EHS celebrates Knight in Rio at annual event
PORTER MILLER
Social Media Coordinator
After a long week of supporting our Knights through many spirited activities, this year’s Homecoming was an unforgettable event that brought excitement and energy to our campus. The themed week leading up to the big game, “A Knight in Rio,” featured opportunities that gave students the chance to dress up and really show their school spirit. During 5A and 5B lunches, students sold Homecoming shirts, tickets, mums, and garters for the big week. The cheerleaders spread joy by writing fun and uplifting messages on the library windows, inspiring everyone and creating a spirted and positive environment,
The creativity didn’t stop there; many students created sign proposals for their Homecoming dates, while others chose to attend with friends, ensuring the night was filled with fun and memories. On Saturday, October 26, the Homecoming Dance took place in the USC around 8:00 p.m. and ended right at 10:00 p.m.. The USC was transformed into a different venue, decorated with vibrant Rio-themed decorations. During the dance, the Homecoming Court was announced, adding to the excitement of the evening.
The faculty also played a major role as they chaperoned the dance and ensured everything ran smoothly.
The pep rally on Friday afternoon was a highlight, creating excitement with fun games between students and faculty. As the football team continued their great season so far, excitement grew for the big game against one of our SPC opponents, St. Mark’s. Students dressed in a variety of colors, including some who even showed up in parrot costumes, really embracing the Rio theme.
Homecoming Week served as a wonderful opportunity for Episcopal High School to come together, show support, and stand up for our Knights.
Read about Halloween’s history
There’s more to the story than trick or treat
Knight athletics gears up for SPC
EHS wins rivalry game with St. John’s
PAGE 11
Spirit Week kicks off Homecoming festivities
STUCO celebrates Spirit Week with daily themes of dress
ANYA PANT Managing Editor
“Preluding the Homecoming game and Homecoming is a special tradition called Hoco Spirit Week. This takes place the week of October 21-25, and with each day comes a new fun theme. This tradition is highly anticipated and brings some creativity and laughter in the weeks leading up to Homecoming.”
Learn more about Spirit Week on Page 2
Class of 2028 attends retreat at Camp
KARIANA CARLSON Staff Writer
The Class of 2028 had an eventful day at Camp Allen on October 16, as the new Knights spent the day bonding, connecting, and breaking out of their comfort zones.
The retreat was largely spent within advisories, groups determined before the year started. Based on a survey that was taken before the school year, the students were selected to be with their advisor and advisees for the next four years of their high school lives, so this retreat was an important day for making close connections beginning freshman year.
The day began with a breakfast in the USC and then the class boarded buses and headed to Camp Allen. Throughout the day, students remained with their advisories for team-building activities provided by the Camp Allen staff, DCI activities, or Service Sessions. At many stations, several advisories were grouped together, so the students could not only bond with their advisee peers but also other students in their class. They ate lunch at the camp, followed by icebreakers and letters written to their future selves. Free time was given to roam around the playgrounds before taking a full class photo in their Class of ’28 t-shirts. Finally, after a long day, the students hopped on the bus and headed back to school.
The Freshman Retreat is a recurring
Allen
event that is significant for new Knights to further develop their relationships and get to know other people in their grade to create life-long friendships.
Tayla Gordon and Landon Chevalier work on a service project during Freshman Retreat at Camp Allen. Photo by Kennedy Greene.
Seniors Izzie Campise, Vanessa Reed, Gianna Lewis, and Mischa Haddad participate in Rhyme without a Reason. They dressed up as Three Blind Mice and Ice Spice. Photo courtesy of Emma Freeman.
Episcopal Music Program performs annual Hauntcert
CHARLOTTE MEHNERT Staff Writer
On October 30, Episcopal High School hosted its annual Hauntcert. This exciting night took place in Underwood Theatre at 6:00 p.m. and brought together fantastic musicians across campus for an evening of brilliance, perfect for the spooky Halloween experience.
MidKnight Blues, Band, String Orchestra, and full Orchestra all performed. Each group featured music inspired by iconic movies or melodies with an October flair. Hauntcert allowed students to showcase
their talent and all they’ve accomplished and learned throughout the year. This fun EHS event highlighted the true spirit of community and creativity. It was encouraging to see performers in their Halloween costumes to encourage the spooky feel of the evening. Even audience members were dressed up in costumes. Whether it was dressing up as your favorite superhero or favorite movie character, all costumes were welcomed.
Music Program Coordinator Mr. Joe Beam and the musical groups put on a fantastic show, and the audience was simply in wonder at the amount of talent.
Admissions hosts Open House for prospective students and families
SIMONA KARNANI
Copy Editor
Open House took place on October 23 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The event tends to be the largest admissions event of the year. In past years, close to 1,000 people were welcomed on campus.
The night started in Benitez Chapel where the students and families heard from Admission Council President Ethan Lahoti. He spoke about his experiences and the memories he made at Episcopal the last four years. After this, families were left free to choose which part of campus they wanted to visit. There were several faculty members in the Trotter Academic Building who had mini-lessons to present. This gave prospective parents and students an idea of what classes look like at EHS. There was a student panel conducted in the Underwood Library where current students answered any questions that students had about life as a Knight. In the Underwood Student Center, various programs of the Arts Pillar had
tables set up where students could watch dance and theatre performances or inquire about a publications class. Lastly, the Athletics Pillar had coaches at booths in Alkek Gym representing the sport teams that compete for Episcopal.
Director of Admission Mrs. Carol Wasden and Associate Director of Admission Mrs. Casey Titus enlisted all Four Pillars and the entire EHS community to ensure that the night went smoothly.
Mrs. Titus said, “Open House is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to speak directly with teachers, coaches, current students, and current parents about why they love EHS!”
Members of the Admission Council and Knight Ambassadors were posted around campus to direct any lost families and help set up and clean up after the night was over.
Senior Catherine Miller, member of the Admission Council, was excited about Open House, saying, “It was a great turnout, and I’m glad that I was able to help recruit future Knights.”
Students show their school spirit throughout Homecoming Week
ANYA PANT
Managing Editor
It’s that time of year again. So many events happen during the month of October, it’s hard to keep track. To name a few, Homecoming, Halloween, and the Homecoming football game. Preluding the Homecoming game and Homecoming is a special tradition called Hoco Spirit Week. This takes place the week of October 2125, and with each day comes a new fun theme. To start off, Monday’s theme was Jersey Day. Students came dressed in their favorite teams’ jerseys to school. On Tuesday,
NHS inducts new students
ANYA PANT Managing Editor
The EHS Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted new members on September 18 in the Underwood Library. NHS is a prestigious high school association made up of only the highest achieving and hardest working high schoolers in America. NHS is not like a club where everybody is welcome; only select people are invited to this society.
The requirements to be in NHS are a 3.7 grade point average, at least 20 hours of community service to a nonprofit organization, and be a student of outstanding value that upholds the Episcopal High School codes of honor and dignity. At Episcopal, the decision for induction might be affected by honor and discipline violations.
The inductions come in two waves, the spring induction and the fall induction. The fall induction is usually reserved for seniors, and the spring induction is almost always for juniors. The mini induction in September honored the seniors who did not have a chance to join last year. The seniors in this ceremony will be honored by getting a stole to wear with their graduation robes. The stole is only given to the seniors in NHS who retain a 3.7 grade point average by graduation.
NHS is an amazing organization to consider joining for upcoming juniors. It provides numerous service activities but also provides leadership opportunities. In NHS you have a chance to be president, vice president, historian, secretary, and so on. For any upcoming juniors and sophomores, the society would be a good thing to keep in mind.
the theme was Celeb Day. Over the years, there have been some amazing celebrity costumes such as Bob Ross, Men in Black, and Kylie Jenner. On Wednesday, the theme was Rhyme without Reason.
The goal of this theme is to dress up as two words that rhyme but have no correlation with each other, for example, bumblebee and Christmas tree. On Thursday the theme was Throwback Day and people dressed in their best attire from the 2000’s, all the way back to the time of the Neanderthals. On Friday, the theme was Hoco Spirit shirt which could be purchased in the cafeteria from 10/9-25, along with tickets for the dance.
During a mini-induction ceremony, seniors who were not inducted into the National Honor Society were honored. Juniors will be inducted later in the spring. Photos courtesy of Mrs. Kathryn Ray.
Kate Lahoti, Sarah Bezemek, and Lydia Tolbert performed in Hauntcert last year, while Adam Choi played the tuba. Photos courtesy of Kate Malta.
Coach Kemble and Dean Bove dress up for Spirit Week. Photo courtesy of Emma Freeman.
Slice of π
LULU GIBELLINI Features Editor
Hi everyone! My name is Lulu Gibellini, and I am one of Math Club’s social media coordinators for the 2024-2025 school year. I hope everyone has been having an amazing school year.
As stated in our last issue, this year is packed with numerous events, including our epic school wide celebration of Fibonacci Day on November 20 during both lunches and Pi Day on March 6 in the spring. We are thrilled to see so many attend our monthly Math Club meetings to learn more about STEM opportunities.
I also would like to take the time to
thank our first guest speaker, Dr. Shilpa Damle-Mogri, for taking the time to share her experiences in chemical engineering. It was standing room only.
Math competition season is underway, and we are more than a month into the Math Madness weekly bracket competition and hoping to last longer than last year. And no need for FOMO; it’s never too late to join Math Club. You may always contact Math Club President Marie Knolle or Dr. P if you have any questions or competition coordinator Matthew Kan if you want to compete.
You can also follow Math Club on Instagram @ehsmathclub and X(Twitter) to see Monday memes and club information. Have a great rest of the school year.
Dr. Telford pushes his students to
reach their full academic potential
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
Dr. Brad Telford is a beloved teacher at Episcopal High School. He has taught English at EHS for almost 15 years and is currently the head of the English Department, an English III Honors teacher, and sometimes teaches a spring semester Shakespeare elective.
Novels covered in these English classes include classic works such as the Odyssey and Beowulf to novels like 1984 and Frankenstein
Dr. Telford’s favorite books to go over from the course are Beowulf, as it is a “strange and wonderful, weird world” and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon because it is an “incredibly rich look at the mid 20th century African American experi-
Before EHS, he Attended St. Mark’s School in Dallas for eleven years and then attended Princeton University. Telford says that his time at St. Mark’s gave him a better insight into the work and lives students have here. The small private school community in Dallas is very similar to the community at Episcopal, and it is important to have a faculty member who is familiar with the unique experience EHS students have.
Junior year is definitely a step up from previous school years, and English is not an exception. English III Honors students are responsible for harder deadlines, more dense literature, and are expected to write well written essays in a short period.
Quiz Bowl qualifies for nationals
CAROLINE JOHNSON Opinion Editor
Although it was only their second competition of the year, EHS’s Quiz Bowl team has already qualified for nationals. Their competition on October 5 at Cinco Ranch High School was a landmark occasion for the group.
Episcopal brought three teams to represent the school - one varsity and two in the JV division. On varsity, captain Carson Kotlarz played aside fellow seniors Maddy Morgan, Campbell Richardson, and Dylan Quan, accompanied by juniors Marcos Clark, Hugo Martin, and Liam Hamstra. Spread among the two JV teams was junior Priya Parekh, with sophomores Ana Anzola, Julia Levan, Caroline Johnson, Casey Cochran, Emelia Schuster, and freshman Jenna Li.
There were over 30 teams attending
the event, many of them nationally ranked competitors. EHS beat numerous teams from Cy-Fair, Lamar, Terry, Cy-Falls, and Debakey high schools, some rounds decided by only a few dozen points. In an exciting turn of events, the Knights also brought in the program’s 100th win, a feat done by the EHS B team. After Casey Cochran swept a category on collegiate football and Ana Anzola answered over five literature questions in one round, the team scored enough points to beat out their stiff competition. Their nationals qualification was earned through the varsity team’s rank among the top eight seeds of the competition, as well as the school earning over eight wins for the day.
In May, EHS now has an opportunity to send a team to Atlanta, Georgia. Kotlarz said he “remains hopeful” and is “excited for the next competition,” November 2 at the Village School.
E Block Talk
with Thompson White
“Nothing unites humans like a common enemy.”
Off the field, St. John’s and Kinkaid may not be my true arch-nemeses, but on Friday nights, when the lights shine down on the boys in blue, there is nothing I crave more than the coveted bragging rights of “Our football team is better than yours.” I’ll admit, this title is rather inflated, yet it still fills me with pride for my school. But why?
For some, football is an enigma. With good reason, one may wonder, “Why are these middle-aged men clad as red bulls (a Texans fan) on a Sunday afternoon?” While the costumes may be extreme, it’s the shared sense of competition that unites the community. This can create the cohesive, spirited atmosphere where these men are somehow proud to wear the most humiliating of outfits. In fact, the unifying power of football can be extreme; in New Orleans, there’s evidence that suggests a surprising correlation between the city’s murder rate and the success of the Saints,
the local football team.
On a softer, safer scale, at EHS our rivalries form the foundation of that same collective sense of competition, which cultivates our school pride. Walking into first period the Friday after the St. John’s game was borderline torture, but there was also a lingering scent of pride in the air. In Chapel, together, we celebrated the big rivalry win, transforming what started as a red-eyed school day into an enjoyable experience.
Another aspect of these rivalries is the lighthearted pranks between student bodies. For instance, during a Yale vs. Harvard football game, Yale cleverly pranked their Crimson rivals by giving them signs to hold up that, when combined, spelled out “We Suck” in their section. These playful shenanigans are another source of camaraderie among students. While some may view these antics as harmful and decisive, I see them as quite the opposite. When harmless, the shared shenanigans and competition unite the school.
ence.”
Another part of the honors curriculum is junior research, a semester-long research project during the fall semester. While many see junior research as daunting and nerve wracking, Telford shares that it is a difficult time but is ultimately worth it. He offered an optimistic look at the project when asked to describe it in three words. His heartfelt response: “Best Project Ever!”
Dr. Telford is an incredibly engaging teacher and really knows how to get young students to connect with tough literature. His favorite moment so far at Episcopal has been to “see students take full ownership of their learning.”
Episcopal High School students cheer on the football team during the St. John’s rivalry game at home at Simmons Field. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
English teacher Dr. Brad Telford conducts a meeting with a student about her semester-long junior research project. Photo by Lulu Gibellini.
National Merit awards available
SIMONA KARNANI
Copy Editor
The PSAT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and is considered the practice for the SAT. Sophomores and juniors took the test on October 16. The test recently switched to the Digital PSAT. This year’s administration will mark the second year.
The scores on the PSAT don’t go to colleges but they are used through College Board to qualify within different recognition programs. One of the main purposes for the PSAT is to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. National Merit Semifinalists are selected by the students’ selection index as well as being in the top 1% of testers in their state. This is why in different states the threshold varies. Last year, Episcopal had four seniors who were semifinalists and six commended and 31 students recognized in various recognition programs. Depending on the college, some schools award this recognition with significant scholarship opportunities while others do not.
Throughout the nation last year, the Digital PSAT saw major issues in the administration. Director of College Counseling, Mrs. Julie Rollins, said that “EHS was fortunate to have a relatively smooth administration, thanks to our testing coordinator, Mrs. Toussant, and we are praying for the same this year.”
Colleges can buy PSAT scores, as well as the information students put on the registration for recruitment purposes and to send information about their specific summer programs.
The junior PSAT is used to determine national merit status. For sophomores, the PSAT is more for preparation for the future of test taking. College Counseling uses these PSAT scores and the pre-ACT scores to indicate which college entrance exam is best for them. However, it’s important to note that testing isn’t everything when applying to college but rather one piece of the puzzle.
Depending on where a student wants to go, a college’s needs are different. Some schools are test optional still; however, colleges are moving toward tests required after the pandemic.
EHS forensics students participate in creative labs to gain experience
CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Co-Editor in Chief
This semester, science teacher Mrs. Karen Foster reintroduced forensics as a unique course offered in the Sciences Department. Consisting of 25 seniors and juniors, the semester-long class offers its students a deep inquiry into the methods used in real crime scenes. Their study applies the sciences of chemistry, biology, and physics. Students learn how to look for clues in all sorts of evidence: fingerprints, hair, blood spatter, and even glass. Media-like crime shows spark much of the interest in the class, exposing students to the world of forensic investigation and its importance. While forensics cannot solely determine whether a suspect is guilty or innocent, scientists and what they uncover through their expertise and study often play a decisive role in solving cases. Students learn how to be meticulous in their observation, searching for every possibly relevant detail. Mrs. Foster also teaches her class skills in deductive reasoning, how to draw conclusions based on both direct and circumstantial evidence.
Hands-on activities such as blood spatter analysis, glass breakage investigations,
dusting for fingerprints around campus, and crime scene reconstruction offer students the opportunity to apply their understanding in much the same manner as experts do. These interactive experiences build on in-class lessons to instill a practical grasp of case investigation. This course places a great deal of emphasis on Locard’s Exchange Principle, stating when two objects come in contact there is always something left behind or an exchange of material, the basis for all the conclusions drawn from forensic evidence. The eight units this fall cover key concepts such as document analysis, crime scene investigation, and calculating time of death, together making up the process of putting together pieces of evidence. Closing out the semester with a highlight, students will hear from an HPD officer on real-life scenarios and application to the principles learned in the course.
Speaking of her experience teaching, Mrs. Foster said, “I have enjoyed teaching this class. The atmosphere is relaxed, and students are able in engage in many hands-on activities. I encourage partner or group work during these activities. In a crime lab setting, the CSI team works together and uses logic and reasoning based on evidence to make predictions.”
Student Spotlight: Kyriaki Postolos
CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Co-Editor in Chief
Episcopal High School prides itself in its role in shaping future leaders among its student body, and senior Kyriaki Postolos is an exemplar of this value. From Student Body President and International Thespian Society to Greek Culture Club, she has taken and continues to seek out opportunities to lead her community to the best of her ability.
Including the two upcoming performances this year, Kyriaki has been in 14 EHS Onstage major productions, along with various Masque plays. Each annual musical has been its own highlight in her theater career.
Last year, she had the chance to play Janet Van De Graf in The Drowsy Chaperone, her “dream role” as she describes. During one week of dress rehearsal, she completely lost her voice and faced the challenge of devoting herself to nursing it back to health by Opening Night. Through those months of extensive prep and rehearsal, she learned the value of discipline for the sake of the culminating product.
Alongside growing with each performance, Kyriaki said she “had an absolute blast and helped assist in growing [the] theatre program.” Outside of performances, she serves as the president of the International Thespian Society with the hopes of expanding the reach of the theatre at school and in student’s lives.
Kyriaki found the initial motivation to run for Student Body President because of her prior experience as one in middle school, which introduced her to the responsibility and joy that comes with the job. Participating as an officer her first three years only made the job more appealing.
Regarding her colleagues, she said, “I was and still am so inspired by Caterina Cruces, Chandler [Hollis], Breylan [Thompson], and all the other student body and class officers who have served in my time here; they made me feel like I could make a strong impact.”
As Student Body President, Kyriaki presides over weekly Student Council board meetings and monthly Senate meetings, creating a space for students to share concerns and propose initiatives. She serves on the Honor and Discipline Councils to support upholding integrity within the
community. Additionally, as part of her duties, she leads school-wide events such as Homecoming and Dude Be Nice Week. As she put it, “The most special way I have truly served the student body is through how I have responded to unexpected instances where leadership was necessary.”
As president of the Greek Culture Club, Kyriaki has helped create a space for Greek and non-Greek students to come together and celebrate their rich culture. The annual Greek Festival and Culture Fest are two focuses of the club as avenues for representation, with students participating through volunteering and attendance both on campus and outside. The club also takes on the role of space for AOS alumni, as many non-Greeks who went to AOS join and take leadership in the club.
Pink Ribbon Knight football game raises awareness for breast cancer
MIMI WRIGHT Staff Writer
Every year, Episcopal hosts a special football game event called Pink Ribbon Knight, which is dedicated to raising awareness for breast cancer and supporting local families of cancer patients. The primary goal of the event is to raise money for a local cancer charity called A Shelter for Cancer Families. This organization provides free housing to families who have a loved one undergoing cancer treatment, helping to ease some of the financial and emotional struggles during a challenging time.
Since Pink Ribbon Knight began in 2003, the event has raised an impressive $90,000 for this important cause. The fundraising efforts include a variety of activities such as a bake sale and selling pink-themed shirts. This year, they have added buttons as an additional fundraising item. During the game, cheerleaders will be circulating throughout the stands, handing out baked goods in exchange for donations that will go directly toward the
charity.
Mrs. Leigh Anne Raymond, the cheerleading coach, plays a key role in organizing the event. She emphasizes the importance of not only supporting the school’s athletic teams but also serving as positive ambassadors for the community. As part of the Pink Ribbon Knight festivities, the school also offers a unique opportunity for young girls, from kindergarten to eighth grade, to experience the excitement of cheering under the Friday night lights. This event brings together the school and the broader community in support of a meaningful cause, blending sports, fun, and philanthropy in a memorable way.
Cancer touches the lives of countless people, whether it’s the patients undergoing treatment or the family members and friends enduring the heartache of watching a loved one fight the disease.
The Pink Ribbon Knight serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness, sending the message that every donation or act of volunteering can help lighten the burden and make the difficult journey a little easier.
Forensics student Claire Whitehead participates in a lab where students dust the cars in the parking garage for fingerprints. Photo by Karen Foster.
Kyriaki Postolos assumes the role of Roxy Hart (top) and Janet Van de Graf (bottom). Photos by PhotoJ.
New contestants on Dancing with the Stars excite television viewers
LULU GIBELLINI Features Editor
The 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars is full of excitement, with a mix of athletes, actors, and famous people all competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.
One of the biggest names this season is NBA legend Dwight Howard. He’s known for being a great basketball player, and he's teamed up with professional dancer Daniella Karagach. Even though he's athletic, ballroom dancing will be a new challenge for him. Fans are eager to see how
his powerful presence on the basketball court translates to the ballroom floor.
Another sports star in the competition is NFL player Danny Amendola, who has won the Super Bowl twice. He's dancing
with Witney Carson, and fans are curious to see how his football skills work on the dance floor. His quick footwork on the field might help him, but dancing is a different kind of challenge.
Anna Delvey, famous from the Netflix show Inventing Anna, is a surprising contestant this season. She is dancing with Ezra Sosa and is likely the most talkedabout person in the competition. People are very interested in her because she is wearing an ankle monitor due to legal troubles. This makes her journey on the show very different from the others. Fans are curious to see how she will dance and handle the challenges of the show while still dealing with her legal situation. This makes her one of the most interesting contestants to watch this season.
Model Brooks Nader, who has appeared in Sports Illustrated, is also a contestant. She’s dancing with Gleb Savchenko and wants to show she can shine in the ballroom, not just on the runway.
Other stars this season include Pretty Little Liars actress Chandler Kinney and Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, both of whom are expected to give strong performances. With such a diverse group of contestants, this season is going to be filled with surprises, exciting dances, and unforgettable moments.
HEAR ME OUT
with Caroline Johnson
The British brothers behind Oasis have brought the band back after a 15-year hiatus, but was it for the better? I say that Noel and Liam Gallagher should have just stayed apart.
The band’s style, Britpop, has to be one of my favorite genres. But from Blur, The Verve, Radiohead, and many of the other bands occupying the same category, the Gallaghers have some stiff competition. If the only song of theirs you’ve ever heard is “Wonderwall,” I feel sorry for you. I’m not saying it isn’t a masterpiece, but you have to hear their hits like “Champagne Supernova” and “She’s Electric” to understand the depth behind their sound.
After announcing their 2025 tour across Europe, love for Oasis skyrocketed, sending them into a musical renaissance. Their social media platforms have been more active, and their music is gaining more streams than ever. More recently, they announced that they would have nine dates in North America - four of which are in the US. However, (and much to my dismay,) they will not be stopping in Texas. The news was ESPECIALLY
disappointing after they announced their elite opener - Cage the Elephant, one of the greatest rock bands of our generation. While the combination of Oasis and Cage the Elephant seems unorthodox, they are both musical powerhouses I am gutted to miss out on seeing together. Their North American concerts are so far in the future that I would be surprised if the band stayed together long enough to perform.
At this point, the tension between the Gallagher brothers is something almost everybody knows about. From their backstage blowouts and insulting each other during interviews to assaulting one another with tambourines, all of this led to Noel walking away from Oasis for good over a decade ago. Now that they’re back together, I just don’t foresee another tour working with their history of a rocky sibling relationship. The reconciliation is still an extremely exciting thing, and I am rooting for the band 100%.
“How many special people change? And how many lives are living strange?” I guess Houston will never get to know this time around.
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
Catherine’s Cinema
Outer Banks is a show every teenager in America is familiar with. The show premiered in 2020 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and its treasure-hunting-coming-of-age vibe made millions of fans fall in love with it. On October 10, 2024, the first half of Season Four was released and features all of the aspects of the show that make it so lovable.
Kildare Island is the setting for OBX, which sits off shore of Charleston, North Carolina. The island has two sides: The Cut and Figure Eight. The Cut is the less wealthy side of the island and is home to the Pogues, the main group of the show. Figure Eight is the wealthy side and belongs to the Kooks. The Pogues consist of John B (Chase Stokes), Pope Heyward (Jonathon Daviss), Kiara Carrera (Madison Bailey), JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow), and Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), and
since Season Three, Cleo Anderson (Carlacia Grant). The Kooks featured on the show are Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey) and Topper Thorton (Austin North). Their long rivalry is one aspect that is nowhere near forgotten in the recent season. Season Four picks off right where its predecessor left off. We follow the Pogues as they use their newfound treasure to attempt to build a new life on the Outer Banks. But trouble always seems to follow them, and the group endures another set of trials and errors as they embark on a new adventure: the hunt for Blackbeard’s Treasure.
I highly recommend watching the new season of OBX, and if you have yet to watch the show, now is the time to start. From the music to the amazing cast, Outer Banks is the perfect show to binge this fall to start preparing for next summer. Knock out that homework and catch up on Outer Banks before the rest of Season Four drops on November 7.
Lincoln Lawyer series amazes fans
Fans of crime literature has surely heard of Michael Connelly, the man behind one of the most famous detective series and shows: the Harry Bosch Series. What they may not have heard of, however, is his other set of novels, The Lincoln Lawyer, which I consider to be criminally underrated.
Although there are six Lincoln Lawyer books, the first one is the most iconic. Readers meet Mickey Haller, a struggling criminal defense attorney (Harry Bosch’s half-brother) in Los Angeles who does most of his work out of his car - a Lincoln Convertible. Throughout the novel, he proves an old client’s innocence and realizes that his current client is the guilty one. The story is a great read as it has all of the plot elements of a classic detective book but with an unsuspecting protagonist.
In 2011, a movie of the same name starring Matthew McConaughey was released. As a whole, it stayed pretty true to the book, but it was nowhere near one of the most iconic lawyer movies one could watch. However, in 2022, a Netflix show, also called The Lincoln Lawyer, came out, which proved to be much more entertaining than the movie. Season One of the show is based on the sequel to The Lincoln Lawyer, entitled The Brass Verdict. In 2022, Season Two of the series came out, this time based on the Connelly’s series fourth book, The Fifth Witness. On October 17 of this year, Season Three
was released. The episodes of the show pair impeccably with one another, giving the story more romantic elements than in the book and allowing Mickey to have a deeper backstory than before.
The actor playing Mickey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, was an impeccable casting choice, outshining McConaughey’s 2011 work. Especially in Seasons Two and Three, he played such an emotional character, and seeing his childhood interactions with his father tied the story together perfectly. I applaud the show writers’ choice to stray from the plot of the first novel for the television adaptation; it was a bold decision that paid off, as The Brass Verdict is the best book in the series- the storyline of Mickey inheriting his murdered coworker’s cases is unforgettable.
The show made the movie seem like a sub-par attempt at the books’ stories, which I could not recommend enough.
CAROLINE JOHNSON Opinions Editor
Outer Banks’ Chase Stokes, Carlacia Grant, Jonathan Daviss, Madeline Cline, and Rudy Pankow. Photo courtesy of Teen Vogue.
Connelly’s series inspired a movie and a Netflix show. Photo courtesy of Shakespeare and Company.
Photo courtesy of People Magazine.
From 2008 to 2012, pop culture was shaped by a wide range of factors. Social media rose in popularity as Face book, Twitter, and Instagram became the go-to for connecting with others, sharing opinions, and keeping up with celebrities. Viral content and dance trends, such as the “Gangnam Style” dance in 2012, spread rapidly across the world through these platforms, showing the impact social media had on globalization.
In movies, superhero franchises also began to dominate. The Dark Knight (2008) and The Avengers (2012) reshaped Hollywood, both breaking several box office records, which sparked a new era of blockbuster filmmaking. Television gained popularity during this period, with critically acclaimed series like Breaking Bad (2008) and Game of Thrones (2011) capturing viewers’ attention. These shows showcased complex characters and compelling plots, which demonstrated a shift toward high-quality storytelling and production that grew dedicated fanbases. In terms of animation and cartoons, shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show grew in popularity for their ability to attract both kids and adults.
Chasing a crush in tag, running the makeshift bases in kickball, or having a near death experience on the monkey bars. These exhilarating playground games defined recesses and after-school hangouts. There was something timeless about these carefree competitions; it was never about winning or losing but rather enjoying the thrill of sprinting and skillfully navigating the playground’s obstacles. Reflecting on these blithe moments prompts us to compare them to our present: What was the secret to this easy-going lifestyle? What have we lost? In the sandbox, we crafted new worlds and fantasies, laughing and embracing the absurdity of it all. We morphed into monsters, princesses, or construction workers. On the swings, we soared through the air concerned only with how high we could go. It wasn’t just innocence that made these moments special; it was innocence that forced us to be fully present. We unknowingly practiced a state of mindfulness, immersing ourselves in our activities – whether as a construction worker in the sandbox or an athlete on the kickball field – unburdened by the stresses of the world.
As we traded playgrounds for consoles, video games became our new frontier. Classic games like Mario Kart or The Legend of Zelda filled rainy afternoons with adventures that extended beyond swings and slides. As high schoolers, we may feel distant from these carefree days, but revisiting the simplicity of a jump rope contest, the excitement of discovering a new video game level, or simply being mindful of the present can remind us of the joy in shared experiences.
our attention. In case you don’t remember, these shoes had built in wheels in the heel, hence the name. Unfortunately, as fun as they were, teachers were not huge fans of them. Sketcher’s light up shoes were another favorite. Guaranteed to make you the coolest kid on the playground, these shoes really changed the game.
Then of course, we have the Claire’s epidemic - every girl’s fashion dreams all in one store. The spike ball clip on earnings, puff ball headbands, an extensive plethora of bows, and glamorous handbags made it hard to come out empty handed.
An essential accessory, especially for the athletes, Fitbit not only told us the time and date, but it also tracked our steps, which was great when competing with others for who had the most. Although, people quickly caught on to the short cut of shaking your wrist since the watch was unable to differentiate the difference. If you had one of these on your wrist, people knew you didn’t mess around when it came to racing. Believe it or not, these trends have definitely influenced some fashion trends today. Although, it’s not promised that the Heelys will be making a comeback anytime soon.
Nostalgia has a way of transporting us back to moments that define us, and for many ries. From adventurous quests to heartwarming tales, books captured our childhood imaginations.
Titles like Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White or The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis captured the innocence and freewill of a child’s mind, as we made deep connections with the characters in each of the novels. Some picture books, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, written and illustrated by Eric Carle, include illustrations with simple, yet profound, messages. The adorable story taught lessons about growth and the joy of transformation as children read about a caterpillar’s journey from an egg to a butterfly.
Many girls’ personal favorites included the Rainbow Magic fairy books or in the Rainbow Magic fairy books featured different fairies with unique powers, and each tale emphasized magic, friendship, and teamwork. Pinkalicious was a delightful tale about a girl who loves all things pink, tutus, and cupcakes. Looking back, this book celebrates creativity and self-expression within a playful story.
Last, Pete the Cat by James Dead and Eric Litwin brings a cool, nonchalant vibe to the world of children’ groovy and laid-back cat, teaches positivity when life has its ups and downs. resonate deeply with kids.
Altogether, books create a world of memories, each offering its own lessons and joy for children as they first start reading. So, next time you go through your closet and see these cherished books, take a moment to revisit the tales they brought to your childhood and perhaps share them with a new generation.
Anneliese Degrange
Favorite Disney Princess: Ariel
Playground Game: Tag; Hide & Seek
Place with the most nostalgia: Osaka Japanese Sushi
Childhood Fixation: Roblox
What do you miss from Childhood? Believing in Santa
Lorenzo Juarez
Favorite Disney Princess: Rapunzel
Playground Game: Swings!
Place with the most nostalgia: Grandparent’s House
Childhood Fixation: Soccer
What do you miss from Childhood? Staying with my Grandparents
The period of music between 2008 and 2012 was marked by an increased fusion of genres, which reflects a shift toward more experimental sounds in mainstream music. This blending of styles became a hallmark of the 20082012 era, as artists started embracing more diverse influences. One of the most prominent examples of this fusion was through electropop, which combined the catchy hooks and melodies of pop with the energizing beats of electronic music. Lady Gaga’s hits, like “Just Dance” (2008) and “Bad Romance” (2009), embody this trend, as she mixes pop with synthheavy production. In the same way, Kesha incorporated elements of hip-hop, rock, and EDM into her music, making it reach across different fanbases. Hip-hop also began to intersect with pop and electronic music. One example of this is shown in Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” (2012), as she merged rap verses with pop choruses and EDM breakdowns, showcasing how versatile the genre can be.
Indie and alternative artists also embraced this fusion, as bands like MGMT, with tracks like “Electric Feel” (2008), mixed psychedelia, pop, and electronic elements. This era’s music became a melting pot of genres, allowing artists to explore and expand the boundaries of their sound. The fusion of genres greatly impacted modern music, where genre distinctions continue to blur
What do you miss from Childhood? Easter egg hunts
Student Survey: Were you allowed to watch SpongeBob as a child?
child’s wish list. If you ever had a childhood dance party, there’s a 99%
Halloween history spans several centuries of fun-filled frights
PORTER MILLER
Social Media Coordinator
Halloween has been around for more than a thousand years, evolving from a religious observance to a fun and festive celebration.
Its roots start in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, observed on November 1, when it was believed that the dead returned to their homes. To keep off these spirits, people wore costumes and lit bonfires, giving rise to familiar symbols like witches and ghosts.
In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints Day on November 1, merging Christian and pagan traditions. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, also known as Halloween.
As its origins were in Celtic regions,
Halloween spread throughout the world. In America, early colonists in New England faced restrictions against its celebration, but Southern colonies embraced it. By the 1800s, harvest festivals incorporated Halloween elements, particularly as Irish immigrants brought their customs during the Potato Famine.
The tradition of trick-or-treating gained popularity in the early 20th century as communities revived the Old-World practice of “guising,” where performers exchanged tricks for treats. By the 1950s, this custom had turned into the candycentric celebration we know today.
Now, Halloween stands as one of the biggest candy sales events in the U.S., raking in over $3 billion annually, making it the ultimate holiday for dress-up and fun, especially for children.
ALEX GONZALES
Staff Writer
Recognized as one of the best breakfast spots in America by Forbes, USA Today, and Esquire for its outstanding and authentic dishes, The Breakfast Klub has become a staple of the Houston food scene.
The Breakfast Klub’s mission is to deliver top-notch soul food and create an environment where everyone in the community feels welcome. Founded by Marcus Davis in 2001, The Breakfast Klub was created with a commitment to customer experience, community, and quality. The two flagship dishes are the Katfish and Grits and the wings and waffles.
All their dishes are made with fresh ingredients and a commitment to the authenticity of soul food. The wings and
Episcopal High School’s only restaurant review
waffles are a paragon of The Breakfast Klub experience; the wings are cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside with flavorful seasoning and tender inside so when paired with their waffles and some syrup, they are a one-of-a-kind experience and the best wings and waffles in town.
This straightforward model of incredible but simple food and outstanding service has led to it continually being awarded and recognized for its food over the past two decades. The Breakfast Klub doesn’t just capture the community of Houston, but it encapsulates the mission and goal of soul food, which is to bring people together through a connective environment and food that speaks for itself. If you choose to visit The Breakfast Klub, be prepared to see a shockingly long line of people, all waiting for their chance to indulge in what the restaurant has to offer.
IZZIE SONG Production Editor
The college admissions process can be especially daunting for low-income and first-generation students, but Episcopal High School’s newest Associate Director of College Counseling, Jaime Kim, has dedicated her career to tackling those barriers.
As a first-generation college graduate herself, Mrs. Kim’s upbringing led her to pursue teaching and counseling in hopes of addressing the lack of information that often prevents students from even applying to higher education. Mrs. Kim’s first mentoring jobs were in public and charter schools, but she eventually moved to Houston-based private institutions such as St. Agnes. During this time, she juggled the roles of college counselor and mental health counselor. Although her current role in EHS does not include the latter, that wellness background still heavily informs her practice.
Rarely do people associate mental health with the college admissions process, but Mrs. Kim’s role as a counselor encapsu-
lates far more than what meets the eye. In addition to essay reading and application review, Mrs. Kim has taken the issue of access into her own hands.
Low-income schools, widely consisting of POC students, don’t just face the issue of yearly tuition; access is another area of disadvantage. Insufficient access to guidance, resources, and information plagues these communities. Eliminating these issues, Mrs. Kim states, is critical to supporting democracy. Access leads to diversity which leads to plurality of thought - in the classroom, in the workforce, and in our country.
Mrs. Kim’s work on the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) Board of Trustees and the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC) Executive Board helps further her goal. As the first Asian American to serve on these boards, she is making waves in terms of highlighting Houston’s vast diversity. Her presence is a warm reminder of the great strides college counseling has made within the past years. Her endeavors are symbolic of the progress yet to come.
ALL THINGZ fashion
DARIA MASSEY Staff Writer
I strongly believe costume design plays a very big role in film. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to the Star Wars movies, you can’t deny that the character’s closets contribute to creating memorable, iconic movies. And because it is October, what better time to explore one of the most quintessential fashion masterpieces in the cinematic universe.
When I think of phenomenal costume design, my mind immediately goes to Disney’s Cruella (2021). Costume designer Jenny Beavan won 11 Oscars and nine BAFTA awards from her unique and innovative works from the film.
There are so many incredible costumes, it is hard to just pick one, but my all-time favorite has to be the “garbage truck” dress. Cruella, played by Emma Stone,
strategically interrupts an exclusive event to get the press’s attention by arriving in a garbage truck. The back of the truck then abruptly opens and pieces of fabric spill out, and before you can even begin to wonder what is going on, Cruella rises from the pile in a blush-colored bodice embellished with snippets of newspaper articles written about her.
Then, after a few photos, the truck starts to pull out and the fabric pile, revealed to be her nearly 40-foot-long dress train, drags on the road behind her. This revolutionary gown perfectly intertwines Cruella’s notoriously eccentric personality and her rebellious fashion tendencies and had designers and fashionistas who were watching the movie on the edge of their seats.
Women in the early 18th century dress in witch costumes for Halloween in the U.S.A. Photo courtesy of nationalgeographic.com.
Patrons dine in front of the Breakfast Klub’s iconic celebrity paintings. Photo courtesy of theinfatuation.com.
Cruella de Vil, portrayed by Emma Stone, poses for the press in Disney’s live-action adaptation of her story. Photo courtesy of vogue.com.
World in Review
CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Co-Editor-in-Chief
The last four years globally have been some of the most chaotic in decades, with growing tensions with China, escalating conflict in Gaza and the wider Middle East, and a draining invasion of Ukraine. Despite these serious developments and their relevance in American politics, the issue of foreign policy in both campaigns seems vaguer than ever. In these uncertain times, it is important to get a clear overview of what this election has in store.
The Republicans for their part run a relatively undivided party in terms of opinions on approach to foreign policy. That’s not to say there is no diversity in opinion, there certainly is, with positions ranging from neoconservatives to isolationists on issues of funding to allies and America’s responsibly to intervene abroad. Then, in 2016, Trump emerged as a cynical critic of previous wars, dismissing the narrative of nation-building mission. Instead, he appealed to an America First paleoconservative ideology focused on protecting interests overseas. This pivot was in line with his general anti-establishment appeal to disaffected voters much like his policies on immigration. Ukraine is likely the best example of the direction the Republican campaign has gone in. Ukraine was not nearly as relevant under Trump’s presidency than it is now, so there is little precedence to point at in forecasting what his approach would look like. Most of his rhetoric consists of blaming Biden’s, and now Harris’s, weakness for prompting Russia to attack and claiming that he could resolve the issue before inauguration. Contrast this with the Biden administration, which has caught flak for contributing too much money to Ukraine’s war effort, including accusations of corruption. The war is generally understood to have ground to a halt over the last year with barely any movement on the frontlines, meaning that most of the optimism in a Ukrainian victory has receded, and ques-
tions are instead being raised on avoiding another “forever war” entanglement.
The question of how to tackle China in this new Cold War has taken somewhat of a backseat compared to Ukraine and now Gaza, yet it will be likely the most decisive issues in determining America’s future place on the world stage as well and continue to be a pressing concern for voters. The two candidates differ significantly in their approach to foreign alliances, with Trump being critical of NATO whereas Biden and Harris are more interested in presenting a united front in both Europe and Asia. Harris’s campaign has little to gain from giving specifics to her foreign policy goals as most people undecided between her and Trump will only be swung by domestic policies. Furthermore, elaboration of her plans could likely hurt her chances of winning, given that the issue of Gaza looks likely to split much of her vote among further left young voters, many of whom could be unmotivated to vote. This is issue will be especially relevant in Michigan, where a bloc of Arab voters who helped swing the state for Biden may instead cast a protest vote for a third-party candidate such as Jill Stein.
Even if she were to take a less supportive route with Israel, however, Congress is the one in charge of sending aid and is currently strongly pro-Israel, and any change may upset pro-Israel Democrats. Trump is in a much more comfortable spot, as although there are Republicans critical of sending billions in aid dollars to Israel in terms of America First policy. Iran has long been the number one foe in the minds of conservatives. Trump’s administration did not break this trend, seeing the end of the Iran nuclear deal, and now blames October 7 at least in part on the unfreezing of Iranian assets by Biden. However, if Kamala wins in November, her presidency would coincide with that of the somewhat more moderate Masoud Pezeshkian in power, presenting prospect of Harris rebuilding diplomatic ties eventually in the next four years.
Have you ever gone to get your blood drawn? If you have, you might know it as a painful process where they first bind your arm and then squeeze your veins to stick in a needle, seemingly about a foot long. After the whole process, you must watch as tubes and tubes of blood come out of your arm, all while starting to feel a bit faint and dizzy. Well, at one point, the field of blood testing was about to change forever. Now imagine going to get your blood tested, but instead of taking out 2-5 tubes, one tiny pinprick of blood from your finger was all that was needed to run 100 plus tests. In 2004, a company called Theranos, started by Stanford dropout Elizabeth Holmes, claimed to be the people who could carry out this dream. This dream caught the eye of investors and consumers alike but collapsed under the weight of false promises. At the heart of Theranos’ appeal was Holmes herself. She modeled herself after Steve Jobs, adopting his black turtlenecks and making a new persona. Investors were captivated by her story, a Stanford drop-
Urban planning flaws recognized
ALEX GONZALES Staff Writer
After World War II, the United States experienced a significant demographic shift characterized by movement to the suburbs. This movement was facilitated by massproduced housing projects such as Levittown, and government loans allowed veterans to buy homes more easily and created a greater demand for housing.
This trend was also punctuated by the influence of white flight, whereby non-whites were discriminated against and blocked from homeownership, and whites found it more appealing to move out to the suburbs and have larger homes. This movement not only led to the abandonment of urban centers but also solidified economic disparities, particularly impacting low-income communities and minorities left behind in declining cities. The consequences of this shift continue to resonate today as urban poverty remains indelibly related to the opportunities and vitality that urban planning has created.
One field that provides insight into urban planning is the complexity theory. The father of complexity theory is widely recognized as Henri Poincaré, a French mathematician and scientist who proposed and offered valuable insights into the limitations of predicting deterministic systems and the chaos that arises from them.
Urban planning is much the same in that small changes in initial conditions or the structures of cities significantly influence the effect of living and opportunities.
Another complexity theorist, Benoit Mandelbrot, is known for his work in fractals and complexity. One system governed by this theory of complexity is urban environments, which exhibit fractal characteristics, meaning they are made up of interconnected parts that operate at various scales. This perspective underscores that urban development is not a linear process that can be easily dictated through centralized planning. Using his idea of fractal behavior, having communities that are self-sufficient and independent within a broader web is the best way to organize such a system.
out in her early twenties who was going to disrupt a multi-billion-dollar industry. Holmes raised more than $700 million from private investors, pushing Theranos' valuation to an eye-watering $9 billion by 2014. But behind the curtain, the science did not add up.
The company's most acclaimed technology, the Edison machine, was supposed to perform dozens of tests with just a few drops of blood. However, employees within the company revealed that the device was unreliable, and that Theranos had been using commercially available machines to conduct many of the tests they claimed their Edison machine had done.
The consequences of this fraud were significant. Not only were investors defrauded, but patients were also affected. Faulty test results from Theranos machines misled people about their health, in some cases leading to incorrect diagnoses and incorrect treatments. The human price of this fraud goes further than money; it compromised trust in medical innovation itself.
Jane Jacobs outlines in her seminal work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, that having mixed-use development through the combination of residential and commercial facilities spurs interconnectedness and strength of communities. Additionally, having residences near commercial businesses discourages crime since, instead of making the average American’s commute 27 minutes, according to the Census, people can be in proximity to their places of work, so there are “eyes on the street” of these businesses.
Another way that current urban planning can be improved is by easing zoning laws, which often dictate cumbersome regulations, forcing businesses to comply with oft-arbitrary dictates such as minimum requirements of parking spaces for businesses, leading to downtown areas such as Houston comprised of 26% parking lots.
To combat the inefficiency and stagnation that current urban planning is causing, we must understand urban environments as complex, adaptive systems; policymakers can better embrace a bottom-up approach that recognizes the diverse needs of communities, promoting more sustainable and inclusive urban development.
Texas keeps Oklahoma’s score low in this year’s Red River Rivalry
CATHERINE MILLER Staff Writer
Every October, thousands of Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners drive to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to witness one of the most anticipated college rivalries in the U.S.: The Red River Rivalry. October 12, 2024, was nothing short of previous years, as the number one team in the nation, the University of Texas, with a record of 5-0, faced the University of Oklahoma with a season record of 4-1.
Junior Quinn Ewers was the starting quarterback for Texas. Ewers missed two games due to an injury and his return for the rivalry started off shaky with one of his first drives ending in an interception. But, by the end of the first quarter, Ewers seemed to have gotten his confidence back and was finally finding his groove. Oklahoma had a strong start against Texas with an early field goal. However, Texas’
impressive defense held firm, holding OU scoreless for the remainder of the game. Texas scored early in the second quarter with a touchdown by Gunnar Helms, putting them on top 7-3, and the ‘Horns would remain there for the rest of the game. Oklahoma relentlessly attempted to score, yet the Longhorn’s defense persisted. Texas continued to impress, even turning mistakes into points, like the amazing fumble recovery in the end zone by Silas Bolden. The offense remained strong while Oklahoma’s defense faltered, allowing Texas to go into halftime with an 18-point lead.
In the third quarter, Burt Auburn again did his part for the team, booting a 41-yd field goal after missing one in the previous quarter. By the fourth, Texas had scored again with another field goal Auburn and a touchdown by Ewers.
The Texas Longhorns came out on top with a final score of 34-3, taking back the Golden Hat.
Bauch begins legacy at EHS
PAIGE PAN Staff Writer
Freshman Henry Bauch is already leaving his mark at Episcopal, not only for his impressive achievements in sports and music but also for his commitment to personal growth.
Henry has been practicing Krav Maga for a decade now and recently earned his junior black belt in May of 2024. He also trains in Jiu Jitsu, showcasing his dedication to pushing himself both mentally and physically. “My mom introduced me to Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu, and I continue to train in both because I enjoy pushing myself mentally and physically,” Henry shared.
In addition to martial arts, Henry is an accomplished drummer who spent three years as the house band drummer at School of Rock. He even performed twice at Milwaukee’s renowned Summerfest,
an annual music festival that has hosted many well-known artists such as Metallica, Bruno Mars, and Lil Uzi Vert. Henry balances these demanding activities with academics through effective time management. “It’s all about prioritizing your time,” he explains. “I have to use my time wisely during break and lunch to get my homework done and study.”
He credits his parents as his primary supporters and role models. “My mom not only supports me but also trains with me and sets a high standard,” he said. His father also inspires him with his strong work ethic and sets a good example for him.
On top of all his other sports and having to deal with an injury, Henry is determined to play football this season and is excited to start wrestling as well. What keeps him motivated and on top of all his activities is “serving God, [his] family, and [his] community.” He also thinks about, “what would happen if I fail, and that makes me work even harder.”
Fuselier leads EHS varsity teams
The Knight Times is proud to feature senior student-athlete Greer Fuselier. Greer stands out for her dedication to the varsity field hockey and lacrosse teams.
Her journey with field hockey began in the sixth grade when she joined because her friends were playing. Soon after, she fell in love with the sport, particularly enjoying its competitive nature. Her freshman year at EHS, Greer had earned a spot on the varsity team, a position she has held for the past four years.
In addition to field hockey, Greer is also a key member of the varsity lacrosse team and has been on the team since her freshman year. Although she played club field hockey for a time, she eventually decided to focus on lacrosse, finding it too difficult to manage both.
Greer’s passion for both sports extend beyond the games themselves. She loves the strong bonds she shares with her teammates, which she considers the highlight of her athletic experience. Specifically, regular team dinners and hangouts are her favorite.
Over the years, Greer has demonstrated leadership, serving as field hockey captain for the past two seasons. In lacrosse, she was named captain for half the season in her sophomore year, captain in her junior year, and is now preparing to try out for the role again in her final year.
Her coaches describe her as hardworking and caring. She has won multiple awards for her commitment to both sports. In field hockey, she earned a South Zone selection and was named All-SPC during her junior year. In lacrosse, she has consistently excelled, achieving All-State honors in her junior year and securing All-SPC selections in ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades. Additionally, she has also been named MVP of her lacrosse team for three consecutive years.
Greer thanks much of her success to the influence of her mother and her coaches, Coach Canella and Coach Colson.
“They push me to be better every day and have a huge impact on my life,” she shares.
Though Greer does not plan to continue playing field hockey in college, she is open to joining club teams, particularly for lacrosse.
The Houston Astros’ 2024 playoff season began on October 1 at Minute Made Park, where they faced the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Series. Despite a hard-fought effort, the Astros fell short with a 3-1 loss. Players like Jeremy Peña, Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, and Yainer Diaz made a notable impact, showcasing their potential. Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal delivered an impressive performance, but the Astros managed seven hits. Astros manager Joe Espada expressed pride in his team, stating, “Those guys never quit, so I’m not surprised by our push there at the end.”
The Wild Card Series required teams to win two out of three games to advance to the next round of the MLB playoffs. Unfortunately, the Astros’ season came to a disappointing end in the second game on October 2. The Tigers shut them out with a 5-0 victory, officially eliminating the Astros from World Series contention.
While the Astros’ playoff run was brief, several players stood out. Hunter Brown, Jon Singleton, and José Altuve were recognized for their efforts on the field. The team showed resilience and determination but could not overcome Detroit’s pitching and defense. Despite the outcome, the Astros players left it all on the field, and their promising young talents, combined with their veteran leadership, point toward a bright future for the organization.
Though their 2024 playoff journey ended sooner than expected, the Astros’ fight and spirit reflected their championship pedigree, reminding fans why they’ve been perennial contenders in recent years. The Houston Astros have a strong mix of young players and experienced veterans, making them ready to compete in future seasons. Fans are excited to see what’s next for this tough team. With their talent and experience, they will stay strong in the league, and the challenges they faced this year will help them improve in 2025 and beyond.
MIMI WRIGHT Staff Writer
LULU GIBELLINI Features Editor
Astros stumble in playoffs
Henry Bauch, the multi-sport athlete, prepares for the JV football game. Photo courtesy of Henry Bauch.
Senior Greer Fuselier passes the ball during the intense field hockey game against The Kinkaid School. Photo by Ms. Hilary Smith.
Sports
Football shuts down the Mavericks
THOMPSON WHITE
Co-Editor-in-Chief
The month of October holds special significance for football, as it marks the first time the Knights meet their rivals on the gridiron. On October 11, the Knights declared their strength over their adversary St. John’s with a 48-45 victory. Then, the team went on to make a statement against Kinkaid…
This season, St. John’s boasts a surprisingly strong team. Led by Cole Allen, who leads all of Texas schools– public and private – in touchdowns, the 5-1 Mavericks confidently arrived at EHS expecting victory. However, sophomore quarterback Brody Bartee had different plans. Named SPC 4A Player of the Week, Brody Bartee threw for an impressive 362 yards and
four touchdowns. One of these was a 51-yard touchdown to his older brother, senior Logan Bartee. DJ Taylor, a senior receiver, also had a noteworthy game with three touchdowns and 127 receiving yards.
With less than a minute in regulation, Brody connected with Tate Organ on a 40yard completion, setting up a game-tying drive to make it 45-45. In overtime, it all came down to junior kicker Jared Pineda, who drilled a clutch 40-yard field goal to secure the Knights’ victory.
Next, the Knights traveled to Kinkaid to face the 7-1 Falcons. The game was a defensive battle, with the Falcons narrowly edging out a 16-14 victory. EHS can still secure a spot in the SPC Finals if they win their remaining games against St. Mark’s and John Cooper.
Girls volleyball seeking SPC victory
VANESSA REED Sports Editor
Continuing their upward trend in preparation for SPC, the girls volleyball team has beaten its first SPC opponent, John Cooper.
It was a tough and close game as the girls battled it out all the way to five sets, winning 3-2. The team has faced two top SPC opponents, Awty International school and its biggest rival, Kinkaid. Working diligently all week, the team swept both teams, not dropping a single set.
The team has shown overall growth as a new and younger team. Lila Habiby, sophomore middle blocker, earned the Athlete of the Week honor recently by having six blocks and six kills in one game. More and more athletes from all grade levels have stepped up to lead the team and contribute to its growth and progress.
Currently, they squad is ranked fourth overall in the SPC according to Max Preps.
The team recently celebrated Senior Night for Reagan Moriarty and Vanessa Reed. The opponent was St. Pius who they beat in three sets.
Field hockey shows resilience Seniors dominate boys volleyball
VANESSA REED
Sports Editor
Continuing its winning streak, the Episcopal boys volleyball team dominated all its competition recently. The program has swept all its competitors, beating every team in three sets. This shows immense consistency, and the boys continue to keep up this championship ways.
The team’s record is 4-0 in SPC play with noteworthy wins over The Kinkaid
School and St. John’s, along with wins over Houston Homeschool Athletics, and the Casady School.
Senior and team starting middle blocker Ethan Lahoti has recovered from injury and is back to competing for the team. Regaining the middle assist will help secure victories for the other SPC matches coming up.
The SPC championship will be held in Dallas where the team looks to repeat as champion. With six seniors this year, the prospects are solid.
Cross country JV makes history
SIMONA KARNANI
Copy Editor
Headed by new coach Regan McCartney, the cross country team has been working toward another SPC title. Through daily practices at 5:45 a.m., and the new leadership, the team has already competed at numerous meets.
Coming off a sweep at the Friendswood meet on August 17, the JV and varsity girls teams place third at the Brenham Hillacious Invitational on Saturday, September 7. Girls varsity placed third in the 5A/6A division, and key runners Huntley Buckingham, Gigi Bass, and Olivia Kiefer finished in the top ten.
On Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, the teams competed at the Nike South Invitational in the Woodlands. Varsity boys placed second, and Will Pacey finished fourth overall in his heat. Varsity girls finished in the top ten in the Elite race and places seventh.
On Saturday, October 5, the Knights
raced the Maverick Ramble. The girls swept and took first, and the boys finished sixth. Earlier in the season at the St. John XC Classic, Episcopal only raced its JV teams. JV girls had a perfect race by taking all the top spots and getting the lowest score possible - the lower the score the better. The JV team competed in the varsity category and stood up to lead by example for the rest of the season.
Runner Isabelle DeGrange is excited for the season and said that she “enjoys bonding with [her] teammates and all doing something [they] love together.” She is looking forward to SPC and South Zone. The teams’ weekly schedules are demanding. The girls’ weekly mileages range from 35-40 miles and the boys range from 40-45 miles. Runners normally wake up at 5:00 a.m. for practice. Tuesdays and Thursdays are hard days, and Saturdays are either long runs or meets. Before a meet, the lowest mileage run is 3.5 miles and the highest mileage is on a long run day, normally 10 or more miles.
DARIA MASSEY Staff Writer
As the Knights approach SPC, excitement rises among the Episcopal varsity field hockey team members as they take on their biggest rivals in their first few counter games.
The girls have practiced for two hours daily which consists of productive training in preparation for their games.
“A lot of our current focus is on maintaining our health, unity, and concentrating on our game,” Head Coach Shelly Canella notes.
On October 3, the Knights took on one of their biggest competitors, the Kinkaid Falcons, in an intense game. Unfortunately, the team lost 4-1 but put up a great fight against the nationally ranked team. Co-captain Greer Fuselier scored an incredible goal toward the end of the game, providing the field hockey team’s first goal against Kinkaid in five years.
Although they were missing their captain and attacking center mid Sela
Provenzano due to injury, the team has shown resilience in their recent games.
Coach Canella remarked, “The team is feeling prepared. It has been a challenging month of competition that has revealed the areas the team needs to work on; as a result, they have grown into a stronger group. They understand how to support each other, believe in each other, and lift each other up during games. The team is committed to the goals they have set, and they know what they need to do to achieve them.”
Sophomore Mary Khalil commented, “This season we have grown not only as individuals but as a team, always bringing out good vibes to the field.”
The team fought hard in their games against St. Agnes and Sacred Heart. Despite their loses, they have a positive outlook on their upcoming games and are ready to take on the SPC.
“The team has made incredible adjustments in their lineup, allowing them to play three very competitive games against these ranked teams,” Coach Canella expressed.
DJ Taylor marches to the end zone. Photo by Sloane Wallace.
Kate Lahoti runs down the ball. Photo by Libby Davis.
Varsity girls celebrate their victory against Kinkaid. Photo by Jack Zoeller.
Speaks Out
“What was your favorite costume growing up?”
Prints Charming
Cartoon by Izzie Song.
PhotoJ Photo of the Month
RISHABH SHARMA “Ninja Turtle”
MADIGAN MURPHY “Mermaid”
HENRY BRANCH “Spiderman”
JOCELYN VALENCIA “Spiderman”
LELA SHAH “Scooby Doo”
TROY COLLINS “Astronaut”
LAYLA WHITE “Minnie Mouse”
MRS. MCCARTNEY “Texas cheerleader”
A scene from the EHS Onstage production of Radium Girls Photo by Avalon Bell.
MR. DUNCAN “Shaft”
WYATT JOHNSON “Soldier”