The Reporter, Cy-Fair HS, Issue 1, Oct. 9, 2014, Vol. 68

the

reporter Cy-Fair High School

Thursday, October 9, 2014 Volume 68, Issue 1

Wake up

TWO STUDENTS SHARE PASSION FOR PURSUING A TALENT ON THE LAKE, AND LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST {pg. 9}

Drunk Driving

FAMILY OF ALUMNI EXPERIENCE HEARTBREAK, AND SHARE THEIR STORY WITH STUDENTS {pg. 10 & 11}

@cf_reporter

22602 Hempstead Hwy Cypress, TX 77429

cyfairreporter.com

02

letters from

Your editors

10.09.14

Natalie Berry Harper Neitzey Sometimes I just need a Grey’s day. I need to come home, sit and watch Meredith’s life fall apart so mine doesn’t.

I know it sounds silly, but the cast of Grey’s Anatomy have become like friends to me.

I started watching Grey’s Christmas of my sophomore year when I discovered it on Netflix, and ever since I have been hooked.

After 10 seasons of about 25 episodes a season, I’m still not tired of it- even after watching each show about four times. I still get mad when Izzie dates Denny. I still cry when Meredith gives Derek the “choose me, love me” speech and I still laugh at every single one of Christina’s sarcastic remarks.

I want a friendship like Christina’s and Meredith’s. I want someone to be my “person.” I want someone that I can call at 3 in the morning and cry with.

Grey’s has become part of my family’s daily routine. Every night after we all get home from work, my mom, dad and I sit in the living room and watch an episode or two or five of Greys.

Sometimes we talk as if they are real people and tell them what they are doing wrong with their lives. And sometimes it’s just on as background noise while we are all doing something else.

Grey’s has become second nature to me. I can’t imagine my day with out it.

Season 11 started about a week ago and even though Meredith is the only one left out of the original four, the show is still just as good as when it started 220 episodes ago.

Will Davis In my lifetime there has been few that I have heard that shape the way I think of life.

But it is when people speak of mortality and living for what is important that shapes the way I live the most. I have since discovered what is valuable and what lasts when life goes by so quickly.

It takes only a second to be reminded of our own mortality. Arrogance and humility fade as we come to terms with the fact that our time on this earth is limited. If you haven’t experienced that moment yet, it is strange how your life gets thrown into perspective and you are forced to observe what lies behind you.

When asked, most people nowadays feel regretful, satisfied or ashamed, but the realization that we have wasted time is more common. Not just that we obsessed over our technology or friends or classes, but that we cared about the wrong things. We get caught up in useless things that don’t matter in the grand scheme of things and shouldn’t matter even now. But we do this sort of thing all the time anyway. Live in the present moment. As enticing as any future could be for a person, the only true reality is the moment we are living in right now. Happiness is easily achievable if you live not for what or who is in your future, but for what is flashing by as you read this. The past is made up of memories while nothing in the future no matter how grand can compare to the present. The past and future are just thoughts, but the present is life and fulfillment guaranteed.

STUDENT POLL

of the issue

INSTAGRAM

{

Over three years ago, I took my first steps into Cy-Fair. The time has since flown by.

I remember riding the bus home freshman year, making myself a huge bowl of macaroni and cheese, watching gLee and Project Runway reruns for hours on end and maybe spending 30 minutes on homework. Not a care in the world.

Now, I laugh at how much I took that free time and lack of responsibility for granted. At just three months shy of turning 18 on Dec. 28, I constantly struggle between enjoying my final year of childhood and taking on adult duties. That being said, if given a chance to time-travel back to freshman year, I don’t think I’d take it. But if I did, here’s what I’d change: (1) Take TONS of pictures, but don’t get too tied up in social media. It’s nice to have all of memories documented because they do go by so fast. But how much are the “likes” on your photos really going to matter in five or 10 years? Is spending hours reading tweets that say such monumental things as “I want Chipotle” or “Haven’t started my homework” really a good use of your valuable time? The answer is no.

(2) Despite all of the homework, reserve time for yourself. It’s important to stay on top of your grades, but if that means risking your mental health or happiness, it’s not worth it.

Personally, reading is something that helps me reach my “happy place” and release stress.

(3) Don’t procrastinate, namely on college applications. This is something that I’m currently struggling with. Remember: do as I say, not as I do.

FLOOD VS DROUGHT

100 students were polled on which was worse: 1. FLOOD (When water rushed into hallways from the senior deck during hard rain) or 2. DROUGHT (When water was off in the whole building and nobody could use the bathroom or wash their hands) .

Mike Smith, principal “I was very proud of our students and their reaction at the pep rally to the whole presentation.”

8 VOTED FLOOD

of the issue

tweet

Junior Chad Lisbeth asking Junior Ashton Grace to homecoming.

92 VOTED DROUGHT

Senior Thad Milton’s tweet when water was coming into the building from the senior deck on Sept. 18.

Candy McCown, associate principal

“I believe the most important aspect of the challenge was to benefit the families and victims of ALS”

Eco Fair

Tweet us @cf_reporter Want your photo or tweet to be in the next issue of The Reporter? Use the hashtag #cffeatures whenever you post. If your entry is chosen, you will be notified by a staff member before the next issue.

{

ALS ice bucket challenge

Juno Rettenmier

Clayton Kopecky

“Walking around after eco fair and seeing wear the stuff you made was so cool.”

“The ending was my favorite when everyone was going crazy.”

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT

10.09.14

“Americans sent helicopters into Syria to stop ISIS.” -Blake Nall, 9

ISIS?

4 questions you were OC afraid to ask about TO BE

ne ws R2

014

SCHOOL

bit

School renovates classrooms over the summer

es

ISIS

“I think President Obama should leave ISIS alone and deal with our country.”

-De’shon Martin,10

Q: WHAT’S ISIS? A:

In efforts to reach their goal, ISIS has been kidnapping and executing people of other , specifically Christians and Jews. Recently, videos of a masked man beheading British and American hostages surfaced on the web and drew more attention to the situation.

Q: HOW DOES IT AFFECT CY-FAIR? A:

Cypress is only 28 miles from Houston, and this is important because Houston is a prime bombing target due to its bustling shipping business and oil industry. If ISIS were to retaliate and bomb Houston, Cypress would be in danger as well.

Trevino { Amalia Assistant News Editor

DISTRICT Cy-Fair district celebrates 75th anniversary

{

‘I also enjoy not having to look for gum on the bottom of the desks.’

- Meghana Thota

{

“I believe they are more comfortable for all students. Some people were not comfortable in the traditional ‘one size fits all’ old desks,” associate principal Candace McCown said. “The furniture allows our students to enjoy the same comfort as other new campuses.”

Jennifer Munro, the English II Team Leader and Scholars teacher, said that although the desks have a nice outward appearance, they “do not fit the classroom. They are harder to manage in a room.”

Students are rather ambiguous when concerning this update.

“I truly don’t like the new chairs because they’re very odd and awkward to sit in,” sophomore Meghana Thota said. “But the tables themselves are much neater and larger, which is great. I also enjoy not having to look for gum on the bottom of the desks.”

*

Future Business Leaders of America

The FBLA club will have an “unofficial” meeting Thursday, Oct 9 at 2:45 in room 1027 to go over some of the activities that they will be involved with. See Ms. Peddicord for more information.

*

Off Campus P.E.

Applications for Spring 2015 are due Nov 1. No exceptions will be made. Pick up applications in the Counselor’s office or Counselor’s Corner.

03

Q: WHAT DO THEY WANT? A: Q: WHAT’S AMERICA GOING TO DO? A:

They want to establish a Salafist (militant group of extremist Sunni Muslims) government in Iraq, Syria, and surrounding areas to gain religious dominance.

During a White House news briefing, President Barack Obama said there was no specific strategy yet, but that he had people working to put together a range of options. On Sept. 10 he announced that they would launch airstrikes.

SCHOOL New career specialist readies students for college Pierce { Maddie Life Editor

{

Emme Enojado Opinion Editor While students were relaxing on beach chairs or retreating into dimly lit rooms for a Netflix marathon last summer, classrooms were transforming into spaces with shiny new desks, stools and tables totaling up to just over $1 million.

When this year marked Cy-Fair’s turn to receive new furniture, administrators donated desks coated with gum from the last 50 years to other campuses that needed it and replaced them with larger and more modern furniture. Each classroom received 35 desks each. Special departments such as the science wing received 686 stools and the theater program now has 125 mesh chairs for Black Box productions and other uses. In addition, 163 teacher desks, 153 rectangular tables, and 148 bookcases were also purchased.

news

Trevino { Amalia Assistant News Editor From its humble beginnings as one small brick building on a cornfield to the busy 96 schools it is today, Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District now has 75 years under its belt.

It began in 1940 with a bond and 100 acres and kept growing.

“I love how the district maintains its small town community feeling even though it is a large area,” Superintendent Mark Henry said.

In celebration of the district’s 75th anniversary, events such as the Diamond Jubilee, a party held on Aug. 9, and the 75th Anniversary Festival, which includes games, food and picture booths and is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2015, are open to the public.

“Our upcoming event is held on Dec. 9,” said Kristina Perez, director of community programs and chair of this year’s anniversary planning committee. “It will be at Cy-Fair High School and an unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the front flowerbed of the main entrance.”

In addition, there are keepsakes for sale, such as the Historical Cookbook, which will contain information, photographs and fun-facts from all 75 years. There is also the Anniversary Arts and Literary Book and CYFAIROPOLY, a local-style Monopoly game, which can be purchased from the district website for prices ranging from $20 to $28.

Cy-Fair High School played an important role in the districts history: it was the small brick building that started it all back in 1940 and it’s been through two major renovations. In 1998, $54 million were used to update the school, and in 2001 a $30 million project added a new math wing, a state-of-the-art library, a new kitchen and cafeteria, and the new central corridor. As Cy-Fair High School grew, more schools were added and grew the district itself.

Despite having grown so much Perez believes the district has kept to its roots.

“No matter how big the district becomes, the atmosphere is still one of caring and strong relationships,” Perez said. “The philosophies and expectations remain strong.”

* *

Environmental Club

Come help Environmental Club by collecting recycling from teachers after school this fall on Oct 9, Nov 4, Nov 6, Dec 2 and Dec 4.

Senior Yearbook pictures

To have your picture appear in the senior section of the yearbook, you have until Oct. 25 to take your picture at Prestige Portraits.

Call and make an appointment at 281897-8300. Stop by room 2005 for more information.

Students can now map out their future beyond high school with the help of a new counseling program and College and Career Specialist whose sole purpose is to help students.

Every Tuesday night, Lu Ann Bowman hosts seminars for juniors and seniors from 6 to 7:30 in the library. The seminars are welcome to anyone and do not require an appointment. Bowman is also available to meet with any students during all lunches or before and after school.

This is Bowman’s first year as a career counselor. Bowman has been in the district counseling schools for 21 years, one of which was spent at Cy-Fair in 2002. Cy-Fair will be one more to the eight out of ten schools in the district that have this program.

“I can be in the classrooms promoting PSAT,” Bowman said.

“Meeting with students regarding Dual Credit registration, talk about colleges with students and help with registering students for College Administration Tests.”

Bowman regularly attends college updates off campus to stay current with all of the application processes and provide the best possible guidance to her students.

“I can provide resources and help [students] in the exploration of college majors and careers,” Bowman said.

In addition to talking to students about universities and helping them with the rigorous application process, Bowman has discussed with all senior English classes the option of attending 2-year colleges and obtaining work force certifications. Bowman wants students to be aware of all of the opportunities available to them, even if they do not decide to seek an education after high school.

“I think for the people who have been able to decide what they want to do when they go to college it will probably seem pointless, but that’s because those people, myself included, sometimes forget that there are people who don’t know what they want to do when they get to college or what they want to be in life,” senior Josephine Owolabi said. “Those are the people that can truly benefit from the career counseling and hey, even the people who do know what they want to do can probably learn something too.”

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College applications

Struggling with college applications? Mrs. Bowman will be offering an application workshop after school from 2:30-4:30 on Oct. 9.

Biology Club

There will be a meeting Oct. 9 after school in 1004. If you are interested in joining or already a member, stop by the informational meeting.

Bring your shirt order form and application.

04

ads

10.09.14

STAY ALIVE DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE From Harper & Ashlynn

Seniors: READ THIS! Don’t you want to be remembered in the

2015 YEARBOOK? CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2015 SENIORS! HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

BFND

The only way to appear in the senior section of the yearbook is to get your photo taken at Prestige Portraits.

DEADLINE: SATURDAY, OCT. 25

Call 281-897-8300 NOW to make an appt.

10.09.14

news

‘I wanted more’

REGAN CONREY REACHES OUT TO STUDENTS THROUGH BEST BUDDIES

Berry { Natalie Editor-in-Chief

Reghan Conrey believes the most amazing friendships can also be the most unexpected.

After finding a passion and group of friends in a P.E. class, she knows this first-hand.

Conrey was placed in a P.E. class that included students with disabilities after leaving the JV Cheerleading squad her sophomore year.

“I met the kids, and their positivity and love for life was so infectious,”Conrey said. “Being around them made me genuinely happy; I wanted more,” Conrey took friendship to the next level her junior year by organizing a new chapter of Best Buddies, an international organization that promotes social and personal development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs.) Buddies and peer buddies are paired up based on personality and interests so they can spend time together and with the rest of the club members in activities in and out of school.

In the past, Conrey assigned buddy pairs based off of members’ interviews. This year the club will shake things up by doing rounds of “speed dating” to determine who gets along the best. Peer buddy Abbie Stroud met one of her best friends, Michelle, through being paired up as buddies.

“We do absolutely everything together, such as getting our nails done, painting at Color Me Mine and going to football and baseball games,” Stroud said. “She and I have a very close relationship that I will cherish forever.”

In addition to monthly parties during advisory, member activities include movies, fishing, sports games, bowling, eating and painting. Last year they participated in the Best Buddies Walk in downtown Houston. This year, they plan to participate in a Color Run in the fall and potentially host a Katy Special Olympics Basketball game. For Ms. Oneacre, the Best Buddies sponsor, these moments are some of her best memories.

“I love my job,” Oneacre said. “Watching any students mingling in positive way is a great thing. Friendship is important to all students.”

Through the Best Buddies program, Conrey traveled to the University of Indiana for three days this past summer to participate in the Best Buddies Leadership Conference. She attended speaking seminars, went to workshops and met with other chapter presidents and buddies.

Buddies Matt Burns and Evan Parker, who met in college at the University of Indiana and went on to win the College Buddy Pair of the Year award in 2010, were among some of the speakers who inspired Conrey.

“I got the opportunity because our regional leader asked me to go and represent our district,”Conrey said. “[It was] the most incredible environment you can imagine. There was so much love and compassion in every room, everyone coming together for something we were all so passionate about. It was really beautiful.”

While Best Buddies and other programs advocating for the rights of those with disabilities or special needs are large in number,

Friends forever.

Reghan Conrey and buddy Derek Ulrich pose together before going to the homecoming dance on Sept.

27. Photo

Anyone can join Best Buddies. Get a permission form from Ms. Oneacre, room 6005.

not all communities are accepting or engaging.

Knowing this, Conrey is grateful for the programs for students with IDDs at Cy-Fair.

“The teachers are so supportive of inclusion, and the students are amazing and accepting,” Conrey said. “I do believe that our school is becoming more and more inclusive every day.

We are unique in that way.”

Parents have also been supportive. Lisa Ulrich said Best Buddies has been a ‘wonderful’ group for her son Derek and she was thrilled that he was invited to be a part of a homecoming group. ““It’s been such a cool thing to happen to Derek,” she said. “Reghan has been such a blessing to him. Their friendship has made him blossom.”

Even after graduation, Conrey plans to remain an integral part of the special needs community, and maybe even pursue a career in the field.

“I can’t imagine my future without these kids,”Conrey said. “I have no doubt that our friendships will last beyond high school and

Comedy Sportz makes a comeback

Faria { Lizzie News Reporter

courtesy of Reghan Conrey.

*

05

college. I definitely will never stop advocating for the special needs community.”

Conrey promises it’s a life changing experience.

“I think it’s extremely important to treat these kids as normal high school students if you intend on becoming their friend,”Conrey said. “Be real. It’s not realistic to have a real friendship with someone if you spend all your time around them walking on eggshells.

Lunches, games and movies are all great ways to include them in your daily lives in a normal way.”

Conrey encourages others to look beyond stereotypes of people with disabilities and go into friendships with an open mind.

“Most of our peers don’t really give [kids with IDDs] a chance because of preconceived notions of who they are,” Conrey said. “Many people seem to believe that students with special needs are unable to have friendships.

This definitely upsets me because if given a chance, these kids can be the most incredible friends a person could ask for.”

Junior Rebecca East had no idea what she was getting into two years ago when she tried out for the Comedy Sportz team as a freshman.

Since East knew nothing about the competitive improv team, she just jumped right in.

East is one of 17 students that made the Comedy Sportz team at the tryouts. The team’s first competition is open to students and will be on Nov. 7, 2014 in the Theatre Room.

“At the auditions we do a lot of games and we had a scrimmage against ourselves, and it was four Cy-Fair kids against four Cy-Fair kids” East said, describing the team’s first scrimmage.

“It was fun to watch us learn and laugh at each other,” East said. According to East, a match, which relies heavily on audience suggestions and interaction has 18 people participating from the team, but only four people perform at a time.

At the beginning of a match, a referee explains Comedy Sportz and they start off with a suggestion from the audience. At the end of the match, the referee asks the audience who played their game the best and who won.

“Actual head to head games declare a winner and in individual matches, the audience decides the winner,” she said.

Last year’s team had problems ranged from people not being able to meet the time commitment and some financial issues.

“As a theater department we were losing money because we didn’t have a lot of ticket sales, so we didn’t have a team last year which was devastating for me,” East said. So East made it her goal to remind everyone about Comedy Sportz to make sure there would be a team this year.

The team will have 10 practices and 12 matches this year.

Spreading love. Best Buddies Chapter President Reghan Conrey shares a photo with buddy pair Matt Burns and Evan Parker at the Leadership Conference this summer. Photo courtesy of Reghan Conrey.

06 sports

10.09.14

RECORD-SETTING SCORES RANK BOBCATS AS TOP TEAM IN DISTRICT Touchdown.

Senior Jacorey Aleem scores first touchdown of the season at Woodlands game.

STAND OUT. Ryza { Julia Sports Editor

A crowded packed screaming student section. After-game plans. But most importantly it’s the helmets on the field. Ready to fight, ready to win.

And these varsity players have set high standards with an undefeated record 5-0 - including their first out-of-district game against The Woodlands (who have since beat the Katy Tigers).

USA Today recently ranked Cy-Fair 15 out of 25 of the nation’s best varsity football teams.

But Athletic Director Ed Pustejovksy plans to take each game

6

Seconds of

FAME Steppe {Ryan Graphics Editor

Photo by Melissa Reinsch.

week by week, play by play.

“Every week we have a challenge,” Pustejovksy said.

The first five games of the season proved the teams’ determination.

They chopped down the Woodlands 9-0, flooded the Creek 27-0, surfed the Springs with a whopping final score of 56-20, and set a school record, beating Cy-Lakes 71-0, and defeating CyRidge 42-7 on Oct 2.

Returning offensive starters are quarterback Clayton Kopecky,

Brock Wright, 10

{did you know?}

Tight end

Q Favorite aspect of football? Q Most anticipated game?

The Cy-Creek game: They’re one of the competition; the A Probably competitiveness. I just love going A our biggest rivals and there [was] out and competing, and working with my teammates to better ourselves.

a lot of hype going into it so I [was] really excited to be able to play them.

you had to play a sport Q Ifother than football, what

football-related Q Favorite moment?

A

A year in playoffs.

would it be?

When we beat North Shore last

Table-tennis.

Mattinson { Will Business Manager

THE TEXANS BY TEXANS

2005: 2-14 2006: 6-10 2013:2-14 2014:?

Photo courtesy of MTC Campus.

The Houston Texans enter the season after being worst overall the year before. Now they plan on winning more games than last season, which means people will be talking.

In order to make sure you’re not left out of the conversation, whether it be at lunch, advisory, or getting a Texans slush make sure you know the past and the future of your local team.

15 50 71

National ranking of Cy-Fair football by USA Today Ross Donelly is a top 50 defensive tackle in the nation This score in the game against Cy-Lakes broke a school record.

Favorite Players

Photo by Avery Torres .

Last time the Texans went 2-14

wide receiver Noah Hess, offensive lineman Hunter Gonzalez, and running back Jacorey Aleem.

Offensive coordinator Coach Roy Smith says the defense needs to work on consistency.

“We have to get better. We have to continue to improve. We can’t be satisfied. There are difficult teams we’re going to play,” Smith said.

Team captain and offensive lineman Hunter Gonzalez said he looked forward to the Cypress Ridge game the most.

“Ridge, it’s the only team I haven’t beaten. They’ve always been known to play Cy-Fair hard,” Gonzalez said.

Quarterback Clayton Kopecky said the Ridge defeat last year ended their winning streak.

“We could have went undefeated, but we lost to them. This year we need to beat them,” Kopecky said.

Most of the players have been playing together since spring training.

“The kids have a common goal,” Pustejovsky said.

Running back and team captain Jacorey Aleem, who ran for 182 yards and a TD at the Creek game and was named ABC13’s Sept 27 player of the week, said distractions don’t affect their strengths and weaknesses as a team.

“We always remind ourselves of all the hard work we put in over the summer to get to this point. Nobody can control us, we control ourselves,” Aleem said.

JJ Watt, his name reminds me of ice jj fish.

- Christopher Larry, 12

““

Andre Johnson, he was the true face of the franchise since the team’s birth.

-Andrew Mattinson, 10

New Faces

Ryan Fitzpatrick has an awesome beard.

-Preston Hill, 11

When paired with JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney will help the Texans set a new standard for defense in the NFL. -Brianna Chapa, 10

10.09.14

{ 600: more than a number

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

{

Varsity: wins losses 9 0

Junior Varsity: wins 8

losses 1

Freshman A:

Freshman B:

wins losses 7 2

wins losses 9 0

“

“I’m really proud of our team, we overcame obstacles and proved a lot of people wrong” - Amanda Heller, 11

McKenna Merecka 18 block asst out of 34 games

Amanda Heller 118 kills out of 35 games

Katelyn Mamaux 4.944 digs/game

Sarah Baerenwald 20 aces out of 36 games

It takes a special kind of coach to achieve what Coach Benotti did on Aug. 28.

That special day marked the 600th win for Benotti and all the teams she has coached here at Cy-Fair over the past 14 years.

The team looked forward to the anticipated day with high hopes, but the sparkle quickly disappeared from their eyes.

She had it all planned out.

The team was in San Antonio for a volleyball tournament.

That day, they had to play three games.

All they had to do was go in and win.

“We were really excited because we were all going in with a positive attitude like, ‘Yeah were going to get it today,’” Volleyball player Amanda Heller said.

Things went downhill quickly after they lost the first game of the day.

They had lost their momentum.

The team went in to the second game discouraged and doubtful.

They turned it out and beat the San Antonio Roosevelts, and achieved the 600th win.

They did it. The team won.

After the game, they celebrated Benotti’s 600th win by eating at Olive Garden and sharing a big cake with the team at the hotel.

“We were all eating Olive Garden back at the

Sanchez { John Assistant Sports Editor

Pride. The volleyball team stands around Coach Benotti while she holds the ball they used to will their 600th game. Photo courtesy of Coach Benotti. hotel we were staying at. We were doing some team bonding and just having a party,” Heller said.

Even though this victory was a big one, Benotti won’t dwell on this for too long.

“Every opponent is our biggest opponent.

We have to stay ready.” Benotti said “We go to a lot of clinics to practice and stay ready because everyone wants to beat the Bobcats.”

Over her 14 years of coaching, she has gotten

Miles of smiles

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM PREPARES TO TAKE BACK DISTRICT TITLE Mattinson { Will Business Manager Techniques such as running in the Texas heat at its peak are being used to minimize any possible obstacles that could come in their way.

Kennedy uses his experience from seasons’ past in order to gauge how the season’s expectations.

“This group has worked harder and had a better summer than the previous season,” Kennedy said.

Hill said the team has great chemistry.

“We’re like a whole big family,” Hill said, “Which isn’t surprising considering how much time we spend together.”

The district meet be on Oct. 24. Region follows on Nov. 1 and concludes with state on Nov. 8.

There are no guarantees, but the confidence Kennedy has in his team promotes optimism.

“They learned a lot last year and they’ve taken care of business during the off-season. It will show at the end of the year.” Kennedy said.

07

COACH BENOTTI WINS MILESTONE GAME

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

The Lady Bobcats Cross Country team is on the prowl for even more success this season and for them everyone is prey.

With five of the top seven ranking members of last year returning, there is plenty of reason to believe in the team’s cause.

Falling short of the girl’s goal last year, the team’s loss to local rival Cypress Woods hurt.

Senior and Captain Allison Hill isn’t quick to forget this.

“This year we’re determined to take back the district title and to place top 3 in the region,” Hill said. Having been with the team since her freshman year, Allison carries a large portion of responsibility in their title charge In order to accomplish their goal, the 33-member team, led by Coach Tom Kennedy, has stepped up their training mentally and physically by running 6-8 miles daily. Kennedy plans to have first-year members adapt to the varsity level.

sports

Victory. Sophomore Tyra Luong races to cross the finish line and achieve her victory at the Brenham Invitational on Saturday Sept. 27.

Photo by Coach Tom Kennedy.

very attached to Cy-Fair.

“I believe in Maroon.” Benotti said. “I love this place. I think I will probably retire from CyFair.”

Over the years Benotti has grown very close to the other coaches on the coaching staff.

“I would really like to attribute the greatest thanks to the entire coaching staff for their friendships and support because without them, 600 would not be possible. “ Benotti said.

08 life

10.09.14 Adrenaline junkies. Evan Ruonavaara rides across slopes and hills. Photo by Clayton Shank.

Thrill seekers Parker { Valerie Assistant Opinion Editor

SLOPESTYLE

It became more than just something to do every once in a while.

Freshman Evan Ruonavaara discovered a bike sport called slope style about a year ago.

He rides bicycles for what they’re designed for- doing jumps and tricks. Typically bigger than what can be found in BMX, these bikes are meant for performing tricks, not anything close to just mountain riding.

“I used to race motocross but didn’t like how much pressure was being put on me to go fast when I prefer relaxing and having fun,” Ruonavaara said.

He rides every day for up to four hours and spends longer times practicing on the weekends at Bear Branch Skate Park in the Woodlands.

“Learning a new trick takes an abundance of patience and time. I can fall about 10 times before finally getting it down and I constantly has bruises on various parts of my body,” Ruonavaara.

“It’s something to work toward, way better than staying inside doing nothing productive.

I’ve learned a lot of things on my bike, persistence especially. I think about what I’m going to do

before I do it,” Ruonavaara said.

His mom Linda Ruonavaara is glad he’s active and puts so much effort into riding. He plans to compete for slopestyle in the future and also participates in Hockey and skiing on the side.

“Evan is very sporty, but I think he is most passionate about riding. It helps him stay focused and teaches that with a lot of practice you can accomplish anything,” Linda said.

Daring. Kyle Knezevic positions himself on his bike for the next slope. Photo by

Visiting Vietnam Melissa Knezevic.

MOTOCROSS All it takes a little precision and a lot of concentration. Without it, the outcome can be deadly.

Junior Kyle Knezevic knows this because he’s been doing motocross- cross-country racing on motorcycles- and riding dirt bikes since seventh grade when his dad gave him a small bike. Once the adrenaline thrill kicked in, he became enthralled with the sport and eventually progressed to bigger bikes. He normally practices at Three Palms MX in Conroe about twice a week for about six hours at a time, meeting up with friends who share the same interest.

He’s raced competitively eight times and seven of those times he placed in the top five. He’s traveled to Austin, Beaumont, Splendora and Conroe to compete.

Knezevic often participates in motocross events held by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.

“I’m satisfied just by being in the top five because it’s hard fighting for those spots and it feels great when you worked so hard for it,” Knezevic said.

Knezevic said the sport has made him more patient as a person and also taught him to focus more.

“Motocross is my passion. It takes my mind

Neitzey SUMMER MISSION TRIP YIELDS UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES {Harper Co-Editor-in-Chief

Teaching Vietnamese children English, feeding lepers and waking up at 5 a.m. is how junior Thao Nguyen and senior Michaela Nguyen spent six weeks of their summer.

“We went in order to gain a new perspective of life other than here,” Micheala Nguyen said.

“We wanted to see what it was like to be in a third world country so we could appreciate what we have back at home.”

They spent three weeks in Po Tomb, Cambodia at a school and taught English. They toured Cambodia for the remaining week. Then the fourth week they traveled to Pleiku,Vietnam and taught English. The remaining two weeks in Vietnam they toured the main sites in Vietnam.

The students at the school were so excited to meet Thao Nguyen and her friends.

“When I woke up at five the kids would already be at the gate to play with us, Thao said.

“They would run up to you and cling on so tight because they just wanted someone to hug.”

The teachers rewarded students with stickers when they got a question right and at the end of the week they could use their stickers to buy food for their family or toys.

International love. Thao Nguyen and her friends painted murals at the school in Cambodia so they could remeber who visited them. Photo byThao Nguyen.

On the last day Thao was helping run the food both when a little boy came to buy a bag of cereal. “[The cereal] was 10 stickers but he only had six stickers when he realized he didn’t have enough he just looked at me with the saddest face,” Thao said. “So I gave him the bag for free and his face lit up. These kids get so happy just for a bag of cereal. When in America we have

multiple boxes of cereal in our pantry. They are all so humble over there land you never hear the kids complain about anything.”

On one of their days off in Cambodia Michaela’s group too some of the kids from the school to the Capital.

“Most of them had never been into the city even though it was a 15-minute car ride. Some of them even dressed up,” Michaela said. “They

off things and it’s become part of me since I do it so much,” Knezevic said. “I have to quickly think about what’s ahead of me, what and what not to do and what’s safe and not. People die, it’s pretty scary.”

Although his sister, senior Melissa Knezevic, encourages her brother, she often worries about his safety. The races are fast paced with many sharp turns and mounds of dirt to jump over, and there are constant crashes between riders.

“It’s what he loves to do. It makes him feel free and enhances his crazy side. He’s developed into a more athletic person and is just more open about himself,” Melissa said.

His mother, Michele Knezevic, believes he will go far in the sport.

“Motocross tests the boundaries of your physical and mental endurances,” Michele said.

“It’s very competitive and takes hard work while being dangerous on all levels. But he will go far because of his love for the sport.”

He’s owned two race bikes and his current bike is a green KX250F that cost around $7,000.

He was able to purchase it with the help of his sponsors: Truth Riders and Maximum Racing.

“It’s physically exhausting,” Knezevic said.

“The competition is hard and sometimes the track can get really rough and hard to race in. I’ve fallen many times, it comes with the territory.” were so excited and it just made me happy that I could make some sort of impact in their lives.”

On their first couple of days in Vietnam, the girls rode a tractor up a mountain to serve people affected with leprosy.

“The government isolated the lepers up [on the mountain] so we made breakfast for them and helped feed it to them because some of them are no longer able to feed themselves because they are missing limbs,” Thao said.

The next two weeks they traveled around Vietnam where they went on a 9-mile hike to hidden waterfalls, slept on the beach, rode motorcycles through the streets of Hoi An and cruised on Ha Long Bay, one of the 7 wonders of the world.

The girls each said they were so thankful they gave up six and a half weeks of their summer for this journey. “[the people of Cambodia and Vietnam] were all so grateful and content with their life even though they had what we would consider nothing. I saw kids wearing the same clothes everyday that were covered with holes and dirt and they thought nothing of it, Thao said. “If I could go back I would in a heart beat. It was the best summer of my life I would never trade these experiences for anything.”

10.09.14

life

09

Kazmi { Wafa News Editor

Coming to America was her childhood dream since she was six years old.

Junior Theresa Bohnke, one of three foreign exchange students, remembers movies like High School Musical that ignited her passion for America.

“I’ve always dreamed of going to high school in America. In movies, it just looked so perfect and I wanted to live it for one year,” Bohnke said.

Growing up in Frankfurt, Germany, her family encouraged her decision to come to America.

“My mom loves traveling and she encouraged me to do a year abroad, which I’m really thankful for,” Bohnke said. “Living your childhood dream is the greatest adventure you can have when you’re only 16.”

Bohnke has also studied in France and England.

“America though, is definitely my favorite so far,” she said.

Bohnke is thrilled to be in classes like anatomy, sculpture and French that interest her and will help her achieve her career goals.

“I wanted to take sculpture because I wanted to do something creative, and French because I loved the class when I took it in Germany,” Bohnke said.

She also hopes to make the soccer team in December.

“I have never played before but I wanted to try a team sport with team spirit, and I think there’s no place where there’s more spirit than here,” Bohnke said.

School spirit is one of the things Bohnke finds unique about America.

“German schools are totally different,” Bohnke said. “It’s more about learning than having a good time. But I love the school spirit at Cy-Fair and how everybody does something for the school.”

She also says it is it interesting that Americans drive everywhere. Living in Germany, Bohnke would either bike or walk to places with her friends. “We would only use the car if something was really far away,” Bohnke said.

One of the positives of living in America is her host family. They have helped her adjust and enjoy her stay in America. She feels as though they have been her real family for her entire life.

“I love my host family,” Bohnke said, “I’m having a great time playing with their daughter because I don’t have any sisters of my own.”

Another foreign exchange student is sophomore Carolin Boettcher, who also comes from Germany.

A ballet dancer for 10 years, Boettcher joined Brigade and choir.

“I had a blast doing car washes and selling chocolates for the choir fundraisers. Back home in Germany, extracurriculars aren’t really offered from school, so doing things like that on a daily basis has been a really fun and new experience for me,” Boettcher said.

She has also observed other differences between Germany and America.

“My old school was pretty small. We had 800 students, more or less and it was a lot less strict,” Boettcher said.

Since coming to America, Boettcher enjoys easy access to things like EOS balm and Forever 21 stores.

“At home, we have to wait weeks to get those things from online, and they are really expensive there,” Boettcher said.

Eating out here has also been a new experience for her. In Germany, the restaurants are either fast food or expensive.

“It’s fun being able to eat out with my host family without being really unhealthy or spending a lot of money,” Boettcher said.

Boettcher loves her host family, and enjoys playing with their three younger daughters who are nine, 11, and 13.

“I have two older brothers at home, so it’s fun to feel like I have three little sisters,” Boettcher said.

Though she said she is having a pleasant time with her host family, Boettcher misses her loved ones in Germany and regularly FaceTimes them.

“It’s hard not being able to see them every day, but thankfully I’m having a wonderful time here, so it makes being away easier,” Boettcher said.

{GERMANY{

From top: Boettcher (right) stands with her cousin Emily in front of the Kaiserpfalz; Bohnke takes time to relax in her home country; Hassan waits with a crowd on a sunny day. Photos courtesy of the students.

A whole new world FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS GIVE INSIGHT TO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LIFE IN EURASIA AND LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Wajih-Ul-Hassan, who is from Rawalacot, Pakistan, is one of 108 Pakistani students chosen to come to America through the Lennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study foreign exchange program.

This was his first time to ride on an airplane.

“My flight was for 18 hours, and by the end of it, I was so tired I slept for more than half a day,” Hassan said.

His favorite classes are art and digital media and P.E. He also enjoys playing sports and loves photography.

Hassan’s hometown is very different from Houston.

“My hometown is in the north of Pakistan.

It is a very hilly and mountainous region. My high school was also a lot smaller. We had about maybe 450 students or so,” Hassan said.

At home, Hassan lives with his parents and five siblings. Here in America, he lives with his host mom and her two sons. “Right now it’s my first month over here. I’m not feeling too homesick because I feel at home with my host family,” Hassan said.

Cy-Fair has made quite an impression on Hassan. He said he enjoys coming to school and is happy he had the opportunity to come here.

“Cy-Fair is a huge and beautiful school.

There is nothing I don’t love about it,” Hassan said..

{PAKISTAN{

Senior year. Darla poses with her father Ruben, mother Kimberly and sister Danitza on the day of her high school graduation in 2005. Photo courtesy of the Perez family.

Speak out

Family of Aaron Pennywell continue their crusade against drunk driving Gray {Audrey Reporter Every 90 seconds someone is injured by people driving under the influence of alcohol. Every 53 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver, according to M.A.D.D. Dennis and Kae Pennywell are here to put an end to that.

On June 25, 2011, the Pennywells lost their 20-year-old son Aaron to a drunk driver. Aaron was driving his black Ford Mustang home when the drunk driver ran the red light at the intersection of Spring Cypress and Huffmeister. His car was hit from the passenger’s side, but the impact was so strong it threw his car across the intersection and resulted in a fatal injury, but the drunk driver was left with barely any scratches and bruises.

Aaron graduated in 2009 from Cy Woods High School first graduating class.

The family felt that no one should ever have to go through what they went through when they lost their son.

“If I can stop one adult or teenager from driving drunk then I have succeeded.” Kae said.

The Pennywells worked with the car insurance company to keep Aaron’s car so they could show teenagers that drinking and driving is a serious matter. They now tow his totaled car to high schools and talk to teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving.

This year they will visit the seniors of Cy-Fair and Cy Woods high schools. They have even set Aaron’s car outside of homecomings and proms as a reminder when teens are leaving the event.

The Pennywells will also participate in a barbeque cook off fundraiser called Krysta’s Karing Angels on Oct. 12 to help raise awareness against drinking and driving. There will be food, drinks, music and raffles. The fundraiser will be at 16135 Cypress Rosehill at Huffmeister from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open for the public.

SPANISH TEACHER BEGINS MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING AFTER THE DEATH OF HER DAUGHTER, DARLA, 2005 CY-FAIR GRADUATE Brown {Cody Reporter Spanish teacher Kimberly Perez and her husband Ruben receive a phone call from an unknown number at 2 in the morning while celebrating their 28th anniversary at South Padre Island.

They don’t answer. They don’t recognize the number. The couple goes about their day, relaxing on their beach. They continue to receive calls from the same unknown number several more times that day.

They don’t realize this caller bears serious news no parents ever wish to hear.

“The caller was very persistent, so the following day I finally answered the call when my husband and I were sitting on the beach taking in some sun,” Perez said, “[Our] initial reaction was disbelief and shock.”

Their daughter, Darla, 21, was killed in a drunk driving accident in Chapel Hill, Texas.

“I had never thought about Darla drinking and driving, and the night was beautiful with no rain or clouds,” Perez said. “The woman who killed her had been the one driving drunk.”

Darla had been driving home from visiting a friend in College Station, when at 10 p.m. a drunk driver hit her in a near-head on collision. Darla died on impact, and the driver who killed her died en route to the hospital.

“Darla had always carried a Bible with her in her car- a black Toyota Corolla and so when she died I had asked my son-in-law to retrieve it for me,” Perez said. “He told me he couldn’t find it and the authorities had found her where the back seat of the car should be, yet the passenger’s side of the car was intact.”

Darla, a graduate from the Cy-Fair class of 2005, was a member of PALS, Art Club, Spanish Club, the National Honor Society and the Latin Club “Hola.” The Perez family moved to Texas from New England in 2001 and started school at Cy-Fair in October of that year.

“She didn’t fit the typical mold of a PAL, but in a good way,” PALs sponsor Chris Kobal said. “She was kinda like a wannabe hippie type, but she was a really good kid with a heart of gold.”

Darla graduated in the top 15

percent of her class and attended Texas State University. She aspired to become an art therapist for children suffering from cancer.

“She was so unselfish and kind, and she had this magnetic personality that everyone loved,” Perez said. “And because of this and her time in PALs she knew that working with children was something she wanted to do with her life.”

The weekend Darla died, she would have started a job with a day care to work with children and confirm her career choice.

Two years after the accident that took her daughter’s life, Perez decided to speak out against drunk driving, and in doing so founded The Cure Exists in You- changed to Reality Check the following year.

“The grieving process is different for everyone, but what has helped me cope with my loss is talking about it,” Perez said. “The aim of the presentations is to educate young adults and teenagers on the dangers of drinking and driving and driving distracted and to frighten them into reconsidering their choices to do so.”

The presentation opens with a 911 call from a teenager-whose family speaks at the very same presentation on their behalf- seeking help for her friend injured in a drunk driving accident. Next, a district attorney and police officers speak to the audience, explaining the arrest process and the consequences of drunk driving, followed by victims and families of those killed in drunk driving speaking about their lives after the accidents.

During Perez’s speech, a slideshow with pictures of Darla throughout her teenage life plays.

“One of the pictures in the slideshow is Darla getting a new black Toyota Corolla for Christmas in 2007,” Perez said. “The very same car she both spent her last Christmas with and died in.”

The presentation concludes with a prisoner incarcerated for killing someone while driving under the influence- a man who once owned his own successful business- who speaks about how much his life was ruined by that accident and his time in jail.

“One of the questions we always

Happy family. (left) Darla and her mom Kimberly Perez share lunch together. Forever remembered. (below) A memorial at Darla’s crash site in Chapel Hill is decorated by her family. Photos courtesy of the Perez family.

“

The grieving process is different for everyone, but what has helped me cope with my loss is talking about it.

-Perez

ask the kids we present to kids is ‘How would your mom or dad feel if they got the call that you had been killed in a drunk driving accident?’” Perez said. “ One in three young adults will die from drinking and driving, and Harris County is the worst county for drunk driving deaths in the nation, with already 2000 dead this year.”

Perez spoke to the graduating class of 2014 in May before graduation, pushing the idea of saying no to peer pressure.

“While I do know kids like to have fun,” Perez said, “If you’re gonna drink, don’t drive. I also encourage kids to think about the ‘what-ifs’ with my presentations.”

What was once a day of dinner and festivity for the Perez family became a solemn day of remembrance for Darla. Having renewed their wedding vows Valentine’s Day 2009, the couple reserves the day that was once their anniversary for an annual trip to Darla’s grave.

“I think the thing I miss most about Darla is her personality,” Perez said. “When she walked into a room it just lit up, and she was always the goto person for her friends because she was so compassionate and happy-golucky but still very caring. Her legacy will carry on.”

12 life

Wake up SENIORS ERIC THORNBURG AND HUNTER MATHIS FIND AN OUTLET AND A RUSH OF FREEDOM IN WAKEBOARDING.

Making waves. (below) Senior Eric Thornburg tests his tricks out on Lake Conroe while Hunter Mathis pulls him. (right) Hunter Mathis shows off his own skills out on the water. Photos by Will Davis.

10.09.14

Davis { William Managing Editor

When seniors Eric Thornburg and Hunter Mathis go through the motions of writing notes or taking a test, there is a motivation that drives their thoughts. It is not a pursuit everyone understands. It’s the thrill of wakeboarding.

Some know Thornburg as number five, starting wide receiver on the varsity. But when football practice ends, he often steps off the field and on to the water to fuel his passion.

Thornburg started his wakeboarding career eight years ago when his family first put their ski boat into Lake Sam Rayburn. Since then Thornburg has gained skill on the water and knowledge of the community, including pro athletes and key sponsors of competitions.

“I wouldn’t call myself an amateur,” Thornburg said. “I have the knowledge to be a professional, but the skill level of an amateur.”

Thornburg and Mathis find time to drive to Lake Conroe alone or with a group of close friends despite the obligations of school and varsity sports. The two continue traveling to the lake at least twice a week in the summer, but less often as it gets colder, to experience wakeboarding and the feeling associated with it that they have come to love.

“Wakeboarding pushes me outside my limits,” Thornburg said. “And that is what the sport does, it gives me motivation to go bigger.”

Mathis’ roots in the sport go as deep as Thornburg’s. At the age of four, Mathis began gaining his confidence on the water at his Grandfather’s lake. He and Thornburg formed

their coalition and have been boarding together for eight years.

The height of Thornburg and Mathis’ boarding experience happens between the wake that their boat leaves behind. A wakeboarder is able to jump between the wave-like trail that fans out to the sides of the boat, getting enough air to twist and maneuver in increasingly difficult levels of tricks. Though wakeboarding gives a rush of freedom, the sport takes just as easily in the form of injuries that can keep an athlete off the water.

Though the more subtle of the duo, Mathis has experienced a blown out knee, two herniated disks and back and neck pain.

“It all seems worth it when you stomp a trick,” Mathis said, referring to the flips, spins and jumps that wakeboarders have given names such as heel side 360, slurpee and scarecrow.

Thornburg said that wakeboarding has grown into an outlet for everything.

“Nothing is better than being out on the lake and wakeboarding.”

Despite his injuries, Mathis’ talent has improved in ways that don’t always include flying in the air or riding on the water.

“My biggest improvement isn’t within the sport itself, but it’s the way I view every moment.

You come to realize that you don’t live forever, which is why I love wakeboarding,” Mathis said.

“It reminds me that today may be your last and to live it to the fullest. Wakeboarding reminds me to live a little when life is tough or stressful.”

10.09.14

culture (left) First step. Diem performs before a club filled with people at his first ever live Hip-Hop performance. (bottom) ioMFT. Diem (center), Brown (right) and Diem’s brother (left) all pose for their picture for the island of Misfit Toys. Photos courtesy of Johnathan

Hopping to what’s hip

Luckett.

Jones {Kaylin Copy Editor

these artists got their starts in houston, just like jay diem

High School: Alief Elsik High School Fun fact: Beyonce has 17 Grammy

“

awards and has had 45 nominations

Beyoncé? You mean the icon of life?

No, but seriously I feel like though she’s rich and famous, she finds the time to give back and be a role model.

-Josephine Owalabi 12

“

High School: Cypress Ranch High School

Fun fact: Bradbery went on three national tours before she turned 18.

I think it’s amazing that she won The Voice at a young age, not everyone can do that. It’s a good way to represent CFISD and Cypress.

-Cynthia Soto 10

Photo courtsey MTC Campus

roots

just is who he is, and his music expresses that.”

Luckett considers that his originality and style is what separates him from the rest of the hip hop community.

“Originality is really important to me.

I always say not to claim hip hop if you only hop to what’s hip,” Luckett said as he dug a little bit into his creative side.

“I only ever really write about past events, or everyday life. I have no experience with clubs, or with mass amounts of money.”

“His quick wit is what’s most impressive to me,” senior Hunter Mathis and follower of Luckett’s music said. Luckett writes complex, lyrically impressive songs about his everyday struggles, and his “off the top of his head” style is what makes him stand out among other hip hop artists.

Danielle Bradbery

When you first meet Jonathan Luckett, right off the bat, you see the artist within. Whether it’s his clothing or his “swagger”, or most importantly how well-spoken he is, it’s clear why he calls himself “Jay Diem.”

What you can’t see is how committed Luckett is to his music.

After performing his first concert at the Jet Lounge in downtown Houston on Sept. 5 and securing a gig for October, Luckett, better known by his stage name “Jay Diem” is gaining more success than ever.

Luckett performed before a crowd of about 100 people - including 20 of his friends and fans from Cy-Fair.

“It was pretty eye opening to see one of my peers doing something so powerful,” Zach Smith said, a senior and attendee of Luckett’s concert.

“It was a very special and professionally done production.”

These chances to perform didn’t just fall into Luckett’s lap, he earned them.

“I’ve actually taken a few online marketing

Beyoncé

{

courses before,” Luckett said. “Other than that it’s just finding the right people to get you to the right place.”

Luckett has gained publicity through working with other artists, and creating relationships with them.

Luckett has worked with a few notable artists who stand by his talent. Including Schama Noel, who has over 10,000 followers on twitter and multiple YouTube videos with more than 10,000 views.

While the famous artists may help to get Luckett’s name out there, he attributes his talents and professional attitude to the reason for his success.

On his own at age 17, Luckett has recorded multiple songs on SoundCloud with more than 1,000 views.

Although the pressure to “Cash in” may be put on him by these artists, Luckett would not be one to sell out.

“His lyrics are different and more refined than the usual mainstream “Rap” lyrics.” senior Meggie Engalla, and attendee of Luckett’s concert said. “He doesn’t rap about clubs, or women, or even money. He just raps about himself and the things he goes through in his everyday life. There is no shtick with Diem, he

Besides Luckett’s musical abilities and his professionalism, Luckett attributes the way he and his “entourage” handle their business to be one of the most important parts of his success.

While Luckett may be the one writing the songs, and the face of “Jay Diem”, his partner Daniel Brown assists with the behind -the scene processes and accompanies Luckett on stage.

Luckett is very grateful for Brown’s help and attributes much of his success to him.

“I was insanely nervous; I’m not even sure what happened when I was on stage.” Brown said. “Other than accompanying Jay on stage I work on the cover art, and help to promote him.”

But this isn’t why Brown is so important to Luckett.

Brown also works two jobs in order to foot the bill for Luckett’s recording time and takes on the role of Luckett’s manager, making him one of the most important people to Luckett. Besides their friendship, the relationship they have through Luckett’s music is handled very professionally.

“We don’t really measure our success based off of album sales, or anything of that nature. The fact that we are getting the chance to perform is all we could ever ask for.” said Brown.

With the help of Brown, and other successful recording artists, Luckett has everything he needs to set himself up for a successful career in the music industry. Depending upon how one measures success, he seems to be pretty successful already.

Drake

Senior takes on the world of Hip-Hop one step at a time Jared Huffstetler Assistant Culture Editor

13

High School: Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and Vaughan Road Academy

Fun fact: Though he was born in

“

Canada, Drake got his start in Houston when he was contacted by Lil Wayne.

“I feel very proud and connected to him.”

-Olivia Garner 12

14 culture

10.09.14

Your new page-turner

Enojado { Emme Opinion Editor

WITH FALL COMING UP, CURLING UP WITH A GOOD NOVEL IS IDEAL FOR BOOK LOVERS. WHETHER YOU LIKE CLASSICS, ADVENTURES OR REALISTIC FICTION, FOLLOW THE LINES TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WILL SATISFY YOUR CRAVING.

{Dystopian Universe & Adventure} An urban fantasy on a roller coaster ride

{Realistic Fiction}

READ ON...

{Classics that you might actually enjoy}

Where love is forbidden

Questions about humanity’s choices

A teen girl is kidnapped by her stalker

A choice between life or death

A negative Utopia

Where two teens from incompatible worlds collide

If you liked The Fault In Our Stars...

Feelings are banned and teen suicide is an epidemic

All photos courtesy of mctcampus.com

A post-civil war US has three teens on the run

The Hunger Games of the 1950’s

Romance and a twist of humor

If you’re a “fangirl” yourself...

10.09.14

culture

15

Torchy’s Tacos

s e r fi p u it Chow Down.

Senior Staffer Will Davis enjoys one of the Torchy Taco’s Peters brought to class. Photo by Ashlynn Peters.

Peters {Ashlynn Culture Editor The line snaked around the building for the grand opening of Torchy’s Tacos in Vintage Park on Sept. 18, and it was well worth the wait.

After about 20 minutes we finally made the transition from Houston humidity to the relief of air conditioning.

My eyes went from the raw wood walls to the lone wall made of road reflectors to the gray concrete floors, and finally were drawn to the giant hanging baby devil cartoon character, their iconic symbol.

Originating in Austin, Texas chef Michael Rypka came up with his genius combinations by simply experimenting and adding a taco to the menu every time the customers said they enjoyed it.

His taco business boomed and now there are five Houston locations.

Though it packed in about 120 people, the line moved quickly and it gave us time to read the giant menu visible from any place in the line. This helped speed up the process since everyone had their order in mind ready as they reached the register. The workers also contributed to the eclectic feel as each one was covered with tattoos and facial piercings.

Their menu offers 23 different tacos from grilled fish tacos for all you health nuts out there, to fried chicken and queso wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Your taste buds won’t be bored.

I ordered the Trailer Park taco and feeling adventurous,

Taco palooza. (clockwise) The Democrat, Mr. Orange, Trailer Park trashy, Mr. Orange.

Photos by Ashlynn Peters

decided to make it “trashy.” This option took the lettuce off and added queso on top of fried chicken, green chilies and pico de gallo. The genius combination of two of my favorite junk foods: queso and fried chicken makes this one my absolute favorite.

One taco is enough to satisfy you because they do not hold back on filling it until the taco can barely close. This makes for a messy eating experience, but they make sure the table is fully stocked with napkins.

Since I chose the option of becoming miserably full, I ordered two tacos and shared some guacamole with my family. For my second taco I chose the “Brushfire” which lived up to its name and required a full cup of their cane sugar soda to go down with it. Torchy’s combines jerk chicken, jalapeños, and mango for a spicy and sweet taste with every bite. I have never had a taco with this much flavor, and it came in second to the “Trailer Park.”

To calm down the fire in my mouth, I alternated with a bite of chips and guacamole. I had high expectations for their guacamole since I am a guac-junky, and they lived up to it. Not too spicy, too chunky, or lacking in ingredients. It was fresh and flavorful and is now one of my favorites.

I went to Torchy’s right after diving practice, so I was starving, and when I’m that hungry I become very impatient. My impatience was never an issue since their service was so efficient. I sat down and received my food within 10 minutes.

Not only is every item on the menu delicious, but it’s cheap. Tacos range from $3.75-$4.25 each. The guacamole and queso sizes are enough for at least three people and appetizers are $4 as well. Another cheap side for $2.75 is the “nookies” which are made of deep fried ball of chocolate cookie dough sprinkled with powdered sugar that melt in your mouth.

My experience at Torchy’s Tacos was an 8/10, and would recommend for anyone who enjoys a good taco.

16 culture

10.09.14

Theater students to perform ‘The Hobbit’ Oct. 9-11 {

People weren’t sure if big loud smelly dwarves could be pulled off by teenage girls. But according to theater director Matt Buchanan, the almost all-female cast in this year’s October production of The Hobbit - a play written for an all-male cast - are embracing their roles.

The play will be Oct 9-11 in the black box, located in the room 2006 at 7 p.m. If there is a high enough demand, more shows will be scheduled. “The fact that they are girls does not hold them back from playing the part well,” Buchanan said. This will be the first time that Buchanan has directed a play for the “round,’ in which performers will be surrounded by the audience. The original play, which was performed by a 10-person male cast, allowed the males to double-cast 29 different roles.

This year, there are 28 cast members so everyone will play one role. The first and only other showing of The Hobbit at Cy-Fair was in fall of 2003, directed by former theater director Candice Koern. That first performance was so popular that it was performed 18 times. That’s the longest run that any of our plays have been shown in a school year. Because of its extreme success, and the fact that he performed in that play, Buchanan wanted to give it another go 10 years later.

Most of the costumes and props from 2003 will be used in this year’s performance. The 18 custom made dwarf and goblin masks - worth more than $1000 - have long furry beards or pointed ears and are engraved with intricate designs such as unique circlets and large potato-noses for the dwarves, and each little individual wart and scale for the goblins.

Each character uses a weapon. swords, daggers, war hammers, clubs, staffs, battle axes, bows, cleavers, sickles.

Gandolf, played by

Arrington Level, will have his signature staff with him as he towers over the other characters upon three-foot stilts. The dwarves will wear self-made fat suits along with their masks, wigs and makeup. Bilbo will be in his little hobbit suit and Golem in a spandex suit and makeup. Smaug, the mighty dragon, will have his mighty head in the corner being controlled like a puppet by Gio Cardinale. Recordings of Cardinale’s deep voice, which is a great match to Smaug’s character, will be playing while the dragon’s mouth is being controlled.

With all of these masks and props, most of the actors’ faces will be covered. There will be little to no facial expressions, so characterization and personality will be heavily dependent on the actors’ body language and vocalization, according to Buchanan. The dwarves, most of which are female, must keep up a loud burly man-voice throughout the play. They will be wobbling around with their fat selves trying either to argue with or eat everything. The double-personality-ed Golem, performed by Briana Gonzalez, hops around the stage on all fours, twirling and squealing, or thinks sinister thoughts while sulking in a corner. Stephen Ortega portrays Bilbo, the lead part,with immense perfection. He even naturally looks somewhat like Bilbo.

Fans may leave disappointed to see some of their favorite parts of the original story left out since it is a 60-minute play compared to the two and a half hour long movie trilogy. No trolls will be trying to make soup out of our performers. No spiders will be trying to eat them and no elves will be there to judge them.

The play is meant to be comedic and dorky rather than frightening like the book or movie, according to Buchanan. This also factors into putting the play in its allotted 60-minute time frame.

“There is an excited electrical energy that runs through the cast,” Gonzalez said. “We are all just so pumped and ready to perform.”

Dwarves in action.

Photo taken

by Gillian Lane

Artwork by Lizzie Faria

Gillian Lane Life Reporter

It’s all Greek to me Avid reader reviews the Percy Jackson series, in preparation for the release of the final book on Oct. 7 Amdal { Karmen Assistant Life Editor By now, probably the only reason you haven’t heard of Rick Riordan’s bestselling Percy Jackson book series is because you’re living on Calypso’s island, isolated from civilization.

Part of what hooked me on this series in the first place was Riordan’s writing style. He uses the main character’s first-person point of view to his advantage, adding valuable bits of humor and perspective to make the reader feel like they can understand. The main character isn’t a know-it-all, so when someone explains anything complicated, he’s just as confused as the rest of us. Riordan really cares about his readers and makes them feel at home in his books.

It all started in 2005 when Riordan published the first book of Percy Jackson and the Olympians- The Lightning Thief. The book follows the first-person adventure of 12-yearold Percy Jackson and his friends, Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood, as they embark on a quest. Percy is falsely accused of stealing Zeus’ weapon, the Master Bolt, and if he doesn’t find soon it a war will engage between the gods.

As they search for the Bolt, Percy and his companions realize that the stolen item plays a bigger role than they had previously imagined.

In the end, a prophecy made concerning the quest comes true and the Titan Kronos is revealed to have had a hand in the devious plot.

Throughout the rest of the first series, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and the other teens from Camp Half-Blood attempt to stop Kronos and thwart his evil plan.

In 2010, Riordan rebooted his Greek mythology books, though in a totally new series- The Heroes of Olympus. The new story brings back Percy and Annabeth along with five fresh faces, all teenage demigods.

There’s a catch, though. This time, we’re introduced to a new demigod refuge, Camp

Jupiter- for Roman demigods only.

Hera, the goddess of marriage, has wiped Percy Jackson and Jason Grace’s memories and thrown them straight into the other’s camp.

Hera calls both on quests and, while slowly regaining their memories, figure out what has happened. But why did they switch camps in the first place?

Percy, Jason, and the five other demigods are putting everything they have into uniting the two clashing demigod camps and putting the evil earth goddess Gaea back down before she can unleash havoc on the Earth. In the second series, Riordan takes us through many diverse adventures, including taming a dragon, greeting old friends, and outwitting a giant spider.

I know that by now, you’re definitely thinking, “Wow, this sounds so great, I think I’ll go buy it right away!” Just wait a little longer, though, because I haven’t told you everything yet.

As much as I loved the second series, I was disappointed in the writing. The second series is entirely shown in third-person from several different characters’ points of views. While I enjoyed seeing what Leo thought about this, and what Hazel thought about that, I missed Percy’s first-person clueless thoughts and sarcastic comments that had made me feel so welcome.

Now, after following Percy’s adventures through thick and thin, through excruciating cliffhangers and through heart-wrenching tragedy, we’re at the end. We all had to wait (quite impatiently) for a year for the last and final book of the second series, the Blood of Olympus, and now that it’s finally here, I think that we’re all jumping for joy. Though it’s agonizing for us to leave our favorite heroes and heroines, if we would’ve had to wait any longer we all just might have actually gone crazy from the suspense of waiting for the Blood of Olympus to come out.

Will the two camps unite? Will Leo keep his promise to Calypso? Will our favorite demigods survive? Find out in the final book, the Blood of Olympus, released Oct. 7, 2014.

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18 opinion Steppe {Ryan Graphics Editor It is quite literally, yes, literally, the most pressing issue of our generation. No, not the .gif pronunciation debate, though it should be noted that the correct pronunciation is the same as that of the ubiquitous peanut butter, end of story.

I am sure you are all wondering at this point about what could possibly be more important than that. Quite simply, it’s the usage (or lack thereof) of the serial comma, perhaps more commonly known as the Oxford comma.

To be blunt, the Oxford comma is the comma that is often placed before conjunctions such as ‘and’ or ‘nor’ in lists containing three or more items. The Oxford comma serves to resolve possible ambiguity and is thus useful for the accurate conveying of information and meaning to readers. The comma has been championed by The MLA Style Manual and the Chicago Manual of Style, among others. Yet, there are those who remain in opposition to the usage of the Oxford comma.

Most notably, the Associated Press Stylebook, the standard style guide used by the majority of news media in the United States (including the newspaper you’re currently reading), which continues to advise against usage of the comma.

10.09.14

The Civil War: Comma Edition

Art by Emme Enojado

‘Feminism is Flawed’

Art by Esmeralda Harvey

Jones {Kaylin Copy Editor

Speaking as someone who considers himself pro-Oxford comma, the fact that I am required to omit the comma from my work in this paper is, to say the least, inconvenient. Nevertheless, the irony of arguing for something via a medium that prohibits it appealed to me, and so here we are.

The argument against the Oxford comma comes down to the idea that the comma is unnecessary in most situations, and that it takes up valuable space and ink. However, the validity of these claims is questionable at best. I mean really, does the omission of a single comma here or there make that much of a difference? Now obviously I can’t speak for everyone, but come on. Redundancy can be a good thing in certain situations, and the process of ensuring that readers obtain clear and accurate information from the news should be one of those situations.

Essentially, the Oxford comma serves as a fail-safe, not unlike the anti-lock braking system found in most cars: The comma is there to solve the problem that arises when the metaphorical car begins to slip. Is the car slipping a foregone conclusion? Not necessarily, but it’s always nice to have safety measures in place. Plus, lists simply just look weird and incomplete without the Oxford comma.

Here’s hoping the Associated Press editors see the light.

SENIOR EXPRESSES FEELINGS ON MOVEMENT IN THE MEDIA

The truth: I’m a feminist.

Feminism by definition is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men.

That does not mean I’m a bra burning, chivalry destroying, unhygienic, whiny, stayat home mom bashing, angry, and let’s not forget the most importantman hating woman. When it comes down to it, it’s actually kind of heartbreaking to think that these are the ideas or stereotypes that typically come to mind when a woman refers to herself as a feminist.

I’ve experienced this first hand. I remember the night I declared myself a feminist. I was proud of my new found self. I expressed it to my parents. It was the hesitation on their faces and their questions that made me realize there’s an obvious misconception of what the movement is all about.

On Sept 20, 2014, Emma Watson spoke candidly about feminism at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. While I sat in my room, thousands of miles

away from the Big Apple, I listened to her speech, and I was undoubtedly moved to tears.

It was there she announced the “HeForShe” campaign, which challenges boys and men to advocate for gender equality. Eagerly, I tried to soak in every inch of Watson’s 11 minutes and 24 second speech. Like anything else, it was met with great acceptance and praise, but it was also met with criticism. Somewhere in the midst of my rejoicing, I realized that it was going to take more than just an address to the UN to bring about a change.

Feminism is flawed. I get that. It’s made up of people (yes, that includes men), and when it comes down to it, people are flawed.

I’m flawed. The problem occurring is that the meaning has gotten so far from its origin. To me, being a feminist is a no brainer, but there’s an idea such of negativity that comes along with it, and that is where the stereotypes start.

It’s hard for me to believe that a woman can identify with being an anti-feminist, but they’re out there, and they have a voice. The Women Against Feminism movement has grown significantly since January 2014 that it was a topic of discussion on the Today Show during the summer. I’d like to think that they’re not exactly against feminism, but rather they fail to grasp the concept. These women aren’t hard to find either. The feminism tag on Tumblr is filled with back and forth arguments between those who are in support of the cause

and those who are bitterly against it. The antifeminist take pictures, posing with signs with various things saying “I don’t need feminism because…” And if we’re being honest here, a lot of the reasons are embarrassingly bad. They vary from “I don’t need feminism because I like it when men compliment my body” or “I don’t need feminism because I like it when boys hold open the door for me.”

Do I think such claims are silly? Of course.

Those things are not what make up feminism.

Will mocking the anti-feminist movement get me anywhere? No, never. But there is one thing that must always be considered. It was feminism and its values that got women to where they are today, and that’s one thing that should never be forgotten. Some may say feminism is outdated. It’s crucial to keep in mind that there are women in other countries who are denied the rights that women in America so often take for granted. Women who are in desperate need of feminism and all that comes with it.

The world is complicated, and it changes more rapidly than anyone will ever be able to comprehend. With those changes, there will always be a problem to address.

But like Roxane Gay once said: feminism is a choice, and if a woman does not want to be a feminist, that is her right, but it is still my responsibility to fight for her rights.

10.09.14

STAFF

The Reporter

opinion

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STAFF EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief Natalie Berry Co-Editor in Chief Harper Neitzey Managing Editor Will Davis Culture Editor Ashlynn Peters News Editors Wafa Kazmi Copy Editor Kaylin Jones Life Editor Maddie Pierce Sports EditorJulia Ryza Graphics Editor Ryan Steppe Opinion Editor Emme Enojado Business Manager Will Mattinson Assistant Section Editors Amalia Trevino, John Sanchez, Karman Amdal, Jared Huffstetler, Valarie Parker Reporters , Artists Cody Brown, Lizze Faria, Gillian Lane, Audrey Grey, Esmeralda Harvey 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.

Green for Teens

THEY CARE AND THEY ARE CURIOUS, DESPITE MISCONCEPTIONS Author John Green was interviewed Sept. 4 on CBS Sunday Morning to talk about his latest hit ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. As the interview came to a close, reporter David Pogue said: “We are led to believe that teenagers have their faces behind screens, they’re anti-social and don’t care about the world.”

Green responded: “It’s always been untrue.

It’s still untrue. Yes, they’re learning in different ways, but they’re still learning. They are still reading, they are still thoughtful and I am inspired everyday by their intellectual curiosity.”

It’s great to know that there is a man who has faith in our generation. But not everyone shares his positive opinion toward our youth.

What Pogue said about teens having their faces behind screens and how we’re becoming antisocial is not true.

Young adults have kept themselves isolated, no matter how far we date back in time. This is something almost everyone has either done or gone through in their high school years. In the appropriate words of John Green: Their parents said it about them and ours say it about us. No matter what decade, adults will constantly complain about our lack of communication.

Times are different now because of how technology has shaped this society. We use technology to our advantage. It was created to make life easier and more efficient.

For example, education has been greatly advanced by the technological advances of computers. It helps students learn more detailed information on a global scale and it makes note taking much easier. It also makes it

that we spend so much time on our phones or on computers. Truth is they do too. It has not only changed our lives, but it has changed theirs.

But it’s important to remember that technology isn’t life.

It’s there to help, not hinder.

There are things teens still need to consider.

It’s important to actually spend time with friends and family. It’s important to maintain and emotional connection with others.

Instead of spending hours on apps such as Instagram and Snapchat, try taking a look at the news every once in a while. If a teen can be on social sites, they can look at the daily news. It’s as simple as downloading a news app that sends regular updates to cellphones. Take the time to learn the important events happening in the world around us.

Let it be known that our generation is more than technology. It hasn’t ruined us. Yes, it has changed the way of living and how daily responsibilities are done.

But one thing teens can’t change is how they’re trying to become independent.

We’re using our high school years to find ourselves and learn how to become successful individuals. Regardless of the technology, we are still learning and making mistakes. Instead of negative feedback we need our elders to show us the way.

{ { ‘Our generation is more than technology’

easy to save important information in organized files.

We also use technology for research, social media and for all types of communication.

The only way there will ever be a better understanding of teens is to remember that we are not alone. Teens are not the only ones that use today’s technology. Adults argue

20 photo essay

10.09.14

Gray { Audrey Culture Reporter

Give me a helmet! Senior Carina Patrick sits with Macey Kuzniarek at the football game.. “I love to sit in the student section and cheer on the team because they won’t let me play on the field,” Patrick said.

Parade. Junior Cydney Rockford rides on the girls varsity basketball homecoming float during the parade on Sept. 22. “It was a lot of fun because I got to spend my first time in the homecoming parade with all the people who are like family to me,” Rockford said. Photo by Alex Slaid.

Photo by Melissa Reinsch.

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at the

s d i am

Royalty. Homecoming queen Rachel Dozier, is crowned by principal Mr. Mike Smith during the halftime of the homecoming game. “To be chosen by the teachers and students to represent Cy-Fair High School makes me very proud,” Dozier said. Photo by Jessica Tan.

Pepped up. (left) Senior Myra DeLuna dances in the brigade senior hip hop at the homecoming pep rally. “I’ve been watching the senior hip hop since I was a brigade baby and it was awesome to finally get get to do it with all my friends,” DeLuna said.

Photo by Avery Torres.

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Lean with it. Junior Jacob Macias, senior Gene Jung and junior Parker Chatagnier dance together at the homecoming dance at the Berry Center, Sept. 27. “The Berry Center, good music and being in a group of my best friends made it an awesome homecoming,” Macias said.

Go, Fight, Win. Sophomore Sophie Hebert cheers in the homecoming pep rally. “We practiced really hard to get this routine looking good and it was a fun experience being able to perform at the pep rally,” Hebert said.” Photo by Lil Harris.

Photo by Sabrina Sommer.