The student news site of Kingwood Park High School

KP TIMES
The student news site of Kingwood Park High School

KP TIMES
The student news site of Kingwood Park High School

KP TIMES
Maya Ortiz

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief

Maya Ortiz, senior, is starting her fourth year on the newspaper staff as the editor-in-chief. She was named NSPA high school photojournalist in 2021 and 2022. Maya is also on the teen leadership council of the Houston Zoo’s Zoo Crew Program. Maya enjoys listening to David Bowie, watching musicals and reading Alice Oseman books.

All content by Maya Ortiz
History teacher and coach Eric Coovert talks with reporters on the red carpet at the Houston Sports Awards on Jan. 30. Coovert was honored with the Inspiration Award for his battle with cancer.

Houston honors Coovert as his cancer battle continues

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
February 1, 2024

[Video] Varsity squads benefit from strong freshman class

Tricia Darcy, Staff Writer
February 1, 2024
Desiree Patillo

[Photo] Becoming less quiet is a process

Desiree Pattillo, Special Contributor
January 29, 2024
Dr. Kevin Caizley is surprised by his wife Krista and daughter Emily after being named campus Teacher of the Year at the pep rally on Jan. 26.

[Photo] Health science teacher wins Teacher of the Year

Morgen Dozier and Bailey Hall
January 26, 2024
Senior midfielder Brynn Baldon is key to the girls soccer team's 6-0 start on the season.

[Photo] Baldon's greatness shines on soccer pitch

January 18, 2024

[Video] Baldon’s greatness shines on soccer pitch

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
January 18, 2024
In the United States, an estimated 95% of teenagers own or have access to a smartphone and with an average of seven to eight hours of screen time a day.

[Photo] Cell phones provide breeding ground for bacteria

Victoria Anisi, Staff Writer
January 16, 2024
Students are getting used to seeing "Out of Service" signs on bathroom doors. The building has had plumbing issues for four months.

Plumbing problems continue to plague campus

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
January 11, 2024
Senior Morgen Dozier is a three-time state qualifier. She will be among the seniors honored at Senior Night on Jan. 12.

[Photo] 10 things I have learned from swimming

Morgen Dozier, Staff Writer
January 5, 2024
Senior midfielder Eve Hoyt pushes up the line against Lake Creek during the scrimmage on Dec. 16.

[Slideshow] Girls soccer team wraps up two scrimmages as winter break begins

Maya Ortiz and Grace Darcy
December 21, 2023
Untitled (3)

[Photo] Culinary students give back

Kaitlyn Sitton and Fallon Head
December 13, 2023
Senior midfielder Brynn Baldon fights off a defender in a 2-1 victory over Grand Oaks in the team's first scrimmage of the year. Baldon scored both goals in the game.

[Slideshow] Baldon helps lift Panthers to 2-1 victory over Grand Oaks

Maya Ortiz and Precious Solomon-Rhor
December 8, 2023
The cheerleaders participate in singing the school fight song at the end of the Gold Fight Win pep rally in September.

[Photo] Cheer focuses on ‘little things’ as competitions begin

Preston Carpenter, Special Contributor
December 8, 2023
Senior Forrest Hutchinson works on taking down a Splendora opponent during a match on Nov. 15. Hutchinson is one of a few wrestlers who joined as soon as the football season ended.

[Photo] Football players transfer skills to wrestling mat

Grace Darcy, Sports Editor
November 27, 2023

After the Epilogue: Audiobooks

Madelyn Glenn and Maya Ortiz
November 20, 2023
Just a few weeks ago, culinary teacher Anthony Chevalier moved his classes into the new kitchen built on campus. The cooking started shortly after, along with the life lessons he mixes into each recipe.

[Photo] Chef Chevalier adds spice with culinary master class

Luke Cavallo, Staff Writer
November 15, 2023
Senior Cas Magee runs a face painting station during last year's Spanish Honor Society party. This year, the Art Honor Society will be offering face painting again. Attendees will also get a meal, learn about Latin American countries and celebrate with music.

[Video] Latin American culture to be celebrated Thursday

Bailey Hall, News Editor
November 14, 2023

After the Epilogue: ‘Heartstopper’

Maya Ortiz and Madelyn Glenn
November 9, 2023
Artwork by Maya Ortiz

Combat Collisions

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
November 9, 2023
Senior Jacob Valcarce holds up the first newspaper issue of the school year with his story in it on the school's color guard. He has decided to pursue journalism in the future.

[Photo] Valcarce sees future in journalism

Jacob Valcarce, Video Editor
October 30, 2023
Freshman Ulysses Rushin loves to talk about Texas any time he gets the opportunity.

[Photo] Rushin’s patriotism runs deep in the heart of Texas

Pilar Retamales, Special Contributor
October 27, 2023
Maya Ortiz

Cultural stigmas create motivation to become changemaker

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
October 27, 2023
Junior Simon Perry table surfs during the pep rally in August. The juniors won the competition.

[Photo] ‘Only the Best’

Shelby Townsend, Staff Writer
November 7, 2023
Junior Krisslyn Boyles gets introduced before a preseason game against Baytown Sterling.

[Photo] Beach volleyball brings back Boyles’ smile

Sydney Ortiz, Special Contributor
October 24, 2023
Coach Eric Coovert talks to players on the sidelines of the homecoming football game on Sept. 8 at Turner Stadium. The football players were the first students he told. Many of them he had coached for three years. “Seeing tears in their eyes after I told them [was hard],” Coovert said. “But then afterwards every single one of them came over and gave me a hug. And I was crying by the end.”

Staying relentless

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
October 22, 2023

Students, staff discuss importance of Hispanic Heritage Month

Leah Torres, Maya Ortiz, and Avery Steinke
October 20, 2023

[Video] After the Epilogue: ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ movie

Maya Ortiz and Madelyn Glenn
October 14, 2023
Senior Maci Heffernan pauses in the splits during the homecoming football game against Porter on Sept. 8.

[Photo] Heffernan dances her way through senior year

October 17, 2023
Senior Maci Heffernan pauses in the splits during the homecoming football game against Porter on Sept. 8.

Junior Elijah Merino jokes around with his teammates and coach Chris Elliott after earning a medal at an August meet at Kingwood High School. Merino has had a strong start to the season and hopes to return to the State Meet this fall.

[Photo] Memories of State Meet motivate Merino

Luke Cavallo, Staff Writer
October 3, 2023
Junior class president leads the homecoming pep rally with senior class president Reese Shaw on Sept. 6.

[Photo] Humans of KPARK: Wells Kenny

Shelby Townsend, Staff Writer
September 26, 2023
Senior James Pham stands on the referee stand prior to the start of the varsity volleyball game against Baytown Sterling on Aug. 22. Pham started shooting sports photos for the yearbook and newspaper staff last year when he moved to Kingwood Park from Bellaire High School.

[Photo] Photojournalism helps Pham find fun in high school

Sydney Ortiz, Special Contributor
September 25, 2023
Junior Krisslyn Boyles gets introduced before a preseason game against Baytown Sterling.

[Photo] Volleyball team to start districts Friday

Jada Cassidy, Staff Writer
September 20, 2023
Baseball players Rayne Brittain, Nolan Krueger and R.J. Prazak help lead the students section during the first half of the homecoming football game at Turner Stadium on Sept. 8. The Panthers led Porter, 14-0, at halftime.

[Photo] Student section adds to atmosphere at football games

Bailey Hall and Leah Torres
September 19, 2023
Senior Leah Torres credits First Tee's golf development program for her success in the sport. She fulfilled one of her dreams this year by qualifying to participate in the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach.

[Photo] Torres prepares for dream trip to Pebble Beach

Leah Torres, Staff Writer
September 10, 2023
Porter wide receiver Payton Evans-Pickens evades a defender as he gains yards for the Spartans. Evans-Pickens was critical in Porter's second half comeback on Sept. 8.

Porter crashes homecoming celebration

Maya Ortiz and Grace Darcy
September 9, 2023
Sophomore Ean Osbourn practices with the band on the school parking lot. He spent much of his summer with the Iowa Colts, where he traveled and performed with the group's color guard.

[Photo] Color guard members spend summer with Drum Corps International

Jacob Valcarce, Video Editor
September 6, 2023
Junior Carson Brown sprints to the finish line in a meet at Kingwood High School on Aug. 26. Brown eyes a return to State this year. In his first state meet experience, he finished third on the Panthers team and 95th overall.

[Photo] Cross country teams aim for return trips to State

Fallon Head, Online Editor
August 30, 2023
Freshman Scarlett Perez looks at the drum majors during band practice on Aug. 21.

[Slideshow] Band to debut marching show at football game

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
August 30, 2023
Junior Garrison Moritz and his older brother Gavin hang out before the football team's season opener against MacArthur on Aug. 24. Gavin did play-by-play of the game for Texan Live, while Garrison helped out.

Brothers build bond through work

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
August 25, 2023
Senior Aiden Troost pushes away from a Galena Park defender as junior Hayden Wright makes a key block.

Football squad ready for new challenge

Maya Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief
August 24, 2023
In between sets against Clear Brook, senior Hugo Houel takes a break in the heat.

[Photo] Heat takes toll on tennis team

Luke Cavallo, Staff
August 22, 2023
Juniors Santiago Salazar and Ben Smoot talk after earning a point in a doubles match against Clear Brook.

Fall season underway for tennis squad

Maya Ortiz and Fallon Head
August 11, 2023
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