From Trend to Trash
Our Turn Hit or Miss
Editor figures out her future through college applications
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Growing up every time a relative would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “What do you want to study in college?” I never knew what to tell them. I hadn’t given much thought to my future at that young of an age, but sooner or later, I’d have to come up with a general area of study before I began to apply to colleges. I was never the kid who had a lifelong dream they knew they were going to pursue. For a brief moment, I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer, but it was probably just because I enjoyed shopping.
In 6th grade, my English class did a research project and a presented a career to the class, and I chose an optometrist, largely because I started wearing glasses at a young age and then transitioned to contact lenses. At the time it seemed like a natural fit, but as I learned more, I realized I couldn’t see myself giving eye exams and diagnosing vision problems to patients. I wanted a career that would truly reflect who I am as a person. I wanted to be able to explore, be creative, and see new people and places.
my passion for storytelling into a career that would allow me to inform the public, bring awareness to national and global issues, while combining a sense of creativity.
I have been an avid reader and writer since I opened a book for the first time. After taking Journalism as a sophomore, I decided to join newspaper my junior year, which became my most rewarding experience of high school. In newspaper I had the opportunity to share other students’ experiences through my writing, interview, go to camps over the summer, and design the layout. And every month, I looked forward to seeing the collection of stories in the issue hit the newspaper stands and get distributed around campus.
I realized that newspaper and journalism was more than an extracurricular activity, it could be something that I can turn into a career, and I could continue on with the same passion I had in high school. For the first time, I felt clarity that I finally discovered a path that I was truly interested in. One thing was for sure, I would like to turn
The summer before my senior year was a whirlwind of preparation. I spent countless days editing my list of schools with journalism schools I was interested in, and researching where I wanted to apply in the fall. I spent hours on Bluebook for the SAT and going to a class, pushing myself to improve my math score. When the Common App finally opened in early August, I was met with the dashboard filled with deadlines, endless questions, and writing prompts that immediately triggered stress and self-doubt. With applications to seven different schools, every word choice felt like a test of my worthiness to prove I was a talented writer but also a student who could succeed at their college. I was worried. Is my application strong enough? Would I fit in here? Would I be a part of the percentage of freshmen who are admitted? As an extreme procrastinator, I knew I couldn’t afford to put this off for too long since my future was at stake.
I know that
I’m not alone in this feeling, as many other seniors are wondering where they’ll be accepted. As cliche as it sounds during this stressful period of time, you should be proud of all you’ve worked towards in your 12 years of school and the application process.
Now that it’s December, all my college applications are submitted, and there’s just a little over a semester remaining in my high school journey, I’ve realized the outcome of my admission decisions are no longer in my control. As I look back on these past four years, I can’t help but wonder if I wrote good enough essays, joined enough clubs, or had the grades. In the next months, whether they go to plan or not, I’m grateful that I get the ability to go to college and pursue a degree of my choosing. As uncertain this moment of waiting for decisions is, I’m ready to embrace whatever lies ahead.
Illustration by | Brittany Truong
Waivers allow students to continue in extracurriculars
AP Waivers are a temporary eligibility pass for studentathletes. These waivers grant students with grades between a 60-69 a chance to continue participating in their sport for up to three weeks in the next grading period, giving them time to improve their academic standing.
Although these policies aren’t new, it serves as a motivating resource for student-athletes as well as those who participate in extracurriculars such as band. This is able to offer them a chance to stay in their sport while managing the intense demands of both academics and athletic commitments.
Balancing the difficult coursework of AP classes is a challenge for any high schooler. This leniency acknowledges the difficulty of the advanced classes and encourages students to work harder to improve, rather than lose the opportunity to continue participating in their sport.
By giving the students an opportunity to balance their responsibilities with school and the seasonal sports, AP waivers not only support their success but also motivate them to work towards improvement. For these reasons, we find AP waivers are a hit
Unequal weight for advanced GPAs negatively impacts students
The ACC (Austin Community College) dual credit GPA used to not count for any more than a standard class at 4.0, but around 2017 a change was made which increased the ACC GPA count to 5.0. This may sound like a positive change, but the problem comes in when one considers that AP classes are taken at a 6.0 scale.
As previously mentioned, the standard high school class counts towards students’ GPA on a 4.0 scale. This means that an A is a 4.0, a B is a 3.0, and so on. AP classes are set up on a 6.0 scale, meaning that students taking these classes have a better opportunity to have a high GPA in reward for their good work in an advanced class. When this is considered in contrast to the ACC classes 5.0 scale, one can see that students in these classes are effectively ranked below AP students. While AP may be preparing kids for college work, students in ACC are actively taking a college class, which is why it should be equal to AP at a 6.0 GPA scale.
An effect of this counting is that students’ ranks will drop, even if they are getting perfect grades in their ACC work. Another aspect that makes this unfair is the way that ACC grades transfer over to the high school. ACC is letter graded, meaning students are assigned an A, B, C etc. This translates unfairly to a school grade, as an A is made into a 95, a B into an 85, and so on, meaning that a student can never get a grade higher than a 95, which is unfair to the work many students may be putting in.
This is a problem that has rooted itself up through the district, and due to it’s unfair nature of GPA counting for ACC classes, it is a miss
Your Turn Staff Editorial
What safeguards should teens use when posting personal info?
“Students should avoid posting any information about themselves publicly, especially if they aren’t an adult. They should use private accounts so only those they trust can see their posts.”
- Lennon Combs, 9
“They shouldn’t overshare and post everything about their day. Posting about specific locations is one of the main indicators of where someone is, so they should avoid doing that.”
- Micah Robertson, 10
“I’d say don’t post anything about your school, any locations, birthdays, or even emails. They should make sure to blur out anything personal or just not post it at all.”
- Tamar Tewodros, 11
“I feel like they should keep their address and any personal information that could be used to find them private. They should also refrain from posting about other family members as well, because their information is important too.”
- Makayla Williams, 12
“I think they should just pay close attention to what they post, because there is a lot to consider before doing so. One thing they should be careful with is posting pictures or videos, because it could give away their location.”
- Arianna Garcia, 12
“Don’t tell people where you’re going where you’re going to be at. That’s not smart, keep your location on the down low.”
-MacKenzie Williams, 9
Teens navigate difficult digital world
High school football culture comes with many traditions and rituals. A new tradition in recent years are Barstool accounts. Barstool accounts are pages on social media run by members of the football team or students who participate in the thrill of Friday night lights.
However, these accounts can sometimes get out of hand. For example, leading up to the Hendrickson vs Weiss game this past month students on both the Hendrickson barstool and Weiss barstool posted images and videos degrading one another. These attacks weren’t limited to players, but family members of the athletes were caught in the crossfire as well.
Towards the beginning of the school year, threats were made against various schools in the district. Although no direct threats were made towards our school, the ability to repost anything on social media caused students to believe they were directed at us, causing distress among staff and the student body.
This raises the question: how safe are we on social media? But this isn’t a new phenomenon. Internet safety has been a topic of discourse ever since websites like MySpace and Facebook were created. The debate of “Is
it good for teenagers to be on social media?” has ramped up in the past few years. Some agree that social media can positively impact teenagers allowing students to keep in touch with one another. Still, some strongly disagree and believe that social media can negatively affect students’ mental health.
Recently actions have been taken to ensure the safety of minors on social media. The SCOPE Act which went into effect September 1 of this year after being signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023 gives parents control over their children’s accounts. Yet, a crucial part of the law has not been passed, requiring social media companies to filter harmful content. This section is arguably one of the most important parts of keeping teens safe online.
The internet offers incredible learning and connection opportunities but also comes with risks that every teenager should take seriously. By being mindful of privacy settings and thinking critically before sharing personal information, you can create a safer online environment for yourself and others.
Cover art by Cylee Cumento
Staff urges actions to limit pests on campus
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
One part of any school's top priorities is cleanliness. Besides usual janitorial duties, many buildings will do their best to maintain a safe and sanitary environment for everyone there. This is why principal Michael Grebb and many other staff members are making it a priority to eliminate the recent emergence of rodents within the building.
“I’ve been here since 2014, I’ve noticed more animals on the outside in the early years, porcupines, skunks, foxes, I’ve seen a lot of stuff,” Grebb said. “Now that they built everything, Kohl's, Costco, P. Terrys, Willies, we have noticed, particularly in the last two years, that we have visually seen rats.”
As pointed out by Grebb, many buildings have popped up near the school, forcing rodents out of their homes. This is simply the first aspect in the problem, as not only do the rats have nowhere to go, but they also come into the school for a reason.
“I think we have invaded their natural habitat, so now we have a lot of concrete, a lot of buildings around,” Grebb said. “Unfortunately, teachers get hungry, so they have snacks, and they have food, and I think on the weekends when the building is empty the rats have a food source.
Right now we’re trying to take caution so hopefully the rats will find a new home, because we won’t leave food out.”
Many teachers have had run-ins with these rodents, particularly after coming back from summer break, as it becomes obvious that rodents have taken up residence in walls and classrooms.
“The first thing that happened when I came into the library is it smelled like something had died,” librarian Victoria Friday said. “All of my rooms, the back book room, the work space, my office, the library itself smelled like a dead animal. I’m pretty sure it was in the walls because in certain rooms you could smell it stronger. It got so bad to the point that people who were helping me out with the initial beginning of the year stuff had to leave the library to get fresh air because it was making them feel sick.”
This incident is not isolated to the library, but rather has affected the classes and work of staff throughout the school.
“I was in the middle of my third period class and we were doing a theater game and all of a sudden I looked up on the grid and I saw a giant two foot rat, walking across the grid,” theater teacher Michael Fisher said. “I’m usually used to seeing things like that, we have bats every year
in the theater and we’ve had rats in the theater as well, but this was a really large one, so it was quite destabilizing.”
Many staff members including Fisher and Grebb have remarked that rats have become more of a problem this year than in previous years, thus they are seeking out ways to limit the problem.
“We do have exterminators that come in from time to time, and deal with some of the infestation,” Grebb said. “Now we are emptying the fridges at the end of the week, and then the custodians … are emptying the trash before they leave at night. We’re making sure that we don’t have any food sources when people aren’t here.”
Besides pest control, many efforts have been made to eliminate the rodent problem from the source, as staff urge students to not eat in any undesignated areas.
“For students and staff it’s just, not leaving food in the building, whether it’s in a locker room, in a locker or a cubby, or somewhere,” Grebb said. “Just making sure that everybody takes their snacks home. I personally used to keep snacks in my office, and I don’t anymore because we had a box of chips that was left over from some event and we came in after a
weekend and something had gotten into the Cheetos that were in that box, so we no longer kept food around the office.”
Now that a key problem has been identified, students are being repeatedly told where and when they cannot eat, as food and trash will only help the rodents as it provides both a food source and nesting material.
“We’ve been trying to be a lot more diligent about making sure that students aren’t eating in the classroom spaces, and only out in the hallways,” Fisher said “With the opening of the Pod, there is a large source of food down here on the side of the building.”
Friday urges the importance of limiting these rodents as they both create an unclean space, and destroy books.
“Be mindful of the space, there's a lot of people who put in a lot of effort to keep the space clean, not just me, not just the custodians, but this space is really important for faculty, staff, students, and even guests who visit Hendrickson,” Friday said. “I think the library is a very central point in the school, so it’s really important that it is well maintained and represents the school.”
Natalie Mathews joins team Texas World Schools Debate
“Greenhill was the first tournament I did with Team Texas,” Mathews said, “It was a lot of fun, but it was also scary because I was the only woman chosen from Central Texas. There was a bit of a resource gap so I was nervous, but we ended up winning and even beating the national team which is Team USA. It was a super big deal because it was the first time Team Texas has ever done that.”
Mathews has participated in the Hawk Speech and Debate program since her freshman year. The program offers opportunities to develop skills such as critical thinking, persuasive speaking, research abilities, effective communication, and more.
“I wanted a way to channel my passion for public speaking and advocacy into something that would be productive for school and help me make real change,”
Mathews said, “It’s helped me learn how to speak more persuasively, and how to explain ideas in a way others will understand. A big part of speech and debate is learning how to adapt to your audience, so I’ve learned the art of rhetoric which helps me in school and real life.”
According to Mathews speech and debate have not only played a crucial role in school, but also in her day-to-day life.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned from my teammates is how to be more humble,” Mathews said, “With speech and debate you are being judged by both your character and performance. They judge the way you stand, the way you walk, the way you talk. I’ve had a judge tell me that my voice sounds horrible and that I need to change it. But my teammates have helped me learn not to take things personally.’
With Team Texas Mathews has been given the opportunity to work with people from all over Texas. Students from Corpus Christie, El Paso, Dallas, Houston, and more come together through of love for speech and debate. The diversity in Team Texas offers an abundance of different perspectives.
“The kid who goes to one of the largest high schools in Texas is obviously going to have a different perspective from someone who goes to high school in, for example, El Paso,” Mathews said, “So it’s really fun just to see how everyone thinks
and how their context inspires their ideas.” Debate has played a significant role in shaping who Mathews is and who she wants to become. The lessons she’s learned and the mistakes made throughout her journey have impacted her character; inspiring her to be the best version of herself. Mathews hopes that speech and debate can offer the same help to others.
“The most surprising thing I’ve learned is how everyone has ideas and everyone has the voice, because a lot of the kids who join debate are either one of two things. It’s either the quiet kids whose parents want them to get better or the really loud kids who believe they’re good at arguing,” Mathews said, “what I’ve really truly learned is that everyone’s opinions matter. It doesn’t matter if it’s different than yours, it doesn’t matter what it is, but the fact that it’s their own opinion makes it special and valuable, because speech and debate is really just a way for people have an accessible place to voice their opinions.”
Photo provided by | Debate
Zuri Clark | Reporter
Junior Natalie Mathews represented not only Henrickson High School but also Central Texas at the Greenhill Fall Classic, where she participated with Team Texas World Schools Debate and made history on September 23.
Theatre department performs for English classes From Script to Stage
Antonio Garcia | Reporter
In a combined effort to expose students to historic screenplays, the English and theater departments worked together in order to teach plays to their respective classes. In English, students read the script for their play in class, while in theater, students memorized, rehearsed, and performed for students.
Since early November, Hawk Drama has performed the Shakespeare plays of MacBeth and Romeo and Juliet to different classes, alongside the Sophocles play Antigone. Which play each class saw varied on the grade and which script they were reading.
“The Shakespeare plays are certainly challenging, mainly because the language is so different,” theater teacher Michael Fisher said. “Performing them helps both the theater and English students better comprehend what’s happening in the play.” The performance for each play is shortened down to about 40 minutes, as the full script typically takes 2 or more hours to perform. These shortened versions of the scripts are designed to retain the overall plot and major events, giving the audience a refresher and visual of the story.
“We read the first 3 acts before watching
them perform, so the students knew what to expect,” English teacher Emily Overton said. “When we came back, they had a stronger foundation of what the characters and scenes were like compared to just reading the script.”
In the process of learning and rehearsing the play, the theater students learn the stories of their scripts through their roles, the memorization of their lines, and the interactions between their characters. For performing Shakespeare plays, students have to put in effort to memorize the formal English used in scripts of that time.
“It was definitely a lot of work, because of the language and the way things were
worded,” junior Madie Berndt said. “It was stressful at first, but it eventually all came together, and I’m proud of the way it turned out.”
Andrea Foster | Photographer
Hendrickson senior secured second place at FFA National Championship
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Senior Lyliana Quintanilla recently achieved second place at the 97th National FFA Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. This October she represented both the state of Texas and Hendrickson High School. She delivered her speech on lab-grown meats to an audience of 70,000 people at Lucas Oil Stadium, showcasing both her passion and preparation, on a national stage.
“It was surreal and rewarding,” Quintanilla said. “Hearing the cheers from Texas FFA and Hendrickson supporters in a stadium that echoes like crazy—it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Stepping onto a stage in front of tens of thousands of people might be intimidating to many, but Quintanilla managed to channel her nerves into confidence.
“70,000 people were staring at me, it’s a lot to take in,” Quintanilla said. “But I trusted myself, my preparation, and the support of the people cheering for me. Once I started speaking, something just
clicked.”
During her off periods, Quintanilla practiced by walking around campus and reciting her speech aloud. She sought feedback from a variety of sources, including her agriculture teachers, peers, and even professionals at Texas A&M University’s Meat Science Department.
“Getting perspectives from so many people really helped me refine my speech,” Quintanilla said. “Practicing in front of industry professionals and peers gave me the confidence to present it on such a big stage.”
Quintanilla isn’t slowing down, she recently advanced to the Area Contest for Job Interview, a leadership development event that tests participants on resumes, interviews, and correspondence writing.
“It’s a lengthy and complicated process, but I’m excited to see how far I can go,” Quintanilla said.
Her previous wins at invitational contests, such as those hosted by the State Fair of Texas and Tarleton State University, have prepared her for this next challenge. Her
goal is to continue advancing through the competition circuit and make her way back to Nationals.
Quintanilla is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their FFA dreams.
“Talk to as many people as you can,” Quintanilla said. “Personal conversations are the easiest way to practice for public speaking. No stranger should be a stranger—connect, learn, and grow from every interaction.”
As she prepares for her next competition, Quintanilla is also planning for her future. She has committed to Texas A&M University, where she will double major in Animal Science and Agricultural Leadership with a minor in Political Science.
“Texas FFA and Texas A&M are so intertwined—it feels like the most natural transition for me,” Quintanilla said. “It’s exciting to know I’ll be part of a community that already feels like home.”
Photo provided by | FFA
New eSports Club starts on campus
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
The newly integrated eSports club on campus is a club for students who would like to do more than just play video games, but play video games competitively against other players in a team or solo format.
“So we started last month, and we have competitions every Wednesday and Thursday at 5 PM, and we play virtually in the Mountain Region time zone against all the schools in the nation,” eSports advisor and coach Mario Moreno said. “We are playing Fortnite, Overwatch, and Smash Bros. Ultimate in competitions that last from 5 to 6:30, sometimes longer, depending on if we do overtime.”
The eSports club’s key defining feature is that it connects the club’s players to other
similar clubs from other high schools around the nation through the use of the Internet.
“It’s an online platform, so all the schools connect to it,” Moreno said. “We do the communication with the coaches and players on the platform, and our school has a Discord where our teams communicate in-game via voice chat.”
While it may seem that the eSports club is just a fun hobby for students to be able to play games with their friends, Moreno also wants to make it clear that the club can offer opportunities to players who are passionate about competitive gaming.
“Last week, we had a player who got offered an $80,000 scholarship for being part of the eSports team,” Moreno said. “So I want to make sure that the student
Photos Provided By | Mario Moreno
body knows that it’s not just, playing games, but there’s all the scholarship opportunities for them too.”
Moreno doesn’t just supervise the players while they play games, but also actively participates in coaching players and running the logistics of their tournaments.
“So I come to coach with all the teams, set up the events, communicate with the other coaches, put in the player stats, and if there was any like discrepancy in the game, I handle that with the other coach,” Moreno said. “I’m also trying to teach them or show them how to improve some of their game sense and reflexes since I do a lot of gaming on my own.”
Alongside the eSports club, Moreno is also the advisor to the Game Development club.
“So it’s a student-led club, they meet every Wednesday in my room during Talon time,” Moreno said. “The students play the instructional videos on the screen, they have the programs running the computers, and they write the code. And right now, it’s like understanding the essentials, the fundamentals.”
The game development club has 12 members, and Moreno is trying to expand the club to more than what it is.
“I’m trying to show the administration that there is interest so that we could eventually have a class dedicated to game programming for students that want to be part of that,” Moreno said. “They’re using Godot programming language and right now, just tutorial learning, eventually they’ll play their games.”
Essential Tips for Staying Safe Online
Zuri Clark Reporter
The internet is a great place for connecting with friends, exploring new ideas, and learning. However, it also has its risks, especially for us who are growing up in a digital world.
“It’s different now.” Principal Michael Grebb said, “This generation has to grow up dealing with problems we never faced.” Sharing too much information online can lead to privacy issues and even realworld dangers. Details like your full name, address, phone number, and school name should be kept private. Be cautious about who can see your posts and avoid sharing your location.
“We want to make students aware that what they post stays on the internet forever.” Grebb said, “We always tell kids when we talk about colleges, universities, or careers that whatever they post is permanent and no amount of repairing your digital footprint can change that” Be wary of strangers online. It’s easy for people to hide who they really are online.
While chatting with new people can be fun, it's better to be safe than sorry. Never agree to meet someone in person without parental permission, and never share personal information with strangers.
“There are several safety issues that affect students, one that is high on the list to me
is students communicating with people they do not know and who could pose a threat to them.” social worker Lori Carl said. “Never ever make plans to meet anyone you meet online in person.”
Most social media platforms offer privacy settings that allow you to control who sees your posts and information. Take time to go through these settings and make adjustments to protect your profile from strangers.
“Always use privacy settings. You determine who is able to have access to your personal information. Never put your address or phone number out on social media. It is even recommended
that you not share your school or city or anything that could identify where you can be located.” Carl said. “Have your parents help you set your privacy settings to make sure you are safe.”
If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure about something that happened online, talk to a trusted adult. Whether it’s a strange message from someone or a suspicious link, letting a parent, teacher, or counselor know can help you stay safe and avoid problems.
“Talk to your kids, do the things you need to do to keep them safe.” Grebb said.
Building Bridges: Technology group growing, thriving
Fella Sahertian Reporter
The Technology Student Association (TSA) has been making waves in the school community, fostering growth, innovation, and teamwork among its members. Under the leadership of the president, junior Madelyn Keverline, TSA has seen significant improvements and achievements.
Keverline's primary objective for TSA was to provide members with real-world engineering experience, emphasizing skill development and personal growth.
"I wanted them to get a taste of what life would be like outside of TSA and have the skills to succeed in engineering," Keverline said.
Comparing this year's projects to last year's, Keverline noted substantial advancements in communication and documentation.
"We've learned to be more organized, and it shows in all our projects," Keverline said.
“TSA's officers are now more connected, demonstrating enhanced collaboration and overall great communication to make us as a club more accord.”
To tackle organizational challenges, Keverline implemented a rubric system, streamlining meeting agendas and tasks. Despite TSA's growth, Keverline acknowledges the difficulty in managing a larger membership.
"We have created posters in the school hallways, and hosted social events where members can bring friends,” Keverline said. “We’ve also collaborated with Mr. Grebb on fundraisers, we’re active on Instagram to spread the word, really, our initiatives aim to increase visibility and appeal to potential members.”
Keverline emphasized TSA's focus on teamwork, "We have chapter meetings with team-building activities, on-site engineering challenges, and social events
Sophomore earns second place
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Sophomore Benjamin Wang earned second place at a ITSA cybersecurity competition held at Texas State University in late October.
The competition featured a multiplechoice exam that tested participants’ knowledge of cybersecurity, including types of malware, defense strategies, and network security systems. Despite feeling underprepared, Wang’s natural curiosity and resourcefulness carried him to success.
“I was definitely nervous,” Wang said. “But my mindset was that the worst thing that can happen is losing. At the end of the day,
to help members connect,” Keverline said. “These activities promote camaraderie and collaboration, mirroring real-world engineering environments."
In addition to their technical skills, the robotics team has also developed strong bonds and a positive team dynamic. “We have a lot of fun together, both in and out of the robotics room,” said Henry Lancaster, captain of the robotics team. “We joke around and support each other, which helps us work together more effectively.”
Last year’s state competition was a memorable experience for the team, who enjoyed a celebratory pizza party on a
parking garage rooftop in Fort Worth.
For team members like Lancaster, working on the robotics team has provided valuable hands-on experience with intricate mechanisms and problemsolving. “It’s really helped me develop my skills and attention to detail and a lot of times I don’t even notice it,” Lancaster said.
Regarding this year’s robot, Lancaster is confident in what he and his team has worked on. “We’ve worked together as a team to design and build a robot that can perform a variety of tasks, and we’re confident that it will serve us well at the competition.” Lancaster said.
In summary, the robot features several custom-built mechanisms, including a front-mounted intake system. This system utilizes rubber wheels to spin and push large rings into the robot. The rings are then conveyed upwards via a scissor lift, a mechanism resembling a large escalator. Finally, the ring is deposited onto a mobile goal or stake, which the robot must then grasp and maneuver into position. This year, TSA continues to empower future engineers, providing valuable skills and experiences. With a strong focus on teamwork, innovation, and growth, TSA is shaping the next generation of STEM students.
Photos By | Fella Sahertian
at Texas State ITSA Cybersecurity Competition
you go home with a cool experience.”
Wang first attended the competition last year and chose to compete in cybersecurity again this year, finding the event both challenging and enjoyable.
While he didn’t have much time to prepare this year, Wang relied on his instinct and background knowledge from experimenting with computers in his free time.
“I kind of just went in and learned from the test as I was taking it,” Wang said. “For example, one question asked about a type of malware, and later I saw another question that referenced it. It was like piecing together
a puzzle.”
The day started with a lecture on computer science, followed by the competition itself, where participants selected their events. Wang particularly enjoyed learning about red and blue team simulations, where teams take on defensive and offensive roles to test cybersecurity systems.
“I didn’t know about that before, but now I’m hooked,” Wang said. “If I ever go into cybersecurity, I know I want to be on the attacking team. It sounds so fun.”
Wang’s win was a surprise even to himself.
“When they called my name, I thought they’d gotten it wrong,” Wang said. “You see
all these upperclassmen walking around, and you feel like they know everything. I really felt like I didn’t know what I was doing, but I just kept going.”
Despite juggling four AP classes this year, Wang continues to push himself academically and explore his interests in computer science. Placing second place is a testament to hard work and curiosity leading to unexpected success.
“Honestly, you might as well try,” Wang said. “You never know what you’re capable of until you give it a shot.”
Annual Adopt a Child event gives low-income students holiday celebrations
Ashleigh Perrow | Reporter
In the Adopt a Child program, the PFISD high schools partner with their feeder elementary schools. Each elementary school counselor works to identify the low-income families to be a part of the program. Adopt a Child gives these children a chance to celebrate the holidays. The kids are “adopted” by a first period class. That class is given a wish list for the adopted kid and will raise between 150-200 dollars. The class buys the child different things from their wish list and throws a party for them on the day of the
event.
“The children from the elementary schools come over and have their own Christmas with the classroom that adopted them,’’ Student council sponsor Hellen Barczi said. “The gifts that the children get consist of different kinds of clothes, books, or toys,” Barczi said.
The program originally began in 1982 at Pflugerville High School and soon the other PFISD high schools started to participate in the program. Hendrickson has been doing this for 20 years but the district has been doing this for 42.
“We have students in our building that were adopted children when they were in elementary school”. Barczi said. “Something unique about this program is how the high school students are affected. It’s more rewarding to give back”, Barczi said.
The idea originated from the principal of Pflugerville High School at the time, Larry Bradley and his wife, Cynthia Bradley who learned about it at a state student council convention, and brought the program back to Pflugerville.
“Cynthia and Larry Bradley actually
happen to be my parents,” Barczi said. “Continuing this program is a great way to honor my parents as well.”
Adopt a Child provides for children that may not get a Christmas.
“I’ve always gotten a lot of thank yous from families saying thank you so much because if this hadn’t happened my children would not have had Christmas this year,” Barczi said. “This program helps so many people in so many ways.”
Students debate ethics of fast fashion From Trend
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
There are many aspects of the day every human being can relate to and agree on the importance of. One thing most every human has to do first thing in the morning is get dressed, though where these clothes come from can be vastly different from
student to student. In the past, teenagers found themselves shopping for clothes at a department store or mall, but with rising internet trends brands like Shein or Temu have emerged, making fast fashion an increasingly popular choice.
“Fast fashion is 100% a convenience
thing, which I totally get,” junior Zee Roysden said. “It's popular styles for cheap prices, and because it's produced ‘fast,’ you can get a lot of trends at the drop of a hat, and therein lies the problem: it's all about impulse. Fast fashion is a part of a larger culture of overconsumption, which has risen dramatically with the rise of the internet and TikTok. by making trendy clothing easily available, it goads you to spend money on something you ordinarily might not have.”
Roysden is not alone in their thoughts, although these perspectives often divide people regarding the ethics and morality of their shopping habits. This convenience often comes from both being able to shop online, as well as the cheap prices allowing students to stay up to date with trends without having to break the bank.
“I grew up kind of not having money, so my parents always used to buy from there and they have some cute stuff,” freshman Emma Gresham said. “I would say I’m for [fast fashion] because some people can’t afford really good quality stuff, and not a lot of people can tell if it’s cheaper brands like Shein or brands like that. I think they actually distribute good clothes if it’s a good brand.”
The argument against these convenient ways to shop often comes down to both how they make clothing and the effect they have on the environment.
“With so [many] clothes being mass produced, it leaves a lot of waste because there's so [many] clothes that are just
sitting there,” junior William Doseck said. “If you would go thrifting, you can get clothes for much cheaper, and you’re also helping the environment.”
Many people against fast fashion support alternative cheap clothing, namely thrifting.
“I really like [fast fashion] because I get a lot of clothes that are pretty cheap and they’re pretty good quality,” freshman Emory Hernandez said. “They have a lot of great different kinds of items and a big, wide variety.”
Roysden stresses the importance of not blaming the consumer, but rather the company producing waste and society promoting consumerism.
“You can't change everything though, and that also needs to be remembered,” Roysden said. “Society is run on pollutants, don't fall into the activist trap when you can't change everything, especially when every brand relies on the same factories. It's about doing what you can where you can. There's not much you can do alone; people are stronger together. Support unions, transparency from companies, boycotts, etc. It's about supporting the workers to get better conditions, better pay. Shop second hand, buy from sustainable brands, make your own clothes, and for the love of God, stop buying from Shein and Temu, those are the worst offenders and it's so easy to not shop from there. Start with one thing, then make other changes in your life.”
Online retailers fuel overconsumption of clothing
Ashleigh Perrow | Reporter
Fast fashion has become more popular with the rise in online shopping, however the industry relies heavily on child labor.
“Children are being damaged by sitting for hours on end in factories doing the same things over and over again,” history teacher Julie Galiga said. “If these companies can produce fast fashion and make sure we are not harming the environment and putting people at risk for health problems that would be best,” ex fashion teacher Kristen Sutphen said. Some of the most commonly known
fast fashion companies are Shein and Temu. Others, like H&M, Forever 21, Zara, and American Eagle also contribute to this.
There are many organizations people can donate to and help like Save the Children, World Vision, and Fair Labor Association. There are also ways students can boycott fast fashion by shopping locally and stop buying from those stores/sites. Consumers can start shopping at ethical brands instead of supporting companies with exploitative practices.
“People should look for American
labels because we aren’t supposed to have any child labor in the U.S.,” Galiga said. “Americans are very obsessed with consumerism, so cheap clothing quickly is favorable, but I think a lot of people don’t know the behind the scenes.” Stutphen said.
People should also read about fast fashion and the danger behind it if you want to avoid it. Consumers can also buy better quality clothing and thrift more clothes.
Businesses prioritize speed and low cost, often resulting in cheap materials, low-quality clothes. While this has made
fashion more accessible to consumers, it has also contributed to significant issues. One of the most alarming concerns associated with fast fashion is its use of child labor, particularly in developing countries where workers are paid poorly and work in unsafe conditions. Despite global awareness of this issue, many major clothing brands continue to source garments from countries where child labor is common, driven by the desire to produce low-cost, highvolume products.
Illustrations by | Karina Bon
to Trash
Sustainable style revolutionizes the fashion industry
Fella Sahertian | Reporter
As fast fashion’s industry continues to grow and exert its influence, a growing movement is embracing a more mindful approach to style.
For junior Julian Edwards, thrifting is a deliberate choice driven by his commitment to reducing his carbon footprint.
“Fast fashion’s wastefulness and exploitation are just unacceptable to me and it’s difficult to comprehend those that has not put this into realization just yet,” Edwards said, pointing out the unconcerned notion of his sociability.
Edwards’s views on fast fashion were sparked by a startling realization. After
watching videos that exposed the problems associated with the industry, he delved into research, uncovering the alarming truth about the impacts of fast fashion.
“I just thought that if the things I bought simply for the satisfaction of ‘looking good’ would affect a wide portion of people terribly, then consume?” Edwards
“It’s just common sense to me.”
While thrifting is often seen as a solution to fast fashion, Edwards notes that it’s
not a one-size-fits-all answer. Thrifting can be problematic if it deprives low-income individuals of affordable clothing options.
“It’s not wrong to thrift, but you need to realize if it starts to mean taking from people in need,” Edwards said.
Edwards believes there are many other ways to approach this matter.
“If I start getting bored of what my shirts look like then I would DIY it, do patchwork, make it as
interesting as possible with my creativity,” Edwards said. “That’s what fashion is all about for me, just altering clothing to suit my skin.”
For those who prefer online shopping, Edwards advises caution and careful research. He recommends using reputable apps like Depop, Vinted, and Mercari, but warns against being from sellers who may be reselling fast fashion items. To avoid this, Edwards suggests asking sellers questions and reversesearching images to verify authenticity.
“I’m always up to go the extra mile if it means ensuring that my choices don’t harm others.” Edwards said.
provided by | Fella Sahertian
Fast fashion notorious for harming environment
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
Buying clothes from newly founded online companies has quickly become one of the modern world’s new favorite ways to shop, with crazy low prices and clothes that are on trend being widely available causing such popularity. There is, however, the question of the idea that such low prices could be a tradeoff for another, more widespread issue.
“A lot of the waste [from fast fashion] isn’t biodegradable. They get put in landfills, or, sometimes, depending on how developed a country is, trash just randomly gets thrown out,” AP Environmental Science teacher Dana Haub said. “So you have random things floating into bodies of water that shouldn’t be there and these animals getting strangled in different pieces of clothing because [waste] is just all over the place.”
With global warming and pollution becoming more and more prevalent and recognised throughout the media and society, the topic of its causes has become a hot one that has sparked many a debate. Some bring up the idea of fast fashion as being a contributing factor to the pollution the world faces today.
“Most of the cheaper clothes are just made with plastic, like polyester, which isn’t made to last at all,” junior and former fashion club officer Jessica Leake said. “They may use cotton for the stitching, but it’s really thin and they just fall apart,
which leads people to throw this stuff away, and that cycle just repeats.”
Problems such as global warming are known widely to be caused by natural gases and resources such as
oil permeating the Earth’s ozone layer, though some also cite other sources, such as clothes from fast fashion brands, to be another major contributing factor.
“The clothes are cheaply made, and
therefore get trashed a lot,” senior and fashion enthusiast R Bhakta said. “There’s so much being trashed that they cause landfills to overflow and even our oceans to become polluted with their remains.”
It is not just the clothes themselves, however, that are suspected of having a negative impact on the environment. It is also speculated that the very factories that said clothes themselves are made are also contributing to harming the Earth.
“Fast fashion companies often manufacture their products in factories that are unsanitary,” junior and fellow former fashion club officer Malika Patel said. “The factories don’t worry about how they affect the environment with all of the harmful ways that they make their products with.”
With all of these new fast fashion companies popping up across the globe, it’s impossible to know which ones potentially would be ‘safe’ to use, or which could potentially be harmful to mother nature herself. With the cheap prices of said companies’ products, however, it is no surprise that they have become widely popular.
“Because the clothes are mass produced, as with any kind of products, people try to find the cheapest way to do it,” Haub said. “No matter the consequences to the environment, the people will continue doing what will cause them to be able to produce more.”
Photo
Cozy Creations Reporter reviews assortment of winter baked goods recipes
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
After what seems like eons of waiting out the never relenting, energy-sucking Texas heat, Winter has finally woken up, rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and arrived at our doorstep. Tree leaves are steadily dropping from branches, the wind has developed a bite that can get through even the thickest of jackets, and staying indoors has become preferable to being outside, so I propose you this: why not spend your time inside baking some lil’ goodies for your family (or yourself, if you plan on eating them all like a Gremlin [catch that Christmas reference?])?
After scouring the internet’s most grandmother-y looking baking blogs, I found three different recipes that seemed pretty tasty from one that I consider the holy grail (tasteofhome.com), and yours
truly decided to bake them for herself. These were absolutely scrumptious, if I do say myself, and I’d like to share these bad boys with the world. Therefore, I give you: three different things to bake this winter. I’ll start off with (in my opinion) the easiest of the batch to bake, gingerbread cookies. Now, these aren’t your traditional gingerbread-person-with-frosting-fora-face type cookies; these are soft, round ones that melt in your mouth. Whenever you take a bite into one of these things, it feels like Christmas decided to just explode in your mouth (it also makes your kitchen feel the exact same way. The way they smell is to die for). Let’s just say that if I was Santa, and someone decided to put these out for me on Christmas Day, they wouldn’t be getting any coal in their stocking. ‘Nuff said.
Secondly, there’s caramel stuffed apple cider cookies. Yes, I know that this sounds like something you’d see on an overpriced restaurant’s pretentious-looking menu, but I swear that they’re not as complicated as they sound. I made these beauties in the midst of an absolutely atrocious argument with my mother, and they turned out gorgeous, which I feel should be encouraging to anyone else who’s pondering if they could concoct these cookies themselves. You don’t actually have to make the caramel yourself, if you were worried about that; I just stuffed some Werther’s soft caramels into the dough and then rolled it in sugar and cinnamon, and everything turned out just fine and dandy.
Lastly, for our third and final bake, we have German Apple Cake with cream cheese frosting. As a girl who has always been more of a cookie person than a cake
person (the last cake I made was in the fifth grade, in which I accidentally made the cake with entirely too much olive oil. It was abhorrent), I was intrigued by the idea of redeeming my own cake–baking skills. Turns out, German Apple Cake is way easier to make than it sounds, and it tastes like a hug from a sweet old grandma. That’s honestly the best way to describe it. The cake quite literally has only 13 ingredients, so you know it’s gotta be good. Though I did substitute vegetable oil for avocado oil in the recipe, everything else was kept exactly the same. It makes enough cake to share with friends and families for the holidays, so I’d highly recommend it! Overall, if you want to dip your toes into the metaphorical waters of baking this coming holiday season, I’d definitely tell you to try out one of these three recipes. They’re not scary to make, and I promise you, they will turn out delicious.
Festive Treats from Fast Food Chains to Try at Home
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Winter is the ideal time to indulge in seasonal baking, and the festive offerings from fast food chains provide great inspiration for cozy, flavorful treats. Starbucks has rolled out a variety of festive bakery items, like their rich dark toffee bundt cake, topped with colorful sprinkles, and sweet snowman cake pops decorated with white chocolate and buttercream.
These treats capture the essence of
winter baking, making them perfect for holiday celebrations at home. For a more savory option, their turkey sage danish, filled with seasoned turkey sausage and creamy béchamel sauce in a flaky pastry, offers a delicious twist on holiday savory bites.
Cracker Barrel also offers a tempting array of holiday meals. Their cinnamon swirl french toast breakfast, with cinnamon streusel bread and cream cheese icing, is the perfect sweet addition
to a festive brunch.
If you prefer a hearty side, the broccoli cheese casserole, a blend of creamy cheese, rice, and broccoli with a buttery cracker crumble, is a great side dish for holiday feasts. Additionally, Cracker Barrel’s Heat ‘N Serve meals, such as their holiday french toast bake, make it easier than ever to enjoy a holiday breakfast or brunch without all the work.
For your own holiday baking, consider trying a cranberry-orange bundt cake
inspired by Starbucks’ flavors, or bake a savory turkey pastry filled with sage and béchamel sauce, similar to their turkey sage danish. You could also make a delicious cinnamon swirl bread or french toast bake, reminiscent of Cracker Barrel’s festive French toast offering.
These winter-inspired treats will not only add warmth to your kitchen but also bring festive cheer to any holiday gathering.
Photographs by Savannah Brewer
First Feast, Then Films
Highly anticipated movies released over the Thanksgiving Break reviewed
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Wicked (2024), directed by John M. Chu, brings back fans of all ages to the familiar story of the hit Broadway musical at the Gershwin Theatre about two witches before Dorothy, the Tinman, Scarecrow, and Lion travel on the yellow brick road to Oz.
Wicked holds a special place in my heart as it was the very first musical I saw on Broadway. I remember first arriving in New York City and seeing the magic of the city, where I found one of my favorite musicals. When I first heard that Wicked was going to be adapted into a film, I was curious to see the performances of the two leads and how the director would be able to fully flesh out the story since it wasn’t limited to a stage.
Since I was familiar with Wicked and had seen it live twice, I entered the theater eager and filled with anticipation. I knew I was in for a spectacular rendition from the first five minutes, and Wicked exceeded my already high expectations. However, I was slightly annoyed when I learned the movie would be broken down into two parts, and only tell the first act of the musical, but it would allow for every scene
to have its moment and capture how the storyline was intended.
The musical follows the unexpected friendship between Elphaba, whose skin is green (Cynthia Erivo), and Glinda, the popular and beautiful (Ariana Grande), who once disliked each other in school, eventually leading to Elphaba becoming the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz.
Part one is set primarily in Shiz University, the school Elphaba doesn’t originally plan on attending. Her father wants her to take care of her younger sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who is in a wheelchair, but she enters the school to cultivate her powers. At Shiz, Elphaba is an outcast from the other students due to her appearance and her developing magical abilities. Although an unexpected roommate pair at the beginning, Elphaba and Glinda find common ground, and their original feud blossoms into friendship.
The film embodies the magic of Wicked on Broadway and explores themes of identity, discrimination, friendship, and belonging. The extremely detailed sets and glamorous costumes were perfect along with the cast list. Each character shined
Gia Patel | Co Editor
When people tell you that the sequel didn’t compare to the original movie, I would trust them a majority of the time. Often, the story isn’t there, or the movie had already ended on a good note, which is how I felt when I was watching Moana 2. The sequel to Disney’s Moana (2016), was released on November 27 but was originally planned to come out the same day as Wicked. The film dives into Moana’s new adventure as a navigator and wayfinder. The movie takes place a few years later, and Moana grows up and has a baby sister, Simea. In the sequel, Moana embarks on a new journey to find the lost island of Motufetū to reconnect the people on her island with other isolated communities. Moana is not alone on her quest, she is accompanied by her sidekick and demigod Maui, a few new friends, and
in their respective roles, including Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), and Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard of Oz). Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s strong vocal performances resonated deeply with the soundtrack’s timeless music and lyrics.
The relationship between Elphaba and Glinda draws you into the emotional aspect of the film of how the unlikeliest of people become close friends and form a deep connection. I enjoyed getting to see how they are unafraid to stand up for one another, cry, and face challenges hand-inhand.
Whether you’ve been a Wicked enthusiast since its debut on stage in 2003 or are new to the story, this adaptation is a must-watch for those looking for an engaging film and a soundtrack that will be on repeat 24/7 after watching. I’m glad that others are finally able to experience the story of Wicked, and the actors and the musical numbers are getting the attention they deserve. Wicked will not disappoint and will leave you counting down the days until the release of the sequel in November 2025.
the coconut tribe.
What made this movie fall short of my expectations was the overall storyline. Disney had originally expected Moana 2 to be a short series streaming on Disney+ but later decided to transform the story into a sequel to Moana. I felt like there wasn’t much of a story for two hours, and although new characters and a villain were added, they were very undeveloped, didn’t add much to the plot, and felt out of place.
The absence of Lin Manuel Miranda’s songwriting was evident in this movie. In the original film, the music was catchy and symbolized the progression of the plot, and Moana’s journey was enriched with the history of Polynesian culture. I felt like the songwriters tried to mimic the style of his music, but it didn’t work well, and none of the music stood out to me like
the iconic songs of Moana like “How Far I’ll Go” performed by the voice of Moana, Auli‘i Cravalho.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Moana and her sister. It was nice to see their special bond, how much Simea looked up to her older sister, and how Moana longed to return back to the island safely to reunite with her.
Despite its flaws, Moana 2 still has the adventurous spirit, the high-quality animation, and the aspects of the Polynesian that the original film had. If you were expecting an enriching plot and a catchy soundtrack, this movie is likely to disappoint. However, I do think Moana 2 would be enjoyable for a younger audience who wants to see their favorite characters back in the theater.
More Than the Crown
Two girls hold pageant titles while bringing awareness to important causes
Emily Orozco
Little did she know that scrolling on Instagram would open up the world of pageants to her eyes and she too would soon hold a title of her own.
“I honestly just saw this pageant that I’m actually competing in pretty soon,” Orozco said. “It’s more focused on social impact through Latin communities, instead of the more beauty specific ones.”
Senior Emily Orozco has competed in two pageant circuits and was crowned Miss Spectacular Teen Texas Williamson County and Miss Tyler Texas Universal Royalty after originally competing to break out of her shell and overcome what she was dealing with at home. Orozco earned her Universal Royalty title from her first pageant.
“I did not expect the Universal Royalty pageant one because I was just trying to test the waters and see what I was getting myself into,” Orozco said. “It was a smaller pageant, and that’s why it was in a more rural area, but it was an overwhelming feeling because I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
The process of signing up to compete in
a pageant was not what Orozco initially expected.
“It’s mostly just you have to go through these contracts, and you have to be eligible,” Orozco said. “You also have to pay your dues.”
In order to be pageant-ready, Orozco plans ahead by finding her outfits and preparing for the questions the judges could ask.
“I usually try to see what other girls are wearing, and try to go based off of that,” Orozco said. “In terms of preparing for questions and stuff like that, I’m not gonna lie, I go through YouTube, and I look at past pageants that they have run before in the past years, and I try to prepare myself of what issues or topics they will ask about as well.
A typical pageant day for Orozco starts bright and early.
“I’ll wake up around maybe 3-4am, depending on how far the place is,” Orozco said. “And then it’s starting hair and makeup, making sure you have everything packed, signing into the hotel, checking in, and just making sure that everything is there and that you have checked in with the
Valeria Bobadilla
At the age of seven, she competed in a pageant for the first time; this year she got her crown.
“It wasn’t until this year it all came with the flow,” sophomore Valeria Bobadilla said. “It wasn’t something that I planned. Bobadilla returned back to entering pageants this past spring, after entering in a modeling agency where she got offered the
opportunity to compete in a pageant again. Bobadilla competed in San Antonio on June 22 where she won the title of Miss Teen Supreme US Mexico.
“I started in a modeling agency, and then after that, I got offered the opportunity to compete in a pageant,” Bobadilla said. “And everything went from there.”
For Bobadilla, signing up to be a contestant in a pageant was a simple process.
pageant directors as well.”
Orozco has also entered in optional contests, which showcase a contestant’s interests and talents to the judges.
“I competed in their western wear one,” Orozco said. “I also competed in an interview one that most people didn’t do, but I thought it would be special and just try to do it.”
As part of the Spectacular Teen Texas, Orozco gives back by visiting Latin communities that lack funding as well and participating in Technolochicas.
“We’re going into these communities that often lack opportunities for girls to get into the STEM field,” Orozco said. “We bring these little kits for them that have all these robot parts, and you kind of show them there’s other opportunities in the world for them to travel into.”
For Orozco, being a part of a pageant is more than just the title that comes with it.
“I like that it can bring inspiration to other girls because I know I have inspired at least my little sisters because they also tend to be very shy,” Orozco said. “I just want to bring some kind of light into little
“They basically contacted me, and then they asked me if I wanted to do it,” Bobadilla said. “Then I signed a contract with them, and then after that the process to prepare for the competition is just training with speech, modeling, runway, and all that.”
A pageant weekend is three days.
“The first day we have concentration, and we do training camps with both speech and runway,” Bobadilla said. “We have several outfit changes, and then at the end of the day, we have a dinner.”
On the second day of the pageant weekend, the contestants are prepared for what is to come during the competition.
“We do kind of a mock audition, but that’s also what prepares you to win the title,” Bobadilla said. “It’s one of the most important days.”
The final day is what determines if a contestant wins the pageant and gets crowned.
“You go up, and it’s a theater,” Bobadilla. “They ask you questions on stage, and you do your final night walk.”
On the last day of Bobadilla’s pageant there was a culture walk and she chose to represent Texas.
“You get to do a cultural outfit of whatever
you choose, and they crown you if you win,” Bobadilla said. “I had a Texas flag, I had blinged out boots, a blinged out hat, and my outfit was white.”
When Bobadilla found out that she was the new Miss Teen Supreme US Mexico, she was in shock.
“I said that I felt bad because usually when you win, people cry, and I didn’t cry because I couldn’t believe it,” Bobadilla said. “I was just standing there, and I was in shock.”
Being Miss Teen Supreme US Mexico, Bobadilla utilizes her platform to raise awareness on immigration and child cancer.
“I would go to St. Jude and Teleton and talk to kids who have cancer,” Bobadilla said. “This year we’re going to have the Posada Navideña, which sometimes soccer teams go to, and you also get to read with kids and get to go to school.”
For Bobadilla, winning a paegant isn’t just about the title, or the crown that comes with it.
“It’s something really important to me, because I use it as a resource to advocate for other people,” Bobadilla said. “It is a great tool [that you can use] to make an impact on someone’s life.”
girls’ eyes, especially Latin communities that often lack a little bit of a boost in the female world.”
Gia Patel | Co Editor
Struggle For Power Powerlifting coach talks about hopes for lifters as the new season starts
With the start of winter comes the powerlifting season, where all the athletes and coaches begin to prepare for their upcoming meets and improve their performance from last year.
“I would like to increase our regional and state qualifiers for both boys and girls,” Coach Peter Noonan said. “Last year we had five girls and three boys qualify for state, so we want at least 5 more girls and 3 more boys to qualify. We also had several medalists at state, including a state
champion, so I would like for those people to repeat and for others to gain medals.”
Noonan not only wants to improve the accolades that the team wins, but also the athletes as a whole, as he describes the type of lifter he wants his athletes to be like.
“A good lifter is somebody that is technically proficient in their lifts. Yes, we want them to be strong, but if they can't execute the lifts according to the rules and according to what the judges would expect, then it doesn't really matter about
your strength,” Noonan said. “We want somebody who encourages their teammates during training and during meets, someone who can also coach the basic fundamentals to other people, and someone who has a desire and passion for lifting heavy circles.”
To achieve this optimal lifter for everyone, Noonan is making sure to focus on all of the variables both in and out of training.
“So this year, we've moved to one training time a day, which will be Monday through Friday, starting at 6:30 in the morning with
some kind of general physical preparedness warm-up. We'll then ensure that we go over any fundamental techniques regarding squat, bench, or deadlift, and then we'll spend time in the meat of our workout training for that specific lift,” Noonan said. “So we're looking at about an hour to an hour and a half time of training, you know, plus making sure that what we do away from training is complementary, so better nutrition, sleep, and recovery habits.”
Wrestling athletes talk about the upcoming season
Photo By Sarah Stokes
As the wrestling season kicks off, senior Divan De Kock said he can’t help but feel excited. He started wrestling back in his freshman year, looking for something new to try during the off-season of football.
“It looked fun, and I wanted a challenge,” De Kock said, reflecting on how far he’s come since then.
When it comes to preparing for a match, De Kock keeps it simple.
“I just think about what I learned in practice and get ready to do my best,” he explained. But it’s not all easy, one of his biggest challenges is sticking to his weight class.
“I have to watch what I eat, which can be tough sometimes,” he admits, but he said his determination to the sport stays strong.
Sophomore Jameson Messer said he looks up to his coach, Jaymes Castillo.
“He’s always friendly and he’s good at keeping everyone accountable. He’s always making sure everyone works hard at practice,” Messer said.
Coach Castillo, who has been coaching for eight years, believes in the power of tenacity.
“You’ve got to be brave and go after your goals,” he tells the team, encouraging them to push their limits.
One memory that sticks with De Kock is from his first JV tournament where he faced a much stronger opponent.
“I was nervous and thought, ‘There’s no way I can win,’ but I surprised myself and ended up pinning him in the first round,” De Kock said. It’s moments like these that
Photo By Ryleigh Mackey
De Kock claims really shaped his journey as a wrestler.
De Kock also values the teamwork aspect of wrestling.
“You’re never alone on the mat. Your teammates are there to cheer you on and help you improve,” De Kock said.
Coach Castillo works hard to keep the team motivated.
“I try to make practices fun because it gets tough sometimes, and I want everyone to stay excited,” he said.
As for this season, Messer has set some goals for himself.
“I really want to go compete at tournaments and win as many matches as I can, along with learning more moves and combinations,” Messer said.
Coach Castillo has similar goals for this
team.
“This team still has a lot to learn and has a lot of potential, and I can’t wait to teach them and see them in action,” Castillo said.
With the season approaching, Coach Castillo knows it’s going to be a whirlwind.
“It can be hard to keep track of everyone’s progress,” Castillo said, but he said he’s willing and determined to support his wrestlers through every challenge.
De Kock isn’t planning to continue wrestling after high school, unless an amazing opportunity comes his way.
He treasures the friendships he’s made and the lessons he’s learned. With a mix of determination and teamwork, this wrestling team is ready to tackle the season, one match at a time.
season’s
Abenezer Tewodros | Reporter
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Photo By Valerie Escalera
Photo By Valerie Escalera
Sophomore Morgan Nelsen secures spot at State Championship Run, Morgan, Run
Photo By Gabrielle Guyton
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
For varsity cross country runner Morgan Nelsen, the sport isn’t just a seasonal activity—it’s a year-round commitment that requires focus and passion. Specializing in the 5K, Nelsen’s journey to the state meet this season was the culmination of months of intense preparation and dedication.
“Running is basically an all-year thing,” Nelsen said. “We build up mileage to work on endurance and do speed work to get faster. I was working for about four months leading into the season.”
Meet days are important, demanding complete mental focus.
“I don’t really talk to anyone” Nelsen said, “ I wake up, turn on music, and keep to
myself until it’s time to run,” Nelsen said.
The state meet brought a mix of nerves and excitement.
“It was the most nervous I’ve ever been, but advancing was incredible,” Nelsen said.
Morgan’s path into cross-country began somewhat unexpectedly.
“I randomly joined in middle school, and I realized I was kind of good at it.” Nelsen said.
That pushed me to keep improving,” Nelsen said.
Now, as an experienced runner, she’s found motivation in both their faith and their coaches.
“Staying rooted in my faith is key. I
By Morgan Nelsen
read my Bible and trust in God’s plan.” Nelsen said. “My coaches are also really supportive, always giving advice and keeping me motivated.” Nelsen said.
Reflecting on this season compared to the last, Nelsen noted a shift in their mindset.
“I was definitely more driven this season. I wanted bigger things, so I worked harder for them.”
That drive resulted in a personal record of 18:40 for the 5K, a testament to their growth as a runner.
This discipline has been supported by the inspiration of former teammate Cassie Rivera.
“She’s my role model. Cassie was so great and humble.” Nelsen said. “We got really
close, and she still inspires me,” Nelsen said.
This season’s success wasn’t just an individual achievement but a shared celebration. The send-off at school, filled with encouragement and support, was a moment to treasure.
“It was good to know people were excited for us,” Nelsen said.
As for the future, her passion for running remains unwavering.
“I’d love to continue in college, to keep getting better and more successful one step at a time.” Nelsen said.
Football, volleyball teams reminisce on seasons, plans for future
Photo By Gabrielle Guyton
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Now that the football season is over, the coaches and players reflect on the highs and lows of the season.
“I thought the team did a phenomenal job,” offensive coordinator Cedrick Welch said. “We hit a stretch of four games against some top-ranked opponents and didn't fare too well in those but overall, I think we improved game by game, and I'm pretty pleased with the five and five record overall.”
Instead of sulking in any of the losses the team may have experienced, the coaches are taking these losses and using them to figure out what to improve on with their game next season.
“This year we had a lot of young guys, first year varsity players playing for us, who matured during the season and got a lot better,” defensive coach Michael Peterson said. “We still need to keep getting better throughout spring for next season and keep playing with excitement and energy.”
By Gabrielle Guyton
Even a few of the athletes are wanting to improve for next year, not just for themselves either, but for the team as a whole.
“I'm proud of all the new varsity players that came up and how they filled the roles of the people who left, since it made it like easy to adjust to their style of play,” receiver and defensive back Maddox Quiller said. “If we can improve on some of our intensity, because I think effort was there, but intensity within our games and
our intensity in practice can improve.”
At the same time, the volleyball season has also ended, and they are wanting to improve on their game as well.
“The team did well this season,” coach Latraica Spencer-Bailey said. “There were a few bumps in the road, like getting to know a lot of first timers on varsity, but once everybody started actually trusting each other the season turned out to be better than what expected.”
Photo
Photo
Unity For All
Unified Champions Shine at local Special Olympics
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
The annual Special Olympics event, hosted by Unified Champions, brought together different groups including soccer and football teams to the football field for a day of celebration. Students participated in various sports, from soccer to bowling, exemplifying the school’s commitment to creating a unified community.
“Inclusion is what inspires us to organize these events,” Coach Justin Arizmendez said.
“Hendrickson has been a Unified School for the five years I’ve been here. Our focus is to integrate our special needs kids with the general education students in every activity.”
This ethos was echoed by special education teacher Jordan Byrd, a key organizer, who highlighted the enthusiasm
of the broader school community.
“It’s really fun to see how excited everyone gets to participate,” Byrd said.
“It’s inspiring to witness such collective joy.”
For many students, the soccer and bowling activities were unforgettable.
“Soccer was a lot of fun,” said freshman Amarachi Nwagwu.
Similarly, this enthusiasm was shared by junior Issac Nichols.
“My favorite part was kicking the ball,” Nichols said.
Nichols shared his pride in the team’s bowling success.
“We scored a lot of points and came back with a ribbon.” Nichols said.
Inside the gym, there was a dedicated space for students using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Coach Arizmendez
praised this effort.
“It was super nice to include everyone, regardless of physical ability.” Arizmendez said.
“It’s all about spreading awareness and adapting sports for our kids,” Arizmendez said.
“They may not always have the same physical abilities, but they can still participate and thrive.”
Throughout all these events, families and community members have been nothing but encouraging.
“The support from families has been overwhelming,” Byrd said. “Parents love seeing their children acknowledged by coaches and general education students. It really warms their hearts and builds a stronger sense of community.”
Partnerships with organizations like
Hasbro and local venues like Sparetime for bowling further amplifies these efforts.
“Spare time is always awesome with all of our kids,” Byrd said. “ They do a lot of their bowling practices and competitions at sparetime so they’re always really great to work with.”
Despite the event’s success, challenges continued to persist. Byrd admitted that large crowds could be overwhelming for some students.
“It can be scary, but talking to them ahead of time and providing breaks helps a lot,” Byrd said “Watching students return with medals and share their excitement about reconnecting with friends from other campuses is the most rewarding part.”
Photo By Andrea Foster
Photo By Andrea Foster
Photo By Karina Ortega
Photo By Sarah Stokes
Resolution Revolution
Students and staff discuss their New Year’s resolutions
“My New Year’s resolution is to volunteer more and get more active inside my community. I just want to volunteer during the summer, just like the school events because I’m in JROTC and HOSA and I volunteer for those.” -Emma Gresham, 9
“My New Year’s resolution is to be healthier with my diet and consistently run.” -Evie Parrish, 11
“To get muscles without the gym.” -Tejasri Vendrathi, 10
“To get closer to God.” -Raeanne Tapia, 11
“I want to work hard and stay focused to get all A’s in my classes” - Naomi Priest, 9 “I want to win my third Fortnite tournament by practicing and getting better at the game.” - Gabriel McDonald, 10
“To stop getting in trouble. I like to go outside and play, and I can’t play if I keep getting in trouble.” -Peyton Lewis, 10
“Getting my grades up and being able to pass and go to prom.” -Jonathan Ortiz, 11
“I want to eat better and choose healthier foods to take care of myself.”Morola Awosusi, 10
“My New Year’s resolution is to spend my money wisely but to also treat myself.” -Ghabbie Bagtas, 12
“I want to run a full marathon and work hard to train and achieve this goal.”Kathryn Gurganus, staff
“My New Year’s resolution is to keep my room clean and stay active.” -Tannah Wright, 11
“Score at least a 90 on the ASVAB. [The ASVAB] is a military entrance quiz, basically if I score a 90 I could probably become a pilot, which is what I want to do.” -Benjamin Galbraith, 12
“I want to eat healthier and make better food choices every day to improve my health.” - Isaac Burns, 10
“I want to grow closer to my religion and practice it more regularly. I want to make it a bigger part of my life and follow its teachings better.” - Divan De Kock, 12
“I want to sleep less and use that time to get more things done and be productive.” - Olivia Quarshie, 12
“I want to take care of myself and become more independent by learning and working hard.”Stephanie Oiesen, 12
“I want to drink more water, cut back on coffee, and spend more time reading books.” - Victoria Friday, staff
“To be more active, spend time with family, and be healthier.” -Kailey Ray, 12
“I want to find ways to make more money and save it so I can reach my goals.” - Morayo Awosusi, 10
“I want to get better grades by working harder, staying organized, and studying more.” - Cameron Deibert, 10
Abenezer Tewodros | Reporter
Illustration by | Isaiah Trieu
Gia Patel | Co Editor