When I first walked into Bailee Perrine’s class, desktops and tablets were on and students were discussing and reviewing various photo projects on the graphic editing app known as Adobe Illustrator. Perrine tasked her students to create various animals using different tools in the Adobe Illustrator program. “In this term, they built a monkey, a whale, and next they’ll build a pig. The last assignment is creating their own illustration from scratch. They’re learning and mastering the tools in Adobe Illustrator.”  “I’ve always wanted to get into graphic design and develop design skills, like making graphics.” That was the reason most of the kids were in the class, as they could express their creativity in Graphic Design. Students stayed concentrated on their assignment and most kids had music playing in their headphones. The room stayed so quiet you could hear a pin drop, as there was little to no conversation in the classroom. Perrine walked around the class and checked on the students, making sure they weren’t confused, and helped them if needed. Students thanked her for her help as they felt at ease having conquered the assignment. By the end of class, nearly all of Perrine’s students were done with their assignment and were satisfied with their work. The room was filled with smiles as people walked out the door.

By: Alex Spievak

Have you ever wondered how the Tiger band actually works? What happens ‘behind the scenes??’ Our Tiger Band students have your answers.

Special thanks to Anabelle, Bri, Omar, Alex and Jaden P.

How does DSHS Tiger Band work?

The DSHS band has several components to it. Each component is important and they all rely on each other. Each component does around the same amount of work. Each component will also eventually participate in something major; such as a sport game.

What are the components in Tiger Band?

Orchestra, Symphony, Marching & DrumLine and Color Guard. Each one of these are pretty unique. (and of course awesome)

What does Tiger Band & Color Guard typically do for Prep?

Tiger Band:  Sumer band camp, Before & after school hours; Mon. – Fri.

Color Guard: Summer camp, about 4 rehearsals; Mon.- Fri. 

After sports games, about what time does the Band & Color Guard kids get back home?

12-1 am, 10-11 pm, 8:30 pm, 1:45 am

Is Color Guard part of the Tiger Band?

Yes. Color Guard typically follows the Band, so if Tiger Band has a Football game to attend, for example, Color Guard will follow them. Color Guard will perform when the Band performs. 

Why is Dripping High so strict or forceful with their students about Tiger Band?

Tiger Band & Tiger sport(s) are taken very seriously in Dripping Springs High School. They’re very competitive, sporty and dead serious in general. They want everything perfect. You may not see all of this, but Dripping High is kinda strict & serious about their games they get to be in. 

In general, is Tiger Band/ Color Guard worth the elective? And is it fun?

If you enjoy playing an Instrument or doing Color guard, yes it’s worth it. The bad thing about these two electives is that they take up alot of your personal time. You would need to attend a bunch of after-school activities, summer camps, rehearsals, and possibly a lot more. If you’re fine doing all of this, and you really enjoy playing an instrument/color guard, you’re most likely going to enjoy Tiger Band or Color Guard at Dripping Springs High School.

By: Leo Mathis-McKee

On Tuesday I spent some time with the class of Autotech. Their classroom is a mechanic shop with what appeared to be all senior students.

In this class you learn how to work with cars, fix cars, and the anatomy of the car.

Jason Massey was teaching them how to fix a car engine on the board with a drawing. When I came into the shop, they had just finished writing down notes and were starting to get up and work. I asked a student what they were doing, “Installing a lovato kit into the car” he said. “Eventually we will be able to drive the cars, but for now we are taking car parts apart.” After the teacher assigned them their tasks he started washing the cars.

Every student had their own little task to do. For example, one task was to replace one of the wheels on a white truck that was elevated. I walked around for a bit and observed the students repairing and cleaning cars. I asked one of the students “What are you learning about in Autotech class?” “We are learning about the ins and outs of engines and how to fix them and I love it!” “One of the most important things you can learn in this auto-tech class is how to fix an engine.”

“It’ll never be as easy as it was during kindergarten nap time,” Brooklyn Rice, sophomore said. Growing up means figuring out how to simultaneously be a student, a friend, or even a student-athlete. Generation Z, which operates primarily through the internet, is emerging into functional members of society.

“With a bunch of people online, you realized who would still call you and text you while doing online school,” Rachel Casey, junior said, “And some fade away because you’re not with them anymore.”

Friends who reach out more, make a comparative difference, than someone who feels obligated for convenience alone. Meanwhile, some friendships haven’t survived this year, only to intensify the anxiety and depression that grows from loneliness. In which case, regarding the world’s remoteness, depending on a single relation to sustain a social life is bound to be detrimental. Hence, having a healthy network of people is so vital for social creatures.

“I made that mistake of isolating myself and only hanging with one friend all the time, but also you have to make the effort as well to be friends with someone,” Casey said, “Don’t just put all of it on them or start slowly losing them. Cause you really don’t know how long they will be in your life.” 

For emotionally conscious beings, ending a friendship is intricately perplexing as well as awkward.  Some can be aware of what each person is gaining from a friendship, or not, leading to a cumbersome situation. Empathetic personalities generally try to preserve a relationship, however, for most people, it is natural to shift and thus evolve. Leaving a past relationship and living in the present with purpose, aligns with one’s personal development. Like so, receiving reality’s takeaways and adapting for a brighter future is the ultimate mission of a lifetime. For the ambitious type, compulsory goals such as, maintaining exemplary grades in school or improving a skill to a high standard can be demanding, yet rewarding.

“It’s hard to be a student-athlete with all these sports activities going on,” Casey said, “When I’m at a tournament I still always try to get as much school work done as I can. Even if it means doing it in the car, on the way to my tournaments.”

The tiresome dedication and drive to reach academic success, while being a committed teammate, is one that assimilates discipline to go on despite challenges. The chance of attending a university that considers applicants in sports is a prominent and unifying goal. In turn, results in a burdening expectation on athletic students trying to maintain both academic and physical demands. Picturing an ideal path, and figuring out one’s purpose in life is baffling, but finding resolution within the unknown can be just as productive.

“I just kinda think everything happens for a reason,” Rice says, “In five years the things you know, do and struggle with now, won’t matter in five years.”

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By Gabby Plasencia, staff writer

Feature photo by Riordan Tiller

Colors of red, pink, orange, yellow and blue can be seen in the clear sky as hundreds of students sit in chairs and take their place before the last ceremony begins. Family members line the bleachers in the hot sun as they keep their eyes glued on the stage in anticipation. Once it begins loud cheers and claps are heard as names are called one by one. Tears fall down faces as the seniors say their goodbyes to the memories and hello to the future to come.

The 2020-2021 school year is about to come to an end and graduation is just around the corner. It is going to take place on May 28th in the Tiger Stadium. This will serve as the senior class’ last goodbye to high school. Despite COVID the school has put their best foot forward in creating a graduation for the senior class for a final sendoff. 

“[Graduation] is an important stepping stone with looking towards the future, while at the same time, commemorates and celebrates the accomplishments of each senior,” Principal Angela Gamez said. “It also gives seniors and families the chance to reflect back on all the positive experiences, as well as, the trials and tribulations students have overcome to get to graduation day.”

As the planning for graduation takes place seniors also wait in anticipation and mixed emotions begin to come up as it is only a few short weeks away.

“I am super excited about graduation,” senior Carter King said. “The time of graduation is such a bittersweet moment to share with all of your friends and family because to get to reflect on all the past memories together while also getting excited about what the future holds.”

With there being only a few weeks left before the school year ends, students take in that feeling of almost being done with a part of their lives.

“I feel extremely excited to see what the future holds for me and my classmates, but I am sad to be leaving behind my teammates and friends,” senior Faith Daniels said. “I’ve sincerely enjoyed my time at DSHS and have made memories to last a lifetime.” 

While the seniors think about their last few weeks at DSHS, they also plan the next part of their lives whether it be college or something else. 

“After high school I plan to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and study aerospace engineering,” senior Drew Wilson said. “I would like to pursue a graduate degree and then see where my studies take me. Maybe I’ll work for SpaceX or start my own company, I’ll just have to wait and see. The end goal, however, is to retire and live in a beach house on some tropical island with a hammock and a few palm trees.”

However, as the seniors plan and get ready for the next chapter of their lives, others have to say goodbye such as the teachers who watched them learn and grow as people.

“I always miss my seniors,” math teacher Sara Freeman said. “These days, I can keep up with what they are doing through social media more than I could in the past.  It’s nice to see that they go on to college, graduate, are successful, get married, and have families,…  But it always is a little sad at graduation.  But it’s happy, too, because they’ve reached an important milestone in their lives.”   

As classes come to an end and activities like senior portfolios, last games of the season, collecting a cap and gown, and more take place, the senior students reflect on their years throughout their time at DSHS.

“High school has been insane,” senior Rachel Reeves said. “I feel like there are challenges you face in high school that really teach you a lot about yourself and prepare you well for college. I am extremely blessed to have attended DSHS. I feel like it is such a safe space for anyone to be anyone.”

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By Abby Hernandez, staff writer

Featured photo by Anastasia Thomas