KP Times, Oct. 30, 2015

KP TIMES

Issue 2, Vol. 3 s October 30, 2015 Kingwood Park High School s 4015 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339

Photo by Tanner Kobal

Choir director adds humor in class as he works to help students reach their potential, page 3.

Photo by Sarah Martell

The tennis team won Area finals and advanced to this weekend’s Regional tournament, page 6.

Photo by Michael Horton

With big wins all season, the volleyball team earns title of coDistrict Champions, page 6.

Sophomore Jake McIlhany, senior Ariana Saenz and junior Mary Katherine Henry work on carving a pumpkin during sculpting class.

Photo by Sarah Martell.

A HOWLIN’ GOOD TIME Whether making jack-o-lanterns at school or touring the local haunted houses, students find entertainment on Halloween.

See pages 4-5.

Junior Logan James at the Kingwood Asylum. Photo by Emily Humble.

A scene at the Kingwood Asylum. Photo by Emily Humble.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO...

Oct. 31 P Halloween

Nov. 2 P Choir Region Auditions @ Atascocita HS (3-10 p.m.)

Nov. 3 P Election Day (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)

P College mini fair in the Commons (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Nov. 5 P Play On theater performance (7-10 p.m.)

Nov. 6 P Pep Rally (9:15-9:45 a.m.)

P Play On Theater Performance (7-10 p.m.)

Nov. 7 P UIL Academic Conference @ SHSU (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)

P Play On theater performance (7-10 p.m.)

Nov. 9 P Play On theater performance (7-10 p.m.)

Nov. 10 P Humble ISD Board Meeting (7-11 p.m.)

Nov. 12 P HOSA Blood Drive (7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.)

Nov. 17 P Day of Service (8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.)

Nov. 20 P Fall Frenzy (9-10 a.m.)

Nov. 21-29 P Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL Dec. 1 P Theater 3/4 Performance (7-9 p.m.)

Dec. 2 P Science National Honor Society Induction (7-8:30 p.m.)

Dec. 5 P Cheer Christmas Lock In (4:30-11:30 p.m.)

Dec. 7 P NHS Induction (6-9 p.m.)

Dec. 8 P Humble ISD Board Meeting (7-11 p.m.)

P Orchestra Winter Concert (7-9 p.m.)

Dec. 9 P Life & Applied Skills Awards (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

Dec. 10 P Choir Winter Concert (7-10 p.m.)

Dec. 11 P Choir Christmas Caroling/Party (4:30-11 p.m.)

cDonald’s launches its all-day breakfast

Local establishments offer the McMuffin items in the new all-day breakfast menu.

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By Sydney Woodward News Editor

or 43 years, McDonald’s only served breakfast until 10:30 a.m..

Finally, McDonald’s listened to many people’s wishes by implementing their new all-day breakfast menu Oct. 6.

Students were disappointed when all-day breakfast didn’t include all their favorite foods though.

“I think they should serve all items served for breakfast because most people go there to get certain breakfast items but then that item is not served,” George Cerro11 said.

“How is it all-day breakfast if they

October 30, 2015

All-Day Breakfast Menu*

-Egg McMuffin -Sausage McMuffin -Sausage McMuffin with Egg -Hotcakes -Hotcakes with Sausage -Fruit N’ Yogurt Parfait -Fruit and Maple Oatmeal -Sausage Burritos -Hashbrowns *McDonald’s in the surrounding area are featuring the McMufffin menu.

State competition brings new honors to journalists Ten newspaper and yearbook staff members attended and competed at the state conference.

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By Olivia Reinhardt Staff Reporter

ournalism students had a strong showing at the TAJE (Texas Association of Journalism Educators) state convention in San Antonio. They won four individual awards and received Honorable Mention in the Best of Show competition for small yearbooks.

One of the competitions included an onsite photo contest in which awards were given to junior Kylee Wing, senior Tori Gatling, senior Madison Berry and junior Emma Waller.

Competitors in the photo competition roamed the city with their cameras for

2510 Mills Branch Dr. Kingwoodtx@snapfitness.com 2 News

don’t have all of their breakfast items?”

There are two different breakfast menus for the new all-day breakfast promotion, which are the McMuffin menu and the biscuit sandwich menu.

The biscuit menu is only available in southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi. The McMuffin menu is available pretty much everywhere else, including Kingwood.

The only real difference between these two menus is one serves McMuffin sandwiches and the other serves biscuit sandwiches. All locations also sell pancakes and hash browns.

“I like McDonald’s. I like breakfast.

Now I can eat them both whenever I want,” Caroline Dedmon11 said.

three hours. They submitted one picture in each of the five assigned categories: natural world, pairs, culture, urban and inspiration.

“We had no idea what to do for the ‘inspiration’ challenge, and we were running out of time,” Berry said. “We still had to submit everything, and when we were walking Go to back we passed KPtimes.com this really fancy to see the hotel.

They award-winning photos let us go up to their top floor outside, and we were able to recognize both of our visions. It was awesome.”

The students didn’t just work hard. State competitors got to do activities outside of attending sessions and competing.

“We went on our Riverwalk boat tour,” Waller said. “It was beautiful seeing the

lights from all the restaurants reflecting on the river and getting to learn about the history of the buildings around us and what their original purpose was.”

The students also went to a pizzeria and ate a 42-inch pizza, visited the Alamo, ate ice cream and wrote on a popular chalkboard in the city where people passing write their goals.

Juniors Sydney Woodward, John Carl Boudreaux, Chris Luck, senior Mackenzie Kisslinger and sophomores Emily Humble and Michael Horton also competed in various writing, design and photo competitions. They each brought new ideas back to share with their classmates as well.

“It was just good to see the kids out of school having fun together and really getting to focus on something they all share a passion for - which is journalism,” publications adviser Megan Ortiz said.

Alum rises up ranks in Navy, prepares to start career in Hawaii Nick Anderson discusses his journey to operating nuclear submarines.

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During a pep rally early this fall, choir director Benjamin Fahnders laughs when he finds out the results of the best beard competition. He defeated the other teachers in the competition after students voted. Photo by Kylee Wing.

Fahnders finds fun In a program steadily growing, the choir director infuses jokes and fun into daily curriculum.

bad audition,” senior Lexi Clidienst said.

“He talked to me and said he really believed in me. He knows our voices and our personalities.”

By Kylee Wing While the students notice Fahnders’ enKPtimes.com Editor couraging side, they also see the fun side ith his long sleeve, button up shirt of him. Fahnders has found that relationtucked in, choir director Benjamin ships are best formed in class when everyFahnders stood at the door with a smile one is having a good time.

“Music is flipping awesome,” Fahnders and the sheet music for Frozen.

As students approached, he handed out said. “I couldn’t teach dogs to sing so kids the music until the tardy bell sounded. were the second best.”

It’s Fahnders’ humor that creates many Moving to the front of the room near the piano, Fahnders gave musical insight on of those memorable moments. Being humorous is the only way Fahnders knows their new song. As he talked, jokes arose.

And the class began to enjoy the fun they how to live.

“I get my praise of silliness from my have everyday when they walk through the big metal doors that separate choir grandfather, Grandpa Fahnders,” Fahnders said. “There is always time for silly.” from the rest of the school.

Through his time in front of the class, For four years, Fahnders has made a lasting impact on the choir program and the he has added humor and practical jokes, a twist of fun in students in it. the midst of the “Everyone is kids’ days. coming from “All of this taltheir own set of ent came natucircumstances,” rally,” Fahnders Fahnders said.

“And it’s my job - choir director Benjamin Fahnders said. “Who am I to argue with to let them know it?” they have a voice.

Within the fun, “My biggest struggle is that in a world with eight bil- there is productivity as well. In four years lion people that I matter and I can make directing at KPARK, 40-50 students have won solo and ensemble awards each year. a difference.”

More than 200 students have gone A year ago, senior Marissa Cano was acthrough the program since he took it over. cepted into the All-State Choir.

Fahnders loves every aspect of the choir He has tried to help each as best as he can.

“He has taught me a lot of life lessons,” experience, and he takes pride in every senior Jada Inman said. “It is OK to be second of it.

“Choir is an opportunity for everyone loud and hear your own voice.”

Being a mentor to many students, Fahn- to be great,” Fahnders said. “No one stands ders works hard to make an impact on alone. I like that when we collaborate we exceed our expectations,” Fahnders said. those whose path he crosses.

“We did practice auditions and I had a “That’s the glory in it.”

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“I couldn’t teach dogs to sing, so kids were second best.”

By Maddy Berry Editor in Chief

or KPARK alum Nick Anderson, the real world started almost immediately after high school ended. After not qualifying for a scholarship, he abandoned the college dream and followed a family tradition by joining the military.

When he walked back through the doors of Kingwood Park earlier this month wearing the sharp tan and black uniform of the Navy, he’d achieved something astounding. At 20 years old, Nick Anderson is a submarine nuclear operator, on leave one last time before he heads off to Hawaii to begin his career aboard U.S. submarines.

“I didn’t get to go to college,” Anderson said. “It would have been really cool, seeing friends, but big perspective - I’m defending the country, that’s pretty cool. I mean, I’m 20 years old, operating a nuclear power reactor. It’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

The rigor of the class work for nuclear engineering might dissuade some, but for Anderson, it took only a nudge from a mentor to convince him it was all worthwhile.

“My recruiter was a nuke (nuclear engineer), and he said, ‘You’re smart. You should be a nuke,’” Anderson said simply. “And so I just said, ‘OK, I’ll be a nuke.’”

But while the decision may have been easy, it didn’t change the fact that the classes were hard - very hard. Anderson learned in two years what most do in a minimum of four. High level math and science classes, like Physics and Calculus, were condensed into a period of three weeks.

Despite the slightly rocky road, Anderson’s success came as no surprise to anyone.

“When he first came into class, I liked him right away,” said KPARK During a recent visit back to his high school, Nick Anderson teacher James Brown. visited with former aeroscience teacher James Brown.

“There’s just something about Nick.”

Brown taught Anderson’s aeroscience class when he was a student, and Anderson partially credits him with inspiring his desire to be an engineer.

“He pushed me into the engineering field,” Anderson said. “He taught it to be interesting. I was looking forward to it, and then he pushed me into making a career out of it.”

Because of the military, Anderson’s career is already in full swing. After “luckily” getting assigned to his top choice, Hawaii (which is a highly selective location), Anderson heads straight to his job on the submarine.

“We operate two of the oldest operational power reactors in the world,” Anderson said. “I never saw a work day that was less than 12 hours. I’m getting on fasttech, so we’re going out real quick, launching missiles and coming back. My sub in particular, we do a lot of stuff in the North Pole.”

Though only two years out of high school, Anderson and his accomplishments are already inspiring a new group of prospective engineers.

Before leaving for Hawaii, he visited Brown and talked to aeroscience students about his experience in the military.

“I liked that he mentioned it does take hard work and dedication, but it pays off in the end,” senior Julianne Castillo said. “He was inspirational because he showed me that it’s possible to make it, and that the real world isn’t so scary.”

October 30, 2015

Features 3

I N -S I D E THE ASYLUM Students embrace unique opportunity and volunteer to be monsters on the weekends.

From the faces hidden in the walls of the doctor’s office, to the clown dolls which turn their heads on their own accord, Kingwood Asylum has made sure not to overlook the small details. This year, Kingwood’s haunted house has expanded to three times the size it has been in the past. “We love it, and we are so dedicated to opening to the public... we lose sleep over it,” said junior Abbigayle Shwebach, who volunteers there. Most volunteers don’t get home until around 1 a.m.

By Emily Humble Staff Reporter

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wo hours from now, senior Alyssa O’Brien’s neatly combed dark hair will be matted, the makeup she wears will be masked in blood, and the color of her eyes will change from hazel to an offputting mix of yellow and red. She’ll wander the asylum halls, possibly hiding under the bed, listening intently for approaching footsteps. The bloodstains on the floor of that room, at least most of them, are because of her.

But that comes later. Right now, she’s sitting in the grass outside the The Haunt, lounging with friends, waiting to be called for costumes, each of them taking turns stealing from junior Logan James’ dinner.

Behind them a tall man with a thick beard strolls by, wearing a bloody pig mask and gore streaked apron.

“Once I was scaring this 13-year-old boy so hard that he punched me in the face twice,” said O’Brien, a volunteer at Kingwood Asylum. “If the adrenaline’s going, you don’t even really feel it… It’s kind of fun.”

The Kingwood Asylum and Hallowed Grounds, also known as The Haunt by insiders, is by day an unassuming beige warehouse and a weathered fence off of Northpark Drive. By night, the doors are opened, and one of the highest rated haunted houses in Houston begins welcoming Kingwood residents inside.

Shayne Torrans, one of four owners of the Kingwood Asylum, sits in the foyer next to the “ghostbust” - the name given to the bust that comes alive and delivers the rules to customers before they enter the attraction. An actor pokes his head in the door to ask him if the role they’re assigned tonight is vocal or silent, and men wearing tool belts and headlamps hustle through the room to another destination, on their way to make quick fixes before opening.

4 Features

October 30, 2015

“During season, when we’re running, we get people who will have little ‘accidents’ when they are walking through… There’s a sick level of accomplishment…

You feel like you’ve done your job.”

- junior Logan James, a volunteer at Kingwood Asylum

**** The Haunt has changed tremendously since it was founded at Torrans’ home back in 2008.

As a kid, Torrans was inspired by the “home haunt” that was put on in the house behind where Torrans’

best friend lived. “(That homowner) really outdid himself… The year the movie E.T. came out, he actually built a full blown animatronic, that looked just like E.T. It was the most incredible thing,” he said.

After a Halloween housewarming party in 2007, those wonders from his childhood must have come back to him. Torrans and some friends put together a dry-ice fog machine, bought cheap masks from a Halloween store, and set up on the front lawn, just for fun.

“The fog was rolling through the yard and off the curb and into the street, and grown kids would just stand on the edge of the street and they’d be like, ‘Oh, hell, no! I’m not going up there,’” Torrans said. “We just had a ball doing it.”

The year after that, they set up the Spook House, a simple, under 10-minute experience created in their garage and front and back lawns. They received about 250 trick-or-treaters the first year and 500 the next.

By 2010, they attracted 1,600 visitors, which resulted in a longer than two-hour line. With pressure from both neighbors and the Homeowners Association,

they were faced with the decision to either quit or go business. Rather than going past a scary room in a professional. separate hallway, a tactic often employed by other Five years later, Kingwood Asylum now attracts haunts, Kingwood Asylum puts the customer in the about 4,000 scare-seekers yearly and has amassed actual environment. about 100 volunteers working on the project.

This year the indoor asylum has opened, in addi**** tion to the Hallowed Grounds, the outdoor portion At this point in the evening, a mix of deep house mu- that had been the primary attraction for the past three sic blasts through The Haunt, and the bass shakes the years. The Haunt also added two more owners over walls. It’s a tradition that while the actors are getting the past year, Shane and Ryan Glasgow, who ran a ready before The Haunt opens, someone will put their home haunt of their own before joining with Kingmusic on the speakers that will later play the ambi- wood Asylum. This merger resulted in The Haunt ent background noise that set the mood of the attrac- growing to three times the size it had been in past tion when customers are walking through. Volunteers years. chat and occasionally dance as they wait in line to be The expansion is also the reason ticket prices indoused in synthetic blood. creased and now cost $30.

The student volunteers who work at The Haunt don’t “We’re barely covering the cost it takes in order to get paid to be monsters late into the ungodly hours of grow it,” says Torrans. the night, but something drives them to come back Platinum silicone masks, the movie quality masks for more long, five-hour shifts, screaming, crawling, that Kingwood Asylum mainly uses, cost an average growling and cackling until midnight. of $1,000 per mask; and one or two fall casualty to ac“This is my second family, this is my second home,” cidental ripping every year. said junior Abbigayle Schwebach, who volunteers at At about 7 p.m., the main lights in The Haunt flicker the Asylum. on and off three times. Ryan Glasgow does one final Demonstrating the point, she’s holding the 2-year- walkthrough of the course, making sure all of the old daughter of one of the owners out by the ticket crew members are in their places. The lights finally booth. Holding the child, she describes her favorite settle on off, and the first group of “normal” people role to play: Samara, the central horror from the mov- enter the world of the asylum. ie The Ring. Though she hasn’t had the chance to play “By the time you get into that first or second room,” her this year, Samara was her primary one last year.

Torrans said. “You forget you’re in a metal building.”

“The moment I put on the dress, I become Samara,” **** she said. “I get all those feeling like, somebody wanted Helping each other into masks and costumes, doing you dead, and now you want them dead.” each other’s makeup, working on the build, and acting To O’Brien, the power lies in the backstory. roles that live way outside social norms foster strong “I create an entire awesome backstory for my char- bonds between the volunteers. acter, even if I’m just like, a shrub,” she said.

“I’ve learned that you can be who you are and people James, who also volunteers at the Asylum, relies will accept you. “ says Schwebach. much more on putting The Haunt will welhimself “in the place.” Recome anyone of any age cently, he played the dental who wants to volunteer. patient, a character which People from the age of 8 wears scrubs and has teeth up into their retirement for eyes. years come out to help in “You take in what your all aspects of operation. room is like, your area, and The Haunt will still be you imagine yourself if this open through the first were a real place,” he said weekend of November, But The Haunt teaches and as the volunteers sat much more than just acttalking the other night, “Everyone should experience ing skill, as that alone is there was no shortage of [Kingwood Asylum] at lease not enough to create the people they believed still once… It really helps you find scare Kingwood Asylum needed to visit. hopes to provide.

“If you want to be scared, yourself, honestly. It allows you “We teach the art of ilcome to the Kingwood lusion,” Torrans said. “We to know what you’re capable of.” Asylum,” O’Brien said.

- senior Alyssa O’Brien, who volunteers at Kingwood Asylum teach scenic design, set James then interrupted design, lighting, sound, his friend. acting, teamwork.”

“If you don’t get out and run much, come to the What Kingwood Asylum is known best for in the Kingwood Asylum,” he said, as they all laughed. industry is set design, the rooms and places created If those categories left anyone out, O’Brien had just within the walls of The Haunt. Some former volun- two more suggestions. teers, using what they learned from helping with the “If you need to validate your existence, come to the build, have gotten jobs in the set design departments Kingwood Asylum,” she said. “If you sometimes feel of Disney World, Universal Studios and Six Flags. like you’re crazy, come to the Kingwood Asylum.”

This detailing ensures the power of the asylum’s format, a method known as “immersion” in the haunt

Carving out fun Sculpting students paired with other classmates from around the school to carve pumpkins on Oct. 22.

Junior Emily Callens helps freshman Dustin Holloway carve a lightning bolt into the side of his pumpkin. Other students carved faces and one even carved the Texans logo onto his pumpkin. Photo by Sarah Martell.

Sophomore Gerardo De Le Garza and sophomore Veronica Rodriquez work together to carve a spooky cat on Rodriquez’s pumpkin. Photo

by Sarah Martell.

Senior Tommy Fazzino and sophomore Frank Martinez carve a smiling face into a pumpkin during sculpting teacher Marcia Papp’s fourth period sculpture class. Photo by Sarah Martell.

October 30, 2015

Features

5

Seniors lead as varsity serves up wins

MORE SPORTS AT KPTIMES.COM

Girls find a rhythm this year and become co-district champions.

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By Michael Horton Staff Reporter

ith the postseason about to begin, the volleyball team has never seen such a successful regular season. At the end of the regular season, the varsity team is 32-3 and the JV and freshman teams are both a perfect 31-0.

“The season has been going spectacular,” coach Tamara White said. “It’s been a lot of winning and a lot of fun to watch these girls play.”

The season has been filled with memorable moments for the Panthers. One that stood out was defeating long-time rival Barbers Hill on Oct. 6.

“They’re usually on top, and we’re tired of it, so it was nice to beat them,” White said.

That victory helped bring the Panthers together unlike any other this season.

“We played like a team the most in that game, and it was a nice way to win,” senior Jordyn Kolar said.

The chemistry between the players is evident in their success.

“It’s a group of kids that want to be part of finding a solution,” White said. “They’ve committed themselves to that this season. They’re a group of girls that work hard and do a great job holding it together.”

Senior Richard Coursey barrels his way through the New Caney defense in a 55-16 loss at Turner Stadium on Oct. 17. Photo by Jacob Maple.

Track your favorite teams with up-to-date stories and scores at KPtimes.com.

Kaylee Kerr, Jessie Feuerbacher, Hannah Overmyer, Alex Plummer and Andie Unwin celebrate a point in a game earlier this season. They finished the season with a win against Porter last week to become co-district champ). Photo by Michael Horton.

They also hope this leads to a successful run in the postseason.

“We’re really bonding as a team,” senior starter Kendall Searcy said. “We’ve worked so hard and our talent is really there. Everything really meshed this season and we’ve managed to have a great record.”

Having such talented JV and freshmen teams have been vital to the varsity team’s success.

“They’re killing it!” Searcy said. “They’re winning and I’m so excited for years to come because I know we’re going to have a great program.”

s Football team heads into final two games of the season with a 2-5 record. s Junior Carter Floyd advanced to the State Meet in cross country after a strong showing at Regionals. s With help from sophomore Tate Stevens, swim team continues finding success. s Athletic trainers work to keep players healthy and on the field.

After capturing Area title again, tennis continues its dominating ways After winning the district title and the bi-district tournament, the varsity tennis advanced even further in the postseason last week.

With a clutch win over a tough Goose Creek Memorial team, 10-9, on Oct. 22 the Panthers became Area Champions.

The team now heads to the Regional Championships Oct. 30-31.

Senior Sam De Leon goes for a backhand shot during her doubles match with senior Morgan Zaborowski. De Leon and Zaborowski were the first to finish their match in the Area Finals, which was held at Kingwood Park’s tennis courts. Photo by Sarah Martell.

Senior Ashir Ishtiaq returns the ball during a doubles match with partner and fellow senior Shah Syed. Isthiaq and Syed won their match, 10-9. Photo by Sarah Martell.

Relive the year over and over again...

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October 30, 2015

Despite adversity, #LoveWins

It’s time to see a change in the acceptance of same-sex marriage.

By Ari Purcell Feature Editor

Earlier this month, I was walking through the hallways at school when I came across a colorful poster that read: “THE REAL RAINBOW” and followed with a Bible verse. Knowing my personal views about gay/lesbian relationships, I really didn’t take the time to read the poster. It was only later I learned those same posters had replaced the Gay/Straight Alliance posters that had been recently posted for the new club.

What struck me as wrong was not the fact that the “REAL RAINBOW” posters had been posted, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It was the fact some felt the need to tear down the other posters because of their personal opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but with that it really means everyone...

Being from California, I have a certain inclination that being gay or lesbian is a normalcy. Having a gay best friend throughout my middle school years and during high school, gave me a certain view on things. I never really noticed a difference until I

moved away from California, and saw how uncommon my experiences really were. Same-sex relationships definitely weren’t a normal thing everywhere, and to take a step further, same-sex marriage was an issue not a lot of people agreed upon.

Same sex marriage has been a controversial issue for a long time, arguments over whether it is right or wrong, if being gay or lesbian is a choice, and does the Bible really say if it’s wrong or not; it goes on and on.

But, no matter what how we feel or what we believe, change is happening.

Same-sex marriage is now legal as of June 26, when the Supreme Court ruled all state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Now, the real question is whether or not people are ready to embrace the change or become stagnant with their unwillingness to accept the change.

Living in America means we have rights to voice our opinions, have say in how our government is run and are free to worship different religions.

Why should sexual orientation be any different? Whether you agree or not, whether you believe it is right or wrong, it doesn’t matter –­ it isn’t your place to tell someone who they should be and who they should love.

Everyone is different in their own way, our job isn’t to judge and only believe that our own ways are right but just to accept the fact they might be different from you and that’s it.

Time to make new Halloween plans

By Sarah Martell Photo Editor

“Trick or treat,” three innocent kids say in their homemade costumes. So it goes, they get their candy and giddily run to the next house. For them, Halloween is a time to let out all their dreams of being princesses and superheroes with free candy being a bonus. It’s a magical night for their imagination to run rampant and to eat until their heart’s content.

So if that’s Halloween for a child, then what is it to the 17-year-old a few feet behind them?

Maybe walking alongside second graders and asking grandmothers for candy makes you feel cool; but if you’re old enough to drive to Wal-Mart to buy your own treats, it may be time to call it quits. The last thing Grandma Sue wants to see when she opens her door is a teenager dressed in a cat costume asking for a Snickers.

We all have memories of running around our neighborhoods with our childhood best friends but there is a time for when that needs to end. If you can’t fit into the clothes in the children's section any more, then that may be a sign that it’s time start a new Halloween tradition. This doesn't mean you can no longer watch Disney Channel’s Monstober. By all means grab a bag of popcorn and binge, but let the magic of that night belong to the kids. Let your childhood memories stay as just that, memories. Don’t try to make something live on if it's dead. Instead create new memorable moments that are unique to yourself.

Art should be appreciated for what it represents

By Maddy Berry Editor-in-Chief

Art is one of those things that, on the surface, seems inherently useless. In all honesty, on the surface, it is useless. In every art class there has ever been, at least one student has asked, “Why do we even have to learn this?”

Sadly, not many people can answer them.

Art may not be important on its own, but its value lies in what it represents.

Art is more than a drawing, a painting or sculpture. It encompasses music, architecture, even literature. As such, art is our culture and our history. After 3,000 years, when a society has long since vanished, the discovery of their buildings and relics reveal to the present who they were and how they lived. Their paintings and sculptures reveal what they valued as a society, and their buildings the way they sur-

vived. We remember the ancient Egyptians because of the massive pyramids they left, filled with their cultural heritage. The entire reason we understand where we came from as a species is because of the artistic documentation of past cultures, miraculously preserved for our discovery today.

Those preserved cultures still impact our society today.

Modern society is littered with characters from historymummies, cavemen, vampires. They’re in our movies, our literature, in Halloween costumes, in jokes and sayings. Every monster and princess and magical creature comes from something in the past.

We remember the knowledge from ancient societies like the Greeks or Romans because of the records they kept. We know where we started from the likes of the icily preserved bodies and paintings of the cavemen. Our history has been recorded over and over in the art from around the world. What’s important to remember is that even though something’s value may not be obvious, there may be more importance than meets the eye.

KP T I M ES

Kingwood Park High School 4015 Woodland Hills Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 281.641.6600 October 30, 2015 s Issue 2, Vol. 3

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Maddy Berry KPTIMES.COM EDITOR: Kylee Wing PHOTO EDITOR: Sarah Martell NEWS EDITOR: Sydney Woodward FEATURES EDITOR: Ariana Purcell SPORTS EDITOR: Chris Luck ADVISER: Megan Ortiz

STAFF MEMBERS Amanda Aleman Carsen Creech Christine Crockett Caleb Dove Anna Emerson Owen Herbert Michael Horton

Emily Humble Mackenzie Kisslinger Sarah Martell Allyssa Reed Olivia Reinhardt Kat Smith Kaylee Woest Kirby Woodyard

KP Times serves as a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

October 30, 2015

Opinion 7

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