06 Rolling Coal 26 Game Day 23 School AppsWhy truck fashion is killing the planet

Cheerleaders may join UIL sports

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The Cougar Claw

Tomball High School

Aug. 2014 Vol. 58, Issue 1

THSCougarClaw.comAug. 2014 Vol. 58, Issue 1

THSCougarClaw.comAug. 2014 Vol. 58, Issue 1

Aug. 2014 Vol. 58, Issue 1

A Survival GuideA Survival GuideA Survival Guide

PROOF

PROOF

News

Student Life

Sports

Features

Tech

Goodbye chicken buiscuits, hello Rolling Coal. Forcing our students to eat healthy but leaving the environmetn to fend for itself.

Homecoming Queens and Pagent Girls. How to prepare for an early homecoming and find a classfull of new friends.

Clubs to check out and APs to stear clear of; Say farewell to an old friend and hello to new reading material.

Dark Souls, WiFi, and helpful apps to help you make the grade. Be sure to download the Tomball High app on your smartphone!

Scheduals to plan around and every Cheerleader’s dream, don’t foget to check out everything you need to look foward to this fall!

The Big PictureFor Those of you who might not have had time to keep up on the latest in world news, The Big Picture is here to help!

PROOF

You asked, we tell: Freshmen FAQWhat’s up with

the food in the

cafeteria? Is it

any good?

Is six minutes

really enough

time between

classes?

We won’t lie and say the food is as good as any restaurant in town, but

you’ll be able to find something you like. Some swear by the pizza, others hate it. But there’s a sub shop, and a lot of options.

If you decide to bring your food, remember there are no microwaves or a fridge to store your food.

Also, if you want your parents to drop off food, remember that they have to check in at the front desk for you to pick up your food. With so little time already, that really cuts into your eating (and socializing) time.

Absolutely forget about ordering delivery. That’s not allowed.

Six minutes doesn’t give you a ton of time, so you’ll have to make a few adjustments.

Unlike Junior High, you likely won’t be using your locker very much in high school.

Most students carry a backpack with their neccessities. That way they can head straight from class to class. If you’re the type to be chatty, make sure you leave time for you - and your friends - to get to class.

Avoid congestion areas like the main stairway the first couple of weeks, there are several stairways to get up toe the second floor. And use the map in the middle of this magazine to help you figure out the shortest trip.

PROOF

You asked, we tell: Freshmen FAQWhat’s the key

to making new

friends in high

school?

Any more tips on

how to make it

through the first

few days?

A big difference between high school and junior high is that you’re really going to

start exploring subjects that you find interesting, and that means you’ll spend more time around people who share your interests.

This is particularly true for those active in a club or organization. Even if you’re not normally the “get involved” kind of student, you’ll want to find something here that you like, because it’s a great way to meet people who have common likes.

Remember, clubs aren’t just for jocks and nerds. There’s something for everyone. Can’t find anything you like? Start your own. But don’t just sit there.

The workload in high school is very tough. Don’t fall behind early or you’ll be

digging out of that hole all year. Stay on top of work, and watch your absences so you can exempt your finals in the spring and start summer a week early.

Freshmen also need to realize that from here on, grades are very important. Your freshman year is often the one that will make or break your GPA when you graduate, and this is key to getting into college.

Those easier classes? Make sure you get that A, those help offset the tougher classes. They both count toward your GPA.

But most of all, have fun!

PROOF

New

s

A new trend emerged over the summer that is giving tree huggers

a run for their gas masks, a diesel-powered campaign referred to as “rolling coal,” a practice that involves the modification of diesel engines on pickup trucks to spit out large amounts of thick, black smoke. Naturally, environmentalists have spoken strongly against this environmentally unfriendly act, now occurring more and more often.

Many people who do this have stated that their purpose is simply to anger cops or annoy walkers and bike riders.

Though others take a more political stance, stating that the practice is a “giant middle finger” to environmentalists or an act of defiance towards nature protection laws.

Many viral videos, showcasing rolling coal have become immensely popular throughout the internet. These videos typically include the use of the black plumes of smoke as a pranking device, spewing the smoke on others.

The heavy exhaust fumes are not only harmful to the environment, but to those caught in the cloud of smoke.

Today, people pay anywhere between $500 and $5,000 dollars to make their trucks able to excrete what is also being called “Prius repellent.”

Such modifications come at an additional costs - trucks that billow smoke like this can be ticketed.

Austin Dominguez

PROOF

On July ninth, 2014 the Stays were ambushed and murdered in their

home by an unknown assailant. The killer broke in and tied up the seven-member family before shooting them execution style in the back of the head.

But hope wasn’t lost. One member, 15-year old Cassidy, survived the gun shot and was able to play dead long enough to call the police. She later identified the shooter as the ex-husband of her mother’s sister, Ronald Haskill. Police now believe that the Stays were murdered as the result of a domestic dispute. A funeral was held later for Stephan and Katie Stray and their four dead

children, Bryan (13), Emily (9), Rebecca (7) and Zach

(4). NBC news quoted Cassidy Stray as stating that her family is “in a much better place” and that she’ll be able to see them again one day. A fundraiser on the site Gofundme.com has brought in more than $307,000 from nearly 5,800 donors

to help, and numerous area businesses held fundraisers.

Ronald Haskill was apprehended shortly after and tried for the murder of the Stays. During his questioning, he collapsed twice, his face appearing to loose blood. The attorney appointed to represent Haskill says he will be focusing on Haskills mental condition, and was quoted by the Huffington Post as saying: “I think the evidence is going to show ... he is a troubled individual and he has a history of mental illness,” Durham said. “Unfortunately, the delivery of the health care has failed in this system.”

of a domestic dispute. A funeral was held later for Stephan and Katie Stray and their four dead

children, Bryan (13(9), Rebecca (7) and Zach

(4). NBC news quoted Cassidy

PROOF

Returning students, chances are you’re already

looking forward to the first Wednesday that the Cougar Den and the Senior Parent Organizations breakfast booth fills the air with the aroma of sweet tea and chicken biscuits. But before you go rushing off to the Den with your money in hand, stomach rumbling in anticipation, you need to know about some changes made to your breakfast selection.

The sweet tea sold at the Cougar Den and the Chick-fil-a sandwiches sold by the Senior Parent Organization are gone. These changes are due to a federal decree urged by First Lady Michelle Obama that will regulate the amount of calories that can be in the foods and drinks sold to students. “This is going to cause serious damage to our budget

from now on,” said Jerry Fordyce, adviser to the newspaper and yearbook programs that run the Cougar Den. “We’re trying to make it work, but these new criteria have cost us a major asset that I’m not sure we can get back. At least not easily.”

Strict state regulations had been met with some difficulty by the Den in the past; however these regulations mostly pertained to the salt, sugar and fat percentage, while the federal guideline mainly focuses on total calorie count.

Both the Chick-fil-a biscuits sold by the Senior Parent Organization and the sweet tea failed to meet these limiting new criteria, and are therefore no longer available for sale. Students can sweeten the tea themselves, but the coffee shop now has to incur the extra expense of sugar.

The White House has also changed the start of the school day to 12:01 a.m. to prevent schools from selling prohibited items “before school.”

The

Cougar Den has been almost completely funding the Cougar Claw newspaper and last year generated an overall revenue of nearly $7,000. This number threatens to drop drastically, taking away a major part of their budget. The Senior Parent Organization faces more than $8,000 in lost revenue with the loss of food items that, for many teenagers, was the sole source of their breakfast due to easy accessibility and convenience.

Some members of Congress have argued that the First Lady is pushing too hard in her efforts, and there is talk of rolling back the limitations. But no action has yet been taken on that front.

Both the Chick-

fil-a biscuits sold by

the Senior Parent

Organization and the

sweet tea failed to

meet these limiting

new criteria, and are

therefore no longer

available for sale.

Austin DominguezPROOF

Most students have seen the neat little rows of cadets marching to cadence after school. Many have saluted the flags borne aloft by the four-man color guard in uniform. And all on campus have seen the military uniforms worn by the ROTC cadets every Wednesday.

But aside from the basic marching and uniformity, what exactly does the program do?

The program was created “to instill in students in [United States] secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” But for cadets, it’s a program that can change lives throughout high school, and beyond.

“It’s an opportunity to lead,” said one cadet, Jeremy Alright. “It gives us a chance to command other people and take responsibility for them, a first time experience for a lot of us.”

While ROTC is a military program at heart, you do not have to plan on military service to join ROTC. The instructors have always expressed that ROTC is more than a recruiting tool, it is a program that serves to give cadets a sense of achievement, as well as helping cadets improve

in the areas of self-confidence, physical fitness, responsibility, communication, and more. Many cadets who join ROTC, never go on to join the military.

However, if a student does plan on military service or attending a service academy, such as the Naval

academy or West Point, joining ROTC is strongly recommended. Joining the program can prepare cadets for military life, secure scholarships for a number of colleges and academies, or can even result in promotion upon enlistment.

Within the classroom, students will participate in basic drill (marching in formation), navel academics, physical training, along with a variety of other activities determined by the instructors. Outside of the classroom, students have the choice to join one of the three drill teams; the color guard, the armed drill team, and the unarmed drill team, as well as an academic, rifle, and PT (physical training) team. These six teams go to many competitions through the year, with a chance of going to the state drill meet. The ROTC also offers many opportunities for volunteer work that will contribute to community service hours.

While in the program, students will need to wear a uniform once a week or face a zero for a daily grade. In accordance with the uniform, males must trim their hair to an appropriate length (not touching the collar or ears, no more than two inches in length) and females must gather their hair in a bun. Taking ROTC will count as a physical fitness credit.

Whether in preparation for a military career or for students seeking a club that will inspire confidence and greatly aid those throughout their high school experience, ROTC comes highly recommended by former and current cadets.

Both the Chick-

fil-a biscuits sold by

the Senior Parent

Organization and the

sweet tea failed to

meet these limiting

new criteria, and are

therefore no longer

available for sale.

Leadership starts here,ROTC cadets often findPROOF

Sparkly dresses. Colorful lights. Loud music. Ah, yes. The sweet sound of

homecoming.

Every year students look forward to attending the school dance, but this year the party might come a tad bit early.

So long to the weeks spent on trying to find a date or pick out the perfect outfit. This year, homecoming will be held on September 12. Otherwise known as the third week of school.

“It might be hard to get a date in a short amount of time,” said junior, Brooke Stegman when news of the early date broke last year.

But do not fear, the fun will still ensue. This year’s theme is “Denim and Diamonds.” And there will still be a week of dress-up, a parade and pep rally.

“In the beginning of the year you are still getting to know people. But on the flip side, it gets people excited about starting school,” Stegman said.

No need to fret however; the Cougar Claw is here to help with all your homecoming Dos and Don’ts.

Sam and

Jynn’s guide to PROOF

Student Life

Do: Don’t:Make a mum- They are a timeless tradition to uphold with never-ending sentimental value. (Plus, they’re pretty.)

Put bells and dingalings on your mum- You may want everyone to be constantly looking at your masterpiece, but let’s be honest...no one can stand the noise

Pick your shoes wisely- Consider a comfortable pair of heels that are easy to walk/dance in. If you have trouble finding a pair that fits the bill, you might want to bring an extra pair of shoes.

Have fun!!! Dance with your friends. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep yo’ cool. And take lots of pictures to treasure for years to come. But most importantly, dance. They don’t call it a “Stand.”

Wear 8 Inch Heels- They will give you blisters, you cannot dance in them, and they are tacky. Ew.

Be a party pooper- Whether that means you are sulking on the sidelines, or bumping and grinding everyone off the dance floor, you don’t want to be remembered as “that guy.”

PROOF

This November, the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the 49th annual Miss Tomball pageant. The

pageant will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22, in the Salem Lutheran Church worship center.

To be a contestant in the pageant, young women must be between the ages of 15 and 19; reside in the Tomball Independent School District or have a physical Tomball home address, or be home-schooled/enrolled in a public or private school with a Tomball address. They must be classified as a junior or senior at the time of application. Furthermore, they must agree to secure a sponsor for the pageant (sponsorships are $350, and sponsors belonging to the Chamber receive a $100 discount).

The deadline for signups will be Friday, Oct. 17. The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 scholarship. In the past, winners of the pageant have proceeded to participate in a variety of community of events, including chamber events, parades such as the Halloween and Holiday parade, and appearances at community events. This is a tradition sure to continue for the winner of the 2015 pageant winner.

“I encourage any young lady who meets the requirements to enter. Rehearsals before the pageant promote camaraderie and self-assurance. It is a wonderful experience before going off to college or pursuing a career,” said Miss Tomball Chairwoman Sandy Krug.

One last tip: Contestants are also encouraged to begin wearing their shoes as soon as they get them if buying new shoes, as it is a long night and new shoes can be very painful if not broken in.

Tpageant will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22, in the Salem Lutheran Church worship center.

To be a contestant in the pageant, young women must be between the ages of 15 and 19; reside in the Tomball Independent School District or have a physical Tomball home address, or be home-schooled/enrolled in a public or private school with a Tomball address. They must be classified as a junior or senior at the time of application. Furthermore, they must agree to secure a sponsor for the pageant (sponsorships are $350, and sponsors belonging to the Chamber receive a $100 discount).

The deadline for signups will be Friday, Oct. 17. The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 scholarship. In the past, winners of the pageant have proceeded to participate in a variety of community of events, including chamber events, parades such as the Halloween and Holiday parade, and appearances at community events. This is a tradition sure to continue for the winner of the 2015 pageant winner.

“I encourage any young lady who meets the requirements to enter. Rehearsals before the pageant promote camaraderie and self-assurance. It is a wonderful experience before going off to college or pursuing a career,” said Miss Tomball Chairwoman Sandy Krug.

One last tip: Contestants are also encouraged to begin wearing their shoes as soon as they get them if buying new

Olivia Bliven, last year’s Miss Tomball winner.

PROOF

Tomball FFAClasses that are offered -This is a huge campus program that includes: Principals of Agriculture; Ag Mechanics; Horticulture Science; Management and Marketing; Wildlife; Landscape Design; Equine Science; Floral Design; and more.

Raising a show animal -If you plan to raise an animal, you must attend the first FFA meeting with a parent to pick up information and paperwork.

Student MediaClasses that are offered -This award-winning program produces all student-run media with classes including: Newspaper; Yearbook; Broadcasting; PhotoJournalism; Journalism.

Mor

e th

an ju

st a

cla

ss

BandClasses that are offered -This program offers up to four years of band class and includes numerous activities outside of school, from football halftime shows to UIL competitions in the spring.

TheaterClasses that are offered -This program includes classes in: Theater; Tech Theater; and Theater Production. The program does multiple shows each year, and competes in UIL events.

ROTCClasses that are offered -This program offers up to four years of JROTC class and competes throughout the year, but does NOT require students to enlist in the military. Great for leadership skills and physical fitness.

PROOF

Feat

ures

With a movie release and a huge following, Divergent has quickly become the next Hunger Games for teens everywhere. But has the novel been riding the dystopian hype train?

Divergent is a novel set in a dystopian future in which all people are divided into six factions, Abnegation, for the selfless; Amity, for the peaceful; Candor, for the honest; Dauntless, for the brave; Erudite, for the intelligent; or the factionless, who fit in with no other faction and are forced to live in poverty.

The story revolves around an Abnegation-born initiate named Beatrice who switches to Dauntless after a lifetime of feeling out of place in her birth-faction. Now facing the rigorous Dauntless initiation process, a conspiracy revolving around Abnegation, and a hidden agenda held by an entire faction, Beatrice must overcome these obstacles and more to save her family and possibly an entire way of life.

The world in which Divergent is set, in which the five factions hold control, was both poorly thought out, and horribly constructed. The world is defined by five factions and nothing else, there are hardly any explanations or observations regarding an entire way of life. The technology within the world serves to push the plot, though often lacks in terms of pure logic. The factions themselves were relatively well thought out and the concept is good, though faces problems both in explanation and execution.

To call the characters static would almost be a compliment considering the contradicting, lifeless main characters within Divergent. Throughout the book, characters continuously made 180 degree turns that seemed just plain inhuman, going in the complete different direction in which they were portrayed. While reasons were given for these changes, they often seemed unrealistic and, frankly, ridiculous. The characters served as nothing more than robots, mere puppets used to further push the plot, speaking of which.

The plot was often pushed by unrealistic points, leaving behind a long string of plot holes, and the “twists” of the book were predictable to the point of obviousness.

The writing of divergent was well done and fast paced, and keeps the reader engaged with a slew of absorbing sequences, despite the fact that they have almost no substance or depth.

Coming soon!Book review by Austin DominguezPROOF

In case you forgot, students were assigned summer reading projects. If you haven’t started yet, there’s still some time to get this done! Here is a list of the books that were required for each of

the English classes over the summer.

Those taking English l PAP were instructed to read either The Once and Future King by T. H. White (2009), or My Antonia by Willa Cather (2011) over the summer. Students were instructed to look for and make notes of a “coming of in age” period, in which the main character undergoes the transition from childhood to adulthood. Students will be evaluated on the novel at the beginning of the year.

Those taking English ll PAP were instructed to read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury over the summer. Students were instructed to actively read the novel, taking notes and writing down page numbers of importance. Students have been told to expect a test over the novel during the first week of school.

Those taking English lll AP were instructed to read The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy (2009), and collect and analyze 10 passages that are rhetorically interesting with the following prompt in mind: In one paragraph, analyze the passage in terms of one aspect of the rhetoric used to achieve the author’s purpose. These notes can be used on the first major grade of the year; a timed writing assignment to take place on the second day of school.

Those taking English lV AP were instructed to read both The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and the Book of Exodus from the Bible. Students may annotate and make notes if they wish, with an expected objective test and an essay over the material in mind. The test and essay will likely take place sometime within the first few days of class.

Those taking English lll DC were instructed to read On Writing by Stephan King. Though there is no formal exam, students may want to take notes as there will be an essay exam or equivalent evaluation over the readings.

Those taking English lV DC were instructed to read Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden. Students have been instructed to “be prepared to try and answer the big question throughout our literature study, ‘What makes us human?’ Or better yet ‘inhuman?’” On teacherweb find under the handouts section an essay entitled “On the Uses of a Liberal Education.” Students should read this before the first day of class as they will be questioned on it, but if read too early, it may be forgotten. You may wish to print a copy and mark it up/annotate it.

For more information on the summer reading, or to contact a teacher, please visit www.tomballisd.net.

- Austin Dominguez

Tick Tock!Time is running out to finish summer readingPROOF

Mike Metz, a former math teacher who returned to THS as a popular Assistant Principal, has ;eft Tomball.

Metz accepted the job of principal at nearby Magnolia Junior High School.

“It is with mixed emotions I write to you this morning to inform you that my family and I have made the decision to accept a principal position at Magnolia Junior High,” Metz wrote in an e-mail to faculty.

“This was much more difficult than one could expect as Tomball is really the only home I’ve ever known.”

No decision has been made yet on a replacement for Metz.

AP - TBD A-FeCounselor - Carol Powell

AP - Kevin Williams Fi-LeCounselor - Keyla Carroll

AP - Lisa Streat Li-RodCounselor - Karen Hill

AP - Mark Vierkant Roe-ZCounselor - Nancy Lynch

Who is your AP/Counselor?

Farewell MetzPROOF

Some of the key campus clubs:

Art ClubSponsor: Ms. DawsonFor the artistic and creative type of student.

BPA (Business Professionals of AmericaSponsor: Ms. KisseberthFor future entrepreneurs.

ChoirSponsor: Ms. BrewerSing it, baby!

Debate teamSponsor: Ms. BeckDon’t just argue,debate!

FCASponsor: Coach McQuaryMeets Thursdays before school all year long.

Student CouncilSponsor: Ms. DioCouncil has been winners of multiple state and national awards.

CharmsSponsor: Ms. MeltonDrill team, performs at halftime and throughout the year.

CheerleadersSponsor: Ms. MuseShow that school spirit!

HOSASponsor: Ms. McElvogueFor future doctors and nurses out there.

TAFESponsor: Ms. KepleyFor future teachers.

Get involvedPROOF

Your Future, Your ChoiCe!

it’s up to you!

At Lone Star College-Tomball, you matter. We want to help you advance toward that meaningful career best suited to your talents and abilities. We believe in doing all we can to make your college experience productive, enjoyable and profitable.

Contact the Recruitment, Outreach and Diversity Initiatives (ROaDI) department today to get more information, schedule a campus tour and start down the road to the future you deserve.

281.357.3782 LoneStar.edu/roadi

What can LSC-tomball do for you?We can help you:

•Earn an associate degree, workforce degree, or certificate

•Earn transferrable credits toward a bachelor’s degree

•Find the financial resources to attend college

open Doors

PROOF

The Cougar DenCoffee Shop

Open every Wednesday and Friday before schoolunder the main stairway by the front door.

Serving coffee & Chick-fil-a tea

Bell schedule1st: 7:25-8:152nd: 8:21-9:163rd: 9:22-10:124th: 10:18-11:085th: 11:14-12:386th: 12:44-1:347th: 1:40-2:30

TH

ECOUGAR YEARBOOKOrder yours early to save $$$

On sale at orientation, fish camp or in Room 1201,

or online at Balfour.com

PROOF

Taking my seat in the ‘Editor’s Only’ session this summer at a

Newspaper Workshop in college station, I have to admit that I was scared. Echoes of “am I cut out for this?” were ringing through my head as the speaker started his introduction with “Get out a piece of paper.”

I did, and he had us write down a whole bunch of random questions like “What is something you rebelled against?” “What motivates the people around you?” and lastly “What is the last thing you gave up on, and why?”

It took me a moment to think. What had I given up on last? While everybody around me wrote down “Straight As”, “My diet”, or “Learning an instrument”, I simply put down: “Dark Souls”.

Later as we shared our answers, I got a few chuckles and shouts of “How could you!” but then I got to thinking.

Why did I give up on Dark Souls? The easy answer is because it’s frustrating. In the words of Game Spot’s Kevin VanOrd, “It takes the concepts of deadly environments and

unflinching difficulty and cranks up the challenge, the fear, [and] the frustration.”

And it does. The unforgiving hack ‘n slash has inspired a variety of jokes, and has become synonymous with inevitable failure. But that doesn’t stop people from playing it over and over again.

As the workshop went on I started to get a better sense of how people work; what motivates us, why we’re motivated, and how we can motivate ourselves, and I realized- Giving up on Dark Souls was more than just giving up on a video game. It was a flaw of mine that could ultimately grow to not only hinder me as a leader, but as a person.

Quitting something because it’s frustrating isn’t a good enough reason. If I was going to be the best editor I could be, I would need to learn to pick myself off and try again; not just exit out and shut down.

Why Dark Souls and Leadership go hand in hand.

PROOF

Tech.Tomball High School App- Includes the latest news, school calendar, videos and photos.

Evernote- Stay organized, take notes, and save ideas across multiple devices.

Word Reference- Accurate dictionary translations to use in Spanish class.

Quizlet- Create your own quizzes and tests to help you study.

myHomework Student Planner- Organize and keep track of homework and assignments in one, easy to use app.

PROOF

The Student Media program at Tomball High School has gone cutting edge,

becoming one of the first in the country to feature its own smartphone app.

Available in the Google Play Store and the App Store, the app features news from the Cougar Claw newspaper, the latest from The Cougar yearbook (including a button to allow you to order a book on your phone), and all the video from the KTHS-TV broadcasting program.

It also includes a school calendar showing nearly all campus events, and includes a feature that allows you to send a photo directly to the student media program from your phone.

The app is free to download, and is sponsored by Lone Star College. Search for the term ‘Tomball High’ to find it in the store. Tomball High was approached by a start-up company about developing an app for the Cougar Claw after the developers saw how well the newspaper’s

website is done. Within 24 hours of

the app becoming available, it had been downloaded by more than 500 students. The school is hoping nearly all students who have a smart phone - and their parents - download the app.

As time goes on, the program expects the app to be used by a high percentage of the students and faculty, as well as parents and community leaders as a great way to stay up to date on campus events.

Another nice feature is that having an app allows the school to send “push” notifications whenever there is important news to share, such as an event being rained out or a big win by a sports team. The app also works on the iPad but isn’t formatted for it, so it can look a bit unusual.

Get the appPROOF

How internet access works on campus

WI-FI

WIRED

TEACHERS

Everyone has access to the open wi-fi network on campus. It covers the entire campus and does not require a log-in or password.

The campus wi-fi does come with restrictions. The web filter blocks numerous websites, including most social media apps and gaming sites.

However, it does allow users to use their phones without using up their data plans. It also means you can use an iPad or other tablet even if you don’t have a data plan.

As for as use in classrooms, your teachers must approve any use of phones or tablets.

If you’re sitting at a computer station on campus, you have access to the internet but under the same restrictions as the wi-fi network.

The same web filters apply, and the same sites are blocked.

Before you try to get around the system, keep in mind that the tech

guys are sitting over at their building monitoring the system. They can tell when you’re accessing something you shouldn’t be, and that can get you into trouble.

Teachers have much greater access to websites, but again, the technicians can monitor usage. Teachers are expected to avoid using their computers for social media.

On the bright side, however, teachers can draw from a larger number of websites to get information for classes.

PROOF

Spor

tsFor the first time,

High School Cheerleading is

officially a sport, and cheerleaders like THS sophomore Allyson Willey couldn’t be happier.

“I have always thought of it as a sport,” Willey said, “but having it recognized by other people makes me feel excited that people are seeing how dangerous it can be and how much work we actually put in.”

The University Interscholastic League is changing its standards, including the recognition of Cheer as one of its sanctioned sports. The legislative council voted on June 4th for a yearlong pilot program that they’re calling “Game Day Cheer.”

Willey, who has been cheering for eight years, finds the change to be refreshing.

“Hopefully, other athletes will treat us like athletes.” Willey said. “Of course, some people won’t, but I think that cheerleaders will earn some more respect.”

According to the UIL, Game Day Cheer is similar to a standard cheer competition but without all the dangerous complex stunts and tosses. Starting in 2015, cheerleading will be an organized sport just like all other high school sports, and the team will go to a state

competition. “Since this is an activity that was recently voted on, we don’t have all the details

for how everything is going to work,” UIL spokesperson

Chris Schmidt said. “The program is going to launch at the start of the

2015 school year, so we have about a year to decide how we want to run things.”If the program is a success, Schmidt

adds, the UIL can extend it past the 2015 school year.

school sports, and the team will go to a state competition.

“Since this is an activity that was recently voted on, we don’t have all the details

for how everything is going to work,” UIL spokesperson

Chris Schmidt said. “The program is going to launch at the start of the

2015 school year, so we have about a year to decide how we want to run things.”If the program is a success, Schmidt

adds, the UIL can extend it past the 2015 school year.

is going to launch at the start of the

other people makes me feel excited that people are seeing how dangerous it can be and how

cheerleaders like THS sophomore Allyson Willey

“I have always thought of it as a

PROOF

PROOF

Tomball High School 2014

VARSITY Date Opponent Site Hm/Away Time Event

August 22 Navasota Navasota Away 7 pm Scrimmage August 29 CE King CE King HS Away 7 pm September 5 Caney Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Senior Night and Redcat/Sophistikat Night September 12 Mayde Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Homecoming September 19 Open -------------------- ----------------- ---------------- September 26 Magnolia West* Magnolia West HS Away 7 pm October 3 Stratford* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm October 10 Magnolia* Magnolia HS Away 7 pm October 17 Waller* Waller ISD Away 7 pm October 24 Brenham* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm

October 30 (Thurs.) Spring Woods* Tully Away 7 pm November 7 Tomball Memorial* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Patriotic Show

JV August 22 Navasota Navasota HS Away 5:30 pm

August 28 CE King THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm September 4 Caney Creek Caney Creek HS Away 5 pm

September 11 Mayde Creek Mayde Creek HS Away 5 pm September 18 Open -------------------- ----------------- ----------------- September 25 Magnolia West THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 2 Stratford Stratford HS Away 6:30 pm October 9 Magnolia THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 16 Waller THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 23 Brenham Brenham HS Away 6:30 pm October 29 (Wed.) Spring Woods THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm November 6 Tomball Memorial Tomball Memorial HS Away 6 pm FRESHMAN

August 22 Navasota Navasota HS Away 4:30 pm August 28 CE King CE King HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm

September 4 Caney Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm September 11 Mayde Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm September 18 Open -------------------- ----------------- ----------------- September 25 Magnolia West Magnolia West HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 2 Stratford THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm October 9 Magnolia Magnolia HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 16 Waller Waller ISD Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 23 Brenham THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm October 29 (Wed.) Spring Woods Spring Woods HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm November 6 Tomball Memorial THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm

*DENOTES DISTRICT GAME REVISED 6/11/14 Senior night on September 5th will honor the following: Band, Charms, Cheer, STUCO, Athletic Trainers and Football. Youth Football/Cheer will be recognized pre-game, Band and Charms will be during ½ time, and the remaining seniors will be honored post game.

PROOF

Tomball High School 2014

VARSITY Date Opponent Site Hm/Away Time Event

August 22 Navasota Navasota Away 7 pm Scrimmage August 29 CE King CE King HS Away 7 pm September 5 Caney Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Senior Night and Redcat/Sophistikat Night September 12 Mayde Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Homecoming September 19 Open -------------------- ----------------- ---------------- September 26 Magnolia West* Magnolia West HS Away 7 pm October 3 Stratford* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm October 10 Magnolia* Magnolia HS Away 7 pm October 17 Waller* Waller ISD Away 7 pm October 24 Brenham* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm

October 30 (Thurs.) Spring Woods* Tully Away 7 pm November 7 Tomball Memorial* THS-TISD Stadium Home 7 pm Patriotic Show

JV August 22 Navasota Navasota HS Away 5:30 pm

August 28 CE King THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm September 4 Caney Creek Caney Creek HS Away 5 pm

September 11 Mayde Creek Mayde Creek HS Away 5 pm September 18 Open -------------------- ----------------- ----------------- September 25 Magnolia West THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 2 Stratford Stratford HS Away 6:30 pm October 9 Magnolia THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 16 Waller THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm October 23 Brenham Brenham HS Away 6:30 pm October 29 (Wed.) Spring Woods THS-TISD Stadium Home 6 pm November 6 Tomball Memorial Tomball Memorial HS Away 6 pm FRESHMAN

August 22 Navasota Navasota HS Away 4:30 pm August 28 CE King CE King HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm

September 4 Caney Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm September 11 Mayde Creek THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm September 18 Open -------------------- ----------------- ----------------- September 25 Magnolia West Magnolia West HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 2 Stratford THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm October 9 Magnolia Magnolia HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 16 Waller Waller ISD Away 5/ 6:30 pm October 23 Brenham THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm October 29 (Wed.) Spring Woods Spring Woods HS Away 5/ 6:30 pm November 6 Tomball Memorial THS-TISD Stadium Home 5/ 6:30 pm

*DENOTES DISTRICT GAME REVISED 6/11/14 Senior night on September 5th will honor the following: Band, Charms, Cheer, STUCO, Athletic Trainers and Football. Youth Football/Cheer will be recognized pre-game, Band and Charms will be during ½ time, and the remaining seniors will be honored post game.

PROOF

3030

Brought to you by Austin Dominguez

Illegal immigration has long been a problem in the

U.S., however, it is only recently we see

an infl ux of children attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. The numbers of unaccompanied children trying to enter has been steadily growing. This year more than 90,000 children could arrive by the end of 2014, more than triple that of 2013. This number could grow to 142,000 children traveling alone by 2015.

Border control security has increased due to these massive numbers, with Texas sending the

National Guard. In the words of Stephan Colbert, “You know the old saying: if you love something let it go… And if that doesn’t work, send heavily armed troops to scare it away.”

Children are seeking out boarder control and turning themselves in with hopes to begin the long bureaucratic process of entering America.

Politicians against the movement have expressed concerns of gang members and various contractible diseases among the immigrants. Supporters have responded with the fact that the children are of all ages, and that we cannot simply turn away children so young.

One Republican congressman from Utah spoke of watching the frightened faces of these small children as he led a group of protestors opposing the entry of immigrant children. Thing is, they weren’t immigrants - the group accidently targeted a bus of school children on a fi eld trip for their protest.

With Congress unlikely to act, this is an issue that will continue to be in the headlines for a while, particularly here in Texas, and one that hits home for many of our Hispanic students.

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The B

igger Picture

The B

igger Picture

Flight MH17, a Malaysia airlines plane, was shot down by a missile fired from pro-Russian rebel territory, leaving no

survivors. Citizens from over ten nations were aboard, most were Dutch, leading to outrage coming from the Netherlands.

The crash site remained under rebel control until Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence to force the rebels to allow full access.

Workers then began the gruesome task of retrieving the bodies and belongings, a difficult task give the unstable nature of the country. Accusations of looting have been made. Rebels have blocked efforts at recovery and investigation.

It’s been a bad year for Malaysia Airlines, which also had a plane disappear earlier this year. That flight veered off course and disappeared, crashing into the ocean somewhere. Since it was never found, the story has sparked some creative ideas from conspiracy theorists, including aliens, secret air force bases and more.

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To Do:

• Check out new clubs

• Write a letter to the

editor

• Find out sports tryout

dates (GO COOGS!)

• Download THS App

• FIND A DATE TO

HOMECOMING!!!!

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