The Tiger’s Tale Volume 92 Issue No. 1 Sept. 24, 2010 On her mark Drag racing becomes passion for goal-oriented student By Shawn Burns Crandall, TX. work on my dragster. the little light informing models she looks up to in “I’m ready to go “I love my dragster. It’s My dad doesn’t do all you that you won, that’s the world of drag racing. ridiculously fast!” my baby.” Briana drives a the work. I’m right there the greatest feeling.” “My role models in drag Most freshmen have a 2003 John Deere junior with him fixing what Drag racing can also racing are my dad, Ashley similar desire; however, dragster she affectionately goes wrong.” Briana even be a very dangerous sport Force Hood and Erica very few get the chance calls “Purple Monsta.” helped her father put the and all precautions are Enders.” because they aren’t old Purple Monsta is a 14’, motor into her dragster. taken to insure nothing Briana has many enough to drive. 300-pound dragster paint- Many people fail to happens to the drivers. “I different goals for her Briana Doucette is ed pink and purple with realize what exactly goes wear a fire suit, helmet, drag racing career. “I want the exception to the rule. the claws of neck brace, to win a Wally by the time Briana is a 14-year-old a cheetah d r i v i n g I turn 17.” In order to win freshman who spends scratching at g l o v e s , a Wally, Briana will have her weekends in a rather the paint. The d r i v i n g to win at a national junior unique way. dragster cost s h o e s dragster competition. She Two months ago, about $3000 and arm is also aspiring to win 38 Briana began drag racing, without a restraints,” junior dragster races so following in the footsteps motor, plus she said. she can overcome Erica of her father, Billy an additional “All my Ender’s total of 37 wins. Doucette, who began $2750 for the equipment After finishing her junior racing in March of 2009. motor. ended up dragster career, Briana However, her father didn’t Briana has c o s t i n g hopes to go pro and either start out drag racing. His been racing a b o u t race Prostock or Top Fuel driving career began with in the junior $100.” Dragsters. motorcycles and only d r a g s t e r For many Taking a step in the after a few accidents and division for ages 8-17. into every race Briana families, hospitality and right direction, Briana a brief stint at golf, did She has raced in a total of competes in. “Drag racing integrity are not sacrificed is planning to race at he begin racing dragsters. five races, winning two. is more than it seems. at the expense of winning. the American Hot Rod In March of this year, he Briana is quick to You must have a better “Everyone is basically a Association (AHRA) advanced to the top 16 out point out that the keys reaction time, beat them big family, whether you Junior Dragster World of more than 400 racers to her dragster weren’t to the finish and run as win or lose. We’re all there Finals in Midland on Oct. on an episode of “PINKS” free. “People may not close to your projected for each other. If you need 2-3. at the Dallas Raceway in understand that I actually time as possible. It’s very a part in between races Briana already has a difficult to win,” she said. and someone at the track pretty good idea of what Not only is drag racing has that part, then they are she wants to do for a fairly difficult, it can more than likely going to living. “When I grow up, I also be very expensive. help you out.” want to rebuild old muscle Weekends out at the drag Win or lose, drivers cars.” strip can cost hundreds remain respectful. “After of dollars. “Drag racing every race, you shake “There is not one other is kind of expensive, but the other racer’s hand girl in Snyder, Texas that when you’re in that car and congratulate them by drag races. There’s not going 80 mph down the telling them they did a one other kid in Snyder, Freshman Briana Doucette and her father, Billy Doucette, ease up to track and you beat them to good job.” Texas that drag races. Just the starting line at the Abilene Dragstrip. Contributed photo the finish line, and you see Briana has three role me! I love it!” Editorial 2 Sept. 24, 2010 Editorial Construction presents problems For quite a while now, the high school campus has been the center of construction. Under construction We believe that the construction, as well as its timing, is more until... uh... well it’ll harmful than beneficial. be awhile... I like this one! The first problem with the construction has to do with parking. The construction has made the junior parking lot off limits. With No! This one! the junior parking lot off limits, students are either forced to park in the sophomore parking lot or the south end of Austin Avenue by the baseball practice field. This distance means that students are not only affected at lunch but in the morning as well. When students have to walk that far, the result is a surplus of tardies. But rather than constantly complain about being late due to construction, students could choose to take a more pro-active approach to the problem. With the knowledge that parking is scarce, students should get to school earlier and come back from lunch earlier. The second problem many people have with the construction is the amount of money being spent. Critics tend to bring to light other Roar of the Crowd areas of our school that could use a little extra money. Some students Do you think the campus construction is beneficial, say band, choir, drama or academics could have better utilized this harmful or both? money. In this instance, a middle ground could have been found. Rather than shelling out all of this money for several construction projects, construction plans could have been spread out over a longer period of time. This would have freed up budget money to spend on departments of the school that need more funds. “I think the con- “I think the construc- “I think the campus “I don’t think it’s Poor planning is the third and final construction problem. The struction is both ben- tion is a great idea, construction is both beneficial at all. eficial and harmful. but no much the way because it makes our There is nowhere for construction was supposed to start when school ended last year. When the construc- it was executed. Each campus harder to the students to park Numerous changes in plans have delayed completion of the project. tion is completed, it construction project work around on, but and be able to access will be beneficial to should have been it will be worth it in our cars fast. Dur- One major issue with the planning is a collection of water underneath everyone, but now done one at a time. the end.” ing lunch and after school it is very scary the grounds of the campus. Every time the workers hit water, they it is just an inconve- The new concession Nathan Villanueva to try to leave be- nience. ” stand and cafeteria 10th must take time to fix the problem before they can start anew. cause so many people Faith Overton are going to be really are crowded into one th Knowing how much time and money was going into this project, 10 beneficial but right area and everyone is more time to plan the project should have been taken. Every now the parking is trying to get out at crazy and confu- one time.” construction project is going to have delays, but better planning sion.” Grace Harrison would have insured that there would be minimal distractions. Mattie Drake 12th 10th The Tiger’s Tale Stands taken in the editorial, editorial cartoons, opinion columns, letters wishes to purchase advertising space may do so. The staff reserves the right to to the editor, and entertainment reviews do not necessarily reflect the views refuse any advertising it believes to be in poor taste, libelous, irresponsible or Editor Shelby Rasco of the administration, faculty, or adviser. Letters to the editor are welcome advocating an illegal activity. Assistant Editor Leslie Quinonez and must include the writer’s name, home telephone number and grade The Tiger’s Tale is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Staff Writers Jessica Jones, Shawn Burns, Beto Jaimes, classification. Letters will be edited for material that fails to meet legal and Conference (ILPC). 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