By: Myame Lara

A new addition to the Evil Dead franchise has recently hit screens worldwide and made $40 million alongside its debut. Gaining a rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Rotten Tomatoes, and  6.9 stars out of 10 on IMDb, the movie also gained mixed reviews from the public. Evil Dead Rise follows sisters Beth and Ellie, played by Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland, reunion as it gets cut short by “the rise of flesh-possessing demons.”

This movie is definitely not for the faint-hearted, as it is packed with gore and uncomfortable scenes. Evil Dead Rise wastes no time to get the show started, and as much as I loved it, it quickly became obvious why this movie received mixed reviews from critics all around. Along with the movie’s quick start, I expected a clear storyline to play a part in it, but to my disappointment there was none. Though a failing storyline, this movie was a great addition to the Evil Dead franchise and has introduced us to new characters that are quickly becoming fan favorites!

If I had to put a rating on this movie, I would rate it a solid 6/10. The movie had great potential and I would recommend it to any gore-loving horror fans. Just keep the snacks in the cabinet for this one!

By: May Smith

  Aries – This is a great time to focus on your finances. You may be feeling particularly ambitious and driven when it comes to your career, and your hard work is likely to pay off. You may also find yourself attracted to new money-making opportunities, so be sure to keep your eyes open for any potential investments or side hustles that could boost your income. Avoid being stubborn in the matters of the heart and look to resolve issues at the earliest.

   Taurus – This month is an excellent time to focus on your career goals. You may have new opportunities coming your way that will allow you to showcase your talents and skills. Take advantage of these opportunities and show off what you’re capable of. You may also see an increase in your finances. If you’re in a relationship, you and your partner may feel more connected and in tune with each other. However, be mindful of communication issues.

  Gemini – Focus on building your reputation and expanding your network this month. You may find that your hard work pays off as you receive recognition and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, this is a great time to consider investing in your education or skill set to further your professional growth. Avoid taking loans of any kind. If in a relationship, be mindful of any possessive or controlling tendencies that may arise.

  Cancer – Your social and networking skills are likely to bring new opportunities your way. You may get a chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share your goals, and this could lead to success in your career. Financially, this is a good time for investments and new projects. With proper planning and guidance, you can achieve financial growth. This is a great time to strengthen existing relationships, both romantic and platonic.

  Leo – You are likely to receive recognition for your hard work and your efforts will be appreciated by superiors. You may also receive a promotion or a raise in your current job. However, it is important to be cautious and not let success get to your head. You will be able to manage your finances well. You may receive some unexpected financial gains. For those who are single, this month may bring opportunities to start a new relationship.

  Virgo – You may feel more confident and optimistic about your future prospects, and this may encourage you to take on new projects or start a new business venture. You may also find yourself drawn to learning new skills or pursuing higher education. In matters of the heart, you may find yourself feeling more adventurous and open-minded. Try to incorporate some relaxation techniques into your daily routine to manage stress.

  Libra – You may feel a desire to take control of your finances and investments. This is a good time to review your financial situation and make any necessary adjustments. You may also find yourself drawn to spiritual and mystical pursuits, seeking deeper insights into the mysteries of life. You may find yourself confronting issues around trust. It’s important to be honest with yourself and your partner about your feelings.

  Scorpio – This month, your focus will be on partnerships and collaborations in your career. It’s important to lean on your colleagues and work together to achieve your goals. You may find that you are more successful when working in a team than when working alone. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to help you make smart investments. Singles may be drawn to people who have a strong sense of teamwork.

  Sagittarius – You are likely to be busy with projects and responsibilities, but you have the energy and enthusiasm to tackle them all. Consider saving more and cutting back on unnecessary expenses. You may also find that a new opportunity for additional income arises. In your personal relationships, you may find that conflicts arise, but with an open and honest dialogue, you can find a resolution. Keep your energy levels high by eating healthy food.

  Capricorn – Romance is in the air this month, and you are likely to be swept off your feet. If you’re single, you may meet someone new who shares your interests and values. This could be someone you meet through a creative pursuit or a social event. Your career and finances are also looking up this month. The stars will bring positive energy and recognition to your creative talents. Financially you may receive unexpected income or a bonus.

  Aquarius – Your career may take an exciting turn this month. This is a good time to network, make connections, and promote your skills and talents. Keep an eye out for any potential investments or business opportunities that may come your way. In personal life, you may have some difficult conversations with your partner, but the outcome will be positive and lead to a deeper understanding of each other.

  Pisces – You may find yourself feeling a little restless and uncertain about your career path. You may feel that you’re not making progress as quickly as you would like, and this can lead to some frustration. Gradually, there will be improvement in your work life. Financially, this is a good time to focus on long-term investments, as they are likely to pay off in the future. You may have a strong urge to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while.

By: Libby Sanchez and Jaelyn Morales

As the 2022-2023 school year is coming to an end, the senior class is preparing themselves to graduate and start the next chapter of their lives. Even though most of us don’t wanna grow up, these last 4 years have prepared us to go out into the world and strive for success. On May 26th, 2023, at 8pm, the senior class will gather for one more goodbye. It’s hard not to find it all a little bittersweet and while our class has had many ups and downs, Long story short, we survived! 

For the class of 23 favorites, the seniors voted in favor of silver and green as the class colors, the white rose as the class flower, and “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift as the class song. These past 4 years might’ve been happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time, but they were also years full of many joyous memories with friends and family. There are five seniors graduating from the journalism class and staff editors on the Quill graduating are as follows: Editor in Chief- Libby Sanchez, Copy Editor- Jaelyn Morales, Photo Editor- Noah Ramos, and Managing Editor- Brian Avery. We are all going to miss journalism very much, but not as much as we are going to miss Mrs. Minniear who has been an amazing role model. 

As a class, we all gave our “blood”, sweat, and tears for this moment and survived the Great War. I want to wish every single person in our class the best of luck in their future endeavors and with whatever path they choose to follow. Congratulations Class of 2023, “Long live the walls we crashed through. I had the time of my life, with you” and lastly I want to remind everyone that Taylor Swift was right, “You’re on your own kid.”

By: Alex Richter

Under the summer sun, one afternoon I was sitting on the beach. My brother had been entirely buried in sand, as I stood on top of him in victory. Even though he had let me do it, I liked the feeling of winning something, even though I wasn’t really. His brown hair was dropped toward the center of his face, and he looked up, smiling.

“This is actually way better than sitting in the sun, thanks Tom,” my brother, Will said.

“Wait what? That’s not fair, you weren’t supposed to enjoy it,” I spat.

“Eh, don’t worry about it. I’m going to unbury myself anyway,”

“The water looks rough, I kinda want to go out… Will you come with me?”

“Yeah, just give me a moment,” he strained. 

I watched as he pulled his torso slowly out of the sand, struggling to get out. Of course, I didn’t help, yeah sure I buried him, that doesn’t make me responsible for unburying him. Placing his hands on either side of him, he lifted one leg after the other out of the sand, panting slightly. I was beginning to question if it was really as hard as he was making it seem.

“Oh, please. It’s not that hard coming out of the sand ‘innit?”

“And you’re actually watching me struggle, not doing anything about it, don’t tell me anything like that. Tom, you’re a spoiled brat,” he breaths, lifting himself fully out. “You know, if you weren’t my brother I’d probably hate you, but unfortunately you are.”

“Uh-huh, yeah sure.” I spoke, thinking. I have an idea… “Race me, one lap around that big rock over there.”

“That’s too far, Tom. You know that.”

“You’re pretty scared even though you’re… What? How old are you? Thirty?”
“I am 21, Tom. Old is not a way to describe me just yet.”

“Please, just come on,” I had said, laughing. 

As we lined up at the same distance from the water, I yelled and swiftly took a deep breath, diving into the warm ocean. Swimming was not a hobby that I often did, but I was feeling confident. Clear waters were in every direction, I had already made it out pretty far. Veering upward, I spotted Will, swimming as fast as his legs could take him.

Morning would’ve been a more suitable time for swimming in the ocean, because it would’ve been cooler. Questioning my distance, I stared in wonder, in the distance.

Wait, where is Will? 

Ten seconds prior, I had not noticed Will hitting the rock on accident; he was then slipping further into the depths of the sea. I wish I would have noticed him sooner, I might’ve been able to save him. I watched him perish in the summer of 2018, not knowing what to do. Of course, I was only 14, naive and stupid.

Please come back, please.

As if I was a god with the ability of resurrection, I had wished with all my heart that we would see each other again. During that time, I was just watching, he was probably looking right at me. Just as I was starting to grow up, I had been hit with a wave of sadness and depression that no words would be capable of describing. Knowing Will, he would not wish grief upon me, he would say: “Listen to me, Tom; because of you I am dead, yet I felt so alive when it happened. Mourning me is unnecessary if you were the best brother anyone could ask for, and I’ll always thank you for that.” He’d say something poetic like that.

Nevertheless, I am successful in my life, and I wouldn’t let the death of a loved one change that. We all experience loss at some point, but it’s a part of life. Rolling with it can be necessary at some point when that happens. The point is, not to forever mourn them, but to move on and continue to be happy.

Hello PHS,

the Quill has officially gone social. Find us on Facebook and Instagram as “PHS the Quill”.

We hope you enjoy our April Issue #45!

By: Brian Avery

Welcome to the last Soccer article of the 2022-2023 school year! For this article, we are combining the Women’s and Men’s soccer articles into one! Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

First, let’s check in on the Men’s Soccer Team. Both teams traveled to Uvalde where the JV tied 1-1, and the Varsity lost 1-3. After that, both teams went to Floresville, with the JV losing 0-1, and the Varsity tied 1-1. Both teams played Somerset, and the JV won 3-2, with the Varsity the varsity winning 2-1. Now, the varsity boys were in the play-offs, and the boys played La Vernia in the first round. It was a long tough fight, and with the regular time of the game ending 0-0. They went into overtime, an extra 20 minutes, and they were still tied after that, so they went to penalty kick shootouts. Unfortunately, the Eagles lost 3-5 in shootouts, and the boy’s season was over.

Picking up where we left off , the varsity team played Uvalde at home, unfortunately losing 1-2. Dusting themselves off, they traveled to Floresville, tying the home team 0-0. They came home to play Somerset, and lost again 0-2. After all these losses, the girls picked themselves up and beat Poteet 5-0 at home. The girls were now in the playoffs, going against Gonzales in the first round. After a long game, the girls were barely beaten 0-1, ending their season. 

To conclude both seasons, I reached both head coaches, and a varsity player from each team. For the Women’s team, I spoke with Coach Joseph, but unfortunately was unable to get in contact with one of the players. When asked about the lady’s season, Coach Joseph said “Overall, I am happy with the season. Coaching a young team with over 50% first-year varsity players as a first-year head coach proved to be a challenge, but I felt as though we handled the challenge well and began building something special this season.” He also praised the leadership of Grace Keylich and Paige David, “Those seniors truly upheld both the program’s core values and their coach’s standard on and off the field.” Coach Joseph did express his disappointment that the ladies didn’t get as far as he hoped, but held his head high, stating that he feels good about the future. “That loss will continue to serve as a reminder that we have work to do this off-season and next pre-season. Humility fuels hunger!” Looking forward, he spoke of his excitement for next season, as the majority of the team will be at PHS still next year, and he expects another level of understanding and drive next year, “I am retaining nearly my entire squad who now has an excellent understanding of what I expect from them in their play and conduct.” 

As for the Men’s Team, they had similar things to say. Coach Breiten expressed satisfaction with the season’s results, praising the team’s chemistry on and off the field, but had a hunger for more. Stefan had similar sentiments, stating “I didn’t have any regrets, it was a process going through the season with all the younger guys, and I think that we didn’t finish too bad.” Coach Breiten was impressed with Keeton Diaz, a Freshman, and his rapid improvement throughout the season, “I didn’t know he had that type of ability as a Freshman.” Coach Breiten and Stefan were very happy with the last game of the season and stated that even though they lost, it was an amazing game. Stefan mentioned that he wished that more pressure was placed on the players to focus up and take things seriously, such as drills during practice, which Coach Brieten agreed with, “Some of the little things added up and caught us in the long run.” Stefan believes that if the upcoming team gets into the right mindset and follows the new process and training that Coach Brieten has set out for them, they will do well. Coach Brieten felt optimistic about the team for next year but admitted that the remaining players have a lot of work to do, “It’s going to be interesting, we’re going to see who steps up.” He wishes the Class of 2023 success in their future endeavors!

By: Jaelyn Morales

Kayla Salazar at the State Meet with her coaches.

On Feb 15th, the Pleasanton Girls Powerlifting team took 4th place at the Texas Strength Systems. Kayla Salazar finished 1st place in her respective weight class and qualified for regionals! Laura Deleon and Yasmeen Diop finished 3rd and Abigail Hotchkins, Alyssa Castellar, Anna Castillo, Kylie Breier, Karina Perez, and Makenna Pelle also had excellent lifts.

On March 2nd, the team took 2nd place at their regional meet in Edinburg, Texas. Kayla Salazar finished 2nd place in her respective weight class. Abigail Hotchkins and Makenna Pelle finished 8th in their respective weight classes. 

The Pleasanton Boys Powerlifting team took 2nd place at the Texas Strength Systems on Feb 16th and Diego Valdez and Sebastian Aguilar placed 1st in their respective weight class. Roman Hernandez and Zeke Gonzlaes finished 2nd, Kaydin Olle finished 3rd, Andrew Murillo finished 4th, Paul Bernal and Keagan Holes finished 5th, and Damon Morales finished 6th. Valdemar Herrera also had excellent lifts. The boys then placed 2nd at the Regional Meet in Kingsville, Texas. Diego Valdez placed 2nd in his respective weight class and qualified for the State Meet in Abilene, Texas on March 24th. Sebastian Aguilar placed 3rd in his respective weight class, Roman Hernandez, Andrew Murillo, and Zeke Gonzlaes also represented Pleasanton at the Regional Meet and had excellent lifts.

Kayla Salazar proudly qualified for the State Meet on March 17th held in Frisco, Texas and capped off her season with a 7th place finish at state! Diego Valdez also qualified for the State Meet on March 24th held in Abilene, Texas and finished his season placing 5th in his respective weight class. Both Kayla and Diego ended their historic season on a great note and made everyone at PHS very proud. Congratulations to the powerlifting team on their incredible season. They all competed very well and had many accomplishments throughout the season! Pride! Pride!

By: Ariana Johnson 

Mark Thornton making his swing at the Devine Tournament

On February 13th, the Pleasanton Varsity Boys Green and White teams played at the Devine Tournament. Pleasanton Green scores are: Brandy Steven 80, Mark Thornton 85, Grant Moos 86, and Levi Turner 93. The Pleasanton White scores are: Aiden Contreras 103, Holden Hagen 105, Pablo Lara 105, Max Rangel 109, and Nathen Din 118. 

April 19th, the boy’s golf team competed in a two-day tournament on our home course at Pleasanton Country Club. The Green Team shot a team total of 699 and finished 1st. They also had Brady Stevens finish 2nd and Mark Thornton finish 3rd individually. Brandy Steven scored 80-87 total 167, Mark Thornton 85-84 total 169, Levi Turner  93–91 total 184, and Grant Moos 86–86  total 179. There were also two medalists, Pablo Lara 105–103 total 208, and Holden Hagen 108–111 total 219.

February 22nd, the Pleasanton Golf Team went to Devine and they finished 3rd with a team total of 359. The boy’s scores for the Devine meet are as follows: Brady Stevens 85, Mark Thornton 87, Levi Turner 85, Grant Moos 102, and Pablo Lara 104. They also had one medalist, Aiden Contreras 103. 

March 2nd, the golf team went to Jourdanton golf tournament and finished second with a score of 348. The team’s individual scores are: Brandy Stevens 86, Mark Thornton 83, Levi Turner 91, Grant Moos 88, and Nathen Din 114. Mark Thornton finished 4th overall and Holden Hagen was a medalist with a score of 118. 

The boy’s Gold team competed in a golf tournament on March 10 & 11th in Uvalde which was their District meet and came away as the tournament Champions. They shot a two day total of Day 1: 336,  Day 2: 326, with a score total of 662: 1st place. The boys individual scores are as follows: Jake Casias 75, Mark Thornton 75, Luke Thornton 81, Levi Turner 84, and Brandy Stevens 88. Jake Casias got first place and Mark Thornton got second place with medalist Grant Moos with a score of 91. They are going to Regionals in Colony Creek in Victoria April 19th and 20th. Make sure to wish our Eagle Golfers good luck! 

Keep up to date on PHS Golf scores by following the “PHS Tee it Up” Facebook page, and read our next issue!

By: Jaelyn Morales

The Pleasanton Girls Golf Team has had an amazing season, but unfortunately it has come to an end. Looking back on the season, the lady eagles have had many accomplishments such as placing 3rd at the Jourdanton Tournament and individual Sadie Mcada, placing 3rd at the Uvalde Pre-District tournament and 5th at the Uvalde Tournament. Sadie also received 1st Team All-District Awards. 

“My favorite part about this season was the overnight trip to Uvalde when the whole golf team played Uno and walked across the street to Stripes,” Mcada quoted. “I also really loved figuring out my game and being somewhat confident with it.” When asked what she’ll miss the most, Sadie Mcada quoted, “I’m going to miss the whole golf tournament day when I just get to have a day walking around the outdoors while competing for something bigger and getting the opportunity to advance such as regionals and state.” Congratulations Lady Eagles on a wonderful season and good luck Sadie on your future endeavors.  Pride! Pride!

By: Kassidy Vickers

On March 2nd, the Eagle Track Team had their third meet of the year on their own turf. Both the Varsity girls and boys dominated the meet with many gold medals and overall team wins. The girls ended with a total of 264.5 team points and the guys had 199. The female first place gold medalists were Alex Balderas- 200m dash, Ciarah Garcia- 400m dash, Kassidy Vickers- 3200m run, Megan Mayse- 300m hurdles, 4x100m relay (Mary Martinez, Kennedy Miller, Angel Tucker, Alex Balderas), 4x200m relay (Alex Balderas, Kiley Wiechring, Angel Tucker, Megan Mayse), Kennedy Miller- Long Jump, Victoria Veale- Spot Put and Discus, Ciarah Garcia- triple jump, Kiley Wieching- high jump, and Layla Rodriguez- pole vault. The male first place gold medalist were Brian Jones- 100m dash, Sean Ramos- 400m dash, long jump, and triple jump, Mason Little- 300m hurdles, 4x100m relay (Timothy Klein, Bryan Jones, Daniel Coronado, Sean Ramos), Evan Guardiola- discus, and Alvaro Sanchez- pole vault. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for this home meet and it ended early.

Following this great win, the eagles track team traveled to Somerset to compete in the Detmer relays on March 9th. The varsity girls team came in second while the boys came in 4th. The gold medalist for the girls included Ciarah Garcia in triple jump and Kiley Wiechring in high jump. For the male team, the gold medalists included Sean Ramos- 400m dash and the 4x400m relay team (Sean Ramos, Daniel Coronado, Timothy Klein, Jayden Palacios). While this meet did not see as many gold medals, everyone still did amazing and worked really hard.
On March 23, coming off of spring break, the Pleasanton Eagles track team traveled to La Vernia. All of the Eagles tried their best and did so many amazing things.

A week later on March 30, the Eagles traveled to Randolph to compete in the Randolph Invitational meet. Unfortunately, the track team faced more problems with the weather and field events were canceled. However, the running event still continued on and there were many great athletes who gave it their all even through the unpredictable weather.

Our Pleasanton Eagles track team had an amazing experience as the varsity women’s 4x400m relay team (Megan Mayse, Mary Martines, Angel Tucker, Ciarah Garcia), and the males 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay (Sean Ramos, Daniel Coronado, Timothy Klein, Jayden Palacios) teams made it to the Texas Relays through their hard work and exceptional times. The guys 4×400 really showed off their talents with being placed 3rd overall at this huge event. The women’s 4×400 also did astounding and received a personal best time.

Senior Angel Tucker is one of the incredible women that is on the 4x400m relay team. She also competes in the 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, high jump, and discus. For Angel, what has been the most rewarding is all of the hard work that she has put into track. She says, “Especially not giving up no matter how hard the workout is. Now it finally paid off and I’m headed to Our Lady of the Lake for track.” That is absolutely remarkable for Angel and we want to congratulate and hope for the best as she continues her track career into college. Her goals for this season is to make it to regionals in the 4x400m relay and to constantly be improving. We wish her the best of luck as she continues this season and we know that she will be able to achieve great things.

The Pleasanton Lady Eagles also have two new coaches this season, Coach Foster and Coach Leal. This year will make it Coach Fosters 6th year coaching. From Coach Foster’s perspective, the season has been going great and she said, “We have a great group of girls who really work hard and want to get better each day and it’s been a really fun and exciting journey so far and I think it’s still only the beginning for the girls track program.” That is such great news and we wish her luck as she guides our athletes to success.

The Pleasanton journalism staff would also like to wish our Pleasanton Eagles track team the best of luck as they head into district on April 12th and 13th. We hope to see lots of athletes continue on their season and advance to area. Pride, Pride!

By: Letizia Perrino

The tennis season has come to an end, and the team has achieved great results during the last month. 

On March 2nd Pleasanton high school hosted their second home tournament and various members of the team had great results, placing in every category. Mixed doubles team, boys doubles team and Boys singles got first place, Girls singles got second place and Girls doubles team got third place.

On March the 9th the team played the Madison tournament, and had great results, the girls doubles team got first place in the B draw, the boys doubles team got second place in the B draw and the mixed doubles team got third place in the main draw.

On March 24th and 25th the team played the Pre-District tournament in Uvalde and the results were great, the team placed third overall thanks to the athletes’ great results. 

On March 29th and 30th the varsity team played the District tournament and the number 1 boys doubles placed second and qualified for the regional tournament.  The boys played the tournament on April 11th and 12th in San Antonio, and lost to LaVernia 6-0 6-1 

After speaking with the head coach Everett he said that he is really happy with the results that the team achieved this year and he was really proud of the athletes that qualified for regionals. The team will keep practicing even if the season is over because he is looking forward to great seasons next year.  

After speaking with one of the players, Farah Standley she said that she is happy about the results she made during this season and she loved playing with the team, she is going to miss all the seniors. Farah is a sophomore and she has been on the varsity team since her freshman year and she can’t wait for next season to start. She hopes to improve her results and play even better than this year. 

By: Farah Standley

The Pleasanton Baseball Team has been doing exceptionally well! With an overall record of 19 wins, 5 losses, and 2 ties, as well as a 9-0 record in District, the boys are really showing what they can do on the field. This team has been working very hard to get better and further in the playoffs than they ever have before. They have 3 games left until Playoffs, and you can bet they are getting more and more pumped with every game that goes by. 

Tanner Hollis, a 4 year letter and 3 year starter for our Eagles, generously shared his feelings about himself and the season. “My favorite thing about Pleasanton Baseball is the fanbase we have”, he noted, “Our fans make the atmosphere amazing, and that’s something I love to play in.” Tanner has been an amazing addition to the great group of athletes we have, and always gets everyone pumped up and ready to play. As an athlete, he has many personal goals, and according to him, one would be, “To be a role model for incoming players and young kids so that way they know what to do when they get here”. Having a lot of seniors on the team can be confusing, leadership wise, but he says it actually helps a lot because they all have relatively the same ideals. He feels great about the season so far, as they have never been undefeated in District, and they are well on their way to accomplishing that. Many people around school know that Tanner is taking his career to the next level and playing college baseball for McMurry University. “I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and competition that college baseball offers,” he said, “There is nothing like it.” Good luck, baseball!

By: Ariana Johnson

The Symphonic Band picture after UIL

On March 10th, both bands performed at the Pleasanton Performing Arts Center for UIL. The Symphonic Band got a 2 in concert and a 2 in sight reading. The Wind Ensemble got a 1 in concert and a 1 in sight reading. Mr. Solis is extremely proud of the Wind Ensemble and is pleased with the progress the Symphonic band has made throughout this year. He also stated, “They are a young group and I am very confident that they will quickly be at a 1st Division level. The band as a whole is extremely talented and we are very pleased with their hard work this year.” Great job to both bands.

The band has Taste of Band this Saturday, April 22nd. It’s an event where sections get together and choose a style of food and the band members of that section bring in a food that goes with the style and they also have on theme decorations and costumes. It starts at 5 pm in the High School Cafeteria, the tickets are $10 and available from any band member.

Next, the Mighty Eagle Band will be performing in the Fiesta Flambeau Illuminated Night Parade in San Antonio on Saturday, April 29th. The band also has the High School Spring Band Concert on May 8th at 7 pm at the Performing Arts Center. The High School Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble Concert will be on May 9th at 7 pm. The Pleasanton Band also has 15 students that have advanced to the state solo and ensemble contest on May 19th in Austin.

By: Myame Lara

On March 3rd, the Pleasanton High School Business Professionals of America, BPA, began their 4-day State Leadership Conference held in Dallas, Texas. Attending members included: Seniors, Michaela Anguiano, Bennack Conroy, Elynore Hernandez, Gage Pawelek, Alexis Ramos, and Stefon Torres, Juniors, Alexandria Balderas, and Delanie De La Fuente, Sophomores, Lauren Miles, and Jadyn Swan, and Freshman, Maribel Cerrillo, Tanner McDougal, Adyson Pawelek, Isabella Trapp, Genieve Turner, and Sophie Zeng, along with an advisor, Janie Olivarri.  

At the BPA State Leadership Conference, members are given the opportunity to further develop their leadership skills, and personal and professional development, and explore careers-related competencies. In the duration of their four-day trip to Dallas, The Pleasanton BPA club attended a series of events and activities. On day four of their trip, they attended the awards ceremony, which revealed those who will be attending the National Conference in Anaheim, California, April 26th- 30th.

Pleasanton High School BPA brought home three National Qualifiers which included: Alexis Ramos-1st Presentation Individual, Jadyn Swan-2nd Economic Research, and Lauren Miles-4th Fundamental Word Processing. At the State Leadership Conference, three of Pleasanton High School BPA members received alternate awards of which including Stefon Torres- 5th Health Leadership Topics, Michaela Anguiano- 6th Administrative Support Research, and Delanie De La Fuente- 7th Prepared Speech. Members Jadyn Swan and Lauren Miles are both first-time BPA competitors. In order to prepare for the National Conference, the Pleasanton BPA has been fundraising for their trip, and is currently almost at their goal of $4,000! Along with that, they are gathering paperwork, reviewing material, and reserving equipment. During the duration of the PHS BPA will compete, attend workshops, listen to speakers, sight-see, and may even have the chance to visit Disneyland. 

Mrs. Olivarri quotes, “Sending students out into the world knowing they have the skills needed to be successful after high school makes me happy and fills my cup every year.”  Pleasanton High School is very proud of the outstanding results we’ve received this BPA season, and are very excited about the outcome of the National Conference! Pride, Pride!

By: Libby Sanchez

This month has been crazy busy for the Pleasanton High School ROTC group. They ended March with one of their biggest events, the Military Ball. They hosted it at Strawberry Pines in Poteet on March 25th, and had a magnificent turnout. Cadets did a phenomenal job planning this event and following through with a very successful night, full of laughs and a good time. They went as far as reaching out to a guest speaker, Colonel Phil Palmore, and inviting him to this event. His speech is something for these young cadets to hold on to for years to come. Students dressed to impress for the Ball, and many went home as winners of the Royal Court. Daylan Aguero and Taliah Garcia won Lord and Lady. Rion Ochoa and Leah Torres won Dutch and Dutchess. Wally Ramirez and Alyssa Castelar won Prince and Princess. The role of King and Queen was given to Valdemar Herrera and Natalia Jones. A huge accomplishment given to these cadets who deserve it!

The first weekend of April was a competitive one for the Eagle Battalion.. They took their all to the Central Catholic High School Military Skills meet against 16 JROTC programs from across the region. Krista Gutierrez took charge of the unarmed drill team and led them to finishing 2nd overall. They also finished 2nd and 3rd places in two sub categories of the competition. As for the male and female physical fitness teams, they both finished 1st place! Of the male team: Captain Valdemar Herrera, Roman Martinez, Rion Ochoa, and Jayden Herrera. Of the female team: Captain Alyssa Castelar, Yasmeen Diop, Abigail Hotchkin, and Lillian Krause. Both teams competed their hearts out and it definitely showed in the end! Honorable mention to the Academic Bowl team that finished 4th out of 18 teams. Alana Moczygemba, Hailey Yoho, Mason Outland, and Lane Ciomperlik did a phenomenal job representing our school!

The Pleasanton High School JROTC is honored to announce that one of our very own cadets, Krista Gutierrez, was selected to receive the Military Officers Association Scholarship! She worked extremely hard to gain this award of $1,000 to help with future endeavors. They look forward to seeing what amazing things Krista will accomplish!

Pleasanton High School’s JROTC program continues to stay on the move, participating and helping everywhere they can. On April 11th, the Eagle Battalion Color Guard presented the colors at the Special Olympics in Poteet. They continue to show their neverending honor in all that they do. 

One last congratulations to the most recent Eagle Battalion Cadets and NCO of the month. Cadet CPL Justine Resendez and CPL Madison Nunley were selected for Cadets of the month based on their hard work. Cadet Staff Sergeant Jealousey Oliva was announced NCO of the month of April. A huge congratulations to all and, keep up the good work JROTC!

Teacher Spotlight

By: Alexandra Garcia

For April, we wanted to highlight the bright and kind-hearted teacher Mrs. Novosad. A teacher of 4 years here at PHS, Before becoming a wonderful teacher at Pleasanton she graduated from Cy-Fair High School and went to Texas A&M in College Station, where she received her teaching degree. 

Mrs. Novosad currently teaches seniors English IV and AP Literature and Composition, as well as having sophomore and junior English tutoring classes. Although those subjects can be difficult she continues to be a facilitator of learning, she tries to give opportunities to her students to discover literature and critical thinking skills on their own.  

She says she became inspired by “Working in Pleasanton ISD for 12 years as a substitute teacher back when there was an intermediate campus. I fell in love with the community, the students, and the support from parents.” Mrs. Novosad says her favorite part of teaching is seeing the creativity and different perspectives of her students. 

Being very dedicated to her teaching job these few years she continues working here and is motivated by the laughter and the feeling of being a part of a group here. She also states how much she loves how her coworkers keep her laughing and how they all push each other to be better teachers for the school and students. As we can all tell, she is a delightful teacher and co-worker.

Mrs. Novosad says “ I enjoy the inspiring conversations with my students. It is so cool to see the plans my students have for their future as they have their whole lives ahead of them. The best is yet to come!”

Some huge roles in teaching are maintaining your work-life and home-life balance, and understanding the students. Mrs. Novosad nails the job! She displays her support and encouragement with positivity to uplift her students motivation. Making her students feel as if they can accomplish anything and comfortable with trying. 

As for her home life, she says some hobbies of hers are spending time in the mountains hiking, and climbing. Also, she enjoys growing vegetables and gardening. 

Mrs. Novosad is a huge inspiration to many students and her wonderful co-workers. 

PHS is so thankful to have a wonderful teacher such as herself. 

We wish the absolute best for the extraordinary teacher Mrs. Novosad.

 By: Noah Ramos & Carol Sexton

For this month’s Staff spotlight Mrs. Rife was chosen out of our lovely staff and boy does she have quite the story to tell. For those who don’t know Mrs. Rife, she is a paraprofessional who helps out students by guiding them to a path that makes them happy as well as being a great listener to students’ concerns. Mrs. Rife didn’t always plan to work in education, in fact she wanted to go into the military but was dissuaded by concerns from her mother and decided not to go. When she started attending UTSA she wasn’t sure what she wanted to be and was undeclared until her junior year where life suddenly changed her plans. Mrs. Rife got married to a member of the military and off she went around the world with her husband for his job. 

Mrs. Rife has lived in many countries and a good amount of states as well such as Japan, Australia, England, Washington to name a few. When Mrs. Rife was in England, she remembers it being very beautiful and green where the weather went from feeling like summer for 2 weeks before suddenly turning cold the next day. The people she met during her time there were very friendly and loved to imitate our accent as well. Mrs. Rife was living in England when 9/11 happened and heard the announcement of what was happening through a radio and threw the military base she was at in a frenzy. While all this was happening Mrs. Rife volunteered to help make sure that parents could get their kids and making sure the kids were calm until everything had become safe once again. After the ordeal the next day Mrs. Rife was hired because of the actions she had shown during the situation with her ability to perform under pressure as well as having the best interest for the children. Her neighbors were very supportive during this dark time and brought over casseroles while checking up on her family to see if there was anything else they could do to help.

   When she was in Okinawa, Japan which is a set of islands that are very hot her time there was pleasant and the people appreciated when they were spoken to in Japanese and were a friendly bunch. Her kids had to take a culture class where they learned about their host country and a funny story was when she was on a train in Tokyo they were having trouble with directions when a kind couple helped them get to their destination. They lived in cement/steel reinforced buildings since typhoons would occur and their power was often lost so instead of snow days they would have typhoon days in Okinawa. When this happened her daughter would go to her  friend’s house and the brother would have the friend’s brother come to their house to have fun since when the typhoon would happen they had to stay in the house for 3-4 days. 

When moving around this much Mrs. Rife was worried that her children would be sad having to leave friends behind and have to frequently have to adapt to new environments so quickly. However, when she asked her children when they grew up they were actually quite happy since now not only do they have friends all around the world they talk to but they got to experience many things while moving everywhere. Now her son is studying contract law while her daughter has become an office manager which has made Mrs. Rife very proud. Mrs. Rife herself has become paraprofessional of the year and has met some of her old students. Many had changed since the last time she had seen them and her advice for current students now is to do what makes you happy. So, when you see her in the halls or in class make sure to thank her for all she does for our school here at PHS!

By: Jayden Palacios

Robert Gonzalez swings and heads to first base!

For this month’s athlete spotlight, we decided to choose no other than Robert Gonzalez. Robert is a stud on the diamond. Rob leads the team in the following categories: Batting Average, On Base Percentage, Stolen Bases(Second in D1 4A) , Runs, Hits (Leads D1 4A), RBI’s, Doubles, and Triples. While doing all of the following, Rob maintains a 4.0 GPA in all AP, and honors classes. When asked the question “What motivates you”, Robert had this to say:” “What keeps me motivated is that my parents pay lots of money for me to get the best training and the best food. I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today without them.”

This season, Robert has contributed to the Eagles 19-5-2 record, with 9 of those games being won in district leading to their undefeated district standing. When asked, Roberts core values as a baseball player are to “…be a leader on and off the field, always give 110%.” Outside of school sports, Rob likes to hunt, fish, and  better himself overall. Robert is an outstanding player who sees baseball as a reward itself. It’ll certainly be nice to see how Robert thrives through the upcoming playoff bracket. Next time you see Robert, make sure to congratulate him for being recognized as this month’s Athlete Spotlight at the Quill! 

By: Farah Standley

National Autism Awareness Month takes place during the month of April. It was created to raise awareness and help to encourage change in schools and communities. Some symptoms of Autism are finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, not getting social “rules” or “cues”, anxiety about social situations, finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be alone, acting blunt, rude, or uninterested in other people unintentionally, finding it hard to express how you feel, taking things very literally or not picking up sarcasm, and not liking change or trying new things especially when it comes to schedule. An interesting fact is that women tend to hide it better. They show fewer signs, hide their feelings more, and seem to cope better.

During Autism Awareness Month, people thank and show appreciation for people in their lives who have Autism. On April 2, various buildings, homes, and communities are lit up blue to support. Fundraisers and walks are held throughout the month to raise money or show support as well. It is so important that we promote kindness and equality for people who live with Autism. People also engage in hands-on activities from home, reading books about Autism, or simply joining the conversation online. We all need to come together to put an end to the bullying of children and adults with Autism. Happy Autism Awareness Month!

By: Brian Avery

Welcome to the second last month of the 22-23 school year! For this month’s poll, we asked you three separate questions!

For the first question, we asked about your thoughts coming towards the end of the school year on a scale of 1-5, one being not ready for the year to end and five was get me out of here!  The number most chosen was a tie between 3 and 5, with 4 coming in third, 1 in 4th, and 2 in last! I think we can all agree when we say this year has been like no other!

Next, we asked about your experiences at Prom! Here are some of the things people had to say about Prom!

• I talked to friends and danced.
• I was a chaperone where I got to see all my students dressed to the nine’s! It was super fun!
• Spent time with my friends
• Not much, danced a little
• Danced all night
• Hang out with friends
• I went with my friends, and we had a blast.
• Talked to my friends
• I danced and had fun with my senior friends before they graduate.

We here at the Quill hope everyone who went had a blast!!

Finally, we asked for questions to featured in next month’s advice column, the last one of the school year!

• How do you sign up for duel credit?
• What are some fun things to do during the summer if you have NO MONEY and you have no TRANSPORTATION?

Thank you for the questions, and see you in next month’s article!!

One Week –

Pure energy fuses the soul

Flying high screaming through the skies

Landing belly up in a pool of uncertain hope

Red hot plans wavering in one moment of doubt

Through a rollercoaster of poised confusion

One mercurial dreamy day

Lost the next in dark unknowledge

Beaming lights of fragile desire

The universe reflects its awesome power

I am miniscule, I have no chance

I dance the dance and smash remnants of the past

In a celebration of nothing stays the same

All of this in seven fine days

By: Jan Ejsymontt – Croatia

There are many things that make us feel small, but we have many people that can help us feel better when we are stressed, having a bad day, or just feeling burnt out due to school. It doesn’t help that most students miss school due to sports or UIL, and have to make up double the work when they come back. 

Sincerely, 

The Passionate Poet

By: Savannah Valdez

         Are you “eggcited” for Easter this year? Well I have the perfect easter treat for you to make for you and your family. This carrot cake roll will be such a big hit, they’ll be begging for more.

Here are some ingredients you will need:

• All purpose flour
•  Sugar 
• Baking powder and salt
• Ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs (preferably room temp)
• Vanilla extract
• ½ cup of Vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar
• 1 cup of finely grated carrots
• Cream cheese
•  Butter

Let’s get into making this sweet treat:

1. To start prepping you will need to get a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan (or cookie sheet), you will then spray all aspects of the pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl you will need to combine the dry ingredients(flour, salt, cinnamon etc.)and whisk them together.
3. Next in a separate bowl you will need to whisk up the eggs as well as the sugar and vanilla for 1 minute, then mix in the half cup of vegetable oil.
4. Add all the ingredients together and mix them well, after mixing is done you can then add your cup of finely grated carrots and continue to mix, but make sure not to overmix the batter!
5. Now to bake our delicious treat! Pour the cake batter in and spread it all around your pan. You will then bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes.
6. As soon as your treat is out of the oven, turn it onto a clean surface that has been lightly dusted with powdered sugar(this prevents the cake from sticking to the table). Then you will begin rolling your cake tightly and setting it to cool!
7. While your cake is cooling let’s get to making the frosting! To make the cream cheese frosting you will start by beating the cream cheese and butter together, then add the vanilla and powdered sugar and start mixing until the frosting is soft.
8. Once the cake is completely cooled, you will begin gently unrolling the roll and make sure it has no holes or cracking. You will then add in the cream cheese frosting and begin sprinkling the carrot slices. Once that is finished you will then begin rolling the cake back up and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Once all cooled you can present this amazing treat to your family and friends!

There you have it, all it takes is 8 simple steps to make this carrot cake roll everyone will love! Hope you enjoy it!

Advice column

By : Aaliyah Herrera

For this month’s Advice Column we have very different but interesting questions that we have got this month. Everyone will be anonymous when answering these questions. Let’s get right into it!

Here to start us off we have, “what is the best thing to do when starting your summer? – anonymous” Some ideas would be planning a week long vacation whether it be in another city / state or country! Doing this will make you feel like summer has begun. Taking a trip to the beach or lake is also a great way to start off your summer!

Next, “what is the best thing to get your mom for mothers day? – anonymous” Always get your mom flowers and her favorite snack as a starter for a gift. Your big gift for her could either depend on if your mother has always been wanting something or jewelry is always the way to go! If none of these satisfy you, take her on a trip or plan a day to go out to your local city!

Furthermore, “what do you get for a grandparent for their birthday? – anonymous” This could depend on whether it is your grandma or grandpa’s birthday. For example if the gift was for your grandma you could get her a piece of jewelry, something she may have been wanting or take a day to do something she may like. On the other hand if the gift was for your grandpa you could get him something related to fishing, hunting, or a new watch or jewelry is always preferred!

On the other hand, “what is the best vacation spot for spring? – anonymous” Some places you may find interesting are going to the Grand Canyon national park, New Orleans, Amsterdam, or even San diego. These places would be such a get away and fun experience during spring, also it’s a good way to start off your end of the year to the beginning of your summer!

Something a little different, “how do you cope with a long distance relationship? – anonymous” when coping it can be different for everybody depending on the person you are. Some things you can take into consideration are thinking positive, being loyal, doing something you both may enjoy, and trusting each other. Doing this will help you cope and strengthen your relationship with your partner. These are just opinions but if you have a different way of coping definitely do it!

Last but not least, “how do I become less controlling over things in my life? – anonymous” this also could depend on the type of person you may be but here are some options you might take into consideration, try to adapt healthier habits, improve your communication skills, or even reprogram your mind. Doing these things may help you become less controlling and more aware and even less stressed. 

These were such great questions. If you would like your questions to be answered for next month’s issue for the advice column, go into your class on google classroom and fill out the POLL form and write down your questions at the end!

Movie Review: The Menu 

By: Kendall Zuniga 

“We never burn anything by design unless to make it delicious.” A perfect quote to sum up the lavish movie, “The Menu’,’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and Nicholas Hoult. Directed by Mark Mylod, “The Menu” sets our story in motion when we meet a young couple, Margot and Tyler (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult), who are in the midst of a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The Chef(Ralph Fiennes) curates each course with detail, so much that each dish/course is for one to easily die for, until they actually do. When worlds start to unravel and pasts begin to surface, what seemed like would never happen to them would be proven wrong in this twisted horror-comedy.

I’d give this movie 9.5 out of 10 cheeseburgers.