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LEGAL PAD

Compiled By: Serena Herrera

February:

16th: Presidents Day (NO SCHOOL)

19th: SkillsUSA Competition

20-22nd: Debate Competition

24th: Law Volleyball Game (All grade Levels)

26th-28th: Mock Trial & Moot Court

Youth and Government Competition

March:

1st: Mock Trial & Moot Court Youth and Government Competition

9th: Study Cafe (Incoming Students Only)

12th: Slime Night (All Grade Levels)

14-22nd: Spring Break

18th: Law Senior Mavs Night

23rd: Donuts! (Incoming Students Only)

26th: Law v.s. SBM Basketball Game (All Grade Levels)

27th: Computer Science UIL Competition

28th: Academic and Speech UIL Competition

Dear Readers,

In the beginning, there was nothing There was only Chaos, the primeval emptiness of the universe From there, Eros, alongside other primordial gods, was born In Greek mythology, Eros was the god of love and desire. In later versions of the myth, Eros became the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Then, art portrayed him as a beautiful winged youth. In the Hellenistic period, he was portrayed as an infant with a bow and arrow Ancient Romans knew him as Cupid In modern days, Cupid has become an iconic symbol of Valentine’s Day

February is filled with old-timey love songs, heart- shaped everything, romantic letters, roses, and the color pink. As every retail store begins to pump out Valentine’s Day paraphernalia, it’s impossible to miss the little winged chubby baby that decorates anything from cards to chocolate boxes. Even if you ’ re one of the many boyfriends at Walmart on February 13th around 9pm

Which is why we have decided to center this edition of The Legal Pad around the curious stories of ancient Greece You’ll read a wonderful story that reimagines our favorite gods as students at Townview (“A Valentine’s Day Myth at Townview”), learn about the censorship surrounding teaching Plato at Texas A&M (Censorship at A&M University), and discover the truth behind famous Greek myths (Rewriting the Gods: Misconceptions in Greek Mythology)

While you honor Cupid (or Eros, if you want to stay true to his Greek form) this Valentine’s Day, we encourage you to give a copy of this edition to a special someone. Greek mythology is made up of so many tragic, unbelievable, and dramatic stories, and we have only scratched the surface of it.

With love, Micaela Arauz

If GodsWent to Townview

By: Krystal Ma

Aphrodite (LAW) – Goddess of Love and Beauty

Hephaestus (SEM) – God of Fire and Crafting

Hermes (SBM) – God of Travel, Communication, and Mischief

Apollo (TAG) – God of the Sun, Music, and Art

Artemis (TAG) – Goddess of the Hunt and Nature

Ares (SEM) – God of War

Athena (LAW) – Goddess of Wisdom and Strategy

Hestia (ESSM) – Goddess of Hearth and Home

Demeter (ESSM) – Goddess of Agriculture and Growth

Asclepius (HSHP) – God of Healing

The gods transferred to Townview like any other students quietly, confused, and immediately aware that bells, schedules, and Yondr pouches ruled mortal life

Hephaestus was in SEM, hunched over a half-assembled robot, muttering about wires and soldering Across the hallway, LAW students trickled out of classrooms Aphrodite was among them, adjusting her binder and walking with her friends. She didn’t plan to notice SEM, or Hephaestus in particular. The layout just put her in the right place at the right time She glanced up briefly as he adjusted a circuit, smiled faintly, and went on Small, subtle, accidental exactly what Valentine’s Day called for.

Mr. Smeltzer roamed the halls, eyes darting from one passing cluster to the next “It’s a conspiracy,” he whispered to himself as he passed a group of students “Mostly girls, mostly guys LAW and SEM. They gravitate. Every year. Science.”

He had no proof, but he believed it wholeheartedly, watching the subtle forces of proximity at work.

Hermes crouched near an SBM table, muttering at his Yondr pouch while l listening in on conversations about Health’s Valentine’s grams Apollo flounced through TAG, raising his hand for reasons no one could understand. Artemis finished her work early, shooting disapproving looks at anyone holding a candy heart

Ares wandered SEM, challenging students to feats of strength. Athena walked the LAW halls correcting punctuation mid-argument, leaving students simultaneously terrified and impressed Hestia and Demeter stayed glued to ESSM, quietly sharing sn k d i i th t f th

sc HS Va

At lunch, Hermes continued glaring at his Yondr pouch like it had personally offended him He twisted it, shook it, and muttered under his breath, “Just a little…give… come on… ” Every few seconds he peeked around the cafeteria to make sure no one was watching, though he definitely wasn’t subtle Apollo flounced past and gave him a look of dramatic judgment, Artemis shot a glare that could have frozen molten metal, and Aphrodite almost smiled at the absurdity of it all The pouch, of course, remained stubbornly shut, as if mocking him.

While chaos ensued in the commons, Athena was in the LAW office, holding up her confiscated headphones “Ms Cabrera, they can’t just take these,” she explained, pointing to the attached wire. “Mr. G always preaches self-advocacy there’s a technicality here!” Ms. Cabrera raised an eyebrow, trying not to smile at Athena’s calm but relentless insistence

Meanwhile, in TAG, Artemis was clustered with a few classmates when someone mentioned the Lululemon pop-up nearby. “Lululemon?” she asked, curious, tilting her head. “Is that… like athletic gear?” Her peers nodded enthusiastically, and she stepped closer, fingers brushing the soft leggings

“These would be perfect for target practice,” she said “Or running through the trails!” Her eyes lit up as she thought about how each pair/style could fit seamlessly into her training routine

By the end of lunch, the gods had scattered through Townview, each absorbed in their own little chaos Hephaestus returned to SEM, Aphrodite drifted back toward LAW, and Athena finally sat down, headphones rescued. The halls were messy, the cafeteria loud, and the Valentine’s chaos far from over but for a moment, Olympus had adapted to high school life Accidental glances, stubborn pouches, and newfound leggings made the day strangely complete

OF

MEMOIRS APOLLO

By: Angela Thomas

Daphne, from the get-go, was a complete disaster Realistically, I should have known that a relationship with a Naiad-nymph of the river Arkadia was a horrifically bad idea

Despite their beauty, nymphs are relatively distant and mischievous. The whole “kind and caring” idea about nymphs didn’t start until Rome got their grubby hands on our stories

Daphne was incredibly beautiful, with long auburn hair, fair skin, and a smile I would die for. She was relatively quiet but overall a kind person when approached the right way The first few times I met her, I didn't pay much attention to her, but then Eros happened. Eros, oh that tiny little brat who doesn’t even deserve to wield a bow, decided that, as retribution for an argument earlier that day, he would shoot me with a love arrow

Love arrows work like this: as soon as you ' re shot, the first person you see is the person you become madly in love with Daphne happened to be the person I saw first, and chaos ensued I don’t remember all the details, but when everything was said and done, Daphne had become a laurel tree Then,and even now, I grieve at her loss I grieved so much, I made my sacred plant a laurel tree and always made sure to wear its branches on my head.

Phoebus Apollo this, lord of the silver bow that humans truly don’t realize that gods have lives too Don’t get me wrong, I love to answer the prayers of my thousands of followers, whether it’s healing their families or enacting revenge by sending a life-threatening plague; I prioritize those who worship me With all that being said, that doesn’t mean I don’t have other matters to attend to in the godly world Zeus always seems to have a task for Hermes and me Hermes is completely understandable, seeing as he is the god of travel and quite literally all the gods' messenger. But anywho, Zeus has plenty of children he could use besides me Pallas Athena (his favorite), Aphrodite, Ares, and, of course, my twin sister Artemis. Between Zeus’s work and answering my patrons, I barely have time for myself! It’s a tragedy! I’m not like Artemis at all; I actually need a love life to function For where it stands, my love life is and always has been a disaster. I do try to move on, but even in the thousands of years I’ve existed, I still find myself reminiscing on certain lovers

After Daphne’s loss, I didn’t fall in love for a while. It wasn’t until after a stroll in Sparta that my heart found its next victim An unfairly gorgeous Spartan prince by the name of Hyacinthos From the time I saw him to the first word out of his mouth, I knew he was the one. We talked about plenty of things, ranging from my godly duties to his mortal life Every word made me fall for him more, but I wasn’t the only one who was enchanted by his charm. Zephyrus, god of the east winds, took a liking to him as well Instead of approaching Hyacinthos or confronting me, he stewed in his own jealousy On a crisp afternoon in his garden, I was teaching Hyacinthos how to throw a discus when Zephyrus came. Zephyrus directed the wind in the opposite way, making the discus strike my beloved Hyacinthos in the head. After the initial contact, he bled out in my arms and perished, leaving me in my own despair. Instead of a funeral, I turned him into a purple flower that would come to be known as a Hyacinthus.

Besides Daphne and Hyacinthus, there were others like Coronis (the mother of Asclepius), Cyrene, Adionus, and plenty of others I care not to name. However, all of those relationships are in the past This is the present Dating in the modern world can be pretty difficult, but I, nonetheless, make an effort. It’s like Aphrodite always says, there's someone out there for everyone.

a A&M University

By: AshimaYadav and Nelly Mujica

“The power to learn is present in everyone ' s soul, ” Plato writes in The Republic. For many years, education has relied on philosophy and classical texts to encourage critical thinking and inquiry. Particularly in philosophy courses that examine enduring questions about human nature and society

In Texas, debates over curriculum oversight have intensified after the implementation of the Texas A&M University System’s Policy 08.01, which took effect in December 2025, requiring all course syllabi to be reviewed and approved by system administrators. The policy was adopted in advance following the passage of Senate Bill 37 in June last year, which expanded the authority of the THECB to review course content at public universities.

According to faculty statements, this review process resulted in Plato’s Symposium being removed from Dr Martin Peterson's introductory philosophy course due to portions of the text that discuss gender and race These topics fall under the university’s Policy 08.01 restrictions on race, gender, and sexual orientation. The decision sparked responses from students and faculty who questioned how such policies may affect academic freedom and the teaching of classical texts in public higher education

Dr Martin Peterson holds a PhD philosophy from the KTH Royal I Technology, Sweden, and has t A&M University since 2014. He n threat to his livelihood for inclu excerpt from Plato’s Symposium in his philosophy class curriculum In his Symposium, Plato explores the nature of love (Eros) framed by a discussion held at a banquet hosted by his character Agathon. One of his characters, Aristophanes, offers an explanation behind why humans search for love, or, as he puts it, their other half

ophanes argues that, “The sexes were wo as they are now, but originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two ” He names his third entity as androgynous, neither man nor woman He mourns how the term “ once referenced this creature's double nature but is now lost, and the word 'androgynous' is only preserved as a term of reproach.” He goes on to depict that humans only took the form of this androgynous being, but man and woman were split from its being destined

draw attention to how been a long-circulatin interest and not a rec invention, as it is often posed in conservative media The censorship of historic texts such as Plato's work undermines the legitimacy and trust many audiences have in LGBTQ+ speakers today. Although this might not be the most favored or popular viewpoint among Texan residents, A&M is a public state school, not a private conservative entity. Public institutions should have the freedom to teach from multiple perspectives rather than censor one point of view to validate another

Plato's writings are certainly debated which Dr Martin Peterson recogni stating in an interview that indeed “[Plato] does not agree with the n that there are two biological sexe everyone should be heterosexual, controversial, but that is the very p including him in the syllabus ” Dr P highlights how essential it is to int students to an alternate and poss uncomfortable perspective, espec living in a Republican state, which historically advocates for political conservative ideals

He frowns on the threat to his freedom of speech and criticizes how the university framed their undeniable censorship as “not so bad” because he was still permitted to “talk about some of Plato’s works ” He calls out the absurdity of the narrative, stressing, “C’mon, this is a philosophy department. Philosophers d, of course, be allowed to read iscuss everything that Plato wrote ” attempt to emphasize the tance of open discussion, Dr on has replaced the banned es with lectures on free speech cademic freedom. Additionally, for eading work, he has assigned his nts an article from the New York that covers this very case His altered curriculum is now awaiting val

The restriction of Symposium at Texas A&M highlights how curriculum oversight can shape classroom instruction. Limiting access to such texts may narrow academic exploration This raises questions about the future of education, including curriculum oversight influence and which ideas are considered acceptable. It underscores the importance of remaining informed and literate about educational policies that shape learning.

SHORT HISTORY OF SHORT HISTORY OF

IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE UNITED STATES

By: Adriana Bautista

As the new millennium began, wins and losses emerged In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that states could not criminalize consensual same-sex intercourse, which had been the case in several states, including Texas. During this time, leading LGBTQ+ rights activists were beginning to identify states which offered reasonable opportunities to legalize same-sex marriage.

These efforts culminated in a major victory in 2004, when Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. However, despite emerging victories in the movement, there was some public pushback. The sitting president, George W Bush, openly declared his opposition to marriage equality for all couples Additionally, the House of Representatives introduced a constitutional amendment stating that marriage can only occur between a man and a woman.

California’s Legal Tangle

In 2008, a highly-publicized series of judicial moves legalized same-sex marriage in California, criminalized it, and finally legalized it again. In 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a right to marry in the state However, that November, voters passed Proposition 8, a referendum that altered the state constitution to declare “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California ” A federal district court ruled against Prop 8, concluding that it violated the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process clauses by denying same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. Though the state supreme court did not appeal this decision, advocates against same-sex marriage did. The U.S Court of Appeals mostly sided with the federal district court, leading to these advocates challenging the ruling in front of the Supreme Court On June 26, 2013, the Court ruled that same-sex marriage was once again legal in California

That same year, in United States v. Windsor, the Court held that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional, further setting the stage for the massive victory two years later.

The BigVictory

Building on the case that the United States provided marriage equality in states that already gave legal support for it, advocates asked that the Court provide marriage equality in other states, as well On June 26, 2015, in a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that every state must recognize and grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The victory symbolized the culmination of decades of struggle and hard work towards equal rights for LGBTQ+ people.

Excellence

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance,” wrote Greek philosopher Aristotle. In ancient Greece, art was treated as sacred and as a reflection of truth and humanity itself Yet even in myth, recognition was selective. Some heroes were immortalized, while others faded into obscurity That imbalance still exists today. In modern Hollywood, Black actors and films are often praised by audiences and critics alike Yet they are overlooked by major award institutions which raises questions about who is truly seen and celebrated.

IN FILM IN FILM

By: Nelly Mujica

Award season frequently overlaps with Black History Month, a time meant to not only honor historical figures, but also to recognize the artists shaping culture in the present Despite this, patterns of exclusion continue to appear year after year Black-led films are often described as culturally specific rather than universal, even when critics praise their excellence. This pattern is noted in award coverage and discussions about representation at the Oscars and other major ceremonies Critics have pointed to movements like #OscarSoWhite and long-standing debates about diversity at the Academy-

Awards to explain persistent gaps in nominations and win patterns (Washington Informer; historical coverage of Oscars diversity issues)

Award season often highlights both progress and the persistent gaps in recognition Viola Davis’s performance in The Woman King (2022) was widely praised for its historical significance, yet the film received few major award nominatio Similarly, Danielle Deadwyle portrayal Mamie Till Till (2022) critical ac nomination despite early predictions

In contrast, films like "Sinners," directed by Ryan Coogler, have received 16 Oscar nominations including major categories and have also dominated other award shows, such as the Critics' Choice and NAACP Image Awards Even when awards are won, moments meant to celebrate black excellence can be overshadowed.

Moonlight’s historic Best Picture win at the 2017 Oscars was initially announced as going to La La Land, delaying the recognition it deserved and illustrating how even celebrated achievements can be partially diminished in the spotlight

features actors such as Denzel Washington, Michael B Jordan, Whoopie Goldberg and Ruth Negga. It explores both historical context and personal experiences in Hollywood When being asked what being number one on the call sheet means to them, many actors expressed the responsibility and privilege or representation. Michael B. Jordan reflects that holding that top spot on the call sheet to carry the responsibility o leading my example Ruth Negga emphasizes the we of visibility: “when you see number one and you see y name…the gratitude one f that can be intense ” Blac actresses of color share th unique challenges Halle B notes “The system is not re designed for us, and so we to stop coveting that whic not for us. Because at the the day, it's how we touch lives of people and that is fundamentally what art is for ” Through c interviews and archival footage, this docu celebrates Black excellenc examines the barriers that remain and demonstrates that recognition is about leadership, representation legacy.

Black History Month reminds us not only to honor past achievements, but also to recognize the excellence of Black artists that are shaping culture today By acknowledging the contributions of Black actors, directors, and creators, we honor their legacy, artistry, and the ongoing fight toward a more equitable industry Recognition is not merely an accolade; it is a statement that their stories and impact do truly matter.

REWRITINGTHE GODS:

By: Micaela Arauz

For many of us, Disney’s Hercules was our first glance into the fascinating world of Greek mythology. Maybe for others it was Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians book series. Video game fanatics may have come across the highly popular video game God of War Many people may just be familiar with the stories of Hades the evil king of the underworld and the heroic Zeus lightning strikes and all Regardless of how people came across Greek myth, one thing remains true The misconceptions about these myths are undeniable, but many people are unaware of them. Let’s learn the truth behind some of our favorite stories.

One of the most loved childhood movies, Disney’s Hercules, portrayed quite a watered-down version of this myth. First of all, Hercules’s name isn’t actually Hercules. The movie is set in ancient Greece, and all of the gods in the movie have their Greek names except for the main character.

“Heracles” is his Greek name, but the film used his Roman name, “Hercules,” instead In the Greek myth, Hera was never Heracles’s mother In fact, it was a mortal named Alcmene. Hera was the one who tried to kill Heracles multiple times due to jealousy, not Hades like the Disney movie portrayed Heracles didn’t have quite the happy ending. He killed Megara and their children while in a madness caused by Hera and was then forced to become a servant to Eurystheus That was who gave Heracles his famous Twelve Labors as punishment for killing his family.

This adored series was where many Greek mythology nerds started their journey into learning about Greek myth However, these books were heavily modernized and simplified for their intended middle-school audience Unlike many of the demigods in Camp Half-Blood, most demigods didn’t possess powers in Greek mythology. Most of them were simply stronger and faster than humans. Additionally, in classical mythology, Hades was depicted as unable to have children, but in the books, Nico and Bianca di Angelo were both his children Riordan also occasionally uses the Roman versions of certain myths, for example Achilles’ dip and using Ovid’s version of Medusa Even though there are far more inaccuracies throughout Riordan’s book series, these were done in order for plot development and/or to make the story more digestible for younger audiences In fact, Rick Riordan used Greek myth in his teaching career and even wrote Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods, which is a far more accurate book that retells Greek myth from Percy Jackson’s perspective

Percy Jackson

This popular video game is almost a “fan fiction” interpretation of Greek myth rather than a retelling The game centers around Kratos, a mortal-born demigod Spartan warrior who has a vendetta against Ares, the god of war. He killed around twenty Greek gods, including Ares, which led to him becoming the “God of War ” In Greek myth, there was Kratos (or Cratus), the divine personification of strength and power. He did not hate any of the gods, nor did he kill any of them He was a loyal servant to Zeus and is known for binding Prometheus in Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound.

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood gods in Greek mythology, Hades is often portrayed as an evil, wicked villain Nonetheless, this was not the case When Cronus was overthrown by his sons, Hades was assigned to rule over the underworld. He supervised the trial and punishment of the wicked after death, but he was never one of the judges in the underworld or a torturer of the guilty. In ancient myth, he was portrayed as a stern King of the Underworld, not the god of death Unlike his siblings, Hades was faithful to Persephone despite their unconventional marriage. Yet, the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades was permitted and facilitated by Zeus, her father

There are many more misconceptions and misinterpretations of Greek mythology than listed here. These stories all have different versions and were told orally throughout the years, so it is often hard to find the true myth. But that’s the beauty of mythology. Next time you ’ re at a bookstore, pick up a book on Greek, Roman, or even Norse mythology You might find out you were wrong all along about your favorite gods and heroes

God of War Hades

By: Serena Herrera

You are lost at sea, and your journey home has just begun As you face each challenge, make your choices carefully (the gods are watching) Keep track of the symbols as you go

Challenge 1: The Sirens’ Song

A haunting melody drifts across the water. Sailors who listen never return. What do you do?

s ⭐

B what they

C Ste sound ��

Challenge 2: The Cy Cave

You take shelter in a cave… bu

C. Leave the island immediately

B. Trick it C. Steal

Challenge 4: The Cursed Relic

You find a g do you do?

A. Leave it u

B Take it wi y y ��

Challenge 5: Hephaestus’ Forge

A. Repair your

You find an isla d with t h i al wonders Your mo

Challenge 7: The Underworld

Hades gives you instructions on how to find your way home but you must seek knowledge from the dead. How do you act?

⭐ Mostly Star Symbols: You Make It Home! You know when to act and when to wait, letting strategy guide you through danger. Your journey is long, but every trial adds to your legend, and when you finally return home, your story proves that cleverness can outlast chaos

⭐�� Even Stars & Tridents: You Live… But Changed Loss, struggle, and hard choices shape who you become, leaving you wiser and more aware of the world You return with lessons learned the hard way, forever changed but undeniably stronger

�� Mostly Trident Symbols: Lost to the Sea Your journey ends before reaching home. Overpowered by fate, pride, or the sea itself, your story becomes a warning shared among sailors. Though you are lost, your legend lives on as a reminder of the journey’s danger.

A. Follow instructio l ⭐

B Speak freely with the spirits ��

C. Flee as soon as you can