The Kinkaid Falcon - Issue 4, Vol. 75 by The Kinkaid School

THE FALCON

it’snot just a

Issue 4 Volume 75 | March 4, 2021

PLUS!

Stage blood introduced to Upper School musical pg.24

little

idea...

FROM THE EDITOR JAISAL KALAPATAPU EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dear Reader,

Anywhere, Anytime thefalcon.kinkaid.org @thekinkaidfalcon

At the end of the first semester, I was burnt out. Don’t get me wrong — I had a great first semester, enjoying the return to semi-normalcy that gave us back coveted events like student sections, assemblies, full classes, and more. But I was also tired. Junior year was no joke, and I felt it. Luckily, I got some time off, thanks to Winter Break followed by three weeks of Interim Term. And after that five-week break from “reality,” it felt good to be back in the newsroom to continue the work that we started in the first semester. When I returned, I could see that I wasn’t the only one who needed some rest. Our staff came back energized and enthusiastic to cover some impactful topics for our first issue of the spring semester. I was so excited to see articles written about important issues, such as an increased marijuana usage among students, Black History Month and the Metaverse, while there were also a number of more fun articles, such as previewing Taco Bell’s “Taco Pass,’’ stage blood used in Kinkaid’s production of “Carrie: The Musical” and the possibilities of napping stations in the Upper School. Additionally, our online content has been popping: we even set a new record for the number of articles published in a week! Once again, thank you for your readership and continued support for our staff. I encourage you to enjoy this magazine and appreciate the hard work of all our student journalists. Best, Jaisal Kalapatapu

Contents

TABLE OF 12

Black History Month 06 Boom-boom-clap-boom-boom-boomclap. Boom-boom-clap-boom-boomboom-clap. With the audience mesmerized, this sound echoed the Brown Auditorium...

Teen marijuana use “It was the worst night of my life,” said Allysyn Rizzo, a student at Kinkaid. For Rizzo, the night included a house party that began like any other...

Exploring the Metaverse

Supercomputers, block-chain, and the metaverse: things that sound like they belong to a “Star Wars” movie, but because of companies like Facebook...

Stage blood in musical

Blood has never been tangibly involved in a show at Kinkaid before ...

Campus A PHOTO ESSAY

Photo by Harlan Howe

Robotics Members Repeat Success By Morgan Suman, staff writer

After school, the robotics team built a robot that is able to carry and drive objects around an arena. The team competed with it in the Vex competition and plan on competing again at the regional championship. Right: Hallie Brass, a senior and captain of the school’s robotics team, works on the team’s robot during competition. Sitting on a shelf in the back of the lab is their new 2021-22 excellence award and tournament champion trophy, which arrived in March.

hen walking into the robotics lab on the second floor of the Moran Library, visitors in the Upper School can see a history of past successes lining the walls. The robotics team’s most recent successes are a 2021-22 excellence award and tournament champion trophy from a Vex competition with the winning robot sitting on a shelf next to the trophies. The latest robotics team is working on possibly adding accolades to the shelf by building a robot that can pick up items and drive them around the arena. Senior Henry Prendergast, who is a member of this award-winning team, attributed the victory to these three Photo by Morgan Suman

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aspects: their robot, design notebook and team interview. Team captain Hallie Brass, a senior, said that since the team members were constrained on time they made a more simplified robot for this year’s Vex competition. “We decided to focus on something small and simple because then we were able to do our one thing really really good,” Brass said. Team members attributed their ranking of first in the competition to this strategy. They now qualify for the 2021-22 Texas VRC High School Regional 3 (Southeast) Championship. Brass, Prendergast, junior Reese Wu, sophomore Ryan Hay, and freshman Shaan Dhutia are the members of this year’s robotics team, which is led by Mr. Harlan Howe, computer teacher, and Mr. Vladimir Lopez, science teacher.

When team members enter the glass door to the robotics room on the second floor of the Moran Library, they use their Robotics Engineering Notebook to sketch and plan. “Everything we do is in there,” said Shaan Dhutia, a freshman who is on the team. Left : Dhutia, senior Henry Prendergast and junior Reese Wu debrief and plan for their next tournament round. Below: The robot team members made sits in the school’s lab. Dhutia, senior Hallie Brass, sophomore Ryan Hay and Wu tweak and debug code for the robot on site during the competition.

Photo by Harlan Howe

Photo by Morgan Suman

Photo by Harlan Howe

Photo by Morgan Suman

Photo by Harlan Howe

Photo by Morgan Suman

Photo by Harlan Howe

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Campus

BLA CK HISTORY MONTH

By Jaisal Kalapatapu, Editor in Chief Page design by Sarah Xu, Deputy Art Director

oom-boom-clap. Boom-boomboom-clap. Boom-boom-clap. Boom-boom-boom-clap. This rhythm echoed through the Brown Auditorium as a group of Upper School students from the African American Appreciation Club performed by stomping in unison. The step dance was just one of the presentations at the Celebration of African American Culture and Heritage event, an annual program put on by the African American

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Appreciation Club in February, which is Black History Month. Formed in 2018, the African American Appreciation Club has sought to amplify the black voice at Kinkaid, succeeding the legacy set by the Shades Club. One of the largest clubs on campus, their key event brings together the Lower, Middle and Upper School for a night filled to learn about and celebrate black heritage, both in and out of Kinkaid. “The theme this year was ‘Tune in to Social Justice’,” said Mrs. Erica Baker, Upper School student life

coordinator. “The Lower, Middle, and Upper School all came together to acknowledge that theme.” This year, the presentation started with singing the Negro National Anthem, followed by a tribute from the Lower School to Amanda Gorman, a 23-year-old black poet and the first National Youth Poet Laureate. Then, middle schoolers put on a short skit about the change happening in the world. Upper School students presented the step routine, which included facts about the history of stepping.

To close the Upper School portion of the program, senior Kolby Davis shared a poem while junior Portia Robinson did an interpretative dance in rhythm. “The presentation went really well,” said Ms. Lakeisha Branch, Upper School head librarian and sponsor of the AAA Club. “My favorite part would have to be the step routine because the students put so much effort into it.” The presentation was just one of the events put on by the club. For its movie night Feb. 23, the club showed “King Richard,” a film about Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams. “I’m super proud of all of the students who participated and the dedication and time that they put into our events,” said senior Cacie Chatman, vice president of the club. “I feel that they were very successful and well received

by the whole student body.” While these events celebrated African American heritage, students also spoke on a video about issues they face. Three students, senior Cacie Chatman, junior Mason Thenor, sophomore Ava Winn and freshman Eian Lowe spoke about their experiences. “[Some] of my hardest moments in Kinkaid would have to be in the classroom,” Chatman said in the video. “Often in English and history classes, where you talk about hard topics such as social justice and racism and inequality, because I am usually one of the few, if any, black students, I feel obligated to bring up that black perspective or objecting point to the common view. It can be hard because you don’t always get to be a student because you feel a responsibility to your community that is scarcely

represented at Kinkaid.” Thenor brought up the struggles of dealing with racial stereotypes. “At times, parents and adults have an idea of what a black student should look and be like, and sometimes when we break the status quo of what we should do, they have issues with that,” he said. “We have so much black excellence, and I just want to be able to show that off.” Chatman expressed the importance of student and faculty support. “I think it’s important for the students and faculty to support these events because it shows the black students that they have the support from their peers and the whole community,” she said. “This also helps create a more welcoming community that allows people to feel more comfortable being their full selves.”

Members of the African American Appreciation Club perform a step routine during a cultural celebration Feb. 3. Photo by David Shutts

Saluting Black Faculty and Staff in the Upper School

Lakeisha Branch Head Librarian

Anthony Suber Visual Arts Teacher

Danyale Williams Dance Teacher

Kimetris Baltrip Journalism and Yearbook Teacher

Brian Burbank Upper School Dean

Chantae Higginbotham Admin Assistant to US Head

Erica Baker Coordinator of Student Life

Mujidat Shotonwa Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

James Onwuachi Upper School Dean

Ray Reason Transportation Coordinator Building Operator 7///Campus

Features

Raising 60K in Seven Days

Sophomore Lindsey Karkowsky raised money in her ‘Making Bank’ fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

By Madison Burba and Chris Kositprapa, staff writers

All it took was seven days for sophomore Lindsey Karkowsky to raise $62,524 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Karkowsky and her team – sophomores Rina Presley, Hayden Lewitton, Thomas Carr, Camille Weber, Ella Schumulen and Natalie Josephson and junior Chanee Woo – joined the crusade against cancer, raising thousands of dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research. The money they’ve raised goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a nonprofit organization that has raised over $1.2 billion for blood cancer research and patient support. The Student of the Year program is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and a way for students to “foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds” according to the organization. Each Student of the Year leads a team of members from Houston and competes against around 20 other teams to raise the most money for the LSS. Karkowsky named her fundraising project “Making Bank” and asked for Kinkaid high schoolers to join. Within a week, the team surpassed their end goal of $50,000, making an astounding $62,524 and counting.

Weber and Woo both attributed this feat to the team’s tireless efforts to contact sponsors and the driven and determined nature of the team. Extreme efforts of the team to promote the fundraiser allowed for them to raise tens of thousands of dollars. “Our original goal was $50,000, but we surpassed that so the informal goal I set for my team members was $120,000 by the end of the fundraiser to motivate them to get more donations and fundraisers,” Karkowsky said.

Cancer touches everyone.

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- Lindsey Karkowsky, sophomore

She ended up making over $110,000. Karkowsky first got the idea for the fundraiser after being nominated Student of the Year by a senior from the Emery Weiner School who was involved in the organization. She said she was inspired to work with this organization to honor her late greatgrandmother who passed away with multiple myeloma, a white

blood cell cancer. As of March 2, the team suprassed this goal with $121,805 raised. Karkowsky’s greatgrandmother, Nancy, was a big inspiration for the fundraiser. She was a big part of the closeknit Karwkosky family and developed a strong relationship with Lindsey’s mother. Although Karkowsky knew her when she was little, her great-grandmother passed away when Lindsey was in preschool and they never built a strong personal connection. Despite this, she meant a lot to the Karkowsky family. In fact, Lindsey was given her middle name, Nicole, after her greatgrandmother Nancy to pay homage to her first initial. “Her presence meant a lot to my family, which is why it was so important to do this in honor of her,” Lindsey said.

By the Numbers

7 Days 60K 5+ sponsors 4 schools 3 words: LLS In order to spread the word to the corporate world, Karkowsky sent out letters, emails, and calls to businesses across Houston. Her three primary corporate sponsors were Ford Dealership, Pasadena Insurance and Chubb. She also contacted family friends who were interested in the cause and encouraged them to donate. Team members passed out red wristbands that said “Making Bank” and “Leukemia and Lymphoma Society” on the side to spread awareness among the high school during the interim term and posted on social media to share their fundraising goals. Each team member was responsible for recruiting sponsors and securing donations of their own. Lewitton reached out to a variety of businesses and restaurants, including the Paps Franchise, Houstons, Escalates, Chick-Fil-A,

Cabo Bobs, and Carrabbas and raised nearly $7,000. Another team member, Presley, personally raised $30,000 from Arnold and Itkin LLP, SEBPC, and Readers Wholesale Flooring Distribution. While these team members may make it look easy, Carr said he and the team have learned many valuable lessons they’ll carry on with them about perseverance and hard work. He added, “I’ve learned that raising money is not nearly as easy as it seems. For every couple requests for donations, only one will actually donate.” Karkowsky emphasized the importance of making the effort. “I have learned to always reach out to people, even if you aren’t sure if they are interested in donating because Cancer touches everyone,” she said.

2 goals reached

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Features

Lived Lessons in Law, Politics

Social sciences chair had an impressive legal career before teaching

Dr. Ed Harris (left) with Judge Robert W. Sweet. Dr. Harris’ first job out of law school was a clerkship for Judge Sweet.

By Trace St. Julian, News Editor Dr. Ed Harris is not your average social sciences teacher. Dr. Harris, the Upper School history and social sciences department chair, teaches economics and “Civil Rights and the Law.” But before he arrived at Kinkaid in 2008, Dr. Harris’ career in law garnered him decades of professional experience and achievements. Dr. Harris received a joint philosophy and economics undergraduate degree from Columbia University. His desire to become a teacher led him to get his Ph.D. in philosophy and ultimately, become a professor of philosophy at Columbia. But even Dr. Harris wasn’t satisfied. “By the time I ended up finishing my Ph.D. and my time teaching, I thought that I really should go across the street to the law school and get my law degree, with the anticipation of teaching,” Dr. Harris said. He became especially interested in the topics of corporate, antitrust and securities law. Thinking that having experience in law would even further enhance his teaching abilities, he left Colombia to pursue those interests. And, as Dr. Harris put it, “then it got a little unexpected.” While Dr. Harris had anticipated gaining just a few years of practical experience, he found himself taking on a full-fledged legal career. His first position out of Colombia was a clerkship under Judge Robert Sweet in the Southern District of New York. While Dr. Harris faced many unique

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Left:: Dr. Harris (second from right) stands with his co-workers after “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was initially struck down in court. Photo courtesy of Dr. Edward Harris

legal issues while working for Judge Sweet, including becoming an early advocate for the decriminalization of drugs, the most noteworthy opportunity he had was in drafting the constitution for the country of Albania. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, countries tied to the Warsaw Pact were cut loose from behind the Iron Curtain. Many of these countries looked to the West, hoping to become democratic, capitalist republics. However, countries like Albania did not know how to implement such a system. As a result, the U.S. Information Agency solicited volunteers to help, to which Judge Sweet accepted. “This is my first year out of law school, and I’m working on drafting a constitution,” Dr. Harris said. “We were literally turning drafts of the constitution between New York and Albania via fax machine. It was just wild.” Among the many challenges Dr. Harris faced was putting in place institutions that would allow for Albania to grow a secure, capitalist economy. “Albania had ideas of what Western democracy was all about, but no history of the institutions…They thought, ‘We’ll

make Albania a Western-like country. Let’s guarantee everyone a job, a car, a house, a bunch of cool stuff. We want everyone to have what Western people have.’ They wanted to put that in the constitution,” Dr. Harris laughed. After explaining to Albanian authorities why that wasn’t such a good idea, Dr. Harris and his coworkers made sure that protections for physical and intellectual private property, business, and rewards for entrepreneurs were in the constitution. Additionally, Dr. Harris helped put together an independent judiciary and introduce the concept of rule of law in Albania. This included legal drafting and training Albanian judges. For Dr. Harris, insight into what it takes to put together a constitution has led to a greater understanding of and appreciation for America’s founding fathers, something of which has served him well as a teacher of U.S. government and economics. “[My experience] allows me to talk in a rather intimate way about what the founders were up to in putting the constitution together for the United States. The issue of trying to imagine

the situations that would occur but at the same time create mechanisms to deal with situations that couldn’t be foreseen… that is just how incredible the U.S. Constitution is,” Dr. Harris said, adding that it has been exciting to see Albania grow politically, economically and legally in the years since. But even after helping to draft a new constitution, Dr. Harris wasn’t done yet, shifting to work in private practice for Sullivan and Cromwell, a law firm that provides legal services to many large Wall Street companies. But like many large law firms, Sullivan and Cromwell offers pro bono legal work, representing individuals who otherwise are not able to afford legal services. Two cases that Dr. Harris worked on during pro bono work stand out. The first is Rachel Baulkman v. West High School, which involved the establishment clause within school music curricula. Rachel Baulkman was a Jewish student in a public high school in Utah. Baulkman’s choir teacher structured the class curriculum around Christian music, and when Baulkman’s family’s request for changes to the curriculum were rejected, the issue went to court. Dr. Harris led a team of lawyers to

represent Baulkman. While the district court ruled in favor of the high school, Dr. Harris’ team appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. And although a split ruling in the appeals court and the Supreme Court denying Dr. Harris’ team’s petition gave the legal victory to the high school, Dr. Harris still found that he had made a difference. “I use this case as an example of how there are a lot of ways of changing laws and policies… Even though on the face of the case it looks like Rachel lost, at the same time the end result of the litigation was that the school district did change their policies regarding the choir curriculum. They put policies

The practical experiences I have translate into useful examples and insights that take the textbook concepts and give real life to them. -Dr. Ed Harris,

Upper School teacher

in place that reflected what we were ultimately after,” Dr. Harris remarked. The second case was Jane Able v. United States, which dealt with the highly contentious “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, a Clinton-era policy that didn’t allow gay or lesbian members of the armed forces to be asked about or reveal their sexual identity. Dr. Harris and his coworkers represented the first six members of the armed forces that were discharged due to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. “This was the case of first impression on the question of ‘Is Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell constitutionally sound?’ We argued that it was not…because it violated free speech rights under the First Amendment and equal protection clause under the fifth amendment,” Dr. Harris said. In arguing this, Dr. Harris and his co-workers forced the U.S. government to produce documents outlining the rational reasons for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for the first time. An initial ruling struck down the policy, but the Second Court of Appeals reinstated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Just like the Baulkman case, the Supreme Court denied a petition from Dr. Harris’ team. Regardless, the case represented the first major legal challenge to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that ultimately led to its repeal in 2010. Dr. Harris’ pro bono experiences have also enhanced his skill as a teacher. “The practical experiences I have translate into useful examples and insights that take the textbook concepts and give real life to them. One of the most important things I can bring to the classroom is emphasizing that every case that one reads about in a textbook actually represents real people… That’s something that’s really valuable,” Dr. Harris said. Dr. Harris is among the most experienced teachers at Kinkaid. “Dr. Harris bases his lectures on making subjects more applicable to real-world situations,” said senior Sam Pitts, a student taking Dr. Harris’ economics class. “It makes class a lot more engaging.”

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Technology

The Metaverse Emerging tech might seem like it’s straight out of ‘Star Wars’

By David Liu, Staff Writer Page design by David Liu

upercomputers, block-chain, and the metaverse. These sound like they belong to a “Star Wars” movie but because of companies like Facebook and VRChat, they are technologies that could soon be at the tip of your fingers. According to The New York Times, the metaverse “is the convergence of two ideas that have been around for many years: virtual reality and a digital second life. In practice, virtual reality equipment like Facebook’s Oculus Quest, allows users to wear a headset that tracks everything from facial expressions to eye movement while using controllers to interact with a digital world. However, a thorough definition of the metaverse is more complicated than what meets the eye.

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“The metaverse has different meanings to different people,” said Mr. Vinnie Vrotny, director of technology. “To some, the metaverse is defined purely in terms of the virtual reality aspect. To others, the metaverse is also what people call Web 3.” Web 3 represents the next generation of digital interactions, building upon the existing Web 1 and Web 2. ”Web 1 was where people just read information, being able to link off other documents,” Mr. Vrotny explained. “Web 2 being the read-write web, the ability to add content from the user’s perspective and not just from the server-side. And Web 3 is being described by many as the read-write-own web. It ties into block-chain, NFTs, and it goes into a lot of different areas.” Idealistically, the metaverse and virtual reality will serve as a platform

for a digital second life, complete with concerts, games, movie theaters, shops, museums, and more. “The magical moment for me was the first time I talked to a group of people in VR and all their heads turned to me,” said Mr. Graham Gaylor, CEO of VRChat and Kinkaid alumni. “And I could hear them in my left and right ear, and today we take that for granted. The immediate, more engaging, more immersive experience was a game-changer.” Facebook plans to further expand into education and work, building on their existing VR platforms such as Horizon Workrooms, an application where users can work with peers and have meetings with coworkers in a VR setting. “Giving everyone the tools to be present, whether as a hologram sitting next to you in a physical meeting, or a discussion in the metaverse, is going to be revolutionary,” said Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta/Facebook, during the

Ticket grants access to exclusive online spaces NFTs

By Matthew Berman, Staff Writer

FUN FACT On Feb. 6, 2022, an Indian couple married in a “Harry Potter” themed wedding set in the metaverse

unveiling of Facebook’s metaverse. Zuckerberg expresses the hope that the metaverse will be the next step in social interaction, where instead of having to stare at a static screen during distance learning, students can interact in dynamic ways. Still, some have doubts about the Metaverse. “It’s not mobile at all,” Ferber said. “And why would I put on a headset when I can just use my phone? If it gets much more development in the future, I might use it. But right now, I don’t think I would use the metaverse.” Companies pursuing virtual reality will need to adapt its interface to fit more audiences that are unaccustomed to virtual reality. Things like digital eye strain could become more prevalent and an issue in the serviceability plus concerns over the intuitiveness of the tools and interface. “The gamers, the techies, they’re

all going to get into it and enjoy and love it and understand it, but for the more casual user, there needs to be a lower barrier for entry,” Mr. Gaylor said. “Whether that takes the form of an easier to use headset, Apple Augmented Reality glasses that have virtual reality uploaded to them, or some other technology in the future.” In its current state, the Metaverse to some can be a novel form of telecommunication that can bridge gaps socially around the world in more authentic ways. But to others, the Metaverse is equally as beneficial as it is dangerous. “I think the Metaverse is going to be like the Wild West,” Mr. Vrotny said. “You’re going to have a lot of competing standards and platforms, and in between that, you’re going to have some people that may not be ethical or right in the way that we understand them today.”

Non-Fungible Tokens are units of data and information stored on a digital ledger known formally as the blockchain. The blockchain is composed of blocks linked together using cryptography, keeping the data secured and making the blockchain theoretically un-hackable. Anything that can be converted into data can be stored on the blockchain and secured and traded. The leading blockchains are used for cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin. Opensea.io, a website specializing in trading cryptocurrencies, is trending as people look to join the NFT craze. Opensea now has 1.26 million active users, according to Blockworks. “I am taking a buffet approach when it comes to crypto,” said Dr. Ed Harris, Upper School history chair and teacher. “I understand that the idea of the blockchain can be beneficial to those who are off the grid or those who want to be free from the government… but if you cannot describe it, you should stay away from it.” When buying into a collection of NFTs, people are essentially purchasing a ticket to have access to private events or rewards that only those who join can access. Some NFTs also act as digital items in the metaverse, giving access to digital plots of land and exclusive avatars and decorative items. One of the most talkedabout NFT collections right now is the Board Ape Yacht Club, with A-list owners including Stephen Curry, Mark Cuban and Lil Baby. “NFTs in their current form can’t retain their value,” said Dr. David Berthold, Middle School history teacher and cryptocurrency enthusiast. “In addition, crypto currently has a lot of scams in the market, and people don’t always read the fine print and don’t realize they might not actually own the image. There is, however, lots of potential in the metaverse and the potential to transfer items and real estate throughout.” More close to home for Kinkaid students, an NFT collection known as Varsity Chips has included senior Dillon Bell in its collection of high school football players.

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Cover Story

big

...it’s a decision.

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FCD Study Shows Rise in Marijuana Use Among Upper School Juniors, Seniors “It was the worst night of my life,” said Allysyn Rizzo, a student at Kinkaid. For Rizzo, the night included a house party that began like any other; she and her friends were drinking, dancing and playing games. More people began to flow into the house. And with more people came more substances: more alcohol and also marijuana. “I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Rizzo said. “I made a poor decision.” She smoked marijuana. Within minutes, she began to feel the effects, she said. Her anxiety surged over the increasing crowd of people at the party as a high began to set in. “Marijuana makes me insecure and anxious,” Rizzo said. “I don’t like it with alcohol because I literally can’t function anymore. Words don’t even form in my mouth.” For Rizzo, the anxiety wasn’t even the worst of her symptoms. “I ended up throwing up everywhere,” she said. “It was really embarrassing. I will never be the same after that experience.” While life-changing for Rizzo, her story is just one example of what happens among teens who experiment with marijuana. “It’s one of the most unpredictable drugs known to mankind,” said Mr. Eduardo Torres, a Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) prevention specialist. “It can have a stimulant response, a depressant response, or a hallucinogenic reaction.” The unpredictable response of marijuana is exactly the reason Rizzo made the decision to stay away from marijuana forever. However, her decision was not made after that one bad experience. “I tried it two more times,’’ Rizzo explained. “The second time, I spent my night locked in a bathroom crying because I thought the house was being burglarized; the third time, I spent

Editor’s Note: The name Allysyn Rizzo is completely fictitious to protect the identity of the student who was granted anonymity for sharing an actual story about using marijuana.

By Camron Baldwin, Assistant News Editor, Camille Dunn, Staff Writer and Ana Susman, Staff Writer

It’s one of the most unpredictable drugs known to mankind. - Eduardo Torres, FCD prevention specialist

the entire day struggling to interact with people and limp on my friend’s back as she carried me around a music festival.” Still, Rizzo said she believes marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. Her conclusion appears to be a common belief among teenagers at Kinkaid: marijuana isn’t all that harmful. Mr. Torres agrees that marijuana isn’t inherently more dangerous than alcohol, but it isn’t safer either. “(Marijuana) poses some unique risks, such as it inhibits your ability to vomit and expel toxic chemicals that are poisoning your body,” he said. Among the Kinkaid student body, the use of alcohol and marijuana are related. A 2021 survey by the FCD showed that students who smoked marijuana also drank heavily. “If you look at the majority of students who are smoking marijuana, it’s about 90% who are also high-risk drinkers,” Mr. Torres said. Marijuana use alone isn’t the only problem. The prevalence of binge drinkers — drinkers who drink five or more drinks in a single sitting — in 11th and 12th grade at Kinkaid has always been a concern, and Mr. Torres believes that the prevalence of binge drinkers helps explain rising marijuana use. “Binge drinking is the single biggest indicator of marijuana use at this school, and marijuana usage, especially in the 11th and 12th grade, is higher than it’s ever been here,” Mr. Torres said.

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Cover Story

From the October 2019 survey to the survey conducted in October of last year, lifetime marijuana use — meaning the percentage of students who have ever smoked marijuana — jumped from 35% to 55% among students in the senior class. The jump was from 21% to 29% for the junior class across the same period of time. Binge drinking can be a concern not only for 11th and 12th graders but also in the ninth and tenth grade, as Mr. Torres believes that drinking as underclassmen can lead students down a bad road as juniors and seniors. “If people start drinking in 9th or 10th grade, they are up to seven times more likely to become binge drinkers,” Mr. Torres said. “They’re also much more likely to begin experimenting with other substances.” The data may be concerning to some, but Kinkaid faculty have proven in many ways that they have students’ best interest in mind. In the ninth-grade Decisions class, taught by the school’s wellness director, Ms. Cheryl Mitchell, students discuss many current issues about substance abuse and Ms. Mitchell dedicates many lessons in her class to the top of marijuana usage. Much of her curriculum focuses young students on the effects of marijuana and other substances on the development of their brains and bodies. Mitchell has also talked about finding time to further educate upperclassmen. “I have been talking to Dr. Lomax Bream, Mrs. Grant, and Mr. Behr, about where in our schedule do students have time for a continued education,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It doesn’t mean that they have to take a whole other class. It could be during community group time.” According to both Mr. Torres and Ms. Mitchell, one fact rings true: If the Kinkaid community can cut down on binge drinking, it can cut down on marijuana usage. Ms. Mitchell thinks supporting one another is the ultimate strategy. Administrators, faculty and students are well aware of the immense

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pressure students face at Kinkaid, so the school’s community can work together to place a central focus on health and wellness. “Talking about issues and supporting each other’s mental health can help heal our community,” Mitchell said. Mr. Behr agreed. “It would also be important to state that should Rizzo ask for help from the school, she would be supported and provided guidance on how to avoid these dangerous behaviors,” he wrote in a March 2, 2020 email about the topic. Ms. Mitchell believes pressure may have a part to play in students’ use of mood-altering substances. “Whenever (students) use a mood-altering substance often but not always, there is pain behind it,” Ms. Mitchell said. “This emotional pain may be directly associated with the competitive nature of Kinkaid.” Regardless of the pressure on Kinkaid students, Ms. Mitchell recognized students who don’t use substances to cope with stress. “I think there are a lot of students who are making really healthy decisions and we just have to figure out a way to grow that group,” she said. As for the students whom Ms. Mitchell believes are not making the healthiest decisions, Kinkaid has put forth strong efforts to educate the student body, but education does not end outside the confines of Kinkaid. Ms. Mitchell noted that parents also play a huge role in every student’s development. “Parents make a difference in their children’s decision making by regularly discussing their family values, their expectations around decisions about drinking and the use of other drugs, and supporting fun social activities that do not involve alcohol,” she said. “I believe that Kinkaid parents are some of the most loving and supportive parents on the planet.” Parental permission of substance use still varies around the school. “My parents do not, in fact, support smoking

KINKAID UPPER SCHOOL RESULTS

weed,” Rizzo said, “My parents are very against weed; however, they approve of a couple drinks at a party.” Allowing children to begin drinking at a younger age may only build up tolerance. Building up tolerance increases the likelihood of students becoming binge drinkers at a young age. Because binge drinking can be seen as a gateway to the use of other drugs and substances, it becomes increasingly possible that these students will eventually smoke marijuana. At the end of the day, students spend most of their developing years with their family, and it’s difficult for anyone to reverse standards made by a parental influence. “The sad, somber statistic is that the majority of parents don’t show up to our meetings because they don’t think this applies to them,” Mr. Torres said. “We have to find other ways to educate them.” Mr. Josh Ramey, dean of students, reflected on this issue. “Young individuals have and always will be deeply immersed in popular culture,” Mr. Ramey said. “Therefore, due to the legalization movement in recent years, marijuana has become normalized and accepted in pop culture, further influencing and encouraging use among teenagers.” It’s a war against the world, Mr. Ramey said. “You’re fighting against society. As these states make marijuana legal and open their marijuana shops, it’s easier for people to say ‘it’s not that bad.” Though Mr. Ramey believes that any war against marijuana is difficult to triumph in, Mr. Behr highlights the success of Kinkaid’s substance abuse education thus far. “We may not eliminate all dangerous behaviors no matter how hard we try, but if we are helping more kids resist or delay use even in the face of social pressures, we have done something that we can define as success,” Mr. Behr stated.

An October 2021 survey reported percentages of high schoolers who tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime

as compared to 35% in October 2019

as compared to 21% in October 2019

as compared to 24% in October 2019

as compared to 11% in October 2019

Kinkaid students participated in an anonymous FCD Prevention Works survey in fall 2021. The survey is adminstered every two years to give insight on substance use among students so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure Kinkaid students’ health and safety. Source: FCD Prevention Works

17///Cover Story

Opinion

18///Opinion

Spending the school day in a trance and low on energy because of a lack of sleep, students could use a place to get reinvigorated.

A Fresh Angle Exploring the possibilities of having school nap stations By George Kinder, Sports Editor and Carter Pitts, Staff Writer Photo by George Kinder

up in the middle of the night because I’m stressed about something school-related. Not sleeping definitely makes it a lot harder to stay focused during classes and I think napping would help. It would be a good way to get a little energy during the school day.” Mr. Peter Behr, head of Upper School, said he has noticed sleep deprivation throughout the Upper School. He said Around the school, sleep deprivation he understands that everyone has a lot seems to be a real issue. With numerous of responsibilities and works very hard, hours of homework, sports, arts and other whether that be in school, athletics, the arts extracurricular activities, students are and more. He said the change to a 9 a.m. lacking the recommended amount of hours start time was implemented twice a week of sleep per night, according to Healthline. to help the school community get more However, there could be a potential solution hours of sleep every night. to this issue: nap stations. Although Mr. Behr believes that nap areas Kinkaid students are seriously feeling the could be beneficial, the amount of space effects of a lack of sleep. Their attention that could be used for sleeping areas span has become shorter at school, which is very limited and he worries about the can make work harder to do. amount of use the areas would actually get Junior Canaan Estes has dealt with this if implemented. problem for a while and has experienced “Could it be beneficial? It could, but can the effects first hand. you get over the sanitation issue and how “During the school day, I have trouble much would it be used?” Mr. Behr said. “You paying attention because of how totally could also look at it from a standpoint of exhausted I am,” Estes said. “It means I how many people actually have free periods can’t fully understand what is happening and could use it.” at the moment and I have to do more work Ms. Cheryl Mitchell, wellness director, later to ensure my understanding.” strongly believes that appropriate hours Estes participates in theatrical of sleep are crucial to mental health and productions, which cause him to stay performing well in everyday activities. She at school later. He still has a lot of work recommends that everyone get proper to catch up on when he gets home and amounts of sleep because a decrease in he is already exhausted from the long sleep leads to a decrease in the ability to school day. This affects his ability to do perform in academics, athletics, arts and his homework in a timely manner and other areas. Also, she said proper sleep forces him to stay up late into the night to could really help reduce anxiety and stress. complete his work. “The best thing is to get the eight hours “I get around five to six hours of sleep a night, and the reality of being a Kinkaid each night, usually more like six,” Estes student, especially a student artist or said. “It’s partially because of school work. student athlete, are super busy so maybe I am involved in a lot of outside leadership providing a place like the nurses’ areas, within the Jewish community and have where they give you refuge and a place to lots and lots of meetings throughout the take a nap,” Ms. Mitchell said. “As Kinkaid is week as well as countless rehearsals last thinking about a new Upper School, it would semester, so I am busy most days after be a fantastic idea to have a wellness area, school.” where it would be quiet and you could Junior Jackie Jafarnia loses lots of sleep practice mindfulness or take a nap.” because of school. She stays up late doing Nap areas could really benefit the homework and is often stressed about community, as they would give students completing her homework and about a place to rest and relax during the day, upcoming tests. which would reduce stress and anxiety Jafarnia said her lack of sleep makes her levels. These areas would be crucial in day at school much more difficult, as she helping mental health throughout the often finds herself losing focus in class and school, especially during hard times such not retaining information. as dealing with a pandemic. With the “Some nights I will get two hours and challenges of being a Kinkaid student, nap others I will get around five, but on average, areas would be a great place to practice I get around four hours of sleep,” Jafarnia mindfulness, which would help with focus said. “A lot of the time, I can’t sleep or wake and concentration.

19///Opinion

Opinion

MARIJUANA USE & Don’t risk the negative effects EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES! of trying, smoking marijuana Studies show that marijuana interferes with attention, motivation, memory, and learning. Students who use marijuana regularly tend to get lower grades and are a decrease of appetite and physical You are at a partymore talkinglikely with friends. to drop out ofdiscomfort. high school than those who Everything seems like it’s going well, then don’t use. Those who useThe it regularly maythat besmoking functioning study also says suddenly one person starts smoking. They marijuana can impede a student’s growth. at a reduced intellectual level most or all of the time. say it’s healthy because it’s marijuana, and

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20///Opinion

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MARIJUANA USE & EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES!

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Although the data on this NIH infographic dates back to 2013, its explanation of the effects of marijuana on teens is unchanged. And in recent years, marijuana use among teens remains largely unchanged as well. A 2021 study by the NIH, “Adolescent Drug Use Before and During U.S. National COVID-19 Social Distancing Policies,” showed that “adolescent marijuana use and binge drinking did not significantly change during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite record decreases in the substances’ perceived availability, according to a survey of 12th graders in the United States.” - National Institutes of Health

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21///Opinion

LIFESTYLES

The Taco Lovers Pass: A New Era of Subscription Services By Kaveen Shah and Read Liuzzi, staff writers Taco Bell has recently released a new subscription-based service called the Taco Lovers Pass. Taco Bell’s $10 monthly subscription service gives customers access to one of seven tacos free every day for a month. The tacos available in the pass are among Taco Bell’s most popular, including the Crunchy Taco, the Soft Taco, the Doritos Locos Tacos, and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco. The Supreme versions of each of these tacos are included as well. In the past decade, over 22 million customers have spent $57.6 billion on subscription services and apps,

22///Lifestyles

according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. They tie consumers into a cycle which makes customers more likely to come back and spend more money. Taco Bell has revolutionized the fast food industry when it introduced hundreds of foods that appeal to customers from all around the globe since 1962. Food items such as the Doritos Locos Tacos, Crunchwrap Supreme and Mexican Pizza are global hits and have allowed Taco Bell to expand to over 7,000 locations throughout the world and gross nearly $1.5 billion annually,

according to Statista. Even though Taco Bell has been successful, COVID-19 has caused a $40 million decrease in sales as well as the closure of over half a dozen locations in the United States. However, this has not stopped Taco Bell’s growth as it is still growing as “America’s favorite Mexican restaurant,” according to The Harris Poll. As a test run, The Taco Lovers Pass was first introduced in Tucson, Arizona last year in select stores in the area. However, to kick off the 2022 new year, Taco Bell announced the program would expand to all nationally

Crunchy Taco

Soft Taco

Doritos Locos

CPD of 114.1 20.5% preference rate

CPD of 120.8 9% preference rate

CPD of 77.6 25% preference rate

Crunchy Taco

Soft Taco

Doritos Locos Taco

CPD of 86.8 12.5% preference rate

participating stores. “There’s no better way to kick off 2022, especially Taco Bell’s 60th anniversary year, than by inviting our fans to enjoy our most iconic tacos every day for 30 days, all while underscoring our commitment to digital innovation and value,” said Zipporah Allen, Taco Bell’s chief digital officer, in a statement. “Tacos are in our DNA, and we’re thrilled to offer our most ordered menu items through the Taco Lover’s Pass. When asked about the expansion of the Taco Lovers pass, Kinkaid students

CPD of 95.9 11% preference rate

who responded to a poll showed that while almost 85 percent of students don’t eat taco bell on a regular basis, nearly 60 percent liked the idea of the Taco Lovers Pass. The reason the Taco Lovers Pass has been getting lots of recent attention is due to its cheap cost and its “CPD.” These factors made viral on social media platforms, namely TikTok, stand for calories per dollar, “it makes ranking food sources a lot easier,” said sophomore Tyler Karkowsky. CPD is utilized by many in order to maximize the number of calories

CPD of 70.6 22% preference rate

they can get for the best value. Taco Bell is notorious for having a high CPD in comparison to other fast food restaurants, as they are a great chain to get good value to go along with good quality. The Taco Lovers Pass item with the highest CPD is the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, with a whopping 240 CPD. The Taco Lovers Pass is an innovative idea, and with it rolling out nationwide now, this surely will spread the love of tacos. Design by Shaan Dhutia

23///Lifestyles

Arts

When the blood hits the floor...

‘Carrie’ becomes first campus musical with stage effect P

Carrie, played by Taylor McMullen, after getting blood dumped on her. Photo by Abby Johnson

Senior in the Spotlight

24///Arts

By Mia Price, assistant features editor and Abby Johnson, staff writer Blood has never been tangibly involved in a show at Kinkaid before now. Stage blood, a realistic-looking adaptation of biodegradable detergent and red food dye, dropped on the Brown Auditorium stage for the first time in the show “Carrie, the Musical.” The stage blood was poured onto the head of junior Taylor McMullen, who played the lead role of Carrie White. In the show, Carrie has her first period in the locker room shower and thinks she is bleeding to death. The other girls mercilessly taunt Carrie, and when Chris, played by senior Ainsley Powers, refuses to apologize, Miss Gardner, played by senior Cacie Chatman, tells her that she is not allowed to go to the prom. In an act of revenge, Billy, played by senior Bryan Akin, and Chris dump a bucket of pig blood on Carrie at the prom.

Senior Bryan Akin stepped into the Brown Auditorium spotlight for the first time this winter. After the fall sports season concluded, Akin decided he wanted to expand his horizons and make his last semester count. Students and teachers alike were surprised and excited to find his name on the callback list for the winter musical, “Carrie the

“We found an article testing and giving feedback on over 30 different kinds of stage blood and we chose the one on the website that fit our requirements the best,” said Mr. Mark Sell, director of technical theatre. These requirements included making sure it wasn’t irritating to her eyes or face and having it be non-staining and realistic-looking. Mr. Sell chose Alcone Company Stage Blood, which is made of glucose, certified food color, and biodegradable soap. The costume department tested the blood with the dress that they wanted to use, which was made of poly lace and poly satin fabric. Luckily, the blood washed out of the chosen fabric nicely. “I wanted us to use fabric as the blood so that we wouldn’t have to consider clothing and how it was going to get destroyed or laundered,”

Musical.” “Being a senior was one of the main reasons I auditioned because I may never have another opportunity to be a part of a production like this,” Akin said. Despite not having much experience in theatre, Akin scored the role of Billy, one of the story’s main antagonists. “All the other roles were

casted basically the way that I imagined, but I was honestly surprised that I was cast as Billy even though many of my peers were confident in my audition,” Akin said. “I was very hopeful that I would be casted as Billy; however, since it was my first audition I was carefully optimistic, so I was ready to accept any role that they gave me.” As soon as rehearsals

Ms. Claudia Rodriguez, costume sesigner and shop manager, said. “But fabric pales in comparison to the real thing.” Once the perfect mixture and fabric were found, the dumping method also took some trial and error for the crew. Adam Behr, production stage manager, explained that after testing a few other methods, the crew decided on a bucket and string to achieve the best aesthetic on stage. “The blood was pretty viscous, so our first system — an electronic solenoid valve — poured out in a stream when we wanted more of a variation in the pattern,” Behr said. “It would also gunk up the system and mess with the mechanics, so the bucket and string works better.” Mr. Scott Lambert, director of visual and performing arts, volunteered to do the first test of the blood and get it dropped on him in front of the cast.

began, Akin was welcomed into the theatre community with open arms. “I was told that the theatre community was super welcoming, but I still thought I would stand out because of my lack of experience,” Akin explained. “This was not true at all, and I feel like I was able to assimilate very well into the community.” Though the whole

“I believe I should never ask for a performer to do something I am not willing to do,” Mr. Lambert said. “By doing it myself, I can prove it is safe and it helps the actor feel more comfortable with the idea of it.”

Margaret White, played by Mia Van de Mark, kills her daughter, Carrie, at the end of the show. Photo by Elisabeth Bell

Billy, played by Bryan Akin, sings with Chris, played by Ainsley Powers, in “Do Me A Favor.” Photo by Abby Johnson

experience was out of his comfort zone, Akin explained he has no regrets about trying something new this semester. “I think that branching out in high school is extremely beneficial to character growth,” Akin said. “It’s important to branch out and not confine yourself to a single activity or mindset since that will not help you later on in life.”

25///Arts

Arts

Choreographers discuss their dances while watching auditioners warm up. Photo by Rina Miriam Presley

Dancers Display Choreography Skills By Rina Miriam Presley, Staff Writer

Eleven upperclassmen, lining the back mirrored wall of the dance studio, explained one after the other their own dance and what they were looking for in terms of their dancers. The artistically-talented team prepared to showcase their passion for dance and choreography using groups of younger dancers. On Jan. 27 and 29, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a passion for dance assembled in the dance studio to audition for the 2022 choreography projects. Each student-choreographer had a unique project with casted dancers, ranging from freshmen to seniors numbering two to 13 dancers in its respective group. Mrs. Mary Cable, Upper School dance teacher, observed as the girls and boys unleashed their passions without her

26///Arts

interference, for the auditions were fully student-led. “[The projects are a] great idea for the students to tap into their own creativity and have a platform to share their voice,” Mrs. Cable said. Each upperclassmen handcrafted a dance corresponding to a selected song that is labeled for ballet, tap, modern, jazz or contemporary techniques. Song selection depended on the style and choreographer. “Some based their song selection on the beats and overall flow of the song. Others began their song selection with a story and an argument, using the lyrics of songs to tie into their theme,” dance company president Elise Shu said. “The choreography projects allow the upperclassmen of dance company to explore and gain experience in any kind of

choreography and artistic expression,” Shu said. Students explained how much being on stage means to them. “Every time I step into the dance studio, I am overwhelmed with a sense of peace that I do not get anywhere else,” said Reese Ham, dance company secretary and student choreographer. Dancers will spend a minimum of four hours a week on pieces in which they were cast. The pieces’ diversity shows how the school’s dance program has a spot for every interested and talented student. “We also had five men audition, which all the choreographers were really excited about because there is a lack of male representation in the dance program,” said Ham.

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Company Fosters Creativity, Community

“Everyt ime I step into the dance studio, I am overwhelmed with a sense of peace that I do not get anywhere else.” — Reese Ham dance company secretary and senior Junior Bridget Gray learns choregraphy during auditions. Photo by Rina Miriam Presley

Current auditioners looking forward to their own project brings people back to the dance program year after year. Students have already thought about the style, song, and setting for their performance. “I hope [when I choreograph] that I can create an environment where everyone feels welcome and included while having a really fun time,” Ella Schmulen, sophomore, said. Previous years’ projects fostered an optimistic atmosphere where students of all dance ability were shown in a positive light. “I think it’s wonderful…Most high schoolers will not get that opportunity,” Mrs. Cable said. “They have a say in every aspect in their dance. Every teeneager needs a moment to create.” Tickets go on sale April 8, with the showcase occurring April 22-23 in the Brown Auditorium.

“Dance like music is a universal language, and you can say so much without having to say anything at all,” Upper School dance teacher Mrs. Mary Cable said. The school’s dance community offers students the opportunity to showcase their passions and eventually perform with other passionate dancers. “Performing makes me happy because I love the thrill on stage” sophomore Shade Ayoade said. Mrs. Cable said having a dance company provides a bond that goes beyond typical friendships. “We are like a family,” dance company secretary Reese Ham said. This tight-knit community extends beyond dancing. “The close connection has allowed us to tackle difficult topics, such as the struggles of women in today’s society, and there is an easy vulnerability that is difficult to build elsewhere,” Elise Shu, president of dance company, said. Dance is about expression, emotion and a place of belonging. “Dance company is important because it provides a creative outlet for Kinkaid students to express their love for dance to their peers,” Shu said. Dance company’s first major production in the 2021-22 season, “Illusions: A Night of Enchantment,” was Nov. 13-14. Illusions was described on the Kinkaid Arts Instagram as: “A concert that suspends reality through an array of dance styles…a concert that will leave you mystified and spellbound.” Ainsley Powers ‘22 plans her own choreography Photo courtesy of Ainsley Powers Spread designed by Rina Miriam Presley 27///Arts

Sports

YOUNG BALLER

Sophomore has grown in skills and love of game that happens to be led by her mom

By Allison Whitman, Guest Writer, and Elliott Crantz, Assistant Sports Editor Pressure to make the last-second, game-winning basket mounted as Madison Marshall surveyed the court. The 8th-grade girls’ basketball team was down by one point. With less than a second left on the clock, Marshall knew that she needed to make a basket to win the game. The basketball was passed to Marshall’s teammate, who took the shot. It was an airball. Reaching out to grab the ball midair, Marshall tossed a layup for a last-second attempt. As the timer continued to count down, the ball bounced all over the rim. Finally, at the last second possible, the ball went in the basket as the buzzer sounded, giving Kinkaid the victory. Marshall grew up in a world immersed in basketball, but it was not until that game-winning buzzerbeater that she stopped doubting her skills. Her newfound confidence also came from her mother’s support. Coach Stacey Marshall, head coach of the Kinkaid girls varsity basketball team, has been her daughter’s basketball trainer all Madison’s life. “I do remember my Mom telling me even when she was pregnant, I would just be in the gym with her,” Madison said. For as long as she could remember, she was always in the gym

28///Sports

surrounded by basketball. Her sister, seventh grader Sydney Marshall, also plays basketball at Kinkaid. Her parents were both able to provide support for her on the court in different ways. Marshall said her mom inspired her to start playing basketball, another coach helped her with her technique and shooting, and her Dad helped her with the mental aspect of the game. “My Dad is a coach in a way that he is watching me and supporting me,” Madison said. When asked if she likes having her mom as her coach, Madison said, “I really like it actually because my Mom knows me in and out, so it’s a lot easier to tell her stuff because she already knows.” For Madison, being coached by her mother does not add any extra pressure because her standards for herself are so high, contributing to her work ethic. “It is a blessing to share an experience with her, especially in something we both enjoy,” said Coach Marshall. “I have seen Madison grow in her work ethic both on and off the court. She is more focused and driven with her basketball development and puts in extra time to improve her skills. She is open to feedback and instructions and works hard to implement what the coaches ask of her. As a mom, I work to

separate coaching from my role as a mother. I will be Madison’s coach for four years, but I will be her mother for a lifetime.” From the University of Houston, Coach Marshall has been a part of Kinkaid for 22 years. Since Coach Marshall’s arrival, the Kinkaid girls varsity basketball team has won six SPC championships. Coach Marshall led the girls basketball team to fifth place in the 2022 SPC Winter Sports Tournament. The team had exciting wins over St. John’s and Episcopal School of Dallas. In addition to coaching the girls, Coach Marshall is the school’s assistant athletic director and tennis program head. Madison had a great season on varsity and is excited to continue playing basketball at Kinkaid. She said basketball has positively impacted her. But it wasn’t until 8th grade that she felt a significant boost in confidence when she made that game-winning shot. “I love watching my daughters play and compete and have fun doing what they enjoy,” says Coach Marshall. “The buzzer-beater was the culmination of her work ethic and determination. She has an incredible spirit that she always gives her best and never gives up. She was able to hit that shot because she never stopped playing until the final buzzer.”

SOPHOMORE MADISON MARSHALL PLAYED ON THE GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM AS A FRESHMAN. SHE WAS COACHED BY HER MOTHER, COACH STACEY MARSHALL. PHOTO BY DAVID SHUTTS

29///Sports

SPC RECAP

Sports

Falcons win some, lose some but finish strong By Will Anderson, and Parker Kubitza, staff writers

After a spectacular 12-4 regular season, the varsity boys soccer team headed up to Dallas to compete for the SPC championship. The guys played well all season long, fighting hard as a team and gaining confidence through every hard fought win and tough loss. They strolled into the SPC

30///Sports

tournament in Dallas on Friday as the second seed and crushed Cistercian in their first game 2-0. Following another strong Falcons win, the boys soccer team advanced to the semifinals where they faced off against St. Marks. The Falcons were tied when it came down to the last minute of

the game, but senior Luis Graham scored a spectacular goal with 30 seconds left to beat St. Marks 2-1 as they advanced to the championship game against Casady. The Falcons faced no fear against Casady as they won a tough game 1-0. This was the first boys soccer SPC Championship since 1978.

The girls varsity soccer team came into Dallas/Fort Worth as the four seed in the south bracket. They kicked off their journey with a hardfought 3-2 victory against Trinity Valley School. This victory led them to face the SPC champs Hockaday School. The Falcons fought hard, but it wasn’t enough as they lost to Hockaday 5-1. The girls’ final game was played against Greenhill in the 5th place game. They finished strong, shutting out Greenhill 2-0, and placing 5th in SPC.

After the varsity boys basketball team defeated Episcopal in the Melcher Gym, their season took a turn in the wrong direction. The boys went into Episcopal as the south’s 6th seed and played a tough St. Mark’s team in round 1. The boys gave it their all, but lost their first game, eliminating them from the competition. They played the next morning in the losers bracket, and played a great game against Fort Worth Country Day, winning 6046. They then beat Cistertian later that day to finish 9th place in SPC and end the season on a high note.

The varsity wrestling team left their mark on Dallas as everyone wearing a Kinkaid uniform excelled on the mat. Senior captain Odin Hicks described the atmosphere as “electric on and off the mat.” Kinkaid had three podium finishers, two third-place finishers, and one first-place finisher. Sophomore Nico Gomez and senior Jackson Bloome both finished third place, while senior Trace St. Julian wrapped up his senior season as an SPC champion.

Following a fantastic season, the varsity girls basketball team earned a high seed in the first round of bracket play against Fort Worth Country Day. They defeated them 63-38 and then faced a fantastic team from the Episcopal School of Dallas. Winning 46-35 over the Episcopal School of Dallas, they moved on to the semifinals and were faced with one of the most impressive teams all year: Houston Christian. The Falcons played a great game, but ended up losing 67-57 to finish 4th in SPC.

In varsity swimming, Dylan Keller, the girls captain, said the team came into SPC highly motivated. “We have been swimming personal bests for the past few weeks, and we went in super excited to go dominate SPC.” The girls had lots of pressure going in this year, attempting to follow up an SPC first place overall in 2021. While they knew they had big shoes to fill, they felt prepared to show the Southwest Preparatory Conference what they were capable of. The girls finished 5th, while the boys finished in a close second. Both teams had great competitions in Dallas, and are proud of how they finished. Juniors Sydney Smith and Cade Duncan also broke school records in their respective events.

31///Sports

This

By Shaan Dhutia, staff writer

That

Dogs

Cats

Netflix

Youtube

Apple Football Burgers PC Horror

Android Basketball Tacos Console Comedy

Waffles

Pancakes

Coke

Pepsi

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