School Buzz 2026-27
Marin Hammonds
by Mackenzie Malveaux
Over-the-Top Halloween Road Tripping in a DIY School Bus Cindy Gabriel vs. Technology Houston, TX Permit No. 2047 PAID US Postage PRSRT STD
Mother-Son Adventure: Naples
EDITOR’S NOTE Meet our 2026-27 School Buzz correspondents. Every fall, we invite student reporters to participate in a photo shoot and orientation. This year, 48 talented students from 22 high schools gathered to have their photos taken, learn more about the program, and get to know each other. I love that so many local students are passionate about journalism. Another opportunity for aspiring journalists: our summer internship program. Emily McDowell, a senior at Samford University, interned with us over the summer. She had pitched an article idea that we loved and approved for print – a rare opportunity for an intern. Her story was set to run in our August issue. Shockingly, devastatingly, one of the subjects of the story – Emily’s brother’s best friend, Graham Wetherell, a recent Stratford graduate – was in a tragic accident and passed away. Heartbreaking. We pulled the article. A month later, Emily found the courage to approach his family about this story. She updated it in a way that honors his spirit. We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones and hope this story brings comfort to his family, friends, and community. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com
THE BUZZ MAGAZINES BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X thebuzzmagazines.com Editor-in-Chief Publisher Editor Editorial Assistant Design Manager Staff Writers
Contributing Writers Accounting & Contract Administrator Account Managers
Joni Hoffman Michael Hoffman Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld Mackenzie Malveaux John Duboise Tracy L. Barnett Sharon Albert Brier Cindy Burnett Andria Dilling Angie Frederickson Todd Freed Cindy Gabriel Cathy Gordon Michelle Casas Groogan Dai Huynh Annie Blaylock McQueen Jennifer Oakley Ben Portnoy Cheryl Ursin Emily McDowell, Haley Kurisky Meena Dost Andrea Blitzer Jo Rogers
On our cover: School Buzz reporter Marin Hammonds (Duchesne). Thank you to STE for allowing us to photograph on campus. Cover photo by Tom Callins, tomcallins.com The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2026 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine by any means without written permission is strictly prohibited. Printed on recycled paper. Please remember to recycle.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 4
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 5
MAILBAG
Your letters, thoughts, opinions Grazie! Thank you, Tracy Barnett and The Buzz, for the wonderful article about our family and our Italian adventure [Four Generations Under the Tuscan Sun by Tracy L. Barnett, Sept. 2026]! Seeing our faces on the cover was such a fun surprise – and, for a moment, we all got to feel like celebrities! We’ve heard from friends and family from near and far who saw the article and reached out to tell us how much they enjoyed it. The trip was incredibly special to our entire family, and your article captured the joy, laughter, and connection that made it so memorable. We especially loved seeing our family story – and our lasagna making tradition – brought to life in such a fun and beautiful way. Thank you for helping us preserve the memories of an unforgettable family adventure. Grazie mille! The Savarino Family
From the Trainiac Tracy, homerun on the Buzz article [The Trainiac: Journey around America by Rail by Tracy L. Barnett, Sept. 2026]! You painted a perfect picture of our adventures! I have received many comments about how well the article was written! Thank you for taking on this project! Michael DeStefano, aka the Trainiac
Bringing the past to the present Russell, you write so beautifully, and you allow the reader to feel as if he/she is along for the journey [A Mosaic of Memories: Piecing family history together by Russell Weil, Sept. 2026]. I was so immersed in your story. Thank you for sharing it! Leslie Friedman
Thought-provoking Cindy Gabriel has a way of writing stories that makes you think. Hearing about these little children [featured in Getting Our Hearts Right: Change one child’s world – change the world, Aug. 2026] certainly makes us think about the impact we can have on individuals for a broader cause. Thank you for writing about relevant causes. Jan Larsen
Heartwarming I absolutely loved reading Getting Our Hearts Right, Aug. 2026. I have been fortunate to work for HeartGift for seven years, and I never tire of witnessing the transformation of these little children! It’s priceless! Because of this article – even several months later – we continue to receive numerous phone calls and inquiries of how more Houstonians can get involved. We love this! Thank you, The Buzz Magazines and reporter Cindy Gabriel, for shining MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 6
a light on such a beautiful cause! We appreciate you sharing your magazine with us and our mission with your readers. Kristi Jones, Vice President Marketing, HeartGift
Fun blast from the past I was cleaning out my closet yesterday and found the cover with our kids on it [Texas snow dogs by Tracy L. Barnett, Feb. 2017]! So fun to go back and read the article! Time has flown since this. All four of them are now married and each of our girls have two children a piece! Six grandchildren for us under the age of 3. Life is good! Keep up the great work at The Buzz! I look forward to each and every one of the articles that you do! Julie and David Brown Email us at mailbag@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or send to Mailbag, The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters or emails addressed to The Buzz Magazines become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use for publication. Addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.
What’s your story? We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who: • Have unique holiday traditions. • Have a compelling travel tale. • Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to feature. • Have a milestone life event to share. • Have a unique passion or hobby. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 102.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 7
Inside This Issue October 2026
hartphoto.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
26
School Buzz 2026-27 by Mackenzie Malveaux Meet our 2026-27 School Buzz correspondents.
4 Editor’s Note 6 Mailbag: Letters from Readers 10 Why I’m Losing Sleep: A technology rant by Cindy Gabriel
44 Travel Buzz: Naples, Unpolished and Unforgettable: A Mother-Son Adventure by Tracy L. Barnett
Natalia Oakes and her son Leopold spent five days exploring Naples, Italy, a destination that tourists often hurry through on their way to Pompeii, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast.
Cindy Gabriel vs. technology.
12 Halloween Goes Overboard: Bringing neighborhoods together
48 SportzBuzz
by Todd Freed
by Andria Dilling
Friends Zach Jankovic and Scott Ross work together to turn the crawl space under Zach's house into a spooky neighborhood Halloween attraction while Scott's front yard brings Candy Land vibes; Kirsten Doherty designs a creative Halloween scene in her yard.
18 On the Road: In a DIY school bus by Emily McDowell
As part of a school project, a group of Stratford students transformed an old school bus into a camper they could take on the road.
50 SportzBuzz Jr.
by Annie Blaylock McQueen
52 Buzz Kidz: Scouting in Switzerland by Aditya Mandke
54 Neighborhood Tails by Chrissy
40 Rumor Has It
56 Buzz About Town
42 Buzz Reads
62 Back Porch: #oreogate: Kids, cookies, crazies, and brilliance
by Sharon Albert Brier
by Cindy Burnett Book reviewer Cindy Burnett recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 8
by Angie Frederickson
by Andria Dilling
A parenting group chat (dubbed #oreogate) recently went viral. And it really wasn’t about the Oreos.
NEIGHBORS by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer
Why I’m Losing Sleep A technology rant
A
s someone who’s basically retired, except for these columns, people often ask me what I do with my time. Well, it seems like I’m going to doctors a lot. So far, the worst thing wrong with me is that I’m 71. But the thing I spend more time on than I care to admit is technology. Over the last 25 hours, I think I have entered my email and password a dozen times or more. Click this, prove you’re human, verify that. Oops, start over. Among the big lies on the internet is that by signing in or downloading some app, it’ll make life easier. Enable Face ID. Voila! Your device will remember you forever. So why are all these shortcuts consuming my day, actually, my life? For a year now, my cardiologist has been wanting me to take a sleep test. I pictured going into a cold office in my PJs and trying to sleep. If I can’t sleep at home, how am I going to sleep there? I said no. Finally, my young doctor put his hands together in a prayer-like position and said, please. He’s really cute. I succumbed. He sent me to an ENT, where I thought I would take the test. But no, the ENT ordered an online test. You sleep at home. Oh, so it’s easy. It’s online. Another layer, another company; make that two, but it will all work out in the online wash. Got it. The test arrived as a package. I read the extremely detailed instructions in tiny print, which included having no nail polish on the one finger that wears the probe. I looked at my brand-new manicure, gulped, and chose my middle finger. (I’ll keep this clean.) Of course, you have to download the app. I read the instructions twice, over two days. Then followed pages and pages of online questions (yeah, right, so easy!) until I was told to complete the rest just before bedtime. One thing disturbed me: The video explanation showed that a Start button needed to be pressed, but no Start button appeared. It just read: You’re ready. Now go to sleep, followed by a Finish button. Confession: I snore. Not all night, just when I am dropping off to sleep, my theory. But every time I snore, Stan punches me, it wakes me up, and I have to start the whole going-to-sleep process over again. I told him he couldn’t punch me during the test. He just had to muscle MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 10
through it or go to another room. The first thing Stan said to me this morning is that I need to take the test again because I didn’t snore all night. That’s because I didn’t sleep all night! I kept checking my device for any sign that it was working. All I could see was a Finish button ready to be pressed after I woke up, though I never went to sleep. Once the sun was up, the Finish button suddenly turned into a Start button. But it’s morning! The test TECH-SMOLOGY Cindy Gabriel loses sleep over a sleep test. didn’t run all that poor person you want me to drop under the bus. night. So, I began the series of calls that led to It’s not them. It’s you, whoever you are. other calls, some auto-answers, which ultimately Sorry, I have had no sleep. I would sleep betled me to the company who sent me the device. ter if I didn’t find myself in a world where the At one point, I asked an auto message if I could easy part means easy for them, and not for me. speak to a human. It thought I said Numan, so I We are being done in by a thousand cuts a day said yeah, that guy. Lucky for Numan, he wasn’t and we are feeling it. available. When I was growing up, I was told the cusHere’s my issue. First, I had to see two doctors, tomer is always right. Of course, the customer is which turned into emails from a sleep center. not always right. But that was said in a time But when I had an issue, the sleep center gave when the customer had the buying clout to go me the phone number of the device company. somewhere else with their business. But busiMan, talk about staying in your lane. nesses have merged into faceless conglomerates I feel bad that I ranted a little at the wrong too big to talk to me, but still able to easily take people. It’s not their fault. What really makes my credit card number. They should be me fume is that when I am asked to respond to equipped to handle customer service human by a questionnaire on how I was handled, it focuses human. If they can’t, they are too big. on the poor human who gets me at the height I need to go now; I signed up for a podcast of my frustration. It’s not their fault. Ask me that is double charging me and won’t let me why I had to resort to a human in the first place. cancel one of the charges. Gotta call the bank. How do I feel? You don’t like me and you don’t realMaybe a human will answer. Probably not. ly want to know my experience. You also don’t know
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 11
NEIGHBORS by Andria Dilling, staff writer
Halloween Goes Overboard Bringing neighborhoods together
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 12
Courtesy of Zach Jankovic, Cut To Create
Z
ach Jankovic is the epitome of a girl dad who can’t quite contain his boy energy. Instead of helping Sophia, 9, and Eve, 6, sprinkle fairy dust while they trick-or-treat around their neighborhood, Zach has taught his girls how to jump from behind curtains to sneakattack people stumbling through their annual Halloween haunted house. For the past two years, Zach has orchestrated an elaborate house of horrors in the 10-foot crawl space under the house he shares with his wife Morgan and their little girls. It is in Meyerland, Morgan explains, “where flooding has been terrible in the past. We built our house 10 feet high, so the crawl space is really more like a basement.” Zach adds, “It’s 1,500 square feet of wide open space.” In other words, an invitation. “It started on a whim,” he continues. “I thought it would be fun to use the space to build a haunted house. And then it became this rabbit hole I kept going farther into.” The first year (as well as the following years), Zach built the spook house with help from his friend and neighbor Scott Ross. Ironically, Scott has two boys, Leo and Max, the same ages as Zach’s girls. But their over-the-top Halloween decor is all “happy-go-lucky,” according to Zach. “They’ve got a line of people all the way to the corner. But Scott’s is Candy Land-esque, and mine is just freaky.” Go figure. “It was so much work,” Zach says. “But six months went by [after the first haunted house], and I was like, ‘Oh man, it would be fun to do that again.’ So I did a complete redesign and started again.” Year two of the “Creepy Crawl,” as Zach named it (after the crawl space), he says they jumped from 200 people coming through to 500. The theme was movies – very scary movies – and it was everything Zach dreamed it would be. “My mom [Cathy Jankovic] was the greeter,” Zach says, “and she stood at the front in a zombie-esque costume. She just crushed it. She stood there for three hours and told people no flash photography, no touching the props, and then she would ask if they wanted the really scary or PG version. We’re in the back wearing headsets, so she’s letting us know whether to jump out
NOT THE ADDAMS FAMILY The Jankovic family – (pictured, back row) Joe, Morgan, Cathy, Zach, and (front row) Eve and Sophia – make Zach's Creepy Crawl an annual Halloween tradition.
with an axe and scream ‘Here’s Johnny!’ or not,” referring to the movie The Shining. Other movie moments included scenes from E.T., A Nightmare on Elm Street, Rosemary’s Baby, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and more. “We built out a framework of PVC pipe stanchions, and Scott fully automated everything with tech sensors and timers, so as people walk through, things automatically happen. He’s the tech, I compile the sound effects and lighting.” In their real lives, Zach owns Cut To Create, and Scott owns Scott Ross Productions; both are video production companies. “Scott sends me Amazon links and says, ‘Buy this and this and this.’ He’s my self-proclaimed CTO and I let him lean into it.” Zach gets excited talking about last year’s highlights. “There was a velociraptor with smoke coming out of his mouth. We projected
a silhouette of Morgan holding a big knife onto a bloody shower curtain, like the shower scene from Psycho. That was on a loop,” he says. “We had music from E.T. playing, and when the crescendo happened a spotlight would shine on E.T. on a bicycle. We also had this wild contraption that Scott built that was a skeleton vomiting this blacklit, florescent yellow liquid into a barrel. We used a fountain motor so he was constantly throwing up. It was too scary for Scott’s house, but it was a showpiece at mine.” Sophia and Eve are right in the back of the house with their dad. “Sophia comes up with really great ideas,” Zach says. “She has these tiny skeletons and would barely slide them out under the curtain. It scared people to death.” Zach also had the girls record audio where he needed “creepy, childlike voices.” (continued on page 14)
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 13
Courtesy of Zach Jankovic, Cut To Create Courtesy of Scott Ross, Scott Ross Productions
Courtesy of Zach Jankovic, Cut To Create
Courtesy of Zach Jankovic, Cut To Create
Courtesy of Scott Ross, Scott Ross Productions
Courtesy of Scott Ross, Scott Ross Productions
SPICY AND SWEET Zach Jankovic and Scott Ross spend months turning the crawl space under Zach's house into a neighborhood Halloween attraction; Scott's front yard gets the Candy Land treatment; Scott built a candy machine that dispenses candy to happy trick-or-treaters. (continued from page 12) They’re not scared, he
says, because they know everything happening behind the scenes. At the end of the walk-through, Zach’s dad, Joe Jankovic, waited with a camera. “He would click right as they heard this very loud chainsaw sound and a friend popped out with a chainsaw MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 14
covered in blood. People were losing it. It was great!” He adds that a group of teenagers ran out of the house so fast last year that they broke the Jankovics’ gate. “It was great. We fixed it.” This year the plan is to create an AI experience. “I asked my new collaborator, ChatGPT, what would happen if AI took over the world,”
Zach explains. “So we’ll have this dystopian, apocalyptic world set up. I’ve got a propaganda tunnel with posters like ‘The Aura Wants You,’ and ‘The Algorithm Knows Best.’ ChatGPT made them, and I used a terrible HP printer to print them out, then stitched them together on posterboard and put a layer (continued on page 16)
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 15
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Doherty Photo courtesy of Kirsten Doherty
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Doherty
TREATS, NOT TRICKS Left: Glenda the Good Witch hovers in a bubble on Kirsten Doherty's front lawn; top right: a rendering of Kirsten's 2026 Halloween decor in tribute to Dolly Parton; bottom right: Inchara Raj, Veena Raj, and Kirsten Doherty welcome visitors. (continued from page 14) of glue on top. There will
be a Mutant Forest I’m building with pipe cleaners and pool noodles. Sound plays a huge part, so you’ll hear sounds from a forest as you walk through. Every time I start building something, I think of 10 other things I want to do.”
A
cross town, Kirsten Doherty’s house has become a Halloween destination in Highland Village. A couple of years after Hurricane Katrina, she and her attorney husband Brendan moved from New Orleans to Houston. “We lived in New Orleans for 18 years,” she says. “In New Orleans, everything is an event. And Halloween has just gotten bigger and bigger every year.” It’s become so big for Kirsten that she rented a storage unit last year solely for her Halloween and Christmas decoration collections, both of which Kirsten describes as “out of control.” “We are in an old ranch house,” she says. “Storage is not something that happens here.” Every year takes on a new theme. Last year was The Wizard of Oz, complete with giant poppies, a sparkly tin man, flying monkeys, and Glenda the Good Witch encased in a largerthan-life iridescent bubble. “I try to choose a theme that almost everyone will recognize,” MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 16
Kirsten says. “Most importantly, something that makes people happy.” Themes have varied from Cruella de Vil to Barbie to Alice in Wonderland to Beetlejuice. It’s never anything scary. “A lot of [the decorations] you see are actually custom made,” the graphic designer says. “I’ll come up with an idea, design the pieces, and have them printed at CME [Printing]. Then I take them home and add all the fun details by hand. Paint, glitter, sparkles, whatever the theme calls for.” Kirsten also loves to hunt for gap-filling pieces on Amazon and Temu. “I usually start dreaming up the concept and sourcing pieces in July, and by mid-September, setup begins. It’s definitely a process, but watching the whole idea come to life is one of my favorite parts.” Another favorite part of it all is watching people react to the over-the-top decor as they walk or run by in the mornings, and watching parents bring children to her front yard to explore. “People stop, take pictures, come back with friends and family,” she says. “It becomes this fun little experience for the whole neighborhood. Seeing how much joy it brings people is really what makes all the work worth it.” Last year, Kirsten says she had 600 pieces of candy ready for trick-or-treaters. She ran out.
“It’s pretty chaotic,” she says, adding that her husband and friends help out. “Every once in a while, I’ll get him to put half a costume on,” she laughs. Kirsten is excited for this year’s theme: Dolly Parton. “It’s going to be really good! I reached out to the Houston chapter of Imagination Library, and we’re going to do a pop-up library and give out some books,” she says. “This is the perfect time to use Dolly’s legacy and maybe do some good.” Kirsten says her husband Brendan “thinks I’m insane.” “My husband likes to complain while it’s happening, and he just shakes his head every time he sees a new box get delivered,” Kirsten says. Zach says his wife Morgan uses the exact same word – insane – to describe his Halloween obsession. He says she loves the community the Creepy Crawl fosters, but she doesn’t love that her husband is not able to trick-or-treat with her girls. Small prices to pay for the memories – and photos – the two Halloween hosts are giving to so many. Editor’s note: See this story at thebuzzmagazines.com for videos.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 17
NEIGHBORS
Photo courtesy of Graham Wetherell
by Emily McDowell, contributing writer
On the Road In a DIY school bus I found out about the passing of Graham Andrew Wetherell at 9:30 a.m. on July 16, the morning he passed away due to a tragic accident. The shocking, heartbreaking news was devastating to his family and friends, including me and my younger brother, who had been one of Graham’s best friends. I had been working with Graham on this story for several weeks as part of my summer internship at The Buzz. Graham and his friends had all been excited for it to be published. After his passing, I wanted to honor Graham in a different way than I had originally intended with this story, which I hope reflects his vibrant spirit. I want to thank Graham for helping me with this story – one that he had been so excited about – and, more importantly, for being a true friend to my brother and so many others. Although words and stories can never entirely capture the totality of a person, or the precious experience of a human life, they can be a powerful way of connecting us to people and feelings we cannot always reach. I hope that, for those who knew Graham better than I did and for those who never had the opportunity to meet him, this story offers a small glimpse into the boundless life he lived. Graham, you will always be loved and missed.
W
ith 50-mph winds pushing against the side of a retired school bus on a two-lane mountain highway, Graham Wetherell, 18, fought to keep the wheels straight. “It was so sketch,” Graham said. “It would be like a two-lane highway and it’s around 50-mileper-hour winds blowing into the side of my bus. My wheels are at 90 degrees. And then there’s just a ton of rain. I can’t see anything. It was pretty scary.” The bus had been built for a road trip. Whether it was built for 50-mph winds, mountain highways, and nine days on the road was another question. Six recent Stratford High School graduates spent nine days this summer traveling from Texas through Colorado and Wyoming in a retired school bus that several of them had transformed into a camper as part of a senior project. Along the way, they slept in RV parks and truck MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 18
DRIVEN 2026 Stratford High School graduates (pictured, from left) Kaleb Bernat, Graham Wetherell, Kyle Gray, Liam Osbon, and Gabe Wylie transformed an old school bus into a camper, which they took on the road over the summer. The ambitious project was part of Stratford’s Academy of Science and Engineering (ASE), a two-year, career-focused program. The bus venture served as their Senior Capstone Project. Working alongside his classmates, Graham contributed to much of the project and later took on the role of driver during the road trip. When Graham passed away in July, the group not only lost an intelligent and enterprising young man, but also a beloved longtime friend to several of its members.
stops, mountain biked in Colorado, hiked through the Tetons, spotted moose, and dealt with breakdowns far from home. The project took place through Stratford High School’s Academy of Science and Engineering (ASE), a two-year, career-focused program that provides hands-on experience in fields including engineering, biotechnology, and research. As part of their senior capstone, students are expected to use what they learned from the program and apply it to a complex,
The bus had been built for a road trip. Whether it was built for 50-mph winds, mountain highways, and nine days on the road was another question. real-world project. The program was pulled from the curriculum after this past spring semester because of student scheduling issues, making these senior capstone projects the last to take place at Stratford. Rather than take on a typical woodworking or fabrication project, five students – Graham
Wetherell, Gabe Wylie, Kyle Gray, Kaleb Bernat, and Liam Osbon – decided to transform an old school bus into a camper they could eventually take on the road. The idea began with Kaleb, who first approached Kyle about converting a smaller bus. Kaleb wanted to create a project they could use to take road trips. “I told him, ‘I like the bus idea, but we should do it with more people. We can do a bigger – like, a big bus,’” Kyle said. The two brought Graham and Gabe on board, and Liam later joined the group. The idea was ambitious. “Our moms and engineering teacher didn’t believe we could do it at first,” Gabe said. “We messed around a lot in the class.” Teacher Davy Barrett said several other groups had previously proposed renovating a bus, but none had completed the project. Renovating a full-sized school bus would require long hours of hard labor, thousands of dollars, and access to outside resources. “Most people might hear that as a warning, but these guys just heard it as a challenge,” said Jeremy Wetherell, Graham’s father. The boys ultimately persuaded their teacher they could pull off the project. “I really had full faith in them,” Jeremy said. “This isn’t the first kind of crazy, hard challenge that I’ve seen Graham take on in his life.” Jeremy said his role in the project was not to solve the boys’ problems, but to help them believe they could solve them themselves. “I was not an engineer. I (continued on page 20)
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 19
Photo courtesy of Graham Wetherell
Photo courtesy of Graham Wetherell
EN ROUTE Left: Kaleb Bernat perched on top of the sticker-covered bus; right: Gabe Wylie, Charlie Keen, Liam Osbon, Hunter Williams, Kaleb Bernat, and Graham Wetherell in front of the Wyoming state welcome sign. (continued from page 18) didn’t turn any wrenches.
These boys deserve all the credit. My role, as far as Dad goes, was simply that I would say, ‘I think you can do this.’ I just cheered them on. “I think kids borrow confidence from adults who believe in them,” he said. “And eventually, that borrowed confidence becomes their own.” The boys paid for the bus out of pocket. They eventually bought it under Graham’s name for $5,500 through Facebook Marketplace after it had originally been listed for $10,000. The group spent another $5,000 of their own money on renovations. They also created a GoFundMe to pay for additional renovations and tires. The students began renovating the bus during the summer before their senior year. “The main building process probably took around six months,” Graham said. The work stretched well beyond the school day. Renovating the bus had to fit in around homework, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities. Kyle, who contributed the most time MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 20
to the renovation, estimated the group spent 1015 hours a week on the bus, often working after school from about 5-9 p.m. Much of that work took place at a garage on the property of the Jess Briley Manufacturing Company, where Kyle works. His boss, Austin Moller, allowed the students to store the bus in the parking lot and pull it inside to use the shop’s tools. Kyle said Austin also helped the group understand the bus’s electrical wiring and install the air-conditioning unit on the roof. Austin characterized his role as mostly advisory, occasionally offering tips on easier ways to complete tasks. “They did the bulk of everything,” Austin said. “I don’t feel like I helped from my point of view.” Graham said completing the project would not have been possible without a place to store the bus. By the time the group completed their renovations, the bus contained a queen bed, two bunk beds, a pullout couch, a TV, a refrigerator, a working sink, and an air-conditioning
unit. In total, the renovations cost between $4,000 and $5,000. “This kind of class, and this specific project, is going to propel these students into the future for a field they may have not had the confidence to pursue before,” Davy Barrett said. Although the ASE program is no longer available for Stratford students, Davy said projects like these can shape what students believe they are capable of pursuing. This renovation project earned them an A. But after graduation, the bus took on a new challenge: the road trip. From the beginning, the group had designed the bus with a future road trip in mind. “We probably would have built it differently had we not planned on taking it on a trip,” Kyle said. “We wanted it based on if you were to take a bunch of guys on a trip. That’s how we built it.” Kyle was unable to join the road trip himself after an in-person math class at Houston Community College came up about a week before departure. Four (continued on page 22)
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 21
Photo courtesy of Graham Wetherell
Photo courtesy of Graham Wetherell
INSIDE, OUTSIDE Left: The interior of the bus includes a couch, TV, refrigerator, multiple sleeping and seating areas, and a working sink. During their road trip, the group stayed nights at RV parks or truck stops, where they cooked simple meals like hot dogs or burgers. “It was so rewarding to make our own food,” Wylie said. “We had cans of chili we cooked. I was sitting there eating it thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is the best chili I ever had.’ It was Walmart chili.” Right: Trip highlights included time spent on trails and being immersed in beautiful views. Pictured, from left: Kaleb Bernat, Liam Osbon, Hunter Williams, Gabe Wylie, Charlie Keen, and Graham Wetherell during their hike in Grand Teton National Park. (continued from page 20) members of the original
five-person build team took the bus on the road. Friends Hunter Williams and Charlie Keen joined in place of Kyle, bringing the traveling group to six Stratford graduates: Graham, Gabe, Liam, Kaleb, Hunter, and Charlie. Although Charlie was not part of the ASE class or the official project group, Kyle said he also spent time helping with the renovation. “Charlie would be there quite a bit,” Kyle said. Hunter and Charlie both contributed toward fuel costs. That mattered on a vehicle that was not exactly fuel efficient. “The bus gets about six miles a gallon, which is horrible,” Graham said. The group kept a shared document tracking how much each person had contributed to the project. “So that if we end up selling the bus, we will know who to give the money to,” Graham said. Graham, who has a Class B driver’s license, helped handle the driving, while Kaleb planned the route. Gabe’s mom, Sunshine Wylie, said she had experienced anxiety about the trip. “I was afraid the bus was going to break down. Even during their presentation at the end of the school year, their lights weren’t working properly. Wyoming is a long way for a car, let alone a bus that has been renovated. So I wasn’t sure they would make it, but they did. They proved MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 22
everyone wrong.” The group left on June 14 with plans to stop in Lubbock and pick up Gabe, who had been attending freshman orientation at Texas Tech University. They did not get far before the trip’s first major problem. The bus broke down, forcing the group to detour to San Angelo in search of the right
“There’s this memory I have of Frisco,” Liam said. “It’s a video of a sunset, and it pans over to Graham’s face. You just see the biggest smile on his face.” replacement part. They spent the night at Kaleb’s uncle’s house before getting back on the road. Graham called the breakdown the biggest challenge of the trip. After picking up Gabe the next day, the group continued toward Colorado, spending one
night at a Love’s truck stop before eventually camping in Frisco. There, the homemade bus stood out among the traditional RVs. “We stayed at a nice RV park called Peak One Campground in Frisco,” Graham said, emphasizing that the other guests were all there with nice, expensive RVs. The unusual bus became a conversation starter with fellow campers, Graham said. “It’s funny because you would get totally opposite reactions,” he said. “They would either love it or they would hate it.” “People would come up to us all the time, and we would have conversations with them about our bus,” Graham said. “At one point we had two different families just talking to us. We were camped out outside cooking burgers around our bus. And they just loved it.” Graham noted that Gabe made sure the inside was presentable for visitors who wanted a peek. “I made sure everyone mopped – at least kept it clean – because other people came in the bus too,” Gabe said. For Graham, one of the highlights in Colorado was mountain biking near Frisco. “They had these mountain bike trails. It was like a big bike park next to where we were in Frisco. And it was pretty sick.” “There’s this memory I have of Frisco,” Liam said. “It’s a video of a sunset, and it pans over to Graham’s face. You just see (continued on page 24)
face.” From Colorado, the group continued north toward Wyoming. They spent the following two days in the Gros Ventre area, where they explored, went cliff jumping, and woke early one morning to catch the sunrise. For Gabe and Liam, that early morning became one of the highlights of the trip. “Graham woke the group up around 5 a.m. He was just like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go’ – and I don’t think any of the guys wanted to wake up that early. We hiked for like two hours and saw just the most beautiful sunrise,” Liam said. They slept each night wherever they could fit inside the bus: in the queen bed, two bunk beds, or pullout couch. Having no toilet, they stopped at gas stations and RV rest stops to use the bathroom. They would shower by hanging the faucet from the sink outside, where they had a privacy curtain attached to the side of the bus. For food, the boys grilled hot dogs and burgers, made chili and sandwiches, and stopped at gas stations for snacks and drinks. “It was so rewarding to make our own food,” Gabe said. “We had cans of chili we cooked. I was sitting there eating it thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is the best chili I ever had.’ It was Walmart chili.” On June 19, the group explored Grand Teton National Park, visiting Jenny Lake and String Lake, and hiking about 10 miles through Cascade Canyon. Along the way, they spotted moose and took cold plunges in glacial water. “Hiking in the Tetons was pretty cool,” Graham said. “We saw a moose.” After the hike, the group picked up a few hitchhikers, “some dads,” as Gabe described them, and gave them a ride into Jackson, Wyoming. They walked around town, bought food and T-shirts, and eventually returned to their campsite. The return drive through Colorado and Fort Collins brought some of the trip’s roughest conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds hitting the bus as it traveled through the mountains. On June 21, the group reached Amarillo, where they stayed at another RV park and ate dinner at the saloon-style steakhouse The Big Texan. The next day, they dropped the bus off at Gabe’s ranch in Tyler before returning to Houston. In total, the trip cost about $5,000. The group documented the building process and road trip at @seniorbus26 on Instagram. The future of the bus remains to be determined. For now, the retired school bus has already traveled much farther than the students’ original senior project required. When reflecting on the journey, Graham said he knew there was a chance it wouldn’t work. But, as he put it: “There’s no way this is gonna work, but I’m gonna do it anyway. Because if it MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 24
Photo courtesy of Liam Osbon
(continued from page 22) the biggest smile on his
A MEMORABLE MOMENT Graham Wetherell looks back at the camera as the sun sets over the mountains in Frisco, Colorado. Graham tragically passed away less than a month after returning from this road trip. His distinctive smile reflects the spirit his loved ones remember: an irrepressibly joyful young man who embraced his ambitions wholeheartedly and delighted in the triumphs of his endeavors.
does work, it’s gonna be sick.” “I honestly wasn’t sure if we were gonna make it pretty much the whole time,” Liam said. “I kept being like ‘I believe we’ll get back when we’re pulling into the Wylies’ driveway.’ But during the trip Graham kept saying this thing that would give us courage, being like, ‘It’s gonna be OK, it’s gonna be OK – everything will work out.’ He said, ‘Even if the bus breaks and this doesn’t work, and we have to leave it here, it’d still be the greatest story ever.’” Editor’s note: See GrahamWetherell.com for
more about his life, read and share memories about him, and view a recording of the memorial service for those who weren’t able to attend. A dedicated fund has been established for Graham’s family. Any funds remaining after funeral costs will go toward the family’s needs, scholarships in Graham’s memory, and his brother Levi’s college education. Many of Graham’s friends and classmates, including those who participated in the road trip, now wear bracelets with a favorite Graham phrase, reminding his loved ones to go after their goals.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 25
School Buzz 2026-2027
hartphoto.com
by Mackenzie Malveaux, staff writer
SCHOOL BUZZ This year’s 2026-27 School Buzz reporters gathered at Saint Thomas' Episcopal School (STE) to meet each other and be photographed for the upcoming year. Front row, from left: Charlotte Kneese (Kinkaid), Emily Xie (St. John’s), Charlotte King (Episcopal), Sarah Stringer (St. Francis Episcopal), Sophia Nguyen (Kinkaid), Tiffany Li (St. John’s), Elexis Segal (Emery/Weiner), Mimi Wright (Episcopal); second row, from left: Ana Maria Somerville (Cathedral), Juliet Dow (St. John’s), Looluwa Pitolwala (Carnegie Vanguard), Medha Sarva (Awty), Marin Hammonds (Duchesne), Claire Senftleber (HSPVA), Alexis Zogg (IWA), Ishwari Patel (Village School); third row, from left: Lydia Kahalley (STE), Ella Bibi (HSPVA), Olivia Koo (Bellaire), Selina Yuan (STE), Rhea Roy (Stratford), Alexis Chen (Lamar), Mariam Sheikh (Bellaire), Elise Bernadac (Stratford); fourth row, from left: Aiza Haidery (St. Agnes), Clement Ding (Strake Jesuit), Sara Roy (Stratford), Rosabella Chu (Memorial), Catalina Diaz (St. Francis Episcopal), Vishakha Rao (Awty), Angel Huang (St. John’s) Reagan Whitley (St. Pius X); top row, from left: Reagan Stone (St. Pius X), Giulia Andreoli (IWA), Hanxi Zhang (Strake), Olumide Adeyeri (Carnegie Vanguard), Kate Burke (Emery/Weiner), Charles Fisher (St. Thomas), Hallie Taaffe (Lamar), and Chinedu Abiaziem (STE).
T
his fall marks the 13th year of School Buzz – 13 years of students taking the initiative to tell the stories that unfold within their high school community and sharing these stories with a wider audience. School Buzz correspondents consistently tell us that this opportunity is far more than an addition to their resume, but rather a valuable experience that brings unheard stories to light, creates new connections, and deepens their passion for writing. We’ve found that it’s often the unexpected connections that stem from participating in this program that keeps students applying year after year. Out of a large pool of exceptionally talented applicants, we chose 48 students from 22 local high schools. After reviewing this year’s applicants, I can confidently say The Buzz is lucky to welcome these amazing writers to the team for the 2026-27 school year. Read on to learn about how these students developed their passion for writing, along with returning reporters’ standout stories, in their own words. Congratulations to our 2026-27 School Buzz team! Vishakha Rao, The Awty International School My love for writing began when I created a
mini newspaper for my neighbors. This passion flourished over the years through my contributions to my student council’s newsletter and school newspaper, the Rampage. The strong camaraderie at Awty and the vibrant Houston community remind me how fortunate I am to be part of this unique environment and inspires me to give back every day by connecting with others through writing! In addition to journalism, I’m an avid STEM enthusiast and design engineer for my robotics team (Go, Awtybots!), a classically trained violinist/vocalist, and a Youth Ambassador for the City of Houston. And finally, a quippy fun fact about me: I’m a big fan of noodles, doodles, and Poodles! Medha Sarva, The Awty International School I always considered myself more of a reader than a writer. For that reason, joining my school newspaper was not something that I expected to do. I used to think an article was just like an essay, just one seen by more people. That changed when I realized that being part of a newspaper was more than just writing. I loved hearing people’s stories, learning about their perspectives, and finding ways to share things that mattered to me. When I got the opportunity to
write about a school trip for The Daily News, I knew that I had to continue looking outside my comfort zone. I wanted to write for School Buzz so that I can continue sharing my voice while growing as a writer, and I am glad that I am now able to do so. Dhara Agrawal, Bellaire High School Walking through the doors of Saint Thomas’ Episcopal for the School Buzz photo shoot last year, I had no idea what to expect. The Buzz Magazines was always something that was delivered to my house, not something that I had contributed to, but I was excited (and nervous) about the opportunity to make my mark. As the event went on, I quickly discovered that School Buzz is so much more than I thought: It’s a community of like-minded high schoolers, not just a collection of articles. I ended up meeting other journalists from different schools and forming friendships with people I would never have met otherwise. What started as a magazine on my doorstep became a network of people who make me a better journalist and community member. To me, that’s worth more than a byline. Olivia Koo, Bellaire High School Becoming a School Buzz reporter this past
School Buzz 2026-27 Reporters The Awty International School Vishakha Medha Rao • Medha Sarva
Memorial High School Rosabella Chu • Emma Mankarious
Bellaire High School Dhara Agrawal • Olivia Koo • Mariam Sheikh
Saint Constantine School Selah Palandro
Cathedral High School Melanie Guachisaca • Ana Maria Somerville
Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School Chinedu Abiaziem • Lydia Kahalley • Selina Yuan
Carnegie Vanguard High School Olumide Adeyeri • Looluwa Pitolwala
St. Agnes Academy Ines Fournier • Aiza Haidery
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Marin Hammonds • Aatira Shah
St. Francis Episcopal High School Catalina Diaz • Sarah Stringer
The Emery/Weiner School Kate Burke • Elexis Segal
St. John’s School Juliet Dow • Angel Huang • Tiffany Li • Emily Xie
Episcopal High School Charlotte King • Mimi Wright
St. Thomas High School Charles Fisher
Incarnate Word Academy Giulia Andreoli • Alexis Zogg
St. Pius X High School Reagan Stone • Reagan Whitley
Kinder HSPVA Ella Bibi • Claire Senftleber
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Clement Ding • Hanxi Zhang
The Kinkaid School Charlotte Kneese • Shaivi Moparthi • Sophia Nguyen
Stratford High School Elise Bernadac • Rhea Roy • Sara Roy
Lamar High School Alexis Chen • Hallie Taaffe
The Village School Ella Nguyen • Ishwari Patel
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 28
hartphoto.com
Dhara Agrawal
Olivia Koo
Mariam Sheikh
year was an incredible experience, one that redefined “journalism” from one singular field, at least in my mind, to the marriage of storytelling and methodical investigation. More importantly, however, by reporting for School Buzz, I managed to fully immerse myself in my school’s culture and perceive previously undetected connections I shared with my classmates and teachers. And, in all actuality, that is what writing is fundamentally about: connecting people across time and space through stories, experiences, and information.
opportunity in whatever form, reminding me that it’s so much more than the boring essays I once associated it with.
Mariam Sheikh, Bellaire High School Just a few years ago, writing meant essays and boring English homework. Since then, however, I've started to see writing in a completely different way – an art form that continues to amaze me with its versatility every day. Working with School Buzz allows me to take this passion beyond my English class and share Bellaire's diverse community with all our Houston-area readers. I've always wanted to be involved in something much bigger, writing something that reaches eyes far outside the walls of my school. From covering a major Bellaire event, to highlighting an outstanding community member, I genuinely love that journalism gives me this
hartphoto.com
tomcallins.com
hartphoto.com
Medha Sarva
hartphoto.com
Vishakha Rao
Melanie Guachisaca, Cathedral High School In hearing the inner thoughts of others, you can experience a more intimate understanding of the world. It is for this reason that writing is so useful. My passion for writing truly began when I started high school and I could express my opinions on things I felt were important to share with the world. I wanted to write for School Buzz because I feel it is important for students to have an outside perspective of high school. As George Orwell says, “Writing reveals your truest self.” I hope to achieve exactly this: to reveal the truest parts of myself in order to share with others the beauty and truth that come with writing. Ana Maria Somerville, Cathedral High School I discovered my passion for writing at a very young age. I would always gather material to create my own book to follow in the footsteps of my favorite authors (at this time, my reading comprehension was limited to Dr. Seuss).
Melanie Guachisaca
As I began to grow older, I lost sight of this passion due to overwhelming amounts of schoolwork, which brought my spare time for reading and writing to nothing. At Cathedral High School, all the essays are written by hand, with a pencil and paper. We began to write essays arguing with different ideas found in classical literature, and I truly fell in love with writing all over again. When I saw the opportunity to write about the school that completely changed my view about writing, I knew I had to take it. I decided to use my talent of writing to inform others about what a classical education looks like through the daily lives of its students. Olumide Adeyeri, Carnegie Vanguard High School To me, writing is the best way to build time capsules of the Houston community. Whether about a winter play across town or seeing my own school’s clubs being spotlighted, School Buzz has created a platform that I find myself returning to regularly. I’ve built up my repertoire of writing over the years, writing everything from poetry and critical essays to personal essays and (most near to my heart) journalism. Since starting as a (continued on page 30) MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 29
tomcallins.com Marin Hammonds
(continued from page 29) journalist at Carnegie, I
Carnegie. I’m excited to have the opportunity to highlight the incredible achievements of our students and staff through sharing the stories that make our school special with the rest of my community.
Looluwa Pitolwala, Carnegie Vanguard High School Reading was my first love long before I had the words to explain why, and my mom and I have practically been permanent residents of the library since I was a kid, weighed down by piles of books every week. My love for writing arrived soon after and never left, and nowadays, my Google Docs overflow with half-created worlds, articles, and essays. The English language has always come naturally to me, and my adoration for it is what draws me to writing for School Buzz. I’ve always loved how storytelling brings people together, and School Buzz provides an amazing platform to transform that passion into action by sharing the unique culture that I’ve experienced at MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 30
hartphoto.com
Looluwa Pitolwala
Aatira Shah
have watched writing transform lives by validating unheard voices. As a Scholastic Gold Key winner for Journalism, Best of SNO winner, and avid member of many community organizations, my reach is far and my passion is palpable. My ties with journalism run deep, and I hope they do forever. I am eager to serve on School Buzz to cover my school and the amazing stories that live there.
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com
Olumide Adeyeri
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Ana Maria Somerville
Aatira Shah, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart I was the kid who noticed things – the worndown heel of someone’s shoe, the way a person changed their voice, or the one sentence in a conversation that everyone else seemed to forget. Eventually, I started writing those things down. What began as stories scribbled in notebooks became something I took seriously through workshops, literary magazines, and journalism. Over time, I realized that my favorite writing usually begins the same way: with curiosity about another person. That is why I want to write for School Buzz. I want to be the person who notices those stories and turns them into something other people want to read. School Buzz gives me the chance to write about my community. More than anything, I want my reporting to make someone open the magazine, recognize a person they know or learn about an experience, and think, “I’m glad someone wrote about that.”
Kate Burke
Marin Hammonds, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart As a 12th grader, watching high school come to a close is bittersweet. Returning to School Buzz gives me the opportunity to spend my final year pursuing what makes me happy: discovering what my classmates care about, sharing their stories, and taking a bit of their passion with me. Last year, School Buzz led me to join three new clubs, learn about theatre costume design, and make so many new friends. A program that I thought would simply strengthen my journalistic writing became an avenue to discover new parts of my school. My favorite story I covered was Duchesne’s first student-led musical, Little Women, and how its themes of sisterhood are reflected throughout our own school community. Getting a behind-the-scenes look opened my eyes to the intricacies of putting on a production, and the passion and grit required to bring it to life. Kate Burke, The Emery/Weiner School I can truly connect with the School Buzz audience and am driven to find unique stories that both entertain and inform readers. My favorite story I've written for School Buzz is The Ten-Second Struggle, which focuses on AI
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com
Mimi Wright
Giulia Andreoli
Alexis Zogg
use in math classrooms. As someone incredibly passionate about publicizing AI’s impacts on learning, being part of the School Buzz has allowed me to write about those impacts on a smaller, more personal scale, with real teachers' and students' opinions and experiences, rather than simply statistics. This culminated in the article, where I not only gathered quotes from students’ favorite math teachers and fellow classmates, but also found a unique angle on AI learning; most people associate AI use with writing in humanities classes, but don’t think about its impact on STEM subjects. This freedom and encouragement to write has been an incredible opportunity that I wouldn’t have had elsewhere!
Most importantly, writing has a purpose: to motivate others to act with compassion, empathy, and leadership in their day-to-day lives to create a kind, thriving, and connected world.
Elexis Segal, The Emery/Weiner School Whether for school or for fun, I have always enjoyed being able to put my emotions and ideas into words. I always write with intention. I want my writing to entertain and educate others about not only the successes and achievements, but also the triumphs of my community. I like to convey a message that not only has feeling but also creates inspiration to provoke impact. Writing is a form of connection and acts as a bridge from one mind to another great thinker.
hartphoto.com
hartphoto.com
hartphoto.com
Charlotte King
hartphoto.com
Elexis Segal
Charlotte King, Episcopal High School The first short story I wrote was terrible. I was in sixth-grade creative writing class, completely convinced that I had written something brilliant. Looking back, the plot was ridiculous, the dialogue was juvenile, and I think I used the word “suddenly” about 10 times too many. But the one thing about the story that wasn’t terrible was how much I enjoyed writing it. I kept writing short stories, poems, and personal essays, determined to get to a point where the final draft felt emotionally moving. I want to write for School Buzz because I want to share the same feeling that made me fall in love with writing in sixth grade. The feeling of taking an idea and turning it into a piece of writing that someone can experience, not just read. The stories I have written have changed since, but the magical feeling of writing them never has. Mimi Wright, Episcopal High School The Buzz has pushed me to dig deeper in my reporting, ask better questions, and not settle for
Ella Bibi
the first answer I get. My favorite story I’ve written for School Buzz was the piece on Episcopal’s interim term. It allowed me to cover a side of the school most people don’t see. That’s why School Buzz matters to me. It gives me a bigger audience and pushes me to report with more depth than I would on my own. Giulia Andreoli, Incarnate Word Academy For as long as I can remember, I have been a steadfast people person. I’ve always loved striking up conversations, building connections, and forming friendships. My passion for storytelling stems from my constant desire to converse with others. After all, conversations are just an exchange of stories. Journalism, at its core, is the natural extension of being a people person. It is built on listening carefully to someone’s anecdotes and having the ability to transport a reader into them. Being able to teleport your audience through mere words on paper has always fascinated me and sparked my interest in writing. That same instinct is what makes writing for School Buzz so appealing. School Buzz feels like the place where I can do what I love: find the stories hidden around me and give them a voice loud enough for others to hear. (continued on page 32) MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 31
Alexis Chen
(continued from page 31)
tell the stories of many characters. I have learned that storytelling isn’t only limited to performing, that it lives in writing as well. Writing allows me to express myself creatively in a different way. Through School Buzz, I want to be able to write about theatre as someone who has a perspective of seeing the magical moments behind the scenes and on stage. My favorite story that I have written for School Buzz is Cinderella Through Every Art, which showcases how my entire school worked together to put on an amazing production. School Buzz has taught me to look beyond what the eye can see. There is so much more detail and meaning to something if you dig deeper.
Ella Bibi, Kinder HSPVA I am a sophomore in the theatre department at Kinder HSPVA, and my love for storytelling mainly began on stage. In theatre, I am able to MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 32
Claire Senftleber, Kinder HSPVA For as long as I can remember, I've been surrounded by the arts. While I have always illustrated and created art, I found that writing could be a new way for me to express myself. Journaling has become a huge part of my life, something I practice daily, growing into a way for me to understand myself and the world around me. As a new writer for School Buzz, I hope to share the unique stories of my high school community to help others learn and connect to the world around them too!
hartphoto.com
hartphoto.com
Shaivi Moparthi
Sophia Nguyen
Alexis Zogg, Incarnate Word Academy I discovered my passion for writing when I realized that words could do more than communicate – they could make people feel something. Whether I was analyzing characters, or sharing my perspective on topics I cared about, I found that writing gave me a way to explore ideas and connect with other people. Over time, I became especially interested in writing about culture, media, and the experiences of young people. I see School Buzz as an opportunity to bring those interests into my school community. I would love to contribute thoughtful, engaging pieces that reflect the experiences of students while also encouraging readers to think about the world around them. I’m excited by the possibility of collaborating with other writers, experimenting with different styles, and developing my voice as a journalist. Most importantly, I want my writing to give students something to connect with, question, or remember.
Karthik Datta
tomcallins.com
hartphoto.com
Charlotte Kneese
tomcallins.com
Claire Senftleber
Hallie Taaffe
Charlotte Kneese, The Kinkaid School If you gave me the choice between an English paper and a Math test, I would choose the English paper every time. I have always enjoyed bringing stories to life. I can’t wait to share this same passion for writing with the School Buzz team to help bring stories of the Kinkaid community to light. My student vantage point will showcase different, exciting, and occasionally funny stories! Writing about these types of experiences will be so much fun for our age group to see what others experience! I’m excited to bring stories of how everyone in the community plays a role. Shaivi Moparthi, The Kinkaid School My journalism spark was first lit in middle school, when I was selected as a TIME for Kids Kid Reporter. That first taste of journalism sparked a passion I have carried with me ever since. That passion has followed me into high school, where I serve as Editor-in-Chief of The Falcon, Kinkaid’s student newspaper. Whether I am interviewing a new face on campus, covering an issue that matters to students, or working with our staff to bring an upcoming issue to life, I love telling the stories that shape our school. I am proud to be
Emma Mankarious
part of Kinkaid’s welcoming, well-rounded community, and I am excited to continue with School Buzz this year. I can’t wait to share the people and stories that make Kinkaid special. Go Falcons!
Buzz is the amazing opportunity to write. It absolutely is a creative outlet – a way to showcase and build your skills. However, what I value most about my experience in School Buzz is the wonderful people I get to meet and the stories I get to share for them. Without School Buzz, I would have never been able to engage so deeply with my school or learn about the unique journeys that students get to experience throughout high school. The reason I fell in love with writing in the first place was because I loved that it was a way to truly express yourself and explore creativity. But that love grew when I realized that I could use that passion to give a voice to someone who may not be able to speak as loudly. I am truly grateful to be part of School Buzz, for it has brought me the ability to give others the chance to have their stories heard.
Sophia Nguyen, The Kinkaid School My thoughts were like a bird trapped inside a cage, except there was never a lock, and the bars were always open. My thoughts could fly out whenever they wanted, but I never knew how to let them out until a special person in my life taught me how to write. After taking creative writing classes in middle school, my thoughts finally flew free like they'd been suffocating for too long. As I write, the noise around me quiets and my scrambled thoughts focus on one thing. I transform the dullness of gray skies and ordinary streets into a world I long for. Writing lets me escape into something brighter, something I can shape with my own hands. I want to write for School Buzz to invite others into the worlds I've created and maybe guide them to freeing their own bird. Alexis Chen, Lamar High School Sweat starts to drip down my face as I feel the metal bench start to burn. It’s half past one, and PE sucks. I hated how they made us walk 20 minutes on the track during the hottest part of the day! I didn’t like the bugs, or getting tan, or Texas heat, but most of all, I hated PE class – until a girl came to sit down next to me. I didn’t have anything to lose, so I worked up the courage to talk to her. Little did I know she would become a friend and someone who I’d admire for her resilience. From that moment, I realized every student has a hidden story others will never see. Through School Buzz, I hope to grow as a writer while representing the voices at Lamar. I don’t want to become just someone who reports events, but a journalist who makes people feel seen and valued. Hallie Taaffe, Lamar High School For most people, the best part of School
Rosabella Chu, Memorial High School Before I was a writer, I was a reader. I was fascinated with the way writers could so skillfully sculpt the medium of words, with an insightful eye and a blossoming imagination. I made it my goal in fourth grade to learn this sorcery, and I wrote my own novels all the way up to sixth grade. Writing was my creative vessel, overflowing with whimsy and fantasy. In seventh and eighth grade, I experimented with short stories and poetry, but often in the comfort of my room. Writing was my solace, a space to process the intense feelings that came along with growing up. Taking my school’s journalism class in ninth grade awakened my passion for highlighting amazing people and unforgettable moments. Now, I see writing as a way to connect with the vast world, and I am thankful for this opportunity to serve my community. Emma Mankarious, Memorial High School School Buzz has allowed me to view my school from a new perspective by introducing me to more student leaders, faculty members, and programs that contribute so much to our community. This is important to me because
Emily Gilliam
Quy Tran
tomcallins.com Rosabella Chu
Selah Palandro
it has helped me appreciate the dedication behind school events and given me the opportunity to highlight the people whose efforts may otherwise go unnoticed. My favorite School Buzz experience was writing about the Rodeo Run hosted by The Mental Health Society, a nonprofit dedicated to making therapy accessible to students. It was exciting to witness all the hard work that went into organizing the event and then see the Rodeo Run published in The Buzz Magazines. Selah Palandro, The Saint Constantine School When I was in sixth grade, I took a creative writing class as an elective. I thought, “Well, since I love reading, I must love writing just as much, right?” The first thing we did in class was write a 40-line poem, and I cried the whole ride home because it was so hard. My parents made me stick with the class, and eventually we moved on from poetry to short stories. Turns out, I really love to write short stories. I continued writing through middle school and into high school, and I even got the opportunity to read one of my stories for my entire school during the school year’s closing assembly. My other hobbies include crocheting and stage-managing plays and musicals at my school. In writing for School Buzz this year, I hope to grow my writing skills and be able to highlight how wonderful my school is! Chinedu Abiaziem, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School My favorite part of School Buzz has been having a reason to pay closer attention to my own school. There are so many things happening at STE that I would have just walked past or heard about briefly if I weren't looking for stories. Being a reporter has pushed me to talk to people outside my usual circle, ask questions, and find out what is actually happening behind an event, organization, or accomplishment. Reporting made me step back and look at STE like an outsider while still being part (continued on page 34) MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 33
Ines Fournier
Aiza Haidery
(continued from page 33) of it. It's easy to spend four
As an only child, I’ve always loved being around people and building that human connection. School Buzz has allowed me to do just that. It’s given me the awesome excuse to ask classmates, teachers, and faculty personal questions about their lives and has given me a glimpse into others’ perspectives. I’ve tried to make sure I get quotes from different people each time, and perhaps the most rewarding part of being a School Buzz writer has been quoting the shy, quiet student. I’m very grateful that this program has given me the platform to shine a light on the stories of STE that may be in the shadows but very much deserve the spotlight. I could not have made a better decision than joining the Buzz community!
years at a school and only know the version of it that exists around you. School Buzz has taught me that sometimes the best stories are happening in places you weren't planning to look, and all it takes is being curious enough to ask someone about them. Lydia Kahalley, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School I love books and I love reading them. Authors can create worlds, evoke emotions, and change minds. I developed a passion for writing when I was very young. I loved to write short stories for my family and with my friends at school and camp. When I was eight, I entered a PBS Kids writing competition and was selected as a finalist for my short story, The Cherry Blossom Tree. From then on, I knew I had to work towards becoming an author. I have attended Saint Thomas' Episcopal since I was four and am very loyal to the school. It is my second home. The opportunity to write for School Buzz was too good to pass up. It has given me a chance to write and represent my school positively, a perfect win-win situation! Selina Yuan, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 34
Ines Fournier, St. Agnes Academy My passion for writing started when I was in third grade. That year we had gone to Peru to spend Christmas with my aunts, grandparents, and cousins. My favorite aunt gave me a journal as a gift, and she encouraged me to write every day and put all my thoughts down in the diary. Believe it or not, I wrote in that same diary last night and I have continuously written in it throughout the years. I believe that is where my love for writing is cultivated:
tomcallins.com
Selina Yuan tomcallins.com
Lydia Kahalley
hartphoto.com
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com Chinedu Abiaziem
Catalina Diaz
in the days that I make conscious efforts to reflect and express my thoughts. Writing has given me a space to understand myself, store memories, and put feelings into words. What started as a simple gift in the third grade has grown into something I continue to carry with me today. Aiza Haidery, St. Agnes Academy For my first assignment for eighth-grade yearbook, I interviewed someone I had already known, but somehow, by just asking a few simple questions, I learned a whole different side of them. It made me realize that everyone around me has a story. This moment made me realize that writing is more than putting words on paper; it is what allows people to share their experiences and perspectives with others. I realized I enjoyed learning about people and sharing what I discovered. I joined School Buzz for exactly this reason; I want to find the stories that may go unnoticed and give people the opportunity to hear them. Catalina Diaz, St. Francis Episcopal School In elementary school, I’d jump out of my seat when teachers instructed us to take out our floppy notebooks, decorated with stick-
Emily Xie
ers, and write by the doodled margins. Looking back, I’ve always fawned over good writing, in books or spoken out loud; oftentimes in my high school English classes I would kick my feet at sentences that were alluring to me. Writing for School Buzz is an opportunity that will expose me to specific manners of drafting that I have yet to experience. Working with like-minded people is a journey to discover why I enjoy word composition without it being in a completely academic setting. In Communications, my preferred major for the near future, article writing is a common pursuit in the field, therefore this chance to write, and perhaps be a real reporter, is absolutely electrifying.
ball games, musical productions, and everything in between, has meant to me. I’ve gotten to appreciate both the athletic and the artsy sides of my high-school community. I want to share my experience with others. That’s why I’m so excited to play a role in highlighting the multiple facets of my high-school community as a student writer! Juliet Dow, St. John’s School Every day after school in fifth grade, I was eager to get home so that I could spend the rest of my afternoon on my book – the one I was writing, not reading. Ever since I was a kid, I have always had an appreciation for writing and the ability to use it as an outlet for creativity. As I began to explore different styles of writing, I started to develop an interest in journalism, valuing the opportunity it gave me to learn about the world. This is my first year on School Buzz and I am so excited to report on the various events happening at my school. Angel Huang, St. John’s School I’ve noticed my writing style shift with the types of books I read, the new friends I make, and the different ways English teachers intro-
tomcallins.com
hartphoto.com
Angel Huang
Tiffany Li
Sarah Stringer, St. Francis Episcopal School I’ve always liked writing. As an enthusiastic seven-year-old, I used to craft little stories and force my mom to read them. But writing was never my sole interest. Gymnastics gobbled up the bulk of my free time until I retired from the sport by the start of ninth grade. Eager to fill my newfound free time, I pursued a range of interests in high school. I joined cheer, soccer, theater, and later dance. Now that I’m a senior, I’ve begun to realize how much participating in foot-
tomcallins.com
hartphoto.com
hartphoto.com
Juliet Dow
tomcallins.com
Sarah Stringer
Charles Fisher
duce the same analysis skills. Writing, ultimately, is a record of how my thinking shifts over time, sometimes by influence and other times organically. During my freshman year, I joined my school's newspaper, and through interviewing teachers and peers, I discovered my ability to improvise. While awkward interview moments showed up in my first articles as boring quotes, testimonies to my inexperience with spontaneous thinking, my growing confidence as an interviewer is revealed in my most recent articles as engaging quotes that vitalize the interviewee. School Buzz encourages students to see their thoughts shift in real time: interview after interview, article after article. I prioritize nurturing my mind, so here I am: a reporter for School Buzz. Tiffany Li, St. John’s School When I was younger, every month I would look forward to seeing The Buzz. I would always scan the houses that were for sale, the sports highlights, and the little jokes at the end in Andria Dilling’s Back Porch column. l especially loved, though, reading the stories about high school. When I got the opportunity to write as a School Buzz reporter, I thought about my younger self and how I (continued on page 36) MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 35
Elise Bernadac
(continued from page 35) could make the same
their stories around me.
Emily Xie, St. John’s School When I first applied to become a writer for School Buzz, I set out with the intentions of building my writing skills, meeting people at my then-new school, and building a portfolio for college. Over the past year, I have been lucky to do all those things, but I have also gained something I did not expect. Journalism has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and has made me more curious, open, and confident in my voice. As I enter my second year, I am most grateful for that growth. School Buzz has reminded me that some of the most meaningful experiences begin with uncertainty, and I am very excited to keep growing and learning from the people and MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 36
Charles Fisher, St. Thomas High School When I was younger, I would come up with random stories and creative ideas. I found my passion for writing when I was in sixth grade. During Covid lockdown, I had a lot of free time, so I decided to pick up a journal and start writing. When we returned to school, we had Free Write Fridays. Every Friday, I would create a new story with a hero, a journey, and a challenge for them to overcome. When I got to high school, I started to hone my writing. One day, though, I realized that I could write and tell stories that were able to move people. That is why I decided to write for School Buzz and showcase what I can do and what St. Thomas is like as a school, a community, and a brotherhood. Reagan Stone, St. Pius X High School I discovered my love for writing in grade school in my Language Arts class. I devoted so much effort, time, and stress to finding the right answer in subjects like math and science, but classes like Creative Writing and Literature have always been a place where I found freedom. English class never felt like
tomcallins.com
Clement Ding tomcallins.com
Hanxi Zhang
impact for another kid. That is when I got the idea to write about the Big Sis/Lil Sis program WHEE, Women Helping Empower Each Other Club at SJS. This article is my favorite, because I had so much fun having the opportunity to interview others, including my own Big, and seeing the impact they make on underclassmen. Realizing that I have the ability to inspire another young girls out there is so important to me, and that is why I love School Buzz!
hartphoto.com
hartphoto.com
tomcallins.com
Reagan Whitley
tomcallins.com
Reagan Stone
Rhea Roy
work. Instead, I found relief in the fact that there was no “right” way to write. Pieces could be written with no pressure, with the intent to share what I saw, learned, felt, or valued. This flexibility fuels me with a drive to share aspects of what I feel and see. I want to write for School Buzz to strengthen my voice by writing from a journalist's perspective while also inviting people into the place where I call home, St. Pius X. Reagan Whitley, St. Pius X High School My passion for writing comes from the thought of communication. Rather than writing short stories and fairytale-like papers, I enjoy the publicity process of it all. Advertisement is my strong suit! I believe the world needs more people spreading the word of those who create, rather than keeping the stories to themselves, and that is what I am here to accomplish. I want the people who read The Buzz to know the fun, funky, exciting news of St. Pius X! Clement Ding, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory I want to write for School Buzz because I can integrate my interest in photography with my writing skills. I have always enjoyed taking pic-
Ella Nguyen
tures in unique places and capturing cars, people, landscapes, planes, and other subjects. Writing allows me to tell the stories behind those moments. School Buzz will give me the opportunity to do both while sharing meaningful stories with a wider community apart from just writing for my school paper. I like how photography can capture a moment visually, while writing can provide context and perspective that a photograph alone cannot. I also want to use this opportunity to meet students with different experiences. I think that combining photography with writing can make a story more fun to read and help readers connect with the subject of the article.
unlucky occasions, realistic fiction. The solution was writing. As soon as I could put pen to paper, I was told to release all this creativity, and ever since then, I have. Writing has become much more than an outlet for my imagination. It is having the ability to make someone laugh without ever hearing your voice, make someone smile without showing your face, and share someone’s story along with their passion. Once you write something, it becomes timeless – ensuring people, experiences, and stories are shared and never forgotten.
Hanxi Zhang, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory I discovered my passion for writing through reading, which started as a world I could enter without effort. With cochlear implants, sound has always been something I work at – a crowded room is noise I have to sort through before it becomes words. A page never made me do that. It waited for me. Books gave me other people's worlds at full volume, and writing became the way I could hand mine back. I want to write for School Buzz because I've spent my life on the receiving end of other people's meaning, filling in gaps and working out what a sentence probably was. It made me a careful listener. I want to use that on stories that might go unheard otherwise: the student nobody thinks to ask, the tradition no one has written down, the opinions that never make it past a lunch table. My world got bigger because someone put it on a page. Everyone here has something worth saying. Most of the time, no one is listening closely enough to catch it. Elise Bernadac, Stratford High School Lies or creativity. I have always been told there is a fine line between the two, and growing up, I walked the line. On numerous occasions, I would be recounting a memory, but somehow the end would turn into a fantasy, or, on
Rhea Roy, Stratford High School I can’t recall a time in my life where writing hasn’t been one of my passions. I remember being in second grade and roughly typing up stories about magic, friendships, and hidden treasures. I remember being in fourth grade and winning essay-writing competitions in my district. I remember being in sixth grade and pouring all my energy into my work so I could stand out in English class. By eighth grade, I had joined the yearbook staff and discovered journalism. I fell in love with the real-world, fastpaced style of writing, which led me to join my school newspaper, the Stratford Oracle, during my freshman year. I have absolutely loved the experience, and it made me realize how much I want to write for School Buzz. Joining School Buzz allows me to keep doing exactly what I am passionate about while contributing to a much larger community. Sara Roy, Stratford High School When I was seven years old, I found my photograph on the internet. My name had been printed in The Bellaire Buzz after I won a local reading contest in my district; it was a small article, but it meant everything to me. This marked my shift from a reader to a writer. It was the first article I encountered that was significant to me, laced with the thrill of imagining a proper journalist sitting behind a screen somewhere typing up my name. The feature that moved me to such excitement is what pulled me into the journal-
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com
tomcallins.com Sara Roy
Ishwari Patel
istic world, and that’s precisely why I want to write for School Buzz. I want to have that effect on future journalists and starry-eyed readers. It’s a full-circle moment. The Buzz Magazines made me a writer, and now I can write for them. Ella Nguyen, The Village School I started my writing journey in flash fiction as a kindergartener and have not stopped since. Throughout elementary and middle school, I was always in a writing club or class, connecting to my peers through penned words. As I entered high school, I followed my older siblings into journalism and fell in love with it. From staff writer to Senior Editor-in-Chief for The Viking Press, I slowly became more passionate about writing the stories of others and capturing the human experience. When I view the world through a journalistic lens, I see so many more perspectives than I would in my day-to-day; I love exploring the way other people think, and writing gives me that opportunity. As someone who has been writing for as long as I can remember, I believe it is among the strongest ways humans can connect to one another. Ishwari Patel, The Village School I started to like writing when I realized that I could write about ideas that were important to me. Writing didn’t just seem like an assignment anymore; it became a medium for me to share my point of view and experience. A lot of my inspiration came from playing sports. Being a lacrosse player, I have been able to see what is hidden behind the scenes so that people rarely mention the pressure that athletes create for themselves as well as the mental side of the competition. I wanted to hear other stories and share them. I believe School Buzz will help me step out of my comfort zone and get to know the community better. Check out the School Buzz blog at thebuzzmagazines.com/columns/school-buzz throughout the year as these correspondents share school happenings. MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 37
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 38
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 39
NEIGHBORS
.
by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer
Rumor Has It A bubbly swim. Laurie Foxx, Maddy Foxx Moffitt, Leighton Moffitt, Adrian Waltman, and Emma Waltman kicked off Paris eating enough macarons to power a nation. Kevin Foxx and Brooks Moffitt joined in Ireland for golf. Kevin and Laurie then ferried to Scotland, where a flat tire at an ancient ruin gave Kevin golf-swing practice while awaiting a tow truck before the opening of The Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. After a swanky London 007-themed hotel speakeasy stint, Kevin retreated home. Laurie capped off this chaotic tour in Mallorca with Melissa Dobrowski, where 10,000 boats mobbed a solar eclipse, a random stranded boat got towed, and midnight sea-swimming commenced with champagne. Another memory made. To celebrate 10 years of marriage, Greg and Tabeen Urbach took their three chaotic boy-tornados, Miles, 7, Max, 5, and 14-month-old Hudson on a "casual" road trip to Austin to show the boys where the romance officially began. Upon arrival, Greg ambushed Tabeen with a professional photographer and her actual bridal shower dress, while the boys were trapped in matching outfits. Talk about setting the anniversary bar impossibly high! From meeting as Bellaire High School classmates to a decade of wedded bliss and matching-outfit ambushes, they’re still making history. A date on the sly. George Carmichael and Sharon Cook proved it’s never too late for love. They met at mutual friend Carol Hansen’s birthday dinner, a subtle blind date arranged by Carol, which went so well, they married a year later. George proposed at Brennan's, and on May 30, The Reverend Dr. Jim Jackson sealed the deal at the Houston Racquet Club. For their honeymoon, George and Sharon bravely brought four siblings, kids, and grandkids to Galveston. Surviving a family vacation is true love! They later escaped for 10 days of East Coast lobster. Today, Sharon and Carol live right across the fence from each other. Carol didn't just find Sharon a husband; she found herself a neighbor. Beat the heat. The Grahmann family – Kraig, Maryann, Mason, Michael, and Mari – MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 40
migrated from West U for a six-day Canadian vacation, trading city life for the wild terrains of Banff National Park. They branched out along the Lake Louise shoreline and scaled the Rockpile Trail like nimble mountain goats for views of Moraine Lake. Next, they drifted up Sulphur Mountain via gondola to peer over Bow Valley. Hunting for local flavor, they grazed on elk burgers and beaver tail pastries. PARIS BY BOAT Is there any other way to experience it? Pictured (from left) are Adrian Waltman, Emma Waltman, Leighton Moffitt, Maddy Foxx Moffitt, The herd then stamped- and Laurie Foxx. ed into Calgary’s annual and Dr. Gustavo and Claudia Salas bet it all on rodeo. Thanks to local Scouts, they secured a good time. A live duo, Alex Lucciano and prime, shady seats to watch cowboys weather Angela Nichols, brought the tunes, dancing the storm of bucking bulls. Young Michael ensued, the bar kept flowing, and two casino became utterly un-bear-ably obsessed with "The tables stayed packed. When hunger struck, a Boss," a train-dodging grizzly patriarch, though massive buffet was attacked. Even the cake got the legend remained safely camouflaged. lucky, decked out in edible cards, dice, and a slot Generations fill the house. When machine. Talk about hitting the jackpot! Johnny and Ruth Kolenda bought their West London or bust. Toto (aka Granny Julie U house in the early 1940s, little did they know DiFonzo) promised her grandkids a proper it would not only be where their daughter Kim London junket for their 13th birthdays. This and William (Bill) Vidor would bring up their summer, it was Kinkaid’s own budding historian, children. They also couldn’t have known that it Bo Stillwell, who fancied a gander at Blighty. would expand from a two-bedroom to a fourDetermined to see every blinkin’ thing, Bo had bedroom with a garage apartment. When Kim Toto, his mom, Alexandra Stillwell, and grandand Bill decided to sell, their daughter Emily father Phillip DiFonzo up at the crack of dawn and son-in-law Mark Porter decided to buy it! to visit maritime museums, West End tellyNow their children, Poppy and Jack, are enjoyboxes, walking tours, and dodging traffic on ing the same park across the street and baseball Boris bikes. Exhausted, Toto asked what topped field down the way. And one day, their handthe lot. Bo chirped, "Loved it all! “Although big prints will be in the concrete just like Emily’s sister Charlotte had her British bash already, litand her brother’s are. tle sister Jules is already packed and queuing by Gambled on a good time. It wasn’t just the door. a milestone; Dr. Victor Zurita’s birthday was straight-up molar-shakingly high stakes. His wife, Ana Zurita, rolled the dice to throw an See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for epic casino bash. Guests like Carmen Munoz, additional photos. Have some good news to share? Marc Schindler, Alex and Juanita Leon, Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Angelica Ximenes Chapman and Joe Martin,
MORE ONLINE
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 41
ARTS
by Cindy Burnett, staff writer
Buzz Reads
Five picks for October
Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles. The Brunswick by Callie Murray (historical fiction) – While the World War II historical fiction subgenre is oversaturated, I still enjoy reading books that use the war as a jumping-off point, particularly if the setting is the United States. The Brunswick is one such book. The war is present in the background, but the story takes place at an actual hotel, the Brunswick, in Norcross, Georgia, which has fallen on hard times during the Depression and is now operating as a store. Murray merges the history of the Brunswick with the tale of a real-life Philadelphia couple, Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, who traveled to Nazi-occupied Vienna to rescue 50 Jewish children. Against this backdrop, she tackles themes of community, family, courage, and having the strength to take the moral high ground. Readers who love a strong sense of place and learning about lesser-known events in history will love this one. Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley (mystery) – Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel is the first authorized full-length mystery featuring Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple since Christie herself wrote Sleeping Murder, published in 1976. Set high in the Swiss Alps in 1950, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel stars Miss Marple as she sets about solving the murder of a hotel guest found dead in a hotel gondola during a massive snowstorm that has restricted access to and from the glamorous hotel. Solving this closed-circle mystery requires Miss Marple’s skills and insight, and readers will marvel at Foley’s ability to recreate Christie’s atmospheric tone and cleverness and tap into Miss Marple’s patience and her unrivaled insight and understanding of human nature. This one will be a great fit for fans of Agatha Christie and classic mysteries. Proof of Progress by Elizabeth Castellano (fiction) – At age 65, character actress Maria Astorini is back in the spotlight when a small, unexpected role reignites her celebrity status. The fame reminds her publisher that she still MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 42
owes them the memoir she contracted to write 37 years before. Instead of a standard memoir, Maria decides to send her publisher piles of pages containing bitesized chapters chronicling her messy, hilarious, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and unpredictable life. I loved this creative and delightful book with its reflections on motherhood, aging, careers, friendship, and living a full life; it will be one of my top reads of 2026. It is a short novel that I WHAT TO READ This month's selections include a nonfiction day-in-the-life book read in one sitting. Fans from an English bookseller, an authorized Miss Marple mystery, historical fiction set in Georgia, a story about an unlikely duo, and a fictional tale about a memoir of fresh formats and sto- 37 years in the making. ries about what it means to find someone to stay with her for seven days. to be human will enjoy this one. Her only option is her soon-to-be ex-son-inReceipts From the Bookshop: A law Nathan, whose marriage to her daughter Bookseller’s Year in an English Town by Katie Kevya is collapsing while she’s in India for Clapham (nonfiction/memoir) – This charmgraduate school. Separated by culture, perspecing book chronicles a year in the life of Katie tive, and age, the pair do not agree on much at Clapham, owner of Storytellers, Inc., an indethe outset, but as they spend more time togethpendent bookstore in the seaside English town er, they slowly start to share their stories and of Lytham St Annes. Organized by month, begin to understand each other. Shroff weaves Receipts From the Bookshop provides readers a humor throughout the book while tackling glimpse into the daily life of both a bookseller themes of family, secrets, guilt, and how one’s and bookstore owner in 2026. This love letter background informs their personality. One to bibliophiles everywhere serves as a reminder small caveat – a few times the author includes about the importance of bookstores (and other unnecessary asides that interrupt the flow of community spaces), why books are so relevant, the story, but I just skimmed over these. It will that it is okay to not finish a book, and more. It appeal to fans of character-driven and multiis also a lovely way to learn about this small generational stories. English seaside town. Receipts From the Bookshop will appeal to book lovers, those who enjoy stoEditor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett ries about the importance of community, and also writes our weekly Page Turners column at armchair travelers. thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winSome People by Parini Shroff (fiction) – ning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Some People follows an unlikely duo, forced to Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the spend time together following an accident. Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regWhen Malti suffers a concussion, her doctor ularly speaks to groups about books. won’t let her leave the hospital until she agrees Cindy Burnett
.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 43
TRAVEL
.
by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer
Travel Buzz
Naples, Unpolished and Unforgettable: A Mother-Son Adventure
L
eopold Oakes found his own way of getting acquainted with Naples: alone, on foot, just after sunrise, before the heat and traffic took over the streets. “I would run to the coast where the fishermen were getting ready,” he said. “Then I’d jump in and then run back, and by the time I’d get back, I would be dry because it was so warm.” Back at the hotel came strong Italian coffee and, often, a pastry – which complicated the fitness benefits of the morning ritual. “One step forward, two steps back on my run,” Leopold joked. I caught up with Leopold and his mother, Natalia, while they were at his London flat, where Natalia had traveled for her son’s wedding just days earlier. The mother-son duo has made travel together something of a tradition. For Leopold, a manager at a music PR agency in London, and Natalia, a Houston juvenile court judge and former English teacher, moments like these became the essence of five days in a city that many travelers hurry through on their way to Pompeii, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast. Natalia had a different idea. “I tell you there’s nothing like Naples,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.” The trip grew out of a judicial conference Natalia was attending on the nearby island of Ischia. Her partner, Chad, accompanied her for part of the trip, and Leopold joined them from London, where he lives. Their stays overlapped before Natalia and Leopold continued together. Instead of treating Naples merely as a launching pad, Natalia wanted time to wander. “I was just blown away,” she said. Finding order in the chaos Naples can be a lot to absorb at first: scooters threading through pedestrians, cafés spilling onto piazzas, narrow streets, weathered buildings, music and conversation seemingly everywhere. Natalia knew about Naples’ reputation before arriving – one rooted partly in the long influence of the Camorra, the Neapolitan organizedcrime network whose turf wars once made headlines around the world. The Spanish Quarter, in particular, was for years considered a place
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 44
tourists were better off avoiding. Today its dense warren of lanes is packed with trattorias, shops, and visitors. “People are afraid of Naples,” Natalia said. “It does look a little edgy at times, but it’s not. It’s just old and crowded and noisy and just lovely, full of personality. People are friendly.” Leopold came away with a similar impression, although in characteristically understated fashion. “I think that it’s a humble city, which was A POSITANO PAUSE Mother-son travelers Natalia and Leopold Oakes spent really refreshing,” he five days exploring Naples, Italy, a destination that tourists often hurry through on their way to Pompeii, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast. Here, the duo is pictured at a restausaid. “It had all the rant in Positano; enjoying Italian cuisine was a pivotal part of their adventures. attributes of an Italian remembered one scene in particular: street venholiday that you would want, good food and nice dors selling purses with “this drop-dead gorgeous people, but it’s not expensive and it’s not tourisentrance, an arch entrance” behind them. tic, so it’s a bit of a hidden gem.” The juxtaposition was pure Naples. They chose to stay not on the waterfront but along Via Toledo, within easy walking distance A city best experienced on foot of the historic center, museums, churches, and There were plenty of sights: Piazza del the Spanish Quarter. Natalia searched specifiPlebiscito, the Royal Palace, Piazza Dante, street cally for something that felt embedded in the markets, churches, and Capodimonte high old city and found Relais Della Porta, occupying above the city. part of a historic palazzo. But when asked which sightseeing experience “I didn’t want to stay in a modern hotel,” she stood out most, Leopold resisted the premise. said. “There were offices in the building, and I “It’s not as much sightseeing as it is just expethink some residences, and we had about two or riencing walking around,” he said. “Nothing three floors. And the breakfast room – a gorspecific. It just feels really good walking in the geous fresco ceiling.” alleyways in the Spanish Quarter – a lot of It was precisely the sort of place she had been mopeds and motorcycles zooming by, but now looking for – something that “looked real.” they’re electric so you have to be careful because That hunger for the “real” Naples became a you can’t always hear them.” theme of the trip. That suited Natalia, who followed The city’s long history remains visible in its Spaccanapoli – the long, narrow route that slices streets and architecture. Founded by Greeks as through Naples’ historic center – stopping at Neapolis, or “new city,” Naples later passed churches and piazzas along the way. through Roman, Spanish, and Bourbon rule. One of the trip’s great surprises was Gesù “The entrances of all these buildings are Nuovo, whose severe stone exterior hardly preengraved, just beautiful and carved, and you just pares visitors for the exuber- (continued on page 46) have to take in the details of it,” she said. She
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 45
(continued from page 44) ant Baroque interior.
“It looks like a fortress on the outside, and then you go inside and it’s like the Sistine Chapel, and it’s huge,” Natalia said. “I don’t know if it’s the contrast that makes it so dramatic, but it’s just one surprise after another.” The artistic high point came at the Sansevero Chapel, home of Giuseppe Sanmartino’s 18thcentury Veiled Christ. The sculpture depicts the dead Christ beneath a translucent-looking shroud – except both body and delicate veil were carved from marble. Naples on the plate Food was woven into nearly every day, beginning with the city’s most famous contribution to global cuisine: pizza. Natalia was equally taken with Neapolitan pasta, especially the simple preparations that showcase the tomatoes grown in the surrounding Campania region. “You know what, it’s the only place I’ve been where I’ve eaten the pasta,” she said. “I usually don’t eat too much pasta, but there’s something about that.” Leopold, meanwhile, learned another important culinary lesson from Naples. “That it’s okay to have pastries at every meal,” he answered. “They’re everywhere. They’re around every corner.” That includes sfogliatella, the distinctive shellshaped Neapolitan pastry made of countless crisp layers folded around a sweet filling – an ideal companion, perhaps, to that post-run espresso. When Pompeii’s streets came alive The pair did leave Naples for a daylong excursion to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Of the two, Pompeii was the clear winner. After weeks of dry weather, a downpour erupted while their guide was explaining Pompeii’s ingenious street design and drainage system. “They were just explaining how the streets
were built with these certain trenches and grooves to wash out the streets, and then it actually rained,” Leopold recalled. “It hadn’t rained for like 40 days, so we were quite lucky to see that. And there’s torrentials, so we really saw the roads get swept up, which was cool.” The rain poured through the ancient streets while the raised steppingstones once used by Pompeii’s residents allowed modern visitors to cross above the rushing water. The celebrated Amalfi Coast, surprisCOASTAL PERSPECTIVE Looking south from the Bay of Naples toward the ingly, made less of an Amalfi Coast. impression. its greatest gift was not any museum, church, or Natalia found Sorrento and Positano overly meal, but permission to loosen up. Asked what polished and crowded, and the winding bus trip Naples had taught her, Natalia answered simply: itself exhausting. “Hang loose and enjoy.” “I think to see the Amalfi Coast it’s best to “They seem to move freely,” she said. “Living take a boat and view it from the ocean, from the in a relaxed kind of way. Not uptight.” sea,” she said. Travel has long given mother and son a reaWhat she really wants now is to return to the son to keep finding their way back to one anotharea and get off the beaten trail. er despite living separate lives overseas. “What I’d like to do is go to Naples, rent a car, Asked what traveling together has added to and go south to Campania,” she said, “and just his life, Leopold did not turn sentimental. get into the countryside and see those villages.” “More great memories to discuss,” he said. Then he couldn’t resist adding: “And apparMore memories to share ently we’re getting famous because we’re being After Naples came Ischia, a volcanic island interviewed a second time, so our careers are about a 45-minute ferry ride offshore and kind of kicking off.” (See Reversing Roles in known for thermal waters. Natalia and Wales: A Mother-Son Road Trip, Jan. 2025.) Leopold sampled hydrotherapy treatments The humor is part of the connection – and perand visited the lush La Mortella gardens and haps part of why, after so many journeys together, Negombo thermal park. they keep finding another place worth exploring. But Naples itself was the revelation. Perhaps
Tips from Our Travelers By Natalia Oakes Don’t miss: Walking through Naples’ neighborhoods and immersing yourself in the local color – especially by eating at neighborhood trattorias away from the main streets. Favorite restaurants: A Cucina Ra Casa Mia, Via Carlo de Cesare 14; Al 53, Piazza Dante; Taverna Santa Chiara, Via Santa Chiara 6 in Spaccanapoli; and Locanda del Cerriglio, Via del Cerriglio. Try the local specialties – pasta alla Genovese, made with beef and onions cooked for hours; pasta allo scarpariello, with cherry tomatoes; and sfogliatella, Naples’ distinctive crisp, many-layered pastry. Currency: The euro. Packing: Pack for the season. In summer, bring light, gauzy fabrics. If you want to blend in, favor a muted palette – white, beige, olive green, blue and black – and save black for evenings. Don’t forget: Washcloths – many European hotels do not provide them – plus a hat and comfortable walking shoes. Safety tip: Naples felt safe at all hours. Use the ordinary precautions you would in any busy city, particularly in crowded areas. Not really worth the trouble: Devoting much time to Sorrento or Positano. They felt crowded and overly polished; the Amalfi Coast is better appreciated from the water. Beware: Some organized day tours are very expensive. Compare the itinerary and total cost before booking. Unexpected hit: Stepping inside every open church – many hold extraordinary art. We attended a Sunday liturgy in a historic Greek Orthodox church and a concert of Neapolitan serenades. MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 46
Thomas Ross
SPORTS
.
by Todd Freed, staff writer
SportzBuzz W
ith 19 victories in its first 21 matches, it was a sensational start to the volleyball season for the Memorial Mustangs. Along the way, Memorial also beat out a powerful 24-team field to capture the Gold Championship of the Texas Showdown Tournament in New Braunfels. “This was our fourth year to play in that big tournament and for us to win all nine of our matches was a really great accomplishment,” said Memorial head volleyball coach Kaddie Platt. The Mustangs were doing plenty of winning this season as the team embarked on defending its undefeated district championship. “We have a lot of returners from last year’s team. They are a gritty and determined group who go out there and compete hard in every game. We have nine seniors who are great leaders and driven to be successful,” said Platt. Leading the scoring for the Mustangs are a pair of outstanding outside hitters in seniors Tesa Solis and Mary Margaret Schwieder. “Tesa and Mary Margaret do a great job of creating shots and can really hit with heat,” said Platt. “In addition, our sophomore middle blocker Charlotte Bullocks does an outstanding job up front.” The Mustangs also feature a pair of standout setters in junior Taylor Harting and junior Bess Berg while Platt says senior libero Marlee Lohfink has stepped in quite nicely for four-year starter Kassia Tan, who graduated this past May.
W
ith a 37-30 victory over the St. Thomas Eagles, it was a great start to the football season for the Episcopal Knights. The seasonopening win was highlighted by a sensational game from senior safety Reed Fowler, who had 12 tackles on defense while also accounting for 60 receiving yards and even throwing the goahead touchdown pass with two minutes remaining in the game. “It was really impressive,” said Knights head football Coach James Moynahan. “We look to get Reed involved as much as possible.” As the Knights set their sights on winning their first SPC Championship since 2023, they do so behind the return of eight offensive
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 48
SENIOR POWER Memorial Mustangs senior outside hitter Mary Margaret Schwieder is among the key returning starters for a Memorial team that owned a lofty 26-3 record well into the season while pursuing a second straight undefeated district championship.
starters including junior quarterback Donovan Warren, who threw for a lofty 3,000 yards last season. “Donovan had a huge sophomore season. We are expecting big things from him, and Donovan’s also been a great team leader,” said Moynahan. Per tradition, the Knights will also be especially strong on the offensive line, with the return of 6-foot-5, 260-pound three-year starter Dillard Jennings who has multiple collegiate offers as well as 6-foot-1, 220-pound standout center Liam Fanning. Fanning is also a threeyear starter for the Knights. On the defensive front, senior Deacon Morgan had 10 sacks last season, while Fowler and junior Desmond White led the defensive backfield. Fowler owns collegiate football offers from Auburn University, The University of Mississippi, and other Division 1 programs.
T
he St. John’s Mavericks opened the 2026 football season with a pair of thrilling wins including a 42-41 victory over The Woodlands Christian Academy followed by a 28-14 win over the Second Baptist Eagles. “They were both extremely gritty victories,” said Mavericks head coach Kevin Veltri. “We started 18 seniors in both of those games, which was a key factor in us being able to pull out those victories.” “We have a really solid group of guys,” added Veltri. “There isn’t a superstar type of player, but
rather a collection of guys who love playing football, love each other, and are just great teammates.” Offensively, the Mavericks return four-year starting captain Carson Murray, who plays both as a wide receiver and running back. “Carson’s like our Swiss army knife on the football field. He will probably end up playing college baseball,” said Veltri. In addition, running back Hanley Sayers returns in the wake of a season in which he rushed for 1,359 yards and 11 touchdowns. At quarterback, Coach Veltri describes James Young as “the heart of the team who’s just a lot of fun to watch.” On the offensive line, 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior William Hellinger is a three-year starting captain who is committed to play collegiately at Washington and Lee University. Defensively, three-year starting safety Tony Thomas has committed to Washington University (WashU) in St. Louis, while safety Gordon Young is a three-year starter. “Gordon is a great multi-sport athlete and the heart of our defense,” added Veltri. Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. on CW39 and throughout the week on Space City Home Network. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 49
SPORTS
.
by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
SportzBuzz Jr. W
elcome to SportzBuzz Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.
6U Heat The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Heat Red 6U softball team wrapped up an impressive tournament season, finishing with two tournament championships and a 22-4 record. The team went undefeated in both championship tournaments and finished as runner-up in its other two tournaments. Over the course of the season, the Heat scored an impressive 426 runs while continuing to grow stronger as a team. The girls represented several different schools from across the area and had only a short amount of time to develop as a team. Pictured (front row, from left) are players Emily Early, Emmy Roth, Olivia Morris, Sienna Bosworth, Etta Harral, Olivia Whitehouse, Hallie Dean, Emerson Leonard, Lily Hightower, Jolene Hebert, Bo McElvy, and (not pictured) Greer Geuther, and coaches (back row, from left) Desmond Early, David Morris, Steve Harral, Scott Hightower, and Chris Leonard.
Friday night football champs The Auburn Tigers roared through the season as a group of friends from Bunker Hill Elementary School claimed first place in the Spring BranchMemorial Sports Association Summer 7-on-7 Football League Championship. The team was made up of third- and fourth-grade players. They entered a 10team playoff bracket and won four games in a row, all in a single Friday night, to secure the championship. The Tigers were coached by (pictured, back row, from left) Austin Moore and Ryan Pryor. Team members are (from left) Walker Moore, Anderson Ly, Minato Yamada, Lawson Pryor, Miles Blusius, James Moore, Ben Luke, Wyatt Ghutzman, Liam Rutledge, and Hayes Jungeblut, and (not pictured) Bo Austin and Kian Blasilli.
Diamonds shine The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association 8U Diamonds capped off an unforgettable softball season by winning the Gold Bracket Championship and finishing the year with a 13-0-1 record. The girls were coached by Desmond Early, Greg Gaines, Lee Davis, Creighton Runnels, and Dusty Hanna. They went undefeated through 14 games and ended the season as Gold Bracket champions, making the accomplishment even more memorable. Pictured (clockwise, from left) are Emerson Stegent, Eden Letsos, Hayes Runnels, Piper Walsh, Marie Gaines, Alesia Souchon, Hannah Williams, Lucy Duarte, Brooklyn Hanna, Hazel Pavelka, Clara Early, Hannah Davis, and Claire Conway. Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis. MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 50
See what we’re buzzing about. Connect with us thebuzzmagazines.com
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 51
INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES Aditya Mandke, a junior at Stratford High School and a Life Scout with BSA Troop 642, traveled with his troop to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland this summer, experiencing Swiss culture and connecting with Scouts from around the world.
KIDS by Aditya Mandke, age 16
Buzz Kidz
Scouting in Switzerland
2
026 is a special year, remembered for the World Cup and how it brought people together from around the world. This summer brought the spirit of international friendship for me at Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland. My Scout Troop 642 planned a one-week, high-adventure trip in the Swiss Alps. It was truly a life-changing experience, and it taught me a lot about the world. The trip had a lot of amazing hikes with views like I have never seen before. One of the most memorable hikes was the Oeschinensee hike to an alpine hut at over 8,000 feet. The hike was tremendously challenging and technical, but we were rewarded with beautiful views as we climbed out of grasses and mosses into bare rock. At the hut, we had a majestic view of the sun setting over
the valley. No Scouting trip would be complete without extreme sports. One unique adventure was mountain tubing, which involved going down an Olympic ski jumping slope in an inner tube, reaching speeds of over 90 kilometers per hour. I enjoyed being able to learn about Swiss culture. We participated in the cultural night at Kandersteg with music and dancing, tasted amazing chocolate and cheese in Gruyères, and visited a castle built in the late 1200s. Perhaps the greatest experience I had was my time interacting with Scouts from all over the world. We sang songs from Sweden around the campfire and played soccer with Scouts from Israel. Scouts from Norway invited us to watch a World Cup game with the rest of their troop, and
PREMIUM HOME CARE HOUSTON
yes, we did the Viking Row. We traded patches and stories with Scouts from all over the world. It gave us glimpses into the lives of people from all over, and we shared glimpses of our lives with others. Overall, our trip was so much more than an excursion into the mountains or an exploration of Swiss culture. At a time when the world can feel divided, this trip reminded me that small, simple interactions can bring us together. Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
Create a buzz for your biz.
Refresh Your Home With a Full Exterior Detail • WINDOW WASHING • POWER WASHING • GUTTER CLEANING COMPLIMENTARY ESTIMATES
(713) 510-3199 360WindowWash.com
MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD
BELLAIRE MEMORIAL RIVER OAKS TANGLEWOOD WEST UNIVERSITY Mailed to 58,000 homes monthly. To advertise in The Buzz Magazines, contact us at 713.668.4157, ext. 101 or advertising@thebuzzmagazines.com
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 52
A
D
V
E
R
T
O
R
I
A
L
Banking with Integrity On October 11, 2024, Integrity Bank officially opened its doors in Houston’s Spring Valley Village community, becoming one of only six banks to be established in the United States that year. At a time when the banking industry continues to consolidate through mergers, acquisitions, and increasing scale, Integrity Bank was founded on a simple principle: familiarity matters. As a locally owned and operated community bank, we make all decisions at 8584 Katy Fwy. Rather than relying on distant corporate offices, decisions are made by bankers who live, work, and invest in the same communities as the customers they serve. This approach allows the bank to better understand the needs of Houston’s businesses, families, and entrepreneurs. Led by Chairman Mack Neff Jr. and President & CEO Hazem Ahmed, whose professional partnership spans more than 25 years in community banking, Integrity Bank was built by a team of experienced Houston bankers committed to serving as trusted advisors and long-term partners in the city’s growth and prosperity. The bank’s mission extends beyond traditional banking services, focusing on helping local businesses expand, creating opportunities for families, and strengthening the communities it calls home. The decision to establish the bank’s first office in Spring Valley Village was intentional. Located a short drive from your home, the area offers accessibility while doubling down on strong ties to one of Houston’s most vibrant and growing communities. Combined with longstanding partnerships within the area, Spring Branch provided the ideal foundation for Integrity Bank’s launch. By prioritizing meaningful relationships over transactional banking, Integrity Bank strives to know its customers personally and understand the goals that
drive them. Those connections often extend beyond business, connecting the bank to the families, organizations, and the communities we share. At its core, Integrity Bank is built on trust, accessibility, and personal service – the belief that strong relationships create stronger communities. It is this commitment that inspires the bank’s guiding message: Bank on Houston, Bank with Integrity. Whether you are looking to grow your business, finance a new opportunity, or find a banking relationship that feels more personal, our team is ready to help. Integrity Bank offers a full range of lending and depository solutions tailored to the needs of our customers. We invite you to stop by our Spring Valley Village office, meet our bankers, and learn how a locally based bank can support your goals. Come see us at 8584 Katy Freeway, visit www.itx.bank, or call 346-293-7940 for any of your lending or depository needs. We look forward to getting to know you. Integrity Bank, 8584 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024, 346-2937940, www.itx.bank
Cathedral High School is rebuilding Catholic culture through a classical education in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The vision of Cathedral High School is to form students to be conformed to Christ, pursue truth, and create beauty in a virtuous life www.cathedralhouston.org • (832) 603-4080 • d.estacio@cathedral-hs.org 7726 Westview Dr., Houston, TX 77055 Admissions applications for the 2027-2028 academic year are open. Please join us for annual open house on November 7th at 2:00 p.m. MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 53
A
PETS
Neighborhood Tails Chrissy, age 6, Havanese, Myrtlea Dr. Hi, my name is Chrissy and luckily enough you caught me between naps. Sleeping is my favorite hobby along with guilting my family into giving me human food. Those fools always give in eventually. My job in the family is to protect the house. I personally inspect each visitor and make sure to bark at anyone walking past my house, so they know they are being watched. I used to love chasing squirrels, but after constant failure, I’ve decided to pursue more noble interests. These include lounging outside and occasionally making a mess. At the end of each long day, I typically lay down in my bed. Well, my brother thinks it’s his, but I make him move to one side so I can sleep in the middle. I slowly drift off to sleep and hear complaints about my snoring in the morning. Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 54
D
V
E
R
T
O
R
I
A
L
A clearer view of care One of the biggest challenges families face isn’t finding someone to care for a loved one – it’s staying connected to that care after they leave. You naturally want to know how Mom’s day is going. Did Dad eat lunch? Has anything changed that should concern you? The more informed families are, the greater their peace of mind. That’s why we’ve introduced SmartCare, a secure electronic medical records system that gives authorized family members greater visibility into the care their loved ones receive. They can access caregiver notes, care plans and schedules, and – with permission – even view photos of meaningful activities and special moments. Secure messaging also makes it easier to stay connected. The greatest benefit, however, isn’t convenience; it’s communication. When a caregiver notices a change in a client’s health or behavior, that information can be shared more quickly with the people who need to know. Families and healthcare providers can respond sooner, before a small concern becomes a larger one. Technology will never replace the personal relationships that define exceptional in-home healthcare. It should strengthen them. When families have a clearer view of their loved one’s care, everyone is better equipped to work together to provide attentive, personalized care every client deserves. S. Gerber & Associates, 3730 Kirby Dr., Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77098, 713.857.3227, sid@personalcaregiving.com
A
D
V
E
R
T
O
R
I
A
L
Passwords and probate Passwords are the bane of everyone’s existence. Consider aging parents or spouses. Mom can casually share her passwords and designate you as a trusted contact, but the first time a reset is forced and you contact support, you look like a thief, and they won’t help. Probate is the last resort for managing passwords on death or disability. Wills and powers of attorneys are essential, but they are trumped by custodians’ online tools. Absent either, the terms-of-service agreement is the default. Custodians’ ability to help is governed by the 2017 Texas Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (“TRUFADAA”) and limited by the federal Stored Communications Act. Trusted contacts have no authority. Only formal fiduciaries may act for Mom when she can’t, and their electronic access is governed by yet other state and federal law. Apple, Google, and a bank or broker web portal must navigate those statutes before helping. They do so in different ways, and the result is a thicket of confusing options. If modification at all times is permitted, TRUFADAA bows to commercial reality and lets custodians’ online tools, e.g., Apple Legacy Contact, Google Inactive Account Manager, or Facebook legacy contact, trump Texas estate planning documents. Help Mom set the tool, safeguard any access key, make decisions about "Delete after death" or similar elections, and double check occasionally for different options. If Mom signed her estate plans before September 1, 2017, it’s past time for her to update her Will, statutory durable power of attorney, and revocable trusts to include the TRUFADAA language. Did she sign after? Check
Mom’s power of attorney: Did she grant or withhold her agent’s power over “Digital assets and the content of an electronic communication?” Is at least one agent, executor, trustee, or guardian of the estate designated a trusted contact on her financial accounts? For smaller accounts, e.g., household checking, joint ownership without right of survivorship is a robust approach. In Texas, ownership is a matter of contribution, not title. If you are a joint owner (without right of survivorship), the account still passes under Mom’s estate plans, but you have access, dead or alive, without running through TRUFADAA. For larger accounts, a revocable trust works best, provided Mom is ready for you to serve as a co-trustee. Before Mom can no longer manage her business, inventory her trusted contacts and her online tool elections. Secure her credentials in a password manager shared only with her formal fiduciaries. If Mom’s primary dispositive instrument is a Will, consider a revocable trust with two or more co-trustees, if only to get ahead of the password and other paperwork that is inevitable. We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome. Russell W. Hall, Bellaire Probate, Attorneys at Law, 6750 West Loop S. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 55
NEIGHBORS
.
by Angie Frederickson, staff writer
Buzz About Town Off-campus odyssey
trips throughout the school year.
Lucy’s Lab
High school students at The Post Oak School, including Ambika and Eli (pictured, from left), enjoyed this year’s Odyssey trip to the University of Southern Mississippi Marine Education Center for a week of hands-on learning, environmental exploration, and teambuilding activities. Each year, Post Oak School high schoolers embark on a trip through the Odyssey program, aimed at learning outside the classroom and classmate bonding. The location of the Odyssey trip changes each year, with last year’s trip including hiking in the Madera Canyon in the Davis Mountains. Travel is an important part of learning for Post Oak School students, with additional opportunities for study
Students, educators, family, friends, and community members gathered at Memorial Drive Elementary (MDE) for the unveiling of Lucy’s Lab, a new hands-on STEM learning space created in honor of Lucy Dillon. Established through the Bright Like Lucy Foundation, Lucy’s Lab gives pre-K through fifth-grade students opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engaging experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and confidence. The unique learning space where children can ask questions and explore new ideas creates a lasting legacy in Lucy’s name, a former MDE student who was lost in the July 4th Hill Country flood. Memorial Drive Elementary is the founding location of Lucy’s Lab, with hopes of bringing the initiative to other elementary schools in the future. “Lucy’s curiosity was truly boundless,” shared Sarah Veenhuyzen, MDE enrichment specialist. Pictured are (from left) Mark Jackson, Cece Thompson, Travis Stanford, Lisa Dillon, Brandt Dillon, SBISD Superintendent Jennifer Blaine, Jennifer Henrikson, and MDE Principal Thayer Hutcheson.
Engaged in Colorado Julie Bortnick and Jordan Torry (pictured) are engaged after Jordan proposed during a vacation in Colorado. While driving from Denver to Bachelor Gulch, Jordan pulled the car over at a scenic overpass, and while they were out walking their dogs, he got down on one knee and asked Julie to marry him. Julie, the daughter of Marcee and Chuck Bortnick, and Jordan, the son of Lisa and John Torry, grew up in the same social circles but didn’t meet as kids. They were both raised in Houston's Jewish community, attended The Shlenker School, and later discovered that Julie was in the same class as Jordan's younger brother at The Emery/Weiner School. They finally met through the Bumble dating app while they each lived in Florida: Jordan in Miami and Julie in Boca Raton. After they matched on the app, they realized the Houston connection and their romance began. Julie and Jordan are now planning an intimate wedding.
Shining hearts
Jessica Wang (pictured), a student at St. Agnes Academy, organized the inaugural Shining Hearts gala that raised $5,000 for GiGi’s Playhouse Houston. As co-president of BestBridgeToHeart, a student-led nonprofit (continued on page 58) MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 56
TUTIMA GLASHÜTTE • ZRC 1904 • EDOUARD KOEHN The only authorized dealer in Texas. INDEPENDENT AND HIGH-CRAFT WATCHMAKING PRIVATE VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT WE SELL AND CONSIGN jlwrightco.com • 713.364.9558 concierge@jlwrightco.com MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 57
organization that raises funds for under-resourced students in the community, Jessica designed the event that supported GiGi’s Playhouse Houston’s efforts to provide programming for people with Down syndrome and their families. Shining Hearts was an evening of artistic performances showcasing 28 young artists in ballet, cultural dance, music, martial arts, and Chinese recitation. More than 150 supporters gathered to enjoy the performances organized by Jessica and her team of student volunteers. GiGi’s Playhouse Houston Executive Director Raymond Valdez and Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard spoke to the crowd to thank supporters.
Nikki Rosenberg, Sly Cat Studios
(continued from page 56)
For the kids
dedicated nurse Louise Thomas Cooley. This year’s event takes place Nov. 3 at River Oaks Country Club, honoring Melanie Lawson, formerly of ABC13, who has emceed the Spirit Award Dinner in earlier years. Funds raised at the dinner will support Houston Hospice’s efforts to provide compassionate, end-of-life care for patients and support for their families.
Megan Lemming, Kelsey Conravey, and Sarah Hubert (pictured, from left) are already hard at work after being named chairs of the 2027 St. Cecilia Catholic School auction. Working under the direction of Lindsay Willrich, St. Cecilia Director of Community Engagement, and alongside Suzanne Pickett, St. Cecilia Community Engagement Associate, they’re leading a dedicated group of volunteers in bringing this year’s auction together. After years of involvement with the school auction tradition, Megan, Kelsey, and Sarah know the ropes and are ready to take the reins this year. Proceeds from the auction support the St. Cecilia Annual Fund that provides funding for current institutional priorities and opportunities that arise throughout the year.
WRD Photography
A heartfelt evening
Spirit of giving Mary Cooley Craddock, Susan Cooley, Louise Cooley Davis, and Helen Cooley Fraser (pictured, from left) have been named co-chairs of the 28th annual Spirit Award Dinner benefiting Houston Hospice. The sisters are native Houstonians with deep roots in the community, as the daughters of Dr. Denton Cooley, renowned cardiovascular surgeon, and long-time MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 58
Dr. Danielle and Stephen Tschirhart (pictured) have been named chairs of the American Heart Association’s 2027 Houston Heart Ball, which will be held on Feb. 6, 2027 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. As longstanding volunteers
of the American Heart Association, the Tschirharts have a personal connection to the organization’s mission following the loss of Dr. Tschirhart's father to heart disease. Guests at the Houston Heart Ball will enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, and an auction to raise funds for heart-health research, public policy advocacy, increased access to care, and community education. To learn more about the Houston Heart Ball, visit www.Heart.org/HoustonHeartBall.
A wagging good time
George and Grace Lane (pictured) are serving as chairs of the 2026 Howl-O-Ween Ball benefiting Houston SPCA. This year’s fundraiser will take place Oct. 23 in the transformed Equine Rescue Arena at the Houston SPCA’s Campus for All Animals. Houston native, Bellaire High School grad, award-winning actor, and animal advocate Dennis Quaid will serve as honorary chair. He will attend the evening with his beloved English bulldog, Peaches. KHOU Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan returns this year as emcee for the Howl-O-Ween Ball that will begin with a festive (continued on page 60)
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 59
Back-to-school ready The Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) helped more than 4,200 families prepare for the new school year at its annual Back To School Community Event. Hundreds of CCSC donors and volunteers worked together to provide new school supplies, backpacks, and clothing gift cards to pre-K through 12th-grade students so they would have what they need for a successful academic year. Families gathered at Bellaire United Methodist Church to register for the program and went to Faith Lutheran Church for the community event before school started. Pictured are CCSC Back To School com-
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 60
mittee members (top row, from left) Anne Stewart, Terri O’Reilley, Leisa Novak, Maria Berretta, Jessica Canizales; (middle row, from left) Laura Bartolotta, Priscilla Aguilar, Courtney Lerch, Perla Kenley, Sarah Ayala, and (front row) Meredith Philipp; not pictured: Amy Holmes.
A shopping Childspree This year’s Childspree helped 100 children get ready to start the new school year. Co-hosted by The Junior League of Houston and Child Advocates, Childspree pairs foster children with Junior League members who serve as personal shoppers to help kids shop for back-to-school essentials. Students and volunteers met at the Target Houston Central Store for a private, preopening shopping event to select new clothes, shoes, and other items to help the kids prepare for school. Each child also received a new backpack filled with school supplies. Pictured are
The Junior League of Houston
cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner, auction, and what will surely be a lively dance floor. For more information, visit www.houstonspca.org/ways-to-give/houston-spcas-2026-howl-o-ween-ball.
(continued from page 58)
(from left) Terria Hutchinson, Cathy Sia, and Christine Dubbert. Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.
MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 61
NEIGHBORS
by Andria Dilling, staff writer
Back Porch
#oreogate: Kids, cookies, crazies, and brilliance
T
hank goodness social media was a novelty when my girls were little. I cringe imagining someone videoing and posting a friend rescuing my 2-year-old from her facedown (very brief!) float in the baby pool while I chatted poolside. This generation of parents really has to watch themselves. Everything’s recorded. And posted. And, oh boy, can that mean trouble. Like last month when the group text “Reception class moms” took the internet for a spin. Posted on Instagram by @ashleighjamz, the texts begin with 5-year-old Ava’s mom Michelle writing: Hi everyone…could we maybe agree on some basic rules around lunchboxes?...Ava came home really upset yesterday because one of the girls had Oreos in her lunch. Isla’s mom Charlotte responds: With respect, I’m not changing my daughter’s lunch because your daughter wants an Oreo. Bring on #oreogate. When Charlotte giddily reports to Michelle that she’d sent Oreos in her daughter’s lunchbox again, Michelle gets madder and madder. Sides are taken, spinoff texts are started, and the whole thing explodes – between the moms involved, and also all over the internet. Oh the questions this mega-viral text raised: Should we adjust our own parenting to accommodate other parenting styles? How much said is too much said in parent text groups? How much can we save our children from disappointment? Should I give my kids cookies? And also…why is everyone so mad? In response to the probably-not-even-real text conversation, many parents have been saying, “This is about so much more than Oreos.” Real or not, it’s hit a nerve. The morning newscasts have used it as a springboard for conversations on how much parents should control in their kids’ worlds, versus teaching them tools to handle, say, getting passed over for the school musical. And on social, parents are blowing it up. On @scarymommy, a pediatrician writes that we’re focusing too much on good versus bad foods. Don’t get hung up on Oreos! Another nutritionist responds that there’s no reason for Oreos to MEMORIAL BUZZ OCTOBER 2026 62
behance.net/runamokstudios
.
get packed in lunches every day. A grownup with PTSD laments, “I was given a Ding Dong once by a friend who looked at my lunch and said, ‘You need this more than I do.’” Comments get cerebral: “I think it’s kind of quintessentially American that the larger issue is being lost in the absurdity of this story, which is that Oreos are probably not a great kindergarten lunch snack…but now it’s like you’re IT’S NOT ABOUT THE OREOS When a cookie text scandal went viral over social media, what did it really say about parenting, technology, and the changing terrain either Team Oreos of marketing? or Team As of this writing, @ashleighjamz is now sellOverboard Granola Mom.” ing #oreogate merch. T-shirts, coffee mugs, tote And semi-derailed: “Growing up my daughter bags, and…wait for it…lunchbox stickers are did not have a gaming system. We as her parents emblazoned with My mom is cool, she lets me have made that choice. However, when she went to Oreos and Lunchbox Legends and Justice for Ava. a friend’s home we did not ask that they put The tag: The quotes, the drama, the merch. And away their gaming system. We made our choice it seems all this has gotten many craving Oreos. and our daughter understood it. She could play Even Oreo got into the fun, posting a video of over at their house.” Oreos and milk next to a phone receiving tons Am I missing some hours in my day? Who has of notifications about #oreogate. The text reads: this time? “looks like I’m trending again.” But wait…maybe this whole thing wasn’t I have to say, I don’t have little kids anymore ever about parenting or the pros and cons of and I’m not in 1,000 WhatsApp groups (unless Double Stuf Oreos. In the days following @ashyou count Mahjong and book club), but I’m leighjamz’s 23 video posts (revealed over more crazy impressed with this brilliant marketing than two weeks), spectators realized @ashleighcampaign. I mean, had anyone ever heard of jamz is a paid partner for the AI music-generatSuno – or AI music – before last week? Now I’m ing company Suno. Each one of the videos is a just wondering what funny story of my kids’ I snapshot of the text chain, brought to life with can set to music and play like a showtune. I’m accompanying original music. The songs play thinking of using the time my girls complained like scenes from a musical, adding to the drama that I only had organic lollipops in the house. with a main character “talking” to the music On further thought…maybe someone needs while a chorus rings in the background with, to tell “Michelle” about those. “What??” and “Seriously?”