Students  sell  bracelets  to  fund  future
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Guatemalan  youth  hope  for  chance  at  high  school  education
By  SAM  LOPEZ STAFF  WRITER
E
ducation  and  money  are  just  two  of  the  things  young  Americans  take  for  granted.  Although  some  Americans  think  they  don't  have  the  riches  others  have,  they  fail  to  realize  there  are  other  children  from  third  world  countries  that  would  love  the  opportu- nity  to  afford  luxury  items  and  a  good  education.     In  response,  a  group  of  concerned  students  are  selling  bracelets  called  YUDA  Bands.  They  are  handmade  by  Guatemalan  students  and  their  families.  Ameri- can  students  choose  Guatemalan  students  to  sponsor  and  those  that  sell  the  bracelets  sell  them  for  two  weeks  for  $7  each.  This  is  a  long  term  solution  for  poverty  within  Guatemalan  chil- dren.  They  will  be  able  to  pay  for  education  and  also  build  scholarships.
      This  idea  took  lift-Âoff  a  difference,  but  unfor- It's  a  small  act  that  may  tion  because  it's  sort  of  in  the  fall  of  2008.  A  cou- tunately,  like  in  America,  make  huge  impacts  on  unique.  And  personally,  ple  of  women  that  were  a  money  is  needed  for  children.  Anyone  can  I  hope  to  develop  lead- part  of  a  group  of  17  who  basically  everything. do  this;Íž  high  school  stu- ership  skills,  and  as  a  went  to  Guatemala  in       One  of  the  highlights  dents,  middle  school  school,  I  want  to  cre- 2007  came  up  ate  a  sense  of  with  a  simple  unity;Íž  that  we  and  easily  pro- are  all  contrib- ductive  way  to  uting  to  this  help  the  chil- cause,"  senior  dren  of  Gua- Juliette  Call  said. temala.  They'd       There  are  take  back  ¿YH OHDGHUV RI bracelets  to  this  project  with  America  that  Call  being  one  children  made  of  them.  The  four  from  one  of  other  leaders  are  the  nearby  Selah  Serrano,  market  places  Daniel  Barrien- in  Guatemala,  tos,  Eva  Lopez,  sell  them  for  and  Farzaana  SURÂżW DQG Phillip;Íž  all  of  sponsor  stu- which  are  a  part  dents  that  way. of  the  schools       The  name  French  Club. YUDA  came  ,Q WKH ÂżUVW from  the  word  week  of  selling,  ayuda,  which  the  leaders  sold  in  Spanish  BRACELETS  FOR  EDUCATION:  Seniors  Juliette  Call  and  Selah  Serrano  about  70  yuda  means  help.  sell  bracelets  during  their  lunch  time. bands.  Selling  The  children  ended  the  week  currently  being  spon- of  this  program  is  those  students,  elementary  before  spring  break. sored  have  hopes  and  who  sponsor  students  students,  and  adults.     “We  ordered  900  brace- dreams  just  like  any  don't  have  to  pay  any      “When  I  heard  about  lets  because  it's  better  to  other  child.  They  want  money  out  of  pocket,  all  this  project,  it  immedi- have  too  much  than  not  to  do  things  that  make  they  have  to  do  is  sell.  ately  captured  my  atten- enough,â€?  Call  said.  “If  we Â
Jazz  band  competes  at  U  of  H
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Sophomore  wins  top  soloist  award
By  CADE  BUNDRICK STAFF  WRITER
T
he  Jazz  Band  recently  attended  University  of  Houston’s  annual  Jazz  Festival  with  several  other  schools  and  gained  quite  a  bit  of  experience.  The  Jazz  Band  had  good  success  last  year  and  won  the  top  award  for  high  schools  at  the  festival,  but  this  year  things  went  a  bit  differently.  Kierra  Dotson,  sophomore  Vibraphone  player,  received  the  best  solo  award  among  all  of  the  HOLD  THE  VIBRAPHONE:  Dotson  practices  her  high  schools  and  middle  solo  with  style. schools  entered  in  the  competition,  ranking  good  in  my  head.  And  is  a  graduate  from  her  a  top  musician  not  luckily,  it  sounded  the  music  schools  only  at  Spring  Woods,  good  with  the  song.â€? at  both  University  of  but  also  of  all  the    “I  think  Kierra  won  Houston  and  Stephen  high  schools  entered  the  award  because  not  F.  Austin  University.  in  the  Jazz  Festival. only  was  she  the  only  He  is  an  experienced      “I  feel  very  accom- vibraphone  soloist,  Jazz  musician  and  is  plished.  I  had  never  but  she  performed  her  leading  the  way  for  played  a  solo  before  solo  completely  off  all  of  the  bright  young  until  I  joined  Jazz  band.  of  improv,  where  as  musicians  at  Spring  I  didn’t  even  know  how  everyone  else’s  solo  Woods  High  School.  to  solo,â€?  Dotson  said.  was  written  out  and    Although  many  of  “I  didn’t  write  out  my  practiced  before  hand,â€?  the  Spring  Woods  solo’s.  I  just  played  out  Jazz  band  director  Jeff  musicians  who  what  I  thought  sounded  Munger  said.  Munger  participated  received Â
constructive  criticisms  and  tips  from  the  Jazz  Band  director  of  U  of  H,  Professor  Noe  Marmolajo,  Dotson  seemed  to  outshine  other  performers  in  her  quick  improvisational  skill.  The  Jazz  Band  was  judged   by  some  of the  top  Jazz  musicians  in  America.  After  performing,  the  Jazz  Band  watched  the  University  of  Houston  jazz  instructors  perform  along  side  some  of  the  top  musicians  in  Texas.  This  year  the  festival’s  featured  musician  was  trombonist  Andy  Martin,  who  has  contributed  to  such  artists  as  Coldplay  and  Michael  Buble,  as  well  as  written  and  performed  music  for  such  Broadway  productions  as  The  Lion  King,  Hairspray,  and   Wicked.    “I  think  that  we  have  GHÂżQLWHO\ ODLG GRZQ WKH groundwork  for  next  year  at  this  competition.  This  helps  me,  as  a  teacher,  see  what  it  is  that  I  need  to  work  on  and  how  that  can  help  out  the  Jazz  band  for  the  next  few  years,â€?  Jeff  Munger  said.
sell  850,  then  it  spon- VRUV ÂżYH FKLOGUHQ IRU RQH year  of  high  school.â€?       The  leaders  did  their  job  of  spread- ing  the  word  and  sold  bracelets  everyday  during  lunches  in  front  of  the  cafeteria.  With  more  and  more  people  buying  them,  others  started  to  spread  the  word  and  yuda  brace- lets  were  everywhere.  With  all  sorts  of  styles  to  grab  the  attention  of  all  students,  males  in- cluded,  the  bracelets  became  a  new  trend.        “I  really  want  a  yuda  bracelet.  It  seems  like  everyone  has  them  now,â€?  sophomore  Chel- sea  Martinez  said.     With  sales  over,  the  leaders  sold  250  yuda  bracelets.  The  brace- lets  can  be  seen  on  many  students  wrists  around  school.  With  the  help  of  the  leaders  and  students  who  con- tributed  in  buying  the  bracelets,  two  students  can  be  sponsored.
Senior  snags  scholarship
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Pham  to  travel  to  Fiji,  New  Zealand
By  KELLEY  KIM EDITOR-ÂIN-ÂCHIEF Van  Anh  Pham  and  photography  S enior  instructor  Pam  Karter Â
will  travel  to  New  Zealand  and  Fiji  as  part  of  the  National  Geographic’s  Student  Expeditions.  Pham  was  awarded  a  full  scholarship  worth  nearly  $9,000  for  a  three  week  photography  adventure.  “I  think  this  experience  will  open  up  many  more  opportunities  and  references  for  me  in  the  photography  ¿HOG ´ 3KDP VDLG “When  I  found  out  about  winning  this  scholarship,  I  was  very  ecstatic.  It  still  hasn’t  hit  me  yet.â€?  Thirteen  other  students  from  Memorial  High  School  and  their  photography  instructor  Kathy  Bottoms  will  also  be  traveling  with  Pham  and  Karter.  Participants  ZLOO ÂżUVW EH VSHQGLQJ WZR weeks  in  New  Zealand’s  winter  and  subsequently  moving  on  to  experience  Fiji’s  summer  for  four  days.
 “The  trip  is  going  to  be  pretty  rigorous,â€?  Karter  said.  “We  will  be  glacier  trekking,  snow  skiing,  and  white  water  rafting  in  New  Zealand.  Then,  we  will  be  snorkeling  for  the  most  part  in  Fiji,  all  while  capturing  it  all.  It  will  truly  be  the  experience  of  a  lifetime.â€? Â
News
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Tardy  policy  gets  an  upgrade Administration  creeps  the  halls  for  tardy  students
Brief
Gretchen  Lutz English  I
By  CHELSEA  RODRIGUEZ STAFF  WRITER     Since  August  of  2010,  all  of  the  schools  in  SBISD  have  followed  the  Student/Parent  Handbook  tardy  policy  in  that  there  are  no  excused  tardies  to  ¿UVW SHULRG FODVHV IRU
the  tardy  policy  has  had  some  changes.     “The  tardies  have  grown  worse  over  time,â€?  Stallworth  said.     Under  the  current  policy,  students  with  more  than  ¿YH WDUGLHV ZLWKLQ D ZHHN are  addressed  with  a  two-Âhour  after  school  detention.  Whereas,  VWXGHQWV ZLWK ÂżYH RU
the  policy  change  in  regards  to  exemptions,â€?  Stallworth  said.       According  to  the  online  SBISD  webpage,  there  are  certain  absences  that  lead  to  know  whether  or  QRW D VWXGHQW TXDOLÂżHV WR H[HPSW KLV KHU ÂżQDOV     “If  the  average  of  the  3rd  and  4th  9  week  grading  period  is  between  90-Â
Âł6WXGHQWV ZLWK PRUH WKDQ ÂżYH WDUGLHV within  a  week  are  addressed  with  a  two-Âhour  after  school  detention.â€? The  debate  team  traveled  to  its  state  competition  in  Flower  Mound,  Texas  last  month  before  the  spring  holidays.  The  14  competitors  from  Spring  Woods  who  trav- eled  are  coached  by  Victoria  Beard  with  the  help  of  Moe  Lerma,  her  assistant  coach.
2011  National  Honor  Society  Inductees 11th  grade  Inductees Edward  Alvarez Itzel  Amaro Angela  Arroyo Eduardo  Avila German  Banda Kelsey  Cadavid Sydney  Coffey Katherine  Galeas Monserrat  Gomez Kyle  Guillemette Jessica  Jones Kassandra  Jost  Caitlin  Luper  Adam  Machado  Christa  Morris John  Nam
Ban  Nguyen  Victor  Nguyen Rachel  Palmer  Andrea  Perez Samantha  Pollicove Edgar  Ramirez Mayra  Segovia  Hannah  Speck  Mason  Story Theresa  To  Xiadani  Tovar Mahnoor  Zia Â
12th  grade  Inductees Justin  Guillot Selvin  Monroy  Loan  Nguyen
students  who  assume  the  responsibility  for  their  own  transportation  instead  of  riding  the  school  bus.  However,  due  to  the  huge  increase  in  tardies  during  the  second  semester,  the  administration  at  Spring  Woods  passed  a  new  rule  stating  that  a  student  may  only  have  three   tardies  before  he  or  she  will  end  up  in  ISS.       “The  policy  for  most  of  this  year  was  that  any  student  with  a  tardy  would  have  to  serve  lunch  detention  the  next  day,â€?  Principal  Lance  Stallworth  said.   On  Wednesday,  February  9,  2011, Â
more  tardies  in  a  week  are  given  one  day  in  ISS.   “Also,  [the  admin- istration]  will  hold  random  sweep  days  in  which  anyone  tardy  will  serve  the  balance  of  the  day  in  ISS,  except  for  those  students  late  to  6th  or  7th  period,â€?  Stallworth  said,  “Those  students  will  be  assigned  a  full  day  of  ISS  the  day  following  the  sweep.â€?       After  the  evaluation  of  the  second  policy,  one  question  remains:  How  will  this  affect   a  student’s  exemptions?  And,  the  answer  is  simply  this.     “There  is  no  difference  between  tardies  that  occurred  before  or  after Â
100  a  student  may  have  5  absences,  80- 89  a  student  may  have  4  absences,  and  a  75-Â79  a  student  may  have  3  absences.â€?     Also,  three  tardies  are  the  equivalent  of  one  absence,  which   has  the  potential  to  add  up  over  time  and  potentially  affect  whether  or  not  a  student  may  exempt  any  ¿QDOV 6R LI D VWXGHQW wants  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  an  exemption  at  the  end  of  the  year,  then  students  should  consider  being  on  time  to  class  instead  of  suffering  the  consequences  later. Â
Operation: Liberate Historical riots for freedom brew in the Islamic world, dictators caving in after decades of control
By  KELLEY  KIM EDITOR-ÂIN-ÂCHIEF     Imagine  living  in  a  society  where  your  free- doms  are  limited-Â-Âyou  can’t  say  what  you  want   (especially  if  you’re  a  woman),  you  can’t  make  more  than  a  few  dollars  a  day,  and  one  of  the  most  unfathomable  life- styles  of  the  21st  cen- tury  was  set  upon  you:  you  were  barely  allowed  to  use  the  Internet. Â
Impossible?  Think  again.     On  the  other  side  of  the  world,  particularly  in  the  Middle  Eastern  re- gion,  the  aforementioned  situation  is,  sadly,  a  real- ity  for  many.  In  Syria,  the  average  salary  stands  at  $300  a  month,  and  in  Egypt,  the  average  man  made  less  than  $2  a  day  in  2010.  However,  many  people  from,  not  only  Egypt,  but  all  across  the  Middle  East  are  start- ing  to  rebel  and  voice  their  opinions  about Â
these  atrocities  that  they  have  been  tolerating  for  decades.  It  all  be- gan  with  a  simple  click.       For  18  arduous  days,  the  Egyptian  people  par- ticipated  in  an  incredible  protest  that  shook  the  world.  On  February  11,  2011,  the  Egyptian  Pres- ident,  Hosni  Mubarack,  who  reigned  for  30  years,  resigned  his  position-Â-Âa  momentous  and  historic  occasion  for  most.  The  core  to  this  new-Âage  revolution  was  social Â
media  websites,  Face- book  and  Twitter,  which  were  utilized  by  the  people  to  rally  anti-Âgov- ernment  sentiment  and  plan  the  movements  in  Tahrir  Square.  Through- out  late  January  and  early  February,  Egyp- tians  took  this  shared  mindset  to  another  level  and  formed  a  unity  that  inspired  the  rest  of  the  world  to  seek  freedom.      Following  the  resig- nation  of  Mubarack  and  the  newfound  liberation Â
of  the  Egyptian  peo- ple,  other  nations  have  started  to  follow  suit  of  Egypt’s  success  (which  was  inspired  by  Tunisia’s  movement).  People  of  nations  that  have  been  silent  for  so  long—Libya,  Iran,  Jordan,  Yemen,  Al- geria,  Syria,  Bahrain— are  taking  charge,  seek- ing  the  reform  they’ve  longed  for  ages.  Other  minor  revolts  have  been  seen  in  Mauritania,  Sau- di  Arabia,  Oman,  Sudan,  Somalia,  Syria,  Iraq,  Â
and  Morocco,  as  well.  If  it’s  one  thing  that  these  people  have  in  com- mon,  it’s  the  will  to  die  for  their  country’s  free- dom,  even  when  they  have  so  much  to  lose.  Because  this  movement  dominated  the  world  stage,  The  Regit  took  a  dive  into  our  own  popu- lation  of  Middle  Eastern- ers  right  here  on  cam- pus  to  see  what  they  thought  about  the  chaos  that’s  ripping  through  their  home  countries.
$ UHEHO SUD\V DPLGVW FLYLO XQUHVW LQ /LE\D 1<7LPHV $Q HLJKW \HDU ROG JLUO ZDYHV DQ (J\SWLDQ Ă&#x20AC;DJ *XDUGLDQ $OOLHG ERPEV VWULNH *DGGDÂż OR\DOLVWV LQ /LE\D 1<7LPHV
&LWL]HQV RI <HPHQ DVN IRU SHDFH DW KRPH +XIÂżQJWRQ 3RVW ,UDQLDQV FDOO IRU MXVWLFH DW D SURWHVW LQ 7HKUDQ $%& $ FURZG RI \RXQJ SHRSOH OHDGV SURWHVWV LQ %DKUDLQ $3
Maryam  Jasim Iraq/Jordan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  still  confused  as  to  what  is  exactly  go- LQJ RQ VR , GRQÂśW UHDOO\ want  to  say  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  good  or  bad.â&#x20AC;?
7KH %XOO\¡V &KRLFH %\ -DVRQ 6KDQQRQ
 Mohsen  Behdashti  Iran
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  see  it  as  a  very  positive  movement  for  the  region.  I  think  the  North  African  countries  and  Middle  Eastern  countries  are  ¿JKWLQJ IRU WKHLU KRQRU UHVSHFW and  freedom.  I  think  Americans  and  the  international  community  should  support  the  movements-Â- it  will  make  a  big  difference.â&#x20AC;?
Fatima  Mohammed       Egypt â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  very  happy  Mubarack  is  not  in  power  anymore-Â-Âit  was  time  for  him  to  step  down.  I  think  Egypt  will  go  in  a  better  direction  without  his  control.  My  family  was  very  involved  in   some  of  the  protests  both  locally  and  in  Egypt.â&#x20AC;?
Spring  blooms  new  ways  to  live
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Niko  VS.  Cheerleaders
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Eco  friendly  tips  to  follow  during  the  Spring  season
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By  JACK  RODGERS STAFF WRITER
D
a v i d Bartkowiak²man of mystery. His quick wit, many talents, and sharp tongue have made him an icon to students. However, there is more to the man than just math, as Bartkowiak is also a professional photographer and plays in a rock band (just ask him for pictures). Next year, Mr. B plans to teach a Photography 2 class, which would be the level up after Photo 7R ÂşQG RXW more, Bartkowiak agreed to answer a few questions regarding the class, his life, and just what exactly heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been working on in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark room.
Q:
t h e y learn in Photo 1.
How long have you been a photographer?
Q:
A:
Where have you gone in the past to take pictures?
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been taking pictures for about 10 years.
Q:
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favorite part about being a photographer?
A
: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to Downtown H o u s t o n , d o w n t o w n A u s t i n , Galveston, just around the Houston area mostly. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to Florida and California and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken p i c t u r e s there, too.
A:
I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really paint or draw so it gives me a way to kind of have a creative outlet with out having to know how to do all of those things.
Q:
Why are you interested in doing a Photo 2 class?
Q:
Out of those, which was your favorite and why?
A:
I took 2 years of Photo in high school and I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a really good way for kids that are interested in photography learn more than just the basics
A I
: Actually, just like
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going to downtown Houston, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always something new there. California and Florida are really interesting, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to go and see everything because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there for so short a time you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really get an eye for whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there.
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your portrait business?
A:
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing that for about 4 years now.
Q
: What kind of QHZ DQG GLŇŹHUHQW techniques have you been trying in developing your pictures in the dark room?
A:
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying WR GR VRPH VWXŇŹ printing large prints for one thing. Most of the time when you get into the dark room : Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably at school youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to be only doing small an independent prints, 4x6, 8x10, study kind of and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just trying course where the to do some larger kids show up and prints, 16x20, work on their own 11x14. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also and when they need working on printing some instruction on things other they come in than paper, like GXULQJ P\ RŇŹ SHULRG tile, plexiglass, or something. marble, really anything but paper.
Q:
How would teaching a photography class balance out with your math classes?
A
Q:
How long have you been running
Tiger  band  fully  recovers . Underclassmen  take  charge  as  seniors  prepare  to  graduate
By  JULIE  BANG BUSINESS  MANAGER   When  a  strong  group  of  seniors  graduate,  uncertainty  arises.  The  story  began  with  last  yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  band  achievements.  They Â
became  concerned  that  nearly  one  third  of  the  band  would  graduate.    â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  a  huge  hit  for  the  band  because  all  the  seniors  who  left  were  very  skilled,â&#x20AC;?  junior  John  Nam  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  would  have  been  hard  to  recover  without  them.â&#x20AC;?
into  a  â&#x20AC;&#x153;recovery  yearâ&#x20AC;?.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our  overall  mission  was  to  revive  the  band  that  was  long  ago  one  of  the  best  in  the  state,â&#x20AC;?  senior  Grant  Bridges  said.   This  year  Zurbriggen  and  the  upperclassmen  have  been  preparing  the  young  majority  of  band  members Â
28767$1',1* /($'(56  Band  directors  Jeff  Munger  (left)  and  Donald  Zur- briggen  (right)  and  composer  John  Mackey  lead  the  Tiger  band  to  success. ZHUH DZDUGHG D ÂżUVW division  rating  in  all  three  UIL  competitions  IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ RYHU 10  years.  Looking  to  the  future,  band  members Â
..
  As  competition  got  easier  in  the  new  4A  district,  band  director,  Donald  Zurbriggen,  was  bothered  by  the  great  loss  of  seniors  as  they  headed Â
into  a  strong  competitive  group.  Surprisingly,  every  student  has  committed  to  this  recovery  by  attending  after  school  sectionals  and  practicing Â
on  their  own  for  hours.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  tough  due  to  the  lack  of  seniors  and  having  to  deal  with  a  lot  of  inexperienced  freshman,â&#x20AC;?  junior  Jose  Caballero  said.    Zurbriggen  and  the  members  pushed  themselves  in  order  to  earn  a  1st  division  rating.  Not  only  did  they  achieve  their  goal,  but  six  people  competed  at  the  4A  Area  E  competition  DQG ÂżYH ZHUH SODFHG in  All-ÂRegion  bands.    â&#x20AC;&#x153;This  year  because  of  Mr.Zâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  outstanding  leadership  and  guidance,  we  as  a  band  were  able  to  prevail,â&#x20AC;?  Caballero  said.   To  further  challenge  the  band,  Zurbriggen  chose  to  purchase  the  rights  for  the  band  to  play  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aurora  Awakesâ&#x20AC;?  composed  by  John  Mackey.  He  is  one  of  the  most  famous  composers  of  modern  times,  and  his  work  is  greatly  sought  after  by  All-ÂState  bands,  Drum  Crops,  and  universities. Âł%HLQJ D UDWKHU GLIÂżFXOW college  level  piece,  it  is  unlikely  to  be  played  at  a  high  school  level,â&#x20AC;?  Bridges  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;But  it  is  absolutely  gorgeous.â&#x20AC;?   This  complex  music  motivated  every Â
.
member  to  work  hard  heard  by  a  high  school  on  their  individual  band,â&#x20AC;?  Mackey  said. parts.  With  luck  in  their  After  setting  this  high Â
+,77,1* 7+( +,*+ 127(  Students  listen  as  John  Mackey  helps  the  Tiger  band  successfully  perform  his  piece  at  the  upcoming  UIL  competition.
hands,  Mackey  offered  to  help  the  tiger  band  in  a  clinic  surrounding.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having  John  Mackey  himself  come  to  listen  to  us  was  one  of  the  biggest  things  that  had  happened  to  us  this  year,â&#x20AC;?  Bridges  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe  even  the  biggest  thing  I  have  experienced  in  my  four  years  in  this  band.â&#x20AC;?   Day  after  day  and  months  of  practice,  the  hard  work  has  paid  off  when  they  heard  Mackeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  comment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This  was  the  best  performance  I  have Â
VWDQGDUG LQ WKH ÂżQH arts  department,  band  will  have  a  chance  to  go  to  the  4A  state  marching  competition  and  compete  against  the  best  4A  marching  bands  in  the  entire  state  this  fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every  single  one  of  us  in  band,  even  the  youngest  members,  are  incredibly  proud  of  all  of  our  accomplishments  this  past  year  and  are  anxious  to  see  what  the  future  holds  with  our  current  attitude,â&#x20AC;?  Bridges  said.
6WDUW ¿VKLQJ IRU 2PHJD Perserverance  continues Supplement  proves  to  increase  concentration
diet  on  performance  and  behavior  of  school  children,  including  investigating  and  -Â6    What  you  eat  or  donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  Omega-Â3  eat  can  affect  your  ¿VK RLO VXSSOHPHQWV health,  but  is  there  such    â&#x20AC;&#x153;The  government  is  a  thing  as  brain  food? committed  to  ensuring    Health  professionals  fear  that  students  do  not  get  enough  Omega  3  in  their  daily  diet.  Lack  of  these  nutrients  can  contribute  to  poor  children  are  learning  disorder  and  that  violence  in  the  classroom. provided  with  the  healthy  and  nutrients    As  a  result,  the  UK  food  government  is  debating  they  require  during  the  whether  students  should  school   day,  not  just  to  VWDUW WDNLQJ ÂżVK RLO aid  their  physical  health,  supplements  to  increase  but  to  ensure  they  can  their  brain  power,  and  study  hard  and  behave  improve  their  behavior  well,â&#x20AC;?  Johnson  said. and  ability  to  concentrate.  Omega-Â3  has  fatty  acids    The  Secretary  of  State  that  play  a  crucial  role  in  for  Education,  Alan  brain-Âcell  development.  A  Johnson,  has  been  neuroscientist,  Professor  conducting  research  John  Stein  of  Magdalen  that  looks  at  the  College  in  Oxford  said  effect  of  nutrition  and  it  is  Omega-Â3  that  By  JULIE  BANG BUSINESS  MANAGER
has  a  clear  effect  on  childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  brain  function.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;The  most  striking  thing  is  the  ability  to  concentrate.  It  doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  change  the  fundamental  intelligence  of  children.  But  if  you  canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  concentrate  and  are Â
Omega-Â3  has  fatty  acids  that  play  a  crucial  role  in  brain-Âcell  development.
FISH Â OIL Â IMPROVES
Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arthritis Anti-aging Eyesight Depression Heart  Problems -RĂ&#x20AC;EQQEXMSR Pregnancy Schizophrenia
Is  There  a  Downside?
Allergic  reactions Bad  breath Nausea Loss  of  blood  clotting  ability Low  blood  pressure Thin  blood
ÂżGJHWLQJ DOO WKH WLPH LWÂśV hard  to  study,â&#x20AC;?  Stein  said. 2QH RI WKH EHQHÂżFLDULHV was  Mark  Hall,  14,  a  formerly  disruptive  student  who  found  it  GLIÂżFXOW WR FRQFHQWUDWH in  class.  Now  16,  he  still  WDNHV WKH ÂżVK RLO FDSVXOHV   â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  found  they  really  did  help  me  focus.  My  grades  have  improved.â&#x20AC;?  Hall  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before,  I  was  easily  distracted.  Anything  could  catch  my  attention  now.â&#x20AC;? Â
Alternatives  and  Replacements Krill  Algae
Flaxseed  oil Hempseed Walnuts
Senior  Rosa  Ibarguen  battles  on  again  with  cancer
is  a  great  motivation.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;My  family  was  in  shock  just  like  I  was,  but  we  all  embraced  it  together,â&#x20AC;?  Ibarguen  said.      Just  when  everything    Last  year  Ibarguen  seemed  to  be  going  was  going  through  back  to  normal,  a  the  same  situation  but  sudden  change  in  the  she  was  still  a  high  body  system  changed  school  student  who  still  everything  back  to  had  one  more  year  to  how  it  was,  and  life  complete  in  high  school.  takes  a  different  Now  the  situation  differs  path  once  again.  because  Ibarguen  is  a    Having  recovered  senior  and  like  most  kids  from  cancer  not  too  the  next  step  is  college. long  ago  and  having      â&#x20AC;&#x153;With  the  program  been  able  to  say  that  Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  involved  in,  I  will  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  am  cancer  free,â&#x20AC;?  make  recommended  Rosa  Ibarguen  was  requirements.  As  far  recently  diagnosed  as  college,  I  will  be  with  leukemia  for  attending  school  and  I  the  second  time  in  have  been  accepted  to  less  than  a  year. Tyler,  Blinn,  HCC,  and    Ibarguen  came  back  I  am  working  closely  to  school  having  with  SFA.  But  it  is  all  recovered  from  a  long  going  to  depend  on  my  battle  with  leukemia.  health  whether  I  attend  She  was  ready  to  complete  her  senior  KEEP  SMILING:  Regard- WKH ÂżUVW VHPHVWHU RU year  along  with  her  less   of  hard  situations,  Rosa  not,â&#x20AC;?  Ibarguen  said.   With  so  much  ahead  friends  and  enjoy  her  last  year  at  Spring  Ibarguen  keeps  her  spirit  up. of  her,  Ibarguen  is  motivated  to  defeat  this  Woods.  Though  everything  seemed  in  her  life,  Ibarguen  was  battle  and  win  it  for  the  to  be  better,  her  daily  admitted  to  the  hospital  second  time.  Though  checkups  still  had  to  be  the  very  next  day. being  in  the  hospital  may  done  just  to  make  sure    Ibarguen  had  to  leave  get  overwhelming  for  her  health  was  stable.  school  again  in  the  middle  her  at  times,  she  does    â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  one  of  my  of  her  senior  year  to  start  not  lose  her  positive  on  things. annual  check  ups  and  the  process  of  her  cure. outlook  during  the  check  up    â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  very    â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall  it  does  suck,  the  lab  results  came  RYHUZKHOPLQJ DW ÂżUVW but  I  know  God  is  back   and  it   showed  a  because  all  I  could  think  using  this  on  me  for  a  blast  in  the  white  blood  was  â&#x20AC;&#x153;NOT  THIS  AGAIN,  reason,â&#x20AC;?  Ibarguen  said. cells,â&#x20AC;?  Ibarguen  said  I  donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  wanna  go  through  $ WUXH ÂżJKWHU IRU OLIH while  explaining  how  this  again,â&#x20AC;?  Ibarguen  said. Ibarguen  should  be  she  found  out  that  the    Ibarguen  is  now  stable  the  example  for  many. same  type  of  leukemia  in  the  hospital  with  was  present  again. high  spirits  and  the    With  the  devastating  company  of  her  family  news  of  cancer  back  By  DAYANA  IZA STAFF  WRITER
Albums  to  anticipate  in  2011
by  Cade  Bundrick
Panic!  At  the  Disco Vices  and  Virtues  (March)
Beastie  Boys Hot  Sauce  Committee  (Spring) Â
Panic  At  the  Disco  has  been  through  more  stress  than  most  bands  and  is  able  to  counter  it  with  their  brand  new  release  set  for  March  31st.  The  EDQGÂśV ÂżUVW DQG VHFRQG UHOHDVH reached  top  10  on  the  Billboard  200  charts,  creating  a  lot  of  expected  hype  for  their  third  follow  up.  During  production  last  year,  half  of  the  band  quit,  causing  a  huge  delay  of  the  album.  The  remainder  of  the  band,  singer  Brendon  Urie  and  drummer  Spencer  Smith,  were  forced  to  go  on  without  them  and  have  done  so.  The  bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  release  is  expected  to  continue  on  schedule  and  will  hopefully  put  the  band  back  on  the  map  where  they  were  at  the  release  of  their  last  two  albums.  The  band  has  already  released  one  single  off  of  the  album  entitled  â&#x20AC;&#x153;The  Ballad  of  Mona  Lisa.â&#x20AC;?
Nearly  four  years  after  their  most  recent  album,  the  Beastie  Boys  DUH VHWWOLQJ RQ WKH ÂżQDO SURGXFWLRQV of  their  newest  release  and  have  decided  to  come  out  with  two  new  albums  this  year.  These  albums,  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hot  Sauce  Committee  part  1  and  2,â&#x20AC;?  have  been  through  a  complicated  sequence  of  creation  DQG ZLOO EH ÂżQLVKHG E\ $SULO as  stated  by  band  member  Adam  â&#x20AC;&#x153;MCAâ&#x20AC;?  Yauch  in  an  interview  with  Spin  magazine.  The  album  was  initially  delayed  because  of  Yauchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  cancer  diagnoses  as  well  as  the  FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW RI VSOLWWLQJ XS RQH ODUJH album  into  two  albums,  but  the  band  seems  to  be  back  on  the  ball  and  continuing  the  scheduled  release  of  their  albums.  A  follow  up  tour  has  been  announced  to  occur  after  the  release  of  the  album.
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Razor  back  tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  and  tanks  are  in!  Get  a  simple  razor  back  to  create  a  more  eligant  look  for  yourself.   -ÂUr- EDQ 2XWÂżWWHUV IRU $14.99
Red  Hot  Chili  Peppers  Dr.  Jonny  Skinz's  Disproportion- ally  Rambunctious  Polar  Express  Machine-ÂHead  (May/June) After  a  hiatus,  the  Red  Hot  Chili  Peppers  have  been  trying  to  re- vive  their  sound  and  create  a  new  album,  but  without  John  Frusciante  on  guitar.  They  have  replaced  Fr- usciante  with  a  friend  of  the  band,  Josh  Klinghoffer,  and  are  hoping  to  evolve  their  sound  into  some- thing  even  more  dynamic  than  their  last  studio  album  'Stadium  Arca- dium.'  The  band,  while  on  hiatus,  has  learned  more  about  music  and  sought  out  new  forms  of  inspiration.  This  album  is  quite  possibly  their  most  anticipated  album  because  of  their  lineup  change  and  their  sup- posed  new  sound  that  singer  An- thony  Kiedis  has  bragged  about  for  over  a  year  now.  The  album  is  set  to  release  sometime  this  year.
Blink  182 To  Be  Announced  (TBA) After  being  disbanded  from  2003  to  2009,  Blink  182  announced  at  the  51st  Grammies  that  they  would  be  reuniting  and  creating  a  new  album  together  after  a  tour  in  2010.  The  band  went  on  tour  with  some  heavy-Âweight  names  such  as  Weezer  and  Fall  Out  Boy.  Now,  it  is  2011  and  we  are  still  waiting.  7KH\ KDYH RIÂżFLDOO\ VWDWHG WKDW WKH album  is  due  some  time  this  year,  EXW LW LV PRVW GHÂżQLWHO\ JRLQJ WR EH the  best  come  back  album  of  the  decade.  The  direction  of  the  album  is  said  to  be  a  revival  of  their  origi- nal  style,  but  is  supposed  to  incor- porate  some  musical  ideas  that  have  been  created  by  other  bands  while  Blink  182  was  away.  Wher- ever  their  direction  is  headed,  we  can  only  hope  that  it  is  some- thing  new  that  we  can  all  enjoy.
Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  go  wrong  with  a  classic  v-Âneck  tee.  Add  some  color  to  your  Spring  wardrobe.  8UEDQ 2XWÂżWWHUV $14.00 Â
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Who  is  Esperanza  Spalding?
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Despite  criticism,  this  grammy  winner  deserved  the  title
Q:  Do  you  have  a  fun  spring  break  story?  If  so,  what  did  you  do? Hannah  Speck  (11th):  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  went  to  the  beach  with  my  best  friend  and  it  was  the  cloudiest  day  of  spring  break,  but  we  made  the  most  of  it.  We  went  shopping  and  she  introduced  me  to  salt- water  taffy.  Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  pretty  good!â&#x20AC;? Savannah  Stoneham  (9th):  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Me  and  my  parents  took  my  new  baby  brother  to  see  my  90  year  old  grand- ma  in  Conroe.  I  end  up  falling  asleep  with  him  which  was  sweet  until  my  dad  woke  me  up  to  feed  him.â&#x20AC;? Gus  Duran  (12th):  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  went  to  a  party  at  a  huge  house  with  my  boy  Jeff.  There  was  a  lot  of  cool  stuff  there,  like  a  pool  and  D Ă&#x20AC;DWVFUHHQ 79 ULJKW by  it.  I  got  to  know  a  lot  of  people  that  night,  it  was  awe- some.â&#x20AC;? Adam  Tutt  10th):  â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  slept  in  the  back  of  my  truck  basi- cally  the  whole  spring  break  with  my  friends.  We  had  a  lot  of  fun  out  at  the  Ad- dicks  Reservoir.â&#x20AC;?
By  JESSICA  JONES STAFF  WRITER   After  the  award  ceremony  was  over,  people  were  still  buzzing  about  the  recipient  of  the  Best  New  Artist  Grammy.  How  could  this  seemingly  unknown  artist  beat  out  big  names  like  Justin  Bieber  and  Drake?  They  may  be  interesting  and  talented,  but  they  do  not  measure  up  when  compared  to  Spaldingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  musical  ability  and  eccentric  life.     Not  only  does  this  jazz  artist  sing,  she  composes  her  own  music  and  plays  the  upright  bass  as  well.  Her  natural  beauty  combined  with  her  hypnotic  voice  makes  her  a  strong  force  in  the  instrumental  music  world.  At  only  25  years  old,  VXFFHVV KDV DOUHDG\ ÂżOOHG her  life,  but  things  were  not  always  so  spectacular  for  her.   Spalding  grew  up  in  Portland,  Oregon,  living  in  a  one  parent  home  where  money  was  tight.  She  learned  that  life  was  GLIÂżFXOW DW D \RXQJ DJH but  pressed  through  with  support  from  her  role  model  to  this  day  -Â-  her  mother.  She  was  not  very  good  at  school  and  often  found  herself  distracted  in  class.  When  she  got  sick  as  a  child  and  was  home  schooled  in  the  meantime,  she  felt  as  if  she  couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  go  back.     â&#x20AC;&#x153;It  was  just  hard  for  PH WR ÂżW LQWR D VHWWLQJ where  I  was  expected  to  sit  in  a  room  and  swallow  everything  that  was  being  fed  to  me,â&#x20AC;?  she  recalls.  ³2QFH , ÂżJXUHG RXW ZKDW it  was  like  to  be  home- schooled  and  basically  VHOI WDXJKW , FRXOGQÂśW ÂżW
back  into  the  traditional  environment.â&#x20AC;?     Despite  problems  with  school,  she  never  faced  troubles  with  music.  She  knew  it  was  her  passion  when  she  was  only  four  years  old  w a t c h i n g  m u s i c i a n  Yo  Yo  Ma  p e r f o r m  on  Mister  R o g e r â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s  N e i g h - b o r h o o d .  That  same  year,  she  t a u g h t  h e r s e l f  how  to  play  the  v i o l i n  w e l l  e n o u g h  to  land  her  a  spot  in  The  Chamber  M u s i c  Society  of  O r e g o n .  After  ten  years  with  the  group  at  age  15,  she  was  evaluated  to  a  con- certmaster  p o s i t i o n .  By  this time,  she  was  tired  of  playing  classical  m u s i c  and  was ready  for  new  pur- suits  and a  new instru- ment. Picking  up  the  bass  and  taking  it with  her,
S p a l d i n g  enrolled  at  Portland  State  Univer- sity.  She  was  the  young- e s t  player Â
bass Â
t h e r e  and  re- m e m b e r s  feeling  less   than  her  peers.  She  moved  down  the  coast  to  Berklee  C o l l e g e  of  Music  w h e r e  t h i n g s  r e a l l y  took Â
Â
off  for  her  after  she  earned  a  B.M.  and  did  some  networking.  Her  ¿UVW DOEXP Esperanza,  was  the  best  selling  album  by  a  jazz  artist  internationally  in  2008.  The  New  York  Times  raved,  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Esperanza  has  got  a  lot:  accomplished  jazz  improvisation,  funk,  scat  singing,  Brazilian  vernacular  rhythm  and vocals  in  English,  Portuguese  and  Spanish. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  a  female  bassist,  singer  and  bandleader,  one  whose  talent  is  beyond  question.â&#x20AC;?    The  albumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  success  promoted  Spalding  to  new  heights.  She  appeared  on  late  night  talk  shows,  National  Public  Radio,  a  Banana  Republic  ad,  and  performed  twice  at  the  White  House.  Her  presence  was  seen  and  heard  at  numerous  festivals.  Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  no  surprise  that  when  her  second  album,  Chamber  Music  Society,  dropped  in  August  2010,  her  fame  grew  exponentially.  Her  newest  album  incorporated  jazz,  folk,  and  world  music  into  the  enduring  foundations  of  classical  chamber  traditions.   Even  though  sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  done  so  much,  people  still  donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  seem  to  appreciate  Spalding.   But  they  should.  Her  raw  talent  and  unique  approach  make  her  an  important  player  in  the  music  world  today.  So  stop  the  hate  and  check  out  the  Grammy  winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  amazing  talents. Â
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National  budget  hurts  education SBISD  could  lose  $40  billion  in  funding  due  to  state  budget
By  SAMANTHA  SOLIS STAFF  WRITER
Order  your  yearbook  TODAY!
Prices  go  up  to  $70  on  May  1st! Place  your  order  in  room  237.
     For  WKH SDVW F R X S O H o f  months,  all  of  our  teachers  h a v e  b e e n  t a l k i n g  about  how  the  budget  is  going  to  affect  the  district,  the  school,   and  the  students  in  the  next  two  years.  SBISD  is  H[SHFWLQJ WR ORVH PLOOLRQV of  dollars  in  the  coming  months  due  to  the  stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  DWWHPSW WR EDODQFH WKH budget,  forcing  some  PDMRU RSHUDWLQJ FXWV throughout  the  district.     The  lack  of  funding  is  going  to  have  many  negative  effects  on  the  students  in  this  district  in  all  areas,  including  larger  class  sizes.  Some  teachers  will  be  forced  to  changed  their  teaching  style  to  accommodate  the  growth  of  students  in  their  classrooms.  As  a  result  of  this,  students  who  require  some  extra  attention  or  KHOS WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH OHVVRQ ZLOO EH SXVKHG aside  to  ensure  the  majority  of  the  class  knows  what  is  going  on.  This  will  greatly  contradict  the  â&#x20AC;&#x153;No  Child  Left  Behindâ&#x20AC;?  act  the  district  has  been  trying  to  enforce  over Â
the  last  few  years.  7R SXW LQWR QXPEHUV 6%,6' LV H[SHFWLQJ to  lose  somewhere  between  $20  and   $40  million  as  a  result  of  the  stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  $15  billion  short  fall.  A  majority  of  the  PRQH\ VSHQW \HDUO\ LV RQ SD\UROO IRU IDFXOW\ DQG with  budget  cuts  in  mind,  the  number  of  teachers  in  the  district  will  decrease,  leaving  students  to  deal Â
costs  such  as  water  and  health  insurance  UDWHV WR KHOS RII VHW WKH major  lack  of  funding.       The  much  hated  TAKS  test  that  all  students  have  come  to  know  will  soon  be  a  thing  of  WKH SDVW 6WDUWLQJ QH[W year,  the  states  new  DFFRXQWDELOLW\ SURJUDP STAAR,  will  be  taking  its  SODFH VWDUWLQJ ZLWK WKH class  of  2015.  The  new Â
going  to  be  given  hard  curriculum  and  tests,  but  will  have  no  money  to  learn  the  material.      However,  there  may  be  D VROXWLRQ WKDW FDQ KHOS HDVH WKH SDLQ WKURXJKRXW the  state  with  the  Rainy  Day  fund.  This  fund  is  set  XS WR KHOS 7H[DV SUHYHQW RU HOLPLQDWH D WHPSRUDU\ FDVK GH¿FLHQF\ LQ general  revenue.  By  WDSSLQJ LQWR WKLV IXQG WKDW
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basically,  students  are  going  to  be  given  harder  curriculum  and  tests,  but  will  have  no  money  to  learn  the  material.â&#x20AC;? with  the  larger  classes.  How  exactly  is  the  district  going  to  manage  with  this  loss?  Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  going  WR EH KDUG EXW KRSHIXOO\ the  studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;  education  does  not  suffer  much  as  a  result  of  the  economic  issues  the  state  and  the  country  is  facing.      Our  district  wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  be  the  only  one  facing  such  a  huge  budget  cut.  In  HISD,  the  largest  district  in  the  state,  WKH\ DUH H[SHFWLQJ D $171  million  cut  in  their  budget  for  the  next  two  years,  leaving  the  district  to  cut  $80  million  dollars  from  teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  salaries  and  raising Â
WHVWV ZLOO EH VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ more  rigorous  than  SUHYLRXV WHVWV DQG will  measure  a  childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  SHUIRUPDQFH DV ZHOO DV academic  growth.  With  WKLV QHZ WHVW LQ SODFH the  materials  needed  to  learn  all  the  given  material  is  going  to  require  new  textbooks  WR UHSODFH WKH PDQ\ RXW dated  ones  used  in  many  subjects.  However,  there  is  NO  money  for  them.  With  the  huge  shortfall  WKH VWDWH LV H[SHFWLQJ to  see,  there  is  no  way  IRU WKH VWDWH WR SURYLGH new  textbooks  to  the  4.6  PLOOLRQ SXEOLF VFKRROV Basically,  students  are Â
contains  just  about  $9.4  billion,  the  state  would  be  able  to   maintain  the  amount  of  money  it  gives  schools  yearly.  Sounds  like  a  no  brainer,  right?  We  could  use  the  Rainy  'D\ IXQG WR KHOS ZLWK WKH $15  billion  loss  the  state  LV H[SHFWLQJ WR VHH EXW WKLV LV VLPSO\ D SROLWLFDO choice.  This  action  requires  two-Âthirds  of  the  state  legislature  for  this  WR EH SXW LQWR HIIHFW EXW in  Austin,  Governor  Rick  Perry  is  highly  against  XVLQJ WKLV PRQH\ WR KHOS the  state.  With  that  being  said,  I  just  have  one  question,  if  the  money  is  there,  why  not  use  it?
Blaming  the  victim . 6WXGHQWVœ SHUIRUPDQFH RYHUORRNHG DV WHDFKHUV WDNH KHDW
By  MATTHEW  MCCONN more  AP  classes,  â&#x20AC;&#x153;then  GUEST  WRITER there  would  be  more  likely  a  larger  number  RI SHRSOH´ SDVVLQJ 5H-  In  my  ally?  According  to  my  c l a s s ,  grade  book,  adding  more  f i n a l  $3 FODVVHV DW 6SULQJ d r a f t s  Woods  would  only  de- of  es- FUHDVH WKH SDVVLQJ UDWH s a y s   Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  not  saying  a r e  that  Cade  doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  make  m a j o r  VRPH VROLG SRLQWV , t e s t  agree  that  all  teachers,  grades,  including  myself,  can  so  when  they  are  due  FHUWDLQO\ ÂżQG DUHDV RI LP- youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d  think  that  the  SURYHPHQW $Q\ VLQFHUH rate  of  return  would  be  UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ ZLOO WHOO D WHDFK- high.  However,  just  last  er  that  he  or  she  can  do  week,  only  half  of  my  better.  And  I  agree  that  students  turned  in  the  UDLVLQJ WKH H[SHFWDWLRQV ÂżQDO GUDIW RI DQ DQDO\VLV will  only  raise  the  level  of  weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d  been  working  on  in  SHUIRUPDQFH +RZHYHU class.  Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  interesting  Mr.  Bundrick  fails  to  in- to  note,  though,  is  that  FOXGH WKH PRVW LPSRU- WKLV ÂżIW\ SHUFHQW UHWXUQ tant  element  in  student  of  homework  came  from  success:  the  student. English  III  AP  students. 6SULQJ :RRGV  Clarifying  that  High  School  is  not  short  it  was  my  AP  sections  on  AP  classes;Íž  instead,  LV LPSRUWDQW EHFDXVH I  would  argue  that  the  ,ÂśP UHVSRQGLQJ WR &DGH AP  students  lack  a  cer- Bundrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  article  in  the  tain  level  of  intellectual  Regit  titled  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our  School  curiosity.  Students  are  Lacks  AP  Courses:  What  enrolled  in  AP  classes  LV 6WRSSLQJ 2XU 6XF- because  they  want  to  cess.â&#x20AC;?  Mr.  Bundrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  be  with  their  friends,  article  attacks  the  in- or  because  they  think  WHJULW\ RI 6SULQJ :RRGVÂś it  â&#x20AC;&#x153;looks  goodâ&#x20AC;?  on  tran- $3 SURJUDP 0RUHRYHU VFULSWV 5DUHO\ GR , FRPH he  claims  that  if  we  had  across  students  who Â
LISTENING  OR  LEARNING?:  Juniors  in  Lora  Clayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  AP  US  History  class  take  notes  over  the  modern  era.
are  sitting  in  AP  classes  for  the  sheer  intellectual  FKDOOHQJH RI JUDSSOLQJ ZLWK PRUH FRPSOH[ LV- sues  and  learning  new  VNLOOV ,Q P\ RSLQLRQ this  lack  of  concern  for  learning  is  the  true  cul- SULW EHKLQG WKH PLQLPXP offerings  of  AP  classes.  But  this  is  not  an Â
attack  on  the  students  here,  nor  is  this  some- WKLQJ XQLTXH WR 6SULQJ Woods.  Across  the  na- WLRQ ZH DUH SODJXHG ZLWK DSDWK\ LQ RXU VFKRROV Not  that  this  is  an  ex- cuse  for  our  kids,  but  it  is  something  that  needs  to  be  addressed.  The  media  loves  to  tout  the Â
shortcomings  of  our  edu- cation  system  and,  more  VSHFLÂżFDOO\ WKH WHDFK- ers.  (I  even  remember  a  few  years  ago  another  student  here  wrote  an  article  in  the  Regit  simi- lar  to  Cadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.)  So  if  we  listen  to  the  news  and  the  common  theme  of  VWXGHQW RS HGV LQ WKH
Regit,  then  this  refusal  WR WDNH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ for  your  own  education  seems  to  be  the  stan- GDUG SURWRFRO ZKHQ education  falls  short.  So  I  leave  it  to  \RX &DGH DQG 6SULQJ Woods  High  School.  The  ball  is  in  your  court,  DQG LI \RX ZDQW WR SOD\ in  the  Big  Dance,  then  youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  going  to  have  to  VWHS XS \RXU JDPH ,ÂśP not  going  to  ask  that  you  start  getting  your  home- work  done.  Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  not  ask- ing  that  you  start  to  read  the  assignments  outside  of  class.  What  Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m  ask- ing  is  that  you  start  tak- LQJ UHVSRQVLELOLW\ IRU \RXU learning.  If  you  have  some  intellectual  curios- ity,  then  your  homework  will  be  done  (on-Âtime,  even).  Have  some  in- tellectual  curiosity  and  I  guarantee  more  AP  classes  will  be  offered.  $QG PRUH LPSRUWDQWO\ a  focus  on  learning  will  guarantee  that  AP  stu- GHQWV DW 6SULQJ :RRGV High  School  will  actually  be  successful  in  our  cur- rent  AP  classes  or  any  K\SRWKHWLFDO QHZ RQHV
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Respect  goes  down  hill 2010  REGIT  STAFF Students take freedom of speech to its limit
By  SAM  LOPEZ STAFF  WRITER         Free- dom  of  speech  may  be  a  good  t h i n g ,  but  over  passing  y e a r s  it  seems  that  it  has  taken  on  a  whole  new  toll.  Within  schools  and  even  outside  of  school,  you  may  be  surprised  by  some  of  the  things  you  hear  middle  school  and  high  school  stu- dents  say  while  walking  around  with  their  friends.       Many  teachers  strug- gle  with  the  back  talk  and  plain  disrespect  of  stu- dents  who  take  the  term  â&#x20AC;&#x153;freedom  of  speechâ&#x20AC;?  to  a  whole  different  level.  It  seems  to  me  that  a  lot  of  students  think  that  it's  cool  to  belittle  teachers  and  afterwards  feel  as  if  they've  succeeded  in  something  worth  brag- ging  about.  Teachers  are  people  too,  whether  you  want  to  accept  that  fact  or  not,  they  have  feel- ings  and  emotions  and  unfortunately  they  are  not  allowed  to  let  that  show  with  their  students.  If  I  were  a  teacher,  I'd Â
lose  my  mind  trying  to  tolerate  the  rude  atti- tudes  of  some  students.      It  is  often  forgotten  that  freedom  of  speech  is  a  luxuryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one  that  is  increasingly  being  taken  advantage  of.  It's  kind  of  ironic  how  students  feel  they  can  back  talk  teach- ers,  but  they  expect  re- spect  in  exchange.  Now  how  does  that  work  out? Â
respect  to.  Probably  more  than  half  of  the  stu- dents  in  school  wouldn't  make  it  as  teachers  because  their  string  of  patience  is  so  thin.  Al- though  I  can  admit  that  some  teachers  also  have  the  patience  of  a  16  year  old,  you  got  to  give  some  teachers  credit  for  all  they  put  up  with.    Teachers  aren't  out Â
It  is  often  forgotten  that  free- dom  of  speech  is  a  luxuryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one  that  is  increasingly  being  taken  advantage  of. It  doesn't.  This  reoccur- ring  circle  of  disrespect  can  only  stop  if  you  want  it  to  stop.  For  some,  it  might  be  a  game,  but  for  others  it's  more  about  when  and  when  not  to  speak  your  mind.  This  may  not  always  be  the  FDVH EXW LW GHÂżQLWHO\ LV an  issue  that  I  have  yet  to  see  any  improvement  of.       I've  sat  in  classrooms  with  students  that  don't  seem  to  give  a  care  in  the  world  about  whether  or  not  they  come  off  as  ignorant.  If  anything,  teachers  should  be  the  ones  you  show  the  most Â
to  get  you  or  plan  sick  schemes  to  ruin  your  life,  they  do  precisely  what  their  jobs  are  meant  for;Íž  they  teach,  so  if  you  take  time  out  of  their  teach- ing,  that  only  puts  your  education  behind.  Now  I  don't  know  about  you,  but  I  want  to  get  the  edu- cation  I  came  for.  No- body  really  likes  waking  up  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  go  to  school,  so  make  it  enjoyable.  You  don't  want  to  wake  up  every  morning  dread- ing  the  idea  of  school. Â
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Kelley Kim BUSINESS MANAGER: Julie Bang STAFF WRITERS: Alexander Reyes, Chelsea Rodriguez, Dayana Iza, Jack Rodgers, Jason Shannon, Jessica Jones, JJ Gonzalez, Niko Corbin, Sam Lopez, Cade Bundrick Samantha Solis Advisor: Pam Karter
  The  Regit  is  published  monthly  by  the  newspaper  staff  as  a  public  forum  for  the  student  community.   The  staff  reserves  the  right  to  choose  the  content  of  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  writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  view.   Letters  to  the  editor  are  welcomed  from Â
any  Regit  reader.   Letters  will  be  checked  for  grammar,  accuracy,  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-Â3239.   Advertisement  may  be  faxed  to  the  Regit  at  (713)  365-Â4474.
Fundraiser for JJ Gonzalez Raulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  Ice  House 3905  Harrisburg Houston,  Texas  77003 Saturday,  April  16th 11:00  AM  ~  5:00pm
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$7  Bar-ÂB-ÂQ  Plates *HW \RXU WLFNHWV IURP WKH WK JUDGH RIÂżFH Ms.  Zepeda  or  Ms.  Austin
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Good  book  has  answers Bible  clears  issues  on  homosexuality  in  the  Church
By  ALEX  SANCHEZ STAFF  WRITER Homo- s e x u a l - ity  has  a l w a y s  been  a  sensitive  or  â&#x20AC;&#x153;hotâ&#x20AC;?  topic  to  bring  up  in  the  media.  When  it  comes  to  homosexuality  and  Christianity,  the  topic  becomes  even  more  controversial.  Yes,  we  all  have  the  right  to  believe  in  what  we  want  and  love  w h o m - ever  we  want  (at  least  in  our  country),  but  in  the  end,  it's  one  or  the  other  that  we  must  choose.    People  who  take  the  time  to  study  or  read  the  Bible  with  some  com- prehension  will  see  that  Christianity  and  homo- sexuality  are  quite  the  sinful  combination.  This  isn't  meant  to  judge  or  condemn  anybody  be- cause  of  their  lifestyle,  but  to  provide  some  guidance  for  those  who  feel  that  homosexuality  is  okay  with  the  Bible.   One  of  the  issues  that  I  see  today  is  that  people  tend  to  look  for  answers  from  popular  religious  advocates,  such  as  the Â
Pope  or  mega-Âchurch  leaders  like  Joel  Osteen,  and  others  of  the  sort.  On  Osteen's  interview  for  Piers  Morgan  Tonight,  when  asked  if  homosex- uality  was  a  sin,  Osteen  stated  that  according  to  the  Bible,  it  is.   It  was  WKH ÂżUVW WLPH WKDW KH KDG declared  this  on  nation- al   television,  making  it  quite  the  controversial  interview  of  the  week.    What  bothered  me  the  most  about  the  inter- view,  was  the  fact  that  Osteen  was  not  as  pre-Â
several  interpretations  of  it,  inside  lies  the  truth.    Many  will  also  argue  that  homosexuality  is  an  innate  quality,  or  will  re- sort  to  the  idea  that  God  created  people  with  ho- mosexual  tendencies.  While  there  has  been  research  on  whether  or  not  genetics  is  the  cause  of  a  person  becoming  homosexual,  the  proof  remains  ambiguous. Traumatic  experiences,  HQYLURQPHQWDO LQĂ&#x20AC;XHQF- es,  and  even  curiosity  are  all  common  catalysts  to  choos- ing  a  gay  l i f e s t y l e ,  but  as  far  as  scientif- ic  research  is  con- cerned,  ge- netics  has  failed  to  prove  itself   a  worthy  contender.   Ultimately,  there  is  no  cure  to  homosexuality,  nor  is  it  something  that  FDQ EH ³¿[HG´ (YHU\- one  has  the  right  to  live  how  they  please  and  do  what  they  want.  A  ho- mosexual  person  can  be  a  Christian,  but  must  also  acknowledge  that  their  lifestyle  is  a  sin- ful  one  according  to  the  scripture.  While  deny- ing  or  disagreeing  with  certain  parts  of  the  Bil- ble  may  defeat  the  pur- pose  of  believing  in  the  ¿UVW SODFH LW DOO FRPHV down  to  what  we  feel  is  right  for  ourselves.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christianity  and  homosexuality  are  quite  the  sinful  combination.â&#x20AC;? pared  as  he  should  have  been.  Having  the  pastor  of  the  largest  church  in  the  country  stating  that  he  â&#x20AC;&#x153;simply  did  not  knowâ&#x20AC;?  the  answers  to  several  questions,  and  admit- ting  that  he  had  never  attended  sermon,  was  a  bit  embarrassing  to  say  the  least.  But  then  again,  the  size  of  a  church  does  not  determine  the  knowledge  of  the  pastor.   While  these  responses  or  failure  to  clearly  re- spond  to  homosexuality  in  the  Church  may  be  interesting  and  entertain- ing  to  a  certain  extent,  Christians  must  not  for- get  that  the  Bible  does  exist,  and  while  there  are Â
Varsity  baseball  faces  new  challenges 1HZ GLVWULFW SURYHV WR EH PRUH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WKDQ H[SHFWHG
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New Season, Old Story
Ailing  softball  team  seeks  playoffs
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By  JJ  GONZALEZ COLUMNIST L a s t  s e a s o n  w a s  d i ff i c u l t  for  the  A s t r o s  and  their  fans  to  w a t c h .  They  began  0-Â8  and  pretty  much  never  looked  back,  ending  76-Â86.  A  major  problem  last  year  were  general  managers  Ed  Wade  and  Drayton  McClain  not  wanting  to  spend  money  to  bring  young  players  over,  which  kept  the  aging  team  in  a  dismal  position.  There  was  absolutely  no  player  on  the  team  who  showed  leadership  on  WKH ÂżHOG 7KH RQO\ WKLQJ good  about  last  year  was  obtaining  prospects  from  the  Philadelphia  Phillies  and  New  York  Yankees  trades.   This  year,  like  every  other  year,  the  Astrosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;  IURQW RIÂżFH EHOLHYHV that  they  can  make  a  playoff  push  and  that  the  season  will  be  a  good  one.  Yes  they  have  gone  younger,  but  it  still  feels  like  they  lack  the  consistency  to  last  through  all  162  games.  The  season  is  long  and  GLIÂżFXOW )URP ZKHUH things  stand,  there  are  no  play  makers  and  the  pitching  rotation  remains  a  big  question.  Starters  Wandy  Rodriguez,  J.A  Happ,  and  Brett  Myers  are  going  to  have  to  step  it  up  this  year  as  they  will  mostly  likely  be  the  one,  two,  and  three  slots.   If  things  were  to  go  right,  this  is  what  would  need  to  happen.  2XWÂżHOGHU +XQWHU 3HQFH has  a  chance  to  show  the  organization  that  he  can  be  the  leader  of  the  team.  Being  the  most  solid  and  consistent  player,  it  will  be  vital  that  he  has  the  best  season  of  his  career.  This  would  mean  he  has  to  ¿QDOO\ KLW RYHU KRPH runs,  strike  out  less,  show  good  chemistry  with  his  teammates,  and  drive  in  the  runs.   Carlos  Lee  will  need  to  have  a  comeback  season,  which  he  is  looking  for.  In  order  for  his  comeback  to  work,  he  will  have  to  get  his  speed  EDFN LQ WKH RXWÂżHOG JHW back  his  power  and  stay  healthy.  The  bullpen  will  have  to  stop  giving  away  close  leads  as  they  so  often  did  last  year.  It  was  awful  watching  so  many  leads  being  blasted  away.  The  bullpen  at  this  point  still  looks  shaky  and  the  only  thing  spring  training  has  showed  us  is  the  continued  lack  of  consistency  they  have.   As  the  season  begins,  we  can  only  hope  the  Astros  do  not  disappoint  so  early,  otherwise  the  team  will  lose  even  more  fans  at  the  games.
are  doing  the  best  that       The  team  seems  to  are  doing  their  best  to  WKHLU FRQÂżGHQFH IDGH we  can  do,â&#x20AC;?  Coach  Brian  be  up  against  challenges  bring  home  the  gold.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;We  havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  been  performing  very  well,â&#x20AC;?  Keefe  said.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;We  have  been    Tiger  baseball  is  practicing  well  half-Âway  through  and  hitting  well  the  season  and  they  and  all  of  that,  face  new  struggles  but  baseball  is  just  as  expected.  a  funny  game.  It  Being  in  a  different  is  all  about   how  district  has  made  well  you  can  the  season  tough  perform  when  and  the  playing  those  lights  GLIÂżFXOW $JDLQVW QHZ come  on.â&#x20AC;?   opponents,  the  team  Although  the  is  at  a  wall  that  they  season  has  put  must  overcome.  a  damper  on   While  working  their  winning,  hard,  the  teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  it  has  not  put  determination  and  a  damper  on  effort  seem  to  not  their  spirits. be  paying  off  as    â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  feel  like  we  well  as  they  had  have  come  hoped.  While  they  together  more  are  practicing  well  as  a  team,  and  doing  great  on  but  there  is  WKH KRPH ÂżHOG WKH\ always  room  for  are  not  keeping  the  STRIKE-ÂOUT:  Junior  Corby  Sidebottom  winds  up  for  the  pitch. improvement,â&#x20AC;?  standard  when  it  junior  Clay  Brast  comes  to  game  time. said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;We  just   â&#x20AC;&#x153;We  are  very  inconsistent.  We  just  Keefe  said.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our  district  WKDW FDQÂśW EH Âż[HG E\ It  seems  that  the  team  need  to  be  able  to  play  at  havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  been  able  to  is  now  very  competitive  simply  practicing  harder.  LV KDYLQJ D GLIÂżFXOW our  full  potential  and  keep  generate  enough  runs,  and  you  have  to  play  your  The  tigers  have  entered  time  adjusting  to  the  our  head  in  the  game.â&#x20AC;? it  seems,  which  is  very  A-Âgame  every  game  you  the  ballpark  of  teams  QHZ GLVWULFW DQG ÂżQGLQJ hard  to  do.  We  are  play  but  we  havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t  been  they  have  never  played  the  right  rhythm  in  the  working  hard  at  it  and  we  able  to  put  that  together.â&#x20AC;? against  before  and  game,  but  is  not  letting  By  CADE  BUNDRICK 67$)) :5,7(5
Goal seems nearly impossible as season closes
By  NIKO  CORBIN STAFF  WRITER   The  varsity  softball  that  at  one  point  started  out  strong,  has  since  been  on  a  downward  turn.  With  one  heartbreaking  loss  after  another  and  a  switch  to  the  tougher  4A  district,  the  girls  will  have  to  win  all  of  the  remaining  district  games  to  make  the  playoffs.  This  varsity  squad  seems  ever  ready  for  this  challenge  as  they  look  to  examine  their  problems,  learn  from  their  mistakes,  and  hope  for  a  late  season  rally.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;All  we  can  do  now  is  toughen  up  and  work  on  our  hitting  and  minimizing  errors,â&#x20AC;?  pitcher  S y d n e y  Coffey  said.   To  address  t h e s e  n a g g i n g  p r o b l e m s ,  the  team  is  working  harder  to  get  better.  Players  are  a d r e s s i n g  their  own  i n d i v i d u a l  problems  to  try  and  help  o u t .   â&#x20AC;&#x153;As  a  pitcher,  I  have  been  working Â
extraordinarily  hard  on  my  spins  to  keep  the  power  hitters  we  are  facing  from  hitting  home  runs  consistently,â&#x20AC;?  Coffey  said.   The  problems  facing  this  team  are  plenty,  but  there  are  some  that  can  be  solved  so  simply,  by  talking.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  feel  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  h a p p e n i n g  because  of  a  lack  of  comm- HIGH-ÂFIVE:  Varsity  performs  their  pre-Âgame  ritual  at  third-Âbase. u n i c a t i o n .  I  feel  we  c o u l d  among  all  the  players  on  the  real  problems  that  the  communication  win  every  that  may  have  are  plaguing  them.  This  back  is  vital  to  our  game  if  we  just  affected  our  softball  team  does  not  chance  of  making  it  playing,  but  we  have  that  issue.  They  are  to  playoffs,â&#x20AC;?  senior  t a l k e d  have  overcome  that  DOO XQLÂżHG LQ WKHLU PLVVLRQ Megan  Peterson  said. more  on  the  obstacle  and  plan  on  WR Âż[ DOO WKH SUREOHPV   The  varsity  softball  team  senior  and  make  the  playoffs.  will  have  to  win  a  majority  ¿HOG DQG MXVW EHOLHYHG WKDW improving,â&#x20AC;?  we  can  do  it,â&#x20AC;?  freshman  Amanda  Simmons  said.   â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well  there  is  always  of  their  remaining  games  Samantha  Sevier  said. &KDQJHV LQ WKH ÂżHOG hope  to  start  a  late  rally  in  order  to  achieve    Everyone  has  their  and  loss  of  players  because  of  the  strong  WKHLU JRDO )RU D WHDP own  reason  to  blame  and  have  not  made  willed  team  we  have  on  the  outside  of  the  any  easier. shown  to  be  in  the  play  off  hunt  looking  for  the  losses  the  things  team  is  experiencing,    â&#x20AC;&#x153;I  have  also  had  past,â&#x20AC;?  Simmons  said. in,  this  will  be  a  near  but  one  of  the  main  to  play  a  totally  new    If  the  team  wants  to  impossible  challenge. setbacks  they  agree  position  because  we  achieve  their  goal,  then    â&#x20AC;&#x153;Errors  as  well  as  the  on  seems  to  already  lost  so  many  players  last  they  will  have  to  put  a  lot  lack  of  communication  be  in  the  teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  past.  year,â&#x20AC;?  Simmons  said. of  work  in  minimizing  the  are  what  have  kept  up  ³7KH ÂżUVW KDOI RI   When  teams  fall  into  a  challenges  that  they  face. from  having  a  winning  season  there  losing  a  slump,  it  is  easy    â&#x20AC;&#x153;As  we  move  into  season,â&#x20AC;?  Peterson  said. second  round           was  a  lot  to  start  blaming  each  the   district,  getting   of  drama  other  without  focusing  of Â
Who can play tennis?
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Two hispanic boys overcome stereotyping with tennis
By DAYANA IZA STAFF WRITER
³$W ¿UVW , WKRXJKW LW was not a real sport. I looked down on it to be honest,” Rodriguez said. During the last three years, Rodriguez saw the competitiveness of the sport and realized
Stereotyping is a common thing. People all over the world do it and it is just something most people grow up with. Stereotyping sports is as common as s t e r e o t y p i n g p e o p l e . For years, tennis at Spring Woods could be said by many to be played mostly only by Asians, but recently the case has been different. Hispanics hold the title for being number one on the team this year. Tennis in recent years has stepped up its game. Having players almost making it to state BOUND TO ACE: Senior Gustavo is a big deal to the Lucio in action playing boys singles. tennis team and they work harder to get to the top. Such success the beauty of it. people has been reached by “Most players like Kristian don’t realize how hard Rodriguez and Gustavo it can be and how Lucio, both hispanic. competitive the tennis Seniors Rodriguez world is. Therefore I and Lucio joined tennis wanted to be a great the second semester player,” Lucio said. of their freshman year. Rodriguez and Lucio hold the top spot for
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in Boys B singles and won second place. “We both played 5 matches and won 4 of them. Me and Cailtin received a medal. We have been practicing everyday during and after school, sometimes even on the weekends,” Rodriguez said. Besides their tournament season at school, R o d r i g u e z and many of the others have joined an outside tennis team, USTA Jr Team Tennis. “ L a s t year we made to sectionals, and we almost made it to state,” Lucio said. H a v i n g d e d i c a t e d players on the team is what makes the team play great games and put Spring Woods tennis on the HIT CROSSCOURT:Senior Kristian map. The Rodriguez hits the ball back to his stereotyping is opponent trying to win his match. something that will probably recently played Girls never stop, but it is great A singles and made to see how many of LW WR ¿QDOV DORQJ ZLWK the times stereotyping Kristian Rodriguez who can be proved wrong. PDGH LW WR ¿QDOV DV ZHOO their tennis team here at Spring Woods. “Most people think that only Asians can play the sport and it can get frustrating to see how people stereotype sports, especially tennis,” Rodriguez said. As of right now the tennis team is in tournament season. Junior Caitlyn Luper
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Honors Soccer Girl’s MVP All Around Player - Kaitlyn Whitten MVP Offense Player - Laura Garza MVP Defense Player - Sarah Young Most Improved Player - Alejandra Tapia Best Sportsmanship Player - Alejandra Escabar
boy’s Varsity Jimmy Saldago - Defense Rodrigo Perales - Forward Frank Flores - 0LG¿HOG Second Team Edwin Rosales - 0LG¿HOG Christian Suarez - Defense First Team Roberto Chavira - 0LG¿HOG Omar Rodriguez - 0LG¿HOG
TrAck And FIeLd New School records!
Roman Rodriguez Shot put - 60‘4” Discus - 138’7”
Lauren Daniel Shot put - 44’5” Discus 138’7”
Track shatters records Golf team gets a bogey Tigers compete with high level of competition
By SAMANTHA SOLIS STAFF WRITER The 2011 track season is in full swing with four meets already under their belt. Although the season has just begun, Coach Gerald Rodriguez is very hopeful for this year’s teams. “The athletes are working extremely hard, and we have much improved from last year,” Rodriguez said. The main goal for the varsity team this year is simply to make it as far as possible. Throughout the season, the team is to compete in a total of eight track meets, the Texas Relays, Regionals, and possibly even State which is held in Austin each May. Senior Walter Mata is hopeful he will be able to advance KLV ¿QDO \HDU LQ WUDFN “For track, I have never gone to Regionals. I went to regionals for Cross Country and anticipate to go to regionals for track this year,” Mata said. R e t u r n i n g varsity runner Heather Broussard hopes to make it far in the 4x1, 4x2, and the 200 meter this year. She had gotten off to a great start to achieving this goal. In the last meet, VKH UHFHLYHG ¿UVW LQ WKH long jump and 4x1, and second in the 200 meter. “Everyone’s dream
is to go to State....but that we will be able to I at least would like to compete well with these make it to regionals,” school. The students have worked really hard so far this season. I don’t have any doubts,” R o d r i g u e z s a i d . N e w records are being set on and off the track. At the C y - S p r i n g s varsity track meet in March, junior Lauren D a n i e l s showed the spectators just what it takes to compete with the Tigers. Daniels threw the discus 137ft. and the shot put 44ft. which, allowed her to break records that WHAT A THROW: Junior Lauren have been Daniels aims for great distance while in the books throwing the shotput at Memorial at SWHS for over 28 years. Broussard said. “I’m still in shock The main competition to tell the truth, but this season is going to be yeah it feels pretty darn Brenham and Stratford;; awesome. Just in the having to deal with couple months I’ve been Stratford isn’t something here, I have been able to new for these teams. add several feet to my However Brenham distance,” Daniels said. is going to leave the This year is going teams guessing the to be something to look outcome until the forward to, especially day of competition. with such a group of “I’m hopeful talented athletes.
Golf’s rising popularity leads to new problems
By NIKO CORBIN STAFF WRITER Golf seems to be on the rise in popularity. Many feel it’s one of the most entertaining sports in America. Golfers come from all walks of life;; athletes in their off season, retirees and even teenagers. It’s no wonder that with it’s gorgeous environment, that the golf team at Spring Woods is experiencing a resurgence. There are more students on the team than in recent years. Last year the team was composed of senior Van Anh Pham, and former students Tina Pham, Shelby Smith. The team now has sparked the interest of more boys as senior Jeff Solis, junior Corby Sidebottom, and freshman Nick Turnbough have joined. Four more ladies entered also;; seniors Beverly Socop, Amanda Firenza, Melissa Franco, and Nikki Bruyneel. Even with it’s new found popularity, golf is not immune to problems “We aren’t winning because people are not prepared,” Coach Vicky Tickell said. It seems that, for golf, obstacles are GLI¿FXOW WR DYRLG “We are having a problem we have
not had in the past, eligibility. People just can’t seem to stay on top of their grades,” Coach Tickell said. With more students wanting to play, the problem seems WR EH ¿WWLQJ LW LQWR their schedules. “I really wanted to play a fun, stress free sport. I joined as a
experience, and this is discouraging to players who have not played as long,” senior Van Anh Pham said. The fact that this team is gaining interest is a good, but this rise is at the wrong time. They have a team, but they are inexperienced and some ineligible. There is only one golfer at the
HITTIN’ IT 6HQLRU -HII 6ROLV ZDWFKHV WKH EDOO À\ senior because I was way too busy my other four years to join. I don’t think people really know how fun golf is, or they just don’t have time to start earlier,” Socop said. Golf, more so than any sport requires a lot of practice, patience, and determination. Most golfers who start at a young age have an advantage. “Many players who pick up the clubs earlier in their life tend to be better and have more
varsity level and that’s Pham. If more people would join earlier in their high-school career, The possibility of a more dynamic team would exist. Building a team and a program takes years. “What we need are more people to join as freshmen, to get the hang of the sport. Then we can start focusing on winning,” Coach Tickell said.
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