“The Throws of Third Quarter”
By the TMI Journalism Club
Editorials
Love is in the Air
By Sofia Kock
Valentine’s Day, a day of both love and disappointment, depending on who you ask–It’s the time of the month for you to open Instagram stories to see your friends in happy relationships and discover new couples you didn’t even know existed, sparking new drama and entertainment. Regardless of your stance on this widely celebrated holiday, there’s no denying its popularity and high anticipation. Valentine’s Day is ranked among the most popular days to get engaged. While those who are single may avoid the holiday entirely, many individuals find themselves expressing their love through a romantic date or lavish gift. During its celebration, over $25 billion dollars are spent in the US alone on gifts like chocolates, flowers, cards, and jewelry. Critics may note that the holiday, largely commercialized, has simply become an occasion for businesses to earn profit by selling overpriced goods to consumers. Additionally, the pressures and expectations tied to romantic gestures may make the occasion more stressful than enjoyable. In recent years, several alternative perspectives on Valentine’s Day have been created which pivot from the traditional celebration of relationships. ‘Galentines’ celebrations, where friends get together, have become increasingly popular.
Whether you were out in the city with a hot date, spent the day with your friends, or enjoyed the comfort of your home to escape awkward interactions, this Valentine’s Day should serve to remind you that love is all around us. During upcoming months, take the time to appreciate those closest to you and value all your relationships with friends, family, and significant others.
New Immigration Policies in Trump’s Campaign
By Nicole Kock
Prior to winning the presidential election this year, President Donald Trump claimed during his campaign that he would ensure that new immigration laws be implemented to ensure national security. To start off, the first day in office, Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border which allowed the administration to access federal funds for constructing the barrier and deploying military reinforcement. Additionally, he suspended the admission of refugees in the US as well as terminating humanitarian parole programs which affected many immigrants from Latin American countries, many of which were already residing in the U.S.
Changing guidelines, not only has the Trump administration revoked policies that limited immigration arrests in sensitive locations like church, weddings, or even funerals, but they have also attempted to end birthright citizenship; although it was highly challenged. Among many others, a controversial plan that Trump initiated was the expansion of detention facilities, such as the Guantanamo Migrant Operations Center, to accommodate migrants next to a high-security prison at Guantanamo Bay. Two immigrants that were recently released from the facility remembered their horrible experience and said “I haven’t slept at all because of the fear that I might fall asleep and… I’d wake up back there… That’s the terror I feel.” The shock that these decisions being made today will send through both the United States and Latin American societies will resonate for years to come.
Military Ball Memo
By Margo Delmer
TMI’s 2025 Military Ball was a major success! As a first-time attendee, I admired the students’ dedication to coordinating a seamless event to recognize the seniors who lead the Corps of Cadets. Throughout the presentation of amusing videos and composed waltzes, guests caught a glimpse of each student’s charismatic character and numerous achievements.
As anticipated, the partygoers positively received the late-night nosh items, including a quesadilla and cheeseburger bar. Everyone seemed to enjoy the chance to shed their usual school attire and had a great time sprucing up, donning lovely dresses and formal corps uniforms. Truly, a festive air filled the ballroom (and also the dance floor) with unyielding smiles and laughter. Smiles also appeared in countless photos taken both miscellaneously and professionally throughout the night.
I especially appreciated the traditions that TMI displays in hosting such an event, where the sense of community between the school’s students, faculty, parents, and friends truly shines. Military Ball is a time to celebrate the strong bonds that TMI fosters as all guests mingle and recognize the senior cadets. Military Ball in 2026 will be here before we know it, so make sure to consider attending this fun event!
Pop Culture
Art Competition VASE
By Valeria Ayarzagoitia
This past February, TMI’s talented artists competed at the regional UIL VASE, a high school art competition exhibiting hundreds of extraordinary works from students all across San Antonio. In this event, participants were judged not only on their artistic techniques and originality but also on interviews with judges, where they discussed their creative expression and process. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, TMI students did exceptionally well in the competition, with all 30 works of art winning regional medals! Out of these artworks, 12 pieces advanced to the state level, setting an outstanding record for our school! We are incredibly proud of all of these remarkable works, which truly showcase the immense creativity, skills, and talents that our TMI students possess.
A huge shout-out to all of those who participated!
Brice Allison
Isabella Andersen
Valeria Ayarzagoitia
Chloe Brown
Lily Clark
Isabella Lopez
Anastasia Morari
Marissa Nunez
Madelynn Olthuis
Celeste Palacio
Diego Puccio
Christian Rasor
Lynda Schon
Priya Tewari-Pine
Kennedy Travis
Yihan Wang
Norah Galbreath
The Cop Shop: New York Fashion Week
By Lily Warr
So Close to What
By Madeline Donnelly
Tate McRae has recently released her brand new album, “So Close to What”. Tate McRae has been known for releasing high-energy and vibrant albums and this one was no different. This album includes 16 compelling songs with themes ranging from jealousy and uncertainty to confidence and love. Her album also features Flo Milli and The Kid LAROI which provides depth and variety to this already absorbing album. One of my favorite songs on the album was “Signs”. I think this song perfectly encapsulated her purpose for the entire album by singing about frustration and emotions.
“So Close to What” was also leaked and circulated the internet over a month before its release last week. This was clearly devastating for her. However, in an interview she stated “there’s nothing more I can do”. This leak ended up changing the album when she put two more unexpected songs on the album to make up for the mistake.
Although the majority of fans agree that this album is her best yet, some have criticized Tate McRae for releasing songs that are all clearly similar. This argument is valid as she is known for releasing songs with similar beats and themes. While her tracks are exciting pop songs, they seemingly lose originality after the first listen. While Tate McRae is no doubt a talented artist, I hope her future albums do not blend together in the same way.
67th Grammy Awards
By Maria Alvarez
This year’s Grammy Award Ceremony, hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, took place on February 2nd in Los Angeles, California. The show was reimagined to raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts and aid those impacted by the wildfires which took place in Los Angeles earlier in the year. The Recording Academy and MusiCares Fire Relief raised well over 24 million dollars, with 9 million of those raised by the Sunday telecast alone.
The award ceremony marked a historic night where artists reached major milestones of their musical careers such as Beyonce becoming the first black woman to take the award for Best Country Album for her album “Cowboy Carter”. With his famous yet controversial song “Not Like Us”, Kendrick Lamar swept all categories in which he received a nomination which include Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. In addition to all the groundbreaking wins, the night offered powerful performances. Chappell Roan fascinated the audience with her meaningful “Pink Pony Club”, while Sabrina Carpenter offered a fun performance of her “Short n’ Sweet” hits. Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” captivated the audience with her soft voice, and Charlie XCX brought the audience into a “Brat” rave experience.
The 2025 Grammys served as a powerful reminder of music’s lasting impact on people everywhere, highlighting its ability to inspire, unite, and drive change across the world.
Super Bowl Halftime Show
By Lissy Maycotte
This year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show took place on February 9th as the Eagles defeated the Chiefs in an exhilarating match. Kendrick Lamar took the stage and started off his performance with his song “Squabble Up”. He performed some of his most popular songs like “Humble”, “Not Like Us”, “DNA”, and “TV Off”. He even brought out popular star SZA and they sang their songs “Luther” and “All the Stars” to deliver a captivating performance that all could sing along to. However, Kendrick’s performance drew a lot of attention due to his underlying message of mass incarnation and the broken promises made to Black individuals. This was made prevalent through the red, white, and blue outfits worn by his dancers and their positioning that made the symbol of the American flag. Famous actor, Samuel L. Jackson also made an appearance in the performance as he was dressed as Uncle Sam which is a character that symbolizes the United States government marking another connection to Lamar’s message. While some criticized the performance for its message others enjoyed his upbeat songs and the hyped energy.
SNL 50th Anniversary
By Carol Marin
On Sunday, February 17th, SNL celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special three-hour episode. The event started with a red carpet featuring past cast members and hosts to A-list celebrities. Various sketches like the famous “Domingo” were performed, including Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Pedro Pascal as new additions. Paul Simons and Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard, Adam Sandler, Lil Wayne and the Roots, and Paul McCarthy made musical performances. Cast Alumni appeared in sketches and were celebrated by the current cast of SNL. Audience members in attendance were numerous artists, musicians, comedians, and celebrities who had appeared or hosted SNL in the past. Over 20 sketches/monologues were presented, and over 15 million viewers joined to watch this special episode.
Sports
Super Bowl LIX
By Caroline Stidham
Super Bowl LIX was a night to remember as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 on February 9th at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Chiefs were making their third straight Super Bowl appearance, hoping to secure a historic three-peat after winning in 2023 and 2024. However, the Eagles had other plans, dominating the game from start to finish.
Philadelphia’s offense came out strong, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Saquon Barkley was a key playmaker, contributing 57 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards on his 28th birthday. On the other side, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs struggled to gain momentum against the Eagles’ tough defense. Tight end Travis Kelce had a quiet game, but after speculation about his retirement, he confirmed he will return for another season.
The night wasn’t just about football—halftime featured a thrilling performance by Kendrick Lamar, with a special appearance by SZA. Fans were also treated to a mix of exciting commercials and celebrations throughout the event.
With this win, the Eagles have solidified their place among the league’s best, while the Chiefs will be looking to bounce back and reclaim their championship status next season. Super Bowl LIX had everything—intensity, history, and a major statement from Philadelphia. Now, fans can only wait to see what’s next for both teams.
NBA Trade Deadline
By Elliot Stead
The 2025 NBA trade deadline was shaping up to be one of the most uneventful in recent memory until a jaw-dropping, history-altering move sent shockwaves through the league. What started as a routine Saturday night turned into absolute chaos when, at around 11:40 p.m., the most unexpected news of the decade broke. At first, many fans believed NBA insider Shams Charania had been hacked, but the reports were real – Luka Dončić, the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar who had spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks, had been traded. Even more shocking, he was dealt for 31-year-old, injury prone center Anthony Davis. The move was so unprecedented that it practically broke the internet. Mavericks fans took to the streets in outrage, staging protests as the reality of losing their franchise cornerstone set in. The trade wasn’t just surprising—it was historic, instantly making this deadline the most chaotic in NBA history.
Wembanyama Out for the Season, Friday February 21st
By Elliott Stead
NBA fans around the world were hit with devastating news – a notification that sent shockwaves through the basketball community. Victor Wembanyama, the 7’4” French phenom and future face of the league, had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a severe blood clot condition in his arm that could potentially end his career. The news couldn’t have come at a worse time for the San Antonio Spurs, who had just made a blockbuster trade for superstar De’Aaron Fox in hopes of making a possible late-season push for the playoffs. Now, with their franchise cornerstone facing an uncertain future, any dreams of a postseason run for the year have been thrown into doubt. As a Spurs superfan, I am absolutely devastated and can only hope for the best for “Wemby” as he begins the road to recovery.
Fantasy Alarm. (2025). Wemby Out for Season 2025 with Deep Vein Thrombosis Shoulder Injury. Retrieved from https://www.fantasyalarm.com/articles/nba/fantasy-basketball-injury-report/wemby-out-for-season-2025-with-deep-vein-thrombosis-shoulder-injury/171280
Winter Sports
Swim
By Sofia Kock
TMI Swim wrapped up their season last month with State on February 12th. Both boys and girls had phenomenal outcomes, and, while there were no state championships this year, the future of this young team is very encouraging. Our boys team, which gained around ten new freshmen guys, proved their strength in numbers, securing various podiums across multiple events. This year was largely about rebuilding the team and teaching new members the team dynamic, none of which could have been accomplished without our seniors. I’d like to recognize Seniors Kiara Dwivedi, Mara Flores, Katie Hendrick, Isabel Gonzales Tabares, Will Clanton, and Travis Chaffee for their exceptional leadership skills and guidance throughout the season. These seniors helped hold the team accountable by making sure everyone knew their responsibilities and showed up on time every morning, which I can assure you was not an easy feat. Despite facing many adversities, the team had a very good season and is looking forward to its next chapter. Thank you to everyone who supported the TMI Swim program this year.
Boys’ Soccer Overview, Sunday February 23rd
By Jacob Webb
As the soccer season is coming to a close last month, I would like to provide an overview of the boys’ season and accomplishments. Dealing with the loss of over 10 seniors from the previous season, this was definitely a regrouping year for the soccer team. It was also our first time in TAPPS 6A, which established the mindset for the team that we would have to work tirelessly for a positive season. That said, the team had some success early on. In a preseason tournament against public schools of San Antonio, the boys finished with a record of 3-0-0. District play was more of a challenge, but when all was said and done, we managed to secure the last playoff spot of the district. As I am writing this, we are slated to play our first round of playoffs on Monday, Feb 24, against St. Thomas. Regardless of the outcome of that upcoming game, this season was definitely not one to be dissatisfied with for any of the players. Life throws different challenges at you, and you have to adapt and grow through every part of the story. I wanted to especially thank our senior and captain, Marco Martinez, for all that he has done for us over the past 4 years. Thank you to everyone who supported the TMI Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team this season.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Marshall
By Carol Marin
My grandmother, born in 1913, was a special education teacher for most of her life. Every summer I would go down to her schoolroom in the barrios of Corpus Christi and help her with her students. Her room was huge with a living room, dining room, and kitchen because she taught them life skills. The students’ mothers would bring in food sometimes, but mostly the students worked together to cook their lunch. I would help her by reading books to them in the living room, and it was the most special experience I can remember about my grandmother and her passion to teach. She once told me that teaching was the most noble profession in the world.
My favorite thing about teaching is working with students, not only helping them learn but also learning from them. I have never regretted a day of teaching, and I have taught for 50 years in some poverty-filled public schools and in some very affluent private schools. I have also taught English at least one year in grades 6-12. I really cannot think of anything negative about my teaching experience because when a particular teaching year was challenging, I learned a great deal about what I needed to do to be a better teacher.
My favorite TMI memory happened this year when I went as a senior advisor to Camp Capers. It was such a special opportunity to really get to know my advisory but also all of the other seniors who attended. I did not realize at the time that the senior prayer read in Chapel every day comes from the students’ hopes for the coming year. I am transported back to that special time every time the senior prayer is read by selected seniors.
Ms. Wallace and I have been friends for several years, and it has been a Godsend to have her as a colleague in the English Department. She and I share many philosophies about the art of teaching and to have her to talk with every day makes every day a special one.
Teaching has been my life, my career, my joy. Because of my interactions with students, colleagues, and parents every year, I have become who I am today because of teaching.
I am very excited about retirement. Yes, I will miss working with students, but it is time for me to do what I want to do now. Because for me, teaching has been a 24/7 career, I have had very little time to volunteer, to read books that have been on my list for years, to work jigsaw puzzles to strengthen my mind, to spend time with my grandchildren, to learn to make tamales, and to actually get a chance to celebrate my daughter’s birthday with her personally on August 22. I feel I have missed some of the more special things that life offers, but I would not change anything about my life and what I have chosen to pursue.
I hope that all of my students can think about me and know that I loved them enough to give part of my life to them. I will never forget them.
Senior Spotlights!
By Maria Alvarez
Julia Daniec
What are your plans for college?
I will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and will be majoring in Government, following a pre-law track.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
My favorite memory at TMI is the 2022 Homecoming pep rally when Mr. Forman danced in front of the school.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class is AP Spanish Literature! I love hanging out with Maria, Carolina, and Señora Gonzalez.
Breana Toohey
What are your plans for college?
I am looking to major in Mathematics. I am not necessarily looking to pursue this career, but I know that math can lead into a lot of other professions.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
I have a lot of favorite TMI memories since I have been here for 7 years. One of my favorite memories is from Mr. Forman’s class where we recorded videos and Karl played baby Jesus.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite classes are definitely the fine arts class. It’s a struggle to choose between photography and ceramics because they are both so fun.
Mara Flores
What are your plans for college?
I’m going to the University of Pennsylvania, and I’m planning to double major in Political Science at the College of Arts and Sciences/Economics at Wharton.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
There are so many to choose from, but definitely any with the swim team. I loved our travel trips, competing with my friends, and the amazing coaches.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class was definitely APUSH with Dr. Mentz junior year; as for this year, I’ll miss my advisory with Myra, Ivana, and of course Mrs. Miller!
Kaily Tejada
What are your plans for college?
I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in business on the pre-law track at University of Miami.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
My favorite memory is Mr. Forman dancing during the homecoming carnival.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class was APUSH with Dr. Mentz or Ceramics with Mr. Rupe.