The Portrait of an Immigrant
Students share experiences of immigrating to the US
Pages 8-9
Personal Colum Hit or Miss
The Reality of Being a Woman
Staffer reflects on balancing expectations,
Beltran | Reporter
realities of femininity
For me, and for many women I know, there’s no singular narrative that defines the experience of being a woman. Being a woman is as multifaceted as the roles we play—daughter, sister, friend, partner, colleague, and sometimes mother. Each of these roles brings its own set of challenges and difficulties. The common thread that weaves through all of them is the constant balancing act between societal expectations and personal desires, between autonomy and obligation. The reality of being a woman is not so easily compartmentalized. It an intricate web of emotions, expectations, contradictions, and quiet strength, often hidden beneath the surface.
Growing up, I was taught to be strong, but not too strong. Be confident, but not arrogant. Pretty, but not too pretty. Independent, but never too self-sufficient. As if needing others were somehow a reflection of my weakness. There was always the implicit suggestion that I had to make myself smaller in certain spaces, to soften my opinions and actions to avoid being labeled as “difficult.”
It’s a balancing act that many women learn early in life, adjusting ourselves to fit the spaces others have created for us, without ever truly fitting in. For many women, the tension between these conflicting ideals becomes not just a source of frustration but of exhaustion. Every day requires mental math—how much of myself can I express without threatening someone else’s comfort? How can I be true to myself without being labeled a problem?
or “inadequate” often keeps us from voicing our own needs. The truth is, we all need to recharge, to take time for ourselves without feeling guilty for doing so. This is not weakness, it’s a fundamental aspect of being human.
Over the years I’ve learned that being a woman is not about perfection, it’s about persistence. It’s about carrying the weight of expectations with grace while simultaneously refusing to be crushed by them. It’s in the act of choosing ourselves, even when the world
In the long-run, being a woman is not just about external expectations.
District chooses not to assign make-up time after snow day
A three day weekend ended up turning into a four day weekend after the district called off school on Tuesday, Jan. 21 due to freezing temperatures. The next day, students returned to a slight change in schedule, as the school decided to return to A day classes, essentially skipping a B day.
Despite this, the district decided to not assign one of the planned weather make-up days, as usually predetermined on the district calendar every year.
This decision was likely only possible due to the way the state now determines the minimum time a student must attend a class to pass.
Previously, the state measured total days of attendance, but the district now measures the total minutes a student attends the class. This allows for more leniency when dealing with off-days and any weather days.
Allowing the future make-up days to remain off-days also helps maintain the balance of the school year. These days are assigned as student holidays, which means staff will still be there on that day.
These off-days allow students extra time to manage their work, while also giving the staff time to train, and plan future lessons.
The staff would’ve also needed to make up an extra day after the make-up day if it was assigned.
It’s
There’s a quiet vulnerability in this too. When we give so much of ourselves, there’s little room left to ask for help or to take a break. The fear of being labeled “selfish”
about coming terms our own expectations of ourselves— acknowledging the beauty and messiness of our own existence, and accepting that there is no perfect version of who we’re supposed to be.
Being a woman means embracing all of who we are, including every imperfection, every contradiction—and walking through the world not with an apology, but with the quiet pride of knowing that our very existence is a testament to resilience. It’s a reality that is both difficult and beautiful, exhausting and liberating. But, ultimately, it is our own.
Illustration by | Karina Bon
Ultimately, keeping the future make-up days despite the snow day helps to maintain the school’s schedule. Minor changes are able to be dealt with in short amount of time, and the schedule has already returned to normal in the following week. For maintaining the school’s schedule and helping both students and staff, keeping the off-days is a hit.
School
Enforces
Tardy policy Mid way through Year
The school has decided to enforce the tardy policy midway through the year, which feels inconsistent and unfair.
While some might argue that this should be normal and the implementation of this is for the betterment of students.
A sudden crackdown without prior warning can create frustration among students and parents, making it seem less like a genuine effort to improve punctuality.
Many students may also feel blindsided, particularly if they were not previously held accountable in the same way, leading to a sense of resentment.
This shifting of enforcement of a policy halfway through the year can create confusion, as expectations that were once flexible, are now harsher without the proper transition.
So although this can help students improve their schedule, it does not help with the fact that it's being implemented mid way through the year, if anything the school should have done this at the beginning of the year so everyone could have eased into it.
This kind of inconsistency can undermine the school’s credibility, making it harder for students to take future policies seriously, Therefore this enforcement mid way through the year, is a Miss.
Natalia
Your Turn
What do you think about the ‘Pink Tax?’
“I don’t think it’s fair because why should my clothes be more expensive than guys’ clothes ? Clothes should be the same price no matter the gender.”
- Marcelina Rosado, 11
“I don’t think it’s fair because sometimes due to sizing women’s clothes can be more expensive, which is very unfair.”
- Bianca Blas, 11
“I think that it’s not fair because if it’s the same item why should one be more expensive, especially if it also costs the same to make. Why would one be more expensive?”
- Melanie Merchan,111
“It’s not fair because even though some stuff has the same ingredients, girls’ products will cost more than guys’ products.”
- Emmanuel Aviles, 11
“I don’t think it’s fair because I think everyone should be treated the same and guys shouldn’t have to pay less for the same thing.”
- Brooklyn Smith, 9
“I don’t think it’s as much discriminatory as it is holding people to ransom. The specific products that I’m aware of that fall the most victim to the pink tax are not things that are needed across both genders, they’re specifically gouged for women. They’re more of necessities for women that are being taken advantage of because they need them. They can raise prices as much as they want, but women need them.” - Elijah Duvvuri, 10
Staff Editorial Empowering Change Through Accessible Menstrual Products
Menstruation is a natural part of life for nearly half the world’s population, yet for far too many, it remains a source of shame, stigma, and economic burden. Menstrual products such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and period underwear—are essential health items, not luxuries.
However, the limited access and high costs associated with these products continue to be significant barriers for individuals, especially those in marginalized communities. It’s time we address this issue with the urgency and respect it deserves, focusing on education, accessibility, and policy reform.
One of the greatest barriers to change is the stigma surrounding menstruation. Many cultures view periods as something to hide, perpetuating silence and misinformation. This lack of discussion prevents important conversations about health, hygiene, and access to menstrual care. Education is a critical tool in breaking this cycle. Schools should incorporate comprehensive menstrual health education to normalize periods and foster a culture of understanding and support.
The cost of menstrual products can be prohibitive. On average, a person who menstruates will spend thousands
of dollars on products over a lifetime. In the United States a government study showed that, on average, personal care products targeted to women were 13% more expensive than similar men’s products. For low-income individuals, this expense can force difficult trade-offs between buying period supplies and meeting other basic needs.
Many states and countries still classify menstrual products as “luxury items,” subjecting them to sales tax, a policy often referred to as the “tampon tax.” Eliminating this tax is a necessary step toward equity. In recent years, several jurisdictions have made strides in this area, but more widespread action is needed.
Addressing menstrual equity requires a multifaceted approach. Policy makers, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders all have a role to play. It’s time to treat menstrual products as necessities, not privileges, and to ensure that no one has to miss school, work, or social activities because they cannot afford them. By investing in education, eliminating unfair taxes, and providing free access where it’s most needed, we can create a future where menstrual health is a basic human right—accessible, affordable, and stigma-free for all.
Illustration by | Isaiah Trieu
Coach Norma Sierra achieves 700th career win
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Basketball coach Norma Sierra reached a career achievement on Dec 26, securing her 700th career win during a holiday tournament.
“This milestone isn’t just about me,” Sierra said. “It’s a testament to the hard work of my assistant coaches and the incredible athletes I’ve coached over the years.”
Sierra began her coaching career in El Paso before moving to Hutto High and eventually Hendrickson, where she has spent the last 13 years.
“Hendrickson is home,” Sierra said. “This community has brought me so
much success, both professionally and personally.”
She attributes her achievements to adaptability, teamwork, and motivated players.
“The game has changed, and so have my strategies, thanks to my amazing assistants and athletes,” Sierra said “Wins are great, but the relationships I’ve built with my players are what truly matter.
Having them visit or call me years later means everything.”
Though she remains committed, Sierra hinted at slowing down.
“I’ll be lucky to hit 800,” Sierra said. “For now, I’m just grateful for the journey.”
Coach Norma Sierra celebrates 700th win after Hendrickson beats Pflugerville High School by 3 points. Coach Gloria Fierro, Janea Hood, 12, Skye Gerzon, 10, Jaidyn West, 11, Coach Marlo Saunders, Afomiya Michael, 12, Chinwendu Aguoru, 11, Karmen Mitchell, 12, Trinity Jackson 11, Zharia Lightner 10, Jasmine Culpepper, 12, Niyah Waters, 12, Keilee Gresham, 10, Jordyn West, 11, Coach Norma Sierra.
Fire Academy students Excel at TPSA Region 8 competition advance to State
Fire Agility Female
Alec Chandler, 12 (HHS), 1st place
Madison Martinez, 11, (HHS), 2nd place
Sophia Montoya, 11 (WHS), 3rd place
Fire Agilitiy Male
Josh Winkelman, 12 (HHS), 1st place
Blake Wilson, 12 (WHS) , 2nd place
Dereon Steven, 11 (CHS), 3rd place
Christopher Renteria, 11 (PHS), 5th place
Fire Press Conference
Thanh Bui, 11 (HHS), 1st place
Joaquin Yancha, 11 (HHS), 2nd place
Evan Johst, 12 (WHS), 3rd place
Damien Zarate, 12 (WHS), 4th place
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Fire Academy students delivered a standout performance on Jan 24th - 25th at the Texas Public Services Association (TPSA) Region 8 competition in Corpus Christi, TX, With 14 of 17 participants advancing to the state level.
The event tested skills such as fire agility, search and rescue, and emergency press conferences, mirroring real-world firefighting scenarios.
“The students did incredibly well,” Rhea said “Four of them competed last year as juniors, but for the other 13, this was their first time at the competition. They rose to the occasion and demonstrated the skills they’ve been honing all semester in the Fire Academy.”
Despite limited team practice due to being spread across four campuses, students relied on their Fire Academy training to excel.
Katelyn Kral, 12 (HHS), 5th place
First Responder
Alec Chandler, 12 and Katelyn Kral, 12 1st place (HHS)
Evan Johst, 12 and Damien Zarate, 12 2nd place (WHS)
Job Exhibit
A focused session at Pflugerville Fire Central Station on MLK Day helped sharpen their agility skills.
“We practiced in the cold for about an hour and a half, and that was the only time we could all train together,” Rhea said.
The press conference proved challenging for some, particularly first time competitors.
“Some were really locked in and ready to go, while others were a little nervous.” Rhea said. “But overall, they handled it well and gained valuable experience.”
The state competition will be held in Allen during Spring Break, where the students will compete against other regions in Texas.
“We’re proud of how far they’ve come,” Rhea said “Now, they’re ready to take on the next challenge.”
Ryan Harper, 12 (WHS), 3rd place
Joaquin Yancha, 11, (HHS), 5th place
Search and Rescue
Ryan Harper, 12 (WHS), 1st place
David Wagenseller, 12 (WHS), 2nd place
Trenton Bookout, 11 (WHS), 3rd place
David Martinez, 12 (WHS), 4th place
Photo provided by | Norma Sierra
Fire Academy students place at regional competition in Corpus Christ with 14 advancing to the TPSA State conference. Photo provided by | Michael Rhea
The Cost Of Being Her Weiss junior starts GoFundMe for district provided feminine products
Zuri Clark | Reporter
The cost prohibitiveness placed on menstrual products makes many female students across the district feel as if they are not encouraged during their time of the month. Sophomore Karina Bon is an avid believer in accessibility for feminine hygiene products.
“Pads can get expensive, like maxi pads from a reputable brand can be $15, and women have different flows which require different pads which can be very different in prices, and someone who is stretched very thin on money may not be able to afford the pads they need, as well as tampons and cups.” Bon said. “Cups are a one time cost though which makes them pretty nice, but they’re hard to put in.”
The concern was raised at Weiss High School where junior Farah Sabah decided something needed to be done. So, on Nov. 16, she launched a GoFundMe to collect funds to make this vision a reality.
“The specific moment that I realized menstrual equity was necessary was when I started hearing all the stories girls had shared in my women’s empowerment club,” Sabah said. “But it seemed every girl was shut down by society.”
Though, the project has received mostly positive feedback and support from many in the community, with the GoFundMe being shut down due to a collaboration with the Chief of Staff and a board member at PFISD. The initiative has also received criticism.
“I faced a lot of resistance from many people, but it only fueled my determination to push forward,” Sabah said. “Even when those in positions of power shut me out, I kept pressing on, rising higher until I achieved my goal.”
Sabah was able to persist and continue the fight for menstrual equity due to her support system.
“My biggest supporters were my mother
and friends,” Sabah said. “I chose to ignore the doubts and focused solely on the voices of those who believed in me.”
Though provocative, this discussion is not new, with many of the female students on campus feeling unsupported by their school, including sophomore Zoe Issacson-Morales.
“The only bathrooms I’ve seen actually stocked with menstrual products are highly inclusive professional sites (not open to the public), really small businesses, or churches,” Issacson-Morales said. “I’ve never been to a public bathroom that’s actually stocked or where you don’t have to pay.”
In 2019, 64% of menstruators reported that they struggled to afford menstrual products within the last year according to Ballard Brief, a phenomenon better known as period poverty.
This issue has only risen in the following years with inflation raising the price of an average pack of pads by 41% and tampons by 36%.
“I truly cannot understand how people that came from the gift of a mother’s womb and menstruation itself decide to place tax on a women’s uterus,” freshman Lily Walker said, “Taxing menstrual products is taxing menstruation, to a women’s uterus, to life itself, why are we taxing life?”
Sabah’s initiative speaks to the many women and girls who have experienced the shame and embarrassment of not being able to afford menstrual products. Many have found hope in Sabah’s actions. Her work inspires all the ambitious girls and women who want a better future. Sabah leaves a message to them.
“Never give up, no matter what,” Sabah said. “Always trust your gut and stay true to your values. Don’t let others shake your morals, and no matter how messy things get, stay authentic to who you are.”
provided by | Vada Janak
Haider wins prestigious Montgomery Bell Award
Marcos Hans | Reporter
Senior Waleed Haider has cemented his place as one of the nation’s top debaters by winning the Montgomery Bell Award in Nashville, Tennessee, an honor recognizing the best in the United States.
“I feel so thankful to have accomplished this, “Haider said.” I’ve spent years working toward this, and it feels amazing to see my hard work pay off. More importantly, I enjoyed the opportunity to perform at this level.”
The Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Round Robin is known for its unique challenges, including experimental rounds that force debaters to adapt on the spot.
“We generally debate U.S. and global politics, but MBA included rounds where I proposed a new AP course or debated a hypothetical global drone invasion,” Haider said. “These rounds let me push my creativity and think outside the box.”
For Haider, the technical demands of the competition were the biggest challenge.
“Humor and passion are my strengths, but at MBA, the judging pool is highly educated and requires detailed content,
”Haider said. I spent weeks preparing and refining my speeches to meet the standard.”
Haider’s journey in debate began with a powerful moment of activism.
“As a freshman, I spoke out after a hate crime at my mosque went ignored by local media. That experience showed me my voice could create change,” Haider said. I’ve been combining my passion for politics with a drive to improve my communication ever since.”
Preparation has been a key to Haider’s success.
“I’m constantly reading the news or practicing speeches. I also draw inspiration from movies, plays, and stand-up comedy to refine my delivery and style,” Haider said. “Leading up to MBA, I focused on improving the substance of my speeches and sharpening my delivery with better gestures and vocal variety.”
Haider credits his victory to the support of his family, coaches, and teammates.
“I’m grateful to have been the one to hold the Golden Eagle, “ Haider said. ” but I know there were many who helped me carry the weight.”
Photo
The Courage To Be Kind
Interact
Zuri Clark | Reporter
pairs with FCCLA to help foster children
This semester Interact Club, which is sponsored by Rotary International launched the initiative Carry Kindness in a joint effort with FCCLA as a part of one of FCCLA’s competition events. The idea was inspired by the harsh reality that many foster children move from home to home with few personal belongings, and the Interact Club members wanted to change that.
“Most of our goals and missions come from our amazing sponsor Elijah Alborn. He works with rotary and they let us know what kinds of projects and other volunteering opportunities HHS Interact can help with,” club president, sophomore Gabriella Frias said. “Carry Kindness was formed due to a competition event I was doing with FCCLA and I created the Carry Kindness project to give backpacks with essentials for foster children.”
Interact is a service club. The organization offers high schoolers opportunities to participate in events in their community
and help out others.
“Our mission for our chapter is to combat issues we see in today’s society and to give back to those who need it,” Frias said.
“We’ve seen the effect Interact has on people, they become more responsible, empathetic, and loyal to their community.”
Though the club has been on campus in prior years, officers such as 10th graders
Gabriella Frias, Lyza Daud, Liam Carlson, Jia Tran, and Hanna Nguyen have given the club a fresh start and a new face.
“Our biggest challenge starting the chapter was seeing if people were actually going to sign up and want to be involved,”
Vice President, sophomore Lyza Daud said. “Gabby and I overcame it by making our friends join it. And then their friends joined in. It’s really grown by word of mouth.”
Carry Kindness marks one of many projects the Interact Club has planned for this school year. The group, affiliated with Rotary International, focuses on service, leadership, and fostering a spirit
of compassion among students.
“I see interacts future to be very impactful,” Frias said. “Having such dedication from all these students allows us to be able to do so much more. With their time and donations, we can combat lots in today’s society.”
The club’s structure emphasizes teamwork and service. Members collaborate on both local and international projects, addressing real-world issues like hunger, education, and environmental sustainability. Fundraising events, community clean-ups, and supply drives are common activities, all designed to promote positive change
“We had an opportunity to volunteer at Deutschen Pfest and we had a lot of members sign up for long periods of time,” Daud said. “Last year it was just me and two others who had volunteered from Hendrickson, but this year we had someone for each day which was really cool.”
Interact also provides valuable
Spreading Love, Not Hate
leadership experience. Students take on roles such as president, treasurer, and reporter, allowing them to develop skills in communication, organization, and project management.
“Having the amazing opportunity to lead such a huge club has shaped me as a leader in so many ways,” Frias said. “It’s shaped me to be a better person for society and to get up every day knowing I have so many people who want to support these issues and give their time and service to work towards solutions.”
For students looking to get involved, the Interact Club meets every Monday that falls on an A day at 4:30 in B113. New members are always welcome.
“It shaped me to be humble knowing I am very fortunate in life and I am able to give back to society and help those in need,” Frias said. “ “I hope we will continue to grow even after I leave HHS I still want Interact to thrive.”
Annual event highlights healthy relationships
Every year, the school hosts events such as an open mic and coffee house in order to spread awareness to teen dating. The teen dating awareness program has the goal of shedding light on the importance of promoting positive relationships between students while also addressing
issues that may come from an abusive relationship. This year, the awareness events will be happening during the week of Feb. 10 through 14.
“Dating can be healthy when both parties have mutual respect for each other. Honesty, communication, and healthy boundaries are key to a healthy dating relationship,” Campus social
worker Lori Carl said. “On the contrary, possessiveness, disrespect, dishonesty, and isolation are signs that the relationship is not healthy and will cause issues in dating.”
All abusive relationships are different, so it is important to pay attention to any sort of signs that appear in any relationship.
“Red flags include changes in yourself or a friend such as isolating themselves and only having time for their dating partner or you are seeing a lot of arguing and one or both partners making demands on their partner that are against their will or boundaries,” Carl said. “Appetite, sleep disturbance, and change in clothing style are also some red flags.”
Carl states that those in an abusive relationship should seek immediate help and talk to trusted adults in order to better their situations.
“Abuse is never acceptable and you deserve to be in a healthy abuse-free relationship,” Carl said. “Talk to a trusted adult and they will help you move out of that relationship in a safe way, never break up with an abusive partner in private, and make a safety plan with your trusted adult.”
Many initiatives on campus aim to help those in abusive relationships and help in spreading awareness of the problem as a whole.
“Every year we have a beautiful mural with the positive message of Love and Respect created by the great advanced Art class of Ms. Lawrence,” Carl said. “We will have a lot of social media presence to spread the message about Healthy Dating Relationships and we will promote the Love is Respect organization for a deeper education about this important topic. We will also host our annual open mic and coffee house to talk about it and raise awareness through poetry, art, and music.”
Carl continues to encourage students to spread awareness about the importance of teen dating health.
“Talk to your school social worker or counselors to get more information and ways to volunteer during the Awareness Week/Month of Feb. 10 -14,” Carl said. “Post and Share information from Love is Respect on your social media and come to the Open Mic night to share experiences and information with your peers.”
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
Illustration by | Cylie Cumento
BPA competes in regionals, heads to state
Afomiya
Michael
| Asst. Editor
On Jan. 11, BPA competed in the regional competition serving as a stepping stone as they prepared for the upcoming state contest.
Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a national organization designed to foster leadership and professional skills in students through various fields of business. Each year, students participate in regional, state and national competitions.
Among the competitors was Vice President Joseph Kumpati, who has been an active BPA member since his freshman year.
“I’m in the computer animation team,” Kumpati said. “But there are also artsy events like broadcast, as well as medical and coding events.”
During his freshman and sophomore year, Kumpati went to Nationals for the solo event computer modeling. This past year, he went to Nationals for the first time ever with the Animation team.
“We placed second at Nationals,” Kumpati said. “That’s my biggest achievement so far.”
Kumpati is preparing for another round of regional and state competitions this year with hopes of qualifying and placing at Nationals.
“It’s called the business club,” Kumpati said. “While it’s business focused, there
are tons of different types of events.”
Preparation for the events varies based on the competition.
“It really depends on the event,” Kumpati said. “For a coding event, you might have to create a sprocket or a piece of technology, while for animation, we have to make a short film based on the prompt we were given.”
Kumpati and the animation team make sure the project for Regionals is ready as a base, and continue to build it on as they move forward. Some competitions however are test based events.
“You just have to make sure to study past tests to get your knowledge up for the technical and presentation events,” Kumpati said. “This is crucial to delivering your pitches in front of the panel of the judges.”
The Web Design team also experienced tremendous success at the regional competition as well. Competing in a team based event. They created a website for a band.
“We are helping them market the brand,” Jawaad Merali said. “We created things like an events tab, tour dates, merch page, and an instagram.”
Although presenting was a long process, their feedback was highly positive.
“The judges loved it and we won first place,” Merali said. “ We spent the last
three months prepping and coding the website to make sure it was user-friendly.”
As they move forward to the state competition on Feb. 2 in Fort Worth, the team has plans to enhance their project even further.
“We’re working on making the website more interactive,” Merali said. “For example, we’re trying to add features similar to how movie theatres have seat selection options.”
The collaboration within the team has been one of the highlights for BPA.
“Working on a team is amazing,” Merali said. “We meet twice a week to work on everything. It’s so much fun.”
Kumpati also emphasized the value of teamwork explaining how BPA helped him grow as a leader.
“In the beginning I preferred working alone,” Kumpati said. “When I joined the animation team, I had to learn how to collaborate with others,” Kumpati said.
Both Kumpati and Merali have future aspirations tied to their BPA experience. Kumpati’s passion for animation began before high school yet his involvement in BPA has helped him develop his skills even further.
“I was in Mrs. Sullivan’s class in 9th grade when she saw some of my animation work and she encouraged me to join BPA,” Kumpati said. “At first I wasn’t too sure,
then I realized how fun it was.”
Similarly, for Merali, BPA serves as a stepping stone to see what the future of computer science development would look like.
“After highschool, I’d like to attend a future BPA conference,” Merali said. “I’m planning to major in computer science like most of the others, and these projects give me a step into the workforce.”
With a strong track record and a leadership role within the club, Kumpati was excited to continue his journey in BPA with aspirations extending beyond high school competitions. As he works towards a future in engineering, the skills he has developed will continue to serve him in his career.
“I’ve been getting better each year,” Kumpati said. “I’d really like to see the other members also continue to grow and improve their skills,”
With the state competition in the near future, BPA students are determined to continue getting better in order to secure a spot at Nationals once again.
“I’ve been getting better each year,” Kumpati said. “I’d really like to see the other members continue to grow and improve their skills.”
Photo provided by | Ashley Sullivan
Photo provided by | Ashley Sullivan
The BPA senior visual design team (Giovanni Haddad, 12 , Jawaad Merali, 12 , Advait Mannepalli, 12) gets 1st place at Regionals in order to advance to the state competition.
The BPA animation team (Andrea Arrascue, 12 , Joseph Kumpati, 12 , Calista Hwang, 12) places 1st place at regionals advancing to the state competition.
The portrait of an immigrant Students share their experiences of coming to America
A long way from
Gia Patel | Co Editor
At the age of 9, she boarded the plane and left behind everything that was familiar in South Africa.
“I grew up wealthy, I guess you could say, in the area, because it is a third world country,” junior Alyssa Soliman said. “There’s a ton of crime there so everywhere you go you keep things out of sight, lock the cars, lock the windows, all the windows and the houses have bars over them, and cops would just go around the neighborhood.”
Soliman and her brother moved to the US in search of a better life, as the economy in South Africa was declining.
“Me and my brother came here alone, and my mom stayed because my dad’s in the US; that’s why I was able to come back,” Soliman said. “We did 21 hours on a plane by ourselves and we got help throughout the whole airport, but it was a lot.”
However, moving to the US was a shock for Soliman.
home
“I was so young, and I hadn’t seen my dad in like four or five years,” Soliman said. “I had to drop habits of ‘make sure you lock this,’ or ‘we have to hide this,’ and ‘how much money are we spending?’ because the money difference is huge.”
School in South Africa was a completely different experience compared to school in the US.
“It was really strict, there were uniforms and there’s no middle school, it’s just elementary and then high school,” Soliman said. “Elementary was Kindergarten through 7 and then high school was 8 through 12.”
Life after immigrating was challenging, but it brought benefits.
“I actually got really bullied because of my accent and people would make fun of me a lot,” Soliman said. “It was fun living in South Africa, but it’s actually a lot safer here, and I have more opportunities.”
Gaining new opportunities
For sophomore Damian Sanchez, Mexico felt more like home.
“Everybody was just so close and intertwined,” Sanchez said. “Everywhere I went, I knew somebody.”
Sanchez lived in Mexico until he was five years old, and he moved to America once his dad secured a job.
“I didn’t really know where I was going,” Sanchez said. “I just wanted a good school education, that’s all.”
Sanchez came to America with his grandparents and mom.
“It was a two day trip from Mexico, and it felt very weird especially at the border, the whole change just didn’t seem right to me,” Sanchez said. “I remember stopping by at night, at like nine, and they checked us, and we got sent off.”
Being in the US was unfamiliar for Sanchez.
“All the buildings were so different because all the buildings in Mexico are so close together compared to how it looks here,” Sanchez said. “[At school] they put me in a special class to learn English, so I started off there.”
Although he lives in America, Sanchez continues to celebrate cultural traditions with his extended family.
“Every year I go back to Mexico,” Sanchez said. “It’s normally for Day of the Dead and for two weeks I go.”
Despite the fact that leaving Mexico meant leaving his family behind, it was beneficial.
“Because my dad found a good job when he came here, it was definitely better money wise,” Sanchez said. “I started dressing nice and got nicer clothes.”
Illustrations by | Brittany Truong
Big adjustments
Fella Sahertian | Reporter
Junior Eli Decker shares his experience about adjusting to an unfamiliar world at a young age.
“I am originally from Ukraine, and I lived there for the first 4 years of my life,” Decker said. “I would say my
family was financially comfortable to move here because it did take much consideration but we knew that it would provide better opportunities for all of us.”
Decker and his family moved to the United States in pursuit of a new beginning and a change in pattern.
“I recall myself questioning either one of my parents why we moved here and their answer was ‘because it’s the land of opportunities’ and that sort of stuck with me,” Decker said. “We lived in Las Vegas before we moved here because that was where my dad got a better job and I noticed how
A whole new culture
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
For freshman Russel Oehler, moving to America brought him a different lifestyle than he was used to, however, this new life brought various opportunities for growth.
Remembering his old home in Mexico, Oehler recalls the huge size in family and space.
“The architect was American so the house was built in square feet but the builders used meters, so it was three times the size,” Oehler said. “There were a bunch of people living in that house, and my dad used to play airsoft on the bottom floor because the house was so big.”
Despite the spacious home and happy memories, Oehler’s family had bigger goals than just a large house.
“It was just that we had to get an opportunity to make money,” Oehler said. “That was the main thing that led us to leave.”
However, the journey was not without its obstacles.
“All I knew was that my dad yelled at the customs lady because she wasn’t going to let me through,” Oehler said. “My dad had to prove that he was an American citizen so I could be a citizen as well.”
Although the initial move was a big transition in Oehler’s life, the memories are cloudy.
“I don’t really remember because I was like two,” Oehler said. “But I knew that we lived in Corpus Christi, in this tiny one bedroom apartment.”
Though the initial conditions were humble, the Oehler family was committed to making the most of their new start.
Adjusting to a new life in a new country often comes with the challenge of balancing cultural identities, however for Oehler, the process wasn’t as complicated as it might seem.
“My dad always just said ‘do you,’” Oehler said. “So culture isn’t a big factor in things.”
In terms of how others treat him, Oehler shares that this experience has been largely positive.
“In my experience, people don’t really know that I’m Mexican,” Oehler said. “So they don’t treat me differently.”
The subtlety of his identity has allowed him to blend in while maintaining a connection to his roots.
Russel’s story highlights the many challenges and triumphs that immigrants experience when leaving their homes in search of new opportunities.
“I still have some cousins living there, but most of the stuff that we left behind was bad,” Oehler said. “We don’t really miss anything.”
hardworking he was despite being in a completely different place with different norms, so I strived to do the same.”
The US was different from Ukraine and it brought Decker great surprises.
“The United States, I thought, had a more dense temperature compared to where I lived in Ukraine. It was a weird feeling because I knew the air wasn’t the same but I couldn’t really grasp what it was,” Decker said. “Maybe this could be a culture shock, but I also didn’t expect even small cities to look so urban, it was like in neighborhoods everyone had the same house. In Ukraine you would see apartment buildings left and right, it was almost like it was more common to see apartments than houses for me.”
Decker also shares common experiences for people who didn’t grow up in the United States.
“Something that I think is universal for people who speak languages other than English is struggling to pronounce certain words correctly,” Decker said. “I tend to get a little embarrassed when it happens, but that’s how I learn so I don’t really mind.”
Modifying life after immigrating was hefty, but it did bring great relations.
“I think bringing the things I grew up with to the US makes me have a lot of character to myself, you know? I love celebrating two Easters. I love food from home like Borscht and Varenyky. I like that I’m a little different,” Decker said. “Another thing is, I definitely have a little bit of an accent but people here found it cooler than I thought and I’m happy to say that those people are the people I’m grateful to call my friends.”
Hall supplies menstrual products following rising costs of essential goods
Gia Patel | Co Editor
The “pink tax” places higher costs on essential goods marketed toward women, including products like pads, tampons, and other personal hygiene items.
Although Texas eliminated this tax in September 2023, the burden of these
Pros and
Ashleigh Perrow | Reporter
costs are prevalent nationwide. Many women across the country face significant financial challenges every month to care for their period. This systematic issue highlights how gendered pricing impacts accessibility and affordability for basic necessities for half of the population.
English teacher Emily Hall recognizes how important these products are for her students’ well-being, so she supplies period products in a drawer in her classroom to help students who don’t have access to them.
“I am constantly surprised with how much period products cost and the rising cost of them,” Hall said. “I can’t imagine if I was a high schooler, especially having to buy things on my own, being able to justify the prices these days.”
Hall hopes keeping period products readily available in her classroom will reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation.
cons
Picking the right feminine product can be exhausting and confusing. There are tons of options for girls. What products are
“I have students coming by all day, sometimes that I don’t even know, and they just say ‘I heard you had pads,’” Hall said. “I like that it’s more common for students to walk in and just say it instead of whisper it or write it on a sticky note, to take that shame away from something that half the population uses.”
A vast majority of people aren’t aware of the cost of managing a period.
“Recently a friend of mine sent her fiance to the store, asked him to purchase some period products, and his first reply was, ‘why are they $25’ for the bag that she had wanted,” Hall said. “If everyone was having to pay these prices, there would probably be more uproar about it.”
Women can face serious consequences when they don’t have access to the products they need.
“There are many women that might be ashamed of their bodies if they’re not able to afford all period products, or if they’re
stuck simply with what the government might provide, or even if you go down to the nurse’s office, sometimes they don’t have the higher end products donated,” Hall said. “Instead, they have the cheaper things that are having to be purchased with limited funds, and that might limit what women are able to wear, what or how comfortable you might feel.”
Sustainable products enable women to manage their periods in an eco-friendly way, while also offering a more costeffective long-term solution.
“There’s so many options available, and luckily, we’re getting into the time when there are more reusable options, like reusable cups and discs that can really help with the long term cost,” Hall said. “It might be more expensive upfront, but you’re not spending 20 bucks a month on products, you might have a $30 item you can use for multiple months.”
of various period products reviewed
available? Maxi pads, tampons, menstrual cups, or period underwear. The most common of these is pads and tampons.
Maxi Pads Tampons
Good for long wearing and heavy flow
Pros: Can be worn a long time without risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, good for overnight wear
Cons: May cause chaffing, not environmentally friendly, can feel bulky
Illustrations
by |
Karina Bon, Isaiah Trieu, and Mason Deaton
Good for active girls and for swimming and can hold a lot so if you have a heavier flow
Pros: Discreet, can use during swimming, lots of different options depending on your flow
Cons: High risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome if you don’t change them regularly, uncomfortable for beginners
Menstrual Cup
Good for heavier flow, long wear time
Pros: Reusable and cheaper option, can wear up to 12 hours, environmentally friendly
Cons: Hard to learn how to use, can be messy to empty, you have to sterilize by boiling
Maxi Pads: Best for beginners and long wear
Tampons: Best for athletes and swimming
Menstrual cup: Best for financial reasons
Period Underwear: Best for environmentally minded people
Students give advice on having periods at school
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
From puberty to menopause half of the world’s population has to deal with a monthly occurrence of a period. As the menstrual cycle spans for so much of a person’s life one must adapt to their period in their everyday life, including in
high school.
“I actually go home sometimes because I’m in literally so much pain, like it’s gotten to the point where I almost faint from the pain,” sophomore Elizabeth Smith* said. “The first couple days would be really rough, but I thug it out.”
Considering the fact that half of the school deals with having a cycle, it is important to bring awareness to the pain and struggle many students may be dealing with on top of the stress of grades, relationships, and sports.
“This happened recently, I got my period in class, and my teacher would not let me go and change,” freshman Gia Acosta said. “By the time I was able to go I had leaked onto the chair.”
On breaks and weekends many students may be able to deal with their period by curling up in bed with a heating pad, but having to go to school can prove a challenge.
“Having a period in high school low key affects me because it hurts really bad, and I get really moody, and I snap at my friends,” freshman Loren Vio said. “They’re not even being annoying, but it’s just the fact that like, I’m just on my period.”
Many students complain of having to act normal despite dealing with cramps, backaches, and mood swings.
“It’s been a little hard because of cramps, and they suck, and it makes me not want to be here sometimes,” freshman Claire Payne said. “I got it in seventh grade, and I have [adapted] for the most part, but every now and then if I don’t have a painkiller or something it can get kind of hard.”
Despite these issues, many students come together to provide advice and aid for one another. This includes various words of advice as well as carrying around pads and painkillers.
“If you need something for your cramps,
go to the nurses office, ‘cause I had no idea you could ask for a heating pad,” senior Miriam Mendez said. “And if you can, find someone who has chocolate.”
Overall, periods are a difficult time, and having to deal with school on top of it can be an overwhelming event, which is why so many students provide advice for their fellow classmates.
“Educate yourself, I didn’t know a lot about my period, and it kinda sucked because I had to figure things out by myself,” junior Susie Thomas** said. “I think at least schools should educate their teens more on it. I would also say get a period tracker, it definitely helps big time. It’s completely okay to bleed through, you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when you bleed through, it happens to all of us.”
*Pseudonym **Pseudonym
Health teacher exposes lesser talked about period side effects
Eliana Grant | Co Editor
Around the age of 11, most people are told about periods. It is explained with relative simplicity. A 28 day menstrual cycle ending with about five days of bleeding. While this does sound a bit overwhelming for a tween entering puberty, most education surrounding periods makes the event seem very cut and dry.
In reality the menstrual cycle, and periods in particular, are much more complicated, varying between people. Menstrual cycles can last anywhere between 21 to 35 days, with irregularly long cycles resulting in infrequent periods being known as oligomenorrhea.
“Each girl really has to know herself and what happens before and during the period,” health teacher Carol Peterson said. “Be aware that each month at this time you will be feeling this … If the symptoms are unbearable, [students] need to see a doctor for whatever treatment they recommend.”
Pain caused by periods is known as dysmenorrhea, which presents itself primarily as menstrual cramps, but can also cause nausea and fatigue. The other typical side effects caused by the menstrual cycle includes back aches, bloating, headaches, acne, food cravings, and tender breasts.
“Some [symptoms] can be treated with antidepressants while other symptoms respond really well to some sort of hormonal birth control methods,” Peterson said. “The hormone imbalance causes [side effects] so if you can control the hormones, then most symptoms do not appear. That is why there are several girls at HHS who are on hormonal birth control but are not sexually active.”
This pain before the period is seen as very normal, often explained as simply the uterus shedding its uterine walls, which it has built up to care for a baby in the event of pregnancy. Oftentimes when tweens are told this, they don’t fully understand how this will affect them, as they don’t realize the variations in symptoms, as well as disorders that can be caused by menstruation.
“When hormones are in control, cramps, amount of bleeding, and acne all tend to disappear,” Peterson said. “Now, if the depression is concerning that definitely should be treated by a doctor since severe depression can lead to much more serious issues such as suicide. I know some people are wanting to treat these symptoms without using the hormone methods but unless you talk to a doctor, you won’t know if there is something else out there to try.”
Depression often comes around with a menstrual cycle in PMDD, or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. PMDD is an extension of PMS, and can cause very extreme mood swings, often resulting in depression or even suicidal thoughts or actions. As Peterson mentioned, if a student or someone they know experiences these extreme emotions or physical pains they should see a doctor as birth control or antidepressants can limit these effects.
“Taking ibuprofen and using a heating pad are more for treating the cramping and not the emotional, mental problems that accompany one’s period,” Peterson said. “I hope this helps since … this is basically a new issue and doctors are just beginning to try and understand what is happening and why some people are more affected than others.”
Married teachers recount relationship and working together Love and Learning
Savannah Brewer | Reporter
The Princess and the Frog. The Beauty and the Beast. The MCJROTC instructor and the student services assistant. Though the last pairing may not sound too familiar, it is a love story that resides within this very school between Valerie and Heroides Aguirre.
“I love it. I get to see [my husband] almost every day,” student services assistant Valerie Aguirre said. “It’s been one of the most fun aspects of our relationship.”
After meeting for the first time while serving in the U.S. military in Kampala, Uganda, the Aguirres knew that they had found the person that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with; so much so that they married in a courthouse as
of the teacher in each room shown on a wooden sign, hung up above the door. Throughout the hall, most names are unique, but one name appears twice, a few rooms apart. In one room, students are taught firefighting and disaster response, and in the other, students are taught health science.
However, these two classrooms are not taught by the same teacher, rather they are taught by the married couple of Michael Rhea and Denise Rhea. Mr. Rhea began teaching firefighting in October of 2022, with Mrs. Rhea teaching health science a year later. Due to their classes both being involved in the CTE program, administration helped Mrs. Rhea get a room in the same hallway as Mr. Rhea when applying for teaching health science.
“There was an opening, and it was something in her field,” Michael said. “So she applied for it and got the job, and now
soon as they got back from their service.
“I definitely fell for her first,” MCJROTC instructor Heroides Aguirre said. “I just knew it at first sight, but the initial conversation took the cake.”
A spark seemed to have struck as soon as the two met, and the pair have been together ever since. The Aguirres have been through the highs and lows of marriage, but have never given up on one another.
“It’s not always perfect,” Valerie said. “But if you have great communication, understanding, and values as well as other aspects with each other, then yes, it can be great.”
With how well the Aguirres get along with each other, it’s no surprise that working together at the same school
Fella Sahertian | Reporter
Members of the school community often view teachers as authority figures, but rarely is a glimpse into their personal lives offered. Thomas and Sara Lucas, married for 23 years, have decided to share their story. The couple met in graduate school at the University of Texas, where they were both taking a historiography class.
“He wasn’t there on the first day, but one of the people in the class had him in another class and said, ‘You should come to this one’,” ACC US History and AP Psychology teacher Mrs. Sara Lucas said. “And when he did I thought, ‘Who’s this guy?’ He’s quite cunning.”
After spending time with Mr. Lucas, Mrs. Lucas felt a different air.
“He was a little more conscious going
we carpool and work in the same hallway.”
Despite working in the same hallway, they don’t see each other throughout most of the day. Most of their time is spent teaching, but they do see each other during breaks.
“We’ll see each other in the hallway, and we’ll have lunch together, but that’s about it,” Denise said. “We really don’t see each other here as much as many of our students expect.”
With both classes in CTE, there are some factors that overlap between classes, one of the main examples being EMT training. Firefighting and health science both end up being involved in EMT training, leading to grouping between the two.
“Since I’m teaching the only fire academy in the district, I often end up working with health science as well,” Michael said. “Sometimes I’ll send a student down to her class for something, and sometimes
brings the pair closer together instead of drifting them apart. The two are each other’s closest companions.
“Make sure that your life long spouse is your best friend,” Heroides said. “Follow your path and plan while enjoying the best of your relationship.”
Although it is important to respect and love one’s partner, it’s integral to not forget about one’s own needs. Valerie and Heroides Aguirre have chosen vastly different careers within Hendrickson High School, and are happy with themselves, each other and the way they’ve built their lives together.
“I love my husband, I love my family, and I love what we created,” Valerie said. “I hope people can see that from the outside.”
Photo provided by | Valerie Aguirre
into our relationship and I was unfamiliar with that level of careness,” Sara said. “I remember recommending to him a book called ‘Cold Mountain’ and he actually read it which made my heart melt because it’s the littlest things that he does that remind me why I chose him.”
The Lucases knew they were meant to be; so much that the proposal was outside of Garrison Hall at the University of Texas, where they first laid eyes on each other.
“Whatever Mrs. Lucas says, I definitely fell first.” Psychology/Sociology and AP Government/Economics teacher Thomas Lucas said. “Everything about Mrs. Lucas is my favorite thing, she’s the most caring person I’ve ever met in my life.”
From the moment they met, Sara and Thomas Lucas shared an undeniable bond. Through life’s joys and challenges,
she does the same.”
With working at school together, there is a balance they make between their jobs as teachers and their life outside of school. Between them both, there is a point where once out of school, discussion regarding it is lessened.
“You gotta know when to turn it off, because then you’ll go home and you’re still talking about it,” Denise said. “There has to be a cutoff time, usually at night, where we stop talking about it.”
Their experience in working together has benefited their work, allowing them to better cooperate and manage their lives working as teachers.
“We like it, we like our jobs here and what we teach,” Michael said. “We like to joke about how much we have to ride together to school every day, but it has benefited us a lot.” .”
Photo provided by | Michael Rhea
their connection has only grown stronger, a testament to their unwavering commitment to each other.
“It helps to be open,” Sara said. “We’re committed to learning and growing together and very purposefully, support each other with each step we take and I think that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
Their exceptional bond is evident in the way they thrive in their shared work environment. Working together at the same school has only deepened their connection, cementing their relationship as best friends and partners.
“It’s nice that when we’re in the car we get to talk about our day and how things went,” Thomas said. “ It warms my heart because I think I’m the luckiest teacher in Hendrickson.”
Photo provided by | Thomas Lucas
Antonio Garcia | Reporter Over in downstairs B hall lies the usual layout of classrooms, with the last name
Senior Jasmine Culpepper’s commitment poster to Howard Payne University. "Once I committed it was just a matter of getting my uniform and seeing how I looked in it. I thought it was super cute and it was the same poster we used for my social media post."
Senior Toni
a
never distracts me from anything,”
said. “My support system is always there for me supporting me and I’m excited to pursue this professionally. I love bullying people.”
High school athletes celebrate college commitments
Afomiya Michael | Asst. Editor
Three seniors were among the numerous students across the school who recently celebrated their college commitments.
While various students are preparing to take their next steps in pursuing future college aspirations, these are just three of the students who are participating in both the academics and athletics aspect.
Stephanie Oiesen : Swimming at the University of Utah
For senior swimmer Stephanie Oiesen, committing to the University of Utah marks the culmination of years of hard work and persistence that she describes in her journey.
“Their mascot is a bird named Swoop,” said Oiesen. “He’s really cute.”
Oiesen’s journey to this decision began in the summer before her junior year.
“The recruiting process was intense,” Oiesen said. “I took many visits and talked to a lot of schools before narrowing down my options and committing in May of 2024.”
Swimming has been a major part of Oiesen’s life since 2016.
“I started because my friends were doing it, “ Oiesen said. “It just stuck with me,”
Balancing academics and athletics presented various challenges for her.
“Time management was the hardest part,” Oiesen said. “Missing school for swim meets and keeping up my grades was tough.”
While reflecting on the process, Oiesen credited her family for achieving her
success.
“They were always there for me,” Oiesen said. “They helped me prioritize academics and find the best support system,” Oiesen said.
Moving from Texas to Utah brings her excitement and nerves.
“The cold is definitely intimidating,” Oiesen said. “But I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
When asked why she chose Utah, Oiesen emphasized the sense of belonging.
“The campus is beautiful, and I felt at ease with the team,” Oiesen said. “Salt Lake City offers so much opportunity.”
While unsure about a professional swimming career, Oiesen has aspirations to represent Serbia in international meets and is considering a major in business analytics or political science. Until graduation however, Stephanie is very grateful to be a part of the Hendrickson community.
“The school is always there for the swim team and for me to keep going,” Oiesen said. “ I always appreciate that.”
Jasmine Culpepper : Basketball at Howard Payne University
Basketball shooting guard Jasmine Culpepper, has committed to Howard Payne University. For Culpepper, finding a family oriented school was key.
“It was important to feel at home,” Culpepper said. “I wanted a school that really involved my family and I.”
Culpepper discovered basketball in 7th
grade and has played ever since.
“I’ve always played sports,” Culpepper said. “But for me basketball just clicked.”
Proving herself on and off the court has been a consistent challenge.
“I’ve had to work harder than others.” Culpepper said. “I just let my game speak for itself.”
Jasmine’s parents, especially her father, played a crucial role.
“My dad has always been there for moral support,” Culpepper said. “He pushed me to stay on track especially when I’m slacking.”
She also credits Coach Saunders, who has trained her since eighth grade.
Howard Payne stood out for Culpepper with its academic programs, particularly its nursing program.
“I spoke with the professor and felt confident in my decision,” Culpepper said. “For me, I just feel like I take academics more seriously too. This was the best fit.”
While Culpepper dreams of a professional career, she remains open to other paths.
“If the love for basketball is still there, I’ll pursue it,” Culpepper said. “If not, I think I’ll focus on nursing.”
Reflecting on her high school career, Culpepper highlighted a memorable tournament in College Station.
“We played the teams, saw them at the hotel and we hung out after our games,” Culpepper said. “It was a unique experience.”
Antonio Cleveland : Wrestling at Texas Wesleyan University
Senior Toni Clevland was offered a spot at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth for wrestling. His commitment process included lots of paperwork and visits.
“They offered me on the spot,” Cleveland said. “After that I went to go practice with them and I just really liked the vibe.”
Cleveland’s passion for wrestling began at age 6.
“It’s in my blood,” Clevland said “ Since my childhood, I’ve always loved it.”
Despite his love for the sport, his journey hasn’t been without setbacks.
“My sophomore year I couldn’t wrestle. I got in the hospital for a concussion,” Cleveland said. “I was out for the rest of the season.”
Cleveland says his family has been a cornerstone of his success.
“My mom bought mats for our garage so I could practice,” Cleveland said. “ At tournaments, I always have more than 10 family members there. It really helps me lock in and boosts my confidence.”
Choosing Texas Wesleyan was about proximity and family.
“It’s close to my hometown,” said Cleveland. “ So I can always visit my great grandmother during breaks,”
Cleveland plans to major in culinary arts while pursuing a professional wrestling career.
Reflecting on his high school years, Cleveland’s most memorable was his significant win his freshman year.
Photo provided by | Stephanie Oiesen
Senior Stephanie Oiesen holds up a swimming cap from the University of Utah . "The picture was taken on my recruiting visit in April. It was just a part of the whole experience and I thought it was really fun. I'm super excited. Go utes!"
Photo provided by | Jasmine Culpepper
Ryleigh Mackey | Photographer
Cleveland after winning
wrestling match. “Wrestling
Cleveland
Wrestling team pins down season, heads to regionals
Gia Patel | Editor
The wrestling team is concluding their season with several athletes, including seniors Toni Cleveland and Daniela Martinez, as well as sophomore Isis Jones, advancing to the regional meet.
“It potentially could end on the eighth of February,” senior Victor Bendixen said. “District is on Jan. 29 and then regionals are in February."
Bendixden got into wrestling after his older brother joined.
"Originally, I did jiu jitsu freshman year,” Bendixen said. “I followed and joined him in wrestling."
Bendixen, one of the team's captains,
looks forward to leading the morning practices.
“It’s lots of fun to rally everyone together and be a leader,” Bendixen said. “Once you show up to practice, it's kind of easy to just do the rest."
While reflecting on the season, Bendixen found the Liberty Hill meet to be the most challenging as a team, but Weiss was the most difficult individually.
“We only had two wins against the entire team,” Bendixen said. “My worst one would probably be the Weiss kid. He almost gave me a concussion; He's a state qualifier.”
Bendixen doesn't have one particular
strategy when trying to defeat an opponent.
"Every match goes terribly for me initially until I learn how they wrestle,” Bendixen said. “Honestly it's just about perseverance, even if things are going bad, you just gotta keep wrestling and hope that you tire out the other person and then you can hit a move."
Senior Reece Williams believes that the team could improve on their conditioning for future meets.
“We all get pretty gassed during the matches,” Williams said. “We all get too quick and look for easy shots, and there are none, and you need to slow down and
wait for a good shot to take.”
Williams’ proud of the work she put in. “Individually, I feel like I really progressed with my technique and my condition,” Williams said. “I put in more work this season than I did last year.”
Bendixen doesn’t have one specific person who motivates him as an athlete; it’s the team as a whole.
“Because I’m captain, I’m kind of responsible for everyone, and it motivates me," Bendixen said. “I got to be there for my wrestlers; I got to take responsibility and lead them, and without me they wouldn’t have that.”
Photos By Ryleigh Mackey
Swimmers head to regional competition after district
Travis Tellez | Asst. Editor
January and February are the starting months of the championship swim season. The district, regional, and state meets all take place during these months, and the swim team shifts gears in order to perform better during these meets.
“After we went to that Georgetown meet a couple of weeks ago, I got a much better idea of what to expect and I could tell y'all were going to be really competitive.”
Coach Roshell Reyes said. “District-wide, and I expect us to do really, really well and to have a lot of regional qualifiers.”
It is Reyes’ first time being a swim coach and had no idea how the season would go with her inexperience with the sport and with the many changes happening to the team at once.
“This team has really blown me away, and what I have learned about the swimmers is they're very self-disciplined,” Reyes said.
“Obviously, we have the structure and we have the practices set up, but it's kind of on you to get there and do what you need to do and I've been really impressed by the experienced group of kids that kind of motivate themselves and do what they
need to do to be successful.”
Of course, in any sport, there are also instances where the team could have improved on their craft, and Reyes makes sure to address this in order to hold the team accountable.
“We have some that could have improved on their consistency with their practices,” Reyes said. “I think as we've gotten closer to the championship season, we've had people commit a little bit more, I wish they would have done that earlier on, and I think they would see better results throughout the entire season.
Despite this, the team makes sure to look back at the season and see how far they have come and how far they will be able to go in the future.
“I think there was a lot of improvement, we had a lot of freshmen who looked kind of rough at the start of the season, but they definitely pulled it together and look a lot better,” junior Haydn Helmcamp said.
“There's still definitely a lot more room for improvement, but hopefully they can bring a good future for the team next year and years after that.”
Photos By Lucas Zavaleta
Senior Victor Bendixen after winning a wrestling match. ““When I win a match I feel excited and hopeful that the next match will go the same way.”
Senior Travis Tellez swims the breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay. “Breaststroke isn’t a stroke I specialize in, but I try to step up for it in order to help my relay.”
Junior Haydn Helmcamp swimming the 400 yard freeestyle relay. “Relay’s are really fun because you get to do it with other people, which really makes swimming feel like a team sport.”
Senior Reginald Ward pins down and opponent in a wrestling match.
Leaving it all on the court Varsity basketball team reflects on current season, plans for future
Gia Patel | Editor
The Varsity Boys Basketball team is currently in their district game season. This past week, they played two close games, narrowly losing both. They were defeated by Pflugerville 55-56 and Connally 53-46.
“They were kind of hard because if we won we would have had a good chance to make playoffs,” senior captain Julian Esparza said. “One we lost, we all knew it was going to be very hard to make them now with only two games left.”
Before the games against Pflugerville and Connally, basketball was in the top four to make playoffs.
“We’re just going to try our best to not give them that many offensive possessions,” Esparza said. “We’re just going to try to play at our pace.”
The team dynamic is different compared to last year, primarily the offense.
“We’ve had some struggles this season trying to figure out how to run offense, considering that we’re a lot smaller,” Bretfelean said. I think we’re starting to figure it out. We definitely have a very open offense, and it’s fun to play in our system.”
Varsity defeated Georgetown on Jan. 24 55-50.
“We’re second right now because Georgetown was second, and we just got one up on them,” senior captain Julian Esparza said. “So right now, we have a really good chance of making it to the playoffs.”
Defeating Georgetown was a standout game for Esparza.
“It was at home, and we were in a really
big drought because we hadn’t won a game in a few weeks,” Esparza said. “It just felt good because it was our first district game, and we won and beat Georgetown. Before going into district, they predicted us being at the bottom of the district, and we just showed them and proved them wrong.”
Basketball is in the process of shaping its varsity team throughout districts.
“I just think that last year, you know, we obviously had a more dominant team, and we could just walk into the gym and just show up and beat them,” Esparza said. “But I feel like this year is a lot different because we have a lot of different pieces that we’re still learning how to use all of us together. We can’t just walk in any gym right now and just expect to beat a team, you just gotta stay humble and execute all our plays.”
To gear up for games, they’ve switched to a new practice schedule.
Right now, it’s been mainly scouting for the other teams that we’re playing against,” Bretfelean said. “We’re just looking at the sets they run and how to guard them.”
They lead their team to prepare differently for each game, not one is the same.
“We’ll prepare differently for every team,” Esparza said. “For a rivalry we’ll just go in there with a different mindset of ‘we can’t lose this, there’s no option.’ We’ll go down fighting if it’s a rivalry.”
Photos By Alyssa Lee
Senior Julian Ezparsa playing against Pflugerville. “I feel like I’m a leader, and I play really good defense. Whenever the team needs me for encouragement, I’m always there.”
Senior Kevin Bretefelean prepping a three point shot. “We recently just switched our practice schedule a bit. So right now, it’s been mainly scouting for the other teams that we’re playing against. We’re just looking at the sets they run and how to guard them.”
Senior Kevin Bretefelean getting a layup in. “I’m hoping to take out a good mindset and work ethic and just a good attitude to life because this has probably been the hardest season so far in my four years.”
Senior Kevin Bretefelean playing against Pflugerville. “Whenever someone asks me that, I usually think like LeBron just because LeBron is kind of just good at everything. So I’m kind of similar, like I don’t have one specific thing that I’m good at.”