December 2019 Volume II Issue III
Dripping Springs High School, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
mydshs.com
The Paw Print Signed to Success Page 6
Choir Claims Chairs 2 All I Want for Christmas is to Get into College 3 The Science of Thriving 4 News 2 Entertainment 3 Features 4 Opinion 5 Sports 6,7 Student Life 8 The Paw Print’s core purpose is to serve the students and staff of Dripping Springs High School, as well as the community around it, with the most meaningful news and content regarding our school’s culture and the student body that influences it. From students, to students.
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Cover Design: Tessa Stigler
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The Paw Print December 2019
mydshs.com
News Creative Minds Students discover identity of writing program Nathan Longenecker Contributing Writer
The Creative Writing program was started in 2016 by Katy Eyberg and continues to grow and become a significant part of the school. “A lot of schools offer a creative writing program, and literary magazines are pretty common amongst high schools of this size,” Katy Eyberg, the creative writing teacher, said. “I think with the size that we were growing to at the time and the interest that the admins had heard from the students helped to grease the wheels.” The creative writing program appeals to many people because of both the literary magazine, the Meraki, and that the class was dedicated entirely to writing for fun. “What made me want to join creating writing was the class itself,” senior Travis Myhand said. “I was interested in getting to have a whole class just about creative writing because that was something I always
wish we did more of in English, and getting to help make the Meraki sealed it.” The most significant change in the creative writing program is the growth experienced throughout its short life. “When I first started [the creative writing program], it was a class of 24 students, I believe, just one class and they did everything from doing the activities we do in class with the different styles of writing to doing the first-ever literary magazine volume one,” Eyberg said. “That was just one accomplishment that year. We also held one open mic night in the spring, so everything that has happened since then has been just the growth of what was there beforehand with that first year.” Ms. Eyberg also has her students submit their stories to outside-ofschool competitions as practice for an opportunity to see if their writing piece can go further. “If you want to be a writer, you
need to get your writing out there,” Eyberg said. “The deeper point to that is that if you are serious about writing and if you are serious about improving your writing, then you need to get people to read your writing and give you feedback.”
Locals participate in run along Creek Road Tia Davidson Contributing Writer It is 7:30 on a chilly Sunday morning in Dripping Springs and ordinarily quiet Creek Road is flooding with people. As dawn approaches, more crowd around, stretching, pacing to warm up. They are runners and walkers ready to get after it and have a good time. “The idea was to bring local runners together with a beautiful race, showcasing the Dripping Springs hill country,” race director Daniel Pane said, “and with the intent of supporting organizations that foster an active and healthy lifestyle.”
Graphic by Jacob Pedersen
First Impeachment Hearing Madeline Tredway Staff Writer The first open inquiry into the impeachment of President Donald Trump was heard on Nov. 13. The Democrat-led House of Representatives took testimony from William B. Taylor Jr., the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced a formal inquiry in September in the wake of a whistleblower complaint about a phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president. The transcript of the phone call allegedly contains evidence of Trump urging Ukraine to launch an investigation into a conspiracy theory surrounding 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden and implications that if the aforementioned is not completed, the United States will withhold military aid to Ukraine. This quid-pro-quo, which, if true, would be illegal. After the rest of the key figures in the Ukraine phone calls testified in late November, the federal court will hold a hearing over the subpoena on Dec. 10. After all trials, the Judiciary Committee will vote upon each proposed article of impeachment. If approved, it will then be sent to the House to get
official approval. If the House does approve articles of impeachment for the president, it triggers a trial in the Senate. In the Constitution, it is unclear if the Senate is required to hold an impeachment trial; that, combined with Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s reputation to remain stagnant and not conduct many trials in the Senate suggests that, even if the House approves articles for impeachment, the trial simply may not be held. However, recent comments made by McConnell to reporters indicate that he may view impeachment hearings as obligatory. Even if all these processes end up going through, the Constitution requires
two-thirds approval from the Senate to remove the president from office immediately. This means that it would take only 34 of 54 Republican Senate members to acquit Trump of all charges (as the Senate currently holds a Republican majority); in essence, it would take 20 Republican Senate members defying their party to indict Trump, which does not seem likely. It is hard to judge how the impeachment process will end. Still, either way, the proceedings will make an impact on both Trump’s reelection campaign and, on a broader scale, the decade of politics.
Freshman Eva Vallo receives her medal after completing The Run by the Creek. Photo By Tia Davidson
16 choir students attended the district region 18 pre-area auditions. Eight out of 16 students were successful. Those choir students will attend area auditions on Jan. 11 at Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas.
Tenor Tenor Alto Chair
Daniel McIver - 3rd, Bass 1 Brody Lane -3rd, Bass 2 Gavin Kirkup - 4th, Bass 2
Ethan Owens - 3rd, Tenor 1 Josh Tomashek - 4th, Tenor 2
The Run by the Creek is a fast and fun 5k and 10k on 195 Roger Hanks Parkway. It is put on by the Dripping Springs Running Club (DSRC) and has taken place for the past eight years in November. “Our race is in November, so much of the planning conversations start up in July,” Pane said. “By mid-September, we are meeting regularly to make sure we are on track.” The race was created because the founding members of the DSRC wanted to create a high quality, local race that attracted runners within the community. “We each spearhead different aspects, but it is a team effort,” Pane said. “Since we all have day jobs, we hold each other accountable to be responsible for our tasks.”
Courtesy of pixabay.com
Choir Claims Chairs
Bass Chair
Local runner finishes the race. Photo by Tia Davidson
Alto Chair Claire Tole - 4th, Alto 1 Kaylee Cormack - 5th, Alto 1 Juliana Ussia - 3rd, Alto 2
DSRC and the race is entirely a volunteer effort. As such, it requires teamwork, coordination, and time. Each of the eight race directors are in charge of different aspects of putting on the race, including sponsorships and marketing, city permitting and approval, participant registration, race day operations, and logistics, volunteer coordination, and finance and accounting. “On the weekend of the race, it is an allhands-on-deck effort to make sure that the race goes as smoothly as possible,” Pane said. “We also have a mindset of continuous improvement. We debrief after the race and discuss what went well, what we could do better, and what we can do to grow our impact within the community.” T
Local adults and kids start the Run by the Creak race.
Photo By Tia Davidson
The race has folks that come to walk or run with a group of family or friends. Others have had Run by the Creek on the calendar for a while and were ready to participate to the best of their ability. “I trained after cross country season,” freshman Caroline Siddons said, “and ran a few times before the race.” The race is kid-friendly, so people especially enjoy watching children cross the finish line, proud of their accomplishments. “It was a very uplifting and motivating environment,” Siddons said, “which made the run better.”
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The Paw Print December 2019
Entertainment
Et Tu Cotton-Headed Ninny-Muggins
Why and How ‘Elf’ became a Christmastime Classic Ethan Everman Staff Writer
Through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, across the sea of swirly twirly gumdrops, and walked by way of the Lincoln Tunnel. Buddy the elf’s adventure was arduous and long, yet it was quite worth it for the comedy that ensues. Whether its Will Ferrell’s acting, the ridiculous plot, or the Christmastide thematics, the movie has stood the test of time, eventually becoming the iconic classic it is today. The seemingly random plot, a baby stolen away to the north pole now seeking his real father, Walter, might even help the movie become more powerful in its reserve. The flick accomplishes the goal of any movie during the holiday season wants to achieve, longevity. “Elf” was released in 2003, and they still play it in theaters and on TV around the holiday season. When it comes to Christmas, “Elf” constitutes a quintessential work of cinema that will bring joy and energy into any and every household. The main character Buddy depicts a merry and energetic man-child as Will Ferrell so poignantly portrays. Will brings life and dimensionality to the character that no other actor could have accomplished. Whether we find Buddy stumbling about New York City, searching the lingerie section for a gift to his father, or singing loudly across a department store, none can withstand Buddy’s charms. A man, living as an elf, that finds his way back to his real father. The plot kick-starts in an interesting way, a baby stowaway in Santa’s infamous knapsack. We then see Buddy discovering his actual origin, to which he feels driven to find his way back to where he came from. Yet, ready for the coldhearted world, Buddy was not, and he felt that most acutely from his own father. The storyline may seem ludicrous and wacky, but it has some really powerful callbacks and moralities that make the movie even more iconic. Many films stand the test of time, some old, some more modern, and the Jon Favreau directed effort “Elf” illustrates one of them. The movie’s more silly points are counterbalanced by the deeper Courtesy of IMDB moral tones of learning the truth of happiness and the freedom of personality.
Holiday Jams That Never Get Maddie Lewis Old Staff Writer Last Christmas By Wham Released in 1984
Mistletoe By justin bieber
Released in 2011
All I Want For Christmas is to Get Into College How To Keep Your Cool During Application Season Maddie Lewis Staff Writer
. Ah yes, it’s that time of year again; a season full of Christmas cookies, lighting the menorah, family drama, and college applications. Although we should be enjoying our time off, hanging out with the people we love, and getting in the holiday spirit, the majority of us will have nothing but college decisions on our minds. Applications are due, decisions are approaching, and the future is inevitably upon us. So here’s the question we all need to ask ourselves: how do we keep from going crazy in this period of anticipation? And while I can’t give you a cure or regimen to the anxiousness we’re all feeling, here are some words of advice from former DSHS students who’ve all experienced and survived this time of existential dread. “The waiting process in between hearing back from the schools you’ve applied for (can be up to a few months) is your time to really to evaluate all of your options,” Kristina Huynh, class of 2018, said. “Go visit the campus, meet the people who go there, and really explore the surrounding town, and definitely the costs. Just stay super open-minded, and if your first school doesn’t end up working out for whatever reason, to go with the currents and know that better things are coming. Adapt quickly, and make the most of where you are. Also, the best advice is to find an environment you love, beyond the campus itself, because a college can be super great and also be in the middle of nowhere.”
Wonderful christmas Time
“Just know that no matter where you get, in or where you get denied, it’s all for a reason, and if you got denied that means you just aren’t meant to go there,” Destry Dewitt, class of 2018, said. “Also, keep in mind you can transfer wherever, so if you end up really not enjoying your first semester/year you can transfer to somewhere else.” “Don’t stress over it too much, you will get into college,” Katie Daniel, class of 2019, said. “It may not always be the one you want, but everything happens for a reason.” “I would say the main thing is to check and look into everything and make sure your bases are covered,” Peyton Chipman, class of 2018, said. “So, in the event that you don’t get into the school you applied to or wanted, you’re not stuck with zero options. Do your research to make sure you’re good with the school you applied to and if you’re not sure if you’ll get in, pick some backups. After that, it really is just about waiting but that shouldn’t be too stressful if you feel confident in your application and/or the schools you applied to. Remember that stress is a selfconstructed reaction and you don’t have to deal with it if you choose not to!” Overall, what they’re trying to say is that the future is inevitably out of our hands, so long as we put our best into whatever it is we are trying to achieve. And although that can be what is truly so scary about this time in our lives, everything that happens to us is meant to happen to us.
By paul mccartney Released in 1979
All I want for christmas is you By mariah carey
Released in 2010
Happy holidays By nsync Released in 1998
“Eight Crazy Nights”
I saw mommy kissing santa clause
How Adam Sandler Brought Chanukah to Holiday Light Andrew Spiegel Entertainment Editor
. . Adam Sandler is an American comedian, actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, and musician. You may know him from movies like “Happy Gilmore” or “Billy Madison.” Sandler is known for his clever yet obvious comedy and has the ability to make a viewer fall in love with a character in a second. Sandler got his start in showbiz on Saturday Night Live; here he expanded his reputation and ability to write. Sandlers claim to fame on SNL was when he performed an original song titled “The Chanukah Song” during a segment on SNL back in its prime. Now, his original song, “The Chanukah Song” may lead you to assume that Sandler is Jewish. That assumption would be correct. Sandler is very proud to be Jewish and puts it on display constantly. His song, “The Chanukah Song” was just the beginning of Sandler’s many successful attempts to bring Jewish holidays to the mainstream. In the song, he sings about how the holiday season is mainly centered around Christmas. The song also touches on the subject of being the only one in your town who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, which is a big deal for the Jewish youth. Sandler’s song was such a smash hit that he went on to make three more Chanukah songs, creatively titled: “The Chanukah Song Part 2,” “The Chanukah Song Part 3,” and “The Chanukah Song Part 4.” Sandler’s song brought awareness to the holiday and added to the very short list of Chanukah songs the Jewish people can sing during the holiday season. Sandler’s second biggest attempt to bring Chaunkah to the mainstream was his Chaunkah movie titled, “Eight Crazy Nights.” In the animated holiday film Sandler voiced the two main characters and was joined by stars like Rob Schneider and Cole
By the jackson 5
Sprouse. The film is based in the fictional town of Dukesberry, New Hampshire where protagonist Davey Stone (Adam Sandler) lives. The plot and overall quality of this film is actually really good. It still has very cheesy elements, as all holiday movies have, but it incorporates these cliches in seamlessly funny ways. The plot of the film is centered around Davey Stone and his troublesome actions. Eventually his antics get him into legal trouble and he is forced to spend the holiday season helping the community or face jail time. Throughout the movie, Stone’s holiday cheer is revived with the help of the community. Although this movie was a complete flop at the box office and received a score of 12 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it shed light on Chanukah and almost brought it all the way to the mainstream. Although the majority of Americans seem to focus on Christmas during this time of the year, the Jewish community deserves killer movies and songs like these.
Released in 1970 run rudolph run By Chuck berry
Released in 1958 have yourself a merry little christmas By frank sinatra Released in 1963
Blue Christmas By elvis presley Released in 1957
I am the grinch By tyler the creator Released in 2018
step into christmas By elton john Released in 1973
Graphic by Maddie Lewis Covers courtesy of Spotify
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The Paw Print December 2019
mydshs.com
Opinion ADOPT DON’T SHOP Rescuing from Shelters Saves More Than the Animals Sam Moore Opinion Editor In March of 2019, the Austin City Council raised the Animal shelters provide a variety of breeds save rate of homeless animals in the city to 95%, meaning to choose from, and 25-30% of animals in shelters are that 95% of found animals will be kept alive and cared for purebred. The healthy pets available for adoption at in Austin shelters. This will maintain the city of Austin’s status places such as Austin Pets Alive are usually socialized and as the largest no-kill city in the country. This causes local comfortable with living in a family setting. animal shelters to be filled to the brim with adoptable When you are adopting an animal, you are animals. Despite this, some people still choose to buy their doing something good for that animal and many others. animals from Through puppy mills. adoption, By doing you this, they are contribute contributing money to to the a shelter, growing while problem of creating overcrowding an at adoption opening centers while for the allowing shelter to puppy mills take in to stay in another business and animal in continue their need of inhumane sanctuary. treatment of If you animals. are not in Puppy a position mills are to adopt operations an animal that prioritize or donate the breeding money, of dogs for there are profit over many their health other and needs. ways to The dogs contribute being bred to the spend 24 efforts of hours in the Adopt cages while Don’t Shop receiving campaign. very little You can veterinary do things care. These such as conditions educating Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com lead to a lack others on of socialization in dogs and often behavioral issues, often the realities of puppy mills and the cruelty of pet stores just so one can receive a purebred animal. that have not gone humane, and by volunteering at When you purchase a pet from a store such as shelters nearby. PetSmart, buying a pet usually costs somewhere from Purchasing an animal rather than adopting allows for $500-$1,000. When you adopt an animal, the cost will the continuous abusive treatment puppy mill and pet usually range from $50-$200 for an animal that has already store animals experience such as freezing, starving, and received adequate veterinary care. being disposed of in inhumane ways. Adopting an animal, Not only is it more cost-friendly to adopt, but due to or just the simple act of donating to an adoption shelter the $1 billion spent in finding, housing, and euthanizing makes it increasingly difficult for these cruel operations to animals, it is cost-effective for the taxpayer. Adopting continue. an animal from a shelter will help to minimize costs while lowering the amount of animals being euthanized.
"If you get a dog from a shop the money might not go where you want it to go. We chose our dog because she kept sticking with us and she was the only dog who would go to us. She loves us so much.” -sophomore Maya Reza “There are already so many dogs without homes and there's no point in buying from a store when so many dogs need homes. To me, adoption means taking a dog from an unfortunate circumstance and giving it a second chance.” -junior Gracie Johnson “Dogs are not property. They are important, and they bring joy to me and to the world. This is why you adopt an animal, to save their life.” -junior Connor Cook “It really reminds me of my old dog Riley, who passed away. My new dog now really reminds me of her and it’s nice to just hang out with her.” -freshman Nick Jackson
“It’s kind of a long story. I was actually just getting coffee with my girlfriend and then as we were leaving, we decided to stop by Pet-Co. Austin Pets Alive was having an adoption day there. It was spur of the moment. We ran into him, and it was like, “Oh, my God. How can I live without this guy in my life?’” -English teacher Sean Knight
Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Dogs get jealous! Dogs can get jealous over an owner showing other animals affection according to UCSD. They can smell your feelings!
This is because their sense of smell is 10,000 times better than ours. They can lower your blood pressure!
Stressed about some homework or a test? Pet your dog! They’re smarter than you think!
Dogs can recognize more than 150 words. If you yawn, they yawn! Yawning is contagious for dogs too. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com
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December 2019 Volume II Issue III
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Editorials, Columns, and Letters mydshssnaps
mydshsnews mydshssports
my_dshs_news Dripping Springs High School, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
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Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, and letters are those of an individual and not The Paw Print, Dripping Springs High School, or its faculty.
For more information on The Paw Print and its policies visit mydshs.com The Paw Print is a member of the following organizations: CSPA, NSPA, ILPC, and ASPA.
The Paw Print’s core purpose is to serve the students and staff of Dripping Springs High School, as well as the surrounding community, with the most meaningful news and content regarding our school’s culture and the student body that influences it. From students, to students.
Awards ILPC 2018-2019 Honor CSPA 2018-2019 Second Place ASPA 2018-2019 First Place
Meet the Staff Editor-in-Chief Tessa Stigler Sports Editor Rigley Willis
Features Editor Katie Haberman
Online Editor Cady Russell
Entertainment Editor Andrew Spiegel
News Editor Opinion Editor Evelyn Peterson Sam Moore Staff Writers Madeline Tredway, Ethan Everman, Maddie Lewis, Grey Patterson, Grant Williams Byline Illustrator Cat Covatta
Advisor Jessica Stamp
The Paw Print is inserted inside the Century News, and distributed to racks next to the front office, CL&I, and the student media room. 2,000 copies are printed.
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The Paw Print December 2019
mydshs.com
Features The Science of Thriving How Biology Teacher Overcame Family Discouragements Madeline Tredway Staff Writer
Compean’s. In those cases, a school During culture like Dripping Springs’ might her senior act as their saving grace. year, “In my school, you were expected Jackie Compean had a difficult decision to go to college,” Compean said. to make - her parents, or college. It was “You were meeting with your such a point of contention that her father counselors, trying to figure out your promised to give her a car, all expenses paid, just to stay four-year plan, thinking about your home. plans after that.” “In my mind, being bribed out of an Though she grew up with little education opportunity is really hurtful,” emphasis on education, Compean’s Compean said. “And some of it, I still deal school gave her the with it today; it’s a really tough thing to curiosity and drive to navigate.” pursue college-level Photo Ms. Compean has been teaching education. Compean courtesy of Photo Texas for 13 years, and previously participated in band Photography taught microbiology, and was constantly anatomy and physiology, and captivated by her pathophysiology. Currently, classes, which fueled she teaches on-level, pre-AP, her desire to pursue and AP biology. To all of her college. Unfortunately, students, she comes off as her father wasn’t very not only intelligent but wellsupportive. educated, as if she has been “I think he was going Compean, smiling for the camera in her 2019 doing this all her life. The to miss me,” Compean yearbook photo. real story, however, is very said. “I think I was a different. young female and “My dad was a first generation immigrant. His mother one of the first in my family to go to was from Germany,” Compean said. “So, a lot of his college, and it was probably hard for values were about survival.” him.” In Compean’s home environment, there was no push But Compean had her heart set on Texas State, and for higher education. You had to pass, but you weren’t nothing would stand in her way. She completed her expected to participate in extracurriculars or go to entire application herself, which made her senior year college. extremely stressful. Although Compean has sympathy “He never asked me if I wanted to try a higher level for her father, she does not completely understand his course or anything,” Compean said. perspective. Dripping Springs is known for its competitive “If my child wanted to go to a four-year university, I’d academic community, with numerous AP classes, be like, ‘Okay, let’s go,’” Compean said. “‘Let’s get all several On-Ramps courses, and many opportunities for the paperwork and let’s go.’” internships. Many students are pushed toward higher In the end, it was actually her mother who fought education, but some grow up in circumstances similar to for Compean to move out of the house and pursue
To Be Cont.
... or Don’t Subjects of DSHS’s Worst Yearbook Photos Reflect on their Journeys Katie Features
A. Haberman (9) A. Haberman (10) A. Haberman (11) A. Haberman (12)
C. Pruski (10) C. Pruski (11) C. Pruski (12)
Haberman Editor
Gift-Giving Guide to
Dripping Springs
“I didn’t purposefully decide that I was going to change how I looked every year so drastically. I think I wanted to better myself as a person and that included changing my physical appearance.” - Allie Haberman, Senior
For the friend who... always has the best outfits -tops -bottoms -jewelry
-purses -dresses -shoes
400 W Hwy 290
For the friend who...
Mazama Coffee Co
always has coffee in hand -coffee beans -cookies -travel mugs
-decorative mugs -gift cards -hoodies
301 Mercer St
Sacred Moon Herbs
To Be Cont.
For the friend who... wants to get into horoscopes
in the 2020 Tiger Cry Yearbook!
-candles -crystals -jewelry -cards
Photos courtesy of Photo Texas Photography
Santa, You’re Sleighing this Night Story, History, Meaning of Santa to Teens
reindeer. These reindeer represent to children As the weather the so-called “magic” of Christmas. cools and “[I didn’t believe in Santa lights get anymore] because one Christmas when I was really little, strung, cookies are baked, trees go up in I got a book from Santa Claus houses, and the realization hits that we haven’t wrapped a single gift, we know and my parents left the receipt in it it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and along and it had [my mother’s] name on it,” with it comes the holiday folklore. sophomore Jenna Hodsden said. Santa, as described by the infamous When Christmas rounds the corner, different poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” illustrates myths come into focus. The western legend of Santa Claus may constitute the entirety of a white-haired old man with rosy Photos by Teagan Krewson, Christmastime for some individuals, as over cheeks, a fur-lined ensemble, and courtesy of Pier 1 Imports 85 percent of young American children a belly that shakes “like a bowlful of jelly.” However merry his appearance may seem, believe in Santa. surveys show that only 25 percent of children ages eight “If you don’t [believe in Santa], it ruins the magic,” senior Paige Blackmon said. “It is a part of the Christmas and above, believe in him. spirit. It makes Christmas better, more happy.” “No, I don’t [believe in Santa],” The myth of Santa speaks of a junior Angie Silva said. “My bratty flight on the eve of Christmas cousins would always get night, strung gifts from Santa, but not me. I was more well along the sky behaved than by eight they were.” He was, in some way, a real person. The real St. Nicholas was born around the year 270 and was notable as the Bishop of Myra, a town in Turkey. Known as an anonymous gift-giver, he paid the dowries of poor girls and gifted presents to children, which he often left in
Ethan Everman Staff Writer
Tessa Stigler Editor-in-Chief
Haute Exchange
r the Cam o f ile
a! er
“It started freshman year when I unironically took one of the worst photos that’s ever been taken of me. I’ve made it my goal since then to make every yearbook photo worse than the last.” - Cassie Pruski, Senior
Sm
in the 2020 Tiger Cry Yearbook!
C. Pruski (9)
university. “She came from a family who valued education, and she definitely had my back on that,” Compean said. Even after living in a family that did not share her values, Compean fought hard for her dreams. Now, Compean has three children and does what she originally wanted to do in life: teach. Though some of her past still has an effect on her, she believes the payoff was worth it. “I don’t know if [my dad] was ignorant, or just sentimental, or something,” Compean said. “But I do know that I’m doing exactly what I wanted to do.”
Photos by Tessa Stigler
-herbs -tarot cards -books -oil blends
305 W Mercer St
their shoes (an origin story of the stockings above the fire tradition). “I mean, I didn’t really care that much,” Hodsden said. “One would think that one would feel betrayed by their parents, but I just didn’t really care. I still have to pretend that he’s real because I have little siblings.” Christmas contains a unique genre of music unto itself. “Up On The Housetop” was the first Christmastide song to speak of Santa. It was written in 1864 by Benjamin Hanby and was inspired by the poem aforementioned, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” “I love the feeling it gives me,” senior Abby Michener said. “It makes me feel warm and reminds me of how I will get gifts.” Santa, for many, illustrates a hallmark of western winter traditions, a jolly, whitebearded man that promises gifts in exchange for kindness and obedience proves helpful for parents and kids alike. “I like the ability of the false prophet type mentality, where you really thought that everything was good, you know what I mean?” senior Ryan McCartney said. “Like, ‘Oh, Santa will come through,’ and stuff like that. I thought that was really some real good propaganda.”
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mydshs.com
The Paw Print December 2019
Sports Division One Athletes Discuss Path to College Commitments
Photo by Max Levey
Photo by Ronnie Adair
Signed to Success Rigley Willis Sports Editor For most athletes, the dream of competing for their favorite college team starts at a young age. Whether it’s playing rec league or practicing in the front yard, the will to be great is there. Natural talent is a factor for most, but every college-level athlete has worked and put in countless hours to achieve their childhood dreams. On Nov. 13, Dripping Springs High School held its National Signing Day, and many students signed their letters of intent for their bright futures.
Dan Henry, Swimmer For Danny Henry, the state-wide attributed swimmer, deciding between colleges was very simple. “I was fielding offers for a couple of months, but when [Texas Christian University] offered me, I knew it was meant to be,” Henry said. TCU is known for their athletic department, the football team is constantly contending, and the basketball team is known for their tournament appearances, but one sport that is constantly left out of the conversation is swimming and Henry intends to change that. “Nobody talks about TCU swimming, let alone swimming in general,” Henry said, “One of my main goals is to put TCU swimming on the map, and give the sport the recognition it deserves.”
Volleyball
Football
Dripping Springs Tiger football’s season has come to an end. Henry also talked During this year’s regular season, the Tigers went 9-1 with about the level of their one loss coming against the 6A Hays Rebels and the competition that Big 12 deficit was only one point. The team was led by sophomore athletics bring. Preston Alford at quarterback and senior Scotty Crosby, “It’s going to be a big the hard-hitting free safety, to lead the defensive end. change, going from high Alford finished the season with 823 total yards, 5 passing school athletics to the Big touchdowns, 82.3 yards per game, and 56 completions on 12, but I honestly can’t 83 attempts with no interceptions. Crosby was the senior wait for it; the venues will leader of this defense. He had 11 solo tackles, 24 total be bigger, the lights will tackles, and averaged 4.8 tackles a game. As a team, the be brighter, and I feel like chemistry was real,w and the team as a whole averaged I’m going to fit in just fine,” 134 receiving yards a game, 225 rushing yards, 48 total Henry said. touchdowns, 46 tackles per game, and 10 sacks. Despite the future The team’s regular season came to an end with the being just ahead, Henry win against Crockett High School where senior Desi De La won’t forget what Cruz set a school record of four field goals made in their Dripping Springs High 40-0 victory. The victory on senior night was special and the School did for him in his senior walk afterward was emotional and heartfelt. development. The team faced off against Manor High School in the “At the end of the first round, the same opponent as last year’s first day, I wouldn’t be round. The Tigers were here without [Dripping looking for revenge Grant Williams Springs High School]. but came up just short, From the coaches and Staff Writer falling 28-27. teammates that I’ve had to everything that I’ve learned in school,” Henry said. “Nothing could get me as ready as the community that I grew up in.”
The Tiger volleyball’s season has come to an end following a loss in the regional round against Alamo Heights High School. The season was a great one to say the least. Seniors such as Avery Kalsu, Mackenzie Murray, Kyler Raymond, Sarah Nading, and Brynne Potter played their final set of their high school careers on Nov.16. The team, in total, went 43-12 and 14-0 in district. Their state rank climbed as high as 42 and their state rank once touched 276. In the playoffs, their run started with a 3-0 win over Highlands High School as Kalsu totaled 18 kills in the game. Following the win, they faced off against rival Boerne-Champion High School and won three sets to one. Kalsu and Murray combined for 28 total kills for the second straight game. The following game, against Gregory-Portland High School went the distance. After losing the first two sets, the Tigers won three straight to advance to the regional round. Kalsu, Murray, Annabelle Crowder, and Madi Lund combined for 61 total kills in the heart-wrenching win. Riding an emotional roller coaster, the Tigers met Alamo Heights High School the next day and ended up falling, ending their season. Through trials and tribulations, the Dripping Springs Tiger volleyball team displayed their success, skill, and chemistry yet again, and Head Coach Michael Kane will look to improve in the Rigley Willis 2020-2021 season.
Sports Editor
Freestyling Through the Season An Inside Look at the Tiger Swim Team Grey Patterson Staff Writer
Starting off small, the Tiger Swim team has grown over the years into not only a district championship contender, but a contender for a state championship as well.
beats them, so they qualify for the next meet.” Being halfway through the season, the swim team has competed at some large swim meets in which they have Photo provided by Nichol Lee emerged victorious. For example, the TISCA swim meet, which stands for the Photo provided via Dan Henry’s Instagram, @dan.henry_ Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, was on November 8th and both the boys and girls Varsity won, the boys winning by 52 points and the girls Tjelmeland is a pitcher tuition, UTRGV possesses winning by 235.5 points. and a third baseman many other assets that “TISCA was a new and fun for the varsity baseball intrigued Tjelmeland. experience for me,” sophomore varsity team. After receiving “[UTRGV] has these swimmer Savannah Karas said. “I really interest from schools like really cool condos by the enjoy meeting new swimmers through Baylor, Rice, and Stanford, university that are just for high school swimming and seeing Tjelmeland chose to the athletes; [it includes] some familiar faces from club swim at attend University of a swimming pool, training “It’s gotten bigger throughout the high school meets.” Texas Rio Grande Valley facilities, and a lot of The TISCA meet however was not (UTRGV). places to eat,” Tjelmeland years which is good because more and more people like it and everyone the only large meet the Swim team will Despite being a smaller said. treats each other nice; it’s kind of like have this season. school, “UTRGV has tons For his parents, a family,” four-year varsity swimmer “The big meet of the fall, beside of assets for me and my committing to UTRGV Danny Henry said. the TISCA meet, [this Friday] is called family,” Tjelmeland said, was a bit of a shock, but Currently, the swim team has a the AISD invitational,” McCarthy said. “I should see the field with signing day behind total of 68 swimmers and six divers to “Austin ISD puts this one on, and it’s freshman year, and my Tjelmeland, they couldn’t compete for a spot to compete at a huge meet and 5A and 6A schools tuition is completely paid be more proud of their district. come from all over the state.” for.” son. “You can only take about 45 to the When asked to describe this years UTRGV may not be a “When Zach told me district meet, so there are a lot of kids swim team Coach McCarthy replied household name but the that he was committing that don’t make district this year, and with a single word “determined”. potential that this team to UTRGV, I was very they still swim anyway,” Head Coach “There are a lot of kids that really possesses is unparalleled. surprised,” Zach’s father, are having to put a lot of effort into “[UTRGV] was only a Matt Tjelmeland, said, “but Andrea McCarthy said. “I don’t really it,” McCarthy said. “We have great couple of wins away from after weighing the options, consider them JV, because during the season, all that changes. Somebody swimmers this year our freshman class is the tournament last year, we agreed with him in will get a little faster, and then they unbelievable.” and a lot of their seniors saying that this was his will qualify for a meet, and somebody In order to be on the swim team, it and juniors are getting pro best option for his future.” baseball buzz,” Tjelmeland said. Other than immediate playing time and free
Zach Tjelmeland, Pitcher
Photo by Vasi Bjeletich
is required to come to four practices a week and many of the Tiger swimmers swim multiple times a day as they swim both for the school and for a club. “That’s really challenging with my swim club that I have,” Karas said. “I swim sometimes three times a day and six days a week, so it’s a lot of swimming.” Once district starts in January, the swim team will be competing for a spot as the top six in each event will move on to regionals, and the top two at regionals will move on to state. “I love representing my school,” Henry said, “especially when I place in an event and I get to say that I’m from Dripping Springs.”
Photo provided by Nichol Lee
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The Paw Print December 2019
Sports
Girls Soccer Works to Prepare for Upcoming Season The Team Aims to Make It Back to State
As football leaves the stadium, soccer takes its place. The Lady Tiger soccer program has started off the year with an intense off-season program and has seen the team numbers almost double with incoming freshman. “Well, there’s a lot of good girls that came in this year, especially the freshman class, but also like all over with returning varsity players and new seniors and the numbers that we have this year is high intensity and competition each practice,” JV sophomore Faith Wylie said. “We’re running, weight room, our practices.” The team during the off season typically does weight room two-three days of the week, depending on the training regime, and then practices on the field the remaining days. “Tryouts are really competitive, because we get different ranks,” varsity junior Charleigh Phipps said, “and you want to be the best on the team and then the people coming in want to be in the top 22 so they can be on varsity, so that’s what makes tryouts really competitive.” The team specifically has a program called Grind Never Stops, or GNS for short. It was implemented two years ago
when Bailee Perrine became head coach. “If you don’t finish that conditioning, you can’t make the team, and I feel like that really pushes people to push themselves to become a better player,” varsity senior Emma Jones said. “And that definitely prepares us for the season, because we come in with a greater level of fitness than every other team.” The team runs a conditioning set every week to finish GNS, and if a player falls out, no matter how far they went, they have to repeat the whole workout. “We did a lot last year, but now that we have the expectation that we can get to state, now we’re pushing ourselves even more, so we can get into that final state game,” Wylie said. “We know we have the ability to get there so now we just have to push ourselves to actually get there.” The school year of 2018-2019 saw the team making it to the state tournament for the first time since 2008, but the team lost in the semifinals. “Everybody wants everyone to get better so everybody is pushing each other,” freshman Ella Ruff said, “so it’s
really healthy and the competition is at a good standard.” For seniors like Jones, the desire to make it to the final game during their senior year is strong. “You make sure you are showing yourself by always giving it 110%, always pushing yourself, making sure you push others, and giving it your best effort,” Phipps said. Despite all of the conditioning and hard work, the team is stronger and closer than ever prior to the start of the season. “[What I’m] most looking forward to is the experience, like the tournaments, the games, the pregame meals, the HEB runs, more of the team bonding than the actual games,” Wylie said. The team is unique to other teams in the district in almost all of the girls play club soccer as well. “It’s very competitive,” Wylie said, “but also it’s really friendly, because we all are close enough that we know that if we go hard, it’s just to push each other and not to piss each other off.”
Cady Russell Online Editor
G AT E WAY DRIPPING SPRINGS COMING SOON!
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The Paw Print December 2019
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Student Life 1. Senior Aidan Busch leads the student section in a cheer during varsity’s match-up against Hays. The student section was widely known to be the most exciting and crazy section filled with the spirit at football games.
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2. Senior Hayden Shields hypes the crowd to help cheer on the varsity football team during their match-up against Hays. The Tigers trailing by a touchdown, hoped to secure the win against one of their toughest opponents, falling by one point. Photos by Cayden Ivey
3. Sophomores Ana Smith and Kenleigh Embrey celebrate a touchdown. Students around them were dressed in white in honor of the White Out game against Hays. 4. In 2019 many students found their voices by walking out of class to protest in regards to climate change. One student held a handmade sign while various students gave speeches.
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Photos by Ramsey Hutton
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5. The varsity swimmers prepare for their next sprint and the whistle of Coach McCarthy to lead them off. The swimmers got through the 37 degree, cold and rainy weather by collaborating as a team. Photo by Savannah Karas
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6. The Hi-Steppers perform at a home game during half time. The Hi-Steppers usually perform alongside the band at games to get the crowd excited. 7. Senior Tyler Herron runs out of bounds against Crockett at home on Nov. 8. The Tigers won 40 - 0. Photos by Teagan Krewson
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