By Alex Richter

March 2024’s exploration into powerlifting unveils the transformative journey of individuals who embrace the sport’s unique challenges and triumphs. Through the lens of a seasoned coach and a dedicated powerlifter, we delve into the personal experiences that shape the world of powerlifting. Their stories offer a glimpse into the discipline, mental fortitude, and community spirit that powerlifting fosters.

Coach Crowther, with thirteen years of experience, initially drawn to powerlifting in high school, speaks to the sport’s deeply personal challenge: “It’s just you and the weights.” This simplicity and directness were what inspired him to not only embrace the sport but also to guide others on their powerlifting journeys. His coaching philosophy is anchored in three core values: “Faith, Family, and Football,” Yet, his father’s lesson, “If I have to ask you to do something, then I might as well just do it myself,” underscores a fundamental powerlifting ethos: self-reliance and personal accountability.

The coach’s mindset about powerlifting is built on trust and seeing potential in his athletes that they might not see in themselves. “The beautiful part of powerlifting is that those athletes have to trust me,” he reflects, emphasizing the role of trust in achieving success. His proudest achievements aren’t the medals or state championships but rather the individuals who go on to inspire others, echoing his influence as a coach.

On the athlete’s side, I interviewed Makenna Pelle. the journey into powerlifting began in ninth grade, propelled by natural strength and encouragement from Coach Fostor and family. The athlete shares the sport’s physical and social challenges, from the cumbersome process of donning a powerlifting suit to the importance of comfort with failure and vulnerability. Her training regimen is rigorous, reflecting a disciplined approach to continual improvement. “I just try to lift a little bit more, and then a little bit more,” she states, encapsulating a mindset of progress.

Mental preparation for competitions reveals a blend of anticipation, focus, and self-encouragement. Describing the moment of competition, Makenna Pelle shares, “It’s like everything goes silent… everything just goes away while you lift,” highlighting the intense concentration and psychological isolation of powerlifting.

Powerlifting emerges as a test of physical strength and a profound journey of personal growth, discipline, and community. Through the shared experiences of Coach Crowther and Makenna Pelle, we see how powerlifting transcends the act of lifting weights, embodying lessons of trust, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself. 

By Alex Richter

In “Wonka” (2023), director Paul King takes audiences on a whimsical journey into the origins of the iconic chocolatier Willy Wonka, portrayed by the talented Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet’s performance infuses Wonka with a delightful blend of vulnerability and eccentricity, complemented by the film’s stunning visuals and vibrant palette. While “Wonka” offers a captivating exploration of its character’s early adventures, it does struggle with pacing issues and a somewhat superficial treatment of Wonka’s character development. Despite these flaws, the film’s charm and Chalamet’s magnetic presence make it a worthwhile watch, especially for fans of the original stories and those seeking a visually enchanting cinematic experience. So, if you’re ready for a journey into a world of whimsy and wonder, “Wonka” is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving more.

Officer Lozano is a police officer in Atascosa County. He has been recognized for his dedication to public service and was chosen as the Staff Spotlight for this month. In an interview, he discussed his passion for his job and his strong connection to the community. 

Officer Lozano has lived in Atascosa County for 38 years and has been an officer for 17 years. He was inspired to be a police officer during his junior high years. From 2006 to 2014, he served with the Sheriff’s Department in Atascosa County, which helped him understand the local law enforcement dynamics.

Officer Lozano has a great affection for the students and staff he works with. When asked about his feelings towards the school community, he expressed his love for the students and staff, by describing them as awesome people to work with. This sentiment shows his commitment to maintaining law and order while fostering positive relationships within the community.

Officer Lozano plans to run for an elected position as the Atascosa County constable. He wants to continue his commitment to the community beyond the traditional role of a police officer. He stands out as a devoted public servant in Atascosa County, embodying the values of community, service, and integrity. His story is a testament to the unyielding spirit of those who commit themselves to the betterment of their community, and it extends beyond his work in law enforcement.

In the bustling city where the skatepark meets the library, Max, a fearless skateboarding tomboy with a passion for adrenaline, crosses paths with Lucas, a nerd who secretly yearns for a taste of coolness. As Valentine’s Day approaches, their worlds collide unexpectedly, leading to a heartwarming and adventurous love story.

 

Max spends her days tearing up the skatepark, mastering daring tricks, and embracing her tomboy persona. Lucas, on the other hand, buries himself in nerdy activities, dreaming of a cooler version of himself. Their lives seem worlds apart until a community event brings them together.

 

The local school organizes a Valentine’s Day celebration, featuring a skateboarding competition and a basketball fair. Max, always up for a challenge, enters the competition, while Lucas volunteers to try out for his school basketball team, hoping to impress his crush from afar.

 

As Max practices her moves at the skatepark, Lucas becomes intrigued by her fearless spirit. One day he mustered the courage to approach her, seeking skateboarding lessons. After some convincing, Max agrees, and their unlikely friendship blossoms.

 

In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, Max helps Lucas gain confidence on the skateboard, while Lucas introduces Max to the joy of his true passions. Together, they navigate the challenges of blending their contrasting worlds, facing judgment from others who can’t understand their connection.

 

On Valentine’s Day, Max competes in the skateboarding competition, showcasing her skills and her newfound bond with Lucas. Lucas, in turn, surprises Max with a brand-new skateboard that reflects his appreciation for her world. The city witnesses a unique and heartwarming fusion of skateboarding and geekiness.

 

Ultimately, Max and Lucas discover that love transcends stereotypes, and embraces each other’s passions. The story concludes with a romantic skateboarding adventure under the starlit sky, symbolizing the perfect blend of Max and Lucas’s worlds.

By: Alex Richter

In the heart of a quaint town, where carolers sang, and holiday lights twinked, lived a young vampire named George in a snowy cottage. For about a decade, he’d been disguised as a plain, young man. He’d taken the habit of adopting the tradition of the era he was in, even though it was vastly different from when he was living. Throughout the years, George had always had a special place in his heart for Christmas.

The last blue ornament was placed carefully on the tree as George sighed, admiring the beautiful Christmas tree that he’d spent hours decorating. He grabbed his phone, pocketing it, before stepping into the cold snow. Though the ground was frozen, George’s town bustled with warmth and excitement. He loved his town, and often participated in the festivities, especially during Christmas.

Rumors spread throughout the vampire community about a mysterious and mystical potion known as the “Crimson Cocoa;” this potion was known to grant any supernatural creature permanent mortality. However, since many of the vampires were hidden within the crowds, George had difficulty learning about it. He’d always dreamed of finding another vampire and being able to bond once again, yet he’d always found himself alone.

Being mortal again was what George had always wanted. A vampire gave George a map whose identity was a mystery to him. The journey appeared long and boring; even with his inhuman running skill, he’d get there in about a day or so.

The outside of George’s town was ghostly. Once he passed it, he let his legs take him as fast as he possibly could go. The birch trees were painted a bright white and black and appeared to be wooshing by him at the speed of light. The leaves changed from a deep green to a sea blue and a velvet purple. This was the enchanted forest.

George was on his feet for hours, yet didn’t struggle too much, as he was willing to speed through vast terrains to reach his goal. As he got closer to the Crimson Cocoa, he managed to find two vampires and a young ghost whom he’d recognized from his mortal life. The vampires were traveling together, yet they looked nothing alike. Their names were Clay and Tommy. The ghost, Wilbur, was a schoolmate of George’s as a teen.

“Clay shut it. You’re not my dad,” Tommy grunted as they jogged through the terrain.

“Ugh, I wouldn’t want to be your dad with you complaining this much. I don’t know how your parents tolerate you,” Clay snapped.

“Chill out, everyone. And stop walking so fast,” Wilbur murmured as he struggled to keep up with the swift creatures.

As Christmas approached, they ended up in a building that, according to the legend, held the infamous Crimson Cocoa. The air was thick with anticipation as he unlocked the door to the kitchen. Once inside, he was surprised to find not only one glimmering mug of Crimson Cocoa but three. Now the question remained, did he give it to his friends, or keep one for himself, and let one of his friends wander alone and immortal on this day?

“George go ahead, you deserve it,” Clay smiled. 

“Well, I want one!” Tommy shouted excitedly, grabbing one for himself. “If you don’t mind Wilbur…”

“Tommy, you can go ahead and do whatever you want. There’s nothing I can do to stop you,” Wilbur chuckled.

“I don’t know… Clay, are you sure you don’t want this?” George asked.

“George, take it,” Clay said, placing the warm mug into George’s cold hands.

The choice weighed heavily on George’s immortal soul, but ultimately, he’d decided to extend the gift of humanity with his supernatural companions. He would simply have to live with immortality until he found another way. Though his Christmas was merry and bright, the time ended. George stayed a vampire, and as sad as he was, his now mortal friends stuck with him through and through, waiting for the day that George’s opportunity would come.

By: Alex Richter

This month, Journalism staff chose to highlight Mr. Llamas- who formerly taught at PJHS- I talked with the new teacher about many different topics. Journalism did this as a gesture of appreciation, and an act to properly introduce him to the staff and students of PHS!

Mr. Llamas had always had a passion for science. It was his favorite subject in school and college; he excelled in it, thanks to some great teachers. Admittedly, he struggled with chemistry, but that was due to a lack of a good teacher in high school. His college journey started with business, but after a grueling accounting assignment, he switched to teaching, and then to psychology. Eventually, Mr. Llamas became a certified secondary teacher with a biology emphasis. His love for science led him to become a science teacher, hoping to inspire the next generation of scientists and contribute to their success. He hopes to play a small part in their remarkable achievements. Especially since he is teaching the same students again, and it has its pros and cons. It helps to become familiar with different personalities, academic abilities, and behavior. However, some students may take advantage of familiarity, and some who struggled in the past might not make an effort this year. It is important to note that Mr. Llamas’ parents inspire him the most in his daily life. “They’ve supported me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to excel.” Their high expectations have motivated him to achieve them. Mr. Llamas is grateful for their unwavering love and support. “Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being there for me; I hope I’ve made you proud.” 

PHS is very lucky to have a passionate science enthusiast like Mr. Llamas, it improves the school’s emotional value on core subjects. We hope that this will go on to inspire future scientists, and have them remember the little people that helped them get there.

by Alex Richter

Halloween, the spookiest time of the year, isn’t just for kids. Most teens wonder how they’ll enjoy upcoming Halloweens now that they’ve gotten older, but there are still many ways to enjoy the haunted holiday! Whether you’re donning a creative costume, exploring haunted houses, or simply savoring the thrill of the season, there’s a lot to savor in this holiday. 

This time of year is the perfect occasion to unleash your creative spirit. While classic costume choices like vampires and witches are always in style, you can also put a unique twist on a popular character or concept. For a memorable Halloween experience, consider coordinating group costumes with your friends. You might think you’ve outgrown trick-or-treating, but the truth is, it can still be a delightful experience. If you decide to partake, make sure to be aware of younger children, and stay respectful of neighbors and adults who may celebrate the holiday. Hosting or attending a Halloween party is a classic way for teenagers to celebrate the spooky holiday. Engage your guests with exciting games and contests, such as costume competitions or pumpkin carving contests. For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, seek out local haunted houses or haunted attractions. If there’s a reputedly haunted location in your vicinity, consider embarking on a ghost tour or paying it a visit with your friends. Navigating through spooky places can provide a thrilling experience that you and your friends are sure to remember! Hosting a scary movie marathon with your friends is another popular Halloween pastime. Another suggestion is to gather your friends around a campfire or huddle in a dimly lit room to share spine-chilling stories. You may also decide to indulge in pumpkin carving, a traditional and creative Halloween activity that never goes out of style. You can proudly display your carved masterpieces on your doorstep or use them as eye-catching decorations for your Halloween gathering. Also, although it is less celebrated, it may be a good idea to give back to your community by volunteering at local Halloween events or haunted houses. Transform your home or your room into a Halloween wonderland with spooky decorations like spider webs, skeletons, and other eerie embellishments. Get into the spirit of Halloween by experimenting in the kitchen. Not only are festive treats delicious, but they also add to the eerie atmosphere of the holiday. If you’re on a budget or looking to be eco-friendly, consider swapping costumes with your friends or exploring thrift stores for costume ideas. Explore the local Halloween scene by attending events such as haunted hayrides, corn mazes, or fall festivals. Halloween is a versatile holiday where you can let your imagination run wild. 

Get ready for a “spooktacular” time and make the most of this ghoulish holiday!

 

By: Alex Richter

To begin our round of Teacher Spotlights for the 23-24 school year, I recently had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Garcia, a new teacher at PHS. She currently teaches English III with juniors and AP English III LANG.

In addition to her teaching, she also coaches high school girl’s basketball and track. She has always been accomplished in studying English since her school days, and her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Smith, played a significant role in inspiring her. Mrs. Smith was not only a fantastic teacher but also an excellent supporter who attended Mrs. Garcia’s games, which made her look up to her even more. In high school, Mrs. Garcia enjoyed her English II class, where she read many great books. Initially, she wanted to become a coach, but her advisor suggested teaching as a more marketable career option. This is her fifth year of teaching, but she hasn’t taught at this level before. At first, teaching at a higher level was a bit challenging, but after collaborating with her colleagues, she feels confident about the upcoming year. Although she was confident in her math skills, Mrs. Garcia chose to teach English as it was her natural strength and her favorite subject. She also shared that Mr. Roberson, her math teacher, helped her develop a love for math. 

As a Pleasanton High School alumn, Mrs.Garcia is a great addition to our teaching staff. Make sure to give her a friendly welcome when walking down the 400 hallway this year!

By: Alex Richter

On a dull, cloudy Sunday afternoon, an egg hunt takes place. As opposed to last year’s egg hunt, Toby was gloomy as his best friend Mark had moved away. Normally, Toby and Mark would be excited to watch as his little sister hunted eggs, and occasionally they would pitch in if she couldn’t reach one or failed to find one. This year, he didn’t want or feel the need to worry about helping the younger kids.

“Toby!”, his sister, Lani called.

“Yeah?”

“We can’t reach this one,” she said, looking at her best friend. Toby looked at them with hazy eyes, signaling that he was not getting it for them. Both of the children had looked at Toby, yet their strong gaze did not change his mind.

Walking away from the situation, Toby thought it best to head home, he still had felt gloomy. Once he had arrived, he knocked on the door, finding it locked.

“Yes, oh, what’s the matter with you?”, his mum had asked him politely. 

“Mum…I can’t seem to do anything without him, I just feel distressed.”, he says with his British accent seeming crackly due to the sadness in his voice.

“Toby, please go back out there and supervise the other children.”

Toby sighs, “Yes, mum,”

Starting his way back to the woods, Toby sighed and kicked a nearby rock. He saw a flash of a white figure woosh by him, yet he didn’t see anything clearly that would have caused that, unless it was the stone he had kicked. Toby decided to run back into the woods and begin to search for the mysterious being, he intended to find it.

“Hello?” Toby called out into the woods.

“Hi, Toby.”

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he turns and sees a figure similar to his best friend. Except for a few crucial differences, he was too tall. Mark was tall, but this figure was much taller than Mark was. He was black and white, like a monochrome filter split down the middle of his body. The dark side looked like a gloomy creature, but the other side looked like a happy creature. It’s like something from a dream. 

Who is this? Why does he look like this? This isn’t Mark…I don’t think. 

“Mark?” Toby asks the creature. “How are you here? What-”

Before Toby could finish the sentence, the creature had teleported away. He felt a smile creep onto his face as he felt that wherever the creature was, he liked him. Toby realized at that moment that the mysterious creature wore a pair of Easter Bunny ears on its head. Easter was one of his favorite holidays, so the bunny ears made him happy. He closed his eyes and leaned on the tree behind him, lost in thought, no longer filled with the gloom and sadness that he had felt earlier.

“Toby…”

Toby heard the voice, yet he thought it was a part of his imagination. As he was still far too distracted to think rationally, he thought.

“Toby,”

Toby opened his eyes to find his sister in front of him, she had her eyes closed and looked like she was ready to shout at him.

“Toby!,” Lani shouts at him, “Who are you talking to?”

“No one,” Toby says, thinking about Mark and the strange creature. Maybe he was trying to cheer Toby up, he thought.

“Uhh…Yeah…Sure.”, Lani responds.

“Did you and your friends ever get that egg?”, Toby says, distracting her.

“Pfft, It’s not like you can reach it,” 

“I’ll try!”, Toby says. “Kids, leave this to the professional.” he says, rushing over to the group who had yet to reach the egg.

“Yeah right,”

Mark was watching his best friend make amends with his sister, and a sweet feeling hit him. The figure makes eye contact with Toby, yet Toby looks away and climbs the tall tree. Now that he knew that Toby would be okay on his own, he decided it best to leave soon. Smiling, he decided to not think about when or if he’d come back to the small town. 

Meanwhile, Toby retrieved the egg and climbed down, thinking of who was the strange creature that he’d seen today. Toby gave the egg to his sister, and noticed that the rain began to clear up and the sun shone down onto the woods and town where they’d stood. He walked into the gloom towards the creature, but stayed about 10 feet away from him. Toby noticed that it started raining, and as soon as it did, Mark disappeared, and Toby did not know when or if he’d see him again. 

Well, now I would hope that Mark will always be with me wherever I go; and at least he’s not dead, I know he’s okay. I hope he takes care of himself and visits me soon. I wasn’t planning on doing anything near that this Easter, but wow that was a cool experience to have. Huh, I guess I hunted for something after all. 

By: Alex Richter

It’s Christmas Day, the clouds are dominating the majority of the sky. My boots are on and my scarf tucked under my sweater so that it doesn’t fly away, I see young children running and playing in the snowy grass. Unlike my friends who are outside, I don’t have siblings. My parents were set on me being the  ¨golden child¨. I am an 11th grade student that goes to Elfwood High, a small school in the northern part of the country United Kingston. 

On the horizon, the Mahogany Forest. My destination, the Lakewood Creek, which is in the town just to the North of mine. Kicking open my big wooden door, I step out onto the grass, feeling snowflakes fall softly onto the top of my head. I start to calmly walk through my town, waving at friends and heading into the sunset.

Staring and analyzing into the woods, I hear a soft voice giggle. It sounds like a child playing, but I didn’t think children would be interested in playing in the dimly-lit woods of mahogany trees. I stop in my tracks, staring at the small snow-filled path ahead of me. A child is visible within 10 feet of me, he is wearing a green hat, and a green and white striped shirt with white pants and green elf shoes. I look at his ears, and strangely enough, they’re pointed. “If it isn’t the one, the only…”, the elf starts. “Karl Jerome Brown!”, another identical elf next to him says. “How do you know my name? And what are you?”I reply to their strange remark. “We are the elves of Christmas,” one says, “the ones that you praise in Elfwood,” the other finishes.

What an odd statement. We don’t praise elves in Elfwood, it’s only the town’s name. “If you’d excuse me, I’m only trying to-” I say. “Get to the little creek located in Lakewood,” the first elf interrupts me. “It’s only about a few miles ahead, is it not?” he asks. “Yes, but I do not wish to be escorted, I’m only trying to spend my Christmas in peace, please,” I reply to the elf. “But what if we wish to escort you?”, one tells me. “Fine…”, I say. 

That’s all it took before I blink and find myself far from where I expected to be, there is nothing visible around me other than the grassy horizon and the sun in the sky. The so-called elves were nowhere to be found, I didn’t know where I was at all, and something deeply rooted in my brain felt wrong. The sun glares its rays into my eyes, which then start to tear up. I look away, to not look directly at it, but it’s far too late for that. I looked down at my hand, which appeared sparkling, as if it was set ablaze by the hot ball of fire in the sky. 

I wake up, in the woods where I was before. The elves stand in front of me, glaring, as if mad or upset with me. Except, the elves were not good elves at all, they had ‘Coal’ printed on the back of their uniforms. These are mere coal-working elves that work giving children coal if they were bad on Christmas. “You,” the first elf starts, “are,” says the next, before they pause while looking at me in awe. “MAGIC!”, they both shout simultaneously. 

Magic? “Prove it,” I say to the elves. “Step into the light,” one starts, “then surely you’ll see,” the other one finishes. Do all elves finish each other’s sentences or are they just crazy? Stepping into the light I start to speak, “See? Nothing-”

BOOM! An explosion comes out of the sun itself, whooshing through the air until it hits me right in the chest. I feel a numbness, until I feel something on my back, as if I’m wearing a backpack, or in my case, two backpacks. I have wings, they are feathery and white, which emit light in the orangy-red sunset.

“What are these?”, I ask the Christmas elves. “They let you fly when you work with training the reindeer,” Why on Earth are reindeer important, or related to the fact that I´ve just sprouted wings in the sky? “What do you mean?” I ask. “You’re magic-”, the first one starts. The second one finishes by saying, “Therefore you’re coming with us.” I scoff, “Why exactly?”

The elves look at each other mischievously and smirk before looking back at me in union. “You do want to work at the Christmas Factory with us, don’t you Karl?”