The Knight Times / August 2023 Issue 1

News that Stands Out

THE KNIGHT TIMES Official Student Newspaper of Episcopal High School

August 2023

4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401

EHS welcomes back seniors with traditional events

www.ehshouston.org

Volume 39, Issue 1

Freshmen attend New Knight Orientation Class of 2027 learns about the community during orientation

JULIA SHERMAN Production Editor Senior Breakfast, an EHS tradition, has always been a warm welcome to incoming seniors at the beginning of the school year, and it is an important event that celebrates each senior before they officially start their final year at EHS. Seniors are honored at the beginning of the year for all their hard work and the journey they all have gone on to get to where they are.

This year’s Senior Breakfast commemorated the Class of 2024 on August 25.

During the breakfast, students sit with their advisors and listen to numerous important figures at EHS, such as Head of School Mr. Ned Smith, Associate Head of School Mr. Tyler Montgomery, and Principal Mr. Antonio Avalos. This breakfast allows seniors to hear advice from administrators and faculty before they embark on their next journey to college.

Alongside speakers during breakfast, seniors took photos for the Senior Style Show which takes place in December.

Senior Breakfast is a great way for students to reunite after summer break and celebrate one last year of school together.

Students received Class of 2024 stickers and keychains that represent their class and the class-voted slogan. The breakfast also included the signing of the class banner, which will hang in the USC all year.

After the Senior Breakfast, the EHS Pin Ceremony was held during Chapel, when each senior received a pin from Mr. Smith in honor of their last year at Episcopal High School.

Members of the incoming Freshman Class work with sophomore Jocelyn Valencia on a team building activity. Photo by Mr. Charles Holt.

ANYA PANT Opinions Editor

“This program is really helpful to the freshmen. During this time they get a taste of the school without the normal chaos of over 800 students and also get time to tour the school and find their classes before the start of the year. It is also very useful because it gave them a chance to ask their FAM advisors questions about the school year. ” Learn more about New Knight Orientation on Page 2

EHS welcomes new Associate Head of School THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor

INSIDE EHS introduces new faculty and staff Knights welcome new faces to multiple roles

PAGE 3 Rehearsals for the fall play commence Preparation for Nevermore in full swing

PAGE 2 Features ........................ 2-3 Culture ......................... 4 Opinion ........................ 5 Sports........................... 6-7 Knight Shift...................... 8

Episcopal High School welcomes many new faces this year, not only the eager freshmen, but also the Reverend Tyler Montgomery, the new Associate Head of School for Academics and Student Life, and unlike the freshmen, he is no stranger to the intricacies of high school. Mr. Montgomery has served as the assistant headmaster for a boarding school in Virginia and as the Chaplain to the College of William and Mary.

Since Mr. Montgomery believes “the best part of any place is the people,” leaving Virginia meant leaving behind many friends dear to him and his family. However, he was also able to escape the stifling humid heat basket of Virginia and find solace in Houston’s idealistic, dreamy summer weather. Besides Houston’s phenomenal summer weather, Mr. Montgomery loves Houston’s diverse culture and food. Adding to this culture, he received anecdotal insight that “Houston is a place where everyone throws you a jersey to see what you’ve got.” He said “that this anecdote captures the openness, energy, and competitiveness [of Houston].”

Mr. Montgomery pursued his bachelor’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania where he also was on the Heavyweight Rowing team. Subsequently, he enrolled into Yale to receive his Master of Divinity and complete his seminary training to

become an Anglican Priest.

Family oriented, Mr. Montgomery shares his life with his wife Mary, who taught for eight years, and two little girls. His oldest, Grace, is two and a half years old and Hallie is eight months. Since he is new to Houston, he is in need of some babysitters, so he wants you to know that if you are looking for a gig to not be afraid to reach out.

An avid reader, Mr. Montgomery loves to indulge in science fiction. His interest in sci-fi has always been apparent - growing

up he loved playing Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering.

What excites Mr. Montgomery the most about EHS is meeting new people. Engaging with the students, faculty, and staff that he has met has convinced him and his family that he can call EHS home. Also, as a priest in the Episcopal Church, he is excited to see how daily worship can have a fruitful impact on all of our lives.

If you see Mr. Montgomery in the halls, don’t think twice to say hello; he would love to meet you.

Joining Episcopal as the new Associate Head of School for Academics and Student Life is the Reverend Tyler Montgomery, who comes to EHS following a similar administrative role at a high school in Virginia. Photo by Jalynn Woolley.

Features ∙ Page 2

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

New Knight Orientation introduces EHS students explore sites and freshmen to school environment expand their cultural knowledge ANYA PANT Opinions Editor Every year before school starts, incoming freshmen are required to take a course called New Knight Orientation.

This course was held August 14-15 and took the freshmen through all the various things they will need to learn before entering Episcopal High School. This two-day course was led by student leaders and advisory teachers, as well as sophomores and juniors who had applied to be FAM leaders the previous year.

The days started with the freshmen going to their advisories and doing icebreakers to get to know their fellow advisees. Then

they went to various tech sessions that taught them how to use Canvas, their EHS email, and set up their laptops. After the tech session, the freshmen learned about the Honor and Disciple Councils and the policies at EHS. They did team building and inclusivity activities as well.

This program is really helpful to the freshmen. During this time they get a taste of the school without the normal chaos of over 800 students and also get time to tour the school and find their classes before the start of the year. It is also very useful because it gave them a chance to ask their FAM advisors questions about school and how their experiences were during freshman year.

over summer trip across France

Trip planners Ms. Lauren Cunningham and Mrs. Kate Philbrick traveled with students town to town along the French coast. Photo by Mrs. Kate Philbrick.

CAMPBELL RICHARSON Copy Editor

Reverend Art Callaham introduces new students to customs and traditions at Chapel as part of the school’s Religion Pillar. Photo by PhotoJ

EHS Onstage reenacts life of Edgar Allen Poe in first production of year ANYA PANT Opinions Editor With the 2023-2024 school year starting, EHS has already begun the various activities that go with the fall season. The fall season of school is packed with many different things such as fall sports, dance auditions, and many other events, one of which is the fall play. The production this year is Nevermore and has a cast of approximately 35 students.

The play is directed by Dean of Arts Mr. Paul Revaz and Theater Director Mr. George Brock, with assistance from junior Mia Tribble. In addition, Nevermore is stage managed by junior Sophia Berumensophomores Myles Patterson and Chloe Plusquellec. Nevermore is a play about the

BELLA CHRAMOSTA Guest Writer

life and mysterious death of the poet Edgar Allen Poe, performed by sophomore Garrison Amendola.

This play follows Edgar Allen Poe through his final days before his mysterious death. In September of 1847, Poe allegedly boarded a boat headed for Baltimore Harbor for an overnight trip to New York City but never made it there. Five days later, Poe was found deliriously wandering the streets of Baltimore, and he died soon after.

Nobody knows for sure what happened to Poe during those five missing days, but the play tries to explain it using Poe’s stories and poems.

The play will be showing on Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, at 7:00 p.m.

The last show will be a matinee on the following Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

This summer a group of EHS students went on a nine-day trip to France. Led by Ms. Lauren Cunningham and Mrs. Kate Philbrick, they got the chance to see many of the nation’s beautiful and famous sites from June 5-14. Alongside the Episcopal students for much of the tour was a group of middle schoolers from Florida also enjoying traveling throughout France.

As their tour’s title, Côté à Côté (French for Coast to Coast), suggests, they journeyed across France, from Normandy to the southern coast. First were three days spent in the city of Paris. During their time in the capital the group visited some of the city’s most renowned monuments, including the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Gardens, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and Notre Dame, as well as a sunset cruise trip down the Siene River on a to pass by Paris’ famous bridges.

Next, they drove to Brittany to visit the famous D-Day beaches. While in the regon they also went to see the Normandy American Cemetery and watched a film at the Ar-

romanches 360-degrees theater. In the historic port of St. Malo, they spent one night before continuing on to Le Mont-SaintMichel, special for its preserved medieval architecture. Next was a night stay in Bois in the Loire Valley, followed by a train to Nice. In the Loire Valley they explored the Chateau de Chambord, a castle commissioned by King Francis the First and today is an architecural symbol of the sixteenth century French Renaissance.

As they made their way along the southern coast, they briefly left France to visit the Prince’s Palace in Monaco along with the gardens before heading off to Villefranche-sur-Mer in time for a lunch on the Mediterranean Sea. On the morning of their last full day in the country they set off to Grasse Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, well known for its history of notable artist residents such as Pablo Picasso.

Finally, they said their goodbyes to the Florida group and flew back to the US. According to Ms. Cunningham, “the trip was a great opportunity for students to learn more about French language, history, geography, culture, customs, and more.”

Slice of π

Hey, y’all! I’m Bella Chramosta, and I’m looking forward to serving as your Math Club president this year. I hope everyone had an amazing summer and a strong start to the school year. The Math Club has so many fun activities planned for this year, including STEM-based school-wide events and lectures, and individual and team math competitions. We hope you join our math family and take advantage of the numerous opportunities.

Any juniors and seniors interested in joining the National Math Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, be on the lookout for the application out soon. You can follow Math Club on both Instagram and Twitter under

the user @ehsmathclub for quality math memes, updates on meetings and events, and stimulating puzzles.

Along their exploration across France, students enjoyed many elements of French culture, cuisine included. Photo by Mrs. Kate Philbrick.

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

Features ∙ Page 3

Episcopal welcomes new members to faculty and staff

CHRISTOPHER POTTER History In his twenty-first year of teaching, Mr. Potter is joining EHS from Cypress Ranch High School. In addition to teaching both US History and AP Micro/Macro Economics, he will also serve as the head wrestling coach. In his free time he enjoys wood working as well as crystal digging.

ROBERT BARHAM Computer Science Mr. Barham will be joining EHS’ Computational Sciences department and will be teaching both Computer Science AP and Intro to Computer Science. He has a qualified robotics background and is excited to teach students “the way things integrate.”

He is excited to foster new relationships.

SARAH RAHMAN Math With five years of teaching experience, Ms. Rahman will be joining the Mathematics Department to teach Pre-Calculus Honors and AP Statistics. In her free time she enjoys baking and trying out new restaurants around Houston. Her favorite celebrity is Taylor Swift.

NICOLE PEFFLEY Science In Ms. Peffley’s first year at EHS, she will be teaching Conceptual Physics and AP Environmental Science. Previously, she was teaching at Cinco Ranch High School in Katy. She says she is most excited to welcome EHS students to the amazing world of science.

BRYCE REYNOLDS Visual Arts Originally from Utah, Ms. Reynolds moved to Texas five years ago and began teaching at Veritas Christian Academy.

During her time at EHS she will be teaching both Painting and Drawing. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer and beach volleyball as well as running.

THATCHER CRIBBS Subject Mr. Cribbs has been a Tennis Pro in Houston for the past 20 years, and now will be coaching both PE and Strength and Conditioning Classes at EHS. In addition, he wil also serve as the Head Tennis Coach.

His favorite quote is “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky.

RAQUEL ABEND World Language Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Ms. Abend is coming to EHS from the University of Houston to teach AP Spanish Literature and Spanish IV. She is most excited to help students “look at the world from a different perspective” and “comprehend reality and humanity deeply.”

CLAUDIA CARMONA World Language Joining EHS from the University of Houston, Ms. Carmona will be teaching both Spanish 1 and 2 classes at EHS this year. She says she is most excited to “cultivate a good relationship with my students and see them advance in Spanish and feel confident speaking another language.”

AUDREY FRAGNIERE World Language In addition to coaching Varsity Girls Volleyball, Ms. Fragniere will also be joining EHS’ language department as a French teacher and will be teaching courses of varying levels across the department.

Some of her hobbies include listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

CARLOS MARTINEZ World Language Mr. Martinez has taught in classrooms across Texas, but has spent the past few years teaching at Texas A&M where he graduated from in 2004. He will serve as a Spanish I and Spanish III Honors teacher this year. He likes going to Astros games in his free time as well as walking his dog.

AVIS YEN History & Debate After teaching at Bellaire High School, Ms. Yen will be teaching World History 2 and Debate at EHS. Ms. Yen is very excited to continue building the Debate program here at EHS. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys watching sports such as archery, handball, and curling.

BERNADETTE CORTES Admissions Associate Before coming to EHS, Ms. Cortes worked in the Alief school district as the Bilingual Instruction Secretary to Secondary Math, Science, ELA, Wellness, and Special Services. Her favorite movie is The Proposal, and her favorite celebrities are Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

JAE CROSS School Administrative Assistant After teaching at the University of St. Thomas - Houston, Ms. Cross is excited to be apart of EHS’ administration office.

Before becoming an administration officer, Ms. Cross played and coached college basketball, and even played in the WNBA as well as in Australia.

LEE FELLER IT Systems Coordinator Previously, Mr. Feller was the Director of Marketing for a construction software sales company, but will be the IT Systems Coordinator at EHS. He is excited to be returning to EHS after spending a year away.

His favorite food is Tex-Mex, and his favorite movie is Lost in Translation.

BRIANNA GARCIA Accountant At her previous job, Ms. Garcia worked as a senior accountant at Spec’s. She is very excited to be working at EHS and says she appreciates Episcopal’s “tightly-knit” and welcoming atmosphere. When she has time, she enjoys roller derby and watching documentaries.

THOMSON IVINS Choices Education Specialist In addition to running his own private practice in the Woodlands, Mr. Ivins will be EHS’ new Choices Education Specialist. He played baseball for a year at Tulane before he transfered to and graduated from UT. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing guitar.

TRACI PAYNE-WARREN Travel and Outside Rentals Coordinator Before she came to EHS, Ms. Payne-Warren was the Travel Coordinator at the College of the Mainland. Some of her hobbies include traveling, dancing, creating vision boards, and crafting. She also loves watching movies on the Hallmark Channel.

CASEY TITUS Associate Director of Admissions Ms. Titus, previously a teacher at Lamar High School, will be working in the Admission Office here at EHS. She says she is extremely excited to join the EHS community and says that she has felt “right at home since day one.”

PATRICK WYCHE Security Officer After working at Landry’s Hospitality, Mr. Wyche is joining Episcopal as a security officer. Some of his hobbies include carpentry and cooking. His favorite movie is Top Gun and his favorite celebrity is Keanu Reeves.

LANDREY BOATRIGHT Learning Specialist Ms. Boatright comes to EHS from the Briarwood School and will be working in the Academic Assistance Office as a Learning Specialist. When she’s not working, she enjoys exploring restaurants around Houston as well as exercising and shopping.

Culture ∙ Page 4

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

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Mrs. Ramsi Taylor is an EHS alum who has spent her life giving to others through her work in medicine, athletics, and service on the Board of Trustees.

Graduating in 1998, Taylor helped enrich EHS as both a musician and student athlete, even helping win the 1998 Track and Field SPC. It was on this campus that Taylor fostered long-lasting relations with both classmates and teachers.

These bonds with community members such as Mrs. Karen Foster, who helped influence her career choice, or Mr. George Hawkins, who prepared her for college, would shape Taylor’s life path and form the foundation of her enduring effect on EHS. Furthermore, Taylor’s high school career left her not only with physical ties but also lessons learned from the years of hard work.

“Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you,” said Taylor. “[High school] may be the last opportunity you have in certain areas, so make sure you

Co

IZZIE SONG Staff Writer

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The famous popstar Taylor Swift,has officially taken over the world with her outstanding worldwide Eras Tour that everyone is raving about. Across the US almost every show has been sold out, with tickets averaging a whopping $1,237, and the highest at $20,503.

The concert is three and a half hours as Swift performs a total of 44 of her songs from each album she has made. Swift had high expectations and did not disappoint as her last debut was in 2018 on The Reputation Tour.

Swifties, also known as Taylor Swift’s fans, have been dying to see her in what has become the number one selling concert in history. The show is divided into 10 Eras, which represent every album across Swift’s career, with costume and set changes for each Era as well.

Swift opened with “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince” and the Lover Era from 2019. Following this era comes Fearless (2008), Evermore (2020), Reputation (2017), Speak Now (2010), Red (2012), Folklore (2020), and leaving off on 1989 from 2014.

Swift’s tour started on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, California, and is set to come to an end on November 23, 2024, in Toronto, Canada.

MR. ALEX BRUTON Guest Writer ¿Quieres unas ideas de qué hacer durante el fin de semana para relajarte?

En Houston, tenemos el lujo de tener una gran variedad de actividades enfocadas en México. Puedes empezar tu sábado con unos buenos tacos en Sunrise Taquitos cerca de Washington Ave. que tienen una muy buena variedad de tacos con deliciosas tortillas de harina hechas en casa.

También puedes tomar una Coca-Cola mexicana bien fría y un café. Después del desayuno, ve al Museo de Bellas Artes de Houston (Museum of Fine Arts – Houston) para ver la exposición Magical and

Mystical Oaxaca: Celebrating Oaxacan Art and Culture que muestra en todo su esplendor el arte y la cultura de Oaxaca, México. En la tarde para una merienda, pasa por la tienda Treats of Mexico en el East Side y escoge unos dulces mexicanos (como Pulparindo) unas aguas frescas de Horchata y Jamaica o una nieve refrescante de limón. Para terminar tu día de aventura mexicana en Houston, cena en el restaurante Xochi en el centro. La comida también es de tema oaxaqueño, como por ejemplo sopa de huitlasquites o pato en mole negro. Para postre prueba una tarta de manzana deliciosa. Ahí lo tienen…un plan de un día en Houston con un tema totalmente mexicano.

Taylor Swift’s iconic Eras Tour poster features images from every album. Photo courtesy of myneworleans.com.

leave with no regrets.”

Taylor moved on to Howard University after EHS before entering the medical field as a pharmacist. She has worked alongside the likes of Kelsey Seybold Clinic and Baylor St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, serving as a director for the latter’s PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and LAPPE programs. Both serve to assist pharmaceutical students or postgraduates in furthering their careers.

However, Taylor’s impact on EHS did not end with graduation, as Executive Chair Richard Howell would go on to approach her with a position on the Board of Trustees. Those on the Board seek to support the mission of EHS through their recommendations and management. Taylor herself hopes to contribute growth and success, her own way of thanking EHS for the love and memories it’s gifted. She hopes to cultivate the community that helped form her and to spread its unique culture. Those actions have already begun to craft a legacy like no others.

When asked for a phrase to describe her time with EHS, Taylor replied, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Mrs. Ramsi Taylor, Class of 1998, spoke to students in Benitez Chapel during a daily Chapel service. Photo courtesy of EHS Facebook.

This beautiful marble dust and oil on canvas painting is displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. The painting is called “Fiesta Fiesta” made by Rolando Rojas in 2019. Photo courtesy of mfah.org.

by Clara Crenshaw As the new school year gets underway, it’s a great time to reflect on some of the summer fashion trends we experienced.

One of the biggest trends I noticed was the “European Summer” trend - light and airy clothes fit for any European town.

This trend, a mix of effortless elegance, sophisticated comfort, and all things linen, was perfect for the hot summer days and chilly nights.

Although the new trend isn’t modeled specifically after anyone, Sofia Richie’s “Clean Girl” aesthetic and “Quite Luxury” style perfectly encapsulates the simplicity of a European summer outfit. The effortless silhouettes and muted tones of her outfits are exactly what people were trying to accomplish with this trend.

The European Summer trend really puts comfort first. Easy breezy silhouettes like flowy dresses, maxi skirts, and loose fitted trousers combine both comfort and fashion for the perfect European Summer look. Although sandals are the shoe of the summer, this trend focused on comfort, gravitating toward a chic sneaker rather than an uncomfortable shoe.

Aside from the fit of the clothes, the color and fabric of this trend were very important. People stuck with materials like linen, silk, and other lightweight fabrics to endure the hot days. The European Summer trend was also filled with muted

earthy colors like white, cream, tan, brown, and black.

As this year approaches fall and colder weather, the simplicity, comfort, and timelessness of the European Summer trend will surely follow and continue to influence our style choices.

Fashion icon Sofia Richie is seen wearing a black linen set, a green Chanel purse, and a slick back hairstyle with a pair of sunglasses to top off the “clean girl” European summer aesthetic. Photo courtesy of glamour.com.

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

Opinions

West Africa experiencing problems Racehorses being treated unethically

CAMPBELL RICHARDSON Copy Editor

The coup of Nigerian president Mohamed Bazoum and other recent happenings in the Sahel have continued to bring the West African community closer to conflict than ever. As international powers ranging from Nigeria to Russian mercenaries compete over influence and control in the region, these geopolitical maneuvers could ignite the spark that drags them into a major interstate war not seen before in the Congo.

Unfortunately, civil conflict is not at all new to the region. While most of the spotlight on terrorism has been placed on the Middle East, Islamist insurgency has also taken root in Africa as well. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, the Sahel, a massive territory just below the Sahara Desert, has been one the largest battlefields with Al Qaeda and other affiliated groups. This conflict has continued to destabilize West African nations for years. For instance, there have been fifteen attempted coups in the last twelve years, many stemming from dissatisfaction with their government’s failure to stop the advance of insurgent groups.

The ongoing conflict has brought in the attention of several foreign powers. Niger, as well as many other West African states, are former colonies of the French Empire.

Following their independence, France has strived to continue asserting its position as a regional power, keeping in its sphere of influence and in many cases forcing these states to be dependent on France for stability. Niger has one of the largest uranium depositories in the world, which is exceedingly useful for France’s growing reliance on nuclear energy. To preserve their status, France has helped intervene in the Sahel conflict and their troops can be found fighting alongside African soldiers. However, many Africans have called into the question the real intent and effectiveness of the French military presence. The Nigerian military government has since closed their borders to block off foreign involvement.

While looking for an alternative ally, some nations have turned to Russia. More specifically, the mercenary company Wagner has been hired by several governments to fight on their behalf. However, despite having proved themselves an effective tool against terrorists, they have also come under criticism for their tactics. Along with fighting insurgents, according to Human Rights Watch, the paramilitary group has

also looted and massacred civilians on numerous occasions. They continue to captivate popular support as an alternative to what is seen as French and NATO neocolonialism.

On August 6, ECOWAS, an alliance of West African states, sent an ultimatum to the Nigerian government: cede power back to President Bazoum within a week or the alliance may take military action. This is a major step up from previous actions against Sahel juntas which have mostly been limited to sanctions that have proven ineffective.

Nigeria, the current head of ECOWAS, has been leading the effort against Niger, and not without its own reasons. The country also struggles with Islamist groups such as Boko Haram in its north, leading to reasonable concerns that any chaos in Niger would only exacerbate the problem. They have since cut power to Niger, causing rolling blackouts in major cities. In recent days the Nigerian military has begun to prepare for possible deployment while ECOWAS defense chiefs meet in the country.

It is important to note a military intervention in Niger would not be ECOWAS’s first. A similar situation happened in Gambia in 2017, when forces entered to depose President Yahya Jammeh from power.

However, unlike the tiny, surrounded nation of Gambia, Niger is a much larger nation with support from allies. Fellow junta governments in Mali and Burkina Faso have responded in support of Niger, stating that any military action taken against Niger will be seen as an act of war against themselves and that they will come to the defense of Niger if such a conflict breaks out.

Outside of ECOWAS and the junta states are the several powers that may get involved. Wagner forces have over 100 troops in Mali after France was expelled, and their possible involvement is still unstated. President Bazoum has called on support from the international community in restoring the constitutional order, and there are 2500 French and American troops in Niger stationed for anti-terrorism, yet it remains a question whether President Biden or French president Macron are willing to contribute at risk of further losing their regional reputation.

The responsibility rests on Niger and ECOWAS to prevent escalation into a widescale African war, and on the international community to support a return to order in the Sahel in any case.

Hollywood films becoming outdated JALYNN WOOLLEY Co-Editor-in-Chief Hollywood films have been evolving since the early days of silent film, and until recently, the film industry has been one of the most respected industries across the nation. Unfortunately, there are many factors to blame for the decline of cinema viewing over the past few decades.

One of the most pressing stressors on the success of box office films was none other than the global pandemic, responsible for so much destruction of the modern world.

But as the world has progressively returned to some normalcy, it’s unclear if the film industry will ever return to its former glory.

Two films, released in the summer of 2023, were expected to cure the drought that has plagued theaters since early 2020. Barbie and Oppenheimer, according to the New York Times, were projected to help cinemas “reclaim a position of cultural urgency.”

Yet, on opening weekend, box office sales didn’t come close to those of Avengers: Endgame, released in 2019. Both 2023

films generated about $300 million in ticket sales combined, while the 2019 Marvel film generated about $400 million alone.

Even though these movies generated some of the biggest crowds seen in years, it is clear that the film industry remains in a state of uncertainty.

During the pandemic, people relied on streaming services for entertainment more than ever before. Later, viewers continued to avoid trips to the theater for viewing comfort from home. Due to inflated ticket prices and the convenience that streaming services presented, streaming success continued long after the pandemic’s initial impact had subsided. The allure of instant access to a vast library of content, customizable experiences, and the ability to pause and rewind became the habits of millions.

Taking all these factors into consideration, it’s clear that safety concerns and convenience are responsible for the decline in cinema viewing over the past few years.

If this pattern continues, the traditional cinematic experience may simply become a relic of the past.

MORGAN HEROD Co-Editor-in-Chief For years, Americans have been captivated by horse racing. The sport has always been romanticized for its aesthetic and cultural significance. Every year, the Kentucky Derby and other high-profile races draw huge crowds with millions watching on TV. While it may seem glamorous to some, horse racing raises many ethical concerns that cannot be ignored for much longer.

The industry prides itself on its graceful and elegant horses, and many enjoy watching thoroughbreds speed across the screen. Racing season seems to be a picture-perfect time for viewers and jockeys, but behind the scenes, the horses are brutally mistreated. Forced to sprint, horses are often threatened with whips and illegal electric-shocking devices, running so fast that many face injuries, such as Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).

The use of whips is not uncommon in the U.S. In 2008, a horse named Appeal to the City hemorrhaged around her eye after her jockey, Jeremy Rose, “engaged in extreme misuse of the whip.” American Pharaoh was struck a staggering 32 times during his Kentucky Derby win.

Many horses are given illegal drugs to better their performance and hide injuries.

Horses that suffer from EIPH have become known as “bleeders,” as they bleed fatally from their lungs. To try and stop the bleeding, the animals are given drugs such as Lasix or Salix, diuretics that have performance-enhancing benefits. According to PETA, about 24 horses have “fatal breakdowns” at race tracks every week.

This number excludes the horses that are “thrown away” by the industry once they are declared to be “unprofitable.”

Many owners and trainers are motivated by short-term financial success, which leads to little continuity over the course of a horse’s life. Control is constantly being traded among owners, and most thoroughbreds are “claimed” many times during their racing years. Over a two-month window, over 2,000 horses were ruthlessly sold through claiming races. Due to the lack of commitment shown by owners, the horses face new uncertainty every day. Approximately 10,000 horses a year are deemed “profitless” and are trucked to Canada or Mexico to be slaughtered. Despite these statistics, 20,000 thoroughbred foals are annually bred, continuing the cycle of abuse in the pursuit of profit and “sport.”

PETA and other anti-animal cruelty organizations are working hard to investigate abusive training tactics. It is crucial that we redefine horse racing and enforce stricter laws against cruel animal treatment.

Race horses are being slaughtered when proven to be “unprofitable.” Photo from: NationalGeographic.com.

Opinions ∙ Page 5

The Knight Times Episcopal High School 4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, TX 77450 713-512-3400 Head of School Mr. Ned Smith Associate Heads of School The Rev. Tyler Montgomery Mrs. Evelyn Cambria Principal Mr. Antonio Avalos Dean of Arts and Innovation Mr. Paul Revaz Visual Arts Chair Mrs. Kate Philbrick Publications Coordinator Mr. David Framel Editors-in-Chief Morgan Herod Jalynn Woolley Managing Editor Clara Crenshaw Production Editor Julia Sherman Copy Editor Campbell Richardson Opinions Editor Anya Pant Sports Editor Thompson White Staff Writers Izzie Song Liz Burke Simona Karnani Angelina Fertitta Caroline Johnson Vanessa Reed Paige Pan Lulu Gibellini Porter Miller Photojournalism Instructor Mr. Japheth Storlie Photojournalism Editors Vivian Turbidy Jules Weinstein Photographers Avalon Bell Libby Davis McKenna Foteh Emma Freeman Kennedy Greene Kate Malta Morgan Maxwell Sophia Shin Sloane Wallace

The Knight Times is a product of students in the Episcopal High School newspaper class, who are solely responsible for its creation and editorial content. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the Episcopal Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff. Published ten times a year, The Knight Times is a non-profit educational tool. The staff encourages the submission of letters, editorials, and story ideas from the community, but reserves the right to edit and/or use said articles.

Sports ∙ Page 6

Sports

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

Coach has high aspirations for the girls volleyball team

Cross country starts the season with annual Colorado road trip

SIMONA KARNANI Staff Writer

LULU GIBELLINI Staff Writer

Coming off of a great season, varsity girls volleyball is ready to dominate again.

With four teams this year - two freshman, a junior varsity, and a varsity - Head Coach Cydryce McMillian is looking forward to a successful year. The players started in June with camp, which lasted for three weeks, when future Knights got the opportunity to get a taste of the program. However, the official preseason started on July 31 and was a time for the team to lay the foundation for what’s ahead. The team practiced twice a day and had scrimmages on August 4 and 5.

An important aspect to the program is team bonding, and to display that, the group created the motto “UKNIGHTED.”

Coach “Mac” is very passionate about team bonding and said that “it shows that there is no division in our armor and no crack in our shields.”

The team is bringing back a solid core of returning seniors with outside hitter Allyson Frailey and libero Mykayla McMillian. The team also welcomed a junior transfer student, Mackenzie Collins.

With the freshmen being a big part of the program, getting them integrated into the school is important. As part of the effort to create a sisterhood, they have created squads comprised of a senior, junior, and freshman to make the transition easier on them.

Girls volleyball is going to be a strong force this year with multiple returning faces. The team is looking for a repeat from last year and is ready to bring another one home.

This summer the cross country team began training in Colorado, and Coach Julius Michael has big goals for his teams the year. He is looking forward to seeing the boys team continue the momentum they had at SPC. He also hopes that the girls can bring home a third SPC Championship.

Coach Michael’s main goal, however, is to provide a safe space for runners. He wants all runners to develop a lifelong love for running to stay both physically and mentally fit. He also wants to highlight the great work of the seniors. They

have really molded the team and helped the incoming freshmen feel at home.

He recognized seniors Shepherd Gregg, Julia Newman, Constantine Matthews, Sam Marino, and Evan Ringwald as contributors. Additionally, he highlighted those who ran 200-300 miles this summer.

Asher Luengas, Maddy Morgan, Marino, Ringwald, and Matthews accomplished the feat.

Over the past years, the EHS cross country program has shown tremendous hard work and strength. Coach Michael hopes to continue the legacy. The teams’ next big meet is Dallas Jesuit XC Class September 30 in Dallas and the Nike South Regional Championship at the Woodlands HS November 18.

Episcopal football strives to perform their best this season VANESSA REED Staff Writer After finishing Runner-Up in the SPC championship, the Episcopal football team have set new goals for this upcoming 2023 season.

The team strives to improve each week and to perform its best during all competitions. Defensive coordinator Coach Jimmy Moynahan claims that the team’s unity and competitive spirit are its greatest strengths. The team is working hard every day after school in order to be victorious in the end.

With an upcoming game against Livingston to start the schedule after suc-

cessful scrimmages against Sealy and St. Thomas, the team has high expectations.

The squad welcomes back numerous starters from last year’s team, with a few transfers who will contribute to the team immediately.

Since the beginning of the preseason, everyone has been putting in significant effort in order to earn their positions on the field. They have been training all summer and have improved their skills.

With the dedication of all the players, starting or not, everyone has a major role in helping the team achieve success. With hard work and preparation, the football team aims to come out on top with an SPC championship.

Knights boys volleyball program set to be on top of the SPC conference rona and Ethan Lahoti. Newcomer Ryan Maas, a freshman, will also be playing for varsity this year.

The Episcopal The teams practice boys volleyball in the morning, program plans to eat together, and be the best team practice again in its conference. in the afternoon.

Last season the Varsity player DJ team graduated Skaggs enjoys one senior, and the preseason because players are getting it “enables them more experienced to get a head start and ready to step for the upcoming up and take charge. season.”

Head Coach Kerry The incoming Hofmeister has freshmen are faced strong goals for with a huge jump the season and said from playing in that the team “is middle school to going to continue high school level, to try and be the but have adjusted best team in Houswell. Varsity and ton.”

JV had their first The players came Austin Conte gets ready to serve the ball. games on August Photo by Emma Freeman. out on August 2 22. for tryouts, which Lahoti is excited officially marked the start of preseason. for the season, saying, “We are welcoming The program consists of varsity and junior a lot of new JV players, which is good for varsity teams with approximately 14 play- our program.” ers on each. Varsity is welcoming back Preseason gave the team a way to get on most of its team, including senior Ethan the court early and get a head start on the Romero and juniors Alfredo Bolado Coroad to the championship.

SIMONA KARNANI Staff Writer

Seniors Julia Newman and Shepherd Gregg start their morning’s off right at cross country. Photo by Sloane Wallace.

Field hockey focused on SPC title LIZ BURKE Staff Writer The Episcopal field hockey team is getting ready for this year’s exciting season.

Coach Emily White shared her thoughts on the varsity team’s goals and strategies for this upcoming fall.

Every field hockey season at Episcopal, the main goal is winning the SPC championship. The team is also determined on winning the Episcopal Cup after winning it last year. Coach White remarked on all her well-rounded and hardworking teams this year that are going to make the season even more exciting.

Coach White’s focus will be advancing the field hockey program. The typical schedule starts every day after school, when the teams practice from 4:00-6:00, with two games each week. What makes the teams special at Episcopal is that it is part of a community. Every teammate prioritizes her effort and hard work, which connects everyone. The team is off to a great start and won their game against Memorial, 7-0. They will definitely be a force to stop this season.

The Episcopal field hockey teams will continue building their skills and playing competitively this year, and plan to end the season with an SPC win.

Cheer is hard at work and ready to bring the spirit PORTER MILLER Staff Writer With cheer season just around the corner, the cheerleaders have been working hard in their preparations, demonstrating unwavering teamwork and skill development.

This summer, the girls attended preseason practices and camps. During these practices, new skills were acquired, and the girls worked to build their halftime routine. During their first camp in June, the Knights cheerleaders formed a new routine containing tumbles, stunts, and jumps, all in two days of work, which was performed on the last day of camp.

Some of the girls also attended an AllAmerican Cheer tryout, where they got the opportunity to become top-tier cheerleaders. As camp came to a close, the team received a spirit stick for their uplifting

energy.

In July, the girls attended an intense cheer camp held at Woodlands Elite to build more of their performance and focus on their skills as a team. The Knights embraced the challenge of working seven hours days for three days, perfecting their overall performance. The girls also had fun learning new dances to showcase in the future. This camp overall set the tone for the season ahead, as the girls are excited to show off their skills when school starts.

After the three days of hard work, the girls were awarded ribbons for their outstanding performances. Coach Leigh Anne Raymond has been working hard all summer to make sure the girls are in top shape and ready to perform during the upcoming cheer season. She has been helping the girls with their techniques, as well as pushing them to reach their full potential.

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

Sports ∙ Page 7

Sports

Fantasy football reemerges THOMPSON WHITE Sports Editor Every year, friends, coworkers, and football fans unite to create a Fantasy Football team. On the surface, Fantasy Football is a game in which people construct a virtual roster of NFL players.

However, these leagues manage to foster a sense of camaraderie and connection among individuals.

Draft Day stands as the most pivotal day for a fantasy league; it can make or break the team. For those just beginning, here are fundamental pointers for choosing your crucial first round player.

Ideally, this player should be a dependable running back or a great wide receiver and shouldn’t have a history of frequent injuries. A prime contender for the first

pick would be either Justin Jefferson or Christian McCaffrey, who are renowned to consistently impress with high fantasy points.

To show one’s devotion to the league, contestants sometimes wear formal attire, such as a suit, to assert their dominance over the rest of the league at the draft.

Another way to make Fantasy Football more engaging is implementing a punishment for the unfortunate loser. This penalty is agreed upon at the beginning of the season by all members of the team to inspire contestants to put their best effort in their team. Some hypothetical punishments include sign spinner on a popular street with a sign that reads “I’m terrible at Fantasy Football,” joining a body building competition, washing everyone’s car in the league, or even getting a buzz cut.

From left to right - Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce.

These players are projected first rounders. Photo courtesy of ESPN.com.

Verlander returns to Astros

Will the Texans struggles end?

ANGELINA FERTITA Staff Writer

CAROLINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

The news of Justin Verlander’s return to the Houston Astros has created tremendous enthusiasm among fans and the Houston community. The Astros made a daring move to reacquire Verlander from the New York Mets.

The Astros traded outfielders Ryan Clifford and Drew Gilbert to the Mets as part of a deal to return the beloved player to Houston. Verlander was initially acquired by the Astros in 2017 and quickly became popular among players and fans alike through his skillfulness on the mound, leadership, and mentorship to other players. He soon transformed the Astros pitching rotation and played a tremendous role in the team’s World Series championships in both 2017 and 2022.

Although Verlander has many accomplishments, like the three-time Cy Young winner and owner of 250 career wins, his return is about more than just statistics.

Verlander’s homecoming is also about the strong and inspirational bond between a player and his team. Several other teams with more prospects to offer, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, were also in on obtaining Verlander, but the Astros had the upper hand due to his friendship with owner Jim Crane.

His familiarity with the players and or-

The 2023 Houston Texans football season got off to a promising start after a victory in the first preseason game against the New England Patriots 20-9, played in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The team made many offseason adjustments, bringing in second overall pick in the 2023 draft quarterback C.J. Stroud alongside new head coach DeMeco Ryans, giving hope to fans for a successful year. Last season, the Texans finished last in their division, with a record of 3-13-1.

Stroud, the rookie from Ohio State, only participated in two series against the Patriots, completing two passes with one interception. The team’s strategy was to not overplay the starters, as the regular season does not begin until Sept. 10.

Backup quarterbacks Case Keenum and

Astros beloved pitcher Justin Verlander returns. Photo courtesy of NPR.org. ganization is just another reason why the excitement can be felt for this journey in Astros history. As Verlander returns to this team, he brings with him more than just his incredible pitching skills – he brings a sense of hope and community.

Spain reigns victorious in the FIFA Women’s World Cup PAIGE PAN Staff Writer From the start of the tournament to its near conclusion, there have been many unpredictable twists and turns. Here is a recap of what has happened since the start of the World Cup. England beats Australia 3-1 to advance to the finals.

In the late half of the game, England took the lead with its first goal from Ella Toone. However, this 1-0 lead didn’t last long, as Australia’s Sam Kerr tied it up with a goal. Australia seemed to be on track to make another goal, but just minutes later, England scored with Lauren Hemp driving the ball into the net.

Unfortunately for Australia, England’s Alessia Russo made a goal to end the semifinal with a final score of 3-1. This win gave England their first appearance in the World Cup finals in over 60 years.

Davis Mills each threw one touchdown pass to help the Texans claim a win.

Former linebacker DeMeco Ryans began his first season as head coach after six seasons playing for the Texans and four for the Eagles. During his career as a linebacker, he was aggressive and hardhitting on the field. He hopes to bring these attributes to the Houston team.

Coach Ryans remains positive about new quarterback Stroud, despite the quarterback’s minor struggles in his first pro game.

Ryans said, “I thought it was good for C.J. to get some live reps. It was a good learning lesson.”

The final two games of the preseason will be at home against the Miami Dolphins then on the road in New Orleans against the Saints. The Texans Opening Day game will be played at the Baltimore Ravens in M&T Bank Stadium.

Spain reaches the finals with a 2-1 win against Sweden.

The beginning half of the game progressed slowly, but things intensified when three goals were scored in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Spain’s Salma Paralluelo scored the first

C.J. Stroud struggles in his preseason debut. Photo courtesy of AP news. goal, staking Spain a one-point lead.

Sweden tied the game shortly after with a fantastic goal in the 88th minute from Rebecka Blomqvist.

Over 40,000 spectators watched the game unfold as Olga Carmona responded immediately, scoring another goal for

In 2019, team USA led by Alex Morgan won the FIFA Women’s Cup. Photo courtesy of Optus Sport.

Spain just 94 seconds after Sweden tied. The game ended with Spain advancing to the finals, surprising many as Sweden was favored to win.

The Women’s World Cup Finals are soon, and we are excited to see which country will be crowned champion.

Spain celebrates their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup win.

Photo courtesy of Aljazeera.

Knight Shift∙ Page 8

The Knight Times ∙ August 2023

Speaks Out “What are you most excited about in Newspaper?”

Prints Charming

Cartoon by Izzie Song.

CAROLINE JOHNSON “Meeting new people”

PAIGE PAN “Researching articles”

LIZ BURKE “Covering the news on campus”

SIMONA KARNANI “Interviewing coaches”

PhotoJ Photo of the Month

Home football began with a scrimmage against St. Thomas and St. John’s. Photo by McKenna Foteh.

KT Maze

PORTER MILLER “Writing articles”

VANESSA REED “Being a part of something well known at school”

Celebrity Sighting

LULU GIBELLINI “Researching articles”

JALYNN WOOLLEY “Being in charge”

ANGELINA FERTITTA “Putting it on my resume”

MORGAN HEROD “Ditto on the in-charge comment”

It’s not everyday you can get your computer fixed by world-renowned songwriter, filmmaker, and playwrite Lin-Manuel Miranda. Making a visit to the Help Desk, no one can deny the resemblance between Lin-Manuel (right) and our very own Mr. K (left). Their looks are almost identical with a similar gentle swoop of their jet black hair and groomed beard. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mr. K’s resemblance is so striking, one would almost expect to hear our beloved founding father Alexander Hamilton breaking into song. Photos courtesy of usatoday.com and by Liz Burke.