Sports Recap: Bowling, Soccer, JROTC

 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. 

 

Band is Preparing for the Christmas Celebration!

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.

Basketball

 

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.

Lights-Camera-Action! Eagle Of The Month 

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.

The Teach Behind the Teacher [Spotlight]

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.

NaNoWriMo

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!  

Advice Column: The Wiseman’s Words

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.

Poem of the Month

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.

Short Story: Lucas and the Christmas Wish

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.

True Crime Vol. LV: The Child That Shocked A Nation

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.