The Loop
Student Produced KHS Newsletter
The Halloween Results Are In!
Someone You Know
Student Profile: Margot Molen
What is your name and grade?
“ I am Margot Molen, better known as Margo, and I’m a senior this year.”
What are your extra-curricular activities?
“ I am involved in pretty much any show we do here. I’m in International Thespian Society, show choir, varsity choir, yearbook; and then outside of school, I’m in a performing arts company, called McKinney Youth Onstage (MYO).”
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
“ I want to be teaching middle school theatre; I love that age group so much.”
What are you most proud of?
“ My mental health. It was such a struggle through high school finding my friends and finding myself. I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences, no matter how hard they were, to be in any other place because I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Even though I’m still struggling, I know how to work through that now, and it’s something I’m really happy about.”
If you could uninvent something, what would it be?
“Juuls...vaping kills”
If you could have a walk-up song, what would it be?
“ Ohh, Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder"
Morgan Gramling (11)
Teacher Feature
Teacher Profile: Coach Baker
What is your name?
“ Uhhh... Richard.”
What subjects do you teach and how long have you been teaching?
“ I teach US history and AP US History. I have been teaching for 23 years.”
What brought you to Krum?
“ I had the opportunity to become the defensive coordinator in 2009 when the program started.”
You just won 1 million dollars, what are you going to do with it?
“ I’m going to Winstar and letting it ride on black at the roulette table. I either double my money or I go home broke.”
Pancakes or Waffles?
“ Waffles.”
Do you have any advice to students?
“ Enjoy high school and do your best because once you get into the “real world” there's nobody there to protect you.”
- If you or someone you know would like to be feature in next week’s edition, please email morgan.gramling@g.krumisd.net
Morgan Gramling (11)
Dear Bobcat Bobby,
Thanks
Needing Silence to Study"
Dear, "Needing Silence to Study",
I would ask them nicely. It sounds cliche, but it works. It's not fair to you or other students in the class. If the issue goes unresolved, ask your teacher for extra help.
xoxo
-Bobcat Bobby
"Dear Bobcat Bobby, how come there aren't more dances? Homecoming and prom are the only two dances, and the homecoming one always gets cancelled."
Dear Dancing Queen,
To answer your question, it is a matter how many tickets are sold and they involve A LOT of fundraising.
xoxo
-Bobby Bobcat
Submit your questions for Bobcat Bobby here!
Movie Recommendation: Logan
“A man has to be what he is, Joey. Can’t break the mold.”
Ever heard of a superhero movie? They tend to be quite difficult to ignore in the movie industry’s current state. With the supersaturated state of the superhero genre quite possibly having reached its peak with the more-event-than-movie Avengers: Endgame; as well with the recent release of the controversial movie Joker that is being hailed by some as having the potential to change the course of comic-book movies, there is one movie that was released back in 2017 that deserves the talk the aforementioned films have obtained: James Mangold’s Logan.
This is Hugh Jackman’s last hurrah as the titular Wolverine, now going by “Logan” in a world that has moved past the near-extinct mutants. From the beginning, this film sets out to draw a line between itself and others in the X-Men franchise in tone and atmosphere; the darkness and light playing along nicely with each other, especially in the noir version of the film that abandons color altogether.
In terms of sheer brutality this movie is unrelenting to the very end, never failing to strangle and snuff out your hopes and emotions. The movie is aware of this as well, as demonstrated in a very meta moment within the movie where the disillusioned Logan points out the inanity of the comics he and his friends starred in and, that in real life, people die.
Despite the darkness and existentialism this movie envelops itself in, its messages are a stark contrast, focusing on the subject of family and finding meaning in hopelessness. The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Really, this movie is more akin to westerns than any of its comic book peers, further reinforced by a fraction of the movie taking place within the America-Mexico border area as well as the classic western Shane featured within the film and being called back at the end. And that ending... just be aware, it wouldn’t hurt to pack a box of tissues with you on the journey through this desolate and thought-provoking cinematic experience.Jesus "Fenwick" Herrera, Junior Editor
Making a Home for the Brave
Each year over 150,000 brave Americans enlist in the U.S. military to put their lives on the line for the good of our country. These courageous men and women make the ultimate sacrifice with the possibility of losing their homes, their families, their lives, and even their sanity. They are heroes overseas, but what about when they come back home?
With the upcoming Veteran’s Day celebration around the corner, it is a time to appreciate and value our soldiers that are both home and currently enlisted. They continually sacrifice everything to ensure that the people of this great nation will not live in constant fear from any threat: foreign or domestic.
The question has to be asked, though. With everything that veterans go through and give up for us, do they receive the recognition that they so rightfully deserve? Approximately 15 of every 100 veterans come back with some form of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), varying in severity.
Everyday across America, 16 veterans commit suicide.
I have family members that are veterans and I asked my grandfather and my cousin: ”What was the hardest thing to get re-accustomed to you when you got back?”
My grandfather told me: “For my time, the Vietnam era, it was anti-military sentiments. The public took it out on the military and not the politicians who controlled the war.”
My cousin, Dustin, said: “Not coming back the same person as I left. It was hard for me but for the family too. They didn’t always understand me and why I wasn’t who I used to be.”
I then asked both of them: “Do you believe the government/people could do more to help veterans once they get back?”
My grandfather said: “Yes, on both counts. The government is trying to make the VA a private entity. That will not work. These soldiers went forth at our country's bidding and they, the country (especially the government), needs to do everything to make life as normal as possible for our military.”
“Yes, they could stop the 22kill [crap] and anything like it,” Dustin said. “ Veterans don’t need to be reminded everyday that 22 of their brothers gave up that day. [They] need to start showing how veterans are valuable assets to the communities and not monsters. The number [of suicides] isn’t the issue (And it’s lower, by the way. It’s 16.) ”
Whether it is properly representing the military as the heroes they are, or understanding that they almost always come back different and accepting them for the person that they have become, there is always more that we can do for the many courageous souls that give all for us.
So this Veteran’s Day, take a moment to reflect on all of the good fortune in your life, and remember that none of it would be possible if there weren't people making the hardest decisions of their lives. Thank them, tell them that you love them, and know that they are the reason you live in freedom.
As a recognition of thanks, please note that KHS is home to veteran Bradley Barnes. He served in the United States Navy from 2008-2012 where he did two deployments during Operation Enduring Freedom(OEF).
Did You Know?
Jarren Shields (11)
Study Friendly Snacks
Candied Almonds
Let’s keep things serious--there just isn’t enough time in the day for almost anything anymore. Studying? Please. Hanging out with friends? Absolutely not. Cooking? That one has to be a joke right? Nope! None of them are-- and The Loop wants to help on all fronts. Easy, study-friendly snacks are just around the corner. The social life bit we can’t help much with, just remember to engage yourself.
Candied Almonds
Pulling out the big guns early, almonds are a super study food. Stimulating not only memory, but overall brain functions, these fruits only get better when candied. You’ll need:
½ cup of water
2 cups almonds
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 cup white sugar
And that’s it. Easy! And you know what’s just as easy? Actually making them. You:
Add water, cinnamon, and sugar to a pan and let it come to a medium boil
Once it boils, throw the almonds in and stir them up
Keep on stirring until the mixture becomes syrupy
Lay out the almonds on a baking sheet to cool
Enjoy the “fruits” of your labor
Grace Burton (12)
Chocolate Oatmeal Smoothie
Chocolate Oatmeal Smoothie
Seriously. Dark chocolate is proven to improve blood flow to the brain for up to three hours, an ideal study window. And oh? What’s this? This recipe is also an extremely quick-make. You’ll need:
Ice (to taste)
1 banana
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
½ cup oats
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
Easy now, the ingredient list is a little longer than the candied almonds, but the make- time is under two minutes, keeping this a speedy study snack. To make, you simply:
Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until you’re satisfied. You want it smoother? Hold off on the ice. Chunkier? Pile it in, baby.
Enjoy/Profit
And just like that, you have a fantastic drink that is almost guaranteed to help you power through any and all material in your way.
Grace Burton (12)
Popcorn
Popcorn
Popcorn? Just popcorn? That’s the healthy, fun snack? Yes, actually! Think of popcorn like a blank slate: when air-popped it’s a whole-grain, antioxidant-filled snack that’s just begging to have something done with it!
Food Network has a list of 300 popcorn recipes.
Think of all the things you could do with it. Take some inspiration from this article even, drizzle dark chocolate in a bowl of it, mix some toasted almonds or other fruits into it, drop some M&Ms into it...the choice is yours!
Now go forth! Study! Snack! Develop those social circles with these healthy, tasty snacks as your way in!
Grace Burton (12)
Book Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Reviewed by Melinda Buchanan, Department Head, English I and II
"“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”
I had this book in my TBR pile for some time, and when worked its way to the top, I stayed up waaay too late reading it a couple of nights, and it stuck with me through my days. Maggie Stiefvater takes the Celtic/Irish/Scottish water horse legend, the capaill uisce, and brings the reader into the dream-like setting of Thisby.
Each fall, the capaill uisce emerge from the sea, and the men of Thisbe work to capture them for a desperate race on the first day of November. Riders struggle to maintain control of the monstrous beasts, and stay alive, as they race to the finish line.
Puck and her brothers are orphans who struggle to eek out a living, and Puck is determined to be the first girl to compete. If she can win the race, she will save her family.
Sean is a young horseman who has a mystical touch. The returning champion, he is haunted with images of the death of his father beneath the hooves of a vicious water horse.
The story unfolds slowly and magically, and the meat eating, blood thirsty water horses are at once horrifying and majestic. Stiefvater's scene of the herd of water horses "tearing in from an angry sea" may be one of the most beautiful things I've ever read, and it continues to stick with me. I'll be looking for more to read about the capaill uisce, but I fear nothing will compare to Stiefvater's rendition.
Crossword Puzzle
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_Qy3GOy8NkwT1d1ZG9nZUhPNzc0aWRvem5nakFIOHF4aDM4
Emilie Lanther (10)
Sports
NASCAR
Last week if you would have asked me what NASCAR was, I would have told you it's a bunch of people making left turns driving in circles; but, I must admit I was wrong. Mrs. Brock asked me if I would like to write about NASCAR this upcoming week since the race was being held in Texas. Of course, with me being me, I made a sarcastic remark back to her saying, “What am I gonna write about? The drivers took a left turn then they took another left turn. Oh snap! No way...they took another left turn.” Once I said that I knew I was doomed. She looked at me and told me, “Ok, then, I guess you just found your assignment for the next edition.”
Well, I must say that while in the beginning it sounded horrible and I thought I would hate it, I came to find that there really is a lot more to NASCAR than just left turns. There was still 1,348 left turns in the 4 hour, 500 mile race called the AAA Texas 500 that I watched this weekend. However, there is so much more to racing than just turning left. It is a sport that takes an incredible amount of skill, focus, and confidence. These men and women get in cars and drive at 170+ miles an hour, with sometimes only inches between each car. Drafting is the name of the game. One bad move and it's game over, they’re done as is whoever is around them. So, I must say that there is a lot more to NASCAR than meets the eye and if you haven’t watched it before, I urge you to give it a shot and see if you like it. I'm willing to bet you will.
By the way, NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
Krum Sports
Football: The freshman team continues their reign of terror at 9-0. They are headed to Iowa Park next week in hopes of finishing with a perfect season. The JV team won their first game last week against Vernon and they hope to go to Iowa Park and end the season with two straight wins. The Varsity team lost last Friday against Vernon in a close and thrilling game. They held the lead for most of the game, but Vernon prevailed in the last minutes. Varsity will finish their season this Friday at home where they will also host senior night for our seniors.
Volleyball: Last night was the first round of playoffs for the Lady Cats. The Ladycats played the Brownwood Lady Lions and swept them in three sets with senior Reese Robinson scoring the final point for the win. Now the Lady Cats will take on a strong Graham team in Henrietta on October 9th at 2pm.
Billy Lackey (11)
KHS Journalism
Email: lisa.brock@krumisd.net
Location: Krum High School, Bobcat Boulevard, Krum, TX, USA
Phone: 940-482-2601