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 Ella McDonald
SISTERLY LOVE, Afflicted with dust pneumonia, junior Emma Johnson plays the role of Dorothy while freshman Ella Kouba plays her little sister Mabel. Johnson was awarded all star cast during zone competition and honorable mention all star cast during district competition for her portrayal of Dorothy.

HARD DECISIONS. Playing the mother and father of the family, junior Avalon Baretto and senior Gabriel Munos discuss the characters' options. In the Storm in the Barn, the family is suffering the effects of the draught on their farm and community.

THANKS. Giving praise to the directors and crew, freshman Annemarie Carman rises her hands in praise. Carman was a member of the chorus of the play and helped control the puppet in the barn.

GREAT JOB DONE. After the public performance, freshman Carter Bernard enjoys the applause during the curtain call.

TELL ME A STORY. Seeking a friend in a hostile world, Jack played by sophomore Olivia Cavello visits with Ernie played by Isaiah Higgins. Ernie often tells Jack stories about fictional Jack characters to help the young boy find his place in a tough world.

THE STORM INSIDE. With the monster of the barn right behind them, Mabel played by freshman Ella Kouba and Jack played by sophomore Olivia Calvello find danger in the barn of a neighboring farm. The monster puppet was controlled cast members and voiced by senior Amani Holly and freshman Carter Bernard.

[Photo] One Act Play advances to bi-district competition this Friday

Mar 25, 2025
THIS HAS TO STOP. Seeking the truth about the lack of rain, Jack, sophomore Olivia Calvello, opening the case he found in the barn, starting a rain shower to end the draught.

ALWAYS READY. A group of trainers leave the field after a trip to the field during a timeout.

[Photo] March set to celebrate athletic trainers

Mar 23, 2025
IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT. In the play "The Storm in the Barn," sophomore Olivia Calvello plays the part of Jack, a boy caught in the middle of the Dust Bowl in 1937 Kansas. The drama department hosted a public performance of their One Act Play on Monday. They compete in Zone competition today at Grand Oaks High School.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH. Proposed eight period schedule with the day starting at 7:15 a.m. and leaving before 3:00 p.m.

Changes planned for next school year spark controversy, approval

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Mar 6, 2025
MULTITALENTED. Playing a flute during UIL Marching Contest, sophomore Drue Walker competes with his fellow band members. Walker recently was named the top piccolo player in Texas.

[Photo] Piccolo player named best in Texas

Mar 5, 2025
PHOTOSTORY: Sweethearts dazzle at first contest

PHOTOSTORY: Sweethearts dazzle at first contest

by Ella McDonald, VOW staff
Feb 28, 2025
A STORM IS COMING. The One Act Play's public performance is Monday at 7 p.m. at the PAC.

‘The Storm in the Barn’ public performance set for Monday night

by Ella McDonald, VOW staff
Feb 28, 2025

[Video] PODCAST: Exchange student life

by Ryder Sciba and Ella McDonald
Feb 25, 2025
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SOFTBALL SISTERS. Handing the mic to her teammate senior Audrie Call, senior Sydney Prihoda speaks before signing to play softball at Sam Houston State University. Call will play softball at Lamar College at Port Arthur.

INSIDE JOKES. Laughing with his teammates, senior Jack Emerson jokes with fellow football players Kelan Harris and Daylion Robinson. Robinson and Emerson signed to play at Blinn College. Harris will be playing at Prairie View A&M.

WHAT'S NEXT. On National Signing Day. senior Heath Grant signs his letter of intent to run for Kansas State University. Thirteen seniors signed letters to play at the next level on Feb. 5.

PRAIRIE VIEW BOUND. Ready to be a Prairie View Panther, senior Kelan Harris signs his letter to play football. On National Signing Day Feb. 8, four other football players signed to play football on the next level.

[Photo] Seniors from track, softball, baseball, football sign letters to play at next level

Feb 25, 2025
SMILES AND SIGNING. Baseball players seniors Zadin Cannon and Jon Martinez laugh as they sign their letters. Martinez will play for Hocking College in Nelsonville Ohio and Cannon plans to play at Fort Scott College in Fort Scott Kansas.

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Movie poster for the 2025 film "Companion." Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Must-see horror rom-com

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Feb 21, 2025
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[Photo] PHOTOSTORY: Sweethearts dazzle judges in first contest

Feb 19, 2025
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BAD BOOS. Singer Taylor Swift in the stands during the Superbowl game. Photo by REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Taylor Swift booed at Super Bowl

by Ella McDonald, VOW staff
Feb 14, 2025
MAGIC FOOT. Taking him to the final round, senior Kamden Frazier sings Barfee's song "Magic Foot." He is joined by Chip played by junior Jhun Abarquez and Leaf Coneybear played by Chege Wachege.

Musical brings laughs to stage

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Feb 9, 2025
SPELLING IT OUT. Olive, played by Sophia Von Koschembahr, spells out a word as a member of the spelling bee.

WHAT'S NEXT. On National Signing Day. senior Heath Grant signs his letter of intent to run for Kansas State University. Thirteen seniors signed letters to play at the next level on Feb. 5.

PHOTOSTORY: Girls fight Oak Ridge in OT

PHOTOSTORY: Girls fight Oak Ridge in OT

by Ella McDonald and Charles Ibukun
Feb 6, 2025
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PHOTOSTORY: Kats pounce Tigers in big district game

PHOTOSTORY: Kats pounce Tigers in big district game

by Ella McDonald, VOW staff
Feb 4, 2025
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WOE IS ME. Having her moment in the spotlight, Schwartzy played by sophomore Olivia Cavello finishes her song surrounded by her dad, stepmom and fellow spellers. The musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, was a collaborative effort of the choir, drama and band departments. photo by Ella McDonald

LOOK AT YOU NOW. Scarlet Queen released their debut single called "Look At You Know" on Tuesday. Since then, the song has exceeded more than 1,500 steams on Spotify.

Band takes first step to make dream come true

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Jan 17, 2025
DONATE. A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to collect donations for the family affected. In the middle, junior Constance Newman poses for a photo alongside her family.

Family loses house in fire, seeking donations

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Dec 17, 2024
PJ PARTY. The Sweethearts have a new event this year, a pajama party. In order to attend, it was $60 per participant.

Sweethearts host pajama party for future high schoolers

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Dec 13, 2024

PODCAST: Christmas in Barn set for Friday

by Ryder Sciba and Ella McDonald
Dec 12, 2024
KARMA IS A CAT. Ending the second night of her three-day Houston, Texas stop, Taylor Swift sings "Karma." During the song, Swift thanks her dancers, crew and her band and says a final goodbye to the attendees.

‘Eras’ tour breaks records, makes history with lasting impacts on cities

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Dec 12, 2024
HELPING HANDS. Collecting food and donations for TLC Food Pantry in Willis, juniors Annabell Smith-Grimm and Peter Wetsch volunteer at Kroger Market Place on Friday. Organizations including Sweethearts, yearbook, newspaper and volleyball spent time at the grocery store to help the local food pantry stock up for the holidays. photo by Ella McDonald

[Photo] WILDKAT PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Aug 25, 2023

PODCAST: HOSA blood drive

by Ryder Sciba and Ella McDonald
Dec 3, 2024
SNO MUCH FUN. At the 2023 Christmas in the Barn, a snow fight was part of the fun.

[Photo] Christmas in the Barn brings holiday spirit to CTE building on Dec. 13

Dec 2, 2024
SNO MUCH FUN. At the 2023 Christmas in the Barn, a snow fight was part of the fun.

[Photo] Christmas in the Barn brings holiday spirit to CTE building on Dec. 13

by Quynne Shevchuk, VOW staff
Dec 2, 2024
ALL ONES. At the TDEA Pilot Assessment, the Sweethearts received all ones and a Division One rating.

Sweethearts excel at new UIL opportunity

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Nov 8, 2024

PODCAST: Fashion design students send work to space station

by Ryder Sciba and Ella McDonald
Nov 8, 2024
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Musical cast list released, preparation begins today

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Nov 4, 2024
PHOTOSTORY: A taste of San Antonio

PHOTOSTORY: A taste of San Antonio

by Ella McDonald, Victoria Medina, Ashley Briones, and Brooke Owsley
Oct 15, 2024
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PENNY WISE WAS HERE. Sharing the convention space with a comicon convention made for intersting people watching and a few scary moments. Entering the hotel elevator on Sunday night, adviser Emily Meachen, senior Ella McDonald and junior Victoria Medina found a red balloon conjuring memories of "It."

[Photo] Journalists attend conference, bring home awards

by Sujeidy Ortiz, VOW staff
Oct 15, 2024
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LIKE PROS. After technical difficulties caused the need for a second start, senior Cameron Dugan and Dayna Ross laugh off the problems like pros.

[Photo] Senior duet wins Wildkat Talent Show

by Brooke Owsley, VOW staff
Oct 9, 2024
KITTIE CUTENESS OVERLOAD. Setting in to her new home, Piper shows off her white socks.

Kitten provides new learning experiences, opportunities for Ag students

by Ella McDonald, VOW Staff
Oct 3, 2024
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