4 Summer of Terror6 Meet the Court 14 Reviewed

What’s inside?

A TrOpicAl updATeangelVALDES // Junior staff writer

Hurricane Isaac has devastated the cities and towns surrounding the Louisiana coast during this past week. This category 1 hurricane (started out as a tropical storm) was formerly believed to pass quickly through the coast; however, this proved false as flash floods began on August 29th, lasting for several days in the surrounding area of southern Louisiana, nicknaming it, “the slow giant.” Chest high waters and winds up to 85 mph led to the destruction of many buildings with surges of water reaching up to 10 ft.

Mrs. Fay, an algebra teacher at Seven Lakes, recalled the damages that her parents would have experienced if that stayed in New Orleans.

“The damages weren’t as bad as from when hurricane Ike hit. The worst was a couple of inches of water that ruined the furniture... but all of that can be repaired.”

It’s true that since hurricane Ike and Gustav last hit, the state has

been taking extra precautions against flooding. For example, houses on stilts and million dollar drainage systems that encouraged people to ride out the storm, only to be trapped in their home with inches of water until a rescue team could be dispatched.

Another marvel about Hurricane Isaac is the lack of dead or missing throughout the country.

Every person seems to be accounted for and those who were trapped within buildings due to flood in areas such as Plaquemine Parish, were rescued by volunteers from the American Red Cross.

Hurricane Ike, compared to Isaac (although there was a considerable amount of despair due to the damage) was a monstrosity.

Ike, a category 2 hurricane with its 100 mph winds and 18 foot floods at high tide, killed several people in the Bolivar Peninsula.

At least 50 missing or presumed dead. Both hurricanes not only destroyed the homes of many, but also devastated several industries; the main one being oil.

Refineries along the coastline were forced to stop production due an evacuation notice. During hurricane Ike’s raid, the oil industry took a blow, loosing 16% of the nation’s oil supply. Currently, other local disaster relief organizations are on standby; waiting to see if this hurricane will drop down off the hurricane warning signal.

The leading actors will soon be bouncing off the walls with excitement; this show will have Peter, the darling family and the lost boys flying. The production will use Z-effects to lift the actors into the air; the same way the glass elevator did in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in October 2009.

“I’m a little bit scared that they’re gonna drop me on my face,” Jenna Johnson12, who is playing Peter Pan, said.

The cast and crew rehearses every day after school and has four Saturday rehearsals including the dreaded “Survivor Saturday.”

Survivor Saturday is the final weekend rehearsal before the show; this year it happens to be on the same day has homecoming and will keep the cast and crew working until four o’clock in the afternoon.

“I can’t say I’m that excited about Survivor Saturday for this

production,” Johnson said.Because this is a children’s

show, Seven Lakes will have two extra performances on opening day during school for elementary schools to come and see.

“The thing that I’m most worried about is the fact that we will have three performances on opening night,” Taylor Fono11, who will be playing Michael, said.

Peter Pan is a predominately male cast; however, girls will be filling in those roles.

“I’m really excited to see all the girls get made up to look like boys,” Fono11 said.

Louise Goodfellow12 who will be playing Wendy, was cast in last year’s production of the Odd Couple by Neil Simon and spoke in a very posh British accent just like she will in Peter Pan.

“I can’t wait to perform another show in a British accent,”Goodfellow12 said.

Cody Olre12, who is playing

John, is most excited for a scene, in which a few lucky girls were cast as mermaids, who will swim around the stage.

“The mermaid costumes better be fantastic,” Olre12 said.

The cast and crew are working hard to pull off another beautiful production; they only need some “faith, trust and pixie dust!”

FAITH, TRUST AND PIXIE DUSTkayleeWHITE // Junior staff writer

Thursday

OcTOber 4Th

7pmFriday

OcTOber 5Th

7pm

saTurday

OcTOber 6Th

2pm &

4pm

katiBRIGGS // Senior staff writerOn July 20, hundreds of people

all across America deprived themselves of sleep to attend the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Men, women, and children were present at one particular theatre in Aurora, Colorado. About half an hour into the movie, an exit door suddenly bursts open. A man enters. Smoke canisters are thrown into the confused crowd. Is this part of the movie? Dazed and uncertain of what’s going on, the moviegoers’ questions are soon answered.

The man who entered the theatre, James Holmes, began shooting. Men defended women, parents shielded children, and within half an hour of pure terror, 12 people lay dead while 58 others were injured. The attack stopped when the police arrived on the scene and captured the shooter.

James Holmes is currently being held in Arapahoe County Jail, where he was immediately placed in solitary confinement and on suicide watch. Holmes was charged with 116 counts of attempted murder, possession of explosive devices, and inciting violence. In court on August 9, his attorneys said “their client is mentally ill.” Some criminal psychologists suspect Holmes is suffering from schizophrenia, which they speculate had been triggered shortly before the shooting. His motives are rumored, but remain unconfirmed.

As terrible and shocking as the

Aurora shooting was to the nation, it didn’t stop there. In fact, things were just getting started.

Just eight days after the Aurora shooting, on July 28, Wade Michael Page entered a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six people (including a responding officer) and injuring four others. Page – a former member of the US Army – sensing he could not take on the

entire responding task force, killed himself on the scene. Police remain unsure of his motives; however, Page’s ties to white supremacy and neo-Nazi groups could possibly be part of his motivation.

Memorial Day, May 28, 11 people were shot and killed and 40 others were injured in Chicago by who the police speculate to be gang members. Only one of the shooters has been taken in to custody as a suspect: the identities of the others remain unknown.

Many people find themselves asking

‘Why?’ Well the answer is, nobody knows for sure why these things are happening, especially all over such a short period of time. America is being terrorized from within by the mentally unstable and the gang members with legally purchased guns. In a few months’ time, America‘s generally quiet streets have erupted in gunfire and a rapidly rising body count.

Since the Columbine massacre 13 years ago, apart from a few

uproars here or there, mass shootings have, for the

most part, become dormant. That is, until

these past few months. In fact, According to FASTSTATS, the total number of all homicides in 2011 was about 16,800

(about 5.5 for every 100,000 people);

about 11,500 (3.7 for every 100,000) of those

were by firearm. There is no denying that

mass shootings are becoming more frequent, but there is also no known reason. Nothing is confirmed about any of these events; however, the media has been blaming gun control laws. Whether gang violence, racism, or schizophrenia, one thing is concrete: 33 people have been victims of mass homicide this summer, and we may never know why.

According to FASTSTATS, the total number of

all homicides in 2011 was about 16,800 (about 5.5 for every 100,000 people); about 11,500 (3.7 for every 100,000)

of those were by firearms.

A SUmmER oF TERRoR

Netflix. Hulu. Sidereel. Comcast?

Ever since the advent of cable broadcasting in the 1950s, television has seen its share of adversity. In its early days, cable received harsh backlash from Hollywood and those who feared that their favorite movies would no longer be available to them unless they too purchased this fairly expensive, new commodity.

As more Americans gave in to this popular fad, the entertainment industry turned its eye towards the television, which seemed a promising business endeavor for the future.

Fast forward to the late twentieth century. Each American owns an average of 2.3 TV sets. Instead of making movies obsolete, cable has increased both the population of movie-goers and tv-watchers alike. The TV has succeeded, business-wise.

The early twenty-first century brought a new innovation into the arena: the Internet. Internet usage has gone up overall, for various different uses. According to the Global Media Journal, Internet usage has gone up by 44.3% in

the past year alone. In 2010, Sony created

the world’s first online television network, in accordance with Google TV. However, online websites that air popular TV shows days after their cable debut have been around for a few more years. Hulu was officially created in 2007, and illegal pirating and downloading of movies online goes back even farther.

With years of history proving that consumers move toward more convenient methods of entertainment, Internet TV seems promising.

But will the cable companies simply allow this?

Cable companies have been teaming up with online video viewing groups, in order to maximize profits. Blockbuster, after its failures in 2011, joined with Dish Network to provide a instant-streaming medium for entertainment.

Other companies, such as Time Warner, have less compromising interests. Legal acts to propose more strict punishments for illegal downloading and pirating have been proposed, to help save cable television.

CANCELING CABLE shreyaBAGALI //

Senior news editor

anoshkaKALLIE & beccaRIOS // Sophomore staff writers Sherika Flores

If you won a million dollars, what would you buy? “A house for sure!Like a huge fancy one”

Carson KuzawaIf you had one wish what would it be & why?“I’d really want to be a guest on SNL, because I really love to make people laugh, & I think that would be awesome”

JeffersonAlegria

If you were the president for a day what would you do?“I would want to throw a big party in the White House”

Kristian Devito If there was one quality you wish everyone would have, what would it be? “I think that compassion is important, so that you know how it feels to walk in each other’s shoes”

Tessa AlbertHow did it feel to be nominated this year? “Beyond amazing, it is such an honor! I never imagined this ever happening”

Julian RanzIf you were president for a day what would you do? “I’d name a street after me... definitely do that”

Ryan McClurgWhere do you see yourself in the future? “I’d like to be an engineer, and travel the world, I’m considering UT at Austin”

Greg SmithIf you had one superpower what would it be? “Fly, so I can fly over traffic”

Danielle Martin What is your favorite movie? why? “I like The Notebook, and the Little Rascals overall though”

Jessy GodbyIf you were invisible for a day what would you do? “I would probably creep on some of my friends, like go up behind them and follow them”

Albert OkHow would you help change the world? “Well, I’d say more people doing

backflips, but in all seriousness, we should increase productivity because we are all lazy people, including myself”

Arianna SturgessWhat would you wish for? “My one wish would be that everyone that I loved & cared about would be successful”

Keo NoceFavorite football team? “Probably the Saints”Dayton Box

Who is your role model? “Taylor Swift, because she always gives the right advice about guys”

jessieCHAN // Sophomore staff writer

7 Secrets for 7L Fish

3.Don’t Play Catch-Up Seriously, trust us when we say this: Putting off those three chapters of reading until

the day before the test is NOT smart. Keep a planner and get organized. Split your weekly reading into manageable

sections every day, and stick to the schedule. Procrastinating will only leave you panicked, exhausted and miserable at 2:00 A.M. as you desperately speed-

read through the pages. There will be dark under-eye circles. There will be tears. And there will be a big fat F. Just. Don’t. Do. It.

1.Cut to the Chase If you’ve spent one passing period in the main halls at Seven Lakes, you’ll know what we’re talking about. With

nearly 3,700 students all fighting to beat the clock to class, the campus turns into human rush hour. Save yourself from a single-file shuffle fest in the

rotunda and a frantic zigzag sprint to the gym: Find shortcuts. Back stairwells and hallways are always much roomier

during those precious seven minutes between classes, so think smart and

take advantage!

4.Don’t Hold Up the Lunch Line Seriously, you’re in high school now. As much as we don’t want to sound

like a bunch of nagging parents (insert disapproving nod and shaking finger), don’t forget your lunch money and I.D. Have it on hand and ready to go when you get in line. The last thing you want is to suffer the wrath of your angry and hungry fellow fish waiting behind you as you search your pockets for extra

change.

“Getting around school.” ~Emily Dupre9

“A lot more homework.” ~Amina moeen9

“Juggling academics, football and cello.” ~Dylan Kintzele9

“The fast pace of all the classes and all the homework.” ~Jonathan Gomez9

5.Spirit It UpDive headfirst into the Spartan ocean decked out in fighting

school spirit! Flaunt that 7>5 tee at pep rallies, football games, or just another day at SLHS. Pick up spirit-wear and more at SparMart

during lunches or after school. Here’s a fashion tip: Blue and orange are ALWAYS in style.

6.Girls, PLEASE Wear Comfortable Shoes Yeah, we get it. Heels are in season this

year (When aren’t they?!). But with a school of 615,000 sq. ft., two stories and a quarter mile’s walk from the freshman center to the main gym, sporting those cute and sky high pumps will bite your

back by the last bell of the day. It’s dangerous, it’s uncomfortable, and IT

HURTS. Don’t attempt and just save your pretty heels for the weekend.

2.Don’t Disrespect Teachers, Even If They’re Not Yours Who knows, maybe that “cranky old lady” who

mumbled at you to “move along now!” will remember that eye roll you gave her in

English II next year. Yikes.

What’s the

Greatest

Challenge of

Fish Life?

7.And Most

Importantly...

Take it easy and remember to have fun!

SAT T

EST P

REP

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National Merit Semi-Finalists!

Michelle XuChanelle Qi

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Lisa LiuTejaswi Veerati

A WEEK WITHOUT...

Chapstick When Julia asked me to give up chapstick, I gave her

a look that said, “you’re joking, right?” She wasn’t, and I was hesitant to say yes, but I really wanted to be in the newspaper. The obsession started around freshman year because my dad and brother always have chapstick so I followed in their footsteps. So the first day was normal. I purposefully forgot my chapstick at home and my lips were okay. It didn’t really bother me because there have been days here and there that I forget to put on chapstick.

Day 1 Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6&7

The biting begins. My lips start getting really dry and I constantly lick them!! They get chapped quickly because I lick them, they get dry, and then I start biting them. I lick and bite, lick and bite, kind of like a vampire ;). I don’t even notice that I’m biting my lips until they start to hurt really badly! I don’t think I’m going to make it!

All I can think about is using chapstick, but I know I can’t! It keeps popping in my head and it’s getting harder and harder. I’m using all my will power to hold myself back from not using my chapstick. Since I’m used to using chapstick every day, the effects of not having it are doubled. I survived the third day. I don’t know how; it’s getting too hard to bare.

It’s getting worse, make it stop!!! When I drive, the AC is blowing in my face and goes straight to my lips, which continue to get more dry. So I lick my lips more and that only worsens the problem! It’s a nonstop cycle that will be the death of me! Is day 7 here yet?!!

I can’t wait for this dayto be over because I’m in so much pain!!! My lips are chapped, really pink, and kind of red from all of the biting. I watch my friends putting on chapstick and it terrorizes me. They do it in front of me on purpose. It’s so cruel.The day has come: only 24 more hours of misery left. Using and always having chapstick is my thing. It’s what sets me apart, and because of me, ALL of my friends have begun to use it. I’m writing this last sentence and have 45 more minutes until my seventh day of survival is over. I can grab my chapstick and rub it all over my dry, chapped, superpink, ripped, injured, hurt, and wounded lips. Ahhhh, heaven!

Rajni Bhavsar12 gives up her one true love

juliaNAJM // Senior editor-in-chief

I get busy with homework and school and forget to put on chapstick, so it’s not that bad…..YET! But I have many chaptsticks. You can find one literally anywhere. In my purse, my backpack, my jeans pocket, and on my dresser. Everywhere I go it haunts me. I feel the chapstick staring at me and calling my name, “Raajjnnnniii, Raajjnnii!” I run away!

National Merit Semi-Finalists!

DATESCOPESFind your best match for homecoming... the stars don’t lie!

TAuRuS are shy in nature. They

don’t need much partying or commotion. However they

are satisfied with fancy gifts. Make

sure to spoil them. On the first date take it slow and don’t rush

things. They take their time and so

should you.

ARIES enjoy the playful side of life.

They love to be admired Don’t

beat around the bush with an Aries; if you like

one you’re going to have to say it. Also, be yourself

and let Aries have the spotlight.

Don’t get too deep on the first date; they just

want to have fun. Never be solemn or too serious about anything with a

GEMINI. They also seek those who are patient and forgiving. If there is a problem with

the dinner you ordered, don’t

make a big deal

CANCERS can feel insecure so do your best to make them feel

at ease. They are very romantic and

enjoy fairytale dates. Always

show them that you care and that

they are appreciated.

They will listen to your emotions.

LEOS are blunt about anything

they say, and will be straight up from the start. Don’t be

offended if they say your expensive hair style isn’t working. Make sure to look

your best, Leos don’t date slobs.

Keep it classy.

LIBRAS are very affectionate, they don’t mind close contact. If there is any kind of conflict leave it to a Libra to sort things out. They

love to be admired and

spoiled. Be interesting in what you say and they’ll

hold a conversation for hours.

Always let a SCORPIO know what you think

about them and never be shy. They are very

forgiving signs - you’ll have your chance to be

redeemed if you mess up. Never expect anything

to happen promptly, if it was meant to be it will.

VIRGOS hate gossip. Never

bring your drama life into the

conversation on a date. They tend to pay attention to every single

detail about you. Virgo’s love to be handled with care and compassion but remember to keep the PDA low

key.

AquARIuS pursues friendship

in everyone before things

become serious. Jealousy is a big no when dealing with them. Show

Aquarius how tolerant you are; they love those

who can handle their outgoing

energetic character.

Hold your PISCES hand and sweep

them off their feet. Because of their water sign

they can adapt to a lot of different people, so they do well with all

your friends. They adore the one on

one time things like candlelit

dinners and soft music.

Always be up and ready to go

with a SAGITTARIuS. They are very

adventurous and seek out thrill in everything they

do. Their personality is sincere and

straightforward. Never lay down

your rules too hard on them.

CAPRICORN looks for patience.

They are put off easily by teasing.

Avoid sloppy romanticism.

Capricorn naturally enjoy

taking the lead, they want everything to go their way, so let

them take care of it all.

9/23-10/23

7/23-8/224/21-5/20 5/21-6/20 6/21-7/22 8/23-9/22

10/24-11/22 11/23-12/22 12/23-1/19 1/20-2/18 2/19-3/20

andreaSTENDER // Junior Libra staff writer & lindaFLORES // Senior Sagittarius entertainment editor

3/21-4/20

“I have a very large surprise for you all at Prom. It will be life changing.” So the school year has officially begun and

students are again being inundated with homework and textbooks and binders and folders and— well, you get the picture. Seniors are busy writing essays and applying for higher level education institutions; juniors are cramming SAT classes into their already hectic schedules; sophomores are simply trying to survive, and the freshmen are learning to swim with the big fish. With such a hectic lifestyle it seems as though only one thing can motivate the Seven Lakes Senior to push through and conquer the dreaded senioritis (which all underclassmen seem to have too): PROM! The dresses, the limos, the fitted suits, the

music, the lights, the dances, the romance, the amazing awesomeness all packed into one unforgettable night! Yeah, we’re all excited. FYI Senior Spartans: You’ve got something even more special coming to you.At the senior meeting on August 28, after a

long, long talk about dress code, and drugs, and “normal” behavior, senior assistant principal Mr. Pope announced that the class of 2013 will experience a super surprise on prom night. “It was my idea. And I’m so incredibly excited to share it on that day.” It seems as though student Council

members in charge of prom— Tessa Albert, Madi Boldt, and others – might know what the secret is. “I’ve been planning this since your

freshman year. It’s gonna be awesome,” Mr. Pope said.

PRom SURPRISEAssistant principal promises ‘awe-some’ mystery for dance nightolyaGRYNSHYN // Senior staff writer

Author of the popular Harry Potter series (popular being an understatement), J. K. Rowling reemerges after five years with her novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, out in stores September 27. Following Barry Fairbrother’s death, the seemingly tranquil town of Pagford is thrown into disarray by the void his empty council seat leaves. Rowling’s debut into adult fiction, which promises to be “blackly comic” and thought provoking, will take the author into uncharted territories and may very well define her as a name outside of children’s fantasy.

Brilliantly cynical Daniel Handler picks up the pen once again under the

pseudonym Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events) for a new series

outlining Snicket’s past as part of a mysterious organization. In his usual

tight-lipped fashion, Snicket reveals only that the book will be the first of four in

a series “that shouldn’t be read,” titled All the Wrong Questions. Fingers crossed for a re-emergence of Count Olaf. Out

in stores October 23.

The 1999 novel, written by Stephen Chbosky, is finally getting a limited film release on September 21, and was adapted and directed by Chbosky himself. The novel is third on the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books and centers on the reader receiving letters from the protagonist Charlie, who details his journey through high school. Dealing with loss, friendship, and growing pains, the novel became an instant classic—meaning the movie will have a tough act to follow. The movie stars Emma Watson (Harry Potter), Logan Lerman (The Lightning Thief, Hoot), and Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk about Kevin).

kamiaRATHORE // Junior co-editorComING SooN

?

H O W T O U S E :

Wri

ting

you

r E

SS

AYS

...

ApplyTexas has three main essay topics (A, B, and C), although not all are required by all colleges. These prompts can be found below:

A) Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

B) Choose an issue of importance to you—the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope—and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation.

C) There may be personal information that you want considered as part of your

admissions application. Write an essay describing that information. You might include exceptional hardships, challenges, or opportunities that have shaped or impacted your abilities or academic credentials, personal responsibilities, exceptional achievements or talents, educational goals, or ways in which you might contribute to an institution committed to creating a diverse learning environment.

The CommonApp allows you to choose ONE essay topic from a list of options, including 3 that are

similar to the ones offered by ApplyTexas. However, CommonApp essays must be 250 – 500 words in length, which is a lot shorter than you might think! Remember to make your writing clear, sharp, focused, and to the point to keep from rambling.TIP: get an English teacher to look over your paper! While having your parents read it to help you get your ideas straight is wonderful, it won’t help as much unless one of them has a background in essay writing!

If you plan to apply to a PRIVATE university anywhere in the United States, head straight to the Common Application online! The CommonApp is the alternative application for non-state-funded colleges. If you plan on applying to any of these colleges, you can create your account at www.commonapp.org and work

on multiple applications simultaneously. The CommonApp also allows you to send in teacher recommendation forms electronically through their School Forms system. Note: If you’re not sure how to apply to your college of choice, check on their website!

If you plan to apply to a PuBLIC university within the state of Texas, then your first stop is ApplyTexas online! Create an account at www.applytexas.org. Fill in your basic information, and then you can submit the three main parts of your application through the website – your admissions application,

your scholarship application, and your essays (although not all colleges require them.) Just pay your application fee electronically, and you’re good to go! Note: ApplyTexas also allows you to copy applications you have already filled out and resend them to other universities.

cOLLeGe appLicaTiONs:a surViVaL Guide

cOLLeGe appLicaTiONs:a surViVaL Guide

katieBLAND // Senior staff writer & juneLIu // Senior staff writer

RECOMMENDATIONS:

:TRANSCRIPTS

DEADLINES: GET STARTED! Be aware of deadlines. Early Action plans for all universities have an application deadline of November 1st, while some university honors programs have a recommended deadline of October 15th. Final deadlines for most public and private colleges are December 1st, while some state universities also offer rolling admissions. Look up your college’s deadline now!

HANDY TIP! Apply to more than one college.

Shoot for the stars, but remember to have fall backs. 3 – 5 colleges is a generally accepted number of universities to apply to, ranging from places you would love to get

in, but aren’t certain about, to places that are a sure bet. Good luck!

WARNING: most colleges require official transcripts sent from Seven Lakes in order to consider your

application! Don’t wait until the last minute; your application may be turned in, but if your transcript doesn’t arrive by mail in

time, you could be in trouble! Fill out a purple slip in the registrar’s office today; and don’t forget to bring $2 per transcript!

1) Ask at least 2 or 3 weeks in advance, no one likes to be rushed. 2) Make sure the teacher you’re asking actually likes you... They can write un-recommendation letters too.

Remember! Ask for your teacher’s e-mail

address; the CommonApp requires it.

WARNING:Counselors require 21 working days to process requests. Don’t procrastinate!

WHERE To APPLY:Remember!

Apply somewhere

you want to go, and to programs

that you’re passionate

about.

ToP SCHooLS IN THE NATIoN:1) Harvard College1) Princeton University3) Yale University

ToP PUBLIC SCHooLS:1) University of Cali. Berkeley2) University of Cali. Los Angeles3) University of Virgina

BEST UNDERGRAD BUSINESS:1) The University of Pennsylvania2) Mass. Institute of Technology3) University of Cali. Berkeley

BEST UNDERGRAD ENGINEERING:1) Massachusetts Institute of Tech. 2) Stanford University3) University of Cali. Berkeley

ToP LIBERAL ARTS CoLLEGES: 1) Williams College 2) Amherst College3) Swarthmore

3) Give them a current resume, details of where you’re applying, what programs you’re applying to, and when the deadline is. 4) Include things outside of the school; teachers don’t know everything about you. 5) A sparkling recommendation letter doesn’t come for free. Teachers like gifts. Gift

cards, candy, or just a little something to say thank you.

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DTHE GOOD THE BAD AND THE OK....

BooK: most books fall under two categories of awesomeness. Either they change your point of view on certain truisms of life, or they entertain you while your in a car for 24 hours driving across the country. The Hiding Place is an amazing work of literature that entertains you while keeping you on the edge of your seat with the question dangling in front of you “Will she make it?”. Her genuine memories speak for themselves in creating the setting, character, and plot. Corrie Ten Boom writes beautifully of her journey secretly housing Jews during occupied Nazi Holland. No matter what your typical genre is, The Hiding Place will captivate you with compassion for the brave unseen hero’s and victims during WWII.

moVIE: marvel has surely come up with about every single superhero you have heard of. For example, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Iron man, Captain America, and the list can go on. Through the years we’ve used our imagination time and time again to watch movies with stunts and battle scenes. It’s the second time The Avengers comes out in theaters and it has gotten the same great reviews as the first time. The movie has enough action packed scenes to get the guys happy and provide some eye candy for girls like Captain America (Chris Evans). The plot of the movie has twists and turns that incorporate ideas from the individual movies of each superhero. With an un-expected ending, The Avengers will have you feeling super and make you laugh with the very sarcastic quips from Tony Stark (Iron Man). Overall, this movie has four out of five stars.

CD: Best music ever. Honestly, this says it all but I will actually prove to you that this is the best band on the planet. Wesley the lead singer...Wow. His soulful voice and poetic lyrics just send shivers down my spine. They are original and passionate about their stuff. They are still considered an “indie” band, but hopefully that will change because they are too good not to be famous. Their music is considered acoustic/folk, but don’t let that discourage you from listening to them. Believe me they are awesome.

lindaFLORES // Senior entertainment editor

juliaNAJM // editor in chief

BeckaRIOS // sophomore staff member

Looking back, my summer was divided into three parts. First, I spent my days attempting to get a tan as a lifeguard on my freakishly Edward Cullen colored body.

Next, I took a vacation to the beautiful country of Belize. There I helped build a cafeteria for a school, and did some humanitarian work with the native children while they fed me termites (the Belizean tic-tac). But the final section of my freedom came down to one event: the Olympics.

I love experiencing the feeling of pride I have for America, and the sweet commercials that Morgan Freeman narrates. All my life I’ve been a sucker for this great display of sportsmanship, unity, and the attractive athletic male body that appears on my TV.

As a swimmer, I couldn’t help but root for my homeboy Phelps when he raced for his Olympic medal record, and smoked the entire competition. I didn’t mind rooting for the entire aquatics section of the Olympics, actually. (Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian, Tom Daley… Call me maybe?)

And we can’t forget the “Fabulous Five” United States women’s gymnastics team, clad in shiny, sparkling red uniforms, which had a series of stunning performances that kept them in first place, start to finish. The Olympic victory was a long time coming —

it was the first one for the United States women’s team since the Magnificent Seven’s gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and it made us proud.

I still can’t comprehend the power these athletes have at such a young age. The confidence and courage that I witness when the Olympics roll around never ceases to amaze me, I mean, they work for hours and hours when their real time to perform comes down to only mere seconds.

Thinking about that, I wonder if I’m really doing anything important with my efforts. My life schedule is literally school, swim practice, eat some chocolate, do homework,

then sleep, and I realized I don’t have any real goals. I have no idea where I want to go to college, what I want to do with my life, or even what electives I want next year.

Aly Raisman already has her future laid out after a 90 second floor routine. She’ll be doing endorsements, photo shoots, and commercials for women’s vitamins and milk for the rest of her life. She’s set.

Michael Phelps will be doing events with little swimmer kids, inspiring them to work harder and to reach for their dreams while

flashing the grand gold medal that makes him the most decorated Olympian in history.

Kirani James from Grenada will be his country’s hero, after running his way to the 400m gold, for the small island’s first Olympic medal.

I, however, am still figuring out where I’m headed. I don’t have 90 seconds to make it or break it. I don’t have my entire career on the line, or my country counting on me. Yet, I feel like I can make just as much impact and future for myself as these talented people.

Right now, it all seems like a mediocre attempt, but it’s the small things that add up to the big things. High school will set me up for a greater education and better opportunities. Lifeguarding taught me that work stinks, but pay day is always rewarding, and a tan

(or anything) is possible.

We all have the tools to create a

beautiful life while helping others along the way. I don’t think we realize the influence we have to set ourselves up for a great future, and achieving a gold standard in our own way. I may not be the next Missy Franklin, in fact, that will never happen seeing as I have size 6.5 feet and she’s a whopping 13, but I still can dream and I still can make a difference.

Just maybe not on the plasma screen.

THEGOLDEN

STANDARD

daniWARDINSKY// Junior co-editor

MEDAL46 104

38 88

24 82

COUNTSgold totalgold total

95 231

36 102

34 120Paralympics Olympics

A GAmE FoR THE AGESSeven Lakes edges Clear Brook in overtime thriller

Coming off of a tough loss to Fort Bend Kempner, not a lot of people expected a close game against Clear Brook, one of the tougher opponents on the Spartan’s schedule. But it was just the opposite, going down into a triple overtime thriller, resulting in a Seven Lakes victory.

After a hard fought 4 quarters from both sides, the score at the end of regulation was a dead tie at 28, forcing the game into overtime.

For those that are not aware, high school overtime heavily differs from pro football. Each team is given a possession on the 25 yard line and overtime continues until one team gets a scoring advantage over the other.

Seven Lakes ended up getting the first overtime possession. The short 25 yard drive ended with a crucial touchdown pass from senior quarterback Kyle Postma to senior wide receiver Totorian Vaughns.

“Our relationship during the game is known to be dynamic,” Vaughns said. “I take the responsibility of being his ‘go to’ receiver, and we always find a way to hook up and make big plays.”

Although the Spartans set the bar high, Clear Brook ended up matching the score with a touchdown of their own, forcing the game into double overtime.

In double overtime Clear Brook acquired the ball first, putting up a touchdown and forcing Seven Lakes to match. On the first play of the Spartan’s possession Postma completed a 21 yard screen pass to Vaughns, who with some shifty moves, brought the ball to the 4 yard line. Sophomore running back Braeden West finished off the series with a 4 yard touchdown run.

With the score 42-41, Clear Brook in the lead, Seven Lakes had to still

kick the extra point to tie it, and keep the lengthy overtime game going.

On the snap of the ball, Clear Brook rushed in and blocked the extra point.

Out of natural instinct and excitement, the Wolverines cleared the benches and stormed the field in celebration. Players, coaches, the whole 9 yards. Amidst all the chaos Postma, who was the holder on the play, picked up the live ball and started running with it.

“All that was going through my mind when Kyle picked up the ball was House! House! House!” said Vaughns. He was downed at the 12 yard line, but thanks to the entire Clear Brook sideline running on the field, Seven Lakes got another chance at the extra point, this time from where the quarterback was called down. With the least bit of hesitation, senior kicker Bryce Brown nailed the extra point, sending the game into triple overtime.

In triple overtime Seven Lakes obtained the first possession. After

trentWEBER // Sophomore sports writergoing 3 and out, and being out of field goal range, the Spartan coaching staff was faced with the one and only decision available; go for it on 4th down. On 4th down and 12 Postma rolled out left, turned, and lofted the ball across the field towards Vaughns. In triple coverage the ball was tipped and somehow, gracefully landed right in the receiver’s hands.

“Before the snap I was telling myself ‘I’m not going to lose this game,’” Postma said. “I rolled out, saw T, and when I threw it, I had full confidence that he would make the play.”

Although Seven Lakes did not put up a touchdown on the series, they did convert a field goal, making the score 45-42.

On the next possession, the Spartan defense miraculously held up and kept Clear Brook out of the end zone. At last, the game was down to a Clear Brook field goal. If he makes it, they keep playing. If he misses, Seven Lakes goes home a happy football team.

The kick veered just right, and at that moment a huge weight had been lifted off the shoulders of the players and coaches.

“I was relieved that we got our first win,” Postma said. “But when it was all said and done I was exhausted because I knew I left it all on the field.”

The game was a monumental win for head coach Lydell Wilson, his first of many for Seven Lakes.

HARRIERS RUN AWAY WITH A WINBOYS, GIRLS WIN FIRST MEET

First year Cross Country Head Coach David Pollack was amazed at how easy coaching cross country was when his girls placed first through sixth and eighth in the very first meet of his career. A perfect score is rare but at the Brazoswood Invitational junior Allison Tracy led the team to just that.

“I was happy but at the same time we realize we have a long way to go in

Photo by Kim Rathke

Kevin Dean (just out of shot) leads Chandler Rathke, Adam Girgis, Ryan Brenkus and Roderick Bell to the finish line at Brazoswood.

order to reach our team goals,” Coach Pollack said.

The boys team also came up with a win by placing all seven runners in the top 15.

The boys’ strategy was to “pack run” the first two miles and then take off over the last 1.1 miles. That plan worked as the boys edged a tough Friendswood team.

“I knew that if I started falling off the team was right there to keep me going,” Adam Girgis12 said.

So far the teams have competed in four meets including Seven Lakes, Humble and Willis. The meets seem to be getting more and

more challenging as the competition gets deeper.

Allison Tracy has led the girls team in each of the meets and is looking forward to the post season and a chance to compete for the team’s first state championship.

The boys are eager to try to get their second state championship (the first was in 2007) but they’ll have to contend with powerhouse teams such as Carroll High School in Southlake and the Woodlands.

“Other than those two teams, no one is really dominant. I think we have a good chance (to medal at the state meet), Head Boys’ coach Marvin Rathke said.

As the school year begins, the Seven Lakes tennis team is already leaps and bounds into success. Currently ranked third in state, after Plano West and Houston Memorial, Seven Lakes recently defeated the defending state champions, New Braunfels, at the San Antonio team tournament.

“New Braunfels was an amazing accomplishment as a team,” Senior Samantha Martino said. “It was a great way to start off the season and make an impression on the competition. Beating such a highly ranked team really gives us the confidence to take on the rest of the state. Having such a successful start to the season feels fantastic. It was the perfect way to kick off the season. Starting off strong has made everyone pumped up and ready for the rest of the season.”

With this catalyst to the season, the team is ready to accomplish a

state championship and take on rival 5A school Memorial

“Some of our goals for this year are to defeat Memorial High School and advance to State,” Senior Ryan Heslop said.

With the drive to accomplish these goals the team has worked very hard as a unit, making them a force to be reckoned with this season.

“Since our team all plays at a very competitive level, everyone always pushes and challenges each other to be better and work harder,” Martino said. “We work well together, supporting each other and cheering each other on at matches. That, I think, is a very important factor in our successes and our wins.”

This success went hand and hand with the strenuous work and commitment the team put into

their practice during the summer.“We practice three times a week

after school and have a match against another school once a week,” Hesolp said. “Most of us also practice outside of school as well. We all put in many hours of training in a week.”

With the multiple factors of hard work the Seven Lakes team has put into their upcoming year, they are bound to represent the school as their winning streak continues. Currently standing with a district record of 2-0 and a 9-0 record on the year.

“A record like that motivates us to continue to work harder to keep the wins coming and make it one of the best seasons in our team’s history,” said Martino, “We’re just getting started.”

brittanyScofield // Junior sports editorTEAM BEGINS A WINNING SEASON TENNIS HITS THE COURT

photo by Dayton Box

PRESSURE POINTanoshkaKALLIE10 Sophomore staff writer

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• Friends can influence you to do your work, and get better grades by studying with you, and helping you when you don’t understand something• They can encourage you to try something that you have always wanted to try, like joining a club• They can get you to get out of your comfort zone, and help you to believe in yourself• Friends will always support you in whatever you decide to do, sometimes they may even be willing to try it with you• If you have a bad habit, a friend can be there to help you quit

• Friends can pressure you into doing things that could be dangerous to your health, like drugs and alcohol• This can also lead to bullying- (verbally) when people make you feel as though you don’t belong with them, or you are not good enough• Friends can influence you to being somebody other than yourself• You may even find you and your friends being stuck in the middle of a sticky and unpleasant situation• They can force you out of your comfort zone

Editor’s note:Having friends to be there for you is a nice thing, but be careful not to stray away from what is right, and always remember to be yourself!

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THE CURIOSITYThe world has entered a new

era of scientific advancement. Technology and powerful human minds have collaborated to enter the depths of space that have not been previously crossed. On November 26, 2011, the Mars Science Laboratory of NASA launched the Curiosity, a space rover heading for Mars. The space probe finally landed in a crater on the surface of Mars on August 6, 2012, after a 350,000,000 mile journey.

Mars, just one planet away from Earth, is known to contain a hostile environment and a barren red landscape. The rover aims to observe climate, geology, and the possibility that Mars can inhabit life. The long-term goal for the scientists at NASA is to eventually create a plan for a manned mission to Mars based on the findings of the Curiosity. Scientists claim that Mars was once cooler, wetter, and had the perfect environment to sustain life. In July 2003, the Mars Odyssey located a l a r g e amount of ice on the

surface of Mars. This major discovery c h a l l e n g e d the concrete a s s u m p t i o n s about Mars

at that time. The news

of the rover’s landing

sparked a wave of celebration a c r o s s A m e r i c a . However, the time and money spent creating the rover has sparked debate across the country. The main question is, can America really afford the Mars Curiosity? With the U.S already neck deep in debt, some Americans are stating that there are better ways to make use of 2.6 billion dollars. A number of people believe that the money should be spent “right here on Earth” instead of on space missions that may or may not be fully successful.

Despite the disagreements, others argue that with all the information and knowledge that NASA has provided, they deserve to receive the money for further exploration. NASA is trying to convince the public that the Curiosity is not just a robot created to take pictures of dirt, but a highly advanced rover that will help scientists and the world solve the mysteries of the universe.

So far in the mission, the rover has been able to take several photos of Mars’s landscape and surface. NASA scientists say that it will take a long time for the rover to find signs of microbial life.

America is mostly optimistic about further exploration and with more innovations similar to the Curiosity, we just might be heading in the right direction.

In my opinion, our generation has become a c c u s t o m e d to explorations like these. And

many of us do not understand how

revolutionary each and every landing can be. Yes, the entire project of Mars Curiosity cost a couple billion. And yes, we are in a financial crisis. But that does not mean we need to put a pause on all of our efforts to learn and discover. We still have curiosities about our solar system. We should be able to explore these curiosities, regardless of our national debt.

If that is not cause enough, this project also fostered jobs for more than 7,000 people in over 30 states, as NASA promptly pointed out.

Frankly, I don’t understand why this landing caused so much controversy. Our financial crisis is no reason to put a halt on research projects, and certainly not our space program. NASA still receives an annual budget from the nation, as they should. And it’s not to say they aren’t affected at all from our conditions. 2013 will bring significant budget cuts to NASA.

This Curiosity landing was an amazing breakthrough for our country. We s h o u l d celebrate it and be hopefu l for our future in space, not dwell on the price tag that was, for the record, w e l l

w i t h i n o u r budget.

OPINIONNEWSsanjanaMADAKSHIRE // Junior staff writer hannahCuRCIO // Junior feature editor

Stress chokes. Stress strangles. Stress tears you into pieces if you let it. We, as teenagers, battle with this tactile feeling every day; however, some more than others. Unfortunately its suffocating presence refuses to be ignored. Many of us cannot escape our endless problems, forcing us to grow up too fast. Striving for perfection, dealing with abuse, being bullied-all of these burdensome issues can engulf us and take hold of our lives. But giving in and giving up is not an option. As

dark and dire as it may seem now, there is something more out of life and happiness will prevail. If the stress just becomes too much then please tell someone. Anyone. Do not let it win. We are stronger and we can fight it. Its okay to seek help, even if you feel no one will care. You are not alone and no problem is trivial; everything is important and you should treat it as such. Teachers and friends open up your ears and really listen. Be available; let us know that you’re there for us. Let’s not wait until

the next tragedy, but rather prevent it from happening all together. It’s difficult to cope when someone is not fulfilling their duty until the worst happens. Staff, let us know we can talk to you about anything without being judged. Prove to us that our voices will be heard. Help us defeat our grief and do not just pass this off. We are a family. And the fact of the matter is, we need each other.

A cry for HelpToo many teens giving in and not enough people to stop itjuliaNAJM // Senior editor-in-chief

Signs of Depression:1) Negative thoughts and feelings. 2) Low motivation3) Pulling away from friends4) Lack of energy5) Loss of appitite

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Following the recent spree of shootings in the past two months, the Great Gun Debate has started stirring again, pervading dinner table discussions to the presidential campaign trail. But rather than simply rewind the deliberations that last year’s shooting in Tucson, Arizona brought, these back-to-back shootings saturating television and computer screens have the ability to galvanize reform efforts and lead to action.

The mass shootings are what took up most of the 6 o’clock transmission time—but the individual shootings and smaller numbers are equally as important. August 13, eight days after the Oak Creek shooting and three weeks after the Aurora shooting, a gunman in the vicinity of Texas A&M University killed two people, wounding another. Ten days later, a gunman near the Empire State Building killed two, including himself, injuring nine in the crossfire between the police and himself. Later that day in Chicago, 19 people were killed overnight in seven separate shooting incidents. The list could go on—and will go on unless measures, rather than pandering political rhetoric, are initiated.

These changes don’t need to be radical—but they must adequately cover three bases: prevention, perception, and legislation.

Just as natural disasters and calamities have their own set of preventative procedures in place, shootings must develop their own set, including so-called “host” and environmental factors that can help identify a perpetrator

before damage is done. A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania found that areas with higher concentrations of alcohol consumption and availability frequently had higher rates of gun violence, while additional research

found that gun owners were likelier to binge drink or drink and drive. Environmental factors can include any sort of violent misdemeanor—yet currently, only those convicted of felonies or domestic violence are turned down when purchasing firearms, and things become hazy when discussing private and black market sales.

Legislation, too, remains hazy across the nation. Had Aurora shooter James Holmes decided to stage his attack in another state, he may have had some difficulty getting around gun restrictions. Because he had no criminal record, Holmes was able to easily acquire a permit and

then purchase a semiautomatic assault rifle, two semiautomatic pistols, a 12-gauge shotgun, 6,000 rounds of ammunition and a 100 round magazine in Colorado stores and online. However, in California and Massachusetts, the majority of assault rifles and large capacity ammunition magazines are banned. In New Jersey, people seeking to purchase a gun must apply to the local authorities or state police and answer questions about personal and mental health. Holmes, whose behavior had been described erratic in recent months, could have been weeded out by such a simple yet effective method.

State gun death rates vary just as their regulations do—and unsurprisingly, states with the strictest gun regulations have the lowest gun death rates while those with the laxest, including Alabama, Alaska, and Louisiana, have some of the highest rates. Nationwide clarity and consistency regarding gun regulation can close loopholes in the system and possibly prevent mass shootings.

Moreover, perception of gun violence needs to shift from being seen as rare outbreaks to being viewed as serious public safety threats. In addition to preventative methods, some of the hysteria associated with a post-shooting atmosphere needs to be brought down—spikes in gun sales were reported after the slew of summer shootings. A change in public mentality is necessary; increased firearms only intensify a sense of paranoia.

If anything good can come from these shootings, whether those on a large scale or individual altercations, let it be an end to the inertia exhibited by both sides of the Gun Debate. Living in a home without a gun does not make a person vulnerable, but living in a society saturated by firearms does. kamiaRATHORE // junior co editor

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( )“Hipsters are the friends who

sneer when you cop to liking Coldplay. They’re the people who wear T-shirts silk-screened with quotes from movies you’ve never heard of. They sport cowboy hats and berets and think Kanye West stole their sunglasses. Everything about them is exactingly constructed to give off the vibe that they just don’t care.”

I don’t know if that hits the definition of hipster on the dot exactly, because quite frankly, I don’t fully understand what so hipster-y about someone is. I think they’re more “merchants of cool.”

A PBS Frontline documentary, “Merchants of Cool”, was centered on the “cool hunt” and what exactly sets trends and how

companies entangle teens into buying their products.

I see the memes, the Urban Outfitters style, and it just hit me. PBS perfectly put into view how it all works.

Hipsters are merely a trend themselves. They’ve only proved content to borrow from trends long past. Take your grandmother’s sweater and Bob Dylan’s Wayfarers, add jean shorts, Converse All-Stars and bam – hipster.

It’s more of a way, not a hip (no pun intended) style that if you’re not

into, you don’t have to copy or follow. I’d much rather stick to my curls and pearls than be a hipster

personally.

MalcolM Gladwell

WELL, THE CooL HUNT IS AN IDEA. IT’S THIS WHoLE NoTIoN oF TRYING To GET AT TRENDS AT THE SoURCE, To FIGURE oUT WHERE THEY’RE ComING FRom. IF YoU KNoW WHERE THEY’RE ComING FRom, THEN YoU CAN GET A HEAD START. IT’S

ALL ABoUT THE FIRST PERSoN WHo HAS THEIR PRoDUCT

daniWARDINSKY // Junior co-editorHip, hip, hipsters

staff writer for the NY Times

Spartan

SpotlightWho’s our mystery Spartan? crack the case and find the teacher behind the silhouette!

jessieCHAN // Sophomore staff writer

1.“I’m a Green Bay Packer fan!”

2.“I love Lupe Tortilla

.”

3.“My favorite

World

History event to

study

is World War II.”

4.“I think Coach Beck is pretty

cool.” 5.“I’ve worked here at SLHS

since it opened, so I’ve been

a Spartan for 8 years.”

6.“I was born on the Ides of

March.” (Hint hint: It’

s a Julius

Caesar reference!)

7.“My SECOND favorite

sport

is football.”

Answer: Coach Miller