EHS students explored a wide range of exciting opportunities for community involvement during the annual Club Fair. On September 11, students had the chance to look carefully at 50 clubs that could fit a wide range of interests. Some exciting clubs are Mu Alpha Theta with Dr. Papakonstantinou, Community Cares with Mr. Codrington, and a new club called The Crumbl Cookies Club with Mrs. Welch. If students were interested in sports, fashion, arts, or community service, there was a club for everyone at EHS.
This year, students explored the various club offerings online and registered for membership on the EHS website. This virtual format allowed students to view their options more conveniently. Registration was open until 4:00 p.m. on September 25, which gave students ample time to make their choices and sign up. Students were encouraged to sign up for many clubs at first to see what each is like. When getting further into the school year, depending on a student’s schedule, they can decide which club fits their interests and narrow their selections.
Participating in clubs at EHS can be for everyone, especially for newer students. Clubs let Knights engage with new people who have similar interests and form new connections. The Club Fair was a perfect way to get involved in the community.
See Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
Catherine’s Cinema reviews new comedy
PAGE 5
Read about the fall athletic season
Field hockey competes in the Episcopal Cup
PAGE 11
EHS honors Class of 2025 with Senior Breakfast
PORTER MILLER Social Media Coordinator
“On Friday August 30, seniors gathered in the Alumni Room to embark on the adventure that was about to begin. They sat with their advisories and listened to words of advice from administration. Later, they went to the Chapel and received their pins which represented their role as leaders during the upcoming year.”
Learn more about Senior Breakfast on Page 2
Parents get to experience their child’s daily schedule
KARIANA CARLSON Staff Writer
On the evening of Thursday, August 29, parents filled the campus to experience a quick glimpse into their children’s school days. Back to School Knight was a great opportunity to meet teachers and get a feel for the busy hallways of passing periods.
After picking up their child’s schedule, parents gathered in Alkek Gym for a brief meeting. There, they heard a few words from Mr. Ned Smith, Dr. Anthony Avalos, and this year’s EHS Fund Chairs Jennifer and BJ Ducey. This short meeting concluded with the sound of the school bell, dismissing everyone to classrooms.
The next stop of the night was advisory rooms to meet with each student’s advisor. Some advisors put together short activities, while others were there to chat and mingle. For example, in Mr. Clack’s advisory, the students each had seven minutes to draw a self-portrait of themselves, leaving out their name on the paper. That night, the parents guessed which self-portrait was their child based on the drawing and three facts they shared about themselves.
Mr. Martinez’s advisory created a Mad Lib word game. They did this by answering questions and filling in blanks of a short story about their new classes and teachers. For the next hour following advisory, parents attended periods 1-7 just as their child would during the day. Luckily, the classes
were only 5 minutes long. Knight Ambassadors stood stationed around the campus guiding parents who might be lost like a new Knight on his or her first day of school.
Parents who attended the event exclaimed, “How do you get to class on time? I was out of breath after three flights of stairs in the C building!” while visiting the arts classrooms on the top floor of the Convent.
The night concluded with a reception in the USC. Parents met for refreshments just like their children do during lunch and break time.
Seniors Emma Freeman and Addie Zuniga carry on the tradition of Senior Welcome Breakfast. Photo by Piper Beck.
Mrs. ReBecca Alcala speaks to the parents of the students in her advisory. The parents were challenged with finding their child from their self-portraits. Photo by Morgan Maxwell.
Blessing Chapel caps off day of recognition of Senior Class
Too-soon-to-depart seniors celebrated at an emotional yearly breakfast
PORTER MILLER Social Media Coordinator
As the Class of 2025 starts its year off strong with many celebrations, Senior Breakfast and Senior Blessing Chapel added to the fun.
On Friday, August 30, the seniors gathered in the morning for the annual EHS tradition – the Senior Welcome Breakfast. Seniors sat with their advisories and learned about the leadership roles they will assume throughout the year and for the rest of their lives. Head of School Ned Smith, Associate Head Tyler Montgomery, and Senior Level Deans Shelly Cannela and Dan Murphy contributed to this conversation by adding their insights and encouragement.
Mr. Smith emphasized the importance of leadership and responsibility, highlighting how these qualities will shape the seniors’ final year and beyond.
After breakfast, each advisory took an individual photo and seniors picked up their Got Blue t-shirts. The breakfast was not just a celebration but also a motivational start to a pivotal year, setting the tone for a successful senior year.
After the Senior Welcome Breakfast, seniors headed to Chapel where they then received a pin and a blessing during Senior Blessing Chapel. The pins recognize the growth and leadership of the Senior Class and remembrance that they will always be valued members of the Episcopal family.
Seniors also had the opportunity to place a special item, like a “senior ring,” piece of jewelry, or object with meaning, on the altar to be blessed. As they were being blessed, the seniors stood and wrapped their arms around each other. This heartfelt moment underscored the sense of community and shared journey that will mark their final year at EHS.
EHS flaunts its academic strengths
SIMONA KARNANI
Copy Editor
The Academic Showcase was held on September 25 in the Underwood Student Center from 6:30-7:30. The presentation showcased the different academic groups on campus and the research, projects, and competitions in which they have partici-
Academic Pillar at EHS. For example, the English Department presented junior research papers from the previous year, and Math Club with Dr. P showcased the work they have done at previous competitions.
Each department spoke to the group of prospective parents as a group for about 5-10 minutes, making it a short but informative night. Most students presented
pated. Episcopal used to have this event as part of Admissions: however, since COVID, the event had gone away.
Admissions brought the showcase back to highlight the Academic Pillar, something that gets overlooked at times. Ms. Casey Titus, Associate Director of Admissions, is excited about the event and feels that it will be a good way to highlight the Pillar. Academics are a strong part of EHS and something prospective parents have questions about.
The night consisted of the core subject departments featuring a student or groups presenting some piece of work or writing that represented the strength of the
work from their previous years as the school year has just begun.
Members of the Admission Council and Knight Ambassadors were asked to help direct the event and to ensure the night goes smoothly. They helped check families in and direct families to the USC where the night’s presentation would take place. Throughout the night, they were around to help any families who had questions about the Academic Pillar.
Academic Showcase, along with Arts and Athletics Knight that happened on September 13, are two of Admissions early events to showcase all Four Pillars before Open House.
Radium Girls marks year’s first play
CAMBPELL RICHARDSON Co-Editor in Chief
Fall begins the year for EHS Onstage, and this month featured the first of the program’s four main productions, Radium Girls. At the end of classes Thursday, September 19 at 1:40 p.m., students watched the cast’s first public performance. There were three weekend performances as well on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Actors, including five incoming freshmen, auditioned prior to summer break. Even before school started in late August, the cast had already been rehearsing for a couple weeks. This production was directed by Dean of Arts Mr. Paul Revaz, who has worked with and been an integral part of the Theatre Program for many years. Regarding the play, he commented that “as a director, [he] loves plays that are historical. Thirty-six EHS students [played] real people who went through these incredible, awful circumstances.
The idea of balancing scientific discovery with patience and research is universal as well. The cast has been hard at work since our first rehearsal on August 5, and the process has been very smooth. We are lucky to have such a strong and dedicated group of actors and stage managers.”
The plot of D.W. Gregory’s Radium Girls dramatizes the true story of the women who worked at a radium-based paint factory and their struggle for justice. Set primarily in 1920s New Jersey, the story follows Irene (Vivian Misso), Grace (Olivia Jameson), and Kathryn (Meredith Kinzel), who work for their boss Arthur Roeder (Tommy Perez-Lodeiro). Roeder sees promise in the newly discovered element radium and its supposed health benefits, yet constant exposure to the radioactive substance only leads to the workforce’s deteriorating health, culminating in a death. The women go on to fight with the company as their concerns are ignored and suppressed.
Outstanding Knights recognized for spring achievements
CHARLOTTE MEHNERT Staff Writer
The 2024 Spring Semester Honors Chapel occurred on September 18. The Chapel recognizes students for two levels of academic distinction.
Students were recognized as performing with honor when they earned all grades of A, A-,B+, and B. Students were recognized as performing with highest honors when they earned all grades of A, with no more than one grade of B or B+ in an AP or honors course.
Some students also received the Climb Award and/or Effort Award. The Climb Award recognizes a student who makes significant progress in a specific subject. The Effort Award honors students who put extra effort and hard work into their
classes.
Honors Chapel allows students to be recognized for their hard work and achievements. Students were allowed to have their family attended the ceremony is Alkek Gym and see their achievements.
Advanced Placement Scholars were also recognized at this year’s Honors Chapel. Students earned AP Scholar had taken three AP classes with an average of 3 on their AP exams. Students with an average of a 3.25 on four or more AP exams earned the tile of AP Scholar with Honors. Lastly, Students who received AP Scholar with Distinction had an average of 3.5 on five or more AP exams.
The Chapel recognizes the success of students within the Academic Pillar, and is held once in the fall and once in the spring to celebrate the previous semester.
Daphne Rockecharlie and Gianna Lewis Photo by Piper Beck.
Head of School Mr. Ned Smith congratulates Richard Agyeman-Yeboah Jr. and other sophomores during Honors Chapel. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
Meredith Kinzel, Miri D’Cruz, and Elizabeth Bucy in the EHS Onstage production of Radium Girls Photo by Avalon Bell.
Prior to the EHS Academic Showcase, prospective students attended the Arts and Athletics Night. Photo by Ella Rothwell.
Slice of π
CARTER
BURKE Guest Writer
Hi, everyone. It’s Carter Burke, Mu Alpha Theta Vice President. We hope everyone is having a strong start to the school year. We were overjoyed to see so many new and returning members sign up at the virtual activities fair.
There are many competitions this year including the AMC, the Wharton High School Investment Challenge, HiMCM, M3, Math Madness, and others. Our first competition is right around the corner, and we have already started preparing. In addition to competitions, we have numerous fun and exciting activities planned from
guest speakers to STEM-based school wide events. Mark your calendars for our Pre-Fibonacci Day celebration during both lunches on Monday, November 18. If you didn’t join the Math Club during the Club Fair, and/or if you are interested in competing, it is never too late to join! We encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities the Math Club has to offer. Everyone is welcome! Send a TEAMS message or email to a Math Club or Mu Alpha Theta officer or to Dr. P. to be added to the CANVAS page. You can also follow Math Club on both Instagram and Twitter under the user @ehsmathclub for math memes, fun math puzzles, and updates on meetings and events.
Ms. Hood brings her talents to EHS as new history chair
SIMONA KARNANI Copy Editor
Ms. Bethany Hood joins Episcopal as the new History Department Chair and teaches World History 1 and AP U.S. History. She used to teach at Bridgeland High School in CyFair ISD and was the team lead for Dual Credit and AP U.S History. She also taught Dual Credit U.S. History for college academy sophomores and APUSH for juniors.
She enjoys staying active and trying new food. She regularly weightlifts, trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and reads. She lives her life by the saying, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying” and follows this in various aspects of her day-to-day life.
Even though she teaches APUSH at EHS, her specialty is 19th century European History and English. When she was first hired to teach, it was to teach European history, but the APUSH teacher left at the last minute, and she was switched to APUSH. Since then, she has fallen in love with the subject area and never looked back. However, if she wasn’t teaching APUSH, she would be teaching European
E Block Talk
Amidst my fourth year of high school, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of classroom environments – from the easiest, where earning a credit feels more like glorified free-period, to the most daunting classes, where you begin to question
EHS Quizbowl team starts year strong
CAROLINE JOHNSON Opinions
Editor
Over two dozen academic teams gathered in EHS classrooms on September 7 to compete in the year’s first Quiz Bowl competition. Over the course of a day, each team partook in eight matches, each one consisting of 20 trivia questions with three bonuses each - for the possibility of 45 points available per question.
The school welcomed opponents from Bellaire, Strake Jesuit, St. Thomas, St. Agnes, Harmony School of Advancement, St. Thomas’ Episcopal, Cy-Fair, and Bridgeland.
In the JV division, one of Bellaire High School’s teams took home the overall win, and a Strake Jesuit team was awarded the first-place title for varsity.
Episcopal was certainly well represented, boasting 15 players across its three teams. One team, consisting of five seniors - Carson Kotlarz, Zach Paull, Lindsey Levan, Izzie Song, and Maddy Morgan, took home three wins. Another team, made up of junior Taylor Jones and sophomores Gwen Leach, Ana Anzola, Caroline Johnson, and Julia Levan, beat two other teams.
EHS’s third group, which was made up of seniors Dylan Quan, Matthew Kan, and Eva Misso, along with sophomore Piper Massie and freshman Connor Jones, took home an impressive five victories. Matthew Kan was the school’s MVP of the day, answering 31 questions correctly across his eight matches, closely followed by Zach Paull who gained his team over 260 points with his 26 correct guesses. After seeing the results of the competi-
tion, Kotlarz, president of the Academic Team, said that he felt “proud of his improvement” over the course of his four years in the program, and he hopes that
the organization can continue to grow. Until their next competition on October 19, the team will continue to keep studying at their weekly practices.
history or physical education. Ms. Hood strongly believes in growth and that it is beneficial to do challenging things. She strives to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually, which pushes her to do things outside of her comfort zone, like completing in an Iron Man 70.3 or writing a 112-page MA thesis. However, she grew up in an environment that didn’t value higher education or sports for women. Because of this, she remembers to cherish every opportunity she gets and why she is an advocate for both today.
Her advice for her students who want to take APUSH or are taking it currently is to complete their assignments and familiarize themselves with the rubrics. She acknowledges that teachers, including herself, purposely set up classwork to be successful on the AP exams. Her most important achievement is when her students come back and tell her that they benefitted from and felt safe and/or felt seen in her class. Her teaching mantra is “Be the person you needed when you were younger.”
She loves her students deeply, and when they find success when they thought they could not, she is rewarded by the reason she started teaching.
the point high school itself. Lately, I’ve been participating in some “high level pondering” on what truly makes the best classroom atmosphere. Does the deciding factor rest in the teacher? The classmates? Or perhaps the subject itself?
First, the class must strike an equilibrium between having fun while also being effective and intellectually challenging. Wait, what? Challenging? This is a hot take, but pinpointing the perfect class is subjective; some might enjoy a class that’s a walk in the park with minimal work. While these classes can be refreshing, they are far from the best. To be the best, the class must pique your curiosity, grab your attention, and engage you fully. Typically, for that, the class must offer a degree of stimulus – not to overwhelmbut to invigorate.
Now, let’s rank the influence of external factors like the teacher, subject or classmates. Unsurprisingly, the teacher takes precedence. Most of us already recognize that a teacher can make or break the class. Fortunately, at EHS, we have an abundance of passionate, engaging, and often entertaining teachers, who make even the driest subjects come alive. But having a great teacher only goes so far. This brings us to the next factor: the classmates. Although having a great friend in the class is comforting, the best classes act as a community where everyone actively participates in group discussions. In my experience, this happens frequently in history classes, though it’s not exclusive to that subject. The subject of the class is unimportant. Even math classes can be enjoyable if it ranks highly in the latter two criteria – teachers and classmates. The final element? Time of day. Understand your time. If you are not a morning person, then a first-period class might be more difficult to showcase your vitality. However, on rare occasions, you’ll find a class that defies your internal clock. If you are not a morning person but feel replenished after the first-period class, then you’ve struck gold. That’s when you know you’ve found your “best” class of the year.
with Thompson White
Above, Junior Taylor Jones and sophomores Gwen Leach, Ana Anzola, Caroline Johnson, and Julia Levan beat two other teams. Below, Maddy Morgan, Carson Kolarz, and Zach Paul. Photos by Mr. Johnson.
Freshman Service delivers lessons Student Spotlight: Zamorano triplets
ANYA PANT
Managing Editor
Every year, the incoming freshmen participate in a required activity called the Freshman Service Experience. This service is specifically designated for the Freshman Class to get them used to the way that Episcopal High School students conduct service in the community. In previous years, Episcopal has partnered with many local organizations that represent the areas of need in Houston. This gives the incoming class an understanding of the service needs in Houston and introduces them to the organizations that they will be working with throughout their high school career. Organizations like Houston Food Bank, Houston Humane Society, and Buffalo Bayou Park were all included in the projects available for the Freshman Service Experience last year.
This year, the event is taking a more specific route, and all the freshmen will be required to attend a service project at the Houston Food Bank. This makes the experience more pointed as the freshmen will take a deep dive into a specific area of service rather than every area. If anyone enjoys their experience with Freshman Service and wants to continue, there are many service organizations on campus to join.
One of the service organizations is SAP, or Service Achievement Program. In this program, students complete two hours of service in every area of need and then can complete up to 60 extra hours to get a service award that is bronze, silver, or gold tier.
Service is an important part of life at Episcopal High School, and there is no better way to start the service journey than with the Freshman Service Experience.
Freshmen elect leadership
SIMONA KARNANI
Copy Editor
Every grade at Episcopal High School has a Student Council: 1 president and 2 co-vice presidents per grade. These student leaders are the face of their class and represent their needs and requests. The Freshman Class were given the opportunity to participate and step up to lead their class during elections held on September 11; candidates were required to give their
speeches in front of their classmates in the Benitez Chapel.
Students heard what all the candidates had to offer to do their part to better Episcopal. Ultimately, students were told to vote for the candidate who they thought would represent them the best since the Student Council makes decisions on behalf of the class.
The freshmen will be led by Co-Presidents this year due to a tie in the voting.
The Co-Presidents are Henry Bauch and Nico Curtin, and the Vice President is Sarai Pettway.
After the election results were released, the newly-appointed officers became a part of the pre-existing officers on Student Council and will continue to join them for their meetings on Tuesday mornings. From that point onward, they were officially part of the Council and took on their duties of representing the school, and more importantly, their grade.
Student Council officers are responsible for planning various events that the EHS community looks forward to and enjoys. They help execute the Homecoming Dance, which is just around the corner, Dude Be Nice Week, and numerous other activities that students love participating in. Not only that, but officers speak to their class during class meetings, reminding them about things like dress code, class events, and academics.
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
This year, Episcopal welcomed three students that share a unique characteristic. Clara, Helen, and Henry Zamorano are triplets in EHS’s Class of 2028. While many might know them just as triplets, there is much more to know than their shared DNA.
Helen is the youngest of the three triplets. Helen is also currently on the JV field hockey team and will appear in the fall dance concert. Along with field hockey, Helen also enjoys playing soccer and looks forward to playing during the EHS soccer season. She said she wants to improve in both sports and is excited to be featured in the dance concert. So far, her favorite part of EHS is the campus and the food. Helen’s favorite part about being a triplet is having a go-to fun fact and seeing people’s reactions to finding out she
is a triplet. While she shares the similar feature of freckles with her siblings, Helen points out that they are different in personality, saying that one is an introvert, one an extrovert, and one an ambivert.
Clara is the middle triplet. Her favorite part about being a triplet is that she “always has someone to rely on.” Although she and her brother are not involved in the same activities, she and Helen are on the same field hockey team. Along with field hockey, Clara likes choir and is currently enrolled in the choir elective. She says she loves the people at Episcopal and is looking forward to Homecoming.
Henry is the oldest triplet by twenty-six minutes. His favorite part about being a triplet is his sisters, even though their personalities might differ. He plays on the JV football team, and when asked about how birthdays work, Henry said that their family usually just has a simple family dinner.
DIA Mix and Mingle welcomes new families to the program
IZZIE SONG
Production Editor
On Sunday, September 8, Diversity in Action (DIA) held its annual Mix n’ Mingle in the USC from 4-6:00 p.m. The Mix n’ Mingle is a two-hour event focused on connection.
DIA is Episcopal High School’s longest-running and largest student-run organization currently boasting over sixty members. The Mix n’ Mingle is a longstanding tradition, which welcomes all students, faculty, and families to a night of good food and community engagement. Its relaxed environment makes it a perfect opportunity to meet new people, though its primary goal is to introduce DIA’s mission.
The Mix n’ Mingle kicked off with comments from three of DIA’s sponsors, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Clark, and Mrs. Bostick. Each faculty member introduced herself and her vision for the organization this year. However, the main event was a speech from DIA’s current president, senior Lulu Gibellini. She outlined DIA’s purpose: to create an open space for all of
EHS. Like many of the new students in attendance, Gibellini joined DIA during her freshman year only to find a community full of acceptance and collaboration.
Following her speech was a brief word from the vice president, senior Izzie Song, who outlined what exactly Diversity in Action is. DIA continued the night with simple icebreaker questions. Attendees were encouraged to approach someone they’d never met before for a brief conversation on travel, likes, hobbies, and their hopes for the year. Although uncomplicated, these questions brought the atmosphere to life and sparked several discussions that lasted throughout the evening.
The programming came to an official end with an announcement of DIA’s first school-wide meeting, which occurred on September 11. However, the Mix n’ Mingle did not end there. Guests continued to converse and help themselves to the catering for another half hour.
A relaxed but informative event, the Mix n’ Mingle is open to anyone looking for new connections or additional information on one of EHS’ principal organizations.
The Zamorano triplets take their first day of school portrait. They are excited for their first year at EHS. Photo courtesy of the Zamorano Family.
Among those at the DIA Mix and Mingle were Rishabh Sharma, Richard AgyemanYeboah, Hashim Saeed, and Lulu Gibellini. Photo by Jack Zoeller.
Freshmen Class Co-Presidents are Henry Bauch and Nico Curtin and VicePresident is Sarai Pettaway. Photo by Anya Pant.
Well known artists featured at 22nd annual ACL Music Festival
PAIGE PAN Staff Writer
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival 2024 will be taking place over two weekends, from October 4-6 and October 11-13, at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The festival began in 2002 and is named after the Austin City Limits television show.
This year’s headliners are Dua Lipa, Tyler, the Creator, Chris Stapleton, Blink-182, Sturgill Simpson, Pretty Lights, Khruangbin, and Leon Bridges. Each weekend features a diverse lineup spanning over nine different stages, offering acts across multiple genres. The lineup also includes performances by Foster the People, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Kehlani, Dominic Fike, and much more.
As ACL approaches, there are several
notable sets to keep in mind. Tyler, the Creator will return to the festival after a memorable 2021 appearance, bringing new material from his extended album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale, as well as past favorites.
Pop artist Dua Lipa is making her ACL debut, expected to deliver a set featuring her biggest hits alongside selections from her latest album, Radical Optimism. Adding to the excitement, Wave to Earth, a Korean indie rock band, will make their debut at ACL. Known for their distinctive lo-fi and jazz-infused sound, the band recently gained international recognition with hits such as “light,” “seasons,” and “bonfire.” Fans can look forward to a unique performance featuring tracks from their new album, play with earth! 0.03.
Be sure to catch these amazing acts as they take the stage at ACL Festival!
HEAR ME OUT
with Caroline Johnson
have been able to reach the bar the old ones set.
Sally Rooney’s unique take on love in her classic novella Normal People
CAROLINE JOHNSON Opinions Editor
Sally Rooney’s critically acclaimed novella Normal People beautifully explores the themes of friendship, class difference, and commitment in its only 288 pages. The story was a perfect mix of light-hearted and deeply emotional, while approaching difficult themes with respect and grace. The two main characters, Connell and Marianne, were equally lovable and insufferable with a dynamic that made the book incredibly exciting to read. It’s so easy to find elements of yourself inside each character.
The most interesting elements of the story have to be the parallels of their personalities that we see from their time in high school to their time in college. Marianne sees Connell as intelligent and popular when they’re in high school and believes that she lacks these qualities, but when they both go to Trinity College in Dublin, Marianne suddenly becomes the more well-liked and academically esteemed one of the pair.
While Rooney’s unique way of writing added to the book’s unmatched style, the lack of quotation marks surrounding dialogue made the plot harder to comprehend at times. However, according to the author
herself, structuring their conversations like that was designed to confuse readers and convey how Connell and Marianne’s struggles with communication and speaking their minds led to the detriment of their relationship.
In 2020, Hulu released a TV show of the same name, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal. It was phenomenal and almost perfectly mirrored the books. Putting faces to the characters made it more realistic, and it’s one of those shows you just want to watch over and over again, no matter how gut-wrenching the story gets. Both the book and series deserve all of the praise that they have received, as Normal People is one of those stories that stays with you forever.
“Destruction leads to a very rough boat, but it also breeds creation” is arguably one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ most iconic quotes. This psychedelic band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame holds the record for the group with the most number one hits, and is still wowing audiences with its performances and new releases.
My personal queue of the band’s music looks something like this: first, “Dani California” from the album Stadium Arcadium. It’s a total classic that’s perfectly eclectic and extremely catchy. That’s followed with “By the Way” and “Around the World” for some added drama and finishes with the total bangers “Scar Tissue” and “Can’t Stop.” (For anyone in the mood to cry, “Otherside” is another perfect one). The band hasn’t written a skippable song yet, and the newer albums
After a five-year touring hiatus, the band resumed its live performances with the Unlimited Love/Return of the Dream Canteen tour, featuring two albums released in 2022. Thankfully, guitarist John Frusciante rejoined the group since his separation seven years prior. The tour featured (unfortunately) no stops to Houston, but eventually wrapped up in the summer of 2024. Of the two albums on the tour, my favorite has to be Return of the Dream Canteen. With classics like “Tippa My Tongue” and “Carry Me Home,” it’s the best release since the 2016 song “Dark Necessities.”
In the words of the band, “music is [their] aeroplane,” and this most musically diverse and exciting band has a song for everyone, and I could not recommend it enough.
Catherine’s Cinema
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice starring Jenna Ortega was released on September 6, 2024. The film is a sequel to the beloved classic Beetlejuice (released in 1988) which starred Wynonna Rider and Michael Keaton as young Lydia Deetz and the mischievous ghost, Beetlejuice.
The sequel follows Lydia, the protagonist of the original movie, as she navigates a family death and healing a relationship with her teenage daughter, Astrid (played by Ortega) following the death of Charles Deetz, Lydia’s father. The death calls for a reunion of Lydia, her mother, Della Deetz (played by Catherine O’Hara), and Astrid in their hometown of Winter River, Connecticut. While revisiting the house where the events of the first movie took place, old memories are brought up. Fighting between family and past, the three
Deetz women fall into another adventure with the afterlife, including the notorious Beetlejuice. Eventually, the help of Beetlejuice is needed and the whole family is taken on a ghostly experience.
The film does a great job at honoring the original while making itself an independent story. Familiar sets, characters, and jokes are featured in the movie such as a call back to the classic song in the original movie, “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” by Harry Belafonte.
While some features of the old movie are featured in the sequel, a little of the nostalgic touch is lost. The characters of Adam and Barbara Maitland (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis), main characters in the original, aren’t featured in the new film.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a great addition to Halloween classics. Its eerie theme and comedic adventure promise a good watch.
Many of the original cast members are back for the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com.
Photo courtesy of refinery29.com.
Photo courtesy of austinchronicle.com.
Sleep is crucial for maintaining overall health. It impacts cognitive function, emotional stability, and physical well-being.
Teenagers aged 13-17 require an average of 8-10 hours of sleep. Without sufficient sleep, they often experience excessive drowsiness and attention deficits, which can negatively affect their academic performance. Studies reveal that students with lower GPAs (2.0-2.7) typically report shorter sleep durations, often less than 5-7 hours per night. In contrast, those with higher GPAs tend to have longer sleep durations, suggesting a link between adequate sleep and better academic outcomes.
Moreover, sleep plays a significant role in mental health. A 2023 study found that high schoolers with inadequate sleep reported higher levels of sadness and suicidal thoughts. This underscores the critical impact of sleep on both academic performance and mental well-being, emphasizing the need for teenagers to prioritize their sleep.
EXPLORING MENTAL HEALTH
Diet and Exercise
Taking care of one’s body is crucial to retaining a balance of mental health. Poor nutrition and exercise can result in fatigue, which may lead to more significant mental health problems.
The gastrointestinal tract produces 95% of serotonin, which is influenced by the good and bad bacteria from food that makes up your intestinal biome. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, appetite, and mood. The typical American diet, high in processed foods, has proven to show it negatively affects the intestinal biome. These processed foods can result in lower performance in the brain, so it is important to fuel it with a variety of complex carbo hydrates, lean proteins, and fatty acids to improve mental functioning.
Exercise is another way to increase energy and im prove mood through consistency. Even a fifteen-min ute walk can relieve tension, reduce stress, and enhance well-being by releasing endorphins.
There is no doubt that giving your body prop er nutrients can help you reach a calmer state, and it is easy achieve by making small im provements in diet and physical activity.
STIGMA
The stigmas that surround mental health remain a significant barrier to those seeking help despite growing awareness of the subject. Many people fear if they admit to having poor mental health, they will face judgment or discrimination if they disclose their struggles, leading to silence and delayed treatment.
This stigma often stems from misconceptions, such as believing mental health issues are a sign of weakness or something that can be easily overcome with willpower. This leads to those in need of support feeling isolated and misunderstood.
To break this stigma, education is key. Promoting accurate information about mental health conditions and their prevalence can help normalize these difficult conversations. Encouraging open communication in schools, workplaces, and communities fosters an environment where people feel safe sharing their experiences. On an individual level, we can help by practicing empathy toward others, listening without judgment, and challenging harmful stereotypes when we hear them. By taking these steps, we can create a society that embraces mental health with the same care and understanding as physical health.
ENVIRONMENT
Academics are a central time commitment for students in high school, and they often bring a considerable burden on mental health. The time spent studying for tests and completing assignments for classes frequently bleeds into the time students should be allowing for sleep and keeping up with their mental and physical health.
Staying up late to get assignments in on time or cramming for a test the next day attenuates the sleep quality and length students get, negatively affecting their academic and cognitive performance. When students start putting the value of academics over other essential aspects of their health, they have the unintended consequence of harming their academic performance and exacerbating the work needed to get the grades they are told they need for the next steps in life.
Grades judge much of your academic career and performance in such a concentrated manner that it often negatively informs the self-worth of students when they do poorly and exaggerates the self-worth of students when they perform well.
The environment around us, especially the influence of our family members and friends, plays a critical role in shaping our mental health. If you surround yourself with a supportive and positive group that encourages your inter ests and uplifts you, your mental state will probably be better because you have reassurance and support. This network will be able to help you get through hard challenges you might have to face in life. If you are not as close to some of your family members, friends are also great outlets to express your emotions and ask for advice on more relatable things. This is why it’s so important to become friends with the right people. Who you associate yourself with is who you will most likely be like.
If you’re in a toxic and non-supportive environment, that can negatively impact your mental health, and lead to isolation, depression, anxiety, and many more things. If your home environment is unhealthy, try to meet the right people outside your home. Sports, arts, friends, and counselors are all several areas that can help you find belonging and have a way of coping with your situations.
MEET THE COUNSELORS
Two counselors have joined EHS to support student mental health. Mrs. Christi Tullos, who has three years of experience as a counselor in Spring Branch ISD and a background in private practice therapy, and Mrs. Molly Nevins, who has a history of working with children and as a substitute teacher, began their roles in August. Both are committed to fostering supportive environments for students.
Inspired by her own high school experiences, Tullos aims to create a nurturing space.
“I wish I’d had a safe space in high school,” she says. Nevins emphasizes providing a calming environment for students, noting, “I want my students to come in here and feel a calming presence.”
Both counselors will engage in school activities to connect with students. Be sure to say hello when you see them around campus. They are excited to collaborate with teachers and staff to contribute to the positive culture at EHS.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is a prominent fixture in high school life, offering both benefits and challenges.
On the positive side, platforms like In stagram and TikTok enable students to stay connected, collaborate, and access content from many different categories, including educational content. However, social media has its downsides. It can lead from distractions to anxiety and self-esteem issues as students often compare themselves to others’ social media accounts. Cyberbullying is another major concern, causing emotional distress and affecting academic performance.
Another factor to keep in mind is that excessive screen time can cause a distraction for students’ studies and real-life interactions. Balancing social media use with offline activities and setting healthy boundaries is crucial. By being aware and mindful of how to engage online, students can maximize the benefits of social media while minimizing its negative impacts.
Counselor Christi Tullos provides a safe spot to open up. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
Counselor Molly Nevins always wants to hear from you! Photo by Sloane Wallace.
AJ Brown opens up to his largely male fan base about his battle with depression and self harm, inspiring others to seek help. Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated.
Billie Eilish consistently challenges the stigma on mental health by singing and talking about her struggles. Photo courtesy of NPR.
Simone Biles influences others to prioritize their mental health. Photo courtesy of AP News.
Chinese Moon Festival signals the beginning of autumn season
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
Every year, the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated all around the world during the middle of September. Also known as the Moon Festival, the holiday originally was a way to honor the moon for gifting a plentiful harvest and stems from an ancient Chinese folktale. Now, the Moon Festival remembers its origins while focusing on the celebration of family as it is celebrated with gatherings and the eating of traditional foods.
The ancient folktale that is remembered every year during the festival is the tale of the Chinese moon Goddess Chang’e. It is said that a long time ago the Earth had nine suns. A very talented archer, Hou Yi, the husband of Chang’e, used his archery talents to shoot down eight of the suns, saving the Earth from extreme heat. As a way to honor his bravery, Hou Yi was gifted an elixir of immortality. However,
the elixir could only turn one person immortal. Hou Yi and Chang’e did not want to leave each other, so they agreed to save the elixir and live their life as mortals.
One night when Hou Yi was away, one of his students broke into their home and tried to steal the elixir. In order to protect it from thieves, Chang’e drank it, turning immortal and leaving her husband behind. Chang’e became the moon goddess, and to show his mortal love for her, Hou Yi made moon cakes for his wife in the stars. Now, every year moon cakes are eaten to remember Chang’e for her sacrifice.
The Chinese Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated around the world, even at Episcopal. During the festival, the National Chinese Honor Society hosts a boba sale to raise money for its society and to celebrate the holiday with the school community. The now famous boba sale features classic bubble tea, the Ramune drink, and snacks like chocolate pandas and pocky sticks.
LULU GIBELLINI Features Editor
Hot take: Cabo Bob’s is better than Chipotle.
Cabo Bob’s is a Texas-owned chain that provides easy Mexican cuisine in the style of bowls, burritos, tacos, and more. They have locations in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Cabo Bob’s was inspired by San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, and is known for its friendly and fast service. I discovered Cabo Bob’s about seven months ago when a friend came and told me it was better than Chipotle. I couldn’t believe her because Chipotle was always my go-to spot for affordable Mexican-style bowls or burritos. I must agree with her and say that Cabo Bob’s is better.
The main thing I love about Cabo Bob’s is their fresh ingredients. The beef is grass-fed, the chicken is all-natural, the salsa is made from scratch, and the guacamole is made fresh every day. Another
Episcopal High School’s only restaurant review
pro is that Cabo Bob’s caters to allergies and special diets. Its website provides information for allergies, intolerances, and special diets.
There are two things that set Cabo Bob’s above other fast-casual Mexican chains. The first thing is the dressings or sauces. Cabo Bob’s has a variety of homemade sauces. The sauces include Ancho Rancho, Chipotle Crema, 66 Red Sauce, and XXtra Hot Red Sauce. These sauces help level up any burrito, taco, or bowl. The second thing is the homemade tortillas. Cabo Bob’s is known for its flour tortillas that are made from scratch daily. These tortillas are freshly cooked to order. You can choose from four different types of tortillas: buttermilk flour, cilantro tomatillo, ancho chili tortilla, or smoky cheddar tortilla. You can get a tortilla on the side, in a burrito, or on a taco. My favorite part is watching the tortillas cook right in front of you when you order your meal.
ALL THINGZ fashion
DARIA MASSEY Staff Writer
Trends can move fast and become overwhelming. That’s why learning to classify certain fashion trends as timeless can be helpful. So, before you decide to purchase something that’s currently popular… read this to make sure you’re making an investment that will be worthwhile.
The best way to classify a trend as “timeless” is to look at its timeline. For example, the Adidas Samba sneaker. Originally launched in 1950, these sneakers changed the game. They quickly became Adidas’s bestsellers, turning the heads of not only ordinary people but also soccer players, football players, and other athletes. These shoes have been around for awhile, but I can confirm that they are here to stay. Thanks to many celebrities such as Harry Styles, Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Kaia Gerber, the shoes have returned, back and better than ever.
Another tip is to analyze versatility and simplicity. Is it easy to wear and pair with everyday clothing pieces? A white cashmere sweater would be a perfect example of this. It’s easy to throw on, goes with everything, and provides a classy and chic touch to just about any outfit. Or a pair of pearl earrings; guaranteed to never go out of style and can elevate any basic outfit. Both of these exhibit stylish yet adaptable traits that make them worth investment. Next time you find yourself making an impulsive purchase of a trendy item, consider these notes so you know it won’t be going out of style by the next week.
IZZIE SONG Production Editor
Although she never anticipated a teaching career, Ms. Jordan Harris is currently on the long list of Episcopal High School’s truly passionate educators, and her new role as Director of Mentoring and Instructional Support reflects that. Harris began her journey to education in the world of journalism. The editor of her high school newspaper and literary magazine, she worked as a copy editor for some time before taking a major career shift. Teaching, which provided the stability her editor job lacked, sparked a love in Harris which fueled her to continue working in the profession for over a decade.
Galena Park High School was the home of Harris’ first teaching opportunities. She started off co-teaching English I before shifting to journalism, and then English as a second language. The latter of these classes marked an eye-opening experience for Harris. Although it tested her teaching abilities, the diverse environment provided a strong sense of fulfillment and joy.
However, her years in public school ended in October of 2022 when Harris transferred to EHS. She currently teaches Creative Writing, but her time stretches over a completely different role as well.
This year, Harris had the honor of becoming EHS’ first Director of Mentoring and Instructional Support. This role focuses on assisting new teachers, but it also aids department chairs and coaches when needed. Its main goal, though, is helping navigate the sometimes-daunting transition new teachers face when entering their career field. According to Harris, research shows that beginners are mostly likely to leave the world of education within their first one to three years of employment, unless they are given proper support. The Director of Mentoring and Instructional Support provides just that.
Although her job focuses on teaching, Harris’ new position allows her to extend her expertise to colleagues. The Director of Mentoring and Instructional Support constitutes a way to bind the EHS community with quality guidance and genuine interest. With an ever-growing love for education, Harris fits the role seamlessly.
Cabo Bob’s classic burrito split in half with a side of chips and guacamole, iced tea, and a lime for extra flavor. Photo courtesy of theduchesnecharger.com.
Chinese Moon Festival dragon decorations are set up for a fantastic celebration in Beijing. Photo courtesy of pinterest.com.
Gigi Hadid in a Holzweiler brown leather jacket and Adidas Samba sneakers. Photo courtesy of celebdonut.com.
CAMPBELL
World in Review
RICHARDSON Co-Editor in Chief
Protests have been going on in Israel nonstop since October of last year, demanding the return of those hostages remaining in Gaza. Of course, there is a great anger at Hamas for their continued holding of more than 100 Israelis; however, the primary focus of the crowd’s discontent is at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his continued failure to return the hostages.
The question splitting Israeli politics is what course the war must take from here. Almost all of those left of the government want the priority to be securing the hostages, whether by rescue missions or a ceasefire deal with Hamas. For many of those in government and its supporters, the war is an opportunity to expand Israel’s borders and population.
There were Israeli settlements in Gaza much like in the West Bank and Golan Heights, two other disputed regions controlled by Israel. The roughly 5000 settlers were forcibly evacuated under a left-wing government in 2005, however, and this removal has remained a point of contention for the expansionist Zionist segment of Israeli society, especially after Gaza fell to Hamas following Palestinian elections. The chaos that ensued during and after 2005 leading to the present day ruined the left-wing party’s reputation in Israel, contributing to the dramatic shift rightward in politics over recent decades.
A conference held in January this year marked the biggest call for resettlement yet, with speakers and attendees including many high-ranking government ministers.
A large map was shown with planned Israeli cities and towns where major Gazan urban areas currently stood. While Netanyahu has himself denied any plans for population transfer, many of his advisors and members of his party, Likud, have spoken vocally of the need for settlements.
This push comes from two beliefs of the Israeli right: the need for security and Israeli irridentism, or the restoration of any territory formerly belonging to it. They view the October 7 attacks as a direct result of supposed weakness on the part of previous left-wing governments and that settlements are a way to control land to prevent further attacks. More importantly for Zionists is the belief in Israel’s right to the land and a need to expand into the strip to fulfill both a religious and national duty.
Proposals like these are by no means universally popular; in fact, they are quite the opposite. This discontent with the direction of the war, combined with Netanyahu’s unpopularity prior to the war due to corruption and authoritarianism, are likely to cost the current government their next election and limit any of these settlement demands. That said, for the time being an emboldened Israeli far right may very well dictate policy going forward into the next few years as Israel begins to deal with what to do with a conquered Gaza.
Will food waste really affect us?
Food waste is a growing problem that extends beyond overflowing landfills. It represents a massive waste of resources, especially water, which is vital for life and already strained in many regions. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 3040% of the food supply goes uneaten. This waste isn’t just about discarded leftovers or expired groceries; it’s also about the water used to produce them. The connection between food waste and water consumption is clear: when we waste food, we waste water.
To understand the gravity of this issue, consider that nearly 70% of the world’s fresh water is used for agriculture. In the U.S., producing food that is thrown away consumes about 25% of all fresh water. Think about a single hamburger. Producing the beef for that burger requires around 660 gallons of water, from growing the feed for cattle to processing the meat. When that burger goes uneaten and is thrown away, so is all the water that went into making it.
The impact of this waste is felt not just environmentally but also economically.
As water becomes scarcer due to climate change and population growth, every drop becomes more precious. Yet, by allowing vast amounts of food to go to waste, we’re indirectly wasting billions of gallons of water each year. The U.S. is facing increasing water scarcity in regions like the Southwest, where every wasted piece of food could have been water better allocated for drinking or sanitation.
To address this issue, individuals, businesses, and governments must work together to reduce food waste. Schools and households can start by planning meals better and composting food scraps. Grocery stores can donate surplus food to shelters or food banks rather than throwing it away.
Governments can invest in better infrastructure to reduce food spoilage and support farmers who use water-efficient methods. By reducing food waste, we can help conserve water and protect our future. After all, wasting food means wasting water—an essential resource we cannot afford to spend. It's time to rethink our relationship with food, for the sake of our planet and future generations.
Apple quality in recent decline
ALEX GONZALES Staff Writer
Since its inception, Apple has prioritized controlling the user experience through its bevy of brand-specific features and software. The Apple ecosystem is excellent for allowing integration among devices, but it comes with the insidious removal of autonomy across the user's devices and leaving the user stuck at the helm of Apple's will.
Apple prides itself on releasing a product that is customized and engineered to the consumer experience, but not so that the user can customize the experience. For most people, this has more subtly resulted in less knowledge about the technology they are using, but it hasn't been a significant aspect of interest in phone buyers.
Some freedom on the user's behalf is partially due to its philosophy as a company but also to its position as an oligopoly in the phone market - that being a market structure that favors a few companies or sellers, leading to higher costs for the consumer.
Apple harnesses its position in the market and tactics like planned obsolescence, which causes its products to go out of date in a few years, encouraging users to get the newer models that improve the product by a value asymptotically approaching 0. This means that updates on the phone rarely enhance the functionality and just do service to whatever feature the design team has "come up with" or, more likely, reappropriated from another product into the Apple way.
On September 7, the company announced its plan to release proprietary AI on the iPhone 16, employing genteelisms like "intelligent" features to not dissuade customers with reservations about current AI technology that is often prone to error. Apple's streak of custom integration and proprietary features has become a threat in a space like AI, where there is a greater risk of design flaws and unintended consequences since its product goes through an echo chamber of quality control.
Whenever a company has uneven power in an industry, the safety standard lowers because there is less testing and outside scrutiny of new technologies by other companies. Apple will have an unprecedented level of control over the user with its new AI-integrated OS, and it represents a skewed concentration of power that Apple will have in terms of user data and interaction that is ultimately undemocratic and undermines competition - especially ironic when Apple came with a commercial in 1984 about how the Macintosh will help keep us away from an Orwellian state.
New milk alternatives cause decline of dairy
In 1975, the average American citizen drank the equivalent of 29 gallons of milk a year. This number has since declined, with that number reaching an all-time low in 2019 - only 16 gallons. This alarming 55% drop has caused people to wonder if this industry’s waning popularity means bad things for the price of dairy. However, this growing decrease in milk sales is only for the best because of the public’s environmental, economic, and health concerns.
It is widely known that the raising of dairy cows has become one of the most
prominent causes of climate change, as the greenhouse gasses and ammonia emitted by the cows traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and has begun warming the planet faster than ever. Moreover, the massive amounts of land and fertilizer needed for the cows’ food supplies has led to water pollution from runoff soil and the chemicals within it.
Milk has also become the more expensive option in grocery stores. The average price of milk reached an all-time high in 2023 at $4.34. This number increased eight cents since 2022. The truth is, most Americans are buying less cow’s milk now because they can’t afford it.
After the early 2010s, plant milk began
to grow in popularity - not only because of the growing number of people cutting lactose out of their lives but also for other health concerns. Most plant milks contain around 50% less fat than cow milk, and alternatives like soy and pea milk contain vital amounts of protein. While most plant milks can last unrefrigerated for long periods of time, they can also be stored cold for much longer than regular milk without fear of spoiling.
Overall, the decline in the country’s milk sales is nothing to be concerned about. I say to anyone wondering if they should make the switch to milk alternatives, do it. The planet, your bank account, and your body will thank you.
2024 college football kicks off with exciting upsets and rivalries
KARIANA CARLSON Staff Writer
The 2024 college football season officially kicked off on Saturday, August 24, bringing together competitive rivalries and dedicated fans. This season, 15 different teams moved to other conferences, including four new teams in the Big 10, four in the Big 12, and the addition of the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns in the SEC. The SEC is ranked the top college football conference with at least three teams expected to be in the title hunt. After Week 1, Georgia maintained the top spot in the rankings, allowing only three points to Clemson. Number 3 Texas and number 4 Alabama each moved up a spot, positioning three SEC teams in the top four. Florida State managed to be the first team to drop out of the top-25 rankings. They began the season with shock-
ing losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College.
Week 2 brought more excitement. Texas kept its spot, defeating No. 10 Michigan 31-12. Notre Dame waved farewell to its number 5 ranking after a loss to unranked Northern Illinois. Northern IL player Kanon Woodill made a 35-yeard field goal with 31 seconds remaining to seal the win. Ironically, Notre Dame paid the Huskies $1.4 million for the upset.
The Longhorns claim two of the most competitive rivalries of the season. On October 12, they play Oklahoma. Two weeks later they will face the Texas A&M Aggies in the Lone Star Showdown. Luckily for the Aggies, the game will be played on their Kyle Field. This game is highly anticipated. The two Texas teams have not seen each other since 2011, but they will be tested to see which is truly the better team of the two.
Champions battle in U.S. Open
MIMI WRIGHT Staff Writer
The 2024 U.S. Open, held from August 19 through September 9 at the USTA Tennis Center in New York, brought thrilling matches and standout performances across the board.
In men’s singles, Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding victory against top player Taylor Fritz. Sinner managed to win each set, showcasing his consistency and resilience against a challenging opponent. Fritz, known for his powerful serve, couldn’t break through Sinner’s impressive defense, resulting in a straight-sets loss.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, dominated Jessica Pegula in their highly anticipated match. Sabalenka, who has been in superb form throughout the tournament, won the match in just two sets. Pegula, a fan favorite, struggled to find her rhythm against Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline game and powerful serve.
In men’s doubles, the Australian duo of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson
secured a victory over Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz. Purcell and Thompson showed exceptional coordination and took the match in straight sets, underscoring their chemistry on the court. The women’s doubles also saw impressive performances. Jeļena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok made quick work of their match against Shang Shuai and Kristina Mladenovic, winning in two sets. Ostapenko’s fierce groundstrokes and Kichenok’s solid net play were too much for Zhang and Mladenovic, who couldn’t mount a comeback.
Mixed doubles players Donald Young and Taylor Townsend faced a close defeat against the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. Errani and Vavassori played sensationally, winning their final game. Despite putting up a strong fight and keeping each set close, Young and Townsend ultimately fell short in a hardfought match.
The 2024 U.S. Open delivered memorable moments, with players from around the world competing at the highest level. Fans witnessed exciting victories and rising stars making their mark on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
In his appearance on Colin Cowherd’ show, Longhorn’s head coach Steve Sarkisian stated, “A lot of these players have been here for two, three, and four years now and have really grown up in the culture and understand what we’re about. We kicked off on August 31, and we’re hoping to play on Jan. 20. We’re going to
need all the depth that we have.”
As of now, the College Football Playoff championship game will be played on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. With this exciting season ahead, fans are gearing up to get together and cheer on their teams each weekend.
Fantasy Football commences again
THOMPSON WHITE Co-Editor-in-Chief
Every year friends, coworkers, and football fans unite to create a fantasy football team. On the surface, fantasy football is a game in which people construct a virtual roster of NFL players. However, these leagues manage to foster a sense of camaraderie and connection among individuals. Draft Day stands as the most pivotal day for a fantasy league; it can make or break the team. For those just beginning, here are some fundamental pointers for choosing your crucial first round player. Ideally, this player should be a dependable running back or a great wide receiver and shouldn’t have a history of frequent injuries. A prime contender for the first pick would be either Justin Jefferson or
Christian McCaffrey, who are renowned to consistently impress with high fantasy points.
To show their devotion to the league, contestants sometimes wear formal attire – such as a suit - to assert their dominance over the rest of the league at the draft. Another way to make fantasy tootball more engaging is implementing a punishment for the unfortunate loser. This penalty is agreed upon at the beginning of the season by all members of the team to inspire contestants to put their best effort in their team. Some hypothetical punishments include sign spinner on a popular street with a sign that reads “I’m terrible at fantasy football,” joining a body building competition, washing everyone’s car in the 14-person league, or even getting a buzz cut.
WNBA has Caitlin Clark to thank for a rebirth of women’s league
DARIA MASSEY Staff Writer
For years, professional women’s basketball has been overlooked with the spotlight on the men’s league. That was until this year, when number one WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark attracted more than 500,000 fans, a record-breaking attendance, to watch her rookie season in action.
With her game intelligence, unbelievable coordination, speed, and countless broken records, including most points, rebounds, and assists made in a rookie season, people have no choice but to turn their heads and watch her make history. It’s clear to many that Clark’s taken the court by storm. Previously playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, she’s paved an unconventional NCAA legacy for herself, setting a new example for women across the globe. Clark earned more than $3 million in name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts just during her college career and was named Women’s College
Basketball Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2023. Best known for her scoring, she’s the first player to have consecutive 1000-point seasons, and she put up 3,951 college career points, the most points scored by any college player man or woman. During the Inside the NBA broadcast on TNT, Clark was even declared the “best female collegiate player ever” by NBA star Shaq O’Neal.
Her contributions to women’s basketball are unmatched. Now a guard on the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, Clark has elevated all of women’s professional basketball. Her long- range shooting has made her a crowd favorite, and her ability to score coupled with her exciting behind the back passes has earned her the title of a basketball icon. Clark’s been well rewarded for her record-breaking career. At just 22 years old, she signed a new Nike contract valued at $28 million.
Caitlin Clark has clearly brough excitement, fun, and NBA-like income to the WNBA. This revolutionary player is sure to go down in history.
Longhorn’s quarterback Quinn Ewers during the Michigan versus Texas game.
Photo courtesy of wolverineswire.com.
Caitlin Clark celebrates after scoring in the third quarter of the game against Washington Mystics. Photo courtesy of foxnews.com.
Football takes on big challenges
THOMPSON WHITE
Co-Editor-in-Chief
After demolishing Waltrip High School 49-0, the Knights football team packed the buses for a trip to Dallas where they met a respected opponent, Parish Episcopal High School.
Against Waltrip, the Knights defense showed its strength, limiting the Rams to zero points. Late in the third quarter, however, Waltrip broke through the defensive line and was on the verge of scoring, but senior Zach Berlin chased down the ball carrier and forced a fumble on the 5 yardline, preserving the shutout. Many players stepped up in this game, including junior linebacker Zach Kopel who also forced a fumble and starting quarterback senior Tyler Bloomgren, who led the Knights to victory.
With a four-hour drive to Parish, the Knights started slow and unfortunately lost 45-21.
Senior captain Brooks Edwards looked at the loss with optimism, stating, “Games like Parish are great for the team. Playing strong competition ensures that we are at our peak performance when SPC rolls around.”
By understanding defeat and failure, the Knights will learn to play with a chip on their shoulder, possibly taking this season to the next level. But first, the Knights had to overcome a hurdle after Bloomgren’s season ended early due to a torn ACL in the second half of the Parish game.
Bloomgren has already showcased his cannon of an arm this season, and it will hurt to see him go, but sophomore backup Brodie Bartee may have what it takes to fill his shoes.
Boys volleyball continues to dominate
new head coach, Ruben Rocha.
Volleyball shows improvement
VANESSA REED Sports Editor
Coming off a challenging and busy preseason, the Episcopal volleyball program has shown some immense improvement. Despite the loss of six key seniors from last year, the new upperclassmen have stepped up in the roles of new leaders of the program.
This year, the two seniors, Reagan Moriarty, an outside hitter, and Vanessa Reed, a middle blocker, are taking on key leadership positions. They are joined by a strong group of juniors, including Mary Taylor, a right-side hitter; Laci Shoen, an outside hitter; Sai Posey, who transitioned from a right-side hitter to a setter; Sophie Girotto, a defensive specialist; and Anneliese Degrange, another right-side hitter.
Despite the varsity team being a young group of girls, they have shown tremen-
dous development as a team, and each has individually stepped up to make an impact on the team. With a strong blocking presence and scrappy back row defense, the team is hard to beat.
Their growth showed during the Houston Open Tournament, where they earned third place overall among tough competition. Continuing with the upward trend of improvement, the Knights continued to show their potential when they went 2-1 in the College Station Independent School District Tournament in Clear Creek.
In the preseason volleyball rankings by the sports magazine VYPE, which shows all of the top volleyball high schools in Texas, the Episcopal Knights were ranked second behind Fort Bend Christian. The team’s progress is noticeable, despite being a young team, which shows the commitment and dedication these girls have to develop a strong champion.
Cross country on track to win SPC
GONZALES Staff member
The boys volleyball program made a huge comeback, rebounding from a Runner-Up finish in the 2022 season to claiming the SPC title in the championship last year.
The boys are continuing their winning streak with high expectation for back-toback titles. This team is comprised of a strong group of seniors who have taken over the leadership roles to lead the team to victory. Ethan Lahoti, Calder Tribble, Austin Conte, Alfredo Bolado, Evan Bellinger, and the newest addition, Benjamin David are the core group leading by example. The program also welcomed a
Although the team hasn't had any regular season games, the boys have already displayed their dominance on their home court after scrimmaging teams such as Awty, St. John’s, and Kinkaid. This superiority was on full display during the Houston Cup. Impressively, the team went 7-0 and didn’t lose a single game. However, the team faced a setback when Lahoti, starting middle was knocked out for four weeks due to a sprained ankle. Luckily, junior Jack Draper stepped up and helped the team secure first place in the tournament. A standout performance also came from Ryan Maas, a sophomore, who was the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
After a strong finish in 2023, EHS cross country has a considerable challenge awaiting it to stack up with last season’s championships.
Last year, the team wrapped up the season with top finishes at their annual Austin trip, with the girls finishing first and the boys second in the SPC South Zone championships. In addition to the South Zone placings, the team proved its strength last year, performing well at the Dallas Jesuit Invitational.
With Coach Julius Michael's exit from Episcopal and graduated seniors, Evan Ringwald and Sam Marino, the team will be adapting to the changes in leadership
and roster. The team will lean heavily on Will Pacey, Cooper Thorne, Jacob Holzhauser, Asher Luengas, Maddy Morgan, and Gigi Bass, with Mrs. Reagan McCartney as the new varsity head coach.
When asked how she views the upcoming season, Coach McCartney expressed, "The cross country team is off to a great start. We have a lot of young talent on both the boys and girls teams and have high expectations for this season."
The team has been training every day at 5:45 a.m. throughout this summer and fall. They have been working since June 1, and they have already competed at multiple competitive meets and are improving every day. Going into the season, they have demanding standards to live up to and must work hard to defend their SPC titles.
Pieces begin to come together for field hockey team
LULU GIBELLINI Features Editor
Episcopal High School field hockey has been off to a great start with several exciting events happening in September. The first event was the annual middle school tournament. The varsity hosted its annual tournament on September 7. This event gives local middle school players an opportunity to compete on Episcopal’s Bissonnet field.
Later in the month, the team traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the Epis-
copal Cup where they won for the third year in a row. On September 21, the team traveled to Pennsylvania to compete in the Max Field Hockey National Invitational Tournament. The tournament invited top teams in the nation to compete against each other. The team played three games, all of which were live-streamed.
Varsity field hockey consists of eight returning players and three team captains: seniors Cati Stabell and Greer Fuselier and junior Sela Provenzano.
“The team is more cohesive than in previous years, and we are excited to
showcase our culture and team to the nation during the month of September,” Head Coach Shelly Edmonds remarked.
The team has laid out a clear path toward its goal of becoming SPC champions.
“My favorite part of field hockey is my teammates,” said Fuselier, who has been on varsity since her freshman year. Similarly, Stabell loves how close the field hockey team is.
With varsity field hockey’s strong team bonds, the girls are ready to take down their rivals and record a successful season.
ALEX
Laci Shoen goes in for a big kill. Photo by Kennedy Greene.
Knights play aggressive offense at home versus Waltrip. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
Mary Khalil aggressively runs down the field. Photo by Kate Malta.
Lila Habiby hits over the double block. Photo by Kennedy Greene.
VANESSA REED Sports Editor
Speaks Out
“If you could bring one thing onto a deserted island, what would it be?”
Prints Charming
Celebrity Sighting
Cartoon by Izzie Song.
PhotoJ Photo of the Month
TREY CASEY “A fishing rod”
ZOE KUY “My phone”
KIERAN O’MALLEY “My phone”
LEXI KILLIAN “Jesus”
COLIN TOBOLA “Fishing pole”
JORDAN REED “Torches”
LUKE ABRAHAM “A good book”
MIA TRIBBLE “My dog”
MR. JUSTIN HICKEY “My iPod”
MS. LEXI BLAKE “My best friend”
The student section celebrates at the first home game of the year against Waltrip. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
Although she’s usually found exploring the ocean floor, sightings of Princess Ariel at EHS have been flooding in. This is unquestionably due to the presence of sophomore Ariana White who looks impressively similar to singer and actress Halle Bailey. Bailey has been performing in sister duo Chloe x Halle since 2013, first gaining prominence on the fifth season of Radio Disney’s The Next Big Thing. Disney would go on to skyrocket her acting career as well when they cast her as Ariel in the 2023 live-action remake of the The Little Mermaid. Though she lacks a tail and red hair, White shares many of Bailey’s other attributes. Photo courtesy of X and by Charlotte Mehnert.
