David Crockett High School - Texan Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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s a freshman leaves the walls of Crockett there is relief in h i s X h e r eyes. Not only because they have passed the first hurdle, but because they aren't freshmen any more texcept for a few unforunate ones.J A 9th grader had to live and endure many ordeals. Some like abuse, classes, and the reality of high school life. Where's 31O? Oh that's on the fourth floor near the attic. Just an example of what a freshman had to go through. One of the worst years a teenager has to live through is their freshman year. If not for academics, then for the abuse, the name-calling, and obscene gestures. The torture they had to contend with. Never had juniors or even sophomores had to go through so much. I mean, have you ever heard a rude comment about a senior? No way. If you did, that person would be destroyed in front of the whole student body. But after a freshman has left for the summer, something happens. Hefshe grows up and becomes a sophomore. Then, this new grown-up mature person comes back and makes fun of all the new freshmen. Two years from now, same story. These mature people who are about to graduate are making fun of freshmen, people who they say aren't worth anything and should be deprived from the human race. The people who are adults think that it is the funniest thing to watch a 9th grader fall and make a fool of themselves. Now is that mature, or what? Academics is the most important thing in high school life, right? No, not to some people. But academics is important, especially if you plan to graduate. But thanks to the school board, freshmen must take more classes before they can leave his wonderful place they called home for nine months. To graduate a 9th grader must take, and pass Cyes, you must pass all of them. What's the sense in taking all 226!Freshmen these classes if you don't plan to pass them?J 4 years of English, 3 years of math and science, 1V2 years of P.E., 1 year of Computer Science and fine arts, V2 year of government, health and economics, 2 years of a foreign language, and 4 years of electives. A few of these you don't really need. Like P.E., economics, and computer science. Sure, you can take them as electives. But only if you plan to use them later in life. But if you aren't going to be a scientist or P.E. teacher, there is no reason on earth for you to take these courses. There isn't even a good reason to offer them at all. Except the school board wants us to stay a few years longer. As a freshman enter the doors of Crockett hefshe is beginning a new life. They left behind junior high and the rules that were meant for 6th graders. The new 9th graders have entered high school where there will be respect, more freedom, and the realization that they are growing up and will need to take on more responsibility. High school is a wonderful time, but starting new can be hard. So many people want to belong, need to belong. They feel that by going to a new school, and acting different, they'll be noticed. That's why so many freshman are kidded. They're in high school but aren't sure as how to act, so they act a little immature. Everyone who's been a fish has acted immature. But that's part of life, and the reality of high school. The freshman grows up thru the year and gradually the kidding stops. Much to hisfher relief. lt's just something you, as a freshmen, must live with until you're a sophomore. High school - no matter how hard or different to someone new, it's still a wonderful place to be feven for a freshman.J As the year closes you Wonder how you made it. You've changed and matured so much, but still you have three more hurdles. Three long years that have to be accomplished with finesse and courage. But it can be done, because let's face it you don't want to stay any longer then you have to - right? by Kelley Greasy 3 A 'L X 'tif 9 . IHA, 54511-1 , U - ,,Y 111 ..?Lf4' ik I Ula

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' ' Garcia designs fashions with popular culture figures hen Nathan Garcia walked into Baskin Robins last summer wearing one of his own T-shirt designs he didn't know that he was beginning a money making business. He had been drawing designs on shirts since he was five years old but he sold his first shirt that day at the local ice-creamery. Garcia began drawing dinosaurs, giraffes, zebras, and different food items like ice-cream cones and pizzas. His mother had gotten him interested in fabric design when she was working with embroidery paint. He had shown an interest in what she was doing and she gave him the paints to keep him out of her hair. As he grew older, his subject matter has grown more sophisticated. The animals have given way to rock stars and cartoon characters. Garcia draws characters that have widespread popularity and therefore have a built in buying public. Nathan has built up a wardrobe of more than 50 T-shirts and has worn one of his creations every school day this year. I haven't always been interested in art. This is just a hobby, something to do, said Garcia who has never taken a formal art class. Garcia paints cartoon characters, musicians, T.V. and movie celebrities and his own original design which is his personal favorite. This is The Wall which is a drawing of a brick wall with 200 different rock group's names and little people such as a bag lady, breakers, a prostitute, a bum and a big fat lady. Each Wall shirt that Garcia draws comes out a little different. He has sold more of The Wall than any other of his works. It sells for S25 and is his most expensive item. This design takes three days to makeg much longer than any other item. Simpler designs such as a small pic- ture of a celebrity or the name of a group would sell for S10-S15 and would take Nathan a couple of hours to make. My favorite people to draw are Wen- dy and Lisa of the Revolution because they're fine and neat to draw. When they're finished they look nice.'l Garcia said that wherever he goes people make comments about his shirts like where did you get that? and that's better than the ones in the stores. Another comment from people that know Garcia is I haven't seen that one. Is it a new one? He has thou ht about making a road- side stant on the drag and still might do it, but he insists that it is just a hob- by and that he didn't go into it for the money. I haven't had any repeat customers yet but I'm sure that at Christmas time I'll have the same patrons as last year. He had some pretty big orders last year so now would be a good time to let Nathan know what you want this year. by Anne Armstrong vewvmmi f'M 'U l!9!!'i 9 4i' ' wditauuufas-tantra . rg' ,, . ,' +V i JY A 9 54.2 we n I Q, til' A' , Tu TI Q' ns - . 1 ff , lmlingxm- , is P Nathan Garcia shows off his first shirt along with one of his popular The Wall designs. Not only has the sophistication of his art grown, appparently Nathan has grown also.

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