Needing to gain approval from Mrs. Houston, a group of juniors have taken part in the long process of starting a club. From filling out paperwork to finding a sponsor and recruiting members, it hasn’t been an easy task but it’s finally almost complete.

Anyone that wants to join may; the only requirement as of right now is that any member of the club takes part in volunteer activities s and a certain amount of hours within the club.

Officer positions will be open for people to apply for after approval, all open ones being vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, parliamentarian, and reporter. There will also be committee chairs consisting of community service chair, spirit chair, and environment chair.

There will be two co-sponsors; Coach Eckerman and Mr. Craft. The dates for meetings will be decided upon after approval from Mrs. Houston. Officers will be required to attend every meeting.

This club will be a great way not only to gain community service hours for job and college applications, but also a great way to make a difference in Tomball. From volunteering at local charities to participating in service projects, there is no limit to the difference that can be made.

The club may become official as soon as next week but there is a chance it could be later. All fingers crossed that Mrs. Houston approves all of the paperwork.

For more information or to obtain a permission slip contact one of the following people: Michelle Nguyen, Tori Pantalion, Mr. Craft. Or Coach Eckerman

When the spring competition finally rolled around this year, the two were ready to compete and ended up getting first at Districts.  Moving on to Regionals, the team traveled to Willis to compete beside some of the top ranked in the state.

After an easy first match, the team prepared to play against Magnolia who, at the time, was ranked higher than TMHS.  Coming into the game weary of these respectable players, Walker and Sanchez started going down in the middle of the first match but, with the help of a pep talk from tennis coach Misti Taylor, quickly brought themselves back up to victory.

Taylor reported seeing a positive change in the way that two played together during Regionals.

“If they got down, they were down and there was no way they were coming up,” Taylor noted of the change she had seen during this match compared to prior tournaments. “But they did this time.  It was like all the way up to that point this year, they were holding their breath.  It was beautiful to watch because they were finally both together.”

After moving on to the State competition, the team traveled to Austin to play at UT’s Stadium.  Although Walker knew what to expect, Sanchez had never seen the overwhelming aspects of the State-level competitions.  Surrounded by line judges, officials, top-ranked players around Texas, and massive groups of people, Sanchez and Walker felt the same wave of nerves from Regionals return to their body.

Although the team arrived ready to play and represent Tomball Memorial, they could not overcome their intimidation against San Antonio.

“It wasn’t anything I could fix fundamentally,” Taylor said.  “It was the nerves that got to them.”

As an experienced player and coach, Taylor hopes to be able to bring other players to these competitions in the future.

“If regional qualifiers could go and see, the nervous factor could disappear,” Taylor said. “Going into something and not knowing what to expect is asking for failure.”

In addition to nerves felt from the competition, the team also described feeling pressure from the school as a whole.

“Since we won first place, people had really high expectations for State,” Sanchez said.

Through the experience with Sanchez and Walker at State, Taylor was able to come up with a new motto to be placed on the 2013-2014 tennis shirts.

“Nothing else matters but the white lines, the neon ball, and the green courts,” Taylor said, previewing the slogan for the entire team.

Although Sanchez and Walker returned to Tomball without a victorious title from State, the two plan to work hard to achieve that goal next year.  From playing tennis all summer to extreme physical conditioning, the pair plans to give up a “typical” teenage break in exchange for improvement to their game.

“Tennis is worth it,” Walker said.  “You get over not being able to do things for tennis.”

While tennis requires being physically fit, it also requires strong mental game to be successful.

“I like the feeling of making a good shot and knowing I worked for it,” Sanchez said.  “Tennis is a mentally challenging sport but I would be nowhere without it.”

This year, three teachers from Memorial’s campus have accepted the honor and award of A+ Teacher.

Mr.Brice Ballew, Tomball Memorial’s theater director and master of all things drama, has a charisma that leaves students and fellow staff members full of  good vibes  and light-hearted laughter. Perhaps because of this, Ballew was presented with one of the A+ Teacher awards of Tomball Memorial.

“I was actually really surprised that I received it,” said Ballew. To his humor, Ballew didn’t find the email of recognition until several days after it had been sent because he was away with UIL.

After 13 years of teaching, 8 in the Tomball school district, Ballew was honored to have such a recognition. When asked what makes his teaching style so unique from others, Ballew responded simply.

“Every single teacher here at TMHS has a very distinct style of teaching. I guess what makes me special is I have a high level of energy and I use demonstrations and examples that teenagers can relate to.”

“He’s a lot more interactive than other teachers which is why it’s so much easier to like his class,” said sophomore student Claire Stowell

The A+ Teaching award holds great responsibility for its recipients. Laughingly, Ballew admitted that although it is an honor to have, now he feels a nonchalant pressure to live up to the expectation this award has thrust upon him. It will however, motivate him to reach his full potential as a teacher every single day. “When I have a rough day with a student, that can remind me of what I am capable of doing,” said Ballew.

Teachers are often left wondering what percentage of students really care, how many students actually listen, and what difference is being made in the educational field. “Sometimes I’ll have a student who will look bored out of their mind every single day in my class, and then they come back a few years later and tell me that something I said, something I don’t even remember saying, changed their life forever,” said Ballew.

Memorial is at the last stretch of getting its feet off of the ground, as the 2012-2013 school year wraps to close this June. As an A+ Teacher, Ballew comments that his short term and long term goals are the same. “Make this school the best it can be,” said Ballew. “We want our name to associated with quality”

The foundation, however, of A+ Teacher, is just that- teaching. When asked what his favorite part about teaching was, Ballew responded “The students. If you don’t like young adults, you shouldn’t be a high school teacher.”

Ballew has recently started a new family and plans to branch out to bigger positions in the future, possibly at a juinor high or elementary school. “If I could have any other job in the world though, I would be a king. My ego wouldn’t settle for anything less,” said Ballew.

Garza teaches lifetime nutrition and wellness, principles of education and training, and human growth and development. She is also the adviser for student council.

“Ms. Garza works really hard with all the stuff she does,” freshman Sabrina Freire said. “She makes school enjoyable for me. I love ending my day in her class.”

Garza likes being a teacher because it provides her the ability to work with a diversity of students.

“I get to work with a lot of interesting people,” Garza said. “One of my favorite things is getting to work with a variety of students.”

Garza strives to make a connection with her students which makes them feel like she cares about how they are feeling.

“Ms. Garza stands out because you can really tell she cares about us,” junior Carson Cotrino said. “She tries to get to know you personally which I really like.”

Garza goes above and beyond being a teacher with her students.

“She listens to us and helps us out with school and non school related things,” junior Avery Glenewinkel said. “She relates to us. She’s like a mentor.”

Garza’s students believe that she deserves the reward because she stands out from their other teachers.

“Ms. Garza works really hard at her job,” freshman Georgia Cotrino said. “She always stays late and works hard to make sure we succeed in all our classes.”

Garza tries to make her class as sociable as possible while still teaching her students what they need to know.

“I try to get to know my students at a more personal level,” Garza said. “I don’t just ask them how they are; I really want to know. I try to make class a fun enviroment where the students feel comfortable.”

In the technologically based world we live in, the inevitable result of blending school with cell phones in a fair and balanced manner is at the top of every administrator’s mind. The key problem at hand is this: students using their phones during school is a distraction from learning and can lead to cheating on tests. However, there seems to be an excessive amount of phones being confiscated. Administration should allow students “guilt free” phone time before the 7:50 bell and after the 2:50 bell, along with allowing phone usage during lunch periods.

Students depend on cell phones for dozens of purposes. It is both a communication device and a research tool. Therefore, a compromise regarding when and where phones are permitted, along with strict policies during testing, would reduce frustration from students and increase the amount of respect in classroom settings.

To be realistic, one must rationalize that phones will be used regardless of the regulations set before them. This can be seen everyday, where students are using their phones without the teachers discretion, or tucked into a corner of a hallway sending a text. Tightening the reins on cellphone usage simply will not solve the problem. Therefore, creating a set time during the school day where students may use their phones would lessen the urge for students to break rules. This, at first may seem daunting to a wary staff and administration, but, with simple alterations to classroom procedures, this compromise is quite reasonable.

Like with any uprising of new technology, there are individuals that feel the technology has no place in education. For those unsettled by the idea of cell phones belonging in classrooms, think calculators. In 1975, a ghastly 72% of high school teachers believed that calculators should not be allowed in math classrooms, and parents believed it would result in children losing their basic math skills. Today, however, teachers and parents understand that this is not so. Calculators are provided for students in nearly every classroom, and it is used as a learning tool, and gives students the opportunities to discover and accomplish far more than ever possible without a calculator. Can this example be applied to cell phones? Of course. Because with the proper supervision and motives, a smart phone transforms from a thing of distraction, to a thing of research.

When a test day rolls around, many teachers create only one version of a test. This not only boosts the likelihood of cheating in the classroom, but makes it much easier for students to snap pictures of tests to send to other classmates. To decrease cheating both with the use of technology and without, it should be understood that several versions of tests must be created. In an attempt to even further lessen cheating, teachers should consider creating several test versions, with similar but different questions. This variation of wording and questioning ensures that the main idea and concept of the test is relayed, but students cannot pass verbatim the questions that will appear.

With a compromise regarding cell phone policy, it is possible to boost the student body’s attitude toward administration in a positive manner. Instead of oppressing the use of phones in school, granting students designated times for allowed cell phone use would lessen students using their phone during class time. Giving them a sort of “safe zone,” so to speak. No revision of rules or regulations, no matter how strict, can eliminate the issue of cheating all together. But with simple classroom alterations during testing, including collecting phones on test days, and making several versions of each test, can drastically decrease the amount of cheating.

With a consistent participation from teachers and staff, and clearly relaying the policy to students, the issue of cell phones could be lessened dramatically. This compromise creates a more cooperative environment and positive response from the student body, while still controlling the issue of cheating. Technology is becoming more and more a necessity to our everyday lives. It will not disappear. Instead of oppressing the technologies at hand, we must embrace them, in a positive and constructive manner.

While a teacher’s main reward may be the intrinsic joy of her student’s success, it’s nice to receive a little recognition from one’s peers from time to time. Mrs. Kana was recently honored with the A plus teacher award for her outstanding teaching. Kana was nominated for this award by her fellow teachers.

“I did an in-service one day called “The Amazing Brain” where the other teachers could watch me teach,” explained Kana. “I think that’s why I got the award. If they could have seen my other team members teach then one of them probably would have got it. Our team is amazing.”

Kana says that her students are also responsible for her winning this award, and that having a class she likes makes the job easier and more rewarding.

“I have an amazing class,” Kana said. “It isn’t every year that you just fall in love with your students.”

Kana holds her class in very high esteem. She wants them to enjoy her class and succeed. In regards to teaching, Kana’s philosophy is simply “Don’t bore ‘em.”

“It’s better if they like what you’re teaching them,” said Kana. “Because if they like it then they want to do it without you having to shove it down their throats.”

Kana’s fellow teachers continue to support her and commend her for her good work. Just as Kana speaks highly of her team, her team is equally impressed with her teaching.

“I’ve worked with Ms. Kana for a number of years,” Bulaclac said. “She’s a really great teacher.”

Kana can hardly believe that her “Don’t bore ‘em” teaching style stood out so much to her fellow teachers that she has been rewarded with the A plus teacher award.

“I am unbelievably humbled,” Kana said. “I can’t believe I got the award with such an amazing staff.”

The Silence- a religious order discovered during Doctor Who’s 6th season- work in ways humans cannot comprehend  well mainly it’s more that humanity cannot remember what they saw in terms of the Silence because as soon as one looks away from the alien, they immediately forget all memories of the creature, except for any influences placed on them beforehand.

“Those things scared the living heck out of me,” freshman Alexandria Samuels said. “I mean, Doctor Who already has some creepy stuff, but the Silence took the cake.”

Though , the idea of the Silence captivated Whovians worldwide, which in turn created the idea of having a national ‘Day of the Silence’ on April 23rd.

“I first saw it on tumblr, “Junior Daniel Cartwright said. “I follow a few Whovians there and I saw it was supposed to be a pretty big thing. People really love their fandoms.”

What are these marks for? Any ideas?

It’s not what one would normally assume.

“If you see someone covered in black tally marks, they’re trying to remember how many silence they’ve seen before looking away,” Junior Marina Harlon said.

Well, to put into non-Whovian turns, each time a person catches sight of a Silence, they take a sharpie and mark themselves  in order to remind themselves that they saw a Silence after turning away. It’s a spooky idea, and yet an idea that executive producer Steven Moffat decided to take.

“Moffat is a complete genius, ” Samuels said. “I’d have never thought that Who could get any creepier, but it did.”

Even if no Silence are lurking around the streets of Tomball,  black marks still covered the arms of all those who love Who in the area.

“I did it- and people thought I was emo for a bit, ” junior Daniel Simm said. “Even though I knew they were joking, I still washed it off and redid the marks in blue.”

One junior shares the same passions as these big time Hollywood directors: to be one himself. Nick Hudzinski is working hard to nurture his enthusiasms for the film industry.

Hudzinski said that his dreams took flight about a year ago, when he bought his first camera.

“The first camera I got was an affordable orange Sony Handycam,” Hudzinski said. “I upgraded last year to a Canon Vixia HFR 20. I’m planning on upgrading again in may to the Cannon EOS 60D.”

His ambitions began when he realized he wanted to make his ideas to something tangible.

Hudzinski has been in theatre for awhile, but his preference for film was carefully thought over.

“I feel that you can’t always express and display exactly what your idea is over a theatrical performance, which is why film interests me so much.” Hudzinski said. “I can give my audience exactly what I had pictured.”

The first movie Hudzinski produced was just a short two minute video with his sister and friends titled ‘Michael Jackson Lady’.

“When I come up with an idea, I write it down immediately. Then I take the idea and I make a list of events that will happen in the film. After making the list and getting the character names, I begin writing the script. When the script is done I start calling some of my friends that are actors/actresses and I get my cast. Then I set the film date and I get a crew together and film.”

Hudzinski said that the amount of time he spends on a certain film correlates directly with the sort of film he’s producing.

“If it has a lot of effects on it, it could take a little while but if its just a simple short film with some contrast effects, then it would probably take me 3 days to film and edit.”

Hudzinski loves editing films best.

His least favorite aspect is casting. “It’s hard to find the right people to play the right parts.”

Although Hudzinski is a movie fanatic, he doesn’t particularly have a favorite movie.

“It’s always changing. My favorite genre though is Horror.” Hudzinski said.

During Thespian Convention this past winter. Hudzinski presented his short horror film, Color Red.

“A masked villain murdered a girl, the police had no idea who it had been,” Junior Roxanna Taylor said. “The film quality was very good, the script was well written, and overall it was done very well!”

The film itself took about three hours to film, and Hudzinski recruited help from several theatre buddies. Juniors Denise Prater, Danny Serpati, and Madison Isenberg all assisted Hudzniski.

“He had a clear vision and knew exactly what he wanted, and as an actor that’s very comforting to know.” Serpati said. “He didn’t really over think his work much either, he went with his gut, and when he got the shot he wanted he moved on, and didn’t try to get something better again and again.”

“I didn’t feel like I was in a controlling environment,” Prater said. “It was very relaxing.”