The Lone Star Dispatch 2015_16 Issue #3

James Bowie High School

the

Lone Star Dispatch Vol. 29

Issue 3

4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX 78749

Elementary kids take on science experiments

Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

www.thelonestaronline.com

Light up the night

Alicia Molina Staff Writer Elementary kids came to participate in the annual science day last week. Kids walked through the halls and went to see and participate in the different projects scattered throughout the school.

This is not the first year that Bowie has done this. According to Biology teacher Jill Harding, this has been a tradition that dates back to almost 20 years ago. Three different elementary schools came to visit on the day of science day. The students ranged from Kindergarten to second grade.

“Baranoff, Mills, and Kocurek elementary were the schools that came,” Harding said. “Around 14 classes with a total of around 308 students came in the morning and 12 classes with around 264 students came down in the afternoon.”

All Bowie students were welcome to participate in the day. They help the elementary students go to all of the different stations around the schools and students also helped with projects and experiments.

“My main job was to make sure none of the kids ate the ingredients since our experiment was ice cream dough but it was made of baking soda and it tasted super gross,” Junior Maura Evans said. “One kid did slip by my partner and the little girl just ate a spoonful of the dough; I still remember looking over and just seeing the little girl instantly regretting what she did because the dough smelled really fruity but tasted like the teeth cleaner at the dentist’s office.”

Some students have participated in science day before and have enjoyed it enough to do it again.

“Science day was fun for me because I remember when I went to Kocurek and came to science day in second grade and I remember we did baking soda volcanoes,” Junior Angelica Aguilar said. “I really loved helping out this year; it was just so much fun seeing the kids work and them getting excited over things like soap and water” Science day was all about safety. The students who did the experiments for the kids had rules to make sure that the kids were not in any way going to be harmed.

“The rules were very strict on safety,” Chemistry teacher Denise Sanders said. “In general the experiments could not burn or cut the kids. If they used real chemicals, they all had to wear goggles.”

Not only did students participate, but science teachers did as well. They were at every station helping the kids with the activities and were supervising while in the room.

“All of the teachers helped in one form or another,” Harding said. “There were 14 different sites and we needed 14 teachers. If a teacher was not at a sight, then they helped with the overflow kids.”

Each teacher’s room had experiments based upon the subject they taught.

“Some of the projects and activities that we had were, skunks, a Venus fly trap, building stuff, peering zoo, planetarium, constellations, fish prints and all about stuff from the ocean, properties of water, hover crafts, ice cream and dry ice,” Harding said.

The experiments were done by the students and their partners. They had enough time to come up with the project and fix any errors if needed.

“We had a week to come up with the project idea. We made a putty with baking soda, water and food coloring,” Evans said. “We added Kool-Aid, lemonade, and food colorings to make the putty look cool.”

O’ Christmas Tree: The lit Christmas tree at Zilker park lights up the surrounding area and can be seen throughout downtown Austin. The tradition has been going on for 48 years. Photo by Granger Coats

The Trail of Lights opens after much anticipation Granger Coats Photo Editor Winter wind coasts the frigid ground with a wintry chill as the lights on the tree illuminate the night for the first time.

On Nov. 9, The Zilker Christmas Tree was lit for the holidays and has been part of Austin’s holiday traditions since the first tree was sparked in Dec. 10, 1967.

Towering 155 feet in the winter breeze with a total of 3,309 lights, the glowing spectacle truly encompasses the beauty and community of the holidays.

“It brings all the Austin families together and is a loving Christmas time atmosphere,” senior Adrian Gomez said.

Zilker Park is a widely popular area in downtown Austin. The beautifully spacious recreational

Recurring absences have been a problem particularly among high school students and to amend this, AISD has made a change to their practice and procedures effective this year to keep students from not getting credit for the courses they are taking.

“Effective this school year no grade can appear on the summative report card for a class where there has been less than 90% at-

Athletics

Lacrosse season starts for the boys and girls The teams have started practice every Monday and Saturday and the season is expected to start in the middle of February.

See page 10 for more details

INSIDE

400,000 people last holiday season and remains a cherished local tradition.

“Everything to me about it is special,” Jones said. “You see all these great light displays and they add new stuff every year so you get excited to see what’s new.”

Elves, Santas, and even small toddlers scamper under the festive two million lights at the Fun Run last Saturday Dec. 5. The 2.1 mile run is another holiday favorite that starts at the tree and encompassed the total array of displays and glimmering Christmas lights.

“Looking at all the lights was really memorable and makes you feel like you’re in a different world,” senior Danny Cruz said. “It really takes your worries away.”

The lights beautiful twinkling and dancing cast a bright, jovial holi-

day blanket on the crowds of people. Groups gather close around sharing smiles and laughs while kids stare up at the lights in wonder and amazement.

“It was really neat seeing all the lights working together to make a sort of light show throughout the whole park,” Cruz said.

For senior Michela Gero the tree lighting is a big family tradition that has been going in her family for four years.

“My family and i are at the tree lighting ceremony an hour before it starts,” Gero said. “Its special for me because it is one thing my special needs brother loves.”

As the tree stands tall above the crowds of people looking up to admire its enchanting fluorescence, the noises of the crowds grow faint and soft as they dissipate back into the cold December wind.

New absence policy in effect this year Samantha Knapp Staff Writer

Don’t burst my bubble: Senior Jessica Peterson helps out with Science Day in Hope Lozano’s room. The students used a hula hoop and dish soap to make this giant bubble. Photo by Caitlin Devlin

area of Zilker Park, highly known for hosting the popular music festival ACL every year and best place for cooling off in the sweltering summer heat; Barton Springs. However, this time of year, Zilker is home to the holidays. The Zilker Park area boasts a beautifully glowing tree along with the Trail of Lights and Fun Run in the winter months and brings people from all over the city and beyond together.

“It makes me feel like it’s truly Christmas, I feel joyful and excited seeing all those light displays,” senior Amber Jones said.

The Trail of Lights glistens and sparkles across the street from the tree. People of all ages flood across Barton Springs Rd. into the tunnel of lights like moths to a flame. Being one of the three largest events in Austin, the Trail of Lights was attended by more than

tendance by the student,” AISD high school assistant superintendent Kathy Ryan said. “In reviewing all of our processes, we discovered that the practice AISD had in place of excluding some absences such as notes from parents on absences that are understandable, but technically not excused by the law such as being home sick, attending a major family event, home suspensions etc., from counting in the 90% attendance number, thus in essence ‘automati-

cally’ granting appeals for those unexcused absences.

Moving forward, all unexcused absences will ‘count against’ students.”

This change will affect students who don’t have at least 90% attendance and they will not receive a grade on their report card, however some students may be able to earn credit back depending on the circumstances.

“Campuses are informing their students and families, letters are being sent home. We are also chang-

ing the format of our report cards and progress reports and they will now show percentage attendance in a class to date,” Ryan said.

“As far as enforcing goes, students will still need to make-up absences and/ or appeal to an attendance committee, depending on their circumstances. Credit for courses will not be awarded until that happens.”

Read more: “Absences get a makeover” pg. 4

Entertainment

Commercial photography students have a photo shoot Teacher’s children got their holiday photos taken as a way to teach the aspiring photographers how to deal with real models and responsibility.

See page 8 for more details

Commentary

Staff takes a stance on how school security has changed With the recent threats, the school is on high alert for suspicious activity in order to keep students and faculty feel safe on campus.

See page 6 for more details

Entertainment 2-3 News 4 Student Life 5 Commentary 6-7 In-Depth 8 Student Life 9 Athletics 10-11 Photo Essay 12

E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 Page 2

Alexander Hamilton raps Avila Dye Staff Writer

Evan Owen Staff Writer

art by Avila Dye

To anyone not familiar with the hottest show on Broadway, the combination of words “Alexander Hamilton rap musical” seems like the punchline of a joke, or maybe a bizarre game of Mad Libs. However, to the thousands of fans— among them the Obamas, Paul McCartney, and Beyoncé—of the critically-acclaimed musical Hamilton, it’s a musical masterpiece.

But not only is the show reaching some very famous eyes and ears, it’s also reaching students and their classrooms to learn the history material.

Written by Tony Award-winning writer and lyricist Lin Manuel Miranda, Hamilton seems like an unlikely hit in both its subject matter as well as its musical influences.

But despite the doubts of some, Hamilton has received rave reviews across the board, is sold out in New York City well into next spring, won Miranda the MacArthur Genius Grant, and, perhaps most surprisingly, is topping the rap charts alongside the likes of Drake and Fetty Wap. “Lin Manuel Miranda creates music that is parallel to modern and old school hip hop, R&B, and rap styles,” senior Austin Hyde said. “I’d say he is one of the only people to mix rap and musicals together perfectly without making it stupid or gimmicky.”

As Miranda told The Atlantic in a September interview, Hamilton is “a story about American then, told by America now.” Though the story centers around the Founding Fathers, the cast of Hamilton is multi-racial; every principal role is played by African-American, Latino, and Asian-American actors, which is another angle that draws audiences in.

“If it was a bunch of old white men singing classically about what happened to Alexander Hamilton, I don’t think anybody would be interested,” sophomore Lauren Norris said.

However, Hamilton is more

Sci-Fi movie excites

than just entertainment—it’s also an educational tool. With its exhilarating hip hop anthems about revolution, cabinet debates reimagined as rap battles, and heart-wrenching R&B ballads, the musical is teaching its listeners about American history in a new, refreshing way.

“I think we think of history as something boring and in the past, but these were some of the most exciting years in American history,” Norris said. “It’s just really interesting and [Hamilton] makes it a lot more accessible for young, modern audiences.”

Hamilton breathes life into the dusty pages of history books by not only including big historical events like the American Revolution, but also the more personal stories of Alexander Hamilton and his peers; their petty arguments, their grief, their lost love. It uses modern music and language to tell these stories, making them more relatable for the audiences of the 21st century.

“It’s a whole other story and concept, it’s not just about telling history,” Norris said. “It’s a complex and multi-faceted story, and I think it reflects a lot of concepts and struggles that we see in our

modern lives today.”

With its educational potential, it’s unsurprising that Hamilton has made it into classrooms. Many US History teachers in American high schools have used the musical as a way to get their students interested in the subject, including those at Bowie.

“We were going to be learning about Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan as secretary of state, and so we used it to introduce the lesson,” AP U.S. History teacher Ruth Ann Widner said. “We wanted [the students] to know a little more about his origin, his story, to try to explain why he created the financial plans that he did.”

Though the subject matter combined with the style of music used for the Hamilton caused even history teachers like Widner to have their doubts about how effective the musical would be, she quickly warmed up to it upon seeing how students responded.

“I thought, ‘A whole musical on Alexander Hamilton? Who’s gonna like that?’ but I just know how popular it was with my students, even my own daughter who’s not in U.S. History loves the musical and keeps telling me about how she’s

learning about Alexander Hamilton,” Widner said. “I love that, that it’s drawing kids into a historical figure from the 1790s that otherwise they would care very little about.”

In the lesson, Widner and her colleagues used the opening number of Hamilton in which the characters sing and rap about Hamilton’s childhood as an illegitimate child in the West Indies and how he used his superhuman work ethic and talent for writing to get a scholarship in New York City, setting the stage for the events portrayed in the musical.

“They definitely loved the style, they were mesmerized by it, they were focused on it, and most of the class wanted to watch it again,” Widner said.

It’s possible that Hamilton has changed how present-day American audiences think about the history of their country, and perhaps some of them will see themselves in the story of Alexander Hamilton, someone who started with nothing and made it into a very big something, and find themselves inspired to become America’s future leaders, creators, and innovators.

The Star Wars series started in 1977, and became the 5th highest grossing movie series of all time, behind Harry Potter and James Bond. The new movie “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens” is a sequel to “Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi” which came out in 1983.

Some students are dressing up for the release.

“Ever since I was in kindergarten I’ve liked Star Wars,” sophomore John Martin said. “My family would go over to my grandparents house. They had the original series, and that’s the only thing that I would watch.”

Tickets have sold out almost everywhere.

“I think it’s gonna be amazing, J.J. Abrams is a great director,” Martin said. “He was able to revive the Star Trek franchise, and I think he can do it again with the new Star Wars movie.”

Some people want to show their appreciation for the series by dressing up for the premiere, costumes ranging from a simple hat or shirt, to full, realistic costumes.

“I’ve thought about buying some Jar Jar Binks ears,” Martin said. “I think it would be pretty ridiculous.”

Others, however, have another point of view on it.

“Unlike others, I’m not gonna dress up,” sophomore, Craig Johnson said.

“Because it would only distract me.”

In Review: Mockingjay Part 2 Fuaad Ajaz News Editor As more of Panem turns into rubble, Katniss Everdeen and her group of people from various districts run, hide, and sneak around the capitol.

All the characters in this movie were more than unusual, which put a good twist.

From the mentally ill Peeta, to the dying President Snow all of the things happening to the characters made the movie.

When the waves of tar were plummeting down towards the group and Peeta grabs Katniss and tries to throw her in the tar was where we truly saw how mentally ill he was because one minute he loves katniss and the next he hates her which

pretty much sums up that he is bipolar.

Another thing that there was a lot in this movie was death. Finnick, Snow, Coin, and the beloved Prim were just a few who die in the movie. But, the way these people die could have been portrayed better, like Prim’s. The way Prim died was just really bad. I mean she was there then gone. The scene would have been better if they showed Prim helping the kids and Katniss hugs her then Prim dies when Katniss gets on to the grounds of the president’s mansion.

The leader of the rebellion, President Coin of District 13, in part one and two acts like this kind figure that everyone looks up to. However, the two-faced lady isn’t really trying to change anything about Panem except being the president

Rating: PG -13 Director: Francis Lawrence Genre(s): Adventure/ Sci-Fi Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth

and starting a new hunger games, where instead of using children from the districts she wants to use the children of the capitol.

Katniss Everdeen who has been Katnip, the girl on fire, and now she is the

WINTER CLO & L T HE FAL S

For Less

Mockingjay which is basically the poster child for the rebellion. In this last movie Katniss had that tough personality mixed in with the nurturing mom-like personality. When she opened Peeta’s handcuffs you could see in her eyes that she almost felt sorry for him, but then when those lizards popped out she was ready to fight.

The movie had a good balance of action and romance.

In the end when the audience finds out that Haymitch and Effie were a low key couple was probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie, the second being when the Everdeen family cat Buttercup comes back.

Overall, the Mockingjay had all the odds in her favor and left as a victor in her last hunger games.

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E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 Page 3

Babies model for Christmas cheer Commercial photograhy students offer free children’s holiday photos for staff Violet Glenewinkel Student Life Editor Holiday photoshoots are usually expensive and hard to book, but the advanced commercial photography class took matters into their own hands with a final exam project.

With eleven students and several models, the shoot was focused on giving the photographers an experience they could use in the real world involving real models and responsibility.

“For the advanced kids I really let them give me their opinions at the beginning of the year on what they want to shoot and the stuff they want to learn about,” photography teacher Chanel Henry said. “The majority of them would like to eventually open up their own portrait studio and do family shoots and infant shoots, things like that, so we chose this particular shoot.”

From senior Brenda Saucedo’s point of view, being able to pick out what they want to photograph was the open door to photographing children.

“Advanced commercial photography is an extremely flexible course and since we all are very experienced, our teacher let us design our own curriculum,” Saucedo said.

“We all came up with a list of projects we wanted to do and one of them was photographing children.”

There were mixed emotions on taking photos of children from the students.

“My first reaction to hearing about the kids shoot was the slightest bit fearful,” senior Aubrey Choate said. “I love kids and have taken pictures of babies before but I had a feeling that with a group of eleven or so students, the shoot could become rather hectic.”

Saucedo had thoughts on what to expect from the models beforehand.

“Working with kids is a surprise,” Saucedo said.

“Some toddlers have a natural instinct to smile and cheese for the camera and others, are very impatient and get distracted easily.”

Being able to photograph in a business-like fashion gave the students experience they will need for the future.

“I really focus on having them ready for the real world,” Henry said. “The last six weeks they created their websites and really started building their business but

Look at me: Baby Charlie Perry grabs a glistening pink holiday ornament as seniors Jamie Dorsey, Jesus Elizondo, Alyssa Mota, and juniors Ally Bienvenu and Savannah Davis take the shot. Basketball coach Phillip Perry, Charlie’s father, stood behind the photographers waving back and forth begging for her attention. Photo by Granger Coats

Over here, Baby: Cameras click simultaniously as senior Sara Barajas and Brenda Saucedo, and junior Savannah Davis struggle for little Charlie Perry‘s attention. The photographers had to take numerous breaks to reposition Charlie and had to stay lively and energetic throughout the entire shoot. Photo by Granger Coats

with this I just really wanted them to get some experience in taking pictures of children and families so that whenever they start working as a photographer they already know what they are doing.”

Before brainstorming began, Henry had to find infant and toddler models for the students to photograph.

“Our teacher emailed the entire faculty, asking if anybody would want to volunteer to bring their kids to the classroom and allow us to photograph them and within a matter of seconds she was overwhelmed with replies,” Saucedo said. “Everyone was jumping at the idea of free portraits.”

Henry chose the models with a first come, first serve tactic to make it easier.

“I got so many responses that I had to narrow it down, kind of pick and choose which models,” Henry said.

The amount of students couldn’t take photos and the models couldn’t come all in one day though.

“We did this project in three different class days and we booked a certain number of kids on each day,” Saucedo said.

All students had to create their own props and backdrop for the shoots as a team which left Henry giving them full responsibility.

“I gave them the responsibility of putting the set together,” Henry said. “I just made sure they had the right equipment and all the cords to use in the studio and that everything would work.”

To Henry, letting them have total control was a decision worth making.

“I think it’s very important for students, not only in my advanced classes, for them to have the sense of responsibility for it because nobody is going to be there out in the real world to do all that for them,” Henry said. “They are going to have to do that on their own so I think that’s good practice for when they get in real world situations.”

The students came together as a whole class and brainstormed different ideas for backdrops.

“To plan for the shoot, we made lists of what we wanted the backdrops and props to be and assigned people to each item that needed to be brought to the school,” Choate said.

Ideas for backdrops sparked through the use of social media and online photography blogs.

“We were looking on pinterest and other photographers’ websites to see what kind of holiday themed photos they were taking,” Henry said.

Even though ideas were thought out and organized, the preparations were still difficult.

“Preparing for the shoot was a long and extensive process,” Saucedo said. “We had to build some of our props and it took a lot of dedication.”

In the end the students came up with two different backdrops, both related to a winter based, holiday theme.

“We ended up with two set ideas,” Choate said. “A blue, silver, and white set with snowflakes and a little white Christmas tree as well as a luxurious stained wood backdrop with bright Christmas ornaments, copper lights, and a furry white throw blanket to cover the mat.”

Saucedo and her father built the second backdrop from scratch which ended up being all of the students’ favorite.

“My dad and I built a wooden backdrop and we hung ornaments from it and even strung wired lights,” Saucedo said. “It ended up looking so amazing, and we were very proud.”

Henry believed the wood prop turned out the best but had an extra benefit to it.

“It’s really great because Brenda will do this as a career and she already has a prop built that she can keep for next holiday seasons and things like that,” Henry said.

When the project days came around, a bump in the plan occurred during the first shoot.

“I got an email during the infant shoot that one of the infants had canceled so I got a little nervous because then we would only have one at that point,” Henry said. “We were supposed to have two babies, one canceled and then we just had the one to work with.”

The final product was more than just a grade for Saucedo.

“I know that these parents are going to love all of the pictures that my classmates and I give them,” Saucedo said. “We are capturing amazing moments that these families will cherish forever.”

The project was an opportunity for real-life experience in the photography business.

“Overall, this was one of my favorite activities in the class and it’s special to be able to have such a real world experience with clients,” Saucedo said.

Starlight Theatre Company has a busy holiday season Avila Dye Staff Writer

After a whirlwind of rehearsing, the Starlight Theatre Company’s senior-directed children’s shows toured and performed at local elementary schools, to the delight of the actors and little kids alike. But Bowie’s thespians don’t have time for a breather— rehearsals for this year’s musical, Tarzan, are already in full swing.

The children’s shows ran at Bowie from Thursday, November 12 to Sunday, November 15. The following week, the directors and their casts toured in groups to several different elementary schools to perform their plays for the students there.

“The students seem to enjoy performing their shows for the elementary schools more than they do here,” theatre teacher and director Betsy Cornwell said. “It’s a very different experience because little kids react differently to the performances compared to high schoolers. They laugh at different things, they don’t pick up on other things. It’s a different dynamic between the performers and the audience.”

Though the plays were performed for Bowie audi-

ences, the real target audience was the children. The actors played exaggerated, larger-than-life characters, but they made sure that they were characters the kids could still connect with and relate to.

“It was really rewarding to see the kids so happy after our performances,” sophomore Tasha Anslyn said. “They wanted to meet us backstage, so we had to stay in-character, which was pretty fun.”

Many of the shows were adaptations of familiar stories like Charlotte’s Web or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as fables and folktales. Not only were they fun, entertaining shows that made the kids laugh, they also all had morals behind them.

“The shows taught lots of good lessons,” sophomore Anna Seningen said.

“The show I was in taught about loving your friends and loving yourself and that you never have to change for anyone else to like you.”

There were twelve plays in all, each of them directed by a senior member of the STC. The senior directors for this year were chosen at the end of last year after a rigorous selection process.

“It was a long process,” senior director Chloe

Arevalo said. “There were twenty people who tried to be senior directors but only twelve made it, so that was really scary.”

The children’s shows are the first of two sets of shows that will be directed by the twelve seniors.

The second round in the spring gives them a chance to direct more serious one-act plays, but the children’s shows are the only ones that tour, making it a unique experience.

“I was really freaked out during tours, but it all worked out in the end,” Arevalo said.

“Even though it was stressful, everyone was working together as a family and we made it.”

Despite the stress that goes into both becoming a senior director and being one, it’s a rewarding position that gives the students lots of opportunities they wouldn’t get otherwise.

“It’s just really fun to direct people because you’re working together to create something really cool, and also it’s really rewarding to see children’s reactions to something you’ve created,” Arevalo said.

But after the children’s shows were over, the members of the Starlight Theatre Company jumped straight into rehearsals for

Do Re Me: Gisselle Lozano, Stephanie Hernanez, and Lindsay Lehman stretch both their arms and vocal chords rehearsing for Tarzan. Photo by Violet Glenewinkle

their next big project— their biggest project of the year, in fact—Tarzan.

“The musical is always a big undertaking,” Cornwell said. “It’s the only time in the school year that so many people and different departments come together to create a single show.”

The musical requires collaboration from many of the fine arts departments, and it gives students who are both musically and theatrically talented a chance to shine and show off their hard work in a way they usually wouldn’t be able to in straight plays or choir concerts.

“I honestly never would

have expected to be a lead, especially since I’m just a sophomore and I was up against so many talented people,” sophomore Michael Jefferson, one of the actors playing Tarzan’s best friend Terk said. “It’s amazing.”

With rigorous rehearsals that include learning music, dance numbers, and coordinating complicated chorus scenes, the musical is really unlike any other show Bowie puts on during the year.

“It started out a little intimidating because of all the upperclassmen trying out and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, but then it started to get really

fun because you get really close with your friends,” freshman and Tarzan chorus member Kaedon Solana said.

Tarzan will offer lots of challenges and new experiences not only to students being in the musical for the first time, some of them a bit more surprising than others. But the stress always seems to be worth it.

“I’m nervous about performing only in a loincloth and I’m a little nervous about having to swing on the vine,” said junior and one of the actors playing Tarzan Jackson Walker.

“But I’m also really excited about just being able to prove that I can do this.”

News

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 Page 4

Opportunities down in Florida Newspaper wins two separate awards at the national journalism convention Kathleen Nguyen Staff Writer From chasing down the time and running down the halls to violently opening the door and frantically searching for an empty seat. That is only a snippet of what it’s like to participate in JEA/NSPA, a national journalism convention.

From November 11-15, members of James Bowie High School’s newspaper staff, sophomore Mia Barbosa, sophomore Carissa Duran, sophomore Olivia Glenewinkel, senior Jasmine Correa, their teacher, Michael Reeves, and a yearbook representative, senior Granger Coats went to the JEA/NSPA, national journalism convention in sunny Orlando, Florida.

The convention provided workshops that predominantly focused in three categories; writing, photography, and graphic design.

“I’m highly interested in all three of these subjects, photography and writing the most, and this convention was an opportunity to immerse myself in what love doing,” Glenewinkel said. “Going would give me an opportunity to learn new things and skills that can help me improve on the newspaper staff as well as in my own personal work. And the convention did just that.”

Going to the convention has helped the members gain more knowledge in the areas they were struggling with.

“Something really important that I learned is that if I want to do what I’m passionate about which is writing, then I have to take any opportunity I have to write, to embrace that opportunity,” Duran said. “From writing a text message to an essay, I should always be practicing my writing and improving my writing.”

Reworking the basics can helped the members gain previous information they could’ve missed the first time around.

“I was able to refresh my photography skills as well as learn how important it is that you push for more information in every story and don’t settle for the broad answers,” Correa said.

The time in Orlando wasn’t all work and no play, often during the member’s’ free time they would explore the hotel.

“My time in Orlando was so amazing with my friends

Disney World Dolphin and Swan resorts: The newspaper program stayed at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan resort. At the resort they played volleyball, basketball, and bonded in group events. Photo by Granger Coats

that I found myself not even wanting to go to Disney World, also known as the happiest place on earth, because I was having a blast at the hotel,” Barbosa said. “We would explore and often visit the candy shop, do the bean boozled challenge with our teacher, play sand volleyball, play in the arcade, climb on a jungle gym, go putt-putt, slam dunk on a basketball net, and create a lion in the sand.”

The convention pushed the member’s perspective to never settle and always keep improving.

“Learning about writing is endless, there is also something new to learn and there is always room for improvement,” Duran said.

Going to a national convention helps bring more atten-

tion to the school and staff according to Reeves.

“It’s important for our newspaper to be recognized nationally. When people think of newspapers, I want them to think of ours. I want to be best in the country, and showing that we are by competing with only the best,” Reeves said.

The trip provided more than just information; bonding and creating unforgettable memories with the other members on staff is something you can’t learn.

“The trip wasn’t like anything I had done before,” Glenewinkel said. “I’m not one to travel and go on school-involved trips so this was my first time doing anything like this. But I really enjoyed it, something that I’ll definitely do again.”

The annual Head for the Cure race which traditionally takes place at Camp Mabry, has been a three year tradition for AP environmental science teacher Nikki Vohl. Vohl was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer in 2014, and was only expected to live an estimated 18 months but has now passed that estimate and is at 24 months.

The planning for the race has already begun and Vohl is excited for her fourth year at this race.

“I have started my team Vibes for Vohl and I have a link on my website where people can sign up for the race,” Vohl said. “I will start talking about in February and so people can sign up.”

Senior Emily Kuster has grown extremely close to Vohl throughout her journey. Kuster helps Vohl with whatever she can help her with.

“I’ve not only had Mrs. Vohl as a teacher but I’m also a close family friend of hers,” Kuster said. “I help her with grading and filling and also help her by babysitting her kids. Also I am her daughter’s pal at Cowan.”

After chemo some people start feeling better but with Vohl it was the complete opposite.

“I actually feel worst than I ever have, I am just go-

ing day by day trying to make it,” Vohl said. “Coming to school helps me because I get distracted, being with people, doing things, and not thinking about it. Because it is really depressing to think about and knowing I am sick makes it even worse.”

Since Vohl’s health is not too good right now the science teachers are helping her out by going through this tough roller coaster ride with her.

“We try to go on walks during our off period to help her keep her strength up, we do dinner rotations where we take her dinners, and we have recently started to giver her rides to places,” AP biology teacher Jessica Davis said.

The last time Kuster participated in the Head for the Cure was her sophomore year and this year she is hoping to run in it again.

“My sophomore year was when I last participated in the race and then I am definitely hoping to do it again this year,” Kuster said.

Davis has been friends with Vohl for about 15 years and has been right by Vohl’s side throughout her journey.

“We both used to work together in a biotechnology company together and just seeing this happen to her is frustrating because she’s just such a great person,” Davis said. “Although she does not think of herself as strong and just thinks she is doing what she has to do but to everyone else she is very strong

Vibes for Vohl Facts about brain cancer

-688,096 Americans are living with a brain tumor.

-An estimated 68,470 people will receive primary brain tumor diagnoses this year.

-The average survival rate for all malignant brain tumor patients is 34.2%.

-An estimated 4,620 children will receive brain tumor diagnoses this year -The average survival rate for all children with malignant brain tumors is 66%

art by Lauren Blevins

Fuaad Ajaz News Editor

source: www.braintumpr.org

Vibes for Vohl and recovery make a strong come back

Vohl has her days where she feels great and days she just feels horrible but always thinks happy thoughts when those bad feelings come back.

“This journey has been a roller coaster it brings perspective to my life but you know it’s sad just really sad and it’s really not fair,” Vohl said. “It really makes me think about not seeing my kids graduate it really sucks but it makes me glad for what I have. I love to teach, I love kids but this thing is life changing it sucks you would never think it would happen to you and it does.”

Looking over her hardships Vohl has made it through a hard fight and continues to fight on and waits for her team “Vibes for Vohl” to walk in Head for the Cure.

Absences get a makeover Lock down procedures impact AISD specifically wants to focus on students being in the class for at least 90% of the day’s the class is offered.

“I think the biggest concern is that students and families may have hard time understanding there really are few reasons why a student can miss school/class and it be excused. They have been used to these other reasons being ‘automatically’ waived,” Ryan said.

However AISD is still figuring out exactly what they are going to do and how it will be carried out.

“AISD at large is still working out the logistics and procedures. The main message in regard to attendance has not changed for any grade level. Students need to be at school in each class every day unless they are ill. If students are ill, they need to bring parent notes or doctor notes within 48 hours. Once AISD has procedures outlined, the district will be sending out communication to all students and parents”, assistant principal Susan Leos said.

There are a handful of absences that are excused district wide however, family trips, vacations, and attendance at nonschool sponsored events are examples of unexcused absences.

“Absences are excused for medical reasons, religious holy days, court appearances, college campus visits, activities regarding US citizenship, military dependent, or a pre-approved reason,” according to the AISD website.

Previously the only absence reasons that were considered for credit denial were unexcused absence and immunizations, meaning they were counted as.

“We were always honoring these rea-

sons for absences, but we were having issues with attendance counting documented illness and parents were not understanding why their child had absences that were unexcused when they should’ve been accepted as excused,” assistant principal Lawrence Britton said.

However, this change will consider documented illness, home school suspension, immunizations, made up hours, and other circumstances will now be considered as excused absences.

“We really aren’t sure exactly what AISD is going to do in the long run but all we know is that reasons accepted for excuses will be considered and hopefully this will fix a lot of problems regarding absence. All we know is what AISD tells us and we are waiting for them to authorize the change and finalize it, we know about as much as our students do about it right now,” Britton said.

The new change that AISD will be enforcing will affect many students whether they are absent a lot of not at all and could make students take class more seriously.

“I do think it will have a positive impact because many people skip class thinking it won’t be a deal but now that it’s dealing with grades I think many people will take being present in class more seriously,” sophomore Anita Yem said.

Students who have been informed about the change are unsure of what is to come from the change, but this will have a huge effect on them.

“This will effect me personally because I often find myself late to class because my mom is a single mother so getting me to school on time is sometimes difficult for her,” junior Danielle Bryant said.

student learning and thoughts Fuaad Ajaz News Editor

On October, 30 the extreme weather conditions had a campus wide reverse lock down and not all students knew what was going on or what to do.

SRO officer Angelica Covington is one of the few people who conducts routine trips around the school on any lock down on campus.

“I would be addressing the threat and while I am looking for the threat I also would need to make sure all the students, staff, and the officers I’m with are safe, including me,” Covington said.

There are three different types of lock-downs: a reverse lock down, shelter in place, and an actual lock

down.

“There are various scenarios if someone if on campus that is what we call a lock down where everyone would get into a room move away from doors and windows and stay quiet and hide,” assistant principal Larry Britton said. “If someone is near campus with a weapon or something we would have a reverse lock down or a shelter in place, and that means students have to be in class and keep them in the class and teachers would continue one with whatever they had planned for the day.”

Teachers know the safety precautions for a lock down but none of them have had self-defense training and junior Maura Evans would be more comfortable if teachers had self

What to do in a lockdown: 1. Go hide immediately 2. Lock the door however you can 3. Close the windows and put the blinds down 4. Put your feet up and lock the door if you are in the bathroom 5. Stay where you are until someone comes and unlocks the door for you 6. If fire alarm goes off, don’t leave 7. Come out of hiding when “All Clear” code is recieved

art by Fuaad Ajaz

Continued from page 1

defense training.

“I would be much more comfortable with teachers having self-defense because if someone does come on the campus with a weapon I know my teacher can try to defend themselves,” Evans said.

There are two lock down drills a year, one during the fall semester and one during the spring semester.

“I would like to see at least two lock down drills a month just so students are ready if an actual intruder is on campus,” Covington said.

Not all lock downs are dealt with in the same way, each one is handled differently.

“It depends on the situation, you can’t say in this situation this is what you do it depends on the circumstances of what is happening,” Britton said. “All I can do is to make sure that I am calm first and that happens with all the training we are put through.

Secondly, we would take direction from ADP, AISD police department, and law enforcement and we would also have to set us a command post that is either on

S tudent Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday Dec. 14, 2015 Page 5

Bees find a sweet home on campus

Kelsie Stella Staff Writer

For a few years now, the Bowie Earth Club has been trying tirelessly to purchase some bees in order to teach a bee-keeping class as a branch off of FFA. Senior Lili Benitez is the reason that there are now bees on campus.

Benitez is known around the Bowie campus as the “bee kid” due to her constant attempts and passion over bringing bees to Bowie’s campus.

“One of the things I’ve essentially been trying to do in my four years here, is to get bees on campus for a class or an after school activity,” Benitez said. “I’m with the Earth Club and I thought it would be really cool if we got beehives and housed them by the farms.”

Some students may be a little apprehensive about being so close to bees since they can be pesky and sometimes sting, but not Benitez.

“I went to the Agricultural teacher Ms. Black the end of last school year because I had heard that she also really wanted bees,” Benitez said. “Miss Black had actually purchased all of the equipment to raise bees. She had suits and hives and everything, she just didn’t know where she could actually get bees.”

When Benitez found out that she was not the only person on the campus that day dreamed about acquiring bees, she started to get serious and began to track down someone she could get bees from.

“I remembered in middle school an organization came out and taught us how to bee-keep,” Benitez said. “So I contacted them regularly since they do educational outreach and worked out a plan to get bees at Bowie. They gave

Bee-ware: Joined around the hive, mentor Erin Johnston and seniors Lili Benitez and Angel Reyes make sure things are in order with the bees.

Each hive was being checked for nectar and to make sure no mites were among the bees. Photo by Granger Coats

us a bunch of bees and now we check up on the hives that we have on the FFA farm all the time.”

The bees were donated by the American Honeybee Protection Agency that Benitez remembered learning from in middle school.

“I wanted bees on campus because they’re extremely important to the environment,” Benitez said. “And they’re also just really fascinating creatures and I’ve always been really interested in beekeeping.”

Benitez admits that wanting the bees on campus was selfish but be-

lieves that the good that the bees do for the earth is enough to balance out the selfishness.

“I mean it’s cool that there are bees on the farm and that students can learn to bee-keep and stuff but do we really need them?” freshman Kiara Gonzales said.

Buying bees when they are around campus isn’t logical to Gonzales.

“I mean, there’s enough bees in the trash cans all over campus, they seem to be thriving and there’s a gross amount,” Gonzales said. “It confuses me on

why someone would want more of them.”

Most students on campus have no idea about the bees being raised on the farms but the ones who do either strongly support it or strongly oppose it.

“Personally I don’t think the bees should be raised like that,” freshman Lauren Munoz said.

“They’d probably be happier and be doing greater things for the environment if they weren’t being raised in captivity.”

Living in captivity does not actually affect the way the bees live because they

have all been reported as healthy and strong by Benitez.

“It doesn’t affect me and I guess I don’t really have an opinion on the Bowie bees,” Gonzales said. “As long as the bees stay off campus on the farm minding their own business, I’ll be happy.”

Even though Thomason doesn’t believe in animals living in captivity he does agree that Benitez’ dream come true about having bees on campus is pretty fantastic.

“I’m happy that she got what she worked so hard

for,” Munoz said. “She spent all four years of high school pushing for bee hives and she got it and I think that’s awesome.”

The goal of having bees on the Bowie campus is to provide a way to be educated on their anatomy and how to properly care for them.

“I love the bees and words can’t describe how excited I’ve been about finally obtaining them,” Benitez said. “I’m glad that students will continue to get to learn about the bees next year and in the many years that follow.”

Senior fights a life-long disease with no sign of a cure Violet Glenewinkel Student Life Editor A simple prick of the finger or injection, done five times a day, can determine the well-being of a patient with type one diabetes.

Senior Katy Jacobs was diagnosed years ago at an unusual young age that, to this day, affects her everyday life.

“Initially, I didn’t really understand what was happening,” Jacobs said.

“Once I got to the hospital and they started sticking me with needles which was when I got really scared and upset.”

Type one is rare, only 5% of the population being diagnosed with it, and symptoms usually occur when people are in their twenties. For Jacobs, things were different.

“A virus attacked my immune system and attacked the cells in my body that make insulin, causing my pancreas to shut down,” Jacobs said.

Insulin is a specific hormone that gets rid of sugar in your bloodstream, but the absence of it forces Jacobs to take daily health procedures.

“I have to use synthetic insulin, which I take through an insulin pump, sort of like an IV in my stomach,” Jacobs said. “I have to manually enter my blood sugar levels and the amount of carbohydrates I had.”

It took Jacobs a while to learn how to care for herself after the diagnosis.

“I had to learn how to count carbs, test my blood sugar, and give myself the proper doses of insulin,” Jacobs said.

Right from the start, Jacobs’s family gave her support and guidance.

“My family had to make some big adjustments and learn about the disease like I did,” Jacobs said. “They have been there at all of my appointments and I am so grateful for them.”

Jacobs has received different responses about her disease from friends, the most common emotion being confusion.

“I found out because she just randomly stuck a needle in her side and I was totally shocked and kind of afraid to ask what she was doing,” senior Bryn Williams said.

After six years by Jacobs’s side, Williams has gotten used to her dealing with the diabetes.

“I’ve known her for about six years now so I’ve seen the worst and I’ve been there through her changing from insulin injections through needles to the pump this last year,” Williams said.

The strength Jacobs acquires is evident in how she deals with her disease.

“The fact that she can not only live life beyond how others choose to, but also make light of her situation is so amazing to me,” Williams said.

She has gone to lengths of inspiring others like Williams with her attitude.

“If she can deal with diabetes all day, everyday, and go above and beyond in life, I think anything is possible for someone like me,” Williams said.

Seeing the effects the disease takes on Jacobs is what Williams really remembers.

“It’s really hard to watch because you can’t

Blood work: Senior Katy Jacobs prepares a drop of her blood for blood sugar testing. Because of type one diabetes, she must check her blood five times a day. Photo courtesy of Elise Jacobs

really help the problem, just be there for her,” Williams said.

Even though it’s a consistent thing, Jacobs acts as if the diabetes isn’t even there nor complains of it.

“She hardly ever complains about the hardships that it brings her, which is what makes her so strong,” Williams said. “She is one of those people who is so outgoing and strong that you would never know she had diabetes until she told you.”

Jacobs isn’t afraid to inform people of her disease either.

“She’s really open to explaining it to people who don’t understand,” Williams said.

Friends like senior Summer Hawkins have been looking out for her since elementary school.

“In elementary and middle school I was always her ‘buddy’ to accompany her to the nurse when her blood sugar was low,” Hawkins said.

To this day, Jacobs’s peers take precautions with her.

“I look out for her a little bit more than others I would say, but that is

mainly just because I want to make sure she stays healthy,” Hawkins said.

Before Jacobs was diagnosed, there were telltale signs of what was going on with her health.

“I lost an extreme amount of weight which is a major sign for type one diabetes, I was only in second grade so I shouldn’t have been losing weight that fast,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs has to keep her blood sugar perfect or symptoms will begin to show in her health and behavior.

“When my blood sugar gets too low I feel really dizzy and hungry,” Jacobs said. “And when it’s high I get really sleepy, hot, and thirsty.”

These symptoms may seem minor but they can lead to more drastic measures.

“My diabetes can often spike out of control which makes me feel really sick and I have to miss school,” Jacobs said.

According to Jacobs father, Gary Jacobs, there is no history of diabetes in their family.

“It was totally unexpected, a shock, out of the blue,” Gary said. “We felt so bad for Katy, this little girl who was now going to have to deal with this disease for the rest of her life.”

After ten years of dealing with the disease, there were moments of stress that Katy experienced.

“Early on, she had moments when she would break down,” Gary said. “I think she was sad for herself and angry at the universe and who can blame her?”

But breakdowns and

doubts were a rarity.

“Katy took control of her diabetes, pricking her finger to test her blood and giving herself insulin injections multiple times a day,” Gary said. “I’m an adult and I would have a hard time doing that.”

To be safe, some of Katy’s good friends have needed to learn about emergency procedures involving her blood sugar levels.

“On occasion we have instructed her friends how to administer a glucagon shot in case of an emergency,” Gary said.

Both of Katy’s parents gave her hope to hold onto.

“We explained to Katy that while it was an unfortunate break that she had diabetes, it was a controllable condition that need not keep her from a normal life,” Gary said.

Katy has been able to keep a positive outlook on her situation.

“It might be a life threatening disease, but it has taught me many lessons that I am very grateful for,” Katy said.

To her, the disease is something that must be taken care of like an everyday, normal thing and others who have diabetes should do the same.

“Look at your disease as nothing more than brushing your teeth,” Katy said.

“You don’t want to do it all the time, but if you don’t take care of it, it will only hurt you in the long run.”

Katy advises to keep moving forward through the struggles.

“Keep your head high, there might be some days where you feel like you can’t handle it, but trust me you can,” Katy said.

C ommentary The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 Page 6

Growing panic for school safety R

art by Eliana Lynch

Editorial

ecent events in the world today have made people extremely concerned for their well being. The bombs in Paris, the threats from ISIS in America, the shootings in San Bernadino, and other catastrophes have brought extreme anxiety in America just like that of the anxiety we had on September 11, 2001. Now people are overwhelmed by the constant throbbing question: Is anywhere safe anymore?

School is supposed to be an environment where people feel safe and secure while doing their best to learn everyday. Security guards are hired, doors are locked, entrances have gates, and eyes are always watching over the students to make sure they are not in any way putting themselves or others in danger. But even students and teachers are getting antsy.

Now people believe that it is time to take action. We believe it as well. Security measures and awareness need to be increased and taken much more seriously.

People joke about ISIS all the time, but the truth is, we could be targeted at any time or any minute by not only ISIS but other terrorists as well.

Students need to respect the rules of the school about leaving campus without adult consent and the administration needs to do a better job of controlling who goes in and who goes out of the school. Though we may not have top security, we do have some and should use it to our advantage in order to keep students and faculty safe

at school.

The big problem here is that recent events have shown that anything can happen anywhere. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) was created in 1999 and grew more powerful in 2003.

Their threats have caused panic all around the world especially in America where we’ve already had a history of conflict with Iraq. Since ISIS and other threats normally aim for large groups of people, schools seem to be the perfect target. This leads to concern of how students will stay safe.

Although there are already security measures at schools it is not nearly as professional as security in other large public spaces. Hall monitors are not trained for extreme terrorist attacks, and two APD officers isn’t enough. It’s extremely sad to think that young children are at risk of getting killed or seriously injured de to selfish acts of others.

Many people of older generations have said regularly that things were different when they were younger, that they could walk outside by themselves without being concerned about whether they were going to be a victim or not. As the years have gone by, terrorism has become a recurring theme.

School should always be considered a safe place emotionally and physically.

Though there are many horrifying events happening in the world we live in today, that shouldn’t affect the pride in our school and should only help us strive to become a safer and more secure community.

Science Fair is getting too competitive for students Gavin Farner Commentary Editor

S

cience fair is cool and all but it shouldn’t be such a big part of the school advanced curriculum, this is because time and money is a constraint for many people.

I believe that science fair shouldn’t have to be competitive and it should be optional, especially for people that have other activities to complete.

Many people have other obligations that they have to complete such as sports or other advanced classes that take up a lot of time that shouldn’t have to be spent on doing six different tests for the same project.

Science fair also puts pressure on the student to

complete deadlines like the abstract and the board, these stress factors aren’t helping students academically.

Making the science fair competitive makes the whole ordeal very unappealing to many students don’t complete everything due to the fear of having to compete. I know I personally have a bit of “stage fright” and don’t like to get

art by Nate Miller

up in front of crowds to talk about anything.

Many people argue that the science fair is a learning experience that translate directly to the real world. But what about people that won’t be going

DISPATCH STAFF Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Kamryn Bryce Lauren Blevins

Athletics Editors Isabel Rosales Priscilla Diaz

Editorial Staff

News Editor Fuaad Ajaz

Photo Editor Granger Coats

Commentary Editors Eliana Lynch Carissa Duran Gavin Farner

Online Editors Michelle McDonagh Mia Barbosa Alicia Molina

Student Life Editors Caitlin Devlin Violet Glenewinkel

Advisor Michael Reeves

Entertainment Editor Jasmine Correa Casey Shrout

Dispatch Staff: Eric Calderon Avila Dye Avy Friedman Annika Holm Greyson Hughes Shelby Kelly Samantha Knapp Emma Kunkel Alissa Lopez Amaya Marquez Nya Martin Nate Miller Victoria Newell Kathleen Nguyen Evan Owen Ashley Ramirez Casey Shrout Kelsie Stella Casey Shrout Melissa Weprin

EDITORIAL POLICY The Lone Star Dispatch is the official student newspaper of James Bowie High School. It is published six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community.

The Lone Star Dispatch is an open forum for student expression. The Lone Star Dispatch is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the advisor will not act as a censor. Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.

The Lone Star Dispatch will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers. Our articles will reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality.

We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph without indicating that the photographer is an illustration.

Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lone Star Dispatch staff or administration as a whole.

The Lone Star Dispatch welcomes reader input. Please send any letters, articles, comments or corrections to bowie.journalism@gmail.com or mail them to 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749 or drop them off in room F-203 with advisor Michael Reeves or any editor. Letters must be signed, and emailed letters will require verification before publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

The Lone Star Dispatch does not necessarily endorse the products or services of advertising.

into any kind of science field. There isn’t a way to put “how does white sand improve water quality” into a marketing workplace or into the cooking industry.

Many science fair proj-

ects require extra meetings after school that take up additional time that might have been spent with family. Most people like to spend time with family after school or with friends, science fair might be an

obligation that will get in the way of this.

I believe that if we make the science fair optional to students there will be some that compete for the scholarship aspect and some that don’t because they won’t have the time to complete the science fair in their spare time.

Teachers could also make the science fair extra credit instead of many grades that go into the six weeks average that pull down many students grade point average and six weeks average.

This is why I believe that science fair should be less significant in the grand scheme of things, students should be able to choose if they will be doing the science fair.

Letter to the Editor

Anononymous “BowieBulldogs” Instagram account creator speaks out about the popularity and the future of the page, “it’s a pretty B16 deal” Dear Lone Star Dispatch, By reading your article, “Anonymous owner of online Bulldogs Instagram revealed,” I was concerned and flattered about some things while reading it.

As the founder of the account, I am well attached to it by giving my free time to tell our students about what’s happening. This Instagram account means a lot to me because I want to make it very successful for the school. That is why I’m going tell you why this account means a lot to students.

I also wanted to mention some problems that I saw in the article you wrote about it.

First, I’d like to state the fact that this account is a big contribution for the whole entire school of James Bowie High and that it’s going to continue growing. Second, I’m trying my best to run this account and post pictures so that students have an idea of what’s going on at school and important events that could be happening.

Furthermore, you asked what would happen with this account when I graduated next year. I am still looking for someone at school to see if they want to take my spot and run it or just completely delete the account. Another thing that bothered me was that the story was on page 9 of “Student Life”. That was a thing that really bothered me because I was so pumped about it until I realized the story of this account was the bottom one of the last page.

I think I deserved to be on the front page or one before page 9.

Another thing is that I like to mention big things to the school. I mean school events about Homecoming, football games, events outside of school, and others. I’m a very informative person that wants to let students know about what’s going on. I give time to express and think before what I say while posting a picture.

If people want this account to be changed and more appealing, then I’ll give it to them if that’s what they want from me.

It’s each students decision to like or dislike this Instagram page and that’s fine by me. It doesn’t bother me that one student said “It’s okay,” because critique is good. I’m trying my best of making a fun, informative and school spirit account. I understand that each student has a different opinion about this page.

In the end, a question that you should’ve asked me is “are you famous.”

Some students that I know asked me if I’m “famous.” My response? Is no, just a simple “no.” I’m not famous for a page that changed the school’s popularity; it’s the students that go to this school who make the account famous. This account speaks for the school as a whole. Either way, this has been the best two years of running this account but I’m still deciding to look for that person to fill my spot. It’s a pretty B16 deal.

Isais Moreno Class of 2016

C ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 Page 7

Non-Christian Subs don’t replace teachers students struggle with holidays T during school Michelle McDonagh Online Editor

Avy Friedman Staff Writer

C

cision of knowing whether to choose between the importance of education or religion.

One problem that would arise from allowing all religions to have official holidays is it would be difficult for schools to meet the criteria of 180 school days.

This would then lead to the potential idea that there should be no school holidays for religions because that could create equality for respect of varied belief systems. But religions are such a major aspect of many people’s lives, that this would be unfair to strip communities of these privileges.

Throughout a student’s education, they are told that the school’s staff may not talk about their opinions and perspective on religion. Yet, ever since elementary school, Christmas seems to be supported and sponsored through activities like present swapping and festive holiday music when December nears.

Although there is nothing wrong with these actions, it is unfair and hypocritical to other smaller religions which are not discussed whatsoever.

One solution that is not too extreme to be accepted by school systems is if a student misses school for a holiday, that absence should be excused. Therefore, all religions are recognized while everyone meets school requirements.

With this, students do not have choose between their education and religion.

However, Bowie already allows students excused absences for religion. This leads to the conflict that a student must attend 10% of their classes. With the acceptance of a religion, students must complete all school requirements successfully.

Therefore, each student should be allowed a specific amount of days to focus on religion compared to going to school.

derstand the content are giving 50’s left and right because they are not doing a good job of helping you understand what you’re failing. It’s a vicious cycle of failing and not understanding that, because of the substitutes, might have students end up in summer school now or Delta.

Students also lose that bond they have built up with the teacher when they leave for certain reasons.

I know that bonds with teachers are essential to me liking a class, and if I don’t like a teacher, I don’t like the class.

I’m not saying that the teacher has to be nice or the class has to be ridiculously easy, because the teachers I like the most are those who push me to do my best every class and are there when I need help but at the same time aren’t overbearing.

But, when I develop that bond and it is suddenly gone when they leave for their reasons, I feel heartbroken and upset that I am stuck with some (most of the time) random substi-

art by Gavin Farner

leave a video behind so students can still see you and understand what is going on by the one person who is the expert. This is an easy solution, as this allows the teacher to know what the students are exactly going to learn while also allowing the teacher to still do their job in the way students have gotten to know.

Overall, long-term subs aren’t always bad, but they don’t usually know how to teach a class because they are thrust into a new situation and students feel the effects in their grades and their class preferences.

If teachers could somehow still teach their classes, like through a Skype system or some sort of video system, long term subs would only be there to monitor what is going on, and wouldn’t be suddenly pressured to teach subjects they don’t know.

Sophomores, straight ‘outta driver’s ed Gavin Farner Commentary Editor

N

ew sophomores dealing with school, friends, and parents shouldn’t also have to deal with the new stress of driving.

I think that most sophomores are not ready to be on the road even if they have completed the necessary requirements to be on the road. I believe that some drivers are not mature enough to be on the road and abide by all the rules.

There is a law that everyone knows, the law against pulling out your phone unless you’re at a stop. Even though this law is in effect I have seen people on their phones while driving, mostly younger, new drivers.

Many new drivers also don’t realize that they are going over or under the speed limit because they aren’t paying attention to

that while driving.

People that can drive will want to drive their friends that don’t have a car but want to go somewhere. Driving instructors say to not have distractions in the car when you’re learning to drive or right after you have gotten your

license.

Many new drivers also need to have a parent or adult in the car because they only have a permit.

These super new drivers are a hazard to drivers that aren’t new to driving.

Others may tell the new drivers that driving with an adult is plenty safe to be on the road. But I know many parents that are absent-minded enough to miss things that others wouldn’t. Even worse would be parents that don’t even pay attention to their child while they drive.

I believe that there should be a separate place that new drivers have to

go to be picked up if they are going to be driving or a place that they will go to drive into that goes to the parking lot.

Maybe there should be something sophomore drivers should have on their back window that tells other drivers that they should use caution while driving near them because they have just gotten their driver’s license.

New driving sophomores should have more time behind the wheel before being put into an actual driving experience with other drivers, especially in Texas where traffic is so bad. art by Gavin Farner

hristmas Break is right around the corner and all students and staff countdown to the two weeks of freedom from stress and school. However, some students do not celebrate Christian holidays like Christmas.

Their important celebrations occur at different times of the year, but they do not have the privilege of having time off to celebrate it like Christians have. Religions like Judaism and Islam, have many significant holidays that are yet to be recognized by public school systems, but students do not have the day off and are required to go to school and this is not a fair decision.

Students should be allowed to express religious faith within their learning environment. The majority of Americans consider themselves to be Christians. However, the other minor religious followers must learn and adapt to managing their schedule or school and work with religious beliefs.

No matter the religion, a person’s beliefs are often a large aspect of their life.

Unfortunately, this often conflicts with school attendance. As important grades and education are, religion often overpowers it. But with religions that are not practiced as much as dominant ones, it then becomes a challenge to balance the two. Someone should not have to choose between two huge life aspects.

Public school s in New York have made changes to their systems. They cancel classes for the Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, and Muslim holidays, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. However, many other religions still seek recognition and appropriate time off.

It’s very important for minor religion’s holidays and important dates to be recognized by the majority of people because it respects and acknowledges the diversity within communities.

In many places around the country, a student may get permission to miss the school day. This then leaves the family to the de-

eachers are always the ones students look up to for advice, for guidance about the subjects they teach, and who push people to do their best every class.

However, when these teachers leave for some reason or another, like for maternity leave, they leave helpless students with, most of the time, substitutes that the school hires at the last moment to fill in subjects they don’t even know.

I believe that long-term subs are a bad solution for students in the long run because students won’t be taught by someone who knows the class material.

When teachers leave, most of the time they leave lesson plans for the substitutes to follow. And just like every other day with a substitute, you learn from a teacher who doesn’t usually know what they’re talking about.

Imagine being stuck with that for three months, with nothing but FIT, morning or afternoon tutoring sessions, and other teachers to help you keep your grade from sliding down because a substitute doesn’t know the quadratic formula.

Even worse than that, these same substitutes are in charge of the grades. The same people who don’t un-

tute that can fill in for two to three months, or sometimes longer, until they get the teacher back in the classroom.

While some substitutes do know what they are talking about, I know first hand how some long term substitutes are. I had one in the 7th grade when my Texas history teacher suddenly left midway through the year. I had a substitute who, although did know history, was not very good at explaining things to students and, as a result, my grades quickly declined.

He treated every day like it was a brand new day and he was a substitute for just that day, and he never learned our names and assumed the teacher would someday come back. She never came back, and by the end of the year I had barely made an 80 and I had learned close to nothing from him.

It’s not all the substitutes fault, though. They are thrust into situations they don’t usually know how to handle because they are only replacements.

If there was a way for the teachers to teach the subs and then the subs teach the students, long-term subs wouldn’t be that big of an issue among students.

If teachers know that they are going to be absent ahead of time, instead of leaving a lesson plan for a substitute to follow on a piece of paper,

Bulldawg Speak Out How are you prepping for finals?

9th

10th

11th

12th

Teacher

Cade Walker

Doyin Soyemi

Cameron Pyka

Ariel Mclain

Sandra Salgado

“I’m not that prepared yet, but I am studying more and more every day.”

“I’m studying hard and using FIT and after school tutoring to my advantage.”

“I don’t feel as prepared as I was as a freshman and sophmore, but I’ll keep on studying.”

“Definitely not studying as hard as I had to in my past few years.”

“The students are getting assigned projects and we are doing group assignments.”

I n-Depth

The Lone Star Dispatch Dec. 14, 2015 Page 8

‘Tis the season to be accepting Sam Searles sophomore

5%

of the American population celebrated Hanukkah as of 2013

Traditions may change...

90%

http://www.pewforum.org/2013/12/18/celebrating-christmas-and-the-holidays-then-and-now/

of the American population celebrated Christmas as of 2013

Andy Moe senior

but the hands remain the same.

2%

of the American population celebrated Eid as of 2013

Nour El Houda Remli junior

art and photos by Kamryn Bryce

Students celebrate the holiday season in different ways, but with a similar spirit Kamryn Bryce Editor-In-Chief As temperatures drop and chilly air breaks the never ending Texas heat wave, the holiday season begins for a variety of students on campus with a wide range of religions.

A slight smile pulled up on the edges of sophomore Sam Searles mouth as she recited a Hebrew prayer from perfect memory, a look of comfort crossed junior Nour El Houda Remli’s face as she described the many ways she celebrates Eid, and senior Andy Moe’s eyes lit up when explaining the importance of family during Christmas.

The holiday season brings about more than just elves on the shelves and mistletoe, students living in mixed religious homes, like Searles, may experience both sides of the Jewish and Christian holidays during the month of December.

“My mom is Christian, but my dad is Jewish,” Searles said. “When my dad is gone on business trips I celebrate Hanukkah alone, but my mom takes pictures and supports me doing it.”

While the Christian holiday, Christmas, celebrates the birth of Christ, the Jewish population primarily celebrates Hanukkah, or Chanukah. This Jewish holiday commemorates the military success of the Jewish people, who regained control of a holy temple after it had been conquered by the Greeks, as well as the miracle of a menorah that only had enough oil to burn for a single day, but went on to burn for eight in the temple of their victory.

Hanukkah, much like Christmas, is celebrated through charity, prayer, and time spent with family. Additionally, younger children usually receive a gift each day of the celebration.

“My favorite part of Hanukkah was getting Gelt, which is the chocolate coins wrapped in the tin foil,” Searles said. “Adults use it to play poker, but the kids just eat it.”

Nearly 5,200 miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean in Morocco, Africa, Remli separated from her home and

8

days

Place of origin: Israel

family to travel to Austin, Texas as a foreign exchange student.

“The first day I was here I just cried non-stop because I was missing my family, but you get used to it,” Remli said. “There’s a six hours difference and my family doesn’t really know when to call, so sometimes I’ll get a call at seven in the morning.”

The celebration of Eid, similar to Christmas and Hanukkah, practices both charity and prayer, as well as feasting with family. There are two holidays of Eid, the first being Eid-ul-Fitar, a three day celebration of the completion of Ramadan, which is the month when Muslims fast to practice Taqwa, or God-consciousness.

“The fast is during summer, but yesterday I fasted my first day at school since you have to make up the days you didn’t fast in the summer,” Remli said. “You wake up around six, before the prayer, and eat what you can because that’s all you get for the whole day. You fast to feel the pain of poor people.”

The second holiday of Eid, Eid-ul-Azha, is the celebration of sacrifice that lasts for a single day. The holiday is commemorated with prayer and charity as the father of the family will kill a sheep in the name of God and use the sheep to feed not only the family, but also through charity, the poor. Remli spoke calmly and surely as she recalled the celebration that she has experienced each year of her life.

“It is scary to see the sheep being killed, but people say that with every drop of blood God gives you penance for your sins,” Remli said. “You always give part of the sheep to charity.”

Remli’s face lit up in surprise as she learned how Americans, at times, celebrate Christmas by dressing up in red and green, often accompanied by reindeer antlers or a large, puffy Santa hat.

“We used to watch American people celebrate Christmas, but to actually see it here is super cool,” Remli said.

“I love how people are so into the Christmas spirit.”

For Moe, the Christmas spirit is all about spending time with family.

2

days

Place of origin: Rome

“Without a doubt it’s important to spend Christmas with my family. To me, Christmas is a lot about appreciating your family,” Moe said. “My family is really big into decorations; we put up the tree and lights, so it always looks really nice at my house.”

Although the month of December and the holiday season hosts several religious celebrations, it can be hard for students such as Searles and Remli, living in a primarily Christian society.

“I do have one friend who celebrates Hanukkah, but I feel like you really don’t see very many Jewish people in Texas,” Searles said. “Bullies in middle school made sure I felt like a minority; one time people threw crosses at me in the hallway and called me the anti-christ, just because I was Jewish.”

With confusion and anger displayed across her face, Searles recalled the instances in which social media played a role in the anti-semitistic behavior inflicted on her.

“When I have kids I’ll definitely teach them to be accepting of all religions and understand their differences,” Searles said. “I plan to become baptized in the future. To me, it’s fully accepting who I am and my relationship to God.” Remli also shares experiences with negative responses from people of various faiths, but in a different kind of severity.

“I was walking home with my host sister when a guy stopped next to us in his car and asked me what type of Muslim I was. As I told him, his hand was hidden in the car, you couldn’t see if there was anything in his hand or not,” Remli said. “Sometimes I feel completely welcome, and other times people stare at me in the hallways. But I am very thankful for all the teachers here that have treated me like any other student and all the students who have been kind to me,” Remli said.

Regardless of one’s religious preference, as the weather gets colder and the holidays get closer so does the time to celebrate with one’s family and give back to the community. ‘Tis the season to be accepting.

Place of origin:

Eid-ul-Azha: 1 day Eid-ul-Fiar: 3 days

Middle East

S tudent Life The Lone Star Dispatch

WWII lives on with Yeager’s collection Evan Owen Staff Writer

World War II impacted millions of lives in the 1940’s and beyond, and it still changes lives today.

One of those lives belongs to senior Jake Yeager.

Yeager collects artifacts and participates in reenactments of battles from the war that changed the world.

Yeager has been collecting artifacts since he was young. His interest in history has lasted him most of his life.

“I started collecting artifacts when I was around 10 years old,” Yeager said.

“I’m not really sure why I began to collect. From a very early age I took an interest in history.”

Yeager has been interested specifically in World War II for many years. He collects many different types of artifacts and memorabilia, such as military

uniforms.

“The first item I got was a WWII era telegraph from a family friend,” Yeager said.

Yeager began with just collecting, but as his interest grew, he began to educate others about the war through war battle reenactments. The battles try to be as close as possible to the original ones, and they teach others about WWII. “The reenactments take place at museums across the state,” Yeager said.

“We wear period correct WWII uniforms and use original weapons which we shoot blanks out of.”

Yeager not only entertains himself with his hobby, but he also is able to educate others.

“I think it’s unique and it’s cool to see someone young that is so interested in history,” senior Tyler Perkins said.

Museums across Texas and even other nearby states occasionally hold

reenactments that Yeager participates in. People can come watch the reenactments and take tours to learn about WWII history.

“We put on show ‘battles’ for the public and give weapons demos and lessons to the public about WWII,” Yeager said.

“These reenactments occur anywhere from one to three times a month and we travel as far away as Kansas.”

Yeager dedicates his time to teach others, which most kids would find boring, but Yeager does it out of passion and curiosity.

Yeager dedicates his time to teach others out of passion and curiosity, and is able to pique the interests of people who want to learn about the war.

“I think the collection is kind of interesting since it’s kind of like a mini museum when you see it all displayed,” senior Michael Stroud said.

Yeager’s parents and

friends approve of his educational and exciting hobby, but unfortunately, his collection can be more expensive than most hobbies.

“Jake’s hobby is very expensive, considering the gear is not cheap and original items are often used,” Jake’s father, Frank Yeager said. “We find his hobby to be very unique.”

Original WWII equipment can be hard to find, which also makes it fairly expensive, but Jake and his family and friends think that the money is worth it.

“He has three German uniforms that he keeps really clean, those stood out because they are all real and historic,” Stroud said.

Overall, Jake’s family finds his hobby to be different, but also interesting and endearing.

“Most guys his age would find it incredibly boring,” Frank said. “But he takes pleasure from getting to teach history to the public.”

Combat surrender: Senior Jake Yeager holds his weapon up in the air during a World War II reenactment. Yeager and other WWII enthusiasts don accurate soldier uniforms and weapons to reenact various battles to educate others about the deadly war. Photo courtesy of Frank Yeager

Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

Page 9

Pet rescue strikes a cord with a pair of animal lovers Ashley Ramirez Staff Writer

Instead of taking their weekends off, juniors Fuaad Ajaz and Alex Reyes volunteer helping animals at local animal rescue centers. Ajaz and Reyes both volunteer at The Leisure Cat Animal Rescue or TLC Animal Rescue whose missions are preventing unwanted animal births as well as providing care and finding a home for abandoned animals.

All the animals they work with range in age as well as species.

“I help out with the cats and kittens usually, we feed their water bowls and clean their cages,” Reyes said.

On an average day of working with the animals Ajaz and Reyes have many similar tasks to do.

“My tasks depends on location, like if I’m at the Southpark Meadows location I have to go let the cats out, let them run around, make sure their water is fresh, and clean up all their accidents. At the Sunset Valley location, I unpack tables, chairs, tents, and cages and answer questions people have,” Ajaz said.

Ajaz came across the organization six years ago when he adopted his cats.

“I went back two years ago and saw them out there,” Ajaz said. “I thought the rescue dissolved but they were still there and I asked about volunteering and they said they always need volunteers,” Reyes started volunteering in this organization in the middle of this previous summer.

“My friend introduced me and asked if I want volunteer hours so I said sure.

I volunteer usually on Sundays from two to six every week or every other week,” Reyes said.

It is not just all fun and

art by Victoria Newell

games when volunteering at the rescue. Many animals suffer and sometimes tragedy strikes.

“Sometimes the mother cats pass away but at the owner’s home the ones that we have are usually young,” Reyes said.

“They need to go to the vet less, they do not have to walk them, and you can free feed them.”

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and one of the volunteer’s jobs is to inform people about the animals they are looking to adopt.

“All animals are fixed and have all their shots as well as being tested for feline Leukemia ” Reyes said. “I would tell them about the characteristics of the animal, funny traits, what they like and dislike, the breed, and any questions the adopter has.”

Overall, the animal volunteers love their jobs and continue to work most weekends because of that.

“I love it because it helped me figure out what I want to do with my life,” Ajaz said. “I know I want to work with animals. I also love it because I see so many animals neglected, malnourished, and unwanted, just thrown on the streets to die, and I like to see their transformation and see them get healthy again so they can go to their ‘forever home’, wherever it may be.”

First-time, world-class color guard begins winter season

Captain Stachew prepares herself and the rest of the guard for Championships Caitlin Devlin Student Life Editor Color guard is more than just a halftime show. Color guard is a strong team sport that carries through the school year and takes a lot of practice and hard work to get the results a team wants. However in order for the team to function properly and work well, the team needs leaders. Junior Jessica Stachew is the captain for the Bowie color guard through marching season and winter season, prepping her team for success in both seasons.

Stachew has been in color guard since freshman year. Her first marching show was the bee-themed “To B Or Not To Bee”.

“My mom was in color guard in high school, and when we were at Bowie freshman night, we saw a flyer that said to go to the dance gym to be in color guard, and I thought I might try it out, and I fell in love with it,” Stachew said.

Stachew had a fun experience with the guard program and the lessons she learned through the activity.

She decided to stick with it through sophomore and junior year.

“After freshman year, the environment it created was very welcoming, and I felt like I had a second family outside of the house,” Stachew said.

Her sophomore year, Stachew made open guard, and was just one of four sophomores to make open class. That year, the open guard made fourth in WGI World Championships with the show “World of Fools” and became a world class guard for the 2016 season.

“At first I didn’t really know why I made it, I didn’t really see anything special about what I did that was capable of making open, and I really wanted to, but when I found out I

made it, let alone make the weapon line, I was super shocked and not expecting it at all,” Stachew said.

Stachew tried out to a color guard lieutenant, the second highest leadership ranking in guard, for the 2015 marching season in May. When leadership results were revealed, she was surprised to find out that she made color guard captain instead of lieutenant, excelling above what she had hoped for.

“I was really shocked that I made captain. It’s scary to have to lead the team, but it’s also fun and I also enjoy it and they’re my family and I enjoy leading them,” Stachew said.

Stachew had three lieutenants at her side to help her lead and watch over the guard: junior Meredith Edelmon and seniors Shayla Perez and Kay Greene.

“When you’re in leadership, you’re kind of looked up to by the freshmen, and that kind of importance makes me want to be better than myself everyday,” Edelmon said.

The leadership team started the season in spring guard camp, where they taught incoming freshmen basic guard skills.

“At first the leadership had an issue with being a whole team, not just individuals, but now I feel we work more as a team,” Perez said.

The leadership team began teaching the guard in summer guard camp in July and August, and began to learn the this year’s marching show “Deep”.

“Jessica made a big influence on me, because at first I didn’t really know how guard was going to be, and because she’s captain she kind of pushed me forward,” freshman Cecilia Ortiz said.

In November, winter guard season started up again for the world team. Stachew and the other lieuten-

ants will continue to be leading and teaching the team as they learn their new show for this season. At World Championships the team will be competing against the top-25 winter guards in the nation.

“The competition and the standards of qualities and excellence we have are much higher than they were last year, and the pressure is going to be on. It’s incredible to be part of that, but it’s very, very challenging to be part of,” Stachew said.

The world team has practices to learn the show almost everyday after school that last from three hours. On weekends, practices can range from three to 12 hours. Winter guard is not a UIL sport, so there is no limit on the amount of time they can practice in a week.

“We work so, so hard.” Stachew said. “Not a lot of people realize the kind of effort it takes and the physical challenges it takes. A lot of people just think that we’re twirling flags, and it’s nothing like that. It’s physically and mentally challenging all at once, and I’d say it’s probably the most challenging sport that you can become a part of, because not only does it challenge your stamina and your endurance, but it challenges the ability for you to concentrate on minute details for three hours at time,” Despite the long hours of work, Stachew, alongside the rest of the world team, love what they do, and although some may be worried about World Championships, they are all looking forward to the season ahead of them and the performance they are going to perfect.

“I really hope we can just bond together more as a team. I hope this winter I can work with my teammates and the other leadership to be successful and be excellent,” Stachew said.

Point-toss-catch: Junior Jessica Stachew spins and tosses her practice flag in the air. Stachew, along with the rest of the world guard, practices most days after school and on most weekends for three to 12 hours. Photo by Caitlin Devlin

A thletics

The Lone Star Dispatch

Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

Lacrosse sticks it to the opponents Priscilla Diaz Athletic Editor

“ After a long summer, Lacrosse players are finally getting back to daily practices and work outs. Show casing, the promising season for lacrosse as it kicks off.

“I’m excited for the season, coming right off the end of football, it’s a big change and I’m a little nervous because we want to do good,” senior Patrick Moran said.

After playing the last season of high school football, many athletes are taking on different sports, lacrosse being a popular one.

“A new season always brings up a lot of emotions and nerves” senior Sam Portillo said. “It’s exciting to see what the team is gonna be like this year.”

Lacrosse takes a lot of time and dedication, something which many athletes are willing to devote.

“We spend a lot of time during practice trying to improve our skills and techniques,” said junior Kylie Parkins.

Coaches take advantage of practices during the off season to focus mainly on improving the weaknesses of the teams.

“We’re working on a lot of individual skill set stuff this fall. It takes a lot of time, focus, practice, and persistence to develop good stick skills and field awareness,” head coach Doak said. “If you can’t catch and throw, lacrosse isn’t too much fun. We’re building a strong foundation this fall to build on in the spring.”

Although Lacrosse is only preparing for the spring season, they have a lot to look forward to. As the players start coming together as a team and improving, the season ahead keeps looking better.

“I’ve been playing lacrosse for 3 years, so it’s exciting to see all the new girls joining and teaching them all the ropes and seeing how we’re going to end up working as a team,” junior Lexi Curtis said.

Many players have only been playing lacrosse throughout their high school years but they have been able to experience improvement through practice. Lacrosse is a lot like a hobby to some which makes it more enjoyable and fun.

“I think we’ll surprise ourselves this season,”

senior Zach Manley said.

“We’re all very close so it’s a lot of fun and it makes it easier to work together.”

The teams also take a lot of time to get to know each other and bond in order to be able to work well and function properly as a team. It takes a lot of dedication and sportsmanship to have a good relationship with the team.

“We all come together as a good unit and we just have a good bond so it makes a good practice,” Portillo said.

Many of the players dedicate themselves to becoming better athletes and doing the best they can.

Two of the boys on varsity lacrosse, Moran and Portillo have already committed to colleges.

“I visited a few schools over the summer and attended show cases in the spring and over the summer,” Moran said.

Moran has committed to play at Ohio Northern University. It took a lot of extra work and dedication to get to where he is now.

“Playing at Bowie has definitely affected my teamwork because it makes a group of guys come together to achieve the same goal,”Portillo said. “You have to have team chemistry to achieve any goals we set in front of ourselves.”

Hard work, practice, and the help of club and school teams have brought Portillo to committing to St. Mary’s University.

These athletes have been determined to be the best that they can be and have set themselves out to be good leaders and team players.

“We have many other players that are on the recruiting radar that are very hopeful to play lacrosse at the next level,” Doak said.

Both the girls and the boys on the lacrosse teams at bowie are making extensive efforts to be noticed by scouts and get recruited.

“Emily Haine plays some tournaments on a club team so that scouts can see her team play.”

The lacrosse team is very strong and is looking forward to a successful season. They are putting in a lot of heart into it and work in order to thrive and be as excellent as the team possibly can be.

“Every player is as important as the next,” Doak said. “We are only as strong as our weakest link.”

Page 10

Moving on to bigger and better things

Cheer team strives to place in top-10 at Nationals Caitlin Devlin Student Life Editor The Bowie cheerleading junior and varsity teams work are more than just for entertainment at football games and pep rallies. The teams also competes and does well in various cheerleading competitions locally and around the state, and soon will be participating at the national level.

The varsity and junior varsity teams have practices almost everyday after school for an hour and a half or more. In these practices the girls continue to learn and perfect new routines.

“We practice almost everyday working on our stunts and learning our routine. Many of us also go to outside tumbling classes to improve our skills,” senior Harrison Rocha said.

The reason that they make new, unique routines is for cheer competitions, which both teams often do well in.

“I get excited for them during performances if I know that they know what they’re doing, otherwise I’m fearful for them because not everyone trains the same,” varsity and junior varsity coach Ervin Knight said.

Flips and stunts: Junior Bridget Alvarez is lifted up into stunt formation by fellow Every competition they teammates senior Hadley Kopser and junior Ilona Poole. Alvarez, Kopser and Poole have a different routine? are varsity cheerleaders. Photo by Violet Glenewinkel “My favorite part of performing is that when Nationals will be whenever wherever and they will deyou’re on the floor and evsign a new routine erybody is talking to each other and really motivating “Right now, we’ve set a goal for ourselves to go in and one another, it’s a really good way to feel close with my place top ten,” Knight said. team,” junior Bridget Alvarez said.

The teams also have another competition ahead of Both teams competed in the Southwest Regional comthem, the UCA Texas State Championship, on Jan. 10 in petition in San Marcos on Nov. 24. The varsity team comSan Marcos. peted as a co-ed small team, and the junior varsity team “I hope we do the best that we can do, we hit all our competed as a non-building team, the only team in that stunts and tumbling and hopefully place well,” Rocha class.

“I always try to channel my energy into my perfor- said.

For the next two competitions, the teams will create a mance,” Rocha said. “There were some mistakes made new routine to perform, just as they have at every combut I think overall me and my group did really well.”

The junior varsity received a score of 57.50 points, petition.

“Whenever I perform I feel a lot of adrenaline, before and the varsity team had a score of 78.00 points, giving going on I get really nervous and jumpy but once the routhem second place.

“It was really exciting because we have all worked tine has started all of the nerves go away,” Alvarez said.

The varsity cheerleading team has a busy schedule of hard as a team and individually to get where we are,” Ropractices and competitions, from football games to comcha said. petitions but they hope that their hard work will pay off in Because of their high score, the varsity team is advancing to compete at the national level at the National the end, at their last competition.

“For nationals I’m hoping for us to hit our routine to High School Cheerleading Championship in Walt Disney the best of our abilities, I’d just like to perform a routine World on Feb. 6. we’re happy with at the end.” Alvarez said. “My only fear “I know that this will be an amazing experience for us,” Alvarez said. “We’ve trained really hard to reach our for Nationals is leaving unhappy with our performance. goal and it’s great that we’re able to see our dreams come If we try our hardest I know I’ll be proud no matter what the results are.” true.”

College bound turns into D1 bound Isabel Rosales Athletics Editor

Stopping the ball: Junior Cat Munoz practices her goalie skills at practice while other teammates try to score on her. Munoz blocked the ball from getting past her and into the goal. Photo by Amaya Marquez

Every kids dream at one point or the other is to play pro ball and these four seniors are just a step closer to making that dream reality by playing basketball, softball and baseball in college.

One Nov. 12 seniors Kianna Ray, Amber Lotz, and Hailey Walker signed to play their respective sports in college. Ray committed to Texas Christian University to play basketball, Lotz committed to Houston Baptist University to play softball, Walker committed to Alabama State University to play softball.

They all committed to D1 schools to continue playing ball.

Ray has been playing basketball since she was four years old, she is a four-year varsity member and is has been the captain for the past three years.

“I’ve been playing all my life now and to know it has paid off feels great,” Ray said.

Going to a new school, in new state means not knowing anything but for Walker that is not a prob-

lem.

“When thinking about going to college and having to start over may be scary for most other people but I’m super excited to meet a my new teammates and be part of a family,” Walker said.

For Lotz when choosing where to attend college it depended on the scholarships.

“I chose Houston Baptist because they offered me a softball scholarship,” Lotz said.

Houston Baptist is a private school and tuition rates for private school are two-to-three times more expensive than public schools.

“Getting a scholarship is awesome and it’s a beautiful private school that will also give me a great education,” Lotz said.

Staying close to home was very important to both Ray and Lotz.

“Houston Baptist isn’t too far from home so that is another reason I chose it,” Lotz said.

For Ray and Lotz the average drive time consists of three hours.

“The location is close enough to home but also

Let’s play ball: Seniors Kianna Ray and Amber Lotz pose for a picture. Ray committed to play at Texas Christian University and Lotz committed to Houston Baptist University. Photo by Isabel Rosales

far enough to get the college experience,” Ray said.

However for Walker getting out of Texas was on her checklist.

“I’ve always wanted to get out of Texas for college and I think Alabama will be good for me,” Walker said.

The atmosphere of Texas Christian University made Ray fall in love with the school.

“The coaching staff, current players and incoming players are amazing and made me feel very

welcome and the campus is beautiful, and academically it’s a great school,” Ray said.

For Lotz playing softball in college will come to her as second nature. ”I’ve been playing softball since I was about five,” Lotz said.

After years of playing softball the love for the game remains.

“I don’t have a favorite part about the sport, I just love how it’s a team sport and I’ve practically played it my whole life.”

A thletics

Soccer team ‘kicks’ into gear The Lone Star Dispatch

Shelby Kelly Staff Writer

The athletic fields were bursting with soccer players once again as the season kicked off with tryouts. The sport’s winter season has started and both the coaches and players are ready to start another season.

There are four coaches leading soccer and the program consists of many players. Last year, the team made it to the first round of playoffs and now plan to get even better. The team’s biggest rivals this season consist of Lake Travis, Westlake and Del Valle.

Coach Ryan Logan is ready for another good season, explaining his great hopes and expectations.

“My expectations are high, we are returning five All District Players and we have 16 seniors on the roster,” Logan said.

Senior player Hayley Farr also shares her expectations for her final soccer year; she looks forward to see how the younger players will fit in.

“I am really looking forward to the younger players filling the roles of the seniors. It will be interesting to see who steps up the roles that are empty,” Farr said.

Whitney Johnson, who plays holding and attacking middle, has high expectations concerning the team’s goal in the future.

“Every year as a program we work to get further in the playoffs, I believe our goal this year is to get higher in district and get a first round win,” Johnson said.

Bowie soccer has many strengths, which coach Logan is excited to use.

“We play physical, and should be more mature with the amount of seniors we have,” Logan said.

Logan thinks Bowie will do great this year but already has some improvements set to go.

“I think we will be more focused on the job ahead of us and get further in Playoffs, I also think I have a stronger group of finishers up front,” Logan said.

Farr also recognizes some areas to work on.

“There will be a lot of seniors this year and it would be neat to be a whole team, I hope to be even more family oriented, sometimes we group up because of age or grade, but I hope we can all be family,” Farr says.

Coach Hoffman also shares her wisdom.

“We have skilled players that could be successful if they are willing to continue to work hard at practices and games,” Hoffman said.

Farr, a veteran in soccer, gives advice on how to continue as a good soccer team member.

“Give it all you’ve got, you cannot hold anything back. You only have a limited amount of time for the coaches to see you.

Another thing the coaches like to see is not just your talent but also your attitude. If you do not have a good attitude coaches will not want to put up with you. Be respectful and a team player,” Farr said.

To be a good player you have to invest many hours.

“Soccer takes up a lot; I practice three times a week and usually have two games a weekend and most of the games are out of state, also on top of that I have to do any extra work I put on myself to practice,” Johnson said.

Most of Bowie soccer players have been playing for more than just in high school.

“I have been playing soccer for a really long time, about ten years. I don’t know if I will play at the college level. But I could never see myself completely giving up soccer, I love it. Being around your teammates is so much fun. Its like you have another family,” Farr said.

The Bowie team members are just like family, there are many talented players, Farr points out.

“I have many amazing team members, one of them includes our goalie, who is a sophomore and is on the varsity team. She was a starter who also, like many others, I played club soccer with. There is another girl who is trying out this year and has been playing basketball the past couple of years, her name is Lexi Byone and she plays on her select team and is really good.

Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

Page 11

Stealing scores: Senior Elijah Hall steals the ball from his opponent on the Hays team.

This game was very challenging as the weather was cold and players were struggling to stay warm, however they had the advantage of being on the home side of the stadium and were able to win the game. Photo by: Granger Coats

I am really excited to see how she does this year,” Farr said.

Bowie soccer has done well and hopes to continue, Logan has some advice if you are considering to be on the team or if you’re still on it.

“Pass your classes, have a physical, and touch a ball as much as you can to strengthen your skill,” Logan says.

Games are already here, Coaches and players are ready to get back into the game, Hoffman is excited to get the season started.

“We start the season off with scrimmages and tournaments in early January. Our first district game will be against Westlake at Westlake on January 26 at 7:15 pm,” Hoffman said.

Girls basketball thrives through the seasons challenges BASKETBALL TERMS

Information courtesy of NBA.com

art by Michelle McDonagh

Greyson Hughes Staff Writer

The girls varsity basketball team is almost halfway through their season, with a current 11-4 record, and there are more games to win. They plan to finish off the season strongly.

“Health is always the unpredictable ‘x’ factor,” Vickie Benson said.

“If we can stay healthy, we have a really good chance to be playing excellent basketball in January and February.”

With an increase in mold lately players are concerned that it could affect their future games.

Teamwork is the most important thing for getting the job done, everyone contributes and everyone works well, sometimes they won’t and nothing will get done, that’s why it’s important that the girls get along very well or they will lose more often.

“The team has an amazing chemistry. We are like a big family and the most close-knit team I’ve ever been

a part of,” Amber Lotz said. “We have team bonding outside of school whenever we can and just love to constantly be around one another which isn’t true for a lot of teams.”

A team’s chemistry is an important factor of success, finals starting on December 15th hopefully will not change the basketball schedule.

With so many games to prepare for and so little hours in the day the girls are preparing for Westlake although it may be a hard game the coach sees effort in the team.

“Our team has been playing really well lately, but we definitely haven’t reached our full potential,” Kianna Ray said. “We have developed in so many areas, but of course, there’s always things to work on. Our team is good at learning from the past.”

So far this season the girls have a record of 11-4 and the players practice for their upcoming game against Westlake.

One of the most important things for the team is the school support.

The students, teachers, and parents

are constantly encouraging the girls to grow and play hard and also giving them a reason to play.

“That’s what I love about the team, everyone wants to play so they compete and don’t slack off,” Lotz said. “Coach gives us multiple chances to prove ourselves and that’s what I love. If you mess up you just have to work hard and make up for it.”

The coach’s effort to towards the team is helping push the girls to many wins in the future. The girls love the team and they are joyful towards each other and all the support and hopefully nobody will get sick and it will be a great season. The varsity girls are playing Westlake on the 11th of December and Benson has confidence in them.

“The team does not cheat on effort,” Benson said. “They understand the value and importance of giving it their all.”

The coaches are preparing the girls for the Westlake game that is said to be one of the hardest games.

‘Dawg Records Boys girls Basketball: Basketball: Record: 6-5 Upcoming Games: Dec. 11 @ Westlake Dec. 18 @ Lanier

Record: 11-4 Upcoming Games: Dec. 19 Tournament @ Cedar Park

Soccer:

WRestling:

Upcoming Matches: Upcoming games: Dec. 30 v Ellison HS Dec. 12 @ SA Roosevelt HS @ G-town

Expires: 2/15/16

Remember to buy your 2015-16 yearbook!

$70

*

for 396 pages of JBHS memories Order forms available in F206 or order online @ jostensyearbooks.com *Personalize your yearbook for $6 extra and $4 for each icon added.

P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch

Monday, Dec. 14, 2015

Page 12

Culinary cooks for the teachers

Three cooks: Senior Ben Spink, junior Emma Cain, and junior Dakota Valdes place the used pans from the buffet while waiting for the next dishes to go out. The students had to perform numerous tasks in different areas of the kitchen during the PTSA staff luncheon. “My favorite part was how smooth everything went, we were all doing what we were supposed to be doing,” Valdes said. Photo by Granger Coats

Chip chop chip: Crisp slices of lettuce and celery collect on the cutting board of senior Angel Reyes. Reyes was also in charge of making sure food got refilled and presentation was up to standard. “I was in charge of the dining room side of things and making sure everything went smoothly,” Reyes said. Photo by Granger Coats Sous chef: Dishing the beef pot roast from pan to plate, senior Alyssa Mota cleans and preps the kitchen. Working as a sous chef the day of the buffet, Mota was in charge of many crucial aspects of the luncheon. “I learned how to be a leader and take more control over the whole situation,” Mota said. Photo by Granger Coats

Holiday luncheon provided by PTSA feeds faculty and staff before break Eliana Lynch Commentary Editor Bowie Culinary Arts is known for it’s luncheons and their annual events.

This year, Culinary hosted a Culinary Winter Comfort Buffet for the PTSA. Though for the most part, luncheons are meant to raise money for the organization, this was a lunch just for teachers and teacher appreciation paid for by the PTSA. “We get hired by the school district to make dinner for the whole staff,” senior second year Janelle Seay said. “Basically, it’s a holiday thing for all of the staff members. We want to show our appreciation best we can. It was actually completely free for teachers. I liked seeing all of my teachers come to see what we do in culinary and enjoying our food.”

This year, the focus for the theme was more on winter holidays and decorations with simple, likable, foods.

“We try to elevate the classic dishes,” senior Angel Reyes said. “This year we served turkey and ham, different dips, meatballs, tomato soup, mac and cheese, and lot’s of vegetables just to name a few.”

The second years always take over the menus and making the big decisions. Though the themes are different every year, the role of the second years doesn’t change.

“Themes are different every year,” Chef Winemiller said. “Four people designed the menus this year, normally it’s less, and one person chooses the theme.

In a perfect world I just oversee what everyone is doing and helping out as little as I can. Bottom line the food has to go out the door. If a person doesn’t get their work done I’ll have to end up doing it.”

Creating the menus is an extremely challenging task so the second years split up the different foods being served as well as the different jobs on the big day.

“I was on appetizers,” Seay said. “ I wrote all of the menus for them so that was my service station. If I wasn’t doing appetizers I’d probably be in the dining room working on buffet.

This year I was much more in charge, which is exciting. ” The buffet is a new idea that isn’t normally used at the luncheons. The luncheons have more of a formal feel to them but the purpose of the PTSA lunch was for more of a warm and simple feeling.

“This year I was in charge of the buffet,” Reyes said. “I honestly really didn’t like it that much because there were too many people and it was all backed up. I’d rather be in the kitchen making stuff.

I liked seeing my teachers happy but I prefer to just be behind the scenes. ”

Though this lunch is much simpler than luncheons there are still reasons for more concern.

“We really had to prove ourselves this time because last event didn’t go too well,” Seay said. “There were lot’s of problems mainly in the kitchen because the first years didn’t know what they were doing and us second years weren’t taking enough charge of our assigned first years especially in the kitchen.”

Concerns range from culinary students all the way to Chef himself.

“I do like seeing the faculty enjoy themselves and having a good time,” Chef Winemiller said. “However, my least favorite part is that there is always a chance that something goes wrong and service just completely falls apart.

I also really hate losing money, because we have a set budget so it’s even more complicated. But hey, if they hire us, we cook. It’s that simple.”

Bowie Culinary Arts take pride in the effort that they put into their meals.

They work hard every year creating fresh and difficult dishes for the satisfaction of others. Though students and faculty may not be able to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes in the kitchen, they most definitely can taste it in the food that is set in front of them.

Kitchen prep: Gathering the fresh cut veggies, juniors Elizabeth Carreon and Alexis Nines organize the lettuce and celery before cooking. On the day of the luncheon Carreon also finished up the decorations on the cake. “My favorite thing about working the buffet was the day of the event I got to finish decorating the cakes,” Carreon said.

Photo by Granger Coats

In and out: Junior Ian Good moves fresh pans into the dining area then quickly rushes out with the empty pans from before. Good rushed back and forth from the kitchen to the buffet making sure the food was fresh and ready for the teachers. “I learned how much harder a buffet can be than a regular service,” Good said. Photo by Granger Coats