[FROM OUR 2010 ARCHIVE] This is his sixth year of high school, and he’s decided to make a change. Oscar Enriquez already had four absence fails after his freshman year, but after a series of trials, he learned life needs an education. “I felt like I couldn’t stay at school because people thought I was no good,” Enriquez said. “They thought I should just drop out,... 

Dane Adix feels the explosion as the X-Box controller vibrates beneath his fingertips. The noise of gunshots and cursing consume him as he makes it to the next level in Call of Duty. He tells himself he will only play for a little longer, just a little bit longer and then he can get to his homework. While the intensity of the television illuminates his face, hours pass before... 

The can cracks open and a rush of aroma escapes and makes its way to Taylor Roye. As the aluminum is pressed up to her lips and slightly tilted up, the vast flavor and 27 g of sugar flood past her teeth and toward the back of the mouth. 1000 mg of taurine cool its way down her throat and 162 mg of caffeine swirl into the stomach, instantly giving her energy to function during... 

Estela Ortiz steps into a grungy building surrounded by the noise of buzzing needles. Staring at the artwork on the wall, the junior chose the tattoo that would remain on her body for the rest of her life. “I’ve always thought tattoos were cool and always planned on getting one,” Ortiz said. At the age of 16, Ortiz got her first tattoo of a TX across her upper... 

Freezing weather, two feet of snow, and layers of clothes was the everyday life of Senior Brianne Milko and sophomore Logan Milko. Brianne and Logan, moved to Texas from Michigan two years ago when their mother got a job offer from General Motors. “My mom came in my room and said we’re moving to Texas,” Brianne said. “I didn’t really have a choice.” The thought... 

Rabbits align the countertops of the attendance office. Colored eggs are spread out and hidden in grass bordering the walls. Parents checking students out of class must sit in chairs placed underneath the rainbow made of butcher paper. Those who pass the office know another holiday is coming up. Attendance clerks Patrick Contreras and Janet Manning originally began the process... 

As sophomore Danielle Morris gets ready in the morning, she has an extra step that most people may not. She brushes her teeth, ties her shoes and finishes the outfit off with a silver purity ring. “It means basically waiting for the person I love to do something that special with,” Morris said. Morris acquired her purity ring Christmas 2008. She asked for it because she... 

Freshman Nicholas Mercer thinks about the day he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Basal Cell Nevus Carcinoma syndrome also known as Gorlin’s syndrome. This cancer causes facial swelling and can even result in tooth displacement along with jaw problems. Not wanting any special treatment from his peers, Mercer isn’t upfront with his disease unless the topic is brought... 

Destiny Baise woke up in the morning ready to tell the world who she was without saying a word. Clothing is an outlet of expression that she uses to portray her personality everyday. “Fashion is your personality. How you dress is how you act,” Baise said. “I dress weird, and I like to put random stuff together because I’m a weird and random person.” According to Baise,... 

Dallas Reid endures the repetitive whistle of the Andy Griffith theme song, petting Leon and Roxie, his young Boxer pups. The aging parakeet , Annie, has forgotten all but the first bar of the tune, which it learned at its previous home. With five dogs, a betta fish (whose name changes at least twice a week) and Annie, the Reids’ place is home to seven animals - each rescued...