Eagle Eye Spring 2015

The

Eagle Eye

Volume 24 Issue 1 December 2015

VOLLEYBALL Bi-District Champs DRILL TEAM CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

LAST

OF THE

FIRSTS

Two Caldwells celebrate their senior year

2015-2016

Eagle Eye Staff

Emily Fry Editor-in-Chief

Staff Writers

Andrew Barr

Sydney Smith

Lorin Reue

Tyra Rodden

Drew Austin

Kelsey Crews

Media Officer

Assistant Editor

Kamryn Stacks

Lucas Bonds

Social Officer

E D I Emma Johnsen Managing Editor T O R S Aubreigh Varias

Video Editor

Business Manager

Contents Sports

Garrett Brown

Caleb Smithee

Setting for Success FB meets Novacek Staff writer looks back on season Students face injuries Around the world in 11 days

2-3 4 5 6 8 9

Student Life 10-11

Sam Johnsen

Isabelle Phillips

/Facebook.com/LHSEagleEyeNews /twitter.com/LHSEagleEye The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of LISD.

Advisor: Neda Morrow morrowln@lisdeagles.net

Homecoming Students in the workplace Apple Accepted Beats by J Breakdance fever Drumline makes changes Pumpkin patch of fun Military students march on Fall plays off to great start The last of the firsts What’s in your office?

12 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 28

Check out our ONLINE site at http://LHSEagle-eye.com for stories and VIDEOS!

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SPORTS Sports Photo by Kelsey Crews

Photo by Kerry Stark

Photo by Kaitlyn Wallace

Photo by Kelsey Crews

Setting for success

By Emma Johnsen and Tyra Rodden

Rhyan Rand MVP

Lady Eagles varsity volleyball players competed in the playoffs where they earned the bi-district champion title. The girls played their first round at TJC and won against Pine Tree, but after a tough match at Forney against Lake Ridge, their season was officially over.

“The bi-district game was very exciting for us,” assistant coach Rene Greenhill said. “We’re very pleased with the way the games turned out. We started off a little slow, but we finally got it together and played really hard.”

Layout and photos by Tyra Rodden

“..it’s more of a family now than just a team.”

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The volleyball team’s tough work started before school, with summer workouts and practices frequently on their schedules.

The athletes practiced almost everyday after school until 6.

Even on Saturdays, the girls were practicing and watching films of the teams they competed against.

“These girls have been working really hard since August,” Coach Greenhill said. “Even before that a lot of them did the summer workouts, so we’ve worked a long time for this win.”

Through head coach Jessica Camp’s team bonding activities, community service requirements and coaching tactics, the players have developed skills that are constructive on and off the court.

“There’s been a huge difference from where we McKenna Cox Setter of started to where we ended,” junior volleyball the Year player Peyton Mizell said. “At the beginning of the season there’s no way we would’ve ever been able to compete against the team we played against in our last playoff game.

We’ve also gotten really close and it’s more of a family now than just a team.”

Six members won awards for their hard work and dedication. Avery Bridges, Kamryn Pilkington and Ryleigh Rand each earned first team all-district titles. Blocker of the Year was Heather McLaughlin, Setter of the Year was McKenna Cox, and this year’s MVP was Rhyan Rand.

Bi-District Champs

Heather McLaughlin Blocker of the Year

Coach of the Year Jessica Camp

‘Bout Dat Action

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Photo by Neda Morrow

Varsity football meets former Dallas Cowboy

By Andrew Barr | Staff Writer Before the homecoming football game against the Jacksonville Indians on October 9, the varsity football team was able to meet with former Dallas Cowboys football player Jay Novacek at Heritage Land Bank. Novacek talked with the team and signed autographs.

“He was a heck of a football player,” head football coach Mike Meador said, “Of course most of my players were not even born yet when he played.”

Photo by Anya Stark

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Novacek played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1990 to 1996. With them, he won three Super Bowls and was an All Pro five times.

“When you get to meet a professional football player like that, it’s a great experience,” senior center Jacob Moore said. “He gave us a really good talk about lessons we should know about football and how we should play.

“When you meet a professional football player like that, it’s a great experience.”

Novacek spoke to the team about how to minimize mistakes and talked about some changes he made to improve as a football player.

“This whole game that we play, the one you guys are playing now, is one on not making mistakes,” Novacek said, “You make a mistake and you give them another chance to beat you.”

Photo by Gabriel Vissoto

Facing adversity

41-25 blowout win at home in their final regular season game.

Lindale battles through tough season Then came the first round of the playoffs.

By Andrew Barr | Staff Writer Lindale was facing Marshall, a 9-1 three way district champion. The offense and defense fought hard, but fell in the final minutes, ending From the thrill of a blowout win to begin the in an eventual 17-21 loss, closing out the season at Chapel Hill, to the three straight Eagles’ season. heartbreaking district losses, the Lindale football From a player’s perspective, this season season was a roller coaster of promise and was hard fought and disappointing after three disappointment. straight losses in the final minutes of games, The off-season showed everyone that Lindale but from the fan’s perspective, it was a shining could compete. Lindale attended the State 7 on season for Lindale, who was not expected 7 tournament in College Station for the first time to come so close to wins when playing in 15 years. The Eagles performed well in the powerhouse teams like John Tyler, Lufkin, consolation bracket, beating Mission Veterans and Ennis. Although standing on the Memorial and Laredo United. The team also sidelines and watching my team participated in Performance Course, a workout and conditioning program that was new to Lindale suffer three straight district losses of 4 points or less was this year. awful, it was exciting to see Preseason showed the team’s potential with how well Lindale played wins against Chapel Hill and rival Van. The against schools much first three district games were hard fought and larger in enrollment. the Eagles were rewarded with wins against The close games Corsicana and Jacksonville, but fell short in the proved that we could John Tyler game. work hard, come The next three games were heartbreaking. A one point loss at Lufkin on a missed 43 yard field together, and face the adversity of playing goal attempt, another one point loss at home against Nacogdoches, and a touchdown given up teams bigger than us and walk in the final 30 seconds at Ennis for a 4 point loss. off the field proud, knowing that we had played hard and had Lindale would take out their frustrations from the represented our community with previous games on Whitehouse with a satisfying pride.

Layout by Andrew Barr

Varsity football players watch and listen to Jay Novacek at Heritage Land Bank before a game against Jacksonville.

Photo by Gabriel Vissoto

STUDENTS FACE INJURIES Two students were injured while participating in the athletic program during the 2015 fall season.

Photo by Neda Morrow

Layout By Isabelle Phillips

Photo by Shelby Cooper

8 Photo by Shelby Cooper

STUNT OF HER LIFE

By Tyra Rodden

On Friday, October 30, football player Corbin Sorrells was life flighted to Dallas after a hit on the kickoff return by an Ennis player on the kickoff team.

Surrells had to undergo a series of tests to see what was going on with his body.

“I was really scared at first because I didn’t know things were going to turn out,” Sorrells said. “The flight was really fast, though; I felt safe the whole time.”

Ennis referees and doctors took many precautions. Not knowing what was wrong with him, they sawed off his helmet and cut off his uniform.

“It took a really long time for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me,” Sorrells said. “From the time I went down until I finally got my CAT scan and got the results, two or three hours had passed. It was probably closer to three hours, though.”

Surrells was diagnosed with a concussion “I’m just so blessed to only have a concussion and not something serious,” Sorrells said. “I might be out of the game for a little bit, but I will come back stronger than ever.”

Junior and student athlete Farrah Price experienced a cheer related injury September 23 and was out for the remainder of the season.

“I’ll be done for this season but hopefully I’ll be able to try out next year,” Price said.

Price, a flyer, and her team were practicing a pep rally routine when she lost her balance during an attempt to form a pyramid. This type of stunt means that the flyer will have a smaller group of people below to catch her and holds a higher risk of injury.

“This can be a common thing for cheerleaders because there is a lot of potential for injuries to occur,” cheer sponsor Stacie Wheeler said. “There is a lot of lifting of each other and fast movements and unfortunately a lot of girls do get hurt when they’re stunting.”

Through attendance and participation in other events, she displays the dedication she holds toward her sport to her school and squad.

“Farrah is a vital part of the team and she has a lot of spirit,” Wheeler said. “She is very passionate about being a cheerleader and she is definitely still showing the same support she always has.”

AROUND THE WORLD IN 11 DAYS

By Isabelle Phillips

Layout By Isabelle Phillips

Photo by Gabriel Vissoto

FLIGHT FOR LIFE

By Kamryn Stacks

LHS senior Jacob Watson recently returned from representing the United States in the World Juniors 9 Ball Championship in Shanghai, China.

“I just know this is literally a oncein-a-lifetime event,” Watson said. “I know I have to take advantage of [the opportunity] and grab it by the reins and make sure I do my best.”

Watson is a self-taught pool player. He started by going to tournaments with his parents and by watching videos and dvds from professional instructors. Recently, however, he has worked with Ron White, a pool instructor who helped him train for nationals and the Shanghai trip. Watson plays for the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF).

“At the end of April I went to Austin and qualified for nationals,” Watson said. ”At nationals in a field of 64 players I placed 5th; therefore, I’m 5th ranked nationally and the top six went to represent the U.S.A.

in the worlds [world competition].”

Although Watson traveled to Shanghai for the competition, he experienced many new things during his trip. “‘I’ve never been out of the country or even on a plane,” Watson said. “My first plane ride was a window seat, it’s just a breath taking sight. It’s just something only eyes should be able to see.”

Along with the plane ride, Watson was able to tour parts of China durin his 2 week trip.

“The “Oriental Pearl” was the most famous, and the only one we [other finalists representing United States] were interested in.” Watson said. “It’s like “The Strip of Vegas”.

The lights are incredible; also there’s an exclusive part of the tour where you can go underwater and walk in a tube to see the lights.”

Later, after playing in multiple rounds, Watson placed 17th in the world in his age group.

“Meeting true competition at the same age level, yet from different countries makes me proud that I’m a part of a group that helps a sport continue. It’s a passion at a young age.”

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Photo By

STUDENT LIFE

Making memories

Homecoming dance held for Life Skills students

I was very shocked to be a homecoming queen nominee. I was excited to represent the senior class. It was also great because I was getting to experience it with all my closest friends who were nominated.

-Nominee Rhyan Rand

By Kamryn Stacks | Social Officer

“Being nominated for homecoming queen is something I’ll never forget. It’s such a great memory to look back on.” -Nominee Kamryn Pilkinton

Photo by T. Ritchie

The Ready, Set, Teach class sponsored a homecoming dance for the Life Skills students on Friday, October 9.

“We will definitely do this again,“ Rhonda Walker, RST Teacher, said. “I think it gave them an experience like the rest of the high school students.“ The week before homecoming, The Ready Set Teach class assisted the Life Skills teachers and students in making mums and garters. The students wore them at the dance.

Photo by: N. Morrow

Homecoming s

Layout by: Aubreigh Varia

“It was awesome crowning Claire. She’s so sweet and nobody is more deserving to be Lindale’s Queen!”

- 2014 Queen, Kat Baldwin

Business Manager

“When I was nominated I was kind of shocked. I didn’t think it would actually happen. When I won it was an unbelieveable feeling. I couldn’t believe it. It was crazy. I’m friends with all of the nominees, and I really thought it would be one of them; I didn’t think it would be me.”

- 2015 Queen Claire Alexander

KDF Dance and Gym (903) 882.1533

kerisdanceandgym@gmail.com Photo by: G. Ne

lms

Photo by: S. Cooper

Photo by: N. Morrow

• Gymnastics • Twirl • Dance g-s Sprin Layout by Kamryn Stacks

“I had fun being on the homecoming court; it was an experience that I will never forget!” -Senior Nominee, Heather McLaughlin 12

“We had a lot of help from Mrs. Walker’s class and Key Club,“ Farrah Smith, Life Skills teacher, said. “The closer we got to the dance, the more participation we got from the students as well as the parents.“ Cheerleaders and football players were just some of the many students who came to the homecoming dance. About 100 people showed up, danced, and ate alongside the Life Skills students.

“I really loved being a part of this,” RST student Kelsi Kilgore said. “Their happiness was written all over their faces. It was so sweet. You could just tell that it meant so much to them.”

There will be another homecoming dance in the years to come. In the future, more students will be invited to come to make the dance bigger.

“I can’t even put into words how positive the environment was,” RST student Aubreigh Varias said. “It was so fun and beautiful.”

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10

years of drill team

Star Steppers celebrate 10 years with Ms. K Story by Kelsey Cruz | Assistant Editor

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Top: 2015-2016 Drill Team at summer camp.

Bottom: 2011-2012 Drill Team performs at a pep-rally.

This year makes ten years that Keri Pierce has been working with the drill team. The team is doing several things to celebrate, including repeating some dances from the previous years as well as a special celebration at their Spring Show in April.

“When I was in Lindale schools as a student, there was not a drill team, but there was a need for one,” Pierce said. “I have learned so much over this last 10 years, and I love seeing the impact drill team has on the lives of those involved.”

In 2004, before Pierce became the drill team sponsor, there were 13 members of the drill team. Now, there are 55 girls participating and 54 girls on the pep squad.

“My goal was to make the drill team a “true” drill team program,” Pierce said. “I wanted to offer the opportunity to dance to as many students as possible whether or not they have had studio training.”

Through the years, the drill team has

2011-2012 Drill Team marches at Country Fest.

Then and now

Left: 2015-2016 Drill Team Captain Ashleigh Smith Right: 2004-2005 Drill Team member Candice Nicholson

been an important part of school spirit. From performing at pep rallies to dancing at halftime and cheering on the guys, the Star Steppers are an integral part of what goes on under the Friday night lights.

“I have taken dance from Mrs. Keri since I was young,” junior Kaitlyn Miller said. “She has been a great teacher, and I have really learned a lot from her.

I love being on the drill team and doing everything we get to do.”

The drill team is not limited to what they do during football season, however.

The team stays busy year round by doing performances for the community where the girls get to showcase their skills through different styles of dance.

“I love being on drill team,” junior Kaitlyn Dockery said. “Mrs. Keri really pushes us to be our best. Not only that, but she really encourages us.”

I wanted to offer the opportunity to dance to as many students as possible whether or not they have studio training.--Keri Pierce

Photo by: Neda Morrow

Layout by Drew Austin

Photo by Neda Morrow

2012-2013 Drill Team member takes the field.

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StudentS work place In the

Apple ccepted

A

By: Emma Johnsen Managing Editor

By Drew Austin | Social Media Editor

I have my own cars so I pay my own bills, and my mom is just struggling a lot so it’s good for me to have my own job.

-Katelin Free

Emily Roach works part time at TCBY.

Sitting down on the couch, she took off her hat and name tag, and took a moment to rest. A long day of school and 7 hours of work weighs heavy on her shoulders.

It is common place for teenagers and high schoolers to have a place in the workforce. Whether it be for fun money, paying for gas and bills, or helping the family, a large majority of students by their senior year will have a job.

“I work at TCBY, where we do just about everything at the store,” senior Aaron Cortines said. “I work about 15 to 20 hours a week, and all of my money goes into savings.

I have about $4,000 in savings and that will all be going toward college.”

Yareli Diaz works in the drive-thru at Dairy Queen.

Photo by Garrett Brown

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For a certain group of students, having a job is necessary. Going the extra mile to help the family is something those like Katelin are used to doing.

“I currently am working three separate jobs,” senior Katelin Free said. “I work at the Subway near Hideaway, the Subway near Van, and I ride horses for a private owner.”

Often parents depend on their kids to bring in income and support themselves because of disabilities, sickness, or other causes.

“My mom recently broke her back, so she had to have back surgery,” Free said.

“I have my own cars so I pay my own bills, and my mom is just struggling a lot so it’s good for me to have my own job.”

To make one’s way through life as an adult, having a job is important. There are lessons to be learned in the workplace.

“It provides a lot of really good experience because I know I will have to work in college,” senior Griffon James said. “I feel like my situation now shows that I will be able to keep up a high grade point average in college while working a 30 hour work week.”

Layout and Photos by Samuel Johnsen

Photo by Drew Austin

LHS freshman Alex Alonso has created an app called TestVestor that is now available on the Apple Store for iPhones, iPods, and other Apple devices. Alonso worked on his app from late April to midSept, and it was accepted and published on the Apple Store in November “Alex is an excellent student,” web technology teacher Amanda English said.

“He’s very self-motivated and always willing to help other students. He already knows a lot of the content, so he’s very advanced and well beyond the level of the class.”

TestVestor is a simulated stock market app that lets the user invest in stocks with in-game money. This app helps the user learn about the stock market and different tactics involved in investing.

“The app is amazing, and it’s such a useful tool for learning about stocks,” senior Shelby Cooper said. “It’s so advanced, and it’s so impressive that a student can make something like that all on their own. I can’t imagine going through the process of creating an app like that and actually getting it accepted by the Apple Store.”

Alonso began his interest in coding and websites at the age of 11. Since then, he has gone through the strenuous process of creating TestVestor and getting it accepted by Apple. This process involves actually creating the app, submitting it to iTunes Connect, and writing the description of it that is seen on the Apple Store.

“I felt very accomplished once I had finished it,” Alonso said. “I had always wanted to create an application and finally finish a project.”

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Photo by Neda Morrow

so yeah, I almost set his classroom on fire.”

He comes in his room, sets down Coming from a family of hip hop fans, his backpack, and plugs in the Jojo has grown up around this genre, and his keyboard. Waiting for his studio family fully supports his musical ambitions. computer to boot up he pulls “My mom claims she’s my number one up his most recent beat on fan,”Jojo Yarbrough said. “She’s always listening his phone and goes over to my music so I had to show her how to make the lyrics. With his computer a Soundcloud. My Dad likes to listen to it too on and the software up, he and thinks it’s pretty cool.” gets ready to record. JoJo Jojo has played trombone in the Lindale Band adjusts his mic and hits since 6th grade and is a squad leader for his play. Awaiting his cue to spit section. Having made wind ensemble in the fire JoJo goes over the lyrics past, many incoming Freshman have looked up in his head, then takes a to him with his success in band. deep breath, and lets the “Jojo shows leadership by everything he does,” words flow. band director Steven Moore said. “His effort, his Jojo Yarbrough is a attitude, everything. He is the perfect example. junior at Lindale High It’s not just what he says, it’s what he does.” school. He is a rapper who With Jojo’s Soundcloud and Youtube channel records his own music combined, he has over fifty followers and almost and posts to social media one thousand views and plays. sites such as Youtube and Soundcloud. Jojo began To hear JoJo’s music, go to posting his creations https://soundcloud.com/c-joe/tracks about a year ago. He records at his house using special equipment and software to add a professional sound to his music.

“My group of friends and I always listen to Jojo’s stuff,” senior Lucas Bonds said. “ It’s actually pretty good, and I enjoy hearing all of his new stuff when it comes out.”

Inspired by old school artists such as Eazy E, Dr. Dre, and Tupac, Jojo has a lot of influences for his music. As other artists often do, he even uses a professional’s beats with his own lyrics.

“People ask me to rap actually pretty often,” JoJo Yarbrough said. “Like just a minute ago someone came up to me and said, ‘Jojo rap for me’. “I’ve even had teachers ask. Like Coach Photo by Garrett Brown Cochran asked me to rap the other day in history, 18

Students entertain at pep rally

By Emily Fry - Edito-in-Chief

By Garrett Brown

Page layout by Lorin Reue

beats by J

fever

Marcus Montgomery and Christian Valdez showed off their breakdancing talents to the student body at the Pink Out and Black Out pep rallies.

“It’s was a great way to express myself,” Christian Valdez said. “We almost always work as a duo.”

The pep rally was the biggest event they have done so far.

Even though they had to make the moves up the day of the pep rally, they believe it was a great way to show everyone what they can do.

“I was pretty nervous at the pep rally,” Marcus Montgomery said. “It was the biggest group of people we had ever danced

Photo by Kamryn Stacks

in front of.”

Both of the dancers are self taught. They also both work with each other to make the routines for things such as the pep rally.

“Sometimes we work solo and sometimes we don’t,” Valdez said. “Sometimes we learn things by ourselves and then put them all together for a routine.”

Both dancers are interested in doing more public routines and competitions, as well as talent shows. Christian Valdez’s favorite move he loves to do is his famous head stand. Marcus Montgomery’s favorite move to do is his “Flying Squirrel Dive.”

Photo by Neda Morrow

“Dancing has really made me a happier person,” Montgomery said. “It’s what I spend most of my free time doing and I definitely want to keep doing it.”

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Pumpkin patch of fun

Drumline Making a Change

by Kelsey Crews | Assistant Editor

the summer. The instructor brought new cadences and jams to the drumline and taught them new music in order to prepare for things such as Country Fest.

“Eventually the drumline will be more disciplined than it was,” section leader Alyssa Burnett said. “It’s already working, and years after I’m gone it will be better.”

The change has been in effect since the end of last school year and they are still working hard in order to prepare the drumline for the future.

“This year it’s a lot more structured than in previous years,” drumline member Dalton Scott said. “It’s not as much ‘make up what you want’ and ‘play however you want to.’ ” The drumline played when the teachers had their first day back this summer, for Act V, at pep rallies, and other events.

“It [drumline] gets the whole crowd pumped,”student section leader Michaela Spencer said. “It’s one of our favorite parts; everyone participates and we all have a lot of fun.”

Photo by G. Nelms

“Tejas Chaos,” Alyssa says as we stand in front of the student section.

We’ve been preparing for this moment for weeks, and now it’s all up to the crowd to decide if they enjoy or dislike the new drumline. The adrenaline is pumping through our veins as we wait for our section leader to tap us off. We stand nervously waiting to see the crowd’s reaction. Finally, Alyssa taps the song off and the sounds of our synchronization fill the air.

Recently, head band director Steven Moore announced that the drumline was going to change. Moore plans on developing the drumline to one day be able to do independent competitions such as Indoor Drumline.

“There’s just a different level of drumming, a different type of drumming than what we do,” head band director Stephen Moore said. “A lot of it is based on what corps bands do, and it’s not like I’m trying to turn the band corps, because I’m not. There’s just a different level of drumming things we can do.”

Moore had a drum instructor come work with the drumline during

Photos and layout by L. Bonds

Layout By Caleb Smithee

By: Caleb Smithee | Staff Writer

Key Club sponsored a pumpkin decorating contest for all clubs. Judging was during lunches Thursday, Oct. 22. The winning pumpkin was announced at the pep rally the following day.

“It’s just supposed to be a way for clubs and organizations to get their name out there for the student body,” key club sponsor Kim Saunders said.

“It’s supposed to be a fun way for members to get together and have a party and decorate!”

Members of Key Club came up

Kent Harris Alan Roberts Mike Craig

with the idea last year as a way to help get publicity for the different groups of students.

The pumpkins were judged by students who place their votes for their favorite. The winning pumpkin was the “Mike and his Minions” pumpkin made by the Eagle Eye newspaper staff.

“Lindale has a lot of students who might not know about all the extracurricular activities and clubs that the school has to offer,” junior Avery McMurray said.

“All the pumpkins looked really good, and I know that Key Club had a lot of fun.”

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Marching through senior year Students prepare for life in the Armed Forces Lorin Reue Staff Writer

Layout by Emily Fry

M

ultiple LHS students have recently signed with military recruiters and will be going into the various branches once they graduate. Some students plan on graduating early through Op-Grad in order to join the military even sooner.

“The kids that do optional practical training (OPT) grad have the opportunity to finish anytime, at a random time throughout the year, or as soon as they finish their coursework,” counselor David Ramsey said.

Because this branch offers such a wide variety of opportunities, Fry is using the Navy as a way to get a college education and travel around the world.

“I talked to my neighbour,” Fry said.

“He’s actually in the Navy, and he said he traveled to places like Hong Kong, Australia, England, and Scotland. I just love traveling so much.”

There are several options for students going into the military. Senior student Hagan Brooks is preparing himself for his future in the Air Force by being a part of the Civil Air Patrol, and by becoming a junior firefighter.

“I’m going into the Air Force to serve my community, state, and nation,” Brooks said.

“No one really technically made my decision to join. The Civil Air Patrol kinda helped put me towards that path, but I made the ultimate decision by myself.”

Differentiating determining factors push students into the military, but like senior Austin Page, going into the Navy is a partial family tradition. With the help of his recruiter and his father, Page is studying what he wants to do. ”Most of my family was in the Navy, and also I’ve been looking into it for the past few years,” Page said. “There are a lot of benefits for it, between health care and all the payments that they do, and also it’s a guaranteed paycheck.”

Senior Christian Straus is planning on going into the Naval Academy to play football. Although it is difficult to get into the academy, Straus is hopeful about his future.

“The discipline and everything else that they use to teach the soldiers and make them officers in the military really helps,” Straus said. “I see most likely a promising career afterwards, and a job in the field of criminal justice as well as a good football career.”

I’m going into the Air Force to serve my community, state, and nation.

-Hagen Brooks, Senior 22

Photos by Neda Morrow

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In the spotlight LHS Theater presents “Our Town”

By Isabelle Phillips and Sydney Smith | Staff Writers

Layout by Kamryn Stacks

Fall is in full swing, and that means LHS is producing their legendary Fall production. Our Town opened October 8th in Lindale High School’s Performing Arts Center.

“Our Town” is about a couple of families in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire and how they grow up,” theater teacher Taylor Jarman, said. “We get to see the whole life process of a small town and how that works with the people in the town and the relationships that they build throughout the show.”

The casting of this play was done with the future of how literature is represented in theater in mind.

“Our plans for this production, especially because it is our first year teaching at Lindale, is

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to introduce good literature,” theater teacher Cindy Stokes said. “It’s a play that you can cast a lot of people in and we want to get as many students as possible involved.”

Both Mrs. Stokes and Mr. Jarman plan to expand and grow the drama program so that they may use the PAC to it’s “full potential”.

“I am looking forward to having a bunch of people on stage doing some cool group stuff,” Jarman said. “Getting the show going and getting it finished, hopefully with 3 great performances.”

Along with the production “Our Town”, Jarman and Stokes have cast “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged,” a musical called “Smoke on the Mountain,” and “The Crucible.”

“Through this we have been able to introduce a lot more kids to theatre,” Jarman said. “Hopefully it’s something the students want to do again, audition for again and to participate again in the next two years.”

Photo by G. Fernandez

Working Together to Serve You Better!

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row n tt B

Layout by Sydney Smith

I

t’s the first day of school and a class full of “My ultimate goal is to teach my students the students look up expectantly at the teacher love of Christ so they will go into the world in front of them. They have heard about her. and make it a better place.”

She is a legend.

Caldwell has been teaching She stands at the front at Lindale High School for “I have been of the classroom, teaching over twenty-four years and passionately as she has has her Master’s in speech blessed done for years. Generations communication and her Doctorate of students have sat in the in gifted education. Before beyond seats before them, and coming to Lindale, she taught in measure now they are the last ones.

Terrell for eleven years as well as These are the last students at Tyler Junior College and Trinity just to get to experience the first day Valley Community College. to work with of school with Mrs. Janice Along with Mrs. Caldwell Caldwell. such amazing leaving, Destiny Caldwell is also When the final graduating this year. They both people.” graduate files across call it their “senior year” and they this stage this May, both will both be “graduating.” For Janice Caldwell and her every “first” experience of the year, granddaughter, senior Destiny Caldwell, will such as the first day of school, first game, first go out with a bang as they finish the 2015debate meet or drill team performance, they 2016 school year like they started it– together. are calling it the “last of the firsts” to represent “I have been blessed to believe God their special time together. has called me to be a teacher,” Caldwell said.

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Photo By Garrett Brown

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Emily Fry | Sydney Smith | Aubreigh Varias

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It’s the last of the firsts

“I think it’s really neat that we are graduating at the same time,” Destiny Caldwell said. “We will be experiencing everything together. She does so much for the district.

She inspires everyone she meets and she sees people the way God sees them.”

Janice Caldwell has made an impact on the Lindale school district by developing the staterenowned debate team, coordinating academic UIL, and helping facilitate the creation of the new Performing Arts Center that was added in 2010.

She also has inspired numerous students and teachers who have gone on to do great things with their lives.

“A moment that I remember is when I had new teacher orientation on the very first day,” teacher Courtney Brown said. “Mrs. Caldwell gave us a pep talk, and she talked about how we can do a lot of things well in our job, but our focus should always be to be great.”

Caldwell, however, has not been the only one to inspire and teach others. As Caldwell teaches her students, the students also teach her.

“They have taught me so many things like to love unconditionally always and to give every single chance to a student because they are every bit capable,” Caldwell said. “I am here to help develop their wonderful minds, and I don’t have to be smarter than them to do it; I just need to give them the skills to soar.”

Caldwell reflected that her favorite part about her teaching career was getting to know the students. Some students whom she taught more than thirty years ago still contact her on

a day-to-day basis.

“This amazes me when they still remember things in the classroom that they did or said,” Caldwell said.

“I constantly marvel when they share what they Photo By Neda Morrow remember with me.”

Caldwell plans to leave the school year with a great, positive attitude. She plans to go out with a bang and is very excited to be “graduating” alongside her granddaughter.

“I cannot imagine my life without my students,” Caldwell said. “They are such a big part of who I am and what I enjoy. I have been blessed beyond measure just to get to work with such amazing people.”

What’s in your office?

By Lucas Bonds

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Casey Neal- Lindale High School Principal

Photo-That’s a professionally staged photo of my family shortly after we adopted Macy. It’s around her birthday. My wife, Belinda, used to be an elementary school teacher.

2 Photo-That’s a picture of my buddy from Scotland and me at Saint Andrew’s. He unfortunately died of brain cancer at 44 years old.

3 Posters--I send the staff a positive email every single day; I also post it on my blog every single day so anyone can see it. I just think we all need constant reminders to be picked up and motivated.

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Putter--I think I have ADD. I have a rough time sitting still, and the putter helps me to focus when I’m having a tough time concentrating on certain things. It gives me the ability to multitask.

5 Deer--I shot that about three years ago down between Llano and Fredricksburg with my Macy.

6 Flag--That flag was my grandad’s. He was a World War II vet. After he passed away the government gave us the flag.

7 Yearbooks--A couple of those are mine, from when I went to school here. I love everything about Lindale history, I have some of them all the way back to the 40’s .

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