05/12/06 - San Marcos Academy

Vol. 90
Number 7
May 12, 2006
The Laurel
3
Inside
Mr. Fleming ready
for retirement
San Marcos Baptist Academy 2801 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos TX 78666
High School coming to an end for Senior Class
5
6
19
Gold Bears tour
Windy City
Hot off the presses:
it’s the Senior Will
Veteran keeps campus
covered in red,
white & blue
Latest in sports
Four Bear track stars
returned from the
state TAPPS meet in
Waco with medals and
ribbons, ending their
season on a high note.
Read about
their
accomplishments
and fi nd out
who was honored at
the Sports Banquet on
pages 16-17.
Graduation Events
Saturday, May 13:
7:30 a.m. . . . . . Sunrise
Service (Prayer Garden)
3 p.m. . . . . . Senior
Gate Ceremony (Prayer
Garden)
7 p.m. . . . . . Awards
Ceremony (RCC)
8:30 p.m. . . . . . President’s
Review (Neeley
Field)
Sunday, May 14:
10:45 a.m. . . . . . .Baccalaureate
Service (RCC)
3 p.m. . . . . .Commencement
(RCC)
By the end of this weekend,
29 seniors will be the Academy’s
newest alumni.
Before their receive their
diplomas at Commencement,
though, several other graduation
events will take place, starting
off in the morning at 7:30 with
the Sunrise Service. At that ceremony,
the senior girls will pass
the ribbon to the junior girls,
symbolizing the passing of tradition
and responsibility from one
grade to the other.
At 3 in the afternoon, all
the seniors will take part in the
Graduation Gate Ceremony. At
this event, the honorees will pass
through the Senior Gate, which
is unlocked only once each year
on this special occasion. As they
pass through the gate, the master
of ceremonies will read off their
accomplishments and share their
future plans.
In the evening, all students
will attend the annual Awards
Ceremony. Representatives from
the dormitories, school, music
department, 4-H and alumni will
present awards to deserving students.
Following the program, the
JROTC gets blue star after rigorous inspection
By Charles Horvilleur
On April 28, The Bear Battalion
had its Army Formal
Inspection, conducted by the
12th Brigade, United States
Army Cadet Command, our parent
JROTC Headquarters. This
formal inspection happens once
every three years.
Cadets trained rigorously for
the inspection all year and were
able to give an honorable performance
on the inspection. When
it was over, the JROTC program
annual President’s Review will
take place on Neeley Field.
Sunday, the Baccalaureate
Service will begin at 10:45 a.m.
Speaking at this service will be
the Rev. Mark Newton of First
was declared an Honor Unit
(HU), whereas in recent years it
has been declared an Honor Unit
with Distinction (HUD). This
means that the Corps essentially
went from the equivalent of an
A plus to an A, which is still
extremely good. As an honor
unit, the cadets will wear a blue
star on their uniforms in place
of the gold star they have worn
previously.
For AFI, cadets were inspected
for complete uniform, and they
Baptist Church, San Marcos.
Finally, at 3 p.m. Sunday,
the seniors will gather for the
98th annual Commencement.
Dr. Paul Powell, Dean of Truett
Theological Seminary in Waco,
Class of 2006 at Senior Gate
had to individually answer 1
or 2 questions each to the inspectors.
After the individual
inspection was completed, they
had to march in their platoons.
Separately, there were about 10
cadets from each LET level who
were selected to make presentations
based on their curriculum
knowledge. “This part went very
well,” Kameron Allison, Battalion
commander, said.
Positions for next year’s Bear
Battalion were also announced
will deliver the address. Valedictorian
Nicole Mebane and Salutatorian
Casey Putman will lead
the seniors into the RCC, while
Denziel Owusu will present the
Senior Class gift.
recently. Next year’s Battalion
Commander will be Josh E.
Brame. The Executive Officer
(XO) will be Nicole Hoffman,
and the new Command Sergeant
Major (CSM) will be Ed Estrada.
The Personnel Officer (S-1) will
be Jerry Huang; the Security Officer
(S-2) will be Taylor Benson;
the Operations Officer (S-3) will
be Madison Conradt; the Logistics
Officer (S-4) will be Robert
Dean; and the Public Relations
See “AFI,” on page 15

Page 2 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Editorial
Legalization of drugs not the way
On April 28, the Mexican Congress began a 5-day journey
toward legalizing the possession of potent quantities of
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and mescaline. The Mexican
Congress passed the bill, which President Vicente Fox was
expected to sign and approve. President Fox rejected the bill
May 4, but may return it to Congress with modifications.
The acts of the Mexican Congress shed light again on the
debate over the legalization of narcotics in the U.S.. Mexico
claimed that the legalization would allow more local control
of narcotics to bring focus on more serious laws.
For years, some Americans have fought for the legalization
of certain narcotics, particularly marijuana. However, legalization
would lead to increased accessibility, which would lead
to increased usage, which would lead to increased demand,
which would lead to increased casualties. Many narcotics
end up having life-threatening results upon addicts, and the
shipment of drugs to the consumers entails widespread crime
and warfare. Legalization would lead to a rise in all of these
things, and would be a step back in the war on drugs that
the U.S. has invested millions of dollars on.
For now, Mexico has decided not to legalize narcotics,
and the U.S. is safer for it. We hope President Fox continues
to take a stand against legalization.
SENIOR WORD SEARCH
By Kelsey Henry
D R S K V G O N U S M G I B D
M F T F B N G W Z P A P A C O
C W W P F L Z H G U Y A F L H
M Z Z P N Q Y W W G N E S O J
W Y N A I G N D H L E H C A R
L U Q C T V F Q I Y T I L V R
A E J O S H D K M A T Y K J F
M O I D U O Q M Q M E X M A M
U V R N A K I W G Q K A L R Y
K K Y G A J D U G A N L J F I
V Q N M G D B N M T I A I N W
O J M X C Y I E R V T C E K E
R H Q B L X R L C O D Y X C X
F Z T N P O H P X Z R G U U A
B E P B N X D R E Q W B P R W
Kameron, Maynette, Rachel, Daniel, Jimmy, Paco,
Austin, Alli, Dugan, Lydia, Jose
After three years, it’s time to say goodbye
By Adelita Ayala
Three years ago I said goodbye to my parents and headed into
the girls’ dorm. The feelings I had at that moment were everything
but happiness and joy; I wasn’t very fond of the idea of living
in a place with 40 other girls whom I didn’t know and “fitting
in” to this new lifestyle.
Yesterday, while talking to a parent, I found myself saying
how beneficial this school has been to me. How the teachers
treat you on a one-to-one basis and there is always an answer to
your questions.
I would like to say to all my teachers how thankful I am of
having met them; from each one of them I learned a lesson.
From Mr. Nave I learned that I should be proud of my Mexican
Senior Column
status and not ashamed of my accent; in Mrs. Peters I found a
teacher with a huge heart who cares about her students and always
has an open house for them; from Mr. Paul I learned that
no matter what you do, people will always give you a second
chance because they care about you; and from Mr. Lawless that
you can’t stop trying. My list could be endless, but I don’t have
that much room in the newspaper, so for the rest of my teachers
I just say thank you.
I wish I could say that I am going to miss the dorm life, but I
really don’t think I will; drama is not one of my favorite things
in life and there is too much of it in this school. That was a big
surprise to me when I first came here. I wasn’t used to seeing so
See “Column,” page 3
‘Laurie Laurel’ gives advice for graduates
The Laurel
Staff:
Editor:
Adelita Ayala
Staff Reporters:
Chelsea Clark
Raji Gullapalli
Kelsey Henry
Charles Horvilleur
Adviser:
Shelley Henry
Policies:
The Laurel is published
three times per semester and
is printed by the San Marcos
Daily Record. It is distributed
free of charge to students,
parents, and the local
community. The Laurel may
also be viewed online at
the Academy website, www.
smba.org.
Opinions expressed in
columns and editorials are
those of the student writers
and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the faculty
or administration of San
Marcos Academy.
Letters to the Editor are
encouraged. Letters must be
typed and submitted to the
editor one week prior to the
publication date. All letters
should be signed.
For information on advertising
rates and deadlines,
call the Journalism Department
at 512/753-8046 or
send e-mail to henrys@ smba.
org. For information on
San Marcos Academy, please
visit our website at www.
smba.org.
In honor of the pending
graduation of the Class of 2006,
Laurie surveyed several departing
seniors who gave advice to
the following questions.
Dear Laurie:
What do you think about
long distance relationships?
Signed, Miles Away
Dear Miles:
Your senior class members
said that they believe the success
of long distance relationships
depends on the people
involved and the level of trust
they have. Basically, if there is
hope at the end that you will
eventually be together, a long
distance relationship might
work. Laurie adds that both
people involved in the relationship
have to be mature and
committed to the relationship
in order for it to last.
Dear Laurie:
Can you give advice that
might be helpful to the seniors
who are graduating?
Signed, A Senior from the
Class of 2006
Dear Senior:
Your senior class members
suggest that you don’t do anything
stupid, that you make
good choices and that you
think before you act. They
also suggest that you take it
easy, don’t try to experience
everything at once and don’t
bite off more than you can
chew. Laurie agrees and would
also like to add that you should
always treat others the way you
want to be treated.
Dear Laurie:
What are some ways that
might help me study for finals?
Signed, Stressed
Dear Stressed:
Your senior class members
suggest that you write out important
facts onto notecards,
organize your papers (such as
putting them in a notebook)
so that they are easier to study
from, and put away electronics
and other distractions. Laurie
See “Laurie,” page 3
Contact:
Phone:
(512) 753-8046
Fax:
(512) 753-8031
E-mail:
henrys@smba.org
Address:
2801 Ranch Road 12
San Marcos, Texas 78666

No one likes to say goodbye, but
Mr. Fleming is ready to retire
By Raji Gullapalli
When we have a big project
and we do not know what to
do, we always go to the library.
Who do we always go to and say
“PLEASE HELP ME, I am so
lost?” It is Mr. Mike Fleming.
Mr. Fleming has been at the
school for three years, and now
we have to say our goodbyes,
because he is retiring after 32
years in education.
Mr. Fleming has been a librarian
for 16 years. He taught
as a classroom teacher for 16
years in Uvalde and in San
Marcos at Goodnight Junior
High. Then he was a librarian
for 13 years in Seguin. He
changed his occupation because
he wanted to do something different
and he loves organizing
and books.
Mr. Fleming said he enjoys
reading detective and mystery
novels and some science and
biology. One trend that he
has noticed about high school
students is that they check
out more science fiction and
supernatural books. In general,
however, most students are not
reading as much as they used
to, he said.
“I am going to miss helping
students find information and
books to read,” Mr. Fleming
said. “But I will now have time
for my woodworking projects
and will work in the garden and
yard in my free time.”
When Mr. Fleming first
came to the school, he said he
met Mrs. Heidi Peltier. They
introduced themselves and he
told her he was the new librarian.
He said he remembers her
saying, “I’m glad to see the
Academy is hiring some young
guys now.” He said he thought
this was a rather strange thing
Mr. Mike Fleming
for her to say, because he is far
from being a young man. But
later when he saw Dr. Robinson
and Coach Mac, he said he realized
what she meant.
The Academy will certainly
miss Mr. Fleming’s good humor,
positive attitude and, of
course, his love of books.
“A life without books is like
a body without a soul,” Mr.
Fleming said.
May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 3
Gregory’s novels becoming
popular with female readers
By Adelita Ayala
Isn’t it great to transport to some other place and create
your own world by just opening a book? It awakens your
imagination and your creativity starts working.
Librarian Mike Fleming estimated that about ten percent
of the student body could be classified
as regular or constant readers. Others use
the library more to check out books for
research or for a specific class.
The constant readers have their favorite
types of books or genres, but one of
the most popular is the category of science
fiction. This includes fantasy books as well
as those that explore real life problems.
It also includes the scary type of science
fiction.
“Kids choose the real life books because they are going
through something or they know someone who is having a
hard time,” Mr. Fleming said, “They choose the fantasy books
because they appeal to our imagination.”
Lately the books that many students
have been reading are historical fiction
novels by Philippa Gregory such as “The
Queen’s Fool” and “The Other Boleyn
Girl.” These types of books are popular
among the girls mainly because they are
historical novels and the positive side of
them is that while you read them you also
learn about history. “I just loved learning
about Henry the Eighth,” McKenzie
Fergus said.
Hailey Tuck, who is a very avid reader, said she enjoys this
type of fiction, too. “I read about a book a day,” she said.
She said she also likes fantasy and political books and has
grown up reading them.
So if students are planning on buying or checking out
books, they might want to look at these very popular ones.
“Laurie,” from page 2
would like to remind you that
cramming really doesn’t work,
so you should pace your studying
out over several days. This
way you can get plenty of rest
and be at your best when you
take your final.
Dear Laurie:
How do you relieve stress?
Signed, Frazzled
Dear Frazzled:
Your senior class members
suggest that you do exercise
that you enjoy, take a relaxing
shower, or take a break from
things and enjoy a good conversation.
Laurie agrees.
“Column,” continued from page 2
many people crying in one day, but I learned to ignore them
and move on. I guess I figured out that life wasn’t going to
be more complicated with a few tears.
I’ll miss the RA’s, Miss Carrie, Miss Leach, Miss Rhodes
and Miss Terry especially. I would like to give them applause
for been capable to handle all of us and not go insane. To
Mrs. Paul I would like to say that thanks to her, I’ve learned
to not roll my eyes anymore and to listen. I’ll miss some aspects
of dorm life, but not all of them. I hope when I get to
college, I won’t be having a bell to wake me up and another
one to tell me I have to go to bed.
As an end to my column, I would like to say that inevitably
I wouldn’t be who I am right now if it weren’t for all the
experiences of these past three years. Maybe I’ll be changing
schools, but the friends and the people I care about from this
school will be moving with me too, in my heart.
You really can have fun with math
Don’t tell your age—the Laurel staff will know!
Don’t cheat by looking ahead . . . this takes less than a minute.
Work this out as you read . . . be sure you don’t read the bottom
until you’ve worked it out!
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would
like to eat sweets (more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 – use a calculator if you need to.
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1756;
if you haven’t, add 1755.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
7. You should have a three digit number. The first digit of
this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want
to eat sweets each week).
8. The next two numbers are YOUR AGE!
This is the only year (2006) that this will ever work, so spread
it around while it lasts!

Page 4 The Laurel May 12, 2006
‘Happy Scarecrow’ delights student audience
By Charles Horvilleur
On April 27, San Marcos
Academy was entertained by
this year’s theatre production
titled “The Happy Scarecrow.”
The play was directed by
Ms. Stacey Herron, and members
of the cast included Jose
Coira, Anastasia Parish, Hannah
Hartman, Rachel LeDoux,
Lainey Godwin, Kelsey Henry,
Lisa Hearn, Katy Vest, Megan
Tucker, Jeff Cope, Casey
Putman, Nicole Mebane and
Adelita Ayala.
“Shakespeare says, and I quote . . . .” interrupts Megan Tucker, who
played the Woman in the Audience. Her purpose was to provide
commentary on the action on stage.
The play was about a disagreement
between a happy,
pretty fairy (Anastasia Parish)
and a disgruntled, ugly witch
(Hannah Hartman). The disagreement
was that the fairy
believed there was happiness
in the world, while the witch
believed that happiness didn’t
really exist. So, in order to settle
the disagreement, they agree to
turn a scarecrow into a human
for one day in order to see if
he could find happiness and
prove whether happiness really
does exist. If the scarecrow
didn’t find happiness, the witch
would win the debate and the
fairy would have to give up her
beauty.
The scarecrow (Jose Coira)
goes on a journey, encountering
many different people (and
animals) along the way, while
trying to find happiness. He
encounters a group of young,
playful children, and is denied
the chance to play with one of
the selfish children’s dolls. He
then meets an old lady (Rachel
LeDoux) who teaches him
many things. Then he meets a
skunk (Katy Vest) who has fun
scaring off humans. Afterwards,
he meets an unhappy jester
(Casey Putman) who doesn’t
get any attention and plans
on stabbing the king to take
power.
The scarecrow, already being
somewhat shocked, then meets
the “Scarehuman” (Jeff Cope),
whose job is to scare humans.
He dislikes the human race,
and reveals a hydrogen bomb
that he has ready to bring
about the total annihilation
of all humans. The Scarecrow
then meets the king (Nicole
Mebane) and queen (Adelita
Ayala), who argue and are both
very unhappy.
In the climax of the play, all
of the characters the scarecrow
has met in his journey gather
on stage and begin fighting
Pessimism meets optimism when the Witch (Hannah Hartman) and
the Fairy (Anastasia Parish) meet in “The Happy Scarecrow.” The
fairy ends up proving to the witch that happiness does exist.
with each other. In the midst
of all the human unhappiness
and fighting, the Scarehuman
emerges with the bomb and
reveals his plan. The Scarecrow,
having learned compassion, begins
fighting with the Scarehuman.
The Scarecrow then proceeds
to move the Scarehuman
further away from the humans
and then sacrifices himself for
the humans.
In the end, the humans
learn from the Scarecrow’s
love for them, even though he
clearly recognized their flaws.
The humans on stage come
together and celebrate the wonderful
deed that the Scarecrow
had just done for everyone.
In the final scene, the good
witch and the bad witch reappear
and compromise their argument.
The fairy decided that
it was possible that the witch
is right, but in the end, gives
the witch her beauty, making
her even more beautiful in the
process. In the end, everyone’s
happy, and another fine theatre
production is completed at San
Marcos Baptist Academy.
Summer’s almost here! Time to see hot new movies
By Kelsey Henry
This summer, an odd group
of superheroes, pirates, talking
cars, brainy globetrotters and
Mexican wrestlers will compete
in a bloodthirsty battle for the
number one blockbuster movie.
This summer most definitely
holds something for everyone--a
little romance, plenty of actionpacked
blockbusters, some flicks
perfect for an afternoon of belly
laughs, and a few films that will
spark serious interest. You can be
sure that Americans will be there
every step of the way, supporting
their favorite movies in this threemonth
race to the finish.
Maybe you’ve never heard
of The Da Vinci Code, but then
again you may not be of this
Planet. This book has clung to the
bestseller list for 157 consecutive
weeks now. The movie based on
this book, about a 2000 year old
Vatican conspiracy covering up
evidence about Jesus Christ and
Mary Magdalene, will be released
May 29 to both praise and controversy.
The movie, directed by Ron
Howard, will star Tom Hanks Audrey
Tautou and Ian McKellen.
Disney and Pixar will once
again pair up to create what promises
to be another witty and beautifully
animated film. Cars, with the
voices of Paul Newman and Owen
Wilson, follows a lavish, spoiled
racecar who discovers a new way
off life off the track. Cars will be
released June 9. Animated movies
and kid flicks are making a longawaited
comeback. In addition to
Cars, look for Over the Hedge,
Barnyard, and The Ant Bully as
well as How to Eat Fried Worms
and Nacho Libre.
In the tradition of Spider-man,
X-men, Batman, the Fantastic
Four, it’s only natural that Superman
be next in line with Superman
Returns, starring Brandon
Routh and directed by Brian
Singer. While the original Superman
franchise had three sequels,
this movie picks up where the
second one left off. The 1978 Superman
inspired director Singer to
become a film maker. Entertainment
Weekly magazine projects
this movie, being released on June
30, to be the film to beat of 2006.
Another much-anticipated Superhero
movie this year is the third
and final X-men movie, coming
out May 26.
Superheroes aren’t the only
attention-grabbing money makers
of the year: Pirates have a place
as well. Nearly three years after
the first Pirates of the Caribbean
movie, the sequel, Dead Man’s
Chest, brings Orlando Bloom
back to play Will Turner. Will and
his bride to be, Elizabeth (Kiera
Knightly) assist Jack Sparrow
(Johnny Depp) as they fend off
their new nemesis, Davy Jones.
The cast has been shooting this
and the next Pirates sequel simultaneously
in the Caribbean. Dead
Man’s Chest will be released on
July 7, a day many competitive
movies will remember as the
day their box office gross almost
caught Captain Jack Sparrow.
The race is clearly on. Other
films in line include the recently
released Mission: Impossible 3;
Poseiden; The Break-up; and
Click. This summer, who wouldn’t
want a front seat in an air-conditioned
theatre to watch the action
unfold?

May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 5
Golden Bears see the sites in Chicago
(Left) Amy Cope and Angela Lim stand outside Millennium Park
while touring in Chicago. (Below) Standing strong, Madison Conradt
strikes a pose from a Michelangelo painting. At this fountain
in Millennium Park, visitors can stand in the water.
(Top Left) At Wrigley Field, Audrey McGuire,
Morgan Martin, Jose Coira, Richard Toedt, Olivia
Garza, Josh Brame and T.J. Riner relax as they
watch the White Sox win the game. (Left) Rachel
Blewett and Victoria Hargroder sit on the tour
bus as they go along with the planned activities.
The students traveled on the tour bus to many of
the sites they visited. (Above) In front of the giant
dome at Millennium Park, all the Golden Bears
gather for a group picture.

Page 6 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Senior Class of 2006
I, Kameron Allison, leave
the following:
To The Table: I will those of
you who are left some napkins
for Richard because I think he
will use up the ones I leave him.
I want to thank all of you for
giving me my favorite period
of the day.
To Richard: I will you napkins
and maybe a few paper
towels. I love your stories,
man (except the chicken one).
Maybe we will run into each
other out in the middle of
the wilderness. We can give
Kenneth a call and have us a
hoot-an-nanny!
To Kenneth: I will you the
Mexican. Don’t forget how to
speak your beautiful language
of Spanish, but I am starting
to think you are just adding
an accent to your English so
you can make fun of Adelita.
Either way, it is beautiful just
the way it is, and so are YOU.
You are beautiful just the way
you are, and you don’t need
a man to complete you. Hey
the camping trip was awesome,
man! Have a sweet Senior Year,
ONE MORE!
To Juan Wieland: I will you
the hottest girlfriend. That was
given to me by Occifer Sonny,
and now I pass it onto you. I
will you a great time in high
school; everybody says that but
I want you to at least try to figure
out what is important and
take care of it. But if it isn’t,
don’t worry about it. I wish I
had your Mexican stache, Man.
KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON.
To Adelita: I will you a
ride to College Station so you
can come see me. Thanks for
acting like I spoke Spanish in
San Antonio. Next time you
are walking on the third floor
of a condemned Haunted
house, give me a call and I’ll
hold your hand. Hey! We are
going on a plane ride to Colorado
real soon so start packing
your bags.
To Barbara: You are a funny
girl and I hope you have a great
time finishing High School. I
will you another crazy group to
sit with you at lunch everyday
in New York. And I have always
wanted to say thank you
for bringing that Danish girl
to the table.
To Nicole: I will you your
dream car. It has been awesome
this year getting to know you
and I want us to keep in touch
and hang out when we all come
back for holidays. You know I
have to say something like this
so hear it goes . . . I will you,
Nicole Mebane, a state-of-theart
GPS system and the best
car insurance money can buy.
Sorry : ) What I really wish for
you is an incredible Freshman
year in College!
To Sidsel: I want you to
always remember jer oprette
mig smil. All the things that
brought us together have made
me so thankful. I will never
look at another kangaroo without
thinking of you. I will
you another night driving in
circles for hours in the middle
of a field at midnight with the
heater blasting, but you can’t
share it with anyone but me.
Du er miget smok. I had to
say it, it is my second favorite
thing to say in Danish. Yeah,
you know my absolute favorite
. . . Jeg skal tissue! I will you
the skills you lack to climb that
infamous tree (without falling).
I still don’t forgive you for killing
me with that bike ride! I
will you a better driving instructor
who won’t get scared when
you almost hit a fence. I guess
I will finally admit it, hear and
now, Sidsel Rasmussen should
be a Pro Wrestler because she
is THAT GOOD! I can’t put to
words what you have done for
me this year. I just want you
to always remember Jer oprette
mig smil.
To Kristi: I will you a
high school experience that
you will always remember and
enjoy. I want you to learn a
lot and maybe you can come
learn some more with me up
in Aggie Land. It’s going to be
lonely not having someone to
ride to school with me every
morning, so you are definitely
going to come up and see me,
and just you and me can hangout.
Kristi, I couldn’t have a
cooler sister.
To Rachel: I’m leaving you
all of my money. OK, well not
really. But I will leave you all
our memories: the accumulation
of like a million hours in
and on top of your barn with
the smelly cat, the game that
only I can play with Sweetie,
our 4 marathon rehearsals,
watching me and your sister
fight, Our First Date with Rose
pedals and fire, broken horse
rides – like when they won’t
run, coffee, mochas and javas
couch conversations, mochas
and javas outside table conversations,
master school tag,
Jamaican coffee, real cream, San
Antonio driving games, free
Starplex movies, front porch
swing conversations, falling off
your stupid front porch, all the
band aids I needed, never sitting
on your couch because the dog
bed was way more comfortable,
piano performances at 7 a.m.,
the lost Spurs game, finding
out your imaginary friend is
real, psychology conversations
during finals, rock climbing,
you not killing me while rock
climbing, 23 and counting cases
of physical abuse, New Year’s
Eve Felonies, BGCT Engagement
plans, everything else
that will make my memory of
Senior Year be so great, and finally
laughing! You will always
be my buddy, buddy!
I, Adelita Ayala, will the
following:
To Hannah Hartman: My
dear suitemate! I will you the
perfect rainy afternoons and
the willingness to go outside
and run. I also will you “perfect
love” and the antidote against
loneliness because your best
friend ever is leaving, as part
of the antidote I will you my
“Amour CD.” Love you!!!
To Rachel LeDoux: I will
you a nice cozy little apartment
with a view of the Windsor
and Kensington Palaces, and a
cruise in the afternoons on the
River Thames when you live
in London. I am going to miss
you so much, you have been a
great friend for me in the past
three years that we have known
each other. But don’t worry because
even if I freeze to death in
Colorado I’ll go see you!
To Taylor Benson: I will you
a school year in which there is
never the slightest chance of
Level Five so I can have all of
your extra time. I also will you
a permanent permit so you can
cross the border anytime. I love
you, and I hope you have an excellent
senior year and that you
accomplish all of your goals, I
know that you can do what ever
you set your mind on.
To Kameron: I will you a
huge mountain and all the extra
gear you might need to climb it.
Once you are at the top, you’ll
see a waterfall and a kayak that
will help you go through the
rapids in the river. (See Rachel’s
for continuation)
To Nicole Hoffman: I will
you my prehistoric cell phone,
so you can have fun opening it
and building it all over again.
To Alex: I will you a date
just like LeDoux to prom!
To Barbara Ho: I will you
a glamorous life in New York;
hope you have all the fun in
world and never change who
you are because that’s what
makes us love you!!!!
To Ed Estrada and David
Yu: An excellent year of calculus;
have fun guys! Don’t play
too much with the calculator
because it may break.
To Nicole Mebane: “My
beautiful and noble king…” I
will you many plays in the future
with you as the heroine.
To Richard Toedt: I will
you all the firearms that you
could ever want and an endless
hunting range, oh by the
way, I almost forgot: some
non-temporary friends for your
temporary life.
To Sidsel Rasmussen: I
will you an excellent year in
Denmark, and the chance to
plan the best camping trip
ever without Kameron’s help.
I know we haven’t known each
other for too long but I am glad
I met you.
To Eunice Yeo: I will you
an awesome senior year that is
not “hard” and lots of fun in
Korea. I also will some smart
calculus classmates who won’t
have to ask you a whole lot of
questions!
To Katerina: Te deseo el
novio ejemplar que no sea tan
inmaduro como el pasado, alguien
que te quiera a pesar de
todo y que confie en ti. Te quiero
mucho y creeme que para
mi fue maravilloso que vinieras
este aniop, eres una amiga a la
que no voy a olvidar y creeme
que voy a cumplir mi promesa
de sacarte de aqui y secuestrarte
un fin en Houston!
To Raji: I will you all the
paper in the world so you can
go and make endless interviews
of the baseball team, even
though we know that you only
interview one person there. You
are a great girl and remember:
“you are my sunshine, my only

May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 7
Last Will and Testament
sunshine...”(lol).
To Charles: I will you fast
hands to type all the stories
Mrs. Henry wants you to do
and someone with whom you
can have your counseling talks
because sadly I wont be here
anymore. You have made my
newspaper class way more entertaining.
Oh my….it is finally my
turn to do Senior Wills. I have
been waiting for two years
now and have a lot to will so
bear with me. If I miss anyone,
I’m sorry, but if you know
me I have probably learned
something from you and love
something about you that I
will always remember.
I, Chelsea Clark (Gi-Gi),
will the following:
To Katy Vest (Chi-Chi):
I don’t even know where to
begin; you are like my sister
and we have been through
a lot together. I care about
you so much and hope in life
you don’t listen to the others
around you but do what you
want to do. Be who you are,
because no matter what anyone
says you are wonderful, beautiful,
talented and intelligent. I
hope we never lose our friendship
and the close bond we
have; I just look forward to it
prospering. I want our memories
to never end until we die
and do everything we promised
each other we would do. In
high school you realize who is
and who isn’t a real, true friend
and in writing this, I can call
you my real, true not my friend,
BUT MY BEST FRIEND! I will
you times at Chili’s (Triple
Play), McDonald’s, late nights,
phone calls, money to turn on
your cell phone, times in “The
Eddie,” “The Cowboy,” and
the “Alumie.” Another New
Year without dates, sitting out
on my porch. Fall Festival,
Christmas Dance, and Mil.
Ball, and Prom after parties
with just the two of us. “Katy,
why do I always get the poor
guys.” Vundka, Copeo, Guin,
Our boys in our lives, Birthday
parties, Corpus Christi, Port
A, The Whataburger Boys, volleyball
season, taking pictures,
Big T, WATTS, POOT, Trips
to come see me in Angelo
State, that all of our plans in
the future may come true, the
trash can, cleaning our cars,
another stop sign we can have,
family members, Jerry Springer
Show, Roswell, Yo MOMMA!!,
MTV, Country music, Lovers
and Friends, She let herself go,
a trip to Hawaii, New York,
Las Vegas, my love and mostly
that our friendship continues
to grow… “I don’t think we
spend enough time together
already.” hahaha
To Tyler Clate: We have
been through a lot this year,
good times and bad times. But I
have to say I could never forget
you in the years to come. I will
you the movie King Kong, a
great senior year, unlimited text
messaging, $1,000 gift card to
the Italian Garden, the bowling
game, movies, playscape, stock
show, after football games, the
movie Stepford Wives, and
Sweet Home Alabama. Remember
the naps, trampoline, you
getting hurt, fall festival, Christmas
dance, Mil. Ball, Christmas
Day, My B-day. I don’t know,
I just hope you remember our
friendship and it continues to
grow to what it used to be. I
know that will take time…. But
have a great senior year!
To Denziel (My Denzy): I
love you so much, you are like
the brother I never had but
wanted. You are one of my only
real close guy friends. I value
and treasure the relationship
we have. I hope we have just as
close bond in the future that
we do now. I will you; Mrs.
Peltier’s class, Mrs. Goss’s class,
cheat sheets, Times when you
have calmed me down, late
night phone calls, phone card,
a trip to Angelo State when
ever you want to come see me,
A CAR, CELL PHONE.
In memory of Caitlin Crunk:
Man, I’m so sad you couldn’t
be here for our last year. I’m
willing you the awesome junior
year we had together…. And
all the memories…lol Prom,
Fall Festival, Mill. Ball, after
parties, guys at the dances,
Chili’s, my b-day party, “Chels
you need to be on pimp my
ride,” Boys in general, ginga
after prom, Oreos with peanut
butter and pasta, Cheesecake
Factory, North Star Mall, That
retarded Asian movie we saw,
the movies, Pickles and pop
corn, pictures we took.
To Lydia W.( Alydia) At
times all I could think to my
myself is what would I would
do without you. Us being
as close as we are is kind of
strange…. You’re quiet and I’m
loud….lol But it’s okay!! I will
you, a trip to Leakey, more
times with our bodily functions,
basketball season, and
Nazi parents…. Stay the night
with me…I love you girl…and
I hope we stay in touch over
the years.
To Casey P.: May you accomplish
all you want in life
and with trials and tribulations,
you learn from each one. Never
give up and never let people tell
you you can’t accomplish something
because you can. I will
remember everything and hope
you remember me and hope
our friendship will never end
but get stronger over the years. I
will you more trips to Seguin, a
car/driver’s licensee, a weekend
to spend at your house…. Road
trip to Houston, no more fights
or arguments, a phone with
ununlimited minutes and text
messaging, a trip to Austin, a
trip to San Angelo to come see
me, a ticket to see and meet all
the H-Town rappers, another
prom to make happen (lol),
happiness, the thought before
you do things, money to go to
college all the way paid for….
And remember Leakey, Big
T, Uncle Chris, Julius, phone
calls, myspace, PEPPA, singing
In the car and all the things
that come with that.
To Jose: First I have to say
GO BEARS, LIKE THIS!! Omg
I love you to death….this year
couldn’t be as fun as it was
with out you….you always make
a dull moment funny!! I will
you, BGCT!, unlimited minutes
and text messaging on your
cell phone, come to college
with me, trips to Angelo State,
Camera with unlimited picture
space, Wal-Mart trips, my b-day
(cheesecake factory), a trip to
Mexico and New York, all in all
just more and more fun. I hope
we never loose touch!!
To Kelci: I will you and
Marco happiness…y’all are so
cute together, fun senior year,
The Exorcism of Emily Rose,
your b-day (Chili’s, Playscape,
downtown and the movies),
more moments at Marble Slab.
Getting applications at the
mall, making fun of people
even our friends….Have a great
senior year…I’ll miss you!!
To James Hunt (Corsicana):
I LOVE KATY!! Hahaha I will
you someone else to pick on,
Art class memories, phone calls,
trips to the store, your house,
the stop sign we took at your
house, another time having
fun at Katy’s (we need to do
that again), moments at your
house, prom…(you better be
nice to my cuz), a trip to come
to Angelo State and visit me!!
I hope you have a great senior
year…I’ll miss you!!
To J.R.: Hey lil’ one!! I will
you a state championship in
golf next year, all the happiness
with you and your girlfriend,
try to keep Tyler in line next
year, and ya…You are a great
guy and I’ll really miss ya!
To Kwasi: Wow, there has
been so many ups and downs in
our friendship this year…hopefully
all the bad stuff is gone
and we can focus in on the
good memories throughout
the year. I will you unlimited
text and minutes on you cell,
all the chicken in the world,
more late night phone calls
from Katy and me, happiness,
and I hope you complete all
you want in life!!
To Sarah W: I will you all
the success in the world in music…you
are awesome, just keep
you head up and on a straight
track and you’ll accomplish
whatever you want in life.
To R.W.: I will you another
Hill Country game, times in
yearbook, English, and just all
the funny moments with you.
To Sarah B. (my lil’ cuz): I
will you a great next year in volleyball,
softball and basketball,
trips with me, a cell phone that
works, and my love. (Tell your
brother I’m still waiting for
him to take me out) haha.
To Brittney Sowell: I will
you an awesome softball, basketball,
and volleyball seasons
(I wish you luck in all three),
the position as the first female
Battalion commander here at
the Academy, our hand shake,
all the memories at games
and on the buses, another initiation
for underclassman and
newcomers that was fun, a role
as the momma on the team…
I hope you go far in sports, I
have enjoyed playing with you
as a teammate the past three
years.
To Alli Puig: You are an
awesome person, I know we
don’t agree on certain things
in life but I guess I had to see
past that and open my eyes to
your beliefs. I think that is what
makes us close and able to get
along. I will you an awesome
year where ever you might go
and the memories of softball
and basketball, English, and
yearbook.
To Kate Toone: I just wanted
to tell you that you’re awesome
and freakin hilarious!….I will
miss you! I will you the saying
“Do I know you?”

Page 8 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Senior Class of 2006
To Jackie M.: I will you your
car privileges…and the ability
that won’t get taken away and
a great senior year.
To Chase Zaal: I will you
all the memories we have had
together….a car, money, and
have a great next year!
To Emma C.: I will you a
great year at Shiner and then at
Baylor . . . your dream!
To Keith Shimek: Another
prom and my love!
To Lizzy Banks: I will you
spot on the football team next
year….you go girl…keep smiling!!
To Maverick: I will you a lot
of things I cant really say…so
yeah, please stay out of trouble
and be good!
To Nations: I will you all
the powers and might since
you’re the king and all….lol
hahahahahaha
To Katy C.: “Because of
you I believe in evolution,”
my sarcasm to you, softball….
girl, you’re beautiful and always
remember that.
To Jimmy Tran: I will you,
Pac-N-Sac trip, James Watson
trips, Wal-Mart trips, art…
You’re the head of the table…
To Olu: I will you all the
cookies in the world.
To David Bobb: I will you
chicken, some one else to crack
jokes on, and the Chapelle
Show DVD complete season.
To Mrs. Henry: My other
momma, thank you for everything.
I don’t know where I’d
be today at this school if it
wasn’t for our little talks and
your advice. I’m really going
to miss you….I will you all the
memories in yearbook and
newspaper. I really do hope we
keep in touch, because I know
I will need your advice every
week…believe me!
To Mrs. Peters: My other
other momma, I don’t know
what I’d do with out you
either….you can tell by just
looking at my face when something’s
wrong…and you actually
care to ask me about it and talk
to me. I love you for who are
and you are one of the reasons I
want to be a teacher when I get
older. I will you the memories
of all the talks we had since
my sophomore year. Another
sophomore advisory with me,
Marco, Vince, and Jamie like
sophomore year. I really hope
we keep in touch; it is going to
be really tuff next year with out
you at my school.
To Coach Mac: I will you
the saying “HHHEEEEYYY!”,
ability to understand girls….I
love you!
To Mrs. Peltier: I will you
someone just like me to make
the comments I do, another
history class like mine, someone
who can’t read maps, and
someone who thinks RFD saying
goes like this he walks with
a can and not a stick. Classes
with a lot of competition, who
can sit in your blue chair the
longest and keep track of it all
year. A class who gets into the
games just as much as Casey,
Kameron, Chase Stone and me.
I still want to meet that Indian
man too.
To Mrs. Larkin: I will you
WD40 for your cabinets. I will
you all the Latin classes in the
world and as many days off you
need so you can take care of
you mother when needed. You
are the best English teacher I
have ever had; you always bring
books to life.
To Mrs. Wade: Hey momma,
I will you all the pop-tarts and
Dr Pepper in the world, lotion,
an assistant, and my love! You
better remember me….I might
need a job someday!
To Mr. Wade (Homefry):
Hey buddy, thank you for keeping
me on the right track over
the years….you have done so
much for me and I thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
I will you more days off, times
when parents and students
leave you alone.
To Mrs. Pizana (LAZANA):
My momma too, I will you
another office aid just as good
as me! trips to the sabre, a trip
down to the mark-key, phone
calls with your husband, Megan
and your mom. It has been a
great experience in the office,
thank you for everything.
To Mr. Bryant: I will you
a trip to Lowe’s whenever you
want to leave you can do so.
To Dr. T: Another date
with Brittany Spears….hahahahahaha
lol
To Mrs. Spillers: A student
in the future who wears the
right loafers, and a pair of loafers
for people like me who don’t
always wear the correct loafers.
Besides that, I know we’ve had
our differences through out the
years, but I really do look up to
you as a grandma figure. You
are awesome woman who does
a lot for this school even when
you don’t have to and I thank
you for that.
To Mr. Paul: I love Jesus, do
you? Because I went to church
yesterday….Oh and students
just as good as me and Jose….
you’ll never be able to find
that!
To Coach Gulick: I will you
a happy marriage to Coach
Campbell….(I better be invited
to the wedding), I will you a
great volleyball season…I can
still fail to come back and
set next year. Another trip to
Houston, wasn’t that quite an
experience. (Have fun next year
and don’t forget to get Katy
some BENO before yall leave)
A day camp and someone to
watch for people looking at San
Marcos Activity Center. Players
that can swim faster then Katy,
Kelci and me. lol
To Coach Georg: Can you
say “F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L!!! Have
a great next year without my
presence…I’ll miss your retarded
jokes…but will always
remember them.
To Coach Campbell: Thank
you for all the talks and advice
you have given me dealing
with sports, I will you a great
basketball and baseball season,
and happiness with Coach
Gulick. (I better be invited to
the wedding)
To Coach Merry: Someone
to keep you organized and
clean your desk.
To Mr. Fleming: I know
you won’t be here next year
but I will you another student
like me that doesn’t know how
to turn in library books, and a
wonderful retirement….don’t
have too much fun.
To Senora Johnson: I will
you another SAT prep class
just a great and lazy as ours
was…and a something that says
HOOK ‘EM HORNS!!
To COL Smith: I will you
another day student that you
can pick on who is late all the
time.
To 1SG Moore: Next year
a gum chewer who you can
bother to throw away their
gum.
I, Jose Coira, will the following
people all the memories
I have had with them! If I have
missed your name please excuse
me! You all know how much I
really like this school and writing
these wills took me a great
amount of time and thought!
I will miss you all and hope
to see you after I graduate in
the future! GO BEARS LIKE
THIS!
To Sarah Willams: I will you
the awesome yet crazy times at
TAPPS! Also my best friendship
at SMA! I love you!
To Chelsea Clark: I will you
BGCT! Yes softball was fun, our
trips to Wal-mart amused me!
Our friendship will continue &
I love you!
To Kate Toone: I will you
my fake Burberrry i-Pod skin,
and everything you have on
that’s fake! Also makeup remover.
Hahaha…
To Olivia: I will you my
ability to salsa dance. Great
times at RAK and Chicago!
Comedy Sportz was cool! I
hope you never forget me!
To Morgan: I will you a box
of Bom Vaso! Also all the weird
and obnoxious laughs we had
during soccer season and on the
Chicago trip!
To Raji: I will you the
chance to take pictures and lots
of worms in your hair! You’re
a great friend and I hope you
and Tommy continue your
relationship.
To Chelsea Martin: I will
you a great number of anger
management classes! A pillow
for chemistry and English class
would be nice too, right?
To Casey: I will you all of
the Wizard of Oz memories,
cheer dances in your room and
in the purple lounge. We have
had some tough times in these
three years but in the end you
know you’re my friend and we
will always and forever keep in
touch! Oooo… Father!
To Josh Brame: I will you
memories from soccer and all
the pictures that I have of you
with the weird expressions on
your face!
To Daniel: I will you Elvis
Presley at the murder mystery!
To Tina: I will you our
duet together and being a good
friend.
To Audrey: I will you the
amazing time in Chicago!
We had a lot of fun at Bubba
Gumps and the Millenium
Park! I hope you will never
forget me!
To Katy Vest: I will you my
better Mexican accent than
yours. We’ve been here for a
while now and its time to say
goodbye, but don’t forget my
cousin!
To Kwasi: I will you operation
“O” and all the awesome
times we had!
To Shawn Guidry: I will you
my shirts that you already have
and our good friendship! Also
you need to unflake yourself.
Try not to lie and take care of
Kwasi for me!

May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 9
Last Will and Testament
To Adelita: I will you “My
Princess.” I hope to see you in
Mexico over the summer! And
“ahhe?”
To Jackie Hughes: I will
you the opportunity you had
to be with me! And to get all
those things from Valentines
Day that you missed out on!
I love you.
To Hannah: I will you to
be more open minded and to
be more happy in life! JK! Also
comb your hair everyday and
DON’T TALK in Mrs. Peltier’s
class!
To Richard: I will you my
cowboy boots and spurs that I
never use you can all tell! Also
the text message, you know
what I mean! Have fun next
year here! Remember me and
my GO BEARS LIKE THIS!
Izod is the new Lacross!
To David Bobb: I will you
the most important thing of
all the “GO BEARS LIKE
THIS” saying and the ability
to pass it on through the years
to come! If you don’t succeed
in doing this, there will be
consequences!
To Mrs. Peltier: I will you
the memory of me not knowing
Julie Andrews, giving you
a pretty flower, not getting 5
points extra credit until the
last game of the YEAR and all
the other funny times we had
in our 5 th period class! I will
definitely miss you and your
sarcasm. GO BEARS LIKE
THIS!
To Jacob Fox: I will you the
memory of this great semester,
my red chair that you ripped
already, fun times ordering the
King Kong pizza and just being
great friends!
To Brittney Sowell: I will
you all the sports I managed
for the teams and the trip to
Warped Tour you owe me this
summer!
To Kelci: I will you our
trip to the square with your
mom. Also when we went to
the mall and bought stuff that
was really fun! Hope you and
Marco’s relationship continues!
Love you…
To Brittany Bryant: I will
you a trip to Houston!
To Lydia: I will you the cool
time we had on the senior day
off! Going into Claire’s and the
Disney Store was really funny.
To Hailey Tuck: I will you
my heart about all else, and
being my favorite and only
Dorothy! “Oh My”! I love you
girl. Keep in touch and leave
comments on my myspace or
else!
To Nicole Hoffman: I will
you to become the next Corps
Commander and President as
you always say! Why are you
so smart?
To Laura Dunne: I will you
the great time we had a prom;
I love your dress!
To Katie Cochran: I will
you GBLT, GBLT, GBLT and
all those pictures we took on
the softball bus! Watch out for
cups on the table, you might hit
them with your forehead.
To Mrs. Peters: I will you all
the memories from TAPPS and
all the amazing times winning
and tough times losing! I will
always keep in contact!
To Mrs. Larkin: I will you a
new coffee mug, and a heating
system installed in your room
for the winter season. I’ll always
remember you, don’t forget to
smile!
To Mrs. Ritchie: I will you
a great big thanks for helping
me with college applications!
Also, the memories in Geometry
class.
To Coach Mac: There are
three kinds of people in the
world: those who can count
and those who can’t! That’s all
I have to say! I will miss your
amazing teaching abilities!
To Coach George: I will you
all three years of sports that I
participated in. I learned a lot
and enjoyed playing under your
athletic program!
To COL Smith: Acids are
sour and Bases are bitter, I will
you to give me twenty push-ups
for missing the trash can when
you threw a ball of paper into
it! Also all the military events
under your command.
To Mr. Paul: I will you the
great ability to speak in chapel,
and the murder mystery dinner!
You are fun, funny and growing
old! GO BEARS!
To 1SG Moore: I will you
all the leadership qualities I
have gained from this JROTC
program.
To Mrs. Henry: I will you
the amazing ability to run the
yearbook and to write stories!
Putting up with stress and still
having time for your children
is not always easy right? I
will miss you very much. GO
BEARS!
To Dr. Hiebert: I will you
all my respect to teaching me
how to sing better! I will carry
my voice into the future and
use your techniques. Thank
you from the deepest part of
my heart!
To Dr. Robinson: I will you
the chance to reconsider the
word “love” as an adjective!
Also your words have touched
me greatly in chapel. I will keep
in touch!
To Mr. Wade: I will you the
unbearable times you had to
put up with me in the dorm!
Being you hall student meant
a lot to me! I hope the years to
come go well in Laurel Hall!
I, Emma Cortez, will the
following:
To Sarah Williams: I will
you a fun college experience
and a successful music career.
To Adelita Ayala: I will you
an awesome college experience
wherever you choose to go, because
you will be successful in
whatever you choose to do.
To Rachel Ledoux: I will
you an excellent college career
far, far away (do come back and
visit me, in Texas, ok)?
To Nicole Mebane: I will
you a good college experience
at Texas Lutheran, and a successful
career as a Physical
Therapist.
To Maynette Kirkland: I
will you a good, well paying,
job with an excellent work
environment.
To Chelsea Clark: I will you
an accident proof car and a fun
time in college.
To Lydia Wharton: I will
you an even more successful
career as a chef than Martha
Stewart.
To Casey and Denziel: I
will you a fun, enjoyable, and
happy continued relationship
at A&M.
To Megan M.: I will you a
fantastic time on vacation, and
an equally good time in college.
I enjoyed psych with you.
To Kameron Allison: I will
you a fun time at A&M and a
successful career after graduation.
To Dusty Hestor: I will that
you have a fun time in San
Marcos and that you break all
your track records.
To Jose C.: I will you a fun
time in college. Lucky, I wish I
could have graduated at 17!
To Austin Mellen: I will
you a successful career in the
NCAA.
To David Newman: I will
you a fun time, after graduation,
and a successful career in
the A&M Corps.
To Matt V.: I will that you
have a successful career, and
that you do something about
the sky high oil prices!
To RW: I will you a gold
medal for soccer in the Summer
Olympics, a successful golf
career, and acceptance into a
good frat at Ole Miss.
To Ted Collins: I will you a
new element proof car.
To Marco: I will you a successful
career in the NCAA
To Paco: I will you a fun
time at Baylor.
To Daniel: I will you a successful
career in the NCAA.
To Underclassmen:
I will to Zach a fun SR yr
and that you accomplish everything
that you aspire to do.
I will Jennifer a fun SR year
and the patience to deal with
anyone who annoys her.
I will Anneka E. a fun SR
yr and an enjoyable time at
A&M.
I will Josh Brame Corps of
Cadets Commander.
To Daniel and Michelle: a
fun ever after.
To the rest of the JRS I will
y’all a fun SR year.
To the Sophomores: I will
y’all a fun JR year.
To the Freshmen: I will y’all
a fun Soph year
To the Middle Schoolers:
I will y’all a fun high school
experience.
To my Teachers:
To Ms. Herron: I will you an
Extreme Home Makeover.
To Mrs. McClintock: I will
you a lock for your refrigerator
and honorary doctorates in
Algebra and Chemistry.
To Mrs. Rhodes: I will you
good health.
To Mr. Rhodes: honorary
doctorates in Algebra and
Chemistry.
To Coach Mac: I will you
an assistant.
To Mrs. Larkin: I will you
a raise.
To Mrs. Ritchie: I will you
a stun gun to keep all your
students awake.
To Mrs. Peltier: I will you
the strength and energy to
keep Sarah Williams awake in
History.
To Mr. Paul: I will you
patience to deal with your annoying
students and a stack of
demerit slips.
To Mrs. Peters: I also will
you a stun gun to keep your

Page 10 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Senior Class of 2006
students in line (so long as you
don’t use it on me).
To Mr. Wade: I will you a
punching bag for stress and a
good kid-friendly stick to keep
your Camp Mo kids in line.
To Senora Johnson: I will
you an assistant.
To Mrs. Hughes: I will you
a raise for being such a good
teacher and keeping all the
students sane.
I, Rachel LeDoux, will the
following:
To Barbara Ho: I will you
not only Bayside but, all New
York City. All of it is yours to
do as you wish. You have been a
great friend and I will miss you
so much. You will have plenty
practice writing English in your
emails to me!
To Sidsel Rasmussen: Well,
you have the whole Europe
thing so what is left to give,
but keys to Kameron’s Mustang
and all the freedom to go and
see whatever you want. I have
not known you long, but I am
really glad I got to know you.
You brought a complete set of
diversity to our table.
To Adelita Ayala: I will you
a private jet to take you all over
the world to see everything
you ever wanted to see. When
you get tired of all your travels
I will you a butler who will
escort you to your limousine,
which will inevitably take you
to your large mansion. I will
you eternal comfort in all
the world, except New York
because that is Barbara’s and
Colorado because that is mine.
You can travel all four corners
of the earth and do so with no
hesitation. Explore your heart
to your heart’s content. You
have been a great friend and I
will miss you, but I know not
for long because I know we
will see each other as much as
possible.
To Nicole Mebane: I will
you an indestructible car. You
can run into anything but
people and you will be OK.
You have been a good friend.
Thank you for putting up with
me during our freshman year;
you helped more than you
know.
To Richard Toedt: I will you
the largest selection of guns
you could ever imagine. One
for everything and anything
you would ever need. Richard
I will miss your stories and the
entertainment you gave us at
lunch.
To Taylor Benson: I will you
one last year at the Academy.
Each classroom, each table in
the cafeteria, and every locker
is yours. Enjoy it even none of
us will be there.
To Hannah Hartman: I
will you Mr. Lawless’s college
calculus class. Math is going
to seem so boring without you.
Just remember one more year
and you are done. I am glad I
got to know you this year, and
I will see you in Mexico this
summer.
To Kameron Allison: For
the first part, please refer to
Adelita’s wills. Once you get
out of the kayak, you will find
a complete scuba diving set to
explore a massive lake. While
exploring the lake you will find
an immense underwater cave.
After following its seemingly
endless tunnels you wlll arrive,
quite suddenly, upon a runway
and plane. This plane has
an endless supply of fuel and
anything else you would need.
You can use it to go to Africa
whenever you want.
I, Nicole Mebane, will the
following:
To Sidsel Rasmussen: Sidsel,
you’ve been such an awesome
friend! I am so glad that I have
had the privilege of knowing
you. First, I will to you a little
box. This is no ordinary box;
it resides inside of you and is
filled with all the memories of
this year. Whenever you open
it, it will take you back to the
good times we’ve had and you’ll
never forget! Next, a trip to
Austin where we will actually go
ice skating… And unlimited free
country to country calling.
To Barbara Ho: Barbara,
I will to you a fabulous time
in New York. I know you are
going to have such a great time,
and I’m going to miss you so
much!
To Michelle Deschner: I will
you so many good times filled
with randomness and inside
jokes that don’t even make sense
any more… I will you all rights
to the banana game. Someone
else to clean the tanks for you.
A volume button on each of
your brothers so you can shut
them up whenever they won’t
leave you alone. And last, I will
you a quiet place where you
can escape to whenever life gets
crazy and nothing seems to be
going quite right.
To Megan Tucker: Megan, I
will to you straight A’s without
the painstaking torture of
doing any work throughout
high school and college. A copy
of every musical in existence.
To Lisa Hearn: Lisa, I will to
you the perfect guy. You haven’t
found him yet but that doesn’t
mean he’s not out there.
To Daniel Wyman: A
lifetime supply of sherbet and
all the fluffy pillows your heart
desires!
To Rachel Blewett: I will
you all expenses paid for the
publication of your first book ,
which becomes a #1 seller and
earns you millions!
To David Mebane: I will
you something else to in the
cafeteria other than chips and
crackers. A bigger room (not
mine) with soundproof walls
so you can blast your music as
loud as you want!
I, Casey Putman, will the
following:
To Katie Cochran: My
hair
To Alli Puig: Cheese sandwiches,
Snickers, salad sandwiches,
a promise that in the
future your little sisters will
always behave, Brittney’s dad’s
memory book that you ironically
forgot the name of, unlimited
amount of library cards
for every city that you are in,
and a full-ride to the college
of your choice on a massage
scholarship.
To Travis Oglesby: My 14K
gold sweatsuit, no, literally,
come get it from me at the
dorm before I leave.
To R.W. McDonald: Money,
money, money, and oodles
of success in college and life.
I know that you are going
somewhere, man! A weekend in
College Station, a weekend for
Denziel and me in Mississippi,
more long philosophical talks
in the library, and the completion
of your book by the end of
your college graduation.
To Paco Alejo: I didn’t think
that during our freshman year
either one of us would make it
this far, yet we did. I will you,
Paco, the determination to finish
your doctorate on time and
make TONS of money.
To Morgan Martin: Daughter,
I will you valedictorian
rank every year for the rest of
your time here at SMA. Stamina
to get through those very
tough times here, I know it feels
like the world is going to end
any minute, but I promise it
won’t. Unlimited visits for you
to come and visit your father
and me at A&M, a cell phone
that you will actually use, and
The Pool (Take good care of it,
someone needs to).
To Rachel Hudson: A
punching bag, so you can stop
employing Travis as one.
To Olivia Garza: Someone
who actually will take you seriously,
because obviously I do
due to the fact that I actually
wrote this to you. You are one
of the sweetest people that I’ve
ever met, and you need to learn
how to ignore those that are
mean toward you. You know
who you really are, and no one
else does. Don’t let their words
offend you. You are stronger
than that. So every time that
happens, don’t cry!! You are
an excellent person with amazing
drive.
To Chelsea Martin: I will
you the boxing match that we
never had. You would probably
OWN me, but that’s okay! Another
weekend in Austin!
To Dugan Dobbs: The next
Bill Gates, but you’ll have the
people skills that Bill is lacking!
To Chelsea Clark: Our book
of memories, because it would
be too long to write on this and

May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 11
Last Will and Testament
a fight with Peppa. I also will a
free gas card to come and visit
Denziel and me ANYTIME you
need us!!! We love you and you
know we will always be there
for you. Never hesitate to call
you know the numbers. I love
you baby girl.
To Jeff Cheung: Someone to
help you in calculus when Denziel
is gone. And a 3 or higher
on the Calculus AP Test.
To Jerry Huang: I will you
the S-1 position. Take care of
all the records, you will be
stressed but you can do it. If
you ever need me, don’t ever
hesitate to call.
To Hannah Hartman: A
wall to put up all around you
when people around you are
fighting. Another printer that
you can call your own and that
your sister won’t steal. Good
grades next year in calculus!
To Eunice Yeo: Me, I miss
you so much as a suitemate,
you are the cleanest, sweetest
girl ever, and a never-ending
supply of sweet ideas for Jay.
To Daniel Wyman: A hppy
future with Michelle, and a
$4,000 gift certificate to Zales,
because YOU are the man!!
To Zed Quach and Chris
Webb: SLEEP!!!!!
To Gareth Greisel: My loafers,
you asked for them, man.
To Ned Thayer: An ant
farm.
To Kate Toone: More size
7 1/2 shoes, especially if you
love them as much as you say
you do, and a lifetime supply
of Juicy Couture.
To Dusty Hester: I will you a
full-ride TRACK scholarship to
the college of your choice.
To Katarina Kalantar: A
ruby ring to PAWN!!
To Richard Bretcher: Someone
else to say hello to every
morning when I’m gone.
To Jackie Monical: Another
fun night at the restaurant
Hooters!
To Jose Coira: Another
summer to gossip to each other
back and forth about whose
coming back and who isn’t.
The phrases, “OHHH Father!!”
and “Go Bears, like this!” Every
time I hear those things for
the rest of my life you will
stand out specifically in mind.
You are a very special person,
Jose capable of accomplishing
many things, take advantage
of this quality and be all that
you can.
To Jacob Fox: Another Jewish
person at the school, so you
are no longer alone.
To Matt Verity: A brand new
car that doesn’t have so many
miles on it.
To David Newman: More
talks in your car, another driving
lesson, a ladder to jump off
one of the palm trees in your
backyard into the pool, and a
pack that doesn’t get pulled
into the pool.
To Kimberly Beakley: I will
you the favor I still owe you.
Call me this summer when
you are in need, I’ll have a
car and I definitely owe you a
trip the length of Houston to
Montgomery.
To Sarah Williams: Man, we
have been through some times,
girl! I will you an unlimited
number of cars, bought by
your dad. The knowledge that
you can go anywhere and do
anything you want with your
music. As far as your brother
goes, I know the two of you
better than anyone here, I want
you to stop worrying about
him. He will learn eventually to
take care of himself. I care so
much about you, Sarah.
To Jared Urrey: A radio.
To Maverick Jennings: My
friendship, as long as you are
not cocky and you hardly talk
to me.
To Lazaro Santos: PAPI!!!
I will you another mami that
isn’t at college.
To Coach Campbell: I will
you, Coach another manager
that won’t cause you so much
stress. I know that at times you
just had too much going on
and I was always a burden. But,
I want you to know that all the
help and advice you gave was
greatly appreciated and won’t
be forgotten.
To Mr. Paul: An independent
study that will do the
work.
To Mrs. Larkin and Mr.
Lawless: Another student who
cares and respects the two of
you as much as I do. Y’all
mean so much to me, y’all
have impacted my life in more
ways than you will ever know.
The pieces of advice y’all give
me are always put away in a
little Rolodex that will never
be forgotten.
To Mrs. Paul and Mrs. Spillers:
Another girl that y’all get to
see grow up from a immature
child into a young woman.
Apologies for all the trouble
I’ve caused y’all over the years,
but y’all helped me get to where
I am today and helped mold
who I am today.
To Denziel Owusu: Last,
but surely not least, I will you
nothing and everything. But,
nothing specific. Have you
ever noticed that every couple
that wills the other something,
they always break up? I don’t
want that to happen to us. SO,
I will you the many memories
we have. BGCT, yelling at each
other for being scared of bugs,
a matrix video game, your own
version of Hell, a DRIVER’S
LICENSE, running red lights
when there is clearly enough
time to stop or GAS IT, the
Pool, SHOES!!, State Track
Titles, and success in college
for you.
To Nicole Hoffman: TOLD
YOU I’D FIX IT!!! Well, well,
well, my little midget. It has
been three great years having
you by my side. I love having
you as a friend. You are one of
the three people at this school
that I can swear on everything
that I know that you would die
for me. Your friendship means
so much to me. You have always
been there for me. Everytime I
needed you, you counseled me
without judging me and never
held a grudge or kept a secret
from me. You constantly put
yourself on the line for me,
and believe me, Shorty, I appreciate
it greatly. You mean
so much to me. More than you
will ever know. Therefore, I will
you, Nicole Lynn Hoffman, a
friendship that will never fade.
No matter what, I always want
you to call me once a week next
year and come to visit at least
four times a year. Hope you
don’t mind hanging out with a
black man, he, he, he! I will you
a full-ride to Duke University
and a license to RULE THE
WORLD!!
Seniors share their memories, future plans
By Charles Horvilleur
Seniors have just two days
of high school left, and this is
going to be their last issue of
the Laurel. So the staff asked
the seniors to fill out a questionnaire
to provide us with
some information about their
future plans and memories of
SMA. The results we received
are printed below.
Name: Kameron Allison
How long have you attended
SMBA? 7 thousand years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? A bunch of stuff.
What have you contributed
to this school? My attendance.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? Being a Golden Bear.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? I don’t know about
that one.
What are some of your
favorite memories? Richard
Toedt’s mess at lunch.
Where are you going to be
next year? Texas A & M.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Building rockets.
Do you have any thing else
you’d like to say in the paper?
Hi, mom!
Name: Adelita Ayala
How long have you attended
SMBA? 3 years.
What are some of the clubs
you were involved in? Drama,
NHS, Newspaper, Leo Club,
Swimming, Student Ambassador,
Laurel Hall.
What have you contributed
to this school? I gave tours to
prospective students and in
the past 3 years I have been
doing community service for
the school organizations.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? My friends, boyfriend,
and all the teachers.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “A mere princess..?”
What are some of your favorite
memories? Signs and
something to do with Rachel.
Where are you going to be
next year? University of St.
Thomas in Houston.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Working and traveling
the world as an international
business woman.
Name: Jeff Cheung
How long have attended
SMBA? This is my 2nd year.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Choir, TAPPS.
What have you contributed
to this school? I went to music
TAPPS, and I cleaned up the
airport.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? Dorm life.
See “Memories,” page 12

Page 12 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Senior Memories, Plans, continued from page 11
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “Senior ’06.”
What are some of your favorite
memories? I think my
graduation is going to be unforgettable,
the bonfire, and
Homecoming.
Where are you going to
be next year? Foothill College
(CA).
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? I’m going to be an engineer,
while Dugan is going to
work with computers.
Name: Chelsea Clark
How long have you attended
SMBA? 2 1/2 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Softball, basketball, student
government, newspaper,
yearbook, student ambassador,
Leo Club, Sweetheart Pageant.
What have you contributed
to this school? My days off,
leadership, dedication, determination.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? The teachers and
friends. The teachers because
they are incredible. They actually
care and love every student
in some way or form. My
friends because they are so diverse
and they have so many
qualities you can’t find anywhere
else.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “Life’s a dance, learn
as you go.”
What are some of your
favorite memories? BGCT,
SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL,
JOSE, KATY, TYLER, HON-
ORS CLASSES WITH THE
GANG OVER THE YEARS,
MRS. HENRY, MRS. PETERS,
MRS. PELTIER.
Where are you going to be
next year? Angelo State in San
Angelo, TX.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Katy and I doing our
thing somewhere not near here
and living life up to the fullest
. . . working, having fun.
Maybe finding a guy . . . but
that’s pretty hard for us.
Do you have anything else
you’d like to say in the paper?
That I love everyone at this
school in some way or form.
If I have offended, or said anything
bad to anyone, please
forgive me. I would like to
leave this school without any
grudges. And everyone please
be true to yourself and remember
you have to like yourself
first.
Name: Jose Coira
How long have you attended
SMBA? 3 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved in?
Cheerleading, soccer, softball
manager, volleyball manager,
choir, student ambassador,
drama, 4-H, TAPPS.
What have you contributed
to this school? My time and
effort to make this school a
better place for the students
around me.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? My friends and teachers.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “GO BEARS LIKE
THIS!”
What are some of your favorite
memories? TAPPS, murder
mystery, having fun with
friends.
Where are you going to be
next year? North East Texas
Community College.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? I see myself working
in the TX industry and my
friends, I will keep in touch
until the end.
Do you have anything else
you’d like to say in the paper?
I hope this school remembers
me a lot because I really like
this school with a passion and
to all my friends, “Go Bears
Like This!”
Name: Emma Diane Cortez
How long have you attended
SMBA? 2 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? 4-H, Golden Bear, RAK
member, Student Ambassador,
and music TAPPS.
What have you contributed
to this school? My Outstanding
Scholastic and Leadership
Ability:).
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? The Pep Rallies and
just hanging out with my
friends.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “No Big, It’s All
Cool.”
What are some of your favorite
memories? The many
and far-in-between disco moments
in Chemistry class with
Mrs. Benson.
Where are you going to be
next year? Baylor.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in
ten years? At a church surrounded
by little kids telling
Bible stories (complete with a
huge picture book and flannel
graph:)).
Do you have anything else
you’d like to say in the paper?
That All my friends will
be successful in whatever they
choose to do after graduation.
Name: Dustin Hester
How long have you attended
SMBA? 2 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? JROTC, Raiders, Football,
Track, and Powerlifting.
What have you contributed
to this school? I think I have
contributed greatly to all the
sports teams and the JROTC
program. I believe that I also
contribute to an overall better
body of students.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? My friends and all the
great times we have had.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? The kid that is always
smiling or laughing.
What are some of your favorite
memories? Zach and
Bobby and how stupid and
absolutely funny they where.
Football, competing and winning
many events in track, and
of course Leadership Camp
and JROTC. Although it might
not be the best memory, I will
always remember Camp Mo.
Where are you going to
be next year? Oklahoma State
University, in Stillwater, Oklahoma
. . . GO COWBOYS!!!
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? In ten years I see myself
hopefully married and a successful
accountant/business
men, and possibly even a father.
But who knows?
Do you have any thing else
you’d like to say in the paper?
Well I don’t have much else to
say. I am going to miss a lot of
you guys next year. I have had
a some of the funnest times
in my life while attending this
school. I have made so many
friends, and I am sure some
of us will be friends for life.
Enjoy every minute of your
High School life--it goes by in
a blink of an eye. But then the
real fun starts and it’s off to
college. I’ll miss you guys.
Name: Rachel LeDoux
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Drama, NHS, Student
Council from 6th-11th grade.
Basketball manager for girls
and guys.
What have you contributed
to this school? The years
I was on student council and
this year as an NHS officer I
worked to improve the student
life.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? I will remember all
the amazing people I have met
at this school and the good
times.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “This is thy hour,
oh soul, thy free flight into
the wordless away from books,
away from art, the day erased,
the lesson done, the fully forth
emerging; silent, gazing, pondering
the themes that loves
best, night sleep, death and
the stars.”
What are some of your favorite
memories? Going to the
coffee shops, the night in the
park with Adelita.
Where are you going to be
next year? University of Colorado
at Boulder.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Living in London working
with trade agreements.
Name: Megan Marlborough
How long have you been
attending SMBA? 1 year.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Cheerleading, Equestrian
program, Choir.
What have you contributed
to this school? My education?
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? Ha, Ha! The uniforms.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “She needs ‘Wide
Open Spaces!’” I’ve gotta get
out of these dorms!
What are some of your favorite
memories? Cheerleading
and football games.
Where are you going to be
next year? College.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Having my own law
firm. And lots of money of
course.
Do you have any thing else
you’d like to say in the paper?
Bye, Y’all!
Name: R.W. McDonald
How long have you been
attending SMBA? Two years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Student Council, JROTC,
Yearbook.
What have you contributed
to this school? Awards in golf
tournaments.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? Everything!!!
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? “IDK”
Where are you going to be
next year? Ole Miss.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Working.
Name: Alli Puig
How long have you been attending
SMBA? 2 long years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? JROTC, yearbook, basket
See “Memories,” page 13

Senior Memories, Plans, continued from page 12
May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 13
ball, softball.
What have you contributed
to this school? Humor and
valuable insight on how to get
the wrenches out of the gears
that is the school.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? My friends.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? Living like life’s going
out of style.
What are some of your favorite
memories? Spring Break,
leadership schools.
Where are you going to be
next year? Hopefully TLU.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? I see myself massaging,
and my friend mooching off
of me.
Do you have any thing else
you’d like to say in the paper?
I love my friends, and this
school has been REALLY lame
at times, but has done a lot of
good for me.
Name: Casey Ann Putman
How long have you been
attending SMBA? 4 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Leo Club, JROTC, NHS,
Cheerleading, Softball, Powerlifting,
Powderpuff Football,
Boys Basketball Manager/
Trainer, Food Committee,
Student Government, Student
Council.
What have you contributed
to this school? S-1 Records
and advice to those who will
listen.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? The friends that I met,
and the people from different
walks of life.
What single quote/phrase
would you choose to describe
you best? Live every day as if it
were your last!
What are some of your favorite
memories? The school
here in general and the things
I’ve learned.
Where are you going to be
next year? Texas A&M University.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? Catching up every once
in a while for a drink or dinner
whenever we are in each other’s
part of town. I know that
I won’t lose touch, I’m usually
pretty good about that.
Name: Sarah Williams
How long have you been
attending SMBA? 3 1/2 years.
What are some clubs and
activities you were involved
in? Cheerleading, softball,
swimming, TSU music.
What have you contributed
to this school? My music.
What are you going to
remember most about this
school? The teachers.
What are some of your favorite
memories? TAPPS with
Jose.
Where are you going to be
next year? Schreiner.
What do you see yourself
or your friends doing in ten
years? I am going to be a music
teacher and have already traveled
Europe with my music.
Junior Little Sisters say goodbye to their Big Sisters
To Casey:
Thank you so much for
taking me under your wing
ever since I first got here. With
all your guidance and encouragement,
I have become more
content with the person I am
today. I have been able to open
my eyes to many new things
and I thank YOU for helping
learn such life lessons. I hope
you have fun at college and I
know you will excel as much
there as you do here. Next
year I will always be thinking
of your laughter and honesty.
I wish you well in college and
don’t worry, I’ll come visit you
ALL the TIME!!! hahaha.
Love you mi cielo, Olivia
To Rachel LeDoux:
Rachel, you are an amazing
girl. Your smile and laugh just
brighten up the room. I have
enjoyed being around you and
our little talks we had every
now and then. I hope that
your journey through college
brings you a lot of fun and new
experiences to broaden your
horizons. I wish you the best
in your walk and may you be
blessed tremendously.
Love, Audrey
To Adelita:
I wish for you to succeed
and have the best of luck in
college and also I hope you will
keep on smiling your beautiful
smile :)
Thank you for the advice
during my international life.
lol!
I love you, Eunice Yeo
To Chelsea Clark:
This year has been great and
I am so glad you chose me to
be your little sis! I hope that
you have a great summer and
an even better time at college!
Good luck with everything
and I’m proud of you for getting
through the year with no
problems! Love you and keep
in touch!
Chelsea Martin
To Chelsea Clark:
Isn’t it funny how simple
it is to tell an acquaintance
how you feel about them and
yet so difficult to tell the one
who means the most to you?
As I contemplate the past three
years, I cannot find the words
to convey my feelings; well
here goes.
The Eddie, Cowboy, my
Louie, and all the countless
midnight trips to McDonald’s,
Copeo, the green apple, and
Vundka, what a Fing. Does
anyone have a deck of cards?
Anyone? Lol. After everything,
through thick and thin, I know
I will always be able to count
on you. After each heartbreak,
during each tough time in my
life, I never once doubted that
I had a shoulder to cry on,
someone to lean on, you were
always there. My best friend.
My strength. Without you I
could not have made it through
sleepless nights, difficult arguments,
and my two M’s (you
know who I’m talking about).
I worry about next year. I
know that distance will not
come between us. Despite the
fact that I know that, I still
wonder who I’m going to spend
my weekends with, who’s going
to meet me after an awful night
at work and say, “Don’t worry,
I’m here and that’s all that matters.”
Most of all who’s going
to wake me up in the morning.
Who is going to say, “Katy! It’s
freakin’ 6 o’clock. Get up!!!
You’re being lazy.” What gets
me is that every time something
is wrong, you know. You pick
me up when I’m down. I’ve
never once had someone that
I could trust enough to give
them the keys to my car, the
key to my house, and my most
inner feelings and secrets.
Chelsea, you are my mirror,
we are so much alike, and yet
so different. You are the sister
that God never gave me. I’m
so blessed to have a friend like
you. I haven’t told you enough
how much you mean to me.
Anytime I needed anything you
were always there. When my
gas tank and wallet were both
empty, who was the person who
said, “Pull up to the Sac-N-Pac,
I’m going to fill up your tank
so that you have gas to get
to work.” That was you, not
anyone else. When someone
would try to talk mess to me,
who was there to stand up for
me? Who’s going to be there
when I go to Chili’s? Who am
I going to split the triple play
with, who’s going to lie and say
it’s my birthday, just so that the
hot waiters can come and sing
to me and give us a free dessert?
Who is going to bake me a vanilla
cake with confetti frosting
for my birthday? By the way I
don’t like cake, but yours, I like.
The cakes you bake are the only
ones I eat. Who is going to go
Valentine’s Day shopping with
my boyfriend to tell them what
to get me? Lol.
You will be missed, sister.
If anyone tells you different,
forget them, because they don’t
matter. All that matters is that
I care and if anyone doesn’t see
how great you really are, then
they don’t know you and they
don’t deserve too. The night I
won the Sweetheart Pageant, the
fact that you were truly happy
for me meant more to me than
winning. When you came up to
me and hugged me and said, “I
love you. Congrats.” That’s the
moment when I wanted to cry,
I was trying to hold in my tears
and I was scared that I wasn’t
going to be able to. Aww, our
song just came on the radio,
“She let herself go.” Our trip
to Corpus was unforgettable.
It was everything it should
have been. As we walked on
the beach that Saturday night,
I thought to myself, this is what
life is about. Enjoying a cold
drink with the ones who make
life worth living, engaging in
late night conversations where
we both cry and let go of all
the things which we have no
control over. Making big plans
for the future and meaning it.
Not just saying wonderfully
engineered clichés to make one
another feel better, but saying
things because they come from
the heart and they are true.
As you begin your life in
a new town and meet new
people, I pray that you will
have the time of your life, and
then maybe one day meet that
one guy who truly makes you
happy. Just know that when
things get rough, I am here for
you. Regardless of what happens,
I will not forget you. You
are the sister I never had. I love
you, big sis. Happy Graduation.
May God bless you in everything
you do. When you get
lonely in San Angelo, I’m only
a phone call away. By the way,
thanks for my birthday dinner
at the Gristmill. It was unforgettable.
Reece and Stephen. What
a pair. LOL. This summer has
to be amazing. Promise me
that we will do everything we
planned.
See “Little Sisters,” page 20

Page 14 The Laurel May 12, 2006
NHS helps local church with African mission
By Adelita Ayala
The National Honor Society
ended a year of successful
activity in the community by
giving a banquet with a Hawaiian
theme in which the main
purpose was to recognize its
outstanding members and install
new officers to continue
with the work for next year. The
banquet took place April 24
and about 75 people attended.
The outgoing NHS officers
welcomed the new NHS officers.
The new positions are
Daniel Wyman, president; Ed
Estrada, vice president; Min-
Ju Hong, secretary; Aaron
Abugaber, treasurer; and David
Yu, historian.
Followed by the NHS, the
outgoing NJHS officers welcomed
the new NJHS officers.
Co-presidents will be Kristi
Allison and Chloe Rocha; secretary
is Taylor Teis; treasurer is
Lainey Godwin; and historian
will be Alyssa Shallenberger.
The recipients for the awards
were Barbara Ho and Sidsel
Rasmussen for Bible; Min-Ju
Hong and David Abubager
for Math; Nicole Mebane and
Francis Hwang for Science;
Rachel LeDoux and Kelsey
Henry for English; Kameron
Allison, Anastasia Parish and
Sarah Brown for Art; Aaron
Abugaber and Michael Rho
for Music; Adelita Ayala and
Sidsel Rasmussen for Foreign
Language; Rachel LeDoux,
Lainey Godwin and Morgan
Martin for History/Government;
Michelle Deschner and
Morgan Martin for Business;
and finally Rachel LeDoux and
Anastasia Parish for Drama.
Dr. Arlis Hiebert, Mr. Don
Rollins, Mrs. Barbara Peters,
Mrs. Shirley Johnson, Mrs.
Shelley Henry, Dr. Byron Robinson,
COL Max Smith, Mr.
Robert McMillan and Mr. Mike
Fleming gave the awards.
Rachel LeDoux, the current
President of NHS, was
the moderator of the program,
and there was also some entertainment
provided by several
members. They included Daniel
Wyman, who shared his piano
talent with everyone and helped
make the evening more pleasant;
Michel Rho, who played
the saxophone, accompanied
by Francis Hwang; and finally
David Yu sharing some of his
Taiwanese culture by showing
the attendants his diabolo
skills.
The most recent activity for
the NHS has been assisting Kameron
Allison and his church
with their mission project to
Mozambique. Some members
helped pack and count medical
supplies during LEAD Weekend
and the organization also
gave a $200 check to Kameron
for the mission project.
With fellow NHS members in the storage area behind him, Kameron
Allison cuts apart some syringes that will be sent to Africa for a
medical mission project. This was the NHS’s LEAD project.
Academy to celebrate Centennial in 2007
By Raji Gullapalli
Very soon San Marcos Baptist
Academy will be celebrating
its 100 th year anniversary. Some
are beginning to wonder what
that will look like and when it
is taking place.
The Academy was chartered
as a school on July 10, 1907.
Doors were opened to students
in September 1908 and the first
class of 11 was graduated in
May 1909.
Although July 2007 would
be the actual month to celebrate
the 100 th anniversary of
the founding of the school, it
isn’t a very convenient time to
do so, President Vic Schmidt
said. Obviously students and
most of the staff would not
be around in the summer, and
July is also one of the hottest
months to have outdoor activities.
So, administrators decided
to delay the celebration until
Homecoming of 2007.
To prepare for that time, a
lot of planning will take place
during the 2006-07 school
year. “Over the next year, we
will start involving students,
trustees, alumni, teachers in
forming a Centennial Committee
to brainstorm ideas for our
celebration,” President Schmidt
said. Among the activities that
might be considered would be
the filling of a time capsule and
inviting distinguished guests
to speak.
Additionally, Mr. Schmidt
said that research is going on
even now to create a guest list
of former commandants, Corps
commanders, President’s Cup
winners and other key administrators,
staff and students
from the past. “We’d like to
send out a card this summer
to acknowledge when our celebration
will be so people can
plan ahead and attend,” Mr.
Schmidt said.
As a kickoff to the Founders’
Celebration, some centennial
events will also take place
at the spring Alumni Reunion
April 14, 2007. “This will be
our regular spring reunion, but
hopefully it will be bigger,” Mr.
Schmidt said. The 50-year reunion
class is already planning
to have a number of people in
attendance.
The Academy story began
back in December of 1905,
when some local pastors began
discussing the need for a Baptist
school in the southwestern
area of the state. Dr. J.M. Carroll
was instrumental in selecting
San Marcos for the site of
the school.
Dr. Carroll was asked in the
summer of 1906 to visit San
Marcos to make a speech and
counsel with the citizens on
ways to raise their promised
funds for the school. At a mass
meeting on the courthouse
lawn, Dr. Carroll pointed out
the advantages of a properly
financed Baptist Academy. He
estimated the cost would be at
least $50,000. At his suggestion,
the $13,000 pledged by the citizens
of San Marcos was raised
to $25,000, and the denomination
agreed to match that
amount. The Business Men’s
Club of San Marcos adopted
Dr. Carroll’s plan and elected
him president of the proposed
school and the leader of the
forces to raise funds.
On September 19, 1906,
trustees were elected by the
Conference of Southwest Texas
Baptists. In their first meeting
they ratified the action of the
San Marcos Business Men’s
Club by electing Dr. J. M.
Carroll as the first president
Old Carroll Hall
of the San Marcos Baptist
Academy.
On January 22, 1907, Dr.
Carroll submitted general plans
and specifications for the first
building, which was approved
on April 9 of that same year.
On July 10, 1907, the cornerstone
of the first building
was eventually named Carroll
Hall.

AFI, continued from page 1
Officer (S-5) will be Hailey Tuck.
The Alpha Company Commander will be Brittney Sowell,
with Kevin Yang as her First Sergeant, and the Bravo Company
Commander will be Daniel Wyman, with Jackie Piers as his First
Sergeant. The rest of the positions will be announced next year.
Another thing the JROTC program is looking forward to
next year is the possible re-activation of Charlie Company, which
would add more leadership positions as well.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with the Corps’ performance during
the Formal Inspection this year,” LTC Larry Revell said. “Even
though we did not achieve the HUD status, being classified as an
Honor Unit is a significant accomplishment for the cadets. The
cadets were very disappointed that they didn’t earn a ‘Gold Star’
this year, but their attitude has remained positive.”
May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 15
(Top Right) Mr. Frank Bernal,
one of the AFI inspectors, asks
knowledge questions to cadets of
different LET levels. While all
cadets had to answer questions
for the inspectors, a smaller group
was chosen for more intensive
questioning. (Above center) The
Color Guard, consisting of Nicole
Hoffman, Brittney Sowell, Alli
Puig and Hannah Hartman,
demonstrate their drill sequence
for the inspectors on the football
field. Brittney was commander
of the Color Guard. (Above) As
Logistics Officer, Cadet Lieutenant
Dugan Dobbs shows Mr.
Bernal the Battalion’s inventory
procedures in the Supply Room.
(Top left) As Cadet CSM Josh Brame and Cadet 1st Lieutenant
Casey Putman look on, Ms. Robin Kell of Brigade Headquarters
inspects the cadet portfolios. (Above) Cadet Sergeant James Mc-
Daniel stands at attention while SFC Clifton Senegal of the local
Army recruiting station checks his uniform and asks him questions
about drill and ceremony during the in-ranks inspection. ( Right)
Cadet Lieutenant Jimmy Tran salutes Mr. Frank Bernal before he
marches his platoon.

Page 16 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Athletes receive honors at banquet
Denziel Owusu was named Male Athlete of
the Year and was winner of the Bob Jennings
Athletic Director’s Award at the annual Athletic
Awards Banquet Monday evening.
Chosen as Female Athlete of the Year was
Chelsea Cleark. The Mike Kipp Christian Athlete
of the Year Award went to Sidsel Rasmussen and
Tyler Cleveland, while the Robinson-McMillan
Coach of the Year Award was presented to Scott
Merry.
Eight athletes were named “Super Bears”
Named as the Mike Kipp Christian Athlete of the Year, Tyler
Cleveland receives his award from Coach Scott Merry.
for lettering in three sports. They were Brittney
Sowell, Tommy James, Denziel Owusu, Chelsea
Clark, Chris Dyer, Jose Coira, Sarah Brown, and
Dee Dee Trevino.
Two awards were given in each athletic team
sport: the Battlin’ Bear Award and the Steve
Fordham Award. Those selected as Battlin’ Bears
were Brittney Sowell, volleyball and girls basketball;
Austin Mellen, boys basketball; Matt Verity,
baseball; Chelsea Clark, softball; and Tommy
James, football.
The Steve Fordham Award
was given to Chelsea Clark,
volleyball; Hayden Lyon, boys
basketball; Sarah Brown, girls
basketball; Boomer Connolly,
baseball; Kimberly Beakley,
softball; and Tyler Cleveland,
football.
The Outstanding Lineman
Award went to Nathan Grosch.
Battlin’ Bears were also
named in the recreational
sports. They were Chris Dyer,
track; Dustin Hester, powerlifting;
Jerry Huang, tennis; Jose
Coira, soccer; and J.R. Nelson,
golf.
Denziel Owusu repeated as
state champion in the triple
jump May 5-6 in Waco at the
state 4-A TAPPS track meet.
Although he didn’t break
his own record, Denziel’s jump
of 43 feet, 8 inches was long
enough to put the Academy
senior in first place.
Also performing well was
senior Dusty Hester, who ran
the 400 meter in 55 seconds,
placing second. Laura Dunne
took sixth place in the high
jump and Nate Grosch placed
eighth in the shot put.
Prior to the state meet, six
middle school and nine high
school athletes placed at the
district track meet April 22 at
Nelson Field in San Antonio.
Varsity Results were as follows:
Dusty Hester, 1st in 400
m Dash, 5th in 200 m Dash,
6th in Long Jump; Denziel
Owusu, 1st in triple jump and
3rd in Long Jump; Nate Grosch,
2 nd , and Oscar Echeverria,
Celebrating the end of their successful high school careers in sports,
Chelsea Clark and Denziel Owusu were named the Female and
Male Athletes of the Year.
Owusu repeats as triple jump champion at state meet
Striking his pose, Nate Grosch prepares to hurl the shot put at the
district track meet in San Antonio. At district, Nate placed second
in this event, while at state he took eighth.
6 th , in Shot Put; Chris Dyer,
6th in discus; Laura Dunn, 1st
in high jump; Shawn Guidry,
4th in 3200 meter and 6th in
1600 meter; David Bobb, 5th in
High Jump; Sohei Nishimura,
6th in 300 m hurdles; and Jeff
Cope, Oscar Echeverria, Nate
Grosch and David Bobb, 1 st in
the “Weight Man” relay (a.k.a.
the Fat Man Relay).
Others participating in the
meet were Ed Estrada and Travis
Oglesby.
JV results at district included
the following: Will Haskin, 1st
place in Shot Put and 1st in
Discus; Arnold Kim, 1st Place
in the 400 meter dash, 2nd in
Long Jump, and 2nd in the 200
meter dash; Collin Cook, 1st
Place in High Jump, and 1st
place in 300 meter hurdles; Sam
Badders, 2nd Place in 800 meter
dash; Carol Anne Oxman, 2nd
in long jump; Theresa Nealon,
1st in 400 meter dash, 1st in
200 meter dash, and 3rd in
Long Jump.
“I am very proud of the
showing that we had at the
district track meet,” Coach
Scott Merry said. “Special recognition
needs to go out to the
middle school students. Every
middle school student who participated
placed. Most of these
students were not required to
come after school to practice,
however most of them did.
“Theresa Nealon and Arnold
Kim deserve particular recognition.
These middle school
students spent the season working
out with high school kids,
doing a high school track
workout. I appreciate the great
effort these students have given
both to Coach Georg and me
all year.
“It was a great pleasure to
work with these students who
were willing to GO through
the difficult workouts that were
placed before them.”

May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 17
Baseball ends tough year
By Raji Gullapalli
Despite having a district baseball season with only one win,
Coach Jason Campbell said he is still enthusiastic for his team.
“We lost by only 1 run against Brentwood and St. Gerard,
and now our guys realize how just one error can cause a loss,”
Coach Campbell said.
Coach Campbell said the Bears put it together late in the
season and threatened the first and second place teams until late
in the ball games. In the beginning the team had issues with confidence,
focus, hitting, and fielding well. As the year progressed,
the game got easier for them. Those who were not making contact
with the ball finally started getting hits. Players who could not
catch a beach ball were catching fly balls. Later, Coach Campbell
added, the team started to look like the baseball team they aimed
to be in the beginning of the season. Confidence was directly
proportional to how well the team played.
Several players earned special recognition, Coach Campbell
said. Matt Verity led in batting with an average of .391, while
Tommy James led in total hits. Matt had 12 stolen bases, while
Tommy had 8 stolen bases. Maverick Jennings also had a batting
average over .300 with .315.
Three players received all-district honors: Honorable mention
Richard Toedt, second team Matt Verity, and first team Tommy
James.
“This year was crazy, and we didn’t do so well, but we will do
better next year,” Blake McClendon said. Mike Quinn added,
“The season was really fun and the team became close friends.”
Finally, Tommy James said, “A lot of talent did not come together
and as a result, it was a rough season.”
Pitch it, Brittney!
In one of the girs’ last softball
games, Brittney Sowell shows her
skill as a pitcher. Pitching doesn’t
come naturally for Brittney, but
she started playing that position
when she was nine years old.
“One day at softball practice we
were just having fun pretending
to pitch and then my coaches saw
me pitch,” Brittney said. “I guess
I had what it took. Because I am
not a natural pitcher I have to
practice a lot. My dad has really
helped me through out the years.”
This year’s softball team was
very young just like the others
in the past. This was the first
year playing softball for many of
the girls. “Even though we did
not have as a good as season as
we all hoped for, we had a lot
of fun along the way,” Brittney
said. “It doesn’t matter if you
win or lose. All that matters is
if you had fun playing the sport
in the end.
Juniors, freshmen win at Powder Puff
(Above left) Morgan Martin,
Chelsea Martin, Jackie Monical,
Olivia Garza, and Hailey
Tuck show their winning
strength at the Powder Puff
game. (Below left) Dusty Hester
intercepts a ball from Nicole
Hoffman during practice.
Dusty was one of the coaches.
(Above) Hannah Hartman
gets ready to center the ball.
The Junior/Freshman team
won the game by three touchdowns,
with junior Olivia
Garza making all three. “It
was a really fun experience,”
Olivia said. “Without Brittney
as our quarterback, I wouldn’t
have been able to score. She
was great at throwing far.”
Starting his windup, Tommy James eyes the catcher’s mitt, where
he hopes to pitch a strike. Tommy was a First Team All-District
pick on the baseball team, which ended their season recently with
only one district win.

Page 18 The Laurel May 12, 2006
In debut year, Bridge School providing
cultural experience for Korean students
By Adelita Ayala
The Bridge School program
has been going since March of
this year and will end May 20.
The main purpose of the school
is to provide an intensive English,
academic, and cultural
experience for the Korean students
who participate in the
program.
Mrs. Pamela Mashburn,
Bridge School students enjoy themselves on a field trip to San
Antonio recently. The 20 students have visited a number of places
since their arrival here in March.
school director, is in charge of
working with the residence life
issues of the Bridge School and
coordinates the activities for
these 20 students (16 boys and
4 girls). She is called the “local
parent” because she is responsible
for the kids. “I make sure
they are where they need to be,”
Mrs. Mashburn said.
A typical day for the students
includes ESL classes at
the RCC and other academic
classes at Goodnight Junior
High School, Miller Junior
High School, or San Marcos
High School. The students
were also involved in the afterschool
activities program here
at the Academy, along the rest
of the Academy student body.
At night, Bridge students have
a three-hour study hall.
According to Mrs. Mashburn,
the program has been a
great benefit for the students.
“They are not only learning
English, but also are experiencing
dorm life, independence,
teamwork and aspects of American
culture,” she said.
Another important part of
this program are the trips that
are organized for the students,
allowing them to experience
and visit some places that are
recreational and educational
at the same time. Some of the
places they have been to are
NASA in Houston, the Alamo,
the Texas State Capitol in
Austin, Sea World, and Fiesta
Texas. A trip to Schlitterbahn
is also planned.
Mrs. Wanda Stephens shows Hisham Naeem how to slice into
a starfish in biology class. The science classes have been doing a
lot of interesting dissections and experiments lately. The chemistry
class even learned to make their own ice cream.
Prom provides Glitz and Glamour
(Left) Olu Oladoj and David Bobb show off their
fancy suits to Olivia Garza before prom. (Above)
Hailey Tuck, Laura Dunne and Jose Coira enjoy
a delicious meal at Kobe Steak House before they
head to the prom. This year the prom was held
that Aquarena Springs Center.

At graduation time each year
Veteran covers campus with fl ags
By Adelita Ayala
What started as a way of honoring a lost son
has now become a tradition of honoring every
person represented by a tree in the Academy
campus.
As a retired Chief Master Sergeant in the
U.S. Air Force, Mr. Bill Childers felt the
need to do something to pay
tribute to his son, a retired
lieutenant commander in the
Navy, who died seven years ago.
Mr. Childers is the father of
Mrs. Bridget Wieland, Academy
receptionist, and grandfather of
ninth grader John Wieland.
When the Childers family
dedicated a tree in memory of
Brock Childers in 2000, his
father started placing a U.S. flag
next to the tree. Soon, though,
he thought it would be a nice
gesture to commemorate the
Brock Childers’ Memorial Tree
other individuals who have a tree dedicated to
them, veterans and non-veterans alike.
Thus, every year during graduation week, Mr.
Childers places about 70 flags around campus
with the help of his grandson, John, and some of
his fellow classmates. “The memory markers are
one of the greatest things the campus has,” Mr.
Childers said, “I feel honored
to have the privilege of doing
this.”
Mr. Childers places the flags
prior to graduation and then
picks them up the Monday
after. “Many people who come
to graduation compliment the
flags because it is a way of honoring
the veterans,” he said.
Hopefully the tradition will
continue with Mr. Childers
coming back each year to
continue this family legacy of
honor and recognition.
Goodrich gets thrill from wake boarding
By Raji Gullapalli
It’s almost summer and
everyone is getting ready to go
out in the sun, ride jetskis, do
some swimming, and go wake
boarding.
Senior Daniel Goodrich has
been a wake boarder for two
years. He said he has not done
any training, but has been practicing
by himself at the Texas
Ski Ranch, between San Marcos
and New Braunfels.
“The Texas Ski Ranch is a
lot of fun,” Daniel said.” It is
Daniel Goodrich prepares himself to do a trick
and jump off the ramp at the Texas Ski Ranch.
very relaxing and a great place
to release some energy.”
Before he got into water
sports, Daniel was primarily
interested in snow sports.
“I got interested in wake
boarding because of snowboarding,”
Daniel said. “I
snow boarded for about five
years before I decided to wake
board.”
He said he likes snowboarding
better, but it is too expensive
to go often. Wake boarding is
much more affordable. Daniel
goes to as many wake boarding
competitions as he can, becoming
overall champion in the
last one he entered. He won a
pair of $800 boat speakers and
a big plaque.
The tricks Daniel has mastered
are grabs, spins, inverts,
and flips. He has been practicing
grinding also.
“I intend to continue wake
boarding in college as much as
I can,” Daniel said.
A big wake boarding fan, Daniel spends a lot of
time in the water during the summer.
May 12, 2006 The Laurel Page 19
On chapel hill, Mr. Bill Childers places a U.S. flag by one of the
memorial tree markers on campus. Mr. Childers places flags by all
70 trees during graduation weekend each year.
Eighth graders looking ahead
to Commencement & beyond
By Kelsey Henry
“I’m a little bit nervous about graduation. I don’t like being
on stage that much.” said Victoria Hargroder, one of the 29
eighth graders who will begin the next chapter in their lives,
high school May 19 at the Middle School Commencement.
The eighth grade has become a tight-knit group this year.
Many of them said that they will miss middle school mostly
because of their friends. “I will miss the fact that we were all
good friends in all the same classes,” said Lainey Godwin,
this year’s valedictorian. The salutatorian is David Abugaber.
Another positive aspect of middle school they said they enjoyed
was early lunch.
“I will miss early lunch and having break in the gym,”
said Chloe Rocha.
While the eight graders say they will miss their friends
and their teachers, they are also ready to move up to the upper
grades. High school offers many more privileges, such as
school dances like the military ball and the chance to compete
in varsity sports. Additionally, the eighth grade graduates say
they are looking forward to meeting new people and gaining
more respect. Victoria is looking forward to “getting to hang
out with my high school friends.”
“I’m looking forward to a better school system and sports,”
Arnold Kim said, while Kristi Allison added, “I will not miss
people calling you ‘little middle schooler.’”
Of course, high school is not only about activities and
social life (believe it or not). It is finally a chance for students
to choose their own classes and start finding out what they
want to do in life. Electives, foreign languages, and athletics
were at the top of the eighth graders’ course selection preference.
Francis Hwang said, “I can’t wait to take a foreign
language” while Arnold Kim said he is most excited about
“chemistry, PE, and band”.
While the seniors prepare for college and adulthood, the
eighth grade is just coming up to the starting point. I wish
to express good luck to all my friends and an excellent freshman
year!

Page 20 The Laurel May 12, 2006
Culture Fair puts our diversity on display
(Left) A group of Japanese students from Texas State University
performs a modern dance for students at the Cultural Fair. (Below)
In traditional dress from Mexico and Korea, Jesus Flores and Eunice
Yeo enjoy the activities at the fair.
Little Sisters, continued from page 13
To Megan:
This semester has been great, and I really want
to thank you for making me feel comfortable.
Even though we have not had our best times, it
always turns out for the best. Remember all the
times walking around the track talking about all
our girl problem . . . haha! I am going to miss
that. I hope you have fun in college and remember
little ol’ me. You have always taught me
how to be tough and not put up with anyone’s
problems. You are a great friend, and I will
always remember you and thank you. Have fun
in colleg---party hard!! Haha jk! I hope everything
in your life turns out for the best!
Love you sweetheart, Raji
To Alli Puig:
I hope you have the most incredible life, and
I hope that one day you will get to go to the
moon. I will come if you invite me. I just want
you to know that I love your guts and hope for
the best for you and I will miss you a whole lot!
Keep it real, home fry.
Love, Brittney
(Above left) Sohei Nishimura
helps Jeff Cope put on a traditional
Japanese outfit. Both boys
helped out at the Japan booth
at the Cultural Fair. (Above)
Representing Thailand, Phu
Rattanawenawatee and Note
Sintraveevongse stand at their
booth to tell visiting students
about the culture and history
of their country. (Left) Modeling
her dress, Dee Dee Trevino
helps helps promote the culture
of Mexico. Dee Dee is from
Laredo.