Kingwood Park Times, Oct. 2020 by KP Times

@kparkmedia

THE KINGWOOD PARK TIMES

New Normal Pg. 8-9

October 2020

Volume 7, Issue 1

Kingwood, TX 77339

Freshman Day of Service postponed until spring

Halliday becomes lone National Merit semifinalist Senior Eric Halliday finished in the top one percent on the National Merit PSAT and was named a National Merit semifinalist. The seniors who were commended on the test included Adeer HALLIDAY Siddiqui, Gabriel Suddeth and Nicholas Zolton. To make it to the finals, Halliday must write an essay. If he is named a finalist, he could earn college scholarships. “My short term goal for the rest of the year is to get into colleges and major in biomedical engineering because it’s broad, so I can go into the medical field or I could go into engineering based on what I’m interested in,” Halliday said. - Alicyn Logue

Students load the steers to take them back to the Kingwood Ag Barns on Sept. 23. After another close call, they were happy to be back within a couple of days. Photo by Camille Blair.

FFA takes precautions when flooding threatens FFA evacuated its animals to higher ground as Tropical Storm Beta approached.

can still have water standing in the wooded area by our barns,” Goode said. “The drainage is terrible where we are located and impossible to By Camille Blair fix.” Special Contributor The animals have been moved to multiple ag facilities and even eachers and students rushed the Humble Civic Center in the around the Kingwood Ag past. Senior Lillian Judd once had Facilities as they tried to evacuate to move her lambs to a friend’s animals from the impending flood garage. waters on Sept. 22 due to Tropical “We moved them to the pig barn Storm Beta. Within an hour, they until it started to flood there, which had managed to haul 10 steers, made us evacuate to my friend’s three lambs and a goat in three house in a self made pen made trailers. out of zip ties, bungee “It’s not what any of cords, wood and panus want to do, but just eling,” Judd said. we know we have to,” Evacuation may agriculture teacher save the animals, but it Kevin McCarty said. can still damage their In his 20 years of health, McCarty said. teaching, McCarty They go through a lot has had to evacuate of stress in the proanimals 12 times due cess, which can make to flooding. them stop eating and “If we couldn’t could cause problems evacuate it would be in the long run. The ef- Kevin McCarty, fects of the evacuation catastrophic,” Mcag teacher on the animals can last Carty said. “There’s a lot of animals we for months. could lose.” “It’s something The facilities are located in a that you have to look for past the heavily wooded area with zero evacuation,” McCarty said. “It’s not drainage, so all it takes is one hard something that’s over with when the rain to have standing water in the waters go down.” lamb barn. Jennifer Goode, an FFA The solution to this problem is for parent, said that it can take a few them to get new ag facilities, which weeks before they can move back. was included in the district’s 2018 “Even after a week of no rain you bond. It is currently still in the de-

KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / NEWS

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If we couldn’t evacuate it would be catastrophic. There’s a lot of animals we could lose.

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With the COVID-19 pandemic still an issue, there’s a possibility freshmen will not be able to experience the annual Day of Service this year. Day of Service is a special day in which freshmen get to give back and be an asset to the community. “It makes me sad because we can’t impact the community because of COVID, but we can’t risk catching it or spreading it to somebody else,” lead counselor Kimberly Young said. “It’s literally the ‘day of service.’ It’s to serve others and remind (freshmen) that there’s more in life than just them.” While usually held in the fall, this year’s day has been postponed until spring. No date is currently set. When Day of Service happens, it gives students the chance to get out of their classrooms and relieve some stress while giving back to their communities. Last year freshmen visited many different places including elementary schools, nursing homes and safe houses. “Not only did it help them but it really helped my mentality,” Deliah Perry, 10, said. “When you’re in high school and you’re a freshman, you’re really able to get out and help people. It made me feel a lot better being able to make a difference.” - Derriq Young

Becky Doughtie, a parent of an FFA student, was packing up to leave the Humble Ag Barns on Sept. 23. They had evacuated for Tropical Storm Beta and brought with them wire to prevent their steer from getting hurt. Photo by Camille Blair.

sign phase with construction slated to start this year. The new building, which will be located above the floodplain on Mills Branch Drive, is supposed to open in 2021. “During the last bond election voters voted for Kingwood Park High School and Kingwood High School to get a new facility in an entirely different location that was on higher ground,” Goode said. “Our kids work hard on these animals and they deserve better facilities in which to raise them.”

Theater gets creative, remains positive Varsity theater adapts to current restrictions and prepares for first show. By Katie Gerbasich Staff Writer

ast year, theater had its UIL, student-directed shows and JV shows all canceled due to COVID-19. Over the summer they had their auditions for advanced classes over Zoom. Students sat in waiting rooms and when it was their time slot they would then enter the “meeting” to perform their monologues with directors Abby Fera and Jami Windham. “I missed the kids,” Fera said. “In theater we spend so much time together, and to not have theater or creativity or fun or the shenanigans for six months was hard.” Initially, theater arts was listed as a hybrid option where virtual students could come to school on their selected day only for their theater period. About 15 students had selected this option. Later, the policy was changed to where only varsity theater students could come to school and participate in the hybrid option. Only one student selected this option. The rest of the varsity theater class is in school face-to-face everyday. “We were going to have to be creative but fine arts in general has more creative people so it’s possible,” Fera said. In theater, Fera said it’s very important students receive feedback on their work. She’ll have her students do the background or character work at home then in class rehearse before submitting a video of the runthrough to receive feedback.

Helping create live sound effects for the varsity theater performance, junior Elyse McVey taps shoes during rehearsals in October. Theater chose “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” for their fall play, though they are unsure if the will be allowed to perform it in front of a live audience. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

“It’s not immediate but it’s still feedback,” Fera said. “As long as they are up for the challenge and can work on things and I’m on the same page, it’ll be OK.” Fera did a lot of research through Facebook and talking with other directors on how they could still keep their programs alive during

COVID-19 restrictions. Although she never initially liked the concept, Fera decided a radio show would be best for varsity theater’s fall show. Then she had to find a radio show that fit her company. “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” is based on three murder mystery Hitchcock films. They will have

people on stage talking into mics while using live sound effects. “I think it’s a good fit for us, very different, very sound heavy, something that the kids haven’t really worked on or focused on,” Fera said. “It’s not just pushing a button and hearing something that is electric and already made for you. There is someone literally in front of a mic making a heartbeat sound. It’s something different but it’s pretty cool.” Senior Jordan Hale, who has been in the theater program for four years, was looking forward to competing in UIL last year and doing their main stage show this year. Now, the best and most challenging thing to her is trying to create and mix her characters. “The most memorable thing is being able to celebrate every new little thing we are slowly able to do,” Hale said. “Also, just being back there with scripts in our hands.” If allowed to perform live, the show will be in November. If not, the department will adapt and try to film it. “It’s just a realm of theater we aren’t used to, but you know we’ll make it work and we’ll have fun,” Fera said. Fera is confident her students can overcome every challenge thrown at them, especially her seniors who have gone through Harvey, flooding and class rearrangements. They are all determined to follow the guidelines and policies so their programs can successfully reopen. “Despite challenges thrown your way you are always able to find a way to conquer your challenges even if it’s not normal,” Hale said.

Student council continues planning for homecoming By Abigail Hunt Special Contributor

his year is going to look different for a lot of things, Homecoming included. For starters, this year’s Homecoming game is Dec. 4. This is a lot later than last year. Although things are pushed back, this gives

Student Council extra time to gather ideas for what they can do safely. According to the student council sponsor Natalie Johnson, there will still be a dress up week, mum and garter day, and a homecoming court. There will be some form of a homecoming activity. It’s not going

to be a dance, but there will still be something fun to look forward to. “It’s important to have a homecoming because it will really boost the school’s morale,” student council president Morgan Sanford said. “It may not look the same but we are trying our best.” Kingwood High School had two

weeks of spirit days and planned a movie night because dances are not allowed. “It’s a great idea and everyone is trying their best to do what we can,” Johnson said.

NEWS / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

New computer lab offers high-tech training Students can earn a networking certification through the new CISCO classes.

single day to the CATE Center at the crack of dawn. I’m more awake and I’m able to actually work in a better environment.” By Crosslin Silcott On top of taking CISCO, Moore Editor-in-Chief did an internship with the IT department at school his sophomore ows of desks that used to fill and junior years. This consisted of the upper LGI have now been fixing computers around the school, replaced with a networking rack, setting up printers, doing inventory computers, and tables for students and more. to take apart computers. While this “I work with computers all the room used to serve as a multipurtime, like setting up servers or pose space, it now is whatnot at home, home to students takand you know, fixing ing CISCO classes. things,” Moore said. CISCO is an organi“It’s just something I zation that deals with really enjoy doing.” networking devices, Quintal said that which connect comit is a benefit for puters together from students to take this different organizations course and get the and the internet. Crecertification, even if ated by the CISCO they’re not planning Academy in an effort to go into networking. to train and increase Not only does it look the number of network good on a resume, administrators, the but the certification class teaches students can always be kept first what networking as a backup plan. is and then how to “If you think about connect to a local area technology, you see network. more and more of it “The purpose is for every day,” Quintal [students] to become said. “Everybody network administrators uses a computer, and for them to be able and every organizato pass the CISCO cerJoshua Moore, 12 tion is going to have tified network associate a computer. Every certification,” CISCO organization is going instructor Kellsum Quintal said. to need someone to manage and “That alone can get them a job troubleshoot this computer.” that pays anywhere from $40,000Senior Ian Prigmore is a CISCO $60,000 a year.” student who plans on taking the Previously, the class was offered CCNA Certification exam. Moore at the CATE Center, where students said he will likely take it as well. taking the class had to take a 20 Moore wants to continue to take minute bus ride each day to get classes in college that will allow there. Senior Joshua Moore was him to get a higher level of CISCO making this trip his sophomore year certification if he feels it’s the path for a computer maintenance class. he wants to go down. “The CATE Center was a very “A lot of it for me is just the probsmall building and there just wasn’t lem solving,” Moore said. “Being a lot of room,” Moore said. “So given a problem and trying to diagI think the transition to a bigger nose and figure out what’s causing classroom has really benefited us it and the satisfaction in finding and because we have all this room that solving it to me is just a lot of fun. we need, and it’s just a lot better It’s something I really enjoy doing.” than having to take a bus every

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It’s just a lot better than having to take a bus every single day to the CATE Center at the crack of dawn. I’m more awake and I’m able to actually work in a better environment.

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KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / FEATURE

CISCO Instructor Kellsum Quintal assists senior Brandon Fellers as he works with the networking rack during CISCO Academy I. The networking rack is one of the many new additions to the former upper LGI, which now serves as a multipurpose space for computer science classes. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

Senior Peter Ngo works on a computer in CISCO Academy I. The rows of computers and chairs replaced the rows of desks that used to fill the upper LGI. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

Second Tiny Home complete, ready for homeless veteran progress was made. Taylor said the hardest part in returning to the house was remembering where to start and why hrough a small square hole on the side of the they did what they did. The COVID-19 delay and forced breaks because of the hurricanes this fall miniature house, a student hammers nails in the wood while the dust flies out of the hole. The were frustrating but didn’t stop Taylor and her shade from the storage unit full of hardware tools students. Senior Cole Wiley, a captain on the project, blocks the heat beating down on the students said the first day back in August was crazy due to drilling planks. the weeds that had grown around the home, the After a six month break because of COVID, Tiny Homes advisor Missi Taylor and many of her trash they had left behind and all of the leaks they had to fix from the rain. other students began to work long hours. They As soon as the space is cleared, the students finished their second house in no time. “The most memorable thing,” Taylor said, “has plan to start building their third Tiny Home in to be putting in five days, 10 hours and getting a three years. “When we can hand over the keys to the new lot accomplished.” owner, it’s such a good feeling,” Wiley said. They worked so much in recent weeks, they The plans for house No. 3 are ready with Wiley, finished the home ahead of schedule before a date had been set for transporting it to Langetree Parker Ryan and CJ Schoettlin leading the effort. Each house design is different. The third Tiny Retreat & Eco Center in Liberty, Texas, where a Home was designed by Ryan, who collaborated homeless veteran will move into it. with Taylor over the summer. The house will have When they started working to finish the house an asymmetrical shed roof and be 209 square in August, seniors who graduated in July returned to help. With the former students helping feet. The advanced architecture classes will start the new house on Oct. 26. out and current students coming to campus all five days during the A and B schedules, major By Camilla Escobar Staff Writer

The interior of the Tiny Home awaits its resident. The architecture students completed the home on Oct. 3 and hoped to have a celebration and dedication before it is relocated to Liberty, Texas, where a homeless vet will move into the student-built home. It is the second fully furnished home the architecture kids have completed. Photo by Camilla Escobar.

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FEATURE / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

LIKE FATHER, like son Jeff and Shiloh Wilson

With a rodeo champion as his father and Texas rodeo Hall of Famer as a grandpa, 7-year-old Shiloh Wilson carries on the family tradition.

“I watched him ride that bucking horse and I went with him to a couple more rodeos,” Jeff said. “And I went, ‘I want to try that.’” In 1995, Jeff started riding saddle bronc The nerves were intense as Shiloh Wilson tried horses. At 26, he won rookie of the year; and at to regroup after being bucked off his first horse in 33, he won a world class championthe biggest rodeo competition of ship. his short career. A moment before He taught during the week. Then the 7-year-old got on his second when the bell rang at 3:30 p.m. on horse, his dad thumped him on Fridays, he traveled to wherever his the chest. rodeo was that weekend. “Son, you got this,” Jeff Wilson Finally in 2004 at the age of 35, Jeff said. “I told you, you got this. Now Wilson was ready to retire. He had get on this horse and ride this fulfilled everything he possibly could horse.” in the rodeo world. He couldn’t get Shiloh stayed on his second any better, and it just wasn’t as excithorse long enough to be taken ing or fun as it used to be. off of it by the “pickup man.” His “Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed gosmile, his dad said, was priceless. ing and getting on them, but the thrill It is a smile of a third-generation wasn’t there anymore,” Jeff said. cowboy. A smile that can be However, in October 2004 he donned only by a grandson of a unknowingly competed in his last Texas rodeo Hall of Famer. It’s a professional rodeo. smile Shiloh’s dad and grandfather A week later Jeff was riding his both flashed during their champimotorcycle on the highway when a onship rodeo careers. young woman pulled out in front of “I’m leaving a legacy behind him. The crash almost killed him as me,” Shiloh’s 87-year-old grandfahe and his motorcycle flew over the ther Stanley Wilson said. “I’m just car. all around proud. “It was horrifying, terrible,” Stanley “I really enjoy watching Shiloh Wilson said. “I was more scared of ride. He’s so young, he’s just him riding that motorcycle than I was thrilled to death with it.” him riding horses.” *** Jeff Wilson, teacher In the only time Jeff ever feared for Collision and refinishing teacher his life, he was propelled about 60 Jeff Wilson began training Shiloh yards across the highway before stopping. for rodeos when Shiloh was 3. The passion for Jeff was life-flighted to the hospital with injuries rodeoing is three generations in the making for to his spleen, liver, sternum and lungs. His right the Wilson family. leg was shattered and his right calf muscle was Stanley Wilson competed in rodeos for about ripped from his body. The accident affected him 22 years. Jeff followed in his footsteps. in more ways than just physically. Jeff started riding steers when he was around 8 “I wanted to retire the way I wanted to retire,” or 9. He then rode bulls until he took a three-year break to focus on college and his teaching career. Jeff said. “And I would like to have done it by maybe winning one last rodeo or at least making He put rodeo on the back burner until he ran into one really good ride at the finals or whatever and a friend who was riding saddle bronc horses. By Kathleen Ortiz Editor-in-Chief

1966: Stanley Wilson

Stanley Wilson competes on “Quicksand” in bareback bronc riding at the Houston Rodeo in 1966. He was a bareback champion in 1978. Now at 87, Stanley Wilson cheers for his grandson on the rodeo circuit.

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It’s drawn us closer, I mean, but you can’t get much closer than a father’s love to his son. How do you weigh that? You can’t. It doesn’t matter if my son rodeoed or not, he’s still the apple of my eye.

2004: Jeff Wilson

With a specialty in saddle bronc riding, Wilson became a champion in 2002 - 24 years after his father was a rodeo champion. Now, Jeff Wilson teaches collision and refinishing classes during the week and coaches his son in saddle bronc riding on the weekends.

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KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / FEATURE

2020: Shiloh Wilson

The second grader from Bear Branch Elementary loves saddle bronc riding. He recently qualified for the Junior World Finals in Ft. Worth in December. He is a third generation cowboy.

Shiloh, Amber and Jeff Wilson escape to their ranch in Coldspring, Texas, when their schedules allow. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

then hanging up my spurs.” He suffered numerous injuries during his rodeo career, including broken and separated ribs, torn ligaments, concussions, and one incident where he almost suffocated beneath a 1,200-pound horse. The motorcycle accident, however, ended his whole career. He was never able to ride a bucking horse again. His passion was taken away from him so quickly and unexpectedly, it made him bitter. “Rodeoing was a passion, it made money,” Jeff said. “This is a second job and this little girl took it all away from me. It wasn’t intentional, but it still took it away from me, and I never got to have the closure that I wanted to have when I retired from rodeoing.” *** Now, he finds himself back in the chute with hands shaking each time his son gets on a bucking horse of his own. Shiloh knows his dad and grandpa’s rodeo history. In December he’ll be the third Wilson to ride at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth when he competes in the Junior World Finals. “My dad is really great and he’s just an allaround cowboy,” Shiloh said. “He just wants to protect my family and everybody. He’s just a really good person.” Jeff’s wife Amber Wilson describes his coaching style as firm, but gentle. “I’ve watched him teach other children for 13 years but when I’m watching him teach our own son something especially that he’s so passionate

Shiloh Wilson packs his saddle up on his ranch in Coldspring, Texas. The second grader at Bear Branch spends many of his weekends on his family’s ranch in Coldspring or traveling across the state for rodeo competitions. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

about, you just see the pride on his face,” Amber said. Years of riding at least three bucking horses a week, along with the motorcycle accident, have taken a toll on Jeff. Despite retirement being filled with reconstructive shoulder surgery, three back surgeries and a knee surgery, Wilson’s passion

for rodeo has never dimmed. His injuries will never allow him to ride in front of Shiloh or demonstrate any skills, but their shared love of horses and rodeos has helped create an impenetrable father-son bond. “It’s drawn us closer, but you can’t get much closer than a father’s love to his son,” Jeff said. “How do you weigh that? You can’t. It doesn’t matter if my son rodeoed or not, he’s still the apple of my eye.” If history in the Wilson family is any indication, those feelings will only strengthen over time. Stanley Wilson’s goal for his grandson Shiloh is to become a good man, regardless of whether he Jeff and Stanley Wilson continues to rodeo or not. He knows Jeff is setting the perfect example. “I’m more proud of the things that he’s accomplished along with rodeo than I am the rodeo,” Stanley said of his son Jeff. “He became a teacher awful young, and he stayed with it. I understand that he’s a good teacher, and that makes me proud. “He is also watching over his son and giving him an early start to see if he’s really wanting to rodeo or not when he gets older. I’m just proud of him, period.”

FEATURE / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

First-year teacher Kendall Searcy works with Matthew Summers, 10, on the library computers during Biology on Sept. 17. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Freshman Ian Maxwell sings outside during choir’s vanguard class. The district made rules that included all singing had to be done outdoors so choir teachers found ways to adapt. Photo by Madison Mena.

New Normal

Plexiglass helps ease minds, adds some safety

Custodians are “real heartbeat” keeping school clean for kids

By Katie Gerbasich Staff Writer

rior to returning to face-to-face instruction, Kimberly Villegas and Lauren Reeve placed plexiglass dividers in their classrooms. These dividers were given to them by the district and administration per their request. “If I were a student in a large class with someone sitting very close to me in this situation, I would feel more comfortable knowing there was a little divide between me and that person,” Villegas said. Villegas got them mainly for her first period class of 30 kids. She placed 17 of them on desks and tables throughout the room. She had to change out her regular desks for smaller ones to fit the dividers safely on the desks. The dividers don’t affect her teaching as she has just learned to tolerate them because she needs them. “I tried to place them where I could use the fewest number of dividers possible to serve the biggest number of students,” Villegas said. Reeve is pregnant and wanted the dividers to serve as protection between her and the students. After a few attempts at finding the ones that best fit her classroom, she placed seven dividers on the front row.

Jacob Gilmore, 10, listens in La AP Chemistry class. Students’ out more than they used to be by Crosslin Silcott.

Sophomore Matti McDaniel works on her laptop in Lauren Reeve’s first period Algebra II class. Reeve requested plexiglass partitions that are attached to the front row of desks in her classroom. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

“I felt that would be the best line of defense between me and the students,” Reeve said. Reeve has struggled to keep her dividers up and out of the way of students. They fall over easily from kids hitting them with their backpacks or just the weak support system of plastic hinges with screws. She started keeping a screwdriver in her room in case something broke. “In all honesty, it seems like it’s more of a nuisance than actually protection,” Reeve said.

KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / FEATURE

By Crosslin Silcott Editor-in-Chief

ach period, custodians split up the school disinfecting doors, handrails, bathrooms, and much more. With a new misting machine, they go to every class in the evenings and fog the room to further disinfect. With only 12 custodians and 1,850 students on campus, many additional hours and duties have been added to the already demanding jobs of custodians to ensure the safety of students and staff in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. The task has been stressful for the custodial staff. “Being worried [stands out the most this year of my job],” head custodian Carmen Lemus said. “We have to do a good job everyday. It is a lot of pressure. We clean everything to try to have a safe school for everybody.” Lemus arrives at the school at 7:30 a.m. every morning and does not leave until around 5:30 p.m., often including weekends. However, what goes unseen is all the work the custodial staff does during

the summer. “We do more work i the rest of the year,” L This summer, to pre students and staff afte tine, the custodial staff carpet in the school. T done in 14 years, and to be careful as they w products. Last month, Lemus with the district’s Sept

aurie Rosato’s pre’ desks are spread in the past. Photo

During a lab in Chemistry, senior Kenadee Thackwray focuses on the Bunsen burner. Photo by Sadie Lewis.

in the summer than Lemus said. epare for the return of er months of quaranff stripped all of the This had not been d Lemus said they had were using chemical

was congratulated tember Exemplar

Senior Adam Sepulveda directs sophomore Hailey Whiteman, junior Emily Nieto, sophomore Jake Sisney and sophomore Adam Wolf as they spread apart across the large band room to practice their song on Sept. 17, which was a B Day. Only students with the last name L-Z were at school. Photo by Maria Landy Garcia.

Head custodian Carmen Lemus sprays down the tables outside between class periods. The tables are used for classes and for students during lunch. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

Meet the Custodians

While 12 custodians help keep the school safe and clean, these are the four daytime custodians.

“Some people think that because I’m the head custodian, I’m a mean person. I’m not that kind of person, I try to be nice with everybody.” -Carmen Lemus

“I like working at homecoming, and seeing the girls in their dresses. Everybody is always happy, so I’m sad that there’s no dance this year.” -Maria Perez

“I have worked here for three years. I enjoy my job because I like to do my job and I like cleaning.” -Ulma Rivera

Employee Award to recognize her initiative and commitment. “We’re really excited that other people outside of the building see what a great person and employee she is,” associate principal Wes Solomon said. “This building has always had a reputation amongst the district to be not only one of the best looking schools, but one of the cleanest schools. She takes a lot of pride in that, and she manages her staff the same way. They take pride in what they do.”

Solomon said he’s very grateful for the dedication of the custodial staff and he knows what a stressful job it is during this time. “You know, everybody’s stressed right now just because we’re in the unknown, and nobody has ever experienced this,” Solomon said. “But the custodial part is the real heartbeat in keeping the building clean and sanitized. They really make this school go.”

“I am happy to be in this school. I like my job, I like the school, and I like cleaning.” -Rosalinda Silva

FEATURE / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

Mike Woehst, DDS, MS Orthodontist

1520 Green Oak Place Kingwood, Texas 77339 www.smilesbywoehst.com 281-358-0003

10 KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / SPORTS

Athletic trainers revamp procedures By Jacob Jolly Special Contributor

OVID-19 ended the season for many sports last year. Now with sports seasons returning, athletic trainers have made many changes. Athletic trainers have been introduced to many new protocols that have changed the way they do their jobs drastically. This year athletic trainers are beginning their new protocols by wearing a mask and gloves at all times, as well as constantly sanitizing themselves

and their equipment. “The biggest change is all of the precautions that have been set in place,” head athletic trainer Daniel Scalia said. “It is something that we should all do anyway, especially the hand washing and wearing of face masks.” Scalia is currently helping track the tracing of COVID-19 cases across the school. There are also many other changes that trainers have had to make so far. For example, instead of supplying sports players with water this year, trainers are relying

on sports players to bring their own water bottles that can be refilled. Athletic trainers are using water pumping jugs that shoot water into the player’s jug without making any physical contact with the player or water bottle. “Things are really different this year, but we are making the most of it,” said junior Mattie Carr, who has been a sports trainer for three years. Treating injuries has also been affected this year due to COVID-19. Trainers must wear a mask at all times while treating an injury in

order to prevent the spread of germs through sweat, speech and physical contact. Trainers can also only have 10 people at a time in the training room, which has led to slower efficiency treating injured players. Scalia is hopeful all of the new protocols keep the players healthy though. “Be on the safe side,” he said. “If you’re not sure that you’re sick with COVID or not, stay home. It’s not worth it. One person that tests positive could knock out a whole team or group of people.”

College athletes hope uncertainty ends, seasons begin Former Panthers hope their college sports careers are allowed to be played this year. By Gabby Norman Managing Editor

avid Clark still remembers the smell of a patty melt and sweet tea mixed with a faint scent of chlorine after every one of his high school swim meets. The sophomore at Chowan University in Murfreesboro doesn’t get Whataburger after swimming anymore, but remembers how impactful his sport has been on his life. “That was my life,” Clark said. “I loved it.” The coronavirus has drastically changed college athletics, with many seasons being canceled. As of right now, Clark says Chowan is up in the air about the swim

season, but he’s hopeful. “It’s not like everything is going to go back to normal,” Clark said. “The world is changing.” Jeremy Husband, a senior at Ottowa University, found himself in a similar situation. The baseball team’s last season was canceled, and the status of his senior season is uncertain. Husband, although unsure if he would play at the college level once again, spent his quarantine practicing baseball and working. “I had an old coach with a facility to use, he’s the reason I was able to stay in shape,” Husband said. “I’ve spent my downtime in the garage working on my vehicles.” Both Clark and Husband have noticed significant differences between high school and college athletics. High school is competitive, but in college, they are surrounded by people that share their passion.

“There are people from all over the United States,” Husband said. “They’re people that want you there, it’s just a higher level.” Kai Byrd graduated in 2020 and had offers to run at multiple colleges before the coronavirus hit the United States. Now, with so many seasons canceled, Byrd has elected to stay local and attend Lone Star College. “I’m not intending to move until next year, right now everything is online,” Byrd said. “I’ll go run at Texas State next season.” The freshman longs for the normalcy of high school, even though it may have been hard at times. “I’m sad, I miss high school,” Byrd said. “Just when we would have Hype Crew at pep rallies and when I PRed in hurdles and high jump.” Byrd isn’t ready to leave his friends or family. He has a set rou-

tine but has tried to social distance even though he spends a lot of time with his friends. “Right now it’s just wake up, do school, go to work, come home, eat, play Xbox, sleep, then do everything over again the next day,” Byrd said. As of right now, college athletes have no control of what is ahead. They are at the mercy of their universities. Should the universities continue to cancel the sports, many athletes could have unknowingly played in their last game or raced their last race. “It makes me mad, people are talking on Twitter, big names schools are dropping their teams,” Clark said. “It’s been crazy, but right now all we can do is focus on our grades.”

SPORTS / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

Fall sports take the spotlight

Charlee Jordan, 11, tips the ball over the net for a point against Caney Creek. Jordan helped sweep Caney Creek in three sets on Oct. 2 at home. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Junior Carter Bennett competes in the breaststroke during a dual meet with Summer Creek on Sept. 25. Bennett helped the boys team win the 5A State Championship last season. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

With no fans allowed in the natatorium, Amy and Clint Bennett huddle around a cell phone watching their son, junior Carter Bennett, swim via Instagram on Sept. 25. The swimmers and coaches meet the quota for people allowed in the natatorium with the COVID regulations, so a number of parents sat outside and watched as the races were either streamed via Zoom or Instagram. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

12 KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / SPORTS

Hallie Ryan, 12, Kynzie Wallace, 10, and Lexi Cox, 12, celebrate a point against Caney Creek on Oct. 2. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Talmage Hammond, 10, returns a shot against Caney Creek on Sept. 11 at home. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Lauren Park, 12, returns a volley against Caney Creek on Sept. 11. Photo by Maya Ortiz. Quarterback Hudson Dezell, 12, looks for an open receiver in a 33-13 loss to New Caney at home. The Panthers started the season 1-2. Photo by Sadie Lewis.

With more time to practice in the summer,

Low scores highlight strong start for golfers

By Maria Landy Garcia Photo Editor

hen the coronavirus struck, most sports were put on hold as they were unable to practice and compete. Golf was an exception. Due to it being an individual sport, they were able to keep playing and take advantage of the free time and available golf courses. “Coronavirus impacted our golfers in a good way,” golf coach Angela Chancellor said. “I’m not saying coronavirus is good, but it allowed [us] to keep playing even when other sports like football and basketball couldn’t.” Due to golf being an outside sport, the team was still able to host events, tournaments and continue practicing with social distancing over the summer. “I’m kind of excited to see what those results are going to be like from being able to play all summer when a lot of sports were shut down,” Chancellor said. Despite the golf team being able to play, restrictions were given to the players. The new rules included not touching the flag sticks, not exchanging scorecards and no award

After a successful day at Atascocita Golf Club, Kane Anderson, 9, JD McComb, 9, Jett Endsley, 11, and Austin Eagan, 10, celebrate together. Anderson finished 17th, McComb finished 9th, Endsley took 8th and Eagan finished 10th during the Oct. 15 competition. Photo submitted by Angela Chancellor.

ceremonies. “Everyone keeps their score on their own card and then they read that card to the scorekeeper for it to get posted,” Chancellor said. “We didn’t have award ceremonies after we finished playing. We would have to leave the area after everything was done, and the winners

would [be posted] online.” The team has grown compared to last year’s team, and Chancellor said there is a spot for everybody. Some kids on the team just want to casually play and learn the game. For other JV and varsity players, it doesn’t matter what level they play. They are just happy to have a place

Girls XC hopes for district success By Jacob Black Special Contributor

ith 23 runners on the girls cross country team this year, the varsity squad hopes to win the District Championship meet and make it to the State Championship meet. Coach Cody Cook, who has coached cross country for 4 years, has helped guide the girls to a No. 14 ranking in 5A. He said he likes seeing the athletes develop into hard working leaders. “You know that they’re set for life with the skills they learned,” Cook said. In order to meet those expectations this year, the team will need to train consistently and trust the process that takes time to develop and execute. The team relies on one meet to qualify for districts -- not the overall district record, so they have to show up ready to race

when it counts most. This year, the team is talented, dedicated and experienced. Most of the girls have been running for at least six years. Cook said that in order for the team to be successful they must continue trusting the process and show up everyday. “We need to listen to our bodies and take care of ourselves outside of practice to stay healthy and be ready for work,” Cook said. Some of the things the team is working on is to get more packedup when they race and not be so spread out to help lower the overall team score. “That’s how we beat people, by a pack and not individuals,” Cook said. The team’s biggest challenge this year is Montgomery Lake Creek and Montgomery, because they both have strong programs. They changed the level of competition

when they came into the district. They both have a great tradition in track and cross country. “I think that our girls will do very well in district play this year,” Cook said. “We’re running very well and they are staying focused and hungry to get better. We aren’t where we need to be yet, but if they keep working hard they will be,” Cook said. According to Cook, the senior class has developed into team leaders across the board, and the four through seven runners are very talented. Cook said they just need some more time to get into better race pace conditions. Cook wants them to show up everyday dedicated to hitting those marks. “We will push you to be the absolute best person you can be, and it’s a skill set that you will use daily in life,” Cook said.

to play, be able to compete and be part of a team. “It’s just a big family out there,” varsity golfer Alex Gleason, 10, said. “We have fun, we have things to do work on, and we’re trying to get better and be the best for the school.” Golf is a year-round sport. With practicing more than usual this year, the team hopes to reach the state championships. “Golf not being shut down is amazing because we have the opportunity to practice more than a lot of people do,” varsity golfer Kendall Kerr, 11, said. “We have the opportunity for colleges to look at us, so I just think it was great because it didn’t slow down at all.” This year, the team has three seniors - Cole Wiley, Trey Riojas and Sammy Garza - who have played together all four years and improved dramatically. “If they play like they have these last four years, we will be able to go to state,” Chancellor said. “That’s our goal.”

Boys Cross Country

Assistant cross country coach Kim Ackerman said the boys’ team has big goals for district meet. Q: Who has emerged as leaders? A: Kade Terell - gets the guys going. Barrett Kenny is a A+ leader. Alex Varela works hard and keeps the guys focused outside of running. Dom Sottille gets guys organized to get workouts going. Reece Cavallo leads by example. Q: What is main goal this season? A: Win districts at all levels to put ourselves in a position to qualify for State. Q: Anything else you want to add? A: This group of guys with their attitudes have made this COVID year fun and enjoyable.

SPORTS / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

STAFF EDITORIAL

Students benefit in classes from new policies A

year ago, having to take a sick day was costly. Missing too many days of school meant no exemptions, spending flex lunch taking tests and quizzes and the dreaded stack of missed work. It was a struggle that sadly led to many students attending school with illnesses. When the coronavirus pandemic began last spring, catching anything, even a simple cold, became much more serious. The policies in place in Humble ISD prior to the pandemic were giving many academically gifted students seemingly no choice but to come to school every day. These students couldn’t afford to get behind or not exempt finals when their GPA and rank was on the line. The coronavirus pandemic brought much needed changes to the district’s disappointing absence policy. Long gone was the rule that three absences ruled out the possibility of exempting. Now, exemptions and absences are not tied to each other in any way. Along with the policy change, the mandatory Schoology use and full online lessons provide an easy way for students to stay on track even while at home.

The most helpful new policies for students who are absent are the additions of the “Week at a Glance,” the universal online turn in and tutoring via Zoom. The “Week at a Glance” that all teachers put on their Schoology page prior to each week allows students who know when they’ll be absent to look ahead and see what their classes will be doing when they’re gone. This eliminates students having to email their teachers during the day or ask in advance about the work they will miss. Teachers have also moved to accepting work online only, which allows students to turn things in while at home and it eliminates the need to keep track of a mountain of physical papers. The Zoom tutoring sessions have given students the opportunity to ask questions even when they are at home and get an immediate response. In previous years, students would have to email all questions to teachers and a response could not be expected until after school, since they were teaching all day long. Last year tests were one of the hardest things a student missed when absent. After they got

Trash or treasures? Thrift stores make shopping fun By Crosslin Silcott

store filled with racks of pre-worn clothes that lack any proper organization is typically not the most appealing to shoppers. Having to sift through clothes that often have holes and stains on them lacks the convenience of heading over to your local mall and picking out a perfectly displayed, brand new clothing item. However, this is where I believe the art in thrift shopping lies. Thrift stores are typically geared toward those of lower-income, as the clothes are extremely affordable. Clothing and housing items can cost as low as $.99, even for expensive, name-brand items. While you may have to dig through racks and bins for an hour, you can find expensive items for very little money. One of my most prized-possessions is a pair of Nike Air Max 90’s. Retailing for $120, I got them for $8 at Goodwill. Additionally, I have found lots of Lululemon, many Triangl swimsuits; and my mom has even found a vintage Gucci purse. Beyond finding name

costly brand items inexpensively, you can also find many unique items that you could not find at your local mall. Most of these items I keep for myself, but in case I get home and something doesn’t fit I list it on my Depop. Depop is an app where users can buy and sell clothes, similar to apps such as Poshmark and EBay. Some people actually thrift solely to resell items and make a profit. A lot of money can be made by doing this; however, people are often criticized on social media for “taking clothes from the poor.” Surprisingly, though, it’s actually beneficial to the fashion industry and completely unharmful. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 16.9 million tons of textiles were produced in 2017, and landfills received 11.2 million tons of these textiles. Not only can you find unique items that are cheap at thrift stores, you are also saving clothes from being thrown away in landfills.

14 KPTIMES.COM / OCTOBER 2020 / OPINION

back from school they would have to schedule a time to go to the LGI and spend their lunch time taking a test, sometimes leaving the student with the disadvantage of having less time. Now, if a student misses a test all they have to do is talk to their teacher and a test will be opened for them on Schoology. The student has the same amount of time as their peers and doesn’t have to miss lunch. Needless to say, the system is not perfect. For students that are solely online, reaching teachers can be a hassle, with the teachers sometimes not responding or not answering until after the assignment was due. Online only tests can prove to be harder for students that are unable to write things down or plan ahead. COVID-19 has changed our world, and there’s no going back. The Kingwood Park Editorial Board believes that while adapting to new policies because of COVID-19 has not been easy, some of them have made life easier for some students.

THE KINGWOOD PARK TIMES October 2020 Volume 7, Issue 1 4015 Woodland Hills Kingwood, TX 77339 281-641-6696 Editors Crosslin Silcott, Editor-in-Chief Kathleen Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief Gabby Norman, Managing Editor Maria Landy Garcia, Photo Editor Writers & Photographers Sean Garvin, Veronica Gonzalez, Camilla Escobar, Katie Gerbasich, Alicyn Logue, Sadie Lewis, Camille Blair, Maya Ortiz, Derriq Young, Jacob Jolly, Jacob Black, Abigail Hunt. Adviser: Megan Ortiz Principal: Lisa Drabing The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff. Staff Editorials will not be signed as they are a consensus of the staff. Signed editorials are the viewpoint of the writer and not necessarily a staff or editorial board consensus. Guidelines to write letters to the editor will be available online at KPTimes.com. Letters to the editor may be submitted to, room 1504. Cover Photo: Freshmen Jacob Valcarce (front), Evan Burns (second row), Jay McGee (third row), and Luke Kerscher (back row) take notes as IPC teacher Rachel Merkel presents a lesson. Photo by Crosslin Silcott.

The new park in Atascocita only opened over the summer. Photo by Sean Garvin.

Local park offers escape close to home

By Sean Garvin

ituated in the middle of Atascocita, a lush park awaits. Once a concrete platform and unused swamplands, it has now been converted into a 21-acre recreational park. Commissioned by the Harris County Precinct 2, it has become a popular attraction among locals who utilize the park’s massive playground, serene wetlands, dog park and bridges that dwell above the water.

The park is located off of West Lake Houston Parkway across from Atascocita Community Church. It has become an increasingly popular area as new developments have dotted the area. The park took $11 million to construct, and it is evident throughout the landscape. There are several bridges and walkways above the lake making for peaceful, serene scenery. Atascocita Park experienced several delays as the pandemic among many other factors ultimately

Tough year. Tough choices. Why I chose to stay home By Gabby Norman

taring at the choices in my grandparents’ living room, I had no idea what to do. My phone lit up with my dad texting me again, asking which one I was choosing. I texted my friends, asking them what they had chosen, and finally responded, “I’ll go back to school.” In late June, the first survey came out to Humble ISD families, asking the students if they would like to choose online or in-person school.

I was visiting my grandparents at the time, so my dad forwarded me the email the school had sent out. After 30 minutes of deliberation and consulting my friends, I chose to go back. Three months later, I’m sitting in my living room, looking to see if I have any work in my virtual classes. With an original intention to go to in-person school, I soon changed my mind. The pros of seeing my teachers and friends were nice, but they didn’t outweigh the cons. With

postponed the grand opening until June 23. Having green space in the middle of a booming suburban neighborhood is integral to a city’s livelihood. Providing access to greenery for residents in the surrounding area increases overall happiness. The wetlands within the park also equate to flooding relief zones during hurricane season, which is very important since the area has flooded in the past. The park has a Free Little Library where people

can donate and trade books. Harris County Precinct 2 has partnered with Humble ISD, which will provide books for children through this initiative. There is even a designated catch & release fishing area. The trails pay homage to the wildlife in the area and the ecosystem it encompasses. The park is open from dusk to dawn, all days of the week. I highly recommend everyone to check it out as it is a great park for families, friends and even pets.

my mom working in the medical field and five of us at home, going back wasn’t a viable option. Online school is hard, in my opinion much harder than in-person school. My grades somewhat reflect that, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. No longer can I ask a teacher a question in class, instead I have to email them and hope they respond before the assignment is due. What was once all A’s are now slipping into A’s and B’s. Junior year is the most academically important year of my life, and I’m working extra hard due to a disconnect between myself and my learning. My mom is in the medical field, so if I get sick my whole family will

have to quarantine and she won’t be able to work. Not everyone has been following the social distancing and sanitizing rules imposed by the government and school, so the likelihood of contracting COVID is much higher when around other students. My choice to be online isn’t just for me, it’s to keep my family safe. Thankfully, I’m allowed to go out to the store and practice, but I’m doing my best to be a good role model for those around me. For now, online school is the safest choice for me and my family. I don’t know when I’m going to go back in person, but what I do believe is that COVID won’t be going away for a while. This is our new way of life.

OPINION / OCTOBER 2020 / KPTIMES.COM

Yearbook

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