Westerner World (Lubbock, Tex.), Ed. 1 Friday, December 5, 1997 Page: 2 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Lubbock High School.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
PAGE 2
WESTERNER WORLD. FRIDAY. DEC. 5, 1997
“ High school is closer to the core of the
American experience than anything
else I can think of”
-Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Do Not Believe
All That Is Heard
By Gregory Lynn
Associate Editor
Rumors about the school’s future
have spread like fire lately. Before
you’re caught with your foot in your
mouth, check the facts...
Recently the Texas Education
Agency (TEA) anounced they would
no longer recognize “Honors”
classes. This decision does not
threaten the LEAP program.
TEA’S decision does pose a threat
to the school’s three level system of
regular, honors and LEAP classes.
Honors classes will not be around
next year, but the state cannot tell
school districts what they can or can-
not accept as a weighted course.
“Honors” will most likely be re-
named, not removed. Pricipal Patrick
Cates said there is nothing to worry
about.
Why do people easily spread and
believe rumors, especially concern-
ing the school?
First is the fear factor. There is a
certain trend to being paraniod that
the powers that be are out to take
away student freedom, and that stu-
dents are somehow being oppressed.
Next is the hero fantasy, which is
connected to the fear factor. One
hears a rumor about decreased stu-
dent rights and feels it is their duty
to inform all of those around them
in hopes that all will be grateful to
the messenger for awakening them
to their oppression.
When the next rumor is heard, ask
yourself what purpose would it serve
if the rumor was true. Any answer to
a questioned rumor about the school
seems ridiculous and goes back to the
all too trendy thought that “the’re out
to get us, man.”
No one is out to get anyone. This
is the greatest school in the city, and
a blue ribbon one at that. The pro-
grams here and how they prepare stu-
dents for the great beyond are far too
valuable to be thrown out because of
those reasons found in the rumors go-
ing around.
Visio
j Nadia
f Shihab
i ■---
m
Every year,
my ears have
fallen victim to
a plethora of
complaints,
..... . .... whines, and
moans from teenagers caught in the
agony of a biology dissection.
Cries of sympathy for frogs,
worms, sheep eyes, and minks have
annually filled science classrooms.
Scalpel in hand, voices revolt against
the cruel deaths of these animals.
These same hands have slipped into
leather jackets and gloves, laced
leather tennis shoes, sprayed perfume
and cologne containing animal ex-
tracts, and held the remains of a juicy
grilled chicken sandwich. However,
once forced to lift a dead baby pig
out of a plastic bag, many of these
students show emotion over the cru-
elty inflicted upon animals.
Not once, however, in my years in
the science labs, have I heard those
same squeamish voices show distress
over situations of human rights.
Every day, humans are being mis-
treated by their own species. The
Chinese government continues to tor-
ture those who refuse to conform to
the government. Children in Bosnia
witness the murders of their families.
ews
Poverty and disease sweep many
third-world countries, yet many stu-
dents focus more of their attention
on animal rights.
It’s absurd that a neglected cat gets
more attention than a neglected hu-
man being, and the penalties for cru-
elty towards animals is frequently
more severe than the punishment
given for inflicting pain and suffer-
ing on another human being.
Many students may think in the
back of their mind that “if it doesn’t
affect me, it isn’t important”. This
idea would explain why many stu-
dents won’t complain about animals
being mistreated until they have a
scalpel in their hand and their grade
is depending on it.
People should have a stronger ob-
ligation to protect their own species
than they do for animals. The act of
ignoring the welfare of mankind on
behalf of animal rights is not justifi-
able. Humans beings are the only
creatures on earth that are intelligent
enough to control the whole world’s
fate in the palms of their hands and
at the same time fix the problem. It’s
time that we start paying more atten-
tion to the cruelty that we are inflict-
ing upon ourselves before we try to
save the animals.
A national epidemic
"The Benevolent Santa (a month before Christmas)"
Eggnog, chestnuts, Christmas carols—With the holi-
day season in full swing, it’s not uncommon to see the
Salvation Army and other organizations in front of mer-
chants’ stores around town. These groups aren’t the only
ones that need funds, though...
w V ^ was a month before Christmas and
1 I 1 all through the halls
Were the high school departments, some
big and some small
Each awaited its turn to be call to come
sit
Upon the generous red lap of good old Saint
Nick
And when each took its seat, the kind man would
ask
What it had accomplished in this school year past
First came Academics with his scholarly face,
And after kind greeting, started making his case
“We’re the blue ribbon school, what more need be said?
Let me list our successes (from the top of my head):
The math teams, the science teams, the language teams, too
How could these be better?” Santa nodded, “Quite true!”
“Our history’s stupendous, our English superb!
Better math, better science has never been heard!”
Old Santa agreed and while smiling began,
“You’ve done a wonderful job, how quite pleased I am!”
Because you’ve been good, and because you excel,
I think that you’ll find I reward you quite well:
New books and more funds to continue your pace. ”
And when Academics got up, Athletics took his place
Pinching his cheek Santa said with a laugh,
“Well, my how you’ve grown! A whole foot and a half!”
This past year you’ve done well, made a name for the school
To say any different would prove me a fool.
Oh how we’d be worse off, oh how things would change
Had we not the enjoyment of our own reindeer games!”
Santa reached into his sack and brought out in his hand
New tennis courts, a new stadium, some practice field stands,
A new swimming pool and other things to delight
The athletic department, whose eyes now gleamed bright
“These gifts are all yours to use as you please,
And if you need something else, then you know where I’ll be. ”
And after Athletics had gone on his way,
Santa was ready to call it a day
“I think that that’s it, no one else do I see. ”
But one more remained (though overshadowed he be)
And just before Santa could turn off the light
The humble department stepped into his sight
“My child! Nice to see you! Oh, please do come in!”
Then aside to his elf, “What was his name, again?”
“It might be Fine Arts, ” said the elf to his boss
“But his countenance is strange, and I’m at quite a loss. ”
“Nevermind, ” said old Santa, “I’ll pretend that I know.
It’s six forty-five and I wish to go home. ”
The department took his place upon Santa’s red knee,
And began telling him of all he had achieved
“For starters, our music is truly first rate,
The orchestra is one of the best in the state.
The choir and the band have won wide acclaim,
And all three have won sweepstakes to further their fame.
A better art program is not to be found,
Both it and our dance groups are highly renowned.
It seems an injustice to try to convey
The grandeur of theatre and its kin, one act play.
But allow me to say, and to this I do swear,
When the curtain is raised, it’s a statewide affair.”
-------V ■ ; * j ' i k i ' ' ' ' ' -.....• •• —rf * -f
“This is great, “ said old Santa, “as fine as can be,
But I’m not sure exactly why this involves me. ”
“Good sir, ” said Fine Arts, “it involves you, indeed!
To whom else might I turn to take care of my needs?
The first on my list is a new music hall;
The size of our programs has proved ours to small.
The actors, as well, need some more storage space
For their costumes and stage props have really no place. ”
Santa sat silent, just stroking his chin
Pondering where his excuse might begin
“Well, ” said old Santa after pausing great length
“I would like to help, but it’s not in my strength.
There’s only so much I can possibly do.
Come back in a year and I might see you through.
Until then, here’s a sucker. Now be on your way.
I grow very tired; it’s been a long day. ”
With a sigh the department walked out through the door
It was the same familiar story, one he’d heard thrice before
And as he was leaving, he heard Santa cheer
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good year!”
Since Santa seems unable (or unwilling) to support the arts, the Westerner
World has taken up the cause. Starting this issue we will include an enter-
tainment section to spotlight the arts and show it the support that it right-
fully deserves. So essentially Santa has been sacked. Ho, Ho, Ho!
[ Nathan
Timmons
TXT LUBBOCK HIGH SCHOOL TTT
Westerner World
STAFF
Editor: Kandice Lamborn
Associate Editors: Gregory Lynn,
Nadia Shihab, Lock Taylor
News Editor: Olivia Allison
Editorial Editor: Nathan Timmons
Feature Editor: Lisa Hazelwood
Sports Editor: Marcos Alvarado
Advertising Editor: Melissa Hart
Staff Writers: Elizabeth Barnhill,
Adam Dillard, Elizabeth Krile, Kat
Mahan, Myisha McNeal, Amanda
Letters To the Editor Policy - The Westerner World staff encourages read-
ers to write letters to the editor regarding the quality of the paper or views held by the
reader on any subject.
All letters must be signed, typed and double spaced, or neatly hand written and
must include the writer's address and phone number.
A writer's name may be withheld from publication upon request and with valid
reason.
The editor reserves the right to edit anchor hold from publication any letter.
All letters should be turned into Mr. Kopf in room 208 or may be mailed to: The
Editor, Westerner World, 2004 1 9th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79401.
Norris, Nicholas Puga, Jason Rhode,
Chelsee Taylor, Vandita Lakhani
Artists: Andrew Cunningham, Tomas
Gomez, Nic Shute
Advertising Staff: Derek Doe, An-
drew Cunningham, Blake Gafford,
Troy Tidwell
Photographers: Katie Schue, Ben-
jamin Hirsch, Tressa Sanderson, Matt
Cross, Abie Cox, Kale Garretson, Brad
Ethridge, Stephanie Condron
4
i
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Westerner World (Lubbock, Tex.), Ed. 1 Friday, December 5, 1997, newspaper, December 5, 1997; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth662295/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lubbock High School.