KP Times

KP TIMES

Issue 2, Vol. 2 s October 2014 Kingwood Park High School s 4015 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339

Graduation is moved to an arena much closer to home, page 2.

Best Buddies knows how to throw a Halloween party, page 6.

Tennis and cross country have won District titles. Each look to conquer Regionals next, page 10.

Arguably the most haunted site in the nation, the Alamo sits in the heart of San Antonio. More than 1,000 people are buried on the property and many others died there.

Photo by Orianne Elliott.

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK Texas has a rich history of haunted stories. The Alamo is full of them and so are spots much closer to home, pages 4-5.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO...

Nov. 3 P NHS Meeting (6:30

p.m.)

P Region Choir Auditions (3 p.m.)

Nov. 4 P Robotics meeting at the CATE Center (4:30 p.m.)

Nov. 6 P Letter Jacket fittings (Lunch) Nov. 8 P Homecoming Dance (8-11 p.m.)

Nov. 10 P Band performs at Veteran’s Day parade downtown (10 a.m.)

Nov. 13-15 P Winter play performance of Radio Show: It’s a Wonderful Life (7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 18 P Day of Service for fresh-

man (All day) Nov. 19 P Student Council Social

(5 p.m.)

Nov. 20-24 P NO SCHOOL

Dec. 8 P NHS induction cer-

emony for new members (7 p.m.)

Dec. 9 P Band concert (7 p.m.)

Dec. 12-13 P Choir pop show (7 p.m.)

2 October 2014

The M.O. Campbell Center, built in 1996, will host graduations for Kingwood Park and Humble high schools for the first time in May. The change in venue allowed the two smaller high schools in the district to keep graduation on Saturday, May 23. The inside, which is sometimes used as a basketball arena, will be transformed for the graduation ceremony. Kingwood, Summer Creek and Atascocita will still graduate at NRG Stadium, but the ceremonies will all be held Sunday, May 24. Photos courtesy of Aldine ISD.

New venue brings event closer to home With a change in the contract at NRG Stadium, graduation gets relocated to an arena in Aldine Independent School District.

By Joshlyn Thomas Staff Reporter The class of 2015 will be the first to have their graduation ceremony at an arena other than NRG Stadium, formerly known as Reliant Stadium.

After NRG Stadium bumped the original graduation date to make room for a three-day religious conference, the district searched for other options. NRG Stadium would only allow Sunday, May emony that can make the occasion even 24 for graduations. Humble ISD could more memorable. Even the cost for rentnot fit all five schools in on that day ing the Campbell Center is less comwithout interfering with Sunday morn- pared to NRG Stadium. ing church services.

“The cost difference is substantial,” The solution ended up being closer HISD superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo to home for Kingwood said. “Our two 5A high Park. Kingwood Park’s school graduations graduation will be at 2 [KPHS and HHS] at M.O. Campbell Center p.m. on May 23 at the the Campbell Center M.O. Campbell Center s Has a seating capacity of cost $8,500. Our five in Aldine. Humble High 7,100 including graduates. high school graduaSchool will also graduate sOnly 16.4 miles away from tions at NRG Stadium at the same venue.

Kingwood Park. In comparison, run near $120,000.”

Associate Principal The M.O. Campbell NRG Stadium is 33.6 miles Brian Johnson said that Center is a multi-purgraduates should be away from school. pose facility for Aldine able to benefit from this s Free on-site and adjacent ISD, “hosting a wide change and listed a myri- parking with 1,907 stalls. array of events from ad of advantages. graduations and the“There’s free parking, atrical performances, it’s closer to Kingwood, and you’re just athletic tournaments and conferences, closer to the graduates as opposed to a to banquets and more,” said the AISD huge stadium,” said Johnson. website.

With a smaller stadium, there is promOpened in the spring of 1996, the ise of a more personal, less distant cer- 182,050 square-foot venue was named

AT A GLANCE

after former Aldine ISD Superintendent M.O. Campbell.

When hosting graduation ceremonies, the Campbell Center seats 7,100 including accessible seating for the physically disabled.

Parking is on-site and adjacent to facility with 1,907 available stalls including parking for the disabled. Attendees will not have to pay for parking, which is unlike the $10 fee charged at NRG Stadium.

Seniors have expressed concern as to whether graduation will be the same in its new location.

“I’m just jealous of my siblings because they got to graduate at Reliant,” Sarah Cane12 said.

Other soon-to-be graduates are unfazed by the change, as long as their class is accommodated and it doesn’t interfere with the date.

“It’s not as big of a deal as a lot of people are making it,” said Sara Verot12. “I’m excited to graduate.”

Anticipation rises as Day of Service date nears On Nov. 18, freshmen will participate in service projects throughout the local community.

By Sarah Martell Special Contributor The Day of Service project started in 2012 as a way for freshmen to give back to their community. This year, the ninth graders will spend the school day volunteering at nursing homes, elementary schools, food banks and PTSD camps.

“We’re pretty much all finished checking sites but we still need some permission forms,” said English teacher Caryn Rasberry, who is coordinating the project.

Although Nov. 18 is just around the corner, there is still some planning to do. Not all permission slips have been turned in and there is a need for a few more parents volunteers.

The biggest struggles were finding out who was going where, who is driving and trying to contact all the sites.

The goal is for the freshmen to make an impact on Houston; however, the hope is that the students themselves are also impacted by the day. Day of Service is a way for the students to experience the diversity of the city and find creative ways they can change the world. It will help them learn how to connect with their communities and how they can affect the people around them.

“Seeing what they can do, not just on Nov. 18, but maybe just open doors for people wanting to do community service,” Rasberry said.

“When you’re younger you’re so impressionable. To be somewhere new and different, I hope they get the same experience as I did.”

Most students who have already done volunteer work have had positive experiences.

“It has made me think about how not everyone has as much as you do and how much you can help and benefit them,” said Michael Horton9.

HOMECOMING COURT The winners of the court will be crowned at halftime of the football game Nov. 1.

FRESHMEN Boys Aaron Peacock Patrick Roach Raphael Kelley Girls Audrey Manning Skyla Fisher Audrey Willis

SOPHOMORES

Boys Ryan Logan Blake Ledoux Tristan Dyches Girls Silver Houwari Nicole Kell Alison Vasterling

JUNIORS

Boys Mason Harris Morgan Wallace Girls Bailey Ferguson Linda Pinzon Rease Vineyard

Dance remains a week away as months of preparations end Amber Dalton Staff Reporter

Student Council has spent weeks preparing to transport homecoming attendees to Pandora on Nov. 8. Everything attendees will see are all handmade from students who are in Student Council. The process began in August and creating just one decoration takes two weeks: one week to plan it and one week to create it. Even though STUCO makes their decorations for the dance, it’s not cheap.

“Every year we spend $3000-$5000 to put on homecoming,” Student Council sponsor Stacy Tucker said.

The money is used to special order or customize decorations and supplies, like paper, glue, paint, lights and material. The students have also requested glow in the dark paint this year, which is something unique for the Pandora theme. Of the decorations, the most time consuming is the waterfall, which requires the

most people because of its massive size.

Another one of the most time consuming decorations is the hallway as students enter. Since the theme is Escape to Pandora, there are a lot of trees. STUCO has made trees of multiple colors and designs and cut them out to be placed on a background that’s serving as the sky.

Each tree must be placed individually so they have a 3D effect.

“My favorite part is entering the hallway because you’re in a whole other world that normal students like your friends and peers created and most of it is handmade, it’s just so crazy to see the transformation,” student body president Emma Pinkerton said.

Pinketron was in charge of the homecoming ticket design and this year they will be printed on green paper. Tickets can be purchased for $25 for a single ticket or $40 for a couple. Tickets at the door will be $40.

SENIORS

Boys Parker Cradic Devin Wallace Matthew Cole Danny Burford Girls Avery Harlan Blair Bardwell Haley Wilkerson Mallory Roberson

FACULTY

Men Matthew Bennett Robbie Sitka Alan Corman Jess White Women Dani Meyer Patricia Hornbeck Kim Ackerman Regina Garcia

October 2014

3

In Search of a Scare Haunted houses are not the only way to get spooked. Ghost tours are available year-round throughout Humble, San Antonio and other parts of Texas. They offer a side of history not widely spoken about ­– a glimpse of the darker parts of history. Spirits will sometimes make their presence known on the tours and sightings of orbs and other strange things appear in photos at times.

KP Times staff members went on a local ghost tour and a San Antonio ghost tour to record part of that history.

Charles Bender High s Humble

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Charle Bender High School opened in 1930 and contained 20 classrooms. It served as the district’s high school until 1965 when Humble was built. One of its co-builders was C.W. Ennis. He left Germany without telling any of his relatives and settled in Humble. Years after he passed, his grandchildren, unbenounced to them, moved into the house directly behind the high school. Knowing nothing of their grandfather, they were shocked when one of the grandson’s wives finally realized the family name was on the side of the building.

Pearson House s Humble

Photo by Orianne Elliott

The first bank in Humble s Humble

Photo by Orianne Elliott

The backyard of the McKay Hospital is like walking though a heavy fog. It’s gloomy and eerie - matching the devastating stories in its history. Many people died from causes that often didn’t add up. It is believed that patients were mistreated or neglected - especially those who had no ties to the oil industry that was running the town at the time. The building remains as a historical sight today.

“The clinic/hospital caused an overwhelming sense of sadness,” Rachel Dams12 said.

Photo by Orianne Elliott

A house in the midst of Humble is widely believed to be haunted, according to ghost tours conducted in the area. The lights in the house mysteriously get turned on and off, doors open and shut on their own and even the television comes on when no one is around. Many believe it is caused by the daughter of previous owners, who was mentally disabled. She was not allowed to leave the house and she eventually passed away inside. Many believe her spirit still wanders around the house to this day.

4 October 2014

McKay Clinic s Humble

The first Humble bank mysteriously burned down after the oil industry took over the town. There was much speculation but it was never confirmed what started the fire. Many of the citizens held disdain for the bank because they weren’t in the oil field. Many town leaders were a part of the freemasons and condoned slave work. There was little to no actual dollars circulating in the town. It was mainly oil industry cash, which was the only currency accepted in stores and at the bank.

San Fernando Cathedral San Antonio

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Menger Hotel s San Antonio

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Built in 1859, the Menger is widely regarded as the most haunted hotel in Texas. Guests still stay on site, and tours are often given. It is believed to house 32 spirits, including those of frequent guests like Theodore Roosevelt, who used to recruit roughriders in the hotel bar.

The most commonly seen is chamber maid Sallie White, who was killed by her husband. She is often seen by guests cleaning their rooms in the middle of the night.

“I thought it was interesting when we were in the Menger and a man on the tour was trying to take a picture on his phone. Each time he tried to focus, little orbs would shoot across the screen and then vanish,” Amber Dalton12 said.

Founded in 1731, this is the oldest operating Catholic cathedral in the nation. Inside, bodies and bones of those who died in the Alamo as well as soldiers during the War for Mexican Indepedence have been found.

In the back of the cathedral are walls in which bodies were also reportedly buried. When looking closely at the walls, onlookers can make out some of the faces of those they believe are buried within the walls themselves.

Photo by Joshlyn Thomas

William Menger Suite, Room 2041 s San Antonio

Located on the second floor of the Menger Hotel, this is one of the most haunted rooms. One guest two months ago got out of the shower to find a woman sitting at the foot of her bed folding her sheets. She rushed in her towel to the lobby upset.

As she described the woman, it was clear to staff that it was the former chamber maid Sallie White making another appearance. White was murdered in 1876 but there are still sightings of her in the hotel today.

“The aesthetic of the hotel definitely added to the spook factor of the overall tour,” Orianne Elliott12 said. “It was so pretty, yet because it was so old-fashioned it made it super creepy at the same time.”

Bexar County Jail (now Holiday Inn Express) s San Antonio The Holiday Inn Express is now located in the same building that housed the county jail from 1869 until the 1960s. Prison bars remain on all of its front windows. Hangings used to take place on the third floor (currently room 304 of the Holiday Inn). Those sentenced to hang were dropped through a trap door to the second floor, Clemente Apolinar where family and friends could view the death (in what is now room 204.)

In 1923, the last person hanged was Clemente Apolinar, who is said to have committed the most gruesome murder in San Antonio history when he killed 14-year-old Theodore Bernhardt. After Apolinar’s head was almost severed during his hanging, they deemed the punishment as inhumane, and started using the widely accepted electric chair instead.

The hotel is said to still be haunted by many of the people put to death there. Ashes of those who died on site are buried in the ground below what is now the hotel pool.

Photo by Orianne Elliott

October 2014

5

Trunk or Treat

In the spirit of Halloween, Best Buddies held a Trunk or Treat for students and members of the community Oct. 24. The club members dressed up and played games. They also had snacks and candy to pass out.

Snow White, otherwise known as teacher Tiffany Major, takes care of her yet to be eaten deadly dark apple. Photo by Orianne Elliott.

The three blind mice – Kaitlyn Brown11, Madisen Hayes9 and Jade Pellegrin12 – found games and fun during their night at Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24. Photo by Orianne Elliott.

Rodrigo Castillo10, Jake Towsend12 and Brock Forbau10 are ready to tackle whatever comes their way as ghostbusters this season.

Photo by Joshlyn Thomas.

Powerpuff Girls unite! Seneca Fisher11, Breanne Mackert11 and Heather Vance10 dress up as the famous trio to score some candy. Photo by Joshlyn Thomas

Not feeling blue, but more like looking blue. Kobi McNutt11 and Gracia Grohn10 showed up to trick or treat dressed as the Smurfs. Photo by Orianne Elliott

What is the most embarrassing Halloween costume you ever wore?

“When I was 6, I was Mike Wazowski and my head was the eyeball and it was really embarrassing because I walked around like a big green M&M.”

- Maggie Mueller11

6 October 2014

“My most embarrassing costume was an Ostrich when I was 12. It was embarrassing because I was an ostrich.”

“When I was 4, I was a cat.

I wore white sweat pants, a shirt with pink dots and cat ears.”

- Julia Neff 9

- Hunter Dodgen

10

“One year I was the Hamburglar from McDonalds.

It was really embarrassing because people made fun of me. I was 3 years old.”

- Patrick Bellard

12

“When I was 9, I was an egg. I was really embarrassed because I fell and couldn’t get back up. ”

- Madison Alexander 12

“When I was 20, I went to a party dressed as a sailor.

There were around 20 real sailors there. They started asking me questions and I eventually had to tell them I wasn’t a real sailor.”

- teacher Matthew Bennett

HUMANS OF KPARK

Part II in a series that shares the stories of staff members and students.

Avid Learner

Wahid Hakeem11 was a new student when he moved here from Afghanistan a year ago.

He enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys learning about new cultures and travels to different places, most recent being the United States.

“I feel like I am on an alien planet, but speaking different languages helps,” Hakeem said.

Hakeem speaks five languages: English, Persian, Urdu, Pashto and Arabic.

Hakeem said he loves writing,

photography, learning and traveling. He wants to continue traveling to different places to learn and embrace cultures.

“We are all alike in a different way,” Hakeem said.

By Kylee Wing

World Traveler Criminal Justice teacher Jerry Pollard spent a year in Beijing, China, during his college years at Texas Southern University. Pollard’s professor was allowed to take 10 of his students to the Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development and Pollard was chosen.

Pollard was “honored,” he said and knew it was “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

He had a translator during this trip to help him interact with the locals better. Pollard wanted to immerse himself in the culture. He even volunteered at a foster home called Hope, where he taught the children sports and more.

He was constantly gawked at because he stood out among the Chinese. One instance in particular was when he went to a basketball court where he was challenged to a one-on-one match by one of the best players there.

Pollard said they expected him to be the equivalent of Michael Jordan, though he lost the first round. In the second round, however, he posted up the other player taking on the tactics of players such as Shaq and Yao Ming. Pollard said he felt like he had to win “for America,” and won the second game.

The oddest things Pollard encountered were the gourmet Pizza Huts, the in-ground toilets, and the balls of meat that went into the noodles.

Also there was no country gravy in a “Texas” restaurant. Pollard said he actually taught the restaurant how to make the white gravy and they’ve had it on their menu ever since.

Pollard’s favorite part about China was the Great Wall. He said it was “serene” and “peaceful” as well as relaxing. All of the trees made it feel very calm and it was extremely beautiful, said Pollard.

- Rachel Dams

Animal Lover

Christine Crockett9 loves animals and has a lot of them. She tends to be busy with school and marching band, but takes care of her 11 animals just fine.

“I’m fostering four cats, there’s a mom and three kittens,” said Crockett.

She owns seven other pets as well: four cats, two dogs and a snake.

Last time she tried to foster kittens she kept one instead of finding it a home. This time she is going to try to find all of them homes.

Crockett has to clean two of the cat litter boxes as part of her chores to help out.

“Boris, one of the foster kittens, likes to curl up next to me as I do my homework,” said Crockett.

- Jessie May

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Karol Woodward 815-212-6454 October 2014

7

Jaylon Henderson and Parker Cradic were teammates long before they wore Panthers jerseys. They started playing together at age 6, and even attended camps together over the years. Photo courtesy of Nikki Hart.

Running back Parker Cradic. Photo by Stefania Mendez.

Brotherly Bond

Quarterback Jaylon Henderson. Photo by Tori Gatling.

The friendship formed by running back Parker Cradic and quarterback Jaylon Henderson has spanned more than a decade, and neither one intends to let go as their senior seasons end.

By Ariana Purcell Special Contributor

down passes and rushed for two touchdowns in the team’s 52-12 victory over Porter.

“It’s very tough,” said Holley, “especially when Seniors Parker Cradic and Jaylon Henderson they are seniors and they have worked so hard have known each other since they were just to this point.”

3-years-old. By age 6, they were both playing Cradic has been described as a forceful and in the Kingwood Football League (KFL). That’s passionate player. Whether on or off the field, when their love for the game and strong friend- Cradic’s mom said he seems to be thinking ship started to truly de“football” at all times, putting velop. his heart and soul into his goal “You have friendships, of one day playing at the next then you have brothers level. from another mother,” “It has grown into an everyday said Kurt Cradic, Parker lifestyle,” said Cradic, “someCradic’s father, “I would thing that you wake up and look put them in that brotherly forward to.” type of relationship.”

With that in mind, Cradic put That friendship has 100 percent effort into his work, thrived off the field and trying to do better, work harder on the field, as Cradic and and fix errors to be the best footHenderson have helped ball player possible. to lead the team to a 4-4 “I always thought running record overall, 3-3 in the back to be the most elite posidistrict. tion on the field,” said Cradic, Henderson has thrown “so I always prepared myself to - Kurt Cradic, be just that.”

12 touchdown passes and on the relationship between his son Cradic describes Henderson as rushed for six. Cradic has a team-leading 10 rushing Parker Cradic and Jaylon Henderson a leader on and off the field. He touchdowns. is his best friend, and together “It is very special,” said football coach Jim Hol- their goal is to make it deep in the playoffs. ley. “They have played football with each other As for next year, Cradic still hopes to have a very long time and I think that is something opportunities at the next level while Henderson they will carry on for the rest of their lives.” will make his way to the University of TexasThis final season for both seniors hit a bump San Antonio (UTSA) on a football scholarship. when Cradic broke his leg against New Caney With the end of their senior years so close, on Oct. 17. Once he left the game, Henderson these two have savored their final year of playstepped up for his best friend and rushed for ing together.

160 yards to help secure the 20-14 victory.

“I love him with all my heart,” said HenderLast week, Henderson threw three touch- son. “He’s my best friend.”

“You have friendships, then you have brothers from another mother.

I would put them in that brotherly type of relationship.”

8 October 2014

Senior football players Parker Cradic and Jaylon Henderson have supported each other on and off the field for more than a decade. The two met at age 3 and started becoming friends and playing together at age 6. Their leadership has been important for the Panthers this season. Photo courtesy of Nikki Hart.

Qk A

HELENA VASSILIADES

With strong starts from girls and boys, swimming looks to keep rich tradition alive.

SAMUEL POULIN

Q: When did you start swimming?

A: Five years old.

Q: What is your favorite race?

A: The 100 butterfly. The butterfly has always looked so graceful, and I enjoy doing it.

Q: What did you used to like to swim best?

A: The freestyle because it was easy.

Q: What are your goals this season?

A: To get through the season and win State.

Q: What is going to be the biggest challenge in achieving them?

A: Hoping the team will stay together, and everyone getting good enough times to go to State.

Q: What is the best race you ever swam and what made it so good?

A: Last year. i don’t remember the meet, but everyone on the team was cheering me on.

Q: Who is your favorite swimmer and why?

A: Coach (Mark Babich). He’s gone through all the crap he put us through.

Q: What do you think most people don’t

realize about swimming?

A: Everything. They blow it off and see it as goofing off in the pool.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not swimming?

A: Sleep, relax Q: If you could swim in any body of water, where would it be and why?

A: Anywhere other than Galveston, maybe the beaches of Hawaii.

Q: Who has helped you the most along the way?

A: Coach and teammates. I’ve known most of them since I was 5.

Q: At swim meets, can you hear anything from the crowd when you’re swimming?

A: No you can’t, but when you take a breath you can see them cheering. It’s not what you can hear, but what you can see.

Q: Describe your best moment in the pool.

A: Finishing race, because you’re tired but you see a good time and it’s satisfying Q: Describe your favorite moment with your team so far.

A: Everytime I go to practice. Hanging out with my teammates.

- Krystal Hinojosa

Q: When did you start swimming?

A: Seriously when I was about 5 or 6. I did summer league.

Q: What other sports did you ever play?

A: I attempted soccer, volleyball, and basketball. I’m really bad at land sports.

Q: What is going to be the biggest challenge in achieving them?

A: What you put in is what you get out. Practice is really hard sometimes but you have to think of your goal.

Motivation is the only thing that can keep you swimming.

Q: What is the best race you ever swam and what made it so good?

A: Last year at the Stratford meet I had just come off of breaking my arm and I beat their fastest freestyle girl. I wasn’t expected to do well but I did and it was great.

Q: Who is your favorite swimmer?

A: Ricky Berens because I just met him recently and he really helped with my freestyle. He’s an Olympian.

Q: What do you think most people don’t realize about swimming?

A: It’s really cruel because you’ll be training really hard for months and you don’t really get a chance to swim fast until the end of the season once for a minute.

Q: What’s the coolest part about being a part of your team?

A: They’re kind of the only people who understand swimming. You talk to them differently

than other people.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not swimming?

A: I sing and play guitar and piano. I’m kind of artsy.

Q: If you could swim in any body of water, where would it be and why?

A: I want to swim in the Pacific Ocean because I’ve never swam there. To race in California in the Pacific Ocean would be nice.

Q: What is your ultimate goal as a swimmer?

A: Getting to college for swimming and get some scholarships for swimming.

Q: Who has helped you the most along the way?

A: My mom just because she’s the person who kept me on track.

Q: At swim meets, can you hear anything from the crowd when you’re swimming?

A: Sometimes, just barely, I’ll hear my mom screaming in her Russian accent and I like to hear it. I also like to hear my coaches. My club coach has a super loud whistle that I always hear when I’m swimming. It’s really reassuring.

Q: Describe your best moment in the pool.

A: When we play games, especially gutterball.

It’s really hard and competitive, but you have a lot more fun.

Q: Describe your favorite moment with your team so far.

A: At the end of every meet and practice, we sing the alma mater and do our swim cheer and it’s awesome. We’re like family.

- Emma Waller

Saenz stays focused, relies on faith as challenges arise

By Orianne Elliott Editor-In-Chief Ariana Saenz, a member of the golf team, has a compelling story behind her swing.

While some long-time dreams have been coming true on the golf course, Saenz has struggled off the course to cope with her mother’s battle with breast cancer.

Maria Saenz was diagnosed with cancer on her birthday Feb. 10, 2014.

“I was really shocked, it came out of nowhere,” Maria Saenz said. “I had my faith in God that he would pull us through this.”

Maria Saenz went for her usual routine mamogram expecting nothing unusual but was taken aback when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily enough, it was found during the early stages and was about

to be acted upon straight away.

“The entire experience was devastating and shocking,” Maria Saenz said. “As a mother all I could think about was would I be able to see my girls grow up and continue to be a part of their lives.”

Saenz started playing golf at age 3, and her parents have been there for each of her tournaments. Even with the medical issues going on this past year, they joined her earlier this fall when she played in a special event at Pebble Beach, one of the most renowned golf courses in the world.

She spent six days at the course with other juniors and learning from golf pro Esteban Toledo. She competed against 81 other competitors, and met a number of celebrities and pro golfers at the event.

It was an unforgettable event for the Saenz family that happened to

fall just before Maria Saenz underwent surgery.

After months of treatment and surgery, Maria Saenz was recently told she is cancer free. Although a challenging experience, the Saenz family was able to strengthen their relationship as a family and are now closer than ever.

According to golf coach Angela Chancellor, Ariana is an “all-American kid, full of honor and integrity.”

Maria Saenz can’t wait to see what’s still ahead for her daughter.

“As her mother, I have so many things to be proud of for Ariana,” Maria Saenz said. “Ariana has always stood steadfast on her faith and belief and never doubted that I would be healed. Tears of joy cannot be contained knowing that Ariana is so strong and faithful.”

After earning a berth in a special event at Pebble Beach, Ariana Saenz spent six days on the famous course learning and competing. Photo courtesy of Angela Chancellor.

October 2014

9

Cross country team wins District title, eyes Regional one Madison Berry Special Contributor

Helping lift their team to the Bi District-Area Championship, Jarod Hardy-Croskey and David Fuss have fun while dominating on the court. The tennis team is the No. 1 seed from its bi-district at today’s Regional Championships in Katy. Photo by Orianne Elliott.

With humor and skill, Fuss and Hardy-Croskey are

CAUSING A RACKET Amanda Haney Special Contributor

David Fuss and Jarod Hardy-Croskey, both seniors and top ranking varsity tennis players, have been good friends on and off of the tennis court since eighth grade.

They have been through ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, arguments and make ups, both as singles players and partners over the years. That shared history gives them a competitive edge.

“They have chemistry on the court,” coach Wade Bartels said. “They jive together. Their personalities are very different, but they complement each other” Fuss is a very headstrong and competitive player with a strong determination that is not limited to the tennis court but also translates to his high academic success.

“David is a great all-around student athlete,” said Bartels. “He is an excellent student who is very dedicated to success, and he is very reliable and dependable. He has been a role model to the other players for his dedication to tennis and an example for his commitment to playing hard no matter what.”

Fuss has achieved the status of a Champ 16s player, which means he is at a higher level for his success in competing in statewide USTA tournaments that he attends outside of school.

He has taken tennis lessons since he was in the fifth grade, but he claims to never get tired of the sport.

“I have bad days, but I love it,” said Fuss. “You just can’t let one bad shot ruin your game. You have to always be thinking of the next ball.”

His passion for the game is so strong that Fuss plans to pursue his talents even further in the future.

“I want to eventually be a high school tennis

10 October 2014

coach,” Fuss said. “Ever since freshman year, I knew it was something I wanted to do. I love tennis and I love teaching people. I’ve found that I am good at imparting knowledge and helping people.”

Hardy-Croskey is a lighthearted, social and talented guy who balances two choir classes and theater along with tennis.

“Jarod is a really great kid,” said Bartels. “He’s a super nice guy, very mannerly. And he juggles everything he is involved in well.”

Hardy-Croskey has played tennis seriously since the summer of eighth grade and he is noted by his teammates for his confidence on the court.

“I’m a slicing God!” he exclaimed, waving an imaginary tennis racquet through the air.

Hardy-Croskey has a big, original personality and his style of playing tennis reflects that.

“Jarod has a very unorthodox form, which throws off a lot of the more orthodox players that he competes with and that’s what makes him so successful,” said Fuss.

Fuss knows so much about Hardy-Croskey’s game because he has spent hundreds of hours with him, sharing his strategies and knowledge of the game.

“David challenges me by trying to keep me mentally focused and helps me not lose my mental game,” Hardy-Croskey said. “He gets in my head.”

Fuss also said that Hardy-Croskey challenges him to be not only a better player but a better person.

“Jarod tests my patience,” said Fuss. “He almost hit me on the head with a serve against New Caney. It grazed right past my ear and eyelashes!

“He is very emotional and energetic and I’m more laid back so we balance each other out.

We’ve had our ups and downs, but we always get past them.”

Cross country coach Jason Meyers could tell from the start that it was going to be a good District meet.

“Every race, you had different teams on the starting line just goofing around, and you look over at Kingwood Park and every single one of them is focused, serious, ready to go,” he said.

Three hours and five races later, his instincts proved spot on. Varsity boys took first overall and varsity girls snagged second. Even the sub-varsity teams - JV girls and boys, and freshmen boys - took first in their respective races.

After such a positive start to the championship season, expectations are high for Saturday when both varsity teams will run the same course again for Regionals.

Because only the top three teams from each district in the region will compete, this meet “will help us a lot,” according to one of the top varsity runners Jaime Contreras.

“There’s going to be about twice as many people, so the course will be more congested, but us being of one mind,

Ismael Jackson12 races to the finish in a meet earlier this year. The boys team won the District meet and will compete at Regionals this weekend. Photo by Stefania Mendez.

toward the same goal, I believe we can take first place,” said senior Avery Johnson, who took second overall in the District race.

Johnson isn’t exaggerating the team’s bond. Even on the girl’s side of the team, the support of their teammates gets them through the tough parts of the meets.

“There was a point in the (District) race where I was like, ‘I really just want to stop.

I’m hurting, I’m done,’” Fallon Spraggins said, who finished in the the top 10 overall and second for the team. “But they’re my team. I can’t let them down.”

Senior setter helps team earn playoff berth again Kayley plair Special Contributor The volleyball team earned another trip to the postseason with a record of 11-5. Led in part by senior setter Delia Morin, the season will continue.

Morin started volleyball in sixth grade and loved the game from a social standpoint and not having the pressure she does now.

Jourdan Bartels12 has not only been a teammate but a friend of Delia for the past four years.

Morin’s plan is to play volleyball in college on an athletic scholarship. Morin said she looks forward to “being with a new team and playing at a higher collegiate play.”

“She has grown a tremendous amount through the past four years I have played with her,” Bartels said. “I know everyone on the team wishes her the best with her college career.”

What’s Hot s Getting soda instead of

sweets while trick-or-treating s High waisted and highly sought after. s American Horror Story is bringing out the freaks in all of us. s The pep rallies are getting better and better.

What’s NOT s Online textbooks. We miss

the ease of the simple book. s No More Chick-Fil-A in the cafeteria. s Ebola. It’s not a joke. Stop shouting it out every time someone sneezes or coughs. s Flip flops... with pants... on guys... let’s not.

EDITOR’S CORNER — ­ ORIANNE ELLIOTT

Think twice before you put on that costume Halloween is here once again. As a child, around this time of year, you would dress up and go parading around the streets, collecting as much candy as your pillowcase could possibly handle. But now you’re in high school and guess what? It can still be fun.

But maybe you still have no idea what to dress up as. You’re running out of time to pull out that hot glue gun and get to crafting, so you think of people that are socially relevant that you could easily imitate. Like 2 Chainz. He’s still socially relevant, right?

With Mr. Chainz in mind, you head on down to Party City and pick up two (and only two) gold chains, a shiny grill and some pants that are extra saggy. But wait, you’re not dark enough to be 2 Chainz. People are just

going to think you’re just some kind of Riff Raff wannabe. So you pick up a container of brown paint and cover every crevice of your now swaggerful self. And you’re ready! Happy Halloween!

I’m sorry to say this, but no. Not happy Halloween, but sad Halloween, an incredibly wretched Halloween.

It shouldn’t have to be said, but it is about time when wearing blackface should be automatically deemed as unacceptable in that smart mind of yours.

Yes, 2 Chainz may be your idol or ‘Man Crush Monday,’ but dressing up as someone whose skin color differs from yours is something that can be easily pulled off with a little out-ofthe-box thinking, not brown facepaint. But if you do have to resort to painting yourself, you should probably

try a little harder or just stay home and hand out candy.

Not only is blackface completely unacceptable, but an issue that not many people notice is the issue of people wearing other culture’s sacred attire as a costume. For example, this is widely seen in Native American costumes, which usually include as much fringe as one can wear and a feathered headdress. These costumes are extremely offensive to the Native American culture. They take something which has a great significance in that culture and use it as an accessory, which is also known as cultural appropriation.

Let’s not try to come across as someone who is racially insensitive and full of stereotypes, but instead as someone with a radical costume, having a great time on Halloween.

Potty Problems: Height of doors in bathrooms should be updated

BY KYLEE WING

At first, it may not seem like a big deal. It’s just a bathroom stall door. It opens. It locks. It’s not covered in graffiti. But in the commons of Kingwood Park, we have a problem. The stall doors are too short for us. We need privacy.

Those doors are so small, we might as well not have stall doors. A 17 year old boy’s average height is close to 70 inches, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The same same study says girls are closer to 65 inches in height.

The size of our doors from the floor up is about 60 inches. That is not even as tall as me, and I fall below average on the height scale.

KP T I M ES

The problem is in the commons area upstairs and downstairs and in the bathroom near the Student Council room. At any other bathroom, the stalls are big enough for us and have no gaps in the door, making it comfortable for us to do what we need to do.

The commons is a “common” place where students go to hang out and go to the bathroom. If I have to walk all the way to the other side of the school to go to the bathroom, I may miss the bus or be late to class.

These bathrooms should be fixed. They were originally installed when this building was constructed as a ninth grade campus. More than a decade later, changes need to be made for the

school that has undergone a major redesign since its original days. There are more kids and they are older and often taller than I, making it even more uncomfortable for them.

The newer bathrooms in the school have stall doors that are 70 inches tall. Any stall doors that are shorter than 70 inches should be replaced and raised to at least that height.

High school bathrooms are already awkward as it is. There is nothing enjoyable about what we have to do there. Being paranoid about kids walking by and staring is a problem. Privacy in the bathroom is something we deserve to make us feel comfortable in our own skin and at our own school.

Kingwood Park High School 4015 Woodland Hills Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 281.641.6600 October 2014 Issue 2, Vol. 2

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Kayley Plair, Amanda Haney, Owen Herbert, Caleb Dove, Chris Luck, Kylee Wing, Madison Berry, Tori Gatling, Stefania Mendez, Krystal Hinojosa, Jessie May, Sarah Martell, Emma Waller, Ashley Villagomez, Kim Elorriaga, Riley Blair, Sydnee Miano.

ADVISER: Megan Ortiz PRINCIPAL: Lisa Drabing KP Times serves as a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

ORIANNE ELLIOTT Editor-In-Chief

RACHEL DAMS Staff reporter

AMBER DALTON Staff reporter

SYDNEY WOODWARD JOSHLYN THOMAS Staff reporter

Staff reporter

October 2014

11

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