The Norseman

No parking: Student safety concerns prompt administration to change circle drive

Danica Mendes • May 1, 2017

The circle drive is now a no parking zone and violators may be ticketed by the police department. All visitors are asked to park in the front lot and enter the campus through the secure check-in area before being buzzed into the school. These changes have been made to increase campus safety.

Senioritis pushes student to pursue interest instead of coasting through final year

Danica Mendes • April 5, 2017

There seems to be a greater push to make students plan their future at a younger age. As fourth graders are expected to make decisions now that will affect them in high school. Sometimes though, students don’t know what they are interested in until they are older and have been exposed to different activities. Senior Clifton Johnson has experienced this shift in interest first-hand and tried something new his senior year.

Schools take issue with new state accountability system

Danica Mendes • February 13, 2017

The state of Texas rolled out a new A-F grading system this year to assess individual schools and districts based on standardized testing results. The complex system of sub-population indicators, categories, and other data gathered on a state level is reduced to a simple letter grade. Educators argue that when presented to the public as a stand alone assessment, is not an accurate representation of student or school success.

Edge of teen angst: Movie captures adolescent attitudes through comedy, drama

Danica Mendes • January 17, 2017

We live in an era where a majority of young adults think that the world owes them something. Teens have used methods of expressing themselves over time from passing notes in class, to Myspace, to Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, but teen angst remains mostly the same as time passes. The new teen dramedy film, The Edge of Seventeen, is a funny, quirky, and perceptive look at Nadine Franklin’s (Hailee Steinfeld) life during her junior year of high school. The Edge of Seventeen is one the funniest coming-of-age teen dramedy films I have seen in a long time.

All the world’s a stage: Theatre program performs play, playwright attends

Danica Mendes • November 30, 2016

The lights blind senior Caleb Duane as he takes the stage. He feels the familiar rush of adrenaline as a hush falls over the audience. Caleb is used to performing to both crowds large and small, but this time it’s different. This time he is performing for the shows creator. This time he portrays a character with the writer, who originally brought this true story to stage, sitting in the audience.

Patchwork pride: Principals mother constructs quilt to capture Viking spirit

Danica Mendes • November 7, 2016

What it means to be a Viking can’t be summed up with a single word or item, but instead is made up of many parts to create the whole. Each activity, club, sport, and individual student comes together to make Bryan High a unique place where students are at the center. The idea that the sum is greater than the parts can be seen in the quilt principal Lane Buban’s mother Sharon Buban created for the school. The quilt is made of t-shirts from various groups around the school and will be hung in the Silver Cafeteria area as a reminder of the collective spirit of the Vikings.

After the fire: Community leaders help educate seniors by hosting guest speakers

Danica Mendes • October 10, 2016

“Do we really have to go outside? Can’t we just close the door and wait in the classroom?” students ask teachers as the alarm sounds signaling a fire drill. The lack of concern and idea that nothing bad could happen to them was the mentality Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos aimed to change by sharing their story.

Summer construction projects lay foundation for future

Danica Mendes • September 27, 2016

Students returned to campus this year noticing several big changes including a secure single entrance to campus, a new dining area, and a new press box. These construction projects were funded by a bond passed a year and a half ago and have helped Bryan High in regards to both safety and functionality.

Just like you like it: Senior’s parking spot, love of Whataburger gains attention on social media

Danica Mendes • September 8, 2016

Texans take pride in their state symbols: the armadillo, the yellow rose, the state flag, bluebonnets, Blue Bell, Dr. Pepper, and of course Whataburger. In a town where orange and white paint usually doesn’t gain a lot of support, senior Ross McGregor used the two colors to create a masterpiece every Texan can support. For the entirety of the 2016-2017 school year, Ross will park in his reserved space at school, marked by the familiar stripes of the Whataburger order tents.

Crossing over: Teacher transitions back to being student for summer

Danica Mendes • May 12, 2016

Many of us look to our teachers as mentors, guides, and in many cases, holders of infinite knowledge who we could only one day hope to possess. Often times we forget that teachers were once students, and have shared many of the difficult feats we face every day. For some teachers, school doesn't end with the final bell after finals, but instead they trade their teaching caps for thinking caps, and take on the role of a student once again.

Divergent series diverges into gutter

Danica Mendes • April 28, 2016

Allegiant, yet another novel from Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, hit theaters March 18. Fans anticipated the film and hoped it would surpass the disappointment of the last movie. With hopeful hearts, while secretly preparing for the worst, droves of fans attended the premier as they had anticipated the movies release since it was first announced as a series.

Ag program steers student in positive direction

Danica Mendes • April 19, 2016

Early mornings in the barn cleaning and feeding. Watching the sun rise over the trees no matter the weather. Taking care of livestock requires commitment and responsibility. Sophomore Wilsey Wendler has found success in showing steers as an activity which has been passed down from generation to generation.