News that Stands Out
THE KNIGHT TIMES Official Student Newspaper of Episcopal High School
September 2019
4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401
www.ehshouston.org
Volume 34, Issue 2
SEED project Students diversify interests through the Club Fair The annual Club Fair allows students the opportunity to explore different activities implementation not found in a traditional academic setting. continues at EHS CLAIRE FRANKFORT Staff Writer We all know that diversity and inclusion at Episcopal High School is one of the most important things that the School stresses (hint: Knights Stand Out). This goal to make the school as diverse and inclusive as possible has become very real, with students from 65 different zip codes and 55 different schools coming together. A new office at school is the Office of Community and Inclusion, led by Mr. Wayne Jones. The other participants of this program on campus include Ms. Ayesha Spooner and Ms. Emily Barron. The office is a place where “all in the EHS community are welcomed,” whether it is different races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, or ethnicities. The school has created this office to further the cause and recognition of diversity on and around campus, including faculty, parents, students, and alumni. To get this job done, Mr. Jones will in the future have community-wide programming with speakers, curriculum, and many other things. Mr. Jones says that community and inclusion involves being open enough to respect what every person connects with, be it his or her gender, ethnicity, and race. He says that “being able to understand and respect other’s point of view is truly the American way.” Three years ago, Mr. Jones initated the National SEED Project at EHS, which is a professional organization designed to make a greater change toward a more equal and diverse community in schools across the country. To become a part of this needed development, all three of the faculty members at Episcopal trained as SEED facilitators over summers, and each lead a group of teachers. So far, the school has three voluntary groups on campus, and hopefully, there will be more to come. Mr. Jones is confident that the EHS community will embrace the new program and give it the support it deserves. As he and his team move forward with the initiative, innovative and inclusive ways to unite the campus will be highly visible.
INSIDE
Special Feature A number of Knights participate in sports outside Episcopal
PAGE 6-7 Climate Change Is our recent weather a result? PAGE 10 Features ........................ 2-4 Culture......................... 5 Special Feature ............ 6-7 Entertainment .............. 8 Opinion ........................ 10 Sports ........................... 11-12
Students Anna Moise, Blair Barineau, Ethan McAlpin, and Wilson Grant at the Mu Alpha Theta booth recruit members during the annual Club Fair. The Math Club is the second largest organization on campus. Photo by Julia Toups. LYNDON WALSH Staff Writer
The Club Fair is the annual opportunity for students to become involved in various student run organizations. This event showcased many returning and new clubs, featuring the FCA, Math Club, Model UN, and many others. These organizations will be prevalent throughout the school year, promoting student involvement and offering unique ways to get active as a Knight. Learn more about the Club Fair on Page 3
Cheerleaders bring awareness to childhood cancer EMMA CLAIRE WHITE Staff Writer From bone marrow swabbing to the Candlelighters’s Fun Walk, the Episcopal High School cheerleaders have been bringing awareness to childhood cancer this past month. Last Friday, the varsity football game’s theme was Hero-Turn It Gold to recognize children with cancer as heroes. The student section was decked out in superhero capes and gold attire from head to toe to recognize these children. During the game, freshmen and JV cheerleaders ran a booth to find potential bone-marrow donors by swabbing for matches. The EHS cheerleaders also participated in the 2019 Candlelighters Fun Walk a few weeks ago to support children with cancer who are receiving treatment at the Texas Medical Center and their families. The cheerleaders represented the EHS community by cheering the children on to the finish line and bringing smiles to their faces. The cheerleaders were grateful to be included in this experience and were touched by the participant’s stories. The walk not only brought joy to the kids but also impacted the cheerleaders who recognized the children’s strength. The walk was composed of families, friends, and
Episcopal cheerleaders attend the Candlelighters Fun Walk supporting children receiving treatment for cancer. Photo courtesy of Katherine Thompson. companies all walking to bring awareness to childhood cancer. The Fun Walk raised $149, 473 to benefit the many families who are affected by cancer. The money raised goes to fund the Candlelighters Camp, CLIFF. CLIFF is a camp that includes the patient, their siblings, and their parents, providing a momentary escape from cancer. The camp allows families who are affected by this
disease to enjoy a weekend free of treatment centers, hospital walls, and medical procedures. The Bone Marrow Drive and the 2019 Candlelighters Fun Walk not only made a difference in the children’s lives but those of the cheerleaders. Elise Branch said that she was “grateful for the experience, and so happy that [she] was a part of something like [the Candlelighters Walk].”
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The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
SAT “adversity score” reinvented CONNOR SMITH Staff Writer
More than two million students take the SAT per year, and since the SAT serves as an entrance exam for colleges, it is pretty important for most students. Last May, the world of standardized testing was the center of debate due to the announcement of the Environmental Context Dashboard, nicknamed the “adversity score.” Though the plan has recently been withdrawn from SAT’s, aspects of it will still be implemented. So, what is this so-called adversity score and how does it affect the student now. The adversity score announced last May was a way to account for a student’s socioeconomic background. This basically means the student would be given a score
from 1 to 100 based on level of education, housing stability, family income, college attendance, and crime. The College Board said that this score would “identify strengths in students, showing the resourcefulness that the test alone cannot measure.” Though this socioeconomic score was meant to be used as a way to implicate obstacles a student might have had to overcome, it came under criticism. As the score served as a way to push fairness and show the SAT as unbiased, many educators, such as Meredith Twombly at Clark University, thought this score meant standardized tests were biased, saying, “The creation of the ECD (Environmental Context Dashboard) is the SAT proving the point they have been denying.” Now, the withdrawal of the EDC, a new project by the College Board called Landscape, was announced. This would not use a single score on a student based on their socioeconomic background but use a variety of factors to give more context on the life of the student. According to David Coleman on the College Board, “Landscape provides admissions officers more consistent background information, so they can fairly consider every student, no matter where they live and learn.” These factors, according to the Board, allow colleges to know more about students and their life. They hope to enforce the SAT as unbiased and allow all students to have an equal opportunity at college through the SAT.
Freshmen come together in service OLVIA HOPWOOD Staff Writer
after we serve discussing our experience, the impact we had, and how we’re going to continue to serve as class through SOS. Our hope is that this experience will give the new Knights a taste of how enriching it is to serve and an understanding of how important our efforts are to the Houston community.”
Amazon Rain Forest engulfed in fire being wet, the potential for the climate to be altered is great. In addition to the rise of global warming, the rate of deforestation and the loss The Amazon, the world’s largest rainfor- of important species are also rapidly est, is currently burning at alarming rates, increasing. As of now, around 17% of the and it is causing extreme environmental rainforest has been completely burned problems. Known as the “lungs of the down. The Amazon is home to a vast world,” the Amazon provides about 20% number of species (20% of the world’s of the oxygen in our atmosphere. With the species), covering 1.7 billion acres of constant battle of forest fires occurring for land, which is 40% of the South American long periods continent. of time, the Most of the rainforest species found is releasing in the Amaimmense zon rainforest amounts of can only be carbon gas found there, into the air. which results The main in increased importance species exof the tinction. Amazon is Despite to regulate these tragic Earth’s events, there climate and are many efspecies bioforts underdiversity, the way toward number of The wild forest of the Amazon, engulfed in flames. Photo helping this species and courtesy of firstpost.com. cause. For abundance example, the of species that live in a particular location. Houston Zoo is in the process of opening Therefore, with the constant decrease in a new South American exhibit featuring our largest source of oxygen, it leads to animals like the giant anteater, tapirs, a rise in damage, regrading all areas of and more. All of the proceeds will go the environment. Because the Amazon to benefiting the cause of Brazil and the rainforest is reliant on its characteristic of Amazon. LARA VERSTOVSEK Staff Writer
EHS welcomes Reverend Engle CLAIRE FRANKFORT Staff Writer With all of the new teachers on campus, a particularly prominent one is Reverend Cindy Engle, the new chaplain. She joined the Episcopal community this year, coming from St. Paul’s Church in Navasota and St. Francis of Assisi. There, she was the rector of both churches at the same time, creating a pretty hectic schedule. This busy schedule has moved over to EHS where she is one of the lectors, writes homilies, and leads Chapel. While the transition is huge, she has gotten herself acquainted with the high school and is looking forward to spending more time at Episcopal. Getting to know
everybody and feeling out the rhythms of the school have been especially fun for her. One of the main goals that Reverend Engle has is to increase the energy of the Chapel to make it more enjoyable. “I can tell when the students are having a hard day, so I think, ‘What can you do to bring up the energy?’” Something that is important to her is to feel out the Chapel and learn to know how everybody is feeling on that particular day. After being asked what she has done to get into the EHS lifestyle, she said, “Most of my entry points have been in the Chapel and lunch. I love to eat!” Her office is right across from Reverend Holden’s on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the Convent, so stop by and give her a big EHS welcome.
Ava Florescu and Emily Burke pack boxes for service day. Photo by Brendan Massaro. As the new school year begins, freshmen continue their first-year tradition by volunteering at the Food Bank as part of Freshman Service Day. Service Day took place on Saturday, September 21 from 7:55-12:00. Students worked together to pack lunches and boxes to help serve millions in Houston. Following the project, the class gathered together and reflected on their service and how they could keep on making an impact for the EHS community. Mr. Mark Raggett, math teacher and Co-Director of Students of Service, spoke briefly about the service day, saying, “The Houston Food Bank is a massive operation. There are 1.1 million people who struggle with food insecurity in their service area and they served over 100 million meals last year. “Each year, the Freshman Class gets to be a vital part of this incredible operation as we serve side by side and live out the school’s mission. This year we’re adding a new component: spending some time
Above, Quinn Moore and Rhett Davenport happily prepare and sort at the food bank for those in need. Photo by Brendan Massaro.
Reverend Engle is welcomed into the Episcopal community as chaplain for the 20192020 school year. Photos courtesy of Olivia Hopwood and Annie Katz.
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
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Clubs offer students opportunities to explore their passions LYNDON WALSH Staff Writer The Club Fair, hosted on September 25, allowed students to pursue a range of interests that are not necessarily found within an everyday academic curriculum. Every student had the opportunity to walk table to table exploring a vast range of club offerings. Although students were
to offer. Model UN was represented with poster boards representing the nations of the world. Mrs. Courtney Lindloff, Director of Student Activities, stated that the only minor change to the clubs and organization process this year was that the administration asked for the scheduled meetings to be disclosed in an attempt to minimize the chance of an overlap of club meetings. What that means for the student
Lyda Arnold and Elizabeth Hunt show of the their clubs during the EHS Club. Photo by Brendan Massaro able to learn more about the organizations, they may have wondered what it takes to form a club and how one works? There are a few steps in the process of becoming a club. The club presidents first have to gain the support of a willing faculty member to support the club and assist with management. Following that, presidents have to submit an application depending on the type of club, organization, or interest group. The applications are then processed and reviewed to seek approval. This year many of the returning clubs and organizations, such as the Math Club, Model United Nations (UN), and Chinese Club came out to showcase all they have
body is students will be able to manage and contribute more time to multiple groups. Mrs. Lindloff was asked which club she would join if she were an EHS student, to which she replied, “That’s a tough decision as they all offer such different experiences,” which truly summarized what the Club Fair represents. It is the opportunity to break out of the academic, arts, religion, or athletic bubbles that many students tend to find themselves stuck in on a daily basis. Clubs offer the opportunity for people to explore interests that might not be known to them and be exposed to a wide range of topics, allowing for a wellrounded knowledge base.
Dads Club funding helps start Colello press box construction CHARLOTTE SULLIVAN Staff Writer Episcopal High School’s press box on Candace Simmons Field is set to be renovated and renamed in the near future. Upon completion, the new and improved space will be known as the Dean John Colello Press Box. According to Dean Colello, the EHS Dads’ Club has “pledged $250,000 to rebuild and rename” the box. “We do not know when it is going to be built” says Colello, but “hopefully, sooner than later.” The box is a hub of activity during games when the action on Simmons Field is announced and coaches and filming crews perform their tasks. The planned improvements will enhance the quality of the space, and the box is projected to triple in size to 750 square
Dean of Parent Programs & School Legacy John Colello. Photo by Alan Ross.
feet with a second story for filming, according to Dads’ Club plans. This will allow more room for movement and will offer a better view of the field.
Above: Quinn Ogle represents the Knight Ambassador’s Club . Below: Freshman Laruen Pearson and Anastasia Rushing learn about Model UN from Junior Lyndon Walsh. Photos by Brendan Massaro
Students learn the importance of precision taking Stagecraft CONNOR SMITH Staff Writer Most Episcopal High School performances and events rely on visible student contribution, but one behind-the-scenes group that helps out with performing arts events is those in Stagecraft. Though the class may seem like it is only “crafting stages,” there is much more to it. Students who participate in Stagecraft often find themselves learning about construction, lighting, and precision from the work they do behind the scenes. Introduction to Stagecraft and Stagecraft, classes taught by Mr. Paul Revaz, allow students to take a more active and hands-on approach to a class. Students
jobs around campus. While in the shop, students may work on woodcutting and drilling, and on stage, they may set and operate lights, raise curtains, and place props. Most stagecraft students also have the option of participating in the technological side of theatre. These students stay after school and come on campus on weekends to help set up the stage for the actors and set the scenes. Ultimately, when the performance happens, they are the ones running backstage making sure everything is working as it should. This hands-on approach in Stagecraft allows many of the events around school to take place. Though often unseen, students in Stagecraft are always improving and setting up events. The class also introduc-
The present Simmons Field press box, which will be replaced with the Dean John Colello Press Box. Photo by Charlotte Sullivan. The new press box is not the first site around the EHS campus honoring Dean Colello. In addition, there is also a tree that was planted in his honor, and last year’s YEES committee presented him with a seating area in front of the Hildebrand Athletic Center called Dean’s Gathering Space. This is a comfortable place to sit between classes or after school. Very soon, EHS students, faculty and staff will notice signs that read, “Future Home of the Dean John Colello Press Box.” Whether students are relaxing under a tree in the Gathering Space or cheering on the Knights at a game, they will be reminded of Dean Colello’s many contributions to Episcopal High School.
Austin Reppert shows Destinee Harris and Walter Taussig the basics of the jigsaw. Photo by Connor Smith learn the basics of drilling, cutting, and measuring while interacting with many different types of construction equipment. With all of this, the learning environment remains rigorous yet fun as students constantly build sets and props with new methods and techniques. With such an active way of learning, students may find themselves doing many
es students to the world of acting while providing a safe, fun environment. In the words of Mr. Revaz, “Stagecraft is a great way to get involved in the performing arts on any level. As an actor it is good to know what happens around you when on stage, and if you aren’t an actor, there is a large sense of community that you will learn to love.”
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The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Ramon Maximos: A closer look Senior Breakfast commences the homestretch of the EHS journey LARA VERSTOVSEK Staff Writer
Mr. Remon Maximos, a new mathematics teacher at Episcopal, shared with The Knight Times his unique background. Where were you born? “I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and I stayed there until I was three months old.”
mids, we ride the camels. I also visit holy churches that Jesus and the Virgin Mary visited, and we see a well where Jesus and the Virgin Mary drank.” Why are you proud of being from Egypt? “Because we have one of the seven wonders of the world. We also have great accomplishments of mystery that no one can solve, such as how the pyramids were built and the lost language of hieroglyphics.”
CHARLOTTE SULLIVAN Staff Writer The Class of 2020 celebrated the annual Senior Breakfast on Friday, August 30, at 7 a.m. in the Alumni Room of the Hildeb-
Episcopal. On the tables were envelopes for each of the seniors that had two of the traditional Senior Class stickers and a Class of 2020 keychain. One of the class’s faculty sponsors, Coach Steve Leisz, shared his five goals for the seniors that he would like to see
Why did you move to the United States? “I moved here because my parents thought it would be a better opportunity for a future career in life because education is restricted in Egypt. Your final exam grade your senior year dictates what you will become in your future. That’s why my parents decided to move to the U.S.A. because you enjoy a freedom of choice with education/college major, basically.” What are your favorite Remon Maximos in Egpyt. Photo courtesy of Remon Max- Egyptian foods? imos “My favorite Egyptian food is seasoned rice Do you ever go to Egypt? What do you and meat wrapped with cabbage, called do there? mahshy koromb. One of our traditional “I still have family there – I visit almost delicacies in Egypt is farm-raised pigeon every two years. I take a cruise down the stuffed with freekeh, a traditional grain Nile. I also take my family to visit the that is seasoned with special Egyptian pyramids. And while visiting the pyraseasonings.”
Homecoming dance to feature a western theme LEANN GREEN Staff Writer Episcopal is fresh with new ideas for the 2019 Homecoming, making this year’s dance full of surprises. The Western Knights will be celebrating the Homecoming football game Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. on Simmons Field against the St. John’s Mavericks. The following day is the Homecoming dance, Saturday, October 5 starting at 8:30 p.m. and ending the night at 10:30. A brand new location, the Underwood Student Center, will hold not only the dance but many other activities. Along with a DJ, dance goers can expect a mechanical bull, a photo booth, and a fundraising competition. Participating in this fundraiser competition is the grade
level deans, who will receive a pie in the face if he or she wins. Every Episcopal student is allowed to come. Planning on coming with guests? There is a limit of two guests from another school and their forms must be filled out before October 2. Beginning on Septmeber 30 is Spirit Week, celebrating the school spirit for Western Knights. Kicking off Monday with class colors, each grade level will have their own color to wear. Tuesday is Partners Day, as those participating will dress identical to their partner. Wednesday is Meme Day. Come dressed as a favorite meme. Thursday is “Old Town Road” Day, or in other words, Throwback Thursday. Finally, ending the week will be Spirit Day. Everyone is encouraged to dress out for the big football game.
The senior class gathered in the Alumni Room in remembrance of their past four years at Episcopal High School. Photo by Craig Choi. rand Athletic Center. The theme for this senior event was Mexican Fiesta, complete with sombreros and flower crowns, and the menu included delicious breakfast tacos, a pastry rack, and fruit salad. According to senior Tara Arora, the breakfast was “memorable, as it felt like the beginning of the end of the seniors’ high school career.” Advisories sat together as they ate and reminisced about their three-plus years at
accomplished this year. Pat Michael, the other faculty sponsor, shared her words of encouragement and wisdom to the class as well. Senior Dean Mrs. Jessica Adams ran the class meeting along with the class officers and announced the exciting news that off-campus lunch privileges began on September 9, much to the delight of all present. Finally, Dean Colello spoke and reviewed the procedure for the Class Pins and Blessing Chapel that followed.
Slice of GLORIA NI Guest Writer
Davis Barringer at Episcopal’s 2018 homecoming dance. Photo courtesy of Trey Hernandez.
Hello! The officers of Math Club and MAT and I are happy to share that we have planned an eventful year! Without giving too much away, I can say that we will be hosting two school-wide events this academic year. In addition, the Math Club and MAT will be hosting a variety of on-campus guest speakers who will share their experience working as an engineer, doctor, or another math–based career!
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Our first speaker was on September 18th during 5B. He discussed his career as a cardiovascular anesthesiologist. Looking forward into October, Math Club’s first official meeting (and the first Texas Math League contest) will take place on October 22nd after school, so save the date! We welcome you to get involved with math club! Also, give this month’s riddle a try: A farmer has 17 sheep and all but 9 die. How many are left? (Hint: it’s not 8!)
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Culture ∙ Page 5
NICK HELD Staff Writer
Torchy’s - 5 min, 1.2 miles The best tasting food out of the bunch, but it is always crowded and expensive, so unless you have both lunches or you call it in, try to avoid it
Chick-fil-A – 6 min, 1.7 miles Best fast food on the list, but it’s almost always crowded, so be ready to wait Whataburger - 6 min, 2.9 miles Fast ,cheap and good - basically ole’ reliable Island Grille - 6 min, 1.7 miles Decent prices and good food, but the drive through West U can sometimes make you late.
ZACK DONOVAN Staff Writer El arte hispánico cambia mucho depende en que donde lo encuentras, pero, como muchas de las expresiones artísticas que existe en el mundo, siempre mezcla lo cultural y lo personal para ser infinitivamente provocador y hermoso. Con este principio, Mauricio Paz Viola y Justin Earl Grant crean más que una colección de arte sino una historia que representa la interconexión del sujeto con el entero. En su exhibición “Borderlust,” su arte consiste en varios siluetas y contornos de los humanos, se centrado en lo que forma nuestra identidad, voz, y emoción.
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Jax Grille - 4 min, 1.1 miles Pretty close and cheap and pretty decent food but has the potential to be crowded
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Buffalo Grille - 4 min, 1.1 miles Really good food and close, but like Skeeters, it will take a little while to get your
Subway - 4 min, 1.1 Fast, easy, cheap, and healthier than Wendy’s, but there is the possibility of a line
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Skeeters - 5 min, 1.2 miles Pretty good food and close, but it takes a while to eat and is relatively expensive
food and is relatively expensive
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As the new school year begins, seniors are exploring all of their new privileges, such as Off-campus Lunch. Off-campus is a senior privilege, allowing the upperclassmen to leave school at lunch. According to Senior Dean Mrs. Jess Adams, students must “maintain a C average or higher in all classes, not appear before the Honor or Discipline councils, not have more than six tardies to first period, uphold the EHS Code of Conduct while off-campus, and must arrive to their next class on time upon returning.” So where can a senior go grab a quick meal and return on time? Here are the best restaurants close enough and not be tardy: Wendy’s - literally right there Cheap and fast food that is nearby
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Seniors search for lunch options
Ellos usan sus experiencias en Santiago de Chile unos años pasados y ejercitan el color y las formas abstractas para hacer algo diferente e interesante. Algunas de sus obras están expuestas durante su exposición, la cual comenzó en el veinticinco de septiembre y no terminará hasta el cinco de octubre, el en El Instituto de la Cultura Hispánica de Houston (The Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston). La admisión es gratis y personas de todas antecedentes pueden venir para ver el mensaje personal mostrado por su arte.
Exhibit displays a century of fashion LUCY HOWLEY Staff Writer The fashion exhibit Icons of Style: A Century of Fashion Photography opened this summer at the Museum of Fine Arts and ends September 22.Walking past the entrance to the exhibit, curated by Malcolm Daniel and Lisa Volpe, patrons are immediately drawn to the cover art from famous magazines like Vogue, Ebony, Essence, and Harper’s Bazaar, which provide a hint of what’s inside. More than two hundred photographs are hung on the walls, and artifacts such as accessories and clothing items are displayed throughout the maze of fashion. From the luxury of the 1920s to supermodels of the 1990s, the images will help museum-goers understand how fashion photography went from casual to a cultural force, like the rise of the supermodel, the influence
of MTV, street style’s impact, and other movements that changed fashion. The images include works with famous figures such as Kate Moss, Beyoncé, and Cardi B. The exhibit makes a point to showcase big moments, like the first time a Vogue cover was shot by an African American photographer. Many varied forms of fashion history are represented through videos and photos shot by famous photographers. Icons of Style displays the vast perspective of the fashion industry and the industry’s influence on culture. The photographs also highlight the gradual recognition of fashion photography as a form of art. Images of James Harden, Audrey Hepburn, and David Bowie showcase the different trends throughout the 20th century and how they have developed into the 21st century. From aristocrats and street style to models, Icons of Style incorporates different cultures and inspiration from all walks of life.
The top photo features a famous chicken sandwich from the Chick-fil-A on Southwest Freeway. The bottom photo features the inside of Skeeters on Weslayan. Photos courtesy of Photo courtesy of google.com and skeetersgrill.com.
Youtubers turn major profit LEANN GREEN Staff Writer Vloggers are all over social media, and in some cases, earning a substantial amount of money. Pewdiepie and David Dobrik have incomes that rank them second and third, giving the title of leading money earner to a vlogger many of us may not recognize - Ryan’s Toy Review. Eight-year-old Ryan Kaji is the high-
Felix Arvid, aka Pewdiepie, has the most followers. Photo courtesy of CNN.com.
est paid Youtuber as of August 2019, earning $22 million a year. His channel Ryan’s Toy Review uploads a video once a day and has gained roughly 21.1 million subscribers and an amazing 31.3 billion viewers. Ryan’s mother, who was a former chemistry teacher, and his father, who is an engineer, completely support their son’s vlogging hobby. His videos are informative and creative, centering on the latest toys and arts and craft ideas. Runner-up to Ryan is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as Pewdiepie. He earns $15 million a year uploading around two videos a day. Pewdiepie is a Swedish gamer with 111 million subscribers and 23.2 billion viewers. Fellow gamers find his videos captivating and informative as they learn how to excel to the next game levels. Third place goes to 23-year-old David Dobrik from Slovakia, earning an astonishing $11 million a year just from videos of his everyday life. David has 13.7 million subscribers and 5.6 billion viewers.
The walls of the entrance to Icons of Style display many of the infamous Vogue, Ebony, Essence, and Haper’s Bazaar magazine covers. Photo by Lucy Howley.
Beyoncé’s portrait is a main focus of the exhibit. Photo by Lucy Howley.
The famous super model Kate Moss is featured. Photo by Lucy Howley.
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The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Episcopal students participate in outside activities BAILEY JUNELL Editor-in-Chief At Episcopal High School, there exist a number of talented students who manage to include hobbies and activities that have a personal importance, pursuits that in some cases are not offered at most high schools in Houston. These students learn to manage their schoolwork with these activities, sometimes traveling across the country to show off their talents and hard work. These incredible individuals show that an Episcopal student can thrive outside of campus while balancing a hectic school life. With activities including equestrian, Ul-
Gymnast Max Mifflin ‘21 takes part in events across the country
timate Frisbee, gymnastics, ice hockey, squash, and many others, these students are just some of the examples of the diverse environment that Episcopal embodies. Junior Sam Kant practices Ultimate Frisbee twice a week for four hours during the summer. Recently his team finished ninth in the nation at one of the many competitions that they traveled to in Blaine, Minnesota. He began the sport in the fourth grade, playing for fun with his friends, but he joined a team and began to take it more competitively. Equestrian is another example of an activity in which EHS students excel. These riders either ride as a hobby or perform on horseback in competitions. Practice after school almost every day can be time con-
suming. Junior Haley Hammer practices six days a week for four-five hours each day. She “travels for competitions to places such as Kentucky, Florida, Michigan, and Colorado.” She has earned many victories, such as International Derby Champion. This is a big honor because she beat out over 30 professionals in the same field. Another hobby that many students are involved in is competitive gymnastics. Sophomore Sophia Neylon practices over 25 hours per week and has been doing competitive gymnastics for the past nine years. She has participated in roughly 50 meets all around the nation, including Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, and cities in Texas. In each meet she competes in events such as bars, beam, floor, and
vault and places first to third in almost every event. Another student who dedicates her time to an outside sport is Freshman Yana Sharma. She plays a sport called Squash; Squash is an individual, indoor, racket sport that is played year round and requires lots of strategic thinking. It involves a combination of agility, flexibility, strength, and endurance. Playing four times a week for over 15 hours, she continues to develop many skills. Since it is very popular in the North, Yana travels all over the US, attending many tournaments. Currently Yana is ranked at 26 in Girls under 15 in the US. All this hardwork has come to fruition resulting in a very talented, nationally ranked student athletes.
Connor Baily ‘21 plays ice hockey throughout the school year and has won many championships
National gymnastics competitions a passion for sophomore Sophia Neylon
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Sam Kant ‘21 spends his summers playing competitive Ultimate Frisbee across the US
Special Feature ∙ Page 7
Elizabeth McClaughlin ‘21 travels for competitive cheerleading with her team
Equestrian Haley Simmons ‘21 rides six days a week Yana Sharma ‘23 ranks 26th nationally in the girls under 15 in the new and popular northeastern sport: Squash
Haley Hammer ‘21 has been victorious all over the country with many horseback competitions
Entertainment∙ Page 8
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Music and Movie Industries Prosper Entertainment companies release new material
Look Mom I Can Fly debuts NICK HELD Staff Writer Houstonians and rap lovers rejoiced when Travis Scott’s documentary was released on Netflix August 28, 2019. Look Mom I Can Fly begins with Travis Scott strapping into a roller coaster, which as the Houston Chronicle states is “an obvious and completely fitting metaphor for the past few years” of his life. He states, “I feel like at some points in life you have to just be extreme,” which sums up the insane energy that radiates off him. The movie shows a compilation of his live shows throughout the years, and to put it simply, it has evolved into utter madness, but not in a negative way. His fans have created a community around him, giving them a sense of belonging. The documentary then elaborates on why this is. To
Scott, his concerts aren’t about money or putting on a show – it’s about putting on an experience to inspire others. His love for Houston, his hometown, is exponential. He even traveled down to appear at a pop-up four days after its release at a small movie shop. EHS student Olivia Cusack, who attended the event, said that “you can tell he is very invested in his fans,” as she received a signed VHS copy of the movie. The film also plunges into his personal life. His engagement to Kylie Jenner and their child Stormi are also shown in a manner that seems like a vivid, frantic flashback. Scott’s private side is exposed beneath his celebrity armor. This film is absolutely incredible, and I would recommend it to anyone at all interested in Travis Scott, even if you just heard “Sicko Mode”.
Stars pose for 2019 Emmys LARA VERSTOVSEK Staff Writer The Primetime Emmy Awards is an annual award show recognizong American actors and actresses for their phenomenal performances throughout the various sectors of television. The 71st edition of the show premiered on September 23, with the introduction of the notorious red carpet looks. Of course, there are those famous celebrities that are said to be the best dressed…. and then there are those who have taken the title of worst dressed. Zendaya, dressed in a gorgeous emerald green strapless satin dress matched
with Brian Green shoes, is said to be the best dressed celebrity of the night. Coming in as second best dressed, Regina King exposes her inner mermaid as she wore a bright-colored aquamarine gown by Jason Wu. Some other beautifully dressed celebrities were Kim Kardashian West, Mandy Moore, and Emilia Clarke. As for the worst dressed, Jenny McCarthy walked the carpet with a punk-rock-meetsCinderella theme in mind. She paired a strapless baby-blue dress with black chunky boots and a black studded belt for an edgy spin. And lastly, for the most outrageous outfit, Billy Porter wins it all. Considering himself a fashion icon, Porter rocked a pinstriped suit, chunky heels, and a blinged-out hat to top it all off.
Left to right, Billy porter, Kim Kardashian, Regina King, and Jenny McCarthy pose for a photo oppertunity while walking the carpe at the 2019 Emmy award cermoney. Photo courtesy of JustJared.com, YourNextShoes.com, and LaineGossip.com.
Disney announces new reboot TINLEY KANE Staff Writer Look Mom I Can Fly, the Travis Scott Netflix documentary. Photo courtesy of IMDB.
Taylor Swift: Marketing genius EMMA CLAIRE WHITE Staff Writer What makes Taylor Swift’s net worth $185 million is not just her pretty love songs or her lack of forgiveness. Swift’s marketing tactics bring in the nine figures by keeping her fans, or “Swifties,” on the edge of their seats. Prior to her music release, Taylor promoted her album by leaving subtle hints called “Easter Eggs.” These elusive hints keep her Swifties eager and on the hunt. “Easter Eggs” are distributed as secret messages through her social media pages and in her music videos. For example, in her music video for her song “Me!,” the video begins with portraits of the Dixie Chicks hung up on a wall. At the time, this seemed irrelevant; however, Swifties were quick to speculate that Taylor could be featuring the Dixie Chicks in
her upcoming album, “Lover.” This speculation was correct. Swift featured the Dixie Chicks in her song “Soon You’ll Get Better.” This marketing tactic isn’t the only thing that brings in the big bucks for Swift. On her Reputation Tour, Taylor found a way for her fans to become a part of her concert. Swift teamed up with PixMob to provide LED bracelets that sync with the lights and music to make her concert more personal. Taylor also used technology as a marketing tactic by allowing fans to register on her website in order to increase their chances of getting tickets and avoiding ticket resellers. To increase their level of ticket access, fans had to purchase merchandise, boosting Swift’s income. Taylor Swift’s marketing tactics keep her listed as the #1 highest-paid celebrity for her ability to create a personal connection with her fans.
Taylor Swift showcases the 2018 album cover for Reputation. Photo courtesy of The Daily Beast.
During the D23 Expo, Disney made a big announcement. With its new individual streaming service in the works, the company announced its release of the upcoming TV-spinoff of High School Musical, “the start of something new” as the company kicks off its new streaming service the right way. After 15 years since the release of the original movie, High School Musical: The Musical takes place at East High with a brand-new cast of students preparing for a winter production of, you guessed it, High School Musical. The show is to be aired on November 12 and has already started quite the controversy. Old fans disapprove of the idea of the iconic movie being rebooted to a televi-
sion series. As the series is taking the angle of a mockumentary, High School Musical is being categorized as non-reality; It was simply just a movie. A new story line is being introduced, completely going away from the concept of the trilogy. Old fans question the idea of revamping something so well made. On the other hand, new fans are able to have their own High School Musical to enjoy, with relevant humor and new songs while still based around the central idea of the originals. Like any good remake, the show is still giving credit to the movies, keeping the original songs and big musical numbers and potentially bringing in some wildcat alums for an appearance. The TV series is offering nostalgia while putting its own twist on the originals to please both new and old audiences.
Left to right, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Lucas Grabeel pose for the orgional, High School Musical movie poster. Photo courtesy of Morning Picker.
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Knight Shift ∙ Page 9
Memes: What is the mitochondria? To anyone who has spent a significant portion of time on the Internet, the correct answer to this question is “the powerhouse of the cell.” But really, how widespread is this knowledge? Is this phrase as widely popularized through meme culture as we think? To answer this question, we have conducted a survey of the EHS student body. The results are as follows:
Out of over 700 students, about half responded (53%). Out of those responses, the most came from the sophomore class, although there was fairly equal representation.
To eliminate the confounding variable of favorite class, and to see whether a student’s love of science affected their knowledge of this meme, we asked them to state their favorite subject. Most said math, with history coming in second and a large amount of people responding with other.
Additionally, the amount of time spent on the Internet can cause a higher exposure to memes. To account for this, we asked how much time was spent on the Internet on a daily basis. Most spent between 1-3 or over 3 hours a day. From our data, only 18% of responses didn’t seem to know the meme, meaning 82% of people responded with “the powerhouse of the cell” or some variant thereof. Half the people who didn’t respond with the meme were freshman. In conclusion, it seems like a student’s favorite subject is unrelated to their knowledge of the meme, but considering most of the students spent a lot of time on the Internet in general, it’s hard to say whether those who spend a shorter amount of time truly have never heard the meme. Additionally, there may be some correlation with age, considering 50% of those who responded with an answer other than “the powerhouse of the cell” were freshmen. Overall, we can assume that the vast majority of the student population knows the powerhouse of the cell meme, except, for some reason, the freshmen. The conclusion of our study is thus: Freshmen, you will learn. What is the mitochondira? Honorable mentions include • • • • • • • •
god Where a plant Big energy MAZE BEAN Powerhouse of the cell but also controls the government ur mom I want to say “powerhouse of the cell” but Mrs. Foster would be so disappointed Might-ochondria, more like Definitely-ochondria
Cartoon by Zack Donovan
PhotoJ Photo of the Month
Photo by Brendan Massaro
(Campus Look-Alike)
The twins became triplets when Student Body President Nathan Reichert literally began seeing double when it comes to freshman twins Joe Davis (top) and Tom Davis (right). Photos by Alan Ross and Olivia Hopwood.
KT Facts that will make you question everything you thought you knew - Until 1950 weathermen were not allowed to talk about tornados. - Ants do not have enough mass to sustain injuries from falling from any height. - There are enough trees in London to be officially classified as a forest. - There is enough gold in the earth’s core to cover the entire surface of the earth 18 inches high. - Sweden is so good at recycling, it has run out of garbage and now must import garbage from Norway to fuel its energy problems. - 20% of all your calories are burned by your brain. - Oklahoma’s state vegetable is the watermelon.
Opinion ∙ Page 10
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
A$AP Rocky’s legal troubles in Sweden draw national interest NICK HELD Staff Writer By now everyone has seen at least one headline about the A$AP Rocky ordeal in Sweden, but almost no one knows the full story, just snippets. For those who don’t know what I am talking about or those who need a refresher, I’ll give you the rundown. Earlier this summer, June 30 to be exact, A$AP was in Sweden during a European tour. On that day A$AP was out and about with his entourage and security when they noticed two men trailing them for a couple of blocks. Any decent security detail would have noticed this and perceived this as a possible threat. The two men had apparently been sexually harassing women and appeared to be “on drugs,” according to A$AP. Though the context of how the altercation began is unclear, A$AP’s team confronted the two men who eventually got aggressive. One of the men, later identified as Mustafa Jafari, threw his headphones at one of A$AP’s bodyguards, who responded by absolutely mauling the offender, grabbing him by his neck and slamming him to the ground.
This part of the story can be perceived as self-defense to some. During this entire altercation, A$AP was filming and repeatedly saying he didn’t want any violence or trouble and posted it on his Instagram. Once Jafari recovered, he continued to follow and harass Rocky’s team, following them into an alley. This is where things get messy. He yelled about how the security guard broke his headphones, which seems incredibly ridiculous because he was the one who threw them. At this point, Rocky whipped out his phone and started to record again. The video shows the two men harassing Rocky’s team and the women that they sexually harassed in a screaming match. Once again, Rocky is staying out of it and attempting to prevent anything further. At this point Rocky and his team seem innocent enough, but a third video exists that shows a side of the altercation that A$AP did not show the public. This video, taken by an onlooker, shows all of Rocky’s team smashing the two with bottles and kicking them while they are on the ground. The video is brutal and has never fully surfaced. Once the beating was finished, Rocky
and his squad immediately went to the police department to explain the incident to avoid potential legal trouble. All of them were swiftly arrested and put into solitary confinement without access to phones and therefore legal help. They were arrested and detained for two weeks without a formal charge or access to help. Rocky was denied appeal by the Swedish Supreme Court on July 9. The story attracted every media outlet and exploded. Millions of posts hashtagged #FREEROCKY were posted. A petition was created by Rocky’s manager and generated over 300K signatures. Celebrities took to social media to voice their outrage. Artists such as Tyler the Creator and Lil Yachty boycotted Sweden. The public was furious. It wasn’t long before the issue became political. Everyone knows that Kanye West, a friend to A$AP, asked his wife, Kim Kardashian, who has personal connections to Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior advisor, to ask him for his advocation on the issue. He brought it up with the President, who “acknowledged something seemed amiss” with the situation.
Trump tweeted: “Just spoke to Kanye West about his friend A$AP Rocky’s incarceration. I will be calling the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping A$AP Rocky. So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!” This was followed by “Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly! #FreeRocky.” Interpret it as you will, but President Trump seems to be a bit out of line when speaking to an ally of the United States on a public website. He later asked Sweden to “focus on its real crime problem!” and naturally does not clarify what that exactly means. It was not long before A$AP was released for unknown reason. There are quite a few holes in this story, and some of it does not make sense, but there is a moral: “If you have enough money, power, and influence, anything is possible.”
Climate change lends its effects to numerous natural disasters CHRIS LAHOTI Staff Writer Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc throughout the Bahamas and the Southeast coast of the U.S. and Canada earlier this month, causing several deaths and devastation of property and land. Many people in shelters or storm-ravaged homes are still waiting for the power to return, while others are trying to escape to a more secure area. Hurricanes, also known as cyclones or typhoons in India and Southeast Asia, start with warm ocean temperatures that heat the air around them. This warm air rises up into the atmosphere and is replaced by cooler air, establishing a cycle. Water vapor rises with the warm air until cooler atmospheric temperatures condense it back into a liquid form. This is the basis of cloud formation. As more and more water molecules continue to condense and saturate the clouds, thunderstorms begin to form. The storm clouds start spinning due to Earth’s rotational forces, generating a hurricane. Higher average temperatures of oceans all across the world aid hurricane formation and intensify wind speeds, potentiating a more destructive category, while rising sea levels due to climate change amplify coastal flooding during these storms. Why are temperatures getting warmer? The greenhouse effect is Earth’s natural process for maintaining a temperature that can sustain life. The problem is that inno-
vations in travel and production due to the Industrial Revolution have dramatically increased carbon emissions to the point where too much heat is being trapped by the Earth’s atmosphere, a process known as global warming. We are already seeing the effects, exemplified by blisteringly hot summers, rising ocean levels, and melting glaciers. Although there is no definitive link between the number of hurricanes and climate change, global warming is playing a big part in inciting these storms. Dorian is just one of many recent hurricanes to hit the U.S. and Caribbean Islands, with five category 5 hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. within the past year alone. Instead of concentrating resources to ensure climate stability, states and countries are forced to direct their attention to providing immediate relief and security to those affected by these storms. What they should be doing is finding a way to reduce their carbon footprints by implementing energy-saving, cost-efficient products and practices. Politicians argue that we as a single nation will not make much of an impact in decreasing global warming, considering that China is the biggest producer of carbon emissions. The United States should take the lead and show other world leaders that we are committed to environmental preservation. Houston will never forget Hurricane Harvey and the life altering damage it left behind. When will lawmakers prioritize the future of our planet?
President Donald Trump uses his influence and does everything in his will power to help bring A$AP Rocky back home from Sweeden. Photo courtesy of deadline.org.
The Knight Times Episcopal High School 4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, TX 77450 713-512-3400
Head of School Ned Smith
Editor-in-Chief Bailey Junell
Associate Head of School Nancy Laufe Eisenberg
Social Media Coordinator Olivia Hopwood
Principal Kim Randolph
Staff Writers Nick Held Chris Lahoti Alexa Hendricks Sydney Coward Zack Donovan Jazzmin Duncan Claire Frankfort Lucy Howley Tinley Kane Connor Smith Charlotte Sullivan Lara Verstovsek Lydon Walsh Emma Claire White Leana Greene
Dean of Arts and Innovation Jay Berckley Visual Arts Chair Kate Philbrick Publications Coordinator David Framel Photojournalism Instructor Japheth Storlie Photojournalism Editors Julia Toups Amelia Traylor
Photographers William Baumgartner, Craig Choi, Alex Diaz, Calvin Kelly Sydney Kelso, Sophie Martin, Brendan Massaro, Mary Carol Ray, Jessica Wang, Reese Barrett, Sophia Black, Colby Gay, Margrethe Jensen, Christophe Merriam, Jami Rassy, Lexi Sagers, Skyler Witt, Marisa Angulo, PAris Bailey, Karma Elbadawy, Sarah Pulaski, Madison Stanke, Emma Claire White, Mimi Elizabeth Wilson
A destroyed neighborhood in Abaco in the Bahamas and the after effects of Hurrican Dorain’s powerful winds and rain. Photo courtesy of BBC.org.
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.
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Sports ∙ Page 11
High school sports participation on the decline across the United States TINLEY KANE Staff Writer Within the last thirty years, participation in high school sports has dropped dramatically. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the 8 million participants in interscholastic sports from 2018 statistics has decreased more than 43,000 from the year previous. This sudden drop has experts questioning what the future for high school sports is if this continues. Studies aren’t specifically declaring that these high schoolers have quit sports altogether; some may focus primarily on club sports, or a three-sport athlete may have dropped one of their sports. Although they may not be participating in school sports, the statistics list a deployment of sports participation decline overall no matter the circumstance. This issue is concerning because it could possibly be the result of a lack of participation in youth sports. Since 2008, it has
become a trend for children ranging from 6-12 years of age to quit sports due to the pressure parents put on their children to potentially receive a college scholarship. The high expectations of parents ultimately removes the desire to participate. Another reason for sudden dropouts is the inability of parents to keep up with excessive club sports expenses. With club sports popularity increasing more and more each year, parents are unable to keep up with the high demands the teams ask of them. As the rate of youth sports participation is dropping, the number of high school participants would be affected as well. Children losing interest at such a young age gives them a sense of resentment later on to participate in high school sports. One study specifically states that since 2009, high school football participation has dropped by nine percent. Though this may not appear as a radical drop, the prospect of getting injured and the cost of football is what is driving boys away from the sport.
The Episcopal varsity football team shows that even though participation in high school sports are on the decline nationally, the athletics programs at EHS continue to maintain the interest of students. Photo by Brendan Massaro.
Carli Lloyd: An advocate for gender equality in professional sports SYDNEY COWARD Staff Writer Can a woman play in the National Football League? This question is quite popular due to national soccer star Carli Lloyd’s visit to the Philadelphia Eagles training session from which a video emerged of her successfully punting a 55-yard field goal. She was subsequesntly offered the chance to make history as the first women to ever play in a NFL preseason game. Prior to being offered the position as a kicker, the American soccer player is a two-time gold medalist, two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, and twotime FIFA Player of the Year. During the 2015 World Cup final, she became the first player to score three or more goals during a FIFA Women’s World Cup final. To further demonstrate her athletic superiority, Lloyd was the second soccer player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. She
Carli Lloyd competed for Team USA against Costa Rica in a CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match. Photo courtesy of latimes.com. is still actively playing for Sky Blue FC and possibly on an all-male professional football team.
The video taken of her launching a field goal soon went viral across multiple social media platforms and sparked the contro-
versy of what if a woman was able to play in the NFL. James Galanis, her personal trainer, believes she would be a perfect fit as he has been there throughout the majority of her career. Galanis stated that “things have escalated and it is real... we are definitely thinking about it” because Carli thrives on challenges, and this is the biggest one that has been presented to her. There have been a legitimate number of offers from NFL teams who constantly contact her, willing to put Carli on their 53-man roster. Lloyd was genuinely interested in taking up a team’s offer except a United States women’s national team had a game that conflicted with the NFL’s final preseason game that same Thursday. We are led to believe that she would have politely declined the offer due to the lack of time she would have to prepare for her new athletic role. Galanis explained she prefers to think things out, like this big decision, and would need time to get comfortable with training.
The global sport of cricket struggles to expand in America sports leagues within the U.S. rely upon a system of teams within the country to grasp the attention of Americans, while Outside the Western Hemisphere and the the major focus of cricket is on national teams that are a part of the International Episcopal High School bubble, cricket is a sport that captivates the attention of mil- Cricket Council (ICC). Although the lions of viewers annually. The question is, United States has a national team, they what barriers keep cricket from expanding have not been a dominating force against nations such as India, Pakistan, and New within the United States? The first barrier to keep in mind is major Zealand in the Cricket World Cup, which is hosted by the ICC every four years. In fact, the United States’ national team is in the lowest division of cricket for the World Cup, and the team constantly loses qualifying matches year after year. The second barrier impeding the expansion of cricket in America is the format of the game. The first format of cricket is called a test match; this is the oldest format of the sport and can last as long as five days. The second type of match is a one-day match; as the Kieron Pollard, a player in the Indian Premier League, name explains, it lasts making a baseballesque dive. Photo courtesy of sportswiz. one day. Finally, there is the modern format called com. LYNDON WALSH Staff Writer
Twenty20 where twenty overs (a set of six legal deliveries of the ball) are played, thus speeding up the game, but it can still last hours. American audiences enjoy sports that they can watch at a steady pace, which has even caused problems for leagues like Major League Baseball, which struggles to retain viewership over long innings. If there is one thing the sport of cricket
has done well that will roll over to U.S. markets is how it makes watching the game accessible. The ICC has said that the 2019 Cricket World Cup was broadcast to 220 territories over 46 separate channels and websites resulting in 675 million unique viewers as well as 2.6 billion video views. The wide range of opportunities to watch the sport present a hope for a rise in American fans.
Sports∙ Page 12
Sports Brief
CROSS COUNTRY OLIVIA HOPWOOD Staff Writer
The varsity cross country team has started the year strong with several meets and many new teammates. The team has proven its true dedication by attending early morning practices as well as morning and away meets. Upcoming meets include October 12 at TC Jester, as well as October 26 at St. Andrew’s. Cross Country Coach Julius Michael said he has instilled within his athletes “Juma Ikanga -The will to win means nothing without the desire to prepare. Along with this value, runner Kitkat Kwiatkowski says she really appreciates “being a part of such a tight knit team as well as being able to participate in a sport that [she] enjoys.” With Coach Michael by their side, the Knights are hoping to close out their season successfully on a straight path to an SPC victory.
CHEER JAZZMIN DUNCAN Staff Writer
The EHS varsity cheer squad tumbles into the season with a record number of team members, and with extremely talented juniors and seniors on the team, they are aiming to fly high this fall. The junior varsity and freshman teams have also been going strong in these beginning months. With a record number of 25 All-American athletes, the entire cheer program is looking forward to a good season. The varsity team is stacked full of talent from the seniors, juniors and sophomores. The JV team, led by captains Symone Harrell and Caroline Rootes, has been very determined and hardworking. The freshman team, led by Lila Henningsen and Emily Keenan, has been very productive as well, already performing advanced stunts and showing their commitment to the sport. The teams has been participating in several different charity events like the Candlelighters Walk. The program will be hosting its annual fundraiser, Pink Ribbon Knight, dedicated to Ms. Toshla Guthrie, on October 4 to help raise money for A Shelter for Cancer Families.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL ZACH DONOVAN Staff Writer With two tournaments and several counter matches already played, the EHS boys’ volleyball team continues its growth to be one of the most competitive teams at SPC. On the third day of the school year, the team travelled to Oklahoma City to participate in a tournament at Casady. Though they just fell short of a first-place win in the final match, they won a grueling match against TVS in the third set. Two weeks later, the team battled in a competitive Houston Cup tournament. Missing two players, the team fell short after almost defeating the best club volleyball team in Texas. This year the program has directed focus to technical analysis of gameplay off the court. During practice, the varsity team has often taken time to establish new offensive plays and changed defensive formations to adjust for both their own capabilities and those of their opponents. Coaches also hope to establish a stong mental game within the players and help them enjoy the sport.
The Knight Times ∙ September 2019
Girls volleyball starts its season off strong SYDNEY COWARD Staff Writer The Episcopal Knights girls volleyball team had an amazing win against Concordia Lutheran, ranked first among area private schools, on September 11 with three EHS players ending the game with double doubles. Junior and Texas A&M commit Bria Woodward had 12 kills and 20 digs to secure the win against Concordia. Trinity Watts, a Liberty University commit, showed why the Flames recruited her with 10 kills and 15 digs. Coach Watts stated, “Going into it, we knew it was going to be a tough match,” but with help from key varsity players like Camille Hanna with 31 assists, the girls were able upset the #1 ranked team. A tough start to the game did not stop them, and they were able to “regroup and dominate the next sets,” explained Watts. The whole team has stepped it up, and the seniors especially have been leading the team to many victories. Senior Allison Krieg earned her 1000th career dig during the Houston Open and “tallied 25 digs in the Knights comeback victory” against St. Agnes, described Watts. The varsity team is “not a one or twoman team... a lot of different players contribute,” including freshman Ava Harrington and sophomore Morgan Perkins, who add young talent to the team. The team is built around mostly veterans, who
The girls varsity volleyball team finished third overall in the Pearland Tournament. Photo courtesy of Coach Amanda Watts. show good ball control and are able to pass their knowledge down to the underclassmen. With the majority of the team comprised of juniors, the five seniors have the chance to attain another SPC cham-
pionship with captains Brennan Howell, Camille Hanna, Trinity Watts, and Alison Krieg. In addition to the leadership council from Sophia Quintanilla, Cimone Woodard, and Bria Woodard.
Knights defeat northern rivals Hockaday and ESD during recent SPC tournament in Dallas LUCY HOWLEY Staff Writer Throughout the Hockaday Tournament, the varsity field hockey team successfully defeated many tough SPC teams. On Friday the players drove up to Dallas, separated into two teams, and participated in three 7v7 mini games against many different Dallas teams. Saturday the girls came together and played three 40-minute games against Highland Park, Trinity Valley, and Cassady, defeating all except Cassady. The start to the Knights season began with a loss against the Kinkaid Falcons, 5-2, two games against St. Agnes and Memorial were cancelled due to weather, and a 3-3 tie against Duchesne. Seniors Meg Alexander, Rollins Bell, Christina Betti, Meredith Betti, Sophie Bowers, Elizabeth Hunt, Anabelle Kurtin, Mary Margaret
Knolle, and Charlotte Schaeffer continue to lead the team by example and encourage the program. The JV team had a strong start as well, with two wins against St. Agnes and another against Duchesne. Throughout the month of September, both teams had many games scheduled. The varsity team’s busy schedule consisted of home games against St. John’s, Houston Christian, Duchesne, St. Andrew’s, St. Stephen’s, and St. Agnes and away games against St. John’s, Greenhill, Episcopal School of Dallas, and Kinkaid. The players are building their skills and learning teamwork with each game. Both field hockey teams are proud of their hard work and are waiting to compete at SPC. Tatum Moore pulls through a minefield during varsity practice. Photo by Julia Toups.
Team unity heightens during 2019 football season JAZZMIN DUNCAN Staff Writer The EHS varsity football team hit the ground running, starting the season with a blowout win against Navasota 28-3 in a game filled with enthusiasm from the players and spectators. The combined junior varsity/freshman team also beat the Navasota Rattlers the previous night in a closer game 34-20. After these games, those participating in the Knights football program and the rest of the Knights are more excited than ever for what is to come. The varsity and JV teams beat Sam Rayburn with more blowout win, with varsity winning 47-0 and the JV and freshman teams winning 22-0. With few returning veteran players, the varsity Knights performance has impressed both the coaches and the student body.
Despite having only two games under their belts, the defensive and offensive lines have already made a statement within the SPC and in the Houston area. With a consistent work ethic and incredible chemistry among the players, the Knight varsity football team is more ready than ever for whatever challenges they may face.
Improving from last year and demonstrating team unity, they have begun to think as a team rather than individual players. They are also aiming for the first-place spot in the SPC championship in November. They will be competing in their second SPC game at St. John’s on Friday, the 4th of September with St. Mark’s, Kinkaid, and Houston Christian to follow.
The varsity football team opened the 2019 season with a convincing win against the Navasota Rattlers at home. Photo by Camille Hanna.