“The first half went a lot better than it ever has for us before,” senior center fielder Natalie Zarzabal said. “We had a rocky start, but we pulled together and we got a few wins out of it.”

After beating Seguin 5-1 in their first game in district, the girls faced them again, but lost 3-1. Senior third baseman Kali Haertner had one hit and drove in the team’s only run in the loss.

The next game was against New Braunfels, but the girls lost 11-1, dropping them to 2-5 in district.

“Our intensity level went up and I think that made us play better and it made us score more runs,” junior outfielder Charlyne Kunze said.

Coming back home for the game against Judson, the girls hit the ground running as they won 6-5. Zarzabal had a triple that drove in three runs that helped the team get the win.

Wagner was next on the girl’s schedule as it was another close game. Tied at 5-5 going into the eighth inning, the girls scored two runs to win the game 7-5.

Junior catcher Nala Quevido went 3-3 and had one RBI in the game.

“We can improve by respecting each other more and trust each other out on the field,” Haertner said.

The girls’ last game was against San Marcos as the team crushed the Matadors 12-5. The team now heads into the playoffs for the first time in school history.

The softball team did not play a home game against Highlands and, in fact, the game was played in the Seguin tournament in Seguin.  We also printed that Johnson was our first district game, when in fact, Johnson is not in our district and has not been since last year. The girls’ first district game was against Seguin in which they won 5-1.

We would also like to apologize to Jenny Hittinger. We stated that she was a senior, but she is a sophomore.

The staff sincerely apologizes for the multiple mistakes we made while reporting these events. If you see something wrong with one of our stories please do not hesitate to let us know. We will be more than happy to correct any mistake we make.

We thank you for your feedback on our publication and hope you enjoy our work.

Our contact email is steeleshield@gmail.com.

The lockout held the league without any training camps, pre-season or regular season games from September to November, but there was hope when the league ended the lockout and started the 66 game regular season.

That is all in the past as the remaining teams now prepare for the playoffs and look to reach the NBA Finals and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

The team with the best overall record comes out of the Eastern Conference as the Chicago Bulls, led by Derrick Rose, earn the number one seed and hope to reach the NBA finals for the first time since the Michael Jordan era.

Other teams in the east are the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks.

The west features two of the league’s best, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the teams superstar duo Kevin Durrant and Russel Westbrook. Last season the Thunder reached the conference finals only to come up short, but this time the team is on a mission and looks to reach the Finals for the first time.

Other teams in the west are the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.

No team is a clear front runner to reach the finals, but my prediction is that the San Antonio Spurs will beat the Chicago Bulls in six games to win their 5^th NBA Championship in franchise history.

The Major League Baseball season is underway in America as teams have ended the off-season with some teams bringing in new players and coaches.

It is time to look back on the 2011 season. The World Series ended last season with the St. Louis Cardinals beating the Texas Rangers in a seven games, giving them their 11^th title in franchise history.

Though the team won the championship, the team lost one of its top players in the off-season. Albert Pujols left the Cardinals for the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim as he signed a 10-year deal worth around $254 million.

Other teams making moves were the Miami Marlins signing Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle. CJ Wilson, just like Pujols, left his former team and signed with the Angels. Manny Ramirez decided to come out of retirement and sign with the Oakland Athletics.

The off-season is over and done with. Spring training is long and gone and teams are already in full swing and playing their open day games.

This baseball season looks to be one to keep an eye on. Teams are already in full swing and look toward to the fall classic.

“Losing was really just frustrating because we had come so far,” freshman defender Kaleigh Pratt said. “Next year we’re moving to another district so who knows what will happen.”

Churchill managed to score two goals past senior goalie Jennifer Sanchez, who managed to defend three out of five attempts. They finished the season with a 12-7-4 record.

“We’ve lost a lot of close ball games, couples of extra inning games, but the guys are working extremely hard and I feel very confident we’re going to turn it around and make a push the last part of the season,” coach David Smith said.

The next game was against New Braunfels which they loss 6-4. Petosky had three hits and two runs batted in.

“We need to work on our pitching because our pitching staff is a little low,” junior outfielder Tanner Glasz said.

Afterward, the team traveled to play Judson, but lost 2-1. Ahin allowed two runs, but striked out six players.

“We need to practice really hard for the next couple of weeks and just focus on hitting more,” junior shortstop/pitcher Trevor Ahin said.

Their next game will be Apr. 20 at 7 p.m. against Wagner. Followed by their last game Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. against San Marcos.

In order for students to letter in academic U.I.L., they have to place at districts as well as compete at regionals. If they place at regionals after districts, those students are able to go to state which in turn allows them the possibility to earn scholarships.  U.I.L. is not limited to academics; it also includes activities like, band, colorguard, drum line, choir and sports.

“It’s always really nice to know that your team did well,” junior Marie Sells said. “It’s good for individuals to do well, but when you know your whole team did well because we got first, second, third and fourth, so we just swept the competition. So that’s a nice feeling to know that we all did really well.”

Choir got first place sweepstakes at districts for the very first time. One Act Play was also advanced to Area with their play ‘A Street Car Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams. Their competition was Apr. 14 at Jefferson High School.

“It’s a really proud feeling knowing that all of our hard work has paid off and that we’re being recognized for it,” junior Sarah Henry said.

Of the 34 students who competed at districts, 22 are eligible to compete at regionals, Apr. 21 at UTSA. If said students place in the top three at regionals they will move onto state competition in May.

“The best thing about placing was I guess placing first in accounting and being the best of like eight schools,” sophomore Carl Clark said.

“I want to show people what I’ve got and I hope to get a little fame and to have fun out there,” senior Homer Dinsmore said.

Try outs will be held Apr. 23 and 24. Monday will be designated for singers and Tuesday will be held for dancers and any other categories wanting to try out.

“I like to sing and the talent show is something I have always wanted to participate in and it’s something I can do to prove to myself,” junior Alexis Qaiyyim said. “I’ve always been afraid to sing in front of people so I figured that the talent show is a good way to get over my fear.”

Rehearsal for people who make the cut will be held May 1, the day before the show in the auditorium.

“I want to be in the talent show because I want to let the school know that I can sing and have the guts to get up in front of the school and show off my talent,” junior Robert Ferdarko said.

The winner of the talent show gets a prize value up to $100 and is divided among each person that is in the group. Tickets for the show will be sold for $2 at the door.

The theme was based from 2001 movie in France. It is a bright red colored and black style that people would see in Paris parties. Many Moulin Rouge themes include accessories such as sashes, hats, feathered fans, etc.

“This will be my first prom, I’m expecting a fun time and good experience to make me want to come again,” junior Jared Clark said.

Students are not allowed to wear jeans or tennis shoes for this formal event. Dress code will be applied and no one over the age of 20 will be allowed to attend. Students will not be allowed to enter or leave the building after 9 p.m.

“The first time I went to prom my junior year I wasn’t sure because I was saving it until my senior year, it was fun and an exciting experience, I went with my friends and had a good time,” senior MarkDavid Mercado said.

Tickets will be sold for $55 from April 9-27 and for $60 from April 30-May 14. Freshmen and sophomores can only attend if accompanied by a junior or senior. Students not from steele must be approved by an administrator before purchasing a ticket.

“I haven’t been to a prom before, so I’m expecting something amazing. Which, I hope it does turn out to be. I’m also very excited for it since some people that went last year told me they had lots of fun. Just basically, I hope it turns out to be a night I’ll never forget,” sophomore Desire Marchitello said.

Come enjoy the Moulin Rouge prom and remember to dress up and wear lots of red. Food and drinks are free at the event but there are a few restaurants nearby such as Kobe Japanese Steak House, Chili’s and Olive Garden to eat before or after the prom.

Though I suppose nobody ever wants to hear even a stranger has such a terrible, awful disease, it was especially hard for us given that our uncle Ray is one of the most fun, joyful and youthful men we know. Even at 51, this guy’s the life of the party and makes any situation a fun one. To think of such a jovial person in such a horrible, awful condition is one of the worst feelings I will ever know.

It’s my understanding that the Leukemia is currently in an early stage. His body can still function pretty well until sometime down the road when the cells become more active and he grows progressively sick. But I do not want to think about that part. Nobody does. And frankly it seems as though nobody wants to talk about it. Really my whole family is quiet about how we’re doing inside, which I’ve always accepted. The older my sister and I get, though, we worry this is not the right path to take. Keeping quiet and mostly denying or avoiding the situation will eventually catch up with us. Ray’s own two sons, both in college did not even find out about it until far after my sister and I did. It kills me that they may not have been able to get the most of the time they still have with their dad. For all we know, his condition could be worsening and they are just choosing to keep it quiet in the great tradition of the Cardy family.

My sister and I last saw my uncle Ray this past summer when we traveled up to our grandparents’ house between Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While talking about Ray the other day for the first time in months, the two of us realized that we cannot even remember if we knew about the diagnosis during the trip since it would have been completely danced around. Given that we only take our family trip there every two years, we won’t be seeing him again this summer. I have been continually stressing over next summer since the issue of cancer came about in the journalism room, worrying it would be our last chance to see him before his battle with cancer takes its course.

Cancer man, it’s such a bummer. The very day I wrote this during classes, I sporadically repressed tears for several hours. I do not want to think about it. I certainly do not want to talk about it, but sooner or later we’re going to have to and I will dread that day with a burning passion my whole life.

By: Hayden Cardy