By Christina Dimyan |

Next school year students can expect to see a big change with the schedule: semester exams before winter break. Although the second semester is staying the same next year, there are some changes coming to first semester.

“I think its far better to end the semester before Christmas break, and it becomes a study period,” Roberto Ozuna, assistant principal said. “The kids will do better and can relax over Christmas break rather than study.”

The entire first semester will be complete before winter break begins. This gives students a solid week to study for exams, rather than come back after break and try to remember what will be tested, which often makes things a bit more stressful for students.

“All students will start both a new year and semester in January,” Kelly Taylor, assistant principal for curriculum and instruction said.

Although teachers have to cram everything into the last week before break, many believe they will see better exam scores. With exams for upperclassmen and TAKS in spring, there are many tests students have to worry about, and moving semester exams before break may relieve some stress.

“[Teachers] love it! We would much rather get them tested before than spend a week reviewing and getting them back to everything,” Diane Bode, government teacher said. “I think the kids do better. They’re tested out in spring; it’s much better since it gives me more time in spring.”

Since exams are two weeks earlier next year, exemption forms will also be due two weeks earlier. The process for exams will start earlier, and although students will have to adjust to this change, better exams score will be the outcome.

“The school board has adjusted the calendar that accommodated all state testing and made a student-friendly calendar,” Taylor said.

Story By Juan Garcia | Photo By Stephany Garcia

After all the hard work and time put into creating a piece of art, two of Madison’s students, Courtney Davis and Madison Fischnar advanced to state after competing at the V.A.S.E., Visual Art Scholastic Event, regional competition this past Saturday.

“I was really excited,” senior Courtney Davis said. “It is my first piece going to state.”

Davis submitted an acrylic painting of two average birds and one standout red cardinal on canvas mounted on a board. Fischnar submitted a pendant and an earring made of moon stone.

“I was very very happy [when I heard Courtney won],” art teacher Melissa Wittman said. “It was a beautiful piece of work.”

State competition will take place in Houston on Apr 8-9. However the V.A.S.E. competition was not the only place were an art student won big.

This past Sunday, Clif Tinker’s student Hanna Lee received $7950 in college scholarship money after selling her drawing of a goat at the Western Art Auction. She was one of the 25 students to be named first place.

This weekend turned out to be the best felt weekend for all art teachers and students.

Photo By Rania Dotson | Story By Makala Finley

Third time is often known as the charm, however for the cheerleaders it’s just another year that they placed top ten in the national cheerleading championship. The 37 girls competed Feb. 12 and 13 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The girls spent five days in florida and their time consisted of practicing for the competition, attending district dinner at Animal Kingdom and enjoying their time at Disney World by riding rides. This is the third year in a row that the varsity team has placed in the top ten at nationals.

“We’ve gotten top ten three year in a row, so we’ve definitely met those standards,” sophomore varsity member Madison Stewart said. “I think that it encourages incoming freshmen to want to be part of our top ten streak.”

Though an exciting time for the cheerleaders, for the seniors it was also a time of sadness knowing that it was their last year that they would travel to Nationals.

“It was sad at first since it’s my last year, but it’s good closure. I was just glad we made it and I was proud to have all of my friends down there with me,” senior Ashley Corey said.

In addition, the JV team were semi-finalists.

“I’m happy with where everyone ended up, it was a learning experience. I am very proud of them,” cheerleading coach Brandi Boyd said.

By Juan Garcia |

Drawing, sculpturing, and painting are some ways students express themselves in their art classes. This Saturday those students get the opportunity to show off their artistic talents at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) regionals.

“This is the biggest regional and state competition we compete in,” art teacher Claudia Freeman said.

In this stage of the competition, 70-80 Madison students are competing. Each student presents their artwork and talks with a juror and has the the chance to explain their reason behind their artwork. Each student is judged on a four point scale, with four being the highest.

“It’s always good for students to have the opportunity to explain their artwork one on one with a judge,” art teacher Margo McCarthy said.

Students going to state competition will be announced Saturday after the jurors have made their decision. But even though not all students will be advancing to the next level, art teachers are still encouraging students to be unique.

“Open the box,” Freeman said. “Keep your mind open to all the possibilities.”

Regional competition takes place at Johnson High School this Saturday.