The Art of Boxing
By: Benjamin Cavazos (11), Staff Writer
Some people may say that boxing is a violent sport, you punch people you don't even know and whoever is the last standing wins. However, boxing is a passion that can lead to a lifelong career. A career of fame, money, wealth and happiness.
Huge figures such as Mike Tyson, Thomas Hearnes and Jack Dempsey inspire many young people to do this sport. Two boxers go to their corners until the bell goes off for 3 rounds. Depending on who goes down first or who throws the most punches, a point is earned.
Michael Alverez (11), started boxing in the 10th grade. After all of his hard work that he put into the gym, he won his first amateur match.
“I stopped doing sports this last year, and I felt like I should get back into it. I was a fan of boxing so I decided to pick up on it,” Michael said.
He attends the Randazzo Brothers boxing gym, owned by Santo Randazzo who teaches young people techniques on how to spar in a match. There have been a few times in the gym there have been champions with belts.
“He has other trainers to help him manage the gym since he has trouble remembering. They’re all pretty nice,” Michael said.
There have been misconceptions about boxing and how it can be classified as a violent sport, but many boxers disagree when it comes to that statement. It is a hobby that people of all weight divisions can get into.
“I don’t think boxing is violent, if you look at boxing matches they’re very regulated compared to something like MMA,” Michael said.
It’s no surprise that boxing takes time to invest in, it takes practice and patience to see end results. But when you show your coach how much you’ve learned and how much you practice, the payoff is huge.
“Mr. Randazzo’s team is really good, without them the gym wouldn’t even be one.” Michael said.
Huge figures such as Mike Tyson, Thomas Hearnes and Jack Dempsey inspire many young people to do this sport. Two boxers go to their corners until the bell goes off for 3 rounds. Depending on who goes down first or who throws the most punches, a point is earned.
Michael Alverez (11), started boxing in the 10th grade. After all of his hard work that he put into the gym, he won his first amateur match.
“I stopped doing sports this last year, and I felt like I should get back into it. I was a fan of boxing so I decided to pick up on it,” Michael said.
He attends the Randazzo Brothers boxing gym, owned by Santo Randazzo who teaches young people techniques on how to spar in a match. There have been a few times in the gym there have been champions with belts.
“He has other trainers to help him manage the gym since he has trouble remembering. They’re all pretty nice,” Michael said.
There have been misconceptions about boxing and how it can be classified as a violent sport, but many boxers disagree when it comes to that statement. It is a hobby that people of all weight divisions can get into.
“I don’t think boxing is violent, if you look at boxing matches they’re very regulated compared to something like MMA,” Michael said.
It’s no surprise that boxing takes time to invest in, it takes practice and patience to see end results. But when you show your coach how much you’ve learned and how much you practice, the payoff is huge.
“Mr. Randazzo’s team is really good, without them the gym wouldn’t even be one.” Michael said.
Football is Back!
America’s favorite sport kicks off a new season
By: Padraig Gillis (10), Staff Writer
America’s most storied and prestigious sport begins anew for its 104th season. The strongest athletes in the world embarked their journey towards the NFL’s coveted Lombardi Trophy. Fans across the world prepare to cheer on their favorite teams in hopes of gridiron glory.
Many people in the United States view the NFL season as a holiday of sorts. Fans come together to hang out in sports bars, participate in fantasy football, and occasionally gamble on the games. Families even decided to throw parties in honor of important games and events during the season.
“I enjoy watching the NFL because I’ve grown up around it, and I’ve been watching it my whole life,” Xavier Williams (10) said. “It’s unique because of its physicality compared to other field sports.”
Football has captured the hearts of Americans due to its unique style of play. Its rough demeanor and physicality makes it interesting to watch for most people. The NFL also plays less games than other sports, so every game feels important.
“ They are entertaining,” Izzy Torres (10), “ especially when you're invested in a team.”
Players are often role models to youth, so they hold events like charities before the season. These charities usually come with football camps that help kids build their football skills. The NFL also uses their platform to promote positive messages. They are anti- racism and support charity groups like the Red Cross?”.
“It gives you somebody to look up to,” Wyatt Cravey (10) said, “all of those guys who made it to the league show that you can make it playing football.”
Many people in the United States view the NFL season as a holiday of sorts. Fans come together to hang out in sports bars, participate in fantasy football, and occasionally gamble on the games. Families even decided to throw parties in honor of important games and events during the season.
“I enjoy watching the NFL because I’ve grown up around it, and I’ve been watching it my whole life,” Xavier Williams (10) said. “It’s unique because of its physicality compared to other field sports.”
Football has captured the hearts of Americans due to its unique style of play. Its rough demeanor and physicality makes it interesting to watch for most people. The NFL also plays less games than other sports, so every game feels important.
“ They are entertaining,” Izzy Torres (10), “ especially when you're invested in a team.”
Players are often role models to youth, so they hold events like charities before the season. These charities usually come with football camps that help kids build their football skills. The NFL also uses their platform to promote positive messages. They are anti- racism and support charity groups like the Red Cross?”.
“It gives you somebody to look up to,” Wyatt Cravey (10) said, “all of those guys who made it to the league show that you can make it playing football.”
Biden pulls a Trump card
President Joe Biden's past electoral decisions opens the door for an impeachment inquiry
By: Madyson Isenberg (12), Staff Writer
After months of investigating U.S president Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, for his foreign business deals, Republicans in The House of Representatives have requested an impeachment inquiry, effective as of Sept 13, 2023, regarding the president.
Hunter Biden has provided a lot of setbacks to his father’s campaign, and with the 2024 election around the corner more of his actions have continued to surface. The first one being his indictment hosted by council member David Weiss on felony charges stating Hunter lied on a federal form saying he was drug free when he purchased a Colt Cobra 38 SPL revolver back in 2018. Hunter's charges came two months after the negotiation of a plea deal that would have allowed him to plead guilty and avoid jail time.
“I support the decision to investigate Biden, I believe every president should be investigated to see if they are fit for the job. I follow a leftist political team and I think the decision of actually going through with the investigation will teach people to not give their blind trust to politicians,” Sara Parra (12) said.
As of right now there is no evidence tying Biden to his son’s ordeals, but as the investigation pursues past allegations concerning the Trump and Biden election of 2020 continue to rise and gain public traction. One major concern of the investigation is rooted in what House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer says are known as the Biden family's "shady business deals."
“I absolutely support the decision to investigate Biden seeing as his family is corrupt. I mean going back to the 70s, when he first became senator, he was embezzling money, engaging in foreign investments, I mean there are entire text conversations between Hunter and Joseph Biden where they were talking to Chinese defensemen and ministries selling American secrets,” Julian Stephens (11). “Nothing’s going to happen, nothings going to come of it, even if he does get impeached. Nobody’s going to get arrested or anything like that. Online you can find the entire Hunter Biden laptop files- I have seen everything in there, I mean there are books everywhere about his ordeals.”
One of the major concerns of this situation is whether or not the proposal and execution of an impeachment will actually happen, and if it does how will it affect the economy for the better.
Stephens said, “I think that the economy is too far gone- so even if he does get impeached, nothing will change. I remember when my parents and I were able to actually go do stuff. We could afford gas, bills, food, and then when Biden took control everything went downhill within less than a month. Now we can’t afford anything.”
Hunter Biden has provided a lot of setbacks to his father’s campaign, and with the 2024 election around the corner more of his actions have continued to surface. The first one being his indictment hosted by council member David Weiss on felony charges stating Hunter lied on a federal form saying he was drug free when he purchased a Colt Cobra 38 SPL revolver back in 2018. Hunter's charges came two months after the negotiation of a plea deal that would have allowed him to plead guilty and avoid jail time.
“I support the decision to investigate Biden, I believe every president should be investigated to see if they are fit for the job. I follow a leftist political team and I think the decision of actually going through with the investigation will teach people to not give their blind trust to politicians,” Sara Parra (12) said.
As of right now there is no evidence tying Biden to his son’s ordeals, but as the investigation pursues past allegations concerning the Trump and Biden election of 2020 continue to rise and gain public traction. One major concern of the investigation is rooted in what House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer says are known as the Biden family's "shady business deals."
“I absolutely support the decision to investigate Biden seeing as his family is corrupt. I mean going back to the 70s, when he first became senator, he was embezzling money, engaging in foreign investments, I mean there are entire text conversations between Hunter and Joseph Biden where they were talking to Chinese defensemen and ministries selling American secrets,” Julian Stephens (11). “Nothing’s going to happen, nothings going to come of it, even if he does get impeached. Nobody’s going to get arrested or anything like that. Online you can find the entire Hunter Biden laptop files- I have seen everything in there, I mean there are books everywhere about his ordeals.”
One of the major concerns of this situation is whether or not the proposal and execution of an impeachment will actually happen, and if it does how will it affect the economy for the better.
Stephens said, “I think that the economy is too far gone- so even if he does get impeached, nothing will change. I remember when my parents and I were able to actually go do stuff. We could afford gas, bills, food, and then when Biden took control everything went downhill within less than a month. Now we can’t afford anything.”
Whole New World
IB builds diverse preparatory experience
By: Hailey Gorzell (11), Editor-in-chief
In order to gain an international perspective and earn college credit, 39 students participate in the current year, totaling 14 students in the cohort of 2024 and 25 students in the cohort of 2025. The IB program was introduced under superintendent Dr. Belina Pustka in 2005.
“In IB, there is a very tight-knit community as well as the teachers, they’re very respectful and they look out for your well-being and your mental health,” Hayley Bean (11) said. “Everyone looks out for everybody, and people know that it’s stressful so they look out for you.”
Research papers, oral presentations, and exams conglomerate to form a diploma candiate’s score out of 7 for each class. Candidates must earn at least 24 points out of 45 to earn the diploma. Public education institutions in Texas “shall grant at least 24 semester credit hours or equivalent course credit in appropriate subject areas” to freshmen who successfully complete the program with scores of 4 or above in every subject.
As the IB, CAS, and extended essay coordinator, Mrs. Rollins recruits new members, hosts team meetings, and manages student progress toward the main elements of the diploma program.
“IB builds a more well-rounded student because you do research, you do oral presentations, you do have choice in what you’re researching, so you can pick things you’re more passionate and interested about,” Mrs. Rollins said.
In comparison to AP which allows students to pick and choose their interests and strengths, the IB program requires students to complete courses in all subject matters. This emulates the college experience in a multi-faceted way.
Ava Arnold (11) appreciates IB for the skills it builds for college experience.
“I chose IB because I saw an opportunity and I wanted to reach for it; I had a goal,” Arnold said. “IB is different from other classes with definitely time-management.”
In addition to the holistic approach, IB is a world-wide program which boosts social and cultural discussion on a deeper level.
Mr. Hecox teaches Honors Spanish II, III, and IB Spanish IV/V. He appreciates Spanish for its real-world applications in life.
“Spanish IB specifically delves into different themes such as identity, experiences, stories of people lives in different countries, and social organizations like education and government,” Mr. Hecox said. “The main point is to learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and compare that to one’s own culture.”
“In IB, there is a very tight-knit community as well as the teachers, they’re very respectful and they look out for your well-being and your mental health,” Hayley Bean (11) said. “Everyone looks out for everybody, and people know that it’s stressful so they look out for you.”
Research papers, oral presentations, and exams conglomerate to form a diploma candiate’s score out of 7 for each class. Candidates must earn at least 24 points out of 45 to earn the diploma. Public education institutions in Texas “shall grant at least 24 semester credit hours or equivalent course credit in appropriate subject areas” to freshmen who successfully complete the program with scores of 4 or above in every subject.
As the IB, CAS, and extended essay coordinator, Mrs. Rollins recruits new members, hosts team meetings, and manages student progress toward the main elements of the diploma program.
“IB builds a more well-rounded student because you do research, you do oral presentations, you do have choice in what you’re researching, so you can pick things you’re more passionate and interested about,” Mrs. Rollins said.
In comparison to AP which allows students to pick and choose their interests and strengths, the IB program requires students to complete courses in all subject matters. This emulates the college experience in a multi-faceted way.
Ava Arnold (11) appreciates IB for the skills it builds for college experience.
“I chose IB because I saw an opportunity and I wanted to reach for it; I had a goal,” Arnold said. “IB is different from other classes with definitely time-management.”
In addition to the holistic approach, IB is a world-wide program which boosts social and cultural discussion on a deeper level.
Mr. Hecox teaches Honors Spanish II, III, and IB Spanish IV/V. He appreciates Spanish for its real-world applications in life.
“Spanish IB specifically delves into different themes such as identity, experiences, stories of people lives in different countries, and social organizations like education and government,” Mr. Hecox said. “The main point is to learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and compare that to one’s own culture.”