Campus Life

The highlight of the festival was the Frightcade, a thrilling attraction that kept guests entertained and coming back for more. Its spooky games and challenges added an exciting twist to the festivities, making it the talk of the night.

Beyond the fun, the Fall Festival served as an outstanding community outreach effort and a strong fundraiser for RSA. The event showcased the power of coming together, reinforcing RSA’s commitment to building connections and supporting its programs.

A Teacher’s Perspective 

Mrs. DeWitt shared what she was most excited about:
“I am most looking forward to awarding students their core value awards because during these past six weeks, students have always displayed examples of what a rocket should be.” 

Teachers also reflected on their favorite pep rally moments from previous years. Halloween-themed rallies topped the list: 

• Ms. Martinez loves the costume competitions: “Everyone dresses up and the departments compete to decide who has the best costumes.” 

• Ms. Guzman recalled when elective teachers dressed as Disney princesses: “We all felt connected.” 

• Coach B couldn’t forget seeing Mr. Wilson as Shrek: “That was the highlight for me!” 

When asked which student event they’d join, Ms. Vargas chose the relay race for its teamwork, while Coach B leaned toward basketball challenges: “Basketball is my best skill.” 

Students Share Their Advice 

Sixth graders new to pep rallies received some wisdom from experienced students: 

• Janvi Patel encouraged them to embrace the energy: “Have fun and enjoy your time. You don’t have to participate in events, but being loud with your grade is a big part of the pep rallies.” 

Students who participated last year described the thrill: 

• Janvi Patel admitted it was nerve-wracking at first but rewarding: “Looking back, it was a fun experience.” 

• Onur Karabulut enjoyed showcasing his skills: “It was cool because I got to show off what I am good at.” 

• Santiago Hernandez loved the competition: “It was fun and exciting because we beat the 8th graders.” 

Celebrating Core Values 

The highlight of the rally was honoring students who embody our school’s core values. Here’s what some winners had to say: 

6th Grade 

• Natalie Alvarez (Community): “I felt proud of myself, and I was surprised because I didn’t know our school did this.” 

• Vyla Trevino (Excellence): “It felt strange at first, but once I realized what I won, I was proud of myself.” 

7th Grade 

• Eva Salazar (Respect): “It felt good because I was getting recognized for my actions.” 

• Santiago Mata (Knowledge): “It felt awesome and I felt proud because my hard work had paid off.” 

8th Grade 

• Antonella Negrete (Community): “I felt excited and nervous because everyone was looking at me. I also felt grateful because teachers recognized my efforts.” 

• Kennedy Acosta (Excellence): “I was surprised and embarrassed, but it was exciting to feel honored.” 

The Spirit of the Rockets 

From thrilling competitions to heartfelt recognition, the pep rally reminded everyone what it means to be part of the Rocket family: community, respect, excellence, and knowledge. Here’s to many more moments that bring us together! 

Mrs. Delgado's Blackout Poetry Project: "The Monkey's Paw"

Editorials

A Big Change in the School Day

At our school, phones must be locked away when we walk in the doors. Some students feel like something fun has been taken from them.

One anonymous student said: “It took away one of the most fun things we get to do. But it also took away cheating and distractions. It kind of helps us learn more.” They also think the rule affects students differently depending on the situation, “People can’t call loved ones in emergencies, but it also makes us talk and learn more instead of cheating.”

When asked whether the law should stay or go, the student gave a mixed answer: "I’d remove the law, but also keep it. Like, don’t let phones be used in class, but maybe let us have them at lunch.”

A Teacher’s View: Focus Is Finally Back

Teachers notice the change too. Mr. Prock, a 6th-grade teacher, said: “Students stay more focused on their studies. They actually talk to each other instead of just texting.”

He said there have been zero phone problems in his classroom this year. “Students work better in groups and they’re more sociable. Honestly, it’s been a very positive thing.”

A Teacher and Mom’s Perspective

Miss Berryman has a unique view — she’s both a teacher and a parent of a student here. As a teacher, she supports the rule: “It forces my students to think a little deeper.”

But as a mom, she understands why families worry: “You want your child to be able to communicate if plans change or something happens.” 

She said students are still learning they can use any school phone if they need help. When asked whether she’d keep the rule if she were governor, she didn’t hesitate: “I would keep it.”

Better Focus… or More Boredom?

Some students say they feel calmer without the buzz of notifications. Others say school feels longer and harder without phones to distract them. Experts say phones can hurt attention and mental health, but suddenly removing them can cause stress too. Schools are still trying to strike a balance.

Trying to Reconnect Without Screens

At lunch, more students are talking, laughing, and sitting together instead of scrolling alone. “I didn’t realize how glued I was to my phone,” Mia said. “Now I actually listen when someone talks to me.” Maybe that’s exactly what this rule is trying to bring back — real connection.

What Happens Next?

The phone ban is still new, and schools are adjusting. Will the rule improve learning and friendships? Or will students keep fighting against it? One thing is clear: school life has changed. Are students truly disconnected — or finally reconnecting?

Extra-Curricular Activities

Health Occupations Students Of America (HOSA) is a student organization for students interested in healthcare fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science, and more. Its mission is to develop technical knowledge and leadership skills that prepare future health professionals for success. At RSA, interest in HOSA continues to grow. This year, eighty students applied for only twenty-two available spots. According to Mrs. Galvan, RSA’s HOSA sponsor, it was the most competitive year yet, with forty more applicants than last year and the highest average entry exam scores in RSA’s history.

This year’s HOSA members are: Kennedy Acosta, Ethan Alfaro, Caden Carreon, Vladimir Cintra, Illiana Corona, Janay De la Rosa, Evelyn Delgado, Isabella Delgado, Sophia Diaz, Ian Frost, Jayden Garcia, Xochilt Gonzalez, Aditya Lakkimsetty, Sofia Perez, Sarah Quezada, Julissa Rivera, Emery Rodriguez, Miranda Ruiz, Julianne Sloan, Sofia Villalobos, and Dakota Young.

One dedicated member, Miranda Ruiz, shared, “My older sister Natalie’s dedication to HOSA inspired me to join. Seeing her work endlessly sparked a light of interest in me to join.” Her story highlights how passion and mentorship continue to motivate new members to continue brilliance within RSA’s HOSA chapter.

In addition to welcoming new members and preparing for competitions, RSA’s HOSA chapter also focused on fundraising to support its goals. To help cover expenses for events and travel, members organized two booths during RSA’s Fall Festival. One booth featured a Pumpkin Toss, and the other offered Pickle Shots. It was heartwarming to see the majority of HOSA’s members working together to support their club. One student in particular, Caden Cavazos, who volunteered at the Pumpkin Toss, said, “I had lots of fun, especially helping the little kids, and I really hope to do more like that.” This shows that HOSA teaches students how rewarding and enjoyable it can be to help out and give back.

RSA’s HOSA members are eagerly preparing for their upcoming competition in Corpus Christi in early 2026, as well as for school-level tryouts. Students are studying events such as Medical Terminology, which tests their knowledge of medical vocabulary, and reviewing scenarios related to their chosen fields. Although the chapter has not yet competed this year, members are excited to showcase what they have learned and represent RSA while keeping the school’s core values in mind. The dedication and effort they are putting in now will not only help them succeed at the state competition and, hopefully, at Internationals, but will also strengthen passion for healthcare. Several students, including Miranda Ruiz, Caden Cavazos, and Sarah Quezada, have set ambitious goals and hope to advance to the International level.

HOSA at RSA offers students more than just a chance to compete; it supplies opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute to the school. From fundraising events, like the fall festival, to preparing for competitions, members build leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills that will help them in the medical field . As the year unfolds, students are nerve-rackingly excited to put their hard work into practice and represent RSA at the state and, hopefully, the international level. HOSA is more than a club, it's a community. It is a place where students discover their potential, support one another, and prepare to make a change in the world of healthcare.

We sat down with the sponsor, Ms. Ybarra, to talk about the event:

Q: Where do the actors get their script for the scenes in this UIL?

A: The dialogue for the participants is given from the coach, who gets their lines from comedy and drama books that are provided for this kind of interest.

Q: What if I need guidance for my part?

A: If a participant is confused on the scene they are doing, the current coach of the UIL, Ms. Ybarra, would come to assist them. She does not mind if a student asks questions about their sequence, so if lost, please ask for help.

Q: What’s the best way to practice with my partner (for Duo)?”

A: Using your time during practice meetups could help with you and your partner’s scene. For example, during the practices, you will be able to rehearse your part with your colleague to perfect the roles together to create a better dynamic on stage.

How can Battle of the Books impact students?

1. Encourages More Reading: Because students want to do well in the competition, they read more books than they normally might. This helps them build a reading habit.

2. Improves Memory and Thinking Skills: Students have to remember characters, events, and details from many different books. This strengthens memory and helps them think more carefully about what they read.

3.  Builds Teamwork: Students work together to answer questions. They learn how to communicate and share ideas.

4.  Boosts Confidence: When students answer questions correctly or see their team succeed, they feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.

5.  Makes Reading Fun: Instead of reading just for homework, students get to turn it into a game or competition, which makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

6.  Introduces New Stories and Perspectives: Students read books they might not have chosen on their own, helping them discover new genres, authors, cultures, and ideas.

Overall, Battle of the Books helps students grow as readers, thinkers, and teammates while having fun!

Sports

They’re practicing drills including stretching in morning practices at 6:45AM. Their stretches are A skips, B skips, and C skips also known as agilities, and other stretches such as high knees and side lunges.  After they go into running 1 lap around the soccer field then to running 2-3 miles then one cool down lap.

What really keeps the team going is each other. They cheer for one another during races, encourage their teammates at practice, and celebrate after tough workouts. The team sticks together through the challenges, and that makes them even better.

Coach B says that his goals for the Cross Country team are that everyone improves from the beginning to the TSCAAL state meet. His favorite memories of Cross Country are him watching the girls come in from the finishing line, giving it their all, and reading their reward relived. Another favorite memory he has is seeing one of the sixth-grade girls, Jackie Salinas get first place in a meet, he says it's impressive for a 6th grader to accomplish this. The best accomplishment that the RSA Cross Country team accomplished is Jacob Alonso, placing top 10 in state for the first time in RSA history! 

In the end, the RSA cross country team shows that teamwork can take you far. They run with pride for their school and for each other, proving that no challenge is too hard when you never give up.

Flag Football

Pictures: Joana Garza @joanaaflicks

Basketball

Pictures: Jose Lopez and Zoe Izaguirre

Student-Teacher Volleyball Tournament

Pictures: Javier Ramirez

Fall Writing Contest Winners

Our magazine recently hosted its quarterly writing contest, drawing many entries from talented student authors. After careful review, the editorial staff selected the top three winners. 

• First place was awarded to How I Feel by Melissa Melo, a heartfelt and expressive work. 

• Second place was awarded to The Mystery of the Crooked House by Giselle Beck, a suspenseful story full of intrigue.

Congratulations to all participants for showcasing their creativity!