VYPE Willis ISD September 2022

W I L L I S I S D H I G H S C H O O L S P O R T S

W I L L I S I S D . O R G

2022 FALL EDITION

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GO KATS!!

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On behalf of the Willis ISD Board of Trustees, administration, coaches and sponsors, we welcome you to Yates Stadium. We appreciate your support of Willis ISD, and of all the students that dedicate themselves to the hard work it takes to prepare for Friday night lights. We know you will be impressed by their drive and talent. From football players to cheerleaders, dance team to marching band, color guard to our

student section, we are proud of our students and we hope you will help us applaud each group as they perform their part in making Friday nights so special. Please join us in encouraging good conduct, spirited competition and support for game officials as we enjoy another season of Wildkat Football. Dr. Tim Harkrider Willis ISD Superintendent

W I L L I S I S D H I G H S C H O O L S P O R T S

W I L L I S I S D . O R G

2022 FALL EDITION

on the cover Photo by Bradley Collier PURPLE REIGN: Welcome to the second annual Willis ISD VYPE Magazine Fall Edition. Congratulations to Emma Baron, Blaine Eckert, Tucker Bond, Alyssa Platt, Katie Leggett, Ford Ivey, Lakin Horne, DJ Lagway, Tony Silverio, Devon Lovelady, Abigail Taylor, Savannah Paske and Taylor Hayes for gracing the cover!

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WI LDKAT NAT I ON

As a district, we want to provide our students in athletics and fine arts with an opportunity to succeed in their respective programs. We want this success to carry over into the community, and we want them to take it with them when they leave our schools. We are grateful for a community that supports our students and

understands that it truly takes all of us to ensure our students are successful moving through school as a Wildkat. We want ALL Wildkats to have a chance to succeed in life. Jason Glenn Willis ISD Executive Director of Athletics and Fine Arts

Jason Glenn Willis ISD Executive Director of Athletics and Fine Arts

T H A N K S T O O U R B O A R D M E M B E R S

C l i f f Wi l l i ams PRES I DENT

Ky l e Hoegemeye r V I CE PRES I DENT

Pau l e t t Tray l o r SECRE TARY

Ch r i s t en A r no l d MEMBER

Chad Jone s MEMBER

Cha r l e s Pe r r y, S r. MEMBER

Rob i n Sp roba MEMBER

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table of contents

S P O T L I G H T ART I CLES

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Raising the Standard Wi ldkat Wonders One Wi l l is The Great Labonski Six Degrees of Leggett Roadwork in Progress

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Macin Connell

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Slowly but surely, Miller believes that they are changing that mindset . Their season-opening 73-14 victory over Bryan Rudder was a big step. It was the first home game for Miller as the head coach of the Wildkats. A game that he will soon not forget , not because of the score or the video-game stats produced, but because of the community. When the football team bus arrived at Ber ton A. Yates Stadium on August 26 at 4:30 p.m., Miller guessed there were around 1,500 fans to welcome them that had been tailgating for two hours prior to kickoff. “It ’s a one-horse town deal ,” Miller said. “Everybody shuts down and comes to the game on Friday nights. Football is just a bigger deal in this town.” The scene for Miller ’s first game was right out of the movie Friday Night Lights. Fans began setting up for tailgating at 9 a.m. that morning. Tailgating star ted around 2:30 p.m. once the middle schools let out . Gates opened around 5:30 p.m. and as Miller and his team went out for their pregame warmups at 6 p.m. the stadium was nearly full. As the game star ted, a line of fans waiting to get in could still be seen “wrapped around the stadium and to the back of the middle school”. “ That stadium was

IT IS A RAINY TUESDAY IN AUGUST. TRENT MILLER, SITTING AT HIS OFFICE DESK, LOOKS AROUND TO SEE BOXES THAT ARE STILL UNPACKED FROM APRIL. Miller just hasn’ t had time to finish unpacking. “Everybody wants to come in and talk football , talk about the team and the community,” Miller, who was hired on April 9 as Willis’ nex t head football coach, said. “ They want to talk about where to eat and where not to eat . Former players, current players, future players. I still to this day haven’ t had the chance to sit down and fully unpack everything in my office.” The passion that the Willis community shows overall towards Wildkats’ athletics is something that Miller takes note of. It is a town that has ballooned from a Class 4A high school to a Class 6A , playing alongside well established programs such as The Woodlands, Conroe, College Park and Oak Ridge. Willis and their community want to compete in that group of power programs across all spor ts. “ The term that gets thrown around a lot with people in this town is they want to be relevant ,” Miller said. “We’re trying to bring that mindset and that culture to this town that relevant is not the standard. The standard needs to be the No. 1 program in the State of Texas.”

W E ’ R E T R Y I N G T O B R I N G T H A T M I N D S E T A N D T H A T C U L T U R E T O T H I S T O W N T H A T R E L E V A N T I S N O T T H E S T A N D A R D . T H E S T A N D A R D N E E D S T O B E T H E N O . 1 P R O G R A M I N T H E S T A T E O F T E X A S . ”

up from school and it ’s off to practice with dad and the Wildkats. “ They ’re both on the practice field every day, so they ’re hanging out with the boys on the field in practice,” Miller said. “ Then, they get to hang out with them in the locker room and then they are all over the sidelines on Friday nights. “ The community knows my kids almost as well as they know me because they see us everywhere. We’re heavily involved. Our roots are building deeper within this town. The more we’re seen in public, the more welcoming people are towards us. It ’s been a surreal and unbelievable experience so far.”

rocking,” Miller said. “It was standing room only. We’re talking about people lined up and down the fence and around the fieldhouse area just trying to see the game. It was an amazing feeling. It was really cool.” Miller, his wife Lindsey, who teaches English at the high school , and sons Michael and Cole, who attend a middle and elementary school in Willis ISD, are still ingraining themselves into the community. So far, it has been a smooth transition. The school Cole goes to shares a parking lot with Willis High, allowing Miller to drive his son to school every morning on a golf car t . At the end of the day, Lindsey will pick them both

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h MI LLER ENJOY I NG FAST-PACED START TO WI LL I S JOURNE Y R A I S I N G T H E STANDARD

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Ford Ivey

Carly Paugh

W I L L I S H I G H S C HO O L I S T R E ND I NG . T H E P I E C E S A R E FA L L I NG I N TO P L A C E - F R OM T H E A R R I VA L O F J A S ON G L E NN A S T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R O F AT H L E T I C S A ND F I N E A R T S TO T H E H I R I NG O F I NNO VAT I V E F O O T B A L L C O A C H T R E N T M I L L E R . T H E A R T S A R E I N G R E AT H A ND S , F I L L E D W I T H T R EME ND O U S S P ON S O R S , D I R E C TO R S A ND TA L E N T E D S T UD E N T S P U T T I NG I N HO U R S O F H A R D WO R K . TO TO P I T O F F, T H E SMA L L TOWN H A S A B I G - T I ME N AT I ON A L R E C R U I T I N D J L A GWAY, WHO S E R V E S A S T H E FA C E O F T H E S C HO O L . WE L C OME TO T H E W I L L I S H I G H S C HO O L 2 0 2 2 FA L L V Y P E E D I T I ON . I T ’ S G O I NG TO B E A G R E AT Y E A R . W I L D K A T WONDERS

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Devon Lovelady

Abigail Hayes

Molly McCollum

Brad Lottinger

Amy Garcia

Secret Carroll

Atavian Friend

Tori VanSchuyver

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James Bagwell

Chloe Henderson

Tucker Bond

Rohan Patel

Chase Larson

Zach Lang

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Abigail Taylor

Kimora Youngblood, Mylee Williams, Claire Ivy, Molly McCollum, Harley Buell and Triniti McPheron

Jayden Marshman

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\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h WI LL I S FOOTBALL E YE I NG B I G SE ASON I N 2022 L O C K E R TALK

Darion Robinson, Zach Long, Macin Connell, Jayden Marshman, Payton Albers, DJ Lagway, Atavian Friend, Terri Lawrence, De’Von Lovelady and Ford Ivey

only made the playoffs but defeated Dekaney 22-14 in the opening round to secure its first postseason victory since 2010. Miller believes they have a roster that could make a deep playoff run in 2022 , reaching potentially “the third, fourth or fifth round playoff team this year ”. “When I got here in April , we were installing our systems both offensively and defensively with a bunch of puppies,” Miller said. “A bunch of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. We knew the talent level was there, we knew what they were capable of doing.” Here are the players to watch on both sides of the ball.

WILLIS HAS PLAYED FOOTBALL SINCE 1928. SINCE THEIR INCEPTION, THE WILDKATS HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS 20 TIMES. IN 1967 THE TEAM AT AR TURNER – THE WILLIS ALL-BLACK HIGH SCHOOL PRIOR TO INTEGRATION – WENT ON TO WIN THE CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WILLIS HAS MADE THE POSTSEASON FOUR TIMES WITH ALL OF THOSE BERTHS COMING FROM FOURTH-PLACE FINISHES IN DISTRICT PLAY.. Trent Miller enters the equation at head coach in 2022 as he and his staff try to build off the 6-6 record and playoff appearance in 2021. Last year, the Wildkats not

W E ’ V E G O T T H E B U Y - I N T A K I N G P L A C E A N D T H E C U L T U R E I S C H A N G I N G B Y T H E D A Y . ” – T R E N T M I L L E R

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OFFENSE DJ LAGWAY (QB)

COACH SPEAK : “A big piece of our puzzle offensively is Terri Lawrence. He’s our running back , who spends 80 percent of his time as a slot receiver. For us to get where we want to be, at some point we’re going to have to establish our run game. He’s more than capable of doing that . With his ability to run the football , running behind a younger offensive line, that ’s going to be the piece we’re going to have to eventually lean on.” DEFENSE JERMAINE BISHOP (C) KADE HYDE (C) JAYDEN MARSHMAN (C/S) ATAVIAN FRIEND (FS) JOSIAH STEPHENS (DT/DE) TERRI LAWRENCE (RB/WR) DEBRAUN HAMPTON (WR) DAYLION ROBINSON (WR) JALEN MICKENS (WR) IMAUREE HOLMES (WR) XAVIER RICHMOND (WR) ZACH LANG (TE) MASON ISBELL (OL) CALEB FLETCHER (OL) FORD IVEY (OL) KELLER DAVIS (OL) DEVON LOVELADY (ATH) JACOB RIOS (ATH)

Darion Robinson

PAYTON ALBERTS (DE) BROCK PERRY (MLB) MACIN CONNELL (LB)

COACH SPEAK : [Bishop] is an absolute freak , but he’s a freshman. He’s probably going to end up playing on both sides of the ball for us this year because of his ability to do special things with the ball in his hand.”

Payton Alberts

Terri Lawrence

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He works and works and works – and he eats. “He loves fast food – Chick fil-a for sure,” Niki laughed. “He loves my fried chicken and chicken alfredo from Cheddars. There is nothing he won’ t try.” “He got his birthday money, and he was so happy,” Derek laughed. “I told him, don’ t eat yourself to death.” While he will be eating at their table for the next few years, before long, he will be moving on to a college meal plan. Everyone wants to know where, but the Lagways are supportive wherever his life-changing choice will take him. “I just want him to go play for someone who loves him and treats him like their son,” Derek said. “Sure, I’d like for him to be close to home, but if you are not in the right situation, you will never get a fair chance.” “He has to be happy,” Niki said. “We are going to drop him off at college and I know what he is thinking… he wants to play. He wants to get to the next level. I tell him, ‘I’m always gonna get to you’, so go wherever you want . I want what his goals are.” So, if DJ Lagway is this blessed, I guess his younger brother Jamal is too. The seventh grader is already making a name for himself at the age of 13. These days, it ’s great to be a Willis Wildkat .

involved.” They have witnessed first hand his development dating back to his toddler years. “He would just watch TV and these athletes,” Niki said. “At two-years-old, he would go out in the yard and take a wiffle ball and a bat . He didn’ t put the ball on a tee, he would just toss it and whack it . At that point , I knew we had to get him into sports.” Derek added: “When he was five years old, he was just different than everyone else at basketball. He was bigger than most everybody, football when he was about 10-yearsold he was tackled like five times – the entire season.” His legend only continued diamond, the basketball court and the football field. As he moved into high school , the buzz continued to grow. “When I was coming up, I personally didn’ t have his work ethic,” Derek said. “That is what has always set him apart . He got that from his mother.” “He is a goal-oriented person,” Niki said. “On his bathroom mirror he writes his goals – small goals and big goals. He marks them off and won’ t rest until they are done. Everything he puts his mind to, he’s done.” As the spotlight has gotten brighter, it seems like Lagway continues to stay grounded. but he could play. When he played Little League to build through middle school on the baseball

cheerleader, basketball player and track athlete both representing the purple and white. “Going out to the first game this year and seeing my son lead the Willis Wildkats in front of his community… our community… it was a dream come true,” Derek said. “We were just overjoyed with pride.” “Our high school memories were a blur,” Niki laughed. “The games, the pep rallies. It ’s so different now because it is so much bigger. Everyone is supportive and

DJ LAGWAY IS BLESSED. Yes, he can throw a ball through a wall and hurdle tacklers with a single bound, but it ’s more than that . Three other things make him blessed – a tremendous work ethic and his parents, Derek and Niki Lagway. The former Willis High School sweethearts have nurtured and guided their son to be in position to be one of the most coveted athletes in the nation. Derek was a star football player, who went on to play at Baylor, and Niki was a

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a FAMI LY, WORK ETH I C MAKE NAT I ON ’ S TOP QB A CAN ’ T MI SS K I D T H E LAGWAYS

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Home of the Kats Closet

The Wildkat Resource Center

offers FREE items to Willis ISD employees, students, and families who are in need of assistance. How to receive assistance You can reach out to your child’s campus counselor or

administration. The WRC is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm by appointment only.

Sponsors and Donations

The Wildkat Resource Center is made possible through sponsorships and donations. We are currently taking donations by appointment only. If you are interested in sponsoring the center, please call (936) 890-3227.

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a WI LL I S LE ANS ON E XPER I ENCED PL AYERS TO LE AD PROGRAM T H E S E N I O R SQUAD

can jump out of the gym on the block or hammer a point to the floor. Let ’s see what makes them tick.

game from an intellectual perspective as a member of the National Honor Society. Taylor Hayes is the freak athlete in the middle, who

that complement the others. Setter Savannah Paske is a social ball of energy, who keeps it light and fun. Libero Lakin Horne sees the

A TEAM’S TONE IS SET BY ITS SENIORS. The Willis volleyball team has a trio of strong-minded seniors, each with strengths

LAK I N HORNE ON HER FUTURE: My goal is to get recruited to play in college. I want to earn a degree in Kinesiology and have a career in spor ts medicine, physical therapy or complementary medicine (chiropractor). I could see myself as a coach because I understand the game. But , more impor tantly I understand what happens outside the game. WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE AS A SENIOR? You need to focus on yourself first . It ’s a lot harder to please everybody else, than just yourself. Don’ t let everyone else’s opinions dictate your career. Also, being a successful leader is understanding that everyone on your team is different . All of those differences can make a team successful. SAVANNAH PASKE WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHOW ON NETFLIX? Stranger Things WHAT IS YOUR HYPE SONG? El Chapo WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPER POWER BE? Time Travel. I ’d love to go back in time to fix some of my mistakes . WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT? Salata WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN 10 YEARS? I ’m married with a family and working in our family insurance business . You need an Umbrella Policy? WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH? Zac Efron. Even when he’s 70-years old. TAYLOR HAYES ON HER VOLLEYBALL JOURNEY: My sister played a few years back and got me into it . Volleyball was a challenge for me and I wasn’ t that good at first . I like to see my improvement over the years and that ’s really why I stuck with it . WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF VOLLEYBALL? I run varsity track – the 100, 200 and sprint relays . It really helps my quickness and footwork in volleyball. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU? I used to be a barrel-racer when I was growing up in Pampa, Texas . I work out with a trainer every day and I want to be a Realtor when I get older. HOW DO YOU BUILD CHEMISTRY? You need some inside jokes wi th your teammates . You have to be bonded from previous activi ties . Last year, we went to San Antonio. Ma and my roommate competed against other rooms in a dance battle. It ’s the sleepovers , team dinners and hang outs that build chemistry.

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provides the energy and athleticism and Lakin is our calm, cool , collected leader.” With the addition of New Caney, Caney Creek and Cleveland, Willis is getting some much-needed confidence in district play. “The new teams bring great competition,” she said. “I know we can match up with them and be really successful too. It ’s just getting over the mental hump. As they start to believe in themselves, watch out .”

who is the Wildkats’ “go-to, big hitter ”, said Storms. Paugh will be a college recruit to watch as she gets older and more experienced. Senior Savannah Paske has done a tremendous job so far running the offense, Taylor Hayes has great athleticism in the middle and Lakin Horne is the defensive specialist . “Savannah has grown so much in the game and she is having a great senior year,” Storms said. “ Taylor Hayes

established.”

COACH MEGAN STORMS’ PLAN IS TAKING SHAPE. In her fifth year, Storms has changed the culture of Willis volleyball and the program is turning a corner. “It ’s been a growing experience going from Class 5A to 6A ,” she said. “You have to build a 6A mentality from playing year-round club and star ting at a young age. To compete at this level , you have to get that mindset . Those big schools in our district already have that

Storms should know having been an assistant coach at super-power The Woodlands for several years. “We had our best offseason this year and our pre-district has been really good (16-10),” she said. “ They are seeing their hard work pay off and it ’s coming together.” Leading the way is one of the most power ful kill ar tists in the State of Texas – sophomore Carly Paugh –

Secret Carroll, Lakin Horne, Savannah Paske, Carly Paugh and Taylor Hayes

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O N E WI LL I S

integration. M I DD L E SCHOO L COORD I NATORS \\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a WI LL I S I SD I NCORPORAT I NG “ VERT I CAL I NTEGRAT I ON” FROM MI DDLE TO H I GH SCHOOL SPORTS

THE ARRIVAL OF JASON GLENN AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND FINE ARTS, THE INTEGRATION OF BRABHAM AND LYNN LUCAS MIDDLE SCHOOLS INTO THE WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL CULTURE BEGAN IMMEDIATELY. “We want our middle school students and coaches to feel like they are already at Willis High School ,” he said. “It ’s a vertical integration that the most successful districts in Texas implement .” It will reflect in the unforms this season as the “Big W and the State of Texas” will be prominent and the middle school name will be written underneath. “It ’s our brand,” he said. “We wanted people to know that , this is Willis,” he said. “That ’s how you build a community. We want to have a true family feel and these are the things it ’s going to take. It ’s not about one school or the other, it ’s about Willis. We will all be eating at the same, big table.” High school coaching athletic schedules also had to be tweaked to allow for the most important part of the

“This will allow our high school coaches to go observe at the middle schools,” Glenn said. “The students need to see the faces of their future high school coaches and the coaches need to be able to coach up the middle school coaches. It goes back to alignment .” New football head coach Trent Miller is also excited about the program. “We are looking forward to mentoring the high school coaches,” Miller said. “Just bringing them more into the fold, visiting them on campus to help with the athletes and building relationships with them is a huge win for everyone.” The vertical integration also reaches the elementary schools with its “Rising ‘Kats” program, where students from Kindergarten to 6th grade will run with the Wildkats at home games. This is how you build a community. In the words of Jason Glenn, “Let ’s do this.”

CHRIS BEAM BRABHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS ATHLETICS COORDINATOR

RAELYN JOHNSON BRABHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS ATHLETICS COORDINATOR

TRAVIS ELKINS LYNN LUCAS MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS ATHLETICS COORDINATOR

DENISHA MICKENS LYNN LUCAS MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS ATHLETICS COORDINATOR

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Willis ISD Career & Technology Education Center Your future starts today

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The Willis ISD Career & Technology Education Center (CTE) is a state-of-the-art facility providing students with unparalleled career preparation in healthcare, technology, engineering, agriculture, cosmetology, automotive and culinary arts, among others.

Course content is aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education or careers in current and emerging professions.

Nineteen certifications provide students the opportunity to graduate high school ready to enter the workforce and begin reaching their goals.

Where will Willis ISD take you?

Willis ISD Career & Technology Education Center Career Clusters Willis ISD Career & Technology Education Center Career Clusters

Information Technology • Computer Maintenance • Computer Programming • Digital Media • Networking • Web Technologies Certifications : CompTIA Network+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA IT Fundamentals+, CompTIA Security+ Law, Public Safety, Security & Corrections • Law Enforcement Certifications : Non-Commissioned Security Officer Level II Certifications : Certified Solidworks Associate, NCCER Welding Level 1 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics • Engineering Design and Presentation • Robotics Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) - This Career Cluster ® focuses on careers in planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional support services such as transportation infrastructure plan ning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance. • Automotive Basics • Automotive Technology Certifications : ASE Entry-Level Manufacturing • Welding • Metal Fabrication

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources • Advanced Animal Science

• Veterinary Science • Horticulture Science • Floral Design

Certifications : Certified Veterinary Assistant, Texas State Floral Assoc. Architecture and Construction • Construction Technology Certifications : NCCER Core Curriculum, NCCER Carpentry Level 1, OSHA 30-hour General Industry Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications • A/V Production • Photography • Radio Broadcasting • Printing & Imaging • Fashion Design • Video Game Design Certifications : Adobe Certified Associate

Health Science • Health Science Clinic/Theory • Pharmacology Certifications : Certified Nurse Assistant, Certified Pharmacy Technician Hospitality and Tourism This Cluster ® focuses on the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food/beverage services, lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel-related services. Students learn knowledge and skills focusing on communication, time manage ment, and customer service that meet industry standards. • Culinary Arts Certifications : ServSafe Manager employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care services, and consumer services. • Child Development • Cosmetology • Nutrition Certifications : Cosmetology Operator License Human Services (HS) - The HS Cluster ® focuses on preparing individuals for

Business, Marketing & Finance • Business Law • Business Information Management Certifications : Microsoft Office Specialist, Real Estate Sales Agent License Education and Training • Human Growth Certifications : Educational Aide 1

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Willis ISD Career & Technology Education Center 40 FM 830, Willis, Texas 77378 936.890.7411 www.willisisd.org @WillisISD_CTE

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a LEGENDARY TE ACHER TAK I NG LE AD OF WI LL I S I SD F I NE ARTS T H E G R E A T LABONSK I

met my wife and her family, they were some hardcore water skiers. They still are and my wife is a competitive level skier. She had a plan for me to become a slalom skier two years after we met . “It doesn’ t really connect to Fine Ar ts, but it ’s about teaching. I vividly remember being drug behind a boat trying to learn how to ski. Now, I’m pretty good it . I bring that up, which is fire to my students. You are going to get good at this, but you have to put in the practice and hard work .” The State of Texas has been put on notice, Willis has a new General , and he is building a new fleet of elite ships in the Fine Ar ts world. Prepare for a wave of success.

kids to have good lives,” he said. “Your core courses may get you into college or a career, but soft skills are for building a fun life and being happy. Like athletics, it teaches so many life lessons – from being able to work with other people on a team to becoming a leader. Those are skills that will make you successful for the rest of your life. “We have several students from our program who have become music educators. That is huge for me… to be a par t of their inspiration as they become an adult .” While music is his passion, the new Director of Fine Ar ts has an interesting hobby. “I’m not from Texas, but I got here as fast as I could, right?” he laughed. “When I

Teacher in the Ar ts Award recipient in 2017. He has seen the Fine Ar ts program at Willis ISD explode since arriving in 2009. “I think our biggest success quality through culture,” he said. “When I star ted here, we had 12 students in choir. We went from something that didn’ t really exist here at Willis is raising the

SUPERINTENDENT DR. TIM HARKRIDER MIGHT BE A GENIUS, NAMING KENNETH LABONSKI THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS. Why? He’s taking one of the state’s greatest educators and making him the leader of all the fine ar ts teachers. “I was meant to be in the classroom and it ’s a huge par t of my personality,” Labonski said. “It ’s an adjustment but now I’m teaching teachers to become better educators. “I think of it like this. We had strong individual ships in our district in fine ar ts. My job is to build a navy of great ships working together – to make a bigger wave of change. My lens has been widened.” Labonski was the Willis ISD and Willis High School Teacher of the Year in 2018 and a Gottleid Outstanding

to hundreds of students in Fine Ar ts. From a theatre in the cafeteria to a beautiful Per forming Ar ts Center. That ’s what I’m most proud of – raising the bar on the output through character.” What strikes so close to home for Labonski is that he was one of those students back in Illinois. “When I was in high school , I literally followed my friends into the choir room,” he said. “It was lunch, and no one wanted to sit in the cafeteria. It was always cooler to be somewhere else. Right then, I found my place.” Music was always in his life. He had an aptitude for it from a young age. He was a classical guitarist and earned a double major from DePaul University in Music Education and Classical Guitar. “For me, we are teaching

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not as good as your neighbor when you’re marching out there. It ’s a standard of as much effort as you can, all day and every day. “We have this thing, ‘above or below the line,’ and we try and maintain ourselves above the line, which is high effor t . Even if it ’s only one percent improvement every day, we’re just trying to get better.”

a high school while doing some per formances as side gigs. “Just doing what I love,” he said, “which is music.” For now, however, he’s ready to enjoy his last year in the purple and white, leading the nex t generation of Willis band greats. “Our culture consists of putting in effort ,” Silverio said. “It doesn’ t matter if you’re

and gain their confidence that way.” Silverio is headed to Sam Houston State nex t fall to continue his career in music. He plans to pursue a major in music education with a minor in per formance. He also intends to per form with the marching band. Ten years from now, Silverio said he sees himself as head band director at

THE HEAD DRUM MAJOR IS THE QUARTERBACK OF THE MARCHING BAND. IT IS THE JOB OF A DRUM MAJOR TO LEAD THE BAND DURING THEIR PERFORMANCE CARRYING OUT DIRECTIONS OF THE BAND DIRECTOR. So, consider Willis senior Tony Silverio the Tom Brady of the Wildkats’ marching band. Band is in Silverio’s blood. His sister was a drum major, and that got him hooked. “She’d always tell me how the drum majors are the best at what they do,” said Silverio, who plays the trumpet . “As I star ted my band career, I knew it was something I loved doing. I went and pursued it and did all I could to be the best out there.” As a leader, band members gravitate toward Silverio because of his positivity and personable nature. No Willis band member is more impor tant than anyone else. From the veteran seniors to the wide-eyed freshmen, everyone is on equal footing in Silverio’s eyes. “I try to be the nicest person I can be to everyone,” he said. “I don’ t like to judge people based on what they ’ve done. I don’ t like to listen (to what a person has done) until I’ve met that person and I can see who they really are. A lot of people have different stuff going on in their lives, so I always try to be nice and be a helping hand to everybody

\\ By De n n i s S i l v a I I S I LVER I O A MA JOR LE ADER FOR WI LDKATS B A N D I N H I S BLOOD

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Nathaniel Hay, Tony Silverio and Sophia Cruz

Zisel Braza, Tori Dyess, Cris Salas, Aida Garcia, Trevor Hunter and Amy Garcia

Zisel Braza

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Nathaniel Hay, Jaydyn Lightfoot, Jesse Ramos, Chase Larson and Riley Sullivan

Nevaeh Scholwinski, Isabella Gallegos and Kayleigh Corbin

James Bagwell, Maddie Carroll, McKennan Lezama, Exavior Sandusky and Chase Wiederhold

A S T H E C O L O R G UA R D S P I N S T H E I R F L A G S , T H E MA R C H I NG B A ND PA S S I ON AT E LY P L AY S T H E I R I N S T R UME N T S A S T H E UN I T P U T S TO G E T H E R T H E I R FA L L S HOW – “ I N TO T H E B L U E ”. P R A C T I C E , P R A C T I C E , P R A C T I C E . S U R E , I T ’ S T I ME TO S T R U T T H E I R S T U F F UND E R T H E F R I D AY N I G H T L I G H T S , BU T I T ’ S A L S O C OMP E T I T I ON S E A S ON A S W I L L I S P R E P S F O R A N O P P O R T UN I T Y TO P E R F O RM AT T H E U I L S TAT E MA R C H I NG C ON T E S T L AT E R T H I S FA L L . I T ’ S T I ME TO R E P R E S E N T A ND B E P U R P L E P R O UD . S T R I K E U P THE BAND

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DANCE & DRILL TEAM

Sweethearts

1972

Prissy Crockett Student Founder

2022

Kaylee Trotter Director

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a SWEETHE ARTS CAPTA I N HAS APPL I ED DANCE TE AM’ S L I FE LESSONS T H A T “TH I NG”

SOME HIGH SCHOOLERS JUST NEED THAT “THING” TO GET THEM ENGAGED. That “ thing” can change their perspective about everything. It can drive them to greatness. For Alyssa Platt , her “ thing” is the Willis Sweethear ts Drill Team. “Being a part of the Sweethearts has greatly increased my personal responsibility,” the senior captain laughed. “I hate to say this, but I’m a procrastinator. Like bad. It ’s just how I am. But being a part of something that is bigger than myself has changed who I am…for the better.” Platt has been in the Willis ISD dance program since the seventh grade. She has matured over the years through hard work , dedication and accountability — the pillars of the Sweethearts Dance Team. She has developed into a leader, culminating in her senior season as she was named the team’s Captain for 2022-23. “You just have to push yourself,” Platt said. “I found out over the years that I’m so much more capable of acomplising my goals than I thought I could be. All it took was for someone to tell me to do something. I took it from there. As a high school student , sometimes you just have to go for it and get out of your comfor t zone.” As her high school career wraps up in 2023, Platt has a plan. No procrastinating…

a plan.

T R I P L E S T E P What do you watch on Netflix? Outer Banks Where is your favorite vacation spot? Anywhere in the Caribbean What is your favorite local restaurant? Rana’s Mexican Grill

“I’m going to study marketing in college, and I will be opening my own business,” she said. “If not , I want to coach.” Pay it forward, Platt . Pay it forward.

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Eleanor McDonald, Abigail Hayes, Alyssa Platt [Kneeling] and Tori VanSchuyver

Eleanor McDonald

Director Kaylee Trotter

T H E 50 TH L I NE

F O UND E D B Y P R I C I L L A C R O C K E T I N 1 9 7 2 , T H I S Y E A R MA R K S T H E 5 0 T H L I N E O F SWE E T H E A R T S . T H E P R O G R AM H A S B E E N C OMM I T T E D TO L E A D I NG I N S I D E A ND O U T S I D E T H E C L A S S R O OM , P E R F O RM I NG W I T H P R I D E A ND G I V I NG B A C K TO T H E C OMMUN I T Y. T H E SWE E T H E A R T S D R I L L T E AM H A S D E V E L O P E D H UND R E D S O F S U C C E S S F U L Y O UNG WOME N T H R O U G H T H E I R C O R N E R S TON E S O F H I G H P E R S ON A L VA L U E S , H I G H A C A D EM I C S TA ND A R D S A ND L O YA L S C HO O L S P I R I T .

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1414 S. Frazier Suite 111 Conroe, Texas 77301 936-228-0063

TO WATCH WILDKATS

Terri Lawrence

DJ Lagway

DAYLION ROBINSON

Kendrayus Edwards

DEBRAUN HAMPTON

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a SEN I OR LOVES CONNECT I NG FR I END GROUPS S I X D E G R E E S O F LEGGETT

“My mom has always been involved in every volunteer group in the area. I’ve been raised to do the same thing. I take after her in that way.” She has a kind hear t and is always willing to help others. It ’s no surprise then to learn of her future plans. “I want to be a substance abuse counselor,” Leggett said. “I don’ t know, I just have that calling.” While she represents her school as a varsity cheerleader in the fall , she throws on her spikes and runs track in the spring. “ Track helps me so much in cheerleading by keeping me in great shape,” she said. “It keeps my endurance up when lifting girls in the air or doing tumbling passes. Cheer helps me be a leader in track . Track doesn’ t really have captains. Everyone is doing their own thing, so I try and bring everyone together. It works, sometimes.” The all-AP student loves a quick stop at Taco Bell and to binge Schitt ’s Creek on Netflix . “Can I say that?” she laughed. Leggett is a Willis lifer. It ’s her hometown. She loves wearing the purple and white. “I take pride in Willis,” she said. “As a cheerleader, I love seeing how the school spirit has grown over the past few years. I hope we make people excited about going to Willis. That ’s our goal , right?”

THE CONCEPT OF “SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION” IS SIMPLE. It is the idea that everyone is six or fewer social connections away from each other. It ’s the chain of being a “friend of a friend” that connects us. Ever hear talking with new acquaintances? Well , Katie Leggett is a Social Network all unto herself. The senior cheerleader prides herself on being a “connector ” of people inside the halls of Willis High. “I’m good at making friends and being in different friend groups,” Leggett said. “I love seeing those different groups of friends become friends. I like putting people together. Is that weird?” Not really, it ’s sor t of inspirational. of the saying, “What a small world”, when

“I just like being

active,” she said.

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[Back Row]: Claire Ivy, Skyler Horton, Kelsey Weddington, Molly McCollum, Mylee Williams, Kimora Youngblood and Triniti McPheron; [Front Row]: Chloe Henderson, Jessica Holliday, Katie Leggett, Chelsie Forrester and Harley Buell

Claire Ivy

Skyler Horton

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Kelsey Weddington

Kimora Youngblood

Chloe Henderson

S E T T I N G T H E TONE

T H E W I L L I S W I L D K AT S H AV E A L O T TO C H E E R A B O U T F O R T H E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 S C HO O L Y E A R . T H E I R S P O R T S T E AMS A R E S T E A D I LY I MP R O V I NG A S T H E Y E N T E R A N EW D I S T R I C T , A ND T H E G R OW T H O F T H E TOWN I S PA L PA B L E . L E A D I NG T H E H Y P E A R E T H E C H E E R L E A D E R S , TA S K E D AT BR I NG I NG T H E E N E R G Y F R OM T H E F O O T B A L L F I E L D , TO T H E C O U R T S , P E P

R A L L I E S , TO T H E C L A S S R O OM A ND B E HOND . L E T ’ S ME E T T H E W I L D K AT C H E E R L E A D E R S .

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a WI LL I S XC RUNNERS RE ADY TO DROP MA JOR T IMES R O A D W O R K I N PROGRESS

Abby Taylor is the lead senior. Sophomore Joselyn Lira has also made an impression in August . And don’ t forget about Reagan Watson. Tucker Bond, Thomas Hayes, Ben Bessire and Zaiden Grant lead the boys team.

EARLY IN THE MORNINGS DURING THE SUMMER, YOU MAY HAVE COME ACROSS A PACK OF RUNNERS PUTTING IN MILES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF WILLIS. The Wildkats cross country team is back on the course with some young talent who will attempt to make strides in a tough district . It ’s early, but the girls are led by freshman Ximena Banda, who has logged an under 12-minute, 2400-meter time early in the season. Reagan Marburger has had a solid junior year, while

Reagan Watson

Thomas Hayes

Reagan Watson, Thomas Hayes, Abigail Taylor and Tucker Bond

THE WILLIS WILDKAT TENNIS TEAM, LED BY COACH GARRY KEMP, HAS HOPES OF MAKING A NAME FOR ITSELF IN A NEW DISTRICT WITH THE ADDITIONS OF CANEY CREEK, NEW CANEY AND CLEVELAND. Leading the way are senior captains – Emma Baron and Blaine Ecker t – who have been playing together for years. The boys will also be complemented by senior Rohan Patel and junior Brad Lottinger. Stay tuned as Willis climbs the district tennis char ts.

Blaine Eckert

Emma Baron

Brad Lottinger, Rohan Patel, Blaine Eckert and Emma Baron

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a WI LDKAT NET STARS RE ADY TO SERVE A T T H E NET

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Introducing

Official Campus Facebook Pages

Stay Connected!

Stay up-to-date on all the fun things taking place at your child’s campus! This year, each Willis ISD Campus has its own Facebook page, where they will be posting daily to keep you updated on the day-to-day happenings at your student’s school.

A R Turner Elementary @WISDTurner Lagway Elementary @WISDLagway Brabham Middle School @WISDBrabham Stubblefield Academy @WISDStubblefield

Cannan Elementary @WISDCannan Meador Elementary @WISDMeador Lynn Lucas Middle School @WISDLynnLucas Willis ISD @WillisSchools

C C Hardy Elementary @WISDHardy PArmley Elementary @WISDParmley Roark Early Education @WISDRoark Willis High School @WISDWillisHS

Willis ISD Wildkat Strong SMALL-TOWN VALUES AND BIG HEARTS ARE AT THE CENTER OF EDUCATION IN WILLIS ISD Welcome to 2 0 2 2

2 0 2 3

Willis ISD covers 126 square miles of Montgomery County and 32 square miles of San Jacinto County.

TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT 8,750

Number of Employees 1,120 Beginning Teacher Salary $55,000

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Eleven Schools 1 PreK 6 Elementary 2 Middle School 1 High School 1 Alternative/HOPE Academy

2022-2023 M&O Tax Rate - $0.8546 I&S Tax Rate - $0.30 Total - $1.1546

2022-2023 BUDGET General Operating - $82,567,485 Debt Services - $20,847,276 Child Nutrition- $6,050,773

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Our Mission: One Team, One Purpose , as we develop in each student the knowledge, ski l ls and behaviors essential for l ife-long learning and for productive, responsible citizenship.

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