“I had so much fun opening Legacy that I thought ‘Wow, how many times do you get the opportunity to open a new school?’,” Mr. Austin, who volunteered to move to the new campus, said. “And with the growth slowing down this is probably my only opportunity to do it again.”

Despite his enthusiasm Mr. Austin says he’ll miss being a Bronco.

“I’m very sad because I’ve enjoyed [being at Legacy] an awful lot,” Mr. Austin said. “It was my favorite place I’ve ever worked, but I’m excited because this new opportunity is like a blank canvas ready to be painted.”

Mr. Austin looks forward to the unique experience of giving a bit of himself to a new school.

“To have a culture that is unshaped and untouched and you get to contribute a little to that, that’s good stuff right there,” Mr. Austin said.

On April 5 Principal Des Stewart announced to the faculty and staff that Assistant Principal Dwayne Tampkins was one of the APs slated to move to Lake Ridge.  Like Mr. Austin, Mr. Tampkins looks forward to fostering a new environment at the school.

“Change is not always a bad thing; a lot of the time it’s really a good thing,” Mr. Tampkins said. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life and having the opportunity to shape the culture [of Lake Ridge] from the ground up. I’m very excited about forging new relationships and establishing a positive relationship with new community members.”

Assistant Superintendent Karen Wentworth believes the transfer of established administrators like Mr. Tampkins will help Dr. Sean Scott, Lake Ridge’s principal, create a smooth transition for the students.

“Mr. Tampkins will be a familiar face for many of the Lake Ridge students,” Ms. Wentworth said. “His experience as a seasoned high school administrator will be a bonus, especially in this opening year.”

According to Ms. Wentworth, approximately 77 teachers will be moved district-wide, 25 of which will come from Legacy. Many of those who will move volunteered to go to Lake Ridge; however, the district-initiated transfers at the high school level have yet to be processed, and the teachers moving have yet to be notified.

“We realize that the uncertainty of potential moves has created anxiety among faculty members,” Ms. Wentworth said. “Certainly, the Legacy High School community will be different next year and a sense of loss will be felt as students and teachers adjust to reductions.  Nevertheless, reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive.”

Mr. Tampkins has mixed emotions about the move.

“It’s bittersweet, to sum it up in one word,” Mr. Tampkins said. “Bitter because I have established many meaningful relationships here. I enjoy the staff and the family atmosphere we have here. I’ve grown accustomed to that. I’m definitely going to miss the Bronco nation.”

Another familiar face around campus, Academic Associate Principal Christine Englert, will also leave Legacy, but not for another high school. Mrs. Englert will move to an as-yet-unknown elementary school campus.

“It’s going to be a good thing for me,” Mrs. Englert said. “I’m looking forward to it, and my family is happy about it, too.”

Mrs. Englert’s main motivation for making the switch was her two granddaughters, a 2-year-old and a 4-month-old who live in Little Rock. Her new position will allow her more time to spend with her family. However, she will have to adapt to the new environment.

“I’ve never dealt with elementary kids besides my granddaughters,” Mrs. Englert said. “I’m going down there to learn how it works and hopefully I will like it.”

Like Mr. Austin and Mr. Tampkins, Mrs. Englert says she will miss Legacy.

“It makes me very sad to leave,” Mrs. Englert said. “It was emotional to say it out loud when we announced it, but it’s a new start.”

“I think generally the feedback has been positive,” Associate Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Dr. J Vaszauskas said. “We have a great board, and they really  care about kids. I think they’re generally on board but we’ll see.”

The iPads would allow students to have Internet access throughout the day and would keep teachers from having to compete for computer lab time.  Students would receive their textbooks  on the iPads which would allow them to have updated material.

“Everything that our students can do with an iPad is exciting to me,” Dr. Vaszauskas said.  “[They provide] the opportunity for you to personalize your own learning. You’re going to find the way that you learn.”

The consequences of damaging or losing an iPad would be the same as if it were a textbook. The district will look into insurance options for students and parents to purchase. They will also have tracking devices and MISD etched on the back of them, so if a device is lost or stolen it can be found easily.

“What we hope will happen is that our students will understand what a gift it is and will take advantage of it,” Dr. Vaszauskas said.

The iPads will be funded with the money the district uses to buy textbooks, computers, and  other technology. On the iPads some textbooks will cost $14.99 and others would be free.

“We think it’s going to make for better relationships between the teacher and students. We think it’s going to make a better learning environment, and we’re hopeful that it passes,” Dr. Vaszauskas said.

If the proposal passes, the school board will increase the number of wireless points in the buildings and place a filter that prohibits students from accessing unacceptable websites.

“At some point in time you have to trust your students to make the right decisions,” Dr. Vaszauskas said. “What I hope is that we are able to provide these devices for our students and they have a wonderful learning experience.”

Academic Associate Principal Mrs. Christine Englert does not think the iPads will be a distraction to the students. Mrs. Englert’s only concern with students getting iPads is the possibility of them getting stolen.

“I think it’s a great idea, but then the other side to that is are they going to take care of them and are we going to see huge expenses in getting them serviced,” Mrs. Englert said.

Junior Reed Stewart doesn’t like the idea of students getting iPads.

“I feel as if it is a bad idea because iPads are less durable than textbooks would be but I see the appeal,” Mr.Stewart said.

The school board will make a decision on the proposition to issue high school students iPads for educational purposes on May 22.

The iPad provides reliable educational resources for students. Over 20,000 educational applications run in circulation with 1.5 million iPads used in school systems. Calculators, textbooks and Internet networking will become available for all students. Tablets can create a more interactive environment between students and teachers. Applications from Apple’s app store can provide programs to help with core subjects and allow students to become creative in how they present their projects and information. Teachers can also record instructional videos which the students can view at home or before class. The accessibility of the Internet and computers will even out the playing field for students previously lacking the much needed resources at home.

The new devices will enable students to personalize their learning experience and allow them to interact with their studies. For instance if a student has trouble reading too many words on a page, they can rotate the page and resize the text. Tablets also enable students to highlight text and have it read to them. Many students learn interactively, and iPads will allow them to take an active role in learning, rather than listening to lectures. The technology can bring about a new type of learning experience to students and improve test results.

Innovative technology can enhance the value of education and reinvigorate the atmosphere of the school environment. In an experiment conducted in Maine, 129 kindergarten students were taught with an iPad, while another 137 were taught using traditional methods. According to test results in literacy, students using the iPads performed better than the non-iPad users. Every student was tested before and after the iPad study to ensure accurate results. As technology advances and becomes more integrated in the workplace, students may need to become more familiar with technology and understand the basics. Being around technology and learning how to use it effectively will benefit them in the long run. Guidelines and rules will help gear students away from abusing their privilege of using the iPads.

The advent of educational iPads could lead to potential misuse in the classroom. Distractions such as browsing the Internet, social networking and gaming will tempt students to get off topic. Administrators can block certain applications or inappropriate websites by using filters. The district will also enforce penalties for those who damage or mistreat their iPad. Students who abuse their privileges may have the device taken up and receive standard textbooks. In the event of a student losing their iPad, the administrators have tracking devices to ensure security of the items. If a device becomes damaged, the student will pay the district to buy a replacement. Students will need to become responsible for their actions if they expect to keep their iPad.

Many students carry the burden of around three to four textbooks, which require updates every few years. Publishers have to go through the trouble of redistribution, and schools need to keep track of every book. The new device has the capacity to carry hundreds of digital textbooks and utilize information more concisely. Digital textbooks are paperless and updating the material will require a download with a fee. But iPads are more expensive and harder to maintain than traditional textbooks. For a school preparing 2000 students, the estimated initial cost of iPads, including iBooks, falls around $1,720,000 , while the textbooks would cost about $900,000. The Mansfield ISD budget will become strained as it focuses more money on iPads as well as a smaller amount of textbooks. To compensate for this the district will reallocate most of the two million dollar textbook budget to buy iPads while also spending money on fewer textbooks. Students have the option of using textbooks; iPads are only an extra learning tool.

Although there are several potential drawbacks with student issued iPads, the benefits outweigh the negatives. Overall the presence of iPads in the classroom will boost the efficiency of class and grant more options for students.

A natural response to strenuous events, the body releases chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline from the adrenal glands which cause it to prepare for a high-energy moment. Stress can come in a variety of forms and have many sources. Over time, stress can build up and wear on an individual, leading to problems with mental, emotional and physical well-being. A study published in the Clinical Psychology Review noted a significant rise in the number of younger people reporting anxiety-related problems, with an all-time high occurring after the turn of the millenium.

“Unfortunately no matter how prepared one can be, when it comes down to it, there’s always something that turns out unexpectedly,” Garza said. “Stress is something I have constantly.”

Stress comes in two forms, eustress and distress. Eustress includes things like exercising, mental stimulation and challenging tasks promoting growth and overall health. It also helps with responding quickly to emergency or alert situations. At a certain point, however, stress begins to have unhealthy effects on the body. Known as distress, this ranges from breaking bones to overworking oneself. Even teachers feel the weight of stress at times. Between time spent with her family and working to improve her curriculum, English teacher Stephanie Bonneau always feels stressed.

“I worry every year that I’m not making a difference – that’s a constant stress,” Mrs. Bonneau said. “Tack on all of the mom stresses of having teenage kids and it can become overwhelming.”

Especially during school stress can have many sources, known as stressors. Stressors vary in degree and each can have differing side effects, from light headaches to severe depression. School, personal insecurities, bodily changes, peers and family, death, moving, and disease make up the most common stressors among teenagers. With school requiring so much of her attention, Garza easily feels weighed down during the peak of school activities.

“It does take a toll on me when I have to attend meetings, deal with projects currently going on or have to be a good example to to other members,” Garza said. “The clubs take away from my free time and study time.”

According to a 2008 study, students can experience the effects of stress for up to two days after its initial cause. Students with stressful lives at home and outside of school tend to have lower grades and a greater chance of academic failure, both short and long term. The stress from their home life spills over into their academic career with harmful effects, something Garza has experienced herself before.

“I need activities to keep me going and help me focus,” Garza said. “But I have my moments where I just get too overwhelmed that I have to drop everything and take some time off.”

To cope with and manage stress, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends several methods for the physical and emotional sides of stress. A healthy diet accompanied by regular exercise, practicing breathing exercises, avoiding caffeine and other substances capable of increasing anxiety or agitation, and avoiding illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco can help the body take on larger loads of stress without as many harmful effects. Controlling one’s thoughts, rehearsing stressful situations, learning skills associated with coping and breaking from mentally straining activities keep the mind from becoming overburdened. To relax Garza takes yoga and dance classes, which serve to take her mind off things.

“[The classes] relax me,” Garza said. “And they’re the few places I can just let go and have fun, just go and get the worries out of your system and go on with life.”

The AACAP also suggests building a network of friends for encouragement and help in managing stress and calls on parents to monitor their children during times of stress.

“My family lets me have space and helps me when I have something to get done, and I have a good group of friends that listens to me and understands all I have to do,” Garza said.

Aware of what it might cost, Garza plans on continuing her involved high school career in hopes of perfecting herself with time.

“I always want to work on my flaws and better any situation because I’d rather face stress than personal disappointment,” Garza said.

Some Tips to Manage Your Stress:

• Don’t overschedule yourself – the less, the better.
• Don’t try too hard to reach perfection. You never will, so it can only add to the pressure.
• Sleep. Six hours a night isn’t enough for a teenager.
• Take time to relax. Everybody needs time to calm down.

“It’s exciting to do what I do; not too many 17-year-olds can say they’ve thrown that far and get this opportunity,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan and Coach Edward Barry wait as the field workers measure her throw. Anticipating her measurement, the field workers acquire the number, 191 feet and 6 inches. Speechless at the announcement, Vaughan runs back to her coach and friends to spread the word she broke a national throwing record in girls’ discus. Every year Vaughan increases her distance by about 15 feet.

“It’s awesome I always seem to get better,” Vaughan said.

In 2011, Vaughan won the 5-5A State Championship in discus as well as making the USA Junior Olympics team in June. Taking third in her class, Vaughan made herself known among her competitors. All of which she achieved by throwing in the 175 feet range. With an increase of almost 20 feet, Vaughan qualified to make a run in the 2012 summer Junior Olympic trials.

“I’m a little scared and nervous,” Vaughan said. “I’m kind of intimidated by the other competitors because they have probably done this more than once.”

To qualify for the Junior Olympic trials, Vaughan had to throw 185 feet, which she surpassed by a 6 feet.

“I’m always competing with myself and trying to beat my personal records,” Vaughan said. “I’m always getting better.”

In this case it comes not only as a personal best, but also as a national best. Although Vaughan is dedicated to discus and shot put, she produces results, but she hasn’t been doing it for half of her life. She thinks things would have been different had she not transferred to Legacy.

“If I hadn’t come to Legacy I would probably still be a sprinter or more focused on volleyball,” Vaughan said.

Before her junior year, Vaughan attended Azle. She played volleyball and ran the 100-meter dash. At Legacy Vaughan joined track and ran and decided to take part in shot put and discus as she had done in junior high.

“I started throwing in seventh grade, and I liked it,” Vaughan said. “The throwing coach made me [try], it took some training for me to get pretty good [at it].”

As she joined track and began her training Coach Barry realized that he had yet another gifted athlete throwing for him. Senior Kayla Taylor throws discus and shot as well. Taylor made it to state 5-5A Championship along with Vaughan last year. Vaughan finished state winning double gold, beating her record in discus and shot put. In discus she threw 187 feet and 10 inches. In shot put she threw 50 feet and 1.25 inches. With two state champions, Coach Barry and his team are amazed at what they have seen in Vaughan. Junior Terrance Woodall has thrown with Vaughan for two years now.

“I never thought she would be this good. I figured she would be only above average, not above amazing,” Woodall said. “She’s a hard worker and she puts in the work.”

Vaughan sees her track teammates six days of every week during track season. Seeing her teammates and coaches so often allows everybody to get to know each other better.

“It is gratifying to watch a young lady mature and grow in her academic as well as athletic endeavors,” Barry said. “She puts in many hours which have proven that hard work does pay off.”

Signing to The University of Texas A&M and having the potential to become a Junior Olympian six years in the making, Vaughan has the chance to do something not many girls her age can do. Vaughan is set to graduate in June and will continue training through the summer, possibly going to the Junior Olympics in Maryland, Va. and then to college.

“It’s just something I love to do,” Vaughan said. “I had no idea a month ago I would be this good.”

7.) Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee died on July 20, 1973. Scientists still cannot agree on what killed him. Bruce was the most iconic action movie actor of all time. He was brilliantly skilled in Martial Arts and renowned as one of the best fighters of his time.

He was like Mighty Mouse. Tiny but extremely dangerous.

Lee took physical fitness to a whole new level. Maintaining a 160 pouns frame and close to 0 percent body fat even at the age of 32 doctors claimed he had the body of an amazingly fit 18-year old. Lee achieved impossible documented feats, such as doing one-handed push ups using only his thumb and index finger, 50 one arm chin-ups, side-kicking a 300 pound bag so hard that it would fly up and thump the ceiling and in a speed demonstration Lee could snatch a dime from a person’s open palm and replace it with a penny before the person could close their fist.

I can’t make jokes about Bruce Lee. I have too much respect for that man.

Who I would want to see him fight:

I can make fun of Michael Moore though.

6.) Bears

Bears are terrifying. Giant, furry and hungry monsters that could easily get shot and say, “Oh a bee just stung me.” Bears just don’t find people intimidating. They think they can do whatever they want.

“I called shotgun Terry, so get out.”

Bears have one of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom. Grizzly Bears can grow to over ten feet tall and use a human as a chew toy. Bears are really fast, they can climb trees and they are excellent swimmers, so the odds of people escaping them are very slim.

The big guy just wants a hug.

Who I would want to see them fight:

5.) Jon “Bones” Jones

He looks like a lion getting ready to roundhouse kick a gazelle.

Jon Jones has become the youngest UFC champion of all time. Winning the light-heavy weight belt at the age of 24 he punched, kicked and submitted all competition that stood in his way. He’s an astonishingly good fighter.

Ryan Bader meet the floor. Floor, meet Ryan Bader.

Who I would want to see him fight:

The Situation’s face looks like Jon Jones already fought him.

4.) Sharks

Just look at that.

Sharks are so scary and strike fear into so many people that we have dedicated a week to showing how murderous they are. With giant teeth and an immense hunger these things don’t care what they eat. They attack when no one expects it and will jump out of the water to chow on some idiot surfer.

Who I want to see them fight:

Sharks diets are usually composed of fish and seals, but there are some seals sharks can’t take down.

3.) SEAL Team Six

The Navy Seals are amazing, but one team has become more famous than all the others for one reason.

For taking down the number one hide and seek champion of all time.

After SEAL Team Six disposed of Osama Bin Laden, they became notorious elite soldiers. Since then, Team Six has become the president’s go-to group for advanced missions and operations. Recently saving a woman from a hostage situation, they continue to prove they can do things our regular military can’t do.

Who I want to see them fight:

Take him out quickly and quietly.

2.) Anderson Silva

The one on the right would be Silva.

Anderson Silva has become the single most feared fighter in the UFC. He has proven himself to be the best striker in the entire fighting organization and seemingly unbeatable. He moves like he starred in the matrix. He frequently puts his hands behind his back and dodges his opponents punches just to show how awesome he has become.

Seen above: Forrest Griffin understanding how awesome Anderson Silva has become.

Nicknamed “The Spider”, Anderson Silva has been the middle-weight UFC champion for almost two years now and that belt won’t be going anywhere for a long time.

Who I want to see him fight:

The Spider versus the vampire.

1.) The United States of America

The U.S. of A. has been the most dangerous force for almost two hundred years now. We have yet to lose a war.

We didn’t lose in Vietnam. We just kinda left.

The scariest part about the U.S. may be obvious.  From number six to number two on this list are all in the U.S.

Who I want to see them fight.

In the event you are cornered by the ghosts in a cave, you could rope a couple of sea turtles together, lash ‘em together and make a raft. The rope made, of course, out of human hair. Don’t ask me where to get the turtles. But only on the fourth day of being held hostage as the ghosts’ court jester.

Ghosts happen to love their court jesters and will never let them out of their sight. Ever. Ghosts don’t sleep. So if you have been assigned the position of court jester, you should develop a positive way of thinking about being captured by ghosts and held against your will. Here are a few jokes ghosts love (commence with cheesy ghost jokes):
- What would you call the ghost of a door-to-door salesman?
A dead ringer.
- When do ghosts usually appear?
Just before someone screams.
- What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
Boo boos
- Why did the ghost cross the road?
To get to “THE OTHER SIDE”
- What did one ghost say to another?
Do you believe in people?

If your ghostly warden places you in a high tower with one window, and your name happens to be Rapunzel, you have two options. 1.) Wait for your prince to come save you (pffft, yeah right, you might become a ghost yourself before that happens), or 2.) Cut your hair off yourself and create a rope ladder out of hair and boogie on down.

If you have a cell phone, who ya gonna call? If you answered Ghostbusters, you are wrong. You should probably call the police… Especially if the ghost has feet that stick out from underneath a sheet. That being the case, you probably weren’t kidnaped by ghosts… Yeah, you should check that out.

In the event that you did check and the ghosts have feet, the first thing you should try if you don’t have your handy dandy cell phone with you, would be pulling off the sheet. If it works, the villain will admit defeat and the police will show up immediately to escort him to the correctional facilities. If the villain mutters something like “and I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for that meddling kid,” you might be stuck in a rerun of Scooby Doo.

And lastly, if the room the legion of ghost overlords lock you up in has a table and a mirror, you have all the tools you need to get out. I’ve said enough, the ghosts are coming for me, you figure it out for yourself from here.

“I love to do a lot of things and I like to stay busy,” Garza said. “Sometimes I’m frustrated with myself because there is not enough time to try even more things. I would like to have different skills so I can expand my horizons.”

Garza first started involving herself in extracurricular activities with step team in the eighth grade.

“I loved [step team] so much that I wanted to find some more things to do,” Garza said. “I ended up liking all of the clubs that I joined and stuck with them.”

Garza’s busiest day,Thursday, consists of CHE, Spanish Club and NHS right after school. Then she heads to Donna Sheppard to mentor kids and help them with step team.  Last, Garza goes to practice for criminal justice. She usually doesn’t get home until 6:30 p.m.

“I’ve learned [from staying late] is to always have food with me so I won’t starve,” Garza said. “It is very handy.”

Currently, Garza captain of Criminal Justice and secretary of Key Club and Interact Club. As secretary, she helps organize fundraisers and keeps track of members hours. In Criminal Justice, Garza helps teach the steps and procedures to the members for Felony Traffic Stops.

“[Key Club and Interact Club] have changed my life drastically and I found what I love which is helping people,” Garza said. “[Criminal Justice] practices all the time to be the best and it’s just a very fun environment,”

Having a planner keeps Garza organized and helps her with time management. She writes down when she has quizzes, meetings, deadlines and doctor appointments. Garza takes it out every class and refers to it.

“If I know I have an upcoming deadline then I force myself in all my spare time to work on school,” Garza said.

Garza hopes to go to either Drew University or University of Texas to become a lawyer or major in criminal justice.

“Both [schools] are very politically involved and have really good criminal justice and law programs,” Garza said. “I believe that helping should come naturally to people.”