Dist. 26AA Volume 43, Issue 3 Dec. 17, 2009

East Bernard High School723 College Street, East Bernard, TX

Kristen Gertson- Reporter

State meet. Turning into the shoot. 150 meters to go. Coming in strong. Toe crosses the line. 2A boys state champion. On Nov. 14 in Round Rock,

junior Nick Guerra made history. Not only by being the fi rst state champion individual in all sports from East Bernard, but also by becoming the 2009 2A Cross Country State Champion. “Since the beginning of the season it was my goal to be state champion as a team and as an individual. I had been working toward that goal for six months and had over 150 consecutive days of running,” Guerra said. According to Guerra’s coach, Susie Walters, his constant determination and desire to work hard is what enabled him to win this title. “Nick is a tough mental runner. He worked hard. One of his many strengths was that he doesn’t get nervous because of other runners or high expectations,” Walters said. Guerra believed that it was important to go into a race with confi dence in himself. “I ran the 1st mile with my head, the 2nd with my legs and the 3rd with my heart,” Guerra said. As he rounded that fi nal bend to complete the 3rd and fi nal mile, he crossed the stark white line and stepped across as a state champion. “Everything that I had trained for went into one race. I fi nally did what I wanted to do-be a state champion,” Guerra said.

RUNNING AHEAD OF ALL, LITERALLY Junior Nick Guerra heads toward the fi nish line. On Nov. 14 in Round Rock, Guerra fi nished 15.15 sec. in front of his 2nd place competitor to capture the state 2A title. Guerra was known for handily leading the majority of his competitors throughout the season. “Even though I won this year, the season never ends,” Guerra said. (Photo by Amber Gertson)

Past meets were a distant memory, and none of them mattered as the Brahma team prepared for the state meet which would determine it all. The team’s fate rode on each

individual member’s shoulders. On the day of state if the boys wanted to bring home a state championship, they knew they had to perform. And that is just what they did. Smiles were shared all around as the boys received their gold team medals around their necks and plaque on Nov. 14 in Round Rock at the state cross country meet. “It feels great to be a state champion. It’s a goal that I set back in junior high, and we fi nally accomplished it,” senior Miles Locke said. Being the top 2A boy team in the state did not come easily. Each member of the team had to step up and do their best. “I tried to be a leader for the team. I wanted to be a role model by showing that hard work would get us to our goal,” senior Patrick Pitts said. Since the boys took the title, other areas of their lives have been affected. “Cross country will affect the rest of my life because if I didn’t give up on running, well, it’s going to be hard to give up on any other thing,” sophomore Thomas Garcia said. Junior Zach Sprague belives running gives you self confi dence. “Everyone should run. It makes you feel better about yourself.” (See CC-p. 16)

The Brahma Beat is produced by the newspaper staff and contributing writers and artists of East Bernard High School. The photography is produced by photojournalism and staff members. East Bernard is a 2A school. Brahma Beat is published every six weeks by the journalism class of East Bernard High School, 723 College Street, East Bernard, TX 77435, (979) 335-7519 ext. 148. www.ebisd.org

The Brahma Beat is a member of Quill and Scroll, Texas High School Press Association, Journalism Educators Association, and the University of Interscholastic League. It is a UIL Silver Star Award, Bronze Star Award and Distinguished Merit winner. Column viewpoints are those of the individual writers and not necessarily those of the staff of the administration or East Bernard High School.

Editor-In-Chief...Jesse LongoriaSports Editor...Anna PersynFeature Editor... Louis LimasNews Editor... Jacob HoughAds Manager...Anna PersynReporters...Christina Marik, Mitch Williams, Taylor Goodwin, Chelsea Derrick, Kasey Svatek, Kristen Gertson, Scott PowellAdviser...Brenda StelzelPhoto Editor...Matt CliftonStaff Photographers...Kimmie Lopez, James Kubena, Alex Fortenberry

Christmas Overload

Dec. 17, 2009Page 2 EditorialJesse Longoria-Editor-In-Chief

Media Forces Consumers To Start Christmas Season Too Soon

Christmas is a holiday that everybody loves to celebrate. Christmas advertisements, decorations and music have been flooding our lives, and we feel like

it is too much too soon. The television is constantly running commercials that make us anxious about buying Christmas presents. The media is already making us feel like Christmas is just around the corner when really it is still a few weeks away. We have time to prepare for the holiday. So Mr. TV man, STOP badgering us. We are already stressed out enough as it is. Stop adding more difficulty to our young lives. Can’t we celebrate Christmas for just one month? They have been advertising Christmas since right after Halloween. Did they forget there is a holiday after Halloween? It is called Thanksgiving. Maybe we consumers should refuse to deal with anything Christmas related until after Turkey Day. Two months dedicated to one holiday is overkill, which is one way to make people sick of Christmas in general. And

they would have better sales in products if they showed the advertisements less. We are not saying to stop the holiday season or its advertisements or decorations. We are just asking to have less of it until December, which is the actual month of Christmas. As they say, less is more.

surely no one should hate a holiday where presents are a big focal point. The media needs to ease up on the number of commercials that involve Christmas. They do it so they can sell more products, but the more a product is advertised, the less we will most likely buy it. So the advertisers are the ones who are shooting themselves in the foot. Maybe

Tension, tension, and more tension filled my Spanish

class a few weeks ago. Two girls were going back and

forth, trading insults bad enough to make most people snap and start to fight. Then miraculously, the two calmed down, regained their composure and got back to work. What just happened? Neither of the girls raised their voice or even got angry. But there was still this feeling that they were mad at each other. They fought, but at the same time, they didn’t. The best way to describe this is as a passive aggressive fight.

Passive aggressive abuse is better explained as fighting with words while not using anger. An example is when one student knows about something painful or embarrassing about another student’s life and brings it up in conversation just to hurt the other student. In many cases this type of fighting hurts much more than any physical abuse. Students, faculty and parents alike have all been known to use this form of verbal abuse in all situations of daily life. It happens every day around us here at school; students berating teachers, teachers berating students or students humiliating each other. It’s much too common. Most of the time it’s verbal aggressiveness, but sometimes our personal boundaries get crossed and result in real fighting and a trip to ISS.

Personally I sometimes enjoy witnessing this type of fighting, and the tension that builds during the altercation, I have to admit it’s a guilty pleasure. And I know I’m not the only one. Many times a passive aggressive fight will be the talk of the school in minutes, but is it really necessary for us to make this such a spectacle? It’s not a boxing match we’re watching. These are real peoples’ lives and feelings. It should be their business and their business alone. Passive aggressive fighting should be looked down on, not glorified. And it wouldn’t be a problem if the fighting never happened at all. We should all learn to get along with each other. We’re all in the same boat together here at school, for good and for bad, so especially in this holiday season, we should just be friends.

It’s Christmas time again and as each year goes by, Christmas gets a little

greener. Everything from lights, trees, food, presents,

decorations, and how we celebrate the holiday are becoming much more eco- friendly. A number of simple things you could do to give mother nature some slack are out there. You could forgo gift wrapping and just put your smaller gifts in slippers or mittens, like a gift inside a gift. Or you could buy locally grown food for your feast, which would decrease the miles driven by cargo trucks transporting beasts

for the eats and other food-stuffs. And despite what you think, cutting down a real Christmas tree is better for the environment than getting a fake one. The reasoning behind this is that pre-lit plastic trees are made with PVCwhich recycling centers dod not take. And anyway, the manufacturing process for PVC’s emits high levels of toxic compounds into the air. No bueno for us. LED lights are another good way to save energy. Though they cost a little more, LED’s use 75% less electricity than older lights and have cooler burning, more sturdy bulbs. And if you really want to be green, you could even make your own Christmas tree decorations and garland. Using dried fruits and other recyclable material you

can imitate the Christmas trees of the old years. I wouldn’t think that in the 1800’s they would have pre made, plastic ornaments for sale at the general stores. So let’s get back to the good old days of our ancestors and do things the more simple way. Everywhere you turn these days, people are going green, and not only for the holiday season. The simplest ways people are becoming eco-friendly is by recycling. Everything from your daily Dr. Pepper can to random waste paper should be up for a trip to the recycling bin. Even if you don’t try anything from this column to help the earth, at least put this paper in the recycling bin when you are through reading it. It’s not that difficult to give mother earth a hand.

WHEN YOU GET IN TROUBLE WITH YOUR CELL PHONE, WOULD

YOU RATHER PAY $10 OR GET I.S.S.?$10 ISS

No: 55%

DO YOU USE YOUR PHONE DURING THE

SCHOOL DAY?

Yes: 57%No: 34%Emergency Only: 9%

DO YOU WEAR YOU SEATBELT WHILE

DRIVING?

DO YOU WEAR YOU

No: 3% Yes: 97%

DO YOU THINK THE COPS IN TOWN ARE

OVERBEARING?

Yes:96%No: 4%

“I don’t think that going to Shell at 12:40 in the morning should be punishable by 42 hours of community service,” junior Miles Lee said in response to whether or not the cops in town are overbearing.

Dec. 17, 2009 Page 5NewsMItch Williams-Reporter

Every year it’s the same story. Sophomores get their licenses and add to the number of teenage drivers terrorizing the town. This year is no

different. The new drivers are a little unsteady on their wheels and a little unsure of their abilities. Almost all new drivers have at least one crazy experience when they were first learning the ropes. What could be worse than a nervous and unsteady teenager first learning to drive a multi-ton driving\killing machine? “The first time I ever drove my Dad’s truck into Sugarland, I wasn’t paying attention. When I tried to make a turn, I almost hit three people,” sophomore Anna Srubar said. Despite stories of almost-committed vehicular manslaughters, some new drivers had a sane and uneventful learning experience. “I never really had anything crazy happen when I first started driving. I guess I’m just a natural at driving,” sophomore Zack Jalowy said. “That’s good because I can’t afford to pay for wrecking my truck.” A car cost money, and gas isn’t cheap, so the poorest people on earth, high school

students, have to find a way to pay for them. This money usually comes from one of two sources-parents or a job. “I help out around the house and get paid for that because with sports, I don’t have much time for a job,” sophomore Abby Alexander said about her financial situation. Other students have generous parents who help out with their children’s gas money. “My parents just give me money for being good, but being good is a job by itself for me,” sophomore Brad Brummer said. Along with gas, the other money intensive object is the purchase of the actual car. Most of the time a used car fits the bill for a first car. “I bought a used Chevy from a Ford dealership in Rosenberg,” Brummer said, “It’s an ’87 Scottsdale.” Many other students like Brummer get used cars. “When my dad bought his new truck I got his old diesel truck,” Jalowy said, “The only bad part about it is the price of diesel and its gas mileage.” So just like last year and the year before, sophomores have gotten their licenses and hit the road. However, with their newfound freedom comes more responsibilities. They might not go as far as they would like to with the cost of gas, but they go nonetheless.

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*When passing or overtaking a stopped school bus from either direction that is loading or unloading, you must stop and wait until the bus resumes motion before you can go.*At a four way stop, whoever stops first has the right-of-way and if multiple cars have stopped at the same time, yield to the right.*Remember to come to a complete stop at stop signs, especially around school. The cops are always watching for that mistake.

Staff teasing comments

on MISSING Seniors

Dec. 17, 2009Page 6 NewsLou Limas- Feature Editor

Chelsea Derrick says (not knowing the name only the face):“Who is that?”Anna Persyn says (in response):“Oh, he is the nicest boy in the whole entire high school! He has the biggst smile in the world.”

Seniors are usually seen as the center of attention around most high schools, but there are some on campus who break the mold. As student athletes,

community and school leaders, seniors are usually the ones you see as the officers in clubs and the stars on the football, cross country and volleyball teams. However there are just some who have been a mystery so far throughout the course of their senior year.

Some of the seniors who are not seen so often in the halls or at events may be that way by choice, or it may just be the way it works out. Student taking multiple ag classes or enrolled in the work programs on campus may have been missing since last year. But even though they choose their schedule, some don’t like being out of the loop. “Well I have five periods of ag classes and an off period so since I only have two real classes, I don’t get a chance to interact much. But I really don’t like not being involved and outgoing,” senior Colby Floyd said. However, students who could care less about being the center of attention or in the know about what’s going on in the hallways may have made the ag room their new home. Either that or they may love to get out of school early and go to work to get away. The desire to learn the skills offered in the ag classes or the lure of the money offered from working a job have been more than enough to make one disappear. “It’s cool. I like being under the radar. I really don’t like dealing with people much. I try and just stay out of the way and stay out of trouble,” senior Brian Kulhanek said. There are no shortage of those seniors missing out because of working but many

find it worth it. Some kids only work in jobs now temporarily. “I work at Super S as a cashier, but I’m only working there until I graduate. Since I’m working I only come to school for half a day,” senior Crystal Chavez said. Just because a student may not be so well known throughout the school isn’t a bad thing. Besides just be busy elsewhere, in some cases the person just happens to be quiet in school, such as Beth Brummer or Simon Collins. There are also some students roaming the hallways that aren’t so silent, but they just aren’t heard because of whom they choose to talk to. “I don’t talk to preppy people; they think too highly of themselves when they shouldn’t. I choose to hang out with Stephanie, Josh Castillo, Kimmie and Flo because I know that they are real,” Chavez said. When students choose be on the work program or go into multiple ag classes, it isn’t them closing themselves off from the rest of the student body. Ag classes or work programs are just different because students end up spending more time in those classes to do hands-on work. During off time before work, students can have some time to just relax and unwind. “I just come to school get my two mandatory and two elective classes out of the way and then leave. I miss all the meetings though so that’s no bueno. When I get off, I usually just hang out with Patric and get some food or just play Xbox because I don’t work until later,” Josh Castillo said. When a senior isn’t seen, it doesn’t mean that they are different; it may just be that they have different ways in going about their day or handling their business. When you read this you may see these seniors in a different light or maybe not at all.

Scott Powell says:“The only time I’ve ever seen her was outside of Mrs. Naiser’s classroom. She dissapeared for a while after that.”

Jacob Hough says:“Who is that masked woman? She’s a mystery.The only time I ever see her is when she is when she’s eating lunch in Coach Slanina’s room.

Mitch Williams says:“I thought he graduated last year!”Jesse Longoria says:“I love his boots but I never see them, I just hear them...”

Other Notable Seniors Missing From This Story-we miss them...Gilbert Hernandez, Robert Aranza, Kimmie Tobar, Patric Gonzales, Florence Wilson

Marshall Scott

Stephanie Avila

Simon Collins

Beth Brummer

Owl City Ke$ha

1)Cobra Starship2)All American Rejects3) Jay Sean4) Justin Bieber

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Dec. 18, 2009Page 8 NewsLouLimas-Feature Editor

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DECK THE HALLSFreshman Student Council member Jordan Darr decorates the Christmas tree in the main hall as the Student Council does every year. “This was my fi rst year decorating the tree, but it was a lot of fun getting out of class to do it,” Darr said. With STUCO membership being open this year, there were more opportunities to join in the projects. (Photo by Clifton)

HELPING HANDSHelping organize the decorations, junior John Demny and senior Morgan Kramr sort some some donations from FBLA members to local CARE . “We were just doing our part to help things run more smoothly and get done more quickly. Morgan and I, as well as a few others, were just sorting through some of the decorations, not fun but we did our part,” Demny said.(Photo by Clifton)

HEY, LISTEN UPOffi cers, senior Addie Bradley and Candice Dusek, with juniors Catie and Jill Dusek, take care of business as they discuss the gift giving project at the TAFE meeting. “We were talking with the members about the giving tree project and pos-sible due dates for the project. We had so much to take care at that meeting,” Katie said. (Photo by Lopez)

WRAPPING FOR RICHMONDSophomores Brittany Orsak, Addy Embesi and Cameron Hurst, fi rst year FBLA members as well as fi rst-time wrappers, fold clothes and get them ready to wrap as gifts for the clients. “It was a great experience being able to go and help wrap. We were having so much fun that it didn’t even seem like we were working,” Embesi said. (Photo by Stelzel)

Page 9NewsDec. 18, 2009

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HE’S A HANDFULSenior Shane Munoz poses with his masterpeice snow ball. On the day it snowed, Dec. 4, many students ran wild trying to gather as much of the white stuff as they could. “I just wanted to show off my giant snow ball. When it snowed at school, what else was there to do than to make one,” Munoz said. (Photo by Clifton)

FREDDIE THE SNOWMANStudents take a picture with Freddie The Snowman on the side of the practice fi eld after school. “We had just gotten through with an epic snowball fi ght when we decided to build a massive snow man. It was cold, but we fi gured we might as well make a snowman while we had the chance,” sophomore Abby Alexander said. (Photo by Stelzel)

SNOW-CLAD SHINGLESAs the snow sprinkles down atop the high school building, the vision of a winter wonderland becomes more complete. The entire campus was in a frenzy at the sight of the snow which began before school started. The snow on Dec. 4 was the most snow East Bernard had been lucky enough to see since Christ-mas Eve in 2004. (Photo by Stelzel)

NOW PICTURE THAT!Senior Dany Machado, PEIMS coordinater Carol Dobias, and counselor Kimberly Sulak all huddle around technology assistant Jackson Williams to see his pictures. “We were all looking at some pictures that Jackson had taken of himself to document the snow,” Dobias said. The snow day brought together faculty and students for a fun day. (Photo by Clifton)

Dec. 17, 2009Page 10 FeatureAnna Persyn-Sports Editor

A season full of gift giving and joy all around, Christmas is a time to spend time with loved ones. However, even though many families are all together during

the holidays, some have to share time between their parents. Many high school students, like twin seniors Jonathan and Josh Mayfield, don’t wake up on Christmas morning greeted by both parents. Instead they juggle their holiday break between mom and dad. Even though the time is shared between the two parents, there are some conflicts that come up that are just part of any divided family. “Sometimes I wish my parents were still together because every now and then they fight and get mad over who is going to see us the most and when,” Josh said. However, Jonathan is used to his family being split but says he still misses some parts of his old family habits. “I’m used to my parents being divorced now, but it used to get me upset at times because I wanted to see my mom and dad at the same time and be all together on Christmas morning.”

And like his brother, Josh isn’t really affected by his parents being divorced anymore either since they broke up when he was five years old. “My mom and dad being apart does not really bother me anymore because I get to see both of my them anyway,” Josh said. Of course, the parents of this scenario are affected as well when the holidays roll around. It makes it easier for everyone when time between families can be split equally. “One year we spend Christmas day with our mom, and then the next year is with out dad,” Jonathan said. “The time is equal because then the day after Christmas we go to our other parent’s house.” With seeing each parent during the holidays, each side has traditions they continue. “We play white elephant at my Grandma’s house with my whole family and then I open my stuff from my mom and her side of the family on Christmas morning,” Jonathan said. “So even though I’m not with both sides of my family at once, it’s still fun, and we have a good time.”

“I like that my parents are apart because they are happier that way, and I also get two Christmases, and that means double the gifts so it works in my benefit. I also get two Christmas dinners and I love to eat.” - junior Kaytlin Roberts

“I still get to see both sides of my family all of the time. I now have a bigger family on both sides so it makes up for the loss.” - junior Collin Hudgins

“It’s really weird without having both of my parents together at Christmas time. It’s fine having Christmas with my mom and my brothers, but I wish my dad was still there so we could be complete again.” - sophomore Addy Embesi

SHARED FAMILY TIMEThe Mayfields are only two of many students in high school who spend time with two families around the holidays. Even though they don’t celebrate Christmas with their parents at the same time, they do have time with family. “I still enjoy the time I get to spend with my family because they are all a lot of fun, and I enjoy being around them,” Josh said.

Dec.17,2009 Page 11FeatureKasey Svatek-reporter

It’s Christmas time again, and everyone’s writing his or her wish list to Santa. Everything from iPods, and cell phones to digital cameras are on teens’ wish lists this year.

“I’d rather have electronics than clothes this year for Christmas because I can use them in my everyday life,” senior Kimmie Lopez said. “ This year I really want an iPod, games for my Wii, and a new digital camera.” However even though electronics are on the top of most teens’ list, when it comes to buying presents for friends or parents, students are stretched to afford them. “I always buy my mom a James Avery bracelet, but never anything electronic because I don’t have enough money for that,” sophomore Addy Embesi said. “And usually I get little presents for some of my friends. However for my best friend I normally spend about $50, but I don’t even really think about electronics

for that gift either because they would cost more than I spend.” Like Addy, most teenagers set a limit of about $20 to spend on their friends. Buying presents for numerous friends on such a budget can be diffi cult so many of teens just go for the easy homemade gifts. “For a homemade gift I just get some scrapbooking stuff or make cute little ornaments for my friends. Sometimes I get a coffee mug and fi ll them with candy and decorate the outside,” junior Kelsie Kresta said. However, for those people who aren’t creative, there are tons of stores that have sales going on to fi t everyone’s budgets. “I start saving up money for Christmas way in advance, but when it comes time to buy presents, the sales really help somce I buy for all my friends and family,” junior Callie Graves said.

1) What did the Grinch use as a substitute for his reindeer? 2) In “Frosty the Snowman,” who brought Frosty back to life?

3) What carol demands fi ggy pudding?

4) In the Christmas Classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” what happened every time a bell rang?

5) In the cartoon version of “Rudolph,” what was the name of Rudolph’s girlfriend?

6) What did Aunt Bethany sing as the prayer in “Christmas Vacation”?

7) In the movie “Elf”, what did Buddy say the fake Santa smells like? 8) What does Susan as Kris to get her for Christmas in “A Miracle on 34th Street”?

9) What is the name of the reindeer who is the coach for the “Reindeer Games”?

10) In “A Christmas Story,” what was the standard reply whenever Ralphie said what he wanted for

Christmas?

elf santa wreath rudolphtoy comet dasher prancergift cupid sleigh snowmanbell vixen dancer presentstree candy chimney reindeerstar frosty blizten

1) His Dog 6) The National Anthem 2) Santa 7) Beef and cheese 3) “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” 8) A house 4) An angel got it’s wings 9) Comet 5) Clarice 10) A BB gun

Meets Jan. 16 @ Louise• Jan. 23 @ EB• Jan. 30 @ Edna• Feb. 6 @ Palacios• Feb. 13 @ Columbus• Feb. 20 @ Rice• Mar. 6 @ regional•

Mar. 27 @ state•

O n Jan. 23, the iron will be pounding and the muscles straining in the junior high gym for the fi rst time in three years. Starting at 9 a.m. the Brahmas

will host their fi rst power-lifting meet since 2007, when the seniors were only freshmen. “We will host the meet because it will give us a good opportunity to get all of our guys lifting in a meet,” coach Mike Merritt said. “Having the meet at home will also make it easier for the community to see us participate without having to travel, and

GET BIGFocusing on his form, senior Adam Kubena pushes up his squat during a Tuesday practice. Kubena is one of the fi ve seniors lifting for the Brahmas, and he qualifi ed for the regional meet last year. “I decided to lift this year because I wanted to show colleges that I could be strong enough to be a lineman for their team,” Kubena said. (Photos by Fortenberry)

junior Zach Castillo

senior Dany Machadoand junior Miles Lee

it will also be a great way to promote our program,” Merritt added. Members of the team are looking forward to the home meet as well. “We haven’t had a meet since our freshman year. So it’s cool that we’re going to having a meet before the end of our senior year,” senior lifter Daniel Johnston said. Johnston is one of the fi ve seniors on the power-lifting team. Last year there were no seniors to lead the group. Most of the seniors have been lifting since they were freshmen or sophomores. “These seniors have the experience

they need,” senior lifter Dany Machado, said. “We have been to the regional meet before, and many of us believe we can make it to state this year.” In fact, the Brahmas sent eight lifters to the regional meet last year. Seven of those regional qualifi ers are back this year looking for a repeat. Machado also was the only Brahma state qualifi er. Several other lifters fell just short of the state meet, but they hope to qualify this year. “There’s no guarantees but I hope that returning to regional will be motivation for those guys,” Merritt said. “We’re hoping that the regional qualifi ers’ work habits will affect the younger guys.”

The power lifters have already started preparing for the season with three days of lifting a week, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. They are already seeing some improvement and are always looking for more. “The biggest thing is to take what we accomplished and move forward,” Merritt said. “We’re using where we left off at the end of the year last year as a starting point.”

junior Nick Longoria

Dec.17, 2009Page 14 SportsChelsea Derrick- reporter

With a 6-3 pre-district record starting off a new season, head basketball coach Charlie Syphrett has high expectations for

the Brahmas. He has put in time, sweat, and hard work into getting his team into shape and promoting his program. “I have been working hard to promote the idea of our team helping develop into a first class program. These boys have definitely showed more dedication and intensity then I have seen in awhile here. That makes it easier for me to promote them when they are trying their best,” Syphrett said. The boys have definitely noticed the hard work and effort that Syphrett has put into the team. He is working hard to try to make Brahma basketball an equally important sport as football is in the school and community. “Coach is working hard to get basketball up to football, and it’s time for that. We have a good record going on and are working together harder,” junior Ben Anderson said. “I appreciate what he is doing. It’s time to have a basketball coach who wants to keep us in shape for basketball, not just for football and track. We don’t want to be a pass by sport until track anymore,” Anderson said. Practice for the boys started the Saturday after the last football game on Nov. 7. Since then the boys have been working to make a new name for themselves.

“Practices have been going well,” senior Tyler Dawson said. “Our practices have been productive and beneficial. We seem to get more of the technical plays perfected. We are practicing to win.” For the boys not only does their practice time give them a chance to improve, but their games do as well. Every boy has his own goals he are working on, which seems to be one of the key reasons for the team’s success so far. “My goal during every game is working on not just focusing on myself, but also on my teammates as well. When I’m on the court my main focus is to remember everyone’s strengths and weaknesses,” Anderson said. Individual goals and the desire to win seems to be working for the Brahmas. “Our team has much more heart then any other team in the district. I think our desire to win is much stronger than any other team,” senior Alex Wasek said. With all the goals and expectations set for his team, Coach Syphrett reminds his team to keep striving for the best. However, he also reminds them about the setbacks they are sure to meet along the road. “The boys need to stay focused on winning the games ahead of them. But they also have to understand that there will be setbacks that will cross their path along the way. They have to learn to just keep pushing through them and keep striving to succeed,” Syphrett said.

1st Team All-Districtjr. Nick Longoria-Defensive Lineman

soph. Donnel Sculer-Newcomer/YearDEFENSE

sr. Tyler Dawson-Linemansr. Gabe Segrest-Linebackersr. Tyler Sainz-Defensive Backjr. Zach Castillo-Special Team Expert

OFFENSE

sr. Gabe Segrest-Offensive Line jr. Miles Lee-Tight End

sr. Alex Waseksr. Adam Kubenasr. Dany Machado

sr. Justin Breedlovejr. Jacob Floyd

sr. C.J. Cliftonsr. Justin Breedlovesr. Jacob Spitzmillersr. Austin Matura Sr. Gabe Segrestsr. Colby Floydsr. Bryan Kulhaneksr. Alex Wasek sr. Adam Kubenajr. Jacob Hough

sr. Dany Machadosr. Daniel Johnstonsr. Tyler Dawsonjr. Shawn Goffjr. Zach Castillojr. Miles Leejr. Jacob Floydjr. Justin Polakfresh. Ty Slanina

1) Head Coach Charlie Syphrett gives a pep talk to his team during a time out in the the game against Danbury. This game set the Brahmas with an undefeated record of 2-0 with a score of 42-34. (Photo by Lopez) 2) Freshman Ty Slanina reaches up for a layup in the first game of the season against Rosehill Christian. The final score was 29-28, with Slanina scoring two points that contributed to the win. 3) Senior Tyler Dawson focuses on getting past the other player. Dawson led the team with 8 points and 15 rebounds to snag the victory. “I always try my best and try to be aware of what’s going on around me. I feel like all my hard work benefited not only me, but also my team,” Dawson said. (Photos by Clifton)

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Dec. 17, 2009 Page 15SportsJesse Longoria-Editor-N-Chief

The varsity Brahmarettes have started their district season with wins in the first two games against Rice and Weimar. They hold an undefeated record and said they

have worked hard to get there. “It was amazing to win the not only the first game and Weimar, but to also beat Rice. It really boosted our confidence as a team,” junior Emily Thurman said. Winning the first game in district has led to players setting goals for themselves. “My goal during the season is to improve during every game and help my team as much as I possibly can,” Thurman said. This is Thurman’s first year to play on varsity where she is seeing things run differently. She says that her older teammates have greeted her onto the court “The upperclassmen are nice. They made me feel welcomed onto their team. I might be short, but I like what I play,” Thurman said. The team has been working together for months, and the team can feel it. “I enjoy having the new and old teammates. We all mesh together well, and everybody gets along. We are working as a team,” senior Hillarie Blazek said. Even though they may e working together, some team members feel more stress than others. Being on varsity has led Thurman to put in her all in each game because she finds playing on varsity put more pressure on her. “Being on varsity is definitely more stressful than being on junior varsity. I feel like I have to focus to prove myself,” Thurman said. “Although it takes more responsibility to be on this team, I think that it’s fun, and the underclassmen look up to us as leaders.” Since varsity is more demanding, the newcomers, along with the former varsity

players have been preparing by putting effort and hard work into their practices. “Our practices are intense; we start off with offense and then move to defense,” junior Larrissa Wilson said. “We do a lot in a short amount of time. I feel like we work together as a team,” . Wilson is not the only one who thinks that the practices are hard The rest of the team agrees but knows they they are beneficial. “As a team we have improved so much since last year. We work extremely hard in

HEADING TO THE BASKETSenior Hillarie Blazek goes down the court to shoot a basket in the game against Weimar. This win left the Brahmarettes with a 2-0 district record. “It was my job as a point guard to take the ball and shoot baskets as much as I could,” Blazek said. (Photo by Kubena)

practice, and scrimmaging the 8th grade boys has helped us out a lot too,” senior Anna Giannetti said. While the team has improved, Blazek has her own goals she has set to achieve since she is a senior this year. “I’m sad it’s my last year, but I know it will be fun and exciting,” Blazek said.“Since we have a chance to go to the playoffs this year, I’m going to give my all the whole time because we haven’t gone to the playoffs in a while,” Although they have set high goals, the gils know they still have to fight schools that they see as big competitors. “Hempstead and Schulenburg are our biggest competition because they are real basketball schools. They practice all year round,” junior Trisha Polak said. Although the Brahmarettes have to face big opponents ahead, they are still hopeful for the season. “I feel good about this season because as a team we have improved so much,” Giannetti said.

“The atmosphere of the team was full of drive and desire. Everything we accomplished was a great way to end my last cross country season,” Walters said. Ending the season by making the dream of placing at state come true was a feeling the runners shared. “Cross country might seem like a crazy sport to some, but when you achieve that impossible goal, it is an indescribable feeling,” Merrit said.

Dec. 17, 2009Page 16 SportsKristen Gertson- Reporter

Every runner counts,” yelled Mr. Coach Wayne Walters. And truly, they did. On the home stretch every runner each EB cross country teammate

caught sent a bronze metal into their grasp. By placing 3rd at the state meet on Nov. 14 in Round Rock, the cross country Brahmarettes went farther than any other girls’from here. Senior Kayla Tovar felt the Brahmarettes’ dedication and committment helped them to succeed. “I felt more dedication from the team, and that helped us reach state,” Tovar said. “Everyone put all they had into cross country even with all the extra activities they were involved in.”

Everyone agrees that 3rd place in state is a great accomplishment, but the Brahmarettes said they had hoped for more. When the team found out they had placed 3rd, only two points behind 2nd-place Brock, it was natural for them to be disappointed. “It was hard to place 3rd because if just any of us had passed two team competitors, we would have gotten 2nd. If only we had known. But no matter what, we should be proud of ourselves,” junior Christy Acevedo said. Not only was medaling at state a great way to end the season, but for seniors Tovar, Amanda Walters, and Kelsey Merrit, it was also a perfect closing to a high school cross country career.

3rd

Tyler Dawson, Miles Locke, Davis Badger, Zach Sprague, Patrick Pitts, Thomas Garcia, Nick Guerra

CHAMPIONS(front row) Megan Kovar, Christy Avevedo, Patrick Pitts, Nick Guerra, Zach Sprague, Lauren Hlavinka, Kristen Gertson; (back row) Allie Bradley, Kayla Tovar, Tyler Dawson, Davis Badger, Miles Locke, Thomas Garcia, Kelsey Merrit, Amanda Walters, Coach Susie Walters

Q: How does it feel to be a coach of two state medalist teams?

A: It is an awesome feeling mostly because I know how hard everyone worked. It was fun to see that pay

off. In every sport, every team’s ultimate goal is to make it to state. To have that goal from the beginning and to end up with a state championship at the end is

the ultimate goal. -Coach Susie Walters

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-sophomore Megan Kovar