May 5 Issue

ORACLE

the

Stratford High School • May 3, 2019 • Vol. 46 • Issue 7

.08

See our blast from the past to look at how the seniors have spent their high school years.

.12-14

Check out these pages to see what the senior class will be up to next year.

.17

Take a look at this year’s sports recap to see how the Spartans finished off.

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The Oracle May 3, 2019

News in Brief New Math Classes COMPILED BY MCKENNA TANNER

• May 17: Teachers conduct

NATIONAL LOCAL STRATFORD

Power Reviews for “B” day classes, and Minute Maid Park hosts the Senior Prom from 8 p.m. to midnight. Project Prom follows at Dave and Buster’s.

• May 20: Teachers conduct Power Reviews for “A” day classes.

• May 21: Second and eighth period finals take place on a full-length school day.

• May 22: Fifth and seventh period finals take place, and school lets out early at noon.

• May 23: Fourth and sixth period finals take place, and school lets out early at noon.

• May 24: First and third period finals take place, and school lets out early at noon.

• May 25: The graduation ceremony occurs at 1 p.m.

• March 17: A fire broke

out in a chemical storage building in Deer Park. Its cause unknown, the fire filled the sky with black smoke until it was put out on March 20.

• April 11: Mayor Sylvester Turner announced his Safer Streets Initiative to better protect pedestrians crossing local roads, especially those with disabilities. This follows the deaths of two pedestrians in a hit-and-run in March.

• March 12: Prosecutors

announced charges in a college admissions scandal involving at least 50 parents, including Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman, and other celebrities, who paid to falsify their child’s athletic involvement or to let their child cheat on college admission tests.

• April 10: The first ever picture of a black hole was released to the public after years of work.

• April 19: The Justice Department released Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report, which did not conclude the 2016 Trump campaign had conspired with Russia.

The Seniors’ Final Goodbye

PHOTO BY MADDIE DAWSON Photo shot from the roof of seniors flooding out of the school as they leave Stratford for some of their last times.

news

Freshmen and sophomores are getting the chance to try out UT classes WRITTEN BY MCKENNA TANNER

PHOTO BY BOWEN JACKSON

As part of an effort to offer more college- hours, the Algebra II class will be the These classes will be different from level courses, dual enrollment Algebra II first here to allow underclassmen to try pre-AP math in the same way current and pre-calculus classes are joining the the same, meaning they can experience dual enrollment classes differ from their math department next year. college earlier. Freshman Devon Schwartz, AP counterparts. Students will still be Now, freshman and sophomore who took Algebra II this year, said he responsible for communicating concerns students will have greater opportunities wished this option had been available to their UT professors on their own to try upper-level classes, and and will be expected to motivate upperclassmen will get more options themselves. to take college math.

“I think it helps the independence “When you’re looking at what we’re because, eventually, as a parent, offering, we’re continuing to expand we want to have our kids better the college experience for students,” prepared for everything,” Herrington counselor Jim Herrington said. said. “And if we’re not there, we’re “That’s the whole reason to try it, is not giving them experiences to let to give everybody the experience.” them make their own decisions, it Herrington said the structure of the makes a big difference.” classes will be similar to the currently Junior Wyatt Miller, who is taking available dual enrollment history English and History through UT, said, class, which is also provided through although the dual enrollment set-up UT, in that students will read new isn’t perfect, he thinks the problems material beforehand then discuss wouldn’t be present in a math class. it in class. As in the history class, New Math Classes like Amy Dillon’s pre-calculus As a result of this, he likes the idea of the students’ college grades will be the new classes. are getting some company with the addition of determined through tests, which can “That would be very nice because only be retaken for the high school math classes through UT I can just get that out of the way grade. when he was choosing his freshman without having to take some standardized “The teacher’s going to be teaching the classes. test,” Miller said. “You take one class, and exact same material that’s being taught at “It would have provided an excellent it’s like a full class out of college.” the UT campus,” Herrington said, adding, introduction into dual enrollment, so I Herrington believes the classes will be “If you bomb a test, you can’t retake it, would know if I wanted to do it in the beneficial overall. not for UT. That’s pretty critical there.” future,” Schwartz said. “Also, for those “The more you expose students to what While the addition of pre-calculus who want a harder math course, it is a college is like, I think the better we’re through UT adds to already-present great alternative to a traditional pre-AP going to be in the long run,” Herrington upperclassmen courses with college credit course.” said.

SBISD Bond Program

Change is coming to the Stratford Campus, thanks to the 2017 bond program

WRITTEN BY BENJAMIN SICILIANO

In the next couple of years, Stratford will undergo new, exciting renovations, as a result of the 2017 bond program. The $898.4 million dollar district-wide project was approved by a 80 percent margin to continue the 2007 bond program, and focuses on transforming educational facilities across SBISD. Some of you may have heard rumors about this “bond” thing, from teachers or your friends, leaving you wondering what would be changing for Stratford America. By the end of 2021, Stratford will receive mechanical system upgrades for better comfort control in both hallways and classrooms, and site improvements in areas such as safety lighting and parking pavement. More upgrades for both the exterior and interior of Stratford include improvements in safety and security, like new fire alarms, burglar, and access control systems. The bond program will also be replacing student furniture, evaluating lighting, and upgrading door hardware and flooring. Stratford will also be getting an exterior power wash, roof system replacements, and a building envelope, which will improve air conditioning.

Along with all of these improvements, Spartans can look forward to new devices, as well as a synthetic turf practice field.

The bond program will also resurface the track and the tennis courts, and replace

the auditorium with a new 1,000 seat substitution. However, with all of these new changes, there are sure to be some effects.

So what does this mean for Stratford?

Well, for starters, Stratford will definitely look more appealing to the eye, with all of the new renovations. The school will become safer as well, as students can rely on the system upgrades to make their campus more secure. With the new devices, work can be completed faster with more up-to-date technology, and improvements in the athletic department such as the new field and tennis courts

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE CLASS OF

2019!

will no doubt give the student athletes a better environment to practice and compete. The new auditorium will offer a great new experience for not only the students performing but for the audience watching as well.

The 2017 bond program will bring exciting changes to Stratford America, and although not every student will get to experience the new renovations, the school will become a better place for students and teachers alike. For more information on the program, be sure to visit Spring Branch ISD’s website.

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

news

Town Hall with Congresswoman Fletcher

3

Freshman Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher hosts her first town hall at Frostwood Elementary WRITTEN BY BLAKE TODES PHOTO COURTESY OF REPRESENTATIVE LIZZIE FLETCHER’S FACEBOOK PAGE Five months after she defeated incumbent Congressman John Culberson as a part of many Democratic victories, also known as a “blue wave,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher gave her first town hall to constituents of Texas’ seventh congressional district at Frostwood Elementary on March 23.

Faced with questions from flooding to healthcare, Fletcher heard concerns from her constituents so she can effectively do her job as a representative.

Fletcher currently serves on two House committees, Science, Space, and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as on two subcommittees: the Environment, which she is the chair of, and Energy.

The Science, Space, and Technology committee oversees the Army Corps of Engineers, which is the main reason Fletcher was assigned to this committee because of Hurricane Harvey’s devastating impact on our district.

Fletcher is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist Democratic-affiliated faction focused on “pro-business, pro-growth, and socially progressive policies.” As a member of this coalition, she remains critical of the Green New Deal and universal healthcare, policies strongly advocated by left-wing

populists such as Bernie Sanders and healthcare due to the way the Affordable Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Care Act is written. With the ACA, Flooding was a major topic of discussion people with children do not qualify at the town hall. A local resident who for some of ACA subsidies to ease the flooded in Hurricane Harvey was unable cost of premiums. Fletcher highlighted to receive assistance the importance of from FEMA because “shoring up the her income was too markets” and creating high to meet the more affordable income requirement, healthcare options, and asked and she also is in the Congresswoman Healthcare task force Fletcher if she is in the New Democrat taking any steps to Coalition. remove this income Another woman was requirement. concerned about Fletcher responded protections for by saying the reason Fletcher Represents Newly elected people with preCongresswoman Lizzie Fletcher for the income cap existing conditions. takes questions from her constituents The woman had for flooding aid is at her first town hall at Frostwood because the aid Stage III colorectal comes from HUD, Elementary. She plans to hold town cancer with a which is designed baseball-sized tumor halls across the district quarterly. to help low and in her colon and middle income families; however, Fletcher was worried about insurers dropping highlighted the importance of the need her coverage. Fletcher ensured her that of more funding for aid that does not she would vote to protect everyone with have an income cap, so every person that pre-existing conditions because basically flooded can receive government aid. everyone “has a pre-existing condition.”

Healthcare was another major topic of Energy, as Houston is “the energy capital concern. One woman was concerned of the world,” was another major topic of about the high price of affordable conversation. Fletcher emphasized that

“there’s a sense that you have to choose between the planet and having energy. It’s a false choice.”

In addition, when asked about the Green New Deal, she expressed her support for some of the ideals of the proposal, however, emphasized she did not support the deal as a whole.

However, Fletcher was not met with solely praise from her constituents. One man asked Fletcher if she went to the southern border during her three months as a congresswoman, and then, stated fake statistics about an alleged “rapid increase of border apprehensions” to support his assertion of the need for a “border barrier.”

Fletcher refuted the man’s claim by stating “the number of apprehensions outside the ports of entry has actually gone down,” and stating $1.3 billion was committed to border barriers in the government reopening package in February.

Fletcher plans to have town halls across the district quarterly, and the next town hall is on June 15, however, the location is undecided. If you have any concerns for Congresswoman Fletcher, visit fletcher. house.gov to find Fletcher’s congressional or Houston office address to send a letter or to send her an email.

New Podcast: The Table Using stories to form human connection

WRITTEN BY RACHEL DIETERT GRAPHIC BY EAMONN FITZPATRICK Hey there and welcome to the Table: where people you know tell stories you don’t.

At the Oracle, we believe that human connection is the key to storytelling. That’s why we started this podcast. In every episode, we talk to someone in the community: a classmate, a teacher, a friend.

They pick a random question ranging from what’s your biggest fear to when was the last time you felt joy.

Then, we sit down at a table a just talk. Our hope is that through these conversations, you realize that the people around you are more similar to you than you think. In our first episode, we talk with Isabella Moreno about the people who shape our lives and becoming friends with family. In our second episode, we talk with Eamonn Fitzpatrick about core values, the price of honesty and star signs. You can find episodes of the podcast at shsoracle. org. If you would like to be featured in an episode of The Table, direct message us on Instagram @shsoracle or on Twitter @stratfordoracle. We would love to talk with you at The Table.

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news

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

AP Test Schedule Week 1 8 a.m.

- United States Government Mon. and Politics 5/06/19 - Seminar Tues. - Spanish Language and 5/07/19 Culture Wed. 5/08/19

- English Literature and Composition

12 p.m.

- Chinese Language and Culture - Environmental Science - Japanese Language and Culture - Physics 1: Algebra-Based - European History - French Language and Culture

- Chemistry Thurs. - Spanish Literature and 5/09/19 Culture

- German Language and Culture - Psychology

- United States History Fri. - Studio Art (portfolio 5/10/19 submission deadline)

- Computer Science Principles - Physics 2: Algebra-Based

Week 2 8 a.m.

Mon. 5/13/19

- Biology

Tues. - Calculus AB 5/14/19 - Calculus BC

12 p.m.

2 p.m.

- Physics C: Mechanics

- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

- Art History - Human Geography

Wed. 5/15/19

- English Language and Composition

- Italian Language and Culture - Macroeconomics

Thurs.

5/16/19

- Comparative Government and Politics - World History

- Statistics

- Macroeconomics - Computer Fri. Science A - Music Theory 5/17/19 - Latin

Exemption Policy

- No more than 5 absences in any class and Spartan Time.

- No more than 2 absences in the exempted classes.

- Four tardies count as one absence.

- Suspension (in school or off campus), truancy or a “U” in conduct eliminates the possibility of being exempt.

- Must have a minimum semester average of 80.

- Seniors may earn eight exemptions, juniors three, sophomores two, and freshmen one.

Power Review Schedule - Spring 2019 Friday, May 17 (B Day) Period Two Four Six Eight A Lunch

Six Six B Lunch

Two Four Eight

Begin-End 7:45-8:30 8:36-9:21 9:27-10:12 10:18-11:03 11:03-11:33 11:39-12:25 11:09-11:55 11:55-12:25 12:31-1:17 1:23-2:09 2:15-3:00

Event Period Power Review One Power Review Three Power Review Five Power Review Seven A Lunch Lunch Class Five B Lunch Class Lunch Five Class One Three Class Class Seven

Monday, May 20 (A Day) Begin-End 7:45-8:30 8:36-9:21 9:27-10:12 10:18-11:03 11:03-11:33 11:39-12:25 11:09-11:55 11:55-12:25 12:31-1:17 1:23-2:09 2:15-3:00

Event Power Review Power Review Power Review Power Review Lunch Class Class Lunch Class Class Class

life

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

Saying Goodbye

5

More teachers leaving

WRITTEN BY LIBBY GRIZZELL PHOTOS BY DAN TATULESCU, TENAJ LOWRY, CARSEN BLEVINS, BOWEN JACKSON, AND FRANCO GRIMOLDI CALO

Lowyn Hendrickson Rebecca Cruz Tony Brillon Darryl Hill Gena McGee Meriam Mason Olivia Burkin

Mr. Richard Graham Mr. Richard Graham is leaving after being the head band director of the school band for 7 years.

Mr. Peter Steinmetz Head Choir Director Mr. Peter Steinmetz is leaving after 24 years of working in the Theatre Arts program.

He taught choir, music theory, and musical theatre.

Ms. Julie Bean

Mr. Christian Holmes

Ms. Julie Bean has taught at Stratford for one year in the math department as an Algebra 1 and 3 teacher.

Mr. Christian Holmes has been at Stratford for 13 years.

Starting in 2016, Holmes has taught theatre 1 and 2, technical theatre 1 and 2 and taught broadcast journalism. Holmes has directed 18 productions and oversees the lighting design for productions. Holmes also sponsors the ComedySportz club , the Dungeons and Dragons club, and many others.

Mrs. Shelby Slay Mrs. Shelby Slay has been at Stratford for 5 years. Slay started as a Professional Communications teacher for two years as well as a swimming and water polo coach before becoming the campus librarian for past 3 years.

Mrs. Olivia Shirley Mrs. Olivia Shirley has been at Stratford for the past 6 years and has taught Grade Level Physics, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II and was an SAT prep teacher and pre-cal teacher.

Where to Now? WRITTEN BY BECCA DAWSON

PHOTOS BY MADDI SANGI, MEGHAN MARTINEZ-MAKOWSKI, AND AMARIS SMITH

Who’s Mr. SHS? Mr. SHS has been a tradition at our school for awhile and every year it lives up to its glory. This year, the boys put on their best outfits and competed their best talents to try and win over the judges. First place winner, Ethan Robinson, performed a hilarious skit with his twin brother, Blake Robinson, who won Mr. Congeniality.

Signing Seniors Seniors Noah Davis, Jonathan Piskovatskov, Matthew Riedel, Brady Putnik, Kyle Storemski, Keri Collins, Eileen Gex, Olivia Green, Georgia Henkel, and Ainsley Knox, have all committed to go to different colleges for athletics.

College is Here At the last pep rally of the year, senior cheerleaders preform for one last time while wearing shirts that say what college they are going to attend in the fall next year.

Tri Theta In the picture above, the senior girl’s club, Tri Theta, is setting up a fun sign for the football players to run through before they start to play. Tri Theta makes hundreds of signs each year for our favorite men in green. Every year, the new seniors look forward to this fun club to have a Senior Men Fun blast with all of their This year, our friends. seniors have brought back an old club, Senior Men. It’s a spirit organization that supports our school. They got the opportunity to preform a funny skit at one of our exciting pep rallies and they did an amazing job at it.

6 valedictorians The Oracle • May 3, 2019

To be a valedictorian is not an easy thing to do. It takes hard work and a lot of focus. These 54 Spartans have excelled academically. They have all maintained a perfect grade point average while taking the most rigorous courses available to them. Make sure to congratulate them on being valedictorian- they deserve it.

COMPILED BY ALEXIS GARZA

Emma Balevic

Claire Barber

Evan Chan

Stephen Cho

Amy Djuvik

Lauren Dodds

Grace Gibler

Annie Goss

Shining Spartans

valedictorians 7 The Oracle • May 3, 2019

Caleb Hirst

Allyson Hollister

Jihye Hur

Claire Johnson

Emma Jowett

John Kelly

Kendall Kerr

Joseph Kim

Taylor Krosby

Trace LaRue

Georgia Letchford

Grace Mosby

Preston Bouwhuis

Mary Ann Brasher

Abigail Coltrin

Esme Conkright

Grace Custer

Julie Nguyen

David Oh

Carley Overbergen

Julia Papapanagiotou

Morgan Pierce

Andrew Plant

Conor Donihoo

Elise Easton

Madeline Eyre

Audrey Kate Ford

Rubaab Poonawala

Charles Posey

Matthew Riedel

Valeria Robayo

Kevin Rochelle

Tala Salek

Samuel Habel

Cullen Hannigan

Georgia Harper

Thomas Satterwhite

Kyle Schleinschok

Isabel Vierra

Steven Yoo

Carissa Yun

Charlotte Benes

Keri Collins

Grace Broom

Sean Healy

Yuanting Xu

8

B P

life

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

last from the ast

A look at some highlights from the graduating class’ past four years COMPILED BY MCKENNA TANNER PHOTOS FROM ORACLE AND MNEMOSYNE ARCHIVES GRAPHIC BY BENJAMIN SICILIANO

Senior Sam Habel was awarded the Houston Touchdown Club “Scholar Athlete” award.

After being disbanded for eight years, Senior Men returned to boost school spirit.

Seniors The junior Spartanaires dazzled in a number of their own in the 2018 Spring Show.

Juniors

The cast and crew of “Newsies” put on a show for sold-out crowds and garnered seven Tommy Tune award nominations and two wins..

Sophomore cheerleaders kept the crowd’s spirit high at football games.

Students honored the victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting with a moment of silence during the nationwide school walk-out.

Hurricane Harvey pounded Houston with record-breaking rain.

Freshmen

Thensophomore Emma Stephenson was successful at the 2017 state swim meet.

Students like Georgia Letchford took part in the Houston Woman’s March.

Thensophomore Grace Custer placed 12th in state competition.

At orientation, then-freshmen sang the alma mater for the first time.

Sophomores Carissa Yun and other orchestra members entertained attendees of the Texas Renaissance Festival.

This year’s varsity football players, like Jack Kelly, got their start on the green and white teams.

life

The Oracle •May 3, 2019

Who’s who?

Can you match these Stratford teachers to a picture taken their senior year?

NOW

PHOTOS BY: JACKSON COSSEY, CLAIRE ELLIOT, KYLA LYLES, LEY LEAL, DAN TATALESCU, BOWEN JACKSON AND AMALIA KNOTTEN

Ms. Baker

Coach Schwartz

Coach Foster

Mr. Barrett

Ms. Crain

Mr. Darroh

Coach Ache

Mrs. Dikdan

Mr. Lee

THEN

Giving Back to the Community The importance of giving back to the community and how to do so.

WRITTEN BY REESE LEIF PHOTO BY JILLIAN DONLEY As the end of the year approaches and seniors begin anticipating graduation, many underclassmen are left worrying about how they will get service hours to put on their college applications. Although the Big Day provides students with an opportunity to give back to the community once a year, it is important to do so more than just annually. Here are some other ways to provide service around Houston: Family Point Resources: Located just several minutes away from Stratford, this organization gives students the opportunity to work with children in many different ways.

This includes homework help, coaching a sports team, and more. There is an online sign up where volunteers can pledge their time.

Citizens for Animal Protection: Located about 20 minutes away from Stratford, CAPS provides students of all ages with many different service opportunities.

These include hands-on volunteering (training required), donations, and service projects.

Key Club: A chapter of International Key Club is available to join at Stratford. This organization focuses on service projects around the community, providing students with an easy way to get involved. With just a small fee of 15 dollars, you can become an official member in the fall.

Bayou City Blessings In A Backpack: This organization provides weekend food for children who do not typically have access to fresh produce or a grocery store.

Volunteering opportunities include packing weekend lunch bags, writing positive note cards, fundraising, and more. The different options for service opportunities provide high school students with many accessible forms of volunteering.

Spartan Share: This is a program that takes place during the holiday season. If you are a part of an extracurricular activity at Stratford, it’s likely that you will have the opportunity to participate. Here’s how it works: a group of people “adopts” a family for the holiday season to provide gifts with. The group buys, wraps, and delivers the gifts to this family before Christmas. For this activity, there are many ways to get involved.

Volunteering is not only important for college applications, but it also serves the community. If you have an interest in any of the activities listed above, check out shsoracle.org for more information.

Mrs. Wolf

Green Thumb

Mrs. Prudhomme

9

Mrs. Schaper

Sophomore Riley Duncan and junior Milly Stephenson lend a helping hand with the cheer-leading team at the Big Day. The Big Day provides students with the chance to volunteer and give back to the community. Usually, the event takes place in mid-to-late March. This year, it was on March 23.

10

seniors

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

To the Class of 2019,

Senior grade level principal Jeffery McCord says goodbye to the graduating class Where has the time gone? It was only a short four years ago that you graced Stratford High School with your presence and immediately began impacting this community in a huge way. And now four short years later, you are leaving a legacy of accomplishments that will be the envy of all classes which must follow.

The most obvious of accomplishments are often visible through athletics and

academics, but the thing that stands out the most to me and lasts forever is your kindness and generosity.

Even though I will miss watching you compete, perform, and reach high academic achievements, it is your heart and spirit that I will remember the most. My wish for each of you is that you will look back on your years as a Spartan with pride and joy, knowing that we will always be

You are leaving a legacy of accomplishments that will be the envy of all classes which must follow. here for you, and realizing that you have influenced our school and community beyond measure.

As you begin your next adventure and

life’s journey, I wish you all the best, and I cannot wait to see what great things you will accomplish and the people you will inspire. I know that whatever choices you make, you have the ability to change, influence, and impact the world around you in a very positive manner.

Take care, and I will miss you!

Mr. McCord

Dear Class of 2019,

English teacher and Tri Theta sponsor Kathryn Suerth shares her best wishes with the senior class It has been my great pleasure to watch you grow up. I’ve known most of you long before you first stepped onto campus at Stratford. I met many of you when you were awkward middle school kids -- when you took the stage or the field for the first time, toilet papered my house (shout out to your astonishing skills, Reagan & Kyle), or shook my hand in the receiving line at dance club. I, like many of your parents, worked hard behind the scenes to ensure that even the bathroom decorations were on point for the 8th grade dance.

I also watched some of you move through elementary school, as we took field trips to the state capitol and BizTown, and you put on your best western outfits for the dreaded square dancing, or played a carrot in the school play. I was there when some of you walked in for your first day of kindergarten, when your shiny new backpacks seemed to overwhelm your small bodies. A handful of you were just toddlers when we met, and I remember spending long afternoons on the playground at the Yellow School and by the swimming pool at the NFC. These are precious memories that I will look back upon with laughter and fondness.

I remember the year you were in 8th grade telling my fellow teachers here at

SHS how much they would love you. And, of course, they do love you. As one of our brightest, most accomplished group of students, we have collectively watched you thrive. Even though you sometimes (or often) forgot your homework or neglected an assignment until the last minute, you’ve impressed us not only with your academic achievements, but I think most of all, your kindness to each other. You have also participated in clubs, activities, and sports, and made the most of them. You will remember the long days of practice with nostalgia, even when you think of summer band or football practice in full pads when the temperature is 100 degrees.

The number of hours you spent painting Tri Theta signs or dragging your tired body through morning practice will fade into affectionate memories, and you will begin to think of your days here in terms of friendships made and relationships established rather than the English paper that wouldn’t print or the Physics test you failed. You have approached everything with a great sense of humor and fun, and have made me laugh so often as I recall one particularly crazy sophomore English class—the one where Canon’s backpack was always turned inside out, Laura’s shoes somehow got tied to the desk, the

As one of our brightest, most accomplished group of students, we have collectively watched you thrive.

floor turned into hot lava, I never could get Noah to stay in his seat or Ronan to be quiet, and we decided that my white board would become a growth chart for Jack Kelly. It was never dull!

Now you are ready for the next chapter, and I say that with confidence because even as we recall the good times, I know there have been darker chapters that you have faced in your years growing up in Stratford America.

You have experienced loss – the death of a beloved Meadow Wood Elementary teacher, the passing of a classmate at Memorial Middle, and some of you have lost parents or other loved ones. You have seen your friends battle serious injuries and devastating illness.

And you have survived one of the worst natural disasters this country has ever seen, where many of you lost homes and possessions to the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey. You have come through all of this with grace, with generosity, and courage beyond your years. The things you have learned through these collective experiences cannot possibly be taught in the classroom. You have come through them wiser, better, more resilient, and more empathic, and I’m so proud of you for it. I hope you never let anyone call you a snowflake.

Seniors by the Numbers

My wish for you as you embark on your next chapter is that you appreciate the foundation you have built here at Stratford America, but realize that it’s just the beginning. There is so much more out there to experience. Whether you go on to college, trade school, the military, or into the workforce, be open to the world.

Don’t just stick to your pledge class, your major, your job, or your dorm. Reach out, seek out new experiences and ideas, and make friends with people who are different from you. Figure out what means the most to you, and live your life for that. Finally, remember that there are people in your life that love you, and I will always count myself as one of them. I speak for the faculty here at Stratford when I tell you that you have become more than just the class of 2019 to us. You are OUR children, and while we are sad to see you go, we are confident in your ability to conquer adulthood.

Congratulations class of 2019, we love you!

With much love and best wishes,

Mrs. Suerth

562 54 18.5 students graduating

valedictorians

$

million

estimated scholarship money earned

seniors

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: MADDIE DAWSON

11

minnesota illinois missouri

12 seniors

University of Minnesota

The Oracle / May 3, 2019

Jacob Makiyama

COMPILED AND DESIGNED BY ISABELLA WALTZ

washington

University of Missouri Myles Moise

University of Washington

wisconsin

The Oracle / May 3, 2019

massachusetts

Northwestern University University of Wisconsin-Madison Annie Goss Makenzie Hattig Ubakum Mere Ben Miller

Roosevelt University Cammie Aven

Anastasia Neupert

seniors 13

Cate Cerveny

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

new hampshire

Valeria Robayo

Emerson College

Southern New Hampshire University

Brittany-Anne Bonnete Lauren Dodds

Ainsley Knox

connecticut new york

indiana

oregon

Trinity College

Purdue University

Noura Sadeghi

Emma Balevic

Lewis & Clark College Sharon Avina

Columbia University

california

Grace Custer

Syracuse University

Stanford University

Carlee Churchill

pennsylvania delaware

Isabella Terrazas

Chapman University

Pennsylvania State University

Charlie Posey

Alondra Kumar Jonathan Piskovatskov

University of Southern California Erin Newsom

Villanova University

University of California San Diego

Isabel Vierra

Jessica Leung Spencer Mitchell

Hannah Keller

Kearah Haley Brandon Hancock Theodore Pollock Jan Strydom Tatyana Williams

Eileen Gex

west tennessee virginia north carolina alabama south carolina Carnegie Mellon University

Emily Marshburn

colorado gap year armed forces

University of Delaware

Colorado School of Mines EsmĂŠ Conkright Audrey Kate Ford

Rhodes College

Katie Hopper

Belmont University

oklahoma

University of Colorado Denver Anabel Stewart

Colorado State University Jude Foreman

Sasha Alexander Natalie Balcezak Claire Barber Amy Bright Ryan Byrd Alexandra Lorentzatos Alex McConn Peyton Nichols Josey Osborn Madelyn Perdomo Nick Perdomo Belynne Rice Molly Stroube

University of Tulsa Nate LeaRussa

Lindsay Winkler

Sophia Early

Vanderbilt University Matthew Riedel

University of Colorado Boulder University of Oklahoma Reagan Harris William Graham

Glenville State College

kansas

University of Kansas Bryant Davis

new mexico New Mexico Military Institute Jack Reeves

arkansas louisiana florida University of Arkansas

Louisiana State University Karen Assenga Jessica Barnett Joe Dodson Matthew Montgomery Spencer Parker Morgan Vandervoort

University of Louisiana Greta Stultz

Auburn University Bella Cofran Thompson Green Cameron King

David Flajnik Maddie Gentil Samford University Bart Jones Savannah Baerg Chase Kubala University of Florida University of Alabama Enzo Lee Rachel Meeks Ethan Robinson Gus Machen Blake Robinson Ronan McDonnell Ellie Montanez Jade Pearl Sofia Sabal Mississippi State University Zach Smith Travis Ashley

mississippi

Elon University Rachel Dietert

College of Charleston Olivia Green Katherine McCord

University of South Carolina Mackenzee Balzer

georgia

University of Georgia Maddie Dunbar Laura Powell Claire Johnson

seniors 14 pima medical university of university of baylor texas a&m texas university institute university houston Austin College Station southwestern university trinity university texas southern universal technical institute university southern methodist university houston baptist university texas tech university

texas

houston state community university college texas San Antonio st. edward’s christian university university The Oracle • May 3, 2019

Daniel Airola Mykah Briscoe Gray Campbell Keri Collins Meredith Egger Matthew Hambly Rachel Harsley Katherine Hartwig Jackson Howard Anna Lintner Kyron McClain Isabelle Mejia Stephanie Mushalik Emma Peters Catherine Richard Katelen Standlee Kyle Storemski Nathan Styslinger Kaitlyn White Cullen Wilson

Charlotte Benes Preston Bouwhuis Mary Ann Brasher Evan Chan Stephen Cho Abigail Coltrin Conor Donihoo Elise Easton Maddie Eyre Grace Gibler Georgia Harper Allyson Hollister Jihye Hur Jake Hyland Emma Jowett Samantha Kang Kendall Kerr Kristin Kight Joseph Kim Taylor Krosby Trace LaRue Georgia Letchford Grace Looney Zhong Mei Heise Josh Miller Jeffrey Moore Grace Mosby Ben Nederveld Julie Nguyen Savannah Nichols David Oh Carley Overbergen Austin Britt Julia Papapanagiotou Will Calderhead Tala Salek Isabella Moreno Elice Shin Lindsey Richardson Chance Stein Nick Soto Wes Waitkus Gracen Williams Ting Ting Xu Colter Ivey Jonathan Leon Sharleen Sali Darby Shanahan

Dallas

Jacqueline Ortiz

Benjamin Burnham John Graham Emma Hamilton Sarah Nguyen Ayla Picone Christian Ransom Christyan Sampy Amelie Tatchung Kaylie Zermeno

Samantha Green Caroline Piskurich

Elizabeth Babineck Andrew Walker

Deja Copeland

Javier Paredes

Andrea Gonzalez

Natilie Hinojosa Gia Lazarus Alexandria Martinez Travis Mask Jose Ovalle Madison Baker Madeline Gustafsson Chloe Roberts Rodger Villanueva Brady Putnik Abby Molina

blinn college sam houston university of state university st. thomas

Sarah Carson

Elizabeth Perez Janelle Le Luis Montes

Ashley Beeler Troy Durant Amaya Gonzalez Lydia Jackson Jonathan Monterosa

Kameron Benson Catherine Garza Miles Harper Leon Pham Jake Reister Thomas Suess

lonestar university of university of the college north texas incarnate word Nathan Castillo

Kaivon Dixon

Juliana Benitez Trevor Hook Dalia Medina

Audrey Adams Hana Ahmad Alejandro Bueno Carol Gebhart Hannah Harrington Liam Hartgrove Claire Hollingsworth Jordan Jones Cooper Murphy Marshall Moses Omar Reyes Lauren Solomon Chazz Spiers Mariam Uriarte

Scott Ashmore Hagen Bach Grace Broom Hudson Brown Ashley Cahalan Canon Culver Colette Daulton Allison Delgado Amy Djuvik Chandler Dunwell Tyler Egger Catherine Garza Samuel Habel Grant Harger Rachel Harkins Chloe Hayes David Komitsky Reagan Mansfield Abby McCall Sarah Millan Libby O’Block Cole Oliphant Grayson Pendergraft Morgan Pierce Andrew Plant Elise Poteet Melanie Raley Riley Rominger Zamar Salas Thomas Satterwhite Kyle Schleinschok Nathan Schulte Tim Snapp Kelsie Stephenson Maddie Suerth Samantha Wagner Charlotte Weaver Ethan West Ryan Wright Carissa Yun Tyler Ziegenbein

Corpus Christi

Sophia Galloway Kaia Mantor Karla Reyes Sterling Spinks

San Antonio

Andrea Perez

Galveston stephen f. austin state university rice university Nicholas Comeaux Carson Dunwell Nicole Whiteford

MaryKate Guerre Kathlyn Noyola

Cullen Hannigan

seniors

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

Summer Bucket List

15

WRITTEN BY HANNAH TIMMRECK AND ELEANORE WILLIAMS DESIGNED BY ALEXIS GARZA GRAPHICS COURTESY OF HTTPS://WWW.KISSPNG.COM HTTPS://WWW.PINCLIPART.COM HTTPS://SCUBASANMATEO.COM

Freshmen 1. You just finished your first year of high school! How exciting. Remember to work hard because while freshman year might seem so far from graduation, your grades are still important! Finish strong.

2. Check your schedule for next year- are you taking classes you are interested in?

3. If you didn’t like a club this year or regretted not participating in one, make sure to get involved sophomore year.

Sophomores 1. Start signing up for test prep classes. There are few ACT/ SAT test dates a year, so start planning which ones you’ll take.

2. Make a list of colleges you’d like to visit next year. This will help you narrow down visits before you endure junior year.

3. Brush up on old skills to prepare for harder classes.

4. Make sure you’re building up a resume. If you’ve always wondered about a certain club consider checking it out!

Juniors Don’t let your priorities melt away this summer!

1. Finish strong! Your grades from this semester are the most important.

2. Secure your senior year schedule; choose challenging classes for senior year.

3. Connect with your teachers! You will need recommendation letters for college and it is always best to have a letter that can speak highly about a student.

4. Start or update your resume! This will help you include all of your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other accomplishments in one place.

5. Let colleges know if you are interested. Sometimes, demonstrated interest can play a role in college admissions decisions.

6. Don’t forget about the ACT/SAT! There are few test dates available before you submit your college applications.

7. Remember to have fun! Junior year is tough- but you made it through! Enjoy yourself this summer.

Seniors

Save yourself with these tips before you dive into college!

1. Remember that everyone is doing something new.

It may sound obvious, but if you’re nervous about graduating remember that every senior is in the same boat.

Whether you are going to college or not, leaving high school is a big change for everyone. Keep in mind that many people are nervous about leaving familiar friends and family.

2. Keep an open mind.

After graduation, you have numerous opportunities to step out of your comfort zone. You will find new hobbies and try new ways of thinking.

Take advantage of this time! Don’t be afraid to explore clubs and organizations where you can meet new people.

3. Manage your time well.

No matter what you do after high school, time management skills are essential. Find a way to keep track of social events, jobs, and classes.

A planner, a calendar, or a list; experiment to find out what works

for you. If attending college, make sure to keep track of your school work and avoid procrastination.

These skills will set you up to succeed for the rest of your life.

4. Remind yourself that it’s okay to need help.

Keeping a positive mindset is essential to post-graduation, but everyone will find themselves in a tough situation eventually.

Remember that it’s okay to admit that you need help. If you’re in need of advice, don’t hesitate to turn to a friend, parent, or professor.

5. Stay balanced.

Some seniors slack off after high school and others overload themselves with work.

After graduation, remember to stay involved in your community or university. Staying busy is a good way to adjust to a new environment, but remember to avoid burnout.

Schedule time for yourself and your hobbies as you prepare for life after high school.

“To graduating seniors: worry less about the small things and focus more on doing what you are passionate about.

Don’t put pressure on yourself to have a seamless transition to college, because everybody moves at their own pace.”

-Riley Timmreck Sophomore at A&M SHS Class of 2017

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The Oracle • May 3, 2019

sports

Swingin’ Lady Spartans Take Playoffs

PHOTOS BY CAROLYN KOERNER

In the Zone

Infield Meeting

Infielders meet with each other on the mound, discussing new ways to face the Mustangs, who sit comfortably at 14-1 in district play, while the Spartans are 8-8.

Batter Up

Sophomore and Mississipppi State University commit Saleyna Daniel goes up to bat. She prepares to Outfield Talks send the ball flying into the outfield, against rivals As infielders discuss new tactics, outfielders Logan Memorial High School.

Allwein and Megan Zatopek discuss the game

Catcher Meghan Martinez gets ready to defend home plate against the division leaders, the Memorial Mustangs.

Despite facing. tough rivalries, the Spartans have officially clinched a playoff seat, facing off against Bellaire High School.

Dingers

Sophomore Madison Morrow goes up to bat, getting a base hit and advancing the runners versus Memorial, April 5 in the Front Yard.

17

sports

The Oracle •May 3, 2019

Wrapping Up the Year in Sports WRITTEN BY ANA SOFIA MEYER PHOTOS BY ANA SOFIA MEYER, NATHAN SICILIANO, JACKSON ALLRED

Servin’ Aces Senior Lindsay Winkler serves against CyCreek in the last set. The match was won by our Spartans in four hard sets.

Sports teams this year have proved their amazing skills and hard work through incredible victories and accomplishments. Whether it’s breeding Division One athletes or teaching students determination and character, every sport has success. Our year started with a tough football schedule in a new 6A district alongside the power houses of Cy-Creek, Jersey Village, and Cy-Fair. The team also gained a new Head Coach Todd Rankin and Defensive Coordinator Alex Reed, which

brought a new transformative energy to the players, leading huddles and introducing the infamous “Turnover Bucket.”

Volleyball, like football, also faced a new difficult district, yet they overcame it all. They reached the playoffs and went to the second round, however, they lost to a strong Seven Lakes team in three sets.

Basketball season was long and grueling for both our boys and girls teams, as our Spartans faced some of the Meeting on the Mound most dominant teams in 6A: Cy-Creek, Cy-Falls and Jersey Spartans meet on the mound, Village. Although neither planning adjustments for the team qualified for playoffs this defensive effort. The baseball season, both proved character team has made the playoffs this and determination throughout season. tough seasons.

Notoriously dominant, Stratford swimming held on to its reputation of one of the most consistently competitive teams in the state. Senior and Texas A&M commit Emma Stephenson won state in the 50m Freestyle, and set a new UIL record for that event.

Girls soccer made their 2019 playoff presence, beating Houston Heights 2-0 in the first round, and then taking on nationally ranked and undefeated Tompkins, falling to them 2-0 in a hard fought loss.

Although the boys team failed to make the playoffs after losing almost an entire team of seniors last season, they are hopeful for the season to come.

With track and field season kicked off, the girls long distance team has made their mark, placing third among state contenders at a recent race. University of Houston commit Christyan Sampy has also shown his dominance in pole vault, setting a new record this year with 16’3” at the regional meet this season.

Spartans softball, currently in their offseason, had a strong and hard fought campaign.

Their season unfortunately ended April 26, with a tough playoff loss to Bellaire. However, finishing with a 8-8 record and making playoffs is a huge achievement.

Baseball remains strong, recently beating Memorial 9-6 on their own field. They have also excelled through district play, finishing with a 9-4 away record. The boys have officially clinched a playoff seat, and played this Thursday. Follow us on Instagram @shsoracle for the game update.

Down They Go The defensive line stops Memorial’s running back in a short gain of yards.

Although the Spartans did not win in a hard fought battle, they annihilated the Mustangs in the canned food drive.

HEY SPARTANS! COME AND VISIT US AT OUR TULLY LOCATION!

FREAKY FRESH FREAKY FAST 12161 KATY FRWY. - 281.679.5000 OPEN MON.-SAT. 11AM-5PM - CLOSED SUNDAYS

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The Oracle • May 3, 2019

Out of the Park

Pitching in Style Sophomore Luke Broussard winds up for one of his first pitches against Memorial.

Broussard plays pitcher and 1st base for the JV baseball team.

sports Swingin’ It

PHOTOS BY NATHAN SICILANO & HOSSEIN FARAHANI

Huddle Up

The Traveling Team

Not only did Freshman Everett Bates compete for the JV Basketball team, but the JV baseball team as well. Here is Bates against Memorial.

The JV baseball team huddles up just prior to their April 1st game. Sophomore Luke Broussard started the game at the pitcher position while junior Joey Cobb pitched after him.

The varsity coaches and players stand in front of the North East Sports Park in San Antonio, Texas. The varsity baseball team completed their regular season with a 12-3 record.

Sophomore Ballin’

Sophomore Keaton Klasing throws a pitch from the mound in the March 23rd game against the Mustangs in the Backyard. Behind him, junior Justin Barry prepares for the hit at third base.

Making the Playoffs PHOTOS BY NATHAN SICILIANO

Boxing Out

Senior Ashton Kettler uses her body to box out an opponent.

Meanwhile, sophomore Natalie Alexander prepares for the sideline pass.

Coaching from the Sideline

Pre-game Jump

The girls’ varsity soccer team participated in their pre-game jump. The team does this before every game; their second game in the postseason would be no different.

Coach McGee talks to her substitute player, Dani Bloching, just before she checks in.

During the course of the season, the Spartans scored a total of 82 goals.

Junior Ballin’

The Spartans completed their season with a terrific 17-6 record. Junior Dani Bloching secures the ball and makes a pass towards midfield.

perspectives

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

The Untold Story of a 15-Year-Old Girl

19

GRAPHIC BY EAMONN FITZPTRICK Originally, I was going to write this story “He asked me to do something to him then I can thrive on Earth. While it seemed in the form of a letter to high school on and I didn’t want to do it.” at the time that I wouldn’t move beyond an eighth of a page “Did you say no?” a 15-year-old boy and his misguided in the back of the “Yes.” newspaper. However, “And?” I realized that there “He told me if are many of us who I loved him then share this experience I would do it and need to hear anyway.” this. I’m terrified, but “Did you?”

I’m sharing my story “Yes.” for any of you who “That’s rape.” actions, I did. need to know that Rape. The word had never Now I am ready to share my story as you are not alone. seemed so foreign. It still seems proof that people can thrive after being We hide behind foreign. It’s such a weighty word raped. The world doesn’t have to stop smiles and laughter. with such abstract meaning. But turning simply because of a boy, or girl.

We learn to live like it captured everything perfectly.

Whatever the story is, it is just that, a nothing happened.

It captured how I stopped eating story. You are the survivor.

We try to remember how to trust again. in order to try to control something, We are survivors of sexual abuse. anything, about my life. It captured how I was 15 years old. My parents sheltered me. I was innocent and perhaps naive. I had no idea that my boyfriend telling me who I was allowed to talk to wasn’t protection. I had no idea that his telling me how to dress wasn’t normal. I had no idea that his threatening to hit me wasn’t my fault. It had never occurred to me that he shouldn’t have torn up my newspaper application. I had no idea that his hurting me wasn’t an acceptable way to show affection.

I was 15 years old. My boyfriend made me bleed.

One day he broke up with me. The porcelain world he had created in my mind An artist’s depiction of the author’s struggle with loneliness at lunchtime following the end shattered. Suddenly I was left of an abusive relationship to make my own decisions, something I hadn’t had the right to do for an entire year. It felt like the rumors that spread around the school someone had just pulled the floor out gave me such bad anxiety that I could Below are resources for from under my feet. barely stay the whole day. It captured how anyone suffering from dating Learning how to think for myself was singled out and alone I felt. It captured abuse. If you or anyone possibly the worst part of the entire how I couldn’t sleep at night, couldn’t experience. I hadn’t made friends of my leave the house, couldn’t look at myself in you know is in a harmful own, and all of the mirror. relationship, the following his had stopped Three years later, have information on how to talking to me. I I still have trouble sat alone at lunch, using that word, get help. hidden behind an rape, to describe air conditioner, what happened.

• thehotline.org The Domestic trying not to have But three years Violence Hotline has resources for a panic attack. I later I am no stopped running longer defined by anyone experiencing domestic because I was what happened. I abuse. The number is 1-800-799afraid to leave the house without him. My learned how to live, and not just survive. I 7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) weekends were suddenly empty; there discovered how to thrive. I moved schools • loveisrespect.org This was no one to wake me up and make to get away from him and from the website has articles about healthy me leave the house. I had become so rumors that ran rampant in the poisonous relationships and resources for dependent on him that I didn’t know how atmosphere. I started to run for my own to be my own person anymore. pleasure again, without the fear of leaving people in unhealthy relationships to I was still totally clueless as to what the house and without him. I made my get help. exactly had happened. An acquaintance own friends and am able to enjoy myself • breakthecycle.org This had to explain to it me. The conversation without him. website offers information on how went as follows: I learned from this experience that I can to fight dating abuse as well as the “Why are you crying?” survive hell, and if I can survive in hell

no longer defined by “whatI amhappened.

I learned how to live, and not just survive. ”

If You Need Help

I had become so “ dependent on him that I

didn’t know how to be my own person anymore.

”

Note: The author’s name was withheld per editorial board decision.

opportunity to talk to someone about a relationship.

By the Numbers

Our writer is not alone in facing this problem. Here is some information about the scope of dating abuse.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF LOVEISRESPECT.ORG, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE AND BREAKTHECYCLE.ORG

• 1.5 million high school students

are physically abused by their boyfriend or girlfriend in one year • One in three American teens have experienced emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse at the hands of their dating partner. This is the highest rate of any other type of violence among young people.

• One in 10 high schoolers’ girlfriend or boyfriend have hit, slapped, or physically harmed them on purpose • One in four teenagers in a relationship experience abuse or harassment from their dating partner through texts or the Internet • One third of teenage victims are sexually coerced by their boyfriend or girlfriend • Half of teenage victims suffer physical abuse • 84 percent of teenage victims undergo psychological abuse • One in three 16- to 18-year-old girls believe sex is expected in a relationship at their age • Half of female teenagers who were victims of sexual pressure said they feared the relationship would end if they refused

Of teenagers who have been part of a committed relationship • One in two have ignored their

own beliefs in trying to please their partner • 23 percent of girls have done more sexually than they were comfortable with because of coercion by their partner • One in three girls have worried their partner will physically harm them • One in four have had a partner try to keep them from spending time with family or friends • One in five have been slapped, pushed, or hit by a boyfriend or girlfriend • One in four have been pressed to spend time with their boyfriend or girlfriend and no one else

20

The Oracle •May 3, 2019

Word Search

seniors

Sudoku

Visit shsoracle.org for solution.

The Oracle staff can’t put themselves in the newspaper unless they are the only one essential to the story. However, the next three pages will be filled with senior ads as a thank you for their hard work and dedication over the years. For the first time here are the seniors:

Ashley Cahalan

Hagen Bach

seniors

The Oracle May 3, 2019

21

22

The Oracle • May 3, 2019

rite is is my favo Fun Fact: th ! ce fa e p ty decorative and “Charlotte” n ’s It ame is :) mine is too

Gig‘em!

seniors

maddie s e n e b

e tt o l char suerth Thank you so much to Mrs. Cummons for four incredible years working on this paper. You recognized potential in me early on that I had yet to see for myself and for that I am eternally grateful. To the staff, thank you for always trying to make sense of my brainstorms and half-baked ideas as they come flying out. This paper has been a success because of your hard work and heart, and I thank each and every one of you for your contributions to this team.

Thank you to Mrs. Cummons for allowing me to lead the staff, and to the staff for making my newspaper experience incredible.

I am grateful for all the memories I have made.

Rachel Dietert Thank you Mrs. Cummons for helping me find my voice and McKenna Tanner for encouraging me to use it.

seniors signing off

perspectives

The Oracle May 3, 2019

An Ode to Stratford America A sentimental senior’s look back on what makes Stratford strong WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE BENES

ARTWORK BY BENJAMIN SICILIANO

OK, first things first, you might be confused so let’s clear something up real quick. Why is the staff editorial an Ode? An editorial is supposed to contain the assertion of an opinion, so here’s mine: Stratford High School Is Awesome.

When I was in fifth grade at Wilchester Elementary, (go Wildcats!) we were brought down to the library one day to learn about the next seven years of our life. Though most of the discussion centered around what middle school would be like, we finished out the day by watching a video on YouTube -- a goofy, wonderful video of the place we would one day come to call our home away from home, a showcase and a celebration of the lively student body we would eventually become a part of.

Seven years ago that lip dub, performed to the song “Wavin’ Flag,” made me excited to be a Spartan and proud of the community I was a part of, before I had even so much as set foot on campus. What it showcased was a group of students, broad and diverse in its scope of activity and extracurricular involvement, but with a vibrant shared spirit, not conforming to the presumed delineations between “jocks” and “geeks” etc. taught to us in movies like Mean Girls and The Breakfast Club. This year’s revival of the famed lip dub prompted me to reflect on some of the things that make Stratford unique.

I think it’s probably pretty safe to say that everyone goes into high school with a certain set of expectations, whether those expectations are imparted to them through an elder sibling, popular culture, or even from fictional depictions of high school like the movies I mentioned earlier. These fictional depictions often miss the mark, however, over-dramaticizing certain aspects of teenage life and leaving others out all together.

One of the fictional depictions of high school with which many are likely familiar is that of High School Musical, the movie in which jocks participate in musical theatre, the mathlete ends up with the basketball star, the other jock bakes, the smart girl wants to be a dancer, the musical theatre kid plays baseball, and the status quo is constantly challenged by stereotypedefying behavior from various members of the student body.

Crazy right? That’s not high school, right? This image of high school, imparted to most of us in elementary school when the High School Musical movies first began to premiere, directly contradicted those presented to us in other high school movies.

Though everyone’s experience of middle school is unique to them, for many of us I’m sure, the stereotypes presented by popular culture were generally reinforced by our experience.

Some of us were made to believe that there was a certain

order to things, a way that social dynamics worked, an inherent separation between groups of students for no other reason than the labels with which we subconsciously defined them.

And then we reached high school and something crazy began to happen. The realization dawns slowly, you might not even be aware of it at first. Sometimes it takes awhile for us to see the whole picture. I myself didn’t even realize it until some point this year, but in looking back I can see that it was present throughout my four years here.

The lines blur.

We are not a student body defined by delineation, made up simply of jocks and theatre kids and popular kids and nerds and whatever other stereotypes and labels one might be able to think up to define groups of people with shared interests. We have had baseball players singing on stage in musicals, yearbook editors starting ultimate frisbee clubs, cheerleaders playing football, swimmers on StuCo, and volleyball players in choir, to name a few examples, during my years here. We are still that vibrant, diverse student body that so impressed me all those years ago. We are more like East High in High School Musical than we know, more so than any other high school I know of.

Students here are not defined by the groups they are a part of or the activities in which they participate, because there is so much crossover between different groups that the lines blur and eventually we become more of a gradient scale than a color wheel.

And herein lies the strength of Stratford America. We are stronger as a unified body.

We can do incredible things.

Last year we healed together as a community in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and this year we brought back the lip dub that so excited me all those years ago, after years of saying we would and not following through with our intentions.

That is why I love this school. I love the crossover between groups because it enriches our conversations with one another and our overall high school experience. I know we are not perfect, there are certainly areas that we as a student body could improve upon, especially when it comes to inclusion, but I think we are ahead of the curve. We can be strong for Stratford because Stratford has made us strong, and I know that each and every one of us will be kinder, more well-rounded citizens of Earth in all of our future endeavors because of our time here together.

An editorial is supposed to contain the assertion of an opinion, so here’s mine: Stratford High School Is Awesome.

23

ORACLE

the

staff

Editors-in-Chief *Charlotte Benes *Maddie Suerth

Associate Editors *Isabella Waltz *Rachel Dietert

Photo Editors *Dan Tatulescu *Maddie Dawson

News Editors Yasmin Talbi McKenna Tanner

Life Editors Blake Todes Amora Flores

Sports Editors Ana Sofia Meyer Jackson Allred

Perspectives Editors

Meghan Martinez Makowski Ivy Martinez Miles Harper Becca Dawson Nathan Siciliano Jeanie Sidler Eleanore Williams Ally Weidman

Photography Managers Caroline Dina Lauren White

Ads Editors Samantha Wagner Joy Meyers

Ads Staff Hagen Bach Sara Duvall Isabella Moreno Hannah Timmreck Mary Claire Vatterott

Alexis Garza Libby Grizzell

Design Editors

Reporter

Building Principal

Amaris Smith

Photographers Ashley Calahan Eamonn Fitzpatrick Bowen Jackson

Benjamin Siciliano

Chad Crowson

Advisor Janice Cummons *Editorial Board

Members

The Oracle newspaper is the official, schoolsponsored student media of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-2513454. The Oracle is published monthly by the Journalism Department and is also available online at shsoracle. org. The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The Oracle serves as a public forum of student expression

and is open to contributions submitted by the readers.

Readers may submit material via e-mail to info@ shsoracle.org.

All letters to the editors must be typed and contain the author’s full name, grade and signature.

Submitted material is subject to editing based on space and/ or content.

The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration or the school district.

Publication costs are covered through advertisements.

For more information, contact thestratfordoracle@gmail.com OR call at 713-251-3454

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The Oracle • May 3, 2019

HEY YOU! YEAH, YOU! FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!

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photos