The Cougar Claw 2018 Issue 1

The Cougar Claw The Student Newspaper of Tomball High School

Vol. 52, Issue 1

THSCougarClaw.com

Oct. 19, 2018

Students can cast key vote

Cougar Royalty

If teens vote, they could swing midterm elections

Last Friday saw the crowning of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen. Dylan Baker was named the King after the parade Wednesday, and Carly Croston was revealed at halftime to be the Queen. The pair shared a dance the next night at the big dance. Photo by Hannah Bowman

by Macey Speed News Editor 192.

That’s how many students are old enough to vote in the upcoming election.

It may not seem like a lot, but that’s enough votes to swing a local race, such as the school board election. And when you combine it with schools around the country, young voters can be a very powerful voting block.

As a young voter, students hold the power to represent and influence the politics of their generation. To make their voices heard on issues that impact them. Local issues such as how the school district is run, or national issues like student loan debt - these will impact today’s teenagers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, only 15.9 percent of registered voters ages VOTE continues Page 7

Contreras wins pair of Ed Sheeran tickets for story comments

Bus riders stuck with long waits New ‘wave’ system leaves some with 2-hr commute

by Sabrina Ulloa Editor-in-Chief

Cougar Claw Staff

Some students are having to wait for up to 45 minutes after school for their bus to pick them up. Photo by Insa John

ley said.

The second wave is meant to A second wave of buses has improve the safety of students as led to lengthy rides home for they are taken home and to imsome students, up to 2 hours after plement cost savings for the disschool, due to the growth in the trict. However, these bus waves district. are causing students to get home “The growth we are experienc- 1 to 2 hours after school ends. ing in our district made it neces“There’s good and bad sides to sary to implement waves at the it,” said junior Brooke McGarrah, Tomball Junior High and THS who rides a second wave bus. campuses to help us be the safest “For one we are stuck waiting in and most cost effective,” Trans- either the lower lobby or outside portation Supervisor Dyna Big- for a long amount of time so if

it’s really hot outside or now it’s getting really cold outside it’s not that great.”

Many facts had to be taken into consideration when making this decision such as the miles the bus travels when empty, how much time the drivers sit waiting for students to board, the travel time to the first stops, local conditions that delay the bus, number of buses departing from campuses at a time, and most importantly BUS continues Page 7

To help encourage students to read our story on the new Cougar Block and to solicit feedback for the school, the Cougar Claw announced it would draw a winner from those who commented on the story online to receive two tickets to see Ed Sheeran live Editorial: in concert.

And the winner is ... Block eases stress, p.2 Britney Contreras!

Hopefully Britney is reading this issue of the Cougar Claw so that she will see that she won and needs to come to Room 1201 and bring her student ID. Ed Sheeran will perform at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Continue to visit our website at THSCougarClaw.com for additional contests.

STAFF

Editorial Cartoon

by Hanna Bowman

Sabrina Ulloa Editor-in-Chief Abi Baldwin Features Editor Destiny Eisterhold Opinion Editor Danielle Benson Photo Editor Bishop Van Buren Sports Editor Macey Speed News Editor Staff Writers Rafaella Lopez Faith Leveillee Dylan Busby Photographers Kyla Fleischhauer Insa John Trey Gamble Ashley Mason Lizzie Paiz Cristopher Carre Brooke McGarrah Hanna Bowman Illustrator Hanna Bowman Jerry Fordyce Media Advisor About the Cougar Claw: The newspaper is a product of the students at Tomball High School. All stories, pages and photos are student productions.

Advertising is available and is vital to the newspaper, as it receives no funding for printing costs from the school or district. For more information, e-mail adviser Jerry Fordyce at jerryfordyce@tomballisd. net or call (281) 357-3220 x2303. Visit us online at THSCougarClaw.com for additional coverage.

Voice of the Paper

A Cougar Claw Editorial

New Cougar Block is working The percentage of students who feel stressed due to school has been slowly increasing throughout time. However, the purpose of going to school is to learn and become prepared for what the future holds.

Students spend the whole summer mentally preparing for the coming school year but as soon as school starts it can sometimes feel as if it’s taking a toll over your life.

A student’s main worry should be to learn and not to worry about whether or not they slept due to the amount of homework they got. Many students are involved in several extracurriculars in and out of school which take up a lot of their time.

The Cougar Block allows for all students to work on their homework, study for future tests, and go to tutoring if they’re not feeling too confident about a class. Students are also able to attend different club meetings which means they don’t have to arrive early to school or stay afterwards.

This allows students to work at school so that when they get home they have time to relax and spend time with family, get more sleep, work a part-time job or get prepared for the next day.

It’s not easy having to push yourself in order to balance your school life, sports, homework, social life, and home life. Which is why the block schedule is the perfect way to prevent students from being sleep deprived or stressed out.

Instead of having the Cougar Block, 9th graders have an advisory period of 28 minutes and its purpose is to be able to do homework or do catch up work. However, they are limited in what they can do since they are not able to go to another teacher

for help and have to stay in their 5th period classroom. For example, a student who is having a hard time in their math class has to stay with their 5th period English teacher and won’t be able to get any answers to their questions.

On the other hand, 10th through 12th graders are free to choose what they want to do with their time and whether they want to take advantage of their time. This affects all students who are taking advantage of the Cougar Block because at least 50% of the students have to participate in a weeks time in order for the Cougar Block to stay. However, not all students attend a cougar block and the attendance has slowly been decreasing which could affect all students of THS. In order for the advisory period to be beneficial for all freshmen, they need to be able to visit other teachers during their advisory period. One solution is for teachers to provide a pass they can give if they truly feel like a student needs tutoring for their class so that during that time students aren’t as restricted. This way freshmen aren’t just limited to receiving help from one class.

Also, all 10th through 12th graders should be encouraged - even required - to attend at least 2 Cougar Blocks a week. This would increase the Cougar Block attendance and encourage students to participate as well as get any extra help they might need and have not seeked.

The new opportunities were implemented to aid students in their studies. But only a quarter of our students are taking advantage of it. All students need to be encouraged to attend tutoring and get the help they need from teachers.

More than just words on a page

by Abi Baldwin Features Editor The air is still around you, breathing slowly till your heart sinks to the bottom of your chest. Your room is silent and calm as the rain beats against the window panes, you reach down below your bed and pick it up. Your fingers run down the binding and glide over to the paper’s edge, you open it, and the world around you fades into the book you opened.

Reading books used to be a major part in life, before cell phones and computers it was the daily entertainment.

Reading has always been an underrated activity, especially among teenagers. It’s become on of those things were a teacher assigns a reading and the whole class groans as they look at the screens in their hands reading snapchat posts. People have become so concerned with their busy life and social media that they forget to just sit down and relax for a little bit.

I asked one of my little cousin’s if they wanted me to read them a picture story and his exact response was, “What’s a story?” It was heartbreaking to me that he was so fascinated by Candy Crush and YouTube that he didn’t understand what a story was. When I ask him if he knew what a book was his answer was “what teachers make you read.”

Personally I’ve always loved reading, growing up my mother was a reading specialist and every Sunday she would grab me and my sister, sit us down on the couch, and make us read for at least an hour. I loved every second of it, the fantastical creatures and worlds filled me with ideas and questions.

As the years passed, reading became an escape for me. After school I could get away from all the problems and pressures while technically still being

Oct. 19 2018

While the American school system may be progressing, compared to the rest of the world- it’s still behind.

Yes, the school system has progressed from back then, however, jobs now require more education than in the past. And students are required a whole lot more than they were before such as innovation, creativity, independence, and leadership. Yet, students struggle and fail or barely survive academically throughout the system.

Albert Einstein himself said, “Everybody’s a genius but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Some students feel like the fish, they are expected to excel in ways that aren’t for everyone.

Every human beings brain is unique and different, in order for two people to have the same brain structure one must have the exact

03

Letters to the Editor

Electronic or paper, reading a book can have real benefits that are often overlooked. Photo by Kyla Fleischhauer

academic. I distinctly remember back in 7th grade, when my grandfather passed away, I had a sharp incline in reading, I would knock out whole book series in a week, then go back to the library the next day to find something else. The characters were always a lot of comfort, watching them succeed past their problems and conflicts, and it made me feel like I could overcome mine.

Reading can have a positive effect on people, it’s sad to watch paper books and newspapers slowly fade in this modern era. People should take a moment, even if it’s just 30 minutes, and slow down their fast life and enjoy the wonders of their imagination through books.

Times have changed, American schools haven’t

by Sabrina Ulloa Editor-in-Chief

OPINION

genetics and the exact same life experiences. So, how is teaching all students the exact same way supposed to help students succeed?

Teachers stand in front of about 20 students who have different strengths, different hopes, different dreams and teach the exact same way. Students now have instant access to any information they want and kids arrive to kindergarten with less naivete than before, ready to learn.

However, the moment they step into a classroom their brain is clouded with facts and information they need to know in order to get a good grade. And instead of learning they learn to sit quietly, listen, make notes, and pass a class.

Plus, teachers who are responsible for preparing the children of the future, are underpaid. They are paid about $58,030 annually while doctors are paid on average $250,000. Both teachers and doctors are as important in the

life of a child, while a doctor may save the life of a child, a teacher can reach out to save their life by giving them hope and knowledge.

And oftentimes when something goes wrong with the education system, teachers are the ones getting the blame, however, they are just doing their jobs and aren’t given a lot of options on how to teach.

They are given curriculums prepared mostly by people who haven’t taught a day in their life.

Education isn’t supposed to be about who can bubble the most right answers, who can get all A’s, or who can follow all directions but it’s about learning and progressing. Schools are meant to help students, not hold them back.

Students make up less than only 20% of the world’s population, however, they make up our whole future because they are our future.

They must be taught not how to be a good student and follow what they are told but to be a leader and a teacher themselves.

Visit us online at THSCougarClaw.com!

Dear Editor, We shouldn’t have school on Monday because it will give us time to do homework, and study for tests that are coming up. Saturday and Sunday goes by too fast and we rush over things Sunday night, I know some teachers would say you can do your homework Friday night but some kids have things going on and don’t have time to do their homework. A lot of students are involved in out of school sport and other activities that have meetings/ games on the weekend which doesn’t give students time to study or do their homework.

- Janiah Williams Dear Janiah, Some schools do this to save money, but I wouldn’t count on it anytime soon.

- Editor Dear Editor, In our school, the freshmen do not get to have Cougar block. Instead of being able to choose what tutoring sessions the student needs to go to, they have to stay in their classroom. They can only leave if they have a laminated pass for a club or from a teacher. The freshmen cannot leave if they get one of the tutoring passes from their teacher. It is not entirely fair that freshmen don’t get to have that opportunity to get help like upperclassmen do. They also can’t use their phones, they can only listen to music. If a freshman student has homework that they need their phone for, they can’t use it.

Even though they are the youngest in the school, doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be able to do the same things as the upperclassmen.

- Natalie Bivens Dear Natalie, You’re not the only one who has mentioned this. Check out Page 6 for a list of comments about the Block that Mr. Scott responded to for us.

- Editor

School of rock Music just a family business for THS’s Band of Shepherds

by Macey Speed News Editor You may be sitting next to indie rock’s next big band in class and not even know it.

Band of Shepherds is made up of brothers Ryan and Eric, students here at Tomball High School and Kyle, a student at Tomball Junior High School.

About five years ago they performed together for the first time. They played Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne at their school’s talent show.

For the next three years they continued to play the talent show at Saint Anne’s Catholic School in Tomball.

Then, in December of 2017 they had Kyle Shepherd their first paid gig.

They performed at White Oak Music Hall in Houston.

All three boys write songs for the band. However, they each have surprisingly different music tastes and influences. This collaboration results in a eclectic sound all their own. Ryan says they’re genre can be described as, “indie rock, kind of alternative rock”.

As far as being brothers and working together as a band, things seem to be going pretty smoothly.

“We work well together but of course when we fight, we fight like brothers,” Ryan said.

As young kids, the boys often get different re-

Band of Shepherds performs live at Firehouse Saloon recently. Photo by Trey Gamble

actions from the audience at their shows. People are often skeptical at first but once they start playing and get into their set they get a good, yet surprised, response.

“A lot of people, when they first see the name of our band, think we sing Christian music because of ‘shepherds,” Ryan said.

When looking ahead to the future of the band, possibly even a record label, they are keeping their options open.

“When we are given opportunities, we take them,” Eric said.

The group recently played Firehouse Saloon, and their next performance is Sunday night, Oct. 21, at Acadia Bar & Grill in Houston.

While BOS is figuring out all the logistics they continue just doing what they love.

Eric Shepherd sings and plays guitar.

Exchange student from Germany engages in new culture

by Faith Leveillee Staff Writer Insa John is the newest German exchange student at THS, part of an annual program that brings students from around the world to our little town.

Insa will continue to be in America for about six more months, following her previous four.

Insa is from a small town in Germany called Telgte, a town on the outskirts of Münster.

There she lived with her parents and three siblings and attended a Gymnasium, a school based around sports.

“It just seemed interesting and I love to travel and have the chance to meet new people,” Insa said. “Also, my siblings were foreign exchange students and they told me a lot about it and it sounded fun.”

Many students believe that becoming a foreign exchange student is an easy program to sign up for, but that’s not the case. The foreign exchange program is a very complex program that takes months of planning and numerous tests that must be passed to even qualify.

Telgte and Tomball are what many people call “sister cities”. Sister cities are cities that make exchanges with one another, specifically student exchanges.

Insa John is from Telgte, Germany, and attends THS as part of an exchange program. Photo by Lizzie Paiz

In Telgte, Insa had to write an essay, complete an application, and maintain good grades in order to qualify for the program.

The program requires a lot of work, determination, and good spirits. Students will be flown thousands of miles away to a country unknown and foreign. This can be a difficult situation since not many students, nor teach-

ers, are even aware of the processes itself.

“I don’t know much; I have a student who is from England but I don’t really know much about the program,” math teacher Danielle Seaman said.

There are many difficulties within the student exchange program, one of the many common ones being living situations.

“I live with a host family,” Insa said.

A host family is a family that takes in another child from another country or culture to stay with them with no cost. These are the key to the exchange programs. The not only provide housing but a place to belong.

“Personally, I don’t have many problems with homesickness; I miss them, but it is the thought of knowing they are okay that makes me feel okay,” Insa said.

Most student exchange programs last between 6-10 months, maybe even longer which can be difficult on many students. It is for that reason and many others that the process of choosing exchange students is so important.

“It is definitely easier to speak the language before (you visit the country)...Also it is interesting to see new cultures and the difference between Germany and America,” Insa said.

“Being a foreign exchange, because of everything being new, can be difficult, but it is also a lot a fun.”

Rath settling in to ‘big city’ FEATURES

by Rafaella Lopez Staff Writer The first thought that pops up as people walk into room 1208 is how perfectly organized everything is.

On the counter to the right a collection of matching books is perfectly stacked, one exactly aligned to the next. The glass bookshelf in the center of the room has books arranged by size. To anyone, it looks as if every piece in their corresponding space; nothing looks out of place. Every single detail of the classroom has clearly been thought of twice.

The first question I ever asked him was if he is always this organized. It seemed to me he hadn’t necessarily realized this quality, he scrunched his eyebrows and took a second to reply telling me that he did, in fact, keep things this way.

Such neatness was impressive for a someone who took a job halfway into summer.

James Rath comes from Wyoming and “lived there for waaayy too long.” After living in Fort Collins, Colorado for about 20 years, he moved to Tomball this past summer. Apparently the small town is often unknown of as he expands his answer without waiting for a response “It is about an hour away from Denver.”

While he has been teaching for eight, his move was not specifically for a job opportunity.

“My spouse got a really good job paying here, so I followed,” he said.

The difference between before and now is huge, literally.

Not only did he live in a small town, but Rath said the last school he was at was also petite.

The graduating class of his last school was made up of thirty nine students. For him “this school is huge. My classes are huge.” In just

Oct. 19 2018

Top-Grossing Movies of 2018 1. Black Panther 2. Avengers: Infinity War 3. Incredibles 2 4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 5. Deadpool 2 James Rath teaches English after coming from a small town in Colorado, and Wyoming before that. Photo by Ashley Mason

one class period Mr. Rath gets a minimum of 17 students. The sizes have caused his transition to be a “steep learning curve” and “less smooth” than what he originally expected.

Tomball High School is big in more than just the student body.

The amount of technological programs he has had to learn to use is extensive, “now I have eight different programs” which he simply can’t understand. Too much of everything have caused him a great deal of confusion.

“For the most part I like the energy of the kids,” Mr. Rath says just as he is helping about six different kids at the time raise their grades.

Throughout the first few weeks he has shown an extensive amount of patience with every one of his students even if some, not many, started the year with a set mind about him. It is the welcoming, polite kids that have helped with the

change he hopes to stick with “until I retire.”

Teaching is part of his long run plans and appears to be something he does with joy, but Mr. Rath laughs as I ask him if it is his dream job.

“Winning the lottery is a dream job,” he jokes, then with seriousness says, “Being a chef or owning a restaurant would be.”

Mr. Rath’s favorite pastime is cooking.

“I don’t have an absolute number one dish,” he said. “I love all desserts, but baking is not really my strong suit.”

As he scrolls through pictures of his mouth watering paella and a salmon, it is clear to me, once again, that the one quality that stands out the most is his love for organization. From the classroom to his dining table, every object in Mr. Rath’s life seems to be perfectly organized.

School braces for another rough flu season

by Macey Speed News Editor Taking precautions to prevent catching the virus this year is more important than ever, with an estimated 80,000 deaths caused by influenza in the 2017-2018 season.

From October of 2017 to April of 2018 the amount of people hospitalized and killed by the flu was at an all time high and broke records, its no joke. Because of this heightened concerned, extensive research and testing has been done to alter the vaccine that will fight against the new strand.

Symptoms of the flu are terrible.

Ranging from fever to So how do you avoid getting the

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Coming Soon Oct. 12 Goosebumps 2 First Man Bad Times at the El Royale Oct. 19 Halloween The Hate You Give Serenity Oct. 26 Hunter Killer Johnny English Strikes Again Indivisible Stuck Nov. 2 The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Bohemian Rhapsody Nobody’s Fool Suspiria Boy Erased

Coming to Netflix Daredevil, Season 3

flu? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests three methods: get vaccinated, wash your hands more often & don’t eat or drink after others, take antiviral medication if your doctor prescribes them.

You don’t have to go to the doctor to get your influenza vaccine.

Check with your closest grocery store or pharmacy or visit https:// bit.ly/2fFPMRP and more than likely you can find a location that’s both close and fairly inexpensive.

Making a Murderer, Season 2 The Shining Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Compton’s journey takes him to top recruit

by Dylan Busby Staff Writer Logan Compton is the youngest one on the field at Cy Ranch High School. He scans the field looking at guys like DJ Sneed and Amaud Willis-Dalton, who would go on to sign with Baylor and Houston, respectively. Despite this he is undaunted; he knows he belongs after dominating against other freshman. He runs to the varsity practice, and quickly out shines others. By the time playoffs roll around he will be one of three freshmen to play varsity football for Cypress Ranch.

“For me its ever since I started playing sports,” Compton said. “It’s been me, you, the ball. I’m going to beat you.”

Cy Ranch would make it to the playoffs again the next year, but once again would fall to Katy. Compton would split time his sophomore season behind two senior receivers.

“I didn’t play to much my sophomore year I had two seniors ahead of me,” Compton said.

“I was about just as good as they were but they were seniors.”

Compton was poised to have a tremendous junior season for the Mustangs, but never played another snap for Cy Ranch.

After bulking up sophomore year, Compton would visit multiple camps to test his talent against the best players in the country, all under the watchful eyes of college scouts. Central Michigan was the first team to offer him a football scholarship, and many for would follow in suite.

“I got my first offer my sophomore year from Central Michigan back in April,” Compton said. “That was a really cool experience for

Logan Compton has become a key part of the Cougar offense since transferring from Cy-Ranch High School over the summer. He has already committed to Baylor.

me that’s when I realized I had a chance to go play college football.”

Among the many camps Compton would attend he arrived at an Under Armor camp. Unbeknownst to him he was performing the first of many interviews for IMG Academy. IMG Academy is based out of Florida and attracts many high caliber recruits. Compton would travel to his IMG dorm and play against the best high school football players in the nation.

“I got invited to the Under Armour All-American Game camp and IMG is sponsored by Under Armour,” Compton said. “IMG saw my film and asked me to come up for a visit.”

Compton would travel all over the country and even as far as Canada playing for IMG, this offered him his first true taste of what college football would be like. While never playing a feature role in the passing game his blocking ability would help him earn a coveted three start ranking.

“That experience itself was absolutely ridiculous,” Compton said. “Just traveling from state to state playing in all four time zones, getting that college life experience.”

When his family moved to Tomball this summer, it provided Tomball with one of its highest ranked recruit in years, while Logan is going to his third high school in as many years. Compton is no stranger to being a great football player; however after transferring to a 5A school he is looked up to even more by his classmates.

“I just try to set a good example for everybody, because a lot of people are going to look up to me, because of who I am and where I’m going,” Compton said. “I’m not going to do anything stupid out in the hallways. I’m always going to be sitting in the front of the class getting my work down on time and taking proper notes.”

It would be easy for a player of Compton’s standards to take his senior year easy. After all, he already is committed to Baylor for football, but that’s not who Compton is. Compton is a competitor and that’s what has brought him to this point.

“You’re going to prove me that you’re better than me and I will not allow that by any circumstance,” Compton said. “I’m competitive not only on the field but in the classroom too.”

Cougar Block Q&A Questions on Cougar Block: I think that the Cougar Block could be improved by allowing students to switch between classes partway through a block. That way, if they need to visit a teacher, but only for a short time, then they can go to something else afterwards and get even more out of the study time.

It would be really helpful!

- Sitaara Naquin Maybe in the future!

– Chris Scott

Honestly, it’s a very good idea and helpful for someone like me, especially since I’m involved in multiple clubs and band which consumes a majority of my time. I think rather than just letting everybody “choose” their Cougar Block period, you guys should designate it so students are able to take more advantage of this opportunity rather than taking away from others that really need this extra time.

This would also, in my opinion, make this idea more cohesive and less chaotic for both students and teachers.

- Jazlynn Esquivel Good idea!

– Chris Scott

I think Cougar Block would be very good if students had an option to go to a club where they learn about current events that are happening in the world now. Most kids don’t

watch the news so they aren’t aware of things that are happening around them.

I think advisory/Cougar Block is a good - Madeleine Ahmadi idea for students that are absent a lot and don’t do their homework. One thing that might need I agree! to be emphasized greatly is making sure ad– Chris Scott ministrators and teachers know where students are at all times. This is important so that if the I think this is a great addition to our schedstudent is not at lunch, everyone knows where ule. By having more time during school to they are. finish assignments I believe that our grades - Audrey Wedemeyer would improve. I suggest that there be some fun activities that we can take part of, if you That’s why checking in is so vital. don’t really need tutoring or as a way to relax – Chris Scott from a stressful day.

- Angela Martinez I think that to make the Cougar Block more Good idea! successful, kids should be required to go to – Chris Scott tutoring if their grades are low or right below passing in order to get a passing grade.

I think that Cougar Block is a wonderful - Andrew idea! I’m excited to have time to complete my This will be happening very soon. homework so I have time for extra curricular – Chris Scott activities. The rules of the Cougar Block are very fair and they provide a perfect purpose.

I believe it would be a pretty neat if during The only suggestion I have is that we ensure blocks certain teachers can teach subjects that that there is a teacher available every day for each subject, that way we can get our questions they are enthusiastic about. For example, Mr. Maguire can teach an astronomy class, or a or help no matter what. I also suggest that the language teacher can offer a different language subject be split across the week so that tutorthey want to teach. This would give them and ing days do not all fall on the same day. I’m so the students more opportunity. excited to start the Cougar Block and I think - Stephan Biskupiak it’s a great help!

- Alana Lee Good idea! Offering small workshops is We’ll adjust over time.

– Chris Scott

something that the school is hoping to do.

- Editor

Theater ready to take on Annie

by Abi Baldwin Features Editor The production of theater’s next show, Annie, began two weeks ago, starting with the read through on Wednesday. Cast members and understudies alike went through and read the majority of the script, including all the songs. Actors joked and laughed while attempting to sing their parts.

“It was just fun, that’s the reason most of us are doing this for. Starting out with a new show we can’t stress out before we’ve begun,” junior Brennan Pate said.

Now three rehearsals in, the singing part of the musical is the main focus. Each day a different cast is required to go to the choir room and learn how to sing each assigned song.

“I cannot sing, not even a little bit, but I’m gonna try my hardest and just have fun with it,” Pate said.

Oct. 19 2018

18 to 24 voted in the latest midterm election in 2014. That’s the worst percentage among the various age demographics for voting.

As the youngest demographic allowed to vote, their voice is so important yet often overlooked.

What’s important to remember is that in voting, everyone’s vote counts equally despite your age.

The 2018 Midterm Election is Nov. 6. If you are a registered voter you can find your precinct number on your voter registration card, which determines your polling location. All polling locations are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on election day.

If you know you’re not going to be able to go to your designated polling place on election day or just don’t want to wait in long lines, no worries, you can early vote! Early voting begins October

The cast of Annie practices their songs. Photo by Brooke McGarrah

All casts are required to come to their assigned rehearsal, which will last from 3:30-6:00 in the black box or choir room. Members are to get to Cindy Hearn’s room early to sign in with Jacob Pratt and have your script.

“Rehearsals always end up being extremely fun and are extremely important for everyone, even if you’re not in that particular scene,” senior Jacob Pratt said.

It’s tentative that the actors learn

and grow together, if an actor misses a rehearsal it puts the whole scene behind.

In which it is not the directors job to catch them up, it’s up to the student to find someone to teach them the choreography or the song they missed.

“Yes, I’m generally nervous about playing such a big but I believe it’s going to fun and exciting,” junior who plays Annie, Miranda York said.

22nd and ends November 2nd. You don’t have to vote at your designated polling place when early voting and times the polls are open vary depending on location.

So now that know how to vote, more importantly, who do you vote for?

Midterm elections’ biggest offices up for election are the state’s House Representatives and Senator seats, along with multiple state offices, including governor.

A majority of registered voters only turn out once every four years for the Presidential Election. But many argue that a midterm election is even more important to vote in because the winner is going to affect you more directly. State and local elected officials make decisions that can affect daily life.

A student at Tomball High School would most likely live in either District 10, represented by Michael McCall or District 8, rep-

resented by Kevin Brady, both Republicans. They are both running for reelection; Mike Seigler is the Democratic nominee for District 10, and Tomball’s Steven Davis is running against Brady in District 8. Find what district you live in and who represents you at https://bit. ly/2OrwDo1.

The Texas Senate race is one of the most competitive and nationally covered in recent history. Ted Cruz of Houston is the Republican incumbent versus Democratic Congressman Robert “Beto” O’Rourke of El Paso.

Historically Republicans have dominated state-wide races, but O’Rourke has raised an astonishing amount of money and the polls show the race as highly competitive.

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Wave routes already used at other schools BUS from Page 1

the safest path of travel.

“By splitting the buses up in waves according to their path of travel to their route, we have reduced the amount of time buses are dealing with construction at Hwy. 249,” Bigley said.

However, this change affects students in their school life and home life. Since students who go home on the second wave of buses arrive later to their house they have less time to do homework (unless they do it while waiting) and spend less

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NEWS

time with their family, or have to be in a hurry if they have somewhere to be after school. This could be an issue for students with jobs.

“Overall it’s just not great,” McGarrah said, “It just seems very inconvenient.”

This is not the first time that the district has implemented a second wave on a school, which is why they are confident that this new change will help the transportation go more smoothly.

“While TJH and THS all loaded at the same time in years past, Tomball Intermediate has had

more than one wave for many years,” Bigley said. “We have also utilized waves at the south campuses for all the same reasons we are using waves at the north campuses this year.”

In order to keep up with the growth in the district, transportation says it will continue to evaluate and implement changes as necessary which in the long run will benefit THS students.

“Our plan for this school year is to continue loading in the waves that were established at the start of the school year,” Bigley said.

The following key races will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Senate: Ted Cruz (R) Beto O’Rourke (D) Neal Dikeman (L) US Rep. District 7 John Culberson (R) Lizzie Fletcher (D) US Rep. District 10 Michael McCaul (R) Mike Siegel (D)

Governor Greg Abbott (R) Lupe Valdez (D) Mark Jay Tippetts (L) Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) Mike Collier (D) Kerry McKennon (L) Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) Justin Nelson (D) Michael Harris (L) Tomball ISD School Board Position 1 Kathy Handler Position 2 Michael Pratt Bob Fontenot Position 3 John McStravick Joseph Ferguson Position 4 Mark Lewandowski Steven Kent Position 5 Lee McLeod R-denotes Republican D-denotes Democrat L-denotes Libertarian

SPORTS

Playoffs in reach for Coogs

Oct. 19 2018

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by Bishop Van Buren Sports Editor After a 2-1 non-district start, the Cougars are 2-1 in district and primed for a playoff spot.

The Cougars dropped their first game to in-town rival Tomball Memorial. They bounced back however, beating Santa Fe High School and upsetting PNG High School, which was ranked the state’s third best 5A team.

After the bye week, they faced a familiar foe in Magnolia West.

Jalen Pierre, a defensive tackle who is a leader for the Cougar’s defense, brang an attitude into the bye week that was sure to please the coaches.

“Bye week isn’t for chilling,” Pierre said, “It’s for getting better. We can’t be lazy this week, we have to physically and mentally prepare for district.”

The Cougars disappointed in the district opener, losing to the Magnolia West Mustangs by a score of 58-28. Emotions soared high in the loss, leading to a large scuffle after a touchdown in the last minute of the first half.

The incident included both coaches and players, ultimately ending in multiple ejections.

“They were talking mess all game, but it shouldn’t have even matter, we still should have won.” said Eric Laneave, a starting tackle who suffered a wrist injury during the game. “We’ll learn from our mistakes and im confident we can do better.”

The Cougars bounced back, defeating the Caney Creek Panthers 42-3 on the Panther’s Homecoming night and then beating Waller last Friday in our own Homecoming game, 53-16.

The schedule looks rough for the Cougars as they have to travel two hours to face first place Lufkin tonight and then host always tough College Station just two weeks later.

Jalen Pierre wants to bring the same mentality that he brought before the District opener, hoping it will keeps spirits high for the games to come.

“Lufkin’s gonna be tough so we’re gonna have to focus all week” Pierre said, “Gotta keep our streak alive.”

The Cougars will have to go 2-2 in these last 4 games to return to the playoffs, and assuming they’ll beat last-place Willis, they need to get at least one win in their next 3 games: College Station, once the top team in state rankings; Lufkin, which beat College Station; or Magnolia, now tied with the Cougars.

Kasten Mahoney helped create the wrestling club. Photo by Cristopher Carre

Wrestling finally ready to get off the mat at THS

by Destiny Eisterhold Opinion Editor After much talk, wrestling is ready to join the list of sports available this year.

“This year it’s going to be a club because Tomball Memorial does not have enough room for a wrestling team,” club founder Kasten Mahoney said.

Since Memorial is in the same school district as Tomball, both schools would need to offer it as a UIL sport. Since they don’t have room for a team then neither school can have a team, even though THS’ Lego Gym was was originally designed for wrestling.

“Hopefully it will be a UIL sport next year,” Mahoney said.

The wrestling club has about twenty-three people signed up at the moment which is the same amount of people as last year.

The wrestling club hopes to start up next week. Mahoney has set up a meeting to give out infor-

mation.

The wrestling club cannot wrestle at the school and has to find somewhere else to have matches and practices hosted. The place that the club is looking at for practicing at is a little expensive, but they hope to use a fundraiser to pay for the students who can’t pay the dues.

“Baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, and girls’ soccer all did well and represented THS,” Paubel said. “I want to make sure wrestling joins them.”

Practices will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be from 6pm to 8pm.

Sunday practice will be optional for everyone and will be from 2pm to 4pm.

They will be wrestling at Boneyard Wrestling Academy. For more information ask Mahoney (kasten.tae.mahoney@gmail. com).

Volleyball bound for playoffs as season winds down

by Bishop Van Buren Sports Editor The volleyball team has had an impressive season so far, having already clinched a playoff spot with only two more games to go.

Currently 11-2, our Cougars sit in 2nd place behind the undefeated Kingwood Park. As playoffs draw nearer, the girls look to their possible match-ups.

With Tomball being second place in the District 20-5A standings, and looking as if they’ll hold their position until playoffs start, they will play District 19’s 2nd place team in the first round of playoffs. Who that will be, however, is still uncertain.

“We’re either gonna play Brenham or College Station, I think

Samantha Chapman

they are tied for 2nd place in their district.” Assistant Coach Hannah Jones said. “They’re both pretty tough teams and we’ll have to make sure we bring our A game.”

Brenham and College Station both have 8-2 district records, but Brenham has the better overall record, boasting 25 wins to College Station’s 21.

District 20-5A Football Results 9/28 vs. Mag. West Lost 58-28 10/5 at Caney Creek Won 42-3 10/12 vs. Waller Won 53-16

Upcoming games 10/19 at Lufkin 10/26 vs. Magnolia 11/2 at College Station 11/9 vs. Willis

District Standings

Team District Overall Lufkin 3-0 5-1 Mag. West 3-0 5-1 College St. 2-1 5-1 Tomball 2-1 4-2 Magnolia 2-1 4-2 Caney Crk 0-3 2-4 Waller 0-3 1-5 Willis 0-3 1-5

District 20-5A Volleyball Standings King. Park 14-0 42-2 Tomball 12-2 28-12 Willis 12-2 38-7 Montg. 8-6 28-19 Caney Crk 4-9 16-30 Huntsville 4-9 17-30 Lake Crk 3-11 14-36 New Cny 3-12 15-38 Porter 2-12 7-40

Upcoming games 10/19 at Porter 10/23 at Willis (End of season)