The Knight Times / May 2024 Issue 10

EHS

THE KNIGHT TIMES

welcomes the Class of 2028 to campus

CHARLOTTE MEHNERT Staff Writer

Entering high school and leaving middle school behind can be intimidating. With that anxiety in mind, Episcopal holds its annual New Knight Social to offer incoming freshmen a beneficial event to ease their transition.

The Social was held May 9 and gave members of the Class of 2028 the opportunity to meet with their advisors, fellow advisees, and other members of the EHS community. Among their activities, students played interactive games to find common interests and connections with their advisory peers.

Episcopal finds advisories to be extremely important as students work together for their four years of high school, sharing the adjustment to the EHS campus and becoming a part of the student body before the summer begins.

Each advisory gets two FAM (Family Advisory Mentor) upperclassmen to share their freshman year experiences. FAM members discuss their perspective on school activities and extracurriculars and what not to do, In a way, these students act as education siblings to the new class members.

While the incoming students got to know their advisory, their parents ate some snacks in the library and got to know each other better as well. Veteran EHS parents were also in attendance to share words of wisdom. Just like FAM, the veteran parents shared their experiences and gave the incoming parents advice. The Freshman Dean Team was also there to provide new parents information about class placement and sports and answer questions.

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Track and field, softball take SPC titles

PORTER MILLER Social Media Coordinator

“This spring season, the Episcopal High School Athletics Pillar earned three Southwest Preparatory Conference titles, bringing the EHS total for the year to 11, a first for any school in conference history.”

Learn more about our SPC Champions on Page 7

Powerpuff and Ballers v. Scholars signal end of year

LULU GIBELLINI

Features Editor

Episcopal’s Annual PowerPuff and Ballers vs Scholars games occurred on May 8. Thanks to the hard work of the Student Council and Director of Student Activities Mrs. Courtney Lindloff, events like these are a tradition at Episcopal High School.

Teachers and students played in the annual Ballers vs Scholars basketball game to kick off the twelfth year of these events.

game was at 3:45 on Simmons Field, with the officiating help of Kary Kemble and Steve Leisz. This year was the biggest turnout of players in EHS history with fifty-nine juniors and forty-nine seniors. Boys from the Junior and Senior Classes

Check out the 2024 College Map

Where are the Class of 2024 heading?

Page 4-5

EHS softball spells SPC dynasty Softball program earns seventh-consecutive title

Page 7 Spring sports programs finish with collective success

2-3

“This basketball game acts as a friendly rivalry to build camaraderie among the seniors as well as the faculty and staff,” said Mr. David Trauba.

Mr. Trauba has been a long-time coordinator of the contest, putting his team of Scholars together each year to overcome the youth of the student group the Ballers.

The Scholars won this year for the eleventh time with a final score of 22-20. A whopping sixteen faculty members helped in the win. These faculty and staff members included Katie Gould, John Ly, Remon Maximos, Michael Codrington, Jeanette Martinez, Chief Achilefu, Jae Cross, Kyle Sumrow, Mike Hodgson, Julius Michael, Shelly Canella, Max Peraza, Chelsea Bass, Ryan Decker, Alan Duncan, and David Trauba.

After the basketball game, EHS junior and senior girls engaged in a football game, Episcopal’s annual PowerPuff. This year’s

serve as coaches to help their respective peers. This year saw fifteen coaches helping the girls with their game. The twenty-minute game ended with a six touchdowns to one victory for the Class of 2024 girls.

The 2024 boys and girls track and field SPC Champions gather around their trophies in celebration. Photo by Mrs. Jessica Ferdinand.

Students and faculty play basketball in the annual Ballers vs Scholars game. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Jessica Morales.

Co-Editors bid farewell and welcome new leaders

MORGAN HEROD Co-Editor in Chief

It was toward the end of my freshman year that I decided I needed to join some sort of group that would boost my college resume. I enjoyed writing and ultimately felt confident enough in my skills to apply for the Newspaper staff. But in a class mostly dominated by upperclassmen, I needed a companion, so I approached a close friend of mine, Jalynn Woolley.

She agreed, and that afternoon, she picked up an application from Mr. Framel’s room. The rest is history.

My first article was an editorial, educating the community on the negative effects zoos have on the wellbeing of animals. It was an intimidating experience to say the least, as I wanted to impress the older staff members.

Throughout the years, I “climbed” the ladder of positions, as the Opinions Editor my junior year and Co-Editor-In-Chief my

senior year. It is from these experiences, along with Mr. Framel’s encouragement and guidance, that I have learned some of my most valuable lessons. I know patience, understanding, and, well, how to effectively report news to one’s readers.

Newspaper has provided me with some of the best memories I have.

Jalynn has become like a sister to me, and for this special bond, I can only thank Newspaper. Our partnership not only taught me how to work with others but how to lead and communicate with my peers.

To Campbell and Thompson, I hope you will enjoy every moment in Mr. Framel’s classroom. I hope you grow in your friendship and realize that Newspaper is not a class, but a community, an experience, and an accumulating collection of lifelong memories. You two will do great things with The Knight Times, and I look forward to visiting often.

Seniors cherish their last moments of high school

ALEX GONZALEZ Staff Writer

The Senior Tribute Chapel tradition at EHS marks the departure of the Senior Class. This event was an opportunity to cherish their time at EHS and to look forward to the next chapter in their lives.

It was a poignant moment, filled with thoughtful reflections and expressions of appreciation from faculty and staff members who have shared in the seniors’ journey. The service was led by the dedicated faculty and staff, who contributed to the ceremony with readings, prayers, songs, and heartfelt tributes. These individuals, who have guided the seniors through their academic and personal growth, offered insights and wisdom, drawing upon shared experiences and memories that

have defined the seniors’ time at EHS. The intimate and thoughtful nature of the event provided a sense of closure and a strong foundation for the seniors as they transition into their futures.

This year’s Tribute included presentations by Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Revaz, Mrs. Michael, Dr. Telford, Ms. Alcala, Coach Leisz, Ms. Bowman, Ms. McMillian, Mr. Hickey, Mr. Avera, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Ashby, and the senior advisors. As the seniors gathered with their peers and mentors, they were encouraged to reflect on their achievements and relationships and the impact of their time at EHS.

The Senior Tribute Chapel is not just a farewell but a celebration of growth and a shared journey, leaving seniors with lasting memories and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Athletes celebrated at Signing Day

CATHERINE MILLER

Staff Writer

On May 1, the EHS Athletic Pillar celebrated sixteen athlete commitments to eleven different colleges with friends, family, and plenty of decorations. Many came to support peers and friends who are continuing their athletic careers at the next level, displaying the athletic talent and strong sense of community at Episcopal. Episcopal’s athletic program has seen athletes travel as far or as close as they want to in their next chapter of sports life. While some athletes are staying close, like Parker Kotlarz, who will be playing baseball at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas, and Eddie Tamez who will be playing baseball at St. Thomas University in Houston, Texas, others are planning for lengthy distances. Anthony Saragusa will be playing football at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina; Ryan Gatto will attend Elmhurst University in Illinois and play lacrosse; Sean Thompson will play football at Hendrix College in Arkansas; and Serena Moore’s field hockey career will continue at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.

JALYNN WOOLLEY Co-Editor in Chief

Three years, 30 issues, and many fond memories later, I am sad to say that my time serving as a member of The Knight Times has come to an end. My time as a member of this incredible staff has taught me a surplus of valuable life lessons such as leadership, integrity, how to laugh at my own mistakes, and most importantly – how to CMYK. I think the thing I will miss most about

Newspaper are the many laughs we shared as a staff during our stressful production of each monthly issue of the paper as we attempted to serve the EHS community with quality and entertaining articles that would grace the USC tables the first of each month.

The Knight Times staff has been more than just a group of co-workers who I had the privilege of collaborating with the past

few years. In reality, they have felt like family, and I am more than proud to have had the opportunity to serve alongside the many great Editors-in-Chief of The Knight Times past. I wish Campbell and Thompson nothing but the best as they prepare to follow Morgan and me, and I have full confidence in their abilities to lead the staff into unprecedented levels of success.

Last, I would like to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the staff during my time on The Knight Times. It has been lovely to have had the opportunity to work with you over the past three years. Thank you to Morgan Herod who I have had the absolute pleasure of serving alongside during my time as Co-Editor-in-Chief as there’s no one else I would rather lead this staff with than my best friend. Finally, thank you to Mr. Framel: our leader through it all. Thank you for all the laughs, guidance, and gentle sarcasm. I will never forget you or the impact you have had on my life and my development.

Students present Light and Shadow

SIMONA KARNANI Staff Writer

Light and Shadow is a student-led literary magazine that showcases various forms of art and literature. The magazine, bearing this year’s thematic title Time Moves Fast, was launched in a special Chapel on May 7.

This Chapel not only introduced the literary and art compilation but also featured some of its contributors who shared their pieces with the community. Some of the contributors included, Mr. Codrington, Chloe Hollis, and Taft Mohair III among others. Students whose works were placed in the magazine were invited to collect their copies after chapel.

Students in Advanced Creative Writing oversaw the work and picked the theme. This year, the class had 10 students, seven

seniors and three juniors and was headed by Ms. Jordan Harris. The class is fully student-led.

“The editorial staff and I voted on some theme ideas and we thought it would be really fun to choose Time Moving Fast to honor the seniors,” said Ava Black.

After deciding on the theme, a call for submissions was extended to the community. Literature like poetry, prose and art forms that are cohesive with the literature were sought.

“The great thing about Light and Shadow,” said instructor and advisor Ms. Harris, who has been working on the magazine for two years now, “is our inclusion of different forms of art.”

The writing class entered The Realm Awards competition with the magazine once again following last year’s award for excellence.

Leaving a community like Episcopal and entering a completely different one can be scary, but many athletes have already found a home at their new schools.

Hana Kusinski, who will be playing soccer at Stevens Institute of Technology, shares that she is looking forward to “having friends the second I get on campus.”

Some athletes will even have a part of the Episcopal community with them during their next step. Ainsley Snell (lacrosse), Cate Crane (field hockey), and Colin Bennett (lacrosse) will all be attending Sewanee University in the fall. Jackson Ranucci and Cullen Witt will be playing football at Rice, Coco Martin (lacrosse) and Will Young (baseball) will be attending Rhodes College, and Madeline Hamstra (field hockey) and Mackenzie Allen (lacrosse) will be attending Vassar College. While leaving is difficult, it also is exciting.

Bennett says he is most excited to “meet teammates and play on the next level.”

The college process is intimidating and signing with a school doesn’t make it any easier. Kusinski advises those interested in playing their sport in college to “enter every interaction like it’s a grand opportunity; you never know what will happen.”

Ms. Harris stands with creative writing students and magazine contributors during a Chapel presentation in Underwood Theatre for Light and Shadow. Photo courtesy of Sophia Shin.

Slice of π

SARAH YATES Guest Writer

Hey, y’all (for the very last time)! My name is Sarah Yates, and I am so incredibly sad to be signing off as the 2023-2024 Mu Alpha Theta President. My time spent in the Math Club held some of the most influential moments of my high school career.

Starting as a freshman in Algebra II Honors virtually, I quickly realized no one should be doing Unit P during a pandemic (if you know, you know). In fact, I distinctly remember begging Dr. P to let me drop down to on-level, but I am so grateful she never gave into my complaining.

Once I joined Math Club as a shadow freshman and sophomore year, I realized math is easier with a community. In fact, my time within the Math Club allowed me to discover so many new passions that I never would have encountered otherwise. Though I am fully aware how nerdy of a statement this is, my time as Math Club President my junior year actually had a profound impact on me. Whether it was grabbing late night Torchy’s, obsessing over the Monte Carlo simulation, panic calling Dr. P (and then getting mad when she wouldn’t tell us what to do), and the 14-hours I spent with Sway, Sam, Evan, and Blaine every year during the M3 math modeling challenge were so incredibly special. Add in last minute prepping before the Mu Alpha Theta induction and the almost tangible spirit felt during the Math Madness competitions, and it is clear why people think Math Club is a cult.

Though I may be a little biased, this year was one for the books. We had over 175 members in the Math Club collaborating on monthly meetings and biweekly Math Madness competitions in the fall, and 65 members in Mu Alpha Theta all competing in the yearly University of Houston math competition. Add in our Fibonacci Day celebration in the fall, Pi Day event in the spring, and four guest speakers, and

it is clear the impact we have made within the Episcopal community.

Graduating seniors, we have all worked so incredibly hard to make it to this point in our lives! No matter where you are headed next year, Austin or Austria, there is a reason why math is the universal language. To my fellow Linear Algebros (Sway, Austin, Josh, Blaine, Sarah Margaret, and Amelia) and Mu Alpha Theta Officers (Evan, Corey, Georgia, and Sam), the juniors next year have big shoes to fill. Last, I want to extend the biggest thank you to Dr. P for all she has done for a countably infinite number of Episcopal students throughout the years. I honestly owe so much to her tireless work and dedication. To all my Episcopal Mathletes (rising or leaving!), don’t forget to follow @ehsmathclub on Instagram and Twitter to stay updated.

It has been an absolute honor to support the Episcopal High School Math community. Don’t be pitiful and go Knights!

Congratulations to the incoming Math Club officers

President – Marie Knolle, superseding Bella Chramosta

Internal Vice President – Craig Ringwald, superseding Ethan Lahoti

External Vice President – Hashim Saeed, superseding Adam Choi

Secretary – Bethanne Fitts, superseding Marie Knolle

Social Media Coordinators – McKenzie Poindexter and Lulu Gibellini, superseding Leila Elserag, Hashim Saeed, and Jules Weinstein

Mu Alpha Theta

President – Bella Chramosta, superseding

Sarah Yates

Vice President/s – Carter Burke, replacing Corey Kirkpatrick and Evan Ringwald

Competition Coordinator/Secretary – Matthew Kan, superseding Georgia Junell

Treasurer – Zach Paull, superseding Sam Marino

ETV screens student films

LIZ BURKE Staff Writer

Episcopal High School’s ETV Episode at Studio Movie Grill in Pearland, Texas, was a resounding success, showcasing students’ incredible talent and creativity.

The event, which took place on May 6, featured a variety of films created throughout the year, captivating the audience and leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. The show occurs twice a year following months of hard work and dedication from the students. Each semester, they work tirelessly on multiple projects, pouring their hearts and souls into every frame.

This dedication was evident in the quality of the films screened at the event,

Seniors plan summer as Finals Week draws near

THOMPSON WHITE Co-Editor-In-Chief

As the academic year winds down and the days grow longer, the anticipation for summer break intensifies among high school students. But one more gruesome week chains us down: Finals Week. The feeling after completing and walking out of your last final is an unusual but undoubtedly relieving sensation. You are finally free from school’s restraint. But what will one do with all the free time summer provides? Some students have already been planning for this freedom since the previous summer ended.

While some students may fantasize about a calm, soothing summer, lying out in the sun, and blinded by cucumbers, others have more ambitious plans. Last year, tech-savvy junior Jack Bumgarner joined

an internship at EHS and aided EHS staff in setting up 3D printers and laptops for incoming freshmen. Sophomore Reid Sasser also obtained an internship but with the school store. Sasser assisted in taking inventory of school uniforms and prepared the store for the incoming year. A popular summer plan is working at a camp. Having outgrown participation age, many (including myself) chose to staff camps. This endeavor is the perfect hybrid of relaxation and hard work. Junior Phillip Khalil, who spent his summer working at Camp La Junta, describes it as “the best summer job for a high school student” since he gets to be “in company of friends while juggling the responsibilities of the job.”

As the school year comes to an end, create a plan on how you will utilize summer’s free time and not let it slip away while prioritizing screen time.

EHS College T-Shirt Day

which were met with enthusiastic applause and rave reviews. At the heart of the ETV Show are the two producers - Sophie Shapiro and Isabelle Massaro - who worked to ensure the event’s success. Their leadership and guidance were instrumental in bringing the students’ visions to life and creating a show that was both entertaining and inspiring.

Overall, the ETV Show was a testament to the creativity and collaboration that defines the Episcopal High School community. Harrison Goytia describes ETV as “a creative playground where we get the freedom to make whatever we want.” It was a night to remember, showcasing the incredible talent of the students and leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Seniors celebrate college acceptances with shirts in Trinity Courtyard. Photos by McKenna Foteh.

Modern children’s media poisons America’s youth

CAROLINE JOHNSON Opinions Editor

Many Americans share fond memories of watching Saturday morning cartoons or coming home after school to turn on the Disney channel or Nickelodeon. However, in a modern world where YouTube reigns supreme, the premature death of classic children’s TV has begun, and the negative effects of current kids’ media seem irreparable.

Recent data shows that the average amount of broadcasted children’s TV has declined 62% since 2019. In return, viewing rates of streaming services (like Netflix and Disney+) have increased by 30%. Cable TV peaked in popularity in the year 2000, with 68 million people subscribed, around 60% of the US. Since then, viewership has reached an all-time low, with less than 40% of Americans paying for broadcast television. This means that the youth of 2024 are far less likely to turn on something educational like Sesame

CAMPBELL

RICHARDSON

Street, as parents are opting for more readily available or cost-efficient shows, something like a YouTube video or an episode of Cocomelon. Before the 2010s, this current situation would be unfathomable. What happened to the high-quality, cherished children’s TV shows of the past? The answer lies in government funding.

A prime example of this can be seen through PBS, a classic educational broadcasting service founded in 1952 thanks to government funds following the Public Broadcasting Act (1967). In September of 1999, PBS Kids was founded, and children all over the world could tune in to watch classics like Reading Rainbow, Wild Kratts, or Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman. In 2005, PBS launched a cable television service directed at preschool aged children entitled PBS KIDS Sprout. When investments in kids’ TV drastically decreased after an economic recession hit the US around 2007, additional broadcasts like PBS KIDS Sprout were no longer prioritized, leading to its eventual cancellation in 2017. To

compensate for their lack of cable viewership, PBS launched its video streaming service PBS Kids Go!. The platform was not only free, but vastly more popular than before, and continues still in 2024.

Changes in the kinds of videos children watch isn’t the only factor being impacted as time passes. Going from traditional kids’ TV to the fast-paced videos of YouTube has made irreparable damage to the attention spans of children. Just watching nine minutes of modern television can impact the executive function of toddlers, and quick videos like TikToks or Reels have targeted teens, proven to raise the risk for depression and anxiety, but is our children’s media too far gone? The answer: no. But serious changes need to be made, by parents, teachers, and kids alike. Consider showing your children older and more educational shows and staying away from anything too fast, loud, or bright, while also limiting screen-time. This way, America can travel back to its roots in classic children’s television.

Sikhs in Canada face persecution Students receive unjust rejections

Co-Editor-in-Chief

On June 18, 2023, Sikh activist, religious leader, and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was assassinated. Four months later, Justin Trudeau made an announcement accusing India of possibly being involved in the killing. India denied the allegations, and both nations expelled each other’s diplomats. This month three people suspected of carrying out the shooting were arrested, and all three were Indian citizens. The investigation continues, and even as India has promised to help, there seems to be a great deal under the surface.

The Sikh community is relatively unknown based on its size. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion, with 15 million adherents. In the fifteenth century, Sikhs became a new religious movement fusing elements of Hinduism and Islam. They have historically been at the receiving end of discrimination by various empires like the British. As Britain left the subcontinent, the former colony was divided between Hindus and Muslims, but the Sikhs received no state. Instead, many were forced out of their homelands into Indian Punjab, where they now make up a significant majority.

Unfortunately, the circumstances of the Sikhs were not resolved upon independence. Despite the aspirations for a secular, pluralist India, the region remained politically dominated by Hindus. The Punjab state would be shrunken, efforts were made to assimilate the population, and the impoverished Sikh farmer population was left in debt despite being the country’s largest provider of food. In response, Sikhs organized for autonomy. Negotiations fell apart, however, and Punjab remained disadvantaged and underrepresented.

What spawned from the failure of peaceful resistance was a violent shift in the dispute. Sikhs rallied around Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a charismatic leader who preached a religious revival but also spoke harshly against all supposed enemies of Sikhs. Ironically, he was supported by the Indian state to discredit the moderate Sikh movement. Violence soon rose in Punjab as frustration grew, leading to riots and violent crackdowns. His followers carried out a plane hijacking, and in response, India would cut all communications with all Sikh groups, radical or moderate.

The conflict quickly escalated as Prime Minister Indra Gandhi ordered the military to sweep through the state. Militants for-

tified the Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs. When the military reached them, what followed was a devastating bombardment of the temple that left thousands dead. The vast majority were simply there for the concurrent religious holiday. Sikh nationalists were then calling for total independence as the nation of Khalistan and would assassinate the Prime Minister that same year. Retributive riots against Sikhs spawned across the country. The government would engage in mass killings and civil rights violations until the conflict died down in the 90s.

What does this all have to do with Canada? Well, Canada has the second largest Sikh population after India, descendants of Punjabi migrants. Sikhs make up a higher percentage of Canada’s population than India’s, over 2%. Many of the immigrants and their descendants carried the Sikh political movement with them. Plenty of Sikh temples have been dominated by Khalistan nationalists, although support for Khalistan is around 25% in the Canadian Sikh community. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was one of these religious leaders who fervently promoted independence from India for Sikhs.

Cold War India was a loose ally of the Soviet Union but recently come closer to the West as shared adversary China has replaced Russia as a threat. India-West relations are still much more fragile than Japan and the West, though, and rely upon India being an trustworthy ally. The killing of Nijjar was not simply a controversial killing, but if India is found responsible, it was a violation of Canada sovereignty.

It is highly unlikely that this will be the hill India will die on with the West, and the United States, unlike Canada, is not escalating the situation further. Both India and the US want to keep China in check and do not see one assassination as a reason to give up an alliance between two superpowers. Nevertheless, it will certainly leave suspicions for the following decades and could be part of a bigger future scandal.

As for the Sikh future, Khalistan is a near impossibility. Most Sikhs do not support it, and Punjab’s large Hindu minority will never agree to it. Sikhs remain politically active, though, particularly in the struggle for poor farmers. Some of the largest protests in human history were held in 2020 for Indian farmers, with Sikhs overrepresenting, leading Indian nationalist media to label the movement as Khalistani in nature. Hopefully, Punjab will be able to find its place in India and reconcile with India.

ANYA PANT Managing Editor

With the 2024 college cycle coming to a close, the acceptance rates for colleges have been shockingly low. Colleges once known for relatively easy admittance have started dropping their acceptance rates by over 10 percent a year. This change in the admissions process can be attributed to yield protection. Yield protection refers to the practice in which highly selective colleges strategically choose to reject “overqualified” candidates whom they assume are unlikely to enroll in the college. This system undermines the principles of meritocracy and fairness that the admissions process should be based on.

First, yield protection fosters environments of distrust and cynicism in applicants as they go through the admissions process. Extremely qualified and driven students who have invested years of their lives making their applications appealing to colleges are being rejected or waitlisted from their dream schools simply for being “overqualified.” This devalues the students’ achievements and can make them feel as though their efforts have all been in vain. Instead of rewarding merit and high ambition, yield protection penalizes the students for their academic successes.

Another way in which yield protection can be harmful to the admissions process is the de-diversifying of student bodies. Students from underprivileged backgrounds are often the ones who struggle the most in the college admissions process. When elite institutions prioritize protecting yield rates over admitting deserving students from diverse backgrounds, they hinder their own efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity on campus.

Most importantly, yield protection undermines the integrity of college admissions. It takes away motivation for students to be ambitious in high school because chances are they can be rejected by their “safety schools” and have low chances of getting into colleges with low acceptance rates. It prioritizes institutional interests in making the yield rates higher over true passion, fairness, and academic excellence. When colleges decide to prioritize protecting their yield rates, they compromise the trust of their applicants and damage the credibility of the admissions process.

Sports

Track sweeps SPC tournament in record-breaking fashion

MIMI WRIGHT Staff Writer

The boys and girls track and field teams both brought home titles during the 2024 SPC Championships in Dallas May 4, showcasing Episcopal’s exemplary skills across various events. The girls finished with 205.5 points – winning by a margin of 78.5 points, and the boys won with 208.5 points – a 61.5 margin.

The journey to success was marked by individual and collective achievements.

For the boys it was a meet full of SPC records and outstanding performances. The 4x100m relay team of Dilyn Smith, Karson Gordon, DeVonte Taylor, and Garon Sampson set a conference record with a time of 41.07. Evan Ringwald’s 1:50 800m broke into the record book earning him sixth in the nation, and Karson

Gordon set the mark to beat for future triple jumpers with a leap of 53’1.50’’ which places him first in the nation. The boys also broke EHS school records in the 300m hurdles (DJ Taylor, 38.38) and

Softball secures 7-peat

VANESSA REED Sports Editor

The Episcopal Knights softball team, with twenty-two overall SPC wins, dominated the SPC conference and tournament again this year, recording its seventh consecutive title in a thrilling 5-1 win over the Kinkaid Falcons in Dallas on May 4. The semi-final game pitted the Knights against the St. John’s Mavericks, resulting in a tight 7-5 triumph. In the championship, pitcher Jordan Bey closed the season and the title fittingly with a strikeout, securing the seven-peat 5-1.

Assistant Coach Kary Kemble’s goal

for the season was again to win SPC, and the girls did exactly that. By putting in the hard work, playing tough competition, and practicing every day, the girls were able to pull off this seven-year streak. They outworked their competitors, and it paid off.

The team will say farewell to one senior, Allie Williams. Williams, a D1 outfielder committed to the University of New Mexico, who set a new school record of fourteen home runs during the impressive championship run. Another recent commit, junior Gianna Lewis, who verbally committed to play softball at Stephen F. Austin University, will lead a stellar returning group for next season.

Close loss earns baseball runner-up

DARIA MASSEY Staff Writer

The EHS baseball team finished Runner-Up in the 2024 SPC Tournament in Dallas, Texas. The Knights went into the tournament as a first seed with a 6-0 overall record.

Unfortunately, due to one bad inning, the boys were defeated in the championship game by St. John’s with a final score of 6-4.

In the semifinal game against Kinkaid, junior ace Preston Sullivan took the mound and went six innings, giving up only two runs. Sophomore Miles Young hit a two-run homer to get the Knights on the board. Senior Ethan Bozeman (24’) laid a squeeze bunt to bring fellow senior Parker Kotlarz (24’) home to take a onerun lead.

The championship game against the

Mavericks had fans on the edge of their seats. Senior Chase McGarr had a strong pitching performance, and senior Logan Almedia had three RBIs and almost changed the game’s outcome in the bottom of the seventh.

“Even though we came up short, I wouldn’t ask for a better group of guys to play with,” said Kotlarz.

the 4x800m relay (Craig Ringwald, Sam Marino, Will Pacey, and Evan Ringwald, finishing at 7.53 minutes).

Gordon emphasized the undeniable significance that the coaches’ skills have on the team’s victories, noting, “They set great examples that inspire our track athletes to go out and get it.”

The girls track and field team also ex-

celled, setting school records in multiple areas, including a 4x100m relay time of 47.6 (Townsen Thomas, Mary Taylor, Mary Wareing, Alexis Johnson), a 100m hurdles time of 14.54 courtesy of Townsen Thomas, and Mary Taylor’s long jump. Wareing commented on work ethic, stating, “we stand out from the others because we put in unseen work”

Girls, boys lacrosse head to state

KARIANA CARLSON Staff Writer

This is the most competitive the Episcopal girls lacrosse team has been in many years. Although the team is relatively young, the girls have played as a whole, showing great courage, strength, and maturity.

Led by team captains Coco Martin, Ainsley Snell, and Ava Grove, the group had a successful 11-3 record this season. They ended the SPC Spring Championships tying Kinkaid for fifth place out of 13 teams.

On May 5, the girls traveled to Austin, Texas to compete in the State Quarterfinals. After a close game, they pushed through and beat Rockwall 11-10 to earn a spot in the state Final Four!

Throughout the season, they have fiercely battled for each victory, securing the top seed in the state Tourney. Head Coach Stephanie Colson feels as if “their dedication and attitudes have made them successful thus far and such a joy to coach this season.”

PAIGE PAN Staff Writer

The EHS varsity boys lacrosse team demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout their season, which ended in a series of exhilarating victories and marginal loses. Starting off the season strong in February, the team had a resounding 13-2 win against Stratford, followed by decisive victories over Katy High School (16-9) and Klein High School (15-6).

March and April brought tough battles, as the team saw two narrow defeats against St. Mark’s and St. John’s. However, the highlight of these two months was an exciting 13-12 win in April against the six-seed, Lake Travis. Scoring four goals, junior Andrew Choi showcased his precise and powerful shot.

This season, some key senior contributors were Colin Bennett, who scored 70 total points, and goalie Ryan Gatto. Bennett will be continuing his lacrosse career at Sewanee while Gatto will play at Elmhurst University.

Upward trend seen in tennis

IZZIE SONG Production Editor

Varsity girls and boys tennis started the year with a challenging change in the program involving a new set of courts and a new coach. But even with these obstacles, the players were quick to create a hardworking and productive mindset. They started strong with two wins at the Houston Christian Invitational. Henri Shatto led the boys to a win in singles, and the girls placed second in doubles.

This most recent SPC was a testament

to the teams’ perseverance. Despite the teams placing eighth overall, all participants showed exemplary effort throughout the championship.

Marie Knolle and Annie Brandt participated in a difficult doubles match against St. Stephen’s Episcopal High School resulting in a score of 6-1 with St. Stephen’s as the victor. However, the highlight of SPC landed on Chase Hutchins and Blaine Stewart. The two players led the boys team to a doubles victory against the Awty International School with scores of 7-5, 6-7, and 10-7.

Resurgence for golf teams in SPC tourney

PORTER MILLER

Social Media Coordinator

The golf season culminated in solid finishes for both the boys and girls teams, as the boys captured an Runner-Up and the girls finished third in the SPC tournament at the Golf Club of Houston.

On the first day the Boys Golf team had a rough outing where they scored 319

on the day, placing them in fifth place. However, on the second day, the team combined for 306 points which earned them second place. Freshman Tyler Kuo, who finished twelfth overall, was a notable asset to this achievement.

On the women’s side, EHS tied with Kinkaid for third place with 728 total points. Freshman Kariana Carlson helped the team’s success with a top 10 finish.

Junior Emma Freeman stated, “Each person on the team at some point this season achieved a personal goal of her own,” which shows an outstanding dedication to the game. Both teams are tight knit and supportive of their teammates while also challenging each other to do their absolute best.

While seniors will be missed, returning athletes are ready for the challenge.

Softball continues to leave its mark at EHS by beating Kinkaid 5-1 in the SPC tournament, earning its seventh title in a row. Photo courtesy of Coach Kary Kemble.

Sriya Dev, Blake Hodgeson, and Ryan Fox celebrate the team’s victory. Photo by Mrs. Jessica Ferdinand.

MVP DeVonte Taylor has been pivotal in the track team’s success Photo by Mrs.Jessica Ferdinand.

Prints Charming

Cartoon by Izzie Song

PhotoJ Photo of the Month