By: Courtney Henson & Brian Avery

As the 2021-2022 school year kicks off, the Pleasanton volleyball team has dominated on the court. Scores so far show a promising season ahead for the varsity, JV, and freshman teams. On just the second day of school, the Lady Eagles faced Devine and Burbank high school. For the varsity team, a double win sets the scene for the season to come. The JV team won over Burbank and lost to Devine. Unfortunately, the first game jitters got the best of the freshman team who lost to both Burbank and Devine. 

Later on the first week of school, the Varsity team traveled to Edgewood to participate in a tournament. This 3 day tournament would prove to be rewarding. After an incredible collection of wins over Memorial, Randolph, Del Rio, and Fox Tech, the team advanced to the first bracket, where they earned an advancing win over Hidalgo, next in the second bracket the girls beat Randolph. This win advanced them to the championship game. After a good fight with Del Rio, our girls came out Edgewood tournament champions! 

The following week, on Tuesday August, 17, the Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams faced D’hanis high school. This night was a rewarding night after all 3 teams gained a win. 

On August 19-21, the Varsity team traveled to Devine to partake in another tournament. After astonishing wins against D’hanis, Natalia, and Crystal City in pool play, the varsity team beat Edison in the first bracket play. Gaining another win against Ingram in the second bracket to advance to the championship game. Unfortunately, the Eagles were not able to pull forward for a champion win against Feast high school, but still managed second place in the tournament. All tournament selections include, Sadie McAda, and Tess Underbrink, a very respectable accomplishment on their behalf. 

On Tuesday, August 24, the Lady Eagles traveled to Hondo high school to face the Owls. After a long fight, the varsity team scores a 3-0 win. Unfortunately for the JV and Freshman teams they were unable to get a win. 

At a tournament in Persall, the varsity eagles pulled two impressive wins against Dilly and Sam Houston high school. Shortly after, in 3 long sets, the Eagles lost to South San, still they didn’t let this get them down. After two more wins against Persall and South San in the bracket play, our Eagles advanced to the championship game. In the championship game, the Eagles earned an impressive win against Randolph in 2 sets, earning first place of the tournament. All tournament selections for this tournament include Sadie McAda, Tess Underbrink, and Paige Stofa. 

Coach Bird, the JV coach, keeps an optimistic outlook on the season as the teams do so well saying, “so far off to a pretty good start!” Coach Bird is confident in his players as the season progresses, saying “they all do a really good job” and that he’s “excited to see how district takes shape.” 

This has been an amazing season so far and will hopefully only get better as the season progresses. We wish the volleyball team good luck as they continue to play games and make the school proud. As Coach Bird says “Come out and support!” Pride! Pride! 

By: Shyanne Sexton and Jaelyn Morales

The Pleasanton High School Tennis team started off the season with a match against Hondo on Saturday, August 14th. The team battled hard and ended the match with a loss of 16-3. The three wins came from Dillon Benavidez who finished with a win of 7-6, 6-2, Rosemary Garcia who also had a win of 6-3, 6-1, and the Mixed Doubles Team, Luke Raney and Kaylee Titzmen, who had a win of 6-3, 6-1. 

The teams next match was against Uvalde’s JV team in a duel match on Wednesday, August 18th. Gage Pawelek/Cian Martinez, Shyanne Sexton/Ilianna Solorzano, Dillion Benavidez/Bennack Conroy, and Elynore Hernandez/Kenley Miller all contributed to giving the team its first double wins. In the singles, Gage Pawelek, Cian Martinez, Luke Raney, Bennack Conroy, Iliana Solorzano, Elly Hernandez, and Kenley Miller all exceeded in winning the singles matches to help Pleasanton have a strong win. As well as more big singles wins from Angel Hernandez, Shayne Cazier, Kassidy Vickers, and S. Hernandez. The other strong double wins came from Shayne Cazier/Mayson Smith, and Genevieve Alvarado/Stephanie Hernandez. 

While the season has barely started, Coach Everett has already had a great time getting to know each and every kid on the tennis team. When asked what obstacles he would like to overcome this season he responded “The obstacles I would like to overcome this season would have to be navigating through my first year ever as a teacher/coach. There are a ton of different factors that play into both these roles, and I know it will not always be easy to balance them efficiently.” There might be some challenges along the way but that won’t stop Coach Everett and his team from having a successful fall season.

By: Alexandra Garcia and Libby Sanchez

To start off this year’s student spotlight series, we’re piloting off with one of Pleasanton’s sweetest souls, Kalista Pesina. She’s shy and closed off to begin with, but once you break past that she can make your day with a simple smile and wave in the hallway. Kalista is a part of the class of 2022 and will be graduating at the end of this year, which is something she’s looking forward to. She looks to keep her options open for college, but is very strong on her path to progressing in the culinary arts field. When asked what she’s gonna miss most about highschool, Pesina answered with, “Definitely the soccer team. It’s brought me a lot of memories and friendships that I wouldn’t trade for anything.” This year, Kalista looks forward to another and final season on the Pleasanton Women’s Soccer team. “We have all gotten really close as a team with our inside jokes and seeing each other everyday, as a senior that’s gonna be something I definitely miss.” Kalista has taken up the position of a true leader and friend the past two years. “From the very start she’s always given her best effort with full consistency, she’s made significant improvements in skill and fitness and she’s truly dedicated to bettering herself and her teammates. I truly look forward to what she will accomplish in this off-season and upcoming season,” states Coach Joseph. Kalista would like to thank Mr. Hurley (a former teacher) for making her freshman year memorable, and she’d also like to thank Mrs. Minnear for her time as a teacher. “She cared about all her students and taught with such enthusiasm, she refused to let us be confused on a topic,” Pesina says. If Kalista had to describe her past 4 years at the highschool in one word, it would be “exciting”. When she first started as a freshman she had no idea what to expect, but a lot of surprises pop out of nowhere throughout the years and keep it interesting. With that being said, her advice to the freshman now is to not skip out, everyday counts and if you don’t want to miss the good stuff, best be here most of the time. Kalista is looking forward to enjoying her last year here at Pleasanton High School, but she’s also looking forward to seeing where the world takes her. Good luck on this upcoming season and enjoy your senior year!

By: Kristina Mertz, Farah Standley, and Aaliyah Herrera

Ms. Gomez is a vital part of Pleasanton High School, as she can always be seen smiling and representing a positive role model for her students. PHS the Quill has decided to make her our first Teacher Spotlight of the 2021-2022 school year.

When asked about her education, Ms. Gomez replied, “… I did graduate from Pleasanton High School… I graduated [in] 2009, right after I graduated I went to UTSA, University of Texas in San Antonio… got my four year undergraduate degree from [UTSA] in Art and Art History… as of right now i’m currently working on my Masters Degree also at UTSA… its been the same, its an education curriculum.” She later added, “This is my start of my 9th year of teaching… so it [has] been a long time, it doesn’t feel that way actually though, because I look back at it and I’m like, ‘oh my god it’s gone by so fast!’… Initially, I started teaching right after… [I] graduated in May. I started teaching in August and it was just something that I wanted to do. I wanted to share my passion for art with my students..” Although she currently teaches at Pleasanton, she hasn’t always taught here. “The school I taught at… previously was … Lytle High School, that was the first school that I taught at.”

As an alumni from PHS, Ms. Gomez says, “… I was in volleyball, I was in track, I was actually obviously in art… I was in theater club… and that’s pretty much it, but I had a lot of fun. All of the clubs I was in were very entertaining and I had a lot of friends that were also involved…”

Ms. Gomez was also happy to share about how she feels about being an art teacher,

“…I love teaching and being passionate about what I love and, so I think sharing that passion with students is super important… It’s always nice to have that connection with students that know how I feel about art, and so it’s… between that and getting students to appreciate it.” She then contributed, “I also love building relationships, getting students to see what they can do after high school.” But it seems all teachers need a vacation, Ms. Gomez shared with us that, “…I don’t travel as much as I used to… When I have time off, I’ll try to go either to the beach, or I’ll go out hiking somewhere, but normally, I stay somewhere in Texas… Favorite place I’ll probably have to say is, Hawaii… That was a pretty fun place to go… I’d go back in a heartbeat..”

      Fun fact: Ms. Gomez’s favorite color in primary terms is blue, she said “I like different shades of blue. So I like turquoise, I like minty blues, I like aqua blues, and so I say blue but then in general that’s what I mean when I say blue…”

Thank you Ms. Gomez, for your wonderful communication skills  and your willingness to touch students’ hearts! 

By: River Reyes and Myame Lara

Some of the most overlooked staff here at PHS are the members of the custodial department. One of the custodians working at the PAC and during football games is Ms. Gina. Ms. Gina will be finished with her first year as a PHS custodian on September 8th. 

 Ms. Gina is dedicated to keeping PHS safe and clean. The members of the custodial staff are each assigned a building to take care of. Ms. Gina spends a majority of her time in the PAC building keeping the auditorium and lobby clean for the students at PHS, as well as working the PAC building, Ms. Gina also works the football games with her friend Eileen. Since Ms. Gina started working at PHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, she states that it wasn’t a big change for her, and she continued to wear her mask to keep herself and others safe. 

Ms. Gina enjoys her job here at PHS. “Don’t forget to be respectful to the PHS campus,” says Ms. Gina. Although the custodial staff is often overlooked and underappreciated, we are all very thankful for them!

By: River Reyes and Allison Collins

Kicking off the 2021-2022 school year, the Pleasanton Highschool Cheerleaders are ecstatic and prepared. Cheer Captains, Linda Sanchez and Noelani Guerrero along with Cheer Sponsor, Mrs. Rutherford are excited to finally begin this season. 

For the month of August the cheerleaders participated in the community pep rally, the first high school pep rally, scrimmage football game as well as the first football game of the season. Their performance was outstanding and the cheerleaders represented our school well! 

The Cheer team has great leadership with their cheer captains as well as a motivated sponsor that looks forward to their performances. When asked about the responsibilities as the Cheer Sponsor, Mrs. Rutherford says, “It takes a lot of planning, everyone always thinks football season is so busy. Yes its busy, but that’s the fun busy.” 

As the school year starts, all the sports will be taking center stage and our cheerleaders will be ready to show up and out!

By: Alexandra Garcia and Libby Sanchez

This year, our Pleasanton Pacesetter Team attended HTE Dance Camp in San Antonio. This organization specializes in training today’s young people to become tomorrow’s leaders in the world of dance. The camp lasted for three days, July 25th-27th. The first two days the girls were up and training at 7 in the morning, to 7:30 in the evening, almost 13 hours. Over the course of their time there, our pacesetters learned all their pep rally, competition, and football game routines for this year. After last year’s events being limited due to Covid-19, these girls are ready to jump back into school spirit and perform at pep rallies and our community parades once again.

At the end of last year, the new officers were chosen for the next upcoming season. This year’s officers are looking forward to leading a great year: Colonel Kaylie Stratton, Lieutenant Colonel Briana Arevalo, Major Illeana Ochoa, Lieutenant Larissa Villarreal, Sargent Selena Cerda, Social Officer Captain Alexis Robles, Co-Captain Erin Light, and Co-Captain Rosemary Garcia. 

The 2021-2022 Pleasanton Pacesetters are looking forward to a great year full of fun away game bus rides, competitions, and overall memories. Best of luck to our new officers and the rest of the girls as they progress through this year!

By: Wanish Tortes-Mcginnis and Kendall Zuniga

Over the summer, 10 highly talented cadets of the Eagle Battalion participated with the San Antonio School District in New Braunfels at a leadership camp. The following 10 who participated were Kenneth Alegria, Logan Alexander, Alania Nethken, Lorenzo Samaniego, Aries Uhl, Natalia Jones, Annie Araiza, Courtney Cearley, Valdemar Herrera, and Hayli Woodson. Eagle training camp or JCLC, was based on leadership skills and creating a bond between each of the cadets while at camp. Activities such as hiking Enchanted Rock and High rope zip lining were involved to help better the bonding experience for the cadets. 

Eagle Training camp also helped first year freshman cadets get familiar with what JROTC is like. Things such as learning basic drills, the history of JROTC, and physical training were introduced to the new cadets. 

The Pleasanton JROTC also had a leadership seminar with the return cadets who are going to be returning this school year. The seminar helped give the cadets and staff time to bond as a group. The company commander and first sergeant were able to come together and make plans for the year and for their companies. The JROTC participated in a 5k fun run on 4th of July, 3 of there cadets competed against each other and the community. Future events are currently still in the works. 

By: Ariana Johnson and Noah Ramos

Students, school has started again and there are new dress codes, as you heard from your teachers. Boys’ hair can not touch their shirt collars and can’t go past their eyebrows, girls can’t wear leggings no matter how long their shirts are. All students can’t wear jeans with holes in them unless you have leggings. All students are not allowed to eat outside of the cafeteria or Eagle Perk due to students leaving trash at the picnic tables and floor. Make sure to pick up your trash in the cafeteria, so we can eat outside again. Students, if you are eating lunch at the Eagle Perk make sure to pick up your trash when the wind blows it away. Students, Covid is starting to rise again. Make sure to sanitize your hands, and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Make sure to stay at home if you are feeling sick or if you are sick in order to keep you, your classmates, and teachers safe in this time period. 

By: Courtney Henson and Autumn Webster

Ed Gein was born on August 27, 1906 in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. His mother, Augusta Wilhelmine Gein and his father George Philip Gein soon picked up Ed and his older brother Henry George Gein, and moved to an isolated 155 acre farm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. During their time at the farm, Ed and Henry rarely left the house. Augusta was very religious and preached the impurity of the outside world. This led to the boys only leaving to go to school, still at school their mother made sure they never made friends. 

After roughly 30 years at the farm, Ed Gein’s father George died of heart failure caused by his alcoholism, at age 66 on April 1, 1940. After this, Ed and Henry began to take on odd jobs to take care of living expenses on the farm. After their fathers death, Henry worried about his brother’s attachment to their mother and often spoke ill of her around Ed, who responded with shock and hurt. On May 16, 1944, Henry and Ed were burning a pile of brush when the fire got out of hand. When things cleared up, Ed reported his brother missing. After a while, Henry was found lying face down, dead. The official cause of death was asphyxiation, no burns, but many bruises were found on Henry’s head. The police did not look into this. 

This death left Ed and his mother alone, shortly after Henry’s death his mother had a paralyzing stroke. Ed devoted all of this time to taking care of his mother. About a year later, after an incident with a woman neighbor, Augusta had another stroke. She died on December 29, 1945, at the age of 67. This devastated Ed. Over time, Ed’s obsession with his mother grew. He boarded up the rooms in the house she used and left all of her stuff untouched. 

Ed committed his first murder on the December 8th of 1954. After robbing Pine Grove Tavern, Ed shot and killed the owner, Mary Hogan. He brought her body home to the shed on his land.

On the Morning of November 16, 1957, a Plainfield store owner Bernice Worden went missing. After a substantial amount of evidence was uncovered against Ed, he was arrested by the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department. The department searched Ed’s house, where they discovered human bones, fingernails, human skin, along with many more gruesome human remains made into “souvenirs.” In a shed on Ed’s property, Bernice Worden’s decapitated body was found. He had shot and killed her. 

When interrogated Gein told investigators that between 1947 and 1952, he made as many as 40 visits to local graveyards to dig up recently buried bodies while he was in, what he referred to as, a “daze-like” state before returning home and dismembering the bodies. Ed also said that one roughly 30 of these visits he broke out of this daze like state and returned home empty handed. The bodies Ed made it home with, often were middle-aged women who resembled his mother. While being interrogated, Gein admitted to killing Mary Hogan, but later denied knowing the details. 

During questioning, Waushara County Sheriff, Art Schley, reportedly assaulted Gein by banging his head and face into a brick wall. As a result, Gein’s initial confession was ruled inadmissible. Schley died before Gein’s trial.

On November 21st, 1957, Ed was brought to court on one court of first degree murder in Waushara County. Ed pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Ed was soon diagnosed with schizophrenia and found mentally imcompetent making him unfit for trial. He was then sent to The Central State Hospital For The Criminally Insane, and later transferred to The Mendota State Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He stayed here for about 10 years. 

In 1968, doctors decided that Ed was “mentally able to confer with counsel and participate in his defense.” This led to another trial which began on November 7, 1968, and lasted a mere one week. 

By request of Ed and defense the trial was held without a jury present. Judge Robert H. Gollmar found Ed guilty of killing Bernice Worden. He also admitted to killing Mary Hogan. A second trial for determining Ed’s sanity found him “not guilty by reason of insanity” and ordered Ed to Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Ed spent the rest of his life in a mental hospital.

Ed died in the Mendota Mental Hospital due to respiratory failure and lung cancer on  July 26, 1984, at the age of 77. Ed is buried beside his parents and his brother Henry. 

By: Kristina Mertz

Before COVID, PHS the Quill had physical paper newspapers and we had more readers. Our numbers have significantly decreased since we were forced to switch to an online blog. The journalists at PHS the Quill wanted to know what YOU prefer, paper newspapers or the online blog. This is what you had to say. 

By: Noah Ramos

Ingredients:

• 10 Frozen waffles (Waffle cones optional)
• 3 cups of vanilla ice cream 
• ½ cup chocolate syrup 
• 10 Maraschino cherries 
• Whipped cream & sprinkles (nuts optional)

Instructions:

1. Lay the frozen waffles flat on a cookie sheet and allow to thaw, around 10 mins. Form the waffles into a taco shape and fit together side-by-side in a 9 x 13 baking dish.
2. Fill each taco with vanilla ice cream evenly before adding a drizzle of chocolate syrup then freeze until firm.
3. Top each with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. Now keep frozen, and allow tacos to sit for 5 minutes before ready to serve.

Silence is beauty 

 

the silence before the sound 

is a quiet envelope between

the now and the after

your last moment of 

unknowing 

before the sowing 

of whatever

whoever 

wherever 

comes next

By: Unknown

School is back and homework has already hit some of us at school. Sports have also already started for many kids and coaches. So remember to take breaks and to not overwhelm yourself and do what you like in order to relax and calm yourself down. 

Sincerely,

Passionate Poet

By: Brian Avery and Courtney Henson

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)- You overthink yourself a lot, but you are stronger than you think. Keep pushing, and make sure to try new things along the way. It will turn out better than you think.

Lucky Number: 31

Compatible with: Taurus

Pisces (February 19- March 20)- You will see something differently than the people around you. Remember it, and use your vision to better the situation around you.

Lucky Number: 46

Compatible with: Scorpio

Aries (March 21- April 19)- Revisit some joys from your childhood. They might make you happy once again.

Lucky Number: 39

Compatible with: Capricorn

Taurus (April 20- May 20)- Reflect on yourself, and see how far you have come. Now, look forward, and dream about how far you can go.

Lucky Number: 60

Compatible with: Aquarius

Gemini (May 21- June 20)- Try breaking an old habit of yours, and replacing it with another habit. See how well you do.

Lucky Number: 87

Compatible with: Libra

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)-Make sure you appreciate those you rely on. They need it more then you think.

Lucky Number: 36

Compatible with: Leo

Leo (July 23 – August 22)- Stand out this month and start leading. You will be surprised how many people will seek your guidance.

Lucky Number: 1

Compatible with: Cancer

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)- Remember not to judge a book by its cover. You may be 

shocked what the results yield.

Lucky Number: 71

Compatible with: Sagittarius

Libra (September 23- October 22)- Be impulsive this month. Make that new purchase, talk to the quiet one in your class, and try not to think too much.

Lucky Number: 59

Compatible with: Gemini

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)- You need to relax, and stop worrying about every little happening around you. Take a while to breathe, re-focus, and better yourself.

Lucky Number: 18

Compatible with: Pisces

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)- This is the month to finish all those projects you have been procrastinating on, no more waiting. 

Lucky Number: 15

Compatible with: Virgo

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)- Spend time with the ones you love most this month. They miss you.

Lucky Number: 82

Compatible with: Aries