Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Caption Writing

Lady Gaga makes her big entrance at the AMA's in Los Angeles last Sunday by riding a huge fake horse. she performed her hit song Applause at the show that night.


40 yr old Joseph Dorfman, a long distance swimmer, swims with the Olympic Torch through icy waters last Tuesday. The Winter Olympics begin on January 3 this year.


Two teen boys who live on a small island in the Indian Ocean ride refrigerator out to see to fish for their families' each morning. The refrigerator washed ashore from a load of trash that was dumped in the ocean.


Pro golfer Jack Matthews eyes his golfball to decide the best strategy to get it in the hole at the British Open last Sunday. Mathews finished the tournament in third place.


Current Events Quiz #3.4


1. How many years is it estimated that it will take to complete the MoPac toll road?
2 years

2. What major fast food chain opened its first Austin location this week? Are you interested in eating there?
In and Out Burgers and i am not super interested because i do not like hamburgers.

3. What innovative technology is Amazon.com hoping to utilize to deliver packages to customers in the next 4-5 years?
They are hoping to use unmanned drones.

4. What is the current reason a commuter train in New York City crashed, killing four people and injuring dozens?
The Brakes were defective.

5. What is "Cyber Monday" and why is it named that?
It is the Monday after thanksgiving where people do christmas shopping and get really good deals by shopping online that is why it is called "Cyber Monday".


Answer the questions below, please write at least a paragraph (3-5 sentences):

REMINDER - Some of you are not writing enough here. A single sentence isn't enough. I expect you to expand upon your writing. If you think you have written enough, you haven't, write more. Be sure to answer WHY you think something.

1. In the news recently there has been a heated debate over Mascot names. The most visible is the Washington Redskins, although there are high school and college teams with similar names. Opponents of the names conclude that the mascots/team names are derogatory and rude and what them changed, while proponents believe that the historical significance of the names are overrated and that the schools/teams should not be forced to change their mascot. Here is some additional information: the Washington team has been names Redskins since 1933, there is a baseball team in Atlanta called the Atlanta Braves, and Native Americans have come down on both sides of the subject with some demanding a change and others who believe the name is fine. What is your opinion of the subject? Make sure to tell me why you think that way!

I think the names are fine. They don't need to be changed. I feel this way because no one is trying to offend Native Americans. They are just the names they chose to give their mascots. To me it almost seems like they are honoring Native Americans with these names because they are saying that their teams go out and fight a good game  and try to be strong like their mascot would. So in this case like Native Americans would. However it does depend on the team's actions if the team is being disrespectful than they should not use the name but if the team is respectful than they can keep the name.

Monday, December 2, 2013

JFK 50 Year's Later

This article was written from the point of view of Lyndon Baines Johnson's daughter Luci. From this article I learned what it was like to become the President's daughter. How you were constantly monitored by secret service. Also that there were many privileges that came with living in the White House but they also came with responsibilities.
 More importantly i learned what it was like to loose not only a president but a close family friend. I learned how scary it was for people back then. I also learned where Luci was when she first heard the news and how she dealt with the whirlwind of emotions and fear that came during that time.

Funny Captions

Actor John Doe runs away from a special effects rock. This was filmed for the new Indiana Jones Parody coming out soon.



This Halloween decoration has been voted scariest Halloween decorations by neighborhood members. It was designed to portray Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball music video.




Students find a new motivation that helps studying. This technique boosted test grades by 100%.



Thanksgiving Break Story

This year i had a pretty low key Thanksgiving. Nothing out of the ordinary.
On Tuesday i got home from school and packed my bags for our little trip. then i went to my friend's house down the street.
While at my friend Ally's house we ate beef stew and salmon burgers for dinner. after that we made hot chocolate and watched movies. we watched signs, miss congeniality, and jurassic park 3.
at midnight i went home and went to bed because the next day me and my parents got up at 5 in the morning to go to Fort Worth.
We got up and made it to Fort Worth by 8:30. on our way to my grandmother's house we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I had pancakes which tasted more like crepes than pancakes.
When we arrived army grandmother's we all showered and got ready for the day. Then we made our plans for the day.
My parents and i went to an antique mall with my Aunt Cynthia to look at furniture for our guest room. Then we had a little snack afterward at a barbecue restaurant.
When we got back to my grandmother's house my older brother Ian had arrived from College Station. Before we went to dinner we all watched The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey.
My aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandmother, parents, brother, cousin, and his friends ate dinner at a var called Fred's. i thought the chicken tender's and french fries were very good.
After we ate some of us played pool and the rest watched. Then everybody headed home for the night.
On Thursday i got up got ready and my family and i headed to my other grandmother's house for Thanksgiving lunch. Before we ate lunch i visited with my cousins and aunts and worked english homework.
Then we ate lunch i had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and rolls it was delicious. later on i also had pumpkin pie and dressing.
After lunch i did more visiting and homework until we headed back to my grandmother's house we were staying at. We then had Thanksgiving again. however this time after dinner we played Heads Up.
Heads Up is an app that was created by Ellen were you put your phone on your head and other people give you clues and the person the phone on their head tries to guess what is on the phone. It is like charades or Taboo.
We all got really in to the game so it was very fun. For the rest of the night we visited until everybody else went home. then i went to bed.
On Friday after i got ready my aunt,my mother, my grandmother and i went shopping at an antique mall. I was bored most of the time but i did find a really cute pair of cowboy boots that were a great price and were barely worn. So that was an awesome find.
We then returned to my grandmother's house before heading downtown. while downtown we watched the beginning of the annual Parade of Lights then saw Catching Fire. It was my second time seeing the movie and it was amazing.
After the movie we went to dinner at Mi Cocina a mexican resturaunt and there nachos were very yummy. I wish there was one in Austin.
The next morning we left Fort Worth and got home to Austin in the early afternoon. For the rest of the day i watched movies. There was a Star Wars marathon and a Spiderman marathon on so i watched both of those then went to bed.
On sunday i woke up, got ready, ate lunch, started my homework at 1 and i finished my homework at Eight at night. I spent the whole day doing homework then i went to bed.
That was m Thanksgiving Break, it was fun  but not too exciting.


Monday, November 25, 2013

Lone Star Dispatch Evaluation #2


Silver Stars Participate in Champions for Children
Type: News

Summary: The Silver Stars sponsor Kayleigh, a little girl who has an undiagnosed disease and chose the Silver Stars through an organization called Champions 4 Children. The silver stars also are having auditions for the team this week.

Who- Silver Stars
What- Support Kayleigh and are having team auditions.
Where- Bowie
When- This year and this week
Why- To help this little girl through a try hard situation and to choose new members for the team
How- By having Kayleigh come to the games and perform with them and by teaching dances that will be performed for a panel of judges.
Who was quoted in the story?
Me! I was quoted in the story. Also the Silver Star director Jennifer Dawson and Captain of the SIlver Stars Maddie Hacking were quoted in the story.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
I think the strongest quote in the story is Dawson's quote about how the Silver Stars are helping Kayleigh.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
Yes it did make me want to keep reading.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
It was a quote (My quote:).


FIT Pros and Cons

Type: Commentary

Summary: Two different writers address both the good and bad of FIT. FIT is good for getting extra help on a student's weak subjects but is ultimately designed and executed poorly.
  
Who- Students at Bowie
What- Feel differently about FIT.
Where- Bowie
When- This year
Why- FIT is beneficial for getting help but is over scrutinized.
How- Students can choose the class they want to go to but if they are in the hallway they are interrogated by faculty.

Who was quoted in the story?
Nobody was quoted in the story.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
There were no quotes.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
Yes the leads made me want to read however the way the story is setup the headline acts as more of a lead and headline.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
Statement


Twitter Fun Turns into Double Dare

Type: Student Life

Summary: Sophomore Tyler Hudson posted on twitter that if his post got 500 likes then he would jump off Town Lake bridge naked. His post got enough tweets so he went through with the dare and posted a video of it on his instagram.

Who- Tyler Hudson
What- Jumped off Town Lake bridge naked because of a twitter post
Where- Town Lake bridge
When- The week of Oct. 17
Why- Because he made it a bet
How- By doing it fast when there weren't many people.

Who was quoted in the story?
Sophomore Tyler Hudson

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
The one where he talks about regreting his decision and how he prepared himself.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
Yes the lead made me want to keep reading.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
statement


Fans Exuberant Over Most Recent Hunger Games Sequel Catching Fire 
Type: Entertainment

Summary: The Hunger Games Sequel is coming out this Friday. Many Bowie students are very dedicated fans and can't wait till the movie comes out.

Who-Bowie Students
What- Are excited for the newest Hunger Games movie to come out.
Where- Bowie
When-November 22
Why- The Hunger Games is a very popular series
How- by purchasing tickets in advance

Who was quoted in the story?
Freshman Kelsey Powers, Junior Laurie Bengoa, and freshman April Briggs

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
The quote where Bengoa says why she loves the books

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
Yes the lead made me want to keep reading

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
statement


A Few of Your Beauty Questions Asked and Answered

Type:Trends and Culinary

Summary: Students asked questions that have to do with beauty tips. Then other students answered their questions.

Who- students
What- ask for beauty advice
Where- Bowie
When- Last week
Why- Facial beauty is a big part of many girls and women and men these days.
How- By asking their most important beauty questions

Who was quoted in the story?
Junior Lily Howard, Senior Tess Rueter, Senior Jason Galarza, Beauty consultant Ashley, and Sophomore Taylor Niblett

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
Galarza's quote about when he washes his face.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
There wasn't really a lead sentence

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
Statement


Famous Number Retired

Type: Sports

Summary: Michael Griffin is an NFL player who used to play here at Bowie. He came home to retire his jersey number at the Akins game.

Who- Michael Griffin
What- came home to retire his jersey number.
Where- At the Akins game
When- At the Akins game
Why- To honor his accomplishments
How- By doing it at a game

Who was quoted in the story?
Michael Griffin
What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
Griffin's quote about how Bowie is doing well this season

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
Yes it did.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
statement


Bill Changes Graduation Requirements 

Type: In Depth
Summary: Graduation requirements have been changed for the rest of the students coming in to high school after this year. Students will no longer have to have the four by four plan to graduate and do not have to take as many tests.

Who- Students
What- will not have the same grade requirements anymore
Where- Austin
When- next year's incoming freshman and on
Why- because they decided more students should be allowed to graduate
How- by changing the graduation requirements.

Who was quoted in the story?
Counselor Karina Reyna, Senior Natalie Pelayo, Senator Donna Campbell, Senior Garrett Custer, teacher Kimberly Nunnery, Sophomore Garrett Jordan.
 
What quote was the strongest in your opinion?
Reyna's quote about how it will be beneficial to students.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?
yes the lead made me want to keep reading.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?
quote



Rewritten lead: The Bowie Silver Stars are known for their halftime performances at the football games and their dances in the stands, but many people don't know what they do outside of the stadium. 

Current Events Quiz #3.3

1. Monday, page A1 (front page) - "Most food trailers..." - What are the THREE biggest difference for food trailers and the inspection process versus brick-and-mortar restaurants, according to the article?
The three biggest differences are that food trailers have to worry more about having a constant source of power, refrigeration, and a constant source of water.
2. Monday, page B5 - "Twitter latest to..." - What does Perfect Forward Secrecy do?
It adds an "extra layer of security" to make it harder for for people and the government to "eavesdrop" on people. 
3. Monday, page C4 - "Report: Investigator will..." - What is the current situation for Jonathan Martin?
The bully who bullied him is being suspended, he is being questioned about what happened, and i receiving emotional counseling.
4. Sunday, Page C1 - "Time for some parting shots" - What was Mike Leggett's final parting statement to his friends on the Statesman staff?
“If you’ve never drunk beer in the parking lot on a Saturday night or made out in a darkroom, you’ve never worked at a newspaper.”

5. Sunday, Page D1 - "Blueprint" - What portion of the Blueprint caught your eye first when I directed you to the page?
The turkey caught my eye first.
6. Sunday, Page E1 - "I, Robot..." - Do you think robots will have an active role in your life in the future? Why or why not?
yes i do think robots will play an active role in my future life because our world is becoming increasingly technological and increasingly lazy!