By: Aiden Alcorta 

As the season has been off to a good start,  the beginning of the second round of district play has begun for the boys basketball.  Currently the Eagles are ranked 5th in district but are continuing to try and secure at least a 4th place spot  in district. As the season is almost to an end the eagles have to be in 4th place at least in district in order to make the playoffs. Below are some of the results of the district scores for the Pleasanton Eagles. Pleasanton  vs Devine 66-59 (loss), Pleasanton  vs Somerset 81-41 (loss), Pleasanton vs Pearsall 62-59 (loss). Pleasanton vs Florseville 44-37. Pleasanton vs Uvalde 49-42 (win), Pleasanton vs Carrizo Springs 66-62 (win) Pleasanton vs Devine 60-57 OT (loss). Pleasanton vs Somerset 42-37 (loss).

The Pleasanton Eagles are on a losing streak of two but are looking forward to changing that and getting back into the win column and secure a spot for the playoffs. The Eagles have 4 more games left in the season with their next district game hosted in Pearsall @6:15 on January 28th. The Eagles hope to see yall cheer on the team and support them as they try to fight for a playoff spot.

By: Layla Rodriguez

This season has been going well for the Lady Eagles basketball team. Our Lady Eagles have been soaring through district, almost at the end! As of right now the girls are sitting at 4th place in district, and are hoping to maintain this spot for the rest of the season in order to make it to the playoffs! This past week the ladies played Devine at home which sat them in 4th place. Right now the season is coming close to the end with only a couple games remaining which determine if these ladies can withhold their spot!

Since we have not had many interviews this season for the Lady Eagles, we have decided to interview the one and only Fin Dog! Finley Hilburn is a senior and the captain of the Basketball team. We asked Finley a few questions and here are some responses… The first question we asked is: “What is it like being a team captain?” Finley said “Ever since I was little I wanted to be a captain one day because I thought it would be the coolest thing ever. I can safely say after getting the privilege of being theme captain for our team is one of the greatest things I have ever gotten to do.” This quote shows the love that Finley has had for basketball and the will to be a team captain ever since she was a little girl. The team loves her being a captain and all agree that she brings so much positivity to the team. Having a teammate and a leader like Finley has helped the team excel so much. She also discusses her love for basketball and how she has been playing ever since she was a little girl. She states “I have always loved basketball and it is all because of my dad. We would always watch games together and talk about the players.” Finely is so dedicated to the sport and this stems from the love for the sport and bond she built with her dad making her the amazing player she is today. 

Overall the ladies are so blessed to have a captain as great as Finley and that they have done so well this season so far! With these last few games our Lady Eagles need all of the support they can get in order to withhold their spot in district to advance to the next round.

by: Emily

The JROTC Eagle Battalion has been busy planning the second semester. With events happening back to back they are excited to see what they have planned, and what is going to happen. The battalion has a bright future ahead as well as each cadet striving to be the best that they can be.

Let’s start with past events like the Roasavent drill meet the Armed, UnArmed, and PT teams precipitated in these competitions. Each team did an amazing job truly showing the effort of cadets, coaches, and instructors. The JROTC also competed in a raider competition the team participated in four events doing very well. Before I move onto the future events I have one last event to cover, the JROTC BBQ plate sale. This event was truly made possible by the JROTC Booster club who does so much for the program.

We interviewed cadets Layla Guerrero and she had many positive things to say about the JROTC. She says “My favorite thing about JROTC is the people”. She later stated that she joined because of the different activities that JROTC does. She is the rank of staff Sergeant participating on the Armed drill team.

Now to future events, the first we have the Military ball, being planned by Captain Kylie Breier and alongside her helping in the military ball committee meeting once a month to make this military ball the very best. The event following  is the 5th Brigade drill meet. The Armed and UnArmed compete at this for their chance to make it to Florida for drill team nationals. We wish the JROTC the very best of luck in everything that they do, and if you get the chance make sure you come out to support them in their events.

by: Mrs. Minniear

The spring season is here, which means it’s time for another competitive round of tennis matches and tournaments for PHS. The varsity Eagle tennis team competed in the Veterans Memorial Tennis Tournament at the HEB Tennis Center in Corpus Christi last Friday and Saturday, January 27th and 28th. 

The following individuals placed:

Elite Draw: Boys Doubles: 4th – Brennan Lopez & Jax Smith, Boys Singles: Jace Warre-Cons Champ, Girls Singles: Farah Stanley-Cons Champ, Girls Doubles: Lauren Miles & Addi Pawelek – Cons Champ. A-Draw: Boys Doubles: Nick & Andrew Lucas- 1st, Boys Singles:Kolton Sexton- 3rd, Girls Singles: Kendal Crouch- Cons Champ, Mixed Doubles: Joe Reyna & Senica Croft-Cons.

This year’s spring tennis coach, Coach Portillo, is welcomed to lead our tennis program to success this season. This Wednesday, our varsity tennis champs will be competing in a dual match with Medina Valley on our own courts after school. Next week, JV will compete at Clemens and Steele High School. Make sure to wish our Eagle tennis teams a good match!

By:Leighlah Silva and Elisabeth Dills

The Pleasanton High School varsity soccer teams are all heart this season, giving it their all on the field as they push toward their ultimate goal: becoming District champions. 

As we start a new year and new semester, we introduce our boys varsity soccer team they’ve had an eventful start with, 1 tie, 2 losses, and 2 wins. Varsity’s best game was on Thursday, Jan 9. When up against Poteet, varsity won 6-0!

With a current record of five losses, two wins, and one tie. The girls are proving that determination and teamwork are the key to success. In fact, the varsity ladies celebrated their first win on January 14, against JFKHS, shutting them out with an impressive 3-0 victory. The team followed that up with another dominant performance on January 24, defeating Bandera 5-0. These wins show the potential and skill of the team when everything clicks. 

“Our girls are putting in endless effort,” said a team insider. “They’re not just playing to win, they’re playing for each other and for their school.” 

Despite setbacks, the Lady Eagles refuse to back down. Every practice, every game, and every moment on the field is a step closer to their dream of earning that district title. With their focus and passion, there’s no doubt this team will continue to give it their all until the final whistle of the season. 

Come out and support these soccer athletes as they keep fighting for victory, these teams journey’s is far from over.

by: Liam Powell

Stock Show is a time of year many ranch kids love. This year Sadie Schimelpfening is giving some insight and sharing her experiences! Sadie joined the stock show in the 3rd grade due to her love of animals and because she was involved in FFA and 4-H. She finds the stock show community fun and exciting. 

Sadie shows roughly 3-4 steers and two pigs each year she raises at home. Though, her favorite animals to show are definitely steers! She likes the pigs too but the steers are more fun and best to work with in her opinion. Sadie’s best year was definitely last year as she won her breed at the country show with her pig and steer. Placing first in San Antonio with great success due to her well bred and maintained animals, she then placed second in San Angelo. Keeping high in this year’s stock shows and placing good goals for her senior year.

When asked if she has any advice for people interested in joining the stock show she recommended talking to locals, other showers, Agriculture teachers at your school, or even extension agents. She advises starting with easier animals than jumping right into animals so big and expensive like steers. Rabbits, chickens and goats are great ways to start off, the easiest to maintain and definitely less expensive than other options such as steers and sometimes pigs. But it’s good to get in contact with those experienced to get advice and ease tension.

This year, Sadie Schimelpfening did exceptionally well in the stock show. We will definitely be looking forward to her next showing animals, as well as those who decide to start next year. We can only see what next year has in store for us now.

By: Mrs.Minniear, Alexis Cook, and Xavier Mendoza

As January has begun, congratulations to Pleasanton High School’s Business Professionals of America students who went to Regional Competition last weekend in Hondo.  Advancing to state are: Maribel Cerrillo, Tanner McDougal – 1st Place Global Marketing Team, Adyson Pawelek, Isabella Trapp, Sadie Hartmann, Genieve Turner – 1st Place Presentation Team, Presly Moos, Pierson Pilgrim, Cianna Acevedo – 2nd Place Small Business Management Team, Reagan Hilburn – 2nd Place Prepared Speech, Kinley Alvarado – 2nd Place Health Research Presentation, Lauren Miles – 4th Place Advanced Word Processing, State Alternates are: Farah Standley – Digital Media Production
Madison Conner, Razalyn Machado, Andrew Lucas, Nick Lucas – Visual Design Team. 

A huge congratulations to our Mighty Eagle Band for honoring FIVE All-State musicians. Here are their names and placements: Samuel Bermea – 7th chair clarinet, Michael Cepeda – 1st chair alto clarinet (2nd year All- State, Ivan Padilla – 1st chair bass clarinet, Julian Villarreal – 1st chair contralto clarinet, and Michael Lister – 1st chair euphonium (2nd Year All-State). We are so proud of their hard work and dedication! These talented students earned spots in the ATSSB All-State Band and will perform at the Texas Music Educators Association convention on February 15th

PHS Bowling has weekly game’s and are in district matches! This shows that they have been working hard and have been successful with their training. It also shows that they’re capable of winning much more. They have a match January 29th against La Vernia at 5PM. They will try their hardest to win and show Pleasanton what they’re made of! Be on the lookout for their next game February 3rd where they will face off against La Vernia again., and be sure to root for our bowling team in their upcoming games so they can bring home trophies and hopefully make it to bigger competitions! 

by: Leighlah Silva

Monique Flores has been hitting all the right notes during her time here at Pleasanton High School, and her dedication to The Mighty Eagle Band has earned her the title of Eagle of The Month. From countless practices to unforgettable performances, Moniques high school journey has been full of music, hard work, and inspiration. 

One of Moniques favorite parts of being in band has been participating in UIL competitions. These events have given her the chance to not only showcase her skills but also meet students from other programs and learn from their experiences. “It has been such a great experience going to UIL competitions, getting to meet other bands and grow as a musician”, she shared. 

Throughout high school, Monique has found inspiration in two incredible teachers: Mrs. Doege and Mr. Lopez. Their support, guidance, and encouragement have pushed her to excel both in music and as a person. 

After graduation, Monique plans to take her passion for music to the next level by attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where shell major in music. With big dreams ahead, Monique is ready to continue making an impact, on note at a time. 

Congratulations to Monique Flores for being this Month’s Eagle and for her outstanding contributions to the Pleasanton High School band.

by: Elisabeth

To kick off the new year on a high note, were excited to introduce this month’s featured teacher: our newest art teacher, Mr. Cervantes! An exceptional artist and an inspiring educator, Mr. Cervantes brings both talent and passion to our community.

Although he is new to this school, he is not new to teaching. He has taught art for 20 years, with only 2 of those years spent here. Before starting his teaching career, he worked as a graphic designer, combining communication and art. In addition to being a teacher and an artist, he enjoys being a wonderful grandpa and tending to his lawn. His biggest inspiration in life is his father, while his fascination with art has been present since kindergarten. When asked what message he would like to share with the students at PHS, he responded, “You guys are a good group. From where I come from, y’all are a good group.” If you see Mr. Cervantes, be sure to show him some appreciation.

By: Jolenne Woodlee

Today we will be interviewing Mrs. Kallio, you’re probably wondering “Who is Mrs. Kallio?” Well, she is the staff who works in attendance. And you’re probably wondering what she does? Well let us ask and see. She helps out with the subs, she does attendance every period, she also manually goes in to change if a teacher changes or marks a student wrong, she checks her emails every class period to make any changes if needed. if she needs to change the attendance roster, and she also goes in and checks the log of tardies for students and see if she needs to mark a student tardy, also she takes the notes us students leave or our parents leave she goes in and she manually codes them into the system to make a excused absence. How she manages it all is by managing her time Mrs. Kallio has been with PHS for  seven years, and five of those years she has been in attendance. She loves to see all the faces of Pleasanton High School. If you were to ask her if she likes to work in attendance Mrs. Kallio would say yes! Her favorite day to come to work on she said “probably the middle of the week because it is less hectic”. When you go to take your note or attendance be sure to say hello and give her a smile.

by: Omar Aguas

There are many ways to show love during Valentine’s Day without spending money. If you don’t have money in your wallet, there are always alternative gestures that can show someone you care. 

One way is by reminiscing about how you first met each other as it became more than just a meaningful relationship, maybe do something with them that reminds them of that special day. Perhaps watching a marathon or binge watching their favorite movies. As a final showing of love, give them XO’s to show that they mean the world to you and that the love chemistry will carry on for years.

With no school this Valentine’s day, take the long weekend to spend some time with the people that matter to show them they’re loved!

by: Ella Garza

January is national blood donor month, this month we honor those who give to others in need of blood transfusions. The first national blood donor program in the US started during World War II and has been the reason for so many positive things. Blood donation caused the discovery of different blood types in the 1900s. Blood transfusions have helped keep people healthy for years and years, so give and get back this January for national blood donor month!

by: Elisabeth Dills

Welcome back! As we start the new year, we will welcome many things, including new poetry!

‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul 

And sings the tune without the words

 And never stops At all 

– Emily Dickinson

by: Alex Richter

In 2020, the small community of Akron, Ohio, was shattered by a crime that defied explanation. Sydney Powell, an 18-year-old Honor Roll student and beloved daughter, was arrested for the brutal mother of her mother, Brenda Powell. Behind the polished exterior of academic excellence, Sydney hid a web of deception that ultimately unraveled in a tragic and violent confrontation.

Sydney Powell was a star student at Akron’s Norton High School, where she excelled in academics and was well-liked by her peers and teachers. Known for her dedication and intelligence, Sydney was celebrated as a young woman with a bright future ahead of her. 

Determined to maintain the image of success, Sydney lived on the campus of Mount Union University and pretended to be an enrolled student after losing her place in the university. Her ruse unraveled when Mount Union University staff confronted Sydney directly, informing her that she was no longer a student, and needed to leave. She was afraid that she could no longer keep it from her mother, Brenda Powell, a dedicated child life specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital.

On March 3, 2020, Brenda was told by her husband, Sydney’s father, that he found out about Sydney being unenrolled. Brenda decided that she needed to come home right away and help her daughter with whatever was going on, and soon, Brenda got a call from the university. During this, overwhelmed by panic and anger, Sydney attacked her mother with a cast iron skillet and a steak knife in their family home. The brutal assault left thirty stab wounds in Brenda’s neck, with irreplaceable damage to her skull from the skillet. After the attack, the university was confused and concerned after hearing banging and screaming. Soon after her mother was already dead, Sydney picked up the phone and pretended to be her mother, Brenda. During the call, the staff members noticed that this was not Brenda, which prompted them to contact the authorities, but they did not arrive in time to save Brenda.

Sydney was arrested at the scene and charged with her mother’s murder. During her trial, prosecutors described a young woman desperate to maintain a facade of perfection, while the defense pointed to Sydney’s struggles with mental health, and attempted to prove that she was not sane. Surprisingly, Sydney’s family agreed with this, and was on her side all along. Ultimately, she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years.

Brenda Powell, described by colleagues and friends as kind and selfless, was a beloved figure who had spent her career supporting children and families. Sydney Powell’s former teachers and classmates struggled to process the crime with the bright, polite girl that they had once known…They still debate to this day whether or not Sydney killed her mother in a psychotic episode, or if Sydney simply thought that killing her mother was the only solution to hiding her murderous secret.

 By: Emily Breier and Alexis Cook

The bowling season is underway, and with every member working hard at practice, we can’t see what they have ahead of them. Winning against La Vernia demonstrates their hard work is paying off. With the upcoming games and tournaments, we can’t wait to see what the team has in store for them. If you get a chance, come out and support the Eagle bowling team.

The first soccer game of the season is scheduled for December 13th. This year, the Women’s soccer team is coached by Coach Joseph and Coach McDowell. For Men’s soccer, Coach Breiten and Pacheco will take the reins. These coaches will bring their expertise to the field this season! Tryouts were held last week, and teams have since been formed. Both varsity and JV teams are ready to kick off the season.

The JROTC is very involved in the community. One event is hosting the annual Veterans Day ceremony, in attendance were students, cadets, faculty, administration, and honored guests. The JROTC has also had some fundraisers that include an online fundraiser, a carwash, a bake sale, and a raffle ticket sale. Each fundraiser went well and we have high hopes for the JROTC. We hope you get a chance to come out and support them. 

By: Ella Garza and Xavier Mendoza

  The band is preparing to perform their music for the Christmas celebration soon, so keep an eye out for their next performance! While the band was scheduled to perform in the Merry on Main parade, the weather did not permit it. Community members are eagerly anticipating this Christmas performance.

  We also interviewed a band member asking about how they were doing and what songs they were going to play. The band member answered that everything is going well, and they are expecting to go to UIL competitions soon to grow at the rate they’re going. When asked about Merry on Main, the person answered that they were excited for it, but unfortunately, they did not perform. When asked about their favorite Christmas songs to perform. they answered with Jingle Bells. 

  When questioned about their Christmas celebration performance, they responded that they would be playing many sampled songs from well-known Christmas songs. In recent news, the jazz band was out last week at various public venues; there are also students competing in the All-Region band.

By: Aiden and Layla

This Basketball Season has been successful so far for both the boys and girls! They have been working hard day in and day out making sure they are ready to compete when it comes gametime. Our Eagles have been working and competing in many games and tournaments in order to prepare for the district games which are just now arriving.

The Boys basketball have been having an even season so far with a record of 7-7 taking the win over Nixon-Smiley last night.  Here are some results from the men’s varsity basketball team – Pleasanton vs Beeville 85-79 (win) Pleasanton vs Harlandale 77-61 (loss) Pleasanton vs Highlands 65-45 (loss) Pleasanton vs Madison 69-64 (win) Pleasanton vs McCollum 69-64 (loss) Pleasanton vs SAMHS 81-28 (win) Pleasanton vs Stockdale 78-33 (win) Pleasanton vs Davenport 66-55 (loss) Pleasanton vs Beeville 64-61 (win) Pleasanton vs YMLA 77-78 (loss) Pleasanton vs Poteet 69-32 (win) Pleasanton vs Davenport 86-60 (loss) Pleasanton vs Jourdanton 57-43 (win). As for the Eagles there next opponents will be at a tournament in Gregory-Portland on December 12th at 2:30 in Gregory-Portland HS.

As for the Lady Eagles Basketball they have begun the season with a record of 8-9. Here are some results for the Lady Eagles – Pleasanton vs Natalia 62-27 (win) Pleasanton vs Jefferson 57-30 (win) Pleasanton vs Chapin 44-24 (loss) Pleasanton vs Edison 43-27 (win) Pleasanton vs Harlandale 64-29 (loss) Pleasanton vs Del Rio 50-40 (loss) Pleasanton vs Lanier 32-25 (win) Pleasanton vs Fox Tech 42-31 (win) Pleasanton vs Seguin 38-22 (loss)

Pleasanton vs Crystal City 49-45 (win) Pleasanton vs Canyon 57-32 (loss) Pleasanton vs Gonzales 31-26 (loss) Pleasanton vs JFKHS 55-49 (win) Pleasanton vs Highlands 40-30 (loss) Pleasanton vs Jourdanton 57-22 (loss) Pleasanton vs Hondo 44-29 (loss) . The Lady Eagles next opponents will be the Carrizo Springs Lady Wildcats on December 13th at Carrizo Springs HS at 7:30. 

The Season for both boys and girls have been off to a great start and both have been working very hard each day and each practice to get better each and every day.  Come support your boys and girls basketball teams to show them  love.

By: Leighlah Silva 

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the hilarious videos and creative content at Pleasanton High School, meet Aiden Duran and the masterminds of Big E News! From Thanksgiving skits to brainstorming sessions that are equal parts genius and chaos, this club is where the magic happens.

For Aiden, joining Big E News was a natural fit. “When I first got into high school, I really wanted to be involved in things. Since I had a huge interest in YouTube and social media, Principles of AV was the perfect place to start.” That first step opened the door to a world of filming, editing, and bringing creative ideas to life with Miss O’s crew.

Big E News doesn’t just crank out videos—they make memories. Aiden’s favorite project? “Our Thanksgiving skit. Having us all act was a lot of fun.” From silly moments to meaningful messages, the group puts their heart and humor into every project.

The process starts with brainstorming.“We sit around a table and plan out what we could film,” Aiden shared. Whether it’s a funny sketch or a creative segment, every idea is welcomed, refined, and turned into something special.

For those interested in joining the fun, Aiden’s advice is simple: “Ask to get into Miss O’s classes if you want to be part of Big E News.”Who knows? You might just find yourself on the big screen—or at least on the school’s YouTube channel!

With students like Aiden leading the charge, Big E News proves that creativity, collaboration, and a little humor go a long way in making school life more entertaining.

By: Jolenne and Kadynce

For this month’s teacher spotlight, the Quill has selected Mrs. Huschke. We have selected Mrs. Huschke due to her wonderful and bubbly personality. Some fast facts about her, Mrs. Huschke has worked with Pleasanton High School for nine years!! Isn’t that cool? Her favorite memory she has experienced this year would have to be, she states, “the halloween week”. When asking Mrs.Huschke who do you like to help out, she would say, “I like chemistry so probably Ms. Huizar or Mrs. English”. Mrs. Huschke loves to work with the teachers. Fun fact: Mrs. Huschke loves Star Wars! She believes that this year is going too fast, but going good overall, she also loves to work with all the students, and the classes.

By: Layla Rodriguez & Leighlah Silva 

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is a global writing challenge where participants aim to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. This ambitious endeavor pushes writers to commit to daily word counts, develop creative ideas, and stay disciplined under a tight deadline. For Pleasanton High School seniors Navi Cunningham, Micheal Lister, and Alvero Sanchez. Junior Alex Ricter, Mylah Baumeister, and Emiliano Lugo participating in NaNoWriMo was a mix of dedication, creativity, and perseverance.

The quill staff interviewed these students and asked their opinions and thoughts on this project. Navi explained that her mindset played a key role in her success. “My mentality was mainly focused on getting it done,” she said. Balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and writing was no small feat. Navi shared how she managed her time Navi also faced challenges during the writing process, particularly when it came to keeping her story visually engaging. “A challenge I faced was figuring out how to make things visually interesting but at the same time trying not to overwhelm the text,” she explained. For students considering taking on NaNoWriMo in the future, Navi offered practical advice. “Make sure you stay with the guide, or calculate the amount of words you need for that day,” she said. “Whenever you choose your story, make sure it’s something that can have a good story as well as something you will be able to write enough about.”

Next we conducted an interview with Mylah Baumeister! Mylah’s masterpiece is called “Entries of Love: Just My Luck” which is a novel that focuses on her main character named Sydney Chadwick and his high school experience and the mysteries of his love interest. Mylah was very excited to take on this challenge, and was dedicated from day 1. She said “I decided to take on this challenge because I thought it would be fun, and lead to my dream of being a published author.” As you can see Mylah has a deep love and passion for writing, and she did such an amazing job at keeping up with her novel. We can’t wait to read it here in the journalism crew!

Another amazing NaNoWriMo finisher that we interviewed was Alex Ricter, a member of our journalism staff! Alex titled her book “Tales of the Haunted Manor” and her book focuses on the main character who is named Damien and his twisted ghost adventures. Alex was inspired to write this novel because she loves horror and was inspired by the famous Stephen King. Alex says “I chose to write a horror/thriller novel because my favorite author is Stephen King.” Alex is so excited to finally publish her book, and so are we!

Following these amazing authors is Emiliano Lugo. Emiliano’s love for writing is far beyond this world. Going into this novel Emiliano’s aim was to have fun and not get stressed out. Emiliano reflected on his intense journey through NaNoWriMo. He advised aspiring participants to dedicate consistent time to their stories, emphasizing the importance of planning and steady progress to avoid burnout. During Thanksgiving break, he pushed himself to write up to 9,000 words a day, learning the hard way that balance is key. Now, after completing his novel, Emiliano feels a bittersweet loneliness, missing the characters he brought to life. Still, he’s eager to return to The Worlds Beyond Our Perspective and continue exploring its untold stories.

Though we had all of these amazing interviews, sadly we did not hear back from our two seniors; but shout out to them for also successfully completing their novels! In conclusion we are so amazed by these NaNoWriMo finishers, and our members can’t wait to see what these novels have in store for us! These students are truly talented and determined to stick to their writing and be able to publish a whole novel as highschool students!  

By: The Wiseman

What should you give your friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, or family for Christmas? As the Wiseman, I suggest spoiling them by letting them buy whatever they want. At the end of the day, this month is about opening presents, staying warm, and avoiding all coldness with the ones you love. Gift cards to their favorite coffee shops or clothing stores are the best way to spoil your loved ones.

This jolly season, enjoy sipping a big cup of coffee, or even hot cocoa as the year closes; and remember this: another chapter is upon the horizon.

By: Elisabeth Dills

In the glow of the fire, and holiday cheer, a tender invitation draws hearts near, a-

Mistletoe 

Sitting under the mistletoe,

One last candle burning low,

All the sleepy dancers gone,

Just one candle burning on,

Shadows lurking everywhere:

Someone came, and kissed me there.

by: Alex Richter

Snow fell relentlessly outside the frosted window, a smothering silence settling over Maplewood. The town had always seemed smaller in winter, but tonight, on Christmas Eve, it felt downright suffocating. Lucas sat on the worn couch in his living room, his gaze fixed on the single sheet of paper in his hand.

At seventeen, he hadn’t believed in Santa Claus for years. Yet, something had driven him to scrawl out these few lines, as if they might make a difference. It wasn’t even a list–just one wish.

Lucas folded the paper carefully and slipped it into an envelope. The absurdity of this made him shake his head, but he left the envelope on the windowsill anyway. 

“Late for mailing, don’t you think?” his sister asked, leaning against the doorframe. Her voice was casual, but Lucas could hear the stain beneath it–the same strain they’d both carried since their mom died in January.

Lucas shrugged.

“Just felt like trying something.”

“You used to do that every year when you were a kid. Said Santa was your best friend.”

Lucas’ throat tightened, but he forced a laugh. 

“Yeah, well… old habits die hard, I guess.”

A few hours later, as the house settled into silence, Lucas lay awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His wish was for something he hadn’t been able to shake since the funeral: a way to feel her presence again.

The room suddenly felt colder, the kind of cold that didn’t just touch your skin but settled deep in your chest. A soft jingling noise filled the room, followed by a gust of wind that carried a faint scent of pine and cinnamon.

Lucas sat up. By the window stood a figure dressed in red, his coat lined with thick white fur. His face wasn’t jolly, like every cartoon Lucas had seen growing up. His eyes, sharp and bright, looked straight into Lucas’.

“You’re older than most of the kids who write to me,” the man said, holding up the envelope.

Lucas blinked, his heart hammering.

“You’re not real. This is some… weird dream…”

Santa–if that’s who he was–tilted his head. 

“Maybe. But let’s not waste it, shall we?”

Before Lucas could respond, the room disappeared around him. When his vision cleared, they were standing in a sprawling workshop that looked like something out of a movie. The air buzzed with warmth and energy. 

“Why am I here?” Lucas asked, his voice steady despite the scene around him.

Santa led him toward a quieter corner where a tall mirror stood. Its surface glistened with a warm glow. 

“You are here because your wish was honest. Honest wishes deserve answers.”

Lucas hesitated, glancing at the mirror.

“What is it?”

“It shows you what you’ve been holding onto–and what you’ve been avoiding,” Santa said. “Go on.”

Lucas stepped closer, his breath fogging the glass. The surface rippled like water, then cleared to reveal a scene: his mom, laughing as she teased him about his terrible cookie-decorating skills. Lucas froze, his chest tightening. Another scene followed: her voice humming a lullaby as he slept on the couch; her hands fixing the crooked star atop the Christmas tree last year. Just a week before she died.

“I didn’t think I’d forget her so fast,” Lucas murmured, his voice breaking.

Santa’s hand rested lightly on his shoulder. 

“You haven’t forgotten her. You’ve just been afraid to look.”

The images faded, leaving Lucas staring at his own reflection again, eyes watery with tears.

“What’s the point of this?”

“To remind you,” Santa said softly, “that love doesn’t disappear, even when people do. It’s still here, in your memories, in your actions.”

The mirror shimmered once more, and a warmth spread through Lucas, so vivid it felt like his mom’s arms wrapping around him one last time. He closed his eyes, letting the feeling wash over him. When he opened them, he was back in his room.

The snow outside had stopped, and the first hints of dawn painted the horizon. 

Christmas was never going to be the same without his mom–he knew that. But it didn’t feel unbearable. His mom wasn’t gone. She had just taken a different form. And for now, that was enough.

by: Alex Richter

The case of Shinichiro Azuma is a chilling example of true crime in Japan that left the nation in shock and deeply disturbed. This tragic case revolves around Azuma, a troubled teenager, and the brutal murder of a young boy, highlighting issues of juvenile crime and psychological instability.

Starting sometime in February, Azuma assaulted three schoolgirls within a two-month span. On March 16, 1995, Azuma was 14 years old at the time when he escalated to murder, killing 10-year-old Ayaka Yamashita. On November 14, 1997, Shinichiro Azuma, 19 years old at the time, abducted, assaulted, and murdered an eleven-year-old boy in a rural area of Japan. Azuma lured the child when he pretended that he needed help. 

Once isolated in a remote area, Azuma unleashed unspeakable violence. After restraining the boy, he subjected him to brutal physical assault. Azuma then strangled the child to death, ensuring his victim could not call for help or escape.

In an effort to taunt the authorities, Azuma decapitated his victim. He placed the severed head on the gates of the local elementary school. The scene was gruesome: the head was left in an obvious spot, sending waves of fear and outrage throughout the school district and students.

Alongside the display, Azuma left a series of taunting messages written in blood. One note read: “I have tasted flesh and blood. It is thrilling and I want to feel it again.”

Azuma also directed letters to the police, where he mocked their inability to catch him and signed the messages with aliases meant to provoke fear. These messages revealed his desire for control, as well as his indifference to the suffering he caused.

Azuma’s past revealed a history of neglect, bullying, and untreated mental health issues. Reports indicated that he had a fascination with violence and was isolated from his peers. Experts analyzing the case have suggested that Azuma’s unstable upbringing and the lack of a supportive family contributed to his descent into violence. For his sentence, Azuma was only charged with 2 years of juvenile detention. He is now in his forties, living among the residents of Japan.

Azuma’s notice remains complex, blending elements of frustration, psychological illness, and a desire for control. He admitted during interrogation that he wanted to experience the “ultimate power” over another person. Such statements further alarmed authorities and the public about the dangers of untreated mental health issues, especially in teenagers.