Vanguard Review October 2022

Thoughts & opinions | 2

Let’s be real | 4-5

Falling for you | 6

Bostick Café is too small for the growing number of people trying to eat lunch there

Social media app promotes more authenticity, but does it really work?

Five reasons we are obsessed with autumn

Vanguard College Preparatory School, 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710

October 2022, Volume 49, Issue 1

The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication

Groundbreaking news

Vikings set off a 50th anniversary plan for a new and improved campus

all students who enter into these programs.”

Vanguard is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an immense expansion. This new renovation will require a $15 million building campaign and be constructed over time. As funds are raised, more and more of the expansion will be completed – beginning with the gym. Some of the changes include a new robotics and innovation center, new classrooms, weight room and lockers, a renovated gym, performing arts center and art gallery.

Students, faculty and members of the board of trustees sym“We have redone Bostick Hall in the bolically break ground on Friday, Sept. 9 to kick off the campus last decade, that’s the last major project renovations and the school’s 50th anniversary. Archive photo we’ve done on our campus. We did some upgrades like new windows in Mayborn Delaney Trepinski ‘23 and put a new roof on as well,” said head of school editor-in-chief Bill Borg. “For the school’s next 50 years – which magine hanging a piece of art you worked hard will lap three generations – those who are graduat in a professional style art gallery, working out ating this year could potentially get married, have in an air conditioned weight room or watching children and those children could get married and your friends act in a play in a big performing arts have children and those kids could be students here. center. These experiences and a lot more will soon We felt that we’ve served three generations and in become reality as part of the school’s $15 million order to serve the next three generations we needed expansion plan which kicked off with a ground- to address a physical plan on how we wanted to breaking ceremony Friday, Sept. 9 on campus. make it look. We looked at it from a multi-pronged “The new changes are going to improve some effect: sports, administration and academics, perof the programs at Vanguard like the Fine Arts forming arts and enclosement of the campus.” and Robotics program,” said Senior Aldo Ibarra, Students like senior Noah Hale said they wel“which will definitely improve the experience for

I

come the innovations that will come with new school buildings and facilities.

“I think it was about time for the school to change,” Hale said.

Whether excited for the change or nostalgic about the school they have known and loved, students cannot help but look forward to the future of their campus.

Specifically the PAC, which will have 400 to 500 seats.

“I am most excited for the new PAC because there will be a better spot for things like the morning wake up calls,” said Sophomore Caroline Rice.

Hale, a member of the theater program, thinks that the PAC is a great addition also.

“I am excited for the new performing arts center that they are planning to build because more than just a handful of people will be able to come and watch performances,” he said.

Psychology teacher and counselor Aline Leslie said she thinks a new PAC will be a solid addition to campus.

“I’ve always been supportive of the arts here on campus,” said Leslie, “A lot of people don’t realize how important it is for growing adolescents — all people, really — to exercise different parts of their brain. In my opinion, playing a violin is no less important than running a cross country race or doing an Algebra problem. Mrs. James, Mr. Priest, and Mr. James have done a remarkable job with the

limited space they’ve had to work in. I look forward to seeing them make use of a new PAC.” Viking basketball and track athlete Karoline Horner said she is enthusiastic about the expanded gym.

“As an athlete, I think it is necessary for Vanguard to update the athletic facilities, especially because of the success that is going to come with the next classes,” Horner said.

Ibarra agreed.

“The renovations to the gym are what I am most excited for,” he said. “The gyms are fine now, but a new and improved gym with air conditioning will make practice there more enjoyable.”

“Also, an expanded weight room will make working out more accessible to all because right now there really isn’t enough room in there for everyone. So, basically I think that improving the gym will make the athletic program more enjoyable for the athletes as well as anyone else who goes in there for anything.”

Junior Annabelle Reese said that the new gym will bring a new culture to the athletes.

“I feel like once the gym is redone it will breathe some life back into Vanguard’s athletic program,” Reese said. “I also feel like it will help change vanguard culture around sports, and make people care about them as well as compete more.”

Sophomore Amelia Livesay looks forward to the gym, as well.

Continued on page 8

Parking lot paranoia

Students navigate a more crowded parking lot as enrollment goes up

Caroline Williams ‘24 reporter

R

evving engines, squealing tires, screeching brakes and students flooding the parking lot on foot, either trying to get to their cars or to a place to eat on campus. Sometimes lunchtime can feel like chaos. With everyone rushing to school and rushing to get home, traffic jams or little accidents become possible occurrences in the area. In fact, there have already been at least two minor accidents in the parking lot this school year.

“The parking lot is congested,” junior Michael Bennett said. “Especially when everyone is trying to leave at the same time. I have a truck, so I have to be extra careful because of the back end. It’s doable, but it’s congested.”

Driving is a privilege many high school students look forward to — and work for by taking driver’s education, getting their permit and ultimately their license. At Vanguard, students can go off campus for lunch starting their junior year. Getting to take a break from the school environment to go eat food at a restaurant or within the comfort of your own home is appealing to most students, so the moment the bell rings, students stop by their lockers, grab their friends and head to the parking lot to leave.

But some students said they don’t feel safe while driving in the parking lot because it feels

cramped and seems too small to accommodate the growing population of students and student drivers. Given this information and student responses, it seems the parking lot is more crowded - and maybe less safe - than last year.

“I don’t feel extremely safe because there are a lot of new drivers or just bad parent drivers who don’t pay attention, and the parking lot is really narrow so it’s easy to get hit,” junior Jordan Young said. “I think the parking lot could be bigger, and if it was there would be [fewer] issues.”

More than 56 percent of students said they feel like the parking lot is more crowded than last year, according to an Oct. 2022 VR student poll. Even though 76.7 percent said they feel safe when driving through the lot, the other 23.3 percent said they do not.

Due to increased enrollment this year and the influx of new student drivers, more people are driving through the parking lot, whether it’s current students or student parents. With the parents lining up on the side of the Brown building, it makes it difficult for students to maneuver around or back out, due to parents waiting near or behind their car.

“It feels overcrowded after school when parents are in pick-up line, and it’s difficult to back out safely [because] some of the parents sit there right behind my car,” junior Callie Williams said.

Another problem faced in the parking lot is the number of spots themselves. It is getting harder for students to find parking spots as classes are increasing in size.

The current junior class is one Students weave in and out of cars in the school parking lot on a September day after of the biggest school. More than 56 percent of students said they feel like the parking lot is more classes at school crowded than last year, according to an Oct. 2022 VR poll. Caroline Williams / VR staff and more people dents that could occur on campus. Whether they within the class are getting their licenses, which are minor or extreme, accidents occur frequently means they will have to find parking spots soon. in parking lots, especially when people are rushed “I don’t have trouble finding a place to park or distracted. because I park near the softball field, and everyJunior Annabelle Reese was involved in an acone kind of has an understanding of each other’s cident with science teacher Jacob Lefebvre’s car in spots,” junior Maggie Winarick said. “Also, I run the parking lot on fall sports photo day last month. cross country, so I am there before most everyone “[When the accident occurred] I was not beelse. There are definitely a lot of cars in the parking ing very focused and I was rushing,” she said. “I lot. I think it’s big enough for now, but as bigger just went inside and talked to him about what had grades reach driving age, it’ll definitely get hard to happened, and we went to look at the damage and find a consistent parking spot for everyone.”

All of these factors may contribute to accitalked about how to handle Continued on page 8

2 thoughts

The Vanguard Review October 5, 2022

Is the Bostick Café cramping your style?

E

veryone can tell that the most busy time in school is lunch time. But I would also say it is everyone’s favorite time of the school day. In Bostick, you smell delicious lunch and go to Madelyn Kim ‘26 lines for lunch. Lots of stureporter dents are busy talking to each other, having lunch.

Including me, a lot of students go to Bostick Café to get lunch that they ordered. Several of them are eating lunch inside the café. Moreover, students who bring their lunch also go to the café to use a microwave as well.

Every time I go to the café for lunch, it is really crowded and full of students, and the line is endless. In addition, a microwave is in the middle of the lunch line. It is so confusing to see which one is the microwave line or lunch line.

I strongly believe that Bostick Café’s size is too small for lots of students who order school lunch.

According to a VR Oct.2022 student poll, more than 77 percent of students do not think there is enough room for all the people who want to eat lunch in Bostick. In the café, there are 12 tables and around

50 seats. And the size is about a classroom size. I Second of all, changing the location of the mihave seen some students eating alone outside be- crowave will be really effective. I think this may cause there were no seats left in the café. One time, cause less confusion in lunch/snack lines. There we had to have lunch outside in hot summer weather are two microwaves in Bostick. One of them is in since it was already full inside the café. And I have the middle of the place where students wait in line. heard complaints that saying Bostick Café is too Therefore, I think it should be far away from the line small from several students. in order not to make line confusion. For example, in Bostick Café workers are doing a great job. I Jaworski or in front of the Bostick restroom. know they are doing good, however this problem Next, setting up a vending machine outside is not about workers’ ability. It is the Bostick. related to the size of the café and I strongly believe that Bostick If there is the location of a microwave.

Café’s size is too small for lots a vending I know that this problem is machine for difficult to fix because it takes a of students who order school snacks, the lot of process, but I have some lunch. There are only 12 tables café workers solutions or alternatives that will will be less and 50 seats. And the size is help fix this problem. busy and it First of all, you can change about a classroom size. will make the place of the lunch/snack lines.

Bostick less I think lunch/snack lines are making the café even crowded. more busy and crowded. For instance, if the lunch/ Last but not least, making the café bigger. I am snack line is outside the café, it will be much less sure that it costs a lot of money, however it is the crowded inside the cafe. I recommend outside of the most beneficial and direct way to solve the problem. building, which is connected to a small window of Fortunately, I found out that a bigger café will be in the café. Furthermore, you can fill that place(which the plans for the new expansion of the school. is used for waiting in line) with more tables and seats/chairs.

Music Review: Lola Blanc

That’s what YOU think!

K

Where can you get the best PSL in Wacotown?

andice Melonakos, known by her stage name Lola Blanc, is a 34-year-old Aria Cleveland ‘26 American singer/songwriter whom I discovreporter ered during quarantine.

“Discovered” is a strong word. While doing my homework, a song of hers started auto-playing after one of mine, and I skipped it without a thought, but not before I spotted her name.

It stuck in my thoughts until one day I decided to look her up on purpose. Her song “Angry Too” was the first to pop up.

I didn’t like it at first, but I quickly found myself playing it in the background while riding my bicycle.

Her songs are giving villain era and have the vibe of “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons. I would also recommend listening to her while working out, running or doing chores around the house.

I would not recommend you listen to her while Lola Blanc is an alternative pop artist born doing homework or trying to focus though. in Germany and raised in Michigan.

Creative Commons photo

Quotes we love

Things to

Consider

October 2022 poll results are in!

Do you like the 8:30 a.m. start time of school this year?

Yes 94.9% No 5.1% Do you like the five minute passing period?

Yes 23% No 77% Does the parking lot feel more crowded than last year?

Yes 56.2% No 43.8% Do you feel safe when driving through the parking lot during the morning or lunchtime rush?

Yes 76.9% No 23.1% Do you have a clear understanding of all the points in this year’s dress code?

Yes 71.3% No 28.7% Do you fully understand the phone policy — and what times your phone could be taken up?

Yes 75.6% No 24.4% Do you have the BeReal app?

Yes 33.6% No 66.4%

36.5% Starbucks 5.1 % Common Grounds 1.5 % Dunkin Donuts

What is your favorite season of the year?

Fall 34.8% Summer 26.8% Winter 26.1% Spring 12.3%

Whaaaaaaa?

56.9% Don’t like PSLs!

Do you have the BeReal app?

Yes 33.6% No 66.4%

Source: VR Oct. 2022 student poll

The above results reflect the VCPS student body of 267 students.

Polls were distributed electronically through Google Forms.

Number of responses: 138

“You can’t go back and change the Have an idea? Talk to us! beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending” — C.S. Lewis

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 2022-2023 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.

Advertising The Vanguard Review is funded through the student sale of advertisements to local businesses and re- serves the right to refuse ads based on the discretion of the editorial board and adviser. Advertisements that are considered inappropriate or support any form of illegal activity, as well as any unethical or offensive ideologies will not be permitted to run in the paper.

Corrections If any misinformation or errors are found in a story, the staff can be alerted through vanguard_review@ vanguard.org so that the appropriate correction may be made.

Email us at vanguard_review@vanguard.org to talk to us about sharing your opinion in the paper or submitting a letter to the editor! If you’re interested in submitting artwork or other pieces of writing, send us an email - or stop by the newspaper room in Brown 112.

Bylines Bylines will be determined based on the contributions from each writer or individual. Contact the staff for the full policy.

Distribution and Printing Process

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.

The Vanguard Review Volume 49, Issue 1, October 5, 2022 The Vanguard College Preparatory School Student Newspaper 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710 vanguard_review@vanguard.org (254) 772-8111

Staff

Delaney Trepinski editor-in-chief Landri Wheeler assistant editor & business manager Caro Williams reporter Bella Tonkin reporter Aria Cleveland reporter Madelyn Kim reporter 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 309: 267 students and 42 faculty members.

people

The Vanguard Review October 5, 2022

Student Spotlight:

3

Teacher Spotlight:

Grade 10

Ema Mathis

Connor McReynolds

Rodeo Queen

Laid-back Passionate Determined Aria Cleveland ‘26 reporter

J

ust make no mistakes. That is what goes through the mind of Ema Mathis, sophomore, when she rodeos. Mathis ropes calves, also known as breakaway roping, and barrel races. Most people do not realize that the word ‘rodeo’ can be used as a noun or a verb especially if it’s something you do as often as Mathis.

“I was born into it. My dad rodeos and he teaches,” Mathis said. “There’s a lot of people who don’t realize how cutthroat it is and how difficult it is to ro-

Chemistry teacher Connor McReynolds said students can excel in his class by learning time management skills. Madelyn Kim/ VR staff

Madelyn Kim ‘25 reporter

Connor McReynolds said he likes that Vanguard students work hard and are passionate about class.

Ema Mathis says she wants to rodeo professionally after she graduates. Aria Cleveland / VR staff

“On my way to the rodeo, I usually picture how ing except for Washington,” Mathis said. “And for I want my run to go and replay it over and over in my my dad specifically, my goal is [to go] pro when I head until I feel confident,” Mathis said. turn 18 So I’ve really just been around Texas and This visualization technique is also im“On my way to the rodeo, I usually plemented by Olympic athletes. When she picture how I want my run to go and gets to the rodeo, the scoping out begins.

“If I’m roping, I’ll go look at what calf I replay it over and over in my head drew,” Mathis said. “And if I’m in the middle until I feel confident.” or the end of the competition, I’ll watch the - Ema Mathis, sophomore other girls to see what the times average, how fast or slow the calves run, and how much to see on the barrier. If I’m running stuff, but pretty much anywhere and everywhere.” barrels, I’ll see how far the first barrel is Mathis also enjoys listening to music and podfrom the timer and how far the timer is casts while she rides and trains. from the alleyway.”

“Sometimes country, sometimes rap,” Mathis The time afterward depends on how said. “It’s a mixture of things. My playlist is a wide the race itself went. variety of different genres. I’ll listen to anyone from “If I do good, then I’ll replay what Rosemary Clooney, to George Strait, K.T. Oslin, I did and watch the video and see what Snoop Dogg, to NPR.” I did so I can try to do it the next time,” A book that she has recently read is “Mind Gym: Mathis said. “If my run is not so good, I’ll An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary watch my video and take away what I did Mack. good and go home and work on what I did “The Mind Gym is a great book,” Mathis said. bad. Sometimes you just have a bad day “I would recommend it to anyone whether you’re and there’s not much you can do to fix it. an athlete or not. I really enjoyed reading it and it Ema Mathis said that she wants to rodeo professionally after I try to use the power of positive thinking. helped me a lot in gaining confidence mentally and she graduates. Photo courtesy of Ema Mathis I mean, you’re literally riding an animal physically. It teaches you how to block out unneceswith a mind of its own. Rodeo is definite- sary thoughts and to be on point.” deo. People think ‘oh, it’s like you just ride a horse,’ ly a mental game.”

The last time that she laughed so hard she cried and there’s a lot more to it than just sitting up there.”

Mathis has a passion for rodeo and has traveled was when somebody fell off their horse at a rodeo.

Mathis has specific rituals she does before, after, extensively to pursue it.

“It was not probably the right moment to laugh, and during riding and roping calves.

“I’ve been everywhere on the West Coast rodeo- but we did,” Mathis said.

VR: What is your favorite part of Chemistry?

CM: My favorite part of chemistry is definitely the labs. I love to see how something we have learned in class has an application in the real world.

VR: How would you describe your first year as a teacher so far?

CM: I would describe my first year as challenging yet rewarding. As a new teacher there is a lot for me to learn but I am definitely up for the challenge.

VR: In what ways has teaching Vanguard surprised you in a good way?

CM: What has surprised me so far is how driven the student body is. A lot of students here are very ambitious and are working very hard to realize their goals. At the high school I attended most students were just trying to get by academically. At Vanguard most students are excelling academically.

VR: What can students do to excel in your class?

CM: Students can excel in my class by learning time management skills. Chemistry can be a difficult subject and studying just a little bit everyday will help enormously. Coming to tutorials to ask questions about anything you are confused about will also help a lot.

VR: What do you like to do outside of school in your free time?

CM: In my free time I love to read, play games, and cook. I am someone who enjoys bouncing from hobby to hobby. One week I might spend all my free time playing video games but then the next week I might find myself unable to stop reading a new book series.

4

BeReal.

Social media app promotes more authenticity, but does it really work?

Baylor Associate Professor of Communications

By Delaney Trepinski and Landri Wheeler

A

recently popular social network is taking on the challenge of being authentic online. This app encourages its users to be real and does not promote fixed images as it does not have filters or give you time to edit your photos. Scrolling through Instagram, you see the highlights of people’s lives — trips, parties, photos with friends — but, come on, let’s be real guys.

Those posts are typically filtered, edited or picked out of 50 photos to show someone’s best side. But there is a relatively new app — called exactly what it is asking users to do, BeReal — that brings online authenticity to the forefront of social media.

“Being authentic means letting people get to know your real self,” eighth grader Madeline McNamara said.

“And that helps you get to know them.”

BeReal is still on the rise at Vanguard with only 33 percent of the student body having downloaded the app, according to the Oct. VR student poll. The idea is to catch people in the moment, rather than giving them time to fix up or stage the perfect photo. The BeReal app is ranked the second top free app — ahead of TikTok and Instagram — as of September 28, 2022, according to iPhone App Store charts. The app is also ranked the number one social networking app over Whatsapp and Facebook.

BeReal prompts users with a notification to take a picture at a random time in the day. These notifications can come at any time and they have a two-minute time slot to snap two pictures — of themselves and what they are doing — once they open the app. If a person misses the time slot, then it is simply tagged as late. BeReal then sends the pictures to the user’s friend list where they have a chance to react and comment on their images. Users are only able to view other peoples photos

once they post one of their own. Once posted, users can view their friends’ photos under the tab labeled ‘my friends’ or look under the ‘discovery’ tab to see pictures from all over the world. The photo users take disappears everyday, but no worries, it can be found in their memories from that point on.

“On BeReal, you’re showing what you’re actually doing,” sophomore Lexi Barnett said, “rather than going somewhere to take the picture or wearing certain clothes or using a filter. “On BeReal, you’re wearing what you normally wear and feel comfortable in. We get to see who people really are.”

Like other apps, users get friend requests and can choose to have only friends look at their photos or have

they are without editing and highlights allowing for a more authentic look at what you compare your own life to,” junior Haley Lekas said.

BeReal came out in 2020 during the peak of Covid-19, but has just now officially reached the teen population. Many Vanguard students said they have only recently downloaded the app. “[I have had it] since the end of the 2021-2022 school year, so for about four months,” sophomore Townlin Starr said.

Freshman Will Lindsey also got the app around four months ago.

Being true to one’s own personality, spirit or character is what it means to be authentic, according to one

“I think authenticity is so important and yet so difficult for people. We want people to like us for who we are and yet we curate a representation from ourselves that is inauthentic.”

— Blair Browning, Baylor Associate Professor of Communications it in the “discovery” page where people all around the world can see them. This app exposes the true profile of its users whether that be during a football game, doing homework or just relaxing in your room. Because it is a timed slot to take the picture, it does not give the user enough time to get rid of the imperfections or adjust the lighting.

“BeReal sets random daily times for you to post so that your and others’ daily lives can be seen for what

definition by Merriam-Webster. It also means not false; not imitation. Authenticity is just what BeReal is claiming to offer its users. BeReal’s LinkedIn profile states: BeReal is a new kind of photo sharing app where you spontaneously share your real life with your friends.

Without filters, followers and likes. Only your friends for real.

“I think authenticity is so important and yet so difficult for people,” Dr. Blair Browning, associate professor

10:08

5

1:59 AJ Cooper, junior

Katylu Offill, senior

Townlin Starr, sophomore

Will Lindsey, freshman

Haley Lekas, junior

Jared Ray, sophomore Katylu Offill / Bifrost staff

of communications at Baylor University, said. “We want people to like us for who we are and yet we curate a representation from ourselves that is inauthentic.”

Browning pointed to people using the hashtag ‘nofilter’ as an example.

“That essentially means ‘everything else I have shown you is filtered, but in this one image, there’s no filter,’” Browning said. “It’s a bit of an exaggerated example, of course, but you can see how numbed or inoculated we have become to this sometimes false version of self-presentation. Of course people want to look their best and present the best versions of self but this isn’t real.”

Browning added that he thinks that is why today’s teens have had a healthy pushback through Be Real.

“For me, authenticity means showing your true colors and showing people who you really are,” eighth grader Maddie Dortilus said. “You don’t want people to get to know the fake you. You want them to know who you really are. If you show people that you are fake [on social media], you could lose a lot of friends and that’s not going to be good.”

Seventy-six percent of the students who have the BeReal app said that they felt they are truly being authentic when using the app, according to the VR stu-

dent poll.

“I feel like the way that you are just supposed to drop what you’re doing and take a picture shows the purpose and namesake of the app, and the app has no filters or anything like that so you can’t change how [you] look,” sophomore Jared Ray said.

Lekas agreed.

“While on Instagram you post pictures of fun trips or quirky daily moments with more casual Instagram feeds,” Lekas said. “You can still become really obsessed with how many people are following you, how many likes you get, what you look like and how you compare to others, and what other people post as their highlights.”

In contrast, senior Katylu Offill said that BeReal does not differ from her other social media platforms and being truly authentic is a hard thing to accomplish online.

“While I think Be Real is one of the best social media platforms, I think it’s impossible to be truly authentic on social media,” Offill said. “No matter what someone is doing when the 2-minute timer goes off, people will naturally fix their hair or make sure they are happy with their facial expression before posting”. “In my opinion, the only way to ‘be real’ is in face-to-face interactions

with real people.”

Some students said that BeReal can be a more relaxed alternative to other social media platforms.

“Be Real is different from other platforms because it doesn’t show you how many friends [or] followers you have, and nobody can like your Be Real of the day,” Offill said. “The only thing that people can do on Be Real in regards to your own posts is react to it (people take a selfie reacting to the Be Real) and comment— but comments are definitely rarer on Be Real than on other platforms like Instagram.”

For some the BeReal app has not affected how they post on other social media.

“For me, I don’t think Be Real has influenced how I post on other social media platforms,” Offill said.

“Though it is easy to only post the highlights of my life, I try to be authentic and stay true to myself and my beliefs when I do post.”

On the other hand the app has made a few students look at the way they post on other platforms.

“I’ve been more authentic [in] the way I post in my opinion, I don’t just post stuff that’s been planned or set up,” junior AJ Cooper said. “I’m more authentic [because] I post when and what I’m actually doing, not something that’s staged.”

6 feature

for you g n i l l a F

The Vanguard Review October 5, 2022

By Bella Tonkin

Five reasons we’re absolutely obsessed with autumn

T

he crunch of leaves beneath your feet as the cool autumn wind blows against your skin. The smell of a fresh pumpkin spice latte and a warm, fuzzy sweater fresh out of the dryer. What do all of these things have in common? They are all sensory appeals of the fall season. But why do so many people love fall?

“I think that it has to do with change,” said Vanguard psychology teacher Aline Leslie. “Especially here in Texas, our summers are long, hot and seemingly, never-ending. That first rush of cooler air signals that we’ll be a lot more comfortable, and that’s exciting on a subconscious level,” S’mores and bonfires, the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo, football and tailgating, pumpkin spice lattes and sweaters are all things the Vikings love about autumn.

1.

T

Pumpkin Spice is very nice

he most iconic of all the fall seasonal drinks at many coffee shops worldwide is a pumpkin spice latte or “PSL,” a name coined by Starbucks customers. Where can you find the best pumpkin spice latte? And why are they so popular? On average 20 million pumpkin spice lattes are sold by Starbucks each year.

“I like pumpkin spice lattes from Common Grounds best,” said Harper Peel.

Common Grounds, Starbucks, and Dunkin Donuts are all places where you can find pumpkin spice lattes along with many other autumnal drinks.

“I like pumpkin spice lattes because it feels like fall when you drink it,” said sophomore Jacie Grace Duncan.

The decision of the best pumpkin spice latte is split. Many people love to keep it original with Starbucks, while others choose to be local with common grounds or other coffee shops in the Waco area. More than 36 percent of students said they go to Starbucks for their PSL, while 5.1 percent said they prefer Common Grounds, according to an Oct. 2022 VR poll. Which pumpkin spice latte is the best is for you to decide: If you like it more sweet, then Starbucks is for you. But if you like it to have a true pumpkin flavor, Common Grounds would be your cup of tea … or should we say coffee.

2.

Sweater Weather

I

t’s noon on a rainy autumn afternoon. You’re drinking a pumpkin spice latte and watching your favorite comfort movie on the couch.

What are you wearing? A staple item in everyone’s closet during the fall season is sweaters.

“I really enjoy wearing sweaters during the fall season because they’re super comfy to wear at school or just out,” junior Avery Schnautz said.

Sweaters come in so many styles and colors and are adored by many. Aerie, Free People, LOFT and Urban Outfitters are all places that have lots lots of stylish sweaters for sale.

“I like to order my sweaters from free people,” sophomore Townlin Starr said. “They are all over-

I

4.

Fire Pits & S’mores

t’s Friday night. You and your friends are all sitting around a fire, chatting and roasting marshmallows. Sweet melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows melted the perfect amount coats your taste buds.

Sophomore Hope Jackson has a fire pit at her house and said she regularly enjoys hanging out around it.

“Whether it’s friends or family, it’s just kind of a time for people to come together and everyone is really focused on each other’s presence instead of everything else,” Jackson said.

Eighth grader Joshua Lawson said he helps

5.

I

sized and float, which I like. Shein also had cute and colorful sweaters.”

Freshman Melina Garman said she likes to get sweaters at thrift stores.

“I found one at Shepherd’s Heart through Emma’s Day last year and I’ve found some really nice stuff there and it benefits a good cause,” Garman said.

Sweaters are being worn in many different styles and ways this fall season. What fall fashion trends should we be looking out for this autumn?

“Fall fashion trends I’ve seen this year are the brighter colors and patterns,” freshman Landry Stewart said. “They still have a fall vibe, but are more fun.”

Sweaters are cozy, cute and fun. They are perfect to wear to school or out, and can be worn with jeans, leggings or any kind of pants you want. They are timeless and effortless while still being comfy and are the perfect piece to any fall ‘fit.

Tailgates & Football

magine getting up at 9 o’clock on a Saturday morning and heading to a tailgate before your favorite college football team’s 11 o’clock game. There’s so much to look forward to: breakfast tacos, donuts, barbecue, not to mention wearing your team’s colors, the cooler weather and meeting up with friends and family.

“My favorite part of tailgating is catching up with friends and eating good food,” said eighth

build the fires in his backyard and loves a good s’more.

“I cook the marshmallow really slowly so it gets nice and golden brown,” Lawson said.

Jackson said she like her marshmallows burned.

“My perfect s’more has a lot of chocolate and a marshmallow that is really burned and crispy,” Jackson said. “I guess it’s kind of a texture thing.”

Freshman Matthew Clark has his own perfect recipe.

“Three squares of chocolate and I like my marshmallow golden brown but not black,” Clark said. “I catch it on fire, but blow it out really fast before it burns.”

grader Katie Clare Shornack.

Thirty-four percent of Vanguard students said that they look forward to football games and tailgating during the fall season, according to an October 2022 Vanguard Review poll.

For most people, watching football games is their favorite thing about fall. But for others it is actually playing the game.

“I play football so we can dominate this season,” said eighth grader Tristan Latino.” I also play football, so I’m not quitting and finishing what we started. I look forward to getting stronger, smarter and better.”

3.

T

Rodeos & Rides

he sound of chatter and joyful screams fill your ears and the smell of funnel cakes and corn dogs fills your nostrils as you and your friends wander around the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo. The annual event is starts Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 16 this year.

Madeline McNamara, eighth grade, said she can feel Fair & Rodeo season in the air.

“It’s just a kind of vibe,” McNamara said.

“The air is cooler and everyone is really happy to be there.”

It’s a tradition that some students look forward to each year.

“I’ve been going to the fair and rodeo since I was a little kid,” freshman Aspen Moore said.

“I did mutton bustin’ when I was really little and that’s probably the first fair I can remember.”

The Heart of Texas Rodeo has many different captivating activities. Mutton bustin’, barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping and more.

“I like to watch barrel racing and seeing the different ways people train and how they overcome different obstacles. It is not easy.” Moore said.

Another highlight of the Fair experience is the food.

“Fair food is the best,” Moore said. “The funnel cakes are delicious.”

Moore also loves the midway rides, she said.

“I love rides because I’m a 100 percent daredevil,” Moore said.

Every year the HOT Fair & Rodeo has many country artists come and perform as well. This year the hot country band Midland will perform on Saturday, Oct. 8. Clay Walker takes the stage on Friday, Oct. 7, and Gary Allen will perform Saturday October 15.

sports

The Vanguard Review October 5, 2022

7

Navigating the road to recovery Student athletes talk about their time on the injured list and how they dealt with the pain and disappointment of watching from the sidelines Caro Williams ‘24 reporter

F

or the 30 million teens and children who participate in sports, more than 3.5 million of them experience some sort of sport-related injury, according to a report by Stanford University Medicine. These injuries cause loss of participation time, scholarship and good expectations.

Nearly 70 percent of students said they have experienced some type of sports injury in their lifetime, according to a Oct. 2022 VR poll.

The most common injuries include sprains or strains, but high school athletes area also affected by more serious injuries, like concussions. No matter the severity, all injuries typically have some sort of emotional impact on the teen and can have longterm effects on the injured area.

Last month, freshman Chloe Selke suffered an injury during her volleyball practice.

“We were doing a drill,” Selke said. “I was running under the net, turned around and my ankle didn’t move with my body — and I fell. I tore two ligaments in my ankle.”

At first, Selke was on crutches on crutches and now she is in a boot. She is out for four weeks and possibly six.

“Now I’m just slow,” Selke said. “I can’t get anywhere very quickly. I’ll be out until the last couple of games of the season. It’s frustrating because I want to help out my team and I want to be there for the team. I really want to finish out the season, and I can’t.”

Types of injuries range from acute injuries, which are caused by sudden trauma; overuse injuries, which are caused by overusing the muscles or ligaments without giving them time to heal in between; and catastrophic sports injuries. Overuse and acute type injuries are very common among high school athletes, Viking athletic trainer Alex Breitenwischer said.

“Definitely the collision sports, such as football, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, any form of extreme sports, like mountain bike or BMX that will obviously bring a little bit more acute injuries,” Breitenwischer said. “Whereas you have the endurance type of sports, like cross country or track that will have a little bit more of the overuse injuries.”

Football is a very popular sport regarding injuries and collisions. Vanguard freshman quarterback Drew Howard explained how he hurt his shoulder

during a football practice. sequences on the educational, social and even the “I got tackled by Jaxson Burch and I landed basic aspects of life, no matter what the injury. on my left shoulder, which is my throwing arm,” Howard said. “I had to start doing more things with my opposite arm, which was kind of tough considering I’m left-handed. I really couldn’t do a lot of things I normally would do. It was really tough watching all of my teammates play in the first two games, but it was also kind of cool watching them from the sidelines and cheering them on.”

Among common injuries in football and all sports in general are concussions.

According to Nemours Teens Health, concussions happen because the brain is soft and floats around in cerebrospinal fluid, making it possible for it to bang against the skull. When a fall or collision takes place and the brain is able to bang against the skull, it could bruise the brain or it can even tear blood vessels. This might cause temporary loss of the typical brain function, usually ex- Top photo: Junior AJ Cooper runs in the Valley Mills cross country meet prior to his concussion this season. hibiting symptoms like Caro Williams / Review staff Above: Junior Addie Morris headaches, difficulty catches for softball in the Holy Trinity game while still concentrating, rememfacing problems from her injury a year before. Sage Subering or even speakchecki / Bifrost staff Right: Senior Anthony Foti plays in ing, difficulty balanc- a state tennis match after fully recovering from his ACL ing and just generally injury last season. Archive photo feeling sick.

Aside from the basic Junior middle linecategories of sports backer AJ Cooper experienced a concussion earlier injuries, there are other injuries that are common this season. throughout sports. One of those is Anterior Cruci“In our game against Live Oak, I was put up ate Ligament (ACL) damage, according to Coloraagainst a kid twice my size and I didn’t get low do School of Public Health. ACL damage is a type enough, so he hit me head on,” Cooper said. “I was of acute knee injury that most commonly occurs in out for a week so I couldn’t play. I was frustrated contact sports like football. It is considered severe because we lost the next game and I wanted to play. due to the fact that it requires surgery. Teens who It really sucked not being able to play.” focus on one sport are more at risk of ACL damage Getting injured during sports usually has con- due to repetitive motions. Examples of these types

Athlete Spotlight: Danae Simmons VR: How do you feel about this cross country season after coming off of an injury?

DS: I’m a little nervous that it might hurt to run or that running might hinder my recovery process.

But, I’m excited to start running again because I’ve been mostly inactive for the last half of the summer due to the healing process of the surgery.

VR: What motivates you while running?

DS: What motivates me is the end, and no more pain. I just think: the faster I run, the faster I finish.

Junior Danae Simmons runs in the 400m at the district track meet on April 20. Brindley Ressetar / Bifrost stff

VR: What are some of your favorite post run snacks and drinks and why?

DS: I usually drink chocolate milk after I run. It

tastes really good and Coach Bowdoin says it also helps repair your muscles. I also eat oatmeal because it provides a lot of energy after a hard practice, and I usually eat it for breakfast on race days. I also make sure to drink a lot of water post-run and pre-run.

VR: What is your favorite kind of music to listen to while running and what are some songs that may be in your ear while running?

DS: I usually listen to fast-paced and upbeat songs because eventually I start to run to the beat of the song. Sometimes I listen to heavy metal because it makes me run faster because it’s super intense. I don’t have any specific songs right now, I usually just pick a pre-made playlist and listen to that, be-

of sports include football, soccer and basketball.

But ACL injuries can happen in any sport, including tennis.

“I received my injury during a district tennis tournament,” senior Anthony Foti said. “I was trying to hit a ball that was going behind me, and I felt my knee pop the wrong way. I had to adapt to walking with mostly one leg until I got surgery. [From] there on, I received physical therapy to help my leg learn to walk again. Physical therapy, at times, would push the current functionality of my leg past its limits, resulting in bad pain later on.”

Foti said he had to learn to use crutches and get used to not being able to do everyday activities.

“Going through an injury and physical therapy taught me to value the small things in life,” he said, “and to be proud to be part of an amazing tennis team.”

Collision injuries can be very catastrophic and can even affect how you learn and other aspects of life.

“Spring of 2021, my freshman year, I broke my hand by diving into third base during a softball game,” junior Addie Morris said. “I thought it was jammed, but I had an oblique fracture of my second metacarpal bone. I had to learn to throw and to drive with a plaster cast that was around my wrist and hand as well as my pointer and middle fingers.”

These injuries also limit the things that might seem normal to do otherwise, causing people to make adaptations to everyday life.

“I already hate parking, but parking one-handed as a new driver was scary, I would rate the experience around 3/10,” Morris said. “It was annoying having to wear a cast and not being able to play, but the injury itself barely hurt.”

Continued on Page 8

Bella Tonkin ‘26 reporter cause it’s hard to change music in the middle of running.

VR: You just earned the honor of getting the College Board’s National African American Recognition Award. How do you balance a rigorous academic schedule along with sports?

DS: Sometimes it’s really hard to get into a schedule balancing homework and sports. Luckily, cross country is in the morning so I don’t have to stay after school for practice. I can get home, recover from the early morning practice and start on my homework.

Time management is a super big thing. I get home, take a nap or relax for an hour and then have a certain time that I start my homework.

Vanguard Review Vanguard College Preparatory School 2517 Mt. Carmel Drive Waco, Texas 76710

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

The Vanguard Review October 5, 2022

Groundbreaking “I am excited for the new gym and all the new operations it will bring,” Livesay said.

Many things come with a new campus, but the most important of these is the new learning atmosphere.

“I think the new expansions will change the experience entirely since new students will have access to things and facilities we never did,” Hale said.

Rice agreed.

“I think the upgrade will make the campus feel more like a college campus and when you have better facilities, I think you will learn better,” said Rice.

The proposed building design is a more traditional, one-building school facility. It is a big change from the current multi-building campus where students travel by sidewalks through green spaces and outdoor seating areas as they go from one class to the next.

“I think that the new renovations will definitely change the Vanguard experience drastically,” Ibarra said. “The idea of the open college-campus feel that

Parking lot

continued from Page 1

Vanguard has will definitely go away because of the plan to connect the buildings and make the campus gated. I know there still will be some outdoor space, but overall, I think the feel of a college campus is definitely going to fade away when all the new changes are put in place.”

Although some students feel that the college experience will vanish, some believe it will not only stay but get better.

“I think it will change because they have new Facilities and newer classrooms. It will make their experience better,” said Livesay.

“It will allow more students to gain the opportunity to study at an amazing school like Vanguard that prepares them for their future careers,” said Horner.

Every aspect of this new campus is catered to the student and to improve Vanguard.

“We’ve got some really good teachers and some really good programs and we know we have some really good students and in many of the cases our phys-

ical facilities have been in need of being upgraded,” said Borg.

“I think that our administration and faculty will work hard to make sure that future Vanguard students will receive the same quality educational experience we’ve always provided,” Leslie said.

Horner said she has faith in the faculty and staff.

“I am excited for the future of Vanguard because I know with the faculty and staff we have it is headed in the right direction,” Horner said.“I can’t wait to see where Vanguard is in 50 years.”

Students have mixed feelings about the bittersweet loss of their well known campus, partly because they will not be here to take advantage of the additions and upgrades.

“I am not sad that Vanguard is changing,” she said, “but I am sad that I will miss most of the upgrades,”Rice said.

Ibarra agrees that the school needs new facilities, but wonders if it will feel like the same place when he

comes back post-graduation.

“I’m happy that the school is getting some much needed renovations but at the same time I’m a little sad because once I graduate and come back to visit in years down the road, the Vanguard that I went to for six years will look completely different,” he said. “I think I will feel like a stranger visiting a brand-new school, rather than an alumni who immediately feels a sense of nostalgia when going back to their old high school.”

Leslie reminds students that change is part of life.

“I’m not sad at all,” she said, “The nature of life is change and growth. Vanguard is not being rebuilt, it is evolving into a bigger and better version of what it’s always been.”

But Rice said, in the end, it’s all about the people.

“Just because the campus changes doesn’t mean the people that make Vanguard special are changing,” Rice said.

vehicle, if the owner is not also the driver,” Morrison said, “or leave a note in a conspicuous place on the unattended vehicle with the same information. Not only is this the right thing to do, it is the law in Texas.

If you fail to share this information and drive off, you may be charged with a criminal misdemeanor.”

Non-injury accidents can happen any time and at any place. If something worse happens and someone is injured, Morrison said, the driver must also provide reasonable assistance, including transporting or making arrangements for transporting the injured person to a doctor or hospital if it is apparent that medical care is needed or if the injured person requests it.

“If the injuries require medical care, it is recommended that you call 911 and let the medical professionals handle the transportation,” Morrison said.

“You must report the accident as quickly as possible

to the local police or sheriff’s office if there is injury or death to a person or a vehicle that cannot be normally and safely driven as a result of the damage.”

While that is unlikely to happen in a school parking lot, it is good to be prepared for any situation.

After that, you or your parents need to contact your insurance company so they can expedite the claims process. An insurance carrier will pay for the damages done to the other car through property damage liability insurance coverage, if it is determined you were at fault. In that case, your collision coverage will pay for the repairs needed for your own car once you’ve paid the deductible.

When all this is done, you have handled the situation. As long as you handle things properly, you can learn from the experience and adjust how you drive and move on.

continued from Page 1

talked about how to handle the situation. It was less stressful knowing I hit Mr. Lefevbre’s car, because I knew he wasn’t going to get mad at me or be rude to me. I was honestly thankful it was his car versus a teacher I knew would not be as calm.” Reese added, “Although I was not very calm in this situation, I have learned from the experience to stay calm and just be honest about what happened because honesty will get you farther than anything else.”

Aidan Latino, junior, had his first fender bender near the softball field. He accidentally hit senior Ava Chavez when he was backing out of a parking space.

“I was very scared, because of my overconfidence in my skills of driving and did not think that would happen,” Latino said. “After everything was over, I exchanged insurances with her mom. I have always been overly cautious whenever I’m backing out

or parking. I’ve never tried to squeeze into a spot since then. I always make sure I have more than enough room when parking and backing out and I always go slow when backing out [since that happened].”

Most driver’s education classes discuss the protocol for accident management, but some people do not remember or fully understand what to do when an accident occurs. The first thing that should happen is that the accident should be communicated to all parties involved.

If someone is involved in a crash, Texas Transportation Code obligates the driver to do several things, said local attorney Matt Morrison.

“If the crash involves only damage to the vehicles, the driver must stop and either locate the owner of the vehicle and give that person their name and address as well as the name and address of the owner of the

Sports injuries Morris found there were a couple of perks.

“I broke my right hand, and some teachers assumed I was right-handed and gave me a little extra time on quizzes,” she said. “I’m left-handed.”

While that injury was very hard to prevent, not all injuries are inevitable. There are some simple ways to prevent minor injuries in sports that are caused by poor bodily maintenance.

“The easiest way to not get hurt [is] just don’t do sports, right,” Breitenwischer said. “Injuries are part of sports. The best way to prevent an injury is to take preventative measures to not get hurt. By that I mean, if you know you have a history of hamstring strains, [you might try] getting on some form of lower extremity therapy plan. It’s going to definitely be best to help strengthen those muscles, get your hips nice and strong. That way your risk of injury is as low as possible.”

Nearly 77 percent of students agree that stretching it an important part of injury prevention, according to the VR poll.

Breitenwischer looks at injury prevention with a

continued from Page 7

holistic approach.

“It’s not just one thing that’s going to fix an injury,” he said. “It’s kind of multifaceted. Definitely making sure you’re fueled appropriately, making sure you’re hydrated, especially this age population, making sure that you’re sleeping.”

But 43.7 percent of students said they do not drink enough water, according to the poll.

Sleep is a huge piece of recovery, along with listening to your body, Breitenwishcer said.

“A lot of young athletes are playing two, three, four, sometimes more sports, so they’re very active every single day, you know, all week, all month, all year,.” Breitenwischer said. “Just make sure to listen to your body, give yourself some days off to give yourself a chance to recover. If you know you have a predisposition for muscle injuries or sprains or something like that, get on some form of rehab or a therapy plan to help kind of offset some of those muscle imbalances will definitely will help. Just generally being active is good. That way you don’t necessarily ever have a chance to get out of shape. You’re kind of always just in shape.”