THS Cougar Claw Vol. 51, Issue 1

SPECIAL EDITION

The Cougar Claw Vol. 51, Issue 1

The Student Newspaper of Tomball High School

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’

THS Principal Chris Scott, Page 8 Superintendent Dr. Salazar-Zamora, Page 11

- Bob Dylan

When school opens next fall, we’ll have a new principal, new associate principal, new coaches in several of the major sports and a bunch of new teachers. Time marches on.

IN-DEPTH School needs to repair rep PG 5

OPINION Times demand return of paper PG 2

THS football coach Kevin Flanigan, Page 7 Other teachers, coaches on the move or retiring, Pages 8-9

SPORTS Freshmen girls boost soccer PG 6

FEATURES Volunteers give time, inspiration PG 10

Visit our website at THSCougarClaw.com

2 OPINION

STAFF Samantha Abrahams Editor-in-Chief Emily Ashlock News Editor Charles Bose Sports Editor Daniela Roscero Features Editor Carly Sander Opinion Editor Sabrina Ulloa Online Editor Mallory Rickett Video Producer Savannah Glander Cartoonist Staff Writers: Alyssa Aceves Tristin Brandt Rafael Ceja Lee Cooper Isabelle Cross Trey Gamble Audrey Gennusa Hanna Grohmann Brianna Jacobs Nathan Majaffey Mark Martinez Macey Speed 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.

Times call for return to print Our school has been through a lot this year.

We have coped with drama and basked in accolades. In some cases, the news, positive and critical, has spread beyond the corner of Zion and Quinn.

Throughout this past year (as well as years prior), The Cougar Claw has been there. We’ve covered the Black Lives Matter movement , administrative transitions, and athletic wins and losses.

The need for quality high school journalism here at home is as crucial as ever.

In recent months, the media has been under scrutiny for a little thing called “fake news.” Readers can’t always tell the reliability of a source anymore because many posts and links and programs can be biased or outright untrue.

Because of this perception, the staff here at The Cougar Claw feels it necessary to revive our print edition.

We want to remind students that not everything produced by journalists is falsified or exaggerated for attention or clicks.

We want students and faculty to understand that what we produce is reliable and fair. We provide the truth, no matter the consequence.

Here at The Cougar Claw, we believe in the importance of unity. Everybody has their different ideas and opinions, and that is okay. Our diversity, in all aspects, makes us stronger.

Our online presence will continue to grow and bring you up-to-the-minute news about our campus and community, as it has since the Cougar Claw newspaper began printing in the 1960s.

Our print edition, in its revival, will dig deeper and provide for you an in-depth source of information to keep you in the know.

As always, go Cougars. We are The Pride of Texas.

Letters to the editor Dear Editor, What happened to the Coffee Shop that we used to have? You guys used to sell coffee every other day back when I was a freshman. Hopefully y’all can bring back the coffee stand.

- Tristin Brandt Dear Tristin, The coffee shop died under strict changes to the federal guidelines on child nutrition, specifically when they changed the start of the school day to 12:01 a.m. We checked with the Department of Agriculture (who oversees this) and that rule hasn’t changed yet. But if it does, the coffee shop will quickly reopen.

- Editor

Dear Editor, Students with study hall would have dramatically improved grades and attitudes. This will help students manage their time wisely, be responsible, and free up social and family time. Study hall would be the most effective way to raise our school’s grades.

- Ava Karathanos Dear Ava, This has been discussed before, and it’s not a bad idea. There would need to be some planning by the district to make sure the schedule works and that the system is not abused, but extra time for students during the day would be valuable.

- Editor

OPINION

3

Don’t regret your social choices Samantha Abrahams Editor-in-Chief

A

s the graduation countdown timer slowly dwindles towards zero, I wanted to share with you my personal high school experience.

Maybe some of you will be able to relate.

Now, I know you may be thinking this is boring or pointless.

“Why should I care what you have to say about your last four years here?”

Some of you may believe we have nothing in common. But please read on...

I promise you don’t know me as well as you think you do.

We all know high school isn’t like it is in COMMENTARY the movies (we don’t have random musical numbers in the middle of lunch, for starters).

It is grueling and monotonous, pressureand drama-filled, and seemingly never ending.

By the time senior year rolls around, we are burned out. We are tired of waking up early.

We are overwhelmed by the workload in and out of the classroom.

High school isn’t easy for the star athlete or for the benchwarmer. It isn’t a breeze for the most popular clique or for those not invited to the parties or the bonfires. It isn’t easy for those at the top of the class or for the students struggling to graduate.

This is not to say that high school is a big, horrible, disastrous mess. Like anything in life, it has its ups and downs. Rather, by emphasizing the challenges, I’m explaining there is a middle section to our collective Venn diagram: all of us have our struggles. No one’s experience is perfect. It isn’t supposed to be. But we can learn from it.

We all live these four years looking toward that light at the end of the tunnel. With every

exam, with every touchdown, with every dance we are that much closer to graduation. Now we are here and it’s easier to look back at those challenges with some perspective. It’s easier to put each experience, good and bad, into a box and examine it for what it was.

I’ve done that and what I’ve found is that I’ve made a lot of mistakes. All of us have. It’s part of growing up. And here’s where I get real with you. This is for my classmates and for students in each grade...

I’m guessing, on some level, all of you can relate.

I spent my time at Tomball High School as a fool.

At times, I allowed others to frame how I saw myself. I gave too much power to those “tough times” we all experience and, as a result, I didn’t invest in relationships the way I wish I had.

Yes, I have some great friends and they’re fantastic people with incredible futures, but I never felt like I could allow myself to fully open up to them. I didn’t want to risk the judgment or the hurt. So I put up a wall. I thought it would protect me, and it did. It also prevented me from becoming closer with those whose friendships I truly value and from being friends with people who, from afar, seem like genuinely good people.

I wholeheartedly regret it.

Now, with the benefit of that hindsight I mentioned, I realize what a fool I was for a multitude of reasons. I thought that if I put on a cute outfit and wore it with a smile, it would all be fine. It wasn’t. And it isn’t.

I am telling you all of this because I think it is important for you to understand that we are all in this together (the High School Musical reference was not intentional, I promise).

Though high school is temporary, I have realized that it is crucial to invest in those

you care about. Find people who make you feel good about yourself, who embrace your uniqueness, people you can sing “Bop to the Top” with you at the top of your lungs, people who raise you up rather that put you down.

Learn from me and don’t wait until senior year to find those people.

Equally important as investing in people is telling others how you feel, and to communicate. All of your feelings are valid and they are real. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you are going through a hard time, talk to someone about it. Chances are, there is someone at our school who has been in a similar situation. If someone hurts you, talk to them about it. Nothing will magically fix itself.

Also, it is okay to feel like an outsider sometimes. Everyone lives through periods of time when we don’t know where we fit in. I don’t mean to sound like some cheesy Hallmark card, but don’t change who you are just to try and blend with the crowd. You don’t need to impress anyone but yourself.

It’s not that I regret my entire high school experience. Far from it. I worked hard and had fun. But how much better could it have been had I allowed myself to fully connect with my peers?

My point is: connect, express your emotions, be vulnerable. It is important to realize that it is okay to feel alone, because everyone does sometimes. And I do mean everyone.

Just know none of you are, in fact, alone. We are all going through similar stuff, for lack of a better word. And all of us are worthy of one another.

Don’t forget that as you advance to the next grade, go off to college, get a job, or serve our country in the armed forces.

The clock to graduation may be inching toward zero, but a new clock is about to start. It’s never to late too be the person you want to be.

Schools should rethink early start to day Izzy Cross

expectations of academics, social obligations, and extracurriculars create an equation that is Staff Writer incompatible with the current start times. t’s five o’clock and the alarm is going off At the onset of puberty, the body’s natuagain. Now it’s the scramble to get up, get ral circadian rhythm shifts due to hormonal ready, and make it to school before the first bell changes, so that teens will naturally fall asleep rings at 7:15 a.m. and wake up later. Regardless of how early they That’s a pretty early start time for school. have to get up the next morning or how tired The reasoning here is that the earlier the start they feel, most students will still be unable to time, the earlier the release time- so students fall asleep until late because of the way their can pursue extracurbodies respond to the normal chemical changriculars or jobs after es during adolescence.

COMMENTARY school. But forcing “I don’t think we start at a bad time, but I high schoolers to start would definitely like to start later. I feel like so early may actually especially in your first period, everyone’s not be hurting more than helping. awake just yet. That hurts your grade because Adolescence is the most imperative period you’re not absorbing information,” junior Carly of development in a person’s life, and sleep, as a Sander said. necessary biological function, is an even more Doctors are voicing their agreement. necessary part of that development. By start“If we combine an early school starting ing classes so early, schools are restricting the time--say 7:30 am--with our knowledge that amount of sleep their students are able to get optimal sleep need is 9 1/4 hours, we are askeach night, which can put them at risk of worse ing that 16-year olds go to bed at 9 pm. Rare conditions and hurts overall productivity. is a teenager that will keep such a schedule.

The biology of teens compounded with the School work, sports practices, clubs, volunteer

I

work, and paid employment take precedence.

When biological changes are factored in, the ability even to have merely ‘adequate’ sleep is lost,” said Dr. Mary Carskadon of the Brown School of Medicine.

What harm would come from starting school just a couple of hours later? Students would come to school more refreshed and achieve higher academic performance.

“Chronic sleep loss in children and adolescents is one of the most common – and easily fixable – public health issues in the U.S. today.

The research is clear that adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life,” said Dr. Judith Brown of American Pediatrics.

Schools are not just educating future job trainees. They are educating well-rounded individuals who should have the skills to handle life and respond to their own needs. But if school ignores their needs, they are teaching students that their needs aren’t important.

4

IN-DEPTH

Immigration debate hits home Daniela Roscero Features Editor

W

hen legal immigrants aren’t assimilating, when skilled and productive illegal aliens aren’t given a path to citizenship, when the achievement of fullest potential by unaccompanied minors isn’t being prioritized, the United States’ immigration policy is evidently failing.

Governmental approaches towards immigration, especially concerning illegal immigration, have been debated for decades. This has been reflected on the different state-adopted policies dealing with the immigrant overflow of the past years, as it has always seemed to act in ignorant and/or contradictory terms.

Conservatives, who have historically looked down on immigrants in a condescending, nativist way, are very influential, but the public opinion has been gradually changing in today’s mass-media world. Even though Republican Donald Trump won the Electoral College, the popular vote showcased the evolution of American ideals from conservative to liberal.

Those who voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton, for example, were in favor of a reform that will provide a pathway to citizenship to illegal aliens.

As an immigrant myself, I have noticed that many Americans have limited knowledge about what it can mean to be ‘legal’ or ‘illegal’.

Many assume that being ‘illegal’ means having crossed the border illegally through the Rio Grande or the desert with the help of polleros.

However, many illegal aliens are considered illegal not because they don’t have a visa, but because they stay and study or work in the U.S with a visa that does not correspond to their activities in U.S territory, such as a tourist visa.

‘Legal immigrant’ is also a term that defines an array of individuals: legal aliens could have a government-provided card, a work visa, a student visa, or a residency. There are also illegal immigrants who, unlike many legal immigrants, have a social security number that allows them to work. These immigrants are in the DACA program, Obama’s controversial, and some may even argue unconstitutional, executive order.

Why is there such a vast divide in opinion?

Perhaps it is due to the widely different beliefs of the two major political parties, which may not accurately represent the public’s opinion. Republicans are said to traditionally rate immigrants, especially illegal immigrants, as ‘unwanted’, while Democrats view the topic in a more optimistic, immigrant-friendly way.

This divide, however, is probably not as extreme in the public. Most voters would change and keep different parts of the current policy, rather than radically reforming it all. This is because it’s more complex than believing immigrants are beneficial or detrimental to the country - they believe that some immigrants are advantageous to society, and that others bring nothing but trouble to the U.S. Some believe that there is no excuse for immigrants to cross the border illegally, while others argue that their countries’ desperate situations justify their actions.

To me, it comes down to an individual’s

intentions, and how the government promotes their enrichment not only as people, but as new assimilating Americans. At the end of the day, unlike conservatives like to believe, most immigrants aren’t hiding from their criminal past and paying no taxes, they’re legally pursuing an ‘American Dream’ that usually has citizenship as a last step. After all, a person’s hometown doesn’t determine their destiny, or their character. That’s the freedom the ‘American spirit’ is supposed to provide, the freedom immigrants thought they’d get in the U.S. We have all seen the pictures: women are seen cherishing the moment they reunite with their families at Border Field State Park, people on top of the train La Bestia--the Beast-- that takes immigrants through Mexico. To some, these photos reflect how families are split because of the slow, tedious immigration processes. To me, it’s even more than that: it shows how people are willing to become illegal immigrants and fight for the future of her children.

One must wonder what situation forced them to leave their families, and how they were convinced to take such a difficult decision. The fact that they are willing to cross illegally also demonstrates their determination, and courage. Maybe it was wrong to cross illegally, but wouldn’t it have been wrong to let their homeland’s struggles define their family’s chances of advancement?

Some Americans argue that securing the border should be the main priority, but, to me, the root of high immigration is not the result of an unguarded fence. The Huffington Post, for example, went as far as to say the border has never been so controlled. Rather than asking themselves why the border patrol, known to immigrants as la migra, isn’t effective, Americans should be asking why people are pushed to come in the first place. It’s not easy to cross the border. Many people die slowly under the ruthless desert sun, and yet millions try. Why they try, rather than the fact that they’re trying, should be the focus.

The main cause of increasing illegal immigration is not decreasing security near the border, but the increasing struggles of Latin American nations that encourage millions to take an immense risk - an often torturing, arduous, risk - that to them, is worth it at the

end. Even if Trump’s wall gets built, illegal immigration will continue to be an issue until fewer immigrants are forced to look elsewhere for a decent life.

In the Washington Times, the positive impact of immigrants in the economy has been reported through examples and statistics. Immigrants do not ‘take American jobs’.

Rather, they are twice more likely to establish businesses that provide new jobs to citizens.

This fact also reflects how, for the most part, immigrants, legal and illegal, do not mainly come to invade or take advantage of America - they come willing to innovate and work to achieve a life that might’ve been impossible to live in their home countries.

Furthermore, there is a much deeper question to find the answer to: What does it mean to be American? According to the law, it’s having been born in the U.S or having American parents.

Really, the question of who we are is much more complex. For example, I am a legal immigrant. I never had an ‘American Dream’ until I moved, and I don’t feel American. So, until I do, I’m going to stay a legal immigrant, no matter what the advantages of acquiring citizenship are, thank you very much. Being American is simply not a part of my identity, at least not for now.

For many illegal immigrants it’s exactly the opposite: they actually feel American. They have adapted. They do speak English. It may be their second language, but many of them speak it just as well as they speak their first language, or even better. They live as Americans. They pay taxes and they contribute to the United States of America. They were raised in America And yet they don’t get to call themselves Americans.

Immigrants are a minority, but they are a prevalent one that, against the odds, has always driven history right beside born-in-the-U.S Americans. They do it because their intentions go in line with American ideals, which they adopt not merely out of necessity, but out of the desire to improve a land that hasn’t always welcomed them with open arms, the same land they call home, and the one that wants their blooming seeds rooted out and blown away to a land where darkness reigns.

IN-DEPTH

Carly Sander Opinion Editor

T

his school year hasn’t been the best for Tomball. Our name has popped up on the 5 and 10 o’clock news broadcasts of all the local news stations on more than one occasion. From a pageant girl saying racial slurs to a group of bullies harrassing a girl online to racial demonstrations and protests, Tomball’s good name has been badly tarnished of late.

Our reputation has taken a hit this year, largely due to bullying and aggressive behavior. Repairing it will take hard work by us all.

With a campus full of big personalities comes strong opinions and the urge to share those opinions with absolutely everyone.

This can lead to disagreements, physical fights, and bullying. Bullying has become all too popular in this school especially in the last year. Well, at least that’s what they make it seem like on tv.

“I don’t think our school has a bullying problem,” Connor Hunt (11) said. “It’s a handful of kids that act out and get all the attention.”

The majority of students and staff at Tomball High School don’t actually feel like bullying is as big a threat at the school as it’s made out to be, but that’s because bullying has latched onto technology. Much like the teenagers nowadays, bullying is much more active online.

In recent years, it has become more and more popular for people to attack others online. Improvements made in technology

have actually made bullying easier for people to do.

One of the events at Tomball that caught the attention of the media started with a picture that was posted to Twitter. The picture featured multiple students, one student posing in the front of the picture and showing her support for the Black Lives Matter movement and some standing in the background posing for a different picture showing their support for Donald Trump. The picture caused quite a stir. Many kids felt that they were being judged and picked on for who and what they supported. The difference of opinion spread throughout the school and many felt that racial tensions were high.

The solution was a new group called PRIDE. People Recognizing Individuals’ Differences Equally, or PRIDE, is a group that was created in order to decrease the racial tension brought on by the election.

“PRIDE was established to unite the school through discussion of the school’s problems, and coming up with a solution,” said Johnnie Jones (12), who is one of the leaders of the group. The group has been fairly silent this year as they are still trying to get the group on its feet and stable.

“Next year PRIDE will be more school-wide, and will bring an end to all the misconceptions about all races, genders, and social groups in America,” Jones said.

They recognize that even in this group, where they all have the same goal, there will still be opposing opinions. The plan is to “educate” the members to resolve and overcome potential conflicts before they even begin. Communication is key.

National attention was focused on the school last summer when new graduate Karli Hay was crowned Miss Teen USA, only to have four-year-old Tweets by her using racial slurs surface within hours of the pageant.

Another event that caught the media’s eye was a lawsuit filed by the family of a student who says she was being harassed not only in the hallway but online as well. Pictures and videos of her were being posted and were shared online about 60,000 times.

Now, not only do people think that Tomball has a bullying problem, but the administration is being called into question for their response to the situation.

The district is prepared to handle any bullying situation. Any student that has been bullied or witnessed bullying of another student is to report the event immediately to a teacher, the principal, a school counselor, or any other district employee.

For students that have been bullied and have suffered physically or emotionally there is always help ready for anyone who needs it.

“The THS staff and administration are always here to support students in any way needed,” said one the school counselors, Nancy Lynch.

Tomball is not a place where bullying is tolerated, but people won’t take that seriously until the students do as well.

5

6

SPORTS

Magnificent The

Photos courtesy of Yearbook

Seven

Freshmen make an impact on girls’ varsity soccer squad Charles Bose Sports Editor

Ashlyn Lutz (#4) Lutz, who’s been playing soccer for a while, was definitely a team player and a talented defense.

“I’ve done better this year than any other year so far.” Ashlyn Lutz went on to say, “Coach F can really get us motivated.”

Fun fact! Due to her older sister being in yearbook, Lutz had plenty of pics taken of her while on the field.

B

ack and forth the soccer ball goes across the field. In an instant the play can change from the offensive to the defense and back again.

ERRR the bell goes off, times up.

The game’s done and the Cougar girls come home crying and cheering, for they’ve brought home another victory.

But what would probably surprise many onlookers is how are young many of the varsity players. Five of the soccer players are sophomores and seven of them are freshmen.

“It’s kinda scary knowing they’re older than you and bigger than you,” Priscella Caruso said. “But then I found it was actually pretty fun and accepted us being on the team.”

These seven freshmen, the magnificent seven, are highly skilled individuals and motivated like their lives depend on it. These young ladies are:

Priscella Caruso (#0) “Priscella came into our program truly fearless,” Coach Martha Freisleben said. “Which is a great quality for a goalkeeper.”

And that’s what Caruso became, a fish as the varsity goalie. Caruso is also known for her consistent punt which goes at least 50 yards every time.

“She knew she would be a starter for us, so she quickly became a leader both on and off the field,” Coach Freisleben said.

Payton Doiron (#11, pictured at top) For her skills, not only was she in the VYPE Houston magazine, she also made 1st team All-region defender. Not a feat easily exaggerated.

Along with being a skilled soccer player, Doiron also cares a lot about her team mates.

“I love my team mates,” Doiron exclaimed.

“Even more than I love jamming to No Hands”

Hannah Sprague (#6) “We did really good this year and I’ve heard better than last year,” Sprague said. “I was really surprised how many freshmen there were.”

Sprague also made sure to regularly congratulate her fellow teammates and when on the bleachers was always ready to be put on the field.

Kylie Heckt (#17) “I loved my first season here,” Heckt said.

“I’ll definitely be playing all four years here.”

Heckt was one of five players who had to both be on the offensive and defensive at all times, even more so than other players, for she was one of five midfielders. Heckt also talked about her coach and how she’s motivated her.

“She is a great influence on the team and really pushed me to do my best.”

For Coach Freisleben saw in Heckt and the players saw potential to really go places. As the old Offspring song goes, “You’re gonna go far kid.”

Jessica Martorelli (#19) You really don’t want to stand in the way of this Cougars while she’s on the prowl. For one, Martorelli will probably trample you.

If you did survive you’ll find yourself being kidnapped by her italian family, being stuffed into a pizza box, then dumped in a river somewhere with a bunch of holes in you mafia style.

All jokes aside, Martorelli was truly a skilled player. She made honorable mention as an AllState forward and made the most goals out of any of the other girls this season.

Isabella Nader (#12) “I felt like this season went well,” Nader said.

“We had a lot of freshmen on the team so yea.”

Nader, one of the team’s forwards, radiates Continued next page

SPORTS

7

What’s up, Doc?

Graham still going strong after 35 years at THS Carly Sander Opinion Editor

C

an you imagine being at the school everyday for 35 years? It’s hard to picture, but one of our very own, Gordon “Doc” Graham, has done just that.

Doc has been a professional athletic trainer for 36 years, and as previously mentioned, has spent 35 of those years here in Tomball, sharing his knowledge with his students. But believe it or not, Doc didn’t always want to be the one on the sidelines. He wanted to play, but there was one small issue.

“I was too small to play football,” said Doc. His solution: athletic training.

“I loved sports so I saw it as a way to be around sports,” he said. “I then fell in love with the profession and helping people.”

But becoming an athletic trainer is no easy task, in fact it required eight years of schooling. He started out at Richland Community College from 1973-75, Then he went

1984 2017 Gordon ‘Doc’ Graham through the years.

to Stephen F. Austin State University from 1975-78, and received his Masters in 1981.

He put in a tremendous amount of work in order to get where he is today, spending long hours away from family. “[Aspiring athletic trainers] must be willing to help and serve people and sacrifice their time and efforts for others. They

can’t mind hard work or long hours,” said Doc, advising those who wish to follow in his footsteps. They must also be able have “ a willingness to continue to improve themselves professionally and personally.”

Any trainer knows they also have to be prepared to see some potentially gruesome injuries. When asked about the worse incidents he had seen on the field, Doc mentioned a pole vaulter with massive head trauma.

“He was flown by helicopter to a downtown hospital, [it] was a brain injury. He did survive and eventually returned to a normal life.”

Even though he’s seen some bad things in his line of work, he wouldn’t give it up for the world. “[I enjoy] working with great kids in a great place and great people,” he said. “Seeing kids come back from injuries and play is a real thrill.”

Flanigan takes over Cougar football program Emily Ashlock & Charlie Bose Cougar Claw Staff New football head coach Kevin Flanigan isn’t necessarily new to the school, beginning his job early in the semester. But as Spring Football wraps up, he’s quickly converting players to his way of thinking.

Flanigan brings more than just change. His coaching resume is impressive, as he recently took Beaumont West Brook to the third round of the playoffs. This brings hope of improvement to the players.

“I expect to win a lot of games, make it to the playoffs, and hopefully go pretty deep

in the playoffs.” Conner Scott (11th) said. “I hope that Coach Flanigan brings leadership and other goals for our team.”

The players wish to continue certain plans that had been set in place prior to the change of coaches, and are hopeful that Flanigan will be supportive.

“We were going to do a bunch of volunteer opportunities; go out and spend time with disabled kids, take them bowling or visit the hospital.” said Kohl Klopfenstein (11). “From day one, we need to reach out to the community and help them.”

With the new coach’s support, the team hopes to improve not only their playing abilities, but to improve themselves as well.

“I really want the coach to bring the team together,” Braden Arnold said, “After playing in

same system for three years, I’m excited but nervous about new changes.”

The changes to come in the football program have given players a renewed determination to succeed.

“I hope he brings some new energy, gives the players good advice,” Zachary Biermann (11th) said. “I expect he brings some new plays in the system, I am very optimistic.”

Flanigan, a Texas A&M graduate, also has the administration expecting big things next fall.

“I am excited about the hiring of Kevin Flanigan as the Campus Coordinator / Head Football Coach at THS,” said Principal Greg Quinn. “Coach Flanigan brings a wealth of experience (20 years) as a head coach to our program.”

Flanigan’s Coaching Record 1997 - Troup 1998 - Troup 1999 - Troup 2000 - Orangefield 2001 - Orangefield 2002 - Orangefield 2003 - Orangefield 2004 - Crosby 2005 - Crosby 2006 - Crosby 2007 - Crosby 2008 - Crosby 2009 - Crosby 2010 - Crosby 2011 - Crosby 2012 - Bmt. West Brook 2013 - Bmt. West Brook 2014 - Bmt. West Brook 2015 - Bmt. West Brook 2016 - Bmt. West Brook Overall record

3-7-0 10-4-0 7-4-0 5-6-0 2-7-0 8-3-0 8-4-0 3-7-0 6-4-0 7-4-0 8-3-0 6-5-0 10-3-0 5-7-0 6-5-0 4-6-0 6-4-0 5-6-0 6-5-0 11-2-0 126-96-0

Fantastic freshmen give girls soccer team hope for bright future Continued from Page 10

humility like the sun radiates its rays.

Though a better description would’ve been the season went outstanding or amazing, there’s nothing wrong with keeping pride, one of the seven deadly sins, at arm’s length.

“It was challenging,” Nader said when looking back on the season. “But the upperclassmen were really welcoming and kind so that made it easier.”

nnn Now the girls’ soccer team has a few interesting traditions they do.

Caruso, Doiron, and Sprague all mentioned how fond they were of jamming out to No Hands whenever given the chance.

Another is how they each start off their games.

“We’ll get into a circle and hold hands,” Nader explained. “Then we’ll disperse and fly like butterflies to the W.”

A final, more unofficial tradition is the bus ride and waits.

“My favorite memory was jamming to No Hands,” Caruso giggled. “But I also really enjoyed the bus ride and waiting before the games. We always joke around and it’s so funny.”

On a more serious note, Coach Freisleben really was putting quite the investment in these freshmen.

Regardless it seems the investment was good, and just keeps growing.

These girls, who are already

extremely good soccer, will only continue to grow in skill.

“Coach Freisleben was very serious during games,” Martorelli said. “I liked her though; she was always dedicated to try to make us better.”

By the time these freshmen become seniors, and lower classmen continue to come in with the same skill as these current freshmen are, it is almost guaranteed these magnificent seven will drive Tomball into state and take first.

8

TOP STORY

Welcome back!

KEY STAFF DEPARTURES Brad Ball

Head boys basketball coach

25 years after graduating from THS, Chris Scott returns as new principal Tristin Brandt Staff Writer

T

he face of Tomball is changing, with teachers and coaches retiring, and a new head football coach.

On top of all these new teachers and coaches, THS is also getting a new principal as Chris Scott replaces Greg Quinn, who is moving into a new role with the district.

Scott was a THS graduate 25 years ago.

While he was a Tomball Cougar, he was in the Mr. Debonair show, Theater, Football, Baseball, Cougars for Christ, and National Honor Society.

After graduating, Scott went to the University of Houston which led to him to becoming a teacher/coach for five years at the high school level. Then he went back got his Masters and started on the administration side of EducaChris Scott tion.

Scott’s vision for THS is “... for everybody to have a sense of belonging, everybody has a sense of what is relevant, and what is meaningful to them. And how do you tap into that 25 years now past when I was here.”

Scott expects to see improvement next year, not only with the students but with the staff.

“A non-negotiable for me is Growth and Improvement,” he said. “We do that by setting some common goals that we can all buy into and achieve together.

“And the second part of that is Teamwork, and whether that is a team on the court or field, or in a classroom, even us collectively as a school. It’s about putting our arms together and saying that this is important to us. And how do I lean on you and you lean on me, to get that accomplishment.”

Of these expectations and visions THS one common goal is “...defining what is education in today’s society, what is it that you need as a student to be successful… what are those core skills that you can build so no matter where you go in life you can be successful,” Scott said, stressing the importance of “Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity” Even though we are losing a good handful of teachers and coaches due to retirement or different circumstances. Scott plans to communicate with the faculty and teachers and talk about what is going well right now and what is it that we really love about THS, as well as what are some things that we need to consider improving.

And even though this current year has

Steven Fry

Band director

Mersedyes Livingston

Chemistry & Physics teacher Chris Scott played football and baseball during his days at THS. Photos courtesy The Cougar Yearbook.

Wesley Livingston Architecture teacher

been a series of up’s and down’s with several things this year has caught the public eye and has skewed the public face of Tomball High School.

“It takes 10 positives for every negative, which it goes back to telling the story of Tomball High School not just the bad things that have happened, but to tell the good things that Tomball High School does and goes through,” Scott said. “Which is something that our society as a whole forgets to do.”

The 2017-2018 school year will open with new visions, goals, and expectations set for THS. Scott also plans to stay in contact with the teachers and faculty to get a good idea on how to start the school year off right.

Danny Ramsey Head football coach

Numerous other staffers will be leaving THS at the end of the school year, including several football coaches.

TOP STORY

9

KEY STAFF DEPARTURES Kelly Adkission

Attendance

Greg Quinn Principal

Kim McKinney

Steven Fry will be leaving the school at the end of the school year as the band director. Photo by Kristen Lutz

END OF AN ERA

Associate Principal

Fry exits as band director

Emily Ashlock

Karen Lemker Head girls basketball coach

Sue Donovan

Chemistry teacher

Such changes are common given retirements and the normal staff movement when head football coaches change.

The younger members of the band were hit especially hard by Fry’s news, and were News Editor shocked to have such a big change their first teve Fry, head director of bands for THS, is year in band.

“I only got to spend one year with Mr. Fry as stepping down from his position at the end of this school year. The announcement brought my director,” freshman Abril Villarreal said. “It definitely wasn’t enough time. I already had my a surge of emotions from many students who suspicions since he dropped out of the Europe have bonded with Fry throughout his time and spring trip. There were a couple more hints here. but I just hoped that I was wrong.”

“I was beyond shocked,” senior Noah Fry’s passion for the band program is what Schaberg said. “He’s always talked about where drives many students to the organization, like he expected to get this program in 10 and 20 years, so it’s upsetting to know he and we won’t freshman Harmony Lopez. She was “heartbroken” that she was losing such an “amazing get to see that fulfilled.” director.”

Fry announced his departure with a “heavy “I couldn’t even look at him without breakheart,” stating that it was the “best” for his faming down,” she said. “I was someone who quit ily, and himself. band but was inspired to get back in because of “I believe that God opens and closes doors him. Now I am someone who is committed to for a reason,” Fry said. “I am grateful for the the band for my four years of high school.” opportunities and memories that we have As the head director, all band students shared being part of the Tomball High School formed a relationship with Fry, like senior Tayband program.” lor Pope, who was “absolutely devastated” and As Fry often directed beginner and veteran “cried the whole rest of the day” after hearing bands, he has been the only director many of the announcement. the students have ever known, so the idea of “Even though you may say that I’m graduathaving a new head director is an uncomforting and it doesn’t matter, it matters a lot,” Pope able idea to some.

“Mr. Fry is like a father figure to me,” junior said. “We could not have done what we did Hannah Steed said. “He’s been my band direc- without his leadership. The band will always be tor since 6th grade and it’s going to be a lot dif- one big happy family, but we will never forget ferent having a brand new director senior year.” what Mr. Fry did for us.”

S

10

NEWS

Teens try to make a difference with their volunteer efforts Sabrina Ulloa

GREEN TEEN

Online Editor

T

his volunteering group started small just as any other group starts. At the beginning of 2016, Cesar Tellez and Julio Rodriguez began volunteering every time a new opportunity opened and they began calling themselves “Green Teen.”

Green Teen first began with the need for volunteering hours for school, but over time that idea changed and it became more about making new friends who shared the same purpose, strengthening relationships and giving to others.

“Since my sister did not have the time to volunteer, she encouraged me to do so to improve my chances at a better education. It was from this that I got the idea to start Green Teen with Cesar Tellez,” Julio Rodriguez said.

As time passed, Green Teen began to grow and students from Tomball High School willingly decided to dedicate their free time to contributing in volunteering work in which they served their community and others around them. This developing group of youth have served alongside each other and have served in places that go from Houston all the way to Africa.

At any given time during volunteering activities there are about 10 to 15 teens helping out with projects.

“The motivation to help out the community around me encouraged me to join Green Teen.

Giving back to the community as well as helping others offers many benefits. For example, it can teach you more about yourself and about others around you leading you to a more prosperous life,” said Andre Devez, a member of Green Teen.

Green Teen has now worked on various projects which usually last for about 3 to 4 hours, such as volunteering for Muddy Trails in The Woodlands, the Trash-Off to clean trash off the streets, the Memorial Hermann Ironman as crowd control, for The Woodlands marathon as the finish line breakdown crew,

Green Teen, an organization dedicated to volunteer efforts, donates $200 to Student Council. Members of the group who helped raise the money include Cesar Tellez, Julio Rodriguez, Roberto Palazvelos, Andre Deveze, Gustavo Deveze, Ricardo Padron, Maximiliano Mariscal, Edgar Arellano. Photo by Sarah Bieker

Giving back to the community as well as helping others offers many benefits. For example, it can teach you more about yourself and about others around you leading you to a more prosperous life.

- Andre Devez for Earth Day Greenup, and in Africa to teach children how to read and write in English.

“Well, doing work for the environment and community feels great. And when we work together as a group, there’s certainly a feeling of cooperation, which enhances our experiences,” Tellez said.

The group’s efforts to engage in service has gone a long way since they started and have now accomplished over 10 service projects including going to Africa.

In the summer of 2016, two Green Teen members felt they were needed in a place where the children did not have the same opportunities as we have to an education. They left their homes to serve children in Africa and teach them English as well as share their love with them.

“The children really didn’t have much, so I definitely felt it was

a great honor to have had the opportunity to have helped them as much as we could. And it really felt good, I’d say that’s when I truly felt I was making a difference,“ Tellez said.

Both Tellez and Rodriguez would wake up every morning knowing every day that they were going to make someone’s life better and happier than it was the day before. Knowing that helped them develop new skills and a love for the kids that they taught. They believe that everyone should work and care for each other in order to strive torward a brighter future for everyone.

“After my trip to Africa, I began to have more consideration for a lot of the things that I took for granted in the past. For example, I recall that there were no washing machines the place where we stayed; we had to go outside and

wash our clothes by hand. Hence, I began to appreciate washing machines more,” Rodriguez said.

These hardworking members of Green Teen have now been given $200 as a thank you for the amount of volunteers which they brought along with them. Green Teen decided to donate the money to the THS Student Council.

Service can develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and grow your understanding of diverse cultures and communities. Doing service can benefit you academically, professionally, and personally which helps you develop or enhance your skills.

“Every time I help someone, I feel that I gain some sort of understanding from the experience,” Rodriguez said. “It might not be a world-changing discovery, but I think that these acts help me become more open-minded toward others.

“I do believe that it is important to serve in one’s life. Helping others often proves to be a valuable learning opportunity, in my experience.”

NEWS

11

New superintendent hits ground running Samantha Abrahams Editor-in-Chief

D

r. Martha Salazar-Zamora is barely a month into her new job, but has already made her mark.

The lone finalist for the district’s top job, Salazar-Zamora is currently the chief academic officer and spearheaded the brand new Tomball Star Academy.

“Part of what makes Tomball special is that it is a small town with a big heart. It is like a family,” Salazar-Zamora said.

The district named Salazar-Zamora the lone finalist on Feb 9. She replaced superintendent Huey Kinchen after he officially retired on March 31.

Salazar-Zamora says she has the challenge of helping a growing district maintain its personal touch.

“As the Tomball area continues to grow, I hope that we can keep that small town feel that makes Tomball so special,” Salazar-Zamora

Martha Salazar-Zamora

said.

The district is already working on a five year plan, part of which includes the Tomball Star Academy housed at Tomball High School.

“It is a four-year program,” Salazar-Zamora explained. “Freshmen and sophomores will take classes upstairs in Tomball High School, and juniors and seniors will go over to Lone Star College for their classes. As students

graduate, the will already have two years of college completed. There are going to be about 125 students in each class, with a total of 500 students in the program. After the first round of interviews [for the program], I am excited about the group that is enrolling. They all seem very excited and passionate.”

The Tomball Star Academy is not the only sign of growth, as plans for additional schools are already in the works.

“We need a new elementary school and a new junior high school, and because of growth we will need to add on to Tomball Memorial High School,” Salazar-Zamora said.

She did warn that the district faces some challenges, including uncertainty from the federal level that could impact funding for many of the district’s programs.

But until more is known, there’s not much the district can do but watch and be ready to react.

Salazar-Zamora returned to Tomball in 2014 with her husband and two daughters. She previously worked in Round Rock and Houston.

“My favorite thing [about Tomball] are the kids,” Salazar-Zamora said. “I love the kids.”

Newspaper editor earns state honor

Samantha Abrahams was named the state’s Online Newspaper Editor of the Year. Photo by Tom Abrahams

The Cougar Claw newspaper staff earned numerous state recognitions last month at the Interscholastic League Press Conference Workshop, the journalism wing of UIL. Claw editor Samantha Abrahams was recognized as the 2017 Online Newspaper Editor of the Year, the first TISD student to earn that recognition. Abrahams has been editor of the newspaper for two years.

The newspaper’s website, THSCougarClaw.com, was nominated for a Star Award, the highest recognition that a Texas student newspaper can receive from the state. The staff ended up with a recognition of Distinguished

Merit.

It is the first Star nomination for TISD. Individual awards earned by the newspaper staff include: Sports News Story: Honorable Mention, Daniela Roscero, Charlie Bose, Sabrina Ulloa, Tristan Brandt Photo Slide Show: Gold Medal, Trey Gamble, Tristan Brandt, Sarah Bieker, Kaitlyn Lutz In-Depth News Package: Bronze Medal, Daniela Roscero Student Artwork: Silver Medal, Savannah Glander - Staff Reports