KPTIMES

Students enjoy benefits of new cell phone policy, page 8.

Sports seasons well underway for football, tennis, volleyball and cross country, pages 6-7.

HUMANS OF K-PARKEveryone has a story, and that includes each of the 1,800 people walking the halls each day. Pages 4-5.

Issue 1, Vol. 2 s September 2014Kingwood Park High School s 4015 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339

Students get technicalBy Sydney Woodward

Staff Reporter

At the beginning of the school year a new cell phone policy was introduced to the student body. Since then nearly everyone has settled into the changes. This policy made it acceptable for students to use their phones during lunch and between classes. Students can also use their phones to look up information to help them on their studies if the teacher allows them to do so. “It allows students to use their phones more often and allows students to communicate with each other,” assistant principal Alan Corman said. “There isn’t any negative I’ve seen so far.” Last year, every time a student was caught with their cell phone during school hours they automatically had it taken up by a principal or

teacher. Students had to pay $15 to get it back, and they were given a Saturday class. Now when a student is caught using a phone without permission in class, they receive a warn-ing first. If it happens a second time, they are sent to the principal’s office. The new rules have reduced the amount of disciplinarian action involving phone use, Cor-man said. Students are allowed on the school WiFi during the day. They can even listen to music between classes on their phones. The ability to have search engines at their fin-gertips during class is also a bonus. “It utilizes a wealth of information in class to help with work,” Casey Langford12 said. Students have embraced the change. “It’s a step forward since pretty much everyone has a cell phone now,” Langford said.

EDMODOEdmodo allows students to hand in assignments online and chat with classmates.

MICROSOFT ONENOTEGreat for taking notes in class or at home.

TRIG PROHelps with most math classes.

KNOWYSThis app helps with vocabulary for any grade level.

EVERNOTEAlso a great app for taking notes. You can type it on your phone and open it on a desktop.

DON’T TOUCH THE SPIKESHelp the bird fly! Just don’t touch the spikes!

BELLS JUMPHelp the bunny jump bell to bell to reach space.

MINECRAFTBuild and mine your own world with Minecraft.

HEADS UP!Try to guess what card is on your friends forehead. Created by The Ellen Show.

CASTLE OF ILLUSION STARRING MICKEY MOUSEHelp Mickey rescue Minnie in Castle of Illusion.

WHAT’S APP-ENING?Since students are now allowed to use cell phones at school, here are some apps to play at lunch and use for educational purposes.

Lyann Kramer10 and Madison Keller10 take advantage of the new rule allowing students to use their phones during lunch. Students can also use them in the hallways between classes. Photo by Orianne Elliott.

JROTC begins Wounded Warrior ProjectBy Rachel DamsStaff Reporter

Master Sergeant Scott Newberry and Major Johnny Nail have implemented a new program called “The Wounded Warrior Project.” They were inspired to start the project when they noticed quite a few country musicians en-couraging their fans to donate to the project that helps injured veterans. For the last few years, JROTC has donated to HAMM, a local food bank. They fed approxi-mately 30-45 families last year through their donations. With the start of the Wounded War-rior Project, JROTC sent out a mass of emails to other JROTC programs, ex-cadets, recruiters, the

Air Force base, and other groups around the high school. The cadets of the JROTC program are required each year to fulfill certain goals. This project helps the students acheive their requirements for class and raise their awareness for those who have been harmed in war efforts. JROTC hopes to raise at least $11,000 during the year. Master Sergeant Newberry wants stu-dents to realize that this is a “chance to have the the students step up and give back to those who have sacrificed something for all of us.” Major Nail said everyone can learn a key lesson from it. “Give something back,” Nail said.

Blood drive sets new record A new school blood drive record was set on Sept. 19. There were 147 components of blood collected, which topped the previous record of 126. The total breakdown of donations meant approximately 351 lives could be saved. “The next blood drive is in November,” HOSA sponsor Gina Sanchez said. “If seniors donate twice, they get a red cord at graduation.” The blood drive was held in honor of Jillian Hum-mel10, who receives multiple transfusions for her cancer treatments at Texas Children’s hospital. “It was so successful because it was for a student on campus this year,” Sanchez said.

- by Sydney Woodward

2 September 2014

BRIEFLY SPEAKING

Educational

Just for fun

By Joshlyn ThomasStaff Reporter

Josiah Carroll11 is on the committees for Day of Service, Freshman Lead-on, CRU High School, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Humble ISD Student Advisory. He has now added another title to his growing resume: freshman ambassador. With what he describes as “an overwhelming de-sire to get to know others,” Carroll wants incom-ing students, especially freshmen, to feel welcome as they enter a new year. He even set a goal to talk to every student and staff member at the school at least once this year. “I want to reach as many students as I can and try to get to know them,” Carroll said. “They’re receptive and usually have a smiley face.” Counselor and freshman ambassador facilita-tor Caren Barnes said, “[Carroll is] patient, kind, [someone who] brings ideas to fruition, and with a strong desire to serve others.” His impact hasn’t stopped there. “He is the kindest person I know,” said Matthew Ogle10, who has become the assistant freshman ambassador. To become the freshman ambassador, Carroll created and presented a plan to the administrators. “Last year, I sat and talked with the principals and presented them with a proposal,” Carroll said. “The process took a few weeks. Already knowing

them and building trust was key. I let out my heart and told them I wanted to make a lasting differ-ence at KPARK before I leave.” As early as Panther Camp, Carroll and Ogle

worked to make new students feel welcome. “Their efforts have been so successful,” Barnes said. “After camp this year, so many students and parents met him and any questions they had were answered. “I would strongly encourage staff members to contact Josiah so he can assist freshmen. We just want them to feel accepted and that there is always someone for them to talk to.” After graduation in 2016, Carroll hopes to go to Texas A&M or become a pastor. The plan is that Ogle will take the lead role when Carroll leaves and keep the program alive. As assistant ambassador, Ogle helps Carroll plan and organize welcoming events and answer questions if Carroll is unavailable. “Both us us are not limiting our work to helping freshmen but just everyone in general who needs anything,” Ogle said. In the meantime, Carroll and Ogle are looking for new ambassadors to help continue their mis-sion of finding a place for every incoming student and help advocate the importance of service and volunteer work in the community. “Freshmen are a group that I can relate to and I want to get to know them and make the transition easier for them because I know how nervous I was coming from middle school into high school,” said Carroll. “They’re a group very close to my heart.”

Junior works hard to offer fresh help to freshmen

3September 2014

Leading the Cru meeting after school, Josiah Carroll11 wraps up what he wants club members, including Garrett Wood11, to remember before they leave. Carroll started the club this year. Photo by Joshlyn Thomas.

The New York Times bestseller Humans of New York showcases the unique stories of those who live in New York City. With 1,800 students walking the halls at KPARK each day, intriguing stories strike close to home. Each student and staff member has unique experiences and obstacles that have made them who they are today. By sharing their stories, the KP Times staff will capture much of the essence of KPARK. Keep checking KPTimes.com for more stories in the series.

Courtney Williams12, the parliamentar-ian of HOSA, was inspired to join the organization by her past struggles. Williams was diagnosed with Primary Immune Disorder, IgG subclass 2, when she was 7 years old. Her immune system wasn’t producing all of the proteins it needed to. “When you’re a kid and they tell you your immune system isn’t working how it should be, it’s really scary and confusing that something inside of your body is broken,” Williams said. Luckily, Williams’ immune system started functioning well again as she grew older, but that was not the end of her struggles. She met her best friend Michael Leon during her sophomore year, and it was “a once in a lifetime connection.” They could both bond over their many visits to the hospital and gossip over the latest magic: the gathering cards. On Oct. 15, 2013, Leon passed away when he unexpectedly rejected his second heart transplant he received during his freshman year. “No matter what happens always tell the people you love ‘I love you,’ just because you never know what could happen.

“I can’t remember what the last thing I said to Michael was. And that bothers me.”

- Orianne Elliott

John Carl Boudreaux10 enjoys surfing and has never forgotten the moment in Costa Rica when a wave about 20 feet high was right above him. He always enjoys the adrenaline rush he gets on his surfboard.

“It’s all about the ride, but it’s also just being in that big ocean getting tossed to feel just how small you are in this world.”

- Caitlin Hiegel

Teacher Joe Ehrhardt had to grow up quickly during his senior year of high school in 1969 when his father passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 50. Ehrhardt’s father, whom he referred to as a “selfless and insightful” man, served in WWII. Even when times were rough for Ehrhardt, he would think of how his father would handle the situation and wish he could ask his father directly. Ehrhardt’s father always wanted to be a teacher but never had the opportunity to get his college degree. Ehrhardt became a teacher in honor of his father. Although his first experience as a teacher in his home state of Louisiana was rough, he learned a lot of lessons from the students. One lesson in particular stuck with him.

“Kids don’t care what you you know until they know that you care,” Ehrhardt said.

- Rachel Dams

Julie Mai12 is often inspired artistically by things that she sees. In class, she typi-cally doodles either original characters or someone she finds interesting. She has always wanted to be a professional artist as far back as she can remember. Mai recently changed her mind, how-ever, and decided to keep art as more of a hobby. Mai said this change was due to society’s lack of enthusiasm and respect for those in the art industry. If Mai lived in a more art-oriented country she said she would continue her artistry and pursue a career in animated films. In America, she sees the art industry as flooded with applications and extremely competitive. As Mai nears college, she has decided to become an Astronomy major and eventu-ally becoming a pediatric psychologist. She said taking astro physics will be extremely difficult and prepare her for most mathematically-oriented careers.

- Rachel Dams

HUMANS OF KPARK

4 September 2014

WAVE RIDER

ARTISTIC ASTRONOMER

GOOD FRIEND

INSPIRED INSTRUCTORPhoto by Orianne Elliott

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Photo by Caitlin Hiegel Photo by Rachel Dams

With a classroom filled with couches and a welcoming personality, Kim Ackerman is popular among students. “Ever since I’ve been teaching, I’ve always kind of had that thing where I care about kids, I love kids, I treat them like my own,” Ackerman said. She is known for her incredibly positive attitude and her ability to make people smile. Ackerman is not only a soccer coach. She also teaches Teen Leadership, a class which helps teens through personal and social situations. As a Creekwood Middle School teacher, Ackerman was settled. She planned to stay there until retirement. However, once she heard about Teen Leadership and the impact it could make on kids she said, “I’m there.” Even though Ackerman is always cheerful, she has had some obstacles thrown at her throughout her life. “At one point, I was let go from Lone Star (College), my friend got hit by an 18-wheeler and almost died,” she said. “Then my lab got out and got hit by a car and passed away.

“It was one thing after another, and I was questioning ‘Why is all this happening?’ But life is like a rollercoaster. You have to understand there’s something bigger and better out there, and you have to roll with the punches.”

- Orianne Elliott

Anna Emerson10 has a fear of disappointing her dad because he’s the closest family she has. So when he got sick two years ago, loneliness struck her and Emerson was forced to become independent. “My grandma was supposed to take care of me but she wanted to take care of her son,” Emerson said. “So I took care of myself and the house.” She was in eighth grade when her dad got a blood disease and was in the hospital for a year. Her older brother, who was attending the University of Houston, wasn’t around to take care of her so her grandma moved in. “I was lonely and scared that my dad was going to pass away,” said Emerson, whose dad is back home and slowly getting better.

“It was a dark year when he wasn’t there.”- Kat Smith

Almost a year and a half after leaving public school, Daniela Bermudez11 is happy to be back. During her freshman year, she was involved in an altercation with another student. Even after that situation ended, the problems did not. She struggled to deal with some kids being unkind and started being home schooled. After a year and a half of home schooling, she returned to KPARK. She said she found most of the students she had struggled with had either transferred or matured, and she is having fun catching up on classes and all she had missed. During her time away, she said she learned one key lesson:

“Don’t believe everything people tell you,” she said.- Rachel Dams

5September 2014

Moving schools is always difficult, particularly when the new school is in a new state as well. But starting a new school in a new home is even harder when it has to be done twice in less than two years.

“On the plane ride from California to Florida, my mom pointed down and said, ‘Hey, there’s Texas!’ And a year later, here I am,” Hannah Harden10 said. She was frustrated because she didn’t know anyone when she arrived, but that’s slowly starting to change. Hannah met one friend, who was also new to the area during the first week of school. “I really only sat with her at first because I didn’t want to sit alone at lunch,” Harden said. “But it ended up awesome. She moved here too, and she gets it.”

- Madison Berry

A DADDY’S GIRL

COMEBACK KID

A NEWCOMER, AGAIN

NATURAL TEACHER

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Photo by Orianne Elliott

Photo by Madison Berry

Photo by Kat Smith

In the third grade, Kat Smith’s life got turned upside down when she was diagnosed with dyslexia. The problem first started with spelling. She felt horrible about herself. “I felt like there was something wrong with me,” the freshman said. Once she was put in classes that helped her work with her dyslexia, she started becom-ing comfortable with herself. She is now in honors classes making As and not letting her dyslexia hold her back. Her favorite quote is “Everything happens for a reason” because she is certain without her dyslexia she wouldn’t work as hard.

“Without dyslexia, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. - Anna Emerson

DETERMINED STUDENTPhoto by Anna Emerson

Big move allows Awe to play game he lovesBy Amber Dalton

Staff Reporter

After C.J. Awe10 saw bits and pieces of American football in movies, he loved it and instantly wanted to play the game. However, he didn’t have that opportunity growing up in Australia. “I really wanted to hit somebody even though I wasn’t aggressive at the time,” Awe said. Awe was born in Perth, Australia, where he lived until July 2012. His mother, who had been looking to move to the United States since she was 18, applied for a green card through the Diversity Immigrant Act - also known as the Green Card Lottery. The U.S. gives out 55,000 permanent resident visas annually and Sharon Duthie’s name was drawn in 2012. She and her son packed up what they owned and moved. “One of the hardest adjustments we’ve made is making new friends and leaving our old friends and family,” Duthie said. Awe started the eighth grade in

VARSITY FOOTBALL s Record: 2-2. Last game: 44-0 victory over Galena Park. Next game: Oct. 2 vs. Crosby at Turner Stadium

Matthew Reyna11 tries to escape a Huntsville defender in the team’s 51-49 loss on Sept. 5. Photo by Tori Gatling.

Quarterback Jaylon Henderson12 drops back looking for a pass against Huntsville in the Panthers’ home opener on Sept. 5. The team fell 51-49 in the game. Henderson threw for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat. Photo by Tori Gatling.

Cole Attebery12 walks the sideline shouting up to the fans in hopes of getting them louder in the Sept. 12 double overtime loss to Humble. Photo by Orianne Elliott.

Just two years after moving from Australia, C.J. Awe10 has learned to play the game he used to only be able to watch on TV. Awe is a reserve lineman for the varsity squad. Photo by Amanda Haney.

6 September 2014

being on the freshman team last year, he has enjoyed the privilege of spaghetti team dinners, and on top of that a personal cheerleader who makes him signs on game days for his football locker and brings treats to the dinners. “I am excited to have him as my player and get to know him,” cheerleader Madison Russell said. “He is really sweet and always gives me hugs at dinner.” Before the game, Awe tries not to talk to a lot of people. He stays focused and listens to music to get himself hyped up for the game. His goals this season are to earn more playing time and practice hard so by his senior year he will be one of the top players on the team. After high school he wants to earn a college scholarship to play football. Since moving from Australia two years ago, Awe has learned a lot about the game and life. “You have to go as hard as you can because you might not get another chance,” Awe said.

Kingwood. Once he started school, he was finally able to play the game he had previously only seen on TV. Two years later, Awe is a reserve offensive lineman for the varsity squad. “(Making) varsity was a big honor and I felt successful,” Awe said. After training Monday through

Saturday with his team, he still goes to the gym to work out. Playing football has taught him discipline and manners, he said. “He is helpful, kind and loving, laughs a lot and does his chores without grumbling,” Duthie said. Now that he has made varsity after

BY THE NUMBERS

8 rushing touchdowns

by running back Parker Cradic12.

5 touchdown passes

by quarterback Jaylon Henderson12.

36.25average amount of points the Panthers

have scored in their first four games.

60yard touchdown reception by Matthew

Reyna11 against Humble on Sept. 12.

410total yards by the Panthers in the 44-0 victory over Galena Park on Sept. 18.

6 more days until the next game against

Crosby at Turner Stadium.

7September 2014

By Owen HerbertSpecial Contributor

Despite only having four varsity players return from the boys and girls tennis teams, coach Wade Bar-tels looks forward to another strong season after a 3-1 start to the year. “They are hungry, they work hard and they are coachable,” Bartels said. “Many players are stepping up into the varsity positions and adjusting to the new challenges.” Many players have already stood out. “Sophomore Holly McKinney’s three-set victory over Barbers Hill after overcoming multiple muscle cramps [was impressive],” Bartels said, “also in the Barbers Hill match, duel wins in singles and doubles by Paul Mead12, Daniel Kelly11 and

Ashir Ishtiaq11.” Despite the roster changes, the ex-pectations are as high as ever. They want to continue toward another bi-district championship and reach regional qualifier status. “We need to rebuild the talent base with the new faces,” Bartels said. “We plan to reach those goals with hard work, playing outside of school, believing in ourselves and mental toughness.” Key leaders in the transition in-clude: seniors David Fuss, Jared Hardy-Crosky, Paul Mead and An-gelee Vaile. Bartels said they lead the others and are committed to playing outside of school. “I like to play under pressure,” Mead said. “It feels great to say that we’re carrying on the legacy of Dis-trict Champs.”

By Kaetlyn LunaSpecial Contributor

Volleyball coach Tammy White likes the closeness of her team, but when it comes to games she is trying to get them to be more like teammates rather than best friends. “It’s hard for the girls to tell each oth-er to pick it up or work harder because they are so close and they don’t want to hurt each other’s feelings,” White said. “It’s OK to step on each other’s toes.” Off to an early 14-8 start overall and 4-2 in district play, White has high ex-pectations going forward. While there have been highs and lows early on, White said she has seen

a number of positive moments. Varsity captain Kendall Searcy11 is in her third year on the team. “She is a spark of energy, a very posi-tive player, and speaks to the rest of the team in a confident way,” White said. The team has one new freshman player, Hannah Overmyer. “I was nervous at first but the girls made me feel welcomed when I came and made me feel like we were all equal,” Overmyer says. The players’ kindness has helped her quickly adjust to the higher level of competition. “We can all trust and rely on each other in the games,” Overmyer said. “We are truly like a family.”

Girls look to climb ranks in district

Pink Out jerseys to honor loved onesBy Rachel DamsStaff Reporter

Football coach Jim Holley has taken up a cause very close to him this fall. After losing his 21-year-old son to a brain tumor in 2011, Holley read an article about a football team who honored cancer survivors and victims annually. Holley worked with the lead-ership committee to implement some-thing similar here. This year during the Pink Out game on Oct. 25, people are able to sponsor a pink football jersey for $100. Each jersey will be personalized with a name

honoring someone they know who has survived or been a victim of cancer. A player will wear the jersey during warm-ups and then present it to the person who purchased it in a ceremony at the game. “[I hope] to be able to honor those who are fighting cancer and remember-ing those who we have lost” said Holley. “One hundred percent of the proceeds goes directly to MD Anderson and Pe-diatric Brain Tumor research.” His idea sparked interest from around the school, especially the friends of for-mer English teacher Charlene Holmes, who passed away recently of liver can-

cer. Holmes’ close friends, both in the English department and in her book club, have come together to sponsor a pink jersey in her honor. After nine months on a wait list, Holmes received the call for a liver transplant surgery last school year. All of her friends and family were excited and happy to hear she was finally get-ting a new liver. After the surgery Holmes had complications, however. Teachers Lori Thiel, Patricia Horn-beck, and retired teacher Mary Ann Schaefer visited Holmes every week while she was hospitalized. They

laughed and remained hopeful to-gether. Holmes continued to hold on, wanting to see her third grandchild but sadly passed the day the baby was born. Thiel and Holmes were part of the English department for six years. They were a two-woman team. “[We were] as different as night and day, [but] it worked,” Thiel said. Jerseys are still available for purchase. A link to the form can be found at KP-Times.com. “The reaction has been amazing. The positive feedback and the early re-sponse has been overwhelming,” said Holley.

DeeDee Morin and Meredith Hadley work together in the Humble victory. They won the match in three sets: 25-11, 25-12, 25-12. The team returns home Oct. 3 to face Crosby. Photo by Katherine Teagle.

Newcomers adjust quickly to high expectations

Cross Country The boys and girls teams have been compet-ing for a month as they look to make another run for a State title. Their next meet is the Cy Woods Invitational on Sept. 27. The district meet is Oct. 22. A number of runners have started the year strong as they build up toward the big meets later next month. “I’m doing really well this season and getting lots of personal records,” Jamie Contreras said. “I’m beating a lot of people I wanted to beat least year.” To see photo galleries of the past few meets, visit KPTimes.com. In Dayton last weekend, Carter Floyd10 and Tyler Jensen11 keep pushing through the race as their coaches and teammates cheer them on from the side. Photo by Stefania Mendez.

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