The Student News Site of Willis High School

The Voice of the Wildkats
The Student News Site of Willis High School

The Voice of the Wildkats
The Student News Site of Willis High School

The Voice of the Wildkats
Carlie Rutledge

Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor

Carlie is a senior, plays varsity tennis and is historian for National Honor Society.  She hopes to go to the University of North Texas to major in photojournalism. She hopes to be a photojournalist for National Geographic one day. You can reach her at [email protected]
All content by Carlie Rutledge
WINNING BACKHAND. At the a tournament senior Megan LeBlanc sets herself up to hit the perfect backhand.

Tennis player qualifies for regional tournament

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Apr 13, 2021
ONE YEAR. The one year anniversary of COVID19 brings tough memories to light.

[Photo] From ‘flatten the curve’ to ‘social distance,’ COVID anniversary reminds world of lessons learned

by Reagan Bond, VOW staff
Apr 1, 2021
DO NOT FORGET THE PASS. Hallway rules require fresh passes for every student when they leave the classroom.

New rules, new hassles

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 25, 2021
NEW SELECTIONS. New course selections are being offered to students just in time for them to pick classes for next year.

[Photo] New dual credit offerings set for 2021-2022 school year

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Mar 11, 2021
LOOKING BACK. After four years, seniors give sage advice to underclassmen.

Seniors share hints for survival

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 4, 2021
CLASS IS IN SESSION. The six episodes of Fate: The Winx saga will introduce you five teenage fairies and their life at their school, Alfea.

Fate takes viewers into magical, gritty world of fairies

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Feb 25, 2021
WE SAY WILLIS. Leading the spirit competition at Fire Up the Kats, members of the varsity squad cheers the crowd on. If any student wishes to try out for the 2021-2022 squad, she must return a completed cheer packet by Feb. 19.

[Photo] New date for cheer packet turn-in

by GinElla Mire, VOW staff
Feb 13, 2021
EMBRACING HER INNER STREISAND. Sophomore Emily Alexander gives the audience her own version of the song Funny Girl from Funny Girl, originally sung by Barbra Streisand.

[Photo] Fine Arts department comes together to entertain with ‘Cabaret’

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Feb 8, 2021
FOOD WARS. A bracket of 16 fast food restaurants was created, and roughly 25 students were surveyed each round to find a winner.

Food wars choses Whataburger as best fast food

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Jan 27, 2021
DEFYING GRAVITY. During a performance for the 8th grade tour on Tuesday, cast members sing a song from Wicked. The musical will feature two large numbers and various solos from assorted musicals.

[Photo] Fine arts department presents Willis Cabaret

by GinElla Mire, VOW staff
Jan 27, 2021
TOP OF THE CLASS. FRONT: Melanie Merkley, Jennifer Garcia, Tyler Heffernan, Terri Ray, Taylor Jones. BACK: GianReo Mire, Danae Lesner, Maci Konen, Braden Kurtz, Sure Ibukun, Marissa Fletcher.

No secret to senior success: honored students give tips for making to top

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Jan 15, 2021
NEW YEAR, NEW COMMANDER. Hope Flores watches her cadets welcome her to be their Cadet Lieutenant Colonel.

AFJROTC celebrates change in command

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Jan 14, 2021
SHOW ME THE BLING. Wilkdat journalist medaled at the Rough Riders Invitational.

Journalism team prepares for UIL contests with virtual meet

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Dec 4, 2020
WANTED. Santa Claus impersonator is on the loose, please help find the imposter before it is too late.

[Photo] Spirit of Saint Nicholas represents hope for all

by Charnell Haywood, VOW co-editor
Dec 4, 2020
12 Days of Christmas starts Wednesday, December 2.

[Photo] Dress up days to promote holiday spirit starts Wednesday, Dec. 2

Dec 1, 2020
STAND FOR OUR COLORS. They link pinkies for the school song.

Homecoming celebrations honor seniors

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Nov 17, 2020
LIGHT IT UP. COVID cannot stop Willis traditions. Fire Up the Kats is still on to honour seniors.

Beloved hoco tradition saved for seniors

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Nov 3, 2020
SIDELINED. After his injury during a scrimmage against Cy Woods, senior Patrick McConnell-Tasch watches in the action against College Station from the sideline.

Sports injuries sideline athletes

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Oct 26, 2020
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT. There will be six more early dismissal days this school year after the school board adopted a new calendar on October 14th.

Extra early release days added to school calendar to help teachers

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Oct 23, 2020
DRESS UP DAYS. Red Ribbon Week was founded in 1985 in honor of fallen Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, Enrique Camerena. When he was investigating some drug traffickers in Mexico, he was brutally murdered by the suspects. In order to honor him after he died, people started to wear red ribbons. 

Just say ‘yes’ to Red Ribbon Week

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Oct 16, 2020
SWEET AND CORNY. In a world without Halloween, what happens to candy corn? The CDC's guidelines may hamper Halloween fun this year, but many students feel the holiday is too important to go away.

Halloween about more than tricks and treats

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Oct 2, 2020
SPRING SEASON. Kats have put in a lot of practice for the spring season tournaments.

Wildkat tennis shuts out rival Hornet team

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 30, 2020
SICKO MODE. The new Travis Scott meal is available at McDonald's for a limited time.

New Travis Scott collaboration: less about beats, more about barbecue sauce

by Katherine Lee, Summer Rains, Carlie Rutledge, Piper Neumann, Mariska Cullens, and Heather Jackson
Sep 21, 2020
ROCK A BYE BABY. Helping a student with a baby, senior Lindsay Davenport works with the Turner Troop. Members of the child guidance class works with the children of high school teachers and staff members before walking them to AR Turner.

From babies to UNO, Turner Troop fills needs of teachers, CTE class

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 17, 2020
SATURDAY TESTING DATES. SAT is offered on Saturdays throughout the year.

School opts out of SAT School Day

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 5, 2020
SUPPORTING THE SENIORS. Showing off her new WIldkats Never Die shirt, counselor Karol Smith supports the class of 2021. As part of a fundraiser, teachers and staff members can buy a jeans day on Wednesday for the entire year if they also buy an OpGrad shirt.

Op Grad kicks off fund raising with t-shirt sale

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Aug 20, 2020
The Class of 2020 honored these seniors in a recent vote. They will be featured in a spread in the 2020 Wildkat yearbook. To buy a book go to www.yearbookforever.com

Senior class honors peers with superlative honors

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Apr 27, 2020
One student shares his struggle with drugs to help others struggling with substance abuse.

[Photo] Teens struggle with drugs despite deadly effects

by Hailey Alvarez, VOW staff
Apr 22, 2020
Cook boredom away with these easy recipes

Cook boredom away with these easy recipes

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Apr 9, 2020
Coaches will distribute weights Thursday, April 9th.

Weights available for home checkout during quarantine

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Apr 8, 2020
Need a break from binge watching Netflix. Wildkats.org assistant editor Carlie Rutledge created a play list for the days ahead.

Songs to social distance by

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 25, 2020
Class of 2020 Who Who. The 25 seniors were chosen by the faculty and staff as leaders in the class.

Seniors selected as Who’s Who

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 15, 2020
After months of preparation, junior Danae Lesner will not be able to show her lamb at MCF.

Montgomery County Fair closes due to coronavirus pandemic

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 15, 2020
The Ag barn welcomed Cowboy in early January. The calf was the first barn baby born at the facility. Cowboy and his mother is a project of senior Cali Carpenter.

New Cowboy in town as Ag barn celebrates calf

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Jan 28, 2020
According to the Kailee Mills foundation, the three seconds it takes to buckle up can save lives. The foundation was started in memory of Spring teenager Kailee Mills who died in 2017.

Three seconds can save lives

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Dec 12, 2019
All district volleyball honorees

All district volleyball honorees

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Dec 5, 2019
During a get-to-know-you activity at a FCA meeting, freshman Lucy Smith laughs at senior JaCoby McCoy's response. "When I shook his hand, he unexpectedly hugged me," Smith said. "It took me by surprise."

Spreading kindness key to FCA’s mission

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Nov 13, 2019
Sporting his Justin Verlander jersey, junior Heath Truett works in English class. In support of the team in the World Series, students, staff members and administration wore Astros shirts and jerseys during the play-offs and World Series.

On game days we wear orange

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Nov 1, 2019
Meetings for junior, seniors and their parents are scheduled for Monday.

Class meetings set for juniors, seniors

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 20, 2019
things to know for hoco

[Photo] HOCO countdown

Sep 12, 2019
HOCO countdown

HOCO countdown

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 12, 2019
HOCO

HOCO

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 10, 2019
DEDICATION. Junior Olivia Bell is honored as a Distinguished Graduate while at CLC leadership camp this summer. Bell was one of ten AFJROTC members to attend the camp hosted by the US Navy.

JROTC cadet earns top honors

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Sep 4, 2019
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