Kingwood Park Times - March 2022

Kingwood Park

TIMES March 2022 Volume 8, Issue 5 Kingwood, Texas 77339

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Wilson, Bean prioritize blood donations

By Reece Cavallo

I

n 2004, auto collision and refinishing teacher Jeff Wilson’s calf was ripped off in a motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized and in need of multiple units of blood. Now, almost two decades later, Next Blood Drive on campus: Wilson parApril 27 ticipates in every blood drive they have at Kingwood Park.

A constant blood donor for the last 6 years, Wilson knows how important it is that blood is available for people in accidents. He is also an organ donor with a simple explanation for his choice: there’s no reason not to donate.

“As long as you don’t have no issues with it,” Wilson said. “Why not?”

Wilson isn’t the only teacher with a history of donating blood. Talya Bean, Kingwood Park’s social studies instructional coach, has donated

Students and teachers particiapte in blood drives. HOSA hosts four each year. Photo by Arleigh Doehring.

since she was in high school. Bean’s blood type is O negative, the universal donor, which is a blessing she apparently inherited from her father.

“He just always taught me growing up,” Bean said. “Our blood, you know, everybody can take it, so it’s important to give blood if you can.”

Like Wilson, Bean donates blood

almost every time Kingwood Park hosts a blood drive. The pint of blood that she gave on Feb. 24 drive marked the second gallon of blood that she’s donated in her lifetime; the result of 19 rendezvous with the needle.

Because Bean is a universal donor, her blood is often used in Life Flight, an air ambulance service. Her blood is typically used within 2-3 days, and she gets a notification on her cell phone when it happens.

Bean doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon either. Like her father, she intends to keep donating blood until she no longer can.

“As long as I’m able,” Bean said.

“I’m happy to do it.”

Both Wilson and Bean enthusiastically recommend donating blood.

“They say one donation, you can help save up to three lives,” Bean said. “If I can help save three lives, why not?”

JUST THE FACTS

* More than 17 percent of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s donors are between the ages of 16 and 18. * Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs 1,000 donations every day of the year to serve patients in our community. * Blood can be broken down into three components, and each one saves lives: - Red blood cells are used to treat cancer, surgery, and trauma patients.

- Plasma often is needed to replace fluids in burn and trauma patients.

- Platelets help cancer and bone marrow transplant patients recover. *

* Facts from Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

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Crew prepares to finalize latest Tiny Home

By Emilie Tauzin and Daisy Ramirez

T

he Construction Management I & II class, also known as the Tiny Homes team, nears the end of their Tiny House build. They started building the year’s house Aug. 11. They not only are building a house, but they also are building a bathhouse that will have showers, toilets and sinks for the previous houses.

Both the bathhouse and the Tiny Home were designed by senior and lead architect Carter Bennett.

This year they built a hip roof, which has four sides that slope downward onto the perimeter walls.

“The biggest challenge was the roof because of all the angles that went into it,” Tiny Homes coordinator Missi Taylor said. “Well, the roof and our plumbing.”

The plumbing was a big change to the Tiny Home, but one they said they were glad to make. It was a challenge for them but it upgraded the home. They are now planning to add plumbing to all their homes in the future.

“It’s 272 square feet so it’s bigger than last year and the year before,” Taylor said. “It is 12-feet wide by 27-feet long.”

Since the house is bigger by 7 feet than the old ones, moving the house to the Langetree retreat will require extra structural support.

The house was designed to be

Architecture teacher Missi Taylor works with students during her fourth period class as they build a bathhouse to go in the same community as this year’s Tiny Home. Photo by Daisy Ramirez.

placed among the other homes at Langetree, which are specifically designed to house homeless veterans.

A young crew built this year’s house.

“There were only four veteran students,” Taylor said. “So the rest of them are all brand new to construction. That was a little bit of a challenge, but now everyone’s got it down.”

Senior Ricky Martinez was a team captain on this year’s home

DR. STACY NORMAN

281-359-9100

2325 Timber Shadow Dr Bldg A Kingwood, TX 77339

and enjoys participating in another creation.

“I like building the framing of the house, we get to use the power tools and nail gun and stuff like that, that’s definitely my favorite part,” Martinez said.

They have overcome many challenges and had memorable moments throughout this year.

At one point the walls were leaning inward. While Taylor was out of town, the team FaceTimed her as they tried to fix frame-

work issues. Their creative ways included creating a contraption to connect a leaning wall to Bennett’s Jeep.

Taylor loves to watch the progression as the team gets stronger in their skills during the year.

“They do a lot, and now they just take it for granted,” Taylor said. “They don’t realize what they’re doing. They just come out knowing what they’re doing, get it done.”

Visit KPTimes.com regularly for news, videos, features, opinion stories, slideshows, sports and podcasts.

NEWS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 3

NEWS & NOTES Band shines at UIL The band was awarded more than 80 first division medals at the UIL regional solo and ensemble contest.

Thirteen students advanced to the Texas state solo and ensemble contest in Austin in May including: Richard Beal, Matthew Bleier, Josh Chavez, Codi Crabtree, Lulenga Mundemba, Ethan Ott, Victoria Ramos, Adriano Rendon, Dominic Sottile, Jonah Watkins, Clay White, Hailey Whiteman, and Sam Wick.

Dance team racks up medals at State Silver Stars competed at the Ascension State competition and walked away with multiple individual, officer and team titles.

In the 9th and 10th Grade Division, Callie Maple placed 7th in the State. In the 12th Grade Division, Kaitlyn Gonzalez won the Senior Division, received a perfect score and was named the Senior Solo State Champion.

Maple and senior Charlee Poulin are state champions with their Duet.

The JV team, military officers and varsity squad each earned many awards as a group.

Journalists earn big state, national awards Senior Kathleen Ortiz was named runner-up in the Texas High School Journalist of the Year competition.

In the national Columbia Scholastic Press Association digital media awards, Katie Gerbasich earned 1st place in Single Sports Photo. Maya Ortiz earned 2nd place in Spot News Photo.

While the team of Kathleen Ortiz, Gerbasich and Arleigh Doehring finished 2nd in Slideshows.

Kathleen Ortiz finished 2nd in Sports Features and 3rd in General Features.

Gerbasich, Kathleen Ortiz, and Maya Ortiz also earned honorable mentions in writing categories in the prestigious competition.

Spring testing dates set Testing will start in early April for EOC testers. English I EOC is April 5 while English II EOC is April 7. The Biology EOC (May 3), Algebra I EOC (May 4) and US History EOC (May 5) will follow a month later.

AP testing dates are as follows: Government

(May 2), Chemistry (May 2), Spanish Literature and Culture (May 2), Psychology (May 3) English Literature and Composition (May 4), Human Geography (May 5), Macroeconomics (May 5), Statistics (May

Kingwood Park

TIMES March 2022 Volume 8, Issue 5 Kingwood Park HS Kingwood, Texas

Editorial Policy - The Kingwood Park Times is the official student newspaper of Kingwood Park High School. There are 2,000 copies printed and distributed for free six times a year, generally once per six weeks of the school’s students, staff and community.

- The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School. The Times is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the adviser will not act as a censor.

Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.

- We make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process, or is an invasion of privacy.

- We avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth about a photograph without indicating that the photograph is an illustration.

- We work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers.

- The editorial board, which consists of the staff’s student editors, will determine the content, including all unsigned editorials. The views stated in editorials represent that of a majority of the editorial board. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author.

- Letters to editor will be printed in the opinion section of the newspaper or on the website. Letters to the editor may be submitted to Mrs. Ortiz’s mailbox, room 1504 or emailed to this address: KPARKtimes@gmail.com. Letters to editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed and must include writer’s address and phone number for verification.

4 NEWS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

5), U.S. History (May 6), Calculus AB & BC (May 9), English Language and Composition (May 10), Spanish Language and Culture (May 11), Biology (May 11), World History (May 12).

Students put together strong show at Humble Livestock Show In the chicken category, Cameron Spangler was Grand Champion. Bailey Doughtie, Katelynn Stewart, Hannah Hurley, Mason Green and Sarah Haley placed in top 10.

Camille Blair was the Reserve Champion in the steer category. Kynzie Wallace took third place, while Shelby Hays, Lynnsey Young, Mylen Garza and Grace Potter also finished in the top 10.

In the pig category, Kailani Golden was named Reserve Champion and Carlie Solomon was Senior Showman. Austin Eagan placed 8th.

In the goat category, Jordan Bender finished 5th. In the lamb category, Isabella Doughtie, Eliza Hoing and Delanie Davila placed in the top 10.

In the turkey category, Amri Williams, Madison Williams, Kenzie Terrell and Cade Ubnoskye all finished in the top 10.

Emma Frazier, Camila Montalvo and Emily Murski place in the top 10 in rabbits.

The Staff EDITORS

Kathleen Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief Gabby Norman, Managing Editor Arleigh Doehring, Photo Editor Maya Ortiz, Design Editor Lexi Guillen, Video Editor

STAFF WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Camille Blair Reece Cavallo Rhian Davis Samantha Head Taylor Nethery Sharna Ngo Daniel Spear Shelby Townsend Jacob Valcarce Kennedy Watkins MelieAn William Derriq Young

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Daisy Ramirez Emilie Tauzin Alicyn Logue Ava Sayre Morgen Dozier Exa Nix Krista Edwards Keyara Weber Ryder Lowery Ana La Rosa Grillo Aidan Oakes Ciana Blocker Ramiro Hernandez

Adviser: Megan Ortiz Principal: Wes Solomon

Expanded art program offers more attention and classes

By Camille Blair

A

rt has seen a number of changes this year, including the addition of a third art teacher to try and accommodate the students wanting to join Art I as well as the expanding program.

“We’re not exceeding the number of students in each classroom by having three separate classrooms for separate art teachers,” instructor Sarah Wyatt said. “We have more of a chance to develop relationships with our students, to really understand where they are in their journey through each piece and to really guide them.”

With the program expansion, students can now earn their letter jacket in art. The teachers even created a virtual gallery to display students’ art pieces and are creating opportunities for seniors to paint ceiling tiles.

With all of these additions, the teachers are hoping to generate more interest in the art program to eventually add two more art classes as well as get approval for yearly field trips.

“By having more interest in our department, they will hopefully allow us to teach other art-related classes,” Wyatt said. “Two that I’m really pushing for are Dual Credit Art History and Dual Credit Color Theory.”

This year, art had such a large number of students that wanted to join Art I that bringing on another teacher was necessary to prevent overcrowded classrooms. Three teachers and three separate classrooms have made for smaller class sizes and allows for greater success as the art teachers are better able to work with their students.

“It definitely takes a weight off of our shoulders,” Wyatt said. “We are able to kind of rely on each other.

If it was just one of us, it would be completely overwhelming, so the more the merrier for sure.”

This year art has done well at several competitions including some students going all the way to state in the high school VASE competition.

Junior Grace Blessing’s “Mother of the Moon” piece advanced to the state level in the VASE competition.

Juniors Caleb Miller and Kimberly Kirsch go through their checklist on a uniform day in March. The two will be in the top-ranking positions next year. Photo by Rhian Davis.

Sophomore Elaie Smith’s “Forgiven” piece advanced to the state level in the Reflections competition.

Wyatt likes taking students to competitions because many offer scholarships that can help pay for college and they help to build confidence.

“Because it is so objective, it’s hard to really judge a piece of art,” Wyatt said. “So for them to have enough confidence to put their artwork on display and allow someone to judge their art – whether anyone else in the world would agree with it or not – I think that alone builds a lot of confidence.”

Senior Evelyn Cardenas, who advanced to state in VASE, said that she likes having three teachers because it gives people the opportunity to find what type of art really suits them best.

“If you only had one drawing class then there’d only be a small section of artists who’d actually want to be in the drawing class, but if you have a variety of classes then there’s more artists out there who’d enjoy their class and hone in on their skills,” Cardenas said.

New leaders excited for upcoming year

By Daniel Spear

J

unior Caleb Miller recently applied for and received the position of Corps Commander in JROTC, which is comparable to the top-ranking position in any organization. He has been in the organization for three years.

“What I do as an operations officer this year is I make sure all our daily operations are complete and no one’s being left behind or anything,” Miller said.

The JROTC instructors let any candidates for Corps Commander know at the beginning of the year.

The process begins in the second semester when the candidates present a slideshow to show why they deserve the position. It’s three to five slides showcasing the candidate, who they would put on their staff next year and six goals they have.

“I felt a lot of stress relief because once you do your interview it’ll take about a week for them to

decide so when I finally heard I had gotten the role it was incredible stress relief,” Miller said.

The position of Corps Commander is the highest position inside JROTC, functioning as a student lead. Its importance is making sure everyone is involved.

The Corps Commander leads their team members and staff officers.

“We have to set six goals for the year,” Miller said. “Two for the program, two for the school and then two for the community as a whole.”

Junior Kimberly Kirsch, the new Vice Corps Commander, has been in JROTC for the past three years and also ran for Corps Commander. When Miller was chosen for the position of Corps Commander, he appointed Kirsch as his Vice Corps Commander.

“I’m really excited to have a lot of say in what we do and I’m excited for community events and to get more involved,” Kirsch said.

NEWS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 5

‘I’M A FIGHTER’

Luc Wehby’s parents sat by his bedside at Memorial Hermann Hospital as Luc Wehby spent eight days in a coma. In 2017, he was hospitalized for 52 days following his stroke, which was caused by an arteriovenous malformation. Photo submitted by Jacquie Wehby.

Junior Luc Wehby smiles while talking to a golf teammate during practice. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Luc Wehby’s smile still shines five years after stroke

By Maya Ortiz

L

uc Wehby could no longer handle the pounding in his head.

It had been throbbing since the night before. Now, as he sat in his sixth-grade World Cultures class, he finally gave in and asked to go to the nurse.

On his way, he tried to stop at the water fountain but fell to his knees.

The pain was excruciating.

Kingwood Middle School nurse Kimberly Poole just happened to be in the hall on her way to get another student that day – May 11, 2017. She spotted Luc moments after he collapsed and helped him to her clinic where she performed her normal assessment.

She was shocked.

“It seemed to be stroke-like symptoms,” Poole said, “but he was a child, so it seemed so unreal.” Poole started shouting: “Call 911, call 911!”

That was the last thing Luc heard before he lost consciousness. *** When Luc was young, he loved playing baseball. At one point, he wished to play for the Astros. The

6

Wehby family was always at sportthat he was going to be there,” Mia ing events for their three kids. said, “so I could talk to him one “We consider our house like a zoo, more time.” or just crazy all the time,” said Mia *** Wehby, Luc’s older sister and 2020 Luc’s mom Jacquie Wehby was Kingwood Park graduate. “Somedowntown at a doctor’s appointthing is always going on. It’s a lot ment when the middle school first of fun.” called saying Luc had become unreMia, who cursponsive.

“It was every rently plays soccer She tried mother’s worst at the University to reach her of Arkansas, used while nightmare, getting a husband to constantly play having back and sports with Luc. forth calls with call like that.

One time the two assistant.

It honestly was my Poole’s were playing soc“It was every cer in their living mother’s worst cry out to God to room when their nightmare, getsay, ‘Don’t take his ting a call like mom warned them to stop. They didn’t that,” Jacquie life.’” listen. Luc kicked Wehby said. “It Jacquie Wehby, Luc Wehby’s mom honestly was my the ball too high, destroying the chandelier. cry out to God to say, ‘Don’t take The morning Luc collapsed at his life.’ At that point, I felt absolute school, Mia didn’t say goodbye to fear, disbelief, panic.” him. He was annoying her, so she Poole, a former emergency room said, “Just go to school. Leave.” nurse, climbed into the ambulance.

When she heard what happened, She rode with Luc to Kingwood those words were the first thing she Hospital, where he was taken by thought of.

Life Flight to Children’s Memorial “I just kept praying and hoping Hermann Hospital downtown.

FEATURES | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

Luc had suffered a stroke.

Once he got to Memorial Hermann, doctors had minutes to save his life. They removed the right side of Luc’s skull to stop the swelling and try to avoid massive brain damage.

As the doctors worked, Jacquie Wehby waited alone.

Her husband was on business in Hawaii. Jacquie’s parents were visiting her siblings in Florida. Mia was at Kingwood Park, and the youngest son Kye was at Bear Branch.

She tried to remember everything about the previous 24 hours.

Luc had asked Jacquie what a migraine felt like the night before, but she could not even describe it since she had never had one. She gave him a couple of Advil and had him drink a lot of water. She replayed his sports practices in her mind, wondering if dehydration was the issue. *** She had no idea at that time Luc had been dealing with what doctors call the ticking time bomb: an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which develops on a child’s brain

while in the womb. The bundle of blood vessels ruptured. The aneurysm and pressure led to Luc’s stroke.

Doctors placed Luc in a medically induced coma for eight days. They told Jacquie that, even if he made it through the first 48 hours, he might never walk or talk again.

Jacquie’s husband, Kirk Wehby, flew home and joined her at the hospital by midnight. *** Doctors quickly determined Luc was paralyzed on his left side, which had been dominant. They continued to run tests on the right side.

On Mother’s Day, the doctors decided to run a test asking him to raise his right thumb. It was Luc’s third day in the coma.

As she and her husband watched Luc’s hand, Jacquie said a quick prayer. The doctor asked him to raise his thumb three times. All of a sudden, Luc’s right hand moved.

He gave a thumbs up. *** Mia had a soccer game just two days after Luc’s stroke. To keep a sense of normalcy in her life, she went. She and her teammates put tape on their cleats and wrote “Love for Luc” on them.

“I can’t remember anything about [that game],” Mia said. “But I do remember thinking, when I do play soccer, it’s for him.”

Mia and Kye missed the last couple weeks of school. They developed a routine: wake up, eat breakfast, get in the car, go visit Luc, come home, go to sleep.

“Those [days] were very hard and emotional,” Mia said. “We didn’t know if he was going to make it through that next day, or if he was going to make it through the night.” *** Luc spent 52 days in the hospital and mostly just remembers the constant pain. Jacquie and Kirk remained at the hospital all day, every day. Family took care of Mia and Kye, who visited Luc almost daily.

The Wehbys never knew when Luc would be rushed into another emergency surgery. Each day was a challenge.

“God helped me through and so did my husband,” Jacquie said. “We’ve been married 24 years and made it this far. We make a good team.”

Luc Wehby works on the driving range during golf practice earlier this month.

Photo by Maya Ortiz.

That team expanded while Luc seventh grade. Instead of playing was hospitalized. Family and comsports and fishing, he spent his munity members rallied to help the days attending physical therapy, Wehby family. When it was finally occupational therapy and a little bit announced Luc was returning home of speech therapy. To protect his June 26, the comskull, which was munity showed up reattached right to celebrate. before he returned Mia and her home, he had to friends posted on wear a helmet every social media around the house. account they could He learned how about Luc’s hometo walk again and coming. They were met with teachers only given a twoat home to keep up Find a video and more hour warning, but with school. photos of Luc Wehby that is all it took.

A year later, he at KPTimes.com.

The street was started to ease lined with more his way back to a than 100 family and regular routine. He friends cheering as went to school for Luc and his parents two hours a day turned the corner. in eighth grade. In They had balloons his freshman year and signs. Most were dressed in at KPARK, he attended school four blue “#LoveForLuc” t-shirts. hours a day.

Luc had tears streaming down his Then COVID hit and Luc went face. He was overwhelmed. back to fully virtual for his entire “It gives me chills remembering sophomore year. His mom was back it,” Mia said. at his side, helping him navigate *** online school once again.

Luc was homebound for all of “She’s my biggest supporter, and

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she’s always there for me,” Luc said.

His older sister is studying to go into the medical field and help other families like her own. His younger brother is playing every seventh grade sport he can, determined to compete as hard as he can in honor of his brother.

This year, Luc has returned to campus full-time as a junior.

“To work toward graduation is just one of those things where you go, alright, that’s Luc again,” his dad said. “He’s beating the odds again.” *** Luc is paralyzed on his left side. He can’t open and close his fingers on his left hand. He can’t run. However, through therapy he regained the ability to walk. Since he can’t point and flex his left foot, he wears an ankle and foot orthotic brace to help.

Luc no longer plays baseball or football, but he has picked up golf.

He saw a girl on ESPN with the same condition playing golf onehanded. Luc asked his parents if he should try it. They jumped at the chance to take him out to the course to practice.

They put him in lessons, and he joined the golf team in August. The process was gradual, but now Luc pushes his bag by himself for all 18 holes and swings entirely with his right arm. His mom is in awe of how hard he can drive the ball off the tee.

“Even if I mess up,” he said. “I’m just happy to be out here playing.”

His smile on the course makes that clear.

“Luc is always smiling,” golf coach Angela Chancellor said. “It helps the team remember that golf is supposed to be fun.”

For Luc, life is fun.

“I love life,” Luc said. “I’m thankful that I can be [golfing] because the doctors said that if I survived, I probably wouldn’t walk, talk or ever move again. I’m a fighter.”

Out on the course with the green stretching out in front of him, he forgets about the struggles of the last five years.

He forgets he used to dream of being a Major League baseball player.

He forgets he didn’t get a chance to play middle school football.

He forgets he can no longer run.

All he feels on the course is thankful.

FEATURE | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 7

Born to Perform

Whether in class, on the stage or in choir, Cameron Williams shines.

By Kathleen Ortiz

C

ameron Williams’s first theater role was as a “Spelling Mighty Mind” in a third grade musical about the STAAR test. His one line was to assure the children STAAR testing wasn’t going to be that bad. However, at his turn to speak, he repeated the line of the person before him, completely forgetting his own line.

“It was this terrible moment for me at the time, but I just remember how happy I had felt about that role and then how funny looking back at it it was,” Williams said. “It was just something that at the time felt so good and looking back on it it was just the first moment I realized I really enjoyed theater.”

Even though he cried so hard on stage that they had to stop the song, the experience hooked him on theater forever.

When he was younger, Williams played viola and was involved in elementary theater productions.

Now, he balances his arts classes with upper level core classes.

“He’s so driven that we’ve never had to keep track or push him,” his mom Diane Bulanowski said.

That drive was instilled in him when he was a little kid. He enjoyed success and constantly looked to do more difficult things just to prove he could.

“That’s a similar thing with even theater and choir jumping into new things and taking them

Junior Cameron Williams performs a solo in the choir pop show in October. He has also been a part of every varsity show this year.

Photo by Emily Smith.

on and seeing how well I can do,” Williams said. “I think I excel in those environments and it’s something I like and appreciate.”

While positive experiences helped his academic drive, the arts were there from the beginning. A pregnant Bulanowski could feel her baby kicking when she played music. She played her future son rock n’ roll, R&B, classical and jazz, while also making an effort to sing to him.

“My family has always been very involved with music and the arts,” Williams said. “It’s always been a big aspect of my parents’ lives and something that unintentionally they gave to me.”

His goals for high school and college are a mix of academic and

Meet more KPARK students at KPTimes.com

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8

FEATURES | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

arts related goals. He’s looking to attend Rice University, Baylor University or the University of Texas with a major in education and a minor in theater.

“The main obstacle is staying on top of everything and remembering everything I have to do because there are a ton of honors classes and I don’t get home until after rehearsal,” Williams said.

He said that keeping a planner and the whiteboard in his room doesn’t work very well for him and so he has to check his assignments online often to make sure they get done on or before the due date.

“In reality, I’m always the harshest critic of myself,” Williams said.

“If ever I get a bad grade or I feel

like I didn’t do as good as I wanted to do, [my parents] are always the ones that bring me up and tell me that there’s always next time, ‘this is not who you are,’ ‘you will do better.’ And so they have really been a driving force in helping me stay on top of everything.”

His mom said she is amazed at his academic drive and how he has improved over the years in the arts.

“We know that he has a lot of options and he’s very level headed, so that’s where we are right now,” Bulanowski said. “We want him to be happy and we want him to find the thing that he has the most passion for and that would bring him a great life.”

Hewitt steers clear of technology outside of class

By Shelby Townsend

W

hen Tropical Storm Imelda hit, it took geometry teacher Steven Hewitt's phone with it.

“I walked through flood waters up to my knees and was carried several yards to a drainage ditch. I managed to find the curb with my right foot to regain my position. The phone took a dip in the process.” said Hewitt.

After that he made the decision to live his life without one. For three years, he has not missed it.

“My goal has always been to stay as far away from it as possible, but more recently than in the past. I just decided now would be a good time and it works pretty well,” said Hewitt.

On top of that, Mr. Hewitt calls social media a waste of time.

“I think that you can get a smart-

Geometry teacher Steven Hewitt leads a class discussion during fifth period. Hewitt lost his cell phone in flood waters in 2019 and has never replaced it. Photo by Shelby Townsend.

phone when you’re allowed to vote, when you’re allowed to drive, and when you’re allowed to do other adult things," Hewitt said. "Because the internet is pretty much an adult space."

But Hewitt doesn’t just choose

not to have a phone. He has no wifi at home, which means he does all of his work at school. In addition, Hewitt rides his bike to work. Of course, he owns a car. But only having to make a short 10 minute leisurely ride, it made more sense to

bike than to drive.

“Why not? I live close enough. I could use the exercise,” said Hewitt.

Hewitt helps kids learn everyday.

He said math is his weakest subject, and that is why he enjoys the challenge of teaching it. He applies being a math teacher into everyday life.

“That’s kind of my motto," said Hewitt. "It’s like we all do our own thing and we should arrive at the same conclusion. If not, we have to figure out why we didn’t.”

While most people these days do not draw the same conclusion as Hewitt on technology, he is going to continue to steer clear of it whenever he can.

“Technology is not necessary for a lot of different things. And if it’s not necessary, why bother?” he said.

Perryman spends free time carving, designing handmade pens

By Samantha Head

G

eometry teacher Machell Perryman is a woman of many hobbies, but one of her newer passions is woodworking.

Perryman’s husband introduced her to woodworking.

Perryman Initially, she was not sure if it was something she would like, but she wanted a new hobby. It turned out she enjoyed it and was good at it, so she stuck with it.

Perryman spends time in her garage woodworking. While she can make many different things out of

wood, her favorite is pens.

Her biggest challenge with the pens is the CA glue finish. CA glue is the chemical name for super glue, it is used to add a buffer between the wood and the polish. It can be used on most woods, and some acrylics.

“Super glue is very particular, it doesn’t like heat,” Perryman said.

“So when you have something spinning at 1000 revolutions per second, it gets pretty hot when you sand it down, and it doesn’t like dust. It has to be completely clean, and it is very hard to be dust free in a woodshop.”

Perryman’s advice for anyone starting this hobby is to take a class like she did. Classes can be found at most woodworking stores, such

as Rockler and Woodworkers Tool and Supply, as it will offer advice on specific challenges, like how to start and how to use CA glue finish.

Woodworking isn’t just a hobby for Perryman. Her goal is to have a small business making pens and other things with wood, however

she also wants to ensure it stays small.

“The goal is to keep it kind of small, just to keep it a side business,” Perryman said. “I don’t want it to take over my life. I want it to remain fun.”

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By Taylor Nethery

Pull over to a safe spot-

Finding a safe place to pull over is the first thing you should do when you see a police car. “Any place of business is fine, or even on the side of a non busy road,” Kingwood Park officer Jennifer Kelsey said.

Be respectful to the officerKelsey said respect when talking to an officer is very important. “Greet the officer,” Kelsey said. “My main thing is being respectful all around.

It’s easiest to stay quiet and be respectful.”

Keep your hands where the officer can see them-

When you move your hands, Kelsey said officers don’t know what you’re reaching for and could jump to conclusions and assume you’re reaching for a weapon. “If you have your driver’s license and insurance available immediately go ahead and grab that out and get that ready for the officer and keep your hands where they’re visible,” Kelsey said.

Don’t stop in a dangerous place-

Stopping in the middle of a busy street or highway puts you, the officer and other cars in danger said Kelsey.

“Don’t stop in the middle of the road,” Kelsey said. “If you’re on the highway

it’s wise not to stop on the highway because that puts everyone in danger. Especially the officer because they have to get out. It’s best to take the nearest exit and get to a safe stopping location.”

Don’t self incriminate-

Kelsey said it’s best to implement your fifth amendment right and not admit to anything right off the bat.

“Don’t ever admit to anything,” Kelsey said. “If the officer says ‘Hey you were pulled over because you were speeding,’ you don’t have to say ‘Okay, yes, I know I was speeding.’”

Don’t automatically assume you’re in trouble-

In 2019, 43.1 percent of teens didn’t wear a seatbelt when riding with someone else.

39%

In 2019, 39% of teens said theytext while driving.

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In 2019, 2.5 million people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries from motor vehicle crashes.

In 2019, about 2,400 teens were killed via car.

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From 2010-2019, Texas had more summertime crash deaths involving teen drivers than any other state.

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Teen drivers are three times more likely to crash than those in other age groups.

Teen driving statistics from the CDC and AAA.

Kelsey said attitude matters. If someone is upset and they take it out on the officer, she said it may not end as it would have initially.

“It goes back to the basic line of respect,” Kelsey said. “I know a lot of officers where if you’re a jerk, or you just don’t want to do anything or argue with the officer, you’re probably going to get a citation. Don’t assume it’s going to go one way or another.”

Five things Officer Kelsey wants you to know

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Officer Kelsey prioritizes the buses during traffic because they have other routes to get to - We all know how frustrating it is in trying to get in or out of the school and Officer Kelsey lets the buses go before the line you’re in. It’s not because she favors that one lane more, it’s to let the buses go so they can get to their other routes. There are bus drivers that have a middle school and elementary school routes. If they’re backed up at one route, they’re backed up at the other ones. “It is very important for me to get the buses in and out,” Kelsey said. “If I’m holding up traffic, try to look and see if I’m trying to get them in or out of there.”

Teen drivers: stay off your phone, wear your seatbelt - It is not only illegal to be on your phone in a school zone, but it’s very dangerous. There are students everywhere trying to cross the street and one glance at your phone could cause a minor accident or tragic event. “We have a lot of texting, just not paying attention, speeding through parking lots, and doing donuts,” Kelsey said. “That’s kind of difficult when I’m trying to tell you to be safe.”

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FEATURES | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

Please don’t run Officer Kelsey over - Look where you’re going. We need Officer Kelsey, and you don’t need a lawsuit. Also, slow down and be patient, it’s a school zone. “I have almost gotten hit several times, so that’s scary,” Kelsey said.

Officer Kelsey is here for YOU - Police officers may seem intimidating, but they’re here for your safety. Officer Kesley cares about everyone at Kingwood Park and wants us to be safe. “I’m here for you guys,” Kelsey said. “I truly care about this job and I care about every one of you and if you ever have any questions I’d love to answer any of your questions.”

Walkers and bikers don’t always have the right of way - We know your main focus is to get home, but you can’t just cross the street whenever. Officer Kelsey will tell walkers or bikers when to go. “The main struggle is honestly the pedestrians that choose to cross the street without warning,” Kelsey said. “That’s a big misconception that people have. Pedestrians do not always have the right of way. A pedestrian only has the right of way at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”

Information by Taylor Nethery

Despite struggles, drivers find rewards daily Bus drivers find joy in work while adjusting to changes since COVID.

By Morgen Dozier, Exa Nix and Krista Edwards

W

hen the school day ends and hundreds of students pour out from the school’s front doors, many gravitate toward the school buses. Melissa Drummer, Pam Hohneke and other bus drivers wait at the circle drive everyday in their familiar yellow buses. As their buses fill up and the chorus of conversations begin, many drivers listen to what is said.

“I’m watching to see what’s happening, and you hear their conversations,” Drummer said. “The kids say the funniest things. I wish I had a notebook to write down everything the kids say just so I could read back through them.”

Drummer has been driving for the Humble school district for around three years. She found the profession by accident. Recently retired from her old job, Drummer was looking for something she could do to earn extra money.

“The best part of my job is the schedule,” Drummer said. “And I do love the kids, though it’s difficult sometimes because they’re rowdy, but that’s just kids. I miss them over breaks.

“The hardest part would be dealing with kids who are disobedient all the time. But I can’t blame it on the kids. I have to say driving the bus is the easiest part.”

Pam Hohneke said her experiences are similar. Hohneke also joined Humble ISD three years ago. She drives special needs students for three schools: Foster Elementary, Creekwood Middle School and Kingwood Park. She originally worked with special needs adults and when COVID-19 hit, she was left without work.

She ultimately decided she needed something new and eventually found that our district was hiring.

What she thought would be an easy job transition, was a chal-

Driver Melissa Drummer waits for her students to get on the bus after school. She said the best part of her job is the work schedule and the students she has gotten to meet. Photo by Morgen Dozier.

lenge for Hohneke. she smiles and giggles,” Hohneke “(People think) that bus drivers said. “One day she was looking at are just a bunch of doofy people,” the mirror and she turned around Hohneke said. “No lie, I was like, and looked at me…she reached ‘This is nothout and touched my face “The kids maybe and she said, ‘I like your ing. It’s not a big deal.’ But cute face’ and it was just think this is our we actually cute.” life, as far as this really have to study The kids keep the days a lot and have from ever being dull. is all we’ve ever to know a lot “It’s kind of like their done. They don’t emotions about the bus rub off on you, realize most of us if they’re sad then you’re and we have to do a lot of have had business sad for them, so it’s kind stuff to be able of like just a sad mocareers and have ment,” bus driver Randi to work with kids. It’s not an been retired. ... I Cowan said. “But when easy job.” they’re all joyful then it am a real person.” really helps you, it picks Hohneke bus driver said the work you up.”

Melissa Drummer to get hired COVID has affected so was worth it. many jobs and busiShe enjoys the nesses, including the breaks throughout her day, and jobs of bus drivers. Drivers have especially the children. to protect not only themselves, “We have a very very very sweet but they also have to protect the middle school kiddo and she loves students who ride on their buses. to look at herself in the mirror, COVID increased the shortage of

drivers for Humble ISD, so drivers have had to pick up extra shifts sometimes making it hard to get kids to school on time.

“Our middle school kids get to school late every day, but we don’t have a choice because there’s nobody else to do it,” Hohneke said.

Hohneke said since bus drivers don’t get paid year-round they often have to find part-time jobs during the Humble ISD breaks.

Though it may seem that these drivers have done nothing but driving they have lived entirely different lives than what students know.

“The kids maybe think this is our life, as far as this is all we’ve ever done,” Drummer said. “They don’t realize that most of us have had business careers and have been retired. The kids don’t know anything about us. We are just the bus driver because we are only

FEATURE | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 11

“This happened two years ago. I had my driver’s permit and my dad just got home from traveling. The Quick Quack just opened and they were doing this promotional thing for veterans.

“We were in (the car wash) line and there was a crap ton of cars. They were trying to pack as many cars as possible onto the conveyor belt system. I’d never been to a Quick Quack before, and I had a driver’s permit. I didn’t know it was a conveyor belt little doo-hickey.

So I’m going up to the conveyor belt and there’s this lady and she looks like she hates her job, and she’s just waving people on.

“She keeps on waving me to go forward, and I’m right next to this car.

You’re supposed to be in neutral, but I wasn’t told to be in neutral yet, so I went to hit the gas pedal and I hit the car in front of me and then they hit the person in front of them.”

“I was at a sleepover and I just got my license, and I was backing out of a driveway, and I backed into a big black truck because I didn’t see it because I thought it was the night sky.”

KARA FRAZIER, 12

“I was driving home and I saw the biggest man, like, he’s so built out. He just had his leg out on the driver’s side window, so he’s only driving with one leg out the window and one hand on the wheel.”

HUNTER KEELEN, 11

“I was late coming home from a night out with friends. Right before I turned on my street, I hit an owl and it slid across the hood of my car. I started crying and I just pulled onto my street and went into the driveway.”

KATHERINE KIRSCH, 12

“When I was driving when I first got my license I forgot which one was the brake.

The light turned yellow and I pressed the gas, and I almost hit somebody, but I still made the light.”

KAYLA BUTLER, 12

Stories from BEHIND THE EMILY MURSKI, 12

Photo by Katie Gerbasich

“I drove to Taco Bell and I was just waiting in line trying to order. This car pulled away in front of me and all of a sudden his back bumper just fell off. He got out of his car, put the bumper in his backseat, got his food and drove off.”

CECE MILES, 12

WHAT’S IN YOUR CAR? “I was driving to the mall one time and I had my window down and there’s this thing with Jeep where you give each other ducks. It’s called ‘gettin’ ducked.’ Some girl threw a duck through my window and said, ‘You just been ducked!’”

CLARISSA RAMOS, 11

“I was on my way to work, and I got in my car during the summer. I went to reach for my driver’s side door handle, and it just snapped off. So now I don’t have a driver’s side door handle.”

SAHIB VIRDEE, 12

WHEEL

EMILY HERNANDEZ, 10 “It’s a Harry Styles “It’s a necklace disco air freshener. I got my ball hanging from car as a Christmas gift my rearview mirror. and my parents know When the sun is hitmy love for Harry ting it, it’s fun to see Styles and made sure the sparkles on the he was part of the dashboard and just a surprise.” cute decoration.”

VICTORIA GONCALO, 11 “I have these pointe shoes in my car since I’m a dancer. They remind me to keep pushing for what I want in dance and just a reminder of how much I love dancing, even if I’m discouraged with myself.”

MORGAN SANFORD, 12 “These are the “car friends.” It started during Easter last year when my neighbor gave me the white and pink bunny on the right, and the collection has grown ever since. They all have their own names and have been donated by my passengers.”

HAYDEN BENDER, 11 “I got longhorns on the front of my car because they look dope.”

WORTH THE WAIT

Senior Lexi Shannon dominated the mat at the 5A Wrestling State Championships to win her second title.

By Katie Gerbasich

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videographer set up on the edge of the mat to film the girls’ 215-pound weight class at the 5A Wrestling State Championships, blocking the rows of fans behind him from seeing the match.

“Uh, excuse me,” Lexi Shannon’s mom Ronda Shannon said to the reporter.

As the reporter moved to the side he asked, “Is this the one you’ve been waiting for?”

The family just laughed. For more than four hours they had waited to watch Lexi compete for a chance to defend her state title.

After pinning her first three opponents in the state tournament, the biggest stage was set for Lexi to wrestle four-time state qualifier Samyra Thomas of Kashmere.

Thomas had dominated all of her matches at State. She entered the championship match with only two losses all season -- both to Lexi.

“By the time the finals match came around I was feeling nervous knowing how tough her opponent was,” coach Jeff Knight said. “It is very hard to defeat a talented wrestler three times in a row. I had all the confidence in the world in Lexi being the best but knew this would be her biggest challenge.

“I just reminded her that she had to be ready for Samyra to come out extremely fast and to survive the initial onslaught.”

Thomas came out just like Knight predicted and Lexi escaped a near fall in the first period. The second period belonged to Lexi, though. She pinned Thomas to secure the title and finish her senior year with a 50-1 record.

“I’m still kind of on a high,” Lexi said soon after the match ended at the Berry Center. “It just hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it feels great that I was able to do this again.”

This season was not easy for

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Senior Lexi Shannon works to turn Kashmere’s Samyra Thomas in the state championship match. Shannon won by pin. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Lexi. She suffered from a high and low ankle sprain that left her in a boot for four weeks.

“I definitely had a lot to recover from not only physically but like mentally getting myself back in the game,” Lexi said. “It was tough but I got back there.”

She also had to deal with the pressure of defending her state title, knowing people were out to get her.

“Having had the experience of watching (two-time state champion) Maddie Sandquist last year was helpful,” Knight said. “It is much harder to be on the top of the mountain and fight everyone off rather than being the one climbing to the top. She handled the pressure very well and always remained positive.”

Last year, Lexi was able to win her championship alongside Sandquist. This year, the hardest part for her was going through the day as the only remaining member representing the school team.

“This year it was like, ‘Wow, that wasn’t just luck. This year, I am Lexi Shannon,’” she said. “I am number one.”

However, she still had a support system with her throughout the day. She had Rise wrestling club teammates and coaches there. Her

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

parents and sister were there too, along with friends and teammates from Kingwood Park.

“It was awesome,” Lexi said.

“My parents are always there for me and having my club team there, they are my family too. I feel so loved and it’s just so great having that.”

Knight and assistant coach Eric Coovert had front row seats to another gold medal performance.

It wasn’t just Lexi’s skill that made an impact on the team the past four years though.

“What I will remember most about Lexi is that for four years, every single day I saw her she always had a smile and a positive thing to say,” Knight said. “She has been a true leader of our team and she has taken much pride in motivating and developing the younger members of our teams.”

As Lexi finishes up her high school wrestling career, she said she will miss everything.

“I’m gonna miss the people, the team, the girls, the guys, the coaches, competing and stuff like this,” Lexi said. “College would be similar but I just won’t ever be back in this arena and it’s kinda sinking in.”

STATE SWIM WRAP-UP The boys and girls swim seasons ended in February, after multiple swimmers from each team competed in the state swim meet. Going to state was an expectation for a select group of swimmers and they had worked toward that goal throughout the season.

“Really, the meets before are just a building block for our true goal,” boys swim coach Greg McLain said.

The boys team had seven swimmers swim at the state meet this year. Seniors Carter Bennett and Mick Johnson, juniors Chris Rosser and Joe Stephenson, sophomores Logen Black and Ian Maxwell and freshman Gabe Fabrizio were the seven.

The young team was led by Bennett, who said he saw everyone grow and gain much-needed experience this season.

“It’s a great team and I’m excited for what we’re gonna have in the two years coming,” Black said.

On the girls side, six swimmers swam at state and there was one alternate. The girls that qualified were junior Carlie Solomon, sophomore Hannah Dove, sophomore Arrie Shockley, junior Grace Cantu, sophomore Morgen Dozier and junior Renee Alcala. Freshman CeCe Sulllivan went as the alternate.

“It’s a surreal feeling. It’s definitely something to look back on and be proud of,” said Shockley.

The team was comprised of many of the same girls as last season and Dove said the improvement was evident this year. At the state meet in February, Dove broke a school record in the 100 yard butterfly and Solomon broke a school and her individual record in the 200 yard freestyle.

“At state I went from barely making [state] to the championship finals, so I was glad that I got a best time and made the record harder,” Solomon said.

- By Cara Helton and Ava Sayre

Football hits the reset button

By Jacob Jolly

I

magine you just got done running sprints while pulling a 60-pound sled on your back for a total of 400 yards. Your legs burn and hurt to use. All you want to do is rest but you’re only halfway done with your workout. This is a typical offseason day for the football team.

Only two weeks after football season ended, the football program began lifting weights and doing workouts to prepare for next season. This year’s offseason routine is a program that was implemented last year named “Boot Camp.”

“It’s just a time to go back to the basics of everything,” coach Clayton Maple said. “Every little thing matters whether it’s football formations, plays, defenses, kickoff coverages, and punt coverages. These are all complex things, and in order to be successful at that you’ve got to first master all of the little things. We want to take it all the way back as if they’re playing football for the first time.”

When boot camp first begins, coaches strictly focus on team discipline and the ability to follow commands. Once the players start grasping those concepts as a team, the players then move onto the full boot camp experience, which is full of weight lifting and strenuous workouts to build strength, stamina, speed, and mental discipline.

Most days football players will do both weight lifting and drills to focus on speed and stamina.

“I think we started seeing a learning gap between guys who had been in the program for a while and guys who are new to the program,” assistant coach Kyle Grimes said. “What we wanted to do is put everyone on the same page mentally and get them to understand what we’re trying to achieve and how we’re trying to achieve it.”

After finishing 4-6 the past two seasons, the football program is working hard to see better results.

Injuries have plagued them much of the past two years.

Last season, the football team

had a total of 12 varsity players get injured – six of which were seasonending injuries. By the second game of the regular season the team was missing two of its starting offensive lineman, its starting tight end, starting wide receiver and starting quarterback.

With a large number of experienced players being injured, many young players were called on to start games including many players that never got to play on varsity before. Although last season didn’t go as planned, the coaching staff remained positive.

“I thought we finished on a really high note,” Grimes said. “We showed a lot of promise with what we have headed into the future, but it’s still disappointing. You want to make it to the playoffs, you want to have a winning record and when you don’t do that it will always be disappointing.”

Kingwood Park finished the past season by snapping a six-game losing streak. They won the last three games in a row, outscoring their opponents 132-59. The coaches are looking to use last year’s strong finish as an opportunity to show what the team is capable of when it plays to its full potential.

So far the coaching staff has seen a big change in the way their players are attacking the offseason.

Junior Diego Davis exhales as he lifts the bar during incline bench press. He had a strong season at defensive end and hopes to see even better results as a senior. Photo by Jacob Jolly.

MORE AT KPTIMES.COM

Jaxon Sims embraces quarterback challenge “No amount of hard work is ever good enough,” Maple said. “That’s why we want to improve weight lifting scores every six weeks, because it’s an example of the hard work you put in and we want that to improve.

Now you’re seeing how much you’re improving and saying, ‘Wow, I’m gaining strength and self confidence.’ So that’s what it’s all about and, of course, in the meantime still maintaining grades.”

Next season, the football team will be placed into an all-new district with only two teams from their last district (Barbers Hill and Crosby) joining them. The new teams include: Goose Creek Memorial, La Porte, Lee, Port Arthur Memorial, Porter, and Sterling High School.

“I think realignment is something that everybody likes to talk about, but at the end of the day

we have zero control over that,” Grimes said. “And one thing we try to emphasize as a program is to control what you can control, which realignment we cannot control.”

The work won’t end this summer.

The team will hold strength and conditioning camps this summer as well as competing in statewide 7-on-7 tournaments for a chance to compete in the state final in College Station.

Although camps are not mandatory, the team still holds high standards for its players to show up and get better.

“I love to see all of that improvement,” Maple said. “To see the guys go out there as a team and compete against somebody else, that’s what I love the most – just everyone being there together as a team.”

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 15

Track teams rack up medals in early meets

Senior Liam Campbell hands off the baton to Xavier Laroche during the 4x400 relay at Grand Oaks. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Senior Jalen Hill competes in the triple jump on March 5. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Senior Lehyla Lester sprints to the finish at the Grand Oaks Invitational. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Sophomore Eva Abshire clears a hurdle as she competes against senior Charlee Jordan and others in a meet at Kingwood High School. The two have seen a lot of early success for the track team in the hurdles already this season. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Young team looks to make big strides

By Rhian Davis

T

he baseball team is trying to find their footing again after a great season last school year. Baseball coach Bruce Cox graduated 15 seniors last year and now he, along with the returning team members, is adjusting to a sophomore-heavy team.

“Pretty much all of those seniors played and contributed and we only returned one guy off of that team,” Cox said. “This year, they have to learn how to rise up to varsity baseball level.”

As the team continues in district play, Cox and the varsity captains are noticing potential in the younger players. C0-captain Liam Stonestreet said he is looking forward to playing with the group of younger kids because of their determination.

“They’re very optimistic and that’s what I like,” Stonestreet

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said. “I can tell it’s gonna be a fun year.”

Cox hopes to see improvement throughout the whole team as the season moves forward. The team is part of district 20-5A and some of their toughest competitors will be Lake Creek, Montgomery and Porter.

“It’s one of the best districts in Texas and it’s going to be really hard and really challenging but we’ll get there,” Cox said.

Even though the team still has a lot to work towards, they can already tell it’s going to be a great year. The team is tight-knit and with hard work, they say they will be able to achieve anything they set their minds to.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of growth throughout the season and that’s always fun as a coach to watch your team mature,” said Cox.

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

Sophomore Andrew Hennings pitches the first inning against Summer Creek in the preseason. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Jaxon Lindsey looks over at the visiting bench against Klein Cain after getting a hit in the 12-2 win. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Dalby sisters find common ground in field events

By Gabby Norman

D

alby is a very familiar name in KPARK field events. Sarah Dalby, a 2019 graduate of Kingwood Park, threw shot put and discus. Her younger sister, Hannah, has found the same affinity for throws. The junior was the only female thrower last year to reach the area meet.

Both sisters were in the top throwers of the district during their career, and both sisters fell in love with one event in particular - discus.

“I prefer discus because I find it much more satisfying and it’s honestly way easier for me,” Hannah said. “I enjoy practicing the footwork and the full spin motion. My sister was an amazing thrower, which got me really interested in it. She’s a role model of mine so I wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

Hannah, who has been throwing Sarah Dalby for five years, quite literally followed in Sarah’s footsteps.

“Honestly, we had to run in middle school if we did not do a field event, so that was great motivation for me to get good at discus,” Sarah said. “I really enjoyed the personal challenge that throwing presented. It wasn’t necessarily about beating the person next to you, it was more about improving your own distance. I liked that it wasn’t hyper-competitive like a 400 race might be, where you are directly competing side-by-side with someone.”

Both girls like discus because of the technique and lack of brute strength needed, but both found themselves with a similar weakness.

“The biggest challenge for me was probably getting over bad throws and getting ready for the next one,” Sarah said. “Since it is partially a sport of focus and mental strength, it was hard to do a great throw after scratching the one before. I had to learn to forget about the last one and focus on the next throw.”

Hannah expressed similar

Junior Hannah Dalby practices the discus during seventh period in March. Her sister Sarah was also a discus thrower at KPARK. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

sentiments, saying that her biggest At the end of the day, Sarah challenge is “when I get in my head believes throwing in high school too much. I have the skills, but some- has had a huge impact on her life. It times I doubt myself, and that greatly helped to change her mindset and affects my form and distance.” make her the woman she is today.

Sarah feels a little bit of competi“My senior year, I showed up to tion from her younger sister, but school an hour and a half early just mostly feels that it is an individual to work on footwork in the gym,” competition, it is more about beating Sarah said. “Even though that was your own throws. tough and tiring, it “I think we have paid off since “I think we have ultimately a very sister-like I got 3rd at the regional a very sister-like track meet. I didn’t end relationship,” Sarah said. “We have that relationship. We up making the state push-and-pull of supmeet, which was my porting and annoying have that push- ultimate goal, but that each other.” taught me that there are and-pull Sarah still watches other important things of supporting in life and not to get track at the University of Texas at Austin, and annoying caught up in things like where she attends that.” each other.” as an architectural A good work ethic Sarah Dalby engineering major. and outlook on life isn’t She fondly remembers the only thing Sarah her proudest track moment. gained from throwing - she also “My proudest memory was senior found a fiance. year when I threw my furthest “Austin [Wilding], ‘19, and I throw,” Sarah said. “It was wet and started dating the summer before rainy, and my biggest competition our senior year of high school at was throwing as well at that meet.

KP,” Sarah said. “We were both On my last throw, the other girl was varsity throwers and track meets/ at 119’, which I had never thrown practices were a great way to spend before, so I knew I needed to PR in time together. His dad was also our order to win. I ended up throwing discus coach, which actually made 121’ and beat her.” me like Austin even more since I

liked throwing with Coach Wilding.”

Sarah and Wilding have been doing long-distance since they graduated high school while she is at UT and he attends Rice. They got engaged in September and are planning a wedding for July 2023.

“I’m sure we will have some sort of discus reference in the wedding,” Sarah said.

Sarah was a role model for younger throwers when she was an upperclassman and has a similar hope for her sister. She has had the opportunity to see Hannah grow into a young woman and couldn’t be more proud.

“Hannah has shown me how cool siblings are because you see how different and how similar siblings can be and how they rub off on one another,” Sarah said.

Hannah’s goals for the upcoming season are simple: to make it to the regional meet. She made it to the area meet as a sophomore and has spent the offseason working to better her game.

“It feels good to know that I am actually good at something and am able to achieve my goals such as getting medals and qualifying for the Area meet last year,” Hannah said. “My throwing has gotten more intense and way more competitive in the last three years. I like feeling accomplished after every practice knowing I worked hard.”

Hannah and Sarah may have differing opinions on many topics, but they have their love of discus and their sisterhood to bring them together. Hannah views Sarah as a role model, someone to look up to and to go to for advice. Sarah is a proud older sister, watching Hannah pave her own path and become her own person.

“Sarah has motivated me and taught me so many things that even some coaches haven’t taught me,” Hannah said. “ She has impacted me so much and I have learned countless things from her. She has not only taught me to be a better athlete and student, but also a better person. I aspire to be like her and achieve my goals just as she has.”

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 17

Softball starts strong with new coach

By Sharna Ngo

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Volunteer assistant coach Holland Ensminger talks strategy with sophomore Eve Hoyt at halftime of the girls soccer team’s game against Lake Creek. Ensminger used to play for coach Jess White when she was in high school. Now, she is back to learn more from him as she looks pursue coaching. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

New voice helps lift Panthers

By Rhian Davis

H

olland Ensminger never thought she would see the day that playing soccer was taken away from her. A car accident during her sophomore year at Lamar University resulted in a severe concussion and spinal injury that halted her soccer career.

“It definitely was a bit of an identity crisis because soccer was always my life and it kind of got stripped from me pretty quick,” said Ensminger, who graduated from Kingwood Park in 2015.

Recovery was a long and difficult process. Her concussion required copious amounts of rest and she went through the process of physical therapy and rehabilitation for the spinal injury.

“Overall, I guess it helped me realize how much I love the game and that’s why I’m doing what I am now,” Ensminger said.

Prior to playing at Lamar, Ensminger was on the varsity soccer team for all four years of high school. She was coached by

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Jess White.

“She was her own toughest critic,” White said. “She was highly competitive… but she kind of evolved to balance that out and learned to take the good and the bad.”

At Lamar, Ensminger was a criminal justice major. She intended to take on a career in law enforcement but over the years, her plans began to change.

“I started coaching at a local soccer club and I realized that I wanted to work with kids rather than be in law enforcement,” Esminger said.

She is currently a guest teacher for Humble ISD and she recently took a content exam for 7th grade to 12th grade social studies. The exam will allow her to receive her teaching license. She hopes to teach history and coach soccer.

In November of last year, Ensminger contacted White to ask him if she would be able to help out with the soccer team this year.

He answered with a quick “yes” and Ensminger has been a key

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

part of the team ever since.

“She’s an excellent listener and… that’s really valuable for us,” White said. “She’s been a real positive contribution.”

The team has welcomed Ensminger with open arms. They were excited to have someone new that they would be able to go to for advice and encouragement.

“I get in my head easily and she can see it and get me out of that,” said sophomore Eve Hoyt. “She knows how to encourage me, which is through her telling me ‘Don’t worry about the mistake, you’re doing fine.’”

Ensminger is thankful that White and assistant coach Luke Gorney have been so welcoming.

She is excited to see what the future holds. Throughout all of her experiences, Ensminger has learned to never take anything for granted.

“Always take advantage of the time you have with something because you never know when it will be your last time doing it,” Ensminger said.

ew softball season means new adjustments. New coach Kelsie McEachern started off the season with some new ambitions.

McEachern has only been coaching for three years, and only started coaching Kingwood Park this year, but that won’t stop her from coming in with a bang.

“I’ve tried to bring a sense of competition,” McEachern said, “so every single day we compete, whether it’s fighting each other to go get a foul ball, or who’s gonna be the first one to their spot. It’s just competing in every aspect.”

McEachern plans to push the young team this year, but just enough to get them to show their true potential. MORE ONLINE Sophomore, Check out a video Bailey Kee, can on freshman already see how Abbey Pappadimitriou McEachern has impacted them.

“I definitely think she gave us a confidence boost,” Kee said.

“She has made us believe we can go pretty far, we can go way farther than we did last year.”

With the team having Fall Ball this year, the athletes and coach were able to see how their teammates play, while building their bonds as a team. It also allowed McEachern to see what she’s working with.

“I expect Bailey Kee to have a breakthrough season,” McEachern said. “Peyton Cote’s gonna be key in the leadership role, she’s kinda one of those under-the-radar in the sense of…she’s very quiet when she plays, but loud in the dugout, so they tend to follow her well. And I would say the other one is Hannah Leierer. She’s a leader that people just tend to gravitate toward.”

While McEachern is studying her team, the athletes are already recognizing the change that she’s brought for the team. The love her pep talks.

“She helps us find that light in our eyes,” Cote said.

Bowling squad caps off season

By Gabby Norman

W

Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Freshman Courtney Daniel participates in varsity track, soccer and golf. The three-sport athlete is making an impact on each team.

TRIPLE THREAT Freshman Courtney Daniel spends spring juggling varsity track, soccer and golf

By Keyara Weber On Friday nights, Courtney Daniel can often be found in goal for the varsity soccer team. On Saturday mornings, she is working to earn medals on the varsity track team with the shot put or discus. Other days, Daniel is teeing off with the varsity golf team.

“I enjoy them, there is just never a dull moment doing these activities,” Daniel said.

Daniel is very busy with pre-AP classes and three sports practices.

Daniel starts her day off by getting up and ready. She then checks in with her sports that she has that day. While in class, she tries to finish as much homework as she can so she has less to do at night.

During flex hour, she spends all her free time with friends. After sixth period she either goes to the golf course, the track or the soccer field. Some days she splits the period between multiple teams.

Between 4 or 5 p.m. she heads home depending on if she has a

game or not.

One of Daniel’s favorite sports is golf. She likes to spend most of her time on the golf course with friends. ”It’s something that you can enjoy even if you’re not crazy good, because the entire game is purely based on your mentality and how you view it,” Daniel said.

She holds all of the Kingwood Middle School throwing records.

This year, she has already medaled in varsity meets in the shot put and discus.

“Her techniques are pretty good, almost really good, she keeps working on it and it just keeps getting better and better,” coach Sean Bright said.

Daniel did not start playing any of these sports until 2020. She started track in 7th grade, and she started golfing during COVID with her dad.

She was encouraged to join the soccer team at the end of 8th grade at KMS. She played three games as goalkeeper and decided

to continue it in high school. Due to an injury to senior Kennedy Dolmage, Daniel and Arleigh Doehring now share the role on the varsity team. ”She has gone from being somebody who would hope to be played to having a lot of time, due to a variety of circumstances, some of those circumstances are due to her hard work and her ability to learn quickly,’’ coach Jess White said.

Daniel said her first varsity game was stressful.

“I was insanely nervous,” Daniel said. “To be honest I was terrified.

But I knew that I was capable and would only learn from the following events.”

With all of Daniel’s abilities she hopes to take it somewhere after high school.

“I would really like to go to college and be able to play sports,” Daniel said. “I know that with work I’m able to do anything. I truly think that if I put my heart and soul into it, I’ll be able to play a sport past high school.”

hen one thinks of bowling, the ideas of senior citizens or “The Big Lebowski” come to mind, but what many don’t realize is that bowling is right under their noses.

Spanning all the Humble ISD schools, a few students such as junior Delaney Espinoza have found that bowling is right up their alley.

“All of the schools come to the bowling alley every Thursday to compete in several tournaments,” Espinoza said. “The KPark bowling team is a place where people can come practice and compete competitively with all of the schools in the district and have the possibility to go to state.”

Espinoza is one of three bowlers at Kingwood Park, the other two being senior Devin Phillip and sophomore Ava Ordonez. Espinoza has been bowling for a year, and was inspired to join the team after playing on the Wii with her grandfather.

“Whenever he came from out of town we would always play Wii bowling together and out on the alley,” Espinoza said. “He was super good at it and I just fell in love with it too.”

The bowling season officially begins in early November and ends in late February. Since the season just ended, Espinoza encourages people interested to talk to their sponsor, Lori Everett, or to ask her questions.

Supplies such as bowling balls are typically donated to those who don’t have one. Max Bowl in Humble, where the team bowls, also provides shoes to bowlers.

Espinoza has loved being a part of the team because of the memories she has made.

“I love getting to be able to bowl for free and be a part of something I can look back on in the future,” Espinoza said. “My favorite memory has to be betting $5 against a competitor in Humble High School for fun and getting a strike on the last frame of my attempt.”

SPORTS | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 19

WHAT’S HOT? Wordle, Quordle, Taylordle, Globle Every variation of Wordle is the best way to start the day.

Grades locking for seniors After four long years, we can finally breathe again.

Women’s History Month The girls that get it, get it. The girls who don’t, don’t.

The bus ride home after winning The most hype bus rides EVER. Going to the Museum District Between The Houston Zoo, The Art Museum and The Museum of Natural Science, you can’t go wrong.

WHAT’S NOT? Euphoria season 2 being over What are we going to do on Sundays now?

Procrastination I don’t know… I’ll fill this out later…

After school traffic The lines are SO LONG. Gas prices Looking at the number on the screen after filling up your car is painful.

Not showing school spirit You’re only in high school for four years, enjoy cheering on your classmates and having fun!

20

CUT IT OUT

STAFF EDITORIAL

Cutting in the lunch line must stop.

Is it really that big of a deal? That’s the look you tend to get if you confront someone who cut in the lunch line. And, admittedly, it wouldn’t be a big deal if that person was the only cutter in the cafeteria. But that’s far from being the case.

Cutting is a common occurrence in the Kingwood Park lunch line. If you turn your back for half a second or fail to stand within two inches of the person in front of you, then you’re effectively donating your spot in line to some morally-questionable student, or in many cases, a group of students. It’s irritating, as it takes long enough to get lunch without being constantly bumped back in line. But as frustrating as it is, it’s not the problem of cutting that prompted the writing of this article; it’s the frightening implications that this problem brings to light.

Cutting isn’t a victimless crime. By cutting another person, a student pushes another back in line, obliquely suggesting that they believe their time is more important than other peoples’.

Photo by Shelby Townsend.

This kind of attitude should really end sometime in elementary school, but we’ll give the high school cutters the benefit of the doubt. It could be that they’ve genuinely never thought about morality or that they’ve never had someone explain to them how their actions can affect others. Whatever the case, there’s a simple rule that can guide the way an ethical person should act that’s especially useful in this scenario.

First, question if the action is hurting anyone else. In this case, it is, as cutting moves everyone behind the cutter back in line, wasting their valuable time.

Then, think about what would happen if everyone did it. Imagine a cafeteria full of cutters; It would be pure chaos with

only the biggest and most aggressive kids getting fed in a timely manner. Is that a world you want to contribute to?

In the end, no one can really put a stop to this problem except the cutters themselves. Despite the efforts of teachers, assistant principals, and student vigilantes, no one can catch all these people. Besides, you can punish a cutter, but that’s not going to change the way they think. A change of heart is a personal decision.

If you have the tendency to cut lines, try something new next time. Think of all the hungry people behind you that you’re affecting. Maybe you’ll find that your lunch would taste a whole lot better if you got it the honest way.

these either loosen your curl pattern or straighten your hair, since natural hair has been seen as unprofessional or ugly.

You also usually get charged an extra fee since the stylist has to detangle your “matted” hair, which in reality isn’t matted at all, just in its tangled natural state. This is incredibly unfair because this only happens when you have curly or coily hair.

Some people may argue that if it’s so difficult to find people to do black hair, why don’t you just perm it. However, I argue that we shouldn’t continue to damage and adapt our hair to fit into the white beauty standard. We should be able to do whatever we want with our hair without getting discriminated against.

We should get the same treatment as people with curly or straight hair. Our

hair is not “more difficult” as people like to claim. And even if it is, it is their job as stylists to do hair, all hair. If a stylist claims that someone’s hair is too hard to do then they shouldn’t be a stylist.

The less than subtle discrimation against black people’s hair, and especially black women’s hair, causes them to be more anxious about their hair and what it looks like, according to The Good Hair Study. This isn’t okay.

This is about more than not having hairstylists; this is about the fact that natural black hair is still not fully accepted in society, and it’s apparent by the lack of knowledge on black hair in the hair industry. I propose that Texas makes it mandatory that cosmetology schools teach how to do natural black hair.

Texas needs to change cosmetology requirements

F

or decades there has been a lack of hair stylists that know how to cut, style or dye natural black hair; the reason being, it simply isn’t taught in most cosmetology schools. This is due to deep rooted antiblackness. Our hair has never been liked or seen as beautiful in America, up until very recently.

According to GlamBy Ana our, only 19 states require specific La Rosa Grillo training for natural hair, which I find completely ridiculous..

Most of the time the only curly hair service your nearest salon will offer you is a blowout, silk press or perm. All of

OPINION | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

WHAT-A-PLACE

Other top hangouts in Kingwood and why you should visit them

The search begins for why Whataburger has become the regular hangout for students.

I

t was your typical Kingwood Friday night. Following the basketball game against Porter, dozens of Kingwood Park students flocked to Whataburger, ordering greasy burgers and loitering outside in the parking lot. I, too, was there. But unlike the rest of the teenage delinquents, I was there on business.

When trying to categorize the behavior of most high schoolers, the words impulsive

By Reece and unpredictCavallo able come to mind.

This can make it hard to uncover their motives, which was, unfortunately for me, precisely what I was attempting to do that night. I had been tipped by an anonymous source that students tend to meet en masse at Town Center after big high school events, specifically at the Whataburger.

“Why Whataburger?” I thought to myself, “What am I missing?”

Like any great investigator, I was prepared to do whatever it took to find out.

Ask any detective and they’ll tell you field work is the best part of their job.

It’s thrilling, it’s revealing, and, in many cases, it’s dangerous. This is why I took along my two associates, seniors Sean Bunford and Jaylen Mayorga. If things turned nasty, which they often do, three sets of fists always outperform one.

With my two men in tow, we drove into the Whataburger parking lot at around 8:30 p.m. Even though the basketball game had ended just minutes prior to our arrival, there was already a large group of teenagers outside the restaurant. We ordered quickly and found ourselves a booth in the back.

After scarfing down a practicallynamed Double Meat Whataburger, I refocused my attention to the matter at hand: finding out what about this place was able to draw so many Kingwood Park students. Spotting an employee sitting idly in the booth next to us, I

Deerbrook Mall Home of Barnes and Noble and the always-delicious Famous Wok! Deer Ridge Park Tennis? Check.

Soccer? Got it.

Horses? More than you could ever need.

Photo by Maya Ortiz.

figured I had found my man.

I slid into the seat across from him and introduced myself and my purpose.

The young worker identified himself as junior Bradley Glass. With the air of a disgruntled and overworked long-time employee, Glass told me it was his first day on the job. Only slightly deterred, I began questioning him. Unfortunately, he seemed even more confused than I was. Our interview ended with Glass looking me dead in the eyes and asking me the question I was looking for him to answer: “Why is this place so special?”

Slightly shook, I stood up and returned to my booth. Despite my efforts, Dr Pepper couldn’t cleanse the disappointment from my palate; I needed answers.

I approached a confident-looking teenager who called himself Caleb Medlock. Allegedly a junior at Kingwood Park, Medlock was able to answer my questions, even offering seemingly reasonable explanations.

“I think it’s just because this is in Town Center that makes it so popular,” he told me.

Medlock’s easy words suggested honesty, but his eyes told a different story.

I felt he was holding something back.

Something terrible. Like the seasoned criminal I was beginning to suspect

he was, he wouldn’t crack, and I was forced to move on.

My last attempt to elicit truth was with freshman Jessica Martinez. The girl had the energy of a frisky pup, which I was banking on causing her to slip-up and reveal Whataburger’s secret. But as was custom that night, I was wrong. Martinez appeared to be a master fabricator.

When asked why so many people came here, she answered, “Cuz it’s, like, the hang-out spot.”

Already knowing that, I pressed her further, asking why it’s the hang-out spot.

“Because the food,” Martinez retorted.

Having eaten the food earlier that night, I knew that couldn’t really be the reason. I was stumped. These people’s lips were sealed, and whatever was going on wasn’t going to be discovered by me. Defeated, I drove home in silence.

It was a tough decision to publish this account. There is unquestionably a conspiracy surrounding the Whataburger at Town Center, and I suspect there will be repercussions for sharing this story.

The truth, however, needs to be known.

If you, dear reader, have information relevant to this case, please stop by my office. And while you’re at it, bring me a Whataburger. I’ve really been craving them lately.

Subway off Northpark Need some grub before band practice? Subway is always fresh.

Starbucks off Northpark It’s a great place to study and caffeinate!

McDonald’s on Northpark The other McDonald’s restaurants just don’t feel like home.

Sonic on West Lake Houston You don’t even have to leave your car!

Raising Cane’s on Kingwood Drive The best lemonade in the business.

River Grove Park A short trek through the wilderness will get you to a beachy island paradise; all within Kingwood!

OPINION | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 21

nly 24 out of 50 states in America mandate that students learn sex education.

This could lead to obstacles later in life, so sex education should be taken more seriously in school environments.

High schools have courses like biology and other life sciences; but learning about the inner workings of other living things won’t Ryder Lowery help them in life rather than learning of their own. Sex ed would teach teenagers to make wise and safe decisions in their sexual and everyday lives. If all teenagers were taught the truth about teen pregnancy and planned parenthood in general, they would have a stronger grasp on reality and how to guide themselves through it. According to a teen pregnancy study, 5 out of the 10 states with the highest teen pregnancy rate do not have an active sex education course mandated in their schools.

Students in sex ed clases are taught the history and truth on sexually transmitted diseases. Students who aren’t educated properly develop hysteria and misinformation on STDs. A study on HIV and STD prevention stated that teenagers and young adults are the age group with the highest STI rate. If students are not taught how to be sexually safe, how can we guarantee they will be later in life?

Columbia University issued a study on how sex education

22

could prevent sexual assault and other forms of harassment in college. It states that students who were given refusal skills training in high school were more capable in defending themselves during sexual misconduct.

In a statistic on American high schools, 14% of middle schools and 38% of high schools have a sex ed course.

Students should be taught the facts and truth about sex, and all of the consequences it could have. Research by the Texas Department of State Health Services said that Harris County has the highest STD rate in the state of Texas, a state that does not have a mandatory sex ed course in its schools.

Some may think that students aren’t mature enough, or even mentally prepared for sexual education. But sex ed would make those same students safe and ready for their post secondary lives. It won’t matter if the students make jokes when they’re uncomfortable, it matters that they will absorb the information taught to them so they can stay safe.

To bring this problem to an end, schools should make a more flexible schedule for students along with different levels of sex ed classes. Starting the classes early would be better, to prevent students from being swarmed by more classes.

Parents could choose to have a more in depth level class for their student if they see it necessary.

Sexual Education does not encourage minors to sexually misbehave, it enforces safety in students’ future sexual lives.

OPINION | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

by Samantha Head

O

2 A.M. TEXTING

Sex education should be required in schools

The Great Pizza scandal Y

ou’ve heard about the Watergate scandal, the Teapot Dome scandal, and now the Great Pizza scandal of the 21st century.

In 2011 Congress officially voted pizza a vegetable due to the high amount of tomato sauce on it. Well, sort of. Congress didn’t officially pass a bill on making pizza a full blown vegetable, but they did agree that the amount of tomato sauce on a pizza could be counted as a serving of vegetables.

Now here’s my big idea: Why not give everyone a slice of pizza on the side of their lunch? The two lines where pizza is served three times a week are always crowded. So why not just serve a slice of pizza in all of the lines on the side of your meal?

Let’s be honest, school lunches only come with enough Jacob Jolly food to feed your 8-year-old cousin. Not to mention the slices of pizza aren’t the biggest, so most of the time it leaves you wanting more.

Each extra slice is $2.75. What’s worse than expensive pizza? Nothing. And what’s better than free pizza? Nothing.

The Great Pizza scandal doesn’t have to loom over our school any longer. Free us from its hideous shadow and make pizza a vegetable option.

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Excitement, sadness as last print issue gets underway

I

’ve been surrounded by journalism my entire life. I loved following my parents to interviews before I was even in kindergarten.

I would watch in awe as they talked to people my friends called famous and listen intently as they read their stories aloud at the kitchen table. I grew up making my own little newspapers around the house with my sisters and Kathleen Ortiz dreaming of the day I would be able to tell stories like my parents.

When I joined the Intro to Journalism class my freshman year, I

wasn’t sure what to expect. Our newspaper program didn’t print a newspaper and didn’t have any social media. However, my mom returned to lead the program and she was determined to grow it. Her enthusiasm spread to us quickly. Intro students produced publishable work almost immediately, helping the small newspaper staff fill a 16-page print issue.

I moved up to the newspaper staff after my first semester, and my love for narratives began that spring. The first narrative piece I wrote was for a package titled “Where are they now?” about Kingwood Park alumni. I wrote about Joseph Stanton, a state champion swimmer who suffered a traumatic brain injury the summer before his junior year. The year I wrote the story he was still

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unable to speak or walk, and he couldn’t eat on his own. It took months of talking to his mother before she invited me to their house to attend his 25th birthday and allowed me to write the story.

I shot photos at his birthday party, met Joseph and spoke to his sisters and mother. I interviewed them all and wrote the story titled “Nine years since accident, Stantons showcase strength.” The story is still the most read item on our website. I had written news and features before, but my love for journalism and narratives really took off after that story. Finally, I wrote a story I wanted to read to my family at the dinner table, just like my parents used to do.

I couldn’t wait to write my next one.

Looking towards the last issue

of the paper, I almost tear up. I have made such amazing friends and memories these past four years. I can’t imagine it being over soon, but I’m very excited to see how the newspaper will flourish once I’m gone. As I continue to recruit for next year and help mentor the staff members who I know will take my place, I know that the program in which I have dedicated my last four years will be okay. I have one issue of the newspaper left, another narrative in mind and plenty more opportunities to shoot photos. But after four years of hard work, I’m most proud of the fact that when I’m gone the program is going to keep improving and growing. I’m not worried about it at all, and that’s what I’m incredibly proud of.

Romanticizing your life is the way to go In all honesty, life sucks. Too much stuff has happened in these past two years, and I think I would rather not talk about it in this piece. But what I did do, is learn. Lots of learning. Looking back at the version of me before everything happened, is quite different.

Before, I would want to sit in my room with nothing but me and all my little hobbies. Well, the pandemic handed that to me. I guess you can say that it changed the way I see everything. Staying inside for too long can do that to a person.

One of the best skills I’ve learned over my time alone Sharna Ngo is to romanticize my life.

Some people say that I’m living in a movie, but I see it as if I’m being happier with the little things. It can be as simple as getting up in the morning, talking to friends, or even getting a glass of water. Being self aware is so important today, in any aspect. Encouraging ourselves to do better things for our lives is essential to being happy with who we are.

The first step is to acknowledge one’s self from an outside point of view. When I walk through school, I sometimes think that I’m in a little movie with my headphones blaring my background music. Realizing that you are walking down a simple hallway in a full world around

you can be an overwhelming, yet exciting emotion because you can feel yourself living and breathing. It feels as if you’re opening doors to new possibilities.

The second step of how to romanticize your life is to find happiness in where you are right now. Oh you’re at work? Well, think of it as a little game that you play. From my personal experience as a receptionist, I think of it as a “receptionist simulator” to get through the arduous day. By allowing myself to have fun, I can be a little happier in my workplace.

The third step is to understand what truly makes you happy. It can be hanging around your friends, sitting down and watching your favorite movie, or just being productive. Happiness comes in many forms, so I can’t give you the exact advice on how to make you truly happy.

What I can tell you is that life isn’t always bad.

Of course bad things will always happen, but finding meaning behind the good moments is crucial. Recognizing bad emotions only makes happier emotions even stronger.

I’m no expert on psychology and I couldn’t tell you what the meaning of life is, but I can tell you why I live. I live to see the people I love grow into even better people; I live to see the happiness that I can create around my environment; I live to witness all the great things that life can give to me. Everyday I think about those things to the point it becomes second nature. It takes time, so try not to rush the process.

OPINION | March 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 23

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