News Story #2

Faculty and students will vote tomorrow through March 31 on renaming the high school gym since it is a memorial for a former Ku Klux Klan member. Voting will be held in the cafeteria, main office, or teachers lounge.

“ I suggested this proposal after reading his thesis.” Principal, Barbara Falcon said. “ I don’t want to rewrite history, but our school atmosphere should be inclusive and welcoming to all students.

The proposal drew fire from members of the community and student body.

“It’s not like he killed anyone or was even in the Klan in Leaguetown. “ freshman, Ray Roma said. “ He sounds like he was a great principal, and I think most adults have skeletons in their closet.

History teacher, Vincent Montoya reported he could find no evidence the Lee Stewart, the ex principal, either drew blood as a klansman or continued his participation with the Klan in Texas.
“ Many of our students do not have a real understanding about the Ku Klux Klan and the crimes it committed. Falcon said. “I hope our students take the time to educate themselves about the issue.”

Montoya posted his thesis on the school website to help inform students and faculty understand what he found.

“ Schools should recognize past leaders who were positive role models for students.” Falcon said. “ Unfortunately, Principal Stewart was not a good role model for our diverse student body. He may have been a good principal back in the 1900’s. But we have to remember that when he was principal, the school was for whites only.”

Because of this discovery, Falcon proposed renaming the gymnasium after a more “appropriate” leader in Leaguetown.

“ I have many wonderful memories in Stewart Gym as a student and as a teacher,” Montoya said. “ I am not thrilled to change the name but it is something that we need to do. We should not honor someone in our community who rode with the Ku Klux Klan. “

Some people had other ideas.

“ Stewart Gymnasium no longer represents Stewart,” girls varsity basketball coach, Lindy Hall said. “ It represents almost 100 years of memories in Leaguetown. We will lose more than just a name if this proposal passes. Our students do not think of Lee Stewart when they talk about the gym. Instead, they think about the history that happened here.”
Junior, Julio Hernandez, thinks that maybe only the athletes should be voting on the issue.
“ It doesn’t seem right to honor someone who did not believe that all children and people were created equal.” Falcon said.

Rewrite of News Story #1

To determine whether or not to overturn principal Tonya King’s decision on junior,Jim Stack’s request, the school board will vote on Monday at 7 p.m. about the issue.
“ I was disappointed when [King] turned down my request, “ Stack said. “ I’m told a lot of people donate money. Not very many donate hair. It takes time and dedication to grow your hair and donate it.”
Although Stacks knew what he wanted to do to help the Locks of Love organization, a place where they send wigs out to cancer patients who can’t afford wigs, King had a different view on the situation.
“ There are other ways Jim could help the Locks of Love group,” King said. “ He could have a fundraiser and donate the money to the organization.”
The Dress Code states that male students’ hair cannot be longer than collar length and must be a natural color. By growing his hair out, Stack will break this rule.
“ I hope I can inspire more people in the town to grow their hair and donate it,” Stacks said.
According to the president of Locks of Love Gisel Roco she was moved by Stack’s wishes and gives her support for his cause.
“Every month we receive about 200 requests from families who cannot afford a wig for their sick child,” Roco said. “ And every month we have to turn down about 150 of those. We refer parents to other organizations, but I wish we didn’t have to.”
Stack’s little sister Jasmine Stack was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5, and the Stack family could not afford to buy a wig, but after asking Locks of Love, a wig was sent immediately.
“ We were all relieved when Jasmine recovered and the doctors said the cancer was gone, “ said Bill Valdez, the School Board President.
Both Valdez and King were in support of Jasmine’s recovery when she was sick with cancer and lost all of her hair due to chemotherapy.
“I know about Jim’s sister and I’m glad she’s doing well but I can’t bend the rules for one student, “ King said.“ We have rules for a reason, and we just can’t just go breaking them anytime we want. The school would be in chaos then.”
As word go out about King’s denial, the Student Council wrote a letter to the School Board in support of Stack. The letter was signed by 350 students. Attached to the letter, the council listed 150 students who were also willing to grow their hair to donate to Locks of Love. Seventy-eight of the 150 students were male. The Locks of Love organization also provided the School Board with a letter verifying that Stack had applied to be a donor and had his parents’ permission.
“ Rules were made to be broken,” Student Council President, Castillo said. “ And this is a very good reason to break one.”

News Story #1

Rylie Evans 11-13-14

A Hairy Tale

To determine whether or not to overturn Tonya King, the principal’s, decision on Jim Stacks request of growing his hair out, the school board will vote on Monday at 7 p.m. about the issue.
“ I was disappointed when [King] turned down my request, “ Stacks said. “ I’m told a lot of people donate money. Not very many donate hair. It takes time and dedication to grow your hair and donate it.”
Although Stacks knew what he wanted to do to help the Locks of Love organization, a place where they send wigs out to cancer patients who can’t afford wigs, King had a different view on the situation.
“ There are other ways Jim could help the Locks of Love group,” King said. “ He could have a fundraiser and donate the money to the organization.”
Through King’s denial, Stacks still had a hope to inspire others around him.
“ I hope I can inspire more people in the town to grow their hair and donate it,” Stacks said.
“ Moved by Stacks wishes,” the president of Locks of Love, Gisel Roco gave support in the case due to the issue of not having enough hair to make wigs for everyone who asks. \
“Every month we receive about 200 requests from families who cannot afford a wig for their sick child,” Roco said. “ And every month we have to turn down about 150 of those. We refer parents to other organizations, but I wish we didn’t have to.”
Stacks little sister Jasmine Stacks was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5, and the Stacks family could not afford to buy a wig, but after asking Locks of Love, a wig was sent immediately.
“ We were all relieved when Jasmine recovered and the doctors said the cancer was gone, “ said Bill Valdez, the School Board President.
Both Valdez and King were in support of Jasmine’s illness when she was sick with cancer and lost all of her hair due to chemotherapy.
“I know about Jim’s sister and im glad she’s doing well but I can’t bend the rules for one student, “ King said.
Although King was supportive of Jasmine when she had cancer, she wasn’t as supportive of Stacks growing his hair out.
“ We have rules for a reason,” King said. “ And we just can’t just go breaking them anytime we want. The school would be in chaos then.”
As word go out about King’s denial, several students including Gilbert Castillo had a few words to shed on the subject.
“ Rules were made to be broken,” Student Council President, Castillo said. “ And this is a very good reason to break one.”