Staff Writer: Eryca Gomez

 Senior Hajar and junior Yousef Aldhafeeri lead March’s Multicultural Club meeting with a presentation dedicated to the religious observance of Ramadan. The siblings are muslim students, meaning they are followers of the religon of Islam. In their presentation they covered the meaning of Ramadan and its origin. 

  Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar and is a month of prayer, fasting, and community. The naming of Ramadan stems from the Arabic root “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat. Muslims believe that in A.D. 610, the angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran, the Islamic holy book. 

  “Ramadan is determined by the sight of the new moon. The start of the month is different every year,” Yousef explained to the club.

  This year’s Ramadan is from April 1st to May 1st, followed by Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting experienced during Ramadan. 

     In addition to the presentation, the students set up moon colorings and handed out Arabic candy and pastry bags. The club director Laura Dejong also informed the club about a multicultural fest involving other NISD high school multicultural clubs. The fest will be May 25th from 6-8 pm at Stevens HS.

Design Editor Taylor Alton:

Editor-In-Chief: Diego Hernandez

Four months, wait it’s three now. As the school year comes to an end and spring break has concluded, students are pushing their inner engines to finish the year. Amongst our campus near 3,000 students, 748 of them are pushing, or not trying to the best of their abilities. These 748 students are seniors and are now experiencing senioritis. Senior Jurni Gregorcyk shares her views on what this disease is.

  “I think senioritis is a time where people are just giving up on school as they feel there is no point to it anymore. These individuals are ready to begin the next part of their lives and it’s reflected in their drive,” Gregorcyk said. 

  As many seniors are within the same realm of being excited for college and their highschool chapter ending, there is no shortage to the many victims of senioritis. Senior Zoe O’Donnell shares the appeals and capabilities as to why this feeling is so prominent amongst this class.

  “Knowing that your GPA is now locked allows you to not feel as dedicated to your work. Personally, my wavering grades do not take a toll on me as next year is set for me without added pressures,” O’Donnell stated.

  With looming worries relieved, students are different in how long till they fall under senioritis’ spell. Senior Nico Ojeda explains how he in truth has not yet been able to become affiliated, even though most traditional numbers have been accomplished.

  “I will most likely feel senioritis after spring break or really the last nine week grading period of the school year. Right now I have a responsibility as an in-season athlete for baseball to maintain good grades,” Ojeda said.

  Seniors are not the only ones who seem to be able to become one with senioritis. This incorporation can be experienced among staff and administration alike. 

  “I think teachers can feel it too. They are completely ready for their own personal break away because even when we have three-day weekends or some student holidays they’re still here working,” Gregorcyk stated.

  Senioritis also has the potential to branch out away from what areas in which its temptations begin to take hold. As we go through the end of the year there are various tasks depending on the individual we must go through.

  “For theater at least, Mr. A has to keep us on our A game especially for officers. Throughout the years we’ve witnessed them slipping on their responsibilities and it can become pretty chaotic,” O’Donnell said.

  As our time comes to an end and as we recognize our new paths, school may seem a potential scare. Although it may not be wanted by some, senioritis may be able to set you free.

  “I think I’ll be able to get through a good amount of time without needing it, but ultimately I know I’m going to need it or these last few months and or weeks will be rough,” Ojeda stated.

  Senioritis, an emotion and state of mind, may be students and even faculties answers. Do not fear it as it may set you free.

 By Diego Hernandez Editor in Chief

The new school year brings about a new era on campus along with a new Principal Mr. Robert Martinez.  Mr. Martinez hopes to improve and lead our campus through this year of transition and shared that he started things off right thanks to our students and staff.  

 “From day one, the students have been very welcoming, and pretty open about their concerns for the school. The faculty is also amazing. In particular our Associate Principal Mr. Christian and Academic Dean Mrs. Bishop.  They have made this transition pretty smooth,” Martinez said.  

  Before being named principal, Martinez researched our school and was familiar with some of the challenges here for students and staff.  Martinez is working with students and faculty to make a few adjustments in the near future. These ideas involve possible changes to the campus layout and some dress code changes that have already taken effect like shorts.  For some of the bigger long-term changes, Martinez is hopeful that we get help from the district and community.   

“I know every four or five years we do a bond proposal in hopes of getting much-needed improvements to our schools from bond money,” Martinez said. 

  Martinez’s main proposals include an expansion project for the cafeteria and library.  He says an additional academic building would also be nice.  Martinez shared there is an area where a building could fit for another two-story building.  One major change happening very soon is the expansion of the Nurse’s office.  

“Our Nurse’s Office just isn’t big enough to support the needs of a campus as big as O’Connor,” Martinez said. 

Martinez decided to move the Nurse’s office to where the Career Center is; more than doubling the size.  

  “I feel like this is a move that we couldn’t wait on,” Martinez said. 

The new Nurse’s Office is scheduled to open in early November.  As part of the move, the Career Center will move into room B103 in the library which will likely increase traffic as students seek out more scholarships and college information while in the library.   

  Prior to his time with us, Martinez worked at multiple schools acting both as a teacher and an administrator.  These all include sister Northside ISD high schools starting off at John Jay.  

“I taught for six years at John Jay as a social studies teacher and then I got promoted to Assistant Principal at Clark, was at Clark for four and a half years and then got promoted to Vice Principal at Brennan,” Martinez said.

  Martinez enjoyed his time at all three schools and shared he’s thrilled to be here at O’Connor.  He reflected that this campus has successful students, with many institutions such as agriculture. Martinez shared he is excited to work with Ag Principal, Mr. Bohlken for the Agriculture Academy’s first year.  

“I love visiting the barnes and seeing all the animals. These things don’t normally take place at school and that’s pretty phenomenal. Overall, I’m very excited about the possibilities,” Martinez said.

  Martinez has always strived for his chances to become a leader in the development of young people. His path to  O’Connor became available with Mrs. Horras’s departure. 

 “I knew the position would become available when Mrs. Horras was promoted last spring. There were actually four principal openings this past summer, and I lucked out and got the best one,” Martinez said.

Mr. Martinez has been preparing for this time with us consistently and through his performance under other advisers

who sat where he is now. 

 “What has really prepared me is that I have had mentors to work under. Being able to establish my beliefs and values for the students was great for me, seeing different levels of students and their successes and challenges has given me the perspective to help students at all levels for the better,” Martinez said. 

  “In teaching, you affect a lot of lives, you can work with students, coach them, and motivate them to become the best that they can be,” Martinez said.

  As the school year continues, still amidst Covid regulations, Principal Martinez shared he aims to improve this campus for both teachers and students, “Go  Panthers!”

By Diego Hernandez Co-Editor-In-Chief

With the new year of 2021 commencing, students share their predictions on what they hope to experience. Covid-19 has not left the nation, a new president has been inaugurated, as well as school closures and openings are left in consideration to either a worse or better new year. Junior Albanie Laborde-Martin shares her views on what she hopes to result in the year to come.

“As everyone else, I am hoping Covid will finally be put to an end. Whether that be by the vaccine or tighter restrictions, I hope that the public, especially America, starts to change to stop the spread of the virus,” Martin said.

Predictions, or wants, of this new year in a sense are needed to push past the grief of the previous year. 2020 affected countless families and damaged nations worldwide. Junior Kace Schermerhorn states his need for belief.

“I think these things will come true simply because I hope that they do. No one can truly predict when the Coronavirus will be taken care of, it’s just a logical time,” Schemerhorn said. 

Time is a factor, in addition to several others or individuals who can affect the outcome of the new year. Junior Alessandra Garrido states her views on who can alter 2021.

“I am unsure as of now who could change the course of our history, however, I believe individually we are capable of changing the course of 2021. As a generation we are going forward into the future,” Garrido said.

2021’s outcome on each individual country will have various results. America as a nation was devastated with high death tolls and things lost, but this year could be an opportunity to turn things around.

“The US; right now, we’re the headline. Our surge in Coronavirus cases as of late as well as the inauguration of a new President puts us at the front of every news article,” Schermerhorn said.

A new year is also a time for new beginnings, for ourselves or the community around us. Some choose to mark these beginnings with goals set in mind.

“I definitely want to become more established in fitness and branch out in my music choices, I also want to save enough so I can improve my style,” Martin said.

Each citizen, whether they be old or young, has hopes in mind of what is to come of 2021. However, we must wait in anticipation to see if our predictions will come true.

“I will walk with a little bit of fear into a year that is hopefully as rewarding as what so far seems already so chaotic. Hopefully with the vaccine we will be able to have a slightly more normal summer, but I think everything will be the closest to normal by December,” Garrido said.

Schermerhorn shares the potential humanity has for this coming year, whether it be good or bad for all.

“I believe individually we are capable of changing the course of 2021. As a generation we are going forward into the future, discovering new skills that have the power to change the course of the human race and I believe that if not this year, then soon we will individually figure out how to make a change in our world,” Schermerhorn said.

By Diego Hernandez Co-Editor-in-Chief

As the temperatures turn colder and the year-end holidays are drawing near. This year due to Covid-19 these events will look different than in previous years. In Helotes, some debate whether or not Holiday decorations should be allowed before Thanksgiving day. Students junior Julia Wade and junior Ryan Summerhays weigh in.

Decorations can be seen as a positive or a negative idea for post Thanksgiving. Some students love seeing the holiday decorations.

  “I love Christmas decorations, but having them before Thanksgiving is something I could never support. Christmas is a time that begins in December not before,” Wade said.

  Another viewpoint is that people should do what they feel is right.

“I think it’s a person’s choice, I don’t feel it can be wrong or right to do so. Truly, I’m not bothered to see Christmas decorations after Halloween,” Summerhays said.

 Some feel decorations are only for December. Wade shares her opinions on when it can be allowed.  

  “I’m willing to put up anything related to Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, or mainly the week of December 1st. I’ve onced waited so long as to the 20th,” Wade said.

In favor, Summerhays shares his time frame.

  “Personally I wouldn’t mind having them before December begins. My family and I typically put them up the first week of the month,” Summerhays said.

  In our early years, we are influenced by our family members, friends, and social relationships for ideas that we choose to believe. From minor to major characteristics, the choice of Christmas decorations is among these. On the opposing side, Wade shares how she was influenced for her decision.

  “My decision is mine and mine alone, my relationships actually all oppose me. My family actually does too and I’m fine with that, but it’s how I feel that matters,” Wade said.

  In favor, Summerhays shares his background.

 “I have personally cultivated this opinion myself. I’ve learned how different people deal with the stretch between the holidays,” Summerhays said. 

  Christmas decorations have a wide range of what they can be. These items range from tree lights to ribbons on pillars. Their presence also ranges from being interior inside the home or exterior on its four walls. In favor of decorations, Summerhays shares what he classifies as decorations.

  “Christmas decorations to me are the tree, the lights, and other things that correlate with rainbow or red and green lights,” Summerhays said.

In the opposition, Wade states what she considers decorations.

  “Christmas decorations include bells, ribbon, and the garland that can be put on light poles and signs,” Wade said. 

  For each side there can be a certain degree in which they tolerate the hanging or setting up of decorations. This can be argued as the seen or non visible decorations that can still bring that sense of holiday cheer. Wade shares where she would tolerate them if not the whole shebang.

  “I’d allow them to possibly be in your room or on your phone as a lockscreen or such. Having them outside applies to after Thanksgiving though,” Wade said.

  “Typically our decorations are just inside. We occasionally put lights outside but really its up to whether or not we want to,” Summerhays said.

  In times of seclusion as Covid 19 wages on, some stances could have a potential of being changed. This being due for the need of a little joy in our days, as the family risk lockdowns continue. Wade shares if her opinion could be swayed. 

  “In all honesty, my stance could change just because of how this year has been going. Christmas has always been special to my heart, and the thought of it being so different even to be taken away is terrible so i’d like to enjoy as much of it as I can,” Wade said.

  “Being at home hasn’t really changed my opinion. I just feel neutral on the process of shifting from holiday to holiday,” Summerhays said.

  In the conclusion of the year 2020, we have witnessed a series of escalades of numbers and depression. However, Christmas and the ending of the year could potentially result in higher spirits for Helotes and the nation. The debate of the permittance of Christmas decorations is still even today growing, but perhaps their presence will change the course of our almost year long holiday.

Graphic by Diego Hernandez Co-Editor-in-Chief

Graphic by Emma Szabo Co-Editor-in-Chief

By Emma Szabo Co-Editor-in-Chief  

With the first semester ending, it’s time for upperclassmen to start thinking about college if they haven’t started already. Juniors took their PSATs in October, and seniors should start applying to colleges. It’s time to prepare to make their transition out of high school easier by applying for scholarhips.  According to Mrs. Irma Vaughn, the school’s College Career Military Adviser, a scholarship is a financial aid award designed to assist students to pay for college expenses. Scholarships do not have to be paid back and can be a one-time award or a renewable award. Meaning that if a student meets the designated requirement, they can continue to receive funding every year up until graduation.

  “Students can be awarded scholarships for academic excellence, athletes, majors, military affiliation, age/grade level, gender, hobbies/interests, and traits,” Mrs. Vaughn said.

  College is a very expensive investment for most people, and scholarships provide them a way to pay off the expenses. One common misconception about scholarships is that they only apply to college tuitions, but that isn’t always the case.

  “Scholarships help to cover the cost of tuition, housing, books, and other college expenses. Students might receive the scholarship money directly in their name, but in most cases, the funds are sent to the college or university the student plans to attend,” Mrs. Vaughn said.

  Another misconception is that scholarships are solely grade or sports-based. There are many different types of scholarships that are available for students to apply for. While many scholarships are for good grades and athletic ability, there are kinds for almost every hobby or trait. From scholarships for musical abilities to ones for being left-handed, the number of scholarships out there makes it easy for everyone to find something for themselves. But there’s more to scholarships than just being good at something. Scholarships require students to submit an application to their host, which is usually the trickiest part.

  “Most scholarships will require the student to submit an application, official transcript, at least 2 letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT score (if available this year), essay, and financial aid forms,” Mrs. Vaughn said.

  But since scholarships are so important, when should you start applying for them? Mrs. Vaughn says that most students start applying for scholarships once they’re juniors or seniors in high school, but there are scholarships for students as young as elementary and middle school age, meaning that it’s never too early or too late to apply.

  So where can you find and apply for scholarships? You can usually find scholarships online through college pages or websites that are made specifically for scholarships, but you can also find scholarships through our school’s career center.

  “The Career Center can help you with scholarship searches, transcript and test score orders, templates for essays and resumes, and providing you with the form that is needed for your counselor to write you a letter of recommendation,” Mrs. Vaughn said.

  So as the semester progresses, it’s important to think about college and how you can make the next phase of your school life less stressful. College doesn’t always have to come at such a heavy price; if you utilize tools like scholarships, you can go to college and finish with less worry and less debt.