May 2013 Issue Cougar Claw

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

lazy

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

innov

ative

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

impa

tient

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

hungry

hungry

hungry

hungry

hungry

hungry

selfish

selfish

selfish

selfish

selfish

selfish

lazyselfish

lazy

lazyselfish

lazy

lazyselfish

lazyre

belliou

s

selfish

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

selfish

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

selfish

rebelli

ous

rebelli

ous

selfish

rebelli

ous

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

angst

unorg

anized

angst

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

angst

unorg

anized

impa

tient

angst im

patie

nt

impa

tient

angst im

patie

nt

impa

tient

angst im

patie

nt

impa

tient

angst im

patie

nt

impa

tient

angst im

patie

nt

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

angst

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

angst

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

angst

unorg

anized

impa

tient

unorg

anized

experimentalexperimentalexperimentalexperimentalexperimentalexperimentalexperimental

pointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlesspointlessself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousself-conciousexperimentalself-conciousexperimentalexperimentalself-conciousexperimentalexperimentalself-conciousexperimentalexperimentalself-conciousexperimentalexperimentalself-conciousexperimentalexperimentalself-conciousexperimental

fashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionablefashionable

free spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritiedfree spritied

over over over over over over over over over over dramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticdramaticover dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover over dramaticover arrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogantarrogant

stupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupid

innov

ativestupid

innov

ative

innov

ativestupid

innov

ative

competitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivecompetitivestupid

competitivestupidstupid








competitivestupidgulibleguliblegulibleguliblegulibleguliblegulibleguliblegulible

innov

ativegulible

innov

ative

innov

ativegulible

innov

ativestupid

guliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupidstupidguliblestupid

l o v a b l el o v a b l el o v a b l el o v a b l el o v a b l el o v a b l e

dishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestdishonestadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureousadventureous

free spritiedadventureous

free spritiedfree spritiedadventureous







free spritied

carelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscarelesscareless

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

clever

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

conceited

s t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r ns t u b b o r n

n a i v en a i v en a i v en a i v en a i v e

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

angry

fun

fun

fun

fun

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

fun

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

fun

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

fun

playfu

l slop

py sl

eepy

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

pizza

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

hope

less r

oman

tic

fun

hope

less r

oman

tic

fun

fun

hope

less r

oman

tic

funne

rvous

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

nervo

us

recklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklessrecklesssarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcasticsarcastic

passionatepassionatepassionatepassionatepassionatepassionate

loudloudloudloudloudloudloudloud

malublemalublemalublemalublemalublemalublemalublemalublemalublemaluble

manipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulativemanipulative

playfulplayfulplayfulplayfulplayfulplayful

impa

tient

playful

impa

tient

impa

tient

playful

impa

tient

livelylivelylivelylivelyrecklesslivelyrecklessrecklesslivelyrecklessrecklesslivelyreckless

smellysmellysmellysmelly

impa

tientsmelly

impa

tient

impa

tientsmelly

impa

tient

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

materi

alisti

c

introverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedintroverted exotrvertedfashionable

introverted exotrvertedfashionablefashionable













introverted exotrvertedfashionable

clingyclingyclingyclingyclingyclingyabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-mindedabsent-minded

inarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulateinarticulate

awkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardawkwardene

rgenti

c

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

energe

ntic

half-heartedhalf-heartedhalf-heartedhalf-heartedhalf-heartedhalf-heartedhalf-heartedindec is iveindec is iveindec is iveindec is iveindec is iveindec is ive

free spritiedindec is ive

free spritiedfree spritiedindec is ive



free spritied

They’re just wired differently

idealisticidealisticidealisticidealisticidealisticidealistic

socialsocialsocialsocialsocialsocialdependentdependentdependentdependentdependentdependentdependentdependentdependent

They’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differentlyThey’re just wired differently

teen brain

angst

angstlaz

ylaz

ylaz

yangst

angst

angst

Graduation requirementsabout to change, Pg. 4

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

depre

ssed

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ative

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ative

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ative

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ative

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ative

innov

ative

depre

ssed

innov

ativegulible

depre

ssed

guliblegulible

depre

ssed

gulible

Baseball team continues playoff march, Back Page

It’s a great day to be a Cougar (fan), Pg. 10-11

5•132

crisis hotline:713HOTLINE713259TEEN7132281505

Crisis hotline is a 24-hour anonymous hotline

for those looking to overcome obsticles like fear, isolation, abuse,

physical disability, health, language, age, income,

location, problem type or timing of the crisis.

post secret

3 5•13

Dear Editor,

I’ve often wondered how someone, such as yourself, could be so passion-ate about something, so passionate that they won’t rest until they achieve that goal. It seems to me, like it gives us all a purpose.That, without it, we feel useless. Which is why I will al-ways encourage all the people I know to be passionate about something because it’s what we all need.

- Garrett Leger

As there are two editors, I assume when you use the word ‘you’ that you are grouping us into one all-knowing editor-like entity, creator of newspa-pers and readers of letters to editors. Anyways, we’re glad we are an inspiration to you, as we really are passionate about this publication, and often do work on this publication un-til our fi ngers bleed. (What is sleep? What is a bed?)

- LeaRain HaaShanks

Dear Editor,

The atriums are so beautiful. Why don’t we use them? I’m not really from Tomball, so I don’t know what happened, but we shouldn’t have to suffer to what other people have done. It would be awesome to be able to eat lunch in the atrium for a change.

- Charles Buford

Charles,

Unfortunately, the school staff deemed the whole student population unworthy of eating lunch outside after incidents last year. But this year, students involved in UIL have been given their atrium privileges back. Page 4 has the full story. Hopefully more access will follow.

- Rain Shanks

Dear Editor,

Why can’t we hear more about some of the clubs or organizations here in school, and what they do? I’m in ROTC and we do a lot for the com-munity. Can some of the things we do for the community be in the paper to inspire others to take action in their communities? It takes a small jump start to make a difference.

- Jared Ontiveros

Jared,

I think it would be great if we could highlight some of the wonderful things ROTC does for Tomball. We just need to be in the know, you know? If we don’t know what’s going on with ROTC, it’s hard to make a story of it. You have to remember that there are many other clubs and class-es in the school, and they all expect to get attention in the newspaper. I would love to get ROTC in the paper

and online as well, but the getting the information part- that has to be sup-plied to us. This goes for any organi-zation on campus that feels they are doing something newsworthy. Just contact us- we love news ideas.

- Leanne Haas

Dear Editor,

I was just wondering why is it that we stopped doing the Dance Party Fri-day videos. I really look forward to coming to school on Friday and being able to start my second period off with a smile or a chuckle of laughter. A lot of students have been complain-ing about Dance Party Friday not being there anymore. What do we as students have to do to get that privi-lege back?

- La Travia Fountain

La Travia,

That question is more for the broad-cast class than newspaper. Everyone loves the Dance Party Friday videos, but they’re diffi cult to make because not a lot of students participate in the making of them. The video team often laments that everyone wants to see the Dance Party Friday videos, but nobody wants to actually dance. If you have more suggestions for the KTHS broadcast team, you can drop them off in room 1201.

- Rain Shanks

Adviser: Jerry FordyceCo-editors-in chief: Rain

Shanks, Leanne Haas Photo Editor: Evan Bradley

Sports Editor: Leandra Carty

Ads Editor: Eric Elliot

For a complete list of the Cougar Claw staff, check out our online edition at

THSCougarClaw.com

Letters to the Editor Policy: The Cougar Claw publishes letters to the editor in both print and online editions. These

can come from students, parents,faculty/staff and

others with an intrest in school. Letters will be edited for grammar

and length, but the author’s intent and point

of view will never be compromised. All letters

must be signed.

Questions, comments or concerns, contact

adviser Jerry Fordyce at:[email protected]

phone: (281) 357-3220x2303

fax: (281) 357-3248

Tomball High School30330 Quinn Rd.

Tomball, TX 77375

5•13

5•133 5•13333

llllllleeeeeeelellellellellellellel tttttttttttttteteeteeteeteeteeteetettttttttttttttttttttteeeeeeetettettettettettettetrrrrrrereereereereereeressssssrsrrsrrsrrsrrsrrsrttttttooooootottottottottottot tttttthhhhhhthtthtthtthtthtthteeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddedeedeedeedeedeedeedeedeiiiiiiiiiiiididdiddiddiddidtttttttttttttttitiitiitiitiitiitiitiitiitiooooooooooooooooooooooooootottottottottottottottottottotrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

5•134

Freshmen and sophomores may not remem-ber a time when the two big glass-encased outdoor areas were packed full of students eating lunch. Well, they’re called atriums, and if that word seems foreign, it’s because until very recently, the two areas had remained vacant for nearly two years.

That all changed recently, when atrium passes were given to students who had participated in Academic UIL competition in mid-April. The pass is an “admit two” card, so the person with the pass can bring a friend.

“We wanted to do something to recognize these students for going the extra mile to rep-resent their school,” said Academic UIL Co-ordinator Jerry Fordyce. “Being able to enjoy springtime weather out in the atrium is the least we could do for them.”

For some students, the pass is a great relief from the everyday school routine.

“I’m so glad we actually get to go outside, it

helps me calm down a bit if school is stressful,” said Alexis Aguilar, who competed in journal-ism at multiple UIL events.

But even with the perks of being able to escape the hallways for a breath of fresh air during lunch, there are still drawbacks to being one of the few students with an atrium pass.

“The pass is a key to something that used to be free for everyone to go to,” said Spencer Wingert, a recent UIL competitor.

“Since no one goes to the atrium, the pass is utterly useless.”

It is true that the number of students allowed in is slim, but that’s for good reason.

Two years ago, multiple fi ghts occurred in the atrium, making it hard for APs to detain those involved since the area is enclosed and the entrances can quickly become blocked by students.

There were also serious problems with litter in the atriums; it wasn’t uncommon for the

entire atrium to be fi lled with discarded bottles and trash after lunch.

While the academic team was open to all students, those who are not part of the academic team may harbor some resentment.

“Technically, it is fair since it was decided the passes were a reward for those who represent our school,” said top ten-percenter junior Karine Wilson.

“However, if they are limiting access because of behavioral issues, then the top ten percent should be able to use it,” he added, “as that category of students aren’t typically violent or disrespectful.”

There has been no decision on whether to expand the program next year, but for it to be successful, that might be necessary.

Sean McElvogue declined the pass offered to him as a UIL participant, for a simple reason:

“I didn’t want to go in the atrium because no one eats out there.”

Atrium passes reward UIL competitors Leanne HaasCo-editor in chief

Last month, in the town of West, Texas, a fertilizer plant caught fi re and exploded on April 17, 2013 at around 7 P.M.

The victims were mostly fi re-fi ghters who responded to the call; 14 people were killed, more than 200 were injured, and over a hundred homes were destroyed in the area.

THS has raised over $8,000 in donations collected by FFA, as well as from sales from the Cou-gar Den coffee shop and the Red Cross Club’s muffi n stand.

Student Council collected money from all three lunches one week.

“When people have hard times, it is always an honor to be at a school where everyone steps

up, and lends a helping to make a difference for so many.” Dio said.

FFA teacher Jessica Reeves thinks the motivation came from the fact that the tragedy hap-pened “so close to home.”

Coach Badley grew up in West, and has many friends still there. His house that he rents out is still intact.

“Every time a name of a new victim comes out, it hits home” Badley said.

The Salvation Army has donat-ed about $200,000 to the West, Texas victims. Many rumors went around that the Boston Marathon and the West Explosion were connected, but they weren’t related.

THS steps in, helps out WestMicaela LaPeerstaff writer

Leanne HaasCo-editor in chiefStressed out about the end-of-

course exams the school just wrapped up? Don’t be.

As the second year of the EOC test-ing period comes to an end, freshmen and sophomores can let out a sigh of relief.

The STAAR tests have been a pret-ty heavy weight for underclassmen, with the threat to determine success or failure in a class, an obstacle to grad-uation, not to mention the fact that the test covered a lot more material than the previous TAKS test.

But recent changes in the state legislature could mean signifi cant changes to the tests, dropping the 15 required EOC tests to just fi ve.

Beyond this, House Bill 5 also eliminates the power the test has over

a student’s grade; it can currently count as 15 percent.

“It’s better that they won’t be counting the test as 15 percent of my grade, because they make it so hard that I’m afraid I can’t pass my class.” said sophomore Rebekah Neidigk.

But the bill doesn’t just alleviate strain from standardized testing, but curriculum as well. The bill could eliminate Algebra II from the gradua-tion requirement.

“I think eliminating the requirement will be fi ne,” Algebra II teacher Sherri St. Germain said, “As long as there is an underlying class to replace it.”

Nothing is fi nal yet, until a fi nal measure gets Rick Perry’s signature. But big changes in testing and gradua-tion requirements are coming.

Senate passes STARR reform bill

5 5•13

Phone: 281-351-2410

Behind the Starbucks in Tomball

**Valid only throughJune 1st, 2013.

• Certifi ed Organic Eco-cert, approved DHA (colorless sug-ar from beets) and Aloe Vera Extract to moisturize skin.

• A unique blend of ingredients that

• guarantee perfect fading

• Australian Kakadu Plum, Ce-hami, and Quandong Extract, which offers 50 times the Vitamin C of anything else known to man, and has in-tense anti-oxidant, anti-aging and collagen-building prop-erties

• No damaging UV rays or risk of melanoma

• Heated spray system

heated organic airspray tan

Dusted Gold

Airbrush Tan by hand

(single session)

$35

Double brushed (1 extra coat)

$5

Senate passes STARR reform bill

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

careless

rebe

llious

play

ful s

lopp

y sl

eepy

gulib

leov

er

dram

atic

over

dr

amati

cov

er

selfish

careless

abse

nt-m

inde

d

hope

less

rom

antic

inno

vativ

e

Understanding teens

irresponsible

irresponsible

irresponsible

inno

vativ

epl

ayfu

l slo

ppy

slee

pyin

nova

tive

Imagine you’re driving after you just got your license. It’s dark and no one is out. The speed limit is 45, but you decide it’s okay to go around 60. It’s a straight fl ight. Your foot gently increases the pres-sure on the gas pedal. The thrill becomes an immediate transaction of adrenaline. Your foot becomes heavy, and you allow it to.

When the teen brain endures this type of experience - the type that keeps them from doing something they’ll regret, but their limbs

keep moving, eyes keep still and their mind suddenly becomes outside them-selves - they are enduring a whole process in the frontal cortex that seems obsolete since the crisp air seems like a better solution than being logical. This process is part of the unique, oftentimes “crazy” teen brain.

Decisions are made in the frontal cortex, which is the outer layer of gray matter, where lots of conscious and com-plicated thinking happens. During adoles-cence, the brain is barely able to access the front of the cerebral cortex.

“It’s not that they don’t have a frontal lobe- and they can use it. But they’re go-ing to access it more slowly.” said Frances Jensen, a Harvard expert on epilepsy.

This region of the brain supplies good decision-making abilities and enables someone to behave “appropriately,” have a sense of self awareness, the ability to handle social interactions and capability to understand people.

Gray matter becomes more effi cient and stronger during a process called synaptic pruning which was explained by neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore as a process that’s a lot like clipping a rose bush.

If the dendrites aren’t used, they soon wither away and the other ones become stronger, much like clipping a few dead roses to make the useful ones stronger. Dendrites are these branch-like extensions that start to become thinner. Neurons use these to receive signals from axons.

The dendrites and axons communicate and work with each other through the

chemical paths synapses creates and when they do they become stronger.

This is important because when you’re a teenager “it’s more about building and sculpting an environment that whatever type of thinking the person has practiced can sustain” according to Melissa Moritz, Tomball’s anatomy teacher. During adoles-cence you can only build and in adulthood you can only sustain.

In the last ten years or so, more exten-sive research has been done on the teen brain. Former beliefs showed that the teen brain was thought to be complete-ly developed at a young age and that it was the same as an adult’s, just with less experience and skills as to how to use it correctly.

MRI technology has advanced so that scientists are now able to look deeper into the inner workings of the human brain.

Even court systems have acknowledged that teen’s brains are wired differently and can’t be prosecuted for the same things adults do because they are in a different stage of maturity than adults.

Even though wisdom is something that doesn’t reside in the adolescent brain un-til about the age of twenty-fi ve, there is no denying that some teens are just more aware of not only their surroundings or circumstances, but themselves as people.

This does not mean to imply that the straight-A student does not make mis-takes. All young people will make mis-takes.

Actually, the capacity to make mistakes could be considered as a superpower of sorts for the teenage brain. The teen’s

agile brain has the power to mute out that voice that says “I don’t think this is possible, I don’t think I can do this.”

Teens are also able to absorb more than adults. When they want to accom-plish something, they consider themselves invincible.

Quite literally in some ways, a teen’s ability to comprehend new material is highly sensitive and the way they respond to different atmospheres is almost at its maximum.

“We’re more outgoing, we put dif-ferent priorities fi rst and have a more fun-oriented agenda than adults, but some of us are aware of our choices and the impact and are able to use that fun-oriented theme in life decisions- which can be benefi cial,” said sophomore Mark Taylor.

Teens control what they want to take from what they see. They decide what they want to listen to and they decide how they want to feel. The fact that this will happen for the rest of their lives is true, but they are able to absorb what they learn faster and use what they learn as building blocks for who they will be-come at a faster rate.

Basically, teens are less likely to make the best decisions because their brains aren’t developed enough to think through the consequences of their behavior.

But there is also a dramatic change with the connections of the brain path-ways at this age. Myelin is developed around the brain’s nerves cells, a fatty substance that coats the neurons which makes them faster and more responsive.

When you’re a teenager, the layer of myelin starts to become thicker, allowing the brain to build pathways so the cells are able to communicate better.

What this means is teens are a hundred times more sensitive to new things than ever before.

Think of this as little people running around as fast as they can, catching each other in mid-sentence, squeezing past each other as they regurgitate the events of their day in little meaningful whispers. That’s a teen’s brain.

Just wired differently

Alexis Aguilarstaff writer

“When adults say “teenagers think they are invincible” with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don’t know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible be-cause we are.”

- John Green, “Looking for Alaska”

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

5•138

Senior ropes in fi rst album

“Looking back, I was so, so, so nervous,” she said, recalling her uncle going up to the general manager, Matt Davis, who was playing that night, mentioning his niece knew how to play the guitar.She played a few songs that night at Main Street Crossing, but it was only the beginning of the music

career ahead of her.“Today, I play at Main Street regularly,” she said, in a monthly “Young Artist” show-

case the venue hosts.“Naming it ‘Courage’ just made sense, because I

fi nally say everything I felt,” she said.Four years after her fi rst performance, she found herself performing at Main Street Crossing at her fi rst album release show.Tori’s album, “Courage”, was released on April 14th, the day of the show.

Tori was fi rst inspired to start on her own album when she won the school’s Talent Show with her orig-inal song “Try This Out” she co-wrote with the same manager who, four years ago, met her on her 14th birthday to sing at her fi rst gig.

“We realized pretty quick that we had really great writing chemistry and didn’t stop,” she said.

The majority of the songs, she says, are about “re-lationships she’s been in- from wanting just a simple ‘fl ing’ of a relationship, to the heartbreak of a guy that moves away.

Not wanting to sound “too Taylor Swift-y”, Tori ex-plains that “not all of the album is about boys,” she said. “You have listen closely and read between the lines on some of the songs.”

She explains that one of her songs in the album, titled “Talk, Talk, Talk” was written for “all the peo-ple that have ever liked someone in a band, because, if you ever meet or talk to them, the majority of the time, they have a tendency to fl irt.”

But the song reveals the theme of the journey toward maturity, confessing her inner thoughts.

“I feel like a lot of people can connect with some-one that they have a bit of a fl irtation-ship with, but it’s never turned into anything more,” she said, “so you’re kind of left wondering, ‘Is this going any-where?”

But Tori believes that it’s not just the lyrics and the voice that have helped build her success so far, but her supportive friends.

“Throughout this entire process, they’ve not only been there to motivate me and encourage me musi-cally, but also be there for me as friends,” she said.

And the night of her show wasn’t the exception, where she had the chance to play all of her album’s songs in front of her friends who had been with her since day one.

“She’s been my best friend since before the guitar was in her hand, and when she picked it up I watched it click,” said senior Savannah Lee. “I love Tori’s mu-sic-because it is so her. Those words are words that came up in our conversations or ones she called me about because she was excited that they fl owed so well.”

A career in the music industry didn’t seem too far away a month prior to her album release, when she had been competing in Houston Rodeo’s “Rodeo Rock-star” competition.She competed in the youth division for ages 16-21.

At fi rst, she had to send in an audition video where people voted for the best online, in which she sang an original song, not included in her album.

The top 10 most voted-for videos from each age division moved on to the next round. Tori was one of the ten from her age group, going on to perform at the live competition on the Kids Country stage at the rodeo.

Tori made it all the way to the preliminary round, where she chose to sing an original song on her album - “Kiss Me Quick”. When the judges critiqued her, they admired how beat up her guitar was, telling her that it showed she had been practicing a lot.

“Which I do,” she said, “but I also just have a ten-dency to run into things whenever I have my guitar in my hands”.

The judges also noted that she had a “universal” voice.

Before she knew it, though, the competition was over, and the winners were being placed.

“When they got to fi rst place of the Youth Divi-sion,” she said, “they said my name.

“It was a total surprise, because everyone in my division was so talented and had gorgeous, big voices, and here I am- with my not-so-big voice with a huge check in my hand for fi ve-hundred dollars and a Hous-ton Rodeo belt buckle.”

Tori will be returning to the rodeo next year to be in the Houston Rodeo parade.

But as she anticipates next year’s possibilities, she is reminded of the long road ahead of her.

Tori plans to go to Texas A&M to major in General Studies while she continues to pursue her musical interests.

“There’s so much to see and do- and to get to play music, travel, and tour everywhere would be a dream,” she said.

But even as her life changes seasons, she will al-ways remember her roots.

“I’ll always be a Texas girl at heart,” she said.

Hear a song from Tori’s new album! Log onto the newspaper’s website at THSCougarClaw.com to lis-ten, and catch songs by other THS singers as well.

When Senior Tori McClure was eleven years old, she took her fi rst guitar les-

son.“My mom just kind of stuck me in a gui-

tar class as something to keep me busy- and once I picked it up, I never put it down,” she said.

Three years later, on her 14th birthday, she had her fi rst gig at Main Street Crossing.

Leanne HaasCo-editor in chief

It Takes Corage

9 5•13

4/295/35/45/55/85/85/95/95/125/29

Airborne Toxic EventRehabThe Band PerryThe Wanted/Carley Rae JepsenThe KillersThree Days GraceDaddy YankeeAir SupplyWhitest Kids U’ KnowBlack Moth Super Rainbow

House Of BluesScout BarNutty Jerry’sBayou Music Center Bayou Music CenterWarehouse LiveArena TheaterDosey DoeFitzgerald’sFitzgerald’s

music & event s

Senior’s rodeo art sells for $25,000Senior Amanda Jentzch didn’t expect what

she was about to hear, her heart pounding faster and faster, as she stood in front of the crowd of bidders at the rodeo eying her art-

work as if she were showing an animal.

She held up her detailed colored-pencil

drawing, the one she spent over 67 hours on, the vibrant colors woven together intricately. There were many attractive aspects of the drawing, but a black and white border collie in the bottom left of the picture caught the eye of one buyer - and that’s all it took.

The auctioneer rambled off numbers that could hypnotize. But the very last numbers were hard to miss.

“I heard ‘twenty-fi ve thousand’ and I was like ‘What?’!” said Amanda, whose artwork went further into competition than any-one else’s from Tomball.

The drawing - taken from a picture Amanda took of her dad’s friend leaning down, in full cowboy attire, to his black and white border collie named Cash, had just been bought for $25,000.

“Cash is the money maker,” she joked.Although her drawing sold for a large sum,

every student whose work is auctioned at the rodeo can only take back with them a maxi-mum of $2,000. The rest of the money goes to charity.

Amanda’s rodeo art from last year went to auction as well. Though her art did not sell for nearly as much as it had this year, she still re-ceived the maximum of $2,000, which she had used to help buy a car.

This year, though, she plans to put that mon-ey towards college, planning to attend BYU in

Idaho in the fall. Amanda accredits her family to her art skills, having grown up in a house full of artists.

“My sisters and I, we drew all the time. Art was always around me.” she said, growing up in a family with an architect dad, artist mom, graphic designer step brother, a crafty younger sister (whom Amanda be-lieves is her biggest critic), and her older sister, whose

previous painting had made it the rodeo as well.

Even with a big background in the arts, how-ever, Amanda says she doesn’t think she will make a career out of it.

Amanda plans to attend BYU in the fall. She says she wants to be a park ranger someday, making art more of a hobby.

Leanne HaasCo-editor in chief

Amanda Jentzch’s colored-pencil drawing took her 67 hours to complete, but paid off after it sold for $25,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Amanda Jentzch

5•1310

ITS A GOOD YEAR TO BE A... SPORTS FANFOOTBALLTomball cougar foot-ball team went 6 and 1 in district and 1 and 1 in play offs.

SOCCERTomball high school soccer team was in district 8-0 with an overall season of 21-3.Met

TRACKThe girls moved to a

crazy good district this year and not only

came out on top at the district meet

but won fi rst at area. Although star runner

Rachel St. Martin was out for injury, Caleb

beacham made it to state in the 800.

CROSS COUNTRYThe team fell 3 points from making it to regionals howev-er Rachel St. Martin placed fi rst at district and regionals and placed seventh at state

VOLLEY BALLTomball high school volley-ball team ended their season 21-3. All sixteen varsity play-ers were honored as an all district selection.

SWIMSeniors Andrew Ellison and Joseph Cumos each advanced to the state meet this year for the Tomball aquatic program.

WATER POLOGirl’s water polo fought their way to regionals this season, fi nishing in 8th place. The team is completely com-posed of underclassmen, with sophomore Taylor Gour-ley to lead them to victo-ry next year. The boys are currently at state in Dallas, taking their fi rst victory 16-9 against Alamo Heights.

BASKET BALLOur lady Coogs went

14-0 in district and 30-8 overall. They

fought hard in the re-gional fi nals until their season was ended in

Georgetown, 41-30.

11 5•13

ITS A GOOD YEAR TO BE A... SPORTS FANCougarSOFTBALL

The softball season district record was 10-4 and their season record was 17-10. They made it to the bi-district champion-ship and went into their last game with the expectation to win. Not coming out on top was hard on the team, but they put their best faces on and were proud to have made it as far as they did.

Next year, Kayla Boucher, Lexie Co-meaux, Savannah Sandoval, and Kiana Workman are returning and expected to lead their team back into the playoffs.

“I believe our strength will lie in the experience that this team will have play-ing together,” said coach Benita Dunlavy, the winningest softball coach in Texas.

“Building pitching position and working on back up for our back up pitching posi-tions would be our weakness and some-thing that needs to be worked on.”

Cougar Den Coffee ShopOpen Wednesdays & Fridays

Chick-Fil-A Sweet Tea $1.50Hot & Iced Coffee $ 1.50

Refi lls $1

supports newspaper, broadcasting, & yearbook

Under the main stairs before school

Photography$150

Book your seniorphoto session

today!

MegSloan For More Info, visitMegSloan.com

Class of2014!!Class of2014!!

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>

The baseball team is on a streak, running their way deep into the playoffs.

“I feel like we have a good shot,” said senior Dillon Menville. “We’ve been doing good and climbing our way to the top. I defi nitely thought that we would make it this far, and I’m proud of the team for doing so well. Our goal was to be undefeated but we’re still in the playoffs so it’s okay.”

Their biggest goal is to make it to state.

“Playoffs are the fi rst step to top that goal,” said baseball coach Tim Dyson. Dyson also stated that their biggest competition is “Friend-swood, Georgetown, and Brenham.”

One of those competitors fell over the weekend. Tomball trailed

Friendswood Friday 3-1 in the bot-tom of the 7th, but rallied to tie before the rain fell. The team was at bat in the 8th inning, and they started the game on Saturday where it was stopped on Friday.

Nick Banks reached on an error and Anthony Lucas doubled to drive in Banks and win the game 4-3.

“We want to be the fi rst Tomball team to make it to state and win the title,” Menville said.

The next step on that road to a state title starts Thursday. The Cougars face Ridge Point in a best-of-three series in the regional semi-fi nal.

They play Thursday and Friday at 7 and Saturday at 2, if needed. All games are at Stratford, their record now lying at 28-3.

the full countCoogs a step closerto elusive state title

Leandra Cardysports writer

May 2013 Issue Cougar Claw

Documents

Transcript of May 2013 Issue Cougar Claw