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
All content by courtesy photo
HEY HEY EVERYDAY. AFJROTC DET. TX-200210 walks in the homecoming parade.

PRACTICE LIKE YOU PLAY. Cadets are practicing their sequence before they step on the field.

[Photo] Aim high by joining Air Force JROTC

Oct 4, 2023
GUIDON. Cadets march at the homecoming parade guided by senior Tristen Tabor.

TURNING CLAY INTO ART. In the ceramics class, senior Tori Pierce turns a piece of pottery on the wheel. Advanced art classes focus on ceramics, drawing and painting.

[Photo] Arts add beauty, happiness to education

by Gracie Brumlow, VOW staff
Sep 22, 2022
PRE RALLY. Before See at the Pole, area youth groups are meeting in the PAC tonight.

[Photo] Faithful flock to PAC for youth rally

by Emma Lowe, VOW staff
Sep 21, 2022
LET'S GO FLY A KITE. New Head Choir Director leads the cast of Mary Poppins at the Creighton. The show opens August 12, 2022.

[Photo] New choir director stars as Mary Poppins

Aug 12, 2022
LET'S GO FLY A KITE. New Head Choir Director leads the cast of Mary Poppins at the Creighton. The show opens August 12, 2022.

[Photo] New choir director stars as Mary Poppins

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Aug 12, 2022
AN ADVENTURE BEGINS. English teacher, Anthony Lane, plans to sail the world with his 15 year-old-son.

[Photo] English teacher begins around-the-world journey in the Atlantic

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
May 13, 2022
WANDS UP. In the new Fantastic Beasts movie, the film focused on just a few fantastic animals instead of many like in previous installments.

[Photo] Discover downfalls in Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Apr 26, 2022
DANCE PRETTY SWEETHEARTS. Sweethearts drill team poses at UNT Dance Competition.

[Photo] Sweethearts end season with dazzling performances

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Apr 26, 2022
DREAM ACCOMPLISHED. Sophomore Kendall King earns her welding certification from CTE course. This is the first step in following her legacy coming from a long line of welders.

[Photo] Wildkat makes history as first female to earn welding certification

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Apr 25, 2022
LASTING LEGACY. The Lauren Sparks Outdoor Education Center will be a reality because of a Education Foundation grant. Sparks was a former FFA officer and a 2010 graduate.

[Photo] Grant will fund outdoor learning center to honor past FFA officer

by Stone Chapman, VOW Staff Writer
Dec 16, 2021
ALWAYS IN THEIR HEARTS. Class of 2022 member Bryan Valencia died this summer. A groups of friends are collecting money for a memorial senior ad.

[Photo] Wildkats rally to raise money for beloved classmate

by Stephanie Keele, VOW Multimedia editor
Dec 15, 2021
MID-LIFE CRISIS TATTOO. The name coined by Lane's friends, Lane 's mid-life crisis tattoo is drawn in a style called trash polka. It originated from germany and its a mix of black and grey art with red splashed all over. Lane had never gotten a tattoo until he got out of the hospital. "Music is my whole life so I got a piano, a guitar, a microphone," Lane said. "It's not done yet."

[Photo] English teacher survives corona, double lung pneumonia

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Nov 19, 2021
COLLEGE NIGHT. Lone Star College hosts College Night on Oct. 12 for juniors and seniors. This event will prepare students for filling out college applications and FAFSA.

[Photo] College Night at Lone Star College helps prepare for application process

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Oct 7, 2021
National Hispanic Heritage month actually spans over two months. It is from September 15 to October 15 and

[Photo] Hispanic culture, contributions need more than one month

Oct 4, 2021
SINCERELY KENTRELL. NBA Youngboy's album dropped Friday, featuring 21 new songs.

[Photo] NBA Youngboy's new music #1 in world

Sep 27, 2021
ANIMATED ACTION. The new Disney + series that asks the question "What if?"

[Photo] Marvel Studios explores the unknown in the Disney + series “What if…?”

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 17, 2021
DOUBLE TROUBLE. On a family vacation in Estes Park Colorado, seniors Ian Conatser and Macey Conatser take a quick picture together.

[Photo] Multiple sets of twins, triplets leaves school seeing double

by Hannah Hartman, VOW staff
Sep 21, 2021
COMPLETING THE LIST. Geometry teacher Jim Korkowski and his wife Stacie enjoy the majestic beauty of Seldovia, AK in June 2021. The trip marked their visit to the last state on their list of 50 the couple wanted to visit before Stacie turned 50.

[Photo] From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 17, 2021
WHATTA MAN. The musical number mashing songs by Salt-N-Pepa and The White Stripes is a bright number in a dreadful movie.

[Photo] New Cinderella story disappoints new, old fans

by Stone Chapman, VOW Staff Writer
Sep 15, 2021
THE LEGEND. Now in theatres, the latest Marvel film, Shang-Chi, is going above and beyond both audience and critics expectations.

[Photo] New Marvel film hits the big screen

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 8, 2021
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY. New to Willis ISD, Coach Leechelle Lara will coach the Lady Kats this season.

[Photo] New coaches plan to build on successful softball program

by Emma Lowe, VOW staff
Sep 8, 2021
DIRECTORS SELFIE. At the first game at Berton A. Yates Stadium this year, new assistant director Aly Clarbut takes a selfie with new head band director Josephy Dittfurth.

[Photo] New fine arts teachers foster advances in programs, talent in students

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Sep 4, 2021
The new Netflix show "Shadow and Bone"is rated TV-14 and has become a hit nationwide since it's release on April 23.

[Photo] Enter the Grishaverse with new Netflix show ‘Shadow and Bone’

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
May 13, 2021
ALL SMILES. After winning second place at districts, senior Megan LeBlanc poses for a picture with her team.

[Photo] Tennis player qualifies for regional tournament

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Apr 13, 2021
Stunning shows. Netflix adds new documentaries to platform.

[Photo] Diving into documentaries

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Apr 11, 2021
RACE READY. Junior Jenna Dempsey sets up before her junior drag race.

[Photo] With racing in her blood, junior embraces drag racing community

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Mar 15, 2021
LEGAL ABORTION SAVES LIVES. Feminism is the equality of all sexes, which means the equality of not only men and women but also the equality of all women.

[Photo] Taking choice away only hurts women, children

Mar 11, 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.

[Photo] Fate takes viewers into magical, gritty world of fairies

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Feb 25, 2021
#RISE UP. A GoFund Me has been set up for sophomore Mazzy Heyer and her family. Heyer has recently been diagnosed with AVM and will have surgery today.

[Photo] Softball team rises up to help teammate through difficult time

Feb 23, 2021
#RISE UP. A GoFund Me has been set up for sophomore Mazzy Heyer and her family. Heyer has recently been diagnosed with AVM and will have surgery today.

[Photo] Softball team rises up to help teammate through difficult time

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Feb 23, 2021
IN A SEA OF WHITE. Willis High School under a blanket of snow is an unusual sight. The school was closed from February 15-19 due to an ice and snow storm that left most of Texas facing water and power problems. Classes will resume February 22.

[Photo] School resumes after unusual Texas snow event

Feb 22, 2021
RECORD BREAKING. At the 16-6A District Meet, the 400 free relay broke a school record. The relay team was junior Zack Clark, senior Ollie Bowling, sophomore Peyton Sewell and sophomore Brooks Cesan. Clark also broke records for the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the meet.

[Photo] Swim shatters records at district meet

Feb 2, 2021
CONGRATS. Breaking another record, Peyton Sewell shattered the 500 freestyle record at the district meet.

[Photo] Swim shatters records at district meet

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Feb 2, 2021
ALL THE WAY TO STATE. Seven members of DECA have qualified for state competition. They are Braden Kurtz, Megan Leblanc, Eian Bracken, Melody Medina, Brittany Ramirez, Jennifer Mancha, and Vianey Juarez.

[Photo] DECA sends seven to state

Jan 21, 2021
CHECKMATE. The timeless board game, Chess, is making a come back after the release of "The Queen's Gambit" due to the Netflix Effect.

[Photo] Netflix Effect changes audiences perspective on binge watching

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Jan 21, 2021
READY FOR ACTION. Shelly Field, home of the softball team, is ready for play. Spring sports including softball, baseball, golf, tennis and track are practicing and holding tryouts in preparation of the spring season.

[Photo] After COVID's cancellation, spring sports ready for competition

Jan 19, 2021
THE LEGACY OF THE SHIELD. Bucky Barnes accompanies Sam Wilson on his journey of uphold the legacy of the Captain America shield in the new series, Falcon and the WInter Soldier.

[Photo] Marvel’s superheroes swing into action in 2021

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Jan 14, 2021
DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW. Taking a quick walk in the cold, senior Sammy Seppanen enjoys the unusual Texas weather with his dog, Bosco.

[Photo] Wildkats snow happy for unusual winter weather

by Piper Neumann, VOW sports editor
Jan 14, 2021
READY FOR STATE. The competition cheer squad hosted a parent preview on Saturday before heading to Fort Worth for UIL competition this week.

[Photo] Cheerleaders ready to leave ‘hearts on the mat’ at state competition

Jan 13, 2021
A WORTHY GUILTY PLEASURE. Premiring Christmas Day on Netflix, "Brigerton" explores love, family and friendship in Regency-Era England.

[Photo] Escape into Regency Era England with ‘Bridgerton’

by Piper Neumann, VOW sports editor
Jan 8, 2021
SWEEPSTAKES. After earning ones at district the drum majors, seniors Alex Hopkins, GianReo Mire, Melanie Merkley and Stephanie Orozco, celebrate with a picture with the Sweepstakes trophy.

[Photo] Band ends unpredictable marching season with Sweepstakes honors

by GinElla Mire, VOW staff
Dec 15, 2020
SANTA BABY. In Mariah Carey's Christmas Special, Jennifer Hudson, Carey and Ariana Grande sing 'Oh Santa' . Grande and Carey harmonized their whistle tones for their performance.

[Photo] ‘Oh Santa’ saves 2020 with harmonized whistle tones, Christmas spirit

by Charnell Haywood, VOW co-editor
Dec 7, 2020
#KATS$KINDNESS. Snapping a shot with band director Chris Allen, junior Faith Miner takes part in the scavenger hunt for kindness day. Miner posted photos with several other teachers.

[Photo] Students joined in kindness

Dec 6, 2020
FFA BEAU. Members of the FFA picked Shane Ballard as their Beau.

[Photo] Clubs spotlights seniors with belle, beau honors

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Nov 16, 2020
RECORD BREAKERS. Their first music video Boombayah is the most viewed debut song of all kpop groups, currently standing at a billion views.

[Photo] Blackpink deserves respect of kpop community, music fans worldwide

by Emelly Melendez, VOW staff
Oct 29, 2020
NO MERCY. Netflix released their new original series Cobra Kai.

[Photo] Strike first, strike hard, no mercy

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Oct 21, 2020
WE'VE GOT SPIRIT. Willy the Wildkat shows school spirit at the 2019 homecoming parade.

[Photo] Parade cancelled, but homecoming lives on

Oct 21, 2020
HOUSE OF BLUES. Members of Azure Bloom play the house of Blues in Chicago in the 90s. Before he became a part of his student’s lives, Choir Director Ken Labonski was a part of a band, Azure Bloom.

[Photo] From ‘B-list’ celebrity to A-list teacher

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Oct 16, 2020
THESE DAYS. The new alternative music group, Wallows has an exciting lineup of music including their song "These Days." With several singles, an album, and an EP on the way, the group has released a lot of new songs within the past year.

[Photo] Are you bored yet with old tunes?

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Oct 16, 2020
X-RAY VISION. A shot of the X-RAY of junior Colson Schubert's leg shows the arrow near his bone. Schubert injured himself in a hunting accident on Sunday.

[Photo] Hog hunt turns dangerous for junior

by Piper Neumann, VOW sports editor
Oct 5, 2020
TRYING SOMETHING NEW. Members of the girls golf team practice at Panorama after school. They will have their first tournament of the season there today.

[Photo] From zero to 21, girls golf swings into new season

by Piper Neumann, VOW sports editor
Oct 5, 2020
MOM AND ME. On the first day back to campus, math teacher Rachel King and her mother Cecilia King take a first day of school picture. This is the first year the duo is teaching under the same roof.

[Photo] Like mother, like daughter

by Charnell Haywood, VOW co-editor
Oct 1, 2020
NEW TO WATCH. Tenet and Enola Holmes both add a little of the extraordinary to the movie world.

[Photo] NEW TO WATCH: ‘Tenet’, ‘Enola Holmes’ perplex, entertain viewers

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 28, 2020
SPOOKY CINEMA. Halloween season brings scary movies to the big and small screens.

[Photo] Movie finds for Spooky Season

by GinElla Mire, VOW staff
Sep 28, 2020
DEVIL ALL THE TIME. The new southern gothic thriller, The Devil All the Time based on the 2012 novel by Donald Ray Pollock, is a Netflix film that is sure to make you feel a plethora of emotions.

[Photo] Netflix release brings dark themes of novel to small screen

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 21, 2020
WANDAVISION. Marvel and Disney Studios have just officially announced one of their first moves for phase four of the MCU. The first Marvel original series, WandaVision is set to be released on Disney +, December 2020.

[Photo] Marvel breaks silence, announces WandaVision release date

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Sep 21, 2020
WELCOME HOME LADYKATS. Members of the current varsity team scrimmaged alumni members of the team.

[Photo] Alumni game brings Ladykats home

by Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager
Sep 19, 2020
CAMP SUCCESS. Members of the Sweetheart at the end of their summer camp. The dance camp took place but added safety measures to keep the dancers safe.

[Photo] Clubs make best of ‘uncertain’ start to school

by Katherine Lee, VOW editor
Aug 24, 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.

[Photo] Op Grad kicks off fund raising with t-shirt sale

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Aug 20, 2020
Seven members of the class of 2020 took the CNA test on Tuesday, and all passed the certification exam. The new nurses credit the hard work and dedication of their instructor for their success. Those testing and passing the exam are Kayle Daniel, Mya Villarreal, Safira Reyes, Gloria Hernandez, Kyra Nichols, Sahaiam Mancha and Michelle Nava.

[Photo] CNA students credit King with program success

by Charnell Haywood, VOW co-editor
Aug 14, 2020
WALKING ON SUNSHINE. The first day brings mixed emotions for the new senior class but they were enthusiastic about the day ahead of them. Seniors Kayla Lyons and Aubrey Russell meet up to spend their last first day together and watch the sunrise. “Waking up this morning I was thrilled to spend this time with my senior class, but I also was very reflective on my last three years so far at the high school. I was sad, excited and nervous, but so ready to start the year,” Lyons said

[Photo] Senior class celebrates despite missing traditional start

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Aug 13, 2020
The volleyball team surprised Coach Megan Storms with a birthday parade on May 9th.

[Photo] Volleyball team shows love for coach with birthday parade

by Piper Neumann, VOW sports editor
May 17, 2020
Current president senior Gracie Dorris and student council sponsor Lindsay Carey congratulate the new officers, junior Kayla Lyons, president, junior Jade Brown, secretary and junior Dibanhi Miramon, treasurer. The group was chosen by current members of the student council to lead the group and school next year.

[Photo] ’We over Me‘ focus of new student council officers

by Charnell Haywood, VOW co-editor
May 14, 2020
Celebrating his 17 birthday, junior Jace Halbaedier enjoys his birthday celebration at a safe distance. "They came to see me, but I got exposed to the virus by my dad, so everyone stayed in their cars and stuff," Halbaedier said.

[Photo] Students find way to celebrate safely while social distancing

May 11, 2020
During the time away from class, freshman Blaine Eckert works on his ’68 Ford F-100. He is using his welding skills learned in class this year and his free time to give the vehicle a new look.

[Photo] Students fill extra time with quarantivities

Apr 29, 2020
With her present from a family friend, senior Cali Barlow accepts her gift of senior swag. Barlow was adopted by several families after her mom posted her information on the Facebook page Willis High School Adopt/Swap a Senior 2020. “The worst part is realizing that this chapter of my life is truly over,” Barlow said. “Being ‘adopted’ made me realize that you never really lose the people who mean the most to you. They’re in your heart forever.”

[Photo] Seniors ‘adopted’ by community members

Apr 29, 2020
Writer senior Caleigh Nabors with Anne Chapa, senior Peyton Payne and Conroe High School senior David Chapa The photo was taken during Nabors's freshman year at Chapa's 40th anniversary party. The seniors were taught by Chapa for three years as part of the dual language program. Chapa is recovering from the coronavirus.

[Photo] Students react to illness of former teacher

Apr 7, 2020
After months of preparation, junior Danae Lesner will not be able to show her lamb at MCF.

[Photo] Montgomery County Fair closes due to coronavirus pandemic

by Carlie Rutledge, VOW co-editor
Mar 15, 2020
Working with her steer, senior Grace Hoegemeyer spends time preparing for the show at the Houston Livestock Show. She and thousands of other FFA and 4-H members cannot show their projects due to the closure of the event. "I wish it would have been possible to just close the livestock show off to the public and continue to show and sell the animals."

[Photo] Houston Rodeo closure due to COVID-19 has major effect on local livestock projects

Mar 12, 2020
Release from Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

[Photo] COVID-19 concerns prompt school closing

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Mar 12, 2020
Band director Chris Allen celebrates his finish of the Houston Marathon with his family.

Member of the newly formed indoor percussion competition team warm up for a recent competition. This is the first year the band has competed in indoor percussion competitions.

[Photo] Band competes with new percussion group

by Summer Rains, VOW editor
Mar 12, 2020
THE JV team. The team were undefeated in their scrimmages, and beat Porter Tuesday at home.

[Photo] JV softball ready for season

Mar 5, 2020
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