He had not seen a smile on her face in a long time, and that was because of Locks of Love. Jim Stack requested to grow his hair out for the non-profit organization, because of his sister, who received a wig from the organization. “Had I approved Jim’s request, then I would have students every day asking if they also could break the dress code.” Tonya King said. Denying the request she explains how “the school would be in chaos” and how the school “have rules for a reason.” King does not want to have many kids breaking dress code. But, the school board will vote if there will be an exception to the request. “Girls have long hair,” Gilbert Castillo said, “and no one is distracted.” he continues with “Rules were made to be broken, and this is a very good reason to break one.”

In hopes the council will pass the request, Jim hopes the board approves the request. “Donating my hair to Locks of Love is very special to me. When we recieved my sisters wig, she was so happy.” Stack said. “Before the wig, she had to wear hats all the time, and she hated them. The wig was perfect, though. It is made of human hair, so it looks natural.” Jim finished.

The school board presidents reveals that he cannot comment on the issue at the time. “We will discuss it at the board meeting next week. I will say that the letter was well written and had some good points.” Bill Valdez said. Valdez knows the Stack family well and says they were all relieved when the little girl was released.

As runners come upon the approaching track season in East Texas, they’re beginning their training for February.

“I’m excited for the upcoming season,” junior Cayman Sutton said. “We have a lot of talent from the freshman class coming up and I think we will have a good year, in the track and field events.”

Sutton had run the 800 and the mile relay in the 2013 season.

“I’m going to state in pole vault,” sophomore Logan Rowe said,” I also run the mile relay.I feel relays will also be good this year because the freshman are fast.”

Runners must prepare for these relays and field events by conditioning and spending time at the track or other places to run. The season begins in February for these athletes and conditioning is important for the challenging season.

“My favorite race is the sprint relay because you take the fastest people from the whole team.” Freshman Colby Siegley said. “I participate in the 100 meter dash, 400m relay, 800m relay and pole vault.”

Field events are important to the point system in track.

“Long jump is my favorite event because I’m a competitive person and because I’m not the tallest, I have to push to compete.” freshman Taylor Self said.

“I picked triple jump to participate in because I like to jump,” sophomore Luka Patton said, “I can’t wait for track because I love to compete.”

Track season is right around the corner and the White Oak athletes are ready to begin training for another successful year to try and attempt to make it to state.

 

A freshman boy was found trying to hang himself in the boys’ locker room, this December due to bullying. The student council will hold a meeting Thursday to come up with a solution to the tragedy and come up with ways to eliminate bullying,

“We were very fortunate that Coach Steele found the young man before he harmed himself. The incident opened our eyes and showed us that we must act before one of our students seriously hurts himself.”  Principal Shai Tsur said.

The school is creating an advisory period to focus on communication and relationship- building skills.

“Bullying has gotten out of hand at the school, and I think Principal Tsur is taking the right steps,” Elisabel Cordero ( junior president of student council ) said, “His advisory period sounds like it will help students get to know each other better. If we are all friends, bullying will stop.”

In addition to the advisory period, the school is starting 10 minutes earlier.

“We don’t agree with an earlier start time for school or losing 10 minutes from lunch. The officers are meeting this week to suggest an alternative.” said Cordero.

The freshman have joined into the movement and have added their voice into the situation.

“The advisory class sounds pretty cool.” Regina Yselta said. “It will benefit the freshman the most. It seems like the freshman boys are bullied the most.”

Many other students and teachers have joined in agreement of the new period.

“Every faculty member I know buys into the advisory period ideas. We are frustrated with the bullying as well. Mr.Tsur assured us that it would not be more work for us, and I believe him. It will be nice getting to know the students at a deeper level. I don’t have time for much relationship- building in Chemistry 2.” said Olga Camps, science teacher.

The student council will discuss more on  April 28th to decide on the final decision.