The Bengal Beat | Volume 7 Issue 1

Mr. Benjamin Parker and the Braswell Bravo Co. students talk about the first production of the school year.

4 MEET THE BRASWELL COUNSELING STAFF

Introducing Mrs. Nicole Dampman, Mrs. Kanika McClary, Mr. Julius Booth and more!

ADMIN

Getting to know Mr. DeCorian Hailey, Mrs. Dawn McCullough, Mrs. Felisha Jones, Mr. Andrew Willis and more!

MAP OF CAMPUS

With the addition of our new Fresh men Center, we want to help students get acquinted faster.

FOLLOW US @BRASWELLMEDIA

JOIN US ONLINE AT BRASWELLMEDIA.ORG

Introducing the 2022 King and Queen, Prince and Princess, Duke and Duch ess and Baron and Baroness

HOMECOMING WINNERS ANNOUNCED 12 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Want to get more involved in our campus life? Learn more about Bras well’s Clubs and Organizations.

THE BENGAL BEAT

Gonzalez & Myrical

Seven Henry, Markayla

Kennedi Inman, and Asia Jackson.

Mr. Daniel Ryan Carr

Dawn McCullough

DeCorian

Introducing Kristal Thornton, Bras well’s new head volleyball coach and the new tardy tank policy.

SPORTS AND TARDY TANK 16 ADVERTISEMENTS

The Bengal Beat News is distributed to over 2,800+ students every quarter, advertise with us to reach your local high school community. Learn more at braswellmedia.org/advertise

GOT A LETTER FOR THE EDITORS?

Want your letter featured in the next issue of The Bengal Beat? Email us at braswellmedia@gmail.com.

student news of Ray Braswell High School is created by the Braswell Media staff. The ideas expressed in this publi cation and on the Opinion page are soley those of the individuals providing them, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire staff, adviser, faculty, adminis tration, or the Denton Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Media publications, staff, and adviser are members of the Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Texas Association of Journalism Educators, and competes in the UIL Journalism

at the ILPC and JEA/NSPA journalism confer ences. Find us online at braswellmedia.org, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @braswellmedia. A version of this issue formatted for the web can be ac cessed online at issuu.com/braswellmedia.

Photo Credit: Reagan Netherland, The Ambush

Photo Credit: Diego Gonzalez, Co-Editor-in-ChiefPhoto Credit: Jinelle LeBlanc, The Ambush

Braswell Bravo Co opens Hamlet

Myrical Roberts, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The spirit of Shake speare was in the air in Braswell Bravo Co’s halls. Braswell theatre students were buzzing with excitement to put on the production of Hamlet. Hamlet is the first fall show for the theater department this school year.

Being a lead for any production can be very intimidating. Maddie Hamby, senior played the role of Hamlet. Hamby previously played Elle Woods for the 2022 musical, Legal ly Blonde. While Ham by has been involved in multiple productions in and out of school, she had a few things to say about her new experi ence playing the lead role of Hamlet.

“It’s really scary and intimidating but it’s so much fun and I love learning about the show, as well as Shakespeare,” Hamby said.

Hamlet is normal ly set in the 1300s or 1400s, but Bravo Co decided to age back the play to the Viking Era (793 AD - 1066). This causes the technical de sign of the play to be a

little different than most would assume about Hamlet. Tatiana Nuno, senior, the Makeup De signer, described how the makeup aspect of the play looked.

“We were mostly trying to go for Viking style, a lot of tight braids and makeup was going to be simplis tic, we even did tattoos! My crew symbolized the tattoos for each character. For instance, Hamlet’s tattoos mean loyalty, protection, and strength. Laertes’s are more symbolic of strongness, leadership,” Nuno said.

Shakespeare’s works are written in old English, which can con fuse some students. To many student actors, it can feel overwhelming to decipher these words. Jasmine Waititu, senior, who played the role of Gravedigger, explained how she first felt when she learned Braswell was putting on Hamlet.

“At first, I didn’t like it. I found more confusion about it and that’s why I never found love in it but now that I understand the show, I truly enjoy it” Waititu said.

To read Hamlet

and perform hamlet are two completely different things. Directing the production of Hamlet takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Mr. Benjamin Parker, the lead director of Hamlet, had wanted to put on this production for a while. Braswell Bravo Co originally planned on performing Hamlet for the 2020-21 school year but ended up post poning the production due to the pandemic. Parker explained why he wanted to direct Ha let and a brief summary of the play.

“I like to challenge myself and this is prob ably the most complex play in the English Language. Most people don’t understand it but I think if they thought about it, they would.” Parker said. “Have you

seen the Lion King?”

Hamlet is the prince of Denmark and through the interven tion of his father’s ghost, Hamlet learns that his father was murdered and asks for him to avenge his death - simi lar to the Lion King..

Maddie Hamby plays the leading role of Hamlet.

Photo Credit: Jinelle LeBlanc, The Ambush

Photo Credit: Jinelle LeBlanc, The Ambush

Photo Credit: Jinelle LeBlanc, The Ambush

Nicole Dampman

What is your favorite food?

Blueberry Pancakes

What was your favorite class in high school?

Theatre

What are you looking forward to this year?

Seeing our students and our programs continue to grow and show the rest of the world what it means to live an identity of excellence.

Kanika McClary

What’s your favorite food?:

A: Anything that has cream cheese in it.

What was your favorite class in school?

A: History

What are you looking forward to this year?

A: Seeing my seniors get what they need done so that they could graduate and actually me meeting them at the bottom of the stage to give them their diploma.

Melissa Knitter

Why did you choose Braswell?

I’ve been at Braswell since the school opened, and I’m really excited to come out to this area and be a part of something new and watching it grow has been really exciting.

What’s your favorite food?

That’s a hard question because I love food, but I love italian food and mexican food!

What was your favorite class in high school?

I would have to say spanish, that’s why I ended up becoming a span ish teacher.

Jennifer Doherty

What’s your favorite food?:

A: Mexican food

What was your favorite class in school?

A: History

What are you looking forward to this year?

A: I’m looking forward to getting to watch my seniors I haven’t got to work with seniors in about 8 years.

Brandi Brooks

What is your favorite food?

It would have to be street tacos, definitely from a food truck. What was your favorite class in school?

I think it would be English. I liked both the reading and the writing aspects of that.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I’m looking forward to the new feel and the vibe that we have going on this year. I feel like it’s different than last year. And work ing with teenagers and students, it’s fun doing that.

Nikki MontgomeryLambert

What’s your favorite food?

It’s hard to pick one thing. I’d say thai. I’m sure it’s a super Ameri can version of Thai, but I’m going with that.

What was your favorite class in school?

When I was kid, it was art. What are you looking forward to this year?

Getting to know the students. This year, I’m working with our seniors and our freshmen, and so all freshmen are brand new faces for me so I’m really looking forward to getting to know them.

Capi Charity

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food.

What was your favorite class in school?

Fashion design!

What are you looking forward to this year?

I’m looking forward to my child graduating!

Why did you choose Braswell? It was the closest high school and my kid goes here.

Mary Beth Bartels

What’s your favorite food?:

A: Thai food

What was your favorite class in school?

A: Math and science

What are you looking forward to this year?

A:Getting all the work done, train ing a new person.

Why did you choose Braswell?

A: I live in the neighborhood and they needed a registrar.

Julius Booth

What was your favorite class in high school?

My favorite class in school was chemistry

What are you looking forward?

After the past few years, I’m looking forward to us taking steps to school as we know it before the pandemic. We have a lot of events planned, and it should be a fun year!

Why did you choose Braswell?

I selected Braswell because I feel I can positively impact this community. Braswell is a unique school with students from all walks of life.

Dengiyefa Carter

What is your favorite food?

I love a great salad! I don’t eat sea food, but I’m open to eating any other seafood option. I recently started experimenting with plantbased foods and I am enjoying it.

What was your favorite class in high school?

I had several favorites. I loved biology because of dissections. At one point, I was pre-med major, but after taking a psychology class, I fell in love with the disci pline and changed my major.

Sarah Morales

What is your favorite food?

Seafood!

What was your favorite class in high school?

I always enjoyed English or my Teen Leadership classes

Why did you choose Braswell?

I have been at Braswell since February of 2018, I LOVED that our school colors are the same as Texas Tech (where I graduated college) but I mostly loved the people and the “vibe” during my interview and application process – I knew this was going to be my HOME.

Kim Rhodes

What expectations do you hold for our school and students?

My goal is to make sure everybody is ready for what comes after high school. Whether that be college or the military, whether that’s a two year, four year, or a trade school, I’ve got to make sure you have all the information

Why did you choose Braswell High School?

I enjoy being at Braswell, there’s a lot that Braswell has to offer. We’re the only school out here in Denton ISD. WE keep growing and adding on to our building and adding more programs to be successful out here on the 380 corridor.

DeCorian Hailey

What is your favorite food?

I like a good Steak!

What was your favorite class in high school?

My favorite class in high school was Biology

What are you looking forward to this year?

Seeing all the accomplishments our students have individually and collectively!

Why did you choose Braswell? I want to lead this great campus community and help our students, staff, and community live an identity of excellence.

Dawn McCullough

What’s your favorite food?

Any kind of Mexican food.

What was your favorite class in school?

Anatomy & Physiology

What are you looking forward to this year?

The opening of Carrico Stadium. Why did you choose to work at Braswell?

I wanted to be a part of a growing and developing community. I have loved watching students establish traditions and a sense of pride as Braswell Bengals.

William Houff

What’s fun about being an associ ate principal/dean of students?

Just having contact with students everyday plays an important role in making sure they get the educa tion they need, fulfilling needs that need to be met and just shap ing the lives for the kids’ future. What’s your favorite color?

Blue

What makes you laugh the most?

My wife

Did you ever have a nickname? Toughy from the block.

Ben Oehlschlaeger

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food

What was your favorite class in school?

Math

What are you looking forward to this year?

Thanksgiving. Football, family, and food!

Why did you choose Braswell?

I love being a part of my commu nity.

DeAnn

Roberson

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food

What was your favorite class in high school?

Yearbook, I was a yearbook editor. What are you looking forward to this year?

Friday night lights at the new sta dium! I love being able to walk out the back door instead of driving to C.H. Collins for football games. Why did you choose Braswell? It was going to be a new challenge for me to open a HS from scratch and it was an easy commute to work.

Wendy Smith

What’s your favorite food?

Mcdonald’s french fries

What was your favorite class in school?

Choir

What are you looking forward to this school year?

My two daughters graduating from Denton ISD.

Why did you choose braswell?

I thought it would be fun working with high school kids.

Brittany Dowdy

What’s your favorite food?

Anything tex mex

What was your favorite class in school?

History

What are you looking forward to this year?

For all the students to enter the building happy, healthy, and thriv ing and ready to take on the day and school year.

Why did you choose Braswell?

I heard great things about it from the community.

Elizabeth Gray

What is your favorite Food?

I don’t really have a favorite food;

I love trying anything new. What was your favorite class in school?

My favorite class in high school was English and Literature. What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to seeing so many of our BHS students continue to take advantage of the great opportunities we have for them here.

Principal Associate Principal

Associate Principal/ Dean of Students Assistant Principal

Principal’s Secretary

Associate Principal’s Secretary

Receptionist

Assistant Principals’ Secretary

Shavaun

Nash

What is your goal as an AP?

I have a lot of goals as an assistant principal! My ultimate goal is to one day have my own campus, but for my students the goal is to inspire them to want to be better than their surroundings, inspire them to want to do more, like to change the world, to want to make an impact.

Why did you choose Braswell High School?

I feel like it’s me. I feel like the students come from similar places where I went to school.

Melissa Bates

What expectations do you hold for our school and students?

I would just like to see our students and our school thrive and grow and everyone to develop to their potential.

Why did you choose Braswell High School?

Because it’s absolutely amazing.

We have the best students, we have the best staff; I worked here half-time last year, and I fell in love with the atmosphere and everyone’s positive attitude, willing help one another go above and beyond to.

Andrew Willis

What expectations do you hold for our school and students My expectation for the school is to be a safe space for our students to come here and learn and to prepare students for their future endeavors, whatever their goals may be. Whether that be college or a career, my expectation is the school is doing that. And that’s all the different parts of the school from the teachers, to the adminis tration, to all the different parts of the school. They all have a part to play in that.

Zephaniah Smalley

What was your favorite class in school?

Student Council. I enjoyed the people that were in there.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I’m looking forward to football games at the new stadium and probably having a more normal-ish school year. Why did you choose Braswell?

It’s close to where I live and I wanted to teach coaching and become an administrator.

Felisha Jones

What are you looking forward to this year?

Getting to know the kids. What was your favorite class in school?

English, that’s why I ended up being a teacher because I loved all my English classes. It was just easy for me, you can always prove the right was as long as you support it with evidence. What’s your favorite food? Tex-mex

Kasie Ostrom

Why did you choose to work at Braswell?

It was a new school in Denton ISD and I thought it would be awesome to open a new campus, and be a part of starting new tra ditions as a coach and teacher. What’s fun about being an AP?

You get to know a bunch of different people. When you are just teaching or coaching, you only get to know the students that are in that grade level, but being an Assistant Principal you get to know the whole school.

Sabrina Carlile

What’s your favorite food? Chips and Salsa

What was your favorite class in school?

Math

What are you looking forward to this school year?

A Lot of school spirit

Why did you choose Braswell?

I had the opportunity to open BHS as the head aquatics coach.

Sharelle

Lumar-Reed

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is Indian Food. Tikka Masala and Vegetable Biry ani to be exact.

What was your favorite class in high school?

Civics and Art What are you looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to seeing the incoming freshmen blossom and embrace everything that high school life has to offer.

FRESHMEN CENTER ADMIN

Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Freshmen Principal Freshmen Admin

Freshmen Admin Freshmen Center Secretary

Assistant Principal

Cowbells, Mums, and Much More

Myrical Roberts, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Homecoming was in the air at Braswell High School. Students cheered for our football team and then danced the night away.

Braswell Student Council works hard year round to help out the student body. Picking our spirit days and promoting sporting events are just a few things that the organization does. One thing our Student Council is in charge of is homecoming - and everything that comes with it.

“Our main goal for this year was to make homecoming fun for everyone,” Hyde said. “A few things that.we planned were a dec orating competition for the hallways and a wagon parade - just to boost school spirit.”

Decorating hallways and wagons aren’t the only events that come with homecoming, you can also plan on dancing at the annual homecoming dance and crowing a king and queen at the football game. Students are able to nominate their

friends for homecom ing court and then the entire class votes on a winner. Many seniors find the awarding of the homecoming court special because they get to go on the football field at the game, where the king and queen are announced.

“Honestly, it felt so surreal,” Cambridge said. “I’m still shaken up about it. Genuinely, hearing my name on the field was so surre al!”

With every Texas homecom ing, there comes the familiar sound of bells and ribbons jin gling in the hallwayyou guessed it, home coming mums have arrived.. The mum is a mainly Texas tradition, where there is a fake Chrysanthe mum and it is decorated with various colors, phrases, and

pictures. Many high schoolers either love it or hate it.

they get annoying.”

Every year at home coming, seniors will often feel sad about it

“You know, mums

Baron & Baroness

& Duchess

Homecoming

& Princess

Bryce Robinson and Loralei Hudson

King and Queen Nominees

Dae’len Dangerfield

Christopher Cambridge

Austin Kiser

Seth Pettit

Kortni

Young-Jefferson

Peyton Tyler

Myrical Roberts

Loralei Hudson was prsented by Brad Hudson. Not pictured: Bryce Robinson.

Jeremiah Shipp and Aubrey Harper

Tristan Ballard and Makenna Carmack

Makenna Carmack was presented by Scott Carmack. Not Pictured: Tristan Ballard.

Dae’len was escorted by Slim and Shawncy Dangerfield.

Kortni was accompanied by Kevita Young.

Chris was escorted by Cassandra Cambridge.

Peyton was accompanied by JoAnn and Eric Tyler.

Austin was escorted by Mrs. Chivonne Kiser.

Reagan Netherland Reagan was joined by Paula and Wynn Netherland.

Seth was joined by Kim and Pat rick Pettit.

Myrical was escorted by Kimberly and Arthur Blackwell.

12 / Clubs and Organizations

Student Media

Where do you meet?

A209

When do you meet?

During all lunches - join us on A days for writing with the news paper, and B days to get on the yearbook photography schedule. Sponsor Contact info Daniel Carrdcarr2@dentonisd.org

Purpose

We are the Student Media of Braswell High School. If you are interested in writing/photograph ing events, come join us during your lunch time - bring your lunch to A209, email Mr. Carr for a pass.

TAFE

Where do you meet?

E207

When do you meet?

TBA

Sponsor Contact info

Paxton Hotchkiss-Lisenbe

Purpose

The Texas Association of Future Educators - TAFE (pronounced “taffy”) is a co-curricular state wide non-profit (501 c3) student organization created to allow young men and women an op portunity to explore the teaching profession.

AFJROTC

Braswell High School Air Force

Junior ROTC

Where do you meet?

We meet in J119

When do you meet?

We meet after school Mon, Tues, and Wed and various other times for different activities

Sponsor Contact info Christopher S. Koopmans, SMSgt, USAF (Ret) ckoopmans@dentonisd.org

Purpose

We are a military-sponsored citizenship program to develop future leaders (No military obligation, just a fun program)

GSA Pride Club

Where do you meet?

D103

When do you meet?

Wednesdays after school

Sponsor Contact info

Melanie Moore- 972-347-7974

Ashley Napoli- 972-347-7959

Purpose

The Gay/Straight Alliance Pride club aims to support LGBTQIA+ members and allies by building a safe and welcoming community with a common vision for social equality.

ASL Club

Where do you meet?

A202

When do you meet?

TBA

Sponsor Contact info Shannon Campbell scampbell@dentonisd.org

Purpose

ASL Club is an extension of ASL Class where students can practice their skills, learn new signs, and have fun with other students.

Art Club

Where do you meet?

We meet in J115

When do you meet?

Every 1st Tuesday from 4:15-5:30 and every last Saturday from 10am-2pm (to work on projects in the school.

Sponsor Contact info

Kiba Jacobson & Dashia Richey

Purpose

We beautify the BHS campus as well as do community outreach in surrounding areas.

FFA

Where do you meet?

We meet in J118/J120

When do you meet?

Last Tuesday of each month

Sponsor Contact info Ellen Todar/Derek Rios etodar@dentonisd.org/drios@ dentonisd.org

Purpose

FFA is a dynamic youth led organization that changes lives and prepares members for pre mier leadership, personal growth and career success through agri cultural education. If you’re inter ested in animals, the agriculture industry or serving our communi ty this is the club for you!

National Honor Society

Sponsor Contact info

Dr. Anna Siebert asiebert@dentonisd.org

Purpose

NHS is a society for honor’s students. Sophomore and junior students’ GPAs are looked at in January and students who qualify with at least a 4.25 GPA are invited.

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)

Where do you meet?

A206

When do you meet?

Thursday after school

Sponsor Contact info

Mr. Jeremy Erwin - jerwin@ dentonisd.org

Purpose Students get together and play Dungeons and Dragons.

HOSA – Future Health Professionals

Where do you meet?

L102

When do you meet?

TBA Sponsor Contact info Misty Craven mcraven@dentonisd.org

Purpose

Formerly known as Health Occu pations Students of America, is an international career and technical student organization. They help organize our carter blood care blood drives.

and

Business Professionals of America

Sponsor Contact info

Nikki Craven

rcraven@dentonisd.org

Purpose Business professionals of Amer ica’s mission is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, profes sional growth and service.

Black Student Union

Sponsor Contact info

Keyva Smalley

ssmalley@dentonisd.org

Purpose

To empower, educate, inspire, and support Braswell students with a variety of programming, professional and leadership devel opment seminars, workshops, and social justice.

I am Second

Where do you meet?

BHS Commons

When do you meet?

Every Friday @7:45am

Sponsor Contact info Kameca Broom

Purpose

I am Second is an on-campus Bible Study that exists to be the body of Christ in our school. Our group seeks to be authentic by displaying the transforming pow er of Christ’s love. God is first. We are second.

Learn more Text @bhsiam to 81010 / follow @braswell_iamsecond on Instagram

Bengal Bots/ Robotics Team

Where do you meet?

J114

When do you meet?

TBA Sponsor Contact info Joseph Woolison

jwoolison@dentonisd.org

Purpose

At robotics competitions, teams of students must design and build a robot that can compete against opponents in a series of specific challenges. Students develop and program their robot in the weeks before the event, adhering to list of preset rules and regulations.

braswellbengalbots.org

Book Club

Tea Reads

Where do you meet?

In the HUB (Library)

When do you meet?

After School, 4:15-4:45pm

Sponsor Contact info

Robyn Warren

rwarren@dentonisd.org

Purpose

To promote a love for reading and literacy.

Guitar Club

Where do you meet?

B204

When do you meet?

Every Tuesday after school until 5:30pm

Sponsor Contact info

Bryan McLarenbmclaren@dentonisd.org

Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to connect all leveled guitar players with different back grounds together to accumulate knowledge on various styles of guitar, and to provide community involvement.

Braswell welcomes new head volleyball coach

Kennedi Inman, Staff Writer

The Lady Bengals volleyball team wel comed head coach, Kristal Thorton, in May. Thornton was the head coach of Mesquite Horn, before accept ing the job at Braswell. Thornton comes to us with 15 years of experi ence in education and 12 years of experience as a head volleyball coach.

The volleyball pro gram has struggled in recent years. The Lady Bengals have gone 16-18 in past seasons, making them 5th in dis trict play . With those odds, Thorton knows the Lady Bengals are capable.

“Exciting,” Thornton said. “[the team is] fun, [they are] entertain ing; they are getting used to me, and I’m getting used to them. We are kinda finding our groove right before district.”

The team has had multiple coaching changes in the past few years.Thornton came to Braswell in Early May,

right before the lady Bengals had their sum mer volleyball tryouts for this year. Thorton was ready for the chal lenge.

“The energy of it all, I think, is fun,” Thorn ton said. “I think it’s something new. We can create something that’s never been done before.”

Braswell is in one of the most competitive and challenging UIL districts in Texas. Play ing schools such Allen, Prosper and Guyer - which are ranked in the top 10 for the state

of Texas. Even with the challening line up that is 5-6A, Thornton holds faith in her team and her new Moto - “New year, new look”

“It’s not just a new year because we are starting fresh, it’s a new look because we are doing different things at Braswell,” Thorn ton said. “It is also the part where it is a new tradition - a winning tradition. And when my seniors leave the tradi tion and graduate, they leave a legacy.”

Adding to the chal lenges that Coach

Thornton is experienc ing is coaching students who have never played the game before.

“I teach many young er kids, encouraging them to get here, and for them to bring their friends,” Thornton said.

“Even though they don’t know what is going on in the game, they’re just excited to be here and it’s just fun, and it brings a lot of different stuff.”

Despite the odds, Coach Thornton and the Lady Bengals have a lot to look forward to this year.

“The energy of it all, I think is fun,” Thornton said, “I think it is some thing new and we can create something that’s never been done.”

Braswell head volleyball coach, Kristal Thornton, gathers her team around during a home volleyball game.

Photo Credit: Reagan Netherland, The Ambush Editor-in-Chief

Photo Credit: Reagan Netherland, The Ambush Editor-in-Chief

Photo Credit: Reagan Netherland, The Ambush Editor-in-Chief

Tardy Tank - A New Tardy Policy

Diego Gonzalez, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The introduction of the tardy tank policy has left a lot of students and parents frustrated. The policy was put in place due to students roaming the hallways during class time in past school years.

“I don’t really think it’s fair for the student because everyone has their own valid excuse for why they’re late to class,” Shanelle Saydee, junior, said. “I have a class in A hall and then I have to walk all the way [through the Com mons] and it gets really crowded. Sometimes it’s so hard to navigate the school in just five minutes.”

Students claim that the Tardy Tank eats into instruction time. When a student is tardy, teachers have to lock their doors after a verbal announcement is made. Students then have to make their way to the Lecture hall, sign in with the tardy tank monitor, and log into Microsoft TEAMS and join a video conference call with their teacher. It would be much less

disruptive to the class if studens who were tardy were simply counted tardy when attendance is taken.

“You go in there for your entire class peri od and I think it’s just going to waste valuable class time,” Malaysia Marez-Trevino, senior, said. “I don’t think it’s going to do anything.”

The administration has recognized this and responds that, although a student may use some time while traveling to the lecture hall and logging on to a virtual meeting, they would be spending that time out in the hallways regard less.

“Are they missing in struction time? Maybe a few minutes,” Ben

Oehschlaeger, assistant principal, said, “how ever they are getting more instruction time, essentially, because they aren’t in the hallways wondering around.”

According to many, the issue of tardies and students roaming the halls last year was too severe to be undealt with. The Tardy Tank policy not only aims towards penalizing tardies, but actively attempts to prevent them.

“It was a serious problem,” William Houff, associate principal and dean of students, said. “There were

too many kids coming in late, in the hallways, trying to skip, or having their cellphones out during instructional time, so some of the main things that we are focusing [on this year] is how we can reduce tardiness and how we can increase engage ment [in the classroom] successfully.”