Unity. Team work. Single mindedness.

The volleyball team encompasses what it means to work together toward a single goal. After moving up to 6A, the coach and team knew they had to become stronger, faster, and smarter than ever before. The team has risen to their own expectations and has entered district play as a force to be reckoned with.

The crowd erupts as they try to distract the offense from their next play, motivating the defensive line to zero in on the ball and bring the quarterback to the ground behind the line of scrimmage. Senior middle linebacker Detarious Turner has become a leader for the Viking defense through experience, determination, and hard work.

With over 6 million active participants, 4-H is one of the largest youth programs in the country and helps develop leadership, responsibility, and work ethic. Senior Hannah Czajkowski has been involved in the 4-H program since she was 8 years old and in the third grade. After years of participation and dedication to 4-H she has advanced to a statewide leadership role.

It’s 6:30 AM, 34º outside, and the sun still hasn’t broke the horizon yet, but divers are already in the pool working to perfect their craft. Since diving is a part of the swimming overall competition, teams who don’t have any divers do not earn points toward the team competition. Swim coach Glen Williams saw this as a problem the team could rectify and has started developing divers on the team.

Beads of sweat break out across their brow. Their jaws are clenched as each second ticks by until they are clear. The judge signals that it was a clean lift and they drop the bar to the ground with a resounding crash. Seniors Kaywin McCall and Mark Vavra work day in and day out to perfect the craft of powerlifting and push themselves further than they ever thought possible.

The horse and rider appear to be one as they move around the arena, each anticipating the next move, each relying on the other to perform at their highest level.

Most people dream of playing in big league sports. For many, it’s only a dream which transforms into watching what could have been from behind a screen. For one boy at Bryan High, that might not be the case. As a child senior Alejandro Gomez enjoyed playing soccer with his family. Alejandro has been solid since day one at Bryan High and has led the team since he started.

The pristine shine of polished hardwood, crowds screaming “Defense!”, coaches yelling for players to watch the ball, and only 30 seconds left on the clock. For senior Wade McGregor, this is the atmosphere that pushes and inspires him to keep coming back to the game he loves to play.

They look down the green with narrowed eyes to block out the sun’s glare. After adjusting the clubs in their hands, they mentally calculate the distance and the amount of force they must swing to get a tiny ball over 300 yards across a field while avoiding water hazards, sand traps, and trees while taking into account the wind. Becoming more confident, they swing, and the balls fly away through the air. For sophomore Skye Faldyn and senior Ellie Conrad, this has become natural.

The alarm sounds. It’s 5AM, and the only option is to wake up and get to practice. So they pushes themselves out of bed, get ready, and beats the sun to the horizon. Day after day. This is the ritual of the cross country team, 56 members who have been undaunted by the early morning practices. With such a big team, team captain junior Nick Defoy has taken charge and became a leader on the team in practice, at meets, and in the classroom.

Varsity sports are frequently dominated by upperclassmen who have both the skill level and experience to eclipse younger players, but sometimes a young player demonstrates the ability to earn their spot on the team.

High school athletes await the day where the college of their dream signs them to play the sports they’ve spent years of their life working to perfect their best abilities, while playing games almost every Friday night against teams that might be bigger and stronger, and keeping that drive and school spirit in mind with every yard line crossed. Senior Ylijaah Hall is experiencing that after Baylor University signed him to play football next season.

The hum of the crowd echoes across the field to the pitcher. She takes a deep breath before she hurls a softball across the plate. Despite the speed and curve of the ball, the bat makes contact, and the ball arcs through the air…into the waiting glove of the center fielder. The pitcher and center fielder grin at each other before running back toward the dugout as the side is retired. This is a normal occurrence in junior Rebekah Hubachek and senior Emily Hubachek’s life. The sisters have played softball for much of their lives and now play together for Bryan High.

A baseline beat resonates from the stage as the choir begins to sing and captures the attention of the audience. Vocal Legacy, the a cappella choir group is composed of some of the best singers at Bryan High and in that mix is sophomore Graham Littlefield who excels at beatboxing.

Teams are like families. They count on each other, hang out together, and and come together as a team. They may not always get along, but in the end, they always have each other’s backs. The Paholek sisters have taken this concept to the next level in that the girls are both teammates and sisters.

Swimming is a sport where fractions of seconds make the difference in medaling and hoping for a better time next season. Freshman Abby Surley has progressed this season to shave entire seconds off her time and advance to state as an individual and a part of two relay teams. Filling the role of breaststroker has been integral to the team’s overall success, helping them earn both a silver and bronze medal at the state meet.

Millennials are labeled as a generation of self-absorbed, technology addicted citizens, but stereotypes don’t always apply. Senior Sam Opersteny isn’t interested in the latest app or song on Billboard’s top 100 list, instead he enjoys spending time outdoors working with his hands and doing other things not typically associated with teenagers.

There seems to be a greater push to make students plan their future at a younger age. As fourth graders are expected to make decisions now that will affect them in high school. Sometimes though, students don’t know what they are interested in until they are older and have been exposed to different activities. Senior Clifton Johnson has experienced this shift in interest first-hand and tried something new his senior year.

He dives to catch the outfield fly ball. He fields the fast-paced grounder on the infield before throwing it to the first baseman for an out. He concentrates on the catcher’s signals before firing another strike across the plate. Junior Hunter Van Etten makes sure he doesn’t get too comfortable in any one position as he is a utility player for the Vikings and moves frequently. Hunter developed a passion for the game from an early and has worked to develop his skills in every position.

Successful teams are created whenever the members stop relying on the talent of themselves and begin working together. Each individual athlete may be good, but when they’re put together they’re great. Seniors Makayla Howard and Quinteria Johnson have found this to be true in track as they run on the relay team.

Consistency, accuracy, precision are all characteristics associated with athletes and the sports they participate, but most people overlook darts as a competition because it’s seen mostly as a hobby where people just joke around. While many people are unaware of the sport itself, its unique requirements make the game challenging while providing the opportunity for competitors to be highly competitive and pursue championships matches across the country. School provided a way for biology teacher Hayley Ask, algebra teacher Paul Ruiz, and senior Sarah Payan to find the sport of darts.

Athletes connect to their sports at a deep level as they spend hours honing their skills and making sacrifices for their craft. Soccer players must maintain a level of endurance not required in many other sports and junior Erin Nugent has used those lessons in endurance in all areas of her life. Erin has spent the past thirteen years playing soccer both in league and with the school.

While most high school sports are characterized by the cheering fans or screeching whistles, sports like powerlifting are often overshadowed. Powerlifting is a unique sport in which athletes compete in weightlifting competitions in the squat, bench, and deadlift. Junior Shelbie Walker is an example of a student athlete demonstrating her potential in the realm of powerlifting.

As the time ticks off the clock, a wrestler learns what they are truly capable of. The first five minutes of the match takes everything a wrestler has, but all of the weariness fades away when they are down and has to push through the final minute to make sure their hand is raised at the end of the match. Wrestling is an immensely demanding sport and senior Caden Scott has spent the past four years conditioning and preparing for each final minute.

I walk into the ring. I feel numb. I can’t hear the crowd. Every sense is focused on my coach and my opponent. The bell rings and we both head to the center of the mat as the crowd awaits the victor. Senior Jackie Perry explains that he experiences this each time he competes in a mixed martial arts match.

Too many times, students aren’t taught about uncomfortable topics until after they have already been exposed to the situation and find themselves struggling to figure things out on their own. In these situations, students frequently blame themselves and flounder under the pressure of a reality they don’t really understand.

When most people move schools, they are nervous about what type of first impression they are going to make on their teachers and fellow classmates. This was a similar experience for senior Ashton Edwards when she moved to Bryan High School from Granbury, Texas during her junior year.

Reducing the pregame, game, and postgame to a short thirty-second segment that tells the entire story takes both talent and dedication. Junior Jeannye Aguilar has found her niche in the video technology class where she excels at transforming big moments on campus into even bigger memories on screen.

As a Texan, sitting around a bowl of Blue Bell ice cream is nothing short of normal. Whether it be enjoying a sweet bowl of the Great Divide, or sobbing into a half-gallon tub of Cookie Two-Step, Blue Bell is as much a Texas symbol as bluebonnets, armadillos, or cowboys. Two seniors, Caleb Duane and Kassie Gough, earned the opportunity to be a part of the Blue Bell revival after the listeria outbreak damaged their public image. Both students enjoyed the experience as it combined one of their favorite foods with one of their favorite hobbies.

Focused. The picture. The mindset. Each has to be focused when it comes to photography if the desired outcome is to be achieved. Society sometimes attempts to dictate what individuals are capable of when they interpret a challenge as an impossible obstacle, but senior Steven Gonzalez proves that idea wrong. Though Steven faces difficulties because of vision loss he has continued to pursued his passion for photography with creative grace.

Creating art, singing opera, and creative writing provide an outlet for senior Lauren Bernal. Beginning in the sixth grade, Lauren found her passion for art creating simple drawings.

Up stairs. Down stairs. Wind sprints. Exhausting work for any athlete, but an average day for senior Chassidy Rusk. Though she doesn’t run in any track events, she is a part of the shot put team and it’s much more than hurling an 8.8 lb. steel ball down the field.

The feeling of anticipation rises as players and fans watch as the neon ball zips through the night sky and sails toward the centerfield fence right before it lands soundly in senior Morgan Chavarria’s glove for the final out of the inning.

Standing on the pitcher’s mound, dirt blowing at the pitcher’s feet, all eyes on him, but he’s only focusing on the batter standing sixty feet away. The crowd grows silent, no one breathes for the game is too intense and the pitcher needs one more strike. Senior Landon Minor carries the weight of the pressure […]

Waking up early in the mornings to feed their animals, putting in hours each day to prepare for the next show, and enjoying every minute of it. That’s the typical life of an agriculture student. Junior Harper Langton’s dedication paid off at Brazos Valley Livestock Contest showing her goats placing second.

Most art forms live on to last lifetimes; paintings, sculptures, even films stand the tests of time and are still viewed and appreciated years after their creation. One art form that differs from this common characteristic is the art of horticulture, otherwise known as floral design. Although floral arrangements will one day wilt and lose their beauty, designers are no less passionate about their work and still strive to create art through flowers and other plants. Senior Christina Vinson discovered this artform and has prospered in it under the direction of floral design teacher Barbara Volk-Tunnel.

Music booming through the speakers, people in the stands cheering, and girls in sparkly outfits are the images usually synonymous with high school drill teams. The Shy-Anne’s are the spitting image of that, only there’s one addition: a boy. Sophomore Andrew Medina is the first male dancer for the Shy-Anne’s team, and is no stranger to dance.

Early mornings in the barn cleaning and feeding. Watching the sun rise over the trees no matter the weather. Taking care of livestock requires commitment and responsibility. Sophomore Wilsey Wendler has found success in showing steers as an activity which has been passed down from generation to generation.

For years, senior Nick Cargo has spent hours playing soccer with his sister, peers from school, and club teammates. Evolving from the little kid who could barely keep up with the ball to the athlete who scored six goals in a single game, Nick has shown that hard work and perseverance pay off.

There’s more to a woman’s beauty than her outer appearance; a woman can be strong, smart, funny, or anything in between and still be beautiful. Senior Rowdie Bright made it her mission to capture the inner strength and beauty of women with her photography project titled Resilient Women. Rowdie captured raw photos of female students, showcasing their personalities, strength, and natural beauty.

Training, leading, and determination are some qualities to make a great athlete. By watching her sister play and contributed by playing on her own team, senior Rebecca Adcock has attributed those qualities. Soccer as a physical sport, however it’s also a mental sport. Using the mind to know when to pass the ball, communicate with your teammates and what to do next.

Sweat drips from bodies as they’re pressed together, jumping to the rhythm that will leave them deafened by the end of the set. Smoke from the fog machine pours into the crowd as the lights blind everyone in the venue. The sound coming from the overly huge amps reverberates off every surface it can causing the ground to shake to the beat of the drums. Cellphone flashlights light the darkness of the pit like a galaxy of people. From the roaring crowd of a concert venue to the football stadium, and everything in between, there’s no shortage of opportunities for picture perfect memories to capture and senior Bridget Craig has positioned herself to be part of those moments.

In African villages, a beat of a drum accompanied by the twang of a thumb piano. In a concert hall in France, sophisticated sounds of a violin sing out as the bow pulls across the strings. In China, the sharp call of a bamboo flute piques the interest of a passerby. In The United States, pop music plays through the window of a passing car. Music is a constant; a unifying force for humanity and though music is different around the world, freshman Joey Hendrix sees music connect the human spirit, transcending language barriers or cultural boundaries anywhere in the world.

Individual lanes, personal best times, different goals for each swimmer in the pool, yet despite all of that swimming is a team sport meant to create an environment of support and comradery.
And within a team setting it’s important for a leader to step up and lead by example, and the captains of the swim team do just that. With three seniors as captains, Bethany Peterson, Marco Gutierrez, and Addison Ayers have no shortage of responsibilities, hard work, and fun.

Lights on trees, wreaths on doors, mistletoe hung overhead while visions of sugarplums dance in their heads. The Nutcracker is a classic production associated with the holidays and family time. Suzanne’s School of Dance performs the Nutcracker every year in the Rudder Auditorium on the Texas A&M campus. Sophomore Hannah Broussard was named the lead, Clara, in the production.

The ball sails over the net back and forth as two teams fights for the next point. Players work as a single unit to keep the volley going as one player makes a dig, another player sets the ball, and a final player slams it down onto the opposing team’s side of the floor. Junior Maddie Luera has been playing volleyball for eight years and has always enjoyed the competitive nature of the sport.

Players stare across the line at each other waiting for the ball to be hiked. Beads of sweat run down their faces as the tension builds with each word the quarterback yells. The ball sails from the center’s hands into the quarterback’s and the play begins. Each offensive lineman blocks the man across from him. Pushing, protecting the quarterback and the running back coming around the end. But plays, like life, don’t always go as expected. A defensive players peels off his man and slams into the back of one of the offensive lineman’s knees. Pain. Pain, not yardage is gained on this play.

The sounds of cleats scrape the gravel mix with the cheering crowd in perfect harmony. The bright LED lights illuminate the field like spotlights on the players. The diamond is where most baseball players feel at home, but being out on the field isn’t always so easy. Every team requires a strong leader to get them where they need to be in the game. Teammates and coaches believe senior catcher Holt Van Etten fulfills the role of leader for the Viking varsity baseball team.

As she sets her feet firmly against the blocks, the starter calls the runners to the ready. The familiar chant of “I can do this” echoes in her ears as the starter calls set and points the gun upward. Then BANG, junior Jamie Kennedy flies off of the blocks running the 200 meter dash.

The curtain rises. The lights shine down on the stage. Senior Katie Svatek walks out and begins to sing as the crowd falls silent. Opening night can shake a performers nerves, but knowing there is a support group backstage can make all the difference both on stage and off.

A full count is on the board, and senior Rachel Ullmann sets up for the pitch. Digging her foot in the dirt and bending down low to begin wind up, the batter begins to pull back her bat. The ball leaves Rachel’s fingers as the batter misses and gets struck out, the Vikings take home another win.

Getting the ball off the rebound, number 11 sweeps in and sprints down the court. The other end of the court is wide open and the Viking players do their best to protect him as he preps to make an Empire State Building sized jump. Senior Quaylon Newton gets up to the basket and makes a slam dunk with a force that could break the glass of the backboard. All the while the crowd is going wild as the Vikings take the lead in the last few seconds, and win the game.

Working with scissors and construction paper, learning to read independently, forming letters on three lined paper – all these skills, children begin to learn as five year olds. Freshman Angel Quiroga began fostering another, more athletic skills at the tender age of five – playing soccer. Angel has been playing for the past ten years and, just like the other skills students begin to learn in kindergarten, he has made huge strides in his soccer career by playing on several teams before high school.

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.

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.”

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.

The crowd falls silent as he steps up to the tee. His club slices through the air with a resounding thud as it connects with the ball, sending it sailing down the fairway and onto the green. Senior Dylan Godfrey then makes his way to the ball to secure another par and stay on track to finish among the top competitors.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]

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.

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.

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?

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.

“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 […]

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.

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.

“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.”

“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.

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.

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.

From homecoming queen to varsity volleyball player, senior Reagan Boenker has a lot on her plate. She is heavily involved in sports, playing both volleyball and softball and also challenges herself in the classroom. She is more than just a player though, she sets an example for teammates and students on and off of the […]

The Viking Fight Song rings throughout the stadium, and cheers from the cheerleaders echo simultaneously with those of the fans as Chris Johnson takes the field for one of his last games as a Viking. The atmosphere of high school football will be all but a memory for Johnson at the end of this school year when he retires his blue and silver jersey for a green and gold one.

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

For most students, balancing different activities in and outside of school can be a challenge, but for senior Molly Wise, managing the load of academics, art, band and other activities isn’t a problem.

It can be difficult for many students to adapt to the increasing pressures of academics coupled with athletic opportunity. Senior Shavon Pennie has not only adapted, but has also grown stronger from his effort.

Most of us excel in at least one area of expertise, but there are those select few that go above and beyond, excelling in nearly everything they commit to. One such student is senior Landon McGee.

All eyes are focused on one person standing tall and proud on the podium. Everyone is still and silent, waiting for the show to begin.

Discipline, leadership and determination are only a few qualities that make an athlete great. After years of playing soccer, junior Jaime Thompson has developed all of these characteristics and more.

Checking the wind speed and direction, choosing the correct club, stepping up to the tee and swinging, hoping to make it to the green – those are just some of the steps junior Clayton Hudson goes through each time he steps on a golf course. For the past three years he has participated and excelled on the high school golf team.

Your opponent has you in a headlock, and there seems to be no escape. Seconds are ticking away as time runs out. You think back to all your hard work; everything you have done to prepare for this moment. You get a rush of adrenaline and suddenly, you get them down on the ground, trapping them on the mat. It’s all over, the referee raises your hand, signifying that you won.

Ever heard of a one-man band? Senior Jonathan Davilla is that person, as he plays several different instruments, including the violin, cello, piano, and guitar.

Mastering the ability to balance commitment to a team, along with remaining dedicated to school is something many of us see as nearly impossible. One student, senior Khadijah Brisby, manages to execute the two seamlessly.

Then you hear the sound of shotguns firing and a sudden crash of shattering clay. This might be a frightening experience to some, but to competitive skeet shooters, this is just a typical practice.

Most people who find themselves splashing in the water do it to pass the time in the hot Texas summer, but some take this pastime to a competitive level. Senior Haley Clark is an example of this. Not only is she a competitive swimmer on campus, but she is also ranked as one of the top five swimmers in the state and one of the top one hundred swimmers in the nation.

Under the glow of the stadium lights and behind the roar of the crowd, senior Lance Graul can be seen each Friday night snapping the ball into play for the Vikings and marching alongside the band.

Yet, for Graul, the work doesn’t begin on Friday nights.

Memorizing calls, mastering push-ups and perfecting flag showings are difficult tasks that take dedication from all members of the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps). For junior Kevin Sellers, however, the level of difficulty is taken to a whole new level.

Today, most people who go to the salon to get a haircut are there for reasons of vanity, but for some people it’s all about giving back. A national program named Locks of Love (LOL), allows people of all ages to snip away their hair to give children who suffer from hair loss self-confidence and pride while battling through multifarious diseases and disorders.

While baseball has served as America’s pastime, to senior Brent Westmoreland, baseball is a passion and a sport that provides valuable life lessons.

While band, choir, and orchestra offer students a place to exercise their musical ability, many may be surprised to see the number of students that are involved in music outside of school.