As supernatural and fantasy genres have enjoyed a resurgence, the tabletop role playing game, Dungeons and Dragons has (D&D) reached a level of popularity that eclipses the amount of people who played in the 70s and 80s. The game centers around imagination and allows players to create their own character whose destiny is determined by a roll of the dice. No two games are alike, keeping the game fresh and pulling new players as it propels them into a world of adventure.

The movement of a line on a clean white page. Each brush stroke changing the landscape and the meaning of a piece. Art is an expression of the soul and sophomore Riena Mishima has grown and developed as an artist in portraiture and other genres.

Becoming a pilot is a lofty goal. It takes a very down-to-earth man to truly soar in the air, plane and simple. Junior James Addison has put hours of work into his flight training, and has shown great results. After flying his first plane at the age of 13, James has spent the last three years studying and working to become a licensed pilot.

Leaving the familiar for the unknown can be frightening, but freshman Santa Sic Tumax took it all in stride when she moved from Guatemala to Bryan six years ago without knowing the language or customs of the area. She caught on quickly, and is working to continue to excel in school and life.

With this whole pandemic thing going on, everyone’s been suffering. People were locked up in their homes, whether they liked it or not, and had limitless time with limited money. Jobs were scarce, meaning that people had to find different ways to make money. Some seniors at Bryan High took this opportunity to get creative and found ways to make money and be productive on their own.

Since early March, people have been quarantined in their homes with instructions to go out in public as little as possible. These rules forced many to lose relationships, jobs and sanity, but it also helped people gain new talents, hobbies, and friendships. Some people saw the benefits of being stuck at home, took advantage of it by learning things that many people typically would not.

With UIL abruptly cancelling all sporting events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many athletes had to say goodbye to the season they thought they would have. For some students, it was their final year of high school, for others they were just getting a taste of what a varsity sport was like, and though sophomore Sailor Todaro still has two years of eligibility to compete, she was leading the pole vaulting team and was prepared to advance through the post season.

Asthma is a relatively common disease. In many instances, it is mild, and people can get by with using an inhaler when the need arises. For senior Phoebe Hancock, asthma has taken a much larger role in her life. She suffers from severe allergic asthma, meaning her reactions are mostly caused by her allergies. Combatting this disease and its side effects has meant countless visits to the doctor, numerous tests, and even a few operations.

“Watching my dad get shot and die in front of me when I was three still traumatized me because I didn’t have him growing up. I never had a dad to throw a ball with, never had a dad to talk about girls with, it’s just always been me and my grandma.”

Senior Deion Johnson experienced a difficult life from the start, but he has found a way to succeed by relying on people who love him and pushing himself to try new things. After his dad was killed when he was little, his grandmother took him in and raised him as her own.

When thinking about an army soldier and a wrestler, one would initially think that the two are perfectly different. One is a massive, ripped, shirtless guy yelling at the crowd for glory, and the other is an astute, straight-backed fighter in a camo outfit and a rifle. Learning to fill one of these jobs might seem like it would take up all eight high school classes, there’s so much to learn and train before you’re even close to ready.

Playing sports, riding roller coasters, drinking caffeine, all things most teenagers take for granted. But for junior Jaci Siegert, each of these poses a potentially-deadly risk.

The opposing team has the ball, and they’re dribbling down the soccer field, getting ready to kick the ball into the net to score. Senior Yanni Vasilakis stands at the center-mid of the field and waits for the ball to be kicked towards him. There’s only a couple seconds left until the game is over and this kick determines the fate of whether or not the team will take home a win. The opposing team kicks a power shot towards the net but he strides towards the ball and kicks it towards the opposing team’s net, leading his team to another victory.

The proverbial cliche about sports is that they are 90% mental, but how does that actually look in practice? Though sophomore golfer Luke Robertson has worked to improve his performance this season through physical practices, he has also focused on the mental and emotional aspects of the game to get an edge over his opponents on the course. Being cognizant about his reaction to each stroke and how the game is played from the first hole to the last has helped him grow as a golfer.

Playing and competing in a sport with an injury can seem like a big obstacle on the way to success, but athletes still try to compete and improve even with their problems. Senior Maddie Moore plays tennis and suffers from a shoulder injury from two years ago but receives encouragement and help from her teammates to keep going.

It’s a cold December afternoon in the 1940s. Kids are playing in the snow outside, you’re bundled up in front of the fire with someone you love, and you decide to turn on the radio. When the static clears, you begin to hear the sounds of voices playing characters, telling a timeless story you’ve familiarized yourself with. Some seventy years later, students at Bryan High are taking the stage at the Queen Theatre to recreate one of those moments.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that has touched many hearts across the world through countless variations. The tale is told yet again as Viking Theater performs it as a radio play. As opposed to direct movement and visual aids, this show relies on actors’ voices and sounds as they take to their microphones.

Steam rises from the water as the sun comes up over the Bryan Aquatic Center. The temperature may be well into the low 40s, but swimmers dive into the pool and begin their warm-up laps before working on specific strokes. Junior Ayden Ayers has been a member of the swimming and diving team throughout high school and has continued to show resilience and determination in each practice as has times have continued to drop and his dives have continued to earn higher scores.

As the lights dim and the curtain closes, applause breaks out from around the theater, and one person stands, followed by another until the rest of the auditorium is in a standing ovation. For an actor, this is the ideal reaction from an audience. But it’s not easy to get. An actor must shed their identity and take on that of a stranger. Every step and facial twitch must match that of the character they portray. Every word must be interpreted to best convey the emotion of the moment. While some may find this too difficult and shy away from the limelight, senior Evan Pope revels in it.

Winning isn’t everything. Many people believe they should only be involved in an activity or a hobby if they excel at it, but rewards come in many different forms. Senior Caleb Peterson proves each day that persistence and doing something because he loves it is key while running cross country.

Football is a calculated sport. Anticipation and planning paired with the mathematics of velocity and angles require players to think quickly. Junior quarterback Nico Bulhoff possesses traits of a great quarterback and excels on the field and in the classroom.

Ready. Aim. Fire. Freshman Sophia Bradley started shooting a recurve bow when she was in third grade through 4-H shooting sports. By participating in USA archery, 4-H archery, and ASA archery she has been able to enjoy much success over the years.

After four years of being on the varsity volleyball team, leadership and teamwork are almost like sixth senses for senior Coco Gillett. With each passing year, Coco has gained experience and responsibility, helping her gain recognition at the collegiate level and respect on the team.

While most people learn about how the legislature works in their government class, very few people have the chance to go through the procedures of Congress. This summer, senior Caleb Merell was chosen for this opportunity and was able to go to Washington DC with Boys Nation.

The discus weighs heavily in junior Justin Sheridan’s hand as he prepares to launch it across the field. He begins his spin and then releases as his eyes focus on where the discus will land.

At the district meet, Justin threw 137’1” to finish in 3rd place and threw 148’5” at area to place second and advance to region.

It’s late in the game and the Vikings are down by a run with a man in scoring position. Senior Michael Barber feels a surge of adrenaline as he steps up to the plate. The pitcher leans back, and unleashes a fastball. Michael swings hard, and sends the ball flying into the outfield. This is the moment that makes all the sacrifices worth it.

For the Thomas’, wrestling is a family affair. This year, two of the members of the Thomas family advanced to the 6A state wrestling tournament where they were coached by their older brother, also a former Viking wrestler.

A Navy officer presented seniors Heather Constestabile and Nick Defoy with scrubs during a ceremony earlier this year. They have both enlisted in the Navy and been chosen to be hospital corpsman, which allows them to help injured or ill members of the military.

His legs burn from the constant pedaling. The wind stings his eyes. Beads of sweat roll down his face, yet he keeps pushing forward. He looks over his shoulder to see if any of his competitors are gaining ground as he approaches the next change in terrain. The obstacles senior Luke McCollum faces while racing mountain bikes has impacted his life in a positive way.

Though golf is frequently considered an individual sport, there are team components even when the team is small. Senior Ryan Wilson has shown leadership and strength of character throughout the season.

In high school, students rarely find time to do the hobbies that they love. Although building a tank drum and restoring old typewriters are not conventional hobbies, seniors Isaiah Gilbert and Braeden Forsthoff take pride in these unusual hobbies.

The final seconds tick down. The Vikings have the ball. Sophomore power forward, Rodney Johnson pushes his way through heavy traffic to get to the goal and score. As one of the youngest players on the team, Rodney continues to show growth as he advances to lead the team in the future.

It’s a tied match. One more hit, one more chance to win. He lifts his arm, the tennis racket clenched into his hand as the ball makes its way toward him. He makes contact with the ball, and it flies back over the net just out of reach of his opponents outstretched racket.

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.

Fog rolls across the hills as the sun peaks over the horizon. The sound of footfalls in the grass echo through the early morning stillness as dew transfers to each runners tennis shoes. The cross country team has been hard at work for hours before most students arrive at school. Each morning they focus on the whole race physically, mentally, and even emotionally. Cross country isn’t a quick sprint and as such requires strong leaders who understand the mental game of setting a pace to finish strong.

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.