The Hawk Eye
Staff Contributors
Peyton Kuschmeider
Saahir Mawani
Krista Fleming
Lily Andersson
Hannah Mathew
Siya Patel
Avery Boyle
Eli Church
Daniela Valdez-Rios
Shiren Noorani
Joshua Thomas
Elodie Hamm
Adviser
Steven Jones
The Hawk Eye magazine is an official publication of Hebron High School. It is a student-produced magazine which strives to represent the student voice. We will aim to report all news relevant to Hebron High School and its student body without bias to race, religion or creed. Views expressed by columnists are their own personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff. Editorials reflect the staff opinion and may not reflect the views of the school administration. We encourage reader input via letters and story ideas. Contact a staff member or fill out the contact form on our website, www.hebronhawkeye.com, with any of these items. The Hawk Eye is a member of Interscholastic League Press Conference, Texas Association of Journalism Educators, Association of Texas Photography Instructors, the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.
Find us online by scanning this QR code or visiting hebronhawkeye.com!
Auditorium to close for renovations
May 24
The auditorium will close to begin renovations May 24, which are projected to last until early February 2026.
“We’re going to start [the renovations] as soon as possible so we can end [them] as soon as possible,” assistant principal Casey Edwards said. “It’s not a perfect end time, but the goal is to end some time [in] early spring.”
The district tries to update its spaces every 20 years. To fund such renovations, residents who live within LISD boundaries vote on whether or not to pass a bond to cover the cost to improve a space. The auditorium has not been updated since the school opened in 1999.
“It’s a little [outdated] technologywise,” Edwards said. “There’s some things that have worn down over time. [Equipment] has not worked the way it’s designed to work, so we’ll be able to address those issues.”
Due to the construction, all performances, rehearsals and competitions will be held in alternate accommodations, such as the black
box or the cafeteria stage.
STORY BY ELODIE HAMM
“The biggest impact for us as a band is the other things that will be closed down because of the construction: access to the foyer, access to some of the fine arts hallways and some storage room,” band director Andy Sealy said.
The all-school musical, which normally takes place in the auditorium in January of every school year, will instead be held in the black box next year. Given that it is smaller than the auditorium, fewer actors and technicians will be able to participate. The set will be more immersive than the auditorium sets can be; head director Chelsey Thornburg said the set will be similar to “Clue,” which was performed in the fall of last year.
“What we are looking at next is year is around 20 [actors,]” Thornburg said. “Knowing myself, I always undershoot and accept more kids, because it’s my least favorite part of my job — cutting people.”
The musical will also have no live pit, no fly rail, fewer seats — therefore fewer tickets — and the options for the musical are limited. The current plan is to have two weekends for the show, each weekend with a different cast of actors, to increase the number of tickets that can be sold and people who can participate in the performance.
“It’s going to be fine, no matter what,” sophomore Gabby Tinsley said. “We aren’t cutting the musical, we’re changing [it.] But as long as we get to do a musical, I’m happy.”
Along with the auditorium, the lobby, cafeteria annex, some academic wings, softball and baseball fields, the band lot, football field house and stadium buildings are scheduled to be updated. Previously passed bonds will cover all of the auditorium renovation costs as well as the other projects.
“We have a really great team that uses bond funding strategically,” Edwards said. “So we’re in great hands.”
With the timeline, next year’s Silver Wings spring show shouldn’t be affected; however, if construction gets delayed into April, they will not be able to rehearse in that space. The demolition is scheduled to be finished before school begins in August in order to reduce noise. After that, the renovations will consist mainly of updates.
“There is always going to be challenges that come with change, but I’m really excited for our school, for our kids [and] for our programs to have an updated space,” Edwards said. “In the long run, it’s going to be well worth the wait.”
Senior runs clothing brand FASHION FAITH WHEN MEETS
Psalms 37:37: “For the one who promotes peace has a future.”
This verse gave him the confidence to launch his clothing brand at the age of 16. Senior Christian David runs his own clothing brand, Pau, in which he designs custom pieces. Christian began his business his sophomore year after a trip to L.A., where he saw diverse aesthetics and styles, driven by his passion toward the intersection of fashion and his Christian faith.
“I’ve always been geared [toward] fashion,” Christian said. “I’ve always been [interested] in the hype beast culture —Yeezy, Supreme, OffWhite —the designs of these big brands inspired me to draw my own designs. The [diversity] of fashion trends and [street wear] [gave me] the idea of starting my own clothing line.”
Christian’s family, including his older brother Rusty David, introduced Christian to several aspects of fashion. Rusty’s relationship with Christian grew by sharing new styles and fashion trends since Christian was 8. Rusty helped Christian launch merchandise throughout the years.
“I’m proud of [Christian] and what he has done with his passion,” Rusty said. “Pau is more than just a clothing company. It gives you a message about peace, love and faith — three things that my family and I live by and want to share with the world.”
Story by Joshua Thomas
Unlike other clothing businesses that resell or recycle vintage clothes, Pau is about originality.
Christian researched the design process, found vendors who could ship materials from Japan, and began pattern drafting to create each piece from scratch.
“It’s all about creating something fresh, not just reselling,” Christian said. “I [want] to learn how clothes are actually made, [as] opposed to [slapping] design[s] on t-shirts. I’m in it to make an impact — not just for myself, but for the world.”
The message behind Christian’s clothing plays a significant role in his brand, with his faith continuing to guide his design process after his first drop sold out within hours.
“Faith is my cornerstone — God blessed me with so much talent [and] creativity to provide for the world,” Christian said. “[My] purpose lies in serving others; clothes gave me the direction to do that.”
Christian said he credits much of his success to his friend, senior Ishan Abraham, who helps market and advertise his brand.
business — just on a bit of a smaller scale. This allowed him to research more about fashion design and understand himself.
“It’s easy to get burned out, especially in creative work,” Christan said. “Finding the balance and patience is important — without them, [you risk producing] something that isn’t meaningful in the long run.”
Christian plans to pursue a career in fashion design in the future. He said he hopes to make Pau a recognizable brand that people admire.
“One of my goals is to win the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) prize,” Christian said. “They’re the head of luxury fashion that funds and provides exposure to [specific] brands. This would help spread the message to push for a more inclusive
It shows that the community appreciates my work and [that] keeps me moving forward.”
Christian said Pau advocates for selfexpression by helping individuals discover inner peace through clothing that creates confidence, authenticity and a sense of purpose. Christian said he is
how my experiences tie into my [brand.] I want to tell a story through my [work] that others could appreciate.”
Life of the Party
Senior launcHeS dJ and clotHing career
Story by aVery boyle and daniela
Valdez rioS
It’s
not only the music — it’s the people. He is sweating, and the strobelights are blinding. He is bopping to the music he’s mixing, and the crowd is dancing. Again, he is reminded that his passion does not come just from the music; it’s from seeing people smiling and happy.
Senior Peyton Kelley is a DJ and the co-owner of a vintage clothing shop, Fortune Refinds. Having always loved art, he connects his passions together by his love for networking.
the First stage
At 5 years old, Peyton would build stages and perform mini-concerts for his neighborhood. He would break dance and sing Justin Bieber lyrics into a microphone.
When Peyton was 7, he received his first DJ board, a Pioneer DDJ-400, on Christmas. At the time, Peyton wasn’t familiar with recording equipment but taught himself mixing basics and the board’s mechanics from YouTube videos.
“I always knew I wanted to do something with people — something creative [that I] can express myself in,” Peyton said. “[When] I first started [DJing,] it wasn’t something I looked at as, ‘Oh, it’s going to be big.’”
In middle school, Peyton began selling sneakers and clothing from his closet to his friends. During Peyton’s junior year, he joined his friends, now-seniors Ishan Abraham and Elijah Rivera-Campos, in selling clothes under the name Backstreet.
They started to sell the clothes at pop-up events and on the online fashion market Depop.
“[Peyton] loves talking and connecting with people,” RiveraCampos said. “We’ve met so many creatives, not only through our business, but with his DJing.”
a turning point
It wasn’t until Jan. 31, 2024 that Peyton began to view his creative pursuits as something he wanted to do professionally. He was at rapper Travis Scott’s concert and was invited onto the stage.
When he returned to school, he couldn’t shake the thought: I can do that. I can be that successful.
After the concert, he began to attend more local events and concerts to meet people in the music, fashion and photography industry. He hoped to get contacts and set a goal for himself: for every event, he would shake 10 hands.
“I got on the stage, and everything changed,” Peyton said. “I came back and I was hungry. Everything [from] my Instagram [to] my page and to my personal style has come out of it. That night changed me [and my] perspective.”
saved up for a $600 board, but broke it shortly after in October.
“It was one of my biggest setbacks,” Peyton said. “But that got me [the] board [I use today.] It all worked out, but that was one of [the] biggest negative impacts at the time.”
Peyton’s parents let him trade in a laptop and TV for the board he has now, a Pioneer XDJ-RX2, and to convert a part of their garage into a studio. His studio is a narrow, lit up space with walls covered with posters and studio recording equipment.
The three of them continued selling and trading their own clothes. Once they gathered enough revenue, they started thrifting for clothes in bulk. They looked for vintage clothes with quality materials going for high resell prices, and buy clothes based on the season.
During Peyton’s junior year, he started working on photography, along with Backstreet. Since he was a minor, he faced difficulties getting into venues and events to take photos, but with time and networking, he started to become familiar with bouncers, artists and managers. He buzzed his hair, dressed to appear older and goes by the stage name, “DJ PK.”
In the fall this year, Peyton began DJing at house parties after watching a DJ live stream a music set. Inspired, he
“I thought it was going to be a little hobby that [he] would do for a couple months,” Peyton’s mom, Melissa Kelley, said. “[But] then he got really interested, upgraded his DJ board and became very serious about it.”
Peyton’s first DJ gig outside of house parties was at Fry Street Public House in Denton. At this gig, he realized he wanted to move away from house parties and establish a brand for himself.
“It was just local people, [and] that was really cool,” Peyton said. “Everybody loved my stuff, so it was great.”
Peyton poses with his mentor, DJ Armondo, at a party this year. His DJ name is DJ MVNDO and he is based in Dallas, and attended Hebron. Peyton said Armondo helped him get into the scene.
(Provided by Tony’s photographer)
present
Peyton focused on growing Backstreet into something more independent at the beginning of this year. He changed the name to Fortune Refinds and co-runs the business with Rivera-Campos. They hold popup events where they resell clothes, hold live DJ sessions and create new connections.
“I like [pop-up events] because you get to meet a lot of people,” Peyton said. “[And because] no one really pays attention to the music [I play,] I get to play [a] chill, lower beat.”
On Feb. 1, the duo sold clothes at the vintage clothing event Swap Con. The event is held all over the country and 200 vendors attended the Dallas location, making it their biggest and most successful event yet. However, Peyton and Rivera-Campos are taking a short break to focus on their personal hobbies.
“He inspires me,” Rivera-Campos said. “I used to not go out as much, but he inspired me by looking at the outside world from a different perspective. He is confident and enjoys life.”
Although Peyton’s parents were skeptical about his DJ career at first, they have become his biggest supporters.
“He 100% beats to his own drum,” Peyton’s dad, Charles Kelley, said. “He has his own path and we try to give him guidance and provide feedback, but he does his own thing.”
Peyton said working on multiple projects can get stressful, so when he isn’t busy at an event or at school, he journals to keep himself motivated and on top of things.
“
He inSPireS me. I uSed to not go out aS mucH, but He inSPired me by looking at tHe outSide world from a different PerSPectiVe. He iS confident and enJoyS life
-Elijah rivEra-campos, sEnior
“Journaling has helped me a lot,” Peyton said. “Especially in the scene I’m in [because] there’s a lot of distractions. It’s like a full-time job, [so it helps me] stay disciplined, motivated and balance everything.”
Peyton said he wants to grow his career to give back to others. When someone invites him to DJ at a house party, he refers them to a smaller DJ to help them build more experience. He plans on donating to charities, starting fundraisers and helping others as he grows and works on bigger projects.
“Everything I do is for the community,” Peyton said. “I want to start something here [that] I can take to other places. My door is always open — that’s pretty much my thing. My end goal is to help people. It’s small right now, but I know it’s going to escalate.”
Softball and baseball seasons highlights
shorTsTop haylee epps and piTCher kaTe buesing CelebraTe afTer The final run was sCored againsT liTTle elm on april 8. The lady hawks won The game 10-0, boosTing Their reCord To 8-3. (phoTo by siya paTel).
Third baseman allie loveTT slides inTo home plaTe, sCoring The seCond run of The game during The firsT inning againsT liTTle elm. (phoTo by siya paTel).
The Team CelebraTes afTer ouTfielder Casey mCginnis hiTs a home run againsT flower mound on april 22. he was The only hawk To sCore in The inning, ending The firsT inning wiTh boTh Teams Tied aT 1. (phoTo by krisTa fleming).
piTCher maTThew peTerson piTChes in The Top of The firsT inning againsT marCus on marCh 18 . peTerson sTruCk ouT The baTTer on The play. (phoTo by krisTa fleming).
Third baseman pj CrayTon hiTs The ball in The Third inning on april 22. a player from flower mound CaughT The ball, resulTing in The hawks’ firsT ouT of The inning. (phoTo by krisTa fleming).
Five cap-tivating graduation episodes
Story by Krista Fleming
The majority of my childhood was spent watching high school TV shows.
Whether it was Disney Channel, Nickelodeon or some other network, my sisters and I watched every high school show we could find. They might not have always been accurate, but there is one part of high school that the shows capture perfectly: graduation.
As I journey closer to graduation, I ranked the top five graduation TV series episodes that best capture the feeling of leaving high school behind.
5. “Gossip Girl: The Goodbye Gossip Girl,” (Season 2, Episode 25)
For a show so rooted in high school, this episode was a long time coming. “Gossip Girl” spent the majority of season two building up to graduation: the main cast feared for the statuses, their college paths and what would happen to their relationships.
In this particular episode, the three ideas come to a head when Gossip Girl posts her own senior superlatives and exposes the cast’s shortcomings and biggest successes. This episode is a perfect watch when looking back at one’s own high school experience.
4. “Phineas and Ferb: Act Your Age” (Season 4, Episode 26)
A family favorite of mine, “Phineas and Ferb” will always bring a sense of nostalgia. The show spends its entirety following the titled stepbrothers building bizarre things throughout the summer, but skips ahead for one episode to see the main cast grow up and head to college.
“Act Your Age” is my favorite episode for more than its catchy tunes — the episode explores all that goes into the choice of what to do after graduation: scholarships, environment, family and relationships. Watching
Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) talk about their old adventures brings back a wave of nostalgia from doing the same every other day. Viewers aren’t just saying goodbye to high school with the titled characters, they’re reliving a part of their childhood.
3. “Gilmore Girls: Those Are Strings, Pinocchio” (Season 3, Episode 22)
“Gilmore Girls” is incredibly focused on Rory’s education — after all, the show follows the relationship between Rory (Alexis Bladel) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) Gilmore, and both bond over Rory’s education throughout the show. It’s no surprise that Rory’s graduation from high school makes for such an emotional episode.
Though Rory has already been accepted into college, she finds out in “Those Are Strings, Pinocchio” that she will not receive any financial aid, and, thus, cannot afford the college. Though the turmoil of her college decision is something most seniors can relate to, it is Rory’s heartfelt speech that truly sets the episode apart.
2. “Boy Meets World: Graduation” (Season 5, Episode 24)
The five seasons that lead up to it makes the graduation episode of “Boy Meets World” so emotional, as the show follows Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his friends for five years. Viewers watch the characters grow up and change drastically, and the challenges peppered throughout season five showcase how hard it is to move on.
But the episode could stand on its own without the nostalgia attached to each character — it is packed to the brim with important decisions and life-changing moments. This episode will keep a viewer on the edge of their seats with tissues not far from reach.
1. “Suite Life On Deck: Graduation on Deck” (Season 3, Episode 22)
The graduation episode of “Suite Life On Deck” serves as a conclusion to the stories first introduced to viewers in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” By this point, the viewer has seen London (Brenda Song) bloom from the girl they first met her as, watched Zack (Dylan Sprouse) come into his own maturity and Cody (Cole Sprouse) and Bailey (Debby Ryan) finally find peace in their relationships. The graduation episode is bittersweet because it means saying goodbye to Seven Seas High School entirely, along with a final farewell to Marion Moseby. This episode has everything a graduation episode needs: funny speeches, tearful goodbyes and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Rewatching the episode as a senior, it was hard not to cry as I watched some of my comfort characters live a position I’m still barely prepared for.
photo via Disney+
Cap, gown and great gifts
My go-to graduation gift guide
There are two major events when someone can expect gifts: Christmas and their birthday. In high school, there’s one more — graduation. Whether it’s one graduation party or 20, the gifts can get repetitive and impersonal fast. That’s why I composed my go-to gift guide with customizable options that every graduate will love.
Scrapbook
Blankets
College packing has to be light — after all, there’s a thousand things to pack. Instead of sleeping with a bundle of blankets on top of them, grads will have to adapt to having only a few, higher-quality blankets for when the dorm gets too cold.
This is a gift that gets more emotional the longer the friendship has been. For ones that began in freshman year or before especially, a scrapbook of old photos and memories is sure to make someone cry. If the pictures aren’t enough, adding small notes and letters throughout the scrapbook will bring it to life.
I recommend ordering photos on Shutterfly and buying a small scrapbook at any nearby craft store. It will take a few hours to make, so don’t wait until the last minute. Keep a few tissues nearby, because this project is known to tug on heartstrings.
There’s an endless supply of different types of blankets: homemade, throw, weighted, cooling, heated and photo — chosen depending on where the graduate is going and how they enjoy sleeping. Patterns are also important to consider; think about the graduate’s favorite colors, animals and if they’ve shared their dorm room decoration plans.
Polaroid camera
A highly-coveted object, a Polaroid camera is the perfect gift for any graduate. The film packs can include personalized quotes and symbols. Especially as Polaroid walls grow in popularity for dorm rooms, a Polaroid camera is a serviceable and fun item. The cameras come in different colors and with different extensions. Though its price tag might be hefty, going in with a friend on this gift is an easy fix. Not only can the graduate then make memories, but they can capture them, too.
Story by Krista Fleming
Water bottle
This is both a necessity for college and easily-customizable. Plus, one can never have too many water bottles. This is a gift that can be given to acquaintances or close friends — it can be cheap or expensive and basic or unique. To bring this gift above and beyond, stuff the water bottle with cash, Tide-pods or candy to help with a graduate’s transition to college.
Water bottles can be found at almost any store. Depending on skill level, this gift can be customized using paint or a Silhouette and Cricut machine. If none of those are viable options, there are plenty of websites that customize water bottles for an extra charge.
Build-A-Bear
The cutest graduation gift I’ve ever seen, a Build-A-Bear brings back nostalgia while looking toward the future. The stuffed animal is a huggable reminder of home for graduates who take it with them to college and can go with dorm decorations.
A cute idea is to find the animal the graduate’s college has as a mascot, and go online or to a nearby store to find that animal. Depending on the college’s notability, the store might even have one dedicated to it. An added bonus is dressing the animal in a graduation outfit to commemorate the special day.
It’s OK to be a kid It’s OK to be a kid
Story by: SHiren noorani
Myths by the Month
Whoever needs to come needs to come now.
I read out the text as I typed it from my dad’s phone and sent it to our family group chat. It was Nov. 11, 2020, 10:24 a.m., and I had just watched my dada (grandpa) take his last breath.
But there was no time to take things in; I had phone calls to make.
everyone expects, while getting to be the kid I am and have every right to be. It wasn’t until I turned 18 that I realized the importance of allowing myself to just be a kid and that it’s entirely OK to do that.
At 18 years old, I still hold Nanu (grandma) up when she’s breaking down because of how much she misses Dada. At 18 years old, I still visit my Dada’s grave every chance I can — especially on milestone days — to find a way to do something for him that makes me feel his presence more.
It may have been 13-year-old me watching him take his last breath, but it was the little kid in me who couldn’t find a way to say goodbye. It may have been 13-year-old me who had to find a way to accept that she’ll never go on another chukar (drive around the neighborhood) with him again, but it was the little kid in me who just wanted one more chukar filled with moments that will live longer than him. It may have been 13-year-old me making phone calls that day, but it was the little kid in me who chose to hide her grief and take on everyone else’s.
It may be 18-yearold me visiting my Dada’s grave, but it’s the little kid in me waiting to see him again.
Through all the loss and responsibilities, I’ve learned the importance of letting myself be a kid, even as an adult. Life is different when you live like a kid — you find a way to make even the little, random things fun or fulfilling. Life as a kid adds meaning into things that are rarely looked back on as adults.
I’m 18 years old and legally an adult. But when I’m around Nanu, I’m the little kid who needs her mango and eggs fed to her, and I’m the adult who holds her together. I’m 18 years old, but when I’m around my parents, I’m their little girl who just wants to fall asleep in the backseat, and I’m the adult driving them around wherever they go. I’m 18 years old, but when I’m with Dada, I’m the adult who draws from her faith as I visit his grave rather than letting her grief consume her, and I’m the little kid who wants to crawl into his lap and ask him to make everything OK again.
At 13 years old, I watched my world crumble. Seconds later, I called my cousins telling them Dada was gone and that they needed to be at my house as soon as they could. The next day, I stood in front of his lifeless body, holding up an iPad so that our family abroad could attend the funeral and pay their respects. I was only 13 years old; I was just a kid, but it felt like I was one of the oldest in the room.
Ever since then, I’ve fought an internal battle of being the responsible adult
It may be 18-year-old me holding Nanu together, but it’s the little kid in me who recalls the moments where it was the other way around.
I’m 18 years old, but I’ll forever be a kid at heart.
OPINION:Water Water Clouded water clouded future
water iS more tHan a Priority
2,883. On average, there have been 2,883 boil water notices across the state of Texas every year since 2018. Boil water notices are sent to inform users that their water is contaminated and unsafe for consumption and need to be boiled before use. After being taken by surprise by the boil water notice for the city of Lewisville in February, I found myself stumbling into a massive black hole of information.
Recently, Gov. Greg Abbott, declared a state emergency in Marlin county after a year of consistent issues with water supply across multiple counties.
Water should be a bigger priority; violating water quality restrictions can be disastrous. This can lead to short term effects — such as nausea, headaches and stomach issues — and long-term effects — such as chronic diseases, reproductive and developmental disorders.
Story by: HannaH matHew
These initiatives are strong pushes in the right direction, but it is imperative that as citizens of Texas, we advocate for the overall quality of water in the state. We should push for our community and state to continue creating a protective legislature, protest harmful water use and advocate for the areas around us with poor water systems.
Water is not just a priority on a state list — it’s a life necessity.
The state of Texas is rated a D+ in water infrastructure and is ranked No. 31 among the 50 states in water infrastructure. This is remarkably low for the state with the second largest GDP in the country.
Texas sources most of its water from groundwater, with nine major aquifers and 22 minor ones. Water sourcing is arguably the safest and most efficient due to its abundance, natural protection and built-in filtration. With the amount of natural resources the state has, it’s unreasonable to have such a pressing issue.
This is not a problem exclusive to Texas. The crisis in Flint Michigan in 2014 is a well-known example. It was originally taken as an initiative to save money at the expense of a population that was severely affected. Earliest predictions are that Texas’ municipal water supply will not be sufficient by 2030; its impending doom is barreling straight at a state with a population of over 31 million people. Legislation has picked up the issue with multiple bills being processed. Senate Joint Resolution 66 aims to designate a certain amount of taxes to fund water systems, and House Joint Resolution 7 aims to create a constitutional amendment to use taxes for water.
OK to be a kid OK to be a kid
Dear underclassmen, Words
The next step
Felipe Castro:
Whether you're a freshman or a junior, you've still got a ways to go, and each school year will come with unexpected obstacles. As “The Hawk Eye” seniors depart from high school, we shared some words of wisdom for rising students.
Lily Andersson:
The hardest part of doing anything is starting it. Some things might seem scary, difficult and confusing, but as soon as you take the first step, the rest of the way is simple: one foot in front of the other. If it doesn’t seem simple, that’s OK, just focus on the next step in front of you.
High school flies by quicker than you know it. Make sure you do something that you’ll look back on fondly. Enjoy life, enjoy this unique experience and enjoy the people you are surrounded by. Make sure you won’t regret these next few years.
Krista Fleming:
If you set your mind to it, you can do it. Sometimes, it will be hard; other times, it will feel impossible. Even if you lose your way, don’t lose your footing. Keep trying. The results will speak for themselves so long as you keep going.
Andrew Higgins:
High school gets scarier the longer you are in it. First, it’s grades, then SAT scores, then college visits and applications. It's a lot, but don't stress yourself out over things you cannot control. You are a teenager, so have fun and give attention to your social life; do what you need to be OK.
Gavin Lambert:
Remember to take time for yourself. Allow yourself to decompress, and don’t envelop yourself in work. Hang out with friends, take the classes you want and make sure you’re taking care of your mental health. Don’t bottle it all up until it boils over and you do something you regret. Make sure you have people you can trust and you know you can talk to.
Hannah Mathew:
Don’t hesitate to do what you love. Having passion for things will work to your benefit. It is OK to feel inexperienced or nervous. Picking up new things is hard but not impossible. Take time to do what you are interested in — you won’t regret it.
Saahir Mawani:
Allow yourself to jump off the deep end and try something new. It may feel weird at first, but remember that you aren’t losing anything. Experiences add color to your life, and a few odd colors make a beautiful landscape.
Shiren Noorani:
Peyton Kuschmeider:
Nothing you do will be easy. Everything you do in high school will come with its own set of challenges, but it’s important to never give up on yourself. Keep pushing when things get hard; it’s worth the fight in the end.
That random freshman sitting next to you in geometry could become your best friend. Don’t be afraid to open up to new people. You’re in the same building as thousands of others every day for four years — surround yourself with those who understand you. Sometimes it’s the unexpected people who will come into your life and make even the darkest days feel bright.
High school is a chapter in everyone's lives, and we all have something unique to share, but it's up to you on how to fill the pages.
Sincerely,
sEnior column:
ThE
breath
in my
finding
new reality in Senior year amid grief sTory by hannah maThEW
Wood creaked under the wrath of my anxious speed walking.
The sound wailed its intrusion in the silence, as if the flooring could feel the suffocation that clothed my home.
My 9-year-old brother watched, before speaking one of many sentences from that night I can still hear perfectly in my mind.
“Hannah, the phone.”
My phone, lying haphazardly against a cluttered pile of environmental science and U.S. history notes buzzed innocently against the dining room table, my sister’s contact photo flashing as I nervously swiped to answer the call.
My ears were filled by hushed whispering and what sounded like conversation accompanied by crying echoing on the line.
“He’s gone.”
I dropped the phone, a picture of my sister and I staring at me as the receiver blared; denial felt thick like a cloud around me. A part of me was gone, vanishing in the air like the breath that couldn’t reach my lungs.
My dad, who I spoke to only two hours before as we joked about my last three days of being 16, lost his life from cardiac arrest.
It was the minute everything changed, when I was whisked out of my house to a room where everything I loved crumbled in front of me. It didn’t seem real then, and now, a year later, it seems impossible to equate reality to what is front of me.
There are times where I can hear a keyboard clicking and loud cricket commentary blaring out of an empty
lungs
office while I study. There are times when I open my eyes standing on stage, and I see more than an empty seat next to my mom, or when we walk into a restaurant, and I have to hold in the “five” that wants to leave my mouth for a group of four — when everything is going perfect, but my skin is crawling in how wrong it all feels.
“
Denial felt thick like a clouD arounD me. a part of me was gone, vanishing in the air like the breath that coulDn’t reach my lungs.
- hannah maThEW
My family may be less in number, but is still strong nonetheless; I’ve been blessed with friends who have not left my side, a church community that refused to see one of their own waste away and my faith in Christ -– the pillar of my house in any circumstance.
I grew up with parents who, from the earliest memories I have, cemented in me a legacy of faith, prayer, perseverance and strength. They did not waver when my ammachi
(grandmother)
was hospitalized for weeks on end, suffering the wake of poor health, or when my mom had my brother at 37-years-old, struggling with ongoing health issues throughout her pregnancy.
When I am plagued by dreams of what I thought my high school career would look like and when all I can do is cry, reimagining the realities that don’t seem to add up anymore, it is the resilience I saw in people around me my whole life that keeps me going.
Reality is a hard place to be in, but this year, I’ve fought to embrace it the best I can. Whenever I feel overwhelmed in a reality that is so far from anything I ever thought it would be, I look toward a future where this is not something so horribly twisted in my own mind, but a place where I can work toward everything I’ve dreamed of in life.
Next year, as I begin my bachelors in biology at UNT, I plan to take this new reality and run with it — to not hesitate in the face of things that feel beyond me, because I deserve a chance at living a future in a reality that is beyond anything I could’ve ever thought of.
Auyeh Oufi's favorite coffee shop is Summer Moon just like Saahir Mawani who plays the drums just like Bryce Radtke whose favorite Netflix series is “Breaking Bad” just like Brandon Birkinsha who thinks Wingstop has the best ranch just like Alhamzah Albehadili who is a night owl just like Heather Wheeler whose favorite clothing store is H&M just like Megan Tran who has black hair just like Nirav Perumal who prefers to go out rather than stay in just like Christopher Bertulfo whose favorite sport to watch is football just like May Fabriani whose favorite board game is Candy Land just like Daniel Romo who is the oldest child in his family just like Janice Tran whose favorite caffeinated drink is tea just like Felipe Castro who plans to attend the University of North Texas just like Jesus Alberto Moreno Hernandez whose favorite music app is YouTube just like Andrew Nguyen who was born in New York just like Ashley Uhm whose favorite music artist is Travis Scott just like Gavyn Norwood who has blue-green eyes just like Sophie Oler whose favorite athlete is Simone Biles just like Abigail Muccio who likes to read just like Amy Leon whose spirit animal is a lion just like Jeremiah Sunhil who plays the violin just like Kevin Joseph whose dream superpower is to control time just like Hayden Beck whose favorite coffee shop is Starbucks just like Leland Kelley who wants to major in architecture just like Andrea Ospina who was born in November just like Amanda Scheuermann whose favorite clothing store is Hollister just like Wooree Lee whose favorite basketball team is the Lakers just like Logan Hoang who wants to learn a new language just like Hawal Balogun whose favorite water bottle brand is Stanely just like Natalia Gallegos who likes Granny Smith apples just like Grant Koch who was born in Plano just like Cooper Ware whose favorite Netflix show is “Bojack Horseman” just like Andrew Higgins who is the youngest child in their family just like Daniel Nguyen whose favorite teacher is Mr. Woodward just like Cade Moyle who is a morning person just like Riley Unterbug whose favorite color is pink just like Nevaeh Campos whose favorite music artist is Frank Ocean just like Ayden Shewbirt who would be Stitch as a Disney character just like Madeline Fowers who is scared of the dark just like Addison Vary who likes to watch baseball just like Carola Moreno who plays the flute just like Ashley Chapman whose favorite caffeinated drink is soda just like Alana Williams whose spirit animal is a cat just like Nuzhat Nabi who has black hair just like Maya Ware who likes red apples just like Emily Melton whose favorite music artist is Zach Bryan just like Alex Barko whose favorite clothing brand is Lululemon just like Kavish Patel whose dream superpower would be flying just like Tanish Sathaye who wants to learn how to crochet just like Linh Le whose favorite YouTuber is Technoblade just like Iris Wang who plans to major in biology just like Andrew Holloway who was born in December just like Cade Dierking who is a night owl just like Matthew Job who likes to drink Red Bull just like Abby Wueger whose dream place to live is New York just like Amy Ngo whose favorite basketball team is the Mavericks just like Joshua Stone who has hazel eyes just like Leeah Boyd who thinks Chick-Fil-A has the best ranch just like Peyton Kuschmeider whose favorite coffee shop is Dutch Bros just like Aundrea Pon whose favorite Netflix series is “Outer Banks” just like Adel Varkey who is scared of drowning just like Andrea Lopez whose favorite color is navy blue just like Sarah Maruyama who would be Princess Belle if she was a Disney character just like Lindy Lawley whose dream place to live is Switzerland just like Cole Anding who is a twin just like Addison Adams who plans to major in business just like Sara Zagumny whose favorite clothing store is Aerie just like Rachel Lambert whose favorite music artist is SZA just like Jasmine Carter whose guilty pleasure is eating cookie dough just like Simran Makhani whose favorite caffeinated drink is matcha just like Zoe Marr who is a night owl just like Keira Phillips who was born in September just like Singam Mallaparaju whose spirit animal is a koala just like Ally Gladson who is the youngest child in her family just like So Yu who has brown eyes just like Jeremiah Sunhil whose favorite Netflix series is “Suits” just like Aishwarya Ramkumar Babu whose favorite music app is Spotify just like Phoebe Samways whose favorite board game is Clue just like Savannah Hernandez who prefers staying in over going out just like Danitza Raborg who plays the trumpet just like Isaiah Murrell whose favorite athlete is Lebron James just like Victoria Gomez who likes to watch soccer just like Tanvi Gupta who wants to learn how to dance just like Andrea Negrete whose favorite coffee shop is La La Land just like Raahina Ali whose favorite color is black just like Braden Wynnick who would have invisibility as a superpower just like Trevor Harp who likes to hunt just like Mason Moncrief whose favorite YouTuber is Markiplier just like David Park who plans to attend Texas A&M just like Brianna Kalman who has brown hair just like Avery Bell whose favorite water bottle brand is Stanely just like Chance Francis whose favorite basketball team is the Lakers just like Evan Valdez who likes to watch volleyball just like Amanda Goldsworthy who is a morning person just like Ashton Toney whose favorite teacher is Mrs. Tran just like Laney Spoto whose favorite caffeinated drink is Dr Pepper just like Kellen Patel whose favorite Netflix series is “All American” just like Sarahi Tovar who would be Princess Jasmine if she were a Disney character just like Ava Esfandiari who likes Granny Smith apples just like Dakshita Kannan whose biggest fear is death just like Elijah Rivera whose spirit animal is a cheetah just like Sydney Etufugh whose favorite music app is Apple Music just like Kara Shuford who plays guitar just like Hailey Yoon who likes to watch basketball just like Ta’Lia Marrs whose favorite board game is The Game of Life just like Cydney Jackson who was born in Plano just like Anna Malamis whose favorite athlete is Simone Biles just like Alana Arrant who wants to learn how to back flip just like Allison Graham whose dream place to live is Italy just like Kendall Kost who has brown hair just like Ambar Graffe who prefers going out over staying in just like Alexa Nyamongo whose favorite coffee shop is 151 Coffee just like David Mathews who plans to major in nursing just like Amareya Clay whose favorite music artist is Beyoncé just like Christian Anderson who is an only child just like Mackenzie Clardy whose favorite color is pink just like Brittany Contreras whose favorite Netflix series is “Gossip Girl” just like Krista Fleming who has hazel eyes just like Athena Miller whose favorite fast food ranch is from Wingstop, just like...
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