The KCHS PTO is looking for parents to organize and fill snack bags, sharpen pencils and help with other clerical tasks for upcoming state testing days. The high school purchases snacks for students on test days and welcomes parents to come on Monday, Feb. 27, to help prepare materials for English/Language Arts testing days in March, PTO President Jo Ann Villarreal said. Parents can come from 1-2 p.m. or from 5-6 p.m. Parents are asked to check in at the front office. For more information, contact the KCHS Office and PTO Secretary Darlene Adams at (830)780-2321 ext. 300.

National Honor Society is collecting spare change and even large donations for its annual Pennies for Patients campaign. Students may donate in each classroom as well as the office. The campaign runs for three weeks.

"Pennies for Patients is a national service learning, character education and philanthropy program that gives students a unique experience making a difference through teamwork-working together to aid thousands of children and adults in the fight blood cancers like leukemia," according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's website. "Pennies for Patients has raised millions of dollars since 1994."

Seventy-one Karnes City FFA students participated in the 2012 Karnes County Youth Show Jan. 19-21, and many came out successful with winning animals, food and crafts. Pictured here is Junior Hailey Johnson during the premium sale for her Grand Champion Commercial Steer.

It's hard to believe, but spring sports get in gear with practices starting this week. Track practice begins at 3:40 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23. Softball practice is Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Baseball is Friday, Jan. 27.

See KCHS' sAudio/Video Production class and other Technology classes' work on School Tube. Go to www.schooltube.com or click on this link: http://www.schooltube.com/organization/204538/

If you missed the first four issues of the Badger Times and would like to view them in full-color legal-sized PDF's, just click on the Clubs and Groups link. Then, Find Newspaper and from there click on the Badger Times publications. Our next issue comes out Feb. 1, so look for us then!

Geometry and Business teacher Joyce Rives informs students and their parents of a great website to help them. Go to www.classzone.com as a site for math tutorials that go with the math texts.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is collecting drink tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House charities. They will continue collections until spring break. For more information, contact FCA Sponsor Melanie Johnson at (830)780-2321 ext. 310

The KCHS Speech and Debate Squad competed Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Three Rivers Academic Meet, and swept Cross-Examination Debate. Miguel Perales and Tristan Ramirez won first; Hadley Jauer and Kathryn Wiatrek took second and Brady Braun and Matthew Winn placed third.

Also, UIL Academic Coordiantor Melissa Soliz produces these UIL Updates regularly to help competitors, their sponsors and their parents with scheduling. Check here for the most recent Updates.

UIL Journalism team members competed in the statewide Central Texas Invitational Write-In Meet Jan. 13. Three students took 1st place gold medals -- Juniors Amber Bruce in News Writing and Chance Leal in Headline Writing and Sophomore Lauren Kelley in Feature Writing. Freshman Kathryn Wiatrek won a 2nd place silver medal in Editorial Writing. Wiatrek also rated a bronze medal in Feature Writing. Also in Feature Writing, Junior Bridgette Matula placed 4th. In Editorial Writing, Kelley placed 5th. Sophomore Krupa Bhakta got 7th in Feature Writing, and Freshman Hadley Jauer placed 10th in Headline Writing. Other Journalism team participants: Jauer in News Writing, Junior Katy Gotthardt in Headline Writing, Sophomore Victoria Shockome in Editorial Writing, Sophomore Katelyn Villarreal in News and Feature Writing and Freshman Haleigh Warlick in Editorial Writing.