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Marcus High School's Online Newspaper

The Marquee

Marcus High School's Online Newspaper

The Marquee

Marcus High School's Online Newspaper

The Marquee

Shriya Mukkavilli

Shriya Mukkavilli, Managing and Online Editor

Shriya Mukkavilli (she/her) is a senior and this year’s managing and online editor. When she’s not finessing the online publication, she spends wayyyy too much time buying jewelry on Etsy or looking up indie artists to fuel her individuality complex. Since this is her third and final year on staff, she’s looking forward to what the staffers create this year and helping them grow. 

All content by Shriya Mukkavilli
Since opening up Roots Renewal Ranch on Nov. 1, Michelle Schwolert has six residents currently.

Finding new roots

Former counselor opens ranch for healing
Shriya Mukkavilli May 7, 2022

Former student assistance counselor Michelle Schwolert was working at the school in her office on Nov. 11, 2020 when her mother texted her to meet her in the parking lot. She had newsHer brother Nathan...

Rogers meets with Huffines Middle School students on the first day of the 2017-18 school year.

LISD superintendent to retire

Shriya Mukkavilli January 31, 2022

After serving the district for 36 years, LISD Superintendent and former Marcus principal Dr. Kevin Rogers is retiring on Jan. 31. Rogers first started in the district as a middle school science teacher...

A Dec. 14 FMPD press release updated residents on their investigation into the shooting threats.

Local schools face shooting threats, suspect identified

Shriya Mukkavilli and Muna Nnamani December 20, 2021

On Dec. 14, the Flower Mound police department announced that an LISD student had been identified on Dec. 11 and detained Dec. 13 for a circulating school shooting threat. The student was charged with...

According to The National Sleep Foundation, 57 percent of teens who use technology in their bedrooms suffer from insomnia.

Losing hours

Teens struggle with sleep
Shriya Mukkavilli and Hyunsung Na November 29, 2021

As the school day starts, students shuffle into their first period classes. Many bring coffee or sugary energy drinks to help treat their lack of sleep the night before. This issue isn’t unique to this...

The Marquee wins big at national competition

The Marquee wins big at national competition

Shriya Mukkavilli November 18, 2021

The Marquee won five National Scholastic Press Association’s Individual awards contest, announced on Nov. 13. The stories chosen were out of the top ten in the nation for each category. Editor-in-chief...

78.2 percent of students say they know someone with an eating disorder.

Media affects eating disorders in teens

Shriya Mukkavilli October 15, 2021

Editor's note: This story was part of the Oct. 12, 2021 in-depth package that won second place for print in-depth packages in the 2022 ILPC contest. The in-depth package was also named honorable mention...

Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rating Met gala outfits

Shriya Mukkavilli September 17, 2021

Like many of us, I spent Monday night in my pajamas, judging celebrities strutting across the beige carpet of the Met Gala in outfits that cost thousands of dollars. While I wouldn’t consider myself...

"When my parents talk to me in Telugu, I respond in English. Every time I try to open my mouth and speak it, the words catch and I stick to what’s safe.

Column: Lost in translation

Shriya Mukkavilli April 18, 2021

Ever since I was little, I loved to read. My mom would pick me up from school and take me to the library, where I’d get 10 books for the week. I’d read them at breakneck speed, anticipating the...

Photography teacher Kathy Toews keeps cameras on a wall in her classroom. They are all different ages and models.

Life in snapshots

Teacher shares father’s love for photography
Shriya Mukkavilli April 15, 2021

Editor's note: This story won honorable mention for print feature stories in the 2022 TAJE Best in Texas contest. When students enter photography teacher Kathy Toews’ classroom, their eyes are...

It has been about a year since the COVID-19 pandemic put students' lives on hold, causing an increase in anxiety and loneliness.

Lost connections

Sophia Craig and Shriya Mukkavilli April 12, 2021

Editor's note: This story was part of the April 6, 2021 in-depth package that won honorable mention for online in-depth packages in the 2022 ILPC contest.  The pandemic has taken a toll on students’...

Hebron High School junior Nandita Kumar founded the student-led group LISD SEE to advocate for a more inclusive history, English and science curriculum.

Seen and heard

Student group pushes for inclusive curriculum
Shriya Mukkavilli March 9, 2021

Editor's note: This story won second place for print news features in the ILPC contest. It also won second place for feature stories in the 2022 NFPW At-Large contest. LISD SEE, or Students for...

Junior Sydney Battiste came out when she was 11 years old. She identifies as bisexual.

True colors

Junior reflects on coming out to friends and family
Shriya Mukkavilli February 23, 2021

Editor's note: This story was part of an in-depth package of our Feb. 12, 2021 issue, which won first place for print in depth news/feature package in the ILPC contest. It was also a finalist for series/project...

Senior and Black History Club president Tamyra Kelly helped plan the group’s events for Black History Month. Kelly also spoke at the MLK contest virtual celebration.

Club adjusts its celebration of Black History Month

Shriya Mukkavilli and Muna Nnamani February 22, 2021

The Black History Club’s annual African-American food fair, Taste of Soul, will be held virtually on Feb. 25. According to club sponsor Sherri Sistrunk, some club members will cook soul food dishes...

Increased acceptance and representation has opened the door for more teens to identify as LGBTQ+ than previous generations.

Finding pride

LGBTQ+ identity increases among teens
Madi Olivier, Sophia Craig, and Shriya Mukkavilli February 16, 2021

Editor's note: This story was part of an in-depth package of our Feb. 12, 2021 issue, which won first place for print in depth news/feature package in the ILPC contest. It was a finalist for series/project...

Junior Saloni Mistry’s painting, pictured above, won the Chairman Grand Prize in the MLK contest.

Justice for all

Shriya Mukkavilli and Muna Nnamani February 14, 2021

LISD’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. contest was held virtually on Jan. 18. The event was pre-recorded and featured speeches from author and lecturer Tracy Brown, as well as performances by LISD...

Board of Trustees Vice President Tracy Scott Miller announced his idea to randomly drug test students in late October to help reduce drug abuse in schools. However, it is unclear if his plan will gain enough support to be voted upon or approved by the school board.

Test questions

Discussion of reviving student drug screening arises in district

Editor’s note: This story was a part of the in-depth package of our Dec. 16, 2020 issue, which was named as a superior in-depth package in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest. It won third place for...

In addition to changing what the school year looks like, the pandemic has complicated the college application process for many seniors.

Pandemic disrupts college applications

Shriya Mukkavilli November 3, 2020

Editor’s note: This story was named an honorable mention for news-feature stories in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest. The pandemic altered how students apply to college this year, pushing college-bound...

Teenagers have become more active in politics in recent years, especially with the upcoming presidential election.

Rookies in the ring

Political involvement increases among students
Madi Olivier and Shriya Mukkavilli October 30, 2020

Editor's note: This story was included in the portfolio that was named superior in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest. It also won second place for news stories in the Press Women of Texas high school...

The district is currently planning on allowing students to choose between in-person and virtual classes for the upcoming school year.

LISD to offer in-person and virtual classes

Madi Olivier and Shriya Mukkavilli July 13, 2020

Editor's note: This story was named a superior news story in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest. LISD is planning to offer both in-person and virtual learning options for the upcoming school year,...

Many national tests, including the SAT, ACT and AP exams, are being moved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

National tests postponed due to coronavirus

College Board and ACT find alternate solutions to original testing plans
Shriya Mukkavilli March 19, 2020

College Board recently released a statement on how they would accommodate schools who closed due to COVID-19. Schools that will still be open in May will follow the scheduled testing dates, but schools...

Things to consider before getting a cosmetic procedure

Shriya Mukkavilli March 11, 2020

Specific goal: Doctors prefer for teenagers to have a specific goal for surgery. A teen that wants to remove a bump on their nose would be more likely to be a potential patient. Recovery: Different...

The popularity of cosmetic procedures has increased among teens in recent years. Studies show that social media may be to blame.

Filtered reality

Popularity of cosmetic procedures among teens connected to social media

Editor’s note: This story was a part of the in-depth package of our March 11, 2020 issue, which was named an excellent in-depth package in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest.

Remarks: "The Bachelor"

Remarks: “The Bachelor”

Shriya Mukkavilli March 10, 2020

The Marquee: Who are you rooting for on “The Bachelor”?

Senior Nick Underwood models during the Mr. Marcus pageant on Feb 20. Underwood was one of 12 senior boys to take the stage that night.

[Photo] February in photos

The Marquee Staff March 1, 2020

Senior Nick Underwood models during the Mr. Marcus pageant on Feb 20. Underwood was one of 12 senior boys to take the stage that night.

"Even though I had Indian friends, I still felt isolated. Unlike me, many of them were fluent in their native languages. I understand mine perfectly, but don’t feel brave enough to speak more than a few words, even to my parents."

Column: Finding my identity

Shriya Mukkavilli February 3, 2020

Editor’s note: This story was named an honorable mention for personal columns in the 2021 TAJE Best of Texas contest. My parents immigrated from India in 1997. They had me in 2004. I was born...

While it may seem easy to just stay at home and question why you’re  single, there are still ways to enjoy the last moments of the year without a partner.

Single’s guide to New Year’s Eve

Shriya Mukkavilli December 31, 2019

Ah, New Year’s Eve. Some people throw elaborate parties, others wait in below freezing temperatures to watch the ball drop and kids stay up while pretending to be asleep. Most importantly, couples...

Students played with husky puppies on Dec. 20, the last day of the semester. Students had to pay $5 to hold them. All proceeds went to the Texas Husky Rescue.

[Photo] December in photos

December 20, 2019

Students played with husky puppies on Dec. 20, the last day of the semester. Students had to pay $5 to hold them. All proceeds went to the Texas Husky Rescue.

Social media platforms became extremely popular in the past decade, making hashtags a new way to remember major events.

Decade in hashtags

Shriya Mukkavilli December 19, 2019

  #26Angels (2012)  Many mass shootings occurred in the 2010s. #26Angels was created in remembrance of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in...

The Global Climate Strike, an environmental conservation organization, held a rally on Friday, Nov. 29 in order to let the government know they want climate action. 40 people attended, brought signs, and marched as a group up and down W. 7th  in the rain while shouting chants that encouraged activism.

Impact of climate change sparks debate

Nikhita Ragam and Shriya Mukkavilli December 13, 2019

According to the United Nations, 2019 is set to end the hottest decade recorded, and natural disasters such as wildfires and floods have increased. The global temperature has increased 1.5 F since 1880,...

"I’ve accepted that not everyone around me will eat the same way I do. The only time I have a problem is when people try to convince me to eat meat while ignoring the fact that I can’t and I won’t."

Column: Me and my diet

Shriya Mukkavilli November 19, 2019

“You’re a vegetarian?” “Do you ever want to eat meat?” “How do you live like that?” I’ve been hearing the same things every time I tell people about my diet since I was little....

Sophomores Landon Faulkner and Charles Payton read sheet music together. Peer mentors take a leadership role teaching them the fundementals of this skill.

In perfect harmony

Students connect through music
Shriya Mukkavilli October 28, 2019

Before starting, the room buzzed with friendly conversation. As the bell rang, the orchestra and special needs students formed a half-circle around the podium. Once the lesson started, everyone broke off...

Acting for awareness

Acting for awareness

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ opens conversation about mental health
Shriya Mukkavilli October 3, 2019

Editor's note: this story was named as an honorable mention for entertainment features in the TAJE Best in Texas contest. As the lights dimmed, the actors in the scene made their way onto the stage...

Elliot Jensen is the new Choir Student Teacher on campus. 

Starting off on a new note

Meet some of the new performing arts teachers on campus
Shriya Mukkavilli September 11, 2019

Samuel Park Assistant Orchestra Director Samuel Park is the new assistant director for orchestra. A Richardson native, Park graduated from Southern Methodist University, where he participated...