Current Events Quiz 4.2

1. Why is the Austin Fire Department "settling" with the federal government? Story page A1, "Firefighters...."
The hiring of minority firefighters after federal officials said last year they uncovered evidence of discrimination. 
2. What major retailer recently reported that millions of people's credit card data had been hacked? Business section
Target.
3. What internet-based video service reported four million new subscribers in the 4th quarter of 2013, marking the biggest single quarter increase in their history? Business section
Netflix.
4. What is the definition of a midwife, according to the story on page B1?
Specialized nurses who focus on natural child birth including labor and delivery without medical intervention or drugs to relieve pain. 
5. What former UT football recently filed for bankruptcy? Sports

Vince Young.

1. Recently the federal government refused to tackle the subject of genetically modified food labels, forcing individual states to determine whether they are going to pass laws that require food manufactures to label all food that has been modified. There is a story about this on page B8 of today's paper. Please answer the following questions:

A. Do you think that food producers should be required to label all food items that have been modified? WHY?

I think they should because consumers should know exactly what they are eating and everything about it. We should be sure of everything in and about our food for us to make a decision whether or not to eat it.

B. Are you aware of what foods you eat that have been altered? How does that impact your food consumption?

I didn't know that. It makes me feel a little more skeptical and to maybe not buy brands that are sketchy or really unhealthy. 

C. Does your family shop with these so-called GMO's in mind?

My family usually shops at Whole Foods and they try their hardest to purchase food that is organic. They focus a lot on what food we eat and their health factors.

D. Do you think that food should be altered in any way to increase its size, taste or otherwise? Why?

I don't think so because it could be gaining characteristics that are making it worse and you're losing it's original benefits. Food should be consumed in it's natural state and pesticides and hormones should not be added. 

Current Events Quiz 4.1

1. Why is the amount of money available to candidates in the Texas governor race so important? Reference story Page 1, "Abbot has 3-1 fund edge..."
The more money that they raise will help the candidate win the election.
2. What is the biggest controversy surrounding the federal budget bill passed by the house yesterday? Reference story Page 1, "House approves $1.1 trillion..."
The Conservatives are angry because they believe the missed things in the bill since it was so long. 

3.Why is Apple refunding nearly $32.5 million to consumers? Reference story page B7, "Apple to refund..."
Kids are purchasing apps that cost lots of money that parents weren't aware of.
4. Who are the final 4 teams in the NFL play-offs? Reference Sports section
New England, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

5. What makes printmaking unique, according to the article? Reference story page D1, "Print Austin celebrates..."
They make each of there prints to be different from each other.
REMINDER - Some of you are not writing enough here. A single sentence isn't enough. I expect you to expand upon your writing. If you think you have written enough, you haven't, write more. Be sure to answer WHY you think something.

1. Yesterday the first child death from the flu was confirmed in Travis County. Does the potential of you getting very sick, maybe even dying from something like the Flu or some sort of transmittable disease frighten you? Do you worry about your health to that level? Has the recent cedar fever outbreak impacted you and caused you to have additional health problems?
I get the Flu shot every year so it doesn't worry me but I do like to make sure i take precautions. I would say I'm more healthy than others when it comes to germs. I always use hand sanitizer and never eat off of tables or floors or do dumb teenage dares that involve germs. I am super susceptible to allergies but I always get through it. It's actually not affecting me this time around though because i recently got on lots of medication for my allergies and it has caused them to nearly disappear. 

Feature Story

Matt Becker, a former Bowie High School student from Austin, Texas joined the United States Navy in October of 2012.

Before Matt joined the military he had a different job.

"I was working at this Gray Rock Golf Course as a maintenance person. I mowed the greens, t-boxes, and fairways. I enjoyed he job because it was outdoors work. I enjoyed driving the different types of vehicles." Matt said.

Although Matt liked his job he decided the military was the direction he wanted to go.

"The Navy was my first choice, I really enjoy being out on boats and I enjoy being out on the ocean." Matt explained.

Matts love for the ocean started out young.

"When I was a kid my dad would take me out fishing and I developed a great love for the ocean." Matt said.

Boot Camp is the first training step in joining the Navy.

"When I first got to boot camp I looked at somebody and she told me that she would slit my throat if I kept looking at her." Matt said.

Going through Boot Camp is an intense experience for everyone there.

"When I got there I thought that I wasn't going to get through it because it's very overwhelming and stressful and there's a lot of screaming and yelling and everything you do is wrong even if it isn't. It made me feel helpless." Matt explained.

Going through the camp affected Matt in different ways.

"I felt a change for the first couple months, I was a lot more calm but now I feel a lot more normal. It helped me realize that I can get through stuff like that and get through hard times and it helps me not give up so easily." Matt shared.

Matt has a very important job working on the USS Carl Vinson air craft carrier.

"I am a helmsman. Out on the ocean I go up to the Bridge where the high ranking officers in the military work, Captain Whalen and Admiral Steinedl, I have to drive the ship in front of them. It puts a lot of pressure on me and 518s are landing on the flight deck while I'm steering." Matt explained.

This job is very serious and requires a lot of dedication.

"I drive anywhere from 2-6 hours and sometimes even 9. I have to stay on the course and I can't go more than .2 of a degree off the course." Matt shared.

Matt's close friend Brandon Stewart, is a helmsman with Matt.

"We picked it up really fast and learned it really quick. Matt is one of the best at it." Brandon said.

Matt gets along with Brandon on the ship, and it seems Matt gets along with everyone else as well.

"Matt is hilarious. He's positive in terrible situations. He helps my other friends and me get through the day at work. You talk to Matt and you forget why you're mad of pissed off." Brandon said.

Matt takes a lot of pride in his job.

"I enjoy the stress and the challenge of driving the shop and I like being able to say I drive an aircraft carrier on one of the largest ships in the world." Matt shared.

Although he loves his job in the Navy, he has other plans for when he gets out.

"I want to go work for Whole Foods in downtown Austin, Texas. I'd like to intern there with demographics while I go to Texas State." Matt said.

Matt doesn't spend all of his time working, he likes to do things for himself.

"I like to fish, I sometimes catch sting rays, sharks, and bass. I like to cruise around the beaches, I hang out with my wife, watch movies, or go out to eat." Matt said.

San Diego California is where he lives.

"I love it, I couldn't be happier. Southern California you can't beat it. The weather is perfect and I've got my own place here, it's good." Matt said.

The ship isn't always the safest place to be.

"One time I remember almost falling off the boat. The last time I went out to sea a helicopter went off the flight deck and I was below the flight deck and the roader almost lifted me up and flew me off the boat. I thought I was going to fly up in the air. I grabbed onto a pole." Matt explained.

Being in the Navy has shown Matt things he would have never seen before.

"Since I've joined the Navy, I have had the opportunity to drive an aircraft carrier, seen jets landing on aircraft carriers, big ships pulling along side and poking up hoses from our ship to supply jet fuel." Matt explained.

Out on the ocean amazing things can be seen.

"At night time it's pitch dark out on the ocean and when you look into the water from the back of the ship, you see glowing green almost like glow sticks in the water and it's actually algae." Matt described.

Being out on the ocean, you don't have any cell phone service and barely any internet.

"It's hard not using your cell phone but when I wasn't married it was easier for me. it used to be a nice break but now it's a lot harder because I can't just text my wife and ask how she's doing, I have to go to a pay phone and sometimes they don't work." Matt shared.

Matts family is very proud of him for making the choice of going into the Navy.

"I feel that he's getting good work experiences that could carry over to other things in his life. " Stephanie Becker, Matt's mother said.

There is a lot of positivity coming from his family.

"He will gain experience and be exposed to different jobs he wouldn't have normally endured. " Stephanie said.

Being an enlisted member of the military got ranked as the most stressful job of 2014. This says a lot about the hard work and dedication put into Matt's job. 

Feature Writing Example

1. When you read the headline, were you at all interested in the story?
Yes2. After you completed the story, what were two things you learned about that you did not know before?
I learned that these men have such strong connections with what happened, I also learned that they will always carry their experiences with them for the rest of their lives.3. Was the story better than you expected after reading the headline?
So much better.4. What person was the story written in?
First.
5. Did the chronological format help the story in your opinion?
Yes it made me want to keep reading.6. How many different people did the writer quote in the story?
127. What was the thematic element the writer used throughout the story?
The writer used the metaphor "Time is a thief that comes in the night and robs us". 8. How did the quotes help the story?
They created more emotion and connection to the reader.9. Was the story written in a very strict, quote-transition format?
No.10. How is this story different than the hard news pieces we have written in the past?

It went in chronological order, and it wasn't in quote-transition format. He also used words besides "he said" and "she said".

Lone Star Dispatch Reading

Commentary- Many Students are Unaware of Hanukkah Traditions

Rachel Crawford talks about the true meaning and traditions of Hanukkah. She shows us that we may not know as much as we think we do about Hanukkah and what we know may even be wrong. 

Who was quoted in the story? No one. 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? Not any.

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

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement.

News- Science Day students interact with kids

Bowie had a science day where kindergarteners and first graders come and learn about science. All of the different science teachers had different learning games for all of the kids.

Who was quoted in the story? Nikki Vohl, Lindsay Stites, and Kendall Hanson. 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "The little kids love the big kids and they will listen to anything that they say," Vohl said. 

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

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement. 

Student Life- Stressed? Hop on the stress-free wagon

The article talks about how everyone is stressed at one point or another when it comes to school and homework. Students talk about what stresses them out and how they cope with their stress.

Who was quoted in the story? Olivia Roberts, Alexandra Ansdell, and Erik Rhodes.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "When I'm stressed, I go for a run," freshman Erik Rhodes said. "I love king out, and having time to think, all while being active."

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

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement

Rewritten Lead: There is no denying that stress is affecting you at some point in your high school career. 

Entertainment- Choir brings the heat at winter concert

The Bowie Choir puts a lot of hard work into their performances and songs. There are other clubs that allow the choir kids to sing and do more dancing. 

Who was quoted in the story? Austin Hyde, Cate Obert-Thorn, and DJ Fortner.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "Choir has really helped me by not only teaching me how to sing properly but how to be a good chorus member, because regardless of your hopes and dreams you won't always be the lead in everything" thespian and sophomore DJ Fortner said. 

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? No. 

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote.

Trends and Culinary- The campus cools down, the winter styles heat up

The weather is getting cold so Bowie students talk about what they wear to keep warm. They wear sweaters, boots, leggings and lots of layers. 

Who was quoted in the story? Victoria Saenz, Christian Haddad, and Karla Boone.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "You can have your summer clothes and then just put a scarf over it or a sweater and another jacket," Saenz said. 

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? No.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement.

Sports- Annual Powder Puff Games return

The Powder Puff comes together this year. The Silver Stars are the ones who put it all together, and a lot of people are expected to show up and support. 

Who was quoted in the story? Jennifer Dawson.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "The girls are playing football, the guys are coaching or cheering, and there's even a halftime show from the Silver Studs. It's good clean fun for everyone." 

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? No.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Maryam Hussain

In-Depth- Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an 8 day celebration that is also known as the Festival of Lights. Students talk about their traditions celebrating Hanukkah. 

Who was quoted in the story? Brandon Crawford and Megan Schwab. 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? Hanukkah is special for me because I get to be with my family: we laugh, eat, and just have fun together," Schwab said. "The story of Haukkah itself is kind of a reminder to me to always preserver. 

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? No. 

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote.

Article Suggestions:

• Miss Saigon the musical/the rehearsal process
• Spring Shows
• Theatre UIL 
• Martin Luther King Day
• Super Bowl
• Should Juniors be allowed to leave campus?
• How cold the hallways are
• People making out in hallways: a.k.a PDA
• Lockers
• New Bathrooms