Vol. 17 - My High School Journalism, The world's largest host - HSJ ...

Force of 

Creation 

Video, demonstrations 

part of DWI simulator 

page 2 

Mardi Gras theme is 

part of recruiting 

page 3 

Music students 

advance to All-State 

page 6 

Seniors turn out for 

Winter Ball 

page 14 

The Magnet Tribune 

E-mail 

mt_writers@hotmail.com 

Online 

http://my.hsj.org/ 

tx/laredo/vmt 

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@Magnet_Tribune 

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@Magnet_Tribune 

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tx/laredo/vmt 

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The world’s link to you. 

VMT on Facebook 

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Look for VMT on 

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THE MAGNET TRIBUNE 

A state- and nationally recognized student newspaper 

Vol. 17, No. 3 http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt March 5, 2010 

Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications & Fine Arts, 1701 Victoria St., Laredo Texas 78040 

BY REBEKAH RODRIGUEZ 

MT STAFF WRITER 

The cold did not deter 

students and others 

from Rock the Vote, an 

event at VMT aimed at high 

school seniors of voting age. 

“As some of my students 

are learning in my (AP 

Government) class, the 

eighteen-to-twenty-five-yearold 

vote is almost non-existent. 

Rock the Vote allows 

these students to get a feel 

for politics,” said Matias 

Arambula, AP Government 

and Economics instructor. 

The Feb. 2 event started 

with the presentation of colors 

by Martin High School’s 

ROTC, the Pledge of 

Allegiance, the National 

Anthem, and words from 

VMT director Dr. Martha 

Villarreal. 

“This is going to be a very 

important milestone in your 

life,” she said, emphasizing 

the importance of registering 

to vote. 

Texas state Representative 

Richard Raymond also 

urged those of age to register 

to vote. 

“I grew up in a small town 

called Benavides, which was 

full of political corruption. I 

couldn’t wait to turn 18 and 

vote to make my community 

better,” he said. 

A mock debate concentrat- 

BY CLAUDIA ALBA 


"Suicide can happen to 

anyone, it is not based on a 

certain age, gender, race, or 

religion,” Diana Pentecost, 

V.M.T counselor, told teachers 

recently at an after 

school meeting. 

The meeting came about 

because of 13 suicides, 

including high school students, 

that took place in 

2009 in the city. 

In the last three years 

there have been 31 suicides 

in Laredo. 

Teachers and other staff 

saw a PowerPoint on suicide 

prevention on Jan. 12 in the 

library. 

According to Gabriela 

Rock the Vote 

Event urges students to be politically active 

MT photo by Claudia Alba 

These seniors portrayed County Judge candidates at Rock the Vote at St. Peters 

Plaza. From left, Frank Dominguez (Tano Tijerina), Oscar Cortez (Andy Reyes), 

Patrick Carroll (Louis Bruni), and Jon Cox (Danny Valdez). 

ing on the 111th District 

Court judge followed in 

which three students portrayed 

candidates Adriana 

Arce Flores, Monica Zapata 

Notzon, and Jesus “Chuy” 

Dominguez. 

Collins, skills 

worker for 

B o r d e r 

R e g i o n 

M H M R , 

some of the 

reasons why 

someone 

would consider 

suicide 

are: depression, 

mental 

illness, home 

problems, 

feeling of 

things being 

hopeless, 

and thinking 

there is no solution to the 

problem. 

A person might ask, “What 

is the top reason?” 

“There is no top reason; it 

“I believe I make a good 

candidate because I am the 

only one with a deep state 

court background,” said 

Katherine Pollard, acting as 

Monica Zapata Notzon. 

Students were chosen by 

depends on the person’s situation.” 

Pentecost said in an 

interview later. 

“I would say this feeling 

starts on the beginning of 

teenage years,” VMT assis- 

Villarreal to participate, and 

they prepared for Rock the 

Vote by having one-on-one 

session with the candidates. 

“Dr. Villarreal randomly 

picked students. Some of 

See VOTE, page 5 

STAAR takes place of TAKS 

Tests of the past 

Texas Assessment of Basic 

Skills (TABS): 1980-1985, 

administered to students in 

grades 3, 5 and 9. 

Texas Educational Assessment 

of Minimum Skills (TEAMS): 

1986-1990, administered to 

grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. 

Texas Assessment of 

Academic Skills (TAAS): 1990- 

2002, administered to students 

in grades 3-8 and 10. 

Texas Assessment of 

Knowledge and Skills (TAKS): 

2003 to present, administered 

to students grades 3-11. 

MT graphic by Linda Rodriguez 

Source: Texas Education Agency 

Teachers get 

training after 

31 suicides 

BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ 


The Texas 

Assessment of 

Knowledge and 

Skills, TAKS, will soon 

be replaced by STAAR, 

the State of Texas 

Assessments of Academic 

Readiness. 

STAAR consists of 12 

end-of-course assessments. 

Students will be 

challenged to meet the 

end-of-course requirements 

to demonstrate 

readiness for college. 

According to the 

Texas Education 

Agency’s press release, 

students in the graduating 

Class of 2015, 

who are currently in 

seventh grade, will be 

the first students who 

must meet the end-ofcourse 

testing requirements, 

as well as pass 

their classes, in order 

to earn a diploma. 

End-of-Course Assessments 

Algebra I 

Geometry 

Algebra II 

Biology 

Chemistry 

Physics 

Editorial, page 12 

A reason for the 

change is due to teachers 

teaching to the 

assessment and not 

the subjects. 

“I have always 

believed in teaching 

content. Here at VMT 

the academic teachers 

came to the conclusion 

that we were not going 

to teach to the TAKS 

exam. I credit this 

decision with our success 

in the state exam 

all these years. The 

STAAR exam will not 

affect my way of teaching 

much if any. It’s all 

about teaching your 

content area in my 

opinion,” VMT AP 

U.S. History 

World History 

World Geography 

English I 

English II 

English III 

Government instructor 

Matias Arambula said. 

“I see [the change to 

STAAR] as both good 

and bad,” Arambula 

added. “It will be good 

because we no longer 

have too-lengthy concepts 

that in turn confuse 

the students more 

than what they come to 

understand. I am hoping 

that in that aspect 

teachers will teach their 

subject area as a whole 

and not teach just concepts 

that they like. It 

is bad in the way that 

some students do not 

like specific subjects 

and hence will have 

problems with the 

See STAAR, page 5 

Drawing by Miguel Hinojosa 

tant Principal Roberto 

Gonzalez said in an interview 

later. 

According to the 

PowerPoint presentation, 

See SUICIDE, page 4

BY KIMBERLY LUNA 


2 SCHOOL NEWS 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune, Tacebook: @Magnet_Tribune 

VMT’s new chess club is 

progressing despite a lack 

of time outside of class. 

“We have limited time to 

practice. We’ll have 15-20 

minutes during lunch,” 

explained math instructor 

Jose De Leon, chess club 

sponsor. “They (members) 

can’t stay here after school 

because they have to leave.” 

The chess club started as 

an initiative from LISD. De 

Leon acknowledges Dr. 

Martha Villarreal, VMT 

principal, for her backing. 

“I am thankful that we’ve 

had Dr. Villarreal supporting 

us every step of the way 

since we started this club,” 

he said. 

There are 12 members in 

every grade level except 

12th. Newcomers are welcome. 

“As long as they (students) 

are interested in participating, 

they’re welcome 

BY CYNTHIA GARZA 


A car crash victim screeched and 

complained to the doctor how his 

head hurt as the nurse placed staples 

into the back of his head. 

Students groaned as they watched 

liquid pouring out of the patient’s 

exposed brain. 

This was a part of the graphic 

video that Teens in the Driver Seat 

showed to V.M.T. students as a part 

of the DWI simulator at St. Peter’s 

Plaza and school board room, Feb. 

5. 

The goal was to try to prevent 

teens from driving after drinking 

alcoholic beverages by showing 

them a demonstration of the effects 

of drinking too much alcohol. 

Krystle Salinas, a senior 

Tapestry and advanced journalism 

student, said she has felt the pain 

of victims. 

“I know someone who has been in 

this type of situation, and I think it’s 

sad that they have to go through it, 

and anyone else who has to go 

through it too,” Salinas said. 

After the video was shown students 

went to St. Peter’s Plaza to see 

for themselves what it was like driving 

while intoxicated in the DWI 

simulator, a Ford Focus attached to 

a computer. 

Ivan Fuentes, visual arts senior, 

was one of the many students that 

drove the simulator. 

“The experience was interesting. I 

to join,” De Leon stated. 

De Leon’s most important 

expectation is for the chess 

club members to enjoy 

themselves. 

“It is important that they 

have fun because if they 

have fun they’ll learn strategies 

and are going to want to 

show up for practices.” 

The chess club has 

already participated in two 

tournaments. 

Emily Guerrero, freshman 

viola player in the strings 

department and a chess 

club member, said there are 

benefits to playing chess. 

“I think it (the chess club) 

is a very good idea! It’s fun, 

you get to meet new people 

plus it keeps you busy on a 

Saturday,” she said. 

Guerrero learned how to 

play chess in fourth grade 

from her neighbor, who was 

her teacher. 

“Chess is awesome,” 

Guerrero stated. 

However that is not the 

reason chess is played as 

didn’t expect to get so distracted so 

easily,” Fuentes said. 

After he drove in the simulator, a 

Department of Public Safety trooper 

gave Fuentes a sobriety test, which 

is designed to show whether a driver 

is under the influence of alcohol. 

“It was intimidating, I was nervous 

and it was very awkward,” 

Fuentes said. 

Juan Rosales, a senior guitar student, 

learned that one can’t be too 

careful when driving. 

“A lot of bad things happen when 

you drive drunk,” Rosales said. 

Albert Torres, senior radio and 

television student and president of 

Teens in the Driver Seat, noticed 

the reactions from students. 

“The students have acted very 

positively. They mentioned how it 

feels to drive under the influence. 

They said they will think twice 

before getting behind the wheel 

after drinking,” Torres said. 

Elias Rodriguez, freshman strings 

student, thought that if he were 

ever faced with this type of situation 

it would impact his family and himself 

negatively. 

“I’d be sad because I would disappoint 

my parents and apart from 

that I would be disappointed in 

myself.” 

an extracurricular activity. 

“Chess helps out with 

learning to think ahead; it 

makes the players critical 


March 5, 2010 

Chess club keeps students active 

More online at 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt 

See the gallery of photos on the 

Web site. 

MT photo by Mark Webber 

Amado Martinez, left, and chess club sponsor Jose De Leon, math instructor, 

play a quick game after school in January. 

thinkers,” De Leon said. 

Students learn drinking, driving not good 

Online on THE MAGNET TRIBUNE 

Fashion: Fitting personality into style 

Eye Candy: Program shows guys helping out 

Performances by Theatre Arts students 

Culturas concert by dance, music students 

Coming soon... 

Visual Arts students travel to museum 

Brass students in Synergy workshop 

Set http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt 

as your home page! 

Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune, Facebook: @Magnet_Tribune 

Second annual 5K run to take place 

BY DAVID CONTRERAS 


The second Fernando A. 

Salinas-Teens in the Driver 

Seat-VMT 5K Run/Walk is 

scheduled for Sunday, 

March 7. 

The half-mile run will start 

at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K 

run/walk will begin at 8:30 

a.m., according to the application. 

The race will be held at 

St. Peters’ Plaza. 

The pre-registration fee will 

be $15, the day of the race will 

be $20, and the fee for students 

is $10. The fee for children 10 

years and under will be $5. 

This race will be in honor of 

Martinez IV, a teenager who 

died in a car accident. 

Some of the teams from last 

MT photo from 2009 

Runners begin the Teens in the Driver Seat 5K run on Houston Street, north of St. Peter’s Plaza, last year. 

year’s race have pledged, 

according to Teens in the 

Driver’s Seat sponsor and 

school counselor Diana 

Pentecost, 

“This year we’re expecting 

more than last year. Last year 

there were more than 2,000 

people that registered for the 

race,” Pentecost said. 

The money raised will be 

awarded to high school sen- 

iors who qualify for scholarships, 

according to a press 

release 

The school’s director urged 

runners to sign up early 

“We are encouraging partici- 

MT photos by 

Maria Huerta 

Above: A student 

sits 

inside the 

DWI simulator 

at Saint 

Peter’s Plaza. 

Left: A 

Department 

of Public 

Safety trooper 

gives senior 

art student 

Ivan 

Fuentes a 

sobriety test 

after he drove 

the DWI simulator 

at 

Saint Peter’s 

Plaza. 

pants to sign up to take 

advantage of the early registration 

fees and avoid lines the 

day of the event,” Dr. Martha 

Villarreal said in a press 

release.


March 5, 2010 

Parade 

helps 

recruit 

students 

BY MATTHEW CASTAÑEDA 


A cheer erupted as the 

Mardi Gras-style parade 

entered the gym. The band 

played “When the Saints Go 

Marching in.” Students 

later poured out of the 

stands to visit the departments. 

This happened four times 

during VMT’s recruiting, 

from Jan. 25 to 28, at the 

four LISD middle schools. 

High Brass instructor 

Robert Lopez, who helped 

organize recruiting this 

year, explained the reason 

for the Mardi Gras theme. 

“This is a fine arts school. 

This school involves theater, 

music, art, creative 

writing, and visual art. 

Mardi Gras involves all of 

that,” Lopez said. 

VMT had 55 minutes to 

present the programs, and 

this affected how the school 

recruited. 

“We had a lot to do in a 

short time, plus it impacted 

in a good way because lots 

of teachers had good ideas. 

I think the major impact 

that made recruiting successful 

was the visual 

aspect. For example the 

video presentation. The 

parade. The fact that VMT 

students were able to visit 

with the eighth graders.” 

Lopez said there is a lot of 

time to plan for next year’s 

recruiting. 

“What we could do for 

next year is keep the same 

format, and incorporate 

better ideas and improve 

our efforts,” Lopez said. 

A junior Theatre Arts student 

liked how middle 

school students reacted. 

“I enjoyed the spirit that 

we got in the middle school. 

They seemed more alive 

and excited about joining,” 

Natalie Padron said. 

She liked what she saw 

about the eighth graders. 

“I thought they were lively. 

It was nice how they paid 

attention to us,” Padron 

said. 

Jose Guerra, a steel drum 

student, said he liked the 

parade music, ”When the 

Saints Go Marching in.” 

There’s two parts Padron 

liked about the recruiting. 

“I liked either the parade 

that we did or students 

coming up and talking to us 

and getting to know us. It 

was very nice.” 

SCHOOL NEWS 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, Twitter. @Magnet_Tribune, Tacebook: @Magnet_Tribune 

MT photos by Ale Martinez 

Left: Students at Lamar Middle School sign up for VMT’s Music Technology (MIDI) Department. Right: Luis “Beebo” Balderas holds up 

a Steel Drums sign to attract middle schoolers during recruiting at Lamar Middle School. 

3 

MT photo by 

Jessica Contreras 

Above: 

The front of the 

parade showed 

the school’s initials, 

at Christen 

Middle School. At 

center is Visual 

Arts instructor 

Jorge Vasquez. 

MT photo by 

Savannah Peña 

Right top: 

Music students 

performed 

“When the Saints 

go Marching in,” 

during the Mardi- 

Gras-themed 

parade at 

Memorial Middle 

School. 

MT photo by 

Jessica Contreras 

Right bottom: 

Krystle Salinas 

and Oliver 

Sanchez hold 

signs advertising 

their fine arts 

areas while 

eighth graders 

visit VMT departments,background, 

at 

Christen Middle 

School.

BY NIDIA GOMEZ AND 

VALERIE BRISEÑO 

MT STAFF WRITERS 

4 HEALTH 


Gilbert Arizola, a 

citizen of 

Laredo, fought 

for his life for 7 long 

hard weeks as he tried 

to overcome the threatening 

battle against 

TENS. 

TENS stands for Toxic 

Epidermal Necrolysis 

Syndrome, a severe 

dermatological condition 

that is frequently 

induced by reaction to 

medications. 

In November 2008, 

Arizola returned from a 

job-required trip with 

hives, irritated eyes, 

and itching all over his 

body. Worried with 

what was going on, he 

and his common-law 

wife, Yolanda Otero, 

rushed to University 

Hospital in San Antonio 

where he was hospitalized 

for pneumonia. 

Arizola’s body rejected 

the antibiotic prescribed 

by the doctors 

to treat the pneumonia. 

Doctors said his 

immune system was 

too weak to handle the 

treatment. 

Arizola began developing 

high fevers, blisters, 

and red skin. He 

was taken to University 

Hospital once again on 

December 5, 2008 

where he was hospitalized 

for the allergic 

reaction, which became 

more complicated. The 

doctors said he was 

burning inside out. 

On December 7, 

Arizola was 

transferred to 

the Intensive Care Unit 

at Brooke Army 

Medical Center in San 

Antonio where he was 

diagnosed with TENS. 

Arizola had to be 

scrubbed down to 

remove all dead skin to 

prevent any bacteria 

and other infections. 

“It was the most 

painful and scariest 

time of the whole time I 

was there. I was yelling 

and crying and felt like 

everyone could hear me 

scream. It was unexplainable 

pain,” Arizola 

said. 

Doctors walked in 

around midnight to 

explain the situation to 

Otero and Arizola. 

“Doctors informed us 

that before we saw him 

get better everything 

was going to get worse,” 

Otero said. 

Arizola’s blisters were 

so severe; doctors had 

to clear him of all body 

hair. He started developing 

internal blisters 

that resulted in him 

requiring the use of a 

feeding tube. 

Arizola went into 

coma 2 weeks 

after being hospitalized 

where he’d 

spend the next 3 

weeks. 

“It felt like one week 

or just 3 days when in 

reality 3 weeks passed 

by,” he said. 

Arizola was put on 

medication stronger 

than morphine for his 

pain. As an effect to the 

pain killers, he started 

having hallucinations 

and bad nightmares. 

“I started having 

nightmares that felt 

real, like if I was going 

through them. Nothing 

good, yet nothing suicidal.” 

He explained a specific 

nightmare he 

remembered. 

“I remember in one of 

my dreams I woke up 

and looked down and 

saw my fingernails 

painted black. When I 

really woke up, I looked 

down and saw I had 

black all over the body,” 

he said. 

Arizola explained that 

the black he saw was 

actually medication 

used to prevent any 

further infections. 

After recovering from 

his coma, Arizola had 

no knowledge of what 

was happening. 

After his feeding tube 

was removed, a nutritionist 

put Arizola on a 

diet. He was told that if 

he didn’t gain a certain 

amount of pounds in a 

certain amount of days, 

he would have to be put 

back on the feeding 

tube. 

“Doctors informed us 

that when the feeding 

tube was removed he 

was going to gain consciousness 

but they 

weren’t sure if he was 

going to get better,” 

Otero said. 

Arizola had to go to 

therapy in San Antonio 

to regain movement. 

“I would take 5 to 8 

slow steps and felt 

exhausted, like I was 

almost going to pass 

out,” Arizola said. 

Arizola had the 

support of his 

loving family the 

entire time he was 

going through this 

tough battle and recovering. 

“His mother never left 

his side. I would come 

and go at the beginning, 

afterwards I was 

always there. I would 

run errands and come 

right back. His sister 

Gracy and I would 

alternate back and 

forth. His brother 

Guadalupe caught a 

glimpse of Gilbert, 

turned around and 

broke down crying. It 

was hard for the family 

to see all the changes,” 

Otero said. 

Arizola received many 

blessings and prayers 

from family and 

friends. 

“He couldn’t have 

done it without everyone’s 

help. Thank God 

he’s here,” Otero said. 

Along with his family’s 

loving support, 

Arizola had the right 

attitude to recover. He 

now appreciates the 

things he didn’t notice 

before. 


March 5, 2010 

Man survives deadly syndrome 

Disorder gives Laredoan 

a fight for his life 

Another photo of Laredoan Gilbert Arizola, who lies 

on a hospital bed in Brooke Army Medical Center in 

San Antonio while being treated for TENS, Toxic 

Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome. 

SUICIDE from page 1 

some signs that people 

thinking of suicide give 

off are running away 

from home, alcohol and 

drug use, preoccupation 

about dying, change in 

behavior, saying there is 

no tomorrow, loss of 

interest in activities, and 

giving away prized possessions. 

“The most important 

things to share with the 

people who have 

expressed suicide is to let 

them know you care and 

2008 

16 suicides 

12 males 

4 females 

Age range 

60s, 1 suicide 

50s, 2 suicides 




Suicide Statistics 

2009 

13 suicides 

11 males 

2 females 

Age range 


40s, 1 suicide 


20s-teens, 

5 suicides 

want to help,” Gonzalez 

said. 

Gonzalez and Pentecost 

2010 (through 

Feb. 18) 

2 suicides 

1 male 

1 female 

Age Range 


Source: Laredo 

H e a l t h 

Department. 

said suicide IS preventable. 

“Always take these 

kinds of things seriously, 

make them get help, and 

remember to let them 

know you’re on their 

side,” Pentecost said. 

Some ways to help 

someone who is thinking 

of taking their lives 

include showing them 

that you care and want to 

help, listen to them, say it 

is a temporary problem, 

remain calm and offer 

help, and most importantly, 

never keep it a 

secret! 

Laredoan Gilbert Arizola lies 

on a hospital bed at Brooke 

Army Medical Center in San 

Antonio while being treated 

for TENS, Toxic Epidermal 

Necrolysis Syndrome. 

Photos courtesy of: 

Yolanda Otero 

“I appreciate life a lot 

more after everything. 

Every time I wake up, 

just stepping out of the 

house and being able to 

see. A lot of things that 

wouldn’t cross my 

mind before now do. 

During my illness, I 

couldn’t talk, write, 

walk, or whisper and 

now I’m so grateful to 

have all that back. 

Every time I wake up, 

the first thing I say is ‘I 

love you Jesus, Thank 

You’,” he said. 

Arizola is still following 

up with the doctor. 

Otero now checks all 

medication prescribed 

to make sure it does 

not contain anything 

that will make him ill 

again. 

Otero kept note of 

everything that happened 

throughout their 

troubling journey in a 

diary. In the diary, she 

had important dates, 

locations of hospitals, 

and names of family 

and friends that prayed 

for Arizola. Arizola says 

it doesn’t hurt looking 

back. 

“If I would have to go 

through it again to save 

people, to get them to 

have faith and get them 

closer to God, I would,” 

Arizola said. 

“It is also very important 

to refer these people to a 

school counselor, a local 

physician, or Border 

MHMR, and never take it 

upon yourself because 

you are not trained to do 

so,” Gonzalez said. 

“When we were doing 

the presentation, someone 

asked me 'why are we 

doing this? Have there 

been that many suicides?' 

and my response was, 

'One is too many,''' 

Pentecost said.


March 5, 2010 

VOTE from page 1 

them had participated at the 

legislative session at Austin. 

She told us which candidate 

we were going to be,” said Jon 

Cox, a senior journalism student 

who portrayed Webb 

County Judge Danny Valdez. 

After the debate for 111th 

District Court judge, the next 

one was for County Judge. 

candidates Tano Tijerina, 

Andy Reyes, Louis H. Bruni, 

and Danny Valdez, who were 

also portrayed by students. 

Both debates were moderated 

by senior radio/television 

student Albert Torres. 

Candidate had one minute to 

make their points, and one 

minute and 30 seconds to 

make their final statements. 

Musical performances by 

Music Technology students 

followed while people participated 

in a mock election. 

“This is a great event that 

makes the point to you all,” 

said LISD Board President 

George Beckelhymer. 

A senior said Rock the Vote 

helped her make her decision. 

“This event has helped me 

better understand where 

exactly each candidate 

stands and what each has to 

offer,” said Rosa Chavez, guitar 

student. 

One student expressed 

how it feels to have the privilege 

to vote. 

“It feels awesome to have 

the power to vote for who you 

want to lead you,” said Peter 

Medina, a senior at Martin 

High School. 

Arambula also explained 

how Rock the Vote will help 

students realize their political 

BY JON COX 


My day began just as any 

other normal day. 

I was going crazy all morning. 

First by starting my day 

bright and early at 5:30 am 

(how fun). After leaving home 

I arrived at VMT at 7:15 to 

make final tweaks to my 

speech. 

As the time of the debate 

comes closer, nerves start to 

take hold of me. I panic a little 

and start calling County 

Judge Danny Valdez’s office 

to confirm all of my facts. 

I was the last of the student 

candidates to walk over to St. 

Peter’s Plaza. The street was 

deserted; I saw no students. 

After saying a little prayer to 

myself, I entered the square 

and approached the crowd. 

For some reason or another I 

was not nervous anymore; 

looking at the crowd allowed 

me to calm down. 

The first few moments at 

the square I was greeted by 

all of the candidates from district 

court to county judges. 

All participants including 

STAAR from page 1 

like specific subjects and hence will 

have problems with the STAAR in the 

areas they don’t like. This is going to 

force students to take responsibility 

on their shoulder. Some will not.” 

Reactions to the STAAR from students 

will stay the same, sophomore 

English teacher James Buckley said. 

“I think students will react to the 

STAAR or not react to the STAAR the 

same way they react to the TAKS. 

SCHOOL NEWS 


MT photo by Valerie Briseño 

A student votes for mock candidates at a voting 

booth during Rock the Vote at St. Peter’s Plaza. 


Mock Election Results .... (Feb. 2) 

111th District Court Judge 

Adriana Arce-Flores 15.1% 

Monica Zapata Notzon 51.3% 

Jesus "Chuy" Dominguez 33.6% 

Webb County Treasurer 

Delia Perales 28.3% 

Jose A. Valdez 71.7% 

Webb County Judge 

Tano Tijerina 69.7% 

Andy Reyes 12.6% 


See additional photos on 

the Web site. 

preferences. 

“One of the things we learn 

in Government is that young 

people will vote as the same 

political party as their parents. 

This event helps them 

become aware of issues and 

Louis H. Bruni 5% 

Danny Valdez 12.6% 

me walked over to the left 

side of the stage, under the 

tree and started practicing 

their speeches. I stopped for 

a moment and listened to 

one of a State representative 

speak on the importance for 

young adults to vote. After he 

finished speaking I stood at 

attention to listen to the 

Pledge of Allegiance and the 

National Anthem. 

The student candidates 

representing the district 

Some kids don’t take it seriously and 

others take it too seriously. There has 

been research done that shows kids 

suffer from anxiety over the test,” he 

said. 

“…The transition from TAKS to 

STAAR will be very rocky because we 

know the test is coming but we are 

doing nothing now to prepare for it, 

and I fear they will wait until the year 

we start administering the new exam 

to start training us as teachers to 

teach with the new exam. It should 

at the same time they realize 

the people running for office 

are like them,” he said “Most, 

if not all of them, are Laredo 

educated,” he said 

Many others agreed voting 

is important as it is a voice. 

“You have the privilege to 

vote and have a voice. You can 

throw it away and just complain, 

but it doesn’t get you 

anywhere,” Raymond said. 

Rock participant shares 

onstage experience 


Senior Jon Cox is seen 

during the County Judge 

debate at Rock the Vote. 

District Clerk 

Jackie L. Ramos 11.7% 

Lydia Liendo-Parra 26.2% 

Sylvia Palumbo 37.9% 

Esther Degollado 24.3% 

Webb County Clerk 

Margie Ibarra 41.4% 

Lonnie Garcia 58.6% 

Source: AP Government instructor 

Matt Arambula 

court judges were called 

first. During their completion 

I made one last phone call to 

the judge’s office to make my 

final tweaks. After the call I 

started to read and re-read 

my speech. The next time I 

looked up it was my turn. 

Walking up to the platform 

my nerves began exploding. 

Looking over the crowd didn’t 

help either. As the debate 

began the speech came naturally 

to me, except for a 

couple of parts. 

I like to think I did a good 

job during the speech. 

I had a funny moment during 

the speech when I mentioned 

only Danny Valdez 

has given out scholarships. 

Andy Reyes made eye contact 

and pulled out his wallet 

as a joke by offering me 

money. 

At that time it was near the 

end of the debate and I was 

stepping off the stage with 

applause for all of the student 

candidates. 

Before leaving the square I 

said hi to all of my friends in 

the morning leaving to Nixon 

and breakfast at Danny’s. 

be that as long as we teach what we 

are suppose to teach then the kids 

will do well but it helps to understand 

the exam,” Buckley added. 

Students had an opinion on the 

new STAAR assessments as well. 

“I’ve already gotten accustomed to 

the TAKS test and [the district’s] way 

of doing things. To me the TAKS 

tests aren’t as hard or hectic but only 

because I’ve been taking them since 

I was in third grade. It’s going to be 

pressure-filled to have to get used to 

5 

Head of the Class awards 

MT photo by Nereyda Serrano 

Katherine Pollard was named Head of the Class 

for December 2009. 

MT photo by Evangelina Martinez 

Olivia Flores was named Head of the Class for 

January 2010. 


Dorian Delgado was named Head of the Class for 

February 2010. 

this new test two years before graduation,” 

freshman Kimberly Luna 

said. 

Freshman David Barrera talked 

about the positive and negative 

effects of this change. 

“This change is good for the youth. 

Their minds will develop at a higher 

standard. It will be bad for us since 

we are used to easier tests and education,” 

he said. 

The STAAR will be used beginning 

in the 2011-2012 school year.

6 SCHOOL NEWS 


MT photo by Krystal Battistata 

Victor Figueroa, a senior, was 34th chair at the Texas Music Educators 

Association state convention in San Antonio, in February. 

Senior advances 

to All-State level 

BY KRYSTAL BATTISTATA 


Senior Victor Figuerroa 

was the only senior from 

Martin and VMT who qualified 

to go to the 2010 Texas 

Music Educators Association 

state convention on Feb. 10- 

14, in San Antonio. 

“I was very proud of myself 

being the only one from 

Martin going. I had finally 

achieved what I had been 

working so hard for, though 

I was surprised because I 

really thought more Martin 

students would make it,” he 

said. 

Classical Guitar 

UIL solo/ensemble 

Solo Ens Rating 

Arredondo Alexa 1 1 

Aleman Luis 1 1C 

Cardenas Cindy 1C 1C 

Casarez Andrew 1 

Charles Esmeralda 1 1 

Chavez Frank 1C 1C 

De Leon Rosie 1 

De Leon Zafira 1 1 

Dovalina Agustin 1C 1C 

Escobar Valerie 1 

Flores Marco 1C 

Garcia Jesus 1C 1C 

Garza Marina 1 1 

Garza Samantha 1 1C 

Gomez Cesar 2 

Gonzalez Akeem 2 1 

Gonzalez Stephanie 1 

Lujan Sergio 1 

Medina Mark 1C 

Morales Christina 1C 

Orta Gus 2 1 

Perales Cindy 1 

Peralta David 1C 

Perez Damaris 1C 1C 

Salinas Daniel 1C 1C 

Rating of 1C denotes advancing to state 

FRESHMAN ALL- 

REGION BAND 

Nick Moncayo 

Liliana Medellin 

Carlos Acevedo 

ALL-REGION 

ORCHESTRA 

Kevin Rodriguez 

Rosa Hernandez 

ALL-DISTRICT 

Carmen Ramirez 

Stephanie Perales 

Janie Garza 

Sara Martinez 


Nick Moncayo 


Woodwind studio 

ALL-REGION BAND 




Janie Garza 

Low Brass studio 

TMEA All-State–Victor 

Figueroa, trumpet 

TMEA All Area–Joey Nuñez, 

trumpet 

Barbara Montoya, French Horn 

Figuerroa came out 34th 

chair out of the 49 trumpet 

players competing at the 

end of the competition. 

Having to go through the 

District, Region, and Area 

contests to get to state, 

Figuerroa was excited of his 

accomplishment. 

“I had to go through three 

other competitions, and I 

was very excited and happy 

when I saw the results at the 

area competition. I felt 

accomplished knowing I’d 

qualified to go to state,” 

Figuerroa said. 

Figuerroa prepared to 

compete against 49 trumpet 


ALL-AREA BAND 



ALL-STATE BAND 


UIL SOLO AND 

ENSEMBLE 

Anelle Casas 

Carlos Acevedo 


Monica Escobedo 


Janie Garza 

Nick Moncayo 

Francisco Mendoza 

Sara Martinez 

Miguel Cardona 


Leticia Lopez 

Eddie Delgado 

Danah Blackwell 

Luis Martinez, French Horn 

Alex Guerra-French Horn 

UIL Solo and Ensemble – 

Barbara Montoya-French Horn 

Luis Martinez – French horn 

Alex Guerra – French horn 

Diego Gonzalez – French horn 

players from around the 

state by practicing hard for 

months. 

“The competition was 

quite tough. Basically you 

have the best forty nine 

trumpet players in the state 

competing, so I practiced 

and practiced for over three 

months,” Figuerroa 

explained. 

This state competition was 

overall a great experience for 

Figuerroa. 

“Well, it was a unique 

experience, and it was awesome 

to be able to go and 

play with an all state band. 

It was an honor,” he said. 

Low Brass studio 

All Area UIL 

Region Band Band 1st Div. 

Trombone 

Saldivar Juan x x 

Lozano Hector x x x 

Rodriguez Luis x 

Moncayo Marivel x x 

Rodriguez Patrick x 

Tapia Cesar x x 

Cadena Hector x x 

Tuba 

Macias Ricardo x x x 

Guzman Victoria x x 

Gutierrez Bruno x x x 

Moreno Francisco x x x 

Euphonium 

Martinez Daniel x x 

Vocals, UIL solo/ensemble 

Delgado, Dorian 1st Division (Superior) * 

Garza, Julissa 1st Division (Superior) * 

Hernandez, Janet N. 1st Division (Superior) * 

Reyes, Alexis 1st Division (Superior) * 

Rojas, Manuel 1st Division (Superior) * 

Reyes, Samantha 1st Division (Superior) * 

Guevara, Vanessa 1st Division (Superior) * 

Lopez, Monica, 1st Division (Superior) 

Rivera, Elvira 1st Division (Superior) 

Garay, Lupita 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Rangel, Anissa 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Chapa, Deyanira, 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Hernandez, Yrandi 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Lopez, Vanessa 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Velasquez, Karen 2nd Division (Excellent) 

Ayala, April 3rd Division (Great) 

*Advances to state 

Piano, UIL 

Jesus Pablo Rangel Superior rating* 

Baali Sanchez superior rating* 

Alma Rodriguez superior rating 

Jesus Gonzalez Superior Rating 

Moises Ruiz Superior rating 

Priscilla Perez Excellent Rating 

Ivan Valdez Excellent Rating 

Trisha Botello Excellent Rating 

Cynthia Cardenas Excellent Rating 

Krystal Dominguez Excellent Rating 

Kassandra Sanchez Excellent Rating 

Karina Trevino Excellent Rating 

*Advances to state 

Jose Salvador - trumpet 

Luis Juarez – trumpet 

Matthew Garcia – trumpet 

Patrick Carroll – trumpet 

Roger Cardenas – trumpet 

Daisy Espinoza – trumpet 

Sergio Garza – trumpet 

Cy 

cy 


March 5, 2010 

MT photo by Chris Avalos 

Sophomore Kevin Rodriguez made All-State two 

years in a row. He plays the clarinet. Rodriguez is 

shown playing scales in the Urbahn Building. 

Soph earns 

2nd state 

band chair 

BY JAVIER T. SOLIZ 

M.T. STAFF WRITER 

Sophomore Kevin 

Rodriguez has made the 

Texas Music Educators 

Association All-State band 

for the second year in a row. 

Making All-State means a 

musician has competed 

against many other players 

within the area several 

times. First they compete in 

District, then Region, Area, 

and finally State. 

Last year as a freshman, 

Rodriguez made All-State, 

receiving 27th chair (or 

place) out of 63 other clarinet 

players. 

This time around, 

Rodriguez achieved 16th 

out of 63 but, things were 

“a bit harder,” according to 

Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez’ aunt had a 

baby at the beginning of the 

school year. By the time he 

would arrive home every 

day, the baby would be 

sleeping, leaving Rodriguez 

with no practice time. 

Because of this, most of 

Strings, UIL 

his practice time had to be 

crammed in at V.M.T during 

his elective class, and an 

hour after school when 

marching season was over. 

Rodriguez has been playing 

the clarinet since sixth 

grade when he joined band 

at Christen Middle School. 

He chose the clarinet partly 

due to the fact that his older 

brother, who has graduated, 

also played the instrument. 

“I also saw it as an interesting 

instrument,” Rodriguez 

said. 

Rodriguez’ reasons for 

wanting to excel at his 

instrument are simple. Like 

everyone, he just wants to 

show his talents. 

“I saw it as an opportunity 

to finally be good at something,” 

said Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez’ plans for the 

future seem to be with the 

clarinet or something music 

related. Perhaps he will 

become a professional at his 

instrument, or something 

along those lines. 

“It seems to be the best 

option,” said Rodriguez. 

Solo Quintet Ens Mariachi Jazz 

Briseno, Jonathan 1* 1* 1* 

Bustamante, Jessica 1 1 1 

Davalos, Martin 1 1 1 

De Los Santos, Sergio 1 1 1 

Garcia, Gabriela 1 1 1 

Gomez, Tatiana 1 1 1 

Rodriguez, Elias 1 1 

Rodriguez, Guadalupe 1 1 

Del Bosque, Belen 1 1 1 

**De Luna, Rebecca 1* 1* 1* 1 

Garza, Leilah 1 1* 1* 

Gonzalez, Jose 1 1* 

Guerrero, Emily 1 1 1* 

**Ortegon, Noheli 1 1* 1* 1 

Pacheco, Kenia 1 1* 1* 

**Palacios, Gabriela 1* 1* 1* 1 

Rocha, Kassandra 1 1 

**Romero, Brandon 1 1* 1* 1 

Rosales, Monika 1 1* 1* 

*Will compete at state 

**Recognition for achieving FOUR 1st Division medals 

Results courtesy of Music Department instructors


March 5, 2010 

I’m guessing it does 

because we went out for a 

very long time. A.C 

No, because now that I am 

with my current boyfriend, I 

finally found out what true 

love is. A.B 

Yea, probably because we 

went out for a long time, and 

we had something special. 

He was a very nice guy, but I 

guess that things happen, 

things change, and nothing 

lasts forever. M.M 

In a way, I still care for 

him. 

I was never with a guy, but 

we talked forever, and I started 

to fall for him, then he got 

a girlfriend. I just still need 

some time to get over it, and 

it’s awkward when I see 

him.-A.P 

Yes it does, I still cry for 

him. I can’t get over him and 

I still text him everyday.-L.R 

Every so often I miss her 

and when we’re together, I’m 

tempted to hold her.-M.F 

Maybe, at first but I think 

I’ll just do it to play around.- 

R.C. 

Yes but I am starting to get 

over him.–A.S. 

No, I’m with someone else. 

Yes, I wish I didn’t.-V.S. 

VALENTINE’S DAY 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, twitter.com/Magnet_Tribune, facebook.com/Magnet_Tribune 

Do you kiss and tell? Details, please! 

No, because it is too 

personal to say and 

it’s supposed to be 

between a couple and NOT 

for others to know.-A.B 

If I were to kiss someone I 

would tell my two best 

friends only because I trust 

them a lot. 

No, because kissing someone 

is your business and 

nobody else’s. 

Yea, but there’s never really 

anything good to tell. 

They’re just kisses.-A.P 

No, because it’s no one’s 

business but mine.-T.F 

Yes, only to my closest 

friends.–T.L. 

LOL, um kinda.–C.S. 

No, unless my friends ask 

me.–K.K 

No, because it’s 

private.–C.A. 

Well, it depends on who I 

kissed and who I’m going to 

tell.–R.C. 

Mmm, sometimes. –A.R. 

Yes, just to my close 

friends. 

Only to like three closest 

friends.–V.S. 

Yes, only to my closest 

friends-C.V.A 

Yes, to my best friends 

Yep. It’s a loooong story. 

We met on Twitter and 

just started talking. 

Next thing you know, we 

talked on the phone every 

night and said “I love you” 

every two minutes. (Yuck). I 

felt possessed, I swear. It 

ended in the 

summer…whatever. I’m single 

and HAPPY!–j.o. 

Yes, it was cool we went to 

the movies and we kissed.- 

L.G. 

I liked some guy who I met 

online, but I never went out 

with him.-T.F 

Yes, it was awesome! 

That’s all I’m gonna say.- 

O.G. 

I dated this one guy from 

MySpace and he ended up 

cheating on me. 

Lol no, I think it’s weird.- 

A.P. 

Yes, at first it was good, 

but later we ended breaking 

up.-L.R 

Yep, but it never turns out 

alright because I always get 

ONLY! 

I’m a girl, why wouldn’t I?! 

–K.P. 

To an extent I do, but 

not everything! –B.G. 

No, that’s really 

dumb-B.M. 

Yes, well only if 

she is not my girlfriend 

yet.-J.R 

I like just a little 

peck and if that 

happens I keep it 

to myself.-K.P 

Yesss….-X.A 

No, because no one 

wants to know. 

No, what’s the point? 

Absolutely not, why 

should I? 

Only if they ask. 

Yep! I love to brag! 

Only to my best friend; I 

can’t help it! 

Lips? Hmm…I don’t tell. 

Yeah but only to my friend 

since its soooo exciting!–R.M. 

NO! It’s P.R.I.V.A.T.E. 

Actually I do kiss and tell, 

but only to my close friends. 

My boyfriend is a very passionate 

person. He makes 

kisses feel like the very first 

time even since we have two 

years together. 

“cheated” or I forget about 

them. 

Yes, I have and it came 

out super cool!–A.Ch. 

I’ve never met anyone 

online.–C.A. 

Yes, but he was 

boring as a real 

person so I cut it 

off.–R.C. 

Yes, but he was 

ugly so I broke up 

with him.–A.S. 

Yes, it went well; 

it’s been more than 

a year now. 

Yes…but the date 

did not go well 

I’ve been going out with 

this guy for 4 years!–K.P. 

Yes, not so good. Not what 

I expected.–A.V. 

Yes, like three and it went 

pretty good.-J.R 

No, I think that’s creepy- 

C.G 

No. That’s for lowlifes.-A.G 

No, but my cousin has.- 

K.A 

No, and I don’t plan to.- 

Lol, no!–C.S. 

Not really, it didn’t really 

last so long so my feelings 

weren’t deep. 

No, the flames are 

now ashes.–I.R. 

A little because I 

see him and I 

remember the 

good times we 

had. 

If you fully get 

over someone you 

never really cared 

about them. 

No, I love my current 

boyfriend only 

him.-B.M 

No, because the past is 

the past. You have to move 

on-J.R. 

Yes I miss her. Every time I 

hear her name I go into 

depression. I want to see her 

again. 

No not at all.-D.W 

No, it died a long time ago. 

Nope, not at all. I’m with 

someone else and have been 

together for two years 

already. I’m really 

happy.–G.G 

No, we are good friends 

though.–I.F. 

Lol, yeah…you can say 

that.–K.B. 

MT photo by 

Roland Chamblee 

Juan Carlos 

Ramos and 

Abigail Rios 

Yeah 

it’s bad when a guy can’t 

kiss.–Anonymous 

Loose lips sink ships.–H.L. 

Yes, it’s horrible when your 

date just gives you a 

peck!–Anonymous 

No, because if you’re one of 

those jerks who are proud of 

kissing someone just so you 

can tell your friends and feel 

manly then you’re a non caring 

jerk.-N.A.M 

Nah…I’m too shy to even 

X.A 

Yes, it went pretty bad 

Just don’t do it. It’s pointless 

unless you’re serious 

about it. 

Yes I have, and it was a 

horrible, unstable relationship. 

No, he’s in the past and he 

messed up.–S.H. 

My ex and I are still really 

close friends. I don’t have 

those feelings that I had 

before but I don’t know what 

I would do if he was no 

longer in my life. 

No, actually after that we 

became really good friends. 

We still talk a lot, but I don’t 

feel the same way as before. 

We trust each other very 

much through, and he’s still 

let myself think about it, let 

alone TALK about it.–G.P. 

Nope, it’s none of anyone 

else’s 

business.–pdp. 

Yes I do.-I.F. 

Yes, Only once. 

That was the best 

one.-C.R. 

No, I don’t kiss 

and tell because 

that would be like 

telling your girlfriend’s 

father, 

who’s built like a 

huge pro wrestler, 

you’re dating his 

daughter. 

Yes, because it’s very 

tempting and I just want to 

blurt it out! –Y.B 

Sometimes, but only to my 

true friends. 

Sometimes. Eh, He was a 

bad kisser!-Celinda Silva 

No, I don’t. I wait at least 

one or two weeks to tell my 

friends.–Am 

Yes I kiss and tell but not 

all the time.–J.L 

Yes, I do. It was very warm 

and wet. L.F 

Yes sir.–R.C 

Yeah, if I ever tell someone 

it’ll be a really close friend of 

NO! It’s completely pointless. 

Yes and it was the best 

relationship I’ve been 

in. 

Never. I would 

never do that.–G.G 

Nope, I’d be too 

scared to even 

meet the person 

somewhere; he 

could be some 

freak!–pdp. 

No, I haven’t. I 

think it could be 

weird, cyberdating 

and all.-I.F. 

No, that’s kind of 

dumb.-C.R. 

Yes, I have. It was a nice 

relationship. Lasted eight 

months and yes I would see 

him.–K.B. 

Nope I never have and I 

think I never will. 

Um, I did date someone 

online, but she broke up 

with me. At first we were 

happy, but she ended it. 

Yes! It’s an on-and-off 

the same as before but there’s 

no flame burning anymore. 

No, he broke my heart 

twice. 

Yes, even though we 

didn’t go out for a 

long time. Plus I 

saw his soft side, 

and I won’t ever 

forget him or 

what we went 

through. 

Yes, it does. He 

was really sweet 

and caring. I regret 

breaking up with 

him, but now he’s 

taken. *sighs*-RAWR 

Yeah, I can’t forget 

her.–R.C. 

Yeah, he was a very good 

person. He took care of 

me.–C S 

Yes. I still have feelings for 

him.–A.R 

Yes we’re “best friends” 

now but we still have feelings 

for each other. 

No! I’m a one-girl kind of 

guy. I would never hurt the 

person I love. 

Yes, because I guess our 

relationship lasted long 

[enough] for us to really get 

to know each other. We lasted 

for one year and a 

7 

mine.–L.T 

Yes, if I do just my closest 

friends. 

No, well only my closest 

friends or those who I can 

really trust.–G.B 

No, I only tell my bestest 

bestest friends. 

After a while yes.-D.W 

No I like to keep it to 

myself. (Sometimes) P.G 

No, never D.G. 

No, I’m a player like 

that.–J.C 

All the time.–L.R 

Yes, because I can’t keep 

something that good a 

secret!–anonymous 

No, it’s private!–K 

Depends on who.–R.F 

Why of course! I can never 

keep those kinds of things to 

myself! J -K.B 

It’s very disrespectful what 

you do with your other half is 

between you and that person 

only!–Jon Cox 

At times it’s funny!–A.D 

No, it should be 

private.–P.A 

Yes! It’s fun.–S.H 

No, it’s not a big deal.-I.A.G 

Of course! My boyfriend is 

very, very good –L.V.M 

Nah-B.G. 

Have you ever dated someone you 

met online? How did it go? 

MT photo by 


Hector Cadena and 

Sarah Teniente 

Does your flame still burn for 

your ex? Explain 

MT photo by 


Ricky Macias and 


good experience. –Celinda 

Silva 

Yes, I have. It was stupid, 

bad, and crappy!–P.S 

No never dated someone 

online and not planning to.- 

J.L 

Yes I have. At first it went 

well but then it started to fall 

apart because we would 

barely even see each 

other.–A.M 

Yes, I met my last 

boyfriend online; we go to 

the same school but we were 

both very shy. We dated for 

a year and a half.–L.T 

No, because you don’t 

know if they are perverts.anonymous 

No, creepy!–I.A.G 

Yes I have. It went really 

well. He was actually one of 

my best friends. It was during 

the summer where we 

weren’t talking for two 

months. We finally met at 

the movies. We lasted three 

months but only because we 

never saw each other.–S.T. 



See complete Valentine’s 

answers online! 

half.–A.H. 

Yes, we lasted for 2 years, 

7 months. I’ll never forget my 

first love. 

Yes. I really miss him. 

No cause she left me I was 

getting on her nerves. That’s 

fine with me. 

No, he is in the past, and I 

moved on for a good reason. 

Now I’m happy with my current 

boyfriend. There is no 

reason for me to think about 

my ex.-C.G 

No not really, He’s now in 

my past-J.G 

Yes, because I still like 

him.–K.G 

No, He’s in the past–N.G. 

No, not really. He’s my 

past.–A.U. 

Well we weren’t official but 

I still miss him.-(anonymous) 

No, he doesn’t talk to me. 

He’s a meanie head!-(anonymous) 

Yes, he’s so hot, missing 

his kisses!-S.H. 

Yeah miss hanging with 

someone. 

Nope, he’s old news.-I.A.G.

8 

VALENTINE’S DAY 

What would you look for in a person? Who’s your secret crush? Why? 

Iwould like for the girl to be 

funny, smart, nice, and 

open minded-T.O 

Mmm…well someone with a 

nice personality, who is sweet, 

caring, crazy, funny and 

TALL-A.C 

I would look for a guy to be 

respectful, caring, to have 

pretty eyes, nice personality, 

and big heart.-A.B 

Someone like Mr. Gflo, who 

is funny, sweet, caring, and 

nice.–Anonymous 

A guy that’s funny, and very 

smart.-T.F 

I would want someone who 

is cute, smart, funny, nice, 

romantic, sweet, confident, 

and who has things in common 

with me.-A.R 

I look for a good person with 

a big heart that’s a nice guy, 

very polite, and with an amazing 

smile.-M.M 

Someone that will always be 

there for me in the good and 

bad times. Someone who is 

outgoing, friendly, not that 

jealous, always happy, cares 

about me, and a good person.–L. 

G. 

Good sense of humor, 

understanding, respectful, 

funny, pretty.–anonymous 

I look for humor, generosity, 

and an awesome outgoing personality-M.L 

I seek an open-minded person, 

down to earth, caring, 

and truthful.-M.H 

I want someone LIKE A 

BOSS!-K.C 

I look for someone who is 

sweet and caring that is funny 

and knows how to laugh and 

have fun.-L.C 

Good sense of humor, 

understanding, that is always 

there for me.–E. G. 

Someone that will always be 

there for me when I need him. 

Also someone who understands 

me and helps when I 

have a problem.-R. R. 

Someone that’s honest, 

someone outgoing, with a 

sense of fashion…duh LOL 

with a good heart, someone 

that will always be there when 

My parents admire how 

my boyfriend, 

Christian Ramos, is 

with me because he is very 

respectful and caring towards 

me all the time.-D.M 

Yea my mom is always supportive 

of everything I do–A.C 

My parents approve my relationship 

with my boyfriend 

Augie because he is super 

respectful towards me and my 

family, and they also want for 

me to learn how to handle a 

relationship.–A.B 

No, because they think that 

it’s a waste of time.–A.R 

They usually do, as long as I 

am happy.-M.M 

Yes, because he is awesome. 

Yes, because they think he 

is a good and respectful guy. 

Yeah they did, I’ve known 

him since forever. 

I’d have to say neither cause 

they never met him haha.-O. 

G. 

In a way yes and in a way 

no. They feel I can do better, 

but I don’t see it that way.-L.C 

Before, the guy I was with, 

yea they did have a problem, 

but I guess that was because 

they thought he wasn’t good 

for me-A.P 

Yes I did at first but later 

they saw how much I cried for 

him and my mom doesn’t like 

him very much.-L.R 

My mom doesn’t really mind 

who I go out with or who I take 

home to meet her. She’s awesome 

like that.-M.F 

They absolutely loved him. 

Yes, because he’s a nice and 

respectful guy.–T.L 

At first they did, but afterwards 

my parents stopped liking 

him.-C.S. 

I need him.–O. G. 

For them to make me laugh 

and be there for me when I 

totally need them.–T.P. 

To be nice, caring, and 

comedic.–T.L. 

To be a gentleman, and 

sweet that he gives me 

a surprise every 

time we are 

together.-A.S. 

To care for 

me, that 

makes me 

laugh and 

to be nice.- 

J.H. 

For them 

to have a 

beautiful 

smile, caring 

and 

funny.–D.R. 

Just someone 

I can get 

along with. 

For them to 

dress nice, always 

tell the truth, and not 

think they’re all that 

(show-offs)–R.C. 

For them to have nice clean 

teeth, and also to dress nice 

and treat me right in other 

words that they know how to 

treat a girl.–A.S. 

Someone who is attractive, 

with an amazing sense of 

humor, who doesn’t listen to 

disturbed, because they s***. 

That person has to make me 

laugh; I love good jokes any 

day. 

I want someone who is nice, 

sweet, who will treat me right, 

someone who will be there for 

me and especially someone 

who is very romantic. I don’t 

really care that much about 

the looks; I prefer the personality, 

though I do look for 

someone with a nice smile. (:- 

C.A 

I want the person to have 

heart, smarts, and non-selfishness 

and just like to have 

fun and not to be afraid to 

exposes themselves 

I would like her to be pretty 

looking be smart, funny, real 

Yes, because he’s awesome!–A.Ch 

No, because he has tattoos. 

At first no, because they didn’t 

like the way he dressed but 

then they had no choice. –R.C. 

At first no, because my dad 

was very jealous and he didn’t 

want me to have a 

boyfriend but I still did 

and he had to 

approve it. 

Yes, because 

he’s polite, and 

he got me a 

ukulele. 

Yes and 

no. No 

because of 

his age and 

size, and 

yes because 

he really 

cares about 

me. 

My parents 

always approve 

of my relation- 

ships as long as I’m 

happy and that he 

respects me.–C.A 

Well yeah they just want 

to embarrass me in front of 

her. 

No they think I’m too young 

to date. Well at least my mother 

does. 

No, because they are strict. 

Yes, because they don’t 

want me to lie to them. 

Yes, so I can be honest and 

so they know what I do. 

No, they tell me I am too 

young to date. I agree but I still 

have a boyfriend. 

No, they think he is not the 

right guy. 

Yes, they trust me. 

They love him, even though 

nice and loves to be up and 

about. 

A beautiful smile and a nice 

personality. J.M 

Good personality, respectful, 

funny, and caring OH! And 

mature. L.R 

Good personality, nice, 

funny, respectful, and cute. 

G.M 

Sense of humor, sympathetic, 

and easy to get along with. 

A.R 

Good Conversation J.B 

Good humor, money, a nice 

car, big eyes, and an even bigger 

heart!–K.P. 

Someone who could keep up 

with me–I.R. 

A gentleman with a great 

sense of humor. Of course he 

has to be cute, and it wouldn’t 

hurt if he has money–B.G. 

Nice, loving, pretty eyes, 

cute gestures, easy to get 

along with, likes music, someone 

you can trust and talk to 

about anything, and good 

hugs!-A.V. 

Eyes, eye lashes, sense of 

humor, sweetness, etc.–M.C. 

Respectful, cute, and athlet- 

Do (did) your parents approve of your 

significant other? Why? 

I’ve never admitted that he 

was my boyfriend.–K.P. 

My parents love my 

boyfriend! Sometimes I think 

they love him more than 

me…Just kidding! But, they 


Ana Gonzalez and 

Jorge Cerda 

really 

do adore him and I’m glad 

they do!–I. L. 

Yes, because he is a nice 

person-B.M 

I never introduce my girlfriends 

to my parents-J.R 

Well my mom has to 

approve but yeah my mom 

has approved before.-K.P 

No, not until I’m 17.-X.A 

They never do; they think it 

will interfere with math 

grades! 

My parents hardly know 

when I’m going out with some- 

ic-B.M 

Nice, respectful, responsible, 

outgoing, athletic, pretty, and 

hot-J.R 

Nice personality, smart, 

nice, and sexy-B.B 

Athletic, funny, respectful, 

outgoing, and one 

that can be a friend 

MT photo by 

Karinna Lopez 


and 

Giovanna Garcia 

when u need one- 

C.G 

For him to be 

sweet, caring 

and not a 

player.-K.P 

Funny, 

nice, caring, 

takes relationships 

seriously.- 

X.A 

Someone 

with a great 

smile 

I want someone 

with pretty 

eyes 

Someone with good 

hair (long) XD 

Personality 

Someone with common 

sense and a sense of humor 

A person who is romantic 

I want someone with a good 

personality 

A good personality 

Someone with a great personality, 

good smile, and a 

good sense of humor. 

Must be Matt Dallas’ clone— 

R.M. 

A great smile! 

Colored eyes and awesome 

personality! 

I would look for the person 

to be calm, gentle, fun, 

humorous, and outgoing. Also 

this person should not get 

jealous for everything I do 

have a best friend, and I would 

not change my way of being 

for the girl. So this person has 

to have full trust in me.–I.D. 

I would want someone who I 

can laugh with about the 

dumbest things. I want someone 

who, I can feel comfortable 

with, someone who knows 

how to treat a girl. Most especially 

someone who likes me 

one. 

My parents loved him more 

than they loved me. 

My parents don’t care as 

long as I don’t get sick.-R.M. 

They have to because they 

just have to! 

Yes because she makes me 

happy. 

My parents haven’t 

met my significant 

other yet, but I’m 

sure they will 

approve. 

Y e s , 

because he 

is the son of 

my dad’s 

best friend. 

N o , 

because 

they said 

she was not 

a good person 

to be 

with because 

of her behavior. 

Yes they did. 

My father told me 

he looks like a good 

guy that he’s respectful 

and he likes him.–G.G 

My parents didn’t officially 

approve of my boyfriend. They 

didn’t like him so much when 

he was my boyfriend but now 

that we are just friends they 

get along very well. 

My mom didn’t really 

approve and my dad had no 

clue about it, but they both 

loved him, all the family did; 

he was close family friend. 

Never had my parents 

approve of my boyfriends.-Y.B 

They didn’t like Art because 

he was emo. My mom especially 

didn’t like him because 

he had a weak hand 


March 5, 2010 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune, Facebook: @Magnet_Tribune 

for me! (: 

Good personality– N.O. 

Beautiful smile–A.R. 

Cute eyes and smile– G.G. 

A nice heart– K.R. 

Small nose– A.L. 

Someone who’ll geek out 

when we watch my favorite 

movie because it’s his 

too.–A.M. 

Passionate– J.B. 

Somebody I can converse 

with for more than an hour, 

and not get annoyed or 

bored.–A.D. 

Someone who’s beautiful, 

even in black and white.–S.N. 

Personality– C.R. 

Humor– B.M. 

Honesty– M.E. 

Charm & intelligence– J.B. 

Good teeth– A.S. 

I look for their personality, 

their creativity, and the way 

they think.–G.G 

I look for a fun personality, 

someone caring and honest. I 

look for a spark.–pdp 

One who knows what they 

want. (Not that way) 

One who has the attitude 

I’m looking for. 

One who has skills. 

One who can make me 

smile. 

One who can give me butterflies 

every time I see this “person”. 

Outgoing personality, funny, 

nice, loud, smart, and adventurous.–I.F 

Intelligent, adventurous, 

passionate, funny, and hawt 

^.^- C.C. 

Someone older, ambitious, 

musical, intelligent, and with 

integrity.-G.P. 

Someone that is nice, smart, 

outgoing, and the most important…FUNNY! 

L.A.M. 

Someone attractive, a little 

dangerous, mysterious, athletic, 

and passionate.–S.P. 

Smart, nice, funny, taller 

than me. And lovely.–C.R. 

Smart, funny, sweet, and 

passionate!-K.B. 

Someone who I can never 

stay mad at. He makes me feel 

warm inside and always 

shake.–RAWR 

Yes, they do like him. They 

see that he makes me happy. 

I’m really emo without him.- 

CS 

My mom approved of him. 

My dad didn’t.-P.S 

Yes, because he is very nice 

to my parents.–A.R 

Yes, they think he’s a nice 

person.–L.R 

Yes my parents approved 

because she’s smart and a 

very respectful girl.–S.A.P 

No, my mom doesn’t like 

anyone I date.–R.C 

She approves but she hates 

every one that’s in her 

way.–J.L 

Yes, they knew her parents.–M.V 

Yes they did, but they told 

me to be responsible with 

what I would do.–A.M 

Yes because I talk about her 

with them. 

Yes, they approve because I 

usually go for the right girl. 

Not at the beginning, but 

after a while that being with 

that person made me happy 

so they did. 

My family loves her because 

they see how happy, I am with 

her. 

We weren’t really going out 

so they didn’t have to 

know.–A.R 

They did approve, my mom 

only because she loved 

him.–A.D 

They never found out.–P.A 

Yeah, they always did. My 

grandma thinks he’s a bit 

nerdy though.–L.V.M. 

I think so, but I really don’t 

like discussing it with him.- 

Baldy 


9 

March 5, 2010 VALENTINE’S DAY 

makes me smile. Someone 

who is smart, funny, knows 

how to take a joke, adventurous, 

sweet, passionate, and 

has an outgoing personality. 

But, I already met him.-S.H. 

First of all, I look for guys 

who are just being themselves. 

Someone who doesn’t try hard 

to make others laugh. I look 

for a person who always 

thinks positive in every situation 

they face and is never in a 

bad mood. A nice smile is key. 

Personality, intellectual side, 

sensitive, and long hair.–Y.B 

Height, honesty, caring, tattoos, 

and piercings.–RAWR 

I look for in person: sweet, 

funny, energetic, and bi. I like 

the emo looking guys!–Celinda 

Silva 

Smart, cute, funny and athletic.–R.C 

Nice back, nice personality, 

and a nice smile.-Ashley Reyes 

Nice, funny, act silly around 

me, curly hair, and as long as 

they care about me. OH! 

Faithful too–L.R 

Looks, sweet, funny, 

mature, and caring!!–P.S 

Personality–M.V 

Personality, cute, good person, 

responsible, outgoing. 

–A.M 

Personality, Smile, good 

sense of humor, someone 

that’s nice, someone that 

makes me Happy (=.–J.L 

Comical, humorous, sweet, 

cute.–M.G 

Intelligence, athoctiveness- 

I.S 

Sense of humor, cute, and 

great conversationalist. 

I would look for someone 

who is honest, fun, someone 

that will make me laugh, nice, 

caring, likes to go out, has a 

little wild side. :P that’s good 

with kids and parents, likes 

sports and loves to play 

around.–Anonymous 

Well not to be shallow but a 

guy who’s tall, funny, cute, 

sweet, mature, and he has to 

have longish hair. LoL!-G.B 

Their eyes personality, 

inside beauty. =) 

Imet him through a friend 

at V.M.T.–R.R 

We met online (MySpace). 

he added me, I accepted him, 

he commented on me, I commented 

on him back, he 

mailed me, I mailed him back, 

he IMed me, I IMed him back, 

we went on a date.-O.G 

I met him in class…I 

think–A.C 

I met my boyfriend in the 

band hall, and he told me that 

it was love at first sight.–A.B 

I met my ex during the summer 

when we had band practice. 

It was super weird and 

stuff but cute.-M.M 

I meet my significant other 

in church. I got introduced to 

him by his friends.-L.C 

In Mr. Buckley’s class in 

freshman year.-J.G 

I met him online. At first he 

liked my friend, but she treated 

him bad so he fell for me.-L.R 

In a store.–R.C. 

School.–A.S. 

Through school.–A.R. 

I saw him at Sonic, texted 

him then kept talking to him. 

We’re still together! 

Through a favorite hobby of 

mine. 

A friend took away my 

phone and gave it to him. 

After I got it back we started 

talking.–V.S. 

He just texted me all random 

‘cause a friend gave him 

my number.–T.L. 

I met him at my friend’s 

quinceañera. –C.S. 

I met him at a party!-A.C.H 

I met him at school. He 

would always say hi to me 

even though I didn’t know 

him. 

Ithink Leslie Tobias is pretty. 

I’m totally going wild for 

Xiomara. She’s the prettiest 

girl I’ve ever seen. 

I’m in love with Pancho. 

He’s the hottest guy in 

V.M.T. 

I’m going crazy for 

Karina Gonzalez. 

She’s the hottest 

freshmen in 

V.M.T. 

I am deeply 

in love with, 

my love, Delia 

Malacara!! 

My secret 

crush is 

Victoria 

Figueroa. 


crush is Augie 

Garcia! 

My secret crush is 

Isaac from Conjunto 

My secret crush is 

Hugo Lara! 

I have a crush on this really 

sweet guy, his name is Tom, 

he is awesome, nice, cute, 

and the most wonderful guy 

ever. Words can’t explain. 

My secret crush is Jesse 

Venezuela from Nixon. 

At the moment I have a big 

crush on someone, but she 

doesn’t know it. She’s beautiful 

sweet and funny. 

I like a guy at the moment 

but he has a girlfriend so I’m 

just his good friend. He’s really 

cool 

I really like this girl but she 

doesn’t really know it. She’s 

gorgeous and really funny. 

I like this guy with holes in 

his ears. 

Justin Gonzalez, I like him. 

Hahaha… the list goes on. 

I have a crush on Samantha 

Hawkins because she has a 

beautiful personality. 

I have a big crush on David 

Hinojosa, he is super cute 

and he looks like Nick Jonas. 

Monica Lopez, she has really, 

really nice hair. 

My secret crush is Jose 

I met him here at school. I 

have a class with him. At first 

I didn’t really pay attention to 

him, but then I realized he is 

the most cutest, nicest, sweetest, 

and bestest person in the 

world, and then I fell in love.- 

C.A 

I met him at the carnival, 

two days before my 

birthday.–K.P. 

I met him 

through my very 

good friend. Two 

years later, and 

I’m still a very 

h a p p y 

girl!–I.L. 

On a field 

trip to Fiesta 

Texas! 

At a party. 

I bothered 

him until he 

decided to talk 

to me. 

We were both 

mean to each 

other. 

I met him at a party.- 

B.M 

I met her at the mall.-J.R 

I’ve know him for a while 

through school. 

Through school and a 

friend. 

Band, he was in my section! 

Through friends. 

Through my cousin. 

Through school. 

I met her on a rainy day at 

VMT. 

I met him at the battle of the 

bands. 

I met him in the seventh 

grade but we really started 

talking in November. We barely 

started dating. So far, so good. 

Met Santos in school. I’ve 

Mendoza from R.T.V 

My Tanya! I love her flamin’ 

red hair. 

My secret crush is Ana 

MT photo by 


Noheli Ortegon 

and Mark Medina 

Bustos 

Rafael Lopez because he is 

unique 

The girl with fiery red hair, 

Connor. 

Isaac Duran because he is 

funny, weird, cute and good 

personality. 

Aurelio Lara from RTV 

because he is super nice. 

David Hinojosa from art 

because I like his hair! 

Ha-ha, it’s this guy in one of 

my classes who is extremely 

cute and funny!! 

Jorge Garza cause he’s so 

nice! 

Synyster Gates because 

he’s the hottest guitarist! 

Danny Salinas because I 

like his personality; he’s cute, 

and I like the fact that he is 

nice. 

Krishna Garza because she 

is amazing. 

Jesse Moya because I love 

him! 

Charzard because he is 

attractive 

known him for 3 years. 

Met Selena in middle 

school, seventh grade and 

became good friends 

I met her at V.M.T.-L.B. 

School-D.W. 

School 

(like normal people.-P.G. 

At half time at my football 

game.-D.G 

We were in band and drama 

together; we met each other in 

seventh grade. He asked me 

out during drama. I was completely 

shocked! Because he 

told me before he would never 

go out with me (cruel, I know) 

it took me about three days to 

give him my answer. We’ve 

been going out for two years 

now.-G.G 

I met my ex boyfriend at a 

Michael Delgado because 

he was my first boyfriend who 

I never forget! 

It’s no secret I’ve always had 

a crush for Reynaldo Cazarez. 

I like Santos because 

he’s awesome 

I like Selena 

Borjas because 

she has a cute 

laugh and 

smile. 

M y 

secret 

crush is 

Carmen 

Ramirez! 

M y 

secret 

crush is 

Samantha 

Hawkins 

because 

she’s nice. 


crush is Jon Cox 

because he is well 

built. 

My crush is Ricky M…but 

it’s no secret. 

My secret crush is Cherrios 

Jr. 

My secret crush is Kendra. 

My secret crush is Santos 

Reyna because he smells 

Downy fresh and can always 

make me smile. 

My secret crush is Sam. 

My secret crush is Mercy. 

Lucas Resendez because he 

is so cute and funny. 

I love Sharron because she’s 

cute! 

My secret crush is Peter 

Gonzalez because he is fun 

adventurous and smart plus 

he knows how to have a good 

time. He has a perfect smile 

and knows how to make 

laugh. 

Victor Giuerua because he 

understands me and I really 

like him, 

His nickname is 

“Chipmunk” 

His name is Luis Cirilo. I 

like him because he’s funny. 

He’s my crush since middle 

family get-together. He was a 

friend of a cousin and we 

started talking after that. 

I met my ex at a church we 

used to attend. We then went 

out of town to a camp and 

that’s how I actually started 

talking to him. 

School, Through my 

friend. –M.V. 

I met him in 

band practice, 

one of my 

friends introd 

u c e d 

us.–A.M. 

We had 

c l a s s 

together 

a n d 

everyone 

wanted 

us to go 

out and we 

did. 

I met him 

in school. We 

started as 

friends. I started 

liking him then he 

asked me out. 

I don’t have one (yet). 

Though I met my ex by accidently 

bumping into him.–Y.B 

I met my ex last year 

through a friend.–RAWR 

Band–R.C 

Online. We met randomly.–C. 

S 

I met him at mariachi practice.–P.S 

Steel drum class.–L.R 

Seventh grade. Through a 

friend.–A.R 

By my other ex! 

In high school. 

In my art class 

In Mr. Buckley’s class. 

At a party in Monterrey. 

school. 

Candelario Garcia because 

he’s nice. 

Jose Mendoza because he 

has nice eyes, he is funny, 

cute, weird, and fun to be 

with. 

Diego from Cigarroa in the 

afternoon. 

My secret crush is David 

because he’s a smart, outgoing 

person. He makes me feel 

butterflies inside my stomach 

every time I see him. 

Sharron Bird because she is 

attractive and she’s nice. 

Manny Rodriguez because 

he is soooo buff! 

Kimberly Peña because 

she’s attractive and I’m falling 

for her. 

Allyssa Dominguez because 

she has beautiful eyes! 

Sarah T. because she’s 

super nice and very pretty. 

She always makes me smile 

and stuff. 

Louie because he’s super 

funny and cute. 

J.T. Soliz because he’s the 

man of my dreams and I can’t 

stop thinking about him. 

Fermin Rendon because he 

is sooooo hot and smart!! 

Frank M. because of his 

naturally curly, sexy, hair! 

Amanda Sarabia is so pretty. 

Selena Borjas because we 

have some things in common, 

plus we like to joke around 

sometimes. 

Kevin because I like how he 

is and he’s a nice guy! 

Orlando because he’s a nice 

guy! 

David Hinojosa because I 

like how he is!!! But he doesn’t 

know I exists. 

Santos Calvillo because he’s 

a nice guy! 

The guy with the Pac-Man 

cap because he has a Pac- 

Man cap. 

Lorena-she’s a great friend! 

Robert from theaters class. 

Pikachu because he electrifies 

my life! 

Lucas Resendez, just 

because. 

How did you meet your significant 

other? (Current or ex) 


Jose Mendoza and 

Ruby Rodriguez 



See complete Valentine’s 

answers online! 

Algebra II class! 

Melrose–B.M 

Library!–E.M. 

I met Selena Borjas in middle 

school during seventh 

grade. We started to hang out, 

and I started to like her. 

I met him in one my classes 

in seventh grade! First I didn’t 

like him, but I don’t know how 

I started liking him a lot then 

after a year we started dating.-C.G 

He’s my friends’ brother!- 

J.G 

I met him at V.M.T!-A.U 

I met him in middle school 

three years ago.-N.G. 

In MIDI.-O.S. 

I met his sister last year and 

she liked me for him so she 

hooked us up.-K.B. 

My best friend introduced 

us-A.D. 

I spilled a milkshake on him 

at Burger King.-S.H. 

Through a friend. They said 

he doesn’t date younger girls, 

but I didn’t care. So I kept 

talking to him, and now we’re 

together!-A.F. 

Christmas time at my 

house. A.C 

This year in my class. R.A 

We met during the summer 

musical, The Wiz. He was surrounded 

by drama and one 

night he was sitting all alone 

so little old dorky me decided 

to introduce myself and make 

him my friend. Things fell into 

place afterwards.-L.V.M 

I met him at a quinceñera. - 

J.P.

10 COLUMNS 

I sank my teeth into 

Vampire Weekend’s 

second CD 

What’s up readers? Before we 

go any further into this 

issue’s musical journey, I 

hope everyone had a sweet and 

romantic Valentine’s Day (and for you 

people that were single on that day 

don’t sweat it; I know how you felt.) 

This, my friends, is going to be my 

first full album review! Exciting? Yes. 

Unplanned and improvised? Perhaps. 

That doesn’t matter, however. LET’S 

GET LISTENING! :D 

Contra – Vampire Weekend 

The second album by New York’s 

“Upper West Side Soweto”/Indie-Rock 

band Vampire Weekend was released 

last month, and it goes by the name of 

Contra. However, the band released 

an early single of the opening song 

“Horchata” for download on its Web 

site in October 2009. 

Arguably one of -- if not the best -song 

on the album, “Horchata” is a 

highlight of the band’s self-proclaimed 

African influenced style. Filled with 

ethnic and eclectic beats, possibly 

xylophones, endearing and honest 

vocals, and an amazing bridge that 

gets grander with every pulse, this 

song was an instant favorite of mine. 

I first heard the song on my car’s 

radio last year on an unknown radio 

station from across the river (AKA 

Mexico). Chance? I like to think it was 

Two words: Valentine’s 

Day. Sappy love story? You 

may be wrong. “Valentine’s 

Day” seemed to star every 

actor in Hollywood. Jessica 

Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley 

Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, 

Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, 

Anne Hathaway, Shirley 

MacLaine, Hector Elizondo, 

Jennifer Garner, Patrick 

Dempsey, Eric Dane, Emma 

Roberts, Taylor Swift, Taylor 

Lautner, Queen Latifah, 

Topher Grace, Carter 

Jenkins, and George Lopez all 

star in the “Valentine’s Day” 

weekend blockbuster scoring 

in $52.4 million in its opening 

weekend on Feb. 12. 

To those who think this 

movie is just about a bunch 

of couples who have a valentine 

and everything goes 

peachy, well, you’re wrong. If 

you’ve seen the movie – 

which I reviewed in the past- 

He’s Just Not That Into You, 

then you sort of have an idea 

you can base yourself off of 

on how this movie will be, 

with the exception of moving 

from story to story and the 

The YouTube Hit list is 

ready! And I have some really 

AWSM videos to show 

you!! 

But before I begin I want to 

say that I really REALLY 

need your help to find some 

videos on YouTube. So log 

on to hotmail and help me 

out! My email address is 

g_1_z_m_0@hotmail.com 

While I was YouTubing I 

found this really funny guy 

that I think you guys should 

look at! His username is 

Raywilliamjohnson and he 

rants about videos he finds 

and has a lot of neat stuff! 

Plus, he has tons of videos, 

and I never get bored watching 

them! 


“The Top Five” 

•Ale’s top five 

1. King of the Rodeo - Kings Of 

Leon 

2. Little Secrets - Passion Pit 

3.Your Song - Elton John 

4.Call It Karma - Silverstein 

5. Take a Bow - Muse 

luck. 

The next song, “White Sky,” is a 

light, moderately-paced song that 

shows vocalist Ezra Koeing’s range 

without being too whiny. Wisely used 

keyboards are also in this aptly named 

song. The guitar as well as the soft, yet 

solid bassline makes the song solid 

enough to keep it from foaming over. 

After that comes the happy, enthusiastic 

and overall cheery song 

“Holiday.” Seemingly about summer 

in its prime, it also has an undertone 

of a political flavor with lines about a 

beach republic and this one: “She’d 

never seen an AK in a yellowy Day Glo 

display.” 

“California English” is another personal 

favorite of mine. It’s impossible 

to not become instantaneously happy 

while giving it a listen. Take several 

parts valley-girl speak, one part clever 

vocals and guitars, three parts harmony 

and you get “California English.” 

With lyrics like, “Wouldn’t ever gag you 

with a spoon, my only true love,” what 

is there NOT to love? Not to mention 

the always incredible strings that is 

kind of a trademark of Vampire 

Weekend. 

Now, Contra isn’t all quirky songs 

and happy melodies. The song “Taxi 

Cab” is one of the few songs on the 

See ALE, page 13 

characters have no idea who 

the character in the other 

story is. Confusing? Tell me 

about it. 

Valentine’s Day raised 

some thoughts. One Taylor 

Swift can’t act. Dumb blonde 

does not suit her, sorry. It 

was pretty surprising as well. 

Let’s just say it was hard to 

watch. But, I won’t spoil it for 

those who haven’t seen it. 

The script was pretty 

cheesy as well. There were 

some moments that were 

just hands down awkward. 

Don’t get me wrong; the 

movie did have its funnies, 

even if I was the only one 

laughing in the theater. It 

was a huge skit on love gone 

right and wrong. 

Anne Hathaway. Where do 

I begin? I would’ve ran - and 

I mean RAN - once I read the 

script. But student loans 

Ok, this issue is about 

sports and some funny 

(non-harmful) fails! 

•Kite Surfer jumps over 

pier (Well, the title speaks 

for itself, go watch it!) 

•Funny sports blooper 

(this compilation is really 

worthwhile to see! People do 

get hurt in it, but you can 

tell it isn't anything serious.) 

•BEST-BASKETBALL- 

BLOOPERS-MISS- 

DRUNKS!!!!!! (If you love 

basketball your definitely 

going to love this compilation! 

I don't want to spoil 

much so I don't ruin it.) 

•Funny moments in sports 

(Another very funny blooper 

compilation! I really couldn't 

stop laughing at this one.) 

•The most amazing sports 

plays you will ever (WOW! 

This video really is amazing. 

I don't really want to explain 

much so you can see it for 

yourself. The music was 

awesome though!) 

Next issue, I want to do it 

on "FAILS!" (Non-harmful 

though) videos that end up 

bad! But please send some- 


March 5, 2010 

Motion City Soundtrack 

deserves a little more 

than a gold star 

Hear, say 

By Ale Martinez, Sharron Bird 

have to get paid some way or 

another, right? And Emma 

Roberts talking to elders 

about having sex is awkward 

enough. 

Other than that the movie 

offered different tastes for 

different crowds. We have 

the Mexican-Americans 

thanks to George Lopez, the 

“I hate Valentine’s Day” crew 

thanks to Jessica Biel, the “I 

proposed to my girlfriend 

and she left me” group 

thanks to Ashton Kutcher, 

and not to forget the “I have 

a huge crush on my teacher” 

group. 

Point is, do I recommend 

you to see this movie? Sure. 

The movie has its moments 

and the end is pretty…interesting. 

The credits might 

have been a bit more appealing, 

but I’ll let you be the 

judge of that. 

•Sharron’s top five 

1. Let it Happen - Jimmy eat World 

2. Get Out - Circa Survive 

3. Assassin - John Mayer 

4. Red Letter - This Condition 

5. Who I am Hates Who I’ve Been 

- Reliant K 

Read both columns in their entirety online at http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt 

‘Valentine’s Day’ scores big on V-Day 

Cinematic 

By Samantha Hawkins 

YouTube Hitlist 

By Roland Chamblee 

Hey everyone. There’s been a 

lot of new albums coming 

out and a lot more to come! 

One specific new album I’ve been 

listening to lately is My Dinosaur 

Life by Motion City Soundtrack. 

My Dinosaur Life was released on 

January 19, 2010 and debuted at 

number 15 on the US Billboard 

charts 200. MCS recorded this 

Record under Columbia Records 

(instead of the usual Epitaph 

Records) with Blink 182’s Mark 

Hoppus as producer. A new record 

label might make you think their 

music would change for the worst 

and they’d become “sell outs”, but 

they didn’t! Although I have to admit 

I think My Dinosaur Life will always 

be second best to Commit This to 

Memory of 2005, this album was 

not a total disappointment. 

The album has twelve tracks, 

including their first single off My 

Dinosaur Life, Her Words Destroyed 

My Planet. With lyrics like, 

“I finally shaved off that 

beard/Sold my Xbox to Jimmy 

down the street/Hell, I even quit 

smoking weed.” 

It gives you the theme of the whole 

album. This song, the third track on 

the album, has one on the catchiest 

guitar melodies, even if it’s not the 

Valentine’s Day is rated 

PG-13 

fastest. Also, the music video might 

give you some flashbacks of your 

elementary school science fair. 

The first track off My Dinosaur 

Life, Worker Bee, hints that the 

whole album is going to be a let 

down. I’d say the first track is the 

least liked song off the album; however, 

it serves a purpose and is a 

much needed song to include at the 

beginning of the album. It lets you 

know what the band has been up to 

with the lyrics, 

“It’s been a good year, a good new 

beginning/I’m through with the old 

school, so let’s commence the winning/I’ve 

been a good little worker 

bee/I deserve a gold star.” 

It does not have the typical honest 

and blunt lyrics, but they easily 

slip in on the second track, A 

Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little 

Help). It’s a quick recovery in a 

sense that the lyrics sound more 

like them. It sounds better all 

together especially when the slow 

part of the song kicks in and they 

sing, 

“I’d like to tell you that I’m ready 

for whatever’s coming/But to be 

honest there’s a part of me that 

loses control.” 

With that being said, I think that 

See SHARRON, page 13 

MCT Campus 

Jessica Alba is shown in a scene in the 

box office hit “Valentine’s Day.” 

Spotlight 

Alice in 

Wonderland 

I’ve been 

awaiting this 

movie since I 

first heard 

about it. Tim 

Burton knows 

how to direct 

movies. Not 

only that but 

Johnny Depp 

and Anne 

Hathaway 

together in the 

same movie? 

Popcorn 

please! I’m 

hoping everyone 

knows the 

story of Alice 

in Wonderland. 

If you 

don’t know 

the story then 

go ahead and 

“Wiki” it. 

Alice in 

Wonderland 

is rated PG and hits theaters 

on March 5. 

Funny sports moments are immortalized 

t h i n g 

"grandmaapproved," 

something 

that your 

parents or 

grandparents 

would 

approve of 

y o u 

watching. 

Don't forget 

to send 

me recommendations! 

Later on I'm going to open 

up a YouTube channel dedicated 

to this so that way it 

would be easier for all of us. 

:P


March 5, 2010 

Welcome to Silent Hill -- a 

town where ones’ nightmares 

come to life. 

I will be talking about 

Silent Hill: Shattered 

Memories for the Wii console. 

(Also for PS2 and PSP) Now, if 

you are a true Silent Hill fan 

and have been playing since 

part 1, Shattered Memories 

shouldn’t be hard to understand; 

it’s a re-imaging of 

part 1 and is NOT a remake! 

You are Harry Mason (so 

you think you are..) in search 

for your 7-year old daughter, 

Cheryl, after an accident 

involving a car and a light 

post. (Self explanatory, no?) 

You must look for her at all 

costs! What’s completely different 

about this Silent Hill is 

that there is no combat 

against those “monsters”. All 

you have with you is your 

flashlight-- which is your 

super best friend in the 

game. That, and your cell 

phone. Yeah, your cell phone 

-- it’s got a GPS which can 

show you a map of the area, 

a camera to well, take pictures, 

and lots of specs to 

actually help you throughout 

the game. (Sounds ridiculous, 

I know, but it helps!) 

When you think of Silent 

Hill, you know it's about 

atmosphere and its psychology. 

With Shattered 

Memories, you get exactly 

that. As soon as you start up 

the game, it shows you a 

“PSYCHOLOGY WARNING” 

Hey girls! This is Ana and 

Sandra. We decided to 

change the column up a little, 

so we can talk about 

things that are in our minds 

that we could not talk about 

with the other format. 

Now us as girls we are very 

insecure about ourselves. 

Society has created this 

image of how we are supposed 

to be, act, and look. All 

those famous actresses and 

models show a perfect body, 

straight blonde hair with 

$100,000 purses and jewelry. 

Even guys give out this 

impression that if you have a 

little muffin top you are 

automatically unattractive. 

Well let us tell you that it’s 

not true! Anybody who puts 

us down because of how we 

look is not worth our time. 

“Go Ask Alice” is a book 

written by an anonymous 

writer. It is based on a diary 

about a 15 –yearold girl who 

ends up dying of a drug overdose. 

It starts off with "Alice". I 

put her name in quotes 

because no one really knows 

who this girl is. All you know 

is that she has bought a 

diary and she writes in it. 

"Alice" starts to write in her 

diary on September 16. She 

talks about how she can't 

face her friends at school 

because the guy she liked 

doesn't like her and the 

whole school knows about it. 

The beginning of the book 

isn't that interesting. "Alice" 

talks about her family and 

about how they've decided to 

move to a new place because 

her father has gotten a job at 

a university. "Alice" becomes 

real excited and decides to 

change herself completely. 

They end up moving: her 

mother, father, brother, and 

her sister. She talks about 

how she can't stand it 

because her brother already 

has friends and also her little 

sister but not her. She ends 

up meeting a girl. They 

become best friends, but at 

the end of the year the friend 

leaves. So "Alice" decides to 

go to her grandmother's 

house for the summer. 

Now this is where the book 

gets interesting. "Alice" ends 

up running into one of her 

friends from her old school. 

Her friend tells her that she's 

having a party the next day 

and that she will call "Alice" 

later that night to tell her. 

"Alice" becomes real excited 

because she did end up calling 

and can't wait to go to the 

party. On July 10th "Alice" 

posts an entry saying, "Dear 

Diary, I don't know if I should 

feel ashamed or elated." She 

talks about how she was at 

the party and her friend 

brought out some drinks. 

Her friend told her that 

they're going to play a game 

called "Button, Button, 

Who's got the Button?" 

"Alice" at first doesn't understand, 

but they all take the 

cups and drink. "Alice" 

immediately starts to feel 

weird and finds out that her 

cup had LSD in it. That 

moment it would change 

"Alice's" life forever. 

Throughout the rest of the 

COLUMNS 


Silent Hill isn’t such a quiet little town 

saying that “… this game 

plays you as much as you 

play it.” It studies you 

throughout the whole game 

to give you your own personal 

nightmare based on your 

actions, answers, and the 

paths you choose. Am I boring 

you already? Alright, 

here’s the skinny: 

Gameplay 8/10 - The 

framing device of the therapy 

session is used to great effect, 

and is perhaps just as unsettling 

as the monsters and 

ghosts you encounter in 

main game-play. The exploration 

sections are also very 

well done, with the implementation 

of the cellphone 

being a high point. Sadly, the 

chase sequences don't fair as 

well.The decision to only 

include the monsters in 

"chase" sequences that are 

essentially holding the analog 

stick and button-mashing 

was a bad one, clearly. The 

worst part of these sequences 

is that they are separate from 

main game-play, and therefore 

whenever you are exploring 

you know you are always 

safe until you see a cut-scene 

and the world ices over. The 

second time through I simply 

remembered how these 

They are not worth us trying 

to please them! If they really 

like us they are going to like 

us the way we are. 

We shouldn’t settle for 

someone that is always putting 

us down, or making us 

feel bad. Girls we should 

know better than changing 

for someone. 

We as girls want to look 

perfect to the point where it 

eventually leads us to be 

obsessed with our appearance. 

What we girls need to 

do is feel beautiful from the 

inside out. Love ourselves 

Game Break 

By Juan Olivares 

sequences played out before 

and simply ran as fast as I 

could, meaning they are 

mostly pointless upon 

replays. 

Atmosphere 7/10 - The 

atmosphere, which included 

great musical tracks, fog 

and/or other graphical methods 

of inspiring a sense of 

dread, is good at best. Since 

this game isn’t scary at all 

(well, to me anyway), It’s pretty 

decent considering you are 

in Silent Hill. 

Graphics 8.5/10 - The 

graphics are very, very 

smooth on the Wii, but pretty 

rough on the PS2. Go figure! 

The game/graphics of the 

game was most likely downgraded 

from the Wii since the 

PS2 can’t support it. 

Music 9/10 - The music 

still provides great ambiance 

when it is used, But the 

other-world just isn't as terrifying 

here. The official soundtrack 

of the game is simply 

perfect-- almost too perfect. 

This is the kind of music 

you’d want to listen to when 

something is bothering you, 

or when you simply want 

some alone time after a 

rough day. 

Story 9/10 - Absolutely 

for who we are not for the 

way we look. 

Really all those models on 

magazines and TV aren’t 

really perfect. They have 

100 pounds of make up on 

their face; they don’t have 

the perfect body! They are 

normal like us. They have 

bad breath in the morning 

and wake up with eye 

boogers! 

The entertainment industry 

is setting a standard that 

is IMPOSSIBLE to reach. 

The pictures we see in magazines 

are basically fake. 

book "Alice" starts to do 

drugs. It’s mostly just LSD at 

first, but then she starts doing 

speed. Her grandfather has a 

heart attack and she realizes 

that she has to stop with the 

drugs and stay clean so that 

her grandparents wouldn't 

have to send her home. 

"Alice" goes back home 

clean and doesn't do drugs 

for a while. She meets a girl 

named Chris who is a sales 

clerk at a clothing store. They 

start talking about moving 

away because they can't "Let 

the man get to them". So 

"Alice" runs away with Chris 

to San Francisco. 

She and Chris decide to 

start their own boutique but, 

as always, things end up 

going downhill. "Alice" ends 

up doing heroine in San 

Francisco. After a while in 

San Francisco, Chris and 

"Alice" come back home and 

decide to stay sober for the 

rest of their lives (yeah, right). 

She ends up being clean for 

awhile but she starts to use 

again. She talks about how 

she ran away from home 

The celebrities’ pictures are 

being Photoshopped to 

make their flaws disappear. 

This makes society think 

they look like that every day. 

Do you really think those 

women really have a happy 

life? They are probably 

always worried about how 

they look! They have to look 

good everyday if not the 

paparazzi gets a bad shoot of 

them and the picture is all 

over the internet a few minutes 

later! 

The movie and television 

industry uses women as a 

marketing tool. What has 

Paris Hilton ever done to 

make her so famous? What 

has Kim Kardashian done 

for her to have her reality 

show? Basically they use 

beautiful half-naked 

with some kids. 

“Alice” also said she would 

do some favors for guys, so 

they would give her money for 

drugs. They went everywhere 

but she didn't like being away 

again so she went back home 

to change completely. 

"Alice" starts to talk in her 

diary about all the mean kids 

at school who are pressuring 

her to use, but she doesn't. 

Then you find out that "Alice" 

has been admitted into a 

psychiatric ward. She doesn't 

understand how she got 

there, but the doctors tell her 

that she was found in the 

closet drugged up and had 

tried to get out by scratching 

at the door with her nails. 

11 

A woman’s beauty comes from within 

Girl Talk 

By Ana Loera and 

Sandra Minjares 

women to bring their ratings 

up. Now we talk about 

Oprah Winfrey and we 

automatically think of her 

weight. At least that is what 

the tabloids are always 

talking about. Why don’t 

they talk about the money 

she donates and the charity 

she has, but talk about 

Paris’s Hilton recent arrest 

for DUI and everyone is 

interested! 

Beauty is from within us. 

We need to feel beautiful, 

have confidence in ourselves 

and not let anyone bring us 

down, or tell us how we have 

to look. 

Beauty is how you feel 

inside, and it reflects in your 

eyes. It is not something 

physical. 

— Sophia Loren 

‘Alice’: Tragic tale of drug use wins me over 

The Book Look 

By Chris Avalos 

the best part of the game. 

The story is doled out in two 

parts, one in the therapy session 

where you are psychologically 

analyzed, and 

another in the exploration of 

Silent Hill and cut-scenes 

involved. These two sections 

unite in an amazing way in 

the ending that will leave you 

breathless! I know I was… 

(Shocking!) 

The ending is way, 

waaaaay far from what you‘d 

expected. 

Replay Value 8/10 – 

Replaying the game is really 

fun now that you know that 

you’ve experienced your personal 

nightmare. You have 

the chance to experience a 

nightmare that you want 

now. Want the “Drunk Dad” 

ending? Or the wacky UFO 

ending? Go for it! You’re 

bound to get a different game 

play every time you replay it. 

But don’t replay it over and 

over and over as soon as 

you’ve finished; THEN it gets 

rather dull. 

Overall - Silent Hill: 

Shattered Memories is a 

flawed masterpiece. The 

chase sequences were a poor 

implementation of the noncombat 

style, and the atmosphere 

isn't quite up-to-snuff 

with the best games in the 

series, but the story and replayability 

more than make 

up for it. 

If you call yourself a fan of 

Silent Hill and truly believe 

this game isn't "Silent Hill" 

enough, then perhaps you 

have missed much of the 

point of the series. It was 

never about cults or the 

Silent Hill 1 versions of characters 

being the most important 

thing. It was always 

about being a psychologically 

disturbing game that terrifies 

below the surface rather than 

copying the jump scares and 

action sequences of other 

games, and yes, the town (to 

say that the town isn't actually 

in this game is a lie, as 

this is a re-imagining and 

thus any implementation of 

the town can be as different 

as it wants).. This game takes 

those concepts in a different 

direction, but not necessarily 

a bad one, and it pays off. 

Score - 8.5/10 

Game Release: Silent Hill: 

Shattered Memories (US, 

01/19/10) 

She decides through her 

whole experience there that 

she will change herself and 

she will be a Social Worker, 

so that she will be able to 

help kids through drugs. 

In the last entry of the diary 

"Alice" talks about going back 

to school and how she can't 

wait to go. She talks about 

how she doesn't need a diary 

anymore; she sounds happy. 

After you read the entry 

there's an epilogue. It says 

"The subject of this book died 

three weeks after her decision 

not to keep another 

diary." 

This book was amazing. As 

soon as I read the epilogue I 

cried. I cried because this 

girl, who tried her hardest, 

died. She didn't deserve it 

but, without her story it 

probably wouldn't have 

helped a lot of kids out like it 

did. 

I hope you get to read this 

wonderful book, and I hope 

that you understand the 

meaning behindit. 

If you guys want to leave 

me comments or ask me 

questions then visit my column 

on the Magnet Tribune 

website. If you want to suggest 

any more books to me 

then you can reach me at funnyguy_0147@hotmail.com.

12 

Comments? Write us at 

mt_writers@hotmail.com OPINIONS 

TAKS, the Texas Assessment of 

Knowledge and Skills, will be phased 

out in favor of STAARs, State of Texas 

Assessments of Academic Readiness. 

STAAR will consist of end-ofcourse 

exams for 12 English, math, 

science, and social studies classes. 

Students must pass these 12 exams 

plus the classes to graduate. 

The Magnet Tribune is not taking a 

stand on the change due to unfamiliarity 

with the new testing program, 

but will offer what some of the staff in 

eighth period sees as pros and cons. 

Wait a sec. Let me finish 

txtin... 

First, let’s talk about the 

upgrades. Cell phones were 

once known to make calls, 

and just that; surprising...I 

know. Slowly came texting 

and Internet, both not very 

popular back in the day but 

who would have thought all 

hell would break loose eight 

to 10 years later. 

Now we have the “I can do 

it all” phones. 

Internet, to apps, texting to 

picture sharing, messengers 

to cameras, voice recorders 

and much more, I mean our 

cell phones are calendars, 

calculators, and now even 

music players. Who needs 

iPods? In fact the Apple com- 

STAAR pros 

Students should know what is 

being tested since they will be taking 

these exams at the end of each of the 

12 classes. 

We believe students will take the 

new tests more seriously, as they’ll be 

testing in familiar settings with the 

teachers they’ve been with all year. 

STAAR cons 

There are 12 exams instead of four. 

Students that are told this are not 

pany seemed to have gotten 

so jealous that now they 

made iPods with cameras. 

In the near future no one 

will publish books any more, 

not even school textbooks. 

Everyone will be required to 

download the books on their 

future phones. 

Nowadays, even kids in 

elementary schools have 

phones. No one can live 

without them (not literally). 

Take me, for example: my 

cell phone is the first and 

last thing I see before I fall 

asleep and wake up. It’s my 

alarm clock and my mp3 

player, so when I want to listen 

to tunes before I head off 

to bed there it is. 

People even dare to do 

both text/talk on the phone 

while driving. Now, I don’t 

recommend this because 

obviously….it’s dangerous, 

duh! Don’t be overconfident, 

so what if you do it all the 

time and never had an accident. 

There is a first for 

everything; it just hasn’t 

happened yet! 

Same goes to those who 

cross the streets all entertained 

with their phones. Be 

smart, when crossing the 

street put down your 

phones. It won’t kill you to 

ignore the incoming 

text/call for a few seconds 

while crossing the street. 

I’m guilty of texting and 

crossing the street though, 

but I’m not proud of it. 

Thanks to my friend Andrew 

who saved my life one too 

The little things in life 

Story, art by Sarah Reyes 

accepting the change. 

Also, the schedule of electives could 

be cut into, meaning not all students 

could take classes they may enjoy. 

TAKS pros 

There is less stress. Students will 

feel more relaxed knowing there are 

fewer exams. 

Students are able to focus on four 

exams instead of 12. 

TAKS cons 

Some of the staff feels recent TAKS 

tests are not as challenging as before. 

Older students have said they notice 

many times from cars who 

have almost run me over for 

texting. Although I’m stubborn 

and always blamed the 

driver saying how they 

should learn that they have 

to stop when someone is 

crossing the street. Still 

whether or not the driver 

should (most of the times it’s 

my fault) doesn’t mean the 


March 5, 2010 

You’ll soon be seeing STAARs at school 

So these past couple of 

days I’ve been watching a 

movie called “Requiem for a 

Dream”. And let me tell you, 

it’s not a movie to be happy 

about or to wish your life 

were exactly like theirs. It’s a 

depressing story of reality of 

what can happen to you if 

you do drugs and abuse 

them and try to find a way to 

live with them. 

“Requiem for a Dream” 

was out in 2000. It was 

based on the 1978 novel of 

the same name. The novel 

was written by Hubert 

Selby, Jr. and the film was 

directed by Darren 

Aronofsky. 

The film depicts different 

forms of addiction, leading 

to the characters’ tragic 

ends, in a dream world of 

delusion and reckless desperation 

that is subsequently 

overtaken and devastated 

by reality. The film charts 


The Magnet Tribune is a publication 

produced by students 

in the Journalism, Newspaper 

Production and Photo-journalism 

classes of the Vidal M. 

Treviño School of Com-munications 

and Fine Arts, Laredo 

Independent School District. 

This publication provides readers 

with information relating 

to the school and its students, 

provide students a lab for producing 

a newspaper using professional-level 

computer software 

and offers an open forum 

for student opinion. The MT is 

distributed free. 

Dr. Martha Villarreal 

School director 

Mark E. Webber 

Journalism instructor and 

adviser, 


Vol. 17, No. 3, March 5, 2010 

Editor of this issue: 

Samantha Hawkins. 

Page one shows the bronze 

statue south of the Harding 

Building, “The Force of 

Creation,” created by former 

art instructor Armando Flores 

in 1993-94. 

Production is by VMT journalism 

students using 

QuarkXPress and Adobe 

Photoshop on Hewlett-Packard 

computers. 

Printed at Laredo Morning 

Times 

Copyright: ©2010 Vidal M. 

Treviño School of Communications 

and Fine Arts and The 

Magnet Tribune 

It is the policy of the 

Laredo Independent School 

District not to discriminate 

on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, gender, 

limited English proficiency, 

or handicapping condition 

in its programs. 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, Twitter. @Magnet_Tribune, Tacebook: @Magnet_Tribune 

three seasons in the lives of 

the characters’ eyes. Each 

character is ultimately 

destroyed by addiction and 

self-delusion. 

The story begins in summer. 

Sara Goldfarb, an elderly 

widow, begins taking a 

regimen of prescription 

weight-loss amphetamine 

pills throughout the day and 

a sedative at night. The reason 

for this pill popping is 

that she receives a phone 

call announcing she will be 

invited to a be a participant 

on a game show. That’s why 

she becomes obsessed with 

matching her appearance to 

a picture from her son’s 

graduation in a red dress 

First Class Award: ‘96-97, ‘97-98, ‘98-99, ‘99-00, 

‘02-03, ‘03-04. ‘04-05, 05-0, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09 

Second Class Award: ‘00-01, ‘01-02 

that was her deceased husband’s 

favorite. The pills 

alter her behavior, but she 

passionately insists that the 

chance to be on television 

has given her a reason to 

live. However, her invitation 

does not arrive, and she 

begins to up her dosage, 

causing nightmarish hallucinations 

where she is the 

principal subject of the game 

show. 

Her son, Harry Goldfarb, 

is a heroin addict. Together 

with his friend Tyrone, and 

his girlfriend, Marion, who 

are also addicts enter the 

drug trade to realize their 

dreams. With money they 

had made over the summer, 

Staff Superior: ‘99-00, ‘01-02 

Staff Excellent: ‘02-03, ‘03-04 

Staff Hon. Mention: ‘97-98. 

‘98-99 

ILPC 

the exams have being getting easier. 

With TAKS being less challenging 

than before, we think students will 

not take the test seriously. 

Also, it seems, teachers don’t teach 

everything on the tests. Students are 

confused when they come across 

something they haven’t seen in class. 

Then, when students are testing, 

they are placed with different students 

and teachers, and that makes 

many students nervous. 

This is our take on the old and new 

tests. What do you think? 

Movie characters live delusional lives 

As cells expand, attention spans shrink 

A couple years ago, 

at a playground... 

Mommy! 

It’s true! Tell 

him you like 

him back. 

Surree 

EDITORIAL 

The Bug 

By Amy Perez 

Observations 

What is it 

baby? 

By Jennifer Garcia 

Hey! 

Hey! 

What? 

Back at the playground 

What? 

*poke* 

T-this boy...iis...p-poking 

me! 

Harry and Marion hope to 

open a fashion store for 

Marion’s designs, while 

Tyrone’s dream is escaping 

the street and making his 

mother proud. 

However, at the beginning 

of fall, he is caught in the 

middle of a drug gang assassination, 

and Harry uses the 

majority of the money 

Quit it! 

they’ve earned to bail him 

out of prison. Because of the 

arrests and shootings of 

dealers, it becomes very 

hard to obtain any drugs, 

throwing them into a state of 

deprivation. They get desperate 

and Harry convinces 

Marion to have sex with her 

psychiatrist in exchange for 

money causing a rocky hill 

in their relationship. 

The group continues to 

deteriorate as she begins 

prostituting herself and 

Harry’s arm becomes 

severely infected from 

improper injection technique. 

With winter comes the 

final arc in the characters’ 

downward spirals. Sara’s 

sanity unravels after she visits 

the TV studio and she is 

put in a mental institution, 

where she undergoes 

painful electroconvulsive 

THE BUG, page 13 

MT photo by Jennifer Garcia 

A student checks out some pretend gossip on her 

cell phone in this staged photo. 

driver always have control of 

stopping on time. Who 

knows, maybe they were 

texting too and not paying 

attention. Andrew’s right 

though, I just got to pay 

attention and stop texting. 

Come on admit it, your cell 

phone has even made you 

lazy-it sure made me... I have 

OBSERVATIONS, page 13 

The 

End. 

Award of Distinguished Merit: ‘05-06; ‘06-07 

Newspaper Star rating nomination: ‘06-07 

Award of Achievement: ‘98-99, ‘99-00, ‘00-01, ‘01-02, 

‘02-03; Award of Honor: ’97-98, ‘03-04, ‘04-05 

Contact The Magnet Tribune: 

By e-mail: mt_writers@hotmail.com — On the Internet: www.my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt 

Address: Vidal M. Treviño Magnet School, The Magnet Tribune, 802 Main Avenue, Laredo, Texas 78040 

In person: TM-23, (Journalism classroom), or Mark Webber’s box in the school office. 

Ow! 

Wah! 

I like 

you, too! 

*poke* 

Oh honey! It’s 

cause he likes you. 

What?


March 5, 2010 

"Freedom of religion is a 

principle that supports the 

freedom of an individual or 

community, in public or private, 

to manifest religion or 

belief in teaching, practice, 

worship, and observance," as 

stated on wikipedia.org. 

As U.S. Citizens, students 

and teachers have rights to 

the First Amendment of the 

U.S. Constitution. But, are 

they really getting freedom to 

express their religion? 

American citizens all have 

different religious beliefs 

which they voluntarily attend 

on their designated day of 

obligation. With the majority 

of students being Catholic 

and Christian they attend 

church on a Wednesday or a 

Sunday, depending on their 

day of obligation. School 

sometimes interferes with 

church or youth group time. 

Students should have the 

It’s almost been two weeks 

since Alexander McQueen 

committed suicide in his 

London home on Thursday 

Feb. 10. London paramedics 

found him hanging in his 

apartment when they arrived. 

He was 40 years old. 

According to his Twitter 

page (FYI it is now deleted) he 

had been having a tough 

week since his mother died. 

“I’m letting my followers 

know my mother passed 

away yesterday if it she had 

not me nor would you 

RIPmumxxx.” 

A minute later be wrote, 

“but life must go on,” according 

to online news sites. 

Also with just three years 

after his close friend, Isabella 

Blow -- who plucked him from 

obscurity and helped him 

become a star -- killed herself. 

McQueen was extremely 

close to Isabella Blow who was 

an English magazine editor 

and international style icon, is 

credited with discovering him 

as a young designer. 

Everyone was surprised 

freedom to attend church 

and not be forced to practice 

or attend a school function. 

This situation happens mostly 

in sports. The athlete misses 

a practice to attend 

church and the coach tells 

him/her that they cannot 

play in the upcoming game 

because they chose to attend 

something they believe in. 

Tournaments are also often 

on Sundays for any sports. 

Of course, everybody has 

their own opinion towards 

when they found out about 

McQueen’s death; he was due 

to show off his new collection 

during Paris Fashion Week 

the next month. 

On Feb. 18, Robert Polet, 

the president and chief executive 

of the Gucci Group who 

owns McQueen’s label 

announced the Alexander 

McQueen business would 

carry on without its founder 

and creative director. 

He also added that a 

McQueen collection would be 

presented during Paris 

Fashion Week. 

Born in London in 1969 as 

the youngest of six children, 

McQueen left school at the 

age of 16 and was offered an 

apprenticeship at the traditional 

Savile Row tailors 

Anderson and Shephard, 

then at neighboring Gieves 

OPINIONS 

going and not going to 

church, but it's an amendment 

right. Teachers as well 

are sometimes forced to 

attend school functions or 

meetings on Sundays. 

Sundays, in my opinion and 

in others, are reserved for 

family and church. 

I'm not bashing on anyone, 

but coaches, band directors, 

principals, teachers, etc. 

should not be threatening a 

student to attend practices or 

tournaments on a day that is 

and Hawkes. 

McQueen’s accomplishments 

included being one of 

the youngest designers to 

achieve the title “British 

Designer of the Year”, for four 

years straight. 

He went on to be awarded 

the CBE, as well as being 

named International Designer 

of the Year at the Council of 

Fashion Designer Awards. 

McQueen had always been 

shy not letting anyone interview 

him at his fashion 

shows. He was kind and was 

known for his unconventional 

designs and shock tactics. 

Since his death sales of 

McQueen’s clothing have gone 

up 1,400 percent, according to 

www.cocoperez.com. 

I just absolutely love 

McQueen’s clothes and shoes. 

I even wanted to meet him one 

reserved for family. 

Many have youth group 

nights or classes they want to 

attend and many times they 

can't because of their coach 

or their school. 

Students, or anyone for 

that matter, should not be 

punished for exercising their 

beliefs. Many wouldn't care if 

you miss church or youth 

group because they probably 

do not realize that others do 

exercise their beliefs. Many 

times the reason is because 

they, themselves do not practice 

their religion. 

Though it may raise some 

questions on what should 

and shouldn't be said in 

school about religion, but 

this is outside of school. 

This is why teachers, 

coaches, principals, etc. 

should come to realize that 

the student is in school for 

the majority of the week and 

day so when I found about his 

death it made me so sad to 

lose someone like him. I was 

just shocked. 

He is a true legend in the 

fashion industry; he will live 

on forever through his 

clothes. 

I leave you with a piece from 

his last interview with 

Matches magazine just six 

days before this tragedy. 

If he had an hour of free 

time in London: 

--“I’d head to the Natural 

History Museum!” 

On when he is happiest: 

--“When I’m just at home 

with my dogs.” 

On showing in Paris instead 

of London: 

--“I love the heritage of the 

design houses and the fact 

that not just anyone can put 

on a show.” 

On growing up in fashion: 

--“There has to be a balance 

between your mental satisfaction 

and the financial needs of 

your company. [But] I always 

remember that it’s the fantasy, 

the artistic side that 

13 

Students choose between church, school 

LOVE 

Love is the most wonderful 

feeling a human can have 

towards another person. 

Love is indefinable and 

almost impossible to explain. 

This feeling is beyond a KISS 

and an "I LOVE YOU!" It's 

supposed to be mature, 

patient, kind, and respectful. 

You know it's there 

because you get butterflies in 

your stomach when you 

know you're about to see that 

person who stole your heart, 

when you spend most of your 


Editor’s Commentary 

By Samantha Hawkins 

editor of this issue 

The Editor’s Commentary represents the opinions 

of the editor, and should not be understood 

to represent the views of the newspaper staff, 

faculty and administration. 

time thinking of what you're 

going to say and when the 

moment approaches you 

stay wordless. All you want is 

for that person to be happy 

and you would do anything 

to make it possible. Your 

heart breaks to know there 

hurting. You enjoy their triumphs, 

and accomplishments, 

and their happiness 

is yours as well. 

OBSESSION 

Obsessive Compulsive disorder. 

How can you tell the differ- 

ence between being in a 

healthy relationship or one 

that is emotionally harmful? 

Obsessive feelings are often 

mistaken for love because 

people rationalize it. The 

more time people spend trying 

to put effort into their 

problems trying to fix their 

relationship it becomes 

unhealthier and the obsession 

becomes more intense 

so it causes more damage to 

them. Obsession is unlike 

love it's just cruel. If you find 

yourself making all the deci- 

one day would not make a 

difference. Its one day for 

their religion. It's a right and 

schools do abuse it. 

With this being my senior 

year, I've seen this happen 

many times. My band director 

gives students the opportunity 

to miss practice or any 

band function if it's for religion. 

But, I've seen it happen 

mostly with sports. Players 

are told they will not play 

regardless of the excuse. I've 

also seen it happen with the 

school's faculty as well. 

Sometimes administration 

does not realize staff has religious 

commitments as well. 

That is why no one should 

be forced to do something on 

a day for obligation. We all 

have the freedom of religion, 

according to the U.S. 

Constitution. Hopefully now 

others will come to realize 

that we have that right. 

Love is great but impossible to explain 

OH-EM-GEE 

By Melissa Cadena 

and Nereyda Serrano 

Fashion Hallway 

By Karinna Lopez 

Comments? Write us at 

mt_writers@hotmail.com 

sions in your life based on 

the feelings and needs of the 

other person you are 

obsessed and not in a real 

relationship. This is where 

the obsession gets dangerous 

when you're significant other 

believes that they are in a 

relationship that truly doesn't 

exist. It's better to let go 

and don't insist on a relationship 

that won't take you anywhere 

but to more suffrage. 

If you think you are 

obssessed to learn say goodbye. 

Alexander McQueen: a true fashion legend 

THE BUG, from age 12 

therapy. Harry and Tyrone travel to 

Florida, where they believe they can 

start over, but Harry’s deteriorating 

condition forces them to visit a hospital 

in South Carolina, where they are 

arrested. Harry is taken to a prison 

hospital because of his arm, which is 

amputated. Tyrone deals with racist 

person guards, hard labor, and drug 

withdrawal all alone. Harry has a 

recurring dream of Marion waiting for 

him but awakens and realizes that he 

is alone, with an arm amputated and in 

jail. Marion meets with a pimp, who 

makes her have sex with him for drugs 

and later at an orgy where she ends up 

getting a huge ball of heroin covered 

with 100 bills. 

ALE, from age 10 

album that are slow, and thoughtful. 

The song is about someone who’s 

thinking back while driving in a taxi, 

reliving memories and thinking things 

over in general. Its piano is simple, but 

sweet. Strings are also a big part of this 

song, making it a bit romantic in a 

classical sense. 

After that things get fast, quick. In 

“Run,” Koeing sings about running 

Lost in misery, each character curls 

into a fetal position. However, in Sara’s 

dream, she wins the grand prize that 

the game show offers and meets Harry 

there. In her fantasy, Harry is a successful 

businessman, engaged to 

Marion. Mother and son hug and say 

how much they love each other through 

cheers of the crowd. 

This movie and novel saddens me 

because you see reality in front of your 

face, of how people get when they’re on 

drugs and get addicted to them. This is 

a movie that can become true. So many 

people end up like they did. I don’t see 

how people become this addicted to 

something that isn’t going to take them 

anywhere in life. It’s all a delusion. 

away with that one person that means 

the world to you. Not only is the music 

in the song great but the lyrics are so 

cute, that despite being a little cliché it 

makes you smile. Case and point? 

This: “‘Cause honey with you is the 

only honest way to go And I could take 

two, but I really couldn’t ever know.” 

Need I say more? 

See the entire column online 

OBSERVATIONS, from age 12 

the habit of texting all the time. 

Example, I have a question, so I text 

my sister. Keep in mind; she’s no more 

than a few steps away. Our rooms are 

right next to each other and yet we text 

each other often. Silly things too like 

“whose at the door” or “I’m 

bored”…heck my own dad is on it, too. 

“Clean your room” or my least favorite 

“come here”. It’s my least favorite 

because he could easily text wheat he 

wants or needs but instead my lazy self 

has to get up and walk to his room. 

Don’t act like you don’t do it. 

So here we go, don’t text while driving 

or crossing streets; it’s a big no no. 

If the person is next to you, just write 

it down if it’s too personal or some- 

SHARRON, from age 10 

A Lifeless Ordinary is the second 

best song off the album, followed by 

Pulp Fiction in third place. Pulp 

Fiction is easily one of the best 

songs off the album with its crazy 

synth/guitar and bouncy lyrics. 

Now, Disappear is easily the 

catchiest song off the album. It’s 

fast and makes you want to tap 

your foot or jump up and down. 

Alexander McQueen’s 

photo, part of a screen 

shot, at www.cocop- 

erez.com. 

makes customers want to buy 

the straightforward black 

pants.” 

The full interview will be out 

in Matches spring/summer 

issue. 

thing, work out your penmanship. Oh 

texting while eating dinner with family, 

its rude but yea….I do it. To you 

texters, learn proper grammar, none 

of that “omg” and shorting your 

words. It’s annoying. 

Just a little comment, Pocket and 

Cricket phones aren’t texting phones! 

They are a pain! People with those 

phones, when sending a text message 

your phone sends it five times! As if 

the first time wasn’t annoying 

enough. Phones also tend to get text 

messages hours late, that’s of course 

assuming the phone received the 

message at all. 

Oh well, I’m done here. I’m off to 

text! 

This song would be a good one to 

hear live; it has the most energy and 

proves that Tony Thaxton is a great 

drummer. I’d give Dissapear first 

place. 

Two songs I have to mention are 

@!#?@! and Stand Too Close. They 

are somewhat opposites if you really 

pay attention. 

See the entire column online

14 SCHOOL NEWS 

http://my.hsj.org/tx/laredo/vmt, twitter.com/Magnet_Tribune, facebook.com/Magnet_Tribune 


March 5, 2010 

Seniors bring in Winter Ball 

The centerpieces featured 

goldfish. One can be seen 

here swimming, center. 

Seniors held their 

sixth annual Winter 

Ball on Friday, Feb. 19. 

at the Unity Hall. The 

Winter Ball is a dinnerdance 

where seniors sitdown 

together and eat. 

The theme was 

Midnight Glow and the 

colors were silver, 

white, and blue. 



See the photo gallery on the 

Web site. 

MT photos by the staff 

Seniors danced the night away. 

One of the first things seniors saw when entering the hall were balloons 

adorning the floor. 


The ever-popular YMCA. 

Senior Class adviser 

and AP Government 

instructor Matt Arambula 

welcomes everybody 

to the Winter Ball. 


Seniors danced 

the night away. 

AP Art History and technology instructor David 

Blumberg photographed couples. 

Helping a senior with his tie.

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