The Nest November 2019

TOMPKINS HIGH SCHOOL 4400 Falcon Landing Blvd. Katy TX 77494 November 2019 Vol. 7 Issue 2

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Conserving our Environment:

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How our Earth can be Preserved Pages 10-11

Tennis Ranks #10 in 6A State Sophomore Charlie Kuchler practices hard and prepares for his tennis match.

Inside New Grading Scale Comedy Sportz Swimming/Trainers Thrift Shopping Discover Houston

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Editor in Chief Caroline Hoffmann Co-Managing Editor and Business Manager Sneha Raghavan

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Co-Managing Editor and Social Manager Madison Isom Layout Editor Gabby Andino Staff Nicole Ruopp Ella Hummeldorf Rachel Bregnard Vanessa Caceres Mahee Bhatt Raegan Ervin Maya Shaffer Brianna Plake Emma Vergara Jack Simpson Vaishnavi Bhat Diego Martin Anna Berry Sebastian McNamara Head Photographers Paulina Garcia Nick O’Brien

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Photography Morgan Cordle Camvy Tu Caleigh Hommel Emina jamil Carrington Harvey Taylor Hobson Kalei Napolean Huy Hathuc Tracy Thai Rebecca Alcozer Arantza Dominguez Canela Trey Whitney Laney Lightle

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Asst. Head Photographers Ray Borchert Jared Escobar

Advisor Shetye Cypher

@thenestline GENERAL INQUIRIES Tompkins High School 4400 Falcon Landing Blvd.

Katy, Tx 77494 281-234-1072

Cover Photo by Huy Hathuc

The Nest is an official publication of OTHS. Editorials represent the opinion of the writer, but not necessarily of KISD administration or faculty. The Nest is a member of the Interscholastic League of Press Conference (ILPC), the Texas Association of Journalism Education (TAJE), the Journalism Education Association (JEA), the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Texas High School Press Association (THSPA), and the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). It is the policy of KISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, religion, color, age, or national origin and its educational programs, activites, and employment practices.

Re-’D’ for Change

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Katy ISD Makes Changes to Grading Policies Sneha Raghavan

Managing Editor Grades in school are often synonymous with competition. Students, depending on the school they attend and characteristics of the curriculum they learn, gain varied opportunities towards success when compared to each other. In an effort to ensure equal curriculum for students in Houston and improve educational practices, Katy ISD has implemented new grading policies starting with the 2019-2020 school year.

“Katy ISD tries to always review and improve policies and practices in order to ensure that all students

have equitable access to the curriculum,” said associate principal Ryan Labay.

The main change in this new system is the removal of the ‘D’ grade from the grading scale. Other schools in the Houston area have implemented this removal, and Katy ISD has followed suit for the new school year. The aim with eliminating the ‘D’ grade is to level the playing field between Katy ISD and other students in terms of scholastic competition when applying to college and scholarship opportunities.

GPA values will be increased with this change in

the grading scale as semester averages of 70-79 will be worth 2 points on the GPA scale for college admissions.

“This will allow the students of the district to be competitive with students from other districts that do not include the ‘D’,” said Labay​.

The new grading policy also ties in with the district’s new approach to class ranks. This new policy states that students below the top 10-percent of their class, with the exception of current seniors, will receive their quartile ranking. Juniors in the top 10 percent will receive their ranks in

Don’t forget to buy your yearbook!

Go to the Balfour website: www.balfour.com/texas/ katy/tompkins-high-school Or order by phone by calling the Smart Pay Call Center at 800-944-5930.

the spring semester, while all those below this percentage will receive their quartile rank. This change is intended to discourage unhealthy competition between students for a certain rank, establishing greater emphasis on student success rather than pressure.

“We believe it will be well-received knowing that Katy ISD students are now in a level playing field with other students in their graduating class,” said Labay. “I think it is good that the district is always seeking out ways to help the students.”

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Simmons Pursues Competitive Powerlifting Diego Martin Staff Writer

Junior Katelyn Simmons smiles gleefully towards the future. Four months in and Simmons is anxious to become a better powerlifter.

Photo by Morgan Cordle

In the gym, junior Katelyn Simmons was drenched in sweat as she took a relieving drink of water. After a long session of training, she had called it a day and went home. As people get older, everyone takes interest into a hobby, and whether it’s making music, playing sports, or anything in between, everyone always has something to be passionate about. It is never easy to stay determined, but one of the few students who does is Simmons. Simmons started her journey four months ago and has found a love for competitive power-lifting since.

“I started to do power-lifting because it was fun and I was better than average when I first tried it,” said Simmons.

Power-lifting, often confused with Olympic weightlifting, is an individualized sport in which competitors attempt to lift as much weight as possible for one repetition in the squat, bench press and deadlift.

The judges then total the highest score and positions are announced. Simmons participates in weekly meets where she competes with other girls her age and weight class. To practice for these meets, Simmons works out every day and targets her legs, posture and shoulders. Working out is only 50 percent of the way to getting stronger as eating healthy is the other 50 percent. Therefore, Simmons is also on a high calorie diet to gain muscle mass. Trained by her dad, Simmons is given constant

support from her family, which keeps her pushing to be the best that she can be.

“I plan to keep doing power-lifting in the future,” said Simmons.

In high school, not everyone knows what the future holds, and students are pressured to choose a career that determines what type of life waits for them. With some students obtaining scholarships for sports and high grades, their future is locked in.

But many students struggle to find something to be passionate about and are left in a mystery of ideas. Luckily, Simmons has something in mind for her future and hopes to help other people find their career.

“Putting my time into power-lifting can be very time-consuming,” said Simmons. “It is tough having to put in work outside of school.”

Simmons had always been interested in joining an athletic program, so before she pursued power-lifting she joined the swim team. Since Tompkins does not have a weightlifting or power-lifting program, Simmons decided that it was better to take her athletic interests outside of school which led her to leave the swim team to focus on what she desired. It has only been four months since she started and Simmons is a student who shows true grit on having the bravery to sacrifice her time to pursue what she loves, competitive power-lifting.

It goes up in With every passing day, more news stories surface to reveal appalling statistics about injury and death as a result of vaping. According to the CDC, the outbreak of vape-related afflictions has increased to 18 confirmed fatalities and 1,080 cases of lung injury in the US since Oct. 1. Vaping has also massively affected youth populations, with a 78 percent increase of vaping cases among high schoolers in the past year alone.

“The mortality rate is rising yearly,” said nurse Janna Gremillion.

As vaping becomes increasingly popular, the toll it takes on society increases drastically. Electronic smoking device use is often associated with being safer than regular cigarettes.

However, both vaping and cigarette use involve nicotine and THC. These substances contribute to elevated heart rate and blood pressure, while also increasing the possibilities of contracting lung cancer and injury. Gremillion also notes that mental afflictions, including a decline in mental status and loss of emotional control, result from vaping and substance use.

“I have seen students who are vaping with liquid containing nicotine, THC and CBD oils along with other substances and additives,” said Gremillion.

Recently, these effects are increasingly seen in teens, especially with the influence of peers in school. In an effort to maintain a Drug-Free School Zone, Katy ISD works to strictly enforce its prohibition of drug paraphernalia on school property. Those found in possession of drugs or related devices will be disciplined at Level

This whimsical advertising has led to an increase in the younger generations who have become trapped by the creative packaging that promises happiness.

However, this is a strong antithesis to the truth of declining health from the drugs’ effects. By advertising towards the popularity of vaping rather than emphasizing the drastic negative effects the drugs have on overall health, those who promote vaping add fuel to the fire, burning away acknowledgement of the true detrimental effects vaping has.

“Youth are starting in junior high with vaping,” said Gremillion. “Today’s market has been very effective at disguising the pen products to look like everyday items.”

Because of this dangerous marketing style and the easy access to illegal and unsafe drugs, Gremillion warns that parents must become more aware of their children’s purchases. In many cases, parents are unaware of what devices are involved in vaping or what they look like. This, coupled with effective mar-

The Dangers of Vaping

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Sneha Raghavan

IV for a misdemeanor and Level V if classified as a felony drug offense, which subject the students involved to criminal prosecution. Gremillion attributes the increase in possession, which increases the necessity for Katy ISD’s policies, to the advertising involved in vaping and drug use.

“I personally feel young adults and even junior high students are targeted by advertising,” said Gremillion.

Despite the adverse effects vaping has on health, including lung injury and increased dependency on drug content, teens often overlook the long-term effects of what is currently marketed as popular and even widely accepted.

Vaping and the possession of drug content is prohibited for those under the age of 21, but the use of these devices is often promoted towards younger teen audiences. Gremillion states that vape products are promoted with youthful names and flavors, similar to how juice boxes would be promoted to capture the attention of children.

Vaping and substance abuse leads to worsening of health, clouded judgement, and lung injury. These conditions can elevate the likelihood of early death.

Photo by Nick O’ Brien

Managing Editor keting techniques meant to disguise vapes from the public, make it easier for teens to fall into the trap of vaping. They become addicted to the high nicotine levels, making it harder to get attention or help to escape the danger surrounding drug use.

“Parents must be knowledgeable of the marketing tricks,” said Gremillion.

Gremillion also acknowledges the uncertainty that surrounds vaping, given that it is relatively new.

The increase in vape-related hospital cases is on the rise, and the extent of the long-term effects are still in the process of being determined and treated.

While the major effects of the drugs used, including poor cardiovascular health and a significant decrease in mental status, are well known, health officials are still in the dark about other effects and long-term impacts of vaping.

“Overall I feel vaping is a significant problem in the young people’s community,” said Gremillion.

Avoidance is the best way to ensure that the detrimental effects vaping can have on the body and mindset never have to be experienced. The best course of action is to stay away from all drug-related activity, including avoiding those who pressure others to involve themselves in illegal purchase, possession and use of drugs and vaping devices.

Consult the FDA and CDC’s resources for more information regarding tobacco and drug use at ​https:// digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/​and https://www. cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html

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6 It is a typical Thursday evening for senior Stephen Freeman. His routine for the ComedySportz season has been the same for the past four years of high school. He wakes up, goes to school, practices with his teammates, and then heads to the match.

Hopping around in the hallway, he can hear the din of the crowd on the other side of the door. He enters, and the crowd cheers him and his team on. The match starts, and round after round he makes jokes that make the black box erupt in laughter. Afterwards, kids gather around him, complementing his performance. Even though he is tired, he still smiles and waves. He goes home, gets some rest, and heads to school the next morning.

“ComedySportz is a is a head to head competitive improve sport. Teams try to compete in and complete different games with suggestions and interaction from the audience,” Freeman said.

Since freshman year, Freeman has been part of the ComedySportz team.

Skilled in improv and the ability to make people laugh, as well as having leadership and organizational skills, he is now the captain.

All Laughs With ComedySportz “In ComedySportz, we live in a positive state of mind,” Freeman said. “It doesn’t matter how bad your day has gone, when you are in ComedySportx, you are lifted up by the team, and are lifting up other The team is roughly composed of 20 kids ranging from all grade levels.

The time and bond that the sport demands results in the creation of close relationships being built. This is something that Freeman loves.

“This season, I am looking forward to having a lot of fun as well as forming new relationships,” said Freeman. “Every year, I get closer and closer to people on the team, which is something I enjoy.”

The closeness of the team is something that comes naturally with the time they spend together, but it is also important in the rounds. Different games require that the players know and are familiar with each other so that they can perform well.

“My favorite is a game called ‘Beasty rap,’ which is where a singer sings a statement, and his posse must finish it with a rhyme,” Freeman said. The reason I like it is because it gets everyone involved, and

highlights the importance of having a team. It is energetic, fun, and really gets the crowd pumped.”

With the pressure of the crowd and his teammates, Freeman sometimes gets nervous. However, before each match, he pumps himself up by jumping around and reminding himself that he is there to have fun. Over the years, this mindset has been rewarding, and he has been able to make many memories from it. One of his favoite moments was when he was playing a game called ‘I can do that better,’ where someone does something, and another player follows up with how they can do that better.

“In this case, someone was a horse, and I said that I could be a better horse.

The scene just kept evolving and next thing you know, I am a horse that is advocating for the rights of other horses,” Freeman said. “I just thought it was a crazy moment, me being on my arms and feet and answering questions.”

It is unpredictable what will happen in a ComedySportz round, but it can be guaranteed that no one will leave without laughing.

Freeman welcomes everyone to come and see the teams performances.

Anna Berry Staff Writer

“Matches are usually on Thursdays in a school black box. During the first semester, we don’t have that many games, but come second semester, things get a bit busier,” said Freeman.

You can check out the ComedySportz schedule, on the Tompkins Theater Company website.

Senior Stephen Freeman captain of the ComedySportz team. His older brother and sister were also on the team in previous years.

Photo by Anna Berry

Two ComedySportz team members, freshman Lauren Vogan and junior Sam Burkinsky practice for an upcoming round. You can find the team schedule on the OTHS Theatre Company Website. Photo by Camvy Tu

Meditate to De-Stress at Enrichment

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Vaishnavi Bhat

With tons of homework, several classes to study for, and extracurriculars to focus on, high schoolers often find it hard to balance all their work. Students feel overwhelmed with the workload they have to manage and many high schoolers feel stressed very frequently. Although solutions to these situations such as meditating after school or time-management exist, they are not always the most practical or convenient amongst busy teens.

Students are very busy both before and after school with sports practices or club meetings. And once they get home, they have to devote most of their time to academics. The Tompkins High School Wellness Club is the perfect solution to any student struggling to stay mentally healthy amidst all their school pressures. Sophomore Neha Allada has attended one of these meditation sessions and enjoys meeting with student members during enrichment to learn how to meditate

and stay mentally healthy.

“The Wellness Club meets during enrichment on the stage.

Every Thursday we learn to meditate and de-stress,” said Allada.

Taking time in between classes to meditate, concentrate on tasks, or just clearing minds really helps students that are conflicted with too much homework or a difficult test coming up. According to an NYU Study, nearly half (49 percent) of all students reported feeling a great deal of stress on a daily basis.

Grades, homework and preparing for college were the greatest source of pressure and stress amongst all highschoolers.

“Students are often stressed because procrastination and other distractions lead to them not being on top of their work. Making sure my mind is clear helps me stay focused and determined in all my classes,” said Allada.

Simple things such as meditating, avoiding procrastination, practicing mindfulness and sometimes

Staff Writer

Taking a deep breath, freshman Anna Skinner practices meditation with counselor Remona Clark during Enrichment.

Photo by Caleigh Hommel

just deep breathing can help relieve the pressure and worries of school. Having too much stress, even during teenage years, could lead to major problems in the future such as increasing blood pressure, heart disease and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The Wellness Club helps members prevent these complications

and allows students to feel calmer, more organized and in way better shape despite the continuous burden of school.

“Advice I would give to anyone struggling with their well being would be to make sure you manage your work and time correctly, so you do not end up adding additional unwanted stress to yourself,” said Allada.

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Fish Make Their Mark in the Big Pond

Caroline Hoffmann

Ahana Bhat is confident that she will try her best to fullfill her classmate’s needs with her fellow officers. The officers were announced on Monday, Sept. 23.

Photo by Trey Whitney Teenagers flock the hallways of the ninth grade center, an area that has recently become the new norm of their daily lives. Students hustle to their classes, the swish of backpacks and booming echoes of conversations bouncing off the spacious setting that is the freshman center. These students, who are fresh off the junior high boat, are now considered to be young adults, and with this new label comes new opportunities, such as electing class officers that will lead them through their high school experience. Meet freshman Ahana Bhat, the 2023 Class President, and why she intends to lead her peers throughout their high school career together.

“I felt like I had the leadership necessary to be president, and it was something I really wanted to do to represent everyone,” said

Bhat.

One of Bhat’s motivations for campaigning as president was to break the negative perception that upperclassmen have over the freshman class, because many ninth graders feel as if the older students look down on them simply for being a few years younger.

Bhat looks to work together with the officers and hopefully create more opportunities for the freshman class.

“I want to help all of us grow and have a good year,” said Bhat.

Initially, Bhat was planning to run for vice president. However, because of her friends’ support, she decided to push for a higher position. During her promotions as a presidential candidate, Bhat created poster boards in order to gain more votes.

Additionally, Bhat utilized social media and the aid of her close friends as a way

Editor-in-Chief

The 2023 class officers pose for the camera. They are as follows (left to right): Secretary David Zhang, Treasurer Damian Bustos, Vice President Soha Jashwant, Historian Sarah Henning, and President Ahana Bhat. Photo Contributed. to advertise her campaign and reach larger audiences across grander platforms.

Next year, Bhat hopes to keep this position in order to grow with her peers.

“I just want to create this bond with them, and try to adapt to what they want,” said Bhat.

As for her right-hand, freshman Soha Jashwant, running for vice president was something she wanted to do in order to make sure that all the student body’s voices were heard.

Although Jashwant did contemplate running for president, vice president ultimately won her over due to the position’s job and requirements.

“It is one of the most prominent leadership roles a student can take on, and it ensures all the responsibilities that the president has,” said Jashwant. “As vice president, I would be more active behind-the-

scenes, whereas the president would be the face of our class.”

Since it is the beginning of the school year, Jashwant’s main priority is to ask some of her peers what they would want to see different or improved. Next year, there is a possibility that Jashwant could run for something more, such as the role of president. As for students who plan on running for a class officer position in the future, Jashwant expresses that by going all out and talking to the voters, anyone could help create a greater chance of achieving the role.

“If you feel like you can do it and you can handle it, then go for it,” said Bhat. “It is such a good experience while running for an officer position, and even if you do not make it, it is still something good that you could learn from.”

Watch Out Internet: The Battle Against Cyber Bullies

Getting bullied or made fun of is never fun and is painful, especially when it is over social media. Cyber bullying has gotten more common through the years on social media. Students use social media apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook which makes them a potential cyber bullying target. Counselor Traci Wagner and Assistant Principal Jay Matthews, tell how students can receive help, prevent and report a cyber-bullying incident that is personal or seen.

“Blocking or removing the attacker on social media is the best option so that they cannot make any more online remarks, “said Wagner.

Social media has many options to get rid of unwanted attention and people such as making the account private, a block button, an unfollow button and simply just not allowing them to see anything of the account.

Reporting the attackers account to the social media site or to a school official can also help remove the issue or remove the account altogether.

“Submitting an anonymous incident report on the Speak Up app can help students have a more comfortable way of letting a school official know of their issue,” said Matthews The speak Up app allows students to anonymously report a bullying incident happening to themselves or someone else. The Speak Up app sends a notification to the counselors, principal, APs and KatyISD police department. They look at the incident, look up the students involved and look at the report to further take the correct action.

“Some students being bullied can run into having bad thoughts or simply start feeling really down, developing depression or anxiety and should seek help,” said Wagner.

If a student is having thoughts such as harming themselves or others being bullied, they should go to their assigned counselor and tell them. From that point, the student will be sent to the L.S.S.P. to have an evaluation done for further treatment options to stop the thoughts.

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Madison Isom Managing Editor

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Photo by Taylor Hobson

“If a student is being bullied, they should find ways to show the proof of the incidents to help prove their innocence and catch the bully,” said Matthews.

Having proof of the bullying incident will help students have a better chance of shutting down the attacker. If a student has been bullied outside of the school building, look for cameras or tell a school official the place and time of the incident so they can look into it to keep that student safe.

“Having stable and good communication with school officials can help students feel safe through telling someone about a bullying

incident or other issues,” said Matthews.

Having communication with counselors or APs will help students not feel alone in their bullying situation and will also help them know they have someone to talk to. Having good communication with the school officials will also build a better support system for the student.

If a student sees or hears another student being bullied, they should report it to the Speak Up app or to any school official. Students should not feel afraid to say anything because they just might save someone’s life.

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10 Caroline Hoffmann Editor-in-Chief

Earth’s Crisis:

Think Globally, The Impact of Climate Change Students in the United States attend their respective schools, some complaining over the workload they are given and others excelling in their chosen electives, clubs and extracurricular activities.

Meanwhile, children in countries such as the Maldives are subjected to living a life in communities that express growing concern over their island country’s slow sinkage due to the global rise in ocean water. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods continue to increasingly plummet various areas around the globe, such as Haiti, the Philippines and southern United States, destroying communities, homes, and lives.

It is no secret that the Earth’s climate is rapidly altering, affecting temperatures and environmental disasters all over the world.

As a matter of fact, the debate over climate change is not whether it is real or not, but rather how it is being caused and what people can do about the issue. AP Environmental Science teacher Bryan Lindsey explains that while many scientists believe that climate change is a pivotal part of the planet’s natural cycle, a contributing factor thought

to be accelerating the change in climate is greenhouse gas emissions, which originates from the burning of fossil fuels.

“The accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been documented, and almost every scientist in the world agrees that the rise of this gas is leading to the climate effects that we are seeing now,” said Lindsey.

Changes in climate affected by the gas emissions include the rise of global surface temperatures. The rise in sea level that many island countries and coastal cities are experiencing is believed to occur from the melting of land ice and glaciers, coming from places such as Greenland and Antarctica. Many researchers also believe the reason for why nations are experiencing more powerful storms is due to man-made interactions with the climate.

Lindsey, who teaches the science behind looking at data and reaching conclusions, expresses concern over the areas that experience significant change in weather, such as Katy’s devastating situation with Hurricane Harvey in the late summer of 2017.

“We all get really nervous that it is going

to happen again, and although individuals are suffering all over the world, we tend to care more about it when it happens to the people we know,” said Lindsey.

Due to the effects climate change has had on people and the numerous environments on the planet, several Climate Action Summits, meetings in which world leaders unite to discuss active climate conditions, have been held by the United Nations, the most recent being in New York, from Sept. 21 to 23. Lindsey explains that because most of the summits have revolved around the pressure of politics and economics, it is probable that not much will be done from this year’s conference.

He states that historically, in order for people to get on the track of implementing change, there must be a “shock to the system.”

“When enough people get flooded, get their homes blown away, when insurance premiums rise to where they cannot be afforded, when people start to become affected individually, then I think it will be an issue where people will drive change,” said Lindsey.

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Conserving energy is a crucial factor in preserving the earth’s good qualities such as natural resources.

Not only will it benefit in the future but help save a lot of money

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Vaishnavi Bhat

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Staff Writer

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environment is polluted and not human-friendly, it can result in higher death rates.

From making sure to use sustainable items, to help keep the community clean by picking up litter and encouraging others to recycle, he believes everyone should do their part to keep the Earth safe.

“Our planet provides us with all of our natural and artificial resources that are crucial for our survival,” said Bhobe. “Most of these resources are limited, so we need to make great efforts to preserve and care for our planet.”

Although everyone knows this, only a minority of the world makes such serious efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Something as simple as making sure to throw soda cans in the recycling bin can make a huge difference. Taking

Water is a limited reasource. There are many countries across the world who are suffering from water poverty.

Let’s not turn into them.

th

As the world continues to grow and expand, issues such as pollution and resource depletion become inevitable. Overhunting, deforestation, soil exhaustion and overconsumption of fuel are also ways that the Earth is being carelessly managed. In the past two centuries, the population of the world has grown enormously, and if humans continue to drain Earth’s resources, some nonrenewable resources might diminish forever. Even renewable resources could become less abundant or safe to use. The growth of Earth depends on these depleting resources, but, if people use them wisely, future generations could thrive without the fear of dwindling resources. Society uses multiple resources a day, from consuming and producing goods, to burning fuel for transportation and electricity. Without awareness of possible conflicts, the current population could completely empty the Earth’s abundant and pure resources.Sophomore Aditya Bhobe is very passionate about helping the environment and sustaining the Earth so future generations can live safe and healthy lives. He has participated in many service projects to help better the community. He believes that if the

Co

Act Locally

November 2019

reusable bags to the grocery and avoiding the use of disposable dishes and cutlery are great ways to help the environment since they create huge amounts of waste. Any small attempt to help the planet, like buying products that are made of recycled materials, might one day end up being the reason Earth is not completely exhausted. It all makes a difference.

“I’ve been doing lots of community service because I want to help save our environment. Just small measures, like volunteering to collect litter, can make a huge difference,” said Bhobe.

Many people think that just a few small actions will not make a difference, but in reality, every small effort to preserve the world’s resources matters. An easy way to help the planet is by

Plants contribute to the enviorment by providing oxygen and improving air quality.

Let’s contribute to the enviorment by going GREEN.

turning off the faucet when it is not in use. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a single leaky faucet could be dripping as much as 90 gallons of water down the drain every day. Water is an essential resource and just making small efforts to reduce polluting the water bodies could result in a safer supply of water in the future.

Composting is another way the earth could benefit.

It is a natural process of recycling organic material such as leaves and vegetable scraps into a rich soil.

Many people have started to live zero-waste lives and try composting in their own backyards. Simply diverting more of the natural waste that goes into landfills into a compost bin would help reduce the amount of solid waste produced. Compost makes a great fertilizer, helping prevent soil erosion and depletion.

“One thing I wish people did differently was how they choose to dispose of their trash. One of the easiest ways to help conserve the Earth is by not littering,” said Bhobe. “Just being aware of how you treat the world, and where you throw your garbage can make a huge difference.”

While recycling saves energy it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to tackle climate change.

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Swimmers Dive into the Season Gabby Andino Layout Editor

The swim team kicked Adjusting their placeoff their season against ments, the swimmers take Taylor High School with a deep breath. Finding their JV on Sept. 24 and Varsipeace of mind, with one ty on Sept. 26. The team goal in mind, swim fast and endeavors daily to improve try their best. The time betheir competitive skills by gins and they dive into the training to become faster pool, briskly kicking their and stronger. legs and paddling their “Our varsity looks realarms. ly good; we have a lot of talent.

“They have really come into their own and developed as athletes and that’s been really exciting,” said head swim coach Katherine Senior Arianna Rosario does her butterfly stroke Eikrem.

Trainfor the relay. Photo by Ray Borchert ing, the

team spends the first month of the season, training with dry land work such as running, weight room, activities on the track, tire flips and running the bleachers. As for the pool, the team persistently works on practicing their speed. During practice and previous meets, the coaches have noticed a number of swimmers who are putting great effort into getting better and doing well this season. Some returning swimmers have drawn attention due to their hard work in their improvement.

“Aristotle, ‘Excellence is not an act but a habit.’

That’s what we are focused on this year, in terms of our mantra,” said Eikrem.

“When we are out on the track finishing the last yard, when we are out in the pool finishing the wall to the last yard, kicking to

On the Field and in the Know “Being a trainer is like having a real job that helps me learn and develop people skills and medical skills that I can use in my medical future,” said Mills.

Trainers learn what it takes to be a medic and help players who are injured or sick. With such a big responsibility, students need to be While junior Temisan Alatan looks focused at all times beon, senior Liz Velaquez re-wraps cause they are there to senior Eric Christianson’s wrist. help the athletes and Photo by Paulina Garcia coaches.

“I like the relationRushing to patch up a ships I am able to build cut or hydrate a sweating, with coaches and athletes, tired player is what keeps I get experience and a lot junior Hunter Mills, senior of hands on learning and it Navaeh Galindo and sophreally helps me decide what omore Katie Pyle going and I want for my future,” said loving their job on the field.

Pyle.

Creating bonds with the Trainers get to learn players, coaches and other how to wrap a sprain, trainer make it worth all the time to the students and clean and patch up cuts and scrapes and how to players.

take players blood pressure, etc... to make sure they are healthy enough to play. Most trainers take on this responsibility for early learning and training for their future in the medical field or for other purposes.

“Being a trainer takes up most of my time, but it is worth it because I can help others and hang out with my friends at the same time,” said Galindo.

Trainers work during their class periods, when teams practice and when team have games. Being a trainer is more than just giving an athlete water or helping a coach out, trainers set up water and also wrap up injured athletes for games and practices.

“I like the relationships I develop being a trainer and getting the chance to meet new people and create new friendships; Training has opened my eyes to a lot of new relationships I never

the wall, getting those little details right.”

The swim team plans on qualifying for District and Regionals this season as well as State. As third time State winners, the team shares the confidence and determination to achieve their objective. The most significant meet of the fall is the TISCA Championships, which requires fast qualifying times, and will be hosted in Conroe on Nov. 22. Until then, the team pushes themselves every day in able to pursue not only faster times but evolve their strengths and weaknesses.

“Our biggest goal is to do as well as we can at the district meet, the regional meet and return to state.

We’ve been to state for the last three years straight,” said Eikrem.

Madison Isom Managing Editor knew I needed,” said Pyle.

Beginning trainers create bonds with the head athletic trainers and coaches of the many sports team they help watch and take care of. The head trainers are there to help other trainers learn and teach them previous knowledge to help educate them on what the job of being a trainer is and what it means.

Trainers do not only help with football, they also help with volleyball, basketball and soccer. While the trainers are in their class, there is also a sports team with them. They also help coach Dallas Allmon, the head trainer, and other coaches with whatever they need help with. Then they get ready for after school practices which typically take three to four hours after school.

Tennis Ranks #10 in State Sophomore Emilio Gomez clutches a tennis ball in his hands as he waits for the set to start. Hours of practice had led to this moment, and finally the ball gets thrown up and is swung

by Gomez as he hits the tennis ball with power. A sigh of relief is seen on his face as he wins the match point. Gomez had ended up winning that game, adding to the success of their team as they would be going into playoffs soon.

“I’m excited because we should make a deep run.

We’re practicing a lot and working hard everyday to get better,” said head coach Josh Martinez.

Although it is important to stay fit and be physical, mentality is an important quality to master in any sport. It can help improve confidence, focus, composure, intensity and trust in athletic performance.

“During a match, when I’m winning I try to stay cool and not be overconfident. Whenever I’m losing, I try not to play it safe because that leads to missed opportunities. Instead, I try to open up more opportunities and move a little better to cover most of the court,” Gomez said.

Practicing every day, the team focuses on consistency and does intense drills that pinpoint little details.

“It’s always important to work hard, efficiently, and to use your time wisely.

It’s not a country club, it’s a practice, so we work on what we need to work on especially near the end of the season,” Martinez said.

The sport of tennis is very active and graceful, that’s why it is loved by many around the world.

It takes endurance and is time-consuming, but the players have adjusted to

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direct putt can take forever to get down. The Tompkins golfers will go through heavy training so when they go to districts they will be ready. Mudd thinks with hard work the team will be sure to win the championship.

“We have a good chance of competing for the district championship as a team and individually,” said Mudd.

With high hopes for his team, Mudd is taking his students to practice everyday. They practice putting green at the Tompkins campus and at Meadowbrook Farms where they run through drives. With old and new players bringing talent to the team they are ready for the new year.

“We have a solid group of returning players along with a good influx of young talent,” said Mudd.

Look out for senior captain Elina Sinz who was a three time state qualifier,

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Staff Writer handling both school and tennis. Nowadays, students are mentally and physically Senior John Douglas Manko drained, and Martinez is gets ready to serve for a aware that it is not easy. practice round. The tennis With the season ending team is focusing on keeping soon and playoffs starting healthy and active for the in a few weeks, moral supseason. port has to be higher than Photo by Paulina Garcia ever before.

“The big thing is to take care of your body. Eat well, hydrate, take care of yourselves and the motivation will come. It’s hard to get where we are at but it’s even harder to stay where we are at,” Martinez said.

The tennis team ended up placing 2nd in the entire district. They just finished their season in the Regional Quarterfinals of the 6A playoffs with a loss to Houston Memorial. They ended the season with a record of 15-2 and ranked #10 in mid-January and that in the 6A state rankings. season will go through midThey will start the individMay. ual tournament schedule

Tompkins Swings for the Gold

The golfers go up to the green and coach Jeff Mudd speaks to the new players, he wants them to be prepared for the coming trials the players will be facing as Mudd hopes to compete in the district championships.

When all is said and done the 42 golfers are ready this year for any challenges that come their way. With a whole year of tournaments coming they will need to practice.

Coach Mudd and coach Bethany Ellis are more than ready to teach these new players and returning ones how the sport is played.

They are going to their local golf course to get prepared for the coming season, the first of many practice sessions.

“The hardest part is being mentally tough to practice and continue to improve,” said Mudd.

Golf can be very challenging, the skill it takes to get a perfect drive or a

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senior captain Zach Asaro, Junior Cristina Colina, and sophomore Colt Tenpenny who is coming off a trip to regionals last year when he was a freshman.

While practicing hard these players have made great strides. They are coming back for the new year with an already good chance of competing in the district championships.

“We have parent volunteers that will help with team dinners, banquets, etc,” said Mudd.

With all the golfers on the team they also bring along their supporting parents, they help with everything from the small things to the big ones. They help organize and make sure their children are doing the best they can.

“We practice on short game, putting, and mental toughness,” said Mudd.

With the state tournaments in May they have a lot of time to lock down

Jack Simpson Staff Writer the necessary skills needed to win. A single player can be in eight regular season tournaments and advance making the need to be at their best a priority.

Practicing every day and playing weekly increases their chances for reaching District to compete.

Senior Elina Sinz watches as her ball flies off in the distance. The Tompkins golf team is in preparation for Districts in the spring.

Photo by Jeff Mudd

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14 The Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly

What you need: two pieces of bread, peanut butter, and jelly or jam.

Grab two pieces of bread toasted or raw. Spoon and spread jelly or jam on one side, and peanut butter on the other. Fold them together, and plate. Cut it in half, into triangles, or go all the way and eat it whole. Enjoy with a side of chips, veggies, or fruit.

Tofu Spinach Saute

What you need: spinach, chopped onion, tofu, yeast, liquid aminos Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and sautĂŠ until onions are translucent and the mushrooms have softened (about 2-3 minutes). Add the tofu to the skillet. Toss to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Add your nutritional yeast and liquid aminos to the pan. Stir until everything is well coated. Add spinach. Cook for 3-4 minutes longer, until spinach is starting to wilt a tiny bit.

Bean Burrito

What you need: A tortilla, sour cream, refried beans, chopped onion, and shredded cheese.

Pour the canned refried beans into a microwave safe bowl, and heat. On the stovetop, warm up your tortilla. Spread the refried beans onto the tortilla, and sprinkle in the chopped onion and shredded cheese. Close the burrito and plate with a dollop of sour cream on the side. Enjoy.

Portobello Pizzas

10 Lunches In 10 Minutes

Anna Berry Staff Writer

Breakfast for lunch: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:

What you need: one apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, white sugar, salt, nutmeg, water, and oats Combine two and a half cups of oats, and three and a half cups of water in a saucepan heated on medium. Season with oatmeal, salt, and nutmeg as desired. Once the oatmeal thickens, combine three to four tablespoons of brown sugar and let it cook for an additional minute. Chop up your choice of an apple into small, bite size pieces, and toss them in sugar and cinnamon. Plate your oatmeal, and add your apple pieces as desired.

EZ Baked Potato

What you need: one Russet potato, shredded cheese, butter, sourcream, or other toppings Wash the potatoe, and prick several times with a fork or knife to create ventilation. It is important to do this or else the potatoe will explode while cooking. Place on a microwave safe plate. Cook on full power in the microwave for 4 minutes. Turn over, and continue to cook for 4 more minutes, or until the potato is soft. Remove it from the microwave, and cut it in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper, and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top the open sides with butter and 2 tablespoons of cheese. Return to the microwave, and cook for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese. Finally, add all of your preferred toppings, and enjoy.

Hot Ham and Cheese

What you’ll need: two slices of bread, two slices of American cheese, butter, and sliced ham Butter one side of each piece of bread (there needs to be enough butter so that the bread does not burn or stick.)

On a pan heated on medium, place one buttered piece of bread face down. Layer the American cheese and ham on, and then place the other buttered piece of bread facing up on top. Once one side has cooked, carefully flip the sandwich, and let it cook on the other side. Compliment your sandwich with a fruit or vegetable, and your choice of a drink.

Buffalo Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

What you need: shredded cheese, one can of black beans (rinsed and dried), sour cream, pre-cooked shredded chicken (canned, rotisserie, or homemade), buffalo sauce, and salt and pepper.

In a small saucepan combine about a cup and a half of the chicken, a fourth of a cup of sour cream, a fourth of a cup of wing sauce, the black beans, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well, and bring to a slight simmer, remove from heat. Heat a well sized skillet to medium, and spray with pam, or coat with butter. Place a tortilla in the skillet, and spread the buffalo mixture on it. Sprinkle with cheese, and cover up with another tortilla. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes.

Once the quesadilla is golden brown on each side, remove it from the skillet, and plate. Enjoy with salsa or sour cream on the side.

Tuna Salad

What you need: a can of tuna (6oz), One tablespoon of drained capers, one fourth of a cup of chopped carrots and celery, two lemon wedges (can be substituted with a tablespoon of lemon juice), a handful of chopped romaine lettuce, one ounce of crumbled feta cheese, and one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.

Drain the tuna, and pour it in a medium sized bowl.

Add the capers, carrots, and celery. Squeeze or pour the lemon juice over the mixture. Top it over a plate of romaine lettuce, and sprinkle on the feta cheese and balsamic vinegar.

What you need: Six dried portobello mushroom caps, two tablespoons of olive oil, two teaspoons of garlic powder, six teaspoons of italian seasoning, three fourths of a cup of pizza sauce, one and one half cups of mozzarella cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes, pepperonis, or other pizza toppings.

Preheat the oven to a high broil. Combine the oil, garlic and 4 teaspoons of the seasoning together in a small bowl. Then, brush the bottoms of each mushroom with the garlic oil mixture and place each mushroom, oil side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Fill each mushroom with two tablespoons of the pizza sauce per cap, one fourth of a cup of mozzarella cheese, and any desired pizza toppings. Broil until the cheese has melted and is golden.

Once plated, sprinkle the italian seasoning on each mushroom-pizza, and enjoy.

Chickpea Guacamole Salad

What you need: drained chickpeas, chopped avocado, two tablespoons of diced shallots, the juice of one lime juice, one diced and seeded jalapeno, one half of a teaspoon of cumin, one fourth of a teaspoon of cayenne, and cotija cheese.

Add chickpeas, avocado, and shallots into one bowl. In a separate smaller bowl. Combine the cumin, and cayenne and mix. Sprinkle the mixture over the chickpea, shallot and avocado combination. Finally, add the lemon juice, jalapeno, and cotija cheese. Enjoy.

Be an Efficient Thrift Shopper

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Emma Vegara Staff Writer

Your perspective can change if you see the item actually on your body, so make sure to wear clothes that can be worn with any pattern design or look and something that you can also be comfortable changing in and out of. A plain shirt and shorts can be a perfect outfit to wear while thrift shopping.

3. Listen to music.

Thrift stores can be loud.

Plugin your headphones and drown out anything that could distract you from finding the cool finds in the store.

Thrifting is a great way to save money and save the environment at the same time, but it’s also very hard to get good at. It takes time, experience and patience to get great at finding all of the unique finds at your local thrift store.

1. Consider your location.

Location is important when looking for the outfits you enjoy. City thrift stores can be different compared to those who live in suburban areas. Suburbs have more children’s clothing and adult clothing, while thrift stores located in the cities contain more options that younger adults have donated.

2. Wear proper clothing.

You will want to try on anything and everything.

4. Know what you want before you get to the store.

Knowing what you want can help you to not overspend on items you see in the store. Just because the prices are low, does not mean you should buy it.

Unless you seriously love it, don’t spontaneously buy an item because it seems like a cool idea. Most of the time you’ll hate it at home.

5. Have a look at all parts of the store.

Thrift stores can be messy and unpredictable.

Many things can be hung up incorrectly or tagged weirdly. Alongside that, you can find the best things in other sections of the stores that you would’ve never thought of before. Check all sections of the store, like men’s and children’s sections.

6. Look at things that interest you.

The thrift store is filled with many different things and designs, and it can be overwhelming. A way to narrow down options is by looking at all of the patterns or fits that spark interest in you, this way you can look at all parts of the store without wasting too much time looking at every piece in the store.

7. Shop for all seasons.

Thrifting seasons are mostly flipped. When it’s winter outside, you’ll most likely find summer wear in the thrift store and vice versa. Don’t just look at the season you’re currently in, or you’ll drive yourself in a circle of the same clothing.

8. Check all your clothes before you check out.

All of the clothes at the stores are most likely worn, make sure to check the clothing inside and out for any tears, rips, stains, etc. You don’t want to come home and then notice that the clothes you bought are unwearable.

9. Get crafty.

You’re eventually going to find something you love that won’t fit exactly right. Crafty or not, don’t give away that piece, the fun thing about thrifting is that everything is unique and if you give away that

piece, you could never find it again. So if you do find yourself with an outfit that doesn’t fit, find out a way that you can alter the piece to your liking.

10. Don’t give up.

You are not going to find the perfect outfit on the first try. Thrifting that perfect vintage outfit can take time and patience. So don’t get disappointed if you don’t succeed the first time around, keep trying, and eventually, you’ll find something that you’ll be proud to show off.

11. Last, but not least, give back.

Go through your own closet and figure out things you can give up. Help another thrifter and donate the things that you don’t enjoy for another to find and make their own.

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Netflix is easily one of the most popular choices out there and it’s clear to see why.

With so many options and new shows and movies coming, they always have something new to watch or a classic you can watch a million times over. It is a bit pricey though- being $11 a month, coming up to $132 a year.

With all the options it provides, it has something for all ages of people. You can download shows or movies to watch offline as well.

Services Worth a Stream

Jack Simpson

Staff Writer You’ve been working hard all week and finally, it’s Saturday. It couldn’t have come sooner, but now what do you do? You could watch TV, but with all those shows and different ways to watch it, it can be confusing. With all of these choices, surely the perfect one exists. Well, here is a guide that can help you binge out and relax.

AT&T TV NOW

This service requires that you already have AT&T, but has a wide range of choices for you.

For $50 a month you have access to 45 channels, and for $70 a month you have access to 70 and more channels. You can watch anywhere with the AT&T TV NOW app on your mobile devices or at home with no satellite or cable. It allows you to record and watch later via Cloud DVR storage.

Hulu

Costing $5.99 a month and $49.99 for Hulu and live TV, this option has a diverse collection for you to choose from, and if you like Spotify then you can get their ad supported streaming service for free. Viewers are unable to download or watch shows or movies offline.

YouTube TV

With Youtube already being a highly used service to watch your favorite influencers, you can now watch around 70 channels between sports, news coverage and other shows. Coming in at $49.99 a month this is easily one of the most expensive. With Youtube TV, you are not able to download episodes or movies on that service.

Amazon Prime Video

Similar to Netflix with all of their choices, it has something for everyone with original content as well as shows that you are sure to have never seen. Price included with Prime is $99 a year and $8.99 a month, but for some shows and movies you will have to buy or rent before watching.

You can only download shows or movies if you have an Amazon Fire Tablet or if you have bought or rented what you want to watch.

15 Seasonal Fall Date Ideas Emma Vegara Staff Writer The seasons are changing and new and exciting ways to spend your day are right around the corner.

And what better way to spend the fall experience than with your significant other. Here are some fun ways you can spend time with your favorite person.

1. Go on a hot air balloon ride.

A hot air balloon ride is a quiet, scenic adventure that you can experience with your significant other. You can ride a thousand feet over the ground, in a quiet and cool atmosphere.

2. Go horseback riding.

It’s fall and the scenery is finally changing. The leaves are falling and changing colors, the air is getting cooler, a change from the vicious Texas summers. A fun way to experience the season change is horseback down various trails Texas has to offer. A local place to go horseback riding is Katy’s Circlelake Ranch.

3. Go to a football game.

One of America’s favorite past time is watching football. Even if you guys are on opposite teams, going to a football game together can be a great way to have fun while yelling at the other team.

Photo by Emina Jamil

4. Go on a picnic.

Go appreciate the temperature while it lasts, and go out on a picnic. Collect some random food and find a place where you can sit and quietly talk to one another without getting interrupted while also experiencing the weather change.

5. Go volunteering.

Search up volunteer opportunities in your area and give back to your community. You can volunteer at your local Lunches of Love or volunteer at an animal shelter like Houstons Citizens for Animal Protection if that’s more your speed.

Volunteering is a fun way to give back, while also spending time with one another.

6. Go to a drive-in movie.

A drive-in movie is a more fun way to watch a movie than watching it in a basic movie theater. Because all the other viewers are in separate cars, you can be as loud as you want or have little to no interruptions as you watch the movie. Let’s not forget that you can even sneak in food easier than a regular movie theater. Katy has a local drive-in movie spot called the Showboat.

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12. Go painting.

Go out and paint. Whether it be each other, a landscape, or a meme, painting is a fun way to see each other’s talents.

8. Make dinner or dessert together.

Make a mess in your kitchen and follow a recipe you found online that you’ve been dying to try.

Whether it ends up horrible or better than you thought, the fun part is making it together.

13. Do an escape room.

Escape rooms have become popular in the past few years. Visit a local escape room, like Alternate Reality Escape Room, grab a group of friends and have fun solving challenging puzzles and riddles together.

9. Go on a hayride.

It’s fall time and hayrides are at an all-time high.

Hitch a ride on a hayride to see the fall scenery in your surrounding area. Dewberry Farm provides a fun hayride that you can experience with your significant other.

Photo by Emina Jamil 10. Go hiking.

Find a trail, like the many trails in Memorial Park, and see how the season has changed on that trail. (It’s a lot better than sweating in the hot summer heat, or being too cold in the winter.)

11. Build a fort.

Go back to your childhood and make a large fort 7. Go stargazing.

Head to a national park, filled with everything you like Terry Hershey Hike and have ever wanted. Make sure you add snacks and Bike Trail, and lay on the ground and lookup. Try to a way to watch movies, so you can have as much fun find out where each star in the fort as you did makconstellation is and name ing it. as many as you can.

14. Take photos of one another or with each other.

Go around town and explore different places. When you find something “Instagram worthy,” take a photo of one another, just make sure to get the right angle.

If you want to take a photo together, self-timers will be your best friend.

15. Do absolutely nothing.

One of the most fun things to do is to do nothing at all. For a fun date, stay inside and just talk to one another. Learn weird and funny things about one another.

Photo by Emina Jamil

Tacos a GoGo

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$ 1525 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006 Making a good pizza isn’t hard, but creating an eating environment where people feel as comfortable as they would in their own dining room is. Bambolinos accomplishes both. Loyal customers have been regularly going to Bambolinos for 10, 15, 30 years. Some drive way across town to get their hands on a Bambolino’s slice, which is known for its thick crust, puddles of marinara, and piles of cheese.

In short, their pizza is generous, overflowing. Their frozen lemonade is another staple, raved about almost constantly in their reviews.

Although there’s some disappointment with their presentation- paper plates and plastic forks don’t exactly scream fine diningtheir food isn’t complained about often. The restaurant is actually a house that was converted into a business, which might add to the homey feel of the place. Its red, white, and green color scheme and outdoor picnic tables welcome people with open arms, and make the cuisine immediately obvious. Bambolinos is the perfect fix for either a pizza craving or nostalgic mood.

$ 3704 Main St, Houston, TX 77002 You’ve probably heard of this Texas chain before, but the restaurant on Main Street is the best rated in the Houston area, and it has some very interesting decorationS. Tacos a GoGo is a perfect choice when you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican food. One customer described their Diablo Salsa as “perfectly spicy”, another called the restaurant “absolutely addictive”. The price of an average meal is about $12, and the service is usually quick. The decoration is what gives the place a unique spin. Out front, there’s a colorful sculpture of a smiling woman’s head with heavy lashes and orange slices for earrings.

She wears a hat made of fruit, and welcomes passerby with her intrigue. On the inside, colorful paint opens up the small space and an eclectic collection of art dots the walls. Customer service has been described as “above and beyond”, but many patrons have issues parking. The restaurant does not have its own parking lot, and visitors have to park on the street, or in a nearby parking garage, neither of which are free. If you like good Mexican food and a colorful, exciting environment, and don’t mind paying to park or walking a ways, Taos a GoGo is a place to consider.

Tiger Den

DISCOVER HOUSTON

$ 9889 Bellaire Blvd Suite 230, Houston, TX 77036 Tiger Den is best described as a traditional Japanese ramen house with a modern gothic twist.

It’s a mix of exposed By Maya Shaffer Grace’s rustic wood and industrial metal, with black and white $$ 3111 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098 murals scattered around.

Grace’s is two parts Customers call it cozy and vintage spunk, one part welcoming, and not just fine dining. It has brightbecause of the decoration. ly painted walls, funky The service is raved about, wallpaper, and rustic waiters and waitresses are furniture that adds a bit of welcoming and polite. Of class. It has a fireplace and course, the atmosphere an outdoor eating space isn’t enough to make this as well. It’s known for its restaurant a Houston classouthern charm, or, rathsic on its own. Tiger Den’s er, Southern food. It has specialty is ramen, and been called “amazing” and customers’ favorite dishes “mouth watering”, and the seem to be the spicy miso service is everyone’s favorsoup and the black bean ite part. The waiters are garlic ramen. One customer known for being attentive described his experience as “insane” adding “I think this and friendly, and they add a bit of warmth to the dining place changed me”, another experience. The restaurant described the restaurant offers a free valet service, as a “must try”. Tiger Den too. The menu is varied is closed on Mondays, and in selection, but not when opens at 5 p.m. When it it comes to dietary needs. is open, it is usually busy.

Diverse eaters, like vegetarPeople don’t seem to mind, ians or the gluten-free, have though, and describe the complained about having food as “well worth the a harder than usual time wait. If you’re ever looking finding stuff to eat. Grace’s for a warm, cozy dinner is the place to go with your after a long day, Tiger Den family, given that you all might be the place for you. have low-maintenance diets.

What are you thankful for?

Falcon Cries

Hayley Levin, 9 “I’m thankful for my band family”

Aleisha Ford, 10 “I’m thankful for my family, friends and the roof over my head.”

Ryan Hall, 11 “I’m thankful for Lil Uzi Vert.”

Tucker Booth, 12 “I’m thankful for the support of my family.”

Lisa Gibbons, Science Teacher “I’m thankful for my family, health and the job I came into because I can do what I love.”

Gabby Andino Layout Editor Photos by Kalei Napolean

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The Lot Tour:

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Bumper Stickers Miscellaneous...

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And Oh! The places you’ll go

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Dec. 9 - Dec. 27

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Dec. 23 - Jan. 11

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