The Catamount Special Senior Issue - May 2020 by Cougar Media

College Station High School

4002 Victoria Ave. College Station, Texas 77845

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Senior Issue

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Class of 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

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athletics

kolbe cashion Catie Sikes Managing Editor As a member of the school’s theatre department, a member of the student council, an officer of the National Honor Society and one of the four football captains, Kolbe Cashion has shown the school that people really can mix cliques. Cashion has been playing tackle football for six years but sports have been a part of his life since childhood, he said, so he hoped that his love and passion for football would follow him to college. “I don’t remember the last time I wasn’t without sports, and so I knew that I wanted to take my career into sports,” Cashion said. Cashion is making that dream a reality by playing football at Southwestern University where he also plans to double major in theatre and kinesiology. Although Southwestern is a D3 school and does not provide athletic scholarships, Cashion received several academic scholarships as well as a scholarship from the theatre department. He auditioned for the program and was accepted before spring break. As for football, he was intrigued by their new program and how it reminded him of experience in Cougar athletics. “College Station High School is a very new school and has a new program building on, so it’s kind of like Southwestern with this new program,” Cashion said. “It’s very similar to us, in terms of football programs, and that’s kind of home for me.”

rebekah hailey High school is a time of learning for everyone, but Cashion said he will take a couple of life lessons from his time at CSHS as well as a diploma. “High school I think was definitely a time of growth. With everything I’ve ever done with theatre and football, I’ve learned so many things about being a better person, being a better version of myself every day,” Cashion said, “There is always something you can learn from everything you do. It’s impacted me in a great way. I can say for sure that I’m a better person now than I was four years ago because of high school.” Another life lesson Cashion has learned comes straight the football program’s four cornerstones of the Cougar Way: character, commitment, sacrifice and effort. “We always go back to our four pillars,” he said. “Those four exact things that are the basis of that program are exactly what I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life. I think it’s imperative that you have all four of them.” Just as he didn’t shy away from doing as much as he could in high school, Cashion plans to double major and play football and participate in theatre in college. While his high school experience has been chock-full of memories and growth, Cashion is excited about the future and plans to continue pursuing his passions both on the stage and on the field. “Go Cougars and Go Pirates,” Cashion said.

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Jayci Tawney News Editor Senior Rebekah Hailey has been playing basketball since she was 7 when she fell in love with the sport. “I have always wanted to play college basketball,” Hailey said. “It was my dream growing up.” Following her dreams, Hailey has committed to playing basketball at Texas A&M Kingsville where she received a full scholarship and will be pursuing a major in finance. “I am really excited about playing at the next level and seeing how I will grow as a player,” Hailey said. “I know it will be challenging to have a serious major like finance and play ball, but I’m excited.” Hailey said the coaches at Kingsville seek strong players who also care about their academics. “I know I will be part of a team who works hard on and off the court,” she said. Hailey said she has continued to train and communicates with her tnew eammates and coaches during the quarantine. “I really like the coaches,” Hailey said. “I can already tell they love the game and their players.” Senior Mia Rivers has been playing with Hailey for six years and will contin-

ue to play with her for four more. “I am super excited to be able to grow and become better players with her,” Rivers said. “We definitely have a connection on the court, and I think being able to take it to the next level is just even more exciting.” Megan Symank, girls varsity basketball coach, said she is excited that Hailey will play in college. “I hope she helps create even higher expectations for the Javelinas, pursues championships, and that she can continue to wow fans with her play,” Symank said. Despite a tough loss in her last game at the state tournament, Hailey said playing basketball at CSHS has been amazing. “I really learned and grew as a person,” she said. Hailey played on the varsity team as a freshman. “Not all upperclassmen were happy I was there,” Hailey admitted. “But that experience pushed me to evaluate myself and my faith. It made me stronger and eventually made the team stronger.” Symank said that Hailey has given much to the program. “She has been blessed with tremendous gifts and ability and has used it to maximize her success as a Lady Cougar,” Symank said. “She is a record holder in many statistics and is leaving behind an incredible legacy.”

I really learned and grew as a player.

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Thursday, May 28, 2020

Class of 2020

music

reno ruiz

ricky Arellano Aliza Ali Photography Editor Stemming from his childhood love of classical music, senior Ricky Arellano is pursuing a career in Oboe Performance. Arellano plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder and will be studying under Peter Cooper, the principal oboist of the Colorado Symphony and Senior Instructor of Oboe at the university. “I enjoy being able to be a storyteller through my instrument,” Arellano said. “I could be someone who’s your neighbor, a lost loved one or someone who is wanting someone they really love. I could be a villain, a hero or anything. I like being able to express different emotions through my instrument” In 2019, Arellano attended a summer camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. The program led him to the decision to continue his music career past high school. “I got to really immerse myself in [music] and once I was doing that for ten hours a day and consistently playing my instrument, I realized that this was what I wanted to do,” Arellano said. “After each concert, I felt such a great feeling that I wanted to keep doing what I was doing. That is why I went ahead and made it my future.” After meeting Cooper and several oboe players attending the university, Arellano knew he wanted to study at CU Boulder. “He helped me so much. I also got to meet other students who play the oboe

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as well, and they were all so generous, so sweet and so amazingly talented,” Arellano said. “I knew if I was able to be around those kind of people, I’d definitely become as amazing as they are.” After graduating from CU Boulder, Arellano aspires to continue his studies in music at a conservatory and obtain a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in music. Arellano also hopes to play in a symphony orchestra and teach at a music school. “I can play a piece written by Mozart, which is very rhythmic and tells you exactly what you need to do, but the person who plays that Mozart piece can have a different taste of it and make it unique to himself, which makes it so much more enjoyable to watch in a performance,” Arellano said. “If I’m playing a piece that someone wrote in 2020, that piece is going to be way more abstract. However, I can still take it and make it my own. There’s endless possibilities with music and you can do whatever with it to invoke any kind of story or emotion. It never gets boring.” Despite challenges, Arellano plans on pursuing his passion and letting it take him as high as he can go. “It was scary because I know a lot of musicians don’t necessarily make the amount of money they want to make, but personally, it’s just something I love doing and I’d rather be happy,” Arellano said. “Music makes me feel everything. When I’m performing, I feel nervous, and then I feel excited, and then I feel angry and then I feel happy.”

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Makayla Fox Editor-in-Chief Many people have something to say, but few have a way of compelling others to listen. Whether we are looking for it, or it finds us, music surrounds us. To have the ability to play and share music is a gift, and only made more beautiful when influencing another person to do the same. And that’s what senior Reno Ruiz is going to do. A four year trombone player of the Mighty Cougar Band, a former member of the semi-professional Genesis Drum and Bugle corps and a new member of the Boston Crusaders drum and bugle corp, a three year finalist of all-region band and one out of three CSHS musicians chosen for all-state band, Ruiz will be continuing his passion for music by pursuing a degree in Music Education at Texas Tech University. “To me, playing music is a very fulfilling thing,” Ruiz said. “Some people see charity work as fulfilling for them, but for me the thing that’s always made it worth it and meant a lot to me was when you’re playing and you make someone happy or you make someone cry or smile. [Playing music] is such a good way to convey your emotions. It’s such an intimate thing, so it’s always meant a lot to me.” Reflecting on where his passion for playing music derived, Ruiz takes great note on the role of his former band director, now CSISD’s director of fine arts, Eric Eaks.

“One hundred percent, Mr. Eaks has influenced my passion for music,” Ruiz said. “He taught me how to play in the sixth grade, he was my low brass instructor, and through middle school he would come and have private lessons with us. He was definitely one of the people who started me, and then in high school, we became really close and he’s become a huge role model to me.” Eaks helped Ruiz grow towards his success and encouraged him to play and perform at his best. “He’s always been there for me, even in my toughest times, I’ve been able to talk to him,” Ruiz said. “He’s always been the person to push me to be my best and let me know when I’m not doing my best and encouraging me to do better.” The role of an educator in a student’s life can be monumental in their development of identity and passion and Ruiz finds his goal in that. “For me, it goes back to why I find music important, being able to share those moments. I’ve always loved playing and performing,” Ruiz said. Entering into his third marching season with the Cougar Band, a connection made with a stranger ingrained a decision in Ruiz to pursue music education. “There was a moment when a kid came up to me and was like ‘you guys were so awesome!,’” Ruiz said. “Making that kid’s day and inspiring him made me realize that I want to do that. I want to be Mr. Eaks to someone. I want to change someone’s life like that.”

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Class of 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

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science

ANjali ghosh Calla Dufﬁeld Staff Reporter Helping the less fortunate through medecine is a priority for neuroscientist-to-be senior Anjali Ghosh when she envisions her future attending Cornell and working with Doctors Without Borders. “My mom is a doctor, but I didn’t learn about Doctors Without Borders from her,” she said. “I actually learned [about] it from a TV show.” This is also where she discovered her interest in medicine. The future Cornell university student hopes to become a neurosurgeon and complete two years of post-grad humanitarian work through Doctors Without Borders. “Being able to help people would be a great opportunity for me,” Ghosh said. Neuroscience specifically caught her eye in an AP Biology class and later classes continued to spark her interest in neuro studies. “We did a project [in class] and the topic [I chose] was neuroscience, and I ended up [reading] a book over the summer [on] different genetic dispositions for logical diseases and that’s really where I got my interest in [neuroscience],” Ghosh said. While there is not a neuroscience class at CSHS, a lot of other sciences go into the study. “You have to take physics and chemistry. All [of] those really help you understand mechanical things. Psychology

Jace Cortez-fields is [also] a great course. I’m taking AP Psych right now, and they have a whole neuroscience section, which is really great to learn all about it,” Ghosh said. At Cornell, she will be going into the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. A global health minor will play into Ghosh’s plan to work with Doctors Without Borders and support her desire to work around the world. “I really [want] to be able to travel after I get out of med school. I don’t want to be stuck in the same place,” Ghosh said. “[Doing Doctors Without Borders] and being able to help people [would be] a great opportunity for me.” However, she will always remember the place where her ambitions grew. “I feel like there’s lots of kids at CSHS who are really determined [in] their goals and always work towards them, and I’m really inspired by them. I think I’ve learned a lot by working with students in my classes and seeing how they grow,” Ghosh said. While Ghosh’s future may be mapped out, her work will be more mystifying, which she says is her favorite part about it. “There’s so much that we don’t fully know about [the brain] and we can function and do all these things [with] just a tiny organ in our head,” Ghosh said. Ghosh’s aptitude for the unknown will aid her in her future studies. “We just really don’t know how [the brain] works,” Ghosh said. “Learning more about it would be such an amazing thing to do.”

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Erin Park Opinions Editor ‘What in the world isn’t chemistry?’ Inscribed on a sign hung high up on the classroom wall, these words loomed over Jace Cortez-Fields, who had reiterated this question numerous times for the past two years. Fascinated by the neverending boundaries of chemistry, he plans on delving into the atoms of every matter. “I fell in love with chemistry while taking AP Chemistry with Mrs. Akin,” Cortez-Fields said. “She opened my eyes to how amazing it is. The intricate details and the way things react perfectly is just amazing. Without her, I would still want to be a videogame designer or have no clue what I wanted to do.” A year after taking the course his junior year, Cortez-Fields gained field experience working in the stock room. As the lab aide, his passion for chemistry was not only strengthened but was also narrowed down to a specific study -- material science. “I got interested in material science because I love gemology but wanted to research more than just precious materials,” Cortez-Fields said. “I get to create and research materials that could have many applications in everyday life or in more specific areas to further science.” Not only will he be active in the science field, but also in the pool. Cortez-Fields has been swimming competitively for the past ten years and has been recruited for the swim team at Ramapo

College of New Jersey, where he will attend while majoring in chemistry. “I wanted to continue my swimming career in college, and I fell in love with the team and their atmosphere up there,” Cortez-Fields said. “Swimming is such a huge part of my life, and I’m not ready to give that up yet.” Even for joining a lively team, moving out of state is considered a challenge students tend to avoid. However, Cortez-Fields, as a military child, has had plenty of experience adapting to new environments. “I have been in Texas for five years, and I want to gain a new experience of living in the northeast,” Cortez-Fields said. “The lifestyle and culture is different, and I want to learn and be a part of that.” After his time at Ramapo, he wishes to extend his love for chemistry in a lab setting. “I love lab work, so even if it’s not in a material science lab, I don’t care,” Cortez-Fields said. “As long as I’m in a lab doing research, I am happy.” Soon stepping into a bigger society, Cortez-Fields expresses his gratitude toward CSHS. The school had given him a chance to strengthen his passion and social skills, which are necessary in the science field. “Chemistry is a science that needs to be pursued with passion,” Cortez-Fields said. “If you have the passion and determination to conquer and understand the field, it will take you far. The world is full of chemistry.”

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Thursday, May 28, 2020

Class of 2020

biomedical engineering

As a child, she wanted to work on all medical cures as a doctor, but in adolescence, senior Sayuni Dharmasena focused her interests on what has most impacted her and her family: degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzeihmer’s and dementia. Fostering this interest through bio-physics lab work at Texas A&M, she was able to find work in which she could make a difference. “Biomedical Engineering is a perfect mix of the lab and technology side of medicine,” Dharmasena said. “My biggest goal is to work on pharmaceuticals and to decrease the corruption in Big-Pharma because it’s preventing people from getting the health care they need.” She credits her development of character to enrolling in dance classes once leaving the emergency room as a young sick child. “That kind of correlated to me being really shy and withdrawn from a lot of things at a very young age,” Dharmasena said. “Overtime competitive dance has probably been one of the biggest game changers for me because I became extremely confident with voicing my opinions and trying to reach my goals and asking people for help.” Additionally, her interest in Biomedical Engineering most directly stems from her lab work throughout high school guiding her concentration. From setting up doing dilutions, cleaning up the lab,

computer engineering

Sean dudo

sayuni Dharmasena Jyotsna Naidu Assistant Editor

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setting up experiments and studying the mechanisms of the flu virus, she was motivated to work on the research aspect in the future. “As a freshman, there’s not much you can do in a lab, but it really gave me a taste of what I wanted to do with my life,” Dharmasena said. “The flu virus is very relevant today, so it made me feel very good to know that I was working for something that could actually make a difference.” Overall, her high school experience has been marked by forming deep connections with the staff and students and learning more about herself. “The mentality of getting everything perfect, or being a perfectionist, it’s not possible unless you get some help,” Dharmasena said. “The biggest thing I learned through high school is to be humble and to ask for help and to get help when you can because that’s the only way you can grow as a student.” In the fall, Dharmasena is committed to Johns Hopkins University and planning to major in Biomedical Engineering. She applied early decision in December after visiting the campus the previous month with an unfinished application essay. “I had written drafts but none of it seemed right, then I went to Hopkins, and I sat in the library, and typed up the entire essay in one go,” Dharmasenasaid. “I immediately felt at home there [from] the people, the facilities, the students, the teachers and I felt like I belonged there.”

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Saul Canchola Staff Reporter Like a computer, Sean Dudo has an engine of personality with the ability to work fast while maintaining his cool. He’s also had a connection to the science behind a computer that’s been a part of his life since he could remember. “I have always loved computers my whole life,” Dudo said. “So, I would love to work with them throughout my life.” While he enjoys singing, dancing, acting, band and coding, what steamed his early interest was realizing he could so much with just a little bit of coding. “I went to a coding camp where I got two Raspberry Pi’s which are these computers the size of your wallet,” Dudo said. “It showed me what I can do with just a little bit of code and the cool programs it can do.” Dudo will be continuing his studies and hoping to reach new horizons with his computer skills now at The University of Texas in the fall. “ I am excited for college. Hopefully on campus and not online,” Dudo said. UT is one recognizable school for its amount of successful students and Dudo may have not considered UT first but it seemed good as perfect as a fit. “I chose UT because after I was denied from my other top picks, UT was the best option after that. I really enjoy the city of Austin too,” Dudo said. He’s wanted to help people by using his brain and that’s what he plans on hopefully doing with the rest of his life.

“I’m not really sure right now. I keep debating doing an IT job or a social service. I just want to help people with my skills,” Dudo said. Dudo also said his dream job would be working with a job that takes a lot of programming skills. “I would like to be working on programming AI. Artificial intelligence is a very interesting topic to me,” Dudo said. CSHS gives people the ability to learn and develop skills to prepare them for their lives after high school, Dudo takes with him the skill he’s gotten to learn. “I think the homework they gave me with all of my electives helped to prepare me by giving me some work ethic and helps me to plan out a schedule to get my work done,” Dudo said. Dudo said CSHS has been a place to make memories and create friendships with his peers and teachers and he will miss this when graduating. “I’m going to miss the teachers and staff I’ve gotten to know so well. I’m also going to miss the activities and events happening,” Dudo said. Humble beginnings turned to unforgettable moments for wrapping up the high school experience. He created himself the foundation to accomplish the most successful life he can give himself as he leaves. He says farewell to the cougars and says hello longhorns.

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Class of 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

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art education

visualization

Jayden aleman

Maria clara braga

Loredana Pearlstein Assistant Editor In 1995 the Disney classic Toy Story made history by being the first film to be entirely rendered using 3D animation. Since then, the world of animation and computer graphics has rapidly developed, with an entire generation of students who grew up on such animated films, pushing further into the world of animation and its possibilities with one such student being senior Maria Clara-Barga, who will attend the Texas A&M visualization program next fall to begin her journey into the field of animation and digital creation. “I really look forward to exploring next year,” Clara Barga said. “I think I’ll be able to meet a lot of industry professionals and just get my foot in the door at a lot of places, and I want to discover what I specifically want to specialize in.” Despite her current eagerness to focus on a career in Visualization, it took Clara-Barga time to determine how to embrace both her artistic and academic interest into a fruitful career. “I wish I had thought of art more,” Clara-Barga said. “All the people in my life were professional lawyers or professors, so I never viewed art as a career or something I could get better at. It took me a long time to accept the fact that art could be a serious pursuit.” Much of what influenced Clara-Barga to change her mind was the opportunities she had with art in high school. Although originally unsure, the idea of

pursuing art solidified for Clara-Barga when she met the dean of the Architecture department at ATM her sophomore year, realizing her passion for combining scholastics with her love of art upon seeing students working with computer rendering to bring their creations to life. “It seemed to combine everything I love, like film-making, acting and drawing,” Clara-Barga said. “So, at that point, I really started thinking about what I wanted to do and that seemed really interesting to me. I always wanted to do [animation] in the back of my mind because I liked cartoons and anime for a long time.” Now Clara-Barga looks forward to exploring and growing along with the field of computer graphics, rendering and animation. “This field is relatively new,” Clara-Barga said. “Toy Story was in the 90s and that was pretty basic animation. [Animators] have come pretty far, involving techniques in how to render water, or ice in Frozen; they’re always learning something on a new project. I think it’d be pretty cool to kind of develop something--be part of something new. I don’t know much yet, but I really like projects like Into the Spider Verse, that combine 2D and 3D animation; it takes a lot of precision and I really admire it. Another one is [the short film] Paperman. That’s a really cool idea to me and I don’t think someone would’ve thought of it ten years ago. It’s a new field, and I’m excited to get to be a part of it.”

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Jenny Langhoff Staff Reporter With a passion to inspire others to express their creativity, senior Jayden Aleman creates art with a purpose. He has years of experiences behind him, knowing he loved to draw at a young age, which made him take art throughout his school years. Always having an interest in art, it gave him an opportunity to share his thoughts with others in a different and challenging way. “I’ve been taking art classes since 5th grade and I’ve been in art for all my four years of high school,” he said. “I’m currently in AP Studio Art and I practice art on the daily- it’s just a fun and expressive way to put my thoughts on paper.” Aleman appreciates art because it has the power to move people in different ways of expression. “My favorite art piece is Mitosis by Miles Johnston. Whenever I see this specific art piece, I’m reminded of how talented he is with showing expression through body language,” he said. Art provides Aleman with an outlet to share himself with others in a way that is special and specific to him. It challenges him to produce an image that invokes the same emotions he feels about his art into the person seeing the final piece, all with a message.

“Art makes me feel confident. Once I finish an art piece, I look back and smile at it,” he said. “It takes a lot more effort and thought process than people think. It just feels amazing and worth it.” Continuing his work and inspiring that same passion in others, Aleman wants to give the younger generation an environment that houses the same opportunities and possibilities art gave him. “I never had an outlet to express myself and my thoughts,” he said. I want to help students who are growing up to freely express themselves in a way they feel comfortable in.” To accomplish this, Aleman will be minoring in art education at the University of North Texas this fall, along with a major in biology. “I chose North Texas because I enjoyed the feeling Denton gave off; it’s not a large town, but it gives off a small town vibe that feels like home.” To get the best of both worlds, Aleman hopes to combine his talent with his interest. “Because I’m getting a major in biology, I’m interested in medical illustrations,” he explained. With the motivation and talent to achieve his life goals, Aleman has a passion to inspire others with what he loves, which is far and few between.

once i finish an art piece, i look back and smile at it.

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Thursday, May 28, 2020

Class of 2020

film

Many dream of seeing their names in the rolling credits at the end of a movie. Whether it was just a childhood fantasy or a dream still wishing to pursue, many dream of a day in the spotlight. For senior Kelsey Beasley, however, she hopes to find her name in the credits not for being in the spotlight, but for her behind-the-scenes work. “At first, I wanted to score music, so I joined AVP (Audio/Video Production). When I started taking music composition classes though, I realized that I didn’t want to do that,” Beasley said. “So, then I switched to wanting to be a film editor.” In the fall, Beasley will be attending the University of Texas in Austin and plans to major in radio/television film. “UT has one of the top film programs in the country, and it being so close is great for me,” Beasley said. Beasley hopes to focus on the editing aspect of film in her future. “My favorite part is definitely post-production,” Beasley said. “Everything is very separate until you start to actually put [the film] together and add

dance

kelsey beasley Lauren Gomulka Executive Editor

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skylar draper

the little details that make it good.” During her high school career, Beasley has taken a head start for college and her future. Beasley’s films advanced to state Skills USA and received superior ratings both her sophomore and junior years of high school. This year, Beasley’s film advanced to state again; however, due to the current circumstances, the state meet was cancelled. “Kylie Myers and I made a film called ‘Replaced’ last year, and it’s still my favorite,” Beasley said. “Some people at the film festival told me that it made them cry and that was the goal, so I’m super proud of it and how much work we put into it.” Beasley credits her early success and motivation to pursue a career in film to AVP teacher Stephen Green. “Green has always been supportive in how he believes in his students,” Beasley said. “He’s always been reassuring in how he believes in me and my abilities to make a good film.” With support from her CSHS family, Beasley has taken the first steps in her career path and will continue toward her degree at UT Austin. “In the long term, I hope to be in Los Angeles,” Beasley said. “I just want to see my name scrolling on a screen one day.”

everything is very separate until you start to put [the film] together and add the little details.

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Aliza Ali Photography Editor Senior Skylar Draper’s love, passion and dedication for dance began at the age of three and has since blossomed throughout her life, leading her to study and pursue a career in dance. “The feeling dance gives me and the ability for me to express myself through my movement is something really special,” Draper said. “When I’m dancing it connects my mind, body, and soul and it brings me such fulfillment.” After all her years of dance and being a member of the Strutters, Draper’s ardent enthusiasm for dance has evolved into her life aspirations. “Being a part of Strutters, especially when I became an officer, and the great community of support, made me realize I can’t go onto college and not dance,” Draper said. So, she began looking into colleges where she could pursue the field as a profession. After visiting the Department of Dance at Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts, Draper knew that it was the right program for her. “The wonderful support and community that runs through it [drew me in], and it offered all the styles of dance I am interested in,” Draper said. “But most of all, the focus in contemporary is exactly what I know is right for me. I am so honored that I get to attend my dream school in the fall. When I found out I was accepted to Chapman, my heart dropped and I ran into the living room to tell my

dad. It was definitely the most excited and proud I’ve ever been and I couldn’t take my smile off my face for a very long time.” Through all her years in dance, Draper has learned many valuable lessons. She finds that the most important of those lessons include passion, vulnerability, confidence and discipline. “The most difficult part of being a dancer is trying not to compare yourself to others,” Draper said. “Being surrounded by other dancers and staring at a mirror makes it hard not to pick yourself apart but it has also taught me to find confidence in myself and practice the power of positive thinking.” After completing her education in dance at Chapman, Draper plans on opening a dance studio of her own, aspiring to coach a competitive team and implementing the lessons she has learned from being on the drill team. “I know dance has shaped me in the most wonderful ways and I am so grateful for this sport,” Draper said. There are little moments in a dance where my heart sparkles and there’s nothing like it. Dance makes me feel 100% myself. When I’m listening to my favorite songs and dancing, it makes my heart feel so fulfilled and allows me to be completely myself.” She encourages others to pursue what makes them feel happy and alive. “Go for your dreams. Your heart will lead you the way, so follow it,” Draper said. “I went for [applying to Chapman] and now, I couldn’t be happier.”

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Class of 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

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culinary

mission work

hayden massey Kylie Vernon Senior Editor In the words of the great rat Remy from Ratatouille, “How can I describe it? Good food is like music you can taste; color you can smell.” While many high schoolers simply consider food as the fuel necessary to get through the day, one senior has made it his passion, lifestyle and art form. Senior Hayden Massey, a long-time member of CSHS’s culinary program doesn’t just make food; he delights in creating it. “You have to create a flavor in your mind and then bring it to life. If it doesn’t work out, you have to keep trying,” Massey said. “You have to figure out what goes with what to pair a flavor with someone’s palette.” The trial and error process can be compared less to a science than an art. “I never follow recipes. I always go with what’s in my mind or what I believe people will like because I’ve been doing it for a while and can just go off the bat,” Massey said. His love of creating food began many years ago. “When I was three years old I discovered I was passionate about cooking,” Massey said. “My goal now is to go

celeste pierdolla

to school to become a professional chef.” His passion stems from his original love of food. “Honestly, the reason I like to cook is because I like to eat,” Massey said. Through that love, he derived his technique. “Learning the flavors can be challenging. You have to make a flavor in your mind and then create it. If it doesn’t work out, you have to keep trying. You have to figure out what goes with what to pair a flavor with someone’s palette,” Massey said. “I never follow recipes. I always go with what’s in my mind or what I think people would like because I’ve been doing it for a while and I know what people like. I can just go off the bat.” After past work experience in the restaurant Urban Table and the school culinary program, many factors have influenced Massey in his plans for the future. “Mrs. Parsi, my old teacher, was an inspiration and a great teacher to me. She showed me ways to do things better than I had been,” Massey said. Next year Massey plans on attending Tyler Junior College to pursue a degree in the culinary arts and to follow his dream in becoming a chef and opening up the world to new flavors.

You have to create a flavor in your mind and then bring it to life.

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Kylie Vernon Senior Editor In some way, shape, or form, we all dedicate our lives to something. But dedicating one’s life to the service of others is a little out of the ordinary but that is just what senior Celeste Pierdolla plans on doing. Rather than worrying about tests, papers or Greek life in college next year, Pierdolla will be across the ocean. “Next year, I’m going to Costa Rica and then Africa. I’ll be there serving, building relationships and helping out in different ministries that are already in place,” Pierdolla said. “We’ll do some farming, teaching in schools and we’ll be working in orphanages.” The decision to move to a foreign country to serve others came unexpectedly last summer while Pierdolla was working with children in England for a mission trip. “Everyone needs to be shown that they are worthy and that they are cared about in the eyes of the Lord and in my eyes,” Pierdolla said. “It hurt to know that the kids we were working with had never been told that they meant something so it was so cool to be there for just a week of their life to tell them that they

mattered to me. I was from a thousand miles across the world but I was there just to show them that they matter.” Pierdolla’s passion to serve others begins with her faith. “To me, it’s really important because of the Great Commission that every Christian knows: Go and make disciples of all nations,” she said. “I’ve always loved overseas work and meeting people who have different cultures than me and getting to know them and caring for them. Something that makes it super important for me is that there are so many kids overseas in orphanages who are missing the love that they need.” Rather than the expectations and misconceptions that frequently cast a shadow over mission work, Pierdolla will head across seas with a servant’s heart and open hands. “It’s important to go over with a humble attitude to serve our God where we’re at which, in practice, looks like meeting the needs of the people,” Pierdolla said. Before she heads across the ocean in August, Pierdolla will need to meet her goal of $15,000 in donations. To support Pierdolla in her mission next year to serve others living in foreign countries, donate at: http://experiencemission. org/sponsor/celestep

everyone needs to be shown that they are worthy and that they are cared for in the eyes of the lord.

•

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Class of 2020

mariines

As others prepare for the end of high school, senior Matt Lomon is preparing to becomea member of the United States Marine Corps. “I’m planning on joining the Marine Corps because they were the only branch of the military that I looked into that made me think “Yes, I want to be that one,” he said. The Marine Corp has not always been Lomon’s first choice career. “The military was a backup plan that I came up with around freshman year. I just didn’t know what branch I would consider until around this past November,” he said. Lomon added that the Marines were not just a career to him, but also a future brotherhoodof Marines. “I want to be a part of that lifestyle and make my family name proud serving for our country,” Lomon said. Lomon has been preparing for the extensive and rigorous training he will endure at basic training. It will take him 13 weeks to complete boot camp. “I’ve watched many videos and read many articles about basic training, or boot camp.” he said. “It definitely seems as scary as everyone interprets it to be,

navy

Matthew lomon Ayden Woods Sports Editor

The Catamount

Dasjanna Calhoun

but it’s all a mental game. Any Marine will tell you that.” Lomon’s chosen career as an Avionics Electrician will require him to do an extra year of training before he will be deployed. “After graduating basic training, there is a week that I come home, around a month of combat training, then I have a year of tech school because of the job I picked,” he said. “Avionics Electricians sign a five-year contract, as opposed to four for many other jobs, for the year of school before the four years of service. So adding all that up would be a little over a year before they ship to where they need me.” Lomon will complete his training and eventually be deployed by the United States marine corps. “I’m really excited for where they station me,” he said. “However, it’s not my choice, so it’s all spontaneous action, I guess.” Lomon has big aspirations for the rest of his career and hopes to eventually work outside of the military. “My long-term goals as a Marine,” he said, “are to retire after 20 years, then apply for a job at NASA or SpaceX to be an Aerospace Engineer or Electrician.”

I want to be a part of that lifestyle and make my family name proud for serving our country.

•

Elisabeth Stewart Staff Reporter Dasjanna Calhoun has always loved to travel, admiring the white beaches and sloping coastlines of places like Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Soon, Calhoun will see the world from the deck of a ship after she completes Naval boot camp and joins the United States Navy. “When I went to the Navy and talked to them, they really sold me on it, just hearing about all the places that they went and their experiences,” Calhoun said. “I think that’s what made me want to go.” At the end of her junior year, Calhoun, now a senior, visited a Naval recruitment center. She chose her future job as an operations specialist, officially signed the documents to join the Navy delayed entry program, and began preparing. “I’ve been going to the program that we have every month,” Calhoun said. “We have a meeting, and we go over stuff, exercises and we go on runs. We have a test in boot camp that we have to pass in order to graduate, so I’m basically taking that test [at the program each month].” Calhoun will leave in July to attend the Naval boot camp at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illi-

nois. Their mission is “to transform civilians into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Sailors.” “I’m expecting to come out [of boot camp] ten times more mature,” Calhoun said. “I know I’m not going to have the same mindset that I have now. I’m probably going to be completely different in the way I act and in my attitude.” After boot camp, Calhoun will finish college and enter the Navy as an operations specialist. “I will be working with computers, logging and tracking anything that’s near the ship, passing the ship,” Calhoun said. “It’s air traffic control, but just in the water.” While she is stationed at sea, Calhoun said that she is most excited to see the world and how other people live in various cities along the Naval docks around the world. “Every time I go somewhere else, it humbles me in a way,” Calhoun said. “And it’s not even that I’m seeing a negative of it. It’s just like, dang, I really have it good here. We would never do this in Texas. It’s just the little things.” Little things that have inspired Calhoun to devote her future to the Navy, experiencing the world as she sails from coast to coast in service.

i’m expecting to come [out of boot camp] ten times more mature.

•

senior survey

Class of 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Catamount

farewells

a d v i c e annoying trends

Listen, senioritis and not caring as much is inevitable, but if you don’t give your work and grades some attention, you’ll end up having to always yank your grades out from the grave, and that’s just no fun. Sonali Patel

Be the teachers pet. This will score you extra bonus points if needed just because the teacher likes you. Paul Becerra Be intentional with the people around you and the time you have. Why wear airpods when you can have a meaningful conversation with those around you? Kylie Vernon

Art by Kylie Vernon

wills

I, Arnav Banerjee, leave Andrew Batenhorst the memories and souls of all of my broken reeds. I, Lindy Weisman, will leave Anna Scarborough my legendary dumb blonde vibes. I, Kenya Terrell, will leave Molly Fleener my cheery yet nihilistic demeanor.

quarantine things My childhood Animal Crossing town is THRIVING. Naomi Doerr-Garcia My birthday parade from my friends in Partner P.E. was fun. Ella Simpson I get to rollerblade whenever I want! And I have so many Webkinz friends now! Celeste Pierdolla

senior survey

Thursday, May 28, 2020

y e a r

The Catamount

Class of 2020

favorites

34% 6%

13%

9 10 11 12

books

180 responses

memes

47%

carole baskin

t e a c h e r s

baby yoda

bob ross

MacAfee

Clinkscales

Selcer

Frashure

Art by Kylie Vernon

Class of 2020

The Catamount

Thursday, May 28, 2020

stuck like glue Friends who have been together throughout the years Skylar Schlett and Hannah Schnettler “I hope college treats you well Schnettler. and don’t forget to continue being you!” - Skylar Schlett

“I’m so thankful to have a friend like you! You encourage me to be a better person and to open up to others.” - Hannah Schnettler

Sydney Harris and Celeste Perez “In kindergarten we just became the best of friends.” - Celeste Perez “My favorite memory is probably when we reunited after like 4 years. It was a great feeling.” - Sydney Harris

Hannah Reynolds and Avery Medlock “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without you.” - Avery Medlock “She’s extremely loyal and cares so deeply for others.” - Hannah Reynolds

Lindy Weisman and Madison Gorzycki “I am so beyond proud of you, and I love you with all my heart!” - Lindy Weisman “She is going to go so far in life with her beautiful personality, and I’m so glad that i’ve grown up with her.” - Madison Gorzycki

Kylie meyer and Morgan Edelman “I’m super proud of all she’s accomplished, and I know that she has a great and successful life ahead of her.” - Morgan Edelman “She is always like a ray of sunshine, always able to make anyone around her laugh.” - Kylie Meyer

Meredith Krause and Kalyn Dujka “She is kind to everyone, always laughing, and has a positive outlook on life.” - Meredith Krause “She is one of the strongest people I know and has so much unconditional love for her family and friends.” - Kalyn Dujka

Sasha Koustova and Nicole Tedeschi “She’s funny, compassionate, and always there to turn a frown upside down!” - Sasha Koustova “I’m so glad we never lost our friendship, and I look forward to many more years full of laughter and memories.” - Nicole Tedeschi

Macy Wilton and Audrey Clendenin “Audrey is a Christian, funny, very outgoing, intelligent, family oriented.” - Macy Wilton “Macy is my silly goose and there’s absolutey no way we are going to lose touch after graduation! Some friends you just know are going to be with you for a lifetime.” - Audrey Clendenin

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Hall of fame

The Catamount

Class of 2020

Twenty eight CSHS students were chosen by their teachers for the CSISD Education Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class of 2020 Senior Hall of Fame. Each student chose an educator who had an impact on their education and honored them with a personal essay. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the educators and students could not gather but were celebrated on April 28 with a Zoom webinar hosted by the Education Foundation.

Ricky Arellano

Arnav Banerjee

Kelsey Beasley

Joseph Benn

Rhianna Boivie

Cassie Brown

Kennedy Cashion

Kingsley Cashion

Kolbe Cashion

Jace Cortez-Fields

Sayuni Dharmasena

Skylar Draper

Sean Dudo

Makayla Fox

Claire Gatlin

Jaden Hall

Annabel Klemm

Shreya Majeti

Jensen McMurray

Michael Medlin

Abby Perryman

Avery Seagraves

Jillian Skaggs

Angelle Smith

Isabella Virgil

Brionna Warren

Kevin Wetterman

Audrey Whitley

Thursday, May 28, 2020

20 BEST MOMENTS OF 2020 Class of 2020

The Catamount

senior sunrise

5 9

2 6

marching band area ﬁnals

The Mighty Cougar Band made history and advanced to marching area finals.

space jam

Seniors rushed to the gym floor for the group dance at the space jam pep rally.

friday night football

state cross country

10 14

mr. CSHS

tournament of warriors

FFA state

Student Council hosted a kickball tournament to raise money for Aggie Shields.

Beauty and the Beast

walk of champions Students gathered in the commons to celebrate students headed to state.

John McDougall was crowned senior Mr. CSHS at this year’s pagaent.

4 8

senior trip

ren fest state

15 19

smash tournament CSHS AVP hosted its first annual smash tournament.

strutters macy’s parade performance

BPA state

hoops for hope To raise money for the Mr. Beaver Scholarship, student council hosted a student vs. teacher basketball game.

homecoming

Business Professionals of America competed at the annual state competition in Dallas.

state basketball

The Lady Cougar basketball team competed at the 5A state semifinals in San Antonio.

pep rallies

shining for students

In light of COVID-19 regulations, CSHS left the lights on to honor students.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

EditorinChief

Makayla Fox My great love story

I am a sucker for a good love story. For the ups, downs and in between. The creators of the show This is Us struck gold when they created the love story of Jack and Rebecca Pearson. This is Us aired on NBC in 2016 as I was entering high school. My mom and I have watched This is Us every Tuesday night, cuddled up on the couch for the past few years, watching Jack and Rebecca’s love story grow. This show has brought a multitude of laughs and cheesy grins and tears. What I love about This is Us is that they show not only the happy parts of the relationship, but the real and difficult parts, too. During an argument between the couple, Jack tells Rebecca, “You’re not just my great love story, Rebecca. You were my big break. And our love story, I know it may not feel like it right now, but baby, I promise you, it’s just getting started.” The hard times that the world is facing amid this pandemic have taught me that my big break, my great love story, is the moments I have shared with the people I love. Car rides and coffee talks with Madison Gorzycki. Morning chats with Kylie Vernon. Bear hugs from Hannah Brick. Tea time with Annie Sellers. College tours and talks about the future with Mattie Syler. Creating art beside Jenny Langhoff and Sophia Amstalden. Belly laughs with my mom and dad. Late nights with the Catamount staff. The paper days, the deadline weeks, the Friday night lights, lunches in the art room, the sleepless nights that turned into

mornings. The multitude of moments that create my last four years at CSHS have been pieces to my great love story, my big break. My friends, you have taught me the power I hold to live and to love. I am enamored by the kindness you have shared with me. You have helped me learn that love is real and raw and demands to be felt and that this great love story of mine is just getting started. To the Catamount staff and Dr. Wellmann, thank you for teaching me how to love recklessly. I am so grateful for our little family of unlikely friends. Room 2120 was the first room that I found myself never wanting to leave. I’m so lucky to have something that is so hard to say goodbye to. To everyone who has made the last four years of my life so very worth living, I will take your memory, the sparks of color you have brought to my big picture, and move forward. The truth is, I don’t know where life will take me, but few things I know for sure. I will move through the joyous, the bittersweet and the heavy. I will laugh so hard my stomach hurts and feel tears well up in my eyes. I will share late nights with new and old friends and maybe even say hello to strangers. I will live and know that it is love that makes everything worth it.

•

Senior Makayla Fox is the Editor-in-Chief and will be attending the University of North Texas in the fall with plans to major in Art Education.

Class of 2020

senior editor

The Catamount

KylietoyVernon story

In 1996, a budding group of animated film makers began their third movie, Toy Story 2. This team, commonly known as Pixar, was faced with a dilemma. Most of us know the story: Woody, the toy cowboy, is stolen by a toy collector and is going to be shipped to Japan and featured in a toy museum far away from his owner, Andy. And, because it’s a kid’s movie, we also know that everything is going to be okay in the end and that Woody and Andy will end up together. But this is where Pixar’s problem arose. The film makers had to create a conflict real enough to make the audience believe that things really wouldn’t resolve. Enter the scene titled “Jessie’s Story.” I don’t think anything else broke my heart much like this scene did as a child. But as the story went, Jessie, a fellow toy doll had an owner named Emily. Emily was Jessie’s whole world, and Emily loved Jessie. But one day the toy doll fell behind her bed, and the little girl slowly forgot about her, the same way we’ve all forgotten our old toys. As Emily grew older, she didn’t need Jessie any more and finally one day, Jessie was put in the donation box. Jessie’s story nearly persuades Woody not to go back to Andy because he realizes how life changes as children grow older and they move on. This critical scene was the elixir Pixar needed for its movie to become critically and commercially successful. But it’s story is true, isn’t it? We do grow up, move on and leave things behind.

Quite frankly, it’s heartbreaking to think about. A part of me wishes I could take everything with me, all the toys I used to hug every night, TV shows that were ingrained in my childhood, memories I made rollerblading and climbing trees, and even friends, old and new who taught me how to love so very well. But it’s time to grow up now. It’s time to move on. It’s time for life to change. Good things come to an end. It’s something that can only be described as bittersweet. And I’m so fortunate that I’ve had something that made it so hard to say goodbye. But it’s hardly goodbye when so much of me is made up from the things I’m leaving behind. I know I’m who I am today because each of those things is left like a handprint on my heart. If I can see life in splendid colors, it’ll be because my childhood imagination paved the way. If I can be fascinated by the most simple experiences, it’ll be because I had teachers who cast a new light on everything I learned. If I’m good at loving others, it’ll be because so many showed me how. Jessie’s story rings with truth that is poignantly unavoidable. It’s true that it may be time for me to grow up and move on. Life is changing after all. But I would be so very wrong to think that I’m not taking the past with me.

•

Senior Kylie Vernon is the Senior Editor and will be attending Baylor University in the fall with plans to major in Communications.

Class of 2020

managing editor

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Catamount

Catie sikes limitless

Since I could talk, I’ve known I wanted to be an author when I grew up. While everyone wanted to be astronauts and cowboys and knights in shining armor, I was dreaming up their stories. While my siblings changed their dream jobs seemingly every day, I always remained resilient in my goal to write stories for people to enjoy. So, there was no question when the counselor who was helping me sign up for my classes for my freshman year of high school asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. That was when she signed me up for journalism. Journalism was the prerequisite to the newspaper, and that is where I fell in love with a plethora of new subjects. I found my passion for photography, discovered my interest in design and fueled my hunger for the truth. I found a subject that shared stories, not the fantastic kinds of knights and princesses, but the stories of the people around me, which can be just as fascinating. I lapped up every bit of information I could get in Journalism, and when I got my schedule sophomore year, and it said newspaper seventh period, I was ecstatic. Newspaper was a subject that was so boundless that I could have written about anything, and I have. From self-defense to hunting, lgbtq+ pride at the school and even coming out to the entire student body in one emotional editorial that inspired others to come out as well. I have been given this amazing opportunity to share real stories with real people, and I have found a new dream.

I still want to be a New York Times bestselling author, but this is my short term goal. Being an author doesn’t pay the bills at first, so I’ll settle for telling the stories of people. I’ll document their lives, talents, tragedies and recoveries through words and photos. The dream is to share my stories, but the goal is to share stories in general. Over the years newspaper has taught me the most valuable skill of all: how to write. Although I knew how to write when I walked into the lab that first day, newspaper taught me how to hone my craft. It has also taught me to focus on the little things and to love the process. There was a lot of stress and responsibility that went into everything we did. The newspaper gave me a safe place and a family that I could always fall back on. It gave me the knowledge and opportunities I only ever dreamed of. It gave me friends from all sorts of different backgrounds and interests. So, now I can finally say, “When I grow up, I wanna write for the newspaper!” and I’m going to do it. Maybe someday I’ll go on book tours and see my name on the Barnes and Noble shelves, but for now, I know that I want to be a reporter, and I want to keep testing the limitless opportunities that newspaper has given me.

•

Senior Catie Sikes is the Managing Editor and will be attending the University of Dayton in the fall with plans to major in Communications.

executive editor

laurenspeakGomulka up

I started singing before I can even remember. My sister would sit me next to her at the piano and teach me to harmonize, which quickly translated into the two of us singing together at church. In third grade, I sang a solo in front of my entire school. Standing in the middle of the school gym all by myself, I found my voice. By my freshman year, I had decided that my voice was one of my greatest gifts and that I wanted to pursue my musical interest. However, doing so was easier said than done in an extremely small, extremely shut off little town in South Texas. The school I attended di not hold the fine arts at a very high standard and, therefore, did not have a choir. I struggled to compete and perform vocally without the help of a choir and a director. As my voice continued to develop despite the lack of support from my community, I realized that my voice was also being silenced in another way. Having grown up on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, I began to realize that my opinions differed drastically from those of the 2,000 other country folk in my little community. My beliefs were the minority of those in my town, and every time I tried to share those beliefs, I heard my voice getting softer and softer in the crowd. I was no longer that brave little girl in the middle of the gym but a voice with no platform and no support. Halfway through my high school career, my family moved to College Station. I was elated when I found that I

would finally be a part of a fine arts program that was supported and taken seriously. Without question, I joined choir and somewhere along the line made the spontaneous decision to also join the school newspaper. Not only had I found a choir where my musical gifts were appreciated but another elective where my ideas and opinions were encouraged and accepted. Newspaper developed from a random elective in my schedule to one of the best decisions I could have made. I was surrounded by a loving and supportive staff who was interested in my beliefs not to shut them down but to learn from them and develop relationships with me through those beliefs. With the support of Dr. Wellmann and the rest of the staff, I learned how valuable a person’s voice is and how important it is that that voice is heard. In joining newspaper, I was given not only a platform for my voice but a microphone too. If there is anything that I have learned during my high school career it is that a voice is the most valuable part of a person. Use your voice and make sure that it is heard. No matter what you believe or who you disagree with, share your voice because you never know who you will meet or what you will accomplish in doing so.

•

Senior Lauren Gomulka is the Executive Editor and will be attending the University of North Texas in the fall with plans to major in Social Sciences.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

news editor

Jayci Tawney the importance of you

I have been working at my job for about a year now. When I first started, I was a cashier and then I was quickly moved to a server position. I personally do not believe that I am very good at interacting with people, much less strangers. I remember asking my manager if I could not be a server because I was too awkward, but she said that she believed I would be a great server. After about a month, I served a couple who would read with each other while having breakfast together. I love reading so naturally I asked them what they were reading and this lead us to conversations about our favorite authors. A couple of months later my manager told me that I would be one of the two servers for Valentines Day dinners. When I met an elderly couple, though, I started to calm. They sat in a corner booth, and it was their first time at the restaurant. They were a nice couple, they indulged my conversations and helped me relax. After the Valentine’s rush, I increased my confidence in serving. A week passed and I saw the couple enter and I led them to the corner booth that they were in before. I was honestly surprised that they remembered me. After they finished eating their meal and pie, they asked about my school life and I told them I was a senior in high school. Before the couple left, he handed me a piece of paper with his Facebook info and wanted an invitation for my graduation party. Now, I’m not going to lie, that kind of freaked me out because stranger

danger, right? Sadly, I lost the slip and since they lived out of town I didn’t see him again. It’s the end of my senior year and my mother enrolled me into the adopt a senior program because she thought it would be a fun thing to do. I had a meeting for work the next day and was confronted by one of the managers. I was nervous. It’s not always a good thing when you are called to a manager and I didnt know what was happening. She told me that there was a man that called and asked if I was still working there; he wanted to adopt me for the senior program. I was shocked. It had been about 4 months since I saw them and I didnt even know that they would remember me. Clearly, I have a bigger impact on people than I believe. I have a hard time grasping the fact that I’m not invisible and people do notice me. The couple made me notice that being friendly and kind can not only make me a great server, but can positively impact people’s lives as well. If there’s anything I want anyone to take from this, embracing I am and openly expressing myself in kind ways will gain me experience that could change my way of thinking. I only hope I can become like the elderly couple in the future.

•

Senior Jayci Tawney is the News Editor and will be attending A&M Corpus Christi in the fall with plans to major in Economics.

Class of 2020

The Catamount

Loredana pearlstien assistant editor

As I search for words to summarize my life--everything I’ve experienced--I draw a blank. If anything, this blank, wordless, screen is my grandiose conclusion. For I never can--or could--find the right thing to say. But this time I need to try, if for no one else, but myself. When I attempt to think of that younger, wide-eyed, self who entered high school, I feel some hazy outline of a person, tearing on the bottom of my heartstrings. I can never really see her face, or remember who she was. Most of the time I don’t try. Holding onto my past is hard; and letting go much easier. So, as I try to write about my experience, I find that I cannot say anything. But in some future, perhaps, an ideal one; I see myself driving along when, unexpectedly, the school slowly pulls into sight. In that moment, I remember my friends; those who gave me their time, their ear, and the freedom to grow. But in this time, they are hazy shapes clouded by time, pulling on the ends of my heart strings. That is, until they come to startling focus, and I remember every agonizing detail; that the haze is not some deep intelligence telling me to let go. It is regret. The truth is, I let my own anxiety over the way I thought others perceived me guide my way through life. I let it hijack every part of my spirit until only shards of it remained. And in my disparagement, I let it destroy every last fracture; I pushed people away, I neglected to tell them of my appreciation, but at

thank you

the desperate end, I finally find my voice. I know when my classmates--if my classmates--look back on me, they won’t know how grateful I am. All the jokes and mindless comments they made, crafted by a fearless youth--they made me forget my sadness in my darkest times. I’m sure half of them never realized, but they helped me regain what little I had of myself. Even if I didn’t know them, some story about what they did while bored in physics last Friday probably made my day and more at ease when the next wave of anxiety hit. But in that same future, despite the pain, I let the school pass me. The car accelerates as the memories fade, and the haze falls on my classmates once again. But this time, it is not the same regretful fog. It descends and I know that for both my sake and theirs, I cannot hold on; for in that future, I believe they are new wonders with their own families, and dreams fulfilled by their genius (and no physics class to goof off in). In that future, I choose not to view all those happy times as some part of a long-gone memory; I view them as a part of myself. Eventually, I get out of my car, arriving home to a blank screen-but it is no longer a wall, it is a canvas-and begin to type these same words. For if this is the end, Then it’s time I thanked you.

•

Senior Loredana Pearlstein is an Assistant Editor. She is undecided about her plans for next year.

The newspaper is produced by the Advanced Journalism: Newspaper Production class at College Station High School, 4002 Victoria Ave., College Station, Texas, 77845. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reďŹ&#x201A;ective of the administrators, faculty or staďŹ&#x20AC; of the College Station Independent School District. College Station ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services. Nkrumah Dixon, Director of Employee Engagement, 1812 Welsh, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5412) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Lindsey Fuentes, Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination. requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Class of 20

The Catamount

CALIFORNIA

Chapman University Orange, CA

Skylar Draper | Dance

COLORADO

Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO

Jasper Baker | Material and Metallurgical Engineering University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO

Enrique “Ricky” Arellano | Oboe Performance

GEORGIA

Emory University Atlanta, GA

Muskan Ali | Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology

Savannah College of Art & Design Savannah, GA

Meredith Krause | Interior Design

University of Georgia Athens, GA

Naomi Doerr-Garcia | Communication Sciences and Disorders

IDAHO

Brigham Young University Rexburg, ID

Ben Roeth | Psychology

ILLINOIS

University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Champaign County, IL

Mia Maren | Biology (Pre-med track)

KANSAS

Sterling College Sterling, Kansas

Khebrian Rumph | Drawing and Painting

MARYLAND

Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD

Sayuni Dharmasena | Biomedical Engineering

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA

Amelia Hu | Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

MICHIGAN

Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan

Kenya Terrell | Medical Plant Chemistry

NEVADA

University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV

Grace Nolen | Hospitality and Tourism Management

NEW JERSEY

Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ

Jace Cortez-Fields | Chemistry

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Catamount

NEW YORK

Grace Wu | Business

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX

United States Military Academy West Point, NY

Payton Dindot | Communications and Media Alysse Loopstra | History Michael Ness | Allied Health Krista Thomas | Biochemistry

Ian Enzor | Systems Engineering

OHIO

University of Dayton Dayton, OH

Texas Southern University Houston, TX

Catherine Sikes | Communications

University of North Texas Denton, TX

PENNSYLVANIA

Miriam Magana | Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

RHODE ISLAND

Johnson & Wales University Providence, RI

Trade School

Arron Browning Leah Lenox Hannah Marks Caden Monroe Kristin Simpson

Undecided

Brianna Benford Simon Kinman

Work

Sydney Harris

TENNESSEE

Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee

Morgan Edelman Celeste Pierdolla Katy Sutton

University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX

Isabelle Arrington | Dietetics and Applied Nutrition

Kylie Vernon | Communications

Gap Year

Zoe Kelton | Health Science Katelyn Kolodziejczyk | Pre-Physical Therapy

Penn State University Centre County, PA

Blinn College Bryan, TX

OTHER

Madeline Cruz | Psychology

Megan Nelson | Political Science

TEXAS

Dasjanna Calhoun

University of Mary Hardin Baylor Belton, TX

University of Oregon Eugene, OR

Baylor University Waco, TX

Navy

Reno Ruiz | Music Education

OREGON

ARMED SERVICES

Army

Madison Alwell Matthew Lomon

Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX

Christian Rodriguez-Castrejon | Architecture

Zera Williams | Undecided

Sammy Bader

Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX

OKLAHOMA

Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

Marines

Morgan Thomas | Nursing

Murray State College Tishomingo, Oklahoma

Claire Gatlin | Human Organizational Development and Public Policy

VIRGINIA

Destiny Anspach | Social Work

Anjali Ghosh | Neuroscience Ellie Ji | Human Biology, Health and Society

Political Science Ashley Downs | English

Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX

Cornell University Ithaca, NY

Class of 2020

Lauren Young | Biology BlinnTEAM Bryan, TX

Julian Perez | Computer Engineering Madelyn Russell | Elementary Education Luke Todd | Construction Science

Blinn College Brenham, TX

William Shefflette | Welding

CSISD Bridge Program College Station, TX

Ella Simpson

Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX

Johnathan Bratcher | Industrial Distribution Andrew Popham | Music Business

Kilgore College Kilgore, TX

Baylie Senkel | Communications Lindy Weisman | Dance

Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX

Aaron Camper | Biomedical engineering

Rice University Houston, TX

Shreya Majeti | Bioengineering Giscar Obambo | Economics

Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX

Karter Cyprien | Education Avery Medlock | Education

Audrey Whitley | Spanish Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Youngmin Ko | Business & Economics Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX

Jason Perry | Cinematography Lauren Wilkins | Physical Therapy

Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas

Zemoni Hopkins | Wildlife Science and Conservation Macey Wilton | Kinesiology and Sports Management Texas A&M University College Station, TX

Avery Barrum | Marketing Joseph Benn | Ag Communications and

University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX

Ryan Carroll | Physics Isabel Montelongo | Health Studies

University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX

Caley Brice | Biology or Biochemistry Robert Diyashev | Civil Engineering Jadynn Enriquez | Political Science Dillion Janac | Sports Marketing

University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX

Hannah Schnettler | Kinesiology

UTAH

Brigham Young University Provo, UT

Jim Cassler | Electrical Engineering Emmi Wilson | Undecided

Utah State University Logan, UT

Rhianna Boivie | International Business & Information compiled from responses to a survey of seniors in May