The Marquee Volume 38 Issue 2 by The Marquee

Volume 38 Issue 2 - December 11, 2023

Israel-Hamas war hits home for local residents

Pregnancy resource center opens in Flower Mound

Taylor Swift’s eras from worst to best

Edward S. Marcus High School - 5707 Moriss Rd Flower Mound, 75028

Water Polo captures state championship win

editor in chief Jennifer Banh managing editor Raksha Jayakumar online editor Lex Paull section editor Kaelen Reed business manager JC Mays reporters Astor Jones Grayson McCrate Imaan Malik Janisha Kesar Mashiyat Khan Jude Soape Sameeha Alidina designers Jasmine Estrada Felix Oien Colin Wilkes Arushi Sharma photographer Anya Jain adviser LaJuana Hale principal William Skelton The Marquee newsmagazine is a studentgenerated 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. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

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Peyton Scheffer, Bella Murtoff, Tatiana Miranda, Abigail Marts, Ava Cherry, Karis Barth, and Grace Dasari sing with Fusion at Highland Village’s tree lighting on Nov. 18. Photo by Anya Jain

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[Baby_steps] Loreto House opens a new location in Flower Mound STORY Astor Jones DESIGN Arushi Sharma Inside the bathroom, a woman hovered over her toilet. Her hand covered her mouth and her leg was shaking. Time felt like forever. Suddenly, she gasped, looking down at the two lines marking “positive” on the pregnancy test. So many questions filled her mind. She was overwhelmed, not knowing where to go or how to ask for help. Pregnancy can be different for everyone. Some might be excited. They might have always wanted a baby or have been trying for a long time. Other mothers might be experiencing moments of fear and panic, not knowing where to start. For these women, pregancy resource centers help make their journey smoother. Denton-based Loreto House recently opened a second location in Flower Mound, near the corner of Cross Timbers and Morris, less than five minutes away from the school. This is a non profit, pregnancy and parenting resource center that offers help and guidance for mothers, their children, 3 and under, and their families.

We help with not just her pregnancy, but also whatever’s going on in her life. -Randy Bollig, Executive Director Since the new location opened in April, Executive Director Randy Bollig

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The Loreto clinic houses a communal chapel where women and workers can pray before sessions. Photo by Anya Jain

has seen an increase in people that need their help. He has been pleased to help women and teens in the area. “It has just been phenomenal,” Bollig said. “So it proves that there is definitely a need for our services, and we’re helping a lot of women in the community.” With their new location being so close to the school, there is a place for students to go that is closer to home. “Every woman’s situation is different,” Bollig said. “We help with not just her pregnancy, but also whatever’s going on in her life.” When the mother arrives, she is offered counseling, resources, residential and medical help. When she walks into the light-colored building, she’ll be greeted by an assistant. As she looks around, she’ll notice the comfortable atmosphere, with seating areas, lamps, and pictures of positive sayings on the wall. They will then be provided with counseling sessions, which will assist her with any help she needs prior to her start at Loreto House. Each session is with an advocate who has a story behind why they work at Loreto House. Advocate Michelle Splaver works at Loreto House to provide mothers with a safe space. She said she has connected

with the mothers, “My favorite part of working at Loreto House is the amount of compassion it gives me,” Splaver said. “Working here gives me hope and I feel for every mother I meet.” After parents have reached a certain amount of weeks at Loreto House, they are rewarded with items in what they call the gift shop. The room is filled with maternity clothes, diapers, and childrens’ toys. Local organizations, clubs, and volunteers donate new items and also crochet blankets and stuffed animals for these women With Loreto House being a faithbased organization, they also provide spiritual help for the women including counseling. If the mother chooses, she can also walk into the chapel where there is prayer every morning. Junior Chelimo Reber said Loreto House will be beneficial to not only students from local high schools, but others in the area. “I think these opportunities are beneficial because during a time like this. A lot of people could get kicked out or shunned from their house,” Reber said. “Having something like Loreto House would help them have a home during such a stressful time.”

Meet this year’s head basketball coaches and team captains STORY Sameeha Alidina DESIGN Jasmine Estrada

Matthew Wright, Varsity Head Coach Wright is entering his 16th year of coaching and his second year at the school. Previously, Wright coached for 14 years at Flower Mound High School. “It's been awesome. Everybody has been awesome to work with,” Wright said. “I’m glad I made the move here.” Wright began playing basketball at 5 years old and continued through high school. As he grew older, he realized that he was most successful in basketball. Post high school, he played basketball in intramurals and men’s league but ultimately decided to coach. “I knew I loved working with kids and I knew I love sports, so I gave it a try and it worked,” Wright said. With seven seniors on the team this year, Wright believes senior leadership and three point shooting has the team stronger than ever. “We’ve told the boys if they play hard and do the little things, we have a chance to make the playoffs,” Wright said.

Dominick Harris, Senior, Captain, Guard, 1 Senior Harris is entering his third year on varsity and his second year as captain. “My plan this season is just to do whatever it takes for us to be most successful and get us to the playoffs,” Harris said. Harris takes his role as captain with great honor. He hopes to lead the team to the playoffs and further success. “Being a captain is just like being a leader,” Harris said. “Not being bossy but like keeping people on track with where we want to be successful.”

Victor Mitranca, Senior, Captain, Center, 12 Mitranca is entering his second year on varsity and second year as captain. He has been playing basketball since he was in sixth grade. “It’s my last season being a senior on the team. So you kind of go in with a different motivation when you know it’s your last,” Mitranca said. “I want to make good memories and make the playoffs and be district champs.” Mitranca hopes to create a positive environment as captain. “ It feels good knowing that my teammates have that type of trust in me to have that role,” Mitranca said. “And hopefully it gives me the ability to lead and get us where we need to be.”

Senior Victor Mitranca, Head Coach Matthew Wright and senior Dominick Harris said they are excited for this year’s season. Photo by Anya Jain

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Mallory Singleton-Lynn Varsity Head Coach Singleton-Lynn is entering her eighth year of coaching and teaching. She started her career in the fall of 2015 at Flower Mound HS where she served six years as a Varsity and JV coach and taught accounting. She spent the 2021-2022 school year as an assistant coach for Rock Hill’s team before coming to the school. “I love teaching young girls about life through the game and it's just fun,” Singleton-Lynn said. “It's like I get to play the game for my whole life.” She began playing basketball in the first grade. Throughout her high school career she played on Flower Mound’s team where she received a scholarship to Southern Methodist University. At SMU, Singleton-Lynn served as team captain. “I think what makes basketball important to me is the life lessons that sports teaches us,” Singleton-Lynn said. “It's like, you know, we face adversity in the game but that's nothing compared to the adversity that we're probably going to face in life. It teaches us how to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.” Through hard work and discipline, Singleton-Lynn is hopeful for the upcoming season. “Not only are we playing better basketball, but we’re playing better together,” Singleton-Lynn said. “These kids are bought in for the program, these kids are bought in for each other. They’re playing hard.”

Head Coach Mallory Singleton-Lynn is entering her eighth year of coaching and teaching. Photo by JC Mays

Addison Wragge, Junior, Captain, Forward, 24 Wragge is entering her third year on varsity and first year as captain. Wragge has been playing basketball since sixth grade and has been playing club since seventh. “Basketball brings my heart out with joy,” Wragge said. “It was a game that me and my grandma used to play together and it’s just lots of fun.” Being captain motivates Wragge to push herself to her full potential whilst holding herself and others accountable. Her goal this season is to be the best teammate possible. “No matter my role I do my part and always encourage,” Wragge said. “Captain is basically another name for me and everybody on our team is a leader and they’ve always had that opportunity.” Junior Addison Wragge is entering her third year on varsity and first year as captain. Photo by JC Mays

Kennedi Petteway, Senior, Captain, Guard, 1 Petteway is entering her third year on varsity and second year as captain. Petteway has been playing basketball for 13 years. Over the summer, Petteway played for AAU and has trained hard for the season. “I used tournaments to help me personally to build my game and be ready for the season,” Petteway said. She said she takes her role as captain with strength and esteem. As captain she believes in being a leader on and off the court whilst holding everyone accountable for their actions. “I mean it's amazing as always being captain,” Petteway said. “It's an honor, because not everyone has that position. So I’m grateful to showcase my team.”

Senior Kennedi Petteway is entering her third year on varsity and second year as captain. Photo by JC Mays

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Beloved teacher retires after 37 years STORY Mashiyat Khan DESIGN Colin Wilkes Four days into the 1987-89 school year, Ira Sherrill stepped into Marcus for his first day of teaching. Ronald Reagan was president and the school was only six years old. Over the years Sherrill has become a legend on campus. His hair has faded from blonde to silver, his daily fashion now includes jeans and moccasins instead of only his original coat and tie, but his attention to his student’s work has never wavered. This winter break,

He’s an icon here, so it’s going to be strange not having Mr. Sherrill at school anymore. -Meghan Regent, English Department Head he’ll join students as they leave. Except this time, he won’t be returning, as he retires after teaching English at the school for 37 years. His legend status comes from several reasons. First, it’s his grading style. Sherrill has a knack for grammar. In his first few decades he would leave red marks all over student’s papers, sometimes shocking students with comments such as, “You can do better.”

The same students that scoff in irritation at their grade often come back years after graduation to thank Sherrill for the valuable skills he taught them. Some come in person, others write letters to him and his bosses letting them know how big a difference he’s made in their lives. Assistant Principal Celeste Maddox is a former student who thanks Sherrill for her current writing. Even now, she appreciates his critiques on her emails. She, along with many staff members, will miss him dearly as he leaves. “He was one of my favorite teachers,” said Maddox. “I definitely got a lot of red pen on some of my papers, but I know he really taught me how to write. I’m excited for this new chapter for him. I’m sad, but it’s the right thing for him to do.” Head Baseball Coach Jeff Sherman was one of Sherrill’s many students that was thankful for his teaching. After years of being treated differently due to his dyslexia and dysplasia, Sherrill was the first to take a different approach in teaching. “I had a lot of learning disabilities, and he never saw me as that,” said Sherman. “He was the first teacher in 12 years to say, ‘No, you don’t need help. I’m going to help you.’” Sherman says that he knows he wasn’t the only student who was impacted this much. Sherrill makes it a point to not only make his students better writers, but better

people as well. “He made this passion for me to have a desire in education,” said Sherman. “This is something I’d never had before.” What stuck out the most to Sherman was how Sherrill looked at students’ potential and helped them to be a better version of themselves. “He expressed and valued me as just a human being, not this label as something else,” said Sherman. “I think that had the biggest impression in my educational career and athletic career.” Not only did his students see his efforts in teaching, but other teachers such as the English Department Head

Sherrill sports his traditional coat and tie back in 1999. Photo submitted by Ira Sherrill

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If I were going to teach another 10 years, I’d stay right here. -Ira Sherrill, English teacher Meghan Regent, did as well. “I know that a lot of students are intimidated by him, but he truly cares about all of his students,” said Regent. “He’s definitely a stickler, especially as far as grammar, and goes through a case of red pens every semester.” Regent admires the passion he puts into his work, and how he goes beyond just teaching the curriculum. She said she is sad to let go of her funny-witted, hardworking best friend. “He’s an icon here, so it’s going to be strange not having Mr. Sherill at school anymore,” said Regent. “What I’ll miss the most is his Sherrill-isms, sayings, one liners, coming to my class every day for coffee and to chat.” But he also makes sure the classroom is a fun space his students enjoy. Senior Megan Kerns, his current student, loves hearing old metaphors Sherrill shares, and seeing the class’ blank stares because they don’t understand the outdated reference. “He’s always on to us about doing our work but at the same time, it’s a joy to be in his classroom,” Kerns said. He’s also known for his colorful stories about his hometown, Gainesville, 47 miles away from the school. Since he’s lived there much of his life and is related to several people in the town, these stories add to his legendary status and are often remembered by his students. Despite the long drive from Gainesville to school, he has never thought twice about finding a job closer to home. His reason for why he made the

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commute was always simple: the kids. If there was any point he contemplated quitting, his answer was clear. “Nope. Not at Marcus,” said Sherrill. “I like the kids, I mean I wouldn’t drive 47 miles to work if I didn’t.” As he leaves full-time teaching, Sherrill doesn’t have many set plans on what the future holds. He plans to travel with friends, revisiting Europe and other U.S. states. His hardworking personality doesn’t stop here though, as he plans to continue his job as a part time professor at NCTC as he has since the 80s. “It hasn’t sunken in yet,” Sherrill said. “I was driving down my driveway and a lady was walking around the block whose husband was my bus driver growing up, and asked me, ‘Well, are you counting the days down?’ I said, ‘I guess. I don’t know.’” Although this decision wasn’t the easiest, Sherrill says that it’s what is best for him and his health moving forward. He’s grateful for his time at the school,

and wants everyone to know how happy the time here has made him. “I’ve always had very good administrators here that have supported me,” said Sherrill. “Keep up the good work, because if I were going to teach another 10 years, I’d stay right here.”

He made this passion for me to have a desire in education. This is something I’d never had before. -Jeff Sherman, Head Baseball Coach

English teacher Ira Sherrill works with junior Courtney Martin to grade her work, with his red pen ready in hand. Photo by Anya Jain

60 Addy Elwell, 12

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COMPILED JC Mays How does your family celebrate during the holiday season? We sometimes go to San Antonio, because we have family down there. What is your favorite sport to watch? I play soccer so I love watching soccer, but I also love watching football and baseball. If you could visit anywhere, where would you go? I would probably go to Greece, because I love Mamma Mia. It makes me want to go… because it’s so beautiful down there. What is your go-to drink order at Starbucks? The dragon fruit refresher, it’s really good. Sweaters or Hoodies? Sweaters. I hate hoods, they’re so bulky.

Favorite childhood game? In elementary we played this game called wood chips. Who is the most overrated music artist? I would say Drake. If you could have any animal as a pet what would you get? I would get a little teacup pig, they’re so cute. Staying in or going out? I would say going out with friends. What is your favorite clothing brand? I love Nike. Do you hope we will get snow this year? Yes, Oh my gosh, I need to get a snow day.

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As the world is drawn into the generations-long battle between Israel and Palestine, waves of unrest have spread. Even US citizens are taking out their frustrations on each other. Three Palestinian college students in Vermont were shot on Nov. 25 while going for a walk before dinner. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protestors in California got into a physical altercation, resulting in the death of a Jewish man on Nov. 5. Local citizens are finding ways to show their support for the lives lost. The death count has surpassed 16,000 according to the Associated Press, and this number continues to climb. The Fort Worth Jewish Federation hosted a vigil on Oct. 9 in response to the conflict. Similarly, people of Denton came together at the County Courthouse for a candlelight vigil in support of Palestine on Nov. 24. This current war began on Oct. 7 after Hamas, a terrorist organization and one of the ruling parties in Palestine, launched an attack at an Israeli music festival and border communities, taking hundreds of hostages. A multitude of opinions have erupted over this conflict. However, understanding the complicated context for this war is critical. On the pages that follow, The Marquee interviewed local residents affected by this conflict.

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Hate related crimes spike after Israel-Hamas war STORY Raksha Jayakumar DESIGN Jennifer Banh As people witness the loss of life in this war, some have begun to pick sides. The loss of so many civilians, including children and entire families, has shocked even those that live in our community, so far away from the conflict.

It’s perfectly all right to be heartbroken for two people, even if they’re adversaries. - Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis Local Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis said his synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami, is grieving over the Jews killed in Israel on Oct. 7. The global Jewish population is made up of about 15 million, and almost half living in Israel. Rabbi Dennis said almost every Jew has some kind of familial connection to Israelis. “We feel this very personally,” Dennis said. Palestine has two areas of majority Arab population called the West Bank and Gaza. The West Bank is controlled by the Palestinian government — the Palestinian National Authority. Gaza has been controlled by Hamas since 2007. “Hamas is a horrible organization, I call it a terrorist organization,” Dennis said. “It’s a government who sets its goal of destruction of Israel and killing all Jews.” Hamas is labeled a terrorist organization by the UN as well, and it is backed by Iran. The assault on Oct. 7

targeted Israel on a Jewish holiday. Over defense and protect citizens from rocket 300 people celebrating a music festival attacks. were killed. Another 900 people were However, US officials have also killed in the surrounding kibbutzim, stated that Biden does not support a Jewish communities in Israel. This reoccupation by Israeli forces in Gaza. became the deadliest day for Jews since Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary the Holocaust. of State, said that Israel “is capable of Hamas also took about 240 hostages neutralizing the threat posed by Hamas and held them in underground tunnels to while minimizing harm to innocent remain undetected. men, women and children. And it has an “A massive, massive atrocity was obligation to do so.” committed,” Dennis said. “It was a reign While the US does side with Israel of terror, so the Israeli government over Hamas, Blinken asks that Israel reacted by saying ‘We’re going to war.’” complies with international law and Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, stops harming civilians in its fights. even dismissing recommendations from “We know that we have the the U.N. chief to call for a cease-fire. government on our side, but that doesn’t Israel launched a ground invasion and make it any less sad because we want to split Gaza in half using their military have good relationships with everybody,” troops on Oct. 27. They then continued Dennis said. their raid by attacking Gaza’s largest hospital, saying it was because they had evidence Hamas was operating from underground tunnels there. As Israel and Hamas met in Qatar, they formed a cease-fire deal starting Nov. 24. Over 100 Israeli hostages have been released, and Israel also released about 240 of the Palestinian people they had imprisoned for allegedly being involved with militant groups. The cease-fire deal ended on Dec. 1 after being renewed twice. Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East. President Biden said he feels heartbroken by the loss of life on both sides, but “as long as the United States stands — and we will stand forever — we will not let [Israel] ever be alone.” He said it was not an exaggeration to say that Hamas “slaughtered” Israelis. The US Department of Defense confirmed that Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis and his wife Robin stand at the they were sending systems Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Photo submitted by to Israel to help with air Geoffrey Dennis

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••• This issue has become so contentious that thousands of students at college campuses are risking suspension and harm to defend their beliefs. Pro-Palestinian protestors at Harvard University laid on the ground during a “die-in” rally to represent civilians killed in Gaza, according to NBC. Three students at Tulane University were assaulted at a staged rally with people defending each side. A student at Cornell University is under investigation for making violent antisemitic statements online. Strong opinions on both sides have led to an escalation in hate crimes. “I approve of all nonviolent protests,” Dennis said. “In America, you’re entitled to express your opinion. What disappoints me is when people are making outrageous claims that have no basis in fact, and they present it as if it’s fact.” Rabbi Dennis said that Jewish populations in America have begun to feel unsafe again as they see more negativity towards their people. “For a long time, American Jews really felt like we had escaped the long, long history of hatred of Jews in America,” Dennis said. “We thought that was done,

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but it’s not, and people easily fall into habits of hate.” The number of hate crimes towards Jews rose by 37% in 2022, and it has increased further this year, according to the FBI. Similarly, a spike in Islamaphobic hate crimes is evident

with, not the Israeli government. “I’m not a fan of the Israeli government, but I understand why they’re making the decisions they’re making,” Dennis said. “I happen to support the state of Israel, but as you can see from the news, there are hundreds of thousands of people who disagree with me.” He feels for his people but also for the Palestinians and the people they have lost too. “It’s perfectly all right to be heartbroken for two people, even if they’re adversaries,” Dennis said. “I think this whole thing was unnecessary, and I blame Hamas for triggering this. But my heart goes out to both populations.” Rabbi Dennis said there are no clean hands in this war. What he wants is for Hamas to surrender and return all the Israeli hostages. “When the fighting is finally over, we can create some kind of new government or regime for Gaza that will prevent this crime from happening in the future,” Dennis said. “I would like to see a productive, functional government in Gaza that doesn’t use Gaza as a military base.”

I think that the crimes against Jewish people, the crimes against Muslim people, each one is an offense and betrayal of America. - Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis for Muslim Americans. The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported a 300% increase in help requests and bias incidents from Oct. 8 to Nov. 8. “I think that the crimes against Jewish people, the crimes against Muslim people, each one is an offense and a betrayal of America,” Dennis said. “Whatever is going on on another continent should not turn one American against another.” Rabbi Dennis said he stands with the Israeli people, the people he used to live

Sophomore shares her family’s history in Palestine STORY Sameeha Alidina DESIGN Jennifer Banh Rummaging through a box of jewelry, sophomore Hiba* laces her fingers around a gold chain with a small pendant in the shape of Palestine. Fastening it around her neck, Hiba stares at her reflection in the mirror. Beaming off the blackness of her shirt, the pendant shines with the Arabic words: “We have on this Earth what makes life worth living.” Looking down at the necklace, she is reminded of past stories of her great-great-grandfather and other ancestors told by her father**. Hiba thinks about Palestine often, especially since the Oct. 7 war began. Hiba’s family is originally from Haifa. This city ceased to exist when Israel was created in 1948. At that time, her ancestors were pushed out to Jordan. On Hiba’s bedroom door, two sashes hang from the edge. One having green and black stripes with the word “PALESTINE” written in red. Another with the design at the top of a Palestinian keffiyeh (a scarf with a checkered black and white print that represents Palestinian culture), a drawing of Jerusalem with the words “Jerusalem Our Home” written underneath and a Palestinian flag crocheted at the bottom. At the beginning of the war, she could be seen wearing these sashes around school. “I’m very patriotic for my country,” Hiba said. “All the time I wish that I was there in Palestine. I wish I was there to

*Names withheld upon request.

help my people.” ••• This is not the first time Palestine has been fought over – After WWI, the British took control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire. Following almost 20 years of British rule, the Palestinian people revolted against the English in 1936. Hiba’s great-great-grandfather fought against the British. The family said he fought hard in this battle, and was so successful in combat that he eventually ended up on the wanted list until one day he was hit with an aircraft 500 caliber bullet in the head. Laying on his hospital deathbed, a British Air Force commander visited him to ensure this warrior was dead. He grabbed him from the throat, squeezing him till he began to choke. Just a few moments later, he died, leaving behind his kids and wife. 12 years later, their hometown, Haifa, was Hiba carries a Palestinian flag as she protests in Austin Nov. taken by Israeli settlers, 12. Her family is originally from Haifa, a city that ceased to forcing the family out. In exist after the creation of Israel. Photo submitted by Hiba a short time, Hibas greatgreat-grandmother had to leave behind left to visit the homeland of his ancestors the only city she knew, seeking refuge in for the first time. Her father traveled Jordan. alone, leaving Hiba and his family. For Hiba, the death of her great-great“We were planning to go there grandfather and the expulsion of her together, but there was a lot of conflict, family from Palestine is her inspiration. so I couldn’t take the kids,” Hiba’s father “It’s lovely to know my great great said. “The situation was heating up, you grandfathers were fighters…” Hiba said. know, off and on. So it wasn’t safe to go.” “I’m proud of their bravery and how they Safety wasn’t the only force holding actively stood up for their country.” him back from visiting his homeland. ••• “It wasn’t easy for me to go there,” In 2018, emotions were high as her dad Hiba’s father said. “Because it was really

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hard for me to see my country, my land, my home taken and occupied by other people. So I resisted going there so many times before because I cannot tolerate that.” After landing, he went through hours of checkpoints and interrogation before being permitted to enter Jerusalem. The moment the site of Masjid Al Aqsa entered his view, he couldn’t hold it in. A sight he had only seen in photos was

You don’t have to be Muslim or Arab to stand with Palestine, you have to be human. - Hiba, 10 right in front of him. (Masjid Al Aqsa is a holy site composed of a complex of Islamic buildings atop the Temple Mount. This area is also a holy site for Christains and Jews). “I was weeping, I was crying. I was extremely emotional as soon as I walked into Jerusalem,” Hiba’s father said. The remainder of his trip, he spent around Palestine. Every day spent there further reminded him of the conflict. Despite being pushed out to Jordan the family strongly identifies as Palestinian. “It’s an emotional feeling. To walk in a country that is yours. You know everything is yours, the land is yours, the people are yours,” Hiba’s father said. “You know everything belongs to you although it’s taken.” Back in Texas, Hiba felt happy her dad was able to go. “It’s nice to know that my father was

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able to go there and actually experience Palestine,” Hiba said. “In sha Allah (by the will of God) that will be our next trip.” ••• Scrolling through Instagram Oct. 7th, a flood of posts from Palestine overtook Hiba’s feed. Turning on the television, the family was not surprised to see the usual sight of bombings and killing of innocent civilians. “This conflict is not something new, we’re talking about a history of 75 years,” Hiba said. However unlike other wars, rather than being fearful, the family is hopeful that Palestine will one day be free. “Generally speaking, death is a part of our DNA. We’re not scared of death. We have family members who are murdered and killed by the occupations. We live with death,” Hiba’s father said. Along with the brutal videos of Palestinians being killed and their land being taken, the family has noticed a rise in anti-Jewish crimes, and condemns all acts of hatred towards Jewish people.

“Also, there’s also been a really big issue that’s going… there’s a spike in hate crimes against Muslims and against Jewish people,” Hiba’s father said. “This is not a religious issue, don’t try to make it a religious issue.” The family wishes for the peaceful co-existence of Jewish, Christian and Muslim counterparts in the land of Palestine. “It’s very important that the Muslims have nothing against Judaism,” Hiba’s father said. “We want to go back to 100 years ago, where Muslims, Christian’s and Jewish coexist together. Under one land, as neighbors, friends and no conflict.” In the meantime, the family continues to advocate for Palestinian rights. Through the use of social media and peaceful protest, the family hopes more people will stand with Palestine and fight for their freedom. “You don’t have to be Muslim or Arab to stand with Palestine, you have to be human,” Hiba said.

Tens of thousands of protesters take the street holding signs in support of Palestine at an All Out for Palestine Rally in Austin Nov. 12. Photo submitted by Hiba

STORY Raksha Jayakumar DESIGN Jennifer Banh Hiba’s* father, a Palestinian said that Palestine’s history extends very far back. “Muslims, Christians, and Jewish coexisted for hundreds of years,” he said. Arabs living in Palestine were under the control of Egyptians in 1834, and they banded together to rebel against unfair taxation and the rights they lost. This is marked by many as the first formation of the Palestinian people. As World War 1 came to a close in 1917, people of the Middle East scrambled to get back to their old lives, but this would be impossible. The Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, collapsed in this war after their failed attempts to conquer more European countries. The victorious nations of WW1 divided the territories among themselves. Palestine was one of the territories the British

conquered. The Sixth World Zionist Congress discussed an early plan called the Uganda Scheme to move the European Jews to British East Africa. However, after the British government took over Palestine, they issued a public mandate called the Balfour Declaration, supporting the establishment of a home for Jewish people in Palestine instead. The UN ended this mandate 30 years later to enact the Partition Plan, splitting the territory into Israel and Palestine. “[The British] tried to split up the territory between Arabs and Jews,” Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis said. “It ended up being chaos and war, and the Arab territories tried to prevent the Jewish territory from forming.” The state of Israel declared their independence in 1948, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Israel won this war

in 1949, but it resulted in over 750,000 Palestinians being displaced, an event called the Nakba Catastrophe. Tensions remained high between the two groups as they each wanted land. “It’s been a struggle ever since then to figure out how to resolve that conflict,” Dennis said. Eventually, two areas of majority Arab population formed: the West Bank and Gaza. Hamas, a group focused on resisting Israel with military force, took control of Gaza in 2007, and they have stayed in power ever since. Israel and Egypt reacted to their take-over by establishing a blockade to prevent the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza. The blockade has resulted in a scarcity of essential supplies, a lack of electricity, and less accessibility to medical care, with some calling Gaza an open air prison.

*Last name withheld upon request.

1917 Pre-British Mandate Palestine

Present Day Israel

The growth of Hamas Hamas is descended from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. In the 1970s and ‘80s, they started off as a group focused on religious worship. The Israeli government recognized them as a charity, letting the members set up a community of mosques, schools, and even funding certain endeavors, according to the Washington Post. However in 1988, Hamas published its charter, outlining that they wanted the destruction of Israel and for Palestine to have an Islamic society, as it historically had. Avner Cohen is a retired Israeli religious official who worked in Gaza for decades. Hewatched this movement form. “Hamas, to my great regret, is Israel’s creation,” Cohen said to the Wall Street Journal in 2009. Since the creation of Hamas, Israel has gone to war with them multiple times. Hamas said their goal is “to free Palestinian prisoners, stop Israeli aggression on alAqsa Mosque, and to break the siege on Gaza.” Israelis are concerned that Hamas said “Israel will exist and continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.”

Palestine

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TIMELINE TIMELINE

1896 Theodore Herzl founded the Zionist movement and called for “restoration of the Jewish State”.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

1915

STORY Sameeha Alidina DESIGN Jennifer Banh

British cabinet calls for the British annexation of Palestine.

1917 The Balfour Declaration, a statement issued by the British Government during WWI, promises a “national home for the Jewish people in Palestine”.

1922

1948-1949

1947

Following the creation of Israel, the Nakba (catastrophe in Arabic) takes place. More than 600,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes, 400 Palestinian villages vanished and over 15,000 Palestinians died.

Following the end of WWII, the British mandate ends in Palestine, handing over the conflict to the United Nations. The UN established a plan to divide Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.

The League of Nations formally adopts a British mandate for Palestine. Over the course of their rule, the British helped 100,000 Jews immigrate.

1967

2000-2005

2006

The Six Day War began in June when Israel attacked Egyptian and Syrian air forces. This led to Israel occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, which were previously controlled by other countries.

The Second Infitada (uprising) against Israel occurs resulting in the West Bank Barrier being created and the removal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas government wins the election and takes armed control of the Gaza Strip.

2023 Present 2023 - -Present

Oct. 7 2023: Hamas launches a surprise attack on Israel killing over 1200 Israelis and taking 220 people hostage. Oct. 8 - Nov. 20 2023: Israel formally declares a state of war and begins the siege of the northern Gaza Strip. Over the course of a month 16,000 Palestinians were killed and over 1.87 million people are displaced -- more 80% than of Gaza’s population, according to the Associated Press. Nov. 21 2023: The government of Israel votes to approve a deal with Hamas for the exchange of 150 Palestinian prisoners for 50 Israeli hostages along with a four day ceasefire (later extended to seven days). Dec. 1 2023: Seven day ceasefire formally ends and Israel announces the invasion. of southern Gaza.

in-depth December 11, 2023

2018 Trump administration announces the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moves its embassy to Tel Aviv.

Holi

-DIY

STORY Janisha Kesar DESIGN Felix Oien

When the holiday season comes, we all start scrambling to get gifts for our loved ones. It’s a part of the Christmas season that can be fun but also stressful. Store bought gifts are great, but gifts that you make for your loved ones yourself contain meaning. Here are a few fun holiday DIY ideas.

Christmas Cards My personal favorite are these beautiful Christmas cards. They might not be an expensive gift or a gift at all in some people’s eyes, but a card that is handmade holds greater meaning. An eye catching cover followed by a heartfelt message wwis perfect for any loved one. These can be made by anyone and here is how. • Start off with a piece of paper that can be folded in half. •

Add your favorite designs on the front and back. Here is when my favorite hack comes in. Usually, when you use a Sharpie or marker, it bleeds through.

•

To solve this problem, take another piece of paper and fold it in half. Then, write a letter or add any additional card designs on the inside of the folded paper.

•

Finally, I combine the first folded paper with the second and staple them, so I can use all the markers and still have the other side of the page blank for me to write on. This hack also makes the card a bit thicker, giving it a better look.

Photo by JC Mays.

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SNOW GLOBE This gift is such a magical addition to someone’s holiday. Snowglobes really portray a winter wonderland perfectly so here is how to create your own winter scene. •

Take a small to medium-sized, smooth glass jar and gather water, glycerin, white or gold glitter, mini white balls, and any figurine you would like. The figurine adds to the meaning shared with the person you give it to.

•

Open the jar and hot glue the figurine to the bottom of the jar. Next, add water, white or gold glitter, and those white balls inside.

•

Then, take your glycerin and add about a spoonful inside to stir.

•

Once combined, glue the top of the jar onto the jar for a secure finish. The top of the jar can be decorated as well. Wrap the globe up and it’s all ready to be given as a gift.

Photo by JC Mays.

ORNAmENT A major part of Christmas is the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Ornaments are such a jolly addition and making one for your loved one is a perfect gift. •

Get a clear ornament and open the top. You can get supplies such as glue, glitter, little snowballs, charms, and more. This creates a whimsical look.

•

Next, close up the ornament by gluing the top on for a secure hold. Once closed, the outside of the ornament can be decorated with fun letters. Adding a loved one’s name or any phrase that connects you two is such a nice touch to this beautiful gift.

Now it’s ready to go up on the tree.

Photo by JC Mays.

entertainment December 11 2023

Taylor swift eras rankings STORY Raksha Jayakumar DESIGN Arushi Sharma

In light of the new Eras Tour movie release and 1989 (Taylor’s Version), there has been a lot of discourse over which albums are better. If you want the opinion of an EDUCATED Swiftie, read this ranking of her eras from worst to best.

10.

This may sound basic, but Debut is last for me. I’m not a big fan of country music, and Taylor made it fun, but not fun enough to outrank everything else. I do love hearing her little country twang in every song, but it’s just not my thing. At the end of the day, Taylor doesn’t have a single bad album, and I’m sure this album really speaks to people out there, but just not me. However, I can appreciate this album for the joy it brings with songs like “Tim McGraw” and “Picture to Burn.” I only wish she never changed the infamous lyric.

“Lover” is just so loveable. I love love love “Lover.” I love all of the pop songs, and I love that it’s the first album she owned. If you listen closely, you’ll pick up on the fact that this album isn’t just talking about love, but also the fear of losing it and screwing it up. With songs like “The Archer” and “Afterglow,” Swifties feel seen and validated. It’s not by any means a bad album, but I just like the other albums more. Since it’s so new, it isn’t as nostalgic or emotional as the other ones in that sense. Just know that ranking “Lover” so low is painful.

UGHH. “Fearless” is actually so reminiscent of my childhood. I remember huddling over my sister’s shoulder as we used our chunky laptop with an illegal mp3 converter site to download the songs onto my iPod Nano. Even after powering through the horrible audio quality, I still converted to being a Swiftie. These are the first few Taylor songs I ever heard. Seven year-old me couldn’t relate to “The Way I Loved You,” but I could definitely scream with her. The first half of “Fearless” is SO good and brings back so many memories, but the second half only has “Mr. Perfectly Fine” and “The Other Side of the Door.”

7. 6. 18

“Midnights,” the newest album that wasn’t a rerecording, was certainly a hit. But there was just a lot going on with the album. I understand it’s a collection of songs from her sleepless nights, so it’s understandable why there’s so many different themes. I just personally prefer an album where most of the songs have a similar feel to them. I think every song on this album is good, but “Maroon” is my all-time favorite, and I love the parallel to her earlier song “Red.” But overall, the album makes me kind of sad because of all the hints we were left about her relationship ending.

Listening to “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” is dancing around in your bedroom, pretending you’re in a ball gown, and screaming into a hairbrush. This whole album is so nostalgic, so teenage girl. Her voice has matured so much since the original recordings, and you can hear the fun she’s having with her old songs. The vault tracks are also so good, and “I Can See You” is the best! Now that she’s grown up and reflecting, it’s honestly more emotional. Also, I will forever miss the changed lyrics in “Better Than Revenge, but I guess it’s more politically correct now.

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“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is probably one of her most popular eras with the most iconic songs. Taylor Swift fed us as a pop princess of the 2010s with hits like “Blank Space,” “Shake it Off,” and “Bad Blood”. Everything about this era is so memorable from the white sunglasses and the chopped hair to the red lip. She perfected the art of writing sad lyrics and setting them to happy music. She dabbled in this art form in “Red,” but we see it full-fledged in this album with songs like “Out of the Woods” and “Now That We Don’t Talk.”

“Red” is Taylor’s best rerecording due to the vault tracks we were blessed with. Not only did we get 10 minutes of “All Too Well”, but we also got “Babe”, “Better Man” and “Message in a Bottle.” This album was Taylor’s transitionary album between country and pop perfection, which she did end up achieving. All ten minutes of “All Too Well” are so telling and I now want ten minute versions of all her songs.

While all the analogies and big words in “evermore” are very smarty pants, the album falls behind “folklore” because it isn’t as cohesive. “Folklore” has different themes, but they can be related back to the main love triangle story. “Evermore” has a bunch of different tales to tell. Some of the individual songs on “evermore” are better than all of “folklore,” but “folklore” is better as a whole and started this genre for her. One of my personal favorites is the title song “evermore.” It punches you in the gut a little, but at the end you feel heard.

“Folklore” obviously takes the cake for the next best album. This lyrical masterpiece kicked off her career as Shakespeare’s modern replacement. She began her indie girl era with all lowercase titles and obscure ideas. But no matter who you are or where you’ve been, I guarantee that you can relate to one of the songs on “folklore.” The most notable of these songs are the infamous teenage love triangle perspectives: “cardigan,” “betty,” and “august.”

“Reputation” is very clearly the best album out of Taylor Swift’s whole discography. If you disagree, you clearly haven’t listened to it. It’s often mislabeled as a revenge album, but if you listen to the lyrics instead of nincompoop haters, you’ll understand it’s about finding love when it feels like the whole world is against you. We see pure pop perfection with songs like “Gorgeous” and “Delicate”, and the iconic “Getaway Car.”

entertainment December 11, 2023

R i di ng a

w i n n i ng WA VE

Senior Cylas Dion looks to score in the state championship game against Boerne Champion on Oct. 28. Photo by Amber Dion

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Water polo dominates to secure state championship STORY Grason McCrate DESIGN Jasmine Estrada The water polo team had already defeated Richmond Foster in a physically taxing state semifinal game on Oct. 28, where the Marauders struggled at times to score. They were now getting back in the pool just seven hours later with a state title on the line. Despite the challenges against them, the Marauders scored a season high of 25 points in a dominating victory over Boerne Champion, to secure the teams first state title. “The fatigue didn't really set in until after the game,” Junior Owen Kroh said. “There was just so much adrenaline, so much excitement, just a fear of losing.” The Marauders finished the season with a 24-2 record thanks to what Head Water Polo Coach Brandon Dion described as a well rounded and mature roster. The team had a total of nine seniors who were all major contributors to the team’s success. “They’ve just done an awesome job leading the team,” Dion said. “They aren’t lording over or ever putting down the underclassmen, and they’ve really helped teach the younger guys how we do it around here.” ••• Dion said the Marauders came into the season with a chip on their shoulder after last year's crushing loss to Southlake Carroll in the state region

final. The game ended with Southlake winning in overtime on a goal to knock the Marauders out of the playoffs. “Burn the ships” was the team's motto throughout the playoffs. It was meant to signify that there was no turning back. For the team it was championship or bust. To make it to state the Marauders would have to go through a familiar foe,

Our boys worked really hard for a number of years, so just to see that hard work finally pay off was really awesome. - Coach Brandon Dion the Southlake Carroll Dragons. Southlake had beaten the Marauders during the regular season 9-8, and the two were set to play again in the region final. The Marauders came out firing early with a quick goal scored by Sophomore Asher Brunner 16 seconds into the game. They continued their scoring onslaught, scoring four more times to push the lead to 5-2 just six minutes into the game. Brunner continued his prolific scoring performance, adding six more goals to

The waterpolo team hoist their first state championship trophy in program history after winning the state championship over Boerne Champion, 25-12. Photo by Amber Dion.

sports December 11, 2023

his total as the Marauders cruised to a 18-6 win. “That game was probably the most important of the season for us,” Kroh said. “Not only was it a game of just making it to state, but there was also a lot of animosity between teams. So we had to prove that we weren’t messing around and that it was our home pool.” The win over Southlake placed the Marauders just two wins away from a state championship. Heading into the state semifinals Marcus was set to take on Richmond Foster. Coming into the game Foster had a 24-7 record. The Marauders would have to overcome a sluggish first half where a late goal helped the Falcons come within two points of tying the game before the first half ended 7-5. “They were being aggressive, they were being mean,” Kroh said. “So at the end of the day, we had to stay true to the way we play and try to run the game at our speed.” As the second half began though, the Marauders came out looking like a new team, outscoring Foster 7-4 in the second half of the game. The offensive surge was headlined by four goals from Brunner, which helped the Marauders cap off a commanding victory, 14-9. The win also meant that the Marauders would be playing Boerne Champion for a chance at a state championship. “Going into the game we knew a little about Boerne Champion, but hadn’t played them before,” Dion said. “We just came into the game knowing we’d have to execute and play our game our way.” That’s exactly what the Marauders did from start to finish. The scoring began early with goals from Brunner and Senior, Joseph McCreary. The Marauders led the entire game and didn’t let their foot off the gas, never letting the score get within three points during the entire game. They scored 25 points, which was more than enough to secure their first state title 25-12. McCreary was named the games most valuable player with 12 goals on 14 shots along with two assists. “It was wild,” Dion said. “Our boys worked really hard for a number of years, so just to see that hard work finally pay off was really awesome.”

A sea of uncertainties STORY Mashiyat Khan DESIGN Colin Wilkes My eighth grade self stood quietly as I struggled to find the answer to my parents’ question: “Why do you have anxiety?” I didn’t know what response would be correct or acceptable. A thousand words bubbled inside me, none of which seemed good enough to come out of my mouth. Since I was a child, it always seemed like there was something wrong with me. Something to put a label on so I could fix it, make it go away and be what everyone wants me to be. My brain would twist and turn every situation until all I could think about was what I did wrong or could have done differently. In elementary school, I would travel from specialist to specialist, do every blood test, every health scan to get to the root of why my body acted differently than the other kids. My parents would reassure me, “It’s not your fault, we’re getting tests done to see what’s causing this.” As all the tests continued to come

“

My brain would twist and turn every situation until all I could think about was what I did wrong or could have done differently.

back negative, the blame and pressure of what was going on in my body fell upon me. I was left on my own to figure out how to fix the problem that was taking over me. As I grew older my anxiety heightened. Not only did it manifest

in mental ways, but physically as well. Every time I encountered even a slight obstacle in my life the nausea, headaches, and dizziness would creep into my body, strangling me from the inside. Everything appeared as a big question mark in my brain, a haze of problems to solve, tasks to complete, and responsibilities to fulfill. I lost whatever part of myself I had left from younger me. I felt like a stranger in my body, fears and negative thoughts knocking on every door in my brain. If I couldn’t get things right in my head, how would I ever get it right in

the real world? Doubt strangled me everywhere I went, holding me back from everything my heart desired. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of uncertainties, my life jacket the answers I could never find. When I got diagnosed with anxiety nearing the end of 8th grade, the feeling of relief, of finally understanding myself a bit better never came. The label that I thought that would magically fix everything didn’t put my mind at ease. Instead, all I wanted to do is figure out how to make it go away and not accept the fact that it was a part of me.

“

Learning from my and others’ experiences, and not holding on to things that were never meant to be.

I wanted to banish these thoughts and feelings from my body, have everything laid out like cities on a map, and know exactly what would come next. The cycle continued until I started to take hold of my thoughts — and take back myself. Recognizing and analyzing negative thoughts and listening to how my body really feels were my first steps towards change. I found that facing the thoughts head first that had forever been controlling me was what I had to do. The universal piece of advice of “talking about your feelings” started to make sense. The uncomfortability opened up a whole new realm of understanding and breakthroughs. From trying to understand the dreadful things that had been haunting me, it helped to unlock a version of myself I never knew was there. One that unapologetically talked about her feelings, opinions, and cared about herself. Navigating life isn’t about having everything perfect and planned out. It’s about experiencing the journey learning from whatever comes your way. Learning from my experiences, from others’ experiences, and not holding on to things that were never meant to be. What matters isn’t the big gold medal you get at the end of the run, but how you grew, persevered, and got through to the finish line.

opinion mhsmarquee.com

Boom Bahs

things we like

Online Lunch Menu It’s helpful for students to find out what’s being served for lunch. The lunch lines become crowded, so students don’t have to wait ages. This was a great way to make the cafeteria a more organized eating area!

Decorated Drug Doors The doors showcasing funny quotes that promote avoiding drug use are quite entertaining. A door referencing Taylor Swift caught the attention of some Swifties who greatly appreciated the humorous pun. These doors were a great way to spread awareness.

Technology Trade-In Forgetting to charge your iPad is a problem everyone is guilty of. Having places to charge your iPad when you don’t have a charger with you is a great solution. Also the distribution of iPads for students who forget theirs is helpful.

Spread School Spirit We would love it if there was more awareness about spirit days. We could post about it more on social media and put posters up in the halls. Also, it would be super duper cool if students got to submit a survey about what spirit days they would like to have next!

Our Road to Education Some students have noticed, while driving in the already chaotic parking lots, the amount of potholes around the campus. The student body would greatly appreciate the less bumpy ride.

Heys

things we don’t like

Competing for Seating The courtyard is a popular place to sit during lunches, virtual classes and free periods. It’s a relaxing space, but seating is limited. Adding more seating like benches or picnic tables would be appreciated by the students who have to sit in the grass.

Education about the war is vital staff editorial

Every morning, we open our phones, and every morning it’s the same story. Pictures of children lying dead on the streets in Gaza. Hospital attacks. Bombs going off. These heartbreaking stories fill our screens. The thought of such a violent war was never something anyone expected, but the conflict has been hard to navigate. Although there has been a lot of conversation surrounding the war lately, not everyone knows what is true and what is propaganda. We need to be more educated on the topic before taking a stance and be careful of misinformation. Before sharing your opinion on the conflict, it is important to understand history. Many people think this conflict started Oct. 7 this year, when in reality, the situation has been tense between the two groups since before WWI. A person can’t pick a side just by watching the news for a week, when in reality, the conflict is older than most of our grandparents. Instead of watching a 30 second reel on Instagram, look at

opinion December 11, 2023

reliable news sources that can give you an in-depth run down of the conflict. Also identify the difference between the parts that are more opinion than facts. Opinions can be misconstrued to foster racist hate of one group or the other that extends all the way to this country. It is important to learn the history behind the conflict and keep up with current events from trustworthy sources. One of the reasons this is critical is because of tons of misinformation online. And some of the early news info can be wrong. It’s happened multiple times in the past month that the news covered a story, but then 24 hours later they retracted the statement. People are gullible, and believe whatever they hear from the people around then. Don’t be the first person to repost everything you see, since there needs to be some time to verify those things. Your friends and family are not actively at the war and don’t know for sure what’s going on there either. It’s important to listen to authorized and educated sources.

Living oceans away, it’s important to remember that a war is not for entertainment or shock value. We are safe sitting in our homes watching the news, but not everyone has that luxury. Real people are dying. These images can be haunting and difficult to forget, so caution is needed before viewing a lot of this content. Certain graphic pictures are restricted, and we have the option to view them or not. But it’s much worse for the people actually living through it. For them, the bombings and mutilated bodies are their reality. If you view these images, don’t take them lightly, understand the gravity of the situation in the world you live in. At the end of the day, our support can hurt or help those involved in the war. However, people’s opinions are easily swayed, and we need to be reading the right sources to get an accurate understanding of what’s really going on. Take the time to do research, learn about the history, and really understand all sides of the story before making conclusions.

Merry Marquettes

Marquettes kick off a dance in sparkling seasonal uniforms at their production of “A Very Merry Marquette Christmas Show” from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. Photo by Grace Anderson

Junior Kyra McKay takes the lead in one of the Christmas song performances. Photo by Grace Anderson

Senior Paige Stephens strikes a pose with a green gift prop to end one of the dances. Photo by Grace Anderson