CE 4.2

1. Why is the Austin Fire Department "settling" with the federal government? Story page A1, "Firefighters...."
the hiring of minority firefighters
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?
A specialized nurses who focus on natural childbirth, 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 it would be a very good idea to have labels on modified food. People have a right to know what they are eating. We might start to eat healthier if we know what really is in food.

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

No, I have no idea what food has been modified. I do know that food modification happens though. It is fairly obvious that some foods are modified to seem better.

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

No, My family does not. Though I do not eat a lot of food that has been pumped with chemicals. I try to eat as healthy as I can and my family usually tries to do the same.

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

No matter what I think, companies will continue to do this. Food companies try to make things that look and taste pleasing and sometimes that means altering it in some way. I stay away from those foods but companies still do it.

CE 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..."
You can not run a campaign without having a source of money. Thats why people fundraise for their favorite representative in hopes they will win. You have to get your name out there when you are in politics with posters, billboards, commercials, and good press which isn't free. 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..."
I don't quite understand what the bills controversy is over. It is a bill having to do with where the government spends money so there is always going to be some people unhappy. It seems the passed the bill in a, for lack of a better word, sketchy way. 3.Why is Apple refunding nearly $32.5 million to consumers? Reference story page B7, "Apple to refund..."
Apple is refunding people because they have apps that charge money without the players knowledge. 4. Who are the final 4 teams in the NFL play-offs? Reference Sports section
Green bay, Cincinnati,Kansas City and Philadelphia. 
 5. What makes printmaking unique, according to the article? Reference story page D1, "Print Austin celebrates..."
Printmaking is a way to express yourself through a ret and show your talent. There are unique because no two are the same. 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 would not say that becoming ill is a big concern of mine, though I do have a very weak immune system. I think life is way to short to constantly worry about getting sick. But maybe thats because I don't feel afraid of death. I believe when its my time to go, I will be ready. And if not, you can't really do anything about it. I accept the fact that I will die, either tomorrow or 50 years down the road. It's fate's choice.

Feature Article drafting

When we are being honest, children usually like Christmas so much for the presents.

All the new toys, big boxes with endless possibilities, and colorful wrapping paper is a dreamland for kids. 

That's why they try so had to stay up late to hear the flying reindeer hooves on the roof and Santa coming down the chimney.

Sometimes they don’t understand how much effort was put into a gift, especially by someone other than Santa, till later on in life.

Farra Copley is no exception. 

Back in 1982, Christmas to be exact, she received a very memorable gift.

"I remember waking up earlier than everyone else and seeking quietly down the stairs. I saw the glorious Barbie house sitting be the fireplace. The walls had real wallpaper and crown-molding, the floors were tiles and carpeted with real house materials, and the roof had actual shingles on it." 

Her father had crafted it for her and her sister. He easily got the materials since he owned his own construction business.

"It was so much better than anything I had ever seen in stores."

Farra and her sister Gina had seen the commercials for Barbie "Dream house" and instantly fell in love.

Gina recalled the memory perfectly. "We made sure our parents knew how much we wanted a house for all our Barbies. They were meant to be subtle hints but came of as more like begging." 

Farra laughed when she was asked if she and her sister still believed in Santa at the time.

"Surprisingly, yes. Our older siblings didn't ruin the idea of Santa for us when they clearly knew the truth. It was very sweet."

One of their older siblings, Rhonda, said, “It was adorable to see my little sisters fawn over that dollhouse. They had spent the whole night before telling my other siblings and I all about the dream house they planned on receiving. They swore they would die if Santa didn’t get it for them.”

That meant they were quite grateful, to Santa, for the gift.

Their father, Gary Cravens, watched them swoon over the present with a secretive smile on his face.  He remembers getting up that morning and when he went to get his two youngest children, they were nowhere to be seen. He went downstairs to find them staring at the dollhouse with nothing but adoration and gratitude in their eyes.

"Both girls had this sparkle in their eyes. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It made me proud to thin that something I had crafted with my own hands had brought them so much joy. And I knew that at the time, they didn’t know that I had made, but that’s was okay. I knew that one day they would look back and finally understand and grateful for my efforts."

Farra got up from her seated position on the coach to hug her father after he said that.

"It took me a couple of years to finally make the connection between my fathers profession and the house, and that only made it more special to me. Knowing my dad drafted that house for my sister and I means so much more to me than if an imaginary figure had."

Farra now spends her Christmas mornings with her three children and two dogs. She watches them with a big smile as they tear open all the presents that she put so much thought into. 

“I don’t think I could ever make a gift as special as that dollhouse was, but I can try.”

Her little family later go to her sister Gina’s house to eat and open more presents surrounded by their huge family.  

The whole family surrounds me by the end of the multiple interviews. Every one of them smiles at the memories they either remember or are only learning about now.

It as if you could feel the new appreciation everyone in the room has for Christmas.

Artice, Farra’s mother, sat by the couch in her wheelchair and teared up a bit.         

“For all we know, this could be my last Christmas. And although that is a sad thought, it makes me happy to know it was spent with my family. We have always been a tight-nit family and being here with my children and grandchildren is all I could ever ask for.”

To this day, no one knows, or just won’t tell, what happened to that gorgeous dollhouse. After many moves and garage sales, it seemed to disappear into thin air. 

The dollhouse was lost but not forgotten. 

Feature writing example

1. When you read the headline, were you at all interested in the story?
Yes, it is interesting and capturing. 
2. After you completed the story, what were two things you learned about that you did not know before.
To be honest, I didn't know very much about World War 2 or the veterans, but I learned a lot from this story. I didn't know that there was a program that brought veterans to the memorial and I dint know that so many people died in each battle of the war.
3. Was the story better than you expected after reading the headline?
Yes, I think this was a very moving piece.
4. What person was the story written in?
It was written in first person.
5. Did the chronological format help the story in your opinion?
Yes, I think it helped it to flow as smoothly as it did.
6. How many different people did the writer quote in the story?
I think it was 11 or 12.
7. What was the thematic element the writer used throughout the story?
His writing was very thought provoking and emotional. You could feel all the emotions that these men felt.
8. How did the quotes help the story?
The quotes made the story more personal.
9. Was the story written in a very strict, quote-transition format?
I would say so, and i think that made it even better.
10. How is this story different than the hard news pieces we have written in the past?
I would say this story is a lot "fluffier" than the hard news stories we have read or written. It wasn't just about the facts and information, it gave you details that a hard piece may not.

Lone Star Dispatch Issue #3

News: Successful outcome for annual food drive 

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

Alejandro Garcia and his World History and US history classes collected a new record of 1,605 cans for the canned for drive. It helped the students understand how grateful they are right before Thanksgiving.

Who was quoted in the story?

Alejandro Garcia

Junior Katelyn Ruel 

Sophomore Mari Takeda 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

"People don't realize what they have until they lose it."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

The lead was kind of boring in my opinion.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a quote.

Sports: Soccer tryouts - A success 

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

Despite the near freezing temperatures, there were many girls who showed up for soccer tryouts. This years teams are looking very promising and the girls are very excited.

Who was quoted in the story?

Junior Emma Orlando

Junior Alisa Hoban

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

"The experience being on the Bowie soccer team is really great. Doing something I love with a bunch of really great people, I couldn't ask for something better."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

Yes, I think especially for someone into sports.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a quote.

Commentary: Poor Behavior taints schools reputation 

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

This story is all about the poor team spirit Bowie students have been showing at various spot events. It tells appropriate ways to stop this from happening and how vein rude to the opposing team is wrong and won't be tolerated.

Who was quoted in the story?

No one.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

There wasn't a direct quote but I think "The abuse of school spirit should not have to be addressed because students at Bowie who want to be treated like adults should act more maturely, especially when others schools are involved." sums up the whole opinion of the writer on the matter.

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

Yes, it gives you good visuals of the situation.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a statement.

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

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

This story informs you on the winter style of most Bowie Students. It tells you about the trends and perks of winter weather.

Who was quoted in the story?

Senior Victoria Saenz

Senior Christian Haddadd 

Sophomore Karla Boone

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

'If you dress like you just came from a semi-formal party, you're doing it right."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

Yes, it talks about fashion and winter, I love both. 

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

A very cute statement. 

Entertainment: Dance classes take the stage at winter showcase 

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

On December 5th all the dance classes got to showcase all that they have learned and worked hard to perfect during the fall semester. Friends and family are invited to watch the classes dance at the winter showcase.

Who was quoted in the story?

Brenda Saucedo 

Karla Boone

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

"It was exciting to be able to show all my friends and family all the hard work we put into the show."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

Yes, partly because I was in the showcase though.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a statement.

Student life: Stressed? Hop on the stress-free wagon

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

This piece talks about the stress we have from school. It gives you many ways to relive the stress like doing homework in FIT or having an outlet for your stress.

Who was quoted in the story?

Freshman Olivia Roberts

Freshman Alexandra Ansdell

Freshman Erik Rhobes 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion?

"Homework stresses me out, especially when it piles up, and the 

morning before a test."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

Yes, because student can relate to stress very easily.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a statement.

In depth: Holiday Season brings joy to students- Hanukkah 

First, write a two sentence summary of the story.

This piece describes the holiday Hanukkah and the traditions that come along with it. You also learn about what it mens to different people. 

Who was quoted in the story?

Sophomore Brandon Crawford 

Junior 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."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading?

I think it is interesting to learn new things so yes.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement?

It was a quote.

Finally, pick one story that you read, REWRITE THE LEAD.

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

In winter, your have to stay warm, but who says you can't be fabulous while doing so.