Kingwood Park Times, Oct. 1, 2021

Kingwood Park

TIMES

R O O R U

TS

O

October 2021 Volume 8, Issue 2 Kingwood, Texas 77339

Kingwood Park

TIMES October 2021 Volume 8, Issue 2 Kingwood Park HS Kingwood, Texas EDITORS Kathleen Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief Gabby Norman, Managing Editor Arleigh Doehring, Photo Editor Maya Ortiz, Design Editor

STAFF WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Camille Blair Reece Cavallo Rhian Davis Taylor Nethery Sharna Ngo Daniel Spear Jacob Valcarce MelieAn William Derriq Young

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Katie Gerbasich Allie Jorgensen Kaitlyn Sitton Adviser: Megan Ortiz Principal: Wes Solomon The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

TikTok challenge leads to trouble

Teachers and administration have increased hall monitoring near bathrooms after vandalism occurred. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

By Gabby Norman

F

rom eating Tide PODS to the skull crusher challenge, TikTok has given people across the world bad ideas. Social media has a great influence on today’s youth, making illegal or dangerous challenges seem “cool” or “trendy.”

The newest challenge, dubbed “Devious Licks,” has taken the focus of Humble ISD students and worked its way into classrooms, halls, and bathrooms.

“The good thing about being part of a greater school district that has five high schools total, we can all collaborate and talk to each other,” principal Wes Solomon said. “Typically if you see something happen at one school, it’s going to happen at another, as in this case.”

Devious Licks blew up as a challenge on TikTok. Devious meaning “showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals” and licks meaning “a type of theft.” The objective is for students to video themselves stealing or damaging items taken from the school.

“We knew that there was a challenge of doing some things more

specifically either in the bathroom or with computers or Chromebooks,” Solomon said. “The only thing we’ve really dealt with is destruction in the bathrooms, primarily soap dispensers along with a few other things like leaving the bathroom messy.”

Custodians and maintenance staff have worked hard to quickly fix the damages caused by the trend.

The bathrooms will also continue to be locked during flex hour until the fad passes. Restrooms in the tiled portion of the school will be open, but all will be monitored by teachers.

Solomon encourages kids to speak out if they see something.

“These are your bathrooms, so I would first discourage any type of bad behavior,” Solomon said. “It’s your hand soap, sanitizers, those types of things. We have a good culture here, we have a positive culture, so it’s just no place for destruction of property.”

The code of conduct will be used to administer consequences to anyone partaking in the challenge, and both the staff and administration are going to great lengths during the day to

monitor bathrooms and halls in order to be proactive against these actions.

“Once again I really believe it’s just a handful of students that are making poor choices,” Solomon said. “We don’t turn a blind eye to it or turn our head the other way, anything that happens we use security cameras in the hallways. We’re going to do the work to protect our bathrooms so our kids feel safe to go in there.”

Solomon hopes that with the removal of the challenge from TikTok, the fad will pass. TikTok has removed videos and made the hashtag unsearchable. Until then, he advises students that the school is theirs, and vandalizations or thefts will only be detrimental to them.

“We have great kids here at KPark so the good thing is that a lot of time we get our information from our kids that want to do the right thing,” Solomon said. “They understand the negative connotation of putting it out there and destroying the school you go to. We’re very fortunate to have kids that understand the responsibility and take pride in our school.”

Homecoming brings with it school’s first dance in two years

By Rhian Davis

W

ith homecoming set to take place in two weeks, Student Council is planning the Oct. 16 dance.

Last year, students had the opportunity to vote on the theme with options like “La La Land,” “WALL-E” and “Princess and the Frog.”

“Alice In Wonderland” won the popular vote, and Student Council co-president Lexi Guillen is excited for the theme. She said she thinks that students will enjoy the “trippy” aspects of it. Right now, STUCO

2

plans to incorporate many different features of the “Alice In Wonderland” movies, such as the tea party, the antique style and different forms of lighting.

“One of our plans is to have the walk in through the band hall look like [Alice] falling into the rabbit hole,” Guillen said.

In the week leading up to the football game and dance, students will be able to get involved through various activities. Natalie Johnson, the STUCO advisor, said they will be focusing on the more traditional side

NEWS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

of homecoming by organizing activities like dress-up week, voting for homecoming court and decorating red wagons.

Because there was no dance last year, Student Council has limited funds but they are working to make homecoming special, especially for those who haven’t had the chance to experience a dance due to COVID. “We’re doing our best to make homecoming as good as it normally is, but without using the same amount of money,” Johnson said.

Homecoming tickets are $30 until

Oct. 2. They will rise to $35 on the Oct. 3 and $40 on Oct. 10.

The dance, which will have drinks and snacks available, will be held in the cafeteria. Students looking to get away from the action will have the option to roam in the commons and the band hall.

“It’s just such a cool part of your high school years,” Guillen said.

“Missing out on it, you’re probably gonna look back on it and think, ‘Aw man, I should have gone to homecoming.’”

COVID makes keeping up challenging Make-up work is daunting for kids who miss the minimum of 10 days with COVID-19.

By Derriq Young

C

OVID-19 is a rapidly spreading disease affecting millions of students and staff worldwide.

Many people are trying to get back in the hang of things, but students all over the US are missing weeks at a time from school because of COVID related absences. Upon return, students struggle to catch up.

“I would get so frustrated and anxious,” sophomore Cara Helton said. “There were all these due dates and I was getting behind while everybody else was in class actually learning.”

Humble ISD requires students and staff with COVID-19 to remain home until 10 calendar days after symptoms begin or until they receive a negative test and are symptom-free for 24 hours. As of Sept. 24, there had been 3,724 total cases reported in Humble ISD During Introduction to Culinary Arts, Hazel Mendez, 9, Itati Lainez, 10 and Saranna Vasquez, 9, work on their assignments. Photo by Camilla Escobar. since school started in August.

As these students stay quaranwere supposed to work.” this pandemic. What they do know “Ask for help,” LaBello said. tined at home, their classmates Humble ISD has implemented is that thousands of students all “People don’t know if you’re strughaven’t missed a beat as they consupport for students over Humble ISD are coming back gling if you don’t say anything.” tinue to learn. The who are absent due to school worrying if they’re going LaBello also added to use your students in isolation “I would get so to COVID-19 with to be able to catch up. resources in Schoology to catch up fall behind and have frustrated and anx- the option to keep Junior Daniel Spear, who missed as well as going tutoring as much difficulty trying to up with schoolwork the month of February with as possible. catch up. ious. There were via remote learnCOVID last year, also missed two “[Students] have so much Helton tried to all these due dates, ing if they feel well weeks in September with it. support at school, whether it’s do work posted in enough. It will be up He could only eat soup or through their counselors or their Schoology while she and I was getto teachers to ensure liquids that went down easy, and principals or their teachers,” was home. But after ting behind while that students can he spent most of his days sleeping. counselor Tim Hurlbert said. “As an hour or so, she continue their educa- His parents and two sisters had educators we wouldn’t be here would zone out. She everyone else was tion at home, as well COVID as well. if we didn’t enjoy working with often got dizzy and in class actually as make up for lost He struggled both times to get kids and want to help students. her head hurt. Durlearning.” knowledge and skills. his work done at home and was If there’s things that we can do to ing one test online, Cara Helton, 10 “Most teachers care grateful for his teachers’ patience. make things easier we want to do she said she got so more about your “Don’t worry about it,” Spear that.” stressed she was health than your actual work,” said. “Keep track of your grades shaking because she did not know Helton said. “It was nice, they and just get it done when you the information. were patient with me.” can.”

“It was hard to do the work and There is so much students and Talking with teachers is key, pick up on different units,” Helton teachers do not know about the English teacher Jessica LaBello said. “I missed the class expectaconstantly changing dynamics of said. tions, I didn’t know how things

NEWS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 3

Vanish the Vape Admin hope new alarms deter vaping

By Melie William

A

s another school year begins, new precautions have been taken to provide a drug-free environment for students.

The new vape detectors, which were put in place over the summer, are not unique to Kingwood Park. Vape detectors have been put in schools across Humble ISD as a means to keep students from illegally carrying drugs on school campuses.

For Kingwood Park, vaping has been a reoccurring issue. This year, the administration hopes the newly added vape detectors will deter students from making bad decisions.

“It’s not a ‘got you’ because we want to put consequences in place,” principal Wes Solomon said. “It’s to discourage that type of activity at campus.”

Procedures in dealing with students who decide to vape on cam-

pus will more or less be the same, though the process of being caught with a vape may be different.

Once a student decides to vape in any area with a vape detector, a notification will be received by a school administrator with a timestamp and a location.

An AP — a woman for the girls’ bathroom and a male for the boys’ bathroom — will enter the area and escort the suspected student out.

Cameras are installed outside of bathrooms to aid administrators in finding the correct student. The student will then be searched. If a vape is found, it will be tested in order to determine whether it carries nicotine or THC. Once the contents of the vape are clear, the student will be dealt with according to the school code of conduct depending on the severity of the offense. If in any case the carrier of the vape is unclear, interrogations will be employed in order

Vape detectors have been installed in all bathrooms.

Photo by Melie William.

to settle any confusion.

“Having a device on campus that allows us to help monitor that with you guys is a positive,” assistant principal Gary Brain said.

The administration hopes the vape detectors facilitate a safe and structured environment for students to learn while also educating students about vaping.

“We don’t know the long-term effects of vaping,” Solomon said.

“I’m all about educating people and kids.”

Vape Statistics 27.5% of high schoolers use vape products.

2/3 of JUUL users 15 to 21 are maware the product contains mnicotine.

1 million youth e-cigarette users muse the product daily

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

PROVIDING REFUGE Teachers Laurie Rosato and Aline Theriot didn’t hesitate to open their homes as family, friends in Louisiana evacuated from Hurricane Ida.

By Reece Cavallo

C

hemistry teacher Laurie Rosato recently found herself a host to a menagerie of guests from Louisiana, including a tortoise and multiple snakes. Despite Rosato’s aversion to creepy crawlies, she was willing to provide refuge for the critters and a handful of friends and relatives that were seeking shelter from Hurricane Ida. Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm on the coast of Louisiana in the afternoon of Sunday, August 29, the same day that Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana 16 years earlier. With top winds of 150 mph, Ida is considered to have been one of the strongest and most catastrophic storms in history to strike the mainland US. Although the hurricane affected all of the Eastern US, Ida hit Louisiana the worst, destroying buildings and leaving New Orleans almost totally without power.

Louisiana is where Rosato lived for the majority of her life; and as a long-time resident of New Orleans, she’s seen her fair share of hurricanes. Rosato remembers Hurricanes Betsy and Camille as the biggest storms of her childhood, but she experienced quite a few storms as an adult as well.

During her one year stay in Miami in the early ‘90s, the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew ravaged Florida. Back in Louisiana she experienced the 2005 catastrophe known as Hurricane Katrina. And in 2018 she was in Houston when Hurricane Harvey hit.

“It’s just kind of like, ‘Wow,’” Rosato, mimicking her friends, said. “‘The hurricanes follow you around, don’t they?’”

Rosato has always been lucky enough to have friends and family willing to help her out when a storm threatened her home, but now she’s the one able to supply shelter for her family back in Loui-

A tree is uprooted in the backyard of science teacher Laurie Rosato’s mom. Early estimates calculated the damage done by Ida to cost between $80-95 billon. Photo submitted by Laurie Rosato.

siana. The Louisianians that have found refuge at Rosato’s house total six people, including her son and one of her daughters.

Rosato wasn’t the only Kingwood Park teacher hosting Ida refugees. English and debate teacher Aline Theriot provided a home for her parents and their dog, as Ida has demolished their Louisiana town.

“My entire home town is pretty much destroyed,” Theriot said.

“There’s rubble everywhere in the streets, power lines are down, there won’t be power for at least three weeks, there’s no water, there’s no gas, there are no grocery stores that are open.”

Both teachers had to learn to adjust to their new living situation.

Rosato and Theriot are both used to a mostly empty house, so the newfound company caused some disturbance.

“It’s really exhausting,” said Theriot. “ I’m trying to go to bed, and they’re still watching TV. I go home, and I have to do what my parents want.”

But despite the difficulties of having her parents moving in, Theriot remains confident in her decision to provide them shelter.

“After living through Katrina, Harvey, and now Ida, there’s no thought process in it,” Theriot said. “It’s just these people need

help, so you help them.”

While Theriot and Rosato’s families were able to find shelter from Ida here in Texas, there is still going to be a huge price to pay once they return home. Houses, schools, and power systems have been damaged greatly by the storm, and recovery from large storms never comes quickly. Theriot urges students to spread the word about donating to organizations that are helping Ida victims, like the Second Harvest Food Bank, Culture AID NOLA, and the Cajun Navy.

“Louisiana is not as rich as Texas,” Theriot said. “And they need a lot of help bouncing back.”

NEWS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 5

Alum finds passion in animal conservation

By Allie Jorgensen

M

cKenna Hancock always knew she wanted to work with animals. During her kindergarten graduation, she told her teacher she wanted to be an entomologist, which is the study of insects – a branch of zoology.

Little changed as Hancock got older. She grew up watching a lot of shows about people who worked with animals, like Steve Irwin the WHERE ARE Crocodile Hunter, Jane Goodall, and a lot of THEY NOW? bug people online.

First in a series “I grew up constantly wanting to be like those people,” said Hancock said, who graduated from Kingwood Park in 2017.

Now, Hancock has two degrees: one in zoo and conservation science and one in biology from Otterbein University in Ohio.

She got her start with internships during high school and college at the Houston Zoo. “The Houston Zoo had an opportunity that allowed me to work there and I immediately did that,” she said. “Then from there it just bloomed.

The Houston Zoo is really who I have to thank.”

That is where Hancock first did field work out in the wild and helped many organizations first-hand. In Galveston, she helped build a clam wall to stop erosion at the beach by moving clamshells that were on land into the water.

“We had to bag all those clamshells ourselves, and we carried them all into the water and piled them up to make a wall,” she said.

She also helped remove the invasive Chinese tallow trees from national parks and interacted with the public by teaching them about the animals.

In college, Hancock also spent a lot of her

time at the Ohio Wildlife Center, which is a rehab facility for injured animals. If ready after rehabilitation, the animals are released back to the wild.

Hancock got a rabies vaccination, which was mandated to hand-feed bats, and train raptors, raccoons and foxes.

“I really recommend getting rabies vaccinated if you want to be in this field,” she said.

Hancock said those interested in working in animal conservation should work at a rehab facility, because of their importance.

During college, Hancock also spent time in Africa -- both in Malawi and Namibia. She spent three months at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, where she worked hands-on with livestock guarding dogs. Since cheetahs would come in and kill farmers’ cattle, the farmers would then kill the cheetahs to stop them from killing the cattle.

“It is absolutely amazing, and seeing those other cultures is incredibly important to the work of conservation,” Hancock said.

In response, the Cheetah Conservation Fund gives farmers livestock guarding dogs, like the kangal shepherds, who bark and scare cheetahs away. The program was started in 1994 and has resulted in much fewer cheetah deaths.

While working there, Hancock helped the dogs deliver puppies, took the dogs on walks and performed parasitology on all of the dogs to see if they had parasites.

She loved learning about the people in the areas in which they were working and hopes to travel more for conservation work.

“If you don’t know what the people need then you can’t conserve the animals there,” she said.

“You have to help the people first and then the people will help you.”

Hancock graduated in May from Otterbein

DR. STACY NORMAN

281-359-9100

2325 Timber Shadow Dr Bldg A Kingwood, TX 77339

6

FEATURES | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

Alum McKenna Hancock works with an eagle at the Ohio Wildlife Center, where she interned during college. Photo submitted by McKenna Hancock.

University. While the pandemic has slowed travel and therefore hurt job prospects, she continues searching for wildlife biologist jobs and hopes to do fieldwork again soon.

“I would love to work with bats because they are like one of my favorite things that I’ve ever worked with and there’s a lot of problems with them right now,” she said.

Bats need a lot of help because of white-nose syndrome, which is spreading all over the world and is considered one of the worst wildlife diseases in recent times.

For those interested in careers in wildlife conservation, Hancock said to try to work at local rehab facilities and shelters. She also said the conservation club at the school will look good on a resume too.

“No matter where you’re getting involved in, if you’re getting involved with the animals, it’s gonna be a good option,” Hancock said.

Full Service ASE Certified Auto Repair Shop

281-360-7323

3318 Northpark Drive Kingwood, TX

Rare performance leads to top prize Math teacher Caroline Wick’s decision to enter a talent contest paid off with a big reward.

By Camille Blair

M

usic has played an important role in Caroline Wick’s life.

From a young age she had a love of music.

“I started writing songs at a very young age,” Wick said. “I sang my whole life. You can ask my brothers about this -- I’m sure they were annoyed -- my older brother especially when I was younger. But I’ve been singing my whole life.”

In elementary school, she started writing songs and from there her love for music grew.

“I would show them to my parents and they would nod and smile if it was a really bad song and actually be helpful if they thought it was a good song,” Wick said. “They were always really encouraging for me.”

Aside from high school events and the choir groups at her church, Wick had never entered a vocal competition until August 18. The Houston’s First Has Talent

Math teacher Caroline Wick does a notebook check with junior Carlie Solomon during Algebra II in September. Photo by Arleigh Doehring.

show was Wick’s first competition. She entered Houston’s First Baptist Church competition without even knowing there was a prize. She performed a song called “Praise God,” which she wrote herself and played on the piano.

“I had a song that I had written and I kind of felt that it was time that I shared the song not really thinking anything would come out of it,” Wick said.

When she won, it didn’t seem real. She won a trip to New York worth $2,500. However, with New York shut down she asked to switch the prize to Arizona.

“I’m going with my mom and I’m really really excited to do that,” Wick said. “I haven’t been on a trip with my mom in my adult life at all, so this’ll be the first one.

The fact that I get to treat her is a really good thing.”

TUNE IN

Scan the QR code with the camera on your phone to watch Wick’s award-winning performance. Wick starts singing around the 1:16 mark in the video.

Exchange students find Texas slightly different than expected

By Jacob Valcarce

A

fter the program took a one year hiatus, two foreign exchange students are on campus this year.

In just two months, it has not been hard for junior Anna Kahlert to find similarities between her family in Duisburg, Germany, and her host family.

“I see similarities between those two families and how they grew up and grow together, and how they have similar traditions that we have,” Kahlert said.

Anna enjoys going to church back in Germany as well as swimming and playing piano. Anna’s mom was a foreign exchange stu-

dent. That encouraged her to join the program.

“My mom was a foreign exchange student at a uniKAHLERT versity in Germany where she studied and got a job afterwards,” Kahlert said.

“On the job she met my dad, so she wanted me to have the same experience in learning English because it really helped her.”

Just like Americans have stereotypes about other countries,

Kahlert and Eva Rolden Torres came with their own stereotypes of Americans.

“When TORRES I decided to come to Texas, [I thought] you don’t get to eat anything but meat,” Kahlert said. “The cowboy hats and like being a cowboy in general was like really stereotypical Texas.”

Along with Kahlert, Torres is participating in the year-long pro-

gram. She is from Madrid, Spain.

“This is my dream since I was six years old,” Torres said.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed her trip. She was supposed to come last year, but when she came, it was worth the wait.

“The first few weeks here were good,” Torres said.

She doesn’t have any siblings, but she really misses her parents and her friends. She’s said she is going to try to enjoy everything that she can in her year here.

“Everyday I’m going to be repeating the experiences I’ve lived here,” Torres said.

FEATURES | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 7

A friend unlike any other

The little boy with a big smile would have been a senior. Landon Ahrendt’s friends carry his legacy.

By Kathleen Ortiz

S

occer practice had just ended when they noticed the bump.

“Did you roll your ankle?” Scott Ahrendt asked his then 9-year-old son.

“No,” Landon Ahrendt replied as he took off his shin guards.

“Well, did you get kicked or did someone step on your foot?” Scott pressed.

“No,” Landon said. “It doesn’t hurt either.”

Scott stopped pressing. After all, Landon was a four-sport athlete, so a number of things could have easily happened to his ankle.

Cancer never crossed Scott’s mind.

The bump kept growing and despite it not hurting Landon, his parents decided he needed to see a doctor.

One MRI and biopsy later, the Ahrendts were getting ready for church when the phone rang. Scott picked up.

“They’re still trying to classify what type of cancer it is,” the doctor on the other end of the phone said. “But I have you set up with a team at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and we have an appointment scheduled for you.” …

Scott was driving on 59 to work when his wife Jaymi Ahrendt called to tell him their third child was going to be a boy. Scott still vividly recalls the joy he felt that day. And then, on June 12, 2003, Landon Thomas Ahrendt was born.

“Landon is kind of indescribable because he was just so amazing,” his older sister, Haley Walker, said. “He was one of a kind, one of those kids that you don’t experience very often.

He had one of those incredibly bright personalities, like when you were around him it was kind of hard not to be happy, to smile, to pull from the energy that he had.”

The Ahrendts’ backyard was the site of diving board and trampoline flips. The game room housed wrestling matches and Wii games.

Landon was early to rise, and it wasn’t uncommon for wrestling

8

Barrett Kenny, Landon Ahrendt and Michael Kell laugh during a Trailwood Gators swim meet. The three of them became friends in first grade when Kell heard Ahrendt and Kenny talking about Yoshi and joined the conversation. The three of them would call each other by the nicknames Boshi, Loshi and Moshi, replacing the ‘Y’ in Yoshi with the first letter of their names. Photo submitted by Scott Ahrendt.

practices with his friends to begin as Balcom a year after that. They all early as 6 a.m. swam for the Trailwood Gators. Each “Be quiet,” a teenage Walker would of the boys had his own thing he yell from her bedroom connected to enjoyed doing with Landon. the game room. “Landon, Barrett, They recreated music videos, went or Landon, Michael, fishing, rode their bikes “When whoever. Be quiet.” and played a lot of The boys would sports together. you were laugh and continue to … around work on their WWE takedowns on Then that bump (Landon), Landon’s bean bag. showed up. it was A solid group of Landon was diaghard not kids frequented the nosed with stage four Ahrendt house. BarRhabdomyosarcoma. It to be happy, to rett Kenny was the started in his right foot, smile, to pull first to meet Landon. but by the time the docSometime during from the energy tors did scans and tests the first week of on him it had spread to kindergarten at Foster that he had.” his lungs.

Haley Walker, Elementary they were “When we found that Landon’s older sister sitting in the assigned out it knocked us to seats for carpet time our knees again,” Scott when Landon turned to Kenny. said. “And you know all this is going “Hey, do you want to be best on and you have to explain it to your friends?” he asked.

9-year-old son who should be in Kenny replied with a yes, and from school. He should be playing soccer, that point on he spent more time at the pool, not having to deal with with Landon than without him. something like that.”

Michael Kell became a part of the Jaymi started the conversation with group a year later, and then Talon Landon in his bedroom. He was play-

FEATURES | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

ing with some toys when she asked what he knew about cancer.

“Isn’t that when people are bald?”

Landon replied.

Jaymi then explained that they were going to have to spend a lot of time in the hospital, the medicine might make him feel sick and he wouldn’t be able to go back to Foster Elementary for third grade.

Through the whole conversation Landon never put down his toys. He replied to her news with a simple “OK.” “It was worse for me thinking about telling him all that than it actually was,” Jaymi said. “We were a lot more scared than he was.”

Balcom, Kell and Kenny didn’t understand enough about cancer to realize the severity of what Landon was going through. Kenny’s parents told him that Landon would be OK. Balcom was more worried about his friend being bald than the cancer itself.

“I didn’t think he would die. I just thought he would go to the hospital for a little bit,” Kell said.

Through it all, Landon stayed himself. Even when Landon was in the

hospital bed, Kell never saw him sad.

“Landon was a little bit less active but I didn’t mind it,” Kenny said. “He didn’t seem like it fazed him, so I wasn’t really freaking out about it at the time. He was just the same guy that I remember from before.”

Balcom, Kell and Kenny visited Landon in the hospital often. They would goof around and play as much as they could with Landon hooked up to an IV. A lot of the time though, they just talked. They talked about sports, their lives in general and how Landon thought it was funny that some of the medicine turned his pee blue.

“It was probably pretty freaky, but seeing how strong he was,” Kenny said. “I was freaked out when I got there and he made it seem like it was no big deal, so I never really thought too much about it.” …

The boys’ parents drove 40 minutes each way for their kids to spend time with Landon at Texas Children’s.

“You know people always call Kingwood ‘the bubble,’” Scott said. “Well, that bubble really helped protect and take care of us and our kids during a difficult time.”

Many Kingwood families knew the Ahrendt family’s situation and stepped in to help. However, that wasn’t the case for a lot of the other families they met at the hospital.

“When you go down to Texas Children’s one of the things that you see is cancer doesn’t discriminate at all,” Scott said. “We were very lucky and fortunate with the support we received, but not every family has that.”

The Ahrendts received donations to a medical fund. They knew that they would have some of the money left over.

“You know how people have been helping us?” Jaymi asked Landon in the summer of 2013. “We’re going to have some extra money. What should we do with that in regards to cancer?”

The answer was the L3 Foundation. L3 signifies live, love, Landon.

“All that he really wanted was to make sure that no other families had to go through what his family was going through or no other kid had to go through what he went through,” Kenny said. “It was really important

Jaymi, Scott, Teigan, Landon and Haley Ahrendt interact with dolphins at Atlantis in the Bahamas for Landon’s Make-A-Wish trip in September 2013. Landon loved water parks and wanted to design waterslides when he grew up. Barrett Kenny and his family joined the Ahrendt family in the Bahamas for the trip. Photo submitted by Scott Ahrendt.

to him that if he passed away that we made a foundation.”

The classic red t-shirts were made and the first L3 Turkey Day 5K took place on Thanksgiving of 2014, six months before Landon passed away. …

with Walker.

Landon died on May 21, 2014, 22 days shy of his 11th birthday.

“It was almost like he just knew he was only meant to be on earth for a short time,” Teigan said. “He wasn’t anxious about it. It was almost just like he had an inner strength and The boys always held out hope I think that radiated off to people Landon would return to school. knowing that he had gotten to be “Oh, I think Landon’s coming back in the best place, somewhere better next week,” Kenny would tell his than we could imagine.” friends.

The Ahrendts There was held a celebration even a date at of Landon’s life five the end of fourth days later at Kinggrade when they wood High School. were convinced There were games he would come and an inflatable back. obstacle course.

He never did.

The menu included The chemo Landon’s favorites: Michael Kell, Barrett Kenny, Talon Balcom treatments popcorn, cotton stopped working.

“This is going to be a candy, pizza, hot They began dogs and Laffy Taffy. difficult year. ...we’re trying all sorts … of alternaso proud of all of them. tives, the most For the past six and And at the same time, a half promising being years, Balcom, you sit and you wonder, Kell and Kenny have immunotherapy.

There was a alongside the ‘what would Landon worked clinical trial for L3 Foundation and on have been like?’” immunotherapy their own to continue Landon’s dad Scott Ahrendt, to honor Landon’s treatment, but on Landon’s friends now being seniors legacy. he didn’t have the right protein Balcom has colmarkers on his cancer cells to qualify. lected thousands of medals and That had been their last hope. donated them to Bling For Bravery, Landon eventually went home on an organization that gives medals to hospice. He wasn’t always feeling kids with cancer to honor them for great in those last few months, but completing treatments. when he was, he would spend hours “I would get pictures of people playing board games on the couch wearing the medals and they would

have a gigantic smile on their face,” Balcom said. “It just meant a lot that I could make someone’s day and make them happy in such a hard time.”

Kell’s Eagle Scout project was inspired by Landon’s experience. He built two dozen cushioned lap desks and sent them to Texas Children’s.

Kell knew kids spent days in their beds. He knew the desks patients were provided often made doing schoolwork or even playing games on a computer uncomfortable.

Kell found “purpose” in having Landon be a part of his Eagle project.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something good,” he said.

Kenny decided that each year he would run 10 races to raise money for pediatric cancer research. He chose 10 to honor each year that Landon was alive. Running was always Landon’s thing. Kenny preferred to walk half of the races. But as he ran for Landon, Kenny raised more than $10,000 and became more of a runner himself.

“When Barrett was 10 years old the last thing he wanted to do was run,” Scott said. “He just wasn’t that interested in it, which is pretty amazing now when you watch the kid. He’s cross country, track and lacrosse.” …

The Ahrendts watch proudly as Balcom, Kell and Kenny prepare to graduate in May. They can’t help but wonder what Landon would be like if he was still alive.

“This is going to be a very difficult year,” Scott said. “It’s such a milestone year for each of them. And we sit and look at all of their accomplishments and where they are and where each of them have the potential to go and we’re so proud of all of them.

And at the same time, you sit and you wonder, ‘what would Landon have been like?’”

The boys wonder what he would be involved in, who he would be friends with, and if his soccer skills could have helped the boys team win last year’s state championship game.

Even as they wonder, Scott wouldn’t trade the almost 11 years they had with Landon for anything.

They can’t change the past. All they can do now is focus on helping others and finding a cure – just as Landon asked them to.

FEATURES | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 9

Our Roots, Our Stories From Scotland to Ethiopia to Colombia, students and teachers have roots all across the globe. While they may call Kingwood home, they are proud of where their families originated.

PHILIPPINES “I’m proud that I add diversity to this school and I can give people insight on different cultures when most of the school is white and they don’t really get another viewpoint.”

Derek Herrara, 11

NIGERIA “It’s not everyday where you go to a predominantly white school and see someone that looks like you, so I’m proud of the way I present myself, the way I’m not ashamed of where I come from.”

Simisola Wale-Sulaiman, 12

MEXICO “What I’m proud of about my culture is that we’re all really close, especially my family.

We can tell each other anything, and we don’t hide anything from each other.”

Carlos Ortiz, 10

SCOTLAND “I’m proud of the Scottish freedom movement...the idea of liberty and not having to listen to a higher power.”

Hazelanne Prescott, AP Human Geography

VIETNAM “I’m proud of being able to speak and understand multiple languages.”

Sophia Nguyen, 9

Our weddings

Freshman Kashikala Mundemba and seniors Katina and Lulenga Mundemba are first-generation Americans. Their parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Parents give back, instill pride in Central African roots

By Reece Cavallo

P

eople know senior Katina Mundemba as many things: a high-achieving honor student, a varsity-level cross country runner, and a member of both STUCO and NHS. What most don’t realize is that he and his siblings are firstgeneration Americans.

DEMOCRATIC The REPUBLIC Mundembas OF CONGO hail from the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the D.R.C. Mombwe Mundemba, father of Katina, was born there, and there he remained until he was 32, traveling to the United States to further his education. Although the D.R.C., like many Sub-Saharan African countries, is afflicted with mass poverty, there are more affluent, developed segments of the country, the result of Belgian colonization. Mombwe’s family lived in one of these parts of the country; and, according to him, the quality of education and life in general was similar to that of the United States.

“As a matter of fact, when I came for the first time to this part of the world, I saw Kingwood and it reminded me of some of the neighborhoods where I grew up,” Mombwe said.

Mombwe received a full

education in the D.R.C., earning a master’s in electrical engineering before coming to the U.S. for a master’s in computer science. With these degrees he was able to secure a job as a software and automation engineer in Kingwood.

Muswe Mundemba, Mombwe’s wife, was also raised and schooled in the D.R.C. The pair actually went to the same university for a while; but much to the chagrine of Mombwe, Muswe can’t recall seeing him there.

“I met her, but she doesn’t remember meeting me,” Mombwe laughed. “So it’s a one-way street.”

They attended the same boarding school in the D.R.C. for a brief year before Mombwe graduated and moved to the U.S. to attend Loyola University Maryland. It was in Maryland where Mombwe and his future bride would begin their courtship.

Now, living in Kingwood, the Mundembas are a large family with six children, three of whom are currently attending Kingwood Park: Katina, his twin sister Lulenga, and their little sister Kashikala, who is a freshman.

Though the siblings were all raised in the same household, they have different perspectives on their family’s connection to the D.R.C. Kashikala, in particular, has embraced the culture, noting her fondness for her mother’s African songs and the traditional games that she has played with her cous-

ins from the D.R.C. “We had a family reunion once,” Kashikala said, “and getting involved in the culture was really, really fun.”

Katina has slightly less enthusiasm for the cultural traditions, but he does have a soft spot for the traditional food. One West African dish he recommends is fufu, a bread-like substance made from cassava, a starchy root vegetable.

“It’s kind of like Play-Doh, but it doesn’t taste as bad,” Katina said.

“You basically use it to dip all your meats and your vegetables and sauces and whatnot.”

Lulenga, while a fan of the traditional African songs and games, is not on the fufu train.

“I stopped being able to eat those,” Lulenga said. “I used to eat it, but at some point I just could not.”

The Mundembas’ involvement in the D.R.C. didn’t end when they left Africa. Today, both Mombwe and Muswe have projects back in their motherland, which they frequently visit to supervise their ventures, such as starting a small farm to rent to local farmers and creating a school. These projects are supported by the Mundembas’ personal funds with the goal of improving the quality of life for those in the D.R.C. “The plan,” Katina said, “is to improve the infrastructure, to help facilitate the economy, and empower those who live there.”

Senior Meraa Husainat walks down the aisle with family members during her brother’s wedding last summer. Photo submitted by Meraa Husainat.

Wedding dance highlights summer

By Rhian Davis

S

enior Meraa Husainat celebrated her culture this summer during her brother’s wedding. The traditions that were incorporated in the wedding originated in Jordan, through Arabic culture.

“Our weddings are not just like a reception… our dancing is different,” Husainat said.

“It’s more enchanted.”

At the wedding, Husainat participated in an Arabic JORDAN dance called dabke, which combines circle dance and line dancing. Dabke is usually performed at weddings and other special occasions. The dance follows the beat of a fast-paced song. Usually, a man leads the dance; but, because it was her brother’s wedding, Husainat held the honor of leading.

“I changed into a suit just like all of the guys,” Husainat said. “Because the girls wear ballgowns and big dresses, being able to change and dance was nice because I was the only girl doing it.”

Husainat said celebrating her culture and incorporating it into her daily life makes her feel good. She is proud of where she comes from and she loves being able to share that with the people in her life.

“I feel like it’s really unique,” Husainat said. “It’s different. It’s fun.”

Quiñones keeps Puerto Rico near heart Surviving the devastation caused

by Hurricane Maria was an experience Quiñones and her family will never forget.

By Maya Ortiz

T

he phone was placed next to Daniela Conde’s pillow every night in hopes her mom -Spanish teacher Eileen Quiñones -- would call.

It was September 2017, and Quiñones and her husband could not find affordable flights out of Puerto Rico as Hurricane Maria approached.

When the Category 4 hurricane hit the island, Conde panicked in her college apartment. Days passed with no phone call from her parents.

“I wanted to cry every second of every day honestly, because not knowing if your parents are alive is a very stressful thing,” said Conde, who was at Loyola University in New Orleans.

Finally, she awoke one morning to her phone ringing. She almost rolled back over and stayed sleeping until the name on caller ID hit her.

“Oh my gosh, she is calling!” Conde thought as she grabbed the phone. “She’s finally calling!”

The tears started flowing as Conde heard her mother on the other line.

Spanish teacher Eileen Quiñones spends time with her family at Cayo Icacos, a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

She moved to the contigious United States in 2018. Photo submitted by Eileen Quiñones.

money out of the bank,” Quiñones said.

“I was already receiving the children of my first Due to hospitals collapsing and no medical students,” Quiñones said. “It was less than 600 resources – in addition to landslides – Quiñones students, so it was a very close-knit community.” said the death toll was higher Quiñones has only gotten to visit Puerto Rico than the 3,057 deaths that were twice since, but she keeps the culture alive with publicized. food and traditions. Quiñones cooks her own “Complete houses and families sofrito and keeps her Christmas tree up from **** disappeared in Thanksgiving until Three Kings Day communities in the on Jan. 6.

“It was It had taken seven days for center of the island, devastating. We Quiñones and her husband to and that was not **** find a phone signal to call their disclosed,” Quiñones lost everything. It two daughters, who lived in the said. “The magniWhile Conde said she and her PUERTO RICO was catastrophic, sister understood how challenging it contiguous United States. While tude of the damage searching for a way to reach their kids, Quiñones was not disclosed. The politicians food was scarce. was to leave Puerto Rico, they were surveyed the damage around her Puerto Rico are still now in 2021 playing to have them closer.

We almost didn’t excited home and adjusted to life without water and games with the situation.”

“I call [my sister], my mom and I electricity. the trio because those are definitely have anything.”

“It was devastating, we lost everything,” Qui**** my two best friends in life,” Conde Eileen Quiñones, said. ñones said. “It was catastrophic, food was scarce.

Spanish teacher We almost didn’t have anything.”

Quiñones and her husband Conde can now drive from New It took four months after Hurricane Maria moved to the contiguous United Orleans to Houston whenever she before Quiñones and her husband had running States a year after the Hurrineeds to see her mom. She no longer water and electricity at home. cane. Her daughters, Daneila Conde and Tanya sleeps with the phone next to her pillow waitShe learned how to take a bath with a gallon Cabrera, had already moved to the States for ing for a call, but the phone call back in 2017 is of water. She learned how to go to a food truck, college. After Maria, Quiñones and her husband seared in her memory. cafeteria or bakery and simply ask, “What do you found out neither of their daughters planned on She never even said hello. Through her sobs, have available?” returning to the devastated island. she asked, “Are you OK? Are you and dad OK?” “We are used to having so much,” Quiñones While Quiñones decided to follow, she has Quiñones calmly responded, “This is so hard, said. “But when you really need to survive, it’s a never left behind thoughts of the island she loves. and I’m so happy to hear your voice.” matter of what can I find?”

She misses the Puerto Rican weather, beaches Conde had braced for the worst. Then she Quiñones said she never saw looting. and food. She misses the dancing and warm heard the voice on the other line.

Instead, people waited. They waited in line for personalities of Puerto Ricans.

“That was one of the best moments of my life,” 27 hours just to get gas for their cars.

Quiñones taught at a small, all-boys school for she said.

“You would be in line for seven hours to get 28 years before leaving the island.

12

FEATURES | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

Our dance

Our food CHILAQUILES, Latin America

“It’s tortilla chips with tomato sauce and cream and cheese and a sunny side egg on top of all the chips. It tastes amazing “It means a lot to me because it’s a tradition in our family to make it every Sunday, and it’s been passed down for generations.

“I don’t have a specific moment that stands out but there have been some good moments where our family puts our arguments to the side to eat it together.”

ANDRICK LOPEZ, 10

Kaitlyn Gonzalez, 12, takes celebration photos in her quinceañera dress. Photo submitted by Kaitlyn Gonzalez.

Birthday provides celebration of culture

By Rhian Davis

S

enior Kaitlyn Gonzalez celebrated her culture when she turned 15 with a quinceanera. A quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday. The tradition originated in Mexico and it is celebrated by many young women of Latin heritage.

“I didn’t know I was going to have one,” she said, “but maybe a year before I turned fifteen I was like, ‘I actually do want one. It seems fun.’”

For her quinceañera, Gonzalez had a professional choreographer to help guide her and her court through the dances. Gonzalez’s court was composed of family and friends.

There were around five dances total and it took six months to prepare for the celebration.

“I actually ended up dancing with the choreographer,” Gonzalez said. “We did cool tricks and he flipped me around. Because I have dance training, he realized I could pick things up quickly.”

Gonzalez is a Silver Star and has danced since she was young. She has learned many dances from many different choreographers but her quince was different. It was special.

“It was a fun experience,” said Gonzalez, “I’m pretty used to it being a competitive dancer... but it was fun to branch out with different styles of dancing. It was more culture-style dancing.”

GYOZA, China

“It’s a type of dumpling that contains pork and leek. It’s really an amazing taste on your tongue, everything is homemade starting with the dough and whenever you bite into it, juice comes out from the pork and it’s absolutely delicious.

“It means the world because it’s coming from my grandma’s hard work and that’s how she gives her love to my family and I. “As a kid I used to try and help my grandma make it.

I was horrible at it, but she would set aside a piece of dough and I would put a peanut in it and play with it. As I got older I tried to learn how to properly fold it with my grandma.”

KELLY TAO, 11

EMPANADAS, Colombia

“It’s a crunchy bread layer on the outside and beef and potatoes in a sauce in the inside.

“My grandma makes it when she’s in a good mood, so every few months.

“It means pure happiness and comfort.

It’s the best thing you want to come home to from a school day. One day my sister cried when eating it because she woke up from a nap and it tasted so good. She just bawled her eyes out.”

CAMILLA ESCOBAR, 11

POZOLE, Mexico Photo by Maya Ortiz

Young o-line key to offense

By Gabby Norman

Erick Zapata and Cameron Maxey prepare to return to the field against Barbers Hill Sept. 23. Photo

by Maya Ortiz.

W

hen Erick Zapata and Cameron Maxey walk into a room, you just know they play football. The juniors are starters on this year’s team, leading one of the biggest offensive lines the school has ever had.

Zapata is almost 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 295 pounds, making Maxey look small at 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds. The hope is that the offensive line will provide the team with a strong enough backbone to take them to the playoffs after a lackluster season last year.

“Attention usually goes to the guys scoring the touchdowns, but you get used to it,” Zapata said. “Everyone on the team knows that the offensive line wins the game. We’re definitely the most important part of the offense. If we can’t do our job they can’t get anything started.”

Along with size, strength and experience, the team has a secret weapon – new coach Tony Morales.

Morales was a seventh year student athlete at Texas Tech where he was an offensive lineman. He started at center in 2016, where he snapped the ball to Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes.

“The NCAA gave me two extra years of eligibility due to suffering fourconsecutive season ending surgeries,” Morales said. “After four years of rehab, I stayed healthy and ended up starting 19 games at Texas Tech.”

Both Maxey and Zapata have high hopes for a season under Morales’ coaching.

“He’s the addition to the team that we really need, especially for the line,” Zapata said. “He’s picky, he wants to prepare us for college ball. He definitely knows what he’s talking about, he loves coaching. He’s made us take a lot of pride in how we play, taught us to play with more confidence.”

While coaches have huge impacts on their players, leadership on the field is up to the players. This year, the offensive line is made up of almost entirely juniors, so Zapata has stepped up to help.

“We only have one senior, Kadin Potter,” Maxey said. “He’s really stepped up to the plate, he’ll go in at guard, he’ll play center too. I really, really like Kadin. He knows he has to work hard, but this year we’re looking at younger players to be leaders.

I’d say the leader on the offensive line is probably Erick Zapata. He’s the biggest guy.”

Morales agrees that Zapata is one of the biggest parts of the team, and believes he sets the standard of what a student athlete should be at Kingwood Park.

“He has been starting on varsity since he was a freshman and is one of the most talented kids I have coached on the offensive line,” Morales said.

“He is never satisfied and is always looking for ways to improve. It is a blessing to have a guy like Zapata in my offensive line room.”

Morales holds similar sentiments for Maxey, who has overcome the disadvantage for being smaller than most offensive linemen.

“Maxey is a grinder, like Zapata he comes ready to work everyday,” Morales said. “He normally goes against guys bigger than him but Maxey never uses that as an excuse. I can’t say enough about guys like Maxey and Zapata who are great kids with high character.”

ONLY ON Visit KPTimes.com to see more on...

Kicker/Punter - Tony Sterner Halfback - Cameron Fain Defensive linemen - Xander Aguilar and Caden Henry Quarterback - Jaxon Sims Linebacker - Pablo Cantu Zapata and Maxey often find themselves working together on the field, Zapata is the left tackle and Maxey is the left guard. The boys have been playing together since the seventh grade, and both are inspired to play football because of their dads and older brothers.

Offensive linemen tend to be creatures of habit. They have one job and they do it to the best of their ability.

This year, the team has been focusing on their technicalities, getting steps and improving their football IQ. “I really just try to focus on getting stronger, quicker, getting better at understanding the game and increasing my football IQ,” Zapata said. “I think you have to focus on gradually putting on weight, as you’re putting it on, training to be explosive. You

have to play physical, be violent, be pretty smart, know what you’re doing, know plays, and know different angles.”

Last year’s season was disappointing, so the boys have something to prove. The ultimate goal, like any sport, is to progress and win. ` Stats are hard to track on the offensive line, so it comes down to the hard work put in by the team. “[Playing on the line] is incredible,” Maxey said. “Coach Morales says it all the time, ‘Nothing will work without the offensive line.’ If you can’t get the ball off, you can’t score. If you can’t make gaps, you’re not gonna score. It’s a lot of pressure because everything relies on a good o line.

The biggest thing we can do is to show up.”

SPORTS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 15

Teach me how to..

Photo by Katie Gerbasich

SERVE volleyball

“You start with your serving shoulder high, holding the ball out in front of you in the opposite hand. Step with your right, then left, toss, right, left, follow through.”

Kynzie Wallace, 11

16

BACKHAND SLICE

Photo by Maya Ortiz

tennis

“First, do a split step which is when you kind of hop and have your two feet about shoulder width apart so you’re ready to move to where the ball is going to be. Then, you’re going to pull your racket back over your left shoulder.

“After that, you let go with your left hand and you have your right hand swing out across in front of you. You kind of drag the racket behind it, and you go in like a u-shape around you. Lastly, you try and hit the ball so that it has some back slice or some back spin on it as you hit it over the net.”

Talmage Hammond, 12 SPORTS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

BUTTERFLY swim

“I throw my arms over and around in front of me, then I press my chest down, take a breath, and kick, then I do it over again.”

Hannah Dove, 10

Photo by Arleigh Doehring

Photo by Camille Blair

PUTT golf

“So I first line up the ball like I have a red line on my ball so I try to line it up as best as I can with the hole then I line my hands up on the club and I line up the little white line that’s on the club with the red line and I take two big deep breaths and I pull back and hit it.”

JD McComb, 10

THROW football

Photo by Jaxon Sims

“Basically, you’re holding the ball in either your right hand or left hand, and you want to just bring it back. It just depends on how big your hands are. I have pretty big hands so I can hold the ball on the laces with my ring finger on the top and like my pinky at the bottom of the lace.

“You want to bring it back kind of like at a flat like 90° with your elbow.

Then you push straight back and you just swing your arm forward and you want to flick your index finger. I was always told that you’re pronating your wrist and you’re looking like you have a booger on the index finger, just flicking it when it comes off your index finger. You rotate your hips, your torso, and your arm, just coming through completely.”

Jaxon Sims, 10 SPORTS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 17

Dynamic duo leads volleyball squad

By Taylor Nethery

S

eniors Amri Williams and Charlee Jordan have been teaming up on the court since they were in 7th grade. After playing together for five years, they’ve become leaders to this year’s volleyball team and hope to help the team return to the playoffs.

“They both bring lots of good things to the table,” volleyball coach Stormi Champion said. “I think they’ve really stepped into their leadership roles and led by example. When I look at them, I think KPARK volleyball.”

Williams started playing volleyball when she was in 7th grade. She brings a fun personality to the team and always gets the team hyped up before games. She’s a strong blocker and was nominated for preseason blocker of the year by VYPE this year.

“I love getting hype with her on the court,” Jordan said. “It’s really good to have her as my other middle. She keeps me on my toes during practice.

We make each other better.”

Jordan has also played volleyball since 7th grade. She has a lot of

experience and tries her best to help the team regroup if they’re having a rough set. Jordan and Williams are both big role models for the team and bring different things that complement each other on and off the court.

“Charlee adds a plethora of experience,” Champion said. “She’s a solid leader and when she’s not on the court you can really tell a difference.”

Champion has brought a fresh slate to the team in her first year. She said she recognized quickly the leadership skills Williams and Jordan bring to the table.

“Amri has shown a lot of senior leadership,” Champion said. “She really is a good role model and demonstrates what needs to happen.

Overall [she] is like the ‘KPARK way’ to all of our underclassmen.”

Being led by Williams and Jordan, the team has become a tight knit group. There is no issue when it comes to teamwork since they have fun together on and off the court.

“It’s good not to have cliques,” Jordan said, “so we’re all together: one team, one heartbeat.”

Seniors Charlee Jordan and Amri Williams talk to the students at the pep rally on Sept. 17, encouraging them to attend the volleyball game. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

Senior Charlee Jordan helps set up the team against Kingwood HS on Aug. 20. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Bailey uses mental toughness to set the pace

By Arleigh Doehring

I

Sophomore Elina Bailey competes in the Huffman Relays in August. Bailey also is a cheerleader and runs about 35 miles each week. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

18

SPORTS | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

t started with an interest and continues with passion. Sophomore Elina Bailey, joined cross country on a whim in 7th grade and has loved it ever since.

She started running when she was encouraged by the Kingwood Middle School cross country coach in 6th grade. The coach noticed her speed.

“I think I really started enjoying cross country in 8th grade,” Bailey said. “I started seeing how fun the different courses were and really bonding as a team” Bailey made the varsity team as a freshman and cross country coach Cody Cook said that she is the team’s No. 1 runner this season.

“She’s very tough mentally,” Cook said. “She runs through the mental barriers. She’s also a very physically strong person and very determined.

She’s consistent.”

Cook said she’s cut about 5 minutes

off her 5K time since freshman year and this season she’s gotten her 5K time under 20 minutes.

“She’s sub 20 minutes now for the first time, so she’s running [personal records] every week it seems,” Cook said.

Bailey also cheers and runs track.

Along with the approximately 35 miles she runs weekly for cross country, she also attends cheer practices.

“There’s many nights where she’s up late and she’s doing multiple workouts per day,” Cook said. “I think that’s why she’s so physically and mentally tough.”

Bailey’s goals this season were to break 20 minutes in the 5K and make it to state. She’s done the first one already.

“She’s a quiet but confident runner,” Cook said. “She won’t brag on herself but she’s really giving us an edge.”

CELEBRATE YOUR 2022DUE GRADUATE All payments and photos Oct. 15 Purchase a KPHS Yearbook Senior Ad TODAY Sebastian Garza Julie Koehn We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. We are so excited to see what is ahead for you. Always remember we’re only a phone call away.

Love, Mom & Dad

Time has flow by! It seems like just yesterday you were pulling on your baseball helmet for your first at bat. Now, you’re packing up and heading out west. We are so proud of the young man you have become.

We will continue cheering you on each day, just as we have since the day you were born.

Love, Mom, Dad & Angelica

The Kingwood Park High School yearbook is giving family and friends an opportunity to send a special message of congratulations, pride or love to their favorite KPARK student[s]. You write the message and send the photos, and our trained design staff will create the ad. It will be a memory that will be cherished for years.

PRICES AND DETAILS The ads will be produced in full color and designed by the trained KPHS yearbook staff members. You will be provided with a proof of your ad before printing. All you have to do is provide the photo(s) and message electronically.

Full Page (9 x 12 inches*) - $440 2/3 Page (7.5 x 8.2 inches*) - $342 1/3 Page (7.5 x 3.4 inches*) - $175 2/9 Page (5.6 x 3.4 inches*) - $120 1/9 Page (2.4 x 3.4 inches*) - $60

* sizes are approximate until the yearbook design is finalized.

In an email to KPjournalismbooster@gmail.com, include the student or group’s full name. Add your message and any photos you would like to include.

You will receive a reply to confirm receipt and a proof to approve in the fall.

Please include the buyer’s name and phone number as well.

Payments can be made through PayPal using the QR Code included here. Checks can also be made out to: KP Journalism Booster Club. Mail them with attention to Megan Ortiz at KPHS, 4015 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77339.

DUE Oct. 1, 2021

NEED IDEAS? See last year’s yearbook for ideas or reach out to the yearbook adviser for more examples. Direct any questions to Megan Ortiz at Megan.Ortiz@humbleisd.net.

MIXING PHOTOS? Feel free to include black & white photos in your ad if you wish. Both types of photos can be reproduced.

PAYMENT? Ads need to be paid for at time of placement. Please do not send cash through the mail. Make checks out to KP Journalism Booster Club. Yearbooks must be purchased separately at YearbookForever.com.

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS: • Send only quality copies.

• Digital or scanned photos must be 300 dpi JPEG format and submitted on a CD. • If you want photos returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope in your order.

• While every effort is made to ensure photos are protected, on rare occurrences, accidents happen. Please don’t send photos you would hate to be without.

COPYRIGHT LAWS: • Law requires all quotations be credited by the original author or be quoted “Author unknown.”

• A maximum four lines of a song, poem, etc. may be printed without written consent and must remain in original text.

• Material written prior to 1920 is exempt (i.e. Shakespeare, Bible verses, etc.).

STUDENT PUBLICATION: In buying this ad, the buyer is aware this is a student created product in an academic production class. Errors can and will occur. The administration, students or publisher regrets any errors, missing information, photos or lost material. No refunds or reprints will be made.

Elective classes should no longer impact GPA

H

ow many times have you been discouraged from taking a class that interests you because of the potentially harmful effect on your class rank?

Have you ever felt that it was unfair that an A in a class like eSports has the same effect on your GPA as an A in a class like Medical Terminology?

Or perhaps you feel that trying to keep your 98 in art is taking away from the experience of trying to express yourself with a paintbrush.

All of these problems have the same solution: change the GPA system.

The GPA system is needlessly complicated by non-core classes, classes that aren’t part of the main required Texas education curriculum. These courses include fine arts, specialized career classes, and sports; courses that are meant to inspire interest in activities outside of the general educational topics that every student takes. While every student at Kingwood Park

By Reece Cavallo

Sophomore Joshua Auzenne listens to music while working on an art project in Art I during August. Photo by Jacob Valcarce.

will eventually take core classes like biology and algebra, not all will opt to participate in Theater or take a financially-focused class like Money Matters. This raises the question of the validity of using optional classes, some that supposedly function as a mental break for students, as a factor in GPA. The most pressing argument for discounting non-core classes in GPA is the issue of standardization.

Anyone can see that all classes were not created equal; so why does our academic system treat them like they are? For example, a 95 in Art 1 does the same for your

GPA as a 95 in Aquatic Science , which is the same as a 95 in PE. These classes are totally different, but they factor into our GPA as if they are objectively the same difficulty. These classes have no business playing into our supposedly standardized GPA. Instead, when calculating GPA, Humble ISD should focus only on a student’s performance in the required subjects: math, science, RELA, and social studies. These core classes tend to be much more standardized overall than their non-core counterparts, and they portray a more accurate representation of a

student’s academic competence.

Not to say that non-core classes don’t matter - they do. Many students, myself included, feel that the best parts of their high school experience were spent in these classes. That’s why it’s such a shame that our ranking system discourages their participation. Almost all non-core classes can only be weighted up to a 5 on our GPA scale, while honors classes, which are an option in every core subject, can be worth up to a 6. Too many academically-focused athletes feel they are forced to either use one of their valuable pass-fail options or give up participation in their sport to keep a competitive class rank.

Students shouldn’t have to choose between the once-in-a-lifetime experience of high school sports and a good GPA. It’s a mystery to me as to why the theoretical system described in this column hasn’t been the precedent for schools around the state. But it seems that the idea could be catching on. Dallas ISD has just recently adopted a similar GPA system that, according to their website, was designed to encourage fairness and a student’s choice to pursue sports and other non-core classes. It’s time that Humble ISD does the same.

Parking spot becomes daily reminder to appreciate senior year

I

listened to “New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift while I washed the chalk outline off my parking spot. I stepped back to admire my work as Taylor Swift sang the lyrics I had painted.

“Hold on to the memories,” Swift sang. “They will hold on to you.”

I could easily explain my choice in lyrics by saying that I chose them because they were on my favorite song on my favorite album, which Editor’s column would technically be true; however, after painting them on my parking spot, I realized there was so much more to those lyrics.

I spent 11 1/2 hours painting my parking spot on Sept. 4. I listened to every Swift album that’s ever been released and had a lot of fun painting with my friends.

The experience was a great way to start off my

Kathleen Ortiz,

20

senior year. It helped me realize that despite the deadlines, decisions and stress that goes along with senior year, I need to listen to the lyrics I painted on my spot.

There are experiences this year that I’m going to want to hold onto for the rest of my life. Each time I pull into my parking spot I am reminded that high school’s going to be over soon, and de-

OPINION | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

spite how desperately I want to leave Kingwood, I’ll want to remember my time here.

I’m going to want to remember the excitement of passing out a new issue of the newspaper, going to state for soccer and even when I accidentally forgot to put the water in my mac n’ cheese and caused the fire alarm to go off.

This year so far has been busy, and it’s easy to only remember the moments where I barely turned in my assignments on time or cried because I didn’t think I was prepared enough for a test. In between the hard stuff though, I’ve dressed up for spirit days, gone to a football game and brought a bunch of friends to see the varsity theater show with me.

I’m already an adult, so being in high school is the last “kid” thing I have left. I’m going to listen to Taylor Swift and hold on to these memories because high school has flown by and I’m going to want to remember it.

Representation matters on the big screen P

Bathrooms no place for group gatherings

S

chool bathrooms have never been the pinnacle of peace, but it has gotten to the point where using the school bathroom is something people dread.

Students want to be able to pee without the scent of vapes, the gossip and crowds of people. A trip to the school bathrooms can be extremely uncomfortable for many reasons, but the main reason is the lack of privacy.

The stall doors are abnormally short, which means while students are standing inside a stall they can see out and others can see in. Sadly, the mirrors are across from the stalls so even when someone is washing their hands they can accidentally make eye contact with those in the stalls, but eliminating the bathroom socializers would greatly reduce the issue.

It would be one thing if students weren’t in the bathrooms often, but people congregate in there so much that it feels as if every time someone is doing their business there is also someone standing on the other side of the stall as if their mission in life is to ruin bathroom experiences.

Another issue that makes the bathrooms uncomfortable is the amount of people that continue to spend time in them. There are vapers, lunch eaters and gossipers. With the entire school open for lunch, it doesn’t make sense to willingly eat in the same place that people pee.

There are tables all over the school just waiting to be used to house lunch and gossip sessions whenever needed.

While vape detectors were installed over the summer, it can be difficult to catch the culprits when so many people are in the bathrooms at once and vapes aren’t usually visible. For now, the best way to make the bathrooms a safe space for all is to simply stay out of them unless using them.

Staff Editorial

op culture has shaped what “goes” and what doesn’t for years, but it’s especially prominent today. Movies, celebrities, and even books have been a few of the main sources of media people naturally consume everyday. (Don’t forget about TikTok). So representation is even more important today. Seeing people that look or act like us become successful could lighten our future, while also making us feel seen.

Representation can span many categories; it can reach from powerful women in businesses, trans people being their authentic selves in movies, people of color being acknowledged for their great feats of work, and so much more. While representation has become more prominent, we still want to see even more people like us.

Movies and television play a major role in inclusivity. This can be about the directors making the movie, the actors playing their roles, and the message they present. Directors create the films that we love, but actors being themselves is just enough. Jordan Peele, an extraordinary director that made wonderful horror films such as “Get Out” (2017), “Us” (2019), and recently just helped produce the new horror movie, directed by Nia Dacosta, “Candyman” (2021).

A black director gaining popularity for films depicting black culture in horror is an awe inspiring experience, especially for black Americans who want to make it in the industry. Dacosta has recently been announced as the first black woman to get the #1 film spot in the box office. This is a huge step for black women since they have been underrepresented in general Actors are also very important in well represented films. It doesn’t have to be the roles they play, it can also be the actors themselves. Seeing actors such as Elliot Page come out as trans wasn’t just libertating for him, but liberating for the entire trans community.

I, personally, am not speaking for the trans community, but the responses that Page received were very emotional and overwhelmingly positive.

Trans adults were sending congratulations to Page for coming out, while trans youth started to come out to the world, inspired by Page’s decision.

As for the movies themselves, they can go either way: a realistic world with settings that do exist or as fantastical as you want to be. It doesn’t matter

By Sharna Ngo

YOU MIGHT LIKE MOONLIGHT

A stunning movie that highlights the experiences and struggle of a gay black man. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with incredible cinematography that can make you feel emotions that you haven’t felt before. This film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2017, so it should be on your watchlist.

BOOKSMART

A great movie that depicts two friends trying to live out their last day of senior year. This movie shows a very awkward teen lesbian that is very relatable and humorous. Not only that, but Olivia Wilde directed it, so cheers to more women directors!

FAREWELL

This film tells of a Chinese family that decides to visit their grandmother since she has stage 4 lung cancer; the catch is that she doesn’t have cancer. This movie depicts the relationships of a Chinese family and representation of a Chinese-American.

what genre, I want to see more diverse worlds.

“Shang Chi and the Legend of the Seven Rings” (2021) is one of the few Asian-oriented Marvel movies to come out. It’s so nice to see an Asian “superhero” in the universe since most of the major Marvel heroes are white.

I always tend to get emotional since all the Asian American actors and influencers get emotional as well. Sandra Oh was caught cheering for the winners at the Academy Awards in 2020 when “Parasite” became the first Asian film to win best screenplay. It also won best picture that year. Her reaction is exactly how we should support each other. Seeing us win and acknowledged in the industry feels like a breath of fresh air.

These topics are so important today since diversity is becoming the norm. Seeing racial diversity, and people that we identify with, on the television and in theaters makes a much bigger impact than we can imagine.

OPINION | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 21

Little brother, big inspiration The Davis family celebrates Deaf Awareness Month in September and hopes others do too.

M

y‌ ‌mom’s‌ ‌favorite‌ ‌video‌ ‌of‌ ‌all‌ ‌time‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌video‌ ‌of‌ ‌my brother’s cochlear ‌implant‌ ‌being‌a‌ ctivated‌‌for‌‌the‌‌first‌‌time.‌‌Tiny‌M ‌ ax,‌ ‌sitting‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌chair‌ ‌and‌ ‌chewing‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌toy.‌ ‌His‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌go‌ ‌wide‌ ‌and‌ ‌his‌ ‌face‌ ‌lights‌ ‌up‌ ‌as‌ ‌he‌ ‌hears‌ ‌my‌ ‌mom’s‌‌voice‌‌for‌‌the‌‌first‌‌time.‌I‌ ‌‌think‌s‌ he‌c‌ ries‌ ‌every‌ ‌time‌ ‌she‌ ‌watches‌ ‌it;‌ ‌and‌,‌ honestly,‌ ‌I‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌blame‌ ‌her.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌Max ‌is‌ ‌probably‌ ‌the‌ ‌strongest‌ ‌person‌ ‌I‌ ‌know.‌ ‌Born‌ ‌at‌ ‌just 25‌ ‌weeks‌,‌ ‌he‌ ‌has‌ ‌always‌ ‌ been‌a‌ ‌‌fighter.‌‌Max‌‌was‌‌in‌‌the‌‌NICU‌f‌ or‌e‌ ight‌ ‌months‌. When‌ ‌he‌ ‌was‌ ‌released,‌ ‌he‌ ‌was‌ ‌on‌ ‌ oxygen‌ ‌for‌ ‌another‌ ‌year.‌ ‌He‌ ‌was‌ ‌born‌ ‌deaf‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌has‌ ‌cerebral‌ ‌palsy.‌ ‌He‌ ‌faces‌ ‌challenges‌ ‌ every‌ ‌single‌ ‌day‌ ‌of‌ ‌his‌ ‌life‌; ‌and‌ ‌even‌ ‌though‌ ‌he‌ ‌is‌ ‌younger‌ ‌than‌ ‌me,‌ ‌I‌ ‌look‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌him.‌ ‌ ‌ Max‌ ‌and‌ ‌I‌ ‌are‌ ‌11‌ ‌months‌ ‌apart‌ ‌so‌ ‌we‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌pretty‌ ‌good‌ ‌relationship.‌ ‌He‌ ‌gets‌ ‌on‌ ‌my‌ ‌nerves‌ ‌at‌ ‌times,‌ ‌and‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌sure‌ ‌I‌ ‌get‌ ‌on‌ ‌his. At‌ ‌the‌ ‌end‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌day,‌ ‌we‌ ‌would‌ ‌do‌ ‌anything‌ ‌for‌ ‌each‌ ‌other.‌ ‌ Growing‌ ‌up,‌ ‌the‌ ‌idea‌ ‌that‌ ‌Max‌ ‌was‌ ‌“different”‌ ‌never‌ ‌crossed‌ ‌my‌ ‌mind.‌ ‌He‌ ‌was‌ ‌my‌ ‌brother‌ ‌and‌ ‌that‌ ‌was‌ ‌all‌ ‌that‌ ‌mattered.‌ ‌ ‌ My parents didn’t want Max to miss out on anything because of his deafness. They believed that cochlear implants were the best choice for him especially because of the other challenges he might face due to his cerebral palsy.

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that is placed in the cochlea through surgery.

The device allows deaf people to hear by stimulating the cochlear nerve. All cochlear implants have both internal and external parts. Max is implanted in both ears. He got his first implant when he was 11 months old and his second one when he was 6. ‌ ‌Max‌ ‌can‌ ‌hear‌ ‌everything‌ ‌when‌ ‌he‌ ‌has‌ ‌his‌ ‌implants‌ ‌on.‌ ‌We‌ ‌call‌ ‌them‌ ‌his‌ ‌ears‌ ‌because‌ ‌Max and I couldn’t comprehend the words “cochlear implants” when we were little.‌M ‌ ax‌ ‌loves‌ ‌his‌ ‌ears‌ ‌and‌ ‌he‌ ‌only‌ ‌really‌ ‌takes‌ ‌them‌ ‌off‌ ‌when‌‌he’s‌‌sleeping.‌‌When‌‌I‌‌was‌‌younger,‌I‌ ‌ ‌remember‌ ‌being‌ ‌jealous‌ ‌that‌ ‌he‌ ‌had‌ ‌the‌ ‌ability‌

Max Davis, 10, and Rhian Davis, 12. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

4 FAST FACTS

By Rhian Davis

22

s About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. s More than 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents.

‌to‌ ‌do‌ ‌that‌. ‌(Honestly‌, ‌I‌ ‌still‌ ‌am).‌ ‌ ‌ ‌Our‌ ‌family‌ ‌isn’t‌ ‌your‌ ‌typical‌ ‌deaf‌ ‌family.‌ ‌We aren’t fluent in ASL,‌‌we‌‌don’t‌‌know‌‌many‌‌people‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌community,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Max‌ is ‌implanted.‌ We wanted to get more involved in the community and Max had the urge to meet more people like him. In 2017, My mom discovered a camp for implanted children and their families. The camp was located in Estes Park, Colorado. We were all so excited to go.

The camp was incredible. People from all over the United States attended the camp, so it was really fun to meet so many new people.

Max bonded with other implanted kids, my parents bonded with other parents who had endured the same struggles, and I bonded with other siblings. It was such a great experience and we made friendships that have lasted years.

While we attended the camp for Max, I was incredibly impacted by it. Being able to talk to siblings of deaf kids was amazing because we all had common experiences. I was im-

OPINION | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM

s As of December 2019, approximately 736,900 registered [cochlear implants] have been implanted worldwide. s In the United States, roughly 118,100 devices have been implanted in adults and 65,000 in children.

pacted most by the camp volunteers. All of the younger volunteers were either deaf or studying audiology in college. I had the chance to talk to a few of them about audiology and I was immediately hooked.

Before cochlear camp, I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life. After being immersed in deaf culture for a week, I knew I wanted to be able to help people like my brother and like all of the people we met. I wanted to be an audiologist. Audiology has now been my dream for a few years now, and I’m excited to continue working towards it.

I am so proud of my brother and every single thing that he has accomplished. The deaf community is so beautiful and Deaf Awareness Month is something that is so important.

I believe that people should get involved in any way they can. Engage with people in the community, educate others, learn a bit of ASL and celebrate.

Finding passion in giving back

I

was sitting in the audience of my recital, exhausted after a long day of dancing, when I heard a story about a little boy who had gotten cancer. This particular recital was an event by the non-profit, The L3 Foundation, run by Scott Ahrendt. Ahrendt always says the same thing at the end of every speech that he gives, he asks us to “Do Something.”

I walked into my mom’s car with tears in my eyes, asking if there was any way we could help do something, and that’s when it all started.

Five years later, my service project Kids for a Kure has donated 7,850 items to Texas Children’s Cancer Center. While the number is more than I ever expected when the idea first began in third grade, there is no way to quantify what I have gained in this time.

In 4th grade, we settled on collecting hats and donating them to Texas Children’s Cancer Center. We called the project Hats off for a Cure. I spoke at a school board meeting, Bizcom, and did everything I could to get the word out. I ended up collecting between 2,000-3,000 hats that year.

When 5th grade rolled around, my mom had asked me if I wanted to do it again. She thought it was just a one time thing. She thought wrong. We decided to collect socks this time because it was one of the options we discussed the year before. We called it Sock out Cancer. That year we received 1,500 pairs of socks.

With all the donations we received, getting all the boxes inside with hospital traffic was a lot of work. But it was all worth it, knowing that a group of kids just received thousands of donations. We asked what else they needed or wanted so we could collect it next. They said video games and so that’s what we did.

My 6th grade project was called Out Play Cancer. That was the year we started getting other schools involved and promoted it a lot on social media. We had a lot of success with 479 DVDs, 232 video games, a PS4, two TVs and so many more things.

In 7th grade we decided to collect stuffed animals: Stuff out Cancer. That’s when the project

By Kaitlyn Sitton

Freshman Kaitlyn Sitton donated a U-Haul full of stuffed animals to Texas Children’s Hospital during her 7th grade year.

Photo submitted by Kaitlyn Sitton.

got really big. We posted on social media more, almost half the district got involved.

One time when I was going to pick up donations from a school, a girl thought I was famous because she saw my video on her announcements at school. It was the sweetest thing. By the end of endless counting we received 2,600 stuffed animals. There were so many stuffed animals we had to rent a UHaul to deliver all the boxes to the hospital.

Because of COVID, my service project was paused for a year. It was sad that I couldn’t do anything to help that year.

This year, I came up with a way to be able to donate and be safe. I created an Amazon wishlist for people to send items directly to the hospital. The link to purchase these items was posted in my social media bios on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@kidsforakure).

Next year I will turn 16, which means I will hopefully be able to see the kids and give them donations directly. It was my goal from day one – 5 years ago – and still is now, to be able to see the smiling faces of the kids at Texas Children’s.

Freshman Kaitlyn Sitton collected hats to donate to Texas Children’s Hospital when she was in 4th grade. She was inspired as a third grader by a speech she heard given by Scott Ahrendt, who runs the L3 Foundation. Photo submitted by Kaitlyn Sitton.

Scan the QR code to see the Amazon Wishlist, which is still open for donations.

OPINION | 10.01.21 | KPTIMES.COM 23

YEARBOOK Buy the only book that tells the story of YOUR year.

Buy today at YearbookForever.com Senior Recognition Ad

(All photos and payments due no later than Oct. 15) Namestamps and icons still available