Winter Break Recap

As Panthers are getting back into the swing of things, we want to acknowledge the dedicated students who continued to demonstrate their commitment to Paschal sports, music, and student life over the two-week long break.

January 16, 2024

The Paschal Cheer team poses for a group photo at the UIL Spirit State Championship with their award for Best of Category for Band Chant in the 6A D2 Division.

In early January, while many students were relaxing and enjoying their final days of break, the Paschal cheer team and three performing arts students, Jake Ekeroth, Cal Rustad, and Shawn Villatoro, accomplished several incredible achievements!

After countless hours of practice throughout the year, the cheer team once again proved that they are one of the best teams in Texas! They won the 6A district championship in December, and on January 6, they competed in UIL state at the convention center. They advanced to finals and ended up taking fifth in the state! They also won best in the category of Band Chant.

“We are so proud to be in the top 5 two years in a row,” the paschal cheer Facebook post says. “We’re looking forward to finishing off our season at Nationals in just a few weeks!”

Congratulations to the cheer team for being the 6A District 2 champions and for the incredible achievement of making the top five in the state for two years in a row! They will be competing in nationals later this month.

There were also several accomplishments in the performing arts department over the break. At the TMEA area auditions, choir student Jake Ekeroth made the All-State Choir!

Paschal senior Jacob Ekeroth smiles with Texas All-State Member booklet as a newly inducted member of the mixed choir. (Posted January 6th on @paschalhschoir Instagram)

“Jake has been working to prepare for this audition since July and has shown incredible dedication and determination throughout this entire process,” said the choir directors, Mr. Benavides and Ms. Benoit. “This choir is one of the nation’s most difficult choirs to get into. Over 70,000 students auditioned during this process, with only 1,810 passing through to be a part of one of the TMEA All-State Choirs. Jake was within this 1,810 and within the top 24 students in the state in his category. We, the Paschal High School Choir Directors, are incredibly proud of Jake and are excited for him to perform with this elite ensemble in February!”

Band student Cal Rustad (trumpet) made the All-State Jazz Band, and Shawn Villatoro (tuba) made it to the All-State Band! The concert will be in San Antonio in February.

Cal Rustad (left) and Shawn Villatoro (middle) pictured at the Parade of Lights festival in late November with the Paschal band. (posted November 19th on @paschaljazz on Instagram)

Congratulations to all of these Panthers on these fantastic achievements!

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