A Year of Champions

LADY RAIDER BASKETBALL: SILVER MEDALISTS

Overall Record: 33-7

Team Highlights:

• 2nd basketball team to go to the state tournament

• 4th regional tournament trip

• 7th consecutive district championship (out of 11 overall)

• 6th trip to the state tournament for Coach Jill McDill

Player Highlights:

• New school record for points in a game: Micah Russell (45 v. Farmersville)

• TABC and TGCA All-State: Micah Russell and Alli McAda

• TABC All-Star Game: Micah Russell

• THSCA, TABC, and TGCA Academic All-State: Sarah Griffin

SHS Debate Ranks in Top Eight of State Programs

After five Raiders advanced to state this year, the SHS Debate Team is now ranked one of the top eight programs in the state.

Two students made state appearances in Student Congress, two in CX Debate and one in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, making SHS Debate now an elite school activity.

“My students are hands-down the best part of my job - it’s fun to work with people who are so clever and kind,” current adviser Camille Bales said. “I became a teacher because I wanted to empower young people to see themselves as intelligent, capable individuals who have meaningful things to share, but I never imagined it could happen like this, on this scale. It’s the students, ultimately, who have made this program what it is. I’ve been so fortunate to be part of it.”

The team meets daily and is part of an overall debate program offering two courses: Debate I and Debate II-IV. Debate I is a survey of speech and debate, while Debate II-IV allows students to specialize through teacher-guided independent study. These classes are scheduled during the same period and the students function as a team, building their cases or speeches.

Uil State Prose

Blake Patterson earned a silver medal.

Girls Golf

Gold Medalist Alex Hileman was invited to play in the NHSGA National Invitational.

Business Professionals Of America

Financial analyst team Samuel Thomas, Daniel Samuel and Rachel George placed third at Nationals.

Morgan

Additional Raiders Who Competed Beyond Regionals

Band: All State

Rowan Anthony, Caroline Finamore

Band: 1st Division State Gold Medal Soloists

Aidan Biggins, Alex Sreang

Band: 2nd Division State Silver Medal Soloists

Maximo Matta, Jeremy Rillera, Tred Sjavik, Aiden Westfall

Band: 1st Division State Ensembles

Aidan Biggins, Katie Bowser, Noah Canning, Feba Chacko, Christine Chandy, Sofia DuBose, Raygen Jean, Jonathan Joy, Anslie Linton, Tyler Linton, Maximo Matta, Jaden Richardson, Jeremy Rillera, Sam Sjavik, Alex Sreang, Emery Stevens, Natalie Weickert, Jonathan Williams Leah Williams, Sydney Wofford

Cheerleading

UIL State Spirit 4A Division 2 Bronze Medal

Choir: All-State Blake Patterson, Preston Senter, Jonathan Williams, Sidney Williams

Choir: TSEEC Division One Ensemble

Silvia Baldwin, Ethan Bohanan, Katie Bowser, Carson Coldwell, Christen Kuruvilla, Lexi Lowe, Weston McWhorter, Nathan Ramey, Daniel Samuel, Preston Senter, Sidney Williams

Students attend invitational meets on Saturdays about once a month to prepare for competitions, with occasional workshops or after-school practices. Bales says she bases her expectations on patterns in performance.

“It’s okay to lose a round of debate as long as you learn from it,” Bales said. “We’re more concerned with patterns in performance than the outcome of a single round or a single tournament. Though winning is great, I’m more interested in nurturing the real-world skills that students will take with them after they’ve left Sunnyvale.”

Choir: TSSEC Division Two Soloists

Silvia Baldwin, Ethan Bohanon, Savannah Bryan, Carson Coldwell, Vincent Egwuonwu, Stephen Kahng, Christen Kuruvilla, Grant Rabe, Nathan Ramey, Liam Reagan, Kennedy Wilson

Choir: TSSEC Division One Soloists

Katie Bowser, Abigail Jacob, Anslie Linton, Lexi Lowe, Weston McWhorter, Daniel Samuel, Sidney Williams

Fishing Team

Noah DeLaGarza, Adam Hamad

HOSA

Vinjay Upa

News Writing

Emma Vaughan

Powerlifting

Alaric Brown, Carson Coldwell, Mia David

Swimming

Mario Castellon, Riley Hatch, Brooke Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Jace Mangrum, Hannah Powell, Austin Taylor, Grace Zollinger,

Track & Field

Cade Andrews, Choira Enyinna, Brady Navaja, Katy Sloan, Ethan Tanck, Emma Tindall

Junior debater Morgan D’Elia, who qualified for state in LD last year and this year said she was drawn drawn to the class by her interest in argumentation, social issues, and public speaking.

“My favorite part about being on the debate team is the people I get to work with,” D’Elia said. Debate has improved my ability to think critically and manage my time effectively. I’ve learned a lot about professionalism and objectivity, drastically improving my communication skills in every context. Debate has given me a safe space conducive to learning and self-growth.”