Annual bacon fry held at Tiger Stadium

Pep rally, bacon fry held in preparation of first football playoff game

Story by Haley Waddell, Staff Writer • November 9, 2023

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Senior Truth Dukes pours syrup on her pancakes during Texas High School’s annual Bacon fry at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 7, 2023. The bacon fry has been a tradition for years in preparation of the Texas vs Arkansas game. However, the game has not been played since the 2019 football season. Texas High continues the tradition regardless of if the game takes place or not.

Story by Chassidy Davis and Blaise Larry-Cox

The smell of bacon fills the field as people file into the stands, carrying plates piled with pancakes and bacon. Seniors stand at tables to the side, helping those who come up to get a portion of this breakfast feast.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Texas High seniors held their annual Bacon Fry at Tiger Stadium. Previously, the bacon fry tradition celebrated what students referred to as “hell week” during the rivalry game vs Arkansas High. However, the game has yet to be played after the 2019 football season. Despite this, Texas High chooses to continue the tradition.

“I think Bacon Fry has gone from more of a competitive thing to more of a community event that all the students can come together and have fun at,” senior Cole Gideon said.

What originally started as a way to get ready for a highly anticipated game now grows into something much more. It used to take place on the Texas High campus on the morning of the game, but now it’s before the first playoff pep rally.

“Whenever it’s after school we just get to come here [to Grimm] and spend time with others that normally don’t go to the school,” sophomore Dlaney Dwyer said. “It brings others closer together.”

There are benefits of holding the bacon fry at Tiger Stadium. The community gathers with the students to celebrate as well.

“I think [Grim] is better because it’s right before a pep rally and it’s at night,” freshman Jillian Tyler said. “That makes it so much more fun.”

The Bacon Fry is still a loved tradition for the students of Texas High School; however, people miss the game that initiated the Bacon Fry.

“I’m really sad. I just wish that we still [played Arkansas],” Tyler said. “Our rivalry is so fun.”

Some people miss the big rivalry game. Others, however, don’t care about it as much. They just love that the Bacon Fry tradition prevails.

“I think that it’s really cool that they’re keeping up the tradition,” freshman Melissa Hackett. “Even though they’re not playing each other, I think it’s really cool that they’re still doing [the Bacon Fry].”

The tradition continues to bring excitement to Texas High, even without the ability to play against Arkansas. The student body bonds over the event.

“I like [the Bacon Fry] a lot,” Dwyer said. “I like that it brings the community together and that we get to enjoy eating bacon and pancakes before our playoff games.”

About the Contributors

Haley Waddell, staff writer

Senior Haley Waddell is a third-year staff member of the Tiger Times Newspaper. She is also a part of the Rosebuds Junior Garden Club, National Honor Society, Texas High Leadership, Texas High Student Council, and AP Ambassadors. When Waddell isn’t occupied by extracurriculars, she is probably working at her part-time job. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical field after high school. Waddell always tries her hardest to get the best grades possible, but doesn’t know for sure which university she will attend. She enjoys going to the movies, hanging out with friends and taking trips to the beach. Waddell is excited for her senior year and has high hopes for the future.

Chassidy Davis, Visual Journalist

Chassidy Davis is a second year staff photographer. She loves football and softball, as well as taking pictures at the games. She is excited for her second and last year of her photography journey. She plans to go to the Air Force after she graduates, but she will always have Texas High Publications in her heart.

Blaise Larry-Cox, Culture Editor

Blaise Larry-Cox is a senior and second year Publications member. He is the Culture Editor, a first year photographer and the producer of the THS podcast, Breaking Snooze. Outside of publications he is in Model UN, STUCCO, and multiple other things that look good on a college resume. He would love to help anyone with anything, because he definitely doesn't already have enough to do! He plans on helping the program win awards such as Gold Crown and Pacemaker in order to cement Texas High as the best publication in Texas. In his free time you can find him editing videos and photos for his instagram account, @blaisefilms, or grilling, which he annoyingly posts on his Snapchat story, “Tonight’s Dish”.

Truth Dukes, Social Media Manager

Truth Dukes is a third year returning year staff photographer and is the current Social Media Editor for photography. She enjoys creative multimedia work, and plans to study Media Marketing after high school at the University of North Texas. Truth is excited to help lead the photographers this year aside the other photo editors, but is sad to finish her last year of being a staff photographer.

Anna Bell Lee, Managing Editor/Webmaster

Anna Bell Lee is in her second year on the newspaper staff and is now Managing Editor and Webmaster. She is passionate about life and everything she does. She is a very organized and Type-A person but also loves to go with the flow. She loves her dog as if she were her child and would do anything for her. Lee plans on going to college for either nursing or journalism.

Grant Spicher, visual journalist

Grant Spicher is a second-year photographer and videographer for Tiger Times. He hasn't told anyone this, but whenever he is not at school he is protecting the city from danger. He is Spider-Man. Although his heroism is limited, he plans to focus on his career by going to Texas A&M University to study creative media and continue his sports media journey.

Kristina Colburn, Assignments Editor

Kristina Colburn is currently the Photo Assignments Editor for THS Publications. She is also a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, AP Ambassadors, HOSA, Model UN and the Multicultural Club. In her spare time, Kristina likes to relax and listen to music, shop online, thrift and occasionally pick up a book. In addition, she likes to travel. She has been to France and Spain, and is hoping she can travel more in the upcoming years. In the future, Kristina aims to major in Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas or Anthropology at Baylor University.

Annie Smith, visual journalist

Annie Smith is a junior and a second-year returning staff photographer for THS Publications. Smith is involved in Rosebuds Junior Garden Club as a social media chair, as well as a member of National Honor Society and Quill & Scroll. Her favorite TV show is “Jane the Virgin” and her all time favorite movie is “Coraline”. She loves to read fantasy genre books and relax with pet cat Sheldon. She is so excited to see what this year brings both in school and out!