Yield: 18 cookies

For the Cookies:
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
1¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 egg
¾ cup light brown sugar
½ cup honey
½ cup molasses

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.

2. Sift together the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Set aside.

3. Beat the egg and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl.

4. Beat in the honey and molasses until thoroughly combined.

5. On low speed, stir in the flour mixture until just combined.

6. Turn the dough out from the bowl onto a well-floured surface. Knead the dough, adding more flour as kneaded, until a stiff dough is formed.

7. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.

8. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a 9×12-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 18 3×2-inch rectangles. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

9. Take from oven and allow to cool.

For the Glaze:
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, water and lemon juice and brush or spread on top of the cookies.

Allow the glaze to firm, and then store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe courtesy of: (http://www.browneyedbaker.com)

Editor-in-Chief

Tee Reh looks like a typical high school junior. He sits in the back of Ms. Whitbeck’s classroom, wearing a striped hoodie and skinny jeans, laboring over the intricate doodle on his manila folder that he’s been working on all day. During the lecture he listens intently, soaking in every word. After all, Reh has only lived in the United States for two years, and he is determined to learn as much English as he can.

Before moving to the States, Reh lived in Southeast Asia. His people, the Karenni, are native to Burma, but the federal government oppressed them there. When Reh was very young, his family’s farm was burned and his animals stolen by government soldiers. His family fled to Thailand, where they lived in a refugee camp for ten years.

“The people there were very poor,” Reh said. “The houses were very small and close together, so that if one was on fire, the fire would spread all around.”

Reh said that his family was determined to leave the refugee camp to find better opportunities for housing, education, and employment. They registered to immigrate to the United States and finally arrived in California two years ago, where Reh attended Oakland International High School. He was overwhelmed at first because of the language difference, but he says he caught on quickly.

In California, Reh’s parents did not have jobs. But that soon changed thanks to local chicken producer Pilgrim’s Pride. At the beginning of the school year, Reh and his parents, brother, and two sisters came to Nacogdoches so that his parents could work at the factory. Reh is now one of fourteen Burmese high school students whose parents work at Pilgrim’s Pride and whose siblings attend schools throughout NISD.

“I like this school,” Reh said. “It’s big, I can get a good education, and everyone speaks English here.”

Echo Staff

As a junior in high school, I have only a glimpse of what life after high school will be like: apply for college, wait for the acceptance letter, get my degree and begin my career at a well-paying job.

After attending the OLA conference at SFA, I realized that even though college won’t be easy, going to college will be worth it in the long run. Speakers Jimmy Cabrera and Dr. Mary Catherine Nino motivated me to decide I will go to college.

When I arrived at SFA, student sponsors greeted us in the student courtyard and handed me a purple folder. While I waited for the presentation, my curiosity got the best of me. I opened the folder to see two bold words: INTERIOR DESIGN.

Freshman year I told my counselor I was considering interior design as a career. Still, there is much to consider before I make a final decision; I’m unsure if it is the right path for me. I still had many questions: How much will college cost? What college would I attend? What would it be like?

Before attending the conference, I was still undecided. I was hoping some of these questions would be answered at the conference and help me make my decision.

Speaker Jimmy Cabrera, a professional speaker for 22 years, was not only funny, but he was also inspiring. He explained that growing up, people judged him because the color of his skin, but judgment never stopped him from getting his education. Cabrera said he’d learned tough lessons throughout his life, such as not giving up during hard times, even when he was a victim of segregation and criticism. Now his job is to motivate students like myself to never look back and continue pursuing with one’s dreams. In the few minutes he spoke, I felt as if I’d learned ten years of life knowledge. He motivated me.

Dr. Mary Catherine Nino spoke about different ways to prepare for college and showed that planning for college was important. She showed us how to apply for different colleges and explained different options to pay for college. At first I felt overwhelmed, but after the presentation Dr. Nino gave I felt relieved to learn the different options.

I am grateful to Nacogdoches High School for giving me a chance to explore my options. After this conference, I understand that I can get into college if I put my mind to it and work hard.

Even though I might change my career choice, I know anything is possible. I am ready to face challenges and overcome them; this conference gave me a great start.

Echo Staff

The cost of going to see movies in theaters has steadily increased and has recently concerned local avid moviegoers.

According to the New York Times website, the executives of the Regal Entertainment Group, the nation’s largest theater chain, predict an average price increase of 3 percent or more by the end of 2011.

According to The Los Angeles Times,“The average ticket price at theaters in theUnited States last year rose to an all-time annual high of $7.89, up 5 percent from $7.50 in 2009.”

Inflation is usually the cause of price increases; however, the movie industry has outpaced the effects of inflation since 1999, according to the National Association of Theater Owners.  So, what are the factors that contribute to the rising ticket prices?

According to The New York Times, theater chains have recently turned to price increases to pay dividends to shareholders or to pay off debt. Another contributing factor is the increased production of 3-D movies that ads an average $3.00 surcharge to movie tickets, from which the theater owner, the studio, and the technology provider each receive a portion.

According to Mr. Blakely, manager of Carmike 6 inNacogdoches, local movie prices have increased about $.50 in three years.

He said Carmike 6 recently began “Super Bargain Matinee” at the theater, which lowers the prices of all tickets to $5.00 for show times between 4 and 5:30 to provide financial relief to consumers.  Several years ago, the theater started “Stimulus Tuesdays” which lowered concession prices to $1.00 for popcorn and drinks and $2.50 for candy on Tuesdays.

Blakely of Carmike 6 says that movie ticket prices have not affected attendance and that it remains “about the same.”  Nationally, however, movie theater attendance has decreased an average 10 percent in the last twelve years, according to The New York Times.

NacogdochesHigh Schoolstudents have noticed the price increases at movie theatres recently. Senior Blake Nichols said he feels irritated by the high prices at the local movie theater. Students like Nichols seek alternatives to avoid paying high prices.

Senior Renee Jamar and junior Dagon Gosesaid they rent movies from Red Box or attend the SFA movie theatre because these options are cheaper. Junior Blair Madkins waits until movies are released on DVD. Senior Xavier Fowler has resorted to similar measures. “I just go [to the movies] if it’s a really good movie that I want to see.”

Echo Staff

Varsity volleyball poses with the "Dig Pink" banner

Every year during breast cancer awareness month the Nacogdoches High School Volleyball teams play for something more significant than a victory. The annual “Dig Pink” volleyball game is held in honor of breast cancer victims and survivors. The purpose of the “Dig Pink” volleyball game is to provide hope for those who are suffering from breast cancer and to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. Donations and proceeds from the game are given to cancer charities.

Coach Allen, assistant varsity volleyball coach, was hopeful that her girls would be able to pull together and beat John Tyler. “It’s a big game for us,” she said. “If we win, J.V. can finish third in district.”

But the game also had a personal meaning for Coach Allen. “I have lost several family members to cancer, so the game means a lot,” she said.

The Dig Pink game gave the volleyball team an opportunity to understand the significance of the game. “The girls get to play and realize that they are playing for more than just the game,” Allen said.

The game also had a special meaning to junior and varsity player Charity Page who lost a family member to breast cancer. “About four years ago, I had an aunt die of cancer,” she said. “[The game] means a lot to me.  Pink isn’t just a color; it has a wonderful meaning.”

The Dig Pink game was one of mixed victories and losses for the Nacogdoches Lady Dragons. The freshman team won a series of three games. The JV team won their first game but lost the series in the second and third games.

Before the final game, breast cancer victims and survivors attending the game were honored.

Although both the varsity and JV teams lost their games to John Tyler, the purpose of the Dig Pink games was not forgotten by the teams.

Echo Staff

Junior Alexis Epps helps wrap a present for Azleway during her Student Council period. Student Council was one of the many NHS organizations to adopt Azleway kids for the holidays.

Throughout America, many children face serious challenges as a result of being placed in foster care. For these children, the holidays may be especially difficult.  Nacogdoches High School partnered with Azleway Children’s Services to help foster and adoptive parents spread joy to each child in care this holiday season.

“Azleway Children’s Services is a private, non-profit child placing and adoption agency which provides homes for children spanning the area from Dallas/Fort Worth, all the way down to Houston,” said Liana Berry, the regional director for Azleway in Nacogdoches.

Students council officers Michael Elliot and Renee Jamar, seniors, work together to wrap an Azleway gift.

Nacogdoches High School has the privilege to help Azleway children have a happy Christmas. Principal Chaddick, the assistant principals, and many NHS organizations are acting as Santa’s Helpers for the Azleway families, including members of Student Council, Key Club, Freshmen Mentoring Program, French Club, Newspaper, Debate, Yearbook, the swim team, and the NHS Band, among others. Student council sponsor Ms. Anita Norman gave these groups the name and age of an Azleway child and the child’s “wish list.” NHS organizations donate money or gifts from the child’s list. The Azleway staff then arranges to pick up the gifts early December, in time to deliver the gifts to the families before Christmas.

“This is the fourth or fifth year that Nacogdoches High School has sponsored Azleway Children,” Berry said. “We love working with the high school.” Berry said that the high school has always been generous, and NHS sets the standard for all other sponsors of Azleway children.

Locally, the Nacogdoches office serves children living in Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Goodrich, Huntington, Center, Shelbyville, Timpson, Beaumont, Livingston, Corrigan, Burkeville, and Jasper. Berry estimates that in the past year, the local Azleway office has served approximately 170 to 180 children.

Azleway is still accepting helpers and invites anyone interested to contact them or stop by and visit the local Azleway office at 1100 South Street.

To contact Azleway:  (936) 205-5641 ext. 16 or 17

(936) 559-3602

Email:  liana.berry@azleway.org