Category Archives: Feature

Feature

Class officer candidate campaigns to be a voice

By Micaella Rodriguez Staff writer

  Running for class officer, freshman Scarlet Graf takes school and her involvement seriously, she prepares to put these aspirations into action as President Graf of the class of 2024. She campaigned to help other people in need, her main promise was to speak out for other people and give them voices. A fourteen-year-old, San Antonio native, Graf attended Nichols elementary and Brisco Middle School.

  Her involvement began in Nichols when she joined Student council. She then played several sports in middle school and held office as NJHS secretary, then got promoted to vice president.

  “I really enjoy leadership roles because I like guiding people and helping them,” Graf said.

She would like to make a “big name” for herself because “I’m not as well known as others…I get to put my name out there, I get to help people and then if I do anything great, people will remember me forever,” Graf said.

Graf made it clear that she wanted to be “the main leader” as well as become a part of the student body. Graf’s promises of her campaign include uniting the student body, to “bring us all together to solve bigger issues.”

She feels she is different from the other candidates.

“I feel like my enthusiasm sets me apart from the other candidates,” Graf said. 

The results of the class officer and Student Council elections:

Student Council officers:

President Mary Garcia, Vice president Claire Smith, and Secretary Saydee Miller

SENIOR CLASS:

  • PRESIDENT: JACOB SCHINDLER
  • VICE PRESIDENT: MELIN MONTEMAYOR
  • SECRETARY: SEBASTIAN FLORES
  • TREASURER: THERESA NGUYEN

JUNIOR CLASS:

  • PRESIDENT: ANGELINA HERRERA
  • VICE PRESIDENT: SHELBY CROWLEY
  • SECRETARY: MIMI KONATAR
  • TREASURER: DIEGO ELIAS

 

SOPHOMORE CLASS:

  • PRESIDENT: VICTORIA HULZ
  • VICE PRESIDENT: ELLA MERRILL
  • SECRETARY: BIANCA SCOTT-CHANEY
  • TREASURER: JOSHUA MEDINA

 

FRESHMAN CLASS:

  • PRESIDENT: LIAM MEISTER
  • VICE PRESIDENT: PAYTON COTTRILL
  • SECRETARY: NATALIE KIESOW
  • TREASURER: VACANT
Feature

Student strives for musical future

By Taylor Alton Staff writer

  Her love for music all started from within her family, a family full of culture and life. One half of her family is from Mexico and the other is from Austria. Varsity orchestra member, and aspiring musician, junior Bianca Cerecero credits her Dad and Grandpa for inspiring her to indulge in the world of music. She also has a passion for singing, performing everything from covers to her own written songs. Before quarantine, Cerecero booked monthly paid gigs and shows, which really helped her build an audience. Her family has been very supportive of her endeavors.     

  “My dad has always put music first and pushed me to learn instruments and go to different events and auditions for things,” Cerecero said.

  In addition to her Dad, she says her friends all promote her music and are also extremely supportive. 

  Although her father encouraged her to pursue music, it was her grandpa who overall inspired her to start making her own music as that is something that he does as well. Her biggest role model is a tie between her Grandpa and one of her favorite artists, Harry Styles.

  “(Styles) lyrics are so beautifully written and the musicality is so well put together as well and his stage presence,” Cerecero said.

  Making music seems like all fun and games, but in reality, there are many struggles. Cerecero describes the most challenging part of making music as “staying positive and confident” the smallest thing, like a thumbs down on a youtube video or a small mean comment makes me feel like I’m in over my head with pursuing music. The judgment and pressure for wanting to pursue music instead of a traditional career as well is challenging since there’s always conflicting opinions on what others think you should be doing”.

  Some other struggles she’s balancing her life and her music. Cerecero spends her family time around the table eating meals, the weekends she spends with her friends, and during the weekdays she is working on school. Around the evening time when her school work is done, is when Cerecero focuses on her music.

So, what is her music exactly? Although she plays the violin for the varsity orchestra, that is not music Cerecero makes. Through promoting her music on social media like Instagram and Twitter, you can find her mainly playing the guitar and sometimes the piano. But one constant in Cerecero’s music is her voice. Although she recognizes the risks and pressure, Cerecero is set on having a career in music.

“I have no idea what I would do if my music wouldn’t be successful,” Cerecero said.

She is very hopeful for the future and is so thankful to have music in her life.

“(Music) made me more accepting of my emotions I think. I use it as a coping mechanism and I think writing my lyrics and looking back on them helps me realize what I’m truly feeling. It’s also allowed me to connect with a lot of different people as well, not only in our own community but around the city and country,” Cerecero said.

Check out Cerecero’s music on Instagram @biancamaymusic and on her Youtube channel, Bianca May.

Images courtesy of Ms. Cerecero

 

 

 

Feature

Tips for new school year

By Emma Szabo and Diego Hernandez

Welcome back Panthers from your 2020-21 Co-Editors-in-Chief of the campus newspaper, juniors Emma Szabo and Diego Hernandez. As juniors we’ve had our fair share of experience around campus, but this year is going to be a new experience for us all. Although the kick off to the 2020 school year will be a challenge, we’d like to give you a few tips on how to experience a less frightening and joyful learning experience both inside the classroom and in your homes if you’re doing virtual. 

  First off, assignments can be daunting and take up a large amount of time if you don’t manage the work. Keep track of deadlines. Most of your classes are going to give you homework, so it’s important to turn it all in on time. Some teachers take off points for late assignments while others won’t accept the work past a certain day. Try to get a planner or use a digital calendar to remind yourself of when different assignments are due. Procrastination is a big issue for many teens in school, so it’s best to try and keep track of all your work to stay organized. 

  Keeping up with your work is a great thing, but if there’s an assignment that looks hard or you’re taking what seems a longer time period to do so, you can find help. Take advantage of school resources including tutoring time. Upon returning to campus the library is a great place to study or to work on homework before and after school and during lunch; they provide computers for you to use and both ink and color printers you can use anytime. The library is also home to the tutoring center room where you can get help for almost any subject during lunch with tutors in the room. It also provides a quiet place to work that you can go to even if you don’t need any help. In a home environment, find an area that’s clear of distractions. Put down your phone to avoid alarms and steer clear of noises around the house. Utilize these resources to get your schoolwork done and get any help you may need to make the school year better.

  One other thing we’d like to mention is your effort is by definition what work you put into something. Don’t cheat on your assignments. Teacher’s look over assignments and projects evaluating and comparing papers to other students. If there is a pattern present they will see it and your paper may either be re-assigned or revoked entirely without a chance to make up the grade. Daily assignments make up forty percent of your grade in the class wall tests make up sixty percent weighing heavier. If you’re caught cheating on a test, the results to your average in the class could greatly suffer. There may be days where you get home late from hanging with your friends or have practice and there’s a pile of homework in your backpack, but cheating is never worth it.

  Lastly, your high school experience is never fun without making some memories or interaction. Join some clubs. There are many clubs offered that take place all throughout the week, and some even provide opportunities for community service, so try finding one that fits your schedule and interests. Clubs are a great way to meet new friends and get involved with the school. Colleges also like to see extracurriculars like clubs on applications, so joining a club now can help out in the future. Some of these clubs can include: Acts of Kindness, Spanish, French or language clubs, and not to toot our own horns but Yearbook and Newspaper clubs. You’ll find a new adventure awaiting you.  

  With the responsibility of a new learning environment, if you’re a freshman or needing a rebriefing as a returning upperclassman, we hope this story will find you well and assist you in the new school year that is to come. Although we may not have included each minor detail or lesson, know that your teachers and families are there to help you as the school year progresses. Together we will learn how the effects of the coronavirus can challenge us in our school, and for some of our homes, but we will get through this. Panthers let’s have ourselves a great school year.  

 

Feature

Students quar-entertained with streaming services

by Diego Hernandez Staff writer

  In the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus, families are stuck at home as the lockdown is still in effect. As students are stuck at home, new hobbies have become aware of us in helping ease the physiological suffering of isolation. These have included baking, art, and spending time with family. Sophomore Samantha Mendoza shared that streaming services have been her salvation in these hard times. 

  “Netflix has been my go-to if I need something to numb myself during this period of self-isolation. I’ve mainly been obsessed with Tiger king and Netflix since it is the only place I can view it,” Mendoza said. 

  These hobbies have been of help for a number of weeks now, with the confirmed cases still high and businesses are still minor functioning. Those who have chosen to use streaming services as a source of aid have ranged their assessment from minor to large in the week to monthly period. Sophomore Dillon Cervantes states he may be brief in technical logging in, but is not turned off for a lengthy period of time. 

  “If I could give an amount per week I’d say I go on them for about 7 days because each day I turn on the TV. Once that’s done I leave it on for the rest of the day wall I do homework or just relax,” Cervantes said.

  The national knowledge of Covid-19 existed in the previous months before the NISD spring break took effect. Students entered the week’s worth of vacation time knowing to be cautious of those they encounter and where they choose to be. However, school delays for the district came for the following week. Sophomore Thai Carlton shares his adjusting to the new absence of school.

  “It hit me the first week of official school suspension, the week after spring break, how much I’d depend on them. Especially Disney Plus because it has all the Star Wars films, I’m a big Star Wars geek,” Carlton said.

  As we have grown, movies and television shows have impacted our lives and taught lessons on how to encounter worldly matters, these trying times are no different. By being home and now having virtual learning, we are able to revisit the movies of our youth by using physical DVDs or streaming services. Junior Haidon Sills states his views on how movies are beneficial during these times.

  “Movies are really impactful because they give us an entertaining reason to stay home. By doing this it ultimately helps the situation we’re in right now and gives us hope for when it’s over,” Sills said. 

  With safety precautions becoming a necessity for the safety of individuals and populations, we are thrust into seeing only those who live in our homes. Parents or older siblings try to look out for each other and assist the younger family members in comfort. Streaming services act as a group gathering ideal for the allowance of families to come together for an hour and a half to two for a digital story. Sophomore Raina Briscoe shares who she spends her movie experiences with.

  “When not alone in my room I spend time with my little niece watching her movies. She seems really scared right now and I want to make sure I can help her in any way possible,” Briscoe said.

  The home being of itself is known to be a sanctuary from the world around us. In this time, even with a mask and hand sanitizer, the world is considered considerably more dangerous for the risk of the interaction with unknown cases of the virus. Sophomore Mitchell Wasmus states where in his house he feels most safe. 

  “I usually choose to watch them in the living room. Mine is open and has a lot of natural light, with the movies it gives me a nice feeling and makes me calm,” Wasmus said.

  Although we may be in a worldly crisis, we can make use of the time we have at home to make memories and experiences that will last for us to tell our children and grandchildren. For teens to experience binge-worthy shows or for families to come together, streaming services provide the atmosphere that gives us the hope that a day for relief will come. Other ideas besides those with technology could include taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or learning how to further skills in a field such as art. These can create a joyful experience that will help you through this crisis. 

 

Feature

Tips and advice for freshman year

Melody Norman

 

For those of you starting freshman year, you may think it is exciting and a new beginning because you can meet new people and join clubs. While others might think it is intimidating due to the late nights of homework, or walking onto the big campus.

“The scariest part of coming into O’Connor was not knowing my way around the campus,” sophomore John Locke said.

The school is a large campus, and the first few days can be very overwhelming, but there are maps all around that end up helping many students “I would have to say the best thing you can do is memorize where your classes are, and taking a picture of the map,” sophomore Maddie Schmitto said.

Even if you haven’t been to prep day, and you have not memorized the building, there is always administrators that would offer you help if you get lost. There are many things you can do to make your freshman year less stressful, including keeping up with your grades and doing your work that was given.

“What helped me was not procrastinating, and keeping up with my grades,’’ Locke said.

Work can eventually start piling up and it can be stressful, but there is plenty of time to get work done during school hours.

“The best time to get my homework done was during lunch, in the library (B102), as well as getting it done during tutoring,” Schmitto said.

Many teachers offer help in any way you need it whether it is the college tutors in the library or teachers that offer tutoring.

“The most helpful teachers were Mrs.Thornton my English teacher,” Locke said,
“If a student isn’t flagged by their teacher, and hasn’t flagged them- selves by the time Flexisched locks at 5pm the day before FLEX, I as- sign the student a place. The first place I fill is the computer labs. If students are near a computer or in a quiet computer lab they can still work even though they may not have found a place on their own through FLEX. The second place we fill is the library, and then after that, the Cafeteria. If the student’s teachers have open spots, I’ll flag them there too,” Thornton said.

Some students may also wonder what classes can override what other classes in order to flag a student that had already been flagged somewhere else.

“Core teachers will have priority days that go in alphabetical order. The first day of FLEX, English held the priority, the second day will be math, science, and then social studies,” Thornton said.

Thornton also states that if a teacher wants to flag a kid from another teacher, but neither have priority, the teacher who flagged the student first takes the priority.

If students or parents have any questions about FLEX, they can as their teachers or Mrs. Thornton in room B102.

Feature

Students make memories at homecoming

Zelma Hernandez

Some of the highlights of the homecoming dance night were the new
and hot songs that everyone was able to dance to and enjoy, especially the Cupid Shuffle by the cupid singer. Students ran to the dance floor. Not to forget the romantic songs such as You Make It Easy by Jason Aldean, Despacito to by Justin Beiber and Luis Fonsi. When all the couples seemedto rush to the dance floor so they could slow dance together. For those people who didn’t enjoy dancing there were many fun mini-games scattered around the courtyard such as ring toss and corn hole. In addition to the perfect night, there were drinks and pizza for everyone to savor. Lastly, the main focus of homecoming is to have fun so it was very nice to see many smiling faces as well as people venturing outside their comfort zone and stepping onto the dance floor.

Homecoming week sparks a lot of anticipation for students, but for some students, that anticipation also comes with several decisions. It also is a great way for people to come closer as one and work together while also having fun.

“I thought homecoming was super fun especially since it was the first dance I’ve been to in a long time. For some reason I thought it was going to be super boring but I liked how we were able to go outside and chill in-stead of everyone being forced inside. The activities outside in the courtyard were fun, there was a beanbag toss and something similar to ring toss. I’ll definitely be going to homec

oming again next year. It’s a fun way to start your year,” junior Fernando Corona said.

Congratulations to the new Homecoming King Tyreke Lumpkin and Homecoming Queen Isabella Benavidez crowned on October 17, 2019. They were crowned on the football field in front of the crowd.

Feature

Dangers of trampolines

By: Dominic Mascorro

Experiencing trauma can affect a human mentally and/or physically. It can affect their lives in major ways. Freshman Justin Schultz, a former football player, went through a traumatic phase in his life. Schultz went out for a day of fun at Urban Air, a nearby trampoline park. Schultz was jumping when his friend jumped at the same time and Justin landed wrong and injured his leg.

Here are his thoughts on what happened and how it will affect him mentally and physically.

“I was jumping on a trampoline trying to impress people and I went down to jump and my friend jumped at the same time and my leg snapped backward,” Schultz said.

These type of injuries are common for both trampoline parks and for home trampolines.

“I felt like my leg was snapping in more than one place and I could see it snap-in on itself,” Schultz said.

Justin was unlucky to have his leg crumble right in front of himself and his friends.

“I went to the doctor the next day and he told me he couldn’t tell what happened so he sent me to an MRI and that took an hour to do and I got my results back in a day and I tore my ACL off the bone and fractured the two other bones in my leg,” Schultz said.

Schultz shared his pain was very bad and he felt depressed he couldn’t play football anymore and was out for recovery for the entire football season. Schultz felt terrible he missed out on all the games and regrets his trampoline accident.

According to a 2018 study conducted by the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine the amount of kids injured 24mo-17 years of
age at trampoline parks is almost the same as those injured on home trampolines. The University of Tennessee hospital treated 439 patients in 2018 with trampoline injuries and of those 13% required surgery after their trampoline park accident.