By: Aiden Alcorta

As the 2024-2025 football season comes to an end, the Pleasanton Eagles finished with a record of 4-6. The Eagles came up short against a very talented team, the Canyon Lake Hawks, with a score of 24-42. The Eagles had a hard-fought season and put in so much work to the season. As the Eagles look to get revenge next season, they are now putting in the work in the off-season. Congratulations to the Eagles for not quitting when times were hard; they fought every battle until the final buzzer sounded.  

Also, a HUGE congratulations to Aiden Rich in making the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game!! Make sure to vote for Erik Coronado for the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game. Voting is on woobox.com choose your vote and fill out the information at the bottom. Until next season, #PridePrideEaglePride!!

By: Layla Rodriguez and Alexis Cook

And we’re back with another sports recap! This month’s Sports Recap will be focusing on Band and our Basketball program. 

First, we will start with our Lady Eagle Basketball! The Eagles have been competing so very hard this season, and it is just the start. Going into the first game, they fought and managed a big win. Next, they competed at Jefferson and once again managed to take a big win!

Now moving on to the Boys Basketball program. This season has been looking equally as great for these boys! The boys competed at home against Beeville, and it was a close one. The game went into overtime, but not to fear, they pulled off the win. 

Saturday at 11 a.m., the Pleasanton Eagle Band went head-to-head against Calallen High School in an exciting competition. All teams brought their best to the field, showcasing impressive talent and determination. Despite a strong performance from the Eagles, they ultimately finished in 20th place, while Calallen High School secured 11th place. The match was a hard-fought contest, with both schools displaying grit and sportsmanship throughout the event. Although the Eagles didn’t achieve the ranking they had hoped for, they showed great resilience and skill, making the competition a valuable experience for the team.

Percilla Gonzales

By: Liam Powell & Xavier Mendoza 

Ms. Gonzales has been a vital part of our teacher support system for some time now. But how many of us have taken the chance to truly get to know her?

Her journey began with an early dream of becoming a pharmacist. The idea of diving into the world of medicine was exciting, and the flexibility of the career path seemed ideal. However, Ms. Gonzales eventually found her true calling in education. She majored in multidisciplinary science and even dedicated an additional year to earning her certification to teach high school—a goal she had nurtured for a few years.

She began her career as a science teacher in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), where she built a strong foundation of experience alongside her science degree. Before long, she joined Pleasanton ISD, steadily working her way into her current role as teacher support.

Ms. Gonzales has a genuine love for connecting with people from all walks of life. She takes time to listen, understand, and offer help wherever she can, a dedication that naturally led her to her current position. Despite the demands of her role, Ms. Gonzales still makes time for her passions.

In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows and movies. But her hobbies don’t end there. “There’s something about a book and good weather that makes my heart smile,” she says—a sentiment that many can relate to.

Basketball is another love of hers, one that goes back to her college days at St. Philip’s College, where she played for fun. Now, the tradition lives on through her children, who share her enthusiasm for the game.

Ms. Gonzales is more than just a pillar of support for our teachers; she’s a role model who balances her professional and personal life with grace. Like the pages of a favorite book, her life is filled with stories waiting to be discovered.

While her focus now is on supporting our teachers, her efforts ultimately benefit all of us, ensuring we receive the quality education we deserve.

By: Leighlah Silva 

As the new school year unfolds, we’re excited to welcome two standout sophomores to the journalism team, Emily Breier and Elisabeth Dills. Both bring unique perspectives, ambitions, and determination, making them a welcome addition to our staff. Their stories highlight not only their dedication to journalism but also the qualities that set them apart as exceptional individuals.

Emily’s journey into journalism began at the fall fair for freshmen, where a spark of interest led her to sign up. Though she faces challenges, like the occasional writer’s block, she doesn’t let that hold her back. Emily’s commitment to her work is evident in how she actively seeks help and feedback, always eager to improve her writing and bring fresh ideas to the team. Her persistence in overcoming obstacles is inspiring, and her passion for learning shines through in her efforts.

Outside of journalism, Emily envisions a future in cosmetology, where she plans to use her creativity and sense of style. But for now, she’s excited to stick with journalism throughout high school, building skills and making connections that will serve her well in any career she chooses. Her advice to others is simple but powerful: put in the effort, and remember that trying your best is what matters most. Emily’s resilience and positive outlook are sure to leave a lasting impact on our journalism team.

Elizabeth joined the journalism team seeking an extra class to round out her schedule, but her natural love for writing and connecting with people made her a perfect fit. She brings an enthusiasm for storytelling that is contagious, always eager to engage with new people and learn about their perspectives. For Elizabeth, journalism isn’t just about reporting facts; it’s about building relationships and understanding the world around her.

Like any writer, Elizabeth faces her own set of challenges, especially with meeting deadlines and avoiding the pull of procrastination. However, her awareness of these obstacles only makes her more determined to succeed. Elizabeth plans to stay with journalism, using the skills she gains to enhance her communication abilities and stay engaged with the world. Her perseverance and people-centered approach bring a refreshing energy to our team.

Both Emily and Elizabeth have shown a willingness to step outside their comfort zones, take on challenges, and grow as writers and individuals. Their dedication and unique perspectives bring depth and diversity to our journalism team, making them invaluable members who will undoubtedly leave a mark on our publication.

This issue we will be talking about is American Diabetes Awareness Month, people may not know but November is the Month of many awareness health issues including American Diabetes Month, Bladder Health Month, Diabetic Eye Disease Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Epilepsy Awareness Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Hospice Palliative Care Month, National Stomach Cancer Awareness, Month Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, Transgender Awareness Week (2nd week in November), but this issues we will be focussing on American Diabetes Awareness Month, because granted it is a serious thing some people don’t recognize that November is the month of American diabetes. There are different types of diabetes, type one and type two. 

Type one diabetes is caused by your body attacking itself therefore causing it not to provide enough insulin, this can be diagnosed in children or young adults. Type two diabetes is when your body doesn’t produce insulin well and can’t keep your blood levels stable, according to the CDC website “You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk”.

There are also prediabetic and borderline diabetic. Prediabetes is when your sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to have type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC website, “Prediabetes is a serious health condition that increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.” What causes prediabetes? According to the CDC, “ Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If you have prediabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond.

Eventually, your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises. This sets the stage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes down the road.”  However, borderline diabetes is when your blood sugar level is higher than it should be but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Borderline diabetics have some insulin resistance due to excess body fat, especially around their belly, and a lack of physical activity.

by: Alex Richter

Junko Furuta, a 17-year-old high school student from Tokyo, Japan, was abducted on her way home from a part-time job by two teenage boys on November 25, 1988. Junko was a well-liked student at Yashio-Minami High School, recognized for her beauty, intellect, and outstanding academic performance. Her peers respected her, and she had a promising future in front of her, though her life was tragically cut short. The case, involving four teenage perpetrators, shocked Japan and left a lasting impression on the community.

This began when two boys approached Junko from her school. Hiroshi Miyano, the group’s ringleader, had previously tried to form a romantic relationship with her, which she politely declined. This resulted in his friends–Nobuharu Minato, Yasushi Watanabe, and Jo Ogura–having the idea to abduct her. After forcing Junko to call her parents and claim she was safe, her captors held her in the Minato family home, effectively preventing any search and rescue efforts.

While in captivity, Junko suffered extensive abuse and endured unimaginable hardship. Reports indicate that she was deprived of food, subjected to physical and psychological harm, and endured prolonged suffering. Over 44 days, Junko was brutally tortured by the boys in unspeakable ways. 

There were instances where Junko’s suffering might have come to an end. At one point, a young visitor to the house saw her and informed the authorities that there was an abused girl in the home. However, when police arrived to investigate, they were convinced by both the boys and the parents that no one in the house needed help, leading them to leave without further action. In another instance, Junko managed to reach out for help briefly by phone, but her captors stopped her before she had the chance to speak.

Junko eventually succumbed to her injuries on January 4, 1989. In a final act of cruelty, her captors concealed her remains in a concrete-filled container, disposing of it in a landfill. The sentences for the perpetrators were met with widespread outrage, as the legal system’s treatment of juveniles led to relatively short prison terms for all involved. Hiroshi Miyano received a 20-year sentence, while the others received even lighter sentences.

This case remains a painful reminder of the need for stronger protections for victims. The legacy of Junko’s story has contributed to increased awareness and advocacy against violence, as people remember Junko not only for the injustice she endured but also as a symbol of change.

By: Layla Rodriguez

For this month’s Poll, we asked our students at PHS if they prefer winter or fall and why. Here are some great responses! “I prefer winter because it is Christmas time!” and a student favoring fall said, “I love fall because of the feeling, and the festive foods!”. Concluding our results, the big winner of this month’s Poll is winter! Thank you to everyone who participated this month. Come back next time for a fun new topic!

By: Ella Garza

This issue’s new discovery is that scientists have discovered a new species of antarctic dragonfish. A dragonfish is a fish native to warm Indo-Pacific waters and are 16-centimeter elongated fish encased in bony rings of armor. A research team from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary had identified what’s known as the “banded dragonfish” while investigating museum-archived larvae samples.

While most of our ocean is still unexplored, new species are being discovered almost every day. This strikes a lot of conversations in communities even outside of science. Visit https://new.nsf.gov/news/new-antarctic-dragonfish-species-discovered for more information. 

By: Emily Breier

 Let’s talk about the top ten teams in the NFL. Every team works hard, though the question is, who is the best of the best? Let’s start with number ten the Arizona Cardinals they have a winning streak of six wins and four losses. Coming in at ninth place is the Green Bay Packers with six wins and three losses. Next is the Missoda Vikings who have seven, and two records putting them in eighth place. In seventh place is the Washington Commanders; their record so far this season is seven wins and three losses. Coming in at number six is the Pittsburgh Stealers with a score of seven and two

Now let’s get to the top five, at number five is the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of seven-two. Next up is the Buffalo Bill with a great score of eight-two. At number three is the Ravains with a score of seven and three. The Lions come in second place so far this season with a streak of eight and one, so close to the number one spot but not close enough. Now is the moment we have all been waiting for the number-one team in the NFL this season. You know them, you love them, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have nine and zero scores right now being the only team with this record.

Every team deserves the praise, of course, for putting in countless hours on and off the field. No matter what team you support, I hope you enjoyed the update of the top ten.