While the final score of 65 – 41 did not favor the Vikings, both the manner and the poise of the sideline were reflective of the overall mood of the football season – one of resilience.

The first quarter ended 14-14, before Jesuit and its powerful offense simply began to pull away. Short drives, long runs and offensive schemes that resulted in quick scores afforded Jesuit a lead that Lamar could not overcome.

The Vikings, however, refused to give up in this game.

This team of young men that left the field on Friday night is the same group of young men that fought back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat district rivals Arlington High 35- 21 before a slimmed crowd at UTA stadium. This is the same team that had to leave the field after watching an extra point attempt sail through the uprights, but not having said attempt counted as “good.” This is the team that returned to the field of play after a less than stellar homecoming game performance to cement its largest victory of the season 55-7 against Sam Houston.

“Viking Fight Never Dies” is displayed in various spots around Lamar’s campus and how fitting as the team returns to campus this week, less anymore Friday Night Lights in 2025.

For junior safety Xian Johnson making the playoffs this season was undoubtedly his biggest moment of the season, but he doesn’t shy away from the lessons learned in the first-round playoff exit.

“I understand how important it is to not get complacent after a big win. We have to always work harder to capitalize on our wins so that we won’t go backwards,” he explains. “In working with the seniors this season – I realized just how fast the season goes by. We have to cherish each game and moment, build bonds and definitely rebound faster from our losses, ”he explains.

For many varsity players, Friday playoff game was the last time they will ever suit up in pads and cleats. Their emotions along the sideline were obvious as the clock expired.

“I can’t express how proud I am of this senior group. They are the group that gave us that final push to get over the hump and get back into the playoffs,” says Head Coach Billy Skinner. “It’s a group of unselfish young men who wanted more for Lamar football the whole, instead of themselves as individuals. This wasn’t the most talented group that’s ever come through Lamar, but their connection to each other and their younger teammates was the difference. Eric Walker (Senior linebacker) gave a speech during our varsity retreat that will stay with me forever. He talked about being a part of a team that went winless on the JV team and wanting to do everything within his power to restore Lamar to where we should be no matter how big or small his role has to be. THAT LED THE CHARGE FOR OUR KIDS THIS YEAR. That type of leadership is the legacy this group leaves behind. I’m just proud to be their coach.”

Jesuit may have won the game last Friday, but they didn’t erase a season full of skills enhanced, records broken, crowds wowed and memories made. Viking fans can take confidence in the fact that both coaches and players are already determining new ways to enhance Lamar’s success next season.

The AISD Secondary Principal of the Year is Lamar’s very own Lesley Maroney. In just her second year as leader of the large high school campus, Maroney has exhibited both patience and sincerity in working with the Lamar student body. Not only is she an active figure throughout the campus community, but Maroney also makes time to attend as many Lamar student activities and sporting events as possible.

(Lamar Principal Lesley Maroney has been named AISD Secondary Principal of the Year.)

“I am so grateful for this honor,” Maroney expressed to both her colleagues and family members Thursday night. “We have an incredible team and I’ll never take their support for granted.”

Assistant Principal Brandon Howard was named Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. Howard has enjoyed a decorated career as both a teacher and coach, as well as an assistant principal.

(Secondary AP of the Year Brandon Howard celebrates the honor with his wife.)

2025 graduate Kara Peterson spoke on behalf of the Student Leadership Advisory Board (SLAB) and introduced student representatives from each of the AISD high schools. Peterson will soon begin her collegiate career at Texas A&M University, so she graciously welcomed 2026 Senior and Class President Fred Threats into the leadership role.

To conclude recognitions for the evening, the board celebrated the AISD student athletes who earned state medals. Lamar wrestlers Jaylah Davenport and Anthony Simpson were presented with state patches for their letterman jackets.

When Sophie Greer was just a small child – she knew that she wasn’t a sports person. “I tried soccer, but I knew immediately that it wasn’t for me,” the Lamar sophomore laughs. “Coach would say Sophie, you’re on the bench and I would get so excited.”

At eight years old, Greer expressed an interest in horses. Her mom supported the spark she saw in her inquisitive daughter and enrolled her in a Horseback Riding Summer Camp shortly before she began third grade.

The first time she mounted a horse – it felt so natural. The horse was named Prince and Greer vividly recalls the immediate bond formed with the Appaloosa, a popular American horse breed.

The 16-year-old has enhanced her skills and formed a sincere affinity for horses over the years. In April, Greer traveled to St Louis, Missouri to compete in the National Competition for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). She placed fifth in the Dressage Flat Class.

Learning to care for a horse is no easy feat. One doesn’t simply pick out a horse, mount said horse and automatically compete as an equestrian. Greer has spent a great deal of time and energy working with trainers and learning her way around the barn.

Twice per week, she leaves Lamar and heads to the Green Oaks Equestrian/ Small Side Farms. Practice consists of a walk, trot and canter (training for the horse while the rider is on top) routine. The process can be very challenging. Greer practices for one hour and then takes care of the horse by brushing hair and feeding.

While she doesn’t yet own a horse of her own, Greer would love to own a thoroughbred one day. As for now, her trainer has afforded her the amazing opportunity to develop a bond with her horse for competitions and beyond.

“I’m super grateful to have found my happy place with horseback riding,” Greer shares. “I’ve developed so many bonds and even met my best friend at the barn. My ultimate dream would be to make it on a collegiate equestrian team.”

There are five UIL Journalism categories: Copy Editing, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing and News Writing. In total, nine Lamar students participated in the five events. Six students walked away with awards. 

Lamar Scroll Editor-in-Chief Journey Bortzfield was excited to compete in the event for the first time. The senior, who also serves as yearbook editor considered it her duty as a leader to compete. 

“I asked Ms. Talton to sign me up for every event,” Bortzfield shares. “Even if I didn’t win – I wanted the experience and I wanted to encourage my fellow staffers to always look for opportunities to grow as writers.” 

Much to her delight, Bortzfield won 2nd place in Feature Writing and 5th place in both Copy Editing and News Writing.

Fellow yearbook staffer, senior Finn Lynch earned 5th place honors in Feature Writing. The feature writing category gives students 45 minutes to craft a high-school newspaper feature story, including vibrant verbiage and relevant quotes. 

Seniors Ben Powers and Sofia Omana were invited to join the UIL team as first year journalism students. Both jumped at the chance. Powers took on the challenge of Headline Writing, a competition which requires students

to read six news stories and write six fitting headlines during a short 30-minute exam period. Powers earned first place. Omana excitedly took on the editorial writing contest – a category that asks students to take a stance on a hot-topic issue. This writing submission must not be written as an opinion, but instead as a collective stance of an editorial board. Omana understood the assignment and she confidently earned a first-place medal in this competition. 

Junior Gracie Golden also took on Headline Writing for the first time and as a first-year journalism student. She walked away with the 5th place medal. 

Sophie Greer was the lone sophomore in the journalism competitions for Lamar. She participated in four of the five categories and won a medal in all four. Greer earned 2nd place in Copy Editing, a competition that affords students only 15 minutes to identify errors in three writing samples. She also earned 4th place in both Editorial and Headline Writing, as well as 6th place in News Writing. 

“I am so proud of these young people for taking on this challenge with me,” journalism teacher Ari Talton says. “Not only did they listen attentively during our study sessions, but they also gave up their Saturday to represent our organization and our school.” 

Contest honorable mentions are Isabella Andersson (9th), Angelmarie De La Rosa (12th) and Katherine Hernandez (11th). 

Winners of 1st and 2nd place medals will venture to Prosper’s Rock Hill High School in late April for the Regional UIL Competition. 

Winners for the Accounting competition include: 

* Daniel Wehr (1st)

* Caleb Casey (2nd)

* Lindsay Bui (3rd) 

* Carson Plamondon (4th) 

* Bianca Gomez (6th) 

* Antoinae Bynum (8th)

“The students worked really hard to get to the this level,” says sponsor Charles Ferrell. “Watching them work is an inspiration to me. Watching them earn the scores that they worked so hard for makes me extremely proud. We lost a lot of talent last year when the seniors left us, but this group really stepped up and they work well together.” 

In addition to securing these top spots, Lamar also outscored Martin High School by 400 points. 

“I learned so much from our panel guests,” Bortzfield says. “I’m so glad I was selected for this opportunity. It was really nice to speak with professional women, who sincerely wanted to give us advice about our futures.”

After the panel in the auditorium – all attendees went to different breakout sessions around the school. In these breakout sessions, the girls were paired with various professionals, who shared great resources. 

Counselors Glenda Simmons and Clarissa Savoy, along with English teacher Dr. Kapreta Johnson were all heavily involved in the planning of the expo and believe such opportunities are necessary for the growth and development of young ladies at Lamar. 

This school year, Lamar has made several efforts to empower the young ladies of the school. Insert Lamar Girls Rock – an organization created to ensure the teen girls on this very large campus feel both heard and seen.

Last week – the Lamar Girls Rock Expo welcomed over 100 students to the auditorium to hear a panel of three powerful women from the community. The panel included Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Mary Tom Curnutt, financial advisor Maureen Maidlow and entrepreneur Kenya Mobley. All three women shared their respective stories with the audience. 

Senior Journey Bortzfield served as moderator for the event and led the panel discussion, asking both personal and professional questions. Her goal was to provide audience members with real insight into various professions. 

LamarScrol

Saturday’s event included participants from AISD high schools, Grand Prairie High School and South Grand Prairie High School. The journalism categories were: Copy Editing, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing Headline Writing and News Writing.

The Lamar team featured DaZiah Knox (senior), Healey Walker (senior), John Casey (senior), Akeylia Walker (freshman) and Isabella Cortez (senior). Only Cortez and Knox participated in the competition in recent years.

As the Lamar Scroll Editor-in-Chief, Knox was excited to return to the competition where she has been very successful. She took on the challenge of Editorial Writing, Feature Writing and News Writing.

Cortez, a columnist and feature writer for the Lamar Scroll participated in Editorial Writing, Headline Writing and News Writing.

Scroll writer John Casey competed in both the Editorial Writing and Feature Writing categories.

Valhalla Yearbook Editor Healey Walker has been a loyal student in the journalism program for multiple years, however, she never competed in the UIL Journalism competitions before Saturday. She welcomed the challenge this year and participated in Feature Writing, Headline Writing and News Writing.

Akeylia Walker is a ninth grade journalism student and eager to grow with the program. She willingly signed up to compete in two of the more difficult categories: Copy Editing and Headline Writing.

Lamar Student Media is incredibly proud of our participants this year.

The following staffers placed in Saturday’s competition and are Regional Qualifiers:

Isabella Cortez:  2^nd Place in News Writing, 4^th Place in Editorial Writing and 4^th Place in Headline Writing.

DaZiah Knox:  2^nd Place in Editorial Writing and 4^th Place in Feature Writing

Healey Walker: 2^nd Place in Feature Writing, 3^rd Place in News Writing and 5^th Place in Headline Writing.

Today was all about college.

Thursday morning, several recruiters and representatives from various Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) convened in the Lamar gymnasium. Their collective goal: share the culture, pride and endless opportunities that all exist on these prestigious campuses.

Mission accomplished.

Moments into the long-anticipated college fair – junior Reagan Lewis quickly identified her top three college choices. “I already spoke with the recruiters from Jackson State, Prairie View A&M and Clark Atlanta,” Lewis said. “Even though I’m originally from Mississippi, I know I’ll go to the school with the best nursing program.”

Throughout the larger of the Lamar gymnasiums – the presenters distributed brochures, school paraphernalia and even their respective contact information. DJ 4.0 kept the music going and even the members of various fraternities and sororities put on a show for students. The glimpse into Greek Life on an HBCU campus appears to be of significant interest to many of the students.

“I think it’s important to expose our students to opportunities where they can see themselves,” English teacher Janelle Herron shares. “Seeing your same skin color and hairstyle can be very impactful for young people of color.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzLDd6Ile-U

Wednesday afternoon, Celeste Gonzalez and Healey Walker decided to put ink on their collegiate dreams, signing their national letters of intent to play soccer at the next level.

Gonzalez has officially committed to play at Cedar Valley College. Team captain, Walker is heading to Boston’s Emerson College.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these young ladies,” Head Coach Jana Hammonds shared. “They both have worked so hard.”