T h e

B r y a n

H i g h

S c h o o l

NORSEMAN

Volume 42, Number 1 October 2012

www.BryanHighNoresman.com

SEE MORE
ONLINE
Breaking News
The News category of The
Norseman is the best way to
stay up-to-date with the news
& information at Bryan High.

FEATURES
Expanding minds through
expanded boarders
English teacher Megan Black
had the opportunity to go to
a conference in Ireland after
earning her masters degree at
Trinity College in Dublin and
participating in a program over
Tolkien.

Sports
To
stay
up-to-date
with
the latest sports scores for
Bryan High School athletic programs, be sure to visit
bryanhighnorseman.com/sports.

OPINIONS
Winning a sweepstakes:
Is it possible?
Staff writer Alanis King won
a NASCAR sweepstakes after
thinking it was an impossible
thing to achieve.

College changes College

Station
Staff writer Justin Sanders explores the effects of living in a
college town.

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IN-BRIEF

3450 Campus Drive Bryan, TX 77802

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Principles, standard raised with new principal

Emma Raleigh
Co-editor
A hero is a person who helps someone
else. He is always there for me. He never
lets me down.
In the eyes of a child, few things mean
more to them than their hero. Principal
Lamond Deans sons hero wasnt Superman or Spiderman, but rather his own
father.
My son wrote that personal hero letter
for me when he was in the third grade,
Dean said.
Dean, teacher for seven years and administrator for nine, was described by his
son as a hero, and while hes only been
principal of Bryan High for a few short
months, hes already made the same kind
of impression on the Viking community.
Hes a great leader, a strong leader,
administrative assistant Maria Field
said. I use the word great in just the
short time that Ive worked with him.
Hes extremely strong and dedicated and
focused on whats best.
Born and raised in Tyler, Texas, Dean
left home for Murray State University
in Kentucky, eventually to return to his
hometown.
I came back to become principal at
the same school I graduated from, Dean
said. It was a surreal experience. It was
great getting to work with the people in
the community who I knew, loved, and
grew up with, and then having their children in school.
But after advancing from principal of
the high school to executive director of
operations for Chapel Hill ISD in Tyler,

Dean felt a void in

his new job.
I was a principal for five years,
Dean said. I had
the opportunity to
move up, but I felt
like after a month
into the job something was missing.
The missing thing
was students.
Dean found what
he was looking for
in Bryan ISD with
the high schools
Principal Lamond Dean greets students in the circle
open principals
drive on Silver Campus each morning in an effort to
position.
The opportuni- connect with the students and their parents.
ty came for me to
when you come in with a plan to improve
apply here at Bryan and I was fortunate
and work hard, those challenges can be
enough to be chosen for principal of the
overcome.
high school, Dean said. I had so many
I love the large school, because I
roots in the school I was at before, and
love the challenge of getting to work
coming into Bryan was like starting all
with more kids, Dean said. I want
over.
our students to own their education,
One aspect Dean found most impresand like I tell our staff, were here for
sive at Bryan High was the amount of
them.
opportunity the school had to offer the
Students are noticing how much effort
students.
Dean puts into getting to know them.
Its almost like here, if utilized in the
I think he can relate to the students,
right way, a student does not have to
sophomore Jackson Ross said. Hes
want for anything, Dean said. Its kind
[already] made an impact on students.
of like a big playground with a lot of toys.
Along with the new principal came
Theres something for everybody, and
many school-wide changes to encourage
thats one of the greatest assets we have.
community involvement, and students
Coming to a new school poses challengare seeing the positive impacts within
es, especially when its a transition from
the school.
a small 3A to a large 5A school. However,
...continued on page 3

getting to know Mr. Dean...

Favorite Food:
Mexican

Favorite Hobby:
Watching Football

Favorite Color:
Blue

Favorite Sport:
Football

Favorite Movie:
Remember the Titans

Favorite Pro-Team:
San Francisco 49ers

Favorite Song:
Amazing Grace

Favorite Vacation Spot:

Anywhere as long as I am with my family

Page 2 - Around Campus/Features

Around Campus
News & events at Bryan High School

Game Day Dinner

The Junior Class is hosting
a game day dinner on Friday,
Nov. 9 from 4:30-7:00 before
the College Park varsity football game in the Silver Cafeteria.
Tickets are $10.50 for adults
and $5.50 for kids meals. The
adult meal includes a half
slab of ribs or chicken and the
kids meal comes with 2 hotdogs or 3 bone ribs. Tickets
can be purchased from a junior or from Mrs. Holmes in
room 5240 this week.
Underclassmen Picture
Retakes
All 9th, 10th and 11th grade
students who did not take a picture for the yearbook, or would
like to purchase a package can
take pictures on Wed., Nov. 14
in the Small Auditorium.
Order forms can be picked
up in the Blue or Silver front
offices or room 6160. English

teachers will also have order

forms on-hand.
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are scheduled for Mon. and Tues., Nov.
19 and 20 in room 6158.
Students must sign-up for
a time slot with Mrs. Dominy
or their English teacher. Students are not allowed to signup during a core class.
There is no sitting fee for
the yearbook picture, but
students can do a complete
sitting at the time of their
pictures. Sitting fees are $10,
$20 or $30.

For
more
information
please download the form
located at www.bryanhighnorseman.com/yearbook.
NHS Blood Drive
NHS will host their annual
blood drive on Nov. 28-29
during school.
Students must be at least 17

and weigh 110 lbs. or 16 and

weigh 122 lbs. and have parental consent to donate.
Interested students must
sign-up for a time during
lunch 2 weeks prior to the
event. Or they can sign-up by
going to www.giveblood.org.
The sponsor code is L429.
Fall Sports Banquet
The fall sports banquet will
be held on Mon., Dec. 3 in the
Silver Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
The banquet will recognize
football players, volleyball
players, cross-country runners and athletic trainers.

2012

Homecoming

Festivities

Feast of Carols
The choir will host their annual
Feast of Carols event on Thurs.,
Dec. 6-Sat., Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m.
each night in the Blue Commons
and Large Auditorium.
Tickets can be purchased
for $20 from any choir student or by going by 4133.

Sicem Bears:Student prepares to enter Big XII after graduation

Andrea Mendes
Alanis King
Assistant editor
Staff writer
The Viking Fight Song rings throughout the stadium,
and cheers from the cheerleaders echo simultaneously
with those of the fans as Chris Johnson takes the field
for one of his last games as a Viking. The atmosphere
of high school football will be all but a memory for
Johnson at the end of this school year when he retires
his blue and silver jersey for a green and gold one.
The green and gold jersey is that of Baylor University, whos recruiting

staff has been eyeing Johnsons ability for quite some he makes plays, Falden said. Being a leader takes
two things, they have to make plays and on top of that
time.
[Baylor] showed a lot of interest in me at an early have to lead positively. Quarterbacks have to have the
age, Johnson said. They offered me a scholarship at I will never lose attitude.
Though Johnson possesses the qualities of a great
the end of my sophomore year.
leader and quarterback, he con To be recruited as a quarterback
tinues to learn how to polish his
at a top university, one must not
skills as he makes the transition
only have skill on the field, but off
from high school to college footof it as well. Being a leader in the
ball.
coachs eyes as well as in the eyes
Im learning how to be a
of fellow teammates is a vital role
for a quarterback.
leader and how to lead my team,
[Chris] always pushes
Johnson said. When were out
us to be better individually
there in the game, everything
and as a team by talking to all
doesnt always go our way, and,
the guys about specific roles
being the leader, everybody looks
we need to play in order to
up to me to see what to do, so I
be the best team possible,
have to be the one to keep my
teammate VJ Banks said.
composure, and get our team
Hes been around the game
through it.
longer than me and breaks

As Johnson moves to the next
things down so I can underlevel in football, playing for Baystand.
lor University, hell continue to be
Senior quarterback Chris Johnson
It is essential for the quar- runs to gain a first down.
a leader, working towards his ultiterback to not only perform
mate goal of playing in the NFL.
physically, but to have the mindset of a winner, He has all the tools to do it. Bottom line hes goeven if the rest of the team is discouraged. Accord- ing to be extremely successful in whatever career he
ing to Coach Matt Falden, this is something that chooses, Falden said. Whether its the next level in
Johnson has mastered.
football, elsewhere, hes going to be successful because

Chris is a leader on the team in the fact that of his work ethic.

Ross Rogers brings fresh game against new opponents

Emily Nash
Co-editor
If anyone asked him who his hero was when he was
a child, there was no question about it - it was his dad.
From the field house, he would watch his dad run
play after play with his players in effort to win each
game Friday night.
From the football stadium, he would watch his dad
on the field rooting on his athletes, cheering them to
victory, and winning yet another game.
Years later, Coach Ross Rogers realized he had fulfilled his heros dream of winning 200 games, after
his father fell one game short. In that moment Rogers looked into the stands and saw his father cheering
him on as he was recognized as a great coach and later
inducted to the Texas High School Football Coachs
Hall of Fame.
But it was more than just having his father be a
great high school football coach that motivated him.
His dad won 199 games in his coaching career, but it
was also about carrying on the respect he held from
everyone who knew him.
Everywhere Rogers goes, people ask him how his
dad is doing. Although everyone remembers him as a
great football coach, they never forget how he embodied what they believed a man should be, like the time
his father allowed his athletes to have long hair in the
70s because he didnt think long hair had anything to
do with the type of person they were.
I saw him treat people fairly, and I saw how people
respected him, Rogers said. He emulated what I
hoped I could be.
Fresh Start
Rogers has had a lot of experience as a coach at several different schools including Hempstead, Waller,
Harker Heights, A&M Consolidated, as well as Texas
State University. He was also a graduate assistant at
Baylor University while attending school there.
After 33 years of coaching, Rogers retired and
moved to Bryan, where, for 5 years, he sold football
equipment for Riddell. When Bryan High offered him
the position of head coach, he was glad to accept it.
I have high expectations, and the experiences Ive
had for the most part as a head football coach have

been good, Rogers said. I certainly expect [to continue] that here at Bryan High.
Off the Field

Features - Page 3

long way in life, Rogers said. If youve got a great attitude, thatll help your academics, and itll help whatever you do in life.
Along with stressing the importance of attitude,
Rogers main goal is unity within the team.
I want our guys to come together and play as one,
Rogers said. If we do that, I think the winning will
take care of itself.

Hired in the spring of the 2011-2012 school year,

Rogers began implementing several changes, including pushing academic success for all athletes because
he believes if they dont
do well in the classOn the Field
room, they wont do
well on the field.
With a new district comes
Youve got to have
new opponents, and each
a combination of both
team must be taken seriously.
to be successful at life,
Traditionally, the Woodso whatever youre
lands is a tough school, Rogstrength is, youve got
ers said. Lufkins also been
to pull up your weaka traditional powerhouse.
ness there, Rogers
Those are the two that everysaid. Youve got to find
ones talking about.
a balance in yourself.
To beat these competitive
Coach Brett Page, a
schools, Rogers stressed the
former BHS student,
importance of having his seagreed with Rogers and
niors as leaders on the field.
said these academic
We really try to make our
changes will be benefiseniors special since theyve
cial for all athletes.
had the most experience,
Anytime you have a
Rogers said. I think the
coach like Coach Rogolder you get the tougher you
ers come in and really
get, so hopefully theyll bring
stress the importance Coach Ross Rogers calls plays from the sidea toughness [to the game].
of academics, its going lines as the Vikings play against Oakridge.
Senior Zach Slaydon said
to [bleed] over and will
that being a senior means not
allow for more success on the field, Page said.
letting the team down.
Quarterback Chris Johnson believes that with Rog- I just lead by example, no matter if its a tough
ers as the head coach, the team will see many im- situation, Slaydon said. [We] just keep going, and
provements this year, especially with the push of aca- if things are going great, dont stop, and dont let anydemic success for all his athletes.
thing affect you, no matter how good or bad the situa Hes making sure were keeping up with our tion is.
schoolwork, because without academics, you cant do Rogers hopes to bring a fresh perspective this year
anything, Johnson said. I think this football season, with all the changes hes implemented and is hoping
were going to come out with some pretty strong re- for the best.
sults.
I think I can bring something different to the
Other than academics, Rogers said he looks for con- plate, Rogers said. Ive always been able to turn prosistency and a positive attitude in an athlete.
grams around and be successful, so hopefully thatll
People who have the right attitude are going to go a happen here.

Principals principles continued from page 1

Students are taking [school] more seriously, sophomore Kaitlyn Brock said.
I think, as students, were going to start
to realize that its a big world out there,
and we need to do what were told.
These changes have their foundations
in Deans philosophy on education,
which is all about putting students first.
We want to encourage our students
to dream, Dean said. Education drives
our future, and I think the only thing
that holds students back is their ability
to dream. If you put forth the work, dedication and consistency on a daily basis

then all dreams are possible.

Dean says that anything is possible,
and through his own childhood he
learned the truth of that statement.
Ive been that student who had issues
growing up, Dean said. I came from a
broken home, I grew up poor and without a male role model, except for my
grandfather. I grew up with struggles,
and I know [what its like].
Dean attributes his successes as an
educator to the people in his life.
I was impacted by several influential
men such as my grandfather, my high
school coaches and instructors, and a

lot of people I met along the way who

gave me so much, Dean said. As far as
my life was concerned, education was
an opportunity to give back.
Field says that Deans experiences will
help him lead by example and enrich
students lives.
We all have a story. Nobody lives in
anybodys 24/7, Field said. I think that
students are going to relate to him. He
will show you that you can come from
an environment that was hard and still
be successful.
What makes Dean successful as an educator is not only his strong ability as a

leader, but his concern for each student

that passes through the halls.
Compassion equals tough love at
times, and its not always about a tender
heart, but a compassionate heart, Dean
said. And thats what we want to do;
come through and have that compassion for students.
Field sees good things in the future of
Bryan High with Dean as principal.
I love the direction were going, [and]
I see and feel in my heart that great
things are going to happen for Bryan
High School, Field said. Vikings sail
on ships; our ship is sailing.

Page 4 - Clubs & Organizations

School involvement increases student success

Justin Sanders
Photography editor
Being involved in a school organization is vital to
the development of a students communication and
teamwork skills. In addition to building character,
being in clubs gives students the opportunity to make
new friends while having fun along the way.
You get to meet new people and try new things,
assistant principal Megan Jones said. Its a good resume builder if you want to go to college later and develops good people skills.
Programs that focus on honing specific skills can
also be a valuable asset in the future by creating a lifelong passion.
Something like Band or Shy-Annes builds skills
that you can use later on, Jones said. It makes you a
more well-rounded person when you have lots of tools
in your tool belt.
Improvements in the community can come from
involvement in clubs and other academic associations that foster a spirit of pride and ownership for

that community and help create a better future for all Simply going to the required seven classes does not
those involved.
develop all the skills a student needs to be a successful
Being involved
adult.
as an adult freLearning how to be involved is a
quently
starts
part of education, Vaughn said.
with
becomePart of it is learning the mechanism
ing involved as
of being involved and how to be ina student and
volved and what your place is in belearning
how
ing involved.
important each
Not only does being involved in
person is to imschool organizations provide stupacting the endents with useful skills that are unvironment
in
able to be taught within the confines
which they live .
of the normal classroom, but it also
Our best citiprovides students with something
zens and most Students sign-up for organizations during the fun to do that benefits the school
productive peo- first annual club fair in the Silver Cafeteria.
and the community.
Students are encouraged to get inple are involved
in the community in one way or another, and high volved and find a place to plug-in at school.
school is where they learn how to be involved, Key Bryan High offers so many clubs and organizations
that theres a place for everyone.
Club sponsor Ted Vaughn said.

MURAL CLUB
What: The Mural Club has donated a painted violin, done chalk
murals, oil & acrylic paintings,
and helped paint the train in front
of the Bryan Library. This years
projects include working on the
life skills graduation, creating a
mural for the locker room, and
working on a large mural.
Where: Room 4154
When: Monday, 3:45pm
Sponsor: Renee Richards
I like Mural Club because we all
have different skill levels, but we
can all get together and make one
thing for the school.
Mary Gibbs, 12

What: StuCo is the student

government on campus and is
responsible for campus and community service events like Pink
Out, No Texting While Driving,
and Viking Day. Student Council also serves as a liaison between
students and administration at
BHS to bring student concerns to
our administrations attention.
Where: Room 1200
When: Wednesday, 4pm
Sponsor: Cyndi Owens

What: Key Club offers its members opportunities to provide service, build character and develop
leadership. Members perform acts
of service in the community, run
meetings, plan projects, and hold
elected leadership positions.
Where: Room 1200, 1204
When: Tuesday, 3:50pm
If students are unable to come to
meetings, they can still participate
by being active on the weekends.
Sponsor: Ted Vaughan

I like StuCo because it teaches

me better leadership skills, and I
get to meet wonderful people.
Elizabeth Adcock, 11

I like getting the satisfaction of

helping others.
Tim Lyster, 12

What: Teen Court offers an alternative to formal juvenile court

proceedings. At Teen Courts
sentencing place hearings, trained
Bryan High School student volunteers using a Peer Jury format,
modeled after the process used by
a grand jury, perform the courtroom roles of a clerk, bailiff, juror,
defense attorney, and prosecutor.
Where: Room 6131
When: Once every three weeks,
4-5:30pm
Sponsor: Gary Parks
I like Teen Court because I want
to be a lawyer when I grow up.
Adriel Hernandez, 11

Clubs & Organizations - Page 5

To express a love for

music and be a part of
something bigger than
yourself.
Justin Derickson, 12

Being involved allows

the average student to
be important.
Sydney Zemanek, 12

Being involved allows

us to experience new
things and meet new
people.
Maddie Saculla, 11

What: Viking Graphic Arts

constructs posters, pins, buttons
and other media through graphic
designs created using PhotoShop
and other computer programs.
Students produce work to be used
and displayed by other groups
and organizations.
Where: Room 6133
When: Friday, 3:46pm
Sponsor: Brian Mag

What: Photography club meets

and shares photos and works
on technique, tricks and editing
while working with top of the line
equipment and software. In the
past, they have taken group photos and provided portrait services
for Sadie Hawkins Dance.
Where: Room 5152
When: Thursday, 7:30am
Sponsor: John Burrows

I like VGA because it gives me

skills that I can potentially use for
advertising jobs as well as creating for the school.
Samantha Weaver, 12

Photography club helps me

develop my skills to pursue my
dream of being a photographer.
Caylee Davis, 12

It helps you develop

leadership skills and
make new friends.
Tabitha Hernandez, 12

What: Fellowship of Christian

Athletes is the largest Christian
sports organization in America. It
focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering
and encouraging people to make
a difference for Christ. Students
get together to learn about Gods
Word and fellowship with others.
Where: BHS field house
When: Tuesday, 7:30pm
Sponsor: Chris Biggs
I like FCA because it gives me
the opportunity to fellowship with
other Christians and grow closer
to God.
Zac Slaydon, 12

It is a great opportunity to make friends and

show school spirit.
Tillie Benson, 12

What: The Anime Club is dedicated to increasing awareness of

Japanese culture in the Bryan
community. Activities include
Japanese lessons, video screenings, manga and anime development and many more fun activities.
Where: Room 5151
When: Thursday, 7:30am
Sponsor: Jason Cordes
I like that people with similar
interests can get together and
express our individuality without
being judged.
Ashton Maxwell, 11

Page 6 - Election 2012

Election 2012 - Page 7

Involvement critical to countrys progress

Emma Raleigh
Co-editor
Who are you voting for? Its a
question that some teens answer with
excitement and fervor, while others
choose to ignore the question altogether. What teens dont seem to understand is the importance of knowing their answer and all that comes
with it.
Even though the majority of high
school students are ineligible to vote,
becoming involved before they take
on the civic duty of voting can be beneficial.
Young people need to get involved
in politics at an early age, history
teacher Chad Cryer said. Later on
they [can] become active participants
in the voting process. It sets them up
so they can become good, responsible, virtuous citizens.
Sometimes, students dont open
their eyes to the role citizens play in
our government, but rather focus on
what revolves around them.
I think the majority of students
that I have come across dont accept it as their responsibility because

theyre concerned with other things,

Cryer said. They dont see the connection between how government affects them; how voting is taking part
in the political process. Instead, its
somebody elses decision.
With this attitude, many students
ask how politics, such as the upcoming presidential election, relate to
them, but a better question is: how
does it not relate to them?
I think a lot of students arent involved in politics because they dont
feel that politics influence them directly, Senior Class President Cory
Collet said. Politicians determine
[what happens in] school and our
school budgets; everything around us
is determined by politics.
Getting students more involved in
political processes is a difficult feat,
but through the school, increasing involvement could be facilitated.
[What] if we could have elections
that directly affected the students?
Cryer said. If we asked what type of
music [should be] played in the hallways? and students were able to vote
on that, they would see the immedi-

Where the candidates

stand on the issues
Gun Control

Immigration

Abortion

Obama - Has not pushed strict gun laws.

Obama - Strictly enforces border laws, but

has made immigration reforms.

Obama - Supports a womans right to have

an abortion.

Romney - Has plans to reform the immigration system in a civil manner.

Romney - Opposes abortion, except in cases of

rape, incest or if the mothers life is in danger.

Romney - Opposes stricter gun laws in the

future, but wants to toughen those already in
existence.

Environment

Social Security

Economy

Obama - Wants to switch to renewable energy.

Obama - Wants to strengthen social security

without cutting existing benefits.

Obama - Wants to go to more US manufacturers and introduce a stimulus plan.

Romney - Supports drilling, but supports

other forms of energy as well .

Romney - Wants to finish the current program while incorporating an improved system.

Romney - Wants to lower taxes and make it

easier for unemployed Americans to find jobs.

Gay Marriage

Education

Foreign Policy

Obama - Obama supports gay marriage.

Obama - Plans on helping our educators take

a more active role by rewarding good teachers.

Obama - Take on more peaceful missions.

Romney - He disapproves of same sex marriage while also opposing discrimination.

Who would you vote for?

ate effect of it, and later on theyre

trained to realize how important it
is.
On a larger national scale, it can be
hard for students to see results immediately affecting them.
In the short term, politics doesnt
have a return, Government teacher
David Wilson said. In other words,
when you elect somebody, youre not
going to get a policy changed in a
year, even two years. They feel helpless to change, but I think you have
to convince them that if they get involved in politics, they can make a
change.
Collet agrees, and says both teachers and organizations within the
school can assist with getting students interested.
I feel like the student government
can make changes by playing a more
active role in the school, and by showing that there actually is a student
government, because a lot of students
dont realize that, Collet said. Also,
I think teachers could maybe give
projects to students to help students
see that politics does involve every-

Romney - Believes that government should

have less control over education.

Romney - Wants to let all the countries know

where America stands on the global stage beyond all doubt.

Youre 18,
are you voting?

Yes
75%

No
25%
*28 students surveyed

Which candidate gets your

vote and why?

Im voting for Romney because

it seems like his speeches are
more powerful.
Myesha Robinson, 12

I am voting Romney because

he promotes the individual
more than the group and that
will help me after college.
Ryan Fox, 12

Im voting for Obama. I didnt

have a favorite at first, but Romneys policies have gotten worse
and worse.
Abby Wunneburger, 12

I am voting for Romney becaue

I like his way of thinking and the
way he runs his campaign.
Mariano Jimenez, 12

Obama
50%

Romney
34%

Other
16%

*250 students surveyed

Opportunities available to students

David Gilman
Staff writer
In the upcoming election, the youth vote is
being heavily sought after by both parties like
never before. Voters between the ages of 1824 can be involved in politics like any other
adult - and its important for them to do so,
but what about those who are too young to
vote, yet are still interested in the political
process?
There are many opportunities for teens to become involved in politics. For one, there are
year-round high school student governments,
state and local elections, and interest groups.
During the presidential election season, teens
can volunteer for political campaigns which
involves donating money, persuading others
to vote, and displaying stickers and signs. This
allows younger citizens the opportunity to experience such activities as working a phone
bank, going door to door, or volunteering
at a booth. To volunteer for a campaign,
contact the local or state campaign for the
candidate you are interested in.
Students can also join organizations such
as Rock the Vote. These organizations seek
to get young adults or other underrepresented groups to register to vote. They are also independent of political parties or agendas and
are very interested in teens getting other teens
to vote.

Mock Elections are a great example of a

way students can be involved. Through those
elections students are forced to make decisions about what they value in a candidate for
themselves and discuss candidates and issues
with their peers.
If a student wants to be involved in politics,
there are still many opportunities for interested students in and out of their school. Students who become involved at an early age are
more likely to stay involved in politics once
they reach voting age.

Page 8 - Opinions

Serving community strains family, creates stress

Having a parent as a civil servant is not an easy
thing, especially for me. My dad, a sergeant at the Brazos County Sheriffs Office, has been serving our community for the last 18 years, longer than I have been
alive.
Everyday when I get home from school my dad is
getting ready for work. He usually works four days a
week, but it seems like longer, since we works from
5pm to 3am.
He usually patrols and supervises his deputies
around the county. He does a lot of paperwork and
makes sure each and every one of his deputies is safe
every day. At home, his phone is constantly ringing
and 95 percent of the time its a co-worker asking for
his help. My dad constantly takes calls at dinner, family gatherings, and even chill days at home.
I do love my dads job, and Ive come to appreciate it
over the years. I used to hate how much he worked and
the holidays we had to cut short so he could go off and
keep our community safe. I even remember spending
Christmas Eve with only my mom and brother because
my dad had to work that night; none of us were happy
about it.
Ever since I was little, I knew the dangers of my
dads job, but it was never real until this summer. It

Norseman Funnies
Broken Record

finally hit me when a family friend of ours, Brian Bachmann, was killed on duty. His death was more of a reality check than anything else. My dad happened to be
a good friend of his, and I saw how this affected him. It
affected all of us.
The first thing that came to my mind was, what if
that had been my dad? The question bounced around
in my head for the remainder of the summer, and persists even now.
Seeing everyone Ive grown up with and loved all my
life come together as a family to help and console each
other really helped all of us come to terms with what
happened, and taught me to be proud of what my dad
does.
I can tell that my mom and brother are
scared to even say bye to my dad before
work, because they are scared of what
could happen. Im mostly afraid of losing
not only my dad, but also all of his coworkers whom I have grown up with and
loved all my life.
My dads job is scary and it has it dangers, but Im proud of the line of work hes
in. My dad goes to work each day, leaving
us behind, to make sure our community is

safe. The ultimate sacrifice and willingness my dad,

and other countless other officers, have to leave their
family and friends behind to protect others is truly
great and admirable, even though it may be scary.
Recent events in our community and the officer
community I live in has changed how I see and value
things. I want to spend more time with my family and
go to functions with my parents. I want to spend as
much time as possible with them and enjoying every
minute of it, that is what is so important to me now.
So I want to encourage others to tell the people in your
life that you love them and show appreciation to those
who keep us safe.

Maurissa Ramirez, 11

Got pep?

Be respectful even when not participating

The football team runs through the gym doors
to their chairs. Cheerleaders, Shy-Annes and Color
Guard members show off their routines while the other students in the stands are cheering and shouting,
showing their school spirit. Well, maybe not everyone.
Its a high school tradition, dating back decades, to
have pep-rallies and dress-up days so students have
the opportunity to show their spirit and represent
their school. This year weve had days such as camo,
tie-dye, and scrubs day, as well as dress up days for
Homecoming week.
Obviously its not necessary for students to participate in school spirit. Some students just dont have
the guts to do it, while others feel they have better
things to do. Some just hate the school and its spirit in
general, but it seems every year that there are groups
of people that take their bad attitude one step farther.
Recently, the school had a pep-rally that could
have gone better. While Vocal Legacy was singing the
national anthem, a fight broke out. Not only was that
disrespectful to the students who worked so hard to
sing the anthem for everyone, it was disrespectful to
the flag and what the flag represents,
as well as to all the students and faculty members who came to the pep-rally
to show their school spirit
Students arent doing anything
wrong by not participating in school
spirit, but each seem to have a worst
attitude than the last. The school understands that every student does not
want to be a part of all the bustle of the
pep-rallies, and is respectful of their
choice to sit down when everyone else
stands. But those same students need

to understand that it doesnt mean they dont have to

respect the people that want to participate and enjoy
everything their high school years have to offer.
A lot of students decide, for the sake of their reputation, to be a loner and are too cool for school spirit.
Some people even have the mentality that school in
general is a waste of time. If they would just give it a
chance, those students would see the fun they might
have.
Some time ago, students that did not want to participate in school pep-rallies were able to stay in the
Silver Cafeteria while the pep-rally was taking place.
Maybe its time the school brought that alternative
back.
Students who never stand and cheer at pep-rallies or dress up for spirit days are missing out. The
students who have bad attitudes ruin it for people
that have a good time showing off their spirit. High
school would be more fun for everyone if students
get involved, but if they continue to choose not to
participate at the very least, they should remain respectful to these who do.

Yvette Ybarra, 12

Opinions - Page 9

Generation of apathy

Teens lack motivation to succeed, make good choices

If you scroll through the average teens twitter
feed, youre sure to find at least one tweet along the
lines of omg kms. I can confidently say that my
generation is definitely one the most apathetic generations, if not the most.
Being self-centered is a stage most teens go
through, but its at an all time high with our generation. If something doesnt have to do with themselves or their friends, they have no interest in it.
Instead of it being a right of passage, its become the
norm. Even though our generation does seem to be
involved politically and environmentally, the motives arent as pure as they seem, a lot of people join
organizations only for the recognition and not for
the improvement of the world.
Many teens are used to getting handed everything
they have ever wanted and receiving the instant
gratification that comes with it. Teens dont really
see the point in doing something if they dont see the
effects instantly. Because of this, theres been sort
of a trickle down effect of procrastination and less
ambitions. In the same sense, thats why there has
been an increase of drug use. Its a temporary fix and
the escape from reality. Rather than facing the trials
and tribulations of life, theyd rather ignore it.
I cant help but notice that teens have been conditioned to this behavior. Our whole life, we havent
been significantly pushed to do things on our own.

Even if we were, our parents would still be there to

clean up the mess or cheer us on. Weve been taught
since we were young that were all special and all deserve recognition and praise whether or not we are
the best, and arent held accountable for our shortcomings. For instance, when a student joins a Little
League team everyone is given a trophy for participation, not achievement, so that idea that were all
a winner is imbedded from a very young age.
Along with the way some teens have been raised, I
feel that the instability of the countrys economy has
also left a sense of hopelessness among my generation. What would be the point of working towards
a future if theres not going to be a successful one
when you get there? Somewhere along the way we
lost sight of the bigger picture.
Something that could help guide young people in
the right direction is by setting goals.
No one knows what the future holds
but planning things out and having a
direction gives students something to
aim for. Without purpose or direction,
students have nowhere to go but down,
which results in poverty, or worse - jail
time. Waking up behind bars would be
a loud wake-up call.
That choice is self-motivated, but
there is another option. Its an option

When you wish upon a star

When children are little, they love everything from cartoons to Disney characters, but they soon grow out of that.
The middle school years give kids an
air of importance, that they are too cool.
Once kids reach junior high, they believe
that they need to grow up and be more
mature because they are no longer with
elementary-aged kids.
The middle school midset is that they
are adults, that they already know everything.
When students begin high school, they
realize that its okay relive their childhood. Students begin to leave that too
cool image behind for the childhood
they miss and they wish they could go
back to a time of recess and nap time.
Teenagers feel more accepted in high
school because they realize that people
are going to be judged less based on what
they like.
Students feel comfortable to break out
their Pokmon cards again. It becomes
another way for them to express their
own personalities and other students
jump on board and even think its cool
too.
While it is a good thing to reminisce

childhood entertainment, sometimes

people become too obsessed with it and
take it a little too far.
Some students might wear apparel
or have accessories that one would expect younger children to have, such
as Spongebob backpacks and Disney
themed T-shirts. However, these companies began marketing towards teenagers
because they know this group cherishes
their childhood, and actually have their
own disposable income.
Discussing characters within a circle of
friends is one thing, but broadcasting it
in the public and having it on display at
all times is a bit much and opens a student up to ridicule.
Teenagers will also break out in songs
from Tangled and other Disney movies
in public which might seem obnoxious
and annoying. This kind of behavior can
be seen as negative, but embracing it can
bring fun for everyone.
Knowing how to enjoy memories of
the past while still living in the moment
is okay, but dont get caught up in childhood.

- The Norseman Staff

we dont like to think about, one that is imposed on

us rather than by us. If a student has always been
in a situation where someone else has been responsible for them and fixed their mistakes, losing that
person is earth shattering .These factors are within
our control, but only if we are proactive instead of
reactive.
So how can we change an entire generation? Although theres not one perfect solution to the problem there are simple things that can dramatically
change a persons life. Taking charge of your own
life can make all the difference. Before learning how
to fly, they have to spread their wings. If students
never take responsibility for their actions, they cant
ever expect to be independent. Something has to
change, and Im afraid that if we dont make these
changes in our lifestyles that it could have lasting

Leigh Ann Netka, 12

NORSEMAN

Adviser
Rebecca Dominy
Editor
Emily Nash
Emma Raleigh

Assistant Editors
Regina Flores
Andrea Mendes
Maurissa Ramirez
Yvette Ybarra
Photography Editor
Justin Sanders

Staff writers
Jesse Baxter
Davis Downey
Erin Garcia
David Gilman
Alanis King
Leigh Ann Netka
Andy Ramirez

http://www.
bryanhighnorseman.com
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BryanISDBryanHighNorseman

Highlight editions are published in print on the last Friday each month
The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the
administrators, faculty or staff of Bryan Independent School District.
Submissions to the editor are welcomed, but must be signed and should not exceed
300 words. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of
clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or
libelous material will not be considered.
Bryan Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services.

Page 10 - Entertainment

The Dark Knight Ends

Casting, story line collide to create epic finale

Davis Downey
Staff writer
The Batman trilogy has been one of the few movie
series this year that has kept fans desperate for the
next installment. The final movie goes above and beyond whats expected from a movie, mixing intrigue,
suspense, and many, many explosions, that resulted
in an astonishingly good conclusion to the saga.
The first two movies were spectacular, setting up
the final movie of the trilogy for an epic finale. The
movie delivered on many levels, from the adrenaline
fueled hostile takeover of a plane, to the horrifying decline of Gotham, to Batmans redemption in the Pit.
TDKR continues the plot from the previous movies,
and expands on it at the same time. Batmans past
comes to life, with his former mentors child infiltrating his world, without Batman ever having a clue.
The main antagonist, Bane, has a strong presence
throughout the movie, including the Connery-esque
voice provided by Tom Hardy. Bane always seemed in
control of the situation no matter how chaotic it was.
He was somewhat intimidating in that regard, considering he effortlessly made a fool out of Batman. That
added another level of tension to the movie because
the main character no longer seemed unstoppable.
Another element of the movie that really added a
lot of depth and tension was the inclusion of Joseph
Gordon-Levitt as Robin. Initially he just seems like
another police officer, but as the movie progressed he
gained a more significant role, helping save police officers trapped underground, and eventually assisting
Batman in stopping the destruction of Gotham. Gordon-Levitt was a great choice for Robin, and hopefully
his addition will preclude further movies that have
the old partnership reformed.
The cast of the Batman series continually impresses
me, starting out with Alfred the butler. The actor who

plays this role nails it so perfectly I dont think a single

person in the theater remembers that he isnt, in fact,
a butler in real life. Everything from his accent, to the
way he deferentially refers to Bruce Wayne. Additionally, Morgan Freeman as Mr.Fox is a great touch, as
you can never go wrong when you have Morgan Freeman in a movie. In the second movie, when a grubby
little worker at
Waynes company tries
to
sell-out,
Freeman utters
some of my
favorite lines.
The delivery of this
line was
perfect,
with just
t h e
right
amount
of
incredulousity
combined
with his deadpan tone. Let me get
this straight. You think
that your client, one of the
wealthiest, most powerful men in
the world, is secretly a vigilante who
spends his nights beating criminals to a
pulp with his bare hands; and your plan, is to
blackmail this person?
The leading actors in this movie did a satisfactory job, but I dont think Christian Bale or
Anne Hathaway really stretched themselves
when it came to their roles. Considering that
Bale was in a suit of armor for the majority
of the film, at times, he resembled a glorified voice actor. Anne Hathaways role as Catwoman
seemed tailor-made to suit her. It was one of the few
times I actually enjoyed seeing her in a movie. In the

end though, Christian Bale wasnt anything spectacular as Batman.

One thing I didnt like about the movie though
was the ending. Banes plot to take Gotham hostage
with the atomic bomb seemed a little pointless. If he
wanted the city destroyed, just destroy it. Dont play a
game with trucks driving around the city, just blow up
the bomb. If Bane really just wanted the leverage to
control Gotham, all he needed to do was prevent the
bomb from deteriorating as it did. Regardless of that
minor inconsistency at the very end, the movie redeemed itself when Batman flies the soon-to-explode
reactor away and saves the city. I thought it was very
fitting, and almost not cheesy.
In the end, The Dark Knight Rises was a wonderful ending to the trilogy,
and I hope that its a
precursor to many
more Batman movies in the future, if
youre a superhero
movie fan, or
not.

Labyrinth puzzles viewers, music carries plot

Dania Robinson
Staff writer
Some musicals have pretty cheesy
story lines but a strong soundtrack can
make the movie bearable. The Labyrinth is an 80s movie that fits that description. Its a great example of how the
music can overshadow the story line.
Starring David Bowie and Jennifer
Connelly, Labyrinth is about a 15-yearold girl named Sarah who has to babysit
her step-brother Toby every Saturday
night. She accidentally wishes Toby
away to Jareth, the Goblin King, who
will keep him unless Sarah can solve the
labyrinth in 13 hours.
In the labyrinth, Sarah meets Hoggle;
an unreliable yet amiable gnome who
guides her through the tricks and puzzles of the maze. Along the way, Jareth
adds complications to the journey as
Sarah and Hoggle get closer to complet-

ing the maze. Sarah is then drugged by a

poisoned peach from Jareth and nearly
loses herself. She eventually recovers
her senses and reaches the center of
the labyrinth which is Goblin City. She
retrieves Toby from Jareth and returns
home.
Overall, the movie was boring and
lengthy. Most of the time was spent
walking around the labyrinth not doing
anything. I expected it to be a fun and
exciting movie since it was originally
aimed at children, but it wasnt.
The 80s lacked great actors and it
definitely showed in this musical. When
Sarahs brother is taken away by Jareth, she hardly showed any emotion.
She was a little one dimensional. The
other characters were quirky and silly,
like most 80s movies, lacking depth and
character development.
In the end, Sarahs parents come

home while shes in her room looking in

her mirror and she says that shes going
to miss all the friends she made in the
labyrinth. Then, her friends pop up and
say that if she ever needs them to just
call. I thought it was a good way to end
the movie, but it was also very cheesy.
The only thing that kept me from
turning off the TV was knowing that
David Bowie would be performing. David Bowie is known for extravagant images and the glam super-starship of the
early seventies. His singing and dancing
which was rock with an electric edge,
added a lot more spark to the movie.
I really enjoyed the music because
it added more to the story and it portrayed the actors feelings more than the
actual acting. It gave more background
information of what the Goblin King
had done with children in the past and
foreshadowed what might happen next

to Sarah in the labyrinth.

In the first music scene, he sang about
turning her brother into a goblin if she
didnt complete the Labyrinth increasing the suspense while he was dancing
with the baby that he took from Sarah.
In another scene, Bowie is singing about
how Sarah would never be able to make
her way through the labyrinth since no
one else could. This scene was both depressing and motivational for Sarah as
she attempted to make her way to the
center.
Even though the acting wasnt good,
the music compensated, making it bearable. If youre looking for a different
style of movie to watch, I would definitely recommend the Labyrinth, but
keep in mind that it is a movie aimed at
children, so although Bowie carries the
movie with his music, the cheesy plot
still exists.

Sink your teeth into November, Twilight finale

Erin Garcia
Staff writer
Be prepared to purchase tickets, grab
some popcorn, and find a seat because
the end of The Twilight Saga, Breaking
Dawn Part 2 is here. The final installment of the multi-billion dollar franchise will hit theaters nationwide Nov
16 and I plan on being one of the many
in line for the midnight premiere.
For years I have been addicted to
nearly anything that mentions the
names Bella or Edward, and with the
final movie coming soon, my excitement wont stop short.
Ever since the pale faces of Forks,
Washington have hit the media, Bella
and Edwards forbidden love story is
practically all that humanity, and I
want to know about. From Bella and
Edwards newly found relationship in
Twilight, the almost Jacob and Bella in
New moon, a battle against the Volturi and a vengeful vampire army in
Eclipse, to the marriage and newborn
child of Bella and Edward in Breaking
Dawn: Part 1, my love for the series remains strong.
Looking back and comparing the
first movie to the subsequent films
shows many distinctions, including

the quality, the violent combat scenes,

and the extensive fan base.
Since the money from the movies and books started to come in and
characters quickly became household
names, much has been modified since
Twilights popularity took flight. Their
fame has bettered the series because
the more profit it makes, the better the
production and that means more positive feedback from moviegoers.
The attention the films have received
has also forced the actors to take a
rather large step into the spotlight.
With every new up and coming actor
comes the paparazzi, the tabloids, and
the eye-catching headlines. With few
positives, come many negatives and
the Twilight stars have had their fair
share of both. Positive bonuses have
lead the actors to not only make more
money in this industry, but has also allowed them to flourish into other starring roles. Kristen Stewart has since
played Snow White in Snow White and
the Huntsman, while Robert Pattinson
went on to play roles like Jacob in Water for Elephants.
Negative aspects that come along
with stardom include the bad press
that sprung up at every newsstand,

harsh critiques given by professionals, and scandals including the recent

Kristen Stewart affair; can damage the
reputation of these stars and affect
the outcome of their future projects to
come.
Many people think Kristen Stewart
is a one-dimensional actress with no
emotion. In the first film, that was exactly what ran through my mind. How
could she possibly have been chosen to
portray this character with such little
expressions and emotion? Is what I
continuously thought. Although as the
movies continued, I became more and
more accepting of her acting and my
annoyance with her being dispassionate faded.
Even so, these factors will not stop
me from making my way to the theaters
on opening night. To me, these movies
are somewhat of an escape from reality. For just about two hours in a dim
room I can live in a place where werewolves run freely and vampires battle
to the end, allowing me to feel as if Im
a part of it all. The connections and
bonds between the characters, make
it all the more real and intense, which
can sometimes be hard to find in films.
The scenarios portrayed truly capti-

Entertainment - Page 11
vate me in such a way that its kept me
continuously coming back for more,
and with the final film approaching, I
am looking forward to seeing the most
amazing scenery, animation and special effects that the films have had to
date.
The final flick will continue from the
cliffhanger of Part 1 that left me wanting more. It will focus on what happens after the birth of Edward and
Bellas daughter, Renesmee, who has
caused many issues for the temporarily happy family. Not to mention the
fact that just when Jacob was set in his
hatred for the fast growing newborn,
he imprints, meaning that he saw the
love of his life in her, thus making Renesmee the only person he will love.
Alliances will have to be made and
some may rise or fall. New characters
will also be thrown into the mix, while
viewers such as myself, will finally be
granted the opportunity to see Bella in
her new immortal status.
Until the movie comes out, I will
have the past four movies on repeat as
my anticipation grows. So hold on my
fellow vampire and werewolf fans, because Nov 16 will be here quicker than
we realize.

We can be heroes, just for one day

Wallflowers steps out smashing box office predictions

Emily Nash
Co-editor
No matter who you are and no matter what kind
of situation youre in, there are always those certain
moments in life when you feel like nothing can bring
you down simply because youre with the people you
love the most and feeling alive. According to Charlie
in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, these are the moments that make you feel infinite.
Based on his critically acclaimed novel, Stephen
Chboskys The Perks of Being a Wallflower recently
hit the big screens in selected theaters, and those
mixed emotions that come in our youthful are perfectly portrayed in the film.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, set in Pittsburgh
in the early 90s, is about a teenage boy named Charlie
(played by Logan Lerman) who writes a series of letters to someone he only refers to as friend throughout his freshmen year of high school.
Though Charlie is depressed throughout the year
and worries that he might get bad again, he becomes friends with seniors Patrick (Ezra Miller) and
his step-sister Sam (Emma Watson) who introduce
Charlie to their world of house parties, friendships,
late nights eating out at Kings Family Restaurant and
the exhilaration of flying through the Fort Pitt Tunnel
while listening to David Bowies Hero on the radio.
As Sam says to Charlie, Welcome to the island of

misfit toys.
Chbosky, the author of the novel as well as the
writer and director of the film, couldnt have chosen a
better cast. Logan Lerman played Charlie exactly how
he is described in the book; too tenderhearted to get
out of a bad relationship, naive, and of course, a wallflower. Emma Watson was a great pick to play Sam
because of her subtle beauty, as Charlie describes her
to be in the novel, despite her bad history of being
with guys who made her seem small. Ezra Miller
played Patrick perfectly; a hilarious and flamboyantly
gay teenager who is heartbroken over a football player that never admits to his own sexuality. The rest of
the cast was a perfect choice, each relatable in different ways.
Chbosky kept in the key points of the novel that
made the movie suitable for any age group. There
were scenes that made me smile, like where Charlie,
Sam and Patrick dance to Come On Eileen at the
homecoming dance, and scenes that made me tearup, like when Charlie spends his last evening with
Sam before she goes off to college.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a heartwarming
film that will touches the soul. From the little things,
like laughing with your best friends, to bigger problems, like struggling with bad relationships, sexual
orientation, depression, or being an outcast, the film
affects everyone differently in a way that will make

you say, I know exactly how that feels.

Chbosky sends a message that says that no matter who we are, even when, as Charlie says to Sam,
we accept the love we think we deserve, everyone
makes a difference in someones life simply by understanding. And through hard times, there are always
moments when you know youre not a sad story.
And because of these
moments, no matter
who you are, we
can all be, as David
Bowie sang,
heroes, just for
one day.

Page 12 - Games

Games, Puzzles, Humor

Sudoku

Have a story, poem, or opinion you would like

to share? Draw a humor or political cartoon?
Take pictures of school events and activities? We
want to hear from you!
There is a section on the Norseman web page
for student created work and we are working to
showcase what our students create. If enough
pieces are submitted we will also include them
in the print edition of the newspaper.
To submit pieces, students can drop them off
in room 6160, place them in Mrs. Dominys box
on blue or email us at bhsnorseman@gmail.com

Answers to word puzzles:

1. Think twice about it
2. Walk on water
3. Space Invaders
4. You are always on my mind
5. Keep on smiling
6. It doesnt add up

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