Story Written by: Alliyah Azlan,

Trends are constantly forming, hitting people at both the national and international level. Stanley Cups are a specific trend that caught the world’s attention. Both students and staff are affected by this trend. Stanley cups are the newest trending water bottle, having followed other cups like Yetis and Hydro Flasks and become a staple for students on campus.

One thing that Stanley cups have become infamous for is their price. While just an ordinary cup, the retail price for one can reach prices as high as $85, and as low as $30. To many, not only is this seen as a ridiculous price for a cup, but also unachievable for those who don’t have that much money to drop on a water bottle.

“In my opinion, it’s really stupid for them to go after cups,” Lilyana Rocha, a freshman , said. “They’re nice and all, but it’s really not worth the money to keep buying them.”

To others, however, the reason they don’t buy Stanley cups is not because of the cost, but more so because of the hype surrounding them. Students are saying that they’re deterred from buying one, simply because of how popular they’ve become around campus.

“I don’t own a Stanley cup, but I’d like a pink one to put rhinestones on it,” Abbigail Maxwell, a freshman, said. “They’re really expensive, and over-hyped, though. I’d buy one if I had the money, but I wouldn’t flex it around or anything. It’s really just a cup.”

Love conquers all… right?

Picnic by William Inge centers around 5 lonely women in 1950’s small-town American backyards of two houses; one is owned by Flo Owens, who lives there with her two daughters, and the other belongs to Helen Potts, Flo’s next-door neighbor. Each woman wants something more out of their lives; love and a happy future. It explores the details of the lives within this female atmosphere as well as how these women are affected by the men in their lives – especially the mysterious newcomer named Hal Carter of which several of the women appear to be smitten. 

The play starts focusing on your typical 1950’s teen tropes. One of the teen girls, named Madge, is known for her beauty. The other is her younger sister, Millie, who seems to be the complete opposite of Madge. She’s quick-witted and intelligent, but she’s more of a tomboy. Despite their differences, their mother, Flo, loves them and wants what’s best for both of them like any mother would. Quickly, the audience is exposed to their flaws, secrets, sexuality, and dreams in life, providing each and every character – no matter how small of a role – depth, humanity, and an interesting story. 

With brilliant performances by actors such as Payton Evanyo, Lily Fry, Juliet Palos, Cesar De Leon, and Luis-Carlos Sandoval III, directed by the brand new Jeanie De Leon, Marshall’s rendition of Picnic is easily a must-see.

The first send-off of the year was held last Friday for the cheer team as they departed for the biggest competition of the year, Nationals in Dallas.

“The girls are prepared, and they’re just gonna go out there and do their best,” cheer Coach Kuykendall said.

The atmosphere was electric. Parents snapped photos. The drumline cadences reverberated in the air. 

“I’m so excited, yet I want to cry because she is a senior,” parent, Shannon Gray, said. “It’s her last high school nationals.”

The cheerleaders had matching sunglasses on and put their suitcases into the bus. They are off to aim for their seventh win.

“I feel great,” Shaylah Gray, senior captain, said. “Tension is high.”

Update: 

The cheer team won in “Novice Small Varsity Crowd Performance.” This is their seventh national win. 

by Pluto Pena

It’s February 17th, 2021. We’re at home unable to go anywhere, due to the ice on the roads, and the plummeting temperatures outside. The National Weather Service has issued numerous snow warnings. Now, fast forward to July 11 of that same year. Northeast Texas reached temperatures of 116°F, beating last year’s record of 113°F.

Texas is more than renowned, it is notorious for its neverending bipolar weather. From its sudden decline into freezing temperatures to its scorching heat in the summer, people of the Lone Star State have varying opinions of the weather.

In a poll taken recently, 11 out of 27 participants said they didn’t like the weather. Of those 11, more than half said it was because of the fluctuating weather. Participants said things like “Super bipolar, never consistent, and change too much.”

When asked what the best season in Texas was, 14 people said Winter, 11 people said Fall or Spring, and 2 said Summer. For the participants who answered Winter, it was observed that the majority favored cold weather, and others simply preferred it to the heat. Other answers included little to no bugs, no humidity, certain wildlife, and balanced equilibrium of warmth and cold. For the participants who answered summer, it was the ability to partake in activities you wouldn’t be able to in the winter, and not being a fan of the cold.

When it came to the worst season in Texas, 17 of the 27 participants said Summer was the worst, and 7 said Winter. And 3 said Fall or Spring. For those who said Summer, almost all the answers were that it was way too hot. Other answers included that the heat can be damaging, and the humidity is awful. For those who answered Winter as the worst season, many stated they simply didn’t like the cold. Other answers included that they aren’t prepared for the cold and neither is the state, bringing up this year’s snowstorm. And for those who answered either Spring or Fall, the majority said it was because it is when the weather fluctuates the most.

For participants from out of state, they were asked their opinion on the weather. Many said they didn’t mind, saying it was a mix of everything, but others thought badly of it. Many responses said things Texas is too hot, the temperatures don’t match the seasons, and, yet again, the fluctuating weather during the Fall and the Spring.

For the final question, participants were asked what they dread the most every year. Over half the participants said it was the heat. The most common answers after that were the cold, and the ice. The reasons for answering the heat were pretty straightforward: it’s hot. For those who answered the cold and the ice, answers consisted of a lack of preparation, saying their heaters up the energy bill, and playing Slip and Slide with their cars.