by: Alex Richter

When it comes to cross country, the first thing Coach McDowell emphasizes is that consistency is key. Just like in her own training, she believes that steady effort is what builds great runners.

Cross country isn’t for everyone—especially since training sometimes starts as early as 5 a.m. However, for those who commit, the rewards are worth it. “It takes someone willing to get up at 5 in the morning and run. Cross country is completely data-driven,” Coach McDowell explained. The athletes who succeed are the ones whose statistics reflect the hard work they put in. Beyond the numbers, the team thrives on teamwork and camaraderie.

Teamwork is what fuels the team’s goals for the season. McDowell has set high expectations this year, aiming for both the boys’ and girls’ teams to reach the state finals. Her coaching philosophy is straightforward: she doesn’t push her athletes to do anything she wouldn’t do herself. “I run with them, I train with them,” she says, emphasizing the importance of them seeing that she is in it alongside them.

Motivation also plays a crucial role in this process. During summer break, the team has a top mileage runner, and McDowell uses social media to recognize the athletes’ hard work. She believes that recognition and encouragement inspire runners to push themselves even further.

Ultimately, her message to students—and anyone considering cross country—is clear: “Cross country is difficult, but we can do difficult things.”

By: Aiden Alcorta

It is the new school year, and the return of Friday night lights is back. Over the offseason, the Eagles’ football program had a major change with the coaching staff and the new play styles for the upcoming year. The Eagles acquired ex-NFL player Randy Palmer as the new head coach of Pleasanton High School.  Coach Palmer also brought along some of his coaching staff, bringing in a new defensive coordinator, Coach  Aely, and an offensive coach, Coach Moses. When asked how it feels bringing in a few other coaches you know very well who will be coaching by your side for the season, Coach Palmer stated that it has been great. He said, “I have known Coach Aley and Coach Moses for 30 years!  We have never worked together before, but I feel confident with our experiences in coaching, and the respect that we have for each other is helping us improve.”

The Eagles started the season strong and improved their strength and conditioning over the summer. The Eagles started their first scrimmage against the Hondo Owls. Pleasanton looked sharp against the owls and looked solid running the new offense. Pleasanton also scrimmaged Sam Houston at Alamo Stadium on August 22nd with a live quarter and ended up taking a 7-0 win in the scrimmage. The Eagles kicked off their season against San Antonio Highlands on Thursday, August 28th, at Alamo Stadium. When asked how he feels going further into the season after game one against the Highland Owls, Coach Palmer expressed that he feels good moving forward. He states that “Good teams get better each week, ” and “we have seen our guys getting better. Obviously, we have a lot of areas we can improve, but number one has to be ball security.  We can’t turn the ball over.” 

Overall, the Eagles have a few things to clean up. However, make sure to go out and support your Eagles! Pride, pride!

By: Annameek Haiduk

The Eagle Tennis program has officially started and is ready for the season. The varsity team recently played hard against La Vernia on August 20th, 2025. However, despite the team’s best efforts, La Vernia pulled the win, scoring against the Eagles 18-1. The girls’ varsity team suffered a loss at 9-0, and the boys’ varsity team at 8-1. We would like to acknowledge Andrew Lucas for scoring for the team. Regardless of the turnout, the Eagle Tennis team remains unfaltered. With the girls’ varsity rebuilding and many returning varsity boys, the team remains at the ready. 

One of our players, LaCrisha Potter, was able to provide us with some insight. Potter, who joined PHS and Eagle Tennis just last year, has rocketed to the varsity team. She explains that this all started when she was a little girl. Inspired by the tennis she saw on television, she became a tennis player too. Potter has played for 3 years before joining us, and with these skills, she hopes to continue playing for fun in the future and throughout college. With that being said, here are some facts from her point of view of the match. 

In this match, Potter believes she did okay, but believes that she could have done better; however, overall, she had fun. When asked about what goes through her head while playing, she answered that she thought to just have fun and not get into her own head. Knowing that she had a good opponent and that no matter the outcome, it would be a good match because she would learn something from it kept her motivated. Potter explains that the most challenging part of the season so far is battling the heat, but by staying calm and keeping hydrated, she can overcome it. When given the chance to advise others who may be interested in tennis, Potter disclosed, “It’s a mental sport more than it is a physical one. Tennis is for everyone as long as you’re up for the challenge.” 

With these inspiring words, we wish the Eagle Tennis team the best of luck throughout the rest of their fall tennis season. 

By: Aiden Alcorta 

As the new school year begins, so does the exciting season of Volleyball! The Lady Eagle Volleyball team has been off to a fantastic start. The Eagles enjoyed an excellent offseason, honing their skills and increasing their speed, which has significantly improved their performance on the court. This season, they have welcomed Theresa Reyes as the new Head Coach for the squad. The Eagles have played 16 games so far, achieving a record of 9-7. Below are some highlights from previous games:

– Pleasanton vs George West: 3-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs San Antonio Memorial: 2-1 (Loss, tournament)

– Pleasanton vs Lanier: 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs (Tournament): 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs Del Rio: 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs Burbank: 2-0 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Lanier: 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs Lytle: 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs YWLA: 3-1 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs Crystal City: 2-0 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Brackenridge: 2-0 (Win)

– Pleasanton vs Jay: 2-0 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Marion: 3-1 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Poth: 2-0 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Tivy: 2-0 (Loss)

– Pleasanton vs Jefferson: 3-0 (Win)

The Eagles are off to a great start this season, and district play kicks off on September 12th against the Carrizo Lady Cats Volleyball team. Good luck to the Pleasanton Eagle Volleyball team this season. Let’s rally and support our incredible ladies! Pride, pride!

By: Jolenne Woodlee

This issue’s eagle of the month is Presly Moos! Presley is a part of our Pleasanton High Mighty Eagle Spirit Squad. She has been a cheerleader for about four years, starting off her career in eighth grade. Presly decided to be a spirit member because she enjoys bringing the school spirit, and she also likes to be a leader. When Presly realized she wanted to be a cheerleader, she stated, “Ever since I was a little girl, just from watching the older girls on the track.”  

Presly is very skilled when it comes to cheer or dance. When she was young, her mom enrolled her in dance class, and she had been to cheer camp with her experience. Presly can execute her dance routine every time. If you were to ask Presly about cheer in her future, the answer would be, “That’s to be determined; it all depends on the school and if I want to focus on school work or sports.” Her last comments were as follows: “Excited to see where cheer goes this year, and I feel blessed with the great girls, I’m grateful for PHS and the opportunities they have to offer.” 

We would like to thank Presly for taking the time to answer our questions. And to Presly, “keep doing your thing and don’t let nobody stop you, you do you girl!” – Jolenne 

by: Alex Richter

PHS is excited to welcome Mr. McDonough to the history department this year as our newest government teacher!

Mr. McDonough’s journey into teaching began during his time in the military, where he noticed that many people had a limited understanding of how their government functions. This observation sparked a passion for helping others learn more about it. He now brings that passion into the classroom, making history both engaging and meaningful.

So far, Mr. McDonough’s first impressions of PHS have been positive. “The students are respectful, and the staff are friendly,” he shares. When it comes to teaching, he is especially looking forward to getting to know his students. He plans to incorporate games, interactive activities, and one-on-one time to ensure that every student connects with the material.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. McDonough enjoys golfing and playing Dungeons & Dragons, a game he has loved since he was 13. His biggest piece of advice for this year’s students is to ask questions and start conversations.

We are excited to see the impact Mr. McDonough will have at PHS this year—welcome aboard!

By: Liam Powell

As summer fades into fall, the zodiac shifts through three distinct signs that set the tone for late August and September: Leo, Virgo, and Libra. Each sign brings its own unique personality traits and energy, shaping the way people approach life, relationships, and personal growth during this time of year. Whether you’re basking in Leo’s fiery confidence, tapping into Virgo’s sharp eye for detail, or embracing Libra’s quest for balance, these signs offer guidance for navigating the changing seasons.

Leo (July 23 – August 22): The Spotlight Seeker

Leos are ruled by the Sun, which explains their natural warmth, vibrance, and desire to shine. During August, Leo season dominates the zodiac with bold energy. People born under this sign are often described as leaders—fearless, ambitious, and ready to take charge. They thrive in the spotlight, whether it’s leading a team, sharing creative ideas, or simply bringing life to a social gathering.

Leos are also known for their loyalty. When they care about someone, they give their all, making them reliable and passionate friends. However, their fiery personalities can sometimes spill over into stubbornness or a tendency to be dramatic. Leos want to be recognized for who they are, and when they feel ignored, their pride may take over. Still, their charisma and determination often inspire those around them to be just as bold.

In late summer, Leo energy encourages everyone—no matter their sign—to step into the spotlight a little. This is a time for confidence, self-expression, and chasing passions wholeheartedly.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22): The Grounded Perfectionist

Virgo season begins in late August and lasts through most of September, bringing a major shift in tone. Unlike Leo’s fiery drive for attention, Virgo’s energy is thoughtful, grounded, and practical. Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, Virgos are known for their sharp minds and incredible attention to detail. They are the planners, the organizers, and the problem solvers of the zodiac.

Virgos value structure and often excel in areas where focus and precision matter. They are hardworking and dependable, always striving to improve themselves and their surroundings. But with these strengths comes the challenge of perfectionism. Virgos can be overly critical, not just of others but of themselves, holding impossibly high standards that sometimes leave them feeling unsatisfied.

Despite this, Virgos bring kindness and stability to those around them. They are supportive friends who offer thoughtful advice and practical solutions. During Virgo season, the influence inspires all signs to get organized, set new goals, and tidy up both their lives and their mindsets. It’s a season for clarity and preparation—a perfect way to transition into fall.

Libra (September 23 – October 22): The Harmonizer

As September comes to an end, the Sun enters Libra, shifting the energy once again. Libras are ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, which explains their natural charm and appreciation for aesthetics. They are peacemakers at heart, always searching for harmony in their relationships and environments. Balance is the keyword for Libra season, whether it’s balancing work and play, friendships and responsibilities, or even inner emotions.

People born under Libra often thrive in social settings. They are cooperative, diplomatic, and skilled at understanding different perspectives, making them natural mediators. At the same time, Libras can struggle with indecision, as they want to keep everyone happy and avoid conflict. This tendency to hesitate can hold them back if they don’t learn to trust their own instincts.

Still, Libra energy brings beauty and balance to the zodiac. As the season begins, it encourages all signs to reflect on their relationships, seek fairness, and bring more harmony into their lives.

Closing Thoughts

Together, Leo, Virgo, and Libra shape the energy of August and September in meaningful ways. Leo encourages us to be bold and confident, Virgo reminds us to stay grounded and organized, and Libra calls us to seek balance and connection. These zodiac signs show that late summer and early fall are not just about changing weather but also about shifting perspectives. Whether you’re embracing the fiery confidence of Leo, the thoughtful practicality of Virgo, or the graceful balance of Libra, the stars suggest this is a time to grow, connect, and prepare for the seasons ahead.

By: Victory Alcantara

Suicide impacts individuals across the globe and ranks as the second-leading cause of death among teens and young adults aged 10-34. In 2023, it accounted for 49,316 deaths, reflecting a troubling increase of around 36% from 2000 to 2022. This urgent issue highlights the crucial need for awareness, especially during September.

According to SAMHSA, 18.1% of teens aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, and it’s likely that students at PHS have faced similar challenges. The school environment can be particularly stressful with the transition to nine classes this year, significant grades, and the arrival of our first report cards soon, all of which can create added pressure for any student. Fortunately, there are several strategies to cope with these school-related stresses, detailed in our Advice Column article written by Ivy. However, school is not the only source of stress in our daily lives.

It’s essential to know how to manage stress and suicidal thoughts at home. Be vigilant about changes in your friends’ behavior, and also take the time to check in on yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when needed.

For those seeking immediate support (if needed), you can refer to SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357). In addition, talking to a trusted adult, counselor, or therapist can make a significant difference. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people ready to support you.

https://nchstats.com/suicide-rates-us/

By: Victory Alcantara

In the wake of advanced AI, scientists are debating whether AI-generated papers constitute plagiarism. In the nature.com article “What counts as plagiarism? AI-generated papers pose new risks,” we learn about Byeongjun Park, an artificial intelligence researcher, who discovered that an AI had utilized methods from his papers in its manuscript without giving credit.

In January of this year, computer scientists Tarun Gupta and Danish Pruthi from the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru contacted Park regarding this issue. Later, in February, they identified multiple instances of AI producing the same paper referenced without directly copying words and sentences. The computer scientists argue that this repetition indicates the software is plagiarizing others’ ideas: “A significant portion of LLM-generated research ideas appear novel on the surface but are actually skillfully plagiarized in ways that make their originality difficult to verify.” However, their findings are contested, with part of the team strongly disagreeing with Gupta and Pruthi’s conclusions.

Beyond this specific debate lies a broader concern. With ChatGPT receiving an estimated 2.5 billion prompts daily, how can we be certain that the responses aren’t simply plagiarized work? In today’s world, AI has rapidly increased in efficiency and has even been incorporated into students’ schoolwork. AI can perform a wide range of tasks, from answering questions and writing essays to creating hyper-realistic videos and mimicking entire art styles and animations. Due to this versatility, teachers at PHS have permitted students to use AI as a reference or to generate images for projects. However, while they recognize the benefits, are they fully aware of the potential issues surrounding plagiarism and the ecological impacts it may have?

Although AI is becoming more widespread, it remains a new and imperfect technology that requires further exploration and research. The studies conducted so far paint a concerning picture of its impact. Most people are unaware of the substantial resources required to generate responses from AI. Data centers rely on massive supercomputers to process those prompts. As the demands increase, these machines heat up, necessitating the use of approximately 700 liters of fresh water to cool them down, water sourced from local groundwater. While water is a semi-renewable resource, these supercomputers draw clean water from the same groundwater that supplies our drinking water.

This excessive water consumption has led many towns near these data centers to experience shortages, leaving families without the ability to shower or obtain water from their taps, with what does come out often being small streams of dirty brown, undrinkable water. For teachers, this issue centers around plagiarism, but for many others, it has become a matter of survival.

Illustration: Martyna Wędzicka-Obuchowicz

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02616-5

Should I feel guilty using AI? By Simon Clark on YouTube

By: Eboni Belyeu

Jane Kenyon, an acclaimed American poet born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was celebrated for her emotionally resonant and simple style. A graduate of the University of Michigan, her life is deeply intertwined with her poetry, further enriched by her marriage to Donald Hall. Her work explored themes of love and loss, capturing hearts worldwide. The posthumous collection” Otherwise: New and Selected Poems “ensures her legacy endures.

“There’s just no accounting for happiness,

Or the way it turns up like a prodigal

who comes back to the dust at your feet

having squandered a fortune far away.

And how can you not forgive?

You make a feast in honor of what

was lost, and took from its place the finest

a garment, which you saved for an occasion

You could not imagine, and you weep night and day                    

to know that you were not abandoned,

that happiness saved its most extreme form

for you alone.

No, happiness is the uncle you never

knew about who flies a single-engine plane

onto the grassy landing strip, hitchhikes

into town, and inquires at every door

until he finds you asleep mid afternoon

as you so often are during the unmerciful

hours of your despair.

It comes to the monk in his cell.

It comes to the woman sweeping the street

with a birch broom, to the child

whose mother has passed out from drinking.

It comes to the lover, to the dog chewing

a sock, to the pusher, to the basket maker,

and to the clerk stacking cans of carrots

in the night.

 It even comes to the boulder

in the perpetual shade of pine barrens,

to rain falling on the open sea,

to the wineglass, weary of holding wine.”

This poem highlights that happiness is an unpredictable “prodigal” visitor, arriving unexpectedly rather than being summoned or controlled.

by: Alex Richter

The summer of 2025 felt both familiar and strangely new. With reunion tours, rebooted TV pilots, streaming finales, and a renewed interest in immersive technology, Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences found themselves scrolling, rewatching, and gearing up, sometimes all at the same time.

Streaming leaned hard into comfort viewing. The effect wasn’t just ratings; it was ritual. Drops turned into events, complete with meme cycles, live-watch threads, and next-day explainers. A show no longer ends in 2025; it echoes. And every echo becomes material for creators. The engine of that translation was TikTok. GRWM, or “Get Ready With Me,” morphed from a makeup chat into a portable format for entire fandoms. The clips are short, but the runway is long: the right video can spawn fashion remakes, micro-essays in the comments, and POV skits for weeks.

Meanwhile, the places where fandoms gather continue to shift. It’s not just group chats and Discord servers now; it’s meetings, homepages, streams, VR plazas, and cozy gaming hubs. Watch parties went hybrid. Friends who used to pass the phone around now pass around headsets and jump into the same digital space for premiere night. If the 2010s were about second-screen viewing, the late 2020s are about second-world viewing, with the same friends in a new room.

Two forces have clicked now. First, the mood: a collective appetite for familiar textures, even among viewers who weren’t old enough to view the originals the first time. Second, the medium: hardware and platforms making immersive, social viewing less clunky and more routine. Nostalgia supplies the story; technology supplies the stage. Together, they turn once-private comfort rewatches into public, clippable moments.

Still, there’s a difference between resonance and repetition. The best reboots aren’t cover songs; they’re samples, familiar enough to hum, surprising enough to keep. The same applies to technology: VR is effective when it enhances presence rather than replacing communication entirely. A virtual watch-along is great if it makes the inside joke land harder, but maybe not if it separates friends behind a screen 24/7.

Where this goes next is already visible at the edges. I’d expect more synchronized drops that braid platforms together, such as a streaming premiere tied to a TikTok challenge or a limited in-game event that mirrors a TV show finale. This creator line turns a costume moment into a follow-the-trend sample. Expect GRWMs to keep evolving into mini-vlogs, less “here’s my mascara,” more “here’s how this new character changes my look for the week.” And expect VR to continue integrating itself into everyday life, especially if you thrive on cosplay, meetups, and shared spaces.

If there’s a takeaway from the past few months, it’s this: we’re not just revisiting old stories, we’re re-staging them in new rooms. For creators, the brief writes itself; they translate feeling into form and do it in a way that makes people feel together. For executives, the challenge is to chase engagement without sanding off the edges that made these worlds worth returning to in the first place.

Summer 2025 embraced both the past and the future. It didn’t choose. It said, “Give me both.” We hit play on the finale, opened a virtual door, and swiped into a GRWM. We’re essentially living the same life with nostalgia in one hand and new technology in the other. The real question isn’t whether the past is making a comeback; it’s how we are incorporating it into our lives for the second time around.

by: Ella Garza

With Hamilton hitting 10 years old on August 6th of this year, it’s only justified to share my honest thoughts on the critically acclaimed musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, based on the autobiography of Alexander Hamilton. The musical’s profound impact in 2015 leaves it in a truly special place for me.

Whether you just listen to the soundtrack, watch it on streaming, or see it live on stage, Hamilton is an experience to be had. Originally performed in 2015, and as of 2020, it is available on Disney+, the musical details Hamilton’s involvement in the Revolutionary War, as well as his career as a lawyer. The narrative is engaging and keeps you interested. The soundtrack features an intriguing mix of genres, including R&B, soul, and hip-hop, and tracks like “My Shot” and “The Room Where It Happens” make it so worth re-listening. The musical’s casting of non-white actors as the founding fathers also truly impacted the reputation of the musical in a majority positive way. With all that being said, I think it deserves a heavy leaning 9.5/10. I only deduct points because 2 hours and 40 minutes just isn’t enough runtime for such an amazing musical!

by: Alex Richter

The summer after high school dwindled like the final grains in an hourglass. At eighteen, with his diploma receding behind him like the echo of a bell, Marty felt the future press against him—a current swelling toward the shore. College loomed like a storm coiling on the horizon. Questions poured down: what would he study, who would he become, where did he see himself? Marty, masked in uncertainty, barely recognized what hunger gnawed at him by lunchtime.

His aunt’s small beach town felt like a place where nothing big ever happened. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the sweet promise of fried seafood, while the sidewalks gleamed, polished smooth by generations of bare feet. The ocean stretched on endlessly, silent and simple, drawing a single blue line where sky and water met. Marty found comfort in the town’s lazy rhythm. He wandered the tide line, pedaled from the weathered pier to the steadfast lighthouse, and let the sun soak into his skin each afternoon. It was a summer of restless motion, his body always moving while his thoughts spun in place.

One evening, a deep restlessness seeped into his bones, as if something ancient was stirring. He wandered along the crescent of sand, past where the streetlights surrendered to darkness, until the shore bristled with jagged rocks. The moon dangled overhead—a silver coin tossed onto midnight’s velvet cloth. There, in the hush and spray, he glimpsed a narrow opening in the rocks, like a secret mouth in the earth. Squeezing through, he entered a cove carved perfectly by time and tide, a pocket of the world held apart.

That place became his hidden refuge. Night after night, he found himself drawn there, sometimes settling onto the moon-cooled stones, sometimes drifting weightless on the gentle water, sometimes simply breathing in the hush. The cove held a different kind of quiet, one that pressed close, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

The weeks blurred together. Days rushed by in a mix of sun and sound, porch lights flickered on, seagulls circled above, and sunsets came too quickly. But the nights in the cove felt wide. They seemed to hold more time than they should, stretching the moon’s light for what felt like hours. He carried those hours lightly, never questioning how they seemed to expand.

On his last night, with a packed bag waiting by his aunt’s door, Marty stood ankle-deep in the water of the cove. The moon poured across the surface, turning the stones into liquid silver.

“I won’t forget this,” he whispered. He turned and stepped back through the crack, back toward the town, back toward the clock.

It was only then, when the cicadas suddenly started to cry, that the tide surged forward instantly, and when dawn hurried to catch him, Marty realized the truth. Of course. The cove had never moved at all.

 By: Annameek Haiduk

With the fall season coming in, Lauren Allen has made a simple pumpkin roll recipe. These pumpkin rolls are a great way to introduce that fall mood. 

Here are the ingredients that are needed:

• ¾  cup all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 8 ounces cream cheese 
• 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Once you have gathered these ingredients, you can start on this easy recipe!

• Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
• Prep the pan with nonstick cooking spray, and place parchment paper on top.
• In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. 
• In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, 3 eggs, sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and pumpkin until smooth. 
• Combine the wet and the dry ingredients, stir until no dry streaks remain. 
• Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 12 – 15 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick until it comes out clean!
• Immediately out of the oven, lift the parchment paper with the cake, and place it on a safe surface. While still hot, start at the short end and gently roll it all the way up. Allow it to cool completely. 
• While the cake cools, mix the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar together for the frosting until it is fluffy and smooth. 
• Once the cake is cool, gently unroll it, and lather the frosting inside. Roll the cake back up without the parchment paper and put it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. 
• Once an hour has passed, it is ready to serve. Dust the top with powdered sugar and cut into slices. Enjoy!

By: Genevieve Chancellor

In July 2023, a Poteet man, Rosendo Jesus Montoya, was accused of murdering two Leming women, roommates Mary Hinez and Lara West. The tragic incident occurred in their home, where Montoya had been in a brief relationship with Mary before the attack. Although Mary had ended her relationship with Montoya just months earlier, he became increasingly obsessed with her, resorting to stalking behaviors.

Montoya was employed at a local fast food chain at the time, and his coworkers described him as unsettling. Adding to the alarming circumstances, he had purchased a 9mm firearm just a month before the crime. On June 29, 2023, Montoya broke into Mary and Lara’s home, lying in wait for Mary to return. He proceeded to shoot Mary inside her own home in the dead of the night. Following Mary’s murder, Lara returned home, where she was shot. In an attempt to hide the crime, Montoya set the house on fire to burn Lara’s body and the evidence of his presence. He had separated Mary’s body into separate containers that he had prepared beforehand.

Firefighters responded to a 911 call made by an unnamed third roommate, who reported a fire at their residence. Upon arrival, they discovered the remains of Lara West, and it quickly became evident that Mary Hinez was missing. A search for Hinez lasted four days, intensifying as Montoya emerged as the lead suspect in the case. His capture came when authorities spotted him disposing of two black bags behind the fast-food restaurant where he worked. Before officers could reach him, Montoya fled the scene. In response, police divided their efforts, with one group pursuing Montoya while another investigated the dumpster. The group investigating the dumpster pulled out the black bag, which, when opened, revealed partial human remains inside. The other authorities pulled over Montoya and arrested him.

Montoya quickly confessed to the crime of the deaths of Mary and Lara. He led authorities to where he disposed of the rest of Mary’s remains off a back Poteet road. He was arrested for double homicide. His trial was on July 5, 2023, where he confessed to the murders; he was charged with Capital Murder of Multiple Innocents. He accepted a plea deal of life in prison without the possibility of parole, which also eliminated his right to appeal. The tragic deaths of Mary and Lara have deeply affected their families and friends. It’s hard to believe that such a horrific event occurred so close to our town.

By: Essence Croft

Have you ever wanted to connect with exchange students? If so, that’s fantastic! The Quill staff is excited to introduce two exchange students for the PHS 2025-2026 academic year. First, we have Ho-yen, a 16-year-old boy from Taiwan. Ho-yen enjoys spending time with his closest friends and describes himself as “open-minded.” He aspires to be an artist who creates music beats and is looking to improve his English skills during his stay in America. Autumn and his birthday are his favorite times of the year. In addition to being a talented baseball player, he loves mac & cheese and enjoys watching the film “Dune.”

When asked about what teenagers do for leisure in Taiwan, he mentioned, “Shopping, watching movies, playing sports, and hanging out.” Ho-yen dreams of visiting Europe, Canada, and Los Angeles, and he hopes to be a successful artist while living in the United States. As an only child, he finds it easy to get along with others. His favorite color is Tiffany blue, and he has a deep affection for cats.

Our second exchange student is Thimo, a 15-year-old boy from Germany. Thimo takes great pleasure in helping others navigate their educational and personal challenges, and he identifies as an “extroverted” person. He has dreams of becoming a professional soccer player, and like Ho-yen, he cherishes the fall season and his birthday. Thimo enjoys Germany’s food, landscapes, and sports, with his favorite activities being soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Thimo envisions his “perfect” day as one where he wakes up late, enjoys a big breakfast, and attends an NBA game. Afterward, he would have lunch at “Red Lobster,” followed by inviting friends over for a relaxing time by the pool before falling blissfully asleep. He dreams of meeting his NBA idol, “Dennis Schroder,” and was inspired to pursue this path after a presentation by “Bettha Aichholzer” from Rotary: Across the Globe. A unique talent of Thimo’s is his ability to play the piano!

As Ho-yen and Thimo embark on their American adventure, they’ll discover the rich experiences life in the U.S. has to offer. These new students at PHS truly shine brightly, and we wish them the best of luck!