The Kinkaid Falcon - Issue 1, Vol. 73

FALCON

THE

The Kinkaid School 201 Kinkaid School Dr. Houston, TX 77024

October 4, 2019 Volume 73, Issue 1 thefalcon.kinkaid.org

TIMES CHANGE INSIDE

P. 2 | SCHOOL HEAD ANOUNCED P. 3 | NEW APP MAKES DEBUT P. 9 | ALTERNATIVE GRADING SYSTEM P. 10 | CAMPUS SECURITY TIGHTENS

2 The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

NEWS

No. 6

Board unanimously appoints Eades new head of school

By Maggie Johnston & Ayush Krishnamoorti

A

fter two years of serving as interim headmaster, it is time for Dr. Ed Trusty to pass the torch to a new leader.

The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Jonathan Eades to be The Kinkaid School’s sixth head of school, beginning on July 1, 2020.

While on campus three weeks ago, Mr. Eades spent time with faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni.

Senior Megan Maclay, who encountered Mr. Eades during his visit, felt ecstatic and hopeful about the future in his hands.

“He’s a very approachable person and values student feedback, so I think the school will positively grow and change because of him,” Maclay said.

Mr. Eades will be coming to The Kinkaid School from Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio.

“This is my 25th year working in schools, most of which have been in ISAS and SPC schools. While I relish working with faculty, staff, parents, Board, alumni, and grandparents, my greatest passion is working with students,” Mr. Eades wrote in a statement to The Falcon. “I pride myself on knowing the names of virtually every student at Saint Mary’s

INK INSIDE KINKAID

Hall, and making meaningful connections with students is why I’ve continued to teach a senior elective course on the Vietnam War and to serve as a freshman advisor.”

Prior to joining Saint Mary’s Hall, Mr. Eades was head of the Upper School at Wichita Collegiate School in Kansas, as well as a history teacher and coach at The Harley School in Rochester, New York.

A native Texan, he returned to Texas to take on the position of dean of students at Episcopal High School.

Mr. Eades will be leaving his position at Saint Mary’s Hall after working there for 13 years.

“He had a wealth of experience as a leader and head of school,” said Dr. Trusty, commenting on Mr. Eades’ new appointment. “The board has to think where the school is going and what are the priorities of the next head. They saw he has the qualifications and requirements for the school going forward.

His familiarity and experience will be a benefit to Kinkaid and his school has hosted that previously.”

Mr. Eades will be joining The Kinkaid community alongside his wife Elizabeth Perrin Eades and their three children: Oliver, 14; Lilla, 13; and George, 9.

“Along with the dedicated

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individuals already serving the School, Kinkaid can count on my vision, collaboration and integrity in the important work of providing strong leadership.

Elizabeth and I are eager to engage the entire Kinkaid community, starting this summer,” he wrote in a statement to the school community.

Although there is a general feeling of regret among students and faculty alike surrounding the loss of Dr. Trusty, most believe that Mr. Eades was the best-fit candidate to lead the school.

“Not only was he comfortable being informal with students and a natural speaker, but he also really struck me with his desire to ask us the important questions,” senior Priscilla Mach said. “I think the curious and more critical questions he asked really spoke to how interested he was in understanding our viewpoint and our real concerns.”

One of the key past experiences Eades has had with Kinkaid is St. Mary’s Hall’s previous involvement in SPC. Excluding athletic activities, he led St. Mary’s Hall’s experience with ISAS and hosted the event a few years prior.

Given that Kinkaid is in a unique position to host ISAS in the spring of 2021, Eades’ past experience “will prove useful in

“

Kinkaid can count on my vision, collaboration, and integrity in providing strong leadership.

- Mr. Jonathan Eades, Incoming Head of School

the planning and execution of the event,” Dr. Trusty said.

Mr. Eades is succeeding Dr. Andy Martire, who served a five-year tenure as headmaster, which ended in June 2018.

“I can’t wait to begin to build relationships with and support the talented student body at Kinkaid. I’m a graduate of Fort Worth Country Day, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to ‘switch teams’ and go from a CDS Falcon to a KINKAID

NEW CLUBS Seven student groups debuted at Club Fair. Read more about what they have to offer.

Falcon!,” Mr. Eades wrote in the statement to The Falcon.

The board has expressed appreciation for Dr. Trusty.

“It goes without saying, that our entire community is where we are today because of the steady leadership and remarkable work of Dr. Trusty,” Mr. Ken Cowan, board chair, said in an emailed statement to The Falcon.

“We are eternally grateful for Dr. Trusty,” he said.

PING PONG The net in the Student Center broke. Find out how seniors’ creatively solved this problem.

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | NEWS 3

Journalism class revamps website, adds mobile app

By Cooper Buck

T

he Falcon student newspaper is now hosted by Student Newspaper Online, or SNO, which provides online and mobile publishing platforms for schools.

Wilson Kelsey, who serves as a sports editor for The Falcon, has been posting on SNO. “I really like SNO. It makes it very easy to put articles online,” Kelsey said. “I can literally write and post an article on the website in like 20 minutes.

It just allows news to be very current and I think that’s a good thing for our paper.”

Starting this year, students can also read articles published

by The Falcon on their mobile devices. Stories written and posted on The Falcon can be seen through the free Student News Source app.

“I would probably read the newspaper more, but if I was in the online one, I would read it,” Walker Bruce said.

In the past, students have been able to read articles on the website, but this year the journalism team is trying harder to be “digital first.”

“While Kinkaid’s newspaper has had an online presence for a while, the website has been used as shovelware, which means that we have typically pushed the stories in print to our online platform,” said Dr. Kimetris Baltrip, journalism teacher.

“Adopting a digital first mindset

“

“

I can literally write and post an article on the website in 20 minutes.

Adopting a digital first mindset means our website will be the first and primary source for news and information.

- Wilson Kelsey; Sports Editor

means our website will be the first and primary source for news and information and our newspaper becomes a product for feature coverage.”

Digital first for the journalism class also means students can download the Student News Source app from the App Store or Google Play and follow The Falcon student newspaper.

Once the app is downloaded, students can enter “Kinkaid” in the search tab and simply click on “The Kinkaid School.”

The digital-first mindset has also had effects on the printed newspaper. The size of The Falcon has been reduced from 24 to 20 pages.

This change happened for two reasons: the journalism team can spend more time on each

- Dr. Kimetris Baltrip, Upper School Journalism and Yearbook Teacher

issue and have more time to work on online stories.

“It was way too stressful with 24 pages,” said Megha Neelapu, deputy editor.

Some students enjoy hard copies of the newspaper and others prefer to read online.

“I enjoy reading online more,” sophomore Sam Pitts said.

Although Pitts said he likes reading The Falcon’s website, freshman Johnny Griggs said if he could choose between the two, his choice would be “probably newspaper.”

ONLINE PRESENCE With the journalism team having a digitalfirst mindset this year, the website will be updated reguarly.

Students can also view stories posted on the website from their smartphones.

Tropical storm Imelda causes concern, water to run inside school

By William Scott and Frankie Wimbish

N

ervous murmurs are exchanged between students, as teachers press on teaching, despite the constant drumming of droplets coming from the ceiling. Thunder grumbles over the sound of water rushing off the roof, nearly drowning out the sound of water pumps, set in place by Kinkaid faculty, moving the water from the flooding library courtyard to more easily drained areas of campus.

Many students were speculating for days about the impact that Imelda would have. There were many who believed the storm would pass quickly over Houston, but few could predict the devastation that tropical storm Imelda would rain down onto Houston. The reactions that students had before hurricane Harvey, just two years prior, were mirrored as the impending storm poured down.

With every period, more students trickled out of school as the rain kept falling and the water kept rising.

Senior Michael Duncan decided it best to leave early.

“I was scared that we were going to be trapped at school for the duration,” Duncan said.

As the water level got higher, students were forced to use more caution when deciding whether driving home was a safe option as opposed to waiting it out.

“I had to turn around on Voss and take a different route

home because of the high flood water,” Duncan added.

Tales of students making it home, students getting stranded, all spread around the school like wildfire, at the same time that images and videos of submerged streets filled every students’ social media. However, in the midst of all of the chaos, class schedule remained unchanged.

As the day progressed, water levels began to rise higher, reminding all of us of the three floods in our recent past.

Specifically, while Harvey produced higher water levels and brought much more destruction than Imelda’s flash flood, the water that was entering classrooms was much more immediately worrisome for students inside the school.

Because of all the water rising at an alarming rate, some students thought it best to evacuate before the conditions worsened.

While students debated taking the risks of leaving campus, teachers had no choice but to keep a brave demeanor as students grew more and more restless.

Ms. Honig kept lecturing about cultural eutrophication while students received photos of the flooded library courtyard, and Dr. Bowe’s neuroscience class next door discovered a leak in her classroom.

Other teachers’ schedules suffered from the storm as well, with Dr. Sonia Clayton’s classroom disturbed by the water pumps.

Dr. Alison Das had water

enter through a weak seal in the wall, forcing her and her students out of the room.

“Water started rushing in because the drain filled up with water and seeped under the wall and started moving inward,” said Dr. Das. “There wasn’t a ton of water but enough to evacuate the room.”

She even had to replace furniture, with her classroom couch taking on water due to the leak.

After a restless school day,

“

I fear that this will happen again.

- Dr. Allison Das, Upper School Latin teacher some students remained on campus due to unsafe driving conditions.

Students questioned whether school would go on the next day as notifications were being sent from other Houston area schools such as Strake Jesuit, and most significantly HISD. At 9:26 pm that night, their questions were answered after a text was sent school-wide that announced: “Out of an abundance of caution, Kinkaid will be CLOSED on Friday, September 20.”

Tropical storm Imelda caused panic and anxiety across the Kinkaid campus, and caused destruction all across Houston, but the recovery process should be a lot faster and better than Harvey.

TROPICAL RADAR The radar for Tropical Storm Imelda is shown above. The rain hit heaviest in Kingwood and southeast Houston, with Piney Point being one of the least heavy-hit places.

However, the rain caused flooding throughout the Houston area, specifically on major roads.

8000

cars that were stranded during the storm over the course of Thursday, Sept. 19.

5th vs. 1st Imelda was the fifth wettest tropical cyclone in United States history, dumping over 43 inches of rain in Jefferson County

112 fatalities

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104 fatalities

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41 fatalities

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Harvey was the wettest tropical cyclone in United States history, dumping over 60 inches of rain in Nederland, Texas

5 fatalities

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4 NEWS | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

Seniors line up for voter registration

By Camila Vicens

T

exas voter registration parallels an intimidating classroom assignment: it is confusing and frightening at first but can be done quite easily over time.

Getting voters registered is not easily obtained, specifically when the voters are young adults.

To combat low voter turnout and registration among high school graduates, Texas lawmakers put legislation into place.

The state has a little-known law that requires high schools, both public and private, to register eligible voters on campus twice every scholastic year. This law

is as disregarded as it is obscure, as the Texas Civil Rights Project and the lawyers from the Civil Rights Under Law pub-

a change in Kinkaid’s efforts as the Young Liberals Club put a newfound emphasis on registering students.

With a total of 58 students eligible this year to register, there is an obvious need for drives on campus, said senior Karm Ghei, one of the leaders of the club.

He described voter registration as an integral part of achieving the goal of increased political involvement at Kinkaid.

Students are also passionate about the execution of drives on campus.

“Lack of access to voting is a major problem in our democracy,” said senior Megha Neelapu, another head of the Young Liberals Club.

Students are interested in participation, and organizers cited Students can expect to see at least two more drives later in the school year, organized by good turnout for the the Young Liberals Club. Photo courtesy of Pixabay. first lished a report detailing a lack of implementation throughout the state.

The report found that only 6% of schools across the state requested voter registration forms from the secretary of state leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

These staggering results led to

drive of the year.

Students who participated

“

Lack of access to voting is a major problem in our democracy.

- Megha Neelapu, senior President of Young Liberals recounted the brief and swift process they went through during the drive.

It was “super simple, and quick,” senior William Scott said. “They ask you for your driver’s license number, date of birth, if you are a citizen, and to sign your name.”

Registering took eligible students an average of just two minutes.

This project is not without faculty and staff support either.

Mr. Mark Sell, a volunteer deputy registrar, works in tandem with students in the Young Liberals Club to execute successful drives.

“Voting is a civic duty,” Mr. Sell said.

He described his role as essential because “it is hard to register to vote in Texas.”

With a station set up in the Student Center, which seniors constantly frequent, he set out clipboards stuffed with forms and waited for prospective voters to engage in their government-given right to influence democracy.

Although it might seem like a job, Mr. Sell described his role as a registrar as “fun,” for he likes to inform students about voting and the electoral process.

Students can expect to see more drives coming in the future.

With the goal of upholding Texas laws, the Young Liberals Club has at least two more drives planned: one in January, and one before seniors graduate.

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October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | NEWS 5

In brief DEBATE The Kinkaid debate team competed in four large tournaments since the beginning of school, including the major and mid-major debate tournaments in Dallas, Grapevine and Greenhill.

RANCH AND FOSTER The team began its season at Ranch and Foster, a competition of 48 regional high schools, in early September. Seniors Spencer Powers and Sahar Punjwani capped off this tournament with a first-place finish in policy debate, receiving substantial points toward qualifying for the TFA state tournament. Additionally, freshman Allison Yang and senior Shreya Mehta lost close break rounds in Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate.

GRAPEVINE At Grapevine, six debaters represented Kinkaid as part of the 109 school tournament. Once again, policy duo Punjwani and Powers found success, only losing in a close debate to the topranked team in the round

SPEAKERS PAPADOPOLOUS FELLOW The Papadopoulos Fellow program, an annual speaker program that has featured people from primatologist Jane Goodall to planetary scientist Everett Gibson, came to the school on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The 2019-20 fellow, Dr. Brady Barr, came to speak to

of 16. Both Mehta and senior Karm Ghei went 2-3 in their LD debates, closely missing out on elimination rounds.

MEMORIAL At local the tournament at Memorial, Yang placed first in original oratory, reaching the semi-finals in extemporaneous speaking and receiving significant points toward qualifying for state. Several other freshmen teams, Savannah Miller/ Anthony Gonzalez and Kathryn Zhang/Samantha Fowler, reached the quarterfinals in policy debate.

Photo by Ayush Krishnamoorti

FACILITIES

GREENHILL In their second-to-last tournament of the month, the Kinkaid team went to Greenhill, with more than a hundred schools from over 20 states in attendance. The class is elite and limits entries; Mehta’s top 32 finish out of 115 competitors was extremely successful, and possibly her best outing of the season thus far. Regarding Mehta’s performance, coach Eric Emerson said, “She’s simply amazing.”

NEW COURTS NEAR ATHLETICS COMPLEX The tennis courts closest to the Upper School campus were re-fitted this summer, as their foundation went from crack-filled to spotless.

The entire courts were raised over the course of the month of August and finished in early September.

According to the head coach of both boys’ and girls’ tennis, Stacey Marshall, “the

courts will be used in conjunction with the eight courts built two years ago.”

The courts provide a unique opportunity for the tennis teams, as 10 total matches are played during counters against other schools, and matches currently cannot be played past the 6 p.m. curfew.

However, with the two extra courts, all matches can be played simultaneously; two matches can last past the curfew.

students during assembly, D Period, and lunch. He is the first herpetologist (someone who specializes in reptiles and amphibians) to have captured all 24 species of Crocodilia, and he was the host of National Geographic’s “Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr.”

More on his visit can be found at thefalcon.kinkaid.org.

the Viva la Raza club.

After playing a violin piece from Bach, a timeless masterpiece, Gonzáles spoke of his experiences in school back in Columbia.

He related the conservatory of his school to Kinkaid’s arts program and spoke about the importance of music in his life.

His message resonated with the Kinkaid community, and after another piece, this time “Por Una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel.

González received applause from the entire auditorium.

The movie night for Hispanic Heritage was on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and it finished off the month of activities.

Empanadas were served with traditional sauces, and cake, making the annual experience special this year.

Additionally, teacher Vanessa Zamudio-Lara, commonly called Profé, wore traditional Spanish attire, as students watched Coco, a Pixar film on Dia de Los Muertos.

During Viva La Raza club, the group plans to discuss more on the holiday and its origins.

HISPANIC HERITAGE Hispanic Heritage Month was capped off by an assembly on Sept. 24 and movie night on Oct. 2.

The assembly centered around violinist Andrés Gonzáles and was arranged by

The refurbished tennis courts are newly painted and have no cracks. The tennis courts are elevated above the ground by a little under a foot.

Andrés Gonzáles plays a Spanish piece during the Hispanic Heritage Assembly in front of the upper school and faculty.

Photo by Ayush Krishnamoorti

Indian prime minister says “Howdy!” to Houston

By Jaisal Kalapatapu

H

ouston was booming with people coming in from all over the country to hear Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak at the “Howdy, Modi!” event at NRG Stadium.

“In my campaign, I promised that India would have a great friend in the White House and I can guarantee that you can never have a better friend than Donald Trump,” President Donald Trump said, according to an article published by The Times of India.

Trump also attended the event to welcome Modi to the U.S. “We love you, we support you, we will be with you every step of the way.”

Kinkaid students also attended the event.

“I think Modi coming to Houston is a key step in establishing close relations between the United States and India,” said junior Suraj Pandit, who

went to the event. “Both nations will benefit from trade, specifically from natural resources that the United States exports.”

Houston was a strategic location for Modi to visit, with many energy companies that do business in India.

The city’s Indian American population rounds out at about 125,000, according to a 2013-15 analysis by the Pew Research Center.

“I’m happy Modi came to Houston primarily because he helped expand existing business relationships with energy companies in Texas, which benefits both the economy of Houston and India,” senior Tanmay Srinivasan said. “Furthermore, Houston has a large Indian population, so I think it’s good that he took the opportunity to address one of the biggest Indian American populations in the U.S.” But some students think there was more to his visit than to maintain a relationship with India.

“Trump attending and speaking the event was definitely a show of American support for India. This was truly a public spectacle to symbolize an amicable relationship between India and the U.S.,” senior Shreya Mehta said. “However, given the political election for President 2020, I would agree that his presence was simultaneously method of garnering support from the Asian American community to increase voter turnout and Republican votes eventually.”

All in all, the sitting U.S. president and the prime minister of India seemed to be getting along quite well, with mutual respect between the two.

“We are seeing a new history and new chemistry with the U.S.,” Modi said, according to The Times of India.

“The arrival of Trump and other leaders of America speaking highly of India is the respect bestowed upon the achievements of Indians living in America.”

Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Born: Sep. 17th, 1950 Place of Birth: Vadnagar, India Party Affiliation: Bharitya Janata Party (BJP)

6 OPINION | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

OPINION

THE FALCON The Falcon’s mission is to be an accurate and reliable source of information for the Kinkaid School community by informing readers about topics that are interesting, thought-provoking, and impactful for the school, Houston area and Texas, as well as other parts of the world.

Questions or comments?

We welcome your voice and feedback in the form of email, letters and guest articles. Please email student. publications@kinkaid.org or call (713) 243-6591 or use the contact form at thefalcon. kinkaid.org.

Letters can be sent to: The Kinkaid School 201 Kinkaid School Dr. Houston, TX 77024

Illustration by Priscilla Mach

THE EDITORS’ STANCE

Editorial Cartoon by Priscilla Mach

Editors split over security measures

Falcon scanners an unnecessary annoyance? Some think not.

The Editorial Board

T

his school year, the Upper School has implemented new safety measures, including Falcon Card scanners on many exterior doors, which are now locked during all class periods.

In addition to a couple of doors around the school not having a scanner at all and simply being locked, such as the one in the Dining & Learning Center, the system is an inconvenience because students do not always carry their cards with them.

Not only is the new system frustrating, but it would most likely be ineffective in the event of a safety threat at school. These new security measures are merely preventing people on the outside from getting in.

Furthermore, Kinkaid already had the security post at the entrance of campus, which prevents unknown persons from entering the school.

There is no perfect solution for safety, but security theatre is not an answer.

Falcon card scanners seemingly frustrate students more than they make them safe.

An unsigned staff editorial reflects the majority opinion of The Falcon newspaper’s editorial board, which comprises all newspaper editors.

In no way does the opinion of the editorial board reflect that of The Kinkaid School’s administration, faculty, staff, student body or general community.

Creating our 2020 vision

Madi Babine Editor-in-Chief

not only our staff but also the entire school. It is vital that we create a trust between the press and the student body. The Falcon’s monthly issues have long been a hub of student opinions and updates from around the school.

This year, we have turned our focus into a digital-first mindset, publishing articles on our website about happenings at Kinkaid. We believe having this mindset is a way to keep our readers informed between the four weeks of publication.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madi Babine DEPUTY EDITOR Megha Neelapu

DIGITAL EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sally Buck NEWS EDITOR Ayush Krishnamoorti OPINION EDITOR Eliza Griggs FEATURES EDITOR Mya Franklin LIFESTYLES EDITOR Nicole Fernandez SPORTS EDITORS Charles Garrison & Wilson Kelsey PHOTO EDITOR Frankie Wimbish

EDITOR’S LETTER

Dear Reader, The beginning of a new school year brings on many different emotions: anticpation, motivation, and anxiety. But, as I am enjoying my senior year, I’ve thought a lot about what legacy I want to leave here at Kinkaid, specifically, on the Falcon.

Before the school year began, the Falcon’s editorial board met to discuss our goals for the upcoming school year. We, the staff, want students to feel secure with reliable stories that represent the interests of

The opinions expressed in The Falcon belong solely to the writer and are not a reflection or representation of the opinions of the school or its administrators.

MANAGING EDITORS Maggie Johnston & Megan Riley

I

t seems that repeated complaints about the Falcon card scanners are miniscule in the grand scheme of school safety. The Falcon card scanners are one of the many necessary and preventative measures taken by Kinkaid to prevent students from being in harm’s way. We recognize that many have grown irritated and the Falcon cards seems as if they would be ineffective in the event of a safety threat at school, but what else could the administration do?

It is time for students to take a step back and realize that what may seem like an inconvenience is a small “sacrifice” in order to keep the school safe.

What students may not realize is that Kinkaid has been adding security changes over the past year. In addition to the pre-existing security post at the entrance of campus, Kinkaid hired an additional team of armed police stationed around campus.

Kinkaid has done a remarkable job in ensuring that our campus is safe.

Please direct advertising inquires to frankie.wimbish@ kinkaid.org.

I would love to hear any feedback you have pertaining to the newspaper or any other issues that may arise. Feel free to contact student.publications@ kinkaid.org, our Instagram @ thekinkaidfalcon or visit our website thefalcon.kinkaid.org.

Thank you for supporting the Falcon!

Sincerely, Madi Babine

The Falcon welcomes comments and suggestions. We seek to publish corrections and clarifications in the subsequent issue.

Please email any corrections to student.publications@kinkaid.org.

STAFF WRITERS Cooper Buck Trinity Curry Ethan Jett Jaisal Kalapatapu Jack Kloesk Dylan Marcus Sam Pitts William Scott Charlie Solé Chris Stallings Camila Vicens ADVISER Dr. Kimetris Baltrip The Falcon is published six times a school year. The paper is distributed to 613 Upper School students, There are 750 free print copies made available and 248 copies are mailed to subscribers. The Falcon is a member of CSPA and NSPA.

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | OPINION 7

Big Sister Little Sister gets new change

By Sam Pitts

T

hree girls -- two seniors and one junior -- gave mixed reviews on wacky dress day, as part of the Big Sister Little Sister program. While they agree that this event is a memory worth savoring, they do not share similar opinions on whether or not their memories were good or bad.

Because wacky dress day is a memory that all girls will keep with them throughout their high school tenure, it should be brought back and be an event in the Big Sister Little Sister Program.

Wacky dress day was one of the few events that was planned for the program but was removed after last year “to protect the students from incidents that would be uncomfortable,” said Ms. Jennifer Kehler, coordinator of student life.

Kehler said a team of legal experts, who specialize in educational environments, looked over the handbook and came back with several different ways in which the handbook needed to be revised.

Though legal experts recommended changes, there where “no accusations of hazing in the past,” Kehler said.

Sophomore Maddie Juarez participated in wacky dress day last year as a little sister with her big sister Celeste Santos.

“It was a fun experience being able to spend time with seniors and laugh at each other’s costumes,” Juarez said. “It was a fun way to show school spirit.”

Compared to previous years

“

Mr. Peter Behr, Head of the Upper School, attends the first event of the Big SIster Little Sister Program.

We are going to try and make it more about the relationship between the big sis and little sis.

- Evelyn Mineo, senior

Sasha Busa, senior, enters her first breakfast as a Big Sister.

the leaders of the Big Sister Little Sister program have been working hard to incorporate new events and make it a yearlong program, which can allow for senior and freshman girls to bond more.

Evelyn Mineo, a leader in the program, coordinates the program along with a committee of four other senior girls who are in charge of planning the events such as multiple breakfasts for the freshman and seniors and bonding activities.

This year, the program is focused on opening up opportunities for the girls and trying to support the students’ relationships with other girls.

“We are going to try and make it more about the relationship between the big sis and little sis,” Mineo said.

The program still has the same spirit and enthusiastic leaders as in the past with the only change being wacky dress day is no longer an event in the program.

Photos by Frankie Wimish

Freshmen, sophomores debate GPA change

O

n March 27, 2019 an email was sent out from Mr. Peter Behr, Upper School head, to the Upper School, explaining a GPA change.

The GPA change, he explained, was implemented for

Miles Franklin, freshman

the incoming freshmen class.

The email explained first how GPA’s were calculated at Kinkaid and how the administration used the GPA’s of other schools to figure out how Kinkaid’s should be determined.

While freshman are not allowed to take AP classes

freshman receive a 1.5 boost for honors classes.

Each semester the students receive a letter grade, and for the freshman class a 1.5 boost is added to that grade if they take an honors class.

In previous years the school only provided a .6 boost for

Sophomores

By Ethan Jett

“I’m not more inclined to take honors classes because of the boost. I feel that once I begin to progress each year throughout high school then it will matter more because I’m getting ready to apply to college.”

honors classes and a 1.2 boost for AP. The cause for this change is the administration believes this will better reflect the curriculum and encourage students to take an appropriate course level.

Students have different opinions about the change.

Toby Nwabudike, sophomore

Connor Doan, sophomore

Jared Laskin, freshman

“I think that the GPA system for the freshman class is great”

“I love the GPA boost for freshman.

I do think that it is not fair for the sophmores, juniors, and seniors not to receive the same boost.”

Freshmen

Aedan Hogan, freshman

Luis Graham, sophomore

They tell. You tell.

Give us your opinion on the GPA change. Visit our website, thefalcon.kinkaid.org and vote on our poll on the bottom of our homepage.

“We only took honors classes last year in order to get into AP classes this year.

If the freshman get the boost we gotta get it.”

“I think that it’s pretty goofy for the freshman to get a higher GPA boost for the honors classes that they take. Our AP classes our harder, which is why we deserve a higher boost.”

“I also think that it’s goofy that freshman class get a higher boost for their honors classes than we got for our AP classes.”

8 The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

FEATURES

AFS student

Livia Sander Stade, Germany

An Open Door Exchange student adds Texas to list of states visited across the U.S.

By Nicole Fernandez

E

very year, Kinkaid opens its doors to one AFS foreign exchange student to offer an opportunity to experience an American student’s everyday life.

This year, students welcomed 16-year-old junior Livia Sander from Stade, Germany.

No stranger to the U.S., Sander has visited Florida, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and now Texas.

She is a

ballerina, a member of her school’s choir, and she tutors French.

She is further developing her skills at Kinkaid by being a member of the choir, a JV cheerleader, and taking French classes.

Outside of Kinkaid, Sander has a passion for fashion and has been interested in the field for a long time.

“I feel like people care more about what they wear more in Europe and so they have better styles,” she said.

Kinkaid students are excited to have Sander as a part of their high school classes and activities for this school year.

Get to know Livia!

Q:

“What made you decide to study abroad in the U.S.?”

A:

“I wanted to do something different. I wanted to explore and learn about another culture and language and go to another school because it’s pretty boring to always do the same thing.”

Q:

“What do you like to do in your free time?”

A:

“In Germany, I do ballet, sing in the choir, give kids private lessons in French, but that is my job, and help in my church voluntarily. Here, I don’t have much free time in the week, but on the weekends I like to meet my friends and do things with them, like go to the cinema.”

Q:

“What is your favorite part about Kinkaid so far?”

A: “So far my favorite part is

the people who are all really nice, friendly, and supportive.”

Q:

“What’s your favorite subject in school?”

A:

“The languages. In Germany I take French, English, and sometimes German and here, I take French and English. But, the English here is much harder than it is back home.”

Q:

“What would you say is your personal style?”

A:

“I really like skirts but it’s too cold in the school to wear skirts and that’s why I’m always wearing a jacket! I also wear a lot of T-shirts and things like this (is wearing an orange and blue-striped polo-like shirt).”

Q: A:

“What are you most looking forward to this year?”

“I am really excited to go to Maine with my host family in Christmas holidays and do a lot of fun things with my friends and going to school dances because we don’t have them in Germany.”

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 9

With mastering comes mistakes Calculus teacher implements unique grading system — here’s how it works

By Megha Neelapu

O

n Monday in the A Period AP BC Calculus class taught by Mr. Michael Vischak, Upper School math teacher, students were hesitant in answering questions.

He called on one student to work a problem on the board. She nervously walked up to the problem, seemingly unfamiliar with it. She started solving it, then paused and looked back at her peers.

“That’s a great place to start,” one of them said.

Mr. Vischak agreed.

He asked the class a question to help lead them to the answer. Most students said their answers quietly, almost under their breath.

Mr. Vischak seemed to hear one he liked, and he pointed to them and asked them to say their response to the class louder. A couple more rounds of getting students to piece together the concept, and the class came to understand the solution to the problem with a collective “ohhhh.”

Pushing students to tackle problems they haven’t seen before is integral to math, according to Mr. Vischak.

“Being a mathematician means that you spend most of your time confused because as soon as you figure something out you move on to the next problem,” he said.

Students in Mr. Vischak’s class can expect a different experience from a traditional class; he implemented a unique way of grading and assessing students’ progress — one that tries to encourage students to feel comfortable about being confused.

The main feature of the system is that a student can retake an assessment multiple times to demonstrate an understanding of a concept.

On assessments, if a student gets every problem right, Mr. Vischak puts a checkmark on the front page. If the student gets something wrong on the assessment incorrect problems are circled. There’s no grade anywhere on the test.

It’s up to the students to find out where exactly they went wrong and then do corrections.

After corrections are turned in, Mr. Vischak has a second assessment with the same concepts but different questions where they have another chance to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts. Currently, there isn’t a limit on the number of retakes.

“It’s very much like the idea of turning in a paper, having the teacher read through it, and giving you some ideas to re-write it,” Mr. Vischak said. “This is sort of my math version of that.”

In a letter to parents, he wrote that he is now using what is known as “Mastery Grading” or “Standards

CLASS BONDING Mr. Michael Vischak, junior Zoe Price, and senior Sofia Bajwa laugh with the class about a joke. Photo by Megha Neelapu

Based Grading.”

An initial version of this system was implemented last year in Mr. Vischak’s two BC classes.

This year, Mr. Vischak said, “What I tried to do was take what we did last year in BC and make it objective and formalize everything.”

There are two main methods through which a student’s progress is tracked.

In Veracross, there is a number from 0-2 for each concept. A zero means a student still needs to show mastery, a one means a student has demonstrated mastery once and a two means they’ve shown mastery twice.

The second way is that each student has a Google Doc shared with Mr. Vischak, which keeps a more thorough record than what’s on Veracross.

“I said in class today, ‘I will encourage you to share this with your parents,’ and all my students laughed at me,” said Mr. Vischak, also half-laughing.

The document shows which concepts were started when and keeps track of assessments, homework and class participation.

Homework and class participation are also tracked in a nontraditional way.

Instead of collecting homework, students are expected to write homework reports about every two weeks.

Students have to explain what the concept was that they learned and reflect on their understanding of it. Even here, the philosophy of feeling comfortable making mistakes is woven in—one of the prompts reads, “Describe a mistake or misconception that you or a classmate had in class this week. What did you learn from this mistake or misconception?”

Class participation, on the other hand, is tracked through “problem presentations,” where a student has to facilitate discussion of a problem at least eight times per semester for an A. Students also have the option of doing additional projects or “explorations.”

The actual grade comes at the mid-semester point and at the end of the semester, when students will do a write-up explaining their progress and mastery — taking into account all of these factors — to determine their grade.

Last year, when Mr. Vischak was teaching Precalculus Honors, he did

“

Being a mathematician means that you spend most of your time confused because as soon as you figure something out you move on to the next problem.

- Mr. Michael Vischak, Upper School Math Teacher

not implement this system in those classes. This year, the system is used in his on-level Precalculus class.

Dr. Parr, who’s also teaching on-level students, has agreed to teach this way.

“Having two minds now thinking about it, gathering information about what works and doesn’t work at Kinkaid, that’s really useful,” Mr. Vischak said.

So why change from a traditional grading system?

“My students were really stressed,” Mr. Vischak said. “I think there is a lot of pressure on students today to always be excellent and to always be doing the best at whatever it is that you’re doing and—as an end goal—that’s a wonderful end goal, but you don’t get there without failing.”

Feedback from his BC classes in course evaluations last year showed that students come to appreciate the new system. They reported less stressed than before, and AP scores in his BC classes improved from the last couple of years.

“For a lot of students when that stress was removed, they were actually able to do good math,” Mr. Vischak said. “That pressure that students were putting on themselves was getting in their own way, and that’s a thing to be true in many genres and disciplines.”

Senior Everett Easterby, a BC student, agreed.

“It’s less stressful,” he said, “and it’s definitely a harder math class so it’s nice to have a little breathing room.

You don’t feel like you have to get a 100 on every quiz—you’re looking to understand concept.”

There are drawbacks, though.

“The downside is that it’s complicated,” Mr. Vischak said.

He has to spend time explaining how the system works to both students and parents, and it takes students more time to adjust to the new system. Moreover, keeping track of each student’s individual progress can be harder.

To prepare and plan for this new system, Mr. Vischak attended two conferences last summer about teaching and grading with this method, where he convened with other teachers implementing similar systems in their classrooms.

“This is a thing that I’m not inventing,” Mr. Vischak said. “I’m being inspired by other teachers who have read about and I’ve talked to.”

10 FEATURES | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

Putting safety in scope New campus security measures signal a national trend of militarizing schools

By Madi Babine & Sally Buck

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 11

A

pples on desks and No. 2 pencils have always been tell-tale signs of learning. But, the narrative around school is changing.

As students poured back into the halls this August, a plastic card dictated their every move.

Forget your card, and you may find yourself getting locked out of buildings, knocking on the door for any passerby to let you in.

Kinkaid has upped its security measures: Falcon-card scanners at doors, a new keypad that allows users to contact the school office, family ID cards, badges for students, employees and volunteers.

In what typically can be a frightening and intimidating occurrence, police officers now stroll around campus as casually as any other member of the school’s community. And, doors are locked, shutting out unwanted visitors. ________________ Falcon cards have been updated to be more than just a means to buy lunch and school supplies; the Falcon cards now allow students and faculty access to the school during select hours.

All doors, with the exception of a few, are armed with Falcon-card scanners that unlock with the swipe of a card.

Visitors to all three divisions of the school are met with a doorbell system, which can be used to call the front office for clearance. Upon entrance, they will check in and secure a paper name tag.

According to Ed Jordan, director of facilities, and Ms. Julie Burris-Richardson, security manager, the changes came about after the security reviewed industry standards and updated the onsite security protocols accordingly. New measures could also be the result of an event that may produce a reason to evaluate current protocols.

With the goal of “safety and security of [the] community…and [ensuring] control of who is allowed access to our campus,” Kinkaid’s adjustments are made to secure the well-being of the students, faculty and staff, said campus security officials in an email.

Interim Head of School Dr. Ed Trusty said Kinkaid “does all it can to keep everyone safe and secure, and these changes are assisting us in accomplishing that goal.” ________________ Each year, Kinkaid ensures a policy review and conducts training for policy, process and protocols. Additionally, there is a Kinkaid security team, contracted security team and off-duty officers throughout the school day and during events, Ms. Burris-Richardson noted.

Since the 2011-12 school year, Kinkaid has been conducting lockdown drills.

Doors are covered, lights are turned off and students are herded into dark corners inside classrooms. In bone-chilling silence, students are expected to hover in a corner for five minutes or so, simulating what would happen if there was an intruder inside the school. According to Ms. Julie Burris-Richardson, “a minimum of two lockdown drills” are conducted each school year.

Lower school head, Krista Babine, noted that “while the process [of lockdown drills] has not changed, the frequency [the school practices] has increased, and the amount of time teachers spend talking about the process has also increased.”

Although some students feel as if the drills invoke fear within the school, Dr. Trusty said he hopes trainings do not frighten students but

“

We live in a world that can be dangerous and every space in it - sacred, private, public - can be the site of an atrocity.

- Dr. Ed Trusty, Interim Head of School rather provide an “awareness as to what effective responses might be in the event of such a terrible situation.”

In addition to the lockdown drills, some students see this year’s changes as unnecessary.

“The school already felt safe. I don’t feel like the new system makes the school any safer,” senior Isha Popat said. “The campus is so far away from the street and there’s always someone at the gate.”

The changes are meant to protect students and faculty from an outside threat, but what they really show is a sign of the times: Like airports and other government structures, schools have become riddled with security. _________________ Across Houston, the protection around schools has become increasingly obvious.

With the birth of a new economic market of bullet-proof backpacks and bullet-resistant products, parents and administrations are finding new ways to protect themselves from potential trouble. The efforts to protect schools are not

limited to school administrations.

In the wake of the Santa Fe school shooting in May 2018, Gov. Greg Abbott initiated “A School and Firearm Safety Action Plan” to further improve safety precautions at schools. His 42-page plan outlines recommendations for bettering school safety such as increasing law enforcement presence at schools, hardening of school facilities, and providing mental health evaluations to all to prevent self-harm or harm of others. In an ongoing commitment to increasing school safety, Gov. Abbott claimed these proposals “are a starting point...not an ending place.”

The Texas Education Agency has since created a school safety resource website, providing information on training opportunities, links to additional helpful resources for local education agencies, and other beneficial resources. TEA works with school districts to allocate $62 million in federal funding toward implementing school safety improvements, subsequently resulting in a 325% increase in the number of school marshals, according to The Texas School Safety Update, a summary released by Gov. Abbott three months after publishing his safety action plan.

In 2018, the Texas Department of Public Safety launched the iWatchTexas website and app. The app is designed to allow students and faculty to report any suspicious activity “that may indicate criminal, terrorist, or school safety-related threats.” After being filed, each report is reviewed by analysts. Since its introduction, the app has had over 8,879 downloads, according to the summary. _________________ Following the new safety provisions proposed

by Gov. Abbott, the militarization of schools has been willingly embraced by communities.

Just last year, a series of violent events sparked the national conversation around arming teachers.

A March 2018 poll conducted by NPR estimates that 41% of Americans are in favor of arming school teachers.

The increased security at Kinkaid has invoked a sense of caution in some students.

“The changes have definitely called attention to the fact that something could happen at school” senior Charlie Reckling said.

According to Dr. Trusty, Kinkaid’s goal is not to cause concern.

He said the added security “is never to create fear but to ensure that we are as safe and secure as possible and that we are all educated and trained in the event that something was to occur.”

“We live in a world that can be dangerous and every space in it - sacred, private, public - can be the site of an atrocity,” Dr. Trusty said.

12 FEATURES | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

Student goes the extra mile for music Senior bassist, drummer discovers his passion

By Mya Franklin

S

enior Jonathan Mitchell is often seen strolling down the hallways, donning a pair of black Bose headphones and bopping his head to the heavy metal song “Madhatter” by Avenged Sevenfold.

It is there, he said, in the intimate space with his headphones, where he gets lost in the sheer power of the music.

“Music gives a lot of people an escape,” Mitchell said.

Musical prowess has been in his blood since his gifts on the bass and drums blossomed in Middle School.

He has been playing bass since second grade and drums since sophomore year, and Mr. Steve Kastner, Middle and Upper School orchestra teacher, marveled at his skills immediately.

Mr. Kastner said he knew right away that Mitchell had a gift when Mitchell was playing competitive pieces with ease and musical dexterity.

“These songs weren’t “Ode to Joy,” Mr. Kastner laughed.

“They were technically difficult.

You have to really know your stuff.”

Mitchell sculpted his craft when he auditioned as a seventh grader for Texas Private School

Music Educators Association Allstate, a state-wide orchestra competition, where the most musically gifted high school students can showcase their artistry.

Mitchell’s audition as a middle schooler competing against a sea of high school students statewide was a feat in itself, Mr. Kastner said. Since then, he has continued to master his craft on bass and drums.

Six years later, his reign hasn’t waned. Mitchell still possesses the title of one of the best bass players at the high school level in the state of Texas.

However, he said the accolations garnered from TPSMEA Allstate paled in comparison to the sheer exhilaration and the palpable excitement of the mass of students in the Brown Auditorium on Field Day two years ago.

Mitchell, with 2019 graduates Ameer Mustafa and Joshua Ben-Shoshan, electrified the crowd with well-loved songs such as “Don’t Stop Believin’”

by Journey.

With the dim lights, the clash of the drums and Mustafa parading around the stage draped in a red cape, Mitchell felt the students’ fervent passion. The crowd was alive.

“People were singing along

PLAYING BASS Jonathan Mitchell plays his Fender P-bass, signed by American Country Star Lee Greenwood, that he has owned since fourth grade.

Photo by Frankie Wimbish

to the songs… it was phenomenal,” Mitchell said, reminiscing.

“Having other people enjoy” the music they were playing was gratifying.

Mitchell prides himself on having an “eclectic music taste.”

He was passionate about the rock and heavy metal influence in his music.

He enjoys a classic metal-heavy rock band, such as Greenday and Lincoln Park, where he tries to “emulate the drummers,” he said.

On bass, he gravitates toward funk. “I really like the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” he said. “I’ve

learned 30 of their songs.”

At the same time, as a first chair member in orchestra, Mitchell can appreciate the sheer beauty of classical music.

“Four Seasons” Vivaldi resonantes with him because it is simply “a work of art,” he said.

“It has some fun bass pieces… the violins are absolutely stunning.”

Although Mitchell has no current plans to major in music in college, he said he will continue to find solace and peace in his bass and drum sticks.

“Music is to enjoy life,” he said.

“

Music gives a lot of people an escape.

- Jonathan Mitchell, senior

Orchestra through the eyes of Hudson Gage 11th grade cello player shares what goes into playing an instrument

By Dylan Marcus

H

udson Gage, 17, looks forward to orchestra practice every day.

Gage began playing the cello in sixth grade, where his love for the instrument originated.

“Our orchestra practices and rehearsals are times to bring all program members together to express themselves through their instruments” he said, referring to what happens within the walls of the Thomas D. Burrow orchestra room.

“Although I enjoy practicing on my own time, there is something special about playing together,” Gage said.

Taking advice from his father, who also played the cello during his high school career, Hudson chose the cello when Mr. Steve Kastner, orchestra instructor, asked each student to pick up one of the four string instruments offered at Kinkaid: the violin, viola, cello and bass.

After experiencing three other art electives, including an Introduction to Visual Arts, choir and band during the sixth grade, Gage said he knew orchestra was something he wanted to pursue throughout his high school experience.

While balancing academics, athletics and extracurriculars, Gage tries to practice whenever he can.

“Playing the cello helps me meditate and get the creative juices flowing, especially when it is by myself,” Gage said.

Gage always puts his academics as his first priority but

makes a strong effort to fit cello practice into his schedule.

On most days the orchestra meets from 1:30 to 2:15, which is what Gage calls, “a perfect way to end the school day.”

Gage enjoys the break from his rigorous school schedule and describes orchestra class as a way to clear his mind.

Currently, Kinkaid’s orchestra is coordinating a performance with the band for a joint Halloween-themed holiday concert.

Gage does not deny the nervous feeling that he and some of his orchestra classmates experience moments leading up to their performances, but “after the first song everyone seems to relax and play their instruments as if no one is watching them.”

The concerts and performances, whether they be formal or holiday-themed, are what Gage loves about being a part of the orchestra family.

“It gives us an opportunity to show the school what we can do,

and it makes all of our hard work pay off,” he said.

“When we finish the last song at one of our concerts and I hear the applause coming for the crowd, I feel a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. It’s also a lot of fun to actually play our rehearsed songs in front of an audience.”

Gage’s love for the cello has only grown over the years.

Now that he is starting his sixth school year with the instrument, he is bewildered by how much of an impact the cello has had on him.

“Besides learning how to read music and play on key with other musicians, the cello has taught me so much more,” he said, “I’ve learned about the hard work it takes to master something like this instrument.”

He hopes to pass on his talent to his family in the future.

The perfect ending to his musical journey would be to teach his own children how to play the cello, as his father taught him at a young age.

“I

definitely want my kids to start playing an instrument at a young age,” Gage said. “I just think it’s important that they find an interest in something, preferably musical, at an early stage.”

Gage doesn’t plan on bring-

“

Besides learning how to read music and play on key with other musicians, the cello has taught me so much more.

- Hudson Gage, junior

ing his musical passion into his college studies, but the idea of playing for his family inspires him.

Gage explained that his drive to better his talents with the instrument has never been stronger.

“It’s hard to believe that I’m actually starting my junior year of high school. Knowing I only have two more years of this elective, I plan on making the most of them,” Gage said.

The orchestra will be performing along with the band for their halloween-themed concert on Oct. 27.

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | FEATURES 13

History teacher answers questions about state of our economy

By Megha Neelapu

H

ave you seen headlines about the inverted yield curve? Are you wondering if a recession is on the horizon?

I spoke to Dr. Ed Harris, who teaches economics and AP government and politics to learn more about it.

Typically there are two types of securities one invests in: stocks and bonds. Stock is when you invest in a company; a bond, on the other hand, is a loan.

The government issues shortterm bonds and long-term bonds or treasury bills, as they’re known: [you’re] loaning the government money, the government will return [your] money after a set period of time, and in the interim, [you] get a coupon payment or interest.

Q: What is an inverted

yield curve?

It should come as no surprise — intuitively this should make total sense — if I’m loaning money to the government for a longer period of time, I should get more money back in the coupon payment as opposed to a short-term bond.

The nice thing about a bond is that the interest rate is guaranteed unless the government goes bankrupt — I’m gonna get that money back. So, bonds are really safe investments. When things get problematic, we can have an inversion taking place, where

Interest Rate

Q: What is a bond?

Normal

Inverted Short-term

Long-term

short-term bonds yields a higher coupon payment than long-term bonds — that’s an inverted yield curve.

Q: OK, what does that

mean?

That means that investors are not excited about putting money into the economy in the long term, and if they aren’t excited to put money in the long term, the interest rate is gonna fall.

This is why looking at the yield curve can be really telling and has been a nice predictive tool that economists and financial folks have used because it is an immediate indicator of any movement of what the investing public’s view of the health of the economy is.

The moment that curve is inverted, people are not excited about where the economy is heading over the next year and over a longer period.

Q: Why are investors

not confident in the economy?

We’ve got an election coming up, so we’ve got just the inherent uncertainty of the election. On top of that, there is a drag to the economy that is currently being experienced as a result of trade war we’ve got, and the tariffs President Trump has put on Chinese goods and the Chinese have reciprocally put on U.S. goods.

The number one thing that businesses hate is uncertainty.

Businesses don’t like that because [they] can’t make rational decisions, and [they] can’t quantify the risk.

Q: So the big question:

does this mean we’re gonna have a recession?

Will there be a recession in the next year? Possibly, if things continue.

One other thing is that here in a time of economic growth, we’ve seen the government put a massive tax cut in place, which has increased the deficit, and we’ve seen the administration badgering the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. These are the two main macroeconomic tools the government has, and using them prematurely — it doesn’t have any ammunition to actually deal with the crisis when it comes. We could have the effects of a recession much more pronounced and much more prolonged.

The other piece of this is the U.S. part of the global economy, and the thing is Europe is really slowing down. If Europe and other parts of the world start slowing down too much, that could suck us down into the slow down as well… This suggests what we should be doing to help international markets is increasing our trade with everybody, getting our goods out there, decreasing barriers, eliminating tariffs, making it easier to trade.

Tech Theatre builds pool in black box for production

By Jaisal Kalapatapu

T

he Black Box Theatre was a busy place these last few weeks, with technical theatre students building an unusual pool of water in preparation for their production of “Metamorphoses.” “‘Metamorphoses’ is based on the Roman Poet Avid’s ‘Metamorphoses,’ and it is based on transformation,” said Mr. Scott Lambert, director of Visual and Performing Arts and of the show. “So much of the play is written about the transformations of characters, emotions, and ideas.”

And the water plays a large role in this.

“When you think about it, water is the most transformative of powers,” Lambert explained.

“When water is very cold, it turns to ice. When water is very hot, it turns to steam, and when water is itself, it is a fluid liquid.

So it is written very specifically to take place in the water.”

And while water fit the theme of the play very well, building the pool was no easy task.

For starters, at 15 feet and 4 inches wide, 28 feet long, and with depths of 4 inches in the shallow end and 38 inches in the rest, this pool dominates the Black Box. But getting a pool built

was not the only goal for the students. The process of creating the pool created tangible lessons.

“They’re learning how to work as a team,” said Mark Sell, the director of technical theatre. “They’re learning a lot of different construction methods — knowing how to break apart a finished product into small pieces that they can achieve successfully is the goal of any construction project.

They’re learning not only those skills of breaking it down and putting it back together but also how to work together as a team.”

Students in the room use a variety of tools. They collaborate on projects that require more than a little skill with power

drills and sandpaper. But the students seem to enjoy the challenge, smiling as they drill in a nail or sand off some wood.

“I really enjoy not just sitting around in class and actually doing something,” said sophomore Brendon Tran.

Though building a functional pool in a black box theatre may seem daunting, it is not totally unfamiliar to the Kinkaid arts program.

“This show was done in 2005. The same designer has designed this pool. Basically, it’s a remount,” Sell said.

“We’ve modified it a little bit to make the audience sight lines a little better so that everyone can see a little better. Instead of a six-inch rise in the audience, it will be a 12-inch rise so it will be two steps instead of one, so it will give them a better view.”

Like all good construction projects, this one had a clear end date.

“Our goal is to give actors five weeks before opening to work with the water,” Sell said.

“So, the water will be in the pool for five weeks. Now, that doesn’t mean that the whole pool is done, there’s a lot more to be done, but we thought it was important to get the water in the pool because that’s the main interaction with the actors,” he said.

At 2 p.m. on Oct. 19, “Metamorphoses” is set to open in the Black Box, and with it comes a pool of water that actors and actresses will perform in and around.

Tickets for the show may be purchased at http://tickets. kinkaid.org/.

14 LIFESTYLES | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

LIFESTYLES

Art installation ‘takes off ’ in honor of the Apollo 11 anniversary

By Megan Riley hen walking down the streets of the River Oaks District, one can say this art installation certainly stands out in an other worldly way.

Its natural light’s piercing reflections and organic movements create a celestial being that only complements the urban and mod style of the shopping center it is located in. This creative collaboration between the River Oaks District and The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston became known as “SkyWaves.”

Created in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s mission to the moon,

“SkyWaves” is more than your typical memorial. The exhibit features four 50-foot long “waves” that stretch across the street where it is located. Each “wave” is made up of hundreds of flags composed of a polyester film, similar to the material used to produce space blankets. This NASA inspired display is only fitting to be located in the Space City of Houston, Texas.

The project was led by creative director, Matt Johns, and the rest of his team of 15 artists at MATTER CREATIVE art studio.

MATTER CREATIVE specializes in designing interactive exhibits and

experiences for brands across the city. The idea of using the studio’s unique skills was no question for the River Oaks District when it was deciding who to reach out to for the “SkyWaves” project.

“River Oaks District is committed to celebrating the creative community and investing in projects that do the same,” said Matt Johns, the Creative Director of MATTER CREATIVE, when working hand in hand with the shopping center.

The installation is an indoor and outdoor experience. The room in which the indoor portion takes place mesmerizes the viewer as it creates a sort of alternate reality.

The minimal architecture and simplicity of the area allows the viewer to focus on the art, free from the distraction of Houston’s bustling nature.

Outdoors, the serene and tidal Photos by Megan Riley nature of the The indoor portion of the exhibit features sparkling pilllars that tower over its onlookers.

W

“waves” interrupts the contrasting and more urban natural of the River Oaks District.

“My favorite moment was after we got a couple of the completed structures up in the studio space and we could really restaurants. see how they [the installations] The district prides were going to look, sound, and itself on highlighting feel,” Johns said. “It was really the city’s culture in incredible to see the patterns more ways than one. and the way the light interacted By bringing in this art with the Mylar for the first time display, the River Oaks District on that scale.” aimed to The process of attract actually building a wider the structure, audience however, was of kids, not always adults, and smooth sailing. families The team was alike. constantly A combating shopping Houston’s errand ever-changing interrupted weather, from by a cityrain storms to - Matt Johns; Creative specific art blazing summer Director installation heat. is “We were something installing in the middle of the especially unique to this night to avoid the sun and shopping center, and is an crowds of people. Installations experience that is definitely always feel a little stressful the worth taking the time to first time around—it is a month encounter. of hard work finally going up “SkyWaves” will be on into the sky,” Johns said. display through mid-October in The River Oaks District is River Oaks District, located on recognized for housing highthe corner of Los Robles Drive end fashion brands and some across from Dior. of Houston’s most delectable

“

It is a month of hardwork, finally going up into the sky

Pop culture Chart

By Nicole Fernandez

What is the best HaLlowEen costume you have ever sEen? “This guy dressed up as Lisa Simpson and played Careless Whisper on his saxophone.” -George Ruthven, freshman

“ I saw someone dressed as a porta potty a few days ago.” - Charlie Kugle, sophmore

“TX Harris as Guy Fieri.” -Maribelle Gordon, junior

“There was that kid who dressed up as a rice bag two years ago. That was funny.” -Isha Popat, senior

What is your favorite hoRror movie?

“Truth or Dare” -Portia Robinson, freshman

“Jurassic World” -Mary Eloise Searls, sophmore

“I don’t watch horror movies. They’re too scary” -Hunt Tower, junior

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” -Jonathan Mitchell, senior

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | LIFESTYLES 15

Apple anounces new technology at 2019 keynote

By Nicole Fernandez

I

n the pitch black Steve Jobs Theater, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, took the stage to announce the newest generations of apple technology.

At the 2019 Apple Keynote, the focus was put on combining “hardware, software, and services” to produce the best possible products. The Fortune 500 company revealed that there will be two new streaming services, a new iPad, Apple Watch, and three new iPhones.

Joining in on the surge of streaming services, Apple will release Apple Arcade and Apple TV+.

Apple Arcade has been described as the first gaming subscription service for mobile, desktop and Apple TV in the world. This service will provide new games, only for this service, each month from popular developers such as Capcom, Annapurna Interactive, and Konami, the creators of Frogger. Apple Arcade is integrated into the App Store at $4.99 per month for the entire family. Apple TV+ is a TV show and movie service sure to compete with the likes of Netflix and Hulu, Cook said.

The service will provide new, exclusive, star-studded content with Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, and Jason Mamoa, to name a few. This service will be available Nov. 1 and is also priced at $4.99 per month for the whole family.

Apple improved its technological devices and announced new iPads, Apple Watch, and iPhones. The iPad itself does not have too many improvements (mainly a larger screen and better connection to compatible products); however, there is now a whole new software contoured to the needs of the iPad instead of the iPhone. iPadOS will introduce an entirely new user interface from a new home screen design to split screens.

The new iPad is priced at $329 and is shipping out now.

The Series Five Apple Watch improved mainly on the exterior. The display will always be on instead of having to lift an arm to turn the watch on and there is a slue of new styles, including Nike and Hermes faces and bands.

Apple, through their new watch, is now branching into the scientific community and is offering the opportunity to join in on one or multiple of the studies. The company will be collecting data on hearing, women’s studies, hearts, and

“

movement.

The hot button topic of the keynote was the release of three new iPhones. First was the iPhone 11 costing $699.

With this, there will be six new colors, an improved A13 bionic chip, surround sound with Dolby, and then general improvements to the body and camera. Overall nothing shocking and bold was added.

Second and third were the iPhone 11 Pro, $999, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, $1099.

This phone has a new matte finish and different colors, general improvements, and the

major announcement: a third camera. These two phones will now have, as an addition to the wide and ultra wide, a telephoto camera that can better adjust light.

Although it was raved about by the entire Apple team, the general populous might not approve.

“The new iPhone has displayed numerous features that I have deemed unattractive to, not only users, but those around them.

The three cameras make for a bulky and displeasing phone. Along with the phone

itself being unappealing, accessories, such as cases, have also been ‘downgraded.’

In closing, I will indeed be sticking with my iPhone Xs,” junior Aaron Wilson said.

The 2019 Apple Keynote presented the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Only time will tell the success of these products and services. Apple hopes that their prod ucts will inspire and motivate those to change the world, as Cook said, “Give people wonderful tools and they’ll do wonderful things.”

“Give people wonderful tools and they’ll do wonderful things.”

- Mr. Tim Cook CEO of Apple CEO OF APPLE Cook has a vision for more user-friendly technology to assist people in making a better world.

Photo courtesy of Apple

Parent enjoys collecting exotic, useful automobiles

By Jack Klosek “ ars are like songs,” Mr. Andrew Segal said. “They remind you of where you were when you wanted that car or when you were driving a car like that. They can even connect you to a time when you weren’t there.”

Mr. Segal, the founder of the property management company Boxer Property, owns a large military truck that is parked in the driveway of his home. This behemoth of an automobile was a gift from Mr. Segal’s friend Dan. “During Hurricane Harvey,” Mr. Segal said, “[Dan] stayed at our house in order to help people. He got a hold of a military truck and went around Houston acting as an Uber for displaced persons.”

His friend Dan enjoyed helping others and decided that Mr. Segal should have one as well.

The truck itself is a solemn reminder of when it was used in

C

a time of devastation in the city of Houston. It sheds light on how helping others, especially during hardships and tragedies, can leave a lasting impression on someone’s life.

Mr. Segal’s passion for car collecting began when his eldest son Sam, a 2018 Kinkaid graduate, began driving and his younger son Henry, a current sophomore, showed a love of cars.

While he does have an impressive collection of cars, Mr. Segal does not like to think of his cars as collector’s items or a car museum; instead, he focuses on finding cars that he can drive and get good use out of.

His “collection” includes a 2008 Porsche, 2007 Lamborghini, 1974 Jaguar and 1937 Pontiac, among others.

“There is nothing terribly easy about driving it. Even finding the gears or starting the car is difficult,” Mr. Segal mused, referring to the Pontiac. It is

currently in the front window of a car shop as it has been difficult to get good use out of.

His Jaguar is a sort of a cross between an “older” car and a “modern car.”

“Many new features were added to the Jaguar that were unheard of during the time period and it is difficult to find them,” he said. “[The car] is like an awkward teenager from an operation point of view.”

The 2008 Porsche is a revolutionary vehicle as it marks the change of “50 years of subtle changes of the same things,” meaning that the Porsche evolved from so-called classic cars into what is viewed as a modern car. It is a classic car that lacks new features that automate processes in the car that people would perceive as standard. It is a stick shift.

The Porsche that came out shortly after that were heavily modernized a couple of years after the 2008 Porsche came

Andrew Segal prepares for a journey down San Felipe in his military transport truck that a friend gave to him as a gift. Photo by Jack Klosek

out; therefore, it is an iconic car.

The 2007 Lamborghini, on the other hand, has been in the shop for about a year after Henry’s tutor caught it on fire while driving in the California desert.

Mr. Segal is looking to acquire the 2021 Fisker, an elec-

tric car that he owns a stake in.

Although the cars in their own right are impressive, Mr. Segal’s believes they represent something intangible, whether it’s something experienced or not, and that’s what makes each car unique and special.

16 The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

SPORTS From the SIDELINE

A ROWDY SALUTE Yell leaders Hudson McLeroy, Travis Fatjo and Dub Reckling grab their bugels moments before kick off against Nolan Catholic on Aug. 30.

Wilson Kelsey, sports editor

FOOTBALL The football team got off to a rough start this season, losing three straight nonconference games against Nolan Catholic, Legacy the School of Sports Science, and St. Thomas; however, the Falcons have bounced back to begin conference play, going 2-0 against St. Marks and Episcopal School of Dallas. According to senior Chris Stallings, this recovery can be attributed to “...team chemistry really coming together and key players returning from injury.” The team looks forward to its next few opponents as it tries to make a run at a third SPC title in a row.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The girls volleyball team has had an up and down start to the season. They have won three straight matches on two separate occasions but went on a four-match losing streak at one point. The girls volleyball team is looking to gain consistency going into conference play.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL The boys volleyball team is coming off of a ninth-place finish in SPC last year. However, according to senior Alex Skidmore, there is no need to fret because the team is looking “the strongest they have in a long time.”

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Girls cross country has had a strong start to the season, led by multiple topfive finishes by sophomore Kevriana Scott and senior Camila Vicens. This early success has led to the team securing a No. 1 ranking, building its case to become repeat SPC champions.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY The boys cross country team is coming off of a last-place finish in SPC last year and aims to improve its standing this year with a fresh, young team.

FIELD HOCKEY The field hockey team has had a strong start to its season coming off of a runner-up finish in SPC last year. They have kicked off conference play going 2-0 against Greenhill and St. Stephens. Senior Claire Richey says that the team looks very strong and they are excited to try and win their second SPC title in three years.

Yell leaders bring spirit, life to Barnhart

By Maggie Johnston

before the first football game of the 2019-20 season. burst of adrenaline flows In hopes of reaching all high through students’ veins school students, the student as they walk up to the“beausection profile was brought to tiful Barnhart” Stadium to Instagram in addition to Facehear a mesh of trash can lids book this year.

Posting weekly smash together after a tackle or videos encourages students to touchdown, chants to encourdress over the top for school age players when they are on spirit and for the Friday game. defense and history teacher Mr. “I fi gured out the theme for Ted Curry’s voice booming over the games through looking at the speakers. the student section Instagram The aroma of grilled hot and Facebook pages,” freshdogs and burgers combined man Johnny Griggs said. “Last with the sweat dripping off yell week, it encouraged me to go leaders’ faces all out by wearing as they dance an Apollo Creed in the stands boxing outfit that to old hits or was head-to-toe today’s top American.” trending.

On game day It’s Friday around 6:30 p.m., night, which yell leaders lug only means three purple-and one thing to - Hudson McLeroy, gold-painted bustudents. gles, three painted senior Yell Leader Game day. trash cans that The charm serve as drums, that fills Friday night is, in part, and a speaker system from the due to the seven boys who work second fl oor of the garage to the tirelessly to uphold traditional student section of the stands. game-day festivities.

In eager anticipation, they Yell leaders -- Charlie perfect the student section Reckling, Derin Baysal, Hudson setup, test the sound system, seMcLeroy, Lucas Wilkins, Zack cure the position of all “drums,” Nicolaou, Travis Fatjo and Dub and claim the prime position in Reckling -- work each week in the stands, where they can be preparation for Friday nights.

They spend hours on Amazon or seen and heard by the student body. in Party City making sure their As the football players exit outlandish outfits are unmatchthe locker room, the yell leaders able. hoist the Kinkaid flags up and “When we sit down to lead the pack of players onto the choose our outfits, we first defi eld.

They become a part of the cide if we are going to match or team as they contribute to excitjust rock similar outfits,” junior ing the players and supporting Travis Fatjo said. “Choosing them during the game. our outfits is a long and rigorous Football games can be all process, consisting of hours of bliss for students, but yell research on the web. Our outfits leaders help to make that help express our ideas and make possible. In addition to conothers want to dress all-out as ducting chants, playing music well.” and hyping fans, they are held In past years, yell leaders responsible for the behavior of have used Facebook to share the student section.

They are in their themes and hype posts, constant communication with encouraging students to come the head of the cheer program, to the game and stay the whole Coach Joanna Nicolaou, and time.

Dean of Students Josh Ramey.

“Come at 6:55. Bring the The yell leaders establish a noise. Wear all the Red White balance between crowd particand Blue you own. Let’s get it ipation and the importance of done,” read McLeroy’s post on referees and cheerleaders. the Kinkaid Student Section “The yell leaders are the Facebook page at 8:58 the night ones who direct all of the

A

“

Come at 6:55.

Bring the noise.

cheering during games and manage the crowd participation,” Mr. Ramey said. They tend to have control over the student body as students are always following their lead.

No matter if it is a chant or a song, everyone follows what the yell leaders do. I know that we call them yell leaders, but they are cheerleaders who have a greater presence in the crowd.”

In the past, yell leaders were more heavily controlled by faculty at Kinkaid; the administration has granted more freedom to the boys, but “recently their motives seem to truly be based on genuine school spirit,” Mr. Ramey said.

That being said, yell leaders still work alongside many faculty members and student groups.

They meet with Coach Nicolaou over the summer to discuss healthy student involvement and their goals for the year. They have become more involved in cheer routines, attend cheer practices to stunt and learn how to properly handle flags.

In addition to Coach Nicolaou, yell leaders help the SOK presidents and Mrs. Jennifer Kehler, Coordinator of Student Life, choose the themes for sporting events.

They are also responsible for communicating with Head of Upper School Mr. Peter Behr and Mr. Ramey about permissible behavior in

the student section and logistics such as outlets for music during games as to not interfere with the sound system established at Barnhart Stadium or at other schools for away games.

As fans begin to trickle out of the stands due to a sweeping victory or an utter obliteration, the yell leaders stay until the very last tackle.

“Despite the final score, we pat all the players on the back and congratulate them on a good game. We are there for them,” Reckling said.

As dads turn off their grills and moms close up the concession stands, the yell leaders begin sweeping all the trash out the stands.

The football players begin clearing out of the locker room and the lights in “beautiful Barnhart” turn off. All the life vanishes from the stadium, except for the yell leaders.

They stay until all the trash is gone; they leave no trace.

And as they pack the sound system, bugles, and trash cans into the back of the car, the yell leaders eagerly anticipate next Friday when they will get to do it all over again.

Senior Zack Nicolaou works to excite the student section after a tackle by Jordan RIcks.

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | SPORTS 17

Coach Swap: From Maverick to Falcon Vice embraces his new role with football team

By Chris Stallings

T

he Kinkaid football team is back after winning the SPC Championship for a second time in a row in the 2018 season. But this year, the team has several new faces.

After saying goodbye to three varsity coaches -- Kevin Veltri, Jeff Malone, and Blake Mackay -- who are continuing their coaching careers at St. John’s, the Falcon coaching staff gained many new members, including, Mr. Aaron Vice, the new offensive coordinator.

Mr. Vice, the previous head coach at St. John’s, joined the Falcon coaching staff in hopes of leading the team to another breathtaking season. His past offers a new perspective for the Falcons.

Former coach at Louisiana State University, coach Vice was surrounded by standout coaches, including future Hall of Famer Les Miles, who spent 14 years with the Tigers and compiled multiple-winning seasons.

After his time at LSU, Mr. Vice took on the challenge of high school football at St. John’s and instantly fell in love.

The football team has already felt coach Vice’s impact. From

his interactions with the team in their film meetings to his guidance during drills and individual work.

Senior Reed Butler, linebacker for the Falcons, said coach Vice has improved their “offense due to the new variety of plays he has installed.” He continued saying how crucial

“

[Coach Vice] is determined to make sure we are leaders on and off the field.

- Victor Garza,

Senior Football Captain

coach Vice’s new offense would be for the team, and fresh, new play calling would benefit the Falcons in all aspects of offense.

Senior quarterback Jackson Griggs reiterated his positive influence: “After each drive during the games, I get on the headset and go through the previous drive with coach Vice.

We do it after each drive and it really helps me get my mind right.”

The famous rivalry between St. John’s and Kinkaid, and its impact on coach Vice’s new position has had no effect on the thoughts of players and coaches. “[Coach Vice is very committed to our team, whether it’s critiquing film and analyzing our plays, or encouraging us on and off the field,” Butler said.

Coach Vice has expressed his excitement for the future season saying, “I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us as we continue to grow as a team, and pursue a third SPC championship.”

Coach Vice’s passion to improve the football team and develop young leaders has surged throughout the locker room.

Senior captain Victor Garza said, “he is determined to make sure we are leaders on and off the field.”

Garza explained how coach Vice emphasizes the team goals of each week, and expresses how the game of football has a positive influence on the players’ character.

The remaining season for

the Kinkaid Falcons football team leaves fans and players eager to see Vice’s positive contributions put on display. Even if not by the numbers in the record book, his impact will be felt among his student-athletes.

Coach Vice instructing the offense prior to game time.

Photo by Frankie Wimbish

Ping pong heats up the Student Center

By Charles Garrison

O

n their first day of senior year, the class of 2020 was introduced to a new world, ping pong in the Student Center.

Whether during free period, lunch, or “going to the bathroom” in class, seniors make time to pick up a paddle, which has brought a new level of competition among skilled ping pong players.

The players to be feared have made their presence known, constantly sending lines of people saying “I got next” to a quick defeat. The ongoing competition for Student Center domination has reached points that many would never believe in September alone.

From skipping lunch to creating a make-shift net of clear duct tape because the net was broken, this is more than a game.

“It’s so boring here that something like ping pong is entertaining,” senior Freddy Reckling said.

One player who has spent weeks ending his competition with difficult serves and returns has been senior Michael Camp, who has spent countless hours perfecting his craft at any table he has come across.

Before senior year, Camp said he definitely has not played daily, but he has been familiar with ping pong, having owned a table since fifth grade. However, Camp is not the only one who came into senior year ready to control the table at Kinkaid.

There have been many talented challengers including seniors

“

There’s a lot of good players but the way [Alex Nigro] plays is really unique.

- Michael Camp

Michael Duncan, Alex Nigro, and Zack Nicolaou.

Camp has faced all these fellow polished players at least once.

“There’s a lot of good players but the way [Alex Nigro] plays is really unique,” Camp said, adding that senior Scott Morey is his best competition, all skills considered.

Interestingly, many players believe that the most skilled competitior that enters the student center is a junior, Corbin Kinder. Kinder has made his presence known, with his unrelenting play style of never missing a return.

“Corbin is the best player in this school. He never makes mistakes,” senior William Scott said.

The competitive aura that has surrounded the ping pong table in the Student Center has picked up heavily and the aforementioned breaking of the net has brought a new element.

“Both the net and the table are terrible, and we have tried to replace them...,” Camp said.

Immediately after the net was

William Scott (12) and Freddy Reckling (12) compete during C period.

broken, a substitute of clear tape appeared in its stead, with “You’re welcome -MK” written on the front.

The tape has posed an issue for the most competitive ping pong matches, and it has served as a scapegoat whenever players underperform their true paddle prowess. There is no shortage of shouts: “It’s because the net” or “We need a new net!”

From heated matches to breaking the net to making a ranking system, it is clear that ping pong has become seniors’ “official” sport.

Pictured is the makeshift net that MK Rice (12) created in the absence of the real ping pong net, which was broken by a student.

Photos by Charles Garrison

18 SPORTS | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

Recreational disc golf grows in Kinkaid community

By Ayush Krishnamoorti

Jonathan Frumovitz throws a disc at TC Jester park in an attempt to go par.

Photo by Ayush Krishnamoorti

J

onathan Frumovitz lines up his shot.

Just outside of the easy putter range, just inside the shrubbery, he is deciding between using his midrange and putter. His shot is for par,

a hard par in a relatively easy course.

As he sweats to catch up with his partner, this shot can decide everything.

He lines up his putter, and brings it behind his hip, holding it in his classic backhand grip. As he releases the disc, it just takes a second before the satisfying sound of it hitting the chains.

Disc golf, which is often referred to as frisbee golf or frolf, is a popular sport in the Houston area, and has multiple professional leagues and tournaments that occur every weekend.

From TC Jester Park, with its long, open courses, to Buffalo Bayou Park, with its distinctive, tree-heavy courses, disc golf baskets line the Houston bayous.

While disc golf continues enormous growth in cities across America,

not a single basket exists at Kinkaid. There are numerous areas where a basket or course could be implemented, as well.

Starting with the Backyard and the massive retention pond, Kinkaid could offer a course with hills, something the rest of

Houton doesn’t have.

Additionally, with a renowned 18-hole course scattered throughout the 64-acre campus, Kinkaid could attract competition throughout SPC. With sports like badminton and cardio already offered, it seems possible that disc golf could be added as a sport. However, as Athletic Director David Holm said, “With the number of sports we offer, we are at capacity.”

One of the other factors that influences whether or not Kinkaid offers the sport is if it is featured as a competitive SPC sport.

For instance, Kinkaid doesn’t offer rowing because only a few schools throughout the conference play it; however, several athletes have gone to college for rowing despite not playing with the school.

“The conversation always goes on and we have to balance things we have right now with what we want for the future,” Holm said.

Many sports, other than disc golf, meet similar criteria for being added, however, a student does not play them as part of a Kinkaid team. An option for playing a sport that is not provided by Kinkaid is out of school credit. If a student is part of a team, outside of school, they can get a sports credit, even though they are not playing for a Kinkaid team.

With the rising popularity of disc golf, Kinkaid would allow players like senior Henry Durning, who has played recreationally, a chance to develop their talents.

“I love disc golf, and I wish there were more opportunities to play. I so would,” Durning said.

Kinkaid is in a position where teams are over-saturated with athletes. Several teams have had to create JV and some have to cut players.

Creating new teams in this environment should not have the problem of lack of support, and with its unique topography, Kinkaid is positioned to add a disc golf course or team in the upcoming years.

TC Jester Park: Holes: 21

(1 Hole Across Bayou)

Par: 64 Average: 75 Maintenance: Good Difficulty: Medium Distance from Kinkaid: 9 miles

Agnes Moffitt Park:

Holes: 21

(1 Hole Across Bayou)

Par: 64 Average: 75 Maintenance: Good Difficulty: Medium Distance from Kinkaid: 8 miles

The infamous boys’ volleyball student section The pitiful section does not reflect the true intensity of the team’s points

By Ayush Krishnamoorti & Frankie Wimbish

H

igh-pitched squeaks of icy Nikes colliding with the polished hardwood floor cut through the intense silence as junior Aaron Wilson lines up for the serve.

“16-20,” the buzzer announces a timeout, just before Wilson serves up a heater.

Every hardened muscle within the Kinkaid athletes is tensed in preparation for the comeback against St. John’s.

The Mavericks execute a beautiful set, leading into a spike, and as the ball screams through the air, it looks as if Kinkaid could not escape this hole. However, a jaw-dropping dive from senior Alex Skidmore leads to another beautiful set pass for Kinkaid, and sophomore Tobe Nwabudike puts the ball away into the back corner, untouchable for the St. John’s volleyball team. The team erupts in elation, but as we pan to the crowd, the only claps come from the few parents of the kids playing.

The excitement generated by the Kinkaid volleyball team is undeniable, but at every game, there are no students to be found. The Kinkaid Men’s Varsity volleyball team works hard every day, with games happening at least once a week, and for the players, volleyball is their life. For such dedicated athletes, it is shocking to see how little student support the games receive.

Compared to the famous,

Texas high school football games that light up our Friday nights, it seems shameful that the joy of indoor volleyball games are not shared like that of football. The thunderous roar when a touchdown is scored jolts those not accustomed to it; the deafening silence of the crowd after the boys’ volleyball team score a winner is just the opposite, yet elicites the same shock.

“There has always been an issue where kids don’t go to games, and while this isn’t sport-specific, the unfortunate timing of volleyball games makes it hard for students to attend.” said athletic director David Holm.

The student section at boys’ volleyball games has grown to be infamous in the last two years. Several campaigns enlisted by both Alex and Jonathan Frumovitz, along with efforts from the student-athlete council, have proved ineffective in drawing larger audiences. While girls’ volleyball attracts some students, along with faculty and parents, despite having the same time slots, the boys have barely been able to conjure up a crowd.

“The usual is 4-5 people.

However, one time we had 15 people, and it was insane. We were getting amped up and the crowd was getting hyped up, it was the best game of the season.

If only every game was like this one,” said Jonathan Frumovitz.

For how hard these student

Alex Skidmore fires a ball past two burly St. John’s frontmen to finish an intense rally.

athletes work every day to hone their craft, it is a true travesty how little support is given by their peers. Support can be found in the scarcely populated stands from the passionate and ever present parents. Self-titled “head cheerleader” Mr. Chris Skidmore can be found showing off his falcon pride, decked out in purple and gold, waving cutouts of the players’ faces passionately. Mr. Skidmore is not the only parent supporting the team, with Mrs. Ellen Morey as team mom providing the necessary energy and vitamins to fuel

the Falcon volleyballers.

The internal support for the volleyball team is what holds it together. As Frumovitz put it earlier, “if the crowd was supportive and energy-filled the entire season, we would go undefeated.” Given the rivalry with St. John’s, which ended their last game in horrific defeat in a tiebreaking third set, 15-13, their second to last home game on Oct. 17, is crucial to the season. We ask all students and faculty to attend this energy-filled, football-like, game against St. John’s at 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Frankie Wimbish

Kinkaid vs.

St. John’s Come to support the team, and flood the stands October 17, 7pm Melcher Gym

October 4, 2019 | The Kinkaid Falcon | SPORTS 19

Varsity Football Reigning back-to-back champions, the Varsity Football team is more determined than ever to claim the SPC title for the third year in a row.

148

By Madi Babine

league record

WINS

LOSSES

rush plays average

men on the roster average points per game

675 455 553 solo tackles

21.6

s

p

e rc

e

Int

n tio

rushing yards

longest return receiving yards

98

kick-return yards

yards

75

s n w

o

d ch

u

To

greatest win (by points)

3 SPC Championships in past 4 Years

35:13 Kinkaid

ESD

Photo by Frankie Wimbish

Matthew Bale, senior

20 BACK PAGE | The Kinkaid Falcon | October 4, 2019

Back page snapshots

By Frankie Wimbish

1

2

Junior Hudson Davis, senior Jonathan Mitchell, and sophomore Carolina Weiland play during band practice, making sure they are prepared for their electric lunch on Oct. 4. More on drummer Jonathan Mitchell can be found in the features section on page 12. Weiland debuted last year during the fall band concert and impressed students throughout the auditorium.

1

Senior Anna Van Os spikes down a ball against Houston Homeschool Athletics in a close win. To finish the first set, Van Os slammed several spikes at the opposing team, at the roar of her team, and thanks to many of her fellow front teammates.

2

3

Students dress up in their best “jungle” attire for the game against St. Thomas. The spirit was high throughout the game, with junior Chase Pelter, dressed as a giraffe, cheering with the yell leaders. Although Kinkaid lost in a tough 35-14 game, the game was alive.

3

Matthew Bale walks to the sideline after a defensive stand against Nolan Catholic in their season debut. While several senior leaders were injured for the game, the end score was 42-9 in Nolan Catholic’s favor. One of the factors necessary to stop their explosive offense was neutralizing the top-ranked running back in the state for the class of 2022. The team was unable to achieve that, despite preparing to defend and win.

4

4

5

The Hispanic Heritage Month movie showcased on Wednesday, Oct. 2 was supplemented by empanadas ranging from chicken to beef and veggie. Servers from the Viva la Raza club made the experience of watching “Coco” special, and a good way to cap off the month that began with an assembly featuring a violinist named Andrés Gonzales.

5

Upcoming Events October 9

All School Holiday (Yom Kippur)

October 11

October 14

All School Holiday (Columbus Day)

Football vs. Greenhill.

7 p.m., Segal Field

October 16

October 18

Football vs. Episcopal.

Senior Night, 7 p.m., Segal Field

pSAT/pACT day for freshman, through juniors. Alumni Leadership Day for seniors

October 19, 20

November 2

Metamophoses by the Upper School Theatre. 2 p.m., 7 p.m on Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday

October 19, 20

The Taming by KinkADE Underground 5 p.m., 10 p.m. on Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday

Pep rally; football vs.

St. John’s., 7 p.m., Rice Stadium

October 27

Fall Orchestra and Band Concert, Brown Auditorium, 2 p.m.