By Brooke Tschoepe - Photo III

By Terry Ballard

   Purple is her room. Not partially, entirely. Purple, purple, purple…. it’s everywhere, in nearly every crease of the room. It is truly an astonishing sight. The room, though, contradicts everything she is. Dig deeper, raise the violet veil, and one will see the rainbow palette of colors that displays the true persona of Taryn Sanders.

   Taryn Sanders is a jovial character. She is a passionate dancer, an artist within her own craft. A junior, she is proud and happy to attend English, which is on the very top of her list.

   “I like English because I read a lot. Generally, most of my English teachers have been pretty cool, too,” she said.

   While juggling with countless responsibilities in the classroom, she still finds time to convey a generous spirit to others. Taryn works at a therapeutic horse riding center, spending a tremendous amount of time and strength helping disabled kids achieve something great.

   In the family, Taryn has the responsibility of an older sister. She has a younger brother of the age of 13. “He’s kind of dorky”, she said, “but I like him”.

   Among her delicate, precariously-chosen culinary choices, Chinese ranks number 1, topping all other eats in a dashing blow. “Chinese food is way better than any other food; it is the best,” said Taryn. Sesame chicken and egg rolls are among her picks. “My family doesn’t like or go to eat Chinese food that much, but I love it whenever I do go. The few times I eat Chinese food makes each time more valuable.”

   So, being such a colorful, wonderful person, what are her views on the fearful festivity of Halloween? Why does this certain event make us laugh? “It’s for little kids to dress up and play and have fun,” she said. “During Halloween, I can dress up and be somebody I’d never be in real life”.

   Taryn, like all students, has her opinions and prejudices on people. Perhaps she has a view on those weird and wacky hairstyles she sometimes sees. “People should be free to express yourself, but to some extent. If it’s distracting, I don’t think it should be permitted in school. I’m not against them, but I don’t necessarily approve them,” she said. “If I had the choice, I wouldn’t allow wacky hairstyles, which could prevent stereotypes.”

   Now she turns to a less political standpoint. “I saw Toy Story 3, and I really enjoyed it,” Taryn said while contemplating on her favorite summer movie theater memories. “It made me think of what my toys would do if they came to life. Pixar always makes original, thought provoking stories”. “I saw Step-up 3D, which was the first 3d movie I have seen. Easy-A was also good. It was hilarious,” she said.

What would Taryn Sanders do if global warming, a hot topic, would mean her death in 10 years? “I would probably use a different transportation, recycle more, and do everything I wanted to do if I knew I would die in 10 years,” Taryn said while contemplating this interesting topic. “I would like to leave a legacy in which people knew I had a positive impact on someone’s life.”

   A believer in heaven, Taryn would like to hear the harp as she arrives. “I’ve always thought of the harp as a beautiful, heavenly instrument,” she said.

   A rather colorful character, Taryn is one of a kind.

Fabulous Freshman – Terry Ballard: Lights, camera, action!

By Taryn Sanderson

   Lights, camera, action.  Finishing the remains of a taco, Terry Ballard intently parks himself in the director’s seat.

   Using provoking thoughts, Terry is sure to succeed in school. “I try to look at the big picture; it’s my philosophy,” said Terry Ballard.   Actions are more relevant when Terry focuses on his surroundings’ point of view.  His outlook on this matter brings a refreshing standpoint to society by understanding others instead of being absorbed in his own.

    Terry keeps an eye out for his peers and tends to be a little more focused than others.  Face book has become extremely popular among youth today, the majority spending numerous hours on the networking site.  “Homework comes first,” he said. 

   The sharp freshman explains that he rarely spends time on Face book; he only has one to stay in touch with friends from Rouse (a high school located farther into Leander).  This mindset of ‘school comes first’ just might explain his success as an A student.

   With Terry’s direct personality, one can only imagine what’s in store for this aspiring young man.  “If the money allows, I want to be in film making,” he said.

   Cinematography is his passion.  Low budget film making is where he tends to aim and plans on taking photography classes throughout the rest of his high school career.  He plans to eventually make a name for himself sitting in the director’s seat.

   When Terry is asked about changing the ways of the United States; he is crystal clear on his opinion.  “Lobbyists are too involved in political campaigns,” said Terry.  His immediate response provoked his thoughts on the way Sweden runs their government system. 

   “They say what they believe; they don’t spend that much money on the campaign.”  His point is captivating and his solution is simple.  Terry says he would like to set a system that isn’t too absorbed in the rich or the poor.

   Terry also enjoys the sentimental side of life.  Terry admires his family.  Terry lives with his little sister but not with his older step brother.  Even though he doesn’t spend as much time with his brother and his little sister, he likes them both.

   It’s not hard to recognize where he comes from with his long, black wavy hair and his dark brown eyes.  His Hispanic background explains his interest in food, especially tacos.

   “It’s vivid and hot,” Terry said.  He explains his interest in the color red exquisitely and distinctively.

   This extremely intelligent and mature young man will continue to illustrate life with his own shade of red.

Rain

Rain droplets race down from the love endearing, dark sky. The walked on, and pushed down, grass craving the refreshment of peace; the hard dirt that never lets go is getting softer, softer, wetter and wetter. My cold feet press against the soft grass; they kiss into the wet soft dirt, trying to suck me back into its unchanging ways. My face greasy and moist, my hair sticky and clumpy. My eyes smeared with black under my eye journeying down my face looking for perfection but slowly getting further and further away. The trees all look the same, and they intensely sway back and forth as if they are trying to ease their way out of the ground. The wind blows. It blows harder and harder almost sweeping my dirty, sinful feet off the ground that wants to pull me back in. My heart is pounding out of my chest, and the sound echoes throughout my body as it pulses in my ears. Faster and faster everything passes me by in a flash like it doesn’t even matter; everything is gone, everything stops, everything is quiet, everything is still; I fall to the ground and I am alone.

Lyrical poem

The Dance

Swan like patters swam through the room as the music played

The pastel lights shined above and below the dance room

The masked women ran as their dresses fluttered

The masked men chased with a light hearted clutter

Colors of spring splashed as the two genders collided

Amazingly even in number

None left out or alone

Simply perfect rotations of follower like dresses turned like clock work

The night was whimsically in tune to the soft mellow sounds of the violins in the orchestras

Then,

The tone of the dance suddenly sprang to different life as the clock struck twelve

And the women of the land left the ball

And returned to their homes.

By Lora Blackwell

Based on the poem “If I Was In Charge of The World” by Judith Viorst

If the World Was Mine

If the world was mine,

I would veto headaches,

Mathematics,

Sneezes and especially college tuition.

If the world was mine

Everything would be candle-lit,

Tattoos would tickle, and

You could always cut hair back on.

If the world was mine,

There would be no nightmares,

There would be no malice,

There would be no hospitals,

Or “Get well soon.”

There wouldn’t even be illness.

If the world were mine

Playing pranks and being messy would be good behavior,

Everyone would have a theme song,

And a girl who tends to forget birthdays,

And tends to trust too much,

Would still get the chance

To have the world for her own.

Where in heaven’s name been you?

I’ll ask before I’m ever through,

Devouring you down my throat,

A certain sonnet I wish to quote,

“Compare thee to a summer’s day?”

How I love thee, Crème Brûlée.

Residing in a bowl of glass,

I’ll lick your creamy custard mass,

If tasting your sweet sin is wrong,

Then let my burn in hell prolong!

For nothing could assuage dismay,

If there was not you, my Crème Brûlée.

Based on the poem “If I Was In Charge of The World” by Judith Viorst

If the world was mine,

I would veto headaches,

Mathematics,

Sneezes and especially college tuition.

If the world was mine

Everything would be candle-lit,

Tattoos would tickle, and

You could always cut hair back on.

If the world was mine,

There would be no nightmares,

There would be no malice,

There would be no hospitals,

Or “Get well soon.”

There wouldn’t even be illness.

If the world were mine

Playing pranks and being messy would be good behavior,

Everyone would have a theme song,

And a girl who tends to forget birthdays,

And tends to trust too much,

Would still get the chance

To have the world for her own.