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Tomball Memorial High School Silver Stars Captain Rachel Stephenson, junior (front, left); Tomball High School Cougar Charms Major Karley Emmott, senior (front, right); (second row, from left) Silver Stars Lieutenant Maddie Gray, junior; and Cougar Charms Captain Hannah Valentin, junior, performed together during the 32nd Annual Patriotic Show, which was held during halftime of the inaugural football game between the Tomball Cougars and the Tomball Memorial Wildcats.  Approximately 1,500 students in choir, drill team, cheerleading, band, JROTC, LOTC, and Student Council from Tomball High School, Tomball Memorial High School, Tomball Junior High, and Willow Wood Junior High performed honoring veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces.   

The sounds and smells of goats, pigs, turkeys, cows and other farm animals will fill the air this weekend, as students from both Tomball high schools diligently prepare for the annual Tomball Future Farmers of America (FFA) project sale and show.
This year brings the 37th incarnation of the event, which allows FFA members to show and hopefully sell the animals they spent all year raising, feeding and caring for. The event will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at the Tomball ISD Project Center, at 30330 Quinn Rd.
"It gives kids the opportunity to become involved in FFA and teaches them a lot about responsibility and handling money," said Jimmy Vaculin, former Tomball FFA teacher and president of the Tomball High School FFA Booster Club.
Vaculin said the program also helps students build friendships and teaches them how to be a part of an organization.
'They develop camaraderie with one another," he said.
Tomball Memorial FFA Booster Club President Lesley Chronister agreed and said the students look forward all year to the show.
"It's a huge deal," she said. "The kids raise their animals all throughout the year with this show as the goal."
The show and its live auction provide funds for both schools FFA programs, as well as a majority of the funds for the Tomball FFA college scholarship program.
"The kids are able to get a lot of the money back they spent raising the animals and a lot of the funds go directly towards the scholarship fund for seniors," Chronister said.
Last year the show brought in more than $500,000 for the program and scholarship fund and the group hopes to do at least that this year.
Chronister's son Colby said that FFA has taught him lessons he will be able to carry throughout his life.
"I wanted to raise animals because I thought it would be fun, but doing this has taught me responsibility, how to care for an animal and motivated me to keep my grades up so I can show my animals," he said.
Colby Chronister said the show is not only hard work, but fun as well.
"It's fun meeting all the new people and the competition it brings, as well as seeing everyone else's projects." he said.
The show's schedule for Jan. 25 includes rabbits being shown at 11 a.m., followed by broilers at 1 p.m., with turkeys to follow, then market swine at 4 p.m. On Jan. 26 market lambs will be shown at 8 a.m. and market steers at 10:30 a.m. The Buyer's Barbecue will be open from 3:30-5 p.m., with the live auction to immediately follow.
For more information visit www.tomballffa.net.

Members of the Tomball High School Student Council rewarded area police officers, firefighters and EMS workers for their dedication, by providing a free lunch for them Jan. 30. Students called it the Food for Courage campaign.

"We started this five years ago with a Cookies for Courage campaign and it evolved into serving an entire meal," said student council advisor Billie Ann Dio. "It's a way of giving back and a good way for the students to see the true heroes of the community."

The students served beef stew, rice, salad, bread and desserts. The desserts were made by the students, while the staff of the Tomball High School cafeteria helped make the rest of the meal.

"It's a great blessing for me to be able to do something like this," said student council President Anna Liu. "A lot of people my age don't get to contribute to their community. I get a lot out of giving back. I love getting to show them gratitude for all that they do for us."

Student Matthew Pallini agreed with Liu.

"It's very comforting to help the people who help us," he said.

Cpt. Daniel Hancock of Northwest EMS said recognition and appreciation like this makes the job worthwhile.

"We don't work for thank you's, we do this because we love to help, but something like this is very nice and motivational," he said.

Tomball Police Cpt. Rick Grassi said that seeing the area youth come together like this gives him hope for the future.

"It's wonderful to see the youth leaders of the community showing their appreciation for the men and women of public safety," he said. "Seeing these kids reach out to recognize us inspires me and I hope that we inspire them to help others as well."

Tomball High School (THS) senior Christi Gamble showed her lamb, Luna, at the 37th Annual Tomball ISD FFA Project Show. This was Gamble's second year to raise a lamb. She was one of 275 Tomball ISD students showing chickens, turkeys, lambs, rabbits, swine, and steers. The live auction brought in a total of $313,500. Grand champion results were Rabbits - freshman Bailey Wargo, Tomball Memorial, $3,500; Broiler - junior Casey Smith, Tomball, $2,800; Turkey -  senior Megan Vaculin, Tomball, $4,500; Lamb - senior Stephanie Ludwig, Tomball, $5,000; Swine - senior Landon Folkerts, Tomball, $14,000; Steer - sophomore Kathryn Lewandowski, Tomball, $27,000. Reserve champion results were Rabbits - freshman John Leibham, Tomball, $3,000; Broiler - junior Thomas Reeves, Tomball, $6,500; Turkey - senior Chase Johnson, Tomball, $5,000; Lamb - senior Austin Boggs, Tomball, $5,000; Swine - junior Sydney Breaux, Tomball, $22,000 and Steer - junior Shayla Arvizu, Tomball, $19,000.

Tomball High School will hold its annual football Homecoming Parade Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at Tomball Intermediate School and proceed down Main Street to the Tomball Depot Plaza. Following the parade a pep rally will be held at the Depot. The homecoming Dukes and Duchesses and the Homecoming King will be announced. The Tomball Cougars play their homecoming contest Friday, Oct. 26 versus Ridge Point High School at 7 p.m. The queen will be announced at halftime.

Tomball High School has received the 2012 College Readiness Award from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing the level of achievement and college readiness.

"It is an honor for our campus to be recognized," Greg Quinn, principal of Tomball High School, said.  "We have encouraged students to take more rigorous coursework, which has resulted in an increase in the number of students taking the ACT.  They're prepared and they're performing well.  We're very proud of them." 

The Texas ACT Council is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT, Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Texas schools and colleges. 

Karen Pennell, assistant vice president and ACT southwest regional manager, explained that the Texas ACT Council wanted to recognize Texas high schools that have made significant strides in increasing the college and career readiness of their graduates as demonstrated by an increase in their ACT scores over the past five years. 

"This can only happen as a result of the efforts of the faculty and staff and the dedication of Tomball High School students and parents as they focus on raising the level of academic readiness for all students," Pennell said.

Only 170 high schools in Texas were honored for this accomplishment, which represents only nine percent of all Texas high schools. 

The Tomball High School STAGE theater department will perform the Tony Award winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Nov. 15-17. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. all days, with a special matinee performance Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m., at the Tomball High School Auditorium, 30330 Quinn Rd. Tickets are $10. For information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.tomball
stage.org.

The Tomball Lady Cougars basketball squad advanced to the 4A area championship game, after an undefeated run through District 22-4A competition and a mauling of Houston Austin in the bi-district round.

The Lady Cougars have rolled off 11 consecutive wins in cruising to a 27-6 overall record and number 15 4A state ranking.

Their first playoff game was at home against Houston Austin Feb. 11. The Lady Cougars ran to a 20-3 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back, as they rolled to a 59-20 win.

Tomball's Carissa Diaz led all scorers with 21 points on 10-21 shooting, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Senior Lexe Marks dropped in 12 points for the Lady Cougars, while senior Layna Waters added seven points and three assists.

The Lady Cougars traveled to Don Coleman Coliseum in Houston Feb. 15, to take on Foster in the Area Championship game. Results were not available at press time.

Throughout the Tomball Lady Cougars playoff run, they barreled their way through opponents with strong defense and a meticulous offense. In the regional championship game Feb. 22, Tomball ran into an opponent with a stifling defense to match and fell just short of the 4A Final Four, falling to top-ranked Georgetown 41-30.

The disappointing loss came one game after a thrilling win over Pflugerville Connally Feb. 21, in the regional semifinals.

Facing a team that likes to run up and down the court, the Lady Cougars took their ball control offense to another level in that contest, defeating Connally 45-40. Tomball raced to a big lead, before going ice cold in the third quarter.

The Lady Cougars found themselves down 30-28 in the final period, when Alayna Waters made a layup while getting fouled. Waters made the free throw, giving Tomball back the lead, one they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game.

After the hard fought victory, the Lady Cougars faced a daunting challenge in the regional championship game, as their opponent would be the top-ranked Georgetown Lady Eagles.

Georgetown raced to an 8-0 lead en route to a 13 point halftime lead.

Tomball coach Karen Lemker told her team at halftime that mistakes caused the early deficit and that if they played better in the second half they could still make it a game.
The Lady Cougars closed the gap to six with about three minutes to play, but the Lady Eagles were able to hit clutch free throws down the stretch, in pulling away for a 41-30 victory.

Carissa Diaz led Tomball with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Lexe Mark added seven points.

The loss ended the most successful run for the Lady Cougars (30-7) since 1994, which was Tomball's last appearance at state.

Tomball High School recently celebrated the news that several baseball players have signed to further their careers in college. Pictured are (front row, from left) Anthony Lucas, who signed with Northwestern State University; Dillon Menville, who signed with Angelina College; Austin Gryder, who signed with Cisco College; Josh Horton, who signed with Louisiana Tech and Robert Dugger, who also signed with Cisco College; (back row, from left) Tomball head coach Doug Rush and assistant coach Tim Dyson.