Food For The Soul
How a meal makes lasting connections Pages 8-9
Weird Food Combos
We tried them so you don't have to Page 15
Thank you for 18 years of dedicated service to our students and school. Your heart for education has helped Vanguard become Waco’s Best College Preparatory School.
5 Reactions to Trump Victory Vikings share their opinions
6-7 Misunderstood and Overlooked
Homeless community shares warmth from the harsh winter despite misconeptions
10 In For a Shock International students share what American food and traditions
11 A Study On How To Study
Find your groove to make the most of your personal studying style
12 Outside the Mainframe Sophomore Stratton McEachern
13 Road to Hollywood Viking alum plays role film now airing on Prime Video
14-15 Food Fun
Make your favorite fast food sauces at home — and we tried some weird food combos so you don't have too
16 Food is Fuel Food or lack thereof can make or break athletic performance
17 Vanguard Wrapped
Editors-in-Chief
Aria Cleveland & Madelyn Kim
Reporter
Grace Bergerson
Reporter & Business Manager
Sara Clark
Reporter
Charlie Stewart
Reporter
Jonah Sutton
Reporter
Selina Jung
Adviser Gretchen Eichenberg
Pg. 18
Food For The Soul Gathering for a meal — whether a school lunch with friends or a holiday meal with family — builds lasting connections
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 magazine that students can read to be educated and informed.
Vanguard College Preparatory School has a total student population of 292.
Vol. 51 No. 2
The Vanguard College Preparatory School
2517 Mt Carmel Dr Waco, Texas 76710
254 772-8111
About the Cover
Theres no doubt food people brings people together. In this issue, the Vanguard Review focuses on the connections people make over meals.
By Sara Clark
vanguard_review@vanguard.org A VCPS PUBLICATION
Final Exams
Dec. 16-20
Winter Break
Dec. 21- Jan. 5
Bill Borg Holiday Basketball Invitational
Dec. 27-28 @ 10:30 a.m.
Quarter 3 Begins
January 6
Peer Lunch
January 14
TAPPS Dance Championships
January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20
Open House
January 21
SpikeDown Volleyball Competition
January 28
Winter Glitter
February 1
3rd Quarter Midterm
February 5
Regional Mock Trial Competition
February 6-8
Valentine Carnation Delivery
February 13
It’s that time of year again — when the warm smell of food starts to fill the air and remind us of the warmth of the holiday season. Surrounded by the Christmas mood, this issue focuses on all kinds of food. Through the cover story, you can find out how food brings us together and how something as simple as sharing a meal can build bonds and create memories. This issue is full of fun and interesting food stories as well. Do you have your own ‘weird’ food combos that you enjoy? Our VR staff members tried out several unexpected but strangely good food combos, like mac ‘n cheese and maple syrup.
This issue also covers ‘food shock’ and how international students experienced American food when they first arrived here, as well as their opinions on what Americans eat daily. And lastly, you can find out about food and drinks that fuel your body in our Sports section.
We are also thrilled to share a wide range of other stories. Starting off with an article about students’ reactions to the election as the result of the 2024 Presidential election revealed, and an interesting interview with Viking alum Brooks Indergard who recently
played a roll — along with some pretty big Hollywood names — in the motion picture ‘Brothers.’
On a more serious note, I covered the topic of homelessness in the Waco community. This story is the most devoted I’ve ever been to any piece I have written — not only as a writer, but also as a person. I got an amazing opportunity to interview Jimmy Dorrell, founder of Mission Waco and a pastor of the Church Under the Bridge. I personally got to connect with people who are experiencing homelessness when I spent time under the bridge. Interviewing and learning the stories about them was one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had. This story made me grow as a person and a reporter by opening a new perspective for me. I can say that this is a very special story for me. In the process of writing this article, I have decided that I want to be a volunteer of the Church Under the Bridge. Since my first interview at the place with homeless people, I have been going on Sundays to connect with them.
Our team has put a lot of heart into this issue, and my co-editor Aria and I hope it fills you with holiday spirit and warmth. Enjoy this fun issue of the Vanguard Review.
Madelyn Kim Co-Editor-in-Chief
This past Veterans Day, senior Ema Mathis published a book, “Ema the Patriot Cowgirl.” After taking Brad Livingstone’s World War II class, Mathis said she decided she wanted to write a book to educate kids about thanking veterans.
“It just really touched me and made me think I should do something to help inspire the younger generation," Mathis said, "and not just the younger generation, but anyone.”
Mathis added that she also wanted to show that her generation is different than what some people may think.
"My book is my way of trying to help make the world a little bit better of a place,” she said.
"Ema The Patriot Cowgirl" is available on Amazon.
BY CHARLIE STEWART REPORTER
In a tumultuous election that divided the country — young and old — Republican Donald J. Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States. He defeated his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, currently vice president to Joe Biden, on Nov 5, 2024.
Trump won the electoral college, earning 312 votes to Harris’ 226, according to the Associated Press (AP). Overall, Trump won 75,888,731 votes (50.2%) to Harris’ 72,867,555 votes (48.2%), the AP reported.
High school Vikings voted 55.4 in favor of Trump, according to the Oct. VR student poll. But students had mixed reviews of the official election results.
“I was absolutely hyped to see when I heard Trump won,” junior Holice Pegram said. “I expect America to be greater than it’s ever been.”
Junior Drew Howard agreed.
“I was absolutely elated when I found out the news about Mr. Trumpity” Howard said.
“I was absolutely elated when I found out the news about Mr. Trumpity.” - Drew Howard, junior
"I don't care that much but am happy he won because he is funny," freshman Holly Haberle said.
Others were disappointed and even dismayed by the Trump victory.
“When it was confirmed he would be president, I cried harder than I have in years,” sophomore Atlas Sowders said. “As a queer, transgender and female individual, my rights will be stripped one by one starting this January, and I don't know what I will do if I am unable to escape the
Trump: 75,888,731
Harris: 72,867,555
country before then.”
Vivian Spitzer Hanks, freshman, experienced several emotions.
“I was a little proud of America as a whole,” she said, “because I was like, oh, we are to the point where a black woman can run and get to the final stage. But also, the next four years are not going to be fun because he has such extreme policies and they are going to end up hurting a lot of people.”
Others were surprised.
“I was really expecting it to turn out differently,” sophomore Evie Hansen said. “I’m definitely concerned.”
The Vanguard Review asked students what they think was the most important issue in the election.
One of the leading topics discussed in the election was border security and immigration. In the Oct. VR poll of high school students, 83.1% said the country needs stricter border control.
“The most important issue was border control,” junior Matthew Clark said. “Trump is going to bring fear back.”
But some students are concerned he will take border security to an extreme.
“He might make a lot of changes really fast,” Hansen said. “Like
Source: Associated Press
seriously changing border policies.”
The economy was another important issue — and according to the poll, nearly 30% of students said it was the most pressing.
Gas prices were at an all time high when President Biden was in office. In 2022 the gas prices reached over an average of four dollars a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
“I'm excited to see gas prices go down since I’ll be able to drive soon,” freshman Avery Walzel said.
Sowders said the most important issues were those regarding the LBGTQ+ community.
“Trump has stated that my rights as part of those groups mean nothing,” Sowders said, “and that I am less than human in his eyes.”
Students watched the election results at various locations, like parties and at their homes.
“I was watching at home with my brother,” Walzel said.
“He has such extreme policies and they are going to end up hurting a lot of people.”
-
Pegram said he was home with family too.
Vivian Spitzer-Hanks, sophomore
“I was watching the election at home with my family, cheering on the best leader any country could ever have,” Pegram said. Sowders was home as well, and very upset.
“On the night of the election, I was at home staring at the election map until I cried myself to sleep,” Sowders said.
BY MADELYN KIM CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF
Winter season — the air is filled with holiday spirit. Students and their families are excited to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, it can be the harshest time for those who have to spend the freezing nights on the streets alone.
“Winter is the hardest for me," said Julie, a local woman who has been experiencing homelessness since 2018, after her husband passed away in an accident. "I keep moving around to stay warm. And the shelters are full when it’s freezing and it’s not really easy to just stick around there.”
She carries her belongings everywhere she goes.
"Everything I own is in here," Julie said. "Blankets, clothes, some kind of food and old photos I can’t let go of. People look at me like I’m crazy walking around with my cart, and they think I have some sort of mental illness, but it’s all I have.”
And she does not always know where she's going.
“I don’t always have a destination, you know, I just walk," Julie said. "It helps me think, or not think, I guess. Sometimes I’ll go to Barnes & Noble to stay warm, but
people always give me weird looks so I only stay there for just a little bit.”
Weird looks are just some of the reactions homeless people get from people who pass by and have no idea of their story.
“They are usually treated as ‘bums’ and often [people] ignore them or speak slurs to them," said Jimmy Dorrell, co-founder of Mission Waco and pastor of Church Under the Bridge. "For example, they say ‘Get a job!’ and see them through the eyes of ‘pity,’ which is different from compassion.”
More than 28% of students said they have never even interacted with a homeless individual, according to the VR December poll. And more than 78% said that when they see a homeless person, they walk away.
However, 28.9% of students responded that the issue of homelessness is in the Waco community is “very serious.” and 63.5% answered that it is “somewhat serious.”
As of 2024, in the city of Waco, about 232 individuals are experiencing homelessness, according to the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition.
"I think that homelessness in general is a problem, and while Waco has less homeless than big cities, it does seem to be growing,” said senior Kaydon Daniel.
The most common misconceptions and stereotypes towards people who are experiencing homelessness, according to Dorrell, are that they are lazy, unwilling to work, alcohol or drug abusers or irresponsible. These misconceptions impact the way homeless individuals are treated in the community.
“I'm glad there are plenty of local organizations that help with this issue,” said Daniel.
"It's not just about food or money. It's about someone seeing me as a person. "
—
Julie,
a local woman experiencing
homelessness
In the city of Waco, there are several shelters and organizations for homeless people, such as Mission Waco, and the Church Under the Bridge.
According to Dorrell, many homeless suffer from mental health or physical
challenges, the rejection they often experience from many potential employers because of a previous prison sentence; the breakdown of their children's past, such as abuse, neglect, isolation at school, and lack of affordable housing and more — on the contrary of people’s misconceptions.
"Learn the truth about them. They are as different as you and me. They have talents, dreams, and abilities."
— Jimmy Dorrell, founder of Misson Waco
Mission Waco and Church under the Bridge has been addressing the issue of homelessness in the Waco community, as it emerged as a place that included and listened to them as priorities without judging, Dorrell added.
“I’ve been coming to the Church Under the Bridge since 2008," said Cynthia Montemayor. "There was a big hurricane in 2008 and that was harsh on my family. My sister wanted me to go to church with her and I found this on the news. My parents are Catholic, and I was going to the mass with them on Saturdays and coming here on Sunday. Then I chose to belong here."
Montemayor said she has boned with people from all classes, from homeless and poor,to middle class and some Baylor professors and even doctors.
"I think this is the biggest impact to see all of these people together, and getting so involved with the church," she said. "The biggest thing is, there is no judgment here. Our pastor Jimmy, he is so down to earth. You don’t call him pastor, you call him Jimmy. He’s got a big heart and is always looking out for everyone. He wants us to improve and expand."
Mark , a Church Under the Bridge participant, is currently homeless.
“They offered me what I needed the most, which was a caring relationship with someone or community, he said. "It’s made Waco pretty good. They have helped a lot of homeless people off the street, and their children.”
Dorrell said the main focus is to build meaningful relationships among the poor and marginalized, including the homeless, and advocate for them by including them in what they do and the principles of Christian community development instead of ‘relief.’
The organization has built programs that addressed the gaps, such as job training, basic mental and physical health services, social services at the Meyer Center and the My Brother’s Keeper Homeless Shelter.
“We created ways to mobilize the middle-class to understand the poor and Waco’s poverty," Dorrell said. For example, the Poverty Simulation and the Other Side of Waco Tour. So they could understand and support our initiatives.”
The Vanguard community also has been actively participating in Poverty Simulation, as well as encouraging students to collect cans for Caritas, a local food bank.
“It’s not just about food or money. It’s about someone seeing me as a person," Julie said. "I need food, yeah, but when you’re out here, people don’t even talk to you. They act like you’re invisible and that hurts more. I used to have my husband and my cat and
28.9% of the students responded that the issue of homelessness in Waco community is "very serious."
Source: VR December poll
I never thought I would end up like this. I used to go to school 30 years ago, like other normal people did, you know. "
Beyond the shelters and food, Dorrell said the core needs of the homeless population that are often overlooked by the public or local organizations are mental health resources, affordable housing, livingwage jobs and people who care for them.
“The most impactful ways that students can contribute to the issue are, well first of all, learn the truth about them," Dorrell said. "They are as different as you and me. They have talents, dreams and abilities. Also, participating in the Poverty Simulation or becoming a Mission Waco volunteer will be a huge support.”
BY SARA CLARK REPORTER
Sophomore Miley Gonzales and her sister Dory had just picked up their lunch at Chipotle when Dory dropped her entire bowl in the parking lot, sending her meal of delicious chicken, rice and vegetables tumbling to the ground. In the end, the sisters end up sharing Miley’s bowl in the back of Dory’s trunk and talking for hours. Gonzales described how she felt this moment brought them closer together having fun conversations throughout the night.
Coming together for a meal — whether it’s a quick lunch with your sister, a large family dinner or grabbing food with friends at Bostick Café — provides a lot more than nutrition for the body. It’s also food for the soul as it gives people time to build connections and bonds with each other.
After a long morning of classes, sometimes people need time to spend time with friends.
“Lunch is a time for me to just take a step back from school, relax and get to talk to my friends,” sophomore Katie Claire Schornack said. “I do think lunch creates bonds and memories that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”
According to the Vanguard Review November/December student poll, 75% of students prefer to eat lunch with family and friends.
“I think eating lunch with my friends creates bonds and memories because being able to get together with my friends during school for lunch gives me something to look forward to,” sophomore Annie Johnson said. “I always like having fun conversations to lighten the mood or distract me when I am stressed out from school.”
Not only does eating together give people a chance to step back it also supplies opportunities to try new foods
“We talk about so many different subjects, and we share our foods sometimes, which builds trust and relationships,” sophomore Maddie Dortilus said. Schornack, Dortilus and their friends eat lunch together almost every day.
“I feel like I am definitely closer with
my friends because of the time that we spend together at lunch. It’s a time that we can relax and talk and not worry about school,” sophomore Ava Martinez said.
Jessica Attas, CEO of Prosper Waco holds a master's in sociology and said there is value in mealtime.
“Breaking bread with others – family or strangers – creates space for us to come together and see our shared humanity,” Attas said. “We all have to eat to live and [we] can find joy in the act of enjoying delicious food.”
according to the Natural Library of Medicine.
Many friend groups around campus also eat together.
“I think eating lunch with friends is an amazing way to spend time together during the school day,” sophomore Atlas Sowders said, “especially since a lot of us have afterschool activities and other things that make it hard to hang out during other times. I wouldn't be nearly as good of friends with my friends if there were assigned lunch seatings or something.”
75% of students say they prefer eating meals with family and friends
Not only is food important but so are friendships.
Friendships provide important health benefits, although the significance of these has only recently been appreciated,
Source: VR Dec. student poll
Lunch brings opportunities to have conversations you wouldn't have otherwise had.
“Lunch can totally help you make
memories and connect with people in ways you wouldn’t otherwise,” sophomore Crosby Davis said. “When you’re eating together, it’s like the perfect excuse to chill and chat without the pressure of doing something important.”
Food does build connections between friends and family.
“It’s a big thing in my house that we eat dinner as a family every night, especially during the school year," Martinez said.
"Sometimes when we have a lot going on it is the one time of day that we get to see one another and talk. My dad cooks every night and we all visit and help him prep the meal
before we sit down to eat.”
Sophomore Leighton Chatmas agreed.
“I strongly believe in eating dinner with my family as much as possible is super important,” Chatmas said. “For most families, it is pretty much the one time a day they can gather and share a meal and continue building connections.”
Connecting with your parents brings joy and connecting with siblings is important too.
“My family eats dinner together every night and I think it’s super important for everyone to sit together and talk about our days and if we did anything fun,” junior
“Lunch can totally help you make memories and connect with people in ways you wouldn’t otherwise.”
- Crosby Davis, sophomore
Ezri Horton said. “I love hearing about what my siblings did at school that day, and I like having that time with everyone to just talk and spend time with each other.”
Not only does the connection with parents matter, but connections with extended family matter as well.
“In my own family, we come together every Sunday dinner for ‘family dinner,’ no matter what else is going on in our lives,” Attas said. “Food and the act of coming together around a shared table is about tradition; it’s about gathering; it’s about creating bonds and memories that connect us, across generations.”
Sophomore Jake Attas, who is Jessica Attas' nephew, is part of that family dinner each week.
“It’s great to see my family every week, and despite us all living fairly close, we all lead different lives," Jake Attas said. "It’s nice to catch up with and hang out with them each week.”
The connections built by sharing meals can last a lifetime
"My friends and I are all super close, we see each other every day and enjoy each other’s company,” Horton said. “We all care about each other as if we were a family and
we all have stuck by each other no matter what.”
Sophomore Evie Hansen agreed that lunchtime bring her closer to friends.
“I feel like when I eat lunch with my friends we get a lot closer and lunch makes up most of the time that I spend with some of my friends,” Hansen said.
Peoples' lives outside of school can be filled with homework, studying, extracurricular activities and athletics, so lunch is always a time of day when people can come together and relax. Not only can eating lunch with old friends create connections, but meeting new people can also build friendships.
“I think eating lunch with friends brings everyone closer together because we are all spending time with each other and talking and just having fun,” Horton said. “I’ve gotten to know so many people that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.”
Not only do extracurriculars take up time, but not everyone has every class together.
“I have barely any classes with the girls I sit with, so it's great to connect with them when I don't usually get to during the day,” sophomore Maggie Haskett said.
There is also something about food that brings a sense of comfort. But what makes comfort food a comfort?
“My comfort foods usually involve something warm and sweet like a brownie,” Gonzales said.
People stereotype comfort foods as something you eat when you are sad or have certain feelings about something, but there is a science behind it.
Foods that are pleasant to taste can cause opiates to be released, according to a study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Similarly, when eating sweet, high-calorie foods, opiates and serotonin are released. This can cause a mood elevation or prevent one’s mood from declining.
“My comfort food is my mom’s potato casserole because it has always been a tradition in my house that we make every holiday,” Chatmas said. “It is a recipe that has been passed down many generations, and it is one of my favorite foods my mom makes.”
International students share what American food and traditions surprise them — and what they miss about their culture back home
BY ARIA CLEVELAND CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As junior Selena Choi entered the bustling Chick-fil-A, she was hit with the overwhelming smell of fries and piping hot chicken. As she bit into her mac-and-cheese side, the soft noodles mixed with the cheesy goodness and she knew she found her new favorite American food.
Traveling halfway across the world to a brand-new country would shock anyone, and the international students not only have to get used to new people speaking a new language in new places — but also new food.
Students travel from Korea, China and Vietnam yearly to attend Vanguard, but not many have the chance to acclimate themselves to American culture before actually arriving here.
and Choi.
“Everything is fast food, has high calories and is either very salty or sweet,” Choi said. Joo agreed, saying it was very unhealthy.
According to the World Obesity Federation, the United States has an obesity rate of 41.64 percent compared to Korea’s 7.24 percent.
And Joo, like others, started to miss his favorite foods from Korea.
“I miss Galbi the most,” Joo said, referring to a Korean short-rib dish made with a soy sauce marinade.
Junior
Many things came as a shock to international students in the United States for the first time, especially customs that people who grew up with wouldn’t bat an eye toward.
“The most surprising thing about food for me was side dishes,” senior Amy Kim said. “I feel like it is common for people to have one main dish with just one to two side dishes or sometimes with no side dishes at all in the US. In Korea, it is common to have rice, soup or stew and at least six side dishes for every meal.”
Junior Woojin Lee also thinks that some aspects of American eating are weird.
Some foods that Texans especially consider a staple seemed weird to Choi.
“I don’t really like pickles or pizza,” she said.
Kim added that she thought hotdogs were the worst. Lee, despite normally liking new foods, couldn’t bring himself to like meat substitutes.
“The worst food I’ve tried is vegan hamburgers,” he said.
Kim and Choi discovered some popular foods that lots of other students enjoy, including a Bostick Café favorite.
Junior Woojin Lee also thinks that some aspects of American eating are weird.
"There is always bread at every meal and they eat dinner super early."
“There is always bread in every meal,” he said, “and they eat dinner super early.”
Despite the common consensus that American food was considerably less healthy than their childhood foods, international students found some dishes hard to resist. Joo and Lee both agreed that their favorite American food was barbecue, but some fast food restaurants didn’t make the cut.
“My least favorite food is Bush’s Chicken,” Joo said.
“My favorite is Chick-fil-A and macand-cheese," Choi said.
Similarly, Kim likes a fast food staple.
“My favorite American food is tater tots,” Kim said.
Senior Sejin Joo came to Vanguard his freshman year and he had an initially negative reaction.
“I thought that the food was super unhealthy,” he said.
The most recognized difference between Korea and the U.S. however, is the obesity rate, and it was commented on by both Joo
“I really miss Korean cuisine, especially the stir-fried octopus noodles,” Kim said.
Choi agreed, saying that she missed all kinds of spicy foods.
Kim arrived at Vanguard two years ago and was immediately shocked by things Americans see as a normal habit.
“I was shocked to find that there is a custom of tipping in America, unlike in Korea where tipping is not common at all,” Kim said.
Tipping is common in the U.S. and is even seen as rude to not, but outside of the North American continent, especially in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea, it is considered an insult. To tip suggests that the employers don’t pay their workers enough. In addition to tipping, domestic and social differences also surprised many students, including Choi.
“People wear shoes in the house, and they don’t separate waste for recycling and [they] use large water bottles,” Choi said. “Also, since the U.S. is a multiracial country, people accept others’ diversity much better than Koreans do.”
"One amusing difference between people in America and Korea,” Kim said, “is their smiles. In America, it seems common for people to smile with their teeth in photos, but in Korea, it's not as common.”
BY SELINA JUNG REPORTER
There is a science test this upcoming week. Would you study with your flashcards or do you draw diagrams? Everyone has a different way of studying. Finding out what type of studier you are can improve your studying skills and help you retain information efficiently and effectively.
There are even cultural expressions that reflect that idea, according to Dr. Hugh Riley, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University.
“For example, the Chinese expression that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ — that you can convey a lot through an image,” he said. “You know the images sometimes help people visualize a concept.”
Riley points to several examples from his own experience to support how visual and auditory learning can impact comprehension.
“In the world of organic chemistry,
when I was first studying the subject 30 years ago, we did not have some of the technology that we have available today, where you can see on a computer screen an organic chemical molecule and rotate it and add methyl groups or hydroxyl groups or whatever and see how that changed the configuration of that particular molecule,” Riley said. “Today, we have that ability, and I think it enhances a student's understanding of how organic molecules are constructed and how they might interact with other organic molecules.”
In the world of calculus, students can now create an equation and then instantly see how that equation graphs out , so they also argue that the visualization of an idea really helps students understand that idea.
“There's a lot of research that talks about how people auditorily construct and organize material,” Riley added.
“If I ask someone to say the alphabet,
1. You're preparing for an AP History class discussion. To get ready to participate, you:
A. List events and people in chronological order.
B. Explain the information to your friends.
C. Draw timelines and mind maps that display the information.
D. Compare past events with each other.
2. You have a vocab quiz on Tuesday. To learn the definitions, you:
A. Make flash cards.
B. Quiz your friends.
C. Draw the picture that comes to mind when you think of that word.
D. Associate with other words that you know already.
3. There’s a Spanish test coming up. You study by:
A. Creating a Quizlet and taking practice tests.
B. Explaining definitions and conjugations to someone.
C. Drawing the objects for words you want to remember.
D. Making a song using the vocab words.
4. You have a biology cell quiz tomorrow. To prepare, you:
A. Write out the definitions for parts of the cell.
B. Talk to yourself about the details of the cell.
C. Draw a diagram of the cell.
D. Connect the cell words with peoples’ names or something from everyday life.
5. There’s an algebra test tomorrow. You study by:
A. Working practice problems from the textbook.
B. Making a quiz for your friend and grading it.
C. Drawing a mind map of all the equations.
D. Reciting songs that feature the equations on the test.
6. You have an in-class essay coming up. To get ready, you:
A. Write an outline for potential prompts.
B. Recite different topics and themes you can remember from the book.
C. Draw the characters from a book and describe their qualities.
D. Create connections between colors and certain themes from the book.
inevitably, they're going to 'sing' the alphabet,” Riley said. “They're going to run those letters together because that's the way the rhyme or the song goes that they learned in elementary school. And that has stayed with them.”
Riley said he thinks teaching really does facilitate comprehension.
“There's an old expression that if you really want to learn something, teach it,” he said. “There's a good deal of support for the idea that if you really want to do well or learn material, try to teach it to somebody else.”
Students need to keep an open mind when it comes to choosing a preferred learning style — it may not always be what you think.
“We've got to be careful about not mischaracterizing how well we learn something simply because it didn't match our preferred learning style,” he said.
7. You've got a class presentation coming up. To put your best foot forward, you:
A. Making flash cards about the details you need to highlight.
B. Practice presenting to family and friends.
C. Create a slideshow to accompany your presentation.
D. Associate the pictures on the slides with the information you need to convey.
8. Finals are coming up. To get ready in advance, you like to:
A. Rewrite your notes on the topics that will be covered on the exam.
B. Lead study sessions with your friends.
C. Doodle on your notes to highlight important information.
D. Think about how certain topics connect with other topics in any given subject.
Go to Page 19 to get your personalized results!
Make your favorite fast food sauces at home — and healthier
BY SARA CLARK REPORTER
What makes Chick-fil-A sandwiches, In-N-Out burgers or Raising Cane’s chicken fingers so good? Their sauces. Nearly 81.9% of students say they use sauces on their food according to the VR student poll. Many restaurants have their secret sauce, but some people want to make those sauces at home. While you can buy Chick-fil-A sauce at the grocery store — and snag extra packets of the others — making it yourself with a few ingredients may be more costeffective and fun.
Raising Cane’s Sauce is Vanguard’s favorite dipping sauce, loved by 49.7% of students, according to the student poll. Cane’s sauce has a tangy but smooth taste when paired with chicken tenders or fries. Cane’s sauce is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt and garlic powder.
Recipe
½ of a cup of mayonnaise
1 ½ tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons of ketchup
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon of black pepper
½ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
Combine the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, black pepper and salt in a bowl and mix until well combined then let rest in the fridge for up to six hours before serving.
81.9% of students use fast food sauces on their food
Source: VR Dec. student poll
Cane's Sauce is the Viking favorite — with 49.3% of students choosing it as their dip of choice
Although In-N-Out sauce is not very popular among Vikings, it is loved on burgers from In-N-Out or even homemade burgers. Only 5% of students prefer In-N-Out sauce over Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's sauce. In-NOut sauce consists of mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, vinegar and sugar to add a hint of sweetness.
Recipe
½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons of ketchup
2 tablespoons of pickle relish
1 ½ teaspoons of sugar
1 ½ teaspoons of distilled white vinegar
Instructions
Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar and vinegar in a bowl until well combined, then chill for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Chick-fil-A is notorious for selling its many sauces in places such as Walmart and H-E-B. The original Chick-fil-A sauce has become one of the most popular sauces loved by many Vikings, almost 50% saying they prefer Chick-fil-A sauce. Chick-fil-A sauce consists of barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, honey and mayonnaise.
Recipe
¼ a cup of mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of yellow mustard
1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions
Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, barbecue sauce and honey in a bowl until well mixed and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
BY JONAH SUTTON REPORTER
If you ever look across the lunch table and see someone dipping their chips into an unlikely sauce or adding something very unusual on their burger — you might be grossed out. But the Vanguard Review staff says: Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. We tried some weird food combos to help you find something new that may seem odd but still manages to hit the spot. Here are five weird combos we tried and what we thought:
This very unexpected combo scared many away at first but if you stay and give it a try, it is well worth the risk. It tastes like a roasted peanut infused into a burger. The first few seconds it's like a classic burger until you finally get to the peanut butter which enhances the beef and adds protein. Forget ketchup and mustard — with peanut butter, this burger tastes like a complete meal.
We tried them so you don't have to
This unlikely combo might seem like a savory overkill of cheese and salt — and to many people, it might be. But the VR staff found that dipping Cheeto Cheese Puffs in soy sauce ended up resulting in a toasty flavor explosion similar to a Baked Cheeto and also not unlike a homemade grilled cheese sandwich. The umami flavor of the soy sauce paired very well with the cheese but we recommend dipping and eating right away if you don’t want a mushy experience.
This retro combo left us here at the VR disappointed. While it does have a few redeeming qualities like its Danish taste, it fell short of what many people once loved. While this once was a beloved treat for our parents, now unfortunately it's fading in the eyes of the newer generation.
This was a delicious delight that came out of nowhere. This mash up surprised us with how well it blended together. The maple syrup added a needed sweetness. One may only be able to describe it as a mac-n-cheese cookie.
This treat was adored by us at the VR . The salt from the Pringle and the sweet from the whipped cream created a wonderful one-two punch of sweet and salty. It's two opposites that come together and mesh perfectly to make an amazing snack.
Photos by Sara Clark
BY JONAH SUTTON REPORTER
Sophomore Stratton McEachern has continued to impress vanguard staff members and peers among him as he cruises his way through robotics.
Stratton's interest in robotics comes from the ability to work with world changing technology, such as AI.
“AI being able to be used in the medical field, scientific research, even shrinking your day to day workload, and things we have not thought of yet,” McEachern said.
McEachern first became interested in robotics and technology when he was in the 8th grade.
“It was in the advent of AI," he said, "because I found out about so many new devices and AIs that I began doing my own research on tech.”
Stratton believes in AI because he thinks, “AI will change for the worse right now but will soon realize how to change to make the world a better place with AI.”
Within robotics, there are many different coding languages.
into the school.”
McEachern said that in the future he wants to do something involved with helping people for good reasons.
“Just helping a company that helps people and implementing technology, but would eventually love to make my own products to help the world,” Stratton said.
While McEachern looks to the future, he has already accomplished a lot. His top is building something of his own, he said.
“My favorite accomplishment is building my 3D printer,” he said, “because of the dedication it took and I didn’t stop when it got hard but persevered and got it done.”
“He's a good leader and he's willing to try anything new.”
—
“The coding language I prefer is Python,” Stratton said. "This is because I have used it for almost all my projects and it is easy to use while also being available for most devices and applications.”
Joe Flowers, Dir. of Technology
McEachern is the teaching assistant of Joe Flowers, head of the technology department. And because of this he has many jobs to do.
“I go around the school fixing anything that is broken," he said. "I also help teachers with computers, projectors, printer issues and anything else they need help with."
As a member of the Berserk robotics team, McEachern recently helped his team take third place at the Reicher McEachern spends any extra time he has looking into technology trends.
"I also get to do my own projects," he said, "getting to research and study new technologies and maybe implementing them
A Flowers' TA, McEachern Because of that he helps Mr. Flowers in many ways, especially with technology,
“People know to ask him,” Mr. Flowers said, “Because they know I don’t have any free time until 8th mod.”
Flowers had only positive things to say about his assistant.
“He’s a good leader, and he’s willing to try anything new," Flowers said.
Outside of technology and robotics, Stratton has other interests including his Christian faith.
“I enjoy learning more about my Christian faith and being able to explore how through our stressful world God can help everyone,” McEachern said.
BY GRACE BERGERSON REPORTER
Days before his blockbuster film
“Brothers” hit the big screen, former student Brooks Indergard, class of 2021, made a quick return to Waco and visited some different classes to talk about his experience in the film industry and life.
“I feel most rewarded by Brothers just coming out,” Indergard said. “That might sound like a baseline thing to be glad about, but it has been three years since I filmed it. It takes so many miracles for a movie to be made even when it isn't facing the constraints of working around COVID-19 and the strikes.”
COVID-19 set back many acting projects as many movies stopped in the middle of production. Some films that were finished were never released either.
“I'm just glad that the movie got to see the light of day,” Indergard said.
Brothers is Indergard’s biggest project to date as it consists of some recognizable actors such as Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage and Glenn Close.
“I didn't share any scenes with Josh or Peter, but to work on a project of this scale and playing the young version of Josh's character was still crazy,” Indergard said. “The director, Max Barbakow (director of the 2020 comedy Palm Springs), was also super down to earth and accommodating. Him taking the time to work with me and my costar Aidan Cockrell made me feel so much more like I belonged and confident in my role within the project.”
Before getting into film and TV, Indergard said he acted in many different plays. He began his acting journey at the local Waco Civic Theater.
“Easily my most memorable experience growing up in Waco's theater community was my very first production at the Waco Civic Theatre: the musical Les Misérables,” Indergard said.
Indergard said the cast of Les Misérables is still very close to this day. In October, the cast met to celebrate the 10-year anniversary since the production of the play.
“It's also my favorite acting experience that I've had, theater or screen, and I don't know if I will ever top it,” said Indergard.
Indergard spent a semester at the Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD), but ultimately decided his time would be better spent trying to work in the industry.
As fun as it may seem, the acting industry has many challenges. Indergard said he has faced many times of doubt throughout his career.
“I think a lot of doubt comes from a preconceived notion of what your life [and] career is supposed to look like, whether they're notions that others have given you or ones you've created yourself,” said Indergard.
Before being selected for Brothers, he even considered quitting. The callback ratio for actors, even well-known ones, is incredibly low.
With the circumstances, getting by in LA can be an incredibly difficult task.
Indergard said he has taken on a number of strange jobs.
“There was a time where I wrote the closed captions for workout videos,” Indergard said.
Clockwise from top: Brooks Indergard poses in front of his new movie poster from Amazon Prime Video. Photo provided by Brooks Indergard Brooks Indergard, '22, visits with the marketing Class. Archive photo
Currently, he has taken up dog walking.
After leaving SCAD, Indergard met up in LA with an old friend from Vanguard, Jackson Kelly who has made a name for himself in the acting world.
“I visited him on a whim, and it was originally only going to be for a month,” Indergard said.
When the time came for him to leave, things changed. Kelly opened his doors for Indergard to stay. From July to early October, Indergard lived rent-free with Kelly. Miraculously, the day before Indergard had to leave, he landed a place of his own in Burbank, California.
Outside of acting, Indergard has a few hobbies.
“I love writing. I'm a big drawer as well,” Indergard said. “I used to play the cello and I'm thinking of getting back into it.”
Indergard said he also views acting as a hobby despite it being his job. The only thing stopping it from truly being a hobby is that he must be called to act rather than something that can be done on the regular.
Indergard said to get beyond this he has come to two truths.
“There are no "right" decisions, only your own,” he said. “You're scared of making the wrong decision, when really there isn't one. Everything ultimately works out in the end. Even when it seems like all is lost, things just have a way of working out, in ways that you can't fathom.”
BY JONAH SUTTON REPORTER
Have you ever been waiting to finally get to play your favorite game, but you just have no energy when you play? Well, if you have, you would know it is very important to be energized. Many athletes don't realize this, but what they eat the night before and leading up to an event can majorly affect performance.
Before a sports event, it is very important to make sure your body has sufficient nutrients, according to Courtney Anderson, a nutritionist for Compleo Therapy. “Carbohydrates are needed before a workout, game or competition for energy,” Anderson said.
Senior Aidan Schupbach said that he eats a diet of pastas and rice the night before games.
“For the carbs giving me more to burn when I'm sprinting,” he said.
Carbohydrates deliver the body glucose which the body converts into energy for running, jumping and more, according to Anderson.
Before a cross country meet, sophomore Jillian Duncan eats small amounts of proteins and sugars like oatmeal, fruits and protein bars.
“I eat these foods because they help me feel energized but not too full,” she said.
Along with having carbohydrates, it's important to drink plenty of water before so you stay hydrated through the whole event. In the middle of the event, it is important to take in electrolytes, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information.
"Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning, such as maintaining electrical neutrality in cells and generating and conducting action potentials in the nerves
Vanguard Review: What’s your favorite song to play?
Nicolas Douglas: My favorite song that I have played would be Storm. I liked playing this because it had the most variety in terms of how it is played. I also liked the rolls in this piece.
VR:Do you like playing in pep rallies or football games more and why?
ND: I liked playing at the football games more because it gave me more time to be able to socialize with drum mates. We also get to play more in the football games.
VR: Do you want to be in a band in college?
ND: Maybe. I think it would be cool to play in a band, but I am undecided on which college it would be.
VR: Do you play any other instruments? ND: I used to play piano, but at the moment it is just the drums.
VR: How do you deal with your nerves while playing?
ND: Honestly, I just look at my music and play the correct notes. If it does not work out then I will do better next time.
and muscles,” Anderson said.
After an event, the most important nutrient is protein.
“After the workout or game is the time to focus on protein in order to promote muscle recovery,” Anderson said.
This is because proteins help rebuild the muscles that are lost during the said event.
If an athlete were to not properly fuel themselves before an event many side effects could occur. The biggest short term consequences are reduced performance and increased injury risk. For everyone, but especially for younger people, a bad diet could lead to chronic diseases years from now. If an athlete were to properly fuel themselves with food, the results would be nearly complete opposites.
“When an athlete fuels their body well, they are able to maximize their athletic performance to their fullest potential while also avoiding injury and illness,“ Anderson added. “A diet adequate in protein, iron, calcium, fiber, etc. in your teenage years can proactively prevent disease 10, 20, even 50 years from now.”
While it may be hard to find out what's actually good or to make the food, it is worth it.
While a good meal can be many different things, they all should meet some requirements.
“Eating foods that make up a balanced meal for everyone, including athletes,” Anderson said. “A balanced meal contains a grain or starch, a protein source and a fruit or vegetable. Each of these food groups is important in their own way and provides their own benefit to the body.”
Vanguard Review: Do you like volleyball or basketball more and why?
Crosby Davis: Basketball because I have been playing it for so long, but volleyball is a close second.
VR: What shoes do you wear for basketball?
CD : For the season, I just ordered custom Sabrina 2s, but for practice I go in between my Sabrina 1s and 2s.
BY CHARLIE STEWART REPORTER
VR: If you had the choice would you play your favorite sport at the collegiate level?
CD: I probably it's such a once in a lifetime experience to make it to that next level. It's just a ton of commitment, so I would actually have to make sure I want to do it.
VR: What do you think is strong suit in basketball?
CD: I would say just being aggressive down low.
BY SELINA JUNG REPORTER
SOURCE: VR DEC. 2024
Continued from Page 11
Find out here and watch your grades soar!
If you answered mostly As, you’re a Writer.
You learn facts and concepts best through the act of actually writing or rewriting down the information you’ve learned in class and by reading books. You’re probably a great note-taker and friends may often ask to borrow your notes. Make lists, outlines, flashcards and anything that requires you to type or hand write the material because something about doing this makes an impression in your brain.
If you answered mostly Bs, you’re a Teacher.
Explaining to somebody what you learned is your ideal type of studying. You may be good at explaining to your friends or people who
couldn’t understand the class well. If you are alone and don’t have anybody to teach or talk about the material, you can put an object in front of you or you also can talk yourself out of it.
If you answered mostly Cs, you’re a Artist.
You learn the facts and concepts best through the act of drawing, doodling and creating a mind map or diagram of the information you’ve learned. You probably enjoy activities that use creativity. You may not even be an accomplished artist, but engaging your artistic side still helps you to memorize, study and retain information.
If you answered mostly Ds, you’re a Connector.
Connecting with the word or material that you’ve learned before in class is how you learn facts and concepts. You are probably good at making associations and relating with something. If you want to find another way to connect, you also can make a song.
The Vanguard
