Cougar Connection by Colin Morris

Cougar

Connection

Always watching Page 6

Teacher wins world-wide award for his students’ high performance. Page 2

Senior James Oswalt helps his mother through obstacles due to breast cancer. Page 4

Varsity volleyball player looks to God throughout her struggles. Page 12

Cypress Creek High School • 9815 Grant Road Houston, TX 77070 • Volume 37 • Issue 1 • October 17, 2013

2 NEWS

October 17, 2013

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Pride brought to school by teacher Computer science teacher wins award Hala KHAN Reporter Thomas Halbert, Computer Science and Networking Technologies teacher, received an award from the Cisco Networking Academy on Aug. 23, recognizing him as one of the top 25 percent of instructors in the world. Halbert’s award commends him on earning the title of Advanced-Level Instructor in Networking Technologies. The award acknowledges his use of resources, his participation in online instructor communities and his attention to students’ needs and performance. “He gets down on our personal level, so you understand what’s going on,” senior Areka Asif said. Halbert said he has a higher rate of students he gets through the course and certified, in Networking Technologies, than surrounding schools and local community colleges. “I’m very successful at getting my students through and done,” Halbert said. “The award is given to the top teachers in the world, and this includes instructors right there in the company, it includes college instructors, it includes high school instructors, [and] it includes trade school instructors, so it’s quite an honor.” Halbert said he didn’t submit an application, or apply for the award. “I didn’t see it coming,” he said. “It’s just something that they gave.” Halbert said he felt surprised and shocked when it came to him in an email. “A regular old email, ‘Congratulations, click this link

Buy Your

Teaching at its finest: Computer Science teacher, Thomas Halbert, teaches seniors Kevin Pedraza, Areka Asif and Brian Mendoza during his Networking Technologies class. Photo by Hala Khan

here, there or the other,’ and there was a certificate for me and the award,” Halbert said. “So, it was pretty nice.” Senior Kevin Pedraza said Halbert’s excitement showed in class. “He told us like twice,” Pedraza said. Pedraza said Halbert makes the class feel like a friendly environment. “He’s really good,” Pedraza said. “He’s really fun, he always cracks jokes.”

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Associate Principal Margaret Wiley said any faculty member that is recognized for their exemplary work brings a lot of pride to the school. “[It brings] a lot of assurance to the students and staffing community that we do, in fact, employ the best people in the world at Cypress Creek High School,” she said.

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October 17, 2013

Teacher encounters lump in road Vynna CHITOLIE Reporter Computer Science and Business Information Management teacher Cheryl Oswalt encountered her lump in the road early on. During a routine checkup, the doctor found a cancerous lump in Oswalt’s breast. After numerous scans, the doctor diagnosed her with stage two breast cancer in August 2012. “I was like ‘OK, what do I do next,” she said. “I’m not going to let anything like this get me down because I always see other people worse than me. It could’ve been worse cancer, it could’ve been all over.” Son of Cheryl Oswalt, senior James Oswalt said he was shocked just like every person would react. “You’re worried, hoping everything is going to be ok, thinking about what’s going to happen in the future and you just plan ahead all in that one moment,” he said. Senior Austin Wilson knew of her condition when Cheryl Oswalt taught him his junior year. “When you hear about someone having cancer it’s hard to say how it affects you,” he said. “I was at a loss for words. I wasn’t like ‘Mrs. Oswalt has cancer, she’s going to die,’ because with today’s medical technology it’s not impossible to overcome it, so I was hopeful that she would.” Cheryl Oswalt started her chemo treatment November 15, 2012 and received treatment every three weeks with four different kinds of chemo drugs until March. Throughout this time, James Oswalt used other means besides family to comfort himself.

“To make myself feel better I would research cancer on Google,” he said. “And my mom always said everything’s going to be ok.” James Oswalt said not having siblings did not make the situation harder. “I didn’t have to worry about comforting anyone else but me and my mom,” he said. As Cheryl Oswalt went through treatment, she received support in the form of flowers, cards, food, and prayers from family and friends. U.S. History teacher, Linda Allala, drove James Oswalt to school when Cheryl Oswalt couldn’t. “She lives near me so she asked if I could help drive her son back and forth from school whenever she was going to a doctor’s appointment or just didn’t feel well,” Allala said. “They’re very nice people. We’ve talked for over twenty years, and she’s been a good friend, and James is a very nice young man. I got to know him a lot more.” Cheryl Oswalt received support from her son as well. “My son was very good about it,” she said. “He didn’t gripe and complain.” James Oswalt said he did not constantly worry about her. “I acted the same way I always did with my mom,” he said. “We always had fun whenever we went and did stuff together or whenever we would talk around my house. We would always stay upbeat and not worry about it.” James Oswalt said his mother made the situation seem less severe than what it was. “To be honest, most of the time we would pretend that it didn’t exist” he said. “We kept all negative emotion out of it and we made each other feel better.”

Every step Cheryl Oswalt has taken to defeat her cancer has been successful. She has completed her chemo and will finish her hormonal treatment on December 5, 2013. “I’m thankful everything worked out great,” James Oswalt said. “I was confident she would make it through because she’s tough. Given enough time, every bad situation will turn out good.”

Like mother, like son: Senior James Oswalt and his mother Cheryl Oswalt pose for a photo together. Both have remained positve and hopeful during Cheryl Oswalt’s situation. Photo by Vynna Chitolie

Students fight for school-wide equality

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Class sets students up for success

A group of students are determined to tear down the divide in this school and ultimately, a generation. “That’s so gay.” “No homo.” “He-she.” These words seem harmless, but someone who identifies themselves as a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual (LGBT) community, might not feel the same way. These simple words can create a hateful environment. A new club, Gender-Sexuality Alliance, or GSA, will make its debut on campus as an organization pursuing schoolwide equality between genders and sexual preferences. Junior Connor Seymour is the president for this new club with a motivation to create a more LGBT friendly environment for the school. “I want people to feel like they can be themselves and not have to be closeted,” Seymour said. “I want this school to be more accepting.” Throughout the past few years, Seymour believes the school has opened up to the idea of welcoming the gay community, however, he thinks bringing GSA to the school could help better educate students on everything LGBT, including the transexual population. “Gay is acceptable-ish in the teenage mainstream right now because it’s this progressive attitude [towards gay students], that it’s not a bad thing anymore, but trans people are really misunderstood,” said Seymour. Meetings for GSA club will take place on Wednesdays after school in room 2343. Seymour’s aim for the first few gatherings are to get ideas for goals of GSA’s first year from

the students who attend. “GSA is only as strong as the people in it make it,” Seymour said. “I want to have the people voice ideas and then [we’ll] collaborate.” Not only is this organization new to the school, but also to Houston. Patrick Bussiere, a chair president of the Houston GSA network and president of Westside High School’s GSA, said GSA made it’s debut in the city this past July. “The network is like a directory of all the GSAs and works to keep all the GSAs connected,” Bussiere said. There are established clubs at the school that oppose the idea of a GSA, despite the many students who are for the idea of it. President of Cougars For Christ, Viridiana Gonzalez, does not approve of the LGBT community encouragement, but supports GSA’s motivation for equality. “We’re not okay with what they [LGBT students] are doing,” Gonzalez said. “[But] it would be awesome if we could contribute together, and do community service together. Despite people’s beliefs, we’re there for them if they need anything.” However, engaging in activism for the LGBT community in the school is one of GSA’s main goals. Senior Emmaleigh Kercsmar, Chief Social Representative of the school’s GSA, spoke about the district’s definition of No Place for Hate. “Our school is a No Place for Hate, but it doesn’t really focus on the homosexual part of that,” Kercsmar said. “One of our goals is to try and get that changed.” Kercsmar also emphasizes the importance of educating the school’s

SAT prep classes create noticeable differences in students college exam scores Hala KHAN Reporter

Students taking single-semester courses, such as SAT College Prep and Scholars, have seen a huge increase in their scores on college entrance exams. These courses go over the PSAT, SAT, SAT essay and ACT, covering the math, writing, and reading portions. Students and the course teachers agree the class prepared them for the test and contributed to a higher score. “Scholars is a little bit different than SAT Prep, but the actual material is the same,” said English III and SAT Prep course teacher Leah Basconi. “The way the class is run is different, and it’s over a longer period of time so they have a big head start in Scholars.” Since Scholars starts over the summer, Basconi said students have more time to study, but, the curriculum is the same as the SAT College Prep course. “A lot of times students come in and they don’t have any experience,” she said. “They’re not sure what’s on the test, or if they do know what’s on the test, all they know is that they need to bring up their score, but they don’t know how, so the

National organization helps unify Cougars of all orientations Audrey JONES Business Team

FEATURE

population about LGBT experiences and awareness, something she said GSA will do. “You have to grab people, you have to educate them, because they don’t understand fully what it means to be an LGBT teen,” she said. Primarily, the new Gender-Sexuality Alliance club will strive for activism, equality between students regardless of gender and sexuality preferences, and educate people on LGBT experiences themselves. “[GSA] is not here to talk, we’re here to do,” Kercsmar said. “You don’t have to be gay, you can be as straight as you want to be. Just join because you can.”

curriculum that we use, breaks everything down for [them].” Basconi said that in the course she covers a vocabulary section with the students, which includes all the words that they will definitely see on the tests. “For the writing we cover a set of writing rules that they need to know in order to answer the questions correctly,” Basconi said. “It’s all the writing rules that

“ What you put into it, is what you’re going to get out of it.

”

Leah Basconi English III, Prep Course Teacher

SAT Score Comparison Graph A recent survey of some of Cy Creek’s juniors and seniors shows that more students are receiving higher scores on the SAT after taking a prep course at school than those who didn’t.

5 4 3 2 1 0

130 0 135 1400 0 145 1500 1550 0 160 0 165 0 170 0 175 1800 0 185 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 0 220 2250 0 230 0 235 0 240 2450 0

4 FEATURE

Number of students and their scores that have taken a prep course Number of students and their scores that have not taken a prep course are tested on the test, and we do a lot of reading practice.” Senior Caro Achar said going over the words and completing assignments on the vocabulary really helped her. “[It] really forced us to take a greater look to words no one would ever use in regular conversation,” Achar said. Junior Jacob English said he learned a lot from the writing portion. “I learned a lot about grammar and actually know proper English and you know not necessarily what sounds right, but what is right,” he said. Basconi said the students receive a blue book that has ten full length practice SAT’s, which they covered in class. “I give them the tools and guidance,” Basconi said. “[But] if they don’t study then they won’t [improve].” Senior Emily Minner said she hadn’t expected the score she got at all, she expected much lower. “They went over all the math problems,

any type of reading, any type of grammar, literally everything, and it helps a lot,” Minner said. Scholars and English teacher Amanda Otten said the students benefit most from the constant practice since they study on their own and other priorities come up. “It’s not uncommon to see a student improve thirty points or more before [their] test,” Otten said. English said he was surprised by the amount of help it gave him. “I saw a huge increase in my score on the PSAT,” he said. “It definitely contributed to my success.” Basconi said that she could tell the students exactly what they need to do in order to improve their score, they just have to do it. “[If] the student comes to class, but they don’t really participate in the practice sections, they won’t see improvement,” Basconi said. “What you put into it is what you’re going to get out of it.”

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Equality for all: Junior Connor Seymour, founder of Gender-Sexuality Alliance club, holds up the equality flag. Photo by

Mykiah Brown

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6 IN-DEPTH

October 17, 2013

Stricter procedures for safer environment Maci SMITH Features Manager Rebekah KISH News Manager

Cold Cruel,Calculated Crime

evastation broke out when the theater department discovered vandalism on the hand painted dedication wall for former director Marilyn Miller, who passed away last year. The stage manager of Seussical: the musical, the first play of the school year, senior Stephen Dye, first saw the vandalism after school. “I walked in after school, and I looked at [Miller’s dedication] wall, because I noticed a chair was in front of it and it had red paint on it,” Dye said. “And then I looked at the wall, which also had red paint on it.” Dye sent a text message to the theater director Marilyn Ocker, to ask if she had seen the vandalism backstage. “He [Dye] didn’t describe the vandalism, so I had no idea what it was,” Ocker said. “My first thought wasn’t someone painting on [Miller’s dedication) wall. I never would have imagined that in a million years.” There was paint all over the floor and the chair. Ocker said she found the paint bucket the suspect used in the trash. “We had a ladder up against that wall, they moved the ladder, painted that, then put the ladder back up against the wall,” she said. When Ocker informed PVA assistant principal, Richard Alcorn, he called it a crime of opportunity and they had to to keep everything locked away since the backstage has no cameras. “Unfortunately they [theater students] are just going to have to be a little better at packing up the stuff and unpacking,” Alcorn said. “It was a stupid act by a kid that

Procedure When the school goes into a state of emergency, Trujillo

first has to call the district. The district calls the police and then communications gets involved to help get the word out to the parents. Under Trujillo, there is a command support group from the health science academy principal Jennifer Landry then it goes down to other academy administration, who stay in contact with radios and phones. “When somebody gets hurt or injured through an emergency situation anywhere, that’s when that place becomes a crime scene,” Trujillo said. Once an injury occurs, the situation is out of administration’s hands. “When that happens we become in direct conjunction and support of our local police,” Trujillo said. She said sometimes administration can not share anything, but what they can share they relay to the district who sends it out via the calling communicator or key communicator. “It weighs so heavily on your mind,” Trujillo said. “We’re in the business of wanting you to learn and be safe and feel safe. Our number one goal is for our teachers and our students to feel safe.”

Prevention Safety preventions start by having a code of conduct,

The aftermath: The treasured dedication wall was vandalized mid-september after school. It was found by senior Stephen Dye. Photo by Rebekah Kish

was sitting around with nothing to do.” To prevent this from happening again, the theater department started taking extra precautionary measures, as instructed by Alcorn. “We lock everything when we leave, every single door,” sophomore Kayli Hamilton said. “If someone is back there who isn’t part of the theater department, we get them out of there. Rehearsal starts and we are closing the door and if they are late they have to call someone to let them in.” After the crime had sunk in, senior Chad Dyer said it showed all theater students the amount of security needed backstage.

Reactions from vandalism

“It killed me inside.” Anelia Johnson Junior

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“Everyone was confused, like ‘What’s going on?,’” Dyer said. “I was ready to do everything myself if no one else would.” The students learned from their mistakes and changed the security in the theater because of it. Every morning, passing period and end of the day there is a door check to make sure all theater doors are locked. “You always look for a silver lining in the cloud,” Ocker said. “I try to find a teachable moment in every situation and that teachable moment is that I have some great kids with some great hearts. I love my kids and for me thats what I’m going to walk away with.”

“It was just awful to see something like that defaced.” Chad Dyer- Senior “That honestly hurt all of the people. It made us feel violated.” Kayli Hamilton- Sophomore

student handbook, and ends with staff involvement Willey said having a governing handbook that states what’s OK and what’s not as, well as time spent in class talking about key issues harmful to students. “Something as simple as taking attendance can be preventive. Yes we have to do it because the law says so, but it’s a preventive measure if you’re not in class and I

What do you believe your role is as a crisis prevention team member?

IN-DEPTH don’t report,” Wiley said. “It’s what if you are out doing something else.” Teachers have a big responsability for the safety of our students. They constantly check the doors around them to lock them and make sure they stay locked throughout the school day. “It goes as far as individual staffers making relationships with the kids, building relationships with the kids, that the classrooms are inviting,” Wiley said. “If those things are in place you will be less likely to step out of bound.” CFISD has its own police force called Cypress Fairbanks Police Department, on campus to help increase the safety levels. “Officers on campus are here to educate, prevent and guide the students,” Wiley said. “Yes, they’re here to protect, but inevitably we want them to inform.” As well as having an officer’s presence on campus the school does other safety procedures throughout the year. “We have random in-house searches, while we don’t want to find anything during that time, it’s more of an awareness so everyone knows that we have procedures in place, that there is a consequence if you behave in that way on our campus,” Wiley said. She said that there’s a school’s tip line, www. schooltipline.com , so students can send administration tips beforehand on suspicious activity. “We treat everything as if it is the word, we treat everything as if its going to happen,” Wiley said. “We have to be rational.”

Plan of Action The responsibility of keeping all 3,264 students safe

every day lies on administration. Associate principal Maggie Wiley said the key to safety is being seen and seeing kids. The chances of someone in the school doing something decreases, if students see all of the staff out patrolling. “The best prevention is having a school where students feel connected to and take ownership of, and that they feel that the majority of us care about them,” Wiley said. Principal Sandy Trujillo said they practice all safety procedures. All teachers on campus take training for all emergency plans. “If you’re in a large group, there’s an element,”Trujillo said. “We want to diminish the lack of safety,” After years of discussion, administration decided this year students will need to start wearing the school issued identification badges at all times. “We have a plan in place if you lose it, but we have to lay it out what it would look like if someone says ‘I’m not going to where it’,” Wiley said. The ID badges have not been put in place as a consequence but as a safety precaution for the campus. Wiley said the consequence have not been determined yet. “Ultimately, in my opinion, is safety, and making sure that you’re known. We have to be able to discern who belongs and who doesn’t,” Wiley said. “Its really just identifying ourselves as members of Cypress Creek.” Even though the administration have rules they expect students to follow, rules are never enough for the safety of all 3,264 students at the end of the day. “We have 54 entrances and exits and I can tell you to not open the door all day, but at the end of the day we have to do more,” Wiley said. “We have to go that extra mile to verify.”

“ We ”

are kind of the guardians of the school and as long as students know we are out here and that we are seeing what’s going on. Sandra Windham World Geography

“I

try to keep everyone calm while I wait for instructions.

role is just to make sure that in the classroom, I’m monitoring my students and being available if anyone is in need of extra assistance.

Andrea Barnes Read 180

”

Allison Marz English 1

“My

”

October 17, 2013

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OPINION

Good luck seniors of 2018

Cougar

The former 4x4 graduation plan that outlined the content of schedules will, for the most part, not affect future students, but for the current Adolfo MUNOZ student body it Reporter seems like a case of too little, too late. The Foundation plan, packaged within House Bill 5 and coupled with a change from 15 to five STARR tests required for graduation, will require students entering as freshmen for the 2014-15 school year to take four years of English and three years of science, math and social studies. Supporters of the bill claim the reduction in the four main academic classes will allow students to have greater freedom in choosing more specialized electives in preparation for future careers or college majors. At first look, students seem shortchanged. In a time when college education has more and more emphasis heaped upon it, many will say that cutting and removing class requirements cannot be the logical course of action. Yet these changes open up slots for desired courses, academic or elective. If a student wishes to enter college with a greater amount of college credit, the new policy allows more leeway in choosing advanced placement courses. If a student wants to begin early training and education to pursue a specific job after graduation, they have the choice to sign up for appropriate related courses and earn course endorsements. This applies to any student pursuing any career or students searching for the “right” career by attending different electives. This policy change provides freedom of choice. It grants students the opportunity to have a greater say in their class choices and schedules. Despite the timing of this change in policy, it looks like a step in the right direction. Besides, many of the students disappointed that the change will not apply to them, in a year or more, will have graduated and made the transition into the real world.

4x4 and HB5 Graduation Plan Comparison

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4 credits

Math

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Electives

7.5

5.5

4.5

Course Endorsements

Total Credits

Sam Says: Senior year bucket list

My parents did not allow me to do anything until my senior year of high school. No dances, no parties, no driving me to sports games (not that they didn’t allow me to go, but they wouldn’t go out of their way to take me), I didn’t get to go to any talent shows, Lighting of the CC’s, Mr. Cy Creek, the spring fashion show, nothing. My mom always told me my senior year would be the year I could do whatever I wanted. I heard over and over, “If you do Samantha CASAS everything before you’re suppose to, then when you are allowed Editor-in-Chief to do it, it’s no big deal.” So now I have compiled a list of things I want to do, and things I think every senior should do before they graduate.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Take senior portraits. Although this may seem mandatory, it’s not. There’s no other feeling than the one you get when they put that cap and gown on you, give you a diploma to hold and tell you to smile real big. Attend sporting events. I finally went to a home volleyball game, I’m telling you, it was intense. Make/wear/buy homecoming mums. Only the seniors wear their all white mums, although, I’m not going to lie, I threw in a little pink. Attend Lighting of the CC’s. It’s just awesome, go. Go to the homecoming game and dance. You can not go to one and not the other, they go hand-in-hand. Go to the talent show and Mr. Cy Creek. Or basically any event that a lot of people attend. Go for the experience, enjoy being with your friends and add some memories to your life. PROM/ SNAP. I think it’s pointless to go before senior year. Wait your turn, then it will seem special and new. As a senior, this night will be the last dance you will go to with your class, you might not see these people again.

Connection Vol. 37, No. 1 • 2013-2014 Cypress Creek High School Attn: Journalism Dept. 9815 Grant Road Houston, TX 77070 281-897-4246 Fax: 281-897-4193 EDITORIAL POLICY Cougar Connection is published every six weeks 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. STAFF Editor-in-Chief: SAMANTHA CASAS Managing Editor: JENNA MORELAND Online Editor: COLIN MORRIS

Lanyard policy proves potential

Business Manager: MYKIAH BROWN

This school year, administration implemented the use of identification badges for all students. Although pictures have been taken for the badges, administration has not yet decided the details of the new policy. Many students are concerned that administration will generate consequences consisting of harsh punishments when they leave their ID at home. So far, administration decided some punishments would consist of a fee for ordering a new ID badge or to have a temporary one because they must be worn around the neck at all times. If this is the case, administration needs to understand many students will forget or lose their badges since they will not be accustomed to carrying one around. Not to mention, administration should provide

Features Manager: MACI SMITH

Staﬀ EDITORIAL

lanyards for all students because some may not have the time or means to go out and buy something they did not choose to have. Lanyards can range from $2-$12, and when 3300 students in the school need to buy one, all the cheap ones will run out, making it hard for those who need $10 to buy a meal or put gas in their car, buy a necessity for school, plus being charged if they forget their badge. According to assistant principal Jennifer Landry, ID badges will help with safety and students wanted them when they need to show identification. Other than that and until guidelines are created, students do not have much to complain about the policy. It was implemented to ensure safety on the campus and keeps out non-visitors. The policy will make it easier to identify students and keep

many from lying about their identity when getting in trouble or asked questions. Overall, students would prefer ID badges over a uniform policy any day and the use of badges could help prevent future discipline issues. In the meantime, administration needs to keep in mind the chances of every student and teacher following the new guidelines are low and consequences should be kept to a minimum.

Business Team: ANDREA ANDERSON, AUDREY JONES News Manager: REBEKAH KISH

Entertainment /Opinion Manager: TYLER HOOKS Sports Manager: KRISTIN RUSSELL Photo Editor: VERONIKA SCHIEBLER Design Editor: CARLOS MEDINA Staff Artist: TAYLOR TROSTLE Staff : ADOLFO MUNOZ CALINE FORWARD CHLOE TREJO FRIDA DELGADILLO HALA KHAN JESSICA BOTT VYNNA CHITOLIE Adviser: SAMANTHA BERRY

10 ENTERTAINMENT

October 17, 2013

cchspress.com

Cafeteria takes heat in lunch showdown Carlos MEDINA Design Editor

School

Every day in the school cafeteria, perfectly good food gets thrown away by students. Most people would agree the school lunch tastes poorly. It seems like every year the quality of cafeteria food decreases. A food test, conducted at the Berry Center, determines what schools will serve during lunch. Anyone from faculty members to parents and students can come. If enough students show up they could have a significant say in what they want to see served at their schools. The taste of the food is not the cafeteria workers’ fault, it’s based off of the decisions made by the district. “The pizza is not as good as last year,” Sharon Wigley, a cafeteria cook said. “We have to coat the pans and the kids complain that the food’s too oily.” According to the cafeteria staff, the school lunch has not decreased in nutritional value, although student believe it decreased in quality. “I think the food is very healthy,” Sharonda Desso, another cafeteria lady said. “The kid’s don’t like it, but it’s healthy.” With guidelines set by the school district, food must become more nutritious every year in order to comply with state laws. As many already know, healthy food isn’t always the popular choice, especially by students. With all the complaints we decided to put cafeteria food to the test.

Pizza

Survey Results

Of the 20 people tested, students prefered:

Macaroni

95% Mr. Gatti’s

Chicken Strips

Store Bought

School

Homemade

65%

k c i ff P

School

COUGAR k l a w t a C

Getting Handsy

Nails transform into high fashion

Junior strives for Olympic gold

45% 55%

35%

Stick it

SPORTS

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Many of the cafeteria staff recommend the lasagna and oven baked chicken. Try it out!

Jessica BOT T Reporter Junior Levi Anderson trains every day with one goal in mind: becoming a member of the United States Olympic gymnastics team. Training as a gymnast for about 13 years, Anderson went to Nationals three times and earned his rank as 21 in the nation. He’s determined to meet his mark by becoming the top 18th gymnast in the nation in order to qualify for the Procter & Gamble championships. “Nationals was a great experience every year I have been,” he said. “I think the reason I didn’t make the P&G championships is because I needed a little bit of failure to truly succeed.” Many people have motivated Anderson and his life’s decisions, but one person really caught his eye and stood out to him. “My coach Nick Brooks, he influences me in a positive way because he makes sure I don’t screw up my life the same way he says he did,” Anderson said. “The main thing is that he helped me keep my mind straight at Nationals.” Anderson and Brooks have a very rare relationship that not most coaches and students have. Brooks helps him through rough times inside and outside of his gymnastics life. “I think because of our unique relationship that we have, it allows him to see that I want him to not only reach his gymnastics goals, but his life goals as well,” Brooks said. “Therefore, he is influenced by me and the decisions that I make for his workout plan.” Anderson said his third year of going to Nationals was all about making the P&G championships. “My shoulder gave out on rings,” Anderson said. “I missed the P&G’s by three tenths of a point. I mean it’s close, but I’m not quite there yet.” Anderson said he idolizes former Olympian, Chris Brooks, Nick Brooks’ younger brother, who also graduated from Cy Creek, as a mentor. “He went through a lot of injuries and has been able to overcome them and still become a successful Olympic

gymnast,” Anderson said. Nick Brooks said he could see the disappointment in Anderson’s face as soon as he ended his rings event. “Everything seemed to be going as expected, then he was up on rings, which is an event that he can nail with ease,” he said. “He missed the routine, and I could tell by

“ Every

me to me doing gymnastics,” Anderson said. “My personal life is gymnastics. It’s not even a sport, it’s a lifestyle.”

year, every pass, every turn I take in the gym is a step forward to the Olympics. Levi Anderson 11

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the look in his face that he was upset and [he] thought that all the work he did to prepare himself had gone to waste.” Eager to exceed his dream by becoming an Olympic gymnast, Anderson’s parents have been with him through thick and thin during his strive to become an Olympic Hopeful. “All we can do is try to support his single most passion in life, gymnastics,” father Brian Anderson said. Practicing for four and a half hours every single day, Anderson concentrates on meeting his goals to become a trainee for the Olympics. “Every year, every pass, every turn I take in the gym is a step forward to the Olympics,” Anderson said. Through all the stress and pressure, Anderson’s moving up to accomplish making it to the P&G championships. “I figured out my weakness and did a little ‘extra grind’ in the gym and have been working toward making my weak events my best events,” he said. Anderson’s life revolves around gymnastics and said his ultimate dream’s going to the Olympics. “My personal life has pretty much gone from me being

Alamo Challenge: February of last year in San Antonio, TX, Anderson performed on the highbar and placed second in Nationals. Photo by Brian Anderson

Tyler HOOKS

Entertainment/ Opinion Manager Nails have recently reached the top of fashion trends with their unique display and accessibility to the everyday gal. Whether they’re gel, shellac, acrylic, or a simple manicure; nails present a more chic style bringing fine art and design to finger tips. Today nail salons represent a fortress of quick, posh style offered to anyone who steps into its premises. People walk in and leave with a fashion statement glued, pressed, or polished to their nails. Junior Lindsey Rau said when she gets her nails done she walks out a new woman. “There’s a salon down the street that I go to all the time,” Rau said. “I call and make an appointment, then when I get there they put me in a massage chair and do my feet and nails at the same time. It makes you feel like a princess because you get to sit back and relax.” With a single stroke of polish, nails can easily lighten

anyone’s mood. Senior Angie Curry gets her nails done to feel pretty. “I feel like everything is taken care of,” she said. “If a lady has low self-esteem it makes her feel pretty; it makes her feel good.” Those who relish in nail art know the the person behind the table plays an important role in the process. Junior Maddie Chenoweth refuses to get her nails done without her nail technician there. “My favorite thing about getting them done is talking to my nail lady; we have nice conversations,” Chenoweth said. “I love her; she’s awesome.” The feeling of relaxation, confidence, and affordable chic style await at any local nail salon. Find a place, make an appointment, and enjoy the haute hands that go along with it.

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12 SPORTS

October 17, 2013

Playing for keeps Tyler HOOKS

Entertainment/ Opinion Manager On the day of a game, varsity volleyball player Payton Brown gets her adrenaline going by thinking and praying, and when the time for her to step onto the court, she’s ready to work hard. Brown credits her relationship with God and strong commitment as what keeps her striving for the top. Playing as the team’s libero Brown acts as the offense’s eyes on the court to help tell them where to hit. “I am the defensive captain and sparkplug like every other libero,” Brown said. “Liberos are responsible for the backrow and making sure the team is excited, intense and aggressive during the game.” Born deaf and having to wear implants, Brown does not let it affect her on the court. “Off the court, it was always a struggle to fit in socially,” she said. “Not saying that I wasn’t socially developed, but it was always hard having to be different from other kids.”

Getcha head in the game: Brown prepares herself to hit the ball back to Cy Woods during the game. Photo by Gennesis Gonzalez

Though Brown has overcome many obstacles that face her with her disability, but she would never wish for any kid to have to grow up like that. “It caused a lot of frustration over time, and it was just difficult,” Brown said. Overcoming obstacles has gotten Brown several honorable mentions for her success on the court including Honda Athlete of the week and this past summer where she played on the National volleyball Team in Sofia, Bulgaria. “It was an incredible honor to represent the USA and get the opportunity to play among some of the best deaf athletes in the world,” Brown said. “It was awesome to get to play with my Team USA teammates and learn from them about their experiences in volleyball and life.” Varsity volleyball coach Tami Combs said not many kids receive the kind of exposure Brown has. “Payton is a valuable part to the team because of her experience,” Combs said. “Her experience out of the country has been big for our success here at Creek. “ Teammate Ashley Lindsey said Brown makes a great addition to the team. “She always plays hard, and she always goes for everything,” Lindsey said. “She doesn’t give up and she’s very energetic- she’s a really good defensive player.” Combs said Payton can make the game look very easy to those not knowledgeable about volleyball. “Payton is quick and able to read the ball very well,” Combs said. “Payton just seems to always be at the right place at the right time, because she can read what the offense of the other team is going to do before they hit and move quickly enough to the spot for a perfect pass. “ Brown said the opportunities and awards represent how far God has brought her in life. “It was a truly humbling experience, and it was exhilarating too,” she said. “I just feel so blessed that God allowed me to receive the honor.” Though Brown enjoys the recognition she’s received, volleyball has also taught her life lessons. She said God remains a force that keeps Brown playing and striving to do better. “Playing volleyball has really done a lot for my life,” Brown said. “It’s helped me have a closer relationship with God, get a better perspective on life,and I know that anything is possible with hard work despite any circumstances.” Brown credits her teammates for the success she’s had, and looks forward to the season ahead. “I certainly wouldn’t have been honored if I didn’t have great coaches and teammates,” Brown said. “Volleyball has also taught me that you need to trust

people because it truly takes a team to be the best.” With her parents and grandparents supporting her on the sidelines, Brown said she will continue to play volleyball in the future. “I have developed a passion for volleyball over the years,” she said. “I also love the competition and play for the love of the game, it reminds me that I can achieve my dreams by working hard.”

Reaching for the stars: Senior varsity volleyball player Payton Brown dives for the ball during the Cy Ranch game. Creek won the game. Photo by

Gennesis Gonzalez

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