Vanguard Review December 2022

Religious tolerance just takes understanding

Get it together

Tips and tricks for locker organization and styling

Stockings, Baby |

Stocking stuffers and friend gifts that will make anyone’s Christmas merry and bright

The Vanguard Review

Making a big stink

A VCPS Publication

Foul smell permeates hallway of Brown Building for months with no root cause discovered

Madelyn Kim ‘25 reporter

It was around late September when a subtle, but stinky odor started filling the Brown hallway, especially toward the back door, when students would come back in from lunch. It started out smelling like dirty socks, but as the hot Texas weather progressed into fall, the smell morphed into something more sinister and disgusting — and everyone who passed through the hall knew it.

“It smells like a dead animal or something rotting,” freshman Matthew Clark said.

The smell actually made it difficult for some people to go to class.

“It was so bad that one day I had to hold my breath and run through the hallway,” freshman Cash Reese said.

Even though the source of the smell seemed to come from the end of the hallway — where most of the freshman lockers are — they were not the only ones to notice the stench.

“Every time I walk through the halls I choke on the smell of a sweaty locker room,” sophomore Kaydon Daniel said.

The bad smell affected students’ moods as well. Sophomore Jordan Young said that the smell makes her feel sad each day. And she suggested students to stop leaving food in the locker to get rid of

this problem.

More than 88 percent of the students agreed “Yes, it is awful,” according to the December 2022

VR poll. And 67.8 percent said they think it smells like a combination of garbage cans, body odor, a zoo, spoiled milk and dead squirrels.

Cracking the cheating code

Honor Council works to solve recent rise in reports of academic dishonesty

Landri Wheeler ‘24 assistant editor

The bells ring for third mod and you are feeling unprepared for the science test that is about to hit your desk. You flip through the seemingly endless test pages, formulas and definitions racing through your mind. You start to panic and worry you might fail. You look around the room and see that everyone else is calculating and writing on their tests and you are just still sitting there, feeling frozen. You ask yourself “Why didn’t I study more?” or “Why didn’t I go to tutorials for help?” And then, you decide to glance over at the person next to you — to see what answer they got for No. 1. You did not want to, but: You cheated.

Or maybe you did not cheat — you just thought about it for a moment. But, Dr. Wendy Allman, head of the Honor Council, the committee that handles violations of the school’s honor code, said there have been more reports of cheating this school year.

“We have seen an increased number of incidents of cheating this year over last year,” Allman said.

Cheating is classified as several things, such as plagiarizing an essay, stealing answers or pulling up information during a quiz or test. Thirty percent of students said they believe there is an issue with cheating at school according to the Vanguard Review Dec. 2022 student poll. Most of the time kids cheat because they were unprepared and needed a good grade, teachers have said.

Senior Maheen Shah agreed and said she thinks it is a current issue.

“I think cheating is a current issue mostly because students come unprepared for quizzes or tests due to a busy schedule or just carelessness and their only resort is to cheat on their assignments,” Shah said. “Also, if a student does not understand a particular subject [then] that can be a motivator for cheating.”

Sophomore Caroline Rice agreed.

“I also think cheating is an issue everywhere because if kids can get away with it, they will do it,” Rice said.

Allman provided insight on the increased cases this year and some reasons as to why students end up cheating on assignments.

“This year, cheating has been on quizzes and exams,” Allman said. “Students who come before the HC usually explain their cheating as the result of procrastination in their preparation for the assignment or desperation to make a good grade.”

There may be certain short term benefits that might tempt students to cheat, but they can end up more harmful in the future, Rice said.

“I think cheating convinces people that it is OK to take shortcuts and not give the effort required for things, but later on in life they will learn the hard way that you can’t just take shortcuts,” Rice said. “If you want to be good at something and get hired for a job, you need to give 110 percent, not 50.”

Senior McKenna Lowrey said that there are few benefits to cheating and it is more harmful than helpful.

“[Short term harms can be] guilt and getting the answers wrong,” Lowrey said. “[Long term harms can be] you do not know the material and you probably will not be as motivated to actually learn it if you have successfully cheated in the past.”

AP European and Art History teacher Jen Ferretter shared some ways that she has tried to prevent cheating in her classroom.

“In an attempt to prevent cheating, I often give different quizzes to each class,” Ferretter said. “This is so that a morning class cannot tell an afternoon class what was on the morning quiz, therefore giving the afternoon class a lunch period in which they can do a pointed revision.”

Often, Ferretter said, she will even ask different questions.

“Also, I try really hard to ask questions that do not lend themselves to cheating — “thinking questions,” I call them. I try to ask questions — often essay questions — that require students to have a strong hold on the information covered and a deep understanding of the questions asked, questions that really don’t open themselves up easily for cheating.”

Allman explained why the Honor Council exists and why they take the measures they do.

“The Honor Council emphasizes that its task

“The hallway smelled unpleasant but you kind of just got used to it,” said freshman Landry Cole, whose locker is in the hot zone. “It smelled like someone had food in their locker and left it there. It also seemed like it spread down the hallway in Brown.”

Rumors began to surface that a single perishable item left in a locker was the culprit.

“I heard it was an old protein shake that someone had left in their locker,” Clark said.

That was true — and it quickly thrown away. But the smell returned shortly after. Then, a bag of old sweaty gym clothes was discovered in another locker.

English teacher Wendy Allman said that several students in the small hallway at the back of Brown were leaving food and drink on top of their lockers as well as inside, which assistant head of school Zach Seifert helped her clear out.

“With his height, Mr. Seifert was able to reach the back of the top of one locker and extracted a tightly-tied plastic bag that reeked with dirty clothes,” Allman said. “This sweat contributed to the odor, along with rotting food.”

The smell returned once again.

“It’s probably the people,” said freshman Alex Cleveland. “I mean with all the homework, if peo-

is to ensure fairness for all students,” Allman said. “This means cheating cannot be tolerated at Vanguard. When students offend, the HC wants to help offenders change their practices. Vanguard teachers are always ready to help students.”

Allman added that tutorials offer a perfect opportunity for one-on-one help.

“The HC stresses that the penalties for cheating or dishonesty rise in college — failing a course or expulsion — so students should learn good study habits and practice the three Rs [rigor, respect, responsibility] now,” Allman said. “Vanguard wants its students not only to be well-educated minds, but also virtuous citizens.”

Some students said that the severity of consequences should vary based on the assignment.

“I think they should fail the assignment they cheated on because they themselves did not do it,” said Rice. “If you cheat on a test you should also get some detention for your cheating, but on a homework assignment, maybe just fail the assignment.”

Shah said that she thinks the result of cheating should be a visit to the Honor Council and or talk to that teacher.

“I think they should be sent to the Honor Council or even have a meeting with the teacher about why they would resort to cheating,” Shah said.

Sophomore Ben Sheppard also believes there

Students crowd the freshman hallway near the back door of the Brown Building where an unpleasant odor has taken over. Despite the removal of an old protein shake and bag of sweaty clothing, the smell remains after all-out effort to get rid of it. Landri Wheeler / VR Staff

stop & Think. do Research. Consider others.

Religious tolerance just takes understanding

The line between cultural appropriation and appreciation is one of the most controversial topics of our generation, and the basis of that whole argument is religious respect.

Delaney Trepinski ‘23 editor-in-chief

It seems that this is still something that kids need help understanding because 17 percent of students feel like their religion is not respected, according to a December 2022 Vanguard Review poll. Whether intentional or unintentional, disrespecting someone’s religion can be more harmful than you might think.

“Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally,” as described by Greenheart.org, an organization whose mission is to connect people and their planet to create global leaders. “Appropriation on the other hand, is simply taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest.”

So for example, maybe someone wants to wear a religious item such as a kippah, a cloth cap tra-

ditionally worn by Jewish men, or hijab, which is a head covering worn by some Muslim women. What we should not do is refuse to get educated on the piece and the religion and only wear it because we think it’s “cool” and it “looks good on me.” What we should do is research the history of the attire and learn about the religion and then decide if it is appropriate for us to wear the item. It is all about intention, if you have the intention of ignorance you are going to end up appropriating but if you have the intention of learning you are most likely going to appreciate it.

Personally, I am what would be considered agnostic, but I come from a Christian family. Therefore I have had experience with learning how to respect others religions without being part of it and I will be the first to admit I struggled with it at first — and that is okay. Sometimes we are not taught what is respectful and what is not, so we have to educate each other to build a new generation that can coexist.

There are many ways we can practice respect in religion like …

Researching a religion before assuming a fact you see on the Internet is correct. Oftentimes the

If the shoe fits your personality, then wear it

Some people have found ways to customize their Converse and make them unique. Junior Mary Campbell’s are covered with fire and water designs on either shoe.

media exaggerates facts and events to entice the reader, so it is always a good idea to research statements we see online to back it up with reliable sources. This prevents any possible unintentional spreading of misinformation. The ongoing war for religious freedom in Afghanistan is a great example. Issues like these are complex and there is misinformation everywhere we look, so it is very important to fact check ourselves with sites that are credible.

Avoiding disrespectful Halloween costumes like priests, nuns and any other religiously affiliated people is another way to respect someone else’s religion. This past Halloween I saw one too many inappropriate costumes that were mocking religious figures. Most of these I saw on Tik Tok, but I know that the majority of my fellow students have the app and rely on it for entertainment. Someone’s religion is not a costume.

Avoiding negative comments towards someone’s religion is also important. Calling someone’s cultural clothing “weird” or saying their customs are “insane” or any other negative adjective is very insensitive and close-minded. If someone has

Things to Consider

December 2022 poll results are in!

Does the back hallway of Brown smell bad to you?

Yes 87.9% No 15%

What does the back hallway of Brown smell like?

Combo of garbage can or dumpster, body odor, a zoo, spoiled milk, and dead squirrel 67.2%

Has the odor in the back hallway of Brown improved since being addressed by administration?

Yes 48.4% No 51.6%

Do you think cheating is currently an issue at Vanguard?

Yes 30.2% No 69.8%

Do you feel pressure to share your homework if someone asks for it?

Yes 22.3% No 76.9%

Aria Cleveland ‘26 reporter

pounding pavement on campus this school year. They are made for style, not athletic performance or even foot comfort. But students say their Converse make them feel comfortable in lots of other ways.

“From what you might lose in arch support, you gain in alternative and indie style because as the 90s style thrust themselves into teen fashion, a nice pair of converse and a flannel will serve you until the end of time,” freshman Henry Swanson said.

Founded in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, the maker of winter shoes and boots, Converse switched to making military footwear during World War II and later became one of a very few U.S. athletic shoe manufacturers. In 2003, Converse was bought by Nike and its 2022 revenues were $2.3 billion, led by double-digit growth in its direct to consumer business, according to Nike’s fourth quarter fiscal report.

Converse are easily customizable thanks to the user-friendly interface of their website.

“Mine are Custom Chuck Taylor All-Star Lift platform canvas zebra print,” freshman Daisy Goodman said.

“I drew and colored on them over the last year and a half,” Campbell said.

Others prefer the undecorated and simple.

“I have black high-tops,” Swanson said. “In the modern day, the Converse gives off a very alternative vibe which, as someone who has a lot of niche tastes, I can greatly appreciate.”

It is easy to take pride in your Converse, junior Luke Williams said.

“I absolutely love my Converse shoes,” Williams said. “They are a shoe that promotes individuality, and they are able to be customized by each person that wears them … but the main reason I like them is [because] they’re comfy.”

Goodman agreed.

“I love the zebra print because no one else I know has it and I love how they make me feel tall,” Goodman said.

Advertising

Bylines

At the top of Vikings’ holiday playlist:

“All I Want for Christmas is You” — Mariah Carey

“Mistletoe” — Justin Bieber

“Last Christmas” — Wham

“White Christmas” — Bing Crosby “Let It Snow” — Michael Bublé

Who is your favorite reindeer?

Dasher 7.4%

Dancer 5%

Prancer 4.1%

Vixen 5.8%

Comet 10.7%

Cupid 8.3%

Donder 7.4%

Blitzen 16.5% Rudolph 34.7%

Mission Statement

and

Demographics

Whether intentional or unintentional, disrespecting someone’s religion can be more harmful than you might think.

activity, as well as any unethical or offensive ideologies will not be permitted to run in the paper.

From classic black Chuck Taylors to trendy Hello Kittys to Run Star Hikes, many pairs of Converse sneakers can be seen

Clockwise from top left: Luke Williams said he loves his basic black Chucks. Zebra print Chucks are freshman Daisy Goodman’s jam. Mary Campbell, junior, enhanced her Converse with personal art.

Student Spotlight:

Cooper Angele

Full speed ahead Ingenuitive Mechanical Patient

Landri Wheeler ‘24 assistant editor

Typically seen riding around campus in his cobalt blue 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, junior Cooper Angele has been working on and around cars throughout his teenage years.

“I have been working on cars and stuff like that for about four years now with my dad,” Angele said. “I always have the urge to take things apart and figure out how things work.”

Angele has had several projects but is currently involved with upgrading different aspects of his Jeep and some of these, he said, might be a little ambitious.

“I am currently very invested and focused on adding stuff to the Jeep I drive,” Angele said. “This is a long shot, but [I want to] add a turbo or two to it.”

Angele said that with an upgrade like that, he will also have to change other aspects of the vehicle.

“The thing is, when you add a turbo you have to also upgrade the engine to withstand the increase in power they provide,” Angele said. “Turbos use forced air induction to give the engine more power and speed.”

Angele said the overall cost of it all can be very hefty, especially for a 16-year-old who just likes to drive fast.

“Other things I want to do are a better sound system, new interior, a new exhaust so it sounds better, simple engine improvements especially because some of the parts are from 1997 still and just overall quality of life things,” Angele said.

Additionally he and his father have a go-cart that he will start making adjustments to, as well.

“I’m very excited about a go-cart my dad and I bought not too long ago,” Angele said. “I am cur-

rently waiting on the engine for my go-cart. It’s an engine out of a 4-wheeler that can go about 100 mph.”

He also shared some of the other things he enjoys and some projects he has previously worked on.

“In the past I have worked on little things like building cruising bikes with my dad, helping make trophies for an annual race event in Texas, and helping design custom knife handles out of obscure wood for some pocket knives my dad and I bought,” Angele said.

Angele has been around mechanics in different ways throughout his life, attending car shows and recognizing his respect for mechanics.

“Growing up going to car shows and being around vehicles like airplanes, cars and motorcycles for a lot of my life is what formed my appreciation for mechanics.”

Angele’s main mentor, when it comes to mechanics, is his dad, he said.

“He’s taught me everything I know and understand about mechanics and the way things work,” Angele said. “My dad has a very simple way of teaching: either you listen and ask questions when he’s done or you teach yourself. It’s a pretty even balance most of the time.”

Another person who has influenced Angele is his dad’s friend, Rudy Alberth.

“Another mentor is my dad’s best friend who does stuff with aviation,” Angele said. “Rudy has mentored me in many ways. The main one being that [patience] is a virtue. No matter how hard the things you [are] doing or working on are, just take your time and you [will] persevere.”

Taking Alberth’s advice, Angele said that people should be prepared to run into obstacles and to be patient.

“It just takes patience and a hard working attitude,” Angele said. “Just be prepared to get frustrated sometimes.”

Angele said has a lot of interest in physics and engineering.

“I have a lot of interest in the field of physics, mainly nuclear or astrophysics as well as nuclear engineering and aerospace engineering,” Angele said.

He explained his want for knowledge about how things work on Earth and in space.

“Something I always wonder about is how stuff in space works and [the] same with nuclear reactors,” Angele said. “That’s what inspired my interest in those fields. I don’t know how I’ll achieve it yet honestly.”

Angele said that while he does not see himself working on cars as his career, he would like to continue working on them and eventually build his dream car.

“I don’t plan on doing anything related to cars as a job,” Angele said, “but when I’m older, I [would] love to always be working on building my dream cars.”

Angele said he loves the look and style of the older luxury cars such as the Datsun 240z and the Lexus LS400.

“I just love the look of the Datsun,” Angele said. “It’s just an old touring car and the shape of the car is cool looking. They also have lots of different modifications you can do, from off road racing to street cruising. Now for the Lexus, it is a combo of many things. Mainly the square design and boxy look to the car. I love old, boxy, luxury cars. It’s also a car that you’d see an old person driving and I love the idea of modifying a grandma’s car.”

Teacher Spotlight:

Mirko Murillo

Bella Tonkin ‘24 reporter

Vanguard Review: What brought you to Vanguard?

Mirko Murillo: I am a former student that was inspired to teach from my time at Vanguard. Once I heard about the opportunity to come back and teach I made sure to jump on it and not let go.

VR: What is your favorite subject to teach?

MM: For me it would probably be either world history or civics because I enjoy going through the details about the importance of times long past and the different features of government and society.

VR: How has Vanguard changed since you were a student?

MM: Vanguard has gotten a lot bigger from when I was a student, but at the same time it also feels like the school community has gotten closer together as well.

VR: How has Vanguard stayed the same from when you were here?

MM: The dynamic and relationships between the teachers and students and between the different grade levels is something that reminds me of my time at Vanguard as a student.

VR: What do you do outside of school?

MM: I generally enjoy reading, watching history content (All Quiet on the Western Front on Netflix looks amazing), and I am a very avid board gamer as well.

VR: What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?

MM: The best Christmas gift I have received was probably my old dog Spurs that stayed with us for a long time before he went to live with my cousins near the end.

Above: On a fall afternoon, junior Cooper Angele fills up his totally customized cobalt blue 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Left: Angele said he is grateful for mechanical mentors like his dad (right) and family friend Rudy Alberth. Photos courtesy of Cooper Angele

History teacher Mirko Murillo, also an alum, said the relationships between the different grae levels is something that has not changed since he was in school. Bella Tonkin / VR staff

Your Locker: Get It Together!

Tips and tricks for locker organization and styling

By Delaney Trepinski and Landri Wheeler

FULLY CHARGED

Do you ever arrive at school and realize your phone or laptop has died? A portable charger would be a great addition to anyone’s locker. You can find these anywhere, starting around $15 on amazon. Portable chargers can fully charge your device while allowing you to do homework or research. They can be a small and easy way to charge up your device and continue on with your day.

AT YOUR DISPOSAL

The biggest issue most students run into is trash piling up in their lockers. An easy solution is a mini trash can that is at your disposal. These desk-sized trash cans are $13 for two, so you can share with a friend. At the end of each day or week, you can empty it out and avoid things unknowingly rotting or sitting in your locker.

BABY GOT SNACKS

Hunger can be extremely distracting. Most teachers do not allow students to eat in class, so having a basket of goodies is a great way to grab a snack and finish it before the bell. It is also a good way to squeeze breakfast into your schedule. Mornings can go quickly and eating breakfast is not always possible. Keeping cereal or granola bars in a snack bin solves this issue. Dollar Tree has all kinds of baskets for under $2 and you can pick your favorite snacks to fill it. Energy dense snacks, like trail mix and beef jerky, are solid examples. Just be sure to throw away all your trash in your mini trash can after you are finished or when the snacks hit their expiration date.

H

ave you ever opened your locker and been shocked to discover that it is a mess? You might be relieved to know that about 60 percent of your peers also share in that discovery, according to the Dec. 2022 Vanguard Review student poll.

When going from class to class, it can be hard to put up old materials neatly while trying to get to your next mod. Students get millions of handouts and many students revert to shoving papers in folders or binders. Or maybe the mess has even caused your locker — or the whole hallway — to smell. Keeping your locker organized can seem like a pointless task, but you would be surprised how it can affect your whole day and inspire productivity.

While in high school, you are being trained to take charge of your life. That means cleaning your room, getting ready and finishing your work. Having things in disarray can lead to people being anxious, according to a report by the Mayo Clinic. Not being able to find what you need while running to your next class can be stressful.

“I don’t like it messy,” said freshman Drew Howard, “It makes tasks more difficult.”

Ages 15 to 29 and 30 to 49 report the highest levels of stress, according to the American Institute of Stress. Keeping your locker organized is a step in making sure your environment is less stressful.

Howard said he thinks peoples’ lockers are messy simply because they are lazy.

“They accept average,” Howard said.

Freshman Melina Garman disagrees.

“I don’t think it’s laziness,” she said. “I think it’s the fact that there are no trash cans that are close to our lockers.”

Garman admits her locker is “a little messy.”

“I just put stuff in it because, again, there is no trash can in the hallway,” she said.

There are lots of locker accessories that can help you stay organized — and the Vanguard Review has rounded up a few of our favorites for you here. From lighting and snacks to air fresheners and even your own personal trash can, the best way to keep your locker organized it to personalize it for your needs.

But not everyone likes flounce and flair, especially guys, Howard said.

“Not a lot of guys have decorations,” Howard said. “Decorating is more of a feminine thing.”

Sometimes simplicity is key. If an empty locker is how you choose to personalize, then go for it. Just be sure to keep your space organized so that it does not become a burden to you or to others.

SAVED BY THE SMELL

When you open your locker, do you get the bland smell of papers or maybe some not too pleasant food or sweat odors?

A nice addition to fix up your locker would be a Yankee Fragrance Sphere. These come in a wide variety of scents, ranging from Juicy Citrus and Sea Salt to Clean Cotton. These can help keep your locker smelling fresh and clean without being overpowering. You can find them on Amazon for about $5-7 and they will last anywhere from 30 to 45 days. Once they are finished, you are left with a near empty container that can be thrown away. The Fragrance Spheres are an easy way to freshen up your space without spraying aerosols on fabrics and papers that will eventually produce a sour smell. This is a must have in your locker.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

S

tring lights are a fun way to brighten up your locker throughout the year. These can add a fun aspect to the typical sight or a boring locker. String lights can add a certain sparkle and can lighten up your day. You can find small wire lights starting around $7 on Amazon.

BY THE ... HOOK

S

ometimes useful items are not cute or trendy, like good old Command hooks. These are priced at $11 dollars for seven hooks on Amazon, but you can also grab them at HEB. Hooks can be used in many ways including hanging a jacket, holding your keys or a lunchbox and so much more. Throwing your bulky items in your locker can cause serious clogging and having a handy hook or two available minimizes that issue. These are also reusable, just put on a new Command strip and they are as good as new.

Have you ever gotten to school and realized you forgot to brush your hair or maybe forgot to put on deodorant? A way to always be prepared for school is to have a personal hygiene basket in your locker. You can keep some basic travel size essentials like a brush, deodorant, body spray, gum, hair ties, Clorox wipes and whatever else you want to include.

PERFECT VISION

Nothing is more inspiring than seeing a glimpse into your dream life. There are many ways to make a vision board. One example is buying a mini bulletin board. Amazon has a set of four adhesive bulletin board hexagons that you can get for $23 that comes with 40 push pins. You can print out photos that remind you of your ideal future endeavors and pin them onto your board and slowly build it up as you go. Adding college merchandise like flags to this board is helpful as well. Seeing your goals in front of you can help you stay motivated in your classes and keep your spirits up. Not to mention, it brightens up your locker and personalizes it to fit you.

Image by Freepik

Stockings, baby!

By Bella Tonkin

TAlthough Taylor Swift tickets, trendy clothes, and a new laptop might steal the show on Christmas morning, the humble stocking is still a favorite tradition that offers smaller, thoughtful and sometimes more personalized and practical gifts that last the whole year round.

“Opening stockings is kind of like a warm up to the big gifts,” said freshman Owen Peters. “We usually get stuff like candy and socks and things like that and I like it.”

More than 93 percent of students said stockings are a tradition in their family, according to the Dec. 2022 VR poll. And 74.2 percent of students said they open stockings before they go for the presents under the tree.

“I open stockings first,” said freshman Toni Mickleburgh.

The tradition of hanging stockings, some believe, came from the legend of a poor widower who had three daughters who needed to be married, but had no dowry. On Christmas Eve, Saint Nick was walking through the town where the man lived and heard people talking about the man. He decided to help by secretly dropping some gold coins down the chimney. The coins landed in some freshly-washed stockings that were hanging to dry — and there the tradition began.

In the classic 1823 story “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” the family’s stockings were hung by the fireplace “with care” while the kids dreamed of finding them filled with sugar plums the next morning. Back then, when fruits were harder to come by, things like oranges or plums were considered a big treat. It is also believed that the tradition of oranges represents the gold that Santa left in the three girls’ stockings.

“I’m hoping to get candy in my stocking this year,” said eighth grader Katie Claire Schornack.

Now other items, like clothes, self care products, tech accessories and gift cards are all items that can be found at the bottom of a stocking on Christmas morning.

“I love getting socks and shirts as a stocking stuffer as long as they are something fun,” senior Jackson Popejoy said.

The Vanguard Review put together a list of this season’s most wanted stocking stuffers — which also make great gifts for friends or a Secret Santa exchange.

Self care bears

Something that is guaranteed to be a useful gift is self care products. Although this may seem girly, it can come in handy for everyone. More than 11 percent of Vanguard students hope for self care products in their stockings, according to the Dec. 2022 Vanguard Review poll. One gift that someone will use every day is a perfume or a cologne. If you really know who you are shopping for — and know what scents they like — then that might be the perfect present. Another thing that has been popular among girls this year is lip masks. Because they come in small pots, they are nice stocking stuffers and help to hydrate the lips. Laneige, Ko Voss, Tatcha, and Ilia are all brands with great lip masks. One thing that guys may not put too much thought into is their hair, but a good shampoo and conditioner can take you so far. Hims, Evo, John Paul Mitchell and WOW are all great brands for all different hair types. An interesting gift you may not think of to get someone is a subscription. For any girls in your life, an Ipsy subscription would make them smile. Ipsy is a monthly subscription that sends you five or more makeup products that they think would fit your likes and needs, based on a quiz you take. For any guys, a good subscription is Harry’s. Harry’s is a monthly subscription that sends you razors and different shaving products like oils and balms.

Odds & ends

Accessories make every outfit even better — and they are also perfect stocking stuffers. Twenty-seven percent of Vanguard students said they are hoping for some sort of accessories in their stockings, according to the December 2022 Vanguard Review poll. Claw clips are the new trending way to put up your hair and they fit nicely in stockings. Amazon, Target and many local boutiques have huge selections of cute and unique clips that are perfect for all lengths and types of hair. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a gift for guys is probably not accessories, but an accessory that a lot of guys wear is hats. If you are trying to think of a gift to get for an avid hat wearer, then a good quality and cute hat is a great present. You could get a hat with their favorite sports team on it,

musician or even just their favorite color. Aritzia, Pangaia and New Era Cap Company are all popular and good quality cap brands. An oldie but a goodie that can be given to anyone is socks. Whether normal or fluffy, socks are useful and comfortable gifts. Nike, UGG and Barefoot Dreams have some of the best quality and comfiest socks.

Deck the halls

Decor may not be your first idea for a stocking stuffer, but it can make a fun and unique gift. Squishmallows are popular stuffed animals that are soft and adorable. The small ones make a perfect addition to any stuffed animal lover’s collection. They come in so many animal designs that are fitting for anyone on your Christmas shopping list. Another interesting gift idea is a tap lamp. These lamps come in a variety of shapes, ranging from stars and hearts to dinosaurs and bunnies — and are an amazing and adorable source of light to add to anyone’s bedside table. These lamps change colors every time you tap them and can be found on Amazon or even at Home Depot. Fun decor items can bring so much joy into a room and are fun for everyone.

Snack attack

Everyone knows the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Nearly 14 percent of students said they want candy and snacks in their stockings this year, according to the Dec. 2022 VR poll. Whether those snacks are sweet or savory is up to you, but here are some ideas. If the person you are buying for likes fruity candies, Nerds Clusters, Sweet Tart Ropes, Sour Patch Kids and Starbursts are all great options and a safe choice. If they prefer chocolate candies, Reese’s, Snickers, KitKat, or the original Hershey’s Bar are all good choices. They can also all be found in jumbo sizes that get up to five pounds, perfect for any chocolate lover’s stocking — if it fits. If you know someone who likes salty food, then a Christmas themed bucket of popcorn from Off the Cob here in Waco is a must. All of these items can be found locally which also makes them very convenient to get.

The Good Stuff

Laneige Lip

Mask

Leave-on lip sleeping mask made with shea butter, Vitamin C and coconut oil that offers ultra-hydrating and nourishing benefits for dry chapped lips. Find at www.us.laneige.com or sephora.com; $18.

Harry’s Shave Kit

Reusable razor handle, five blade razor cartridges, foaming shave gel, and a travel razor case is just the starter kit to this monthly subscription for guys. Learn more at www.harrys.com; $13

UGG Socks

The UGG cozy crew socks are soft knit socks perfect to wear with boots or any kind of shoes really. These socks come in three different colors. Find out more at www.ugg.com; $20

Aritzia Baseball Hats

Aritzia’s DAD CAP is the perfect baseball cap. This cotton cap comes in twenty one different colors and can be found at www.aritzia.com; $20

Squishmallows

Plush toys that offer comfort, support and warmth as friends, couch companions, bedtime buddies and travel teammates. To see them all, visit www.squishmallows.com; $19.99

Tap Lamp

Adorable silicone night lights that change colors when you give it a light tap. They are made of washable silicone that is soft to the touch. Learn more at www. homedepot.com; $19

The Ultimate Candy Kiss

It’s the chocolate lover’s dream come true: a whopping one-pound Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss that they can devour on their own or share with friends. It might not fit in the stocking, but it’s packaged in a cute box and is sure to give that chocolate fix. To order, go to shop. hersheys.com; $26.99

Off The Cob popcorn

This local popcorn place has 52 flavors of popcorn, ranging from sweet to savory. One of the most popular flavors is Waco Blend — a mix of butter, cheddar and caramel. Their sizes range from mini, which is three cups for $4.50, and medium, which is 26 cups for $16.75. Find out more 5301 Bosque Blvd. near Target.

Kickin’ it

Properly-fitted shoes are an essential for every sport — experts and Vikings share their best advice and favorite brands

Caro Williams ‘24 reporter

Footwork is the foundation of nearly all sports. Whether an athlete is running a long distance, jumping to make a goal or clear a hurdle, pivoting at the net or dribbling on the soccer field, their feet are essential to every movement. They ground us, propel us into action, help us come to a stop and absorb the shock that sports put on every athletes’ body. Healthy feet allow athletes to stay strong and move with ease. So, an athlete’s shoes are a big factor in staying competitive and also injury-free.

While many people have a tendency to gravitate to a pretty or trendy shoe, or what’s most popular, understanding your foot’s biomechanics — and what movement is required by your sport — is most important, according to Judy Warga, assistant store director at Waco Running Co.

“Running is a linear sport where you’re always moving forward,” Warga said. “Basketball, volleyball and tennis, for example, have more side-toside movement. That’s why you’ll often see those athletes with a higher ankle shoe or a base that is wider at the base to provide support for that motion.”

So a basketball shoe does not make a great running shoe and vice versa, Warga said. At Waco Running Co., the first thing they do to fit someone in a shoe is a gait analysis to determine their personal biomechanics. This tells a person what kind of shoe they need, based on the make up of their foot.

While the shoes have different aspects that make them essential to the game, most big brands offer specific shoes for each sport. This sparks a competition between brands. Nike is the favorite athletic shoe brand of 54.2 percent Vikings, according to the Dec. 2022 VR poll.

One sport that has specific features needed for the sport is soccer. There are a few different types of cleats, but this will mainly be focused on allground and firm ground cleats. There are different mainstream sports brands that sell cleats like Nike, Adidas, etc.

“My favorite soccer cleat brand is Nike,” said senior soccer team captain Ben Lho. “Most other shoes that you can buy can either fit weirdly or won’t feel quite right while I’m playing. For exam-

ple, I bought an off-brand cleat one time and there was one spot on my foot that kept cramping while I was playing, but I’ve never had that problem with Nike.”

There are a lot of factors that come into play when trying to optimize your skills with good shoes.

“There are no particular features I look for in a shoe other than looks and comfortability,” Lho said. “It is completely psychological, but if I’m playing in weirdly colored cleats, I feel as if I play noticeably worse.”

Overall, Nike is very popular for sports in general. Nike is the favorite athletic shoe brand of more than 50 percent of students, according to the VR poll. Like Lho, soccer sophomore soccer player Sejin Joo said he also prefers Nike.

“Nike is my favorite soccer cleat brand because it looks cool and has great designs too,” Joo said. “They make me run faster and they fit perfectly which helps me shoot the ball stronger.”

Even though the shoes may look cool, there are still other things to look for when choosing a shoe. When the sport is mainly centered around feet having more contact with the ball, you have to find the perfect shoe to show off your skills. Trying on and testing shoes usually helps you find the shoes you like and don’t like.

“When I am looking for a good shoe for athletics and soccer, I check the materials of the shoe,” Joo said. “I hated the Adidas shoes I tried on. They were very ugly. Honestly, I think the cleats should be what you like best. Whatever helps you play the best game you can while also looking good too.”

Joo also encourages people to come support the soccer team as they make their way through the season.

Another sport that requires quick sprints and quick movements is tennis. While tennis shoes might be basic, there are still things to look for when trying to optimize skill. Senior tennis captain

Another sport requiring quick footwork and running up and down the court is basketball. Basketball shoes have to be able to get you up and down the court fast without sliding. Varsity basketball player, junior Dion Moradi, said he prefers Nike basketball shoes.

“My favorite brand is Nike and the best pair of shoes that I have personally are my Paul George 6s,” Moradi said. “I like the shoe because it does not pick up dust easily so I am able to maintain a good grip on the court.”

Not only is it important to see how the shoes work on the court, but also to see how they correspond with your feet, legs and the muscles surrounding those areas.

“They also have a really good cushion throughout the shoe which puts less stress on your knees and ankles,” Moradi said. “I look for a lot of features in shoes descending on the sport, but in general I look for ankle support, grip, and comfort.”

McKenna Lowery wears K-Swiss.

“They give me great ankle support and traction,” Lowrey said, “but they’re also really maneuverable on the court.”

Some people have multiple brands that they can rely on to help them excel in their sports. Trying to find shoes that last and serve their intended purpose can be hard sometimes.

“My favorite tennis shoe brands are probably Prince and Babolat,” said tennis player and mixed doubles state tennis champion junior Karissa Kuhl. “The shoes I’ve had in the past have worn out quickly. Prince and Babolat serve me really well and don’t automatically deteriorate.”

Kuhl said she considers the price, color and past experience she has had with the brand.

“I’m really not picky about brands, as long as they’re comfortable,” Kuhl said. “Finding the right gear to play in and with is so important. I don’t particularly care about shoes, but rackets and grip I pay a lot of attention to. It matters to me and makes a difference in how I play.”

Athlete Spotlight: Natalia Martinez-Gil

Vanguard Review: Why do you like soccer?

Natalia Martinez-Gil: It’s part of my culture. In Spain, soccer is always the number one sport and ever since I was a child soccer has always been my favorite sport. It’s something that I really enjoy.

VR: How do you feel about this upcoming soccer season?

NM-G: I feel really good about it because we have a really strong team. Way more people are on the team this year which gives us more opportunities and more chances to win this year, go to playoffs and win playoffs.

Big brands including Nike sometimes feature professional players when making shoes for their brands. Naming a shoe or set of shoes after a professional athlete is good publicity for the brand. Even though the shoe may be supported by a professional player, that does not mean it will be the best shoe for you.

“I absolutely hated the Lebron soldier 12s,” Moradi said. “I hated them because they were very heavy and chunky, and had absolutely terrible grip.”

Senior basketball player Denton Reese said he also prefers Nike for basketball.

“My favorite basketball shoes are Nike — The Freak,” Reese said. “I find that Nikes have better grip so I don’t slip while trying to play defense. I like to make sure my basketball shoes are sticky and match my foot shape. I originally got Kyries but I didn’t like my Kyries because they slipped a lot.”

It’s hard to tell if a shoe is going to be good or bad by looking at it or just reading the name. Even if you try them on in the store, you don’t know how they are going to feel when you are on the court or on the field. That may be a reason why people gravitate towards widely known or professionally

Caro Williams ‘24 reporter

VR: What is your favorite thing about soccer?

NM-G: Definitely teamwork and getting to know everyone on the team. Making new friends, connecting with people and improving relationships with my teammates are all things I look forward to when the soccer season starts again. It’s really fun once you get to know everybody and it’s easier to enjoy the games when you have friends on the field. Teamwork, good relationships and good connections with all of your teammates definitely improves the game.

VR: What music gets you pumped and ready for the game?

NM-G: I listen to mostly Spanish music, like Bad Bunny. Any type of music that gives me energy. I

usually listen to Brazilian music with Sejin before the games. We even have a playlist with songs like “Ela É do Tipo” and “Parado no Bailão.”

VR: What do you think are some of your strengths on the soccer field?

NM-G: Motivating people to give and do their best. I also try to help people on the field [get into the] position that they should be in.

Motivating others is what soccer player Natalia Martinez-Gil says is her greatest strength on the field.

Caro Williams / VR staff

An athlete’s shoes are a big factor in staying competitive and injury-free. Left to right: Tennis player McKenna Lowrey prefers K-Swiss. Soccer player Ben Lho wears Nike cleats. Varsity basketball player Denton Reese wears Nikes. Caro Williams / VR staff

A big stink

continued from Page 1

ple sacrifice all their sleep, showers are next to go right?”

The odor is not a neglected problem and has been addressed by the administration several times this year through locker-to-locker searches for the source of the odor. Head of school Bill Borg told

Cheating

continued from Page 1

As of early December, the odor was still noticed by students and faculty alike.

“The day we came back from Thanksgiving break, I could still smell that something was not right,” journalism teacher Gretchen Eichenberg said. “When I walked in that morning I noticed a bad smell and a student even asked me if I smelled natural gas. We called the office and they came over to rule that out immediately, of course.”

More than 52 percent of students said the odor has not fully improved yet, according to the poll.

“It’s a lot better than it was,” said freshman Nelly Moradi, “but it still smells.”

should be varying consequences for homework versus tests.

“I think that homework should be one day and tests should be three days of lunch detention,” Sheppard said.

Some teachers do not allow students to work with each other on homework assignments and see it as plagiarism. More than 90 percent of students do not believe that working with other students on homework is cheating, according to the VR poll.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Waco, Texas Permit No. 1967

the Vanguard Review that measures had been taken to eliminate the odor, including locker searches, clean ups by the custodial staff and even a visit from an exterminator to see if animals were part of the problem.

While the exact cause of the smell has not been definitely determined, students can help eliminate some of the potential problems by clearing their lockers of perishable food and gym clothes, especially before weekends and holidays.

“I just keep my books and stuff in my locker and keep my lunch in my backpack,” Clark said.

Religious tolerance

continued from Page 2

questions about someone else’s religious principles, they should simply ask them about it or research it on their own. There are so many sites that provide accurate religious information, but the best source is someone who is actively practicing or a teacher in that area. Being curious is a great quality, and learning more is never a bad thing.

This is not to say that disagreeing with someone’s religion is bad. It is completely OK to disagree with other people’s religious principles, but approaching them in a hostile or rude way to discuss these contradictions is never okay. The dif-

Kickin’ it

named shoes. It’s easier to trust a shoe you have seen someone wear and excel in, but in the end everyone is different so you have to find a shoe that works well for you.

A wide variety of sports use running shoes, like track and cross country. Even though running may not be the main part of the sport, cardio exercising including running is very good for stamina. Track and field events also use running shoes or spikes for most of their sports. Sophomore Boyd Estepp said he has a go-to Nike shoe for shot put and discus.

“My favorite running athletic shoe brand is definitely Nike,” Estepp said. “It has a flat and hard bottom so that I can spin easier and quicker than I could with a normal running athletic shoe.”

Another not so mainstream sport is pole vault. Pole vault is part of the track and field sports category. Pole vault competitor and state champion junior Lily Martin also prefers Nike for her track

ference between having a mature discussion over a differing viewpoint and fighting over it is a question of respect.

A big role in respecting someone’s religion is approaching them without plans to change their minds about their own religion. Keeping an open mind is crucial when discussing any topic, especially one that is so self-defining. It is OK if people want to spread their religion and they should always be proud of it, but not everyone will want to be part of it. If a religion includes pressuring or guilt tripping others to join, it is probably being misinterpreted.

“If it is for a teacher who does not tolerate group work or sharing answers, I think it is cheating,” Rice said. “However, if the teacher says you can work together or double check, I think it is fine.”

According to the Vanguard Honor Council, the first time a student comes before the council, they are given a warning and then more consequences take place.

“The first time a student comes before the Hon-

or Council for a violation of one of the planks of the Honor Code — which all students sign as part of their enrollment packet — the student’s offense counts as a warning,” Allman said. “The warning is noted in the student’s file and destroyed upon the student’s graduation. If the student comes before HC again, the warning becomes a first offense. A second offense may entail serious consequences.”

According to the Allman, the best advice for these students is honesty.

“The best counsel for a student who has cheated is to be honest,” Allman said. “The HC takes note when a student confesses to wrongdoing or expresses remorse. Taking responsibility for one’s actions is an essential part of education.”

and field events.

“For pole vault, I use Nike Spikes,” Martin said. “I like them because they are tight and colorful. They also allow me to run faster and not slip on the runway. I like a pole vault shoe that fits like a sock and that is colorful.”

Nike seems to be the go to shoe brand for most Vanguard athletes. Even though its very popular amongst Vanguard students, there are still other options that might work better for other students. So, choose your athletic shoes wisely, Warga recommends.

“Not every shoe is the same,” Warga said. “Sometimes you get lucky. But if the shoe hurts, it’s because it does not fit your biomechanics. Usually the shoes you remember are the ones you hate.”

I struggled with understanding my family’s beliefs when I was young. I felt that what I believed had to be right because it is what I interpreted. Keep in mind I was also 14 at the time so, of course, I thought I was right. But what I had failed to realize is that it didn’t matter how I felt. It is not my religion. It is theirs. It is part of who they are, not me.

Now that I have realized that, I enjoy learning about my parent’s faith because I approach the conversations differently. Even when I disagree, I know it is part of who they are and so I will respect it. Since this is an opinion piece, there is one thing I think is the most important point of all so I will reiterate: it is okay to disagree with peoples beliefs. You should always try to respect others religions

but if it is causing you to hurt emotionally or you feel it is discriminating against you, it is okay to put your foot down and stand up for yourself. Just be educated, have courage and be kind.

Diversity is what makes the world so beautiful. Fighting it is only going to hurt us and the people around us. There are other ways to get our religious views out into the world that do not include trying to convert people who have already chosen their religion.

As Epictetus once said, which can translate to anyone’s ultimate goal: “All religions must be tolerated ... for every man must get to heaven in his own way.”

“It’s a lot better than it was, but it still smells.”

— Nelly Moradi, 26