8
The suspense is tangible in the open space that surrounds them. The whistle blows and music breaks the silence. Perfectly on cue, they begin to move in the same way. Each individual, each instrument, becomes one. The Lobo band scored a 1, the highest rating out of 5, at the UIL Marching Competition on Oct. 20. This year marked the 63rd consecutive first division achievement for the Big Green Marching Machine, maintaining the state record for consecutive superior ratings in a state contest. “The band has been doing this for a long time and holding that record is real important to the kids, to the school, and to the parents of the kids,” Director Louis Robinett said. “So we just have to continue with it and we have to rise to those standards.” The 144 members, specializing in military- style marching, were able to overcome the pressure and maintain the local tradition that has been going on for more than 80 years. “There’s pressure on us not to let [Mr. Robinett] down. This [pressure] usually comes from the fans and your ‘popcorn eaters.’” junior band member Garrett Littlejohn said. “Marching in the hot sun is worth it in the end, but I’m in it more for showing our band and our good music off to people. That’s always the best part.” Volunteers were present at the event to help lead the other 39 bands to their practice spaces, and had high expectations for LHS competitors. “After so many years of being in first division,” junior helper Casey Nickel said, “it’s really just expected that the Lobos perform the best every year.” Laura Aciano Staff Writer Lobo band continues 63 year tradition of excellence V L THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Volume 1 No. 2 Friday, November 2 2012 www.lisd.org/long-view 201 East Tomlinson Parkway Longview, Texas 75605 The Long - View SEIZURE SAVIORS, PG. 4 TIRED OF BULLYING, PG. 2 JAMES BOND IN “SKYFALL,” PG. 8 Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW The Cell Reserves Biology teacher Diana Key points out the specifics of a cell to her class. FILE / THE LONG-VIEW Remembering Mr. Robinson Architecture, drafting, and design teacher, Mr. Robinson, lost his long battle with cancer and passed away Oct. 23. In fond remembrance After dedicating 24 years of his life to teaching architecture, drafting, and design at Longview High School, Dale Robinson has passed away on Oct. 23 due to complications with Wesley Hardin Staff Writer a cancerous tumor wrapped around his lung. Senior Kenny Jones, a former student of Robinson, remembers his teacher fondly. “He was a great teacher,” Jones said. “If I ever had a problem, Mr. Robinson would go out of his way to help me out.” Longview High School Veterans Jordan Houser / THE LONG-VIEW Marching Perfection The band marches their routine flawlessly during the UIL Marching Competition October 20. A lifetime of service It’s five A.M. She wakes up and heads to physical training, makes her way to medical support training, and finally reports to her war readiness training. She once followed this schedule, but now follows a different itinerary: one that consists of bells, classes, and teacher conference periods. Biology teacher Diana Key served as a medical supply officer in the army from 1979 to 1985. “I appreciated the opportunity to serve my country,” Key said. “It definitely helped shape me to be the person I am today.” Key joined after two years in her college’s ROTC. “I loved ROTC,” Key said. “I was a member of the rifle team; it was so much fun.” Key had the opportunity to travel throughout the world during her time in the service going from Georgia all the way to Germany. “I met a whole variety of people all over the world,” Key said. “It gave me a broader perspective of people than what I would get from living in the same place.” Key’s family and the military have played a major part throughout her life. Her dad encouraged her to join when her mom died, but she eventually got out of the Retired army officer shifts focus to teaching Hannah Brown Feature Editor army to raise a family. Now, they keep her connected to the service. “My husband retired from the military, I have a son who was in the army and a son still in it, a step-son in the marines, and a daughter- in-law in the navy,” Key said. “It is still a part of my life.” Her original plan never included becoming an educator as she did not want her children to grow up poor like she did having two educator parents. However, when Key left the army, she had a change of heart. “A friend, who taught me how to canoe, was killed in a car wreck,” Key said. “The next summer, I canoed and remembered that she had taught me. I realized that teaching was giving to others and investing yourself.” Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW Eating Vegan Senior Allessia Scribner shows her support for Veganism while she eats her lunch. She gets a bunch of funny looks. A lot of people just don’t seem to understand. So when someone asks, ‘Why are you a vegan?’ she may just respond, ‘Why are you not a vegan?’ Junior Allessia Scribner official- ly became a vegan in Sept. of this year and has adapted not only her diet to the change but her lifestyle as well. “I heard about the health ben- efits and started thinking about how people treat animals and how animals can feel pain,” Scribner said. “I thought ‘You know, this works for me.’” Being a vegan means not eating any animal products including meat, milk, eggs, and honey. “I get to eat as much as I want, and I don’t feel bad about it,” Scribner said. “I eat celery, green beans, kale, beans, and legumes and all of those things don’t have Senior embarks on vegan journey Hannah Brown Feature Editor I can’t believe it’s vegan! a lot of calories.” Adjusting to the new diet has been easy and even enjoyable for Scribner as she learns new things like recipes, vegan-friendly foods, and food styles. “It was kind of difficult at first, but it gets easier,” Scribner said. “I have to make my own food and get to experiment through cook- ing.” Despite how much she likes her new lifestyle, things aren’t always easy; she has to be careful at res- taurants and can even feel left out at times. “I feel left out when people eat stuff like pizza and I can’t,” Scrib- ner said. “At restaurants I always have to ask what’s in the food, but veggie dishes are usually an op- tion and all I have to do is take out the cheese.” Scribner believes that becom- ing a vegan can improve people’s health as it has helped her. “You take in less fat, it can lower your cholesterol, and people with diabetes or heart problems condi- tions improve on a vegan diet,” Scribner said. “I feel like I have more energy.” Monster Energy Drinks Cracker Jacks Nabisco Oreo Cookies Lay’s Potato Chips (Plain) Pillsbury Pizza Dough Sun Chips Original flavor Rickey Abraham-Army Joaquin Guerrero-Army Diana Key- Army Landry Peace-Army Jonathon Storment-Army Paul Walker- Army Mark Whitford-Army Jennifer Carter-Army Walter Stephens Army George Kale-Air Force John Daniels-Navy Bobleh Mah- Currently serv- ing in the US Marine Reserve

VOL. 76 NO. 2

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Page 1: VOL. 76 NO. 2

The suspense is tangible in the open space that surrounds them. The whistle blows and music breaks the silence. Perfectly on cue, they begin to move in the same way. Each individual, each instrument, becomes one.

The Lobo band scored a 1, the highest rating out of 5, at the UIL Marching Competition on Oct. 20. This year marked the 63rd consecutive fi rst division achievement for the Big Green Marching Machine, maintaining the state record for consecutive superior ratings in a state contest.

“The band has been doing this for a long time and holding that record is real important to the kids, to the school, and to the parents of the kids,” Director Louis Robinett said. “So we just have to continue with it and we have to rise to those

standards.”The 144 members,

specializing in military-style marching, were able to overcome the pressure and maintain the local tradition that has been going on for more than 80 years.

“There’s pressure on us not to let [Mr. Robinett] down. This [pressure] usually comes from the fans and your ‘popcorn eaters.’” junior band member Garrett Littlejohn said. “Marching in the hot sun is worth it in the end, but I’m in it more for showing our band and our good music off to people. That’s always the best part.”

Volunteers were present at the event to help lead the other 39 bands to their practice spaces, and had high expectations for LHS competitors.

“After so many years of being in fi rst division,” junior helper Casey Nickel said, “it’s really just expected that the Lobos perform the best every year.”

Laura AcianoStaff Writer

Lobo band continues 63 year tradition of excellence

Vthe open space that surrounds them. The whistle blows and music breaks the silence.

than 80 years.“There’s pressure on us

Lobo band continues 63 year tradition of excellence

The suspense is tangible in the open space that surrounds

standards.”The 144 members,

specializing in military-style marching, were able to overcome the pressure and maintain the local tradition that has been going on for more

Laura AcianoStaff Writer

Lobo band continues 63 year tradition of excellence

VVL THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Volume 1 No. 2

Friday, November 2

2012

www.lisd.org/long-view201 East Tomlinson Parkway Longview, Texas 75605

The Long-View SEIZURE SAVIORS, PG. 4TIRED OF BULLYING, PG. 2JAMES BOND IN “SKYFALL,” PG. 8

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

The Cell Reserves Biology teacher Diana Key points out the specifi cs of a cell to her class.

FILE / THE LONG-VIEW

Remembering Mr. Robinson Architecture, drafting, and design teacher, Mr. Robinson, lost his long battle with cancer and passed away Oct. 23.

In fond remembrance

After dedicating 24 years of his life to teaching architecture, drafting, and design at Longview High School, Dale Robinson has passed away on Oct. 23 due to complications with

Wesley HardinStaff Writer

a cancerous tumor wrapped around his lung.

Senior Kenny Jones, a former student of Robinson, remembers his teacher fondly.

“He was a great teacher,” Jones said. “If I ever had a problem, Mr. Robinson would go out of his way to help me out.”

Longview High School Veterans

Jordan Houser / THE LONG-VIEW

Marching Perfection The band marches their routine fl awlessly during the UIL Marching Competition October 20.

A lifetime of service

It’s fi ve A.M. She wakes up and heads to physical training, makes her way to medical support training, and fi nally reports to her war readiness training. She once followed this schedule, but now follows a different itinerary: one that consists of bells, classes, and teacher conference periods.

Biology teacher Diana Key served as a medical supply offi cer in the army from 1979 to 1985.

“I appreciated the

opportunity to serve my country,” Key said. “It defi nitely helped shape me to be the person I am today.”

Key joined after two years in her college’s ROTC.

“I loved ROTC,” Key said. “I was a member of the rifl e team; it was so much fun.”

Key had the opportunity to travel throughout the world during her time in the service going from Georgia all the way to Germany.

“I met a whole variety of people all over the world,” Key said. “It gave me a broader perspective of people than what I would get from living in the same place.”

Key’s family and the military have played a major part throughout her life. Her dad encouraged her to join when her mom died, but she eventually got out of the

Retired army officer shifts focus to teaching

Hannah BrownFeature Editor

army to raise a family. Now, they keep her connected to the service.

“My husband retired from the military, I have a son who was in the army and a son still in it, a step-son in the marines, and a daughter-in-law in the navy,” Key said. “It is still a part of my life.”

Her original plan never included becoming an educator as she did not want her children to grow up poor like she did having two educator parents. However, when Key left the army, she had a change of heart.

“A friend, who taught me how to canoe, was killed in a car wreck,” Key said. “The next summer, I canoed and remembered that she had taught me. I realized that teaching was giving to others and investing yourself.”

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

Eating Vegan Senior Allessia Scribner shows her support for Veganism while she eats her lunch.

She gets a bunch of funny looks. A lot of people just don’t seem to understand. So when someone asks, ‘Why are you a vegan?’ she may just respond, ‘Why are you not a vegan?’

Junior Allessia Scribner offi cial-ly became a vegan in Sept. of this year and has adapted not only her diet to the change but her lifestyle as well.

“I heard about the health ben-efi ts and started thinking about how people treat animals and how animals can feel pain,” Scribner said. “I thought ‘You know, this works for me.’”

Being a vegan means not eating any animal products including meat, milk, eggs, and honey.

“I get to eat as much as I want, and I don’t feel bad about it,” Scribner said. “I eat celery, green beans, kale, beans, and legumes and all of those things don’t have

Senior embarks on vegan journeyHannah BrownFeature Editor

I can’t believe it’s vegan!

a lot of calories.”Adjusting to the new diet has

been easy and even enjoyable for Scribner as she learns new things like recipes, vegan-friendly foods, and food styles.

“It was kind of diffi cult at fi rst, but it gets easier,” Scribner said. “I have to make my own food and get to experiment through cook-ing.”

Despite how much she likes her new lifestyle, things aren’t always easy; she has to be careful at res-taurants and can even feel left out at times.

“I feel left out when people eat stuff like pizza and I can’t,” Scrib-ner said. “At restaurants I always have to ask what’s in the food, but veggie dishes are usually an op-tion and all I have to do is take out the cheese.”

Scribner believes that becom-ing a vegan can improve people’s health as it has helped her.

“You take in less fat, it can lower your cholesterol, and people with diabetes or heart problems condi-tions improve on a vegan diet,” Scribner said. “I feel like I have more energy.”

● Monster Energy Drinks

● Cracker Jacks

● Nabisco Oreo Cookies

● Lay’s Potato Chips (Plain)

● Pillsbury Pizza Dough

● Sun Chips Original fl avor

Rickey Abraham-ArmyJoaquin Guerrero-ArmyDiana Key- ArmyLandry Peace-ArmyJonathon Storment-ArmyPaul Walker- ArmyMark Whitford-Army

Jennifer Carter-ArmyWalter Stephens ArmyGeorge Kale-Air ForceJohn Daniels-NavyBobleh Mah- Currently serv-ing in the US Marine Reserve

Page 2: VOL. 76 NO. 2

PAGE 2 The Long-ViewFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012 news

CALE

NDAR

OF EV

ENTS

the VIEW

Donated coats keeping kids cozy

Meaghan MacNamara/ THE LONG-VIEW

Winning Smiles Seniors Taylor Yuen and Chris Yu show their pride for their achievement.

Orange you tired of bullying?

Wesley HardinStaff Writer

Seniors qualify as National Commended Scholars

Seniors Christopher Yu and Taylor Yuen achieved National Commended Scholar this year after their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT tests last year.

Despite not studying as much as his peers, Yuen still performed above average on his test.

“I did not really study for Math, but I did study a little for English,” Yuen said. “But it will be helping me with schol-arships and getting into col-lege.”

After seeing his score last year, Yu wasn’t surprised he qualified for this accolade.

“At the time, I was like ‘Eh, it’s okay’,” Yu said. “But I’m really proud to be a national commended scholar.

Both will receive numerous scholarship offers as a result of their high scores.

Hairspray: The MusicalPerformance will be on November 8, 10, and 13 in the Mickey Melton Center starting at 7 PM.

Early ReleaseStudents will be released at noon on November 16 for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Honor America Night7 PM – 8:30 PM at Lobo Stadium on Nov. 10; Chili Cookoff begins at 5:30 at stadium entrance.

Senior NightLobos Vs. Rockwall Yellow Jackets at Lobo Stadium on November 9. Kickoff at 7:30.

LHS has taken steps to crush bullying on National Anti-Bullying Week. The national Anti-Bullying Campaign Week was created in 2006 by the Pacer Center to discourage bullying inside of schools . The Gay Straight Alliance club spearheaded the campaign.

“We [gave] out orange ribbons and sold orange Crushes to crush bullying,” GSA cosponsor and head librarian Carol Nylund said.

“We donated the money we made from the crushes to the Pacer National Headquarters and we sent around an anti-bullying petition that we sent to the Headquarters as well.”

LHS participates in Anti-Bullying Week

Wesley HardinStaff Writer

As part of the anti-bullying campaign, October 10 was National Unity day, where students were encouraged to wear orange shirts to make their statement against bullying.

“Bullies don’t think people care about the people that they’re bullying,” Nylund said. “We hope that this showed them that we do care, and we don’t think that it’s okay.”

Anti-Bullying week continued until October 12, but the Pacer Center and the GSA club hopes that students will take their Anti-Bullying sentiment with them throughout the school year.

“Bullying is an important issue to high school students, everyone’s either been bullied or known someone that’s been bullied,” Nylund said. “And they all agree bullying is not a good thing to do.”

Some Statistics• 609 students at LHS signed the

anti-bullying petition.• All cans of Crush were sold by the GSA.• The money from the soda and the petition

were sent to the Pacer Headquarters.• Over 40,000 people in America signed the

online petition to stop bullying.

IB students and teachers will host a car beat down and tailgate party on Friday, November 9 on the baseball field, behind the aquatic center to benefit Learning for Limbs, an organization that makes prosthetic legs for many people in third-world countries.

“We wanted a fun way to help raise money for Learning for Limbs,” Senior Torean Sheppard said. “ShaiRee Peoples and I decided to help organize the event. Our goal is to raise 1,500 dollars.”

Food will be sold, including hot dogs, drinks, chips, and hamburgers, and students will pay to participate in a car beat-down.

“I’m going to help grill the burgers and the hot dogs,” IB teacher Calvin Hanzik said. “The students will help sell the food.”

Everyone, including parents, is welcome to attend and enjoy this event before the Senior Night football game.

Hannah KempkesStaff Writer

The FFA participated in the Annual Harvest Festival & Livestock Show and Sale at the Longview Fairgrounds last week, on October 25 & 26. The students showed animals of all kinds, from rabbits to cows.

“We all [got] our animals cleaned up and then we [went] to present our animals in a group by weight in front of the judges.” Sophomore Victoria Garland said. “Or if it’s cows, we did it by breed.”

The students presented their livestock in front of the judges and were ranked.

“If you got a certain rank, you’d be put into the sales and then people bid on your animal.” Garland said. “Some of the cows go for up to $15,000.”

FFA participates in annual harvest festival

Lucia LopezStaff Writer

Pre-game tailgate party profits go toLearning for Limbs

November EventsNo[shave]emberElection Day- November 6Veterans’ Day- November 11Thanksgiving-November 22

The annual Coats for Kids event will be held Saturday, November 10th, at Broughton Recreational Center from 8 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. Any school age child can participate, but the child must be present to receive a

coat. The children will also be given hats, gloves and jeans to guarantee they keep warm.

“Coats for Kids benefits the Longview community’s children,” Forever Friends sponsor Eleanor Kirk said. “As well as White Oak, Gladewater, and Kilgore’s.”

Forever Friends assumed the responsibility of the coat drive at Longview High again this year, and collected 296 coats for children around the area in 2011.

“KLTV Channel 7 sponsors a competition called Classroom

Hannah KempkesStaff Writer

Challenge among Longview and surrounding area school campuses.” Kirk said. “[We] were televised when Longview High School was presented with the Traveling Trophy by Channel 7 TV news reporter, Bob Hallmark.”

Forever Friends encourages students to donate coats that they have grown out of or don’t need.

“Without donations, there will be no coats.” Kirk said. “Please consider sharing from your abundance with those in need.”

Forever Friends hosts annual Coats for Kids event

History of Coats for Kids

- The coat drive was established by dry cleaners in and around Longview as a project to help the community’s children. - Presently the coat drive is conducted by the area’s schools taking their collection of coats to cleaners for free cleaning.

Meaghan McNamara/ THE LONG-VIEW

Signing Away Bullying Sophmore Kenya Torres shows her support for Anti-Bullying by signing the petition and wearing orange October 10.

Singing a competitive note

The Audition ProcessRegistration- Given a number and cut scenes from a certain songWaiting- Sit in the cafeteria until your number is called; singing is prohibitedPerformance- While you sing your cuts, there is a curtain so you can’t see the judges and they can’t see you; the audition lasts about 5 minutesMore Waiting- From there, you sit in the auditorium until everyone has auditioned, then the judges score and announce the chairs.

Five choir students were given the opportunity to compete with other high schools to audition for All Region Choir. The auditions were held at White House High School on October 12. Senior Amber Redic, juniors Collyn Lee and Elissa Weedon, and freshmen

Cannen Hanzik and Jalen Jackson traveled with Choir Director Jason MacPherson. All Region is just the first step to making it to State.

“Making the All State Choir means you’re in the top 280 Texas singers,” Weedon said. “It’s the most prestigious state choir because it is the most competitive with the most people.”

Out of the LHS students who auditioned, Weedon and Lee placed 5th and 7th chair, respectively.

All Region choir students advance to Pre-Area

Lauren BallyNews Editor

Juniors Collyn Lee and Elissa Weedon

“When they were announcing chairs and got to the 8th chair, I started crying because I thought I didn’t make it,” Weedon said. “When they called my name as 5th chair, I cried harder.”

The second round of auditions, Pre-Area, will be held on November 29.

“If I make top five in the 2nd round, then I get to audition for the All State Choir in Texas A&M Commerce.” Weedon said. “If I make that, then I am in the Texas All State Choir!”

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

Page 3: VOL. 76 NO. 2

In the US, people who are American born and at least 18 years old have the right to vote for representatives that decide the laws and policies that affect their lives. However, there is an underrepresented demographic in our country: working teenagers.

I’m 16, I work for a living, go to school, and pay in-come taxes. Working teen-agers like me should be able to participate in the politi-cal processes that decide the things that affect our lives.

Without participation in the political process, work-ing teenagers are being taxed without proper representation in Con-gress. This is one of the injustices that ini-tially lead to the American Revolution.

Working teenagers make up a significant amount of the workforce in America. We par-ticipate on the same economic level and with the same level of responsibility as adults. If we can have the same economic participa-tion that they do, we should be able to have

the same political participation. However, opponents of working teenagers

getting political participation hold that we are not mature enough to have voting rights. But we get up every morning to go to school,

and then work, and finally come home to do home-work just to do it again the next day. That’s a level of maturity that isn’t even required to vote if you’re 18; we don’t just reach the “maturity standard,” we exceed it.

Another major argu-ment against teen voting is that the political pro-

cess doesn’t affect us enough for it to merit us voting. But when we share the same eco-nomic policies with our adult co-workers, it affects us just as much as it does them.

Faced with the injustice of an entire demo-graphic of working aged teens being unable to vote, we should bring nationwide atten-tion to this problem and petition the govern-ment for our right to participation.

PAGE 3The Long-ViewFRIDAY, November 2, 2012opinions

Key ingredientfor spirited school

Traditions are a vital part of school life. Sadly, less and less time and effort is being put into continuing or reestablishing school customs as the focus is placed more and more on academic excel-lence. From dances and clubs to talent shows, traditions that oc-cur year after year encourage not only high levels of school spirit and togetherness, but greater student activity and participation as well.

In short, traditions give students something to be a part of. In schools with large, sprawling campuses, many students can com-plete their entire high school career without even setting eyes on half the people they go to school with. School-wide dances like we’ve had in the past bring together kids from different grades, cliques, and social environments, helping to eliminate this in-school segregation.

Traditions also give kids social opportunities that are directly related to school. (If used correctly, fun traditions can actually be a sneaky administrative trick to get students to enjoy school more.) Plus, if students feel that their school is making efforts to do something for them, they will naturally become a little more inspired to give back more to their school. For instance, when LHS hosted a pep rally specifi cally for TAKS, that year’s test re-sults skyrocketed drastically. Maybe if our school made this an annual event, students would be inspired year-round to do their very best.

Of course, some might say that encouraging school traditions is a waste of both time and money. However, schools that encourage tradition vs. schools that don’t generally enjoy signifi cantly better overall success rates, student and faculty relations, and long-term alumni support. In a way, private schools (which survive mainly due to substantial alumni donations) depend heavily on traditions to create lasting high school nostalgia for each graduating class.

School customs and traditions get less credit than they deserve. It’s time that they receive the proper recognition for the important role they play, and were reinstated into the lives of students for a better overall high school experience.

Why working teenagers deserve to vote

The Long-View is printed by Champion Printing. The Long-View is a free publication distributed each month during the school year.The opinions expressed in The Long-View are those of The Long-View staff and do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of LISD administration or staff.The Long-View welcomes comments on school related issues. Names will be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit letters before publication.The Long-View is self-supported by advertising sales sold by newspaper students.Advertisements in The Long-View are $6 per column inch, with discounts for large ads.For more information, contact The Long-View Adviser Kevin Berns at (903) 663-7181, or email at [email protected].

201 E. Tomlinson PkwyLongview, TX 75605

Vol. 76, No.2Editor in ChiefAshley Kempkes

AdviserKevin Berns

News Editor Lauren Bally Opinions Editor Caroline Araiza Features Editor Hannah Brown Entertainment Editor Preston MitchellSports Editor Zach WilliamsPhoto Editor Meaghan McNamaraDesign Editor Andy Rash

Staff WritersLaura AcianoLucia LopezMichelle SanchezWesley HardinClaire EarnestHannah Kempkes

THE LONG-VIEWT H E O F F I C I A L N E W S P A P E R O F L O N G V I E W H I G H S C H O O L

When was the last time you listened, really truly listened, to what was going on in your friends life. Really listened? Not half way, not in between Facebook posts, not while arguing with your signifi cant other through text while attempting to look interest-ed in your friend’s life, truly honestly listened?

The number, for most of us, would be small, and the cause is in your pocket. Technology. In some aspects our handy little iDevices are bringing us closer to the malaria of Africa and the cleft palates of Asia, for which I applaud you, inventors and op-erators of technology. But it has reached a point of detriment in our society- we now hide behind the sturdy walls of our Otter-boxes and avoid real conversation at all costs.

The media has thrived on technology, using it to shape society as it never has before; where it used to be an informant, the me-dia has now transformed itself into the god of society, omniscient and all knowing, and this has changed the ways we view rela-tionships. Technology in itself has separated us from our loved ones, allowing relationships to be fake and halfhearted at times because we can just reply with a “haha” and not put any depth of thought into what one has just said, and knowing that they don’t have to put any depth of thought into what they tell you.

So next time you want to pull your phone out when your friend starts droning on about seemingly nothing, put it away and just for a moment- listen.

Letters to the editorThe editorial board of The Long-View encourages you to

submit a letter. It should be no more than 300 words. Include your full name and email or phone number (email and phone number will not be published). We reserve the right to edit for space, spelling, grammar and libelous statements. Send your letters by email to [email protected] or mail them to The Long-View, 201 E. Tomlinson Pkwy, Longview, TX 75605.

Working teenag-ers like me should be able to partici-pate in the politi-cal processes that affect our lives.

“ Working teenag-“ Working teenag-ers like me should “ers like me should

”pate in the politi-

”pate in the politi-cal processes that ”cal processes that affect our lives.”affect our lives.

Your iPhone is killing your friendships

Chris Ware

/MC

T

Chris W

are/M

CT

Staff Editorial

“I would go on TV a lot.“ - Karla Botrillo, 9

“I would ban taxes.“ - Rowdy Dunlap, 10

“I would pay off the debt.” - Ricky Alexander, 11

“I would make it so there is no school on Fridays.”

- Zoe Rothleubber, 11

Page 4: VOL. 76 NO. 2

PAGE 4 The Long-ViewFRIDAY, November 2, 2012 feature

Seizure saviorsA Gift of Thanks Senior Breyanna Jones presents gifts to her aiders juniors Yanitza Tapia and Kayce Bagely as a thank you for helping her during her incident.

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

She lifts her foot, placing it on the top stair, then so fast that no one is able to catch her, senior Breyanna Jones falls back, unconscious. Two students look towards her, processing the scene that has just played before them. All noise drains from the room as their hearts beat in their ears, loud and urgent, their brain screaming at them to react.

While walking to class, juniors Yanitza Tapia and Kayce Bagley were stunned to find themselves in such a situation. Nevertheless, they took the initiative to remain with Jones and care for her to

the best of their abilities for a few minutes before an adult arrived.

“In the first few seconds I was in a state of shock,” Bagley said. “I saw her just shaking and I got scared, I knew something was seriously wrong and we needed to get her help.”

Despite the initial shock, Bagley and Tapia were able to recognize the sign of a seizure: eyes rolling back into the head, and were able to place her in a position where Jones wouldn’t choke on or bite her tongue.

“I held her head and yelled out for someone to get a teacher, it was pretty scary,” Tapia said. “I still can’t believe I witnessed it.”

When assistant principal

Laura AcianoStaff Writer

Melanie Pondant arrived, she and other adults took over and Tapia and Bagley released themselves from the scene, relieved that Jones would receive help.

“I think what Kayce and Yanitza did was heroic. They took care of her and stayed until an adult got there,” Pondant said. “I think it encourages compassion and good citizenship.”

After Jones recovered, she presented Tapia and Bagley with a gift basket to show her appreciation for their actions. Actions only few would have taken with a complete stranger.

“I didn’t even know them,” Jones said. “I was really glad to have those two by my side to stay there and to help me.”

Sometimes, old fashioned dates are the best. A cheap fun date for couples who have been dat-ing a long time and want a change of scenery. And as long as it’s homemade, it won’t cost you a thing.

If one (or both) of you is into video games, this is one of the most fun dates out there. Grab a con-sole and two controllers and you’re good to go.

Cooking with your date is a fun way to pass the time, and the best thing is getting to eat your tasty creation! It’s acceptable to make messes too.

Volunteering is a fun way to benefit your com-munity and build teamwork skills between you and your so.

Setting up a scavenger hunt may require a lot of work, but it’s worth the memories to be made once your significant other finally finds all the surprises waiting for them!

Movies are always fun, especially if they’re not so expensive. Maybe they won’t have the most re-cent movie out there, but the wait is worth it!

By driving to Tyler, you can see a movie the old fashioned way! Drive in theaters allow you to see a movie on the big screen for a few bucks, but you also have the added privacy of staying in the car.

A corn maze would be a fun way to spend time with your date. You could walk around and get to know them much better depending on how fast you find yourself out!

Snacking on a quick dessert at YogurtBar would be the perfect place to sit down and get to know them better.

Playing mini golf is a fun way to tap into your competitive side without requiring much skill. This is especially a fun activity on group dates. The black lights themselves are also pretty entertaining.

Page 5: VOL. 76 NO. 2

PAGE 5The Long-ViewFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012feature

Meaghan McNamara/THE LONG-VIEW

Grading Joys English teacher Lois Scroggins grades one of her students notebooks.

Having spent the majority of her childhood in Burundi, Africa, Lois Scroggins has many unique memories that most in the U.S. never have an opportunity to experience. Scroggins, the Bible as Literature teacher was born in Africa and spent 15 years there.

“The hippos would come up in the river, so you didn’t always see them. Since I was a girl, I only got to see the hippo after it had been killed; girls

Hungry hippo adventures Teacher learns from childhood experiences in Africa

Claire EarnestStaff Writer

The table is decorated with a deep red patterned tablecloth with cream plates piled high with food; a brown turkey sits in the middle as the grand centerpiece. However, these rich dishes are not filled with the “traditional” Thanksgiving foods, such as stuffing or cranberry sauce. A plate of kaldereta sits here, a bowl of rice there. This table reflects the Philippines, Senior Cherryl Tronzon’s home for several years.

“The only traditional American Thanksgiving food on our table is turkey,” Tronzon said. “But we have

great food such as pancit, adobo, dinuguan, and kaldereta.”

Tronzon isn’t the only person who eats different things for thanksgiving: junior Spencer Smith also has a Thanksgiving oddity on his table.

“We have all the normal foods,” Smith said. “But since I lived in England for a few years, my dad really likes fish and chips. So at every big holiday, we eat fish and chips.”

Junior Caleb Curfman enjoys a variety of Cajun foods on some holidays, including fried turkey, run-over-chicken, etouffee, and gumbo.

“We have turducken too, which is really good,” Curfman said. “Cajun has a variety of really good meats. I love all Cajun foods, especially crawfish.”

With such a wide variety of ethnicities within the school, foods from around the world are eaten for every holiday.

“We basically have every Filipino food on the table!” Tronzon said. “We eat Filipino at pretty much every main event, not just Thanksgiving.”

Not your typical turkey and stuffingEthnic diversity shown by students’ cultural Thanksgiving foods

Lauren BallyNews Editor

weren’t allowed to go on hunts,” Scroggins said. “My dad killed a couple of hippos that were tearing up peoples gardens.”

If a hippo showed up in your backyard, your first instinct would not be to kill it. However, in Africa, what you grow is what you eat. In some cases, gardens are the people’s only food supply.

“One hippo was killed late in the evening. My dad shot it in the temple, and it didn’t move,” Scroggins said. “A few Africans, the natives, swam out, and the hippo was dead.”

Living in Africa in-fluenced Scroggins life in several significant ways.

“I understand poverty better, and I am never satisfied without helping others,” Scroggins said. “This is what my parents have

A newsworthy Lobo tradition

1937: the beginning. 1962: twenty-five years into the making. 1987: halfway to the big one, and now 2012, it’s three fourths of the way to its hundredth year. The setting has changed, the stories have changed, and the paper, then a crinkly, old fashioned yellow, is now a neat, New York Times style. Despite that, time hasn’t been able to change the essence of it or what it takes to be a reporter, an editor, the voice of the student body.

The Long-View, formerly called The Lobo, is celebrating

its seventy-fifth anniversary this issue.

“I feel that the tradition of our newspaper is a great way for the students to connect and it can go a long way in contributing to and promoting school spirit,” newspaper advisor Kevin Berns said. “Its purpose is to be the voice of the student body, and that’s how it needs to continue to be. We need to keep telling students’ stories.”

Over the years, our school has seen celebrities either featured in the paper or a part of the staff. Those celebrities include Amy Lee Castleberry, who was featured in one of the 1938 issues, and Matthew McConaughey, who was part of the newspaper staff in 1988.

Lucia LopezStaff Writer

The Long-View celebrates its 75th anniversary

done their whole life, and what I have grown up around.”

Living in Africa has also contributed to career choices that Scroggins made later in life.

“My experience in Africa is the reason I am teaching school,” Scroggins said. “In Africa, there was a strong need for Bible teachers and because of the need I saw there, I am a teacher now, in the U.S.”

Living overseas at a young age was a privilege for Scroggins. She got a firsthand view of a different part of the world and, as a result, she has pulled a plethora of life lessons from it.

“I have no regrets. I am very glad to have that experience,” Scroggins said, “it is one I would never trade or forget.”

“Many of the staff members in the past have gone on to be great in the journalism business,” theater teacher Pamella Mercer said. “Even now there are great writers who show promise to be very

successful.”Some teachers have had the

opportunity to see how the newspaper has developed and changed over time.

“I have seen a very positive growth in the newspaper over

the past few years since Mr. Berns has been the advisor,” tenth grade English teacher Kathy Lancaster said. “The paper has interesting stories and I really enjoy reading tem.”

SOME OF THESE FOREIGN FOODS Adobo - meat or seafood marinated in a vinegar garlic sauce.Dinuguan - meat simmered in pig’s blood, garlic, chili, and vinegar.Étouffée - smothered seafood and veggies in tomato sauce.Kaldereta - goat meat with liver sauce and tomato paste.Pancit - Filipino word for spaghetti.Turducken - de-boned chicken in a de-boned duck in a de-boned turkey.

Lingo of the Past: from The Lobo 1937-38

Dame: A form of address to any woman of rank or authority.Romp: To play or frolic boisterously.Shrewd: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment.Stenographic: Art or writing in short-hand.Titian-haired: Red-haired.Wallop: To strike with a vigorous blow.

1 giant dinner consisting of at least one turkey, dressing,sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a pumpkin pie

1 week of vacation

2 cups of family time

1 full house

5 cups of gratitude

A generous sprinkle of happiness

4 teaspoons of recounted memories

• Mix the two cups of family time with one full house and 5 cups of gratitude and set aside

• Add the giant dinner and sprinkle of happiness and mix inanother bowl.

• Combine the two bowls and mix one last time

• Bake for about a week of vacation

• The final product should be a gain of at least two pounds

• Enjoy!

Page 6: VOL. 76 NO. 2

PAGE 6 The Long-ViewFRIDAY, November 2, 2012 feature

If you want to put away the razor this month and let your facial hair grow long and free, there is an opportunity to show off your fabulous end product, a beard. In its next issue, The Long-View will feature the best beards of LHS. All you have to do is cultivate the best whiskers and bring an application photo of yourself in bearded glory to Mr. Berns in Room 258 by Nov. 28, and the staff of the Long-View will contact you if your beard has been selected for a final photo. Good luck and happy beard growing; your fame awaits!

His heart is racing and he takes a deep breath. He grips the gun and pulls the trigger. It fires and he goes over to see what he caught. He finds nothing: he missed his target. And so he will continue his hunt.

Freshman Zach Gipson has a hobby that’s not your usual guitar and video game playing, but deer hunting. It’s not a very well known thing but Zach has been hunting since he was 6 years old. It’s usually a special bonding time for him and his family.

“I think it brings us closer,” Gipson said, “ and we get to

spend more time together.”When fishing, people

sometimes throw their catch back into the river but when hunting deer, Zach’s family takes their prize home and they have a feast after a day’s hard work.

“We make burgers out of it and deer steak!” Gipson said.

Although shooting a gun is nerve-wracking to some, Gipson isn’t fazed by it; he loves his 380.

“No, I wouldn’t say it is,” Gipson said. “It’s only intense when you see something and you’re worried you might miss it.”

Hunting can be both an adventure and hard work. Zach wakes up at 4:30 in the morning to go hunting. He feels at times it can get boring but, in the end, he still loves it.

““I don’t know, it’s just hard to explain,” Gipson said. “You just get a thrill when you see a deer.”

Freshman on the hunt

Estrella Gonzalez and Allison KauffmanStaff Writers

Not shaving, not a problem

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

Zach Gipson, 9

File / THE LONG-VIEW

Scraggly Support 2012 alumni Jack DiPasquale showed his support for No Shave November last fall.

Vinegar Day

Name Your Car

Day

Cliché day

National Ample

Time Day

World Kindness

Day -

National Day of

Listening

Have a Bad Day

Day

Buy Nothing

Day

Weird November Holidays1 2 3 8 13 17 23

If you’re planning on growing a beard this month, there’s a plan for you

Who: YouWhen: November 28Where: Room 258

What: Submit a photo of yourself with an awesome beard

Why: Be featured in the Longview next issue!

Unusual outdoor hobby a family tradition

Meaghan McNamara / THE LONG-VIEW

Twinning Identical twins Decorqvian and Decal Flanagan, 11 match perfectly for Twin Day last Wednesday.

Jordan Houser / THE LONG-VIEW

Sabrina Campbell / THE LONG-VIEW Tiya Taylor / THE LONG-VIEW

Erika Jimenez/ THE LONG-VIEW

Workin’ It Mrs. Harbison’s 6th period English 4 class strike a pose representing the 1980’s for ‘80s day last Thursday.

Nerd Work Juniors Brenda Galvan and Veronica Fierros take notes during their physics class.

Hammer Pride Junior Josh Hilscher raises his hammer in pride of representing Thor for Superhero day last Monday.

Fiery Nerds Sophomores Amy Kelly and Alissa Rash anticipate the results of their chemistry experiment.

Showing spirit

Lobo students go crazy for homecoming week themes

Page 7: VOL. 76 NO. 2

PAGE 7The Long-ViewFRIDAY, November 2, 2012sports

Zachary WilliamsSports Editor

Caddyshack (1980) Easily the greatest sports comedy ever made. Sure, you may have a different favorite. I’m partial towards 1977’s “Slap Slot,’’ but this hilarious farce is a gem of golf-centric cinema. Comic legends Chevy Chase, Rodney Danger-fi eld, and Bill Murray all star in a top tier ensemble directed by Harold Ra-mis (Groundhog Day) that helped pro-pel this fi lm into classic status.

Field of Dreams (1989)As much fun as “The Sandlot” is, the quintessential baseball fi lm comes in the form of this classic Kevin Costner drama that merges fantasy with Amer-ica’s pastime, making for an essential Father’s Day viewing. Only nominated for three Oscars after its release, this classic has managed to outlive its con-temporaries as one of the very best fi lms of its day.

The Hustler (1961) When you walk into the LHS Library and look right above the entrance doors, you will notice a large poster of Paul Newman sitting on a pool table. That image was inspired by this clas-sic that pits two of the fi nest actors of its day, Newman and Jackie Gleason (Smokey and the Bandit), in an epic game of pool. Yeah, this movie rocks.

Raging Bull (1980) Martin Scorsese (Shutter Island) is one of the greatest movie directors to ever live, and his career defi ning master-piece comes in the form of this classic boxing biopic that stars the legendary Robert De Niro (Meet the Parents) at his best. Watch this movie as soon as possible. It’s one of the best fi lms you’ll ever see in your life.

Rocky (1976) This is, hands down, the ultimate un-derdog story. While the boxing se-quences in this fi lm are appropriately brutal and wonderfully fi lmed, they all take a backseat to an iconic and inspi-rational tale of a Philadelphia under-dog getting his shot at the heavyweight title. While the fi rst three sequels are a lot of fun, 2006’s “Rocky Balboa” only comes close to being this good.

TriviaAfter “Raging Bull,” Scorsese also di-rected “The Color of Money” in 1986, where Paul Newman reprised his role from “The Hustler” alongside Tom Cruise in one of his early roles.

After drifting in the doldrums for several years, spirit appears to be rising and students are undoubtedly beginning to participate in school functions. This is especially evident in this year’s pep-rallies.

“I was surprised when I got here that a 5A school wouldn’t have a live get-up-and-move-around pep-rally, but this year has been better,” says Principal James Brewer. “I’m pleased with the spirit the students are doing here at Longview High School.”

Spirit steadily rising

However, some have doubts about this recent rise in spirit.

“It’s a false rise in spirit, what it is, is a fad. It has become fashionable to appear at football games,” says junior Austin Dickson. “There is a small resurgence in real spirit but a large push towards the fashion-ability of seeming like your school spirited.”

It is plain to see, that for whatever reason more people are becoming involved in boosting school spirit.

“[The Interact Club has] so many new members; our membership has shot through the roof, and our student section is booming,” says senior Judson Murray. “We have all different ethnicities and it’s brought

us all together. I think most come to cheer on the football team; we all bring vuvuzelas and we all focus on the game for the most part. I think it’s cool [to go to the games] and that’s what’s bringing a lot of people in but yet there is still so much school spirit there.”

Lately, teachers are beginning to notice the rising spirit occurring at the school events this year.

“The pep rallies are more energetic than they have been since I’ve been here,” says teacher Calvin Hanzik. “Kids seem excited about the football games, about volleyball games; the kids seem excited about the spirit in the school, more than I’ve ever seen, and I have taught 18 years.”

Simone Macklin / THE LONG-VIEW

Touchdown Excitement Junior Austin Dickson cheers for the Lobos as they make a touchdown against Lufkin September 21.

Best movies about sports

File / THE LONG-VIEW

&

THE LONG-VIEW

&Why do you like running cross country so much?

“I like being able to go to a lot of places. There is not as much obligation.”

“I like soccer; I referee soccer and so I just really like the idea of it. Its defi nitely a sport I would do.”

What is one sport, other than track and cross country, you would really like to be in?

“I work on cars all the time because we just live so far away.”

What do you really like to do outside of athletics?

Quintin DellerSenior Cross Country Runner

How does one calculate the Lobos’ seasons this year?

Sche

dule Golf:

Nov. 5th: Boys at Mt. Pleasant Invitational (JV)Nov. 16th and 17th: Boys at Central Texas Shootout in Waco, TX (VARS)Nov. 30th: Boys at Halls-ville Fall Invitational in Longview, TX ( JV)

Swim:Nov.10th: Lufkin InvitationalNov. 16th and 17th: Northeast Tisca Zone Meet at Texarkana (VARS)

Tennis:Nov. 16-18: Turkey Open

Football:Nov. 8: at Rockwall (JV)Nov. 9: vs. Rockwall- SNNov. 16: Playoffs begin

years since Lobos beat Robert E. Lee at District Tennis Tournament

186 yards that Sopho-more QB Dezmond Chumley threw against Mesquite Horn

Zachary WilliamsSports Editor

Basketball:

Lady Lobos:

Lobos:Nov. 6th: Spring Hill (Scrimmage) (JV/VARS)Nov.13: at Nacogdoches (Fr./JV/VARS)Nov. 14: vs Texas High (Fr./JV/VARS)Nov.16th: vs JacksonvilleNov. 19th: at Whitehouse (Fr./JV/VARS)Nov. 20th: vs Pleasant Grove (Fr./JV/VARS)Nov.29-31: at Central Height Tournament (Fr./ JV) at Haughton Invitational (VARS)

Nov. 6th: at Paris (VARS) Nov. 9th: at Marshall (JV/VAR)Nov.12th: at Kilgore (JV/VARS)Nov. 16th: vs Pine Tree (VARS)Nov. 15th and 17th: Pine Tree TournamentNov. 19: vs Texas High (JV/VARS)Nov. 20th: vs Hallsville (JV/ VARS)Nov. 29-30: at Willis Point Tournament

Serving up the heat

Claire Earnest / THE LONG-VIEW

Smashing Hits Freshman Esca Koegelenberg hits a forehand during the District meet.

Claire EarnestSports Writer

On Oct. 18th and 19th, the varsity Lobo Tennis Team competed at the District Team Tennis Tournament. After placing second, the Lobo team advanced to Regionals.

Longview defeated North Mesquite, (19-0), and continued to the semi-fi nals where the Lobos defeated Robert E. Lee, (10-9). In the fi nals, Longview fell to Rockwall, (12- 7).

On October 26th at Regionals, Longview beat Lake Highlands, (1o- 3), advancing to the qua rterfi nals for the fi rst time in over 20 years. Longview lost to Plano West, (10- 0).

20 +

Claire Earnest / THE LONG-VIEW

Rearing to Strike Senior Nick Novy prepares to return the ball. 1sttime the Lobo Tennis team has made it past the fi rst round of regionals under Coach Anders

3 interceptions Senior safety Corey Bartley had against North Mesquite

Page 8: VOL. 76 NO. 2

Secret agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) gets into his major beast mode during an intense gun battle in “Skyfall.”Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

S K Y F A L LNew James Bond moviehas potential for greatness

It is time to support one of this month’s most anticipated movies: “Skyfall,” the 23rd film in the action-packed es-pionage extravaganza that is the James Bond series. And it is going to rock hard.

ACTION ICON

Spanning 50 years, “James Bond” is the second highest grossing movie franchise ever. The lasting appeal comes from the titular superspy himself: the man who every man wants to be, and who every woman wants to be with. Despite be-ing a misogynistic product of the Cold War, his adventures have influenced numerous classics from “Indiana Jones” to “Austin Powers” to “Incep-tion,” forever solidifying the Bond franchise as the greatest action series of all time.

GREAT VILLAIN

Daniel Craig’s second film as Bond, “Quantum of Solace,” suffered from having a weak villain. He was a wuss moon-

lighting as an environmental-ist, which is not what a Bond villain is. Bond villains are powerful madmen completely detached from reality. Wheth-er the main threat is a mega-lomaniac or a henchman (like Jaws or Oddjob), both require actors that either have physi-cality or tremendous range, which is why Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) is perfectly cast as the “Skyfall” villain. He can do both, and his role as a blonde bad guy is so classic Bond villain that it hurts.

BRILLIANT DIRECTOR

Despite lacking blockbuster experience, Oscar-winner Sam Mendes has had a killer career. He accentuated the need for familial love in the Tom Hanks gem “Road to Perdition.” In “Revolutionary Road,” he highlighted marital pessimism by brilliantly deconstructing “Titanic.” Factor in the beloved classic “American Beauty” and you have an amazing choice to direct a Bond film.

With an iconic hero, a great villain, and a genius director, “Skyfall” will definitely please audiences on November 9th.

PAGE 8 The Long-ViewFRIDAY, November 2, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT

Who Is Your Favorite James Bond?

with Preston Mitchell

Widely considered to be the single greatest Bond of all time, Academy Award winner Sean Connery set the standard for the world’s most famous spy in Dr. No and made five other Bond films that also rocked. After 1971, he left the franchise behind to have an even more successful movie career, churning out numerous classics throughout the next thirty years.

Sean Connery (1962 - 1971)

Infamous for only playing Bond once, George Lazenby was chosen for being a suave martial artist despite his lack of acting experience. His only outing as Bond, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, is a great film. But thanks to mixed reviews and moderate financial success, this underrated Bond left the series early, figuring that it would become irrelevant. He was wrong.

George Lazenby (1969)

The most fun of the Bonds, Roger Moore’s comedic portrayal of the character redefined it for an entire generation. He also had the single greatest Bond theme songs of all time, including the crossover hits “Live and Let Die,” “Nobody Does It Better,” and “A View to a Kill.” After playing Bond for 12 years, Moore left the series and became a UNICEF ambassador.

Roger Moore (1973 - 1985)

The opposite of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton tried to be a more antiheroic Bond in the spirit of the original books. But since his portrayal was way too serious without ever being ruthless, he made two bland Bond films. After his short stint in the role, he gained recognition by portraying villains and antiheroes in the classics Flash Gordon, The Rocketeer, and Hot Fuzz.

Timothy Dalton (1987 - 1989)

Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal was like Sean Connery meets Roger Moore, perfectly balancing his wit and swagger. But without any adaptable books left, the original plots made for Brosnan proved to be hit and miss. His first and last films as Bond, GoldenEye and Die Another Day respectively, were a lot of fun, while his others are among the worst in the series.

Pierce Brosnan (1995 - 2002)

The most hardcore of the Bonds, Daniel Craig’s take on the character is like Jason Bourne meets the Sean Connery Bond. His debut, Casino Royale, is a great film that perfectly rebooted the series and erased the tongue-in-cheek fantasy that the Bond films had become over time. While Quantum of Solace was disappointing, anticipation for Skyfall remains high.

Daniel Craig (2006 - present)

Looking Back on the ‘Twilight’ Franchise

Love it or hate it, “The Twilight Saga” will be ending with “Breaking Dawn, Part 2” on November 16th. With countless parodies and a profit of over $1.5 billion, many “Twi-light” haters are wondering if the franchise will have longevity for another generation.

I’m here to say that it’s okay to hate the “Twilight” films because they are certainly not classics. They just plain suck.

TWILIGHT’S APPEAL

Ever since the original “Twilight” film premiered in 2008, audiences have been divided about the franchise’s quality in a big way. Despite being a soap opera wrapped in terrible acting, awful visual ef-fects, and ill-conceived folklore, many fans hold the films as their guilty pleasures. They identify with the romantic foibles of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) in the same

way that the adventures of James Bond, Dominic Toretto, and Ferris Bueller em-body adolescent male fantasy. In that re-gard, the appeal is understandable.

HATING THE SERIES

At the same time, “Twilight” detractors (like myself) look at the franchise and only see it as a boring iteration of Popeye and Bluto fighting over Olive Oil. We continue to mock the franchise for its poker-faced performances, sparkling vampires, and laughable writing. Even some of my closest friends that were once fans have outgrown the series as a result.

UNFORTUNATE LEGACY

In conclusion, “The Twilight Saga” will only be remembered as the lucrative phe-nomenon that many were embarrassed about having adored at first. Over a decade from now, it will only be regarded and watched mockingly. Since the infamous franchise ends in the next two weeks, the suckage is thankfully coming to a finish.

Summit Entertainment