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The TMI Times, November 2023

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“Thank God It’s Today”

By the TMI Journalism Club

The Thanksgiving season has finally arrived, and this issue is all about gratitude, an attribute we should express all year round. As the end of the semester approaches, there are endless elements to be thankful for, including Varsity Theater taking on State, winter sports kicking off with a bang, and, of course, our excellent faculty and student highlights. We are so thankful to share this month’s issue with you all. Enjoy!
 Click here to see what our teachers are thankful for!

The Power of Gratitude

By Bernice Gitiche

Every year, most Americans take a week off from school to spend time with family and friends and celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. Gratitude is encouraged, and we embrace all we are thankful for for a season. 

Our school theme, “Thank God It’s Today,” inspires us to be grateful for each day, thanking God for another chance to live. The word ‘today’ in our theme emphasizes the fact that this gratitude should be implemented each and every day, even beyond the Thanksgiving season. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that recognizes the good in our lives and can completely change our daily situations. Below are some ways we can celebrate the importance of gratitude and shift our lives with a more positive mindset.

  1. Write out what you are grateful for. Each morning, make it a personal goal to journal five things you are grateful for. This journaling is a simple task to encourage you to look for small blessings that we often miss.
  2. Express gratitude to others. A simple “thank you” can change someone’s day. When a teacher hands you a paper, say thank you. When a Sage Dining staff member hands you food, say thank you. Expressing gratitude to others not only impacts the other person but can also help you to feel lighter, recognizing the positive influence others may have on you.
  3. Pray for your meal. Simply being thankful for a meal can help you realize that food is a blessing that keeps us alive.

There are endless things to be thankful for, and even as this Thanksgiving season passes, let us continue to count our blessings and “Thank God It’s Today!”

Student Spotlight: Christian Lacayo (Class of 2025) Wins the Fiesta Medal Design Contest

This past month, the Community Engagement Council (CEC) organized a Fiesta Medal Design Contest among the student body in celebration of TMI’s 130th anniversary. Junior, Christian Lacayo was the recipient of the Medal certificate as well as a $100 gift card to the TMI Spirit Store. We sat with Lacayo to discuss his accomplishments:

Q: Why did you decide to submit to the Fiesta Medal contest?

A: Ever since I was a little kid, I always kind of enjoyed participating in art competitions. I’ve never actually been, like, super serious about it, like taking art classes. It’s kind of something I’ve just enjoyed during my free time when I get the chance.

Q: Can you elaborate on the meaning behind your medal?

A: When I was thinking about how I should design it, I was kind of thinking, ‘What represents TMI to me?’ and I was thinking that Coates Hall would be something that represents TMI well since students have been studying there for generations, and this is also the last year that it’s going to look like how it does. So, it made sense that it should be represented in the medal.

Q: If you could change anything about your medal, what would it be?

A: I guess what I would change is the way I decided to design it. I basically did the whole thing on Google Slides, which shows that I’m not familiar with art software or designing that sort of stuff because it’s just a hobby of mine. I guess what I would change is just using Canva or Photoshop a little bit more or something more technical.

Q: If you could encourage other people to submit to this contest next year, what would you tell them?

A: It’s a great way to get involved with the community. It felt awesome to be recognized in that way, especially since that is normally not something I would have expected to be recognized for. 

Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Clark Stevens, Director of Theatre

By Mara Flores and Chance Walker

This past month, the TMI Varsity Theatre Team won 1st Place at the District TAPPS One-Act Play and advanced to the State Level, where they competed. We sat with Mr. Stevens to discuss his thoughts about the program:

Q: Could you give us a summary of what the play is?

A: Sure, we performed a play entitled “The Blind” by Maurice Maeterlinck, written in 1890. Maeterlinck was considered the founder of a new form of dramatic literature known as symbolism. The play takes place on a small island off the coast of Belgium. There is an asylum for the blind on this asylum led by a priest and some nuns. The priest takes all the blind people on a nature walk, where he suddenly dies. The blind people are unaware of this and sit and wait until they find his dead body. Before that, many terrible things happen to them. They, of course, eventually discover the dead priest’s body, so this is open to interpretation, but one interpretation is that many people are searching for a guide; some are looking for religion or hope. In many ways, the blind inmates represent mankind looking for hope for the future.

Q: Just wondering about the experience with the students with this play. So, what were some of the challenges you encountered performing this kind of play, especially one from such a long time ago?

A: This was kind of a heightened text, so it required a lot of rehearsal and working with the language. I think it was really an underdog story because we were competing against large schools with huge proscenium auditoriums and gigantic theaters with all of the equipment. Hence, we had to basically move all of the set pieces in our small theater into a corner tape off the largest square footage we could find, approximate a large stage, and pretend we were on a large stage. That was a real challenge. We did get one opportunity to rehearse on a large stage out at Boerne Champion High School, and that gave students a good preparatory experience for performing on a large stage. Of course, by the time we went to the state meet, that was a very large auditorium, so those were challenges, and all of our panthers rose to the occasion and did phenomenally, very proud of them.

Q: That’s awesome to hear! Lastly, what are some things that the team did very well and hope to see them grow upon next year?

A: I have seen tremendous improvement in the acting and especially in the voice and speech production. Finding their voice, finding their breath, and the ability to fill a large theater and make these quick adjustments from our very small black box theater and then suddenly be on a large stage and having to fill it vocally was a tremendous achievement.

The Varsity Theatre Team will be performing “The Blind” for the community after we return from Christmas break in January; further details are forthcoming.

Spanish Club Highlight

Want to get more involved in the Hispanic community? Join the Spanish Club! Throughout the year, the Spanish club has been meeting to discuss things going on in Hispanic communities around the world, celebrate holidays, and promote the Spanish language and culture. This month, the Spanish club celebrated Dia De Los Muertos, a holiday on the first and second of November that honors the deceased. Prominently celebrated in Mexico, families get together to pray and remember friends and family who have died. To celebrate, the Spanish club set up an ofrenda, an altar, and served pan de muerto, a traditional sweet bread. During the homecoming carnival in October, the club arguably had the student-favorite booth. Selling out of traditional, street tacos and using the shock machine until it broke, the club had many students lined up to spend their tickets. If you have any interest in getting more involved with the Hispanic community—and occasionally getting free food, join us in Señor Archer’s classroom (C34) on Wednesdays during morning flex.

Photos from the Homecoming carnival booth

Winter Sports

College Signing

On November 9th, our seniors, Alexis Block, and Emily Kitayama, signed their athletic commitments to Gardner Webb University and the University of Notre Dame! 

Alexis Block, the founder of TMI Girls Lacrosse, signed up to play D1 Lacrosse at Gardner Webb University. Alexis has brought Girls lacrosse to TMI for the first time in our school’s history; she also shows her leadership on and off the field through her time in the Corps of Cadets. Through her dedication and love for lacrosse, she and her other teammates could put together a whole new team of girls interested in playing lacrosse. Congrats, Alexis! 

Emily Kitayama, Varsity swim team captain, signed to swim D1 at the University of Notre Dame. Emily is an upbeat team member who always cheers on her teammates and ensures everyone feels included. Furthermore, Emily has broken countless TAPPS state records for TMI and was even voted TAPPS Division 2 swimmer of the year after the 2023 state meet! Emily currently swims for both TMI and AAAA, her club team, managing to balance her swim life and her academics successfully. As Emily signed for Notre Dame, Coach Stephanie, who has known Emily since she was three years old, delivered a bittersweet speech about Emily’s accomplishments, emphasizing how much of an impact Emily has made on our TMI swim team as a swimmer and a friend. Thank you, Emily!

Basketball

The time for packed gyms and screaming parents have arrived, and the girls and boys have finally begun their basketball season. With the previous seniors gone, the team has definitely shifted, but regardless, the new senior starters have stepped up and continue to keep the team on its feet. 

The coaches have done a great job, from instilling a competitive spirit among our players to creating the best version of our team. The tenacity and discipline of our players drive them to wake up every morning to become better basketball players and leaders, both at events and through behavior.

Soccer

Girls Soccer

Girls’ Varsity Soccer has begun playing against other schools this past month. The first game was at home at Fondren Stadium, and the team that faced TMI was San Marcos Academy, which suffered a great defeat, the end score being 5-1 in TMI’s favor. The succeeding two games were lost to Atonement Academy and Antonian College Prep. However, TMI recovered quickly and won their following game 7-2 despite the murky and rainy weather.

The girls on the team are looking forward to playing the upcoming SMH game and participating in the Lutheran South Tournament. Make sure to come out and support the TMI Girls Varsity Soccer team during their next game!

Boys Soccer

Our very own reporter, Jacob Webb, and goalie for the boys’ soccer team interviewed three of the team’s senior players. As the boys kick off into an exciting season (no pun intended), we are excited to share some interviews with the seniors on our Instagram page. Check out the videos at @tmijournalism.

Holiday Recipes

By Carolina Meneses and Kiara Dwivedi 

With the holiday season in full swing, here are a few recipes to try this season!

Delicious Mac and Cheese recipe for the Holidays

Baked Mac and Cheese (So Creamy and Cheesy) – Posh Journal 

Step 1: Cook the pasta and drain 
Step 2:  Make the béchamel sauce by combining butter, all-purpose flour, heavy cream, and milk until silky smooth and creamy. 
Step 3: Add spices and cheese to the sauce
Step 4: Combine cheesy sauce with pasta
Step 5: Transfer the macaroni and cheese sauce mixture to a deep 9-inch baking dish or medium baking dish
Step 6: Mix melted butter with breadcrumbs and sprinkle evenly on top of the pasta and cheese mixture
Step 7: Bake in the oven until cheese is melted

Ingredients:

Starbucks Snowman Cookie Recipe By Melanie Cagle

Powdered Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Cold Water
All Purpose Flour
Meringue Powder
Baking Powder
Salt
Egg
Food Coloring

Christmas Sugar Cookies Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies – Sally’s Baking Addiction 

Ingredients:

Instructions:
whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl

In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until creamed, about 1 minute. 

Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat on high speed until combined for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined.

Beat in 1/2 cup of sprinkles. The dough will be thick and sticky.

Scoop large sections of dough (about 2 Tablespoons of dough each) and roll into balls.

 For extra sprinkle goodness, lightly dip the tops of the cookie dough balls in more sprinkles. 

Place dough balls onto a large plate or lined baking sheet.

Porch Politics

By Chance Walker

This past month, the 3rd Republican Presidential Debate occurred with five candidates: Vivek Ramaswamy, Niki Hayley, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, and Chris Christie. As of writing this, Tim Scott has dropped out of the race, and Donald Trump has missed every debate, so the next Debate on Wednesday, the 6th of December, could feature four or fewer candidates. Here’s a little background on each candidate so you can stay informed.

Vivek Ramaswamy – An entrepreneur known for founding Roicant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company. He has a bachelor’s degree from Havard and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He has gained recognition for his views on free speech and against corporate involvement in social issues. He is currently polling at 5.4%.

Nikki Hayley – The United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018 and Governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017, where she was the first female and the first minority governor of the state. Her years as governor are noted for her handling of the Charleston church shooting. She is currently polling at 9.9%.

Chris Christie – The former governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. He was the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Christie’s governorship was known for handling the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and various economic reforms. He is currently polling at 3.2%.

Ron DeSantis has been the governor of Florida since 2019. He served as a U.S. Representative for Florida’s 6th District from 2013 to 2018. De Santis has focused on environmental policy, response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and education reform. He is currently polling at 13%.

Donald Trump – President from 2016 to 2020, Donald Trump is a highly controversial figure with his legal challenges throughout this year. He attracts significant attention and remains a central figure in American politics. He is currently polling at 58.7%.

We hope you will do your own research, and the best way to determine which candidates you wish to support is by watching the political debates so you can understand how these candidates act and what they believe in.

* All of this polling data was taken from Project 538, which is run by ABC News

The Corps Does More

By Chance Walker

On November 10th, the Corps of Cadets saluted our veterans during the Pass in Review earlier this month. We honored Colonel Wylan Peterson, a Brooke Army Medical Center surgeon and the father of Meara Peterson ‘27 and Wells Peterson ‘26. This Pass In Review was performed under arms, and every single cadet was issued a rifle to drill with.

Bravo Company Cadet Maya Vincent ‘29 also won Cadet of the Month for the middle school, while Charlie Company Cadet Samantha Marvin ‘27  won the upper school competition. Congratulations to the Seniors who were promoted this week. Justin Kehmalaap ‘24 was promoted to Cadet Major, and Georgia Martinez ‘24 was promoted to Cadet Captain. The following Seniors were promoted to Cadet 1st Lieutenant: Khivan Raina, Hannah Jackson, Vichi Doshi, Jayden Harris, Lindsay Blanton, Isaac Nelson, Sofia Garza-Serreli, Alexis Block, and Aidan Notzon.

Looking Ahead

December 13 – 15: Midterm Exams

Make sure to start figuring out your exam schedule and begin crafting a study routine. The earlier, the better!

December 16 – January 2: Holiday Break! 

Panther Spotlight

Panther of the Month:

What’s Poppin’?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes–This Prequel to The Hunger Games Will Leave You Feeling Satisfied

By Mara Flores

Oftentimes, die-hard fans of a book series are very difficult to win over when it comes to a) adapting the book(s) into a movie or b) releasing some sort of prequel or spin-off to the series many years after its hype has died down. The latest blockbuster film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which tells the backstory of President Snow, the ruthless villain of “The Hunger Games,” does both, yet Hunger Games fans do not seem to be leaving the theaters disappointed. 

I am definitely one of these diehard fans myself; I’ve read the trilogy and watched all of the original movies a solid amount of times, and I also read Suzanne Collins’ novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes within the week it was published. Therefore, I highly anticipated this adaptation ever since it was first announced, despite not knowing any of the actors and not having as high of an opinion of the new novel as I did of the main three that were released a decade prior. Mostly, I was just excited for the nostalgia of a fictional world that was so thrilling to read about making its way back onto the big screen. 

Walking out of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I can confidently say that this film will not be in the shadow of its original counterparts. Though gruesome and disturbing, the plot was so intense and action-packed that there was hardly ever a lull in the story. Each character was cast perfectly–especially Rachel Zegler as female protagonist Lucy Gray Baird, who brought us some new hit songs that were either upbeat and catchy or would have you shedding tears into your popcorn. Finally, for avid lovers of the original trilogy, there were many references, parallels, and plotlines linking it to this new installment in the storyline. For example, for anyone who has seen or read “Mockingjay” (the final book/movie in the original series), President Snow’s cousin Tigris, who initially makes a brief appearance, is given a much more in-depth storyline in this prequel since she is now a main character; additionally, we hear the origins of the beloved “Hanging Tree” song, this time sung by a new voice and with a much darker twist at the end of the film.
There is so, so much more to say about this movie, but it would be challenging to do so without spoilers…Overall, I undoubtedly give The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes five out of five stars. It was a rollercoaster of emotions that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat and left me pondering for quite some time after its close. I’m looking forward to a rewatch with my friends who have yet to see it, and to the rest of you who haven’t, this is one you won’t want to miss!

November Book Recommendations

By Bernice Gitiche

The weather is cooling, which calls for warm blankets and, of course, a good book. Reading every day sharpens our brains and allows us to rest in a way that doesn’t involve technology. Take a look at some of our favorite books, and be sure to reach out if you have a recommendation you would like us to add to our next issue!

The Secret History by Donna Tart
Can murder ever be justified? In this novel, written in 1992, a group of college students participate in a horrific crime; however, their actions gradually wreak havoc in their environment, eventually causing them to question their decisions. If you’re interested in a lyrically written, melodramatic storyline, The Secret History is a perfect sit-down read.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Passing: The ability of a person to regard as a certain racial identity. In this historical fiction novel, two twin Black sisters living during the Jim Crow era are separated as teenagers when one decides to live a different life- as a different race. Bennet illustrates issues of race, identity, and sociological culture through this captivating yet tear-bearing story.

Klara and The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

What exactly does it mean to be human? In Ishiguro’s novel, Klara, an ‘artificial friend,’ is desired by a young girl, Josie. Josie and Klara grow to be friends, but Josie eventually grows to become severely sick. As Josie’s sickness complexifies, so do the entanglements of relationships of several of the story’s characters. Through a well-written, Noble-Prize-winning novel, Ishiguro describes what it means to love and be loved.

Movie Reviews

By Chance Walker

Dune

With the anticipated sequel coming out in March, I wanted to look back at the original. For all the hype it received, it mostly lived up to it. Timothee Chalamet was a surprisingly good actor, with his role as Paul Atreides. Additionally, Oscar Isaac’s performance as Duke Leto Atreides was especially enjoyable. The density of the plot was where I initially started to find promises. When the movie ended, my first reaction was surprise because barely anything had happened plot-wise. The Atreides house is overthrown from Arrakis by House Harkonnen, and that is almost the whole movie when it feels like it could have been shortened to 45 minutes maximum. I hope Dune: Part 2 does not make the same mistake of low plot density, but only time will tell. This movie had amazing CGI and visual effects, almost as if the Star Wars sequels were good. 9/10!

Seedlings of Wisdom: A Visit to the Orchard of Mirth

By Luke Martinez

Greetings to all at the Orchard of Mirth! Today, we’re showcasing a delightful new variety, the Golden Delicious, gleaming with its greenish-gold hue. Let’s take a bite into its whimsical seeds of wisdom:

  1. Stuck in awkward silence? Just blurt out, “Well, that’s how the cookie crumbles!” Watch as puzzled looks turn into nods of profound agreement and perhaps even a spontaneous round of applause.
  2. A gardener who hates dirt is like a bird afraid of heights. If you find one, you’re likely dealing with an undercover artist who paints with plants and converses with flowers.
  3. Beware of a musician who plays the triangle in an orchestra but insists it’s the soul of the ensemble. They either have an ear for subtle genius or are the unsung heroes of minimalism.
  4. I met a self-proclaimed time traveler who was perpetually late. He claimed his watch was set to a different era, so he’s always either centuries early or a few minutes behind the present.
  5. Theories are like umbrellas in the wind – they only work until a gust comes along. So, if anyone has a practical guide to building a time machine, kindly send a carrier pigeon. Or an email, whichever is faster.
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