News that Stands Out
THE KNIGHT TIMES Official Student Newspaper of Episcopal High School
May 2021
4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401
Opportunities for service are summer ready
www.ehshouston.org
Volume 35, Issue 10
Senior Traditions
EHS seniors enjoy a full week of games, college t-shirts, honors, and more
ESTEFANIA LOPEZ-SALAS Social Media Coordinator Elect This summer, Episcopal High School is offering summer service opportunities for any students who are interested. The idea is to let students know where they can look to find volunteer opportunities. Some of these can be one-time service projects or others can include activities dedicated to a more regular schedule with an organization. Some service opportunities include work at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Students at the museum will help to keep the museum alive by taking tickets, ushering the theater in the planetarium, and more. The Nehemiah Center and the SPCA are also offering great chances to work with young children and animals, including small dogs, large dogs, and large animals. Science Summer Camps are being held at the Houston Arboretum and the Bellaire Nature Discovery Center as well. If any students are interested in packaging food or making sandwiches for many underprivileged children and adults in the greater Houston area, Kids Meals Houston and the Houston Food Bank are looking for volunteers and employees. The STARS program, which stands for Student Training in Alzheimer’s and Respite in the Summer, at the Amazing Place is serving patients with dementia, but sadly it is only limited to 20-25 students each summer. This is a great opportunity to help comfort those who need our help and support. Reverend Holden has sent out many emails with even more full job descriptions, and the Episcopal High School community hopes that many students will decide to sign up and work at least one of these great places, not only to benefit and prepare for future college applications, but also to have that great feeling after taking a little time out of the summer to help improve someone else’s life.
INSIDE Editor Farewell A final word from this year’s Editor-in-Chief, Bailey Junell.
PAGE 2 College Map Find out where the EHS Senior Class of 2021 will attend college next year.
PAGE 4-5
Wrestling Learn more about the students who competed in the State Championship.
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Features ........................ 2-3 College Map.................... 4-5 Knight Shift ................ 6 Opinion ........................ 7 Sports ........................... 8
Episcopal seniors enjoyed part of their last week of school before heading off to college by honoring their college of choice. This year 50% of EHS graduates will be attending out of state colleges. Photo by Sophie Martin. CONNOR SMITH Editor-in-Chief Elect
In recognition of their last week at school, the Senior Class enjoyed festivities and other meaningful traditions. One of those is College T-shirt Day, which occurred on May 6. On this day, the seniors sported their respective future college logo on shirts and skirts in an effort to celebrate their upcoming graduation. Learn more about Senior Traditions on Page 3
Seniors and juniors face off in Powerpuff game LILY O’GORMAN Copy Editor Elect On May 4, Episcopal held its annual Powerpuff football game on Simmons Field after school. For those unaware, Powerpuff is a tradition in which junior and senior girls go head-to-head in a twotouch football game. This year, the name was given an EHS flair, moved from the national term Powderpuff to Powerpuff. Inclusive to all, junior and senior girls signed up to play, and any junior or senior boy could volunteer to coach. The entire event was overseen by Coach Steve Leisz, who stood as the official referee. Chair Gwen Rippeto and a committee of STUCO leaders worked to plan the event and ensured that it went smoothly. The players wore special Powerpuff tshirts modeled after the NFL logo. The juniors wore light blue while the seniors sported navy. The junior team was placed in the capable hands of coaches Beau Edwards, George Still, and Chase Woodard and was led by quarterback, senior Natalie Toups. Toups, a member of varsity football, led the juniors throughout the game. The senior team, coached by Donovan Jackson and Quon Marion, triumphed with a final score of 14-0. With quarterback Tinley Kane, the team made impressive plays resulting in the victory. Kane, also a soft-
ball captain coming off an SPC win, scored the first touchdown while Courtney Davis ran in for the second on a solid reception.
That final tally came via Kane’s arm, securing her role as an extremely valuable player for the senior team.
Keeping with tradition, the annual Powerpuff football game was led by the EHS football team. The team coached the junior and senior girls as the two teams faced off in two-touch football. Photo by Lili Masterson.
Features ∙ Page 2
The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
EIC Bailey Junell passes the torch: The Knight Times’ leadership appointed for the 2021-2022 school year BAILEY JUNELL Outgoing Editor-in-Chief After three years on The Knight Times with two years as Editor-in-Chief, it’s hard to believe that my time with the publication is coming to an end. The class has been extremely influential in my life and has shaped me into the person I am today. As I reflect on my time on the staff, I want to thank everyone who took part in creating the paper. First, to Mr. Framel: Thank you for allowing me to lead the
Editor Cory Kardesch, Opinions Editor Connor Smith, Social Media Coordinator Lucy Howley, and Business and Circulation Manager Sydney Coward. I also want to give a special thanks to Managing Editor Chris Lahoti. Thank you to the whole staff, including those aforementioned, for their dedication to the paper. It could not have had the success it did without the efforts they put in, in class and out. To next year’s editors Chris Lahoti and Connor Smith, I have full confidence that
Senior, Bailey Junell hands off the to the Editor-in Chief Elects, Chris Lahoti and Connor Smith. Photo by Mr. David Framel. staff over the past two years. Through managing them I have learned the importance of deadlines (while they might not always have been met). Thank you also for everything you do for the paper. Additionally, I would like to thank my fellow staff members in making these past two years entertaining and memorable. I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside this group of peers that made up an amazing staff. Most importantly, I want to thank this past year’s leadership, specifically Sports Editor Tinley Kane, Copy
you will manage the staff effectively and with grace. You both are extremely talented in what you do, and I have no doubt that the paper will be just as successful as this past year, if not more. I cannot wait to see all that you all will accomplish. Thank you for everything. I credit this class and the publication in affecting my life for the better. The newspaper has developed my love for writing. I plan on pursuing this passion at Texas Christian University in the fall where I will major in journalism.
CONNOR SMITH
challenges through the pandemic that forced it online. GCX, original known as Guardian Con, was a yearly fundraiser benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through its in-person event, in which content creators and developers alike entertained crowds to raise millions of dollars for cancer research. While the event will continue to be online, the founding members of the event, known as Rare Drop, have come up with an interesting solution to boring presentations. Rare Drop has created an entirely virtual space using Unreal Engine, allowing ticketholders to explore a virtual space station using in-game avatars and interact with others through proximity voice-chat. Using this virtual event space, GCX can simulate the in-person event, bringing more fans into the conference to experience new games and donate to charity. Even though COVID-19 has hit events hard, videogame conferences have continued to amplify game developers and interact with fans. Even though these events will be virtual this summer, fans can expect to experience everything a real event would have to offer.
CONNOR SMITH Editor-in-Chief Elect
Hey, Knights! I, along with Connor Before I say anything, I would like to Smith, will be serving as Editors-in-Chief thank Mr. Framel and our previous Editorof the EHS Knight Times. I would like to in-Chief Baily Junell for the experience thank Mr. Framel and former Editor-inthey have given me throughout NewspaChief Bailey Junell for their guidance and per. After one year as a staff writer and support as I navigated the the Publications a year as the opinions editor, I can say I Program. Their patient help has allowed have learned much under their guidance me to develop and will hopefully as both a writer learn more over and person, and the next year. I am grateful for Along with the time I have my fellow writer spent under their Chris Lahoti, I am leadership. excited to serve I would also the Publications like to thank Program in the the EHS composition of Editormunity. My in-Chief. With my experiences with experience workextracurriculars ing with the staff such as Math and teachers alike, Club, National I’m eager to serve Honor Society, the community and Varsity through my work sports affirm the with the student diverse and newspaper. From encouraging sports articles to environment this editorials, I will school fosters, be working with and I appreciate Chris Lahoti, left, and Connor Smith, right, other staff to rethe opportunities have each others back with the upcoming year vamp The Knight I have been pre- in newspaper. Photo by of Leana Greene. Times and bring sented. I am eathe student-run ger to engage with students and faculty as paper to new heights. I look forward to we create our monthly issues, and I hope working with teachers across campus and to capture the intuitive curiosity that this the administration next year as the staff student body demonstrates. The Knight and I write about school events, global isTimes staff is committed to both upholdsues, and personal opinions through print ing reputable journalism and making journalism. sense of our constantly changing world; I Thank you for this opportunity as we will continue to honor this practice. I look look forward to next year’s edition of The forward to working with you all. Knight Times.
LEANA GREENE Production Editor Elect For the last issue of this column in its first year, Community Connections (CC) seeks to remind students of its first stories and a look ahead to next year. The column brought to print stories that celebrate the diverse community of the Knights. From introducing readers to alums of color and
CHRIS LAHOTI 2020 was particularly hard on concerts and events across the globe. Major video game-related events such as Gamescom, E3, and GCX have been altered or outright canceled due to COVID-19. For 2021, however, some of these events have moved completely virtual, allowing fans from around the world to experience new games and upcoming developers. For the April edition of Plugged In, we will focus on how these community events have moved online to create a stage for the newest in videogame entertainment. Entertainment Software Association, the company behind the wildly popular E3 conference, was forced to shut down the event last summer due to the pandemic. This year, however, the company has moved the event entirely virtual, using multiple media partners to “help amplify and make this content available to everyone for free.” This summer, from June 12-15, thousands of fans will be able to virtually attend presentations from bigname companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Ubisoft. Like E3, the Gaming Community Expo, known to many as GCX, also experienced
CHRIS LAHOTI Editor-in-Chief Elect
student body novels written by authors of varying points of view and background, perspectives many are not exposed to. Novels such as The Leavers by Lisa Ko, a heartbreaking Chinese immigrant’s story, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, a story of an intersex child, address serious topics such as gender roles, immigration, and how it feels to be an outsider. CC addressed how pop culture is be-
Alums Spencer Evans, Elaine McHenry, and Jordan Sterling gave the EHS community an inside look at their lives after Episcopal. Photos courtesy of Spencer Evans, Elaine McHenry, and Jordan Sterling. the English curriculum’s growing diversity in its texts to more global issues like diversity in Disney films, the CC column hopes to inform Knights about all members of the community. Jordan Sterling ’07 taught entrepreneurship requires drive, and with true passion, dreams can come true; Spencer Evans ‘05 proved the history of culture can be portrayed in all artwork; and Elaine McHenry ‘20 showed that being of the younger generation does not set you back but provides a voice to break racial barriers. The English Department gave the
coming more inclusive to people of color, mainly because the stories are now being written by young filmmakers of color and centering on protagonists of color. Last, within the EHS community the Diversity in Action organization will continue to bring to the student body’s attention the world that lies ahead and what can be overcome concerning racial discrimination. Community Connections, a feature of Diversity, Community, and Inclusion, looks forward to keeping Knights informed about EHS’s diversity programming next year.
The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
Features ∙ Page 3
Spanish Corner Cinco De Mayo
HOT TAK ES
with Jazzmin Duncan
WandaVision was better than The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While they are both amazing shows, I found myself able to enjoy WandaVision ten times more. Don’t get me wrong: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explores extremely important themes, such as white supremacy and the harsh conditioning of soldiers, which is probably one of the best things about the show. However, when it’s put next to WandaVision, it can’t even compare. It is objectively true that WandaVision is a more groundbreaking show for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only was it highly successful commercially, but the
packed, violence-ridden material that’s typical of Marvel. The slightly slowerpaced show explored the more emotional side of the characters, took viewers on a journey through Wanda and Vision’s heartwarming family dynamic, and let viewers go through the stages of grief with Wanda - not to mention how WandaVision introduced a ton of new characters like (Fake) Pietro, Agnes, and White Vision. It was fun to watch the sitcom-style changes throughout the decades. It was just something different. While watching The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, I felt like Marvel could
BAILEY JUNELL Editor-in-Chief Mucha gente celebra el Cinco de Mayo, pero no conocen su significado. Cinco de Mayo en México es una celebración anual que recuerda cuando el ejército mexicano derrotó al ejército francés en el año 1862. En los Estados Unidos, este día se empezó a celebrar en California en 1863. El Cinco de Mayo a veces se confunde con el día de la Independencia de México, la fiesta nacional más importante, que se celebra el 16 de septiembre. Hacia el final de 1861, el ejército francés atacó a la ciudad de Veracruz, desembarcando una gran fuerza militar y obligando al presidente Juárez y su gobierno a la retirada. Avanzando desde Veracruz hacia la Ciudad de México, los franceses encontraron una gran resistencia de los mexicanos. El día Cinco de Mayo de 1862, los mexicanos derrotaron a los franceses en la Batalla de Puebla. Hoy en día en México, la mayoría de las fiestas ocurren en el estado de Puebla. Las celebraciones incluyen desfiles militares, recreaciones de la Batalla de Puebla, y otros eventos festivos. Para celebrar,
muchos se juntan con su familia y con sus amigos, cocinan comida mexicana como tacos de carne, y toman cerveza. En los Estados Unidos, mucha gente piensa que el cinco de mayo es para celebrar la heren-
Cinco de Mayo es muy importante. Photo courtesy of spanishmarks.com. cia mexicana pero en realidad es para celebrar su victoria. Siempre es importante recordar nuestras tradiciones y también entender su origen.
Slice of π GLORIA NI Guest Writer Hi! I’m Gloria Ni, residing Mu Alpha Theta President. Thank you all for your interest and dedication to Math Club and Mu Alpha Theta this past year. Serving as Mu Alpha Theta President this year has been an immense blessing and privilege. Due to the unforeseen effects of Co-
tinue to expand, create new traditions, and start new competitions in the future! I’m excited to congratulate the newly elected officer team: Kathryn Bragg, Paige Naughton, Ava Gami, Austin Piegari, Olivia Chapman, Daniel Thompson, Christophe Merriam, Zack Donovan, Chris Lahoti, Craig Choi, Elena Small, Sean MacConnell, and Catherine MacConnell. I have faith they will continue to take Math Club & MAT to new heights. Since I’ll
WandaVision is objectively better than Falcon and the Winter Soldier due to its smoother development and plotline. Photo courtesy of cnet.com. concepts and storylines also opened up so many different doors for Marvel that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier just didn’t even touch. Things like chaos magic, witches, the multiverse, mutants, and many other things that were never before seen in a Marvel production were introduced through WandaVision. Also, WandaVision was a refresher, as it took a short break from the usual action-
have stuck to the differentness of WandaVision was and filmed the former in a way that wasn’t the typical guns, blood, and one-liners. Not like a sitcom per se, but something creative that would have caught me off guard. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a good show, and Marvel probably chose to go with the usual style for a reason beyond my understanding.
Senior Chapel concludes the 2021 school year for EHS Senior Class CONNOR SMITH Editor-in-Chief Elect Traditions have always had a place at Episcopal High School. From being able to wear sweatpants during Interim Term to College T-shirt Day, traditions play an important part in the EHS experience. One of the most important EHS traditions comes in the form of Senior Chapel, an event that was still held this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. So why is it so important? For starters, it is one of the last times all of the Senior Class will be together before graduation. During this Chapel service, faculty members offer their wisdom and words of encouragement for the outgoing class.
Through speeches, poetry, and even song, teachers send the seniors away from Episcopal and onto the next step in their lives. While many events this year have changed due to the pandemic, Senior Chapel will remain the same except for a couple of differences. Per Covid protocol, the service will take place outside on the football field instead of the Chapel as usual. Nevertheless, there will still be a homily and a regular Chapel service for all the seniors, underclassmen, faculty, and staff. As this crazy year finally comes to an end, seniors rejoice as they experience entertaining presentations from their teachers as they recognize they are blessed having been a part of the Episcopal experience.
Please enjoy this graph of the fibonaci sequence and resulting golden ratio. Photo courtesy of Math Club. Vid-19, we were forced to adapt our customary meeting style and even sacrifice some of our traditional events. Nonetheless, the pandemic couldn’t stop the math from happening. Mathematics has molded my identity since childhood. The Contest Math team was my home in middle school, and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to continue competing and sharing my passion for math with you all at EHS. Over the past four years that I’ve been with Math Club/MAT, our officer team grew from 6 to 15, and we’ve started taking 4 more competitions–AMC 10/12, Math Madness, UH Math Contest. I look forward to seeing Math Club & MAT con-
live only 15 minutes from campus, I’ll definitely come back to visit and make sure the next officers are doing their jobs. Thank you, to all Math Club & MAT members and everyone who attended the meetings, participated in competitions and events, donated to our fundraisers, and celebrated each others’ achievements. We definitely didn’t waste any cookies that were brought to our bake sales. Thank you for sharing in our interest in math and supporting other students. We have exciting and enriching plans for a new Women in STEM Guest Speaker Lecture series, in addition to resuming our traditional Pre-Pi Day and Pre-Fibonacci Day Bake Sales. Thank you, and, always, go math!!
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The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
CLASS OF 2021: COLLEGEBOUND 2gether We Are 1
COLORADO (8) University of Colorado at Boulder - 3 Colorado School of Mines - 2 University of Denver - 1 Colorado State University, Fort Collins - 1 Colorado State University, Pueblo - 1
ILLINOIS (4) Northwestern University - 2 University of Chicago - 2
NEW YORK (8) Colgate University - 3 Cornell University - 1 Fordham University - 1 New York University - 1 Skidmore - 1 Syracuse University - 1
CANADA/QUEBEC (1) CANADA/QUEBEC McGill University - 1 INDIANA (1) Purdue University - 1
PENNSYLVANIA (2) Carnegie Mellon University - 1 Pennsylvania State University - 1
CONNECTICUT (2) University of Connecticut - 1 Yale University - 1
OHIO (1) Ohio State University - 1
NEW HAMPSHIRE (1) Dartmouth College - 1 MASSACHUSETTS (2) Brandeis University - 1 Northeastern University - 1 WASHINGTON D.C. (6) American University - 3 Howard University - 2 Georgetown University - 1 VIRGINIA (4) University of Virginia - 2 Radford University - 1 Washington and Lee University - 1 TENNESSEE (6) University of the South - 5 Belmont University - 1 NORTH CAROLINA (3) Wake Forest University - 3
CALIFORNIA (5) University of Southern California - 4 California State University, Fullerton - 1
ARIZONA (3) The University of Arizona - 2 Arizona State University - 1
SOUTH CAROLINA (2) Clemson University - 1 Furman University - 1 NEW MEXICO (1) New Mexico Junior College - 1
NATIONAL RECOGNITION NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST ALEXA HENDRICKS NORA LAWLESS
COMMENDED CARSON CLINGMAN HALEY HAMMER GLORIA NI KEITH SILL BENJAMIN WASDEN
NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN RECOGNITION BRIA WOODARD CIMONE WOODARD
NATIONAL HISPANIC RECOGNITION BRIA ESPINOSA ALENA HANEY CONNER JONES
TEXAS (89) Texas Christian University - 14 University of Texas, Austin - 14 Austin Community College - 10 Southern Methodist University - 10 Texas A&M University - 10 Baylor University - 9 Trinity University - 4 Cisco College - 2 Southwestern University - 2 Texas State University - 2 University of Houston - 2 University of Texas, San Antonio - 2 Prairie View A&M University - 1 Rice University - 1 St. Edward’s University - 1 Texas A&M, Corpus Christi - 1 Texas Tech University - 1 Tyler Junior College - 1 University of Houston, Downtown - 1 University of St. Thomas - 1
GEORGIA (2) University of Georgia - 2
LOUISIANA (8) Tulane University - 5 Louisiana State University - 2 Xavier University - 1
OKLAHOMA (5) University of Oklahoma - 5
MISSISSIPPI (8) University of Mississippi - 7 Mississippi State University - 1
FLORIDA (1) University of Miami - 1
ALABAMA (8) University of Alabama - 6 Auburn University - 2
IN STATE UNDECIDED (2)
OUT OF STATE
Knight Shift∙ Page 6
The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
Knight Times 2020-2021 Staff Breakdown Staff Member
Best Quote or Action
Class Attendance
Most Notable Contribution
Bailey Junell
“C’mon guys be better”
Not in her vocabulary unless she’s visiting TCU or in quarantine or ‘sick’
All
Chris Lahoti
“I’ll chalk it up to Lauren’s ghost.”
Only if Connor is there to play Tetris
The Office video idea
Connor Smith
“Earlier this week I made jokes about being canceled for being pro-cancel culture. Aged well.”
Only if Chris is there to play Tetris.
Only one to respond to Framel in the GroupMe
Claire Frankfort
“I’m on the way... there was a train.” (30 minutes late)
Maybe, but she’ll never know what is happening.
Asking Framel what Quill and Scroll is the day before the induction.
Cory Kardesch
“Of course, I bleed whatever color newspaper color is.”
100%. Video games never take a break
Whatever Bailey tells him to do
Cristian Muñoz
“Here”
Never tardy, never in class
Doing the articles no one chooses
Estefania Lopez-Salas
“What does CMYK mean?”
Only missed for quarantine
Calm within the storm
Jazzmin Duncan
“Your workers are taking back power, Framel.”
Watching some TV show
Writing the editorials when no one wants to.
Lara Verstovsek
“Any extra credit, Framel?”
If she’s in town
Asking to wash Framel’s car for extra credit
Leana Greene
“Wait articles are due today?”
Tardy? Absent? Almost guaranteed
Headlining Community Connections
Lily O’Gorman
“That’s not how you spell my name.”
Sara Faulconer
“Bailey, what am I supposed to do?”
Always online shopping. Waits for no one.
Laying out a page for the first time on the last issue
Sydney Coward
“You are really showing your age, El Jefe.”
If she wants to
Advertising revenue
Tinley Kane
“When can we do a paper on only underrated sports?”
Only softball could drag her away.
Correcting all the sports articles
Lucy Howley
“…”
Guaranteed, but only physically.
All the fashion articles
Mr. Framel
“Go row, row, row your own boat, Sydney.”
Has no choice.
Fixing everything
Nick Held
“Y’ALL ROCKIN’ NEWSPAPER?”
Mentally still on staff, physically in New York.
Popping into the GroupMe at just the right time
Only missing when she is riding horses or something.
PhotoJ Photo of the Month
Senior athletes recently gathered to sign their college letters of intent in a cermony held in Alkek Gym. Photo by Jami Rassy.
Drawing cartoons better than Zack Donovan
Cartoon by Lily O’Gorman
Speaks Out “What will you miss the most about Episcopal?”
GWENDALYN DIAZ “Theater”
CHIKEI WILLIAMS “The amazing teachers”
SAMANTHA WOTRING “Buffalo Mac and Cheese”
WILL McKINNIE “Football games”
ADELINE ELMER “The culture of the Theater Program”
The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
Opinion ∙ Page 7
Threats caused by zoo captivity cause environmental problems MORGAN HEROD Staff Writer Children will tell you: a day at the zoo is one of the best days out of the whole year, looking at favored animals in their “natural” habitats. Little do we know, however, what is happening behind the scenes. It has been discussed over and over again that zoos are not just a happy place for children but a “prison” for the animals placed there. Zoos are dangerous, and the conditions for the animals are far from suitable. Animal researchers studying zoos have noticed the psychological toll that comes with captivity. Many animals have been known to engage in stressful behavior such as repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. In fact, many lions spend nearly fortyeight percent of their time pacing in their cages. The UK held a study of elephants in their local zoos, and it found that fifty-four percent of the elephants showed signs of behavioral problems. Zoos are filled with child visitors who see the parks as fun attractions, right? You can read about and see big tigers and poisonous snakes. However, zoos have been known to actually be quite dangerous for their young guests. There have been many instances in which children have fallen into the cages and the animals have aggressively lashed out, which is really no
surprise considering their stress levels. In 2016, a three-year-old fell into the cage of a seventeen-year-old gorilla, which resulted in the gorilla dragging the little boy through its caged habitat. Sadly, the gorilla had to be euthanized. If zoos did not ex-
killed. Zoos not only present problems for the animals but for their employees as well. Working at a zoo comes with a fair amount of danger. Handling animals and being in their spaces can cause exposure to many dangerous and sometimes life-threatening
The Humane Society of the U.S. continually brings awareness of captive wild animals, including tigers. Photo courtesy of humanesociety.org. ist, the little boy would not have been put in danger nor would the gorilla had been
illnesses. Some animals are so unhappy that they
will escape, which can pose a threat to everyone. An angry tiger running loose is a recipe for disaster. It was found that over the years about seventeen lions and eighteen tigers have escaped from their zoos, and sadly, all had to be killed. The cages animals are held in is another issue that needs to be addressed. Animals can run up to thousands of miles in an average year. In the wild, there is no limit to where they can go. In captivity, however, they are not given the proper amount of space. Tigers and lions have a fraction of what they would normally have in the wild. The most heartbreaking “behind-thescenes” factoid to me is how zoos use conservation claims to try and hide their cruelty. The psychological damage animals experience every day in captivity is hidden. Animals are suffering in silence. They ache not only physically but mentally. To hide this, zookeepers give the animals anti-depressants, tranquilizers, and anti-psychotic drugs to keep their anxiety from visitors. Zoos give humans the right to hurt and abuse animals. People need to realize that when they attend a zoo, they are not supporting conservation but are only continuing the pain animals endure. It is important to remember that not all zoos are run like this, so before going to one, research which zoos care about the animals, and which zoos care about the money.
College Board fails to address issues in U.S. education systems CONNOR SMITH Editor-in-Chief Elect College Board is terrible. There, I said it. For too long, teachers and administrations alike have looked to College Board’s Advanced Placement curriculum and PSAT/ SAT testing as THE way to test students. While the College Board curriculum’s original intent was to allow students to pursue college-level work, it only serves as a money-grabbing scheme that routinely stifles students through a packed course load and less than satisfactory communication between company executives and educators. One of the larger issues within College Board is inequity amongst high- and lowincome communities. Like other issues with the United States public education, as discussed in previous affirmative action editorials, AP courses and the SAT allow students from high-income areas a better chance at passing AP tests and getting into top colleges. A study from The Education Trust found that more than 450,000 low-
that’s another issue altogether. While College Board pushes education inequity amongst high school students through its AP tests, it continues to reap the benefits by taking money from students and their families. Even though College Board is a 501 (c) (03), it is a de-facto private company that has grown into a nearly $700 million per year corporation (HuffPost). When the company was founded in 1900 the focus was on simplifying the college admissions process and expanding access to all people. However, over time it has turned into a for-profit organization, with College Board charging students upwards of $100 per test. College Board makes a profit on tests students are required to take if they want to get into college, a practice which has allowed its executives to make $1.3 million every year. So, we know of many issues with College Board surrounding inequity and suspicious profits, but how do its programs affect students, especially in a year plagued with the COVID-19 pandemic. For starters, the
stunts many students’ abilities to learn materials necessary for AP tests and ultimately college courses. AP tests are also refusing to cut material, forcing students to quickly learn material they have never covered, something that can have drastic effects on mental and physical health. College Board has routinely, over a vari-
The Knight Times Episcopal High School 4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, TX 77450 713-512-3400
Head of School Ned Smith
Associate Head of School Nancy Laufe Eisenberg
Principal Kim Randolph
Editors-in-Chief Chris Lahoti Connor Smith
Dean of Arts and Innovation Jay Berckley Visual Arts Chair Kate Philbrick Publications Coordinator David Framel Photojournalism Instructor Japheth Storlie Photojournalism Co-Editors Sophie Martin and Karma Elbadawy
The logo for the National AP College Board. Photo courtesy of apcentral.collegeboard.org. income students are unable to be involved in the AP curriculum. While College Board preaches “testing equality for everyone,” it hurts a student’s high school potential and the ability for them to get accepted into colleges based on their economic situation. It’s also worth noting how the SAT was created by Carl Brigham, a eugenicist, who preached that the Caucasian race was intellectually superior to all other races and designed the SAT to prove this (PBS). But
AP curriculum already contains too much content for a single year, with this content pushing students toward memorization and a loss of critical thinking. A study from KQED even found that “AP courses don’t always teach critical thinking skills or allow students to explore topics more deeply.” With courses focusing on memorization of materials rather than critical thinking, a shortened year full of virtual schooling
ety of issues, acted against the good of students and schools alike. Through problems with equity, profit, and course materials College Board should not be the supreme force in teaching students to prepare for college; rather, there is a need for a revamped program to address the issues in the United States’ education system.
Photographers Maya Basra Sophia Black Sydney Brooks Lila Henningsen Margrethe Jensen Sydney Kelso Jami Rassy Mimi Elizabeth Wilson
Copy Editor Lily O’Gorman Sports Editor Cory Kardesch Opinions Editor Jazzmin Duncan Production Manager Leana Greene Social Media Coordinator Estefania Lopez-Salas Staff Writers Cristian Munoz Gabriel Oderich Morgan Herod Jalynn Woolley Isabel O’Gorman Yana Sharma Jake Berlin Kate Freeman
The Knight Times is a product of students in the Episcopal High School newspaper class, who are solely responsible for its creation and editorial content. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the Episcopal Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff. Published ten times a year, The Knight Times is a non-profit educational tool. The staff encourages the submission of letters, editorials, and story ideas from the community, but reserves the right to edit and/or use said articles.
Sports∙ Page 8
Sports Brief
GIRLS LACROSSE KATE FREEMAN Staff Writer
Both the varsity and JV girls lacrosse programs have wrapped up yet another exciting season led by coaches Jess Adams, Emily Barron, Emily White, Paige Moriarty, and Rachel Stelter. The JV girls had many entertaining games, one of the best being at the end of the season with a dominant 8-3 win against Katy. The varsity girls finished their season with a decisive win against Bellaire 148. The team was led by senior captains Gwen Rippeto and Izzy Ehrlich. Izzy will be furthering her lacrosse career at Colorado State University Pueblo as an attacker. Gwen said that her last four years playing varsity lacrosse have been “some of [her] best moments at Episcopal…and [she] will cherish the memories [she] has made forever.” Along with these two the team had three other seniors, Helen Young, Lucy Howley, and Mary Carol Ray, who have all been key contributors to the program. Both teams hope to build on all that they learned this year as they look ahead to the 2022 season.
TENNIS CHRIS LAHOTI Editor-in-Chief Elect The EHS tennis teams concluded their season with a close match against John Cooper. Despite a narrow loss, Coach Keith Christman remains hopeful for the future, remarking that the coming 20212022 season “will be the best one EHS has seen yet.” In a closing statement at the end of the season celebration, Coach Christman expressed his amazement of the team’s progression throughout the last couple of years and asked that the athletes hone their skills during the offseason. The team has several seniors leaving the scene, including Nile Khan, Max Finklestein, Preston Herald, Katie Kopel, Samantha Newland, Jane Steward, and Amy Williamson. Coach Christman made a point to acknowledge their dedication and character throughout their time at EHS. The team continues to grow and improve as each year passes, and the players remain confident in a strong placement at the SPC championships next season.
GOLF CORY KARDESCH Sports Editor Elect The boys and girls golf teams performed well, with new and returning players. The team had an average score of 311 for the entire season and shot even better in the South Zone Championship with a score of 304, finishing top two in all five tournaments that they entered. Freshman Bradley O’Donnell shot a 65 for a personal best and tournament best, possibly breaking the school record and SPC tournament record. Players Billy Hall and Jack Oren, along with O’Donnell, made the All-South Zone team. The girls finished fourth, with junior Sophie Kanarellis finishing ninth overall. Coach Wayne Jones said that “this season was one for the memory books” and that “we have set the foundation and now we must continue to work our hardest to get even better.” Both teams have strong players returning next season and hope to perform even better.
The Knight Times ∙ May 2021
Boys baseball brings home championship CORY KARDESCH Sports Editor Elect The EHS baseball team capped off a remarkable year, finishing with a record of 25-3-2 and undefeated in SPC following a championship win over Fort Worth Country Day in College Station with a 4-0 shutout. The Knights defeated South Zone rivals St. John’s and Kinkaid 9-0 and 5-2 respectively to get to the championship. Led by senior Gunnar Brown’s fantastic pitching performance, the Knights gave him all the runs they needed with Andrew Thornton hitting an RBI double as well as stealing 6 bases that game. Head Coach Matt Fox says that in his nineteen-year career as head coach, “this is the best team I’ve ever had.” The team didn’t lose to any other private
schools and lost only three games total, which is a personal all-time low in losses for Coach Fox. Along with the low count of losses, the team put up huge numbers, besting their opponents by 190 runs this
year and hitting a team average of .358, throwing 7 shutouts, and only made 21 errors in 30 games. The team had great leadership, and it paid off very well.
Fans watch as the EHS baseball team performs outstandingly on the offensive side of the ball. Photo by Lila Henningsen.
Episcopal softball team wins SPC title CONNOR SMITH Editor-in-Chief Elect This year has been especially hard for some of the EHS sports teams, but the EHS softball team persevered and got to show off its talent during the spring SPC tournament on May 1. The team experienced a dominant season going into SPC play. A shaky start against rival Kinkaid led to the girls ultimately finding their rhythm and pulling out a 5-4 victory over the Falcons. The team used this momentum in its next couple of games, getting a 17-2 win over John Cooper and a shutout victory over
Duchesne, scoring 16 runs in the blowout. Their momentum did not stop there. Led by seniors Tinley Kane, Courtney Davis, LeAnn Dromgoole, and Rebecca Windle, the team went on to beat St. Andrew’s 16-2 and Houston Christian 13-3 to qualify for the finals. In the South Zone championship, Episcopal played St. John’s, the only other undefeated team in the SPC , and won 169. Junior Lily Tanner described the mood during the contest as “really exciting and intense.” Afterward, in the championship, the softball team ended their season convincingly with a 16-0 victory over North Zone
champion Fort Worth Country Day.
Softball team wins big this SPC with mutiple shutout wins. Photo by Sydney Kelso.
Wrestling team placed high in competitions CRISTIAN MUNOZ Staff Writer Wrestling, a winter sport, was delayed due to Covid, but the team was about to put together a few matches in the spring prior to the state tournament. Overall, the season worked out better than excepted. The team was excited to get back on the mat because it is hard to improve without competing. Some outstanding wrestlers included junior Beau Edwards at 285 pounds and freshman Jimmy Guzman at 113 pounds who were both state champions. Senior Paul McGarry, the team’s MVP and state
champion runner-up proved to be the heart and soul of the group. Although there was no SPC this year, the team went to State and competed with other private schools. There, sophomore Lane Robinson placed third and junior Beck Howenstine and sophomores Jacob Berlin and Ryan Peterson placed fourth. The wrestlers finished third in team points. With the only departure being that of senior Paul McGarry, expectations will be high for next year, and Head Coach Steve Leisz is looking forward to the season ahead and the return of an experienced group with great potential.
Wrestlers trained hard during practice. Photo by Karma Elbadawy.
portraying a leadership, which, naturally caused everyone to follow by example. As the season came to an end, SPC South Zone was held at St. John’s on Friday and Saturday, April 30 - May 1. The top athletes will advance to compete at St. Mark’s in Dallas on Saturday, May 8. EHS track and field is eager to see a bright future the upcoming year. Although, the Senior Class’s “leadership and talent,” will be missed, many underclassmen are capable of bringing “the program to new heights.”
EHS athletes run in a relay race at the St. John’s meet. Photo by Ms. Ferdinand.
Track and field program placed high at SPC LEANA GREENE Production Editor Elect The EHS Track and Field program has multiple top performers, but the two that have shown their true dedication and “never settle for less than their best” are junior KitKat Kwiatkowski and senior Donovan Jackson. Head Coach Isaiah Coleman and the entire coaching staff give credit to both athletes, remarking on their showing up to practice with a positive attitude and
Boys lacrosse finishes third in Houston CRISTIAN MUNOZ Staff Writer In what many consider one of its better year’s in school history, the boys lacrosse team defeated the Knikaid Falcons on their way to third place in the city of Houston and capturing a seeding in the THSLL Class A state tournament. Unfortunately, the team was unable to get into the Final Four in the playoffs.
Head Coach Michael Donnelly said the team had “big wins” this season over St John’s, Strake Jesuit, and Cy Woods and in the playoffs over Memorial, Kinkaid, and Rockwall. The successful campaign was led by 17 seniors: Alex Gatto, HM All-District Middie; Gannon Amendola; Aaron Deutsch; Max Miflin; Luke Provenzano; Big game goalie Bennett Manley; Lyndon H. Walsh; All-District Middie Dylan Woo; Parker Forque; Jake Giesler; Sam Kant; Gabe
Kant; Braden Guthrie; All District Defenseman Keith Sill; Jack Carpenter, HM Attackman; Andrew Smith; and All American Defenseman Cameron Thornton. The team also had underclassmen Colin Bennett; Conor Shanley, HM All District Defenseman; and All State Attackman Jackson Hearn, who stood out this season. Coach Donnelly says they are hoping that the lessons learned and examples set by the seniors will help the team success going next year.