10 - 11 peregrine2

PEREGRINE

Active scholar trades in instru-ment for position as mascot, Freddie the Falcon.

Club allows students to learn new style of dancing.

Varsity volleyball player signs with the University of Texas at Arlington.

Volume 39 Issue 2 Jersey Village High School 7600 Solomon Houston, TX 77040

page6 page114page

November ‘10

a virtual reality

There is no doubt the way in which people communicate has dramatically changed since the introduction of social networking. Social networking has increased the brutality and severity of online bullying. Students and administrators struggle to battle the new wave of cyber bullying..

pages 8-9

PEREGRINEthe

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e PEREGRINE november ‘10>>

Overwhelming fear en-gulfed Joyce Beltran, mother,

as her toddler seized in her arms. A virus, attacking her

daughter’s heart, had Beltran worried that her child would not make it to her fi rst day of school, let alone, her next birthday. Th en, two-year old, Taylor Espinosa, was having life-threatening heart palpi-tations and was immediately rushed to the hospital for two back-to-back life-saving surgeries to put a temporary, and then a permanent, pacemaker in place. Espinosa went back to the operating table, to have the device which saved her life, 16 years earlier, removed.

At the age of two, Taylor Es-pinosa, senior, caught a life-threat-ening, air borne, virus that attacks the heart muscle. On the night of April 12, 1994, Joyce Beltran, mother, noticed that Espinosa was slipping in and out of con-

sciousness, before the convul-sions began.

“I knew something was wrong. [Taylor] was

ashy looking,” Beltran said. “She looked like

a ghost, and she was dying in my arms.”

Right away, Beltran called

an ambu-lance that

rushed E s -

pinosa to the Cy-Fair hospital where she was taken by Life Flight to Texas Children’s Hospital.

At Texas Children’s Hos-pital, Chief Cardiologist, Richard Friedman, waited for Espinosa’s arrival.

“Friedman just so happened to be working that very night,” Beltran said. “He was waiting for her.”

After examination, Friedman explained to Beltran what was caus-ing her daughter to be so ill, and the procedures necessary to save Es-pinosa’s life. Th e cardiologist decided that putting in a pacemaker, an elec-tronic device that monitors, and if neces-sary, corrects irregular heart rhythms by sending elec-trical charges to the heart, would solve the abnormal heart beats that Espinosa was experiencing.

“At fi rst I didn’t know what was wrong, and then the doctor ex-plained that Taylor was going to have two back to back surgeries. Th e fi rst one was going to be putting in a temporary pacemaker, and the sec-ond was going to put the permanent pace maker in place,” Beltran said.

Both of these operations were major surgeries that were essential for Espinosa’s survival and without the immediate act of putting in a pacemaker, the outcome could have been fatal.

Beltran, though worried for her daughter’s life, knew that the opera-

tions were risky, but necessary.“I didn’t want to lose [Tay-

lor], and I fought not to lose her. I went to hell and back. I fought against death and I wasn’t going to let

her go,” Beltran said. “I saw

[Taylor] be-fore she

w e n t i n t o

s u r -gery. She was

asleep and a little an-gel with curly hair.”Th e fi rst surgery, which

put in the temporary pace-maker, and the second surgery,

which put the permanent pace-maker into place, were frighten-

ing experiences for the family, be-cause Espinosa was so close to death, but they ended well.

At fi rst, Espinosa’s pacemaker was supposed to be taken out around the age of ten, but Beltran was nervous to get the device removed.

“I could’ve, and should’ve, had the surgery to remove the pacemaker

years ago, however, my moth-er wanted to leave it inside of my body just in case I’d ever need it,” Espinosa said. “She was pro-t e c t i v e ,

and didn’t want me to have surgery at that age.”

As the years past, the pacemaker remained inside of Espinosa, doing nothing. Eight years later, Espinosa’s doctor recommended the removal of the device, because it could begin to cause more problems with Espinosa.

“Th e doctor told me it could be dangerous having a battery inside my body because with one blow to the stomach, who knows what could happen,” Espinosa said. “[Th e pace-maker] was becoming a health haz-ard.”

On August 11th, Espinosa un-derwent the surgery to remove her pacemaker at Texas Chil-dren’s Hospital, with the same doctor who had saved her life 16 years earlier, Doctor Friedman.

“I wasn’t nervous [about the sur-gery], but excit-ed to get my pacemaker out,” Es-pinosa said.

“[Th e e x p e r i e n c e ] was a tad emotional since Dr. Friedman had saved my life many years ago, and now he was letting me live my life with no restrictions by removing my pacemaker.”

Espinosa, a passionate cross-country runner, had to take a break from running after the removal of her pacemaker. She missed about three to four weeks of running due to her hav-ing to recover.

“[Taylor] took a few weeks off from cross-country, however, she is able to run now and we’re glad to have her back on the team,” Cathy Culpepper, senior, said.

Sixteen years after the initial scare of Espinosa’s illness, and three major surgeries later, Es-pinosa has had a complete re-covery and can live a restriction free life without a pacemaker in place.

“My cardiologist told me my heart was in its own rhythm. Th ere are no ab-normalities,” Espinosa said. “I’m a healthy young being with a strong heart. A pacemaker is no longer neces-sary. Ever.”

Emmamckenzie>> co-editor

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racinG Taylor Espinosa, senior, establishes her pace at Cross Country District meet.

photo by ALLIsON ARTZ

photo by EmmA mckENZIE

victory With her pacemaker in hand, Taylor Espinosa is joyful that she no longer has to live with it in her..

“ I didn’t want to lose her and I fought not to lose her. I went to hell and back. I fought against death and I wasn’t going to let her go.”

post-op After having her pacemaker put in, Taylor Espinosa, enjoys a dinner with her family .

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teamworK After a meet, Taylor Espinosa, senior, stands next to Coach Crystal Day for a photo.

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the PEREGRINEissue two

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TannersTOGsDILL>> feature editor

On June 11, 2010, at a meeting for the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Ralph Funk, principal, stepped up to the position of president. After years of dedication to the organization, and moving up through the ranks, he was fi nally put in charge of a state wide organization of prin-cipals.

Th e Texas Association of Secondary School Principals is a group of prin-cipals all across the state that meets and share ideas. Th e organization strives to help the principals es-tablish a close learning environment where the students and the adminis-tration get along with great ef-f i -

ciency. For 88 years now, they have strived to provide professional services fore principals of middle and high schools.

After being an administrator for 27 years and a member of TASSP for 25, Funk has had many opportunities to learn how schools work. He has been in schools with as few people as 200, to schools as big as Jersey Vil-lage.

“His range of experiences makes him worthy, and able to relate to everyone,” Stacie Wicke, associate principal, said.

Funk had to go through a long process to become president. He

fi st fi rst needed to be nominated; from there he submitted an appli-

cation to a board of selectors. Th e selectors narrowed down the nominations, and released the edited list. From there he had to be voted in and there he was able to beat out the rest

of the candidates and took his place as president. Th e presidency goes through a cycle of big high schools, small high schools, and middle schools. It also goes through diff erent regions of Texas. Once elected the person who advances through the ranks does not immedi-ately accept the title of president. Th ey are the second vice president, and have to rise to president. One year after, they are past president. It helps have even representation of all schools and all re-gions.

Funk has worked hard

to make this school what it is, and now to lead the TASSP in a positive direction, he has to leave the school to travel all over Texas to attend meetings around the state with diff er-ent areas of principals. Although, this means that he is not at school as often as he has been in the past years. Funk will be gone for about 75 to 80 days this school year. While most schools would panic at the loss of so much time with such an important fi gure in the school, the administration of Jersey Village is on top of any problem that may arise.

“Because we have such great supervisors, they know how to handle things, and they know that [Mr. Funk] is just an email away,” Charlotte Krysin-sky, principal sec-retary, said.

Funk tries not to let his absence get in his way, When he gets back to the school, he takes care of what needs to be done, and picks up right where he left off . While gone though, Funk ties to keep in contact with the school and make sure that everything is ok. He calls to check in with the school every day, and to

see what is going on and if he needs to help. Th ere is also the fact that he recently got a phone where he can receive and send emails, and the administration has reported that it is easy to connect to him via email.

“I became president because of my in-volvement in TASSP, and I love the opportu-nity to give back, and to represent principals all over Texas,” Funk said.

assistinG While monitoring Claralee Andrews and Lauren Williamson, juniors, Ralph Funk , principal, checks the progress students as they work in class.

acceptinG While accepting his new position as president, Ralph Funk, principal, gives a speech at a meeting for the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

observinG Checking on classrooms Ralph Funk, principal, stops to talk with students like Angelo Cataban, junior, about their assignments.

principal becomes presidentFunk assumes top leadership position in state organization

Music flowed throughout the house, and the rhythm could be heard from miles away as Tai Dihn put together multiple choreogra-phies in his room. As the music played in his room, thoughts sparked upon him. He de-cided to share his love of dancing with oth-ers at the school, and create an after school dance club.

The club meets every Tuesday after school, in the main hall and is in the process of get-ting the approval to meet every Tuesday and Thursday for additional dance practices.

“I wanted to start the club at JV because I believed that there were other students out there who wanted a place that they can come to every week and just dance their hears out and have fun like I do every week. It was also because it was my senior year and I wanted to enjoy it while it lasts,” Dihn, senior, said.

Putting together the club was not hard for Dihn. First he found a few people which then turned into a lot of people. Then Dihn found a former dancer to be the sponsor. Af-

ter finding a sponsor, he got the approval for the club from the associate principal.

“I was very excited when I was asked to be the sponsor when Tai asked me I was like yeah! I just assumed they already had one, but when he told me they did not I thought it would be very cool. I am very excited to see what the students can do,” Blair Roy, Culinary arts teacher said.

The after school dance club also known as “The Jersey Village DanceCru” is learning a dance routine, that will be performed at Battle of the Falcons, and they also plan to perform at every single event possible such as Mr. Falcon and Fine Arts.

The type of dancing the club learns and practices include break dancing, popping,

hip-hop, and shuffling, which is a type of street dancing.

“The choreography is good so far. We have been learning a lot, and progressing more and more each time we meet. I am

excited to go out and show off the routine,” Alexis Nguyen, fresh-man, said.

The club members do not just include stu-dents from Jersey Vil-lage High School; they also have members from other schools such as Cypress Ridge High School, and Cypress Creek High School, and even from colleges

including University of Houston Downtown.

“I wanted to go to the dance club because I love dancing, and I love meeting other dancers. Being there is fun, and being able to help teach is very enjoyable,” Nathan Loven,

freshman at UHD, said.Although the members from the other

schools enjoy the club, others may not know the hassle it may be for them to attend the meetings. Some members from other schools can not drive yet, or may not have a license or a car which does not make attending practice as easy as it may be for others.

“Too get a ride, I have to ask a friend who is a junior at JV, and he has to pick me up from my house, which is a little far from JV, but it is all really worth it, cause I love that club a lot,” Alvin Pham, sophomore at Cy-Creek, said.

As for Dinh, he plans to continue danc-ing and continue to teach and help others as much as he can.

” I would like to continue to get better and better because as of now I’m basically learning just as many of the people who are joining this club. I would like to become a choreographer one day and perhaps teach a class,” Dinh, said.

Hammers hit the wood, and nails were driven in, as mem-bers of student council, StuCo, helped build a home, for Habitat for Humanity.

“Having the chance to work on a house for someone else felt really good, I enjoy doing volunteer work like that,” Os-car Gonzales, junior, said.

Every year Student Council members donate portions of the money earned from homecoming to different charities. They chose to donate to Habitat for Humanity, which is a non-profit organization to help those who are in need of a new home.

“We chose to donate to this charity because we knew Key Club built houses for them last year and it would be a great way to open the opportunity for the whole school,” Jeffrey Nguyen, StuCo officer and senior, said.

As a way to unite the school and foster a sense of unity, StuCo invited many other clubs; including Interact, Hope,

Key Club, and, Wrecking Crew to come build houses to-gether, on different days.

“Working with Student Council gave us a variety of peo-ple rather than just the same HOPE members and many people got to work with other people they did not know. It was great to see everyone together for a great cause,” Law-rence Paragas, HOPE member and senior, said.

This high school is the first school in the district to have such a large number of students commit to this in one year. The faculty and staff of Cypress Falls High School have also built homes for the charity this year.

The StuCo members work on the homes on Saturdays. The charity has set away three weekends for the members of the clubs to work together on the houses. Along with the home owners, the students build homes for those who are economically strained and those living in poverty.

Having the experience to volunteer and be able to make a difference in a stranger’s life has left many emotions on the students. Helping built houses has taught the students many skills with craftsmanship.

“I have never done any kind of volunteer work of this sort before. I learned lots of skills like laying tile and put-ting up fences and it is not as hard as I thought it would be. I plan on doing much more work like this in the future that has to do with helping others,” Gonzales said.

4 the PEREGRINE november ‘10

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Student Council volunteers their time to build houses for Habitat for Humanity

LeandraLEE>> sports editor

LeandraLEE>> sports editor

Members of new club practice their moves

Building new beginnings

DeDication Tai Dinh, senior, practices his break dancing routine.

photo by kATIE cARVALHO

photo by kATIE cARVALHO

cooperation Adding the finishing touches to a house, Vanesa Adan, senior, and Daniel Bastidas , junior, work together.

DancinG Balancing on only one hand, Eric Rodriguez, senior, concen-trates to pull off a tough move.

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Break into dancefeature

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sarahcHO>> staff writer

US experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change lives

ImmIGRATINGUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change livesUS experience produces hardships, opportunities that change lives

AmERIcAAn oblivious third grader giggles

with her friends as the school van rolls along the sidewalk to her brick white house in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. She skips inside, humming a cheerful tune, fi nding two anxious fac-es at the kitchen table. “Nancy, dear,” her mother says. “We’re moving to America.”

Nancy Jaquez, sophomore, moved from Guanajuato to the United States in December, 2003 because of her mother’s new marriage to her step dad, whose home was located in America. She had also previously moved to Canada for 3 years because of her dad’s occupation of a professional downhill racer. Because of the races located in Canada, she moved to Canada, moved back to Mexico, and now to her current home in America.

She had numerous opportunities along with hardships that followed the move to the U.S. Her main hardship, however, was leaving her family and friends behind.

“I miss them very much. Ex-cluding my mom and brother, I had to leave my whole family behind. I still keep in contact with them, but it’s just not the same as seeing them face to face everyday,” Jaquez said. “I felt sad because I usually saw my dad every weekend but when I got here, I realized I couldn’t see him anymore unless I went on a long vacation to Mexico. I felt depressed about that and I still do.”

Even when Jaquez had the chance to visit Mexico, she could not meet with her friends and hang out with them like she used to because of the diff erent vacation days.

“Whenever I went to Mexico, my friends were in school,” Jaquez said. “Th at’s another reason why I lost con-tact with them.”

Th e diff erence in vacation days was not the only school-related problem she had.

“I had trouble getting used to the school system because in Mexico, we were ahead by one year and when I got here, I had to get used to the new learning system. I felt frustrated be-cause I had to relearn everything in English. History class was especially

hard because they didn’t teach us U.S.A. History in Mexico, so I had to learn everything when other students already knew the basics.” Jaquez said.

Not only did she have to cope with academic problems, but she also had to part with her native home – for the second time.

“After living in Mexico for six years, I couldn’t bear to part with the country that I called home,” Jaquez said.

She remembers her last day in Sala-manca as one of her saddest.

“When I went to school, everyone gave me good-bye presents. I even had one of my teachers cry,” Jaquez said. “When I was leaving and I was in the car, I looked back at my whole family crying and waving good-bye.”

Despite her hardships that she faced socially and educationally, she found opportunities. One of the opportuni-ties she came across was the chance to learn a new language and improve her speaking skills.

“At fi rst, I had a hard time com-municating with my step dad because he doesn’t speak Spanish well, and I couldn’t speak English well. I was frustrated that I always had to ask my mom to translate. People used to make fun of me because of my accent, but people don’t do that anymore,” Jaquez said. “My English has defi nitely im-proved.”

She also had the chance to meet new people and adapt to new cultures and diversities.

“I met a lot of new people and I’m really glad,” Jaquez said. “If I hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t have met the won-derful friends that I have now.”

Jaquez, however, is only one of many who have started a new life in America. Adrian Viera and Stefania

Hurtado, sophomores, are also immi-grants from foreign countries.

Viera moved to Houston from Juarez, Mexico in his seventh grade year because his mother got a job as a teacher. His hardships, unlike Jaquez’s, outweighed the positive points of the move. He was forced to depart from his home and the everyday life he was familiar with.

“I had to leave behind all my friends, all my family, and all the things I loved,” Viera said.

After leaving all his friends behind in Juarez, Viera had a diffi cult time meeting new people and forming close friendships with them.

“I felt super left out,” Viera said. “It was really depressing for me because I

had to leave my family and friends and home.”

Despite the obstacles, he has now grown accustomed to life in America. He met new people and had the opportunity to learn an-other language.

“I was happy because I was meeting new people, new places, and learning new stuff ,” Viera said.

Hurtado, like Jaquez and Viera, also had similar obstacles and op-portunities. She moved to America from Peru in the summer before

third grade because of her relatives liv-ing in America.

“I had to leave most of my family members and friends. I felt extremely sad and upset,” Hurtado said. “I had no choice but to move.”

Th e move was not all negative, however.

“I had mixed impressions when I fi rst found out that I was going to move. I felt sad, mad, nervous, happy, excited, and nervous,” Hurtado said. “I learned more English and I got to meet lots of wonderful people. Other than leaving family and friends be-hind, there were no other negative points to the move.”

Making the transition from one country to another takes time and pa-tience in adapting to a new country and its people. Jaquez, Viera, and Hurtado have all adapted to this transition.

“I can’t imagine that happening to me. “ Ileana Marquez, sophomore, said. “I would be so depressed and I would miss all my family and friends.”

photo courtesy of Nancy JaquezcelebratinG Sitting in her new home in America, Nancy Jaquez, sopho-more, celebrates Mexico Day with her younger brother.

playinG In his home in Mexico, Adrian Viera, sophomore, plays soccer with his mom at the age of three.

eatinG In her home in Peru, Stefania Hurtado, sophomore, eats spinach at the age of two.

TO

photo courtesy of Stefania Hurtado

photo courtesy of Adrian Viera

“I felt super left out. It was really depressing for me because I had to leave my family and friends and home.”

6featureth

e PEREGRINE october ‘10>>

Th ird quarter, down 10 to 24, the football players felt the pressure, the crowd felt the pressure. Freddy the Fal-con knew what to do. Pump up the crowd. Along with the cheerleaders, Freddy Falcon began dancing with the beat of the marching band. A few jumps, a few fi st pumps and plenty of running around. Th e crowd began to cheer.

“Being in front of all those people is very nerve rack-ing because I worry that people won’t be entertained by me,” Isaiah Ross, senior, said. “But it’s easier because I am hiding behind my costume.”

Ross tired of band and in need of P.E. credit, decided to try out for school mascot at the end of his sophomore year.

“I saw how much fun Emily Johnson was having and how free she was and how she could do any-thing,” Ross said.

His junior year, Ross became Freddy the Falcon, school mascot. He became one with the costume, Freddy becoming his alter ego. Th e comfort of concealing his identity during his performance gave Ross the chance to entertain the crowd in ways he would normally be to embarrass to do.

“I wouldn’t do a lot of things, like the crazy dancing, without the costume. It brings out my alter ego,” Ross said.

Being a mascot took more eff ort than it might have seemed. Not only did he have to be physically fi t but also have to oblige to certain rules, like maintaining the si-lence code. Another struggle Ross faces is the hot and heavy brown-feathered costume.

“It’s extremely hot in there, and it’s hard to breath,” Ross said. “But it does not stink, it smells really good.”

Ross has taken part in Advance Placement and Dual Credit classes. Not only does he exceed academically, but has played in the band for a total of fi ve years, was previ-ously a cheerleader, partook in the ECP program, joined National Honors Society and has worked at the nursery in his high school.

“ Th e majority of the time I have a good balance on school work, work, other activities and being the mascot because I’ve been lucky enough to have things scheduled around games and work so I’m not too stressed during

the week,” Ross said. “I’ve managed time for all of my activities.”

Th e many hours spent with the cheerleaders has cre-ated a tight bond between them and Ross.

“Th e cheerleaders and I go together like peanut butter and jelly,” Ross said. “We have a special connection. Th ey somehow understand me even though I can’t talk.”

Ross reached a sort of “fame” status among his peers through being Freddy. Freddy the Falcon even has his own Facebook page, with 496 friends.

“He defi nitely livens the school up and he takes spirit to an all-time high,” Jasmine Brooks, senior, said.

As the mascot, Ross plays an important role at football games, pep rallies and other spirited school activities. Brooks, along with the rest of the cheerleaders, views Ross as the school’s ambassador of cheer, pumping up school events and bringing motivation.

“I think Isaiah was by far the best choice as a mascot. He be-comes one with the costume and is a true crowd pleaser,” Brooks said.

Paige Popovich, junior, became close to Ross through cheering and

sees him as one of her best friends. Becoming Freddy the Falcon gave Ross the opportunity to make new friendships and bring about his new found talent.

“I enjoy having Isaiah as our mascot. He’s hysterical and always has something interesting to say. He’s the fal-con of Jersey Village, the mascot. If he doesn’t contribute to the school, I don’t know what does,” Popovich said.

Th e person behind the brown feathered costume is far more than just the school mascot. Ross manages to live a double life; the spirited life of Freddy the Falcon, with lights and hundreds of eyes focused in on his yellow beak with the music pumping, and the regular life of Isaiah Ross, a student who excels academically while maintain-ing a vivid social life.

Ross wishes to continue his cheer career in college, hoping to become a cheerleader for the University of Texas.

“Th e past two years as Freddy the Falcon has truly been an amazing blessing and journey. I was in doubt as to whether I could ‘fi ll the beak’ as so many others did before me. It still amazes me that I’m the mascot,” Ross said.

“I was in doubt as to whether I could ‘fi ll the beak’ as so many others did.”

OrfaPALAcIOs>> staff writer

the week,” Ross said. “I’ve managed time for all of my OrfaPALAcIOs the week,” Ross said. “I’ve managed time for all of my

Behind the MascotFreddy the Falcon reveals true identity

photo by ORFA PALAcIOs

7feature


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On a normal day to day basis, he looks up into the vibrant blue sky and sees vast skyscrapers soaring above him. Every week day morning he walks out of his apartment building and jumps on a subway or walks a few blocks to school. For lunch he enjoys a helping of rice and beans and talks the native tongue of Portuguese among his peers. However, af-ter crossing two large bodies of water totaling 4,908 miles away in a new city and a new culture, Bruno Butti, adapts to a Texan way of life.

Butti, junior, a foreign ex-change student from Sao Paulo, Brazil, lives with a host family until the school year ends. Sao Paul is a city inside the state of Sao Paulo.

“I wanted to be an exchange student be-cause I could learn more English, and it is a huge experience to stay away from home for one year in another country and learn its culture,” Butti said.

On the fi rst day of school in a new conti-nent, Butti’s eyes re-mained wide open, glaring around the building in which he would learn in for the next nine months. He b e g i n s t a k i n g in the

size of the school and the amount of stu-dents attending.

Butti’s school in Sao Paulo portrays many diff erences compared to his new school life-style. Grade levels do not mix and students r e m a i n in the same class with the same

teacher and classmates for the entire year. Th e school year exists as continuum with various breaks. Th e year starts off in January and fi nishes in December. Th e school day also fi nishes a half an hour shorter.

“In Algebra, Bruno is adapting really well. He al-ways receives good grades on the assignments, and he is

even helping me. He is a nice guy who is friends with everyone,” Alonzo Mejia, junior, said.

In school, Butti par-ticipates as a mem-ber of the wres-

tling team. Out of all the sports avail-able he chose to participate in wrestling because in Brazil he p e r f o r m s martial arts, and wres-tling almost equates to the Brazilian form of martial arts.

“Bruno is doing quite well so far; his technique is progressing the way it should for the time of the year. He works hard tends practice on a regular basis; it is those quali-ties that I have seen in him thus far that will ultimately translate into success on the mat,” Kevin Casula, wrestling coach, said.

Even though he lives far away from his homeland, Butti connects with his fam-ily frequently. Butti chats via webcam with them, and he has learned a valuable lesson concerning the miles of separation.

“Now that I am away from my family, I am learning how to be by myself and be in-dependent. In the beginning I didn’t know a lot of things here, I didn’t know anybody here and my English was worse than it is now,” Butti said.

After nine months of attending school in another continent, there lies one perk Butti will miss the most.

“I will miss being asked by everyone all the time about me, my country, my fam-ily, the program, my life in Brazil and other things,” Butti said.

Bruno Wrestles America

Foreign exchange student adapts to new countrykinseyBUTTON

>> feature editor

photo by myRNA GARcIA

DetermineD Ready for his fi rst wrestling match in the United States Bruno Butti, foreign exchange student from Brazil, prepares to enter the mat at the Morton Ranch High School meet.

Other Foreign Exchangestudents attending JVHS

photo by kAREN ROmERO

strenGth Using all his skills as a wrestler Bruno Butti, foreign exchange student from Brazil, fi ghts to win a spot on the varsity team as he battles with Juan Garcia- Perez, junior.

Lena Hartl (Junior)From: Berlin, GermanyFavorite American fast food place: Jack in the BoxFavorite American store: Victoria Secret“People in America are a lot friendlier than where I live. People who you barely know will come up to you and hug you.”

Natalia Vosalkova (Junior)From: SlovakiaSlovakia vs. Houston biggest diff erence: Number of historical buildings

Janet WooriFrom: North Korea

Xingyi suFrom: Beijing, China

“it is a huge experience to stay away from home for one year in another country and learn its culture.”

10featureth


Most of the students talk among them-

selves, paying little attention to the announcements going on, but when the speaker be-gins to reveal the week’s win-ners of the Falcon FLIGHT drawing, the room quiets as students listen for their names. In most cases, the anticipation they feel has less to do with the prize, a 50-cent cookie, than it has to do with the recognition of eff ort and good behavior.

“While Ms. Parham was busy during seventh period I helped another student edit his work and Ms. Parham rewarded me with a Falcon Flight ticket. I later won a cookie and was pleasantly surprised,” Cathy Culpepper, se-nior, said.

For those who pos-sess these simple yet important qualities, a little acknowledge-ment provides encour-agement; the school’s way of telling them to keep doing what they do.

Similar programs in middle schools and some other high schools in the dis-trict inspired Jeff Roth and Shannon Fisch, as-sistant principals, to create FLIGHT. Th e acronym stands for Focus, Leadership, Integrity, Greatness, Hones-ty, and Teamwork, behaviors Roth and Fisch hope to see in students.

Th inking of an acronym was just the start. Student Council contributed money to pay for prizes, and dona-tions from teachers make up the rest of the budget. Although the prizes started out small, the winners of the last drawing of the six weeks

received either $25 gift cards or authentic NFL jerseys, do-nated to the p r o g r a m by Tiff any Po l a s ek , art teach-er.

In addition, two lucky students can expect to win $100 gift cards by the end of the semester. Tick-ets stay in the drawings after each week, so students who accumulate several during the course of the semester have a good chance of win-ning big.

With school underway, administrators depend on teachers to build enthusiasm for the program in order to increase its eff ectiveness.

Many teachers help a great deal, promoting the values of FLIGHT and passing out purple tickets to students they see exhibiting them, but some teachers forget.

“We’re trying to get more teachers to remember and remind kids about the pro-gram. We also want to see more FLIGHT posters in classrooms, and we’re try-ing to make banners to hang around the building,” Roth said.

Polasek thinks that ad-vertising the prizes more could lead to an even better

re-s p o n s e from students.

“I don’t think a lot of kids know what they can win. When my students saw me with the jerseys, a lot of them got excited, even ask-ing if they could buy them. I think that if they knew more about the prizes they would take [the program] more se-riously,” Polasek said.

Falcon FLIGHT does not forget the teachers, whose gen-erosity helped to make it possible. Teachers also have the opportu-nity to earn tickets for excellence, allowing them to have casual “jean days”.

Teachers have no-ticed a positive change since the implementa-tion of FLIGHT. As-sistant principals hand out tickets for keeping the cafeteria and bath-rooms clean, leading to

an overall improvement in the school’s appearance, and students make a more conscious eff ort to show leadership qualities. After seeing its early success, ad-ministrators plan to continue the program next year.

“Th e ideal is to see kids getting into a habit of living by the values in FLIGHT, but that takes time. We can’t control what they do at home, but we hope that with time exposing them to programs like FLIGHT at school will have an aff ect,” Roth said.

saraZATOPEk>> staff writer

Falcon FLIGHTWinners qualify for rewards ranging from cookies to $100

received either $25 gift cards or authentic NFL

In addition, two lucky students can expect to win $100 gift cards by the end of the semester. Tick-ets stay in the drawings after each week, so students who

re-s p o n s e from students.

“I don’t think a lot of kids know what they can win. When my students saw

FocusLeadership

IntegrityGreatness Honesty

Teamwork

Every game, every practice, every moment. Amy Davault readies her-self to make a kill. She is ready to play, ready to receive a set, ready to win.

Since her freshman year, Davault, senior, maintained her position as an outside hitter on the varsity volley-ball team Th roughout high school, Davault’s accomplishments include an honorable mention her freshman year with the most kills out of the entire varsity team, earning the First Team All-District title her sophomore and junior year, and with her last year of high school she has received a UT Arlington athletic scholarship, which will pay for all of her expenses.

Having been committed to the volleyball program, and put in years of dedication, Davault has earned her way to receive such a high honor.

“[I found out about the scholar-ship] about the end of this summer, and I was overwhelmed with happiness and re-lief,” Davault said.

With it being her last year of high school, Davault refl ect-ed on her days when she began her choice of sport.

“I’ve been playing [volleyball] since fi fth grade, with teams like the Willowbrook Sports Complex, and Cy-Fair Sports,” Davault said.

Playing volleyball her whole life, Davault has made sure that volleyball is her fi rst priority.

“Volleyball is everything to me, and everything else is scheduled around it,” Davault said.

With every year Davault has been on varsity, she has always maintained a tight bond with her teammates, which was necessary in order to compete and function as a team.

“Th e team is very close to each other, we always have team bonding with eating or just hanging out,” Davault said. “Every year all the girls have been very close.”

As the varsity volleyball team connected, they also united through one common goal; win-ning the game.

“Every game we had, Amy was one of our strongest players on the team. [Th e volleyball team] wouldn’t be the same without her,” Carly Coen,

senior, said. Not only has

Davault held a close relationship with every team she has played with, but she has also maintained a closer relationship with her coach, in which she has spent almost four years with.

“Amy loves the sport, and it shows every time she plays. She wants to continue on at the college level and has the skills and work ethic to make that happen. [Amy] has grown in leadership, both physical and mental abili-t i e s , and character,”

Lori Boyles, volleyball coach, said.

With a bright future ahead of her, Davault plans on attending the University of Texas at Arlington,

where she will continue to pur-sue her passion for volleyball.

“ Volleyball has impacted me greatly, and one of the most im-portant things in

my life,” Davault said. “It is a part of

me.”

11feature


>>

TaylorEsPINOsA>> staff writer


Th e gun sounds, a stam-pede charges, and the two boys know only seconds remain for

them to reach the narrow path that must be followed towards

the fi nish. Light on their feet, they strike one foot ahead of the other as they force their legs to push harder and high-er. Fighting their way to the front of the pack, Daniel and Christian Lopez, dem-onstrate strength not only by passing their

competition in a cross-country race, but by building a stronger bond as brothers.

Both being competitive runners, Daniel Lopez, junior, and Christian Lopez, fresh-

man, were on the same cross-country team, and competed at the varsity level.

“Since we are both on varsity, we run together, race together, and usually [Chris-

tian] keeps up with me,” Daniel said. Th ough Christian is the younger of the two

siblings, he trained to gain his position on the var-sity team. However, he still looks up to his older brother for guidance when it comes to running.

“He always tells me times I should make, who I should beat, and how courses at [cross-country] meets are set up,” Christian said.

Growing up in the same household, running played a major part in both brothers’ lives. It was not just a sport, but a way of connection.

“My brother and I have been running since we were each in fi fth grade. We were both involved in club track called the Northwest Flyers, where we learned the basics of running,” Christian said.

It was not until high school when older broth-er, Daniel made the switch

from club track to cross-country. “I love the thrill you get from racing against

another runner, and how every course is diff erent with diff erent obstacles,” Daniel said.

Younger brother, Christian, soon followed his brother’s footsteps and joined cross-country his fi rst year in high school.

“I like the pressure and intensity before, dur-ing, and after a race,” Christian said.

In cross-country, runners and their teams compete to gain fi rst place on a course, usually from two to three miles, over open or rough ter-rain making it diffi cult to “win” or place in the top runners. However, because of both brothers’ training and dedication over the years, both sib-lings have placed fi rst or second in their school runs as well as 5K races outside of school.

Th ough both brother’s have their own person-al record times to beat, they each share the same work ethic of practice makes perfect.

“We usually do all of our workouts together, and we go to the track on our off days to time each other,” Christian said.

Whether they are practicing together, or achieving new personal records, the Lopez broth-ers participate in the same races, and share similar goals.

“We try to participate in every 5K race down-town like the Race for the Cure and the Dynamos Go for Goal, and after the cross-country season, we plan to run half-marathons,” Daniel said.

Having been actively involved with cross-country throughout his freshman, sophomore, and junior year of high school, there is only one more season left in Daniel’s high school career to participate in his sport, and it is time to pass the reigns of running down to his younger brother.

“If you compare [Christian] to my freshman year, and even my sophomore year, he has already caught up to my personal times. I know how fast he can be with the right amount of training, and one day he will surpass me,” Daniel said.

Th e Lopez brothers’ have been consistent within their running and continue to be dedi-cated to the cross-country program.

“Both Daniel and Christian are dedicated run-ners, and it shines through their work outs. Th ey attend practices on a consistent basis, give it all they got when it comes to meets, and most of all they are committed to the team,” Crystal Day, cross country coach said.

Being the new boy’s cross-country coach, Coach Crystal Day has had an impact on each of the brothers’ running careers, but a little more so in older brother, Dan-iel’s life.

“Coach Day motivates me because she knows how fast I can be, how I should maintain my rank on the team, and my potential,” Daniel said.

Both brothers’ moti-vate one another on and off the cross-country course.

“Our bond is pretty strong. I probably wouldn’t even be in cross-country if it weren’t for [Daniel],” Chris-tian said.

Th e Lopez brothers’ have trained, met their personal goals, and continue to strength-en their brotherly bond as they continue their passion for a sport they love.

“Our relationship is like our run-ning,” Daniel said. “As we grow stron-ger in our running, our relationship does too.”

in it to kill it It Runs in Lopez familyBrothers connect throughlove of cross country sport

Athlete accepts scholarship to play volleyball at UTA

servinG Taking control of her serve Amy Davault, senior, readies to score for the lady Falcons.

heart racinG Conditioning pushes Daniel Lopez, junior, through the race.

sprintinG At the district meet Christian Lopez, freshman, keeps a steady pace until he reaches the fi nsih line.

What do improvisational jazz, spoken-word, metal, Africana and kids’ songs have in com-mon? Each of these genres share a home on Houston’s KTRU Rice Radio. Since 1967, students at

Rice University have operated one of Houston’s most eclectic radio stations. Operating on FM frequency 91.7, KTRU transmits the most musically diverse catalog in Houston, including an outlet for local and independent musicians who oth-erwise would not have exposure to a mass audience. However, as of August 17, 2010, fans of the station were shocked to learn Rice has been negotiating to sell the radio station to the University of Houston for approximately $10 million.

Should the transaction be fi nalized, KTRU will lose both its Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license and its 50,000 watt transmitter to the University of Houston. Furthermore, the transaction will result in the loss of the musical diversity, unique-ness, and the voice of the Rice students dedicated to operating the station. Although the station will continue to broadcast online on the KTRU web-site, concerned students and KTRU listeners fear this will diminish the audience and integrity of the station. Th e purchase of KTRU’s FCC license and transmitter will become the University of Houston’s second radio station, the fi rst being FM 88.7, which broadcasts classical and operatic music and National Public Radio (NPR). Th e new KTRU is proposed to be a non-for-profi t radio station which will play exclusively classical music. Many critics of the transaction argue that because the University of Houston already owns a radio station and that Rice is not struggling fi nancially, the purchase of KTRU is both unnecessary and unfair to loyal listeners of the often off -color music vari-ety.

In lieu of the announce-ment, several listeners, stu-dents, and Rice alumni formed “Save KTRU”, which is an organization which puts forth eff orts to stop the transaction from taking eff ect. Th e Save KTRU cause has organized pe-titions, fundraisers, benefi t con-certs featuring local artists up-set with the announcement, and has launched an online campaign aimed to address what they call the injustice behind the KTRU take over. Th ose behind KTRU argue that not only is the loss of KTRU the loss of a cultural institution, but the negotiation was announced

under suspicious circumstances, for the proposed transaction was completely confi dential until the negotiations were already underway. Furthermore, the loss of KTRU signifi es another depletion of the Houston-area cultural scent. One of the most obvi-ous examples is the recent closure of one of the few movie theaters in Houston to continuously feature foreign and independent fi lms, the Angelika Th eatre in Downtown’s Bayou Place. Like the abruptness of Rice’s announcement, the Angelika closed with absolutely no prior notice; only a sign on the door apologizing for the closure.

To adequately describe the impact of KTRU and what it represents to so many Rice students, alumni, and Houstonians is to quantify the emotional and psychological value of music and expression. Per-haps the best way to describe KTRU is the way they describe themselves (via www.ktru.org):

“KTRU doesn’t sound like other Houston radio stations. We put on strange music. Sometimes peo-ple say that we sound funny. Th at’s because we are a free-form, eclectic radio station that thinks it’s a bad thing to play the same song twice in a span of an hour. We play lots of music that isn’t what you’re probably used to hearing.”

KTRU has consistently provided an easily ac-cessible multi-cultural center for its listeners and is one of Houston’s most valuable independent, artistic assets. Th e loss of KTRU and the Angelika, while depressing in itself, could signify the cultural degra-dation of the Houston art and music landscape.

13refl ections


>>

TannersTOGsDILL>> feature editor

EmilyWHITTEmORE >> illustrator

When Christmas rolled round last year, I had to take a trip to my grandmother’s house. Upon arriving I said hello to my family, and found my cousins sitting around the kitchen table playing a cartoonish card game. See-ing my cousins in their mid twenties sitting around a

table and playing a card game was odd enough. To add to the oddity, the cards all had over the top cartoon characters. I was completely baffl ed by the situation. Th e box was titled, “Th e good, the bad, and the Munchkin,” and had a cowboy on the front. I decided to pass up the game, and move on to socializing with others.

I went on talking to my uncles and aunts, but I heard my cousins laugh-ing quite loudly, and frequently. I overheard loud debates about “mounts”, head gear, and weapons. Being the nerd I am, I was drawn to the game to give it another shot. I watched my cousins, who are normally very friendly to each other, pulling out all of the stops to utterly crush each other. It seemed like the game would have put them all at wit’s end, but there was lots of laughter to be had. I was suddenly seeing a fun side of these people that I had never seen before. After three hours of an intense battle based off of silly cards, the game fi nally ended. I desperately wanted to start another round with my cousins, but it was time to eat dinner, and afterward a few had to leave. I knew that was not the last time I would see that game.

As soon as I got home, I ran rushed to my room to learn as much as I could about this “Th e good, the bad, and the Munchkin.” I typed the title into google, and I was directed to Steve Jackson’s creation of the Munch-kin franchise. Jackson created a card game that was an entertaining, over the top, and a fun parody of the popular role playing game dungeons and dragons. His game won the award for the best traditional card game in 2001 from the Academy of Adventures and Gaming Art Design. From there, Jackson decided that parodying the cult hit role playing game was not enough. He made versions to parody star wars and star trek, James Bond, super heroes, vampires, H.P. Lovecraft, ninjas, cowboys, and pirates. My fi ndings all led me to where I could buy the game.

I ventured to Barnes and Nobel to snatch up one of these works of art. Th e version I chose, was munchkin booty, the pirate version. It took no time at all for me to feel the unbreakable urge to play the game. I fi rst in-troduced it to a group of close friends, who where frightened of the idea of playing munchkin booty, for they feared that it was not exactly going to be a family friendly game.

I opened the box and explained the basics of the game. Explaining the rules was a bit hard though, because they where mostly a joke and en-dorsed cheating. Round one of Munchkin Booty put me right back into the feeling of watching my cousin’s play their cowboy version. Th at fi rst round that I played with my highly competitive friends was two hours of a highly intense death match. Every time one person was one level away from winning, we would smack the person down by piling on powerups on the army of attacking the person closest to victory.

Playing the game became a weekly ritual. I began to play Munchkin Booty with friends whenever possible. People started to get excited when they saw me because they knew that they had a shot at three hours of hi-larious chaos. I have since wanted to blend many diff erent versions, but I have only experience it once. I enjoy the game quite a bit, and I am excited to pass the game around. I hope to have every version together for a super battle one day. Th at would be a great 24 hour card game!

Supportive fan creates radio loss awarenessBizarre card game develops into passion

Munchkin Booty OUT TO SAVE A STATION

14refl ectionsth

e PEREGRINE November ‘10>>

EmmamckENZIE>> co-editorOrfaPALAcIOs

>> staff writer

W a k -ing up to the smell of sizzling ba-con beside two sunny

side up eggs and a tall glass of cold milk sounds like a typical American weekend breakfast. Cows frolicking in Californian fi elds, chickens running around freely and cute pink pigs rolling around in mud is the picture of a farm installed in our minds by mainstream society. But the cruel reality of manufac-turing farms is far from this image of a story book farm. Cows crammed into small spaces with hard concrete fl oors pumped with hor-mones in order to produce your precious glass of milk, chickens four to fi ve in a single cage slaughtered while still alive after they can no longer produce those sunny side up eggs, and baby piglets killed for those delicious ba-con strips.

Th e debate of whether or not the consumption of meat and animal products is immoral has lately become a hot topic. Over the past years, more Americans have become inclined to try a veg-etarian-based diet, either for moral or health reasons.

In a 2008 study, non-veg-etarian were surveyed with 5.2 percent or 11.9 million people responding that they are “defi nitely interested” in trying a vegetarian diet. Even though it might seem like a small percentage of our pop-ulation, the increasing curi-osity amongst Americans is noted. Of those, 3.2 percents of American adults follow

a vegetarian-based diet, 0.5 percent of those going even further following vegan di-ets, who do not consume any product that comes from an animal.

Th e growing number of people trying to reduce their meat intake has boosted the market of vegetarianism. From recipe books to com-pletely vegetarian restaurants, products aimed at those who are interested in the topic are popping up everywhere. In Houston, entirely vegan restaurants like Pat Greer’s Kitchen and Yaya’s Raw Rah have been seeing an increas-ing amount of new custom-ers, while chain restaurants, such as Denny’s, are now accommodating vegetar-ians with the introduction of their new veggie burger. Excluding naturally vegetar-ian produce, the market as of 2006 has had a growth of 2.8 billion dollars.

Th e media has played a major part in this grow-ing interest. Celebrities and athletes such as NFL star Tony Gonzales and Hero ac-tress Hayden Panettire have joined the bandwagon both turning vegetarians. Activ-ist groups such as PETA ( People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) have recruited popular celebrities, like Pa-mela Anderson, to promote vegetarianism.

Th ey mostly aim at the younger generation, having high school and college stu-dents protest against major “meat” companies, such as McDonalds and KFC.

Whether or not the con-sumption of animal prod-ucts is immoral, the grow-ing number of Americans is quickly increasing along with a growing market.

My eyes moved across the type. “If I can’t be beautiful, I want to be invisible.” Shan-non McFarland’s most inner thoughts were laid out on the page. An unspoken motto that I

had lived by for the longest time was typed on the crisp, yellow-tinted paper. Th e ten words imprinted themselves into my brain. Th e narrator’s voice echoed in my head. I had no idea that a single sentence would change my entire outlook on life; she was the one who infl uenced me to not just be another person who makes no impact in this world, but to a person who tries to make a diff erence in people’s lives.

I had fi nally found an outstanding book in the fall of 2008. Everything said, every word typed, every place visited was spectacular. Th e book was meant for me. It was the kind of book that does not leave your hands until every last word had been read. A book in which nearly every sentence is one you can relate to, in one way or another. Th e narrator of this book, in a sense, was who I had been for many years.

Shannon McFarland was a successful model who did what everyone told her to do. She never had a say in anything. Her clothes were picked out, her photo-graphs were posed, and her “friends” were only there for her because she lived a luxurious lifestyle, until she got into a terrible car “accident.” After the accident, her face was damaged, her career was ruined and all of her friends disappeared. She had to restart her life by thinking of a new career, reconnecting with old friends and having her face reconstructed. Isolated, Shannon became a nobody to the fashion industry. She became another wallfl ower in the world she had worked so hard for.

As I sat locked in my room, reading, I could only think of that single quote Shannon said in the midst of all of her disfi gurement, “if I can’t be beautiful, I want to be invisible.” Invisible from her old life, in-visible from her old career and from her old friends. Shannon wanted to start over anew and feel what it was like to be somebody completely diff erent from the life she had led for so long. She would take change in any way it came to her.

Shannon’s need for change is what altered my outlook on the way I had been living my life. Every conversation, to me, had become monotonous. Every action, repetitious. Every day had been a cookie cut-ter of the previous one. I began to crave change that Shannon had craved. I needed to do something that would get me out of the boring cycle that was my everyday life. Shannon’s radical lifestyle change infl u-enced me to go from being just another person living and just getting by, to being a person who wanted

to do something of value and help change people’s lives for the better, and thus began my involvement in charities.

I searched to fi nd a charity that I would feel com-fortable donating my time, money and eff ort to. I made sure I knew where the money was going, and how the non-profi t organization carried out with all of their promises that they promoted. My fi nal deci-sion on an organization was one which helped provide shoes to kids and adults in underdeveloped countries, where, otherwise, they have to walk without any foot protection, putting them at risk to diseases and infec-tions. Th e answer was TOMS.

It is strange knowing that a fi ctional character is the reason why I started to get involved in non-profi t organizations. Shannon McFarland’s thoughts had been what I was thinking for a major part of my life. She either wanted to be the best or nothing at all. Shannon didn’t want to be mediocre, and she didn’t want to be just another wallfl ower in our society. Th e narrator saw that she wasn’t going to be the best in the fashion industry for much longer, so she took ex-treme measures to get out of that lifestyle and start over completely. Th is is what inspired me to begin re-thinking my potential power to help people in other countries. Shannon is the sole reason that I love help-ing out charities.

She inspired me to make a change, though not as drastic as hers, which helped me start over and see the world from a diff erent light. She helped me realize that there is so much more to life than being beauti-ful, or ordinary, or wealthy. “If I can’t be beautiful, I want to be invisible.” Th ose are the ten words that made me rethink my entire way of living..

“If I can’t be beautiful...”Book inspires reader to take on charity projectVegan takes on diet, lifestlye

with healthy future in mind

>>

broken15editorial


Damages plagued the high school campus in the midst of hurricane force winds and

heavy rains during Hurricane Ike in October 2008. Along with tangled fences and twisted portables those winds bent the metal Falcon by the buses. This Falcon is not just a statue representing the pride of the school, but a falcon memorializing Ronnie Truitt, the second principal of Jersey Village. Two years after the hurricane, and the Falcon has still not been restored to its original state, honoring a man who was so influential to the school. Two years after the hurricane the Falcon still stands damaged and that needs to change.

Hurricane Ike, a devastating and costly storm for the school, caused water damage to classrooms, portable building damages, and obstruction with the progress of construction. These were the neces-sities that had to be fixed right away. The remaining item that has yet to be repaired is the Falcon, locat-ed in the back parking lot. A wing of the falcon has been bent and not fixed since the hurricane, over two years ago.

Hurricane Ike caused water damage to class-rooms, portable damage and obstructed the progress of construction. After the storm those immediate necessities required immediate addressing. Howev-er the remaining item to be repair, the Falcon, still remains with its wing bent for over two years.

The bent wing is not just a cosmetic problem, but one far more than that. The statue was built in

Ronnie Truitt’s memory, and having a memorial statue that is not in pristine condition, defaces and counteracts the whole purpose of having a statue to begin with.

Built as a memorial to a man that guided the high school for over ten years the issue of not repairing this memorial brings to light more than a cosmetic concern. Truitt passed away while still holding the position of principal. He had been battling cancer and in 1988, Truitt passed. Having a memorial that stands in disrepair counteracts the whole purpose of having the statue to begin with.

The statue’s repair has been postponed due to construction, because the risk of the Falcon being re-damaged was a possibility, but now that con-struction is complete, the school should go ahead with seeing what needs to be done to correct the damaged statue.

An examination of the damage is needed to decide whether the Falcon needs to be repaired, or completely replaced. Ralph Funk, principal, has said that “[the school] has contacted individuals to access the Falcon and provide pricing for the repair or replacement.” This contact is a start to the repair, but the problem that stands in the way, is funding.

Funding is the root to why the Falcon has yet to be restored. There is a lot of rusting and dam-age that the memorial has sustained, due to age and Hurricane Ike. The final cost of fixing the statue de-pends on how severe the problems are. If there are

many major issues with the Falcon, it will have to be replaced, but if there are just a few minor damages, it will be repaired. Only after this inspection will the school be able to decide if repairing or complete replacement be the best option.

To handle the problem with funding, the school could hold a fundraiser and find companies, or in-dividuals, who would be willing to contribute to the cause. Student Council, in the past, has had an in-dividual meet their total funds gathered from fund-raising, and the school could do the same thing. The school, in its entirety, could raise a lot more than just Student Council, so multiple companies and individuals would be necessary to meet the total amount raised.

The copper-colored statue in the back of the school has stood there, memorializing all that Ron-nie Truitt accomplished, for over a decade. The sec-ond principal of the high school should be remem-bered and not forgotten as students and faculty pass by the Falcon every day. To continue honoring Truitt, the statue representing the school, should be repaired to its original condition, as quickly as pos-sible, through the funds raised by the student body.

15YaYs 1NaYs

PEREGRINE positionthe

Peregrine Staff2010-2011

editors emma mcKenzie miKela melaKis

sports editor leanDra leefeature editors

Kinsey buttontanner stoGsDill

news editor advertising manager

vince floresillustrator

emily whittemorestaff writers

sarah choamber Day

taylor espinosahenry GarciaJoey Gilbert

alissa Guerraorfa palacios

monse portillosara zatopeK

staff adviser marGie comstocK

principal ralph funK

studentsspeakout “I [don’t] think this repair is necessary.

Many students probably don’t give the statue a second thought and that money, used for repairs, could be used for something more useful.” >> Dalton bowman sophomore

“I think the statue should be repaired if it memorializes somebody, than it should be in the best shape possible so the person can be shown as a good and classy person.” >> ritz flores

junior

>>

Jersey Village HigH scHool

student Publications’newsPaPer Policy

The Peregrine is the official student publication of Jersey Village High

School and is published by the Advanced Journalism newspaper

class at Jersey Village HighSchool, 7600 Solomon, Houston,

Texas 77040 (713-896-3400). It is distributed free to the student

body. Subscriptions can bebought for $15, and copies of

the paper will be mailed to your residence.

Unsigned editorials represent a majority agreement of the staff.

The Peregrine is read in advance of publication by the JVHS adminis-

tration.Advertising is sold by the 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full page. The staff has

the right to reject, edit,or cancel any advertisement at

any time. The advertising policy is stated on the advertising contract.

Advertising is not an endorse-ment from the staff, the adviser,

the administration, or the Cypress Fairbanks Board of Trustees.

The Peregrine is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, Quill and Scroll, and the National Scholastic Press As-

sociation.The Peregrine is printed by Mirror

Publishers, Inc in Texas City, TX. The opinion of readers is held in high

regard. Please send all feedback or questions to our address or room 1720. Letters to the editor need to be limited to 150 words. We

reserve the right to edit for spelling and grammar. Letters must be

signed.

Delayed repair leaves memorial statue

damagedA wing

“I think that the repair is necessary. It symbolizes the school and we can’t just get rid of something that has been memorializing a former principal’s accomplishments.” >> sanDy tanG

sophomore

16Image Essayth


INNOVATION ONLy OBsERVATIONWith an audience behind him, John-Albert Arechiga, junior, watches in anticipation, as he launches his pumpkin into mid-air. Arechiga waits for the measurement of the distance traveled.

ANTIcIPATION Nervous and on edge, Caitlin Farmer, junior, draws back the wooden arm of the catapult device. Hav-ing worked diligently on her mecha-nism, Farmer prepares for her pumpkin

to launch at a distance of 9-10 feet, earning herself a perfect score on the physics catapult project.

GET ON my LEVEL After two practice launch-es, Rose Nguyen, senior, makes sure that her cata-pult has all fi nal touches in place, and prepares for her fi nal launch.

WATER WEIGHT Filling up a pipe apart of her catapult contraption, Analisa Reyes, senior, uses water as a unique way to keep her device stable to the ground.

GOING THE DIsTANcE Having launched her pumpkin, Kimberly Whit-ford, senior, watches as her pumpkin forms a projectile. She watches as the pump-kin travels across the lot.

PUmPkIN PREcIsION Setting up their trebuchet, Nick Gonzalez and Lane Preston, juniors, double check their trigger device that they incorporated onto their catapult.




photo by cAmERON kORENEk

ALL ABOUT AccURAcy Carefully pulling back on the contraption’s string, Jeff rey Nguyen and Reena Kankaria, seniors, ready themselves for the fi nal pumpkin launch.


With the will to work, and an inventive

mind-set, Physics IK stu-dents set off in teams to construct a “working cata-pault” contraption from materials like pipes, plastic and wood. Teams compet-ed against one another to hurl one pumpkin across a distance of 9-10 meters in the school parking lot. In the process of this in-novative project, students learned the variables needed to set a projectile in motion.

photos by ORFA PALAcIOs


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