![Musical theatre class runs through “Footloose” during their dress rehearsal. Senior student director Mia Morneault says how much she’s enjoyed working with the cast and crew. “I am very proud of all the cast and crew who worked as hard on it as I have. A lot of people care about [this show],” Morneault said. “I have a lot of friends on the cast and on the crew, but I’ve also grown and gained friendships through the show, even as director where I may be a little more stricter than normal. And I am very grateful for everyone I’ve gotten to work with.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSC_0657-1200x800.jpg)
![Sitting in a line of artwork, senior art student Kaemon Kato’s painting titled “Right Side of History” is displayed for attendees of the district’s art showcase. Kato’s painting is a political piece inspired by a photo of elementary schoolers in the street protesting against ICE. “I think it's also symbolic because they're surrounded by snow, which can represent ICE, and they are still marching,” Kato said. “[The kids] are not stopping until equality or justice is served, which I think is really important to represent and show.” Photo by John Pinion](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-03-26-114740.png)
![Broadcast, yearbook and newspaper combined for 66 Interscholastic League Press Conference awards this year. Yearbook won 43, newspaper won 14 and broadcast took home nine. “I think [the ILPC awards] are a great way to give the kids some acknowledgement for all of their hard work,” newspaper and yearbook adviser Paige Hert said. “They typically spend the year covering everyone else’s big moments, so it’s really cool for them to be celebrated so many times and in so many different ways.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/edited-ILPC.jpg)
![Holding up the bi-district champions trophy, junior shortstop Hudson Cuevas cheers alongside his team. The varsity baseball team played in the bi-district round of playoffs against the Boerne Greyhounds April 30-May 2, where they won Game 1 6-4, lost Game 2 2-1 and won the last game 5-2, allowing them to advance to area. “Honestly, [my favorite] big moment that wasn't even part of my moment was Dom's grand slam,” Cuevas said. “That was a big game changer in Game 1 of round one that ultimately helped us win that game and even move on. It set the tone for the games after and has really impacted and sparked this whole playoff run.” Photo by Allie Tseng](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/allie-boerne00159-1200x800.jpg)
![After he takes the handoff, senior running back Trae Hill runs down the field in search of a first down. Hill rushed for three touchdowns in the 43-36 loss against Frisco Wakeland last Friday, but the Timberwolves were eliminated from playoff contention. “[I’m] just happy I got to experience the game with my brothers,” Hill said. “I’m going to remember how close and how enjoyable everything was with these guys. They are my brothers for life. Just waking up and grinding together, and proving the naysayers wrong [was my favorite part].”
Photo by Kyra Cox](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/trae-hill-wakeland.jpg)
As the breeze becomes colder with every passing day, dressing for warmth becomes a necessity. The holiday season is getting closer and closer, and the thought of Christmas is on everyone’s mind. However, those who are less fortunate begin to prepare for the next few months of freezing temperatures and difficult times. But, we can do something to help. Volunteering time, money, food, or gifts can change lives. There are many places in Austin that aid those in need during the holiday season, and below is a compiled list of volunteer opportunities in the greater Austin area. The following provides brief information regarding these service organizations, but to learn more or find where to volunteer, each link will take you to their website with further descriptions.
Holiday Wishes is a program founded by Partnerships for Children, with its purpose being to give children connected to Child Protective Services (CPS) in Central Texas happy memories surrounding the holidays. Volunteers are able to donate, send gifts, or sponsor a child to help turn their wishes into smiles. Although Holiday Wishes is explicitly a Christmas time program, Partnerships for Children is open to volunteers year round, with many opportunities to help children, youth, and families that are connected to CPS make long-lasting memories.
Coats for Kids is a community project hosted in Austin annually, where The Junior League of Austin, Jack Brown Cleaners, iHeartRadio and KVUE all partner to give warmth to those during the holiday season. More than 30,000 coats are distributed to children and youth each year, and the help of volunteers is vital. Whether community members donate coats, volunteer to sort the clothes, or help distribute, large amounts of volunteers are necessary in order to make this project successful.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is intended to collect and distribute toys to America’s youth during the holidays. Children who are less fortunate deserve to have a happy Christmas and look forward to the excitement of gifts. The holiday season is a time for joy, and Toys for Tots actively works to put smiles on the faces of children all around Austin. Spanning over eight counties in the Central Texas area, Toys for Tots has already distributed 42,831 toys providing 36,172 children with support during the past two months.
Mission Accomplished is another great nonprofit organization that serves Austin and its surrounding areas, focusing on giving those in need a helping hand. Their goal is to aid in getting people off the streets by giving them temporary housing, food, and care-packages. As of right now, Mission Accomplished is hosting Operation Clean Clothes (OCC) in which volunteers are able to help wash, dry, and fold clothes for those who aren’t able to do so themselves. Various places including churches and libraries around the Austin area have come together with Mission Accomplished to host days where volunteers are able to help out and learn more about the laundry services provided to those in need.
Being the largest prepared feeding program in the Central Texas area, Mobile Loaves & Fishes food trucks take to the street every night to give food to those in need. During Christmas time, they are asking for larger amounts of donations and volunteers to provide those with a sufficient holiday meal. Additionally, through their Community First! Village, Mobile Loaves & Fishes provides housing for the homeless.
Austin Humane Society, the longest-standing no-kill, non-profit animal shelter and adoption center, has been working this holiday season to provide abandoned animals with a warm home for Christmas. Many animals around the Austin area have never experienced a holiday season full of love, but this could change with the help of volunteers. By socializing with both cats and dogs, volunteers are able to share a meaningful experience with animals while also serving their community.
Stop Abuse For Everyone Alliance (SAFE) is dedicated to helping out those who have experienced domestic abuse in their lives. They are now accepting holiday gift donations for those affiliated with the program which will be doubled thanks to Dell Foundation to further help survivors of abuse through their healing journey. One of the great things about SAFE is that those who will receive the donation are all of age, not just children. While most holiday volunteer programs focus on Austin’s youth, SAFE aids those of all ages, making it a great option for volunteering or donating.
This holiday season, Caritas of Austin is pairing with South Congress Hotel to help end homelessness in the Austin area. $15 hotel rooms will be available to book, giving those in Austin who are struggling through the cold a warm place to stay. Caritas of Austin also has many other donation and volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and are constantly pairing with other foundations and organizations to provide homes and shelter to the homeless around the Austin area.
