www.wildcattales.com
The Wildcat Tales volume lxvi
November 18, 2011
Issue Four
Plano Senior High School
Plano, TX, USA
Modest Mouse review
Wildcats on ice
Legendary alumni
Page 11
Page 3
Page 1 and 9
Atheletes commit to universities
Securing the Future. Eight seniors committed to college teams Nov. 9. For more of what the athletes said see page 4.
Photo submitted by Jaydon McCullough
Looking back: Alumni reflect on high school experiences By Dani Sureck After graduation students venture off in different directions. Some will attend a university or college, others will enlist in the Army or Navy, and others will focus on finding a job to make extra money. The paths certain alumni chose to take after high school took them far from Plano, Texas, yet their distance does not stop them from reflecting on their high school memories. Current University of Nebraska student and running back for the football team, Rex Burkhead, who graduated in 2008, continues life skills he received from his years on campus. Burkhead was on the football and basketball teams during his time here. Burkhead said that one of his favorite parts about being on the football team were the atmosphere and traditions before, during and after the games. During Burkhead’s freshman season, the basketball team won the state championship, and when he was a junior and senior, the team won the title First-Team AllDistrict Honors. Burkhead siad that on top of the lessons he learned on the field and court, he also learned lessons in the classroom. “The most important thing I learned was how to manage my time between sports, school and everything else because of the commitment this school has for a tradition of excellence in every aspect,” Burkhead said. In 2009, Burkhead was voted Homecoming King. Although some students may remember Burkhead as their Homecoming King, the football star or the basketball player, Burkhead said he hopes that his peers also remember him as a student who worked hard at every task presented to him and that he was a caring student who would do anything for his peers. Burkhead said he remembers
Archive Photo
Stefanie Sandridge, Planoette Capitan of 20102011.
not just the sports he played, but his classes and teachers, as well. “My favorite class was Sports and Entertainment Marketing with Mrs. Cannon,” Burkhead said. “It was really cool seeing how businesses go about sponsorships and endorsements. Plus, Mrs. Cannon is a really cool teacher.” Burkhead said his best memory is the senior prank pulled that year. “The pillow fight with the whole school on one of the last days of school was fun because everyone participated,” Burkhead said. “It was funny seeing some of the teachers joining in.” In the locker rooms and on the football field and basketball court, Burkhead’s name will always seem legendary. As he studies and plays in college, he said
Archive Photo
Rex Burkhead, star football player graduating class of 2008.
he still makes time to remember where he is from and to stay in contact with old classmates and coaches. For current upperclassmen, Burkhead advises to cherish every moment because the experiences will last a lifetime and once you graduate, you will never be able to get them back. Ryan McDuff, who graduated in 2009, is a junior at Brown University. During his time at Plano, he played for the football, basketball and soccer teams. He was also Student Congress president, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board and a member of NHS. “I think I have an addiction for competition,” McDuff said. “That’s what probably kept me playing sports. I loved the challenges that Student Congress posed
for me, especially trying to help hundreds of people while breaking the record for the largest high school blood drive in the nation.” McDuff said he feels as though his peers will remember him for being “that kid” who was involved in everything. Although this may seem true due to his participation in various activities around the campus, he said he hopes that alumni will also remember him as someone who tried to make a difference in the school, and was an approachable student who set good examples about working hard and following one’s heart. McDuff is currently the captain of Brown’s soccer team, as well as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, President of Brown Sports Business, a Meiklejohn (Freshman Advisor), tutor and volunteer for various organizations within the Providence community. McDuff said he feels that he was prepared for college in more ways than one. “College taught me how to love the people around me,” McDuff said. “It taught me the importance of an education and time management. But most importantly it taught me to never set limits on life: if there is something you’re passionate about, be ready and willing to fight and sacrifice for it. Have no fear in your pursuit.” For McDuff, three words could sum up what he misses most from his high school years. “High school football,” McDuff said. “I didn’t realize what an effect it had on my life until I moved to Brown and began focusing on soccer. Apart from the wonderful times I had with my teammates, the lessons and hard times are what I also miss most. The mental and physical battles
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