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The student news site of Richardson High School

The Talon
The student news site of Richardson High School

The Talon
All content by Jana Pulak
Freshman Hannah Hodges watches the solar eclipse as it reaches totality with classmates in the parking lot outside od D-hall. It was the first time since 1878 where Dallas was in the path of totality, and it won't occur again for 300 years. Photo by Leilani Gilmer Photo credit: Leilani Gilmer

Students Witness Solar Eclipse Totality During Extended Fire Drill

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2024

With New Cheer Coach Taking Over the Program, Cheer Team Works Hard to Keep Spirit and Morale High

Jana Pulak
April 24, 2024
Seniors Katherine Mejia and Valeria Orellana hike while capturing images in the forrest for the camping trip photography contest for the communications magnet. “We had a list of things to capture, like a scavenger hunt,” Mejia said. “We found a really cool bird nest and we took pictures of it.

Comms Attends Annual Camp-out Where They Host Games and Team Building Activities

Jana Pulak
February 25, 2024

Environmental Science Goes on Annual Zoo Trip

Jana Pulak
February 14, 2024
Senior Gabriela Vicente chats with Omni Dallas Hotel Managing Director Carolyn Dent at an event held in the Library. “They came down to help us with the banquet ceremony that we held in the library,” Vicente said. The Hotel Management class partnered with the Omni to renovate their classroom to simulate a hotel lobby.

Hospitality Magnet Hosts Omni Managers

Jana Pulak
December 11, 2023
Debate captain Damian Knowles, gives a pep talk to the debate team during the Jasper competition. "Being the congressional debate captain especially since it is a newer form of debate in our school has been going pretty well," Knowles said. "We started off with not many novices but we have grown since with more people being interested in competition." After decade-long debate coach, Laura Dearth, leaves her position, the debate captains step up in leadership responsibilities. Photo credit: Jesus Serrano

Debate Captains Step Up After Former Debate Coach Leaves

Jana Pulak
December 9, 2023
Adriana Calderon embraces her senior band friend in a teary hug after finding out their band has won first. "Hearing our name made me cry because how could you hold that emotion and not cry," Calderon said. "I knew that all the hard work we had put in, it was worth the win." The Golden Eagle Band won 1st place at the US Bands Southwestern Championships after narrowly missing State at UIL regionals

After Their Best UIL Performance in Program History, Band Placed First in U.S. Bands Southwestern Championship at AT&M Stadium

Jana Pulak
November 20, 2023
Katherine Dodgen teaches during first period Algebra 2. "She [Elaine Dodgen] was always really supportive of everything that I wanted to do," Dodgen said. "Even when there were people who doubted me, she always believed in me." Photo credit: Shea Southern

Math Teacher Katherine Dodgen and Her Family Start “Dodgen Family Foundation” Awarding Scholarships to Women in STEM

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2023

New GPA Policy Finalizes Grades One Semester Earlier

Jana Pulak
September 23, 2023
Despite all the work the sacrifices each team members made for AcDec, Schaefers said that their hard work as paid off when they placed second. “I feel so proud of not only my team but myself,” Schaefers said. ”I feel like I have improved and that it has really prepared me for college when I graduate next year.”

Academic Decathlon Places Second State Wide for First Time in History

Jana Pulak
March 11, 2023

Freshman Pursues Professional Theatre Outside of School

Jana Pulak
January 28, 2023

Are plasma donors being exploited for their blood?

Jana Pulak
December 6, 2022
As she learned more dance moves and choreographs, she started to perform with her folklorico dance team in different places. "I love how much fun I have with my friends," Castillo said. "Performing is also just so thrilling and adds on the enjoyment we all collectively share."

Cristina Castillo Finds Her Love for Dancing Through Folklorico Dance Class

Jana Pulak
December 6, 2022
For the first time, the communications magnet multi-cam switch live streamed the homecoming parade, switching between 3 different cameras spread across Belt Line Rd held by the communications magnet students. "I was a bit nervous, but I'm sort of used to it now," said junior Jake Venton . "We do Eagle Eye, so we do that every twice a week and that's live, and you're still nervous there. But we've practiced long enough."

Communication Magnet’s First Time Live Streaming Annual Homecoming Parade

Jana Pulak
October 29, 2022
Luke Childs watching a movie with his little brother while out on hospice for the last few months of his life. "He was so sweet. He's the sweetest of all my children," Beth said "And I would tell my children that, and they would also be like, 'yeah, he was nicer than we are'."

First Blood Drive of School Year Held in Honor of 7-Year-Old Luke Childs Fighting Against Cancer for 2 Years

Jana Pulak
October 19, 2022
Mark Hutchins teaching a lesson about theatre sets to elementary students. "It's pretty much performing in front of those kids because you need to be interactive constantly to grab their attention, you've got to grab their attention, be exciting and out there," said Hutchins

Senior Mark Hutchins Teaches Technical Theatre to Elementary and Junior High Students as Part of Teaching Internship Program

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
October 16, 2022
The full renovation from tearing up the grass field completely to replacing it with a turf field, the total cost wound up to one million dollars. "They are expensive but at the same time, eventually, they pay for themselves because we no longer have to use manpower to groom fields and maintain the fields," Slovak said. "We don't have to worry about having to hire people to maintain them over time, taking a lot of pressure off our maintenance and operations department." Photo credit: Jana Pulak

RISD Board Agrees to Renovation of Baseball Field from Grass to Turf Field

Jana Pulak
October 1, 2022
The Computer Science Magnet competed in the State Farm Hack-a-thon taking home iPads for placing 1st. Photo credit: Jesus Serrano

The CS Swag Team Competes in Annual Hackathon, HackDFW, Placing First and Winning 5 brand-new iPads

Jana Pulak
October 1, 2022
From being a student gymnast to a coach, Kassem said that she wants to teach her students different life lessons, body awareness, physical and mental strength, and the importance of hard work. "Above all other things, I want my students to have fun and make many good memories; just like I did." Kassem said.

Former Gymnast Trainee, Maryam Kassem, Comes Back as a Coach in Her Local Gymnastics Center

Jana Pulak
September 25, 2022
This year, the varsity volleyball team tied for first place in District 7-6a. This was the first time they had won a district championship since 1998, and their first 30-win volleyball season since 1976. “It’s definitely something that I’ll always remember,” senior Caroline Huffman said. “It feels really great because you know that you’ve solidified a piece of yourself in Richardson High School history.”

Volleyball Team Wins District for First Time in More Than Twenty Years

Jana Pulak
September 19, 2022
While sitting and chatting with a friend from his Game Design class, it was only his first year of high school when Liam Morales became interested in joining the esports club. “At the time, I only played Overwatch for fun and didn’t really see it in the competitive scene,” Morales said. “Sophomore year I joined esports to finally be able to participate, and I enjoyed it so much that I stayed.”

Senior Esports Player Receives a Ten Thousand Dollar Scholarship to Play for Top-Ten Esports School

Jana Pulak
September 19, 2022
Adsit said that she wanted to promote a positive environment for the choir students and personally connect with them. “They’re really here because they love to sing, and they love to be a part of something, and I feel like that has to be a positive experience,” Adsit said. “I also have always thought that kindness should win over anything else.”

Elizabeth Adsit First Year Teaching as Head Choir Director with New Assistant Chiro Director, Caroline Watson

Jana Pulak
September 19, 2022
Senior Vanina Poulsen used some of the skills that she learned from her sister, a former RHS varsity cheer captain, as she navigated through this cheer season as a captain herself. “The main thing I learned from my sister was that being a captain means you’re looked up to by the younger girls, and that they rely on you to show them how to become better in both cheerleading and just in regular school,” Poulsen said.

Cheerleaders Find Inspiration from Family Members Who Previously Cheered

Jana Pulak
September 17, 2022
Huerta felt proud of her hard work and of her teammates. “I would always look up and admire someone that was at that level, and when I got there I realized that was me and at that moment I couldn’t be more proud of myself,” Huerta said.

Four Girls Qualify for State Wrestling Championship with Senior Mikayla Pool Making History as First Female RHS Wrestler to Place

Jana Pulak
September 13, 2022
Not even five seconds later, Dai started to lose his balance, causing his shoe to fly into the air, landing on the ground behind him soon after Dai himself. His teammates ran past him, barely able to contain their laughter as Dai ran back to grab his shoe before proudly limp-sprinting off the football field with one shoe on. "We all knew he was going to trip from the beginning," RHS swim team member Megan Tu said. "But seeing it actually happen was really funny."

RHS PTA Helps Out in Preparations of Annual Back to School Picnic

Jana Pulak
September 3, 2022
The night before the competition, the Comp Sci team held a mini cookout with students such as Ludan Alsoudani helping out to prepare for the feast. "Just being out after dark with my friends and eating the food we prepared together felt amazing," Alsoudani said.

Computer Science Club Travels to Houston to Compete in Programming Competition

Jana Pulak
March 17, 2022
JROTC students walk towards their next destination during the afternoon to get started on their next activity of the day. Talon Photo by Jesus Serrano

JROTC goes to Camp Maxey

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021
At the Eagle-Mustang stadium, Anna Walker shoots the pep rally event as it was being projected on the video board next to her. "The most interesting part of my job is all the spontaneous stuff while filming," Walker said. Photo credit: Savannah Armitage

Communication Magnet Runs New Scoreboard at Football Stadium

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021
During the 1st homecoming parade since COVID, the cross country team holds out their hands to high-five teachers passing by as they approach the judge's stand, hoping to catch their eyes with their vibrant colored outfits. "We were dressed up like we were on vacation," cross country runner, Maryam Kassem said. Photo credit: Mallory Derrick

1st Homecoming Parade Since COVID Raises Donations For RISD’s Clothes Closet

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021
Inspired by the TikTok trend called "Devious Licks," students vandalized school property and are now facing criminal charges and school-related consequences. "We are going to prosecute, and enforce the student code of conduct as harsh as we can," Principal Chris Choat said. Photo credit: Shea Southern

Students Vandalize School Following TikTok Trend, ‘Devious Licks’

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2021
Varsity football dropped their first game to North Mesquite on Thursday night. Photo credit: Jana Pulak

Football Has First Game With Fans Since Pandemic Began

Jana Pulak, Editor-in-Chief
September 1, 2021
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