It’s been a rough start to the school year for some students, who’ve struggled adapting to August’s extreme heat while balancing extracurriculars. 

“The heat, it feels suffocating,” sophomore Paola Jones said. 

With temperatures ranging between 100-110 degrees every day, band directors pushed back rehearsals two hours, so students wouldn’t be outside marching during the hottest part of the day. However, after two days they realized it conflicted with students’ schedules.

“People are miserable,” Jones said. “Your hands get all sweaty and your instruments will fall out of their hands. People have thrown up from the heat, and people have passed out.” 

Even though the band students are in the heat for hours, there are efforts made to prevent heat related injuries. 

During a full half-time show run -through this past Saturday, The Flower Mound fire department came to the school and hosed all members down, to cool them off. 

“We have hats, sunglasses, and bandana,” freshman Brooke Thomas said. “There’s also a medical station. If we don’t feel good, we can go out.” 

Due to rising concerns with the temperatures, AP Environmental Science teacher Adam Hovde warns students to hydrate before, during and after being out in the heat.

“Humidity makes it hard for our sweat to evaporate off of us,” Hovde said. “If that sweat doesn’t evaporate, you don’t cool down as well, so you can overheat and get heatstroke.”

Heatstroke is dangerous since it prevents the body from producing more sweat to cool down, and body temperatures can rise uncontrollably according to the Center for Disease Control. Heatstroke has been more common due to the heat waves in North Texas. 

Football is another activity where students are exposed to excessive heat daily. Senior Nose Guard Jace Bardwell is determined to make it a good season even if it means practicing in excruciating heat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           “It’s very challenging,” Bardwell said. “And it’s taxing. It’s not only physically draining, but it’s also mentally. It takes a lot of desire and drive and it’s not something to take lightly especially when it’s very humid and I can pour sweat out of my shoe.”