March 11, 2016

RACLE O

TSTRATFORD HE

Friday, March 11, 2016 Volume 42, Issue 6

@stratfordoracle @spartanoracle

The Big Day Photo Gallery pg. 6

Shattered Dreams Photo Gallery pg. 7

Mr. SHS Donates to Empower a Child

shsoracle.com

pg. 10

Spring Break on theGo pgs. 8-9

Last minute

destinations

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opinions

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Think One More Time Before You Judge

Inaccurate judgment leads to misunderstanding OPINION OF EDITORIAL BOARD

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL TORRES

In society where millions of people are fighting for the same places, positions, and things, it is common to see people judging each other. This occurs by simply flipping through biographical papers, observing someone for an hour, or maybe listening to someone’s three minute speech. We often make assumptions about other people, who we have never met, or have met for the first time, and decide to reject or accept them. But are these quick, short judgments fair? Are they even accurate?

In our daily lives, we are judged in certain ways at least once a week. This is not only true for college applications, job interviews, and auditions, but also in daily life. If a girl with rainbow hair is walking by, some people might say something like ‘she is weird’, or ‘she likes to stand out’. Our instinct is to judge someone by their one particular behavior, language, or even situation.

Judgment is not always correct, especially the kind people make immediately after one glance. People can dress up nicely, while their room is filled with muddy clothes and leftover food, just to give out a good impression for an interview. The interviewer would most likely think that they are a neat person by just glancing at how they are dressed, while they are truly not.

If they had seen their room, then their judgments would have been completely different. No doubt the interview applicant would also have probably written a job application more prudently and carefully, using eloquent words to sound ‘smart’.

What people see or hear once does not necessar-

ily define who they are. Their behavior and words depend on the situation, and peoples’ characteristics are far more complex than to define them in few words like ‘bright,’ or ‘cool’. There are many aspects of each individual that other people might not know, whether those aspects are meant to be hidden or not. (Just like people dressing nicely for a job interview.)

Even people who smile every day might be having hard time. They might be wearing a mask to hide their true emotions and feelings. To others, they would seem like happy, energetic person who does not have any problems.

However, the key is this: what shows up outside is not always equal to what’s inside. Besides, our behaviors and attitudes change depending where we are, who we’re with, and what situation we are put in.

Of course, there are some experts in the world who can correctly label other people by just watching them for about an hour.

But everyone has their own stories, and there are many characteristics that simply cannot be observed in an hour. So, do not let labels block you, or someone else from approaching to others.

Unfortunately, when someone says someone else is nice or mean, we tend to believe what they say.

You should not belive what others say about someone if you have not met the person.This is why there are many stereotypes and prejudices that prevent people from getting to know each other truly. We encounter hundreds of people and end up misjudging, not really knowing who they really are. If we want the world to be a friendly and social place, then we should think one more time before we judge.

[The Oracle]

STRATFORD ORACLE STAFF 2015-16 Editors-in-Chief *Scott Kennedy *Cameron Henkel Associate Editor *Olivia Siciliano Photo Editors *Taylor Brittain *Riley Timmreck *Jordyn Richards Opinions Editors Tina Kang Emma Holland News Editors Taylor Morris Ellie Herrmann Culture Editors Nazlee Khadjeheian Maddie McKenzie Sports Editors Jacqui Comparin Haley Grace Francis Sebastian Droz Reporters

Alex Parizot Daniela Trujillo Gillian Meredith Lindell Lewis John McGowan Elizabeth Cole Ellie Pena

Photographers Robin Graves Arturo Benitez Rachel Hood Isabella Hutchins Perry Shepard Erin Walsh Lauren Perry Jaina Kiley Ethan Godinez Dayra Gamez Natalie Gaiser Caitlyn Boatwright Caroline Bucek Andrew Park Jackson Fass Madeline Rustam Belle Benton

Grayson Wilson Ads Editors Nathaly Cortez Matthew Martinez Ads Staff Cooper Lane David Quinlan Alice Morse Tea Sharp Saldana Kallie Henckel Gabi Brasher Design Editor Lauren Byram Staff Artist Rachel Torres Copy Editors Noelle Flores Katie Newsom

Building Principal Danny Gex Advisor Janice Cummons *Editorial Board Members

Front Page: With spring break right around the corner students get ready to enjoy a week off from school. Picture by: Taylor Brittain The Oracle newspaper is the official, school-sponsored student media of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-251-3454.

The Oracle is published monthly by the Journalism Department, and is also available online at shsoracle.com. The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The Oracle serves as a public forum of student expression, and is open to contributions submitted by the readers.

Readers may submit material via e-mail to info@shsoracle.com.

All letters to the editor must be typed and contain the author’s full

name, grade and signature. Submitted material is subject to editing based on space and/or content. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration or the school district.

The staff is responsible for the content of the publication, and strives maintain professional standards of accuracy, objectivity and fairness. The editors reserve the right to determine whether submissions will be published.

The Oracle staff strives to produce a newspaper that covers the entire Stratford community, and welcomes freelance submissions.

Mark Your Calendar: It’s Late Start

The benefits of having a late start more frequently OPINION OF EMMA HOLLAND Nothing makes a student more excited than when they find out that there’s a late start coming up soon.

We either have a late start or early dismissal once every sixweeks. Starting school at 9:30 in the morning offers so many benefits, that it’s a little disappointing that we don’t have a late start more often. In fact, I think it would be beneficial if we have a late start once a week.

Late start gives students approximately an extra hour and thirty minutes in the morning. This time, though it may seem like not very long, can be used for anything.

The most common use of a late start is to sleep in. Instead of waking up before the sun is out, you can wake up at a normal time. Waking up a little later will greatly benefit students as they go through school during the day.

I often find that no matter how early anyone goes to bed at night, they are still so tired by the end of the day. And most students are involved in extra-curricular activities and have

to study and do homework for school, so they have to stay up later than normal any ways. However, students are more focused and awake when they can wake up at a decent time.

Late start can also help students have a slower, calmer morning. A lot of students wake up as late as possible to make it to school on time, which means they often sacrifice eating breakfast, making a lunch, or making sure they have all of their school supplies and homework. However, late start means that you can still wake up later than normal, but you could possibly have enough time to eat and get yourself organized for the day ahead. It puts me in such a good mood when I have time to make pancakes or watch TV before school.

Late start also opens up lots of fun opportunities. Lots of people wake up early and do something fun - something they can’t do on a regular school day, within reason. Some students go to breakfast with friends or go to the gym to work

out. Maybe instead of going somewhere, you could read a good book or even watch a few episodes on Netflix. Whatever one’s idea of a “fun opportunity” is, doing something before school even starts helps students feel awake, and it puts them in a better mood. Ask any student who’s done something fun before school, and they could tell you how great it feels.

Having a late start once a week would give a break in the middle of a crazy week. It would give students something to look forward to, and it would give them motivation when they are “burning out” from the pressures of school. They would be able to focus well and perform better during class since they are awake.

Late start offers so many benefits. Even if having it once a week is too often, late starts need to happen more frequently.

Students will not only perform better in school, but it will help our school grow a stronger community.

[The Oracle]

opinions

3

So I Actually Kind of Like Homework Just hear me out

OPINION OF LAUREN BYRAM

What’s On Your Mind?

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL TORRES

So here’s an unpopular opinion: I think homework is helpful. I know, I just heard your jaw drop. A high school student that likes homework? How? Homework’s purpose is to help you practice the material that you learned in class that day.

If you didn’t practice then you’d probably forget all about it by the next class period, and admit it, you do.

Specifically in math and science class- e s with all the rules and exceptions you learn, you need to practice them on your own without a teacher holding your hand.

Homework is a crucial component to the learning process.

Lots of people will try to make the argument that homework isn’t beneficial and try to back it up with fake studies, but before you take advice on whether or not your homework is helpful from a sketchy website with no real sources, ask yourself if you’ve ever benefitted from actually doing your homework.

You’ll probably answer yes.

Homework is a great tool to help you figure out what you do and do not know before a test comes. If you have problems on the homework and ask your teacher for help, then it will greatly help you study and prepare for tests and quizzes. It also helps you practice and perfect what you do know. How would you have known what you needed to study and re-learn without doing your homework?

I’m not saying that our teachers should take

this as a cue to pile on the homework. It’s only very helpful in moderation. Teachers need to make sure that they take all their students’ other classes into account. If you’re one of the unlucky few that has all their core classes on one day, you can understand how much the work piles up.

Teachers also need to make sure the homework that they’re giving actually serves a purpose. If you’re giving homework just to put a grade in the grade book, then you’re wasting everyone’s time. U s e f u l h o m e w o r ka c t u a l l y relates to what is being taught in class.

Doing your homework also has almost a direct relationship to how you will do on your tests and quizzes.

If you write random stuff instead of actually doing your homework, you’ll notice that when you take a test or quiz you actually have no idea what you are doing. If you would’ve taken the time to actually do your homework and ask questions you wouldn’t be stuck in that position.

Homework doesn’t have to be awful, most people just choose to make it that way. If you get together with friends or even just FaceTime them while doing your homework, you can all figure it out together and make it much more bearable.

If you’re constantly complaining that you don’t have time, then you just need to manage your time better. Even if you have extracur-

One Tardy Too Many Is the tardy policy too strict?

OPINION OF MADDIE RUSTAM AND LINDELL LEWIS Many students have voiced their opinions on the strongly enforced tardy policy.

Some think it’s unfair, while others want to punish the late sleepers.

To clarify, the tardy policy is different based on which period of the day you are late to. If you’re late to periods three through eight, four times in one semester, you receive a two hour Saturday detention.

If you’re late to first or second period once, you will be given a two hour Saturday detention, or if you have no form of ID, you will get a four hour Saturday detention.

The consequences for being late to the beginning of school are so much more severe, but not without reason.

The system is designed to help set us up for success with our life after high school.

ricular activities after school, you either have time before that or you have time after. Coming home and taking a nap before cheer practice may not be the best idea when it ends at 9:30, and you won’t have time to get your stuff done. Sorry. On the other side of things coming home from basketball practice and taking an hour long shower also may have been counter productive.

If nothing is working and you just cant manage your time, then you have a classic case of over-involved. Its time for you to sit down and prioritize (Hint: your schoolwork is most important) Another reason you don’t have enough time to do your homework is because you waste your entire study hall period. Even people that have study hall teachers that don’t let you on your phone or talk to each other still manage to find a way to make negative progress on their school work during the period. Just sit down and do it.

Homework’s purpose is to help you not hurt you. Teachers (most of the time) give it to you to help you understand the content that y’all covered in class. If you didn’t have homework you’d probably be lost most of the time since it’s been a full 48 hours since the last time you were sitting in that class actively learning the information.

If you learn how to manage your time and find more interesting ways to get it done, you’ll feel the full benefits of your at-home assignments.

If your teachers are homework abusers, have a conversation with them. Your teachers want to work with you, not against you. Always remember that they’re here to help. Just make sure when you go to talk to them that your argument consists of more than just the fact that you’re lazy.

PHOTO BY MADDIE RUSTAM AND LINDELL LEWIS

Principal Danny Gex said, “One of the quickest ways for you to get fired in your future job is not being able to get to work on time.”

Being on time is essential in any field or career you may pursue, and our principals recognize that. Building up the habit of being punctual is definitely a first priority.

The reason that the two hour detention becomes a four hour one when you don’t have your school ID or agenda is that the school needs to be able to identify you.

If you don’t have either of them, no one will know if you are who you say you are.

It’s unfair of you to place the blame on someone else, and there’s no way the staff can match every single face to every single name. As long as you have some sort of

[03/11/16]

identification, even a drivers license, you’ll be fine.

Mr. Gex also talked to us about what their plans for the future of the tardy system is.

Stratford is looking into a new, more efficient way of doing sweep.

Instead of having teachers write down your name and give you a pass, you will scan your school ID into machines set up around the school.

Normally, all the students that are tardy have to be entered manually, but these machines would save so much time for the secretaries.

Gex told us he is currently looking into buying some of these time savers, and that this plan could be put into effect as soon as next year.

“I think homework is beneficial because you can practice what you learned in class and it helps you understand the material.”

-Ellie Gex (10)

“Given in small amounts, it helps you learn what you were supposed to learn at school, but if given too much, people are much less likely to actually do the work, making it pointless.”

-Jackson Holland (12)

[03/11/16]

opinions

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Crossfire: Dating in High School

The Pros and Cons of Dating Now

Just Wait, It’s Not Worth It

To date, or not to date?...that is a very good question. As a senior I’ve had the time to get to know a wide variety of people, specifically boys. Classic high school movies like Sixteen Candles and Grease show high school couples in an overwhelming true love relationship, but let's be honest - anyone who has been in a relationship knows it's not like that.

High school dating is overrated, and waiting can save you a lot of heartbreak. Being single allows you to focus on your friendships.

Building strong relationships with friends can take time and effort, and being single allows you the flexibility to put your attention into the people in your life. Along with that, in a high school with only 500 kids compared to a college with 35,000 your dating options are highly limited.

College makes much more sense for place to start dating, and adding to the pro’s, you're no longer living under your parents roof (and rules). It's easier and more relaxed to have a real relationship when you're not relying on mom and dad for rides to dates or worrying about them overhearing your conversations.

No one likes an eavesdropper, especially when there’s drama, which is another factor that comes with dating. Drama, drama and more drama, if it's not from the opinions of

[The Oracle]

OPINION OF RACHEL HOOD

GRAPHICS BY RACHEL TORRES

friends, it's stress from your significant other.

Long story short, avoid the headache and let’s just say it, unless you and your love bug plan of tying the knot, it’s going to end sooner or later. Afterwards returning borrowed sweatshirts, deleting photos and divided friends make for a pretty awkward and uncomfortable situation, plus, you never want to settle.

High school isn't particularly filled with quality and experienced boyfriends and girlfriends, and it's not worth it to date someone just to fill your time. Another plus of not dating is you get to keep your privacy, rumors between friends are bad enough, but thanks to social media it's almost impossible to keep anything private anymore. On the brighter side being single gives you the time to learn and love yourself! Develop your own interest and opinions before jumping into a serious relationship.

Being single lets you have the opportunity to pursue what you truly love doing and explore different things. It's the time for “Me, Myself and I”. Whether you choose to date or not, it's purely up to you and your significant other. Just remember don't let it control your life, high school is supposed to be fun! Enjoy it as much as you can, it goes by a lot faster than you think. Trust me.

It Comes With Experience, Not Age High school is definitely not like the movies, but sometimes moments pass where it feels like it is. Dating in high school has many benefits. For one thing, having a significant other opens the door to meeting new people. Not only are you in a relationship, but now both friend groups can merge, 0 creating new friendships.

Plus, if you get along with your partner’s family, you get a second mom.

It’s nice to have someone who c a r e s about you and wants to give you emotional support.

Yes, that is what friends do, but having a partner who loves and cares about you is a great addition to have. Not to mention, all the cute high school dates you’ve dreamed about. Suddenly you have someone to do all those sweet things with that you could do with your friends, but are just much more enjoyable to do with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

OPINION OF MADDIE MCKENZIE

For school dances, you don’t have to freak out over who will be your awkward companion because you can go with someone you will legitimately have fun with. Going to homecoming is so much more fun with someone you know really well.

And then there’s those dating perks.

Your significant other pays for dates, dinner, and watches whatever show you pick out on Netflix. But dating isn’t all about the logistics. Find someone that you can connect with, and who gives you more happ i ness then stress. Dating in high school is about finding what you want and just having fun with it. There are so many fun memories that you can make, but it’s easy to look at the negatives. Just make good decisions and know what’s best for you, and be able to know when enough is enough. Dating shouldn’t hold you back, but it’s definitely something that comes with experience.

To Eat or Not to Eat

Students give their opinion on off campus lunch PHOTOS BY BLAKE CHAPIN AND RACHEL HOOD

“Yes, we should have off campus lunch because you get to pick the foods you like, and it would be a good reward for hard work.”

-Senior Carter Trahan

“No, we shouldn’t have off campus lunch because leaving school can be dangerous and bad things can happen.”

-Freshman Cannon Culver

“Yes, off campus lunch should be permitted, because everyone needs to eat lunch and you should be able to have more options outside of school that cater to your dietary needs.”

-Junior Caroline Lydick

“Yes, we should be able to have off campus lunch, because school lunch is unhealthy and the options are limited.”

-Junior Xariz Hortiz

“Yes, students should be allowed to go off campus for lunch, because it can provide a break from school, offer healthier opportunities and can make the cafeteria less crowded.”

-Senior Isaac Ash

[The Oracle]

news

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Teen Leadership Summit Experience

News in Brief Junior Garage Sale April 16 9am-2pm Dairy Ashford Parking Lot Drop-Off Date: April 2 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Items to Donate: furniture, small appliances, clothing, baby items, toys and games

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Senior DeDric Moore is crowned Mr. SHS on Feb. 17.

For more photos check out shsoracle.com Photo by Bayle Goldman

WRITTEN BY ELLIE HERRMANN PHOTOS BY ZAINA ATEYEA On Feb. 20, a congregation University of Houston (check of students from schools all out their engineering proover the Houston area met in gram for undergraduates) right City Centre to attend a confer- around the corner, what’s not ence created for the leaders of to love? Well, besides the traftomorrow. Guest speakers, each fic, which hopefully will be met successful in their own area of with future innovative solutions. business, came to talk to the The Media Panel students about what it means Guest Speakers: Linda Lorelle, to be a leader. Take a look at the Devon Anderson, and Bob Price wisdom and advice given at the Key Points: Not everything is Summit. what is seems. In order to really The Business Panel know what’s going on around Guest Speakers: Dr. Renu Khator, you, get your news from unPatrick Jankowski, and Dennis biased networks and doubleChristiansen check your sources.

Key Points: Houston is a great The Political Panel place to be! With a thriving Guest Speakers: Bill White and economy due to the oil and gas David Dewhurst industry and the prestigious Key Points: Humility is more

Greeting the General

Spanish and French teacher Elaine Sorsby, pictured with Mr. Danny Gex, has won teacher of the year.

important in politics than you might have thought. Learning to respect everyone, not just those you wish to impress, is essential to earning a reputation as a leader.

The Leadership Panel Guest Speakers: Dr. David Pendergrass, Chase Untermeyer, Tim Stone Key Points: Being authentic is essential to becoming a leader; it is okay to show vulnerability. The most essential steps you need to remember are to set goals and accomplish them, either by yourself or with the help of a mentor.

Students Scott Kennedy (12), Haley Wilson (12), Nazlee Khadjeheian (11), and Lilian Velez (12) pose for a picture with former CIA Director David Petraeus at the Hyatt Regency downtown on Feb. 12 for a World Affairs Council of Houston luncheon. Petraeus spoke about his experience leading the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, his directorship of the CIA, and his thoughts on current world security issues.

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The Big Day

A Visit to the Fire Station

Junior Emily Lister, sophomore Kyle Goodson, freshman Kenneth Cuadra, Freshmen Annie Goss, Isa Terrazas, sophomore Ben Howell, senior Scott Kennedy, juniors Riley Timmreck, and Olivia Siciliano, delivered food to the fire fighters at Station 78 for student council.

A recap on Stratford’s annual day of service PHOTOS BY: TAYLOR BRITTAIN, ARTURO BENITEZ, CALEIGH MCLEOD, and JORDYN RICHARDS

Sparties Hard at Work

A Pop of Color

Art Honor Society painted a mural that was designed by seniors Rachel Torres and Ethan Godinez.

The mural design is to inspirt our community and express the love for Stratford that is Stratford America.

There are several locations around the school that are being considered for the installation.

[The Oracle]

Spartanaires painted the light poles in the senior and junior parking lots. Over 800 students participated.

Busy Bees

The junior garage sale drop-off was also going on during the Big Day(left) and proved to be a very big success. The Junior Class garage sale is on April 16.

Go to Shsoracle. com for more pictures from Big Day.

New Landscaping

Project Nice cleaned up the flower beds around Family Point for their Big Day project. Football also helped plant new flowers in the front of the school.

[The Oracle]

news

7

Shattered Dreams

[03/11/16]

On the Scene

Fire fighters and police officers were quickly called to the mock scene to show students what it would be like in an actual accident caused by driving under the influence.

Students experience the real-life trauma of drinking and driving related accidents BY: TAYLOR BRITTAIN,, RILEY TIMMRECK

An Emotional Roller Coaster Seniors Evie Morris, Noelle Flores, and Dani Greene are seen comforting each other after the accident that took the lives of their friends.

Family Tragedy On Feb. 24 Stratford held the Shattered Dreams program that happens every two years. Senior Kirby Morris was one of the participants who played a student who died on impact. Her sister senior Evie Morris is comforted by her parents.

Bruised and Bloody

Paramedics Act Fast

Senior DeDric Moore was one of the students that was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The paramedics place senior DeDric Moore in the ambulance to take him to Ben Taub Trauma Hospital.

Intoxication Test

Life Flight Arrives

A Cry For Help

Junior Darius Johnson was the student that called 911 when he found the accident.

Senior Haleigh Davis was taken away in the life flight to West Houston Medical Center where her parents were waiting to hear and see what had happened to their daughter.

Senior TJ Slusher played the student arrested during the Shattered Dreams program on Feb. 24. After being arrested, TJ was taken to jail and then went to a mock court trial where he stood in front of a judge to hear the consequences for drinking and driving.

[3/11/16]

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Oh the Places You’ll Go (Over S Travelling tips for the best break yet

WRITTEN BY CAMERON HENKEL . GRAPHICS BY RACHEL TORRES Smoothies, suntans, and no more Maybe vacation wasn’t on the mind, statistics. Spring Break is almost here. or schedules were too busy to give the Time to stuff a week’s worth of outfits break any thought. Whatever the case, into that carry on and jet off for a week planning a last minute vacation doesn’t in Cabo. have to be a difficult experience.

Well, if the tickets were bought The first step towards a great Spring months ago that is. Transportation, ac- Break is picking a spot. So what is a commodations, and activities can be Spartan to do if they totally forgot to near impossible to secure in the final book the beach house? It might be as days before schools across the state un- simple as searching in our own great leash their students upon the tourism state... industry.

Austin

The Capitol is a great spot for spring break this year because one of its famous mega events, South by Southwest, will be running.

What started as just another music festival has morphed into a much larger beast in recent years.

The prominent technology conference has exploded in popularity ever since it launched the app Meerkat, the first livestreaming app, that inspired the popular Periscope.

Perhaps the most famous of SXSW’s offerings is the annual film festival which routinely premieres hit indy films featuring Hollywood actors.

A jam packed schedule ensures there will be something for everyone.

Unfortunately the prominence of SXSW has squeezed Austin’s sleeping accommodations so finding a place to stay in the city will be nigh

impossible for a reasonable price.

Using apps like AirBNB might score a deal, but the suburbs will be the best bet despite longer travel time to the events.

Dripping Springs is a little over 10 miles from downtown Austin, which can be a 45 minute drive in traffic, but does offer its own attractions like the spectacular Hamilton pool.

Due to the University of Texas’ influence on Austin’s demographics, public transportation options are supplemented by CitiBike and Cars2Go services popular with college students. In recent years these options have helped alleviate Austin’s notorious traffic situation. Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are also popular choices for getting across town.

Dallas

The DFW area offers some fantastic shopping opportunities within its sprawling metropolis.

The airy Northpark Center features dozens of world famous art pieces on display including works by Andy Warhol right next to stores like Anthropologie, Hugo Boss, and Gucci.

Further downtown, the Perot Museum features great interactive exhibits for all ages. Built in 2012, this new attraction sits nearby the main street area and the Dallas Aquarium. Its modern architecture stands out amongst the classical buildings downtown and the beautiful outdoor greenery creates a natural picnic spot.

A vast network of public transportation makes Dallas and its surrounding areas easier to traverse than other major cities.

Housing

A nice shower and welcoming bed are vital to maximizing any trip. It’s nearly impossible to have a bad day when it starts with the sounds of birds chirping and a full American breakfast.

Sadly Spring Break means every room will be filled so last minute board requires some creative resources.

The traditional road trip would call for a hostel or, for the more adventurous, camping. Luckily, though, the app age has brought a saviour to the lazy partygoer.

AirBNB offers a simple solution: hosts rent out their homes or extra rooms to users for fairly affordable prices. Using a built in messaging platform, users can communicate with their host to resolve any unforeseen issues that may come up, like faulty A/C or a noisy fridge.

Be sure to read up on reviews before making a booking to avoid picking a problem property. Similarly, do not choose a new listing with few or no reviews.

San Antonio Step back in time to a more historic Texas with a trip to San Antonio.

Chow down on some Tex Mex along the river running through the city, before paying your patriotic tax by visiting the Alamo.

Renovations to the site have transformed the former battle location into a landmark any Texan would be proud to visit.

Take a riverboat tour of the city when you first get in to get a feel for the area if you’ve never been before or to just discover new hot spots. Tour guides are paid to know all about the city so take advantage of their extensive knowledge.

Visit Big Lou’s Pizza to try their world famous 42 inch pizzas as featured on the Travel Channel’s hit show Man v. Food.

On the edges of the city Seaworld and Fiesta Texas provide quick and easy day trips that are sure to entertain everyone.

Visit Shamu and the Sea lions or view the skyline for a brief moment before the Superman ride hurls you back to the ground. To save money order tickets online, or try to find discounts by buying a season pass.

If you're looking for a classic Texan holiday, San Antonio won't let you down.

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Spring Break)

Let’s Fly Away

The familiar can get old fast.

Whether you’re tired of Texas or just looking for a change of scenery, a quick trip to the airport can magically transport you to unknown locales.

The key to affordable airfare is flying between hubs. Hubs are the big airports that connect major regions together with thousands of flights.

Because planes are constantly coming and going, it’s usually cheaper to fly from one hub to another versus going from a hub to a smaller destination airport.

Houston happens to be one of the largest hubs, so tickets to other major cities can be extremely cheap.

A nonstop flight from Bush Intercontinental to Chicago costs just $117 for a round trip ticket on Spirit Airlines.

To get the cheapest tickets, fly out on a Tuesday and use frequent flyer miles if you have any.

[The Oracle]

Three Cheap Getaways Chicago The windy city was Ferris Bueller’s playground and can be yours too if you can make the flight. Enjoy deep dish pizza outside of Wrigley Field before heading over to view the famous Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park.

Nashville The home of the Country Music Hall of Fame also contains a large amount of classic greek architecture including a complete replica of the ancient Parthenon. End a successful day out with some great BBQ at one of Nashville’s many restaurants and pubs.

Santa Fe The open air Opera House is a great way to rewind after a day exploring the south west’s rich history at the Farmer’s market or just walking amongst the renowned pueblo buildings.

Are we there yet?

Staying in Houston doesn’t have to be boring The road trip is a key part of any last minute vacation. While flying is still possible last minute, it should really be reserved for far-away destinations.

For travel within the state, airlines tend to offer more of a hassle than they’re worth. Sipping ICEEs after a quick Bucee’s stop will always trump the TSA and a five dollar bottle of water.

Plus, who doesn’t like a good road trip montage?

By Road

Houston

Staying home doesn’t have to be boring; sometimes staying home can be just what the doctor ordered.

After months of nonstop equations, Egyptians, and English, you can sit back and relax with your favorite season of The Office.

This is a totally legitimate way to spend the break; depending on your classes it may be the only off time you have until summer.

After seeing the fifth snapchat from that friend on a cruise, you may be tempted to go on an adventure. Luckily Houston has a lot to offer if you just close the Mac book for a day or two.

The bayou provides a perfect biking trail, or for the more adventurous, a canoe course.

For those who prefer a more quiet

day, head over to the Museum district and absorb history through the 19 sites. The Menil Collection showcases over 17,000 art pieces and is open to the public for the low price of free.

Of course the main attraction right now is the rodeo, which runs right through the break. Spend the day outside at the carnival and then channel your inner Texan inside the dirt covered stadium.

After the bucking broncos and clowns clean up, finish the night off strong with a rock star concert.

To save money, go on Value Wednesday and snatch a $10 ticket to the Jake Owen concert. Other must see acts include Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, and Brad Paisley.

The quintessential road trip revolves around the family car. Whether you’re cruising in a Rolls Royce or Aunt Linda’s wagon from the Clinton administration, you’ll enjoy the comfort of travelling at your own pace.

Need to run home and grab your charger 15 minutes into the trip? Just swing back around. Tired of Hot 95.7 playing the same two songs for hours on end? Hand the aux cord to Twenty One Pilots and “turn back time, to the good old days.”

Driving presents issues just like any option, but luckily most of them are easily fixed. When fatigue sets in after mile 139 , just pull over and swap with someone else.

Another issue that typically curbs driving appeal is gas prices, but with a gallon hovering below a dollar fifty, that isn’t much of a concern for the time being.

If you aren’t driving yet, and can convince someone else to chauffeur you around, the car is easily the best way to enjoy the journey.

By Bus If loading up in the back of your mom’s minivan isn’t exactly getting you excited, try a long distance bus service.

With it’s dirt cheap prices, companies like Megabus and Greyhound offer easy transportation between all major cities.

Every bus features a bathroom, radio, (mostly) working A/C, and the newer models even feature wifi so you can keep up with Kim and Kanye. While it won’t be glamorous, you will save time and hassle.

This option isn’t suitable for STOP anyone under 17 travelling alone. Megabus doesn’t transport unaccompanied minors and although Greyhound does, there are some limitations. First, you must be at least 15 years old. Second, your ticket must be purchased at the station. Finally, your guardian will have to fill out a form designating who will pick you up .

By Rail

Trains are another option, and offer the most space for movement while in transit, should motion sickness be a problem.

Amtrak offers fairly luxurious accommodations, given that you splurge on a bedroom, and offers hot meals that put Delta’s cardboard bread to shame.

Railroads offer an experience unparalleled on land, but unfortunately high costs hinder a competitive option. A round trip ticket from Houston to San Antonio costs over $200 and takes five hours. By bus or car the trip takes just three hours.

[The Oracle]

10

15 Senior Guys Dance Their Way to $1250 Funds raised by Mr. SHS pageant benefit an organization with strong ties to the school

WRITTEN BY SCOTT KENNEDY With one hand, she holds onto the motorcycle taxi driver, with the other, a gift—a gift with flapping wings and an increasingly loud squeal.

Senior Kate Thomas laughs as she recounts the story, which she says she had long forgotten. Looking back at written accounts of her 2013 trip to Uganda brings back many of these forgotten memories. The reason she couldn’t remember—it was just “so normal” compared to the rest. * * * Two and half years later, Thomas sits in the front row of the auditorium, watching a similarly bizarre scene unfold, only this one involves 15 senior guys, 15 pairs of jean

shorts, two bikini tops, and a dress. While the moments differ drastically from one another, a connection exists nonetheless.

Mr. SHS, which took place on Wednesday, Feb. 17, served a purpose beyond simply amusing its audience, as Thomas explained to the hundreds of students gathered. Thomas visited Uganda a few years ago, and plans to return this summer, through an organization known as Empower a Child—the same organization to which the proceeds from Mr. SHS were directed.

Thomas’s older sister was the first to get involved with the organization. After visiting Africa for a week with Houston Christian High School, the older Thomas had a strong desire to return, and soon found Empower a Child.

“My mom got involved when she came home,” Thomas said. “And after my mom got involved I started the Junior Board.”

The Junior Board is a collection of students working to raise money and awareness for Empower a Child. Though they only started with around eight people, they hosted a fun run, a car wash, and a highly-successful basketball tournament over the course of Thomas’s sophomore and junior years.

Even though her sister’s experience first made Thomas aware of the organization, her passion is primarily fueled by her own visit to Uganda.

“It changed my life completely. There was no way I could’ve been so involved with Empower a Child if I hadn’t gone there, because I

Embrace and Empower

Senior Kate Thomas spends time with children during her 2013 trip to Uganda, which not only involved playing with kids and leading Bible studies, but also doing a lot of hard physical labor.

culture

wouldn’t have known what it really means and the true impact it really does have. Because when you go, you can see the small amounts we raise here mean so much to them there.”

The money raised from the male beauty pageant spoof has two possible destina-

“

It changed my life completely.”

—Kate Thomas

tions: Tribe+Glory, the women’s empowerment program, or Empower a Child’s medical programs. Tribe+Glory, which was started by Thomas’s sister, employs women in the village of Zirobwe and teaches them to make jewelry, which Empower a Child sells.

“Tribe+Glory not only gives women an income, but it teaches them lessons on how to manage their money,” Thomas said. “And it’s kind of like a trickle-down effect: it helps women first, and then they get to help their children, and then those kids are empowered to go into life and hopefully to grow out of the poverty-stricken lifestyle they’re in.”

If the money goes to the medical program, it will go towards building facilities and bringing more well-needed volunteers and critical supplies into East Africa. Either way, Thomas believes the impact will be huge.

“You don’t really understand the needs that they have until you go there. It’s not purely financial, although that helps a ton, but they really need to be able to bring people over, too.”

Mr. SHS raised a total of $1250 for Empower a Child, all in the course of a couple of

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hours.

“I’m so impressed at the generosity of the Stratford community to come out and poke fun at their classmates trying to be beauty contestants for a good cause,” assistant Student Council sponsor Lauren Yonkin said.

“Sometimes we sell t-shirts in addition, but just in ticket sales, this has completely exceeded all of our expectations.”

“I knew a lot of people in our grade and in the grade below us are really involved in Empower a Child,” Student Council Co-Vice President Annie Hodges said. Hodges, who played a major role in deciding for the money raised by Mr. SHS to go to the organization, is confident in her choice. “I know that the money raised is going to a good cause, and we can actually see its outcome.”

Thomas, who has seen the needs firsthand, understands the importance of the funds raised. “It’s important to be able to help people who would not be able to have help in any other way,” she said. And, without Empower a Child, “they really are on their own.”

Supporting Empower a Child doesn’t just benefit those receiving the money—everyone involved hopes to see an impact back home, as well. “It’s really important that people see that by doing something that’s so fun for us, we can impact others and do something so important,” Thomas said.

“Hopefully we can continue to raise money and support like this in the future,” Yonkin said. “And then it’ll just get bigger and bigger.”

When Thomas’s sister was given a chicken as a gift years ago on her trip to Uganda, she never could have imagined the potential impact of her involvement with Empower a Child in the future—an impact made by herself, her mom, her sister, and eventually even 15 dancing senior guys.

Help Arises A women’s shelter helps those in need WRITTEN BY MADDIE MCKENZIE When the need arises, there is always someone willing to step up and help those in need. Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center is one of many organizations established to help women in need.

Family Time, founded in 1977 in Kingwood, began as a counseling center. There were only three people on staff who provided guidance to victims of domestic violence, but soon realized counseling services weren’t enough. Over the next few years they moved their classification to victim services which allowed them to expand their organization.

Family Time was able to create a hotline, receive donations, and apply for government grants, further helping the victims. In the mid 1980’s, Family Time was beginning to advance, classifying with I.C.E., a federal immigrant organization, and other federal victim agencies.

Judy Cox, Executive Director of Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center joined the staff in 1987 as a volunteer. She helped establish a rape crisis center, what is now Memorial Hermann Northeast, and a shelter which

opened in 1996. Family Time was now able to provide housing and counseling, a huge step forward from where they started.

It was at this point that Family Time realized that they were going to need more staff.

At the time, the office staff was doubling shifts and working at the shelter, but it became clear that this was not the permanent solution.

In 1997, Family Time opened a thrift shop in Porter, Texas, to raise money for the shelter. The proceeds helped fund counseling and helped a community in need of a store.

About three years ago, a women’s shelter closed in Baytown, and the City of Austin demanded that crisis centers take care of specific counties. It was at this time that Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center took jurisdiction of Liberty County. Family Time was now able to establish a counseling center and a thrift shop in Liberty.

“We house, counsel, provide case management and legal advocacy. If a women walks into one of our centers, she can expect to have a case worker help her get on food

stamps, enroll in Wic, (an organization for children under the age of five for government assistance) if she has young children, and to receive guidance for getting housing,” Cox said.

If a woman stays at the shelter, the shelter takes care of everything. Women are allowed to cook their own breakfast and lunch but a cook cooks dinner for them. There is someone to help them get their children ready for school and to help them get a protective order or divorce if needed. “It’s hard to get these women to get along sometimes. It’s unfortunate but most of them are mentally suffering and to have a bunch of women like this all together, it can be difficult. We do have rules in place to help keep things in line but it can be challenging,” Cox said.

Family Time does accept human trafficking victims but surprisingly the numbers of those victims are not so overwhelming. Other federal agencies handle these cases differently so the only women Family Time receives are those willing to testify. It’s sad but it explains why the received human trafficking

rates are low.

In California, Cox had worked with drug victims, gathering things for children who’s parents were incarcerated, giving her some experience with volunteering. When Cox and her family moved to Texas, she did not know that joining Family Time was what she wanted to do. She had a teaching career and was looking for something new to do. Family Time had advertised their crisis hotline and Cox decided that this was a great opportunity.

“Well, things just happened. I didn’t know that I would end up as the Executive Director when I first started out. We’re called the ‘Grass Roots’, people who pulled themselves up. We started out a small staff and turned into this organization that was able to help women in need,” Cox said.

Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center is always seeking to be further involved. As an agency, meetings are attended and Executives discuss ways to partner up and help victims. As for the City of Houston, Family Time is not the main organization. Family Time focusses more on the surrounding counties.

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culture

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[The Oracle]

Take a Quick Trip to France Visit Julie’s French Pastry and Coffee Shop for an authentic French experience WRITTEN BY NAZLEE KHADJEHEIAN Food is something all high schoolers take very seriously. Instagrams accounts are dedicated to every meal. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, a good majority of a student’s money is spent on a meal out. A few students have to get their Starbucks fix every morning.

Some people love Cafe Express for lunch, and others always crave Escalante’s Mexican Grill food for dinner. But a whole different significance is given to dessert.

Stratford students flock to popular locations including SWEET, Ooh La La Cupcakes, and Sweet Paris. While these eateries are delicious, a recently opened French pastry and coffee shop steals the show and provides an amazing authentic French dessert experience every student should try out. Julie’s French Pastry and Coffee Shop offers all that and more.

Earlier in her life, Julie Clemenceau worked as a nurse in France, but had to leave her career behind when her husband received a job transfer to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her certification wasn’t recognized in the United States, so Julie began to set her sights on her own pastry shop.

She began to sell croissants and baguettes to neighbors, which soon became

Sudoku is back!

Rocky Road Brownie very popular. Only two short years after her arrival to America, Julie and her family moved once more, arriving here in Houston and continuing to sell her baked goods and working as a pastry chef around town.

Though her culinary career began fairly recently, her passion for cooking was nurtured at a young age by her family, where cooking united her family.

“My biggest influence was probably my mom and dad,” said Julie. “My dad went to baking school for three years, and though he didn’t work as a chef, he always loved cooking and baking.”

“My grandmother was also an amazing cook,” said Julie. “For holidays everyone in my family would come over and bake together. Cooking and baking have always been associated with a lot of fun and love for me.”

Once Julie decided to open up her own place, she began looking for culinary shops where she could work.

“I came to this building, which at the time was called Mabis, looking for a job”, said Julie. “But the owner told me she actually wanted to sell her place, so that’s how everything started a year ago.”

What sets Julie’s apart is the authentic

Try your skills at this tricky puzzle!

French experience her restaurant provides.

“I always want to try something new; new flavors, new combinations” said Julie. “I don’t want to just bake an apple pie. I want to bake an apple pie with a little bit of this, a little bit of that, so you can taste it and say, ‘Oh, that’s an apple pie from Julie’s!’ I want people to be able to recognize it’s from my kitchen.”

Probably the greatest thing about Julie’s restaurant is her drive to provide her customers with fresh flavors; to bring something new to the community.

“Many customers will come in asking for Carrot Cake, or Red Velvet. I tell them‘I know how to make it, but it’s American.

You can find a lot a places that will make it better,’” said Julie. “I don’t want to do the same thing as everyone else. I want to be able to bring something new, to bring versatility to the neighborhood.”

Julie’s French Pastries and Coffee Shop is located at 14522 Memorial Drive, next to Blue Willow Book Shop. Stop by and try the wide variety of delicious French treats on the menu anytime Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

For photos of the Oracle’s visit to Julie’s, visit shsoracle.com!

Rival Relationships

What it’s really like to date a Memorial Mustang WRITTEN BY GIGI MEREDITH Madeleine Capshaw terested in what life at Stratford is like.” and Hayden Tschaar Does it affect y’alls Would it be different if relationship being at y’all went to the same school? different schools?

Madeleine Capshaw Natalie Hobbs and and Hayden Tschaar: Peyton Rushing: “When we first “It would be different started dating it was because we would be hard because we had able to see each other a different friend more often since we group but now that don’t get to as much we have been dating as we should.” for a while, we have Is it competitive bemade one big group tween y’all two? of friends so it’s really Maddie Winter and not that hard any- Will Moody “Well sometimes more!’

Do people make fun he’ll pull the card of, ‘Oh, MHS is so much of y’all?

Camille Settagast harder because of AP classes,’ and I tell and Trey Evans: “People do make fun him, ‘Wow okay we of me sometimes but are literally in the it’s more jokingly, and same classes, we are most of the time it’s learning the same my Stratford friends thing we have to. It’s giving me a hard a super strict college time. His memorial based curriculum.” friends are more in-

If anyone has ever had the classic rocky road ice cream then you must try its sister- food, the Rocky Road Brownie. It’s chewy and gooey and just a little bit of heaven. Go on and try your take at this mouth-watering dessert!

Ingredients: 1 cup butter ½ cup cocoa 1 and ¼ cup of sugar ¾ cup of brown sugar- packed in measuring cup 4 eggs slightly beaten 1 and ½ cup all purpose flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon of vanilla 1 and ½ cup of chopped pecans About a cup and a half of mini marshmallows Instructions: Start by toasting the chopped pecans on a cookie sheet with about a tablespoon of butter – lightly salt them as well. I do it under the broiler watching them constantly. Set aside.

Melt butter with cocoa in a large sauce pan. Add sugars, eggs, flour, salt and vanilla, mix well. Stir in one cup of toasted pecans reserving the balance.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 13x9x3 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees til wooden pick comes out clean – about35 - 40 minutes maybe a little longer – just watch them – don’t want to overcook.

Sprinkle marshmallows immediately onto brownies and return to oven for a few minutes until marshmallows melt/puff up. Immediately take out and sprinkle with remaining toasted pecans.

During the last 10 minutes or so of the brownies cooking you can begin to make the icing: ½ cup melted butter 2 cups of sugar ¼ cup of cocoa Dash of salt 2/3 cups of canned evaporated milk 1 tsp of vanilla Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir in milk gradually. Bring to a boil and whisk constantly over medium high heat for about 3 – 5 minutes stirring/ whisking constantly to prevent burning – mixture needs to boil constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Stir periodically for about 5 – 10 minutes as this mixture cools. Pour over hot brownies and marshmallows just as it begins to thicken. The tricky part is this icing as it will harden quickly if you are not careful. Don’t spread over brownies but pour evenly over all the top of the marshmallows.

Good Luck!

RECIPE AND PHOTO BY ROBIN GRAVES

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sports

ONE ON ONE With...

Coach Huntsman PHOTO BY CAROLINE BUCEK

13

HIGHLIGHTS: Varsity Baseball Varsity Soccer Boys

SHS vs. Fort Bend Elkins Score: 4-1 SHS vs. Waller Score: 0-1

SHS vs. Flower Mound Score: 0-2

SHS vs. Cy Fair Score: 5-9

SHS vs. Magnolia Score: 0-1

SHS vs. Brenham Score: 4-0

M.V.P.’s of the Month

PHOTOS BY DONAVON RIXIE

Nominated by Coach McGee

Q: What made you choose this athlete?

A: We were having a slow season, and she was out for a while with a concussion. When she returned to play, she had a big impact on our ability to create chances to score. She gave us the spark we needed to get out of a rut.

Q: If you could describe this athlete in 3 words, what would they be?

A: Determined, Competitive, and Serious.

Q: Favorite thing about this athlete?

A: I’ll put her in anywhere and she’ll try it. She’s confident that she’ll succeed, and our team is in need for more “swagger”.

Q: A moment you were proud of this athlete?

A: Her commitment to two sports has made her an exceptional competitor. She was down and out when she couldn’t play. I was very proud of her patience, and it paid off. Her first game back she scored a beautiful goal in a must-win game.

Mark Duna

Nominated by Coach Wallace

Boys Soccer

Girls Soccer

Sydney Lawrence Q: What do you coach?

A: Girls JV A and B soccer and Freshmen B volleyball.

Q: What is your favorite sport to coach?

A: Soccer, but I like volleyball too.

Q: What has been your favorite thing about coaching at Stratford?

A: The support of the parents, the work ethic, and the academic achievements of the athletes are very impressive.

Q:What do you admire about your team?

A: Their selflessness, their willingness to try new positions, strategies they use, and their decision to play year round.

Q: If you could say anything to your athletes, what would it be?

A: Be respectful of everybody and that your coaches, other athletes, the game itself, and your parents are the most important things to keep in mind.

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Q: What made you choose this player?

A: His leadership and his work rate at all times.

Q: Why do you feel he deserves this award?

A: He is a model athlete/player.

Q: If you could describe this athlete in 3 words, what would they be?

A: Smart, Determined, and Diligent.

Q: What is your favorite thing about this athlete?

A: He buys into the program.

Q: A moment you were proud of this athlete?

A: He missed an easy goal and then came back and finished a corner.

Just Keep Swimming Spartans

Recapping the UIL 5A State Swim Preliminaries and Finals WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH COLE

PHOTO BY JORDYN RICHARDS

This year, fifteen swimmers and two divers made it to state. On February 19th and 20th, the swim team competed in the UIL 5A State Swim Preliminaries and Finals.

The qualifiers were, on the girls’ side, seniors Erika Stephenson and Jordan Ransom (diver), juniors Brittany Baerg and Daniella Hirst, sophomore Morgen Reyna, and freshmen Emma Stephenson and Kaitlyn White.

On the boys’ side, the state qualifiers were junior Jim Nantz, sophomores Clayton Bobo, Peyton Moak, and Cory Stephenson, and freshmen Dean Rathgeb and Kaivon Dixon (diver).

Both the medley relays got 1st at State finals, the lineup being Reyna, Baerg, Emma Stephenson, and White for the girls, and Bobo, Cory Stephenson, Moak, and Nantz for the boys.

But these weren’t the only fantastic swims of the meet. In the other two girls relays, the 200 free (Reyna, Erika Stephenson, Baerg, and White) and the 400 free (Erika Stephenson, Hirst, Emma Stephenson, and Reyna) both got 8th overall. The

boys 200 free relay (Stephenson, Nantz, Moak, and Rathgeb) got 8th overall where the 400 free relay (Bobo, Rathgeb, Nantz, Stephenson) narrowly got 2nd with a time of 3:12.02, just .04 off of first place’s time of 3:11.98.

The swimmers held their own in individual events as well. Emma Stephenson broke the 21 year-old school record and got an all-American time for her 100 butterfly, with the time of 54.99 in prelims. She also scored a gold in finals for the 100 butterfly and tied for 6th in the 50 free.

Sophomore Clayton Bobo got an all-American time in his 50 free with a time of 20.57 and got another 1st for the team in the100 free as well.

Senior diver Jordan Ransom earned an all-American diving title after scoring a 387.75 in the diving finals.

Other great individual swims were Erika Stephenson’s 12th in the 200 free and 14th in the 100 free, Brittany Baerg’s 7th place in the 100 breast, Cory Stephenson’s 11th in the 100 breast, and Morgen Reyna’s 15th in the 200 Individual Medley. Fresh-

man Kaivon Dixon earned an 8th overall for boys diving.

The end tally was 2nd place for the girls and 3rd place for the boys. Congratulate the swimmers and divers for their excellent job at state this year!

Swimmers Take Your Mark

Brittany Baerg swims her lap of the girls 200 freestyle relay.

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sports

[The Oracle]

Division Improvements

The school is upgrading to 6A for next year’s season STORY BY SEBASTIAN DROZ Our school is currently in the process of upgrading into a 6A school. The teams will be looking at more competition next year.

UIL’s way of dividing schools puts us as a 5A school, along with Magnolia West, Waller, Tomball Memorial, Brenham and others.

Since we are upgrading to a 6A school, next year we will be going against schools like Memorial, Northbrook and even MacArthur.

“Moving up to 6A will help our teams due to the more competition we will be against. I think it will spark something in our athletes,” head cross country Coach Tony Brillon said. The news may have already fired some athletes up.

“Going up against bigger schools might be scary, but I think we will be able to overcome the fear and really do a better job as athletes,” varsity runner Devin Fahey said.

This mind set is the one our athletes will need if they want to beat bigger schools.

Even though we are going to be in the same division, Memorial is still larger than us. The number of currently enrolled students in Memorial is around 2,564, while we currently have about 2,091 enrolled students.

There is also a possibility in a few years we move back down to 5A. Next year, the schools will not be letting in sophomore and freshmen transfers.

Seniors and junior will still be able to transfer but with all the out of zone students that go to the school our number of students might drop.

Nearly everyone I talked to was excited about the sudden move in divisions, except for a few students.

These few students are claiming that we are not ready to move divisions.

Others say that this is negatively affecting the schools by the growing number of people that are being enrolled into the school. Nonetheless, this move should help the school and teams.

2

PHOTO BY JORDYN RICHARDS

Hooray!

A total of 14 seniors that signed to their colleges of choice on National Signing Day. The largest signing day in SHS history.

Number of athletes committing to colleges for swimming and diving.

5

Number of athletes committing to colleges for softball.

1

Spartan Signings

Students celebrate their college athletic commitments

7

Number of athletes committing to play college football.

Average percent of athletes who get scholarships.

Batter Up! Baseball gives it their best to beat Flower Mound PHOTOS BY PERRY SHEPARD

Eyes on the Prize

Sophomore Caston Peters watches for his coach to give him a sign to pass to the pitcher.

Three strikes, you’re out!

Teamwork makes the dream work

Senior Michael Milstead pitches a fastball during the first inning striking out the opponent.

After the first inning, the coach pulls the team over to strategize and come up with a plan for the next inning.

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Sports

15

[03/11/16]

THE

SCHEDULE

The JV soccer girls cheer on the Varsity girls as they play hard.

t The 14 studen a r fo se athletes po gn si r picture afte r ing to thei Feb. Colleges on 6.

Reyna Morgen her turn r waits fo for the in to dive elay at er 400 fre te finals. sta the 5A

Boys Baseball March 15 @7:00 SH S vs Magnolia @M HS March 18 @7:00 SH S vs Tomball @Ba ckyard March 22 @7:00 SH S vs Brenham @Br enham High Softball March 4 @7:00 SH S vs Tomball @SH S March 11 @7:000 SHS vs SWHS @ SHS March 22 @7:00 SH S vs Tomball Mem orial @TM Girls Soccer March 4 @7:00 SH S vs Tomball Mem orial @TM March 8 @7:00 SH S vs Magnolia Wes t @SHS March 11 @7:00 SH S vs Waller @Wall er Boys Soccer March 4 @7:00 SH S vs Tomball Mem orial @SHS March 11 @7:00 SH S vs Magnolia Wes t @ MGW March 18 @7:00 SH S vs Waller @Wall er

The s w girls s im team m a pho ile for to bef o headi ng to re state.

The Downside to Sports: Injury

What causes injury among high school athletes, and how can we avoid it?

STORY AND GRAPHICS BY OLIVIA SICILIANO Concussion. ACL tear. Dislocated finger. Muscle strain.

Broken hand.

These are just a few of the many injuries Stratford athletes have experienced in the last year during sporting competitions, and the numbers are growing. Last year, thousands of treatments were administered by our athletic trainers to Spartan athletes, and there have already been an estimated 15 concussions and 4 Anterior Cruciate Ligament tears (ACL tears) this school year. As the last few years have seen an injury rate increase for young athletes, especially at the high school level, our athletic trainers are left with the challenge of combating the inevitable factor of injury in athletic competition.

Stratford’s Assistant Athletic Trainer, Sean Plake, commented that “increased participation has contributed to this rise in injury rate for high school sports.” Not only that,

Injuries in High School Sports (2014-2015)

Football

Soccer

Basketball

but doctors today are seeing teenage athletes experience, at younger and younger ages, intense training schedules and pressure to be the best at their sport. Twenty years ago, children used to play a different sport every season. Now, to be competitive, children are pushed to specialize in one sport, playing the same one all year. This makes them susceptible to repetitive use injuries because the same sets of muscles and motions are used for longer periods. Not only that, but (as we all know) a child’s body is constantly growing and changing. In fact, their bones are not done growing until the ages of 18-21.

The most common injuries for Stratford athletes include “lower extremity injuries, like ankle sprains and upper leg strains,” said Plake. As far as the sport with the most injuries in competition, boys’ football takes the lead. In the University of Denver’s 2014 -2015 National High School Sports-

Related Injury Surveillance Study, 100 high schools across the United States were randomly selected to study injury among young athletes. In their data collection, the university analyzed the injury statistics for 10 sports. (See below).

While all injury cannot be prevented, Plake argues that “injury rate can be reduced by making athletes participate in strengthening and conditioning, as well as learning their sport and conditioning themselves outside of school.” The school itself can also take further steps to “first and foremost educate the faculty, students, and community on what an athletic trainer is and what his or her role on an athletic team is,” said Plake. This way, the community becomes aware of the resources available to all sports, and student athletes are encouraged to seek out athletic training care when they become injured.

*The sports are ranked from greatest to least number of injuries, from left to right. (As based off of the data collected from the University of Denver’s surveillance study in 2014-2015.)

Baseball & Softball

Track

Lacrosse

Volleyball

Cheer

Cross Country

Swimming

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