By: Gabby Palacios

During this weird time in the world, there has been one constant question in our community. Are the seniors going to have their graduation ceremony? Well, thanks to the hard-working parents, community members, and PHS staff, our Class of 2020 seniors will walk the stage.

Saturday, May 30, the ceremony will be held at the newly renovated football stadium at 8:00 pm. Due to the current circumstances, adjustments will be made to ensure the safety of all guests, PHS staff, and graduates.

This year, all seniors will be allowed up to four guests, and those attending will be required to follow social distancing guidelines. All guests will receive their tickets which have information on how to enter and exit the stadium to keep in compliance with the guidelines. Furthermore, each family will be required to sit on an assigned bleacher and sit apart from others, and the seniors will not be shaking hands with any PHS staff members during the acceptance of their diploma.

During this time, Ms. Olivarri and Ms. Guajardo both find it bittersweet. Though they are disappointed this year ended the way it did, they are excited to see all of the community come together to make this time special, and they know this year’s graduates will go on to do great things in the world.

This time has been tough, but it has also brought our community together and shown that when we come together as one, we can get through anything.

Seniors, you have done great things so far, and no matter what path you choose and where you go, you will continue to do amazing. Remember, once an eagle, always an eagle. PRIDE PRIDE!

By: Heaven Marquez and Gabby Palacios

This time of quarantine and COVID-19 has stopped the world in its tracks. It seems like everything has been placed on hold as this virus continues to attack. However, the students of Pleasanton High School have refused to just sit back and use this time to relax or slack off; they have decided to make a difference.

Seniors Trisha West and James Barcomb have opted for helping people get fast food with West working at Whataburger and Barcomb operating at Bill Miller BBQ. Other students have decided to help their community by working at the local H-E-B and assisting those who make their way into the store. Seniors Saul Raquena, Nick Robles, Madeline Keylich, Jordan Haby, Colby Davidson, Chano Roman, and Celia Alvarez have all supported the store along with juniors John Rosas, David Garcia, Erica Santee, and sophomore Cayden Jones.

David Garcia, a junior HEB employee, states, “There are definitely people who take advantage of the system… Neighbors, family, friends, acquaintances, find someone who might need help or is struggling to get these things and offer or even just do it out of kindness but do what you can to share or even run those errands for them.”

Erica Santee, also currently employed at HEB, explains, “It’s a little stressful I’m not going to lie. I’m trying to work as much as I can and the store itself was a little hectic at first, but after taking great precautions as well as maintaining the customers’ satisfaction, it got easier. At HEB our managers and other partners helped out a lot by bringing people from other stores to our store for help when it got really crowded or hectic, it made me realize this was a very serious matter, and everyone needed to keep calm.”

Not only are there students helping people get their basic home necessities, but there are also those who provide fast and quick meals to others, including other essential workers.

An anonymous junior employed at SONIC Drive-in states, “It makes me feel good knowing that my job is to provide food to others who are out on the frontline as well. We get a lot of oil field workers, police officers, and nurses who come in on their lunch break or after a shift and sometimes you can tell that they’re really tired and it just makes me appreciate the work that they do for me even more.”

These are students that deserve recognition for the hard work they put in to help serve our community during these trying times. Thank you for staying positive and helpful throughout this quarantine! PRIDE PRIDE!

By: Gabby Palacios

Beginning on the week of February 24, PHS held tryouts for the 2020-2021 cheerleading team. At the first practice, the twenty-nine candidates began putting together a routine with the help of Geometry teacher and former head sponsor, Mrs. Roberson.

     On Saturday, February 29, the girls performed two jumps, a dance, a cheer, and the PHS Fight Song dance routine in front of judges from the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). Twelve girls have made the varsity squad, and the JV squad is now made up of 6 girls. Due to a lack of candidates, the team currently does not have a mascot. However, the group is planning to make some changes regarding community involvement and the performance of the varsity and JV squads as a whole.

     Mrs. Rutherford, the new cheerleading sponsor states, “I am a Pleasanton High School alum. My whole family is from Pleasanton and we are very prideful in our community, and I think we need to step up our game as far as spirit and community involvement in our schools… I want the cheer squad to be very visible in the community… and spotlight our school…”

     Neviz Rodriguez, the cheerleading manager, states, “Most of our improvement is going to come down to cooperating with one another and being open with each other… and the group as a whole and how they’re going to choose to work with each other and through certain problems.”

     We are excited to see what the new team has in store for us. Congratulations ladies!

Varsity:

Juniors- Gabby Palacios, Natalie Contrerez, Erica Santee, Lynda Rodriguez, Diya Chandra

Sophomores- Linda Sanchez, Noelani Guerrero, Melanie Douglas

Freshmen- Brooke Rankin, Riley Porter, Paige David, Sirrah Maxwell

Junior Varsity:

Freshman- Desiree Duran

8th graders- Emree Adamitz, Alexandria Balderas, Alejandra Martinez, Megan Mayse, McAda Rutherford

By: Gabby Palacios

This year, tryouts for the Pleasanton High School Pacesetter team took place the week of March 2-7. Candidates were taught a routine that involved specific kicks and dance techniques, and a combination to advance across the floor. Before tryouts, they were expected to have their right split, right stationary leap, and a right pirouette. For tryouts, the girls performed their left and right techniques and the combination they were taught.

On the afternoon of March 7, the new team was announced. The 2020-2021 Pacesetter team is made up of 33 members, including one manager, Edward Ottinger. 

This year’s Colonel, Jewels Kinsel, states, “Well we have a much bigger team now, so we will most likely focus on unison, and involve choreo that matches different levels of skill… With it all being fairly new dancers, the dances will be beginner dances, but Mrs. Dewaal really wants to focus on strengthening all of the girls, and not just the new members… I’m sure our dances will have many parts that showcase each dancer’s skill set.”

Congratulations to the new members of the 2020-2021 Pacesetter team! We are excited to see what you all have planned for the upcoming school year.

Sofia Aguilar, Kaitlyn Allen, Saidee Almendarez, Lexi Andrada, Brianna Arevalo, Miranda Caballero, Natalia Cano, Jasmine Carlos, Selena Cerda, Domingo Cordova, Alexandra Garcia, Milagros Garcia, Rosemary Garcia, Lorenza Gonzalez, Sergio Gonzalez, Jewels Kinsel, Erin Light, Alexandra Luna, Yolanda Miranda, Anisa Murillo, Illeana Ochoa, Bianca Perez, Madison Peters, Lladira Ramos, Alexis Robles, Cecilia Rodriguez, Samara Ruiz, Jayla Salazar, Kaylie Stratton, Autumn Tortes-McGinnis, Larissa Villarreal, Marisol Villarreal, and Edwin Ottinger (MANAGER).