To test or not to test...... p. 2 Lunch Lady serves up smiles. p. 5 The Day the Earth Stood Still...p. 7 Immigrants bring new sports...p. 8

With TAKS testing prominent in Kristin Harmon, a long-time em- A highly anticipated box office Immigrants from Latin America, Asia the Spring, students and teachers ployee for BISD, serves food with a remake dissappoints with bland and Africa bring their love of sports, ponder the pros and cons complimentary attitude. characters and a tiring plot. like soccer, to the U.S.

Free A deca de of... The Junior

HawkVolume 10 X Issue 7 X Birdville High School X North Richland Hills X TexasX X April X 2009 Basinger, Eccles, Horton retire with plans for fun

Teachers inspire students Over his 29 years of teach- teaching and coaching basket- girls Varsity basketball. Kenney Basinger joins the of everything coming together. to learn everyday. Three of ing his love for history shows ball for twenty-eight years After retirement, Eccles will group of retirees after 29 years Basinger said he has no those teachers are retiring at from teaching Texas history, Eccles’ career began after work at Stone Creek Soup Café of teaching chemistry and immediate plans except to just the end of the school year. World history, American his- acquiring his degree at the Uni- in Burleson which has been his coaching. take life as it comes, and to Dudley Horton attended tory and geography, as well as versity of Texas in Arlington. family’s business for two years. Basinger said he received watch Birdville football games. Texas Tech University to ac- health and P.E. Eccles said what really The thing Eccles is going his degree from Oklahoma All three were honored at quire his teaching degree. Horton is going to miss the inspired him to teach was his to miss the most about Birdville Central State University and a retirement reception in the Horton realized he would people he works with the most father who was a principal. High School is coaching the just wanted to work with kids. library. like to become a teacher be- and plans to spend his retire- Through his career he has girls basketball team and the He will miss the relation- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx cause of his love for coaching ment traveling and playing golf. taught many subjects including time he has gotten to spend ships with the students, football, Mitchell Kempe football and teaching history. Terry Eccles has been I.P.C., health, P.E., and coached with them. the coaches, the overall aspect Staff Writer Armed gunman invades and attacks citizenship class On April 4 in Binghamton, shot in the stomach waited for shot. I heard no screams, just told the Associated Press. Police later found out that about people making fun of New York a Vietnamese im- the gunman to leave before silence, shooting,” she said, “I Though the call for 911 the gunman was a 41-year-old him because he did not know migrant invaded the American calling for 911. heard shooting, very long time was minutes after the shoot- man named Jiverly Wong that English very well. Civic Association and shot 13 As the gunman headed for ... and I was thinking, when ing, it took three hours for po- was born in China but lived in “We have no idea what the people before committing sui- a room in the reception area, will this stop? I was thinking lice to establish that the gun- Vietnam. motive is,” Zikuski said. cide. she crawled underneath the that my life was finished.” man was dead. After doing so He was supposedly upset xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The bulk of the victims desk and proceeded to call the Zhanar Tokhtabayeva, an they were able to rescue the about losing his job at a vacu- Olivia Nguyen were citizens attending an police immigrant from Kazakhstan, other victims. um plant and was also upset Staff Writer English class required for The gunman continued citizenship. The gunman, not a down the hall and entered the stranger to the American Civic citizenship class and started Association, drove his car to to fire at least 98 times in less Obama proposes school increase the back doors of the building than one minute hitting each to block people from exiting person four to seven times. Obama has proposed a that require school six days a home. jobs and relax. and entered through the front He killed 13 people then com- new plan to increase school week, year round. Students spend about one Longer school days mean of the building. mitted suicide. Police said 37 days and hours. The first part of this plan third of the day at school and that students will have less Once inside, he shot one people exited out of the build- On the positive side, the is to increase hours spent in on average one third sleep- time for their families, home- receptionist and then the other ing safely and 26 of them were goal would be to help Ameri- school. ing. So it leaves students work and jobs. in the stomach. hiding in the boiler room. cans be more competitive On the negative side, this with one third of the day to do “I see the benefit, but that The receptionist who was “I heard the shots, every with people from countries would take time away from home work, work at part time would take away from time at home and overall not very beneficial,” Keith Lyons said. The second thing that Death of actress raises public awareness Obama is trying to do in this plan is increase the number of 45-year-old actress Na- family as they faced a similar Connie and Donald Mc- enough to make her cry. Where Natasha’s story days students attend school, tasha Richardson died on situation. Cracken, treated it with an “We were putting her in did not turn out so lucky, which means summer vaca- March 18 at Lenox Hill Hos- The McCracken’s 7-year- ice pack. bed when she started to com- Morgan’s did. tions will be shorter. pital following a ski accident. old daughter Morgan Mc- The ice pack appeared to plain of a headache,” Connie This time delay between Students will be obligated What appeared as only a Cracken was hit in the head cause the bump to go away. said. Morgan and Natasha raised to either go late or return ear- bump on the head turned out with a baseball two days be- After treating the injury, Morgan’s parents had some questions. ly during summer break. Stu- to be the cause of her symp- fore watching Natasha’s story Morgan was doing fine ac- watched Natasha’s story ear- Natasha experienced dents spend three quarters of toms and death. on the news at Ohio. cording to her parents lier in the day. symptoms within two hours the year in school. This incident has opened Morgan only had a bump “She didn’t even blackout After watching that, they where as Morgan’s symp- Some people feel this is the eyes of the McCracken’s on her head. Her parents, and had no blurry vision or realized the similarities be- toms did not show for three too long of time to spend out any of the things you’d kind tween Natasha and their days. of school, and others feel that of associate with a severe daughter. “It depends on the type of it is not long enough. The HAWK is printed on head injury,” Donald said. The pediatricians’ gave blood vessel that’s torn,” Dr. Many feel that the Na- 100% Recycled Newsprint For two days, Morgan Morgan a CT scan. Cohan said on Good Morning tional government should get lived life normally. She went Once the doctors discov- America. “In Natasha’s case out of education and let the to school and showed no ered she was diagnosed with it was probably an artery. In individual states set their own symptoms of a hematoma or epidural hematoma, she was Morgan’s case it was a vein.” standards. any serious effects. sent on a helicopter to Rain- Natasha’s story may Some feel that the stan- “We watched her con- bow Babies and Children’s have resulted in death, but dards should be equal across stantly for two days, and Hospital in Cleveland. the cause of her death has the country and help Ameri- there was no signs until two Immediately they sent her opened the eyes toward oth- cans become more competi- days later,” Donald said. to the operating room. er people and saved lives. tive in a global economy. On the third night, Mor- Please recycle this newspaper... The surgery was a suc- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx give it to a friend or family member! gan began to have a head- cess, and Morgan soon re- Josh Holbrook Bryan Hamby ache. The headache was bad covered from her injury. Staff Writer Staff Writer 2 The Junior Hawk Opinions April 2009 Critics take sides on TAKS test Hide under the desk! preciate the insight they give to provides good practice for mat. Assuredly, there would be The Quick, TAKS is coming! their students’ needs. Teach- students, and while they may a collective cheer at the news This is the general reac- ers gain an understanding detest its standardized nature, of the TAKS tests’ demise, at tion to the dreaded TAKS of what their students do not they do gain basic problem- never having to bubble anoth- Hawk tests. Their eminent arrival is a grasp by analyzing the results solving skills. Many students, er Scan-Tron, and not caring Staff source of stress for teachers, of the test. It provides a well- while they easily get an A on whether their pencil is a #2 or and one of immense boredom rounded synopsis of the year’s their report card, lack common a #124809. for students. So why has the syllabus, and shines a light on sense. TAKS assists with this Though the change may X TAKS test not been eradicat- the shadowy areas of student by assessing their aptitude not be immediately recog- ed? According to many teach- learning. This also allows the and logic. nized, in the long run students RACHEL JENKINS ers and students, their use has district to compare the rates Though there have been will suffer from the missed op- Editor-in-Chief not yet been exhausted. at which different schools are talks of doing away with TAKS, portunities at improvement. Though some teachers progressing and note which many teachers and students xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx KAYCEE GIAMMARCO see the test as a waste of their are falling behind. would benefit from the contin- Alex Korba Opinions Editor valuable class time, others ap- Accordingly, the TAKS uation of the standardized for- Staff Writer KILI FERRELL Ex-felons should have voting rights Life & Arts Editor Every year, thousands of reader’s mind is filled with im- as little as one year for stealing a valuable addition to the con- DEVIN HARPER people make it out to the polls, ages of grimacing, tattooed something worth four-hundred stitution, time after time it was Features Editor but some are turned away. thugs making a mad-dash to dollars or more (Grand Theft). abused in the Reconstruction These legal citizens are over voting booths to legalize such Many people believe that South as a way to keep black TAYLOR CARPENTER the age of seventeen, compe- atrocities as murder, organized keeping felons from voting is voters away from the polls. Poll Sports Editor tent, registered and pay their crime, narcotics pedaling, jay- as old a principle as the United taxes, grandfather clauses, taxes; still this group is disen- walking, or whatever other de- States, but this is not true. The literacy tests and felon disfran- Staff Writers franchised, or not able to vote. spicable acts they committed to constitutional principle, the one chisement were all instituted These people, which number in become a felon. To understand that keeps felons and ex-fel- as ways to keep recently freed KIRSTIE BLAND the thousands and is only ex- the issue more clearly, this im- ons from voting, comes from slaves from their right to vote. KENDALL CARLSON pected to swell within the next age of a felon must be erased. the second section of the four- Almost all of these have been SARAH FREEMAN year, are ex-felons. Keep in mind that punishment teenth amendment (an over- repealed, except felon disen- NICK GOLDING Now that the word “felon” for a felony can range from view of American citizenship). franchisement, but why? If the BRYAN HAMBY has made its appearance, the twenty-five years for murder to While the Amendment itself is reasoning behind a law is ob- JOSH HOLBROOK solete, it seems like the whole MITCHELL KEMPE law should be. ALEX KORBA Free parking incentive Some would say that re- ISLAM MOHAMED moving a felon’s right to vote is a deterrent from committing LEJUANA MONTFORD the crime. This is simply bad DONNA MOORE could improve attendance logic; extended jail time is a BAYLOR MORRISON much stronger preventative OLIVIA NGUYEN High school students If students do not come to enough to come. measure then losing the right CALEB PIERCE should not have to pay for school, they receive a truancy A student spends more time to vote. If the thought of los- ELAINE SWARTZ parking. The school should citation, which is a very expen- at school than any other place ing two decades of one’s life base who has to pay on the sive ordeal. in a week, if they are going to to a concrete box is not strong students’ attendance records Many students must drive spend so much time here, then JANNET HILES enough to keep him from com- from the previous year. their own cars, since parents a parking spot should be a re- Advisor mitting a crime, is the possibility Students who show up work and stu- dents must ward not a required purchase. of not being able to vote really everyday, go to class, and be- get to their own jobs If a student would like to going to give him pause? No, Jason wells have in an appropriate manner or other obliga- purchase a spot closer to the besides, felons who were in- Principal should be rewarded with the school, then they should pay volved in voting before their incentive of free parking. $20 which is the difference incarceration (therefore those At the beginning of the of the regular and reserved The HAWK is published monthly, during the regu- most likely to exercise their lar school calendar, by the Journalism Department of Birdville year students have to pay spots. right to vote when they get out) High School. Its purpose is to serve as an open forum for the $40 for a regular park- Students who show are less than half as likely to students, faculty and staff of Birdville, and the surrounding ing pass to park on up with a willing- repeat their offense and end up communities of Colleyville, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Rich- the school’s park- ness to learn, de- back in prison. land Hills and Watauga. ing lot. serve something Ex-felons have paid their The HAWK is a member of the Interscholastic School is already extra since there are debt to society and it is exces- League Press Conference and Southern Interscholastic expensive at the beginning so many problems with sive to punish them indefinitely Press Association. Advertising Rates are $5.00 per column- of the year with school sup- skipping, discipline and bad from a principle this country inch. Current circulation is 1500. Papers are distributed free plies, ID’s and passbooks that attitudes. was based on. The very idea of charge. Editorials reflect the views of The HAWK staff, students have to buy to be pre- With the economy the way that a person can commit an signed columns reflect the views of the writer and do not nec- pared. The added expense of tions it is, $40 is more difficult to essarily reflect the views of the school faculty, staff, students act that can strip them from a parking is just too costly. a f t e r school. come up with than ever before. or administration. right we consider unalienable It is mandatory for a stu- If a student is Give students a break, Letters to the Editor are welcomed and must be is more than just shortsighted, dent to show up to school so going to pay for their gas to even in Monopoly there is Free typed, double-spaced and limited to 200 words. They can it is blatantly hypocritical. if they have a good attendance get to school they do not need Parking. be delivered to room A400 or emailed to birdvillehawkstaff@ record why should they have to the added expense of a parking xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx gmail.com and must be signed and include a phone number pay to come to school? pass when they are dedicated Mitchell Kempe Baylor Morrison and address for verification. Staff Writer Staff Writer What are your summer plans?

Natalie Burkhart Anita Shaw Stormie Jackson Juan alviso Will griffin Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Faculty “My plans for the summer “My plans for summer “I am going to West Virginia “I’ll be working a lot “I’m going to be are to take Driver’s Education will, hopefully, be getting a job for a couple of weeks and pretty much chilling teaching chemistry and go on vacation.” so that I can buy a car.” then I’ll just be hanging out with friends in summer school.” with friends and working.” as much as possible.” April 2009 Features The Junior Hawk 3 Rabago finds passion, competition, fun in H.O.S.A. The Health Occupa- events and 2,200 kids compet- In the H.O.S.A. organiza- of her family is in the medical wants to be a pediatrician or pating in the competition and tion Students of America, ed in only seven areas of the tion, there are leaders in ev- field. She had thought from the specialize and work with kids would love for anyone else (H.O.S.A.), is a nationwide or- state. Rabago was awarded ery area. She would like to, time she was a little girl that who have autism. with a passion for the medical ganization. It is a program for fifth place, barely missing Na- eventually, become president she was going to be a teacher Her mother influenced her field to start now and join the students who aspire to work in tionals by two people. of Area 5. or doctor, but now she has dis- to join H.O.S.A. Without the Health Occupation Students of the medical field. “Its not just about compet- Area 5 is all of Birdville In- covered many more choices. help of her mother and teach- America. The H.O.S.A. state com- ing and winning,” Rabago said. dependent School District, Ar- She knows she wants er Kimberly Baker’s direction, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx petition is held in McAllen, “It’s about meeting new people lington, Lamar and a few other to work in the medical field. she might not have joined. Kirstie Bland Texas on April first through and getting the experience of schools. Rabago cannot decide if she Rabago had fun partici- Staff Writer fourth and is open to anyone a life-time.” When entering H.O.S.A., who placed at regionals. Rabago has decided she students can also enter a Elena C. Rabago attended is going to be doing this com- field to win scholarships. Also and competed in first aid and petition again next year. She H.O.S.A. provides certain Schools offer alternative breathing. had a lot of fun, but said it was scholarship plans for the kids Charter schools are one of much less and are expected students for not meeting the It was Rabago’s first hard and nerve-racking at first, who do not enter the competi- a kind. Educators, parents, or to provide higher grades and standards. time to ever participate in a but as soon as she read the tion. civic leaders design them. better percentages. Some of the charter H.O.S.A. competition. There paper, she knew what she was Rabago entered into the The schools provide an The private schools re- schools provide a curriculum were over twenty-five different doing. organization, because most alternative for students other ceive the public money but that specializes in a certain than public school. have been freed from some of field like art, math, dance, sci- Opinion Most charter schools try to the rules and regulations that ence and multiple sports. provide a better and more ef- the state gives. They set up the schools ficient general education than “I have been going to char- like this so the students can Interaction time would nearby public schools. ter schools since 8th grade,” a specialize in a particular area. Nearly 4,600 charter Winfree School student said. “I A recent study by Harvard schools provide education for like it a lot better, because we scientists found that charter more than 1.4 million students have more freedom to do what schools that have been oper- improve social acceptance in 40 states. ever we want.” ating for more than five years For the 2008-2009 school The schools set their own out pace public schools by 15 Time out of every school with intellectual or physical perience for the person with year more than 355 new char- standards as long as that percent. year should be set aside for disabilities should visit is they the disability, who is getting ter schools opened. Texas school has certain results. Also they found that about people with intellectual and do a great job of instilling re- to be around people and be has a total of 331 charter Charter schools are part the same number of students physical disabilities to visit the sponsibility, caring, thinking social, getting to be a part of schools and 108,541 children of the public education system attend public schools as char- students during one of their before you speak, and not something important. are enrolled and attend these and are not allowed to change ter schools. class periods. judging someone before know- It would also be a positive schools. tuition. There is limited space The charter schools typi- Many students never have ing them, things that parents experience for the teacher who All the charter schools in at each private charter school. cally have much smaller build- the opportunity to interact with try their hardest to teach their gets to watch their students Texas are funded at 72 per- When new private schools ing sizes compared to public kids that have intellectual or children. grow as human beings. There cent and receive only $6,620 open they usually fill up fast, schools. physical disabilities and they By having them tell their would not be one person who per pupil. District schools re- and competition for spots is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx tend to isolate or make fun stories to the class or having could leave the building and ceive $9,210 per pupil. The tight. Kirstie Bland of the person’s differences, someone do it for them makes say that their stories did not private schools are funded They are allowed to reject Staff Writer because they just do not un- other students sympathetic. touch them. derstand. No, they may not change That is why the school Having intellectually or but then they would be thinking should have time where each physically challenged people about what they say and what grade level can spend a class spend a whole class period they do. period with someone who is with the students would help Finally, it will positively af- different and proud to be. eliminate some of that fear fect everyones lives within the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx that students have. school. Sarah Freeman Another reason people It would be a positive ex- Staff Writer JROTC adds male guard The self proclaimed Ethan Shepherd, and Texas The main objective of this “Strike Team’ is the new Flag Guard Matt Rasnick. group is to honor and remem- JROTC male color guard “I joined because the team ber the freedom that so many team. This is the second all needed someone that was ex- others have fought for in the male team in the battalion’s perienced with both the flags past and are continuing to history to place in a competi- and rifles,” Texas Flag Guard fight for, to this day, to keep tion. Rasnick said. the United States safe and “We are Strike Team and Some things they do as the protect the rights in the Con- we have a brotherhood,” color guard team is present the stitution. Right Rifle Chris Gonzales colors at football games and “I enjoy getting the sat- said. most recently at the golden isfaction of presenting our This team consists of four gloves boxing match. nations colors with pride and members, two flags and two “I wanted to be part of a honor,” Manley said. rifles. Left Rifle Jeff Manley, team that could have fun and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx JROTC All Male Color Guard - “Strike Team” Ethan Shepherd, Chris Gonzales, Jeff Manley Right Rifle Chris Gonzales, be serious to get work done,” Bryan Hamby and Matt Rasnick awarded the 3rd place Performance Phase trophy United States Flag Guard Shepherd said. Staff Writer from the Fort Worth Cowtown Classic JROTC Drill Invitational Penny pinching can help relieve economic stress That forlorn penny resting drastic effects it has on many deeper in their pockets for that 2. Minimize your travel nentially, and bringing alterna- crisis is currently in the hands on the curb has never looked teens’ lives. last dollar. time. Try to have a fun time at tives can save money. of adults, soon enough it will fall so appealing. Though gas prices have Times are hard, but by im- home, this way gas money is 3. Get a job. Financial in- to the younger generations. Stinginess has become seen a decline recently, teens plementing a few simple rules, saved, and there are no worries dependence from one’s par- For this reason, one should a way of life for many people are still pressed for gas mon- teenagers may be surprised at about purchasing overpriced ents will not only bring a sense prepare early, so the issues in the current economic situ- ey. the money they can save. restaurant food. of pride, but hopefully a fatter may be corrected in the future. ation, and they can hardly be Summer jobs and allow- Guidelines to follow: Rent movies on Netflix, or wallet. In the meantime, all any blamed for this. ances simply do not provide 1. Volunteer instead of from Blockbuster instead of go- 4. Cut down on the shop- teen can do to soften the blow Times are tough, and sufficient funds to purchase spending money on entertain- ing to the theater. ping; however, if the urge is of this crisis is to take these Americans are feeling the necessities, such as gasand ment to fill spare time. If the cinema is irresist- insatiable, resort to discount necessary precautions against pinch. frivolous wants. Find a niche and fill it. Not ible, bring food and drinks from retailers such as Kohl’s, Wal- its costly effects. While the economic cri- That cute purse grows only will this require zero cash, home. Mart, Target and secondhand xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx sis is perceived to affect only dusty in the store window, and but one will always leave with Food prices, especially stores like Plato’s Closet. Alex Korba adults, many do not realize the teens everywhere are digging a sense of fulfillment. popcorn, have escalated expo- Keep in mind, though this Staff Writer 4 The Junior Hawk Features April 2009 College prep necessary Editorial As a high school student, AP/Pre-AP classes are kept my grades up to show AB block should be option college seems an eternity important to take because AP that I was well-rounded stu- away, especially as a fresh- classes can help earn college dent, because you want a Long seven period days, think it is an effort to improve For science and other man, but college is just credits so a student does not college to want you,” Univer- having tons of homework academic standards. lab classes, both students around the corner. have to take that specific sity of Texas student Chris- and not being able to work More time in one sitting and teachers would benefit Before senior year hits class in college, if they do tine Nguyen said. flexible hours has caused could help students concen- from having the extra time. like a brick wall, here are a well on the AP test. Colleges look for extracur- some buzz in school. trate better and might help Teachers would be able few tips to stay prepared for It is also a great idea to ricular activities because they Some students would them pass TAKS more read- to conduct labs. college. keep grades up so time is not show a student can manage love to have longer periods ily. Math teachers would be The first thing a student wasted, plus, good grades look time well and that they have to shorten the amount of Students are currently able to help students who should do when they enter a good on a college application. good leadership skills. classes each day. overwhelmed with homework need extra help in one class high school is to choose their “The better grades you Following these simple A day B day schedules, from multiple classes each sitting oppose to before or classes appropriately. have, the better college you tips in high school and it will known as A/B Block, could day and jobs, for those who after school. “Take as many classes can get into,” freshman Tues- help to stand out on the appli- be an alternative. Not only have them. Also instead of rushing in high school to prepare day Brooks said. cation and increase chances could it help students pre- Block scheduling would through six weeks to prepare for college as possible and Though high grades are for getting accepted to the pare for college, since that is allow students to concentrate for TAKS students can learn research jobs,” counselor important, they are not the college of choice. how most college schedules on fewer subjects every other and be able to process the Cindy Larson said. only things that a college For more information on are set up, but it could also day instead. information given. Sure, blow off classes looks for in the well-rounded hot to prepare for college help teachers get more in- The current schedule is A/B block scheduling are fun, but picking classes student. Extracurricular activ- visit: formation into their students not bad. Each type of sched- should definitely be a consid- to enhance the future will be ities are a big part into getting www.midllandtech.edu/ each day. ule has pros and cons. eration. beneficial in college. accepted to a college. edu/sds/howtohigh.html Many teachers from A/B Day scheduling would Their are many choices “I made sure I was really other school districts have be an adjustment for both stu- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lejuana Montford offered for scheduling so involved in school and volun- grown accustom to it and dents and teachers. Olivia Nguyen Staff Writer choose wisely. teered outside of school and Staff Writer Teen screams greet AP tour bands Mobs of excited teens night, The Maine. playing. Not one song went came on with many surpris- rushed through the front The lights finally dimmed by without someone singing ing tricks up their sleeves. doors to snatch the best spot for The Maine to take the along to every word. With crazy dance moves, to see 3OH!3, Family Force stage and the crowd came to The Maine then ended flips and handstands on the 5, The Maine, Hit the Lights, drum sets there was never a A Rocket to the Moon and dull or calm moment. Drive A play their favorite Especially when they songs on stage at the Dallas performed Love Addict which House of Blues. seemed to be the crowds fa- The atmosphere tense vorite. Ending the show was with anticipation, Drive A, 3OH!3 creating the rock show was the first opening band, into a dance party. started the first night of the The techno style of their Alternative Press tour with a songs kept everyone on their couple of unknown songs. feet and dancing until they To get the crowd pumped, played the last song of the A Rocket to the Moon, the night Don’t Trust Me. second band, performed a After the show A Rocket set of catchy songs like Da- to the Moon and The Maine kota and If Only They New for came out to take pictures everyone to sing along to. and sign autographs for the Up next to play was the fans telling them how much third band called Hit the 30H!3 - Photo courtesy of Rollingstones.com fun they had on their first Lights. night of the Alternative Press Armed with a few upbeat life making a beeline toward their performance with their tour. songs, Hit the Lights got the the front of the stage. most well known song Every- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx crowd up and ready for the High-pitched screams thing I Ask For. Olivia Nguyen first headliner band of the filled the room as they started Family Force Five then Staff Writer

Nick Santino and Eric H. A Rocket To The Moon

John O’Callaghan The Maine

Photos by Olivia Nguyen April 2009 Features The Junior Hawk 5 Safety standards studied following salmonella scare Industry sources indicate pistachio nuts. gia was inspected by the U.S. strain of Salmonella, which led safety standards,” said presi- So far this outbreak has a 99.999 percent of the food In 2007, Salmonella in the Food and Drug Administration to more recalls. dent of the PCA, Patrick Ar- caused nine deaths nationally people buy is safe, but what peanut butter started to sicken (FDA) and tested positive for “It’s among the largest cher in an article by Caroline and sickened several hundred about the rest? The small people. After the discovery of Salmonella Typhimurium. The recall we’ve had,” Dr. Stephen Scott-Thomas for the Confec- people. percent of the food which is a candy bar which sickened an PCA recalled more of their Sundlof said. tionery News. Half of the cases of infec- not safe has caused illness or individual, it was discovered products soon after. The FDA found records of The Centers for Diseases tions are children under the fatality. that there was tainted peanut Then the FDA inspected the processing plants where in Control and Prevention (CDC) age of 16 years old. There were peanut but- butter. another plant in Plainview, 12 instances in 2007 and 2008 announced to the public they People who were young, ter products, infected by Sal- The Peanut Corporation of Texas. It was difficult finding confirming the PCA knowingly were tracing the Salmonella old or had weak immune sys- monella, which have been America (PCA), recalled some the plant owner, because it shipped products with Salmo- that plagued more than 40 dif- tems were the ones mostly recalled off shelves, but there of their products to test for the was not even licensed. The nella. ferent states. infected by the Salmonella. At are still other occurring out- Salmonella. inspection and internal tests On February 20, after all “Outbreaks can be really the time there was no federal breaks such as problems with The PCA of Blakely, Geor- proved positive for the same the recalls, the PCA filed for expensive, not only to the farm law which required a manufac- bankruptcy and they were not or factory that housed the bad turer to report any health is- able to communicate with the food, but for every farmer or sues such as the Salmonella. Harmon serves up smiles consumers about their prod- factory that makes something. Legislators will be adding ucts. Any questions now can Right now, there are thou- onto the Food, Drug and Cos- Many a student passes her favorite part of the job. cafeteria needs. be answered by the FDA. sands of peanut products be- metic Act and other bills for the through the lunch lines of the “Students make me want The work does nothing to “The findings of the FDA ing pulled from shelves. federal law to be established. school every day, weary from to come to work in the morn- damper her spirits however, report can only be seen as a Each of those compa- There will be more safety the day’s labors, only to be ing,” Harmon said. since all students are met clear and unconscionable ac- nies is losing money. Losing regulators for the food industry greeted by the smiling face of Job choice seems to have with a large smile while in tion of one irresponsible man- money can lead to job loss,” making food safer to eat.

Kristin Harmon, lunch cashier spilled into other aspects of Harmon’s line. ufacturer, which stands alone said Meghan Satyanarayana xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx extraordinaire. Harmon’s life also, since her “I try my best to be a pos- in an industry that strives to Health Writer for the Detroit Nick Golding Harmon, an eighteen-year favorite TV show is Hell’s itive example,” Harmon said. follow the most stringent food Free Press. Staff Writer veteran of the school district’s Kitchen and decorating cakes Despite being at BHS for war on sack lunches, is iden- is one of her favorite hobbies. only a year and a half, Har- tifiable by her blonde bun and “Birdville High School mon is easily one of the most Truancy not worth trouble buoyant attitude. taught me to decorate recognizable personalities in Harmon began her work cakes… I do it as a hobby, but the school. Truancy, intentional un- Count Data Book, in north So far this year, 187 in1988 at Mullendore Elemen- I wouldn’t like it as a job or day So, during the next lunch authorized absence from Texas, about 13 percent of school-age students have tary, despite little work experi- to day activity,” Harmon said. break, take time to think about school, has been labeled students drop out of high been arrested for burglary— ence in the cafeteria, so that Harmon’s duties begin the person who serves the one of the top ten problems school, most due to the almost all of them happen- she could be with her boys at seven in the morning and food everyday with a smile on in this country’s education. whole ‘classes are boring!’ ing between 8:00 a.m. and through school. She has stuck include working the register, their face and smile back. Thousands of kids skip notion. 3:00 p.m. with it after both of her sons stocking shelves, baking hot xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx school everyday. In the Dal- In Tarrant County alone, Police did an experimen- have graduated. She cites in- rolls, getting change from the Baylor Morrison las/Fort Worth area alone, only 81 percent of adults tal sweep of the streets last teracting with the students as bank, and anything else the Staff Writer over 7,000 truancy cases have a high school diploma. October. have been filed in the past “They [the students] quit It turned out that 60 per- year. coming and get behind—or cent of the crimes on any Twitter takes on America There are major fines as- get behind and quit com- given day were committed sociated with truancy, includ- ing,” DISD Superintendent by school-age students. Twitter is the new hit site ground, short bio, and add- site to blog about their views ing a $500 fee, a suspended Michael Hinojosa said. Taking a day or two or of the net that has millions ing updates on what you are on topics, but some people license and possible jail time He went on to explain five off is not worth it. of people flocking to tweet. doing. are using it to find jobs. or community service. that because there are so Money is lost, licenses This site has became a blog- Twitter is known for its Celebs like Shaq and Both parent and student many truant students in the are taken away, crimes are ger sanctuary for the people. blog search engine. It has Weird Al cruise the site up- must appear in municipal north Texas area, many drop more likely to be committed, What it offers is a combina- a vast amount of topics to dating on what they are do- court. out before senior year. free time vanishes, dropping tion of speedy messaging, a choose from to blog about. ing daily and sometimes Any other day that a When students are not out is likely and futures are social network and texting. “It’s real addictive,” Rob- tweeting where they will go student is out of school is a in school, police report that dismal.

Twitter can be accessed ert Scoble master blogger for the day. separate offense, and could vandalism, shoplifting, graf- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx through the computer or on a said. Members can find many be a separate fine. fiti and other crimes sky- Kendall Carlson phone. It is the third best so- Getting friends on twit- different types of people to According to the Kids rocket. Staff Writer cial network right now, behind ter is a simple task for most “follow” including news per- Facebook and MySpace. people. The real trick is trying sonalities, celebrities, movie Starting up on this site to follow their actions. stars, teachers, business pro- takes only a couple of min- Twitter lets people keep fessionals and people from Students explore options utes, because it requires only track of all their friends’ up- all walks of life. Members can minimal information. dates, so they know what the also follow organizations, like Motaz Mohamed, an about her future. ways wanted to do.” On a beginning profile other person is doing 24/7. schools. Join today and find immigrant from Egypt, is a “After graduating high Two completely different a person starts with a blank When blogging on Twitter, a BHS on Twitter. young man. He is only 14 school I am thinking about people from two completely page. The options of cus- person gets only 140 charac- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx years old, but he has already going to college, but not for a different walks of life, both tomization are basic: have a ters to use. Nick Golding thought a lot about his future. while,” Smith said. “I am tak- Smith and Mohamed have profile picture, change back- People usually use the Staff Writer Mohamed wants to be a ing a break from school and thought about what they want fire fighter in the future. am working hard. I just got to do with their lives. “I am going to study to be my own apartment.” Making decisions about a fire fighter, because that’s Smith is putting off go- the future is difficult. Many what I want to be when I grow ing to college, because she’s students become focused on up. I want to save peoples not sure what she wants to the thought that they must lives and I want to be a hero,” study. choose only one career path Mohamed said. “I have not made up my and stay in that career their Before he starts his train- mind about what I am going entire lives. ing, though, he has hopes of to study in college and that’s Some understand they going to college. one of the main reasons why have many choices and can “I am going to college for I am not in college yet,” Smith make changes as they prog- 4 years and get a career. I will said. ress, change and grow as get married and get a great She does have some people. Many students sense life and a great family.” ideas about what she wants a “calling” to go into a particu- Mohamed is optimistic to do, though. lar field. Some follow in the about his future. “If I were to go to college footsteps of family members Mention This Ad “I know that I will succeed I would study graphic design to specific careers or go into as a fire fighter. It will be a or to be a teacher,” Smith the family business. For 1% Buyer Rebate At Closing good career for me and I will said. “I want to do graphic de- The choices are endless make enough money to take sign or be a teacher, because and not permanent. Explore care of my family and I will be it’s something I have always the options. www.yvonneswartz.com a hero.” enjoyed and loved. No one xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Amber Smith is 18 years pushed me to do any of those Islam Mohamed Direct Line: 817.905.7221 Office: 817.431.2123 old; she has thought some it’s just something I have al- Staff Writer 6 The Junior Hawk LifeFeatures & Arts April 2009 Domino tribute album features McCartney, Neville Elvis Presley, the King Bigger names include Paul the new artists own. (Corrine Bailey Rae’s bluesy working to restore Louisi- There are several rare himself, once said, “I can’t McCartney, Elton John, This song is well fol- cover of One Night (Of Sin) ana’s local music scene, not recordings not likely to be sing like Fats Domino, I John Lennon, Tom Petty, lowed with Tom Petty’s ver- is brilliantly left as a live ver- a bad goal since Louisiana found again, a few new sion on the album). has given us such artists as names of interest, and Unfortunately, the good Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee the money goes to a good feel and lyrical nostalgia do Lewis and Lucinda Williams. cause. Give Goin’ Home a not spill onto the second Only time will tell if Goin’ spin. It is worth the money.

disk; Neil Young and Robert Home will go down in the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Plant’s contributions are par- history books as a musical Baylor Morrison ticularly disappointing. classic. Staff Writer The let down could pos- sibly come from a lack of good material. After all, you can’t have Jerry’s Italian two people cover two songs, and after the sway-inducing beauty of the first song’s source materials, some on offers quality this side of the box feel like the leftovers. There are still some highpoints worth listening to, experience though. Marc Broussard’s Rising Sun is a thrilling tip of From Ice Cream to Italian, the last thing Jerry’s Italian the hat to all Southern mu- reminds patrons of is the Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy sic, and Los Lobos’s cover store the building once housed. of The Fat Man is just bril- The first sensation, walking into Jerry’s Italian Bistro, liant. is the smell of freshly baked bread and all kinds of Italian How a band with so much aromatics coming from the kitchen. Spanish influence managed “Everyone is so nice, the service is great, and the Photo courtesy of Amazon.com a successful cover of a jazz/ food is amazing,” Marissa Nelson said. know that.” And indeed still, Randy Newman and even sion of I’m Walkin’. early rock and roll song may Reminisent of an Italian gangster movie, Jerry’s no one can. B.B. King. The uptrend continues remain a mystery. transports customers to another place in time. Still, there are attempts, The album comes out throughout the first disc with An additional bonus is Unlike many restaurants and fast food establishments and Goin’ Home: A Tribute swinging with one of its only a couple of notable ex- that every time a new copy that microwave prepared frozen entrees, the food coming to Fats Domino is one of the strongest songs. John Len- ceptions (Paul McCartneys of the CD is bought, a frac- from Jerry’s kitchen imparts the taste and feel of a chef best attempts. non’s version of Ain’t That a version of I Want to Walk tion of the sale goes to the that cares. It is like eating food prepared by Momma...the A massive two-CD, thir- Shame is probably the song You Home sounds like an Tipitinas Foundation. love is the main ingredient. ty-track playlist dominates that most strongly blends undercooked wedding sing- The Tipitinas Foundation Every meal there is unique. They are not going to the back side of the album. Fats’s lyrics and style with er) and at least one surprise is a charitable organization be identical every time and that adds to the experience, for example all the little imperfections on their pizza, cal- zones and stromboli, including the burnt edges and the veggies hanging off the side. Sweet Basil, great food, great price It is nice to go to a restaurant and know that they are using the freshest vegetables they can get. It is kind of Texas is no stranger to ori- cludes all of that, excluding the Imported bejeweled art- es, and service is very fast. like eating a homemade meal, but just paying someone ental cuisine. From PF Changs, expensive price. work and hangings from Thai- The food at Sweet Basil is for it. to Pei Wei, and every fam- One might give Sweet Ba- land adorn the red brick walls, moderately priced, the least ex- From all the sauces they make specific for each meal ily-owned Thai, Japanese and sil, a small, family-run Thai res- and the entire restaurant is pensive dish at about eight dol- upon order, to the bread provided to snack on while wait- Chinese restaurant in between, taurant just outside of the North splashed with authentic Asian lars, the most at about fifteen. ing for the food, customers will know this place is authen- North Texas is jam-packed East Mall, a passing glance. artifacts. The ambiance is very The menu includes every- tic and that the owners know what they are doing. with Asian culture, wooden It is certainly tiny, and classy . thing from egg rolls, to duck, Its the perfect place to take a date to dinner on a chopsticks and spicy, expen- crammed in between AT&T The staff is friendly, and to peanut chicken. They are Saturday evening. Complete with white fabric tablecloths sive dishes; however, there so and Silver Creek Jewelers; there is always a bright-smiling famous for their extensive list and napkins, it is the nice without a pricey price. happens to be one little gem however, what Sweet Basil greeter to take you to your seat. of noodle dishes. Entrees range in price from just under $10 to just of a restaurant tucked into a lacks in size, it makes up for in The waiters are attentive and Sweet Basil is very clean, over $10. An array of pasta dishes, salads and pizza are bustling neighborhood that in- atmosphere. helpful with describing the dish- and the perfect place to take served. An extensive dinner menu is complimented with a someone on a date, or just a quick in-and-out lunch menu at smaller prices. quick snack after shopping at Children are welcome in this family friendly Italian atmosphere. the mall. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Eleven chosen for VASE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Caleb Pierce Kendall Carlson Staff Writer On February 28th, art dents receive are positive and competitions. Staff Writer students went to Fossil Ridge are a great way to see others’ “Art is a visual experi- High School for the Visual work and get new ideas from ence,” art teacher Eddie Arts Scholastic Event, also them. Brown said. known as V.A.S.E. “They get the perfect at- The best students are 11 BHS students were ac- mosphere,” Floyd said. sent to V.A.S.E. to show other Traffic Tickets Defended cepted to the state competi- Many artists were nervous schools their talented skills. In Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless, Grapevine, Southlake, Hurst, Keller, Forest Hill, tion out of more than 13,000 about the competition. They “When we got to V.A.S.E., White Settlement, Colleyville, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, entries state wide. saw other students’ work and it’s the best of the best,” Watauga, Haltom City, Crowley, Mansfield, Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens “We’re always proud,” art they were worried about the Juarez said. and elsewhere in Tarrant County. teacher Ian Floyd said. judges’ opinions. Birdville has proven itself Two students had both “Art is so subjective, you to contain the best and the of their pieces go to state, never know if the judges will teachers are excited to see James R. Mallory including Melody Karsi and like it or not,” Juarez said. more and more students go. Attorney at Law Caitlyn Juarez. Even though it is stress- “I always want to see “We spent a lot of time ful, students still get a lot out more kids go,” Brown said. (817) 924-3236 and a lot of hard work,” junior of the event. Many young V.A.S.E. is an opportu- 3024 Sandage Caitlyn Juarez said. nity for young artists and is artists would love to have a Fort Worth, TX 76109-1793 V.A.S.E. is a great expe- chance like this. sponsored annually by the rience for young artists. Stu- “It’s a once in a lifetime Texas Art Education Asso- No promise as to results. dents from all over the area possibility,” Floyd said. ciation (TAEA) and is the Any fine and court costs are not included in fee for legal representation. came to the event. The contest is not like only art event of its kind in “You get inspiration,” ju- other contests. The practice the nation. www.JamesMallory.com nior Melody Karsi said. gained from this competition xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Elaine Swartz The experiences the stu- is nothing like the academic Staff Writer April 2009 Life & Arts The Junior Hawk 7 Many people were pleased and let the word out Summer Blockbusters that Mercedes Benz fashion week was a success. Summer is right around the corner, which means lots of time to watch movies. Summer Blockbusters are movies that come out in theaters during May, June, July and August. The top ten movies from last year are: Photo courtesy 10. The Incredible Hulk of MBfasionweek.com 9. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 8. Mamma Mia! 7. Sex in the City Summer fashion unveiled 6. Kung Fu Panda 5. Wall-E 4. Hancock 3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull despite economic recession 2. Iron Man Last, but not least, the Number One movie to beat is The Dark Night grossing Ladies and gentlemen, the closet. Well at least that gloom for A-list designers such 533,345,358 in profits. summer is coming, and that is what the designers at Mer- as BCBG, Max Azia and Louis means that it is time to shave cedes Fashion week in New Vuitton. These designers let Some movies coming out this summer that everyone may want to see are: those legs and clean out those York had to say. the world know that not even Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs sweatshirts and jeans from It was not all doom and a severe recession could stop Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince them from ripping the runway. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Christian Dior, Calvin Klein X-men Origins: Wolverines and others like Micheal Kors, Ferari’s Italian partnered up to show fashions Looks like this summer is going to be a summer of diverse movies. from Milian, Paris, London and the fashion capital New York xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx City. Sarah Freeman makes top ten Models were placed on Staff Writer The whiff of pasta trails “The bread was stale as platforms with dresses, gowns behind the food on the table. if it was set overnight from and suits. For many design- The smell of pasta feels last nights batch,” customer ers, this was their first time ex- the pictures on the wall, ex- of Ferari’s Tara T. said. periencing and showing their Film exceeds expectations pressing the Italian city Ven- People are greeted at creativity to the world. Fashion ice. the door when they arrive at was brought to many celebri- 3…2…1…GO! dering what is going to hap- The exciting story and the With the dim lights fill- Ferari’s. ties such as Victoria Beckham, Action-hungered movie- pen next. extreme special effects kept ing the room, the restaurant “The service was nice and Paris Hilton and Kanye West. goers raced in line on April It is no surprise that the people’s eyes on the screen gives the feeling of Italy. with an easy pace. Enough It was evident that they walked 3rd, 2009. outcome of this movie shows the whole time. Ferari’s, which is located to where you can socialize away with a visual of the looks Recent release, Fast and extreme success. Unlike the previous mov- on the corner of Mid Cities with your friends and family,” for Summer ’09. Furious, is filled with fast cars, This number one box of- ies of the sequel, Fast and Blvd. and Davis Blvd., is an customer of Ferari’s Paul H. With economic times and romance and revenge. fice film brought in a whopping Furious is more about the Italian restaurant that had its said the economy down leaving Vin Diesel and Paul $72.5 million in its weekend’s characters’ stories than fast grand opening in January. The waiters do take their pockets low Fashion Week cars and winning races. Within only a couple of time with the service as well could not and did not forget to Although Fast and Furi- months, Ferari’s has had as the chefs. express the hot and elegant ous pulled off the biggest many comments and, at one Sitting with a party of six looks for less. opening ever in the month time made it in the top ten of usually has a comfortable From the hottest jeans of April, improvements could the best restaurant in North pace to some people. to the hottest dresses, they have been made. Richland Hills. Going as a date may put showed it all. The realistic level of the The chefs create food, a worry as in how much lon- From the parties. to the film is questionable and can- such as pizza, rolatini and ger it is going to take. fashion shows the world was not be seen as possible, but it the original spaghetti. “If you like Italian food, reminded that summer was is easy to sit back and enjoy They put decoration on you have to come here,” the here and it was time to bring the film without confusion. the plates and food, mak- family of Ferari’s said. sexy back. Parents should think twice ing the entrees and desserts When driving along the Many people were pleased before letting under aged chil- more appealing. streets with pasta on the and let the word out that Mer- dren watch this film. Not everybody has a crav- mind, it might be worth a try cedes Benz fashion week was Some aspects of the mov- ing for Ferari’s and their food. to have a bite of Ferari’s. a success. ie were wanted for change, Customers tend to notice that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx but overall, Fast and Furious not all the food is fresh out of Josh Holbrook Lejuana Montford is worth the $7 to $10 for ev- the oven. Staff Writer Staff Writer ery minute. This movie is one that cannot be waited on for rental. Once people watch it, they will want to speed out of the parking lot and swerve through cars on the roads. Jump in a car and head Photo courtesy of Cealagar.com to the movies; it is a must see.

Walker star in this nail-biting release, making it the high- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx thriller that keeps people on est-grossing opening week- Elaine Swartz the edge of their seat, won- end for a car-themed movie. Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Movies.Sky.com Movie remake release disappoints excited viewers With a title as exalted as get, and remarkable potential. nelly portrays the protagonist, plot was tied to the simple ba- plot quickly tires and the view- generally a failure at replicat- The Day the Earth Stood Still, Instead, the film fell flat. astro-biologist Dr. Helen Ben- sis that humans are destroying er loses interest in the obvious ing a classic. Other than a it would seem appropriate to Keanu Reeves, who plays son. Unfortunately, her role the Earth, and therefore must environmental message being vague insinuation at human have some sort of apocalyptic the role of an alien named was equally forgettable, an- be eliminated. Sound familiar? delivered. To make matters ‘change’ no profound mes- action. Instead, this film deliv- Klaatu, maintains a stony dis- other cardboard cutout mem- The high point of the movie more confusing, this message sages are gathered, and any ers an awkward mixture of position throughout the film. ber of the cast. consisted of a line delivered against human consumerism viewer with an appreciation of bland characters, flimsy plot He plays the part well, but then With a plethora of trigger- by Reeves. is muddied by the constant sci-fi would leave this imitation line and contrived messages. again, so could any other actor happy American soldiers and “If the Earth dies, you die. interjections of product place- disappointed.

A remake of a classic with the inability to smile and a adequate special effects, the If the human race dies, the ment for McDonald’s and LG. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 1950’s film, The Day the Earth monotonous voice. movie managed to satisfy its Earth survives.” Overall, this film solidifies Alex Korba Stood Still, had a sufficient bud- The gifted Jennifer Con- quota of action; however, the After this realization, the the theory that remakes are Staff Writer 8 The Junior Hawk Sports April 2009 Bean, Branach lead in district tennis team results

Robert Bean and Margo and Tori Benner were fol- each other in the hallways. simple to hit a ball over a third place, Scott Logan and fun and fast-paced sport, Helen Branach finished first lowed by Francesca Norris “Tennis is hard, but I net, but to make it accurate Diedra Seudemier. and it encourages people to in district mixed doubles ad- placing fourth in girls sin- think the team is the stron- and have perfect precision “Most people don’t think be more respectful toward vancing to regionals, leading gles. gest it’s ever been in all four requires a lot of hard work. of tennis as a sport, but re- others. the team results for Varsity The students are close years that I have been here,” The tennis team has ally, we work just as hard Other Varsity members Hawk Tennis. on the court and off the Varsity team member Robert done well this year. and fast as soccer or track,” participating in the district Finishing third in girls court, slapping high-fives Bean said. Junior varsity results in- Korba said. meet include Jordan Tana- doubles, Brooke Blakeslee and smiles when they pass Some may think it is so clude the following: Each player learns and ka, Christian Suarez, Ryan Girls doubles - first place, practices good sportsman- Moore, Billy Stewart, Jason April Bell and Katie O’Brien; ship and etiquette on the DeFriese, Jordan Crane, Girls doubles - second place, court, as well as off. Kevin Bell, Olivia Nguyen, Unusual sports emerge Alex Korba and Kirstie Bland; Coached by Celina Bur- Natalie Graves, Katharine Boys singles - fourth place, ris, the tennis team mem- Mekush and Tiffany Garner.

Ryan Eleopolous, Girls bers agree that it would be xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in countries around world singles - third place, Taylor great if more people would Kirstie Bland Brewer; Mixed doubles - join, simply because it is a Staff Writter Around the globe are tons two combined into one pain- four or five players play on an of sports rarely even heard ful mental and physical sport. inflatable volleyball court with about in the U.S. From Bossa- This extreme sport has spread trampolines. ball to chess-boxing, odds are all over the world into tourna- The goal is a basic one: a Passion migrates to U.S. it is being played somewhere. ments. Two competitors are team tries to ground the ball The face of America is he talks about his love of soc- it was used for military training These extreme sports set in a ring for eleven alter- onto the opponent’s field to changing; this is certainly cer he represents the feelings purposes. have become internationally nating rounds of speed chess score points. If the ball hits the nothing new. of many immigrants on the The game later spread famous, and may someday and boxing matches. inflatable part of the court, you America has always been topic of Soccer. to other countries, eventu- come to the U.S. Sandboard- The chess match lasts gain one point. If the ball hits composed of immigrants and “Soccer basically means a ally making it to Latin America, ing, Chess boxing and Bossa- for four minutes then a one the trampoline, you gain three as America changes, sports lot to me, because by playing where the rules were refined ball are sports with intense ac- minute break is rewarded for points. The entire team has preferences are changing too. soccer it has kept me in good for a more friendly sport. tion and a lot of fun. changing gear which is fol- a maximum of eight contacts It should not be surpris- shape and has kept me out of Since then, it has become Sandboarding is played lowed by a boxing match for with the ball in any form of ing that our newest immigrants trouble. This is [the] only sport a favorite in many parts of the throughout 44 different coun- two minutes. To win this sport, contact, whether it be hands, are bringing their love of sports I really like to play,” Moreno world, with several leagues tries including the U.S. Similar one of the competitors has to feet or head. with them. said. “I have played soccer and tournaments world-wide. to the popular sport Snow- get a knockout, checkmate, or Players can touch with Immigrants from Latin since I was six years old in El As immigrants come to boarding, the big difference be- a judge’s decision. their hands only once then America, Asia and Africa are Salvador with all of my friends. the United States with their ing instead of riding the snowy There are official training double touch with any other learning to love traditional When I play soccer I feel great culture in tow, they learn new mountains, the Sandboarders clubs for this sport in Berlin, body part. Bossaball games American sports, such as base- with pride because I love play- and exciting sports; however, glide down sand dunes in the London and Sofia, Bulgaria, have referees, which are not ball, football and basketball, but ing soccer.” they will never forget their love deserts or beaches. which are called intellectual just for making sure players they will never betray their most Soccer or football as it is of Soccer. Going down the sand fight clubs. are following the rules, but to beloved sport, soccer. known in other countries, takes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx dunes someone can reach “Fighting is done in the also be the DJ. Yelsin Moreno is an immi- its routes back to the 2nd and Islam Mohamed speeds of 60 to 70 miles per ring and wars are waged on They are considered grant from El Salvador. When 3rd centuries in China, where Staff Writer hour. In Monahan, Texas, the board,” is the slogan for masters of the ceremony at there is a Sandhills State Park the Berlin based World Chess a game. This sport is played for people who are willing to Boxing Organization. mainly in Latin America and Fishing provides leisure try it. Sports can get to a certain Europe; so do not expect to “One of the latest sports level until some start to see see it in the U.S. just yet. Every angler knows that In these waters try throwing a less soft plastic in as close to the crazes [is] Sand boarding,” them as weird. The people “I think it’s [a] great sport spawning time is one of the best tube jig with a slip sinker in the beds as you can and twitch it. Simon Reeves on the BBC have to decide if Bossaball is because it mixes a couple of times to catch bass, but every- shallows. A good tip for this is not 5. Sunfish usually gang up (British Broadcasting Corpora- one of those weird stories. sports,” Zven Scholle, a Ro- thing gets a little more tricky after to spend too much time on every on bass beds, if there is a school tion) said. Bossaball is a sport com- mania Bossaball Trainer said. the spawning time is over. Here cast, let it drop, pop it a few times of them up off the shore throw Those preferring to play bination of beach volleyball, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx are a few pointers on post-spawn and if there is no action, reel it double bladed spinner which will chess and others that enjoy beach soccer, gymnastics and Nick Golding bass fishing to help out the frus- back in and throw again replicate the fish and the bass will boxing can now enjoy the football. Two teams of three, Staff Writer trated fisherman. 3. When fishing deeper in attack protecting his nest. 1. When fishing offshore, on lakes with an abundance of veg- Also in these conditions a a rock bottom, or in a rip-rap, try etation finesse a deep crank bait top water popper or buzz bait using a Carolina rig and slowly slowly from the shore in. When will replicate the sound of an at- Baseball sets teamwork fishing it deep off the bottom be- fishing a crank choose a sensi- tacking fish and trigger a bass cause some bass will go deeper tive rod, because the bite will not to attack.Good luck and happy to try to recuperate from there be as ferocious as the pre-spawn fishing! standards during season hard work during the spawn. bite. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 2. Weed prone lakes are 4. If there are skittish bass Mitchell Kempe Birdville’s baseball teams our players,” Coach Daniel to each other. The players also great to fish in at this time. in the weed beds throw a weed- Staff Writer are full of talented players. Chaney said. can win games, because of Talent is not everything The team must stay to- the close relationships they when it comes to game time. gether throughout the whole have to each other. The baseball teams show game. There is no giving up The three BHS baseball dedication, teamwork and in- in the middle of a game. teams pull together as one tellect. These appear in their “There have been teams big team effort to win their winning games. who won all but one inning games. Coaches also see the and lost, but you can never “We expect to be in the teams’ great sportsmanship. lose if you win every inning,” playoffs and a serious threat Pampered They see the positive attitudes freshman player Ryan Fla- to defend our Region One the players have to each other herty said. Championship,” Hatcher and teams around them. Baseball coaches are al- said. Pooch “We are extremely proud ways going to push their play- The coaches are antici- of our players. They are fine ers to their limits. They want pating playoffs and the rest of young men that are highly to show the players what they the season. disciplined,” Varsity Coach can really do. “I am looking forward David Hatcher said. “We always expect more to another great run in the The coaches are happy to hard work from them, we push playoffs, and I do expect to Homemade Gourmet have teams that have a great them beyond what they think be playing in June,” Chaney mind-set. They are committed they can do,” Hatcher said. said. Dog Biscuits to their teammates. The players get along with The way the teams have “I am very honored to be each other and have a strong been playing, summer base- able to coach with the guys bond. They stick together ball is possible. Gail Day that I coach with and I am throughout the season. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx very proud of the dedication Multiple people agree that Elaine Swartz 817 692-7893 and tremendous attitudes of the baseball players are close Staff Writer