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Junior Bass Player, Aiden Driscoll , is excited to go into the audition room and prove his talents.

This past Saturday proved to be a stressful and emotional day for Orchestra students across the metroplex. Hundreds of musicians gathered at Barbara Bush Middle School to compete for the coveted spots in the All-Region Orchestra. The cavernous cafeteria was filled with a cacophony of last-minute practice runs. While the air was thick with tension and anxiety, there seemed to be an underlying thread of determination in each musician.

The preparation and practice for this day is daunting. Nestor Reyes, a Senior Bass player, spoke on the dedication needed to be successful in the competition. Having been a member of the Region Orchestra before, he knew he had weeks of practice ahead of him. His schedule consisted of rehearsals before and after school for an hour everyday, along with private lessons once a week during class. Despite his past success, Reyes was candid about his nerves Saturday morning, “I'm always a nervous wreck when Region comes up. There is nothing more unsettling than seeing 200 passionate people all fighting for a chair.”

The room is filled with the noise of complicated, and awe inspiring sounds. Fingers flying across instruments, and bows making a journey from string to string. But, practice time only lasts so long. Slowly, students begin to move to their scheduled rooms, leaving behind the discord of music behind.

As they are herded into small rooms, the judges are hidden behind a white curtain, waiting to hear the predetermined excerpts. Here, musicians begin to show off weeks of hard work, or fail under the anxiety filled environment. Those who have completed the process, are harping away about their failures or triumphs, eagerly awaiting to find out the news. Jacob Carrera, Senior Bass Player, claims his success in today's audition can be attributed to his mentors, “Thanks to the great support from [his] classmates and Orchestra director, Mr. Pierot, [he] was able to gain the confidence needed to join the region orchestra.”

And while a lucky few get to celebrate, many go home with a heavy heart. But, for those that didn't make the cut, renewed determination to make the following years All-Region Orchestra is inspired.

 

 

 
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City Hall The venue in which the political debate took place on July 12.

Local Carrollton residents and activists gathered on July 12 to debate the morality of 287(g). When first implemented, 287(g) was intended to reduce alien crime, by allowing law enforcement to alert federal forces of an undocumented immigrant. But, activists claim that it has had more detrimental effects.

Undocumented hispanics are living in fear, afraid to report crime. While the program does not target those reporting crimes, many are unwilling to take the risk. Many undocumented immigrants fear that any sort of contact with the police force will lead to an investigation, and their deportation. The implementation and continuation of 287(g) has created a community afraid to call for help. The safekeepers of the community have become a boogeyman for many. Now, legal and illegal immigrants are taking a stand to end 287(g).

On the regularly scheduled council meeting, community members shared their thoughts and experiences. Few spoke on the harmful affects 287(g) has on the perception of the hispanic community, stating it creates the idea all hispanics are criminals. But, despite the fear, bravery was evident in every speaker. A commitment to make home, actually feel like home. Many agreed that while breaking local laws is punishable, it is inappropriate to involve immigration laws as well.

But, a new law, SB4, now allows for law enforcement to question anyones legal status, crime or no crime. To a community already living in fear, a law this controversial can only do more harm. But, the meeting ended on a hopeful note. Counselors were moved by the emotional stories shared by community members. And while action towards SB4 and 287(g) are still up in the air, activists are determined to make a change.

Source: goo.gl/iAJVBz