The Cougar Claw Newspaper for May 2021

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VOL. 54 ISSUE 3

Senior Edition

The most unique school year of our lives comes to an end next week. Take a glimpse into the unique and challenging year it was for seniors. See pages 4-6

Baseball advances to playoff Round 3 by jenna jaffray

Baseball wrapped up a successful season, taking the district title despite being in their first year as a 6A team, but they aren’t quite done yet. The team is currently in the playoffs, taking on Bridgeland this week in round three of the playoffs. They won Game 1 last night 4-1. Game 2 is at 7 tonight at THS. If they win the regional quarterfinals, they will move on to the regional semifinals against the winner of the Rockwall vs Sachse series. The team is confident that their success during the season will carry them through playoffs and potentially into the state tournament. Although the A baseball player rounds the bases to run home (top)> The baseball team celebrates a good inning (bottom). Photos courtesy of Yearbook Staff school year is winding down, baseball is still hard

at work to ensure that they were not the district champions by mistake. “Living in Tomball, you always expect to go far in baseball,” senior varsity player Peyton Fosher said. “We’ve had a great winning culture over the past 10 years since Coach Rush has been here.” With a team stacked full of upperclassmen committed to play baseball in college, the talent is high and baseball hopes to make it to the state championship. “It’s definitely a family,” Fosher said. “Over the years we’ve done team building every Wednesday night, and we’ve gotten a lot closer since doing them.” The team has already made a name for themselves in the new 6A conSee Baseball, Page 6


Our 2020-2021 staff

Looking ahead to next year by desi beireis and linda trevino

Editor-in-Chief Jenna Jaffray

Web Editor Elise Guerra

The end of the year 20202021 is coming to a close, and among the many changes includes the optional mask, the return of Cougar Block, and the separation of the TVS school. This changes the previous decision from earlier this spring to continue to require masks at school despite Gov. Greg Abbott rescinding the mask mandate. This decision not only affects the next school year, but also any events taking place over the summer. However, masks will be required at graduation on May 29 to be in accordance with NRG’s mask policy. The downward decline of Covid-19 cases and the great accessibility of vaccinations for

“I’m glad [masks] are optional next year.” most ages is allowing many schools and public areas to function more closely to how it was pre-pandemic. After a year of wearing a mask, many students are excited to be able to have the option not to wear them. “I didn’t like wearing the masks this year so I’m glad that they are optional for next year,” Kyrylo Leshchuk said. However, there are also students who would rather continue to wear masks. “Personally I like the masks,” Daniel Marquez said. “I feel worried that not enough people are

getting vaccinated.” As the mask debate continues, students are encouraged to stay safe and continue to social distance. The change in mask policy will allow many of the events that were canceled this year to occur as normal, such as homecoming and the senior picnic. Another major change will be the complete separation of face to face and TVS students. The virtual school option will have a separate group of teachers to ensure that teachers don’t have to split time between in-person and online students as they had to this year. These changes are in an effort to return to a school year that is more normal than what it has been this year.

Finals week steadily approaching Option 2: Only for Algebra, Bihave with the school. You cannot have more ology, English I, English II, and than two days of ISS this U.S. History, must have to have The exemption policy for year, and must not have an “Approaches” or “Met Stanspring final exams has officialdards” score on STAAR/End of been assigned to AEP. ly been set, and there is a big • Have no more than 10 tar- Course Test (for current enrolled change from earlier news. dies/late arrivals for the en- courses). To earn an exemption you Option 3 for ALL COURSES: tire school year. Students must: can check Home Access Earn a Masters level (Level III) on • Be in attendance on the Center to see how many ALL STAAR/End of Course tests day of the semester exam taken (for current enrolled coursthey have. review. The official review Based on the courses in which es), have a second semester avperiod for all seven perithe student is currently enrolled, erage of 70 or more. ods is on Friday, May 21. students must meet ONE of If Masters is achieved on ALL That means you might be EOC tests taken (for currently enthese academic options: able to start your summer Option 1: For any course other rolled courses), a student may a week early. than Algebra I, Biology, English I, exempt ALL courses they are • All textbooks returned, or English II, and U.S. History, must passing, even courses that have paid for any lost books, have a minimum of an 85 aver- no EOC. and cleared any Tomball fines youHigh School Spring 2021 Semester Exam Schedule age for the second semester. by lucas botello

News Editor Linda Trevino

Photo Editor Carly Beleau

UNDERCLASSMEN 5/21/21 Friday

Senior Writer Lucas Botello

5/24/21 Monday

5/25/21 Tuesday

5/26/21 Wednesday

5/27/21 Thursday

1st Review 7:20-9:03

2nd Review 7:20-9:03

1st Exam 7:20-9:03

2nd Exam 7:20-9:03

3rd Exam 9:09 - 10:49

4th Exam 9:09 - 10:49

5th Exam 9:09 - 10:49

5th 10:49 - 12:49

5th 10:49 - 12:49

5th Review 10:49 - 12:49

4th 10:49 - 12:49

5th Normal

6th Review 12:55 - 1:42 7th Review 1:48 - 2:38

7th Exam 12:55 - 2:38

6th Exam 12:55 - 2:38

6th Normal

6th Normal

7th Normal

7th Normal

5/26/21 Wednesday

5/27/21 Thursday

1st 7:20 - 8:07 2nd 8:13 - 9:03 3rd Review 9:09 - 9:56 4th Review 10:02 - 10:49

3rd Normal 4th Normal

SENIORS Senior Writer Grace Lynch

5/21/21 Friday

5/24/21 Monday

5/25/21 Tuesday

1st Exam 7:20-9:03

2nd Exam 7:20-9:03

3rd Exam 9:09 - 10:49

4th Exam 9:09 - 10:49

5th 10:49 - 12:49

5th Review 10:49 - 12:49

5th Exam 10:49 - 12:49

6th Review 12:55 - 1:42 7th Review 1:48 - 2:38

7th Exam 12:55 - 2:38

6th Exam 12:55 - 2:38

1st Review 7:20 - 8:07 2nd Review 8:13 - 9:03 3rd Review 9:09 - 9:56 4th Review 10:02 - 10:49

Senior Writer Desi Beireis

Senior Events Held



Memorable Moments

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The annual Powder Puff game returned after being cancelled last year due to Covid, and the seniors had a great time. In Powder Puff, the girls play football and the boys are cheerleaders.

(ABOVE) The Charms performed at halftime of all of the home football games this year. (LEFT) Coaches send in plays to the team during the Powder Puff game.

Cross Country is one of the first sports to kick off each fall, and it signaled a return to high school sports.

Members of the Black Team cheer on their teammates during the Powder Puff game.

Members of the Cougar Charms show off their custom jackets.


Memorable Moments

5 Editor’s note by jenna jaffray

The football team warms up on Kyle Field before the Patriotic game. Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff

The Black Team Powderpuff coaches stand on the sidelines. Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff

“My favorite part of high school was our school spirit. Everyone came together as a class to cheer on the Cougars.”

Isabella Lujan -

- Caroline Klein

“I enjoyed football games because I was able to socialize outside of school.”

“My favorite memory is walking into Mrs. Flies’ class and seeing all the goods students donated to our food drive for Venezuela.”

Kylle Huey -

- Michael Baker

“One of my favorite classes was psychology; it contributed to what I want to major in at UT Austin.”

“I really enjoyed karaoke in Mr. Smith’s class, it was super fun and memorable.”

Dawson Baker -

Seniors celebrate the beginning of their senior year at the senior sunrise. Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff

- Aarushi Panjwani

“I loved going to Kyle Field for the Patriotic Show. It was an amazing experience to watch the Coogs play in that stadium.”

Opinion: Seniors feeling unprepared for next step by jenna jaffray

This year has presented a unique set of challenges to the senior class, on top of trying to figure out the standard post-graduation plans. Not only has COVID-19 disrupted most senior events, it also has allowed students to choose to learn virtually or in person, and have the option to switch from one to the other. Although many seniors have enjoyed the option to stay home for the day, but still keep up with classwork, it has ultimately left many feeling unprepared for the post-graduate experience. As a student heading to college next year where in-person classes are guaranteed, I’m worried about the difficulty of these courses in comparison to classes. Despite the fact that I am in multiple AP classes and understand that college courses require more work no matter what the year is like, it’s clear that even these advanced classes have

left us behind where we need to be before heading into the next step as a result of the pandemic. Since online students have full access to their notes and the internet when doing classwork and taking tests, in-person students also have the opportunity to use their notes in many classes. This leaves students feeling as though they don’t need to study for these tests, since the information they need will be in front of them regardless. Not only does this leave students not prepared for tests where notes are not allowed, such as AP tests, it also decreases the work ethic of the senior class. Although many may blame senioritis, I personally experienced a major decline in motivation when I was an online student. It was hard to sit at my desk in my room and do schoolwork for hours on end, when my room is normally a place I relax. I was unable to develop good study habits as a result, because by the time I was done with my work, I

didn’t want to put in extra hours to study. Even students that plan to go directly into the workforce can suffer from this change as well. A general decrease in motivation can alter anyone’s mentality when taking the step into the workforce, where jobs require full attention for eight hour days, something that many seniors are no longer used to. However there is one area the pandemic has presented many with the opportunity to become more familiar with technology. When I went virtual last spring, I was able to learn how to do new tasks with technology that I didn’t previously know. Heading into a future where even more work that we do is going to be online, I am comfortable with the technical skills I have acquired during the pandemic. The pandemic has had a large impact on our senior year as a whole, and it’s clear that its influence will carry on with our senior class even past high school.

Well, what a year it’s been. Not to sound like a broken record, but it’s been completely different than any other year ever experienced. Trying to be the editor while a virtual student for 5 months had some challenges that I never expected to face, and yet here I am, somehow at my last print edition of my high school career, a rather bittersweet moment. When I first took the journalism class, it was just a filler in my schedule and honestly not a subject I expected to be interested in at all. And yet three years later as the editor, I couldn’t imagine what high school would have been like without newspaper. It’s given me a family that I never expected to have and a place to call my home at school. To my two senior editors, I’m so beyond grateful for the friendship and immense help you both have been this year. Elise, we have been side by side on this staff for the past three years, and I could not have done it without you. From the long design sessions for the print edition to the craziness Mr. Fordyce had to endure when we were both in person, I could not have asked for a better web editor. Linda, I’m so glad you joined our staff this year; you have been a great addition to our editor team. Your creativity and dedication does not go unnoticed, and I’m so excited to see what you do in the future. Thank you for completing our editor trio. To the rest of my staff, although I haven’t known most of you for very long, I’m so glad each and every one of you joined. You all have brought something unique into this program. I’m so thankful for all that you have contributed to this program this year; you have made our program so much stronger. To anyone that will continue in the program next year, the most important piece of advice I can give is to have fun! I know you all will play a major role in the success of the newspaper for the next school year, and I’m so excited to read your work, this time not as your editor, but as the audience. Good luck and I can’t wait to see what each of you writes! And finally, to Mr. Fordyce, thank you for everything you have given me over the past three years. The opportunity to be your editor-in-chief this year is absolutely invaluable, and I could not be more proud that you chose me to represent this program. Your wisdom and guidance has shaped my high school years and me as a person, and I know that I’ll never forget the many hours I’ve spent in your classroom. Thank you for your dedication both to me and this program. Thank you for giving up your nights to let us design the print edition, and your Saturdays to support us at the UIL competitions. I wish you the absolute best, and just know that I’ll always be checking up on the Cougar Claw, and that you might even get some feedback every once in a while. -Jenna Jaffray Editor-in-Chief 2020-2021 Cougar Claw Newspaper


Spring Signing Day

A table is set up with a picture of each signee in the entrance of the stadium. Photo courtesy of Tomball ISD

High school athletes from across the country compete each year for limited spots in the collegiate sports world, and THS has had many signees this year. Six more athletes from basketball, volleyball, and football officially signed their commitment to continue their athletic career in college at the Spring Signing Day this past Tuesday, May 11. Many of these seniors are excited to open the next chapter of their lives and continue to play the sport they love. Signing not only allows them to continue their athletic career, but their education as well. The Tomball community is incredibly proud of all of the signees and is confident that they will have success in the next step of their lives.

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Six THS athletes sign their commitment to continue their athletic career in college. Photo courtesy of Tomball ISD

Jyron and JColby Mayes Waldorf University Football

Ally Peters St. Thomas University Volleyball

Kylle Huey St. John’s River State Softball

Eliza Lehmann Southern Nazarene University Women’s basketball

Julia Schlundt Brockport State University Volleyball

Texas Gordon Austin College Football


Baseball aims for a spot at state finals

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continued from page 1

ference, overtaking the powerhouse Klein schools along with rival Tomball Memorial. Their season record is proof that the team can compete at the highest level. “We have done a great job moving up to 6A, and representing Tomball well,” Coach Doug Rush said. The Coogs are confident that if there is any year to go to the state finals, it’s this year. “The team chemistry right now is the highest it’s ever been,” Fosher said. Regardless of if they continue their winning streak and take the next step towards the state title, their season has been an immense success. “I’m really proud of the boys,” Rush said. “Win or lose, I’m The baseball team celebrates a good hit by their teammate. Photo by Addison Burnham

Softball season wraps up: Photo Gallery

A batter lines up to take their next swing. Photo by McKinley Spexarth

2021 Varsity Softball team Photo by McKinley Spexarth

The pitcher winds up on the mound. Photo by McKinley Spexarth

Football schedule released: Breakdown of District Games by jenna jaffray

Football is already preparing for an important upcoming season in the fall. Here is a full breakdown of each district game (schedule is still tentative): PRESEASON/NON-DISTRICT: 08/13: Away vs. Cy Park (Scrimmage) 08/20: Away vs. A&M Consolidated (Scrim mage) 08/27: Away vs. Willis 09/03: Home vs. Nimitz 09/10: Home vs. PNG 09/17: Away vs. Oak Ridge REGULAR SEASON: 09.24: Away vs. Tomball Memorial (Patriotic Game) Not only is it the rivalry game against the Wildcats, it’s also the first district game for the Cougars. Always an exciting game, the Cougars are seeking revenge after taking a tough loss against Memorial in 2020. However this will be a tough matchup, as the Wildcats took first place in district last year and are looking to get back-to-back titles. 10/01: Home vs. Klein Forest (Homecoming) The Homecoming game against Klein Forest will be the second game in a row that’s an important one for the Coogs. Although they had no trouble defeating the Eagles during the 2020 season, the large Homecoming crowd can create more pressure for

The football team celebrates a touchdown. Photo by Yearbook Staff

the team to perform. 10/08: Away vs. Klein Collins The Tigers will be out for revenge after a disappointing season last fall when compared to 2019. In 2019, they took the district title and made it to the third round of playoffs. However in 2020, Collins bare-

ly made the playoffs, taking the fourth and final seat. It’s clear that the Cougars will have a tough matchup against this powerhouse Klein school that’s out to retake the district title. 10/15: Home vs. Klein Oak After losing to the Coogs in their 2020 Homecoming game, the Panthers will be out for revenge. This matchup will likely determine if the Coogs are hitting their stride in the season or not, as it falls right in the middle of district play. 10/29: Away vs. Klein Cain The away game against Klein Cain will be another telling game for the Coogs, as the end of the season nears and playoff spots become more secure. Regardless of whether or not the Coogs have landed a spot in the top four teams by this point, they’ll have to fight to beat the powerful Hurricanes. But the team is up for the challenge, and by now everyone knows not to underestimate the Coogs. 11/05: Home vs. Klein The last game is always an important one. In the 2020 season, the Coogs fell just short of making playoffs, so they’ll be fighting until the end of the 2021 season to make sure that doesn’t happen again. However, the Coogs had no problem beating Klein last fall, and are hoping to repeat that in the upcoming season. Although the Coogs are in for another tough season, they are confident in the talent they have on the team. After playing them for the first time in the 2020 season, they now know what they’re up against and are motivated to land a spot in the playoffs.


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