Kingwood Park Times

MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKEOVER After a recent bond issue passed, preparations are being made for a new Kingwood Middle School.

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TURF-TASTIC With a field ready for any weather, the soccer teams enjoy the boost new turf field provides.

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HANDS ON

A STAR IS BORN

With classes like welding and culinary arts, students learn careers and trades while still in high school.

Brooke Searcy meets Voice semi-finalist Sarah Grace in Humble Voice competition.

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Kingwood Park Times FEBRUARY 2019 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 3 • KINGWOOD, TX 77339

Rodeo Ready

After months of work, Kocian prepares animals for final shows

by Kathleen Ortiz Staff Writer The broom strokes echo rhythmically through the FFA barns as Ellie May works on her new victim. Her black snout sniffs around before choosing a pair of black and white Adidas. Senior Lauren Kocian wasn’t surprised because 20 pairs of shoes have already fallen victim to her 240-pound pig’s appetite.

It’s easy to find Kocian, who is in a faded t-shirt and jeans, at the FFA barns. Someone’s always greeting her or seeking her help.

For two hours a day Kocian hurries between three of the four FFA barns.

She’s either feeding, cleaning or walking her pig or running her lamb.

Like a shadow, her turkey usually Feb. 6-9 follows Kocian.

“I just kind of learned I can’t waste my time, so I always have to be moving,” Houston Kocian said.

Livestock The routine is nothing new. Show & Rodeo Kocian has been Feb. 25-March 17 around animals and barns her whole life. Her father has been an agriculture teacher for more than 40 years.

She has followed him and her grandfather around barns, shows and to visit breeders since she was old enough to walk. Her family and agriculture teacher are hoping for the best in the coming weeks as she prepares to show her animals at the Humble Rodeo and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

“I’m hoping that she makes the auctions at both shows so that she can end her show career on top,” Lauren’s agriculture teacher Kevin McCarty said.

Her lamb Jax jumps up on his pen in excitement whenever he sees her nearby. Jax is Kocian’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo lamb as well as her “pride and joy.” Jax requires the most attention, receiving about an hour and a half of Kocian’s time per day.

Kocian got Jax a week after he was weaned off his mother in June. She got him from breeder Stewart Spurill, whom she used to visit every summer in Stephenville when her dad got his sheep. She usually doesn’t show sheep, but she decided to try raising one as a senior.

“I’ve known the breeder a long time,” she said. “So when I got up there he set aside some sheep for me to look at. I got the opportunity to go up there by myself and pick out my own little sheep.”

With an electric razor in one hand and a sheep’s neck in the other, Kocian helps other students wrestle

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Senior Lauren Kocian cleans up the pen of her 240-pound pig. Kocian will show Ellie May at the Humble Rodeo.

MEET THE ANIMALS Uno (Turkey)

Weight: 20 pounds Age: 2 months Show: Humble Rodeo Bird Brain: “I just have

no memories with them. My bird literally just follows me wherever I go.”

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

With Jax by her side, sophomore Lauren Kocian hopes to end high school with a big sale in her final appearance at the Houston and Humble Rodeos. She will show Jax at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She will show her pig and turkey at the Humble Rodeo. with their sheep to eventually sheer Jax. The Houston Livestock show will their heads for show. Despite all the be their final show. walking and feeding being done to She’ll walk Jax in without a lead, prepare animals for show, their looks just her hands underneath his neck are essential as well. and behind his ear. Then she’ll walk “Shows are like the prom of agri- him by the judge before they walk in culture,” Kocian said. a circle. Finally, she’ll make him drive, The Humpushing all his ble Livestock muscles and legs show will be back so that the Kocian’s last judge can feel show with her how much meat pig and turkey. he has on him.

She will walk Kocian is not around the ring just a student guiding her pig who takes care Ellie May with of her animals. a whip and She also is the showing off her girls soccer team body. As for the manager, a posi- Agriculture teacher Kevin McCarty tion she accepted turkey, Kocian will hold Uno after suffering by the feet as the judges examine him. four concussions and then having to Hundreds of hours go into preparing quit the sport. Even with her three for those key show moments. animals, she still makes time to go on “At the beginning, the hardest thing the soccer trips and do the stat sheets. to do is make sure they’re used to you She even educates the soccer players and training them,” she said. “And on agriculture facts. that’s like walking them, making them While the soccer team teases her look right for show and everything.”

Kocian has four extra weeks with KOCIAN, Continued on page 6

"Lauren is funny, very energetic, kind of loud at times, but one of the most hardest-working, most dedicated, committed kids I’ve ever been around."

Ellie May (Pig)

Weight: 240 pounds Age: 4 1/2 months Show: Humble Rodeo Pig Troubles: “One year, it was

the day before we loaded up for show. We were getting ready and somebody left the gate open. If you know how hard it is to watch a pig, it’s pretty crazy; and the pig ran out. It was raining that day so it went straight into mud. I was up there until like 11:30 at night just because it wanted to go roll around in mud.”

Jax (Lamb)

Weight: 165 pounds Age: 8 months Show: Houston Rodeo Jumping Jax: “When I first got Jax from Stephenville, he was jumping like crazy. He would do like cartwheels in the air when I was first training him.

He would always land on his back, but it was just so funny because he would just sit there and be jumping around. We’re now to the point where he doesn’t jump, but every time I walk in, he hops up on the gate and notices me.”

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February 2019

CALENDAR

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO Feb. 7 Band concert - PAC at 6 p.m.

Feb. 8 Drama club movie night PAC at 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 PTSA Teacher Luncheon Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Feb.15-16 State Swim Championships Feb. 18 Student Holiday/Staff Workday Feb. 21 No late arrival HOSA blood drive Feb. 22 Wrestling State Championships Berry Center Feb. 25 Project Grad Parent Meeting Upper LGI at 6:30 p.m.

March 4 College Fair - Commons March 11-15 Spring Break

Kingwood Park Times

INSPERITY ADAPTIVE SPORTS COMPLEX

YMCA, Humble ISD take big step in being inclusive The Lake Houston YMCA and Humble ISD have partnered in an advance in adaptive activities.

by Nick Farace Editor-In-Chief Humble ISD partnered with the YMCA last year to bring an all-new adaptive sports complex to the Humble ISD/Lake Houston areas. Finished and opened in late 2017, the purpose of the facility is to present children and young adults with a diversity of disabilities the opportunity to participate in team and individual sports and to also provide them with a barrier-free playground.

Meredith Silcox, the Adaptive Programs director at the Lake Houston YMCA, works at the facility and calls it her baby.

“Our facility is one of a kind and has one of the only few barrier-free playgrounds in Houston,” she said.

The land between Groves Elementary School and Westlake Middle School was donated by Humble ISD, and the YMCA raised the funds to make the dream come true.

“It was a collaboration between Humble ISD, the Y and Insperity, who donated enough money to have the complex named after them,” said Silcox.

The Insperity Adaptive Sports Complex has two multi-purpose baseball fields, a covered court, and a large playground. The fields, donated by the Astros Foundation, are made of a special rubber turf and host Miracle League baseball games and soccer games throughout the year.

“On game days there’s really a great atmosphere for the kids,” Silcox said. “We have announcers, concessions, and we let the kids pick their walk-up songs. It really feels like a minor league game.”

The complex has a concession stand that is run by the Humble ISD Mosaic program, which is for young adults with special needs. The kids work the concession stand throughout the day, selling hot dogs, nachos, candy and more.

“It’s great to have them getting experience for jobs they may have in the future,” Silcox said. “It brings people joy to see kids of all ages being provided an opportunity to participate, learn, and most of all, to have fun.”

Since the opening of the program, the total number of Miracle League participants has gone from 40 to 125.

“Registration for sports is free to all families, and you don’t have to be a member of the Y or attend Humble ISD schools,” Silcox said. “The Astros Foundation provides jerseys for all kids, parents help by donating gear, the Y provides refs; it’s a big community effort.”

The complex is used by the YMCA and Humble ISD year round, with the schools using it during the school hours and the Y using it after school hours and on school breaks.

In early October, Panther Pals took a field trip to

Photos contributed by Shana Guy

Sophomore Freddie Lillie and freshman Ella Cockrell join some other students on an activity at the playground that is part of the new Insperity Adaptive Sports Complex. There are also two baseball fields and a covered court.

Senior Daniel Thompson pushes senior Charlie Pearce around one of the two multi-purpose baseball fields at the adaptive sports complex.

Senior Melissa Podesta enjoys time with a little dog during some yoga activites at the park.

the complex. Shana Guy, the campus’s transition specialist, works with the special education children on campus and loves seeing the kids get to play.

She said that each high school gets a field day at the complex.

Guy said seeing the kids play and have fun is the most rewarding part of her job.

“It lights up your day, their smiles are so contagious,” she said.

Silcox said that volunteers are always needed at the complex, and she encourages anyone to volunteer.

Students age 12 and over can become buddies and help out the special education students while on the field. Silcox has asked that those interested in volunteering at the complex contact the YMCA. “We’re volunteer and donor based, so there’s always a need for volunteers,” she said.

TINY HOMES

Major progress continues for Tiny Home The first Tiny Home completed will likely land in Liberty, Texas.

Teacher of the Year Biology teacher Kristen Lynam was named Kingwood Park Teacher of the Year on Jan. 30. She is the first teacher on campus to win the honor twice.

Year-by-Year Winners 2019 - Kristen Lynam 2018 - Caryn Rasberry 2017 - Amy Blake 2016 - Glenn Taylor 2015 - Dierdre Himel 2014 - Jim Brown 2013 - Kristen Lynam 2012 - Robin Pullen 2011 - James Park 2010 - Kara Czepiel 2009 - Dean Herbst 2008- Karen Spiegel 2007 - Jeremy Stamm

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

Seniors Sarah Dalby and senior Chris Stewart, along with sophomore Cole Wiley secure part of the wall during a work day over winter break.

Students worked hard to make more progress on their first tiny home over the winter break. They raised two walls on Jan. 2.

by Jayme Wilkey Staff Writer With four walls raised and construction beginning on the roof, the architecture students involved in Tiny Homes have started to make plans regarding where their homes should be placed.

“We met with our potential partner (Jan. 17),” Taylor said.

Barbara Lange, owner of Langetree Retreat and Eco Center, has land in Liberty, Texas, she is willing to provide Tiny Homes.

The groups at Kingwood Park and Summer Creek plan to see the land before they will decide on what they should do.

“After a field trip in early February, the deal will be finalized,” architecture teacher Missi Taylor said.

Tiny Homes contacted Lange after a man named Nathan David read an article about Tiny Homes

in the Houston Chronicle. David contacted the Humble ISD public communication department.

He asked for the leader of the program and how he could help.

Humble gave him Taylor’s name.

“If we actually do partner with them we will be able to specialize (a house) for a specific client,” Taylor said.

The Tiny Homes idea began the spring of 2017 but took a hiatus after Hurricane Harvey.

Since the fall of 2017, the club has made a ton of progress.

Students have already built four walls of their house, started on the roof and has a sponsor willing to provide land for them to build more houses.

What was just a dream is now turning more into a reality.

“I am on cloud nine,” Taylor said.

Kingwood Park Times

News

February 2019

ROTC numbers important to success

Top-rated program still needs minimum members to remain in good standing.

by Blanca Cantu Staff Writer

One organization that has been around a long time is the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, though most refer to them as JROTC. Recently they have been having a difficult time with their class population.

During their most recent inspection in the fall, 93 students enrolled. For many electives, this would be a cause for celebration. However, for the ROTC department it was a concern.

With less than 100 students, JROTC is on probation and will be defunded next year if they don’t recruit more students. Congress has had this requirement for JROTC since the 1960s. If a school wants the program to continue being funded they must have 100 students or at least 10 percent of the school’s population.

Sgt. Perry Newberry, one of the JROTC teachers, said he is optimistic the program will meet the minimum requirement.

“I’m confident we’ll get the good quality kids in the program,” he said.

Senior Ryan Bujnoch, who has been involved since his freshman year, said he is confident the program will remain.

“They’re not going to shut us down anytime soon, there’s a whole process that would have to happen for them to do it,” Bujnoch said.

In the end there may be nothing to really worry about because the JROTC program has always had issues with their population, always ranging from 95 to 105.

Despite their struggles with population, JROTC has been incredibly successful in their competitions. During their inspection, which happens every three years, they did quite well.

They were rated “exceeds standards,” the top rating among the five tiers. Only programs in the top 93 percentile earn that rating. The only issue, and what ultimately led to being put on probation, was the number of students enrolled.

“We’ve been having a legacy of winning.”

Newberry said. “We swim very well for an Air Force unit and we beat the Navy at their own game.”

Their successes aside, they do plan on recruiting as many students as possible by going and visiting middle schools. Senior Payton Magee, who has been involved with ROTC since her freshman year, said she would be upset if the program was removed.

Madison Scott wins VFW contest, earns scholarship

Junior Madison Scott was able to see her full writing potential when she heard about the Veterans of Foreign Wars scholarship.

The scholarship was to write an essay on a specific prompt and compete with other high schoolers in the district. The prompt for this year was Why My Vote Matters.

Scott wanted to make sure she put her all into the essay. Taking a full three days to complete, she worked tirelessly to complete, she wrote multiple drafts, contacted her history teacher for suggestions and received help from her father, James Scott.

“My dad was a huge help with this essay,” she said.

“He was the person throughout my life to teach me why your vote matters and that my generation needs to vote when we turn 18.”

Finding out she placed in the top 10 for district was a complete shock for her.

“District 17 of Texas VFW is massive and there are many quality high schools that feed into that district with better opportunities. It was unbelievable to win the amount I won with an essay that I didn’t believe would win at all,” said Scott.

- By Blanca Cantu

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Sebastian Cerro, 11, Payton Magee, 12, Luke Leger, 9, Caleb Underwood, 12, Tristan Hunt, 10, and Mina Oakley, 10, run across a mat during a pep rally pyramid-building competition. Each team raced to form a pyramid as quickly as they could. Leger first realized that he wanted to be part of this program while he was in middle school because each Veterans Day they’d send over the drill team.

Photo by Carissa Haensgen

Junior Ethan Dulin stands proud with the flag during a pep rally. Dulin joined JROTC because he said he “needed something to do that’s outside of school instead of just sitting around all the time.”

Photo by Carissa Haensgen

“We are working really hard on recruiting and retention this year so I don’t think [getting disbanded] will be a problem,” said Magee.

Emily Mulloy, 11, Payton Magee, 12, Stephen Macias, 12, and Ryan Bujnoch, 12, perform to a filled gym of students during a pep rally.

New Kingwood Middle to break ground in fall The success of a recent bond means Kingwood Middle will be rebuilt within five years.

by Rafael Boecher Staff Writer Built back in 1977, Kingwood Middle School is overdue for a remodel. The old systems and lack of technology have proven difficult for those attending with poor heating, poor air conditioning in the summer, and more.

Recently, plans for this much needed rebuild have been announced.

“The topic has been discussed by maintenance and some district officials for a few years now,” KMS Principal Bob Atteberry said, “but it was unofficial until it was proposed in the bond committee last fall in the community-wide committee.”

With the new building, they will be fixing everything that they’ve been having issues with in the past few years. There’s going to be bigger classrooms, more room for group activities and new technology. There will be other features as well, such as more windows allowing light into the classrooms and a brand new air conditioning/heating system for the

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Photo by Autumarie Kellett

A new bond passed over the summer that included building a new Kingwood Middle School. Construction should start in the fall on the same property where the current school resides. school.

Once plans are further discussed over the summer and part of the fall, they’re going to look for workers and then get down to building.

The construction will be happening on school site as class is in session which may prove difficult, but staff and students remain hopeful.

“The staff is very excited and anxious to have a new facility,” Atteberry said. “Some of them have been here over the last 20-30 years and are very enthusiastic about having a new building. Some are new to KMS and know KMS needs a lot of new things, so they are excited as well.”

Students dominate art competition with 29 awards

With her love of art since a young age, Amy Cornejo was able to express herself and win the Scholastic Silver Key Award. Cornejo has been artistically inclined since a very young age.

“It’s been a part of me for a long time, I’ve always loved it,” Cornejo said. “I could learn quicker than others and do all these crazy drawings.”

Cornejo was one of many art students who saw much success at the Scholastic art competition.

Kingwood Park students won two Gold Keys, 14 Silver Keys, and 12 Honorable mentions.

“I was in art all four years of high school and was surprised my art won,” senior Emmalee Geslison said.

“I’m in an AP class so I work harder. I won on a piece I did on one of my really close friends, and I didn’t think I’d do that well; but I got a Silver Key on it. It means a lot to me.”

Senior Yates Barker and sophomore Crosslin Silcott won Gold Keys. Barker also won two Silver Keys.

More Silver Keys were awarded to Baylee Hartman, Tristian Hebert, Morgan Callens, Kate Niederhofer, Amy Cornejo, Stefania Delagarza, Madison Scott (2), Emmalee Geslison, Sarah Smith, Flla Surla and Germain Teran.

- By Richard Rivera

Mr. STUCO takes home top honors in Mr. KPARK

Senior Kyle Celaya-Alvarez tried to stay calm when he learned, an hour before Mr. KPARK, that his talent act was going to fall apart if he couldn’t find another couple to help. Celaya-Alvarez had originally planned to perform his act with a different couple, but his friend got called into work. So, he contacted his senior friends Fritz Rasmussen and Andie Unwin. Thankfully, they were willing to help and Celaya-Alvarez performed his talent.

“It was really frantic” to figure out all the details, Celaya-Alvarez said. In the end it was a crowd pleaser.

After all, his act was: “How to steal someone’s man.”

Celaya-Alvarez represented Student Council as Mr. STUCO and became this year’s Mr. KPARK. “I really gained an appreciation for people who perform in theater, Silver Stars for dancing, and those who perform on stage in general,” Celaya-Alvarez said. “It made me appreciate their performance [even] more because I was doing something dumb and it still made me nervous.”

Second-place honors went to senior Hayden Park, who was Mr. Football. He sang “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” For his performance he had a violin, and wore a cowboy hat, a western flannel with the arm sleeves ripped off and very short cut off jeans. Park said he tried to learn how to play the song but couldn’t go as fast a the song goes, so he just pretended to play his violin as he sang the song.

Park gave advice for the next group of guys competing next year.

“Just do it for fun,” he said. ”It doesn’t matter what your friends say, it doesn’t matter how long and how much they make fun of you. Just let it all out, because you only get this chance a few times in your life.”

- Bella Cruz

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February 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Perseverence, strength define Payne Math teacher Julie Payne just received test results confirming she is free of cancer for the third year.

by Nick Farace Editor-in-Chief On Halloween of 2014, Julie Payne and her family listened anxiously as the nurse, dressed in a cat costume, delivered the news of her breast cancer diagnosis. She was filled with denial. Wanting to get second opinions, Payne just needed to hear that everything was OK. Payne’s husband Mark had already been through cancer himself, and he thought he understood what the road ahead held. But for Payne and her family, the coming months would be nothing they imagined. Her early diagnosis would lead to a Stage IV diagnosis later on, and the fight for health took a massive toll on Payne’s daily life.

“The diagnosis was taken as a new challenge that needed to be addressed,” Mark said.

The couple, who married 30 years ago, recalled their “in sickness and in health” vows throughout the entire struggle with cancer.

Payne, a math teacher, struggled to accept the diagnosis early on. She denied it. Then she questioned why her. Ultimately, anger was her primary emotion.

The first step in the process was to get a mastectomy; and after the surgery, Julie Payne was considered cancer free in December 2014.

“We never really celebrated or were excited about it being over. It was always in the back of our minds that it would come back,” she said.

Even though she was in remission, Payne was still held back by the restrains of doctor visits and worries about her health. The chemo had done a lot of damage to her heart, and she was required to visit the cardiologist often.

“I had to plan my life around doctors’ visits, and I planned them really far out; that way I could decide if I would be able to take a trip over the summer or not,” Payne said.

Her remission didn’t last long. Payne went in for a check up in August 2015, only to find out the cancer was back.

“I was mad because the ‘best doctors in the world’ at MD Anderson had told me that they had gotten rid of it all,” Payne said.

The doctors had missed a spot where the cancer had attached to a lymph node in her body.

“What was scary about my diagnosis, was that it was already Stage IV, the worst stage,” Payne said.

This forced Payne into a whole new round of surgeries and treatments, including radiation.

“They set me on the strongest chemotherapy treatment available, and I quickly felt the side effects,” Payne said.

She suffered from hair loss and hand and foot syndrome, which caused the peeling of skin and required her to wear gloves to school.

Photo by Nick Farace

Math teacher Julie Payne sits among all the photos she’s taken at national parks around the country. She is wearing one of the many breast cancer awareness jerseys she has collected over the years.

Payne also felt constant tingling and numbness students who aided her on a day to day basis. in her arms and legs. A new drug the doctors “I really got a lot of teachers helping me out prescribed for her gave her seizures and uncon- with everything, whether it was taking me to trollable shaking. radiation treatments downtown or just being “I planned my treatments to be on Friday kind in the halls,” Payne said. nights so I could have the weekends to recovHer immune system was greatly affected by er,” Payne said. “I would be in the hospital until the second round of treatments, breaking it 3 a.m.” down and making it weak. She was very carePayne said the students were a huge help ful around people, and she stayed home most and were always so well behaved and accepting of the time. of her condition. One “I wouldn’t leave my week during her treathouse for anything except ments, students and facto teach here at school,” ulty collected money to Payne said. cover costs associated Payne’s journey with canwith the treatments and cer ended when she was desurgeries. clared in remission in Janu“Julie’s friends and ary 2016. This year, she is co-workers at Kingwood celebrating her third year of Park provided an amazbeating cancer. She goes in ing amount of care and for an annual CT scan each support, which was acJanuary, and the Paynes tually the only care and - Math teacher Julie Payne recently received the good support that we had,” news that she was still free Mark said. from the disease.

Julie Payne admits that it was hard to accept “The biggest thing for me [during the prohelp because she didn’t want to seem weak, but cess] was not wanting my kids to worry about she is very grateful for all the teachers, staff, and me,” Payne said. “My son had gone off to col-

"We never really celebrated or were excited about it being over. It was always in the back of our minds that (the cancer) would come back."

Stacy L. Norman, DDS 281-359-9100

lege and I didn’t even tell him the severity of the cancer until he came to visit.”

Mark said his wife’s strength and perseverance was evident throughout her entire fight with cancer.

“Few people realize that Julie went from ‘catching it early and not needing chemotherapy and radiation’ to Stage IV invasive metastatic cancer in eight months,” he said.

Payne’s victory over breast cancer in 2016 was the first time in two years where she controlled her own life. She began planning trips to national parks and looked forward to enjoying life on her own time. The breast cancer survivor now sits behind her desk in room 2207 thankful for each new day to do what she loves most: teaching the future of the world while sitting amongst all the photographs of national parks hanging on the wall, all taken by Payne herself.

“I don’t have the ‘I’ll do this later’ mentality anymore,” Payne said. “If I want to take a trip somewhere, I find a way to make it happen. I do everything I am capable of.”

"Our goal is to make your smile healthy and beautiful in a comfortable and friendly setting. We hope you love us enough to send your family and friends!"

2325 TIMBER SHADOWS DRIVE, BUILDING A, KINGWOOD, TX 77339 s FIND US ON FACEBOOK

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Kingwood Park Times

February 2019

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HUMANS OF KPARK

Everyone has a story. This is the third installment of an ongoing series.

See more Humans of KPARK stories at kptimes.com.

Photo by Sara Geiger

Graduating early easy decision for Grabner Freshman Palmer Grabner wasn’t always a big fan of school. He wanted to get out of school and start college as soon as possible.

He decided to take his life in a different route, by graduating a year early.

“My mom was OK with it, but I think my dad was scared that I would isolate myself from everyone else and just focus on school,” he said. “I don’t isolate myself from anyone, but when I do it’s for different reasons.”

Starting in 8th grade, Grabner knew graduating as fast as possible was his goal. With six pre-AP, honors and AP classes on his schedule, he knows he can get there.

Grabner never knew what he wanted to do in the beginning but recently decided he wants to become a psychiatrist. He enjoys taking Joshua Jackson’s anatomy and physiology class. Although anatomy is his favorite class,

he is looking forward to taking psychology next year.

“Psychology is very interesting to me, and I want to help people who can’t help themselves,” Grabner said.

Despite the benefits of graduating a year early, he deals with the stress of what people think of him and the amount work he experiences in his first year of high school.

“I like to think that the people in my grade think I’m smart, but maybe they just think that I’m stupid enough to seem smart,” he said. “I procrastinate a lot. I honestly don’t know how I’m skipping a grade sometimes. If something’s due at 7:15 the next day, I won’t do it until 7.”

- By Ava Lee

Photo by Maria Landy Garcia

Officer Joseph makes days a little brighter One of the most prominent and happy faces on campus, Officer William Joseph, was born and raised in the Houston Acres area, also known as the Fifth Ward.

“It’s the hood, it is really rough there,” he said.

In high school, Officer Joseph said he played a lot of basketball and always spent time with his best friends.

Joseph’s path to becoming an officer for Kingwood Park started a few years ago when he took a job as the fair inspector on the Metro train rail downtown.

“After that, I worked as a security guard at the juvenile detention center,” Joseph said.

“I dealt with kids in the Bloods and the Crips gangs. Working there really prepared me for this job.”

Joseph loves working at the high school and said interacting with all the staff and students is his favorite part of the job.

“Having everyone else feel safe because I am here and being everyone’s front line of defense makes me happy,” he said.

- By Nick Farace

New junior enjoying early days in Texas Junior Brendan Lane lived in New Jersey. Then he moved to Pennsylvania before returning to New Jersey. After that, he moved to Ohio. Now, the well-traveled teen is a Texan. After making previous moves for his mom’s job and her new marriage, Lane made a decision to join his dad in Texas.

“Texas is cool so far, it’s good people,” Lane said. “I still have to figure more things out about here though.”

Texas is where Lane wanted to go to work on himself and his future.

“There are no opportunities for me in Ohio, so I moved to Texas just to benefit for myself,” Lane said.

Adjusting can be hard, especially halfway through a semester and in a totally different state. It can also be challenging to make friends with people who have been friends since freshman year.

“I think I’m adjusting just fine,” Lane said. “If you can socialize with anyone, I think you can adjust fine.”

Lane played club basketball in Ohio with his neighborhood friends. Music is a passion for Lane. He really enjoys writing his own music, a mixture of many styles and has even released some of his own music.

“I’m more of an extrovert, I like to get

Photo by Katey Searcy

Former officer finds calling in forensics

Photo by Vallery King

out as much as possible, talk to people as much as possible,” Lane said.

Lane’s next music release will have more of a hip hop vibe to it.

“I don’t think I’ll do this after high school, but I’ll see where it takes me,” Lane said.

Lane said he hopes to make it through

the semester without any problems, to be cool to everyone and just finish his junior year off right.

“I look forward to doing well the rest of the year in Kingwood, and try to get to know everyone,” Lane said.

- By Vallery King

Forensics teacher Michelle Coker found her love and passion for forensics in her job before becoming a teacher. Coker was a police officer for the Houston Police Department for eight and a half years before coming to Kingwood Park.

“I worked the Fifth Ward, so I’ve seen all kinds of things,” she said. “The worst scenes were seeing mistreated, abused and dead children.”

Her experience in law enforcement made her a perfect fit in forensics, and she loves teaching what she once used as an officer. Coker said she would love to see more kids become police officers and said the job is very rewarding.

“I loved helping people out when I was on duty, it made the job so worth all the training,” Coker said.

- By Nick Farace

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February 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Countdown to shows begins KOCIAN, Continued from page 1 about talking too much about FFA, her agriculture counterparts kiddingly pick at her navigation skills and how loud she gets.

“Lauren is funny, very energetic, kind of loud at times, but one of the hardest-working, most dedicated, committed kids I’ve ever been around,” McCarty said. “We were at (the) state convention and we were in the Ag truck. She was riding in the front seat next to me, you know, over there in the passenger side. Well, whoever’s in that spot is the navigator; and, yep, Lauren got us lost. More than once.

“So, we had to kind of fire her from that position and put her in the back seat. But we still heard her all the way up into the front seat.”

As the final shows near, Kocian will miss seeing Jax across the barn waiting for her, hearing Ellie

May’s dog-like bark and even Uno following her around everywhere. She has to prepare to say goodbye to the animals she has spent so many hours with over the past few months.

“You have to learn how to turn your emotions off and know what you’re doing this for is livestock production and it’s not to be your best friend,” Kocian said. “In the beginning you gotta remind yourself ‘don’t get too, too attached to it but to a point you need to care for it.’”

Her high school career may be coming to an end, but her impact on Kingwood Park’s FFA program will last for years.

“I think she’s been a good example for others,” McCarty said. “I know that she’ll reach out and talk to other kids and explain. She’s always willing to help out. She’s one person that if she sees a need, she fills a need.”

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

After practicing leading her pig Ellie May around for show, senior Lauren Kocian crouches down to talk to the 240-pound animal. Ellie May will be shown at the Humble Livestock Show next week.

Have you bought your yearbook yet?

Only students and staff who pre-order a book before March 1 will be guaranteed a book when they arrive in May. A small number of extra books will be purchased. Very few books will be available for purchase in May. Buy today for $65 at jostensyearbooks.com or in Room 1504 with cash or a check made out with Kingwood Park High School. Below is a list of those who have already bought their yearbook.

Noah Abbadangelo Caydn Acker Jillian Adams Jonathan Adams Peyton Adkins Reyna Aguilar Brandon Aldridge Valera Allen Laura Allsen Dylan Amaya McKenzie Ambler Alexandria Andrade Juan Antron Cody Apperson Angelica Archuleta Jordan Armstrong Bryn Arntsen Anya Arrington Anna Ashy Cooper Austin Ashton Autenreith Elara Bailey Miles Bailey Aubrey Baker Nicholas Baker Talon Balcom Ciara Ballengee Yates Barker Jacob Barkley Angela Bauer Jake Bayless Carey Beal Beau Bell Max Bell Abby Bennett Carter Bennett Sammuel Bennett Allison Benson Emilee Beswick Shayla Blackmon Brian Bleier Allonna Bodkin Skarleth Bolivar Hannah Boss Cramer Branscum Isabell Brantley Brandon Braswell Connor Braswell Taylor Breed Elias Briseno Nolan Britt Russel Brooks-Martin Lindsey Broussard Amelia Brown Jaime Browning Jaclyn Brumfield Bethany Bruton Caleb Budde Ryan Bujnoch Colby Burke Matthew Burke Emelia Burns Jackson Burris Aliyah Bustamante Jace Butler Kaitlynne Butler Korii Butler Amaya Bybes Amaya Bynes

Kai Byrd Caitriona Canales John Canavan Benicio Cancino Austin Cantu Anthony Cardenas Evelyn Cardenas Mattie Carr Victoria Carter Laura Cash Hunter Castillo Reece Cavallo Kyle Celaya-Alvarez Joseph Chancellor Hannah Chavers Diego Chavez Jessica Chavez Carsten Cherrington Carsten Cherrington Juan Cintron David Clark Emma Clayton James Cochran Lindsey Cochran Ella Cockrell Olivia Cockrell Jacob Colby Kyle Connelly Taysia Constantino Colby Cook Kate Cooney Ashton Copeland Leah Cormier Amy Cornejo Alexis Cox Kegan Crawford Marie Credeur Molly Crockett Allison Crutcher Leonor Francesca Cruz Colby Cucco Trinity Curl Sarah Cutrer Christopher Dailey Nicholas Dalpe Kaylyn Daniel Kendall Daniel Justice Darling Claire Davis Emma De Leon David De Robles Taylor Debrosky McKenzie Denner Raylynn DeSouza Hudson Dezell Caitlyn Dickerson Pierce Dietrich Sean Dietrich Tiger Dietz Bethany Donoghue Brennen Doss Grayson Doss Bailey Doughtie Gracie Drum Jacob Dunque Travis Dwight Dane Eastman Morgan Eckerty Sofia Edmonson

Dane Ellett Emma Engelage Emma Engelhardt Eloy Escobedo Marisa Espinoza Andrew Estrada Erin Fagerquist Ethan Fagerquist Cameron Fain Daniel Farace Nicholas Farace Preston Farley Walker Fennell Jaslyn Figueroa Joshua Figueroa Kyle Fischer Megan Fischer Nancy Fishbourne Makenna Florez Justin Fox Isabella Frank Kara Frazier Emma Frey Aspen Frost Brianna Fuhre Jack Fulton Amanda Fuss Brenna Gainous Brooke Gainous Emma Garcia Sofia Garcia Sean Garvin Samuel Garza Alek Geiger Abby Geslison Allen Geslison Emmalee Geslison Dallas Giles Peyton Gilstrap Tristen-Nicholas Glazebrook Alana Glover Cameron Goerner Chloe Gonzales Allan Gonzalez Isabella Gonzalez Kaitlyn Goulden Paola Goyco-Velez Austin Graham Nathaniel Graham Nicholas Granado Tatiana Gray Michael Greco Lanie Green Claire Greene Braelyn Greer Chloe Gresham Carson Griffing John Gronstal Aaron Guel Mark Guerrero Taylor Guevara Cecilia Guzman Julia Hadley Rachel Halliday Adalen Hammond Ensley Hammond Jana Hamous Charles Hanebuth Emma Hanna

Noah Harrison Caden Hebert Peyton Hedges James Hedrick John Hedrick Nicholas Hennings Robert Henry Ty Hephner Brianney Herazo Destiny Hernandez Ethan Hernandez Logan Hernandez Steffany Hernandez Sivan Herrington Paige Heyl Coleman Hightower Avery Hill Adam Hitchcock Bryce Hogan Katherine Holder Dustin Holloway James Holloway Jonas Holloway Colton Hopper Cassandra Huber Isaac Humphrey Will Hurley Tristan Hutchinson Robert Hyland James Ieva Leah Inman Lauren Ives Jacob Ivey Thomas Ivey Elena Ivonye Kyra Ivy Trezzie Ivy Tori Jackson Jackson Jamieson Oliver Jamieson Brett Janik Modica Jimenez Samuel Johansen Haley Johnson Jarrett Johnson Jeremiah Johnston Lance Jolley Jackson Jones Jordan Jones Nickolas Jones Tyler Jones Paige Joslin Aloura Joy Quinn Keeler Ronan Keeler Jakob Keneipp Barrett Kenny Kaleb Kersting Joshua Kiker Evan King Donald Kirkland Katherine Kirsch Nicole Kirsch Nicole, Katherine Kirsch Hollan Kleeman Anneke Kluft Emily Kluge Camryn Knight Cody Knight

Katelyn Knight Kennedy Knight James Knoerdel Jacob Knowles Lauren Kocian David Koehler Sydney Kolar Carter Korb Natalie Krippel Samuel Lackey Hailey Landry Xavier Laroche Jacquelyn Laszacs Troy Lattimer Katarina Lawrence Mary Leake Jenna Leath Luke Leger Rachel Leimer Alishanee Lemon Katherine Lessor Sadie Lewis Poramin Light Mark Linabury Travis Lipp John Logan Nicholas Logan Eduardo Lopez Sarah Lopez Jeremy Lubel Alexander Lucas Joseph Luszcz Logan Mackert Payton Magee Julianna Maldonado Victoria Marquez Cameron Martin Emily Martinez Jannel Martinez Carson May Tyler May Joseph Maynard Phillip McAtee Anna Mccrea Abigail McDaniel Rachel McGhee Sean McKithern Taylor McNair Breanna McQueen Elyse McVey Caitlin Meaux Caden Medlock Brett Mennen Leslie Mergist Melina Merritt John Meyer Victoria Mikuta Elizabeth Miles Jeffrey Millan Jace Millard Alexander Miller Lidia Miller Alejandro Mojica Kylee Monk Joshua Moore Ana Morales Alexis Morgan Cora Morgenroth Morgan Morris

Rachel Morris Nick Mortier Coral Moyer Emily Mulloy Charles Munoz Emily Murski Juan Navarro Tristan Neal Michael Nelson Simon Ngo Ryan Niesporek Gabrielle Norman Skylar Nugent Roguen O’Brien Erin O’Shea Erin O’Shea Mina Oakley Jocelyn Oliva Emma Omenson Kathleen Ortiz Christopher Osterhus Caleb Otte Elizabeth Overmyer Mary Kathryn Overton Joshua Palomarez Bailey Parsels Briana Patton Lacey Payne Citlaly Paz Michelle Perri Michelle Perschall Karson Pickard Ethan Ponton Emily Porterfield Kathryn Posey Charlee Poulin John Powers Emma Prigmore Ian Prigmore Julia Prokop Veronica Ramos Morgan Ray Kristen Reid Joshua Rennard Zoieana Reyna Jake Rice Cesar Rios Trinidad Christian Ripp Hunter Robbins Parker Roberts Jenna Robichaux Saylor Robinson Jackson Rodriguez Dalton Roger Jayson Rogers Shelby Rollo Matthew Roseland Karter Rosner Brandon Ross Logan Rushing Bryan Rutkowski Isabella Salazar Megan Salazar Morgan Sanford George Sayre Mariya Schmidt Cami Schoettlin Joshua Schreiber Skyler Schultz

Tanner Schwan Molly Scott Tyler Scott Bobby Seales Brooke Searcy Armando Selva Cristian Selva Cristian Selva Alexis Shannon Hannah Shippey Gabriel Shockley Dylan Shoultz Skyler Shultz Riley Sigerson Crosslin Silcott Macy Simko Corrina Simmons Cal Sims Brennan Skero Nadia Small Vlad Small Carlie Smith Coleten Smith Jacey Smith James Smith Reed Smith Sarah Smith Zoe Smith Jillian Smoak William Smoot Max Snelus Sara Snow Elizabeth Sokol Alexandria Spradlin Carson Stanley Abigail Stark Anthony Sterner Jack Stevens Christopher Stewart Lane Stewart Kevin Stimmel Jonah Stockman Savanna Strickland Gabriel Suddeth Skylar Suggitt Kendall Syska Dennis Taylor Annemarie Teagle Daniel Thompson Kadee Tiner Cameron Tipton Peyton Tipton Reagan Tipton Addison Tisdel Travis Toth Alex Troost Kelsey Trotti William Trulove Joshua Tucker Elizabeth Tudor Zachary Twomey Sean Tyler Andrea Unwin Crystal Vargas Sofia Vasquez Julia Vaughn Scarlett Vaughn Dafne Vazquez Jenna Vela

Aliah Vick Phedra Vick Joshua Vickers Michael Vickers Nathan Vidaurri Leonardo Villalpando Lucy Vogt Christopher Voss Amelia Wagnon Ashlee Wallace Erika Wallace Matthew Wallace Ethan Waller Cooper Ward Tyler Ward Sam Warr Emma Washburn Kaleigh Waskow Mia Wehby Jade Welby Carlos Welch Kaitlyn Wells Samantha Wells Brandy West Aiyana White Alyssa White Aryana White Benjamin White Matthew White Casey Whitehouse Blaine Whitfield Jack Wick Sam Wick Hannah Wilburn Jayme Wilkey Margaux Winandy Willow Wise Cameron Womack Jason Wood Wyatt Wood Isabella Yamawaki Matthew Yanez Kenneth Yarbrough Johan Yeager Thor Yeager Randie York Isabella Yuja Matthew Yuja Jessie Zamarippa Francis Zelasko Britelyn Zeleskey Georgia Zeleskey Ariel Zolton Nicholas Zolton

Feature

Kingwood Park Times

Sophomore Brooke Searcy sings “Before He Cheats” at the Humble Voice Competition. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

February 2019

7

Theater department shines in Alice in Wonderland The cast had five shows in January. All photos by Eliza Gonzalez.

Victorious Voice

Senior Morgan Morris threatens freshman Michael Kell during the theater department’s winter show Alice in Wonderland. Morris played the Red Queen and Kell was a soldier.

Searcy wins big honor in singing competition

by Crosslin Silcott

Sophomore Graci Schwan stars as Alice. In the second act, she sat on a tree stump while watching the Red Queen (senior Morgan Morris) and the Red King (Carson Griffing) play croquet.

Staff Writer Sophomore Brooke Searcy could not help but blanket her face with her hands when she heard her name announced as a winner of the Humble Voice competition.

“I was just shocked,” said Searcy. “‘I didn’t really believe it was happening until the next morning when I walked downstairs and my mom was like ‘good morning rodeo star!”’

Searcy was one out of 25 students who auditioned for the Humble Voice competition, in hopes of being one of the three winners selected to perform at the Humble Rodeo.

“Brooke is a very talented singer, but what stood her apart from the competition was her showmanship.

She chose a song (Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”) that the crowd really got into and she was engaged with the audience,” said Jerri Monbaron, Executive Director of Humble ISD Education Foundation. “In other words, she showed the marks of a true performer, someone who could sing and put on a show.”

Searcy has been working on her performing skills since the age of 3, when she first started doing beauty pageants. She and her two older sisters also took part in acting classes over the summers throughout their childhood.

“Brooke definitely got the singing genes,” said senior Katey Searcy, Brooke’s sister. “I’m more sporty and she’s more artsy.”

Katey Searcy was on the state champion volleyball team this year, and is a starter on the basketball team as well.

Their older sister, Kendall, also was a standout two-sport athlete with softball and volleyball. Brooke said she was always afraid of being different from her siblings, because she grew up wanting to be the same as them.

“At the beginning, I always thought it was weird and different and I didn’t really know how my parents could support me, because they also didn’t grow up singing,” Brooke Searcy said.

However, Brooke’s parents turned out to be her biggest supporters. ‘“My mom is always the person who gives me a really good pep talk before I sing, and my dad is always the one who says, ‘You should get yourself out

Photo by Crosslin Silcott

Covering her face in shock, sophomore Brooke Searcy is announced as one of the winners of the Humble Voice Competition.

Freshman Rayne Cutrer, who played the Mad Hatter, proclaims to be a “poor woman.” On the show’s last performance 320 people saw Alice in Wonderland.

Photo by Crosslin Silcott

Sophomore Brooke Searcy and other finalists of the competition stop to take a selfie before going on stage. there,”’ Brooke Searcy said.

Searcy said that she often puts herself down, telling herself that she’s not good enough. She was going to audition for Kingwood Park’s pop show last year, but she let her negative thoughts get the best of her and didn’t audition.

“I think, ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘They’re not going to like me’ and I try to back out,”’ Searcy said. “Sometimes I do back out, and I regret it so much because you’re not going to lose anything from trying.”

However, Searcy saw the posters around school and decided to audition for the Humble Voice competition. She almost let her nerves get the best of

her, but her friends and choir teacher, Ben Fahnders, encouraged her to do it.

“If it wasn’t for him and my friends, I wouldn’t have done it and I wouldn’t have experienced this,” Brooke Searcy said.

Searcy said she looks forward to singing at the Humble Rodeo and hopes to keep singing wherever she goes.

“It doesn’t matter if I go into Broadway musical theater or if I just sing gigs at restaurants,” Brooke Searcy said. “I just want to keep on singing and never really give up on it.”

Sophomore Emily Porterfield and senior Carson Griffing perform during the second act of Alice in Wonderland.

8

feat

February 2019

Career tra

by Sara Geiger Staff Writer

Photo by Sara Geiger

Senior Bobby Seales uses a sander to smooth out the hood of a car at Kenneth’s Car Care on Northpark. Seales takes automotive technology class at Kingwood High School during first and second period. He is an aide in Jeff Wilson’s auto collision class during fifth period, and then he works at Kenneth’s Car Care during sixth and seventh period.

Seales works toward dreams of own shop

by Gabby Norman

Staff Writer Bobby Seales already knows what he wants to do with his future.

The senior dreams of one day opening his own body shop. Until then, he is a practicum student in auto collision.

During his 6th and 7th period classes, he goes to work at Ken’s Complete Car Care. Seales’ job wasn’t just handed to him; however.

“He hunted nonstop,” auto collision teacher Jeff Wilson said. “He literally would call every day, filling out the applications. He worked at it and worked at it and worked at it. I’m not talking for a week or two; I’m talking about months, and he finally got the job.”

The auto collision field isn’t just about fixing cars. There’s a certain set of skills and determination required.

“It shows you what companies do when a car wrecks, and what will happen if you get into a wreck, what to replace, what to fix and what doesn’t need to be fixed,” Seales said.

Wilson teaches his students automotive basics, which is general knowledge of all automotives. He then moves on to honing their skills. Refinishing is also a big aspect of the class, with many students working on their painting skills. Seales picked everything up fairly quickly with the exception of refinishing.

Seales “improved a hundred times fold. He went from zero knowledge to a lot of knowledge,” Wilson said. “He was really challenged with the refinishing aspect of it, was having trouble getting the actual processes down. But after practice and many, many mistakes, he finally got it.”

Wilson can’t just give normal grades on these projects.

“He grades our safety when working, and when we are learning how to paint, how we paint it, and how it looks. If we messed up and had to start over, he grades that,” Seales said.

Seales is graduating this year with aspirations of opening his own body shop. He wants to name it something funny like Bobbylicious.

His favorite memories from high school so far are of his days in the shop with his friends.

“In groups when painting, we’ll have fun and work at the same time instead of just working,” Seales said. “I like it when we just talk and have fun. I like being hands-on because it keeps me motivated.”

Seales is inspired by his classmates’ work, especially that of Destiny Armendariz.

“Destiny inspired me with her painting, her skill at it,” Seales said.

“She’ll do any cool detail in it. She’ll do this one where it’ll look like rock… she can do flames that look real.”

Wilson has great hopes for Seales in the future, knowing that his drive and respect could help him achieve his dreams.

“Students like him are the reason I chose to be a teacher,” Wilson said. “He has a lot of respect for his elders, for his teachers and for a lot of us. I hope that he’ll one day fulfill his dream of owning his own shop and being his own boss. He deserves every opportunity to achieve his goals. He’s going to be an outstanding member of society and a good man.”

Photo by Dakota Mercer

Junior Kyle Maple works with instructor Jeff Wilson during his collision repair class. He spends first and second period in the auto collision classroom.

IN THEIR WORDS

Auto collision students on how the class has impacted them.

“I own my own business - Mobile Car Wash. I go to people’s houses and wash their cars for them. I’m an aide for 5th period, and I help teach the new students.”

- Zachary Martinez, 12

“It’s helped me look at how money actually works and how the real world works. Because of my teacher Mr. Wilson, I am where I am right now. I have the job that I have, the truck that I have, and I don’t know where I would be without that class.”

- Julian Guerrero, 12

“I just push myself to the limit, try to get faster at it, so that when I’m done I can do whatever else I need to do.

There’s some paperwork that you have to do, but as soon as you do that, it’s fun. You get to be in the workshop, and when you mess up something, you can redo it.

You don’t have to be mad. It’s not stressful when you’re doing it. Don’t be afraid to asked questions.”

- Bobby Seales, 12

From frosting cookies to welding a horseshoe, Kingwood Park offers many opportunities for students to learn new skills. However, not all are on campus. Off-campus courses, such as culinary arts, pharmacy tech, cosmetology and welding offer students valuable skills and certifications they can utilize in the job force.

Junior Izzy Hargrave is in the culinary arts program held at Summer Creek High School. She plans to use the skills she’s learning in the class as she pursues a career as a professional chef. Hargrave said Chef Daniella Jenkins, the head of the class, is very passionate about preparing her students for the reality of the food industry.

“Chef puts us in stressful situations because that’s what it will be like in the real world,” Hargrave said.

Hargrave said one of the biggest challenges in the class was preparing the food to Chef Jenkins’ standard. In the end, she agrees the stress leads to a better product.

“It forces me to be patient, take my time and look two times at the recipe before I get started,” Hargrave said.

Prior to beginning any cooking project, the students first get their food-handling permit at the beginning of the school year. The food the class cooks is either for a catering order or a donation to local homeless shelters.

“In my future, I want to help people,” Hargrave said. “Food is something that can help a lot of people.”

Senior Logan Hernandez is in his second year studying phar- senior Moises Smith macy tech. He looks forward to using his certification to get a job in college to help pay his expenses. Hernandez works at Walgreens four days a week and has class at the Career/Technical Education (CTE) center near Humble High one day a week.

Of his many responsibilities, he said the hardest of all is memorizing the names of the medications.

“There are over 200 different drugs,” Hernandez said. “I have to know their generic and brand names, and their uses.”

For Hernandez, the best part of the class has been all the new friends he was able to make through the program. Students from different schools all over Humble ISD are in the same classroom at the CTE center.

“I got to know everyone really well in Pharmacy Tech 1,” Hernandez said. “It was great to meet new people and make new friends.”

The welding class at Atascocita High School attracts many budding tradesmen. Senior Moises Smith has learned a lot in one semester. The students in William Dobbins’ class learn the basics of welding and how to put metal pieces together.

“It’s different,” Smith said, “It’s not like your normal classes. You learn a skill you can use your whole life.”

"(Welding class) is different. It’s not like your normal classes. You learn a skill you can use your whole life."

ture

Kingwood Park Times

9

aining thrives in CTE classes

Photo by Sara Geiger

Junior Izzy Hargrave arranges cookies on a platter during the culinary arts class she attends at Summer Creek High School during sixth and seventh period.

Photo by Sara Geiger

Sparks fly as senior Moises Smith welds horesehoes together during welding class in January. He is one of a number of Kingwood Park students who travel to Atascocita High School each day to work in the double-blocked class.

Photo by Sara Geiger

Senior Leo Villalpando chops onions during culinary arts class with chef Daniela Jenkins at Summer Creek High School.

OFF-CAMPUS OFFERINGS CTE classes offered in the 2019-20 school year include:

Photos by Sara Geiger

Senior Tanner Schwan works on a project in welding class at Atascocita High School. The class is held during sixth and seventh periods.

Senior Logan Hernandez reaches for a bottle at a Walgreens pharmacy in Kingwood. He spends sixth and seventh period there four days a week working as a pharmacy technician student.

Construction Technology @ KHS Electrical Tech @ HHS Medical Billing and Coding @ CATE Education and Training @ KPHS Pharmacy Tech @ CATE Sports Medicine @ CATE Hospitality Services @ CATE Culinary Arts @ SCHS Human Services @ KPHS Cosmetology @ HHS Computer Technician @ CATE Firefighter @ Lone Star Welding @ AHS Real Estate Agent @ KHS Robotics @ KHS Collision Repair @ KPHS Auto Tech @ KHS

10

Sports

February 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Varsity starters excel while juggling multiple sports With multiple seasons overlapping, seniors still find way to excel in more than one sport.

by Vallery King Staff Writer All five starters for the girls’ basketball team are two-sport athletes. Two play softball, two play soccer, one plays volleyball. With the support of basketball coaches Leighann Wolfe and Kyle Dray, the five find a way to juggle it all.

“We believe that other sports are very important,” Dray said. “We ask the kids, especially (in) their freshman year to try at least one other sport,” Seniors Allie Byrd, Shelby Rollo, Kaylyn Daniel and Katey Searcy and sophomore Aaliyah Bustamante take advantage of Kingwood Park being a school that encourages students to play multiple sports.

Playing different sports can help develop a better and stronger athlete.

“I enjoy that both sports have something that benefits the other,” said Byrd, who is the basketball program’s scoring leader with more than 2,000 points. She also leads the girls’ soccer team in goals.

For Rollo, being a part of basketball and softball teams have taught her key life lessons.

“Playing these sports have shaped me into the person I am today and has taught me a lot about myself, not only as a teammate, but as a person overall,” Rollo said.

These athletes face several challenges and make many sacrifices. Sometimes it’s difficult to go to practice or a game because that means giving up being a normal teen and hanging out with friends.

Some have no offseason.

“Luckily, they become friends with those they are in season with so they’re still spending time with their friends,” Dray said.

Time management is also a struggle.

Keeping up with school so that they can remain eligible is a challenge as well. Those who also juggle AP classes

Photo by Eliza Gonzalez

Senior Shelby Rollo is ready on defense against Huntsville at home on Jan. 4. The girls suffered a rare loss to Huntsville, 39-31. They rattled off six-consecutive victories in January after the loss.

Photo by Sadie Lewis

Senior Allie Byrd looks for a pass against Montgomery in a 60-24 victory on Jan. 8.

Byrd became the program’s all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 points in January. She has 65 career goals for the soccer team as well. must find a way to balance it all.

“It can affect my school work at times, but only if I let it,” Rollo said.

“Like, yes, there have been times when I have a game one night and by the time I get home I’m too tired to do my homework and end up staying up all night or not doing it at all. But that is my fault because I probably procrastinated the night before,” Rollo said.

Having to choose between games or practices can be hard, especially when everyone is counting on you. The coaches try to help them by talking it out, planning and letting the girls have a choice. The girls are allowed to voice their opinion.

“Both coaches expect you to be there, so you have to choose, and that’s where it can get difficult,” Byrd said. “Since

there are a lot of games and practices for both sports, when I don’t have a game for that sport there’s one for this sport. I never have a day off just to get my work done.”

To be a multi-sport athlete, it takes work.

“It’s hard on the younger players as they are trying to figure out that routine and schedule, and figuring out what things they are going to have to give up to have time to do multiple sports,” Dray said.

Searcy started high school as a three-sport athlete. When basketball and volleyball ended she went to track.

While she eventually quit track, she stayed in basketball because she liked the girls she played beside.

“It’s a testament to the kids that we have year in and year out that the kids just want to be together,” Dray said.

Rollo is proud of what the softball and basketball teams have accomplished the last few years.

She is pleased to say she couldn’t have asked for better teammates. She hopes the basketball team can make it to the state tournament to finish off high school with a bang.

“I’m going to miss the friendships,

all the memories we shared and being able to compete in the games, but I’m excited for my future and to experience new things,” Rollo said.

Even though Byrd has had much success in basketball she has decided to stay with soccer. She will continue her career playing soccer at the University of North Texas.

Daniel will also keep playing in college. She signed to play softball at St. Mary’s University next year.

“Just go for it, because at the end of the day if you enjoy it, you’d regret not playing,” Byrd said.

Searcy won’t play in college. She has been giving it her all to make her last year the best ever. She hopes to continue playing club sports for fun and to never forget her days at Kingwood Park.

“Being able to finish out my senior year with winning state in volleyball was definitely something I will never forget, because all my hard work paid off,” Searcy said.

She is ready to make another postseason run in basketball as well.

“It’s my last hoorah, so I’m going as hard as I can,” Searcy said.

New point guards share key role

by Sadie Lewis Staff Writer The boys basketball team had to find a way to fill the void after point guard Trey Doss graduated last year. Three players stepped up.

Seniors Anthony Curtis and Austin Farmer and junior Josh Recendez split time at the key position.

“It’s very challenging having a lot of the varsity players leave,” coach Jeffrey Hamilton said. “They had to figure out their strengths and their weaknesses as a team this year.”

Recendez and Curtis have different mindsets on the court. Curtis is a score-first type of player. Recendez is more apt to look for an open teammate to give an assist.

Curtis and Farmer were on junior varsity last year, but they made their way up to varsity. Recendez is in his

first year at Kingwood Park.

In the beginning of the season, Curtis was on and off the ball as a post, but he now takes on the main position as the point guard.

Recendez adapted to the program quickly and tries to play to his strengths on the court.

“I hustle pretty well and I’m a decent defender and passer, but I shoot the ball consistently,” he said. “I have games where I make my shots. Then next (game) I can’t make any. I feel like I’ve improved myself mentally more than anything.”

Farmer is finishing up his last year as point guard.

“He is a young man who is committed to himself, to the team, to the program and leads by example,” Hamilton said.

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Junior Josh Recendez calls a play during a 41-32 victory over Santa Fe on Nov. 27.

Senior Anthony Curtis sets up a play against Tomball on Jan. 22. The Panthers lost in double overtime 60-56.

This was one of only two losses in January for the Panthers. They won five of the seven games they played last month.

Photo by Taylor Rankin

sports

Kingwood Park Times

February 2019

11

New field yields new opportunities The newly installed turf field benefits a number of sports teams, including the girls and boys soccer teams.

by Gabby Norman Staff Writer When turf fields were created in 1965, it sparked a debate that still lives on today: Stay natural with a grass field, or have turf installed?

Humble ISD took a clear side on this dispute when it had a brand new turf field installed in every school in the district.

“It was good because it puts us on a level playing field as far as competition,” girls soccer coach Jess White said. “There are a lot of schools that when there’s bad weather, those teams can just walk out and still practice, whereas we had to jockey for positions to still prepare our athletes for competition, and a turf field is going to help solve a lot of those issues.”

Coaches and athletes are excited for the new opportunities that this field will afford.

“It’s definitely nice,” junior soccer player Carlos Gallegos said. “It’s nice to look at, cool to the eye. Because the turf is perfectly flat, it’s easier to play on; but when it rains, it’s a bit slippery. Other than that, the turf is nice. I like it.”

The impact of the new field on practices and games has been huge.

Before, games would be rained out and the field would be muddy for days, preventing the teams from playing.

“We always have a field to play on, we have somewhere to go,” boys

coach Ryan Searle said. “As a soccer coach, I prefer turf over grass because we are guaranteed the games, we get the games in, and the field is always in good condition.”

Another benefit of this new field is that the soccer teams no longer have to play at Turner Stadium.

“Before, we had to fight high schools for Turner, for the times,” Searle said. “Now that we have this field, they know we will be playing on this field at this time.

The girls and boys varsity soccer teams have started strong, what with both the men’s and women’s teams being undefeated in district. Both have hopes of going to the state championships. For now, however, they have to maintain a “one game at a time” philosophy.

“We’re deeper, the roster is more competitive, and we’re faster than last year,” White said. “Making it to the state semifinals was a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to all their hard work last year, and we would love to repeat that, but right now we have to look at what’s ahead of us.”

Throughout the season, the teams can get worn down and lose focus due to the abundance of games and practices. The coaches and athletes alike know that keeping a goal in mind and working as a team is the only way to get through it.

“We’re more composed, have more confidence, and are working really well together, better than in the past,” Searle said. “Our ultimate goal is State, but we always take it game by game. [The hardest part is] just the grind of the season. We’ve got a lot of games this year, and we’ve got to keep our focus. As long as we keep our focus and we put forth effort and work as a team, as a unit, everything will be fine.”

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

Sophomore Lori Do works to get the ball as senior Taylor Debroskey provides support. The girls’ soccer team is undefeated in district play and undefeated at home on their new turf field.

Junior Robert Henry looks up the field as a defender closes in on him. The boys have had a lot of success during the first part of the season.

Photo by Maria Landy Garcia

Fast suits key component in run to state championships Costly swimsuits provide extra boost for swimmers in key races.

by Rafael Boecher Staff Writer Swimmers are making final preparations with the state championships Feb. 15-16. They have cut down their distance in practice, and they’re trying to make sure their performance is worthy of victory. Once they’ve reached their goal, there’s yet another thing that will boost their abilities: the fast suit.

The fast suit is a special type of suit made for competitive swimmers.

Special tech is used to create them; and it involves lots of research, testing and redesigning. Their purpose is to cut down the time in which the swimmers are in the water by minimizing the amount of resistance they face while racing.

Each type of suit is made with special types of material for the best speed in the water, with certain designs associated with certain brands.

“You do a lot of research to figure out what kind you want and how much it’ll help for the events you swim,” junior Lauren Ives said, “because they

Photo courtesy of Michael Scott

Photo by Eliza Gonzalez

Junior Braden Hunt competes in the 100 butterfly during a home meet. The boys and girls swim teams won the district meet.

Each team finished in the top three at the state meet last year and hope to do the same this year. make different ones that are better for each swim.”

The prices for these suits vary. For the boys, the suits cost around $200, while the girls suits can cost up to $600.

The tech used for these suits is what

hikes these prices so high. Despite this, they will only be usable for 4-5 meets before being rendered useless.

“I usually buy two at a time so I can have one for a morning and one for an afternoon,” senior David Clark

said. “But I’ve bought more than 20 over the years.”

While the tech definitely offers a lot of aid, it’s safe to say that the mindset of the swimmer is what makes the biggest difference in the end.

At the state meet last year, junior Brendan Flaherty wore a fast suit. The special suits only last about four meets. The swimmers have new ones to wear for this year’s regional and state meets.

“It’s more the mentality,” Clark said. “It does make you more aerodynamic, but not by much. You need to have the mindset that you’re going to go fast.”

12

sports

February 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Discipline, accountability crucial in cutting weight One of the biggest challenges in wrestling is being the correct weight, so cutting weight is not uncommon.

by Taylor Rankin Staff Writer Connor Wood was just a sophomore, but he knew he was going to be in trouble if the scale teetered past 172 pounds. He was preparing to weigh in for the regional match, for which he worked so hard to qualify.

He stood among the other wrestlers wearing just their undergarments.

Wood dreaded stepping on the scale.

He had gained some weight over Christmas break, and he was 171.5 pounds the last time he weighed himself. The ref first checked his skin for any rashes or diseases. Then they checked his nails to make sure they were not too long. The scale came last.

“I was stressing out and I was nervous,” Wood said of the possibility of being disqualified. “I ended up weighing 171.8 pounds, so I made it by .2.”

Trying to make weight at each meet can be a challenge for wrestlers who tip the scale toward the higher end of their weight classes. Running, dieting and sweating out the weight are some of the ways wrestlers work to stay eligible.

“Running is what works best for me. I lost around four pounds in one practice just from running and sweating,” Chris Stewart said.

Stewart had a scare in mid January when he was 162.7 pounds. He had 30 minutes to lose the weight needed

Photo by Katey Searcy

Chris Stewart, 12, and Grant Golden, 9, practice referee’s position. This is a crucial part of a wrestling match. Stewart is preparing to go to district competition.

Connor Wood, 12, and Christian Leierer, 11, are all smiles as the friends practice. Leierer is attempting to pin Wood, which is one of the ways a match can be won. Both are going to district and have hopes for competing at the state meet.

Photo by Katey Searcy

to get to 162 pounds.

“Before my meet I did a bunch of jumping jacks, push ups, ran over a mile and I was wearing sweats so I sweated it all off,” he siad. “When I went back to weigh in I had weighed 160.6, losing a little over two pounds.”

For dieting there is very little that you’re allowed to eat. Cutting out carbs and eating stuff not too filling is a hard thing to accomplish. Sometimes coming up with a system helps.

“Some things that I can eat are chicken, vegetables and protein like

peanuts and cheese,” Stewart said.

“Two days before my matches I eat, then I run a lot. After my matches I will eat something filling but healthy.”

According to coach Jeff Knight, the idea in weight cutting is that you would have an advantage by wrestling at a lower weight class than your natural weight. However, it takes a lot of discipline to avoid soft drinks and pizzas.

“Discipline is key in wrestling. You can’t have a cheat day. I’ve tried and it did not work,” Stewart said. “Stick to your diet, make an eating plan and try

to cut out all the stuff that isn’t healthy for you.”

It’s tough to maintain a certain weight throughout the season. Having encouragement, help from each other, and pushing each other in workouts really helps the wrestlers stay on track.

“There is a lot of support in the team. It’s a big team effort, making sure everyone is holding each other accountable to qualify to make the weight,” Stewart said.

They have all learned lessons they can use beyond wrestling.

“Especially with cutting weight I have learned discipline,” Leierer said.

“Wrestling has taught me to compete better. It’s taught me character and how to handle your wins and losses.”

For some of the kids wrestling has taught them to push their limits in ways they didn’t think they could even do.

That includes before matches when they are preparing and making weight.

It also is during six-minute matches.

“You can do anything for six minutes. You can push your body ways you never knew you can,” Wood said.

Golfers in midst of tournament season With tournaments often on their schedules, the girls and boys golf teams have practiced every chance weather has permitted.

Junior Carter Korb. Photo by Vallery King.

Senior Brett Mennen and Senior Bethany Bruton. Photo by Vallery King.

Senior Kristen Arcizo. Photo by Sara Geiger.

MATERIAL WONDERS Focusing on providing the best experience and our extreme attention to detail to every customer’s order. mymaterialwonders.com 3019 Woodland Hills Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339 281-358-4433

sports

Kingwood Park Times

February 2019

13

Friendship helps Grofman keep throwing strikes Pitcher-catcher duo rely on longtime friendship to help them through hours of practices and games each week.

by Holly Emms Staff Writer Being on the same high school team isn’t enough for best friends Ronni Grofman and Abigayle Forrester. The pitcher-catcher duo also play on the same club team, Aces Express-Jacoby.

Whether it’s for high school practices, club practices or even pitching lessons, Forrester is alway there as a catcher and as a friend. With two high school seasons left, the two have already shared many great memories.

“On the bus driving to our games we would always get into the weirdest poses and take a bunch of funny pictures,” Forrester said. “We would get laughed at by our team, but we didn’t care. We were having a blast.”

The two juniors are expected to be key contributors on a team that last season reached the third round of the playoffs. Since last season ended, the majority of the varsity starters graduated. Head coach Sara Koym has five returning starters.

“Our number one priority for this season is to encourage our team, stay positive and give 100 percent all the time,” Koym said.

Koym said she expects big things from Grofman and Forrester.

“They have an advantage this season because they have played together for quite a few years now, so they know

Photo by Eliza Gonzalez

Catcher Abigayle Forrester, 11, tries to help her pitchers, like Ronni Grofman, relax when games get stressful.

The infield huddles on the mound during the first scrimmage of the year.-Photo by Eliza Gonzalez

Junior Ronni Grofman pitches in the team’s first scrimmage of the year on Jan. 29.

Grofman was a key contributor on last year’s team, which reached the third round of the playoffs. each other very well and can communicate together when needed,” Koym said. “When they play together their performance is so critical. Usually they are on the same page and can always

count on each other.”

Grofman said it is a key point to stay positive through the whole game and to lift the team up. However, that is not always easy to do, especially for a

Photo by Eliza Gonzalez

pitcher. Forrester said part of her job is keeping Grofman relaxed in tough situations.

“We have some inside jokes between the two of us,” Forrester said.

“Whenever she is stressed or tired, I will usually tell her an inside joke and say something positive to lift her up.”

New year, same goals as squad shoots for return to State Tournament The baseball team graduated 19 players last year after losing in the 5A State Tournament semi-finals.

by Taylor Rankin Staff Writer A year after losing in the 5A State baseball tournament to eventual champions V.R. Eaton, the varsity players are ready and looking forward to the upcoming season. Nineteen varsity players graduated last year, including four starters. Many new varsity players hope to continue the team’s success.

“The new guys on varsity will have to learn from the returning varsity players if we want to experience that kind of success again,” head coach Bruce Cox said. “It is going to be hard, but we believe we can with a great approach to the day-to-day grind. We have to move on from last year if we want a chance to do it again.”

Pre-season rankings have not been released, but the team is expected to be ranked high. The Panthers went into last season ranked number 4 in 5A by Vype Magazine.

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is how we prepare and how we play,” Cox said.

The players work really hard everyday, and they know the game very well.

“I feel like the relationship between

Photo by Daniela Lugo Castro

Sophomore Trent May works on running the bases during practice on Jan. 30. The boys start district play this month. the players and between the coaches and players was at an elite level last year,” Cox said.

Some of the key players ready to try to achieve that success again include: seniors Clay Sowell, Brandon Mad-

den, Tommy Ivey, Parker Roberts, Matthew Burke, sophomore Matt King and juniors A.J. Gonzalez and Jackson Rodriguez.

“I am looking forward to all of the new players, getting them better and

making our team even better than last year,” Ivey said.

The baseball team has had a dramatic change in leadership over the years, and some players credit that with the recent success. They do not

have any “captains” because all of the players are expected to lead by example or vocally.

“My freshman year there wasn’t a whole lot of senior leadership, and that team didn’t go very far,” Rodriguez said. “My sophomore year there was a big amount of leadership and everyone worked hard and wanted to go far so we ended up going farther than the recent year.”

Putting aside time for school is challenging, especially when players have plans with friends as well as a practice five to six days a week and 33 games scheduled for the season including the playoffs.

“A lot of times for me, sports comes first,” Rodriguez said. “But work hard in school and work hard in sports.

Friends is whatever time you have left over.”

The coaches have influenced many of the players, pushing them to be the best they can be and becoming some of their biggest role models.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They have taught me to be a leader on and off the fields and to take care of stuff in your control and the rest will follow,” Sowell said.

Last year, Cox was named 2018 Coach of the Year by the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association and it was a great honor for him.

More importantly, to Cox, it brought more recognition to the program.

“Coach of the Year means your players played really well, which that belongs to them,” Cox said. “That award was for my boys in the program.”

14

February 2019

opinion

POINT-COUNTERPOINT: SHOULD HOMEWORK BE REQUIRED?

Homework helps us The importance of homework is a subject under constant debate within education. Despite the circumstances, homework actually is helpful to the students who complete it, and there are many reasons behind it.

The main reason for homework is to help students get a grip on the lesson out of school. Reviewing material on your own and applying your own knowledge is a great way to grasp a concept faster than you would if you only did work in class. It can also help

BY RAFAEL with realizing exactly what you’re strugBOECHER gling with so that you’re able to get the assistance you need.

Homework also builds responsibility.

To get it done, you need to manage your time right and hold yourself responsible for getting it done. Getting that work in is a great way to motivate yourself to keep working and have your papers done on time.

Not only that, but homework can even help with building up your self-esteem. A student being able to complete their work in a timely manner will make them more confident in their own abilities, thus feeling better about themselves and their accomplishments.

Many people claim that homework offers nothing but stress to the students who receive it. When done wrong and piled up too much, yes, homework can become nothing more than a source of anxiety for the students who deal with it. But as shown, that is only an issue when done incorrectly.

Homework given out at a reasonable pace with the materials gone over in class is the way it is supposed to be done. Students actually begin to feel happier when completing homework and being able to turn it in on time. It can boost their

morale and their motivation to work in class.

So, despite the backlash it may get, homework is a good and beneficial thing to have in your classes. The goal is to help students review things so that they don’t struggle, and those who do are able to pinpoint where they need help and why. It allows for teachers to keep up with their students and, overall, keeps a class doing its best.

Too much homework is harmful The transition between middle school and high school is a huge change. The biggest thing incoming freshmen are worried about is the amount of work they might receive throughout the next four years.

“A majority of these

BY AVA students (68 LEE percent) experienced a drop of grades in the first semester and reported feeling stress as a result,” said Youki Terada, writing for educational article foundation Edutopia.

Many students in school tend to not do their homework or struggle to get it done. Some teachers have consequences for not completing homework, which can lead to a drop in grades; and that’s very upsetting to them and especially their parents. While a number of students do simply complain about homework because they do not like it, others try to scramble to get it done despite family obligations, work hours and other school extracurriculars.

Most of the homework at Kingwood Park is put on Schoology. Some kids don’t have the technology or equipment to get on at home. Homework is always due the next day, and the time some students have in the mornings isn’t enough.

Also, most deadlines are very early. Giving students one day to process all the notes they give, along with more work, just isn’t enough. Teachers should give students the time to get their heads together. Some students aren’t as fast learners as others.

That gives them a disadvantage on the assignment.

Most schools also have after school activities like sports, clubs, tutoring, etc. In high school, students are battling the time to find room for drivers ed, hobbies and still get a decent amount of sleep for the next day.

Teachers also hand out homework on a Friday. However, weekends are the only breaks students get for the next 10 months. It’s essential that they can stop and take a breather every once in a while.

Otherwise they stress out and overwhelm themselves trying to get things done, then, ugh: Acne. The stress we receive causes acne, then acne causes self-esteem issues, and self-esteem issues lead to negativity.

It’s just a chain of unwanted things.

Research shows that high schoolers should be getting more emotional support rather than academic support during these four years. Stress leads students to become irritable and depressed. Homework doesn’t cause mental illness, but it can increase the chances of it.

Expecting students to keep up with work after seven hours of learning in school is unrealistic. Along with keeping up with other activities and the things required at home are piles upon piles of chores to do. At the end of the day students are stressed from the amount of work they’ve had to finish and it just keeps getting worse with homework.

Kingwood Park Times

Ugliness needs to end, acceptance needs to begin After the freshman Day of Service, all the students who served their community gathered to eat pizza, ice cream and dance. It was supposed to be a time where we reflected on all the good that we had done for people around.

But not everyone took that message to heart.

After coming back from the school where I served, I was standing among hundreds of other freshmen, trying to listen to the speakers who wanted to share their experiences; but the group of boys standing not three feet away from me made that impossible. As presenters started talking, they started laughing. I thought that, at first, it was just a joke that one of the boys had cracked. It took me a minute, but I soon realized that wasn’t it. They were laughing at her, a girl they didn’t even know.

They called her fat and ugly and profane names. I was standing there, frozen. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t breathe or move. By the time I gathered my courage to tell them to stop, it was too late. They had melted away into the crowd.

In today’s world, this is becoming an all-too-common epidemic. Boys and girls make fun of people just because they may be their definition of “weird,” or may not look like

BY GABBY what society deems beautiful.

NORMAN When this happens, we just accept it. Sometimes, we do it ourselves, looking in the mirror and seeing only imperfections. People can tell you that you look pretty, and that gives a person a temporary feeling of warmth; but that only does so much against the hardening of the heart done by the ostracization and hateful words of others.

I will admit, I had this problem. There was a time I was so miserable thinking that if I would just do this or say that all my problems would melt away. I would forget the hateful words and actions, the memories of which seemed more important than they needed to be. I became so focused on the bad that I forgot to look for the good.

This time, it was that group of guys. Next, it could be a “popular girl” making fun of a nerdy boy or that group of friends that always laughs at a kid for asking questions in class.

Everyone talks about stopping the ugliness, but no one ever takes a real stand. As much as I hate to say it, this isn’t going to end. There will always be people that only judge a person on their appearance, and this is never going to be right.

I know that one can’t simply forget these memories, and life does go on. The only way I got over my problems was to surround myself with a group of loving friends I knew wouldn’t say snide things behind my back or judge me. Compared to others, I know I haven’t had a real struggle, but I know that for so many, they hate leaving their house because they are sick and tired of the name-calling and mockery.

Nobody is perfect, and I think that it’s high time that some of us remember that. If you think that you’re perfect, chances are that you are not. We shouldn’t want to be perfect, we should want to be the people that ask the questions and sing at the top of our lungs, even if we are a little off-key.

I leave this with two messages: one to the bully and one to the victim.

To the bully: You need to stop. By making fun of someone for being different, you make all the bystanders see you as a person who they don’t want to be associated with. You are no better than whoever you are teasing.

To the victims: As friends do, my friends like to call me weird.

I love it when they do this because it gives me the chance to answer back with a principle I deeply believe. All of the interesting people are weird. You shouldn’t want to be “normal.” I, for one, would much rather be me.

Confidence not easy to possess, but key to success Many never succeed over the fear of failing, of disappointing others or making a permanent decision. Even if unhappy, fear makes people stay in place, frozen by the thought of something unfamiliar.

The world is full of people who have achieved things incredible and unimaginable to anyone “ordinary.” Almost

BY NATALIE everyone has said, “I wish I could do that” or “I could never do that.” Even MOUNT though many set goals to achieve just as much, only an elite few ever fulfill their dream goals.

You might say the ones who fall short weren’t talented

enough. They had less opportunities. They had less money.

While this can affect your goals, a person’s mindset and confidence have a bigger impact.

Many thoughts fill your mind and lower your confidence.

You are your biggest critic, so failure is tough to face without beating yourself up mentally.

For me, any task that requires a certain amount of skill tests my confidence. As a kid, I was more confident; I asked questions and I wasn’t afraid to do my best even if it wasn’t perfect. Now, my lack of confidence always makes me hesitate out of the fear of failing. In the back of my mind, I know failing is inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing. However, my mind whispers negative feedback at every step, even when others congratulate me. I can’t accept that it’s the truth.

Trying to change this mindset is hard but the hardest step is starting. Filling your thoughts with positive feedback is the best thing to mute that voice in your head. Yes, all those cheesy phrases that have been drilled in your head since you were young. Instead of “I’ll never be good enough” encourage yourself with “Never give up” or “Nobody is perfect and I’m no exception.”

Personally, I’ve tried getting my courage back from these tips and seen some improvement. Obviously, I’m not confident yet; but persisting even when you see no change is essential for improvement. One of the most important parts of getting better is knowing you need help and being aware of what is holding you back.

opinion

Kingwood Park Times

February 2019

15

EDITOR'S CORNER

Swim team provides perfect home for four years Ten years ago, my family signed me up for the neighborhood swim team. I didn’t know anything about competitive swimming. All I saw was an opportunity to jump into the cool pool in the heat of the summer.

Practices were easy and lasted only 30 minutes. I spent it all talking to other the kids.

Fast forward to 2014, the summer before my eighth grade year. I was back at the summer league pool, putting on my cap and goggles when I noticed a kid with a Kingwood Park swimming backpack and shirt. I had heard about Kingwood Park High School before, but I lived in a neighborhood zoned to Kingwood, so seeing Panther gear was uncommon.

My curiosity was through

BY NICK FARACE the roof, so I asked the only question I could think of: “Do you swim for KPARK?” He replied with a simple, “Yea.” I recall doing a quick Google search for Kingwood Park Swimming, and seeing the big natatorium and a bunch of smiling swimmers.

My next question was about the team’s coach. I was nervous to hear that he was intense during practice, even though the swimmer assured me he was a fun guy otherwise.

I later found out that the kid I talked to that day was Brandon Gillispie, one of the strongest swimmers on the team.

They went on to win a state title that season. Once I learned of this, I knew I wanted to be part of the Kingwood Park swim program.

On the first day of my freshman year, I hopped into lane eight of the pool with the directions to swim a 200 easy. It was tryout day and I was fresh meat. I knew nobody on the team. They were big, muscular and had deep voices. As I

Photo Kathleen Ortiz

Senior Nick Farace competes in the breaststroke at the first home swim meet of the year. swam, I could feel the eyes of all the older swimmers looking at me across the pool, perhaps planning their prank on the newest arrival to the team. After swimming the 200, the coach came up to me with a great surprise.

“That looked really good, welcome to the team,” Greg McLain said with a grin.

That team in 2015-16 brought me under their wings and showed me the ropes of not only great swimming but high school in general. I had no idea that three district titles, three

region titles and multiple trips to the state championships were in my future. My swim journey may be coming to an end, but the legacy and dynasty still lives on down at the pool. The banners and record boards tell the story of each season one by one, allowing the trials, the tears, and the victories to speak volumes to all who enter the natatorium that I was lucky enough to call home for the last four years.

With Valentine’s Day nearing, what would be your ideal date?

“Hawaii and go surf"Go to a fancy dinner ing then go to Texas and eat italian food.”

Roadhouse.”

- junior

-freshman Natalia Lizalde Brandon Rose

"Go on a yacht and look at the sunset while having a chef cook for us.”

-junior Jakob Rios

"Go on a picnic in a park.”

- senior Robert Hyland

Kingwood Park Times

"Picnic, blanket, lap"Go to Italy and go on top, bed of a truck, at a boat ride.” sunset with food.”

-sophomore -junior Christian Medina Sofia Mendez

Editor in Chief Nick Farace

News Editor

Autumarie Kellett

Writers/Photographers

Rafael Boecher, Blanca Cantu, Maria Landy Garcia, Crosslin Silcott, Sara Geiger, Eliza Gonzalez, Vallery King, John Lawson, Trinity Curl, Jayme Wilkey, Gabby Norman, Kathleen Ortiz, Ava Lee, Sadie Lewis, Daniela Lugo Castro, Taylor Rankin, Natalie Mount, Richard Rivera, Bella Cruz and Holly Emms.

Adviser

Megan Ortiz

Kingwood Park High School 4015 Woodland Hills Kingwood, TX 77339 281-641-6696 February 2019 Volume 5, Issue 3 The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

16

Last Look

February 2019

Places to go and things to see in

2019

Kingwood Park Times

Selfie Sensational Take a road trip downtown for photo shoots at some of these hot spots.

Photos by Sara Geiger.

The Oscar goes to...

Captain Marvel March 8

Dumbo March 29

Avengers: Engame April 26

The Lion King July 19

it: Chapter 2 Sept. 6

Spider-Man: Far From Home July 5

The Art Of Losing

By Lizzy Mason Feb. 19

Ruse

By Cindy Pon March. 12

Internment

By Samira Ahmed March. 19

Normal People

By Sally Rooney April 16

Books to check out...

On The Come Up

By Angie Thomas Feb. 5

Bloodwitch

By Susan Dennard Feb. 12

#HTX WINGS 2011 Leeland St. This classic mural reading “sky’s the limit” is a great opportunity to show your Houston pride.

Find your boots. It’s rodeo time...

Houston Rodeo Concert Lineup Kacey Musgraves (Feb. 25) Prince Royce (Feb. 26) Brooks and Dunn (Feb.27) Luke Bryan (Feb. 28) Cardi B. (March 1) Turnpike Troubadours (March 2) Panic! At the Disco (March 3) Old Dominion (March 4) Camila Cabello (March 5) Luke Combs (March 6) Tim McGraw (March 7) Zedd (March 8) Kane Brown (March 9) Los Tigres Del Norte (March 10) Zac Brown Band (March 11) Kings of Leon (March 12) Santana (March 13) Chris Stapleton (March 14) Cody Johnson (March 15) Brad Paisley (March 16) George Strait (March 17) Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen (March 17)

BUTTERFLY HEAVEN Located at 2203 Preston St., this butterfly mural stands out among the white buildings. This mural is the perfectly subtle pop of color you need in your feed.

Who do you want tickets to see?

“I’m seeing Camila Cabello and Panic! at the Disco. I really love the way she doesn’t care about putting her heart into her music.

Also, I started listening to Panic! at the Disco when I was in a really hard place and now I listen to the as a reminder of what I had to overcome.”

Jessica Barkley, 11 “I haven’t ever been to the Houston rodeo, but I would like to see Cardi B. I would also love to see the animals and try the fried Oreos and hot dogs.”

Channell Onyeokeziri, 10 “This will be my first time going to the rodeo, and I’m seeing Tim McGraw. I also look forward to trying a bunch of new stuff.”

Jennifer Junco, staff

OUT OF THIS WORLD This huge mural is located at 1503 Chartres St. The bright, colorful astronaut is the perfect background for proclaiming your love for Houston.

“Prince is coming the day after my birthday and I’m seeing Cardi B. I want to see Cardi B because she keeps it poppin’. I love the rodeo food, especially their turkey legs.”

Juliana Ochoa, 10 “I’m going to see Luke Bryan, and I’m going to ride all of the rides. I love the adrenaline rush all of the rides give me.”

Brandon Rose, 9 “I’m going to see Cardi B because her music is great and I got a free ticket. And I’m ready to eat the burgers, turkey legs and nachos.”

Abigail Morris, 10 “I might be going to the Houston Rodeo and if I do I will be seeing George Strait.The last memory I had at the rodeo was when I was 8 years old and I got a balloon animal.”

Jace Reed, 10

FLOWER POWER The mural is located at 1637 Westheimer Ave. This pink floral mural is inspired by the lead singer of the iconic band Florence and the Machine.

THROWBACK Located at 1639 Westheimer Ave. Featuring characters from shows like “Beavis and Butthead” and “The Simpsons”, this mural is great for the cartoon lover in all of us.

UNDER THE SEA This mural is located at 333 19th St. Its dark background contrasts with the pastel colorway of the flowers and tentacles providing the perfect amount of drama for your newest post.

BFF FOREVER The beautiful elephants are located at 508 Pecore St. on the side of a yoga studio. The artistic interpretation of the bond between animals is optimal for a picture with your best friends.