thePROWLER Friday, March 29, 2019
www.TheProwler.net
•
Vol. 22, Issue 3
Proudly serving Caney Creek since 1997
13470 FM 1845, Conroe, TX 77306
BOYS SOCCER TAKES FIRST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP, page 16
POWERLIFTERS MAKE STATE, page 12
CONROE ISD TO HOST BOND ELECTION IN MAY, page 2 & 3
BOWLER STATE QUALIFIED, page 12
WRESTLERS MAKE STATE MEET, page 13
DECA QUALIFIES TWO FOR INTERNATIONALS, page 10
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, page 4
INDEX
DEBATE WINS THREE TEAM TITLES, page 6
FIRST ALL-STATE CHOIR MEMBER, page 8
CONSTRUCTION SKILLSUSA HEADS TO STATE, page 6
2 - Bond 3 - Bond 4 - News 5 - Opinion 6 - News 7 - News 8 - Arts 9 - News
10 - News 11 - Puzzles 12 - Sports 13 - Sports 14 - Sports 15 - Sports 16 - Sports
BOND
PAGE 2
Bond election to be held in May ALEXIUS ROCHA Contributing Reporter
Conroe ISD will host a bond election May 4 totalling $807 million in projects all over the district. The Conroe ISD Board of Trustees approved the bond election for May 4. To fund the bond, which is a voterapproved loan, the district expects to have to increase the I&S tax rate from $1.28 per $100 property valuation to $1.31 - about a $60 a year increase on a $200,000 property. Bonds include only physical projects – called capital improvements – including
this bond that proposes construction of four new schools and other new facilities, campus renovations to existing buildings and facilities, as well as technology and safety projects. The schools added will consist of three new elementary schools, one in each of the Conroe, Caney Creek and Grand Oaks feeder zones. The bond will also include a new junior high building in the Caney Creek feeder zone, as well as capacity and program updates. The current Moorhead Junior High building would transition to a new intermediate school.
There will also be classroom additions for Oak Ridge High School, York Junior High School and Conroe High School Ninth Grade, and The Woodlands College Park High School. The Woodlands High School will get a robotics lab and science classroom addition. The district previously held a bond in 2015, which created five new schools including Grand Oaks High School. “Due to being a new campus, there are no real immediate needs in the proposed 2019 bond,” Grand Oaks Principal Dr. Christopher Povich said. “Indirectly, the addition at York Junior High School and
a new elementary will address student growth for the Grand Oaks High School feeder.” Districtwide facility and transportation needs would add central maintenance and custodial work, new buses, transportation center expansions and renovations, Jett center decommissioning, Hauke building renovations, and the current ninty year old teacher training center is being vacated; new facility will be built on current CISD land at Woodforest bank stadium. Early voting for May 4 election starts April 22.
$270M
GROWTH & SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOLS*
$807 MILLION WHAT’S IT ALL FOR?
$95M
OTHER** $88.1M
LIFE CYCLE $60.3M $24.6M
$254.9M
DISTRICT-WIDE FACILITY & TRANSPORTATION
SAFETY & SECURITY
$14.1M CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES
*Includes new schools, campus improvements and renovations **Includes technology, land purchases and contingency
Bond includes millions for Caney Creek capital and safety upgrades, artificial turf OMAR PEREZ
Contributing Reporter The bond package will be include several items directly affecting Caney Creek High School including upgrading facilities and programs totaling $11.9 million. If approved, construction would take place between January 2021 and August 2023 depending on the project. If the bond gets approved, the $807 million referendum will include Caney Creek High School at an estimated cost of $11.9 million in capacity and program upgrades, according to the bond schedule, plus millions more in technology, safety,
and capital projects. One project would replace the natural grass on the athletic fields with artificial turf. “(This would affect the availability) of the fields because of all the rain; (right now) we have to cancel the games,” Athletic Director Steven Svendsen said, noting that teams will not have to cancel practice or games if it is raining. Many groups use the field for various activities such as the homecoming parade, soccer games, NJROTC, Starlettes, band and football games. Technology projects are included in the bond package as well like purchasing a
new DAS repeater and BDA first responder system. These devices will create a wider radio transmission for first responders. The police, emergency personnel and administrators will be able to communicate without interruptions of service during an emergency, as well as school staff, according to Assistant Principal Brain Lovetinsky. “They are systems to help the radio to increase radio capacity within the school or the area,” Principal Dr. Jeffrey Stichler said. “If policemen or firefighters were out here, it would boost their signal so they can be able to communicate. The DAS is digital to help boost radio signal for campus radio, radio for maintenance guys.”
The upgrades would also replace the analog camera system, which will allow for higher resolution video capabilities and camera capacity.
EXTRA YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE AFTER DELIVERY IN MAY! First come, first serve basis.
Rapid growth ahead Study: Caney Creek to exceed capacity within 6 years ROBERTO GARCIA
Contributing Reporter Caney Creek will exceed 110 percent enrollment capacity within the next six years, according to data included with the upcoming bond election. As its evidence of student enrollment growth, Conroe ISD commissioned the Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) to compile a survey of enrollment projections for the entire district. As a whole the district is expected to grow 14,000 students over the next 10 years. “The district is growing,” Principal Dr. Jeff Stichler said. “The growth is pretty much the same from year to year. We are seeing the same amount of growth basically every year. That’s something the district has to plan for eventually.” CCHS currently has more than 2,000 students enrolled and is expected to grow by 75 percent in the next 10 years to more than 3,500 students. Caney Creek, Conroe and Grand Oaks high schools are expected to see the most growth, while Oak Ridge and The Woodlands College Park are expected to remain stagnant. The Woodlands High School is anticipated to drop in enrollment in the same time period.
Moorhead Junior High, which feeds into Caney Creek, has already exceeded its 1,050-student capacity and will exceed 110 percent capacity next year, which prompted the Board of Trustees to recommend a new building. “Student enrollment is increasing across CISD,” Moorhead Principal Roberto Garcia said. “Should the bond be approved by voters, Moorhead will become a second intermediate school and a new junior high will be built in the Caney Creek feeder zone.” The proposed new junior high will have a maximum capacity of 1,600 students. Grangerland Intermediate is estimated to exceed capacity in 2023-2024 Two new schools in the Caney Creek feeder zone were included in the bond package, a junior high school and an elementary. Two of the existing elementary schools, Austin and Creighton, have already exceeded capacity. CISD is in the “ring” of school districts around the Houston area that have seen constant growth in the last several years. Enrollment in CISD increased by 1,816 students, three percent, between 2016-2018. In the last five years, ending in Fall 2017, enrollment increased by 7,646 students, 14.2 percent.
Caney Creek High School Projected Resident Students
4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 . 2,000 2,128
2,186 .
2,503 . . 2,269
. 2,663
2,892 .
. 3,037
3,141 .
3,564 . . 3,338 CAPACITY (2,890)
Enrollment
1,500 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29
School years
PAGE 3
theBOND
Moorhead Junior High gets new building under bond
The new buildings are an attempt to address stress on school Contributing Reporter capacities from enrollment, The new bond package will which is growing according to a include a new elementary school Population and Survey Analysts and junior high school campus if report. Moorhead Junior High School, Austin Elementary approved in the May 4 election. This will leave the existing and Creighton Elementary are Moorhead Junior High currently over capacity; San School to transition into an Jacinto Elementary estimated to intermediate school. The new go over capacity by 2024-2025. The bond package also junior high building would begin construction February 2021 and includes a new elementary school within the Caney would open around Creek feeder zone August 2022. that will have an The building’s “The new estimated budget budget would total (Moorhead Junior of $35 million. roughly $81 million The new building over the life of the High building) would begin bond, according to would be built construction district projections. to house 1,600 Feb. 2020 and The budget will be open around cover the utilities students.” Aug. 2021. The -- Roberto Garcia, along with the new enrollment infrastructure and MJHS principal patterns would road improvements not be set until for the location. after a bond is The existing MJHS building would also approved. “Usually when they build a receive safety upgrades including a replacement for a water heater new elementary, they pull students and new fireproof stage curtains from that immediate area and the along with a general safety review. school, or schools, closest to it,” “Moorhead was originally built Creighton Elementary Principal as a fifth/sixth grade campus,” Jenny Watson said. “But there Moorhead Principal Roberto are other times when they build Garcia said. “It has been proposed a new school, the immediate area to the voters that a new junior makes up the population of the high be built due to increasing school, then as the area around enrollment in the Caney Creek that school develops, the school feeder zone. The new junior attendance grows with it.” Names for the new junior high would be built to house 1,600 students. Moorhead Junior high and elementary school will High would become the second be determined later if the bond intermediate school in our feeder package is passed in the May 4th election. zone.”
ASHTON RUSHING
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theNEWS Shattered Lives returns after 3 years PAGE 4
YESICA RODRIGUEZ-CORTEZ
Contributing reporter The Shattered Lives program made its way to Caney Creek Feb. 27 and 28 to show students the dangers of distracted driving. Seniors, juniors, parents and staff all watched the recreation of a car crash simulated in the student parking lot. The fake scene was created by director Brenda Jaszkowiak, along with other students who volunteered for the event. According to a March 2019 article, Jaszkowiak wanted to show how all kinds of distracted driving, not just drunk driving, is dangerous. “We try to instill different lessons on communication, and
how to be responsible, distracted driving, drinking and drugs.” Jaszkowiak said. Students who participated in the program didn’t know their role until that morning. They were either going to be arrested, dead, or in the reck. “I did learn more than I expected to,” senior Christina Pena said. “Drugs and alcohol have impacted so many people in their lives including mine and it just made me grateful that I’ve changed. The staff from shattered lives gave me that hand in case I did ever slip and I appreciate that.” Other than the scene in the parking lot, students who participated were taken for the rest of the day and came back the
next morning for the assembly. The ones who played the role of being dead were taken to the hospital and their parents wrote an obituary while the ones who got arrested went to jail. “Driving drunk isn’t a joke,” senior Zoe Cason said. “With all of the charges I had it was 60-90 years in jail.” Alumna Ryann Moore was a junior when the program last visited the campus three years ago. She was part of the wreck and said when she first heard it was coming back, she immediately raised her hand to help out. “Most teenagers don’t pay attention to the road, they
See SHATTERED LIVES, page 9
Leo Marban | The Prowler A MOTHER’S TEARS. Mother Tiffany Burton cries as she hovers over her daughter, junior Kameron Burton, who played a Shattered Lives crash victim Feb. 27.
Underwood, Kloes recognized as teachers of the year ALEXIS LUTZ
Contributing Reporter After an entire year of work and dedication, teachers Tracy Underwood and Gretchen Kloes were awarded teachers of the year. They were nominated by peers and chosen by secret ballot in mid-January. Underwood said she was happy to win the award. “My husband won teacher of the year last year at his campus and I had to listen to him for a year rub it in about how he had only been in education for two
SALUTE TO EDUCATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
years and had already beaten me to (it),” Underwood said. “When I found out that I won I was relieved because I won’t have to hear him tease me as much. It’s definitely an amazing feeling to know that my peers think of what I do as worthy of this award.” She also says that her favorite part of teaching is getting to witness the “lightbulb moments.” “Unfortunately my content (world history) isn’t loved by everyone so I have to work to make it relatable,” Underwood said. “Seeing the look on students’ faces when they realize that they understand
Tracy Underwood Teacher of the Year
what you have been working on is amazing. I hated social studies in high school because I never understood the story, but if I can get even one student to find their love of history then I have succeeded.” Kloes said she tries to help teachers and students whenever she can, and she always tries her best for the students. “I love teaching because I enjoy finding out the different ways that students think and process information,” Kloes said. “I enjoy the challenge of figuring out different ways to explain material so that everyone can understand. I love teaching at Caney
Gretchen Kloes Teacher of the Year
Creek because we have the best students in Conroe ISD and they deserve the best education we can possibly give them.” Receptionist Shirley Mendenhall was nominated and won Humanitarian of the Year, and Anna Carroll won Newcomer of the Year, which is for teachers with three or fewer years experience. The teachers of the year will write essays to submit to the committee that decides the Conroe ISD teacher of the year. They will attend the Salute to Education event where they will be recognized and find out results of district teacher of the year.
Shirley Mendenhall Humanitarian of the Year
Anna Carroll
Newcomer of the Year
/theprowlernewspaper @CCHSJournalism
PAGE 5
theOPINION
SILENCING STUDENT OPINION
State law, Supreme Court censors student voice on bond, other issues
Conroe ISD will hold a bond election on May 4. Currently, students of Caney Creek High School, we cannot voice our opinion about the election in the only place we have guaranteed: the school newspaper thanks to a one-two punch from a state law and Supreme Court case. CISD administration sent an email to staff in late February saying no opinions on the bond could be written - for or against the bond - including in student newspapers. This includes not just editorials and opinion pieces, but also quotes including any opinion from any faculty or staff as to how the bond projects would help or hurt the school. All this to say: if we hated the bond, we couldn’t say it. If we love the bond, we couldn’t say it. State law prevents use of school funds for electioneering, which makes total sense. This bond election will affect students, good or bad, as we are just as part of this school as the buildings are and what this bond is all about. We think student newspapers should be an exception to the electioneering law so long as it is student-led. While school districts have to enforce this law, we want to, more broadly, be able to freely express opinions not worrying about the school censoring and changing our stories. School districts have the right to alter or even throw an entire story away if they even have a reason - no matter how small. They have this leeway thanks to the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court case, which ruled schools can censor their students if it is “reasonably related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose.” While Conroe ISD has given us and others
in its high schools great freedom in its Shouldn’t this include us? We are as much publications, which we appreciate, the fact all human as adults are. We are being thrown school districts are able to so heavy-handedly in the world of adults and then get ridiculed censor student voice is appalling. Pedagogical because we don’t know things. Discussing and means relating to education; so what part of sharing our views, ideas and beliefs will help censoring students helps education? right any misunderstood knowledge before it Schools are places where you are meant could harm us. to be intellectually challenged, make solid With more than 77 million students in US arguments, and advocate for schools, more than 63,000 are in ourselves once we graduate. CISD. This newspaper makes up They are seen as places for only about 30 of those students “Everyone has the debate and coexistence of that try to advocate for what’s right to freedom ideas that can be tested best for all students. of opinion and to help the belief grow. However, we know the expression. The right biggest changes start with small Our school newspaper is a includes freedom to victories. guaranteed where we can go to express our opinions and We want to speak about the have opinions without beliefs. But when a major rights of students because we are interference and to vote about what is happening lucky enough to be allowed to. seek, receive and to our area, our school, We want to stand for the rights import information comes up, we can’t express of ourselves and others because our opinions out of fear of the and ideas through any we believe we should talk. We district being sued. media and regardless should discuss ideas, even bad In the land of the free, our ones, because then we could of frontiers.” freedom has been stepped prove they’re bad without saying UN, 1948, on by the law. According Universal Declaration “because I said they are.” to the Oxford Dictionary, Two things need to happen. of Human Rights the meaning of freedom is One, the Texas Legislature ‘the power or right to act, should pass Senate Bill speak or think as one wants.” 514, currently stalled in Even the United Nations in 1948 stated in the Education Committee, to overturn the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Hazelwood as 14 other states already have. “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion Two, the Texas Legislature should make an and expression. The right includes freedom exception to the electioneering law allowing to have opinions without interference and student-led newspapers, TV stations and to seek, receive and import information and other media outlets to provide in-depth ideas through any media and regardless of reporting, including opinions, on school frontiers.” bond elections.
HAVE OPINIONS?
Let your voice be heard by writing a column or letter to the editor. For more information, email the idea to Ragan Lewis at lewisrag@conroeisd.net.
STAFF
GEORGEJUAREZ
Editor-in-Chief
ANGIERODRIGUEZ News Editor RAGANLEWIS
Opinions Editor
YAMILETHMALDONADO Sports Editor ABYMARROQUIN Photography Editor CONTRIBUTINGREPORTERS
Emily Alfaro, Jacquelyn Bahena, Bethany Barnes, David Cooper, Roberto Garcia, Julea Henthorn, Gracie Lang, Alexis Lutz, Jazilyn Murray, Emily Osorio, Omar Perez, Mario Rangel, Esmeralda Reynoso, Litzy Reynoso, Alexius Rocha, Yesica RodriquezCortez, Ashton Rushing, Jaelei Shaw, Trevin Simons, Brook’lynne Taylor, Mayra Torres, Annali Ward, Nuvi Xon
------------------------STEPHENGREEN
Faculty Adviser
Dr. JEFFSTICHLER
Principal
The Prowler is a student-run newspaper and the content and views are produced solely by the student staff members and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration of Conroe ISD, Caney Creek High School, or its faculty. The newspaper is a learning tool for student journalists and does occassionally contain errors. Please notify the adviser or a staff member and be patient with us! Contact information: Caney Creek High School 13470 FM 1485 Conroe, TX 77306 936-709-2000
theNEWS
PAGE 6
Construction SkillsUSA hosts district competition, advances to state meet NUVI XON
Stephen Green | The Prowler ON TOP. Speech and debate team members Gallant Sloan, Kayla Ramirez, Olivia Hernandez, Jonathan Ponce, Cassie Gilbert, Joshua Baldwin, Haleigh Huggins, and Julian Mendez pose at Magnolia High School after taking its second team title.
Debate team places first in past three invitationals ANGIE RODRIGUEZ News Editor
The speech and debate team has begun to prepare for their UIL district tournament by attending several invitationals, placing first at their last three in a row. The speech and debate team had multiple students place in the top six of all four invitationals attended. The most recent being at Waller High School, where they were named team champion. Senior Jonathan Ponce has been on the team for almost two years. He placed second at their last tournament for informative speaking and third for Lincoln Douglas Debate. “Placing at district is important because we are representing Caney Creek High School as a whole,” Ponce said. “We are also representing our team and it’s really small right now and we want it to grow. The best way to grow it is by actually winning, and once people start hearing our name, they’ll try to join as well.”
Junior Jose Solis said the team has been preparing for UIL district by staying after every Tuesday and consulting with teachers on their cases. He has been in debate since the program got revamped three years ago and has placed at every invitational. “It’s important to place at district because then we can represent our school in an important way, showing that our efforts all year paid off,” Solis said. “I like debate because it’s kind of fun and it’s a passion I have. I want to become a lawyer when I grow up so doing this right now really builds the building blocks for becoming a lawyer and practicing law.” Debate adviser Joseph Collatos says students prepare by: completing multiple hours of research, writing cases, practicing writing and performing speeches, and completing specific workshops. “Our invitational tournaments are crucial to prepare us for UIL district, and placing there
is of the utmost importance,” Collatos said. “To prepare for UIL competitors (students) will need to focus at practice and use their free time wisely to make sure they are on top of their game. A few new practice strategies are being introduced to give a fresh approach to preparing for district.” The debate team will host the UIL district competition here at Caney Creek High School this upcoming Monday. UIL ACADEMICS The UIL Academic team took first place at the Waller High School Invitational tournament –marking the first time in school history Caney Creek has won overall sweepstakes for an invitational. Sweepstakes are determined by adding all points a school earns for placing in the top six of each event and as a team. At Waller, CCHS took team championships in computer science, mathematics, literary criticism, journalism, and speech and debate.
Contributing reporter The construction SkillsUSA team hosted this year’s district seven building trades competition Feb 9. Students received seven medals and had five students advanced to state. The SkillsUSA building trades is a competition that offers participants the ability to show their skills in construction. The competition is equivalent to a regional contest and finalists qualify for state. Competitors only get five hours to build their projects, following plans and materials that they are required to use. The students who continued into state competition include: Damien Gutierrez, Gold Carpentry; Travis Bradberry, Gold Tool ID; Jose Arellano and Piper Smith, Silver Material ID; Maximiliano Carreon, Gold Masonry; Cristian Muniz, Silver Masonry. “I felt accomplished and proud of myself that I advanced,”
Gutierrez said. “I competed because I want to work in this type of work in the future so getting first place got me one step closer to my future.” Smith said she was excited to advance. “I decided to compete because I felt I would help grow my skills for construction,” she said. “I’ve only been taking the construction course for one year, but construction runs in the family.” Bradberry has also been in the class for only one year and said he proud to have accomplished in this field. “I decided to compete because I wanted to represent the school,” Bradberry said. “I feel really excited to advance and see all my hard work pay off.” Preparations for the event were organized by Ignacio Sauceda, building trades teacher, and materials were paid for by SkillsUSA. “I had certain guidelines to follow for every contestant that See CONSTRUCTION, page 9
@CaneyCreekHS | Twitter COMPETITION. Competitors that placed include: Damien Gutierrez, Gold Carpentry; Travis Bradberry, Gold Tool ID; Jose Arellano and Piper Smith, Silver Material ID; Maximiliano Carreon, Gold Masonry; Cristian Muniz, Silver Masonry.
PAGE 7
theNEWS
Masonry program to start after donation GRACIE LANG Contributing Reporter
The building trades class received a donation of equipment from Dee Brown Inc. right after Christmas to start a masonry program next year. Building trades teacher Ignacio Sauceda reached out to a few companies looking for donations. David Barnes responded saying they wanted to donate. With this equipment, Sauceda will start the masonry program next year that focuses on stonework, like building with bricks, for example. Sauceda said he could not believe this was happening.
“I told myself to keep it together,” Sauceda said. “When he left, that is when I let out my excitement. I was literally jumping for joy. I couldn’t believe that someone was willing to do all of this for my program.” Barnes said he wants to help out schools because it will have real-world impacts. “I just got back from a convention and they were talking about growing the industry,” Barnes said. “I wanted to try and do the same thing.” They have started using the donated equipment and senior Max Carreon said he likes using the equipment over the normal construction materials.
“I got into the masonry program because it was something that was interesting to me,” Carreon said. Sauceda hopes this program will help the students get ready for their future careers. “I am expecting the masonry program to be successful, because in the job industry this kind of work is high demand,” Sauceda said. Freshman Riley Hoyle is looking forward to the new masonry program. “I hope it will teach me how to work in the masonry and that we get good masons, ” Hoyle said. Jesse Herb Slavens has experience in the masonry
Cash said becoming Texas Ranger is not easy, as it takes a lot of commitment and grind to even try and accomplish becoming Texas Ranger. “You have to start out as a trooper to become a Ranger,” Cash said. “I joined DPS as a high patrol trooper in 2008 and the rules are you must at least have eight years of law enforcement and four has to be with DPS. So I spent about seven years on the road as a trooper and then I (was) promoted to narcotics in Houston for three years.” With police work on popular TV shows, people like Cash get inspired and decide to pursue that career choice. “Back in the day it was always ‘Cops,’ but when I was younger I would watch ‘CHiPs’ with my grandpa,” Cash said. “I still watch those shows today.” Cash said kids that aspire to enter law enforcement should especially stay out of trouble, because “everything you do follows you.”
“I don’t know of a police agency out there that doesn’t do polygraph evaluations and psychology evaluations, so you can’t lie,” Cash said. “You can’t do these silly things as a kid and then decide to grow up and leave all of that behind.” One has to be careful and not put work above what’s truly important, he said. “You always have to watch out no matter what the job is, you can’t let it define you.” Cash is finishing up his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management at SHSU. “(This job) means everything to me,” Cash said. “I think it’s the greatest job in the world and sometimes my wife gets frustrated by how much I love going to work but she doesn’t.”
industry, and will be helping out once it starts. “I will be working with them as long as Sauceda needs me, and as long as I am able to,” Slavens said. Freshman Logan Rodgers decided to be in the masonry program because his family grew up as carpenters. “I wanna be the jack of all trades,” Rodgers said. Hoyle has high hopes for his future and the future of others. “We aren’t just building walls and building structures, we are building our future and the future of the world,” Hoyle said.
“I told myself to keep it together. When he left, that is when I let out my excitement. I was literally jumping for joy. I couldn’t believe that someone was willing to do all of this for my program.”
-- Ignacio Sauceda, building trades teacher
CCHS alumnus becomes Texas Ranger
JULEA HENTHORN
Contributing Reporter One Caney Creek High School alumnus has achieved his lifetime goal: Becoming a Texas Ranger After graduating in 2003 from CCHS, Chris Cash went off to Sam Houston State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In early January, he became the newest addition to the Texas Rangers after previously being highway patrolman in Liberty County. He will work out of the Beaumont Ranger office as part of Company A, which hold 35 southeast Texas counties. Growing up, law enforcement was a field that interested Cash. “I grew up around police work and I think that influenced me to have that desire,” Cash said. “The adrenaline from chasing the bad guys attracted me as a teenager. My dad had friends who were in law enforcement so you get to watch their videos and the traffic stops and that really drew me to police work.”
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George Juarez | The Prowler NEW RANGER. Cristopher Cash is a new member of the Texas Rangers, Company A.
theARTS
PAGE 8
Bellingardi first student to make all-state choir BROOK’LYNNE TAYLOR Contributing reporter
2 Creek artists qualify for Western Art Show finals DAVID COOPER
Contributing Reporter Conroe ISD hosted its annual western art show where two Caney Creek students were selected finalists at the showcase Jan. 12 at Oak Ridge High School. The Western Art Show highlights student-created paintings, drawings, sculptures and other pieces of art focused on western heritage in Texas. Both juniors Lee Diaz and David Pinedo were finalists to move on to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Show. “I like doing the art competition because they are fun and I get to see other peoples artwork and you get opportunities,” Pinedo said. “It could have been better, but I think it’s good for the amount of time and effort I put in it.” Pinedo drew a drawing of a cowboy giving away two cows, the vibrant colors represent the emotions expressed by the cowboy leaving the cows. Despite being a finalist, Diaz believes his art piece could have been better. “I could have added more detail, more creativity to it and I also could have made it more original” Lee Diaz said.
Last year, he was a gold medalist. “They are the most prepared students in my classes,” drawing teacher Dr. Lisa Renner said. More than 60 campuses from CISD students K-12 art pieces are displayed. The selection process is narrowed down by more than 100 art teachers and then a local committee with local artists cuts those entries down to 650 pieces.
Senior Enzo Bellingardi’s heart was racing while waiting on his named to be called up to the stage, his body filled with excitement, burst with excitement when he found out he made it to the allstate choir. Bellingardi was the first student to make it to state choir in 20 years. The state competition took place Jan. 12 in San Antonio. Bellingardi said he was confident in himself that he could make it even further. He said he had an amazing experience when he got to go to state and met others like him who also enjoy music and singing.
“It was amazing like when you’re in a room with like over 200 kids that are just as good as you,” he said. He ran into a few things he did not expect from state competitors. They weren’t as professional as he thought they were going to be, he added. “I’m not going to lie, I was expecting a more serious experience when I went to San Antonio,” he said. “It was still a lot of fun.” Bellingardi’s plans in the future to become a choir director. “I wasn’t trying to do it for the school,” he said. “I was trying to do it for me.”
“I like doing the art competition because they are fun and I get to see other peoples artwork and you get opportunities. It could have been better, but I think it’s good for the amount of time and effort I put in it.”
-- David Pinedo, junior
WANT TO WRITE FOR THE PROWLER AS A REPORTER?
The newspaper staff is always looking for more reporters and editors. For more information, email Mr. Green at smgreen@conroeisd.net.
@CaneyCreekHS | Twitter All-STATE. Dr. Jeffrey Stichler hands senior Enzo Bellingardi a folder that he used in the Texas all-state mixed choir.
theNEWS Drill team dances at Disney World PAGE 9
MAYRA TORRES Contributing Reporter
It’s a small world afterall. The Starlettes headed to Walt Disney World to perform their ‘Around the World’ dance routine during spring break. After many car washes, butter braid sales, a kick-a-thon and a bake sale, the program managed take 25 Starlettes in a charter bus to Florida, where they would eventually perform and have a good time. Starlettes director Heidi Kloes schedules this trip every three years, taking a break from dance competitions. “Every year, we stay in the state and compete with other schools,”
Kloes said. “This year is time to travel out of state.” The dance performance lasted at an estimated 25 minutes and consisted of choreography that involved changing costumes, a whole team dance show, small group performances and solos. The Starlettes started practicing their routine since December 2018. Junior Lucia Maldonado said it involved lots of hours of hard work. “It would be an everyday thing to practice these dances,” Maldonado said. “From our early morning practices, ‘til second period or after school ‘til 5.” Sophomore Estephanie Flores said they danced to “different songs based on different places from around the world.”
From SHATTERED LIVES attention to their phone,” Moore said. “They realize, ‘I’ve been driving for so long, I can multitask,’ and then an accident happens. It’s just something that most teenagers don’t understand and dont respect.” Junior Kameron Burton, who was pronounced “dead” at the scene, said the experience impacted her. “I think just seeing it from the point of view that, ‘You’re dead,’ and when they took my pulse and they were like ‘You’re dead,’ it shocks you,” Burton said.
From CONSTRUCTION was given to me by the SkillsUSA district 7 director,” Sauceda said. “I did have all of my students help with preparations the day before as well as TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators) help on the day of the event.” Students that compete are given very specific plans and have to build their structure accordingly.
The girls left school March 5, performed the following Monday, March 8, and packed their bags to go home Friday, March 12. At DIsney World, they danced in an outdoor stage and in front of a huge audience. “I can just say that it started as a big crowd, and throughout the show it grew even more,” Maldonado said. After performing, the girls got to enjoy the resort and all the rides. “It was so much fun,” junior Itzel Salgado said. “Mostly because I got to ride the scariest rides with my besties, which made them really fun.” The dance program will perform their final spring show April 26-27.
Parents of students involved in the scene were present and many broke into tears as they watched their child being carried into ambulances. “Beyond this moment, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Tiffany Burton, Kameron’s mother, said in tears. “A parent should never have to write their child’s obituary.” The Creek will have shattered lives come back again in three years to show the class of 2022 and 2023 the consequences of distracted driving and the responsibilities when behind a wheel. “In the tool identification contest the students will have to ID 100 tools with accuracy and correct spelling,” Sauceda said. “Material ID will have 50 types of material used in construction that have to be identified accurately and very specific.” All five students will continue towards state competition. They are set to compete April 3 and 7 at Corpus Christi.
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@caneycreekstarlettes | Instagram DISNEY DAY. The starlettes explored Magic Kingdom and saw Fantasmis at Hollywood studios before heading back to the hotel and waking up early for practice.
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Rodgers’ legacy lives on
GEORGE JUAREZ
Editor-in-Chief A friend, brother and son. After a long fought battle with cancer, Layne Rodgers died Dec. 14, 2018. Born and raised in Conroe, TX, Rodgers was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in September 2017. After many chemotherapy treatments, scans, an amputation, surgeries and tumor relapses, Rodgers’ story came to an end. “I never knew someone close to me would go through that and it left me broken and depressed because I don’t have best friend anymore.” senior Colton Newsom said. His funeral was held Dec. 20 at Mims Baptist Church. Friends and family gathered around one last time to say goodbye to who they saw as “The strongest person they knew.” “It truly hurts to see someone you love so much go through the worst battle,” alumna Madison Rae said. According to the American Cancer Society, about 5,000 teens aged 15 to 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. About 600 teenagers die from cancer each year, which makes Cancer the fourth leading cause of death in this age group, behind accidents, suicide, and homicide. “It’s tough because you read about it happening to kids on other teams, but I have never had a player been diagnosed,” baseball head coach Kyle Tidwell
Stephen Green | The Prowler HOPE. Layne Rodgers sits down as guest speaker go up front the vigil. His vigil was held Sept. 26, 2018, and friends and family gathered around.
said. “Its hits you pretty hard, because you see how real it is, and how it shouldn’t happen to someone that young, that they should only being worrying about school and what their friends are up to.” Rodgers played baseball at school and had the chance to meet Houston Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve. Rodgers’ hope was to one day play second base again. “Layne loved playing baseball,” Tidwell said. “You could always see that, in how hard he worked at practice and listened to the coaches. He was always willing to help other players.” With his presence out of the picture, a simple conversation with him is missed. “Say something happens and sometimes i’ll be like ‘I’ll tell Layne’ and then realize I can’t,” Newsom said. In an interview with KHOU11, Rodgers gave everybody a reason in why he was chosen to battle with cancer. “I ask God every day, ‘Why me?” Layne told KHOU11 in November 2017. “He only knows - but he only gives the hardest battles to the toughest kids.” Although Rodgers no longer lives, his legacy made impact. “His legacy to me, is how hard he fought, and he was positive the times I had the pleasure to talk to him,” Tidwell said. “He will be remembered for his smile and being such a nice and willing to help anyone kind of person.”
Stephen Green | The Prowler INTERCONNECTED. Family members hold hands to pray for Layne Rodgers.
Submitted Photo STATE-BOUND 10 DECA members qualified for the state competition which was held in Dallas, TX. Members include: Lazaro Yanez, Jacob Hernandez, Tori McVey, Shaylin Ardoin, Katrina Kelly, Nicholas Davis, Jonathan Leiva, Jonathan Ponce, Lazaro Villalobos, Karla Chavarria
DECA qualifies 2 students for international competition BETHANY BARNES Contributing Reporter
Ten students qualified to the state competition for DECA and competed Feb. 21-23 at Dallas and two managed to advance to the International Career Development Conference. The 10 qualifiers include: Shaylin Ardoin, Karla Chavarria, Nicholas Davis, Jacob Hernandez, Katrina Kelly, Jonathan Leiva, Tori McVey, Jonathan Ponce, Lazaro Villalobos and Lazaro Yanez. Both seniors Ardoin and McVey advanced and will compete in ICDC, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, from April 26-May 1. Both Ardoin and McVey entered in the sports and entertainment team decision making event category where they both partnered up to compete. Two years ago, they qualified to ICDC and are now setting new expectations to this years’ run. “My basketball coach (Meine) talked me into joining DECA,” McVey said. “I’m excited about being an international qualifier.” DECA adviser Bethany Meine
said this year has been a little different as they had a lot of new members who competed for the first time. “For the first time, we had some members choose to compete in purely online events (virtual business simulations) instead of the traditional role play with a judge,” Meine said. State qualifying members stayed after school, before the state competition, to practice their role play. A few faculty members volunteered to help judge members’ role plays. Senior Lazaro Villalobos was a state finalist in the automotive services marketing event category, which put him in the top 10. “(Meine) offers study sessions,” Villalobos said. “She likes to say, ‘give a firm handshake, eye contact and enunciate your words.’” Senior Nicholas Davis said role playing in front of a judge is the most difficult part of competing. “Whenever I was role playing with the judge, you have to think on your feet and makeup solutions really fast in your head and maybe sometimes you would stutter,” he said.
PAGE 11 PANTHER MAZE
thePUZZLES
RIDDLE ME THIS
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Gwen walks into the Montgomery County Fair and went to a booth where a woman said to her, “If I write your exact age on this piece of paper then you have to give me $20, but if I cannot, I will pay you $20.” Gwen agreed and thought that no matter what the woman wrote she’ll just say she weighs less. In the end, Gwen ended up paying the woman $20. How did the woman win the bet?
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BASEBALL BASKETBALL BELLINGARDI BOND BOWLING CHRISCASH CONROEISD CONSTRUCTION DECA DISNEYLAND ENROLLMENT FINALISTS GROWTH ONEACT POWERLIFTING ROBOTICS SCULPTURE SHATTEREDLIVES SOCCER SOFTBALL STARLETTES TENNIS TRACK
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Elizarraras, Peddy in top 20 at state powerlifing meet JAZILYN MURRAY Contributing Reporter
Two powerlifters competed at the state powerlifting meet in Waco on March 16, both placing in the top 20. Juniors Raelyn Peddy and Kimberly Elizarraras traveled with head coach Jomar Cauley to the event, and on the way up, worked on keeping their cool. “I was scared and nervous,” Peddy said. “But I knew I was gonna be at state eventually.” Her personal records include squatting 365 lbs., bench pressing 135 lbs. and deadlifting 315 lbs. “I wasn’t as good as I would like to have been, but I still made it to state,” Peddy said. This is Elizarraras’ first year in powerlifting and said that competing in powerlifting, make you want to set new goals. “I joined because it motivated me,” Elizarraras said. “It’s a sport that not many people know about. It’s a positive inspiration to female competitors.”
Her personal records include squatting 400 lbs., bench pressing 175 lbs. and deadlifting 385 lbs.. “I learned a lot,” she said. “But more than anything, what gets you to be successful is setting goals and the adrenaline that flows once you start lifting.” Six girls and seven boys went to regionals and two girls advanced to the state competition which was held March 16 in Waco. Cauley was happy for his students who have worked hard and said the season is going great. His students were becoming more successful every week, he added. “I think the season is going really well,” Cauley said. “I’m very proud of my girls and boys. They work really hard.” Senior Gabriel Garcia, one of the regional qualifiers, has been in powerlifting for two years. Garcia said he felt confident and proud during regionals. “Every week I knew I was getting stronger,” he said. “I knew I could always be better. I joined because I like lifting and I’m good at strength.”
Rose Fowler | The Prowler STRIKE. Senior Haylee Raska bowling a strike in the sixth frame at Time to Spare Feb. 25.
Raska heads to bowl at state for 4th time ANNALI WARD
Contributing reporter
Rose Fowler | The Prowler STRENGTH. Junior Realyn Peddy bench pressing 185 lbs at a quad meet held at Conroe High School Jan. 31.
The bowling team competed at regionals March 3 at Tomball - setting a record for having an individual bowler qualify to state for the past four years. Senior Haylee Raska will be going to state for individuals at Grand Prairie, near Dallas, this Saturday. She is the first CCHS bowler to have qualified to the state competition in four consecutive years and is determined to place. “It’s honestly exciting,” Raska said. “I’ve bowled my whole life. It makes me happy and it’s fun for me. It’s not a passion anymore; it’s part of my blood.” Setting herself correctly has been key in every match. Her temper is a setback, she said. “My work ethic is to focus on each ball,” she said. “I practiced almost every day for two, three hours at Time to Spare. I have invested countless hours into bowling.” Raska tells herself that one bad frame cannot mess up her game.
“I focus on one frame at a time,” she said. “Thinking about how I need to throw the ball, how I need to stand, where I need to throw the ball, where I need to hit the pins at in order to spare or strike.” Raska hopes to keep bowling after high school and has received offers from Southern University and from Oklahoma Christian University. As a whole, the girls bowling team placed second at regionals after ending the regular season 4-9. Boys placed third at regionals after ending the regular season 10-4. The teams were just short of qualifying for state. Despite this shortcoming, junior Lili Morris believes they did well saying they at least won four games. With this loss tucked under their belt, they head on for next year’s bowling competition with high hopes and big expectations for the incoming group. “Next year I hope we have a bigger bowling team because right now we only have six girls and it takes five to bowl,” Morris said. “I just want the team to get better.”
theSPORTS Wrestlers make state, CCHS history PAGE 13
TREVIN SIMMONS Contributing Reporter
The wrestling team has had a successful season having both regional and state qualifiers. After placing second in district 11-5A, the team had a total of nine athletes make it to regionals including: Linda Marroquin, Juan Martinez, Alexander Thyes, Alvaro Valdez, Ruben Ventura, Jesse Jimenez, Joseph Gonzales, Dustin Chunn and Neamiah Jarrell. The team competed at Pflugerville Weiss High School, finishing the tournament eighth out of 36 schools. “This team has put in a lot of time over the off season and has dedicated themselves to getting better,” head coach Jacob Ferguson said. “They are a great group of kids that push each other and challenge one another to continue to get better.” Two out of the nine wrestlers moved on to state. Senior Juan Martinez became the first regional champion and junior Linda Marroquin placed third, becoming the first girl to qualify for state in school history. “I felt emotional because all I thought was ‘I went through literal blood, sweat, and tears for this’,” Marroquin said.
Ferguson said it’s always thrilling to see his wrestlers win, but it doesn’t stop there. “We are proud of what we have done so far, but our goal is always to progress and to continue to get better,” he said. Both Martinez and Marroquin competed at the Berry Center in Cypress Feb. 22 and 23. Marroquin did not place at state and finished the season 15-13. Martinez placed fourth in the 106 pound weight class at the state tournament, becoming the first wrestler to place in state in program history. “It’s the same thing, I go out there and compete,” Martinez said. “I told myself, ‘Why be nervous?’ Just do what I do. Its senior year, I got nothing to lose.” Since the beginning, Martinez had the mentality of knowing it’s not always going to be easy and his preparation had to be at a high performance level to compete on the mat. “Life is not always about winning you know you always have to learn from both your losses and your wins,” he said.“That mat knows me better than anybody else in this school.” Martinez finished off his high school wrestling career with an overall record of 38-9.
Aby Marroquin | The Prowler PINNED DOWN. Junior Linda Marroquin wrestles at the regional tournament Feb.15-16 at Pflugerville Weiss High School. Both Marroquin and senior Juan Martinez advanced to the state competition.
Varsity track prepares for district meet JACQUELIN BAHENA Contributing reporter
Aby Marroquin | The Prowler SHORT DISTANCE. Senior Anna Cox runs the 200 meter run at a meet in Hargrave High School.
Speed. Strength. Stamina. All the qualities track athletes must have to rise to the top. Track practices have been consist of long distance endurance, stamina build-up and the mindset to advance beyond district. Varsity’s next meet will be held Thursday in the Broncos relay. The district competition will be held April 10-11 at Montgomery. Senior Austin Jahn said he wants to “hopefully place (somewhere between) first and fourth in relay. To get there it’s gonna take commitment and effort.” The varsity team has had a lack of participants due to athletes involvement in a second sport.
“We have four soccer players that are on varsity and two softball players that are on varsity track,” girls head coach Stephen Meine said. “So that’s six of our 12 girls that are in a second sport that’s in season the same time as track.” In practice, coaches are pushing athletes to build stamina and endurance by running longer distances such as 300, 400 and 500 meter runs. “Even if we run short distance, they make us run long distance to build stamina so we dont die at the end of races,” junior Cara Jahn said. Senior Kya Eubanks said that there hasn’t been a good meet because the weather has not been ideal to run in. The past meets have been cold and rainy, she added.
“All the track meets this year have sucked because the weather,” Eubanks said. “It’s been cold and rainy every track meet so there’s not really a best meet yet.” Although the team ran into weather issues at invitationals, coaches motivate the athletes and are setting high standards. “Advance our kids as far as we can into district and beyond,” boys head coach Jesse Walker said. “To get them to area and regionals is always our goal.” Kya Eubanks, Cara Jahn, Ellie Blankenship, Hannah Foster qualified for the Texas Relays with their 4x400 meter relay. They will be competing at Mike A. Myers Stadium in University of Texas today.
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Boys basketball finishes with double-digit wins JAELEI SHAW
Contributing Reporter The boys basketball team has finished with another year of double digit overall wins. The boys finished this year’s season with a 11-22 overall record and seventh place in district 20-5A with a 4-12 record. Senior Aaron Moten said that his last game was unreal and that the amount of brotherhood on the team took his breath away. “We worked together cause we knew we were at the bottom, and that drive, that want to be better made us bond harder than any other team I’ve been on,” Moten said. Junior Troy Eubanks said while work ethic was amazing, the team still has a lot to improve.
“We all push and fuel each other with competition in practice and open gyms,” Eubanks said. “As a team we need to improve on working together and fundamentals like dribbling and decision making and shooting.” Assistant coach Aundre Branch sees room for improvement for next season’s goal to making playoffs. “Caney Creek has gained respect for the past 23 years,” assistant coach Branch said. “We evaluate each game and make corrections.” Ten seniors will leave vacant spots for next year’s roster, junior Paolo Loduca and Eubanks will be the only returning varsity players. Senior Jayden Spaulding said
senior night was an emotional goodbye. “It was a special team,” Spaulding said, “So many different personalities that helped us grow into a family. We bonded through all the tournaments we played in and staying together in the hotels.” Loduca said a lot of responsibility lies in his hands for next season. “Being a senior next year, us leading the team,” Loduca said, “I feel like I have to work with coach, Troy (Eubanks), and the team to put us in a win situation and get us to go to playoffs.” Their last game was against Kingwood Park on Feb. 12. The basketball team will face the same slate of opponents next year until the next UIL alignment.
Dovey Garcia | The Prowler PASSING BY. Senior Jayden Spaulding counter attacks against the Tomball Cougars as head coach Randy Appiah motivates his players on the sideline
Christina Pena | The Prowler PREGAME PEP TALK The varsity basketball players are huddled up before facing crosstown rivals New Caney Jan. 18. Panthers ended up losing 62-24.
Girls basketball looks to improve communication, skills for next year EMILY ALFARO
Contributing Reporter The girls basketball team finished its season with an overall record of 2-23 and last place in district 20-5A standings, at 0-17. The team faced a new group of opponents after a UIL realignment last spring. The new district includes Kingwood Park, Huntsville, Montgomery, Lake Creek, New Caney, Porter, Tomball and Willis. But, several players believe the weakest areas were shooting and their lack of leadership, compared to previous years. “I feel like if we get more of a man play and get faster on the court, we’d be better,” senior Shaylin Ardoin said. Head coach Jay White said players lacked height and speed compared to other schools, as well as struggled when shooting. “We shot 27 percent from the floor,” White said. “An average team shoots 40 percent.” Senior Daniela Faz said the team struggled with communication between athletes and the coach.
“We don’t know how to become a unit,” Faz said, “Everybody wants to do their thing and be their own little star.” The players believe there needs to work better in teams, focus during practices, improve individual skills play execution. Senior Blakely Niles said practices could have been improved. “I feel like in practice we goofed off a little too much,” she said. Five seniors will leave vacant seats for next year’s roster. Returning varsity players will include: AJ Mills, Itzela Darkenwald, Jamiyah Wills, Ariana Cossie, Mackenzie Moreno, Olivia Hernandez and Lexi Walls. Hernandez, a sophomore, said while the team could be more driven, players still wanted to get better at the end of the day. “Being motivated wasn’t really an issue, because at the end of a game we knew what we could have done better,” she said. “Our bond as a team is really strong. I know we all really care for each other and would do anything for one another.”
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theSPORTS
Softball off to slow start against tough district Panthers 0-9 after UIL district realignment
EMILY OSORIO Contributing Reporter
With end of the season looming closer, playoff chances for the softball team are slim as the is team 0-9 in an all-new, tough district. Senior Kherigynn Parker said Lake Creek and Willis were hands down the best pitching they had seen this year. “Honestly all the teams we play are challenges,” Parker said. “Especially Lake Creek and Willis, but there is no easy team in our district” Last season, the Panthers ended district play 4-10 and a seventh place finish. Head coach Joshua Culp had them spend more time in the weightroom during offseason to help build strength. “We spent a lot of time in the weightroom during the offseason to get stronger and faster,” he said. “It also helps prevent injuries and working to skill specific things by positions.” The team constantly focus on new plays or those it has not been doing well on. Freshman
Cadence Rehbein plays first base, centerfield and pitches on the varsity team. She tries to keep calm in intense situations, as the girls are older and more experienced. Rehbein said competing with girls three to four years older than her has been her biggest challenge. “There’s not a lot of people who are willing to step up and fight against older, much stronger girls,” she said. “But since the beginning, I’ve been preparing myself to do what it takes to work my way to the top, because it’s what I love.” Senior Blakely Niles was able to take it to the next step and play college softball. She will be going to Tyler Junior College after graduation. Niles played three different sports her last year of high school, she managed to get through them all without struggling. “It went very well, it kept me in shape and made me grow as a athlete,” Niles said. “Something I faced this year is realizing that every athlete goes through a slump.” The Panthers will play will travel to play Tomball this afternoon.
Kylie Neely | The Prowler PRESEASON. Senior Anna Cox throws a softball during the preseason. She plays multiple positions such as offense and center field.
Baseball hoping to reverse 1-5 district start ESMERALDA REYNOSO
Stephanie Galick | The Prowler CURVEBALL. Senior Cody Fay playing at the Caney Creek High School baseball stadium against Huffman Falcons Feb. 8.
Contributing reporter The baseball team members hope to clinch a playoff spot this season. The Panthers are currently 6-5 overall and 1-5 in district as of press time. The team made its district debut with a 3-0 loss against the Lake Creek Lions. Despite a win against crosstown rivals New Caney, the Panthers are sitting seventh in district standings. The team has been working on different drills to surpass their 2018 record 8-9. During the athletic period they focused on hitting and getting their swings in good shape. They have been practicing after school every day to
improve by incorporation defense situations and scrimmages to help with certain situations that arise during games, according to assistant coach Kristopher Carroll. “The team is doing way better this year than last year,” Carroll said. Last year, the Panthers finished 12-12. “That has been the best record in about five years,” head coach Kyle Tidwell said. UIL changed the team’s district to include Kingwood Park, Huntsville, Montgomery, Lake Creek, New Caney, Porter, Tomball and Willis. Junior Nicholas Richards said the most challenging game thus far has been against Kingwood
Park, which ended in a 11-1 loss. He said batting has been a focus this year. “We’ve been doing that really good,” Richards said, “but we need to also take it up to the next level and then communication wise in the outfield and infield.” Junior Isaiah Mendoza said the seniors have stepped up as leaders and mentors. “They’re really good at baseball,” he said. “They know their parts and how to address those to younger classmen, and know how to lead. They do a great job.” The team will travel Friday to play the Montgomery Bears, finishing their first round of district games.
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‘Young’ girls soccer team looks forward to next year after finishing 7th in district MARIO RANGEL Contributing reporter
Christina Pena | The Prowler CLEARING IT OUT. Senior Franklin Lopez, junior Jair Lopez, junior Mario Rangel, senior George Juarez and senior Marcos Benitez react to a ball deflected off a Kingwood Park player inside the penalty box during a home game Jan. 18.
Boys soccer earn first ever district championship title YAMILETH MALDONADO
Sports Editor The varsity boys soccer team is off to a second consecutive year in playoffs after finishing district 205A with 41 points, 13-1-2. After a 5-0 win against the Montgomery Bears last week, the boys made history by finishing first in district play. With a district title added to the trophy case, the Panther’s next objective is to advance further into the playoff rounds. Head coach Andrew McGregor said in playoffs anything can happen. “We have a good chance of taking care of it in the first round and making it at least to the second round of playoffs for sure,” he said. The team is having a top notch work ethic, but in order to be successful, the team needs to keep maintaining a positive attitude, believe in each other and believe they can win, McGregor added. “We work as a team and move as a unit,” junior Jair Lopez said. “Our work ethic has been higher than ever, because the whole team wants to win. We are willing to put the extra work.”
The boys have scored in every game and finished third amongst the highest scoring teams, only behind Kingwood Park and Willis, in district play. “It’s honestly a blessing to be in this position,” junior Ulysses Cruz, the top scorer with 13 goals, said. “We are in the best shape we can be. Everybody is 100 percent committed to this.” The Panthers have had 15 clean sheets in the overall season, allowing only 12 goals out of 16 district games. McGregor said comparing to the previous year, the panthers have defensively improved. “Defensively we’ve been like lights out and our keeper play has been really exceptional, that’s where we’ve gotten better than last year,” he said. “It’s their strongest quality right now leading the district in goals against.” The program had to replace nine graduating seniors last season, but previous junior varsity players have taken the spots and helped the team grow. “In the varsity team it’s more challenging because there is a lot of pressure, they ask you for
more and you gotta have a lot of stamina to last the whole game running up and down the field,” junior Antonio Palacios said. “Every year the biggest challenge is to go to the playoffs.” The team was challenged to maintain a high level of performance after UIL did not allow one player to be transferred and play. “Every time we have a set back, we end up coming back from it having the next guy step up and do his job,” McGregor said. “Going back to the hard work they put in hours during summertime, in the spring, in the fall, staying after school, all that hard work belief and commitment results in us being successful in the field.” In a playoff tuneup match against Splendora, the Panthers beat them 7-0 Monday, March 25. The boys will start their playoff match against Waller today at Waller ISD stadium.
EXTRA YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE AFTER DELIVERY IN MAY! First come, first serve basis.
The Lady Panthers varsity soccer team ended the district season 4-8-4 after a scoreless tie to the Montgomery Bears. It finished seventh in district 20-5A standings. After its historic 2017-2018 season, qualifying for playoffs for the first time ever, this season was more a struggle. With a young roster, lack of communication, and a tough district, the playoff-bound dream was left to next season. “We were young this year, so we lacked a little bit of experience,” head coach Gretchen Kloes said. “We had a lot of new people at the beginning of the season. It took us a little while to get everybody on the same page.” Although the team worked on tough plays, junior Sully Ramos said communication is what the team should have worked on
more. Ramos believed it was one of the major setbacks this season. “This year, we didn’t have communication,” Ramos said. “Every single game we tried to communicate, but we really didn’t.” Team cohesiveness was another setback in the beginning, according to sophomore Julie Mendoza. “When we started off, we were all arguing, but now we got to a point where we actually feel like a family,” Mendoza said. Despite all the struggles, junior Karla Ramos said she wants to hit the ground running next year by working with the junior varsity girls to build chemistry within. “As a team we should work on getting the JV girls to work more with the varsity,” Karla said. “Everything is a little faster, and we should get them used to playing at that speed.”
Leo Marban | The Prowler RESISTANCE. Senior and captain Victoria Rangel protects the ball against Madison
Moore-Lynch in the Porter Spartans’ side of the field. Both teams each shared one point as the match ended in a 1-1 tie.