October 2024 by Lamar Life

HThe Power of Hispanic heritage

Our People, Our Story

ispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture, contributions and traditions of Hispanic and Latino-Americans who have begun their own stories here in the United States. This month-long celebration, lasting from September 15 to October 15, holds dates that are important to Hispanic culture, including many countries’ independence days, revolution days, and Columbus Day. Here in the United States, Latino and Hispanic contributions surround us at all times; like art, laws and traditions that we have adopted and refined to our American tastes. Without them,

we would not have food on our table- better yet, the table at all, because Hispanics make up roughly 78% of agriculture workers and 40% of carpenters. Their value in hard work has made it possible for us to live a comfortable life.

With Hispanic Heritage Month being at its peak, the feel of festivities has left a warm impression in the air. Many people have already begun the colorful festivities, including junior Andrew Garza, who has celebrated Mexican Independence Day with his family. “Normally we’ll invite a bunch of family over and cook a big dinner and eat together and just talk and stuff, it’s really fun.” said Garza.

He, among others, have placed their energy and their pride to celebrate their ancestry; the place that they came from. They are adamant in not letting anyone forget about Hispanic efforts.

“Some Hispanic people kinda lose the importance of their culture when living away from their Hispanic culture. They kinda get disconnected.” said Garza. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to revive that culture in some people, and take them back to their roots and remind them where they come from and what their ancestors spoke about and celebrated; what they did to get them where they are today.”

That is the very essence of Hispanic Heritage Month; to remind the world of who Hispanic people are and why it is important to celebrate them everyday, not just during this period of time. So as we conclude this celebration, we should never forget who they are, or what they have done for us in the past or present.

Photos By: Olivia Pittman

Story By: Sophia Aguirre

Spread By: Chelsea Cabrera

Photos Pittman

Story Sophia

Chelsea

Aiyana smith

Finding a sport that can help make you a better version of yourself, and also make you feel appreciated and welcome is definitely a challenge, but with patience and time you can find a sport you’ll enjoy to the fullest capacity. Varsity volleyball player Aiyana Smith is proud of that journey and where it brought her. She reflects, “I tried many other sports and I didn’t enjoy them much, but when I started to get into volleyball I fell in love with the technique and the heart you have to have in order to be successful in that sport.”

Since beginning her volleyball career, Smith has always put it at the forefront of her mind. She is constantly striving to improve her skills. It shows how grateful she is to the people who have helped her gain all of her accomplishments as an athlete and how it has helped her grow as a person as a result of their support. “Volleyball has shown me a lot about my patience and my overall attitude and how to properly control that,” Smith shares, “and that’s how I’ve grown so much as a person.” Smith does mention it can sometimes be frustrating since volley

ball and football are the same season so most of her and her teammates achievements go slightly unnoticed. She says, “Most of the time volleyball and football have the same schedule which is hard, because it is hard to be social and a part of the conversation when we’re not there to see what is happening.” But at the end of the day it doesn’t stop her from working hard and giving it her all.

During her time at Lamar, Smith’s favorite memory is when the team had beat Nimitz high school her junior year, she describes it as an uplifting moment since the tournament was challenging and really pushed her to her limits, which she is proud of. Smith says, “It’s moments like this where I’m grateful for all my teammates and the people that I’ve grown closer to in the process of my volleyball career.” Smith’s excitement and passion is something we can all admire and strive for in our own pursuits.

Goin’ CLubbin’

Connecting through clubs

Designed By: Jaasiel Chevez Story & Photos By: Olivia Butler

Are you ready for an amazing year of fun clubs with your best friends? School lunch doesn’t have to be the same every day. We have over 100 amazing clubs at Lamar, and we want you to join one! Here are just a few of our awesome clubs at Lamar:

The Go-Green Club began last year with a vibrant group of girls who started this club because of their passion for the environment. The vice president Loli Cycher says, “From a very young age I have always loved the outdoors and learning about plants and animals.” Their passion is to educate teenagers about our planet while making their club a fun and safe space to relax with friends, meet new people, and learn new facts about our environment. The president Nola Chang says, “I wanted to be in more of a community and that’s why I made the Go-Green Club” They have come up with unique interactive games like Flower Bingo, Dirt Worms Snack, and Jeopardy. Give them a chance; it won’t be a waste of your time! You can follow them on Instagram @lamar.gogreen.

The Chefs Club is a very unique and tasteful club. “People love food at Lamar, and we figured ‘Why not help teach them how to make meals for themselves to be more prepared for things like college?’” says vice president Margot Roysten. Many Lamar stu dents are involved in athletics and extracurricular activities, which means that they need nutritious meals to keep them going throughout the day, and through this club they can practice keeping themselves healthy through heart warming dishes. They have cooked things like waffles, cookies and made tea. If you’re feeling a little hungry, you can follow them on Instagram @lamarchefs.

Asian American Club is a cultural club that teaches the importance of Asian culture. The founders of this club focus on fostering community while still teaching Asian traditions like Chinese New Year and Songkran. The vice president Audrey Bui said, “We do fun activities like noodle eating contests and celebrations for Lunar New Year outside of school.” If you are interested in learning more about Asian culture and their vibrant traditions, this club is for you! You can follow them on Instagram @lamarhsaaa.

Best Buddies is a nationwide organization helping people with developmental disabilities make one-to-one friendships with their peers in their community. In Best Buddies they have activities like drawing, painting and watching movies. There’s a spot for you where you can help someone make a new friend! All are welcome here. They meet weekly in N204, the big room, during the second half of lunch. So if you’re looking for a new friend, look no further and follow them on Instagram at @lamarbestbuddies.

The Magnificent Makayla Mack-Meachum

Spread By:Joseph Larios

Photos By: Vanessa Vazquez

Story By:Jayden Mack

A Balancer of Many Tasks

When it comes to juggling multiple responsibilities, few can match the dedication of Makayla Mack-Meachum. As a member of the Lamar community, Makayla balances a demanding schedule packed with leadership roles and extracurricular activities. Here’s a glimpse into this student whose life is a whirlwind of commitments.

Makayla rejoined the Orchestra this year after a hiatus, bringing a fresh energy to the ensemble. The return to music has not only rekindled a passion but has also added a new layer to her already busy schedule. Currently, she plays first chair bass sinfonia. In addition to musical pursuits, Makayla is making waves as a two-time FFA officer. This year’s role as Reporter is a significant step up, involving oversight of the media team and a commitment to enhancing the chapter’s online presence. “I’m excited to introduce more engaging content on our social media,” Makayla says. “Follow Lamar FFA on Instagram to see what’s new!”

Managing all of these roles might seem overwhelming to some, but Makayla has mastered the art of balance. “I struggled with burnout during my freshman year because I wasn’t managing my time well,” Makayla admits.

“This year, having a planner has been a game-changer. It helps me stay organized and keeps my workload manageable.”

Succeeding with academics and extracurriculars is crucial, but so is taking care of oneself. Makayla has learned to be more self-aware this year, recognizing the signs of burnout before it becomes overwhelming. “Being aware of my limits has helped me avoid exhaustion,” Makayla notes. “It’s important to know when to take a step back and recharge.”

Looking to the future, Makayla has ambitious goals. “I want to feel content and happy with life,” said Makayla. “Academically, I’m aiming for Howard University, but overall, my goal is to find satisfaction in whatever I pursue.” With a determined spirit and a strong support network, Makayla continues to excel across various domains, proving that with the right balance, anything is possible.

Inspiring Minds

The Lasting Impact of Mr. Kwofie

Meet our exceptional soccer coach and sophomore math teacher, Francis Kwofie. With four years of teaching experience at Lamar, Mr. Kwofie brings a contagious positive energy and enthusiasm to his craft. He shares, “I’ve always believed the best way to give back to society is through teaching, especially being a math teacher, because it closely relates to the real world and encourages further questioning, such as asking why or how.” He adds, “Even if I had the option to choose another profession, I would still choose to be a teacher.” Mr. Kwofie brings this positivity into the classroom by teaching in a fun and engaging manner. Kwofie says, “My favorite part of teaching is making funny jokes, connecting math to the real world, and seeing the realization on students’ faces when they finally understand the problems. I’m always happy when my kids grasp the concepts and engage with the lessons.” His passion for teaching extends beyond just

FRANCIS KWOFIE

delivering lessons; Mr. Kwofie is always eager to learn, whether from a colleague or his students. He reflects, “My students have taught me so many things. I’ve learned to be humble, to know when to react, and to recognize that different students learn in different ways. I enjoy getting to know my students because I feel it allows me to address their individual needs more effectively and efficiently. When students trust you and understand your approach, it’s easier to do the best for them as a teacher.”

The welcoming and supportive environment that Mr. Kwofie creates has had a lasting impact on the Lamar community, with some of his former students returning to share their accomplishments with him. “Last year, one of my old pre-cal students got a 4-year full-ride scholarship to Penn State University,” Kwofie shared. “When I heard the news I was instantly so excited for her and I hope to hear more of those stories as I continue to teach at Lamar.”

Although Mr. Kwofie is most known for be ing an amazing math teacher, that isn’t all he does; he’s also a remarkable soccer coach. Last year, he helped lead the Lamar varsity boys’ soccer team to their third consecutive district championship. With hopes of clinching the title again this year, Mr. Kwofie’s passion for soccer runs deep. He shared, “I started playing soccer as a kid growing up in Ghana. Soccer has always been something I’ve done for fun.” Kwofie reflects on making a difference, saying, “Soccer is the best way to give back and impact someone’s life, especially when you’re working with young kids who have the potential to become great in the future.” Looking ahead, Mr. Kwofie plans to complete grad school, achieve a PhD, and eventually become a college professor. In the meantime, the Lamar community continues to cherish and appreciate all he has contributed — not just as an outstanding teacher and soccer coach, but as an exceptional person overall.

Story By: Jennifer Russell

Spread By: Diego Rivera

Photos By: Vanessa Vazquez

THE DEMON ROOM Sleep TighT

SDesigned by: Joseph Larios Scary Storyby: Elena Chicas

he used to scream all night and she wouldn’t stop. It was nights and weeks of no silence. My older sister Jessica was sick. I was very young so I don’t think they told me everything, but did I really want to know?

I woke up one Saturday morning, it was dark and silent. I looked over and my middle sister Tanya was already up in her bed staring at me, like she was waiting for me. “Did you not wake up last night?” Tanya whispered. “What do you mean?” I said. “Jessica was screaming that the devil was trying to kill her. It woke everyone up. Did you not hear it? She also punched the wall.” Tanya screamed.

My eyes opened wide and I ran out of bed and straight to her room. I see my dad working on the wall and it looks like someone threw a baseball right through it. I looked at it and thought, “Is my sister this sick?”

It’s been six years since the incident and now both my sisters are gone, and ever since Jessica moved and got married, she’s happy and her life is back to normal. I’m seventeen years old now, and I moved into Jessica’s room. She left everything in her room to me, including the creepy porcelain dolls in the corner, but I hated them, everything needed to be gone. Ever since I moved into that bedroom I have never been the same. I’m now screaming at night and seeing monsters in the corner of

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the room. I’m in my room and can’t sleep. They need to go away, but I feel one coming close, just looking at me, waiting for the time I finally close my eyes. I drift away, but it’s too late. I already feel him standing over me. I can hear him breathing. I don’t want to open my eyes.

“Stand up,” he says with a monstrous voice. I stand, and I see him, and he’s gorgeous. He has bright blue eyes, blonde curly hair, and the skin of a white lotus. He is the angel from down under. I turn my back to him and he covers my eyes with his hands. We’re standing, and I can only hear my breath, not even his. Eventually I don’t feel his hands on me, so I open my eyes and I’m still in my room, but it’s not my room. The creepy dolls are back and there is a girl that looks just like me in my bed.

It can’t be, there’s no way. I look into the mirror and it’s not me. I’m red and I have horns and I have a tail! I’M THE DEVIL!

“You know what to do,” says the monstrous voice. I get on top of her, wrap my hands around her throat and begin to squeeze. She scratches and punches. But once she missed me and punched the wall I knew what was happening. I jump off of her, watching her as she screams these blood curdling screams.

She can’t see me, no one can. My parents, then my sister ran past me like I’m a ghost. Where am I? I walk into my old bedroom where I see my younger self sleeping so soundly. As I look at myself, I’m smiling back.

Spooky Season Spectacle

How Hocus Pocus captures the season of Fall

“Oh, look, another glorious morning,” says Winifred Sanders in Disney’s original “Hocus Pocus”. Kenny Ortega, perfectly capturing the joy as fall season starts. As the last summer days slip away, Hocus Pocus is a beloved classic that will perfectly set the mood for this year’s Halloween. The story follows teenager Max Dennison (Omri Matz) after moving to Salem, Massachusetts and his path to saving his sister from the three 17th century witches. Since the movie was released almost three decades ago, it has come to be a beloved seasonal classic amongst many. My appeal to the movie lies not only in its humorous script, but

the vibrant visual style and musical elements, which effectively captures the spooky yet lively spirit of Halloween.

Beyond its aesthetic and perfor mances, I believe one of the most memorable qualities are the witch sisters, each of whom have their own distinctive qualities.

Mary Sanderson, played by Kathy Najimy, has a comedic personality due to her “dog-like” traits, making her another favorable character. The director did a good job in presenting her whimsical personality in a unique way.

Along with the sisters, Allison above all is my idol of “Hocus Pocus”. Her beauty and brains makes her the star of the movie. Many young girls look up to her as she is the cool high school girl every one wants to be.

Winfred Sanderson’s bossy and narcissistic character was off-putting to me, but as the movie progresses, I realized how her bold personality complements her sisters perfectly, and adds a comical side to the story. Sarah Sanderson is my favorite of the sisters. She consistently lightened the mood throughout the movie.

Together, the combination of a creative story line, humor, horror, musical elements, and memorable characters make this movie a great October watch. That being said, grab your friends together for a Hocus Pocus watch party, and get ready for your spooky Halloween season!

sticky luncH Icky Rule

Keeping the neighborhood clean

The bell rings at 12:48. Lunch is over. It's time to go to your next class and find somewhere to sit, but there's a problem. All of these seats are extremely dirty, covered in food and sticky sugar, all because of students leaving a mess in the neighborhoods.

There is a school-wide rule that states no outside food is allowed in the neighborhoods. At first glance, this rule sounds fair because it seems like it would prevent neighborhoods from getting dirty, along with the fact that less people eat outside food compared to school lunch. You don’t want slushy mixtures of what was provided on today’s lunch menu on your desk.

But, most of the mess seen inside the neighborhood is the school lunch. So why should people that order food should be penalized? Why should the students that crave for something like Chick-fil-a or Wingstop suffer trying to find somewhere to sit after standing in the lunch line for so long? Many students also bring food from home. Shouldn't that be considered outside food as well? The student body deserves a deeper understanding on what is considered okay and what isn’t.

The student body's opinion on this rule is just as most would expect; The feedback is mostly negative. “ The rule of the neighborhood outside food eating isnt very liable because it’s just pushing the mess elsewhere while still having a mess in the neighborhood.” says Kai Hampton. As you walk around Lamar, you will notice that the neighborhoods are messy, but they get cleaned regularly, while the rest of the school sits with trash, old food, and last week’s lunch trays, attracting bad odors, rats and cockroaches.

The students of Lamar can do better. The student body is full of very young and intelligent students, who are very well capable of cleaning up after themselves. An 11th grade English teacher, Mr. Zamora, says “The students and teachers should be taught and teaching in a clean environment. Since the rule of “no outside food” has been implemented, the problem has become better but, I think more thought should be put into the school investing in a cafeteria.”

The student body should come together as a whole and solve this ing up after ourselves, tak of our learning environment to make sure that we’re all comfortable and clean.

Spread By: Mia Perez

Story By: Shanielia Williams

Stress to Success The Stress of Senior Year

Spread By: Joseph Larios

It is that time of year again! For our seniors, this season brings its unique blend of anticipation and anxiety, where burnout is as common as a morning cup of coffee. The stress that comes with senior year is an undeniable weight on the shoulders of highschool students.

For many, senior year has been talked about as the time to kick back, relax, and breeze through the home stretch.

“Lies.” Senior Sophia Icsezen says. “I feel as though responsibilities are rising while the reality of senioritis is kicking in. Add onto the fact that I feel I am deciding on the biggest decision of life – college.” Between looming college applications, SAT scores, and extracurricular commitments, seniors find themselves juggling more than ever. Aidan Takeda, a senior also navigating the chaotic world of senior year, rates his stress at a solid 7 out of 10 and, he admits to procrastination and bottling up the pressure. “I try to not really think about it. But a lot of the time when it is brought up to the surface I try to just put a cap on it and push it down.” says Takeda.

As we dive deeper into these experiences, we start to wonder: do students truly acknowledge the stressors they face, or are they simply brushing it off as part of the process? Could it be that the real challenge isn’t the workload, but how society conditions them to manage it? Beneath the surface, these stressors aren’t as easily dismissed as they seem. Senior Cameron Reeves discusses the overwhelming fear that is latched onto the start of the school year, particularly with the realization that this is his last year of highschool.

“I feel like I’m running out of time,” Reeves says. This feeling of being on the edge of something monumental – of needing to meet expectations they’ve been trained to uphold –speaks to a larger issue: The way we frame success and endurance. While students are conditioned to power through, the real challenge may not lie in just the workload; it’s the constant demand to manage stress in ways that often involve suppressing it. Constantly being told to handle it, juggle it, and keep moving forward but rarely being encouraged to pause and truly assess how this stress impacts students’ emotional and mental well-being.

When asking what motivates seniors to continue despite the mounting pressure that settles on an individual’s shoulders, there was a constant response: The knowledge that others have traveled this path before and completed it. “There are hundreds of seniors that have done it before us, so it’s obviously possible,” Reeves says. “You just have to do your best.”

Story By: Wesley Taaffe

Photos By: Marlon Davis & Kai Torres

Story By: jayden washer

Color is dead. Kind of. Lately, there has been an eerie trend of the use of neutral colors, such as black, brown, and gray in today’s fashion. We can often see this through social media. Social media is very influential when it comes to fashion trends and the formation of different aesthetics, and we often see the use of neutral colors in these aesthetics and they are used in drastically different ways. For example, clean goth and the emo aesthetic use the same colors but they use it in dramatically different ways; While the clean goth aesthetic centers around a natural makeup look, simple black cropped shirts, and a pair of black Lululemon flared leggings, the emo aesthetic is also all black but with a black band t-shirt, black jeans, converse, and dyed hair.

This trend of dark colors is also seen in high fashion. If you thumb through an issue of Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, you often see creative uses of neutral colors. While many of these pieces seen in these magazines are classic looks, you can also see new and creative uses of these colors. For example, Gucci’s fall/winter 2024 collection, you see many pieces centered around black and dark and muted tones, but they do so in a way that is creative and new. For example, look six in the collection is centered around a black jacket that has sequins crawling up the piece with a simple black cropped tank top and simple black shorts. The piece also has black rubber-like boots.

The question that everyone is asking is will this move toward these colors change over time?

Senior Melody Irineo thinks the trend will change. “Everything is temporary. cyclical , and volatile, especially fashion” Senior Anika Clark-Desai decides that how someone looks in these colors is a toss-up. “There’s people who wear all black that look good, and then there’s people who wear all black that don’t look good.” While people are often moving towards these neutral colors, that does not mean that all color is lost in these aesthetics. We see this in other aesthetics online such as the infamous 2020 indie kid aesthetic and the Y2K style that has been making a comeback in recent years. While it is a generalization, it is still a trend that is noticed mostly in people’s everyday wear and should not go unnoticed.

By no means is this movement towards these colors a negative thing nor should we expect this movement to stay. Trends change drastically over time and, even then, the outfits formed with these colors still are creative, interesting, and tell a story. Besides, you know what they say: Black goes with everything.

"There’s people who wear all black that look good"

Your Get Heard in Your Community vote is your voice

Spread By: Joseph Larios

IStory By: Camila Putman Patino

n the wake of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, polls and political movements have been bubbling over with both support and interest; awaiting the chilly November 5th day that happens to determine the 47th president of the United States.

Gen Z is at the forefront of change; by leading volunteer efforts, organizing meetings with officials, or simply educating their peers on social media. It is undeniable that as the upcoming generation, our responsibility is to promote and create change, especially in our government.

A new study conducted by New Voters Research Network showed th at over 74% of those aged 60 and up participated in the 2020 election, whereas only 44% of 18-year-olds turned up to the polls. These numbers indicate that Gen Z has the power to transform and promote new changes in our country, especially during nationwide elections.

But how can Gen Z get involved in their local community? Well, we asked Stephen Wright, one of the AP Government teachers to give us insight on how he inspires and encourages his students regarding this topic.

Mr. Wright said, “I'm certainly always trying to tell them the ways that government policies affect their lives, and if they don't feel like those policies are good policies they should take some sort of action.”

Mr. Wright isn’t mistaken, taking action through the voting process is single-handedly the most fundamental aspect when it comes to making a difference, regardless of level of government. There are various community centers across Houston that are dedicated to informing new voters, which is why it is of interest to research groups and resources that align with your own needs and concerns regarding this election, along with your political views. The Harris County’s Elections Department offers great resources on not only how to register, but also provides poll locations all around Houston.

But most importantly, educating yourself and others by understanding the barriers of voting and how exactly they affect younger individuals is the key to getting involved in any election. Remember, your involvement can influence and directly change the political landscape. Your vote is your voice - make it count!

Dr Pepper Cult

Spread by: Mia Perez

Photo by: Kai Torres

Story by: Sophia Aguirre

Put Some Pep In Your Step: Doctor's Orders

There’s no denying that Dr Pepper is a drug that has the world in a massive chokehold. It’s becoming a worldwide addiction; it even beat Pepsi as the number two soda nationwide this year. Its sweet, caramel-ish taste and 23 flavors makes it a drink like no other, it has the potential to possess even the pickiest of tongues and the coldest of hearts.

The avid Dr Pepper cult is crawling all over the nation; including here at Lamar. Junior Jaden Medina, a passionate Dr Pepper fanatic says, “I have it probably with like every meal. It’s probably not a good thing, but I have one pretty much every day.” He is one of many denying that Dr Pepper has a medicine-like flavor, saying, “People say that it tastes like cough syrup; I think that’s fake. Their taste buds aren’t developed enough.”

Others, like junior Makayla Kirkley, take a more lenient stance on the spread of the Dr Pepper word. “The Dr Pepper haters are wrong. They should just give it another try. It took me a while to come around to it,” Kirkley confesses, “but once I did, I definitely could see what every-

one’s been saying.”

The biggest eye grabber (or should I say tongue grabber?) is the mystery behind the 23 flavors that make up Dr Pepper’s unique taste. “It’s what makes it different from a soda like Coke.” Kirkley says. That unique and secret flavor is the spotlight of the soda; the perfect combination of mysterious smack that makes you want to grab an ice-cold can in the middle of the hot Texas summers.

You won’t have to worry about spending a pretty penny on it either. It’s four bucks a bottle at Walmart; affordable, satisfying and tasty. “I think it should be exported everywhere; to every single country in the world.” says Medina. “I fell in love with Dr Pepper, it’s the best thing ever!”

Dr Pepper is a Texan treasure that will hook you after the first sip. So if your life is feeling a little dull and without flavor, put some pep in your step: Doctor’s orders!

WATERPOLO THE TUFF SPORT OF

By: Natalia Carrascal

Water Polo is a very intense sport, but that’s not what it’s all about. This team forms a community that has accomplished many things together. Like in August, the team was invited to the annual Dallas tournament and the boys climbed their way to 3rd place.

During the summer before school started, our team made their way to the Junior Olympics, including juniors Rayce Bagley and Evan Reynolds that participated in California. The team is so proud of them and their dedication to the sport.

Having to get up at 6 in the morning for practice is a struggle, but that doesn’t mean that the team hates it. “When I first started out obviously I was really bad, and I went to my first tournament and I played so bad I wanted to quit, but I didn’t! That’s just a phase, that’s what happens when you start, you have to push through.” said junior Clarie Browning. Her dedication to the sport has allowed her to gain skills to be able to join the varsity team her sophomore year. That powerful dedication to water

polo shines onto even people who can’t be in the water, such as to junior captain Carson Banks, who was recovering from a wrist injury. “It makes me feel frustrated that I can’t get into the water with my team, but the perk is that I’m able to see how my team plays and help them out.” said Banks. After a few frustrating weeks he was finally able to get out of that cast and finally join his team.

But as water polo season is close to a heartwarming end, the team is ready to celebrate and spend time outside of the water. Senior captain Angie Rodruigez says, “I feel like my favorite times with the team have been after a clinic or event where it’s not a water polo game and we go out to eat, I feel like it’s a lot more fun and eccentric.”

As a team, they love to laugh together and have fun, but that doesn’t mean that training is over. “The goal for both teams is winning through the playoffs, the more and more playoff wins we rack up, the more fun and excitement we have.” said Coach Woolweaver. “As we’ve been training hard everyday I have seen

Story By: Elena Chicas and Sophia Aguirre

a huge improvement on the team and I feel as if we’ve got this.” Said junior Elena Chicas. Should you join this team? Yes, yes you should! “When looking for new players we look for people who have work ethic,willing to be here and be on time, coachable people, and people who are willing to love water polo,” said senior Arielle Buckner.

“At the beginning I felt scared because I only knew a few people, but everyone is so nice and it feels good, it makes me feel better to be a part of something!” said Annallise Walls. So even though the season is close to ending and we sadly won’t be able to see our Water Polo team play until August 2025, Lamar is super kicked to see them in action again! Go Water Polo!

Photos By: Kira Williams

Beyond the Volleyball Court

Spread By: Giovanni Rodriguez

How Team Chemistry Fuels Victory

Story By: Jennifer Russell

The school’s new varsity volleyball team has begun an exhilarating season under the leadership of their newly appointed head coach, Coach Miller. The majority of the team was promoted from last year’s junior varsity squad, and they are eager to prove themselves worthy of the varsity level. Given their already strong chemistry and even stronger communication, this challenge shouldn’t be a difficult one to overcome. As the team navigates their first few games, they’re establishing a solid foundation based on an ideal team environment. Setter Sophia McCabe notes, “This is a positive and supportive energy where everybody’s doing their parts, whether this be hustling for a ball, setting up for a spike, or celebrating each other.” This collective mindset fuels the girls to work well together and prepare for upcoming matches. McCabe adds, “Bonding with the team creates a really good energy that helps us understand each other a lot, on and off the court, so that we can learn how to work best togeth-

er.” Coach Miller echoes this by stating, “A good volleyball player isn’t the person who serves the best, or spikes the best; it’s the person that can work best in a team.” Volleyball is all about teamwork and communication. Having the girls be so close-knit helps create the perfect environment for success. Unfortunately, this ideal environment won’t remain undisturbed, especially when going up against strong opponents. The true test is how the team adapts its playstyle to meet these challenges. McCabe explains, “In volleyball, playstyle can be rather flexible. For example, if we have someone hitting down the line, then we’ll put two people on the line. If we have someone hitting cross, then we’re going to move our defense to the middle back. A lot of it’s just communication and gametime changes.” Reflecting on these challenges, McCabe says, “A valuable lesson I’ve learned this year while playing volleyball is mental toughness. Whenever we’re down two points, or maybe even 10, I always remind myself we’re still in

the game. We all have to keep fighting for every single ball, no matter how exhausted or down on luck we are. This mindset also extends outside of sports. Whenever my grades are slipping, I have to rely on that same mental toughness to keep working and raise my average, rather than giving up.” As the season progresses, the team’s blend of strong chemistry, effective communication, and mental toughness will be the key to a successful season this year. Their dedication to supporting each other, adapting to new changes, and working through obstacles highlight their willingness to work hard and achieve their goals to quote, unquote, “Beat Bellaire!” With Coach Miller’s guidance and the players’ unwavering commitment, the team is well equipped to turn all their dreams into reality and make this season the best. Let’s go, Lady Texans!

Photos By: Marlon Davis

What’s one thing you think of when hearing “Lamar High School”?

Many people will say “football” but they never look behind the scenes of it. Week after week, the players work hard with their coaches to improve their technique. But how do the coaches do this; there’s so many plays, how would they remember them all? That’s where Lamar Film Crew would come in.

Lamar Texans Film Crew is a group of students that work with all things camera for the football team, specifically drones and different types of cameras such as an endzone camera, wide view and tight view cameras.

Bria Monroe and Shanielia Williams are the leaders of Lamar Texans Film Crew under the direction of Coach Tibbles.

The Film Crew creates an important effect on the players themselves. Junior player Jaylen Sanders says, “With Lamar Film Crew y’all really help me figure out what I need to work on as a player to get where I want to be. Being able to look back at film gives me the understanding of what my coaches are instructing me to do on the field.” Junior Jaden Rubio says, “Film is a very important part of my game, it allows me to study the game and deepen my knowledge in very drastic ways.

Film isn’t only used by the players. Coaches and recruiters also look thoroughly at the uploaded film. “ The film crew is an essential part of what we do as a football program.” says Coach Wooten. “The work that yall do is vital to our success. Without film we wouldn’t be prepared;we wouldn’t know what we'd need to work in individual practices.” Film Crew can also help open up opportunities for you after high school. “I’d hope to be in college. With my film I want recruiters looking for me and to help open my future up to bigger opportunities.” says sophomore Caden Este. College recruiters look at film to decide which player they’d like to offer a position for their team.

Being part of the Film Crew sounds like an easy task, but it's a real feat. Film Crew members have had to sacrifice many things to attend games and film. Film Crew member Head Leader Bria Monroe says, “I’ve had to sacrifice my afternoons because of our practice everyday, as well as my ability to attend football games and sit in the student section since I’m filming.”

Shaneilia Williams, Co-leader of the Film Crew agrees, saying“ I can personally say it is true that film members do sacrifice a lot, but speaking for both Bria and myself, I can say that it’s all worth it seeing our team becoming better from our contribution.”

Helping dreams come together and passions grow each day is something that makes Film Crew so important. This recognition is well deserved from new members to alumni. So, the next time you think of Lamar Football , realize they wouldn’t be where they are without film.