“Wrapping Up Winter”
By the TMI Journalism Club
The TMI Journalism Club presents to you our winter article, we hope you enjoy it! These past few months have been filled with many accomplishments and occasions for the TMI community. This month’s issue includes things such as an Interview with Dr. Mentz, exciting club highlights, and fun editorials from our club members. If you enjoy the article and are interested in contributing in any way whether in writing, interviewing or editing, reach out to any of the members or come to our weekly meetings!
Editorials
Christmas Close-Up
By Margo Delmer
The Christmas season is upon us, and with that comes a celebration that unites people around the globe. Every country has its own unique Christmas traditions, but I will focus on the traditions here in the United States. Nationwide, citizens cheerfully gather to adorn Christmas trees with decorative ornaments and enhance neighborhoods with sparkling light displays. People feverishly shop for presents for one another, creating crowds and chaos but also merriment along with it! However, Christmas is not only about the secret Santas, the white elephant exchanges, and decorating gingerbread houses but rather the acknowledgment of the love of Christ, who was born on Christmas Day. It is a unifying holiday in which people gather in churches across the globe to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Many perceive the holiday differently, but I like to see it as a day of rejoicing; Christ our Savior is born! Christmas, along with God’s everlasting love that is symbolized within it, is a time for humans to discover or rediscover the hope of salvation. The social atmosphere that Christmastime creates should remind us of what really matters: how we treat one another. It is a time to resolve disputes, forgive our enemies, and establish fellowship in communities. Therefore, during this holiday season, reflect on how you show God’s love to those around you, truly living out the Christmas spirit.
Therefore, during this holiday season, reflect on how you show God’s love to those around you, truly living out the Christmas spirit.
Short-Lived, Big Impact: The TikTok Ban
By Margo Delmer
Since 2016, TikTok, an infamous global social media platform, has been used by individuals to collaborate through sharing videos on various topics. Content on this app ranges from short dances, daily vlogs, and witty jokes to discoveries, companies, and news; TikTok has it all.
In the past, rumors have circulated about TikTok becoming inaccessible, and, to everyone’s surprise, TikTok was finally shut down on January 18, 2025. Users expected the foreboding ban to be on the following day, or at midnight, but TikTok’s services were cut off from the United States late the night before. Due to this surprise, chaos spread as countless posts spread on other platforms, emphasizing the weight and grief of the situation.
The modern dependency on social media grows with each user’s scroll, searching for endless dopamine hits. However, the TikTok ban should not have been met with such despondency, as it has some upsides. For example, it eliminates the phenomenon of social media promoting “trending” ideas, creating what is known as a “hive mind”, based on an algorithm. Also, the real problem of procrastination, which is amplified by social media, might be lessened.
Taking the platform away abruptly caused a cold turkey effect, which made those who were reliant on the app experience a sense of loss and withdrawal. Instead of the ban eliminating diversions and causing people to experiment with new hobbies or accomplish simple tasks, countless users swiftly turned to indulge in an alternative application: Instagram. Although people were reunited with posting and doom-scrolling once again, they were not content and frequently complained about Instagram’s unsatisfactory algorithm.
Fortunately for many, their sorrows did not last long. Twelve hours following the ban, TikTok unexpectedly restored service to the United States. Surprised users rejoiced in returning to their old ways. Even though TikTok’s program resumed, those who deleted the app could not download it again, prompting alarm at first but arguably was a blessing in disguise. It is not only freedom from TikTok but one less distraction to modern society.
For now, those who uninstalled TikTok break away from the idiotic algorithm, bringing forth new interests and ideas that improve the world around them. Contrarily, this is not the case for many who are still on the app and will continue to support TikTok’s popularity. The TikTok ban came and left, but it had the effect of highlighting the collective addiction to social media and left the hope for the deactivation of other modern online distractors.
Faculty Spotlight: Interview with Dr. Mentz!
Read about what Dr. Mentz has to say about his new title and future plans with his doctorate degree.
By Carolina Meneses
Q: “What do you plan to do with your doctorate degree?”
A: No idea, I spent all my time just focused on actually getting the degree and have not actually put any real thought towards what comes afterwards. Honestly it has not even struck me yet that i’m actually done, so unfortunately I don’t have a good answer for that yet.
Q: “How long did it take you to get it?”
A: It’s been three years and I’ve calculated, on at least the last part of my research, I know I’ve put at least 100 hours into just the dissertation and adding in the research and all the other stuff that went into it its been a pretty sizeable amount of time devoted to this.
Q: “What’s one thing you learned about yourself in the process?”
A: One thing that has hit me multiple times is the words of advice I give to you guys students is advice I continue to learn for myself. Putting your full effort into everything you do, whether you want to do it or not, seeking extra help in classes that you are struggling with, dedication and hard work. Also understanding that hard work is a real lesson that you have to learn. Basically, all the stuff that I encourage you guys to do, how to be better students, is the exact same lessons I’ve had to learn for myself. Which is rewarding but also humbling to know no matter where you are in your life the basic lessons are still the fundamental lessons of life.
Sports
NCAA College Football Playoffs
By Maria Alvarez
The College Football Playoff delivered exciting games, with Ohio State capturing its 9th national title!
The now 12-team College Football Playoff format starts with a first round, where teams seeded 5 through 12 play at the home stadium of the higher-seeded team. After that, the quarterfinals and semifinals are held at the New Year’s Six bowl games, leading to the national championship.
First Round Playoffs:
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17
Penn State 38, SMU 10
Texas 38, Clemson 24
Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17
Quarterfinals:
Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 31, Boise State 14
Peach Bowl: Texas 39, Arizona State 31 in a 2OT victory
Rose Bowl: Ohio State 41, Oregon 21
Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10
Semifinals:
Orange Bowl: Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State 28, Texas 14
Championship game:
Ohio State University capped off a historic run in the 2024 College Football Playoff by winning their first national championship since 2014. The No. 6 Buckeyes (14-2) defeated No. 5 Notre Dame (14-2) 34-23, securing their ninth title.
Track Season
By Carolina Meneses
Track season is coming up and the team has already begun to work hard and train since long before the season started. The first meet of the season will be the 13th of February at Holy Cross High School. So if you see anyone on the track team be sure to wish them luck on their first meet! To see practice and meet highlights follow @tmi_tfxc on Instagram!
Swim
By Sofia Kock
With the season coming to an end, the TMI Swim Team competed at regionals on January 27th, where the girls took home third, and the guys secured second place. The swimmers have been working very hard this entire season, showing up to early morning practices and adapting to the changing pool conditions, so please wish them luck as they move forward to swim at State on February 12th. This year, the team would like to recognize Coach Stephanie Barnes, Coach Aaron, and Coach Jen for their commitment and dedication to the team. It has been a bittersweet season knowing this is the last year we will have this trio, but we’d like to thank them for the many State Championships, memories, and coaching tips they have brought to the team these past years. None of the team’s success could have happened without them, and our community is very grateful.
Club Highlights
Friends of CAMP
By Nicole Kock
This year, our TMI clubs have been busy with keeping up their commitment to service through many different activities. Artful Healing and Interact Club have organized school-wide events to make cards for senior homes, helping spread love and joy in all of the hearts of the senior residents. By planning these card deliveries to nursing homes around San Antonio, they are promoting an amazing environment for more students to immerse themselves in an opportunity to help their community with just one kind gesture. Friends of CAMP will also be partnering with Interact Club this coming month to help make Valentines Day cards for the senior homes, so be on the lookout for any announcement to create joyful cards for our community! The president of Friends of CAMP, Sofia Kock, said she was eager to encourage TMI’s students to create cards that would make someone’s day brighter while also making a positive impact on our community.
Friends of CAMP is a new chapter that was started this year at TMI as one of our clubs that promotes service. This club is all about recruiting compassionate leaders who will further the mission of CAMP CAMP, an organization that strengthens and inspires individuals with disabilities, and those who care for them through recreation, respite, and education. The president, Sofia Kock, and vice presidents, Nicole Kock and Saaya Mehta, have the goal of inspiring the students of the TMI community to participate in the activities that connect people from all walks of life. The club encourages students that want an fun but also eye-opening experience that will expand the way you view service towards your community.
Artful Healing
By Valeria A.
New to TMI, Artful Healing is a club led by sophomore students Valeria Ayarzagoitia and Celeste Palacio. Through this club, students are given the opportunity to deepen their passion with art, cultivate strong connections within their community, and strive towards making lasting impact to those around them. Aiming to make a lasting impact on those diagnosed with dementia, the club focuses on teaching the therapeutic benefits of art, specifically its ability to slow memory loss, and actively puts these techniques into practice. Through fun and interactive activities, students at TMI get the opportunity to visit our elderly community at Sodalis Senior Living, a senior nursing home located in San Antonio. During these visits, Artful Healing organizes art sessions where students get a one of a kind experience to engage with their community, make an impact on the lives of our older generations, and build a strong connections and friendships with senior residents. As Artful Healing continues to grow, they are now working to introduce the club to middle school students, broadening their reach and inspiring the others to join Valeria and Celeste in creating a lasting impact.
For more information follow- @friendsofcamp_tmi and @artfulhealing27 on Instagram!
What’s Poppin’
Goodbye Eras Tour
By Carol Marin
After 632 days and 149 concerts, Taylor Swift took her final bow on the stage of the Eras tour on December 8, 2024. Starting on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Taylor took the world by storm as she toured 51 cities and 21 countries, playing for 3 hours on stage and going through each of her albums for her newest and OG fans. At each location one surprise at the guitar and piano would be played, later on, mashups with multiple songs would be fans screaming as they heard their favorite song through the stadium. Taylor’s outfits received praise as her change in color and style for each show helped create an element of surprise for fans. As she sang “22” a lucky fan would be chosen and be given a signed black hat from Taylor accompanied with a hug. Taylor’s transitions, concept, choreography, and visuals stunned critics and solidified her reputation as one of the most successful and innovative music performers.
Wicked Movie Review
By Carol Marin
The long-awaited film is finally here! As someone who has seen the musical and has been a longtime fan, I was very excited to see what the movie had to offer.
The original composer Stephen Schwartz phenomenally made the music as he transformed Broadway-style music into its film adaptation. Ariana’s vocals shone through during “No One Mourns the Wicked” with her high-pitched whistles toward the end. Cynthia impressed us with her impeccable tone and melodic voice especially during “Defying Gravity” giving us a show-stopping performance.
I will not spoil too much but it is a must-watch if you enjoy musicals!
The movie has been nominated for various awards, including the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and more. The music is finely composed with powerful vocals and incredible acting, demonstrating the raw emotions of the characters as they dwell on their morals and values. I give this movie a 10/10. In my opinion, it is one of the best movies of 2024.