Over the past ten years, senior Lilly Chilek has lived by the 4-H motto and has come to learn many valuable lessons in that time.

Friday night: bright lights, the crack of helmets as the Vikings score another touchdown, the crowds cheers pulsate like the beating heart of our school, the clock ticks down to the end of the first half, each second raising the excitement in the stadium. Then like an army leaving the field, the football players disappear and are replaced by a new group of students. These are the homecoming king and queen nominees, each chosen for their dedication and service to the school, but only two are chosen to embody the Viking spirit.

While some people enjoy solitary sports such as swimming, skiing, or golf, others prefer team sports that bring people together, such as football, hockey, or soccer. Senior Gayle Konderla has been on the soccer team since her freshman year and has formed a tight niche with the players while having fun playing soccer.

As a shooting guard for the lady Viking basketball team, senior Jordan Lopez-Rhodes knows how to reach a goal. However, Jordan’s story doesn’t start or end on the court. Since last year, Jordan and her family have been striving to reach a different goal: helping to ease the suffering of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Sparks fly as two burning, red hot pieces of metal are welded together at the hands of dedicated students in the agriculture department. This subject area helps students tap into different career paths and experiences before they go into the workforce. Although some students might not know that they want to work in ag, others have known for years that this is the path they want to take. Senior Austin Birdwell has been taking steps towards a career in agriculture and is doing whatever it takes to reach his dreams.

Weights slam onto the floor, as another dead lift is completed. Cheers from the crowd encourage the competitors to keep going. The grunts and groans of the lifter, as they struggle with the next set to show their determination, this is the world of power lifting.

Everyone has hobbies; something they like to do every once in a while or daily. Every once in a while, someone finds a hobby or activity which fits them perfectly and they fall in love with it from the start. Freshman Jacy Smith found tennis years ago and has been playing ever since.
“Since [Jacy] was about two years old she would drag a racket around the room and play with a balloon,” Jacy’s mother, Jaime Smith, said. “She played in her first competitive tournament was when she was about six.”

For 22 years, Ted Vaughan has been teaching students how to solve problems through Engineering Design and creating floor plans for homes and other buildings through Architectural Design, but that’s not all he did while he’s been here.

When agriculture classes are introduced to students, the initial thought may be that it teaches how to farm, but opposed to that common belief, many ag classes offer much more, from giving students an opportunity to show their own steers and heifers to teaching them skills that are essential to everyday life as adults. Ag also has support organizations, such as 4-H, which is a youth mentoring organization, and FFA, which is a guide to careers and future endeavours. In and out of school, freshman Wilsey Wendler is a prime example of a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the agriculture organization.

Bright, blinding lights illuminate the cement hallways of the arena as you make your way to the main floor. “How do I look good enough?” “Have I eaten enough?” “Have I eaten too much?” “What if I don’t get picked during the first round?” “What if I make it to the second round, but the judges don’t like me on the second look?” All of these thoughts surround you as you make it to the dirt floor of the venue, tugging your steer along as he’s making weird noises.

Twenty-four students participated in Living a Better Story, a service project aimed at helping people understand their importance in the process of helping the community they live in. The project ran from October 6 to November 3 and included members from the Texas A&M Aggie Blossoms, Bryan High Key Club, and many other students. Together […]

As two men stare at each other across the mat, each contemplating how to best defeat the other, the crowd that has formed waits in anticipation. A whistle is blown and they dive at each other. Junior Kaleb Jenkins slams his opponent to the ground, subduing him with a pin.

Technology has become an integral part of education and teachers must equip students with the tools to succeed in their future careers. Each subject must assess the best way to integrate technology to promote learning and understanding. Norseman staff members took an in-depth look at technology usage across campus and how different teachers utilized it to increase student learning.

Bryan High hosted a book fair at Barnes and Noble on October 8th in order to raise funds for the English department and to promote literacy in the community.

Stepping up to the block prepping to swim his leg in the relay, senior Harrison Jones puts on his goggles and gets in the zone to dive in the pool as soon as his teammate reaches the wall. Splashes from swimmers, whistles form coaches, cheers from fans, and buzzers surround him, but these distractions don’t phase him as he dives into the pool and earns yet another personal record.

A lot more than an image can be captured through the lens of a camera. A glimpse of human interaction can be frozen, a memory can be saved. A photographer is taught to pay attention to detail, to step away from a scene to catch the bigger picture, and how beauty is found in unexpected places. Photography teacher John Burrows teaches students not only how to search for these hidden meanings, but also how to find their own passion and spirit through learning. Because he struggled with school, Burrows’ goal is to make learning relatable and interactive for his students so that education isn’t as intimidating.

Thor’s hammer is a mythological weapon, said to have been wielded by the Norse god of thunder, allowing him the ability to fly and summon lightning against his foes. Thor was seen as a protector of humanity, fighting for what was just and right against formidable enemies; however, only those who were “worthy” could lift the hammer, thus gaining the power of Thor himself. Bryan High students have proved themselves worthy, lifting high their very own Thor’s hammer.

After crossing the finish line to earn first place at the Nacogdoches meet, freshman cross country member Samantha Hernandez ran half the race again. JV member sophomore Brooke Weaver suffered from a hip injury and was struggling to finish the race. Samantha went back and finished the race again, stride-by-stride, with Weaver.

Under the blinding lights of Friday nights and a roaring crowd that pushes players to get the next first down even when they’re at their wits end, the sound of helmets cracking resounds underneath bone-crushing tackles. This is an exciting aspect of the game that thrills fans, but the players sometimes struggle to stand after […]

Renee Richards, art and IB film teacher, assists students in developing their artistic skills through her unique approach to teaching. The desire to educate is not a learned skill for Richards, as she says she’s felt the desire to teach for a very long time. “I have two little sisters, Tina and Annette. We were […]

The pressures of school, cross country practices, and being senior class president, are only the beginning of senior Seanna Rodriguez’s neverending agenda. While she struggles for the time to commit to cross country, she manages to be the light for the team and an influence amongst the younger members.

While some students are struggling to find ways to pay for the climbing cost of college tuition, the military is providing another option. Seniors Kaitlyn Harris and Matthew Greer both received $83,000 checks to be used for college through the American GI bill for committing to the military for at least three years post high school graduation.

The crack of the helmets. The smell of the freshly cut grass. The roaring crowd. The feel of exhilaration as the ball crosses the goal line. It’s another Friday night in Texas and the lights are shining brightly on the field as senior Keandre Johnson runs through the middle as he pounds out yards for a first down.

After winning the first match in two straight sets, the varsity volleyball team fell to Tarkington forcing a third match. With each team taking one set and running neck-and-neck in the winner-take-all final set, the score volleyed back and forth. Tensions were high as the scored pushed passed 25, and then with a final kill, Coach Caroline Simpson earned her 500th win.

Eleven years isn’t a long time when looking at the world, but some of the most beautiful things in the world are also some of the most fleeting.

A little girl, of about seven, and her mother were standing in the doorway, dressed in pajamas, in the cold. They explained that they were in need of food. Their car was their home, the park bathrooms their showers. The mother then explained about the loss of her husband, and how it left her a widowed stay-at-home mom with a young daughter to take care of. It was one of those moments that changes a person’s life forever, at least it did for food warehouse distributor Jason Galindo, a former Bryan High student.

“This is not just a program, this is not something temporary. It is going to have to be a total mindset starting with the 9th grade.”

Assistant principals Chantel Hluchan and Justin Smith, along with counselors Tiffany Giffen and Sondra Junek, are the core administrative staff for the Freshman Success Academy – a new program placed at both Bryan High and Rudder to promote academic and disciplinary success within the freshman class.

For the past 27 years, AP English IV and IB English teacher Lisa Prejean has gotten to fulfill a passion for teaching. As Prejean has developed her teaching style, she noted how the higher-level programs, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), pay off for high school students.

While some students pursue big dreams as sports superstars, others are content with simply playing a sport they enjoy. For senior Ben Gonzales, soccer has been a fun physical outlet as he juggles school, work, friends, and family. “I love being able to go out there and just play the game,” Ben said. “It’s a […]

Safety is essential when it comes to sports whether it be the Super Bowl or just a couple of friends tossing a ball around. This year, Bryan High exemplified that notion by receiving the Safe School Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Athletic expertise, academic ability, creativity, and the passion that backs each of these qualities are all things which define a person, molding them into who they are or who they eventually will be. This is especially true for senior Erica Russell, whose athletic passion has turned a life-long dream into a reality on the softball field.

Sports generally involve a team effort, and while wrestling is more focused on the individual, junior Jackson Ross still appreciates the bond between him and his fellow wrestling teammates.

Many students are involved in art programs across the district, ranging from elementary school art classes to IB art here on campus, and find that these courses amplify their talents. As the school year moved forward, the art students were able to showcase their works in Artfest, an annual event held in the Silver Cafeteria.

Many students like to get their mind away from school and like to do things like baseball, football, chess club, or go out for a run. Some others like to play for the Bryan High Orchestra.

There are some things in life that some people are just born to do, and for someone who has an abundance of energy and loves to compete, track is a suitable sport. Senior Alondriah Brown has been running since childhood, and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Every day, students come to school and are given piles of assignments to complete that night. After putting on The Sound of Music earlier this month, many students have found that participating in the musical has given them a way to be expressive and build unity between those involved.

“Friends, family, and God with help them carry the burden of what they are going through. There’s never a lost cause. There’s never a time when a person’s life isn’t worth fighting for.”

After balancing the things she loves – her job, her family, and other priorities – for 36 years, economics teacher Laura Wagner decided that it was time to do something for her own pleasure. That being said, Wagner never thought she would be putting the “fox” in foxtrot.

While focusing on one or two particular extracurricular activities while in high school is sufficient for many students, for senior Zoey Clark, one or two are not enough. Aside from being involved in NHS and the treasurer of Key Club, Zoey is a member of the Viking band and plays on the varsity soccer team.

“When I was about 10, the only thing I could think about was living my own ‘High School Musical’ experience.”

Junior Clara Garcia Castineira is finally getting to live this dream. Clara, an exchange student from Galicia, Spain, says that this journey is something that her and many other students in Spain get to experience.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, organizations are preparing for their annual traditions and festivities. The choir department is gearing up for their 30th year of Feast of Carols, a dinner and Christmas concert all centered around a Renaissance theme which will take place on December 12, 13, and 14.

A riveting sense of humor, impressive demonstrations, and interactive lessons on the laws of physics are what you can expect in an everyday class with physics teacher Robert Richards, but what students don’t expect is Richards’ unique background and interests.

Every Thursday after school, journalism teacher Rebecca Dominy meets with a group of students in room 6160. They don’t work on the newspaper or edit the yearbook, but instead meet for a weekly devotional. The group, Cord of 3, began last year when several students approached Dominy and expressed an interest in participating in an after-school Bible study.

“I think it’s just amazing how you can create something when there was previously nothing, and you can make people feel things that they wouldn’t otherwise feel through written word.” That is the reasoning behind junior Madison Hines’ passion for writing novels, and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), an annual competition for novelists of all […]

Hammond-Oliver, a high school for studies on human sciences located on blue campus, holds many opportunities for students, and CNA (certified nurse assistant) and intern teacher Erin Wright believes the school is extremely beneficial.

Dedication: the quality of being committed to a task or purpose. For senior Arthur Vivero his purpose is clear, and his commitment to basketball is an understatement. The rush of the crowd, the suspense of the buzzer, and the pressure to win; that is what fuels him to not only to be his best, but to consistently improve.

Running up and down the court, sweat dripping down her face, the clock ticking down second by second. The intensity of playing basketball has motivated junior Jordan Lopez-Rhodes to be the best that she can be on and off the court.

There are so many books in the world and new ones are being printed every day. In our modern society anyone can be an author, all that is needed is an idea, however, have you ever stopped to think about what actually goes into writing a book?

Do you know what you want to do when you grow up? Do you want to get a head start on your future now, but don’t know how? If you’re interested in the medical field, you’re in luck. Since the early 1990s, Hammond-Oliver has broadened students’ visions for life beyond high school by allowing students to get a jumpstart on their medical careers by taking health-science related courses and gaining hands-on experience early on.

“I want this campus to be successful across the board in all areas. That includes academics, that includes fine arts, and that includes athletics.”

The goal of our new principal, Lane Buban, is crystal clear and he has plenty of ideas on how to achieve it.

Giving up a piece of summer vacation isn’t something that most teenagers see themselves doing, but for junior Maria Pope, giving up a piece of her vacation didn’t seem like a loss at all In actuality she found herself gaining something much more special.

“I’ve always been pushed. It’s better to be that way because it has taught me to be my best, not only just in baseball but simply in life.”

When I first learned that my family would be moving to Costa Rica for a year so my mom could do research on some dirt she called “soil”, my world as I knew it suddenly seemed to come crashing down. As an utterly furious fifth grader, I could not picture life anywhere other than Bryan/College Station where I had my cool school and my BFF. I told myself that it wouldn’t happen, that it couldn’t happen, that there was no way we could possibly be moving to a foreign country.

“Around BCS its not just VJ or Logan,” senior VJ Banks said. “We’re two individuals, but one person.” Varsity football duo, seniors VJ Banks and Logan Pottberg have been playing since a tender age, with VJ playing since 6th grade year for Pop Warner football, and Logan for Brazos Valley Patriots. Four years ago the […]

Summer: a time for heading to the beach, soaking up some sun, going on vacations, and getting away from school for a couple of months. When we think of summer getaways, however, an impoverished area on the other side of the world isn’t exactly the first thing to come to mind. While it doesn’t sound like the typical thing to do while on vacation from school, seniors Cassidy Lovett, Kinsey Craig, and Julia Kwasnica joined their youth group from First Baptist Church on a ten-day mission trip to spread the Gospel in the village of Coman in Romania.

Picture your wildest dream – a chance you might take, a place you might go, a thing you might do. If you had the opportunity, would you go for it? In the 1980s, French teacher Michelle Currier had the dream of coming to the United States from Canada, and she followed it.

Volleyball is a very active sport and consumes most your day. For Senior Jessica Pfeffer she has found a way to excel both on the court and in the classroom.

Seeing Cody smile means the world to senior Madison Goolsby, along with the smiles of about 30 other disabled kids and adults she works with in the special-needs ministry at Central Baptist Church. Madison began working with the special-needs ministry three summers ago Vacation Bible School.

Everyone likes to be recognized, whether it’s a simple pat on the back or a Nobel Prize. One of the most memorable recognitions is graduation, but sadly not all students can attend. However, there is an alternative opportunity. Life Skills graduation was started by Bridgenettle Johnson in 1982 and has since brought that special feeling of recognition to those students.

The brown dirt, the freshly cut green grass, the stands filled with eager supporters, the smell of nachos and hotdogs in the air… the game of softball. Junior Rebecca Peirce has a love for this sport and what it’s done for her outside of the field.

Hearing the crunch of grass under your boots, strutting out and smiling as you sparkle under the Friday night lights, dancing your heart out and then walking away with pride – these are all sensations familiar to a Shy-Anne. To many, drill team is just another school activity, but for senior Shy-Anne captain Tillie Benson, it means so much more. Since she was four Tillie has been a dancer, and dancing has been her dream since the second grade.

A person whose behavior or success can be emulated by others: A role model. Senior Zac Slaydon is the definition of a role model not only because of his baseball achievements, but also because of his academic success. And his positive attitude about baseball doesn’t stop at the baseball foul line.

“Music is really the only thing I see myself doing, I can’t see myself doing anything else. But the only problem is that I’m doing two things.”

It is no secret that the rodeo culture is still very much alive and well, especially in Texas. With youth moving toward a technical society, students who still take an active part in these agricultural activities are harder to come by. However, Sophomore Tristen Sisson participates in showing livestock, and he recently added an impressive […]

For many cheerleaders and dancers nothing matters other than memorizing a routine, landing the perfect stunt, and winning the competition. For Junior Mackenzie O’Neal, cheering and dancing are more than just being the best she can be, it’s about doing what she loves. Despite the obstacles she has faced and been forced to overcome, she continues to excel at her demanding activities.

He’s got a big passion, a big smile, and a big heart. And he’s made a big difference to kids he’s never even met.

“Sports are all I’ve ever known,” senior Brittany Little said. With Brittany’s father being a former professional baseball player and brother playing sports throughout high school, Brittany’s been around athletics since birth. “Ever since I was born, my whole life has revolved around sports, that’s pretty much all I’ve ever known,” Little said. “Since my […]

As a child, games and activities are an important part of everyday life. Whether it be hopscotch, hide n’ go seek, or Simon says, the list probably goes on and on, making it difficult to pick a favorite. For senior Richard Biggs, running was always number one on his list. His love of track started early on and has been progressing ever since.

“Runners set, runners to your mark.”
These are six intense words that hype athletes before they start running as they are stepping onto the track. For sophomore track athlete, Kaitlyn Brock, these words can be the beginning of a victory, but to her, winning isn’t all that matters.

When pushed to the limits of their abilities, many students would simply give up and walk away. Junior Michael Cadena is not like most students. When faced with a challenge, he pushes himself as hard as he can, and then a little harder. Michael is active in several sports, including football, wrestling, and track, and while he does well in all, he excels in arguably the hardest of all – powerlifting. Michael is one of the best powerlifters on campus, as well as the state.

Fame, coast, school, picture, miracle. What is the common factor for all of these very different words? They’re all derived from Latin – a vital language that is the basis of many other languages. The removal of the Latin program from Bryan High has left many questioning the reason behind the decision.

Our number one priority, on a daily basis, is to make sure our students are as safe as possible,” principal Lamond Dean said. “So there is a response [plan for] anything that there may be a concern [about].” Most people like to believe that students are fairly safe at school everyday, and that’s the goal […]

With so many choices and possibilities after high school, it is easy to become lost. It may be hard to set life goals and do what is necessary to achieve them in high school. For senior Matt Walker, the path is clear.

Either you know exactly what you want to do, or you have no clue. You’re lucky to find one occupation you like, but two? After being a practicing pharmacist for thirty-three years, Hammond Oliver Pharmacy Tech teacher Anne Ballard transitioned into the field of teaching.

You hear your named called and get that butterfly feeling in your stomach as you walk up the steps and across the stage to receive your diploma. All of a sudden, you are headed towards your next step in life and you realize that the plans you made for yourself are ready for you to take. The question then becomes if you are ready to take them.

Every team has their members and their colors but the most important part of any team is their mascot. The mascot is in the background cheering from the sidelines to raise their team’s spirit. While Bryan High has Thor the Viking, the Norseman staff has their own mascot – one that has been around since I joined the Norseman Staff my sophomore year.

“My mom told them I would live,” world history teacher Patricia Bailey-Jones said. “She told me she didn’t believe God woke me up and brought me out of that burning house just to let me come to the hospital and die.”

When faced with challenges or obstacles that arise in everyday life, many of us give up if we cannot see an easy solution. It seems that giving in when things get tough has become part of the teenage norm. Instead of considering other options or persevering through hardships, they turn to complacency. They are faced […]

In the late 1800’s a peculiar type of art was rising and slowly becoming popular among the masses. With the invention of Brownie cameras by Kodak in the early 1900’s, photography became popular and progressive technology has led us to modern day DSLRs. Through cameras, pictures capture a moment in time and gives people the ability to create art.

A big part of friendship is having a connection. When you share something you love with that person, it makes the friendship much more special. For juniors Kia White and Penny Watson, basketball is a common interest, but their friendship goes past the gym doors.

As the referee tosses the basketball into the air, the mood set in every player intensifies. Those quick seconds feel like hours while the ball spins, leaving the players fighting for control on the court. This scenario is all too familiar for viking senior AJ Pulliam, whose love for the game has remained strong for many years.

Students believe that everything is a crisis, like when they can’t go out Friday, when they are grounded for a week, or even when they have a test. If only life was that hard. Unfortunately, there are some students that have faced more difficult problems, such as getting into accidents and becoming paralyzed, or being […]

Art teacher Jennifer Easterling was awarded Art Student of the Year earlier this year by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) for her work in college. The state level award was given to her at the art convention in San Antonio on November 15th.

School – necessary and very beneficial indeed, we can all attest to that. But by the end of a long school week, nearly everyone is exhausted and ready for the weekend, and most of us make it pretty obvious with our demeanor. However, for algebra II teacher and football coach Matthew Rice, that quality isn’t apparent. Everyone has their bad days, but Rice minimizes those days as much as possible, and doing what he loves helps him to be successful in that.

When the word ‘sports’ comes to mind most think of football, basketball, or baseball, but what about all the others? Unfortunately, many high school students don’t view sports out of that realm, but divers at Bryan High are challenging that way of thinking.

Men and women standing outside of stores ringing bells, children’s names hanging on Christmas trees, piles of canned goods stacked at the local food bank – all symbols of goodwill that seems to pour out during the holiday season. With lights, trees, gifts, food, and family, the holiday season is considered the greatest time of the year. But unfortunately, some cannot have a joyful holiday without a helping hand.

Many students spend their whole high school and college careers trying to figure out what they want to do with their life, but every once in a while a student knows the direction of their future early on. For theatre teacher Christopher Rogers, this was definitely the case.

While many of us struggle to find our place in high school by searching for clubs and classes that spark our interest, a select few have broken free of these struggles by joining the art program.

Teaching two languages is something of a challenge, but for Anja Schwalen, this comes naturally. Growing up in Germany and studying abroad in Spain, pushed her to want to teach Spanish and German in America. Schwalen started learning English during school and also took a few years of Latin and French. “My belief is, if […]

Halloween was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants, after Halloween and All Saint’s Day had been celebrated in the Celtic tradition for several centuries. The modern celebration of Halloween formed as the Celtic festival Samhain, which celebrated the return of ghosts to the earth, merged with All Hallow’s Day, which was previously known as All Saint’s Day. Over time, All Hallow’s day evolved to become Halloween

Although we’ve heard of many stories about people who survived the impossible, sometimes it’s hard to believe that these stories happen to everyday people that we might run into on the street, or even those we are fairly acquainted with.

In the upcoming election, the youth vote is being heavily sought after by both parties like never before. Voters between the ages of 18-24 can be involved in politics like any other adult – and it’s important for them to do so, but what about those who are too young to vote, yet are still […]

“Who are you voting for?” It’s a question that some teens answer with excitement and fervor, while others choose to ignore the question altogether. What the teens of this generation don’t seem to understand is the importance of knowing their answer and all that comes with it.

Most would say that people can only set life goals when they’re still young. Others, however, are still setting goals and have dreams to do bigger and better things even after they’ve figured out what occupation they want pursue. For English teacher Megan Black, these goals extend beyond borders of being a high school teacher.

Thursday, Oct. 4 during all lunches the Student Involvement Committee will host a Club/Organization Roundup in the Silver Cafeteria. Club sponsors and members will be set up at tables during each lunch period to talk about their clubs/organizations, distribute flyers, and take interested students’ names. Mural Club What: The Mural Club has donated a painted […]

Being involved in a school organization is vital to the development of a students communication and teamwork skills. In addition to building character, being in clubs gives students the opportunity to make new friends while having fun along the way.

“A hero is a person who helps someone else. He is always there for me. He never lets me down.” In the eyes of a child, few things mean more to them than their hero. Principal Lamond Dean’s son’s hero wasn’t Superman or Spiderman, but rather his own father.

If anyone asked him who his hero was when he was a child, there was no question about it – it was his dad.

In America, firefighters are responding to a calls every 23 seconds. Three-quarters of them are volunteers, risking their lives, to keep the rest of us safe. For seniors Corey Schultz and Tyler Smith, it is commonplace and a part of who they are.

For Buxbaum, softball isn’t just a sport, it’s something that has been integrated into her family since before she was born.