news 4
life 14
culture 22
thereporter Friday, April 25, 2014
Volume 67
Issue 6
sports
Cy-Fair High School
10
22602 Hempstead Hwy
Cypress, TX 77429
Runners release balloons at Relay for Life in memory or honor of a friend o loved one who has been affected by cancer. photo courtesy of
Susan Balke.
relay for life
Alex Edwards Co-Editor in Chief When Susan Balke remembers her sister, she doesn’t think of the cancer. The blur of doctors’ visits. The whirlwind of medical terminology. Or the eight rounds of chemotherapy. When Susan Balke remembers her sister, she does it with a smile. In April of 2012, Kelly Balke, a 42-year-old makeup consultant for Lancome Cosmetics, began her fight against stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. And although that battle was lost on Oct. 10, 2012, her legacy will forever live on. “In her last days, she and I talked about what possible good could result from her experience with cancer,” said Balke, a government and economics teacher. “We talked about getting involved
in charities and the need for research in the other cancers.” And so Susan, in honor of her sister, began her dedicated journey with Relay for Life. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the fundraiser consists of various walks across the globe to commemorate cancer survivors and those lost to Pancreatic Cancer. During an event, community teams camp out overnight at a local track to take turns walking or running laps. “My favorite part of Relay for Life is the celebration of life,” Susan said. “It is not a depressing event in the least. It is to honor the people who are still fighting and to hold in memory those who have passed. It does us good to share Kelly’s story and to hear from other families.” >story continues on page 12
> A new channel has been launched for CFISD on Youtube.
two news
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New psychology, sociology club takes in-depth look at human mind Natalie Berry Managing Editor Founded in February, the Advocating Sociology and Psychology Club already has big plans for volunteering this summer at a week-long overnight summer camp geared toward children with medical disabilities. At Children’s Association for Maximum Potential Camp, members can apply their knowledge of psychological conditions and the human mind by monitoring activities such as horseback riding, canoeing and archery. “I’m really interested in psychology and fascinated with the human mind,” club founder Megan Fang said. “I want to help out kids with mental disabilities and improve
society.” The club has no concrete plans for projects during the remainder of the school year, although Fang wants to focus on volunteering and community service. ASAP meets every other Friday at 6:45 a.m. in psychology teacher Kristal Hofer’s room 7002. Member dues are $5. “To my knowledge, this is the first psychology club [our school] has had,” Hofer said. “Since [the club] was recently founded in the spring, we are not going to have a deadline for joining. So far, about 30 to 40 students have already signed up.” Most ASAP members are sophomores who plan to take the Psychology AP class offered by Hofer next year. The club focuses
on introducing these students to psychological concepts through presentations taught by Fang. The presentations include fun facts centered around how humans function as a unit. “Megan has done a lot of research,” Hofer said. “She always comes to me with questions [about her presentations] and asks if I have videos or powerpoints she can use. I even used a video on procrastination that she found for the club in my psychology classes.” Fang encourages anyone passionate about the human brain to join. “I’d recommend anyone who is interested in learning more about humans and wants to help out the community to join ASAP,” Fang said.
Founding the club. At the April 4 meeting officer, elections were held. Representative Sebastian Delgado, founder and President Megan Fang, Secretary Sukriti Ghose, Treasurer Greer Masterson, Historian Suyee Lin and Vice President Isaiah Drummond celebrate their victory. Photo by
Building up a new club. Lego club members sort out and begin building a new creation with lego bricks. Photo courtesy of
Madeleine Pierce.
Building up bobcats, one lego brick at a time Madeleine Pierce There’s a new club building its way higher into the ranks. For anyone looking to develop and express their creativity through Lego building activites, Lego Club meets Mondays after school in room 3023 until 3:15. The club’s biggest upcoming group project will be a Lego bobcat in honor of the school mascot. “Lego Club allows students to come develop and share,” sponsor and geometry teacher Z Smith said. “They can engage their minds in cooperative Lego building activities.” Lego Club meetings, which
Natalie Berry.
include up to 30 members, start with a short agenda followed by a build session. The end products will be posted on a Lego Club social media web page. Founder and club president freshman Shamee Mahmud is still working on this. “We’re planning on sharing our group projects through social media pages like Instagram.” Mahmud said. Mahmud and fellow freshman founder Donavan French wanted to offer a place for students to promote their creative design and passion for building. “He wanted to play with Legos,” Mahmud said. “I wanted to start an organization where people can hang out after school.”
Animal loving student inspired to create veterinarian club Christina Moreno Culture Editor
Since the age of four, sophomore Derrick Williams has aspired to be a veterinarian. His drive to earn a degree in DVM (Doctor Veterinarian Medicine) was fueled by the Texas A&M Open House and has influenced the start of the Vet Club. Veterinarian Academics and Services is a new club focused on providing animal science services. It started about two months ago and
is sponsored by Ag teacher Michele Rumfield. The club meets every first and third Tuesday of the month. “In the past I’ve thought, ‘What if there was an actual vet science club?’ but I hadn’t really thought of making it a reality until I talked to a few friends about it,” Williams, copresident, said. After going the process to create a club, finding a sponsor, collecting application forms and creating a constitution, the club was official on Feb. 15. “I joined vet club because anything having to do with animals has always been something that interests me. Volunteering at animal
shelters has been something that I would really like to do because I feel like it’s a fun way to earn volunteer hours and VAS club makes doing this very convenient and easy,” sophomore co-president Grant Larson said. They have met two times this semester. “We plan to hopefully provide services to ASPCA, animal related Boy Scout service projects, Cy Fair FFA and other animal organizations,” Williams said. Since the club is new, members are trying to get everything organized before becoming active. “This year I think it is going
to be a lot of setting the bases for next year like explaining what it is and getting a bunch of members,” sophomore executive secretary Isaiah Drummond said. There are around 28 members, and they are hoping to have at least 35 by the end of the year. The last day to turn in membership forms is April 30. To join, print a form from vasclub.weebly.com and turn it in to Rumfield. “Our goal is to be recognized as an animal related cost reduction provider through volunteering and fund-raising while receiving information and experience in animal science,” Williams said.
> The last day of school has official been changed back to June 5.
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Welding students prepare for upcoming competition Tyler Whigham Reporter Sparks fly as welding students prepare for an all-day competition on April 26 in the agriculture barn across the street. Students of all grades can compete, though it is not required for the class. First year welding teacher Michael Griffin is very confident and proud of his students’ ability. “I think they’ll do really well because we do this every day, and they get a lot of practice in,” Griffin said. “I feel that a lot of my students will be able to move on.” Senior Salek Rasool is in his first year of welding and can’t wait to compete. “I feel like I’m going to do well,” Rasool said. “I’ve never been in a welding competition before, but if I just use what Mr. Griffin told
me, I should be fine. It’s a good opportunity because it’s applicable in the real world and a good skill to have.” Junior Austin Esparza feels that he is ready for the competition and can’t wait to show off his welding ability. “I’m a little nervous, but it’s like that with any competition,” Esparza said. “Welding is hard work, but once you get into it, it’s not that bad. I really enjoy welding, and the class is a lot of fun.” The students will be competing in three different categories, in which they will be required to combine two pieces of metal in the form of a T, connect two pieces of metal as cleanly as possible and to connect pipes. More than 80 different schools will be competing, and the three
students that perform best from each school will continue to the second round of the competition. The students will be judged by representatives from the American Welding Society and other companies. “I really can’t wait to see them compete,” Griffin said. “They work really hard and I’m very proud of them.” Welding for the gold. Senior welding student Chad Campodonico sharpens up his welding skills during class in preparation for the competition. Photo by Tyler Whigham.
Christina Moreno Culture Editor
Boys grab mascara Girls get cleats
Seniors switch roles for Powder Puff Will Davis Sports Editor As Prom approaches, all eyes turn to the fundraising effort, Project Prom, and its annual Powder Puff tournament, which puts four teams of senior ladies against each other in flag football. On April 9, Back That Pass Up took it all, claiming victory over Chemical X. The Powder Puff athletes were trained by fellow senior men who volunteered as coaches and cheerleaders. Coaches instill in their players skill, tactics, drive and direction during the game. As one of the coaches of the victorious Back That Pass Up, Jared Lewandowski never lost sight of the team’s goals. “I was 100 percent confident that we would get the ‘W’,” Lewandowski said. “My team had great effort, and we played an awesome game.” Some teams failed to achieve what teams like Lewandowski’s did, but the point of the tournament was not to claim first place. Teams like the Rawdawgs did not leave the field
empty handed. “I wanted to raise money for prom, and I knew it would be a fun time,” Garrett Vandergriff, Rawdawgs coach, said. “I wanted to help the girls out.” Emily Sparks, the second string quarterback from Chemical X said she played Powder Puff to be with her friends. “I wanted to do something fun with friends and support Project Prom, this just seemed like a great opportunity,” Sparks said. For the enjoyment of students and fans, a rabble of senior guys not coaching, but also wanting to do their part, were enlisted as cheerleaders. Just like the guys taught the girls how to run, throw and play defense, the senior guys took a crash course in Bobcat cheer where they learned from the professionals how to kick, twirl and smile. Q Aleman comments on his cheer experience. “Performing was really fun,” Aleman said. “Cheering was a bit more difficult than I thought it would be.”
Spirit fingers senior Aaron Hastings pumps up the lady bobcats at the Powederpuff football game. Photo by Alexus Locke.
A AB+ B BC+ C
Report Card Cypress Ranch Cy-Fair and Cypress Woods Langham Creek Jersey Village Cypress Creek, Cypress Falls and Cypress Ridge Cypress Lakes Cypress Springs
On March 25, the Houston Chronicle posted data from Niche. com, a website that ranks schools by letter grades. In the article, 38 schools in the Houston area were show cased for getting grades in the
“A” range. The ranks are based on reviews, student-teacher ratio, graduation statistics and standardized testing scores. Cy-Fair was given an “A-” rating and nine other high schools in CFISD were ranked.
> The next round of EOCs start May 5 with the United States History test.
four news
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Russia in hot water with Group of Eight Harper Neitzey Life Editor Miley Cyrus and Justin Timberlake are wrapped up in a political scandal. Both artists have sold out summer concerts summer in Finland, but their venue is owned by three Russians who were blacklisted by the US because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. As of right now the sanctions are not going to affect either of the artist’s tours, and they will still perform in Finland. Here’s a little background: On March 24, Russia was put on suspension from the Group of Eight,
commonly referred to as the G8. The G8 is a group of eight countries that gather together to discuss matters of macroeconomic management, international trade, energy, terrorism and development. The group formed in 1998. The remaining seven countries are the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy. Russia was put on suspension because of their annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and the presence of thousands of Russian troops near Ukraine’s eastern border. On April 1, Congress approved
a bill for a $1 billion loan to help Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia. The United States plans on imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia.
Ukraine advocates for Russia. On Sat, March 22, 2014, about 5,000 people staged a rally in Donetsk, a major city in east Ukraine, to advocate closer ties for the region with Russia, and not the European Union. Gathering beneath a statue of Vladimir Lenin,
founder of Soviet Russia, with many carrying communist era flags, they chanted “ Russia,” “Referendum” and “Yanokovych,” a reference to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country last month. Photo by
Roy Gutman/MCT
Advanced Placement Testing Schedule Week 1
May 5 - Chemistry & Environmental Science, 8 a.m. - Psychology, 12 p.m.
Week 2
May 12 - Biology & Music Theory, 8 a.m. - Physics B & Physics C: Mechanics, 12 p.m. - Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, 2 p.m.
May 6
May 13
- Computer Science A & Spanish Language and Culture, 8 a.m. - Art History, 12 p.m.
- United States Government and Politics, 8 a.m. - French Language and Culture & Human Geography, 12 p.m.
May 7
May 14
- Calculus AB & Calculus BC , 8 a.m. - Chinese Language and Culture , 12 p.m.
- German Language and Culture & United States History, 8 a.m. - European History, 12 p.m.
May 8
May 15
- English Literature and Composition , 8 a.m. - Japanese Language and Culture & Latin, 12 p.m.
- Macroeconomics & World History, 8 a.m. - Italian Language and Culture & Microeconomics, 12 p.m.
May 9
May 16
- English Language and Composition , 8 a.m. - Statistics, 12 p.m.
- Comparative Government and Politics & Spanish Literature and Culture, 8 a.m.
Galveston oil spill dangerously affects wildlife Danielle D’Aguilar Business Manager Senior Sommer Luu was returning from a spring break cruise to Cozumel when the captain of the Carnival ship announced that they could not enter the port at the Bay of Galveston due to the spill. “There was about 50 other ships waiting next to us,” said Luu. “The smell of oil was everywhere.” Luu was experiencing one of three environmental disasters, which struck in three months around the US includes a March 22 Galveston oil spill in the Galveston Bay The timing of this incident has made environmentalists and Houston officials weary due to the harm it will cause to migrating wildlife. The Houston Ship Channel closed for several days, which put a damper on some students’ vacation plans. In late March, two vessels collided in the Houston Ship Channel, spilling 168,000 gallons of thick oil. The Houston Advanced Research Center
reported that Galveston has an average of 285 oil spills a year, most of them smaller than the one on March 22. The U.S. Coast Guard has been investigating the accident wherein one of the vessels was owned by Houston-based Kirby Inland Marine Corp. The Houston Ship Channel, the nation’s busiest ports, closed for several days due to the spill. “This could affect tourism and students who want to go to the beach may not be able to for a long time,” environmental science teacher Jacquelyn Hornell said. “Mainly, this has affected the seafood industry. The costs of seafood in restaurants and stores could rise.” Meanwhile several environmental agencies are drawing attention to the wildlife in the Galveston area. Scientist Doug Rader of the Environmental Defense Fund talked to CNN on March 25, three days after the spill. “Galveston Bay is one of America’s greatest estuaries and an
important home to Texas seafood providers and recreational fishermen as well as the entry point to the Port of Houston,” Rader said. “While the area has long dealt with many pollution concerns, this spill is significant.” Students heading to Galveston this summer may want to prepare themselves. A recent Houston Chronicle story reported that 39 dolphins, 17 turtles and 331 birds were found dead on the beach since the spill. Many students planning to have fun at Galveston after prom may be exposed to health hazards. Sources: Houston Chronicle, CNN, Huffington Post
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SeniorsBe safe and have fun at Prom -Brown Flooring
Congrats Drumline for
5th at WGI!
six
sports
> The rugby team finished with 3 wins and 3 losses.
> The cheer team won the at the nonspring floor competition 2014 contest of champions in Disney.
Rugby season slams shut
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Rebecca East Graphics Editor With the end of the year also comes the end of rugby season. When looking back on the beginning of the year, the team has had a lot to work for. Because this is the first year there has been a rugby team, the coaches have had to rely on the boys’ responsibility and hard work to shape the team to what it is today. The team has played six games this year, three of them were losses and three were victories. Cy-Fair’s team has grown from a mere five players to a hardy 27. Next year the rugby team will play more teams from all over Texas in the white division, and expect to compete in the state championship. On the pitch. Juniors Matt Godfrey, Marquis Jackson and Ty Huckaby practice with the rest of the rugby team. Photos by Melissa Reinsch.
Little known but well played Cy-Fair lacrosse boasts passionate athletes Kaylin Jones Copy Editor It all began the fall of her fifth grade year. Seven years later, lacrosse has become one of the biggest parts of Katie Rumfield’s life. “It wasn’t until my family and I saw a sign on the side of the road advertising a free clinic in the area that I was introduced to lacrosse. Ever since then it has just sort of been our thing,” the junior said. At first, the now-varsity player for the Iron Maidens found the game extremely confusing. As a former YMCA soccer player, the concept of catching and scooping a tiny ball into a net attached to a stick seemed foreign. Over time, Rumfield learned that the lacrosse stick would become a mere extension of her body. “I think that the uniqueness of the sport, and the fact that I could say, ‘hey I play this really uncommon sport, I’m all tough and what not’ was enough for me to stick with it, no pun intended,” Rumfield said. Lacrosse is an outdoor game played on a field slightly larger than a football field which originated in 1869. Participants use long sticks
with nets for catching, carrying and throwing the ball. According to Rumfield, lacrosse is similar to field hockey and basketball. “I really like that fact that in order to play lacrosse, you not only have to be athletic, but you also have to be smart,” Rumfield said. “Yeah it’s great if you can sprint up and down the field like a gazelle, but in order to be successful you have to be able to think three or four steps ahead at all times. You constantly have to be thinking ‘okay so-and-so is open, but there’s only a 5 second window to make that pass’ or ‘alright I have a path to the goal, but if her defender comes to me then she’ll be open.’ Lacrosse is a game of calculations and predictions as well as athletic ability and that just fascinates me.” High schools from all over the district are invited to play, but Cypress Woods, Cypress Creek and Cy-Fair are the only ones who participate. Junior varsity consists of Rumfield’s sisters, Mary Rumfield and Julie Rumfield, Maddy Butler, Shelby Englebert, Maddie Bennett, Delaney Setrum, Cassie Robinson and Hadley Luther. Varsity includes McKenna Fisher, Eryn McCarthy
Matt Godfrey, 11: “Next year, we will be a lot stronger. This year, we had to take a while to establish a foothold. I think we have the potential to go to the state championship, too.”
Marquis Jackson, 11: “I wish this season would have lasted longer because I have enjoyed it a lot. I’ve made so many new friends and have improved my run times.”
Ty Huckaby, 11: “I learned that rugby is just as mental as it is physical and that you have to put forth effort if you want to be successful. I can’t wait until next season. Go Warriors!”
(captain), McKenzie Critendon, Kelsi Brown and Katie Rumfield. “I was really proud of myself when I made Varsity sophomore year, but I’d have to say that my biggest accomplishment was making the U-17 National Team last year with some of my best friends, and being able to represent Texas up in Pennsylvania at the National Tournament,” Rumfield said. Though both of Rumfield’s sisters play, lacrosse isn’t a family tradition. Neither of her parents grew up around the sport. It wasn’t until her father attended the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut that he was introduced to lacrosse, a game that New England practically breathes and sleeps. “It’s neat being able to play lacrosse with my siblings. Because you know someone is always there for you,” Julia Rumfield said. “It’s kind like the ‘I’ve got your back’ mentality.” Playing the sport in college is something Katie has considered, but after tearing her ACL this past summer and attending physical therapy, she decided to think about her athletic future. Despite being undecided, Katie is keeping her options open. There’s one thing that Katie wants everyone to know about her favorite sport. “Whatever you do, do not think that girls’ lacrosse and boys’ lacrosse is the same,” Katie said. “Aside from throwing, catching, and scoring, they
Sprint for it. Katie Rumfield charges down the lacrosse field at Cypress Woods. Photo by Danica Sauter. helmet as they are known for are almost completely different. Our knocking each other around. Along fields look nothing alike, and our with all of that, the dynamic of the sticks are definitely not the same. game is very different, considering Girls’ lacrosse is considered the fact that boys’ lacrosse is much ‘non-contact’; the only protection more like basketball and girls’ we wear are a pair of wire goggles lacrosse is more comparable to field and a mouthguard while the boys hockey.” are almost completely covered in pads, complete with an intimidating
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> The rugby team bagan the team with with 5 athletes and now has 27 members.
> Golf districts will be held on April 2, 3 at Cypress Lakes.
Photo by Casey Herring
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Track takes 3rd Jessica Ullrich Reporter
The Vault. Hannah Searby begins a pole vault sprint.
sports
Four weeks prior to districts, Girls Varsity Track was projected to place eighth. Crushing the predictions, the Lady Bobcats scored a third place finish at Cypress Falls High School on April 7, 8 and 10 with a point total of 82 and 13 individual area qualifiers, who placed within the top four in their events. After the first day of districts, consisting of the 3200-meter run final (two miles) and preliminary running events, Cy-Fair established a leading position heading into day two. Placing second, third and fourth, respectively, in their 3200-meter event, junior Kassandra Luna, sophomore Jessica Ullrich and freshman Tyra Luong all qualified for the Area meet the following week while gaining the first 18 points for the team. “My performance at districts was not what I wanted it to be because I have run better times earlier in the season, but I still have another chance at area to run the time I want for the 3200,” Luong said. “My goals going into area are to run a 11:30 or better, advance to region and place in the top three.” The following day, field event participants took to the field with aggression to maintain the lead established the previous day. Despite strong headwind, another 18 points were added to the score sheet
through pole vault efforts alone with second place sophomore Madison Falvey, third place freshman Hannah Searby and fourth place senior Kailee Hutson, all advancing to the area meet. “I thought I did well at districts, but I’m working for first at area,” Falvey said. Sophomore Bailey Chambers also sealed an area spot with her five-foot high jump that landed her fourth place, while sophomore Cynthia Garza advanced with a fourth place showing in shot put and junior Kayla Butler qualified with fourth place in discus. Fifth place high-jumper, senior Bobbie Ricks, also added to the teams scoring. “I’m actually really excited about my performance because I PR’ed [got a personal record] for the first time with the height of five feet,” Chambers said. With Cypress Creek now trailing by only two points, but the lead still in Bobcat possession, the final day of District track running finals commenced. Junior Khyllia Barnes achieved two individual spots in the area meet in 100-meter-hurdles and 300-meterhurdles with fourth and second place finishes, respectively. “I feel like I performed well, but I know I could have done better,” Barnes said. “I will just have to make sure I fix the little mistakes I made at district and everything will be okay.” Barnes will also run a third
event at Area with her qualifying four-by-400-meter relay team of herself and freshmen Amber Keouth, Valencia Hendrickson and Kennedi Henderson, who all placed fourth in their event. With her second solid performance, Luna earned another Cy-Fair area entry with a fourth place finish in the 1600-meter run (one mile). Luong (fifth) and Ullrich (sixth) filed in behind her to gain a few additional points for the team. “I am happy with the time and place I got in the 3200 and 1600, and I am extremely pleased that everyone running the 3200 got out to area,” Luna said. Four-by-100-meter relay competitors, sophomores Justine Perkins and Taylor Shelenhamer, Hendrickson and Henderson fell just .11 seconds from area qualification, but still managed a personal record and fifth place finish. The lead was relinquished after the final day of competition, but head track coach, Tom Kennedy, is still proud of the performances he saw. “The results are better than I thought they would have been back in January,” said Kennedy. “I think it is difficult to lose the majority of our returning points to graduation and transfer like we did and still finish near the top of this district. We had 68 freshmen and sophomores out of 84 total athletes, so we have something to build off of now.”
Cheer brings home victory,
$1k
Kestra Derise News Editor
Twenty cheerleaders traveled to Orlando, Florida on March 2 to compete in the Contest of Champions 2014 Nationals. They competed against one other team from Texas, one from Alaska, one from New Jersey and one from New York for the win in the Varsity Level 3 Non-Spring Floor competition and won a trophy along with a $1000 cash prize.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the Contest of Champions. Not only did the cheerleaders win first in their division, they also won first for overall points, making them the best team. The team was awarded a huge trophy and banner and each member was awarded a special Disney blanket for being the best in their division. The competition however, did not go totally smooth. “We had several injuries,” Coach Codi Alverson said. “When that happens, we have to replace the person, and it ruins the whole thing.” Almost all of the cheerleaders were injured to some degree, from
A knack for magic. The Cheer team poses in for a picture in Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Codi Alverson.
bruises to sprains, but the team was able to power through and beat out all the other teams. “I was really excited to get out there and kick butt,” senior Denise Fano said. “I hadn’t really been thinking about winning, just about having fun.” The win was topped off with a
magical trip to Disney World for some fun after the big competition. “As the coach, I was certain they would win anyways,” Alverson said. Not everyone was as confident as Alverson. “It was really hard and tough,” senior Caroline Hoffmann said. “I honestly was really surprised
when we won because the entire competition was really difficult, but I was glad we did.”
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CONGRATS ON ANOTHER GREAT TRACK SEASON BOBCATS! -The Ullrich Family
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> Next baseball game is at home on Friday April 25
sports
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Curveball. Christina Biggerstaff, 12 pitches the ball to a Cy-Creek player. Photo by Melissa Reinsch.
‘All we do is win’
Softball starts season with undefeated record Katelyn Gehrt Reporter Varsity softball has hit a home run so far this season. With only one loss, they are on their way to playoffs. “We would not be where we are right now if we did not have our
entire team on board,” said Coach Stevens. Being undefeated, sophomore Allison Driskill is enjoying her first year on varsity playing third base. “My favorite game was the Woods game because it started raining. It
was intense because we won and we also don’t like Woods,” said Driskill. A varsity player since freshman year, senior Hannah Moore is pleased she will finish off her high school career before going to play softball in college at University of Texas at Tyler.
She hopes that the team goes far into playoffs, possibly to state. “We are one big family. We get along with each other and nothing really affects us,” said Moore. With playoffs starting this week, everyone is focused to make this
season the best they can. “I believe we have the potential to go all the way to state. It would be a great opportunity for the seniors, this being their last year. It would also be amazing to say I made it to state my first year on varsity,” Driskill said.
An out-of-the-park season Baseball advances to playoffs Madeleine Peirce Culture Editor Bobcat baseball is off to a strong start with 14 wins, four losses and only one tie. The team has made it to the second half of district so far and expects to advance even further in playoffs. According to Champagne, a spot at district is still in the hunt. “They have worked hard this season,” Champagne said. “And hopefully we can get to the playoffs.” Varsity player Maxx Chrest has been playing on the team for three years. “I feel like if we make playoffs that we will at least go three to four rounds deep.” the junior said. “But if we use our pitching right and don’t wear the aces out then we have a good shot at state.”
The team practices everyday, except game days. The 23 members of the team have worked hard to make it to the second half of district and intend to do everything they can to make it to state. Senior James Wall has been pitching for the school for four years. This is his second year on Varsity. “I enjoy being out on the field with my teammates who have impacted my life in a positive way,” Wall said. Champagne appreciates the team and the effort his players have made to get this far in his last season of coaching. “They’re a great group of young players,” Champagne said. “It has been a pleasure to work with them.”
Seniors Eric Shaull, Kent Webster and Ramsey Mezayek. All photos by Danica Sauter.
ten sports
> Girls soccer lost in the second round of playoffs against Memorial.
> Water polo has a tournament on Friday April 25 at Fleet.
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Soccer season wrap-up Girls finish season with 13-4-3 record Rebeccah Barger Co-Editor in Chief With a district record of 10-2-1, the girl’s varsity soccer team clinched a playoff spot and entered a postseason sprint to state. The ladies entered their first round of playoffs against Alief Hastings on March 27 at Crump Stadium, vying for the title of Bi-District Champions for the fourth consecutive year in a row and their eleventh time since 2000. After a 0-0 score at halftime, the Bobcats returned with fierce determination. Goals from freshman midfielder Kassidi Krell and sophomore forward Sarah Hluza sealed the 2-0 win over Alief Hastings and team’s title of BiDistrict Champions. More than that, it advanced the ladies to the second round of the playoffs. April 3 the team faced Memorial in the Area Championship game. During the first half, forward Rachel Dozier scored the only Cy-Fair goal. Memorial earned two goals before half-time, returning to score another three. After the disappointing 5-1 loss, the girl’s varsity soccer season ended with an overall record of 13-4-3.
Score! Senior Lauren Gilbert passes the ball in the Cy-Ridge game. Photo by Melissa Reinsch.
“It feels pretty good getting this far,” girls soccer coach Chad Onhaizer said. “Our second round of playoffs is always against a really good team. We played the best we could, but it just didn’t go our way. But second round, we played hard. We just lost to a better team. There is only so much you can do, and we would have liked to keep going.” The end of the season is marked by more than the team’s playoff streak as they prepare to lose six seniors to graduation: Co-Captains Chandler Cooney and Lauren Gilbert, midfield defender Kortney Des Camp, forward Silje Lier, midfielder Madison Majewski and midfield forward McKenna Hubbard. “We’ve all been playing together for so many years,” Gilbert said. “I’m glad for the opportunity to be a leader and get close with all the younger girls. It’s bittersweet to leave soccer, but I’m excited to graduate.” Des Camp and Cooney aren’t just looking forward to graduation, but also to continuing their soccer careers through college. Both signed on Feb. 5: Cooney to Texas State University and Des Camp to Colorado School of Mines. “It was sad losing at area since it was our last game,” Des Camp said. “But it was great going to playoffs our senior year. We made playoffs each yer, all four years. I have a lot of good
memories. And it’s really exciting to sign. I’m looking forward to the future.” Despite making it to playoffs, it was the second game against Cypress Woods that stood as the highlight of the year for both the seniors and other members of team. After losing to their rivals 1-0 Feb. 7, the ladies were given a chance to prove themselves the better team on March 4. “Besides playoffs, Cy-Woods was the toughest game,” said sophomore defender Dharia Hajny. “We had lost the first game, but we knew we could beat them, and we wanted revenge. It was fun.” After an intense first half, a goal near the end of the game by Dozier, with an assist by Cooney, locked in the win. Their victory gave the team the confidence to soar their way into the playoffs with victories against their next district competitors, tying Cypress Ridge 2-2 and beating Jersey Village 5-0 and Cypress Lakes 2-0. “Beating Cy-Woods was definitely the highlight because we’re rivals,” Dozier said. “It was a big game, and we didn’t know we would win. We were successful this season because of how dedicated we were and all our hearts wanted the same thing. We weren’t expected to be as great this year. It was cool to prove people wrong.”
Making a splash
Girls waterpolo places second in district Ashlynn Peters Culture Editor The girls water polo team has faced many challenges this season, but they have been able to come out on top and placed 2nd in the district, going into regionals. With a loss against Cy Creek on April 14, the team is placed in a more difficult bracket, and they will play Jersey Village first at regionals April 24-26. The girls team captain, Emily Lawless, has been playing high school and club water polo since freshman year. “It will definitely be a tough game against Jersey Village and will make it harder to advance to state,” senior Emily Lawless said. “But I’m looking forward to playing the sport that we
all love and even if we don’t make it to state, we well get the chance to become better team players.” “I love the sport so much, and I wanted to be captain because I feel like I am qualified enough for it, and I can get us all to work together in a nice manner,” Lawless said. The team has worked hard learning drills and practicing after school since the beginning of the season to increase their skill level and how they work together. “I feel like at the beginning we had some things we needed to work on, but at practices we worked it out and have been able to learn more about the sport,” Lawless said, “We have applied everything we learned at practice in our games.” They have won nine games, including a 7-4 win against Alvin,
an 11-2 win against Duschen, and a triumph over Brazos Wood 14-1. “I have been really impressed by how fast the newcomers have taken to the sport considering the level of difficulty water polo mentally and physically requires,” junior Linden Overbey, also a club water polo player, said. Their most challenging games have been against Clear Creek and The Woodlands, but they have been able to come back from both losses to secure a spot for regionals. “I think we are all nervous because we play in a really tough region with schools like Jersey Village, The Woodlands High School and Lamar that all have club players,” Overbey said, “But overall I am excited about our chances at regionals.”
Heads Up! Junior Sarah Launikitis throws the ball in the game against Clearlake. Photo by Linden Overby.
>The Boy Scouts were formed in 1910.
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Boy Scout brave
Freshmen boys save a security guards life On my honor. Freshmen Turner Woody doing the Boy Scout salute at a meeting. Photo
courtesy Turner Woody.
Cody Brown Online Editor Freshmen Sean Epps and Turner Woody would never have guessed that either of them would ever have to use their Boy Scout skills in the real world, much less use them to save somebody’s life. But with a calm attitude and quick thinking, their actions not only prevented a death, but made them famous. Both boys were recognized on KPRC Channel 2 News and in the Cypress Creek Mirror, and both received an award from the American Heart Association that they received on April 14. The boys were attending a firstaid class geared around wilderness survival for Boy Scout Troop 901’s trip to the Northern Tier camp located along the US/Canada border. During a routine session, their
instructor’s son ran into the room telling them that they had a “real life situation” on their hands. A security guard overseeing the class was doubled over in his chair, and the boys could tell he was having a heart attack. “He looked dazed and confused and had bloodshot eyes, and he looked like he was about to pass out,” Woody said. Two of their senior scouts, Jason Fink and Daniel Fichtel, assisted them in getting the man onto his back so that they could perform CPR. Woody and Epps were told by the instructor to run back to where the class was stationed and bring back blankets to both elevate the man and keep him comfortable. In the meantime, the instructor’s son ran to the front desk and called 911.
“Our instructor kind of took the lead in this situation because he was trained to respond quickly in this kind of event,” Woody said. Firefighters arrived on the scene, with EMS arriving five minutes later. Within an hour, the security guard was in stable condition. Epps said that all their Boy Scout skills and training helped them handle the emergency. “In these kinds of situations, it’s important to assign roles to people,” Epps said. “Whether it’s actually administering CPR or calling 911 or even keeping the victim calm everybody has a responsibility when this kind of thing happens. I felt good that we could do something for him. If he [the instructor’s son] hadn’t gone outside and saw him and told us about it, he very well may
have died.” Greg Brenham, the Scoutmaster of Troop 901, was proud of the boys’ bravery and quick thinking. “I think that the realization that the boys were using lifesaving skills learned in Boy Scouts that can also be applied to real life situations in a positive way is awesome,” Brenham said, “and I don’t think many people could stay as calm and collected as they did in when somebody’s life was on the line.” Brenham also praised the boys for embodying the Scout spirit in their heroic actions. “This emergency really proved that what Boy Scouts do matters,” Brenham said. “Turner and Sean took it in their stride and handled it just like they were trained to, and for that I am really proud of them.”
‘Without it, I wouldn’t be me’ Student shares her journey with diabetes Alex Edwards Co-Editor in Chief When freshman Mireya Molina is hungry, the first thing she looks for isn’t something to eat. She grabs her blood sugar machine. Molina, along with three million Americans across the country, lives with Type 1 Diabetes, and has been for seven years. “I had been having symptoms for a month but we didn’t pay much notice to them,” Molina said. “We finally went to the hospital after I had a bad stomachache and blacked out one night.” Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. Basically, the pancreas’s inability to produce this hormone doesn’t allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy. Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is a condition one is born with, and usually presents itself in childhood or adolescence. This means that every day, Molina monitors her blood glucose levels with the prick of a finger. After calculating how many carbohydrates are in the meal she wants to eat, she injects herself with insulin. In her first years with diabetes this meant
“Everyone has mood swings or gets hyper every once in a while but when that happens to me, it usually indicates that my blood sugar is higher than it should be,” Molina said. “We just have to be more alert.” Other than monitoring her body, Molina lives a normal life, along with diabetics across the world. They aren’t limited in food choice as long as they receive the right amount of insulin. “There’s been a handful of times when someone doesn’t allow me to eat something sweet because I’m diabetic,” Molina said. “That’s a misconception I want to clear up.” Although insulin allows someone with diabetes to stay alive, it is not a cure. Molina will live with this disease and all of the challenges it has to offer for the rest of her life. “My life would be different without diabetes,” she said. “But without it, I wouldn’t be me.”
to t h e fig tes h t Join diabe cure
Freshmen Mireya Molina Photo by Katelyn Gehrt
multiple shots a day, but now Molina has a pump connected to her body that calculates the dosage and infuses the insulin into her body. “Sometimes I feel weird wearing my pump because it gets annoying when the tube gets stuck to things I walk by,” Molina said. “But it’s not something that’s unbearable. I’d rather wear it than go back to getting injections.” Because diabetes struck Molina at a young age, she says it didn’t effect her emotionally because it is so difficult to understand. But the physical struggle is a daily one. A diabetic has to constantly be aware of their bodies and what they are putting into it. A blood sugar that is too high or too low can be dangerous, and potentially fatal.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - The Walk to Cure Diabetes - The Ride to Cure Diabetes - Visit jdrf.org to donate and learn more.
American Diabetes Association - Become a member and donate to fund research and educate the public
GET ACTIVE for a cause
In loving memory. Susan Balke and her family and friends
Government teacher raises awareness for pancreatic cancer Because ‘cancer never sleeps,’ teams are required to have at least one member participating at all times during the 24hour period. When they’re not on the track, food, games and activities are provided for entertainment. The funds raised are all donated towards the fight against cancer. “I really enjoy the lighting of the luminaria at nightfall,” Susan said. “The luminaria are lighted bags decorated to honor a cancer patient or victim. They are lit in a touching ceremony as the names are read aloud. It’s the only quiet, solemn time of Relay for Life.”
To raise awareness, support cancer research and gather as many donations as possible, Susan reaches out to the student body, and the staff is eager to participate. “We recognize that many of our staff and students’ lives are touched by cancer,” assistant principal Radele Walker said. “We wanted to do something that could help support cancer..” Ribbons can be bought and decorated for $1, and luminaria bags for $5. Teachers earn the privilege of wearing jeans to school if they make a donation of any amount. “All proceeds will go to our team,” Susan
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said. “Smiles for Kelly Balke.” As a healthy eater who walked three miles a day, Kelly’s diagnosis initially came as a shock to her parents and sister. The disease is almost impossible to catch because the only warning signs are weight loss, the yellowing of skin and eyes, and back pain. Despite six months of ER visits and a 20 percent survival rate, Kelly Balke never asked “Why me?” She never stopped fighting. And she never stopped smiling. “Her smile encouraged others at MDAnderson, and it helped Mom, Dad and I carry on,” Susan said. “I don’t know how she did it.”
Relay for Life is Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at Cypress Ridge High School.
Color Fun Fest raises money for children in need Amanda Heller Sports Editor Make a mess and ruin your clothes at the Color Fun Fest 5K run on May 4 at the Sam Houston Parkway. The race starts at 5 p.m. for the day wave and 8:30 p.m. for the night wave. Each run will donate a portion of proceeds to a local non-profit charity. Two of the charities that work with the run include the “Free Arts for Abused Children” organization and “Hope Kids” charity. “Free Arts for Abused Children” gives children that have suffered from abuse the chance to express themselves through art. “Hope Kids” helps the families of children who have life threatening medical conditions find hope in a supportive community. Giving back to the community is one of the main factors of the Color Fun Fest. Another main factor of the run is, of course,
the color. These powder-like colors are made of vibrant food-grade cornstarch that is safe and natural. The run includes over 10,000 pounds of bright color that is UV reactive. The color does not stain skin but will transform your clothes into a colorful memento. The run includes plenty of vendors, foods, and live entertainment. There is high energy music along the course to keep participants pumped up and the night run includes industrial strength blacklights and visual effects. The cost to get in is $60 for regular registration fee and $75 for registration on the day of the event. If you are interested in volunteering instead of running, you can sign up to be a volunteer at their website http://colorfunfest5k.com/volunteer/.
At the Color Run in October, seniors Alex Edwards, Denise Fa Doyle, Meghan Wendler, Caroline Hill and Elizabeth Teague onstage to dance for the crowd. Photo courtesy of Alex Edward
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Cody Brown Online Editor Junior Jacob McNeil has been surfing for five years and is no stranger to the ocean. But when he learned of an organization that was giving to special needs children by doing the very same thing he loves, he was stoked to get involved. “For somebody who can’t even walk without assistance to be able to catch a wave must feel liberating and amazing,” McNeil said. “It’s gotta make them feel more accomplished in themselves.” With only a surfboard and encouraging words, volunteers for the nonprofit organization Waves of Impact offer children with special needs a fun, free activity to beat the heat. When it began in 2005, the organization was only sponsored by the Ohana Surf Company in Galveston, but once more parents learned of the organization, they signed their kids up for the program, and it quickly spread to other coastal states. It quickly spread to allow Texans and even volunteers in other states with a passion for surfing to help these children learn that not only can they do anything, they can overcome any obstacle in their lives. Volunteers not only must be able to surf, but also have the patience to teach a child who may not be able to feasibly speak or even stand on their own. Hundreds of hopeful volunteers submit applications each year, and their jobs range from teaching the kids how to balance on the surfboard to helping them stand up and
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catch a wave. Children wishing to participate must fill out an application, and about 20 kids are chosen for each session, with multiple sessions throughout the year. “The volunteers are doing a good thing for those who do participate that are mentally disabled and even for those who aren’t through surfing,” McNeil said. Keith Lovgren, the director of Waves of Impact, understands the healing effects surfiing can have on children with special needs. “Many people have found that getting in the ocean can be an incredible stress reducing activity,” Lovgren said. “Waves of Impact seeks to spread this experience to children with special needs and give them a light in their difficult lives. It’s a great way for them to feel good about themselves.” Lovgren also believes that every child with special needs should have the opportunity to experience some sort of therapy to help them with their disabilities. “We began offering free camps to children in part thanks to our sponsors, but we also realized that most therapy costs more than some families can afford,” Lovgren said. “Surfing is a sport than anybody can enjoy, and no amount of money should dictate that for somebody who deserves to experience something special like this.” For more information about Waves of Impact, or if you want to volunteer: check out Waves of Impact’s Facebook, or visit www. wavesofimpact.com
Let’s ride! Volunteers like junior Jacob McNeil teach kids with special needs to have fun while surfing in Galveston. Photo
Walk with Me Houston
April 26
Where: Houston Zoo Time: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Distance: 5K What: All ages are invited to raise awareness about people with disabilities. Participants can walk or jog laps around the zoo, or just look at the animals. It is all in honor of the zoo’s Ambassadors, who receive Easter Seals disability services.
All Systems Glow 5K
May 10 Where: Minute Maid Park Time: 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Distance: 5K (roughly 3 miles) What: Come prepared to this night race, wearing anything and everything that glows in the dark. If you’re participating, you’ll receive a ‘swag bag’ with added glow gear. The party continues until 1 a.m., complete with a costume contest and a glow contest.
Impact a Hero Walk
by Keith Lovgren.
May 17
How do you give back?
Photos by Tyler Whigman.
ano, Christa got called
Galveston surfing program helps special needs kids
Jeremiah Long, 10
Madison Dubiski, 10
Michaela Raia, 10
Long: “We give back to the community by going out to events like the Lone Star Walk and doing whatever they need us to do.” Dubiski: “I volunteer a lot and try to help people to the best of my abilities to make a better community for everyone.” Raia: “I volunteer at the YMCA on Clay Road. I help out with the kids and try to be like a big sister to them.”
Where: Reliant Stadium Time: 7:30 a.m. Distance: 5K What: Join Texans players in this “Run, Walk & Wheel,” which brings severely wounded 9/11 victims and their families together in competitive and noncompetitive runs, a wheel, a two mile walk and a kids 1K race.
Mud Run Houston
May 24
Where: Silverwood Country Retreat in Waller Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Distance: 5K (roughly 3 miles) and 10K (roughly 6 miles) What: Mud Run has two military style courses complete with obstacles (the 5K has 18 obstacles and the 10K has 40+ obstacles). Crawl, swim and run your way through miles of mud.
Photos courtesy of MCTCampus
> The word Selfie was added to the dictionary in 2013.
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Horror in Honduras
Students held at gunpoint on mission trip Desirae Hoover Commentary Editor The sky was too dark for her to see where the steep hill was taking her. She didn’t know where she was going or what she had just come from. Some were crying. Some were screaming in pain. She was too in shock to do either. She reached the ground to catch her breath and prayed not to hear a gun shot. Junior Mary Rojo spent the week of spring break on a mission trip in Honduras as a part of 249 Student Ministry of Houston Northwest Baptist Church. According to Rojo, the peaceful purpose of sharing the trip was to “share the word of God.” It was on their seventh night when Rojo innocently walked outside her host’s, Pastor Jorge Duran, home when she saw an angry skinny man in a T-shirt and jeans coming toward her with a gun, yelling that he was going to kill someone. “It started as a normal awesome
night,” Rojo said, “It was after we had dinner, and we were getting ready to go back to our camp when this man came from the front with a gun. My youth pastor threw himself in front of me and told us to run back in the house. Then the gunman and another guy came in the house.” Rojo stood just five feet away watching the gunman forced Pastor Duran on his knees as the two men started to rob the house. Junior Carson Bouckley was sitting in the house chatting with friends when their youth pastor, Jacob, came in the house yelling. “I heard the youth pastor yell out the word ‘gun’, and I thought to hide,” Bouckley said. “Then the youth pastor said ‘run’ so we ran to the backyard.” The 12 teens ran though Duran’s backyard. It didn’t hit Rojo what had happened until she had found herself climbing out of the yard over a seven-foot cinder block wall. “I was just really scared. Breathing fast,” Rojo said, “I kept asking questions to myself. ‘Is this really happening?’, ‘How can they do this?’, and ‘God can you help us?’” Senior Dakota King was helping
others climb the cinder block wall. “It was blood pumping” King said. “It was something we could never prepare for. God had to have a hand in it.” After climbing the wall they proceeded to run up and down a hill, Rojo dragging her friend who injured his knee. Bouckley found a closed pharmacy to help bring aid to another injured person. They reached a safe point outside of the closed pharmacy and started praying. Outside this meeting place, they used their cell phones to call an ambulance. The police ended up getting two of the guys, who only stole three laptops and a bunch of little things. Rojo’s church is sending funds to the Duran and his family. “Now, everybody is just thankful for God’s provision throughout the whole trip and how he moved through us,” Rojo said. “We really enjoy telling this story because it’s kind of awesome and intense and we all grew so much closer from it. Nobody got hurt and we all were very thankful. We looked at each other knowing that had to be God’s power that protected us.”
Top Mary Rojo, Dakota King, and Carson Bouckley playing with students from one of the schools they visited. Bottom Rojo playing a game with girls from a school. Photo by Nikki Carter.
‘But first, let me take a selfie’ Matt Schneider Commentary Editor The selfie—beginning as the need for a profile picture—exploded into a pariah of images (including one that broke Twitter). There’s billions on social media. The need for a profile picture came a long way. A selfie is defined as: a self uploaded picture or one sent on to the internet. Everyone takes or has taken a selfie. Whether it’s an old Polaroid photo of someone in the mirror or a picture at the beach, it’s a selfie, but not all are the same. When it comes to selfies, the ones that gain more likes on Instagram are the good ones. So if VSCO cam, a professional photo editing app free on the App Store and Google Play, was used the right way with the best lighting, on the best camera, and done appropriately, there’s a chance that many people will find
it more pleasing. These photos are usually shot by people who have taken a photography class, own a symmetrical face or, at the very least, angled themselves well if they’re appearances are unfortunate and also used ideal lighting that can be gained by opening the blinds, going outside, or using a natural source of light, or being close to a light bulb in a dark room. The essentials to taking a grade A selfie is usually blown off and lead in into what is considered ‘the bad.’ The bad are the pictures that use the preset filters and frames from the Instagram or Twitter app or have been heavily edited to a point of no return. These photos are usually made by the younger half of the generation, taken with a bad quality camera and bad lighting. These garner a few likes and reblogs out of sympathy by their followers. The ‘ugly’ are the photos that have been heavily hashtagged with “#Like,
#LikeforLike, and #Photography,” photo bombed with objects like toilets, trashcans, trashcans or sadly even corpses. These are taken by people who are usually hungry for attention. The ‘ugly’ are in the most inappropriate places, ridiculously posed for, and are usually, again, done by the younger part of the generation. Selfies have officially been categorized as a mental disorder caused by depression or narcissism. People spend hours in front of their camera trying to get their self to appear flawless for the internet. The more selfies that a person takes can say a lot about them as a person. Insecure individuals’ Intagram, Tumblr or Twitter feeds are usually flowing with photos of themself as an act of garnering attention and praise, but it is usually done just out of sympathy or to keep up looks. Selfies, in essence, aren’t the new silent killer, and not everyone who takes a picture
in the mirror is crazy, but now that doctors are calling it an addiction or a compulsive disorder many are concerned whether the world is overreacting. Since there’s an answer for everything and past generations didn’t take pictures of themselves half as much as this one does, they don’t understand and are quick to diagnose what’s strange and foreign to them. Wasn’t the world flat a long time ago? The reality is that this is how teens today communicate and show off, not cry for help. An example of the confusion of our older counterparts has been in the news lately, focused on one teen that had practically saved a school from a stabbing by pulling the fire alarm and getting injured in the arm himself. Later that day, he was in the hospital and took a photo in the mirror captioned “Chillin’ at Children’s.” A couple thousand followers later, a few news stories, and now he’s being accused
Photo by Lil Harris.
Student calls these photos good, bad and ugly
Snapchat and Instagram and Twitter, oh my! of making a mockery of what happened. Selfies’ invasion in today’s culture has been present in more than just social media and the doc’s office, especially lately. Not to mention the selfie that broke twitter for a bit. Ellen DeGeneres’ group selfie at the Oscar’s this year had been retweeted 777,295 times in half an hour, climbing at the amount of 2,070,132 retweets. Even the president can’t compete with that. Interesting enough selfies are here to stay as long as uploading a picture is possible. It gives you something to do, an excuse for attention, bragging rights and increases self-confidence. Perfect for a species as ours.
> “This class will prepare me for culinary school,” said senior Emily Placeres.
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Miss Cypress Sophomore places in beauty competition Valerie Parker Copy Editor With her dress sparkling in the spotlight, she puts on her best smile and stares the judges straight in the eyes. It’s the 2013 National American Miss Texas Junior Teen Pageant at the Royal Sonesta Hotel downtown on June 14-16, and sophomore Michaela Raia is ready to strut her stuff. Dressed in her $500 light pink floor-length gown, she gives the judges a 30-second speech that includes her name, city and occupation. The next day she discovers that she placed 3rd overall, earning her the title Miss Cypress. She received a crown banner and an invitation to nationals. “I love how special the spotlight makes me feel because in those few moments all attention is on me,” Raia said. “I enjoy spending hours doing hair and makeup then looking in the mirror and saying ‘perfect.’’’ Raia went to her first pageant when she was nine and became a state finalist in the National American Miss Texas Jr. Pre-teen Pageant. “Back then, I had a good friend who did
pageants and because I was young it looked so cool to dress up as a princess,” Raia said. “It was something new and exciting. My friend spoke highly of it and since we were friends and did a lot of the
same things, her passion rubbed off on me.” She still has her first pageant dress, a full-length baby blue gown. Raia will continue participating in pageants and plans on entering Miss Texas again, even with the $480 entrance fee. “Pageants make me feel so pretty and confident. I tend to get a little nervous on stage, but I just embrace it and put on my best smile. It’s an exciting rush that lifts me up and encourages me to do my best,” Raia said. Her parents, Gina and Russell Raia, are both very supportive of their daughter. “Michaela’s pageant experience has already made a dramatic impact upon her, and I believe that it will last a long time,” Russell said. “She stopped comparing herself to others and learned to love herself instead.” Her mother, like her dad, is proud of her accomplishments and hopes she will continue pursuing her dreams. “I support her by encouraging her to be her best,” Gina said. “Sometimes as a mom I can get caught up in details over her dress or hair, but I know the most important thing I can do is let her know that I believe in her.” According to Raia, the National American Miss organization makes the environment fun and easygoing, not stressful. “When people think of beauty pageants they think of evil, selfish girls, and it’s really not like that. I’ve made great friends in the past that I still talk to,” Raia said. “Pageants boost your confidence and self-esteem even if you don’t win because you know you tried your best. They make you feel beautiful.”
Beauty queen. Michaela Raia wins title of Miss Cypress.
Photo courtesy of Michaela Raia.
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Scottish heritage. Eileen Perrie stands with her boys in her home country. Photo courtesy of Eileen Perrie.
Bobcats from across the globe
Faculty member, student receive citizenship Danielle D’Aguilar Business Manager From Mumbai to Houston, senior Sid Kurwa received his certificate of citizenship on Mar. 18 and is now ready to contribute to American society through voting and other civil duties. “I was born in Mumbai, India. When I was four or five my dad’s job at Compact required us to move to the U.S.,” said Kurwa. “It’s really cool to become a citizen. More than the paper and tangible stuff like the certificate, I can vote now and there are scholarships that are now available to me.” Moving to the U.S. was a big change for Kurwa and his family. He was not fluid in English, but over time he improved. The most difficult change was figuring out how to get around the city. “Almost everyone drives here in Houston,” said Kurwa. “In India, we had no need for a car, everything was walking distance. In Houston we can’t get by without a car. There was a period of six months where we had to depend on others and public transit to get us around to different places.” For Kurwa, international travel from the U.S. to India was only another obstacle. Whenever the family went overseas and back to
India, they had to forego a more intensive and time-consuming process to apply for visas. “Whenever we applied for international travel, we had to apply for a visa with an Indian passport,” said Kurwa, “but with U.S. citizenship there’s no longer that problem because a US passport is accepted everywhere.” Eileen Perrie, the principal’s assistant who can occasionally be heard over the intercom giving the Pledge of Allegiance, immigrated to the U.S. from Aberdeen, Scotland in 1998 and received citizenship in 2010. An adult at the time of the event, Perrie recalls the difficulties of the transfer. “[My husband and I] had to go through attorneys to get here,” Perrie said. “We had to prove that an American could not do the job which he was going to do at Oil States Industries. When we moved, all of our furniture was shipped and our house was sold. Just before we were due to leave, my husband received word that there was a problem with our visas.” Perrie and her family had to rent an apartment for three months before they were finally able to leave for the U.S..
“I had just arrived and I was on my own in a rented house in Houston,” said Perrie. “I saw this huge critter on the floor in the house. It was a cockroach, but I’d never seen them before since we don’t have any in Scotland. I remember I was freaking out.” Once she received her citizenship in 2010, Perrie said she was very excited to vote and attend jury duty. The next day, principal Michael Smith asked her to give the Pledge of Allegiance. “I was crying, I just felt so overwhelmed,” she said. “One student said, ‘I’ve been here for four years and that was the best pledge I’ve ever heard.’” Now that both members of the Bobcat family have their citizenship, they have come to love and embrace American culture. “My youngest son was born in the US in 1995; we named him Kennedy Ellis Perrie after Ellis Island,” said Perrie. Kurwa, who is going on to University of Texas at Austin this fall, is proud of his background and glad to be a citizen. “I like it here,” said Kurwa. “The people her and the culture are a part of me.”
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> “Pageants boost your confidence and self-esteem,” said sophomore Michaela Raia.
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Culinary whips up something sweet Jessica Ullrich Reporter One whiff of scrumptious, fluffy bread and perfectly whipped butter, and Cy-Fair Culinary is sure to be toting trays of their popular pastry for sale nearby. They are easily recognizable by this delectable treat, but there is far more to the program than merely biweekly mass bread production of 50 to 100 loaves. Although food may be the first thing that pops into the students’ minds when the culinary program is mentioned, class goes beyond aprons, ovens and spatulas. Culinary instructors, Michele Smith and Kara Palermo teach basic restaurant skills necessary for a future career in hospitality. “I think the thing people don’t know about culinary is that you actually do complete worksheets and learn about the safety rules of the kitchen, like time and temperature control and sanitation,” junior Show off. Brigade girls watch as officers Shelby Gray and Claire Starling practice their routine. Photo by Cody Brown.
Josephine Owolabi said. Culinary separates itself from other classes with various class activities and field trips, as well as the life skills it teaches the students. “We’re going on a field trip to a farm next Friday,” Smith said. “They [the farm] deliver produce once a month for an annual fee, and they also do education classes there.” While students anticipate this field trip, cooking is the focus of the program, and students’ favorite Culinary activity is not only preparing their food, but also tasting their creations. “My favorite part about Culinary is learning how to make new and different kinds of food,” Owolabi said. “My favorite thing I have baked is a red velvet chocolate chip cookie.” One benefit of completing Culinary is the doors it opens for the future.
“We do ServSafe certification,” Smith said. “It’s the National Restaurant Association food safety test. If you get that certification, you get a job for sure. Also, one student made a connection with a man who has a high-end Italian restaurant, and now he has a job there.” Some students plan to use culinary as a future profession. “This class will prepare me for culinary school and give me the skills I need to work in a real bakery,” said Culinary II student, senior Emily Placeres. Whether a student’s intention is to become a renowned chef or simply educate and prepare for life by learning basic meal preparation, Culinary provides opportunities for development in cooking skills and basic kitchen knowledge. “The class will influence you and your future by preparing you to be
Stir it up. Senior Alyssa Ramirez prepares a decadent cake in culinary. Photo by Jessica Ullrich.
on your own and know how to take care of your body,” Owolabi said. “People should take this class so they can learn more about the food that goes into their body and how to protect themselves from food viruses while at the same time learning how to cook foods you never thought you would be able to make.” The demand for food will never end. Culinary prepares students to
pursue enjoyment through cooking and gain a job to meet this demand. “Culinary is beneficial to anyone that takes the class,” Palermo said. “As long as people eat food, there will be a job for every one of my students. They learn both the front and back of the house. Students can earn a living or work their way through college as a waiter/waitress, host/hostess or cooking.”
Brigade goes all out
Spring show opens tonight Katelyn Gehrt Reporter Brigade closes their season with its Spring Show tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. For seniors, this is their last time performing on stage, but for the newest members of the team this is just the beginning. The show kicks off with seniors getting recognized for all their hard work throughout the years. “It’s really bittersweet that my time on Brigade is coming to a close,” senior Kelsey Christ said. The show will include four officer choreographed ensembles. For each of the ensembles there are two officers. Brigade members choose between Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary or Kick for their ensemble. Officers also perform
their competition dances. Seniors perform three routines, juniors are in two and sophomores are in at least one. “My favorite part of Spring Show is performing competition dances because we get to show off all our hard work from the year,” junior Amanda Justice said. To give the members time to change costumes and rest between dances, there are mom and dad dances. These dances are for the parents of members to show that they are able to dance just like their daughters-- kind of. There are other various performances like Brigade’s very own sophomore, Sarah Buss, singing her original song “Old Polaroid.” “The best thing about singing
in Spring Show is that not only do I get to sing for the show which is tons of fun, but I get to dance with my team as well. I’m very thankful that I get to have this opportunity, and it should be fun,” said Buss. Colonel Emily Taylor will perform her lyrical solo to “Gravity” along with Brigade seniors dances: senior Hip-Hop, Father-Daughter and senior couples. “I’m still in awe that this is my last time dancing with my team. They mean more to me than words can describe, and I want to cherish every last moment with them,” Taylor said. The 2014-2015 new members also present a special number. “Our routines are super fun and look awesome because the girls have worked so hard,” Taylor said.
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Helping for more than yourself
the reporter staff Co-Editors in Chief Alex Edwards Rebeccah Barger
Volunteering is about more than hours
Lately, all I hear about volunteering is hours. It seems to me that to Tyler our generation, Whigham volunteering has become synonymous with hours. I get it. Our time is valuable and clubs require hours. But the fact remains that volunteering is so much more than just a measure of time. I volunteer regularly on Saturdays, getting in three hours nearly every week for the National Charity League, Yellow Rose Chapter. I am required to get only 20 each year. That should mean I only need to give seven mornings before I was done. But it’s not that simple. I made a commitment to be in Hockley on Saturday morning as
often as I could. Alright then, good for me. Even more hours, right? The truth is, even if I didn’t get hours for the donation of my mornings, I’d still want to help out, because it’s not about the hours. It’s about so much more than that, and focusing on the hours means missing out on the greatest benefits gained by volunteering. Last summer, I volunteered at a YMCA for its Swim Buddies program, where disabled kids came to learn how to swim. Every Tuesday and Thursday I chased around an energetic 6-year-old who took to water like a fish but sank like a rock. I did not receive hours for being there. The YMCA I volunteered for isn’t a philanthropy approved by my chapter of NCL. Just going from an hours standpoint, all the time spent helping a little girl learn to swim was worthless. Only they weren’t worthless to that little girl, who got
Student writer shares love for inspiration author She immediately captured me with her words and ideas. Not many other authors dare to write Valerie Parker about what Copy Editor she does. Maybe that’s why she became the biggest inspiration to me and left a long lasting impact on my life. Ellen Hopkins is by far my favorite author. She isn’t afraid to publish novels that contain the very things our parents warn us about: sex, drugs, abuse, love. It’s not like she encourages bad actions, but more like she tells a story of someone who made bad choices and how their life goes from average to chaotic, although you don’t have to participate in those activities in order to enjoy her books. It’s not encouraging. It’s helpful. Many teens tend to jump headfirst into excitement without first thinking of the consequences. Reading Hopkins’ books teach you exactly what can happen if you venture too far off the grid. Not only are her stories crazy good, (and just crazy in general), her writing is something I hope everyone can someday experience. Her novels are written in a style called concrete poetry, the typographical arrangement of words that go along with what the author is trying to convey. Her words don’t rhyme
but are written in what appears as a poem verse. To me, it is freaking amazing. One of her most popular book series is called “Crank,” in which a young girl falls into a dizzying spiral of drugs, meth to be exact. Naturally a parent’s reaction would be to rip a book like that out of their kid’s hands, but honestly, how else are they supposed to learn that lesson the hard way? An interesting fact: “Crank” was a banned school book. I can honestly say that Hopkin’s books have made reading the best thing in the world and has helped my writing improve drastically. She uses good diction and makes the reader feel like they’re actually present with the character(s). And trust me; she doesn’t hold anything back from her readers. Personally, my favorite book of hers is “Burned,” a novel about a Mormon girl who discovers love for the first time without her alcoholic father’s permission. This book will have you smiling to crying in an instant. It branded the saying “fight for what you love” in my mind forever. Depending on what your preferences are, there are plenty of topics she covers that will interest you. I’ve seen people who absolutely hate reading pick up a book of hers and never put it back down. Her powerful words and thoughts put every other author to shame in my eyes.
to spend time swimming with me, her mom, who got to relax because I was watching her daughter, or to me because I gained more than anyone else. I got to swim just as much as that little girl did, helped out in the community and got some exercise in. I would have missed all of that if I measured the worth of volunteering by the hour instead of the people I get to help. Volunteering helps show me everything I take for granted as well. Two of the kids I help can’t talk, and I’ve never had a problem with my voice. I have two healthy legs that don’t have any problems. My mom works with a boy the same age as me who can’t walk, who is so stiff that even moving his fingers requires an extreme amount of effort, but even with all that, he never ceases making jokes and threatening to fall on my mom. Working around people like him teach me to be grateful for what
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I have and that I have nothing to complain about, especially if a boy confined to a wheelchair can make jokes about the fact that he can’t walk. With all that, I have to say that my greatest blessing in volunteering, what makes all the so-called sacrificing really worth it, is a little boy named Grey, who, despite his disabilities, is the sweetest little boy I know. I get to help him, and that is a gift worth more than anything else. Time is very valuable, and as a student in high school, I know I have little enough to spare, but volunteering is worth far too much to be cheapened as a measure of time instead of what it truly is. It’s a way to receive a gift more valuable than anything tangible, a way to give others an equal gift, a way to become more accepting of those different than us, and to help others improve. It’s not about the hours. Volunteering is so much more.
It’s ‘healthy’ Pay attention to meal habits
Managing Editor Natalie Berry News Editors Kestra Derise Sports Editors Will Davis Amanda Heller
Culture Editors Christina Moreno Ashlynn Peters Business Manager Danielle D’Aguilar Life Editors Harper Neitzey Maddie Pierce
Commentary Editors Desirae Hoover Matt Schneider Copy Editors Kaylin Jones Valerie Parker Online Editor Cody Brown Graphics Editors Rebecca East Reporters Tyler Whigham Katelyn Gehrt Jessica Ullrich Sydney Hoffman Adviser Lillian Harris Our Policy The Reporter is a Cy-Fair High School student publication. Its purpose is to inform and entertain the student body and faculty, and also to serve as a lab for students enrolled in advanced journalism classes. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Reporter staff, the Cy-Fair High School faculty and staff, the Cy-Fair Independent School District or the school board. The Reporter maintains the right to refuse any goods or services that it deems inappropriate for teenagers. The Reporter is a Quill and Scroll, TAJE, NSPA, and JEA member. Cy-Fair is located at 22602 Hempstead Highway Cypress, TX 77429. The journalism office can be reached at (281) 897-4658 or Lillian.Harris@cfisd.net.
Amanda Heller Sports Editor Eating healthy. I know, "ew" right? Healthy eating gets such a bad rep nowadays because of all the 'more delicious' and 'easier' food that is available. That's not so true anymore. There are so many options of healthy foods today. But don't believe everything the package tells you. "100 calories" good right? Not always. Always look at the nutrition information. The product always has the most of the first ingredient shown, and so on. If the first ingredient is sugar, throw it out. On the contrary to everyone's belief, calories are not your 'worst enemy'sugar is. Fructose (sugar) is known as the 'silent killer' because of the effect it has on your body without symptoms. Excessive intake of fructose leads to a condition called Leptin resistance. Leptin is a hormone in your body that tells you when you have consumed enough food for your body to function. The more excess
fructose your body consumes, the more likely this condition is rapidly growing in your system and can cause a person to constantly over-eat and gain weight. For healthy living, staying away from high-sugar foods is probably your best bet. When you begin to eat healthy, don't become obsessed with counting calories and making sure you have healthy, small portions. Instead, make it a habit to add variety and color to your meals and try to include as much natural-grown food as possible. As it becomes easier, then concentrate on your portion size and caloric intake with introducing some physical exercise as well. Physical exercise is sometimes over exaggerated in some diet plans. Some people just hate to work out, which is fine because I can guarantee that if you simply eat healthier with controlled portions of food you will see a change physically and mentally. As you begin to live a healthy lifestyle, it will become increasingly
evident how easy it is to choose the better option and go to the gym because you feel better and you look better. It all takes time and effort, but most importantly, it takes a lot of dedication. The most important aspect of a well-rounded diet is water. Water is a must and you can have as much of it, whenever you want it. Staying hydrated is necessary even if you aren't a "healthy eater." Your whole body needs water to function properly and without water, you ultimately starve your body of its nutrients. The main thing you need to know in order to start to live a healthier life is start at your own pace because it takes longer for everyone to get into a habit of making the better choice. Never get discouraged and always try to find new foods and different workouts that are fun and intriguing. Always keep going no matter how hard it seems at the beginning and I promise you will see results.
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‘Truth is available to those who seek it’ Staff Editoral Some truths are hard to find among the influential choir, but the power held by the modern newspaper and journalistic community is abused by their desire to gain popular belief and to sway the views of the world. We find ourselves stumbling among the wreckage of a downed plane, sitting in front of an athlete make a confession, striving on stage next to the craziest thing in pop culture or fighting alongside rebels or governments all vying for our attention. What do we as readers have to offer these powerhouses of opinions and newsworthy information? By principle, our media needs the sup-
port to continue the work of delivering what we need to know on a daily basis. But too often, news outlets will not be the objective and a non-biased beacon that this country needs . Sure we all have beliefs, but what shapes that? Who is believable and why are they given credit? Find your principle values, morals and goals. Being reasonable, considerate and logical is the only way to beat bias and, at times, the outright lies we are exposed to. It is wrong for journalists to lie to the public but it happens, often. News sources such as CNN and FOX lean to their own sides of the political spectrum. Spotting the tactics of such news sources can be done by keeping an eye on how they talk about controversial topics and what
Student reflects on a changing society Texas’s ban on same sex marriage was overruled by Federal Judge Orlando Garcia on Feb. 27 in Austin. Desirae Hoover But hold on: Commentary the appeal is still pending in district court, so let’s not go planning any ultra-fabulous gay weddings just yet. This year has been very progressive in gay marriage. In 2014, Michigan and Illinois legalized gay marriage (making it 17 states) and federal judges have started pending repeals in Oklahoma and Virginia. And Texas, yes Texas, is coming closer to getting on the list. This exciting news shows just how far we’ve progressed. The event shows that our society is becoming more accepting. Ten years ago a federal judge wouldn’t have looked twice at gay marriage. Ten years ago, I probably wouldn’t have been able to write about this. Ten years ago seems thousands of miles away in the pride march for equality. The world has gone from black and white to rainbow. Our generation is redefining stereotypes, transforming the normal and opening the world’s mind. More and more both gay and straight Americans supporting equality. Openly same sex couples are on television and in the media. Sixty years ago the United
Kingdom was putting men in jail for homosexuality. Now Wales is celebrating their first gay marriages. There’s an openly gay man in football, Michael Sam. An openly gay man in basketball, Jason Collins. And there’s even an openly lesbian mayor in Texas, Annise Parker. Of course, not everybody believes in same sex marriage and sometimes we can’t fight that. Let’s not be naive to think that discrimination no longer exists. Over half of the states in America still don’t support same gay marriage. Homophobic slurs are still used too casually and inappropriately. And LGBT teenagers still struggle coming out. But despite that, this is as good of a time as ever to be a member of the LGBT community. There was a time when interracial marriage was illegal and seemed strange, and gay marriage will be no different. Our nation went through the civil rights and the women suffrage movements, and changed society on a global aspect. That’s what shows mankind’s strength. That’s what shows that the world can change. That’s what shows that we can break limits. Races can join together. Gender roles can bend. And people can be with who they desire. The gay rights movement still has a way to go. But let’s also appreciate how far it has come.
details are revealed, whether they cover up and ignore some facts, or expose and provide extensive coverage on simple tangents. More deaths are caused by cars than guns anywhere with easy access to both. Yet why are we so comfortable with vehicles, and wish to take guns away? Between the invasion of Russia and the Malaysian flight, why did the flight get so much media attention and contain so many lies and deceit? These wrongdoings go without effective opposition. The media can only atone for their mistakes if the people stand for what they decide for them-
“News sources such as CNN and FOX lean to their own sides of the political spectrum” Photo by Sheneman. selves and not what a misleading headline alights in their mind. Define your morals and what you believe in, take time to digest information from multiple news sources and always
take a step back to analyze what you have heard. This is how that causes people to falter in what they should truly believe in. Truth is available to those who seek it.
‘Read a few headlines’
Student speaks on importance of news Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. It was Saturday, March 8 when I woke up to the sound of Lester Kaylin Jones Holt’s voice breaking Copy Editor the news that a plane full of 227 passengers had somehow gone missing. From there, every major network was filled with the news of the mysterious, disappearing airplane. I could only assume that everyone had heard about the tragedy, but to my dismay, I was wrong. It was merely a week later when the topic came up in my US History class, and disturbingly enough, there were quite a few of my fellow students who had no clue what had occurred. Whether it is by nature or because I am an aspiring journalist (or so I’d like to think), I love current events so much so that I watch the news whenever I can, and I have a CNN app on my phone that sends me notifications when something happens. But,it’s always a bit discouraging when my own peers seem oblivious to the world around them. After all, this is their world just as it is anyone else’s. The phrase ignorance is bliss is often tossed around, but is it really? I, for one, don’t see anything particularly blissful about being blind to what’s going on in the world. Humans, in their natural
selfish tendencies, tend to prioritize things that directly affect them, such as their local and personal news. It’s great to be wrapped up in our own worlds, but think about it. In just a few years, some of those years being either significantly longer “From there, every major network was filled with the news of the mysterious, disappearing or surprisingly shorter depending airplane. ” Photo by Nate Beeler that developed in this generation, on the grade level, though many people like to hold our we will be the contributing forces advances in electronics and use of of society. Terrifying, isn’t it? The things that come across the television social media against us. Teenagers have always been somewhat selfscreen during NBC Nightly News centered, regardless of the decade. with Brian Williams is probably Truth be told, it’s in our nature. We’re an afterthought for the average all just high school students; the American teenager, but those news is quite possibly only a glimpse very topics are the things that will of what the world out there is really indirectly and directly influence our like. One unfortunate aspect is the lives as adults. fact that due to social networks, the There’s also the classic “the news news is that much more accessible, is too depressing”, yeah well it’s but it’s something that is often taken what’s happening. A time doesn’t go for granted. Sure, we have enough by where I don’t hear a student ask going on in our own lives with the a teacher, especially a math teacher, constant worry of GPA and class “when will I ever need this in real ranks, but it wouldn’t hurt to take life?” Well, being aware of current a look and see the world for what it events will not only teach things truly is. Try following a news source that will apply to real life, it will also on Twitter. Read a few headlines. create a worldly, culturally sound Trust me, it feels good to be individual…well, maybe. informed. Now this is not just a problem
pr om hey! Don’t keep your prom stuff locked away in
a closet for years! Donate your prom dress, accessories, and tuxes for prom 2015 to help out kids in need! Visit OperationProm.com
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culture
The afterparty: Project Prom Seniors, it’s time for you to brush up on your party skills. The all-night after prom party, Project Prom, will be on May 2, immediately following Prom, at The Main Event in Katy. The event will have everything from unlimited bowling to laser tag to arcade games. There will be a casino where students can play black jack, Texas Hold ‘em, craps and roulette. And there will also be a photo booth, mechanical bull and sumo suits for wrestling. Project Prom is not a school sponsored event, despite its popularity. The event is sponsored by senior and even junior parents of current students. “Project Prom first came to CFISD in the 80’s to help provide a safe all night option for students,” Co-President Kim Hastings said. “I had a project graduation when I graduated from Cypress Creek in 1987.” Throughout the year, Project Prom relies on volunteers and students to raise approximately $75,000 for the event, not including the various prizes. So far Project Prom has raised
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casino royale Kestra Derise News Editor
approximately $65,000. This year Project Prom has sold homecoming mums, sponsored a kickball tournament, volleyball tournament and powder puff game, all of which are strictly for students. Other fundraisers included the golf tournament, Denim, Diamonds and Dice, mulch sales and the shrimp crawfish boils. The success of every Project Prom depends on students’ and parents’ participation. “It’s important for juniors to know that parents begin working on Project Prom in June, before their senior year begins,” Hastings said. “The earlier you get started, the better chances you have for good fundraising. The most important thing is to get as many students and parents to participate as possible. Everyone should get involved and take part in this fun year end event” There will be a meeting for juniors and parents of juniors on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the CFHS cafeteria. All junior parents should attend.
What are you looking forward to
CY-FAIR Promposals
Photo courtesy of Justin Nguyen.
The evolution of the promposal: Urban Dictionary refers to the promposal as an elaborate invitation in which the invitee is asked to accompany the inviter to a prom
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1. Justin Nguyen tapes himself to a tree for Ashton Suehs. 2. When Emily Sparks came home from Mexico, she found Blake Vance sprawled on her bed, covered in rose petals. 3. Destin Rays asks Nikki Robinson during the Q&A portion of Mr. Cy-Fair. 4. Drake (Giovanni Musachio) made an appearance in the cafeteria to ask Nicie Flores to the dance.
Garrett Vandergriff, 12
Emily Sparks, 12
Jones: “I’m really looking forward to the prom experience. I just think it’’ll be something new.” Vandergriff: “I think that project prom will be a lot of fun, and staying up with my friends. Plus, I’m going on an after prom trip, and I’m really looking forward to that.” Sparks: “It’ll be the last big event with my close friends, and I get to be all dressed up.”
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Photos 3 & 4 by Ayesha Sid-
Ashton Jones, 12
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> “I really like Fuzzy’s breakfast tacos, they’re so good” -Maddy Noble, 11
culture
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Student gives reviews on various artists and albums Natalie Berry Managing Editor
Overplayed songs are the worst especially when the song is actually good. Usually, radio stations play popular songs 24/7 in an effort to appeal to the most people. But this backfires, making listeners grow tired of songs that they might have initially enjoyed. When plagued by this musiclover’s enigma, try making a playlist of lesser-known songs to enjoy. Here’s a list of people to consider in replacement of Billboard Top 100 artists:
Estelle If you like Beyonce’s diva attitude and powerful voice try... Estelle Estelle is basically a British Beyonce. She’s worked with notable R&B singers, writers and producers like will.i.am, John Legend and Rick Ross. In 2008, her song “American Boy”, featuring Kanye West, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at number nine and even won a Grammy. Even after that success, she’s come out with one full album, “All of Me”, and a three-installment album, “Love&Happiness”, that have flown under the radar. Check out her songs “Break My Heart” and “Thank You”, which especially embody the subtly assertive, controlled sound that Beyonce
The Black Keys sometimes channels. For a taste of almost cocky, Beyoncelike sass, try “International”. Similarity between Beyonce’s recent hit “Drunk in Love” feat. Jay Z can be seen in Estelle’s “Come Over “ feat. Sean Paul, which boasts a saucy reggae beat that resembles the Indian vocal track Beyonce uses. Estelle’s vocals, while they lack the raw strength of Beyonce’s, are soft in a way that is sultry and penetrating. While nobody can compare to Queen Bey, Estelle comes pretty close.
If you like Imagine Dragons’ bassfilled beats and try... The Black Keys With indie music, it’s sometimes difficult to find artists with exactly the same sound, but these two bands share a similar enough vibe to be enjoyed by the same listener. For those who like the depth of
I.D.’s super engaging songs like “Radioactive”, “Demons” or “It’s Time,” try out The Black Keys’ recent release “Fever.” It combines an entertaining background beat with more intense vocals. With The Black Keys’ recent album, “Turn Blue”, they’ve moved away from classic
All Photos by Scott Sharpe, mct.campus
Lesser known artists to add to your playlist
rock and tend toward the alternative music vibe, putting them in the same category as Imagine Dragons’ unique genre. While this movement toward a new style left die-hard Black Keys fans stunned and upset, it allows I.D. fans the opportunity to consider and appreciate their music.
LITTLE BOOTS If you like Lorde’s soft voice and relatable lyrics try... LITTLE BOOTS All of these artists share the same young, fresh vibe and smooth voice. LITTLE BOOTS especially resembles Lorde, as many of her lyrics talk about living the life of an average teenager and having fun. Her songs tend to be more upbeat than those of fellow soft-voiced, British artists like Lykke Li and Emma Louise, making LITTLE
BOOTS a more apt contender for a spot on a Lorde-lover’s playlist. However, LITTLE BOOTS tends to be more flashy, electropop and seventies-funk than Lorde, namely in her songs “New in Town”,
“Remedy” and “Hearts Collide”. If you aren’t convinced by now, the fact that both girls have super sassy stage names (in real life, Lorde is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor and LITTLE BOOTS is Victoria Christina Hesketh) should be enough proof of their similarity.
Ashlynn Peters Culture Editor Fuzzy’s tacos has just opened up in Vintage, and, due to my Mexican food addiction, I had to try it out. When I first walked in, it was a very casual place with a counter service so there was no waiting to be seated. The bright colors and high ceilings were comfortable and inviting. It was a family friendly environment that could work for a casual date or family dinner. I went on a Friday around 7 p.m., and it was definitely packed. Even with the dinner rush, they took everyone’s orders efficiently and there was enough seating so there
was no walking around aimlessly in an attempt to claim a seat. The tacos are about $2 apiece, and it’s around $6 for an entire meal, making it the perfect price for broke high school students who can’t help but go out to eat every weekend. The menu didn’t have a huge variety, just your basic Mexican food staples like tacos, burritos and salads, which was perfect for me since just deciding what I want to order gives me anxiety. Even though they are famous for their breakfast and specialized tacos, I decided to stay in my comfort zone and go with the shredded chicken quesadilla with a side of chips and guacamole.
The guacamole was to die for and that alone could have been my meal. They spice their chips, which matched up perfectly with the guacamole. I was in heaven. The service was good, mainly due to the fact you wait for your number to be called and then get it yourself. I was slightly disappointed with my quesadilla; it certainly didn’t lack in its size, but the taste wasn’t what I was expecting. The shredded chicken wasn’t spiced with your traditional texmex flavor, and the sauce they used dripped down my arm whenever I attempted to take a bite. It was
the messiest quesadilla I have ever eaten, and I’m sure I was a looker to whoever happened to glance in my direction. It was the size of my face, and even with my friend helping me eat it, I entered a Fuzzy’s food coma. The amazing guacamole made up for the quesadilla though, making my overall experience about 6 out of 10. Located at 138 Vintage Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77070, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is open Monday- Thursday 6:30 a.m.- 10:00 p.m., Friday- Saturday 6:30 a.m.- 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 8:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Photo credits: Ashlynn Peters.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: ‘guacamole to die for’
twenty-two culture
> “My favorite superhero is spiderman” -Jessie Walker, 12
4.25.14
New hit on BBC ‘Orphan Black’ Rebeccah Barger Co-Editor in Chief After stellar hits like “Sherlock” and “Doctor Who” make their grand appearance on BBC and garnered an almost cult-like following, it’s not a surprise that the British channel has turned out yet another astounding television masterpiece. With the edgy, grim finesse of “Breaking Bad” and sharp, high voltage story line to rival that of “Dexter”, this sci-fi action drama “Orphan Black” explodes into its long awaited season two, which began April 19. That’s also convenient for all the soon-to-be fans out there. Given a weekend of binge watching season one on Netflix - conveniently only 10 episodes long - there’ll be no wait between its cliffhanger conclusion and the beginning of what supporting actress Maria Doyle Kennedy has promised Entertainment Weekly will be “like season one on crack.” “Orphan Black” delivers with its wit, clever construction and mind blowing moments. In an age of stale story lines and predictable plot
twists, writer Will Pascoe balances light humor with the heavy drama and always makes it inexplicably breathtaking. Not to mention Pascoe’s ability to reign in a common scientific dilemma of the age, one dealt with before in many medias of entertainment, and burst it into something truly intriguing. That is, cloning. Tatiana Maslany takes on the role of brusque main character Sarah Manning. Waiting on the platform to catch a train, Manning turns around to see a woman commit suicide, but before she dies, realizes that the woman looks exactly like her. Not just similar, but exact in every part, every feature and every detail. Manning assumes the identity of the dead girl, Beth Childs and soon discovers that it wasn’t just her and Childs who looked alike, but five other ladies as well. They team up to not only unravel the conspiracy of their true origins, but to find out who is the original clone. The science fiction plot line may seem a bit far stretched, especially for fans whose comfort zone lies more along the lines of medical dramas and sit coms, but “Orphan
Stealth Mode. Tatiana Maslany and Jordan Gavaris are shown plotting in season two of “Orphan Black.” Photo courtesy of BBC/MCT. Black” uses a flawless foundation of evolution and science to craft its script. The scientific links displayed throughout the show lend us not only plausibility, but also instill an inquisitiveness that only enhances the mystery of an already curious plot. It doesn’t hurt that Maslany’s delivery of each of the five (known) clones is spectacular.
Already recipient of the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Drama Actress, the Television Critics Association for Individual Achievement in Drama, the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Breakout Performance and more, the young actress is astonishing. With five different personalities to mold in and out of and the most extensive role of this
that television has ever seen, Maslany holds her own. Her performance delivers an edge of reality to the show that “Orphan Black” couldn’t have without her, making each of her characters stand on their own. “Orphan Black” is one of television’s most modern, expertly written dramas. Catch the second episode of the riveting season two Sat. April 26 at 8 p.m. on BBC.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier New Marvel movie box office hit Sydney Hoffman Reporter Another masterpiece was released from the cinematic universe of Marvel Studios on April. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is an incredible experience. From Marvel comic fanatics to first time Marvel moviegoers, this film has gained global recognition by earning a whopping $315 million worldwide during its opening weekend. After reading the comics that the movie is based off of (2004 Ed Brubaker series), I had high expectations for this film, and I was not disappointed. The story beings with Captain America a.k.a. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) adjusting to the modern world, shortly before he was awaken from (Cap-Sicle) a near 70 year freeze after a plane crash during World War II. After teaming up with S.H.I.E.L.D. for his first mission, Rogers is back in the game to protect American citizens from outside Suit up. Chris Evans in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios/MCT.
forces that threaten the lives of the civilian population. He quickly notices that something is amiss about S.H.I.E.L.D. It has been infiltrated by the power hungry terrorist organization, HYDRA that Rogers presumed was disassembled after WWII. Along with HYDRA fights, The Winter Soldier,, once unmasked, is revealed to Rogers to be his childhood best and only friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). He and his crime fighting partners, Russian spy Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and fellow soldier The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) must devise a plan to stop HYDRA before they “eliminate” the people who are believed to have the ability to one day threaten HYDRA, including Captain America himself and 20 million others. The movie managed to include a few unexpected plot twists and incredible stunts and action while still veering relatively close to plots in the comics. As a massive Marvel fan myself, I did extensive research
before seeing the film. It was easy to mouth the words even during my first time seeing it. One thing that I was very surprised with was that Crossbones a.k.a Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo) and right hand to The Red Skull was not included, despite the rumors. However, this did not take away from the movie as a whole. I guess I couldn’t expect them to squeeze every detail of each issue into a single movie. Because the movie followed the main plot of the comics so relatively close it was more than incredible to see the action I read about on the big screen. After fighting his best friends and the demise of S.H.I.E.L.D, Steve Rogers is stuck in an entirely new century where everything he thought he knew was essentially a lie. Don’t worry though, Cap will return for “The Avengers 2: Age of Ultron” (to be released May 1, 2015) and “Captain America 3” (to be released May 6, 2016). P.S. Stay for the after-credit scene (both of them).
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> “My favorite book is ‘The Fault in Our Stars’” -Logan Agui-
culture
Cast of “November” ties for 2nd place at UIL competition Rebecca East Graphics Editor The cast and crew of ‘November,” by Don Nigro, won five awards for their One Act Play at the UIL competition on Thursday, March 27. Honorable mentions went to sophomore Arrington Level and senior Hannah Kipp, all-star cast awards went to seniors Nicole ElKhoury and Kallie McShane and best tech crew to Nicole Chacon, Bri Benton, Sabrina Sommer, Ronnie McLaren and Lexi Thompson. To decide which CFISD high schools they will compete against, schools are randomly selected for the two zones, five on each night. The purpose of two zones is to separate the first round of the competition into two nights, Thursday and Friday. This year, Cy-Fair went against Jersey Village, Cypress Lakes, Cypress Ridge and Cypress Springs during zone one. Because “November” is originally a full length play, Matt Buchanan had the responsibility of cutting down the show to make it the required 40 minutes for the competition.
“It was easy to make the first cuts,” Buchanan said. “There is always some ‘fluff ’ in a story and that’s what I cut out first. We were riding at 50 minutes just a week before the show, and those last 12 minutes I had to cut were the hardest. I tried to see every option to keep the roles the same level of significance as they were in the beginning, but some just turned into mere cameos, which I hated doing.” All of the actors but three had the burden of physically portraying an elderly person. Due to the comic nature of the show, it would’ve been easy to make caricatures out of them. Luckily, the Cy-Fair Players didn’t. Senior Nicole El-Khoury played the character of Aunt Liz. Since Aunt Liz is the main character and never leaves the stage, almost all of the cuts to the show impacted her and her characterization. “We had already been rehearsing for a month when we had to make the first big cuts to the show,” ElKhoury said. “It was hard to adapt, all the way until the day before the
show even, because I was always on stage. When new ideas come to the table or when someone else decides they’re just going to change something up a little, it affects me a lot. This was my first lead role and I just wanted to do my best.” Sophomore Arrington Level joined the cast as Mr. Kafka just three weeks prior to the opening of “November” when the previous actor had to drop out due to conflicts. “Out of the three months everyone else got to rehearse, I only got three weeks,” Level said. “I was pulled out of my third period gym class every day to catch up on learning my character, which eventually paid off because I received an honorable mention.” With the three judge’s combined
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And scene. The Cy-Fair actors of “November” pose for a preshow group
scores of one, three, and four (one being the best), Cy-Fair tied for second place with Jersey Village, not advancing to districts. “The moments that happened on that stage were brilliant, I still can’t stop thinking about it,” Buchanan said. “The audience loved it and it was so enjoyable, it doesn’t matter that we didn’t advance. One of the three judges ranked us first place which is awesome. I’m also very proud of our tech crew and Mrs. Hartman, the tech director, for ending our mainstage season on a great note.” Tech director Sarah Hartman spent over 10 weeks and over 50 hours designing tech and preparing costumes. Even after seeing “November” over and over
again in rehearsals, she still was surprised by the outcome of the show. “The cast and crew never cease to amaze me,” Hartman said. “Their hard work and talent paid off the night of the show. The audience’s laughter that night just goes to show how truly entertaining and talented these kids are, it was beyond everyone’s expectations.” The Cy-Fair Players plan to end this year’s season off with four senior directed, one act plays: “Anton in Showbusiness” (directed by Sydney Boyenga), “Who Dunnit” (directed by Aili McLellan), “Don’t Fear the Reaper” (directed by Nicole El-Khoury) and “Canterbury Tales: Wife of Bath” (directed by Ryan Adams).
‘Paper Towns’ may not measure up to ‘Fault in our Stars’, but worth your time Harper Neitzey Life Editor Everyone knows John Green for his newest and most popular novel, “The Fault in Our Stars” that came out in 2012 and will be released as a movie on June 6, 2014. But four years earlier in 2008 Green published “Paper Towns.” “Paper Towns” is a similar star-crossed teenage love story that doesn’t measure up to TFIOS, but still showcases his immense talent. The novel follows your stereotypical high school romance- the geeky guy, Quentin, is in love with the out of his league girl next door, Margo. Their story begins with a trip down memory lane. Nine-year-
olds Quentin and Margo have one of their first adventures together. They find a man dead in the middle of their neighborhood park. How romantic. The story then flashes forward to the second semester of their senior year. The two have grown apart and haven’t spoken more than a handful of words to each other since that first adventure. Then one night Margo opens Q’s bedroom window, climbs in and asks him on an adventure as if nothing ever changed. The two drive around all night in Q’s minivan pulling pranks and “bringing the (expletive) rain down” on everyone, including Margo’s cheating ex-boyfriend, the
school bully. They end the night by breaking into Sea World since it is the only amusement park Margo hasn’t broken into. I mean that’s a completely valid reason for committing a felony. The next morning Q goes to school expecting things to be different, but instead Margo isn’t there. She’s not at home. She’s nowhere to be found. Q finds out that Margo has run away again. Then, while sitting in his room, Q notices a poster of Woody Guthrie taped to the back of Margo’s shades. The picture leads him to the book “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman, which then leads him to many other clues.
For the Next 200 or so pages Q, with the help of his rag-tag group of friends, find the “clues” and try to decipher their meaning so they can find where Margo is. After weeks of searching (and skipping prom!) Q finally figures out where Margo went. So on the morning of their high school graduation, Q and his friends skip and embark on a 21-hour road trip to find Margo. Q beats all odds. It was nearly impossible to find all of Margo’s “clues”, piece them together and figure out where she was, but he did it. All you want for him is happy ending. But no. You would think a happily
married guy like John Green would want his characters to have a happy ending? Wrong. He apparently just wants to watch the world burn because none of Green’s books end well including “Paper Towns”. With the exception of the terrible ending, over all it’s still a good book. It has its moments and not every story can be happy, right? Who knows, maybe John Green will be the next Nicholas Sparks and all of his books will be made into movies including this one.
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powder-puff
Number one. The winning team, Back that Pass Up, was led by coaches Carter Adkins, Cole Kincaid, Zach Thetford, Jered Lewandowski and Morgan Magness. “It was great to meet all the people I’m graduating with, to take a leadership role and to do things my [past football] coaches have taught me,” coach Magness said. Photo by Will Davis.
Shake it: Cheerleader Sharath Bhat entertains the crowd on the sidelines. “I thought powder-puff was extremely fun because I got to be with good friends and do things we wouldn’t ever do or learn by ourselves,” Bhat said. “The only thing I was thinking during the performance was ‘I really got to shake my hips and shoulders.’” Photo by Alexus Locke. Will Davis Sports Editor
Natalie Berry Managing Editor
Grab that flag. Senior Amber Lane, from team Chemical X, hustles through a group of girls determined to get her flag while playing receiver. “I liked the competition,” Lane said. Photo by
Will Davis.
Big kicker. Senior Kortney DesCamp punts, representing her team Chemical X. She played kicker and wide receiver. “It was great doing something different while raising money for prom,” Des Camp said. Photo by Will Davis.
Run it in. Senior Kennady Lewis plays running back for her team Back that Pass Up in a game against TD City. Photo by Alexus
Locke.
Working hard or hardly working? Coaches and referees relax on the bench between games. “It was fun getting to switch the role of player and coach,” RawDawgs coach Jamie Wall said. “Watching the girls run the plays we came up with was the best part.” Photo courtesy of Alex Edwards.
MVP. Senior Chandler Cooney runs for a touchdown. She played safety and running-back on the RawDawgs. “I liked that [powder-puff] was aggressive and we got to raise money for prom,” Cooney said. Photo by Alexus
Locke.