Is Santa for real? | 2
Cinnamon, spice, nice | 6
Sweating it out | 7
Santa — or spirit of Santa — is alive and well in our hearts
Good smelling classrooms promote learning and good vibes
Stinky stuff and how Vikings come out smelling like roses
Vanguard College Preparatory School, 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710
n o i t i d E y Holida pic Takeovt toeyrou! Student Tows that means mos st: By reque
The ne
December 2021, Volume 49, Issue 3
The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication
Mightier than the marker
Confirmed: Shelley Johnson’s Apple Pencil is here to stay Isaac Saadi ‘22 editor-in-chief
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tudents are all too familiar with the agonizing scream of “poo-poo” or “oh poo” coming from one of department head Shelley Johnson’s math classes when her Apple Pencil dies, followed by the desperate attempts to bring it back to life by the sudden plug into her iPad. Recently, Johnson’s students have been hearing about a possible switch to the dry erase markers, which has left her students in disbelief. “I don’t want Mrs. Johnson to switch to dry erase markers because that would be too much writing for her and the Apple Pencil is part of the Algebra experience,” sophomore Elaina McCulloch said. Johnson quickly reassured students that the shift in math students’ learning experience will not occur. “I will never switch back to dry erase markers,” she said. The convenience, neatness and positive impact on students are at the forefront of the decision to keep the Apple Pencil.
“I can write neatly and in a more precise, organized manner,” Johnson said. “The main reason I love using it is because I don’t have to turn my back to my students during a lesson. I can see their faces and expressions. This allows me to see if a student is struggling with understanding a concept or not. I can also record my lesson which is not as easily done using a white board.” Algebra II student Danae Simmons, sophomore, agreed with the positive impacts of the Apple Pencil. “It definitely enhances my learning and helps me learn better,” she said. “Dry erase markers are not as fun. Also, they are harder to erase, while the Apple Pencil is easy to erase and faster.” But Johnson sometimes faces struggles with the learning tool. “The only downsides would be having to charge it and keep up with it on my sometimes-notso-tidy desk,” she said. Still, there will be instances where dry-erase
Testing the waters Delaney Trepinski ‘23 assistant editor
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In response to survey: Stories about “students’ cats”
Continued on page 8
When it comes to hydration, Vikings have preferred water filing stations, based on taste, fluidity and location ikings are all about staying hydrated. They can be seen between classes — and also during class — toting around their brightly colored reusable water bottles which are often decorated in their own personal styles. To keep them filled, students have a choice of four water filling stations located around campus. Many students have even picked a favorite fountain because some are more efficient at dispensing water, some are cleaner than others, some water tastes better than others, some are newer and some are more conveniently located. Bostick is the preferred water fountain for more than 56 percent of students, according to a Nov. 2021 Vanguard Review poll. The Bostick fountains include: one refilling station, and two standard fountains. Although it is crowded during lunch and break, many students go from building to building simply to get this fountain’s water. “I think the one in Bostick is the best because it is the closest to everything and it is cold,” said freshman Katie Leigh Livesay. Sophomore, Maggie Winarick agreed. “I like the Bostick water fountain the best,” she said. “The water is always nice and cool.” Winarick gives many reasons why Bostick is her preference. “Each water fountain has a different taste and to me Bostick’s is the best,” she said. “Also, it is the one that I pass by the most often during the
really
Vikings like cats
school day.” Although Bostick seems to take the lead, not all students agree. Eighth grader William Lindsey offers a different opinion with his bold statement about his preferred water station, the sink in science teacher Jacob Lefebvre’s classroom. “[I think] Coach Lefebvre’s room [is the best],” he said, “because I get to talk to Mr. Lefebvre while using it.” More than 25 percent of students agree with him, according to the poll. Although not considered a fountain, Lefebvre’s sink is a hot spot for many students, even though there is also a water bottle refilling station and fountain right down the hall by the bathrooms in Mayborn. Junior Jake Willeford agreed. “The best water fountain is definitely Coach Lefebvre’s sink,” he said. “Honestly. [I] use that one the most.” Although when it comes to the fastest fountain, Willeford said, Jaworski wins. “The one in Jaworski [is the fastest],” he said. “Nobody uses it so you don’t have to wait in a line.” Sophomore AJ Cooper agreed. “The one in Jaworski is cold and it is fast,” Cooper said. On the other hand, some students feel strongly about what they consider to be the bad water fountains around the school. Continued on page 8
Clockwise from top left: Pippy, Marshall Wray’s cat, chills out in his little bed. Catching the view from a haystack, Story and Wrenfield, Naomi West’s cats, are always on the prowl. Dressed in formal black and white, Sammy Davis and Frank Sinatra, cuddle with their owner Michael Bennett. Stephanie Benger’s cat Meow Meow is “the best creature,” she said. Benger’s cat Rocky rests on a bench and then becomes a super-long cat. Looking majestic, Courtney Wiethorn’s cat Crystal fluffs her tail out. Photos from students
Brooke Jolliff ‘22 reporter
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ats: People either love them or hate them. Cats are cuddly, fuzzy, funny, mischievous, and silly. They hide and sneak around the house and also make their presence known. There is never a dull moment around a cat. They are always running around, knocking things over, and leaving dead things on our doorsteps. And Vikings are plenty enthusiastic about their furry friends. More than 44 percent of students said they have a cat, according to the VR Nov. student poll. In response to a survey about what students want to read about in the newspaper, here are a few stories about Vikings and their cats. Sophomore Michael Bennett has four pet cats. Their names are Fathead, Sasha, Sammy Davis, and Frank Sinatra. The family rescued Fathead as a grown cat, and Sammy and Frankie were rescued as well. Bennett has had Sasha since she was a kitten. “Fathead has a very big head,” Bennett said. “That’s why we named him fathead. While he and Sasha were fighting, he lowered his head and rammed her with it.” Bennett said Fathead is also pretty fat, while the rest of his cats are slim. “Although Fathead still isn’t as fat as a lot of the cats I’ve seen,” he said. Crystal, Amir and Oreo are senior Courtney Wiethorn’s three kitty friends. Crystal is a majestic, fluffy white cat with bright green eyes. “We got Oreo from a friend and Amir was born on our farm on Valentine’s Day a few years ago,” she said. “Crystal was a gift from my grandma.”
Wiethorn said she does not have too many funny cat stories, but they sometimes bring us dead snakes and rats and leave them at the doorstep. Stephanie Benger, junior, also has four cats: Bread, Rocky, Lady and the cat she considers her personal child, Meow Meow. “All of my cats were strays besides Lady who was in the shelter,” she said. “Also Rocky followed me home because I had a lollipop.” Benger’s cats provide hours of entertainment. “When my cats were doing catnip, Meow Meow bit Lady’s butt to get her to move,” she said. “I would consider Lady to be obese.” Marshall Wray, sophomore, only has two cats. He has an older female named Zippy and a younger male named Pippy, both of which are “decently bulky,” Wray said. “They also have pronounced primordial pouches so that makes them look even larger,” he said. Both of Wray’s cats are strays. “Zippy was found in a construction site,” he said. “I honestly can’t remember where Pippy is from.” Pippy, Wray said, is capable of leaping tall shelves in a single bound. “We have a shelf in our living room that’s 7 or 8 feet tall,” he said. “One day, we found Pippy on top of the shelf. We still don’t know how he did it.” Senior Naomi West has two cats, Stormy and Wrenfield. West said she had always wanted a cat and then received one through faith.
Continued on page 8
2 opinion
The Vanguard Review December 5, 2021
Santa is not coming to town
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anta Claus is coming to town. The tired phrase that masks our greedy desires during the holiday seasons behind the jolly, corporeal representation of Turkish bishop, Saint Isaac Saadi ‘22 Nicholas of Myra. Followeditor-in-chief ing western tradition, Saint Nicholas was white-washed and utilized as a parenting tool as the winter winds leave millions of kids who struggle with seasonal depression in contempt. Perhaps the line between reality and our desire to seek a power higher than ourselves in favor of receiving meaningless gifts has become less eloquent. It’s time to face reality: the physical embodiment of Santa has caused nothing but harm to society. It’s time to focus on the spiritual embodiment of Santa’s teachings. To contextualize, Santa was real. Saint Nicholas of Myra was known for his compassion and devotion to helping the poor during the Roman Empire — now in present-day Turkey. Saint Nicholas’ selflessness was placed on a global scale and he was
Things to
declared the patron saint of Russia and Greece. His not too late to change it. influence carried over to what we know as Santa The holiday season should be defined by joy, Claus: the figure to blame when our families’ in- not materialism. Instead, let’s learn from Santa and come doesn’t match our desires. Morally, I’d say take his teachings to heart by making active efforts we’ve strayed away from the true teaching of Santa, towards inclusivity, help out those less fortunate making his presence and teachings obsolete. than us by volunteering our time, donating what we Our tendencies towards compassion are what can and putting forth a good spirit towards strangers define Santa, not his physical presence. At that amidst the inequality present in society and even the point, there is no need for him to exist if society is greater Waco community. embodying the true meaning of the holidays that It is at this point we can truly embody Santa’s have fallen victim to It’s time to face reality: The physical teachings that we have capitalist exploitaneglected for so long. embodiment of Santa has caused nothtion (and might It is the good spirI say, Starbucks’ ing but harm to society. It’s time to its from our communinon-dairy seasonal focus on the spiritual embodiment of ty that bring Santa to drinks are awful this Santa’s teachings. life. year). If we are mature A December 2006 study by the American Psy- enough to ask ourselves if it is feasible for somechological Association found that 38 percent of one to travel approximately 1,300 miles around the Americans feel heightened feelings of stress with world and experience acceleration 1.8 billion times the leading causes being lack of time, money and greater than the earth’s gravity without going up in consumerism. flames, we should embody the principles of kindNeedless to say, Christmas, Santa’s holiday, has ness that Saint Nicholas set for us and be good to fueled our greed in the modern age. Santa would one another. have not wanted this reality to carry out. But, it’s
Yes Vikings, there is a Santa Claus
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reindeer. That’s pretty magical. But he looked human. There is even evidence. Scientists found his bones in Bari and put them together to depict a rough sketch of his appearance. They believed he had a short, wide face with wide cheekbones, a broad forehead and a slightly jutting chin. He had a medium width nose with evidence Hope Hamblin and signs of a fracture, according to BBC news. reporter On December 24, 1968, Christmas Eve, the astronauts on Apollo 8 became the first humans to Santa was real. “He exists as certainly as love and generosi- orbit another planet. On Christmas morning, the day ty and devotion exist ... How dreary would be the of their return to Earth, astronaut Jim Lovell radioed world if there were no Santa Claus,” the response back to mission control: “Roger, please be informed there is a Santa Claus.” If NASA said it, there’s no letter read. It’s been a long-debated topic on whether the way it’s a lie. Although jolly old man with some argue a white beard, red If the elves were not around to help Santa cheeks and red, fuzzy listen for what you want, why does Santa al- that it would suit is real — or if he ways get you exactly what you want? I mean, be impossible for Santa to is a myth. Obviously, he always knows what you’re wanting which deliver preshe is real. But maybe is why you get it. ents to every he’s not human. Saint Nicholas, however, was a real person. He household in the world in one night, they are wrong. was a bishop who lived in the third century and was It is all made possible with the time zones and travborn in what is now modern-day Turkey. Now, we eling so fast in his sleigh with reindeer. The time is all know it’s impossible for humans to live that long, different throughout the world. So when he finishes so maybe Santa is not of this world. No human I with one area of the world, when he moves on to the know has that much compassion and is that com- next it could be an entirely different time there. With all of the work he does all year getting pletely selfless. Also, he flies in a sleigh pulled by
ready for Christmas, he burns off all the calories and loses the weight he gains from eating all the cookies and drinking all the milk. Imagine being so impressive that people think your accomplishments are super-human and keep trying to prove that you’re not real. Just because he can do the unthinkable does not mean he is not real. You just have to have faith and believe. That’s the fun in it all. The infamous “Elf on the Shelf” that we see all over stores during the holidays actually report back to Santa while we’re asleep. Why else would we buy them? Our parents wouldn’t buy them just to have to sit on a shelf and stare at us all day if they didn’t serve some sort of purpose. I mean let’s be honest, they’re creepy. No sane parent would want a creepy useless doll to sit around their house watching them. But since they serve a meaningful purpose, it’s OK. If the elves were not around to help Santa listen for what you want, why does Santa always get you exactly what you want? I mean, he always knows what it is you’re wanting which is why you get it. And who would make up a lie about a sweet innocent man who just wants to make the world happy and spread Christmas cheer? As the Sun editor so perfectly stated in his closing to that little girls over 100 years ago: “A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”
ometimes the most real things in the world are the things we cannot see. That’s what the editor of New York’s Sun wrote in 1897 in re‘25 sponse to a letter from a little girl named Virginia — writing in to ask if
Quotes we love
“Journalism is the first rough draft of history.”
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— Phillip L. Graham
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of the truth upon them.”
—Ida B. Wells
The VR staff
Our Policies Editorials & Content The editorial board, comprised of newspaper staff members, determines by consensus the content of the paper. The Vanguard Review staff has elected to use this editorial policy to govern the activity of the paper throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We reserve the right to refuse any content. No offensive material will be permitted to print, and submissions may be edited for grammatical purposes.
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The Vanguard Review prints 300 copies of each issue. The paper is made available to students and faculty at several locations across campus. The paper is sent through the mail to individuals, including parents and alumni, on the official VCPS mailing list. It is also available online.
Consider
December 2021 poll results are in! Which school water filling station is the best? Bostick 55.9% Mr. Lefebvre’s sink 25.7% Jaworski 11.2% Gym 5.3% Mayorn 2% Do you have a cat? Yes No
44.9% 55.1%
Do you believe in Santa? Yes 26.1% No 73.9% Which teacher’s classroom smells the best? Mr. Lefebvre 33.6% Sen. Lopez 24.5% Mrs. Johnson 21.7% Ms. Cole 20.3% Does a good-smelling classroom enhance your ability to work and learn? Yes 76.9% No 23.1% How important is it to you to stay informed about current events? Very important 37.6% Somewhat important 47.4% Not important 15% How much do you think world events - political, social, health, etc, - affect you? A lot 27.3% Some 61.4% Not at all 11.4% Are you interested in hearing your peers’ views on current events and issues? Yes 70.2% No 29.8%
The above results reflect the VCPS student body of 243 students. Polls were distributed electronically through Google Forms. Number of responses: 158
The Vanguard Review Volume 49, Issue 3, December 5, 2021 The Vanguard College Preparatory School Student Newspaper 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710 vanguard_review@vanguard.org (254) 772-8111
Staff
Isaac Saadi editor-in-chief Delaney Trepinski assistant editor Brooke Jolliff senior reporter Landri Wheeler reporter & business manager Hope Hamblin reporter & business manager Gretchen Eichenberg adviser
Mission Statement It is our mission to be the voice of the students of Vanguard College Preparatory School. We will endeavor in our roles as journalists to create a paper that students can read to be educated and informed.
Demographics Vanguard College Preparatory School has a total population of 251: 219 students and 32 faculty members.
people
The Vanguard Review December 5, 2021
Student Spotlight:
Admin Spotlight:
Age 1
Head of School
Santa Borg
Guinevere
New dragon on the block
Head of school Bill Borg said he gets up at 5 a.m. on Christmas morning, before everyone else. Photo by Hope Hamblin/ Vanguard Review staff
Delaney Trepinski ‘23 assistant editor
Gwinny captures students’ hearts Hope Hamblin ‘25 reporter
You’re sitting in biology class, listening to a lecture on species interactions. Suddenly, you feel a set of beady eyes staring, burning holes in your back. You turn around at your desk and come faceto-face with a large, scaly, spiky lizard-looking creature looking right at you. It’s quiet, yet inquisitive. Not scary. It doesn’t cause any kind of disturbance, except an occasional rustling around in its terrarium, which sometimes makes the entire class turn around in their seats. If you take one of Lee Kuhl’s classes, you’ve no doubt met Guinevere or Gwinny, for short. The beloved one-year-old bearded dragon was donated by a close friend of Kuhl. Kuhl said he enjoys reading modern literary fantasy and Arthurian legends, so he wanted to choose a name that was relative to his love of reading. He wanted something suggestive of a regal and self important character. “I thought Guinevere fit,” he said. “I could have just as easily named her from a more modern fantasy work, but I wanted to refrain from naming her something that sounded made up.” Despite having an official name set in stone, Guinevere still gets called many different names, including Gertrude, Gerald, Fred and even Fredswa. “For those who want to call her ‘Fred,’ this is a common short, familiar and friendly name,” Kuhl said. “There are those who are leaning towards Francois. I believe they want a sophisticated sounding name but one that still leans towards the familiar.” Kuhl has assured his students that the creature’s name is most definitely Guinevere.
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Vanguard Review: What is your favorite holiday and holiday treat? Bill Borg Christmas and sugar cookies. VR: If you could have only one holiday food for the rest of your life what would it be? BB: Turkey. Lee Kuhl lets the dragon sit on his shoulder as he feeds her worms for lunch. Portrait by Hope Hamblin / Vanguard Review staff
“The students are choosing other names since they all want to take some ownership and names are a huge part of that. What we call people, pets and things often define our internal image of them.” And some kids cannot help but call her what they want. “I love Gertrude,” senior Courtney Wiethorn said. “We always go look at her at the beginning of class. It’s cool to have a class pet.” But he hopes Guinevere eventually sticks. “All of the “G” names stemmed from either the original few days when we were still floating different names around,” Kuhl said, “or a misremembering of Guinevere.” Bearded dragons or Pogona vitticeps, are the most common reptile household pets in America according to an article in National Geographic. They are popular because they are known for being gentle and calm, while still remaining active. Native to Australia, bearded dragons live in woodlands, savannahs and coastal dunes and they can be seen catching some sun on tree stumps, branches or rocky ledges. Her terrarium in the classroom at school has a log for her to sit on, a small bowl for food, and a hammock-like net so she can be lazy and bask in the light which is, essentially, her sun. Bearded dragons gain a lot of attention for actually looking like a dragon, including spiky scales under the chin that look like a beard and which puff up for different reasons. When alarmed, they puff out their throat and keep their head high to appear intimidating to the threat. Although they might ap-
pear scary or intimidating at first, they are known for being friendly. Despite their intimidating appearance, their sweet personalities is what makes bearded dragons the perfect fit for a classroom pet. “I love having Gertrude in the classroom because I love her scales and her tail,” said freshman Zara Diaz. “I love the way her scales shimmer in the sun. Her tail is long and luscious. I hope Mr. K will one day let us hold her. He’s only let me pet her so far. She is the best.” An omnivore, the bearded dragon has a large variety for a diet including fruits, bugs and leaves, according to Nat Geo. It will occasionally eat a small rodent or other small lizards. “Guinevere is lazy until feeding time, and slightly demanding when she wants out of her case or to be held,” Kuhl said. “She never bites and is extremely calm unless there is a meal involved.” Freshman Libby Attas said she enjoys observing Guinevere’s feeding time. “Sometimes Mr. Kuhl takes her out and feeds her and it’s really interesting to watch,” Attas said. “She eats cockroaches and worms. She kind of just looks at the prey and then eats it.” Guinevere is a social reptile and likes being out of her terrarium, Kuhl said. After a couple weeks of taking her sweet time, she finally started to get more comfortable and become more active. “After waiting and waiting, she finally moved as soon as we walked in the classroom and rushed over to her cage,” senior Brooke Jolliff said. Kuhl said he takes her home on the weekends and over holidays to assure she does not get lonely.
VR: What do you want for Christmas and the what is the best gift you’ve ever received? BB: DeWalt battery-powered tools; almost complete set of Dewalt battery tools. VR: What is your favorite holiday scent? BB: Anything [with] holiday baking scents. VR: What is your New Year’s resolution? BB: Always the same...to make a difference. VR: What is your favorite Christmas movie? BB: “Home Alone.” VR: What is your favorite Christmas tradition? BB: Decorating the tree. VR: What are you most thankful for? BB: Family. VR: Favorite Christmas song or carol: BB: “Oh Holy Night.” VR: What time do you get up on Christmas morning? BB: 5 a.m. before everyone else. VR: What are your hopes for Vanguard students as we go into finals and the holidays? BB: Great success. Take time to relax and enjoy your days off and come back energized and ready to go. VR: What do you hope for the world? BB: Willingness to be accepting of peoples’ differences.
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THAT’S NEWS TO ME How newspapers protect democracy by making all voices heard on the events and issues that impact peoples’ lives By Vanguard Review staff
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rom the COVID-19 pandemic to police brutality and social unrest to the rising national debt, news can be scary. It can be heart wrenching and depressing. It can also be interesting, informative and even entertaining. But the main purpose of news — and news reporting — is to keep people informed of the ever-changing events, issues and people in the world, according to the American Press Institute (API), an organization that studies the news industry. Providing citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies and their governments is the purpose of journalism, according to the API. Newspapers cover new laws that have been put in place, the impacts of mask and vaccine mandates and ways to solve the national debt so that readers can have the most up-to-date facts and be able to make informed decisions about the things that affect them, their families and friends. Journalists are the professionals who cover these stories for news outlets, like newspapers. They are trained in gathering news and information and turning it into stories that inform readers about the events and issues in their school, community and the world. Even though some things that are going on in the world are unpleasant and even uncomfortable, journalists have an obligation to report these things and make readers aware. As the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics states, a journalist must “seek the truth and report it.” They do this by asking questions. Some students have expressed dissatisfaction in the types of stories covered by Vanguard Review reporters, saying they are “too political” and “controversial.” Others have complained about the monthly student poll, which is used to gather information about the views of the student body, saying the questions are “too personal” or “very one-sided.” Newspapers play a vital role in a democratic society. A democracy is run by the people — and educated people are what makes a democracy work. A newspaper that is free from government control is one of the most important tools in keeping society educated and informed. While we may not like many of the events going on in the world, they are, in fact, happening. They are happening around you and sometimes to you. It’s important to know about them — and a credible news source is a person’s best opportunity to know what’s up. That’s why the Vanguard Review — a consistently award-winning academic newspaper — is dedicated to bringing the news to its student readers.
COVERING ALL SIDES OF A STORY IS KEY
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ncluding both sides of the story is one of the most important components of writing a good article. Everyone — even journalists — have personal biases and need outside opinions to help strengthen their points, according to J.B. Smith, managing editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald. More than 70 percent of students said they care about hearing their peer opinions on news topics, according to the November 2021 Vanguard Review student poll. Including outside sources in an article helps bring a point across, Smith said. “Good journalists can never be satisfied with one point of view because no human being has all the truth,” Smith said. “We all come with biases and filters.” To present just one side of a story is to not tell the full story. Readers need to be able to form their own opinion from an article instead of being told what to believe. It is important to include multiple sources when building a story to strengthen the points that are covered. “As a rule, at least two sources on any story,” Smith said. “The reason is to correct for human bias and to tell a complete story.” Smith explained that it is also important to get a response from the main subject of a story. “Certainly if anyone is accused of something or put in a bad light you want to get their response,” he said.
“Beyond the rule, it’s important to choose your additional sources carefully.” It can be challenging to cover all of the aspects of a news article. Some stories have more than two sides and others even have just one. “It’s a commonplace to say, ‘Tell both sides of every story,’ but that’s simplistic,” Smith said. “Not every story has two sides. Some have one side. The Holocaust really did happen, even if some people doubt it. Some stories have multiple sides or interpretations, not just two. Establishing which viewpoints should be considered is part of the gatekeeping role of a traditional news organization, and it’s a matter of judgment,” Smith said. Another difficult task in creating a story is finding the right and credible source. “A good question is: Are we only talking to people in power? Are we only interviewing middle-class white males? Whose voice is being left out,” Smith said. “For example, if we have realtors and business boosters talking about how great the town’s growth is, are we also getting the perspective of workers who are facing higher housing costs without wage increases?” Smith added that there is no formula, only a principle journalists try to get a diversity of perspectives, and an understanding that they will never be perfect at it. — Landri Wheeler, Reporter
More than 70% of students said they are interested in hearing their peers’ views on current events and issues.
— VR Nov. 2021 poll
Only 37.6% of students said staying informed about current events is “very important” to them. — VR Nov. 2021 poll
SOCIAL MEDIA NOT NECESSARILY NEWS
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taying informed about current events is very important, especially as young readers consider the adult they would like to become, according to Emily Iaszzetti, lecturer in the Baylor School of Journalism and former KWTX reporter. But the lines are blurred by “news” that is broadcast by celebrities and influencers via TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. “Journalists can remind us about how big the world is by sharing information about things happening in other countries, but they can also make the world smaller by connecting those issues to us,” Iazzetti said. Social media news does not always present the truth, and even if it does, it could only be part of the truth. Social media often frames celebrities differently from who they are, whether their physical appearance or an incident that happened to them. News shared by celebrities and influencers on their social media may be altered to fit their personal narritive or agenda. This can make a person or incident appear worse — or better — than it actually is. There is also a risk of only hearing part of the story, as opposed to giving the complete unbiased truth, when trusting a non-news source. Nearly 60 percent of students use some sort of social media for their news source, according to a Nov. 2021 VR poll. Yet only 12 percent said they actually trust what celebrities and influencers say. Tuning into your local tv news station or picking up
a newspaper is always the safest option. But if social media news is a must, it is important to be able to recognize the truth from the unsubstantiated information or someone’s opinion. The source of the information used is usually the quickest and easiest way to determine the credibility of the story. “An article that only has anonymous or unnamed sources or only has one source is typically a big red flag for me,” Iazzetti said. If a source is known for stretching the truth or stating flat out lies, they probably should not be trusted. “If you have a friend who exaggerates every story they tell you, you will likely not trust that friend as much, and would probably find yourself asking a second friend if the story you just heard about what happened in math class is true,” Iazzetti said. “News sources are the same. We want our news sources to be our most reliable friends.” News stories might not always be pleasing to hear, but they are typically informative. Tragic things happen every day in the world but citizens must stay informed. Staying informed can protect readers from potential threats and help them to be aware of the issues. Social media may be the most convenient way to access news, but there are risks. For the most accurate information, check credibility and use sources with strong reputations.
“Many students may be able to vote their senior year, so making informed judgments is crucial.”
— Ken Sury, community editor, Waco Tribune-Herald
BOUND BY A DUTY TO INFORM
— Hope Hamblin, Reporter
Nearly 60 percent of students use some sort of social media for their news source, yet only 12 percent said they actually trust what celebrities say. ”
- VR Nov. 2021 poll
FACT VS. OPINION
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ften, readers are faced with mixed messages and the blurring of the lines between news and commentary, leaving them to discern what is the difference between fact and opinion. A fundamental problem readers face when getting information is mistaking opinions for facts, which can deprive them of crucial knowledge before making everyday or big decisions in their lives and communities. Tommy Witherspoon, long-time staff writer at the Waco Tribune-Herald, weighs in on the importance of Gen-Z getting information from credible, objective news sources. “Most newspapers and major television stations try to maintain objectivity, fairness and balance in their stories,” he said. “It is important that stories, if possible, tell more than just one side of the story. They seek out multiple sources with different perspectives on the topic.” He added that young readers must be willing to go beyond just reading or scanning the headlines and dig deeper into stories to get the complete picture about what is happening in the world. “If young readers just get their news from scanning Twitter, Snapchat or Discord, then they won’t get a thorough, balanced or realistic view of the important news events of the day,” he said. The Poynter Institute, a leading global journalism school and research organization, offers the following guide for distinguishing between news and opinion: News articles and reports contain a variety of viewpoints and do not advocate for one particular view point. They contain observable and verifiable facts and
are typically written in the third person. When opinions are expressed in a news story, they are attributed to a source and are included as direct quotations, using terms like “he said” and “she said.” Opinion pieces promote a single viewpoint and may be written in the first person, as they are often one person’s perspective. They are often written in a more conversational tone and may include anecdotes and personal experiences of the writer. Opinion pieces should be — but are not always — labeled as “Opinion,” “Editorial,” “Review” or “Analysis.” Witherspoon talked about the insight readers can gain from news stories. “Reading legitimate news sources gives one a better world view and helps one understand the complexities and rapid changes of the world in which we live,” he said. “With the internet such as it is, we have become world citizens now, with news arriving from around the world with a few keystrokes.” He stressed the importance of the diversity of thought present in opinion pieces. “I think it is important to read opinion pieces, including those you might not necessarily agree with, to gain new insights and motivate one’s critical thinking,” Witherspoon said. “Who knows? You might even change your mind about something. A well-written opinion piece can change minds, or at least open one’s mind to the possibilities that we can have an honest, intellectual discussion about things without being divisive or calling those with opposing views hateful names.” — Isaac Saadi, Editor-in-Chief
News stories contain a variety of viewpoints and contain observable and verifiable facts.
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— Poynter Institute
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ournalists have an obligation to present all the news as it unfolds. They enjoy throwing in some fun stuff, but if they just write about cats, water fountains and Santa, they will have cheated readers —even high school readers — out of valuable information that could change their lives or help them make important personal decisions. Readers have the right not to read the newspaper and not to answer questions or be part of newspaper stories. But then, they are cheating themselves out of being informed students and community members — and knowing the truth about what is going on in the world around them. Ken Sury, community editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and editor of Waco Today, said providing readers the truth is the focal point of newspapers and the job of journalists. “Giving readers the truth with balanced reporting should always be the focus of their work,” Sury said. “It is crucial to get to the heart of each story without sensationalism.” A journalist should provide all the information a reader needs to understand a story and how it could affect them, he said. A common misunderstanding in high school journalism is that students should not be covering intense subjects, like abortion, the national debt and presidential campaigns. Sury elaborates on why that is not true. “While the focus of [student] reporting might differ a bit, the ability to provide accurate and balanced information is critical at any level,” he said. “Asking questions to get to the truth and reporting it is essential whether or not you’re a professional.” Many students often wonder why knowing what is going on in the world around them is important at such a young age. “High school helps prepare students to navigate adulthood,” Sury said. “Being informed about what’s happening in the world and closer to home, as well as how it can affect their lives, is a necessary part of being an adult.” In America, citizens become influential and take on certain responsibilities at a young age, making their knowledge and understanding of issues very important. At 16, they can drive. At 18, they can vote. “Many students may be able to vote their senior year, so making informed judgments is crucial,” Sury said. So when readers get frustrated at the information in a newspaper, it isn’t the journalists they are upset with, it’s the world. A journalist’s job is to inform the people around them about what is happening and how it will affect them in the future or in the present. Whether it is read about or not, it’s happening. — Delaney Trepinski, Assistant Editor
Only 27.3% of students said they think world events (political, social, health ) affect them “a lot.” More than 61% said they think word events affect them “some.” — VR Nov. 2021 poll
6 feature Cinnamon, spice and everything nice Aroma of classrooms creates better learning environments for students
Landri Wheeler, ‘24 reporter You’re heading into the door of Brown and about to take a big Texas History test. You’re nervous, sweating, scared — worried about the test. You walk into Ms. Cole’s room and suddenly the fragrance of lavender fills your nose, instantly calming you as you take your seat. As this semester comes to an end, students may need an extra boost to keep them engaged. Some teachers have been using fresh scents to keep kids awake and proactive to finish the year strong. More than 77 percent of students said that certain scents and the way the room smells are able to enhance their ability to study and focus, according to a Nov. 2021 VR poll. And they are right. Smell is one of the strongest senses and can have a powerful effect on brain activity, according to the National Institutes of Health. From calming lavender to energizing peppermint to the holiday scent of cinnamon, how a classroom smells could actually improve a student’s performance. It can be difficult to decide what kind of scents to use as this can label your classroom for the rest of the year. Some teachers say that their inspiration comes from the scents that typically define each season. “My scents are inspired by the varying seasons,” said Spanish teacher Seir Lopez. More than 24 percent of students said that the smell of Sra. Lopez’s room was their favorite, according to the VR poll. Freshman Zara Diaz explains the sweet aroma of Lopez’s room. “Señora Lopez’s room smells the best in my opinion,” Diaz said. “It smells like an explosion of flowers and Bath and Body Works. It feels like I’m walking into a zen garden and there are flowers everywhere.” Other teachers said their inspiration for scents is to make a comforting environment for their students and a way for them to feel calm. “At first I wanted to just have an inviting environment that the students were comfortable with, so I had a diffuser with scents like peppermint and lemon,” said Texas History and speech teacher Lyndsay Cole. “I also listen to the students when they walk in and comment on the scent and try [to] use ones they’ve said they enjoy.” Math department head Shelley Johnson she uses scents to make students comfortable. More than 21 percent of students said he room smells the best. “I want my students to feel at home and comfortable in my room, so anything I can do to help soothe and calm them, I try to do,” Johnson said. “I love having candles burning in my home, so I thought bringing something simple to plug in at school would be nice.” Economics, World and U.S. history teacher David Foti agreed. “I started burning candles for the benefits of the students and to create a pleasing environment for them,” Foti said. Cole explained how she uses her different scents to create a certain workspace for her students. “I do use peppermint at work when I feel stu-
dent energy levels dropping because it’s an invigorating scent that supposedly peps you up a little,” Cole said. “Lavender I use more for test days to calm nerves.” That’s probably why more than 20 percent of students said they love the sweet smell of Cole’s room and the environment it creates. “Ms. Cole has the best smelling room,” sophomore KK Horner said. “It helps me focus when writing my speeches and debates and makes a more relaxing environment for the class as well. Ms. Cole’s room reminds me of a warm holiday house, but it’s every day of the year, and it makes me happier.” Some people like to separate the fragrances of their homes and work environments to cater to the preferences of others. “I do have different scents at home because I know what my family likes,” Johnson said. “I love pumpkin chai and holiLighting a day candles in the fall and win- brightly scentter.” ed citrus canOther teachers, like Lee dle, Spanish Kuhl, said they like to keep teacher Seir similar styles in their home and Lopez creates work environments. a warm and “I typically keep the same engaging enstyle, but I use different scents vironment in throughout the home and her classroom. whichever Mrs. Kuhl likes,” Ella McCallie, Kuhl said. Caroline Rice Freshman Cameron Sadoand Finley sky said he enjoys the scent of McCallie take Kuhl’s room. in the sweet smell of Lo“I really like the smell of Mr. Kuhl’s room because it pez’s candle. Photos by smells like pumpkin spice,” SaHope Hamblin dosky said. and Landri Lopez agrees with having similar scents at work and Wheeler / VR staff home. “I like symmetry so my home and car scents are very similar,” Lopez said. Foti says he typically uses candles at school, but opens windows for fresh air at home. “At home, we just open windows to get fresh air,” he said. “We don’t really light candles.” Senior Claire Civa said she likes the smell of Foti’s room the best. “Mr. Foti’s class smells amazing,” Civa said. “Whenever he lights this wood wick candle, it fills the whole room. It smells almost like a pastry shop and it is not too strong, so it will not hurt your head. When it is lit, I feel more up to finishing work in his class, as well as being in a better mood.”
The Vanguard Review December 5, 2021
Your Nose Knows
Different scents trigger your brain to become more active or relaxed LAVENDER
Lavender is commonly used for anxiety treatments as it calms the nervous system. Its calming qualities have been proven to elevate moods and positively improve your emotional state. It is a great way to calm students after lunch time or before a big test. But, don’t let them get too relaxed!
LEMON
Research has proven that lemon enhances mental and physical performance. For focus and energy, it’s the best scent to waft in the room. During exams or creative projects, it increases students’ active concentration.
ROSEMARY
Studies show that rosemary improves cognitive thinking and memory. Especially during visual tasks, this herb increases speed and accuracy in processing details. Rosemary is beneficial for classes that do a lot of memorizing images or numbers. Rosemary easily grows on window sills for the scent to drift into the classroom or diffuse the scent using essential oils.
JASMINE
Just like lavender, jasmine is a powerful, calming scent. To neutralize emotional states, jasmine is a light floral scent that can help.
CINNAMON
Studies have shown that cinnamon heightens attention and stimulates the brain. When exposed to this scent, study participants experienced faster motor reactions and heightened attention. It’s great during study time or general classroom discussions. Cinnamon might also bring images of baking in a home kitchen, which can also be calming.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint has been proven to improve alertness as well as memorization. In one study, the participants showed increased concentration while performing prolonged tasks. In another study, subjects were found to have higher memory indicators when exposed to peppermint.
ORANGE Many teachers said they have a favorite scent or method of diffusing sweet scents in their classroom. Foti said that he prefers to use soy and beeswax candles in his room. “I use soy wax or beeswax candles so that when you burn them they don’t produce impurities in the air,” Foti said. “I special order them from a family business in Brooklyn.” According to the poll, 67.7 percent of students said they enjoyed the smell of baked goods around the holiday season. Some teachers said they also enjoyed the aroma of baked goods to fill their classroom in the fall. “I love baked goods scents, like vanilla, apple pie, cinnamon,” Cole said. “I also like peppermint, lemon and lavender.”
Orange is lively, brightens peoples’ moods and creates a cheerful environment. This scent can ease worry and anxiety even in people who are distressed. Source: thebehaviorhub.com
More than 33 percent of students said that they enjoyed the smell of science teacher Jacob Lefebvre’s room the most. Eighth grader Will Lindsey said he likes the smell of Lefebvre’s room due to the fact that it does not smell like a typical classroom. Mr. Lefebvre’s classroom smells like cake or something baking,” Lindsey said. “ I like the smell of [his] classroom because it doesn’t smell like a classroom.”
sports
The Vanguard Review December 5, 2021
Sweating it out
The science behind sweat and how Vikings deal with it on the daily
Do you sweat or do you sparkle? That question was posed to Vikings in the November 2021 VR student poll — based on feedback from a VR survey that said students want to read about “less controversial” and “less political” topics in the school newspaper. While many said they were confused by the question, nearly 70 percent answered that they sweat — and 31.1 percent said they sparkle. There’s no physiological difference between sweat and sparkle — it’s more a mindset. Sweating is for gritty, hard-working athletes who grind it out on the field or court. Those who work just as hard, and also love the limelight, definitely sparkle. Either way, it involves perspiration and there’s no controversy to be found here. It’s simply a fact. Sophomore athlete KK Horner said conditioning definitely makes her sweat. “Whether that’s running lines or doing a workout, conditioning in the gym,” she said. “If I am sweaty because the AC is not on and we’ve barely started practice, I know it’s going to be a long day.” Sweating is the secretion of fluids by sweat glands onto the surface of the skin, mainly for the purpose of maintaining body temperature within an ideal range, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center that provides clinical and hospital care and is a leader in research, education and health information. When body temperature rises due to physical exertion or being in hot surroundings, the evaporation of sweat from the skin produces a cooling effect. “Sweat is mainly made up of water and some electrolytes,” anatomy and physiology teacher Jacob Lefebvre said. “The liquid sweat steals heat energy from our bodies as it evaporates in order to cool off our bodies. Our body will begin to sweat when we are beginning to overheat, which can be from various causes such as hot external temperature or elevated heart rate.” Sweating can occur during intense physical activity or for a sudden change in emotion such as nervousness. More than 56 percent of students said that cardio training makes them the sweatiest, according to a Nov. 2021 Vanguard Review poll.
Brooke Jolliff ‘22 senior reporter
“Running while wearing As it turns out, football pads outside in the hot Old Spice is a popular sun makes me sweat the most,” choice among women said senior Leo Jackson. as well. Some female Aidan Latino, sophomore, athletes have exsaid running as well. pressed that they pre“Basketball or running for fer men’s deodorant sure,” Latino said. as opposed to womens Conditioning came in at due to it being more more than 35 percent, while useful. weight lifting is the sweatiest “I prefer Old athletic activity for 8.5 percent Spice to most womof students, according to the en’s deodorants,” said poll. freshman volleyball On average, a human-being player Caroline Rice. has anywhere from 2 to 5 mil“Women’s deodorant lion sweat glands distributed just doesn’t last as long throughout the body, accordor cover up the smell ing to the National Institutes of as well. “I play volleyHealth (NIH). Women tend to ball and it makes you have more sweat glands than very sweaty because men, but men tend to produce of all the cardio. Since more sweat in each gland. Old Spice has a lot When a person sweats, their better control, I find body loses hydration. Signifthat it covers the odor icant electrolyte losses result better than most other from prolonged sweating, ac- Football coach and anatomy teacher Jacob Lefebvre throws up his hands as he motivates his players, brands.” cording to the NIH. Each human including Leo Jackson. Jackson told the VR that “running while wearing football pads outside in the Nearly 30 percent on average produces about 278 hot sun” makes him sweat the most. Photo by Katylu Offill / Bifrost staff of female students gallons of sweat per year. With said their go-to deterial growth and decomposition of specific odor each drop a person loses hydration, so it is importodorant brand is Dove. precursors in it is believed to cause body odor in ant to drink plenty of water before, during and after “The deodorant that is my favorite is the Dove humans, according to the NIH. The smell is caused a workout to avoid becoming dehydrated. spray deodorant,” Horner said. “It does not melt in by the bacteria breaking down proteins on the skin On the other hand, sweat can be beneficial. my athletic bag at a tennis or track meet after being surface. Maintaining a healthy diet can help conThe dermcidin peptide produced by human sweat in the sun all day.” tribute to keeping the smell at a minimum. glands acts like an antibiotic on the skin and fights While sweating can cause body odor that needs Masking that odor is of top importance to Viinfections, according to the NIH. A team of reto be controlled, it also leaves athletes with a posikings — and the Vanguard Review polled students searchers headed by Professor Birgit Schittek of tive feeling. Jackson, who said he uses Arrid Extra on the most efficient products for doing so. Sixthe University of Tübingen, in cooperation with Dry or Old Spice, said after getting sweaty while ty-two percent of male students said they use Old Professor Anne S. Ulrich from KIT, studied how being active, he feels accomplished. Spice as their go-to deodorant, according to the exactly this works. The peptide forms ion channels Horner agreed. poll. in the bacterial membrane, which destroy the mem“After a long practice or game, being sweaty “Old Spice Fiji or Old Spice Volcano are usubrane potential. makes me feel good about the amount of effort I put ally good,” Latino said. “Fiji is the best though. It Sweat is often associated with not-so pleasant into the sport I participate in.” Horner said. just works more efficiently and lasts the longest.” odors. Even though human sweat is odorless, bac-
Athlete Spotlight: Parker Howard VR: What position do you play? PH: Power forward or postguard.
VR: What are your basketball goals for this 2021-2022 season? PH: I want to win district and make a deep run in the playoffs.
Photo by Courtney Wiethorn / Bifrost staff
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VR: What do you believe the most important quality all basketball players should have and why? PH: Hustle and physicality. You want to be able to hold your own and have your will on the court. It’s important to always hustle and want to win more than the other team.
Hope Hamblin ‘25 reporter
VR: What is your go-to post/pre game drink or snack? PH: I like water, but sometimes I drink Mountain Dew because it gets my heart pumping. VR: What college or professional player inspires you the most and why? PH: I like Tim Duncan. He played for the San Antonio Spurs. I like that he roubounded and he made really good post moves. He won five NBA finals with the Spurs. VR: If you could play on any college or professional team for one game, which would you choose and why? PH: I think I would play for the Baylor Men’s Basketball team because I watch a lot of their games and they have a good team and good coach in Coach Drew. And, they were the national champions!
VR: How much does it motivate the players to have a big student section cheering for you? PH: It’s great to have a big student section in the stands, last year not many people came to the games because of COVID but this year it is a much different environment at home games. We feed off of the student section’s energy and appreciate them. VR: What other sports do you play and how do those sports contribute to your basketball performance? PH: The other sports I am in are cross country and baseball. Doing Cross Country certainly helps you in basketball because you are more conditioned than most coming out of cross country season. Baseball is kind of its own thing though, I don’t think it helps my basketball skills too much.
Vanguard Review Vanguard College Preparatory School 2517 Mt. Carmel Drive Waco, Texas 76710
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The Vanguard Review December 5, 2021
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Water Havin’ a holly jolly Christmas Holiday Recipes continued from Page 1
Check out our poll results with all your holiday faves, plus easy recipes and more
Snowball Cookies
k n i r d y a d i l o H coa
56.1% Hot co ider 19.1% Apple c mint mocha 15.4% Pepper 8.9% Eggnog
Classic
movie
361% Ho 31.1% El me Alone 17.6% P f 13.4% T olar Express 1.7% A C he Grinch hristma s Story
Holidayisstmcaesntrtee
31.1% Chr vanilla 30.3% Warm innamon 15.1% Apple c in spice 14.3% Pumpk ookie 9.2 % Sugar c
Holiday
tunes
36.4% A 30.5% R ll I Want For Ch 19.5% La ockin’ Around ristmas 10.2% S st Christmas 3.4% Sa anta Claus Is C nta Bab oming y Source: VR Nov. 2021 polls
Ingredients 1/2 cup vegan butter 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for rolling 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and chill for one hour. Roll teaspoon-sized amounts of dough into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Roll in extra powdered sugar and serve.
Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients 1 cup + 2 tbsp butter 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar 5 large eggs 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract 1-2 tsp peppermint extract 3/4cup +1 tbsp all purpose flour 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp baking cocoa 1/4 tbsp salt 1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped Crushed peppermint candies Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and sugar over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Once the butter and sugar mixture is melted, let slightly cool and the transfer to a large bowl. Add eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well. Add vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Stir to combine. Mix dry ingredients and slowly add to egg mixture. Fold in dark chocolate; do not overmix. Pour batter into pan and bake for about 35 minutes. Remove from oven, press in crushed candy, slice and serve.
“The one in the gym is bad because a lot of people waterfall it without a cup,” Livesay said. Winerick said Mayborn is the worst because of the bad taste. “It tastes like metal,” she said. “I haven’t gone to it recently, but the last time that I did, it didn’t taste very good.” Cooper said he does not like the Mayborn fountain either. “The one in Mayborn is warm and slow,” he said. Willeford likes the Jaworski fountain the least. The fountain is a water refilling station and a fountain combined. “I don’t think anyone uses it other than the office staffing,” he said. Livesay, Winerick, Willeford and Cooper
agreed that a fountain should be placed in Brown. Currently, there is a drinking fountain, but not [a] water bottle filling station. In addition to it only being a set of two generic fountains, it has also ceased to turn back on after COVID. It was turned off due to health concerns. “That would be wonderful to have a bottle refill station where most of the classes are,” he said. Livesay said it would cut down on class time she currently misses due to making trips to other buildings for water. “I always have to miss more classes if I need to get a drink of water,” said Livesay. Winerick agreed. “As much as I love the Bostick water, it would be really nice to have one in Brown,” she said. ”Brown is where all the high school lockers are and where [the] majority of classes are.”
Apple Pencil markers will make appearances. “I do use them when a student comes in for one-on-one help,” Johnson said. “I use them when working problems out together.” Johnson’s favorite color of dry erase marker is black. “I like a bold black marker,” she said. Despite the learning benefits, students have come to a consensus on their favorite part of the Apple Pencil. “I love how Mrs. Johnson’s Apple Pencil will randomly die and she says ‘oh poop’,” McCulloch said. “It always makes me laugh.” Simmons agreed. “I like that her Apple Pencil dies randomly,” she said. “It’s funny.” Johnson makes sure to charge her Apple Pencil to ensure an optimal learning experience for students. “My Apple Pencil doesn’t die very often,” she said. “Maybe once a month. I try to be diligent in charging it when I can.” Sorrow for the remnants of the Apple Pencil’s
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life fills the room in the sudden moments of its death. “It is inevitable that it dies at the beginning of class,” Johnson said. “ So, the entire class, I’m struggling.” Johnson does not feel the burden as a result of her Apple Pencil’s sudden death, but said it makes class significantly harder for her. “It doesn’t hurt my finger to write on the iPad without my Apple pen,” she said. “ I’m just horrible at doing so. I’m a perfectionist, so writing with my finger really annoys me because my lecture looks like a mess.” Students have expressed their concerns about the Apple Pencil dying in the middle of class. “The most annoying part about the Apple Pencil dying is that she will just continue to write with her finger and write out a practice problem for us to do while it charges,” McCulloch said. Johnson feels that the benefits of the Apple Pencil have made a great impact on the math experience at Vanguard. “The benefits of working with an Apple Pencil are that I can organize my lectures in a nice, neat manner,” she said. “I have a lot of control over what the outcome looks like all while getting to see my students and record my lectures.”
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“I really wanted a cat so I prayed for one,” she said. “Our neighbor had a cat who came over a lot and I started to feed. We didn’t know it but she was pregnant and had kittens. That’s how I got Stormy and Wrenfield. West said the pair follows her around and they also like to hunt. “We live on a kind of a farm and they hunt mice, birds, rats, rabbits — and they eat them,” she
said. “They also like to follow me around the fields and climb on haystacks.” When Stormy and Wrenfield want attention, they will meow until you give it to them, West said. “Stormy will bite you to get more attention and Wrenfield will push against your hand,” she said.