This week the cheerleaders placed fourth in their division in Dallas.
This weekend the Dazzlers performed at UDA Nationals in Orlando. They placed first in Hip Hop, and second in Pom.
The wrestling team received the crown at the 26th annual sectionals this weekend.
Boys’ swimming placed second at their conference meet and girls placed first at their conference meet.
By Hannah Cheatham
This past weekend the cheerleaders went to the national competition in Dallas, where a season of practice and hard work landed them fourth place in the small varsity all-girl division.
“It was disappointing because I knew our team was a first-place team,” said senior Emma Bellus.
Freshman Jensen Stregiel agreed with Bellus.
“I have mixed emotions. I’m sad that it’s over but I’m happy I had the experience,” said Stregiel.
Team members expressed that the fourth-place finish was a memorable part of the season.
“I feel good about how we did,” said junior Taylor Rice. “We all tried our hardest and I think that’s what matters. The memories that we all got to share together means more to me than a national title.”
Stregiel will be on the team next year and has already decided she is going to prepare differently for next season by working harder and focusing on making everything perfect. Rice, who will be a senior next year, expressed her excitement for next year’s opportunity.
“Next year I plan to lead my team by being positive all the time, helping the underclassmen if they need it, and making sure everyone is prepared as much as possible.”
By Blake Dykes and Bryce Romig
A recent data breach within the Snapchat mobile app has been found to have leaked personal pictures along with phone numbers to certain websites. 4.6 million usernames and phone numbers were exposed to hackers on Jan. 1. 2014 according to TechnoBuffalo. Many people were not aware of this recent issue and predict that it will change the way others use the app in the future.
Snapchat is a social media app available on smart phones that allows people to send photos with captions and filter effects to each other, but the recipient can only view the photo for a maximum of 10 seconds before it disappears.
“People usually use Snapchat because they think that what they’re sending is private and will be deleted after the expiration time. So when they find out it’s being saved and leaked they’ll stop sending such embarrassing or explicit photos,” said senior Jonathan Lynch.
This particular issue is especially relevant in high school students considering most report using Snapchat on a daily basis.
“I Snapchat all the time. I think its a fun way to have a conversation other than texting,” said junior Sequoia Bryant.
Many feel that the creators of Snapchat do not have the right to keep the pictures and phone numbers saved in the database.
“I don’t like the fact that they keep my photos. They shouldn’t have the right to own my photos. They are personal,” said senior Savannah O’Brien.
Senior Ryan Lenz agreed with O’Brien in the fact that it is an invasion of privacy.
“It seems wrong because it’s not right to use people’s private photos for their public use.”
However, others feel less affected by the issue because what they send is not inappropriate.
“It won’t affect how I use the app in the future because I use it to send funny pictures to my friends,” said sophomore Lexi Finnimore.
Senior Andrew Sung also said that he did not feel affected, although one of his friends were.
“It won’t change the way I Snapchat because I don’t send anything bad in those snapchats. I’m not too worried about everyone seeing my pictures. But my friend got every part of his phone number leaked minus the last two digits.”
However, Snapchat is making an effort to strengthen the system to prevent this from happening again in the future. Due to the hacking problem, Snapchat has provided an update for app users that allows them to opt out of linking their phone numbers to their profiles. This was done to help avoid any future API breaches that expose private phone numbers.
Bryant offered some advice to people who plan on continuing to use the app.
“Snapcat is a fun way to have a conversation: just don’t send anything risky and you’ll be fine.”
By Sydney Sears and Rachel Lamb
Early every Tuesday morning a small group of students meets with Highland Hills Middle School teacher April Elmore to gather in prayer.
“Prayer can change the climate of the school,” said Elmore.
Elmore started this group last year after a couple of girls in her small group at Northside Christian Church wanted to begin a prayer group at their school. Elmore took the initiative to create this group so that students can grow closer to God in high school and help prepare their faith for college.
“The prayer group is just a few high school kids that come to school early before school on Tuesdays and pray. It exists to be a time for students to simply read a few verses of the Bible and pray for what they feel like,” said junior Reagan Kurk.
Reagan is one of the girls in Elmore’s church small group.
The group meets every Tuesday morning at about 7:05 a.m. outside the athletic office. During this time they talk about life, complete a devotional, and then finally finish with prayer. This all ends at about 7:30 a.m., giving students enough time to prepare for their first class.
Senior Scott Schuchartdt shares how he has personally benefitted from the prayer group.
“You get to connect with others that share the same faith that you do and realize that you are not alone.”
Reagan and Schuchartdt agreed that this group creates a positive influence in your life.
“Allowing students the opportunity to meet, encourage one another, and pray together is a wonderful thing,” said Reagan.
“You are able to grow your faith so that you can impact the school in a positive way through prayer and fellow devotions,” said Schuchartdt.
Some students that attend this group like Schuchartdt said they not only grow closer with one another but God as well.
“This group helps brighten my day and opens my eyes to what He has done around me,” said freshman Elise Kurk.