December 4, 2015

TSTRATFORD HE

RACLE O

Friday, December 4, 2015 Volume 42, Issue 4

shsoracle.com

How (almost) EVERYTHING you know about school could CHANGE

@stratfordoracle @spartanoracle

The Potential Impact of the District’s Attempt to Answer the Question of “What If?” Under New State Law

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Celebrating Christmas Early: Annoying or Festive?

How Soon is Too Soon? Opinions of the Oracle Staff

OPINION OF SOFIA JARRARD

If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably come across this blurry snapshot of a sign posted outside of Nordstrom’s. The image went viral just this month, but much like the argument it fuels, it’s nothing new. The photo was featured in an article for the Consumerist way back in 2009, detailing Nordstrom’s firm stance on the “true” beginning of the Christmas season.

Nordstrom’s is an anomaly among most commercial businesses, who, to the horror of every pumpkin-spice-latte-clutching Thanksgiving lover, have turned the fall and winter seasons into one giant Christmas feast. With Christmas decorations, merchandise, and advertisements displayed as early as August, Christmas seems to be coming earlier and earlier every year. (You can read more about the HalloThanksMas phenomenon on shsoracle.com) I took to the streets (and by streets, I mean Mrs. Cummon’s third period Newspaper class) to find out. Out of the 14 interviews I conducted, 8 people were annoyed by Christmas related things prior to December. Sophomore Lauren Perry summed up the opinions of most when she said that, “Black Friday is when the Christmas season starts”.

Feelings about premature Christmas ranged from slight annoyance to full blown anger.

“I think it’s the stupidest thing ever because that’s literally 3 months of Christmas when it’s only a day,” said sophomore Ellie Hermann, while tenth grader Alex Parizot was tempted to “have a talk” with his neighbors after they put their Christmas lights up in early November. “People completely skip over Halloween and Thanksgiving,” said senior Grayson Wilson, and twelfth grader Matthew Martinez had no desire to “eat Thanksgiving dinner while watching Santa Claus on TV”. Even our substitute, Tom Clancy, thought that “music, decorations, commercials… everything” Christmas related should wait until after Thanksgiving.

On the flip side, five students were actually excited about celebrating Christmas early. “I don’t like

Thanksgiving,” said sophomore Tea Sharp, “Everyone’s trying to force you to eat; everyone’s trying to force what they made in your face. I just feel like everyone’s happier around Christmas time”.

“I think it’s cute,” said sophomore Kailie Henkel, “It makes people happy”.

Sophomore Robin Graves, was sick of getting sass for her Christmas enthusiasm. “If I want to listen to Christmas music and be happy then I’m going to listen to Christmas [music] and be happy,” she said.

Sophomore Ellie Peña, offered the first economic view of the argument. “I didn’t realize this until my neighbors put their house lights up, but it’s because they’re so expensive. They want to get good use out of them”. Peña makes a valid point; Christmas decorations can cost a fortune. It only makes sense that people would want to display them for as long as possible.

My friend Dylan Crook, seeing things from a foreigner’s perspective, made the excellent point of diminishing traffic. If Christmas gifts and decorations are put out as soon as possible, early birds can get their Christmas shopping out of the way before the miserable wave of holiday traffic. “It’s not fair to make proactive shoppers have to wait with everyone else,” Crook said. “And, with less people clogging the roads and shops, Christmas shopping will be less of a hassle for everyone”.

What do I think?

While Christmas music playing in the background at stores is almost sure to grind my gears, I completely understand the motives behind commercial businesses putting out Christmas merchandise early. Like Dylan and Ellie said, it reduces traffic and allows people to get the biggest bang for their buck.

And, no matter how annoying premature Christmas hoopla can be, it’s not going to end anytime soon. As most businesses have proved in the past, company leaders will do whatever they want, whenever they want, to make the most profit.

opinions

[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

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

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

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.

Christmas Babies Pros and Cons of Christmas Birthdays OPINION OF RACHEL HOOD AsDecemberrollsaround,wethinkofmanythings:Christmas trees, hot chocolate, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The holiday spirit arises in everyone. However for some, the birthday butterfliesalsobegintoflutter.Everyyear,childrenwithChristmas birthdaysarefacedwithaquestion:AreChristmasbirthdaysgood or bad?

Most children born on December 25th find this question overwhelmingly difficult to answer. Having no other birthday to compare it to, most don’t really know if they are getting scammed by their parents in the present department or not.

As with any birthday, there are pros and cons, but here are just a few reasons to either love or hate your Christmas birthday.

One downside to being born on Christmas is that the Department of Public Safety is closed. For those turning the age of sixteen, this is a bummer. You are already eager to turn the ripe age, but you’re forced to wait longer to take your driver’s

education test.

A second con towards Christmas birthdays is that you cannot always have a birthday party.While most of your friends are off of school for the holidays as well, not all stay in town. Most are swept away by their parents to go visit distant relatives, leaving you to get your cheeks pinched by grandma.

The worst part about having a Christmas birthday is that your special day can get overshadowed by the holiday. It is frustrating to see Christmas lights shining in your neighborhood and festive colors of red and green on your birthday cake.

Winter break is such a busy time of year, with the holidays, vacations, and people getting ready for the new year. It’s easy for something like a birthday to slip through the cracks. However, things may not be as bleak as they seem for babies of the holidays; there are some upsides to having a Christmas birthday.

First of all, you never have to go to school/work on your birthday. In most cases, others are forced to get up early and go to school or work on their special day. Christmas babies get to enjoy their long holiday, sipping hot coco and staying warm.

You always have your family around on your birthday. The holidays bring everyone together, from great aunts to baby cousins, so no matter what, there is no excuse for a family member not to be at your birthday.

There is an abundance of good food and drinks on your birthday. Christmas requires special gourmet foods, like bacon-wrapped green beans, marshmallow-covered yams, and of course, a stuffed turkey. You’ll never go hungry on your special day.

All in all, having a birthday during winter break is just one of those instances where you have to take the good with the bad and try to make the best out of it.

[The Oracle]

opinions

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The Extra Boost Benefits to the booster club supporting additional organizations

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL TORRES The Stratford Booster Club is a great pro- of the advances gram. It gives more opportunities to extra- for cheer, and the curricular programs that many students par- school, if they reticipate in, and it is often necessary for the ceived money. success and development of extracurricular Okay, so if the booster club decides activities.

However, not every activity is supported to support additional by this organization. Big club sports, such as fully-qualified sports, lacrosse, are not supported, and even cheer, how would they get the which is now a University Interscholastic money?

It’s simple. If the boostLeague (UIL) sport, lacks booster club super club supported more port.

Imagine all of the great things that these sports, then there is a big sports could do if they were financially sup- possibility that the club itported. I play girls’ lacrosse, and I know for self could grow, bringing in a fact that raising money is difficult. We put more membership, which on fundraisers as often as possible, however it means more money. Thereis still a challenge to fund all of the program’s fore, adding additional sports is beneficial to these teams who expenses.

Many people think that because lacrosse is need money, and to the booster not a UIL sport, it should not be funded. How- club itself.

With the financial gain, there is ever, many clubs in Houston and around Texas support their lacrosse teams. It is not uncom- no end to how these organizations could improve. More money could mon for this sport to receive money.

The cheer team is also surprisingly not sup- allow for cheaper transportation, ported by the booster club. Cheer contributes so more coaches, and, if needed, immuch to the school, as they bring spirit to sports proved uniforms. More importantly, games and put on the pep rallies by planning the costs to participate would decrease the activities, organizing the order of events, tremendously, which would in turn give more advertising, and making shirts. Imagine all students the increased desire and opportunity

Iconic Comics

Holiday Edition

OPINION OF EMMA HOLLAND

to participate.

For the growth of these sports, there has to be an easier way for students to participate. Major club sports come with expensive price-tags, and they continually require costs. As a result, they can be exclusive.

The popularity of the sports would be good for the individual teams, the represented school, the surrounding area, and the sport as a whole.

With the booster club supporting more sports, students will have a door opened to them for opportunities. Maybe the sport that they would be most successful in is hidden from them because it is not supported by the booster club, therefore unknown to students.

As it has been proven, there are many benefits from including more extracurriculars in the booster club’s support system. I believe that these new organizations could impact the school in a positive way, and it would be exciting to see the school grow.

Crossfire: Real or Fake Christmas Trees Real Christmas trees are tradition OPINION OF MADDIE RUSTAM Deciding between a fake or real Christmas tree is a nobrainer for me. A real tree is the way to go. Picking out a Christmas tree is a tradition in most families, and there is a reason for that. There’s something special about walking down the rows and rows of trees with your family to find the perfect one. Where is the fun in pulling out an old plastic tree from the attic and having to get rid of a year’s worth of dust?

One of my favorite things about real Christmas trees is the fresh scent. This is one of the many things that a fake tree lacks, and it is a deal breaker for me.

Some argue that fake trees save money, and they are better for the environment because not as many trees will be cut down. Unlike real trees, they are made of processed materials, artificially made and unable to decompose.

While fake trees may save you quite a bit of money, spending a little more on a real one

GRAPHIC BY ELLIE PENA makes it all worth it.

A fake Christmas tree is worse for the environment than you may have realized.

Fake trees are made of a plastic called polyvinyl chloride. When this plastic is being produced, dioxin is released. Dioxin is toxic and very bad for the environment.

Some fake trees have also been known to contain lead, which can be very harmful to the brain and its functions.

The convenience of a fake tree is not worth the toll it can take on the environment and your body. So as this Christmas season approaches, consider getting a real tree. You will not be disappointed.

Fake Christmas trees are easier OPINION OF LINDELL LEWIS Christmas trees are one of the most iconic indicators of Christmas time. The choice every family has to make around this season is to either get a real tree or a fake tree. In my opinion, fake trees are much more convenient than real trees for many reasons.

Fake trees aren’t going to shed their annoying tiny leaves all over your floor, and you won’t be finding leaves all over your house all the way into February. They are also reusable, which is handy for people who don’t have the time to go out a pick a real tree. All you have to do to set it up is take it out of the box and decorate to your liking.

Arguing over which tree is the best at your local home depot can start a family feud that could make Uncle Joe stop showing up to family gather-

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ings. With fake trees, all you have to do is pick a color and you’re set. We can’t forget to factor in the safety of your family. A plastic tree is not going to set on fire and accidentally burn your house down because you left a lamp next to it on too long.

You also would never have to worry about organizing and trimming the tree. Artificial trees come perfect and pristine.

Fake trees are already neat enough that you can just immediately focus on decorating them with fancy ornaments. Some of the trees are even pre-decorated, and all you have to do it just plug them in and turn on the lights.

No, there won’t be that classic pine tree smell, but would you rather sacrifice a scent or sacrifice your home by increasing the potential of a fire starting with a real tree?

If you miss the smell that much, you could always buy a car freshener to give your tree an extra kick.

At the end of the day, fake trees are more efficient and safer than real trees. With all the holiday craziness, you could use a hassle-free solution.

Plus, there is nothing more festive than a neon pink pine tree.

WRITTEN BY GIGI MEREDITH ILLUSTRATED BY LAUREN GRAHAM

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[The Oracle]

Crossfire: Does Analyzing the Book Ruin It? How annotations can affect the readers’ opinion about the book OPINION OF ELIZABETH COLE

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL TORRES

Despite its universal hatred by most students, book analysis is an extremely necessary practice when reading books, especially those of literary value. Books like Jane Eyre, Lord of the Flies, and Animal Farm wouldn’t be as appreciated or understood without some form of critical thinking achieved through analysis. Analyzing makes you think deeper than the words on the page, which will ultimately give you a better understanding of the great piece of work before you.

If you feel like you are just mind-numbingly trudging through the pages of your assigned reading, finishing a worksheet, or finding some quote for an essay, then you are doing it wrong. Book analysis should be a rewarding and enlightening experience where you are able to think to a deeper level as you read.

Sure, it takes some time and effort to be able to understand the meaning behind an author’s use of rhetoric or symbols, but once you get it, you will only appreciate the greatness of the book more. After all, if you are going to put forth the work it takes to read a book, you may as well go the whole mile and learn to appreciate it on a level deeper than

just the story.

Ultimately, the point of analyzing a book is to give meaning to the words you are reading, not just commit to the minimum understanding of what the author is portraying.

Sure, sometimes it can be fun to just relax with a book and read, but once you finish the novel, you will find that there is potential for a unique, personal analysis, which will make you value the story even more.

So take a few minutes, be it The Scarlet Letter or Lord of the Flies, to actually do an analysis that was not inspired by SparkNotes.

Putting the effort to develop a unique understanding of a book has far more benefits than just going through the book with the minimum understanding of it.

OPINION OF JOHN MCGOWAN For those who aren’t already familiar with this laborious task, analyzing a book’s rhetorical devices is the process when a student must find examples of rhetorical devices within the novel that he or she has been assigned to read. Now, at the surface this seems fairly straightforward, but after filling in an entire chart with examples from the first three chapters, it can become repetitive and meaningless quickly. For instance, you yourself are reading a novel assigned by the teacher, and you have finally begun to submerge yourself into the book after the first two chapters.

At that point, there is a certain level of comfort you find in the book, until that is swiftly interrupted by the fact that you now must backtrack and analyze the chapters you just read for the sake of finding symbolism,

personification, irony, and analogies. That is where the task becomes a true pain: having to retract yourself from the enjoyment just to find quotes that would satisfy the assignment at hand.

Moreover, what real world situation would arise that requires people to perform such rhetorical analysis? Outside of AP exam preparation, does painstakingly analyzing a book for its rhetoric really allow some deeper understanding altogether?

No, but rather by reading a book, enjoying it, and having no catches or assignments to go along with it, a person is able to truly enjoy a book. This is all due to independent reading, which will help to actually formulate your own opinion about a book, rather than relying on SparkNotes or what your English teacher tells you.

However, you as the reader can walk away knowing that reading a book should be based solely on a wonderful thing called individualism, and you should not be fooled into thinking that reading is always going to be associated with this. Reading is, and always should be, about enjoyment and forming one’s own opinion.

Insomnia: Three Reasons Why You Cannot Fall Asleep How to wake up feeling fresh and energetic

OPINION OF TINA KANG GRAPHIC BY ELLIE PENA It is almost 10 p.m. when you put on your and falling asleep around eleven. However, pajamas. You turn off the lights and lie on your that one night you stay up till 3 a.m. to study bed, the coziness of the blanket overwhelming for chemistry can ruin your sleep schedule for your senses as you finally close your eyes. up to a week. Did you know that it takes three You see the darkness. The pitch black dark- days of consistently going to bed at the same ness zooms in and out like a black hole. You move your head to the side, thinking that changing position will make you fall asleep.

You are overwhelmed with fear, terrified that you are the only one who experiences this feeling of being sucked into a black hole of darkness.

1. Anxiety

One of the most common causes of insomnia is anxiety. For example, when you get to bed and close your eyes, you may start to worry about things in the near future. You might worry about getting enough sleep because you haven’t been sleeping well for long time. You may even worry too much about the math test that you have in class the next day.

To avoid these feelings of anxiety and stress, consider your bed as a peaceful place where no one and nothing can disturb you. Imagine it as your own place to stay and rest when you lie down with your eyes closed. Leave all the other things off your bed. Rest.

2. Change of schedule

Change of sleep schedule can be a big problem. You are used to going to bed at ten o’clock

time to set a sleep pattern in your body’s internal clock?

To keep yourself on a healthy sleep schedule, try to avoid taking those treasured after-

school naps. Your body assumes that this is your official time of rest, and it won’t be too willing to fall asleep later in the evening when you actually want to go to sleep for the night.

3. Environmental Change

People with sensitive ears cannot sleep in a noisy environment. If you are used to a noisy neighborhood, you might develop resistance and be able to sleep through nearly anything.

However, a lot of people struggle to fall asleep when there is so much as a light beeping sound.

Adjust your sleeping environment as best as you can to fit your own personal sleeping preferences. If the weather has just become colder or warmer, make sure your bedding is conductive with keeping yourself comfortable.

Be sure that your pillows are not stacked too high off the bed because this can promote neck pain. Lower pillows typically assist in helping with insomnia - however this could depend on the person, so invest in a good pillow. This comfort is worth it, trust me.

Make sure to prevent any flashing lights from waking you up or hinder you from falling asleep, whether that be from your phone, a clock, or any other source of light. In order to get your best sleep, it’s imperative that you do not look at any phone, computer, or tablet screens for at least an hour prior to going to bed.

Symptoms of Insomnia 1. It takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep.

2. When you wake up, you still feel tired and drowsy.

3. You can not concentrate well in school.

4. You are easily angered and irritated.

5. You have nightmares or other strange sleeping habits.

Warning : Do not lie on your bed and try to fall asleep when you cannot. It can worsen the insomnia by making you feel scared of night and worry about sleep.

[The Oracle]

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News in Brief

Final Exam Schedule Tuesday, Dec. 15 Wednesday, Dec. 16 (half day) Period 2 Exam Period 5 Exam Period 8 Exam Period 7 Exam Thursday, Dec. 17 (half day) Period 4 Exam Period 6 Exam

Friday, Dec. 18 (half day) Period 1 Exam Period 3 Exam

Spartanaire Night at the Rockets The Spartanaire Dance Team is performing during t​he halftime ​show ​at the Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

The Spartanaires would love to see fellow Stratford f​ riends and family in the crowd!

Power reviews Dec. 12 Early release Feb. 25 Students must stay the entire class period during classes and finals. Students who remain on campus and do not have a final exam must report to the snack bar area.

Gotohttps://ssh.springbranchisd.comtosee the senior exemption policy.

Concert Dates Choir Concert Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Band Concert Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

No ticket purchase required for either event.

Star Wars Re-Awakens

Student excitement surrounding this upcoming film WRITTEN BY ALEX PARIZOT AND KATIE BOATWRIGHT PHOTOS BY KATIE BOATWRIGHT Star Wars: The Force Awakens is being released on Dec. 18, 2015. The hype around the newest addition to the Star Wars franchise has been unlike any other movie before it. When the tickets were made available for early purchase, Fandango and other ticket purchasing sites crashed from the amount of people that wanted to see the movie.

Despite all of the tickets that have already been sold, only small parts of the story line have been released. What we do know is that the movie is set 30 years after the events of The Return of the Jedi.

We also know that some the leads from the original trilogy are returning, but we don’t know the size of their roles.

One of the most popular theories is that the main antagonist is actually Luke Skywalker. It’s been confirmed that Mark Hamill, who plays Luke, is in the movie, but he has not been seen in any of the trailers.

Fun facts about the movie:

“If Harrison Ford makes a come back, then it’s gonna be good.”

- Michael Balcezak (11)

“I am really looking forward to the film. I hope that it lives up to everybody’s expectations.

- Matthew Martinez (12)

“I don’t think the new movie will be as good as the others. I believe that since it’s been so long, it won’t live up to the other movies. The Star Wars series are classics, and you can’t redo the classics.”

- Caroline Bucek (10)

The movie is offered in 3D. There are supposedly new Stormtrooper variants, and a new alien.

This is the first Star Wars to come out in order in both movie number and episode.

Tickets available for purchase at the link below. http://www.nba.com/rockets/tickets/arena.html

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[The Oracle]

Engineering in Abundance

Why do so many students decide to major in engineering?

STORY AND GRAPHIC BY ELLIE HERRMANN

“I’m majoring in either chemical or biomedical engineering. I want to get into engineering because I enjoy science and I hope to go to medical school after college. Engineering will prepare me for what I will be studying in medical school.” - Alyssa Plant (12)

“I want to major in mechanical engineering, either at the University of Texas or Notre Dame. I really like engineering because it’s a way for me to solve problems in a fun and creative way while doing something that is proactive for my community.”

- Nick Hasou (12)

“I want to become an engineer because I enjoy the various aspects of engineering such as design and testing prototypes. I hope to be able to study mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University.”

- David Quinlin (12)

“I’m majoring in industrial distribution, the sales side of engineering.

I will take half engineering and half business classes.” - Annie Hodges (12)

“A mechanical engineering education can prepare you for almost anything, and as a mechanical engineer you can do almost anything. My dad was a major inspiration in my decision to go into mechanical engineering.”

- Race Carter (12)

Every year, millions of students--some from high school, some much older--enter the scary world of college with the hope of earning a degree and starting a career. These millions are all faced with the same questions: What degree do I want? What career should I choose? In a country where virtually any option is a possibility, this decision can be overwhelming to say the least.

However, in recent years, statistics show that there has been a sudden peak in a certain field of study--engineering.

Within the condensed term “engineering,” one can learn and master concepts ranging from space exploration to manipulating DNA, from basic electrical circuit theory to creating the infrastructure for our own city of Houston. So it’s understandable why, between the years of 20112012, the number of students majoring in engineering increased by a whopping 20%. As a confused young adult, when you’re in doubt, pick the major that leads into thousands of careers.

We talked to five Stratford seniors who are planning on majoring in engineering [seen on left side of page]. They all put thought into their responses, giving us the inspiration behind their choice and the ideas for where it will lead them.

Each one is taking their own individual path.

Maybe that’s the appeal of it--even if there are 518,670 students earning engineering degrees, no two careers will be exactly the same. Take senior Annie Hodges for example: she is majoring in industrial distribution, which she describes as “the sales side of engineering.” When someone mentions engineering, you might think gears, wires, welding, and building. However, industrial distribution is an example of how engineering can be coupled with other professions to create entirely unique ones.

While it is true that the opportunities an engineering degree presents appeal to many hardworking and motivated students, the innumerable amount of careers that can come out of it can also attract the ones avoiding commitment.

Good news though! There’s enough room in the rapidly growing field for anyone, and college provides plenty of inspiration for students to narrow down their major and start on their path to the future.

There are thousands of engineers colleges around the world contributing to life-changing inventions and discoveries. And not just individual lives, and not just with frivolous entertainment devices, but ways for water to efficiently be delivered to the thirsty, ways for our military to accurately and effectively quell threats to our safety, and ways to end disease and sickness so that mankind can live to see another day. So if there has to be an abundance in any field, engineering is a good one to pick.

Top Engineering Schools in the United States The following schools, listed in no particular order, have been ranked top engineering schools in America by the U.S. News and World Report’s annual college ranking system. Listed with them are areas of engineering in which they’ve been ranked number one. If you’re interested in a certain type of engineering or just engineering in general, take a look below! You can also check out the website this information came from: http:// grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews. com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/eng-rankings.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)—CAMBRIDGE, MA #1 in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical/Communications, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering

2. Stanford University—STANFORD, CA #1 in Computer Engineering, Electrical/Communications Engineering

3. University of California @ Berkeley —BERKELEY, CA #1 in Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

4. Georgia Institute of Technology—ATLANTA, GA

#1 in Industrial/Manufacturing/Systems Engineering

5. Purdue University @ West Lafayette—WEST LAFAYETTE, IN

#1 in Biological/Agricultural Engineering

[The Oracle]

news

It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas PHOTOS BY GRAYSON WILSON

7 Tall Trees Huge Christmas trees are set up around the mall to celebrate the holiday spirit.

Glittery Lamp Posts Green garland and sparkly Mall Lights ribbins adorn the lamp posts Everyone recognizes the classic in Town and Country.

Memorial City Mall Christmas lights.

Krispy Kreme Returns

Almost a decade later fresh doughnuts come back to Houston WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH COLE PHOTO BY TAYLOR BRITTAIN

This November Krispy Kreme triumphantly returned to the Houston market with two new stores. The first hundred customers in line won free doughnuts for a year.

Competition for the offer was fierce; on opening day it took up to twenty minutes to get

through the line that stretched outside and around the building.

The new stores are located along Westheimer and Highway-6.

The franchise licensee in charge of the area plans on opening up to three more stores by the end of the year and even more in the beginning of

2016. Krispy Kreme joins Dunkin’ Donuts and Shipley’s Do-Nuts in the war for morning dessert dominance.

What’s your favorite doughnut spot? Let us know at shsoracle.com

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DISTRICT of INNOVATION How it could change everything [12/04/15]

•

Board of Trustees holds a public hearing and appoints the Strategic Planning Committee

Strategic Planning Committee develops a specific plan

WRITTEN BY SCOTT KENNEDY GRAPHICS BY RACHEL TORRES “Stoked.”

District District Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri carefully enunciates the surfer-slang, taking it out of its typical I Improvement west-coast context and plopping it into the SBISD Board Room. His expectant smile, and those of the 90 team is teachers, parents, students, and community members present, somehow makes the word seem hardly out acquainted with of place at all. the opportunity It’s Monday, Nov. 16, and Muri is speaking to the group tasked with developing the District’s specific vision for the future. They’re smiling because they’ve just been given permission, not just from Muri, but from the state of Texas, to break the rules.

In his first few months as Superintendent, Muri, who took office on July 1, saw great things from the District, but also saw a lot of room for improvement.

B Board of Trustees “Our student performance has been stagnant for the past three years,” Muri said. “We don’t want a adopts resolution to see that. We want to be constantly improving.” to consider the The problem that school districts typically face when trying to make improvements is the red District of Districts of Innovation are given “greater local control as the de tape of governmental regulation. But thanks to new state law passed during the Spring of 2015, makers over the educational and instructional model for students Innovation House Bill 1842, districts have the option of becoming “Districts of Innovation,” which takes a “increased freedom and flexibility” to bypass or alter many existin bunch of that red tape and tosses it in the trash. opportunity lations, according to SBISD. Muri pictures it as a sort of “blank can SBISD is one of the first districts in the state to pursue this opportunity and is currently in the district—an opportunity to get creative and change the way we do process of becoming a District of Innovation. The development of a specific plan, multiple “Recently, something can be ‘innovative’ just by being differen rounds of voting, and time to actually implement the plan, should the votes pass, still Ream, Associate Superintendent for School Performance, said. “B remain, meaning students may not see these changes come into effect for a few years. innovation by answering the question of ‘What if...?’”

However, students have a considerable voice in the developmental and Here are some of the key ways in which school might change u voting processes and are encouraged to use the freedom provided by the Disof Innovation Policy: trict of Innovation initiative to reimagine and redesign school to best fit their needs and give them more opportunities than ever before.

The NEW

SCHOOL

e g n a T h h e Road to C Changing the Structure of the School Year Currently: The State of Texas mandates that school cannot start before the fourth Monday in August.

As a District of Innovation: Every school district would essentially

be able to set their own schedule, based on what is best for their students.

*Many districts are in the process of becoming Districts of Innovation solely for this benefit. However, Spring Branch has much more in mind.

Removing the Time Barrier Currently: Students are required to spend exactly 180 days in a class in order to complete a course. This means that students who can work faster are instead forced to remain in a class learning what they already know, which can be incredibly boring. This also means that students who need to work more slowly are left behind, and if they never catch up, they might fail the class.

As a District of Innovation: Students could

all move through courses as fast as they can. If students can finish a class in February, then as soon as they finish, they can take the End of Course exam, or other require diately begin the next course. Students who need more time would n could be given a grade of “Not Yet” and the extra time beyond the typ course.

What This Would Look Like: Since students would all be movi

structures would be much more fluid. Instead of going to the same cl schedules would constantly be updated to reflect their current progre vidual classes could change as well, with many different types of class offered. Typical classroom instruction coming directly from a teacher would be offered. Other modalities could include students working to or by themselves, with a teacher available for assistance, hands-on le with an online tutor, or students working with educational software.

9

[The Oracle]

Superintendent

s

What do YOU think?

DIT holds a public hearing and votes upon the Strategic Plan

W L

Board of Trustees notifies the Texas Education Agency of its intention of voting to adopt t the strategic plan

ecision s,” including ng state regunvas” for the o school. nt,” Tyler But we define

under District

ed test. and then immenot simply be failed, they pical 180 days to finish the

ing at their own pace, class lasses every day, students’ ess. The structure of indises, or “modalities,” being r is only one modality that ogether in small groups, earning, students working

Add your voice to the discussion, contact SHSORACLE.com

Strategic Plan is posted for 30 days on the SBISD website

Board of Trustees votes to approve and adopt Strategic Plan with a 2/3 majority

Who’s Who? A rundown of the major players in the process to become a District of Innovation

Who: Dr. Scott Muri Role in the Process: Muri has brought a lot of the initia-

tive and creative vision to the District of Innovation process.

His role is to oversee the process and communicate with the community.

Board of Trustees

Who: Seven elected members of the community (L-R: Karen Peck, Bob Stevenson, Chris Vierra, Wayne Schaper, Pam Goodson, Chris Gonzales, Katherine Dawson Role in the Process: Began the process, and have the final say on whether or not the district decides to become a District of Innovation.

District Improvement Team

Who: Parent Chair Scott LeMaire and Teacher Chair Elaine

Alternate Routes to Graduation

Sorsby, and about 40 other parents, teachers, community members, and students Role in the Process: Stays informed in the process and helps voice the opinions of the community, and also votes on the Strategic Plan.

Strategic Planning Committee

Currently: All students finish their required courses at

roughly the same time, meaning the path to graduation is fairly standard.

As a District of Innovation: Students are able to move

at their own pace, and those that finish their required courses quickly would have many options. Students could pursue apprenticeships, work experience, dual enrollment with local universities, and much more. “The sky’s the limit” as far as the individualized approaches that students could take on the way to graduation.

Who: Tri-Chairs Marlen Trujillo, Patricia Kassir, and Scott Kennedy

Role in the Process: Develop the ideas behind the Strategic Plan; is not a voting committee.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SBISD WEBSITE

[The Oracle]

culture

10

Did you know?

There are some countries that offer college education for little to no price

WRITTEN BY NAZLEE KHADJEHEIAN It’s the one thing on Brazil - Brazilian unievery student’s mind versities only charge - college tuition. The registration fees to stucost of room and board, dents. There are a few tuition, books and sup- courses that students plies, and not to men- can take in English, tion the price of living but all other university looms in every student’s activities are in Portuthoughts. The cost of at- guese. Universities do tending college in the not charge tuition fees.

United States has been Finland- Universities steadily increasing to in this country do not a price that can leave charge any fees, ina student with a stag- cluding tuition. Many gering debt. Students course programs are scramble for loans, taught in English, so scholarships, and grants that’s a plus for Ameristudents.

The in hopes of minimizing can the immense amount only thing is, students they’ll have to pay. But have to cover their livthere is a way to evade ing expenses. But who these expenditures - wouldn’t want to live in going to college out the city in a beautiful of the country. There country like Finland? are several countries France- French public around the world where universities do charge students can obtain a a tuition fee, but it’s higher education for a meager amount to practically no cost at all. what you would pay

in the United States.

For example, tuition fees at one university are around two hundred American dollars. Or, students are required to pay a cost that depends on their family income. These universities offer many programs in English.

GermanyGerman education institutions are extremely well ranked. They offer several hundred programs in English in hopes of preparing their native students to be skilled workers. Even more, no tuition fees are required to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Many other countries offer free or low priced education, including; Sweden, Norway, Slovenia and Mexico.

[12/04/15]

Oracle’s Bestselling Book Picks

If you’re looking for something new to read, look no further

Title: Unbroken Author: Lara Hillenbrand Summary: True story of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic track star who was a POW in WWII. What makes this a great book? You can’t put it down. It gives an insight into a part of WWII that’s not often looked at - being a prisoner of war.

Hillenbrand’s writing is beautifully done with very thorough research.

Title: Lone Survivor Author: Marcus Luttrell Summary: Story of Marcus Lutrell, who becomes a Navy Seal. As a Seal, he participates in Operation Red Wing.

While on the mission, the rest of his teammates are killed in combat, and he is left alone.

How the book compares to the movie? The movie made it seem like it lasted a day. In reality, the events took place over the span of a couple of weeks.

Title: The Blind Side Author: Michael Lewis Summary:Revolves around the story of Michael Oher, who was raised in poverty. Eventually, he became a great NFL player after being adopted by a family.

Favorite part about the book? Michael Oher realized how good he was at football and how all of the things that happened to him were turning into something good.

Title: Give and Take Author: Adam Grant Summary: This book puts people into three categories: givers, matchers and takers.

It seems to us that takers are always the most successful, but Grant explores how givers are actually the most successful of them all.

Why you recommend it?

It’s a great book to read if you want to learn more about being a better leader but also just for building relationships with people in all stages of your life.

Books reviewed by Katherine Kennedy, Will Hendrickson and Nick Hasou

More Than Just a Substitute

The extraordinary life story of teacher Scott Heise

WRITTEN BY OLIVIA SICILIANO PHOTOS BY JAINA KILEY AND CHRISTINE DIAS Few words make a student happier than “We have a sub a social worker. After six months the Lord called me through third period today.” While it may be easy to look past a sub- His Word to be a pastor, so I changed my major to pastoral stitute since they are only here for a short period of time, this ministry and graduated in three years. Two weeks later I entered the Lutheran Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort is not the case for frequent substitute Scott Heise.

Besides teaching, Heise is a Stratford parent and pastor at Wayne, IN,” he said.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. “I like being around people and working with them. The staff and students of Stratford High are interesting and fun to be around. Being a pastor, though, is very demanding at times with conducting worship services, funerals, baptisms, teaching Bible and Confirmation classes, performing marriages, and evangelism,” he said.

Before being called to serve in his present occupation(s) in Houston, Heise has experienced immense hardship. “One of the hardest things that I’ve had to deal with in my life was recovering from my motorcycle accident 30 years ago. I had multiple injuries from head to toe. While I was in a coma the doctors wanted to amputate my leg, but my father asked the doctors to wait one day. He went home and prayed, and by the grace of God, the next day the doctor felt he could do something to save the leg. After 3 months in the hospital and one year of painful physical rehabilitation I could go back to On the Job my job (at the time) building boats for Cruiser Boat Com- Subbing for science teacher, Mrs. Lauren Yonkin, Mr. pany in Oconto, WI,” said Heise.

Heise smiles at his desk.

Despite recovering, Heise “soon found out that I could no “During the three years of academic studies and one year longer work eight hours a day standing. I looked for a new job and a manor that I volunteered at wanted me to work on vicarage assignment I graduated with a Master of Divinity part time as their breakfast cook, from 5-9 a.m. I loved this degree,” said Heise.

After graduating, Heise also lived in China for a period of job and I learned a lot about life from the elderly and mentally ill that lived there. I worked this job for three and half years, time, where he met his wife and started a family.

“Living in China had many joys and many sorrows. Some and then my bills became greater than my wage and I needed of the joys were learning the language and culture of China. something full time. It was suggested that I go to college.

I entered Concordia University, Mequon, WI, to study being Working in China was very interesting. I taught English at

several Chinese schools at all different levels, from elementary to university students. I used to ride my bicycle to a vocational school five miles from the city to teach English, and I used to stop and watch the farmers tilling the soil with a plow being pulled by oxen. It was always delightful to be invited to a Chinese home for a meal and learn about their life.

I also had opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with many in China, too,” he said.

“Some of the sorrows were dealing with the laws of the Chinese government - particularly with the one child perfamily law China had when I lived there for six years. That is the reason why we were forced to leave China, my wife and I had three children,” said Heise.

After leaving China, Heise was sent to Houston to lead the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Chinese ministry. Three years later, funding for the ministry depleted, and Heise was called to the church where he currently serves.

“We’ve all heard the saying, ‘Something good always comes out of something bad.’ Our heavenly Father does work all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). My Father in heaven used a motorcycle accident to draw me closer to Him through His Word. He provided opportunities for me to work at a manor, go to college and the seminary where I met and befriended many Chinese, the opportunity to go to China and live for six years, meet a loving wife and have three beautiful children. And even though we were forced to leave China, a door was opened to come to Houston. In Houston, my family and I are blessed to be connected with Stratford High School where I work as a substitute teacher and my son is a freshman. Yes, our heavenly Father does work all things for good,” said Heise.

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culture

11

[The Oracle]

Enjoying the Holly Days

Revisiting the Christmas movies of our childhood WRITTEN BY MADDIE MCKENZIE As Christmas rolls around, many people enjoy snuggling up and watching a festive movie.

The classics are always a great choice, but if you aren’t sure which ones to watch, here is some help.

The movie “Elf” is a tale of Buddy, who was shipped off to the North Pole as a toddler.

As a result, he was raised by Santa and his elves. But Buddy couldn’t shake this feeling that he didn’t belong, so he packed up and moved to New York in search of his real father. There he meets a shady businessman where things end in disaster.

This Christmas comedy is sure to hit a funny bone and bring some holiday spirit.

In “Home Alone,” trouble-

maker Kevin McCallister wakes up to find his wish come true - his family gone just before Christmas. While he’s enjoying the house to himself, two men show up and attempt to rob the McCallister house. Kevin makes

it his duty to protect the family’s belongings and ward off the two robbers through a series of hilarious boobytraps. Home Alone is a great family movie to kick back and have a few laughs.

In the movie “Love Actually,”

nine interlinked stories unite to tell the story of love. The viewer is shown a variety of couples some seemingly unlikely, and some who are flat-out meant to be. This journey of love sets the tone of endearment (and prob-

ably slight discomfort if you watch it with your parents).

Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is definitely a holiday classic. In the film, a grumpy Grinch plans to ruin Christmas for the blissful citizens of Who-

ville. As he’s stuffing every last bit of Christmas up the chimney, he meets little Cindy Lou Who, and from there, the Grinch starts to see the true meaning of Christmas spirit. This classic warms the hearts of viewers as well as providing some marvelous lyrical pieces.

These are just a few of many holiday movies, but whichever you choose, a festive film is sure to put anyone in the Christmas spirit.

Let us know what your favorite Christmas movie is at shsoracle.com

The Annual Oscar Buzz

Previewing upcoming Oscar-worthy movies WRITTEN BY JOHN MCGOWAN

Now that we’re winding down to the final days of 2015, students can take comfort in knowing that their school life will be interrupted by two weeks of relaxation and good tidings.

What’s even more exciting, though, is that as we begin to close the year, a new string of Oscar-worthy movies will be premiering during November and December. Here are just a few of the movies you should be excited for:

The Revenant One of the most talked­-about movies of the fall, The Revenant stars veteran actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy alongside the Oscar­-winning director of “Birdman”, Alejandro Inarritu. In a gripping and horrific tale of human capability, DiCaprio stars as expert frontiersman, Hugh Glass, who must travel around 200 miles back to civilization after he is attacked by a bear during a hunting expedition and left for dead by his companions. The trailers, posters, and screenshots alone should be enough to administer some excitement, as the cinematography looks to be a whole different level of beautiful. And, considering that DiCaprio had to sleep in an animal carcass and eat raw bison liver while filming, it should come as no surprise that

the film is both beautiful and brutal at the same time and deserves every bit of your attention.

Premieres Dec. 25

Carol For a more light-hearted and controversial tone, we turn to a movie that has already generated more than enough buzz. The film Carol, starring the stellar Cate Blanchett and the sublime Rooney Mara, centers on the story of a store clerk (Mara) who develops a love with an older and elegant married woman (Blanchett). The film was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival last May and has since garnered wide critical acclaim with enormous praise for its two lead actresses. Based on the controversial­-for-­its­-time lesbian love story, The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, the film dives deep into the tenderness and emotional impact of a type of love that was, in its time, considered blasphemous. While it does have its critical acclaim, as of Nov. 30 the film has seen a strictly limited release, so finding a theater may prove to be an arduous task.

Nevertheless, it is a heartbreaking and truly captivating film that does justice to a genre that hasn’t seen a sincerely visceral entry since Blue is

the Warmest Color from 2013. Premiered Nov. 20

Macbeth

biting dialogue, Quentin Tarantino, returns this winter with his latest installment in his 23 year long string of incredible movies. The film’s plot centers around bounty hunter John “The Hangman” Ruth (played by both Kurt Russell and his miraculous supporting facial hair) as he attempts to bring a criminal to face justice in the North shortly after the Civil War, along the way facing a gang of six other suspicious gentlemen who seek to bring in the criminal themselves and collect the reward. While the film does clock in at around three hours long, this may prove to assist the film as it builds its own tension slowly and unnervingly leads into the climactic battle (trust me, it’s a Tarantino film, it will happen). Films by Tarantino always deliver with a sort of flare, making their premieres prime events to attend.

And, seeing as how the man has yet to make a poor quality movie, there should be no reason not to see it.

Premieres Dec. 25

Easily the most anticipated movie of the season, Shakespeare’s renowned tale of sound and fury will grace the silver screen with assistance by acting powerhouses Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. For those who aren’t in 12th grade AP English, or just haven’t read the play, Macbeth follows the titlular character as he conspires with his wife to murder the King of Scotland and assume the throne. Considering that most modern Shakespeare adaptions have to contain some creative twist to retain audiences’ attention, this film defies convention by being both visceral, epic, and having a devoted and straightforward adaptation that needs no such twist. It has already gathered critical acclaim, with critics endorsing the two lead actors and the director, Justin Kurzel. With brutality similar to that of the aforementioned Revenant, this film will certainly be one that delivers a glorious combination of gut-­wrenching imagery and *Do you see any films on this list you are excited for? Do you know of any heart­breaking dramatics. that you are excited for but it’s not on Premieres Dec. 4 the list? Tweet us @StratfordOracle and let us know which films you are The Hateful Eight excited to see this Oscar season.

The master of poetic violence and

Snowman Cake Balls These Snowman Cake Balls are festive and a great addition to any holiday! They are adorable and delicious; and what better way to eat cake than in a cake ball! With this easy recipe the holiday season gets even better to celebrate.

Ingredients: -1 box of white cake mix -1 can of vanilla icing -1 bag of mini Oreos -Gel icing in orange, blue, and black Instructions: 1. Bake the white cake as instructed on the box 2. When the cake is cooled, cut it into 4 pieces 3. With an electric mixer, blend a fourth of the cake and a fourth of the can of icing 4. When fully blended, roll the dough into 2 inch balls, set aside 5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the other fourths of the cake 6. When all the dough is rolled into balls, put them on a tray with parchment paper, and cover them with plastic wrap 7. Put the tray in the freezer for 20 minutes 8. While the cake balls are in the freezer, melt the white chocolate as instructed on the canister 9. After freezing, use a fork to dip each ball in the white chocolate and set it back on the tray 10. To get the mini Oreo to stay on top of the ball, put it on immediately after dipping it into the chocolate 11. Let the cake balls with the Oreo on top cool completely to room temperature 12. Use the gel icing to make the eyes in blue, the nose in orange, and the mouth in black This recipe makes about 2 dozen cake balls.

RECIPE BY: EMMA HOLLAND

[12/04/15]

12

ads

[The Oracle]

[The Oracle]

sports

ONE ON ONE with...

Coach Lowry

PHOTO BY ISABELLA HUTCHENS

13

HIGHLIGHTS: Varsity Football

Varsity Basketball Boys

SHS vs Waltrip SHS vs Alief Taylor Score: 62-47

SHS vs Barbers Hill

SHS vs Cy Ranch

Score: 54-40

Score: 62-48

Nominated by Coach Hos

Who did you choose for the MVP? Morgen Reyna, Sophomore Why do you feel she deserves this award?

She always has a positive attitude, works hard, and does her best for the team.

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

Enthusiastic, social, and dedicated What is your favorite thing about this athlete?

Team first attitude A moment you were proud of this athlete?

When she supports her teammates and holds them accountable regularly.

Football Recap 2015 Spartan Pride Never Dies WRITTEN BY LAUREN BYRAM PHOTO BY TAYLOR BRITTAIN dogs 44-21. Next the team had its first home game of the season against Tomball and left the huge crowd cheering for a victory of 44-14.

Next, Stratford travelled to Brenham and returned home with a 38-14 victory. The next week, at Darrell Tully Stadium, the spartans shut out fellow SBISD school Spring Woods with a score of 370.

Following the home victory, the team travelled to Tomball Memorial and won 42-13. The Spartans then reigned victoriously in their last home game of the season beating Magnolia West 27-7.

For the last game of the regular season the Spartans travelled to

Alex Miller

Nominated by Coach Lowry Who did you choose for the MVP? Alex Miller, Senior What made you chose this player?

His dedication to his position and the team; he also exhibits undeniable efforts on every play!

Why do you feel he deserves this award?

He is the most complete football player on our team.

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

Tough, smart, and competitive.

What is your favorite thing about this athlete?

His work ethic.

First varsity football game of the year, against Ridge Point. The Spartans tookhome a win with a score of 31-21.

Waller High School and blacked out the Bulldogs with a final score of 42-12.

Stratford High Schools football team finished out the pre-playoff season with a record of 9-1.

This was the last season for most of the varsity players including the four players who have already committed to play in college.

Alex Miller will be attending Northwestern University to play defensive tackle, Rakeem Boyd will be a running back at Texas A&M University, Jordan Work will play for Colorado School of Mines, and Jordyn Brooks will be an outsider linebacker for the Texas Tech raiders.

Football

Swimming

Score: 6-14

M.V.P.’s of the Month

Morgen Reyna

There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was going to be an amazing season for the varsity football team after destroying our long-term rival for the first time in 9 years with a score of 34-7.

Following the major win against Memorial the Spartans avenged their loss last year (377) against Alief Elsik, winning the game with a score of 17-6. Still in pre-season, Stratford took its first loss of the season against Ridge Point High School finishing 10 points behind with a score of 2131.

After a bye week and two weeks to prepare themselves, Stratford entered the regular season, defeating the Magnolia Bull-

SHS vs Temple

Score: 59-0

PHOTOS BY ISABELLA HUTCHENS

What do you coach?

Football (Outside Line Backers/ Special Teams Coordinator) and Basketball (Freshman B Team).

What is your favorite sport to coach?

Football What has been your favorite thing about coaching at Stratford?

The multiple students and families that I still enjoy seeing and talking to after 14 years here.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while coaching?

There was an incident where I fell jumping over some water at practice, but the details are sort of funny!

What do you admire most about your team?

The relentless hard work and competitive nature of all the players.

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

Compete and play until someone doesn’t allow you to play this game any longer!

[12/04/15]

Varsity Football stands for the National Anthem at the game against Spring Woods on October 16th.

The Spartans won 37-0.

Seniors C.J. Kight and Davis Beasley celebrate at the game against Tomball Memorial.

[12/04/15]

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sports

[The Oracle]

From Mrs. Clouse to Coach Clouse

How an art major transitions into a winning coach WRITTEN BY SEBASTIAN DROZ A graduate of Michigan State University, Coach Jennifer Clouse majored in Art and came to Stratford to spread her knowledge with her students. Little did she know that she would also take a winning team to State.

Last cross country season Coach Clouse was an assistant coach for Coach Tony Brillon and the team got first at the state meet. This season, due to Girl’s Coach Jason Reed leaving, Coach Clouse took the position as the head coach for the girl’s team.

Numbers don’t lie and this team exemplifies this entirely. Statistics showed the team getting third, but with the intense mental training they got from Coach Clouse, the team would not be stopped by anything. The girls proceeded to get a first place at regionals, then got fifth place at state.

Most of the girls on the team really enjoy having a female coach. “I feel like a female coach is definitely more understanding than a

PHOTO BY DEVIN FAHEY

guy coach due to how complicated we are. Also, girls are more prone to getting injured than boys are and Coach Clouse is much more aware of that than any guy coach could be,” sophomore Savannah Gulliver said.

The girls went from getting ninth at state last year, to fifth. They basically got the same physical training that they got last year, but the mental training has been very different.

Most people will never understand the type of mentality that is needed for the sport.

I’ve heard people saying “Cross Country is the easiest sport, all you have to do is run.” The sport requires a type of training that most people will not be able to complete. Coach Brillon often says “Cross Country is not for weak minded individuals. If it were, then this would be a social club, not a competitive team.” Nonetheless Coach Clouse has helped the girls team move up the ranks as a new coach and plans on continuing to do so until the day she retires.

30

5

The heaviest an official softball bat weighs in ounces.

Number of ounces an official softball weighs.

9 STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL

7

Number of required softball players on a team.

Evaluating performances Cross Country coach Jennifer Clouse, alongside Coach Tony Brillion talks to the team after a meet.

UIL Doesn’t Recognize Lacrosse as a Sport Club lacrosse might be too expensive for students WRITTEN BY LAUREN BYRAM Despite its growing popularity, it is impossible to find lacrosse on the UIL website.

On the East Coast, lacrosse is as well-known of a sport as baseball. In recent years, it has migrated down to the southern states and is becoming more popular.

A vast majority of Houston area high schools have a club lacrosse team associated with their school.

Now, lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports, and it is still not recognized

by UIL. Until it is, it has to stay a club sport.

As a club sport, lacrosse can be expensive. Stratford girls lacrosse has an expensive base cost. If lacrosse were a UIL sport it would be Eligible to be added

to the Stratford Booster club, making the prices go down

Number of Stratford softball players that committed to colleges.

and getting more students involved in the sport. All the kids that wanted to play lacrosse, but financially could not, would be able to play.

It is no argument that lacrosse is a sport. It is physically demanding and takes lots of practice and conditioning.

sprints, footwork, squats, lunges etc.

The athletes’ biggest concern with lacrosse not being recognized as UIL is the lack of support.

There is a lacrosse team and most of their players attend Stratford, they call themselves the “Spartans”, “More people yet you still won’t hear Mr. Blaze yelling in the microwould join phone at lunch about the lacrosse if it belacrosse tournament this weekend. came a certified “Lacrosse should be a UIL UIL sport” sport because of its growing popularity, and more -Catherine people would join lacrosse Parnell if it became a certified UIL sport,” sophomore girl’s For girls lacrosse, a trainer lacrosse player Catherine comes once a week to prac- Parnell said. “It is unfair to tice the lacrosse athletes that it and does lacrosse “boot is not counted towards high camp”. school athletics.’

The workout consists of

Softball Players Play their Way to College

Five lucky schools will improve their softball roster WRITTEN BY SEBASTIAN DROZ PHOTO BY NATALIE GAISER Five outstanding softball players committed to five different schools on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Senior Elizabeth Brann will be a future Comet since she committed to the University of Texas at Dallas.

Her twin, senior Jennifer Brann, will be a Nittany Lion to the Ivy League school Penn State.

Senior Haleigh Davis committed to be a Bobcat at Texas State University.

Senior Megan Gardner will be a Tiger at East Texas Baptist University.

And last but not least, senior Leslie Merchan will be a Kangaroo at Austin College.

“It’s going to be scary but it’s also going to be good for us to grow as individuals,” Jennifer Brann said, when asked how she feels about being separated from her sister.

Bright Futures The newly committed girls pose for a picture with softball Coach Tim Casey.

Softball Signing Day

The senior softball players signed with various colleges.

[The Oracle]

Sports

15

[12/04/15]

THE

SCHEDULE

Miller Senior Alex altrip W tackles the e th g rams durin e. m a g first playoff

On Nov. 6 the cross country team left for the state meet in Austin where the girls placed 5th and the boys placed 6th

eron Senior Cam rates le Trahan ce b against g n ri after sco ovemWaltrip on N elmar ber 12th at D Stadium

Varsity Football played Temple in the 2nd round of playoffs on Nov. 20. The Spartans fell short finishing the game 14-6

Boys Basketball

12/8 SHS VS. Mar shall 12/ 10-12 SHS VS . Montgomery Tournament 12/18 SHS VS Br enham 12/21 SHS VS El kins

PHOTOS BY: TAYLOR BRITTAN, GRAYSON WILSON

Winners Train, Losers Complain

The boy’s basketball team gets ready for their new season Rise to the top Junior Marcellus Freeman shoots the ball with perfect form at the teams fourth game of the season.

Stratford won the game 54-40.

Move the Ball Down the Court

The JV and Varsity teams are working hard as they stop for a water break. They practice for their next game on Dec. 9 against Marshall Mavericks.

Perfect Moment

Sophomore Daniel Corteguera dribbles the ball down the court at the game against Barbers Hill.

Defended and Dominate

WRITTEN BY ANDREW PARK PHOTOS BY ITZAMAR HERNADEZ AND RILEY TIMMERICK The basketball team we are going to work exhas been working hard tremely hard on fundaall year. They’ve been mentals and endurance training hard and put- so we can last all four ting in a lot of work to quarters and overtime,” have a successful season said assistant basketball and hopefully become coach Cody Schwartz. district champions this The team is working year. to reach their goals this The team doesn’t just season and each player train during the school has different goals for the year, they also have to put team.“Our goal is to play in a lot of training outside as a unit and really underof school as well. “The stand what we’re trying to way I train is I like to lift accomplish as a team and weights and eat healthy,” to go deep in the playoffs.” said senior varsity basket- Senior Jared Weyer said. ballplayerWilliamTate.“It The basketball team really keep me in shape has a lot of pressure this and keeps me well con- year and the coaches are ditioned. I also do a lot of pushing the boys even free throw shooting and further than years past.

I’m trying to work on my “We want to be in handles.”

Austin for our last game The boys aren’t the during spring break. It’s only ones who are work- not a hope, it’s an expecing hard to have a suc- tation.” Coach Schwartz cessful season. The said. Come and support coaches have high ex- the basketball team on pectations for the team their road to success this in practice to get them seas ready. “For the season

Senior William Tate waits for the perfect moment at the game on November 24th against Barber Hill at SHS.

[12/04/15]

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[The Oracle]