February 2011“Going where no dog has gone before . . . and without a leash!”

In This Issue...

Page 1

Valentine’s Day MessagesSee Pages 7-9

Important Datesfor Seniors!See Page 9

He gazed at the floor and shifted nervously in the chair. Talking is not what he likes to do. But talking is not what he is known for. If actions speak louder than words, Mi-chael Harris is screaming. Michael was one of 250 players nominated na-tionwide for the Rudy Award, which awards 5 scholarships totaling $25,000 to players receiving the most votes via the internet. Named after Rudy Ru-ettiger, a 1974-75 Notre Dame Football player, that despite his dyslexia worked endlessly to encourage his teammates, never gave up his dreams of making it to the field. In Sep-tember 2009, Trusted Sports and Rudy launched the High School Football ‘Rudy’ Awards, which aim to uncover the “Rudy” on every high school football team in America. The award is presented to the most inspirational high hchool football player who personifies what Rudy calls “The Four C’s”: Courage, Character, Commitment and Con-tribution. “I was really surprised that I made it to the top 12 finalists,” Michael said. Rudy was nominated for the award by his mother, Marie Stokes. “That story, I really do truly believe, is Michael,” Mrs. Stokes said. Michael was diagnosed as a child with Asberger’s Syndrome, a high functioning level of autism which is characterized by significant diffi-culties in social interaction. He does not however, allow Asberger to limit what he can do. Michael

was the starting nose guard on the defensive line last fall and has sacked a quarterback or two. “I started just to kill time but like playing

football,” Michael said. “Now I just run through the line and try to get the quarterback.” Michael does not see his As-bergers as something that holds him back and does not want any-one else to see it that way either. “I just want to be known for me, not that I have a disability,” Michael said.His teammates and friends know that Michael may not say much but know he excels in math and science, maintaining a GPA of 3.1. “I plan to go to UTA and ma-

jor in engineering or design,” said Michael. Currently, Michael’s biggest accomplish-ment is placing at two Powerlifting meets. Mi-chael placed 2nd with a squat lift of 450 lbs, and benches an impressive 305 lbs. “I want everyone to know that at the next meet I plan to go for 500 lbs,” Michael concluded. And I, for one, believe he will do just that! To view the complete list of Rudy Award winners go to: www.highschoolrudyawards.com

Congratulations Michael !

Bulldog named finalist for Rudy AwardBy Jocelyn Laredo & Marylee Garcia

Student HighlightsEDITORIAL POLICY

The content of the Opinion page does not necessarily represent the views of Trimble Tech High School. The Tribune’s Bulldog Perspective editorial represents the view of the Tech Tribune editorial staff. The Tribune Perspective is the collective opinions of the editorial board and may not reflect the views of the individual writers. Signed letters, col-umns, etc. represent the opinion of the writ-ers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Tribune welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must include name and grade, however the name can be withheld if requested. E-mail letters to marylee.garcia@fwisd.org or bring to Room 162. The Tribune reserves the right to edit or reject letters for style, taste and size restrictions.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Manuel CantuPrincipal/Editor in Chief

Marylee GarciaAdvisor/Managing Editor

Dalana WoodsEditor

Jacob SanchezDesign Layout

STAFF WRITERS:Eric Orea, Kasandra MontesRozlin Draper, Thelma TateJocelyn Loredo, Veronica

Farias, Justin George, Jacob Sanchez, Dalana Woods

Page 2

He’s Army Strong By Veronica Farias

As the end of the school year draws near, more and more students ask themselves the same question. What am I doing after high school? College? Work? Maybe even mili-tary? Senior student, Enes Hidic has already chosen his career path. “I have enlisted in the Air Force,” Enes said. “When I was younger I would always tell my mom I wanted to be the president, but as I got older I knew that I had to have a backup plan because what were the odds of that hap-pening,” he said. Enes then began looking into the military and what it had to offer him. He enlisted the summer before the school year of 2010-2011 and was both happy and scared of the decision he made. “I was glad because I wanted to go and that gave me time to get away but scared be-cause I knew my parents would be mad.” Since Enes considers his family impor-tant to him, it often causes him to doubt wheth-er or not the decision he has made for himself is right or not. “My parents are old school, I don’t think they’ll ever come around,” he said. Enes plans to go into the aviation field while in the air force and is serving ac-tive duty for 4 years. After serving his 4 years, he plans to attend UTA to become an anesthesiolo-gist.

Sports

Page 3

Kicking Off the Boys’/Girls’ Soccer SeasonBy Kassandra Montes

Soccer season has started off with a crazy winter season; one day its cold, another day it’s hot, but that doesn’t stop the soccer players from attending practice. This year, as usual, both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams have been practicing extremely hard to meet their chal-lenge. It is exciting to wait for the first game to begin, so they can take their Bulldog pride all the way to district, or even to the playoffs, and beyond! These athletes greatly depend on their soccer coaches. The girls’ junior varsity team started the year off with a new coach but also an old friend of the Bulldog community, Mr. Bales. Mr. Bales is the In House School Suspension Campus (ISSC) teacher. He retired from coaching soccer two years ago, but is back to help lead this team to success. “I retired because my bones hurt and they had taken part of my knee,” Bales said. He decided to come back and coach the junior varsity team again since Mrs. Ham-monds, our librarian, retired from coaching last year. “I am expecting twins, and I don’t think I would like to be out there running with two babies,” Hammonds said.

Season Wrap-Up:Cross CountryBy Eric Orea

Also known as long distance running, cross country is the art of human endur-ance. So much discipline is required for the sport that the cross country team had to start preparing in mid-July. The athletes participated in a summer program that helped them gain strength to be ready for the season that began in August and ended in October. This season involved competing in several meets and then they finished it off with the district meet in which 13 schools competed. Both the boys and the girls did pretty well placing in high positions for the most part. They won the

See Cross Country, see page 11

Page 4

“The 411”

More Fresh Faces InBulldog Country

By Jocelyn Laredo Mrs. Linda Becker teaches Pre AP Honors English. A graduate of Union College and Andrews Uni-versity, she is currently attending the University of Arlington in Texas. This year she wants her stu-dents that hate to read, find a book that they love. While Mrs. Becker was attending Woodrow Wilson High School, as a part of the girls’ baseball team, she competed at the state level. She enjoys scuba diving, movies, and traveling.

Mrs. Valerie Lopez is a former Bulldog and is now our newest art teacher. She teaches Art 1, Draw-ing 2/3, and three AP Studio Art courses. Mrs. Lopez graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. She was able to go to TCU through the Community Scholars program, which is still available today. Her goal this year is for every student in her classes to feel confident about their artistic abilities and become better artists. Mrs. Lopez enjoys drawing, creating art, and collecting Sonic the Hedgehog memorabilia. She also enjoys reading nonfiction, listening to music, playing the viola and electric bass, and playing video games. She is married to another Bull-dog alum Ryan Lopez.

Mrs. Kenyail Carr graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Engineering, Science and Mechanics and a minor in Spanish. She also went to the University of Florida in Gainesville and got her Master’s of Engineering. Mrs. Carr is from Grand Prairie, Texas and teaches senior TAKS re-testers in math; previously she taught Geometry. Her goal this year is to have 100% of the seniors pass the math portion of the TAKS test. Mrs. Carr played Division I softball at the University of Tennessee as part of the inaugural softball team. She also studied abroad in Spain for a summer and played professional softball. She enjoys spending time with the family, working out, playing sports and baking.

TEACHERS

Success In The Classroom! #3 Wish you knew what teachers were thinking? Do you know exactly what makes your teacher know her student is on the way to SUCCESS? It sure would make class easier, wouldn’t it? Well, we have the inside secrets to finding success in the classroom of your choice.

Mrs. Burns (English IV) - Be prepared with a binder, a pen and more than anything a positive/respectful attitude!

Mr. Bales (OCI / ISS) - Recognize boundaries & limitations by ignoring negative energy.

Mrs. Boston (Communication Applications) - Always be ready to flow with two different colored pens. Mrs. Williams (Advanced Mathematical Decision Making / Algebra II Honors) - True intelligence is in the questions you ask....keep quiet and you’ll miss something. Success is limited to the amount of risk you take (and work you are willing to do). Mrs. Garcia (Journalism I) - Promise you will be on newspaper or yearbook next school year and USE what you learned.

If you don’t see a class listed, more will be featured in our next edition, BUT if you need it NOW, ask for the teacher you want inside information on and our reporters will bring it to you. See Mrs. Garcia in Room 162 or ask any Tribune reporter.

Page 5

Arts & Entertainment“Allstar Weekend” Concert

By Rozlin Draper

Before Winter Break, I decided to take on the challenge of attending a concert consisting of a group that plays a genre of music that I really don’t listen to. The group was the pop/rock group All-Star Weekend. The group consists of lead singer Zach Porter, lead guitarist and backup singer Nathan Darmody, bassist Cameron Quiseng, and drummer Mi-chael Martinez. Beforehand, I was able to attend the group interview, where there were about 10 other student-journalists asking various questions such as, “What are your plans for the future?” One memorable question to Nathan Darmody, dared to inquire, “What’s it like being the only African-American in the group?” to which he laughed, then jokingly responded, “These guys are my brothers. It’s like I didn’t even realize they were white until you said something!”My own first question, coming after the barrage of other questions was, “What was the atmosphere like on the set of “Dance Forever (the lead single from EP “Suddenly Yours”)?” Nathan said, “It was one big party. The song is a feel-good song, and we just all wanted to have a good time.” I then asked Zach about his favorite song. He answered, “I think we all came to the consensus that ‘Come Down with Love’ is one of our favorites. It’s a sweet song that speaks about the mysteries of love that teens can relate to while still kind of having an adult feel to it.” During the concert, I found that I really enjoyed the songs they played. “Dance Forever” is a song that just made me want to get up and dance, laugh, and have fun. The beat is nice, the lyrics are catchy, and the song really speaks to the free spirits of teenagers. Songs like “Come Down with Love” and “A Different Side of Me” have a more toned-down, adult feel. They speak to the heart and look inside the mind of the typical teenager and all that they experience. I feel that “A Different Side of Me” really spoke to me as I have always looked at the popular people and wondered about life in their shoes. Overall, the concert was enjoyable. I had a lot of fun dancing and singing along to the music. I appreciated the exposure to music other than my traditional Lil Wayne and Drake collection. All-Star Weekend was something different and at the end of the day, I rate the group five stars!

MUSIC

Are you interested in downloading Allstar Weekend’s self-titled debut album?

Buy it on Amazon MP3 or iTunes

Talent Tops Again With “Follies”By Gustavo Hernandez, Guest Writer for the Tech Tribune

This year’s outstanding talent show flourished with amazing performers. Thanks to the Theatre Arts department, the gifted were given the opportunity to show that not only are academics a gift, but other things as well. Students across the audience were amazed as B. o. B.’s hit wonder “Airplanes” was being performed by none other than Juniors Tarif Scott and Alex Herrera. Their performance seemed identical to the music video “Airplanes”. Every element in the periodic table was counted down as Mr. Mills sang to cheers of the crowd. However, he wanted his second chance due to a minor error. He felt his duty to be heard was not complete. He also sang “Mr. Grinch”. This time, chemicals were not the only things that sparked in his lab. Senior Jacob Sanchez charmed the audience as he sang, “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” although there was no sign of a cloud to be seen, the chant almost seemed to keep the clouds away as the wild crowd praised his performance. “After last year’s performance I wanted to do it again,” says Jacob. His message for potential singers is that you’re not going to “know how good you do until you try” and to “show [people] something different that they’ve never seen in you before.” Junior Jaime Flores says he “loves creating music... it is toxic!” He had the opportunity to perform astonishing sound effects. He composed “Dead Zero,” while some students watched breathlessly. He is willing to continue enhanc-ing his melodic skills in the future. Students, joined by teachers, enjoyed the annual celebration. The devotion to practice came to light as every unique performer, both old and new, rose to the stage.

Page 6

Showdawgs’ GoldilocksWas “Just Right”

By Jacob Sanchez

After their musical debut, Godspell, the Showdawgs immediately began rehearsing for their latest production, The Trial of Goldilocks. This Showdawg production was performed in December for students from W.J. Turner and Van-Zandt Guinn elementary schools. The show, about a trial where Goldilocks defends herself in a case against the Three Bears, was the second of an annual series of children’s shows that the Showdawgs perform for young elementary school students across the district. “[These shows are] an educational outreach to bring the arts to younger students,” says Theatre Arts teacher Ms. Cheryl Penland. Congrats to the Showdawgs who have closed the curtain after a very successful semester of theatre!

Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the Academy Awards, which honors achieve-ment in the film indsutry every year. On January 25, 2011, the nominees for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards were announced. Which one of these Best Picture of the Year nominees deserves the Oscar? The awards ceremony will

take place on February 27, 2011, in Hollywood, California, and will be televised live on ABC.(Source: www.oscar.com)

THEATRE

Arts & Entertainment

“And the Academy Award goes to...” 2011 Oscar® Nominees for Best Picture

Page 7

♥ Valentine Messages ♥

THANKS SO MUCH FOR A GREAT YEAR SO FAR! I WISH I HAD

DIDN’T HAVE TO LEAVE Y’ALLWHEN I GRADUATE...

I LOVE ALL Y’ALL!

To: The Showdawgs From: Jacob

Y’all are the sweetest girls I know! Y’all make me laugh and smile! So

sad to be leaving y’all this year!I LOVE YOU BEAUTIFULLADIES!! CLASS OF 2011

BABY!!

To: Michelle Monrreal & Vinny Puga

From: DWoods

I’ve loved these 14 amazing months together! Every day I wake knowing that I get to hang out with the most amazing, funny, loving guy in the

world! I love you so so muchtimes infinity! You are

my true love.

To: ReymondMendoza

From: Alex Aguirre

You’re a real good friend. It’s nice to have you in my life! Please take care

of yourself. Always with love.Remember I will always be

here for you. So... nowyou know...

To: Brenda Dorado From: Your Real Good Friend

I LOVE YOU GUYSTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS

MUCH!!!!!!!!!

To: Tori M., Tiara H.,Tierra J.

From: Tamara N.

Hi!! I love ya so much. I’m so happy that we’re still together. I’m alwaysgoing to be here for ya... any time:

good or bad. I’m thankful forhaving ya. With love!

Happy Valentine’sDay!!

To: La Bola de Locos From: Brenda

You have been the greatest and most wonderful teacher I’ve ever met in my

life. I thank you with all my heartand I’ll really miss you when I

graduate this year.

To: Mrs. Hammonds From: FrancoCarrazco

This year has been great. I’m going to miss you with all my heart. Y’all are

my best friends and sisters!College for all of us

will be great!

To: Sydney, Alex, and Keena

From: Dalana

Thanks for being such incredible friends. I appreciate everything you

do for me, whether it’s helpingme with a problem or just

making me smile. I love y’all!

(Friends Forever <3)

To: Yaya and Meli From: Jocy

On Valentine’s Day and every day,I’m thinking about the special ways you have

made my life better, the little things, the not-so-little things... your kindness,

the way you always listen and pay attention to me. You make my

world brighter and richer. You’re a gift to me, and

I thank you forbeing you.

From: Mrs. GarciaTo: John To: Franco Oropeza

To: My Hubby!

From: Gabriela G.

From: Wifey, K

You came into my life... and changedit forever. You showed me the meaning

of true love and caring for someone.I will always love you.

Happy Valentine’sDay! <3

I want to look at you for just a second, and see that my future is right by my side. I want you to hug me, kiss me,

and look thorugh my eyes like ifthere were no tomorrow.

I love you alot.

Hey, babe! I just wanted to tell you how AMAZING it’s been having you in my life.

You are the cheese to my macaroni!These 3 months have been the best.

I love you babe, te amo contodo mi corazon! You’re

so special! JUNGO& TAYTAY

Est. 110910

From: Your Love, TayTay

To: David Jungo

I’m really glad I got the chance to meet you, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve met

in my life and I love you with my heart.I’m going to miss you so much.

HappyValentine’s

Day!

To: Melissa Luna From: Anonymous

I love you very much and you have always been through everything with me. I love you and Happy

Valentine’s Day!!

Together,forever.

From: Anndrea AlanizTo: Tammy Romero & Vanessa Vasquez

Page 8

I have never met anyone who’s so kind and beautiful as you, which is why I want youto be my Valentine. I love you so much

and I’ll really miss you. It’s beennice getting to know you.

To: Lenis Perez From: Anonymous

Hey, Christen! I hope you have an awesome Hearts Day!! We’ve been friends for so long and I

will be devastated when we graduate in June!

I hope you have a great Valentine’s Dayand I cannot wait for more fun and

adventures in the future!!

From: ????????To: Christen Vasquez

To: Regina George

To: Ms. Blakeman

From: Aaron Samuels

From: FrancoCarrazco

Hey, Regina. I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day... that’s all I wanna say

really... so... yeah... got to go... Iwill totally TTYL, I guess...

Yeah... Bye.

You have been the coolest scienceteacher I have ever had in my life. I’m

going to miss you and I hope youhave a wonderful Valentine’s

Day. I love you with allmy heart!

I’ve known you since 8th Grade and I will never regret ANY of the good times we have

had since then. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, especially being my

friend. I will never forget you, DW.Thank you so much for being the

reason why these past fiveyears have been the

best I’ve everhad.

To: Dalana From: Jacob

Dear Dink, my best friend, I wanna wish you aHAPPY VALENTINE’S

DAY!!! Love ya!!

To: De’Unta From: Rozlin

You guys are awesome and I will miss you so much next year. You are all my Valentines because you

make me smile and enjoy everyday here. Good Luck in the future and

remember me on Valentines Day always!

From: Mrs. GarciaTo: My Yearbook Staff

My Joanne... The one who never makes it boring. Always saying something random or sarcastic to say to Abby!lol. Thank you for all of the laughs

and smiles. Happy Valentine’sDay! I love you!

From: JellyTo: Joanne

Thank you for all of the good, and special moments we had.

Hope you have a greatValentine’s Day.

Love ya!

From: Your Sweetie!

To: Gilberto Rangel

♥ Valentine Messages ♥

To the most amazing, caring, and beautiful, loving and helpful person in this world. Thank you for being there when we need you. Also for all the moments we had together, and will continue to

have. The weird moments, and sometimesawkward, we will laugh with and to each

other. Even through the hard times,you better know we will alwaysbe here for you. We love you

with all our heart.

From: J, A, JTo: Catalina Espinoza

Thank you, love, for always being just a phone call away. My loser who’s al-ways with her weird faces! lol. Abby...

you know the rest of that. hehehe.I love you. I’m always going to

be here for you as you arefor me. Happy

Valentine’s!

From: JellyTo: AbigailEscobedo

¡Feliz Dia de San Valentin!¡Gracias por todo!¡Se lo agradezco!

From: SomeoneTo: Mrs. Martinez

You’re the best thing that ever came into my life. With you, I feel complete. I feel like any-thing is possible. Not being able to hear your voice makes me feel as if I’m lost in my own

world with no direction. We have abeautiful baby girl together and

hopefully more childrenlater in the future.

I LOVE YOU,SYNTHIA BOONE!!!

From: Tim B.To: My Wife, My Best Friend

I am so glad to have gotten to know you much more this year! I never really thought we would get to

where we are now. But I thank God for putting you in my path. I don’t know what may come next but for

now, I know I have you. Thank you formaking me smile every day. You showed me

another side of things.

Thanks “Ben-Ben”Much love!

From: Your Wifey!To: My “Hubby” From: Titiana Shaheed

To: Earl

WOW! We have come a long way since Fresh-man year, and I’m glad you’ve been by my side

through thick and thin. And people say true friends should always hold hands,

but true friends will be there for you,like you are for me.I LOVE YOU and

HappyValentine’s

Day!!

Senior Bu(‘11)dogs

Page 9

SR. ACTIVITIES CALENDAR!

Prom...Saturday, May 14, 2011, at The Palace, across from Billy Bob’s in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Senior Day 2011...Friday, May 20, 2011. Parents and fam-ily members are invited.

Senior Scholarship Program...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Parents and family members are invited.

Graduation...THE BIG DAY!

Friday, June 3, 2011 at 8 p.m. at TCUDaniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Parents and family members are invited.

Prom Fashion Show...March 2011, in the Auditorium. Check out different Prom dresses and tuxes be-fore the big night! For more info, see Ms. Boston!

Whenever I’m near you my heart beats as fast as... (well, you’ll have to see Minette for the details!) Big Pimp

Daddy froim Harlem! ;-]

From: Your Lady (Minette)

To: My Lady (Jazmin)

From: Your Lady, Jazmin

To: My Lady <3

Hey, Dalana! You look good in every color that you wear! lol.

I can’t wait to see whatyou wear for the

rest of theyear!

From: VeronicaTo: Dalana Woods

When I see you, I get (well, you’ll have to see Jazmin for the details!)

*You make my heart skip a beat! <3*

University of Texas Arlington

701 SOUTH Nedderman Dr.

Arlington, TX, 76019817-272-2011

go mavericks!

Etcetera

Page 10

ALL STUDENTS!Yearbook price is now $80. Quantities are limited.Deadline for purchase is May 30th while supplies last.

SAVE MONEY!!!!!

SENIORS!!Buy all four yearbooks for $180

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES,and JUNIORS!!

Buy each underclass year and get your Senior yearbook FREE!

Limited quantities of the following yearbooks are still available: 2008, 2009, and 2010

Cross Country (Continued from page 3)

Eastern Hills Invitational meet where the varsity boys’ team placed first, having a time of 16 minutes and 21 sec-onds for 3 miles. The varsity girls came in second place thanks in part to Carla and Claudia Morales, who came in 1st and 3rd respectively in the girls’ two mile run. And the JV girls also finished in first place in their division. As for the district meet highlights, the junior varsity girls’ finished 3rd place over all. We also had varsity runners Ivan Rocha and Claudia Morales advance to the regionals cross country meet in Lubbock, Texas. There Ivan Rocha placed 89th out of a group of 190 runners and Claudia Morales placed 102th out of a group of 190 runners. “We did well this season. We had a good opportunity at regionals. We did not finish as high as we would have liked, but the talent is there and we have a young team,” head coach of the cross country team Ms. Wilson said. “So we are looking forward to next year and expect to do better.” Since 2006, Coach Wilson has been working with the cross country team and helping them become the best they can be. She was happy this year to assemble a group of 30 runners, the largest ever. But what is even better was the fact that they were “a great group of kids with no grade problems, no disciplinary problems, and that were very coachable and self-motivated.”Who can ask for a nicer group of athletes than that?