lawsuit budget cuts.” ,” SBISD Klussmann Superinsaid. The tendent Dr. lawsuit is D u n c a n expected to Klussmann take place said. in court in Texas lit2013. “There erally gave are some $2.8 billion lawmakto public ers saying and charter they added schools. But money to the state has given WORDS OF WISDOM: Superintendent Duncan the budget,” Klussmann $4 billion few- Klussmann speaks at a conference. said.”My queser dollars than previous years which is lic and charter school tion to them then is, why why Spring Branch lost systems. Now there's a does everyone have $27 million over a two higher student to teach- less money? It’s all just er ratio that will affect smoke and mirrors.” year period. “We spent less in state schools academically. ”Our administration money and still had less money than the year be- can’t function like this,” Klussmann said. The fore,” Klussmann said. By STEPHANIE VARGAS
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Varsity members compete at nationally ranked tournament making this tournament just as difficult as Nationals or Harvard.” S t u d e n t Congress Debate Captain, Waaris Mohammad, and Debate Team President, Cade
have ever been to in my life,” Mohammad said. “I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, but I think it was This past November, the a learning experience for Spring Woods Speech all of us.” and Debate team At the traveled to Chicago, competition, Cade Illinois to Bundrick compete advanced to in one of Quarter Finals the most in Dramatic prestigious Interpretation, tournaments placing him of the year in the top 24 and put their of the 250 name on the competitors Forensics at the map. This tournament. tournament “I feel will help them that I could prepare for have been the more more prepared difficult for the tournaments tournament, of the spring but I am very semester and DYNAMIC DUO: Mohammad and Bundrick celglad that I the Texas ebrate their success at one of the hardest tourna- got as far as I F o r e n s i c ments in the country. did,” Bundrick Association said. “It was State tournament in Bundrick, were the incredibly difficult and March. only team members to was a good way to “This is one of attend the tournament prepare for the rest of the hardest tournaments from Spring Woods and the tournament season, that Spring Woods will traveled with Beard, as which will only get more ever travel to,” coach well as the Memorial difficult as we travel to Victoria Beard said. Debate team. other tournaments such “There are over 200 “This was the as Harvard, State, and schools competing, hardest tournament I Nationals.” By JESSICA JONES BUSINESS MANAGER
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Out with old, in with new Texas replaces TAKS with End Of Course exam
By ODALIS GARCIA STAFF WRITER The End of Course (EOC) is raising a lot of questions. It’s a new version of the TAKS test. Some might think that this new testing is ridiculous and others might like it, but one thing is for sure, no one knows what the heck it is. Principal Lance Stallworth and Superintendent Duncan Klussman have some answers for everyone. “Every ninth grader is going to have to take that test and pass it. You can see the level of rigor on those tests,” Stallworth said. “I know my social studies pretty darn well and I struggled on some of those questions.” This EOC test would only be for the freshmen this year and the grade levels lower. If you started high school with the TAKS test, you are going to end it with the TAKS test, so no worries to all of the upperclassmen,
it’s going to be a strange adjustment for them, with all of the new standards, The test would be very unlike the TAKS in a way that the EOC will have a time limit. Students will have four hours to complete each assessment. “I would be surprised if freshmen really understood what’s coming and
the consequences for not doing well on those exams. It’s brutal. It’s going to be very, very challenging,” Stallworth said. A lot of administrators know about the EOC’s, but the freshmen that are actually going to take it in the spring don’t know much about it. “I feel a little nervous that the test will be harder,” freshmen Matthew Rowe said.
Even though the test is going to be harder, you still have to pass all of those exams with a certain score, but the passing standards won’t be determined until 2012. The standards will change over the years. The 12 EOC assessments are: English I, II, and III, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, World Geography, World History, and U.S. History. “If you don’t get a certain score over those twelve exams, you won’t graduate with the recommended plan even though you past the classes. Also, the exams will count 15 percent of your grade,” Klussman said. “You can take it as many times as you want and you can improve your GPA.”
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Home field advantage for Thespians Freshman expectations affect grades Thespian state festival 2011 comes to Houston
recognition yet again, but there were even more rewarding experiences for the Thespians at After two years of state. After getting a traveling to Corpus student on the board for Christi, theater had the the first time in Corpus, luxury of competing in Troupe 127 tried to town. Held at the George do it again with junior R. Brown convention Cristian Carrillo. His center, this year’s Texas exuberance and desire Thespians state festival to lead earned him was held December the recommendation 1st through 3rd. of his directors to The Thespians gained run for the student a lot of recognition, state board of Texas. but they also had He had to campaign time to have fun while and speak in front of learning new theater the adult delegation techniques. Many in order to achieve different workshops election. Although he were offered didn’t make it, Carrillo throughout the day looks back fondly on while play marathons his memories of being ran simultaneously, a Student State Board giving the Thespians candidate. the chance to learn “Even though I didn’t through action or make the board, it was observation. Schools still a life-changing brought their entire experience,” Carillo cast and sets to state FUN IN THE PARK: Thespians to perform their shows enjoy an afternoon at Discovery said. “The leadership True for the large audience Green on the last day of festival. workshop, Colors, is something of Texas Thespians. I would want to teach Troupe 127 brought a show of their own, together eight national the entire troupe.” individual The Texas Thespians titled Bridal Terrorism. qualifying This play highlights an events. This year, they also held auditions for two qualifying an all state show called unmarried woman’s had attempts to force events at home. Yancey Coram Boy which tells marriage upon an is not only proud of the the story of two orphans unsuspecting stranger three national qualifying whose lives become with the help of her kooky students, but the troupe closely involved in this tragic episode of British family. The play was as a whole. “I’m proud of our social history. Troupe chosen as the national alternate, making it students because they 127 had eleven students the second best play all represented Spring audition, but only junior very well,” Leslie Cavasos made that was displayed at Woods Yancey said. made the cut with junior festival. Director Anne The Troupe was Jordan Jump being Yancey is ecstatic about extremely happy the opportunity for the to achieve national Continued on PAGE 3 By JESSICA JONES BUSINESS MANAGER
Thespians to perform on the national stage. “Being the national alternate is a tangible recognition that the students at Spring Woods are comparable to the nation’s best,” Yancey said. Over the past two years, Troupe 127 has put
Troupe 127 Individual Events
Solo musical- Jack Rodgers Duet musical- Ayana Gaither & Jessica Jones ADVANCED TO NATIONALS Group musical- Cristian Carrillo, Shannon Olson, Juan Soto, Anne Ho, Lilli Montiero, Emily Mitchell, Gisselle Sanchez, Alex Ramierez, Jose Garcia, & Stephanie Martinez Solo monologue- Chelsea Otorubio ADVANCED TO NATIONALS Duet acting- Rosio Carranza & Edgar Ramirez Group acting- Jonathan Rochow, Candace Edgley, Roy Wheeler, & Leslie Cavasos Stage management- Ethan Mitchell Lighting design- Jordan Jump Scenic design- Kyle Deshotel Team costume design- Anna Austin & Marrah Valverde Texas techie relay- Kris Stanley, Ethan Mitchell, Jordan Jump, Kyle Deshotel, Shay Harris, Rachael Wheat, Lauren Vierling, & Morgan Jump
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jack Rodgers CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
Cade Bundrick
BUSINESS MANAGER:
Jessica Jones
ASST. BUSINESS MNGR:
Sam Lopez
STAFF WRITERS: Carly Batterson, Jazmine Clark, Lilya Gehman, Brittany Moore, Alisan O’Quinn, Haley Schild, Jazmine Cantu, Odalis Garcia, Jenifer Mendoza, Scott Moore, Lorelei Shannon, Jaroslav Unar, Stephanie Vargas ADVISOR: Pam Karter
The Regit is published every six weeks by the newspaper staff as a public forum for the student community. The staff reserves the right to choose the content of the stories. Final decisions involving all written and pictorial content shall be made by the staff and advisor. The Regit will strive to present news in a fair, impartial, accurate, and truthful way. Editorials represent only the staff writer’s view. Letters to the editor are welcomed from any Regit reader.
Letters will be checked for grammar, accuracy, and punctuation. To join the Regit staff, contact one of the grade level counselors. ADVERTISING: The Regit retains the right to reject advertisement not in the best interest of its audience. Advertising space may be purchased by calling the journalism department at (713) 251-3239. Advertisement may be faxed to the Regit at (713) 365-4474.
Thinking it’s easy can really affect your grade
By HALEY SCHILD STAFF WRITER
grades will reflect that. “I thought high school was going to be easy, Grades are very imporyou know? But it was a tant in high school, lot harder and I was but if you come in caught off guard,” thinking it's going freshman Jose Esto be easy, you will cobar said. soon be corrected. “You won't get anyMany kids are told where in high school throughout middle thinking it's easy,” school that high freshman grade school is going to counselor Jennibe difficult, so they fer Dyer said “From come in with that day one, you've got mindset. FRESHMEN FOCUS: Freshman to work hard, be or“I heard so much English teacher Dusti Rhodes dis- ganized and turn in about how high cusses To Kill a Mocking Bird to pre- your work.” school is so hard, so ap students. So it's obvious that I came here thinking when coming into that it would be difficult,” come in thinking it would high school, you need freshman Armando be easy? One would to study hard, no matter Mendoza said, “but it probably find that it is not whether you think it'll be was actually easier than as easy as expected and easy or hard. I expected.” Mendoza is making A's and B's. But what if one were to
Juniors get down toStudents business join program in hopes of extra
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college prep
By SAM LOPEZ
ASSIST. BUSINESS MNGR
In high school the main focus seems to be to get through each year and make time for friends, but for the 45 students in the collegiate challenge program, college is their focus. For this program to be possible, juniors applied to participate and about 20 district faculty members offered their services to mentor these students and guide them to their future college lives. Money does not run this program. It is all driven off of the willingness of both the students and faculty. This does not pay for the students education, it simply gives the extra assistance one would need going into college. And who better to get advice from than someone whom has already gone through the college process once or maybe even multiple times? This program started in 2000 at Northbrook High School and spread to other Spring Branch schools. It has made such a big impact on students in the past that it has been ongoing for 11 years. Community members
were brought together to work with about one or two students at a time so that the students can receive help with college choices, financial aid, and all college processes. The mentors also help students with their college essays. They proof
read the essays and give helpful ideas students can go by. “I wish I would have applied for the program,” junior Maritza Ocampo said. “I think it would have helped me a lot.” Basically anything that has to do with college is what this program is about. Students are guided into the college life that is to come and they are taught how they can apply for colleges and also how to work on their resumes. “Putting together the best possible application
for college can mean the difference between receiving an acceptance letter and being rejected,” moneyzine.com said. “Creating a great resume for a college application not only helps the student put their best foot forward, but also helps to organize their accomplishments into one document.” The importance of preparing and being knowledgable about college ahead of time cannot be stressed enough. This program is not in any sense a competition. It's an opportunity opener. It is designed specifically to help with the transition from high school to college to lessen the stress teens may feel when preparing for college and also teach them about their options outside of the obvious. It was open to all juniors that were interested and will continue on to help other students in the future as well. “This is mainly open to juniors, but exceptions may be made,” junior counselor Farah Ranjbaran said.
Funnies from teachers By JAZMINE CANTU STAFF WRITER “I remember when I came up to interview for my job here at S.W.H.S. 17 years ago during the summer. I was leaving with Coach Hershey and there was a very good looking guy sitting on a desk in the front office, I turned to Coach Hershey and said, 'Wow, you have good looking boys who go to school here,' and she laughed and said, 'That is Mr. Adami and he is one of the assistant principals here.'” -Coach Maggie Fuchs “I was popping some popcorn in the science office's microwave and forgot about it. It burned and set off the fire alarms and the entire school had to evacuate. This was in the middle of final exams too. The funny thing is that it happened again (with school wide evacuation) about 3 weeks later. Alex Vana immediately removed that microwave from our office. Fortunately, I still had a job at SWHS.” -Science Dept. Head Ann Brown
“If you ask the students if they have been told by a teacher that there are no dumb questions they all say yes. If you ask them if they believe it, they all say no. Two years ago, my rocket class was scrambling to get their second generation model rockets designed and built by launch day. On the big day I said, 'O.K. time’s up ready or not. We are going to the field behind the baseball diamond to launch and it will take 10 minutes each way'. One student asked, 'Should we bring our rockets?'” -Physics Teacher James Kirkwood “About 8 years ago, there was an Administrative Principal named Jennifer. She was good friends with an older gal here on campus (I don’t recall her name, but she was real pretty with short white hair). They used to play pranks on one another. One day, one filled the other’s office with thousands of loose chicken feathers. There were feathers everywhere! The slightest breeze from a person just walking past the office would send feathers drifting/floating into the corridor.” -Nurse Jan Pesko
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Student Council members maximize school spirit Members spend time helping those around them
By SCOTT MOORE STAFF WRITER
Looking for a fun way to spend your day? Or a way to help your community? Maybe you need volunteer hours to help get into college? If so, Student Council is the answer to your problems! Joining Student Council is one of the best things you can do to prepare for life past high school. “The main idea of Student Council is to create a positive relationship between school, students, faculty and community through service projects,” Student Council sponsor Melissa Schmitz said. Because of this relationship that is created, colleges love seeing Student Council on a resume. And not just local colleges love seeing
it, every But, college Student wants C o u n you to cil isn't particiall hard pate in work all Student the time. Council. It is filled “Stuwith many d e n t d i ff e r e n t Council fun activiis a naties. It is tionally almost recoga family nized of close organi friends. zation “I love that colhow we leges are able l o o k to help for beout the cause student it builds STUDENT CO. GIVES: Student b o d y l e a d e r -Council president gives a mum towhile havship anda life skills student. ing a good committime,” sement to nior Sathe community,” Schmitz mantha Pollicove said. said. There are aspects
of high school life that could never be achieved without the help of Student Council. They have a guiding hand in anything that has to do with school spirit. “Student Council did everything related to voting and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen this fall,” Schmitz said. “In the fall they mainly focus on school spirit.” They don't just do school spirit, they also volunteer at various places. Everything Student Council does affects Spring Woods High School in one way or another. “Student Council is a great organization that gives the students a way to lead the school to be better for everybody,” Principal Lance Stallworth said.
Student Council is a great way to show your leadership skills off to everyone. It does not take much to join this club, you just have to put aside some of your time. The things you do in in the club actually make a difference in the community around you. So, if you ever find yourself looking for something fun to do outside of school, you can drop by a meeting on Wednesday in room 206. They are always looking for more members to join their ranks. They have a visit to a nursing home planned for over the holidays and have loads more in stock for the spring semester.
a grand scale. “I wanted to be a part of this show so badly and I can’t wait to work with my director, Luis Munoz, and all the other Texas Thespians!” Cavasos said. With state festival behind them, the
Thespians are buckling down to prepare for Once On This Island, thier winter musical that opens in a little more a month. For now, they can look back fondly on the three days of excitement they had with their Texas Thespians family.
Classroom technology progresses
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Social networks in classes allow for advanced teaching By CADE BUNDRICK CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF As time speeds on in this ever changing, constantly advancing world, so does the need to adapt. With this adaption comes a long series of things being added to a global “To Do List,” of sorts. Somewhere on this “To Do List,” is the phrase “teach children while using the Internet.” For those readers who are stuck in 2001, the Internet has completely surpassed the time of going to a random website to get information, and is now entirely based around Web 2.0 technology. This
Web 2.0 is an Internet script that makes e-mail look like a thing of the past. Web 2.0 websites include Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, iGoogle, and so many more. This technology speeds far ahead of simply social networking sites, and is the way of the future. But as the world adapts to such a changing technological climate, what is keeping the children on their toes in such a time? The answer, is not only within the school system, but also within Spring Woods. Teachers from a vast majority of subjects have been incorporating social networking sites and Web 2.0 alike to not only keep their students up to date on what is new, but also keep the class as appealing as possible. “I use wikispaces
extensively,” Global Business teacher Estie Cuellar said. “With Wikis, students can access their assignments and send me messages anywhere they have an internet connection. This makes it both easy and convenient for students to access their assignments.” With this incorporation, comes a new liking for students, and involves them in new online sites that will get both them and their friends involved with the sites. And, although this does bring forward a new way to involve students and teachers together, it does also present a few
roadblocks. “It is a matter of accessibility to the technology,” English teacher Mathew McConn said. “I just got done doing an assignment in the library with my classes that had to be turned in on Google Docs, but half of my kids haven’t completed the assignment still because they either don’t have a computer or don’t want to go to the library and work on it outside of class. They are just not used to turning in their work online.” Technology may be a fantastic revolution for the school system, but it seems that it would take some time to fully integrate. For some teachers, electronic aid in the classroom is something that should be integrated fully before it is taken advantage of.
Continued from PAGE 2 chosen as a lighting designer. Rehearsals will be held in various cities around Texas. Cavasos is excited for the rehearsal process to begin and is very grateful for the oppertunity to perform a show on such
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District demands technology Teachers required to expand horizons in the classrooms By BRITTANY MOORE STAFF WRITER The controversy as to whether or not technology should be the center focus in classrooms, as opposed to bookwork, is a silent dispute. You have the people who believe that technology is vastly advancing and sooner rather than later, technology will become the number one source for curriculum based information. On the other side, there are people who believe that this belief is widely exaggerated, but before you decide where you stand you first have to identify with what the two sides have to say and know what the dispute is actually about. This is the modern era, the age of technology, in which it is vastly advancing. District policy requires that teachers must integrate technology into the way that they teach. Such examples of
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this integration would be the ActivBoard. Teachers have to be well informed and well trained when it comes to teaching from the ActivBoard. As opposed to teachers reading lessons from the book and engaging in board work, they now have to center their lessons on the use of technology. According to SBISD superintendent Duncan Klussman, the future looks more and more technological. Textbooks will enter the world of technology as the materials that students need for their curriculum will be available online. “Systems with online textbooks will eliminate the paper textbooks that we have today within five years,” Klussman said. “Technology will be your access to information just like a textbook is today. It will become a common thing used in classrooms.”
With the idea of textbooks becoming available online, the billions of dollars spent on textbooks can be funded somewhere else more
sort of electronic device. One Spring Woods teacher just so happens to support this claim. “I think a very effective use of technology would be to have all student textbooks on some type of device, whether it’s a kindle or a laptop,” Junior Achievem e n t TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES: Seniors p o n EsNicholas Andrade takes advantage of the sor library computers to work on a government tie Cuellar said. project. “I would suitable. love to see every teacher This belief of Dr. have a set of net-books Klussman’s would mean or laptops in their classthat there would no lon- rooms that has their speger be the burden of cific curriculum loaded having to carry around onto that technology so numerous textbooks for that students can utilize different classes as op- it in their classrooms.” posed to accessing your While this idea may information from some sound appealing to some
teachers and students, the question is if this shift is actually possible. Dr. Klussman believes so. “I oppose buying a textbook and having it for eight years when you get an online edition which everyone has access to and teachers can actually go in and make adjustments on improving it,” Dr. Klussman said. “It keeps improving all of the time.” On the other side of the argument, some people would be opposed to completely eliminating textbooks because who’s to say that reading books will not become extinct as well? “I do not believe that we will ever lose all of the books. We will just see less books,” librarian Laura Flocks said. “There’s always going to be a place for fiction and plenty of students who will still want to pick up a book and hold it in their hand and read it, not
on an electronic device. There’s always going to be a need for books.” While Flocks does not share the same belief as Dr. Klussman, she also happens to believe in tradition and practicality. “Dr. Klussman’s view for how libraries should be is very different from the way that most librarians and schools are headed,” Flocks said. “He sees it as a very open concept similar to what you see when you walk into an Apple store and those are very interesting concepts, but in reality, it’s very difficult to manage all of the technology.” There are different perspectives and opinions on what the idea of classrooms should look like, but as specified by the district, all schools have to move toward the advancement of technology.
Tragic beginnings end with triumph
Adoptees home foundation keeps them steady through search for biological parents
By ALISAN O’QUINN STAFF WRITER Adoption is something that takes a lot of time, courage, and money. It’s not an easy process and it’s basically a waiting game. It is infamous for either bringing families together or viciously ripping them apart. Adoption can be looked at in two ways. Either receiving a child that one has always dreamed of having, or, taking an innocent, helpless child out of a violent, crowded orphanage and providing them a home. Some successful adoption stories include people like Steve Jobs and John Lennon. They were adopted at young ages and despite their trials, they turned out to be amazing role models and have even changed the way people view themselves and the world around them. Steve Jobs was adopted at birth and led an amazing life full of his fair share of successes. When his biological parents discovered they were expecting, they were not yet married and his grandfather would not allow Jobs' biological mother to marry a Syrian Muslim (Jobs' biological father). The only option that they saw fit, was to put him up for adoption before he was even born. Paul and Clara Jobs adopted him as an infant, on the condition that they would provide a college education for their new baby boy, Steve. Not long after the adoption was finalized, Jobs' biological grandfather died and the young couple married. Legally there was
Gehman said. In the United States alone 20,000-25,000 children are placed for adoption annually. This seems to be problematic because over 200,000 Americans try to adopt per year. Since there are so many Americans wanting to adopt children, many look to international adoption, such as the Gehmans, to help solve their problems. This alone has caused international adoptions to triple in the past nine years. The international adoptees are often abandoned at an orphanage with no records of their parents and who they are. “We don't think that there is any possibility of finding my birth parents, PLAYFUL TODDLER: At 20 months old, Lilya Gehman takes a even though break from playing to reach for the camera. I'd like to,” Gehman said. Although his adoption led great friends, Paul Mc- This is a common occurto many great advantag- Cartney and George Har- rence among the five miles, it caused his biologi- rison. He was expelled in lion American adoptees, cal parents a great deal 1960 for various reasons but they get through it with of grief. Although they and the three then went the help of their adoptive wished to reunite before on to meet Ringo Starr, parents who have been his untimely death, they and start the famous there all along. Some also associate did “not want him ever to Beatles. Although Lenthink [they were] after his non had a rather traumatic psychological and defortune,” Abdul Jandali, childhood, he went on to velopmental delays with Jobs' biological father, change the world of mu- adoptees because there are always questions in said. sic. As for John Lennon, his Freshman Lilya Gehman their minds about why story is a bit more tragic. is another example of a they were abandoned by His parents separated successful adoption. She their biological parents when he was just three was adopted at 20 months and often want to learn years old. His father was old from Russia and even more about their heritage, not able to take care of has some faint memories but don't know where to him, and he was not wel- of the orphanage. She is start. Many adoptees, comed into the family by similar to her parents and such as Gehman, develop his step-father. So he was their “mannerisms have normally with the support then adopted by his aunt rubbed off on me a bit,” and care of a loving family. nothing they could do to get their son back, so they left him in good care with his new adoptive parents. If Jobs had not been adopted, he might not have performed as well as he did, and he could have been just an average Joe. But, single handedly, with a twist of fate, this man changed the technological world as it was known before his time.
and uncle. He seemed to be developing normally, until his uncle's death when Lennon was just 12 years old. When this tragedy struck, his behavior deteriorated and his aunt was unable to get him under control. Things seemed to look brighter when Lennon was accepted into the Liverpool Art College in 1956. While there, he met two
Types of adoption Public- children from the child welfare system are placed in homes by governmentoperated agencies. Private- children placed in non-relative homes through non-profit agencies. Kinship- children are placed in the homes of relatives, with or without the services of an agency. Step-parent- a child is adopted by the spouse of one birth parent. Transracial- the child is placed in the home of a family of a different race (public or private). International- Children from a foreign country are adopted by American families, this has increased in the last decade. High of 175,000 adoptions in 1944 Low of 50,000 adoptions in 1970
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JA wins 2nd place for Best Sales Presentation Students sold more than $500 during course of trade fair
STAFF WRITER
enough money to get the basic items, they need to
Junior Achievement’s mission is to provide quality products and services at a fair price to their customers. WINC, the junior achievement company, has to write a business plan, develop their own products, develop a promotion for their product, and take care of the financing. WINC has to brainstorm ideas for what they are going to sell. Then they have to send out a survey to see if their idea is what people want to see and are interested in. If people like the idea, then they will go through with it. In order to have
COFFEE MUGS FOR SALE: JA works hard to sell their products. make their product. Ev- book that showed homeery year they sell black- made recipes for organic out t-shirts. Last year, makeup and other skin
By CARLY BATTERSON
Junior Achievement’s product was a picture
Part-time work can be full-time fun
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Things to know before getting your first job
By CARLY BATTERSON
time help with package STAFF WRITER handling during the holiLooking for a part-time days. Lowes is hiring job can seem over- unload assistants. The whelming. You know you YMCA has an opening want to earn some extra for a Child Watch Play cash but you might not Leader. If you have access to a know where to begin. Start by making a list. computer there are many What are some of the great websites to visit for things you are good at job openings, for examwww.indeed.com, and enjoy doing. If you ple, w w w . c a n snagapick the job.com, perfect w w w . partsimplytime job hired. w h a t com and would it w w w . be? The j o b s . happimonster. est peocom. ple love You w h a t can type t h e y in “temdo. The porary luckiest or “partpeople t i m e ” l o v e in the w h a t search they do box and and get paid forTOYS R US: Junior Vincent Razo your zip works during Black Friday. code to it. help narGet row down advice from your friends an family. Ask them what the search. These sites your best qualities are will give you an instant and what they think you listing of jobs, company names and a brief job would be good at. Think about the perks. description. It will also tell If you shop at a favorite you how long the job has store you may get a dis- been open or posted. It’s count if you become an a simple and quick way to start your job search. employee. There are state laws Be sure to get input from your parents be- that regulate at what age fore you move forward and how many hours you on your job search- this can work per day and per is something important week. In Texas, a stuyou need to discuss. dent 14 or 15 years old What may seem like the may not work more than perfect job to you may three hours on a school not be what your parents day or 18 hours in a had in mind. Make sure school week. Teenagers you both agree on how that are 16 and 17 years much time you can de- old have no restrictions vote to a job and still bal- on the time limit. Anyone ance other activities. under the age of 16 has Here are some current special requirements for job postings in the area: working so when you go IKEA is looking for part- out and find a job, make time staff to oversee the sure you find out about Children’s Play Area. their age limits. Target at Memorial City Mall is hiring seasonal help. UPS needs part-
Tips on finding part time jobs: -Start with your hobbies. It’s always more fun to get paid for something you enjoy doing. -Figure out how much time you have to devote to your part-time job so you don’t over commit yourself. -Consider the location. Is it best for you to find a job near your home or close to school? How will you get to and from your job? -Check with your friends and family. Maybe someone in your circle could use your help or may know of an open position. -Community and church organizations can also be good resources. -Holidays are a good time to pick up some extra hours at the mall, restaurants or catering companies. -Become an entrepreneur by starting your own side business such as house-sitting, washing cars, cleaning services, or computer rescue services. -Use social-networking to get the word out. Post your job skills and what you are looking for on Facebook or Twitter. -When you go out and look for a job, dress appropriately. Even if you are just trying to find an application, you need to be dressed nicely.
product. Each year, and hair products. they have their big This year’s prodtrade fair the first ucts are blackout weekend of Decemt-shirts, rice neckber. They also parlaces, duct tape ticipate in the First wallets, and holiday Saturday Arts Mardecorated coffee ket. mugs for Grounds “If you want to join for Change. WINC, in the spring “Junior Achieveyou need to fill out ment is a fun and an application. It great way to learn needs to be signed more about busiby yourself, a parness,” Freshman, ent, and an adminEmily Meeks said. istrator. Then you They will have have to be intertheir trade fair on viewed by the offiDecember 3rd at cers or myself. If we Memorial City Mall. pick you, then you JA has trade fairs get to be apart of where they compete JA,” Sponsor Estie against other JA programs in the area. MONEY MAKERS: Junior Vi Nguy- Cuellar said. Then they show- en sculpts mugs for sale at trade fair. case and sell their
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People dread new year
The Bully’s Choice
By Lorelei Shannon
Theories predict that 2012 is Earth's last year as a planet
By LILYA GEHMAN STAFF WRITER According to theorists, it is predicted that the world will end on December 21, 2012. That is the date that the Mayan calendar ends. The Mayans were the native people of the Yucatan Peninsula and southern Mexico. They were very good at math and astronomy, and they were an advanced civilization who were conquered by the Spaniards. Many of the calendars they developed are still used today. The Mayan calendar abruptly ends on December 21, 2012 and some theorists think that means that the world will end at that time. Other people believe that it marks the beginning of a new time era with a new spiritual awakening. Over the years, other world ending theories have been created by various people. Most recently, radio personality Harold Camping predicted that the world would end on May 21, 2011 and then again on October 21, 2011. Obviously neither of them happened. So how will the world end? Scientists show that the world is slowly dying and possibly getting closer to the sun. Others have predicted that a planet named
Planet X, also known as Nibiru that was founded in the 1980's on the edge of the solar system. It last seen around the Kuiper Belt and is said to be entering the inner part of our solar system in 2012. After that it is supposedly going to be zooming towards us. Most people think that the world is never going to end, and that it will go on forever. “I personally have a hard time believing that the world will end, but if it happens, it happens. Why waste your remaining time worrying about it? Kind of defeats the purpose of life if you're constantly worried a b o u t death,” junior grader Brittany Trevino said. The ice age is another possible theory too. Some believe that the world will ice over. Everything will freeze, turn into a huge snowball, and the world end. Then everything will be created again. “I don't think that anything will happen on December 21, 2012,” sophomore Nicole Jackson said. December 21, 2012 will be a mystery to us until the day it comes. We will never know for sure if the world is ever going to end let alone what will happen tomorrow.
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Holiday happenings Fun, cheap activities for the holiday break
Moody Gardens: Festival of Lights One Hope Boulevard Galveston, TX 77554 1-800-582-4673 Admission: $5.95 December 14 through January 1.
-Enjoy more than 1 million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and nightly live entertainment. In addition, you can skate around on the area’s only outdoor ice skating rink, take pictures with Santa or watch holiday films in the MG 3D, 4D Special FX or Ridefilm theaters. Admission to the Rainforest Pyramid®, Aquarium Pyramid®, MG 3D Theater, Ridefilm Theater and Colonel Paddlewheel Boat can be purchased for $6 each after 4:45 p.m. with a Festival of Lights ticket. Tickets to the 4D Special FX Theater can be purchased for $10.95 adults/ $8.95 child. Bring your own skates or skate rental is also available for just $6.
The Ice at Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St Houston, TX 77010 12/12-13/11 4:00-10:00pm All School Holidays 11:00am-11:00pm; Thanksgiving Day 11:00am-11:00pm; Christmas Eve 11:00am-8:00pm; Christmas Day 2:00pm-11:00pm; New Years Eve 11:00am-12:Midnight; New Years Day 11:00am-11:00pm;and MLK Day-January 16 11:00am-9:00pm. Ticket prices: $10.00 All ages. Includes skate rental.
-With more than 350,000 visitors enjoying the experience of outdoor ice skating in Downtown Houston the past three years, IceRinkEvents, a Houstonbased designer, manufacturer, installer, and operator of ice rinks around the globe, transforms Kinder Lake’s model boat basin into a holiday skating destination each winter season at the park.
Hermann Park: Holiday Lights 6201-A Hermann Park Drive Houston, TX 77030 (713) 524-5876 Admission: Free Holiday Lights in Hermann Park begins Friday, Dec 15, at 6 pm. Attractions include lighted live oak trees around the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones reflection pool, lighted pedal boats available for rent on McGovern Lake ($10 for 30 minutes, up to 4 people), entertainments, a lighted tunnel and maypole, and food vendors. The lights will be on from 6p.m. to 9 p.m., Dec 15 – 17, Dec 22 – 24, and Dec 26 – 30.
-The main attraction was a month-long festival called “Holiday Lights in Hermann Park,” put together by four partners: FHP, a local event planning outfit named Eventions, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), and H-E-B, one of the largest food retailers in the US.
By JAZMINE CANTU STAFF WRITER Houston Ballet: The Nutcracker Wortham Theater Center 713-227-2787 501 Texas Avenue @ Smith St. Houston, TX 7:30 PM- December 16, 17, 18, 19*, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26*, 27*, 2011 2:00 PM- December 17, 18, 19*, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 2011 *Indicates discounted performance. Admission ranges from $19- $100
-Oh, the wonder of it all. Living dolls. Dancing snowflakes. A Christmas tree that grows to spectacular heights. It’s The Nutcracker, in all its magical, colorful, holiday charm. With music by Tchaikovsky and stunning sets by Desmond Heeley, Ben Stevenson’s production has something to delight every member of the family. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without The Nutcracker.
Hip-Hopping into new style
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Changes made over the years raise questions
By JAZMINE CLARK STAFF WRITER Back in the day, hip hop had meaning. The music was about love and how people felt about someone. When hip hop was born in the mid 80's, it was about the style and the feelings put into songs. At the end of the 80's there was a rise in hip hop with the styling g r o u p s such as Cl Smooth and Pete Rock. West Coast hip hop was also influenced by scenes based in the Bay Area and Seattle, Washington which p r o duced artists s u c h as MC Hammer a n d Sir Mixalot. West Coast rap is still alive as well, but the sound and feel of the music h a s changed r e markably since the GFunk era. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre continued to be major players in the national mainstream and most of the local artists like E-40, The Frontline, and Andre Nicatina continued to struggle for recognition. The West Coast soon separated after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
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During this period of time, West Coast was beginning to fracture and with most of the scene going underground and loosing radio time. The East Coast was showing their best skills. East Coast was based out of New York city. During the 9 0 ' s , New Yo r k w a s the center of hip hop. Soon California found it's spot on the map holding the rap crown. In the mid 90's, Puff Daddy's friendly Bad Boy records dominated the East Coast s u c cess. Later a new group soon emerged including Nas, Jay-Z, and the Wu Tang Clan. The extraordinary thing about r a p is that there is no real division b e tween t h e underground and the commercial. Back then there was a big difference because when making the music underground it really wasn't put out so the world could here it, but now it's all about the commercial. Rappers now make their music to sell. The world has now adjusted to the new music, but can it go back to how it was in the 80's
or 90's? Today there is no feeling in the music. People would want to have music that have feelings behind it. Hip hop stars like Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Kirko Bangz, and Drake have been taking over the hip hop world with their raps. With t h e
songs “ Make me Proud” a n d “Drank in my cup”, these songs are hitt i n g the radio prett y hard. So do people really listen to the lyrics or is it the beat catching the audience ears? It's not about West Coast and East Coast anymore, it's about who's the best now. Hip hop has changed a lot in many eyes so the real question is, is it for the good or bad?
Phones make great holiday gifts Battery life, custom features offer options
By HALEY SCHILD STAFF WRITER
The holidays are coming up, so it's time to start shopping for presents! If you're thinking about buying a phone for your loved one, you might need help in making the good choice. Both Apple and Android phones have been in use since 2007, so there has always been talk of which is a more reliable phone choice. “I've had Apple and Android phones before, but I like Apple better. The battery on Android is gone in like an hour, but with Apple you could go two days without charging,” junior David Huesi said. Apple has said before that they've designed their phones to be used for work issues too. So they've put a lot of thought into making their on screen keyboard a top choice. “I think the Apple keyboard is better... it just
runs smoother. But with Android, until you install a new keyboard, it freezes up a lot,” sophomore Brandon Gutierrez said. Another difference, on an iPhone, you have to act on a notification, and you can only see one notification at a time before the next one dismisses the previous one entirely. Android, however has a brilliant pull-down window shade notification tray. “I text a lot of people at different times. So if I get more than two texts, I like being able to see them all, not just having them disappear,” freshman Megan Greer said. With Christmas and the other holidays fast approaching, many people are looking as to what to buy their friends and family. With the new iPhone 4S out on the market, they're selling fast. Getting out could be anywhere from $199 to $399! So it's smart to look at other new phones
coming out at maybe a cheaper price. Android just came out with the new Razr. It comes with a reinforced back so breaking it won't be a problem. It also includes a top of the line camera, and it's 4G. “The Droid Razr just came out awhile ago, and we're thinking of getting one. It's $299, but it's cheaper than the new iPhone,” freshman Hannah Tarrant said. But the iPhone 4S does come with a hefty price for a reason. The camera has 60% more pixels when compared to the iPhone 4. It comes with a new voice control, and has much better battery life! “Yeah, my family only does Apple, so we're definitely buying the iPhone 4S the moment the price lowers,” freshman Hannah Harlow said.
HOMECOMING PHOTO ESSAY Homecoming King & Queen- Kaylub Chevalier and Nancy Gamez
Point-Counter Point: What Comic Company is Best? seems a bit outlandish, the comics are where the heart of the universe lives, and in that heart Take what you already DC presents a unique know about comic books, world where humans and throw it out the can still be humans and window. That is, unless still stop the bad guy, you already were in the and get the girl. Batman loop for this: Detective is the perfect example Comics is not only better of this. Although it than Marvel comics, but is not one hundred the best comic book percent plausible that company to exist. Ever. a man can jump from From its founding in building to building 1934, DC has been in approximately 28 whooping serious pounds of gear for about super-villain (rear 6 hours a night and still end) and taking more fight bad guys when he names than anyone can sees them, all it takes count. With such super is about 10 years of heroes as Batman, top notch martial arts Superman, The Flash, training, an intake of Green Lantern, Wonder approximately 26,000 Woman and Aquaman, carbohydrates a day DC has become one of and bones of brick... the most influential pop not that I would know or culture companies of have tried and fell off my all time. Why is this you roof in the 4th grade. may be wondering? Oh, As far as doing what curious minds. Allow me it was meant to do, to drop a knowledge THE BOMB DOT-COM: DC’s DC is a comic book bomb on you, Cade- new artwork blows away the company that lives up competition, and their old is- to what comic books style. Did you think that sues. are supposed to live up Detective Comics was one of many companies to. It is just way easier lame at one point? Well, currently owned by the for a kid to strap on a you are in for a treat, Walt Disney Corporation. cape and pretend to Detective Comics has Meaning, that when DC fly than it is to change re-vamped, re-done, re- sales shot through the into a big green guy issued, and re-dealt their roof and Marvel sales or hang from buildings entire catalogue of comic plummeted, somewhere with a super fiber string. books as of September. around the beginning of Yes, imagination is This means that in order September, DC stock required for reading to become the leading increased ten fold and comic books, but DC comic book company, DC caused both Marvel and comics are something started their entire series Disney to suffer. Which that have been made of comic books over brings me to another easier to relate to. This again, issuing 52 brand reason why DC is slightly is becoming more and new comic books to each better, it isn’t owned by more evident while DC have new, permanent Disney. is trying to relate to monthly releases. This Now, while Marvel younger generations not only jump started can be seen as better while Marvel has been their readership, but also because of all the action off in its own little world their fan base and quality movies that it produces, on a story that I lost of reading. Instead of or all of the little kids interest in years ago. reading a few sentences who enjoy Spider-Man, For a comic book that with big huge explosions, nothing can beat the has pure realism, pure which is why Marvel realism that Detective childhood fantasy, and is the Michael Bay of Comics has to offer within a great story line, read comic books, now you a fantasy world. While DC. can have a flourishing the Green Lantern movie
By CADE BUNDRICK CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF
story line that captures readers of all ages, and has beautiful artwork to go along with it. This reboot of the DC line has even affected Walt Disney Co. stock. How so, you ask? My curious friend, Marvel Comics is
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lains of all time. Here’s a small list, you might have heard of these guys: Doctor Doom, Magneto, Are you excited for the the above mentioned upcoming Avengers Doc Oc and Green Gobmovie? If your answer is lin, Sandman, Mystique, “No”, then I suggest you the Juggernaut, the Siljust go crawl in a corner ver Surfer, Loki, and last and figure out what went but not least, the Govso wrong in your life that ernment of the United you aren’t pumped for the States of America (they comic book movie of the rain on everybody’s pacentury (admittedly, the rade). These men (and current century has only women) have enough been about 13 years, power between them to but, whaddaya gonna kill to death with murder do?). It features a colleceveryone everywhere tion of the most epic heforever. But who stops roes ever: Iron Man, the them? The heroes. Hulk, Thor, and Captain However, I still do appreAmerica. Just right there, ciate DC comthose guys, by ics. They just themselves, need to have could defeat better ideas the entire DC than “let’s creUniverse withate a super hero out even trying. that can do anyHowever, there thing and isn’t are other heroes hurt by anything out there, let’s found naturally start by naming on Earth” (I’m a few. First off: Spi- MARVEL-OUS: Not even an awful pun can looking at you, Superman). derman. Spider- ruin the true epic-ness of this picture. So, unless man is easily the greatest superhero you have an entire fran- you don’t have a brain, to ever come into be- chise of movies (5 and you can very clearly see ing after being bitten by counting) based off of that the Marvel Universe a spider. The only one one single group of he- of heroes is around 42 to come about in this roes, you know that you times better than the DC way, yes, but a great have stumbled onto Universe. If you have hero nonetheless. His something good. Wolver- the choice to see either villains: Doc Oc, a man ine by himself is beast the Avengers or to see a with eight metal arms mode enough to murder- movie about the Justice that would tear the arms kill anyone that would League, you better see off of a droid far quicker come up against him the one made by Marthan any Wookie, the in the DC Universe, not vel. Because, let’s face Green Goblin, who has to mention Jean Grey: it, Chris Hemsworth is the technology at his dis- a mutant so powerful a boss, and is literally posal to create bombs that she can literally do too sexy for his shirt (he that disintegrate hu- whatever she wants with would actually tear his mans on exploding, and anything that she wants. costumes apart because Venom, who I still have If I could only pick one of all of his muscles), nightmares about some- of the Marvel creations and you don’t want to times. He beats guys up to be a real life thing, I miss out on a truly action by shooting them with would pick the X-Men. packed experience to string that is stronger Why? Because it would watch Aquaman suggest than metal. Getting hit be SO COOL, that’s why! that the Justice League Not only are Marvel’s of America consider uswith a spidey shot in the face would be like having superheroes majestic, ing whales to fight crime. a man made out of iron the company also boasts That’s just silly. punching you in the face. some of the most epic vil-
By JACK RODGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
And speaking of iron… Number two: Iron Man. Tony Stark is so awesome, Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t even have to act in any movie where he plays the metallic hero; Downey merely plays himself, and RD Jr. is one of the coolest guys anywhere. Iron Man basically does whatever he wants, whether that’s flying around, screwing with the military, or picking up chicks at his billionaire parties. Can you say jealous? Because I am. Third: The X-Men. Where to begin? When
Books to curl up with over the holidays By JESSICA JONES BUSINESS MANAGER
Although it was originally sold in Brazil, copies were eventually printed in 150 countries making it one of the best selling books in history. It was released in 1988, but continues to be a popular read around the world with many devoted fans. Deeply humane, this novel highlights the importance of listening to your heart and following your dreams. This allegorical novel tells the story of a young shepherd boy named Santiago who has a reoccurring dream. Seemingly a prophesy, his dreams about finding treasure at the pyramids eventually prompted him to travel to Egypt. His trip does not go as planned, and he is ready to go home with his sheep, when he meets
Don’t just stare at your fire... read a book by it!
an interesting man who desires to unlock the power of alchemy. With the help of the alchemist, Santiago completes the last leg of his journey, dangerous and infused with discoveries of the most profound kind, to find that the treasure he was looking for was waiting for him in the place where he least expected. This story, exotic yet simple, b r e a k s down the journey we all take to find the most meaningful treasures in our lives. Santiago shows how along the way we learn to trust our hearts, read the seemingly inconspicuous signs, and understand that as we look to fulfill a dream, it looks to find us just the same, if we let it.
After becoming a New York Times Bestseller, people took notice of this ground-breaking advice book that accounts the year Rubin spent studying theories on how to be happier. By interweaving touching, personal anecdotes, the narrative gains an approachable quality that makes it compulsively readable. She shares her insight to help readers create their own happiness projects, now being classified as movement instead of a book by supporters. The project highlights twelve personal commandments: Let it go, act they way you want to feel, do it now, be polite and fair, enjoy the process, spend out, identify the problem, lighten up, do what ought to be done, no calculation,
there is only love, and be Gretchen. Most of these qualities are easy to understand, but in order to be a Gretchen, you must completely accept yourself, flaws and all. Rubin states that this is the hardest commandment to follow because it's so easy to be stopped by limitations, but there is still so much that the world can offer. Happiness is contagious. And so is The H a p p i ness Project. Once you’ve read Rubin’s tale of a year searching for satisfaction, you’ll want to start your own happiness project and get your friends and family to join you. This is the rare book that will make you both smile and think, often on the same page.
The complications of love and loving are highlighted in this originally Japanese novel that is told from the point of a view of a teacher who is infatuated with a student. Murakami writes simply, yet candidly about love, loss, and self identity. This wistful novel about human relationships quickly draws you in and holds you there with adreamlike logic until the light, yet enduringly sad ending. The teacher, K, is in love with his student Sumire, but she does not share his feelings because she loves another. Sumire meets an interesting older woman named Miu at a wedding and after getting a job working with her, discovers that she is attracted to Miu and could pos-
sibly be homosexual. K feels her distance and is very unhappy, but when Miu and Sumire travel to the Greek islands and call on him for help, he decides to go see what he can offer. Although the novel lacks a clear, concise ending, this contributes to Murakami's idea that true knowledge is elusive. The novel offers many questions and few answers, leaving the reader to meditate on the difficulty that often accompanies the search for a human connection. Recommended by English teacher Matthew Davidson, this novel will leave you thinking about how well you really know yourself and others.
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Senioritis rears its ugly head...again Class of 2012 is rocked by epidemic
teriorate. been in high school for By BRITTANY MOORE I believe that students, a while now and yes, STAFF WRITER Seniori- more specifically, se- homework can get antis: lazi- niors, have become noying at times, but it’s n e s s , prone to laziness and all about perseverance,” slacker, possess a care free at- Pollicove said. “They just p r o - titude. I personally do have to imagine themc r a s t i - not understand this “I selves walking across nation, don't care” attitude. It’s the stage at graduation.” That lack of motivalack of actually hard to wrap my m o t i - mind around the whole tion is really nonexistent v a t i o n , concept to be quite hon- because every senior c o a s t - est. Now granted, I’m knows that they have ing by in high school. not the best student, but to do the work in order This is not actually a I certainly do not share to graduate, but it’s the word defined in the dic- the same philosophy point of actually getting tionary, but to all se- of about 97% of the se- yourself to engage in acniors, it is something niors. I, myself, believe ademic work that proves very real and, indeed,“...it’s only one more semester, how hard can harmful. This epidemic has seemed to plague the minds of young and in putting forth your best challenging for some seaspiring seniors. Stud- effort and doing what is niors. “I’m really feeling lazy ies have shown that this asked of you. I mean, it’s epidemic is both infec- only one more semester, this year,” senior Steve tious and contagious. how hard can it be? On Alvarez said. “I just Senioritis is known as the other hand, I do know don’t really stress about the crippling disease that what it’s like to get that school anymore. It’s ristrikes many high school feeling of overwhelming diculous, nothing seems seniors, but fails to cap- laziness and procrasti- important anymore.” Another senior, Laura tivate all. When you ask nation. I can pretty much the graduating class of guarantee you that not Cazares, shares the 2012 what they are most every student turns in same outlook as Alvarez. “I definitely am sufferlooking forward to next their work on time every ing from senioritis. Besemester, you’ll hear the single time. One student who under- fore I got accepted into same two answers, prom stands how senioritis has the University of Texas and graduation. Once we come back from infected many seniors, at San Antonio, I was Christmas break, the but remains immune to constantly checking my mentality of our senior the infectious epidemic grades and staying on student body seems to is senior Samantha Pol- top of them,” Cazares said. “Now I’m just restray away from the idea licove. “I don’t really blame laxing. After I received of school, work, and GPA worries, and tends to de- them. I mean, we’ve my acceptance letter,
the stress factor cooled down and now I don’t feel like I have to worry about anything.” These are quite similar and very compelling perceptions about the rest of senior year, but it doesn’t seem to affect AP English teacher Matthew Davidson's teaching. “Personally, I don’t care. It is not my responsibility to take ownership for their work ethic or lack of,” Davidson said. “It actually makes my job easier when students fail to accomplish it be?” their work. The easiest papers to grade are the ones that are never turned in.” So while senioritis does not affect every senior in the school, it is quite detrimental and needs to be taken very seriously. The cure, although not clinically mentioned, is defined simply by Samantha Pollicove which is perseverance. I believe that the solution is just to push through, do your best, turn in your work, cure this common disease, and get yourself prepared to graduate seniors. After all, we’re almost there, one more semester and we’re done!
By JESSICA JONES
Name: Chinh Pham Grade: 11th Get’s all A’s As a photography student, he loves walking around his neighborhood taking “Each time I go around my neighborhood with my camera to photograph, I learn a new lesson, but nothing could prepare me for this. It was an amazing night when I got the opportunity to witness Black Friday for the first time. I went to Best Buy, got familiar with the people waiting in line, and photographed them. I saw this as not only a custom in America, but also as a chance for everybody to buy the gifts they have been dreaming of this holiday season.” - Chinh Pham
photographs. Below and left are examples of his work. He is also is a member of Student Council because he enjoys volunteer work. “When I grow up, I want to study at the Arts Institute and move to New York City to become a famous photographer,” Pham said. “He’s always ahead of other students, working hard. He has excellent photoshop skills and an eye for photography that I normally don’t see in students,” Pham’s photography teacher Pamela Karter said.
“I come from Vietnam, a country where people are still living in poverty. So, I always wanted to understand the hobos in America in order to comprehend the differences between the Vietnamese and American homeless. These people usually wander near my house so I get a chance to talk to them. One man told me, ‘I don’t want to live in the community house for homeless because I don’t want to be seperated from my wife. Even though we don’t have a house, we have a home!’ That’s such an incredible quote, it shows me that love still blooms even in poverty.” - Chinh Pham
TROUPE 127 PRESENTS...
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe
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Occupy wall street: helping or not? Rich get benefits, not so rich get left behind
By JAROSLAV UNAR STAFF WRITER Corporate profits are at an all t i m e high. That is a good reason to be excited, right? But on the other hand, it seems to me, and I'm sure to others, that unemployment is the highest it has been since the great depression. The distribution of wealth in America between the top one percent and everyone else is steadily growing. The standard of living for the average American is declining. That is where Occupy Wall Street (OWS) comes in, “we are the 99%”. The 99 percent consist of everyday people seen in the streets; teachers, construction workers, nurses, workers at McDonald's, and just about everyone else in the blue collar workforce. OWS is a leaderless resistance movement that formed in response to
the economic inequality, corporate greed, and the corporations influence on government that has been going on for years behind the scenes and out of the media's light. I believe that this movement is righteous and there cause is just, but something like OWS should have been formed before hand. Those greedy, smart corporate executives are taking advantage of the
would surely revolt. It was thought that Obama would bring change, that he would do everything in his power to bring the “financial fraudsters” to justice, yet he just turned the other cheek on us. After a while, I believe there is going to be less worrying about getting the newest pairs of shoes coming out and more about putting food on the table. OWS is calling for a reform to the capitalistic system that doesn't work, because it's based on the idea of endless resources, and sadly it is not true. The government bailed out the failing banks, but for some reason cannot seem to bail the everyday man out. It seems to me that the banks dig into peoples pockets and do not expect anyone to notice or resist it because they have the money. They, the banks, have the power. The way for something like this movement to work is unity.
“The government... cannot seem to bail the everyday man out.” less informed less educated people by making this money system work for their benefit. One very important thing to know about OWS is that their goals and demands are unclear. This makes them seem a little unorganized. The reason for no clear demands is that there is room for the list to grow, and for the goals to be accomplished, it will take some time to fight and win against the corporate tyrants. Peaceful protest may work, and it should, but what will people do when the price of everyday goods rises on things like bread? I think the people
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Scheduling starves students Guthrie students have limited food choices
By JAZMINE CANTU STAFF WRITER S t u dents w h o come b a c k f r o m t h e Guthrie Center during lunch often have no food to eat. The cafeteria always has half of something, either just the burgers, or just the fries. Sometimes even nothing at all, or not enough for all of us. The cafeteria workers always make a certain amount of pizza, so even if we waste our time in that line, we most likely won't get any pizza by the time we reach the front of the line. I believe that it's not right and unfair for us. When we had 3 lunches, we would eat freshman lunch during peprallies and come back at our normal time which is when 6th period starts. Now, we wait out in the courtyard for about 20 minutes for our Guthrie buses, and come back 5 minutes before lunch
ends. Yes, Mr. Blais gives us extra time and writes our names down so we won't get marked tardy once we return to class. Yet, he's missing the fact that we're missing instructional time. I personally prefer not to lose educational time. So I try to grab food, if any is left, and take it to my sixth period class. Not all teachers will allow that though. Luckily, my teacher is appreciative that I'd rather eat and
which is when 6th period starts. “Spring Woods forgets to remind [Guthrie Center] that you all are on pep-rally schedule. So we have to dismiss y'all at y'all's regular time,” Guthrie Center Attendance Specialist Donna Benavides said. When we had three lunches, we would eat freshman lunch during pep-rallies and come back at our normal time which is when 6th period starts. Although it is true that food is sold at the Guthrie Center Cafe, not everyone has the luxury of buying it. Some GC teachers don't allow their students to go to the cafe, and other students don't bring money to school. We're the last to eat lunch, so we get to school with a big appetite, and the school runs out of food? This isn't okay. We either need to have freshman lunch back for next semester, or get back to campus a couple of minutes earlier than lunch starts. As a simpler solution, the cafeteria workers should just make more food. This is a problem that needs to be fixed.
“We’re missing instructional time” learn in her class, than use those extra minutes to eat my lunch in an almost empty cafeteria. It's a state law that students should have at least thirty minutes to eat lunch. Fourth and fifth period GC students don't have that. This happens on a daily basis: Monday through Friday. Now that we don't have freshman lunch, our lines are long, and since we're the last ones to get to the lines we have to wait a lifetime to get our food. When we had three lunches, we would eat freshman lunch during pep-rallies and come back at our normal time
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Conference realign- gabbing with gibson ment causes chaos coach
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Some schools seem schizophrenic
By JACK RODGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I have a time m a chine. Get in. Y o u have no choice in the matter; get in the time machine. We are going to take a journey through one of the most frantic, confusing, and overall strange periods in NCAA conference history. BOOM! It's 2010. June 10, 2010, to be specific. The Pac-10 is announcing on ESPN that Colorado, former member of the Big 12, will become a member of the renamed Pacific 12 Conference. Although this is not the first announcement of an NCAA conference change this year - the South Dakota Coyotes released to the press that they would be switching from the Great West Conference to the Summit on April 15 – it is the first important one. Your mind has been blown, right? Right. Get back in the time machine. BOOM! It's June 11, 2010. Boise State, tired of being counted out of BCS title hopes because of their less-than-stellar competition in the Western Athletic Conference, is officially announcing their move to the Mountain West Conference. This would be the biggest story of the day - but wait! - Nebraska is moving to the Big Ten! What the what? Nebraska, one of the original members of the Big 12 is leaving just like that? Answer: yes they are. Moving on. BOOM! Back to the more recent future! It is the end of 2010! A slew of religious schools are going every which way! The Mormons at BYU are going independent (not like that's anything new for Mormons), and the Christians at TCU just announced a move to a very Catholic Big East. Now, onto teams that actually apply to the Big 12! BOOM! August 31, 2011. Texas A&M is announcing a shift from the Big 12 over to the South Eastern Conference (the SEC for those of you who aren't very good at acronyms). This is a legitimate first nail in the coffin for the Big 12. Schools like Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Baylor are rumored to be looking for an out. Scary stuff, I know. Time to go east! BOOM! September 18 has arrived, and the At-
lantic Ocean has suddenly come down with a case of Code Orange! Oh, no! Smallpo- wait, no. It's just the Syracuse Orange, leaving their longtime home of the Big East to go to the Atlantic Coast Conference, making the score Big East: 15 to the ACC's 13, hold on, stop the presses! The Pittsburgh Panthers are playing follow the leader and making the transfer to the ACC as well, bring our score to 14 schools apiece. Back to the most important people, Texas! BOOM! October 10, baby! TCU is moving to the Big 12. "But Jack," you say "TCU is moving to the Big East! You got it wrong!" No, stupid, YOU did! You see, when TCU saw the Aggies move away, a chance opened up for them to join a conference a little closer to home. So, the Horned Frogs, in a move that can only be described as "ho-ing the Big East", pulled a Mitt Romney (darn those Mormons, setting a bad example) and flip-flopped on the issue of conference shifts. And as long as we're in the Big 12... BOOM! October 28. West Virginia decides that TCU has the right idea, and also says "Peace out" to the Big East by getting plastic surgery done on their conference alignment, getting both a nose job and a fat reduction from the 14 team Big East to the smaller, more fun-sized Big 12. So much going on in the Big 12! It's over, right? BOOM! Negatory, Ghost Rider! November 6, 2011: the Missouri Tigers (they totally stole the nickname from us) apparently has something against West Virginians and calls it quits with the Big 12. "Well, where will they go?" you might ask. If you stopped talking to inanimate objects like paper and kept reading, you would find out. Mizzou opts to follow TAMU into the oblivion: the SEC. Now, both the Spring Woods and Missouri Tigers will be in a district/ conference that they can't compete in, all the while losing to a team whose colors are Maroon and White (that's a Northbrook reference, in case you missed it). BOOM! Present day. Do I think the “Everyday I’m Shuffling” attitude will disappear from the NCAA? No. The grass is always greener on the other side. And to finish on a somewhat ironic note: BYU has told the Big EAST that they will join only if the Big EAST opens up a West division.
Tigers to tame troublesome tyrants
By JACK RODGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The NBA is (supposedly) coming back this month as basketball’s little “Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah!” gift to us, the fans. However, one set of teams that will never be locked out (knock on wood) is the Spring Woods Tigers. Coach Joe Gibson gives his take on what is to come for Spring Woods this year. JR: How do you feel the season has been going so far? JG: I feel that we are getting off to a slow start. We are 0-3 right but the season is a marathon not a sprint, if the boys continue to come to practice and work hard every day we should for fill our goal to make the play offs. JR: What has changed from last season to this season? JG: The big change from last year to this year is that we are really inexperienced. We only have 3 players with varsity experience. JR: It's the fourth quarter, the Tigers are down by one, a minute left on the clock. Who are you going to be looking to to step up and be the leader and why? JG: If we are in that position I’m going to looking for everyone as a team to step up and be leaders. This is a team sport and I expect for everyone on the team to pull their weight. JR: Which game is going to be the most important, defining game this season for the Tigers?
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JG: All of the our district games will most definitely be defining games this season, because depending on how we play during district will determine if we go to the play offs are not. JR: What is the best part about your job? JG: The best part of my job is watching my players develop as a student athlete and a basketball player. JR: How do you feel about your players going to p r a c tice at a court like Hammerly? Do you think that the street ball skills they have there has a negative effect on their playing ability when they have to come back and play on the UIL court? JG: I think as a player anytime you get an opportunity to work on your game it’s a plus no matter where it’s at. Yes, because street ball and organize ball are totally different. You can get away with a lot of things playing street as oppose to playing organize basketball. Plus I think players pick up a lot of bad habits playing street ball which makes it hard to break away from when playing organize basketball. JR: Finally, what do you want for the athletes to be most focused on while they are on and off the court? JG: While on the court I want them to focus on the game, executing and playing hard. Off the court I want them to focus on their character and how they carry themselves as young men.
There’s no “I” in team
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Lady Tigers are in it to win it
By ODALIS GARCIA is going to playoffs,” STAFF WRITER Webster said. “At the end of the day, Basketball season is a very exciting season there is a reason why the especially if it's girl's team is a family.” These girls go through basketball.Many might think that since it's a girls a lot together but at the team, not all understand end of the day, they are that girls have to work still family. “I love my teammates,” just as hard. The varsity team in- Webster said. “They cludes two students that keep me laughing and stick out the most on the overall atmosphere this team, junior's Imani is fantastic.” Even though basketWebster and Mintez Porter. They both have been ball didn't start until the on varsity since their beginning of November, the girls manage to stay freshman year. The girls have a strong in shape. relationship with each “I play volleyball and softother as well with their ball,” Porter said. “Volleyball helps with communicoach, Darry Hill. “We all love him,” Web- cation on the court, and softball s t e r helps said, w i t h “ j u s t focusl i k e ing on f a m i l y. the ball He may a n d get on being y o u r patient nerves, when but you t a k know ing the he is right there shot.” to help The a n d team's guide relaus to tions u c s h i p cess.” is eviBedent, fore a b u t game, t h e y Coach a l s o H i l l usually TIGER RAMPAGE: Porter steals n e e d s u p tries to the ball and goes for the victory. p o r t get the team in a positive mental from fans “We need supporters at state. “Get fired up and fo- our game,” Porter said. cused,” Coach Hill said. “Spring Woods mentality “Have intensity and have needs to change. When a team has their school fun.” A lot of the sports at this behind them, they then school end up being a believe they can do anylittle family, but when it's thing and they will go time to work, the atmo- places.” The team has a quote sphere gets serious and demanding. Having that every year to expand “push” might just be what their point of view of the game. everyone needs. “I will, not I'll try,” Coach “I think he should work us even more if our goal Hill said.
Tennis team tunes their talents Players prepare for tournament season
By SCOTT MOORE STAFF WRITER Tennis is a sport of dedication and of teamwork. That is exactly what shines through in the tiger tennis team. They come together as a family, and conquer whatever challenge lies ahead of them. “The team starts practice on August 1st, and continues practicing until the end of April,” Varsity Coach Misty Germer said. “They are very dedicated to the sport.” But, while the tennis team practices almost every day, it isn't all work and no play. After practice they get to hang out with all of their friends on the courts, having a blast. “Tennis is loads of fun because you get to
spend time with your friends, while getting lots of great exercise,” senior Jose Caballero said. But, the players also look to bring home the title of 1st place at any event they take place in. The team takes pride in everything they accomplish, and looks forward to showing off their talent again. “Match season just ended, but I am really excited for tournament season to start in the end of January,” senior Team Captain Caitlin Luper said. Matches consist of school against school playing. There are singles and doubles in match play, which means it is 1vs1, or 2vs2. The school with the most wins for that day wins
the match. On the other Phoung for the guys hand, tournaments are and Caitlin Luper for all players for themselves the girls,” Caballero in a specific category, said. “Rank is decided such as by number of boys or matches won doubles and overall peronly. formance.” TournaSo, if you are ments ever tired of have a sitting on the double bleachers on l o s s the sidelines of elimia boring game, nation you can come system, support your tiwhere gers and watch you go the tennis to a team compete. consoMatch season lation may be over, bracket but there is a lot a f t e r more in store the firstSERVES UP: Kevin Phoungfor the tennis serves the ball in a tennisteam this year loss. “Thematch. with the tournatop players on the team ments that are coming right now are Kevin up in the spring.
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