Kicking off Junior Year

With school underway, Connor was excited about life as a high school junior with a great school schedule and enjoying time with friends. Unfortunately, Connor's first week of school soon became one of the lowest of his high school experience thus far. On the 2nd day of school, he was informed that he had been cut from the Katy High School basketball team. He was surprised and incredibly disappointed, because the guys on that team were "his people" and he had been so hopeful for a fun season ahead. As shaken as he was when the basketball coach told him he was cut, he also told Connor how proud he was of his academic success and what incredible opportunities awaited him as one of the top students in his class. As sad as Connor was, he felt proud about those words from his coach but he needed some time to process this new direction for his junior year. He changed his schedule to join the class period with the Katy baseball team and began trying to shift his mindset for his athletic goals in the coming months.

Thankfully, Connor's girlfriend Marie (who also goes by Sophia) was there for him and always a bright spot to his day at school. At the beginning of the school year, Marie was excited to be recognized and honored by the district for her incredible accomplishments in theatre and music during the previous month. We were so proud and happy for her success and loved hearing her stories from the Broadway Bootcamp with Kristin Chenoweth!

Marie's infectious joy and presence was just what Connor needed to move on from his disappointment about basketball. These two were the cutest couple and always shared so much fun and laughter together. 

In early September, it was time for them to make plans for homecoming weekend. Connor came up with a theme and began working on his poster to ask Marie to be his homecoming date. He decided to go with a pizza theme since their favorite restaurant together was a pizza place. His poster read, "Can I get a pizza your heart @ hoco?" So cute!

Connor schemed with Marie's dad to meet at their home to surprise her with the hoco proposal. Kaitlynn was along to take photos and video, and Marie's little brother Catcher was there as well. Connor showed up with his posted and with a pizza-themed candy, and Marie was stunned to see Connor when she answered the door! The proposal was a great success - she said yes!