The Marquee Volume 27 Issuee 2

Students plan to promote concerts for charity6Senior records songs for

iTunes in Nashville4 Ten things you shouldn’t do on Thanksgiving 12

MARCUS HIGH SCHOOL | 5707 MORRISS ROAD. FLOWER MOUND, TX 75028

MarqueeThe

volume 27 | issue 02 | november 2, 2012 mhsmarquee.com

r

ELECTION 2012

SPECIALEDITION

BATTLE BALLOT

The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression. The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate.All submissions must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

table the marquee [newsmagazine]

editor in chiefjordan richards

managing editormarisa charpentier

photo editorjordan richards

design editoramanda collen

news & feature editormarisa charpentier

graphics editorsydney sund

in-depth & opinion editorryan mcdearmont

entertainment editorcourtney clubb

sports editorsydney sund

business manageremily aijkens

reportersmaddy ermenio, miranda chiechi,

alyssa schmidt, ben horton, austin rickerson,

michael delgado, madi schwem, anna middleton

designerssydney sund, courtney clubb,

jordan richards, hailey painter, tori allmendinger

photographersamanda collen, kady kohankie, ben horton,

michele papa, miranda chiechi

adviserlajuana hale

principalgary shafferman

submittedphoto

miranda chiechistory

entertainment[14] RECYCLED READS The Marquee reviews local recycled media stores.

ryan mcdearmontstory

sports

news[3] HIT AND RUN Five hit and run cases reported at the school in six weeks.

maddy ermeniostory

feature[5] HOT WHEELS Sophomore Gentry Sutherland drives intricately decorated car.

sydney sundstory

[15] RIDING THE WAVES Junior Katelyn Fenner competes as junior professional wakeboarder.

SCAN HERE of contentsScan here to view additional sport stories from tennis, golf and swim teams.

cover design amanda collen

design sydney sund the marquee november 2, 2012

NEWS 3

it and run collisions between student drivers in the parking lot have been a recurrent problem this school year. Five incidents have been reported to administration in the span of six weeks, all of

which have happened after school in heavy traffic.The problem is not that the collisions have occurred,

but rather that the students chose to leave the scene of the accident, Assistant Principal Erum Shahzad said.

“I don’t know why students think it’s huge,” Shahzad said. “It’s not. It’s when they flee the scene that it becomes a crime.”

Failure to stop after an accident can result in a fine of as large as $5,000 depending on the severity of the damage. Students who leave the scene of the crime on campus can face consequences at school as well as with the police, Shahzad said.

“[Students] don’t want to deal with it or they don’t know what to do,” sophomore Justin Graham said. “Lots of times people freak out and drive off.”

Junior Payton Chalmers was hit in her 2013 Hyundai Elantra while waiting to leave the parking lot after school. The cost of the repairs to fix her bumper totaled $7,000.

maddy ermeniostory “My mom was mad because it was a brand new car and I had just gotten it,” Chalmers said. “I had just got my license a week before.”

Chalmers and her family felt angry that their insurance had to cover the costs, because the other person involved in the crash did not exchange information at the scene of the crime. The causes of the hit and runs are sometimes unclear because the two opposing sides often present different accounts of the accident.

Cameras are positioned behind the cafeteria, near the portables and band parking lot, by the agriculture building, in the athletic parking lot and in the front of the building, Assistant Principal Rusty Hamric said. The cameras may be used to determine the validity of the students’ claims, but the cameras have blind spots and are unable to record every incident.

“The kids that I’ve talked to have said the traffic was so bad they didn’t know where to pull over and they just left,” Shahzad said. “I would just say typical teenagers are worried that they’re going to get in trouble, whether from home or school, and then they leave the scene.”

The consequences of a hit and run in Texas range from paying a fine to facing jail time. If injuries or deaths occur, then the aggressor is subject to imprisonment.

1 in every 10 car accidents is a hit and run.

injurytriallawyer.com; carinsurance.org

6 million accidents occur annually in America.

3 million people are injured annually in accidents.

Students report incidents of hit and runs on campus

HitRuns

“Erum Shahzad, Assistant Principal“The kids that I’ve talked to have said the traffic was so bad they didn’t know where to pull over and they just left.

H

kady kohankiephoto

and

Accident stats

FEATURE4

november 2, 2012 the marqueedesign jordan richards

All the right notesSenior flies to Nashville, Tennessee to create EP with contemporary country sound

marisa charpentierstory

The 8-year-old Kaylee Rutland stands alongside other children in the worship choir. Christmas music echoes throughout the church. Her heart pounds and her hands shake. All of the practice has led up to this moment. All of the time spent playing and replaying the music in her bedroom, committing the words to memory would determine how well she would do during this solo, her first singing performance.

Unaware of Rutland’s talent, her parents sit waiting to watch the children’s musical in the crowd. The music begins, and when the time comes for Rutland’s solo, her nerves calm. A smile spreads across her face as she hits all of the right notes. Her family members in the audience look at each other in shock.

“We didn’t know she could sing like that,” Rutland’s mother Renee Rawlings said.

***Ever since this first performance, Rutland,

now a senior, has continued to pursue her passion for singing by taking voice lessons, participating in choir at school and at church and entering competitions.

One competition was especially influential in Rutland’s singing career. At age 13, Rutland took part in an Actors, Models and Talent for Christ competition. The company kept her information over the years, and during Spring Break this past year, songwriter and producer John Degrazio came across Rutland’s headshot and resume.

One phone call changed everything. After asking if she was still singing and if he could hear something recent, Degrazio connected Rutland with a media company in Florida responsible for artist development. The company then connected her with some people in Nashville, and she was asked to come to the city to record an EP.

Rutland had no idea what to expect when she boarded the plane to Nashville last

August. Nerves overwhelmed her as she tried to prepare herself for Music City. But as the city grew nearer and the plane started to land, anticipation arose within her. She was about to experience one of her life-long dreams.

The next two weeks were filled with excitement and music. Rutland and three other songwriters worked on writing songs together. Some common themes within her songs are guys, family, faith and friends.

After the songs were written, the band created the music. The sound of guitars, keyboard, violin and drums came together to form a contemporary country sound. With headphones on and a microphone in front of her, Rutland began singing the lyrics. She said she didn’t feel nervous for this part because she knew she would have several chances to get it right.

In the end, she had recorded a total of five songs, all of which were released on iTunes in October. People have begun buying her songs. According to Rutland, iTunes gets a significant cut of the profits, and there’s another cut between her and the people she worked with in Nashville.

“This is what I’ve always wanted to do, and just knowing that people can actually listen to my music and download it is unbelievable,” Rutland said.

During the process of creating an EP, Rutland said she relied on God and had her family’s support. Her grandparents and her mother have a marketing company to handle business matters like setting up websites. Rutland’s younger siblings sing her songs from the EP around the house, and some even want to learn how to play them on the guitar. Her family is always eager to see her perform, and they accompanied Rutland on her trip to Nashville.

“We’re not surprised that she has a talent because we’ve known that, but it’s been just a pleasant surprise seeing it all come together,” Rawlings said.

During this experience in Nashville, one character trait proved to be a struggle for Rutland – her shyness. This was her first time sharing songwriting ideas out loud with other people, and she said it was difficult for her to open up during the process. But as time went on, this difficulty faded.

“Once we got to know each other better throughout the week, it was a lot easier to get loose and have some fun with it,” Rutland said.

Rutland said her shyness has also contributed to nervousness before performances throughout the years. From competitions like Marcus Idol to Rising Star of Roanoke, Rutland has had to overcome her nerves before going out on stage. One thing, however, has helped her stay calm before each show – her belief in God.

Standing back stage preparing for her performance, Rutland turns to prayer to calm her nerves.

God, help me to do a good job, help me to be calm, she thinks.

SCAN HERE

The words echo through her thoughts, and when the music begins, her nerves fade away. She knows God is there with her.

“I just hand it over to Him and just do my best,” Rutland said.

In her future, Rutland said she hopes to attend Belmont University in Nashville. She plans to study commercial music, which involves more modern music studies.

“It’s definitely something I want to have as my career,” Rutland said. “It’s my dream.”

More songs and albums may also be in Rutland’s future. In mid-October, Rutland met with the head songwriter in Nashville again. They plan on creating five more songs within the next few months.

Her family is supportive of singing as her career. Rawlings said that she hopes Rutland will pursue her dream in the future.

“She wants to make a difference and wants to have messages that can get to people and really resonate with them,” Rawlings said. “My biggest hope is that she’ll follow her heart in accomplishing those things.”

Scan here to watch a video by MOB about Rutland and her music.

jordan richardsphoto

FEATURE 5

the marquee november 2, 2012

What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled?

If you got in a fight with a historical fig-ure, who would it be?

Iron man or Captain America?

“Iron Man because he’s a rich playboy.”

“I got a whoopee cushion and threw it under someone’s seat right before they sat down.”

“Abraham Lincoln because he killed a bunch of zombies.”

“That my parents were murderers and that they kidnapped me.”

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in school?

If you could pick anybody to be president, who would it be?

Which TV show would you want to live in?

“Rambo because if we were to go to war he would destroy everyone.”

“Fairly Odd Parents, so I could make a bunch of wishes.”

“A handstand down the hall.”

Gabe Bauza, 11

60 seconds

Most high schoolers drive fairly normal cars. Most of the cars in the parking lot are painted in some solid color like black, white or red or somewhere in between. Sometimes, a Jeep is seen painted some bright shade of yellow or green. Occasionally, a car or two is seen with one too many bumper stickers or a racing stripe down the hood.

But sophomore Gentry Sutherland’s car is the most vibrant car in the parking lot. Her 1979 Pontiac Catalina hosts an entire rainbow for a paint job. Originally blue, the car is now separated into five different painted sections including a black and white checkered pattern, bright retro swirls and even leopard spots.

Even the stereo and the top of the car are bedazzled with glittering jewels. The top of the car has a jeweled peace symbol and painted on the bumper is the saying “Do something fun today.” Sutherland’s favorite part of her car is the blinged out black fleur de lis, a stylized French lily, drawn on the hood.

Sutherland bought the car already painted from her cousin at the very beginning of June last summer when her cousin went to college. Her cousin was the one who painted the car, along with her friends and Sutherland’s aunt. It took them three months in all to plan and sketch the designs onto the car and then fill the sections in with house paint.

“They painted it for prom,” Sutherland said. “They couldn’t afford a limo but they wanted to go in something cool, so they painted their car.”

Sutherland purchased it because she thought it would be cool to drive a painted car. Whenever her friends come over, Sutherland says they like to drive around for fun. Her family also likes her car.

“They’re always talking about how much they love it and

the colors,” Sutherland said.However, not everyone is a fan of her Catalina’s eye

catching paint job. She’s gotten many negative reactions towards her car. Typical reactions include laughing, staring and pointing.

“People stop and take pictures just driving down the street, and they start laughing,” Sutherland said. “Some people give you dirty looks, and I guess [they] don’t like it.”

Despite all the negative reactions her car gets, Sutherland says it doesn’t bother her.

“I’m used to it now,” Sutherland said.Sutherland says she might sell the car after college or when

she doesn’t need it anymore. Sutherland also plans to paint another car if her parents will let her, although she wants a more serious car next time.

DWI: Driving while inspiringSophomore drives decked out ‘79 Catalina, spreading messages that encourage people to have fun, be happy

sydney sund compiledcourtney clubbphoto

sydney sund story

amanda collenphotosSophomore Gentry Sutherland poses with her unique painted car that she drives around. The bumper on the car encourages others to have a fun day.

design hailey painter

november 2, 2012 the marquee

FEATURE6

design jordan richards

Tickets are checked and people run into the venue. They rush up to the front, trying to situate themselves as close to the stage as possible. The band comes out. The crowd roars as the first song starts. A few hours later, the show is over. The band packs up and the fans leave. The night becomes a memory.

Most people go to a concert, see a band play and then leave. But most don’t know what goes into making that show happen. All of it is planned by the concert promoter. A promoter books the band, organizes the venue and makes sure all the sound and lighting guys show up and get the job done right.

Junior Ian Campbell’s love of music led him to discover concert promotion.

“I’m very opinionated about what music I listen to,” Campbell said. “I’ve been to a lot of concerts. I was at one, and I just started thinking about how it all happens.”

Then he watched a movie that was made about one of the most famous concerts in history-Woodstock. He quickly became fascinated and started reading and watching anything about the festival. All of his research quickly led him to two of the men who put the festival together.

Campbell found one of them on Facebook, Artie Kornfeld. Campbell said he took some initiative and started emailing Kornfeld and asking him as many questions as he could. The other Woodstock promoter, Joel Rosenman, has also been helpful and wants Campbell to keep giving him updates.

After that, Campbell decided that he would start his own concert promotion business, Remington Concerts. Later, Campbell added junior Sreyas Telidevara because he knew that Telidevara had good business knowledge. They started making plans. At first, Campbell said that their ideas were larger than they could handle, but after talking to a few attorneys, they adjusted their idea to something manageable. Then they recruited members, juniors Liam Mcnichols, Bryce Katon and Jacob Horton.

What sets Remington Concerts apart from other promotion businesses, apart from their age, is the fact that they want to be an incorporated nonprofit organization. Once they can raise the money to fund their first show, they plan to donate the majority of their profits to the Alzheimer’s Association. The rest of the money goes right back into the business to fund more concerts.

For Campbell, Alzheimer’s was a cause that was very close

alyssa schmidtstory to home. He watched two of his grandparents go through it. His grandfather, who he said was always very strong-willed and self-sufficient, became a completely different person.

“His attitude towards life was ‘how can I be helping you?’” Campbell said. “Now it all switched, and he has to have everyone caring after him, and he really doesn’t like it.”

With Alzheimer’s, Campbell said, people stay physically healthy but their brain starts eating away at itself.

“It’s sad because you almost revert back to toddler stage and you can’t do simple things,” Campbell said. “They become a completely different person.”

They plan to make their first show a one-night event dedicated to raising money for Alzheimer’s. They want music that will cater to ages 40’s to 70’s but at the same time not leave out any other ages. Campbell hopes that the music will not be the only focus of the event. He will have information booths set up so that attendees can educate themselves on

the disease. “We want people to have a

great time and to be cheering but at the same time to remember the real reason that everyone is there,” Campbell said.

Eventually, Campbell and his staff want to expand to other causes that come up

with the times that aren’t as widely known. He said feels that certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, don’t receive the same recognition and attention that cancer does even though they’re just as dangerous.

The promoters want to start with small, intimate venues, then move up to larger outdoor venues for all day festivals and ultimately a three day festival dedicated to multiple causes.

The thing keeping them from accomplishing their goals is the lack of money.

“Our main set back is trying to find sponsors,” Telidevara said. “A lot of people don’t want to invest in a first time company especially for an event of this caliber.”

However, Campbell sees their age as an advantage. He said that they are still young and that even if the whole thing fails, it’s still a learning experience. Campbell said he knows that the process won’t be easy. He knows that because they don’t have money just to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association. But they decided that they would do something to raise money and awareness.

“I’m probably not going to raise a ton of money,” Campbell said. “A cure isn’t going to be found because of my event. But I just want to give back any way I can.”

Students organize concerts to benefit Alzheimer’s AssociationPromoting concerts for cause

“ Ian Campbell, 11“We want people to have a great time and to be cheering but at the same time to remember the real reason that everyone is there.

270,000

340,000

Alzheimer’s is classified as a form of dementia. The disease is linked to problems with memory, thinking and behaivor. There is no cure for this disease yet, but there are treatments for certain symptoms.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

5.4 million are currently living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S.

leading cause of death in the U.S.6th

Number of people with Alzheimer’s

TEXAS

270,000

340,000

400,000

2000

2010

2020

YEAR

http://www.alz.org

ALZHEIMER’S

DISEASE

Alzheimer’s Association

The association has over 4,500 support groups throughout the United States.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides support for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases through nationwide and local events.

IN 2011The Alzheimer’s Association

earned

$126million.

FEATURE 7

design tori allmendinger the marquee november 2, 2012

DISEASE

michael delgado story The rider feels the horse rising and falling

beneath her. She focuses on following the rhythm of his trot. No hint of her disability is apparent. Using her calves and knees, she clings to the back of the animal, the worn leather of the reins smooth against her palm. A cloud of dust appears, as she picks up speed towards the crossrail.

The sun is just beginning to set in the sky as a soft breeze tussles the loose hair hanging in front of her face. She breaks into a steady trot, closing the gap between her and the jump.

The horse gives a snort on the approach, and the instructor follows behind, shouting encouragement into the wind. The horse makes his leap. The world stands still as he leaves the ground, hanging in the air for a second as his legs clear the bars.

Then the sound comes crashing back as the horse lands with grace. The rider relaxes her body, slacking her shoulders while they trot away from the crossrail. The instructor jogs over, a smile on her face almost as big as the rider’s.

This is the experience of Stable Strides. Founded in 2001, Stable Strides Farm is

a non-profit organization run through the Bridlewood Equestrian Center in Flower Mound. The award winning group is responsible for therapeutic riding programs that cater to children with disabilities.

One of the members who participates in this program is former Marcus sophomore Jennifer Papa, who has been a member of Stable Strides for over a year now.

“The fun parts are being with my friends and getting to ride my horse,” Papa said.

Papa has won over fifteen awards in competitions in Texas and other parts of the country. One of the more noticeable shows Papa has attended is the World Show in Tulsa.

“When we go to Tulsa it’s a world champion show so each event, whatever place you make, that’s what you are in the world,” Papa said. “That is one of the best shows with the best rewards.”

Having already tried gymnastics, cheer, rock climbing and even other riding organizations, Papa finds Stable Strides to be the best match for her. Papa said that success in multiple competitions is part of what makes the program so enjoyable. Papa also said that the family-like environment sets Stable Strides apart from other organizations she has tried.

“It’s one of the best programs I’ve ever done,” Papa said.

Riding instructor Mandy Cleveland teaches people with disabilities to ride horses for therapy to improve physical and cognitive abilities as well as emotional development. She has been passionate about the idea of therapeutic riding ever since her teenage years at Lewisville High School, where she discovered the program while working for National Honor Society service hours. In college, she earned an advanced certification to teach therapeutic riding.

“It has been a gift,” Cleveland said. “It is hard work but a lot of fun.”

Being a therapeutic instructor comes with challenges such as communication between rider and instructor. It takes a specific set of skills and traits to make the

Sophomore Jennifer Papa warms up on her horse, Hook. Most classes during the day take place in the covered arena. Papa and Hook perform a Western trail pattern in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Trail is one of the many events that they compete in.

Organization provides therapeutic riding program for former student

michele papaphotos

experience as beneficial as possible. “People need creativity and patience,”

Cleveland said. “If you have those two characteristics then you will be an asset to this population.”

Part of the job at Stable Strides is the ability to work with the kids in a way that uses problem-solving skills and teamwork to help enrich their lives.

“Usually it is most challenging when

I know we need to get from A to B, but I can’t think of a way for that to happen,” Cleveland said.

For Cleveland, the time and effort she puts into providing children with a family environment makes the job worthwhile.

“One of the most amazing things is how much love these riders have given to me and my family,” Cleveland said. “To watch them giving to others is special.”


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the marquee november 2, 2012 design amanda collen

With the 2012 presidential election around the corner, The Marquee looks at both candidates and student interest in politics.

IN-DEPTH 9

FaceoffFinal


With the upcoming Presidential Election Day, many news outlets and media sources are attempting to get citizens involved. However, one problem remains: the tendency for young voters not to participate in the election.

“A lot of students...a lot of Americans in general today have what’s called ‘rational voter ignorance’,” Government teacher and department head Matthew Stoelberl said. “It is where if you don’t think your vote matters, it actually is rational to be ignorant about political issues.”

According to senior Sara Marshall, many political issues do not apply to students, causing them to become disinterested in the election in general.

“I realize that politics have to do with my well-being and my future,” Marshall said. “But

they really aren’t very interesting to me.”

Stoelberl said he understands this point of view.

“When you’re 18, 19, you’re in good health, and you’re on your parent’s insurance. What do you

care about healthcare?” Stoelberl said. “I just think [younger voters]

disconnect, they don’t see political issues impacting their life.”A mock-election poll conducted by The Marquee had

a voter turnout of 383 students, out of the school’s roughly 3,300-person student body. This is around a 12% turnout.

“I don’t think many kids care about it, unfortunately,” Marshall said. “For most of us the election is out of our hands, and therefore we remain either indifferent or act negatively towards it.”

Senior David Kruger also agrees with this point of view.

“For the most part, we can’t vote,” Kruger said. “A lot of people care about the present and not so much the future.”

Some students like Marshall and Kruger say they are mostly involved in politics because of their parent’s influence.

“They wanted me to be informed,” Kruger said. “So that one day when I would be able to vote I could vote in a way that is educated.”

Low voter turnout is evident not only at the local level, but at the national level. In the 2008 presidential election, there was a turnout rate of 62.2%. Voters between 18 - 24 accounted for only 9.5% of these votes.

Stoelberl said he hopes to raise interest in the election, particularly among students who can vote, by showing them how their vote matters.

“I started class by going over the Electoral College and how we elect presidents,” Stoelberl said. “We also looked at a lot of things that the government’s doing that impact [students] in a negative way, and the reason the government...sometimes

does this stuff is because people are not active in voting.”

According to Stoelberl, it is also important for students to know the issues from both points of view.

“You need people to challenge your current beliefs,” Stoelberl said. “You don’t have to change your beliefs, but if they get challenged, it makes them stronger.”

The presidential Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. All students of eligible voting age are encouraged to go out and make their opinion known by both parties.

“They need to decide what issues do impact their life, and change the argument,” Stoelberl said. “…Young people, through their votes, through their political activeness, can change the argument to where the government will be forced to listen to what they feel is important.”

Votingmatters

“Sara Marshall, 12

For most of us the election is out of our hands, and therefore we remain either indifferent or act negatively towards it.

IN-DEPTH10

Mitt Romney Barack Obama

ryan mcdearmontstory

design amanda collen

Economy/Taxes:Hewantstogrowtheeconomyfromthemiddleclassout,notthetopdown.HewantstocuttaxesforworkingAmericansinsteadofmillionairesandbillionaires.

Abortion:Heispro-choice.

GayRights/Marriage:Hebelievessame-sexcouplesshouldbeallowedtomarry.

Environment/CleanEnergy:Herefusestoletpollutersdowhattheywant,andhewantstotakeadvantageofrenewableresources.

Economy/Taxes:Hewantstocreatejobsnotbyovertaxing,butbyloweringtaxesandallowingbusinessestogrow.

Abortion:Heispro-life,exceptincasesofrape,incestordangertothemother’slife.

GayRights/Marriage:Hebelievesmarriageisaspecialrelationshipsharedbetweenmanandwoman.

Environment/CleanEnergy:Hewantslessdependenceonothercountriesforthingssuchasoil.HeisinfavoroftheKeystonePipelinebecauseofthenumberofjobsitwillcreate.

ELECTION 2012

ben hortoncompiledaustin rickersoncompiled

IN-DEPTH 11

the marquee november 2, 2012 design amanda collen

t’s 8:00 at night, but the school library is still full of people. Students push tables together to sit next to friends as the lights dim. The projection flickers video from C-SPAN onto the walls while students break open

their snacks. Soon enough, a melting pot of food from Monster drinks and Swedish Fish to Chipotle and Panda Express is splayed out across the tables. Then the loud voice of Bob Schieffer bounces off the high ceilings of the room, marking the start of the next round of presidential debates.

With the presidential election in full swing, Government and Economics Teacher Emily Worland decided to begin presidential debate watching parties. Her purpose was simple – to get students interested in the election and politics.

“I was a senior in high school during the Bush-Kerry debates, and that’s when I took AP Government,” Worland said. “I absolutely loved it, and that’s when I became obsessed with politics. So I kind of wanted to create that feel for these guys here.”

During the debate watching parties, students are able to bring food and drinks and come and go as they please. For the first debate, some students even brought a cookie cake shaped like America. By turning the election into a social event, Worland said she hopes students will become excited and interested in the current election and future ones as well.

Each presidential and vice presidential debate has been accompanied by a party in the library. Some teachers offer extra credit to those who come to the parties, but attendance is not a requirement. Even so, the debate watching parties

have attracted a large number of students. However, according to Worland, mainly juniors and seniors and students in Government and Economics or debate attend. Few sophomores and freshmen attend.

She said that during the first debate watching party around 80 students were present. The second one had a turnout of about 50 students. Worland said that some students have begun having their own debate watching parties at their houses, so that could be why the numbers have decreased. Still, these “house” parties are beneficial, Worland said.

“Even the ones that are having parties at their house are understanding that politics are important and that it’s a fun social event that continues to be like this for the rest of your life,” Worland said.

Sometimes during the debate watching parties, students had individual debates with each other. Students’ voices echoed across the tables as people stated their views on topics such as Iran and the economy.

“No, that’s not right!” one student would yell out, urging others to counter the argument at hand.

“I think that might have turned some people off the first time because the first debate got really loud,” Worland said.

Senior Lainey Benson said these individual debates were interesting to watch. Benson also said that the parties helped her to see more of the Republican viewpoint in politics.

“I definitely got to see more of Romney’s stance than I have because I mainly focus on Obama’s stance…,” Benson said. “It just made me more educated on both sides.”

Senior Jacob Koren has attended several of the debate watching parties. He also said the parties have allowed

students to take both sides of the debate into consideration.“When you’re around other people other than your family,

you’re exposed to other viewpoints, and it allows you to keep your mind open,” Koren said.

Benson said that she believes these parties have helped students become more informed, but not everyone is as informed as they should be. She said families sometimes sway students’ opinions.

“I feel like a lot of kids at Marcus, mainly the younger grades, they just go off of what their parents believe, and they don’t do their own research,” Benson said.

Senior Lauren Simpson said she believes students who cannot vote don’t see politics as something they should be concerned with. By allowing students to talk to each other about the election, the parties have helped students become more knowledgeable and open-minded, she said.

“Without the debate watching parties, most students probably wouldn’t watch the debate or they wouldn’t have anyone else to discuss the debate with, so it’s really helpful in providing an environment and an opportunity to watch,” Simpson said.

Worland said she would like to continue the debate watching parties in the future for elections and other events throughout the year. She also plans possibly to have a watching party for the election day and the inauguration.

“I think many of us say we are a lot more open on a lot of issues than our parents were and definitely their parents, so we want to get people excited about it and interested in it so that they will be involved in politics and will be making decisions for themselves,” Worland said.

It’sdebatableTeacher creates presidential debate watching parties open to all students

13%35%

52%

Students’ Choice

VOTE

Romney

Obama

Undecided

marisa charpentierstory

AP Government teacher Emily Worland holds a presedential debate watching party in the library on Oct. 22. Worland created the parties for students interested in learning more about each candidate’s campaign.

jordan richardsphoto

I

*based on a poll of 383 students

design sydney sund

ENTERTAINMENT12


#1 Don’t forget to buy the food on time

It is a crime against holidays to buy this glo-rious annual dinner last minute. You will not get what you need at all. Picture this, you roll into a local grocery store with your mother to see tumbleweeds fly by. The empty aisles give no promising hope of full stomachs. This is bad, very bad.

We all deal with the stories from back in the day and lectures on table manners during Thanksgiving, but it is all worth it. Once everyone sees the beautiful orange filling overflowing the pie tin, there is no more chatter or bickering. Everyone is truly thankful. However beware, if you forget this key ingredient to a happy family, all is lost.

#2 Don’t forget the pumpkin pie

#3 Don’t burn the turkey or ham

In almost every American home, the fourth Thursday in November is the day the oven works the most. You must be careful with the main courses. Follow the instructions exactly to prevent terror. The dried out turkey will

make your family’s taste buds scream. Many people can deal without corn bread or green bean casserole, but the main courses are the priority.

Don’t watch the Cowboys and expect them to win

#10 Many Texans participate in the annual

tradition of watching the Cowboys foot-ball game on Thanksgiving Day. As much as you love the Cowboys and desperately want them to win, you don’t want to ruin your happy Thanksgiving dinner with dis-appointment. Don’t end the wonderful stress-free day with indigestion when they are defeated.

#5 Don’t serve chickenChicken is something most people eat every day.

Once family members start to eat, it is gone within seconds. We must respect that Thanksgiving is the day of the turkey. If chicken is served on Thanksgiv-ing the turkey won’t even be cut into. Sadly, the tur-key is the lesser bird. You don’t see a Turkey-Fil-A anywhere. This is the turkey’s day to shine, don’t let the chicken showboat with its popularity.

FATAll the delicious desserts, juicy meats and

succulent sides will be calling your name all through Thanksgiving dinner. If you count calories, the turkey’s soul in heaven will weep and think that it was not good enough for your taste buds. The cook will scold you on the idea that you do not appreciate their amazing cooking. A couple of pounds around the waist are worth avoiding this trauma. Go for the sur-plus, not the serving size.

#7 Don’t diet

Cooking for the entire family can stress your mother out, but a typical teenager isn’t as ex-perienced in the kitchen. As the pots, pans and cookie sheets migrate through the kitchen, you may not have a clue what to do. Holiday dinners are not the time to learn how to cook. Nobody wants a burned turkey. Unless she asks, the best thing to do is to thank your mother and ap-preciate all she does.

#4 Don’t volunteer to cook unless you know what you’re doing

This is something you should not do as a teenager. First off, children love to play with their food. You don’t want to get mashed potatoes and ketchup stains all over your new slacks. Second off, there are better conversation topics at the adults’ table than at the chil-dren’s table. Do you want to talk about how cool Barney is or about the newest episode of The Big Bang Theory?

#8 Don’t sit at the kids’ table

This negative form of affection is not al-lowed. It doesn’t matter if your grandfather thinks that he fought in the Civil War or that your cousin’s favorite number is blue. Be happy that you at least have a family and get a weeklong break from school instead of working on homework. We are supposed to be thankful for one another, even if the other isn’t always pleasant.

#6 Don’t argue with your familyTop 10 things not to

do on Thanksgiving

Yes, you want your family to meet the person that makes your heart flutter. But your date doesn’t need to see baby pictures of you in a saggy diaper whining to your heart’s content. You also don’t want Grandma to get the wrong idea and start thinking about what kind of wedding cake to make you, which might scare away your adorable date.

#9 Don’t bring a date

anna middletonstory

design sydney sund

ENTERTAINMENT 13


Wal-CoWal-Co

Black Friday is the time of the year when many people are able to complete their Christmas shopping. While this might be a great time to get your holiday shopping done, it can also be stressful. Here is a list of tips to help you make your Black Friday as painless as possible.

Black Friday survival guide

Following a budget plan and making a list of the products you want to buy are essential. In order to prevent a hazardous and poorly-planned Black Friday, make these plans in advance. Plan to only buy items that are on your list and nothing out of impulse. This will save you time and money when it comes time to shop. Another idea to save money is to look at deals and bargains online prior to Black Friday. That will also help you with creating your budget plan.

Step #1: Planning Ahead

Try setting several different alarms so that you can start your shopping early. If you’re rushing around trying to get ready, you may just grab fast food. As for clothes, you might be tempted to wear a suit of armor, but since you probably don’t have one, it might be good to wear something you can just throw on. An example of this might be a t-shirt and jeans, as the need to look your best might not be a top priority on this day.

Step #2: Waking Up

People tend to be aggressive on this day (especially the angry dad trying to find the Barbie Dream House for his spoiled daughter), but there’s no reason to be aggressive back. Instead, try to avoid those crowds, and if the item you’re looking for vanishes, then try to find an alternative to compensate for it. A helpful tip is to separate the items you need from the items you want. Make sure you know what areas of the store you want to go to.

Step #4: Shopping

Be careful when looking for a parking place. Park towards the front of the parking lot if you can. Making an effort to do this might not work, as the term “good parking place” usually does not exist on Black Friday. In order to avoid the soccer mom ramming into you with her SUV packed with screaming kids, you may just want to pick a parking place towards the back of the parking lot in order to be safe. There is nothing wrong with a little exercise.

Step #3: Parking

Try to take smart routes to avoid traffic. A good way to help with this is to use a GPS or your smartphone to find the routes with the least amount of traffic. Getting home quickly may not be safe. You might have to deal with other people rushing around and making careless driving mistakes, such as running red lights. In order to maintain safety, you may want to wait it out until the traffic dies down.

Step #5: Getting Home

madi schwem and anna middletonstory

14 entertainment

design courtney clubb

ENTERTAINMENT14


Read-uce, reuse, recycleThe Marquee reviews four recycled media stores based on variety of books, music,movies

ryan mcdearmontstory courtney clubbphotos

In the heart of Denton’s downtown square, Recycled Books is located in what was once an opera house. While the two-story building may look a little drab from the outside, the interior is something else altogether. Aside from the spacious main area, the store branches off into labyrinthine corridors and rooms that span three floors, including the former opera house’s main floor, as well as the second floor and basement. Although the maze-like layout of bookshelves is incredibly overwhelming at first, the books are actually arranged in a deceptively simple system: by genre and then by author name within that genre. It also helps that every section is clearly labeled and visible.

The variety of books is unbelievably vast, encompassing essentially every genre of fiction, non-fiction and almost everything in between. One might turn away from the psychology section and run into a shelf of role-playing game instruction manuals, or walk from the science-fiction section and end up in the middle of an aisle filled with books on film history.

In addition, the store sells music and movies, stocking all sorts of CDs, DVDs, records and even cassette tapes. The store also stocks music from local bands, providing a good way to discover new music. Recycled Books’ prices are fair, with all books sold for half-off and all other media sold for varying prices.

Recycled Books, DentonJust down the road from Movie Trading

Company, Half-Price Books is what most people think of when they think of used media stores. The store strikes an almost-perfect balance between selection, organization and price. It is easy to navigate and find the exact book one is looking for. As the name suggests, books are typically sold at half-price, aside from those found in a locked cabinet of rare first-editions and signed copies.

In contrast to the easy-to-navigate books, the CD section is somewhat unorganized, with all merchandise categorized into vague genres and even more CDs shoved into the bottom of the racks without much discernible organization. This is made up for by the fact

that the DVD section is very well laid-out, sticking with a simple alphabetical order system but also divided between regular movies, children’s movies, documentaries, music DVDs and other categories, providing an easy browsing system that doesn’t get mucked up. Although this is expected from a store like Movie Trading Company, it’s nice to see a primarily book-based store utilizing this system as well. The store also sells video games at prices that are a steal to say the least. Well-known games like Mass Effect 2 on PC go for prices less than 10 dollars. Overall, Half-Price Books is a good choice for anyone who is just looking for a good book or movie.

Half Price Books, Lewisville

Books & More is a rather unassuming store, tucked away in the corner of a shopping center. Upon walking in, customers are greeted by tightly packed racks of books, DVDs, CDs and records. What may not first be apparent is that the store also has a sprawling back section that emulates the maze-like layout of Recycled Books. However, Books and More almost reaches a point of claustrophobia. Just when it seems that one has discovered all of the store’s hidden rooms, another tiny space packed with old vinyls and

movie posters appears. That’s one thing about Books and

More - the “More” in the name should be emphasized. In addition to the standard fare found in used media stores, Books and More also carries random movie and music memorabilia, including posters, figures and other old promotional materials. The selection is vast, and it’s interesting what can be found in this store. The prices are a little high, but the store often has sales that can include some great deals.

Books & More, DentonNear the Vista Ridge Mall, Movie

Trading Company deals mostly with, as the name suggests, movies. While there are no books to be found at this store, it by far has the best selection of DVDs and CDs. The layout is very easy to understand, as films are alphabetized, not divided by genre. However, CDs are divided into genre, and then alphabetically by artist. The selection of movies is satisfyingly wide, and there are sometimes multiple copies of each film.

The store also has a “catch-all” rack of

recent arrivals that aren’t yet shelved. This section is organized by day received and can include anything and everything, from Blu-ray discs to vinyl records. Movie Trading Company also sells video games from almost every console generation, with better prices than you might find at most well-known video game stores.

All in all, this shopper-friendly store is probably the best option for people looking for a particular DVD or CD with a wide selection and somewhat competitive, but fair, prices.

Movie Trading Company, Lewisville

entertainment 15

design courtney clubb

SPORTS 15


The Marquee reviews four recycled media stores based on variety of books, music,movies

miranda chiechistory It was a perfect spring day until junior Katelyn Fenner

got on the lake to wakeboard with friends. A mere 10 minutes later she plunged face first into the lake.

“I was wakeboarding and somehow fell on my face and the board scorpioned and hit the back of my head and cracked it open,” Katelyn said.

Blood instantly soaked her hair. Because Katelyn was bleeding so profusely, her family rushed her to the hospital, where she got nine staples in her head.

But this severe injury did not hold her back from what she loved. She was eager to get back on to the board.

“I wakeboarded as soon as I got the staples out,” Katelyn said.

Her wakeboarding career started when her dad taught her the sport when she was 7 years old. Her family had a lake house growing up, so she rapidly became a regular at the lake.

“She picked it up really quickly and she would go forever,” Katelyn’s mother Brenda Fenner said.

She is now a junior professional world class wake boarder.

She wakeboards at least five to six times a week during the school year and all day, every day in the summer. Her dedication has helped her become a junior professional. She trains by running, working out, practicing on balance boards, jumping on the trampoline and keeping a healthy diet.

Katelyn started entering competitions when she was 10. She has competed at the local, state and even world level. On Aug. 2-5 she competed at Nationals in Ohio and got fourth place. Then she went on to compete at Worlds in Wisconsin on Aug. 16-19. She was the highest ranking American at Worlds, placing fourth.

Katelyn’s signature move in competitions is the stale fish where she grabs the back of the board between her feet with

her right hand and straightens her back leg, pointing it towards the boat. Competitions are her favorite part of wakeboarding, and even the announcers notice.

“They always say [at competitions] that she has the biggest smile of anybody out there,” Brenda said.

Competitions have expanded Katelyn’s social circle to include athletes from all over the world from Mexico to Italy. Brenda said the girls in wakeboarding didn’t know each other very well until Katelyn invited them to bond in her hotel room at a competition and now they are all great friends.

Katelyn said that athletes will even stay at her house when passing through Texas just because they know her. One time she even had the best professional wake boarder in the world stay at her house.

“The people are very easygoing and fun. Getting to know them has been really great just because they’re neat people,” Brenda said.

Although Katelyn said a lot of people don’t understand wakeboarding, it is something she enjoys especially because it is different.

“It’s fun to do something that’s unique that not everyone does and is not completely mainstream,”

Katelyn said.Katelyn aspires to be a professional wakeboarder as

a career. This includes competing on professional tours, training, doing photoshoots and traveling. She dreams of living in Australia for half of the year and spending the rest of the year in America, so her whole year is summer.

Whether she is competing for a national title, making new friends or traveling the world, Katelyn continues to chase her dreams and do what she loves.

“I love it,” Katelyn said. “It’s the biggest adrenaline rush… it’s the best feeling whenever you land…and everyone’s cheering for you.”

“Katelyn Fenner, 11“It’s fun to do something that’s unique that not everyone does and is not completely mainstream.

Top: Junior Katelyn Fenner does a tail grab out on Lake Lewisville while riding with her friends. Middle: She does a back roll while wakeboarding on Lake Texoma. Bottom: Fenner (middle) poses for a picture with her friends who are also professional wakeboarders.

Junior pursues hobby participating in wakeboarding competitions

Making waves

submittedphotos


OPINION16


BOOMBA

S[th

ings w

e like

]

First world problems

That four letter word...

Zoe’s is freshWe’re no longer bored to tears by the lack of diversity when it comes to local restaurants. Zoe’s Kitchen is the latest addition to the Robertson Creek shopping center on the corner of Dixon and 2499. Props to Zoe’s for providing vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals for everyone.

“Jobs, and taxes because they just keep getting higher.”

“Education is a really important thing that should be available for everyone, including the lower classes.”

Michaela Underwood, 9 Jordan Rawls, 10

WHAT

You Go Glen Coco Sydney Sund

“Let’s get weird”

Karbs is killerFrom organizing graduation to sponsoring Stu Co, Math teacher Gina Karbs is always willing to lend a helping hand. She continually works hard to make high school as memorable as she can for us, and her dedication is unveiled at fabulous events like prom. A big thank you goes out to Mrs. Karbs.

Pro-counselorsAs seniors are faced with terrifying decisions regarding their future, the counselors come to the rescue. They supply all the information we need about college. When we’re overwhelmed with thousands of choices, it’s encouraging to know we don’t walk alone in our journey into tomorrow.

Emily Aijkens

compiled alyssa schmidtphotos michele papa

is most

importantin this election?

I am hopelessly and utterly lost. Here I am, stupid little American me, standing in the street of a third world country, lost, tired, thirsty and surrounded by a mob of angry men. They’re speaking strange phrases in French and Creole and pointing at me. The men begin to close in on me, all reaching with calloused hands towards my backpack. My heart begins to race, and I feel a scream rising in my throat.

And just as I begin to think I’m next week’s episode of Locked Up Abroad, I see a hand reach through the dark abyss in front of me. It grabs my backpack and hauls me with it into the safety of the bus. I’m quickly shoved into a seat before I can do anything else. Just as I’m able to breathe a sigh of relief, I feel the bass booming from a passing car begin to rattle the glass windows of the bus.

I look out the window to find it coming from an ancient jeep, whose bed is filled with about 15 baby blue capped soldiers. Their aviators shade their eyes, but do nothing to hide the Portuguese slipping from their tongues or the giant AK-47s locked and loaded in their laps. My brain is suddenly flooded with a rush of images from Hotel Rwanda, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of hell I just landed in.

***I went to Haiti with a team of 60 people from the

organization that runs the summer camp I attend, Laity Lodge Youth Camp. Our mission was to provide medical assistance, dig a well and create and run a camp similar to ours for the Haitian children in the village of Limbe. When our plane first touched down on the single dirt runway of the Cap-Haitian international airport, I had no idea that my life was about to change.

Everything about Haiti, from the UN soldiers to the blue toilet paper we had to use, was so insanely different than anything I’d ever seen before. My motivations for going were simple. I was sick and tired of my boring, everyday life in the Flower-Plex. I wanted a culture shock. And that is precisely what I got.

My trip to Haiti was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Chlorine over cholera became my daily motto because all the water we drank, cooked and brushed our teeth with had to be treated first with terrible tasting chlorine that stuck to the inside of our Nalgene water bottles for months after we left Haiti. YOLO became a reality, as I was forced to learn very quickly how to adjust to life in one of the poorest countries in the entire world.

But what made the trip worth all the struggles were the children. Unlike us, the children couldn’t go back home to plush homes and comfortable lives. They had to live with even less than the few luxuries we have. Despite the difficult situation they’ve lived in all their lives, they were still amazingly able to love us unconditionally.

It’s through the children’s incredible perseverance that I learned to overcome my trivial “first world problems” and push myself to do things I didn’t know I could. Once I got over my problems, I discovered what a beautiful place Haiti was and the amazing strength its people possess. If I can learn to have even a fraction of the strength the Haitians do, my life will be enriched.

Tear out this column. Keep it somewhere safe; stash it in the glove box of your car, pin it up in your room, set it in your nightstand drawer so that next time you have nothing to do, you will be able to find something to fill in the space of your oh-so-boring, stagnant lives. In a few years, (correction for seniors: few months) we are going to be on our own with a new list of responsibilities and worries. Live in the moment, carpe diem, or in the words of Drake, “YOLO.”

We live 45 minutes away from a major city. Go to he Dallas Museum of Art. Go see the Dallas Symphony, a play, a concert. Learn about your history; go to the Sixth Floor Museum. Go to a restaurant, eat mediocre food and have rude remarks written on your hat. Get dressed up for no good reason and then go have a nice meal at the Reunion Tower. Watch the city pass you by.

We live in a state where almost six out of 12 months consist of unbearable, inescapable summer heat. Go get a snow cone. Go swimming. Hurricane Harbor. In the fall there’s the Pumpkin Patch. Go carve a pumpkin. Make your own Halloween costume. In the spring go fishing. Live like a tourist. Go to Old Town Grapevine, have a pastry at Main Street Bakery. Buy a post card, write a letter. Send a graduate friend a care package. People-watch at your local Starbucks because in this town, no matter where you are, you are within five minutes of a Starbucks.

We live 30 minutes away from a college town. Go to the UNT planetarium. Visit each thrift store in the town square. Look through the bizarre, the old and just plain junk. Go to

Recycled Books. Waste a few hours looking at CDs or books. Read something. Learn something. Learn how to read palms; get your palm read.

We live in Texas. Find a friend with a truck or jeep and go mudding. Go to Babes. Go to football games. Cheer, especially when we’re losing. Watch summer Friday night fireworks over Grapevine Lake. Go on a hike. Have a movie day. Place mattresses in front of the television. Go camping in your backyard. Ride a bike. Take a yoga class.

Do something productive. Get a job, start your college resumes. Drive around jamming out to your favorite song. Do something that scares you. Have an ugly face competition. Three, two, one, GO. Bake for your favorite class. Have a bonfire, make smore’s. Make a CD for a friend. Spend time with your mom. Help your dad with something.

What I’m trying to say is, don’t waste your time in this town. Bring a friend, go by yourself, bring an entire group. Do not complain about not having a date or a boyfriend/girlfriend. Don’t get caught up in petty high school fights or friends. Stand by the friends who have always been there for you and make sure you let them know how much they mean to you.

We’re only this young once. Don’t let anything hold you back from living your life and reaching the goals you want to achieve. Take every opportunity you can. Say yes. I know I am ready to get out of this town, but as much as you may love or hate it, no matter where you end up, Flower Mound, Highland Village and/or Lewisville will always be where you came from. Create memories because these are the experiences that will create you.

In a matter of a week the outlook of my entire senior year has changed. Recently, I have made the decision to graduate a semester early in order to work more, save money and get a head start on college classes. I am definitely not the sentimental type, so I’m not crying over the fact that in nine weeks I won’t be roaming around the halls of Marcus High School. I do realize that even though I will still be living in Flower Mound I won’t be in high school anymore, seeing the people who have been there for me for 12 years of my life (Brandon, David, Preston, new friends, McKenna, Jordan, and my sister, Julia, who has stood beside me for almost 17 years). But new opportunities await, and I plan to take each one I can.

design hailey painter the marquee november 2, 2012

OPINION 17

HEYS[things we don’t like]

I should be grateful

No place for a 12-year-old

MARQUEE REMARKS“The economy. We have a $16 trillion debt and that’s over 99% of our GDP right now. The baby boomers are starting to retire, so we don’t have enough workers in the workforce.”

“The question of the economy. Big government versus small government. If you like your position in life for the last four years because that’s what you’re looking forward to for the next four years if the current administration stays.”

Pineras Guitierrez, 12Sarah Dixon, 11 Ty Kelly,Social Studies

Jordan Rawls, 10

Kid Rock Alyssa Schmidt

London Boo Kady Kohankie

Clueless about Skyward Squandering ink1171 exasperationMany students have tried to access their grades through the new web-based gradebook, Skyward, to no avail. When repeated attempts to log on to Skyward fail, students are left aggravated and peeved. The Skyward app, however, is less of a hassle, free of charge and available on any smart phone.

Many students are now required to print their assignments, homework and notes at home via Schoolweb. Students frown upon the costly new demand instead of being given a hard copy of the work in class. Paying for toner, printer paper and a printer makes our wallets sad.

On top of the frenzy to get out of the parking lot, a new law has been put into effect that restricts drivers from turning right on red on Cross Timbers Road. This inconvenient rule only leads to road rage, therefore causing more problems on the road. Students have places to be and don’t need yet another setback to delay them.

“The idea of lowering everybody’s taxes isn’t practical. So I guess who’s taxes will go up is an important issue.”

I grew up mostly an only child, but I have three older siblings. Much older siblings. The sibling closest to my age, Matt, was 15 when I was born. I never call him Matt though. For as long as I could remember all of my siblings have had nicknames, and his has always been Matt Matt. I have always been close with Matt Matt. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve him. The time he babysat me and I peed in the slide at McDonald’s. When he bought me the book Harold And The Purple Crayon. And the time I spilled a Dairy Queen ice cream sundae all over the seat in his car.

When I was 3, my brother moved to Atlanta. For years I only saw him on holidays. When I would talk to him on the phone he’d always ask me, “When are you going to ride your bike up here to see me?”

I’d laugh and tell him, “I can’t ride that far, Matt Matt!”One year when I was 12 and Matt Matt was 28, I went to

Atlanta to see him. A couple of weeks before going, I noticed that a band was going to be coming to Atlanta while I was there. I worked my kid sister magic and convinced him to take me. I’d been to concerts before, but with my parents, once to see the Cheetah Girls in third grade and the other time to see Paramore the summer after sixth grade.

Honestly, the concert was too crazy for my 12-year-old self. I got knocked, pushed, shoved and even climbed on by someone trying to crowd surf. People made their way onto the stage, sung a line with the front man and then dove off into the crowd, smashing into people along the way. I consider this my initiation into the concert world.

After that, my brother took me to two more concerts. He taught me how to strategically push past people in crowds to get a prime spot by the stage and how to talk to band members. And every time he takes pictures for me so I can continue to rock out. The concerts were a time where he could teach me his concert knowledge, and where I got to spend quality time with my best friend and brother.

Because of my immersion into the world of concerts and music, I was convinced that I was going to be a lead singer in a band. When I told my brother this, he wasn’t as sure as I was. But he supported me anyway. He told me I should probably start taking guitar and singing lessons. But most importantly, I still needed to go to college.

I didn’t think I needed to. Most bands start in high school and never go to college. He still pounded it into my head. He wanted me to pursue what made me happy but to make sure I had something to fall back on.

One night on the way back from a concert, he told me a great solution. I could interview and write about bands. It was perfect. He said that I was a good writer, and I had become really good at talking to people in bands. I could still do something in the music business where I would get paid to go to concerts, listen to music and talk to people in bands. That’s why I decided to join newspaper.

I still have no idea how to play guitar, and I still can’t sing all that well, but I am certainly going to college. And I am going to do what I love, even if it isn’t singing in a band.

That’s how Matt Matt doesn’t just give me concert advice but life lessons too. Whenever I need advice about parents, school, friends or the future, he knows just the right advice to give me. He’s always there for support and encourages me to do what makes me happy but to make smart decisions too. Plus, he’s hilarious and never ceases to make me laugh. Although my brother isn’t always here with me, I know that he’s always just a phone call away.

A 14-year-old girl from Pakistan, Malala Yousufzai had many goals in her life. She wanted to finish school, open up her own academic school for girls, become a doctor and have a family. However, her life has changed because of cultural prejudice.

Malala was speaking out about how girls should have their rights on education. Three years ago, she wrote a diary to the BBC about living under the Taliban. Pakistani men did not like that, so they decided something had to be done. A Taliban gunman stepped on her bus. Then he pointed the gun at her head and pulled the trigger. She didn’t die, but the bullet damaged her spine.

She is beginning to recover. It appears that there is no brain damage, and she is now walking, talking and eating well. However, Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan vowed that if she lives, the military would attack her again.

People all over the world have been inspired by her. She stood up for being a girl, a child who wants to learn and go to school.

In some countries women don’t even get to go to school. Some don’t get to leave the house when they want. They have to stay indoors and do whatever the man tells them to do. In some of these countries, women have to cover themselves from head to toe when they go out, except for their eyes. If they go out alone, it is possible they will be beaten.

Women in other countries should have equal rights like we do in America. They have to live in fear because even if they make one little mistake, it could cost them their life. News reports cite examples of numerous women in Pakistan who were murdered for defying religious doctrine.

I wake up with a roof over my head, clothes on my body and a smile on my face. I drive to Starbucks in my car then head to school. How lucky am I? I have a loving family, with many things I should be grateful for. I get to be on the newspaper staff and take photos. I can plan out what I want to do with my life after high school, college, naming my future kids, everything. I have nothing to worry about. Nothing. I used to take things like this for granted. But some countries aren’t as lucky as America.

It doesn’t seem right. If I can get an education, others should be able to as well. I believe that women in other countries should be able to go to school and get a good education. Those women have the right to do what men do.

In 1964, American women finally got their equal rights with the Civil Rights Act. Women in America now can do jobs that men do. Because of the women back in the day, I get to make my dream come true. I will get to do a job that men usually do, be a firefighter paramedic in London and a photographer.

I can’t even imagine what life would be like if women in America didn’t stand up for the girls. A lot of girls in America, and many other places, get to follow their dreams and achieve their goals. Since this girl has stood up, I think many others will too, and they might even get to have their own rights in a few years. People across the world are waiting to hear about Malala’s recovery. Hopefully, Malala will set an example for generations of repressed women to come.

EDITORIALS 18


Students should take responsibility for hit and runsHit and runs are becoming a problem at

Marcus. The recent increase in these accidents in the school parking lot has raised the question of how these incidents can be prevented. Avoiding a hit and run from occurring is a matter of mature driving and being responsible both on the road and during a car accident. Students at Marcus need to be more responsible and accountable for their driving habits.

Part of entering the adult world is learning how to drive and getting a license. Driving allows teenagers to get from place to place under their own power, giving them a large sense of freedom. But with most forms of power and freedom comes a level of responsibility that goes with it. However, the thrill of being behind a wheel often distracts from the impact irresponsible driving has on a young driver. The difference between a kid with a learner’s permit and an adult driver is that an adult driver knows how to operate a motor vehicle responsibly, and is able to be held accountable for their lapses in judgment. A young teen may still run and hide from the mistakes they make.

When a car accident occurs, and there is apparent damage to both cars, the law requires both drivers to exchange insurance information in order to appropriately pay for the damage done to the vehicles. Unless someone is hurt, or the accident was the direct result of someone’s negligence, there usually goes no further than

Barack Obama assumed office under incredibly difficult circumstances; there is no denying that. However, the president has failed to keep his lofty promises, and therefore has failed the American people. Without a doubt, Barack Obama is great guy, that fact is indisputable. He’s a family man, an excellent orator, and a “cool guy”. But the gravity of the present situation does not call for a “cool” guy you would want to hang out with, nor empty rhetoric. This time around, we need a true leader who knows you cannot lead from behind.

Point/Counterpoint: Election

October is coming to an end and, in just a few short days, people everywhere will be casting their ballots. Votes will be counted and someone will be our president. When it comes down to who I will vote for, I believe that certain issues must be taken into account. The three issues that I’m most concerned with are social issues, the economy, and education.

I have been raised believing that every person has a right to love who they want to love. A person should be allowed to marry anyone, be they male or female. I have family members that have been unable to be legally married because a state considers their union immoral and illegal. I have seen them persecuted for being in love, a natural human connection. President Obama supports the rights of gay men and women across the nation to marry and that is one of the principle reasons why I want to vote for him.

As for the economy, unemployment rate is down to 8%, thanks to the Obama administration. The main issues at hand now are taxes and the debt. The problem here is that many people want results now and that just isn’t possible. President Obama has a plan that seems to be working; therefore we should keep him as our president.

Finally, President Obama wants to invest in

RomneyWritten by Ryan Habenicht

Written by Madison Sartor

The Marquee has chosen two student AP Government essays with opposing viewpointseducation to improve standards and curricula. He supports and promotes the idea that good teachers can change students’ lives -which as a student I can agree with- and promotes their success. As a senior in high school, I will be off to college in less than a year. I want to know that I will have the opportunity to get affordable education and low interest on student loans, if Barack Obama is our president.

For me the choice is clear; reelect our president in November. He is doing a good job and has definitive and detailed plans, which seems to be something that particular opposing candidates lack.

Obama nuclear capability, a gap between ourselves and Israel, the slaughter of countless Syrians, growing Chinese influence, and the murder of Americans in Libya. The current administration shows weakness and vulnerability, making our nation and its people vulnerable as well. For decades, America was the leader of the free world, emerging as the sole global superpower following the end of the Cold War. During the past four years, President Obama went on an “apology tour”. I can guarantee this: Romney will not apologize for American exceptionalism and global power, he will celebrate it.

Comical as it seems, the Obama campaign continues to take shots at Romney because of his wealth and success. This is the land of opportunity, and our President has the audacity to politicize and admonish success? As Paul Ryan reminded him during his RNC speech, “success is a good thing Mr. President”. This is not Soviet Russia where wealth is redistributed. Under socialism, the rich become poorer, but in addition, the poor also become poorer.

This election, Americans are faced with a choice that will affect not only their lives, but their children’s and grandchildren’s as well. It is a decision between two very different ideas about what this country was and what it should become. These trying times call for a true leader willing to make tough decisions and be honest with the American people. That man is Mitt Romney.

paying for damages. However, a car accident is still damage to property. If a driver leaves the accident before the appropriate steps have

been taken, especially if the damage is enough to warrant the presence of a police officer, then that person is fleeing the scene of a crime. Not

to mention the damage to the other person’s car that the driver inflicted and is leaving the victim to deal with on their own.

Marcus has several measures in place to detect and protect hit and runs from occurring in the parking lots. There are already cameras in place around the cafeteria, band halls, athletic parking lot, agriculture building and the front of the school. In addition there is campus security patrolling the lots, during the morning and afternoon. The school works hard to ensure student safety and make sure hit and runs do not occur, but Marcus can’t drive student’s cars for them.

While the school can take preventative measures and help to deter hit and runs, it is up to the students at Marcus for having the character to remain at the scene and take accountability for their mistakes.

Hit and runs are not victimless crimes. Damage to a car, even if it is aesthetic, can cost thousands of dollars in repairs. Many students are on family shared insurance programs that are owned by their parents, costing them a fortune in insurance rates and repairs. The school has too many student drivers to afford irresponsible and unaccountable driving habits. Creating a safe and responsible driving environment starts with students. Students should make conscious decisions to drive more responsibly, and own up to the mistakes they do make on the road.

Staff Editorial


BE RESPONSIBLE

HP

We need Mitt Romney.Mitt Romney is uniquely qualified for

president of the United States. He attended Harvard, and after graduating, he founded Bain Capital with several partners. His father was a wealthy politician, but Mitt did not want to rely on his father’s wealth or handouts. He believed then, and now, in hard work, not entitlements, and independence, not dependence on government. Under his guidance, Bain Capital became incredibly successful, and the company turned around struggling household names like Staples and Dominos. Following his successful career at Bain, Romney stepped down to pursue the office of governor in his home state of Massachusetts. Despite being one of the most liberal states in the union, Mitt Romney, a Republican committed to bi-partisanship, won the election. Massachusetts excelled under his leadership, but perhaps the 2002 Olympic Games were his greatest achievement. Mitt Romney has largely been credited with saving the Salt Lake City games, and making them a national rallying point following 9/11.

Often times, I look at his career/record next to that of the President and wonder why there is even a question as to who should lead our country. In a time of international and economic turmoil, we need a true leader who has actually worked in business and who understands America’s place in the world. Under Obama’s leadership (or lack thereof), we have witnessed Iran gain

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Keeping the

Coach Chuck Vincent calls out plays to the team during the game.He is the defensive coordinator for the Marauders.

Senior Josh Hood prepares to run out of the inflatable helmet with his teammates for the Marauders’ first distrct game on Sept. 21.

SCAN HEREScan here to view a gallery of additonal photos from the Battle of the Axe game.

The Marauders hold up number four as a tradition at the the start of the fourth quarter.

The Marauders play against the Farmers at Battle of the Axe. The game was held at Marauder Stadium.

Freshman Kaden Smith runs during a play during the game.Smith is the only freshman on the Varsity roster.

The football team gathers together during the Battle of the Axe. The Marauders won the game for the sixth year with the score of 24-21.

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The Marquee Volume 27 Issuee 2