DECA Kickoff
First club meeting initiates progress for competition season
By: Madyson Isenberg (12), Staff Writer
With Fall approaching, clubs and organizations begin to meet to discuss their plans for their upcoming season. DECA held their first official meeting on Friday Sept. 8, located in the auditorium.
DECA is a student-led business organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management through competition and networking. The goal for this year is to grow the chapter (Clemens DECA) by 20 more members and to increase the number of competitors who qualify for ICDC (International Competition).
Club President Hunter Long (12) said, “The goals I have for DECA this year is to expand the club, and make people more aware of what we do as a group, and engage people with the business world. I also hope to see everyone advance to ICDC competition in California! DECA has helped me to become more confident in my public speaking, and has better prepared me for college”
DECA has provided people with skills for the future, business oriented opportunities, fun excuses to travel but it also provides the opportunity to befriend people and make lasting friendships and memories. If interested in joining please see Mr. Pratt or Mrs. Lauinger, located in the E200 hall.
“I’m beyond excited for DECA to start, I get to do a project with my friend Melanie. We are both very outgoing, love to help make an impact on younger students and are passionate about positivity, through DECA I’m able to fulfill that. I’m looking forward to going on trips but also enjoy my last year with our sponsors Mr. Pratt and Mrs. Lauinger, they are the best! My goal is to qualify for state and make it to ICDC and even if I don’t qualify I would still be happy that I got to spread awareness to Corbett kids about mental health, which honestly makes me happy in the long run,” Assistant Vice-President Alice Mithanga (12) said.
As you can see the DECA officers are very passionate about what they do and how it affects their lives however, they aren't the only ones who contain this passion. DECA sponsor Mr. Pratt shared the same excitement as he talked about the goals for DECA, his personal experience with the club, and the opportunities being in the club creates.
“I'm always excited about the DECA competition season. It allows us to see kids take what we teach and what they learn in our classes and apply it to real world activities, applications, and competition. DECA is the best student-led organization I have ever seen or been a part of and it continues to grow and evolve to give students the best opportunities and experiences to reach the next level and beyond,” Mr. Pratt said. “DECA has allowed me to network with other business professionals, travel to places I would have never been to, make lifelong friends and acquaintances, and has given me a passion in conjunction with teaching to participate in.
DECA is a student-led business organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management through competition and networking. The goal for this year is to grow the chapter (Clemens DECA) by 20 more members and to increase the number of competitors who qualify for ICDC (International Competition).
Club President Hunter Long (12) said, “The goals I have for DECA this year is to expand the club, and make people more aware of what we do as a group, and engage people with the business world. I also hope to see everyone advance to ICDC competition in California! DECA has helped me to become more confident in my public speaking, and has better prepared me for college”
DECA has provided people with skills for the future, business oriented opportunities, fun excuses to travel but it also provides the opportunity to befriend people and make lasting friendships and memories. If interested in joining please see Mr. Pratt or Mrs. Lauinger, located in the E200 hall.
“I’m beyond excited for DECA to start, I get to do a project with my friend Melanie. We are both very outgoing, love to help make an impact on younger students and are passionate about positivity, through DECA I’m able to fulfill that. I’m looking forward to going on trips but also enjoy my last year with our sponsors Mr. Pratt and Mrs. Lauinger, they are the best! My goal is to qualify for state and make it to ICDC and even if I don’t qualify I would still be happy that I got to spread awareness to Corbett kids about mental health, which honestly makes me happy in the long run,” Assistant Vice-President Alice Mithanga (12) said.
As you can see the DECA officers are very passionate about what they do and how it affects their lives however, they aren't the only ones who contain this passion. DECA sponsor Mr. Pratt shared the same excitement as he talked about the goals for DECA, his personal experience with the club, and the opportunities being in the club creates.
“I'm always excited about the DECA competition season. It allows us to see kids take what we teach and what they learn in our classes and apply it to real world activities, applications, and competition. DECA is the best student-led organization I have ever seen or been a part of and it continues to grow and evolve to give students the best opportunities and experiences to reach the next level and beyond,” Mr. Pratt said. “DECA has allowed me to network with other business professionals, travel to places I would have never been to, make lifelong friends and acquaintances, and has given me a passion in conjunction with teaching to participate in.
The harsh reality of student businesses
Is our school just one big monopoly?
By: Benjamin Cavazos (11), Staff Writer
If school promotes students to build businesses in the near future, why do they disencourage it now?
Overtime, schools have had to set in laws when it comes to student businesses, in the Texas Administrative Code. It has been stated that students selling snacks or candy is prohibited.
Destiny Villareal (11) formerly distributed and sold bracelets in school to make profit. Although she was mostly secretive about it, she has an opinion about the banning of forming businesses.
“Besides making money, while looking on the internet, I was inspired to build a business,” Destiny said.
Due to the distraction and disruption selling things at school brings, students more often than not get punished if they are caught with selling. The students think this is unjustified and needs a true explanation.
“I haven’t been told anything about selling anything yet, so I still continue to sell bracelets,” Villareal said.
Speculations of the school wanting an entire monopoly has risen from the ground, assuming the school wants total control of all sales and purchases. Although it has not been proven, students who run businesses fully believe the school is shutting down operations due to greed.
“I don’t exactly have an issue with the rules, but if the school tells me to stop then I have to,” Villareal said.
Overtime, schools have had to set in laws when it comes to student businesses, in the Texas Administrative Code. It has been stated that students selling snacks or candy is prohibited.
Destiny Villareal (11) formerly distributed and sold bracelets in school to make profit. Although she was mostly secretive about it, she has an opinion about the banning of forming businesses.
“Besides making money, while looking on the internet, I was inspired to build a business,” Destiny said.
Due to the distraction and disruption selling things at school brings, students more often than not get punished if they are caught with selling. The students think this is unjustified and needs a true explanation.
“I haven’t been told anything about selling anything yet, so I still continue to sell bracelets,” Villareal said.
Speculations of the school wanting an entire monopoly has risen from the ground, assuming the school wants total control of all sales and purchases. Although it has not been proven, students who run businesses fully believe the school is shutting down operations due to greed.
“I don’t exactly have an issue with the rules, but if the school tells me to stop then I have to,” Villareal said.
Gaming Up for the New Season
Varsity Football Prepares Mentally and Physically
By: Hailey Gorzell (11), Editor-in-chief
Sweat trickles down a player’s face as the stands roar with intensity. The buzzer counts down to a terrifying fate as the team hurls the ball across each line in hopes of a touchdown. Exhilaration courses through their veins as they clinch the victory.
On Sept. 1 at Lehnhoff stadium, varsity football won 31-7 against Del Valle, securing a 1-1 record. Camaraderie on the team is at an all-time high thanks to several key leaders.
Ocean Zuniga (11) began playing football at five through the encouragement of his dad and his uncle. As the middle linebacker or defensive captain, he reads the defense and sets up the string of players before the play.
“Off season, I go to this training place called Only the Elite; they give me reps like my speed and my agility,” Zuniga said. “I love weightlifting, so I always go to the gym; I try to go five, six times a week.”
Players complete drills such as D-line vs L-line referred to as “LOB.” It's a competition of linebackers and defensive backs against receivers, and they try to guard each other.
Lucas Arradondo (11) is a defensive player and long snapper, so he snaps the ball to the punter who kicks the ball.
“I grew up watching football, and there was a little BVYA team down the road at Pickrell Park, so I just started playing there and I never quit because I enjoyed it,” Arrandondo said.
Many players began their career at a young age and practiced together before high school. Bryson Black (11) values football as a part of the fabric of his childhood.
“I’ve been playing with some of these people since I was little, like Lucas,” Black said. “I have good teammates; I make a bad play, and they boost me up.”
Varsity managers hold players accountable on and off the field and encourage them from the sidelines. Varsity manager Clark Mills (11) appreciates the camaraderie and stress outlet football provides.
“My favorite part of football is the brotherhood because I know I can call those guys at any hour of the day or night, and I know they’re going to help me out whenever I need,” Mills said.
As for improvement, the team practices tackling drills to prevent mistackle and verbal communication for plays and positions.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the Steele 3009 game, go show em’ what’s up you know, " Zuinga said. “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing our team improve; I’ve got to get my seniors right and the youngins on varsity.”
On Sept. 1 at Lehnhoff stadium, varsity football won 31-7 against Del Valle, securing a 1-1 record. Camaraderie on the team is at an all-time high thanks to several key leaders.
Ocean Zuniga (11) began playing football at five through the encouragement of his dad and his uncle. As the middle linebacker or defensive captain, he reads the defense and sets up the string of players before the play.
“Off season, I go to this training place called Only the Elite; they give me reps like my speed and my agility,” Zuniga said. “I love weightlifting, so I always go to the gym; I try to go five, six times a week.”
Players complete drills such as D-line vs L-line referred to as “LOB.” It's a competition of linebackers and defensive backs against receivers, and they try to guard each other.
Lucas Arradondo (11) is a defensive player and long snapper, so he snaps the ball to the punter who kicks the ball.
“I grew up watching football, and there was a little BVYA team down the road at Pickrell Park, so I just started playing there and I never quit because I enjoyed it,” Arrandondo said.
Many players began their career at a young age and practiced together before high school. Bryson Black (11) values football as a part of the fabric of his childhood.
“I’ve been playing with some of these people since I was little, like Lucas,” Black said. “I have good teammates; I make a bad play, and they boost me up.”
Varsity managers hold players accountable on and off the field and encourage them from the sidelines. Varsity manager Clark Mills (11) appreciates the camaraderie and stress outlet football provides.
“My favorite part of football is the brotherhood because I know I can call those guys at any hour of the day or night, and I know they’re going to help me out whenever I need,” Mills said.
As for improvement, the team practices tackling drills to prevent mistackle and verbal communication for plays and positions.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the Steele 3009 game, go show em’ what’s up you know, " Zuinga said. “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing our team improve; I’ve got to get my seniors right and the youngins on varsity.”
The Beautiful Self-Reflection of Utopia
Travis Scott’s new album is his most vulnerable yet
By: Padraig Gillis (10), Staff Writer
Since it was announced, Utopia has been one of the most notorious albums of the 2020s. Three years ago, Travis teased the album with a cryptic Instagram post, but he did not release it until 2023. People have speculated that it was delayed due to the Astroworld tragedy. Others say he was just working on it for a prolonged period.
Along with the actual album, Travis teased a concert in the Great Pyramids of Giza, his first concert in over 2 years. People flew internationally just to see him perform, spending thousands to experience the album in a live setting. Despite this, Travis Scott canceled the show entirely. Along with the concert, Travis partnered with The Fader magazine to release his own font. The font consists of him posing in various letters, and it was released to build hype towards the release of Utopia. Even though the release of Utopia was messy, it still ended up being a fantastic project.
Utopia is a perfect mix of self-reflective lyricism and traditional trap music that Travis popularized. Songs like FE!N and MELTDOWN best represent this new style of trap, with the former being one of the best on the album. The presence of catchy synths and loud 808s drag the listener into a lucid state. The standard hip-hop songs on this project have some of the biggest highlights of the entire album.
Despite it having its fair share of radio hits, it also dives into a more experimental sound for Travis. Collaborating with artists such as Sampha and Bon Iver, Travis expanded his palette to accommodate slower types of songs. These slower songs often become standouts to fans and critics. TELEKINESIS, MY EYES, and PARASAIL are excellent examples of calmer moments in the album. Cooldowns like these help distinguish Utopia from any other album in Travis’s discography.
Utopia itself is a deep reflection on the Astroworld tragedy, as well as COVID-19. Travis’s self-reflection on this project makes Utopia feel more down to earth than ever. His songwriting abilities have grown since Astroworld, and he’s able to invoke emotion in the listener with his words. While some may not be able to relate to his lifestyle, the impactful lyricism about failure is something most listeners can attach themselves to.
In conclusion, Utopia is a masterclass in making forward-thinking trap music. Travis manages to fuse elements of hip-hop, funk, and plunderphonics to create a life-changing piece of art. Although people claim it’s not his best, its ambition deserves to be recognized.
*Overall Review: 9/10*
Along with the actual album, Travis teased a concert in the Great Pyramids of Giza, his first concert in over 2 years. People flew internationally just to see him perform, spending thousands to experience the album in a live setting. Despite this, Travis Scott canceled the show entirely. Along with the concert, Travis partnered with The Fader magazine to release his own font. The font consists of him posing in various letters, and it was released to build hype towards the release of Utopia. Even though the release of Utopia was messy, it still ended up being a fantastic project.
Utopia is a perfect mix of self-reflective lyricism and traditional trap music that Travis popularized. Songs like FE!N and MELTDOWN best represent this new style of trap, with the former being one of the best on the album. The presence of catchy synths and loud 808s drag the listener into a lucid state. The standard hip-hop songs on this project have some of the biggest highlights of the entire album.
Despite it having its fair share of radio hits, it also dives into a more experimental sound for Travis. Collaborating with artists such as Sampha and Bon Iver, Travis expanded his palette to accommodate slower types of songs. These slower songs often become standouts to fans and critics. TELEKINESIS, MY EYES, and PARASAIL are excellent examples of calmer moments in the album. Cooldowns like these help distinguish Utopia from any other album in Travis’s discography.
Utopia itself is a deep reflection on the Astroworld tragedy, as well as COVID-19. Travis’s self-reflection on this project makes Utopia feel more down to earth than ever. His songwriting abilities have grown since Astroworld, and he’s able to invoke emotion in the listener with his words. While some may not be able to relate to his lifestyle, the impactful lyricism about failure is something most listeners can attach themselves to.
In conclusion, Utopia is a masterclass in making forward-thinking trap music. Travis manages to fuse elements of hip-hop, funk, and plunderphonics to create a life-changing piece of art. Although people claim it’s not his best, its ambition deserves to be recognized.
*Overall Review: 9/10*