The Balancing Act
Personal Colum Hit or Miss
Reporter reflects on pressure of college applications
Mikaylah Stimage | Reporter
The pressure on high school students to get into college is overwhelming. Between AP classes, standardized tests, extracurriculars, and personal essays, it often feels like we’re expected to be perfect. Every decision, every grade, every activity seems to hold the weight of our entire future. This constant voice in our heads tells us that if we don’t do everything right, we won’t get into a good college, and if we don’t get into a good college, we won’t have a successful life. It’s exhausting.
From the moment we step into high school, we’re told that everything matters. Freshman year, we’re warned not to slack off because colleges “look at all four years.” During our sophomore year, we started adding AP classes and honors courses to our schedules, even if we were not interested in them, just to boost our GPAs. Junior year, the stress reaches a peak the SAT, ACTs, even more APs, leadership positions, volunteering hours, and internships if we’re lucky enough to get them. Senior year should be a relief, but it isn’t. Instead, we’re drowning in essays, application fees, lastminute retakes of standardized tests, and the terrifying wait for decisions. There’s no room for mistakes. A single B can feel like a failure. If you have a horrible day during an exam, your GPA might drop, and with it, your chances of getting into your dream school.
Colleges claim to look at applications “holistically,” but we all know that numbers matter. We’re told that perfect GPAs and high test scores aren’t enough we also have to have passions, unique interests, leadership experience, and a compelling personal story. The problem is that it’s hard to develop real passions when doing things just to look good on an application. Extracurricular activities are supposed to be about finding what we love, but, they become another source of stress. It’s not enough to join a club you need to be president or founder. Playing a sport is good, but being captain is better. Volunteering is great, but unless it’s tied to a passion and you have hundreds of hours logged, it’s just another checkmark on an application. It’s not about enjoying activities anymore; it’s about making them sound impressive. and because everyone is doing the same thing, the bar keeps getting higher. Test scores are another nightmare. Some colleges are test-optional, but not all, and many still consider SAT and ACT scores. That means hours of studying, expensive prep courses, and taking the test multiple times to get a score that won’t hold us back. The test itself is stressful enough, but the system is even worse. Not everyone can afford tutors or retakes. Some people are naturally better at standardized tests, while others struggle no matter how hard they study. And yet, we’re all judged by
the same numbers. The financial aspect of college adds another layer of anxiety. Tuition is ridiculously high, and scholarships are insanely competitive. Many of us don’t just need to get into college we need to get into a college that offers enough financial aid. The pressure isn’t just about academics; it’s about not ending up in debt for the rest of our lives. Then there’s the emotional toll.
It’s not just pressure from schools it’s from parents, teachers, and even friends. Some parents expect straight A’s and Ivy League acceptances. Others compare us to our siblings or family friends in top schools. Teachers, even the supportive ones, remind us how competitive admissions are. And classmates? We’re all competing with each other, even if no one says it out loud. There’s a constant tension between who got a better test score, who got into a prestigious summer program, and who already has their college acceptances lined up. Social media makes it worse. We see posts about people getting into their dream schools, winning scholarships, and landing internships at bigname companies. No one talks about their rejections, their failures, their struggles. It creates an illusion that everyone else is succeeding while we’re falling behind.
The worst part is that after all this stress, after years of working ourselves to exhaustion, there’s no guarantee it will pay off. College admissions are unpredictable. We hear stories of students with perfect scores and good resumes getting rejected from their top choices. We see people who did “everything right” ending up at schools they never expected to attend. Meanwhile, others get in with connections, legacy status, or just sheer luck. It makes us wonder if all the stress is worth it. For many of us, the answer doesn’t even matter. The pressure is so deeply ingrained in us that we don’t think we have a choice. We chase perfection because we’ve been told it’s the only way to succeed. But at what cost? We sacrifice sleep, mental health, free time, and genuine happiness for a shot at a college acceptance letter. We’ve accepted stress as a normal part of life.
The system isn’t fair, and it isn’t sustainable. We know it. Our teachers know it. Our parents know it. And yet, nothing changes. Colleges keep getting more competitive, expectations keep rising and students are breaking under the weight of it. So what’s the solution? Honestly, we don’t know. It’s not as simple as “just relax” or “don’t care so much.” We do care. We have to, but we can start by admitting that pressure isn’t normal or healthy. Maybe we can talk about how exhausting and unfair it is, instead of acting like stress is just part of being a high schooler. We don’t have the answers. However, we do know one thing something needs to change.
Prom theme disappoints seniors
On Halloween in 2024, a form was sent out by the school and to the senior class asking them what prom theme they would like out of two options, said options being ‘Under the City Lights’ and ‘Midnight Masquerade,’ and received over 70% of votes towards the latter. The school decided to completely ignore the students’ wishes and instead chose to go with the former. This is unacceptable. It seems redundant to even ask the students what they wanted in the first place if the school was just going to do whatever they wanted instead. If the hesitation on the theme of having a masquerade is the masks themselves, then it was ridiculous to why even suggest the theme in the first place. If necessary, students could simply take off their masks when entering the building and show their ID, then continue on to the prom with their masks returned and their identities verified. Overall, for the complete disregard of the senior class’ wishes, we find the new prom theme to be a miss
District limits school wi-fi
The decision to block personal devices from connecting to the school Wi-Fi is a major inconvenience for students. Many rely on their personal phones and laptops for research, schoolwork, and communication. While security and bandwidth concerns are understandable, permanently taking away access is excessive.
Instead of limiting access, the school should invest in better infrastructure or create a separate network for student use. Cutting off connectivity is not the solution, it only makes learning more difficult, Not to mention the school Wi-Fi hasn't improved at all.
Therefore the school taking away Wi-Fi access to personal devices is a miss
Lack of access to rank frustrates underclassmen
School rank is an important part of a students life, it really ties into college applications, and can be a key factor in your acceptance.
Yet despite this, the school does not frequently show freshman, sophomores or juniors their school rank.
The only time you're allowed to see it is at either the beginning or end of the year, or if you meet with a counselor.
Some may say this is more than enough, but with school rank being so important and being a factor for competitiveness in school.
It should be shown at the minimum at the end of every semester.
Therefore the schools current handling of school rank, is a miss
Illustration by | Isaiah Trieu
Your Turn Staff Editorial
What do you think about the cost of
a college education?
“It's kind of also worrisome, because some colleges don't let you try to pay a little bit at a time. We can’t make payments throughout time, is what I'm trying to say. So it's kind of like it's a whole chunk at once. It's just a lot of expenses for simple things, it’s a lot of costs for how I'm gonna live.
-Andrea Foster, 12
“Honestly, I feel like the cost of college should be lower because most families can’t afford to go to college because of how expensive it is. Like going to a four year private school is over, like, 300k you know, some people can’t afford that, and the only way you could get in for free is going to the military, because they pay it off. But other than that, it’s very expensive for someone like me. I can’t even afford to go to college, so I’m going to the military, so I can get in for free.”
-Omari Coleman, 12
“I think a college education is really expensive especially since a lot of people that are in college don’t have jobs and even the ones that do don’t make enough money nor do they have time to work a lot because of school. College students will also stay in debt even after college because it’s very expensive and they have multiple bills to pay for.”
-Kailey Ray, 12
“I know college can be expensive, but I think it’s still a solid plan. A lot of us are looking into scholarships or cheaper schools. There are more options now, so it feels possible.”
- Abenezer Tewdros, 10
“I think it’s expensive, I’m not going to lie to you. Some people can’t afford it, but there’s also community college, but if you want to go to a certain college it’s hard.”
-Hy’keim Henderson, 10
Rising costs of attending college challenge future education
One topic that remains throughout a majority of every student’s time in school is the question of whether or not they will attend a college or university after high school. Education systems often encourage students to consider continuing their education after graduation, as our society is designed to benefit those who do, by providing more opportunities and better jobs. One concern that lies with college attendance is if students can afford it, as it has become an accepted reality that college is an expensive investment. However, college attendance is being challenged as the economy continues to remain unstable, and the cost of college is rising alongside it.
For students, the economy is an issue that is far outside of the control of many, and so the only solution in the foreseeable future is to find ways to deal with these conditions moving forward. Fortunately, there are accessible ways to lessen the spending on college and avoid full reliance on student loans, which has also proven to be a long lasting problem for many. The best course of action in uncertain times regarding the economy is for students to take the problem into their own hands and continue to attend college.
As prices rise, students may struggle to afford the classes they need to take. Since students pay for each course individually in college, rising prices can make even just one difficult to afford. If possible, students should try to take advantage of any available college credits they can take during high school, as it will not only boost their overall academic performance, but it will also save a significant amount of money. The early college courses are provided and mostly paid for by the school, with the student only needing to pay a small fee to take them. Taking AP classes typically only require students to pay for their final exam, and ACC classes require students to
pay for certain material to take the course. Eliminating a few courses early on can help, but other courses still add up, especially with more years spent in college. Depending on the college a student attends, one course can range from a few hundred dollars, to over a thousand. Students will likely need some kind of financial aid at some point during their college years, and student loans often end up being their only choice.
Many institutions exist to provide financial aid for students going to college, with scholarships being one of the main forms of support. While still in high school, students should try to obtain scholarships, either through hard work or application, in order to help cover a majority of their college expenses. Not all students will be able to qualify for scholarships, and others may have to take other classes throughout their high school years and not be able to earn college credits. Without much help from their school or another institution, students are left to their own financial decisions to afford college. Student loans common solution to this problem, but students must also be willing to handle the debt they will need to pay off. One strategy to lessen the overall expenses is to attend a community college, as the classes are significantly cheaper, and may allow students time to save up enough money to pay off their debt and afford a better education later on.
Overall, the increasing price of college poses a risk for students and their continued education. Student loans become less desirable as years of debt become a guarantee for doing so. With the state of the economy posing this challenge for many students making their way into the adult world, taking it upon themselves to do what they can to be prepared will become a necessity.
Illustration by | Brittany Truong
Cover art by Brittany Truong
Teacher of The Year
Pflugerville ISD honors Hendrickson staff
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Teacher of the Year awards honor the dedication and hard work of educators who go above and beyond in their roles.
This past year, math teacher Macie Alston received Rookie Teacher of the Year, US history teacher Hellen Barczi received Teacher of the Year, and Associate Principal Clarissa Alvarado earned Humanitarian of the Year.
“Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Alston said. “I’ve always found myself wanting to help out my classmates when I was in school. I also was really passionate about math and as I got older, passionate about working with adolescent students. I had really good teachers when I was in school that inspired me to go down that pathway.”
because it’s overwhelming, and there’s so much that you learn in your first year teaching,” Alston said. “It feels really neat to be seen.”
For Alston, some of her most memorable and cherished moments as a teacher have been watching her students progress and grow throughout the year.
This year is Alston’s first official year of teaching. However, she previously completed a year of student teaching at a Title I school, where she worked under a mentor. Now, in her first year as a fulltime teacher on her own, she has been recognized for her efforts.
“It feels very humbling and exciting just
“There’s been memorable moments where I’ve seen certain students turn a full corner,” Alston said. “They weren’t doing that well, or they didn’t understand something and then all of a sudden they are getting it, understanding, and doing well on their tests.”
Before being an administrator, Alvarado didn’t think she was going into education.
“It started with a job I had,” Alvarado said. “I worked for the Austin Parks and Recreation. It was called the Roving Leader Club, and so we were known as the recreation center on wheels. We would bring recreation to different areas of
Austin, and I happen to work in the South Austin area, and so we would go and we would pick up any kids in the area that may not be close to a rec center or have the means to get there, and then we would take those kids out for a day, and I’d have activities planned, and we would just do things around Austin.”
Alvarado advises aspiring teachers to be patient to see results.
“Just know that sometimes it might be weeks, might be years before all that work or anything you may have done in your career with a student,” Alvarado said.
“Then you’ll see that work pay off, and that’s what keeps you sustained in the field.”
Seeing both parents be educators inspired Barczi to become a teacher. This year Barczi is finishing her 34th year of teaching.
into history. I thought I was going to be a science teacher until I couldn’t pass the science classes. But I did have a really great history teacher in high school, and I really liked history.”
Outside of teaching US history, Barczi is involved within campus as the sponsor of Student Council and a department chair.
“There’s other things I’m responsible for, other things that people see me doing, and I think that correlates with teaching,”
Barczi said. “[I try] to tell students about being involved in other things and kind of branch out and see what else school can offer you.”
“I went to school to do coaching and teaching first, so I really wanted to be in the coaching field, but eventually got out of that,” Barczi said. “I kind of fell
The most rewarding part of teaching for Barczi is hearing about student’s success postgraduation.
“It’s certainly not the pay, and unfortunately, these days, it’s certainly not the respect either,” Barczi said. “I think [the most rewarding aspect] is just helping students out and seeing students be successful. Y’all are my legacy. You’re what I leave the world, and I want you to do good.”
Photos provided by Michael Grebb
Book Club competes in Battle of The Books
Fella Sahertian | Reporter
Two weeks ago, members of the Book Club traveled to Ann Richards School to take part in the annual Battle of the Books, a fast-paced competition centered around young adult literature.
“It was about three hours long,” Librarian Victoria Friday said. “The first round was Kahoot. The lightning rounds were done quickly through an app on their phones. The third round was new—we gave them a book cover and they had to match it to a quote in just two and a half minutes.”
The final round followed a Jeopardy-style format. A total of 12 schools participated in the event, including Connally and Weiss. “Pflugerville wasn’t there this year, but hopefully they’ll join next time,” Friday said. “Everyone had a lot of fun. There’s already talk about recruiting for next year and trying to make it even bigger.”
Six of the eight team members were new to the competition. The remaining two were seniors competing in their final round.
“We placed somewhere in the middle, which I’ll take,” Friday said. “Considering
how many first-timers we had, I’m really proud of how they did.”
Micah Thompson, the team’s battle veteran and a senior, has competed in Battle of the Books for almost every year.
“We got there, had some donuts, and started setting up,” Thompson said. “We talked through who would go first, and then it just started. Some of the questions were super specific—like asking about a line that had exactly ten words. But it was fun.”
Surprisingly to the team, they did the best at the Kahoot round, which was the round timed the fastest.
“Somehow it was our best,” Thompson said. “I think it’s because we were just focused on having fun instead of winning.”
The day ended with snacks and prizes.
“There was pizza, chips, cheese, guac— the chip bar was the best part,” Thompson said. “And then we got to go down the slide at Ann Richards. They had this little indoor slide, and we all did it. It was that kind of day.”
Thompson reflected on the connections and the warmth of being a part of the club.
“It’s just a really welcoming group,” Thompson said. “Even if I missed meetings because of work or school stuff, it never felt weird coming back. Everyone was just chill and I never felt pressured into reading so much, I guess that’s why I like it so much.”
In past years, Friday has helped students create T-shirts for the event, with the shirt being fully designed by students. There are also discussions underway to expand the program into a broader book club.
“We’re thinking about making it so that anyone can join the club,” Friday said. “And then those who want to compete can form the official team. Right now, we can only take ten people to Ann Richards, but if the location changes in the future, maybe we could include more.”
Thompson hopes others will take interest in the competition moving forward.
“Not a lot of people know what Battle of the Books is,” Thompson said. “I only found out about it my freshman year because my English teacher pointed it out. Personally, I think it deserves more attention.”
Photo provided by | Victoria Friday
Science Olympiad shines at Regionals, secures spot at State SciOly Rocks
Marcos Hans | Reporter
The Science Olympiad team competed at Regionals on March 8th, earning a spot at the state competition on April 10th. For many members of the team, this victory was especially sweet, as they narrowly missed qualifying last year.
"This year feels like a redemption arc," Secretary and Treasurer of Science Olympiad, Noah Lobo said.
Among the standout competitors was a student who participated in two challenging events: Dynamic Planet and Fossils.
"I prepared for Fossils by studying the binder that previous competitors in the HHS Science Olympiad had created," Lobo said. “However, Dynamic Planet
posed a unique challenge. Because a new topic, Glaciers, came up for Dynamic Planet, Hari Nair and I had to create a new binder with information about Glaciers on our own."
One of the biggest challenges leading up to the competition was the electric vehicle event,
This event returned to the roster after a hiatus, and it required both strategic planning and hands-on engineering skills.
"Thanks to my friend Hari's excellent leadership skills, he and his team managed to fix their car at the last minute and managed to come in second place," Lobo said. "What makes this year's Science Olympiad team particularly special is its diversity in both grade levels and expertise. "
The team this year stands out because it has a wide range of students from each grade.
“From freshman to seniors, we have competitors from each year,” Lobo said. “In addition to this, we have students who excel at certain subjects, providing us with an advantage in chemistry and biologyrelated events. Also, all of our seniors excel in engineering-based events, which allows us to have solid builds for our competition."
Beyond the competition itself, Science Olympiad has provided its members with priceless experiences.
"Science Olympiad has given me the opportunity to interact outside of school with my friends,” Lobo said. "It has
provided me with extensive knowledge on subjects not taught at, such as glaciers, tsunamis, landforms, and many other science-related topics."
With the state competition now on the horizon, the Science Olympiad is more determined than ever. Their dedication and passion for science have led them to this moment, and they are eager to showcase their talents on an even larger stage.
"I hope to leave knowing that I reached my goal of making state.“ Lobo said. “Dedicating my thirst for knowledge to this club has given me experiences that I wouldn't have been able to encounter in any other club at this school.”
Choir victorious at UIL competition weekend
After months of preparation, the choir took the stage at the UIL Choir Competition, facing both performance and sight reading evaluations. With precision and teamwork, they were able to deliver a strong showing that earned them multiple sweepstakes and top marks, recognized with plaques to show it.
The competition required the choir groups to perform rehearsed pieces for a panel of judges before moving on to sightreading, where they were challenged to sing an unfamiliar piece with limited preparation. Junior Ashton Kpokai described the process.
“We get a piece of music and we look over it,” Kpokai said. “That’s how we find our pitches without first practicing it. It’s kind of like on the fly. We practice for
six minutes, then we sing it once for the judges, fix any mistakes and sing it again.”
With no room for hesitation, the sight reading demanded focus and trust among the singers.
“I think as a group, we need to trust each other more and listen to each other,” Kpokai said. “A big part of choir is singing with others, not just yourself. We have to trust that we know what we’re doing and that everyone else does too, so we can work together and make music.”
Preparing for UIL wasn’t just about showing up to choir class. The team dedicates extra time outside of school to fine tune their performance.
“We’ve been rehearsing every Tuesday and Thursday alternating every other week,” Kpokai said. As UIL got closer, we practiced before school until 6 or 6:30, we
rehearsed at the competition site and we worked on our pieces in class.”
One of the biggest challenges leading up to the competition was memorization. Senior Katelyn Kral reflected on the difficulty of learning multiple pieces in a short amount of time.
“It was a lot of music that we had to memorize quickly,” Kral said. “But I think it showed our perseverance as a choir and how it connected us more to each other. We put sweat and tears into that music.”
Despite some nerves before stepping on stage, the choir delivered a strong performance.
“Before going on, you feel nervous, like ‘Am I going to forget? Am I going to mess up?’,” Kpokai said. “But once we start singing, I get more confident because I know we practiced and put in the effort– it really shows.”
Their performance earned them the highest possible rating.
“We got sweepstakes, which means we got all ones for our performance and sight-reading– the best score you can get,” Kral said. “I didn’t think we deserved all of them based on our recordings, but I’m so happy that the judges looked past our mistakes.”
Choir president Aadi Pardeshi, who has been part of the program for four years, saw this as a defining moment.
“This achievement feels like four years culminating into one moment,” Pardeshi said. “For others, I feel like I’m a midpoint between the director and the students. It feels good to be someone they can look up to while also giving advice from the
perspective of a fellow student.”
Though the judges were impressed, they also provided feedback for improvement. One of the main critiques was vowel formation.
“The judges said we needed to sound more like a mature choir,” Kral said. “Because of our vowels, it sounded more like a normal high school choir.”
For Pardeshi, one of the biggest challenges throughout the whole process was attendance.
“It was really impossible to get 100% attendance at rehearsals,” Pardeshi said. “Once we all got together and committed to showing up, we hit the ground running.” Now that UIL is over, the choir is preparing for its annual spring show on May 5th. The theme this year is Jazz and Blues, a shift from the classical and traditional pieces performed at UIL.
“It was really impossible to get 100% attendance at rehearsals,” Paradeshi said.
“Our spring show will be calmer.”
Paradeshi is also looking forward to the change in style.
“It’s a pop show, so instead of just standing in suits and singing,” Pardeshi said. “It’ll be more lively and engaging.”
With another successful UIL competition behind them, the choir continues to maintain its tradition of excellence.
“We’ve gotten sweepstakes for the past three years in a row now, maybe even more,” Kral said. “It’s not just about the trophy– it’s about keeping up the standard we’ve set for ourselves.”
Photo provided by | Cassandra Knoedl
Afomiya Michael | Co Editor
TSA advances to State once again
For the third year in a row, the TSA chapter made its mark at the State Leadership Conference–and this year, they set a new record.
Held in Fort Worth, the conference offered young engineers the chance to gain hands-on experience, showcase their skills, and learn more about the future of TSA at both state and national levels. TSA
President Madelyn Keverline shared that one of the highlights of the experience was participating in the general sessions.
“We started the day with breakfast and then headed to the general conference,” Keverline said. “It’s a time where we hear about the future of TSA, what’s going on with nationals, and what our state leadership has planned.”
Throughout the day, members used the Guidebook app to track their event times, locations, and updates. While the
experience was exciting, it wasn’t without challenges.
“Time was one of the hardest things,” Keverline admitted. “Especially with members competing in multiple events—it felt like you had to be in a million places at once.”
Keverline herself competed in On-Demand Video, an on-site event requiring participants to conceptualize, film, edit, and submit a video within the short window of the conference.
“They gave me a prompt and I had to take it from there,” Keverline said. “It’s trickier than anyone would think, you would need to be cautious of the choices you make for the video otherwise something as simple as a hand gesture could have you disqualified.”
Despite the time crunch, the team delivered one of its best performances to date: three teams are advancing to nationals, the most in the chapter’s history. Samantha Stokes will compete in Dragster, Simon Alvarez in Extemporaneous Speech, and Wimberley Geraldes and Kayla Nguyen in Fashion Design—all of whom placed top five in their respective events.
For junior Kayla Nguyen and sophomore Samantha Stokes, this year marked their first time competing in TSA—and soon to be their first trip to regionals. Nguyen,
who partnered with Geraldes in Fashion Design Technology, reflected on the effort that went into their second-place win.
“We spent a whole semester creating our design based on the prompt: to make a band uniform inspired by the elements— earth, wind, fire, and water,” Nguyen said. “We had to draft patterns, sew the piece, and document everything we did. It was so much work, and going into the semifinals interview, we saw teams with incredible outfits. We never expected to place, let alone second.”
Nguyen shared that one of her favorite moments came during the awards ceremony.
“When we heard Hendrickson got called, we just screamed and ran for it,” Nguyen said. “We didn’t even know the top five went to nationals until someone told us so casually, for our first time ever competing and then placing was just absolutely amazing.”
Stokes, who competed in Dragster alongside partner Eve Cezanne, also had a strong first showing.
“Dragster is like a mini car race—we design a car and either carve it out of wood or 3D print it,” Stokes said. “I chose to 3D print mine, which meant I had to learn a whole design program from scratch. Some people think it’s the easier option, but it definitely wasn’t.”
Stokes credits Cezanne for showing her the ropes.
“She taught me everything I needed to know, and pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Stokes said. “The competition was strict—even the tiniest bit over the weight limit, and you’re disqualified.”
Beyond competing, both students said TSA brought them a sense of community.
“Everyone in TSA is just so fun to be around,” Stokes said. “I think TSA deserves more recognition. We compete in events that apply to so many different fields, not just engineering. I’m so glad I joined—and hopefully next year we break our record again.”
Other events may not have qualified for nationals, but Keverline emphasized that everyone gained valuable experience, especially given the high level of competition.
“Texas is one of the most competitive states in the country when it comes to TSA,” Keverline said. “Even making it to state is an achievement—getting to nationals is something else entirely.”
In between competitions, the group still found time to explore Fort Worth, visit museums, and even see the Minecraft movie together.
“We stayed motivated by our shared goal of reaching nationals,” Keverline said. “And it’s just a really fun experience overall—10 out of 10 every single year.”
Photo courtesy of TSA
Hawk drama receives musical nominations
Zuri Clark | Reporter
Hawk Drama’s production of Matilda
The Musical has received nine Heller Award nominations. The Heller Awards for Young Artists (HAYAs) are Austin’s award ceremony where musical theatre is celebrated and acknowledged.
“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to be acknowledged,” Director Nicole Malone said, “But we want them to remember that awards don’t define them.”
The nominations include Best Orchestra, Best Choreography, Best Technical Execution, Best Lighting Design, Best Direction, and an individual award for junior Gavin Johst as Mr.Wormwood. Additionally, student achievement awards were presented to junior, Anastasia Benavides and senior, Lane Decker.
“[Matilda] was my first mainstage musical as Stage Manager,” Benavides said, “It feels great to be recognized because [Matilda] helped me grow as a stage manager by learning how to cooperate with the team and grow in my directorial abilities.”
Matilda is a story of resilience, magic, and youth. For student choreographers Lily Walker, Gio Morrison, Naomi Carter, and Peyton Malone embedding these themes through dance was no problem.
“I would watch the energy the actors gave off when singing and try to include that same energy in the choreography,”
Malone said, “I wanted them to be comfortable while also making it fun and enjoyable while they’re singing.”
Although the technical crew was recognized, the journey wasn’t always easy.
“Sometimes set pieces weren’t placed on time, costumes broke, or cues weren’t working,” Decker said, “You have to move past it and keep going.”
The nomination for Best Supporting Male came as a shock to Johst.
“It showed me that recognition can come in many unexpected ways,” Johst said, “I was worried about my performance because I was comparing it to others of mine I deemed stronger, but when I
decided to have fun that’s when it started working.”
In 2020, Hawk Drama produced Matilda for the first time. Five years later the story still resonates with audiences.
“I think because it was our second time
doing this show we faced challenges of learning how to adapt and make it different,” Malone said, “We were able to, like, really look at what the students were bringing to the table to make it a different Matilda than what was previously done.”
Summer Loza, Taryn Pearson, Caleb Adedayo, Jackson McCutchin, Sofia Esparza, Hadley Wimmer, Cameryn Schneider, Zuri Clark, Emma Rowe, Gabrielle Pouokam, and Brennan Mercado perform Miracle Part 1. Andrea Foster | Photographer
Fella Sahertian Reporter
New tariffs shake up global market
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Since the start of President Trump’s second term, he has decided to impose many tariffs on countries in order to coincide with his “America First” plan, a plan that is said to prioritize domestic problems within the United States. To do this, President Trump has administered tariffs to many other countries and foreign industries.
“A tariff is a tax on imported goods,” economics teacher Thomas Lucas said. “Looking at the global stock market, the market is actually going down due to these tariffs.
According to the official White House website, President Trump is implementing a 25% additional tariff on Canada and Mexico for imports, and a 10% additional tariff on China to try to regulate the illegal immigration and humanitarian crisis of fentynal and other drugs that come from the borders of Mexico and Canada, as well as the illegal importation of Chinese drugs and chemicals.
President Trump believes that the United States is being ripped off within the global market, and that these tariffs are going to
force other countries to respect America.
“These are said to be reciprocal tariffs, meaning that we are putting the same tariffs that other countries have put on us,”
Lucas said. “But to my understanding, the tariffs that, say, Europe had on our goods were around one percent, yet we put a twenty percent tariff on European goods, so I don't understand why we call them reciprocal tariffs.”
A reciprocal tariff is one that would better balance trade between countries.
“If these tariffs had the intent to balance trade, then these seem a little high for that,” Lucas said. “If he has other reasons, say like wanting European countries to
up their game as far as contributions to NATO and everything else, and he's using these tariffs to leverage that, then that would make some sense, but I don't know exactly what he is going to
These tariffs are not only changing the economy of other countries, but also the economy of the United States.
“A lot of people were looking at the economy in December and January and for the most part were saying that the stock market was doing well, unemployment was extremely low, and inflation was coming down,”
Lucas said. “Most indicators were saying this was the best economy in a long time, and that the imposition of these tariffs is changing certain parts of the economy.”
The main plan for these tariffs, according to Trump, is to increase manufacturing within the United States.
“These tariffs mean that the average American is going to have to pay more for any item, since they will have to front part of the tariff costs,” Lucas said. “Companies are the ones who pay the tariffs, and to keep profits, they offload part of that cost to consumers through higher prices.”
The imposed tariffs are likely to increase prices within the United States.
“Generally speaking, Americans buy imported goods because they are cheaper, and American-manufactured goods are generally more expensive,” Lucas said. “With these tariffs, imported goods are becoming more expensive, while American goods are still at their same price, meaning that either way, we will be paying more for our goods.”
Illustration by | Karina Bon
Geopolitical tensions rise across the world
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Over the last few months, the United States has had many of its relationships with other countries challenged, as many new policies and ideas under the Trump Administration have changed the landscape of our global climate. A major conflict within the last few years that has changed U.S relations would be the war in Ukraine.
“You have Ukraine, which has its independence, and then you have Russia invading, the old United States probably would have done something about it,”
AP United States History teacher Hellen Barczi said. “We’ve done stuff under the Biden administration, we didn’t send troops, but we sent money, supplies, and weapons.”
Since Trump took office, however, the alignment within the war has seemingly switched, which is evident in Trump’s actions with President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“It seems that Trump is kind of aligned with Putin, and when Zelenskyy came to the White House, JD Vance and Trump kind of attacked him, and even accused him of starting the war,” Barczi said.
“From what I understand, I think the Trump administration is just trying to end the war in any way they can, maybe to stop having to pay for more weapons while not looking like we’re abandoning Ukraine, but this is the first time in history that we’ve been willing to sacrifice a part
of a countries borders in order to solve a conflict.”
Back in late February, President Trump and President Zelenskyy held a televised meeting in the White House in order to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in which President Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy, souring the relationship between the two countries' leaders. The tension between the United States and Ukraine doesn’t just affect the involved parties, but also other allies of the U.S
“It almost seems we are going to this ‘America idea, similarly to the isolationism we had back in the 1920s,” Barczi said. “This makes our allies question everything, like our commitment to them
and to trade, and it makes them very uneasy, and if Ukraine over, then hurt the prestige of
Another sector of geopolitical tension would be the relationship between the United States and Greenland, as in an unexpected turn of events, President Trump has stated that he wants to annex Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark to
“That claim from Trump came out of left field, as I don’t really understand where it’s coming from, unless it’s this idea of imperialism again,” Barczi said. “What was interesting was that when JD Vance went to Greenland a bit ago, he told them that Denmark was ignoring them and that we could take care of them, and then threatened them with this idea that China was going to take them over.”
It is unclear as to why President Trump is trying to annex Greenland, but it is clear that Greenland does not want to be a part of the United States.
“Even though Greenland has stated that they do not get everything they need, they still have no desire to be part of the United States,” Barczi said. “As for Trump’s plan with Greenland, it could be for resources or its specific location in the world, but I don’t really see them as being anything beneficial for the U.S.”
Another country that Trump has talked about annexing is Canada, supposedly wanting it to become the 51st state, a proclamation that has made Canadians upset.
“What's interesting with Canada is that we’ve already gone toe to toe with them with the tariffs,” Barczi said. “But they control significant amounts of our electricity and oil, which, if they pull the trigger on tariffs, Americans would suffer, which is the only reason I can think of for this idea to come into Trump’s mind.”
Illustration by Karina Bon
College and career counselor explains college financial aid The Bala
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
As high school students prepare for college, understanding the costs associated with college and the available financial aid options is essential. From tuition and housing to scholarships and work study programs, planning ahead can help students make informed decisions about their future. College and career advisor Leigh Ann Spradlin provided insights into the expenses students should anticipate and the resources available to help them manage these costs.
“We are all here to help,” Spradlin said. “You just have to make sure to use the resources given to you.”
The total cost of attending college depends on several factors, including whether a students stats in state or goes out of state and whether they attend a public or private school
“If you’re doing a public school, it can be anywhere around $30,000 a year if you’re staying on campus,” Spradlin said. “Private schools can be upwards of $60,000.”
For students looking to go out of state, the price can vary even more.
“Every school is just going to be different,” Spradlin said. “Some out-ofstate schools will honor in-state tuition for out-of-state kids, but even going out of state sometimes can be more expensive for a public school.”
Beyond tuition, students need to account for other expenses such as room, board, and fees.
“Again it just depends,” Spradlin said. “A lot of this all just depends. That’s going to be my big answer. Sometimes you can opt for a cheaper dorm where you live with more people. It depends on the housing that you select – some can be like more single rooms, and those will be more expensive. Then you have the cost of food while you’re on campus. You can pick the higher meal plan or the lower one. I can’t really give you an exact number of those costs.
Spradlin also noted that tuition and other expenses can change year to year, though some schools offer a way to stabilize costs.
“A lot of schools will say, ‘Have you checked a box to say, I want to keep the same rate it was that you wanted in your freshman year, even though costs increase later on’,” Spradlin said. “You can lock that rate for your freshman year and another three years.”
To help manage costs, students can apply for financial aid which come in various forms including federal air, merit based scholarships, and grants.
“Blanket federal financial aid is the FAFSA,” Spradlin said. “That’s where schools get most of their financial aid for students, that can include loans, grants –colleges look at that application to
straight to the university, to the financial aid department under your name. It applies to your account. More local scholarships we get– like for example, national scholarships that could be checked directly coming to you as a student, but the ones on school links are usually local.”
Work study opportunities also provide
determine sometimes merit money, which is coming from the university itself. That’s based on academics and your family’s financial situation.
For students receiving outside scholarships, handling the funds varies by institution.
“It depends on the scholarship,” Spradlin said. “Sometimes the scholarship schools want to send it straight to the university. They want to see your course selection that you picked, and then they send it
students with a way to earn money while attending schools.
“They are beneficial,” Spradlin said. “Once again you have to qualify for work study based on your family situation. However when the school offers you it, they will say you qualify for work study and then you would have to apply to on campus jobs. I remember I worked at the gym when I was in college, and I checked ID’s for people coming into the gym, and then I did my homework right there.
That could be an option for some people. Some people like to work in the library or wherever else on campus.”
Not all students choose to attend a traditional four year college.
“Trade school is a wonderful option for students,” Spradlin said. “Cosmetology schools – those all take FAFSA, and ACC is always a great option.”
A common concern among students is finding a job after college.
“I mean you’re always going to be able to find a job right now,” Spradlin said. “It doesn’t have to do with your major – that’s a different story. On college campuses they have offices to help you build your resume and there are plenty of job fairs in college. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding a job. If you have trouble, you might want to rethink your major.”
Some students consider taking a gap year before starting college.
“It depends on the students and that’s a family decision,” Spradlin said. “It makes a student that doesn’t want to start college right away and wants to work a little bit before they go their first year. If you got accepted to Texas State and you said that you did not want to go the right way, they could defer your admissions, so they would honor your admission decision and push it off for a year. I hesitate with students doing that because it’s hard to get motivation back. Sometimes those kids work full time jobs and they get used to the money coming in. Then when they go to college and don’t have that same income, it’s hard to adjust to.”
For students transferring colleges, financial aid may change depending on their circumstances.
“If your financial situation changes at home, it’s going to change year to year,” Spradliln said. “So if your financial aid situation changes at home every year, then your aid will change. If it stays the same, it won’t ever change.”
For students thinking about college, Spradlin emphasized the importance of academics and involvement. By understanding the financial aspects of higher education, students can better prepare for the costs and opportunities that come with college life.
“Get good grades and don’t slack off,” Spradlin said. “Make sure to get involved with activities on and off campus.”
Illustrations by | Cylie Cumento
Balancing Act
Gia Patel | Co Editor Students
offer advice regarding college applications
“College stuff can feel really stressful, so my biggest piece of advice is start early. I know they don’t open until August 1st, but a lot of colleges have their essay prompts online so you can find that. I would say look at them and kind of make a rough draft. Go to the College Application Boot Camp Mrs. Spradlin has because she has it every year and it really helped me and emailing the Head [of the school] and admin people. I regret not doing scholarships all semester because a lot of big ones get published fall semester and they’re due that December. Go ahead and do scholarships. I know they tell you to wait until your spring semester and not overthinking. I thought I needed to have the perfect college essay, and honestly just write by yourself, and write about your journey.” - Autumn Black
“Make sure you have a lot of extracurriculars because they want to see more than just your academics. I wish I would have started looking for external scholarships sooner.” - Elena Barraza
“My first piece of advice would be to apply early. Don’t wait on the applications. You can start right after your junior year in the summer to start working on it. Make the essays personal, don’t be like a robot, and really talk about why you want to attend the school and your passions, and the college will see that. When you’re creating your Common App profile, make sure to talk about everything you’ve done in the activities list and in the honors just list out everything, because even something that you might think is minor can help you in your application.” -Jawaad Merali
“Start early, applications usually open August 1st. Start right around then, so you can get Early Action, so then you can have a better chance of getting into your schools. I would’ve done more scholarships earlier. Mrs. Spradlin will send out a bunch of scholarships, so anytime she sends one, just do it.” -Lane Decker
Students and Staff Reflect on how to pick a college
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
In high school, each person is the hero of their own story, fighting an uphill battle towards their future, and on top of that hill is, for many, a college or university. As seniors face a frequently stressful point in their lives, they often find themselves falling down a rabbit hole of options, and are unsure which college to choose.
“Some people go based on the name of the school and their reputation, versus making sure that it’s the right fit for their major and what they’re looking for,” college and career counselor Leigh Ann Spradlin said. “Apply to a few [colleges] that may seem like they’re out of reach to get in, apply to a good rounded list of safety, reach, and target schools.”
Due to this big change many students find themselves stressed out, overwhelmed by the variety of options and how that will affect the rest of their lives, and as a result many students’ grades and school activities begin to slip.
“Senioritis is real and has been around a long time,” social worker Lori Carl said. “There is no cure but to remain focused on the prize which is graduation day. My advice would be to come to school every day so that if you do have one of those really big, I need a break days, your parents will be more likely to allow it. In
other words you have come this far so keep pushing ahead.”
There isn’t an exact date or time that students need to have a college picked out, however many schools require a decision to be made regarding attendance and scholarships by May 1st.
“[Students should consider] affordability, location, and major,” Spradlin said. “Do your FAFSA and your applications early so your senior year is stress free.”
detailed and very digitally oriented.”
Every senior has a different dream life, and must choose their future based on
After gaining a knowledge of deadlines and an effort to reduce school based stress, it can be beneficial to take in advice from peers.
“I have committed to UT Dallas because it is one of the best marketing schools in the state of Texas, and I didn’t get into A&M or UT Austin,” senior R Bhakta said.
“I chose UT Dallas because out of all the colleges that I looked at UT Dallas has the best marketing degree plan, it’s very
“[I committed to] The University of New Mexico, it seemed like a really good school, and the campus was nice,” senior Aaron Pomerantz said. “They’re also very inclusive, it was close to Pomerantz also recommends finding the program one would like to major in, as well as looking into on campus clubs and activities. Looking towards one’s future and college is not
“Junior year is a very important year when it comes to college admittance so I would tell juniors to really focus that year on their academics and attendance which go hand-in-hand,” Carl said. “Carefully choose your classes so that there are some enjoyable and creative outlets as well. Choose when you want your off periods and do everything you
need to do ahead of time to earn those off periods. Try to avoid failing classes so you do not have to do credit recovery.”
Once more turning towards peers, it is an appropriate time for juniors to get as much advice as they can, as they are soon to be the new senior class.
“If you’re not sure what college to pick, I recommend thinking of which degree you’re doing, and then finding the top five schools in whatever state you want to be in, and then just apply to those,” Bhakta said. “And whichever one you get into that’s the best, go to that one, because it will make you more likely to get hired.”
As the senior celebrations begin, it is a good reminder that this grade is not all academics and college based, but is also a celebration of how far you have come.
“I would just say that being a senior comes with some really cool perks,” Carl said.
“You are seasoned students, you know the ropes and you have a great opportunity to be that example to new students coming in … The year goes fast so don’t forget to make a few friends, have some fun, stay true to your academic success and enjoy the year. If you get overwhelmed or stressed out, talk to a trusted adult and let us help you address the issue. Your future is bright and there are good times ahead of you.”
Follow the Leader
APs highlighted for National Assistant Principals
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
Maxwell Schoolar has been a part of the school community for years, working as an assistant principal and engaging with students on a daily basis. His career in education was a natural choice, one he had
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Assistant principal Jeremy RaymondWatson isn’t new to PfISD, he graduated within the district at Pflugerville High School. In school he didn’t stick to just one hobby. He ran track and played football, took a combination of on-level and honors courses, and was involved in creative endeavors such as art and music.
“A lot of my friends [and I] would watch sports, play sports, play video games, and did the same stuff that a lot of the students do now,” Raymond-Watson said. “We just didn’t have cell phones and then when we did get cell phones they were the big block ones. Most of our interactions were true interactions. It was us sitting around, whether we were playing games, watching a game, chit chatting, roasting each other, and cracking jokes.”
Raymond-Watson attended the University of Houston and graduated with a degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing after previously taking art and graphic design courses and video and audio production.
“Most of my core classes were taken care
considered since childhood.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Schoolar said. “Ever since I was a kid, I always liked playing with my little cousins and nieces and nephews, so I just always knew I loved kids.”
Schoolar grew up in Austin and graduated from high school in 2000.
“Looking back on it, I was a slacker,” Schoolar said. “After high school though I knew I wanted to pursue teaching.”
He attended Texas State University and pursued a degree in education.
“I just chose it because it was the only one I could get into,” Schoolar said. “Honestly, I loved it when I got there.”
His teaching career eventually brought him here, where he enjoys working with students and being a part of the school’s atmosphere.
“Being able to help people, being able to interact with young people on a daily basis is the best,” Schoolar said. “I just love being around all the positive energy.”
Schoolars’ role allows him to support students both academically and personally. Outside of teaching, Schoolar has a variety of interests.
“My favorite movie is Jaws because when
of by the time I got to the second semester of my freshman year, so I was just taking classes in different areas that I was interested in,” Raymond-Watson said. “I needed to get out of school, and I just went with the area that I had the most classes, and it was English.”
While studying at the University of Houston, Watson tutored students on the side at the local high school multiple days a week in subjects such as math, English, and biology.
“I would get a feeling of gratification explaining something to someone that they were having difficulty understanding, and then seeing them get it and seeing the aha [moment] occur,” Raymond-Watson said. “And so then I was like, I like helping kids, maybe this is something that I want to get into, and that’s how I got into education.”
Outside of school, Raymond-Watson spends time with his four-year-old daughter, watches sports, and collects record and comic books. RaymondWatson’s most cherished record in his collection of over 1,500 albums In the
I was a little kid, I saw it and it made me scared,” Schoolar said. “I was also super fascinated by sharks.”
He considers himself a lifelong Beatles fan.
“Sorry to be super basic, but my favorite band is The Beatles,” Schoolar said. “They just have so many great songs. I grew up listening to them and I still love listening to them. My favorite song from them is ‘Here, There, and Everywhere.”
Schoolar also spends his free time playing music, a skill he has developed over the years.
“Something that no one knows about me is ukulele,” Schoolar said. “I have known how to play for 15 years now.”
In addition to music, he enjoys frisbee, golf, and traveling when possible.
“ I don’t do it as much as I would like to, but the highlight of my life was when I went on a trip to Europe,” Schoolar said. “It was great. We went all over Spain, France, and England. It was a solo trip right after college.”
At home, Schoolar values time with his family.
“When I get home from work, I kiss everyone in my family,” Schoolar said. “My
Jungle Groove by James Brown.
“[It was] the first album that I bought with my own money,” Raymond-Watson said. “That was an album I learned how to beat match, scratch, and juggle because I used to do DMC scratch battles when I was in college.”
At the top of Raymond-Watson’s bucket list is travelling to Africa and seeing Arsenal play in the Champions League or a Premier League game.
“I want to take a tour of the Gold Coast,” Raymond-Watson said. “Some of those places are dangerous from what the media says, but I [still] want to go.”
Raymond-Watson’s favorite part about working at Hendrickson is the students.
“Whether y’all know it or not, even though I seem like I’m mean or that I’m strict, I have high expectations for everybody,” Raymond-Watson said. “When y’all come here, your parents entrust us with your safety, but I treat and I approach each and every one of y’all as y’all are my own kids. A lot of times if I’m out in public and people ask me if I have any children, I’m like ‘actually I have over
Week, April 7-11
biggest accomplishments in life would be my two daughters.”
He also has several pets including a dog and two cats. His best friend at the school is Leanna Navin. He makes sure to follow a personal motto.
“I just live by the golden rule,” Schoolar said. “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”
Looking ahead, Schoolar has a few goals he hopes to achieve.
“On my bucket list, it would be to swim with sharks,” Schoolar said. “Despite watching Jaws, I’m still fascinated by them.”
While he has a range of experience and interests, he also has other personal fears.
“Well, I’m claustrophobic, so my biggest fear is enclosed spaces,” Schoolar said. “Specifically getting trapped in an elevator.”
With years of experience in education, Schoolar continues to enjoy his role as an AP.
“I just love being a Hendrickson Hawk,” Schoolar said. “It’s fun to work here.”
2,000 [because] that’s how I feel and how I approach this job.”
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
A newcomer at the school, AP Kawana McCloud is starting to settle down into her job here, letting the school boast another staff member to its collection of interesting staff that the school boasts on its payroll.
“I am a very outgoing person. I love to laugh and be in the presence of positive people,” McCloud said. “Oddly, I can be a bit nervous in certain situations. I have anxiety, so this may be a contributing factor.”
McCloud has never been a fan of staying within boundaries, always preferring to stay outside of the lines and do what she feels is best
“I started grade school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in the second grade. I stayed there all the way through college,” McCloud said. “I didn’t fit in any particular box. I had several groups of friends who didn’t necessarily mix with one another
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
Walking the halls, it wouldn’t be unusual to spot assistant principal Tyler Cleland. Located in C100, Cleland works with students with last names S through Z.
“I really like the inclusivity of the campus,” Cleland said. “This is the first time that I've been on a campus where it seems like everyone is pretty much a part of something, or there is something for everyone.”
The 2024-2025 school year is Cleland’s first working at Hendrickson, and it has been a long road to get where he is.
“I grew up in Bay City, Texas,” Cleland said. “I lived there until I was in fourth grade, and then my family moved to Alvin, where I finished high school.”
While he is an administrator now, Cleland was once just like any other student.
“I was definitely a friend of everyone, but a friend of no one, if that makes sense,” Cleland said. “I had friends at school, but then outside of school, it was more family oriented, just because I didn't want to get
(popular kids, hippies, nerds, jocks, etc.). I interacted with anyone regardless of their social status.”
McCloud, being a huge fan of movies, is personally a fan of action and/or drama films, getting invested very early on with the plot and intensity of different films.
“My favorite movie is John Q. One of the main reasons is because Denzel Washington is my favorite actor. He makes any movie he plays [in] believable,” McCloud said. “Although I do not condone what Denzel (John Q) did in terms of taking the hospital room hostage, he still demonstrated the core of a good man throughout the movie.”
McCloud is also an avid enjoyer of music, loving songs that are uplifting to the mind and spirit and make her day even a little bit brighter. The lyrics of a song are especially important to McCloud, adding even more meaning to the tune for her.
“My favorite song is “No Cross, No Crown.” I love this song because it signifies
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Being an assistant principal is nothing like Corey Soto’s first job, working at McDonald’s in high school. Insteading of being in the fast food industry, she works with students whose last names fall under A-C in the C200 office.
"Similar to here, I went to a school that was very diverse in South Austin," Soto said. "I was kind of a chameleon who fit in with different groups. I wasn’t a good student all the time, but I did get it together in the end. I did really well, but before that, I struggled."
Soto’s favorite aspect of her role is seeing the engaging activities taking place in classrooms.
"I love seeing when kids are doing fun
caught up in all the mess that the other kids were doing at the time.”
Cleland always knew he wanted to be a teacher. After working as a bank teller in high school, he graduated and immediately focused on education.
“I started out at Blinn,” Cleland said. “I went there for two years in Brenham, where Blue Bell Ice Cream originated … After that, I went to the University of Houston, and started out as a math major, and then I was like, I don't want to do as much math as you would do to become an astronaut. I was like, let's dial it back. And then I focused on junior high math, and then that helped me get out of college faster.”
His time in college was nothing if not eventful.
“I have no feeling in my right foot,” Cleland said. “I was a cheerleader in college, and when I was tumbling, I broke both my ankles, and so then I had to have surgery. And the right one, they hit a nerve, and then the doctor was like, ‘Well,
the meaning of understanding what it takes to gain something good/great,” McCloud said. “Oftentimes, people who have accomplished a lot or have overcome major milestones, have had to go through many challenges and trying situations. I would venture to say that the more that one has accomplished in life (earned, not given), the more adversity they have had to face.”
Being a newcomer on campus and still learning the ins and outs of the school, McCloud is enjoying her time with students and coworkers alike, enjoying the positive work environment she steps into every day.
“My favorite thing about working at Hendrickson is being able to work alongside such an amazing group of administrators,” McCloud said. “Here at Hendrickson, we are in sync with how we serve teachers and students, and that means a lot to me. It is good for my sanity and it allows me to truly enjoy what I do.”
activities and are really engaged," Soto said. "I also enjoy it if they're in a group and having good conversations with each other."
Soto earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas State University and later completed a master's in education administration at Concordia University.
"My background is in psychology," Soto said. "I really liked learning about people and why we do the things we do. Somehow, it morphed into education and being in the classroom, so I became a teacher, which eventually led me to the position I’m in now."
Outside of school, Soto enjoys nature and art-related activities.
when I was in there, I just decided to cut it out,’ so I can't feel my foot.”
Outside of work, Cleland has a full life, including watching his favorite tv show, White Lotus, and rewatching old Disney movies.
“I like to cook,” Cleland said. “I'm not good at it, but I like to pretend like I'm on a cooking show and then people taste it, and they're like, ‘eww, this is not that great.’ I'm like, ‘yeah, but I'm trying.’ Other than that, I like to watch TV shows. I like to sit at home and do nothing with my animals.”
One item on the top of Cleland’s bucket list is traveling, particularly across Asia. Outside of dreams for the future, Cleland remarks on the accomplishments in his past.
“At my last school … I was tasked with doing a community project, and I created an event that had over 2500 community people show up, it was a big track meet,” Cleland said. “Other than that, it was maybe getting my masters to become an assistant principal.”
"I love the sunset," Soto said. "Anytime I can be outside and see a sunset—even if it’s just at a restaurant with a patio—I’m happy. I also enjoy drawing and doing some calligraphy and painting."
Soto has many aspirations and accomplishments, with her most significant being the role of mother to her daughter, who is set to graduate soon.
"I want to see some really interesting places in the world, like Greece or Alaska," Soto said. "Being a mother is what I’m most proud of. I was also the first person in my family to graduate from college, which was a huge accomplishment at the time."
Artist places in District Art Show
Mikaylah Stimage | Reporter
For artist Gabby Guyton, art is more than just self-expression It’s a way to challenge narratives and share a unique perspective. Over the past two years, her work has evolved from celebrating Black joy to exploring the power of imagination, each portfolio reflecting her personal
experiences and artistic growth. She placed 1st in an art show held by the district for Black History Month for showing her passion for art.
‘’My identity influences a lot of my artwork, specifically more of my style, it’s me, it’s everything that I like when it comes to art,’’ Guyton said.
Last year, Guyton’s portfolio focused on the representation of African Americans in modern art. She noticed that they were often depicted through struggle rather than success and wanted to change that. “I wanted to do something that still caused me to focus on issues that were happening around that time,” Guyton said. Her art became a celebration of Black identity beyond hardship, emphasizing beauty, culture, and joy. This year, she shifted her focus to a different question, How does having a vivid imagination shape one’s perception of reality? The inspiration came from her realization that some people can easily visualize things in their minds, while others struggle to do so.
“With my AP portfolio, I kind of wanted to show how I envision things and how I share my imagination with others,” Guyton said.
Her creative process is fluid and introspective. Instead of starting with a strict plan, she allows her ideas to form naturally.
“I wasn’t too sure on how I was gonna draw or start any of my portfolios, so I just kind of allowed myself to let my mind wander, I just, kind of fed into things that I do personally and implemented that into my artwork,” Guyton said.
While her themes have changed, Guyton’s identity remains central to her work. She is inspired by artists like Guax Art, Kiptoe, and Ten Hundred, and embraces bold colors and striking designs.
“I kind of just take things around me and turn that into my style. It’s me, it’s everything that I like when it comes to art,” Guyton said.
Now, “It’s okay to copy. Some people find it unethical, but honestly, it’s just how you develop your art skills better… You want to admit that you’re copying, but that’s how you kind of get better at doing your artwork.” Guton believes studying other artists is a valuable way to learn and grow creatively.
Through her art, Gabby Guyton continues to challenge perspectives whether by redefining how Black culture is represented or by offering a glimpse into the power of imagination. Her work is a reminder that art is not just about what we see, but how we see it.
‘’I kind of wanted to do that with the artwork I was creating this year,’’ My main style is mainly like doodles and just kind of childish behaviors,’’ Guyton said.
Photo provided by | Jacky Cardenas
Hawk Helping Hands works towards community garden on campus
When you think of a garden club, the image you’re probably thinking of might be of a student handling flowers and soil, or even growing vegetables. But at the community service club, officially named Hawk Helping hands, Thanh Bui decided to take it a step further.
“So our club is actually a community service club, and the garden is part of our plan to instate some long term changes at Hendrickson,” Bui said. “I first got the idea about two years ago in my sophomore year, to start a community garden at Hendrickson, because I noticed that we weren't using what they call the courtyards for anything but picture day. I thought that was a really big waste. And so my first idea was to start it within the community garden,” Bui said.
Bui’s road to success was not always easy.
“Then I ran into the problem of, well, how would I access the community garden during school breaks?” Bui said. To fix this issue, Bui started looking for any possible solutions. “And that's when I started to look for other pieces of land. I was able to get in contact with Mr. Grebb, and he was kind enough to give us a partial land next to the ROTC course.” Bui said.
This garden created by the Hawk Helping hands is not only about fun, it’s about
dedicating their work into something positive and helpful.
“So my club is very new, and I wanted my club to have a long term goal to reach for. The community garden helps with that,” Bui said. Establishing the idea that a long term goal is essential for growing the community. “We're hoping that once we get the garden started, we'll be able to donate any of the produce we make to local food banks,” Bui said.
Bui comes up with numerous ways to help out the community in a more clean and efficient way.
“Already, we have started putting in recycling cans throughout Hendrickson. We're starting some very small projects right now. They're only in the library, but we're hoping to expand to the cafeteria and hopefully throughout the halls of Hendrickson too,” Bui said. “During Thanksgiving break, we had a volunteer opportunity where teachers filled out a Google form to request a student volunteer to come in to help them with classroom tasks before the break so they could relax and enjoy their breaks more.
The Hawk Helping Hands wanted to incorporate fun activities for the community to bond, while also creating profit.
Junior Thanh Bui power washes Mrs. Riemer’s driveway during spring break for their fundraiser to create a garden. “I think it was like four or five houses we power washed, and we were able to raise over $500 for our community garden,” Bui said. “I remember the very first power washing job we did took us five hours to get that driveway done because the driveway dipped into itself, so there was this little puddle where all the dirty water kept collecting.” Photo provided by | Kari Riemer
“Some future goals we have in mind would be implementing a sewing workshop. Our club sponsor, Ms. Sutphen, has access to these sewing machines,” Bui said. It is a necessity for the club to start a workshop to bring more people together. “I think it would be very helpful to Hendrickson if we had a sewing workshop so people could come in and learn how to sew, because sewing is a very important life skill that people can benefit from, and it’s hard to find somebody to teach you, and get the supplies to start learning.”
Lifting to New Heights
Powerlifting season finishes with another championship
Antonio Garcia | Reporter
The powerlifting season has come to an end, with the final competition leading members into regionals over the spring break. The season overall was an improvement from the last, with more members qualifying for state, higher team placement, and a returning girl’s team champion.
Throughout the season, powerlifting coach Peter Noonan aimed for a similar, or higher number of qualifying members for state. Last year, they had a total of 8 members that qualified. This goal was reached, with a total of 10 members going to state this season.
“The region I coach in is one of the most competitive ones in Texas,” Noonan said. “Getting any qualifiers to state is already a big deal in this region, and it is a blessing to have gotten as many as we did this year.”
Alongside achieving the goal for qualifying members, junior Ryan Doggett followed up by taking 1st place at the final meet, being crowned powerlifting champion for the second year in a row.
“It was a lot of work throughout the season to make it here, but it matters a lot,” Doggett said. “I’d be in the gym every morning, and I’d often keep going after school and attending practice meets, it all helped me pull this off in the end.”
The team held training sessions before, during, and after school in order to help members improve their capabilities. Improving physical strength is one of
the main focuses, but mental strength also holds importance throughout their training.
“Our trainings went very well overall, but I’m sure anyone would say that there were days that were easy, and days that were a struggle,” Noonan said. “What matters most is that they pull through in the end, and break out of their comfort zone. It’s about being comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
With the season now finished, members reflect on their improvements over the year, thinking about their strengths and weaknesses, and how they may put them to use in the future.
“Being new to this sport, I feel I can say I improved a lot,” junior Artis Duncan said. “I surpassed physical and mental boundaries I never expected to pass, and now I think I can help others do that as well.”
The next season awaits as students sign up to participate in powerlifting next year. New and returning members alike are welcomed to take on the sport and aim for state.
“It’s a fantastic community, a family even,” Noonan said. “There’s members from all kinds of groups, even in other sports. We’re open to anyone, but you have to be willing to push yourself, and to be pushed to work and grow alongside everyone else.”
went pretty well.”
where collegiate lifting.” takes me.”
find confidence in myself when I see everyone cheering us on.”
Photo provided by | Lauren Riojas Junior state qualifier Artis Duncan competed in the 165lb class at the state meet. “It’s astounding to see how many people are there at every meet,” Duncan said. “There’s probably over a 1,000 people at every state competitoin. It’s rarely quiet.”
Photo provided by | Lauren Riojas Senior Mia Ndika competes in the 181lb class at the state meet. “I think I finished in 12th place,” Ndika said. “It was really fun. I was kind of sad because it was my last meet, but it
Photo provided by | Lauren Riojas State champion Ryan Doggett competes in the 5A large 148 lb weightlifting class. “It’s really crowded,” Doggett said. “ I
Photo provided by | Lauren Riojas Senior Jordyn January competes at the state meet - 6th in the 181lb weight class. “I am kind of sad because it was my last meet ever,” January said. “I’m excited to see
Photo provided by | Lauren Riojas Senior Ayden Kamenicky competes at the state meet 135lb class placing 5th as the first medalist on the boys side in school history. “I loved my senior year,” Kamenicky said. “I met great people.”
Players Up to Bat Softball team prepares for upcoming season
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
The softball season is now beginning as the coaches and players prepare to play their best out on the field.
“Our main goal every year is to make the playoffs and compete for the district championship,” coach Brett Gola said. “As for our team this year, we just wanted to improve on our performance from last year and continue to build on the experience we gained as a really young team the year before.”
Gola is preparing to improve the team from last year, hoping to learn from their
past mistakes to make them better.
“Last year we were 15-13 and tied for 4th place in district and narrowly missed the playoffs,” Gola said. “We want to be more consistent with our fundamentals and build on the success that we had last year, especially since we had a lot of newcomers last year who are now veterans, and the expectations have changed from just hoping to make plays and doing well to expecting to make plays and doing the things we need to do to win games.”
Training in the offseason is also just as important to the team as training during
the season.
“Our offseason in the fall is really long, and we try to lift weights and condition 3 days a week and do 2 softball skill days,” Gola said. “In season, we try and do a couple of days of lifting and practice every day after school with games on Tuesdays and Fridays.”
Members of the team also share in the same passion and excitement that Gola has about this year's season.
“I think the team did well last season, there were just a few things that we needed to improve on that we did,” junior Alyssa
Photographer| Sam Lee Freshman Avalyn Gallardo, Freshman Addison Franks, Freshman Katie Gaylord, and Junior Bianca Blas Marte come together for a quick team huddle. “We were just talking to our catcher and telling each other we got this,” said Gaylord. “ We just remind ourselves one at a time.”
Photographer | Brooke Malott Sophomore Kara Luongo pitches the ball against Weiss. “It was a home game so there was nice support,” Luongo said. “I was super hyped and pumped. The season is going well.”
Photographer | Lexi Garcia Varsity Senior Tabitha Villa gets in position to start the play against Pflugerville. “It was a great game,” Villa said. “The season is going great. We are getting better every day and we are on track to making playoffs.”
Photographer | Brooke Malott Freshman Zaniyah Negrete gets ready to strike the ball at the game against Weiss. “The season has been going good for me,” Negrete said. “The game against Weiss was pretty fun. The energy was hyped because were rivals. I hit the ball well and we had great defense.”
Howe said. “We have better teamwork, improved communication, and more determination and desire to win.”
Players are making sure to grow from last season and to look ahead to future goals.
“My main goal this season is to make first team all-district and lead the district in strikeouts,” sophomore Kara Luongo said. “We did great for being such a young team last year, and I think we have matured as a team and program against all of the hardships we faced.”
Photographer| Brooke Malott
Varsity Senior Camden Malott completes a throw across the field. Malott looks forward to the team making playoffs this season. “We have been playing really well as a team, we just have to go out there and execute for playoffs,” Malott said. “Our best game is probably against Elgin. We went out and run rolled them 14-0. That was our best game of the year. Playoffs start in three weeks so were ready.”
Photographer| Abby Garner
Varsity seniors Matthew Gaylord, Eli Negrete, and junior AJ Fowler fist bump each other as they are being called out onto the pitch against Georgetown last Tuesday. “That was after the national anthem and all of our names are being introduced,” Fowler said. “We made a couple key mistakes towards the end of the game that cost us. We have gone through some pretty tough opponents so far, but the next couple weeks should be easier. My team mates are great. We talk a lot of mess to each other, but we are pretty tight.”
Varsity Senior Kevin Haslam delivers a hit to centerfield. Reflecting on his senior season, hes been proud. “We have been performing pretty well,” Haslam said. “For me the best part of the season has been the game against Elgin. I did really good on both offense and defense. It was a district opener so everyone had a lot of energy.”
Stepping on to the Mound Baseball team discusses preparation for season
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
The baseball team has been preparing during the offseason to try and take this year's season as far as they can.
“Our goal is always to make the playoffs,” coach David Neelly said. “Anything past the regular season is 'free baseball’ and that's when magic can happen.”
Neelly is hoping to improve on last year's performance. To do this, he is making sure that the team gets the proper
conditioning that they need during the offseason in order to make sure they can perform their best.
“Last year, the team placed 3rd in 23-5A and made it to the second round,” Neelly said. “Hoping to improve on that, in every aspect, and so far, the boys have taken care of business, doing a great job in the weight room during the offseason, and we have seen those improvements in velocity off of the bat.”
During the season, Neelly trains the players in order to make the best players he possibly can.
“We practice 4:30 to 6:30 every weekday that we do not have games,” Neelly said. “A good player is someone who takes care of their business in the classroom, who leads by example and brings their lunch pail to work every day, so we can outwork our opponents in every possible way.
Members of the team are also making
sure to prepare for the upcoming season.
“We did well last season, glad to be back in the playoffs after a disappointing 2023 season,” senior Jake Mcguire said. “We're hoping to win a district championship and make a deep run into the playoffs, so we need to take advantage of our returning varsity starters so we're not counted out of a game.”
Photographer| Brooke Malott
Spring into Fashion
Avid fashion lover shares her favorite tips and tricks
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
Ah, the quickenings of spring. Flowers peeking out of their hiding spots and beginning to bloom, a cool breeze drifting in the air, the sun stretching its arms out and giving a refreshed yawn before slapping Jack Frost out of the way to make room for herself. With all of this sudden change after the dredges of winter, it makes one wonder: what ever am I to wear?
First up, we have the more feminine side of clothing suggestions. With the air steadily becoming warm (but not too warm yet, thank goodness), the idea of not wearing a long skirt is out of the question. I suggest wearing a sarong or lengthy skirt of some sort that will be able to flutter in the breeze without causing you to accidentally flash anyone, as well as give your legs a bit of respite from the heat. Patterns would be best for these sorts of skirts if possible, as patterning on fabric can remind one of the freshly blooming spring flowers. It’s also quite fun to wear a skirt as a dress (if it’s long enough) with a belt, as a belt can cinch it in the middle and make it an interesting strapless number with the same aforementioned benefits..
I’m also going to recommend sundresses. Yes, yes, I know, another skirt, but what’s a girl to do? Sundresses are always made with the softest material that make them very comfortable, and they’re usually not too tight, leaving room for the body to breathe in the heat. For both of these items, it would be best to get ones made with natural materials instead of things like polyester or nylon, as natural fabrics will be much more airy and comfortable to wear and not trap sweat as badly as others. There’s a reason why the Pilgrims didn’t die of heatstroke when wearing all of those layers.
Now, on the masculine side of things, we’re going to Italy. You’ve gotta admit: Italian men have the most impeccable fashion sense, and dress in accordance with the Italian heat, so their style is perfect for basing our spring looks off of, as our spring is basically their summer. I’m yet again going to stress the importance of natural fabrics for hot
days, as they feel lighter against your skin and aren’t as stuffy and hot as unnatural fabrics.
The Italians know what they’re doing when it comes to fashion. This has been
Jewelry also adds a nice touch when having a good outfit on, so having a few simple necklaces and rings that go with your skin tone along with a nice, nonelectronic watch will never fail you.
Another secret that the fashion moguls of Italy have with what they wear is that
their clothes are tailored to the t. Don’t just pick up any old button up or chinos and hope that they fit okay; look for things that are in your size and make sure that you don’t look like a toddler dressing up in their dad’s clothes. While it’s not necessary to go to a tailor, I’d recommend it if you have the time and money to do so, though it is not necessary. However, if you’re thinking ‘I get cold easily, I need layers,’ just wear a jean jacket (this goes for you too, ladies) that fits well and doesn’t swallow you whole. It can be in any color as long as it matches the rest of your outfit. An important thing to note for the color scheme of clothing that one wears is that one always looks more put together when the palette is cohesive, not random. It’s always best to try and allocate one’s outfit to two specific colors whenever possible, and alternate the colors of the outfit with one another. For instance, if you have a green skirt and a brown top on, wear brown shoes and a green necklace. It makes any outfit a person wears have that little extra bit of crispness to it that can make or break the whole thing.
I’d also like to point out that for you non-binary babes out there who are currently reading this, you can mix and match any of these styles one another. No one, regardless of their gender, should limit themselves to a certain type of clothing simply because I only wrote about two styles; wear whatever makes you happiest or what intrigues you within this little article. I wish you good luck in your fashion adventures, and am signing off. I hope to see some fabulous outfits in the hallways in the future.
Photos provided | Savannah Brewer
An example of the skirt-belt idea. I got this skirt at a Salvation Army over in Austin for really cheap, and it’s totally been worth my while.
I know people like to think that flowy doesn’t go with flowy, but I like to think that having an outfit with lots of fabric adds a little more of the essence of spring to it.
Male fashion doesn’t have to be boring. It may seem like dudes are put into a vice when it comes to fashion, but take this
For those of you that aren’t big on the idea of colors but still want to have some sort of spring feeling to your wardrobe, I’d recommend dresses like this one that have patterns sewn in, but have a simple base for them to go off of. It’s cute, it’s comfortable, and it has a pop of color. Perfect for the season.
Jimi Hendrix brand shirt I got at Austin Pets Alive! Thrift in Austin. It’s fun. It’s playful. It’s stylish. Voilas.