The Catamount - Special Seniors 2019 Issue by Cougar Media

20 1 9 we are the

cougars

Class of 2019

The Catamount

Friday, May 10, 2019

Ryan Stapp

Annika Williams

ATHLETICS

Ethan Cohen Sports Editor

eaching the state level of athletics is the crowning achievement for high school athletes across the nation. Doing so in one sport is an incredible feat, but reaching that level in two sports is a rare milestone that few will ever achieve. Senior Ryan Stapp is one of those rare athletes, and his storied career in Cougar Athletics began long before he ever stepped foot on campus. “The Cougar Athletic family has been there for me since 7th grade,” Stapp said. “It’s been the same coaches, and seeing them stick by our side and trust in us, and seeing all the other players trust in the process they had for us really means a lot. You realize what you can accomplish with that.” And to Stapp, Cougar Athletics is family in every sense of the word. He played defensive back on the football team, where his father was defensive coordinator, and said his favorite aspect of playing football was the brotherhood that came with it. What Stapp has accomplished with the Cougar family is undeniably impressive. He was a starter on the State Cham-

pionship team that defeated Aledo last year, and even after missing more than half of his senior track season to a shoulder injury, he is currently ranked third overall in the 110m hurdles heading into the State meet. With the amount of success he has had the past few years, it may be easy to overlook some of his own accomplishments, but Stapp is truly proud of all of them. “Reaching the level of a state championship and going to state really means a lot,” Stapp said. “It’s the highest level you can go, and that’s your goal all year long: to make it there, and hopefully, to win. To see that you’ve achieved that goal, there’s no feeling like that.” As his time at CSHS closes, Stapp will finish as one of the most decorated athletes in school history. He has been a captain, a contender and a champion, and has one final message for the future athletes of CSHS: “The most important lesson I learned from my time here was to not take anything for granted,” Stapp said. “Just like that, it’s gone in the blink of an eye.” Next year Stapp will head to play football for Abilene Christian University, where he will don the purple for four more years.•

To see that you’ve achieved that goal, there’s no feeling like that. -Ryan stapp senior

ATHLETICS

Jaycie Robinson Assistant Editor

er incredible athletic ability has shown throughout her high school career in the realm of track. Now, Annika Williams is preparing for the University of Kentucky where she will continue to pursue track and field events. “Kentucky wasn’t even on my list of schools, but when I visited, I felt welcomed,” Williams said. However, her injuries have not stopped her hard work and determination. With the ending of her senior year, new beginnings and many opportunities have opened for the Kentucky commit. “I have suffered from a stress fracture and problems with my back that should have put me out for the season and maybe indefinitely postpone my track career, I was able to bounce back and keep up with my passion of running,” Williams said. Now she is ready to begin the work of a college athlete. “I was happy that the coaches had a close community and invited me to work with them. This summer I am transitioning into classes, and practicing with the track coaches,” Willaims said. Williams will be working towards a science degree that allows her to practice physical therapy in the future. “I am able to understand those who

feel defeated by injuries, at one point I thought I wasn’t going to be able to competitively run again. I was in a difficult place mentally and physically. I want to help others overcome their athletic struggles,” Williams said. Despite the injury drawback of the sport, Williams recommends track for anyone who wants to try it. “I recommend track one hundred percent. I was at first just a runner, but the more events you try and eventually master, the more scholarships you are able to qualify for,” Williams said. It is a winning situation for the runner as she gets to continue her beloved sport after high school and is being awarded through her scholarship to a Division 1 school. Williams has capitalized on her continuous relationship with the sport throughout her career. “I have been running since the age of nine. They say that you lose passion for something that you have been doing for many years, but its not true,” Williams said. She attributes her dedicated coaches and teammates for the strong bond she has with the athletic program. “Track can be classified as an individual sport depending on what events you do specifically, but I always saw it as a community-like environment. The camaraderie between the coaches and athletes made for a great and progressive season,” Williams said.•

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Catamount

Politics

ach one of us is given a voice. What we do with it is up to us, but for some people, it is an easy choice to decide to use one’s voice for the good of others. Senior Robert Dohrman, a seasoned member of UIL Academics, Speech and Debate and Student Council, plans to use his voice to impact America’s political and social policies. “[Politics has] just been a lifelong interest,” Dohrman said. “My dad and I used to listen to NPR on the radio every day, and I got this 20 minute briefing. During that time the global financial crisis [was going on], the Affordable Healthcare Act was passing and we were electing the first black president. So, it was just a lot of news going on, just this whole global feed of Afghanistan, Iraq, Obama, McCain--all of this stuff was just going through my head as a 7-year-old.” That interest at age seven has led Dohrman to attend Rice University and major in Social Policy Analysis. The major is relatively broad, but will allow Dorhman to transition to different areas of study such as political science, government and law. After completing law school, he hopes to join the ACLU, a group that educates those with little knowledge about the legal system and protects individual rights. “This is the best way that I can pur-

sue that vision of giving a voice to the voiceless,” Dohrman said. “Your voice is your power, so I hope that my voice can be a new power to help those without a voice.” During high school, Dohrman has participated in a slew of extracurriculars relating to public issues, even going to state for UIL Current Events for the past three years, and he continues to pursue politics outside of school. Every summer since freshman year, Dohrman volunteers at the Bush Library and helps kids in the Boys and Girls Club. Last semester, he also knocked on doors to campaign for Beto O’Rourke’s Senate campaign. “Going door to door I got to meet a lot of people and talk about the issues with them. I got a lot of new perspectives that way, whether I agreed with them or not,” Dohrman said. Dorhman credits his skills in articulating his point of views about politics to his teachers Chad Lehrman and Teresa Laffin, teachers who have pushed him to strengthen his confidence and opinions. “Learning the argumentative and synthesis essays was another way I was able to strengthen my own voice, make my point and to articulate what exactly I’m thinking in a way that will hopefully persuade other people,” Dohrman said. Over the next few years, this future lawyer will continue to use his voice for the good of others. And, who knows, he may even be a future politician.•

Taryn Hairston

Robert dohrman Dru Peacock Editor-in-Chief

Class of 2019

Music

Grace Costenbader Managing Editor

usic can be found everywhere. The car radio, a school dance, the background of movie scenes, bouncing around a brain through headphones. The list goes on and on. But for senior Taryn Hairston, music has become a passion and a desired career path. “Music has always been a part of my life,” Hairston said. “I started playing piano when I was four, and then I just kept going with music throughout my life.” When faced with the daunting task of deciding on a path for the future, Hairston knew she wanted to have a role in the music industry. “I am attending the University of Delaware to pursue a music performance degree,” Hairston said. “Band here at CSHS helped me realize my passion and helped me find my career path. I’ve gotten so much support from the staff, and they are always really encouraging.” Hairston’s appreciation for the band has a lot to do with people, who helped her realize what she was meant to do. “I love how many people I got to meet through band. It is a very broad

range of people,” Hairston said. “Being in the band and being exposed to everything there, I realized I really enjoyed it, and I was not too bad at it, so I started working harder.” In addition to allowing her to find what she wants to do in the future, high school has taught Hairston a few life lessons. “I’ve learned that I shouldn’t take myself so seriously,” Hairston said. “Not everything that happens in high school matters all the time.” High school is a period of growth for almost everyone who walks the halls, and Hairston has definitely seen changes in herself since freshman year. “I’ve become much more comfortable with myself,” Hairston said. “I’ve also realized who I am. I still haven’t figured it all out but I have pretty much figured out the kind of person I want to be.” After college, Hairston hopes to delve deeper into the music industry and learn all she can about the subject that will take her across the country. “Hopefully I can land a symphony job somewhere or do some commercial work, but those are some high goals, so I’ll see if I get there,” Hairston said.•

Music has always been a part of my life. -taryn hairston senior

Class of 2019

The Catamount

Friday, May 10, 2019

judy zhou

Joseph ntaimo Robotics

Katie Guye Executive Editor

ust like products on the “How it’s Made” assembly lines he grew up watching, Joseph Ntaimo is one step further in his journey to achieving his long-cherished engineering ambitions. And with plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall and major in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on robotics, his opportunities have increased exponentially. “Whatever [my future] is, my goal is to be in the position where I can have a team of very skilled individuals around me, and with them I have the freedom to solve big problems, problems that matter,” Ntaimo said. Beginning as a child watching documentaries with his father, Ntaimo’s interests in engineering and robotics have continued to grow. Over the past four years, he has worked building computers, taught children how to code, and led an award-winning robotics team. “I like hearing the constraints to a problem and then focusing on how I solve [it],” Ntaimo said. “The iterative process and putting people in places where they can succeed are things I really enjoy.” It was the potential for these exact activities that led Ntaimo to Boston to pursue his career. “My most memorable high school experience was visiting MIT for the first

time,” Ntaimo said. “That was when I really got to see that there were other people like me who just go hard.” That campus visit solidified his desire to attend college there. “I rarely meet people who look like me and do the things that I do, so it was a very different experience to be surrounded by those of similar background who were also high achievers and wanted to do big things,” he said. With his high school robotics experiences in tow, Ntaimo holds high hopes for the challenges and camaraderie MIT presents. “I really like the idea of being able to push myself to my limit, but you have to push yourself in a certain way to grow,” Ntaimo said. “By going to MIT I can do the hardest work possible with the people around me, and I want to apply my leadership to help better groups of people. That kind of collaborative environment is very important to me.” So, whether it be playing video games, explaining JavaScript to 8-yearolds or designing a championship robot, Ntaimo is determined to use his past experiences, combined with the ones in store, “to make things that matter.” “When I’m there, there’ll be nothing stopping me from making anything except for me,” Ntaimo said. “By going to MIT, I can meet some of the best students from around the world and we can solve some big problems.”•

science

Erin Park Staff Reporter

he business sector and the medical field rarely ever interact, at least in our minds. But for senior Judy Zhou, who is envisioning a career amalgamating business and medical research, it’s becoming her new reality. Currently matriculated in the Life Sciences and Management program, which is developed jointly between the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School of Business, Zhou is set to take this next step after graduation. “This career is an intersection of humanity and STEM,” Zhou said. “It’s making sure that what’s done in the laboratory is translated over into something that’s applicable for patients in real life and for the society’s market.” Zhou initially came into high school envisioning a future in a very particular field. However, in the four years of her high school career, this idea has evolved into two main interests: the medical field and business research. Room 2110 was where the sparks were kindled. Enrolled in Casey Akin’s chemistry class as a freshman, Zhou had her eyes opened to another world. “Ms. Akin was the one who first introduced me to research at Texas A&M. My research [there] was about taking what I was studying in the lab and making sure that it had future effects and ap-

plications of people who are struggling with MS (Multiple Sclerosis),” Zhou said. This experience sparked her desire to find a career doing the same. “A lot of people think that research is something that’s in the laboratory, but I’m interested in taking the lab research and bringing it to the bedside of hospital patients in order to use my skills to positively change lives,” she said. Following her research, Zhou took courses and activities such as HOSA, BPA, AP Biology and Economics and befriended supportive teachers and administrators who contributed to determining what she envisions to be her future career path. The teachers especially were a big help. “Once you build these close relationships with the teachers, they’re there for you,” Zhou said. “Not just with classwork, but they’re willing to be there to give you advice on colleges, research and everything that you can think of.” With support from her teachers and mentors, Zhou has set her sights on the road not taken. “A big piece of advice I got that is extremely important now and will be for the rest of my life is to always keep an open mind and to not to be afraid of saying yes to new opportunities, responsibilities and possibilities,” Zhou said. “Always keep your options open. Never let go of an opportunity because it’s scary or it’s new.”•

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Catamount

Ben moder S

enior Ben Moder was first introduce to animation through his graphic design teacher Ms. Keogh during his freshman yes. Moder discovered his passion for animation through the various classes offered at College Station High School. “I was also in biology, and we had to do the DNA, project where we make a model of DNA and I was interested in doing some 3D stuff,” Moder said. “My Graphic Desgin teacher, [Ms. Keogh] saw me working on it, and she offered to put in a recommendation for me to go into the animation program. I thought it sounded cool, so next year I talked to Mr. Oualline and went into animation I. From there, I have kept on going through the program.” After taking the animation courses, animation not only became something Moder enjoyed doing in school but also outside of school as a hobby. “[Animation] completely changed what I do in my spare time,” Moder said. “Before high school I would play video games most days and occasionally I would draw if I felt inspired. But now after all this, I do animation stuff at home so I probably wouldn’t have even considered at least 3D animation at all if it hadn’t been for this whole system.” Progressing through the levels of animation offered, Moder gained experi-

enced in animating and began to think of animation as something he could pursue after college and into a career. “I will be going to Texas A&M in the Visualization program which is a really good program. They have a partnership with Pixar,” Moder said. “I will be majoring in Visualization with possibly a dual major in computer science.” The classes Moder took have prepared him for what he plans to pursue in college and have enabled him to have a head start, providing him with knowledge and experience. “The animation system gave me a lot of time to gain experience,” Moder said. “To have three levels of animation, I am going to be going into college with so many hours of experience in the programs in the 12 principles of animation. As I go into college to do this I am going to be better off because I have so much experience.” The animation courses offered at CSHS along with staff encouragement opened up a new opportunity for Moder that led him to where he is now and what he plans to do in the future. And this summer he will compete at the national level in 3D animation and visualization. “If you are interested, give something a try, Moder said. ”I would have never gotten to where without trying. Animation, graphic design, that whole course has changed the direction of my life.”•

Lindsey franks

animation

Melanie Evans Photography Editor

Class of 2019

theatre

Kylie Vernon Opinions Editor

SHS’ own theatrical star Lindsey Franks is ready to make her debut on the stage of life as she takes her next steps forward. “It’s awesome to look back and see how much I’ve grown,” Franks said. “Freshman year I was really just an ensemble character, and I didn’t know how to do anything technical or how to work with costumes, hair or makeup. Now in my senior year, I’m currently working on a show that I will be directing.” The skills Franks has attained go well beyond surface level as she has evolved along with the characters she has played and portrayed. “The most emotionally challenging role to play as an actress was probably Laurencia in Fuente Ovejuna,” Franks said. “She was the mayor’s daughter who had to basically fight against the entire town because of a commander who was assaulting women of the town. It was a very difficult character to connect to.” Because of those more challenging roles, Franks herself has experienced lots

of character development. “I’ve learned how to become a more empathetic person,” Franks said. “When you’re playing a character, it becomes easier to sympathize with a person who may be experiencing those kind of things.” Franks will be honing her talents in college to become even more specialized next year as she begins a bachelor of fine arts at Oklahoma City University. “I will basically be majoring in theater,” Franks said. “After my senior year, they will find me an agent, and then I will move to either L.A. or New York City, and then I will start networking. It’s really exciting!” As Franks steps off the stage of high school, she leaves some big shoes to fill but is encouraging to those who may be interested. “There really is not a single kind of person who can be in theatre. If you’re someone who doesn’t like being around people or talking to people, that’s fine! We have technical roles who will fit people like that,” Franks said. “Anyone can join theatre.”•

I’ve learned to become a more empathetic person. -LIndsey Franks senior

Class of 2019

The Catamount

Friday, May 10, 2019

chloe Merkel

Mason holmes agriculture

Grace Costenbader Managing Editor

hether he’s participating in Mr. CSHS, playing baseball or winning awards for meat judging, Mason Holmes is always doing what he can to get involved in the school. Without his philosophy to always try new things, he wouldn’t have discovered his passion for agriculture, which revealed to him the direction in which he wants to steer his future. “I have no idea what I’d like to do for my career, but I want to be in the Ag industry,” Holmes said. Holmes plans to become a member of the Corps of Cadets and major in animal science at Texas A&M University in the fall. “I really like the production and meat science side of agriculture. I really like cattle. They’re my favorite,” Holmes said. Holmes’s plans for college and goals for his career were developed throughout his high school experience and would be unfounded without a drastic change in ability, which led to a drastic change in passion. “Freshman year I played baseball, and I wasn’t in any Ag classes, but then I had to give up [baseball] because of injuries,” Holmes said. “I played sports all my life and not being able to do that anymore, I didn’t really know what I was going to do.”

With the option of baseball suddenly taken from him, Holmes found solace in a new passion and hobby that would soon occupy his time. “Getting into FFA my sophomore year really helped me in a hard time,” Holmes said. “FFA really fulfilled that hole in my life and luckily grew into something that I’m really passionate about and something I’m going to make my career out of.” A big part of Holmes’s fascination with FFA is the department and clubs he found here at CSHS. “FFA is just like a big family,” Holmes said. “If I ever need anything or had a rough day, the FFA or Ag family make me feel comfortable and around them, I feel like I can be myself.” Holmes’s interest in agriculture prompted him to take more of those classes and has proven influential in his education and intentions for the future. Now, at the culmination of his senior year, Holmes has learned much from his classes, but even more from the experiences he has collected during his four years within these walls. “If you’re enjoying something, do it to the best of your abilities, but there’s always going to be other opportunities that you will come across. Don’t discount those just because you’re into something else,” Holmes said. “Go into everything with an open mind and take every opportunity you can.”•

culinary

Melanie Evans Photography Editor

long with being a full time student, senior Chloe Merkel has a full time job as a cook at the local restaurant Poppy. Merkel first discovered her passion for culinary endeavors watching Food Network as a child. “When I was younger, I wasn’t really allowed to watch regular shows because my mom was a single mom, so her way to know that what I was watching was safe was to put on food network,” Merkel said. “I just looked at their food and saw their passion for it, and I was like I think this is something that I want to be in.” Merkel’s love for food started at a young age and has flourished into her involvement in the culinary program at CSHS along with having her job at Poppy. “Last year when I started working at Poppy, it was really overwhelming with how much I fell in love with the professionalism and how fine dining with food was and how delicate it was,” Merkel said. Although Merkel has worked at Poppy for less than a year, she has taken on multiple roles at the restaurant and is a leader among her colleagues. “I used to work on cold side, which is salads and desserts. I really wanted to push myself because I was not satisfied. I wanted to learn more,” Merkel said. “Now I am one of the main kitchen people. If the other

two people that work there full time aren’t there, I am there manning both stations.” The culinary program at CSHS has allowed Merkel to apply techniques to her role at Poppy along with providing her the experience for her resume in the culinary industry. Simultaneously, the skills and lessons Merkel learned in culinary have aided her in her personal life. “I really think discipline and being sanitary [are two major things the culinary program has taught me],” Merkel said. “From the beginning I went through this transformation of being more of a minimalist in my personal life.” Merkel however has found a way to work creatively within the discipline and boundaries that are set in culinary. “I really enjoy that discipline. Within that discipline, it is fun because you get to find a creative way to do things that have already set boundaries,” she said. Along with seeing the importance of discipline, Merkel also encourages herself and others to push themselves to find what they are passionate about and then pursue it. “You have to push yourself,” Merkel said. “I would suggest for people our age to find a job in the industry they want and figure out if it is what you want while you have the ability to not be paying for it.”•

Friday, May 10, 2019

Dear Fish, Dear Cooper, I can’t believe that you’re old enough to be heading towards your sophomore year. There are a few things that you’ll need to know before sliding to the end. Don’t procrastinate on any more projects, say hi to everyone you know in the halls because it means something to be nice, create lasting friendships with your teachers and treasure those that make you happy, not those that bring you down. Oh, and when in doubt, quizlet it out. Love you, Callie

Dear Preston, I’m glad we’re able to go to high school together even if it was just for a year. It takes me back to elementary when we would ride our bikes home together and mom would get mad at me for going too fast and leaving you behind. You already have set yourself up to do way better than I ever did in high school and if you keep working hard, you can get wherever you want to go. I’m really proud of you and have really enjoyed our time together and hope the rest of high school goes as well as possible. Reagan

The Catamount

Class of 2019

Dear Brit, Your first year of high school is over, and there are a few important things that you need to know: 1. Don’t worry about making friends. You have the type of personality where you will make lots of friends, so just be yourself and the right people will make their way into your life. 2. Make the most of being a kid. Making good grades is important, but memories and experiences will hold more value to you than your GPA. 3. Before you know it, you will be graduating high school, so don’t blink. Keep being who you are and you will get to where you need to be. It is a great thing that you don’t take yourself too seriously because it makes you a fun person to be around. Your brother Nicholas

Dear Ana, So much has happened this year and I am so proud of you! These last couple of years are going to fly by, so enjoy the time that you have here. Some advice for the rest of high school: 1. No matter how tempting it may be... don’t procrastinate. 2. Get involved. 3. Be yourself. I can’t wait to watch you grow as a person these next couple of years! Love you, Victoria

Love, Senior siblings

Class of 2019

The Catamount

ARKANSAS

Champion Christian College Hot Springs, AR Hope Spivey | Business University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Abby White | Business Marketing

COLORADO

Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO Sloan Peacock | Wildlife Biology

DELAWARE

University of Delaware Newark, DE Taryn Hairston | Music Performace

GEORGIA

Savannah College of Art & Design Savannah, GA Daniel Phillips | Sequential Art

IDAHO

Brigham Young University Rexburg, ID Josh Kimber | Applied Statistics Eliza Roeth | Biology

ILLINOIS

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL Brooke DiGiacomo | Chinese & Art History

LOUISIANA

Northwestern State University Natchitoches, LA Emily Hanik | Education

MARYLAND

Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Stephanie Brown | Chemical Engineering

MASSACHUSETTS

Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Derek Song | Music Business & Contemporary Writing/ Production Clark University Worcester, MA Griffin Ford | Undecided Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Srinidhi Narayanan | Mathematics Joseph Ntaimo | Mechanical Engineering

MISSISSIPPI

University of Mississippi Oxford, MS Chloe Farrar | Nursing

NEVADA

University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV Nicholas Holland | Hospitality

NEW JERSEY

Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Marlee Kopetsky | Chemical Engineering

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Catamount

NEW YORK

International Culinary Center New York, NY Chloe Merkel | Culinary Arts Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY Caroline Quick | Fashion Business Management

NORTH CAROLINA

Appalachian State University Boone, NC Jocelyn Handy | Fermentation Science Davidson College Davidson, NC Mary Shandley | Psychology

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK LIndsey Franks | Acting Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Michelle Anderson | Technical Theatre

PENNSYLVANIA

University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Judy Zhou | Life Sciences & Management

TEXAS

Lamar University Beaumont, TX McKenzie Bennett | Advertising Communication LeTourneau University Longview, TX Nathan Enzor | Computer Science & Game Design Lone Star College Houston, TX Alisha Akins | Electrical Engineering Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX Gunnar Lingsweiler | German Rice University Houston, TX Robert Dohrman | Social Policy Analysis Saint Edward's University Austin, TX Nic Oden | International Business

Class of 2019

UTAH

Brigham Young University Provo, UT Dallin Garlick | Biology University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Harrison Bradford | Architecture Utah State University Logan, UT Rebecca Higbee | Chemistry

EUROPE

Leiden University South Holland, The Netherlands Arianna Pearlstein | Political Science

ARMED SERVICES

Army Alan Reyes Israeli Defense Forces Alyssa Gilman Marines Nate Walters

OTHER

Gap Year Vanessa Baker Charlie Robinson Trade School Zachary Killian Nathaniel Luna Undecided Haseeb Afzal Nawaf Alshagrawi Reagan Browning Johnny Castillo Noor Obeidat Work Ivan Trejo Brittony Ziegelmann

Information compiled from responses to a survey of seniors in May

The Catamount

Class of 2019

Friday, May 10, 2019

Senior Survey F A V O R I T E S

T e a c h e r

y ear Robert Ondrasek

Gregg Frashure

Science

economics

10%

Freshman

11%

Sophomore

19%

60%

Junior

Senior

31%

Least Favorite

Mindi Cameron

Jessica Kouba

English

government

meme Moths

Pikachu

199 Responses

Spongebob

Shrek

y ear 31%

Freshman

29%

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

b oo k The Great Gatsby

To Kill a Mockingbird

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Fahrenheit 451

Graphics by: Dru Peacock

Senior Survey Senior Survey F A r e we l l S

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Catamount

Adv i c e From the class of 2019

Realize that you’re in the middle of the good ol’ days and cherish it. Take a lot of pictures and videos, and go to all the senior events. -Kenzie Bennett

Do what you love and stop stressing so much. Don’t wait until you graduate to be happy. -Eliza Roeth

Don’t get too caught up on what your “plan” is. It’s bound to change but just go with the flow and it will all work out. -Logan James

w i l l s

Class of 2019

I, Peyton Mitchell, leave Jonathan Lawler my pencils because him and Cody will forget theirs for band class I, Taryn Hairston, leave ****** ********* the Not CSHS parody Twitter account I, Connor Lindsey, will leave Kendra Lindsey to carry on the Lindsey Legacy I, Tanner Rich, will leave Jaden Madkins my amazing color guard hands

F utu r e

p l an s

Then - spiderman, now - spiderman -Nick Holland Then - spy, now- lawyer -Robert Dohrman Then-princess archaeologist, now-missionary -Kate Jensen Then- pilot, now- Doctor -Sophie Cox

t r e nd s

we’d like to say goodbye to

Bottle Flipping

Air Pods

Mom Jeans

Fortnite Graphics by: Dru Peacock

Vaping

Class of 2019

The Catamount

Friday, May 10, 2019

19 BEST MOMENTS 3

Senior sunrise

Senior pranks From a bouncy house in the commons to mothballs in the stairwells, the senior prank is always an interesting event.

Cougars take state

Snow day

Consollll rivalry

Mr. CSHS

Senior day Seniors take a trip to Camp Tejas, spending the day ziplining, swimming, playing volleyball and hanging out with friends.

Eighth grade: 34-31 Freshman: 24-17 Sophomore: 23-14 Junior: 28-17 Cougars spell Consol with four Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Homecoming

Shattered Dreams

The seniors come together to watch the sunset marking the start of their last year at CSHS.

Walk of Champions

Physics Six Flags trip Physics students apply

NYC

Disney day

Choir, orchestra and the Strutters take their talents to the big apple.

Cougar Raggies & Cougar yell Mole day

Alma Mater

Powderpuff & Powderbuff Guys & gals switch places on the volleyball court & football field. Game on.

10 15

their knowledge with a trip to Six Flags, chowing down on churros and putting their hands in the air on the Titan.

6.02 x 1023. Your favorite movie posters featuring the mole.

Welcome to the Pride

Pep rallies

Our first high school dance and the beginning of our four years at CSHS.

to remember

Friday, May 10, 2019

Assistant editor

The Catamount

Jaycie Robinson Weathering the storm

Perspective: it is what has gotten me through the last four years of high school. Above and below the storm of life. Under the surface of chaos I saw minute fixations of existence that are commonly overlooked by the stressed. Those who were there for me when I was overwhelmed and complacent with my life being that way. Sinking below the sea level of just being okay, I constantly reminded myself that if I can look at situations differently, I can handle them in a new light to progress forward. Above the mess of adolescence, I saw that my problems were not as big as I made them out to be. Being greater than my problems gives me the advantage to see them as slow and small, to diminish their real value. The two extremes I switched back and forth from like clockwork were complacence and franticness. I was either weathering the work I had like it was a fact of life to constantly be under some kind of pressure or disrupting my well being to find a point where I was in nirvana in all areas of my life, she is a combination very few have mastered. But being under this physical and emotional weight, made me feel something so dif-

ferent, that it ignited a fire that helped me put passion back into the things that made me joyous. I was able to find felicity and pureness in things I took for granted. I am able to write about what I am passionate about, I am able to move forward, I am able to find love and strength in those whom I choose to spend my time with, as they are all struggling to find the same internal checkpoints as I am. Finding those things, people, places, that foundation, whether it be freshman year or four months before high school ends, makes all the difference. It has for me and it will be for others if they are willing to withstand against the storm of life. To those trying to endure the same, know that is it not forever and you are not alone in this balancing act of loving life and living in it. You have to live life and not let life live you. You can find middle ground between the highs and lows.•

My problems were not as big as I made them out to be.

Senior Jaycie Robinson is an Assistant Editor and will be attending Blinn Community College in the fall with plans to major in Psychology.

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editor

Class of 2019

Melanie Evans Dear freshman self

1. Do not worry too much about what other people think of you. Everyone around you is probably too focused on worrying about what other people think of them to focus on what you think is wrong with yourself. Do not be afraid to be yourself and embrace the things about yourself that society might say are weird or different. Be unique. 2. You cannot grow in your comfort zone. Go outside your bubble of friends and meet new people, make new connections and just live life with the people who are around you right now. Don’t be afraid to talk to the person that sits next to you in class. People love to talk about themselves. Be present and listen. 3. Be kind because you are a kind person not because people are kind to you. Don’t expect and wait for people to treat you a certain way be the first one to treat them with love and kindness. Simultaneously, this plays into the cliché, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” Everyday when walking into Coach Ondrasek’s environmental class, I am reminded this by reading a poster that states “humankind. be both”. 4. School is going to feel busy, at times, but make time for the things that you love doing. Along with working hard at school to complete assignments, finish projects and meet an overwhelming amount of

deadlines, do not forgot to do the things that make you happy. Create art, spend time with friends and family, go hammocking, go outside with your dogs, and most importantly, spend time with the Lord. 5. You do not have to have it all figured out. Things might not always turn out the way you expected, and that is okay. A small amount of progress is still progress. Learn to roll with the punches and to do your best. Everyone has limits for a reason. 6. Take lots of pictures and savor the small moments. Use your disposable camera to capture the small moments that bring you joy. Pause for a few minutes to savor the memories. Do not let all of the moments rush by forgetting to be thankful for them. Remember them and what they taught you. 7. It’s going to fly by but do not wish it away. Four years may seem like an eternity, but it goes by a lot faster than you might think. Wish for it to stay a little longer, not for it to go away faster.• Senior Melanie Evans is the Photography Editor and will be attending Texas A&M University in the spring with plans to major in Architecture.

Class of 2019

EditorinChief

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Catamount

Dru Peacock A Nonfiction Letter to Nonfiction

I’ve always loved to read. My mom read the “Berenstain Bears” and “When You Give a Mouse a Cookie” to me when I was younger. As I got older I read “Harry Potter” and “Percy Jackson.” Then in high school it was mainly reading the books required for my English classes, plus a few extras out of personal interest. I loved “The Poisonwood Bible” junior year, and I loved “A Thousand Splendid Suns” as a senior. But what all of these books have in common is that they’re fiction. When I look back over high school and my childhood, I see that my life can be punctuated by reading-- certain books for certain time periods. But what I failed to factor in is my love for nonfiction, albeit an unrealized one until now. I’d always thought that the genre wasn’t my thing. Although now, preparing to say goodbye to journalism and newspaper and everything that goes with it, I realize that wasn’t the case at all. Nonfiction is what my high school experience has been built on for the past four years. Nonfiction is the articles I write for my high school newspaper every five weeks. Nonfiction is the interviews I conduct for those articles and the personal experiences those interviews reveal. Nonfiction is the relationships I’ve grown over the past four years with people I won’t see every day anymore.

Because of nonfiction, I was able to find a place at school where I belonged. Since I began newspaper, I’ve had the privilege of being on four extremely talented, diverse staffs. And this final one, this last staff that I am leaving behind, is filled with understanding and open minds and unwavering friendship. It is the people that really give newspaper meaning, and the people who I will remember the most as we leave this all behind. Thank you, Dr. Wellmann, for allowing me to experience this journey. Thank you to each member of each staff since 2015 for opening my eyes to the compassion one can find at school, for motivating me through the work and for giving me a chance to grow into a more empathetic person. Thank you for teaching me about the beauty in ordinary people’s stories. Thank you for making me love nonfiction when I never thought I did. Thank you for your friendship.• Senior Dru Peacock is the Editor-in-Chief and will be attending Austin Community College in the fall with plans to major in Public Health. She will be transferring to a four-year college after a year.

Managing editor

Grace Costenbader a reflection on belonging

I think homesickness is more than a feeling. More than a brief passing thought, more than a wisp of temporary aching. I think homesickness is a mindset you can get trapped in. I have always felt a little out of place no matter where I’ve found myself. In my school, in my house, in my family, in my friendships, in my own skin. It’s uncomfortable and disorienting. The concept of “home” has often times seemed fantasy-like and extremely foreign to me. I think it’s easy to forget just how much the sense of belonging influences our every thought and how we perceive the world around us. This obsession significantly warped the way I saw myself in every situation I encountered. With every passing moment, I have searched incessantly for home wherever I thought I might encounter it. With every attempt to find where I belong, I unfailingly slammed into wall after wall, desperately grasping for even a semblance of the concept. Looking back on my four years of high school and the many years I’ve spent searching, I realize that while I always felt out of place, not enough and too much, I was always in exactly the right place. I know this because of how I feel now. As I prepare to step into the unknown abyss before me, I feel myself

longing for where I’ve been. I reach back for life as I’ve known it in high school, regardless of how difficult it has been at times. For a mom that has seen me at my lowest and remained a steadfast source of love and comfort. For mentors who spoke truth into me when I, for the life of me, could not see what was right in front of me. For friends who know me deeply and intentionally seek me out. For a team of driven and unbelievably talented dancers who have been imperative to the development of my confidence. For a newspaper staff that began as an assembly of random kids who had nothing in common except the desire to write, who eventually became a family. As I turn around and see all that I am leaving behind, I know for sure that I have not found a home. I’ve found countless homes. It is daunting to think about the search for home in a new place, but I feel fortunate to know where I belong, many places and people as it may be. As I depart from these safe spaces and miles stretch between myself and what is familiar, all I have to offer is ceaseless gratitude.• Senior Grace Costenbader is the Managing Editor and will be attending the University of North Texas in the fall with plans to major in Communication Design.

Friday, May 10, 2019

sports editor

The Catamount

Ethan Cohen shifting perspectives

I am a bit pretentious. I have heard it from every friend I have ever had, and I’ll be the first to admit that this is definitely a valid criticism. I only watch shows from a certain network. If something I like becomes popular, I will probably declare it passe, and I am subject to an abundance of many other habits that as I write this, seem pretty ridiculous. If four years ago you were to tell me that I would walk away from high school having learned any valuable life lessons, I likely would have retorted with an unapologetically fustious response. However, after four of the most interesting years of my life, I am proud to say that I have never been more wrong. Go and listen to any commencement address or graduation speech, and the subject of failure comes up a lot. As I now know, failure truly is unavoidable, and my time in high school proved to me why it seems to be such a reoccuring theme in these speeches. I have failed in a multitude of ways that my pride won’t permit me to divulge, and each time they felt like the biggest shortcomings of my life. However, after failing countless times, I can confidently say that it was a very good thing that I went through each and every one of them. The failures I encountered did more than humble me. They taught me patience, persistence and many other principles that I hadn’t known prior to these experiences. A col-

lege rejection letter led to some of the most personally enriching months of my life. Failure is not the end all, be all; it is simply what we make of it. CSHS taught me to make something great. There are many other individual lessons I could mull over, but I will focus on what I believe to be the most important lesson I learned here: to believe in people. Too often I have taken a cynical approach to nearly everything, but the people I met here have made that exceedingly difficult. In the midst of all of the aforementioned failures, between the trials that resulted in success or total defeat, were some of the greatest people I have ever known. No matter who you are, what you believe in or where you come from, there are people who will value you and appreciate you for who you are. CSHS gave me more of those people than I could have possibly dreamed. The impact that they have had on my life cannot be understated, nor can it go without a proper thank you. I have learned that life is fleeting, and we should always thank those who have played a role in shaping ours. So, to all of the individuals who I have had the good fortune of meeting here, thank you for everything. You changed a life.• Senior Ethan Cohen is the Sports Editor and will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall with plans to major in Business.

executive Editor

Class of 2019

Katie guye 302,400 Minutes

In reference to Jonathan Larson’s ballad from the musical Rent, how do we measure four years in the life of a high schooler? In daylights, in sunsets? In midnights or cups of coffee after all-nighters? In tears shed before project deadlines? The Class of 2019’s entire high school career spans approximately 302,400 minutes. I could measure my high school experience by the 24 teachers, 3 clarinets, 9 Catamount issues, 4 hours of sleep before debate tournaments and 756 miles between schools. But how about love? The alma maters sang, tears of laughter cried, tight hugs shared between friends we love the most and the pride of witnessing our peers grow further into who they’re meant to become. When neck-deep in assignments and stress stretching its cold fingers over my throat, it’s all too easy to remember the missed hang outs, lowerthan-hoped-for grades on math tests and anxiety attacks suffered. Yet, to do so would be to ignore the undeserved provision and joy gifted to me by God. I was brought to College Sta-

tion completely oblivious to the friendships that would be slowly formed over walks to the lunch table, 6:50 a.m. rehearsals, or 10 p.m. late nights. The passion I would find within the 20 pages of this beloved newspaper and 86 keys on my keyboard. When it’s all said and done, this is how I will remember my 302,400 minutes. Each one of which was a tremendous blessing, even if I couldn’t realize it at the time. So friends, it’s now time to sing out. Our minutes within these halls are running out and you will soon never again sit amongst the same individuals as you are right now. Let’s celebrate four years in the life of friends. Remember the love. The accomplishments. The smiles. And moving forward onto college, careers, and more, let’s all measure in these things. Thank you, Class of 2019, and here’s to our next 302,400 minutes.•

Remember the love.

Senior Katie Guye is the Executive Editor and will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall with plans to major in Biology.

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