Are holidays becoming

Clements High School Volume 1 Issue 3December 2012

December 21, 2012: End of the world?

Theater department

too commercialized?

debuts musical

12. 31. 12

3

Volume 1•Edition 1

W.P. Clements H.S.

FEATURES

The Round up sTaff

Students taking SAT tests have new registration rules p. 4

Early Holiday shopping boosts economy, creates less stress in shopping environment p. 6Holiday commercialization harms spirit of season, focuses on giving, receiving presents p.6

Sasha Parsons reflects her exquisite p. 8 Discover the theatrical talents of Carter Shults p. 8 Mayan Prophecy: is time running out? p. 9

CHS Theatre debuts musical: Guys and Dolls p. 4

NEWS

PERSPECTIVESLIFESTYLES

SPORTS

‘Tis the season to throw a fun party p. 12Plan early for your holiday shopping p. 13Tomorrow is a mystery, live in the present p. 13

Just keep swimming, Rangers p. 14

VOICESWhat would you do with your last day on earth? p. 10If you could make an app, what would it do? p. 11

Devika SinghYasmeen Yahya

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Brittney SchaferZainab Dhanani

Rabab ZehraLauryn Merriett Delfina Barbiero

Kasey VollmeringChandni ThakarSamantha Jreij

Sahar BaigOlivia HixonLaiba Khan

Zahra KherajPatricia Manzinares

Jennifer MathewBianca Navia

Amanda ThomasCaRToonIsTMegan Bourassa

sponsoRLinda Carroll

INDEX

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SAT makers change registration rules to eliminate student cheatingBy JennIfeR MaTheWReporter Students cannot avoid it if they want to go to college. The SAT is the test most students stress about. The test has been around since the 1920’s when the test was known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and then it had sections over definitions, arithmetic, classification, artificial language, antonyms, number series, analogies, logical inference, and paragraph reading. Since then, the test has undergone many changes. Due to widespread cheating at many test centers, even the rules for taking the test have changed.

Now during registration, students are required to provide the name of the high school they attend. If they do not, their test will not be processed. High schools will automatically receive scores for all test-takers enrolled at that high school. Students are also required to submit a current, recognizable photo that will be included on a photo admission ticket. Students who register online will be required to upload a digital photo. The photo provided must be current and it cannot be a side profile shot or a picture with others in it. The best kind of photo is one that is commonly known as a passport photo. Students registering by mail will be required to enclose a photo with the paper

registration form. Students who register online can print their admission ticket by logging into their online College Board account. If a student registers by mail, they can choose to have their admission ticket either mailed to them or emailed to them prior to the test day. Students who do not bring both their photo admission ticket and acceptable form of photo ID will not be admitted to the test center. Test-takers will also be subject to additional ID checks throughout the day. They will have to show it upon entry to the test center, upon entry to their test room, upon reentry to their test room following breaks, and upon collection of their answers.

Theatre debuts musical: Broadway’s Guys and Dolls

NEWS

B y s a h a R B a I G

Copy editor Every year,

crowds flock to the auditorium

to watch their peers show off their

singing, dancing and acting skills in the

school musical. This year, the annual musical Guys

and Dolls will be performed on Jan. 31, and Feb. first

through the fourth at 7 p.m. Some 40 CHS students

have been cast in the play. Francesca Ghizzoni, sophomore,

was chosen to play Sarah Brown. “This is my first musical at Clements,”

Ghizzoni said. “[I like] that there’s a lot of character development

in the songs, and it just adds a lot to the show...I like creating characters... it makes you know people better, like the people around you. You get to be someone else.” The cast typically rehearses for two to three months. Over the course of these months, everyone often becomes very familiar with each other. Members of the musical, whether they be cast or crew, spend hours upon hours toiling away to perfect the show. Rehearsals are usually held Monday through Friday, lasting until 5:00 or even later. Sometimes, the cast and crew even come to school on Saturdays to work on the set or rehearse. Behind the scenes there are ushers, stage managers, and crews for the set, props, costumes, hair and makeup, lights and sound. Every single part, big or small, is a vital component of the show. The directors this year are Paul Schaffer, theatre teacher, and students Meredith

Spalding and Sabrina Sha. The play’s storyline takes place in New York City in the 1950s. The plot is centered around a Christian missionary, Sarah Brown, who is trying to help a group of crapshooters repent and see the way of God. In the process, Sarah falls in love with one such gambler. The show is chock full of jaunty show tunes, energetic dance steps, and flamboyant set pieces and costumes that will keep any audience enthralled. No matter how big or small the part one has, all of those involved in Guys and Dolls are happy to be a part of the show.

Be a SUCCESS at

Success Music Studios281-565-2703

6

By deVIKa sInGhCo-editor-in-Chief It was only September when stores started carrying Halloween costumes and plastic ghouls that light up when they sense motion. October had barely begun when Thanksgiving cook books and table mats with turkey designs went on sale. This method of business definitely saves time, is more resourceful, and sometimes more handy. Of course, this method also lessens the actual values of the festivals and replaces the family time with the time spent pushing a

Early holiday shopping boosts economy

PERSPECTIVESHoliday commercialization harms spirit of season

By KaseY VoLLMeRInG ads editor Stores are bringing the holidays early by displaying all of the decorations and merchandise long before the holidays are actually here. Many people do not like this practice, but there are valid reasons for it. First, the economy has not been at its

shopping cart. Today, this joyous season revolves around coupons and sales and being organized when shopping. Gift-giving today has become a booming industry whereas years ago, presents were actually valued not because of how expensive they were, but because they were part of a tradition and a culture. Another factor that adds to the commercialization is the influence of media. Advertisements with deals and sales during this time air on networks many viewers would not normally watch and more viewers equals more profit.

Families have forgotten how to just relax by the fire, reflect on memories past and look toward the future because they have no time. Enveloped in store brochures and gift cards, all moms can think about is what to get everyone for Christmas. The true holiday spirit has been abandoned due to its commercialization. Because stores start selling holiday items too early, the preparation begins with endless shopping lists and unreal expectations. The holiday season should be about giving back, not buying.

best in the last few years, so shops have to do all they can to attract buyers. Holiday gifts represent a major portion of the income for many stores. They have to start advertising and displaying merchandise early in order to maximize their share of the public’s spendable income. So, by advertising the holidays early, stores are helping kick start the economy. The longer these decorations are displayed, the greater the return on a person’s investment. It is a shame to use them for only a week, not to mention the time and energy spent in the decorating process. It is also a great idea for people to get a head start and it helps the whole present-buying experience be less stressful.

The reality is that the holidays sneak up on everyone each year. Soon everyone will be scrambling to get all of the holiday to-do lists done, but by having a head start on the holidays it gives more time to plan and decorate around the house. According to a Houston Chronicle

article, nearly 40 percent

of the population begins their holiday gift shopping early. Since so many people are shopping early, it is nice to already have the decorations in stores and shopping centers. It reminds people that the holidays are coming and they should prepare for them by shopping for gifts, making holiday cards, planning fun events and decorating the house and yard. It is better to be prepared for the holidays rather than running behind or getting everything at the last minute, which causes a lot of stress.

It creates an atmosphere of excitement and joy for people to walk by and see their favorite holiday arrangements displayed in the store windows and hear the holiday music playing in the background. Realizing that the holidays are coming gives

people that holiday spirit and gives them more time to really enjoy the holiday season. Because the gifts and decorations

are out of the way early, people have more time to focus on the real

meaning behind the holidays.

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FEATURES

8

By aQsa MunIRaReporter Sasha Parsons is in Academic Decath-lon, English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and not to mention the

co-president of Model United Nations. Despite balancing these extracur-ricular activities, she happens to manage her time and prioritize in a way that most students dream to do. “It’s impossible to have everything that you want in life at the same time. I have to prioritize my goals in order decide what to do from day to day. My main focus is an overall academ-ic excellence which doesn’t mean stressing over every single quiz, but rather staying ahead of the curve. Af-ter this I only do extracurricular ac-tivities that make me truly happy and I feel are worthwhile,” said Parsons. Parsons’ major of interest is in Economics and her dream school is the University of Chicago. Aside from academic achieve-ments and investments, Parsons

is also fluent in both Spanish and Russian and is a principal dancer, which is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance com-pany, particularly a ballet company. “Ballet is a very close second to me, and I make sure to invest myself com-pletely in the classes and rehearsals when I am there, so that I never feel like I’m wasting my time. As a danc-er in the corps de ballet, you learn to work with a group and understand that you are only as strong as the weakest dancer. Ballet has taught me disci-pline, focus and grace. It has impacted every part of my life,” said Parsons. All in all, Parsons is a well-round-ed student, whose dedication to-ward both her passions and her aca-demic career will surely be key in helping her succeed in the future.

Dance + economics = Sasha

Forecast: Stardom and fameBy paTRICIa ManZInaResReporter Carter Shults, 18 year old CHS se-nior, is an actor who was chosen as the best supporting actor of 2012 Tommy Tune award nominee in Uri-netown (a musical). In fact, he is the main actor for this year’s musical, Guys and Dolls, which will be per-formed January 30 to February 4. In addition to his work in theater and in choir, Shults is best known for being part of Clements CTV. Not only he is a part of the team, but he is also one of the producer.s He had been in CTV for four years. Shults admitted, “Balancing aca-demics and extracurricular activi-ties can be quite challenging. You have to always approach every work with a positive attitude and to be aware that your hard work (also lack of sleep) WILL pay off.”

Shults describes himself as “unpre-dictable.” “When you first look at me you might develop some preconceived notions, but after you get to know me and start seeing me get in-volved in my school and commu-nity, I tend to prove people wrong.” Someone who inspires him to do well in school and someone with whom he is very close is his sister Samantha. “She is my inspiration because she always supports me in what-ever I do and she sets the bar high for me every day because she knows what I am capable of.” At first, Shults expected Clements to be a prison, but after the last four years he figured out that it has be-come a positive environment, filled with people he loves dearly, that has helped him become who he is today. “Clements has definitely chal-

lenged me to always pursue my best work, putting forth my best ef-fort in every challenge I may take on. Clements has definitely pre-pared me for success in college.”

9

By sa-ManTha

JReIJCopy editor

December 21, 2012. A simple date can cause

the most graphic im-ages to come to mind. The

earth splitting in two, craters

striking, fires burning, and more-over, people screaming and dy-

ing. This date provokes ques-tions to surface. Is it truly

the end? Does the date really mean anything?

There are several theories behind

the “end of the world.” The

first and

perhaps the most famous is the Ma-yan calendar. An ancient Mayan text emerged from the jungles of Guatemala confirming the so-called “end date” of the Maya calendar, December 21, 2012. The 1,300-year-old inscription contains only the second known reference to the “end date,” but does not predict doomsday. However, according to the scientists at NASA, “Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist af-

ter December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012.” This date signifies the time when the largest grand cycle in the Mayan cal-endar—1,872,000 days or 5,125.37 years—overturns and a new cycle begins. Another widely known reason for believing in the end of the world is coming to an end is the mysterious Planet X, aka Nibiru, on a collision course with Earth—or at least a dis-ruptive flyby. Some say it is out there. A direct hit from Nibiru would complete-ly destroy- or more accurately, obliter-

ate our planet. If it were to hit, that would be a reason-able enough cause for fear… except that Planet X does not exist. “There is no object out there,” NASA as-

trobiologist Morrison said. And so it becomes obvious that for every wild theory about the world ending, there is a scien-tific fact there to discount it. Everyone has the right to believe what they want. The end of the world may be near, or it may be far, far away.

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VOICESsteal a submarine

“I’d

or a blimp and have a party on it.”

Nicholas Allinson, senior.

“Go tell the person I like that I

like them and kiss them.”

Jude Tanueco, sophomore.

“I would complete my bucket list

if you know what I mean.”

Danielle Gincoo, sophomore.

“Pray.”Danish Idrees, senior.

“I’d travel around the world in 24

hours.”

JohnSagun,

freshman.

“Find Hogwarts.”

Julietta Barbiero, junior.

“I’d go skydiving.”

“Hang out and cuddle with my dog all day.”

Sam Paniagua, sophomore.

Naureen Kheraj, senior.

11

“A golf app.”

“Read people’s minds.”

Leah Emerson, senior.

“It would give me an epic,

random background pose.”

Josh Good-man, junior.

“My app would give

me good comebacks when I can’t think

of any.”

Sophie Frankel, senior.

Jose Soto, senior.

“It would do my homework.”

Victoria Driskell, sophomore.

“It would give me answers to

all the tests and give me pie.”

Daniel Bahrt, sophomore.

“It would tell you what

injury you’d get if you jumped from a high

place.”

Elizabeth Swanson, junior.

“App that could cure cancer.”Dakota Jacobson, senior.

LIFESTYLES

12

Tis’ the season to throw a fun partyBy LauRYn MeRRIeTTVoices editor Everyone has heard the saying, party like it is 1999. Maybe because it was the start of new millennia or maybe because of what it stands for, the phrase means to party like there is no tomorrow and live like today is the last. Thinking like that is what can make a great party. However, there are some more key ingredients to a good party Every party has music in some form. There are rarely any good parties spoken of that do not have music. It is an essential piece of the fun and wild party environment. It makes people want to stop sitting around talking and get up to dance, sing along, or in some cases awkwardly bob up and down to the beat. Music provides a chance to show off those new dance moves that have been waiting to be released or give an excuse to dance with that cute guy/girl that has been all there is to think about. Party games can be fun. For instance, truth or dare is a classic. Everyone has that one friend who when given a dare, refuses to do it and given a truth refuses

to answer. A solution to this problem is to think of truths and dares in advance and put them in separate bowls. Spin the bottle and when it lands on a person it is time for that person to pick truth or dare and select from the chosen bowl. Another game to try is Guess the Name. Create a set of questions about the friends coming and split equally into two teams if possible. One after another a person from each team will go up and select a question like “Who accidentally walked into the boys bathroom?,” and the teammates will try to guess who it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins. Of course, another party necessity is food. Depending on what type of party is being thrown there is going to be different types of food. In this case it is a holiday party and it is all about sweets. When thinking of sweets most people think about their favorite dessert. It is fun to be original rather serve the same old chips and dips. Try a chocolate fountain. Put out a variety of stuff to dip in like fruit, marshmallows,

crackers, anything. Guests are not restricted to only a couple of flavors and if they do not like chocolate, or are allergic, can just eat the food items to be dipped. If that is too much and something simpler would be better, go bite sized. Make little treats that can just be put in the mouth. For example, peanut butter and chocolate covered bananas. Slice up a couple bananas, depending on how many you want, put peanut butter over the slices, and then dip them in chocolate. Something else for the simple host is floats. All that is needed is soda and ice cream. Buy a several different flavors of both items and make weird combinations. Turn it into

a competition with friends to see who can make the best or grossest flavor. Hopefully some of these ideas will help make a great party or give you inspiration when having a shortage on party ideas. Either way it will be the best party around.

Things to do because... YOLOBy ZahRa KheRaJReporter

13

The ancient Mayans came to the decision that the world would come to a tragic end in the year 2012, and the idea has stirred up a lot of commotion. There’s been a movie, there have been articles, we’re all aware of it even if we do not believe in it. The famous phrase “YOLO” may be more accurate for the world today than ever before. “I’ll never be able to drive,” said Victor Fu, freshman. There are many experiences that high school students will miss out on if the world really is to end by the end of the year. There will not be a chance to ever do the adventurous things, like skydiving or bungee jumping off a cliff in Africa. Traveling the world would

be off the table, as would diving with sharks, hang gliding, or climbing Mt. Everest.

There’s the sentimental aspect of it too, never being able to get married, start a

family, or see a certain person again. Riya Santra, sophomore, said, “I

wouldn’t get to learn another .” As December 21, 2012, the day that has been talked about for what seems like ages now, gets closer and closer, some people think they get closer to the “end” of their lives. Creating memories that will last and

make life worthwhile is something that has always been encouraged, but now as some think of what it would

actually be like if the world were to end and we could possibly be missed, the

incentive to do what is most important should be stronger now more than ever.

We predict better than Mayans, world safe... for now

Watch your moods carefully, especially while interacting with people who stir up your emotions. It’s never good to go ballistic in the middle of class. The extra energy and enthusiasm you’re feeling this holiday season comes courtesy of Mars’ visit to your ambitious sign. Oh that rowdy Mars strikes again! Resist the urge to hang mistletoe from each ear.

Secrecy, power and spiritual transformation lead you to the depths of your soul this month. Joining a society of ancient Druids might not be the answer. Cryptic Pluto, the mythological Lord of the Underworld, is stirring in the lair of your 12th House of Soul Consciousness to awaken desires and expose fears.

Planets flying into farseeing Sagittarius and your 10th House of Career and Responsibility will motivate you if you love school -- or make you restless if you don’t. Who loves school? That’s like loving a root canal! The caring Cancer Full Moon on December 28 lights up your 5th House of Romance to open your heart to deeper delights. That sounds like one of those stupid romance novels.

Mars is your ruling planet and boy, is it rowdy. Mars wants to have fun and never thinks about tomorrow. You have a battle between your conscience and your desires. Study for the final or party? Don’t procrastinate. You can’t tell folks that it is Mars’ fault. People would look at you strangely.

Watch what you say today. You might just reveal your innermost feelings at the wrong time to the wrong person. For example: say you are stopped by that motorcycle cop while speeding down Lexington after school. Please don’t tell him you hate his haircut. Resist the urge. If you do, your horoscope predicts a ticket in your future.

You may have so much to do today that you feel tired before you even begin anything. You are impersonating a 90 year old in your teen body. No one has any sympathy for you. Boo hoo, Gemini. Hike up those big boy or girl trousers and get down to work. Who do you think will do it for you? Your mother?

You don’t like to make waves or call attention to yourself, but trust me, it’s gonna happen. Everyone at some point soon is going to stare at you. For instance, you may trip in the Commons while carrying your cafeteria lunch.

Keeping your sense of humor in the midst of heated conversations could be your key to social success this month. But it could also cause bodily harm. Making jokes while your two best friends argue might not be the wisest thing to do. I hope you have insurance.

Newly acquired information must be integrated into your current perspective this month, even if you think it will distract you from your real work. So, I guess you’re wondering what that means. Who knows? The horoscope gods speak. They do not interpret.

The Moon is heightening your emotions and casting you in the spotlight. Be sure you’ve used that new tooth-whitening paste. Self-confidence is your greatest asset this month, but it could get the best of you if you take it too far. A power struggle could upset the harmony at home, unless you have the wisdom to face the issue without stirring further conflict. Blame everything on the family pet.

Although several planets moving through Water signs heighten your emotional sensitivity now, a Grand Fire Trine empowers you to swing into action and overcome any self-doubt. Now it’s up to you to found out what trine means. Swim on over to a dictionary and sing the alphabet song to find it. Aren’t SAT words amazing?

If you have accepted a date from two different guys or girls for the same night, you are in trouble. This month is about relationships, because your ruling planet, Jupiter -- retrograding in your 7th House of Companions -- forms 10 separate aspects. This spells disaster, because you never want to retrograde in your 7th house or form even one separate aspect. You’re right. I have no clue.

Aries

March 21- April 19

TaurusApril 20-May 20

GeminiMay 21-June 20

CancerJune 21-July 22

LeoJuly 23-August 22

VirgoAugust 23- September 22

LibraSeptember 23- October 22

ScorpioOctober 23- November 21

SagittariusNovember 22- December 21

CapricornDecember 22- January 19

AquariusJanuary 20- February 18

PiscesFebruary 19- March 20

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Just keep swimming, RangersSPORTSBy RaBaB ZehRasports editor Summer and fall have passed leav-ing sports such as football and baseball behind. With winter around the corner, swimming season has started and all the swimmers are working toward a very suc-cessful year. With hard work, determina-tion, effort, and time the Clements swim team hopes to continue winning many more trophies and awards this year. Many excellent swimmers are on the team such including Dana Zhang, Jona-than Drewes, Taylor Frederick, junior, Alexis Vu, Arthur Yuen, Klement Oei, Shayan Abdullah, Megan Hoang, and Madison Hann who is co-captain along with Amanda Allen. “My goals are to get to go to state and continue being the best in districts, re-gion, and try taking as many people to state as we can. We are trying to improve in relationships between swimmers, and overall swimming performance,” said

Hoang. Hoang has been swimming for seven years. She says she loves her team be-cause everyone gets along really well and everybody incorporates their own style and personality. Practice usually goes on every day after school from 3:00 to 4:30. Determination is needed to be a part of this sport be-cause not only are practices an hour and a half every day, but on Saturdays, they are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. “It all pays off in the end when you get that feeling of accomplishment,” said Hoang. Klement Oei is also one of the captains of the varsity swim team this year who has high hopes of victory. “I am looking forward to this season since it will be my last at Clements. I want to make it a memorable one, and share the excitement of winning with my family and friends on the team. So come support us at our meets,” said Oei.Photo by Megan Hoang

Photo by Megan Hoang

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