October / 2018
The Paw Print MY DSHS STUDENT MEDIA - DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX - VOLUME 1 - ISSUE 1 SNAPCHAT MYDSHSSNAPS
TWITTER @MYDSHSNEWS
ONLINE WWW.MYDSHS.COM
Made for the Students by the Students Giselle Galletti Co-Editors-in-Chief
Welcome to the Paw Print, the print version of our newspaper. My name is Giselle Galletti, and I am one of the two Co-Editors-in-Chief this year. Y’all previously knew this newspaper as My DSHS News, but we as a staff have taken the initiative to turn My DSHS News into a brand that encompasses the website, the print version, our social media platforms, and any other news affiliated projects. The print newspaper actually used to be called The Paw Print a few years back, so the name is not as new as one may think, but this newspaper is so much more than it used to be. Over the summer we created a new format and added new design aspects to the paper, making it possible for me to get to produce the broadsheet paper I have been wanting since sophomore year. This was a huge task, but in my opinion, this staff has taken it and rolled with it so incredibly well. Our goal was, and is, to create a newspaper that people want to read, look at, and share with their friends. I hope we have created this. We will be changing up different parts throughout the year, as we get more comfortable with the format and find out more about what y’all want see. With as many writers as we have, we hope to cover as many school events and students as possible. There should be no shortage of content. As well as writers, we have a phenomenal cartoonist on staff, so keep a lookout for our little tiger mascot in different sections of the paper and around school. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, as we have, and are, creating this paper for the students of this school and its community. With the new name, new broadsheet format, new design elements, and new brand, Camryn and I have decided to start it back at volume one, issue one. Thank you for the continued support.
photo by Riordan Tiller
Camryn Horst Co-Editors-in-Chief
Hello, I’m Camryn Horst, the co-head editor of the Paw Print! This year, I am beyond excited to watch this paper continue to transform. Giselle and I have quite large plans for this year and we have been working so hard to make sure this happens. Probably the most exciting of all of the changes we have been preparing for is that we are changing the name of our print publication from My DSHS News to The Paw Print. My main topic this year is going to be elaborating on the idea of Big Talk in our community. Big talk is an idea where you skip the small talk and go straight to the deeper, more personal questions. Kalina Silverman, the creator of Big Talk, found her inspiration when she started a personal research project. She went up to strangers and asked them one question: “What do you want to do before you die?” Today, Big Talk has been shared around the world, been spoken about at numerous conferences, and even inspired wedding proposals. How incredible could it be to extend the idea of Big Talk to the Dripping Springs community? I have always been the kind of person that enjoys having meaningful conversations- the ones that make you think. The idea of small talk, while mostly effortless, doesn’t contribute to strong relationships as much as the deeper questions. I thought to myself, while in the back row of my sociology class where I first heard of Big Talk, that this idea is worth sharing. This idea of Big Talk could be monumental for students and also adults. What if I, as an editor, asked my peers the same question? Would it be uncomfortable or could it be the foundation of strong bonds and relationships? My goal for this paper is to include a Big Talk related question in each paper, as a way to include students and people of the community in every paper, but also to encourage others to reach out and ask the difficult questions.
SPORTS
A Mitchell New Era Williams Staff Writer
It is a new year for Tiger football; there have been some changes that might seem daunting to outsiders, but the boys are coming with a wave of motivation, will, and heart. This year presents a brand new challenge that the team has put a lot of preparation in for. Dripping Springs has been placed in a new district, with teams that are mostly centered in the city of Austin. It consists of Travis High School, McCallum, LBJ, Lanier, Seguin, Reagan, and Crockett. The 2018 Tigers certainly have their work cut out for them, but according to outside linebackers’ coach Tim Hulon, “We’re in the mix for sure. Every year we strive for better than last year and hope to make a deep run in the playoffs.” He would go on to say that “The new district will be interesting.” Coach Hulon also had his own adjustments to make this season, moving from being a middle school coach up to the high school level. When asked about the difference between coaching at the two levels, he responded with...
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NEWS
October, 2018
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ThePAWPRINT
DSISD Hires 504 Director
Over the summer, Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) hired Kim Gravell, the school’s first ever 504 coordinator to take over the 504 program at the school. Section 504 works with IDEA and ADA to protect students, children, and adults with disabilities from unequal treatment exclusion in jobs, schools, and the community. “We hired a 504 coordinator because the number of 504 students keeps increasing, and we felt like we needed a person dedicated to managing the 504 process which includes meetings, a lot of paperwork, and helping students to advocate for themselves,” Head Counselor Retta Ary said. Along with Gravell, Eri Contreras and Maribel Luyan were hired to coordinate for the two elementaries and a middle school each. “In the plans that I’ve seen there are things that were put in place when the student was maybe in upper elementary school, so that’s no longer applicable. A part of my job is cleaning that up,” Gravell said. Due to the sheer size of the 504 program at the high school, many students were not getting the help they needed, and the teachers were
having trouble understanding clunky and outdated information on their student’s 504 plans. “I think there’s going to be some consistency, which is needed. This district is so large now that we need some consistency vertically, going elementary, to middle, to high school,” Gravell said. While elementary and middle schools may have a dyslexia teacher or some other sort of disability helper, the high school only has a special education program. “I think that the benefit of having this position and what I will bring to the high school next year is consistent with the program: paperwork is upto-date, and instructional accommodations for students are age appropriate and helpful for them,” Gravell said. Before DSISD hired the three coordinators, the 15 counselors were handling the 504 program.
Cadence Russell Staff Writer
“Any time you have one person who handles everything, everything is done the same way,” Ary explained. “If you have five different people who are doing something, everyone has their own little spin on things, and it can be different.” 504 plans are designed to level the playing field, but not give anyone a greater advantage either. “[504 students] don’t need changes in the curriculum or anything like that; they just need help in managing assignments or if they’re visually impaired, they might need enlarged print, or if they are hearing impaired, they might need an FM transmitter or some other type of equipment to help them,” Ary said. “It’s more than just a high school plan,” Gravell said. “It’s more than a public education plan. It’s postsecondary. It goes into the workplace. It’s just applicable in life.”
JROTC Trains Students for Evelyn Peterson More Than Corps Staff Writer JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) is a club that offers a glimpse into what the military life would be like, holding their members to a higher standard than the other regular high school students. “The main purpose [of the club] is really to expose kids to what military life would be like,” senior and club founder Luke Jenkins said. “Our school does not have an actual ROTC program, so I sought to create one to try to give kids some exposure if they are interested in going into the service; if they aren’t after the club, at least they have the exposure to make that decision.” The club gets together every Wednesday, as well as some additional days depending on what activities or events are planned. “We do a lot of volunteering with the American Legion VFW,” Jenkins said. “Community service hours is a big thing. We also do team workouts, so you’ll stay in pretty good shape.” JROTC has set expectations to keep their members in
line, just as the military would. If these expectations are ignored, there is a possibility of being dismissed from the club. “I would like everyone to have good grades, of course,” Jenkins said. “And something that would ruin any military career is any police involvement or drug affiliation, so that’s the first thing I ask.” In the JROTC, members are taught lessons and skills that not everybody gets to receive. These lessons could potentially be crucial under certain circumstances. “We have learned different military skills like first aid, some navigational tactics, as well as proper treatment of the flags,” junior member Walter Berthelsen says. Students from freshman to the senior class can join JROTC at any time during the school year; the club welcomes anyone, at anytime, with open arms. “I would recommend starting early,” Berthelsen said. “But, it’s never too late to join.”
Ms. Segura
Q: What is it like to work at DSHS and interact with A:
I was nervous as to what to expect from the students. But, everybody has been so nice, and the kids are great, and they’re well-behaved.
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TEACHERS
the students?
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Q: Did you have to learn Spanish or did you grow up knowing Spanish? A: A little bit of both. My dad grew up in Mexico, so I was exposed to it, but a lot of the technical
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Evelyn Peterson
stuff I had to learn at school. Speaking a language is different than teaching it.
Staff Writer
Ms. Harris
Q: What do you wish more people would know about you? A: Teachers are here for the students. You don’t get praise or applause. The best thing is when a
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student comes back and they say that you made a difference in their life, whether it was in math or not.
Q: What is your favorite place you have traveled? A: It is so hard to choose. You really get to see and experience all these different cultures. I went
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with a friend to Ireland, and we rented a car and drove all over the Island just meeting people. You get to be reminded that it’s not just you; we really do impact each other.
Hanna Gaither Staff Writer
Mr. Overmyer
Q: What intrigues you the most about teaching at Dripping Springs High
School?
A:
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Well, the young people at Dripping Springs High School are the best young people in Central Texas. I’m biased, because I was once one of you.
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Q: If you could go anywhere in the world on your ideal vacation, where
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would you go?
Collin Spires Staff Writer
A:
Like right now, this minute, this could change, this is subject to change by the minute, but I would say right now I would want to go to Cape Town, South Africa.
FEATURES October, 2018
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ThePAWPRINT
A Hi-Step in the Right Direction Madeline Tredway “A lot of people say we’re like a cult, actually,” junior Rylee Oldham said, as she looks out from the office window to the 40-odd girls laughing in unison and dancing in impeccable formation without missing a beat. She’s right - the girls are in perfect unison, almost creepily so. The “cult” Oldham referred to is the Dripping Springs dance team seen at the pep rallies and football games, or the HiSteppers. Although the team has existed for a little over 30 years now, this year marks Oldham’s first as an officer, and the changes have not gone unnoticed. “I have a lot more impact on the other girls on the team,” Oldham said. According to Oldham, an officer position involves a much higher level of leadership than being a traditional line member. “Every single day is just a new challenge, and that’s what I love about it,” Oldham said. Amongst the team, a sense of togetherness and belonging shows in the way the company interacts with one another. “Every single one of these girls is just so supportive of each other,” Oldham said, smiling. “They’re all so unique and special in their own ways.”
Q&A with Bella Nichols Raegan Garibay Why did you pick dance as an extracurricular? In middle school I didn’t want to take athletics. Instead I took dance and then I kind of just like went on with dance.
Rylee credits the Hi-Steppers with helping her feel welcome after moving to the school the summer before her freshman year. “I knew no one, and I joined Hi-Steppers, and I was so surprised to see that everyone was so welcoming,” Oldham said. “It already felt like I had 40 best friends.” Oldham recalled her overall experience in her sophomore year and how it foreshadowed her becoming an officer. “I remember thinking ‘Oh, gosh, I want to be an officer so bad,” Oldham said, laughing. “And now that I’m actually an officer...it’s just crazy.” She credits her excitement about the group in large part to Tracy Neef and Terri Williams, the teachers in charge of the team. “Ms. Neef is so encouraging, and you can really tell she cares about the group,” Oldham said. “And Ms. Williams is so good at helping us improve.” Even though Oldham loves every facet of HiSteppers, she definitely has a favorite part. “It’s when the little girls look up to us and say they want to be a Hi-Stepper when they’re older,” she says. “That’s definitely the best part.”
What are the most memorable experiences of being on the team? My most memorable is when we went to this parade in Dallas and they made us dress up as peppermints. They made us practice at 3 a.m. and it was freezing outside.
I think, sometimes one of our biggest weaknesses is thinking we can’t do something. This year, we received harder choreography, and after a lot of hard work, we accomplished things we couldn’t do.
Elaborate on the way performing makes you feel.
I‘m a little nervous, but when I start performing, I don’t even notice those around me. There’s a spark, and I just feel happy.
How do you feel about the growth between your members and yourself? We all bonded very well. I can definitely say that we can do a lot more dances along with tricks. The longer you’re on the team, the more you can see the growth.
I Can Go the Distance for Off Campus Lunch...
Music? Applied. By Samantha Moore
Many musicians have stage fright. Even Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen had crippling stage fright that he soaked in vodka before performing live. This year the Applied Music program decided to implement two live performances per semester. Some students are more nervous than others, but overall they are enjoying the class despite whatever nerves they may have. “It’s going to force them to go out and perform in public,” James Hairston, Applied Music teacher, said. “As a musician, you have to get comfortable performing in front of the public. At first, it’s going to be awkward, but the reward of performing in public and that feeling, they’re going to benefit from that.” Hairston has been teaching music for 12 years, and 11 of those years he spent teaching middle school students. “It makes me a little nervous, the idea of performing live,” sophomore Lauren Sanders said. “I feel like if I really liked what I was playing and had practiced, I could perform live and it would be fun.” Many of the students taking this class feel wellprepared for their required live performances. “I have stage fright when I am playing horn or doing a piano audition or recital,” sophomore Jonathan Bartling said. “However, when I play piano for my church or seminary classes, I do not have stage fright.” In this class, students are given a soundproof room and 90 minutes to practice their instruments in preparation for
What are the weaknesses and strengths that stand out to you?
their performance. “I feel prepared,” Sanders said. “I’ve been practicing and learning a lot these past few months, and I think I’ve finally gotten to the point where I know enough that I can face the new horror of performing live.” It is estimated that 5.3 million Americans suffer from social phobia, and performing live is a big part of a musician’s career. The Applied Music program acts as a way for young musicians to conquer these fears in order to showcase their talents onstage. “Right now there is a lot of push back and a lot of students are not on board with this because they are uncomfortable,” Hairston said. “Being uncomfortable in any situation is awkward. The benefit of performing live and getting that feeling of acceptance is priceless.”
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OPINION ThePAWPRINT
October, 2018
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At What Cost? Tessa Stigler
Eighteen students have already been issued vaping citations in these first few months of this school year. Over the summer, the school decided to implement a new policy on vaping and being caught with vapes on campus. From now on, if found with an e-cigarette, students will be issued a Class C citation as well as assigned DED, after-school detention from 4:30 to 8 p.m. This approach seems a bit extreme. School detention and confiscation of the vape makes sense, but pursuing legal repercussions shows that the district is not messing around this year. Receiving a Class C citation would mean appearing in court before a judge, who would then fine you up to $500 and possibly send you to a court-ordered substance abuse class. However, a simple citation will most likely not effectively scare away nicotine-
Opinion Editor
dependent students. According to the most recent Surgeon General’s report, a little over 10% of students in varying high schools started using some tobacco product in just the eighth grade. At 13, according to a study from Yale University, the adolescent brain releases large quantities of dopamine, a chemical involved
in various forms of addiction. The chance of becoming dependent on nicotine, before high school, is much higher than the adult brain. Students entering high school already dependent on vaping will not likely go cold turkey for 8 hours a day. If a student is able to let go of their vaping device during school hours, it is likely that their ability to focus in school will drop. A nicotine study conducted on rodents in 2014, confirms that attention, learning, and response time is highly affected when the rodents were abruptly withdrawn from nicotine. Rats’ attention, when deprived of nicotine, was affected in either one of two ways. During the testing of different tasks, the rats would fail to attempt to complete a memory-based task or attempt to complete and fail. During learning and memory tests, the withdrawal was detrimental to exposed mice’s ability to complete various learning-based tasks. The mice expressed an impaired ability to complete contextual and trace fear conditioning tests, a technique used to test learning and memory skills. Studies conducted on the mice and human withdrawals were concluded to parallel. Nicotine-dependent students who are deprived of their ability to focus in school in fear of facing legal repercussions will likely struggle in class. I got a chance to speak with Assistant Principal Michael Norton about the new policy and his views around it. He explained to me that this was really the last stretch to control the school’s vaping issues. However, his main concern wasn’t students vaping at school or at home. Overall, he was most concerned for students’ safety and comfort in school. He told me about students and parents coming to him about being scared
A Person First
to go into the bathrooms during class because they knew someone would be in there, vaping. The same parents have reached out to him this year, praising the new policy for helping their child feel more comfortable at school. However, a comfort cushion for students uncomfortable with vaping is not reason enough to affect a student’s ability to succeed in class. High school is a time of new experiences and facing situations that may make you uncomfortable. According to the same Surgeon General’s report, almost 40% of young adults ages 18-24 vape regularly. In, at most four years, these students who are discomforted by vaping will be surrounded by students vaping in college or outside. Exposure to the vaping culture at this age, however unideal, is unavoidable. Shielding a few students will not only do little effect on the overall student body, but also ensure these students are not fully prepared for adult life, in which you will be faced with uncomfortable situations every day. To sum it up, this policy may decrease vaping in the halls- but at what cost? Issuing citation after citation will not keep students from vaping outside of school, or better them in their future. If the goal is bettering students and setting them up for success, punishment is not the answer. Educate children at a young age of the effects of nicotine and provide resources for students who are already dependent on nicotine and interested in quitting. Opening our students and staff up to punishment-free discussions about vaping culture and its effects will contribute to a safer and more comfortable culture at our school. The success of the students should be the first priority in this school, not catching and writing them up.
Hanna Gaither Staff Writer
From a young age, children are often taught that their words don’t impact others. Many of our students believe that their words lack meaning as well. Students are using harmful and dehumanizing words, like “retarded” or “autistic” every day. This can no longer be tolerated, as it sets up an environment for bullying, ignorance, and ableism to flourish. For most students, their speech is simply a result of ignorance. According to the Special Olympics of North Carolina, “retarded” used to be a medical term to understand and characterize people with significant intellectual impairment. However, it is now used as an insult, especially towards people with special needs. These words have long-lasting effects. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, 10 studies found that students with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their nondisabled peers. Bullying is a broad category, which includes verbal and physical abuse, threats, written statements, and any other action that are considered harmful or humiliating. Although the word “bullying” itself is most often associated with physical assault, the most common form is actually verbal. The use of harmful words, no matter how uneducated or ignorant,
is inexcusable. To introduce someone or refer to them by their disability, is dehumanizing. Diagnoses are not defining characteristics and should not be used as an introduction. They are not an “autistic person”, they are a person before any disability. A mother, father, brother, sister, friend, classmate. People with good days and bad days, memories and desires, hopes and dreams. The idea of putting the emphasis on the person instead of the disability is called People-First Language. People-First Language is saying “the kid that has Downs Syndrome” instead of “that Downs kid”. It is usually unnecessary to mention the disability at all when referring to a person, but if necessary, People-First Language is the respectful way to approach it. Disabilities are not defining characteristics, just another part of the story. Some argue that in this day and age it is unrealistic to be careful with what is or isn’t said. But there are more respectful words that can be used without dehumanizing others. PeopleFirst Language is one of many ways to be respectful and choose words that have a positive effect rather than tear people down. Changing the way we speak, in either rephrasing sentences or avoiding harmful words, can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Laziness and ignorance are not excuses for mistreating others. Humans should be treated like humans.
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What was your initial reaction when you first saw or heard about vaping at DSHS? “It would’ve been 2013 when we saw our first vape. It was ginormous, and we really didn’t know what it was. We didn’t have a junior sheriff then, so we actually had to call the sheriff’s department. Since then, it’s escalated to the point where we had to escalate our disciplinary actions and really have seen very little effect.”
So, what pushed this policy change? “We talked about filing the class C paperwork with the JP’s office last year, and it’s really nothing new. In fact, when I first started here, if we found a kid with cigarettes, we would file then immediately. As law enforcement started getting more educated on the [citation] process, and we started getting more educated on the process, we looked and talked about [issuing citations] but thought, ‘Let’s tackle this on our own.’ And so, it just continued to get worse, and at the end of last year, we and the middle schools talked and realized it’s gotten pretty bad. So, we just had to draw the line in the sand [and] try something else.”
What goal did the district have in mind for this new policy? “Really, more than anything over the last year or so, we’ve had kids saying, ‘I don’t like going to the restroom, because there’s always kids in there vaping and things like that. So, our ultimate goal is to provide you guys - the students - a safe and enjoyable learning environment. So, we have to look at the overall picture. Learning is important.Ultimately safety is number one.”
Peer Tutor Samantha Wells
Hanna Gaither Staff Writer
Why did you originally decide to be a life skills peer tutor?
“Well, basically I applied to PALS, not Life Skills, but I got rejected from that.”
Why did you pick this as a class?
“I thought it would be fun because I really love people, so I thought it would be a lot of fun, and I just thought it was really cool that we have this opportunity at this school.”
What do you do in life skills?
“I go and I eat lunch with them, and I come back to class, and I help them do tea service or recycling or something like that.”
What have you learned from this class?
“I definitely want to work with special needs people for the rest of my life, and I think that would be so fun.”
What would you like other people to know about your experience so far? “I want them to know they should definitely be in this class, because it will really change your life, and it’s just so much fun.” What is your favorite part about this class? “My favorite part is that all the kids in it are so fun. They’re so funny, and I love them all so much. They’re just so fun to be around, and it’s a class I always look forward to.”
Has this changed how you interact with people with special needs in your daily life? “I guess so. I guess I didn’t really interact with special needs people before this class.”
What kind of life experience do you think this class has given you?
“It’s taught me so much about Jesus, and I definitely want to be a special needs teacher, and I think that would be so fun. It really did change my life.”
OPINION
Editor-in-Chief Giselle Galletti ‘19 & Camryn Horst ‘19 Features Editor Katie Haberman ‘20
Q&A Assistant Principal With Micheal Norton
Q&A With
MEET THE STAFF Sports Editor Rigley Willis ‘20
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Opinion Editor Tessa Stigler ‘20
Creative & Lifestyle Editor News & Entertainment Editor Jade Howe ‘19 Jade Berry ‘19 Staff Writers Hanna Gaither, Jami Holms, Samantha Moore, Evelyn Peterson, Cady Russell, Andrew Spiegel, Collin Spires, Madeline Tredway, Mitchell Williams
The PawPrint welcomes reader viewpoints through letters to the editor and guest columns. Opinions expressed in PawPrint are not necessarily those of the Dripping Springs High School or Dripping Springs ISD administration
EDITORIALS, COLUMNS, & LETTERS
Editorials express the opinion of the writers. Letters and columns are the opinions of an individual and not PawPrint
LETTERS
To submit a letter, email DSHSstudentmedia@dsisdconnect. com. Letters should be a maximum of 400 words. The letter is not guaranteed to be published.
CREATIVE October, 2018
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When I draw, especially in more cartooney ways, it feels really personal to me. I always feel like if someone’s watching, what if they don’t like it? What if they think it’s weird? What if they think it’s bad? Those thoughts are always running through my mind when I draw. Also there’s a kind of vulnerability when you’re drawing in front of people. It’s hard to embrace that vulnerability and just let people watch you draw and see that process.
E
R A C I S
Interview by Ella Johnson
Photography: Cady Russell
Fleeting Tranquility by Kat Ingram The valley stood frozen in time, dew drops clinging to flower petals as the silent morning sat in its prime like the perfect green upon a lime. The sun hung suspended in space as birds flew through the calm air, golden rays glistening upon their face, swooping in the breeze with inspiring grace. The babbling brook trickled on singing its favorite calming song, while fish swam towards the glittering dawn for very soon it would be gone. And sure enough the sun began to rise out of the morning and into noon. The sleepy flowers raised their eyes to the new warmth of the day for morning now had passed away.
Comics by jade howe
The Girl and The Night by Madison Johnsen A girl scurries along in the night. Her life’s in peril. Earlier she woke to hushed voices. She knew in her gut that she needed to flee. She pushed her covers to the floor and slid out of her cot. Footsteps approached her room, but when they silently turned the knob and pushed the door open, they found an empty room with no child. Dumbstruck, the men exchange a quick glance. One pushes past the rest and hurries to the small open window. The girl had already vanished into the woods by the time the men decided to give chase. She was in such a rush that it never occurred to her that she was barefoot. It is only when the cold nips at her toes does she look down and see her pale feet and red toes. The child’s nightgown falls just short of her knees. She breathes into her hands for warmth, but it does not come easily, yet she continues to try. Tonight was said to be a record for Anastasia. It has to be in the lower 30s, the girl thinks to herself. A cold wet prick touches the tip of her nose. She looks up to find white specks amongst a black canvas, the first snowfall of the season perhaps. “Why must it snow tonight?” she asks the hollow trees before her. “It is the first day of winter,” the trees hiss back. Shocked but intrigued, the girl stands still, shivering in the darkness. “Who said that?” There is no reply this time. Maybe she imagined the first reply. Her fingers rap anxiously against her left thigh. Her eyes scan the trees. She must find her way out of this dense forest. The snap of a twig makes her jerk in the direction it came from. The girl crosses her arms as she steps behind a tree. The night leans into her touch. Does it long for the small child? Men materialize from out of the darkness. Only their silhouettes are seen, making them look like shadows among the dark. A cloud passes and the moon lightens up the night but not enough to add color to the nature around them. The girl catches her first glimpse of her pursuers as she peeks from behind a tree. Their teeth are rabid like dogs, and their eyes display the demons underneath. The girl presses against the tree. She must stay hidden if she wants to escape. The men scan the forest. One steps forward lighting a torch. “She is out here. I can feel it,” the man growls. The girl holds her breath. They can’t find her, not here… not ever. Wind rustles through the leaves, whispering dark secrets to the group of men who search for the child. The men back away into a tight circle. The man who had lit a torch now holds nothing but a log with gray smoke clouding around it. “What the hell?” one whispers to himself as the wind encircles them. The girl can feel their fear grow as the wind spirals up into the air. She cannot see it, but she can tell what the wind is threatening to do. The men take their chance and disperse back into the trees. Once the girl feels safe, she steps out of the shadows. The moon brightens as she sees the small child safe and away from harm. The night calls out to the girl. She rubs her arms as she takes in the beauty of the night. Suddenly, the girl hears the sound of water. There is a river nearby. She remembers now. The river is calling to her as well. She steps forward. Only this time, she can feel the soft grass beneath her feet. Her eyes sparkle for the first time in her life. The night heard her cries, and it has given her an answer. The girl picks up her gown and races towards the river. A child’s laughter travels to the village just beyond the trees, but it does not dare wake, for the night is a strange and treacherous place.
LIFESTYLE & ARTS October, 2018
ThePAWPRINT
Halloween Movie Binge List
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by Andrew Spiegel
SCREAM
The 90s film scene was astonished by this terrifying teen slasher-thriller film that dropped in late December of ‘96. Wes Craven’s “Scream” paved the road for the modern slasher style film that we see today. The cinematic style of any Wes Craven film tends to leave the viewers on the edge of their seats. Craven has the ability to change the average viewer’s depiction of fiction and reality in such a drastic way that his films have been known to traumatize viewers. The movie “Scream” is a tale about the sleepy, fictional town of Woodsboro and just like all horror films, there is a killer element (pun intended). The factor of a serial killer terrorizing local teens is perfectly executed by Craven. He pushes the limits of what can be shown on screen in reference to blood and gore. The killer in the movie shows just how twisted and brilliant Craven’s mind is; the way he strategically maps out each step of the way is mind boggling. The film is a classic slasher flick that put all other previous films to shame. It’s a perfect film for a movie night this Halloween.
This film is likely to make you shiver down to your core. Mark Flanagan’s “Hush” explores a disturbing scenario that could happen to almost anyone. The film has a unique story in a genre that seems to almost be out of ideas. Flanagan, the same man that gave us the film “Oculus”, produced “Hush”, yet another great film in 2016. Flanagan not only has unique storylines but also unique film styles. He utilizes several different types of camera shots and beautiful color gradings to add an abundance of quality to his films. Flanagan has a way to find what scares the average person and attacks it perfectly. “Hush” is a thriller-slasher film about a deaf woman named Maddie Young (played by Kate Siegel) living alone. When a psychopathic killer cuts the power to her secluded home in the woods and takes her cell phone, every decision she makes could mean life or death. As the film progresses, Maddie has to defend her home from the mad man loitering outside. The torment that the killer brings with him is petrifying to the viewer. The next time you’re home alone, and wanting a good scare, “Hush” is the film to watch.
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Back to School Fashion Jami Holms Staff Writer
High waisted mom jeans, thrifted tees, and checkered Vans have flooded the halls these first few months of the school year. As trends are shifting back to the days of disco and vibrant colors, students are adding their own twist. Local clothing trends among teenagers remain popular and show many commonalities from person to person. Although many trends are making a return this season, each individual maintains a personalized touch to their look even with the select stores to choose from in the area. For many teens this year, it’s in with the old and out with the new as sophomore Alyssa Nimocks comments on the checkered Vans and junior Allie Haberman thinks it’s “very retro.” However, senior Austin Dunn would rather settle with white shoes then go checkered. Now more than ever, as trends are going full circle, many teenagers are starting to thrift shop. “[I like to shop at] The Senior Center Thrift Shop, because it’s really cheap,” Haberman said. [There are] good finds.” Nimocks would rather thrift at Haute Exchange but ventures to boutiques, typically going to any store on Mercer street or Goody Two Shoes. However, Dunn is more about what a store has to offer and doesn’t mind where he goes whether it’s Goodwill or a name brand store. Many thrift stores are starting to carry old trends that are making their way back in addition to the clothes of 2018. As well as shopping at many popular stores, Nimocks can also relate to many other teenagers when it comes to scrunchies and tube tops similar to Haberman who can agree with wearing 80s inspired things that she knows everyone loves. However when it comes to an outfit colors matter a lot to her compared to Dunn who thinks other types of pants, such as plaid pants are really popular, especially with a simple shirt. Although each person’s style can differ, it seems that almost everyone is ready for big sweaters this fall Dunn says, and Haberman couldn’t agree more. “I love some big sweaters!”
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FRIDAY THE 13TH
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For Drip, For Community Cady Russell Staff Writer
Friday night lights are on and the excitement for the game is infectious. In a parking lot down the street from the stadium, the smell of barbecue fills the air as children jump in a bouncy castle and music fills the streets. This is the Dripping Springs Presbyterian (DSPC) For Drip Tailgate, held before every home football game. “I love the tailgate because we get to see everyone from our church one time before Sunday, and I think that’s really nice, especially to de-stress from a long week,” junior Annette Ashby said. “It’s somewhere to go, so you don’t have to go home to be by yourself before the game.” The tailgate runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday nights whenever there is a home football game. “We wanted people to feel like they have a community, and it’s not just about one church or just one individual,” DSPC Youth Minister Zeke Griffin said. “So people are coming in, new families coming in, and we want everyone to know we are a community.” The tailgate is run purely by volunteers, making sure that everything, including shirts and food is free. They also hold a raffle that students can enter their favorite teacher into. “Students want free money, but it’s also teachers that are very deserving. Teachers and counselors deserve to have those moments, because students come, they grow up, they move on,” Griffin said. Griffin said that it’s nice to have teachers and counselors know of the impact they had on the student’s lives. DSPC later brings the winning teacher a large check with the winning raffle amount to their classroom to help give that teacher a little bit of a cash boost. “I nominated SJ [Sarah-Jane Shepperd] because she’s known us for three years, and she’s such and amazing person. I really love her. We hang out in her room every morning and she’s like a mother to all of us of sorts,” Ashby said. While the tailgate holds many fun things, the For Drip movement is DSPC’s bigger plan, and they hope that through the charity of the raffle they can impact the community and bring everyone together. “I feel like that’s what For Drip is for, we’re for everyone in our community, and if we can get everyone in our community on board, we can let that trickle out into state. Then, the state can trickle out into other states,” Griffin said. “It’s like this little ripple effect. Affect one person you affect more.”
Going into high school, what is one thing you wish you would’ve known?
What is one piece of advice you would give to a freshman?
“I would’ve wished to know how important it is to join clubs and get involved, because that is such an easy way to meet people. You are kind of forced to be with them and talk about things you both like, so it’s a really good way to meet people you wouldn’t have originally met.” -Sadie Cunningham, Senior
“Stop procrastinating and actually get your work done, because it is worth it when you can actually get out and do things. So, based on that, go out and live your high school life and have fun with your friends and actually do things. Don’t be held back by stressing out about anything!” -Lauren Kell, Senior
Going into high school, what is one thing you wish you would’ve known?
“I wish I would have known how to study, and I learned that the hard way during freshman year, because I didn’t know how to study. I would get bad grades on stuff, and once I learned how to study, all my grades went up.” -Lane Dominey, Senior
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ERA CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 “Obviously, the boys at the high school are much bigger.” Another main point that he really drove home was that the players are a lot more mature than he was used to at the younger level. Jakob Joy is a key piece of the defensive unit that has been tagged with the nickname The Wrecking Crew. The outside linebacker has his own vision about the expectations for the current season.
“I feel like we should go undefeated, Joy said. On the topic of transition, one of the things that come with high school sports is the inevitable loss of senior leadership. Joy thinks that this change is right up there with entering a new district. “We lost 42 seniors,” Joy said. “We got some big shoes to fill, but we’ll do it.” The test ahead may not be any specific opponent, but how they will handle the adversity.
ThePAWPRINT
September Player of the Month
Tanner Prewt (14) surveys the field in a win over Kerrville Tivy on August 31. Photo by Teagan Krewson
October, 2018
The month of September has come to an end and the Dripping Springs High School Player of the Month Award has been given to varsity football quarterback Tanner Prewit. Prewit started off the season by winning the MaxPreps Texas High School Player of the Week Award due to his performance against Kerrville Tivy on August 31. Prewit racked up 263 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, but that wasn’t all as he recorded 173 rushing yards as well as another three touchdowns on the ground. “I’ve been working really hard over the past three years now on training with football and strength and conditioning camps,” Prewit said. “Working with my wide receivers, throwing routes, and getting my timing down also helped out a lot.” Prewit would follow up the Kerrville Tivy game with a total of 765 passing yards along with nine touchdowns over the following three games against Hays, New Braunfels-Canyon, and Travis. He also added 115 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to bring his total yards over the season to 1,317 along with 17 touchdowns (as of September 21). Prewit’s aerial assault over the past month was not just self-bred as Prewit has high regards for Quarterback Coach Brian Thiebaud. “Coach Thiebaud is by far the best quarterback coaches in the state. He taught me everything that I know,” Prewit said. The Tigers have started out with a 3-1 record as they look to take on McCallum High School on October 5 on the road. “We’re only getting started,” Prewit said.
The Tiger offensive line prepares for their next snap in their 49-0 vicory over Travis High School on September 21. Photo by Cayden Ivey
Tiger Volleyball Looks to Spires Continue Hot Streak Collin Staff Writer The volleyball team was greatly impacted by the loss of seniors from last year. With the loss of height the team has still performed at a high level and has continued to dominate in their district. “I feel like we don’t have the size that we have had in the past, but we have better athletes,” Head Coach Michael Kane said. In the first couple games of district play, the Tigers have continued to remain undefeated. In the Tigers first district game against Austin Travis, they took away a victory 3-0. With the new district being a lot different from past years, the Tigers have had the best record out of all district teams. “Moving into this district, it’s probably one of the weakest districts in the region,” Kane said.
Bailey Hill (right) and Alexis Haydt (left) anticipate the serve against Crockett. Photo by Vasi Bjeletich.
“We’re going to have to amp up our competition in games and situations in practices,” Kane said. Since being in the new district, the volleyball team has remained undefeated. They had their next district game against Crockett and came out victorious, taking the win 3-0. In the following district games, the Tigers beat Lanier, Lockhart, and McCallum 3-0 as well - a trend for the team. “We’ve been doing the same these past couple months,” junior Mackenzie Murray said. “The new district really hasn’t fazed us.” With some big district games coming up in the month of October and playoffs starting in November, the Tigers will face off against foreign teams and game plans. “This year in volleyball, we have a real chance at making a run deep into the season,” Murray said.
In order to prepare for the expectation of a playoff run, the workouts might not be building towards their next opponent.
Run Tigers Run
Tiger cross country looks to take district crown Collin Spires Staff Writer
The cross country team encounters a new district this year, which presents different challenges for the school. Every new course has different obstacles that the team must overcome to compete while also facing unknown opponents. “Each meet is interesting because it presents its own different challenges,” Assistant Coach Travis Crain said. In the first meet of the season at Ranch Park, the junior varsity boys team took 1st place with varsity getting 2nd. The varsity girls finished in 2nd place, with the junior varsity girls team getting 3rd place. Varsity runner Karsten Bobb emphasized her training specifically the mileage she puts in. “Any competition is always going to be competition,” sophomore Caleb Lopez said. “lt doesn’t matter what school. There is always going to be competition.”
While no longer facing power houses such as Boerne Champion and Kerrville Tivy, the team will meet up with the likes of LBJ and McCallum in district. In the second meet of the season at the Austin ISD XC invite, the varsity boys placed 2nd, while the junior varsity boys also placed 2nd in the meet. The varsity girls took home 1st place in the meet, including the junior varsity girls placing 2nd. After another week of preparation, the Tigers competed in the St. Andrews Invite where both varsity and junior varisty boys got 4th place. The varsity girls took home 2nd place this meet, in addition to the junior varisty girls placing 1st. Second place finishes in the Gold Division at the Corpus Christi Islander Splash also encouraged the squad. “Let’s run our race,” Lopez said, “and just go out there do the best you can.”
Drew Pare (above) powers through his run at the home meet at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on August 25. Photo by Gracie Johnson