As Christmas day approaches, children and families all over begin to anticipate the gifts, food and cheer that come with the holiday season. However, not every family will be able to experience these wonderful things this season. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, unemployment rates are incredibly high. Many families will not be able to celebrate Christmas this year; high prices for gifts, holiday...
The demand for a coronavirus vaccine has been here since March, yet now when we are in the early stages of the vaccine being released to the public, many turn their head in fear or suspicion. This isn’t unwarranted for several reasons, such as the fact that this vaccine has been developed in a few months while it takes years to develop other vaccines. Many also worry about what’s in it, if...
In years past, there has been a reckoning that comes with the end of the semester. As the days wind down until Christmast break, the academic stress on students usually does anything but that. However, the school has extended a lifeline to students, at least for this current exam season. Students will now be allowed to exempt semester exams this winter as long as they are passing the class; no form...
Lions. Tigers. Bats. Oh my! There are so many different theories about the development and spread of COVID-19. A few of the common ideas include: China made it on purpose, it was created to sabotage the 2020 election and the virus developed from bats. Some students believe in these theories, and some have also formed their own. Scare Tactic? “The coronavirus is being used to bring fear...
For children, the magic of the holidays begins with the story of Santa Claus and the anticipation of seeing gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. But due to COVID-19, more than 20.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment relief, seven out of every 10 Americans have polled that this holiday season is “more difficult than normal.” Many people have taken up extra hours at work or seasonal...
ASL Honor Society and Leader-In-Me are spearheading the Christmas Service Project. This project is meant to help families who are struggling around the holidays, even more so due to the impact of COVID-19. The goal is to help provide canned and boxed foods, other shelf-stable items, family games, card games and cash that the families may use for other food items. They invite all other clubs and organizations...
Control is something many have lost in 2020. With COVID-19 infecting approximately 11 million people in the U.S., it seems there is nothing citizens can do about it. California resident Tiffany Esquino, however, recognized and took the opportunity to help make a difference by volunteering to participate in the Moderna vaccine trial, a study to eradicate the coronavirus. “I really feel strongly...
Due to the pandemic, many events have been made virtual this year, including all-region auditions for choir, band, jazz band and orchestra. For the auditions, each group must learn challenging music, perform it for a set of judges and, if the judges deem it so, will participate in a concert with the top ranking performers in each section. From there, auditions for area and state are a possibility. Every...
Spells have been cast. Battles have been fought. Friendships have been formed. And as a result, the curtain must fall. On Nov. 7-9, the Tiger Theatre Company put on the play “Puffs”, following the life of Wayne Hopkins and his friends as they try to survive 7 years at a certain magical school. This “Harry Potter” inspired comedy was one of the first mainstage productions that was directed by...
You know the feeling. You are headed to your next class, dreading having to sit quietly and listen to your teacher lecture about mitochondria this and slope-intercept form that. You walk in, and then you see them. Subs. All your grief goes away knowing that you will be able to do little classwork and sit by your friends with no questions asked. However, a sub’s role should be reconsidered this...
The ACT/SAT are renowned as a test taker’s worst nemesis; luckily, this year's class won't have to rely on the test to determine their fate as prior graduates would. Due to COVID-19, many colleges nationwide have decided to not make the ACT/SAT a requirement, leaving seniors all across the country confused about what they should do instead, how this decision will affect the college application...
No one's routine is the same amidst this chaos. When the last bell rings, students storm off campus. However, there are people staying behind so students can safely return the following day. In order to follow mandatory health precautions, custodians are remaining on campus after hours to maintain a safe environment. “We’ve been using a lot more disinfectants, gloves and masks,” custodian...
Every single hand raised, and that was it. Through a unanimous vote on Nov. 10 at a TISD School District Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Doug Brubaker was approved as the lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of schools. This was following the resignation of previous Superintendent Paul Norton in July of this year. Through extensive qualifications and obvious professionalism, Dr. Brubaker...
As the country’s contentious contest winds down today, it’s become clear that though today is National Election Day, we may not receive results on the presidential election for some time. What can be determined and interpreted, however, are the results of Texas High’s mock presidential election; the consensus of 343 votes is a divided student population. Joe Biden won the mock election....
As the end of the first semester approaches, seniors face numerous different deadlines to apply to their colleges of interest. The admission process taking place this year is unprecedented. Consider the amount of schools that have gone test optional because of the disruption COVID-19 caused on standardized test taking. Although seniors still face many challenges compared to those of past graduates,...