August 27, 2025

This school year, the Art Club is planning some exciting new memories and opportunities for the students who join, and I got to hear all about it after speaking with the club's advisor—also our school's art teacher—Sherry Bowie.

First off, whoever plans on joining this club will surely get to experience various events the club has to offer. For example, the Art Club plans on participating in this school year's Fall Festival with possibly a haunted house and other events to save up for activities like going on museum tours, attending art workshops, and participating in community projects like murals around Natalia.

Mrs. Bowie shared , “We hope to get kids noticing art a lot more,” so the Art Club could be useful to you both personally and creatively. You’ll have a space where you can enhance your artistic skills, be able to observe others' creative ideas to learn from, and to think outside the box more for diverse art forms. You can also learn more about how to work with others, be in a space where you can relate to something with others, and have an outlet for self-expression.

If you are interested, speak to either Mrs.Bowie in room 220 or speak to the club’s President, Gabby Hawkins. Club meetings will be once a week, day undecided, and encourage others to join also!

August 27, 2025

At the beginning of the school year, students expressed themselves by their clothing. They were all good until the day they had their class meeting with the principal and other administrators.

Students like wearing hoodies, ripped jeans, hats, having {unnatural} hair colors, and piercings because they like to show off different styles and express themselves in many different ways. 

We asked students in each grade level 9th - 12th to give their opinion about the school dress code. All students chose to remain anonymous.

9th Grade: “The school dress code here is a lot better than most schools; it’s fair.” 

“The dress code is pretty fair, but the only thing that bothers me is the leggings and not being able to wear a tank top.”

10th Grade:  “The dress code is pretty standard, but I want to have more freedom with piercings and hair color.” 

“It is fair at some points, but I wish we were able to wear hoodies, sweatpants, and pajamas.”

11th Grade: “It is somewhat fair, but we should be able to have higher holes in pants and higher shorts.”

 “It’s fair mostly,  but we should  be able to wear more accessories.”

12th Grade: “The dress code is fair as far as clothes are concerned,  but I believe that the hair color thing is not as distracting as they think it is.”

“I wish we could be more free, and students should be able to express themselves in their style. But if I could change anything, it would be hats and hoodies in the building, pajama pants, and regular backpacks!”

Story by: Nayeli Garcia, 11th Grade

August 20, 2025

Natalia was left with quite a clean up after a powerful storm cell with high winds and heavy downpours arrived on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 just as students were dismissed for the day.

NISD staff jumped into quick action to protect our Mustangs.  

Damage was spread across Natalia, and many residents, as well as the high school, had to deal with power outages for hours after the storm passed. 

High school staff member Jennifer Lujan explained that while they did not suffer any major damage, “The wind did blow our personal items all over and everything was very wet.” She also said their power was out for about 5 hours, coming back on around 9 pm. 

One of the big oak trees by the pavilion by the high school also lost a huge limb. The same tree lost another large limb last school during a dangerous storm as well. 

Thankfully, our maintenance staff and the public works department made a quick clean up of the debris left strewn across the town. 

Story by: Dawn Thomas, Journalism Adviser

The 2025 pep rally themes and dates are going to be:

• Out of this world August 28,2025

• Lei down the Pirates September 4,2025

• U-S-A September 25,2025 

• Homecoming Week October 6,2025 

• Pink out October 23,2025 

• Halloween October 30,2025 

Coach Meg also wanted to add that the NHS Mustang cheerleaders and herself work together and put a team effort into making themes like these so that all students and staff can have some fun and show school spirit!

By Isaih Ledezma, 11th grade

August 20, 2025

During the second week of school at Natalia High School,the Lady Mustangs hosted a volleyball tournament August 14-16, 2025. The Heart Of A Mustang tournament was held in honor of  Trudy Smith who was a lovely all-around supporter of Natalia ISD. She attended every sporting event she could and enthusiastically supported the Mustangs. 

Coach Cortinas, one of our volleyball head coaches shared,  “I am hoping to bring home the 5th year anniversary title and to bring attention and awareness to Trudy Smith". 

Junior Kaylee Uviedo also shared her goals and what she wanted out of the tournament mentioning that “My goals going into this tournament was to get as many blocks as possible and come home with a win. What I wanted out of this tournament was to become closer with my team and to create stronger bonds while honoring someone who means so much to our community.”  

The Lady Mustangs overall performance over the two day tournament resulted in a win, bringing home the 5th year anniversary title after defeating the Medina Bobcats 2-0.

Story by: Arianah Quezada, 11th Grade

August 26, 2025

The NHS Mustang Band is almost ready for this marching season; they will be performing their show, “Insomnia” at the first football game on August 29th during halftime. 

Drum majors Ruby and Alora are doing great out on the field, helping keep the band in step. Mr. Acevedo is working with the front ensemble to get their music spot on, while Ms. Delgado is working with the woodwinds to perfect their marching! 

Mellophone player Iris Ayala, and Trombone player Mosses Leija  have their solos down and are ready for their moment, while Flute player Christian Contreras is getting to his solo in the 3rd half of the show! 

According to Jayston Rodriguez, “I would say the band is doing pretty well as of now. We have been working hard these last few weeks, and I have a feeling we are going to make a lasting impression this year and hopefully we make it farther than last year!”

All the section leaders are making sectionals and making sure their section is getting their music done. 

The band started doing visuals last friday and hopefully will be adding more throughout the setting of their 3rd half of their show.

 Mr. Mendez added, “I'm happy for our Band. Looking forward to seeing how they do this year.”

Speaking of the first football game, the band boosters are currently selling Burger In a Bag tickets for the band’s needs this marching season. So get yourself a burger and support the Mustang Band! 

This season is gonna be amazing! Good luck, Mustangs! 

Story by: Samantha Mendez, 10th grade

August 27, 2025

Mental health includes our emotional, social well being, and psychological well being. It affects how we think, feel and act, and it determines how we handle stress and get through tough times.

By having open communication, we can all come together and encourage positive peer relationships. We should also utilize available resources and support others. We can create a healthy school environment where every student will feel valued, understood and inspired to prioritize their mental health.  Prioritizing mental health is crucial for well-being and academic success. 

Many children and adults face mental health issues. Make sure to be kind to others. You never know what challenges they go through. You are not alone. 

Tips For Dealing with Mental Health 

• :Engage in enjoyable activities: Spending time with family, going on walks and getting creative.

• Connect with others: Reaching out to new people, making new friends and helping others.

• Prioritize sleep: setting a new sleeping schedule by sleeping earlier than usual.

• Don't hesitate to reach out: If you are struggling try  talking to a therapist or counselor about your struggles.

Story by: Madison Mata, 10th grade