By the TMI Journalism Club
Winter Write-Up
Editorials
TMI Military Ballin’
By Margo Delmer
On February 21, 2026, TMI hosted its annual Military Ball to honor this year’s senior class of the Corps of Cadets. Considering their numerous responsibilities and leadership roles, the seniors look forward to this night throughout their time in the program as an accumulation of their development of community and pride while a part of the corps.
As anticipated, the dinner at Military Ball is always flavorful, having been picked by a tasting committee of seniors specifically for the event. While enjoying dinner, a video of interviewed senior cadets was played to reveal the inner camaraderie and personalities their class holds. Amusingly, Ms. Martinez (TMI’s photography instructor) initially edited the film to a whopping hour and a half! For the sake of time, that version was not portrayed, and she instead cut down the time to around twenty minutes; however, the video nevertheless failed to ignite much laughter and insight into the unique characters that the crowd had gathered to celebrate.
Moreover, the senior waltzes and grand marches proved to be very successful! After many weekly after-school practices leading up to the event, their dancing skills were polished, and the formal ceremony ran smoothly. The main ballroom was also used as a public dancefloor after the ceremony, where many took advantage of the good music and reception fun. Photos captured the night in both candid moments of the ceremony as well as posed pictures with friends, faculty, and family in the lobby’s photo station.
Through Military Ball, TMI’s commitment to tradition excels via formal routines and a prominent supportive community, as guests mingle and reflect on and look forward to the remaining time spent with the senior class of the Corps of Cadets. Next year’s Military Ball is already highly anticipated by TMI’s class of 2027, so make sure to consider attending this exciting event!
2026 – or 2016?
By Hunter Moore
The bittersweet ending of 2025 has all of us wondering what this new year has in store for us. Many people across the internet claim this is the “new” 2016. With rumors of the unicorn frappuccino coming back, it just may be. However, what resolutions can we make to improve ourselves, to grow as people? This year may claim to be the new 2016, but that doesn’t mean we have to be stuck in the past. This is the year we can all improve.
Many new things are to come in the big 2026: we finally have our new glamorous campus, which should be completed by the start of the new school year. With that in mind, we should all try out new things. Don’t let the past hold you back; try out a new hobby. Maybe cooking, that art class you have been loving, practicing it in your free time. This summer don’t let old habits like not getting your laundry done hold you back. Don’t procrastinate or mope around: everyone should hope better for themselves this year. Set resolutions to allow yourself to be challenged and flourish. Maybe to you, that’s trying to get good grades, getting that dream item you have wanted, getting a job, yes, a job.
It’s time to face reality and grow as young adults in this new year. Just because we’re making it 2016 again doesn’t mean we can’t make it better than the original. Don’t let your ego or pride get in the way of letting loose and stopping you from growing in what you love to do, or letting your potential to be better go to waste.
Pop Culture
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards
By Ella Moody
Renowned as one of the most prestigious musical awards since 1959, the 68th annual Grammys took place on February 1, 2026. From watch parties, group chats with friends, and social media opinions, the Grammys send everyone into an uproar every year, no matter who wins. Some of the most notable Grammy categories this year include: Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and, obviously, Album of the Year.
In the Best New Artist category, the nominees (including KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, and Olivia Dean) competed in a close race between KATSEYE, singer of the hit single “Gabriela,” Sombr, who sings “Back to Friends,” and Olivia Dean, singer of the hit song “Man I Need.” Ultimately, the winner was Olivia Dean.
In the category, Record of the Year, which recognizes the best overall achievement of a song, the following records were nominated: DtMF by Bad Bunny, Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter, Anxiety by Doechii, WILDFLOWER by Billie Eilish, Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, luther by Kendrick Lamar, The Subway by Chappell Roan, and APT. by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. The top two nominees were Super Bowl performer Bad Bunny and “Not Like Us” singer Kendrick Lamar, who ultimately won.
A similar category, Song of the Year, recognized the following nominations: Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, Anxiety by Doechii, APT by ROSE and Bruno Mars, DtMF by Bad Bunny, Golden for KPop Demon Hunters, Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter, and the winner WILDFLOWER by Billie Eilish.
Finally the most famous category, presented by Harry Styles at the end of the night, Album of the Year nominated: Bad Bunny’s DtMF, Justin Bieber’s SWAG, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, Clipse, Pusha T, and Malice’s Let God Sort Em Out, Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, Leon Thomas’s MUTT, and Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA. The final winner being DtMF by Bad Bunny.
February 1st was a historical night to remember: Bad Bunny’s Album of the Year victory marks the first Spanish-Language Album of the Year winner, Kendrick Lamar became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy History, and Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell became the only songwriters to win Song of the Year three times. Overall, the Recording Academy’s 68th Annual Grammy Awards were a success for many!
Bruno Mars Mania
By Victoria Katselnik
The Romantic by Bruno Mars certainly lives up to its name. This album is a beautiful return to form for Bruno Mars. It’s almost a perfect blend of 2010s Bruno and Silk Sonic. The album opens with “Risk It All,” a beautiful Latin-inspired song with a Luis Miguel-ish feel. The only single off the record, “I Just Might,” has had incredible reach on social media, especially TikTok. This has culminated in the song accumulating around 195 million streams on Spotify since its release on January 9th. My major gripe with the album was with the tempo of certain songs, like “Why You Wanna Fight?” Simply put, it just felt like it ground the pace of the album to an absolute halt, destroying some of the momentum that had been built up. Without a doubt, my absolute favorite song is the eighth track, “Nothing Left.” Its powerful vocal performance, emotional lyrics, and incredible instrumentation come together to create an absolute tour de force of a song. All in all, the love-struck ballads and heartfelt confessions felt like an idealized version of what we have come to expect from a Bruno Mars record.
Valentine’s Day Goodies
By Madeline Donnelly
As we wrap up the month of February, we must say goodbye to the many pink and red drinks, snacks, and clothing items seen in every brand’s yearly drop. These items are promoted primarily through social media reviews, taste-tests, and try-ons. However, even if you are not on social media, it is impossible to miss the pink sugary treats advertised in nearly every coffee shop and the countless new red sweatshirts being bought and worn during the month of February.
Arguably one of the most exciting releases each February is the Starbucks Valentines Day menu. Complete with new sugary raspberry and strawberry syrups, this menu is anticipated by nearly every Starbucks fan in America. New matcha flavors with Berry Cold Foam and White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew caused customers to eagerly taste-test the new flavors. Additionally, this year, new cups and mugs, adorned with red hearts, were released, which left customers scrambling to get their hands on one, even leading to many being resold on platforms such as eBay for ridiculous marked-up prices. Brand new treat items include Berry Blondies, Strawberry Matcha Loaves, Dubai Chocolate Bites, and more!
Even if you are not a loyal Starbucks customer, there are more exciting treats to be found at Dunkin with their release of seven new Valentines Day themed drinks and adorable “Sweet Hearts” donuts. Dunkin’s menu cleverly included drink names like the “Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher” and the “Sweet On You Cloud Latte” which promoted their already desired drink menu even more so. Food items were in particularly high demand this year with their viral “Brownie Batter Classic Donuts” showing up on nearly everyone’s feed this month.
An evaluation of Valentines Day staples would not be complete without the mention of brands red and pink clothing items released in preparation for Valentines Day. Brands with viral launches leading up to Valentines Day included Parke, Daily Drills, Alo, SET Active, and many more. These brands were in high demand, even leading to buyers setting alarms to secure a specific sweatshirt. Sold-out items from these brands are now being resold for hundreds of dollars more than the original price.
Overall, Valentine’s Day is not just a day of love, but rather a season filled with exciting releases and must-buy items. Even though the season is drawing to a close, there is no doubt that the excitement surrounding colorful drinks and clothes will spill over into the spring and summer months.
Athletics
Swim Season Summary
By Madeline Donnelly
TMI Swim has completed their season with their Regional meet on January 27th followed by TAPPS Division I State Championships on February 11th. Results for both the boys’ and girls’ teams were outstanding, with TMI boys placing 2nd at Regionals and State, and the girls placing 3rd at Regionals. Additionally, our boys’ team broke two school relay records along with an individual school record in the 100 Breastroke. This was an exciting end to a great season, and the seniors will be greatly missed next year!
School Clubs
National Honor Society Induction & First Project
By Margo Delmer
This past January, TMI’s chapter of the National Honor Society accepted and inducted many eager scholars across the campus (limited to sophomores and older). The induction ceremony gathered faculty, parents, families, and friends to recognize and support the latest members of the prestigious institution. Serving as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of academic excellence, the occasion serves to honor the academic rigor and achievements these students have maintained, all while balancing commitments to philanthropy, sports, hobbies, and extracurricular activities. Overall, inducted students exemplify the four pillars of the society, and the officers outlined each before the certificates were awarded.
Additionally, the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, the TMI National Honor Society officers organized a card-making station in the library for students (in both middle and high school) to decorate and write loving and uplifting letters to children. Supplied with ample markers, decals, paper, and dimensional stickers, TMI’s community crafted an excess of cards for the local Pineapple School, a Spanish immersion early learning center for infants to pre-kindergartners. The chapter’s next project is on the way soon, so be sure to take advantage of the upcoming community service project, especially if you are below service hour requirements for the National Honor Society!
Senior Spotlights
By Margo Delmer and Maria Alvarez
Marcus Block
What are your plans for college?
I plan to attend High Point University to study entrepreneurship and business.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
My favorite TMI memory was when my sixth-grade class went to Enchanted Rock, since we had a lot of fun.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class is calculus with Mr. Griffith because I like learning about the challenging material.
Madi Hokenson
What are your plans for college?
I am planning on attending Lincoln Memorial University and playing lacrosse.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
My favorite TMI memory is my freshman year advisory Thanksgiving, because the only food we had was HEB brownies and a huge bowl of mashed potatoes. It was very funny, and it was a sweet moment that everyone in the advisory had with Mr. Brawley.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class is AP Biology with Mr. Friedrich because I am obsessed with Biology, and the rabbit holes Mr. Friedrich goes into are extremely interesting.
Nadia Nowosiwsky
What are your plans for college?
My plans for college are to study nursing at the University of Oklahoma as well as rushing there.
What is your favorite TMI memory?
My favorite memory at TMI is the first week of school during my Junior Year, and everyone kept hitting each other in the parking lot.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class is forensic science because my friends are really funny in that class.