Marching Band Season In Its Final Stretch
As the final chords of the show echo across the field, the bittersweet reality of the season's end settles in. The school marching band has been hard at work for the past couple of months. Every morning before school they practice their marching show in which they perform during halftime at football games and UIL each year. UIL was on Wednesday, October 22, where they competed for a score on their show. Unfortunately, they did not advance to Area, but they received positive feedback from showwatchers.
As the marching band season comes to an end, band members share their thoughts on this year’s season. Julissa Alarcon, a Junior, and 3 year band member stated, “I had a great time performing and even if we didn’t make it to the area, I know we all had fun and made the most of it.” Joseph Gomez, color guard member stated, “Dancing with the band has been my favorite part of this semester! Though I am sad the season is almost at an end, concert band is something I look forward to.”
The dedication, discipline, and unwavering teamwork instilled over countless hours will resonate far beyond the final formation, preparing graduating seniors for the next chapter and leaving a legacy of passion and pride for the underclassmen to carry forward. Though the marching may cease for the season, the lessons learned and the bonds built will continue to define them, long after the last uniform is put away.
Theater department presents 2025 Fall Play
The Woodrow Wilson theater department showcases the 2025 Fall Play starting last Friday and ending with the final show this past Monday. The play was Shakespeare’s “A Mid Summer Night's Dream”. However, instead of doing the original version of the play, the theater department added a fun ‘80s twist on the classic comedy! Beginning the step by step preparations in early September, many students within the theater department have attended many practices in order to prepare for the play. According to Junior Naomi Schkade, “We had a lot of rehearsals that started in early September where at first we just worked on one scene at a time then we started running each act, then the full show.”
With the theater department adding a tubular ‘80s twist to the play, the costumes were definitely a fun, retro throwback. There were fun and positive opinions about the costumes for the play, “I love the costumes!”, stated Junior Naomi Schkade.
The stage design also reflected the lively ‘80s theme, featuring bright neon colors, retro props, and even a few disco lights to set the mood. The creative team worked hard to transform the classic Athenian forest into a vibrant, dance inspired setting that perfectly complemented the upbeat energy of the cast. From the music choices to the colorful backdrops, every detail helped transport the audience back to a decade filled with bold styles and electric rhythms.
Audience members were thoroughly impressed with the performance, praising both the cast’s comedic timing and their dedication to bringing Shakespeare’s words to life in a new way. Many students and parents expressed how much fun it was to see a familiar story told through a fresh lens. “It was so cool to see Shakespeare meet the ‘80s,” said senior audience member Julissa Sanchez. “You could tell everyone on stage was having a blast, and that made it even more enjoyable to watch.”
Wildcats thoughts on "Kpop Demon Hunters"
The movie K-pop demon hunters, made by Sony Pictures Animation, has been getting a lot of attention for its action for catching demons and catchy music. The film consists of a group of k-pop idols whose job is to fight demons and sing songs that became famous nowadays. Let's take a deep intake on how students find this fill, and how much they like it.
Malayuh Bonney, a high school sophomore, shared her take on it, “Honestly, I thought it was really different from what I usually see in K-pop. The whole movie theme caught me off guard, but in a good way. It was super cool and intense, but also really interesting.” When asked if she’d recommend it to her friends, she said, “Yeah, I would recommend it to her. Especially since she likes fantasy or action. It’s not your normal k-pop concept, so it might surprise her in a way, but that’s what makes it fun.” Malayuh gave K-pop Demon Hunters an 8 out of 10, explaining, “The movie is super cool and different, and the visuals were amazing. I didn’t give it a full 10 because I wish the story gave us more explanation. But either way, I really liked it.”
When asked about her thoughts on the movie, Melanie Arzola said, “I actually thought the movie was really good. The storyline was interesting the whole time, and the characters felt real and relatable.” When asked if she would recommend it to others, she added, “Yeah, I definitely would. It’s one of those films that makes you think but also keeps you entertained, it’s not too deep in thought, but it still has a message.” Finally, when asked to rate it on a scale from 1 to 10, Melanie replied, “I’d give it an 8. It wasn’t perfect. There were a few slow parts but overall, it was really well done and worth watching.”
Overall, it’s clear that K-pop Demon Hunters has made quite an impression on these people. Whether it’s the bold fantasy part of the movie, the cool visuals, or the mix of music, people seem drawn to its concept. Both Malayuh and Melanie agreed that while it’s not amazingly good, they say it stands out for being interesting and different from normal K-pop themes. This mix of dark fantasy and performances might not be for everyone, but for those willing to try something new, K-pop Demon Hunters offers an experience that’s both thrilling and memorable.
The Season of Story Telling Begins
By: Paul Ray, Christopher Moreno
The Fall play is now underway, and this season is sure to be their best. Their new theme is “A midsummer night's dream 80’s style.” The play opens Oct. 24 and runs through Oct. 27.The crew for the play is already set and they have already begun their rehearsals.
WIth new crew joining, there are sure to be some hiccups along the way, but the upperclassmen are stepping up to ensure the play will be a great success. Sound crew lead, Ronin Valdez, said the process will be the same as last year and they will have to work hard to get the new crew up to speed. As head of sound, Valdez must have an apprentice.“They could be unfamiliar or reset saved sound presents in the system. And teach them how to fix problems on the go.”said Valdez. New and returning crew are optimistic about their new challenge and for the new play for the fall.
Practice, Nerves and Pride: Inside the Life of a Woodrow Band Student
By: Daniel Soto
For band students at Woodrow Wilson High School, the day doesn’t always end when the final bell rings. Instead, it often shifts into hours of music and practice.
Freshman Jayden Soto enjoys being involved in band activities throughout the day.
“I like to participate at school, but sometimes we have to practice at home,” Soto said.
Many students rehearse after school to prepare for performances. While some love the excitement of playing in front of an audience, others admit to feeling nervous. Still, the energy of playing together often makes performances stronger.
“We talk about being a team and trusting everyone around you to give it the best run possible,” Band Director Caitlin Schmidt said.
Soto described how his feelings change once he’s on stage.
“I experience fear, doubt and nervousness all at once,” he said. “But as soon as I spot my family in the crowd, those feelings change to pride and excitement. That support gives me the confidence to do my very best.”
From long practices to the rush of performance, band students at Woodrow find both challenge and joy in making music together.