NEWS
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LeClaire takes over
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News Editor ollowing in the footsteps of former senior sponsor Greg Nelson, Nicole LeClaire takes over his position after nine years with Nelson in charge of senior activities. The senior sponsor plans and
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coordinates all senior activities. “I want to increase senior activities and offer more opportunities for the senior class to be involved in school,” LeClaire said. Senior Paige Parker said LeClaire brings great ideas and likes the idea of a newsletter for the senior class.
WE WILL HAVE A SENIOR PICNIC, SENIOR PARADE, A BUNCH OF SENIOR ACTIVITIES LIKE THE PANORAMIC PICTURES, SO IT WOULD BE A WHOLE WEEK DEDICATED TO SENIOR ACTIVITIES.
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“I think it promotes a lot of awareness for seniors, that way they know what is going on around school,” Parker said. This year, LeClaire plans to hold many activities, including a week dedicated to seniors in the Spring semester. “We will have a senior picnic,
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senior parade, a bunch of senior activities like the panoramic pictures, so it would be a whole week dedicated to senior activities,” she said. LeClaire said she is offering new deals this year that includes all of the activities concerning seniors. “I’m also offering a pricing bundle for
Bundle Pricing: Oct. 1- Nov. 1: $175.00 Nov. 1-Dec. 1: $190.00 Dec. 1-Jan 15: $200.00 Jan. 15-Mar. 1: $225.00
Prom, SNAP, senior t-shirts, senior breakfast and senior picnic where you get a discounted price if you buy them all together,” LeClaire said. “That’s new this year.”
New teachers on the block Reporter
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working with them.” Small has taught theater for 20 years around Texas. She received the Jack Young Award when she taught in Pasadena, Texas. “I hope to continue a high level of excellence in the theater department and to do well in our competition this year,” Small said. Men’s choir teacher Alexander Bruce studied at the University of Houston and Moores School of Music after graduating from Jersey Village High School. “I’m really amazed by Cy Creek, like how diverse it is, and I really
enjoy the kids here,” Bruce said. Senior Sydne Holloway enjoys having Bruce as her teacher. “I think Mr. Bruce really takes initiative during his class,” Holloway said. Physics teacher Sion Mitchell graduated from Prairie View A&M University and went to a high school in Jamaica. “I think Cy Creek has a good environment,” Mitchell said. “The students are good and the faculty is very friendly and helpful.” Junior Tracy Vo said Mitchell teaches very well. “She’s very chill. I
don’t think anyone really has a dislike about her,” Vo said. With the rest of the year ahead of them, these teachers keep their heads held high, ready for the legacies they intend to leave behind.
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from Stude
• - Be - supportive
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s the new year starts, new faculty roams the halls, coming from all over the country and different parts of the world. These eager teachers come in prepared for the school year ahead of them with open arms. Theater teacher Ashley Waite recently graduated from Texas A&M University. “Cy Creek has been a rollercoaster so far,” Waite said. “But I think the students are very enthusiastic and I hope to
make a serious impact on all my classes.” Junior Bryon Forte said Waite’s class is taught in a variety of ways. “I really like Mrs. Waite,” Forte said. “She makes class fun and interesting, as well as not being afraid to be vocal with bad students.” Theater teacher Aimee Small works alongside Waite. She received her undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University, as well as her master’s degree from the University of Houston. “The kids at Creek are great; they love to participate,” Small said. “I really enjoy teaching and
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Jackson Glenn
- Be patient at all times - Be fun and active - Don’t worry about daily let-downs
Academies adjust to fit new state law Rosalind Williamson
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hanges in state law and administrative interest in better addressing student needs resulted in changes to the academy system this year. Administration expanded last year’s freshmen CHAMPS academy to include sophomores. Juniors and seniors now have their own academy which will focus on five state-mandated endorsements, or programs of study. “I like the new nine-ten traditional because you have to have your academic foundation set before you can really get into all that higher level, relevant kind of career-oriented stuff,” Director of Instruction Donna Pahmiyer said. The establishment of CHAMPS last year contributed to lower numbers in discipline and tardies and improved performance on end-of-course exams (EOC). Ninth and tenth
graders take the bulk of EOCs, four out of the five, so the new freshman and sophomore combined academy allows a heavier focus on succeeding at EOC exams. “Based on what happened with CHAMPS last year, that was really successful, so we’re pretty happy with that,” Pahmiyer said. With last year’s success in the CHAMPS academy, administration thought adding sophomores seemed like a logical step. “It feels like we’re able to be more focused on the primary goals for each of the academies, more focused on in the nine-ten passing those classes, passing those EOCs, really focusing on academics, and in the eleventwelve, we’re looking at classes and we’re making sure we’ve got all the requirements,” Coordinating Counselor Terrie Shell said. For the full version of this story, go to cchspress.com.
NEWS
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Administration is all for assignments New parking stickers for student drivers
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Reporter
n an effort to promote student driver safety and increase organization, school administration enforces new numbered parking spaces for student drivers. Every student driver receives a sticker to place on their windshield. These stickers identify the number of their corresponding parking spot. All current drivers and any to come must park in their assigned spots from now on. Principal Sandy Trujillo gives her full support of the new changes. “These assignments create a pattern of safety for students to follow which increases familiarity and eliminates frantic hunts and disputes over where everyone will park,” Trujillo said. Students have a limited choice of their assigned area based on
extracurricular activities such as band, choir, cheer and various sports. Junior Lauren Hernandez started driving herself to school this year and has a spot in the band parking lot that allows her to get comfortably to and from swim practice. “My spot worked out great for me,” Hernandez said. “It’s easy to get to and I don’t have to worry as much about different people parking around my car.” Students hope the newly assigned spots eliminate confusion and make driving to school an easier process. Senior Peter Hymel said the new assignments created problems with transportation because he did not receive his based on activities. “I had a good thing going before they put these numbers down,” Hymel said. Last year, driving too fast in different directions resulted in collisions
between multiple cars. Other problems included students slipping through the administration during lunch hours. This lead to the administration at Creek implementing something known as ‘best practices’- things that prove to work well in various schools around the district.
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Rayya Gordon
I HAD A GOOD THING GOING BEFORE THEY PUT THESE NUMBERS DOWN
“Attempts to leave campus early brought a sense of carelessness to the parking lots,” assistant principal Jennifer Landry said. “Driving to school without the proper parking stickers, license, or insurance created serious liability issues for
the school.” Landry believes the change in procedure will benefit students in coming years. “This will make driving to school easier all around for students, parents, and faculty alike,” Landry said. Starting next year students will choose the location of their space. Seniors will have first pick, followed by juniors and sophomores. “Next year I think it will improve a lot when students have a greater selection of spaces based more on where they personally want to park,” Landry said.
“Standing in the hall of fame”
Health science teacher earns spot on district wall of fame Print Editor
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ealth Science teacher Cathy Trocquet attended a ceremony on Sept. 22 to celebrate her induction on to the CypressFairbanks ISD Wall of Fame, for receiving the Texas Health Occupations Association (THOA) Health Science Distinguished Teacher Award. The Wall of Fame acknowledges those who have received recognition on either a state or national level. Trocquet received the THOA Health Science Distinguished Teacher Award, a lifetime achievement award which made her eligible for induction. Before school started, Trocquet received a letter from the superintendent informing her of her acceptance onto the Wall of Fame. “I was really surprised because I really didn’t think that I deserved to
be on Wall of Fame,” Trocquet said. “There’s lots of teachers here that do wonderful things and you know, I just do what I do normally, I don’t think it’s really that fantastic.” Following the ceremony, Trocquet and her family celebrated the achievement together. “After the ceremony, my husband, myself, my son and his wife, my daughter, and her
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me, when we celebrate and go out to dinner.” Principal Sandra Trujillo and assistant principal Jenny Landry both attended the Wall of Fame ceremony to support Trocquet. “Mrs. Trujillo got me these beautiful flowers to wear at the event, and I was the only one out of all the recipients who had flowers,” Trocquet. “So it felt really great, it was really sweet of her.”
I was really surprised because I really didn’t think that I deserved to be on Wall of Fame. There’s lots of teachers here that do wonderful things and, you know, I just do what I do normally. husband, and my little granddaughter, and my brother-in-law, as a family we all went to dinner,” Trocquet said. “So that’s kind of a big thing for
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Hala Khan
Trocquet said the award has not only benefited her but also her department. “I don’t teach a core class, I teach an elective
or career and technology [course],” Trocquet said. “So I am really glad because sometimes people think career and technology isn’t really that difficult of a thing, when it is, so it helped my department, so I’m happy about that.” Trocquet said getting inducted felt like a sense of accomplishment. “As a teacher a lot of times you do stuff and you think nobody notices, or this really isn’t making a difference, or I’ve done this all wrong, and then it’s like, you know what, maybe I did do things that are kind of important and benefits other people,” Trocquet said.
Health Science teacher Cathy Trocquet stands with her Wall of Fame award and the blue flowers given to her by Principal Sandra Trujillo. Photo by Hala Khan.
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ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
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“The Glade” opens up to Hollywood Hala Khan Print Editor
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laders everywhere watched with anticipation as “The Maze Runner” escaped the Glade only to find itself on the big screen. “The Maze Runner,” a dystopian sciencefiction story written by James Dashner, takes a unique perspective on the subject. Rather than writing about aliens, UFOs or technology and robots, Dashner writes about a group of teenagers, self-proclaimed “Gladers,” who must find a way to survive and get out of a maze they found themselves trapped in.
The story keeps readers turning pages after pages to figure out how and if the Gladers get out. With a number of curves thrown into the plot, Dashner wrote a terrific novel; however, he could have developed the characters a bit more. The characters themselves know little about who they are, though, so I’ll let that one slide. Other than that, Dashner composed a well put-together story worthy of an award. Dashner wrote a phenomenal book, but the movie… well, it seemed to have fallen off a cliff. Far too many changes had been made to the book’s storyline;
incorrect character portrayal, altered facts, and completely left out key points. One of the biggest changes involved Thomas and Teresa not being able to communicate telepathically, which plays an important role in the rest of the book series. This may imply the director won’t film a sequel, which would be a blessing. Never go into a theater with high expectations for a book adaptation. It felt very upsetting to see such a great book butchered and manipulated into something else. The book did not deserve the movie it had been made into. Dashner
wrote a terrific novel everyone should read, but do not watch the movie
without having read the book; it will only lead to disappointment.
WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS Movie
VS.
Book
Thomas and Teresa cannot communicate telepathically
Thomas and Teresa can communicate telepathically
The lead characters get along and are supportive
Most characters are rude and rough
The Gladers get the cure against the Grievers, when Teresa arrives Teresa wakes up shortly after arriving The Gladers found a “key” that lead them to the exit The passcode to get out was the numerical order of when each maze section opens
The Gladers always had the cure for Grievers stings Teresa remained in a comatose state Thomas and Minho found a secret exit in a Griever hole The passcodes to the exit were there words formed by letters that appeared in the maze’s layout
Graphic by Carlos Medina
R A G COU k l a w t a C
REVOLTING
HELANNA AND DOMINIQUE SALINAS
YOUTH
STUDENTS USE CLOTHING AS A FORM OF SELF EXPRESSION
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Catwalk Editor
ccentricity, individuality and selfidentity; all factors which drive personal style. Students who dye their hair a noticeable color, or wear one color every single day dress in a different manner that makes their personality and creativity the root of every look. Labeled as crazy, strange and a little wacky, these students hide themselves from no one. But senior William Joseph one of these eccentric students said having so many people notice his style makes him appear intimidating. “Of course it’s about attention; you want people to notice you,” Joseph said. “A lot of times people don’t understand so of course they’re afraid or intimidated by things they don’t get.” SPIn order to tackle other’s intimidation, students must have confidence. Confidence gives them edginess and an expressive platform to do what they want with how they present
themselves to others. Senior Helanna Salinas said the way she dresses makes her feel confident. “People say that they’re afraid to walk up to me because they think I’m super stuck up, but no, I’m really sweet,” she said. “I think that I’m well rounded with my clothing. My clothing says that I’m different and unique and I know I get a lot of stares sometimes. I don’t care what people think.” Helanna’s younger sister sophomore Dominique Salinas said she does not care what people think about her personal style. “I look up to my sister when it comes to style,” Dominique Salinas said. “My favorite thing about my sister’s style is that she does what she wants— she doesn’t care what people think and she can pull it off [and] I want my style to say I dress for myself.” Having eccentric style means having an eccentric style muse. On a small scale, students only present themselves to their peers, but they often take inspiration from someone with a much larger audience. “There’s always Kanye, there’s always
sister sister: Helanna and Dominique Salinas pose for photos in their favorite eccentric looks. Photos by Tyler Hooks.
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early 90s. [Like] Jordans, retro Jordans they all came out at the same time and Timberland boots. It’s all stuff that we borrowed, but the root is still from that area.” Similarly, Helanna Salinas also takes style tips from others. “I love the creative director -WILLIAM JOSEPH, 12 of American Apparel,” she A$AP Rocky,” Joseph said. “I try to infuse [their said. “Everything varies in my fashion. I love style] with my own. If fall clothing. I love Doc you’re looking for highend fashion, the best time Martins and knee is now [with people like] high Maison Martin Margiela, socks.” but if you’re looking at In street style I’d say late 80s,
THERE’S ALWAYS KANYE, THERE’S ALWAYS A$AP ROCKY. I TRY TO INFUSE [THEIR STYLE] WITH MY OWN.
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Tyler Hooks
order to create a divergence from their peers Helanna and Dominique Salinas and Joseph all look up to others who have created a message out of their personal style before them. They have little fear in looking different —they strive for individuality and to set themselves a part from others. “I take pride in wanting to be different,” Joseph said. “I hold [that] higher than anything else.”
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Jimmy Pacheco Reporter
FEATURE
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eaving most of her family and personal
belongings behind, Senior Aisha Odulaja left her home to flee from the Ebola virus spreading throughout Western Africa. The Ebola virus forces many people to undergo many different changes. From losing loved ones to relocating places to live, it significantly impacts this world specifically Odulaja. “I did not want to leave, but I had to,”
Odulaja said. “My family is back home and I miss them.” Odulaja started school a week after she moved from Nigeria. “It’s really difficult here, and the school system is different, because it’s hard looking for the classes,” she said. “Most of the time, the teachers came to our classrooms [in Nigeria], but now I have to go to the teacher’s class.” More than 80 percent of the population infected with Ebola ends with a fatality. One of Odulaja’s neighbor died from the disease. “Well it caused many people to die,” she said. “It wasn’t really in Nigeria, and not many people died there. It was getting to a high point that some did get infected and died.”
Odulaja said life in Africa differed from American life, considering the ways people communicate. Sometimes they will not talk to an individual if they do not share common background. “We have ethnic and people don’t have equality there,” she said. “If you are not in my personal group, we don’t really talk and stuff since we are different.” Odulaja said she plans on graduating high school with enough credits to attend college. “I plan on going back after I graduate from here,” she said. “Maybe in a couple of years because of my family and stuff.”
From intern to inspiration Sophomore’s internship leads her to create feminist club Miranda Duncan Reporter
Inspired by her role model, democratic politician Wendy Davis, sophomore Avneet Randhawa wants to make a change by starting a feminist club. “I met Wendy at a door-to-door campaigning walk-athon,” Randhawa said. “Wendy Davis had come to the house of the person who was hosting it and she was giving a long speech about what she’s going to do for Texas and her plans.” After their first
meeting, an opportunity to intern with Davis presented itself to Randhawa. “One of my friends was already an intern for Wendy Davis and she asked me if I would be interested, and of course being a very independent democratic woman, I was very inclined to say yes,” Randhawa said. “I told her I was interested and then I received a phone call from one of the group advisors within a week.” Randhawa said walking from house to house, campaigning and
spreading word about Davis helped her work towards a better Texas for all people. “I realized I was going to be a part of making a change in Texas that was going to help benefit the lives of basically everyone in Texas,” Randhawa said. Davis’s work for the political equality of women in Texas spoke personally to Randhawa who had been a feminist for years after realizing the lack of females in leadership positions. Wendy Davis inspired her to create the feminist club: a positive force for
Writing on the walls: Sophomore Avneet Randhawa prepares for the second feminism club meeting. Photo by Holly Hearn
gender equality and the education of students about feminism. “I want to help create the change that would make our generation come have full equality,” Randhawa said. “My main goal for this club is to make them get angry, realize there is a problem, and continue to want change. I want our school to be the change that this world needs.” Randhawa’s inspiration from Davis allowed her to in turn inspire others in the school and community to become activists for
the rights of not only women, but the people of Texas. “I want women to realize that they need feminism,” Randhawa said. “That in order to function in society properly, they need to realize that their value is held equally to men and if they’re already downgrading themselves by telling themselves that they aren’t, saying that we are just housewives or that they believe in a patriarchal society, they’re lessening the value of an entire gender.”
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IN-DEPTH
LET’S GET PHYSICAL Kristin Russell
STUDENTS, FACULTY SHARE OPINONS ON SEX ED CLASSES
Business Manager and think about the big picture. “I don’t think these kids look at the long-term ramifications,” he said. “Teenagers having sex ain’t nothing new. I mean, they were doing it when I was a teenager and people were doing it before them. It’s not anything new. The difference is that it’s now more common.” He also had a shocking personal experience which made him realize the severity of the problem. “We try to get the kids to understand that they’re kids, they’re children and the thing that gets me more than anything else is seeing the girls pregnant,” he said. “I had a girl in my health class, years ago first period, and she used to come to class late every day, she was 15 years old. I asked her, ‘Why are you always late?’ and she goes ‘Well, I have to take my baby over to daycare. I said, ‘Well do you have a little boy or girl?’ and she said a girl and I asked how old she was and she said, ‘three.’” Not only is pregnancy a factor taught in Sex Ed, but STIs, formally know as STDs, have a predominant role in health classes. “The thing is with STD’s now we try to
convey to the kids that there’s stuff out there that we can’t cure,” Marks said. “I mean there’s stuff we can treat, like AIDS and herpes but we can’t cure it.”
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I know how hormones are, and consequently, things are going to happen.
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hink back to Health class; specifically the Sex Education unit. The unit responsible for the awkward silence, sporadic giggling, excessive worksheets and borderline horrific images instilled in students’ memories forever. Texas schools practice the AbstinenceCentered Education Program which focuses on teaching students an abstinence-based sexual education program in our health classes, a course required by the Texas Education Agency. “Well, we talk about human reproduction,” health teacher John Marks said. “If we have time, we talk about pregnancy and childbirth. Well, let me back up. I guess we start it out with family relationships, dating, that type of thing.” Marks said that with time stipulations, some of the curriculum tends to slip through the cracks. “The problem with the Fall is that we have like 20 less teaching days and finals, and in the Summer we have only five weeks in the last six weeks because of EOCs and final exams,” Marks said. Marks tries to remind students that he is on their side and wants kids to take a second
Marks also notes he is aware of what happens among teenagers, but is not here to ‘baby them’. “I tell them [the kids] that if you’re going to have sex, you’re taking on a large responsibility,” Marks said. “I know how hormones are, and consequently, things are going to happen.” Though Marks says he believes even though the generations have changed, the curriculum is still helpful. Others disagree.
“When I was in sex ed, all they ever did was degrade everyone who has had sex before or was sexually active,” senior Taryn Modisette said. “They constantly compared those who were sexually active to things like chewed gum that were thrown away, saying things like ‘people don’t want a used piece of gum’ and ‘everyone wants a nice unused wrapped piece of gum.’” Disappointed with the curriculum, Modisette said it needs to be changed. “Instead of actually teaching students useful sexual information, like safe sex and pregnancy and anatomy, the lesson plan included things to shame and scare students to not have sex,” Modisette said. Junior Sergio Gonzalez said the curriculum has failed its purpose. “The curriculum can simply not be improved,” Gonzalez said. “Texas should cease forcing students to sit in a class where maybe 20 percent of the students actually take the class seriously.” Though some remain bitter, other students have a more positive outlook to the curriculum. “It gets the point
across,” sophomore Colby Clem said. “There are some people who don’t get the point, so making it more relatable to those people would be helpful, and make the curriculum more effective, but overall it’s not awful.” When asked to comment on the Health curriculum, Principal Sandy Trujillo said she has no control over the lessons taught in health classes. “Well, I wouldn’t [comment on the situation] because I’m a public servant,” she said. “It would be like a police officer saying ‘I don’t agree with the law.” Aware that kids will be kids, Marks thinks students should take caution. “You know I tell the kids that I was born on a Friday, but not last Friday,” Marks said. “And I’m not naive enough to think that just because we teach this that kids aren’t going to go out and have sex, if we believed that then there wouldn’t be any teen pregnancy or kids with STD’s and all of that sort of stuff.”
BATTLE OF THE SEXES OPPOSING VIEWS FROM STUDENTS SPARK CONTROVERSY OVER SEX EDUCATION
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increases risk of chronic depression in adulthood. Abstinence affords young teens many emotional benefits, including self-respect, respect of others, a better sexual relationship in adulthood. In addition to the many emotional health benefits, abstinence is obviously the only way to fully protect teenagers from a myriad of sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, abstinence costs absolutely nothing and creates no potential health side effects, which is in sharp contrast to promoting contraceptive-based sexual education alone. Abstinence-based education is a viable method for teaching Texas’ teens how to handle their sexual urges properly until he or she reaches adulthood and enters into a positive, mature, healthy, and binding commitment with another adult. Texas lawmakers and residents should continue to support abstinence sexual education programs in our schools in order to protect millions of teenagers from the generational cycle of illadvised teen sexual activity and pregnancy.
By: Matthew Clark, Guest Writer
22%
in 2010, Texas had the highest number of teen pregnancies
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he abstinence-only sex education program teaches high school students in Texas the importance of waiting until marriage to have sex. The abstinence-only curriculum unsuccessfully attempts to lower teen pregnancy rates. The abstinence-only program intended to teach teens to abstain from sex until marriage in order to protect students from Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STIs, and pregnancy but instead resulted in the spread of limited and biased information. According to The National Campaign, Texas currently stands as the state with the 5th highest teen pregnancy rate and the highest repeated teen pregnancy rate. The abstinent based program prevents impressionable young teens from gaining the information from reliable sources needed to protect
Abstinence only sex education proves unsuccessful when educating students about their bodies and sex.
themselves. With their future and health in jeopardy, the personal beliefs of lawmakers should not determine the education teenagers receive about their bodies. Abstinence-only sex education proves unsuccessful when educating students about their bodies and sex. Guttmacher Institute states the information presented to students in Texas involved in these Sex Education curriculums does not require medically accurate or culturally correct information as well as religiously unbiased lessons. In order to stay safe, sex-ed programs need to ensure that teens have the information needed to have safe sex. The education given to students about sex and contraceptives should represent the proven scientific information available instead of the personal bias of citizens. Instead of recognizing the more important problem of educating sexually active teenagers, abstinence-only curriculums teach students abstinence as the only effective form of contraception. All schools in Texas must hold an open conversation in a comfortable environment with students
By: Miranda Duncan, Reporter
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Abstinence costs absolutely nothing and creates no potential health side effects.
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ince 1996, Title V funding has been available to all states that mandate a federallydefined abstinence-based sexual education program. Texas is the most prominent state to have adopted these standards. Some people have suggested replacing the abstinence-based curriculum with one that promotes contraceptives as equal to abstinence in its health, psychological, and social benefits to teens. However, this proposed change in the state’s sexual education program should not take place; abstinence is an essential component of the program and should be maintained. Teenagers will engage in sexual activity due to low self esteem, peer pressure, and too much idle time. Teens from poorer households are more likely to be pressured unwillingly into sexual activity and are also less likely to be able to afford contraceptives in the first place. Without
the knowledge and desire to learn how to protect themselves emotionally and physically in sexual situations, teenagers – especially those from lower income households – are less likely to abstain from sex. According to the Texas Freedom Network, 38 percent of Texas teens are sexually active, compared with the national average of 34 percent Even if Texas had a comparable rate of contraceptive usage, teen pregnancies would still be above the United States average because of lower than average economic and social conditions resulting in higher rates of sexual activity A contraceptive-focused sex education program without abstinence will not only prove ineffective in drastically cutting Texas’ teen pregnancies, it could encourage teenage sexual promiscuity and damage self-esteem and the psyche. Teenhelp.com found that 67% of adults who became sexually active as teens actually “regret it.” Furthermore, abstinent adolescent girls have higher levels of academic achievement in school and less relationship violence. Abstinence – not condoms – is the only way to protect teens from depression and psychological complexes later in life. Research in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health found that boys and sexually active girls are more likely to feel depressed than peers who are not and
66,760 TEEN PREGNANCIES IN 2010
in order to effectively prevent teen pregnancy and the spread of STIs. Easily available and medically accurate information about sex lowers the number of partners for sexually active individuals and increases the number of students using contraception. Educating sexually active students to be safe should be the main focus of sex ed programs in Texas. Texas lawmakers should require all Texas schools to provide various and unbiased information about sex to all students. Health classes should incorporate information about contraceptives, STIs, pregnancy and sexual health into their curriculums. During the sex ed portion of health class, all information taught needs to be unbiased, inclusive of all sexual habits and orientations and have reliable sources. Giving students this education will lower the rate of teen pregnancy and the spread of STIs in Texas, which the abstinence only curriculum has failed to do.
2012
44.4 BIRTHS PER 1000 (AGED 15-19)
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FEATURE
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Iced with a little competition Rayya Gordon
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Reporter
he heat of the kitchen cannot compare to the heat of the competition in this culinary class. Break out the oven mitts and piping bags, because cupcakes will soon appear as students prepare for the Hospitality Educators Association of Texas (HEAT) cupcake state baking competition. Students in culinary teacher Asa Smith's class got the chance to show off one unique recipe to
a Food Network-esque judging panel. The top five entries, chosen by guest judges from Donafe’s Cafe and Coco’s Crepes, will compete for a chance at the state title. Smith previously had a student place second in the cupcake contest. “She was three-tenths away from first place,” Smith said. “I’m hoping we make it back to state level this year.” Senior culinary managers Rachel Lindsey, Elias Ariza, Tyler Knox, Liliana Rostro, Andrea Hernandez and Philip Holland have big plans
for their cupcake designs. The ideas range from mint chocolate to candy corn flavored cupcakes. “I’ve been debating about what to do, but I’m pretty sure I have my recipe narrowed down,” Hernandez said. All of the managers must research and decide on their recipes before making about a dozen cupcakes for a practice round at school. They aim for creative cupcakes to continue to the off-school campus competition rounds. “We want our cupcake entries to be
creative,” Ariza said. First place winners receive prizes like trophies and ribbons, mixers and other culinary supplies, and scholarships to the Art Institute. The first batch was judged Sept. 25 in the culinary room. The
next competition takes place Oct. 25 in Magnolia. “There’s always a chance to win something that can help with college,” Smith said.
“I choose you” Anime club heads in new directions
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Copy Editor
plethora of students filled the room, spilling out into the hallway beyond. Two adult professional cosplayers, people who dress up as fictional characters, Jade Twisted and Kyra Chaos (Jade and Kyra Ritchal), stood at the front, answering questions from students. During the question and answer portion one student yelled for them to sing the first anime theme they could think of. The cosplayer stuttered and then began to sing, “I wanna be the very best, like no
one ever was.” Students began to recognize the song and sing along, and soon 50 voices rang out with the notes of the Pokemon theme. An air of togetherness and unity filled the room. The students were all united; united by a common love of anime, the genre of Japanese cartoon shows. “I just felt like I just
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Rosalind Williamson
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I JUST FELT LIKE I JUST FIT IN THERE. fit in there,” sophomore Charlotte Haigh said. The Anime Club meets in the UCTV room, sponsored by UCTV (United Cougar
Television) teacher Jana Bulloch. Fellow sponsors English teacher Donna Gerbitz, and Geometry teacher Danyang Huang help provide resources and a place for students to make friends and become more confident. Anime Club president, senior Kathryn Chan, wants the club to meet every Wednesday until 5 p.m. She hopes the club will have 10 to 20 members this year. “That would be fantastic,” Chan said. “Obviously some people have other clubs to do, but as long as they still communicate, participate on Facebook or on Celly (a text update site), or just emailing or anything like that, that would be wonderful.” The club expects to go on group trips to
anime conventions such as Anime Matsuri. “I want to go because I love seeing people in costume, I love costumes, I love play, I love theater,” club counselor and junior Priscilla Walley said. Bulloch hopes the club will be more active this year. She wants students to share new anime and manga, spread their interests among other club members, attend anime conventions as a group, and possibly become involved in social service. “The type of people that anime club would attract are a very particular type of people,” she said. “They’re usually extremely creative, highly literate - they don’t just read manga, they read, period; and they have
a certain level of social consciousness about them, and I really wanted to channel those traits into some kind of never-before-seen service project.” For the full version of this story, go to cchspress.com.
Priscilla Walley, junior Photo by Rosalind Williamson
OPINION
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The rise and fall of cougar pride Rayya Gordon Reporter
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ost of the students at Creek knows the importance of football games; endless school spirit supports football players. However, this results in little spirit being left over for other sports teams. All teams at our school deserve to have the full support of their peers behind them. The school offers several sports to students, and these sports deserve attention too. Other teams have exciting moments in their games, too. Victories and losses alike they would love to share with a crowd. All teams
deserve to feel valued by an audience or people who recognize the hard work and skill the players devote to their sport. The hype created over football results a the large turnout in the student section. The record of attendance and international recognition at football games is proof of the amount of people available to support other sports. The comparison of the football student section to another sport’s student section discourages those players in their efforts to be an athlete representing their high school. Other teams like volleyball or bowling have games that don’t
get as much buildup or try to attend a few games need is a supportive attendance. Three varsity for every sport during the student section, not a football games generated school year. selective one. $2,913 in ticket sales, It’s important while three volleyball for all the athletes to games generated only be considered and $1,610 in sales. represented. What we Students should make an effort to support all athletes in what they do, not just the athletes they’re friends with, or the ones who get the most coverage. No one has to go to every game that occurs, but students should at least Illustration by Taylor Trostle
Skating for a spot in the school line-up Shane Stratton Reporter
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kateboarding is a great pastime and brings many people lots of fame and money. For example, Paul Rodriguez is a well-known professional skateboarder praised by skaters around the world. He gets to do something he loves and gets paid for it everytime he does it. Sadly, a lot of aspiring skateboarders won’t get to experience a skating career like this because they have nowhere to skate, no one to help them, and no way to get their talents recognized. If Texas high schools adopted skateboarding
as an official sport, many schools would benefit. By entering the school’s skateboard team into official competitions, the school would have a chance to win money which could go towards supporting the team and other school related extracurricular activities. By having a skateboarding team, lots of students would have a great way to stay involved with school, and stay healthy. Skateboarding requires lots of coordination, a valuable skill to have even for a different career. Contrary to popular belief, skateboarders do not follow the stereotype of law-
breaking “hoodrats”, evading the cops every minute. In fact, plenty of skateboarding teams are dedicated to religion and skateboard to raise money for their churches. In turn, if skateboarding was adopted as an official sport, high schools would have many opportunities to make money for school-related activities. Creating a team for the school would be a fun and healthy way to keep students active and social as well. Creating a skateboarding team would also give many students a second home. Most students these days tend to just go home, sit around and watch Netflix
all day, but if high schools had skateboarding teams, a lot of students would have something to look forward to after school. It would be a fun, welcoming environment where students could make new friends and learn new skills. The team could even take annual trips to Woodward Skateboard Park where students could skateboard to fundraise money for their team and get excited to participate in something never done before in Texas. By making skateboarding an official high school sport, it would give a lot of students a chance at recognition for their skill,
and possibly land them a career as a professional skateboarder. Schools can offer an equal number of athletic teams for both genders, which follows UIL guidelines and leaves no downside to having a skateboarding team for the school. So what is this generation waiting for? Students should strive to create a place that supports being active and give everyone a second place to call home. It’s time for athletic departments in Texas to become modernized and recognize skateboarding as an official state sport.
It’s a skinny, skinny shame Rebekah Kish
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Online Editor
n response to a societal movement to reclaim women’s self image from objectivity, popular radio has seen a surge in songs promoting body positivity in thicker girls. Hit songs like “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor or “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj try to accomplish this, but do so at the expense of thinner body types. In addition, these songs also emphasize the importance of male approval - that a
woman’s confidence should stem from having what men want. Despite the unrealistic images girls see daily, Trainor in “All About That Bass” sings about the fabrication in magazines caused by Photoshop and imageenhancing software. As the songs goes on it becomes disappointing because she sings lyrics like, “I’m bringing booty back. Go ahead and tell them skinny (derogatory name for females) that...”. Trainor’s song helps the “bigger” girl feel good about herself, but in the same
verse she puts down the thinner girls and covers her tracks by blowing it off as a light joke. Trainor sings, “Yeah my mama she told me don’t worry about your size. She says, ‘Boys like a little more booty to hold at night.’” This lyric contradicts the song’s original message and alludes to the idea that girls’ self-worth should come from a man’s approval. She essentially says a man’s gaze is more important than her own self image. In reality, a person’s size does not affect relationships, friendships or romances,
but rather his or her identity. We tend to forget this in the hype of songs like these. Our generation knows the lyrics which resurfaced in Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda”, which talks about how women should have the assets a man wants. Minaj also repeatedly insults skinnier women, calling them derogatory names and pinning “skinny” women as not good enough. Society in the past portrayed a postivie view on the thin look, but after realizing the problems it created, society shifted
from one extreme to the other, concentrating on having a booty and not being a skinny-mini and instead puts down girls. We need to get to the point where we do not have a concern about weight, but what type of morals someone has. Everyone should strive as a culture to lift up positive attitudes and actions and not a body type. Everyone should view their body however they wish within their own definition of self-worth and encourage others to do the same.
‘Cypress Creek of what?’ Maci Smith
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Features Editor
lease stand for the morning pledge.” Moaning sighs of students filter through the air. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America...” Silence. “Please remain standing for the Texas pledge.” “Honor the Texas flag...” More silence. “Please be seated for the minute of silence.” The talking becomes louder and the lectures
start, ignoring the minute of silence. This whole process takes about two minutes. Two minutes used to honor our country. The minute of silence is a time for students and teachers to pray or reflect on their day. It is rude to interrupt the people who actually use that time for themselves. People will not say the pledge unless everyone does. They think people might look at them, but the students not participating should receive the awkward stares. Do not feel scared or shy to stand up and say the pledges. Soldiers
risk their lives every day to give us that right to even say the pledge, and the least we can do is say it for them. We need to show them that we are truly thankful for everything they do. Not all teachers say the pledge, which does not show a very good example for the students. Teachers need to promote saying the pledge in class. Everyone tries their hardest to show patriotism on days like the 4th of July and Veterans Day because that is the popular thing to do. Why not make these days like every day?
Do not let a normal day stop you from showing your love for the country we live in. Students will go all out to dress up for “‘Merica Monday”, claiming they respect America, but then the same morning those students will not even say the pledge or stay quiet for one minute. We call ourselves Cypress Creek of America, but is that true? We live and go to school in America, but do not properly represent America. We should not call ourselves Cypress Creek of America until we can truly prove we deserve that title.
OPINION
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Lost in translation Sophomores caught in cross-fires of academy transition LIbby Sullivan
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Reporter
n response to a change in graduation laws set by the state, school administration adjusted the academy structure for the current school year to a twoacademy system which now pairs sophomores with freshmen in the CHAMPS academy. Under the impression they would move up the academy system, sophomores are retained in their previous academy as a result of yet another overhaul in the education system by the State Board of Education. House Bill 5 puts into place new graduation requirements. Texas education no longer follows the previous four-by-four plan, which
mandated students take four years of the four core subjects; and in its place, adopted a system called “endorsements.” This new graduation plan forces students to choose a program of study. With this shift, the school faced the difficult task of communicating HB5 to students and teachers with very little concrete information from the State Board of Education. Last year’s freshmen spent time choosing their future academies and planned on moving into their new homes on the first day of school but soon found out they were back in the CHAMPS academy, which was known amongst students as the “baby academy,” since it housed only freshmen. It was not only disappointing, but
frustrating, because sophomores lack direction as to what the future of their education looks like. The school’s staff wants to help and be able to inform students, but they have little control over what information they receive. The powersthat-be who controls the main rules and distribute information is the State Board of Education. They create new laws for schools and decide what is best for a student in the classroom when, in reality, less than half of the people on the Board were previously educators. Even though they met all of the requirements needed to be on the Board, they don’t always know what is needed for a student to have a successful classroom experience.
The State Board of Education made a decision that confused and frustrated students and staff, and they make these decisions thinking they understand what is best for a student in the classroom, when in reality, all they need to do is ask the students and teachers to see what is really needed to create a productive learning process. For more of this story, go online to www.cchspress.com
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to good design that catches the non-reader, I feel as though the Cougar Connection has now surpassed past limitations and leapt to uncharted territory. My mission is to take this paper to new levels, to cover stories that matter, just like our sex-ed in-depth story, and make our students and staff self-aware of where they stand in the world around them. That being said, I introduce to readers the first issue of Cougar Connection under my new rule.
Cougar Connection is published four times during the school year by the newspaper staff at Cypress Creek High School. The publication has been established as a designated public forum for students expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its audience. Student editors make all content decisions. The opinions expressed are those of students and do not necessarily reflect the views of the adviser, administration, Cypress Creek High School faculty or CypressFairbanks Independent School District employees. Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Cougar Connection staff. Letters to the editor are welcome and should be brought to the journalism room, 1446. To be printed, letters must be signed, legible, 300 words or less, and contain the author’s full name. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters will be edited for minor spelling and grammar mistakes. Should a letter be too long or contain errors in fact, excessive grammatical errors, or unprotected speech, it will be returned to the author for resubmission. Cougar Connection, an awardwinning student newspaper, is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Cougar Connection is printed by Tristar Web Graphics of Houston.
ADVERTISING POLICY The staff reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed inappropriate for a high school publication, including products or services that are illegal for minors. In cases involving political advertising, efforts will be made to solicit all points of view.
Letter from the Editor he very first moment I walked through the doors of 1446 three years ago, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Originally, I joined journalism half-heartedly, figuring it would be something I would just drop after the first year. I never knew the blood, sweat and literal tears I would put into this paper, but here I am. This issue represents the embodiment of these last few years of my time in newspaper. From a burning desire to cover issues that matter to my peers
Vol. 38, No. 1 • 2014-2015 Cypress Creek High School Attn: Journalism Dept. 9815 Grant Road Houston, TX 77070 281-897-4246 Fax: 281-897-4193 EDITORIAL POLICY
STAFF
Colin Morris
Editor-in-Chief: Colin Morris Print Editor: Hala Khan Online Editor: Rebekah Kish Business Manager: Kristin Russell News Editor: Jessica Bott Features Editor: Maci Smith Entertainment / Opinion Editor: Audrey Jones Sports Editor: Chloe Trejo Catwalk Editor: Tyler Hooks Copy Editors: Rosalind Williamson Connor Seymour Design Editor: Carlos Medina
Photo Editor: Holly Hearn Staff Artist: Taylor Trostle Staff: Alisha Balderramos Brianne McCollum Caline Forward Jackson Glenn Jimmy Pacheco Lance Losey Lauren Lambert Libby Sullivan Miranda Duncan Philip Ally Rayya Gordon Riley Manteris Shane Stratton Trent St. Laurent Adviser: Samantha Berry
40 SECONDS A true story Caline Forward
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Reporter
very forty seconds someone dies from committing suicide. I was almost one of them. Every single word of this column is true. It happened. I happened. And this is my story.
Sirens. The sirens pierced the air with their shrill call, jerking the citizens of the hospital’s waiting room from their books and halting conversations mid-sentence. The people muffled profanities beneath bated breath when the ambulance pulled into the loading zone outside of the waiting room, one person muttering, “Oh great,” and others commenting, “Well that’s comforting.” I cringed, knowing those sirens were calling me.
Goosebumps. Goosebumps layered atop my skin as my coat of armor shielded myself from the blasting air-conditioning above us. Mom jostled me, attempting to wake me up from my inescapable trance. Realizing the daze was not easily broken, she took my shaking hand and helped me stand on my weak feet. As we shuffled to the open door, a pixielike woman slid her hand around my waist and supported me as I walked toward the ambulance.
Eyes. The pity buried in them from the waiting room. Citizens who recently considered me “one of the waiting” beat down on me with their unwavering scrutiny, along with their weak expressions of guilt from words formerly spoken.
Tears. They arrived hot and fast to sear my cheeks and to stain my clothes when we took our first step outside; yesterday’s bliss blowing away from the welcome-to-reality burst of wind. The new goosebumps covering my body were bolded and italicized compared to the dainty ones that layered my skin back in the land of plastic chairs, weak coffee and fluorescent lighting. The beaming lights on the ambulance and the achingly cold winter-air blinded me, causing my knees to buckle and my fear to only grow stronger.
Blankets. The physician wrapped them around me like a shield of protection in a much needed but ineffective hug. I managed to mutter an indecipherable “thank you” to no one in particular, hugging it close to me and continuing the long walk to the beckoning truck. The lights burned everything in sight to a red, then a white and a blue, as the pixie woman supported my quaking knees and legs to carry me into this new place.
Stairs. As I first stepped inside, a gurney locked to the floor caught my eye. My new pixie friend instructed Mom to follow behind us in her car, on our way to the destination the mental hospital. The doors of the truck closed before she could reply, her answer now unattainable and my care for anything too far gone. I was still so far away.
Dizziness. The vehicle began running and the physician helped me crawl onto the gurney, me plopping atop it and her lightly strapping me down. Closing my eyes, I took a shaking breath and attempted to take comfort in the darkness behind my eyelids. The synthetic fibers holding me tight gave me a sense of safety – more than anything, from myself.
Fear. Not for where I am. Just for what’s within. *** This story is the first personal colum of a series, chroniciling my journey. The other installments will appear in the following issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please contact an adult or contact Suicide Hotline at (713) HOTLINE or (713) 468-5463.
Walk to Save Lives Coming to Houston November 1st, the Out of The Darkness Community Walk gets held at Town Green Park in the Woodlands. Come on the 5k walk to help support suicide prevention for free. And if you’re unable to come, attendance is not needed - one can still support the cause by donating even $10 to the campaign.
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PHOTO ESSAY Design by Lance Losey
Taking a knee: In the endzone, senior Kourtland Daughtry kneels in respect of America. The varsity Cougars lost to Langham Creek 23-48. Photo by Veronika Schiebler
Going the distance: Fending off the defense, junior Tre Earls fights for extra yards at the Langham Creek game. Junior Myles Williams and senior Colin Hill rushed to help block Langham Creek defenders from reaching Earls. Photo by Holly Hearn
Beaming for the boys in blue (above): After the half-time performance, senior Katie Greer, junior Isabelle Agurcia, and senior Morgan Farmer smile to the crowd. Photo by Holly Hearn Off to the races (right): Junior Blake Hughes dives into the water at an inner school meet. Photo by Abby Akard
Eye of the Cougar: Concentrating on the ball, junior Cyrus Tabibian follows through with his forehand at the Langham Creek game. This is Tabibian’s third year in the tennis program. Photo by Skylar Campbell
‘Hear our battle cry’ (left): Juniors Kylie McDougald and Kacie Lee and seniors Kayla Garcia and Lindsay Rau sing out the school song to cheer on the boys in blue. Photo by Skylar Campbell
‘Runner runner’ (below): Senior Max Clark, sophomore Michael Campbell and junior Tommy Watson train for cross country. Photo by Holly Hearn
Can you dig it?: Senior Ashleigh Teal gets low to hit the ball in the varsity game against Klein Oak. Photo by Skylar Campbell
All doctored up: Junior Christina Abed wraps junior Bryon Forte’s wrist at the game against Klein Oak. This is Forte’s first year on varsity and he plays on the offensive line. Photo by Lance Losey Shake it off (above): Senior Asya Gorshunina twirls her flag to the band at the varsity game against Langham Creek. Photo by Veronika Schiebler
SPORTS SPORTS
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“It’s gettin’ hot in here”
Band keeps spirits high in summer heat
Copy Editor
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he whirring of the MRI echoed across the tile floor as freshman Zachary Zinsky lay inside. The soft glow inside still shone through his closed eyelids. The machine scanned once more, searching for any sign of heat damage to Zinsky’s brain. Damage not from football, basketball or cross-country, but after a grueling day of summer band. While Zinsky wound up unscathed, he remembers it as one of the scariest days of his life. However, under new direction, the band strives to make safety a priority. Band Director Brian Drake said he dedicates himself to preventing incidents like Zinsky’s. “Actually this year and last year, the band
[has] not had any students actually faint,” Drake said. In cases like Zinsky’s, Drake said identifying the signs of heat exhaustion early helps to keep students safer. “We prevent [Zinsky’s case] from occurring by looking at the students, and seeing if they’re out of sorts, or they’re saying they are out of sorts,” Drake said. Drake hopes to reduce injuries year by year by catching students who show signs of heat exhaustion. “They have a dazed look on their face,” he said. “They may not be sweating as much as they should be because they’re not hydrated, they aren’t looking very coordinated, or not as coordinated as they usually are.” The band directors emphasize the importance of slowly increasing expectations for the students,
especially those coming from eighth grade. “We totally understand if it’s like the first day of summer band and [the students] are not used to the strain that that much heat causes the body,” Drake said. “But we try and figure out as well what they need to do so that as the
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Band students work hard out there in the heat, and I believe they’re better for it.
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Connor Seymour
weeks go on, they’re not feeling ill as often.” Some students believe that shaming exists toward asking for breaks and water in the face of the scorching heat; however, Drake believes
students need to embrace full transparency with their needs during practice. “I think that certain students may place that [stigma] upon themselves,” Drake said. “That they may feel like they don’t want to let us down, that they don’t want to let the band down, that they don’t want us to think that they aren’t trying.” Many band students, including band senior Naren Makkapati, agree the heat controls the amount of work band can get done. “The heat is probably the biggest influence on how well the band rehearses,” Makkapati said. “There are a lot of days where it’s really humid and above 100 degrees, and the band doesn’t get as much done as we would like. On other days when it’s close to 70 or 80 something, we speed
through rehearsal.” He believes conditioning for summer band helps to build stronger students who can endure more. “There’ll be times after school that I walk outside and a normal student says ‘Wow, it’s hot out here’ at the same time I say ‘This is refreshingly cool’,” Makkapati said. In the face of nearboiling temperatures, the students continue on for the glory of a perfect performance, the thrill of the crowd, and the love of their instruments. “Band students work hard out there in the heat, and I believe they’re better for it,” Drake said. “Just like football, just like baseball, basketball, or any other sport, the heat is a central part of what we do in band and a central concern to us directors.”
‘Minor setback in a major comeback’
Football player works to move forward from injury
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Sports Editor
ife took sophomore offensive lineman Grayson Reed on a emotional roller coaster. In June, Reed visited Boise State University to attend a summer football camp and received information which left him stunned but excited. “While I was there they told me they were watching film on me a few months before I got up there,” Reed said. After returning from camp, Reed received a direct message on Twitter from one of the coaches at BSU asking Reed to call them. That phone call brought news that he received a scholarship to play at Boise State University after only one year of playing high school football. “It felt good because
to be only 15 years old, and a sophomore, already getting scholarship offers,” Reed said. “It felt really good because this is my dream.” Reed intensified his workouts during the summer in order to bring his skills to a higher level for his new position on the varsity team. “It was something that he needed to do to help him out athletically and he did it,” Coach Umana Essien said. Offensive line coach Scott Holloway, assistant offensive line coach Larry McCage and Essien all helped guide Reed throughout his journey beginning in Reed’s freshman year. “I and Coach McCage helped the development of Grayson,” Essien said. “But Coach Scott Holloway has played a tremendous role in
Grayson’s development and push towards academic excellence.” Almost two months after receiving his scholarship in June, Reed’s future didn’t look so bright. Tragedy struck in a scrimmage against West Side High School. “I wasn’t really scared, I was just disappointed and sad,” Reed said. “I was sitting there getting iced while they were trying to figure out what was wrong with me, and my team was doing so good and I was just on the sidelines.” During a warm up, Reed tore his meniscus, which left him facing surgery and a long road of recovery ahead. His team would start the season without him. “It affected the team tremendously because Grayson was going to be the starting left tackle,”
Essien said. “It was a very sad moment for us and probably an even sadder moment for Grayson because he worked so hard over the summer at SAC camp.” Reed said his friends, family and coaches supported him throughout his injury.
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THEY KNOW WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF AND WHAT I CAN DO.
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Chloe Trejo
“My dad had some of my teammates come over and we sat down to talk about the injury and how
my teammates and my family feel,” Reed said. “They know I can play college football one day and they support me all the way.” Reed said his mom and dad supported him greatly not just throughout his injury, but with his academics. “Grayson’s parents are big advocates for academics and athletics,” Essien said. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have that support except Grayson is.” The help from his teammates, friends, coaches and family put Reed’s road to recovery on a fast track for success. “They think it’s a minor setback in a major comeback because they know what I am capable of and what I can do,” Reed said.
Photo by Tyler Hooks
SPORTS
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YOU CAN’T PLAY WATER POLO WITHOUT GETTING IN THE WATER.
BAEWATCH
SENIOR LILLIE LILLIE HAVENS HAVENS SENIOR SHARES A A STORY STORY SHARES OF TRIUMPH TRIUMPH ABOUT ABOUT OF OVERCOMING AN AN INJURY INJURY OVERCOMING THAT MAY MAY AFFECT AFFECT HER HER THAT FUTURE IN IN WATER WATER POLO. POLO. FUTURE
-LILLIE HAVENS, 12
Tyler Hooks Catwalk Editor
SCHOOL, WATER POLO, SLEEP. School, water polo, arm behind her, Havens she said. “I was in so
sleep. School, water polo, sleep. A pattern senior Lillie Havens lives by, aided by last season’s persistence, hard work and a watercentric lifestyle unlocked the key that lead her and the team to success placing second at the State Championship, but for Havens, the road to state came with a price. “It was such a huge accomplishment,” Havens said. “It’s my favorite memory.” School, water polo, sleep. School, water polo, sleep. School, water polo, sleep. In the water, she focuses on the game, drowns out the sound of the referees whistling, of the coaches yelling; she doesn’t even notice the crowd. With her nerves raging, she plays in the set position while her opponent holds her
continues to wrestle for the ball. Until she hears a snap, and a look of anguish and pain flash across her face. “As soon as my arm was pulled out of socket I obviously knew something was wrong but I had a horrible feeling that it was way worse than just a dislocated shoulder,” Havens said. “I couldn’t even get out of the water. My coach had to pull me out of by the strap of my swimsuit.” Unfortunately, Havens’ intuition seemed correct. Right on the brink of Regionals, she tore her labrum, spraining her rotator cuff in her right shoulder. Though Havens suffered a great deal of pain, the team’s chances at State clouded her thoughts. “My injury is now the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with concerning water polo,”
much pain I immediately thought that I wouldn’t be able to play in state and that I was going to let my team down. Thank God I throw with my left arm.” Though she currently needs a Bankart Repair surgery, a pulled out socket did not disable Havens from playing; she continued to defy her injury in order to lead her team to victory. “My coach and I are going to try to strengthen my shoulder throughout the year with exercises before the season starts so it’ll give me a better chance of making it through season,” she said. “Hopefully I will not be sitting out this season considering as a student at Cy Creek it will be my last.” School, water polo, sleep. Even with Havens’ plans for her future in jeopardy following her injury, she continues to
do what she does best. School, water polo, sleep. “The injury has taught me that I never really appreciated water polo. I always dreaded going to practice but now that I can’t do everything like I used to, I miss it a lot,” she said. “I let a lot of people down by not getting the surgery in the summer but my coach and parents want me to still play and try to push through.” As Havens continues to push through her injury, water polo coach Jeff Chandler said she has already gotten back in water. “Luckily it’s her right shoulder,” he said. “She’s got resistant bands that she’s in; they build up range of motion with her so it won’t tear anymore. We are strengthening the muscles around her shoulder, but she’s going to have to learn to fight off and not let people grab at it.” Havens plans to do
everything she can to remain a part of the team, but simply cheering on the sidelines will not last. “I want to be in the water so bad to actually help my team. I think about my injury getting worse all the time, it’s a very stressful subject for me,” she said. “Just from the past few weeks of swim practice it has gotten worse and it scares me that I won’t get to play polo.” As she tries to find the best time to get her surgery, Havens says she will continue to play her last season. “Water polo has helped me a lot throughout high school, it gives me motivation to work harder in school and get better grades to stay eligible and it has taught me to be patient with others and teamwork,” she said.“You can’t play water polo without getting in the water.”
FOR THE REST OF HAVENS’ STORY, GO TO WWW.CCHSPRESS.COM