BAGPIPE VOL. 92 ISSUE 4
SENIOR ISSUE 2022
Together We Climb
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3...........................................Bagpipe Goodbyes Word from Web Editor-in-Chief Reese Greenlee
4-7.............................Climbing to New Heights Seniors move across country in pursuit of degree
8-9......................Climbing to Different Heights Students opt to start careers, take gap years over college
10-11...................Together We Kept Achieving Scholarships and Awards
12-15..................................Rebuilding Together Seniors reflect on four years of building construction
16-17..............................Backpacking Together Students continue senior tradition of wearing “kiddie” backpacks to school
18-19................Together We Keep Competing Spotlighting three committed seniors athletic careers
20-21.......................................Taking Next Step Retiring teachers say goodbye after decades
22-23.............................Historic Four Years Together Recapping major historic moments 2018-2022
REESE GREENLEE
I
tell people all the time that I remember my first day of Freshman year. I walked into school with white jean shorts and a blue t-shirt. I sat down in Pre-AP Art I and thought to myself, “how am I supposed to draw a life-like portrait of a teacher? I can’t even draw a hand-turkey.” In World Geography, Coach Thrasher threw his phone across the room to demonstrate that if he didn’t need his phone in class, neither did we. I knew not to pick up my phone in that class. During lunch, I had a round cheese pizza and knew that I would be dreaming of off-campus senior-year lunch very quickly. But when the first day of senior year came, it was a more worrisome compared to freshman year. I shuffled into Pre-Cal with a Starbucks ice caramel latte in hand. I looked around at my classmates faces. One had grown a beard, another had deepening eyes, and another had highlighted her hair. All around me children’s faces turned into adults. And so did they. Freshman year, our biggest problem was worrying about if we would pass our Biology test and what we would wear to homecoming. Now, we’re plagued with worries of college applications, future plans, SAT and ACT, prom and saying goodbye to childhood friends at graduation. But as I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life, I feel nostalgic of the last four years. Sophomore year, I turned 16 and got my license. In less then a month, I swiped the side of a car in the YMCA parking lot. Sorry Mom and Dad. A few months later, my English Bulldog, Daisy joined our family. I remember being scared of her for months because she had the most deadly look. Trust me, if you saw her, you’d be scared too. Then, in a blink of an eye, the world shut down. But I was surrounded by love from my friends, family, teachers and furry friends. BAGPIPE GOODBYE
For months, I woke up, did whatever little bit of homework I had, went on a 3-mile walk, made myself lunch, went outside and tanned and then went on one more walk for the day before I watched an episode of Shameless in bed. It was pure monotony. Then,junior year came, and I started the school year on a Google Meet in the basement of a house in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was stressed about whether or not my wifi would go out during class. Fishing became a stress reliever for me. I would pack my car with a pole, tackle box and mini hot dogs that I cut up to use as bait. I would call my friend, Ava Murphy, and tell her to meet me there. One day, she told me we should join the bass team. I laughed at her. No way. But a month later I was signed up and taking my picture for the poster. I loved fishing, even on the days that we were being poured on by thunderstorms in the middle of the lake and when we caught nothing after being out for nine hours. Along with joining new activities, I joined newspaper. Well, I thought I had signed up for yearbook, but I’m so glad I landed here. I came into the class not sure where it would take me and had no idea how far it would push me. As a reporter, I had my one story to cover per week, and as someone who considers time management to be a strength, it was easy. Little did I know that becoming Web-Editor-inChief would be a huge, huge step up. Newspaper felt like it was a parttime job at times with press-cycles stacking on each other, but it was worth every moment. As the year closes, I can’t help but think about what my last four years here looked like but also wonder what the future holds. In the fall, I will be attending Emory University and studying International Studies. I’m excited to embark on a new journey and make memories just like the ones I did in high school. 03
Climbing to new
HEIGHTS
Seniors move across country in pursuit of degree By Olivia Howse
Alabama Auburn University Matthew Clifton Amelia Griege Mercer Keiser Rhett Trusler The University Of Alabama Estelle Cherry Everett Corson Gianna Dorazil Savannah Murphy Alexandra Rodgers 04
Matthew Taylor Lauren Welp Dylan Woodward Arkansas University Of Arkansas William Carlisle Kaitlyn Chilton Ella Daugherty Dorothy Griswold Alexander Hail Catherine Hunt Claire Jacot COLLEGE MAP
Olivia Jewell John Marron Jordan McGinley Hudson Miller Frances Pierce Susan Richey Lucas Rocha Jaje Margaret Terrell Arizona Arizona State University Christopher Dickey Emma Immanivong
LEGEND
Number of people attending college in each state Least
Danielle Melech Fahad Qureshi The University of Arizona Hailey Balekian Riya Luthra Austen Matzig California Loyola Marymount University Can Caglar Olivia Johnson Pepperdine University Emily Hellmuth
Alekza Morris San Diego State University Leah-Joan Lavoie San Jose State University Parker Heath Santa Clara University William Story Stanford University Matthew Mattei Ava Tiffany University of San Diego Isabella Reynolds COLLEGE MAP
Most
Colorado University of Colorado Boulder Ava Murphy Austin Taylor Henry Westphal Catherine Whitlock Colorado State University Michael Wisinski D.C. George Washington University Thomas Doody Florida 05
Stetson University Wes Lee Hahnfeld Georgia Emory University Reese Greenlee Savannah College of Art & Design Nicole Lambert Elise Standbridge University of Georgia Sydney Chandler Charles Fielder Emily Garberding Eloise Henry Grace Jackson Adam Massman Cole Richter Hannah Roberson Weller Smith Alexandra Thomas Alexandra Worthen Illinois Northwestern University Juliet Allan School of the Art Institute of Chicago Anthony Ngo University of Chicago Spencer Dalton Braden Jirovec Indiana Indiana University Isabela Alomar Sydney Moore Purdue University John Burns Grayson Hall Mason Ingrum University of Notre Dame Isabella McElfresh Louisiana Louisiana State University Merrick Ellison Isabella Vargas Massachusetts Harvard University Justin Li Michigan University of Michigan Isabella Acosta Alexandra Jack Lola Rodriguez Missouri University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis Logan Stribling
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University of Missouri-Columbia Lola Jahant Mississippi University of Mississippi Olivia Barton Hadley Bornemann Robert Clark Caroline Hart Savannah Hembree Hayden Holman Zachary Hoogland David Meaney Shelby Pettit Zachary Rhea Lilly Sealy Piper Soetenga North Carolina Duke University George Wright The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Jackson Holmes University of North Carolina School of the Arts Ainsley Wiseman Wake Forest University Isabel Cali Sophia Grayson New York Colgate University Carlyn Johnson Columbia University in the City of New York Rebeca De La Garza Evia Linan Cornell University Reva Rao Rochester Institute of Technology Connor Molen The New School Carter Polk Oklahoma Oklahoma State University Logan Ballmer Oral Roberts University Aydan DeLeon University of Oklahoma Wilson Bell Riley Burke Caroline Craycroft Jack Krejs Bryelle Morrow William Scrivner Pennsylvania Drexel University Gabrielle Robinson
COLLEGE MAP
Pennsylvania State University Trevor Ullmann South Carolina Citadel Military College of South Carolina Peter Nettleton Clemson University Zoe Wilcox College of Charleston Abigail Corcoran Tennessee Belmont University Zachary Anderson The University of the South Gavin Stallings Vanderbilt University Jedidiah Graham Landon Prince Bridget Stammel Neely Womble Shuang Xia Texas Baylor University Sophia Anderson Spencer Bell Dane Dabboussi Devoney Duclow Andres Gonzalez Davis Riley Mae Herrod Gage Holmes William Jackson Lyla Meece Kate Swayze Blinn College Jordyn Gonzales Katherine Owen Dallas Baptist University Elise Borders Gracie Lane Richard Paulus Southern Methodist University Sophie Biediger Ariyana Dahiya Ashiyana Dahiya Kennedy Downing Mary Katherine Ferguson Adam Harper Alexandra Lahiri Luke Mattox Grace Newhouse Xavier Rafique Riley Rieman Zoryana Spitzer Elise Waterston Grey Webster
Avery White Andrea Yang Southwestern University Christian Reeves Texas A & M University Elizabeth Boyer RaeAnne Bradshaw Chloe Briner Alianne Elmore Jack Fitzmartin Sarah Gambrell Grace Handler Samuel Heinrich Olivia Iles Caroline Jernigan Cole Keating Andrew Kirby Marcus Lanio Julius Lee Grace Middendorf Gavin Monk Anna Nye Allison Ott Andrew Peltz Matthew Ryan Abigail Sabatini Caitlin Samson Luke Schaller Callie Seabolt William Sherwood Elizabeth Signor Alexander Smith Ella Steed Joe Stover Ava White Texas Christian University Mary Bassett Davis Brown Robert Brown Margaret Keogh MaryKate Sweary Preston Taylor Jonathan Thomas Sydney Thomas Madelyn White Texas Tech University Jackson Carruth Kylie Chilton Andrew Else Camille Harrell Andrew Wallace The University of Texas at Austin Brady Boyanovsky Stephanie Brown Raahil Dhingra
Mack Duvall Riley Fainter Ava Haberer Jackson Holmes Lindsey Hosch Kai Jejurikar Ehsan Kapadia Audrey Kelley Trent Kinder Meg Lochausen Katherine Massey Victoria Mentzer Pranjal Rai Whitney Reid Grayson Rodgers Isabella Rosas John Rutledge Raymond Saalfield Jackson Sacher Frensley Smith Baker Stockton Madison Terry Joy Ting Isabella Wade Chloe Walsh Gantt Walton Alyssa Wang Evan Wang Charlotte Webb Campbell Whann Caroline Willis Sophia Wilson Clare Wu The University of Texas at Dallas Oleksii Samkov Trinity University Sarah Johnson University of North Texas Jared Hart Angela Yang West Texas A & M University Clark Turner Utah Brigham Young University Maren Hamilton George Mathison Virginia University of Virginia Hannah Harkins Mary Sell
Class of 2022 COLLEGE CHOICES
BY THE
NUMBERS
129
going to college out of state
119
going to college in state
35
going to The University of Texas at Austin
7
going to a 2022 top-10 university
4
going to an art or design school
2
going to an ivy league
COLLEGE MAP
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Climbing
to different heights
Students opt to start careers, take gap years over college
Stories by Mila Segal, Ellie Cooper, August Lazarro and Juliana Stimac
F
or a year after she graduates, senior Amelia Lonsdale will save money to move to and model in Los Angeles. Lonsdale belongs to Dragonfly Agency and has modeled for three years. She first got into modeling to avoid a more traditional part-time job like waitressing. “I definitely see it as more of a job than a hobby because it feels like work,” Lonsdale said. “But it is a fun job.” As her modeling career progressed, she was doing photo shoots weekly. Senior Gia Dorazil, Lonsdale’s friend, said watching Lonsdale’s opportunities grow was surreal. “It’s not as easy as people perceive it to be, and it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort,” Dorazil said. “You are constantly having to please people and work on yourself.” Lonsdale plans to network and build her reputation once she arrives in Los Angeles, where she said the job opportunities are more abundant. Surrounded by friends going to four-year colleges, Lonsdale felt like she was missing out, but she tried not
Amelia Lonsdale
O
nce she crosses the stage come Maddysen Hardee graduation day, senior Maddysen Hardee plans to pursue her passion, art. “I want to make and sell pieces by commission,” Hardee said. “I personally prefer to do portraits and draw faces.” Hardee will be taking business classes at Dallas College, which she hopes will help in her planned career as an a commissioned artist. “I don’t want the huge amount of debt for a degree I’m not sure I even want,” Hardee said. “I’ve never had a dream job that wasn’t selling my own art.” She will also take the opportunity to explore some other interests in community college, such as anatomy, psychology and math. “I’m hoping that once I’m out of school, I’ll have more time to focus on my art,”
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to focus on what she might be missing out on. “I remembered that I could go visit all of my friends in college, and I also didn’t have all the stress that they were having because I know what I’m going to do,” Lonsdale said. To save up for her move, Lonsdale will bartend at the restaurant Up on Knox and take local modeling jobs. “I think it will be a great opportunity for her to live on her own, but of course I will miss her,” James Lonsdale, Amelia Lonsdale’s father, said. He said that Lonsdale’s smarts, beauty and good sense of humor will serve her well while she works to make a name for herself in California. “I have a lot of faith that anything she puts her mind to she can do,” James Lonsdale said. “As long as she is happy doing something, it makes me happy.” Hardee said. The support of her parents and friends, as well as her own personal drive, have made the process easier, she said. “As long as what she does makes her happy, then I’m all for it,” sophomore Arin Mann, Hardee’s friend, said. A fellow senior and friend of Hardee, Marion Hawsey, is also supportive of Hardee’s decision in pursuing community college, and is also supportive of her future art business. “I feel that she’s a smart individual and she should know what’s best for her future,” Hawsey said. “I will support any choice she makes.”
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
Indigo Hawkins
T
he countdown to graduation recently started for the senior class, but senior Indigo Hawkins has been counting down every day for the last four years. “I am more ecstatic than I could tell you,” Hawkins said. “I have wanted to graduate from the first day I stepped foot into high school.” After much consideration, Hawkins believes going straight to college is not the right path for her because she is not fond of the large social environments that come with going to college. “I just never really liked school in general, and during quarantine, I realized how school isn’t really for me, and I am not a big people person.” she said. “I can get bad anxiety when it comes to a lot of people. Watching her boss at her current job, a perfume and cologne business, inspired Hawkins to look into a career in cosmetology. Eventually, she wants to own a hair salon.
Harry Hook
S
enior Harry Hook wants to see the world, and he wants to see it
right now. Hook believes there’s no better time to venture from country to country. “You develop yourself as a person instead of going out and learning these school skills,” he said. The cost of a college degree has ballooned, but a degree doesn’t guarantee a job. To Hook, it isn’t worth it. “In four years, I can spend my money more efficiently and effectively in the stock market [or by] starting my own business and investing in properties,” Hook said. He used to see himself going to Texas A&M with his two best friends, but when it came time to apply, Hook felt hesitant. “He was having a whole crisis in his plan [of whether or not] to go to college, and he was so relationship driven that he just wanted to go to school, but that didn’t feel right for any of us,” his mom, Brigitte Hook, said. Though Harry Hook and his mom initially thought a gap year would be a waste, things changed when Hook found a cultural immersion travel program.
“I love dying or cutting hair, and I kind of like being my own boss,” Hawkins said. Although some members of Hawkins’ family are wary of her decision, English teacher Michael Neil, who teaches Hawkins, believes the norm within the district for students to go to a four-year college right after high school creates an environment that fosters unhealthy competition in regard to college admissions. “The social script is one of the things to understand about HP,” Neil said. “The question is not are you going to college, but where. It makes [for] an atypical environment [compared to a] lot of other schools in the country.” Along the way, one of Hawkins’ biggest supporters has been her close friend senior Stephanie Hanson. The pair have been friends since they were in fourth grade. Hanson believes Hawkins knows what option is the best for her and supports her decision to forge her own path. “I see Indigo being her own independent boss,” Hanson said. “She has a great work ethic, and she knows what she wants to do.” “He knew he was smart, and he was going to do well in life, so the gap year makes so much sense for a student like him,” Brigitte Hook said. The program is called “The Explorer,” an 11 week long gap semester run by cultural education program Education First. After touring Europe’s major cities, students in the program will spend a few weeks immersed in language and staying in a city of their choice. The last four weeks consist of social and environmental service in Thailand. “I’ve planned out all the sights I want to see, all the gardens I want to visit, all the museums I need to go check out,” Harry Hook said. “[In Thailand], we’ll be making meals for people [and] building homes [and] schools.” Harry Hook has been learning French because he feels it will be useful while living in Europe. “My mom already speaks French because she’s French ,and I thought it’d be easy to do something with my mom,” he said. Harry Hook’s football coach, Bobby Leidner, doesn’t think college is for everybody. “You [don’t] have to go to college but get your own education in other avenues,” Leidner said. As graduation approaches, Hook is excited to learn and grow independently. “It’s [about] what I’m going to learn: independence, becoming a young man, [becoming a part of] society and being a global citizen,” he said.
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
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Together we kept
ACHIEVING
SCHOLARSHIPS HPHS Alumni Association Scholarship Katherine Anne Massey Barbara Lomax Hitzelberger Leadership Scholarship Lola Ann Jahant Margaret Ashley Terrell Ben Wiseman Scholarship Mary Caroline Bassett William James Scrivner Bruce H. Harbour Scholarship Andres Ricardo Gonzalez Davis Callie Curnes Scholarship Lyla Joy Meece Charles Mauldin Story Memorial Scholarship George Nicholas Wright Christianne Beshara Scholarship - Awarded by HP Sports Club Hannah Grace Roberson Curley Family Scholarship Mary Kathryn Henson Callie Kay Seabolt Dale Lawrence Scholarship Mary Katherine Ferguson Camille Killian Harrell Campbell Maginnis Whann Darla Hollingshead Highland Belle Scholarship Ava Stewart Tiffany Doak Walker Scholarship Awarded by HP Sports Club Vincent McRae Frizell Elizabeth Toon Memorial Scholarship Pranjal Rai Fred Vehon – Biggest Heart Scholarship Reid Thorton Kennedy Hamlin Scholarship Carlyn Elizabeth Johnson Gracie Halsell Lane Highland Belles Scholarship Kathryn Lilly Hamilton 10
Ava Stewart Tiffany Chloe Grace Walsh Highland Park Class of 1961 Scholarship Lola Magdalena Rodriguez Highland Park Literary Festival / Fred Damiano Scholarship Juliet Emily Allan Highland Park Sports Club Presidential Scholarship Charlotte Nicole Webb Inspired by Tradition, In Honor of Class of 2007 State Semi-Finalist Football Scholarship Richard Mason Gallas James John ‘JJ’ Kent Scholarship Olivia Grace Iles Jason Mahvi Duck Memorial Scholarship Avery Madison Turner John and Eileen Howie Community Service Memorial Scholarship Advaith Subramanian Kellis G. White Scholarship Mary Katherine Ferguson Kristin Loyd (Krissi) Holman Scholarship: In Honor of the Class of 2004 Katherine Anne Massey L.E. and Evadna Marshall Memorial Scholarship Georgia Leigh Curtis Lindsey Nicole Hosch Linda Raya Fine Arts Memorial Scholarship Lyla Joy Meece Kate Margaret Swayze Martha Mary Stewart Scholarship Daniel Arturo Carrillo Mary Dillard Scholarship Mary Margaret Sell Mary Margaret Malloy Scholarship Justin Yian Li Matthew Shamburger Scholarship Yixing Jiang Megan Gallagher Scholarship Alexandra Charis Jack AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
Michael Mauldin Boone Leadership Scholarship Caroline Sterling Willis Myrtillie Bradfield Scholarship Hailey Ellen Harkins Preservation Park Cities Scholarship Elise Ann Waterston Grey Townsend Webster Rebecca Buchanan Brimmage Foundation Scholarship Hailey Ellen Harkins Hannah Elaine Harkins SEPAC Peer Tutor Scholarship Elizabeth Claire Bassett Susan Candy Luterman and Jerry A. Candy Scholarship Isabella Joy Acosta Suzy Groth Rhodes Scholarship Chloe Grace Walsh Tracy Wills Scholarship Scarlett York Randall Warren Hutchinson Scholarship Juliet Emily Allan Willie Tichenor Arts Scholarship Reva Rao Choir Booster Club Scholarship Juliet Emily Allan Dylan Kiser Woodward Sydney Anne Moore Robert Varner Scholarship William Rhodes Jackson AWARDS Blanket Award Katherine Anne Massey Blanket Award George Nicholas Wright Reid Thornton Kennedy Ford Lacy Latin Prize Daniel Arturo Carrillo Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Carlyn Elizabeth Johnson Art Purchase Award Zoe Annelise Blanchette Business Award Austen Taylor Matzig Debate Award Evan Zirui Wang 2-D Design Portfolio Award Andrew Charles Else Drama Award Madison Paige Terry
English Award Isabella Joy Acosta French AP Award Charles Abbey Campbell Latin AP Award Daniel Arturo Carrillo Spanish 5 Award Grace Caroline Middendorf AP Spanish Literature Award Christopher Ryan Carmack AP Spanish Language Award Sydney Anne Moore Neely Ryan Womble Howard McLean Journalism Scholarship Award Hannah Grace Roberson Laurence Perrine Poetry Award Juliet Emily Allan Mary Dillard Award Elise Ann Waterston Mathematics Award Justin Yian Li Park Cities Talented and Gifted Distinguished Scholar Award Spencer Michael Dalton Kathryn Lilly Hamilton Roseanne Leediker Science Award Clare Wu Justin Yian Li Highland Park Servant Leadership Award Justin Yian Li Nathan Bolin Liu Katherine Anne Massey Anisha Shivani Mehta Caroline Grace Turner Chloe Grace Walsh Avery Anne White Regan Elizabeth Williams Social Studies Award Tess Alexandra Liv Stanford Grey Townsend Webster Stanton-Gage Art Award Laura Avery Mickel HONORS DAY MAXIMUM OFFICERS Ellie Bassett Will Carlisle Jack Curtis Devoney Duclow Reese Greenlee Eloise Henry
Jackson Holmes Chas Hutchison Lola Jahant Mary Frances Jones Brandon Luk Katherine Massey Luke Mattox Grace Middendorf Grace Newhouse Cole Richter HannahRoberson Ava Tiffany Luke Vendig Chloe Walsh Sterling Willis Neely Womble George Wright GOLD Isabella Acosta Ben Bailey Caroline Bassett Sydney Chandler Rhodes Crow Spencer Dalton Merrick Ellison Riley Fainter Grayson Gaskill Lola Jahant Caroline Jernigan Julius Lee Meg Lochausen Ford Manley Katherine Anne Massey Alekza Morris Fahad Qureshi Catherine Reynolds Susan Richey Riley Rieman Kate Rossley Jack Tatum Mattie Terrell Ellie Teter Jonathan Thomas Kate Thomason Joy Ting Carly Turner Elise Waterston Avery White SILVER Leah Armayor Philip Beecherl Kylie Bell RaeAnne Bradshaw Chloe Briner Estelle Cherry Anna Cooke AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
Anna Denman Christina Diehl Kennedy Downing Riley Fainter Charlie Fielder Liam Fisher John Lawson Florer Emily Garberding Ava Haberer Kate Hamilton Faith Harris Jared Hart Eloise Henry Grace Jackson Kennedy Kleck Bubrig Audrey Leigh Meg Lochausen Katherine Anne Massey Kenna McCarter Maura McDowell Landon Miller Gavin Monk Lucy Needleman Elise Needleman Grace Newhouse Anna Nye Thomas Oliver Kate Owen Shelby Pettit Francie Pierce Pranjal Rai Ali Reardon Ali Rogers Bridget Rutledge Taylor Saphier Lilly Sealy Piper Soetenga Peyton Sutcliffe Alexandra Thomas Sydney Thomas Katelyn Turco Justine Van Buskirk Chloe Walsh Hallie Warren Lauren Welp Ava Williams SSterling Willis Sarah Wilshusen Alex Winandy Ali Worthen A special thank you to all the generous donors of the scholarships and to our teachers for their nominations. 11
Rebuilding TOGETHER By Will Gaffey
F
Seniors reflect on four years of building construction
or the past four years, current seniors have watched the school transform decades-old plaster to shiny glass and new decor. The renovations included a new parking lot, two new wings, a new natatorium and a refurbished student entrance. While these renovations were a big undertaking, assistant principal Troy Gray saw these changes as crucial. “We want to make sure that our kids have the latest and greatest access to everything,” Gray said. “This whole building, we just kind of outgrew it. I mean, when you walked down the hallway right outside my office, that intersection was just very tight,” Gray said. There also weren’t enough classrooms for every teacher to have their own. English teacher Jaclyn Moryan said that she floated between different teachers’ classrooms for three semesters before she got her own in the northwest addition of the building in 2019. “There were some challenges that went along with floating,” Moryan said. “It’s just harder to keep track of materials and it’s harder to keep track of papers. But it wasn’t the end of the world.” Five years ago, Gray was assigned to oversee the high school’s construction by former principal Walter Kelly. “I worked with the district directors, but I also worked with the superintendents and the construction company that was working on the building,” Gray said.
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Gray controlled when construction went underway and made a point to ensure that the renovations had as little an impact on the student body as possible, which was easier when the school shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. “When kids weren’t in the building, we were able to speed up the production because, keeping safety in mind, we would have to build around the kids,” Gray said. “A lot of major stuff we [did] after school, before school, or on the weekends.” However, construction on the building did alter the functioning of school activities. Baseball team member senior Trey Brimmage said the team had an alternative locker room during his sophomore year while the new athletic facilities were being built. “It shouldn’t have even counted as a locker room seeing as we were on the turf and they just put up two flimsy walls,” Brimmage said. Senior Carlyn Johnson said that when Westchester Drive was closed for student entrance renovations, she had to travel further to get to school every day. “It kind of got in the way of some of my classes,” Johnson said. “I had one class where I had to walk outside through construction to get to it, which was annoying, but I would say it’s worth it.” Though the northwest addition was scheduled for completion in August, the wing was still being finalized at the beginning of the 2019 school year. Teachers who would eventually end up in that wing were in alternate locations for a few weeks. BUILDING
Library assistant Michelle Whitaker said it didn’t affect the library overall when classes ended up in the library’s adjoining rooms, though the rooms receive less use now. “We still use them mostly for when classes need to come in and use the active board or laptops,” she said. The library was greatly impacted
FIRST FLOOR 2019
2020
2021
The Northwest Addition on the first floor creates a new band hall, orchestra rooms, locker rooms, and gym. The counseling office receives an update.
Along with the stairwell, a new clinic office is also built. Outside classrooms numbered in the WC100s on the west side of the building, a flexible space with glass enclosures and new furniture is created.
The new student entrance is done complete with ground floor seating and the learning stairs, stairs that function as seats with outlets allowing devices to charge. The first floor level of the natatorium infill is complete.
BUILDING
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when the renovation of the library began in 2021. The library moved to pods on the second floor above the student entrance on the other side of the school during construction, made possible by previous construction efforts and donor funds. “We didn’t have a lot of book circulation at all,” Whitaker said. “It was just a come and go thing where people printed or asked questions or whatever, but there wasn’t a lot of library activity like we would have normally had.” When the library opened in 2022, the activity returned and the library returned to normal again. “Everybody likes the new furniture in the space now,” Whitaker said. “I think it’s a good space for people to come and hang out.” Jefferson Chen, a senior AP seminar student, uses the library frequently and wishes he had another semester to enjoy its new look and play Connect Four in the back, though his favorite update to the building is the Moody Advanced Professional Studies center on the third floor of the northwest addition because it facilitates projects and collaboration. “We have a really large class, I think, 40-something students [and there’s] lots of space for each group to discuss separately and we can just work,” Chen said. “But if it were your normal classroom, we can’t really do that because it’s too crowded.” Chen thinks the renovations over the past four years have improved the quality of education at the school. “I was actually really surprised by the student entrance because it was so nice that after they finished
“
it felt like entering a totally different school,” Chen said. “It just made me and the rest of the student body a lot more comfortable.” He believes that the renovations decreased hallway traffic dramatically by creating new ways for students to navigate through the hallways. “Even now, it can get really tight,” Chen said. “Just imagine what it was like when you had a few stairs and you had to cross paths with 2000 students in only six minutes.” Another one of his favorite changes is the introduction of pods, the glasswalled study chambers scattered across the school, which he likes to use for math work. “They feel like something special with really comfortable chairs and privacy,” Chen said. “Before, we’d probably sit in the cafeteria or a small room, and there was just not that much chance for us to actually do things.” Brimmage agrees, claiming that the pods made his school life more convenient. “Normally in previous years if I studied or if I had to do work, I’d go to the library, but now I can just go into pods and study in complete silence,” Brimmage said. Johnson said she thought the pods were weird at first, but the changes to the building grew on her over time, though they can be hard to navigate. “I was doing fish camp tours and I had a few tours in the new science wing where the pool used to be,” she said. “I had no clue where that was.” As a swim team member, Johnson believes that while the natatorium was in a convenient location, an updated version of the 50-yearold pool was needed. “It was dingy and just looked gross,” Johnson said. “It worked, but there were a lot of leaks, so sometimes water came gushing out of the wall.” The new natatorium is inside the William P. Clements Leadership Center on Douglas Avenue, across the street
When compared to how the school was when I arrived, the atmosphere is just so much more welcoming.
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BUILDING
from the school building. The pool exceeded her expectations. “There is new seating for people, the pool itself has two more lanes and is also a lot deeper and we have another diving board,” Johnson said. “Overall the changes have made a tremendous difference.” The district hopes that the changes to the building will help the 100-yearold high school survive for another century, according to a statement obtained from the district website. “When compared to how the school was when I arrived, the atmosphere is just so much more welcoming,” Chen said. “I honestly think that these changes have left a great impact on the student body, and I’m sure that they will continue to set the right tone for future classes.”
SECOND FLOOR 2019
The Northwest Addition opens and holds classes for the first time.
2020
A new stairwell opens, allowing students to take a different route between the two floors to reduce hallway congestion.
2021
The rooms for newspaper and yearbook classes are completed. SC212 is extended. New classrooms above the student entrance open. Flexible spaces and classrooms line the former natatorium hall.
2022
The updated library is completed with new furniture and a new layout.
THIRD FLOOR
BUILDING
2019
Moody Advanced Professional Studies Center becomes the first third floor wing of the school as part of the Northwest Addition.
2021
The space that was originally the natatorium is now filled with a new wing of classes. The Moody Advanced Professional Studies Center constructs and previews a coffee shop named Scottie Joe’s.
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In the backpacks aisle at Target, a variety of kids backpacks are put on display. Though they are normally meant for younger children, seniors have made it popular to wear them in their last year of high school. Photo by Matteo Winandy
SENIORS SHOW OFF BACKPACKS
“I’ve actually had this backpack for a long time, and I love ‘South Park,’ so that’s why I decided to wear this,” senior Ava White said.
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“I used to watch ‘Sesame Street’ when I was younger, and I didn’t think anyone else would have it,” senior Skylar Carter said.
“I saw one of these backpacks in Office Depot, and thought it was funny, so I just did it,” senior Hudson Miller said.
BACKPACKS
“A bunch of my friends did it that were older, but I just thought it was cool,” senior Emma Moise said.
“This backpack was cheap, and everyone does it, so why not,” senior Aiden Cox said.
BACKPACKING Students continue senior tradition of wearing “kiddie” backpacks to school
S
ome are bright pink and fluffy, others are rainbow colored, and there are even ones with pop-outs. Others sport the faces of childhood cartoon characters from Paw Patrol, Beauty and the Beast and Pokémon. It has become a senior trend to sport a kid-themed backpack. Typically, the themes are from shows and movies seniors watched in their childhood. The trend has been happening for years and, most seniors catch wind of it through word of mouth. “I had a bunch of friends in
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I think that carrying these funny bags represents the graduating class in a fun way with all of us finishing off school.
”
the grades above who had carried funny backpacks, and I always found it fun how they did that,” senior Shelby Pettit said. “My whole friend group [now] carries the funny backpacks. They love it, and we all went to go pick them out together.” Senior Celia Leonard also heard about the trend from friends who were participating at other schools, like Bishop Lynch High School. “We [thought] ‘let’s do that too,’” Leonard said. “[Then], we all went to Target and on Amazon and got all of these crazy Disney backpacks.” There are a variety of backpacks to choose from, and seniors pick theirs based off a multitude of standards. Leonard, who bought her “Sofia the First” backpack off of Amazon, picked hers based on size to accommodate her classroom needs. She ended up selecting one of the few bigger options they sold. “They had that and ‘Moana,’ and I was just always more of a ‘Sofia the First’ girl,” she said. “This one is 16 inches, and it used to have her face on it, but she fell off. Now, it’s got holes in it, and it can’t hold my stuff.” Pettit picked her Mad Pax backpack because of its sentimental value. “My backpack this year was my brother’s from kindergarten,” Pettit said. “I picked it because it was funny, but also it was my brother’s old backpack. He’s a freshman this year, and I thought it would be funny for him to see it everyday.” Other seniors, like Hudson Miller, picked theirs based on the character theme of the backpack. “I got a Lightning McQueen backpack from the movie ‘Cars,’” Miller said. “I found it at Office Depot, and I picked this one because I liked the movie.” The trend is not only fun for seniors,
BACKPACKS
together
Story by Katherine Harrell
but also for underclassmen who find it entertaining to spot the backpacks in the halls. “I think they’re funny and creative,” sophomore Tia Taubenfeld said. “I think it can be fun wearing a backpack from a show you watched whenever you were a child, and people can relate to that.” Freshman Elizabeth Cribbins shares the same view as Taubenfeld. “I think it’s kind of funny seeing these almost grown students walking around with Peppa Pig backpacks,” she said. Senior Will Carlisle likes the tradition because of how it can entertain the entire school, not just the seniors. “I love the idea because it gives seniors an opportunity to make others laugh,” Carlisle said. “It’s a good way to represent the senior class, so that all the underclassmen know who owns them.” Miller said he also enjoys the trend because it’s an amusing way to separate the senior class from the rest of the grades. “It’s special that not everyone has one, just the senior class,” he said. Pettit also appreciates the significance of the backpacks for the senior class. “I think that carrying these funny bags represents the graduating class in a fun way with all of us finishing off school,” Pettit said. Leonard enjoyed participating in the trend with her classmates and said the backpack throwback tradition has made her senior year all the more memorable. “Obviously, I haven’t had a backpack like this since kindergarten,” she said. “It’s just like saying goodbye to your childhood with graduating and all. I just think it’s fun.”
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Together we keep
COMPETING
Spotlighting three committed seniors’ athletic careers Stories by Zach King, Zoie Carlile, Isabella Navarro
Collin Valentine
T
he baseball team’s left handed ace, senior Collin Valentine, will take his talents to the University of Texas, where he will continue to further his baseball career. Valentine, who stands at 6’3’’ and weighs about 165 pounds, is the only left-handed pitcher in UT’s 2022 signing class. He possesses a classic left-handed specialist toolkit of pitches, with an 79-84 mph fastball, as well as both a curve ball and sweeping slider. Valentine first played a variety of positions in baseball, but once he hit the age of 9, when pitching is permitted for youth teams, pitching felt natural to him. “I really enjoyed having the ball every play,” Valentine said. “It’s the position with the most action in the game, and you can really control the game that way.” Perseverance helped Valentine adapt to the strenuous schedule of a travel team as a young athlete. “I had to learn how to cool down after the games and get comfortable with it,” Valentine said. Valentine’s catcher, senior Henry Shearer, met Valentine when they played together in middle school. “The first game I ever caught for Collin, I immediately knew he was a special talent and wanted to keep playing with him,” Shearer said.
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This was also around the time Valentine caught the attention of head coach Travis Yoder, who attends games at the middle school to get familiar with the players. “He was good, and I knew he was a hard worker,” Yoder said. “Once he came to the high school, we already were looking at him as a potential number one.” Valentine and Yoder reminisced on moments like when Valentine pitched a complete game shutout against Forney High School in 2021. The team won their first game at Forney in over a decade. “He’s always is on the pursuit of more information on how he can get better,” Yoder said. Both as a player and as a leader, Yoder said Valentine was a valuable role model for the team. “He completely understands how to get his body properly warmed up for games, and other kids saw that and the success he was having and tried to emulate,” he said. Shearer said Valentine inspires others on and off the field. “He’s someone I know I can always count on to succeed and also hold me accountable,” Shearer said.
COMMITTED ATHLETES
Christian Reeves
F
ootball season has come to a close in the fall, but senior Christian Reeves’ career as an athlete just started. Reeves committed to Southwestern University after being offered a football scholarship. “We don’t see a lot of Highland Park running backs go on to play at the next level, so to see one of our own go to the next level is going to be fun to watch,” coach Ryan Gibbs said. Reeves started football in the early stages of his life. “My older brother played so that’s probably what got me into it, and my dad played when he was younger,” Reeves said. As school progressed, so did Reeves’ love for football. “I just love the intensity and especially how close it is with your teammates,” he said. However, Reeves also said he felt pressure to succeed. “Our football team specifically tries to hold the players to a higher standard, like academically trying to keep their grades up,” Reeves said. “Sports wise, there’s definitely a lot of pressure keeping the tradition that we have at our school up and keeping the winning legacy going.” Senior Ben Crossdale, also a running back, says he feels lucky to have played with Reeves. “I know he’s going to work hard at Southwestern because of how he worked during high school,” he said. Reeves says his passion for the game is what keeps him going and keeps the sport interesting no matter how long he’s played it. “Every time I go out on the field, I always have fun and love being with the team,” he said.
Sophie Biediger
A
fter playing golf throughout middle and high school, senior Sophie Biediger is finally graduating and moving on to the next stage of her golf career: college golf. Biediger committed to Southern Methodist University to play the sport and was also offered a scholarship. “I’m really looking forward to playing in college and playing at the next level with a whole new set of teammates that seem to be really dedicated, and super fun to be around,” she said. Biediger first started playing golf at a young age, going out with her dad on the weekends to try the sport. At first, she was involved with many sports ranging from basketball to cross country. However, after realizing golf was her passion, Biediger fully committed herself to the sport. “I can play when I’m on my own or when I’m with my team. It really doesn’t matter,” Biediger said. “It’s really quiet and peaceful, and that’s what I really love about it.” Throughout her high school career, Biediger formed close bonds with all of her teammates. “Even though we’re on our own during the tournaments, at the end of the day, we all come back together and have such a great time,” she said. Sophomore Landry Saylor, one of Biediger’s teammates and friends, said Biediger is an asset. “She puts so much effort into golf, it’s crazy, and I love it,” Saylor said. “I almost thought sometimes that she couldn’t get any better. Biediger’s coach, Mercedes Trent, worked with her over the last year. “Sophie really is probably one of the best golfers that I’ve ever seen,” Trent said. “Practicing, playing, she just holds herself to a really high
standard. She’s amazing.” Over the last four years, Biediger spent hours every day practicing and often did tournaments on weekends. “Golf is one of my favorite things, so I wouldn’t really rather be doing a lot of other things with the time that I have,” she said. Because of Biediger’s nonstop love for the sport, she stayed determined to catch the eye of a college, so she could keep playing. “I had to keep it going, and I didn’t want to quit because I feel like [it would] be a waste to go through high school and then quit,” Biediger said. “All of my junior year it kind of built up, and then I just knew that I had to do it.” Trent believes that Biediger has a bright future ahead of her at SMU. “I’m really happy for her because I think it’s a really good choice,” Trent said. “I’m really excited for her to continue this next chapter.” C
“
I’m really looking forward to playing in college and
playing at the next level with a whole
new set of teammates that seem to be really
dedicated and super fun to be around. Biediger
”
COMMITTED ATHLETES
COMMITTED Senior athletes headed to university programs BASEBALL Preston Gamster Paris Junior College Braden Jirovec University of Chicago Jack Rich George Washington University Collin Valentine University of Texas FOOTBALL Ben Crossdale Furman Jack Curtis Air Force Christian Reeves Southwestern Luke Rossley North Texas Jack Stone Michigan State George Wright Duke GOLF Sophie Biediger SMU Christian Clark SMU Joe Stover Texas A&M LACROSSE Sydney Mayo Lee University SOCCER Elise Borders Dallas Baptist University Richie Paulus Dallas Baptist University SWIM/DIVE Lindsey Hosch University of Texas TRACK/FIELD John Rutledge University of Texas VOLLEYBALL Emily Hellmuth Pepperdine Erin Presley Wright South Carolina (Beach VB) 19
Taking the next
step
Retiring teachers say goodbye after decades
Stories by Elise Laharia, Alex Justine, Chloe Nugent and Elle Polychronis
Jesse Cole
W
ith a total of 35 years working in various Texas high schools, and 15 years in Highland Park, swim coach Jesse Cole is ready to retire. After his time coaching swim at a YMCA in Alabama, Cole took his first step into teaching at Plano Senior High and then Coppell High School. “That first year was pretty hard, getting my foot in the door and convincing people I knew what I was doing,” he said. Cole was inspired to teach by his parents who were also teachers. “I heard the conversations around the dinner table,” he said. “We
Dan Holden
H
ead tennis coach Dan Holden does not know life without tennis. He coached privately for 16 years and then coached college tennis for 14 years. “I just knew early [on] that coaching was the thing I enjoyed the most and the most fulfilling part for me is the development style and the relationships that you build with the kids,” Holden said. “You help them to be the best they can be. ” For 22 years, Holden has been the head tennis coach. He trains the tennis players, schedules matches and makes traveling arrangements. “Until I came to Highland Park, I never thought I would ever coach
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understood what it was all about.” Cole isn’t only focused on swimming. He is the Department Chair for Media, Information and Technology on campus and teaches several computer-based courses such as 3D Modeling and the popular course, Digital Interactive Media. “I got lucky and got in, enjoyed it and then became department chair,” he said. “One thing led to another.” Senior Ainsley Wiseman, one of Cole’s students in Dgital Interactive Media thinks that Cole is both patient and funny. “Coach Cole is a teacher that doesn’t take excuses, but [that] betters the students,” she said. “He really wants to see people thrive and push themselves, especially in an artistic
regard.” D u r i n g C o l e ’ s time in the district, the swim team has won seven champion titles. Cole said that each time was incredibly meaningful. “I had such great kids, and they had such a great personality and really were trying to do the right things all the way down the line,” he said. This year in particular was meaningful on its own. “I just had a lot of fun because I knew it [was] going to be my last year.”
high school tennis, and after being here 22 years, I should have gotten here a lot sooner than I did,” he said. However, after a year of decisionmaking, Holden has decided to retire at the end of this year. Tennis assistant coach Tylir Jimenez will take his place as the head tennis coach. “It was a bittersweet decision,” Holden said. “I will coach some privately, a couple hours here or there each day, but I plan on enjoying my retirement.” Sophomore Laura Wiese, who plays on the tennis team, said Holden’s biggest impact on her was his emphasis on wins and success, which helped the team overall. “[But] he is also still very understanding if you’re not feeling that good or if you did not get enough
sleep on the night before,” Wiese said. Holden looks back fondly at his time as the head tennis coach for the school. During his time, the team secured over 20 state titles. “This has been a great 22 years,” Holden said. “I am very thankful for [Coach Randy] Allen for giving me this opportunity and hiring me because without him, I wouldn’t be here. I owe him a great debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay.”
TEACHERS
David Clarke
F
ootball coach and teacher David Clarke worked in real estate for 17 years, but decided to switch gears and start coaching professionally. “My two kids went to school here, so they graduated here, and I graduated here, and so it was just a natural thing to be [teaching] in this community,” Clarke said. Clarke coached and taught at the m i d d l e school and high school for a total of 19 years. After 2017, he decided to focus only on teaching. He has taught in the social studies department during his time. At the end of this year, Clarke will retire. He plans on splitting his time between his house in south Florida
Peggy Bollman
A
rt teacher Peggy Bollman is retiring after spending nine years at the high school. “I think recent events, including COVID, just showed me and a lot of other people as well how precious life is, and I want to be at home and make art for myself,” Bollman said. When she first started her teaching career, her goal was to help students understand the impact of art and develop the tools to make good art. “Ms. Bollman has changed my perspective on art by showing me that there are many different kinds of art and to always push yourself to be creative,” freshman Catherine Stanzel, who currently has Bollman as a teacher, said. Bollman mentored Art teacher
and his wife’s family’s lake house on Cedar Creek Lake. “We aren’t getting any younger, and I want to be able to enjoy my retirement and do some fun things while I still can,” Clarke said. “When you get to be old like me, you cherish every day that you can get out of your bed.” Clarke wants to leave his students as curious and inquisitive citizens, especially as future voters “Hopefully they are learning to be people that can think for themselves and enjoy history and embrace some of [those] things,” he said. Clarke’s U.S. history class is junior Carsyn Gray’s favorite class, not just because of his teaching skills, but because he’s been kind to her. “He genuinely cares about people and what he’s trying to teach,” junior Carsyn Gray said. “He really wants people to learn.” Clarke plans to spend his free time trying new hobbies and spending time with family. “I’ve loved every minute of this and it’ll be sad to give this up and be away from the kids,” he said. Alexandra Sharp during her first year teaching, who felt Bollman went above and beyond. Sharp is happy that Bollman gets to retire after 30 years of service “Beyond being a good colleague, she’s a friend, so I feel like my ‘safety blanket’ is leaving me,” Sharp said. “I just know that she has impacted me professionally and personally and she will be very missed by our whole team and every one of her students.” Bollman believes this was the perfect school to end her career. “It has truly been a joy to be here,” she said. “The students are wonderful. The parents are incredibly supportive, and I work with some of the best teachers in the state. How could you ask for anything more?” TEACHERS
Advice for the Future
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Don’t slack off. If you are struggling, find a study group, talk to your teacher, talk to your TAs, email your teacher if you have any questions.” Physics teacher Jennifer Hudnall
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You have all of these anxieties and expectations of what college is going to look like, but good, bad and ugly, it’s all going to work out. ” Football coach Daren Eason
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Learn as much as you can in those four years, and meet as many people as you can in those four years. It really does fly by.” Spanish teacher Olivia Booth
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College is only 6570% that you use when you are at your job or profession. The other 30% that is missing, you will acquire when you get to the job.” Spanish teacher Maria Schrimpf
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It’s fine to be on the lower end of a full time. I wouldn’t try to overload because you may end up just burning yourself out. Economics teacher Jerry Howland
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Whatever your plan is, it’s probably not going to work out, so be flexible, and enjoy every path you go down.” Biology teacher Meredith Townsend
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Historic
FOUR Y By Lucy Gomez and Kimmie Johansen
October 2018 The #Metoo movement goes global.
December 2019 The U.S. house impeaches Donald Trump for the first time.
May 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are married at Windsor Castle.
May 2020 George Floyd is killed, sparking the Black Lives Matter protests.
February 2018 The Winter Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea.
September 2018 The Supreme Court holds hearings against Brett Kavanaugh after professor Christine Blasey Ford accuses him of sexual misconduct.
22
De
August 2019 The Amazon forest burns for a year.
January 2020 The first COVID-19 case is confirmed in the U.S.
R YEARS January 2021
TOGETHER
April 2022 Ketanji Brown Jackson becomes the first Black woman on the supreme court.
Joe Biden is inaugurated, and days later, a mob of Donald Trump supporters attack the Capitol.
January 2022 Wildfires break out across Colorado.
illed, k ests.
August 2021 December 2020 Joe Biden wins the 2020 Election against Donald Trump.
The first vaccine against COVID-19 is made available to those who are 16 and older.
February 2022 Russia invades Ukraine, prompting a war to break out between the two countries.
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