News Articles
Sapphire’s Officer Tryouts
By Emma Satsky
On March 28th six girls tried out to be the 24-25 Sapphire line officers. The senior officers taught these girls the officer strut, and tryout routine.
“This process has been challenging, but it will be worth it in the end,” Jernigan said, “I’m feeling nervous, but I’m very excited at the opportunity I have at hand.”
All six ladies made the line and their positions are: Captain, Emma Satsky, Co-Captain, Zoey Yackel, Sr. 1st Lieutenant, Sienna Jernigan, Sr. Lieutenant, Savanna Baker, Jr. 1st Lieutenant, Mia Sanchez, and Jr. Lieutenant, Taylor Roberson.
“The 24-25 Sapphire Dance Officer line marks an exciting chapter in my fourth year as Dance Director, filled with immense enthusiasm and anticipation,” Director of the Sapphires, Kristi Archer said. “This year’s officer line comprises six exceptionally talented ladies, each possessing distinct personalities and remarkable skills that promise to elevate our team’s leadership and achievements.”
Not only are the line officers trying out, but seven girls tried out to be the 24-25 social officers. On tryout day, they presented to three judges the binders that they created.
“I am extremely excited, but also nervous for officer tryouts, it has been a lot hard work, but I am ready to show off my binder,” Karis Morris said, “I can not wait to show off all my hard work I have put into this process, and I can not wait to see where this next year goes.”
The ladies that made the social line are: President, Karis Morris, Vice President, Maggie Copper, Secretary, Claire Ballengee, Historian, Arianna Martinez, and Spirit Chair, Carly Anes.
“I’m excited to see all of the amazing things that the socials will come up with this year, and all the incredible teamwork that the officer team as a whole exhibits,” Assistant Director, Shelby Adamson said, “I think this year is going to be full of growth for each member of both the dance and social officer team.”
Band UIL Contest
By Riley Mulkey
On Mar. 26, 2024, the Symphonic and Wind Ensemble band traveled to Bravosport High School to take part in the Band UIL Contest.
Both bands did wonderfully, with Symphonic band getting a 2-2-1 from the judges for their concert songs, and a 1-1-1 for their sight reading. The Wind Ensemble scored straight 1s throughout the concert and sight reading from the judges.
“I’m proud of all bands for doing so well,” Lance Finley, head band director, said.
One Act District
By Riley Mulkey
On March 7, the One Act theatre team went to Royal High School to compete in the One Act Contest and perform their show, “Chemical Imbalance”. They successfully performed and placed 2nd out of 7 other schools.
Some of the cast and crew received medals for their performance on the cast or as part of the crew. Alissa Rule received the award for All- Star Cast. Owen Wyatt received an award for Best Performer. Faith Nash was awarded with Best Crew. Lastly, Ashlyn Finch was presented with Honorable Mention.
“I am proud of you all the cast and crew,” the one act director, Paige Thomas said.
UIL District
By Taylor Robeson
Last weekend the UIL teams attended districts, and many placed within the top 3 and will be advancing to regionals. Combined the UIL teams won 1st place overall.
The placings for the accounting team. Joshua Murphy 3rd, Ivanna Portillo 3rd, Rogelio Rodriguez 2nd, John Resier 6th, and overall the accounting team placed 1st.
The calculator applications team placed second overall. The placings for calculator applications were Joshua Kasmir 1st and Ilian Ficher 5th.
The computer science team placed 1st overall. The placings were Joshua Kasmir 1st, Christopher Chilek 2nd, Cannon McKinney 3rd, and Rylan Legendre 4th.
Current Issues and Events placed 2nd as a team. The placings were Matthew Chilek 3rd, Ivy VonNiederhausern 5th, and Joshua Sosa 6th.
Literary Criticism placed 1st as a team overall. The placings were Ivanna Portillo 1st, , Chiara Fischer 2nd, Olivia Bloomquist 5th, and Elisabeth Kubena 6th.
The mathematics team placed 2nd overall. The placings were Joshua Kasmir 2nd and Avrit Casey 5th.
The number sense team placed 1st overall. The placings were Joshua Kasmir 1st, Christopher Chilek 2nd, Jonathan Kasmir 4th, and Lucy Sulak 5th.
The science team placed 1st overall. The placings were Joshua Kasmir 1st in biology, chemistry, and physics, Christopher Chilek 2nd, and Matthew Chilek 4th.
The social studies team placed 2nd overall. The placing was Cavender Kolar 4th.
The spelling team placed 1st overall. The placings were Avrit Casey 1st, Matthew Dikeman 2nd, Abigail Campbell 3rd, and Ivy vonNiederhausern 4th.
The journalism team placed in news writing, Savannah Hester 5th, Sofia Garcia 6th. In feature writing Sofia Garcia placed 4th, Savannah Hester placed 6th. In copy editing Savannah Hester placed 5th. In editorial writing, Savannah Hester placed 2nd. In headline writing, Riley Mulkey placed 3rd and Lilian Arredondo placed 5th.
FCCLA’s Newly Elected Officers Are Ready To Work
By Sofia Garcia
The high school’s FCCLA chapter has finished voting and electing officer positions for the 2024-2025 upcoming school year. Officer positions are as follows; Savannah Hester as Chapter President, Isabella Flores as Vice President, Jasmin Grimaldo as Service Chairman, Lilian Arredodndo as Vice President of Membership Management, Rogelio Rodriguez as Secretary, Juliana Escobar as Treasurer, and Sofia Garcia as Historian/Media.
“I’m looking forward to this upcoming year, we’ve had some struggles as a club these past few months, but hopefully, with our new chapter officers being elected, this club will be able to grow in membership and reach a lot of students,” Hester said.
These new chapter officers are already getting right to work and not waiting for the new school year to start expanding the club. Officer’s have held their first meeting so far and are planning an early membership sign up at their upcoming end of the year “Sundae Party”. Flyers will be put out throughout the high school for anyone interested in joining and attending.
Queen’s Pageant
By Emma Satsky
To kick start the Needville Youth Fair, the town hosted their grand Needville Youth Fair Parade. After the parade, Mrs. Ashley Soaps, the sponsor, puts on the Princess, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss, our newest pageant, and lastly, our Queen’s pageant.
This year, there were six gorgeous ladies that competed in the Queen’s pageant, they are: Miranda Garza, Yuretzi, Sage Korsynski, Lauryn Bramonski, Karis Morris, and Madison Maleck.
Each participant worked hard throughout the year to sell tickets and promote themselves to the town.
“I started preparing several months before the pageant. On the day of the pageant, I rode in a float that I made, then I started getting my hair and makeup done,” Korsyncki said.
Throughout the day, excitement and nervousness was through the roof as the Saturday progressed closer to the pageant.
"I’m familiar with large crowds since I’m a dancer, but pageant crowds are a whole lot different, the spotlight was on me and I could make out every face in the audience,” Morris said, “In the end, I felt very proud for challenging myself to participate in something way out of my comfort zone”.
“I was thrilled that day, I could not wait to see what was in store for me that day,” Garza said.
After these six fabulous ladies gave the judges some hard decisions, the scores were in. The 24-25 Needville Youth Fair Queen is Sage Korsynski, 1sr runner up is Laryn Bramonski, and 2nd runner up is Miranda Garza.
“When I heard my name called as Queen, I was very shocked, I did not think I was going to win,” Korsynski said.