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NEWS Substitute admin Dr. Cathryn Mitchell becomes consistent presence on campus pg. 3
PHOTO BY Ryan Zuniga
FEATURE Sophomore Sarah Fite establishes a reputation as hair stylist pg. 5 PHOTO BY Izzy Maes
THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, FEB. 13, 2026
SPORTS XC coach Lora Tilson provides half marathon training program for students pg. 11 PHOTO BY Cole Wong
ENTERTAINMENT Senior dance captain Emily Saucedo invited to attend All-State dance competition pg. 12 PHOTO BY Nick Forrest
Vol. 38, Issue 4 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX, 78749
Pride in Publishing
Bowie Principal Mark Robinson departs
Founder of "Bulldog Nation" announces retirement, search for next principal begins Peyton Dorsey News Editor
PINKIES UP: Robinson interlocked pinkies important to me with the timfor Bowie's school song on the night of ing that I gave the district time the 2025 homecoming football game. to name a new principal.” This action represents a long standPersonal aspects also played ing tradition and show of school a role in the timing of Robinspirit. PHOTO BY Will Olenick son’s retirement. He sustained
PANDEMIC PRINCIPAL: Principal Mark Robinson led Bowie through the Covid-19 pandemic. He established safety measures on campus to prevent staff or students from getting sick. PHOTO BY Cade Spencer
On Monday, January 5, principal Mark Robinson announced his retirement GRILL MASTER: Robinson began from Austin Independent an injury a few years ago that PEPPED UP FOR PINK OUT: an annual grilling tradition to School District (AISD). required surgical attention. Robinson would stand sideRobinson had been principal show teacher appreciation The healing time from this surline for nearly every home on campus. He would of James Bowie High School gery kept him off campus for football game. He showed cook burgers for staff and since 2017, and was only continuous support for an extended period of time in a place for them to the third principal of the student events and was which Brett filled in. Robinson enjoy lunch together. often in attendance of required another surgery this school since its opening in PHOTO BY Liberty games. PHOTO BY 1988. This announcement Pittman year that has a four to six week Liberty Pittman was made in person to staff recovery period. He decided during a meeting on the 5th, to retire before this recovery and came in the form of a period to allow the district amcampus wide email to staff, ple time to hire a new principal students, and parents, sent before the next school year. from Robinson himself. His “I personally reflected on last day on campus with both what that past time in students was January 19. recovery meant for me and “AISD is going through how hard it was for the caman evolution with school pus to operate in my absence,” consolidations and other Robinson said. “I didn’t want comprehensive changes the campus to be waiting for regarding the budget,” their principal to come back, Robinson said. “I know especially knowing it wasn’t that those changes are necessary since I would be retirgoing to include Bowie. ing soon anyway.” When I reflected on the next Robinson has formed many phase, I started thinking that connections on campus with staff maybe it was time for another and students that will sustain his principal to lead Bowie through legacy after retirement. He’s worked that next evolution.” alongside Student Council president AISD has had some struggles in the plan after Gabby Bochey during her involvement past few years regarding budgeting. as a school leader to improve the studuring fall break. These struggles are evolving and will dent experience on campus. the winWillard has have an effect on Bowie in the coming “My interactions with Robinson ter break acted as years, reflected in budget allocation have always been really positive,” between adminisand money the campus will receive Bochey said. “He’s always been super semestrative asfrom the district. welcoming, accommodating, kind, and ters. His sistant or “I hope we have a very strong he just has a lot of guidance to give.” decision principal person with administrative experience The transition into Bowie’s next to retire secrecome in,” Administrative Assistant principal is anticipated to run smoothbefore the tary for Joanna Willard said. “We don’t get ly along the timeline Robinson has end of the Robinson much money from the district, and it’s allowed. It is expected that Bowie will school year since really challenging to run a school on have its fourth permanent principal was made to 2021, and the budget we have, so we will need named before the first day of school in allow the district will continue a strong advocate and someone that August of 2026. enough time to hire this role with works just as hard as Mr. Robinson for “I think Robinson is doing the best RALLYING SPIRIT: Robinson worked with Student Council presidents to lead a new principal bethe next principal. our school.” thing he could have, retiring now and pep rallys before football games. He would hype up the crowd, introduce fore the 2026-2027 “I really didn’t let Willard and Academic Director performances, and announce upcoming events. PHOTO BY Liberty Pittman allowing time to hire before the end of school year. anyone know until Kaylin Brett were the only two people the summer,” Bochey said. “I really “I didn’t want the I’d already made up Robinson informed of his retirelike the way he’s gone about it, even if campus to have to my mind and knew this was the directogether.” ment decision prior to his campus it is sad in terms of him not being struggle without a permanent princition I was going to go,” Robinson said. Robinson solidified the logistics announcement. Robinson began the here for the remainder of the year or pal for a whole year before the next “I did tell Ms. Brett and Ms. Willard and timing of his retirement plan conversation with them about his for graduation.” one was hired,” Robinson said. “It was early because we’ve worked so closely
In memory of math teacher John Morrow Bowie mourns the loss of an influential & connected educator after shocking announcement
Further measures to prevent phone use Madeline Whitten Dispatch Reporter
On January 18, John Morrow, a mathematics teacher at Bowie, died at the age of 47 due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Morrow had been teaching at Bowie since September 2025. Although his time here was brief, students and faculty members emphasize the positive impact he left on campus and the students he taught. School administrations confirmed his death and shared the news with students, staff, and Bowie families, offering support and resources to students in the days following like Martha the therapy dog, and counselor support provided during class. “When I visited his classroom and heard from his students, it was clear how much his students truly loved him as a teacher,” Assistant Principal Kaylin Brett said. “Anytime a teacher can make that strong of an impact in such a short time, you know he was a terrific
and special teacher.” Students also remember Morrow for his passion for music, which was reflected during his celebration of life, where people were encouraged to wear T-shirts of their favorite bands in his honor. This was a tribute that highlighted an interest of his, and that he often shared to his classes and bonded with students over. “It was a bit of a shock at first, he was truly such a light and he was such a good person, when I found out he passed away, it didn't register until a couple days later when we were back in his room for the first time,” senior Ayah Hakim said. “I’ll remember him in the little things, like a poster for Mumford & Sons, or that we were both so excited for the ACL lineup to come out, and I realized he'll never be able to experience those things again.” STORY BY Marissa McGowan
A series of thunks follows the tardy bell as students place their backpacks against the wall of the classroom. The students are complying with their teacher's rule of keeping backpacks at the front of the room, which came from Texas House Bill 1481 (HB 1481). HB 1481 was put into effect on September 1, banning the use of personal devices such as phones, smartwatches, and personal laptops in schools. According to American Sign Language teacher Jessica Bartell, several of her students were reluctant to put their phones away, resulting in her and other teachers, such as math teacher David Flores, coming up with new ways to limit the distractions caused by phones. “I didn’t want to fight that battle, so I adjusted my expectations and my rules for my own classes,” Bartell said. “Instead of allowing them to keep their backpacks with them, I am separating the temptation from the people.” According to HB 1481, school districts in Texas were given the responsibility of deciding how they would make their schools a phone-free environment. Given the choice, AISD chose to implement an ‘away all day’ policy, allowing students to store their phones in their backpacks, and instructing teachers to confiscate any phones they see. “It’s not my job to play phone hall monitor,” Bartell said. “I got tired of kids trying to hide it, because whether they know it or
INSIDE:
NEWS 1, 2, 3 FEATURE 4 , 5 IN-DEPTH 7, 8-9
SPORTS 10, 11 ENTERTAINMENT 12 REVIEW 13
STACKED BAGS: Sophomore Alice Shelton puts her phone in her backpack which is kept at the front of the room. American Sign Language teacher Jessica Bartell has her students keep their bags under her whiteboard to prevent them hiding their phones in class. PHOTO BY Peyton Dorsey
not, they’re not very good at hiding things.” Bartell said that when students come in, they can get out the supplies she’s listed on the whiteboard, and then place their bags, containing their phones, at the front of the room. According to a study from the University of Arkansas, when students were asked to give their input on methods schools use to create phone-
COMMENTARY 14, 15 PHOTO ESSAY 6,16
free environments, a large number wanted a less intrusive way to remove phones. “I was surprised,” sophomore Jessica Moore said. “I wasn’t really expecting a rule like that, and I feel like it’s kind of invasive, because while I understand that it’s because of the no phones rule, I don’t feel like my teacher should be able to keep all of my stuff from me.” A study done by Paragon Health
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Institute (PHI) links phone bans to a decrease of in-class disruptions. The data also included input from teachers, who all noted that their classes were easier to manage, had fewer side conversations, and improved attention from students. “I don’t have to fight that battle every day,” Bartell said. “We have a more cohesive atmosphere, and it’s just a more enjoyable place to be because people aren’t distracted. We have more time to connect and learn and grow together.” PHI’s study on phone bans also noted an increase in student engagement as well as stronger peer interaction due to reduced phone-related distractions. Similar changes were noted by Bartell among the students in her classes. “It made it way easier for me to make the classroom more of a safe space, a better space for kids to communicate,” Bartell said. “My students actually get to know each other better when we put technology away, and I think it enhances the atmosphere in my classroom.” According to students, Bartell made her rule a non-negotiable for her classes, making sure everyone followed it every day. Her students feel that her enforcement of this policy turned it into a class routine that they are all used to. “I think it’s much better now than it was at first,” sophomore Alexis McManus said. “My class talks more, and I know everyone in my class, unlike my other classes, where I don’t even talk to most of the other people.” READ MORE “Students begin storing bags at front of the room as part of classroom rule” pg. 2