Homework help sites | 2
Dozing off? | 6-7
AP vs. Dual-credit | 10
Do homework help sites help or hurt a student’s ability to learn?
How is sleep deprivation affecting teens and their daily lives?
What kind of classes should students take to earn college credit?
Vanguard College Preparatory School, 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710
December 2019, Volume 47, Issue 3
The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication
A true champion Kylie Rogers awarded KWTX’s honor for work on the court and in the classroom Emily Coleman ‘21 business manager
Diving for the ball during a match against Bosqueville, senior Kylie Rogers secures a point for her team. Rogers is also known for her academic excellence, said AP Biology teacher Michaela McCown. Photo by Avery Haynes / Bifrost staff
Rest assured
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ylie Rogers, senior, was named KWTX’s Classroom Champion for the month of November. Each month, KWTX selects someone who exemplifies the ideal high school student, with strong involvement in extracurriculars and academics. A Classroom Champion must be a senior in high school, have at least a 3.0 GPA, be active in at least one of the school’s sports programs and be involved in extracurricular activities. “Being Classroom Champion means not only are you doing well in all your classes, but it also means you show that same type of work ethic on the court by doing well in the game and respecting your team and coaches,” said Kylie Rogers, senior and KWTX Classroom Champion. Rogers is involved in all kinds of extracurriculars and advanced classes at Vanguard. From sports to student council, her involvement keeps her constantly on the go. “I’m involved in cross country, volleyball, basketball, track, FCA, student council, Teen Leadership Waco and Mu Alpha Theta,” Rogers said. The push to take challenging classes shows Rogers’ dedication and excitement to learn. Rogers is enrolled in AP English Literature and Composition, AP Biology, AP Art History, statistics, multimedia and dual-credit economics. “Kylie exhibits excellence in her academic studies, as well as the variety of sports that she participates in,” said Michaela McCown, biology teacher. “You can see that excellence in her grades and all the awards and achievements she has earned.” Handling sports and academics can be challenging. However, Kylie finds a way to make it work. “I just make sure to finish all my homework during my study mod and lunch,” Rogers said. “Also when I am done with my extracurricular activities, I try to get ahead on homework when I get back home.”
Small acts make big impacts VCPS students give back through annual food drive Maili Maldonado ‘20 reporter
“We can put the word out there with advertising and pushing people to donate more and more,” ore than 46,000 Central Texans do not Butler said. The Dec. VR poll showed that approximately know where their next meal will come 70.7 percent of students have already donated or from, and over 30 percent of people in have plans to donate cans this school year. Waco live in poverty, according to Caritas — a lo“Individually, it doesn’t always feel like I’m cal food bank that provides year-round food assismaking a huge impact, which can be kind of distance to those in need. VCPS’ annual canned food couraging, but when everyone comes together to drive — now in its 26th year — is directly impactdonate, it’s easier to see what is accomplished,” ing this need. Students donated 6,637 cans of food Mattei said. “[It] makes you feel like you are a this year in a school-wide event that gives kids a part of something bigger than just yourself or your chance to help. school.” Caritas’ mission is to proBoth Matvide urgent support to people in tei and Butler need in our community, striving agree that stuto eliminate hunger in McLendents should nan County. VCPS helps the partake in more cause by encouraging its stuvolunteer opdents to donate as much food portunities and as they possibly can. In order to promote them encourage students to help dojust as much as nate, the student council makes the canned food it a competition. The class that drive. The drive provides the most cans wins the Junior Ben Tillinghast packs up cans so they can be had a bit of a senior lounge for the day. This sent to Caritas’ food bank. Photo by Sage Suchecki / rough start in the year, the junior class donated the Bifrost staff beginning, but most cans at over 2,000. once more students started donating, others were However, students see the can food drive as encouraged to do so as well. Student council memmore than a competition. “We should [help] because those in need are bers already have ideas to get students hyped up always looking to those who provide,” said junior earlier next year. “I think we can improve future donation drives class vice president Aidon Butler. “It has been with reminders,” Mattei said. “I know that people, shown that acts of service can go very far without especially teenagers, can be forgetful with all that is even knowing what impact someone may have.” going on, and seeing things like signs and banners Senior and student council representative Adhelps keep the drive at the front of our minds.” ley Mattei agrees.“Helping those in need and helpThe cans were picked up Friday, Nov. 22 and ing out a little can go a long way,” Mattei said. delivered to the KWTX-TV station as part of the VCPS constantly encourages its students to annual Food For Families drive, benefiting Caritas. continuously donate and give to those in need.
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Senior Liam Dietz addresses a crowd about the importance of proper flag retirement as a way to honor veterans. Strong winds are no match for Alex Dietz and Jackson Kelly as they prepare a flag for burning. Worn flags are burned until there is nothing left. Archive photos
Liam Dietz organizes flag retirement ceremony as part of Eagle project
Marly Chaparro ‘22 opinion editor
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t was 36 degrees with 35 mph winds and misting outside during a special flag retirement ceremony, which was held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 — Veteran’s Day — at Rosemound Cemetery in Waco. VCPS Senior Liam Dietz passed his Eagle Scout board of review last month. For his Eagle Scout project, Dietz oversaw the construction of a ceremonial circle and fire pit, which was built specifically for the purpose of flag retirement ceremonies. “I chose to hold the inaugural flag retirement ceremony for this flag retirement ring on Veteran’s Day because this fire ring was constructed with the idea of honoring our nation’s veterans in mind, and
it is located in the veteran’s section of the cemetery,” Dietz said. A national flag that is worn out beyond repair must be disposed of in a respectful and dignified way; it cannot simply be thrown in the trash. Burning a flag at a dignified ceremony that honors America is one way to properly retire a flag. It must be burned to ashes with no part of the flag remaining. “The United States flag should always be treated with respect as it is an emblem of our nation,” Dietz said. “This includes treating it with respect by properly retiring it when it becomes too worn for use.”
A service project is a Boy Scout’s final step toward reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. The project can be anything that will benefit the community, and it must be organized and led by the scout himself. “I chose to construct a flag retirement fire ring for my Eagle Scout project because I’ve been a part of many flag retirement ceremonies throughout my time in scouting, and my scoutmaster told me the cemetery would be open to having a special place constructed for the purpose of retiring flags,” Dietz said.
In attendance at Dietz’s ceremony were some important dignitaries, including elected officials U.S. Congressman Bill Flores, Texas State Sen. Brian Birdwell and McLennan County Commissioner Will Jones. Also in attendance was American diplomat Lyndon Lowell Olson, Jr. Dietz said he learned valuable life skills by organizing this event. “I learned about how to work with and coordinate numerous people and organizations in order to accomplish something,” Dietz said.