Rising sites are a slap in the Facebook

By Tanner McCord Staff Writer In the past month, I have gained around 25 followers (not including spam accounts/people I don’t know) on Twitter. I have gotten two friend requests that I can remember on Facebook. Of course, I have had my Facebook for about three years longer than I have had Twitter, so it is understandable that I would not be receiving as many requests. Since seventh grade I have collected a fluctuating total of around 870 Facebook “friends,” and since my start on Twitter in mid-2011 I have gained a total of 159 followers. This begs the question: are social sites like Twitter and Tumblr stealing Facebook’s spotlight? I find myself on Twitter…

First comes self-fulfillment

By Erica Rohde Staff Writer   There have been many people in our lives who have told us to love others just as we love ourselves. But there is a giant loophole in this statement. If I hated myself, it would be much harder to love others. If I looked at myself in the mirror and criticized every aspect of myself, I would have the tendency to criticize every aspect of my parents, my best friend or even a boyfriend. If I criticized myself and picked myself apart, I would feel as if others are doing the same to me. Let’s be honest, middle school is the awkward period. Girls get catty and guys will…

America continues to act as ‘world police,’ Cowlishaw says

By Ben Cowlishaw Online Copy Editor The entire founding of our country was based on the protection and defense of human rights. The Declaration of Independence reads, “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.” It can be interpreted if we have the means and resources to act when human rights are being removed or violated, we have the responsibility as well. It is a common debate in this country as well as internationally what the United States’ place is in interfering and engaging in other countries’ conflicts, if we are not directly involved or…

Finding faith in Bible Belt

Madison Ford Entertainment Editor The south is loud and proud when it comes to religion. Growing up in the Bible Belt has been an interesting experience for me. I was raised Catholic by two parents both from the Northeast. I was raised to view my religion as something personal and private. As I grew older, however, I began to see that my subdued faith greatly differed from that of my peers. They wore their Christianity boldly on their sleeves. Literally. Being Christian was a fashion statement, an after-school activity, and, most important, a message they needed to share. With everyone. This is not to say this was wrong. Just different — for me. I was…

Quality over quantity should define Club choices

By Kristen Shepard Staff Writer To the student who shudders at the idea of fitting their resume onto one page, you are, more than likely, spreading yourself too thin. Be involved. It has been pounded into your brain since before you started high school. My parents always told me trying new things and being involved in my school and community would never fail me, but there is a definite line between effective and obsessive involvement. America’s most widely used college application, The Common App, gives students 10 blank spaces to write in their extra-curricular activities. Believe it or not, the application is like this for a reason. There is something suspicious about a student who…

Prom proposals become competitive, over the top

By Julianne Cauley News Editor There are huge signs hanging from the senior bridge, expensive products custom made, questions popped at major pep rallies and cakes baked in the shape of hearts. For many guys at Coppell High School, the task of planning an extravagant way of asking has turned “prom” into a four-letter word. Prom is a stressful time when groups are organized, limos are rented, reservations are made and dresses are carefully selected. So much thought is put into the actual event that often times the proposal is overlooked and unappreciated. While both girls and guys can ask someone to prom, I am just going to generalize it for clarity. Girls usually get…

3D Movies, the good, the bad, and the unacceptable

By Tanner McCord Staff Writer At the end of almost every movie trailer, you see the words “Real 3D,” which to me, are quite unfortunate. Even worse, some movies being created now are exclusively in 3D. What next, 4D? Actually, it has already been done, Spy Kids 4 had a scratch and sniff interactive card with the purchase of your ticket and 3D glasses. At Vista Ridge, a student ticket for a standard movie is $7.50, for 3D they are $11.50. Hollywood Theater on MacArthur’s prices begin at $9.50 and jump to $12.50 in 3D. And if you want to make the drive to Grapevine Mills, you can expect to pay $7.50 for standard and…

The dirt on prescription drugs

By Dyer Whitt Staff Writer After 40 years, the American budget for the “War on Drugs” has racked up an impressive $1 trillion with the hopes of ridding the country of illegal drugs. However, prescription drugs are hitting a little too close to home and are not getting the attention they deserve. In the United States, more than 2,500 teens everyday will abuse prescription drugs for the first time. This alarming statistic is often overshadowed by constant attention to illegal drugs, which are not pharmaceutically and professionally manufactured. What is even more concerning is that the government is making billions of dollars a year from selling prescription drugs without even realizing the drugs are dangerous….

Students no longer hear about making good choices

By Christina Burke Staff Writer Many people have witnessed it first hand; that rebellious group of kids that look way to young to be smoking or drinking in a public place. Standing there taking in this experience, it is easy to wonder what these kids are thinking, how they will get home unnoticed and even who is going to talk some sense into them. What ever happened to the just say ‘no’ talks? In a top-notch society like Coppell, adults preach to kids from an extremely early age the importance of just saying ‘no’ to the destructive paths that drugs and alcohol lead us to. Back in elementary school, we could not begin to comprehend…

Final celebration coming into focus for seniors

By Kara Adkins Online Copy Editor My nails will be painted, hair done, dress altered, makeup applied. No, I am not getting married; I am talking about April 14: Prom Day. I have been thinking about prom since I was 13, and that is not an exaggeration. Now that it draws closer, it seems to be implanted in my frontal lobe. If you looked at my search history on my computer, you would find prom dresses, celebrity hairand best makeup, would top the list of my recent searches. Assuming I am not the only girl at Coppell High School counting down the days to being asked to prom, going to prom and attending an after…