The Cougar Claw Newspaper Issue 3

Cougar Claw 1964-2015 Volume 50 issue 3

final issue

S

taff List:

Editor-In-Chief Jynn Schubert I love writing and design, but my favorite thing to do is torture the newspaper staff by asking them to do things like write stories and actually do their work. I’m going to deeply miss the Cougar Claw.

Adviser Jerry Fordyce I spent 25 years in the newspaper business. I believe people with a skill set have a duty to pass that information on.

Senior Editors Feature Editor Samantha Abrahams Hello! My name is Sam, and I don’t really know what to put here.

News Editor Austin Dominguez

Don’t forget to check out more of our work at:

“Love is not logical”

thscougarclaw. com

Staff Sports Editor Ted Hujar

of adversity.

I am still a young man but now chained down by the bitter chains

Staff Writer Alex Joyner I love my pet duck Wolkin he is my bud :)

Tech Editor Carl Buhr Three sandwiches are not enough.

Staff Writer Danny Trchalek Hi! I love to observe whale behaivior and migration and I like pizza.

Staff Writer Julian Joseph I’m a most enjoyable human being.

Staff Writer Logan Wagezpk My name is Alex Joyner and I love to show off.

Ads Editor Charles Warren I am a man of mystery and power, who’s power is exceeded only by his mystery.

Staff Writer Joe Torres Just fillin in the gaps...

E

ditorial

After 50 years of continuous publication, this is the last printed issue of the Cougar Claw newspaper, a victim of rising printing costs and diminishing ad sales.

As we look back at old issues, the newspaper was full of advertisements, as most of the town’s businesses were locally owned and everyone attended the same school.

Today, ad sales have become very difficult. We thank the handful of businesses that did advertise with us and hope that they will continue to support us and the school.

But it’s not just about money. The way people get their news has changed as well, and we have to keep up with the times. Students today get their school news from Twitter or other websites. That’s where we need to be in the future.

What’s happening to the print edition isn’t an ending, but a metamorphosis. The paper is evolving into something more - a dynamic web entity that offers much more than you’ve seen in the past. We are excited about the future, and hope that you will be as well.

All that aside, it’s still sad to see the very last issue of the Cougar Claw. It is a newspaper that has garnered state and national awards. We have heard from other schools that use our paper as an example of how a high school newspaper should look. We’re proud of that.

We thank you, the students and faculty at Tomball High School, for your constant support. On that note, enjoy the last ever printed issue of the awardwinning Cougar Claw.

- The Cougar Claw Staff

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News

Military Spending An opinion piece by Austin Dominguez

Exchange students stunned by how U.S. society is so accepting of military It’s no secret that when it comes to the war game, America is usually number one, with a military population of over one million and a total of $610 billion spent in 2014. A relatively small yet overall large part of this budget is advertising and recruitment. And the effects of it are shown in everyday American life.

But how does this look to an outsider? The pro-military attitude of America has long been evident, showing itself in military commercials, advertisements, military programs in schools, and recruiters coming to the school. So how does this compare to other countries?

“We are rarely exposed to the military,” said German exchange student Johnas Kummerer. “If we have commercials they are fairly cheaply produced… and we would never have military recruiters come to the school....

There could be a riot if recruiters came to a school.”

“It is very different in America, recruiters are in schools all the time and you see the military commercials. It’s almost unbelievable for me because in my country it is seen as more of a necessity rather than something to be celebrated,” Kummerer said.

Because of Germany’s unfortunate military history, it’s no wonder that approval of militant actions is low. It is even written into the German constitution that the country may only use its military for self-defense.

Also seen as slightly odd is the practice of a military-based program, NJROTC, in the schools.

“We don’t have a military based class, we don’t usually see people in uniform,” said Lucille Gaston, a French exchange student.

Such eccentric promotion of the military when compared to other countries may be seen as militant, even pro-war. Especially taking into account the young age at which so many people are subjected to the military. But many will insist that the recruitment process is passive in its goal.

“The budget for recruiting is really quite small,” said ROTC instructor Greg Boucher, veteran of the US navy. “It’s only about 2% of the annual funds. The military wants to get the information out to anyone who may want to join the military and serve their country.”

Furthermore, Boucher would like to point out that military programs in schools are not at all aggressive in recruiting.

“The purpose of ROTC,” he went on to say, “is not to recruit. It is mine and the Chief’s job to teach the course and let students know that the military is an option, but we are not recruiters.”

Some people may say that pro-military is not the same as pro-war.

Not only is the exposure of military different in the US, the attitudes are different as well.

“Not only is the military in general a bit more glorified, their actions seem to be as well. Such a large portion of the news over here is taken up by military actions abroad, it all seems to be a bit much,” said Carl Buhr, a foreign exchange student from Denmark.

“I feel like the military is a lot more glorified here than it is in other countries,” Buhr said. “I think respecting the military is a good thing, I don’t think glorifying it is.

Those are two very different things.”

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Shining Lives Play hits close to home for theater students

“We were there, and we were shining.”

By Austin Dominguez

Christmas when they gave their last performance mid-March. Their dedication took them to Area in UIL, where they failed to advance by just a few points.

Many people don’t associate theater with physical work, but the actors in the show go through more than just reciting lines during rehearsal. Arranging the set proved to be just one of the many physically demanding aspects.

“The amount of hematomas (bruises) I have on my body is ridiculous,” Madi Lantrip said, as a result of the constant rearranging of the set. “One time after a show I took of my heels and my feet were bleeding.”

“Not only did we move that set around, but we did it in heels,” Ashley Lambright said, “and like in other sports, when you mess up, you have laps.”

The final words come out. A faceless mob sits silently in judgement. The curtains come crashing together mid-stage, and applause assaults the four girls. Even from behind the cloth barrier they hear the clapping. The girls breathe a sigh of relief and they, as well as an auditorium full of people, know they have shined.

During practice, if a line was dropped or a costume botched, the actors would be given laps around the auditorium. Another challenge was the process of changing scenes. During which they would have to run through backstage, in the dark, change costumes and be completely ready within around 30 seconds.

Just before Christmas break, four girls were given the script for theaters UIL One Act play. The performance, “These Shining Lives,” was based on a true story about four girls who worked for a radium company painting the numbers on watches.

This was a play that the girls would remember forever, and not just because it took them far in UIL.

They were lied to about the harmful effects of radium, which led to terminal health problems.

But before their untimely deaths, they were able to sue the company in a groundbreaking strike for both workers and women’s rights.

Megan Todd (Pearl), Madi Lantrip (Francis), Katie Pavlas (Catherine), and Ashley Lambright (Charlotte), had been working on their parts since

“This time it’s different because it’s real people,” Pavlas said. “If you half-do it you’re not honoring them. In the context of the play, the writer wrote them from heaven, looking down on us.”

Through the course of their time practicing, the actresses didn’t just see emotions and actions of the girls, they studied them. A large portion of rehearsal time was spent digging into the people they were presenting and getting to know the characters.

“We have a saying we developed, the entire

UIL cast; to Teach, to Impact, to Honor. It’s our motivation behind the show,” Lantrip said.

After empathizing and, in a way, working with a person for so long, something forms.

“They changed so much about the world.

Now you think about an employer harming an employee like that, it’s unthinkable,” Megan Todd said. “Back then that was the norm, people didn’t expect to be treated correctly, and these women helped change that.”

Even though it is just the shadow of a life, living that joy, living through that pain, living through the trials that these girls went through would never pass by without making a strong imprint on the actresses.

After a while, the actresses did not only bond with the Radium girls as characters, but as people. In their own time, these women did something brave enough as to speak out and fight for their rights to be treated as people. But the actresses were adamant to not play the parts so that they could be pitied.

When the script was opened up for the first time, the first thing written was a personal note to every actor who would perform the play. The note made it clear that the girls were not victims, and not to act the part to desire empathy.

“They are not victims; do not play to that end.

This play is about their life not their death,” said Todd. “You have to show the joy before you can show the heartbreak.”

It was difficult, the actresses admit, not being able to play these women as people to feel sad for. The trials that they went through were enough to stir the empathy in any person, even the girls themselves.

“Every one of us cried during the first read through,” Todd said.

“I think that what we’ve taken away was different for every character, but the one thing I think we all learned was you have to feel the joy in life. You can’t just go through it and be done,” Todd said. “Because otherwise when they had their heartbreaks, or they had their stumbles and falls and felt sick, none of that would have been worth it.”

After months of getting to know these the parts, the girls could not help but feel connection and attachment to the characters.

When asked if the Radium girls had left a mark on their lives, the girls responded with a unanimous chorus of “absolutely.” Pavlas, in the last page of her UIL theater notebook, even wrote a note to her character, thanking her for all that she did both in her time and ours.

“Thank you,” Pavlas said. “Thank you for your strength and for showing me it’s not ok to just let things slide, or let things affect you and not say anything about it. Thank you for being the stronger Katie.”

“I would tell Francis to learn to love people where they’re at,” Lantrip said. “She can be a very religious character… and can kind of use that to say ‘you need to be like me.’ It’s an issue now, for example, if you’re a Christian and your friends aren’t… you want them to feel that way.

But if they don’t want to, you have to be ok with that.”

“I would tell Perl that she is loved. She doesn’t have to tell corny jokes and make everyone smile and laugh all the time. It’s ok to be sad and even be hurt so long as you can get back up and smile afterwards,” Todd said.

“I would tell Charlotte that it’s ok to let other people in. You don’t have to put up a barrier between you and others,” Lambright said, beginning to tear up. “They do love you. Even though you’re stubborn or you have a flaw, that’s ok.

“What was very important to our directors and us was showing the joy, and the care, and the friendship. I’m starting to really value the little moments, even if they’re just stupid little things that you would have brushed off before,” said Lantrip, to the agreement of the other girls.

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Engineering Advantage New classes to be available this fall Starting next year, a new engineering program will be available to incoming freshman and sophomores.

A three year program, known as Project Lead the Way (PLTW), offers insight into the most advanced technology and science. The courses help students learn how to work in a different type of environment and collaborate with others.

“This program has been approved by the school board and is highly acclaimed. Students that go through with this program are recruited by some of the largest engineering schools in the nation,” Gary Moss, head of the CAD department for TISD, said. “It is really special that that Tomball ISD was accepted into this program.”

The first year of the program is the Introduction to Engineering. The next course focuses on the Principles of Engineering, and the third course has an emphasis on Biological engineering. The Intro to Engineering receives elective credit, while the second and third years receive science credit.

Students who complete this program will receive a STEM endorsement for graduation.

“It is totally college prep work, and it’s our goal to team up with Exxon Mobile, Chevron, and Baker Hughes. When we go and visit those corporations, the number one thing that they are looking for are twenty-first century job skills,” said Moss. “Those include exactly what this program has to offer.”

Each of the courses emphasizes skills in problem solving, projects, and working in groups. To find out more information about this nationally regulated program, visit www.pltw.org and become better prepared for the Global Economy.

Samantha Abrahams

Don’t blow chance to start summer early Nobody enjoys taking finals. Luckily, in the second level (passing) on the EOC test, he/she is able to exempt the final for that class. If the third level semester there is an opportunity to exempt final (commended) in all subjects on the EOC test is exams and start summer vacation early.

Now that the new semester is drawing to an end, it is important to remember the exemption requirements for spring final exams and to not have too many absences.

In order to exempt, absences must be kept to a minimum and grades have to be high. Students are allowed to be absent four days in the first semester, and only three days in the second. The average grade for every class must be an 85 or higher.

However, if a student reaches the second

reached, they do not have to have an 85 average to exempt finals. Absences are still in effect, even if the EOC requirement is met.

The only way to avoid the potential absence predicament is by applying for a hardship waiver.

If a student is absent for multiple days due to an illness or personal situation, a hardship waiver may be obtained.

Hardship waivers are now available to pick up from Mrs. Renden. The deadline to turn in the application is May 15 at 3pm.

Samantha Abrahams

PSAT set to make changes The spring of 2016 is set to bring major changes to the SAT. Scoring will change, content will be altered, and essays will become optional. While some students find this change to be beneficial, others are worried about how to prepare for the unknown content of the standardized test.

In order to better allow students to prepare for the life-changing test, the PSAT is also going to be

redesigned. Current sophomores and freshman will take the updated PSAT in the fall of 2015. It is going to feature content that is modeled after the updated SAT. The College Board will release study material for the 2015 PSAT in a few weeks.

To find out more information about the changes being made to the SAT, visit www.princetonreview. com or www.collegeboard.org.

Samantha Abrahams

Congratulations!

Student Council wishes the Class of 2015 the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Cougar Camp on Aug. 10.

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A Fishy Tradition:

Students raise live fish in class The fish project has been an ongoing tradition at both Tomball and Tomball Memorial high school. Both schools have designed the project to allow students the maximum amount of creativity, choice, and accountability.

Students are required to plan, buy, and execute their aquarium group project.

This includes the species of flora and fauna and compatibility. The Tomball high school tank room is 1301 located in the physics and chemistry classroom hallway. This far into the school year, each group has planned their aquariums, which fish will be introduced, when they will be introduced, and how many total fish will be taken care of entirely by the student group members.

Usually the tanks are set up and running by the first week of January, but the pipes in room 1301 are currently being replaced.

The purpose for the five months of animal husbandry include the Texas

Aquatic Science curriculum, “ 5B collect baseline quantitative data, including pH, salinity, temperature, mineral content, nitrogen compounds, and turbidity from an aquatic environment.” There are other TEKS that are aligned with this project. 5B is the most prominent though.

In order to take the necessary data, students will be testing water three times a week for the rest of the year.

Plans include what will happen at the end of the school year, which include setting up an aquarium at their home and taking the fish home to house them there.

Students know the effects of invasive species and understand that “dumping the fish in to the pond near my house” is not an option.

There are several tanks, heaters, lids, etc.

The students are required to buy the fish and the food for their chosen fish.

Chuck Warren

What’s up?

Get the App and find out!

Step 1: Download our free app!

App Store or Google Play Step 2: Check out newspaper headlines Step 5: Never miss a school event

Step 3: Order your yearbook online

Step 4: See all the KTHS videos

Step 6: Send your favorite pics directly to yearbook!

It’s where to go when you need to know.

It’s here!

The 2015 Cougar yearbook is on sale now in Room 1201.

Quantities are very limited. Get yours today!

And what about those spring events like Prom and Graduation? Check out our online supplement here!

An exchange student’s farewell When I first got here I wrote a story called “Coming To America” – a story about my expectations as a foreigner in a new country. Now I I’ve spent eight months here and I have less than two months left until I am sitting on a plane on its way to Denmark.

I feel like it is about time that I write about my experiences in Texas.

Other than gaining like 80 pounds due to my new found love for American fast food, and the fact that I haven’t been able to find a single person to watch soccer with, I haven’t had many complaints about the way you Texans do it.

It took me some time to get used to the major cultural changes I experienced my first couple of months, what exchange students refer to as “culture shock”. But after a little while the trucks didn’t seem that big and the Texan dialects weren’t that hard to understand.

For most people the most intimidating thing about moving to a new place is making new friends. Luckily for me I am not a shy person, and it didn’t take me long to figure out that making friends when you are a foreigner is not that big of a challenge. To my surprise, most people were genuinely interested in my Danish background, and if I only had a dime for every time somebody asked me to speak Danish... I’d be able to buy like a lot of rødgrød med fløde.

Now that I think about it I’d probably

spend those dimes on soda instead. I would never have said that 8 months ago, but America has changed me, and my friends think I have developed an “addiction” for the splendid soft drink they call Dr Pepper. Calling it an addiction might be stretching it, just because I have to drink it every day to get by, doesn’t necessarily mean I am addicted... I’d say that I am hooked on the 23 awe-inspiring tastes. In addition I stay away from drinking water… Fish pee in it.

A year away from friends and family, in a country you’ve never been in, 5000 miles away from everything you are used to, is an experience you will keep for the rest of your life.

And for me? This year I have not only experienced the American culture first hand, and made good friends for life.

I have, most importantly, grown as a person. Of course my language skills are better than when I first arrived, but I’ve grown to be a lot more independent and mature.

Well, a little more mature at least.

Carl Buhr

Student Life

Leaving America

Putting a face on

immigration Is Texas turning it’s back on its southern neighbors?

?

Austin Dominquez “Removal proceedings include the administrative process that leads to the removal of an alien pursuant to Sections 237 or 212 of the INA.” You may look at this and see it for what it is a government document that outlines some policy or other in technical terms so large, you’re not sure if the people who wrote it knew what they were saying. But everyone can at least spot the trigger word in the document - alien.

Once upon a time we would see the word and think of little green men who want to see our leader, but now our cultural view of the word had taken a less fantastical view.

Today, we see the word alien, and a dozen other words spring to mind. Illegal, Mexican, immigrant, foreign, some words more positive than others, others dishearteningly negative. The arguments for and against immigration have been shouted by both sides for years, usually revolving around economic priorities, the job market, and the spiraling population of immigrants entering the U.S. Some groups are so against illegal immigrants that they form volunteer patrol groups, designed to aid border patrol in removing illegals from the country, such as the Minutemen Militia. The Militia is a volunteer group hoping to, according to co-

founder Jim Gilchrist, “(defend) against the waves of illegal aliens flooding over the border in search of welfare benefits, jobs and school places that rightfully belong to American citizens,” This is an issue that strikes home, especially in Texas. As of 2009, 60% of Texas’s foreign born population was Mexican, and Texas accounted for 21% of a total of 11,478,413 total immigrants from Mexico. Keep in mind that this number only accounts for the documented immigrants and numbers may be slightly increased due to illegals who did not receive documentation.

But few people ever realize that many immigrants are younger than themselves. In 2015, an estimated 142,000 children will enter the US, and this only accounts for children unaccompanied by their parents. Every year thousands of parents will come to America with the purpose of giving their children a better life in America.

“I don’t remember anything; my mother carried me. I was asleep the whole time,” said one THS student who came to the US illegally at only seven years old.

This student’s story mirrors thousands of others

Studies find immigrant families quickly catch up with other Americans.

who came over the border with their parents illegally.

“It was tough adjusting,” said the student, who asked not to be named. “I didn’t know where I really was, it was hard.

“Other people would make fun of me because of how I dressed, we didn’t have any money.”

Immigrants all over the U.S. live in constant fear of deportation.

“It’s scary, you know? One wrong thing and you’re gone. And it’s worse over there,” the student said.

With Cartel violence and the drug war escalating, estimates set the death toll above 120,000 killed by 2013, not including 27,000 missing in Mexico.

Often times, there have been concerns over racism and bigotry directed towards those who immigrate, due to the stance that Mexicans take jobs and welfare.

“Over the years you get used to it,” the student said. “You get used to people saying ‘oh he’s Mexican, he’s not from here.’ You get used to it after a while.”

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Spotlight: Yearbook editor Leslie Kortz Yearbook Editor in Chief Leslie Kortz is responsible for the entirety of the book, including reviewing every page and getting the book ready for publishing.

“I think yearbooks are like sentimental time machines,” Leslie said. “They give students a glimpse into their past so that they never forget their experiences, friends, and who they once were. Everyone changes, but a yearbook is like an entire year frozen in time which a student can revisit.”

Kortz has been on the staff since her sophomore year, when she was assistant editor.

She received her promotion this year and plans to stay editor next year.

“Everyone has felt the urge to make themselves known and stand out at some point. The yearbook gives students a chance to present themselves in their element, when they’re at their best,” Kortz said.

“I like being in yearbook personally because

it allows me to observe and be a part of every program in the school all at once. Its wonderful to see how the entire school can function and work together, and I have the opportunity to include and portray every organization, club, sport, and even the individual students.”

“We’ve really been working hard this year to produce the book; all of the students have been captioning, designing pages, and taking photos since the beginning of the year to get the book out on time.”

The yearbook was distributed recently and only a handful of extras remain. To purchase a book, stop in Room 1201. And while there, check out the shelves of older books dating back to 1946.

Kortz is carrying on a very old Tomball tradition.

Winter percussion wins second state title Danny Trchalek

The Tomball Winter Percussion Ensemble was able to grasp the 1st place prize again, and was named the Texas Color Guard Circuit Scholastic Concert A Class State Champions for the second consecutive year. The team, composed of 21 students from both Tomball High School and Tomball Junior High School, travelled to Texas A&M University to compete at the Texas State Championship on Saturday, March 28. The team won this competition the previous year with top honors.

The team went in early on Saturday morning, departing for Aggieland at 7 a.m.

Their performance time was at 11:54 a.m. in Reed Arena.

The students had been practicing their competition piece for months prior to the state championship and went in to the event feeling confident. Everything went well until they arrived on the floor.

As they took the floor, they realized that one of their power sources was inoperable

and instantly became an issue. Everything needed to run smoothly during setup to avoid penalties. The team was able to avoid the penalties by finding their additional extension cords that were brought just in case.

After the stressful setup, the team was able to recoup and give a phenomenal performance.

The team is comprised of five 7th graders, one 8th grader, 10 freshmen, and 5 sophomores. They include: Kate Johnson, Laura Kennedy, Emma Vest, Abril Villarreal, Mitchell Vereide, Jonathan Vazquez, Andrew Sanchez, Zakery Foreman, Agatha Barnett, Kimberly Paz, Dayton Whitis, Ruben Acuna, Zach Wood, Kristian Vega, Dalton Quinn, Evelyn Hernandez, Tristin Brandt, Georgia Dowdy, Emmie Schubert, Garrett Williams, and Andres Dominguez.

The winter percussion directors include Robert Sullens (the Head director), Zach Harston, Wes Hegglund, Kyle Winn, and the head Cougar Pride Band director, Steve Fry.

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(The very first issue of the Cougar Claw.)

Samantha Abrahams

Happy Birthday Cougar Claw!

Fifty years. Six-hundred and nine months. Twothousand, six-hundred, and seven weeks. Eighteenthousand, two-hundred, and thirty eight days. The Cougar Claw newspaper, a news organization that has been a part of Tomball High School since the 1960s, is facing its final days.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a news organization that has been devoted to keeping the student body informed and up-to-date for over half of a century.

The Cougar Claw has existed longer than “People Magazine” and “U.S. Weekly” and the staff is sad to announce that this will be that last print edition of the paper (for now).

“It makes me sad to think that print issues will be no more, but something that I took away from being the editor was that we need to embrace change,” former editor, Kathy Bui (Class of

2013), said. “This change is one I feel will be very positive for the school, the district, and the community.”

After the shut-down of the Cougar Den Coffee Shop, a steady income for the news program was virtually nonexistent. The staff tried their best to keep the print edition alive, but it was no use. Due to the financial issues The Claw is facing, the print copy has to be revoked.

But while reminiscing on past issues of the Cougar Claw, it is clear to see the differences in the school paper throughout the years.

The first issue of the Cougar Claw newspaper was distributed to students at THS in December 1964.

The original edition featured a hand drawn cover and stories were typed completely on a type writer.

The paper was copied via mimeograph, a printing press that forces ink through a stencil onto paper, and each copy was printed individually

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Features

... And farewell before being stapled together.

Now, the entire paper is put together electronically.

Through the years, the newspaper has evolved. From a small booklet to traditional newspaper, the Cougar Claw has seen it all.

The Cougar Claw is currently considered a “news magazine,” From the design to photo editing; no part of the paper is completed by hand.

No longer are illustrations hand drawn on a flimsy piece of paper. The organization also has a website, a feature that was not around back in the ‘60s.

After this issue, though the print edition will be discontinued, the staff will continue to keep students up-to-date on the latest news on the newspaper’s award winning website: THSCougarClaw.com. Though The Claw will be all electronic, the same great stories will still be out there for students to enjoy.

“I have no doubt that there

will continue to be excellent content on the paper’s website,” former staff member, Alec Madere (Class of 2013), said. “It doesn’t matter if the words are written in ink or typed online, as long as the stories are there, the Cougar Claw will continue to be a valuable part of Tomball High School.”

But the Cougar Claw is not the first newspaper to make the transition to “online-only.”

Hundreds of other school newspapers have also decided to release content only on their website.

In this day and age, revoking a print newspaper does not mean the organization is dead (as this was the case 50 years ago).

Most consumers in today’s technological world choose to receive information online or on Twitter.

Speaking of Twitter, A blast from the past >>>

st

students will also still have the opportunity to follow the Cougar Claw: @ cougarclawnews. The THS App is additionally available for download in the App Store and on Google Play.

Even with all of their differences, both the old and the new offer the same great content. They inform students of sporting events, feature letters to the editor, provide readers with top music hits, and much more.

“If given the chance to re-

do high school, I would gladly spend every day after classes working on this amazing newspaper again,” former staff member, Mariah Medus (Class of 2009), said.

Maybe, after another fifty years, the Cougar Claw organization of the future will look back on today’s paper and laugh over our primitive ways.

We hope that the readers of our paper have enjoyed our company these past 50 years.

Thanks for reading.

Not-So-Small-Town Tomball

By Danny Trchalek

How many

BIG WIGS can come from one small town?

Small town Tomball, Texas, home to everything from city slickers to farmers. People that usually pass through Tomball are either on their way to Houston, or they’re lost. This city doesn’t have too terribly much to offer in the ways of public attraction, but there must be something in the water here for all of these well-known names to have originated here.

Anyone from Tomball knows the names of people who have made it in the “real world” whose hometown is here. For being under known, this small town has put out some of the most talented people in the nation.

To begin with, everyone knows the name Jimmy Butler. Small town kid to all star player for the Chicago Bulls basketball team. Butler graduated in 2007 from THS and did not plan on going into the NBA. He joined a summer basketball league in the summer after his senior year and was noticed. He would then move on to Tyler Junior College and be recruited to Marquette, where he’d be drafted into the NBA in 2011.

“The Jimmy Butler I know today is not the Jimmy Butler that plays for the bulls, but he’s Jimmy Butler my former student.” Assistant principle Lisa Streat said.

Many of the teachers that have worked in the Tomball schools for a while remember either teaching or just seeing Butler. The NBA star was actually seen walking the THS hallways after school on Friday, February 6th around 5 p.m. Butler didn’t come as a national basketball player, but rather as an alumni to cheer on the Tomball boys basketball team in their game against Brenham High School.

“I still appreciate him dropping by occasionally, because it shows that he still cares about THS and where he came from,” Streat said.

Butler loves what he does as an occupation, but he also loves his roots and coming back to support his family and friends.

Sports have always been a big tradition in Tomball, and perhaps that is why many very talented athletes are scouted from here. Major League Baseball player Troy Patton graduated from THS in the early 2000’s.

Patton played in high school and was in the nine round of the 2007 MLB draft, being picked by the Houston Astros. He pitched for the Astros for three years but switched to the Baltimore Orioles from 2010–2014, then he played for San Diego Padres in 2014. Patton’s mother works in Tomball High School’s special education department, and that keeps Troy connected to his hometown and school.

Another MLB player from Tomball is Clay Hensley. Hensley graduated THS in the late 1990’s and went on to play as the pitcher for the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, and San Francisco Giants. Hensley had a very successful career and keeps his roots in Tomball by returning occasionally.

From sports to music, our suburban town has made itself well known for producing many talented singers and musicians. A famous country band, the Eli Young Band, is known around the nation for their award-winning hits.

Mike Eli (lead singer) graduated from THS in the class of 1999. He was known to his classmates as Michael Diaz, not Eli. He now goes by Mike Eli while being famous.

Mike Eli from the Eli Young Band, class of 1999

The Eli Young Band was formed in Denton, Texas by graduates of North Texas University.

The band went on to win several country music awards such as Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year and MusicRow Awards Breakthrough Artist of the year.

Another big name in music is Jimmy Needham. Needham graduated from Tomball High and attended Texas A&M University. Soon after, he decided to take on a solo Christian artist career. In 2013, Jimmy Needham released an album covering only old hymns, creating new versions of them. For a few years now, Christian contemporary bands have been covering old hymns and making them modern.

Needham can be recognized as one of the first to do this new style. The first album of these sessions is called The Hymns Sessions, Vol 1.

Needham has been a breakthrough Christian singer and song writer ever since.

In another form of entertainment, Tomball has produced some actors and film directors who have made it big. Actor Chad Brannon went to Tomball High School in the early 1990’s as a football and baseball jock.

Brannon was never very into the theatre scene until one day when his friend dared him to audition for the school comedy “The Nerd.”

Chad Brannon, former cougar, winning an Emmy award in 2004

Brannon ended up getting the lead role, which led him to take an interest in theatre, which he would study and Sam Houston State University.

After a year and a half in college, Brannon moved to Los Angeles, where he would audition and get the role as “Zander Smith” in the show General Hospital. Brannon would also go on to voice act and play minor roles in many films and television series.

Film producer Rowdy Stovall was born and raised in the Tomball area and graduated from THS in the late 1980’s. Stovall received a football scholarship for Stephen F. Austin in 1991, and would transfer to Texas Tech University in 1993. In his 1st season at Tech he suffered a career ending shoulder injury, so he moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter.

Stovall studied and became a film director and went on to direct his first feature film, Mexican Sunrise in 2005. Stovall received awards and produced more films after his first success. Stovall still produces and lives happily in his Texas hill country home with his family.

Many well-known artists and athletes have originated in small town Tomball, and undoubtedly there are rising stars throughout the school right now.

22

Top 10% Breakfast

Project Prom 2015

Photos

Photos by Hallie Dodd

Yearbook Photo Booth pictures

Photos

Tech.

Unsocial Media

By Austin Dominquez and Joe Torres

Sharing of personal data becoming an alarming trend online A few days ago I had a disheartening experience; I was inputting information on an online delivery store, dreading the five to six business days it claimed I would have to wait before my product arrived, when a small tab popped up. I was filling out my address when it appeared, and when clicked on, filled out every other area of the form. It auto-filled the rest of my address, my full name, by birth date, my contact information; email and phone. Everything was correct, almost as if I had filled it out myself.

Where did that data come from? From Google Chrome? From my computer? Linked through my Gmail? Why was it that all I had to supply was the first few letters of my address before my tech supplied the rest?

The reality is that while few people consider it, data is huge. Its extensive, it’s immortal, and, if you use the internet, that there’s probably a whole slew of it on you.

This is where the mindset of “it’s harmless” comes into play. After all you’ve done nothing wrong, so why in the world should you care if your information is stored away inside a government database, this isn’t 1984, and you have nothing to fear. Well, that’s not entirely accurate.

To begin, most of the useable data on the wonder of your internet life doesn’t belong to the government; it belongs to

companies and corporations. The people who provide the products and services you use every day.

But what, some may ask, could my friendly neighborhood Facebook possibly have on me, all I haven’t posted any information I’m not comfortable sharing.

Well, they may keep a bit more than that.

An article on therumpus.net outlined an interview with an anonymous Facebook employee, written by Phil Wong. The employee revealed that Facebook collected and stored a copious amount of data per user. Their site even tracked who you were best friends with.

Through “messages, file posts, photos you’re tagged in with them, as well as your viewing of their profile and all of that.

Essentially, we judge how good of a friend they are to you.”

But again, where’s the harm? What makes this stockpile of data so terribly awful? Well, the data itself isn’t so bad, what’s bad is the fact that it can exist with such a little amount of people knowing it exists, and even agreeing to have it monitored themselves.

When did they agree to such a thing?

Well, when was the last time you read through the terms and conditions.

With technology advancing at a startling rate, it’s becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives.

Ask yourself, how closely do you want to be monitored, scrutinized, and recorded?

How much of your privacy are you willing to give up?

Check us out online at THSCougarClaw.com!

State’s top softball coach retires after 35 years By Samantha Abrahams

Others saying GOODBYE

The year is 1980. The softball program at Tomball High School is just starting to develop. It is Head Coach Benita Dunlavy’s first year at THS, and when she arrived that first day, she never could have guessed what kind of impact she would have on the Lady Cougars softball team.

Sadly, after 35 great years, Dunlavy has decided to retire.

“I would describe my experience at Tomball High School as a growing up phase because when I came here in ‘79/’80, I was young (like 23) and so I have kind of just grown up with the school,” Dunlavy said.

When Dunlavy first came to coach at THS, the front of the building was only two-stories, the CTE Building did not exist, and the stadium has undergone numerous transformations.

“There have been so many [great memories]. Coaching-wise, we went to the first State Tournament when softball became UIL. Then we played in a game one time against Elkins in order to go to the State Tournament…their record was like 76 wins and no losses, and we beat them. That was awesome,” Dunlavy said.

As the head coach, Dunlavy lead the team to five State Tournaments. They were Regional finalists in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 and Regional Quarter Finalists in 2012. Dunlavy has also helped the team to

Shirlene Peel

win over 500 softball games.

“There will never be another like Coach Dunlavy,” Principal Greg Quinn said. “She started the softball program here at THS and played in the first ever U.I.L. State Softball Tournament…that will never be duplicated.”

After years with such a helpful, dedicated, and inspiring coach, the Lady Coogs Softball team is also sad to see Dunlavy go. “[Dunlavy] had a big impact on softball…she helped us, mentored us, and helped us outside of school,” sophomore Katherine Thompson said. “Going to tournaments was always a great time for team bonding.”

Dunlavy has made an impression on all the students around her.

From current athletes to alum, everyone has been impacted by her presence.

“Coach Dunlavy was more than a coach to me,” Kristi Sims (Class of 1987) said.

“She was someone I turned to for advice with my personal goals. She taught me leadership and teamwork that I still use to this day…”

Dunlavy, to celebrate 35 of hard work, plans on spending her retirement resting, on the beach, and with her grandchildren.

“She is truly one of a kind and it will be extremely difficult to replace her,” Quinn said.

Robert Pace

Donna Kaylor

Sports

Goodbye Coach!

Sports

Homecoming changes on tap again After moving it to just third week of school last year, Homecoming 2015 will be back in October.

The Cougars won’t have an easy time, however, as they take on district rival

DATE 8/7

DAY

OPPONENT

Fri

Klein Collins Scrimmage

8/8

Sat

Magnolia Scrimmage

8/11 8/13-15 8/17 8/20-22 8/20 & 22 8/21 8/25 8/27-29 9/1

Tues Thurs-Sat Mon Thurs-Sat Thurs/Sat Fri Tues Thurs-Sat Tues

Cy Creek Nike Invitational Conroe Magnolia Volley-Battle Willis Sub Varsity Tournament Klein Collins Klein Mizuno Texas Showdown Oak Ridge

9/3 & 5

Thurs/Sat

Magnolia Sub Varsity Tournament

9/4 Fri 9/8 Tues 9/11 Fri 9/15 Tues 9/17 & 19 Thurs/Sat 9/18 Fri 9/22 Tues 9/25 Fri 9/29 Tues 10/2 Fri 10/6 Tues 10/9 Fri 10/13 Tues 10/16 Fri 10/20 Tues 10/23 Fri 10/27 Tues

Atascosita A&M Consolidated *Spring Woods *Magnolia Klein Sub Varsity Tournament *Tomball Memorial *Waller *Magnolia West *Brenham *Stratford *Spring Woods *Magnolia *Tomball Memorial *Waller *Magnolia West *Brenham *Stratford

*Denotes District Games BOLD Denotes Home Matches Varsity Coach: Cheri Wallace Email: cherylwallace@tomballisd.net Phone: 254.357.3220 ext 2455 Assistant Coaches: Leslie Coltrain, Allyce Atwood revised 1/27/15

Magnolia.

Of course, one part of the schedule that won’t change: The final game of the season as they take on Tomball Memorial in the Patriotic Show.

SITE JV/V @ KCHS 9A/B @ Schindewolf Inter JV/V @ Magnolia HS 9A/B @ Magnolia West HS Cy Creek HS Cy-Fair/Katy Conroe HS Magnolia HS Willis HS Tomball HS Klein HS Smithson Valley ISD Tomball HS JV @ Magnolia HS 9A/B @ Magnolia West HS Atascosita HS Tomball HS Tomball HS Magnolia HS Klein ISD Tomball Memorial HS Waller HS Tomball HS Tomball HS Stratford HS Spring Woods HS Tomball HS Tomball HS Tomball HS Magnolia West HS Brenham HS Tomball HS

9A

9B

JV

VARSITY

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

12:00 X 4:00 X TBA 5:30 4:30 X 4:30

11:00 AM TBA 5:00 TBA X X 5:30 TBA 5:30

11:00 AM 11:00 AM X X 4:00 5:00 X X TBA X 4:30 4:30 4:30 5:30 X X 4:30 5:30 TBA

TBA

TBA

X

4:30 5:00 5:00 5:00 TBA 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00

5:30 X 6:00 6:00 X 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00

4:30 5:00 5:00 5:00 TBA 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00 5:00

5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 X 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00

twitter @THSCougarsVB www.tomballcougarsvolleyball.weebly.com Prinicpal: Gregg Quinn Athletic Coordinator: Danny Ramsey Athletic Trainers: Gordon Graham Krystal Zwerneman

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Looking Back...