Kingwood Park Times - May issue

NEW JROTC CLASS ADDED

PHYSICS FUN

STATE SWING

A pilot ground school class will be added to student options for next year to help prepare students for receiving their pilot’s licenses.

After completing the building of their boats, physics students raced in the pool to find a winner.

Senior Elise Parel will tee off at the State Championships in her last high school meet.

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FORMAL AFFAIR Seniors celebrated their prom together at the Hilton on Post Oak on May 4.

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Kingwood Park Times MAY 2019 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 5 • KINGWOOD, TX 77339

When I grow up, I want to be a...

BEN JONES

CARLIE SMITH

BRENTON JACKSON

ANGELICA ARCHULETA

STEPHEN MARCIAS

SHELBY BEDGOOD

All in the family Three seniors look to follow in the footsteps of family members

by Carissa Haensgen I can work in the oil field or with cosmetic companies, Staff Writer pretty much anything,” said Omenson.

A major aspect of senior year is figuring out what stuOmenson’s journey to make this decision was aided dents want to do after they graduate high school. Where by several people in her life, especially teachers here at to live, where to go college, and what career path to folschool. The support she received was an encouragement low are just a few of the questions each senior has to ask for her to pursue what she truly wanted. themselves. Some students continue their family legacy “My parents and my teachers including Ms.Taylor, Mr. Tayby pursuing similar professions as their relatives. lor and Mrs. Rosato [inspired me],” said Omenson. “Even if I Firefighting runs in Colby Kerr’s family. Kerr’s father get down on myself and say ‘I don’t know if I should do this,’ and his father before him have esthey always remind me why I wanted tablished a legacy of firefighting at to do it in the first place.” the Houston Fire Department. HopConnor Hughes has a passion for ing to follow in his family’s footsteps, flying and wants to work for comKerr aspires to do the same. mercial airlines, just like his father.

“My whole life I’ve known I want to Hughes became interested in the do it,” said Kerr. “What interests me is field during his junior year, and he just the fact that you’re helping peoplans to attend the University of ple. Even for the smallest things peoNorth Dakota to study aviation. ple appreciate you for what you do.”

“I like to explore different places In order to ensure that they are caand travel to new locations,” said pable of the job, firefighters must go Hughes. “Flying definitely holds through fire academy and extensive a huge opportunity to do that.” training. Physical and mental fitness The decision to pursue this career are a major component of being a was not always clear to Hughes. He firefighter. was also interested in engineering, “If you need to carry people out and for a period of time he was conof buildings you have to be fit for it,” sidering both career options. said Kerr. “Sometimes they even - senior Colby Kerr, who wants to be “With engineering I like designing have to climb ladders upside down a firefighter like his father and grandfather and constructing things of my own, to get out of the building. Physical but with aviation I enjoyed traveling fitness and mental training are ima lot and going to different places,” portant because you have to handle stressful situations.” said Hughes. “Flying is one of my favorite things to do Kerr hopes to one day work for the same department and after taking a Discovery Flight training it settled the as his father. He has seen the selfless work of his father argument between aviation and engineering.” and the close-knit community he is a part of, and wants One of Hughes’ goals is to make it into one of the top airto experience it as well. lines so he can stand ranks with his father, who works for “It’s not just about fighting fires and saving people’s United Airlines and has supported Hughes in his dreams. lives,” said Kerr. “They donate money to charity all the “My dad didn’t want to force me into doing anything time, and they really care about people so much that they he wanted to do because he understands that it’s a very put their lives at risk no matter what happens.” hard thing to get into,” said Hughes. “Whatever I wanted Emma Omenson plans on following in her family’s to do, he wanted to support me.” footsteps by becoming an engineer like her father and From firefighting, to piloting, to engineering, these stuuncle. Not only will Omenson be the first engineer in her dents have aspirations to continue their family legacy and family to go into chemical engineering, she will also be make a positive impact in their own unique way. the first female engineer.

“Just knowing that you’re out there helping people is “I like the versatility and if I do become an engineer enough,” said Kerr.

SAWYER HARDY

KAREN BAILEY

DEAN ADKINS

"My whole life I’ve known what I’ve wanted to do.

What interests me is just the fact you’re helping people."

BRIANA PATTON

JOSE OLMEDO

HANNAH BABIN

BATOOL NAQVI

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news

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

CALENDAR

PHYSICS

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

Boat races add fun, competition to physics

May 13 5A Girls State Golf at White Wing Golf Course May 14 Band Concert in the PAC Baseball Banquet at First Baptist Church Senior Reception at Foster Elementary School May 15 Panther Pals talent show in PAC Choir Banquet at Walden Country Club May 16 Orchestra Spring Concert in the PAC Silver Stars Team Banquet at The Overlook Foster Elementary Senior Walk Greentree Elementary Senior Reception Oak Forest Elementary Senior Reception May 17 Senior picnic at the Kingwood Country Club Band Banquet in the Cafeteria/ Commons May 18 PTSA color run at the track Theatre Banquet in the Cafeteria/Commons May 20 NHS Banquet in the Cafeteria Senior Reception and Parade at Elm Grove Elementary School May 21 Senior Tea at Woodland Hills Elementary School Senior Parade/Reception at Woodland Hills Elementary May 22 KMS Senior Reunion Senior Reception at Willow Creek Elementary School May 24 8th Grade Orientation in the PAC Pep Rally May 25 Class of 2019 Graduation at NRG Stadium May 31 Last Day of School

by Sara Geiger Staff Writer Each year, physics students participate in a project in which they construct and race their own boats in the natatorium of the school.

Most of the boats are made of cardboard, some sort of frame made out of PVC pipes or wood, plastic wrap and lots of duct tape.

No flotation devices were allowed in the construction of the boat and it had to be 75% cardboard.

To prepare for the project, students in physics classes performed a buoyancy lab in which they constructed a small aluminum boat and tested it with weights in the water.

“I was excited for the project because it’s a tradition at KPARK,” said junior Brianna Rodriguez.

Junior Misty Hyland said her group started by assigning each group member a responsibility and reading through the guidelines of the project.

“It was hard to test what we had along the way so it was pretty hit or miss just trying to find what methods worked,” Hyland said.

Juniors Rachel George and Adriana Vargas said the hardest part was waterproofing their boat.

“We could have organized better,” Vargas said. “We didn’t know how to build [the boat] at all.”

Students said they prepared for construction by sketching out the design for the boat and building models and prototypes along the way.

“Our first boat sank,” junior Ashlee Wallace said. “It took a lot of duct tape to make a new one that floated.”

After constructing the boat, students then raced each other in the pool. Students put on life vests, grabbed oars and got in the boats to see which one was the fastest.

Rodriguez’s group came in first in their heat and second overall in 5th period.

A challenge many teams faced was the inability to get every member to work on the project outside of school.

“The only conflict that we had with group members was finding a time that we could all meet, but some people just wouldn’t show up to our planned meetings,” senior Anna Ashy said.

Another problem for many groups was their first boats failed to stay afloat with people inside of it, leading to the construction of a new boat.

“Our first boat basically disintegrated and we only had a few more days to make a new one,” said Rodriguez.

In the end, all students agreed the boats were fun to make and even more fun to race. * Taylor Rankin contributed to the story.

Photo by Victoria Patton

Senior Annsley Dalton and junior Madeline McCreight fight to keep their boat straight during the competition in physics class on April 25 at the Kingwood Park natatorium. The students had to create usable boats made with at least 75% cardboard.

Photo by Victoria Patton

Junior Emilee Beswick continues her race to the finish line after her boat flipped early in the competition.

Photo by Maria Landy Garcia

Photo by Daniela Lugo Castro

Zedekiah Riley and Emilio Farias race their physics boat during Glenn Taylor’s fourth period physics class.

Braden Hunt and Landon Duree raced a Magic School Bus-themed boat.

Photo by Victoria Patton

Photo by Maria Landy Garcia

Junior Jackie Taylor scrambles to keep her boat afloat just seconds into the race. It did not make it across the pool before becoming too water logged to float.

Jackson Rodriguez fought to keep his boat afloat during fourth period physics in the annual boat races.

As project graduation nears, organizers seek more volunteers and money Senior parents are looking for more help to make Project Graduation great.

by Sara Geiger Staff Writer Project Graduation is a parent-led event that takes place in high schools across the country to help keep kids safe and off the streets the night of graduation. With the event nearing, organizers are still short of their fundraising goals.

Julia Bynes and Juliet Guevara, co-directors of Project Grad, said they raised money through various spirit nights and fundraisers, the most successful being the senior parking spot paintings and the Bayou City crawfish fundraiser.

Unfortunately, they said only one fourth of senior parents donated this year. Both Bynes and Guevara encourage parents to make a $100 donation to make the night special for the class

of 2019.

Although many parents have not donated because they think their senior isn’t going to Project Grad, Bynes said they usually have around 75 percent of the senior class show up which is why it is vital that senior parents make a donation.

Guevara said the senior parents are doing their best to stretch their dollars for this year’s celebration.

They have been reaching out to local businesses to sponsor the event or donate items for it.

Each year Project Grad’s main

goal is to let seniors have fun in an alcohol-free environment. Seniors get the opportunity to celebrate their graduation and win some prizes in a raffle. Past prizes have been TVs, mini-fridges, Beats headphones, and more.

This year’s party is beach themed, and it will be held May 25 starting at 11 p.m. Parents and students can find more information or donate at the Project Graduation website.

“You can expect to see your school transformed. We will have a boardwalk, casino, photo booth, beach

dance party and food truck to keep everyone happy and fed all night,” Bynes said.

Guevara’s advice for the class of 2020 parents is to start getting involved in the process sooner rather than later. If the parents are involved, the students will get involved.

“Start now, make this a great event for your kids,” Guevara said.

News

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

3

New dual credit option expands college opportunities A new program will allow opportunities to receive college credit through the University of Texas.

may choose at the end of the class if they desire their grade to go on their college transcript.”

Unlike LoneStar, UT OnRamps allows students in enroll in a dual credit enrollment class. Dual credit enrollment is a year-long class that gives students two grades: a high

by Trinity Curl school grade and a college grade.

Staff Writer The student can decide if they want to include the college grade on their Since Kingwood Park became its college transcript. own high school, dual credit proThis gives students a chance to exgrams have always been through perience a rigorLoneStar Colous college class lege. That is about without the presto change.

Next year, a new program through sure of possibly For the 2019the University of Texas will being required to 2020 school year, add a poor grade the University of offer a dual credit program called on their college Texas is offering OnRamps. Some courses will be transcript. a new dual credit offered through the new program, “This will be an program to Kingothers will remain with LoneStar. early taste of the wood Park called college life and OnRamps. learning to keep One of the big on top of assignchanges is that LoneStar College ment due dates,” teachers using English Dual (available for juniors Taylor said.

OnRamps are not Since students required to have or seniors) have the choice their masters deUS History Dual to add their colgree. The teachlege grade on ers instead are retheir college tranquired to undergo script, this gives special training. the students a feel “I will be attendUT OnRamps for a college class ing a two-week College Statistics and a chance for training course in College Algebra students to underJuly to prepare for Physics Dual stand concepts. the course as well UT OnRamps is as having regular only offering a touches with the few classes next year: physics, staUT professor during the academic tistics and college algebra. LoneStar year,” said Glenn Taylor, who teachwill continue to offer English and es AP physics and aeroscience.

US history classes. Depending on There are also changes in place how well everything goes with Onfor the kids involved.

Ramps next year, more classes may “Students are not required to be eventually be available through UT. eligible through an assessment,” Kingwood Park counselor Caren Barnes said. “Also, the students

Dual Credit

New class offers chance to earn pilot’s license New class will be offered every other year to qualifying students.

by Trinity Curl Staff Writer After a year of getting certified, months of convincing, and weeks of spreading the word, JROTC will now begin the 2019-2020 school year with pilot ground school class.

Kingwood Park will be the first and only high school with a pilot ground school class in Humble ISD. The new ground school is going to be KANAK an FAA certified classroom that focuses on getting student cadets prepared to take their pilot’s test and receive their pilot’s license after high school. The class will teach the cadets about flight dynamics, the functions of air traffic control, how the aircraft works, how to land, how to take off and more. It is a year long course and a selective class.

“You have to be 16 years or older and you have to have completed the Aerospace II course,” said Newberry.

Due to how selective the class is it will only be offered every other year.

The pilot ground school will be on campus and be taught by Lt. Col. Thomas Kanak. In order to teach the pilot class, the instructor is required to have a background in aviation systems and be certified by the FAA. “Col. Kanak [had] hands on training from the United States Air Force to work in pilot training and how we train our pilots,” said Newberry. “He was a real pilot.”

With the addition of the pilot ground school class, Newberry hopes this class will attract more students to their program. Newberry also hopes this will give students more job opportunities after high school.

“I want to go into the military after high school and I thought this would help me,” said sophomore Emily Porterfield, who is excited to be in the class next year.

The class can make an immediate impact for many participatns.

“Right now there’s a huge shortage of pilots,” said Kanak. “I hope to inspire someone to [become a pilot] as a possible career, if they are interested.”

Photo by Stephanie Saucedo

Freshman Quinn Keeler begins the cutting around the sheep’s eyeball during a dissection activity in pre-AP biology class with instructor Kristen Lynam.

Students see biology with new eyes

by Kate McIlhany Staff Writer Biology teacher Kristen Lynam circled room 2405 as she held what appeared to be a bucket of sheep eyes. The eyes were carefully preserved in a formalin solution as she handed them out one by one to her pre-AP students - some waiting in disgust and some in curiosity.

The sheep-eye dissection lab in their final anatomy unit was a good change of pace for the students.

“This is more fun than sitting in a desk. I’d rather do this,” sophomore Ciara Martinez said.

According to the students, hand-on labs are much preferred for locating anatomy and learn about things usually only seen in a textbook.

“It really helps me learn better,” freshman Michael Kell said.

The focus of the lab was to find and determine the different parts of the sheep eye - anatomy that is almost fully consistent to that of the human eye.

“I like having to touch the stuff, having a visual helps me understand,” freshman Elizabeth Carvajal said.

With the help of the teacher to quiz them throughout the lab, the end goal was to be able to recall the dif-

Photo by Stephanie Saucedo

Freshman Aislinn Mayora holds part of a sheep’s eyeball and discusses its parts to prepare for an oral quiz. ferent sections of the eye with ease.

“Trying to cut into the eyeball was a lot harder than I’d assumed it would be,” sophomore Jordyn Perez said.

Many of the students said the most important things to consider going into the lab were to pay attention, anticipate some gross aspects, but, most importantly, just have fun.

Some students said there were some particularly difficult parts, but overall it wasn’t as hard to handle as they thought.

“The hardest part was trying to cut the sclera,” Carvajal said, “then trying to not have the liquid squirt out on you!”

Program offers hands-on look at dangerous driving

by Ava Lee Staff Writer Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s mind off the road including activities like texting, smoking, eating, and messing around with other passengers. The Red Duke Trauma Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center gave Kingwood Park students a hands-on presentation of the dangers.

The program called Live Your DREAMS helps students and future drivers learn how to avoid dangerous situations. It also gave them activities to teach them how it feels to experience some of the distractions students could be faced with while driving.

There was a texting and driving simulator and drunk goggles. They also heard a family speak about losing their son to a drinking and driving accident.

“They went through all of the activities and learned about driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, and texting and driving and how it impacts you,” teacher Scarlett May

Photo by Ava Lee

Students play a texting and driving simulator during the seminar. said. “It was just real-life situations you have to look out for.”

The students went around each booth to get a glimpse of every dilemma.

Along with activities during the day, there was a night portion as well. Some students had the opportunity to visit

the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and tour the trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and learn more information from nurses and doctors about patients who had been severely injured due to drinking and driving.

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feature

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Pain doesn’t deter Snyder from motocross While the sport is challenging, Snyder has found much success on the motocross circuit.

by Jayme Wilkey Staff Writer

Photo submitted by Amy Snyder

Cade Snyder competes in motocross. He has hopes of reading the Freestone Nationals and starting a tour on the Loretta Lynn circuit.

Sophomore Cade Snyder loves to drive. He started driving a Power Wheels John Deere tractor at the age of 3, and moved his way up to lawnmowers then golf carts. For his 7th birthday, his parents gave him a 4 wheeler .

“He can literally drive anything,” said his mom Amy Snyder. “His talent on the dirt bike was immediate. He threw his leg over, revved it up, and took off. No wobbles, no problems, and was jumping by the end of the day. We couldn’t believe it.”

His dad and mom never did motocross growing up. Cade heard about it from a friend who also enjoyed driving. When he was 10, his friend let him tryout his motorbike out and instantly fell in love.

“All he could talk about was racing in motocross,” said his mom.

Motocross is not easy. Snyder does cardio every day to keep up his stamina and weight exercises to build his strength so he can control

his bike. He practices on the weekends and has a private lesson on Wednesday nights. He also watches videos of other races to observe and fix, if needed, his technique.

“We think it has made him realize that if you really love something, all of the hard work is worth it,” his mom said. “Sometimes we’re not sure if people realize how physically taxing the sport is on your body while riding. It looks so easy but when those riders get off the track, some of them can barely hold their bikes upright. There’s a certain amount of recovery time required after each race so a race day goes pretty slow, but it sure is a blast.”

The sport is also dangerous. He has fractured his hand, collarbone, cheekbone, arm, foot, and broken his nose. He also has had deep bruises in his hip, back and tailbone.

“Beforehand, we pray for his safety and the safety of the other riders,” Amy Snyder said.

Cade did take a three-month break from the grueling sport at one point. However, he could not stay away long.

Since he started competing, Cade has won a number of races and consistently finishes in the top four. His goals for the future are to go to Freestone Nationals and start a tour on the Loretta Lynn circuit.

“My favorite memory so far has been the day he won his first Hole Shot,” Amy Snyder said.

“He and his trainer had been working on it for months and the look on his face when he took off his helmet at the end of the race was priceless!”

With winning can come sponsorships, which is key in a sport that can be quite costly. Cade’s bike alone cost about $8,000. Another $1,030 is spent for his uniform, safety gear, boots and goggles. On top of that, there are lessons, race fees, annual maintenance, dues and gas.

Aside from the one month he takes off every summer, Cade practices and competes yearround. He even attends a two-week motocross camp.

“We’re also thankful he enjoys encouraging and teaching new beginners at camps or workshops he attends,” Amy Snyder said. “We are very proud of his determination to get better and better.”

Snyder still wants to keep riding after all bruises, broken bones and crashes.

“Get on a bike and just start riding,” said Cade Snyder.

Ducoff relishes final season in Aggieland The former Kingwood Park baseball standout had quite a journey before becoming a key member of the Aggie baseball team this year.

by Nick Farace Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Ducoff was sitting at his parent’s house watching TV on January 5, 2018. He was on Christmas break and was spending it recovering from a hernia surgery. Ducoff’s father returned home that night with news that Jonathan had been diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, a diagnosis that was scary and worrying for the family and one that could end his dream of continuing his baseball career.

Ducoff graduated from Kingwood Park in 2014 with intentions of reaching the majors. A standout second baseman and shortstop as a Panther, Ducoff committed to play baseball at Baylor University during his sophomore year of high school.

“Baseball was special with coach (Bruce) Cox,” Ducoff said. “I played at the beginning of the ‘team first’ mindset that he brought to the team. He was able to get us to play as a team and make a good run in the playoffs.”

Cox, who is in his seventh year as the Kingwood Park coach, said Ducoff is always able to rise above the rest and argues that talent can only take a player so far.

“His character and his faith and his hard working attitude all help him stand out,” Cox said. “I pushed him and he pushed me. He was just always trying to be the best, not just for himself, but for the team. He had more than just the talent, he had all the intangibles that make a good ballplayer.”

Ducoff went on to play at Baylor before transferring to Houston Baptist University. It was during his first season at HBU that the cancer was discovered during his hernia surgery.

“We were all just upset, but we quickly went into the mode of being strong,” Ducoff said.

Ducoff wasn’t shaken by the diagnosis, and he leaned on his faith in his time of worry and struggle.

“After about three days of praying and the diagnosis settling in, I felt a strong sense of peace suddenly come over me, and I was just ready to start the treatments immediately,” he said.

Ducoff was placed on a strict treatment regimen. He not only had to take an oral chemo pill, he also had to go through immunotherapy treatments. The family’s prayers were answered when his doctors ruled that there wasn’t a need for restriction on his ball playing.

Photo contributed by 12thman.com

Texas A&M graduate senior Jonathan Ducoff gets congratulated as he comes off the field. Ducoff is finishing his baseball career at A&M after spending the past year dealing with cancer. The former Kingwood Park baseball player also spoke to the Panthers during winter break.

“My doctors told me that if I felt too bad, all we promised him was a chance to particinot to play, but I wanted to play so bad that I pate in the fall workouts,” Childress said. “Anyalways felt well,” Ducoff said. thing after that was up to him.”

On April 30, Jonathan Ducoff celebrated beChildress praised Ducoff’s work ethic, saying ing in remission of canthat he worked as hard as he could in order to cer for one year. earn a spot on the roster.

“I’ve been blessed by Childress is thankful that God to have been healed, he did, because Ducoff’s my faith, my family, and playing has been very my fiance were incredhelpful for the Aggies, ible through the whole who are looking to make process,” Ducoff said. their 13th-consecutive “All the little things really NCAA Tournament apadded up to a lot of help,” pearance under Chilsaid Ducoff. dress.

After being declared in “He can play a few poremission, Ducoff began sitions, and he’s won us searching for a place to - Kingwood Park alum Jonathan Ducoff quite a few games with his get his graduate degree in clutch hitting,” Childress business. With his hopes said. “He’s a really good of playing major league baseball no longer reasonable, he decided to ballplayer and we’re lucky he joined the famcontinue his education at Texas A&M. Ducoff ily.”

Ducoff has found his home at Texas A&M, applied to the graduate school in March 2018 enjoying the family-first atmosphere, similar to and got into the business school.

Aggie baseball coach Rob Childress, who is the culture Cox built at Kingwood Park. Just in his 14th season at A&M, was very impressed before Christmas break, Cox invited Ducoff back to Kingwood Park to talk to this year’s with Ducoff when the two first met.

“When we discussed him joining the squad, baseball team.

"This experience with cancer has taught me to be more present in the moment. With the thought of dying in the back of my head, I learned to take advantage of each day."

“He told them his story and emphasized the fact that baseball is just a game, and it doesn’t define you,” Cox said. “He talked about how he nearly lost the ability to play and he really put it all into perspective.”

Childress and the Aggies embrace the blue-collar work ethic, pushing to work and earn everything they get.

“We’re going to get to the ballpark and we’re going to hustle from the second we arrive until the last out is recorded,” said Childress.

Ducoff has taken the blue-collar approach throughout his life, working for everything he’s earned and not taking any of it for granted.

“This experience with cancer has taught me to be more present in the moment,” Ducoff said. “With the thought of dying in the back of my head, I learned to take advantage of each day. Leaning on my faith is what’s going to get you through the tough times, also leaning on the people that love you.”

With his new lessons learned, Ducoff soaks in every moment as an Aggie baseball player, saying winning games and having the team reach its full potential are his goals for the rest of this season.

“I’ll never forget the sights and sounds of opening night in Aggieland,” he said.

feature

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

5

HUMANS OF KPARK Everyone has a story. This is the fifth installment of an ongoing series.

See more Humans of KPARK stories at kptimes.com.

Photo by Dakota Mercer

Freshman dances way to title

Photo by Crosslin Silcott

Weeks of work went into Harrison’s first game Accomplished.

That’s how Noah Harrison, a sophomore in computer programming, said he felt when he finally completed the programming of his own online game: Jarvis’ Journey. The game was an assignment given to him by his computer programming teacher, Tonya Smith.

Noah spends two hours a day (at the least) working on computer programming. That’s one hour in Smith’s class, one hour participating in UIL computer science and whatever more time his schedule allows him to do after school.

“If a competition is near, then I usually spend the entire lunch period going over concepts and such,” Harrison said.

Harrison was first introduced to the world of computer science from playing Minecraft and participating in computer classes in elementary school.

“Technically, it was in fourth grade; but I didn’t actually start to learn the program until around ninth grade,” Harrison said.

This was his first year participating in both UIL computer science and computer programming class. He traveled to Willis, Texas, at the end of March to take part in the district UIL competition and placed in the top 10 on

a computer science test.

“For it being his first year and to place in the top 10 at districts is impressive,” Smith said.

“He’s very gifted.”

The assignment Smith gave her classes was to program a game for students to review in class. Harrison spent many extra hours over spring break working on the programming of his game. It took him two and a half weeks to complete. When he was finished, he put Jarvis’ Journey on a floppy disk.

“It was a cute touch that took his game above and beyond,” Smith said.

When one plays a game, it seems rather simple and fun. All the hard work that goes into creating a digital, interactive game can often go unseen by its players.

“First, I had to actually formulate what I was going to make,” Harrison said. “Then, I had to script out basic functions before I could actually implement them into the game and work on more complex portions.”

When all was said and done, Harrison had to think of a name for his game. When asked how he came up with the name Jarvis’ Journey, he said, “It kind of just came to me.”

- By Crosslin Silcott

Unsure what to do with herself, Charlee Poulin began to search for something to keep her occupied. She thought and thought, trying to make up her mind.

One day when Poulin was 4, her mother introduced her to dance.

“Why don’t you try this?” She urged on her daughter, encouraging her to take the first step. Poulin obliged, and upon realizing the joy she found in dance, her journey began.

Poulin is a ninth grade Silver Star who has been dancing 10 years with the unconditional support of her mother.

“When I dance, it lets me express my feelings,” Poulin said. “When no one’s watching I can just do what I want.”

Originally, the idea of a larger friend group was what drew Poulin to the Silver Stars team. She didn’t have many friends beforehand and thought that the team

would bring her closer with a few of them.

She never expected it to be so successful.

Throughout its ups and downs, Poulin and the rest of the Silver Stars have stayed strong. Such teamwork is what brought them the opportunity to participate in the very nationals competition in which Poulin emerged victorious. She was named the Junior Division National Champion.

“I was scared,” Poulin said. “I’ve been dancing for 10 years, but [nationals] was a whole different experience. Winning nationals was my proudest moment.”

Standing tall with the love and support from her mother and friends, Poulin’s career in dance continues on strong.

“All the hard work is worth it,” she said.

“When I joined Silver Stars, I knew I’d be a part of it for a long time.”

- By Rafael Boecher

YouTube offers outlet for expression Sophomore Ylaina Joseph started her YouTube channel during the summer before her freshman year with hopes there would be exciting things to film during her first year of high school. She said she quickly realized it wasn’t as amazing as it looked on TV. She didn’t end up filming as much as planned, but she did create one of her favorite videos: “Last week of being a freshman.”

With 400 subscribers, Joseph said being a smaller channel doesn’t bother her because she doesn’t want her viewers to depend on her for uploading videos.

“When I film my videos I like to take my time and let my true personality come out, so it’s not just a video that was recorded and put together in 20 minutes,” she said.

With homework and school, she doesn’t get a lot of free time to film her videos. But over the weekends when she stays with her sister, she tries to record as many videos as she can while making sure they’re as good as they can get.

“Filming my videos makes me feel better because it takes my mind off of everything and I worry about filming the video and nothing

Photo by Gabby Norman

Aslam grateful for family move Gunshots rang out unexpectedly, power was lost for half of the day, sometimes more, and streets lined with trash are all just part of a place that Airish Aslam calls home. The junior has lived in Kingwood for most of his life but was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Most of his memories are from visiting throughout the years.

Photo by Sadie Lewis “It was bad,” Aslam said. “The places are just really dirty, and the places are bad else,” Joseph said.

Filming her videos isn’t just for her viewers because the government doesn’t really do anything to help, so electricity is pretty bad over it’s also for her. It helps her true personality show because she knows nobody is watching there. I’ve seen bad stuff over there. People just throw their trash outside their window her film so they can’t judge her. When the pretty much. That’s just how the streets are, camera is turned off, she cuts any parts that just filled with trash; and you see rodents, and don’t make her feel comfortable. sometimes you can hear gunshots randomly.”

Joseph said she looks forward to watching Aslam’s father found work in the United them all when she is older.

States and moved his immediate family to “I make videos to have memories, and so I Kingwood with him. It was hard for his family can look at it in the future,” she said.

- By Sadie Lewis since so many relatives remained in Pakistan.

“My parents and their family still talk almost on a daily basis,” Aslam said. “He’s trying to move everyone over here because over there it’s pretty bad.”

At first, there was a language barrier that made Aslam extremely shy, but he soon learned to come out of his shell.

“It’s changed me a lot, I used to be super shy over there,” he said. “I wouldn’t talk to anyone; and then the first few years I was over here, I did the same thing. Then I realized I should just talk whenever I want to, say whatever I want to, but nothing bad, you know?”

Aslam will always have a connection to Pakistan and his family there.

“I wouldn’t move back,” Aslam said. “I would go back to visit, but I wouldn’t move back there because all my friends are over here.”

- By Gabby Norman

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feature

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

‘Be the Change’ continues to make positive impact Annual program offers day of fun and reflection for students and teachers.

by Nick Farace Editor-In-Chief Be The Change, which is Student Council’s annual event, inspired students to reach for the stars on Thursday, May 2. In an event filled day, students from all grade levels came together to play games, share testimonies, and create bonds that will hopefully last a lifetime.

“The goal of Be the Change is to bring people out of their comfort zone, and get them out to meet new kids,” said Student Council member Crystal Sheridan.

The students who participate in the full-day event are nominated by counselors and teachers as kids who would be great leaders for the program.

“We get random kids from random classes all come together, and from there we create families,” said Student Council member Stuart Hebert.

Participants are put into small groups, which are called families.

With this year’s theme being outer space, families were named things like “Galaxies” and “Stars.”

The kids are set on a schedule for the day, one that includes fun activities like the “Poker Chip Challenge,” where kids run around protecting a poker chip on their hand from falling, and having dance competitions to songs like ‘Wobble.”

“The day starts off really fun with a lot of ice breakers and active stuff, and then we slow it down and get deep after a pizza lunch,” said Kim Ackerman, in charge of running the day.

Numerous coaches and teachers are there to help the students as they discuss deep topics in hopes of making meaningful connections with their families.

“Some of these kids have had some struggles in their lives, and hopefully having this community will help heal what’s been broken,” said Hebert.

Be the Change is just one of many activities on campus that helps kids meet other students, including Day of Service and class assemblies.

English teacher Regina Garcia was in charge of leading a family, and really enjoyed seeing the kids get to know one another.

“It give the kids an opportunity to realize that there are kids just like them here, and it allows them to build connections to realize they are not alone.”

Photo by Maria Landy Garcia

English teacher Regina Garcia talks with sophomore James Ieva during Be the Change day. Students spent the day in the gym working together on various activities and playing games. There was also time set aside from discussions and reflection.

Juniors present mental health fair

by Anaih Ibarra and Holly Emms Staff Writers

Photo by Jace Butler

Counselor Tim Hurlbert monitors Charlie, a service dog in training. Charlie will eventually be on campus next fall.

This year Kingwood Park hosted its first Mental Health Fair to help and educate students about different types of therapy. The fair consisted of many booths and fun. The booths included different types of therapy such as aromatherapy, painting, bracelet making, poetry, and animal therapy to help high school students feel more relaxed.

Aromatherapy was one of the popular booths because students enjoyed the scents.

“They walk away like, ‘Oh yeah, this is nice, this smells nice,” said senior Ensley Hammond. “The secret of scent is to basically help relieve stress, calm you, soothe you, and make you feel better.”

Another popular booth were the rice heating pads. Some included scents, but others were designed more to be used as a stress ball. They could be warmed in the microwave and used to make blood flow easier.

Juniors Lanna Davis-Bullock and Angel Notto presented Animal Therapy Service. They had two dogs with them. One was a therapy and seizure alert dog named Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea was trained to know when

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Juniors Emma Kerscher and Hifza Aslam help lead bracelet making at a station during the English class mental health fair.

Photo by Jace Butler

someone was about to have a seizure and to do her best to let other people know. As a therapy dog, she can also give attention to people who are feeling alone. The other dog was a service dog in training named Charlie. He will be on campus next fall to assist the counseling staff with students in need.

“I think it was a good idea to bring both Charlie and Sweet Pea to see the differences between a fully trained service dog and a service dog in training,” said Davis-Bullock.

Some people think that service dogs are really chill and calm but that is not always the case. Sweet Pea’s

owner said the dog is calm when her service vest is on because she is in “work mode.” When the vest comes off, she runs and plays like other dogs.

English teachers Natalie Johnson and Lori Thiel said the presentations went well and they hope to do them again.

“I enjoyed seeing the students leading the event - from brainstorming ideas for different booths, being creative, time management, and putting information together to present to an audience,” Johnson said. “Our goal to help students to learn techniques to de-stress their lives was met.”

Seniors

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

7

One last dance Photos by Kathleen Ortiz The senior prom was held May 4 at the Hilton Post Oak near the Galleria. The students danced and celebrated with friends.

The only break many took was to watch the Rockets’ overtime victory over the Warriors in game three of the Western Conference semifinals. There was dancing, desserts and a photo booth. Seniors Fritz Rasmussen and Andie Unwin were named prom king and queen.

Tylan Johnson, Dane Eastman, Matthew Wallace and Caleb Sowell take a break from dancing to watch the end of the Rockets game in the lobby of the Hilton during prom. The Rockets won the game in overtime to give them their first win in the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday night.

Ethan Waller, Morgan Callens, Hailey Villareal and Carlos Gallegos.

Veronica Ramos and Angelica Archuleta.

Cal Sims, who missed prom for a lacrosse game, watches the end of the Rockets game with Sam Johansen as Will Smoot cheers during the overtime victory.

Amelia Brown and Simon Ngo check out their photos from the photo booth during prom.

Andie Unwin and Fritz Rasmussen.

Lane Smith and Katey Searcy.

Riley McQueen and Luke Tiedtke unsuccessfully urge the deejay to play YMCA.

Korii Butler enjoys a dance during prom.

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Senior

QUOTES “Believing in the possibility of a happy ending is a very positive thing.”

- Karen Bailey

“The only time I set the bar low is for limbo.”

- Selena Baldwin

“Easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”

- Billy Black

“How do I do taxes now?”

- Robert Boss

“Thanks, Quizlet.”

- Bethany Bruton

“People say nothing is impossible but I do nothing every day.”

- Kaylyn Daniel

“Remember...the more you weigh the harder you are to kidnap! Stay safe...eat cake.”

- Sydney Kolar

“When you think you can’t, you really can.”

- Joseph Rosser

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Javi Solís, Claire Jimerson, Makenna Florez, Iqra Ahmad, Kennedy Knight and Colby Burke join their group at the photo booth.

Caitlyn Fastnaught dances with her boyfrien

“Wow, that was fast.”

- Phillip McAtee

“I’m the handsome one,” - Dakota Mercer

‘The most dangerous zone is the comfort zone.”

- Gerald Merino

“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”

- Victoria Mikuta

Senior Abby Phillips and John Cantu.

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

“Show people how great you are.”

- Jerry Jurod Johnson

‘Work hard in silence, let your success be noise.”

- Angelina Suarez

“If my pockets end up empty, that’s my own fault.”

- Fernando Villarreal

“Don’t stress, finesse.”

- Kaleigh Waskow

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

- Dylan Wootten

My

SENIOR SUPERLATIVE SHOULD BE...

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Senior Taylor DeBrosky dances with her boyfriend.

Seniors Jacob Knowles and Kayla McCusker.

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Most likely to marry a millionaire.

Most likely to survive.

- Alec Marsden

Most likely to marry a man from France.

Most likely to nae nae behind my teacher’s - Bella Salazar back.

- Rylie McQueen

Most likely to spend $1 million on macarons.

- Fazia Shaikh

Most likely to forget what you just said.

- Jaslynn Guevara

Most likely to trip on the stage at graduatio

- Isaak Sanchez

Best dressed.

- Dylana Baez

Most likely to be in th art room at ALL time

Best attitude.

- Chris Stewart

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Kingwood Park Times

9

Meet the

TOP 10

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Caitlyn Fastnaught dances with her boyfriend during prom at the Hilton on May 4.

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Senior Chris Allred leads a conga line at the end of the prom.

Most likely to be attacked by their hedge- April Randall hog.

Most likely to trip on the stage at graduation.

- Skylar Nugent

Most likely to be in the art room at ALL times.

- Whitney Perry

Best Irish dancer.

- Leslie Mergist

Best rapper.

- Joe Luszcz

FRITZ RASMUSSEN College: University of Texas at Austin for chemical engineering Proud of: “I think it’s the hard work that’s been put into it. The late nights and early mornings, the tutoring sessions, the skipping hanging out with friends to study for a test. It makes it all feel worth it.”

Inspiration: “My parents, I’ve never seen my mom or dad give up on something they truly believe is worth it.”

ANDIE UNWIN College: Notre Dame for biology Activities: Swim, volleyball Career highlight: Won state title in volleyball and finished second at state as a team as a junior.

Advice: “Listen to your teachers, and try your best to stay organized. I feel time management is the key to school.”

CHRIS OSTERHUS College: University of Texas at Austin for mechanical engineering Activities: Best Buddies, STUCO. Proud of: “Rank and GPA are something to be proud of but I’m proud of the relationships I established with people and the future I’ve allowed myself to pursue. Hopefully, I’ve made an impact on some of my teachers or friends or something.”

IQRA AHMAD College: University of Texas at Austin for biology with a minor in international business.

Career: Pediatric doctor and researcher.

Activities: Key Club, class officer and cross country.

Inspiration: “Mostly my dad.

They immigrated here and they always wanted me to have a better education. I wanted to feel like it paid off.”

TESS CREDEUR College: Texas A&M for Nursing Activities: Cross country, track, HOSA. Motivation: “Pushing myself, no slacking, trying my best in school.”

Proud of: “HOSA was really successful, and I lettered my freshman year in cross country.”

Advice: “Don’t place your worth on your accomplishments.”

JADE WELBY College: Texas A&M Activities: Track and HOSA. Inspiration: “I am inspired by my dad because he went to college and then he dropped out because he was working too many jobs. Then he went back to technical school and he was able to get a better job for all of us. He gave me the opportunity to go to this school and to be able to care a lot about school and not have to worry about how I am going to take care of myself or pay for anything.”

NICK LOGAN College: University of Texas at Austin for business Activities: STUCO, swim, Tiny Homes.

Advice: “You can do a lot more than you think you can. It just takes a little bit of luck, a little bit of being there at the right time and a lot of hard work. There isn’t anything you can’t do even though you are just a high schooler.”

KAYLYN DANIEL College: St. Mary’s University for mechanical engineering focus on biochemical Activities: Basketball, softball.

Proud of: “Not dropping calculus, honestly. There were so many times that I just wanted to stop, not care anymore. Just be like a normal high school student who didn’t have to get all A’s. I’m proud of never giving up.”

KYLE CELAYA-ALVAREZ College: University of Texas at Austin for computer science Activities: Cross country, student council and Key Club.

Inspiration: “My sister told me how to excel in school and what classes to take. My parents weren’t good at school. My dad dropped out of high school and my mom dropped out of college, so they wanted better for me.”

AUSTIN WILDING College: Rice for physics and pre-med Activities: Football, wrestling, track, UIL academic team.

Biggest Accomplishments: “I earned my eagle scout, I was team captain for football, and I was academic all state for football.”

Proud of: “Probably my ability to play two sports and still have some of the best grades.”

Most likely to be the only one laughing after - Selena Baldwin telling a joke.

Most likely to win a rap battle.

Most likely to laugh at everything.

Most likely to be a judge on a cooking show just to eat the food.

- Rachel Halliday

Most likely to become - Emma Engelage rich.

- Benjamin Jones

- Kendall Ford

Most likely to stay home. Best hair.

- Bethany Bruton

- Zevon Sharpe

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Sports

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Parel shines on big stage With a five-stroke victory at the Regional Championship, Parel heads to the State Meet as a favorite.

by Taylor Rankin Staff Writer

Photo by Vallery King

Senior Elise Parel laughs while getting ready to tee off during a practice at Oakhurst earlier this season. Parel will represent Kingwood Park at the state championships on May 13-14.

Senior Elise Parel could feel the nerves creeping over her during the first few holes at the 2019 Regional Golf Championships. She had played at regions three times before, but always with her team playing alongside her. This season, she was the only qualifier.

“It’s different going individually and not having that team atmosphere,” Parel said. “It was like something I had to accomplish on my own.”

Parel did just that. She worked to fix an issue with her putting after the first day of regionals. She started the second day with a double bogey, but regrouped quickly.

She eagled the 16th hole and won her second-consecutive regional championship by five strokes.

“It was definitely nerve racking at first, but after a few holes it got better,” Parel said.

With her second regional title, Parel is playing better than she has ever played. During her senior season, she even broke the school scoring record. Now, she will participate in the State Championships on May 13 in hopes of taking home the individual title.

“All of her results this season say that she should be the favorite at State,” coach Angela Chancellor said. “I know she is my favorite.”

As a freshman, Parel helped the golf team win the state title.

Parel placed 18th individually that year. As a sophomore, she moved up to 11th place. Last year, she finished sixth.

Parel credits her coaches and her teammates with her continued improvement.

“My coaches watch me practice and always tell me what I am doing wrong and how I could better improve myself, and it really does help,” Parel said.

After Parel win at the regional championship, she said she felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

“There are just so many good players on the field, so it was a good feeling and made me confident in myself,” Parel said.

Golf is a mental sport. Focus at each hole is critical and golfers cannot dwell on mistakes. That part of the game is one of Parel’s strengths.

“Elise is a mental giant,” Chancellor said. “She can process what is going on around her and make good decisions on the golf course.”

That is one reason her coaches see her succeeding in her golf career after high school. Parel signed with Houston Baptist University and visited the campus a few weeks ago. She met with her future coaches and was introduced to some of her new teammates. She cannot wait to travel the country for tournaments with them.

“Elise will have a decorated college career and has set a goal of a national championship,” Chancellor said. “I have no doubt that she will achieve all that and more.”

Parel credits her success to her faith, her family and her friends. Chancellor said she hopes the younger players have paid attention to how Parel carries herself on and off the golf course.

“If you didn’t know that she played golf, you would just think she was a kind, intelligent, charismatic friend,” Chancellor said. “There is no boasting or chest pumping with her, just results to do the talking for her.”

During an early golf trip this season, a new golfer joined the varsity group. Chancellor’s favorite part was watching how Parel took the player under her wing. She made sure she stayed calm for the competition and that she was always included in the team activities.

“Lots of kids would have just let the girl find her own way, but Elise did the opposite,” Chancellor said. “Now that girl loves golf and will likely be anchoring our team next season when Elise is gone.

“Elise is a very special talent, but also a very kind, intelligent young woman. KPARK golf is better for having her as a leader of our team.”

Injuries put damper on seniors’ final seasons

by Gabby Norman Staff Writer For many high school athletes, their senior year is meant to be their final chance for a state title or championship. For several of Kingwood Park’s seniors; however, this dream was cut short. Many athletes sustained serious injuries that prevented them from finishing out their seasons.

“This was my first time being hurt,” said senior Bailey Schoener, a defender for the girls soccer team. “I went in for a slide tackle, and whenever I slid, our goalie came out and slid into my arm and broke it, and then a girl stepped on my thumb and broke it. I initially was BIGGS super sad because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to finish playing my senior year season.”

Recovery was expected to take six weeks. However, Schoener underwent surgery on her left arm and made it back on the field in two weeks. She was allowed to finish out her career with her team at the state tournament wearing a cast wrapped in bubble wrap on her left arm along with protective wrapping around her right thumb.

Not everyone was so lucky. Seniors Brian Biggs and Bella Salazar both tore their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs).

Biggs, a baseball player, tore his right before the season opened, preventing him from playing his senior year.

Salazar tore hers in the first playoff game of the season.

“I just felt my knee rip apart, and I fell to the ground and screamed,” Salazar said. “I remember all the girls running over to me, but I was just freaking out.

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

Senior Bella Salazar remained with the team for every game after tearing her ACL in the first playoff game.

During the Regional Semifinal, senior co-captain Bailey Schoener played with a cast on her left arm to protect her surgically repaired wrist. She also had her broken right thumb bandaged. The doctors told her it was likely a sixweek recovery. She returned to the field in just two weeks.

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

I just remember their faces, they were all scared. When I came off of the field, I was like, ‘This isn’t too bad. I can walkish, and I can put pressure on it, it isn’t too bad.’ I didn’t figure it out for a long time, I just waited for it to get better.”

The athletes have proven to be support systems for each other. Salazar leaned on junior teammate Brianna Fuhre for support since Fuhre missed the entire soccer season recovering from a torn ACL. “She’s been helping me a lot,” Salazar

said. “She talks to me about it, how she felt at this time, and it’s kinda motivating me because I can see how motivated she is. I just want to come out strong.”

When first describing her injury to other athletes who had similar injuries, Salazar said they instantly knew what she was talking about.

“I think it’s made me stronger,” said Salazar, who signed to play at the University of the Ozarks next year. “I feel like I’m being motivated to be better,

to come out better, even if I have to wait a whole year to play.”

The athletes didn’t let their injuries come in the way of supporting their teams. Biggs, although he won’t continue in his baseball career, made sure to still be an active part of the team.

“It sucked because I knew I couldn’t play anymore, but it’s not too bad because I know that I have better things ahead,” Biggs said. “I show up to all the games and showed my support through the games in the dugout. I

talk to them all the time.”

Not being able to play the sport made the athletes realize exactly how much they loved playing.

“It’s made me be more determined to come back, and it’s made me realize how much I actually like playing soccer,” said Schoener, who signed to play with Mary Hardin-Baylor next year.

sports

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

11

Despite injuries, lacrosse still thrives Talented Kingwood Park athletes join other local high schoolers to compete in lacrosse games.

by Gabby Norman Staff Writer

Sophomore Ashtin Nandlal works on the parallel bars during practice at Juergen’s Gym on April 25.

Photos by Kathleen Ortiz

Sophomore leaves mark as school’s first gymnast Sophomore Ashtin Nandlal competed all year for Kingwood Park at high school gymnastic meets.

by Kathleen Ortiz Staff Writer While other gymnastics teams scream their schools’ names before a competition, sophomore Ashtin Nandlal stands alone cheering Kingwood Park’s name.

“I sit there and I’m like, ‘KPARK!’ And then I just walk away,” Ashtin said. “Everyone else has a really big (chant). I’m hoping at some point I get a team.”

Ashtin has competed in gymnastics since he was 10 years old. He is now the first and only gymnast competing for Kingwood Park.

He did not want to be a gymnast when he started out, though. His dad, Dev Nandlal, competed in gymnastics at Humble High School and encouraged it.

“He pretty much forced me into it, but I mean, I grew to like it,” Ashtin said. “It’s really fun.”

Ashtin’s routine includes gymnastics training three to five days a week from 6 to 9 p.m. at Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy in Atascocita.

He goes around the gym practicing pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and floor exercises while various coaches stop by, make jokes and give him tips.

“One day when I was about 13 my former coach left me on high bar all day because I couldn’t do the flyaway anymore,” Ashtin said. “He said until I did one, I wasn’t allowed to leave, so I was on high bar for like two and a half hours.”

Ashtin and his dad share a special bond through gymnastics. He gets ideas from his dad, and they train together once or twice a week. Ashtin’s dad knows he’ll never be back at a competitive level, but he enjoys working out with Ashtin.

“My impact is to tell him never to quit,” Dev Nandlal said. “It’s always: ‘Fight for what you want. If you want it bad enough, you’re going to go after it and you’re going to do it.

You’re going to practice at it to get better.’”

About a year of work went into Ashtin becoming the lone member of the inaugural Kingwood Park gymnastics team. Details are still being

For the Kingwood Park athletes who play lacrosse, no one has to tell them it’s a physical sport. In a 2012 study by the National Academy of Sciences, lacrosse falls only second to football in terms of concussions.

Local lacrosse players have had their share of injuries. “(I’ve had) hairline fractures and Photos by Gabby Norman stress fractures, strained medial collateral ligaments, partially torn MCLs, Senior Hayden Park plays in a lacrosse bruises everywhere. I’ve had two match at Kingwood High School in April. concussions from lacrosse,” senior Hayden Park said. “I still have knots translate too much, they are very on my legs from two years ago when I different sports,” Taylor said. “I’d say got hit. It’s crazy. That’s just the force [lacrosse] definitely has made me stronger mentally, and that transfers into of metal sticks hitting your legs.

“The balls are flying fast. Some shots tennis. Tennis is a big mental game. are going 80 mph. Some shots are go- Because I play lacrosse, I get over ing 90 mph. Sometimes you’re going mistakes and points faster because you to get hit by the ball, which sucks. It’s have to stay strong mentally to continue playing.” a very physical Playing lacrosse sport.” has given all Lacrosse is a three opportunisport that has ties to travel the been gaining country. Taylor increasing poptravels around ularity in the the states for repast few years, cruiting opporbut many don’t tunities with a know what it separate select entails. team, and all “If you know three have gone anything about to California for soccer or hocktournaments. ey, it’s a fine “This past line between spring break, we both of them,” went to San DiPark said. “You ego and played have most of some teams out the same posit h e re ,” S i m s tions as soccer said. “We got and hockey, a beach day to and then a lot just go and hang of the rules in out. It’s definitely hockey are used senior Hayden Park, who plays lacrosse helped my social in lacrosse. It’s life because most just as physical as football and hockey. You are defi- of my best friends are on my lacrosse nitely getting hit all the time, and it’s team. I think it’s helped my family life because I’ve drawn my family to the definitely a mental game.”

Lacrosse is not a UIL sport, so area sport, and now my little brother plays.”

Lacrosse is something that these three kids play together on a club team that practices at Kingwood High School. see a future in, and both of the boys Athletes from schools such as Atascoc- intend on playing lacrosse next year in ita and Porter are also on the team. college. Sims is attending Texas State This can prove to be hard for some University, where he got into honors of the athletes because they are often college to major in finance. Park will late to practice due to the fact that they be spending a year at Tarleton, after which he hopes to attend Texas A&M. must drive to KHS. “It’s definitely a struggle, just because Taylor travels with her select team in they run on a different schedule some- hopes of being recruited.

“Since it’s from the whole Houston times,” Cal Sims, 12, said.

Park and Sims play on the KHS team. area, you have better players on it, so They joined lacrosse after finding they it challenges me,” Taylor said. “Even if I don’t get to play in the next level, didn’t enjoy baseball.

“I was at a baseball game one time,” it’s a great opportunity just to have Park said. “It was a bad day at baseball, and meet new people and just better and someone came up to me, and my play in general.”

In lacrosse, the players are both menshe invited me to go play next year.

I instantly fell in love with the sport tally and physically beaten down every and how you had to work hard to be day with hard work. Many players are better. If you weren’t willing to put constantly injured, and this can take in the work outside of practice, you a toll on their mentality. The players’ love for the game is what inspires them weren’t going to get better.”

Junior Madison Taylor has been to push through.

“Lacrosse, once you’re in the game, playing for nine years, and also plays tennis for Kingwood Park. Both of her you cannot be thinking, you just got to brothers played lacrosse and watching play,” Park said. “Once you get into them inspired her to play. She plays for practice or a game, everything else the girls club team at Kingwood High just leaves your head. It’s just you and the game.”

School and on a travel select team. “[Tennis and lacrosse] don’t really

"(Lacrosse) is just as physical as football and hockey. You are definitely getting hit all the time, and it’s definitely a mental game."

Sophomore Ashtin Nandlal listens to music as he practices on the pommel horse.

Sophomore Ashtin Nandlal holds himself up on the rings at his practice at Juergen’s Gym.

worked out. Justin James is the district’s main gymnastics coach based at Kingwood and Atascocita, the two schools with gymnastics equipment.

Kingwood Park and Summer Creek students travel to practice at those schools when needed, but otherwise they just practice at gyms outside of school.

“The hardest part would have to be not having people around you to boost you,” Ashtin said.

In his first high school season this

year, Ashtin reached the region meet, impressing his dad with such a successful year. The goals for next year are higher, though, with qualifying for the state meet at the top of the list. He’ll add new routines and hopefully new teammates.

“To be the first is really cool,” Ashtin said. “I never thought I’d be able to leave my mark on KPARK, so that’s pretty big.”

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Sports

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

Skills shine, emotions run high in playoff runs

Photo by Dakota Mercer

Senior Allie Byrd scored the team’s lone goal in the State Semifinal against Highland Park. Byrd helped lead the Panthers to the state tournament the past two years. Byrd was a TASCO 1st team all-state selection. She was also named to the all-tournament team at state.

Byrd’s legacy soars Allie Byrd helped lead the soccer team back to the state semifinals and was district player of the year in basketball and soccer.

by Crosslin Silcott Staff Writer Allie Byrd, a standout soccer and basketball player, was a shy, timid freshman. So much changed over the next four years.

“Her maturation is evident on the field in the increased level of involvement with her teammates during the run of play, her willingness to play anywhere she is asked on the field, and her ability to create opportunities for herself and her teammates,” soccer coach Jess White said. “Allie’s first season showed glimpses of what she could do from a sheer athletic standpoint.”

Byrd began playing sports when she was only 5 years old. She started with basketball and soon was on the soccer field as well. When she began, she really wasn’t that competitive. She was just doing it for fun.

“Allie was quiet, curious, and very sweet and pleasant as a little girl.

No whining at all,” said Allie Byrd’s mother, Lizette Shanta Byrd.

The elder Byrd also played basketball all throughout high school in her hometown Huntsville, Texas.

“I realized Allie was talented when she began playing little league soccer and basketball,” she said.

Both Byrd’s mother and father played basketball, so it was a given that she would play too, Byrd said.

However, Byrd fell in love with the

sport of soccer. She said it has always been her favorite just because she feels she is better at it.

“I’m more serious about soccer, I guess, so basketball’s like my second sport,” said Byrd.

Without a doubt, Byrd inherited her competitive genes from her parents.

Since they all play sports, they all have that competitive mindset, Byrd explained. Growing up, her parents encouraged her to take part in whatever sports she wanted. They did not make her choose.

“I believe sports build character and teaches very important life lessons regarding winning and losing,” Byrd’s mother said. “If you’re talented enough to play two sports, well why not!”

On the field, Byrd is described by her soccer coach as a physically assertive team player who provides a presence that demands attention from her opponent.

Off of the field, he describes her as a little reserved and kind of quiet, but silly with her friends.

“Allie is fun to be around and loves to dance and show off her dance skills,” said Byrd’s basketball coach, LeighAnn Wolfe.

Both White and Wolfe have coached Byrd for four years. They have seen her grow as an athlete and a person.

“I am the most proud of seeing her maturity develop over these four years,” Wolfe said. “I know that I was tough on her, but she took it all in, learned from it and improved.”

White describes her as one of a group of seniors who helped elevate the soccer program to new heights, raising the level of expectations with their performances on the field. On the basketball court, Wolfe said Byrd was the team’s go-to player. When

they needed a quick score, the team always looked to her.

“She has helped set a high standard for KPARK girls basketball,” said Wolfe. “We have high expectations and want players to rise to the occasion.”

Byrd was awarded district MVP in both basketball and soccer this year.

That’s the first time KPARK has seen a female athlete be MVP in basketball and soccer at the same time.

“This just goes to show others that you can be successful in multiple sports,” Wolfe said. “Her soccer skills helped her on the basketball court and vice versa.”

Wolfe said she was most proud of Byrd when she scored her 2,000th point against Willis. She said Byrd had no idea she reached the milestone.

Seeing her reaction and how happy her teammates were for her was pretty special for Wolfe. Despite all of her personal achievements, however, Byrd still remains humble and committed to her team.

“She has earned many accolades but prefers the team success to individual awards,” White said.

Byrd will attend the University of North Texas next fall. She plans to study kinesiology. She wants to eventually be a professional coach. She’s excited to be a part of their successful soccer program and to meet new people. Additionally, she likes the campus and its diversity.

“Allie is what you see is what you get. No frills and straight to business,” Byrd’s mother said. “We are so very proud of Allie and all of her accomplishments. I have always prayed over her life and know she will be successful in her future endeavors.”

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Senior Luke Tiedtke goes for a header against Sharpstown on April 13 in the Regional Final at Turner Stadium. The boys fell one game short of the state tournament with a 4-3 loss to Sharpstown.

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

Junior Carlos Gallegos celebrates during a 3-1 win over Goose Creek Memorial in the Regional Semifinal at Turner Stadium.

Senior Makenna Florez fights to maintain possession against Highland Park in the State Semifinal in Georgetown.

Photo by Dakota Mercer

sports

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

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Photo by Dakota Mercer

Associate principal Brian Johnson helps award a State Semifinalist medal to junior Jacqui Daspit and the rest of the girls team after their loss to Highland Park in Georgetown. The girls were also State Semifinalists a year ago.

Photo by Dakota Mercer

Senior co-captains Bailey Schoener and Taylor DeBrosky embrace after the team’s 4-1 loss in the State Semifinal to eventual champion Highland Park. Schoener and DeBrosky have both signed to play soccer in college.

Photo by Dakota Mercer Photo by Kathleen Ortiz

Junior Cristian Bautista takes the ball upfield against Sharpstown in the Regional Final at Turner Stadium.

Photo by Jayme Wilkey

Freshman Kate Tiedtke fights for the ball against Port-Neches Groves at Turner Stadium. Tiedtke was named district Newcomer of the Year.

Senior Taylor DeBrosky makes a pass against Highland Park in the state tournament. She was named to the all-tournament team, and she was named the district’s Midfielder of the Year.

Photo by Dakota Mercer

Coach Jess White shouts direction in the final moments of the State Semifinal game on April 18. In the last two years, the soccer team has been 18-0-1 in district play and 505-3 overall.

Sophomore Shelly Perri receives the ball with senior Hailey Villareal behind her in the state tournament at Georgetown. The girls lost 4-1 to the eventual state champions.

Photo by Kathleen Ortiz Photo by Dakota Mercer

As Sharpstown celebrates, junior Robert Henry sits on the turf after the final seconds of the boys’ 4-3 loss in the Regional Finals on April 13. They fell one game shy of the State Tournament.

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opinion

May 2019

Kingwood Park Times

MUSIC REVIEW

Jonas brothers return with ‘cool’ sound

By Jessica Barkley 2019. Anything can happen.

One event people didn’t see coming but have dreamt of since their big breakup on Oct. 29, 2013, was the Jonas Brothers getting back together. Their fan base was devastated when they heard the news.

What also was shocking was the fact that their album “V” was also cancelled with the breakup. The tour was cancelled, and they deleted their Twitter account.

On March 1, the release of their first new single “Sucker” shocked fans, because of the new sound that was completely different from their old sound. Nick’s vocals switching with Joe’s had fans going crazy.

Yet they didn’t stop there with their new unique sound. Their next single “Cool” was even better as Nick took lead vocals and Joe took the hook with his unique look. Kevin had the backup vocals, as they made reference to James Dean, who was “cool” in his day.

During the group’s long break, Nick Jonas went solo and produced two albums with artists like Tove Lo, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj and many others. Nick Jonas was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and struggled with the symptoms initially.. For the longest time, he was making it big with his music. However, he wasn’t the only Jonas Brother to be making it big.

Joe Jonas has created the musical group called “DNCE” and when they dropped their single “Cake by the Ocean,” it made it to No. 9 on the Billboard charts. Joe went in a

The Jonas Brothers. Source: Christopher Simon/Flickr/Creative Commons

different direction with his music and went more for an Electropop and EDM style. Loyal fans found themselves having the song on loop.

The eldest brother, Kevin Jonas, married his former hairdresser in 2009. For awhile, they starred in a reality show called “Married with Jonas.” Now, they are parents to two girls named Alena and Valentina.

Kevin commented “I’ve always been focused on my family”. Family is a big thing for the oldest Jonas brother and he wanted to be there for his wife as he watched his daughters grow up.

Rumors were started that the Jonas brother were getting back together started in January 2019. It wasn’t confirmed until they dropped their new single on March 1 called

“Sucker.” Loyal fans jumped at this opportunity to listen to their new song, and it hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 Billboard. Fans were beyond ecstatic about the long awaited reunion.

Their comeback is a great thing and something I’ve been wanting since their breakup. Over the years that they were strained, they seem to have all grown both personally and professionally. Their love for music has brought them together after all the buried family drama that split them up in the first place.

Their first album drops on June 7 and is labeled “Happiness Begins.”

The Jonas brothers have promised fans won’t be disappointed with this album, and it’s the one they’re most proud of.

Exemption policy should be revisited exemptions. This only makes We are told that exempting matters worse. By not resting the finals are based on our skills: proper amount and staying home 80 or above average and less with fevers, they are increasing than three absences in that their recovery time and spreading class period for the semester. their germs to others.

They’re made to The state of Texas be an incentive for says that you have keeping grades up to be in school 90 and attending classes percent of the time throughout the year. to receive credit. In However, the policy the first semester this on attendance should year, there were 81 change. Missing only days. There are 94 three days in a sedays in the second mester is challenging semester. Just as the to meet and punishes students when illBY NATALIE MOUNT state rules a percentage of days are nesses strike. required for a full year, Now I’m not why could a percentage not be saying exemption requirements used for exemptions as well? are entirely unfair; grades are If students met a 95-percent completely fair and rightfully attendance policy for exemptions, your responsibility to uphold. they could have missed four days Absences sound reasonable at first semester of this year and five first; however, when sick days are days second semester. counted how does that test your Absences should be calculated skills and dedication? by the percentage rather than When it comes down to it, just three days. Even though the many can’t exempt because of gap is small, it’s better than the attendance rather than grades. current requirement. This subtle Straight A students and many change can easily be applied and other dedicated kids get excellent is hard to argue against since grades but they have no control students have more days and it when sickness strikes. Oftenmakes sense logically with the times, students who get sick conamount of days in a semester. tinue to go to school contagious, in an effort to avoid losing their

Review: Long-awaited movie does not disappoint fans

By Blanca Cantu No amount of late nights consisting of reading theories or comics can prepare you for Endgame. Though if you think this is because of the length of the movie I’d calm down a bit. Yes, you can tell tons of time is passing as the movie goes on, but it is pieced together nicely and in a way that you barely notice you haven’t moved for three hours. It’s most likely because the Russo brothers weren’t so crazy with all the action.

Though don’t get me wrong, it’s crazy in its own way. Instead of starting off with some chaotic fight scene they hit you with everyone’s emotional issues, which I believe takes a heavier toll on our fragile hearts.

The first being Hawkeye’s, and I’m one of those annoying people who thinks MCU Hawkeye could have been executed better if they’d made him deaf 4.5 stars: Outstanding movie but the and funnier like he is in ending was not our favorite. the comics, but wow they really managed to make you feel sorry for the guy. I have to question his coping methods though. His whole family dies, and he just decides to get a super emo and angsty-like haircut so that he can go around the world and kill gang and mafia people.

Well I guess it is sort of understandable; he really just becomes a knock off version of the Punisher.

However you could find all that out from the trailers. The main (sadly funny) shocker was finding out what happened to Thor.

The poor dude’s family is dead and he feels like a failure. Just in case some of you haven’t watched, I’m not going to say what’s going on with him, but it was truly unexpected. At least for me.

However, I feel the need to mention that Thor never utters a word about missing his brother Loki. He was so distraught after he died in Infinity War, but I guess the Russo brothers just didn’t find it necessary for his character to address it again. Like in Infinity War, they threw out all the character development from Thor: Ragnarok.

After you find out how sad everyone is you finally get to their reunion and plan to fix everything that happened. It was surprisingly not that complicated. Well, quantum stuff is complicated, but I believe some people’s theories about the plot online took a bit more thought than necessary.

The main complaint I have is with poor Steve Rodgers. His end is satisfying if you ignore every Captain America movie; I was hoping they’d help him move on from how he started.

Well, in his own way he does, so I shouldn’t complain. The only reason I can’t find his ending “right” per se is because of how selfish and out of character it seemed. I feel that it could have been carried out in a way that left certain characters happier. Also, do the Russo brothers know Peggy, Rod-

10 things you should do before you go

By Blanca Cantu and Jessica Barkley 1. Forget everything you have been told from trailers or theories online. It will only make the experience much harder than it should be.

Trust that your mind can handle it.

2. As soon as those trailers start playing, run to the bathroom. You do not want to be that annoying person getting in people’s way as you try to casually make your way out. Plus, the whole movie is filled with great scenes you don’t want to miss. Yeah, you could look up times you can take pee breaks, but I think it is best to suck it up and just take in the whole movie.

3. Rewatch every Thor movie. I’m not going to explain why. Just do it. While you’re at it you should probably slip in at least one of the Captain America or Iron Man movies.

4. Buy a nice pair of sunglasses, or at least make sure to pack some you already own. You’re going to want to shield your crying eyes from everyone as you’re leaving the theater.

5. Exercise. You are going to be sitting in a dark theatre for about three hours, so I recommend doing some yoga or taking a nice walk in the sun.

6. Infinity War. I recommend going onto Netflix and rewatching it.

Right before I went to go see it, I rewatched Infinity War and made my way to see Endgame and a lot of my long awaited questions needing to be answered. ger’s love interest in the first Captain America, moved on and had a family of her own? They made sure Rodgers forgot.

When it comes Tony Stark, I feel he did his part. His ending was expected, but it definitely made me wish I’d remembered to bring tissues.

Honestly, Joe and Anthony Russo did a good job in making it so that you could leave the theater feeling somewhat satisfied and ready to illegally watch all the spin-off shows that are going to be on Disney’s streaming service. Let’s face it, most of us don’t want to pay for another streaming service.

Now, this movie isn’t Oscar worthy for Best Picture, but it is definitely something everyone needs to experience. It doesn’t matter how intense of a fan you are; just go to a theater and see how this 10 year series (sort of) comes to an end.

7. Comfortable clothes. Wear clothes that are really comfortable. Because of it being a nearly three hour movie, you’re going to find yourself adjusting in your seat with your eyes glued to the screen soaking in all those juicy small details.

8. Emotionally prepare yourself for the roller coaster that your emotions are going to be on. You’ll find yourself laughing one second and crying the next. Unlike me you probably won’t grab the stranger next to you and cry hysterically.

9. Watch Captain Marvel. It explains why she is the way she and is really what helped kick off Nick Fury finding super humans.

10. Snacks. Be mindful of drinks before you watch the movie, so if you’re about to order that large Dr. Pepper remember don’t be that person who is climbing over people as they’re trying to watch the movie.

opinion

Kingwood Park Times

May 2019

15

EDITOR'S CORNER

As graduation nears, final tips for those returning About two more weeks. Two more weeks until I will wave goodbye to high school and to all that it entails. The days went slow but the years went fast. I’ve compiled a list of the best tips that I wish I had known before I graduated high school. They’re in no particular order, and they’re all equally important.

1. The goal of high school isn’t to survive, it’s to thrive.

High school is a time for discovering and figuring out your interests and hobbies in hopes of finding a career.

2. Try doing a little bit of everything. Join the guitar club, get your line wet with the BY NICK FARACE fishing club, try out for basketball, whatever you think may be fun, pursue it.

3. Don’t get too invested in one thing. Don’t become so focused on academics, sports, or other extracurriculars that you lose sight of the importance of being well rounded.

4. Think of high school as life training instead of school.

High school is for learning about the world and what it has to offer, or, at least, it should be.

5. The teachers and administration are your friends. Ms. Drabing, Mr. Johnson, all the APs, counselors, teachers, etc.

aren’t out to catch you doing something wrong. They are there to provide a great high school experience for you. Say “hey” to them in the halls and give them a smile.

6. Bring a jacket with you everywhere. This school is an icebox.

7. Flex hour is the most valuable part of your day. You’re given an entire hour to do what you wish. Yes, eat, but also spend a good amount of time getting homework done so you can get to sleep earlier.

8. Getting enough sleep is key, but getting too much is harmful. Try to get about the same amount of sleep each night. (I aim for 7 hours and 30 minutes.) Your body will take this sleep and turn it into energy the next day. Getting too much sleep will cause you to be drowsy and feel tired.

9. Studying for tests/quizzes throughout the day is very helpful. Keeping the information and notes fresh in your head at all times will make it easier to recall when you’re testing/quizzing.

10. Participate as much as you can. Dress up for theme weeks, go to games, attend concerts and plays. Live the high school experience, don’t just be a bystander.

11. Always remember that you are not defined by your grades. High school isn’t just a place to improve your grades, but also to improve your character. Make a name for yourself by being well rounded and kind.

Thank you for a great ride, Kingwood Park. It’s been a pleasure.

Texas takes positive step adding cursive back into elementary curriculum

By Ava Lee Beginning next year, Texas Education Agency is requiring all second graders practice cursive and know it by the fifth grade.

Since computers entered the curriculum, TEA said cursive is now a “lost art.” Learning cursive is important to improving your skills as a student and providing you with a new aspect of creativity.

Reading and writing cursive benefits your brain power and would finally let you be able to read Grandma’s notes she left for you that you could never figure out. Most kids (and not only the little ones) can’t decipher the words of cursive writing.

Knowing cursive isn’t a worldwide problem, but can definitely improve the life of a student. Cursive is said to engage both left and right hemispheres of your brain, which allows it to strengthen your brain and improve reading comprehension, idea generating, spelling and memory. Being able to learn this technique is beneficial to your health and is just a good thing to know.

In a New York Times opinion piece titled, “Cursive handwriting is a cultural tradition worth preserving,” by Jimmy Bryant, the director of archives and special collections at the University of Central Arkansas, he said: “Email messages are routinely deleted. Letters written in cursive are saved and cherished.”

This being said, the current technology has us engulfed in our inboxes that we are becoming cold to the concept of handwritten letters and how to hold it dear. When kids learn cursive, it

is almost something that is used to show off. If every kid could show off and be proud of writing something fancy looking, let it happen! Even though it is a law already passed, people are opposed to it.

“Educators and policymakers should resist the urge to add more skills. Doing so would simply result in a crowded, less-focused curriculum, undermining the strength of the standards,” writes Morgan Polikoff, the assistant education professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, in a New York Times opinion piece titled, “Let Cursive Writing Die.” Although adding more skill to a curriculum could cause confusion, more skills improve a student as they grow up. The more, the better.

Handwriting, in general, is important. Printing and cursive are key skills that should be taught with as much diligence in elementary school. Although technology helps us in numerous ways like long distance communication and keeping up with news, having a face to face conversation is something everyone needs to know how to do. They also need to be able to write in cursive or print as well as be able to read cursive and print.

Cursive should be part of the list of basic skills along with things like self-control and simple addition. When you learn something at a young age it sticks with them almost forever.

Being able to provide a skill that can better a student’s writing and comprehension is worth learning.

Humble ISD should provide Chromebooks to students

By Eliza Gonzalez High school students spend a significant amount of time online in order to complete assignments and communicate with their teachers when needed. Quizzes, tests, and daily grades are primarily turned in through Schoology and all essays are typed on Google Docs. Though these are great resources, not all students have access to a personal laptop or computer at home to complete these tasks.

Students struggling with a lack of technology at home have learned to make adjustments such as coming in before school, going to the public library or working at friends’ houses. However, a school’s job is to provide the best education possible for students and help them find success. If districts have the opportunity to make it easier for students to have access to technology, then they should provide it, especially a district as capable as Humble ISD. A 1 to 1 education initiative provides a personal Chromebook, laptop, or tablet for each student at the beginning of every school year beginning in middle school. This gives students who may not access to a computer at home an equal opportunity to succeed and turn in their assignments, as those who do.

Districts such as New Caney ISD and Klein ISD have already implemented a 1 to 1 initiative and have received great feedback from their student body. Regardless of great outcomes from schools and districts around them, Humble ISD has failed to take action in providing their own students a 1 to 1 education. If schools in Humble ISD are using technology as the primary way to submit and distribute assignments, then they should adapt to the needs of their students.

A concern may be how well students would take care of the Chromebooks, since teenagers are not known for being very cautious. So, as a precaution, all Chromebooks are given with a stay-on protective case in order to ensure that the Chromebook does not crack if it is dropped. Schools have also implemented insurance policies and agreements. Klein ISD has students sign an agreement stating that they will pay the cost of the Chromebook if it is lost or broken throughout the year. New Caney ISD requires students to pay a $50 insurance fee to make sure that Chromebooks can be repaired if they are broken. Alternate solutions could be to require students to do a monthly, or bimonthly, Chromebook check. However, schools that partake in a 1 to 1 education have had very little problems with damaged Chromebooks.

Not only would this be beneficial for students, but for teachers as well. Students would no longer have an excuse for turning in assignments late, and grading would take less time because Schoology would grade and keep track of submissions. All students deserve an equal opportunity to succeed.

If you could do anything this summer, what would you do?

“I would buy a bike and go to California.”

-freshman Evan Krahn

"I’d just go to Mexico.”

-junior Aaron Guel

Kingwood Park Times

"Go to the Eiffel Tower and take pictures” -freshman Christina Castro

“ I would go to Bora Bora and experience the culture.”

-junior Katherine Holder

Editor in Chief

Kingwood Park High School

Nick Farace

4015 Woodland Hills

Writers/Photographers Jessica Barkley, Victoria Patton, Rafael Boecher, Blanca Cantu, Maria Landy Garcia, Autumarie Kellett, Crosslin Silcott, Sara Geiger, Eliza Gonzalez, Katey Searcy, Dakota Mercer, Carissa Haensgen, Vallery King, Trinity Curl, Jayme Wilkey, Gabby Norman, Kathleen Ortiz, Ava Lee, Sadie Lewis, Daniela Lugo Castro, Taylor Rankin, Natalie Mount, Richard Rivera, Kate McIlhany.

Adviser Megan Ortiz

Kingwood, TX 77339 281-641-6696 May 2019 Volume 5, Issue 5 The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

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10 Things

to do

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