Kingwood Park TIMES
MILITARY BOUND
Seniors prepare to join military after graduation
By Olivia Brenner Staff Writer
Throughout the year, the school hosts college fairs in the commons or gym. Representatives from colleges and universities all across Texas and the country come to talk to collegebound students about their institution.
While many high school seniors are looking forward to the college experience, celebrating acceptances and repping college t-shirts, it is not the next step after graduation for many. Some students are exploring a popular alternative: enlisting in the military.
“College didn’t feel right at this moment,” said senior Sophia Dawson. Dawson is joining the United States Navy after graduation, and she is set to leave on July 14 this summer. After scoring well on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, a standardized military entrance exam, she got her first pick of jobs. She will be a dental assistant for the Navy, and she has a five-year contract.
Scoring well on the ASVAB test can mean more options for jobs within the military. Better jobs within the military can mean not only a better experience, but also a step towards a future career.
“[The ASVAB] showed
me that I have more opportunities that I can go for because of how well I scored,” said senior Jahniyah Jones. “I realized there are more jobs out there that I could have.”
The military is a good option for students seeking minimal debt and job security. Jones is planning on taking a gap year, then enlisting in the Army National Guard. After that, she will go on to Prairie View A&M to pursue a degree in cybersecurity.
In addition to personal benefits that come with enlisting in the military, such as job security and little to no debt, serving is, for many, a way to give back.
“I do want to serve my country,” said senior Aaron Rivera, “I want to be able to give back, and I know there’s many benefits that come with it, and it’s that patriotic sense.”
Rivera plans to take the ASVAB test and enlist in the United States Air Force. He would like to do something in engineering or construction, which is also what he wants to do after the military. To do something in mechanical or electrical engineering, he may go to college after or get a job with his experience in the Air Force.
“I know going into the military, I can better my future,” said Rivera. “The military is very hands on, and that’s the way I learn.”
Class of 2025’s Top 10
By Shelby Townsend
Wells Kenny, Valedictorian University of Texas
I chose UT because of the unique opportunity to study in both the McCombs School of Business and the Plan II Honors Program. Being in Austin—just minutes from the Texas Capitol—also means direct access to the heart of state government, offering unmatched opportunities for civic engagement, internships, and leadership development.
Abbey Papadimitriou Sam Houston
“I would say my biggest accomplishment in high school is the number of meaningful friendships I’ve made over the past four years. KPark is known for being familyoriented, and it truly is a special place.”
Azul Gonzalez Texas A&M
“A moment in high school that stood out to me the most was constructing my lab group’s boats for the physics race day. It was the first time I truly saw how a concept I had learned in the classroom could be applied to a real-world scenario.”
CeCe Sullivan Southwestern University
“If I could give only one piece of advice, it would be to challenge yourself. It can be really easy to run away from things that are hard, but these are the things that help you grow, both academically and as a person. Even one small step can make a lasting difference.”
Alexandra Martinez Trinity University
“My biggest accomplishment in high school for me has been finding a nice balance between taking the classes I’ve wanted to take, learning to challenge myself in subjects like Physics and Calculus, and maintaining good enough grades to be in the spot that I am.”
David Gonzalez, Salutatorian Duke University
“I hope to one day become the U.S. Surgeon General. I am deeply inspired by my experiences working in local communities as a student EMT, and running my nonprofit, as I have seen the impact of quality healthcare and public health on the lives of others. I want to be a force for change by personalizing healthcare, advocating to create equitable solutions for my patients and the communities I serve.
Lucy Foltz University of Houston
“Coach Dissinger has had the biggest impact on me. He isn’t my teacher but he’s been a great coach. He’s taught me important life skills like being on time, putting in your best effort, how to show respect, how to work with a team and much more.”
Bailey Fovargue University of Texas
“The teacher that had the biggest impact on me is Coach White. I have had Coach White as my soccer coach and as a teacher. Coach White has made me grow as a student and as a leader and an athlete. I will forever be grateful that I got to play for him and be a student in his class.”
Holden Spears University of Texas
“The best piece of advice is one that I really didn’t follow, and it’s to not stress so much over grades and other people. It’s not worth it to sacrifice the things you want for the things that other people want. Spend time with friends and family and enjoy every bit of it.”
“Hopefully I can work in a well-known firm like Exxon, I’m pretty good at math and science and they make good money. One of my older brothers is a chemical engineer and it has inspired me to chase the engineering field.”
David Luna Texas A&M
Nationals wraps up successful year for Silver Stars
By Kaitlyn Sitton Editor-in-Chief
Acircle formed before the Silver Stars final dance of the day. The adrenaline was high and emotions were higher. As senior Colonel Emma Frazier prayed over the team’s performance for the final time this contest season, she and the team began to cry. It would be the final time the dancers would ever compete together.
“I wasn’t expecting to be very emotional,” Frazier said, “but as soon as we got up to pray, I realized it was the last time I would get to be dancing at a competition with this team.”
The Silver Star dance team went out of state for nationals for the first time. They attended the Crowd Pleasers competition in Nashville, Tenn. They came back with multiple awards including 2nd in the nation in the team and officer category. They also came back with three national champion solos.
“I think my entire soul left my body,” sophomore solo champion Jordyn Mayo said, “I didn’t think it was real, I actually thought that they said my first name and then somebody else’s last name because I didn’t think I actually won.”
The team didn’t just compete, they were also able to enjoy the sights of Nashville. They did things such as going to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Zoo, Luke Combs’ restaurant and the Area 54 dance studio. Despite all the fun, the
trip was an emotional end for the seniors’ competition season.
“Ending my senior year in Nashville was very exciting and very emotional,” Frazier said, “but it was very rewarding and felt like everything had the perfect end to it.”
‘Minecraft’ viewers disrupt, entertain during showings
Olivia Brenner Staff Writer
The highly-anticipated Minecraft movie was released in theaters, following a large social media presence in advertising and the popularization of many one liners and bits from the movie – including “chicken jockey,” “water bucket release” and “Steve’s lava chicken.” One student who particularly enjoyed the movie theater experience was sophomore Andrew Glover.
“Every time a meme came up in the movie, everybody would just scream it out,” Glover said. “And even when Steve’s lava chicken came on, everybody started singing it.”
Glover has been playing Minecraft since he was 6 years old, and he went to see the movie with four
friends. After buying the bottomless popcorn, he and his friends spent the movie taking turns with the popcorn and throwing it at one another.
At the famous line, “chicken jockey,” Glover took the popcorn and slammed it over his friend’s head, much to the amusement of nearby movie-goers.
“Pretty good movie. It was kind of okay,” Glover said. “But I feel like the experience made it better.”
Senior Lucas Pagano has worked at the Showbiz movie theater for two years, and he has dealt with the chaos caused by excited kids at Minecraft movie showings.
“It’s been a mess, for sure,” said Pagano. “We kick out lots of people. I think opening day it was close to 30.”
Kids throwing popcorn, while a huge problem for the cleaning
staff, is not the only problem the theater has had accompanying the Minecraft movie. At the popular line, “water bucket release,” kids have been dumping sodas and slushies on unsuspecting people in front of them.
“It’s so bad, but ingenious and hilarious,” Pagano said. “I really like to say it’s not funny, but every time I say it, I end up laughing.”
There was another incident where five or six high schoolers were seated next to a family with elementary school aged kids, and they were screaming and cursing the whole movie, causing a disturbance and reducing the kids to tears.
Many big kids movies, especially those based on video games, like the Mario or Sonic movies, cause big messes in the theater but never to the extent of the
Minecraft movie. The theater has received many complaints from theater-goers whose experience was disrupted by screaming, thrown popcorn and slushies on their heads.
Many other theaters have implemented “loud showings” with no food or drink allowed in the theater, or they require kids to be accompanied by adults over a certain age. Showbiz, however, has not yet done any of these things. Peak times for shenanigans are weekend nights, so those who want to avoid that should consider morning shows or normal weekdays.
“If it wasn’t doing well, it’d be really easy to just get rid of the movie,” said Pagano. “[The showings] are all sold out, and it’s just doing stupid well.”
Senior Zara West dances with her mom Ircka West during the Silver Stars national competition trip to Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Kaitlyn Sitton.
SENIOR ASSAss n
Senior assassin brings strategy, betrayal, entertainment
By. Preston Carpenter Staff Writer
He looked at his map, players were everywhere.
Senior Richard Beal was ready for a fun day as he packed up his water gun and put his goggles around his neck. He found his first target, senior Ethan Diaz eating lunch at Crust Pizza. With a quick shot, Diaz was out of the game, and Beal got another elimination in Senior Assassin.
Senior Assassin is a game where players compete to try to win a prize pool of $645. The game, which is not affiliated with the school nor allowed to be played on school grounds, starts with each player being assigned a target at the beginning of the week, which they have to try to get out. Players can eliminate their targets out by squirting them with a water gun. If a player is shot, they are out of the game. The target they had is passed on to their assassin.
However, the players have opportunities to stay safe by either wearing swim goggles on their heads or floaties around their arms. At the end of the week, players get assigned a new target to eliminate, and a new round begins.
This cycle continues until only one player remains. With a major cash prize on the line, there had to be a way to make sure the game was being played fairly. Senior Isaac Lee is the game’s admin, who is in charge of approving eliminations, assign-
ing targets and providing and maintaining the rules of the game. Lee, originally excited to play the game, decided to run Senior Assassin instead to guarantee it was done in the right way.
“You have the whole pressure, you don’t want to lose, you want to eliminate a lot of people so the game can finish faster, so it was pretty fun.”
senior Sebastian Bolivar
“I heard that they weren’t starting it this year,” Lee said. “I wanted to make sure it happened, so I took matters into my own hands and just did it myself.”
Being the game admin has forced Lee to make some difficult choices about the game. Whether it’s cancelling out an unfair elimination or kicking someone out for breaking the rules, these choices have led to some controversy.
“There’s been a few instances where there’s been a special case,
and I’ve had to make a decision,” Lee said. “It can be stressful because no matter what, I’m going to have some people mad at me.”
This year, 129 people decided to play Senior Assassin. With so many participants, the number is always going down. Friends were bound to get each other as targets, leading to betrayal becoming a big part of the game.
Seniors Sebastian Bolivar and Emily Pavel were sitting in a car together. They were waiting to try to get Bolivar’s target out. Everything was fine until Bolivar felt a squirt of water hit his arm. It was a trap. Pavel had gotten a kill, putting her one step ahead in the game, while Bolivar’s time playing Senior Assassin was over.
“It felt bad because we were going to get my target out because they’re friends,” Bolivar said. “But I thought she was going to help me. But she just did it.”
Before getting out, Bolivar had
managed to eliminate three people and was planning on more as he was set on moving the game further. Ironically, Bolivar used the same method as Pavel to get out one of his targets, who was also his friend – senior Aubrey Keenan.
Even though he is no longer in the game, Bolivar had fun and did all that he wanted to do in the game.
“You have the whole pressure, you don’t want to lose, you want to eliminate a lot of people so the game can finish faster, so it was pretty fun,” Bolivar said.
One part of Senior Assassin that has gotten the majority of the players out is Purge Day. Every Sunday, players can get any player out, regardless of who their target is.
This change in the rules has allowed players to go for players normally safe from elimination. The only way players can be safe on Purge Day is by eliminating
Senior Richard Beal poses with his water gun. He eliminated 10 seniors before also being eliminated. Photo by Preston Carpenter.
their target for the week, as that grants them immunity. With these special rules, some players have been able to rack up a large number of eliminations.
Senior Richard Beal got 10 people out in Senior Assassin and currently leads the game for the most eliminations. Beal’s main strategy in the game was to gain immunity during the week and then to go on a hunting spree during Purge Day.
“I just went around, looked on the map, and saw random people that were out and just went and tried to get them, everything kind of fell together,” Beal said.
Despite his high number of eliminations, Beal’s time in Senior Assassin came to an end. Early in the game, Beal made a deal with senior Flavia Salima Marcano to not get each other out.
Beal and Salima Marcano had planned on setting senior Ciley Laskowski up for elimination in a joint effort, but unbeknownst to Beal the deal had changed. Salima Marcano knew that Laskowski was not able to make it to the set up but did not tell Beal.
When Beal got to the set up location, he rushed inside to gain another elimination, but instead a splash of both water and betrayal greeted him.
“I was really angry because I feel like Flavia and I are pretty close friends,” Beal said. “There was an exchange of money, and we had a handshake. I just felt really bad that she turned on me.”
With 25 players remaining in the game, the competition has become tighter than ever. Many players have resorted to hiding out in their houses, waiting for the right moment to strike. Others have been getting eliminations as fast as they can. Regardless of the strategy, only one player can walk away with the cash prize while the rest end up soaked.
“I think it’s getting a lot more competitive, and it’s kind of slowing down,” Lee said. “I think people are going to take it more seriously once they realize that they have a shot at winning.”
Q&A
By Cameron Minatrea Staff Writer
Samuel Aparicio has spent time in the culinary arts program during high school. It is a field he plans to continue with in the future.
Q: You got accepted into the San Jacinto College for culinary. How are you feeling?
A: “I’m really excited. I get to do recipes every day, learn about knife skills, make a bunch of food, enjoy the food, learn and take my expertise to a higher level.”
Q: Where did your love for cooking come from?
A: “When I was 7, my mom would make me pancakes every day. And one day she didn’t want to make me pancakes anymore. So she taught me how to make pancakes and eggs and bacon; and I was like, ‘This is amazing. I wanna do this for the rest of my life.’”
Q: What has your experi-
Aparicio prepares for culinary school
ence been like in the culinary program this year?
A: “It’s great. I get to cook almost like three or four times a week. And I mean, there’s so many experiences with classmates where I have to teach and show them.”
Q: How does it feel being more experienced than you were last year and interacting with the first-year students?
A: “I feel like a teacher, and teachers feel gratitude and happiness when you see someone succeed in something they want to do. I feel like how Mr. Chevalier felt teaching me. When I see them smile when they accomplish something – I just don’t feel that anywhere else.”
Q: What kind of career do you want to pursue in the future?
A: “I want to be in a restaurant starting off my career. Being in a restaurant, it’s a lot of prep, it’s a lot of cutting. After I work in a restaurant, I want to be a private chef, preparing meals for people.”
Q: What are you looking forward to learning the most about next fall?
A: “I heard that we’ll be cooking recipes daily, and cooking a recipe perfectly – that’s one of the best feelings in my personal opinion. I want to perfect as many as I can.”
Q: Do you have a signature dish/recipe?
A: “I do have a signature dish – pork. I make really good pork. If you give me it, I can turn it into bacon strips, I can turn it into cubed pork and other things.”
Q: What advice do you have for people who want to take culinary to the next level?
A: “It’s really all about repetition. If you can get as many sets of making a dish and learning the basics, it helps. Always keep an open mind on how you can improve. Every dish you make can always have something better.”
Senior Samuel Aparicio works on a recipe during Culinary Arts class during seventh period earlier this semester. Photo by Cameron Minatrea.
Overcoming Obstacles
Gonzalez finds his voice as he heads to Duke to become a changemaker in the healthcare industry
By Fallon Head Editor-in-Chief
Ateacher told David Gonzalez in elementary school he wasn’t going to accomplish anything. Coaches in middle school shouted random Hispanic last names to get his attention.
Classmates said slurs loud enough for him to hear, and others told him not to speak Spanish when talking to his family.
David, who immigrated with his parents and sister from Mexico when he was only 3, got worn down growing up in the predominantly white Kingwood community. His selfworth and confidence hit a low in middle school.
“Even though I had good grades, I didn’t believe I was smart or capable, and I carried this quiet sense of purposelessness that shaped how I acted,” David said. “Instead of stepping into leadership or embracing my potential, I
chose to become the class clown, constantly seeking approval from others rather than trusting my own voice.
“I remember the subtle hostility or dismissal I felt when I shared my ideas or expressed ambition. It made me retreat and bury that driven, thoughtful part of myself.”
At the time, David hated himself because he didn’t have the confidence to stand up for what he knew was wrong.
Eventually, he embraced who he truly was in high school, but the feeling of hate he felt in middle school remained as motivation. And that motivation carried him far. This spring, he received fullride offers from Harvard, Brown, Duke, Georgetown, University of North Carolina, University of Michigan and the University of Texas-Austin.
He was chosen as a Forty Acres scholar at UT and a University Scholar at Duke.
During a Forty Acres event in April, David was stopped by Yahir Olivares, a previous Forty Acres Scholar and a fellow immigrant from Mexico.
“I just want you to know, don’t get discouraged,” Olivares said. “Like, I know you’re looking around this room and you don’t see all the people who look like you, who might talk like you, who might be who you are.
“Don’t get in your head about it. Just be who you are. Make the most out of it. You’re here for a reason.”
The words hit David hard. With every college acceptance, every scholarship and award, it helped cement that his hard work paid off. In the back of his mind, however, he could never shake the voices from his childhood.
“All my scholarships are merit
based, all my scholarships were things that I worked my ass off to accomplish,” David said.
“And I know that there’s people who, at the end of the day, will always look at it as like, I got here because I’m Hispanic, which is so far from the truth.”
BECOMING A CITIZEN
When David was just 3, his dad Jesus Gonzalez came to the United States through a permanent resident card. That allowed David, his mom Azucena Gonzalez and his older sister Eliza to also immigrate to the U.S.
The family’s process to become American citizens was long and expensive. Their goal was to become citizens before Eliza graduated from Kingwood Park in 2020, so she could attend college in the U.S.
It took a total of 10 years for everyone in his family to gain citizenship.
“People don’t realize that [immigrants are] leaving conflict or leaving an inability to access things, and you’re coming into a country with no intention but to do good and to live your life,” David said. “And it’s a hard process. I mean, at any moment when we were growing up, we could have been deported. And we hadn’t done anything wrong. It’s just the fact that we were living here. That’s true for a lot of people.”
David didn’t plan to be ranked in the Top 10 in high school after years of being told the goal was too ambitious for him. But when he saw he was No. 9 on his first freshman report card, he decided he was going to work to be No. 1 or No. 2 and focus more on his academic goals.
“After seeing that I’m capable of more, I really just dedicated myself to the things I care about, which are medicine and healthcare equity, and like the things that made me who I am today,” David said.
BECOMING INVOLVED IN HEALTH SCIENCE
David joined the school’s HOSA chapter his sophomore year and participated in prepared
Senior David Gonzalez and his dad Jesus Gonzalez stand together at a Duke sign from when David visited the campus. A month earlier, David and his dad talked in their garage. “My dad doesn’t cry a lot,” Gonzalez said. “But he never went to college. He worked his way through high school. He graduated high school and worked for his family, and he gave me a hug and we just cried. And he was like, ‘You’ve worked for all of this and you deserve it. And I’m so proud of you.’”
speaking competitions at the HOSA events.
Photo submitted by David Gonzalez.
By his junior year, he was an area officer. On a drive to Galveston for a leadership conference, health science teacher Leanna Rockwell talked with David about his options for his senior year.
“If you are a state officer, know that it is going to be a lot more responsibility,” said Rockwell, who already knew David’s course load and that he worked construction to help his family financially. “So really think about that. If that’s something that you want and if it’s something that you can do.”
David didn’t hesitate. “‘Ms. Rockwell, if I get it, I’m going to go big. So if I get the president, I’m going to go for Texas state president.”
Rockwell wasn’t surprised
when that was exactly what he did. He was dually elected as Area 6 and state HOSA president.
As state president, David has led a team of eight, planned conferences, planned fundraisers, run leadership sessions and more. He spent four days in Washington, D.C., in September at the Washington Leadership Academy Conference, meeting with representatives and senators to encourage them to continue to support CTE programs.
“By the end of [the DC conference], he knew everybody’s name that was there,” Rockwell said. “Everybody knew who he was. He formed so many bonds and friendships. I didn’t think we were ever going to be able to leave because we had to stop and take pictures with everybody.”
David’s genuine passion for healthcare and helping others was evident in D.C. and it’s evident to those he regularly works with. He spent his senior year in the district’s dual credit Emergency Medical Technician program where he often rode with EMTs in ambulances for full shifts. This week, he takes his EMT-Basic certification test.
“The ability to serve others through medicine gives me purpose,” David said. “Through public health, advocacy and direct patient care, I believe physicians hold a unique platform to address systemic inequities and improve access to quality care in underserved communities.”
MAKING HIS FAMILY PROUD
And while his long-term goal is to become the U.S. Surgeon General, creating financial stability for his family and making his parents proud is always forefront in his mind.
“Every time that he calls me or tells me a new accomplishment, I think he doesn’t realize how big and how impactful it really is for him and for our family,” said Eliza Gonzalez, who graduated from Willamette University and plans to attend law school for immigration law. “He’s accomplishing things that no one in our family ever has, and he’s gaining the recognition that he’s worked really hard for.”
During high school, David juggled multiple school organizations, state organizations and a job in construction. He also helped create the non-profit Atlas, which educates people on the opiate crisis. In school and in his personal life, he worked to surround himself with people who uplifted others, and he worked to be a positive force in other people’s lives.
“I could call him right now and he’d probably be in the back of an ambulance, on a Zoom meeting and taking a test all at the same time,” said senior Talon Benton, who watched his friend balance everything.
Continue reading GONZALEZ, on page 8
Gonzalez proud of Mexican roots
GONZALEZ
continued from page 8
“You’re not going to get extra credit,” Benton would tease from across the room when he’d spot David talking to a teacher.
Gonzalez ultimately became salutatorian of the senior class.
Even while working to be ranked in the Top 10, David said he found the emphasis on rank in high school to be more harmful than it was good for students, citing the focus on GPA points over people’s personal and career interests.
“In KPark, some of the administration wants there to be this level of competition within the students because it, in some regards, brings out the best in some students,” David said. “But I think it brings out the worst in a lot of others. There’s students here who probably fell victim to that competitiveness – and burnt out and didn’t accomplish everything they could have accomplished, because there’s not as much of a collaborative environment in Kingwood Park.”
CHOOSING DUKE
When David officially decided on Duke, his family surprised him with a blue cake that read “Duke Bound!”
David ultimately chose Duke
for the school spirit and traditions. He liked the people he met when touring the school, the hands-on learning opportunities and the collaborative spirit of the school.
As a University Scholar, he will participate annually in a trip somewhere in the United States where they are able to do team bonding and also spend time helping the community they visit.
“I just really was impressed by the amount of focus on the students and how many opportunities that they want to give us to not only succeed as individuals, but also, continue to uphold and build strong communities, particularly for lower-income students,” David said.
David said he is very appreciative of all his parents sacrificed. His dad went straight into the workforce as his mom finished college while pregnant with David. Three years later, they uprooted their life in Mexico to give their kids better opportunities in a different country.
“I want to serve as a pillar for my community,” David said. “Like me being Mexican, being an immigrant – everything I’ve worked for has been for my family and for who I am. My parents sacrificed so much to come to this country. I’m seeing this light at the end of the tunnel. I’m almost there, like I have this opportunity coming and it really means a lot.”
Senior David Gonzalez declares the 2025 Texas HOSA State Leadership Conference is in session. Photo submitted by David Gonzalez.
Case overcomes rain to finish No. 11 at State
By Marie Wakefield Staff Writer
Junior Cory Case went into the State Championships expecting to play 36 holes over the course of two days. Instead, he played 22 holes in one day with only 18 counting due to bad weather and storms.
“It’s not easy to play in the rain, and especially when it’s heavy, heavy rain,” said golf coach Angela Chancellor, “So, trying to keep your grips dry and trying to keep your hands from slipping on the club and just being prepared. Having enough towels, having enough gloves, having all those things. And it was a very good job by him being prepared for that.”
Although Case wished it was a two-day tournament, he was satisfied that the scores for the first 18 holes were the only ones taken.
“I’m kind of glad it got cancelled
because it was really tough playing in those conditions,” Case said. Case also utilized a good mindset throughout the game, which is crucial in the game of golf. Since last year’s State, where he placed 19th, a
good attitude is something that he’s been working on.
“I was staying calm throughout the tournament, even when I started missing putts. I was like ‘That’s ok, it’s gonna happen.’ And so I just
kept on trying,” Case said. “I knew I was hitting the ball well.”
Despite those challenges, Case managed a historic 11th place finish at State – the highest finish in school history for an individual on the boys team.
“He handled that all really well [and] got the highest finish that we’d ever had for a K-Park boys golfer at State. So we were very proud of how he performed,” Chancellor said.
Although it’s the off season for high school, Case is in no way slowing down. Texas is home to many competitive golf tours, and he intends to do several of them over the summer.
“I’m playing a lot of tournaments outside of school,” Case said. “So I’m just going to keep on practicing and working harder, keep on putting, and hopefully everything I do works out.”
Freshman finishes strong in first State experience
By Tricia Darcy and Cameron Minatrea
Lilly Raymond stepped on to the tee box at the State Championship golf tournament on April 28. The freshman was reminded of when she started golfing with her dad when she was 9 years old.
Raymond ended the tournament, which took place at Legacy Hills Golf Course on April 28-29, tied for 28th out of 72 golfers. Raymond finished the tournament strong, ending each round with a score of 80-78.
One of Raymond’s favorite memories from the tournament was the birdie that she got on the first hole.
“It’s not an easy course and it was windy, so being able to accomplish that was great,” Raymond said.
Although Raymond was nervous going into the tournament she was proud of her performance, especially because she knew her dad would be proud. Her dad, who played collegiate golf, has helped with her game since she first started and has especially helped motivate her throughout this season.
Raymond, who joined the program
this year, quickly fit in with the already young girls team and helped lead the team throughout the season. She was the first girl athlete to advance to the state tournament since 2019.
Although the course provided challenges for the freshman, Raymond said she was happy she got to compete alongside some of the best in Texas.
“It was definitely difficult because they have good potential and are committed to D1 schools,” Raymond said.
“It made me feel like I fit in, and I could prove that I’m on the same level as them.”
Freshman Lilly Raymond finds success in first State experience. Photo courtesy of Angela Chancellor.
Junior Cory Case finishes No. 11 at the State Meet, recording the highest finish for a boy in school history. Photo courtesy of Angela Chancellor.
Dement, Krippel make 1st State appearance
By Cameron Minatrea Staff Writer
Whether it be shot put or discus, the point of the sport is simple. Give all you can and hope that the energy translates into the throw.
Junior Dakoda Dement and junior Alec Krippel tried to do just that when they competed on the state’s biggest stage at the UIL 5A State Track and Field Championships.
Dement and Krippel put together the best throws of their careers at the regional meet to qualify.
Dement broke his own school shot put record of 54.7 feet by throwing a distance of 58.6 at regionals.
“I was expecting to be at maybe 56, 57 on a really fantastic day,” Dement said. “I was never in my life expecting to throw 58 at regionals.”
Krippel also broke the school discus record with a distance of 152 feet 11 inches at regionals. One of the main things for Krippel going into the competition was his previous performances, which he claimed to be underwhelming. Though he scratched the first two throws at regionals, he still managed to throw his record-breaking distance.
“I was pretty nervous,” Krippel said. “Area and districts, I crapped the bed. I was going into it with the mindset that it was just gonna happen again. But that very last throw was the one that broke the school record. I just put everything into that last throw.”
Krippel finished 9th at State as he broke his own school record with a throw of 154-5.
Dement threw 53-7.5 to finish seventh at State.
Golden Girl
By Tricia Darcy Visuals Editor
Senior Courtney Daniel competed at the State Meet for the third year in a row. This year, she took home gold in the shot put. She only gets a little of a break though. On May 28, she will begin her throwing career with the University of Tennessee track and field team.
Q: How would you say State went for you?
A: “It was so much fun. State ended up being a really great way to wrap up my high school career. I think that’s really
just what it was. It was a great experience, and I’m really happy that I was able to have that as my last meet.”
Q: How was it different from past state championships you’ve been to?
A: “It was my last meet, so going in, I think it just held more value to me. My sophomore year going in, I was honestly just thrilled to even be able to go. So the way I approached that was completely separate from last year going in. I wanted to compete as well as I could and I was very thankful and pleased with my third
place last year. It kind of just made me want more.
“So this year going in, it was kind of like all or nothing. I kind of had that mentality of just like I want that goal. It had been a goal of mine, to be a state champion, since I picked up a shot, like a seventh or eighth grade. Then especially freshman year, I just knew that I wanted to be a champion so bad. And because of that it just kind of accumulated.
“Going into state this year, it was just kind of like, all right, now is my chance. I have got to either perform or not, and I’m very thankful that I did.”
What legacy do you hope you leave at KPark?
A: “I really just hope that whenever I’m gone and people remember me, I really just hope that they saw somebody that had a passion. I really hope that whenever they hear my name, they don’t just think, that girl that was really good at throwing, I hope they’re able to see past that. I hope they’re able to see someone that could maybe affect others in the way, just to show others that with hard work you can achieve basically anything.”
Senior Courtney Daniel throws the shot put in a meet earlier this year. She entered the UIL 5A State Track and Field Championships as the top-seeded shot put thrower and she took home the gold. Photo by Rocco Huerta
Gerbasich, Smith reach new heights
By Sydney Ortiz Sports Editor
Junior Emilee Smith was nervous as she stood waiting to do her first attempt at clearing the bar.
For the past two years, she was in the exact same position at the regional track meet. She finished third as a freshman in the pole vault and third as a sophomore. Both finishes put her one spot shy of qualifying for the State Championships. She did not want that to happen again this year.
“Leading up to the meet, I was like freaking out and it was crazy,” Smith said.
Once Smith started vaulting though, her nerves died down. She ended up clearing 11 feet 6
inches, earning her first place at regionals and a spot at the state meet at the University of TexasAustin.
Fellow pole vaulter Bryce Gerbasich was able to clinch his spot at the state meet, clearing 15 feet and finishing second at regionals. Both competed at the State Meet on May 2.
Gerbasich spent most of the first semester focused on football, so he wasn’t fully focused on the upcoming track season until November.
Near the beginning of the track season, Gerbasich was sidelined because of a strained calf muscle. The strain made it difficult to get a good run up for his vaults and he had to sit out of competitions until the District Meet.
“I had to do a short run at district,” Gerbasich said. “It was hard to even make it out of district, hard to make it out of area, and then I was like completely healthy for a region. That was my first meet back.”
Gerbasich was nervous about the regional meet, because he was unsure of how he would do.
After he clinched his spot for state though on April 18, he made sure to drive back up to Huntsville to cheer on Smith when she competed the next day.
“They do a really good job
supporting each other,” coach Andrew Higham said. “Both of them are extremely awesome kids. Jumping and as humans they’re good people. They really encourage each other.”
Both Smith and Gerbasich also rely on their coaches to be successful.
“They’ve been super supportive,” Smith said. “Especially coach Higham and coach [Cody] Cook, they’re always looking for the best way to help me, and I love that so much.”
Junior Emilee Smith competed in the pole vault at the state championships. She won the region tournament to advance for the first time. Photo by Rocco Huerta.
Junior Bryce Gerbasich clears the bar at the Barbers Hill meet earlier this season. He finished seventh in his first State Meet appearance. Photo by Rocco Huerta.
Strong season cut short in playoffs
By Tricia Darcy Visuals Editor
In the second game of the playoff series against Brenham, the softball team came back from a 7-1 deficit, tying the game 9-9 in the seventh inning. The team lost the first game of the first round of the playoffs, 7-6, and would need to win to continue playing.
Junior Ava Klinefelter walked up to the plate, hitting a walk-off, which ended the game 10-9. This forced a third game on Saturday morning, where the team fell short 9-8.
The series took place April 24-26 at Cypress Falls High School, and ended with Brenham advancing. For most of the players, the second game was the most memorable.
“[The second game] was really exciting,” senior Abbey Papadimitriou said. “I mean, there’s nothing like proving the other team wrong, which wasn’t our goal. We were just going to go out and do our best. I think the whole season that’s how we played. Just playing for each other, not whatever was around us. But I think it really sent a message.”
During the first game of the series, however, the team faced rain and lightning that caused a delay. Although the game could have been rescheduled to a double header, both teams agreed to wait. With the rain delay, the team attempted to remain energized before going out to the field again.
The team ended their season with an overall record of 18-9. They ended district play with a record of 10-2 and finished second.
Throughout the season, the energy between the crowd and the dugout especially motivated the team. The team learned and created different chants for when their teammates were up at bat.
“Whenever we have energy we all scream at each other and we get hyped,” Klinefelter said. “We just know that if we keep screaming, we keep getting in their heads, that we’re going to eventually keep scoring and keep hitting.”
The energy and chemistry they created helped secure wins, even with a young team. This was what kept the team motivated.
Earlier this season, some players on the team got injured leaving the already small team to make necessary changes in positions. Junior catcher Kendall Olson broke her hand in a preseason game, which forced senior utility player Addison Gomez to take over the catching position.
Along with Olson, seniors Katherine Geiser and Lizzy Quinn sat out for the whole season because of injuries.
“I think with Kendall getting hurt, defensively, we had a couple of setbacks,” Klinefelter said.
“With players not being able to play like Katherine and Lizzy, we had some spots open for people to compete for. I think if we had all those pieces together we would
have gone far.”
With three key players out for the majority of the season, the team needed to make adjustments. This caused many underclassmen on the team to be used as utility players and learn to play multiple positions.
On the field, senior captains Papadimitriou and Gomez were the key leaders the team needed this season. Papadimitriou, who will play at Sam Houston next year, said she was excited to end her high school career in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
“I was so excited for the next thing,” Papadimitriou said, talking about this season. “I probably should have just lived a little. That might not sound right on paper, but I was just so ready for the next game. I wish that I would just really have slowed down a little bit.”
Sophomore Allie Minick, who
was a captain alongside Papadimitriou and Gomez, led the team throughout the season on the pitcher’s mound. Minick came in relief during each of the playoff games, and was a key contributor throughout the season.
This year, the team’s chemistry and togetherness played a huge role in their success. While the seniors are proud of what they accomplished this year, the underclassmen are looking forward to next season, because of the key pieces they have returning.
“I think our strengths were our togetherness,” coach Lindsay Gregory said. “The culture that we created, just picking each other up. I think that just consistency at the plate was a big strength of ours and timely hitting. I would say we played good defense for the majority of the year. Those are all pieces that we have coming back.”
Junior Ava Klinefelter moves toward the ball as she prepares to swing in the first game of the playoff series against Brenham. The Panthers lost the first game, 7-6. Photo by Zachary Ford.
Sophomore Allie Minick throws a pitch against a Brenham batter during the third inning of the final game in the first-round series. The Panthers lost 9-8 to Brenham. Photo by Tricia Darcy.
Senior Abbey Papadimitriou sprints toward third base in Kingwood Park’s first game against Brenham. All three playoff games in the first round were decided by one run.
Photo by Zachary Ford.
Playoff Panthers
The baseball team won the district title with a 10-2 record this year then raced out to a fast start in the playoffs. They defeated Brenham in just two games.
In the first game, they pulled out some clutch hitting with a three-run ninth inning to take a 6-3 victory.
The next night was postponed for more than two hours as the teams waited for a thunderstorm to pass over Kingwood. The game eventually started at 9:40 p.m. The Panthers won 9-2 in the 7th inning, which finished after midnight.
Tennis players extend their season with strong District Meet
The girls team was overall district champs, while the boys finished second.
Seven tennis players advanced to regions.
Izzy Sikora and Olivia Licona were the girls doubles champs. Andrew Carson and Santi Salazar were the boys doubles champs. Scarlett Perez and Andres Campos were the mixed doubles runner-ups.
In addition, Lola Olivo advanced as the girls singles runner-up.
Those who also had strong performances at the District Meet, included Robert Geiger and Stephen Borch, who finished third in boys doubles. Cole Kayfes and Summer Waguespack finished fourth in mixed doubles.
Lastly, Cash Bergquist finished fourth in boys Singles.
Junior Michael Segura celebrates with his teammates after their win against Brenham in the first round of the playoffs. The Panthers won the best-of-3 series in two games. Photo by Zachary Ford.
Junior Griffin Resendez sprints toward third and is ready to head home in the 9-2 victory over Brenham on May 2. Photo by Zachary Ford.
Senior Blake Heckman celebrates after hitting an RBI triple in the first round of the playoffs on May 2. Photo by Zachary Ford.
During the District Meet, Olivia Licona and Izzy Sikora won the girls doubles championship. Photo by Rocco Huerta.
Seniors Santi Salazar and Andrew Carson smile after earning another point in boys doubles. They were crowned champions at the District Meet. Photo by Rocco Huerta.
Biggest fear turns into best friend
By Danielle Nalley Staff Writer
The summer going into my seventh grade year, I was having a normal day in July. Nothing felt out of place. We were eating at a new pizza place I wanted to try out, and I was enjoying that extra crispy margherita pizza.
As I stuffed my second slice into my mouth, my parents said something that made my heart drop – “We’re having a baby.”
My brain started buzzing. I wanted to cry. The air conditioning was ringing in my ears.
I was burnt out trying my best to be the perfect daughter, trying to hold it together, trying to keep everything the same. I wasn’t prepared for this change. I didn’t have time to help with a baby. I already had two younger siblings. I was barely keeping myself alive and they wanted a baby.
All my worry turned to anger, even hatred. I could feel my skin start to burn up. How could they do this to me? How selfish can they be? I felt so unloved and so ignored. They couldn’t see I was struggling but they wanted a whole new human being to care for.
“Delete it, I don’t have time to look after another kid,” I told
them.
The look of joy on their faces started to downturn into frowns and a hurt expression appeared. I wanted them to agree with me – to see how I felt and how I was feeling. To see the effect this baby would have on everyone.
They stared at me with cold faces and said, “No.”
My heart dropped. This meant even more stress to go on top of my two clubs, three UIL Academic Team events, jujitsu and sports. Perfect. I was so overwhelmed.
My eyes started to swell up with tears. You could hear the hurt in my breathing. I thought I was going to have a panic attack. I made my stance clear. Made my boundaries known. “I’m not going to take care of this baby at all,” I told my parents.
The next few months, I was the worst. I would not leave my room. From the time I got home until the next morning, I stayed there.
I didn’t want to share my parents’ love. It had already been divided enough. I couldn’t stand the thought of them loving me less or loving the baby more.
I think the first time I started to actually feel happy again was when I felt my sister kick. The anger slowly faded away and the reality of the situation got a little
WHAT’S HOT?
Senior Sunday posts. Everyone’s looking their best.
Last few weeks of school. Can you get senioritis as a sophomore?
Summer. Time to get a job!!
Grad parties. Fun with friends, family and gift cards.
End-of-year projects. A change in summatives could be fun.
clearer. A touch to my mom’s belly and a gentle kick to my hand, I felt the warmth of the baby and my mom looked so happy. This made me feel even worse about not wanting the baby but I couldn’t go back on my decision of not liking the child.
I had to hold my ground. I had to be angry. If I wasn’t the angry one, who would be? Who could I blame my unhappiness for?
When my mom was in the hospital I got a message and an image attached. It was an ugly thing with a big head but it made me want to sob. “Daisy Mae Jackson.” My dad was holding her all suited up in hospital gear. It made me laugh and everyone looked so happy.
I got sad imagining the joy there while I sat grumpy at school.
When Daisy came home, I
couldn’t help but want to hold her. I was scared to break her. When I held her, I knew I couldn’t hate her.
She was so warm, so nice. Without knowing any words, she said everything I wanted to hear. Every time I held her, I felt so loved. Now she’s 3, and I couldn’t imagine life without her. Everyday she shows me I’m worth more than I think. When I get home, she hugs me and tells me about her day. At night, she comes into my room with a pillow and blanket ready to spend the night in my bed. Whenever I feel sad or lonely, Daisy is always there to tell me I’m her favorite and she loves me so much.
WHAT’S NOT?
NBA Playoffs. Let’s not talk about, Rockets..
Powderpuff. May 16th – be there!!
Banquets. End-of-year celebrations. Can’t wait to see the instagram posts
Fast food releases. Chicken strips at Mod?? And chicken nuggests at Taco Bell??
Sinners. Two Michael B. Jordans??? Heck, yes!
Rainy weather. Walking home has never been worse.
AP tests. Three hours to go through a whole year’s worth of lessons.
Seniors Graduating. What are we going to do without them next year?
Flooded bathrooms. Again?
Senior pep rally canceled. Our last pep rally in spring and it’s gone.
One gorilla v 100 men. Seriously? We could be doing so much more.
GTA 6 trailer. It’s delayed again.
Senior assassin. How many more weeks will this go on?
Exchange students leaving. Honorary Americans.
Lava chicken. The battle is over cookingWITHfred won.
Sophomore Danielle Nalley with her little sister Daisy. Photo submitted by Danielle Nalley.
Journalism added purpose to each day
Three days after my 18th birthday, I sat at a tattoo parlor getting a tattoo of a camera on my arm. The camera was for me, for my sister and for everything I’ve accomplished through journalism in my life so far.
needed done.
Every time I was too emotionally exhausted to want to go to a school event on my own, the yearbook or newspaper needed photos.
in error, my confidence grew both in and outside the classroom. I became more willing to advocate for myself and others. I began to own my space in a way I didn’t used to.
By Fallon Head
When I joined my first journalism class in middle school, I thought it would be a semesterlong glimpse into my late sister’s life and be a way to connect with her a little more while grieving. By the time I got to high school, I knew it was something I loved doing not just to honor my sister, but for me.
Every day I couldn’t get out of bed, I had an interview that
Every time I didn’t want to go to school or a school event, journalism got me there. Without it, I can’t imagine what my high school experience would have been like, but it wouldn’t be anything close to what I have now.
Starting my freshman year of high school, I was sent to do a Q&A with someone in theater, and I was absolutely petrified to enter the room and talk to someone I didn’t know. Time and time again, I was forced out of my comfort zone to go and talk to people. By the summer in between my junior and senior year, at an internship I was walking into schools I’ve never been to and calling law firms, and attending press conferences with the governor, mayor and major corporations. Through support and some trial
Kingwood Park TIMES
May 2025
Volume 11, Issue 6 Kingwood, Texas 77339
EDITORS
Fallon Head, editor-in-chief
Kaitlyn Sitton, editor-in-chief
Tricia Darcy, visuals editor
Sydney Ortiz, sports editor
STAFF WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Olivia Brenner, Chase Canlas, Preston Carpenter, Soleil Cavallo, Jack Coffey, Zachary Ford, Rocco Huerta, Michelle Klanke, Rionna Martin, Emily McKithern, Cameron Minatrea, Danielle Nalley, Pilar Retamales, Paisley Thomas, Shelby Townsend.
Adviser: Megan Ortiz
Cover: Portrait of senior David Gonzalez by Zachary Ford.
The newspaper staff became my second family, and I knew that no matter the type of day I was having it would be safe and fun in 1504. At the newspaper banquet, I watched the continued success and support of the yearbook and newspaper staffs, and I was caught in the contagious energy.
I’ve had the privilege of watching the journalism program grow these past few years. When I joined my freshman year, I was already impressed by our program’s newspapers. I then got to help organize the website and help it become a national awardwinning site, as we continued and improved our print newspapers.
This year the program got sweepstakes for the third year in a row at state, with several individual and staff wide awards.
At nationals, we won 21 awards as a staff, including an award I earned for leadership. Throughout the past four years, that award has probably meant the most to me because it’s what I worked the hardest to improve.
Journalism has been the focus of my life for at least the past four years. After high school, I know it’s what I will remember the most. Every hour of work, every interview, every article, every photo helped shape me into the person I am today. The journalism program functions where what you put in determines what you get out of it, and I am forever grateful for all the growth I’ve had through this program.
My friends joke that I’m a workaholic, which is probably fair, but the work is rewarding and staying busy helps me be able to function. I realized journalism probably saved my life. It gave me direction, a purpose and made me a better person than I’d ever be without it.
KP MEDIA EDITORIAL POLICY
KP Media is the official student-produced media of news and information published/produced by KP Media students. KP Media has been established as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisers may – and should –coach and discuss content during the writing process.
Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of KP Media is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.
The media will serve the best interest of the students and faculty of Kingwood Park High School, keeping itself free from any commercial obligations distracting from this purpose; this is defined by the media itself. All writing in the media, other than letters to the editor in the newsmagazine, will be written by students of the journalism program and will not be accepted otherwise.
The media will specialize in and emphasize on informing their readers of school news and unique students of the Kingwood Park High School community.
The media will cover community, state, national, and international news if it is directly relevant to the school community, and includes local angles.
The media will strive to provide coverage to all school organizations and functions.
Any decisions affecting the publications on all levels will be made by the editorial board, the adviser is allowed to give legal advice and his/her opinion, but the final decision rests in the hands of the editorial board.
Only the editorial board may prevent material it judges to be in violation of the media editorial policy, from being printed.
Letters to editor will be printed in the opinion section of the newspaper or on the website. Letters to editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed and must include writer’s address and phone number for verification. Letters to the editor will be verified by a member of the editorial board to determine the authenticity of the writer.
The school newspaper will be distributed free of charge to all students every 6-8 weeks. The paper is completely financed by advertising revenues and fundraising. The money raised is used to pay for the school media printing costs, supplies and other media expenses.
See the entire staff editorial policy at KPTimes.com
LAST LOOK
Ahighlight of senior year is attending Honors Night. More than 200 seniors were recognized for classroom achievements and honor societies. The ceremony was held April 30 in the Performing Arts Center.
Senior Abbey Papadimitriou laughs with her mom, who is assistant principal Donna Papadimitriou, after she receives her cords and stoles at Honors Night on April 30. Photo by Sydney Ortiz
Senior Brian Beckford signals to his family as he walks across the stage during Honors Night. Photo by Sydney Ortiz
Senior Sebastian Bolivar receives her cord for Spanish National Honor Society at Honors Night. Photo by Sydney Ortiz.
Senior Alexandra Martinez recieves her science honor society cord after being recognized for top ten. Photo by Sydney Ortiz.
Senior Talon Benton pumps his fist as he receives his AP honors cord on April 30. Photo by Sydney Ortiz.
Senior Alexandra Linares salks across the stage as she receives her honor cords and stoles on Honors Night. Photo by Sydney Ortiz.