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February 14, 2014 Spotlight

Cheryl Couch graduated from Plainview High School in 1966. She then attended and graduated Kilgore College in 1987 and graduated from UT Tyler in 1989. She majored in Spanish and minored in history.

Couch has taught at Kilgore High School for 25 years, and currently teaches Spanish 2 and 3. She has also taught world history, geography, American history, economics, and English (summer school).

Couch always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

“I love kids. I hoped I could make a

January Teacher of the Month FebruaryTeacher of the Month

difference, and I hope I have,” Couch said.

Couch has many favorite things about teaching, but shares one thing in particular.

“I love when I see the proverbial ‘lightbulb’ of understanding,” Couch said.

She automatically knew teaching Spanish was for her.

“I love Spanish and was always good with languages. I wanted a career and teaching Spanish just fit the bill,” Couch said.

Wishing the best for her students

futures, Couch hopes her students have success in whatever they choose to do.

“Don’t take life for granted, be thankful, be respectful, and think before you act!” Couch said.

Couchs’ hobbies include reading and watching old movies, but she also enjoys eating out, going to the movies, and enjoying her grandkids.

The students of KHS have affected Couch in a positive way.

“I have such good memories of most of my students. They really have been a joy! They have kept me young at heart,” Couch said.

Right now Couch’s main goal is retirement. Her husband James is retired and takes care of their farm.

“We have two children, Jamie, who teaches English at SFA, and Chellye (Callaway) who subs at KHS from time to time,” Couch said.

Couch also has four grandchildren: Jordan (11) and Fallon (9) who live in Kilgore, and attend Kilgore schools, Genny (13), who lives in Nacogdoches, and Dennis Johnson (19) who is in the Navy on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

“I’m a good Granny,” Couch said.Couch shares the best part about

being a teacher.“The best part, is getting to know the

kids! To see their successes and their talents,” Couch said.

There are a few things you may not know about Couch.

“I’m a Yankee. I was born in Indiana, and I was adopted when I was three days old,” Couch said, “I used to teach dancing...on roller skates.”

Throughout her career she has done many exciting things.

“I have traveled with students, and I’ve taken students all over the world and saw places and things I never thought I would. What wonderful memories!” Couch said.~Kaili Zumwalt

February Student of the Month February Student of the Month

January Student of the Month January Student of the Month

Student of the month senior Jeffery Sanders has been very active during his four years of high school. He enjoys going bowling, hunting, singing, playing football and running track.

After high school, Sanders wants to attend the University of North Texas.

“UNT has always been my dream school,” Sanders said.

He is going to major in nursing to become a seasonal RN to travel.

While at the University of North Texas, Sanders would like to join a fraternity as long as there is no hazing involved.

Throughout high school, Sanders has found different inspirations and Martin Luther King, Jr. as a role model.

“If it were not for him, I would not be who I am. Literally,” Sanders said.

He is inspired by his grades, all of the positive people, and his former

English teacher, Mrs. Johna Tritt. Sanders is inspired by Mrs. Tritt

because of how strong she has remained through all she has been through.

“She was such a great role to all of her students,” Sanders said.

In his spare time, Sanders likes to get on the social media websites Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Also, he is involved in multiple extracurricular activities. He is a member of the football and track team, National Honor Society, and the varsity choir.

Sanders’ most favorite high school memory was playing against Carthage at AT&T stadium on December 20.

“It was the state game,” Sanders said. “We had the whole city behind us.”

He is most proud of being a part of the state-finalist Kilgore Bulldogs and a part of the National Honor Society.

“God and my family have helped me achieve these accomplishments,” Sanders said.

As Sanders departs from our school, he wants to tell all the underclassmen to try and stay away from “senioritis”.

He hopes to leave behind a 2014 district championship in track.

Most of all, he is going to miss all of the teachers that he has encountered during his four years of high school.

“They have taught me a lot and have been a big impact on my success,” Sanders said.

Before he goes off to college, he would like his parents to know that they raised a successful young man.

~Amber Williams

Striving to be the best she can be as a dynamic and performance driven student, Dera Cardozo is a senior who tries her best in everything.

As her senior year speeds by Cardozo has made some plans.

“I want to be adventurous, creative, inventive, passionate, and committed about conquering obstacles and fears that prevent me from achieving my future goals and I will never forget to treat others with dignity and respect as I devote myself to choices I make in my life,” Cardozo said.

Cardozo is currently the science

club president, and participated in making a science club garden.

“Science club is my favorite, because of all the great members,” Cardozo said.

Being a student that yearns to be the best she can be, Cardozo has earned many awards.

“I am a Texas Scholar, a twelve year senior, a member of NHS, a leader of United Nations and Robotics clubs. I have been on the honor roll all four years, and I was selected as a homecoming duchess. I am a strong team player, and I have taken three years of Spanish, and I have never experimented with drugs,

alcohol, or tobacco,” Cardozo said.Cardozo is proud to be a member

of the National Honor Society.“It makes me feel proud to be

given this exceptional honor,” Cardozo said. “It has prepared me to move on to the next adventure and embrace whatever comes my way.”

Cardozo has more than one favorite subject.

“Its a tie between pre-cal and chemistry, because they are most interesting,” Cardozo said.

Cardozo’s hobbies include fishing, gardening, and baking, but her favorite thing to do outside of school is play Candy Crush.

Cardozo has a multitude of positive character traits.

“I am a positive roll model,” Cardoza said. “I plan to lead my peers by example, not just with words, but my actions. I am an effective mentor, am trustworthy, and an excellent communicator.”

The thing that she will miss the most about KHS is the school spirit.

“I will miss seeing the pride and excitement everyone had while participating,” Cardozo said. “Red Ribbon week was so funny, because everyone dressed up in crazy outfits.”

There is one thing Cardozo favors most about being a senior.

“My favorite thing is being able to reflect on all the memories and friends I made,” Cardozo said.

After she graduates, Cardozo plans to attend college and major in Political Science, but is still undecided as to where she wants to go.

Cardozo has some advice for her graduating class.

“Never look at disabilities only possibilities,” Cardozo said.

~Kaili Zumwalt

Austin Lopez is a senior who is involved in football, track, NHS, the Reflector yearbook, art club, and La Bamba.

“As of right now, football is my favorite activity, but I will see how I'm gonna do in track and it might change," Lopez said.

After high school, Lopez plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in coaching or sports medicine.

“I love sports and want to continue to be a part of them," Lopez said.

Most of his time is taken up by work and track practice, but when he gets spare time he enjoys hanging out with his friends and his girlfriend, as well as trying to beat his high score on Flappy Bird.

"I just like to chill and hang out," Lopez said.

Some teachers that have impacted him are Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Lovetta.

"Mrs. Bates has been here for me since my freshman year. I know I can always go to her for help. And Mrs. Lovetta has this year. Anytime I need a good laugh or a place to relax I know I can go to the library because of her," Lopez said.

Another person who has impacted him is his cousin Kelsay Wood.

"Anytime I need to talk about something or need help with something I can go to her. She is only a few years older than me and knows where I am coming from on almost everything. She is practically the best friend I have ever had," Lopez said.

He has advice for underclassmen. “High school goes by way faster

than you think. You'll go to class your freshman year and before you know it you will be ordering your

cap and gown. So make the most of the time you have," Lopez said.

He says he will never forget the state game.

“Getting to play in the AT&T Stadium was a great experience,” Lopez said. “That was the first and last high school football game of mine that my dad had been to. It meant a lot to us both."

Before he goes off to college, there is something he would like his parents to know.

"They have been a big help. I don't think I would have made it through school without them," Lopez said.

When he leaves KHS, the thing he will miss the most is playing on the football team.

“I love being on the field on Friday nights. Football has always been the sport that I played. I started when I was in the the 3rd or 4th grade and have loved it ever since then. It’s just that one sport that I love most,” Lopez said.

Everyone leaves behind a legacy. For Lopez, he said he wants that legacy to be being a part of the 2013 state finalist football team.

~Clayton Mauldin

For student of the month Grethel May, her four years of high school has been the best.

She said she has been involved in orchestra for six years, is a National Honor Society student, LEADD member and also an FHLA member.

Even though graduating is her most desired wish, there are things she said shewould not be able to ever forget about high school.

“I am going to miss my fiends, teachers, high school drama and also my mom,” May said.

Orchestra has been a huge blessing for her.

“Classical music intrigues me,” May said.

The music itself has inspired her to play.

“The sound that string music produces; the beautiful melodies and the ability of the music to capture people’s hearts is what I like,” May said.

Performing is what pushes May to practice and prepare.

“The big concerts we put on and meeting professional music teachers is what I love most about orchestra,” May said.

NHS has been a huge accomplishment to May. Being competitive at everything she does, she has worked to raise her rank up to number 23 in her class.

NHS has taught May many things about life and making others feel better.

“It feels amazing! I love helping out other people for our service hours,” May said.

As a senior with graduation right around the corner, May has plans to attend Kilgore College and study to be a nurse.

“I chose Kilgore College because

I wanted to stay close to family and friends,” May said.

The most important person to May, who stands by her through everything, is her mom.

“My mom is my role model because she has always given me heartfelt advice and helped get through my problems,” May said.

Mathematics has been a great success for May. On the other hand, English is a struggle.

“I find it easy to solve problems and

I had the nicest math teachers ever like Mr. Boatman and Coach Heffner. Since I speak English, I usually mix up the words and when I’m trying to say something all together, it doesn’t come out the way I planned it to come out,” May said.

She has advice for her class.“Be the change that you wish to see

in the world. And, to underclassmen, I would advise them not to be afraid to fail but to learn from their failures and go on to the next challenge,” May said. ~Lizetth Alaniz

As the years pass by and students leave and come in, teachers retire and others get hired, life at Kilgore High School for Michael Jay Boatman is like a home.

For over 15 years Boatman has taught at KHS as a calculus and geometry teacher.

“Teaching three different lessons is confusing, time consuming … and fulfilling,” Boatman said.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuing, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.”

“Education is a small window,” Boatman said, “and when missed is like losing one’s wind by failing to gain it in the first place.”

Boatman is a graduate of Kilgore High School. He had planned to become an architect before mathematics added up in his life.

He attended three different colleges. He went to Kilgore College, SFASU and Texas Bible College.

Boatman worked very to graduate college. Ever since, mathematics has become a huge thing for Boatman, and he loves everything about it.

“It is stable. So much is built on its foundation,” Boatman said.

Remembering different lessons everyday can be pressure-packed at times, but after the years everything is possible.

“I have taught Geometry classes for about ten years,” Boatman said. “Much of it is skill based, not memory, so it should stick around.”

Boatman says teaching and learning mathematics are both

difficult.Boatman has found a trick to help

his memory.“I write things down and keep it in

a red case,” Boatman.Aside from dealing with all the

numbers, Boatman also has extra-curricular activities he likes to do in his free time.

“I’m a lay minister at Kilgore First Pentecostal Church and a photographer,” Boatman said.

During his career as a teacher his joy and stress relief are his wife and

four children.Boatman’s has a favorite memory

of Kilgore High School. “I sponsored youth to Weekend-

of-a-Lifetime,” Boatman said. “This was a leadership camp for Key Club.”

~Lizetth Alaniz

Grethel May Jeffery Sanders

Austin Lopez Dera Cardozo

Michael Boatman Cheryl Couch