Laura Rivera, News and Life & Arts Editor
Hi, I’m Laura Rivera and I’m a senior this year. This is my third year working for the Trailblazer, but fourth as part of the journalism department. During my spare time, I enjoy watching new TV shows, playing board games and writing. I currently have an obsession with the “The Mandalorian'' and “Money Heist”, so if you ever see me in the hallway, come talk to me about them! I can’t wait to form part of the Trailblazer staff again and I'm looking forward to writing for all of you!
![Sophomore hip hop artist Steven Bietz looks at his album collection in his room. He launched his album “Composition” at the beginning of the year, making it his first album of the year and fifth album of all time released under the name “Departure”.
“The name ‘Departure’ comes from two different things,” Bietz said. “Nujabes is a Japanese hip hop producer and he produced an album for an anime called Samurai Champloo called ‘Departure’, [which I enjoyed]. The name is also metaphorical because I was actually leaving the internet community that I was a part of when I started producing music.”](https://mhstrailblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_20230313_151723_647.jpg)
![Assistant Principal Steve Schuhmann checks his computer for the latest administrative updates in his office located in Suite 3.
“[Once I retire], I will be excited to not turn on a computer or cell phone on a daily basis,” Schuhmann said. “I will get a chance to slow down and appreciate all the great things life has to offer.”](https://mhstrailblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image3-900x600.jpg)
![Principal Mack Eagleton [left] and senior Aniruddh Mishra [right] pose for a picture shortly after Aniruddh received his 2nd Place Certificate from the US Congressional App Challenge.
“I think the challenge itself is amazing,” Aniruddh said. “Enroll in the challenge and create your own app. If you don’t know how to code, learn how to code. That’s my number one thing that I’d say to anybody because it’s one of the most important skills coming up in the modern world.”](https://mhstrailblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image1-3.jpg)
![Aquatic science teacher Mark Romano poses beside the student-run tank filled with Neon-Tetras.
“It’s important to have [animals in the aquatic science classroom] because students are probably asking themselves ‘When am I going to use this in life?’. Well, they’re making real life happen right here in the classroom by doing the trout program, learning how to start a tank or by just going over there and appreciating nature in its little boxed form here.”](https://mhstrailblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221109_170624-900x675.jpg)
![Andrea Larson and RRISD Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez pose after Larson was nominated as a Secondary Texas Teacher of the Year Finalist. She will compete against two other finalists and the winner will be announced on Oct. 21 during a special luncheon to honor all contestants.
“The fact that my colleagues here at McNeil chose me as their teacher of the year means so much to me because they know me and they can see the work I do every day,” Larson said. “I hope what [the judges] see is my passion for supporting all students to their highest levels of success, my dedication to this profession and to the people who choose it even in difficult times, and my hopes for the future of education.”](https://mhstrailblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image1-4-900x450.jpg)
