Lone Star Dispatch Issue #4

Articles:

Black History Month

Fuaad Ajaz writes about the many ways Bowie staff and students are spreading awareness, educating, and informing the campus of Bowie during Black History Month. Teachers Joyce Brisco and Vicki Hebert have admiringly changed the game of awareness at Bowie High School, with not only informing others but teaching African American the importance of black pride and not being ashamed of their skin color. The article covers the methods they use through music, food, conversation, and visual aid and pride, and helpful timelines that show the evolution of segregation and the iconic moments in black history.

Who? Joyce Brisco, Vicki Hebert and Amanda Pfeiffer
What? Taking charge of Black History Month at Bowie High School
Where? Bowie High School
When? February, Black History Month
Why? To share their stories and help put an end to racism and the remaining segregation that still plagues parts of the United States, and even Bowie High School.
How? Holding annual luncheons, playing music from iconic African American musicians, making home cooked food, stimulating conversation, and announcements over the intercom informing students about important and life changing African American citizens.
Who was quoted in the story? Joyce Brisco, Vicki Hebert, Oluwaseun Odufuye, Amanda Pfeiffer.
What quote was the strongest in your opinion, and where was it in the story? "People should educate themselves in black history and then I think they should get the importance of staying educated, the importance of unity, of being brave, and always standing up for your rights." - Oluwaseun Odufuye
This was the most prominent quote quote, which was bolding, in large text and placed obviously to the left of the center of the pages.
Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Opposed to pulling me into the article, the lead sentence more informed me about what the article would be about, instead of making me want to read more.

Alternate facts should not be the country's new normal

Jake Brien expresses his opinion and view on the new President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and the unacceptable statements made by the man himself, as well as his Presidential Council. Brien discusses the multiple statements Trump has made about the media, and the 'alternate facts' they have publicized about his campaign. Using phrases such as 'alternate facts,' and 'allowed' when discussing press coverage over the period of his campaign and inauguration, Trump accuses the media of spreading false statements, and acts as if he's entitled to silence the media. Brien urges the student body to educate themselves and discuss our own opinions, because although Trump may want to silence, discredit the media, it's crucial to the structure of our culture, and we will not be silenced.

Who? Jake Brien
What? Discussing Donald Trump and his position on media and public view
Where? The United States of America
When? The past year and 1/2 of Trump's campaign, up to his present inauguration and Presidency.
Why? To express his opinion on Trump's statements, and urge students to educate and discuss politics.
How? Quoting from Trump himself, his Press Secretary, Barack Obama, White House Strategist Stephen Bannon, and Senior Advisor Kellyanne Conway.
Who was quoted in the story? See above
What quote was the strongest in your opinion, and where was it in the story? 'White House strategist Stephen Bannon was quoted as saying that the media should "Keep it's mouth shut" and to "listen" after the chaos of Trump's executive action to detain and deport thousands of illegal immigrants. ' Located in column to the right of the center of the page.
Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Absolutely, the first sentence left you on a cliff hanger, and made you want to hear the writer's opinion and evidence.

Day in the Life: Student Gymnast

Student and competitive gymnast Kate Stubbs balances life and 5 hour practices, 5 days a week. Stubbs pushes her body to the limit, physically and mentally in order to maintain her physique and keep her training in top condition. Kate's Coach, Rachel Scarbrough, discusses the intensity of her training, as well as the time commitment and technique. Stubbs inspires girls to get involved, and not be afraid to challenge yourself, because it could turn out to change your life.

Who? Kate Stubbs
What? Balances school and homework with intense gymnastic training
Where? Champions Westlake Gymnastics
When? Present time
Why? Because she's passionate about the sport, and can't imagine her life without it.
How? Dedication, determination, and hard work push her to the limit her body can take, and she stays focused and organized with the skills she's learned from gymnastics.
Who was quoted in the story? Kate Stubbs, Rachel Scarbrough, Alison Stubbs, and Nayna Pashilkar.
What quote was the strongest in your opinion, and where was it located? " It is very gratifying and makes me feel very accomplished to have worked so hard for something and to have achieved my goals." - Kate Stubbs. Located under major photo as caption.
Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes! The imagery makes me picture how hard she's working, and the hard work she exudes to do what she loves.

Photography:

Page A2
Critique: The teacher of the year picture of Marco Bazan is nice because he is smiling, and shows him interacting with his students, but the background is very crowded and distracting, which makes it hard for the student to focus on the subject. The subject is already wearing a dark color, and much of the background is dark and shaded too, which casts a slight shadow on the subject's face, and makes it harder to see since it's taken from a lower level.
Rule of Composition: Rule of Thirds
Subject: Marco Bazan; the teacher of the year
Exposed: I think the picture had a high contrasting of light and dark objects in the picture, therefore making it difficult to expose properly without shadowing or washing out the subject.
Depth of Field? The angle from the right shows depth of field toward where Mr. Bazan is pointing, and draws your eye through the classroom.

Page B2
Critique: Though the photo is dark, and could be hard slightly hard to see to some people, I think the angle from a lower position, focus, clarity, and balance of the weights was pleasing to the eye, and I really liked it. While you can focus on Dawson Warnken, you can also see the gym behind him, and it shows his focus and balance of weights.
Rule of Composition: Balance
Subject: Dawson Warnken; Weightlifter
Exposed: I think the lighting is done well in a way that you can see the subject's face and features well.
Depth of Field: Yes! You can clearly see the subject, but also the gym behind him with all the equipment.

Page B7 
Critique: This is one of my favorite photos in the paper! The photographer effectively captured the string of the yoyo as it swung, and gave an action shot that showed movement and something that was angularly pleasing. While Matthew's body is twisted up at the yoy, the string and arm placement is a complex and pleasing shape to the eye.
Rule of Composition: Leading Lines
Subject: Matthew Lane
Exposed: The lighting is done really, giving some shadowing and depth to the subject's face, as well as not washing out the string of the yoyo, and therefore looking like a floating object.
Depth of Field: This a shallow depth of field with a solid and simple background that helps the viewer understand what's happening in the picture.

Page A8
Critique: My favorite picture off this page, was the photo of Kate STubbs, gymnast, and her teammate, Nayna Pashilkar, stretching in between events. This picture shows great lines and levels, with the mats stacked in the background, and her laughing and talking with her friends shows the subject's personality and relationship with her teammates and her sport.
Rule of Composition: Not present
Subject: Kate Stubbs and Nanya Pashilkar
Exposed: The picture is well exposed with even lighting that is visibly natural and clean.
Depth of Field: The depth of this picture is very shallow with a small background in the back with only gym equipment and mats.

Page B8
Critique: I chose the picture of a woman in front of the Paramount Theatre with a quote from the pledge of allegiance: With Liberty and Justice for All. This is my favorite picture out of all of them in the newspaper because it tells a story from a perspective of someone who is experiencing the event. The photographer showed insight by taking the picture behind the woman, and showing her view of the quote.
Rule of Composition: Viewpoint
Subject: Woman Marching at Protest
Exposed: Natural Lighting
Depth of Field: Since the rule of photography is viewpoint, the depth of the photo is extremely important to the message, therefore it is present and an important part of the picture.

What is your favorite picture in the newspaper?
My favorite picture is the one mentioned above of the woman at the march in front of the Paramount Theatre. This is my favorite because it tells a story and conveys a powerful message, and also uses my favorite rule of photography, viewpoint.
What is your least favorite picture in the newspaper? 
My least favorite picture is the ones in the ones at the science fair, because the coloring is dull and not exciting to the eye, and is unappealing and doesn't draw your attention to the spread or article.
What if you were an editor?
If I was an editor, I'd love to do a project on school lunches, and show many people's different lunches, in the same layout, the only difference would be the food. This can be coupled with ideas for students on lunches, healthier choices, and students opinions and quotes on their lunch and how they prepare/buy it.
Overall?
I would rate the photography in this issue a 8/10. A majority of the photography was done really way, I would personally use more color and saturation in the photos, because as a viewer, that's what draws your eye to a spread and interests you in reading it.