The Catamount Special Senior Issue - May 2023

Season 12: The Class of 2023 Prevails

In this season of “Survivor,” contestants faced never-before-seen challenges. They navigated the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning, before trekking through the ups and downs of high school. Yet, the contestants prevailed, revealing their prowess in the arts and athletics and ultimately showcasing the Class of 2023’s winning spirit.

Cover illustration by Claire Guo and Elisabeth Stewart

I, Alexa Ayala, will leave Madi Liesberger my theatrical spirit.

I, Luqman Baghdad Brahim, will leave anyone who needs my good looks, my good looks.

I, Palmer Barrum, would like to pass on to all of my underclassmen my amazing ability to procrastinate and still ace grades.

I, Emily Borham, will leave behind the title of craziest art kid.

I, Dayanara Casas-Alejandro, will leave my obnoxious laughter and jokes with the quiet kids.

I, Jacey Cole, will leave Kaden Perkins a signed pair of drumsticks that I was given by the senior guard captain last year.

I, Marcella Deer will leave Wyatt Ely a pack of gum for all the gum he gave me.

I, Greyson Garcia, will leave Joseph Kim my wrestling legacy, which comes with my inability to make weight.

I, Lilli Garrett, will leave Annamarie Walker and Lorelei Harrison my overwhelming senioritis.

I, Joshua Glanz, will leave my limited edition Mr. Grimes button to an underclassman. I am currently undecided as to who I will leave it to.

I, Anika Ruiz, will leave Grace Clark an award for being the best orchestra stand partner.

I, Angelina Greco, will leave my confidence to any underclassmen struggling to fit in and be themselves. There is never a need to change, just to grow more confident and be yourself.

I, Armani Johnson, will leave Alyssa Swain, Diamond Taylor and Zay Tillery my intelligence and $20 for good luck (maybe, depending on if I’m broke or not).

I, Cody Joyner, will leave my old cross country spikes to anyone who fits the size.

I, Elliott Lewis, will leave Jonathan Perryman with the future of the French horn section.

I, Durham Mach, will leave Marshall Mach my love for reading.

I, Mackenzie Martin, will leave Anna Wiesepape the ability to do the work extremely well.

I, Kaylynn Schafer, would like to pass all the (now) worthless Green Bucks I have in possession to anyone who can find them. (If you are in AVP, you know what a Green Buck is.)

I, Ryan Stanford, leave Hunter Ford my Rick Owens glasses.

I, Elisabeth Stewart, leave Briceida Bellon with the incredible responsibility and great joy of publishing the Catamount newspaper.

Favorite year of high school

Least favorite year of high school

“I felt more connected than ever to my friends and teammates on the cross country and track team. I also ended up passing my long-time rival in the last 100 meters of a race.”

– Reagan Cohen

“Senior year is my favorite year of my high school career. I could see the finish line up ahead, and not only that, but I felt I was achieving one of my goals in my education, which was to make the A honor roll.” – Katrina

Duncan

“Seeing my friends for the last school year had a melancholic but nice feeling. It’s nice to know they are set up for good things in their future. If the same kids 10 years ago looked at themselves at the end of this year, they would be proud.”

– Samuel Hoffman

“I grew more as a person and became stronger and more confident. I met some of my closest friends and the best teachers ever.” –

Abigail Jammullamudy

“Senior year is my favorite year because I’ve been able to communicate and meet so many strong people that have helped me through my transition of moving here and finding my own way.”

– Armani Johnson

“I finally found the people I want to surround myself with and helped me to realize who I am. I can hardly name all the amazing organizations I was blessed to be a part of, including game programming, SkillsUSA, AVP and our fantastic theater department! There’s so many amazing people in each of those programs that make me feel hopeful in meeting more people in college.” –

Dylan Micek

“The cookies from the cafeteria.” – Ginn Brody

“The youthful tendency of immeasurable amounts of cringeful and inconsiderate behavior. Nothing is better than stifling a giggle at some sophomore’s rambunctious apparel. Also the incredibly nice building and equipment that people frequently complain about, without knowing how bad things can truly be.”

– Dylan Micek

“How fun it was to be with a group of people that were so passionate about their hobbies.”

– Lily-Rose Posey

“The friends that won’t be in town for college.”

– Wyatt Shugart

“The people, atmosphere and how our class has a certain energy that makes us a big family.” – Tyler Kelley

“Even though I never knew what was happening at the football games, going to Whataburger afterwards was always the best.”

– Rachel Mathews

“Chili dogs in the cafeteria on Mondays.”

– Colin Medlock

“Moving out and being on my own in a big city, meeting so many new people and hopefully finding connections unlike any I have ever had before.”

– Fimi Adesemoye

“Make a family, build a house, get a husky (and maybe even a capybara) and I’ll possibly have something figured out by then.” – Ruben Carreño

“Being in a new city, making new friends and hopefully making a successful career for myself.” – Abigail Clinton

“Getting more experience within communications, and growing my portfolio.” – Hailey Hudson

“Get accepted to pharmacy school.”

– Nu Ton

“I’m looking forward to developing a stronger growth mindset, building relationships with people and dominating the IT industry.”– Armani Johnson

“Getting a chance to be a good teacher for someone else.” – Leslie Lehrmann

“I can’t wait to continue my love for live theater in my career as a light designer and professional stage manager.”

– Colin Medlock

“I’m so hyped for the independence that comes with college. I’ve always been a Type A go-getter, so the opportunities to be self-motivated and experience my first taste of adulthood make me excited for this new chapter of life.”

– Elizabeth Morton

“Find an outlet for your creativity because it counteracts senioritis.”

– Elliott Lewis

“Cherish every moment because time really does fly by.” – Abigail Clinton

“Enjoy your friends while you can, but make sure they’re the real ones who’ll keep you supported when you feel like you’re falling and the ones who’ll call you out when you’re doing something stupid.” – Ciara Ferris

“It may be your last year, but it’s the year that really counts the most.” – Summer

Hajj-Ali

“It’s not about the dances, or the sports, and it’s not about who dresses best or who’s most popular. You have gone to school with some of these people since kindergarten. Make senior year a year to connect with everyone, even those who seem left out. Resolve any bad blood you have. Take a deep breath and chill. You’re almost there and I know that you can do it.” – Angelina

Greco

“Don’t be afraid to take breaks every now and then. Senioritis is real, and going all-in 24/7 will only make it worse.” – Sanford Foster III

“Make sure you’re hanging around people who want to see you prosper.” –

Armani Johnson

“Explore your options and decide wisely on your after high school decision.” – A’Niya King

“Don’t check out. Make sure to live your last year to the fullest and have fun. You aren’t going to see about 98 percent of these people ever again.” – Haley Knight

“Ignore drama, expectations and everything that ties you down and you’ll have 100,000 times more fun your senior year.” – Claudio Lopez

“Be quick to forgive, be quick to be kind, and be quick to help anyone who may pass your way. Never forget you have the ability to uplift others and make a day brighter. I hope you realize the power of a simple kind smile, and lastly, always seek to include everyone in any situation.” – Nessa Larson

“There’s no shame in falling down. The true shame is to not stand up again.” – Randolph Ofori

“Do your best, take part in senior activities, and most of all, just breathe and don’t stress. Everything will workout in its own way.” – Alexa (Lexi) Whyte

Garrett Grant Biology, Environmental Systems

Ed Wetterman U.S. History

Ali Kenney US History, AP Economics

Gregory MacAfee Algebra II, AP Calculus AB

Diane Gillum English III and IV Adv.

Victoria Stewart English II Adv. and III

ne day, at the age of five, I declared to my parents that I would cover the entire driveway with chalk drawings. As flamingo pinks and lime greens layered the concrete to create mystical flower meadows, I eventually outgrew my driveway. Whether through brightly colored sidewalk drawings or a simple conversation, I try to always leave a piece of me wherever I go. Now, with graduation just around the corner, I’m looking back on what I will leave behind once I cross the graduation stage.

Joining the newspaper has been one of my most impulsive decisions in high school, but has blossomed into some of the greatest memories that I will hold onto forever. I’ve gotten the chance to understand the people at our school on another level while becoming a better writer.

Journalism will always hold a special place in my heart. When I was in elementary school, I helped my mom deliver newspapers to local businesses. Between going in and out of each store I would find myself sitting down and talking to the people working in the shops, from the older woman who showed me how to make a bracelet and necklace for my mom to the Italian cook who taught me how to make the best spaghetti and meatballs I’ve ever eaten. Just by listening I was able

to learn and understand each person’s struggles and the speed bumps they overcame to arrive at their destination. While looking back on my own struggles and barriers, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve grown as a person and asking myself how my peers and teachers will remember me. Will they think of me as I remember the sweet shop owners, or just a girl they sat next to? Will I become a story one of my teachers tells on a rainy day, or as just another student who passed through their class? I think one of my biggest fears is to become a forgotten face in the halls, instead of a fond memory to be recounted in the future. Maybe I am just a classmate, a face in the crowd, but I hope to at least have made you laugh one time. I want to be a memory that puts smiles on people’s faces even if I never see them again, to be the “you remember that one time…?” I want to be remembered as a cool treat on a hot summer day, refreshing and sweet, melted away but enjoyed. I hope I left a piece of me in each classroom, something that can spark a smile, something to tell a story. •

find it difficult to become “casually interested” in a certain area. Whenever I pursue a field that piques my fascination, I tend to dive deep into the trenches of obsession and let this passion consume my daily life. In my preschool days, this interest was Dora the Explorer. I decorated my room in Dora stickers the size of my four year old torso, spent hours on the interactive Dora storybook while sitting in my purple Dora chair.

When I entered elementary school, I transferred this effort into pet research. First, it was cats and dogs, and then when I was told that they were too big, I shifted my focus onto guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas and birds. I would watch hours of videos and create powerpoints on the family computer in my borderline-concerning desire for a cockatiel.

In middle school, it was band that plagued my everyday schedule. My family had to tough out afternoons of nothing but saxophone noises. I asked for a tutor, joined the jazz ensemble and persisted my way to first chair in the highest band.

I have yet to find an interest that perfectly defines my journey through high school. Like a 1,000 piece puzzle with no corners and edges, my passions in high school are too jumbled, too contrasting, too impossible to fit together without clashing vividly.

Perhaps it is this change, this constant uncertainty, that I should credit my high school years to. Change is a concept I don’t particularly welcome; it’s not fun and colorful like Dora, and I hold no excitement for it like I do a new pet. Instead

of willingly exploring the idea, I’ve given in to surrendering under it.

My senior year, I feel, has been filled with more changes than the three other years of high school combined. Freshman Claire would’ve thrown a fit at my complaints of waking up at eight o’clock when she had to arise at five. Sophomore me would seeth in jealousy at my ability to travel anywhere with my driver’s license. My junior and senior year are the ones that have the most in common; the biggest difference between them is also their biggest similarity.

The only promise that life makes for those who experience it is, ironically, its end. In countless existences filled with temporaries, death is humanity’s only permanence. As a junior, I confronted the loss of a life for the first time when my cat passed away. There’s many reassurances I could tell my junior self. The comfort of not losing someone else is, unfortunately, not one of them.

Despite the terror it has brought me, I don’t hope for my phobia of change to diminish. Fortunately, unlike Dora or band or my frantic pet campaign management (although I still want a cat when I move out), I don’t believe this “interest” of mine will ever fade.

After all, change, I’ve realized, is a beautiful thing to fear. For it only means I cherish my life as it is now, enough to dread having it leave. •

I want to be a memory that puts smiles on people’s faces even if I never see them again

Guo will attend Texas A&M University to major in computer science.

Borham will attend Sam Houston State University to major in art education.

hen my parents first told me our next duty station would be in Okinawa, Japan, I started to build a picture of what I thought my life would be as an island girl. I envisioned a small house right next to the beach where I would wake up at dawn to go surfing before school started each day. My mom bought textbooks for the family to learn Japanese, but assured us we would still speak English in the home. Trying to figure out which characters were hiragana, katakana and kanji in fifth grade was my first practice in learning a new language.

But when we got to Oki, we were assigned unit F in a six-family housing unit with only 1400 square feet for all six of us. Surfing was out of the question because we were a 20 minute car ride from the beach, not to mention most of the deadliest poisonous animals in the Pacific thrive around Okinawa. Given that there are over 30 bases with more than a dozen DoDEA schools, no one had to learn Japanese.

Despite what could have been shattered expectations, I lived a much better life in Okinawa than what I imagined. My windows were easy to escape out of when my mom was angry and our neighbors were seconds away. Instead of surfing before school, my friends and I raced to climb down the typhoon wall before the school bus turned the corner. I became conversational in Japanese and participated in an exchange program with the Yamaguchi Middle School Students.

I have moved eight other times all across the states, and I don’t think my expectations have ever been met. (Of course,

after the fifth move I learned to stop having expectations). Even so, I believe that hard work and a positive attitude make the best of any situation.

My current situation arose from this idea. Last year I decided that traditional high school was not the best choice for me. I convinced my counselor and my parents to hybrid my senior schedule into three high school credits and subsidize the rest with online college classes. I was pleased with myself until a month before school when I was seized with paralyzing panic attacks over the college workload. I prayed and committed myself to do well, and so with the start of the semester I buckled down. Lehi teaches in second Nephi of the Book of Mormon “that there is opposition in all things.” The harder the work, the greater the reward.

I’ve been reviewing all this in my mind because in a few months, I will move out of this station in my life. Maybe I do still have a few expectations for my next stop, Brigham Young University. I want to spend a lot of late nights studying with my roommate. I want to meet up with everyone I’ve had to say goodbye to too soon. I want to meet the love of my life in the hanging gardens library while reaching for a book I’m too short to grab, like a scene from those cliche romance K-dramas. I’m ready to move on, because I know that if I’m in control, I can make my college experience everything I want it to be. •

hen I told my dad that I got into college, he didn’t understand.

He looked at me blankly, so I repeated myself, and he said, “Oh, really?”

“Oh, really?” seems like a perfectly acceptable response of polite surprise. But that’s my father’s response to everything that he doesn’t understand. That single phrase helps him wade through the confusion of the early-onset dementia that has swiftly captured his memory over the past four years. When we received the diagnosis, my only “known” was that this disease would forever alter his role in my life, and my role in his.

Once the excitement of surviving college admissions faded, I wondered, “What would Dad think of the person I have become?”

“He’d be so proud of you if he knew,” Mom said. Deep down, I know he would be. Yet I wish he could have read my college essay and stood beside me as I opened every letter. When I toured the sprawling, cobbled paths of Princeton, I tried to imagine him there, standing in his work clothes and black leather shoes, quietly smiling because he’s proud of me.

Picturing him in such an academic landscape was easy. My dad was smart. Really smart. The kind of smart that his high school friends and college roommates still remember. He could have gone far, but his family needed help, so he stayed home. He became a banker who checked my math homework, but also a poet who taught me how to rhyme and write.

Occasionally, there are moments when he surprises me with what he still knows.

One night, sophomore year, I sat in the quiet of my room to study for a chemistry test. I just wanted to finish my work and go to bed, but Dad wandered into my room.

“There’s a full moon tonight,” he said. The declaration shocked me. His face beamed with excitement instead of his usual dementia-clouded apathy. I like to think that he saw the full moon and remembered we used to drag an old dusty telescope into the backyard and look at the sky together.

Only now, as I prepare to leave home, I realize that I’ve spent four years planning, studying, thinking and writing to avoid the few “knowns” of our lives as father and daughter. I didn’t sleep at night, yet I never gazed at the moon as I longed for the life that now lies in front of me.

That life, full of possibilities, terrifies me. Compared to the unknown, the known doesn’t look so scary now. The girl who misses her father but remembers his kindness wants to turn back and take shelter.

But there is no turning back. My father taught me that the unknown waits for no one. I must traverse its depths, guided by the few things I truly, intimately know.

I know that everything happens for a reason. I know that thanks to my father’s planning and my mother’s sacrifices, I will live a beautiful life. I know that there’s not much to see in New Jersey, but the moon still shines there.

And most importantly, I know that I am forever my father’s daughter, and I will not let him down.•

Stewart will attend Princeton Universiy to study linguistics and minor in journalism.

Rigby will attend Brigham Young University to major in linguistics.

Fraternal twins reflect on unique bond, moving away for college

What is the dynamic between the two of you?

Kinsey: “We have two older siblings, so we know what it’s like to have a ‘normal’ sibling, but having a twin is on a whole other level. Most of the time, you’re on the same wavelength. There will be times when we’re thinking the exact same thing at the same moment but don’t have to say anything.”

You went to the Taylor Swift concert together. Do you have a similar music taste?

Kinsey: “We both love Taylor Swift. Sometimes we even have little dance parties where it’s just the two of us.”

Carter: “I was very much into Tay-

lor Swift, and Kinsey got onto me for only listening to Taylor Swift. Now, that’s all she listens to. We have similar music tastes, and sometimes we fight over who gets the aux in the car. She’ll say, ‘It’s my car, so I have the aux!’ But I’ll play something and be like, ‘I like this song,’ but then she’ll be like, ‘It’s too slow!’ or something like that.”

Kinsey: “But we can both agree that we like Taylor Swift.”

Carter: “The concert was unreal. We went to the ‘Red’ concert 10 years ago, so it was a full-circle moment. We both had this feeling afterward in which we were like, ‘We want to go back.’”

What’s it like sharing a birthday?

Kinsey: “For kids who don’t share the same birthday, it’s like, ‘That day is all about you.’ But for twins, it’s always about the both of you.”

Carter: “Sometimes both of us can get caught up in ‘it’s all about me,’ but it’s also about the other person. I don’t want to pressure Kinsey into doing what I want, and then her not having a good time.”

Kinsey: “Our parents have taken that into consideration, and sometimes they’ll celebrate us on two different days but we also have a day when we celebrate together.” •

What is the best part of having a twin?

Devon: “If you don’t have anyone to hang out with, you can always hang out with your twin.”

What is the dynamic between the two of you?

Logan: “We’re just like every other type of sibling since we’re not identical, so it’s like having a brother that’s slightly more annoying and slightly more attached to you.”

Do you share any common interests?

Logan: “We both enjoy playing and watching soccer. When we were

younger, we were on the same team. Now, we don’t practice together because we’re on different teams, but we have a soccer ball and kick it around outside sometimes.”

How will being apart during college affect you?

Logan: “It will be weird because now I can see him every day after school, but I won’t be able to see him during college. Also, he asks me a lot of questions if we have homework for a class together, and he won’t be able to ask me

that anymore. It will definitely be an adjustment.”

Devon: “We’ll still be able to talk to each other and figure out days to hang out, so I don’t think it will affect us that much. But I guess I’ll miss her since she’ll be so far away.” •

How similar are you and your twin?

Elie: “Zach and I are very close. We’ve always played the same sports and taken the same classes so we have a lot of common interests. We’re pretty similar personality-wise, but we balance each other out when it comes to our differences. I don’t believe in twin telepathy, but there are times when we’ve had full conversations without actually having to speak a word. We just get each other.”

What do you admire about your twin?

Elie: “I wouldn’t tell him this directly, but I look up to him a lot. He’s a lot smarter than I am when it comes to certain things. He’s very observant and takes his time and doesn’t get as stressed and

antsy as I do. He seems very composed and he’s very driven yet humble.”

Zach: “[Elie] is somebody I relate to so well, and because of this we share almost anything that is on our minds with each other. She has an ability to understand feelings. And her frequent smiling and giggling is contagious.” •

Compiled by Elisabeth Stewart

Compiled by Elisabeth Stewart

Compiled by Rhyan Kalke

Seniors write to freshman siblings on love, growth, future

Dear Josh,

Although you’re already complaining about the tons of schoolwork, I know you’ll feel as bittersweet as I do as you go through the next three years of high school. Our experiences will look very different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come to me for advice and help. Don’t let your height and ego get the best of you, big guy. I know you’ll miss me even though I’m staying in town for college, and just know that doesn’t mean our late-night Sonic and Whataburger drives have to end.

The biggest thing I can remind you to do is constantly thank your teachers. You should know this already since we have a built-in teacher at home, but I promise it makes your school life gratifying and your teachers much happier. I adore and cherish my relationships with my teachers to this day. Take your time, because as everyone says, it really does fly by.

Love your cool older sister, Rachel

Dear Abby,

I looked forward to overlapping with you for a long time, and I can’t believe this year is already coming to a close. You have been so brave this year-starting high school, running cross country, and stepping out of your comfort zone. I’m so proud of you, and honored to have a front-row seat to all of the wonderful things you’ve done and will do!

I want to remind you to slow down. These next three years will go by fast, and you’ll miss them when they’re over. There’ll be drama, but it doesn’t determine how the rest of your life will go. You are resilient, determined and joyful, and I am glad to call you my sister and my best friend. Remember that I’m only one call (and just 15 minutes) away next year. I hope we’ll keep having sleepovers, laughing and telling each other everything.

Love, Elizabeth

To my little sister, Growing up with you has been the most memorable time of my life. I have seen you grow, learn, and love more than ever. I’m beyond blessed that the Lord had us planned to be sisters.

I ask you to approach these coming years with grace and determination. I can only remember my freshman year of high school when I was already looking forward to graduating more than anything, and now I’m wishing I could only slow time down. Try not to grow up too soon;

Dearest Miriam,

I can’t remember the last time that I wrote a letter, let alone one to you. Despite being three years older than you, I don’t feel like the older sister. I’m not sure if the advice I have to offer will be of any help, since you are most definitely smarter than me, but I’ll give it a shot.

I have met and gotten closer to lots of different people, and I have learned that relationships can be arduous, but if that person truly cares for you, they will make an effort. You are a beautiful person that deserves to be surrounded by kind, genuine people. I hope that you make strong connections with people who genuinely respect you. Prioritize the activities and people that bring you joy and do not be afraid or apologize for putting yourself first. Set boundaries and respect people.

Hermosa hermanita mía, te amaré por siempre y ojalá que vas a disfrutar el colegio sin mí. Trust yourself more, muñeca.

Sincerely Yours, Irma

trust me, you want to soak in these next three years. They will be the most fun, hard and rewarding times of your life.

A piece of advice I give to you is to PLEASE start turning in your assignments on time. It might seem small, but it really will help you in the long run. Approach the day-by-day with grace and a willingness to learn. Learn to thank and praise Jesus for all of the little moments spent with sweet friends in high school, and always remember Romans 15:13. I’m so thankful I got to spend my last year of high school with both of us at the

same school. Being able to cheer alongside you one last time has made my heart ecstatic and my soul complete. I love that we were both able to share our love for our sport one last time on the same team. Although I’m moving only ten minutes away, I’m only a phone call or a text away from you. Living without you for the first time will be an adjustment, but I cannot wait for weekend visits back home. I love you with my whole heart and soul, Riley!

Love from your big sister, Randi

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

Haley Knight Biology

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

Fimi Adesemoye Psychology

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, IL

Sophia Gharaibeh Biomedical Engineering

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Celia Cerfogli Kinesiology

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN

Anastasia Hueste Materials Science and Engineering

University of Mississippi

Oxford, MS

Rylan Deming Business

Hailey Patterson Sports Marketing

Princeton University

New Jersey, NJ

Heyu Li Mathematics

Elisabeth Stewart Linguistics

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Alva, OK

Elie Dang Psychology

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK

Samuel Wiesepape Horticulture

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA

William Crick Business

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Lindsay Flanigan Neuroscience

Blinn College at Rellis

Bryan, TX

Sanford Foster Simulation and Game Programming

Blinn College

Bryan, TX

Caden Aalbers Business

Nabeel Aldaous | Construction Science

Joseph Alessandra-Smith History

Hailey Alfaro Business Management

Aaron Asim Construction Science

Trinity Bell | Social Work

Dayanara Casas-Alejandro Criminology

Eduard Coatney Marine Biology

Miranda Crisp Education

Jaxon Edwards | Business

Nya Farrow Forensic Psychology

Cristiano Gallego Undecided

Greyson Garcia Medicine

Katherine Graham Kinesiology

Chau Huynh Computer Information Services

Abigail Jammullamudy Business

A’Niya King Real Estate

Nessa Larson Social Work

THE CLASS OF 2023 DEPARTS

Brooke May Nursing

Dylan Micek Visualization

Malachi Morales Film and Music

Mia Morales-Schulz Art

Paul Padron Construction Science or Civil Engineering

Isiah Pennygraph Business

Lily-Rose Posey Liberal Arts

Gabriella Sanders Secondary Education

Kaylynn Schafer Graphic Design and Marketing

Wyatt Shugart Criminal Justice

Heidy Toribio Nursing

Toan Tran | Engineering

Evan Van Steinburg General Studies

Alexa Whyte Visualization

Edben Zabaleta Computer Science

Blinn College Brenham

Brenham, TX

Kyla Clark Sport Management

Grayson Fowler | Wildlife Sciences

Justin Gohlke | Kinesiology

Colin Medlock Theatre Arts

Nathan Nehring Petroleum Engineering

Randolph Ofori Engineering

Harrison Robinson Business

Adam Welguisz Construction Management

Houston Baptist University

Houston, TX

Ma’kiyah Steptoe Nursing

Prairie View A&M University

Prarie View, TX

Chase Alex Agriculture

Rice University

Houston, TX

Ali Gharib Chemical Engineering

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX

Emily Borham Studio Art

Heaven Ford Nursing

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX

Anika Ruiz Chemistry

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Waxahachie, TX

Ryan Stanford Business Administration

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX

Emily Alfaro Theatre

Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX

Angelina Lopez | Chemistry

Texas A&M International

Laredo, TX

Jeremy Lerma Kinesiology

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX

Uzair Ali Aerospace Engineering

Luqman Baghdad Brahim Education

Palmer Barrum | Visualization

Anushri Bhuvanesh Biomedical Sciences

Landon Boyle Sports Management

Logan Bradshaw Sports Management

Ruben Carreno | Biomedical Sciences

Cole Cashion Business

Reagan Cohen Business

Marcella Deer Graphic Design

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

Lujein Abdelwahed | Public Health

Joseph Chunga-Pizarro | Radio-Television-Film

Calista Hernandez Advertising & Public Relations

Mahir Kaya Computer Science

Anna Lee Biochemistry

Muhammad Rasheed | Computer Engineering

Sanni Saari Business Administration

Rita Szunyogh Dance

Atiya Thomson Informatics

Jenson Williams Fine Arts and Psychology

University of Texas at Dallas

Favor Ezeanuna Biomedical Sciences

Peyton Faulkner Psychology

Cooper Felpel Economics

Joao Fernandes Agribusiness

Lilli Garrett Animal Science

Marcelo Garza Agricultural Systems Management

Joshua Glanz Genetics

Walton Graham | Engineering

Claire Guo Computer Science

Casey Hawkins Applied Mathematics

Samuel Hoffman Mathematics

Madison Hudson Education

Bianca Jacques Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences

Christopher Johnson Nutrition

Maddie Jones Kinesiology

Divya Kudumula Biomedical Sciences

Leslie Lehrmann Special Education

Mackenzie Martin Kinesiology

Rachel Mathews | Biomedical Sciences

Kylie McRaven Chemical Engineering

Brody Mitchell Computer Science

Dominic Motekaitis Physics

Rachel Mortaje Biomedical Sciences

Elizabeth Morton English

Grace Muehlstein Communication

Riley Newton Business

Randi Novosad Psychology

Adelaide North | History

Katey Pappas Horticulture

Irma Pitblado Mathematics

Juliet Rivera Sociology

Megan Roberts Business

Kate Serem | Computer Engineering

Kelsey Slater Biology

Nu Ton Biomedical Sciences

Joseph Toussaint Civil Engineering

Wen Wang Neuroscience

Ashley Watts English

Jeffrey Wylie Engineering

Conner Young | Finance

Texas State University

San Marcus, TX

Maritza Patlan-Bustos Nursing

Emily Thompson Mathematics

Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX

Cody Joyner Computer Science

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Analise Morrison Pre-Physician Assistant

University of Houston

Houston, TX

Cedric González Architecture

University of Mary-Hardin Baylor

Belton, TX

Hannah Akers Criminology and Forensic Science

Tyler Kelley | Electrical Engineering

University of North Texas

Denton, TX

Alexa Ayala | Theatre

Hannah Hanks Fashion Design

Amy Zhang Medical Laboratory Sciences

Richardson, TX

Emily Skrabanek Mechanical Engineering

University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX

Ava Martindale Rehabilitation Sciences

Jake Utley Computer Science

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX

Hailey Hudson Digital Communication Media Studies

Elliott Lewis | Music Education

Megan Miles | Animals Science

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT

Brenna Boatcallie | Design

Jessica Gomillion Chemical Engineering

Anna Kimber Violin Performance

Sadie Rigby Linguistics

Tenlie Ward Business Management

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Armani Johnson Computer Science Engineering

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

Laura Stoleru | Psychology

Armed Forces

Arielka Paez Navy

Trade School

Eddy Alvarado The Culinary Institute of America

Reece Burleson Tulsa Welding School

Abigail Clinton Avenue Five

Angelina Greco NASCAR Technical Institute

Jasmine Hudnall Universal Technical Institute

Jabria Price Tulsa Welding School

Work

Brody Ginn

Katrina Duncan

Miguel De Los Santos III

Andrew Eckman

Ciara Ferris

Carli Griffin

Keaton Hickman

Keshundre Hodrick

Claudio Lopez

Gap Year

Jacey Cole

Summer Hajj-Ali

Kenry Hawthorne

August Keene

Durham Mach

William O’Brien

Undecided

Kyron Cross

Ethan Johnson

America Martinez

Andy Muñoz

Kayla Ramirez

Kyra Rivera

Jayden Thomas

Taylor Thompson

Augustine Vasquez

Riley Zylman

Kash Richter

Cameron Johnson

Nyla Foley

Simon Silva

A’Nia Foster

Chase Monaghan

Daniel Rhee

*Darker states represent a larger number of students

Top “survivor” Moments featuring the class of 2023

Cougar football goes to state in 2021 and 2022

This year’s graduating football players played in not one but two state championship games.

“Going into our junior year, we knew we were going to be pretty good and have a chance,” senior and middle linebacker Jaxson Edwards said. “Making it all the way [to state] and representing our school was awesome. Even though we didn’t win those games, I’ll always have those memories and be proud of our team.”

Seniors honor educators at the Hall of Fame Banquet

Twenty-nine Hall of Fame seniors each honored an influential educator at the banquet on April 26. Senior Truett Marrs chose Sheridan Clinkscales, whom he worked alongside as the FFA president, and was selected along with seniors Heyu Li and Kylie McRaven to read their letters to their teachers at the banquet.

Marrs said that this tradition is important because “not only does it celebrate the people who have done a good job of representing their grade, but also makes our educators feel valued.”

Orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall in New York City

Senior and orchestra president Angelina Lopez said she will cherish forever the sound of the orchestra and her solo at Carnegie Hall during spring break.

“I wish I could relive the moment,” Lopez said. “Whenever we played the first movement of St. Paul’s Suite during dress rehearsal, as soon as we played the last note, the ring was so perfect. I had never felt so heard.”

“Everybody from College Station came to watch,” Edwards said, including fellow senior Kate Serem, who attended the game in 2021.

“If you’re able to go to events, especially the big ones like a state game, you should go,” Serem said. “It could be life changing.”

Seniors enjoy first Cougar Commitment Carnival

After years of hard work, seniors gathered on April 24 to celebrate their college and career choices.

“Decision Day is a national event, but I knew I wanted our celebration to be as unique as our students here,” said college and career adviser Bethany Coile who planned the event.

CSHS reigns “King of the Jungle” over

Consol

Cougar Nation packed the football stadium on Oct. 28, 2022, as the Cougars faced the A&M Consolidated Tigers in a crosstown showdown, walking away with a 38-28 victory.

“[We were down] 21-0, and I scored a 55 yard touchdown that started our comeback,” senior running back Zach Dang said. “The energy and the atmosphere was like no other game. I’ll remember that game for a long time.”

Senior Sunrise

Student Council hosted a breakfast at sunrise for seniors on the first Friday of the year on Aug. 19.

“[Senior Sunrise] is the start of the senior year,” senior class president Caleigh Carter said.

Band qualifies for state after rainy area competition

As the band readied for the 2021 area competition, the sky sent a greeting of pouring rain. A short break to wait out the rain expanded and eventually a decision was made by judges for bands to compete in the rain.

“We heard the announcer, and then this cheer went up, and that was amazing because it showed how much support we had,” senior Jessica Gomillion said. “That performance was all a blur, but afterwards, it was the best feeling, like we did our very best and put it all out there.”

Strutters visit Hawaii for dance competition

The drill team headed to Hawaii before spring break to compete and connect as a group.

“It was really bittersweet because it was the last time that I got to dance with my team,” senior and three-year strutter Avery Barrett said. “That was the best we’d ever performed. We were so proud of how we did.”

SkillsUSA advances to nationals after state contest

Following the district contest at Beaumont,

seniors

Joseph Chunga-Pizzarro and Dat Ha, along with other CSHS champions at work, faced other state competitors in Corpus Christi. This marks the pair’s second year in a row to take home gold.

“We knew at that moment that we were going to be more confident and have a lot more to show off after a full year of AVP when imagining going back to Atlanta,” Chunga-Pizzaro said.

Photo of Skills USA team provided by Stephen Green

Photo of senior Heyu Li provided by CSISD

Photo of Cougars vs. Consol by Courtney Wellmann

Photo at Senior Sunrise provided by Jonathan Brady

Photo at Carnival provided by Bethany Coile

Elisabeth Stewart Editor-in-Chief

Jab, hook to the head, cross to the body, repeat. For senior and soon-to-be Olympic boxer EJ Jumayev, every swift punch is a carefully-calculated move.

“I think of my mind as a computer whenever I’m in the ring,” Jumayev said. “Calculations are going through my mind. I’m always receiving positive and negative feedback whenever I do something right or wrong. I’m making sure that everything is moving the way it needs to move.”

From his early start in his father’s Houston boxing gym to professional fights around the globe, Jumayev will now take his calculated approach in boxing to the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

Inspired by his father and two older brothers, Jumayev began boxing when he was just three years old.

“My dad is an anesthesiologist, but when he came to the United States, he retired and focused on boxing. He opened a small gym and coached kids in our neighborhood,” Jumayev said. “It was really just ‘bring your kid to work day’ for my dad.”

For Jumayev’s family, who immigrated to the United States from Turkmenistan, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, boxing plays a large role in their identity.

“During my elementary school years, I was bullied a lot,” he said. “I was an immigrant from a family of immigrants. I wanted to protect myself and protect others who were being mistreated, too, and boxing made me more confident.”

OLYMPIC BOXING Track

Over time, Jumayev’s motivations changed, and he joined a competitive team. His dreams began to take shape when he earned his first promotion, a partnership with a company that schedules his fights.

“I knew that I had to up my level,” Jumayev said. “[A promotion] is not just a club anymore. It’s getting into the ring with other kids who want the same thing you want: to win.”

Currently, Jumayev works with Charlo Boxing Club. His professional record is 2-0.

“The second fight [of my career] was by far the toughest,” Jumayev said. “The other guy was undefeated, 5-0. I injured my right shoulder during the fourth round. On the scorecards, I lost the first six rounds and half of the seventh round. But at the end of the seventh round, I hit him with a left hook. He fell to the floor, and I won.”

Before the Olympics, Jumayev will fight in Tokyo, Japan, then attend Texas A&M University to pursue medicine.

“It’s kind of contradictory--boxing and working in a healthcare profession. You beat people up, then you go and help people,” he joked. “I’ve volunteered at St. Joseph and shadowed at Houston Methodist. My dad was passionate at a young age about being a doctor, so he instilled that in me.”

At the beginning of 2024, he’ll travel to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, then Las Vegas, and finally, the Paris Olympic Village. His goal? Getting gold.

“That’s the goal of every athlete,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the experience of being that type of high-level athlete.”•

Briceida Bellon Managing Editor

Senior Megan Roberts remembers running laps around the track back in second grade with her best friend. Now, she and her best friend wake up for early morning practice and complete more challenging workouts.

To Roberts, not only has running given her passion and meaning, but it also gave her meaningful friendships.

“From every practice to every meet, everyone on the team has slowly just grown connected with one another,” Roberts said. “Even when I was on the team in my middle school years, these girls have become a shoulder to cry on and people I can truly be happy with. I’m motivated to continue to do my best because of them.”

After elementary school, Roberts chose to run competitively. She joined cross country in middle school and continued her journey with the cross country and track team.

“I still remember being so happy the first time I broke my own personal record,” Roberts said. “I was kind of nervous to join

the team my freshman year, but I got over the fear and learned how to strategize my long-distance running.”

Thanks to the help of coach Joshua Munson, Roberts continued to improve her stamina and break records. This year alone, Roberts placed seventh individually at the state UIL meet for cross country.

“I couldn’t have accomplished so much without [Coach],” Roberts said. “He really brings energy to the team and has encouraged me to put my best foot out there.”

Back in November, Roberts signed with Texas A&M University’s track and cross country team, where she’ll continue to improve her running. She also intends to pursue a business degree at Mays Business School.

“I’m so excited to be a part of their team and for what my future will hold,” Roberts said. “I feel like all the blood, sweat and tears put into running and my high school journey in general has finally paid off.”•

I feel like all the blood, sweat and tears put into running and my high school journey in general has finally paid off

-Megan Roberts senior

Following her childhood passion of music, senior Anna Kimber will pursue music at Brigham Young University in Utah to earn a degree in Violin Performance.

“Since I’m going to be studying music, a huge part of that is the teacher you’re going to be having private lessons with every week,” Kimber said. “I know the teacher at BYU. I studied with him over the summer, and the overall program there really catches my eye.”

Realizing BYU would be a fit for her both personally and musically, Kimber auditioned with the BYU orchestra with a prescreen audition in the fall and in person audition after that.

“[BYU] just built a brand new music building, which is really nice, and the overall environment at BYU [is] comfortable, welcoming and it has a strong religious foundation so I’m there with people who have similar values,” she said.

When she was younger, Kimber said she played the piano but transitioned to playing the violin in fifth grade and continued in orchestra in high school.

“Orchestra has been really good for me. It teaches you a lot about accountability, and also trusting others and working together. That also gives you a lot of leadership opportunities,” Kimber said.

Last summer, Kimber attended the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina for more than six weeks for music theory and music literature classes, orchestra ex-

Music Dance

periences and private lessons.

“You’re just immersed in that music world almost getting that taste of what it would be like to study music in college,” Kimber said. “Over the past two years, as I’ve put a lot of effort into it, I’ve seen a lot come out and I’ve been able to enjoy it.”

Kimber said her biggest musical accomplishment would be the opportunity to solo with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra.

“In the annual children’s concert, I got to play as a soloist with an orchestra, which I’ve never gotten to do before, for some fourth or fifth graders that came for a concert,” Kimber said. “It was just so much fun.”

After college, Kimber said she is excited about the possibilities of a musical career.

“There’s a lot of different opportunities. I’m not sure where exactly it would take me, whether that’s auditioning and playing in a professional orchestra or for some other like cinematic orchestras,” she said. “I also would love to maybe open up my own studio and teach lessons.”

Playing violin has taught Kimber many things about herself and her life.

“The whole idea about working hard to achieve something, and yes, you achieve that goal, sometimes you don’t, and you mess it up, but still going through that, and still persevering through whatever comes your way,” she said. “Also finding my own voice and my own confidence through my instrument and making that kind of part of my identity.”•

From a very young age, senior Rita Szunyogh became swept away in the steps of dance, enraptured by the beauty and grace of such an elegant art.

“I always watched ballets with my dad growing up. They were always on TV,” Szunyogh said. “I just thought it was so pretty and wanted to do it, so I [started at] four.”

Since then, Szunyogh has branched out from ballet to embrace dance of all kinds, each with their own unique quirks.

“I do all styles of dance--ballet, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical--almost everything there is,” Szunyogh said. “They’re all different in their own ways.”

With her high school years coming to a close, Szunyogh plans to pursue dance at the University of Texas in Austin.

Dancing has supplied Szunyogh an emotional outlet to cope with even the roughest patches of her academic career.

“Dancing has given me a creative outlet,” Szunyogh said. “It has shaped my life in the way that I now have somewhere to express my emotions, and something to turn to when I feel like I have no one else.”

As with many of the arts, competition in dance is no small deal--despite being laden in rules and specificities. However, for Szunyogh contests have changed and fluctuated over the years.

“I grew up competing,” Szunyogh said. “When I was younger, the competitions I went to were always very technique-focused, so more based in ballet though I

wasn’t always competing in that. As I grew up and went to more diverse competitions and conventions, it definitely became a lot more contemporary [which] I think is more popular now.”

Still, no matter the skill, one cannot simply dance through the hardships of life-they have to take them on, face to face. In Szunyogh’s case, her greatest battle was with perfectionism.

“When it’s part of your job to look at yourself in a mirror and correct things, it makes you very perfectionistic,” Szunyogh said. “It’s very hard to grow up constantly judging yourself, because that’s what you’re supposed to do--correct yourself, think that ‘my knee wasn’t straight here,’ or ‘my arm wasn’t stable there.’ You get used to constantly criticizing yourself and it’s very hard to take a step back [and remember] that ‘I know I can be better than this, but that doesn’t mean that what I am right now isn’t good enough.’”

To combat her excessive self-scrutiny, Szunyogh chose to prioritize her mental health over competition.

“Taking a step back from [competing] and going to the dance studio, the only person I’m dancing for is myself,” she said.

Despite the pressures and complications entwined in her dancing journey, Szunyogh never let life’s hardships mar her passion for the art.

“In dance, you can express messages--you can tell the audience whatever you want and they can take whatever they want from it,” Szunyogh said. “That’s what makes it beautiful--that it means something different to everybody.”•

Lauren Byerly Editor

Joi Speck Editor

Emily Ko

Through his constant involvement in every category of extracurriculars at CSHS, senior Heyu Li discovered his love for learning, leading him to broaden his understanding of mathematics and to further pursue the field as a major in college.

“I genuinely like learning about stuff,” Li said. “I like the feeling of being in class and having something new, like a piece of new information or a piece of knowledge I didn’t know before given to me and how I’m able to take it and explore it.”

Li’s enjoyment in learning led him to discover his interest after joining Math Club.

“I participated in Math Club, because I loved math, and I knew I might want to pursue it in the future,” Li said. “As a kid, I was a very avid reader, so even now I’m a little bit surprised about how I fell into math. I think at its core math just has an innate creativity, novelty, power and fundamental-ness that really excites me.”

Participating in Math Club and UIL math events has provided Li with new approaches to self-expression.

“One of the main reasons I did math club was to find people who liked the same things as me,” Li said. “But then for other stuff like orchestra or theater, these are things that I know I’m not going to become a professional musician, or an actor one day, and just things that you get the opportunity to do in high school. Art is also such an important part of my life just personally,

Mathematics

that I really enjoy getting to branch out and express myself in these ways.”

Through these extracurriculars, Li said he has challenged himself to grow.

“[It’s allowed me to] push myself outside of my comfort zone,” Li said. “It’s not pointless, but it’s a little moot to participate in things you’re already good at because there’s less room to grow, and so some of the ways I’ve challenged myself are throughout high school extracurriculars, which I know I’m not the best at, but these are things that I like doing. I’ve learned a lot about my capabilities and my limits. I’ve pushed myself very hard, and I’ve discovered a lot about myself.”

Alongside growth in various areas throughout high school, Li emphasizes the value of having grown in his relationships with other students and teachers.

“Throughout my high school career, I’ve had such good teachers that have been willing to support me and who have been willing to do tutorials, give extra credit and all these things that I’m really thankful for,” Li said. “[I’m also really grateful] for my friends, because it’s hard to go throughout high school without a tight knit group of friends and I feel lucky that I’ve been able to have that throughout my experience.”

Following his passion for math, Li will attend Princeton University with a major in mathematics.

“Princeton is one of the best colleges for my major,” Li said. “It’s also a place where I can continue exploring and learning more about the world and myself.” •

For senior Nate Laffin, games have been a substantial part of his life since childhood, not only inspiring him to pursue a major in engineering with emphasis on game design, but also teaching him many valuable lessons.

“As a kid, I [liked] games a lot,” Laffin said. “I was always intrigued by how someone could take a computer and [make games like] Mario Kart. I want to make a game that will have the same impact on someone else that a lot of my favorite games had on me.”

Laffin opposes the commonly held social perception that gaining knowledge occurs instantaneously. Games played by Laffin in his youth--such as Super Mario 3D Land-have since taught him that learning is actually a product of failure.

“A lot of people think that ‘learning’ is [just] sitting down, reading something, and then understanding it perfectly and never getting it wrong, but that’s not what learning is,” Laffin said. “A big thing games have helped me realize is that messing up is a part of learning. Learning is trying to figure something out and failing until you get

Game Design

it right.”

Laffin said he’s grateful for the chance high school has given him to meet his many friends, teachers and role models. According to Laffin, students such as senior Shashan Fernando--who’d help him make hard decisions--have greatly impacted his high school experience.

“Something people take for granted in high school is that it is so much easier to make friends in a school setting than it is out in the open,” Laffin said. “I’ve met a lot of people that I am better for having met. There are a lot of people that I wouldn’t have met had I not come [to CSHS], so I’m really trying to [savor my time] left here.”

Looking forward, however, Laffin is anticipating the independence, freedom and uncertainty of his future in Utah and the study abroad opportunity in South Korea provided by the university.

“A big reason I chose the University of Utah was that I wanted to know how adjusted I am for being on my own,” Laffin said. “I figured going to South Korea would not only be a fresh start for me but a whole new experience. I’m looking forward to [the unfixed future that awaits me].”•

Sports Editor

Sonya Lin Opinions Editor

I want to make a game that will have the same impact on someone else that a lot of my favorite games had on me.

-Nate Laffin senior

Computer science And medicine Psychology

Claire Guo Features Editor

Creations are often defined by their first step. Like a complex code cannot be completed without that first click of a keyboard, senior Anna Lee couldn’t have discovered and fostered her connection with computer science without a book she received from her dad in middle school outlining the very basics of Python.

“My dad is a computer scientist, and growing up I was able to continue to see his work, which got me interested,” Lee said.

Lee demonstrated her talents in the field during the two years she participated in Computer Science UIL. In the recent district competition, the team won second, with Lee earning third place in the individual assessment.

“Winning third place was unexpected, but I’m glad that I tried it out. I felt proud to represent the minority women in computer science,” she said.

The only girl on the team, Lee said she was also one of only two girls amon the almost 40 competitors.

“When I looked into the room, it was nerve-wracking, but then Ms. Munoz encouraged me,” she said.

Through summer immersion programs such as Kode with Klossy and Girls Who Code, Lee said she cherishes her experience in computer science outside of school activities as both of these programs encourage a higher participation of women in stem-related fields.

“It was good to know that there were

thousands of girls there that participated, and it was very interesting to know that a lot of girls are actually pursuing that field all around the world,” Lee said.

Her passion for scientific studies extends beyond her memories with computer science. In her junior year, Lee doubled up on her science classes with AP Biology and AP Chemistry, igniting an inspiration for her to major in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin.

“There are a lot of connections between biology and chemistry that I find interesting to learn and explore,” Lee said. “With COVID, I think it’s fulfilling to pursue a field related to health.”

What draws her into the world of science is that there is a unified language between the different fields.

“Science can be mainly objective,” Lee said. “The same language is used across the world, so every language is able to understand it.”

At the University of Texas at Austin, Lee is considering a double major with computer science. By immersing her years of knowledge of computer science with her recently discovered passion for biochemistry, Lee aspires to further improve the machinery involved in medical practices.

“My grandfather passed away from cancer due to difficulties with his surgery,” Lee said. “Hopefully, I get to integrate what I know from computer science and biochemistry together to develop a technology that helps surgeries, like the Da Vinci Surgical System.”•

Clark Editor

While senior Fimi Adesemoye can’t point to one singular moment that sparked her interest in psychology, this interest has developed into a passion for understanding the interconnections of the human mind.

“My interest in psychology stretches back into an unidentifiable point in my life and links to many memories throughout it,” Adesemoye said. “To me, psychology is a power and it connects all humans and helps us understand how we work and live.”

Next year, Adesemoye will attend the University of Chicago to major in psychology and start her path to law school.

By taking AP Psychology this year, Adesemoye said she solidified her interests in social psychology and personality development.

“What interests me is how it shapes the way we make decisions and interact with other people,” she said. “[In AP Psych], I learned about a lot of things I would have never considered before, like the Stanford Prison Experiment. We watched a documentary about that, and it was really inter-

esting to me how easily people took on positions of authority in the experiment and became absorbed in that.”

Along with studying human connections in psychology, Adesemoye reflects on her own development throughout high school.

“I’m more outgoing than I thought and I can handle a lot more than I think,” Adesemoye said. “The number of all-nighters that I have pulled [has been surprising]. [But] maintaining a healthy social-academic and extracurricular life balance as well as overworking myself [has been difficult].”

Adesemoye hopes that studying psychology will prepare her for law school by giving her an understanding of how people work and help her to shape her cases and arguments in a corporate law career.

“I hate to say this, but it was Elle from ‘Legally Blonde,’ [that inspired me],” Adesemoye said. “As much as I know it’s dramatized, I love that movie and everything about it makes me interested in law. I hope to be a voice for those who cannot defend themselves.”•

Cheyenne

To me, psychology is a power and it connects all humans and helps us understand how we work and live

-Fimi Adesemoye senior

Emily Borham

Public Relations

Carefully crafting the perfect post for the National Art Honors Society’s social media has been senior Calista Hernandez’s job for two years, but will have an impact on her career that lasts much longer.

“I always look forward to making posts and sharing things to get the word out,” she said. “It’s something that I really enjoy and can put my creative mind to use.”

This experience with social media along with her love of creativity and background in art helped build a foundation for her passion in public relations, which she will pursue as her career after graduation.

“PR is just something that perfectly blends my creative art skills and love of people together,” Hernandez said. “Being able to talk and share my interest with other people while getting paid is my perfect world.”

Hernandez will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study Advertising and Public Relations this fall.

“I’ve always wanted to go to UT because that’s where my mom went and I

constantly hear how much fun she had,” she said. “From the social scene to the big city I could always see myself there when I visited.”

When it comes to her next chapter in life, Hernandez hopes to get involved in many organizations and join a sorority.

“College is all about finding new people,” she said.

“I’m excited to rush and find new friends in organizations.”

With graduation days away, Hernandez looks back on high school and all the people who shaped her into who she is, but she is also looking ahead to the experiences that await.

“Though I’m sad to let go of all the people who made the years fun, I’m excited for the independence,” she said. “I want to choose what I study and get to know so many new people.”

After college, Hernandez hopes to make an impact on those in need of PR services.

“PR and marketing can help small business owners achieve their dreams,” she said. “With my own work, I can help others show their work, too.”•

Culinary

Senior Damian Eimann has infused his home kitchen with the flavors and techniques of global cuisines, from his grandmother’s Czechoslovakian and German cooking to his mother’s Mexican meals.

“Someday, I want to own a restaurant, and I want to make it my own. I want to [mesh] cultures and take parts of that, and pull it into my own [style], but still not lose those fundamental aspects of culinary,” he said. “Because the culinary world does have fundamentals in every culture, from French to Korean to German to Mexican.”

Eimann plans to take his global approach to culinary to the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin next year.

“I want to learn about the scientific and experimental side of culinary,” he said. “A lot of restaurants and schools focus on stuff like sauces and the basics, but I want to experience the cool things you can do with cooking.”

Eimann said that he was able to experiment through CSHS’s culinary program. He took classes through Advanced Culinary II in his junior year, and the summer before senior year, began working as a cook at

“During the school year, I was upstairs and did a lot of catering events. For the majority of summer, I worked downstairs and ran the kitchen down there,” he said. “I’m in charge, and I control how things are done. If the pizza dough is messed up, I have to readjust. If tickets don’t come out right, I’m the one who’s responsible for that. I’m the chef in charge down there, but I still follow orders from upstairs.”

While he’s worked in a professional kitchen and competed in multiple competitions, Eimann said his favorite part of culinary arts is serving others.

“I like cooking for people, and when I present a dish, I like when people are excited about it and enjoy it,” he said. “That makes me happy.”

After culinary school, Eimann hopes to gain more experience by shadowing other chefs before opening his own restaurant.

“I want to go around to different chefs and see what they have to offer,” he said. “I want to switch these cultures so that I can fuse them and make them my own. Sometimes, cultures’ culinary styles don’t fuse on their own, because they’re separated, but once you figure out how to bring those flavors together, it’s really up to you.”•

Entertainment Editor

Texas A&M’s Traditions Club.

Dean Crick Editor

Someday, I want to own a restaurant, and I want to make it my own

-Damian Eimann senior

[public relations] is just something that perfectly blends my creative art skills and love of people together

-calista hernandez senior

Go into the next season of your life knowing that you are champions. We are accomplished, determined, driven,