February 2010 - Sexting

the

VOLUME TWENTY-FOUR {ISSUE FIVE} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

MARQUEE newsmagazine

ntly a t s n gy co becoming o l o n ech g is t n i h The t t i . x n e W s o , ving omm in-depth o c r e p r im d mo ed to go n a hat e d w i , t c mor n e ed cou e c u hat a q r w d n d a Ma n g, a rst-h n fi i t a x e h inst ss a wit a g s a e t led itu const s can be fi e charg s. nt stude Page 5 Local weather affected by warm water current in Pacific, causes record lows for Texas Page 7 New coach leads 26-4 boys’ basketball team to fourth place ranking Page 21 Staff assesses Obama’s first year in office on two major issues

M A R C U S H I G H S C H O O L {5 7 0 7 M O R R I S S R O A D } F L O W E R M O U N D , T X 7 5 0 2 8

table of contents

the marquee n e w s m a g a z i n e n e w s m a g a z i n e

editors in chief patrick iversen, shelby bookout

photo editor mark turnbull

graphics editors amy hillberry, shameer dhaliwal

business manager alexis sherwood

news editor kate o’toole

assistant news editor carley meiners

sports editor luke swinney

assistant sports editor erryn bohon

in-depth editor

page 8

COVER GRAPHIC BY AMY HILLBERRY COVER DESIGN BY SHELBY BOOKOUT COVER PHOTO BY MARK TURNBULL

alex mehlhaff

assistant in-depth editor kelsey mccauley

feature editor natasha jordan

entertainment editor devon miller

assistant entertainment editor

{4} GO RED District-wide heart health campaign begins in February to raise awareness for heart disease in women. by jasmine sachar

taylor ross

opinion editor ashley solari

reporters samantha draper, lauren rose, jasmine sachar, joey ulfsrud

{8} STUDENT REFS Students put on the stripes to improve their knowledge and give back to the games they love. by erryn bohon

graphics maria heinonen, brandon prill, nathaniel thornton, breyanna washington

photographers kyle anderson, becca dyer, nathaniel katz, allison przybysz, sarah quinn, taylor thomas

adviser

{14} COACH JACOBS Faith keeps family positive after Christmas Day fire burns house and belongings. by luke swinney and jasmine sachar LARIffdsf

STORY BY ASHLEY SO-

{19} 14 WAYS TO SHOW THEM YOU CARE Unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day for guys and girls. by joey ulfsrud and carley meiners 2

lajuana hale

principal gary shafferman The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression.

The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate. All submissions must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit all material.

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ALL ORIGINAL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED.

{the marquee}

A year in office: Obama’s presidency

{NEWS}

Throughout his first year in office, the 44th president has taken charge of many initiatives. From the moment when he was sworn in, Barack Obama inherited problems such as a weak economic market that narrowly escaped ruin, auto companies and banks on the verge of bankruptcy, two wars, a growing deficit and a competitive global market. The Marquee breaks down the highlights of Obama’s first year in office.

Economy

STORY BY JASMINE SACHAR AND CARLEY MEINERS GRAPHICS BY SHAMEER DHALIWAL AND AMY HILLBERRY

In late September of 2008, the country’s economy was on the brink of crashing. As soon as Obama’s term began, he used $825 billion for a stimulus package. His goal was to create jobs, extend unemployment benefits and help states pay for Medicaid. Obama said that if he hadn’t put forth the stimulus plan, unemployment would be double what it is today. Obama and Congress also passed 25 tax cuts, including those for students trying to pay for college, small businesses and middle class families.

Obama and many other analysts said that the stimulus did its job and boosted the economy. For most of 2009, the stock market has risen. Also suffering were many important national banks. As they came closer to bankruptcy Obama and Congress bailed them out. “(The bank bailout) was about as popular as root canal,” Obama said in his State of the Union Address Jan. 27. “But when I ran for president, I promised I wouldn’t just do what was popular-- I would do what was necessary.”

Without this bailout, many banks were expected to have shut down and, in result, the economy is expected to have crashed. As of now, several banks and auto companies have started to repay their debts. According to Obama, the economy is slowly coming back to pace. Still, many Republicans remain unhappy with the extent of government involvment in the economy and the increasing deficit.

Foreign Relations Within the first 12 months of his presidency, Obama has gone on 10 international trips and visited 24 cities, talking to many international leaders about relations and plans for cooperative progress.

In his June trip to Cairo, Egypt, President Obama gave a speech directed at the Muslim world, seeking a new beginning with Muslims but condemning attacks of violent extremists. In his July trip to Russia, whose relationship with America has historically been shaky, Obama sat down with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. They came to an agreement to lower nuclear arsenals on both sides.

In July, Obama and seven other leaders from other nations congregated in L’Aquila, Italy for the annual G8 summit. Issues such as the world economy, environmental problems and Iran and North Korea were brought up.

In November, Obama made a trip to East Asia.

Among many other leaders, he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao, though little progress seems to have been made on issues like Iran and human rights.

After the earthquake in Haiti that left millions homeless and hundreds of thousands dead, Obama gave $100 million in aid money to the country.

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

Healthcare During the summer months of 2009, healthcare reform seemed to take center stage of the political scene as Obama labeled it his top domestic priority.

He stressed the importance of providing all Americans with affordable health care by creating a competitive insurance plan market, which would ultimately drive down costs.

Obama also mentioned that while the plan could cost $1 trillion, the reform would actually work to lower the deficit. The issue deepened party divides, despite Obama’s earlier pledges to encourage bipartisanship.

Over the course of eight months, hype over healthcare reform waned in Congress. Though a different version of the bill has been passed in both houses, congressional leaders have expressed that they now are in no haste to pass a common hill. Despite setbacks, in his address, Obama vowed to keep fighting for healthcare reform and urged Congress to “finish the job for the American people.”

“I know this problem isn’t going away,” Obama said in his Jan. 27 State of the Union address. “By the time I’m done speaking tonight, more Americans would have lost their health insurance. I will not walk away from these Americans and neither should the people in this chamber.”

War The war in Afghanistan was soon pushed to the forefront of President Obama’s agenda when he, despite campaign promises, announced in December that he would send 35,000 additional troops to the region, with a withdrawal date targeted at July 2011. Obama came under sharp criticism for this announcement, as it came two months after he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.

The measure comes with a price tag of $35 billion.

His reasoning for the surge of troops is that he believes the continuous presence of Al-Qaeda poses a significant threat to U.S. security.

“We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum…and we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government,” Obama said.

Attention seems to have waned from what now is jokingly called “the other war” in Iraq. After a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, Obama announced that combat troops in Iraq are planned to be withdrawn

by August 2010. However, thousands of troops will be left behind for the purpose of support.

“It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis,” Obama said to troops during a surprise visit to Camp Victory near Baghdad in April. “They need to take responsibility for their country and their sovereignty.” design by nathaniel thornton 3

{NEW S }

District shows heart by ‘Going Red’ ‘Go Red’ awareness campaign educates women on heart disease

STORY BY JASMINE SACHAR GRAPHICS BY AMY HILLBERRY With the purpose of raising awareness of heart disease in women, the school is participating in a districtwide “Go Red for Women” campaign during the month of February. This program, organized by the American Heart Association, serves to educate female faculty about the issues associated with cardiovascular health and prevention.

“My personal opinion is that they’ve always felt that it was just a man’s disease and that women were just being emotional about the way they felt,” Head Nurse Kathy Saucedo said. “The medical professionals and other people involved like family members weren’t recognizing it as a heart problem. They were thinking it was more of a ‘you’re just tired you need to lie down’ and next thing you know you’ve got a big problem on your hands.”

The program was introduced to the district by representatives of the American Heart Association and soon received support from superintendent Dr. Jerry Roy. Saucedo estimates around 10-15 faculty members have diagnosed heart disease, a large percent of which are women. She suggests that even more have it, but don’t know it.

“Female symptoms are much less ‘textbook’ than for a male and may be overlooked.,” Stephanie Gage, Director of Health Services for LISD, said. Women have always been categorized as caregivers and are used to taking care of others. They don’t have time to have health problems.”

Attendance clerk Trudy York, like many women in the U.S., had heart disease that went undetected by doctors and herself until her heart attack in April 2002.

York woke up in the middle of the night, not feeling quite normal, jittery. As she stood up, a sharp, powerful pain hit her in the middle of her chest bone. Her husband rushed her to the emergency room. When an anteriorgram of the heart revealed a significant amount of blockage, surgery ensued to open up the arteries, and she spent the next eight weeks in the slow process of recovery.

“With opening your chest up, it was very

4 design by amy hillberry

difficult to sleep,” York said, “To be honest, I felt really rough for a while. I had to sleep in the chair sometimes. And then I started physical therapy. It seemed like it helped the process a little bit.” “(The) thing that kind of surprised me was that I had no previous symptoms,” York said. “I think it’s that you’re just never prepared. It shocks you.”

Symptoms of oncoming heart disease, according to Saucedo, present themselves differently in men than in women.

“It’s now becoming much more recognized that we don’t have severe chest pain and the sweating,” Saucedo said. “We have fatigue and nausea and emotional feelings come before the pain comes.”

According to the American Heart Association, about 1,250 women in the U.S. die each day from heart disease, making it the number one killer of women in the country.

Over 42 million women across the country have some form of the disease.

Gage said that while the program is targeted at female faculty, they are hoping to see a “trickle-down” effect to students, who will bear witness to good examples of heart health during the course of the month.

“The specific audience is women but men are married and have daughters so heart disease affects all,” Gage said. “We are trying to promote a proactive model of wellness among all staff and students.”

Several district wide activities are planned for February. Today, Feb. 5, is National Go Red Day, and all faculty members are encouraged to wear red shirts. A jeans day will be set up, where faculty members will pay $5 in exchange for wearing denim to school.

“Biggest Loser” competitions have also been set up on many campuses.

Some school menus in the district will boast heart-healthy choices.

Saucedo plans on talking to the homeeconomics and food science teachers and having them create heart-healthy meals from recipes sent by the AHA. Gage said the district expects full participation from all staff members.

Front office clerk Ruth Adkisson is

another member of the staff who has been affected by heart problems. Adkisson said problems were revealed last November while eating lunch with Nurse Saucedo. Adkisson was bending down to get something, said she felt funny, and the next thing she knew she was on the floor of the teachers lounge, waking up.

“I didn’t think it’d happen to me,” Adkisson said. “When I woke up in the teacher’s lounge that day, I said ‘Well, what happened?’ I thought I was watching someone else but everyone was watching me. It was really weird. I didn’t know I had passed out. I didn’t know anything had happened to me.”

Adkisson was soon taken to the hospital, where it was discovered that her heart was out of sinus rhythm. Now, she must take several heart medications everyday. Although her family history of heart disease was strong, she was surprised by the diagnosis.

“You think it’s never going to happen to you, so it’s good to have all the facts,” Adkisson said. “I feel fine now. That’s the scary part about a lot of things. You feel good and then something happens so you just need to be aware of everything.”

York is currently on blood pressure and cholesterol medication to keep her problem under control. She thinks that the Go Red campaign is a good idea and wishes she had taken better care of herself to prevent cardiovascular problems.

“I guess you could say I’m my own worst enemy because I really wasn’t doing anything to prevent something like that from happening,” York said. “I don’t exercise like I should. Every year I say that’s my new resolution so I’m doing a little better. I guess I’ll just have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

PHOTOS BY NATHANIEL KATZ Attendance clerk Trudy York, to the right, and front office clerk Ruth Adkisson, above, are back at the school after recovering from heart problems.

Facts to believe in Heart disease is the number one killer of women age 20 and over, yet it is largely preventable

1 in 3 women have some form of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease kills approximately one woman every minute

Only 1 in 5 women believe that heart disease is their greatest health threat

Research shows that women who “Go Red” are more likely to make healthy choices

Eating healthier, exercising more, reducing cholesterol or quitting smoking can help chances of beating heart disease

Facts from GoRedForWomen.org {the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{NEWS}

School times change

Feb. brings food, fun

STORY BY CARLEY MEINERS

The changes in the start and ending times of all district schools will be discussed at a public school board hearing on Mon., Feb. 8. The new times will consist of elementary school starting at 7:50 a.m. until 2:50 p.m., middle school starting at 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. and high school starting at 8:15 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The time school begins always depends on the bus routes. Right now, most bus drivers only drive one route, either for elementary, middle or high school. With the new system, each bus driver will take three routes.

If the school times were to change, they would go in effect starting the 2010-2011 year. Karen Permetti from the LISD Public Information Office said that this change is mainly aimed at money. According to Durham School Services, the district would save $500,000.

“The board is reviewing everything that could help the district reduce the deficit without having to cut academic or co-curricular programs,” Permetti said.

COMPILED BY KATE O’TOOLE AND BREYANNA WASHINGTON

PHOTO BY NATHANIEL KATZ

Texas cracks down on texting

Texting while driving has become a habit nationwide and cities across Texas are starting to crack down. The state has enacted laws that prohibit drivers in school zones and teenagers under eighteen from texting while driving. If drivers are caught, they could receive a ticket and possibly a fine of $500. Texting while driving is banned for all drivers in 19 states and is hoped to be banned across the U.S. by 2013.

Feb. 12 - Taste of Soul - It’s that time of year again. Stedents can get out of class to eat food, such as collard greens, candied yams, cornbread, fried chicken, barbeque, brisket, banana pudding, sweet potato pie, cakes and more. They can enjoy some southern specialities while supporting the Black History Club.

Feb. 15 - President’s Day - There will be no school on Monday in order to celebrate both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. Students will have a long threeday weekend to enjoy their valentine candy and work off the extra pounds gained at the Taste of Soul.

Feb. 27 - Sadie Hawkins Dance - This 73 year old tradition started from the comic strip Lil’ Abner. Now, it’s a valentine’s Day dance with a twist. Instead of traditional etiquette, girls will ask their special someones to the school’s first annual Sadie Hawkins dance.

Recent weather creates questions Continuing climate change apparent in global warming studies STORY BY KATE O’TOOLE

B

y 2050, it is predicted that one out of ten animals and plants across the world will be extinct. Alaskan polar bears will disappear along with their polar habitat, and future climate change and warming will displace thousands of animals.

More natural disasters could occur as years progress, along with global shortages of water, food and land. These events might not just be in movies anymore.

The predictions have run rampant after a study by NASA just released data that shows that this past decade was the warmest on record and that 2009 was the second warmest year since 1880 in the Southern Hemisphere. Although reports have shed light on a warmer decade, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported North America had the largest snow cover for December 2009 since satellite records began in 1967.

People across Flower Mound may have noticed differences in weather, namely with colder winter temperatures and a white Christmas. Junior Scarlett White said she thought the winter was typical of Texas, except for the winter jet stream descending to Oklahoma.

“I think that it was really unusual,” White said. “I actually really enjoyed the snow, being from Michigan. Snow on Christmas, my birthday, and New Years was fantastic.”

The changes in weather across Texas and the nation caused several people to question what exactly was occurring. Fox 4 Meteorologist Evan Andrews says that the climate goes through various cycles and this December was no exception.

“While it may seem extreme, it really is part of the normal variation in climate,” FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

Andrews said. “The reality is there haven’t been too many records broken with this recent wave of cold air.”

This is also an El Niño year, a periodic event where warm water collects in the Eastern Pacific and causes an overall change in the global weather pattern.

Climatologist Brent McRoberts of A&M University said that in Texas, El Niño usually means an increase in the number of storms and fronts in the area. He said that the El Niño effects so far were rather average, compared to past ones.

“This event certainly has brought an increase in precipitation across most of Texas,” McRoberts said. “But this is an expected occurrence in an El Niño winter.”

Although there is evidence that supports that global warming is occurring, some people believe that the cold weather signals a climate cool down. ��������������� Nolan Doesken, president of ���������������������������� the American Association of State Climatologists and Colorado State Climatologist, said that even though there are a few places on earth that have been cooler than average recently, it isn’t the case for most areas. “���������������������������������������� A few cold weeks does not mean that global warming trends have suddenly changed,” Doesken said. “After all, it is winter and people may be saying something quite different come summer. From what I can tell from various global data sources there is not global trend suggesting that the earth is cooling. There has just been a recent cold spell in several parts of the world that very much caught the attention of the media.”

McRoberts said that global warming is a hot topic up for debate, but he said he thinks that most scientists would agree that the world’s temperature is increasing.

“A warming world has varied

consequences for different regions of the world, impacting some regions more than others,” McRoberts said. “Although we’ve had a rather cold winter, this past July was the warmest on record for several cities in Texas, including Austin, College Station, Houston, and San Antonio.”

White said that she does think global warming is occurring. She said that humans have an impact upon the world, especially with the advancing technology and population increase, but that isn’t the only reason for warming.

“I don’t really give much thought to global warming per se because the earth goes through so many geological and biological changes each year,” White said. “The planet

itself is warm. One volcano eruption is more powerful than a single year of emissions worldwide. Global warming, I think the earth is just going through a natural cycle.”

Even though views on global warming and changes in temperature vary widely, Doesken says that there is drastic weather occurring currently. “���������������������������������������� This is where the public often gets confused,” Doesken said. “Extreme weather is happening now, but our data show that extreme weather in our part of the world has been happening for as long as anyone has been here to notice. The extremes aren’t much different than in the past. And extremes are nearly certain to continue into the future. ”�

PHOTO BY SARAH QUINN On Dec. 25, 2009, many North Texans woke up to the surprise of a white Christmas. It was the first white Christmas Texas has seen since 1925.

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{SPORTS}

Starting strategies show success Coach’s winning reputation remains consistent as team continues streak as sixth best in Texas STORY BY KATE O’TOOLE With 10.4 seconds left on the clock and the gym filled with nervous anticipation, Coppell trailed 42 to 41. The Marcus stands were packed with fans yelling for defense as Marcus tried to steal the ball. The whistle blew. Phillip Forte had two free throw shots, due to a foul. Coach Henderson looked on with intense concentration as Forte threw his first free throw. The ball effortlessly flew in and the crowd went wild.

Coppell called a timeout, hoping to stop Forte’s success, but there was no stopping him. In the last 1.6 seconds, Forte made his second shot. Relief spread across the crowd in the extremely close game as Marcus won 44 to 41.

Sophomore forward Marcus Smart said that the game against Coppell was rough for everybody on the team.

“We missed shots we usually make and we turned the ball over a little bit more than we expected,” Smart said. “Coppell is a good team, and they really made us bring our A-game.”

The boys are now 26-2. Their hopes are high to advance and possibly win the state championship at Austin. Although some of their victories are attributed to hard work, the man behind the team is also a key to their success.

It is coach Henderson’s first year at Marcus after having an accomplished run at Peaster and Liberty Hill. He has been to state four times in his 21-year coaching career, winning twice. His all-time record is currently 590-154. Henderson said that he doesn’t really care about his reputation.

“Reputation is out of one’s control about what people

think of you,” Henderson said. “I just care about working about as hard as I can and treating the kids right.”

Assistant coach Kenny Boren said that it was exciting to learn that Henderson was coming to Marcus. Boren said that Henderson is widely known by basketball coaches across the state due to his impressive win record.

“Any time you can put yourself around winners, and he’s a winner, that is a great thing,” Boren said. “To be able to be in the same office as a guy that’s been to Austin four times to play for the state championships is very exciting.”

Sophomore forward Marcus Smart said that he knows how hard it is to come to a new school and congratulates Henderson on a good job on making the team closer and successful this season.

“He came over and took over a big responsibility,” Smart said. “He actually got this team more involved with each other and just got us together to let us know we need to love one another to get to where we want to go.”

Henderson said he moved here mainly for the high academics that LISD is known for and he wanted his two daughters to have more opportunities. He said he loves it here and plans on making Flower Mound his home. As for coaching, Henderson said that he is sticking with the strategies that he incorporated at the beginning of the season.

“We played one defense and we think it’s the best defense there possibly is to play,” Henderson said. “We are leading the Metroplex in defensive scoring. We base our program on defense and discipline. We gotta stick to our guns.”

PHOTO BY SARAH QUINN Senior Thomas Netsch goes for the rebound during their win against Coppell on Jan. 22, with a final score of 44-41.

State-ranked teams prove challenging Difficult schedule prepares squad for tougher district games, playoffs STORY BY LAUREN ROSE

After struggling through pre-season, the Lady Marauders basketball team has faced much taller girls, state-ranked teams and injuries. These obstacles have stood in the way of the girls’ winning streak but have also prepared them for what is yet to come, district and playoffs.

Head varsity coach Kit Kyle said she believes a tough schedule and early injuries caused “We are all accountable to push each oththeir record to be not as high er to the next level, because we are only as the team would have liked. as strong as our weakest player.”

Because of this, the team is de-RAVEN SHORT, 12 termined to reach their goal of excelling in district and making it to playoffs.

“It is a testament to our improvement and fortitude that we have battled the season the Lady Marauders have faced and won four games against state ranked op- so far has prepared them to be a strongponents,” Kyle said. minded, successful basketball team.

The girls’ current record is 20-10 and 4-1 “So far, this season has had its share of in district, barely trailing behind Southlake ups and downs,” Shaw said. “But we have Carroll, whose district record is 5-0. continued to get better and better. Hopefully Another contributing factor of some of we will continue to improve as we enter the the teams few losses was the fact that away playoffs.” games did not bring enough support to cheer The girls start off most days of the week on the girl’s basketball team during times of with early morning practices lasting into first need. The girls suffered from nine losses in period and spend time together on the week-

{

PHOTO BY MARK TURNBULL Senior Jasmine Shaw drives past the Coppell defense to shoot and score two points in their game on Friday, Jan. 22. The Lady Marauders went on to win their game 52-32.

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

pre-season. Out of the nine losses, five came from a tournament in Austin.

“It’s misleading that most losses are away, because tournament games count as away,” Kyle said. “The other four losses were to Duncanville, Frisco, Cedar Hill, and Mansfield Summit – state ranked teams.”

Senior Jasmine Shaw said she believes

ends to make their bond stronger than ever.

Sleepovers, shopping at Grapevine Mills Mall, late night talks, going out to lunch and seeing movies take stress off the team and let the Lady Marauders be teenagers for a few hours until they have to go back to practice early in the mornings. Senior Raven Short has been on the team since freshman year. She said she believes that the varsity starters can quickly recognize each other’s strong points and weak points in every game due to the fact that they have been playing together for so long.

“The players that will be the reason for our success will be every player,” Short said. “We are all accountable to push each other to the next level, because we are only as strong as our weakest player.”

Kyle has trained her team to play the game with pride during the season. The team thinks that with more practice, the varsity team should expect success for their overall season. The playoffs are in the middle of February and the players hope to see fans filling up the stands and wearing red.

“We expect to win every game every night, and that includes district,” Kyle said.

“Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

}

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{SPORTS}

Dream lives on through whistle

Juniors share their love of sports with children through reffing STORY BY ERRYN BOHON

PHOTO BY SARAH QUINN Junior Sebastian Crump signals the kids to “play on” at an indoor soccer game at Kim’s Tae Kwan Do in Lewisville on Jan. 23. “I’ve always loved soccer since I was a little kid,” Crump said. “I just wanted to be a bigger part of it.”

As one of the forwards starts to kick the soccer ball into the goal, the referee forcefully blows his whistle due to a false start.

Parents and coaches yell and scream at the top of their voices, shouting, “You made the wrong call. What are you doing? He didn’t kick it early.” But this was a new experience for Junior Darren Jones. Instead of being the player in the game , he was the one getting yelled at to make the right call.

Jones has been a referee for Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association (GLASA) for a total of five years. He started reffing soccer in the sixth grade at the age of twelve. GLASA’s divisions are according to age, and Jones is a ref for the U-10 to U-19 divisions. He enjoys having the opportunity to be around the game he has played for so long and getting more chances to help children accomplish their dream.

“I started reffing soccer because I wanted to be around it more,” Jones said.

“It was a chance for me to get on the field more, not just for me, but to assist younger teams.”

Jones said that the bad weather conditions makes it difficult for his job because it causes the soccer games to get cancelled, resulting in no workdays for anybody until the fields become dry. Parents and coaches also make it hard for Jones

because they want their kids to do well and that makes it difficult for Jones or any referee to do their job.

“Judging each play and determining if it is a foul could be hard,” Jones said. “Especially when there are parents testing my calls.”

One aspect of working as a referee is that they should be good with working with kids, parents, and coaches. Before the game starts or during halftime, Jones spends time with the players he will be reffing that day. Jones said that getting to interact with the kids is one positive aspect that comes with his job.

“I get to play keep-away with the boys or girls before the game starts,” Jones said. “I also juggle the ball with them and just have fun.”

Jones started playing soccer when he was four years old for the GLASA Tornadoes. He said that he learns a lot from being the kid playing and now teaching the kids how to play.

“After reffing for so long, I get to understand more why the referees at my club games make the calls they do,” Jones said.

“I think I become more optimistic about the game itself.”

Someone who shares the same passion for kids is junior Brett Doyel. He has been an umpire for the Highland Village Area Baseball Softball Association (HVABSA) for four years. He enjoys his job and start-

ed it to make more money and to have a fun job with his friends.

“It is a unique job to have because I am able to have fun with my friends and work with the younger generation of the community at the same time,” Doyel said.

Doyel started playing baseball when he was seven years old for the HVABSA Longhorns. He said that interacting with the kids is something else he enjoys to do before the games start. He is able to talk with them prior to games and during innings and tries to help make it an enjoyable game for them. Doyel said sometimes people such as the coaches, parents, etc. try to make his job harder, but that does not stop him from continuing on his love of being an umpire.

“If anything, what I do not like is when the coaches of parents challenge my calls,” Doyel said. “But my feelings of the game have not changed since I was playing as a kid. I felt that the umpire should always make the correct calls, just like now I expect myself to make the right call.”

Both Jones and Doyel said that they love what they do and hope to continue it for as long as they can. Doyel said that he gets satisfaction and happiness from helping children become great at the sport they want to continue playing.

“I enjoy giving back to the community and working with the younger children in it,” Doyel said.

Recent district win breaks record STORY BY ASHLEY SOLARI

Not easily intimidated, Patel said that no school is a competition for him.

Six seconds remain in the match as the referee calls “Every time I win is just a step up to district and regional,” “out-of-bounds” with the Colleyville Heritage wrestler at 11 Patel said. “It felt pretty good to win all three matches. I repoints. The timer begins, the last six seconds wind down, ally get ready for these meets by just practicing and focusing and the match ends. Home-1, visitor-11. This is one of only on my techniques.” three losses for senior Patrick Braun.

Patel said losing any match is just an encouragement “One of the schools to work harder and stay fowas actually better than cused. Patel is currently conI am,” Braun said. “I templating whether to have just could not take him wrestling in his future.

“It makes me feel great when I win, bedown. It really sucks to “I am very passionate cause it proves to me that this was what I’ve lose. It just doesn’t feel about wrestling,” Patel said. been working for the past four years.” good. I use the cradle “I still do not know if I want to -PATRICK BRAUN, 12 most often and it helps continue wrestling in college, me win but it didn’t work but if I do I want to wrestle at that time.” the University of Texas. I’ll Braun currently has just have to wait and see.” the third most wins in Marcus history with a record of 101 After graduating high school, Braun plans to join club wins and three losses. To sustain his record, Braun said that wrestling rather than continue on a college team. Braun said a lot of work goes into staying on top of his game. that after wrestling for four years, his passion for the sport “I’m on a really strict diet,” Braun said. “I always eat the has reached great heights. same thing for lunch. Everyday we drill, run and condition “I started liking wrestling because my dad and brother for two hours.” wrestled,” Braun said. “I am devoted to the sport and it Following in second place on varsity is senior T.J. Patel. makes me feel great when I win, because it proves to me that Patel won all three of his matches at last Saturday’s meet. this was what I’ve been working for the past four years.”

{

8

design by nathaniel thornton

}

PHOTO BY MARK TURNBULL Senior Ryan Dubzak puts a Hebron wrestler into multiple locks to win his match in the 160 weight class on Friday, Jan. 22. His victory helped Marcus win their meet and bring the team’s record to 22-11.

{the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Swimming to state

{SPORTS}

Team advances to regionals after district win

I RUN INTO PARKED CARS

Boycott sports to purge steriod use

Patrick Iversen

PHOTO BY ALLISON PRZYBYSZ Junior Sara Starr swims the backstroke at the Tuesday Jan. 10 swim meet at the LISD natatorium against Flower Mound.

STORY BY SAMANTHA DRAPER The swimming team competed at districts to try to advance to state competitions this past Saturday, Jan. 30. After a long, successful season, the meet turned out favorably for Marcus with the girls and boys’ both getting 4th overall. At the meet they competed against local teams such as Hebron, Southlake Carroll and Flower Mound High School. Also, the girls’ 200-medley relay, which consisted of seniors Amy Kent and Marissa Mullins as well as sophomores Allie Smith and Mackenzie Thornton, won third place in their race, sending

them to the next competition of regionals.

As a senior, Amy Kent is excited to have made it this far during the season.

“I’ve made a lot of great friends and being able to spend time hanging out with them everyday is fun,” Kent said. “We all push each other hard to do well in practice.”

With regionals quickly approaching, Kent said she hopes to do well and advance past regionals.

“We’re not going to take it easy until our season is over,” Kent said. “Hopefully the girls’ 200 medley relay will make it to state.”

COMPILED BY ERRYN BOHON

Sports

Record

JV 1 Boys Soccer

5-2-0

JV 2 Boys Soccer

3-0-3

Varsity Boys Soccer

9-1-1

Varsity Girls Soccer

6-2-4

Cheerleaders-Jamfest!

Grand Champions

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

There has never been a good answer to the problem of ethical weakness in sports but admission of guilt. For former baseball slugger Mark McGwire, the admission last month was the end of the worst-kept secret in baseball.

Now that every ESPN analyst and knucklehead has weighed in on the subject of steroids with opinions ranging from let-‘em-play cynicism to the threat of government intervention, we need to set aside pretended anger in favor of clear-eyed honesty.

Have we not created gigantic leagues based on the fiction that sports are about the building of “character”? Do we not justify the corruption of big-college athletics by telling ourselves that we’re educating citizens rather than manufacturing point guards and quarterbacks?

What can be done about it? I have a modest proposal. It is simple, not very expensive and very difficult. Organize.

If you need the games clean, you need to walk out. If you need the games clean, relying on your representatives in Congress or the sporting media won’t cut it. No one listens to the media, as you know. If you need the games clean, waiting for the players or the commissioners or the owners to do something is to wait forever.

Instead, organize. Stage a walkout.

The threat of empty seats in baseball back in 1994 is what launched the “don’t ask, don’t tell” steroids era in earnest.

The threat of empty seats in the ballpark may now be the only thing that can save it.

So on April 2, stay home. Boycott all major league games, NBA games, NHL games. Let a half million of you stay home that day. Leave your tickets on the dresser. Turn off the television. Read a book, play Xbox with your friends, paint the garage, mow the lawn. Or, for the theatrically inclined, drive to the game and burn your tickets in front of the stadium.

Boycott sports. Demand better.

Demand league-wide drug policies that punish owners as well as players that enforces more stringent testing and threatens not just players’ wallets but the game’s revenue stream. That pays a bonus to players who stay clean. Choke some of the money out of the game, and see how fast the game changes.

Who knows, it might even work.

At some point a decision needs to be made, and you, Sports Fan, are the one who needs to make it. Do you accept as inevitable the cheating in sports? Or do you rise up and demand better? Not just from the athletes, owners, unions, leagues and media, but also from yourself?

Because the fault, as always, lies not in our stars but in ourselves. What price are you willing to pay for your amusement? How long do you go on enabling sports’ not-so-secret drug addiction? Intervene. Do something. Choose a ridiculous solution. Either way, you’re all in or all out.

Because our trouble may not be that we take sports too seriously. Our trouble may be that we don’t take sports seriously enough. design by nathaniel thornton

9

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{IN-DEPTH}

of girls at Marcus say they have sent nude pictures, compared to the national average of

“If it is on your phone, and the person is under 18, it could very well be possession of child pornography.” -Officer Bob Lemoine of boys at Marcus say they have sent nude pictures, compared to the national average of of people who have received “sexts” have sent them to someone else, according to the national average

“Nothing is black and white. Everything’s up to interpretation.”-Officer David Harney Marcus results are based on a poll of 429 students. National averages are based on a study by MTV and the Associated Press.

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

design by shelby bookout and maria heinonen

11

{IN- D E P T H }

STORY BY DEVON MILLER GRAPHICS BY AMY HILLBERRY Her heart raced as she read the text from her boyfriend.

I dare you to send me a sexy picture. After thinking for a moment, she took off her shirt and turned the phone toward herself. She took a deep breath, posed, and snapped a picture. She quickly sent it before she could change her mind.

She played with her hair as she waited for a response, worried about her boyfriend’s reaction. Her phone buzzed and she opened it up to read his reply. A winking smiley face greeted her. She let out a sigh of relief.

Sex texting, better known as “sexting,” is the act of sending suggestive photos or text messages to others. Over the past few years, sexting has become increasingly popular among teenagers. Junior Lindsey Johnson* and her boyfriend, junior Logan Andrews*, had only been dating a few weeks when they began sexting.

“We’d play truth or dare and he’d dare me to send pictures,” Lindsey said. “I didn’t really like it, but he wanted it so I said ok. It made me feel confident. He’d compliment my body and that made me feel good.”

Lindsey and Logan sexted throughout their year-long relationship. As time went on, however, Lindsey sent fewer pictures and showed less of herself in them.

“After awhile I felt dirty and slutty,” Lindsey said. “I felt bad because he wanted pictures and I wouldn’t give them to him, but I was starting to worry that all I was to him was a hot body or a hot picture.”

At one point during their relationship, Lindsey’s friends found the pictures on her phone. Lindsey’s friend, junior Courtney Stewart*, said she was disappointed in Lindsey.

“It changed my view of her,” Courtney said. “I’ve known her for a long time and I never thought she’d sext. Lindsey’s always been this very innocent person, and I was frustrated when I found out she was doing this. I don’t see her as innocent anymore.”

After her friends discovered she was sexting, Lindsey said she grew more concerned about others, especially her mom, finding out, too.

“I think my mom would be totally and completely disappointed in me if she found out,” Lindsey said. “And I was always so worried about other people finding out and judging me and getting the wrong idea. I didn’t want to send them the wrong message about me.”

In the summer before their junior year, Lindsey and Logan began to argue and bicker. Lindsey started to worry about where the pictures she had sent would end up.

As the relationship neared its end, Lindsey took Logan’s phone and deleted all the pictures to keep him from sending them out. Looking back, Lindsey said she wishes she had never sexted.

“He could’ve sent them to his friends,” Lindsey said. “I don’t think he did but the fact that he could’ve is scary. The thing about sexting is it can get to your friends and other people and you won’t even know.”

Sexting also caused Lindsey and Logan’s relationship to move quicker sexually. Courtney said she thinks sexting made the relationship physically and emotionally unhealthy.

“I think because they sexted they were forced into doing other sexual stuff faster,” Courtney said. “Now when she has other relationships they’re going to move a lot quicker. Now that she’s had all those experiences she won’t be scared of doing it again.”

Though Lindsey said Logan instigated the sexting and sometimes pressured her into doing it, she said it’s also her fault for getting caught up in sexting.

“I’d definitely warn people not to do it,” Lindsey said.

“Some guys are players. Whether you’re dating them or not, if you’re sending them pictures you have no idea where they could end up. They could go anywhere. It just leads to bad things.” *names have been changed to protect anonymity

429 Marcus students were asked what they consider “sexting” boys

girls message of a sexual nature only

messages, photos, and videos

Sending any texts, photos and/or videos of a sexual nature constitutes as “sexting” none

12 design by shelby bookout and maria heinonen

photos and videos messages and photos

message of a sexual nature only

messages, photos, and videos

nude photos only sexually suggestive videos only messages and photos

nude photos only none sexually suggestive videos only

photos and videos {the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{IN-DEPTH}

4. What percentage of sext recipients have passed the sext along to someone else?

A. 5% B. 10% C. 20%

COMPILED BY: LUKE SWINNEY, NATASHA JORDAN, LAUREN ROSE AND ALEXANDRA MEHLHAFF

5.

Take this quiz and find out how much you know about sexting!

More than what percentage of people that shared sext messages shared them with multiple people?

1. You check your phone and see someone sent you nude pics of a girl everyone loves

A. 25% B. 50% C. 75%

A. Delete them B. Forward them to a few friends who you know might like them C. Decide to keep them just to look at whenever you feel like it

6. What percentage of young people have been involved with sexting?

to hate. You immediately:

2.

Someone sends you a dirty video and you’re dying to show it to your friends. The worst that can happen is: A. They find out, get angry and blow you off B. One of your friends shares it even though you told them not to C. You get arrested for possession/distribution of child porn because the subject is under 18. Sex offender’s registry, here you come!

3.

A friend of yours keeps sending this girl he’s into suggestive texts, asking her to send naked pics back. You: A. Tell him to go for it- maybe she’ll call him back if he keeps trying to let her know he’s into her B. Stay out of it. It’s none of your business and not worth your time C. Tell him to stop pressuring her. That’s so not cool.

what’s your score?

You know ever ything!

You are very well informed about what is considered “sexting”. Perhaps you should share your knowledge with those that are less informed so as to help prevent it.

You know just enough!

While you are correct on a few questions it would be in your best interest to speak with someone in the 7-11 category to find out exactly what “sexting” is and how to avoid it.

consequences

A. 10% B. 15% C. 30%

7. Sexters are how many times more likely to consider suicide than non-sexters?

A. Twice as likely B. Three times as likely C. Four times as likely

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

SCORING: A-1; B-3; C-2 A-3; B-2; C-1 A-3; B-2; C-1 A-3; B-2; C-1 A-3; B-1; C-2 A-3; B-2; C-1 A-3; B-2; C-1 You know too little!

You are very misinformed about what constitutes as “sexting”. If you have any questions regarding what falls under the category of “sexting” it would be in your best interest, cease and desist until you fully understand consequences.

Improper Photography or Visual Recording: To be charged with this one must have taken a photograph or video without the other person’s consent and/or with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. This charge results in a state jail felony, which adds up to either two years in jail or a $4,000 fine.

Obscene Display or Distribution: One intentionally or knowingly displays or distributes an obscene photograph or similar visual representation. An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. If one has a photograph and intends to distribute it or to sell it, it may fall under a second degree felony.

Child Pornography: If one is found in possession or distribution of photographs of a minor, one may be charged with child pornography and face serious consequences and charge with a felony. One may be registered as a sex offender.

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

design by shelby bookout and maria heinonen

13

{FEAT U R E }

Christmas joy up in

Students come together to help after coach’s house burns down STORY BY LUKE SWINNEY AND JASMINE SACHAR Snow was on the ground and the Jacobs’ family was getting ready for Christmas morning church when coach Brenda Jacobs smelled something strange. She walked into her bedroom, checking a Christmas message on her phone. The strange smell persisted. Suddenly, the lights started flashing.

From outside, her husband Dan yelled the unthinkable. The house is on fire.

Grabbing nothing but her kids and mother, Jacobs ran out of the house. Standing together on the front lawn, the family watched in horror as the flames grew higher, consuming the home they had lived in for seven years since their move from Illinois. Because of icy roads, it took 20 minutes for three fire trucks from surrounding towns to arrive.

The sky is pitch black. The roof is gone in 10 seconds.

As the trucks flood the house with 800 tons of water, the Jacobs watch their windows shatter, their blinds fly out and their foosball table fall from the crumbling upstairs floor into the kitchen.

“It was devastating,” Jacobs said. “It’s an unreal feeling. Then the roof caved in. We just watched all of it fall over and burn down.

You can’t even breathe.”

In the next few days, the family returned to their destroyed house in an attempt to salvage what was spared. Jacobs’ daughter

Marissa, a recent college graduate and an ’05 graduate of Marcus, lost all she brought home. Her son Jared, home from college, lost his clothes, bedding and $354 he earned from valet parking cars. Her mother’s digital camera and luggage, gone. The patchwork quilt her grandmother gave her at her wedding 23 years ago, damaged beyond repair.

Baby pictures and hand-made Christmas ornaments dating back to her children’s preschool days, reduced to ash and debris.

“I keep thinking I’m going to find something in little piles, but whatever I find now is pretty trashed,” Jacobs said. “I have my good days and bad days. I hadn’t been at the house for two days, and I met the architect and as soon as he opened the door, I just started crying. It’s devastating.”

Junior Hillary Lewis lives across the street from the Jacobs and watched the fire from her neighbor’s backyard.

“I went back over about 2 p.m. on Christmas and talked with Coach Jacobs a bit,” Lewis said. “I think everyone was still in shock at that point, but we just prayed and talked about how God has a plan for us. Then the next day literally hundreds of people came out to help clean up. It was amazing.”

Because of Jacobs’ work as sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as a coach for several sports, students and other members of the Marcus community joined the Jacobs in the cleaning process of the destroyed home.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

14 design by brandon prill

PHOTO BY BECCA DYER Coach Brenda Jacobs’ house caught fire on Christmas morning due to unknown causes. The following day, several former and current students, including junior Bailey Bunting, arrived at the scene to salvage objects from the house and clean up the debris from the fire.

“Coach Jacobs does so much for us and FCA, and she’s such an inspiration,” Lewis said. “It gives me chills. She makes such an impact on so many people. I think a lot of us don’t realize the impact we leave on people until something like this happens.”

Junior Bailey Bunting said helping out the Jacobs family was her way of thanking Jacobs for everything she has done for her as a sponsor for the FCA. She said even in a time of crisis, the Jacobs family kept looking at the positive.

“I was surprised at how good of spirits the Jacobs had,” Bunting said. “Coach Jacobs was walking around going ‘Don’t you like my new skylight I put in,’ and ‘You’re making my house a mess!’ I was glad to see she was joking about it, and it wasn’t a completely depressing time. It was sad, but they made the best of their situation.”

After staying at a neighbor’s house for four days after the fire, Jacobs and her family moved into a hotel room. It will be six to nine months before the reconstruction of her house can begin, so the family has moved into the Lantana apartments.

“We really like each other,” Jacobs said.

“We don’t fight. We don’t argue. We’ve always been a close family, but the fire has just reinforced that. It’s kind of like it’s us against the world, but we’ve also seen the love from everyone else around us.”

The cause of the fire is still under inves-

tigation, though Jacobs said she believes it was related to the electricity of the house.

Earlier in the year, the house had been struck by lightening which caused subsequent problems with appliances.

The family’s current dilemma has been dealing with the insurance company who needs a record of everything lost in the fire.

Even then, Jacobs said, rebuilding is an expensive endeavor. To have the blueprints drawn alone costs close to $4000 and if the family doesn’t remember what they had, they won’t be reimbursed by their insurance.

“That’s the hardest part right now,” Jacobs said. “I stand in my closet, which is gone, and I try to remember what was everywhere. You can’t prepare for something like this. The insurance will replace stuff that you’ve lost, but that takes time and there are things you need right now.”

Even though the Jacobs family will still face difficulties in the coming months with the rebuilding of the house, Jacobs said that the help they’ve received has been “unbelievable” and something she will never forget.

“I’ve learned that people are really, really good,” Jacobs said. “God is good and people are good. One of my soccer girls said that it gave everybody an opportunity to see what Christmas really means. It’s about helping other people and that we gave them the opportunity to do that. That’s definitely another way of looking at it.” {the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{ F E AT U R E }

QUESTION Death of fourth grader

&

A NSWER William Tinker,12 COMPILED BY DEVON MILLER PHOTO BY SARAH QUINN

{Q}: If you could be any teacher at Marcus who would you be and why? {A}: Mr. Westbrook because I would get to hang out with all the freshies and teach them the wonderful art of theatre. {Q}: Would you rather fight a lifeguard or a human-sized cockroach? {A}: Do I eat them after I defeat them? If so, then I pick the cockroach. They have better leg meat. {Q}: If you had a child today what would you name it? {A}: Accident because I’m 17 and not expecting a baby. {Q}: What type of dog breed would you be? {A}: Shih-tzu because they have a tight name and they’re fluffy and deliciously inviting to touch. {Q}: Would you rather be bald or lit on fire? {A}: Bald would be bearable but being lit on fire would be a great way to go out if I had to die. I’ll just do both. {Q}: What sport would you get rid of? {A}: Curling which is a giant version of shuffleboard on ice that just takes up time in the Winter Olympics. That or badminton. {Q}: What’s your biggest fear? {A}: Teletubbies becoming as popular and influential as the President would be terrifying. {Q}: Who’s your celebrity man crush? {A}: Brad Pitt because he’s so versatile. Long hair, short hair, beard, no beard. Its all there.

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

increases awareness STORY BY ASHLEY SOLARI Emotional distress among young children is receiving a second look after a fourth grade, nine-year old boy from The Colony died from an apparent hanging in his elementary school Jan. 21.

The nurse from Stewart Creek Elementary found nineyear old Montana Lance near death in the one-person bathroom. Lance was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead soon after arrival. School counselor Cheryl Richey explains how there are different factors associated with depression among children.

“Children go through much more than adults realize,” Richey said, “One main factor is friends. If children get ‘kicked out of their group, it can put them in a state of depression. But there are also many other factors such as parent’s divorce or abuse.”

Richey said that there are two types of depression, Clinical and situational depression that the student could have been going through.

“Generally, when clinically suicidal children talk about suicide they are doing it for attention,” Richey said. “Clinically suicidal children isolate themselves from people so when they talk to counselors they let their feelings out. Children

that are depressed due to certain situations and talk about suicide are more serious.”

Richey said that students today are going through much more emotional stress. Parents are losing their jobs and children have to deal with the changes in lifestyles. Richey encourages children who have issues to talk to their counselors and work it out.

“We have a list of students that we check up on and make sure they are staying emotionally stable,” Richey said.

“We listen to what they are going through to help them improve.”

If a teacher, parent or guardian notices any symptoms including withdrawal from peers or if he/she seem to be less social, they should act immediately, according to Richey.

Richey said parents should give counselors about a week to work with the students in order to see improvement in behavior.

“It can be that the student may just need somebody to talk to,” Richey said. “If the students are not showing improvement in about a week then we call the parents and give our list of referred counselors. Counselors are trained to advise and help students pull through any emotional struggle.”

Suicide Statistics According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2006, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.

Children ages 10 to 14: 1.3 per 100,000 Adolescents age 15 to 19: 8.2 per 100,000 Young Adults 20 to 24: 12.5 per 100,000 As in the general population, young people were much more likely to use firearms, suffocation and poisoning than other methods of suicide.

Suicide hotline: 1-800-suicide (7842433) Talk One crisis hotline: 1-800-273-talk (8255) design by amy hillberry and brandon prill

15

{FEATURE}

part

the struggle

2/3

16 design by shelby bookout

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Synopsis:

On Dec. 21, 2007, two-year old Evan Verfurth was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis, an often fatal disease that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. Evan survived, but the effects of the disease have changed the lives of him, his mother Trish, his freshman brother James and his sister Emily. Evan’s journey to recovery has been remarkable, and his story continues to inspire many every passing day.

PHOTO ALLISON PRZYBYSZ

Brother begins his recovery STORY BY PATRICK IVERSEN PART TWO OF THREE The black Cadillac Escalade rolls through the winding hills of Highland Shores, driving slowly as if the driver is soaking in every second of the trip. In fact, she is.

The car turns a corner, and slows to a stop in front of the second house on the street. Red and blue streamers hang from the balcony above the door, and a large, maroon banner rests above them. The driver rolls down her window as she reads the sign above.

Trish Verfurth smiles, and a tear rolls down her cheek. The sign reads “WELCOME HOME EVAN.” A month earlier: Trish watches anxiously through the glass window. It had been four days, and now the doctors had decided to take Evan out of the medically-induced coma.

The process begins, as a nurse removes the IV drip and checks Evan’s pulse. She nods at the doctor. Evan is awake, that much they do know. The extent of the damage done to his brain, however, is still uncertain.

Trish is permitted in, and she sits by her son, stroking his short black hair. Evan is silent, looking straight at her with his big, brown eyes. Trish smiles, waves at him.

Evan’s eyes don’t move, unblinking. She frowns, puts her hand in front of his face.

Waves again. Again, his eyes don’t move.

“That’s when I thought, ‘Oh my God, I think Evan can’t see,’” Trish says. “I think he’s blind.”

The doctors estimated that Evan’s sight had been impaired due to the coma. Multiple tests determined that the blindness was caused by the swelling of Evan’s brain, and would require a couple months to heal.

In the meantime, it was decided that Evan be moved to Our Children’s House, a facility specifically designed for rehabbing brain trauma victims.

“At this point, what the doctors were telling us was that no one knew if Evan would ever be at the same level he was before he got sick,” Trish says. “We had to take it day by day.”

The road to recovery would be long and difficult, but they were ready.

Freshman James Verfurth stepped through the back door of his home, sweaty and clad in a dirt-stained baseball uniform.

He had just come home from a baseball tournament with his younger sister Emily and his father Jim. James set his hat on the counter and headed upstairs to shower.

Life at home had changed for James and Emily since Evan’s illness. Their mother Trish spent most of her time away from home, with Evan at the hospital. She missed most of James’ games, and Emily struggled with her fourth grade schoolwork many nights without her mother’s guidance.

“I think I had taken things for granted,” James says. “We had to learn to take care of ourselves more.”

But perhaps the shoulders carrying the heaviest weight is their father, Jim. “It’s a role I wasn’t used to,” Jim said.

“Usually Trish was always there to feed the kids, get them to soccer practice and tournaments. But Evan needed his mother, more than ever. So as difficult as it was to balance my work, I knew James and Emily needed me there more.”

It’s a chilly March morning, and Trish rolls Evan’s wheelchair through the front doors of Our Children’s House, where an orderly waits for them with a beaming smile.

She introduces herself as Beth, Evan’s new physical therapist at OCH. She leans down to Evan, looks into his eyes.

“Hello Evan, I’m Beth. You and I are going to work together. We’re going to help make you better.”

Evan doesn’t respond, only stares back into her eyes. Beth smiles.

“We’re going to teach you to smile again, Evan,” she says as she taps his little nose.

She stands, and Trish follows with Evan as Beth leads them to Evan’s room, his home for the next two months. Trish can’t help but believe that Beth is leading them down another path, one that brings a smile to her face.

Evan had started his journey down the path to recovery. {the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

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{ENTERTAINMENT} 1

In Concert COMPILED BY LAUREN ROSE

2 STORY BY LUKE SWINNEY PHOTOS BY ALLISON PRZYBYSZ After 50 million viewers tuned in to watch the original villain Richard Hatch win the $1,000,000 prize in the summer of 2000, CBS’s Survivor became a global phenomenon. Next Thursday the show is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the premiere of a special Heroes vs. Villains season. While the show doesn’t get the same astronomical ratings it received during its debut, Survivor has a loyal fan base that keeps it on the air.

On the show, 16 to 20 castaways are marooned on a deserted location somewhere around the world and are left to fend for themselves for 39 days. While in the game, competitors have to worry about finding food and making shelter as well as participating in challenges to win immunity and vote each other out until only one person remains.

That castaway wins the title of Sole Survivor and the $1,000,000 check that comes with it.

While shows like The Real World did come first, Survivor set the precedent for competition-based reality TV, which has taken over the airwaves today with shows like The Amazing Race, American Idol and Big Brother. Without Survivor, television line-ups for the past decade would have been completely different.

After 19 seasons of the show and one starting next week, The Marquee decided to play the game ourselves and see what it would be like to become a contestant. After the eight castaways were marooned at the desolate Kid’s Kastle, they were split into the

Penguin tribe (Carley, Natasha, Lauren and Nathaniel) and the Cougar tribe (Jasmine, Brandon, Breyanna and Shelby). Before the tribes could even adjust to their new camps and tribemates, they were immediately thrown into their first immunity challenge.

The stakes were high. Not only would the losing team have to vote someone off, one member of the winning tribe would also win clues to the location of the Hidden Immunity Idol which could save them at a future tribal council. After an intense competition where blindfolded tribe members had to find flags, Penguin won the challenge and sent Cougar to tribal council.

Jasmine became the first casualty of the game after Shelby made a secret alliance with Breyanna. Brandon, Nathaniel and Natasha were eliminated soon after. By that time both tribes had merged into one and all the challenges were individual. In the final four immunity challenge, Shelby completed her word search the fastest and was safe from tribal council. In a 2-1-1 vote, Breyanna was eliminated in fourth place leaving only three remaining.

In the final immunity challenge, Shelby proved to have the most endurance and won immunity for the second time. Since Carley could only vote for Lauren and vice versa, Shelby cast the deciding vote and eliminated Lauren from the game.

In Survivor, when only two people remain, the previously eliminated contestants come back and vote for a winner. In a 4-1 vote, Carley defeated Shelby to become the Sole Survivor of Survivor: The Marquee.

Theory of a Deadman @ House of Blues Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.

3

Price:$20 Motion City Soundtrack @ The Prophet Bar Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m.

Price:$20

4

Howie Day @ House of Blues Dallas Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.

5

Price:$20 Jack’s Mannequin @ House of Blues Dallas Feb. 17, 6 p.m.

1. Junior Carley Meiners celebrates her Survivor win on Saturday, Jan. 2.

2. Sophomore Jasmine Sachar illustrates her shock after being the first staffer voted off.

3. During a trivia challenge, junior Luke Swinney holds up a fact or fiction sign.

4. Concentrating on a word search, sophomore Breyanna Washington participates in a challenge.

5. Senior Nathaniel Katz hands a flag to junior Natasha Jordan while junior Lauren Rose cheers him on.

Final Jury

Price:$23 Mariah Carey @ Nokia Theater Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Price:$60 Jay-Z @ American Airlines Center Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

Price: $49 Tegan and Sara @ The Palladium Ballroom Feb. 25, 7 p.m.

Price: $49 Dropkick Murphy’s @ House of Blues Dallas Mar. 1, 6 p.m.

Price: $25

At this point, the tribes merged and everyone went to tribal council.

18 design by breyanna washington and shameer dhaliwal

{the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{ENTERTAINMENT}

14 special ways to show you care STORY BY CARLEY MEINERS AND JOEY ULFSRUD

This year on Valentine’s Day, instead of doing the usual dinner and a movie with your significant other, try one of these unique ideas. It’ll spice up your Valentine’s Day and your romantic life.

what girls should do for boys:

Follow the favorites.

1 Take him out to his favorite restaurant, watch his favorite movie or bear with

Have a Valentine’s day setup.

1 Put up balloons that have candy and personal written notes on them. Your

date will be surprised by not only the balloons but the surprises inside of them.

Tie with a red ribbon and attach to your loved ones chair for them to find Valentine’s morning. Girls love this kind of stuff. It shows you actually do care.

playing him in a video game. Oh, and take a seat for Sunday or Monday Night Football. Don’t be put off if he starts teaching you the game. It is just something that guys feel they must do.

a small romantic adventure.

2 SetMake up a scavenger hunt. Place note cards throughout your house with sweet

Cut down on the compliments.

2 This may seem to be a little counter-intuitive, but the less you compliment

notes on them. When your loved one finds the last one have something special waiting there for her, such as jewelry or flowers. It takes away the cliché of just giving jewelry or flowers, and you get to feel like a kid again.

him, the more it means every time that you do. In fact, even “I love you” is better when not overdone.

Know your man.

3 Know what he likes and dislikes. It seems really obvious, but it’s easily ig-

Be impulsive.

3 Instead of dressing up nice and going to a fancy restaurant, dress in old

nored by people in high school relationships. If he doesn’t want to see “Leap Year”, don’t take him to “Leap Year”. This seems like a counter point to point 1, yet when he agrees to watch “The Notebook”, it will be all the more special.

4

clothes and have a pudding fight. The more people you have, the more fun it will be. Grab some friends and your girl and make a mess.

Try to be gushy.

4 Take turns writing a love letter or love poem to each other. Read them out

Make him feel important.

Men like to feel as if they are men. Let him think that you depend on him, rub his neck when he has had a bad day and openly show your admiration by being a little less independent. It is no small matter and your man will take notice.

loud. All this mushy gushy stuff makes a girl feel special. Not only will you become the ultimate boyfriend for actually expressing your feelings, but your relationship will grow.

Cook him a meal.

5 It might seem sexist, but men like women who can cook a great meal. If you

Having a good memory is having a good relationship.

5 Rekindle your love by reminiscing the past. Visit the place where you first

can cook a juicy steak, or whip up some delicious cake, you will have him drooling. They say the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and they would be right.

met, had your first kiss, or first date. Actually remembering things like this will blow a girl’s mind.

something exciting.

6 IfDoyou’re a gutsy guy take your girlfriend free falling. Not only is it different,

Secretly own him…

6 Though we don’t admit it, guys like to be “owned” by their girl. Definitely do

but it’s tons of fun. Zero Gravity in Dallas allows you to do this. You get to free fall for 17 stories.

this in secret and don’t let anyone know that you have him whipped. Just take control every once in a while. Hold his hand, or wrap your arm around him and he will know that you care.

7

…But don’t overdo it.

7 All right, we get it, you can be controlling. Don’t keep tabs on your beau, and

Not everything has to be romantic.

If you just met your date and you don’t want to have an awkward dinner where you have to make small talk, go to Medieval Times. The excitement of what’s happening on the stage will help ease the shyness and open up conversation about the show and other things.

don’t include yourself in all facets of his life. Everyone needs some space, including your boyfriend, and not giving him that space is a big mistake.

Presidential fun facts COMPILED BY TAYLOR ROSS

•

• • • •

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

JFK and Lincoln Fun Facts In 1846, President Abraham Lincoln was elected into Congress. Exactly 100 years later, in 1946, John F. Kennedy was elected into Congress. Fourteen years later, both were elected to the position of president.

As president, Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy, and Kennedy’s was Lincoln.

While president, both men’s wives lost a child.

When Lincoln was assassinated, he was killed at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald in a Lincoln made by Ford.

Both assassins’ names have 15 letters and both were killed before a trial. Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, was born in 1808. Kennedy’s successor was born in 1908.

• • • • •

Other Fun Facts Every president with a beard has been a Republican.

After Andrew Jackson’s inauguration, a 300 lb cheese wheel was rolled onto the lawn of the White House.

James Polk was the first president to have his photograph taken.

Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to ride in a car. His fifth cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was the first to ride in an airplane.

Woodrow Wilson is the only U.S. president to receive a Ph.D. It was in history from Johns Hopkins University.

Facts were pulled from: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com http://www.comedy-zone.net design by sarah quinn and taylor ross

19

{ENTERTAINMENT}

From sci-fiction to sci-fact Modern technology gains inspiration from films COMPILED BY JOEY ULFSRUD Have you ever wished that you could teleport like in Star Trek or be able to pilot an Avatar? Well, these feats might not be achievable through today’s technology, but there have been plenty of inventions inspired by sci-fi franchises.

With the release of Avatar in December, progress in movie special effects and technology has never been more evident. The 12year project that is Avatar sets a new bar in the realm of computer generated images. But Avatar’s influence may actually reach farther than just movie technology. There have been countless scientists who have come forward stating that Star Wars and Star Trek, among

Military PHASR

other influential sci-fi franchises, have influenced certain designs and products. Certain scientists have been researching warp theory and the possibility of a warp drive, much like the one aboard Hans Solo’s Millennium Falcon in Star Wars, using Einstein’s theories. One of the inventors of the cell phone has even been quoted as saying that one of the first inspirations for the cell phone was the communicator in Star Trek.

It isn’t hard to see the impact that sci-fi has on these scientists and on technology in general. Here are a few products directly inspired by movies and how effective this gadgetry really is.

Transparent Aluminum

Cell Phones

Stungun technology was inspired by the Star Trek weapon of the same name, the phaser. The real life counterpart is made to stop movement and cause pain based on the emission of certain ultrasonic waves, and is not meant for lethal strength.

A technology that iscurrently in research, the original idea of transparent aluminum came from an episode of Star Trek in which Scotty told a passerby the formula for this material. If transparent aluminum becomes real it would be a bulletproof, malleable alternative to glass.

The cell phone was inspired by the Star Trek communicator. The cell phone is a revolutionary invention, and the fact that it was inspired by Star Trek makes such an important invention one of the most crucial for scifi fandom.

R2-D2 Lunchbox

Intercom System

Mini Scuba Mask

The technology of a lunchbox was not inspired by Star Wars, yet the design of this one in particuliar was.

This was one of the first lunch-boxes to break from the rectangular-prism shaped mold, and was actually popular.

However, the lunchbox is a little smaller than normal, making it more difficult to pack a filling lunch.

Supposedly inspired by Star Trek and pursued by the government, the intercom is obviously a staple of outrageously annoying people today, and it’s all thanks to Captain Kirk and Spock. Not the greatest or most innovative invention, the intercom has a narrow amount of uses.

Inspired by Star Wars Episode One, when the protagonists went underwater with a device that is designed to purify the oxygen out of water for them to breathe. It is still in research, but if a small breathing device could be created, the mask would be very useful and convenient.

These are just a few of the sci-fi inspired technologies that would be helpful, and a few that are in current use. So, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to believe that a movie as popular as Avatar could possibly have future impressions on technology and development. Perhaps one day, humanity may just be able to boldly go where no man has gone before, but only with the help of sci-fi inspired technology.

20 design by brandon prill

Avatar delivers on special effects, storyline The movie Avatar is worth the Golden Globe win, but to only say that about the movie would put it to shame. James Cameron’s Avatar is an amazing adventure that carries on the tradition of an epic story line.

The world that Cameron created is very atmospheric; the faraway moon Pandora will enthrall audiences, as will the indigenous aliens, the Na’vi.

The story follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic former marine who is thrust into the hostile foreign world of Pandora through the wants and needs of a greedy corporation looking to mine the moon of a rare mineral called Unobtainium. Problems arise when the native people of Pandora, the Na’vi, refuse to move from their home village, which lies atop the largest deposit of Unobtainium on the planet. Jake also falls for a native girl.

The computer generated imaging is breathtaking and shows how far animation has come since the nearly forgotten days of stop motion. It is evident throughout the picture that none of the 12 years it took to complete Avatar have been wasted. The creatures and people in the movie are fleshed out and give the illusion of life on-screen.

The world created is full of bright lights and fluorescent colors that are very evident during the night scenes. Every freckle-like light on the Na’vi is highlighted and the entire planet and the creatures that inhabit it are created with meticulous attention to detail.

Not many movies can integrate CGI characters and live-action acting to the degree that Avatar does and none of them blur the line between reality and effect like Avatar.

But Avatar isn’t only atmosphere. Critics state that the story is simply a rip off of Pocahontas. Though a large portion of the plotline is strikingly similar to that movie, the confrontation with uncontrolled greed and warmongering brings a new face to the otherwise formulaic story. Other issues arise as well but aren’t as evident, such as the chance for a paraplegic man to experience what it is to walk again through his Avatar body.

The dialogue is rather simple, but the story is intricate and mimics old epics in content, which is not something to be ignored.

The movie is also presented entirely in 3-D. A history of bad headaches and annoying 3-D exploits is redeemed by a movie that uses 3-D tastefully and artistically. The use of 3-D in Avatar creates the image of depth and makes Pandora seem more real. The breathtaking heights made all the more real.

The movie is entirely enhanced by the choice to go 3-D and should not be avoided by those who are weary of 3-D exploitation.

Avatar is most likely a shoe-in for an Academy Award. The great CGI, the welldone and entirely atmospheric use of 3-D and the engaging story bring Avatar movie glory, the #34 spot on the biggest box office sales of all time, the Golden Globe for best picture and a seat among the best of James Cameron’s films. {the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{OPINION}

Year in office, mixed evaluation A year has passed, marking the anniversary of the inauguration of America’s first African American president. For this issue, The Marquee has decided to assess Obama’s progress on two pressing issues: the American economy and our current foreign policy.

While The Marquee applauds Obama’s efforts in creating a stimulus package geared towards recovering the struggling economy, we disapprove of his foreign policy that enforces negotiation, rather than confrontation, in the face of a foreign menace.

In the last years of the Bush administration, the American economy could have been equated with the catastrophe that was known as “Black Tuesday.” Nearly 80 years ago, Americans suffered from one of the most devastating economic crashes in the history of the United States, when nearly 25 percent of the population was unemployed and severe poverty plagued families everywhere. Eight decades later, America finds itself in a precarious situation as the unemployment rate is now nearing 12 percent, leaving some families destitute and desperate for any job that offers a decent salary.

Nearly a month after being sworn into office, Obama presented Congress with a stimulus package worth $787 billion intended to fuel economic growth and conserve over 2 million jobs. By October, about $63 million of the proposed stimulus package had been spent in job creation grants, a promising step for families that had found themselves in a financial slump. In this regard, Obama’s plan for mending the wounded nation seems viable. More jobs yield more money, and more money makes for a financially secure America.

Yet, the unemployment rate is now almost at 12 percent and the national deficit is now over $12 trillion. With

this in mind, The Marquee staff questions whether or not all that surrender.” Pretty soon, foreign threats will be white noise could be done, has been done. However, we appreciate the efforts to an unresponsive America. Needless to say, Obama should Obama has put forth to recover our struggling nation, though it have greatly considered the “cause-and-effect” factor before making his decision. seems as if little progress has been made.

This said, The Marquee strongly urges students to be On Sept. 11, 2001, New York’s “Big Apple” crumbled before millions of devastated Americans. Thousands of lives were lost aware of how our country is being governed so we can reach in the largest attack on American soil. Nine years and two wars a sound decision when it comes time for us to choose the later, al-Queda is still as strong as ever and nuclear threats have next leader of the United States. After all, it’s only a matter of emerged from counties like North Korea, Iran and Pakistan. time before we vote.

Meanwhile, Obama continues to stand behind his “let’s-talk-this-out” policy, America needs something stronger than a band-aid... which can be seen through the recent withdrawal of troops from Iraq. In an ideal world, negotiation seems to be the most appropriate method when dealing with forces that don’t see eye-toeye on certain issues. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world.

Removing troops from Iraq comes with severe consequences. By eliminating the military presence from such a highly aggressive country, we are jeopardizing the security of our nation and sending a message to potential enemies: “We’ll fight as long as we can. But if it doesn’t end soon, we

Dr. Obama at your service...

New school start times to benefit students LISD is currently proposing new start and end times for all level schools. High schools would start at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Middle schools would start at their current time of 8:45, but would end school ten minutes later at 4:05 instead of their regular time of 3:55.

Elementary schools will be pushing their times back ten minutes as well. While only in the beginning stages of enactment, the new school times would benefit high school students in numerous ways and are therefore a worthwhile idea.

One benefit of changing school times is more time for extracurricular activities. Club activities will have more time for their meetings, and students will be able to do hours or other activities without having to rush. Seniors who have senior out will be leaving campus 30 minutes earlier. This allows them to get home and prepare for jobs or daily duties that they might have.

For students who have to pick up siblings after school, a 3:30 release time allows them more time to get to the middle schools or look after siblings who attend elementary school.

With the new start and end times, the district will potentially be able to save $500,000 on transportation annually. Right now, middle school and high school end with a ten-minute interval. The district already has troubles finding bus drivers. By changing the times, one bus driver will be able to pick up the elementary students, take them home, turn around and pick up the high school students, drop them off and finish their routes with the middle school kids.

With these new time periods, transportation will run smoother and help cut budget expenses.

Another bonus to the new times is that principals can now implement longer passing periods, with eight minutes being the minimum and 10 minutes being the maximum. This allows students longer periods to catch a Dale Jackson bus or to say hi to a few friends before rushing to their next class. It also gives incoming

SEPT. 2010 Morning!

Yeah... 8:15 in the morning.

What’s wrong?

This whole early schedule is not my thing.

But we get lunch earlier.

freshman enough time to find their new classes on the first day of school.

However, with earlier start dates, nocturnal high school students will struggle to climb out of bed. A simple solution to this would be for seniors to apply for senior in. This allows the students who are slow in the morning an extra hour and 30 minutes of sleep and time to get ready. The benefits of having the school times changed greatly outweigh the early morning wake up calls students will regrettably be having.

This is a good idea for the district but it has yet to be finalized. Parents and students need to attend the upcoming meeting to push these new changes to be implemented in all LISD schools. The first part of the meeting will deal with the new school times. The school board will be holding the meeting on Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bolin Administration Building for official approval of implementation.

I love this early schedule!

*Insuring America’s Health: Principles and Recommendations

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

design by shelby bookout 21

{OP I N I O N }

NOT TASHA

Bonding causes realization

“A Lot” of parking

Looky, no more hooky

Let freedom ring

Over the years, our campus has experienced an exceptional number of renovations. This year, the school’s new project lies just beyond the tennis courts. Now that the parking lot is finally reaching completion, students will no longer be forced to challenge one another for an adequate parking space.

Between the hours of 5:30-8 p.m., an automated voice message is sent to the homes of missing students. It’s touching to know that the attendance clerks are making such sincere efforts to make sure we are okay. Unfortunately, students’ days of playing “hooky” are over, and Ferris Bueller will no longer be “twisting” to the music.

This year, President’s Day will be celebrated on Feb. 15. Students will have the freedom to celebrate this event however their little hearts desire, as they will not be confined to a classroom. Sorry, parents. You might actually have to spend a little quality time with your kids.

{BOOMBAS} THINGS WE LIKE

Natasha Jordan

It was 1977. Kenneth Blake watched as Vinita Punch crossed Prairie View A&M University’s campus. The way she carried herself only brought one thought into his head, I am going to marry her one day.

About two years ago around 8:45 p.m., I remember exactly where I stood when my father told me the news.

“Nina (Vinita) has breast cancer.” It hit me. I stood there in a paralyzed state thinking about everything.

Nina was a teacher and is now currently a principal, a volleyball player, choir director, a pastor’s wife, and above all a devote Christian. She carries herself with confidence, and most of all the spirit of God. None of these characteristics left her when the chemotherapy began to take its toll on her body.

As time progressed however, she become weaker from the chemo and soon was unable to attend church and sit in her seat. The seat in front of the church is usually a special seat reserved for special people like guests and the pastor’s wife. I have come to realize that it isn’t the seat that is significant but rather the person in it. The part that means everything to her is the man who preaches- her husband and her eyes are only fixed upon him. There is a connection that seems never to be broken. They have a bond between them that can withstand any storm that comes their way, and from where is sit every Sunday I can see it.

When she wasn’t at church this seemed to change him.

I could tell he missed her and not in a simple, shallow, selfcentered kind of way. It was almost like he needed her- like she was his rock that kept him together. On these occasions I would watch as in mid-sermon, he would glance down to the front seat where she usually sat, and his face showed the loss he felt. He didn’t only want her back. He needed her back.

After many months of prayer her cancer went into remission. On a recent Sunday when the women’s choir sang, she was there to direct it. Through his emotions while he watched from the front seat, as she sang the solo part, I realized everything was all right. She was back. His rock was there to keep him together.

I believe the only thing that could describe their bond is love. It is perfectly described by the Bible verse of Corinthians 13:4-5. Their love is kind, patient, it does not envy... it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always preserves.

She sees him every Sunday as he crosses the pulpit. The way he lives in God, the way he loves God and her only brings one thought into her head, I’m glad I married that man.

22 design by nathaniel thorton

LEGEND...WAIT FOR IT...DARY

First decade of century review Taylor Ross

TOP THINGS OF THE DECADE Movie: “DISTRICT 9” This movie is a shining example of how an interesting story and great acting really make up for a film’s small budget. This movie had a $40 million budget, but that didn’t stop it from looking like a $100 million budget. Maybe it’s because Peter Jackson gave the movie a discount on his special effect equipment or something like that, but it certainly doesn’t look it.

Runners up: The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings series and the Harry Potter series Worst: “He’s Just Not That Into You”, “Bangkok Dangerous” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks” Video Games: “MASS EFFECT” Nerd Time! By the time anyone really reads this, I will have lost my soul to “Mass Effect 2”, and I base that statement solely on how much I loved the first game. That’s how good it is. Rather than being some unknown character I have no real connection to, it allows me to create someone I genuinely like seeing on the screen. Making me feel connected to this character in such a way that when I

Should

students take exams after the

winter

break?

COMPILED BY ERRYN BOHON PHOTOS BY BECCA DYER

fail you feel genuinely upset that it happened. Basically it allows the player to create their own sci-fi movie with their choice of cast and dialogue.

Runners Up: “Knights of the Old Republic”, “Halo” and “Half-Life 2” Worst: “Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis”, “Bomberman Act: Zero” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” Technology: BLU-RAY Blu-Ray is basically how angels watch movies. With a Blu-Ray player, standard definition movies are now HD movies, HD movies are now the highest definition possible, and Blue-Ray movies are real life. In a standard movie, you see a man in a green sweater. On Blu-Ray you see a man in a woven Egyptian cotton sweater with a hole on the shoulder. It’s that clear. It also has the ability to connect on the internet and leave your own commentary for the movie for friends to see. Does your VHS player do that? I don’t think so.

Runners Up: Wii, iPhone and 3D Worst: Recycled “green” Phones (aka my phone), Windows Vista and the Zune

“It is hard because we forget a lot of information after Christmas and we should have exams before the break.”

Taylor Jones, Freshman

“It would be better if we had them before break because once we get back, most people forget some things …when the information is fresh in your mind, you can do better.”

Lauren Gula, Sophomore

{the marquee} FEBRUARY 5, 2010

{OPINION} When nature calls

Running low on time

Cattle gates

One can only imagine the frustration a girl must go through when she discovers that Mother Nature decided to visit her a week early.

For those who aren’t prepared, it might be convenient for her to find a functioning dispenser in the ladies’ restroom, and a fully stocked one at that.

As the 2009/2010 school year comes to an end, seniors will be receiving t-shirts highlighting their last years spent on a high school campus. However, if the Student Council can’t reach an agreement soon, senior girls might be receiving their class shirts via FedEx. Remember ladies: shipping fees are not your friends.

Throughout every passing period, and especially during A lunch, students are greeted by bright red barriers and a rather small regiment of teachers. To the outside observer, it may seem like they’re herding cattle. Next thing we know, teachers will be patrolling the Commons on horseback, lasso in hand.

{HEYS}

THINGS WE DON’T LIKE

MALFOY IS MINE

Game reminds of childhood joys Devon Miller

CRAZY CARLITA

Emotions lost by technology

Carley Meiners

I luvvv u babyy!(: I don’t understand how someone can possibly think that that statement actually means, in the real world, I love you.

Those three words can make or break a relationship. But typing it through an inanimate object is superficial.

For the past decade, texting has become one of the number one forms of communication. From making plans, to getting to know someone, to just a casual conversation, many people rely on their phone for their social life.

Now, most conversations consist of clicking of buttons and a constant send and reply. Personal conversations have become less familiar to our society. Experts say, when you are having an actual conversation with a person, 7% of what the person hears and feels is words and 93% is body language and tone. While texting someone you don’t get to see their actual body language or hear the tone in their voice, so you don’t know the way they’re saying those exact words. Emotion is portrayed as (: or (; in a text message. Our minds are feeding off of that fake emotion.

Using texting as an alternative to confrontation is lazy and uncreative. It’s like we’re hiding from our own realities and are scared to face the truth. To build a relationship with someone you actually have to speak to them. Talking to them

through a phone is much easier then going up to a person, and that’s why texting is people’s number one choice of communication. Our society has become reliant on objects and technology that makes our life easier, which makes us lazy.

Give a person the respect they deserve and say it to their face, not their phone.

I’ll admit that texting is my number one form of communication, and when I’m out to dinner with my family I’m reliant on my phone. I can see in myself that my phone is my world.

I want that to change. It should be easy to talk in person, but in many situations I turn to my phone as an easy alternative.

With every click of a button, a coward forms. Being able to be a good communicator is an important aspect in life, being the fastest texter is not.

When having a conversation with a person, a relationship grows. While texting someone a relationship grows stronger, only to find out that in many cases, there is no chemistry in person. Its easy to be witty and smart over the phone, but what isn’t easy is to put down the phone and come out from behind the curtains of our own fears and into the light of a world where people live in the real world.

Lets meet up.

Much better.

Marquee Remarks “I think we should do finals before the winter break so when we come back from Christmas we have a new start with new classes.”

Ally VanLoenen, Junior

FEBRUARY 5, 2010 {the marquee}

“It is different because you come back from break worrying about exams and there is the fact that you still have homework over the break.”

DJ Hauser, Senior

“The only reason we have exams after the break is because we start school later. In my opinion, I would rather have finals before the winter break.”

Dallas Miles, Teacher

I’m lost in a maze, surrounded by black. Every few moments I stumble on a rock and have to catch myself before I fall. I hear whispers all around me and strange cries echo off the walls. I consider turning around, but I know I can’t.

The farther I travel into the cave, the louder the cries become. I take another step and something slams into my arm.

I scream and start running in what I think is the opposite direction, digging around in my backpack for my escape rope.

I’m getting close. I can see the light.

WILD ZUBAT APPEARED! Are you kidding me?

While cleaning my room over Christmas break, I found my old GameBoy with a Pokemon game inside it. Overcome with nostalgia, I started playing immediately, forgetting about cleaning my room and become absorbed in the virtual world. While I played, I thought about how much things had changed since the last time I played.

GO! PIKACHU! I was ten years old and in the fifth grade. My life revolved around TV and computer games. I didn’t worry about school. Back then we only we got one packet of homework on Monday that wasn’t due until Friday. Even if I waited until Thursday night to do all of it, it still only took half an hour.

Education took a backseat to playing outside and watching cartoons.

As a ten-year-old, my biggest problems were shortened recesses and bad cafeteria food. I didn’t worry about tests; they were all open book. Sleep wasn’t a problem; I went to bed at 7 p.m. and got plenty of sleep. As a ten year old, I was pretty happy.

ENEMY ZUBAT USED TACKLE! Some things are still the same. My life still revolves around TV and I’d rather hang out with my friends than do my homework. But now I stay up past 7 p.m. I’m rarely asleep before midnight. I don’t get enough sleep and my homework is hardly ever done on time.

Now I have problems in every aspect of my life. There’s drama everywhere: at school, at home, with friends, with boys. I’m in advanced classes that give me at least an hour and a half of homework every night. There’s no more time for cartoons. There’s not much time for anything besides studying. As a seventeen year old, I’m not very happy.

PIKACHU USED THUNDERBOLT! But even if I’m pressed for time, I still need to take time out to relax. Everyone does. Too many people get wrapped up in responsibilities and the hardships of life. Maybe if we all remembered what it was like to play Pokemon nonstop and wake up early on Saturday morning to watch TV we’d all be a little happier.

I know I need to accept the fact that I’m not ten anymore.

I can’t keep shirking my responsibilities. I need to gut up and embrace my maturity.

CRITICAL HIT! ENEMY ZUBAT FAINTED! Maybe I’ll pretend to be a kid a little bit longer. design by nathaniel thorton

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PHOTOS BY SARAH QUINN

Behind the scenes: Theatre

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1. At a rehearsal on Jan. 18, musical theatre students sing the song “Anatevka.” They spent several hours with musical director Andrew Tinker to achieve the vocal range required for the songs in the show. 2. Junior Casey Edwards and senior Natashia Shaw sing in “Tradition.” This song took multiple hours to choreograph due to the large cast of 69 people. 3. Seniors Laura McMillian and Robbie Boraski dance together at rehearsal on Jan. 19 as the characters Hodel and Perchik. 4. Senior Annie Wallace and junior Morgan Andersen work on a scene together as Golde and Yente. 5. Senior Alycia George sits as the fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof. Many set pieces such as the house took weeks of hard work to create. 6. The Russians in the Inn Scene spent many hours learning how to dance for “To Life.”

The show will be running this weekend in the Larry Sigler Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

24 design by amy hillberry

{the marquee} FEBRURARY 5,2010