THEROADRUNNER
J. Frank Dobie College Prep Academy
Austin, Texas SI SE PUEDE
BY EVELIN PAOLA PONCE AGUILAR
ICE and Mass Deportation
How President Trump’s mass deportations are affecting Dobie. News- p4
Recognition of Black Leaders
Black leaders should be recognized outside of Black History Month. Life & Arts - p7
Thing to Do in Austin
What are the go-to spots in Austin?
Entertainment - p10
Evelin Ponce Aguilar
By Arlette Medina Salazar and Yaharia Bellos Reyes
Entertainment Things to Do in Austin By Jesse Vazquez
Entertainment Dobie vs. Webb Recap
By Allison Garcia & Antonella Fernandez
THEROADRUNNER
J. Frank Dobie College Prep Academy Austin, Texas SI SE PUEDE
Publications Department
1200 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78753
-Staff Writers-
Yahaira Bello Reyes
Allison Garcia
Antonella Fernandez
Amelia Gonzales
Paul Gonzalez
Jose Mexquitic
Arlette Medina Salazar
Evelin Paola Ponce Aguilar
Ivy Sanchez
Jesse Vazquez
Tatiana BrownGomez
EDITORIAL POLICY
The Roadrunner is published by the newspaper students at J. Frank Dobie College Prep Academy during the school year. The publication strives to meet the highest ethical and professional standards for news and advertising. It will strive to be an inclusive publication free of prejudice against race, creed, national origin, people with disabilities, or gender. Information in this publication is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Neither the newspaper staff, the adviser, Dobie Middle School administration, nor Austin ISD can be held responsible for errors or omissions in content. All editorials are the sole viewpoint of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the organization.
Dobie
ICE AND MASS DEPORTATION
By Amelia Gonzales and Paul Gonzalez
On February 12, 2025, a mass deportation broke out in the US, leaving many people worried about friends, families, and even themselves. President Trump does not want immigrants living in the US and has deported 4,094 Hispanics since January 20th, 2025.
“I think it's a horrible thing going on because my family is Hispanic, and I feel like they're gonna get deported so I feel worried every single day because I don't know what to do. I don't think that they should allow kids to be taken from schools.” 6th grader Jacob Avila said.
A rumor has been going around that brands such as Coca-Cola fired over a thousand Hispanic employees and said employees have been deported. So far, many Hispanics have been boycotting Coca-Cola and stopped buying their products.
“I feel that it is an act of racism that is led by ignorant and power-hungry humans. I feel useless because there is nothing I can do to physically help the students. I also feel that a lot of trauma will be inflicted on those who witness it as well. I am worried about those who will be involved as victims and witnesses. I am also from a border town, so I have seen how it goes down and how it affects everyone. Unfortunately, I do not believe the protests will change the minds of those in favor of this situation. I do believe it gives hope and empowerment to those being targeted, though,” Dance Director Diane Arajo said.
Stores such as ROSS are allegedly supporting mass deportation in the US. Many Hispanics have stopped buying from many stores already. This rumor has been spiraling around TikTok and other social media platforms.
“I feel like they're messed up and wrong because some of the illegal immigrants aren't doing anything but trying to take care and provide for their families. I think it's bad that ICE wants to take kids because the kids have done nothing wrong and are just trying to get a proper education. I'm worried about my friend because he's an immigrant, and I'm afraid they're gonna take him back to his country. I think the protests will change the way the government thinks about Hispanics and stop the deportation.” said Destiny Joya Carranza.
Dobie
BIRD FLU
By Jose Mexquitic
Animals can get bird flu by going outside and could potentially eat or be exposed to sick or dead birds infected with bird flu viruses, or an environment contaminated with the bird flu virus, they could become infected with the bird flu.
People can catch bird flu by breathing in contaminated droplets or dust or by touching contaminated surfaces, including their eyes, nose, or mouth.
To avoid the bird flu, avoid wild birds, wash your hands, and avoid contact with sick animals. The symptoms could last a few days, but if you are seriously ill, the symptoms may last weeks.
DO I HAVE BIRD FLU?
L E A R N I N G W I T H
HANDS-ON
T E C H N O L O G Y
By Allison Garcia & Antonella Fernandez
Why is digital media important in our daily lives? Digital media is important to our daily lives as it connects us to information, entertainment, and each other in ways that were not possible before. This generation has made a big impact on technology, including artificial intelligence. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube heavily influence our daily lives with short-form video content, marketing, and communication.
Digital Media teacher Clarence Connor always had this love for technology, which led him to become a digital media teacher.
“I’ve always had a passion for technology, and have been working in the tech industry for the past 20+ years.” Connor said.
Last year Susie Smith, his daughter's godmother, invited him to visit Dobie.
“I came here and saw the young people, and I saw how much the previous class missed out, and my heart was broken,” Connor said.
His exceptional skills have significantly helped students improve their grades. At the start of the year, students were struggling with their grades. One such student, Erick Villafranca, was failing Mr. Connor’s class. However, with Mr. Connor's guidance, his teaching methods, and dedication, Erick has made a remarkable transformation, now earning an impressive A in Digital Media.
Clarence Connor teaches in a kinesthetic way (a learning style that focuses on physical activity and movement, Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing.) He lets his students use his cameras, his computers, the 3D printer, lighters, and teleprompter dx.
They learn by touching and using the gadgets, which helps the students improve their grades.
The equipment used in his class is mostly donated and brought from his home.
“The classes are under CTE, which is Career Technical Education, it’s an AISD CTE program. They provide the computers, and the most expensive hardware, they provide that. We also chose to do a Donors Choose, so we had donors who actually donated the 3D printers for the class, and the first round of filaments, the plastic that we use.” Connor said.
Digital media is a great class to join if you have a passion for creativity, technology, visual communication, and social media development.
It allows you to learn different skills across many digital platforms, possibly opening an amazing career path!
Photograph by Paul Gonzalez Digital Media teacher Clarence Connor reviewing photos students took.
R E C O G N I T I O N O F
BLACK LEADERS
By Arlette Medina Salazar and Yaharia Bellos Reyes
At any time, do you wonder why we celebrate Black History Month? Well, we celebrate it to remember how people have contributed to making a difference and achievements to have justice and equality for Black people
One of the stories that really amazed us was Ruby Bridges' story. She was the first African American child to attend a “whites-only” school because, in the old days, people were racially segregated. She wanted a change in the world so everybody would be equal. The federal courts also ordered an end to racial segregation in public schools. Ruby Bridges going to a white-only school was also dangerous
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. He was the son of a sharecropper and a grandson of former slaves. He also served in the military in World War II. After ten years of being part of the Dodgers, he fully retired from baseball.
Lastly, what amazed me was Jesse Owens. He was the first American track and field athlete who won 4 medals at the 1936 Olympic games, he specialized in sprints and the long jumps. He was recognized as "perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history". He went to East Technical High School in Cleveland. In 1993, He competed in the national high school championship in Chicago, where he ended up doing a 100-meter sprint, and he did the same also at the 1936 Olympic Games.
Photograph provided by The Guardian Ruby Bridges’ getting escorted to school.
Photograph provided by UCLA 100 Jackie Robinson running to a base
Photograph provided by LibGuides at Goodwin University Jesse Owens' long jumping.
YOU & SOCIAL MEDIA
By Ivy Sanchez
How does social media affect us? Multiple students have phones and we are starting to question the effects on their health. Today, many students are influenced by videos, pictures, and sightings on the internet.
“I think the internet is helpful for kids. I think the internet has change over the years from when i was in school to now. You have a well of information available to you. The encyclopedia tells you found new information. Those are big books that are in a big collection that you had to purchase for a lot of money or the library for information, but now because of the internet, you have Encyclopedia at your fingers. And at any moment and anytime, a student or anybody can research something that they know nothing about,” Digital Media teacher Clarence Conner said
Some people say the internet can be useful, but many students lack energy and the ability to think for themselves.
“I think it can be helpful to connect, like old people using Facebook and other sightings.” Eighth-grade History teacher Osarobarijma Goya said.
Social media can be helpful because it can help with school and daily life. There are many websites that we use for information, activities, entertainment, and updates. For example, when students do assignments or projects, they access the internet. I feel that being on social media can humble us; we are shown the news about the world and what’s going on now.
Photograph by Ivy Sanchez
Photo of iPhone and the apps Emphasis on the social media apps.
FIGHTS! FIGHTS! FIGHTS!
By Evelin Paola Ponce Aguilar
Have you thought about the consequences of starting or participating in a fight at this school? You may not have considered it, but eighth-grade students who get involved in fights will be excluded from the graduation ceremony, scheduled for the last day of school this year.
“In the celebration we will hold good behavior, perfect attendance and strong academic performance will be recognized. Fights will not be tolerated, so those who participate in one will be excluded from graduation,” assistant principal Yolanda Lopez said.
Furthermore, regardless of who started the fight or the circumstances in which it happened, one of the parties involved could be more affected than the other. You might be wondering: How can a fight affect us? What are the consequences?
“You could get hurt or hurt someone else, and depending on the situation, you could face a suspension or be sent to ALC,” police officer Juan Jose Mercado explains. Students have different opinions about fights, some with a negative perspective and others with a different view. Some believe that fights not only affect them personally but also damage the school’s reputation.
“There are social media accounts where videos of fights that happened at this school are posted. Many just see them as gossip or entertainment, but they don’t think about how these videos can affect Dobie’s reputation.” 8th grader Roselyn Vazquez said.
And she’s right. Fights shared on social media under the school’s name can damage its image. Additionally, those who watch these videos could spread false rumors, affecting both the students involved and Dobie.
Before starting a fight or attacking someone, pause for a moment and think about the consequences. Remember that if you participate in a fight, this incident will remain on your student record until 12th grade.
Photograph by Evelin Paola Ponce Aguilar Staged photo of two students having a fight.
Photograph by Evelin Paola Ponce Aguilar Staged photo of two students having a fight.
HISTORY OF AUSTIN,TEXAS: Austin is a city located in central Texas. Austin was founded in 1837 by Stephen F. Austin and the Waterloo village. Austin is also a part of Travis county.
THINGS TO DO IN AUSTIN
By Jesse Vazquez
A place you can go to in Austin is, Rodeo Austin! Rodeo Austin offers Roller coasters, livestock shows, Portraits, A farming simulator, fair rides, and many more.
Another place you can go is the Colorado River in Austin. You can go kayaking and fishing. There is even a trail surrounding the lake, where people run almost every day.
Zilker Metropolitan Park, Zilker park offers a nice view of the city, A big space of grass to do anything you want to do, And a great place to bring your dog.
Austin’s, formerly known as Austin Park ‘n Pizza, has Indoor roller coasters, drop towers, go-karts, a merry-go-round, Arcade games, pizza, and other food.
Photo provided by: Wikipedia
Photo provided by: Austin’s.
Photo provided by: wikipedia