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Spring Woods to stay in 4A UIL district change will not happen this year
"I see a problem in having to go an hour and a half away to compete for district, or an hour and a Spring Woods has been half away to compete at getting killed in football region," Debate teacher for as long as most can Victoria Beard said. "I remember, but as far as would be very excited if who is doing the killing we could go back. I feel seems to change. like we're competitive "Every two years, the enough to do well in the UIL does a realignment," old 5A that we were at." Building Principal Lance Band director Jeff Stallworth said. Munger shares In the 2010-2011 her sentiments. school year, Spring "I think that the Woods was moved band is getting down to 4A, the clasincreasingly betsification used by the ter every year University Interschoand it wouldn't lastic League to deterbe a problem eimine who plays who in ther way," Munger all competitive events said. between schools. This While our Fine ranking is based on Arts departments each school's populamight feel that tion. POCKET PRESENCE: Sidney Mca step up to 5A "They [the UIL] take Bride remains calm in the face of would not be a big a snapshot of every danger as he drops back to pass. deal, they are not high school in the logic is when they draw the only clubs being afstate in October, and they submit your enroll- their maps, but we are fected by switching. Athment count as of Octo- requesting to not have to letics Director and Head ber 13. They then use go so far in our travels as Coach Keith Cripps those numbers to decide we do now," Stallworth knows that all too well. "If we did go to 5A," the different categories," said. Other members of the Cripps said, "it would afStallworth said. So is Spring Woods staff and faculty share fect in some way good near enough in the stu- the opinion of not want- for some sports and dent count to qualify for ing to drive as far to par- not good in some other ticipate in UIL events. 4A/5A Continued on PAGE 3 a 5A upgrade? By JACK RODGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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"I am 99% confident [they] will keep us in 4A. The number has been around 2050 to go to 5A, and we're not close to that," Stallworth said. When the last realignment came around, Spring Woods was grouped with schools incredibly far away, places like Brenham and Waller. "I don't know what the
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Tea time for Tigers
Senior women bond over last year of high school
By BRITTANY MOORE Recently, on the 13th, The girls were dressed STAFF WRITER the senior women joined in elaborate costumes Senior year is the year together with the senior where they enjoyed tea that every high school men in what they call a and got to know one student looks forward "mixer" at Fuddruckers another better. It was to. For some seniors, it off of I-10, in which the held on October 28th at is a time to remember senior men and women Spring Woods. your high school experi- interacted outside of "The Tea Party was ence; join clubs that you school. The funds from where all the senior have always wanted to Fuddruckers went to- women got together and join, and do things that wards the senior class. we all had tea and we all will leave your mark dressed up in our on your time here fancy dresses and in high school. That big hats and we all is the very definition got together and of what the senior just had fun and women at Spring socialized with one Woods are. another," Diaz said. "Senior women "This was ultimateis an organization ly just for fun, like of senior girls who bonding time since get together and do we're all going to go community service CIAO TIME: Senior men and women our separate ways and they partici- enjoy burgers and conversations at after high school." pate in social func- Fuddruckers. The idea of the tions," senior teachsenior women tea er Christa Wilson said. This event was set up by party has been passed "Mrs. Wilcox and I have the senior women event down from previous been the sponsors for coordinator Rebecca classes. the last four years and Diaz. "The senior women we feel that this class is What they want every- class three years ago the most involved out of one to know, especially came up with the idea all the years." the seniors, is that any of having a tea party They meet the first girl who is a senior can amongst the girls," seWednesday of every join senior women. The nior women president month to interact with senior women tea party Hannah Speck said. "It one another and plan was a way for the girls has basically become a activities that they can to have fun and inter- tradition that the senior do throughout the school act with each other in a women class of 2009 set and for the community. fun and creative way. for us."
AP classes provide many benefits Students should weigh pros and cons before dropping advanced courses By JENIFER MENDOZA STAFF WRITER AP classes. Chances are you know at least one person who has them. AP stands for advanced placement and those are the classes you take when you're ahead of the academic classes. “I like AP classes because they don't baby you like they do in academic classes. You have to motivate yourself to do your own work because
the teachers won't,” senior Laura Cazares said. Some would say the change of atmosphere from an AP class is negative, but there are some good benefits that come with it. “The benefits for AP classes are that they are designed to help you prepare for college,” English teacher Andrew Helminiak HIGHER LEARNING: Chemistry said. teacher Jamie Flint works a probOne particular class lem on her ActivBoard.
is really into getting students ready for college. “My specific class, language and composition, prepares you to write college level papers,” Helminiak said. “So when you go to college, you will be able to write that three, four, five page paper that you weren't really trained to do in your normal academic classes. So the workload is more akin for
what you would expect in college” Once you get to college, you'll be so used to doing all the “heavy lifting” that the classes won't be so hard on you. “Although they seem very difficult now, they have huge dividends when you get to college because you're so used to working in that load. You're used to reading 100 pages a week for your reading assignment and stuff like that and
you're much better prepared for college,” Helminiak said. While benefits outweigh the negatives, there are a few reasons students enjoy academic classes. “There is less homework and less studying that needs to be done. The work is so easy. It's like common sense. But unfortunately you have no friends and it looks bad on your transcript,” Continued on PAGE 3
Words hurt .Discrimination against short people takes its toll
By SAM LOPEZ ASST. BUSINESS MNGR Discrimination. What does one think of when hearing that word? At first thought, one would most likely think of discrimination as the obvious: racism or sexism because those are the forms of discrimination that are talked about most. Now consider height discrimination. Take it further and consider short people discrimination. Height discrimination is not really talked about, nor is it noticed for that matter. For most people, being short means that
A “normal height” does not exactly exist. People just know the difference between tall and short. But how often does one see a tall person being made fun of because they are incapable of reaching something? Being tall usually means being superior or dominant over people. Dominance is defined by height in some cases. And due to the stereotypical society we live in, it is thought that being a certain height determines your capability of doing various high tasks. “My being short is one of the reasons I don't do sports and I would have
usually about 5' 2” and up, but not everyone has that privilege. “All I want is to hit the five foot mark. I can't even get that pleasure without out wearing god awful heels, and that's even if I can find any in my size,” Cavazos said. Although there are some down falls, there are also some perks. “I think being short is a privilege. You get to ninja around and look cool. People get to pick you up and spin you around. I think it's fun,” senior Stephanie Martinez said. Looking “cute” may be a good feeling when one lacks height, but the real-
“...height tends to get in the way of dating”
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
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you're not really looked at, but that you're looked over. “Whenever I go out with friends they easily lose me because they can't see me in the crowd and when I go shopping I can't reach the shirt on the top rack,” junior Mariah Uribe said. Because of the social expectations people live by, those that lack height are not looked at in a serious manner. “My friends usually say, 'You’re a midget' or call me a 'dwarf' and ask 'How do you drive if you are so short?” sophomore Shannon Olson said. The cruel things short people hear about their height may be “taken to heart” on some occasions. Although it is probably hard to realize, it is harmful to be called a name like “gnome” or something along those lines. But not all jokes are too bad. Some jokes are intended to be what they actually are: jokes. “Of course I crack the short jokes with my friends as they do to me about being big,” senior Rachel Palmer said. “It works both ways. I actually feel like tall people may be more a victim than short people. Tall people don't meet 'the standard' and are not just 'average'.”
wanted to play some sports like volleyball, but I cheer instead. It makes me feel like I can do good as a flier and taller girls can't do that so that makes me fit in,” freshman Kerry Mendez said. For girls, it may be easier to “fit in” because they can get the extra height with high heels, but for guys, that is not the case. “One universal thing that height tends to get in the way of is dating,” junior Edwin Conde said. “For guys, a small stature can be troublesome because it diminishes our confidence when we like a girl, but we feel we cannot compete with the bigger and taller guys she can choose from.” It is bad enough those whom lack height are reminded of it every day when they look in the mirror, but constant torment from peers does not make the situation any better. “People generally like to remind me how tall I am as if I don't have a full length mirror,” junior Leslie Cavazos said. “And let's not forget the nicknames like 'fun sized'. It's not cute. It's demeaning and rather irritating. Also, the short jokes, I can appreciate a good one, it's the bad ones that offend me.” What is considered to be a “regular” height is
ization of being cute and adorable just because of your height can take a toll on one's emotions. “I want to major in theatre arts and I know that because of my height I will forever be type casted. Meaning that I will get roles based to my appearance, like a little girl or mouse or something... small,” Cavazos said. The thought alone of being short is hard to deal with for someone that lacks height. To add to that, there are the constant reminders at school, work, and even for the future. “I work at Pappasitos and I can't always reach something like in storage or the cooler and I have to go out and ask someone to help me, in the restaurant industry, time is everything and also people under estimate you or judge you based on your height,” Uribe said. For the time being, it is not too bad to be short in high school, but when the thought of college comes up and future plans, it becomes a worry for some. “I probably won't get many chances to expand my characters past the age of 12. This also means that if I audition Continued on PAGE 3
Fashion: Fall Looks Guys VS. Girls
Emanuel Juarez- he wears typical colored skinny jeans with vans, but pulls off the no sleeve jacket with many accessories that help make the outfit- like the g-shock and his pendants. Thus making his style appealing to others.
Anibal Hernandezhe mixes classy with old school, making the outfit something totally of its own. He wears a sweater vest, chuck taylors, a simple button down with folded sleeves, which makes him look sophisticated.
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Mercy Bullengoes with a simple button down black and white shirt with medium size hoop earrings. Black jeans go with everything.
Tushea Lovewears an ivory blouse with brown cargo shorts. What makes her outfit “pop”, is a gorgeous pearl necklace. Topping the outfit off is her hat with a big pink and purple bow.
Band strives for higher goals Directors push for success, all “ones” achieved at UIL
“In order for us to get to area we need to keep working as hard as we can, and push through The Tiger Band has any obstacles that get been through a lot since in our way,” junior Chris 2001, the new direcPerret said. tors, and reclassificaAs time starts ticking tion from 5A to 4A has down, the Directors changed since then. keep pushing the Donald Zurbriggen, the band forward through head band director has all of the tough condilearned from the years tions. past how to improve “Mr. Munger and I the band each day. are so proud to be a What is different part of this amazing about this year from organization,” Zura decade ago is that briggen said. “Our Area comes every othstudents are top er year normally, but every time the classifi- STRAIGHT ONES: Seniors cel- notch and we succation changes, UIL re- ebrate after annihilating the com- ceed because of the dedication of the encounts the years so the petition at UIL tire Tiger Band Famtigers were never able ing,” Zurbriggen said. ily.” to compete. One thing is for sure, “After last year’s suc- “Last year, we did have cesses on what was sup- the best band in the dis- when its time to get the job done, the tiger band posed to be a rebuilding trict!” Once the band students does what it needs to do. year, I’m convinced this “We just need to buckle band can do anything,” head that they have the Zurbriggen said. “I be- chance to go to Area this down and get to work,” lieve this band can ac- year, the hard work be- junior Rudy Caballero said. complish anything they gan. By ODALIS GARCIA STAFF WRITER
set their minds to.” According to Zurbriggen, challenging the tiger band is for the best. “I chose the show Chaos Theory because it is a challenging show that is very musically reward-
CONTINUED DROPPED AP CLASSES:
Cazares said. Students are known for dropping out of AP classes because the work is more challenging. They want an easy A or possibly they're spreading themselves too thin. “I decided to drop the classes because it's my senior year,” Cazares said. “I want to have fun as well as manage good grades. I wasn't trying to stay up all night to do homework. That's more for college. I also dropped the classes because I have a lot of other stuff to do as well. I work, play volleyball, am in senior women, and I am in FFA.” Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So naturally, there would be some students who think dropping AP classes could be a mistake.
“Think of your future first. It really makes a difference,” senior Brenda Sandoval said. If you like the classes or not, you should at least put some effort into them. “If you're not going to even try in the AP classes, then you're taking the easy way out,” sophomore Marissa Clark said. All teachers whether academic, Pre-Ap, or AP, are available to help you in whatever you're having trouble with. “Well if you need help, I'm here for tutorials pretty much all the time during my study halls. I'll work with kids during lunch. I'm here almost every day until about four o'clock. So I have people drop by all the time,” Helminiak said. There are some reasons
CONTINUED DISCRIMINATION: for a certain part that's older than a person taller than me, I wouldn't get the job. So in the field I'm hoping for, my height would have a lot to do with me getting paid or not,” Cavazos said.
The harmful words spoken from a taller person to a shorter person or even just the reminder or being short may make a short person feel even smaller than they physically are.
sports, football included." When the last change occurred two years ago, Spring Woods, Stratford, and Northbrook all stayed together. However, with this upcoming shift in districts, one member of that group might not stay linked with
its fellow SBISD schools. "The one that's kind of on the borderline, actually, is Northbrook," Stallworth said,"They're much closer to being on that borderline than Stratford or Spring Woods." All things considered,
CONTINUED 4A/5A
for why students would get out of AP classes, but for some teachers there is only one really true reason why someone should get out of them. “The only time someone should really get out of AP classes is if they're really struggling. If they really are unable to keep up with the work because they are taking four or five AP classes, they just can't possibly keep up with them and with the work,” Helminiak said. While the decision is ultimately up to you, think twice before taking action. “People should think before they either enter or leave,” Sandoval said.
Discrimination takes on many shapes and sizes. There is really nothing to be done to “fix” this issue, but it is an issue none the less. “I get it that I'm short; I don't need to hear it every day,” Mendez said. Spring Woods will most likely stay in 4A following the upcoming change in districts. As for where Spring Woods will go when the next shift comes, who knows? Just like the EoC's, only this year's freshmen will be affected by it, so, honestly, it doesn't really matter.
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Burn Book affects teenagers
Facebook creates easy access for cyber bullying
By LILYA GEHMAN STAFF WRITER One recent form of bullying is through Facebook. Before all of the new technology that has come into student's lives, bullying was more of a face to face thing. For the most part, there was name calling, and maybe hitting. With the popularity of Facebook, texting, and Twitter, bullying has become less verbal. "I think that cyber bullying has made bullying easier," head principal, Mr. Stallworth said. When teenagers get home, they are afraid to open their computers to go on Facebook for fear that a snide comment was posted on their wall. This summer of 2011, a Facebook page was made up called the burn book. As seen on the
movie "Mean Girls", the burn book was owned by a group of “queen bee” girls. The burn book had pictures of people and the girls would write comments about that person.
It was a bit different on Facebook though. On Facebook, it was opened to everybody who was invited to be a part of it. The people that where invited could post nasty comments about the person in the picture. Many did but some Spring Wood's students stood up against the leader of the page. Stallworth and other teachers had trouble
getting onto the page. So they got insight from other viewers. "Why are you doing this?" and, "This is pathetic!" where some of the comments that Stallworth was able to gather up. The b u r n b o o k was fortunately s h u t d o w n after a day or so when the issue came to their attention. "I think cyber bullying is a hurtful way to damage someone's self esteem and is likely to leave a wound behind. What you post never goes away," 9th grader Isabella Ramon said. Luckily Spring Woods has a low profile on bullying and it's something to be very proud of due to the leadership of students.
Birth order influences personality .Differing traits showcase sibling lineup By ALISAN O’QUINN STAFF WRITER
Siblings differ in all shapes and forms. Most often the difference is in their personalities, which can be explained by the Birth Order Theory. The Birth Order Theory can affect all aspects of your life, from everyday relationships to how interconnected you are with your family. It can affect whether you are a natural born leader (typical first born child), a social butterfly (middle child), or even influence your inner show-off (often the baby of the family). The traits often found in the oldest born child are that they are self-reliant, accountable, leaders. These characteristics usually go into play when they are “dethroned” and younger siblings come in and the older are sometimes expected to help care and look after their younger siblings.
The first child is often the experiment child, so “being the oldest isn't always all that great. You are constantly put under
are expected to live up to their parents high standards and they tend to be more independent and responsible because
mising. The youngest and oldest will both have time as an only child, but the middle child will always have someone to
HANGIN’ WITH MOM: The three youngest Balsara children, Josh, Michelle, and Joel, sit with their mom and enjoy the sunshine. a microscope with your younger siblings copying everything you do,” oldest of three, junior, Brittany Trevino said, “they
of that”. In comparison, the middle child tends to be more people oriented, indecisive, and compro-
steal the spotlight from. This can easily explain why they are so people oriented, because they have to learn to please
their parents in order to get their attention. Many believe that they are good compromisers because they have to learn to get along with the differing personalities of the youngest and oldest. They also have to be the mediator between their quarreling siblings and are therefore good at solving problems. “Well, usually my brothers are fighting,” third of four children, and the only girl, Michelle Balsara said, “and I have to come in and be the negotiator and tell them who is right and wrong. So, yes, I am the compromiser and social butterfly!” Balsara said. In stark contrast to the oldest and middle children, the youngest is the attention seeker, bad decision maker, and artist, and can also get a feeling of inferiority because they are often too protected. This happens when they realize that they are the youngest
(and will remain so) and they test limits to see what they can get away with. For some younger siblings, it can be difficult to make your own way on a path which older siblings have traveled before. With the limitations of the youngest child added into the equation, “most of the time it is hard trying to go about in your own way when people think you have to be just like your older siblings,” Martha Caballero, the youngest of three children, said. These characteristics can vary depending on the gender and number of siblings and also the parenting style enforced on the children. “Overall it doesn't matter who was born first, middle, or last it is up to the child to create their own personality,” Caballero said.
She is not in any sports or clubs, but she wants to get involved by being in soccer or basketball. After school, she likes to attend tutorials and hangout with friends and family. “Next year I am going to be in Pre-AP so it will be more of a challenge,” Martinez said. Student Spotlight Name: Alondra Martinez Grade: 9th
“Alondra is a very hard worker. She is very helpful in class and she is always open to trying new things,” math teacher, Brenda Guzman said.
Gets A’s and B’s
Seniors make Homecoming memories
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Spirit week activities provide fun, remembrances for life
running, but we decided day, on November 5th, By ODALIS GARCIA just to make this a friend- begins at 7pm STAFF WRITER ly competition,” Mockler “Tickets are sold during lunches or even at the Some people don’t said. For the freshmen, they dance,” junior Sandra like to go to their school dances, but Homecom- would like to know what Carmona said. Mums and garters are a ing is the dance that the true feeling of high big part of Homecoming is rarely missed in the school really is. “I’m going to go with a as well. high school years. It will “I want be the first to make dance that one bethe freshcause I men go to want to and one of go all out the last placsince this es to make is my last memories year,” for the seCoronaniors. do said. This year’s “My mom Homecomactually ing, though w a n t s might sound VOTE FOR ME: Seniors make posters hoping to get to make fun, has to Homecoming King or Queen. m i n e , live up to a group of friends, which since I’m the youngest. few expectations. “I’m expecting my last in my opinion I think is This is her last year beHomecoming to be the a lot more fun,” fresh- ing able to make it,” Cartbest by far,” senior Kay- man Viri Carmona said. er said. Stulub Chevalier said. d e n t s “I want to enjoy it h a v e with all my friends their own since this is the expeclast one.” tations, Even though whether Homecoming they are might seem like freshno big deal, it is men or a big deal for the seniors, seniors especially but at the ones runthe end ning for King and of the Queen. The guys day high who were nominated were seniors “We’re just going to try school memories were in Jorge Moreno,Emanuel to make it a memorable the making. “I strongly encourage Juarez, Jerome Bell, Ru- first Homecoming.” There are many things everyone to go to Homeben Rincon, and Kaylub Chevalier. For the girls, that lead to the Home- coming at least once in there are seniors Tracy coming dance. There’s your high school years Mockler, Amoreana Carr, the parade, tiger fest, and I promise you won’t Nancy Gamez, Marissa the pep rally where the regret it,” Carter said. Breuss, and Brook Fritts king gets crowned. Then “It’s a great experience who were also nominat- at the football game, the to share with your friends queen gets crowned at that you can always look ed. “Most of my friends are half time. The following back on in the future.”
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STUDY HARD: Alondra Martinez works on English homework in the courtyard.
Alum reaches hollywood fame
Former debate student becomes A-List writer have never learned more in any other setting. And since pitching stories is part of my job, learning to speak confidently also turned out to be invaluable.” For his senior year, Orci moved to Los Angeles where he studied film and met his future film partner, Alex Kurtzman. He then attended the
made him somewhat of a role model. Being able to come from the Spring Branch area and move Looking at Spring all the way to Hollywood Woods’ list of famous fame is no easy task. alumni, Roger Clemens, “This not only shows Chris Snyder, and Cindy what someone from Dinh, success is nothing Spring Woods can do, new to the school. For but also what someone one former Houston in the Speech and local, however, his Debate program can do,” success has stretched Debate Coach Victoria to great length. Alum Beard said. Roberto Orci, “It shows of Spring that Debate Woods, is is a real one of the program lucky few to with real have made s u c c e ss it far in the and really entertainment preserves business. the idea Orci, class of what a of 1991, person can pursued a accomplish career in if they just the movie apply their business self.” early on in Orci his life and was lucky was able to stick with it. ON THE RED CARPET: Roberto Orci with Star Trek e n o u g h to get the In the last five star, Zachary Quinto, for Comic-Con 2010. opportunity years alone, at the Orci has written University of Texas at best time in his life, and produced many Hollywood blockbusters, Austin where he went and be spurred into a such as “Cowboys & into the Radio, Television career from that. Once Hollywood, Aliens,” “Star Trek,” and Film program. As he reaching was just getting adjusted Orci was named as “Transformers,” and to the college life, he one of Hollywood’s many more. While attending Spring got a job writing for a “Top 50 most powerful Latinos,” and has even Woods, Orci participated television show. “We wrote screenplays won several awards for in almost every event the for years,” his writing. His job as a Speech and Debate team steadily had to offer and achieved Orci said. “We finally writer and a producer has Special Distinction in the had the opportunity grown rapidly ever since. Nation Forensic League. to show one of our And although he did not Although he did not scripts to a production finish college, it did land make his career decision company where we were him in a business he because of debate, he assistants. The writing would not have expected did say that it taught him sample was decent to be in. enough for us to be hired “A gig is a gig and you more than he expected. to write one freelance never know where any “Although that is not what I ended up pursuing episode. That lead to opportunity may lead,” as a career, I can another, and then we Orci said. “And never unequivocally state that were finally hired as staff stop being a student. Life is school, and you I learned how to think writers.” Orci’s preservation has are never done.” in debate,” Orci said. “I By CADE BUNDRICK CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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Volunteer Hours Required Local charities long for help in Houston
By SCOTT MOORE STAFF WRITER Everyone needs volunteer hours for high school. Why spend your time on the highway in the afternoon on a Saturday picking up trash? There are hundreds of charity organizations that would be ecstatic if you gave some of your time for them. Find a charity that matches what your interests. Volunteer hours are not bad when you are having fun. “I enjoy helping people, so when I volunteer to help people, I feel good about how I spent my time,” Butt Ugly Dogs Co-founder Cassandrea Lyon said. You don't only have to volunteer to help people. If you decide you don't want to work with people, you can volunteer at a local zoo or animal shelter. If a dog or cat sits inside a cage all day long, its first reaction to a person wanting to play with it is pure happiness. Or, you can do something more, and take care of an animal like a foster parent. “Butt Ugly Dogs is a charity organization that saves dogs from overflow shelters, and cleans them up while finding them a good home,” Lyon said. If you don't want to
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spend your time playing in pools cleaning dog's ears, you can work with the less fortunate of your area. There are many soup kitchens, or homeless shelters that would be willing to let you spend time there cooking pancakes for someone's breakfast. Or, pour a nice hot bowl of chicken noodle soup. “”It is important to give back to the community to keep it strong and safe,” Humanitarian Society sponsor Lora Clay said. Another choice is the Humanitarian Society, which volunteers at various community events. All you have to do to join is go to room 266 and pick up the forms. The Humanitarian Society is a great chance to volunteer in your community and help others. “I love volunteering to help others,” senior Jordan Tovar said. “It just makes my day a lot brighter if I get to help someone that is down.” If you want to make someone else's day bright, here is a list of charities. Pick up your nearest Google, and search one of them up. It might be just right for you.
Halloween Will you go Trick or Treating this year?
What is your favorite Halloween Candy? Candy Corn
Chocolate
VS.
75%
Choir students sing way to top
25%
Competition gets tighter when singers come one step closer to all- state
By SAM LOPEZ ASST. BUSINESS MANGR For the 14 that made it to the next round, the work only gets more difficult. “I practice my music non- stop, everyday,” junior Bradley Whitten said. Region is the next step and competition is much tighter. Only the top 12 move on to the next round, so stress is definitely on the rise. “I at least want to make it to pre- area or even area,” junior Noel Hernandez said. District alone was stressful for some. “For district, the competition was fierce- more fierce than last year,” junior Mary Quinones said. Personal expectations are high and the work
gets more intense for those competing. “I expect to go to allstate,” Whitten said. As the students get further into competition, they learn to self- teach. “I'm doing private lessons, multiple camps, practicing at home/ in class, and I listen to the music as I sleep,” Quinones said. This process brought together the choir students whom have dedicated themselves to choir outside of class. Several of them attended at least one or more camps in preparation for both district auditions and region auditions. Anyone in choir knows that when they are in choir, they are not just individuals singing together: they become a family.
But having friends within their own choirs and from other schools can be a bit of an emotional tug on the singers. Their biggest competition could
bitter about helping out their fellow classmates, though. “Our choir director, Ms. Cuddihee, helped me by taking the time to help
AREA BOUND: Students that made it to the next round and region choir. From left to right: Nicolas Knoerzer, Caitlin Luper, Bradley Whitten, Mary Quinones, and Christopher Love. very well be one of their me individually and Mary closest friends. also helped me with proThe students are not nunciation,” Eva Zapata
said. Usually when one feels completely ready for something, there is some sort of occurrence that seems to get in the way. “I was nervous for district because I was getting sick and I was afraid my voice would crack, which it did, but I ended up doing better than I thought,” Quinones said. The bunch that made it is a differing one. Some have been doing this process since middle school while for others, this is their first year. “I was so nervous. It was my first time since 8th grade to go through the district process,” Hernandez said. This is all a learning process that is to be taken seriously by these
students. They quickly learn what habits to keep, which to throw out, and what to do better. “I've been practicing more and have upperclassmen who made district help me,” Vega said. With help, a ton of preparation, and dedication, the comfortability has risen in the singers. “It's a really fun process over all. I love the idea of being able to perform at my best and compete with great singers across the state,” Hernandez said. Most students in choir are involved in more than one elective that they care about, but all are the same when you look at the big picture. “Baseball and choir are similar; you work at it to get better,” Whitten said
Fall 2011 TV Series Review
By STEPHANIE VARGAS STAFF WRITER
“Two Broke Girls” has millions laughing during the week. Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs are hilarious together. These two girls feed off each other's humor. The show is based around the situation of a rich girl turned poor girl and a poor girl, well, staying poor. These two have to find a way to make ends meet. They work at a dingy diner together and get into some crazy situations. The concept of the show is brilliantly planned out. Max (Dennings) has a hidden talent for baking and despite Caroline's (Behrs) blonde moments, she has a talent for business. They put their minds together and come up with a plan to create a cupcake shop. The adventures these girls endure are just as comparable to the silly actions of Lucy and Ethel In “I Love Lucy”. This is what makes the series a laugh fest. Dennings and Behrs work together to create this comedic way of looking at life for the better-not for worse. I think these two girls have great chemistry on and off the set of the show. The show has a lot of adult humor, but I think teens will understand what's going on. The show is based on a female perspective so it's understandable that guys might not like it as much as girls, but it is really funny and I look forward to watching it every week. Along their journey together, will these “Two Broke Girls” create a recipe for success or will the cake fall flat? “Two Broke Girls” airs on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM on CBS
Zooey Deschanel is a blast to watch. She plays the normal everyday working girl in the comedy series “New Girl” Jesse (Deschanel) had a bad break up and is looking to move out of her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. She finds an ad online for a new roommate. But what’s in store for her is not to be expected. She soon finds out her new roommates are three single guys. This series I think is comparable to “Friends” the calm funny aspect of a group of friends living together and getting into hilarious situations. The series explains the lives of the four characters. “New Girl” stars Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, and Hannah Simone who plays Jesse’s best friend. Is this a start to a new relationship for Jesse with one of the guys or is this the beginning of dysfunctional friendship? The plot of the show is classic because of the boy-girl relationships. This comedic cast is quirky and overall hilarious to watch, This explores the lives of young peoples, and I have to say the way we young people do things just happens to be pretty funny. Deschanel is funny in a calm, relaxed way. But when the guys come in and act, the show is bumped up a notch because of their humor and manliness. “New Girl” is a series that is meant for everyone. It has funny moments and unprediclable moments and this show is just very relatable to everyone. “New Girl” airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM on FOX
From the producers of “Glee” comes a spine chilling new series: “American Horror Story”. This show revolves around a not-so-typical family moving from Boston to Los Angeles trying to make a fresh new start. Their encounters before were disturbing and dramatic, but now that they have moved, the disturbance has become way worse for the family. The show stars Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton of “Friday Night Lights”, Taissa Farmiga, Academy Award Winner Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Denis O’Hare, Alexandra Breckenridge, and Jamie Brewer. The show is very creepy and chilling to watch. I think the concept is magnificent because of the twist and turns the family members encounter. The romance and drama of the show are comparable to “Vampire Diaries” and its comedic events are a reminder of “The Adamms Family”. It’s confusing and thrilling to watch week after week. I think the series is well written even though it may be obscure at times, but that's what draws me to watch it. The creepy presence of the the show is distributed throughout evenly. This series is one of the weidest show I’ve seen ever on televison. The suspense is “to die” for. It really gets your mind spinning. I can’t wait for season 2. This is not only the American Horror story but it’s kind of like the ultimate scary story no one wants to happen to them. “American Horror Story” airs on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM on FX
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vs. activities Into the Mind of JGK Tutorials Students struggle with decision between athletics An interview with SW’S local genius
By: JESSICA JONES BUSINESS MANAGER
Q:
You have been teaching at Spring Woods for over a decade. What changes have you seen over the years?
A:
Some of the changes havebeen from the outside as in the federal, state governments, and the school district. Specifically, No Child Left Behind. The emphasis is now on struggling kids and school evaluations are based almost entirely on how they do. The kids who are on top aren’t ignored, but the resources are being diverted away from them. It’s good to have an overall educated w o r k force, but if the top end can’t be made better, how can we compete w i t h India and China?
Q
~Jim Kirkwood has been teaching physics/random knowledge at Spring Woods for over a decade. His lectures, consistently mind-blowing, give him the reputation of smartest man in the world.
what are you waiting for? Everyone used to be enthralled with the space program in the Kennedy years, but the program has become unfocused. NASA used to have awesome open houses, but then 9/11 happened. NASA became a target and everything was tighter than a drum. A few years ago, the open houses came back, but they are a shadow of what they used to be. It’s still worth going because you get to see things you wouldn’t otherwise. NASA still has a future, but unfortunately it’s a political ball game right now.
Q:
Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Still at Spring Woods?
A:
I’m not sure what I want to do when I grow up so I can’t answer that question [laughs]. I’ll probably be retired.
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Do you think this generation will change the world for better or worse? How so?
A:
Q:
Your rocket’s class was cut this year. Why was that and how do you feel about that?
It’s like a net full of helium balloons that are released. After a minute, this one balloon is way over here, another one is way over there, one is flying towards the sun, some are floundering along the ground, and some are heading towards the rose bushes of certain doom. I see graduation that way. Some of the students will go on to change things for the better, some will not. Those that do go on will face many challenges and I think there are going to be some bad times ahead, worldwide. The question is, how will this generation handle it?
I heard several reasons as to why rockets was cut, but it probably comes down to the budget cuts. It was very unfortunate, because this class was an engineering class where we applied engineering to a real product. The mission of the rockets class was to get a one pound payload up one mile, and other than one incident three years ago, they successfully did this many times and we have the HD video to prove it. My rockets II class actually broke the sound barrier last year and only ten schools in the world can say they have done that.
Q:
Q:
There has been a lot of changes going on at NASA. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
A:
I run into former students as well, one who ended up being a Marine and thanked me for setting him straight. I display scholarship opportunities along the back wall of my classroom and one year, $30,000 was earned from my display. It’s nice to know that people appreciate me because for years I’ve been building ships and sending them into the dark. Do they make it to the other shore? Do they sink? So, I always go to homecoming because I hope some one will come back which is kind of sad, but I want to know what happened to the ships.
NASA is a national treasure and since it’s only about an hour drive away so if you live here and you haven’t visited,
A:
You’re easily one of the most memorable teacher at Spring Woods. How do you feel about your popularity?
A:
I always get emails from former students and they come back and visit.
Q:
If you were the principal of Spring Woods, what is one change that you would make?
A:
I would realize that there are not enough hours in the day to do what is requested.
Q:
Tell me something interesting to close with. One of your Kirk-isms, as the students call it.
A:
This weekend I went to Jellystone park. If you ever get a chance to go there, find something else to do. There was an avogadro’s number of little kids painting pumpkins, they are kicking dirt, throwing sticks, and of course it rained. On the brightside, one of holes at the putput course was a good analogy for demonstrating the difficulty transuranic isotopes have with the neutron capture.
and academics ties and school is senior
School is hard enough for some students, but imagine having to juggle both school and after school activities. Sports, band, working, it all can interfere with school, more specifically, tutorial times. Tutorials are offered after school and sometimes before school to help those students who seem to show signs of struggle in their respective classes. As a player on the volleyball team here, I know how hard it is to find suitable times to attend after school tutorials. If there were a time that I needed to attend tutorials during practice time, I would have to make the choice of missing some of practice which would ultimately affect my playing time. To students in this predicament, this is a huge dilemma. I feel that as a student with extra activities outside of school, that are of importance, it is hard to balance them all along with school, especially if some teachers here are not prone to compromise. One student who shares the same philosophy with me and knows what it is like to have to juggle numerous activi-
Jamie Meeks. "It was hard to have to manage Junior Achievement, band, work, and school because I had very little time to do homework," senior Jamie Meeks said. "I never really got a chance to go to tutorials, especially last year, which is why I was failing three classes." When teachers see that their students are struggling, their solution is for the students to attend tutorials despite having sports or work. Sometimes we are left to wonder if the teachers even care that we have other obligations that are important to us. As a student first, we try to do our best to balance school work with other activities, but we need teachers to understand that and try to work with us. One solution, the harder one, would be to decide which of the two are more important. "If I had a conflict then I would skip band practice or something, but get in trouble, or if I didn't go to tutorials, then I would just continue to struggle and ultimately fail," Meeks said. "It's really a lose-lose situation." On the other hand, I can understand why teachers are adamant about sticking to their tutorial times. I get that teachers also have other obligations as well and believe that we have to decide between after school activities or failing, but sometimes it's just not that black and
white. There’s always that gray area that is never understood by the opposing side and for us students, it is frustrating yet understandable at times. For some students, it is more about time management as opposed to teachers. One student manages to deal with having to play sports and attending tutorials with little to no problem. “I don't really feel that playing sports affects tutorials," junior football quarterback Trammell Weilnau said. The coaches give us time to do what we need to do in order to be passing." For some of the teachers here, offering tutorials after school is the only thing that they can do. “My reason for not having tutorials before school is due to the fact that I live far,” physics teacher Deborah Wilkes said. “I would have to get up really early and leave my house early to have morning tutorials. I get to school at 7:20 which isn’t enough time to offer morning tutorials to students.” With conflicts such as this, I believe that it is up to the students to get the help that they need regarding school. We cannot always put the blame on the teachers, even though, at times, it would seem easier. I do believe that the solution is compromise between teachers and students, a mutual agreement to an arrangement.
Continued from PAGE 9 the government from making over-riding, unfair choices that would turn the country into chaos. By giving the people a voice, peace can be maintained and the country can be kept happy..for the most part. Obviously there are complaints and upset citizens, but this is just a part of how society functtion. Seniors must realize that registration is important and should be done as soon as their 18th birthday comes around. Pay attention to politics and news in order to develop an educated point of view. Don’t put voting off. Your opinion is important, no matter how young you are. Senior
Samantha Pollicove realizes the significance of voting and urges her fellow seniors to do so. “It enables us to voice our opinions that are documented in a different way and considered for further action,” said Pollicove. “Voting can influence and change the government in various means and how our country is conducted; not so much a drastic change, but a change that can start out small and eventually morph into something that can impact us.” After many years of watching elections, unable to participate in the privilege of voting, the time has finally come
for those in the class of 2012. Senior principal Jason Ovalle has high hopes for his graduating class. “Voting is a very important right to be taken seriously and I don’t think enough young adults know that. They don’t realize that they have power as a group and if they did, elections would be different.” Ovalle said. While the big choice is over a year away, now is the time to start coming to concise views about where you want America to be four years from now. Voting is a sacred right and should be used. I, for one, will be voting next November.
By: BRITTANY MOORE STAFF WRITER
Point-Counter Point: What animal is best? By CADE BUNDRICK CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF What do you think of when you hear the words “harmed species?” Chances are, it’s not the Ocelot, one of the most overlooked animals of the Animal Kingdom. Ocelots are commonly unheard of in the feline family because of their extreme rarity. In case you have been living under a rock, much like my opponent here, the Ocelot is incredibly awesome and should be seen as such. But, in order to make this a much more convincing argument, don’t let me do the talking, let the facts do the talking. The sleek, the smooth, the sly and the deceptive Ocelot is seen as a predator to many in the jungle. Living in the South American rain forest, and upper parts o f
Central America and Texas, the Ocelot is capable of hunting down nearly any animal in its reach. Stalking prey at night, the Ocelot is able to lurk in the trees and spot defenseless animals from above using its nocturnal, binocular vision. That’s right, those big beautiful blue ones are made for more than just stealing our hearts. But what animals do the ferocious beasts hunt for? Simple: anything. That is right, the Ocelot eats whatever its heart may desire: monkeys, deer, snakes, ant eaters. For the Ocelot, any meat, is good meat. After tracking prey of any and all sizes, the Ocelot uses its massive razor sharp teeth to rip apart its innocent victims. These teeth, however, were not made for chewing meat, only ripping meat off the bone and swallowing it whole. While Ocelots are a magnificent killing beast of the Americas, they are also one of the most adorable animals in existence. With big, glaring eyes, short, rounded ears, and a soft, fine fur that contains spots and stripes, it is incredibly cute. Yes, it is odd and often times seen as lame to admire a killing machine’s adorable
physical features, but that is what makes it so perfect. Being such an adorable animal, the Ocelot would not at first be seen as a perfectly trained tool of death and destruction, but in reality, it is. When seeing an Ocelot in person, many of its victims first look at the elegant innocence of the creature, before they realize that it is too late. The simple gist of what I am saying, is that the Ocelot is more awesome through subtlety. The Ocelot does not NEED to be some kind of huge mascot for bloodshed and terror, which is what my opponent believes. Instead it is the secret victor in the shadows, the one you would not expect, the one so adorable that once you pick it up to admire its awesome features. It attacks you without a second thought. This, my dear friends, is the Ocelot. I personally don’t know of anything more awesome than an animal quite so cute, that can take down any other animal it may choose.
By JACK RODGERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Forget all of what you just read and take a look at this. This, boys and g i r l s , is the honey badger, which is basically the greatest animal who ever lived, ever. It's a combination of anger, teeth, ferocity, claws, rage, and domination. The honey badger's African name actually means "the destroyer of souls" [citation needed]. The honey badger is such a boss that its only predators are lions and leopards. That’s right, taking down a honey badger is only done in nature by a nine foot long cat that weighs 400 pounds, which, for those of you keeping score at home, is about 11.5 times larger than a normal adult badger. Honey badgers also participate in something called “surplus killing”, which involves digging underneath henhouses that are made of stone and thick wooden boards and ripping out the
foundation of the coop. In one instance, a single honey badger got into a henhouse and killed 17 Muscovy ducks and 36 pullets. And if you are out in the Sub-Saharan African wilderness and are unfortunate enough to be armed with only a razor sharp machete, then you’re going to be out of luck as the honey badger’s skin is so thick, it can withstand machete blows, as well as being almost impervious to arrows and spears. You could even send your pack of dogs after it,
wouldn’t m a t t e r, the honey badger would rip those things open with teeth and claws that would make the world’s strongest man go crying for his mother. As its name suggests, the honey badger has a sweet tooth for nectar, and will stop at nothing to get it. You know African Killer Bees? The ones that swarm and destroy and kill grown men in Georgia?
The ones that invade the hives of the sissier European honey bees and stomp the trash out of them, pillaging and plundering? Honey badgers eat those things for breakfast. The honey badger will just waltz up to an unsuspecting African Killer Bee hive and jam his face into it. The bees can swarm and sting all they want to, the honey badger doesn’t care: he keeps on eating like it’s Thanksgiving, trusting that his quarter inch thick skin will protect him from the puny stingers. The Guinness Book of World Records even has the honey badger listed as “the world’s most fearless creature”. The National Geographic Channel airs a show called “Honey Badger: The Meanest Animal in the World”. Now, can anyone really think that some kind of super angry house cat, the ocelot, would possibly be a match for the honey badger? So, if I’m ever walking down a dark alley for some unexplained reason and I happen to come across a honey badger, I think that I would go ahead and run away like a little girl. Or, I would go running away like the pansy that the ocelot is.
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Use the right you are given Fewer buses anger students Seniors to vote in next presidential election
By JESSICA JONES BUSINESS MANAGER
For the past seventeen years, we have seen the election process happen four times with all the debate and anger that surrounds it. We have listened to our parents discuss and complain about politics without really knowing or caring what the true issues are. Some seniors who are going to turn 18 only seem to think about the devious things you can do at this age. They should instead focus on one of the most important tasks American citizens can perform every four years- voting. I believe it is extremely important that we all register to vote as we come of age because the opportunity to give your
opinion is not something to pass up. Voting is a civil responsibility that Americans should perform as soon as they can. For the class of 2012, an election is coming right in time for us to make our voices heard. Voting allows you to have an opinion. You cannot complain about political leaders or the choices they make if you were not a part of the decision in the first place. While many have announced intentions to run as GOP presidential candidates, a few stand about above the rest. Current President and democrat Barack Obama is planning to run against one of many republicans including Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and our own governor, Rick Perry. Seniors need to begin formulating an idea of what kind of leadership our country
needs in its current state, thus deciding on a leader who would make the choices that fit their views. Senior Jordan Cabrera has already begun this process, speaking highly of Ron Paul. “He wants to minimize the federal government and emphasize the state government so that each state can focus on their specific needs regarding education, business infrastructure instead of following the same laws that might not be best for them,” Cabrera said. Some may feel that voting is unimportant or something they can do later in life. America is characterized as the home of the free because citizens are able to be a part of the decisions that effect them. Voting prevents the government from Continued on PAGE 8
Guthrie principal tries to fix problem
By JAZMINE CLARK STAFF WRITER Guthrie students a r e desperate for a third bus, because they are having to sit three to a seat. As a student who rides the bus, I strongly feel another bus should be added. These buses are just overly crowded. If there are three people to a seat, then it’s really hard trying to get down the isle. Personally I don’t like to be uncomfortable, so when a third person wants to sit with me it’s like, are you serious? This highly ridiculous. Once having to sit with two other people, I couldn’t get my thoughts together, because I was worried I
might fall off the seat. “I was not aware this was an ongoing issue. Usually we hear from the drivers or students,”Building Principal Joe Kolenda said. So if students and drivers don’t say anything, how would higher the authority know? Someone has to speak up. Teens are rushing to the buses just to get a good spot,and not be stuck out sitting at the edge of the seat with two other students. “I hate having to sit with two other people. It’s just ridiculous,” junior Giovanni Uriostegui said. Students are in need of another bus going to Guthrie. It possibly could be due to budget cuts or lack of drivers. Students shouldn’t be uncomfortable because of these problems.
“No buses have been reduced due to budget cuts,” Kolenda said. “Occasionally if a driver is sick and we do not have a sub, we may run short or sometimes the bus will run late. But our transportation department works hard to get our students here and back as safely and quickly as possible.” Since Principal Kolenda said there is not a problem with budget cuts, possibly it could be fixed. Students just want to have a comfortable ride when going to Guthrie. It might be a short ride, but students just want to be comfortable and not have to rush. So, hopefully something soon will be done. “I will contact transportation and see what’s happening, and check the drivers as well,”Kolenda said.
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Renaissance Festival sieged by fires Community commits to help defend the Faire
By SCOTT MOORE tell where they could help STAFF WRITER The Renaissance Fesat at all times. There was tival, home of Turkey never an unattended fire Legs and fun times was that. There was always a sieged by fire during the worker there to watch the wildfires. The only thing situation. Their reports that kept the festival were relayed through from burnFacebook ing down to whoever was a 20 was willing foot wide to help. dirt road “We inholding the creased members our Faceof the fesbook foltival family. lowers The work- SPOOKY EVENING:Faire by 5,000 ers banded goers enjoy All Hallows Eve. people intogether to side of 3 defend their home from days,” Director of Marthe rampant fires, and keting Gina Rotolo said. won. “We also coordinated “People were posting donated supplies and constant updates on emergency crews, and Facebook and Twitter acted as an emergency throughout the entire crew staging area.” crisis,” festival workThe workers at the Reer Debra Abnail said. naissance Festival didn't “Workers that were only relay information 1200 miles away had for others, they gave up a play by play update their homes as refugee on what was happenshelters for the affected ing, and how they could people. These shelters help.” were set up all around With this play by play the area by caring workupdate, the worker could ers.
“I felt a bit worried for “I was very worried the people around the about the grounds and a area who were going to beautiful venue being delose their homes. I of- stroyed,” TRF patron Refered storage space and becca Verde said. “I even sleeping arrangements promised myself that if for people who lived in the grounds remained the effected region,” TRF untouched by the fires, actor Stephen Dodd said. I would quit smoking “I knew that deep down, cigarettes so that when even if I visit the TRF had festival, b e e n I will be burned, I one less don't think person it would've who could stopped potentially anything,” harm the Dodd said. grounds.” “If there's In the one thing FIRE FLIGHTER:Community end, with I’m certain combats fire in helicopter. all of the of, it's the efforts of perseverance and com- the people of the area, munity of our faire-mily.” the fire was defeated. Workers weren't the The blaze came within only ones to help. People 100 yards of the propthat have gone to TRF erty, and right up to the their entire life offered edge of a 60-foot firea helping hand in what- break the crew cleared ever way they could. around the festival site. Some people donated The Renaissance Festiitems to help, and others val is open right now and changed their lifestyle to ready for you to have a try and prevent this from great time there. happening ever again,
The Texans are good...they've got heart
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New health fitness credit adds variety to athletics
By LILYA GEHMAN STAFF WRITER In the past years, health fitness class has mostly consisted of, running track, doing pushups, climbing rope, playing ball and having a coach blow a whistle in your ear. Now Spring Woods has an aerobics class that has been going on for two years now. It is taught by tennis coach Misty Germer. “I hope that the kids have been enjoying the class and that it will
keep on being a regular The idea was formed was filled up. Fox wanted a class fitness class at where girls would be Spring Woods,” interested in it more Germer said. than the workouts. Since aerobics Some other boys last isn’t usually a health year got interested fitness class held at in the class too and most schools, most joined. kids don’t know “It’s a cool class. what aerobics is. A relaxing class,” 9th “I think it has grader Soo Yun Kim something to do with said. water,” freshman This year other Carolina Call said. fitness classes Health fitness AEROBICS IN ACTION: Germer director, Rebecca adds fun to the usual Aerobics work- were filled up so the aerobics class Fox came up with out.. the idea of an aerobics when dance, (that was is bigger than usual. class at Spring Woods. originally made for girls) Germer is happy with the
fact that she can teach even more kids about the class this year. “My goal is to send these teenagers away with good nutritional habits and feeling fit when they leave this class,” Germer said. Aerobics is available 5th and 6th period if you are interested in taking the class next semester. If you have questions, you can go to her office room 130 or the field house.
Team camaraderie benefits freshmen Sports provide easier transition into high school
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By JAROSLAV UNAR STAFF WRITER The Texans have definitely improved a lot, but they are going to need a miracle to overcome o t h e r teams in the league without their best defensive player. Mario Williams is out for the entire season due to an injury to a pectoral muscle. Arguably the best player on the roster, what will the Texans be without Williams? A rookie is to replace Williams for the remainder of the season, Brooks Reed. His performance at the Oakland game was enough to impress, finishing with four tackles and two quarterback hurries. “I know no one is expecting me to produce as much as Mario, but I think it will be a collective effort,” Reed said. Expectations are high for Reed, but he is not alone in that. Derrick Mason was the fourth round pick by the Tennessee Oilers in 1997. He is 37 years old and he says he has still got the kick, and he is coming to the Texans. Mason is the number 12 receiver in NFL history with 937 receptions, and leads all active receivers with 12,006 yards. Houston traded a seventh round draft pick for Mason in the next NFL draft to the New York Jets. Mason definitely wouldn't hurt the Texans. The Texans could make it through the next few games with ease, without their star players, and with their new players: just not the way they have been playing lately. The other players on the team are going to have to step up and make plays. If they do not turnover so many balls, and make excellent coaching decisions and plays, they will do just fine. If they could get Arian Foster to run it a few blocks, all will be good. The problem with the Texans now is that there are too many “what if's”.
Aerobics steps up to the plate
By HALEY SCHILD STAFF WRITER
belonging, knowing you have a group of people to hang out with. “I hang out with my volleyball team everyday. They’re my best friends,”
The transition from middle school to high school is always hard, but does being on a sports team make it just a little bit less difficult? Entering high school, after middle school is hard regardless, but many teens say that being on a sports team MAKE THE CATCH: A Spring Woods has made football player runs to catch the ball. it easer to adjust. It freshman volleyball gives you a sense of player Carolina Call said.
Call agreed that it gave most agree having a most of the players a special place to fit into is sense of camaraderie a great deal of help. and knowing they fit in. “Being on a team basically provides you with a group of friends! You don’t have to worry about where y o u ’ r e going to sit SERVE: Carolina Call serves the ball. at lunch,” freshman football player “I love my team, we’ve Kelly Fields said. become great friends! For many teens, where We always sit together at you’re going to sit at lunch,” freshman tennis lunch is a big deal. So player Rogelio Bautista
said. The season for football and volleyball is coming to an end. “Our team hasn’t done as good as we had hoped, but with a little improvement we could do better,” Fields said about the freshman football team record. For many of the students on the freshmen teams, it was their first or second time playing the sport. “It wasn’t my first year playing volleyball, but I’m definitely new to playing the game,” freshman volleyball player Bianca Teran said.
More home meets provide swimmers with advantage
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Lack of seniors creates potential downfall
By CARLY BATTERSON
STAFF WRITER The Spring Woods Tiger swim team is gearing up for the upcoming 20112012 swim season. The season runs October through February with 11 scheduled meets leading up to District. Over half of the meets are home meets this year which should give the team a good advantage. This year’s team consists of 10 freshmen, 12 sophomores and 15 juniors. There are no seniors on the roster which may be due to difficulty committing to the athletic practice schedule with the new graduation requirements. “I quit swim team after being on the team for
three years because of Additional practices all of my AP classes,” have been added on the former weekends swimmer and on Kelsey Christmas Cadavid break. The s a i d . focus of “I was practice always has been up late to build up at night speed and d o i n g strength in school all of the w o r k . swimmers S w i m so they will team was be ready to fun, I just compete. d i d n ’ t The team h a v e is lead enough under the time for it.” direction The swim of Coach t e a m GOLD MEDAL SWIMMER: L e s l i e practices Kayla Loebl finshes after a Rienstra everyday long practice. a n d except for Assistant Thursdays at the W.W. Coach Megan Doby who Emmons Natatorium. are dedicated to helping
each athlete achieve their personal best. Last
year, Coach Doby came in and provided support for the team. “It is great to have an assistant that knows the sport. It allows us to spend more time with the swimmers on their skills,” Rienstra said. Last season, the team celebrated six wins and two losses in dual meets. “I expect this year’s team to do well and I am excited by their work ethic,” Rienstra said.
PRACTICE HARD: Pedro Presas kicks hard in practice to get across the pool.
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Don’t have any money, but wanna have fun? Here are a few free, fun activities to do on the weekends.
By JAZMINE CANTU STAFF WRITER
Miller Outdoor Theatre *(always free, some events may charge fee) – 6000 Hermann Park Drive Houston, TX 281-823-9103 www.milleroutdoortheatre.com Events: -Sing-A-Long Movies at Miller: Grease (Rockin' Rydell Edition) (11/05/11; 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) -Art Car: The Movie (11/13/11; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
The Bully’s Choice
Contemporary Arts Museum *(always free) - 5216 Montrose Blvd Houston, TX 713-526-0773 www.camh.org Friday, 11 a.m. to 7p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Events: -”Artists/Scholars Talk: Douglas Crimp” (11/05/11; 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
The Menil Collection (Museum) *(always free) - 1515 Sul Ross St Houston, TX 713-525-9400 www.menil.org Friday – Sunday 11:00 a.m – 7:00 p.m. Events -”Walter De Maria: 'Trilogies' Her First Major Art Museum Exhibition in the United States” (currently ongoing until 01/08/12)
Discovery Green Park *(always free, some events may charge fee) - 1500 McKinney St Houston, TX 713-400-7336 www.discoverygreen.com Events: -Dionysus at the Green [Alice in Wonderland Play] (11/12/11; 6 p.m.) -Fun-omenal Family Festival (11/13/2011; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) *You can also plan a picnic in the park, bike rides, family runs, etc.
By: Lorelei Shannon
MFAH *(free on Thursdays) - 1001 Bissonnet Houston, TX 713639-7300 www.mfah.com Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.