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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

Ayra Charania

Ayra Charania, Copy Editor

As a traveler of nearly every continent (sorry Antarctica) and speaker of four languages, Ayra Charania is a senior and joined staff this year, although she has had a love of writing for many years. Outside of newspaper, Ayra loves to play the violin, shop for heels so she can pretend she isn’t tiny at 5’2, and read. Her current Netflix addiction is Lucifer. 

Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/user/mhsmarquee/playlist/6EorWBqZZHybcbyug59lmD?si=YOM7LHf5T9ON1NGjQGf9fw

All content by Ayra Charania
"At each disappointment, Little Miss Sunshine was there to remind me that I was neurotic. She taught me that trying my best mattered more than whatever grade I received."

Senior column: The limit to friendship does not exist

Ayra Charania May 17, 2020

It was fourth period, and I was absolutely exhausted. My brain had zero energy to socialize, and I just wanted to nap. Rushing into the AP Calculus BC classroom, my face fell as I realized I barely...

Students are taking part in a wide range of activities, from walking to baking, yo stay entertained during quarantine.

Surviving quarantine boredom

Students find entertainment at home
Ayra Charania April 28, 2020

The Marquee asked four students how they were staying busy during quarantine. Here's what they had to say:

The Flower Mound Sally Beauty Supply posts flyers announcing changes being made due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 21.

Texas governor reopens retail businesses

Ayra Charania April 27, 2020

Texas coronavirus cases peaked on April 22 — April 26, with zero shortages in hospital beds, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Additionally, the state is projected...

Officers Angela Abraham, Fiona Chung, Destiny Simpson, Renee Gomez, Neha Yawalkar, and sponsor Kaitlyn Wilson stand together. They discussed education in third world countries during the February meeting.

Life outside ‘the bubble’

Club strives to teach current events
Ayra Charania March 15, 2020

Junior Angela Abraham’s mind was clouded with worries as she sat on the couch. The TV flashed images of her family’s flooded hometown, Kerala. Citizens were trapped, left to either starve in their...

Fliers created by the CDC are posted throughout both the main and freshman campuses to inform students about how to avoid getting sick, especially with COVID-19. The district recently began making bigger changes to keep students healthy.

LISD reacts to COVID-19 outbreak

Ayra Charania March 13, 2020

The district is planning to make a decision as to whether they will extend spring break by March 21.  “We will continue evaluating the latest information and make a decision toward the end of spring...

Senior Kaitlyn Reichenberger was part of the varsity team that placed second at nationals. She performed their nationals routine for the last time at their pep rally on Nov. 22.

Top of the pyramid

Cheer places second at nationals
Ayra Charania March 12, 2020

The cheerleaders circled together, tightly holding hands and watching from backstage as the team before them performed at NCA nationals. After sharing motivational messages and saying a prayer, they...

Remarks: Cosmetic surgery

Remarks: Cosmetic surgery

Ayra Charania March 11, 2020

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. The Marquee: What are...

"There are no pressing issues that push us to watch the third movie out of curiosity and the classic love triangle has already been played out. It seems that all the series can provide now is a montage of stylish outfits and angsty music."

Review: ‘To All the Boys I Loved Before: PS I Still Love You’

Ayra Charania March 7, 2020

“To All the Boys I Loved Before: PS I Still Love You” begins with a nostalgic scene imitating the ‘90s movie “Adventures in Babysitting.” Main character Lara Jean, played by Lana Condor, prances...

Marcus High School hosted middle school choir UIL on Feb. 28th. Choirs are scored based on their performance and a sight reading excerpt.

[Photo] February in photos

The Marquee Staff March 1, 2020

Marcus High School hosted middle school choir UIL on Feb. 28th. Choirs are scored based on their performance and a sight reading excerpt.

Paper snowflakes decorated with encouraging messages hang on the ceiling of Kyle’s Place during Christmas.

Finding hope without a home

Community works to uplift homeless teens
Ayra Charania February 4, 2020

Leah* never thought she would find more safety in her car than her home. She was parked in the middle of the pitch black Walmart parking lot, laying in the back seat of her truck with only a pillow...

Junior Luca Nardielli and senior Anna Ryan relax inside the orchestra room before going to first period.

[Photo] January in photos

The Marquee Staff February 2, 2020

Junior Luca Nardielli and senior Anna Ryan relax inside the orchestra room before going to first period.

According to the CDC, Texas had the 7th highest teen birth rate in the United States in 2018. The main reason for the state's high population of teen parents is up for debate.

Children having children

Teen birth rate remains high in Texas
Madi Olivier and Ayra Charania February 1, 2020

Editor’s note: This story was a part of the in-depth package of our Jan. 31, 2020 issue, which was named as an honorable mention for online in-depth news/feature package in the ILPC contest. It was...

Students in health and physical education classes have been expected to learn the same Texas Essentials of Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) since 1998. The Texas State Board of Education is currently revising the TEKS and is expected to make a decision in the fall.

Health, physical education TEKS revised for first time in 22 years

Madi Olivier and Ayra Charania January 29, 2020

Editor's note: This story won second place for online news writing in the ILPC contest. For the first time in 22 years, the Texas State Board of Education is revising the physical education and health...

Trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments by members of Help a S.T.A.R. can be found along Morris road.

Branching into Christmas season

Local resident spreads holiday joy by decorating trees
Ayra Charania December 23, 2019

Flower Mound resident Kim Berg passed one lonely tree every time he commuted to work at the airport during the holiday season. It was off to the side of Highway 121 and had a single garland wrapped...

United Sound mentors and students play Just Dance at their Christmas party.

[Photo] December in photos

December 20, 2019

United Sound mentors and students play Just Dance at their Christmas party.

Sophomore Rhea Karumuru is standing next to Magan Lewis. Lewis is an agricultural engineer for Corteva.

STEMinism

Sophomore joins Girls Advisory Council of women in STEM organization
Ayra Charania December 16, 2019

Sophomore Rhea Karumuru was an introvert trying to be an extrovert. She fiddled with the zipper of her leather jacket.  Up. Down. Up. Down. She tried to do it discreetly, wanting to appear collected. Karumuru...

However, maybe if I didn’t drink a gallon of coffee a day or actually drank milk like my grandma told me when I was a kid, I’d be 5’5” instead of 5’2”.

Column: Being fun sized is not that fun

Ayra Charania December 12, 2019

“I have the God-given right to make fun of you,” my 5’9” friend said. She had just left class, and I was trailing behind her because my short legs couldn’t walk any faster. After sprinting...

The biggest stressor regarding school in freshman Munachiso Nnamani's life is the competitive aspect of AP classes. She copes with her stress through prayer.

Q&A: Talking about stress

Michael Minton and Ayra Charania November 18, 2019

From the academic stress of AP classes to comparing themselves to others on social media, the modern teen can find themselves overwhelmed by stress on a daily basis. The Marquee sat down with a group of...

Senior Ryan Mouakket was inspired to give tennis a shot in sixth grade while watching it on TV with his dad. He now aspires to earn a state title.

Game, set, match

Senior’s ambitions drive his tennis goals
Ayra Charania October 30, 2019

While Senior Ryan Mouakket cannot point to one specific source for his competitive nature, it has always been a part of him. During an elementary school field trip to the Perot Museum, Ryan came across...

Junior Ria Chacko won Marcus Idol after her performance of "The Joke."

Major success

Junior wins school-wide singing competition
Ayra Charania October 4, 2019

Junior Ria Chacko took first place at  Marcus Idol, an annual singing competition for students.  Trophies were also awarded to senior Olivia Stefani for second place and senior Julia Campopiano...

"No matter where I go, I feel my freedom to express myself being clamped down. Instead of Muslim women changing themselves for the world, the world should accept our clothes and us."

Column: My wardrobe crisis

Ayra Charania October 3, 2019

Editor’s note: this column was named as a superior personal column in the TAJE Best in Texas contest. It also won second place for opinion in the Press Women of Texas high school contest and first...

The school received an A and LISD received a B+ rating in the Texas Education Agency 2019 Accountability Report on Aug. 15.

TEA grades education

Marcus earns A, LISD’s B+ in 2019 report
Ayra Charania October 3, 2019

Editor’s note: this story won third place for news in the Press Women of Texas high school contest. It was also named as an honorable mention for online news writing in the ILPC contest.  The...

Beyond the location

Coronavirus impacts junior's family
Ayra Charania May 12, 2004

Junior Emily* sat in her classroom, listening to her friends’ conversation while working on her assignment. They were discussing how the Corona beer stock dropped when the topic of coronavirus came up. While...