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
Katherine Lee

Katherine Lee, VOW editor

Katherine is a senior and co editor of the school newspaper. For the past 2 years she has made All-State Journalism Staff and made it to regionals last year. She is also Choir President, Senior Class Vice President, a member of both NHS and Spanish NHS, Leo Club, the school musical and UIL Competitions. After school, Katherine plans to get a degree in public relations and move on to law school. You can reach her at [email protected] :)

All content by Katherine Lee
REDEFINING NORMAL. During the Defying Gravity number of Cabaret, the 2021 musical, junior Blake Connerly performs with members of the musical cast. Connerly was featured on a local news channel in hopes a doctor will assist him with a

Junior appears on local news in hopes of life-saving surgery

December 16, 2021
PINNING A VICTORY. This photo from the 2021 wrestling season won a honorable mention for sports action photo.

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December 16, 2021
CRADLE TO PIN. in a match last season against Foster, senior Nick Boies works to defeat his competitor. The team recently supported Boies during a tough time for his family.

[Photo] Wrestlers stand by teammate during tough time

December 7, 2021
25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS. Freeforms 25 Days of Christmas movies include holiday classics shown Dec 1-25. It is the TV channels 25th anniversary.

Treat everyday like Christmas with Freeform’s 25 days of Christmas

December 2, 2021
GOD BLESS THE USA. The Performing Arts Center was packed during the Veterans Day concert.

Veterans Day concert impacts community through music

November 19, 2021
CRYSTAL CLEAR. Spring ISD has a clear bag policy for Planet Ford Stadium.

What students need to know before attending the playoff game

November 11, 2021
WILDKAT ROYALTY. Seniors Ernesto Telles and Melody Medina were crowned king and queen at the homecoming game.

Seniors crowned king, queen at homecoming game

November 8, 2021
HOMECOMING SPIRIT. The student section goes crazy during the homecoming game.

[Photo] VIDEO: Homecoming: game edition

October 27, 2021
LOVE ON TOUR. After selling out Madison Square Garden five times.

Styles earns Golden Ticket after New York performances

October 8, 2021
TEACHING WITH SPIRIT. Embracing the Anything but a Backpack theme, math teacher Jennifer Mitchell teaches one of her many DC classes. She teaches college algebra, statistic and trig for DC students.

Taking DC classes now will help students later

October 7, 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.

College Night at Lone Star College helps prepare for application process

October 7, 2021
HOT STUFF. Members of the yearbook staff celebrate National Yearbook Week with chips and dip on Wednesday.

Journalists celebrate National Yearbook Week

October 6, 2021
FOLLOW THROUGH. Senior Jack Wiebe participates in the Legend Junior Tour Tournament.

Senior golfer drives himself to be above par

October 1, 2021
ESSENTIAL HIGH SCHOOL MOVIES AND THE LESSONS THEY TEACH. Series about what movies can teach students in high school.

Musicals set unrealistic expectations of high school experience

September 28, 2021
THE APPLE VS THE SOUND BARS. Writers discuss both Apple Music and Spotify and which platform is better.

Battle of the streaming services

September 24, 2021
YOU. The Netflix Original poster for You reveals the main character Joe and his wife Love staring menacingly at the camera. The third season premieres Oct. 13.

Netflix Original that will shock You to your core

September 24, 2021
DOUBLE DUTY. Before he begins his job as an athletic trainer in the game against Tomball, senior Cole Arnold is joined by senior Rachel Smith and junior Kolby Sebastian at the student council gift exchange. Arnold was named Secondary Student of the Month at the September board meeting.

Senior, student body president awarded Secondary Student of the month

September 24, 2021
SHARING HIS CELEBRATION. After scoring against Houston Bellaire, senior Jadarius Brown celebrated with the crowd. The 50-27 win for the WIldkats was the first for the season.

Football comes together for win against tough 6A foe

September 17, 2021
SHARING HIS CELEBRATION. After scoring against Houston Bellaire, senior Jadarius Brown celebrated with the crowd. The 50-27 win for the WIldkats was the first for the season.

[Photo] Wildkats victorious over Houston Bellaire

September 14, 2021
MASKS OPTIONAL. This year, the mask mandate was lifted and masks were deemed optional. All school functions, including homecoming, senior picnic, football games, pep rallies, are planned to continue as normal.

Seniors fear COVID will cause another school shutdown

September 13, 2021
SOCIAL MEDIA. While social media may have several negative stereotypes, it can be beneficial as well.

Social media gives students opportunity to connect with others across the globe

September 13, 2021
SPARKLES AND SMILES. Dancing in the stands during the games against Huntsville, junior Addison Williams leads the Sweethearts at Elliott. TBowers Stadium on the campus of SHSU.

[Photo] Students hone leadership skills under the Friday night lights

September 17, 2021
JUST BE KIND. With over 2300 students on campus, it is guaranteed that not every student will agree with the words, beliefs and actions of other students. However, that does not mean that students can resort to taking a picture and posting it online with hateful comments.

Cyberbullying leads to conversation about GRIT

August 20, 2021
HALLWAY HASSLES. New hallway rules were implemented for the last nine weeks of school, creating some new struggles for teachers and students.

New hall pass policy proves successful in preventing rule infractions

March 31, 2021
NEW SELECTIONS. New course selections are being offered to students just in time for them to pick classes for next year.

New dual credit offerings set for 2021-2022 school year

March 11, 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
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March 10, 2021
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March 10, 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
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.

School resumes after unusual Texas snow event

February 22, 2021
GROUP CELEBRATION. Senior Julianna Needham stands with directors Laurelyn Korfhage and Ken Labsonski during the class celebration for Needham. Needham is the third student to make it into All State choir from Willis High School.

Senior accomplishes Texas All-State Choir goal despite COVID-19 craziness

February 2, 2021
WE CAN DO BETTER. As teenagers mature into voters, the current political chaos is not a good representation of what America should be.

Today’s political chaos serves as inspiration for a better tomorrow

January 15, 2021
SIX MORE POINTS. After crossing into the endzone in the play-off game against Spring Dekaney, junior Jamarious Wells celebrates with junior Tanner Hayes.

Play off appearance energizes team for future success

December 17, 2020
HELMETS UP. Traditions like players raising their helmets, the Sweetheart victory line and the school song at the end of the game have made the year of COVID-19 a little more normal.

Traditions under stadium lights important during COVID craziness

November 28, 2020
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Preparing for Willis Unlpugged on December 10, junior Douglas Fairbanks and director Ken Labonski practice upstairs in the PAC. Choir and guitar have in-person concerts scheduled in December.

Choir looks forward to in-person winter concert

November 18, 2020
MOVING ON. At the first home football game of the season senior Julianna Needham sings the national anthem with other members of the choir. Needham was one of six choir members who moved on to the next round of TMEA All- State auditions.

Six students move to next round of All-State auditions

October 27, 2020
VICTORY. After the imposter is voted out, a screen proclaiming victory is shared with the crewmates who survived the mission.

[Photo] Crewmates, imposters fill their time ‘Among Us’

October 19, 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.

From ‘B-list’ celebrity to A-list teacher

October 16, 2020

Styles continues to steal hearts with new roles, promises of new music

October 10, 2020
After a bomb threat led to a shelter in place, many students made jokes and memes about the situation. In this editorial, features editor Katherine Lee starts a conversation about being more sensitive to these types of situations.

Reaction to bomb threat initiates discussion on sensitivity

September 29, 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
THE TIME IS NOW. South Louisiana and East Texas is rebuilding after the devastataion of Hurricane Laura left millions without power. There are simple ways everyone can help.

Time to offer helping hand to those devastated by Laura

September 14, 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.

Clubs make best of ‘uncertain’ start to school

August 24, 2020
Assistant Band Director Andrew Hicks marches with the band during the homecoming parade. Hicks was recently named the head band director at Burnet High School.

[Photo] From Kats to Dawgs, Hicks named band director at Burnet High School

May 17, 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.

Students find way to celebrate safely while social distancing

May 11, 2020
The second article from the Issue Issue explores the stress and pressure felt by students who are trying to building impressive GPAs and resumes of extracurricular activities.

High expectations causes high stress for academically driven students

April 12, 2020
Bored? There are things to do to keep the boredom away.

Bored? Being home has endless possibilities for growth, discoveries

March 27, 2020
Bye Bye Birdie will debut Friday night in the PAC. The musical is a collaboration of the drama, band, choir, dance and art programs.

Bye Bye Birdie debuts Friday night

January 24, 2020
Members of Wildkat Media participated in the Cen-tex Journalism UIL meet. Congrats to the winners.

Cen-Tex UIL winners announced

December 12, 2019
The gang is back for Frozen 2. Who is your favorite? Olaf, Kristoff, Sven, Anna or Elsa.

Travel ‘Into the Unknown’ with Anna, Elsa, Olaf in Frozen 2

December 4, 2019
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Ren Fest venders beckon pedestrians to come try their wares and to immerse themselves in renaissance times. Junior Savannah Holly takes up the challenge of making the loudest noise on the blowhorn. “He kind of scared me at first when we all walked up,” Holly said. “But then he turned out to be really fun and when I finally blew the horn right, we were both really excited.”

[Photo] Journalists bring home gold from Renfest School Days

December 3, 2019
In a taste test, which sandwich is better? Canes, Chick-fil-A or Popeyes?

Battle of chicken sandwiches ruffles feathers

November 17, 2019
Bring canned goods to second period for the NHS food drive. All food donated will remain in the community.

[Photo] Season of giving starts now

November 7, 2019
This years Red Ribbon Week theme is Send a Message. Stay Drug Free.

Red ribbon week: more than dress up days

November 1, 2019
With Halloween days away, what movie from your childhood do you like the most? Also, which spooky character makes your scream?

Spooky cinema

October 19, 2019
Members of the Wildkat choir under the direction of director Ken Labonski sing before the first football game on September 6, 2019. The choir is busy with TMEA auditions, the annual Short and Sweet concert on September 26th and practices for public performances like the football games.

TMEA auditions push choir students toward success

September 16, 2019
FRIDAY NIGHT DEBUT. On her first Friday night under the lights of Berton A Yates Stadium, freshman Emily Fails dances with the Sweethearts. “My first Friday Night Lights was amazing and magical,” Fails said, “I had a great time surrounded by spirited students. The older members of Sweethearts prepared us by keeping us calm and believing in us.”

[Photo] Welcome back to Friday Night Lights

September 10, 2019

PHOTO STORY: Choir welcomes back members with ice cream social

September 6, 2019
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[Photo] Ladykats sweep Conroe in front of loud, spirited crowd

August 29, 2019
COMMANDING ATTENTION. As a cast member 1984, junior Cameron Collier acts onstage during the AACT drama festival.

1984, cast members win accolades at summer theater fest

August 28, 2019
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