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
Heather Jackson

Heather Jackson, VOW photography manager

Heather is a senior on the school’s varsity tennis team. Last Spring, she became a State Champion in Journalism UIL for News Writing in 6A. She made All-State Journalism Staff the past two years. She is a member of NHS and the yearbook editor. When she graduates, she plans to obtain a bachelor's degree in business and eventually attend law school. You can reach her at [email protected]

All content by Heather Jackson
FIGHT BACK. Interact partners with Rotary International to raise funds for vaccines to battle polio.

Interact, Rotary work to fight polio

October 14, 2021
THE REAL DEAL. Gossip and false facts are dominating the world of media while hard hitting stories are pushed aside.

Journalism core shatters as media turns focus to gossip, speculation

October 8, 2021
ON ALL HALLOWS EVE. Find out what freighting movies to watch this Halloween season.

Haunted films to watch for Halloween fun

October 7, 2021
SPOOKY SEASON. Festive Halloween traditions are beginning with Freeforms 31 Nights of Halloween.

Freeform’s Halloween picks disappoints lovers of spooky-season classics

October 1, 2021
IN MEMORY OF MS. DENISE. The sudden death of long-time employee Denise Mathis has left a hole in hearts of those who knew her well.

Staff, students reflect on life of beloved employee

October 1, 2021
PURE POWER. In a game against New Caney, senior Taylor Thomas sends the ball over the net. The team swept the Eagles in three sets.

Student leaders push to make positive impact

September 24, 2021
SONGS AND SNACKS. Choir is holding a concert tomorrow in the cafeteria at 7 P.M.

Short, sweet concert provides students with an opportunity to perform

September 22, 2021
WE SAY WILLIS. Waiting for the student section to echo her cheers, senior cheer captain Mady Feist leads the cheerleaders at the game against Houston Bellaire.

Students hone leadership skills under the Friday night lights

September 17, 2021
WORK OVERLOAD. Students take several high rigor classes leading to possible unnecessary mental strain.

Unnecessary advanced courses cause mental strain on students

September 17, 2021
IT IS YOUR TURN. With politics flooding social media and the internet, the information can sometimes be overwhelming and turn people away rather than informing them on the issues at hand. With social media and influencers actively trying to form and change opinions of their followers, teens can feel overwhelmed with the amount of valid and false information.  

Heartbeat Act brings up importance of keeping informed

September 15, 2021
PSEUDO SOCIAL INTERACTION. Social media is a part of everyday life. Time, relationships and self confidence dwindle as screen times increase.

Social media creates disconnect between students, selves

September 6, 2021
STARTING OUT STRONG. Before school even started, band director Joseph Dittfurth visits with the band during an outside practice. Dittfurth is not new to the students or the school. He was assistant director at the high school and at Brabham Middle School before being named Director of Bands this summer.

New fine arts teachers foster advances in programs, talent in students

September 4, 2021
OPT IN. The PSAT will be administered this year, but only to students who opt in. QR codes for registration are posted around campus, and the deadline is this Friday September 3.

PSAT opt in deadline Friday

August 31, 2021
IN OPERATION. Students work while relaxing in the newly furnished area. After the new carpet was installed, the library furniture was rearranged to be the most useful and appealing to students.

New school year brings new improvements to library

August 24, 2021
SURVIVAL OF THE SMARTEST. The class of 22 is fighting to be in top of their class by taking advanced classes and working hard.

[Photo] Seniors compete for top rank as year starts

August 18, 2021
HERE EVERY IS BETTER. HEB Buddy waves at the cars as the teachers and staff drive through the HEB Texas Loves Teachers Tour.

HEB Texas Loves Teachers Tour stops in Willis to show teacher appreciation

May 4, 2021
GOODBYE ONLINE. Remote learning will not be an option for the 2021-22 school year. Masks are optional for summer activities, and it is planned they will be optional next fall as well.

Remote learning, mask mandate 2021-22

May 3, 2021
BATTING IN. Freshman Kynlei Chapman hits the ball to try and get on base.

LadyKats fight to the finish

April 26, 2021
FINISH STRONG. Students need to make the most of the last few weeks because they are more important than they may seem.

End of year requires new motivation

April 21, 2021
KNOCKING THEM DOWN. After sending the ball down the lane, sophomore Jaslyn Fox hopes for a strike. Fox and the bowling team are headed to state after a great regional competition.

Alleykats bound for state competition

April 11, 2021
Congrats to the 2021-22 varsity and JV cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders named for upcoming school year

April 11, 2021
RACE READY. Junior Jenna Dempsey sets up before her junior drag race.

With racing in her blood, junior embraces drag racing community

March 15, 2021
SURVIVAL GUIDE. Juniors give incoming class advice to excel in their junior year.

Juniors give survival advice to incoming class

March 12, 2021
TOXIC RELATIONSHIP. Stella embraces Stanley in the dark of night after she left their home after he slapped her in an argument.

One Act Play cast tackles difficult show

March 10, 2021
EQUALITY FOR ALL. Womens rights begin in the womb and in the fight for equality.

Children suffer consequences of pseudo-feminist ideals

March 9, 2021
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March 10, 2021
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March 10, 2021
FEMALE EMPOWERMENT. During the month of march, there will be a series of story posted about feminism and womens history.

Stereotypes of feminism hinder equality movement

March 5, 2021
CLOSING ACT. The Treehouse Center Community Outreach/Event Coordinator Dhelynn McClellan gives a speech about The Treehouse Center and the girls they house. The founders opened up the facility to help young girls after they are removed from unimaginable situations.

Facility brightens lives of underprivileged girls

March 3, 2021
BREAK A LEG. The One Act play public performance has been moved to Friday, March 5.

[Photo] One Act Play set for March 5

March 2, 2021
BREAK A LEG. The One Act play public performance has been moved to Friday, March 5.

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March 2, 2021
BREAK A LEG. The One Act play public performance has been moved to March 5th.

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March 2, 2021
CARING QUEENS. Past pageant queens cheer on The Treehouse Center girls during their opening number.

Much more than pretty faces: Caring Queens focus on charity, improving communities

February 21, 2021
STOP AND POSE. The Caring Queens put on a pageant for girls in The Treehouse Center. Each girl received a sash and unique crown.

Cosmetology, volunteers doll up future beauty queens

February 15, 2021
PAGEANT READY. Cosmetology teacher, Kaitlin Hepler straightens participants hair to prepare for the day ahead.

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February 15, 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.

Swim shatters records at district meet

February 2, 2021
THE OPENING ACT. Actors that were a part of the first performance were sophomore Abigail Willard, juniors Katherine Lee, Giulianna Munaretto, Serenity Alexander, Ianna Barocio, Avery Williams, Guadalupe Miramon and seniors Julianna Needham and Caleb Davidson. “Singing Seasons of Love was special because it’s a song about strife and struggle which has been apparent through the last year, and singing about love and coming together really hit home,” Lee said.

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

February 8, 2021
SPRING SEASON READY. At the fundraiser kicking off the spring season, sophomore Emma Baron, junior Zoe Picken and junior Brenan Mansker line up for medals after placing. The tennis team members have put in a lot of practice for the spring season tournaments.

[Photo] Team kicks off tennis spring season

January 29, 2021
CLEAN SLATE. The library renovations include making the space more inviting and user friendly. The space looks quite empty as after removing the bulky tables and chairs of the 1990s.

Operation Renovation

January 25, 2021
MAKING HER MOVE. Preparing to send the ball closer to the goal, sophomore Lucy Smith readies to kick as a Lake Creek player approaches. Smith plays soccer for the school and is also on a club team.

Sophomore juggles three sports during spring season

January 21, 2021
SCHOLARSHIP. Lighting a candle that symbolizes the pillar of scholarship,, senior GianReo Mire NHS president, starts the officer portion of the induction.

NHS ceremony focuses on core values of organization

January 12, 2021
WINNER. Excellent Human Interest Photo

[Photo] 2020 yearbook recognized for excellence in journalism

January 6, 2021
MERRY CHRISTMAS. Keep the spirit alive with treasured traditions. #ChristmasCheer2020

‘Tis the season to be jolly

December 15, 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.

Students joined in kindness

December 6, 2020
Tis the season for visits from Buddy the Elf, Clark Griswold, The Grinch and Scott Calvin

‘Tis the season for visits from Buddy the Elf, Clark Griswold, The Grinch and Scott Calvin

November 19, 2020
The school has set out plans for renovations to make the library a more comfortable environment for students.

Library renovations plan to bring life to heart of school

November 10, 2020
NO MERCY. Netflix released their new original series Cobra Kai.

Strike first, strike hard, no mercy

October 21, 2020
WEVE GOT SPIRIT. Willy the Wildkat shows school spirit at the 2019 homecoming parade.

Parade cancelled, but homecoming lives on

October 21, 2020
HOMESCHOOL TIME. All grade levels besides the junior class will participate in online learning October 14.

Remote learning is implemented as juniors take PSAT

October 10, 2020
SWEET AND CORNY. In a world without Halloween, what happens to candy corn? The CDCs guidelines may hamper Halloween fun this year, but many students feel the holiday is too important to go away.

[Photo] Halloween about more than tricks and treats

October 2, 2020

[Photo] Halloween about more than tricks and treats

October 2, 2020

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October 2, 2020
Trick or treat. CDC releases their spooky recommendations for Halloween.

Trick or treating gets candy crushed by CDC

October 1, 2020
Texas Penal Code § 22.07 covers the law regarding terroristic threat. Suspects in Mondays bomb threat could face charges under this code.

[Photo] Investigation continues after threat

September 24, 2020
LEADERS WANTED. Student Council applications are now available. Scan the codes or find the applications at the address listed.

Student Council aims to increase campus involvement

September 23, 2020
SICKO MODE. The new Travis Scott meal is available at McDonalds for a limited time.

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

September 21, 2020
WELCOME HOME LADYKATS. Members of the current varsity team scrimmaged alumni members of the team.

Alumni game brings Ladykats home

September 19, 2020
OFFICE LADIES. For a behind the scenes look at the world of The Office, check out the Office Ladies podcast featuring Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey.

‘Office Ladies’ podcast gives behind the scenes look at the world of Dunder Mifflin

September 17, 2020
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS THIS FRIDAY!

No school for students this Friday

September 14, 2020
phase in

Students return to campus August 25th with phase-in schedule

August 19, 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.”

Seniors ‘adopted’ by community members

April 29, 2020
Junior Tyler Knopp plays in a match this fall. The tennis team kicked off their spring season January 31st at Oak Ridge.

[Photo] Tennis kicks off spring season

February 4, 2020
The Whip of Fire. For School Days at RenFest, Adam Crack put on a compelling and comical show. He demonstrated for the kids his skill in not just cracking whips, but cracking whips on fire.“I started when I was eight years old,” Crack said. “For the show I’ve had to train for about an hour a day for the past five years.”

Adam Crack wows crowd with Fire Whip show

November 12, 2019
Carlie Rutledge reads a book in a coffee house in San Antonio. This photo earned sophomore Heather Jackson a superior rating at the TAJE convention in October.

[Photo] Media students travel to San Antonio

November 5, 2019
Trash left behind by students in the morning and during lunch.

Don’t let trash send the wrong message

September 26, 2019
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