The Reporter, Cy-Fair HS, Issue 6, May 21, 2015, Vol. 68

reporter

the

Cy-Fair High School

Thursday, May 21, 2015 Volume 68, Issue 6

Senior Edition

50-50 Shot

Ben Phillips tells the story of his brush with cancer and how positivity helped this long term survivor move on. {pg. 10}

Senior issue We made this for you.

{pg. 11-18}

Twitter: @cf_reporter

22602 Hempstead Hwy Cypress, TX 77429

Instagram: @cf_reporter

02 Harper Neitzey

letters from

Spend time on the things that matter, not the people and things that bring you down I’ve been putting off writing this since the day it was assigned. In fact I didn’t even start writing it until two days after I was supposed to turn it in (sorry Mrs. Harris).

Now I could just blame my lateness on senioritis but I know it’s more than that. I’ve been dreading writing this because this is it.

This is my senior column. My last article published in The Reporter. My final farewell to the school and publication that have grown to mean so much to me over the last four years.

I’m going to miss Cy-Fair. A lot.

I’m going to miss singing the school song after a win on a Friday night.

I’m going to miss riding the school bus every Tuesday and Thursday to go visit my little PAL. I’m going to miss ordering pizza and staying at school late trying to send the paper to print.

I know it sounds cheesy but the thing I’m going to miss most about Fair is the people I’ve met and the things I’ve learned.

Last August I was dreading the start of senior year. I had been really close to people in the class of 2014 so when they graduated and moved away I was left with no one. I had no close group of friends at school to hang out with. No one to go to football games with. No one to spend my senior year with.

Luckily for me three weeks into senior year a group of kids invited me to hang out with them and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

From going to Whataburger after every football and soccer game to just staying in on Saturday nights watching movies and eating way to many chocolate chip cookies these people have become my family. I can’t imagine what my senior year would have been like without them, and I wish I had gotten to know them sooner.

High school taught me a lot. It taught me that it’s okay to quit sometimes. That it’s okay to stand up for yourself and walk away from something you’ve outgrown.

High school taught me that it is okay to say no. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do just because other people are telling you you should. Don’t do anything out of obligation, you are your own person and can make your own decisions and you don’t have to feel bad about it.

High school taught me not everyone is going to like you and that’s okay. There will always be that kid or teacher that no matter how hard you try never feels the same way.

But most importantly I learned that high school isn’t everything. You’re going to make mistakes and that’s okay. Don’t waste your time worrying about what other people will think of you and just be yourself and have fun. If you want to quit dance, do it. If you want to join FFA, don’t let anything stop you. If you want to cut all your hair off or dress differently don’t hesitate. You only get to go to high school once; you might as well make the most of it.

It took me a long time to realize that, but once I did, I couldn’t have been happier.

Natalie Berry

Your editors

05.21.15 Will Davis

Take risks, don’t fall for the equation

It will end not with a bang, but with a whisper

I hate change. I resist it. I deny it. I fight it.

Unusually, I also hate the status quo. I tend to seek improvement in myself, my current situation and those around me.

Throughout high school these two frames of mind constantly fought against each other. Often times, my fear of change would win. Because of that, I spent most of my high school career in my own little self-concerned bubble of comfort and predictability. I would venture to say that most of us have been living in similar bubbles; maybe we still are.

As a teenager — and as a human—it is natural to be selfish. It is natural to be ignorant of the world around you. And, while high school is a time of self-awareness, it’s also a period to mature, take risks, gain independence and realize the scope of the world and what it offers. I feel like I’ve been limited.

The modern world tends to make things as easy and painless as possible. High school is no different.

We are told that success is like an equation. If everything adds up exactly, we will do well. Many of us go to school every day for four years, work just hard enough to get “good enough” grades, participate in electives that “look good on college applications”, and depend on our parents for mostly everything. We are coddled by most of the adults around us. We regurgitate ridiculous formulas, rather than learning about important world events. We are taught to fit the mold of a “perfect student.” We are told to devote so much time to extracurriculars and homework that there’s barely any time left for ourselves.

And, ironically, we all then wonder why mental disorders, suicide and self-harm are so rampant in America’s youth.

The problem ensues when we define success.

Who is to say that the talented jazz guitarist I know, who happens to be a slacker in school, is any more successful than myself, a straight-A student? It’s not fair that we should all be put in a box with the same expectations.

I’ve fallen prey to this idea for too long, and it’s kept me from taking risks over the course of high school out of fear that I won’t attain this “success” the standardized test writers and college admissions counselors tout. I can’t imagine how much of an impact I could have made by allowing my “fear of the status quo” trump my “fear of change” a little more.

Don’t be fooled in the same way that I have been. Take risks. Take time to do things that make you happy--true, feel-it-in-your-veins happiness.

Learn about the world and try to appreciate other cultures and situations. We are all so lucky, but we don’t even realize it.

If I were to look back on a film of the past four years of my life, the scenes that would catch my eye the most are the ones where I stepped outside of my comfort zone and ignored my fears of change and the unknown.

I hope when I look back in another four years I’ll see many more of these moments.

I decided to treat this column seriously because it matters to me what my famous last words printed in paper will be. The time I have spent on this staff has been everything I could hope for. I had hoped to be able to reach the hearts of my peers no matter what I was writing or designing and I like to think I was successful.

Newspaper is just another daily organization and a final production on lunch tables every couple months to some, but I strive for the people that enjoyed my work and no matter how few, I gave all of my effort to each task. I don’t ask for applause because it was my pleasure to serve my peers in the capacity that you see before you.

For that, I thank all of those who stood as the principle for which I pushed myself to meet.

It wasn’t easy. It was stressful. But, that is what made it amazing. No matter how crazy the production process got, there were always those good moments that I can remember. Moments only a staff of the most interesting and peculiar students can make.

I hope you enjoy this last column. For those who care, I plan on taking the invaluable lessons this journalism program has given me and become a journalist. There is not a lot of success to be had in the world of communications, and this may very well be my last column as an editor of an amazing newspaper. I refuse to accept that as truth though. One day, look for my name next to an amazing story or in the staff box of something that makes me proud and allows me to show God’s love in proportions shunned by today’s world. So here it is, love y’all.

I thought this would be different. I don’t know if it was my expectations translated from movies and books or my anticipation to be done with public school. This has ended and I didn’t see it coming. I know now that this doesn’t end in a flash or a bang, but in a deteriorating whisper. All I can do is observe the conclusions of great pillars in high school. Football season, Prom, so many great friendships were a series of crescendos that came to a stop without climax or finale.

I guess this was a good sign. Because it means that I was living in the moment and trying to get as much enjoyment out of all I did every day. I realized early on that high school was a place of opportunity and knowing that helped me to achieve more than I thought possible.

I will always have memories of running free through Cypress and beyond with so little to care about in my mind and so much to love in my heart. There was no setback big enough to taint my experience here in high school. The lessons I learned altered the course of my life and set me on track to pursue my passion with tools gained here at Cy-Fair.

The people I have made relationships with will also live on in my memories as some of the greatest group of peers I may ever have. Besides the outstanding school spirit, I have been a part of a group of people that shared my ambition and passion for success.

So let’s go out into the world and remember where we came from and what gave us the opportunity to live the lives that we have imagined for ourselves.

“I find henna to be a beautiful and creative way for people to express themselves outside of paper and ink.”

- Anthony Romero , 12

“Henna is a fun and ever-changing way to express my creativity and to incorporate a new culture in my life.”

- Illyssa Gallaway, 10

05.21.15

5 QUESTIONS ABOUT

HENNA

ne ws MA Y2

015

Lane { Gillian Life Reporter

bit es Bye-bye recycling program?

Q: A:

WHAT IS HENNA?

Q: A:

WHERE DID HENNA TATTOOS COME FROM? Henna is traditionally used for special occasions like holidays, birthdays and weddings in Africa, Pakistan, India, and the Middle East. One of the more well-known henna traditions is the Henna Night or the Mehndi (a certain style of henna tattoos) Night. On this night, a bride-to-be and her family members get together and celebrate the upcoming wedding. The bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs that can take all night to apply.

Henna is a plant that grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The leaves of that plant are made into a powder which is then formed into the henna paste. Henna paste most commonly consists of henna powder, water, lemon juice, and strong teas.

Q: A:

SCHOOL

Q: A:

03

HOW ARE HENNA TATTOOS DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL TATTOOS?

HOW IS HENNA APPLIED? Henna is applied to the hair like any other hair dye. You comb the paste into the desired part of your hair, and allow it to soak in and dry. Then rinse it all out. Henna can be applied to the skin or another surface using a henna cone or tube. The paste is squeezed onto the skin in the desired pattern in the same way you would ice a cake.

You then allow the henna to sit (do not smear it) until it is dry and crumbles off. The longer the henna stays on, the better the stain you will get.

news

Q: A:

Henna tattoos are not permanent. They will last 2-3 weeks depending on how often you shower and scrub your skin. The tattoo comes off with your dead skin cells. Henna tattoos are absolutely painless to get and can actually be good for your skin and hair by acting like sunscreen for your skin or conditioner for your hair. The henna dye stains the top layers of your skin rather than actually having ink inserted in your skin.

WHAT CAN HENNA BE USED FOR? Henna can be used to dye or stain hair, skin, and even fabrics like leather or silk. After the henna is applied and then crumbles off, the stain will appear orange and then gradually become a reddish brown in 1 to 2 days.

LOCAL

Highway 290 construction will move exit, entrance ramps

AS NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB MEMBERS DROP, MAINTENANCE OF RECYCLING PROGRAM BECOMES DIFFICULT Amdal { Karman Life Editor

Senior Rosa Wolf visits the journalism during Recycling Day. Photo by Karman Amdal.

She has had a strong passion for the environment and the creatures in it ever since she can remember. Since then, senior Rosa Wolf has been able to impact the environment by joining Environmental Club and becoming its president.

But now, her dream is in danger of falling apart.

“At the beginning of the year we had 20 people, and now we’re lucky if we have 5 people showing up for meetings,” Wolf said.

Wolf joined the club her sophomore year to be around people who were dedicated to preserving the environment like her. Members participate in group discussions, festivals, events, and recycle for the school.

In one such event, Trash Bash, volunteers went to a bayou in Jersey Village and cleaned up huge amounts of Styrofoam and plastic bottle wastes. Barely anybody showed up from Cy-Fair.

“For Trash Bash we only had me, my little sister, and my mom. There weren’t that many of us to begin with. Our numbers are struggling,” Wolf said.

Because the club is low in attendance, the school’s recycling program is hanging by its last thread.

“We’ve had to postpone [recycling] because when there’s only like three of us there it takes you like two hours to recycle this entire school,”

Wolf said. “We do have garbage bins that we take around and go around and pick up the recycling bins- but then once that’s kind of halfway full you have to take it out. [To take] one of these recycle bins and empty it out takes so much time.”

This year the club visited Gramen Natural Farm- an all-natural dairy farm where they learned how to milk and feed cows,- celebrate Earth Day with colorful T-shirts, and go to the Nature Festival in Bridgeland.

However, the club lost its main source of funding last year. They used to earn money through a recycling company, who would pay them according to how much paper was in their outside bins. Now the club is trying to find new funds.

“I was pushing for water bottle refilling stations in the school and hand dryers in the school. Certain things to take stuff out and then put something in that was would be more environmentally friendly,” Wolf said.

The club has about 20 people signed up and meets every first and third Tuesday in room 1009.Environmental Club]’s goal is to teach about environmental stewardship. I hope to one day bring the club to a level further than just the school,” said Jennifer Baezner, the club’s sponsor.

For more information on the club, see Mrs. Baezner in room 1009.

.

An excavator sits at the corner of Telge and Highway 290 during the construciton process. Photo by Ryan Steppe

Steppe {Ryan Graphics Editor Cy-Fair students have, by now, likely experienced a few growing pains related to the construction project in progress on US 290.

“Recently I was on my way to a scholarship luncheon and didn’t realize that the intersection at 290 and Telge was completely shut down,” senior Helen Sanchez said. “It was a huge inconvenience and I was late.”

In 2010, the Federal Highway Administration approved a plan by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to relieve congestion along US 290. However, the construction students and commuters are facing in the area is part of an interim plan.

The original $4.7 billion plan, which detailed the widening and improving of US 290 from I-610 to FM 2920, as well as the construction of a parallel Hempstead Tollway along Hempstead Road, has been put on hold.

“Due to current funding conditions, TxDOT cannot build the tollway for another 20 years,” US 290 Public Information Officer Karen Othon said.

For now, the department is focusing on improvements that can later be incorporated into its long term plan for the route. A reversible managed HOV lane has been proposed as a provisional addition to US 290, with mainline shoulders wide enough to accommodate vehicle emergencies.

Specific changes to the roadway near Cy-

Fair High School include the relocation of several exit and entrance ramps. The outbound US 290 exit to Barker Cypress and Skinner will be moved to the east, closer to the high school.

The current outbound US 290 entrance near the high school will be moved to the west, closer to Barker Cypress. This is a concept called ramp reversing, in which exits are moved away from major cross streets, and entrances are moved closer to them. According to Othon, doing this will allow both exiting and entering motorists more time and space to make their movements.

Other improvements commuters can look forward to include the beginning of construction in late 2015 on a SH 6/FM 1960 bridge. “[The bridge] will allow motorists to go up and over US 290 without having to go through traffic signals,” Othon said. “This will reduce congestion in that heavily-traveled area.”

As the project progresses, periodic closures of the US 290 main lanes and frontage roads will occur.

“Typically, these closures are scheduled on nights and weekends to reduce inconvenience for the many motorists who travel on the roadway,” Othon said.

As a student who regularly drives to school, senior Chris Ullrich has experienced some of these inconveniences.

“It’s made getting to school more frustrating and time consuming, but when it’s completed it should benefit everyone,” said Ullrich.

04 news AFTER 14

05.21.15

YEARS OF BUILDING HER

LEGACY,

MS.HOOVER IS

RETIRING Brown { Cody Online Editor

After 50 years of making the trip to school every day, whether by car or by school bus, AP U.S. History teacher Katherine Hoover is retiring from her teaching career. Hoover graduated from Cy-Fair in 1977, graduated from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas) four years later, and returned to teach U.S. History and serve as the head swim coach in 2001.

“I started my teaching career at Cy-Creek (which I regret saying), then from there I moved to Labay,” Hoover said. “I then went on to coach at Langham Creek, then at Cy-Falls. I then went back to teach at Labay then I finally returned here.”

Hoover, who earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston, always knew she would return to Cy-Fair and teach.

“I felt like I was coming home,” Hoover said. “While I had been teaching at other

Class of ‘77. Ms. Hoover’s senior year picture. Photo courtesy of Ms.Hoover

Throwback. Ms. Hoover used to be on CyFair’s basketball Photo courtesy of Ms.Hoover. schools, Cypress had gotten so big, but coming back [to Cy-Fair] made it feel small again.

Hoover taught many students throughout her long career. Junior Jonathan Sanchez, one of Hoover’s current AP U.S. History students, feels her expertise in each of her lessons. She even has teaching methods that she has kept from the beginning of her career.

“Ms. Hoover’s an awesome teacher,” Sanchez said. “She knows what she’s doing and makes class fun, engaging, and helps make the stuff we learn easier to understand.”

After the last 14 years of teaching at Cy-Fair, Hoover has lived through great moments in Cy-Fair’s history. From witnessing Cy-Fair’s baseball team win the state championship in 2007 to cheering on the girls’ basketball team to three consecutive state wins, Hoover has supported her alma mater all the way.

“I played basketball when I attended school here so it was great to see how my legacy had carried on,” Hoover said.

Even more students have made an impact on Hoover’s teaching career. From her 2004 girl’s 200-meter freestyle relay that took third place at state despite flu and other adversities to senior Chris Ullrich’s “Leave Earth Behind” video, Hoover has touched and been touched by countless students in her career.

“Whenever any of my adult friends talk about this new generation, I think back to my classroom and think that’s wrong, and that we have such a bright generation coming up behind mine,” Hoover said.

Teaching was not one of Hoover’s first career options. She aspired to be a sports journalist because of her love for sports.

“My goal in life was to interview the USC Men’s Swim Team in the locker room,” Hoover said.

Inevitably, Hoover’s decision to retire was not easy. She had always thought of retiring every April or May of every year of her career, and jokes that her students wished she would retire then also.

“I’m kinda apprehensive about retiring because I’ve been on the routine of coming to school for so long,” Hoover said. “I think about walking my dogs in the morning when the

school buses roll out and I’m happy.”

Hoover’s colleagues have made the retirement process easier for her.

Her fellow U.S. History teachers Cynthia Pekkanen and Susan Kirby have helped create a positive work environment that Hoover does not look forward to leaving.

“We have such a good American history department and we’re really close and work well together, but I’m pretty sure they all just want my room because it has three windows,” Hoover said.

Hoover’s legacy at Cy-Fair will not easily be forgotten.

Both her past and present students all praise her teaching skills and her skills as a mentor.

“Whenever people ask me what they want me to take away from my classes, I always leave them with my favorite quote from Winnie the Pooh: ‘You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter you think,’” Hoover said.

172 YEARS OF TEACHING. From left, US History teacher: Cindy Pekannan, 33 years of teaching, 28 years at Cy-Fair High; AP History teacher Kathy Hoover, 34 years of teaching, 14 years at Cy-Fair; Swim coach and business education teacher: Robert Tidmore, 34 years of teaching, 9 years at Cy-Fair; Librarian (and former journalism teacher): Patrick Reilly, 41 years of teaching, 17 years at Cy-Fair; English IV teacher: Dianne Caudill, 30 years of teaching, 2 years at Cy-Fair. Photo by Susan Kirby

05 ads

05.21.15

Class of 2015 Graduation June 6, 2015 8 a.m.

Berry Center

Date

Friday, May 29 seniors only Monday June 1 Seniors only All grades Tuesday, June 2 All grades Wednesday, June 3 All grades Thursday, June 4 Grades 9-11

Finals Schedule Time Period 6th

12:42-2:30

2nd 7th

7:25-9:25 12:42-2:30

1st and 5th

7:25-9:25 and 9:30-11:30

3rd and 4th

7:25-9:25 and 9:30-11:30

2nd and 6th

7:25-9:25 and 9:30-11:30

Bobcat baseball state bound

Come Support the Bobcats Thursday @ 7:30 p.m. vs. Langham

at HOME

25 YEARBOOKS available: $80 Get yours before it’s too late Room 2005

06 sports

Sink or Swim

05.21.15

STATS GIRLS DISTRICT WOODS-WIN RIDGE-WIN SPRINGS- WIN MEMORIAL- LOSS CREEK-LOSS

BOYS DISTRICT WOODS-LOSS RIDGE-WIN SPRINGS-WIN MEMORIAL-LOSS CYCREEK-LOSS

‘THERE’S NOTHING BETTER Parker THAN PLAYING A GAME’ { Valerie Assistant Opinion Editor

Top leftPropelling forward.

Junior Jacy Phariss swims for the ball during a game against Cy-Ridge.

Photo by Sabrina Sommer.

Top rightPass the ball. Junior Luke Northcutt prepares to toss the ball during a game against Cy-Ridge.

Photo by Brianna Baiza.

Middle leftControl of the Ball. Freshman Gwen Ngyuen swims for the ball during a game against Cy-Ridge.

Photo by Brianna Baiza.

Bottom leftFlying colors. Sophomore Keith Scott prepares to pass the ball at a game during regionals.

Photo Courtesy of Bill S.

Water polo is back and prepared to tread through any rough waves pitched their way.

Coach Hannah Dore has prepared the team for victory through vigorous practice and hard work. They practice before and after school and their perseverance is what brought them to regionals April 7-9 and later to State. The boys’ team got 8th place overall and the girl’s placed 2nd at regionals.

“I push our team harder by having them attend every tournament possible that we can. I have them attend the tournaments where there are harder teams. By playing these teams we grow and get better and we learn what we need to do to get better. I also push the technical skills of water polo. We never scrimmage in a practice. We only work on essential, basic skills. Once they get in game situations they can put these skills to use, and it helps them grow into stronger players,” Dore said.

Water polo has competed in four tournaments this year, and while they may not have placed they are slowly closing in the gap on rival teams. Girl’s captain senior Linden Overbey has been playing for four

years and feels the team is destined to succeed.

“Thanks to our new coach, I think we’ve all come together a lot more than we have in the past,” Overbey said. “I love the competition and aggressiveness of the sport. There’s nothing better than playing a game.”

Boy’s captain senior Justin Spence, who has also been playing four years, is very optimistic about the team’s capability. He helps them improve on handling the ball, game awareness and protecting the ball.

“Overall we’re a really young team, there’s lots of room to improve but we’ve started picking up fast,” Spence said. “I love how physical it is; when something is going on in my life I can just get in the pool and play water polo.”

“Over the course of the season I have witnessed the teams grow both in their passion for the sport and their knowledge in how the sport should be played. They have grown to understand the sport, and they are always improving. They surprise themselves and even me with their progress and I believe within the next couple years we can be one of the best teams in the state,” Dore said.

sports

05.21.15

Baseball swings into playoffs VARSITY BASEBALL WINS REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

07

Harvey {Esmeralda Opinion Reporter REGIONAL QUARTERFINALISTS

OVERALL RECORD 25-6-2 Upcoming games

Thursday@Cy-Fair {7:30pm} Friday@LanghamCreek {7:30pm} Saturday@Cypress Woods {2:00pm} Blake Faecher

Clayton Kopecky

Hunter Edwards

Lessons Learned? Being part of a team, developing and getting better throughout the season.

Lessons Learned? Putting forth hard work in order to become successful, and gaining a scholarship to Blinn University.

Lessons Learned? “Work your hardest on everything you do” It proves to be beneficial.

Johnny Rizer

Beau Orlando

Hayden Wesneski

Pitcher/Outfield

Catcher/Infield

Pitcher/Outfield

Lessons learned? Bonding with teammates and how to be a better student, friend, teammate and son.

Lessons Learned? Being competitive and spending more time with his Father, “When life knocks you down, you need to get right back

Lessons Learned?

Work hard, because it’ll help you in the future.

Catcher/Outfield

Pitcher/Infield

Pitcher/Infield

Team bonding. Juniors Hunter Edwards and Hayden Wesneski and seniors Brandon Lewis and Austin Buck hang out during a Cypress Lakes game. The team is coached by Head Coach Paul Orlando and Billy Hardin. Photo by Alex Slaid.

Running the bases. Senior Shea Pinder runs towards third base during a Cypress Lakes game.

Photo by Alex Slaid.

Brandon Lewis

Cody Chrest

Maxx Chrest

Pitcher

Infield/Outfield

Pitcher/Outfield

Lessons Learned? Making close friends whom he considers as family, and gaining a scholarship to Howard college.

Lessons Learned? Being part of a team and becoming brothers with one another, “If you don’t win you lose.”

Lessons Learned? Coming together as a team and competition, “Always accept defeat.”

Up to bat. Junior Thomas Franke prepares to hit the ball at the Cypress Woods game.

Photo By Alex Slaid.

08 ads

05.21.15

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GET READY FOR COLLEGE NOW!

Visit your College Connections Advisor Fridays at your high school or sign up for LSC-CyFair campus tours Tuesdays through Fridays!

Save the date Feb. 26 for Enrollment/Financial Aid info session!

For information, call 281.290.3483.

LoneStar.edu Three convenient locations!

LSC-CyFair

9191 Barker Cypress at West Road

LSC-Fairbanks Center

14955 Northwest Freeway near Beltway 8

LSC-Cypress Center 19710 Clay Road at Fry Road

Open Doors

05.21.15

sports

Believe in Team

SOFTBALL TEAM STRENGTHENS THEIR RELATIONSHIPS

6

Seconds of

FAME hannah searby, 10

Amdal {Karman Life Editor

Q What event(s) do you participate in? participate in pole vault, long jump, and triple A Ijump, but my main focus is pole vault and triple. I started pole vault and long jump in 7th grade and triple in 8th.

Pierce { Maddie Assistant Life Editor

As a softball team, the toughest challenge this year was gaining chemistry back from what they had last year, according to Kinsley Fisher who plays outfield and second base for the Varsity team.

With 17 girls on Varsity and 15 on JV, the team entered their second round in district. The team ended its season advancing to Region III 6-A Quarterfinals in a three-game series loss to Katy High School. They lost game one and three 13-12, 13-4 and won game two, 6-5.

“This year we made sure to focus on the mental game as well as our physical game,” Coach Stevens said.

“We are reading The Energy Bus and it is helping make us a stronger, tougher team.”

For Fisher, who has been playing softball since she was four, the toughest part of the season has nothing to do with the team’s chemistry.

“I tore my ACL in the Cypress Ranch game, so knowing that my season is over is really tough to deal with,” Fisher said.

Fisher hoped to eventually be able to play again. Despite the injury, Fisher was most excited about their season.

The team’s best asset and strongest area this year, according to Fisher,

Ritual. (top) Juniors Kinsie Hebler, Summer Harper, Heaven McDonald and the team huddle for their pre-game prayer before every game.

Photo by Skylar Taylor.

Winding up. (left) Senior Lindsey Gagner prepares to pitch.

Photo by Skylar Taylor.

was their defense.

“We’ve got a lot of great players who can make the simple plays and the outstanding plays,” Fisher said.

Although each team challenges the coaches in different ways, watching the girls grow physically and mentally has been Coach Steven’s

Q What do you feel is the best you’ve done so far?

A The best I have done so far (biggest accomplishments) would be getting a new record of 11› in pole vault and jumping over 34’ in triple jump. One of my future goals would be reaching 12’ in pole vault.

Q A Q A

What training do you have to do for your event(s)?

I have after school practice every day, Monday night conditioning and two practices at Rice university each week.

If you could have a track-related power, what would it be?

I would want the power to change the direction of gravity so I could pull myself up and over a bar or forward in my horizontal jumps.

favorite part so far.

“This season, as is every season, has been a blast,” Stevens said. “It’s been filled with smiles and laughs, with tough times and struggles, injuries, victories and losses. It’s been exciting and eventful.”

Photo By John Sanchez

09

10 life

05.21.15

Staying positive SENIOR SHARES THE STORY OF HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER

Davis { William Managing Editor

Just the family. (Left) Ben celebrates with his family on his last day of chemotherapy. Photo courtesy of Ben Phillips. Cured. (Bottom) Ben holds a 3-D image of his brain given to him and signed by all of his doctors. Photo courtesy of Ben Phillips.

He spent his twelfth birthday in a hospital, almost a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumor so new to modern medicine that the chance of surviving was 50%.

Ben Phillips is now deaf in his right ear and has a few cater-novas, bleeding holes in the brain, but he is considered a long term survivor, meaning that such scars are only the results of a victorious battle.

This story with a best case scenario ending began with Phillips noticing that he was fatigued marked alongside a disinterest in eating followed by a weight loss unnatural for a boy his age. He began losing his balance, having major migraines, and seeing double. Three visits to the doctor proved uninformative, but when Phillips passed out at a Target, an ambulance was called and he was brought to the Texas Children’s Hospital.An MRI scan was performed

and after the results had been analyzed, doctors talked to the family and diagnosed Phillips with a brain tumor. Through the difficulty of the situation, he just wanted to know, “Will it make the headaches go away?”

With a positive attitude in his heart, doctors began to work on his head.

“My treatment consisted of three surgeries, high dose radiation five times a week for four weeks, and four weeks of chemotherapy over four months,” Phillips said.

At that time, Phillips broke the record for the youngest person to receive high dose chemotherapy. Since the intensive treatment ended in October of 2013, there has been one moment that almost meant a return of malignancy.

“In August I had scar tissue that resembled growth, and yeah that was

scary. But a few checkups showed that whatever it was wouldn’t be a problem.

The low survival rate of this specific tumor was because it had yet to be extensively researched and thus treatment was still uncertain.

For now, Phillips receives treatment once a year. His life was changed by a random event, but that never stopped him.

“My doctors told me I was the most positive patient,” Phillips said.

“I was positive because I knew I was working to get better and it was happening in the most ideal way. Being positive makes it easier on yourself and your family.

The positivity that Phillips carried into the ordeal would prove to be something that would outlast any sickness.

“My life definitely changed for the better,” Phillips said.

Senior Section

What is your most memorable moment from freshman year?

“Meeting all the friends I have now who changed my life for the better.”

–Melissa Knezevic

“Going to school with my older brother at the same time.” –Jake Breaux

Tra i inn ner V i e jun r ner ctoria da ior yea t a f Adam oot r. bal s unle l pe ash p ra es h e lly her r

man esh is fr al h eam t a go tes of his bra t cele e res aita ith th w Rug Jeff along r yea

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“When my friend came up and actually introduced himself to me because it’s so uncommon that people do things like that nowadays.” –Corbin Nguyen

Do you remember?

- The world population reached 7 billion. (2011) - The first Hunger Games movie came out. (2012) - The U.S. women’s gynmastics team won the gold medal in the London Olypmics. (2012) - Whitney Houston died. (2012) - Hurricane Sandy hit the northeast United States. (2012) - Gangham Style was the number one trending video. (2012) - The world almost ended. (2012) - George Zimmerman was Sara vole h Baere aquitted for the murder of y n juni ball va wald h Trayvon Martin. (2013) or y rsity el ear. team ped lea - Three were killed to d d the istri and 260 were ct h er injured by bombings at the Boston Marathon.

(2013)

de riga b e th ar. with nior ye s e anc r ju tz d ally he l a W ep r lby She s at a p r offie

Syd n sho ey Mar wsto t ppe in wow rs h er s s the sc oph mor hool du e ye r ar. ing

The class of 2015 experienced a lot of changes. During our time in high school, the world also changed. Hashtags became a thing, Instagram experienced popularity and Siri was developed. The world dealt with racial turmoil, natural disasters and terrorism. As individuals, we learned from our involvement in various organizations and activities. We were shaped by where we decided to put our time, money and passion. While we all had different paths to success and different moments of glory, we also had moments where we came together as a group. In these moments, with our individual strengths combined, we truly embodied BFND.

Tha d hug Milto n e the upset won M for clas r. C th s of 201 en sen y-Fair h 5. iors , bu is junio tat rium r year, ph f a or

freshman to junior

20112014

20142015

What is your most memorable moment from senior year?

“Cy-Fair Singers season and taking trips around Houston singing.” - Sydney Martin

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Do you remember?

- The ALS Ice Bucket challenge went viral on social media and even in our district. (2014) - Actor and comedian Robin Williams committed suicide.

(2014) - In response to the death of Michael Brown, violent protests erupt in Ferguson, Missouri. (2014) - Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize. (2014) - Ebola broke out in West Africa, creating a worldwide scare. (2014) - Zayn Malik left One Direction.

Mrs .

(2015) sup McCo por t for wn gets - “The Dress” left people d the ALS renche worldwide amazed on ice b d to s uck social media. (2015) et ch how he r alle - David Letterman nge retired as host of The Late Show.

(2015)

senior

“Playing outside in music theory.” - Chris Ullrich

It seems like just yesterday we were all at Bobcat Express, learning about Cy-Fair traditions and taking our ID photos.

We looked forward to being big, bad seniors. We joked about what senioritis would be like (it’s real, y’all) and about what we would wear to prom. And before we knew it, the jokes became reality. In the blink of an eye, dreaming turned to planning and planning turned to doing and doing turned to reminiscing. It’s hard to believe that four years have gone by and we are all about to embark on a completely new chapter in our lives. Let’s let the fleeting moments of high school teach us all to live in the moment and appreciate the present because life truly does go by so quickly.

ed or th f s e go sher A y Colb urt o the C

f ng o i K n ig i

Pro m Jare Quee dK nC e stag l e aft athly h aire Sta ave r er w thei ling an inn r d ing thei first da King r tit n les. ce on-

“I stepped out of my comfort zone and danced in the talent show.” - Shreeti Sigdel

Oh the places we’ll go...

ALABAMA

Samford University

Chloe Nugent Tuskegee University

Courtney Peavy University of Alabama

Brady Sommer

Merris Schroder

Phoebe McGown

ARKANSAS

Johnny Rizer

Loyola University

Christopher Ogden

MARYLAND

Johns Hopkins

Maddy Noble

MISSOURI

CALIFORNIA

Southwest Baptist University

Nate Nahirny Washington University in St. Louis

Efrain Rovira University of Missouri

Kaylin Jones

COLORADO

University of Mississippi

Ashton Suehs

Caroline Willingham

Luke Hurley

Madeline Overby

Megan Suprenant

Rachael Mann

Reagan Bintz

Ross Donelly

Taylor Farley

University of Arkansas

Kyra Morris

Sydney Martin California Maritime Academy

Travis Basset Concordia University (Irvine)

Luke West Santa Clara University

Bryson Lockley UC Berkeley

Sadhvi Mathur UC Irvine

Vivian Dang Colorado School of Mines

James Kohlschmidt

John Gerold CU-Boulder

Jelena Galagaza

FLORIDA

Daytona State College

Madison Smith Eastern Florida State College

Rodeney Norvil University of Florida

Alex Gaggero

Stephanie Boyer

IOWA

Dordt College

Tebi Njilefack

IDAHO

BYU Idaho

Madeline Beus

ILLINOIS

Columbia College Chicago

Mayan Darbyshire SLU

Dash Chavez University of Illinois at Chicago

Orlando Rivera

MISSISSIPPI

NEBRASKA

University of Nebraska

Bryce Stamp

NEW JERSEY

Rutgers University

Carson Woody

NEW YORK

Fashion Institute of Technology

Camila Campuzano Fordham University

Sophia Woody Hofstra University

Sinclair Hita Iona College

Tiana Perea School of Visual Arts NY

Olivia Garner St. John’s University

Sadiera Washington The New School

Larae Scott

OKLAHOMA

KENTUCKY

Oklahoma State University

Jayme Doyle

Tyler Lane University of Oklahoma

Amanda Huse

Christina Moreno

Christian Phillips Spartan College

Paul Merkel

LOUISIANA

Pennsylvania State University

Justin Spence

INDIANA

Purdue University

Thaddeus Milton Campbellsville University

Rebecca Carson Louisiana State University

Antonio Hincapie

Logan Schempf

Zach Smith McNeese State

Khyllia Barnes

Shanna Spree Northwestern State University

Adriana Delzell

Brynae Thompson University of Louisiana at Lafayette

PENNSYLVANIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Erskine College

Jordan Haynes

TEXAS

Abilene Christian

Brandon Richmond Austin Community College

Monica Espinoza

Johnathan Luckett

Baylor University

Alena Delgado

Austin Vint

Caroline Phelan

Carson Bouckley

Clayton Costolnick

Guillermo Gonzales

Harper Neitzey

Jessica Bateman

Lauren Hornbeck

Louis Rodriguez

Melissa Hodges

Mercedes Santistevan

Mercy Bleau

Samantha Rivera

Sridhar Changalpet

Victoria Adams Blinn College

A.C. Williams

Amanda Justice

Ashlyn Doremus

Averiahna Porter

Caitlin Robertson

Clayton Kopecky

David Heaton

Emily Geisler

Isacc Gomez

Jacob Vance

Jason Williams II

Jaymee Schneider

Kaylyn Liles

Luis Silva

Malik Stinson

Megan Suesun

Nolan Poorbaugh

Robert Corona

Tyler McCarley Concordia University

Kinsley Fisher East texas Baptist University

Rafael Cardozo Frank Phillips College

Shea Pinder Houston Baptist University

Jhovanny Ramirez

Joshua Luu

Taylor McCowin Houston Community College

Samuel Deblaw Houston Art Institute

Brittany Love

Clay Stephens

Destiny Stanford Lamar University

Michelle Goodwin

Cameron Warford Lone Star

Aaron Kropke

Adam Cammack

Alex Blaise

Amber Mitchell

Ana Rodriguez

Anthony Vazquez

Arlando Anthony

Ashly Thornton

Aughtney Black

Austin Esparza

Becca Holloway

Brandi DeMouy

Brandon Musco

Brenda Arteaga

Brian Finke

Brianna Torres

Brittaney Scott

Brittany Cook

Brittany Wilhelm

Bryana Thompson

Brook McGehee

Caitlyn Mills

Caitlynn Crosby

Carrie Briones Charlotte Paterson Cheyenne Pool Cheyenne Toussant Cody Brown Dalton Panos Daylin Garcia DeeDee Brooks Deysi Herrera Edward Sifuentez Elizabeth Kull Erick Ofina Erin Zeedyk Evan Matchette Georgia Borak German Valdez Gio Cardinale Helen Vu Jacob Bolanos Jacob Jones Jade Pham Jalexa Lindhardt James Garcia Jansen Childers Jessi Edwards Jessica Timmons Jonah Starz Jonathan Quintanilla Jonathan Rodriguez Kaitlyn Fitzsimmons Katelynn Warren Kevin Schreiber

Kimberly Brown Kimberly Meza Lauren Payne Leydi Flores Madeleine Pierce Makenna Roberts Malachi Venditti Manasa Gattu Matthew Giles Melissa Knezevic Michael Murphy Morgan Anderson Musukula Sheriff Nico Scala Nicolai Lactaoen Nicole Charney Omar Awad Omar Marroquin Parker Kane Patrick Vinueza Renee Navarro Samantha Boffa Shyanne Sikes Stephen Godfrey Taylor Elliot Tiffany Smith Valerie Parker Vanessa Rodriguez Veronica Vazquez Victoria Venegas Vincent Tran Whitney Moore

Yovankha Garcia

Zach Durbin Prairie View A&M

December Johnson

Heavan McCray

Jonathan Warrior Rice

Juno Rettenmier

Sara Lopez Stephen F. Austin

Carlos Encinas

Enrique Montaño

Hannah Beard

Kara O’Connell

Peyton Dilts Sam Houston State University

Analyssa Benavides

Briseida Santiago

Chase Miller

Chris Walker

Elijah Moreno

Emma Biondillo

Inez Robles

Kestra Derise

Lauren Sahvalla

Lexi Thomson

Lyndsay Gagner

Nairobi Lopez

Ruby Rojas

Ryan Glosson

Taylor Thompson

Zach Albert

A LOOK AT THE DESTINATIONS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2015

Zachary Ralph St. Edwards University

Katie VonDrehle

Sylvia Garcia St. Thomas University

Kenya Wright Texaas Christian University

Kelly Danford Texas A&M

Aaron Smith

Alex Garcia

Alex Marquis

Alex Schmitzberger

Allyson Howard

Amanda Gibbens

Andres Gonzalez

Ashley Nikolis

Austin Shay

Brooke Faltesek

Chandler Hamilton

Charlene Anderson

Chase Rabel

Christine Watson

Chris Ullrich

Chris Watson

Christopher Anderson

Derek Volkmann

Elizabeth Isaly

Eric Thornburg

Ethan Lore

Garrett Norwood

Hunter Gonzalez

Janie Cho Jasmin Cho Jason Nguyen Jose Ramirez Kendall Thurston Linden Overby Lizzie Burke Madison Clark Mckenzi Littlefield Meagan McFarland Megan Nation Morgan Derrick Natalie Cutting Natalie Longmire Natalie Braun Nicole Brinkley Om Shahi Quinn Held Russell Braun Sarah Baerenwald Sarah Gau Shelby Gray Shelby Shroyer Shelby Waltz Sierra Roney Sunny Akarapu Sydney Mondshine Tate Walker Taylor Jasek Taylor Mauser Tyler Sutton Will Davis

William Mattinson Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

Chase Mauldin

Vincent Mai Texas A&M - Galveston

Madeline Davis

Marijke Smet

Mitchell Krenek

Rosa Wolf

Ryan Joe Texas State

Adan Flores

Alexis Longmire

Bailey Duncan

Bailey Perret

Breanne Gilpin

Chad Strom

Chase Reyes

Costen Ben

Diana Gonzalez

Jack White

Jamie Culpepper

Joycelyn Ma

Katherine Gibbens

Lauren Neck

Libbie Rudd

Lilly Saengvanhpheng

Morgan Skiba

Nairobi Alford

Sara Singer

Savanna Jackson

Skylar Taylor

Valery Gilman Zac Bartholomew

Texas Tech

Cody Hill

Courtney Kurowski

Kallie Thompson

Katherine Allbritton

Meghan Witmer

Rachel Schramm

Travis Buck

Tristan Edgar

Vivian Nguyen Texas Woman’s University

Nicole Owens Trinity University

Tori Kelley Trinity Valley Community College

Alyssa De Los Santos University of Houston

Abigail Adams

Amy Co

Armaan Khehra

Ash Kothare

Bryan Le

Celestino Sanchez

Christian Tith

DJ Gibson

Elaine Fatany

Ernesto Robles

Evelyn Rosas

Garrett McDaniel

Gene Jung

Jay Desai

John Carmona

Julian Flores

Lauren Nguyen

Michaela Nguyen

Perren Wright

Raphael General

Stephanie Pham

Steven Quiroz

Ting Tran

Xavier Ramirez University of Houston- Clear Lake

Lexi Ashbaugh University of Houston-Downtown

Tonya Brittain University of Mary-Hardin Baylor

Rachel Dozier University of North Texas

Bryan Allison

Gage Havekost

Jackie Spreeman

Kassi Reyna

Miles Walker

Samantha Lawson

Victoria Felicia

Victoria Romer

William Metivier University of Texas at Austin

Addie Peck

Aishu Rao

Bryan Mai

Carina Patrick

Claire Starling

Courtney Cernosek

Daaniyal Munir

Francis Noble

Isabel Mayne

James Cabrera

Jeff Yi

John Clark

Joseph Nguyen

Khiem Le

Krista Jordan

Meggie Engalla

Mina Kim

Natalie Berry

Quang Nguyen

Ryan Steppe

Sanchita Mahoorkar

Sazla Hoang

Theresa Nguyen

Tyler Sorrells

Vamsi Ghorakavi University of Texaas - Dallas

Clara Vazquez

Josephine Owolabi

Katie Jones

Monique Nadkarni University of Texas - San Antonio

Allison Chavez

Christen Lowe

Conner Crawford Danny Jimenez Ed Serrano Emily Benson Kayla Pacheco Krystal Cruz Mikaila Briltan Nathan Sykes Raymond Smith Sabrina Alonzo Shreeti Sigdel

UTAH

Brigham Young University

Joshua Altman

Kyrsten Amdal

VIRGINA

Virgina Tech

Ashlynn Peters College of William and Mary

Makena Barron

WASHINGTON D.C.

Howard University

Raven Prejean Not pictured

CANADA

University of Victoria

Morgan Fairman

GAP YEAR

Alyssa Rayburn Amber Johnson Andrew Holst Asmin Barron Dane Davis Joelea McDonald Mark Rivera Ryanne Standard

COLLEGE NOT SPECIFIED

Adriana Perez Alex Anguiano Angel Benavides Angel Peters Ann Freeman Ashley Benard Aubrey Martin Audrey Curry Autumn Sullivan Austin Nelson Brad Smith Brandon Lewis Brittney Escobar Brooke Fischer Caleb Richmond Caroline Velez Carolyn Gutierrez Christina Garcia Colby Asher Connor Gallaway Cuyler Harper Daniel Obregon Daniel Solis Danielle Behren Darrius Dargin Darrius Rucker Demetrius Turk Desiree Flores Emma Stewart Gentrie Fanini Hayley Nevot James Robertson Jared Ogden Jasmine Carpenter Jeff Rugaita Jenifer Guerrero Jermaine Carpenter John Delgado Jonathan Colindres Josh Curtis Joshua Huse Juliana Heuermann Katie Jo Rumfield Katie Welborn Kevin Borski Lee Maddox Luz Caballero Macey Kuzniarek

Maddie Sanchez Maxx Chrest Megan Stockton Monica Aguirre Nadia Valadez Nathan Weldon Nikki Gentilini Noah Hess Rebekah Dunn Sarah LePere Shania Castillo Simran Kaur Tamara Koenen Titayna Montaño Travis Reynolds Will Chan Will Dawson Wyatt Powell Yessenia Ramirez

WORKFORCE

Brittany Torres Corbin Nguyen Jacob Breaux Kenroy Garcia Matthew Bell Nicolas Ybarra Raynisha Cobb Roberto Velazquez Thomas Yang

ARMED FORCES

Austin Kipp Benjamin Chesser Carlos Cabrera James Rodriguez Nick Ponce Pablo Salinas

US AIR FORCE

Caytlin Randall Jackson Gilbreath

Kristen Spencer

US ARMY US NAVY

Jackie Martinez Zachary Pratts

US COASTGUARD

Bri Rogers Mathanee Jade Perez-Ortiz

Disclaimer: This information is compiled from students who submitted legible, completed forms. We’re sorry if your information isn’t on here or was represented incorrectly.

20142015

Advice to Underclassmen:

senior

“Senioritis is real, and it’s okay to indulge in it every once in a while. Just don’t go overboard.” – Garrett McDaniel / “Use the grace day!” – Celestino Sanchez / “Get some sleep.” – Christian Tith / “Calculus isn’t that bad.” – Lauren Nguyen / “Focus on your goals in life. It will keep you going when your alarm wakes you up in the morning. Reach the top!” – Tonya Brittain / “Work hard all year so you can take it easy at the end.”

– Ernesto Robles / “Take your work seriously, because it does matter.” – John Carmona / “Just put in work in everything you do.” – Raphael General / “Don’t procrastinate, and enjoy your high school years.” – Amy Co / “Even during your final weeks of your senior year… Don’t give up!” – Abby Adams / “Don’t worry about your image too much. Relax and be yourself.” – Ting Tran / “Enjoy your time in high school, but be sure to take it seriously.” – Allyson Howard / “Take AP classes, but don’t go overboard with too many unless you have good study habits.” – Amanda Gibbens / “Do you, boo boo.” – Chase Rabel / “Get college credit, but make sure not to overload yourself. Four AP classes a year is enough. Be cautious and prudent and think about your actions. It takes a second to say a word, but the effect it can have on your reputation could be permanent.” – Christopher Anderson / “High school social status doesn’t matter. Anything you become here won’t matter after graduation.” –Andre / “Keep calm during the college application process.” – Nicole Brinkley / “Goof off for the first five weeks of every six weeks, then go try-hard mode for one. Worked for me.” – Garrett Norwood / “You only get one chance, don’t blow it.” – Meagan McFarland / “Don’t take everything so seriously. Make a joke of most things to be happier.” – Matthew Giles / “Take mental health days. If you are crying, anxious, so stressed you can’t breathe, take a day for you. Stay in bed, do what you can to relax because you cannot perform to your full potential if you can’t get out of bed in the morning. Exemptions aren’t worth your health. Exams are the easiest tests you’ll take all year.” – Amber Mitchell / “If you aren’t challenging yourself, something should be changed.” – Will Mattinson / “Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not just to be in a certain circle of friends. Stand up for yourself.” – Katie Allbritton / “Take school seriously, but it’s okay to give yourself a break.” – Sophia Woody / “If you don’t do your homework, don’t cry if you do bad.” – Quang Nguyen / “Take high school seriously. In the beginning it seems useless, but take your SATs or ACTS, show up to school and don’t mess around.” – Carolyn Gutierrez / “Everything you do now will be taken with you toward the future of your education. Always do your work.” – Doryvehe Rivers / “Do your best now and work hard so senior year is a breeze, because there will be lots to do before you graduate.” – Brook McGehee / “Have an open mind. Just do your thing until you get out of here, the system is beyond messed up. #sorrynotsorry” – Valerie Parker / “Go to as many high school activities and participate while you can.” – Ashly Thorton / “Pay more attention to school work but attend many social events and get to know other people in your school.” – Katelynn Warren / “Take two of one subject junior year, it really makes a difference when you have double early release.” – Brittaney Scott / “Keep up with your classes and grades, but if you do fall behind, talk to your teachers, counselors, and assistant principals. It can seem scary but they aren’t going to yell at you. They’re honestly there to help.” – Becca Holloway / “Take advantage of grace day. If it’s due tomorrow, do tomorrow.” – Daylin Garcia / “Don’t give into senioritis. Chase your dreams and don’t worry about what other people think.” – Stephen Godfrey / “Don’t get caught up trying to be like everyone else. When push comes to shove those “friends” of yours won’t be there for you even if you are.” – Parker Kane / “No matter what keep up the good work and stay determined and focused. It is important to give your best 100% especially your senior year!” – Vanessa Rodriguez / “Exemptions rock. Plan out your absences. Tie your shoes and trip over nothing. After high school it won’t be remembered or matter.” – Brittany Wilhelm / “The only easy day was yesterday.” – Bryce Stamp / “Understand that time is limited, so take advantage of every second. Become starving for success and don’t stop working towards obtaining that success.” – Elijah Moreno / “Don’t let senioritis hit you, do what you want and don’t let anyone walk all over you, and go all out on dress-up days.” – Lexi Thomson / “’Short term sacrifice leads to long term success.’– Prince.” – Bryson Lockley / “Enjoy your years you have at Cy-Fair. Have fun, don’t be stupid and start planning for your life outside of Cy-Fair.” – Remy Mixon / “Enjoy time in school and make lots of friends. If you can’t make friends then join clubs. You only get to be here 4 years enjoy them.” – Roberto Velazquez / “Don’t blink! High school goes by so incredibly fast.

Enjoy every second of it!” – Alexis Longmire / “Work hard, especially junior year because that is when you make the most gains.” –Perren Wright / “Do better.”-Bryan Le / “Pay attention your freshmen and sophomore year. Its all about the system.”- Jay Desai / “Enjoy high school while you still can.” – Megan Nation / “Don’t stress about the little things.”- Hunter Gonzalez / “Have fun it will fly by.” –Alex Schmitzberger / “Bill Gates dropped out.” –Sunny Akarapu / “Don’t take high school drama too seriously.” – Quinn Held / “Grades are important, take US History K” – Kendall Thurston / “Do your work and don’t be cocky.” – Alex Marquis / “Hard work LITERALLY pays off.” –Shelby Gray / “Grades are not a joke.” – Luis Silva / “Do your best all four years and finish strong.” – Ashlyn Doremus / “Do your work.” –Jaymee Schneider / “Enjoy school before you have to pay bills.” – Brandi DeMouy / “Pay attention, if you don’t it will catch up.” – Austin Esparza / “Follow your heart! Be yourself!” – Michael Murphy / “Don’t wait to the last minute to do stuff.” – Helen Vu / “Do what makes YOU happy.” – Thaddeus Milton / “Enjoy it while it lasts. Don’t rush through the next few years.” – Madeleine Pierce / “Don’t let your ego or pride determine the classes you take.” – Kayla Pacheco / “Don’t get senioritis junior year.” – Natalie Longmire / “Don’t procrastinate. Don’t do it, do your work.” – Alex Blaise / “Take school seriously, but it’s okay to give yourself a break.” – Sophia Woody / “It will be over before you know it!” – Adriana Perez / “Work hard to achieve your goals.” – Daniel Obregon / “If you don’t do your homework, don’t cry if you do bad.”– Quang Nguyen / “Play the GPA game. Don’t mess up freshman year.”

– Darrius Dargin / “Make good grades and have fun on the weekends.” – Lee Maddox / “Work hard. Play hard.” – Simran Kaur / “Don’t take high school too seriously.” – Haley Nevot / “Don’t mess up and your senior year would be easy.” – Luz Caballero / “Don’t take anything for granted. You only have four years, so make everything count!” – Christina Garcia / “Don’t skip. You’ll want those exemptions.” – Joshua Huse / “Try your hardest. Don’t skip class.”– Juliana Hevermann / “Come in strong. Don’t give up because the end is nearer than you may see.” – Courtney Peavy / “Don’t judge. Be positive. Befriend everyone!” – Jordan Haynes / “Work your hardest during the first couple years so you can blow off senior year.”– Morgan Fairman / “Just relax and enjoy it while you can, don’t take too many difficult classes.” – Samantha Boffa / “Senior year, just because it’s the last year don’t give up. It can put you too far behind.” – Caitlyn Crosby / “Work harder than you currently are because I know you have it in you.” – Manasa Gattu / “Don’t trust the system.” – James Garcia / “ Don’t slack, do your work.” – Carrie Briones / “Don’t slack off! Every year counts!” – Jessi Edwards / “Pay more attention to school work but attend many social events and get to know other people in your school”- Katelynn Warren / “Make sure you keep your grades up and don’t regret anything.” – Brianna Torres / “Don’t give up on your grades or attendance.” – Tiffany Smith / “Sleep doesn’t matter as much as it seems. Don’t rebel, you can’t cheat the system.” – Adam Commack / “Take your grades seriously don’t slack off.” – Cheyenne Pool / “It’s not the grades you make it’s the hands you shake.” – Kevin Schreiber / “Keep up with grades. It is pretty hard to catch up.” – Anthony Vasquez / “Don’t slack off and continue to eat rice my friends.” – Vincent Tran / “Never give up” – Jade Pham / “Work hard but have fun with it.” – Nico Scala / “Don’t let what others around you do affect you. It might seem hard but you will get there.” – Ana Isabel Rodriguez / “Never give up on the thing you really want in life.” – Victoria Venegas / “Do not ever think you can slack off because it will drop your grade and GPA.” – Musukula Sheriff / “Take a second look and appreciate where you are at, it flies by way too fast.” – Malachi Venditi / “Don’t mess up, if you do then you don’t have another chance.” – Melissa Knezevic / “Make every day count for success.” – Kimberly Meza / “Stay on top of your grades and classes, but have fun as well. These are the only 4 years of high school you have, so make them count.” – Edward Sifuentez / “Do your best and actually try.” – Brittany Cook / “Don’t skip, go to class so you can use your exemptions.” – Veronica Vasquez / “Be happy, after all, happiness is the only emotion worth showing.” – Inez Robles / “Time management.” – James Kohlschmidt / “Focus on grades kiddos. High speed, low drag.” – Jelena Galagaza / “Don’t get senioritis.” – Rebecca Carson / “Good luck surviving high school.” – Joshua Altman / “The only easy day was yesterday.” – Bryce Stamp / “Your grades do matter, the harder you work now the happier you will be senior year.” – Sydney Martin / “Don’t start slacking off, keep going strong.” – Eryn Mccarthy / “Keep moving forward, it gets better from here.” – Taylor Thompson / “Don’t take high school for granted because it flies by.” – Emma Biondillo / “Keep pushing through, it gets better from here.” – Chase Miller / “Stay on top of your grades! Stay involved! Stay positive!” – Chris Walker / ”Do your work your first three years, then enjoy your senior.” – Zach Albert / “Always remember that hardwork pays off.” – Lyndsay Garner / “Stay focused, set goals, make good decisions.” – Ruby Rojas / “Relax, and don’t let stress take over your life.” – Ryan Glosson / “Even as a freshman or sophomore, grades count. They set up your GPA for later.” – Lauren Sahualla / “Stay focused, there is a lot of years left. Just hang in there.” – Rodeney Norvil / “Follow your instincts and believe in yourself, never let anyone discourage you.” – Madison Smith / “Keep working.” – Alex Gaggero / “Don’t grow up too fast.” – Raven Presean / “Work hard, stay on top of homework and projects, find a positive outlook for coming to school.” – Madeline Beus / “This is just the beginning.” – Vivian Dang / “Enjoy your time here, it goes by faster than you think.” – Travis Bassett / “Don’t stress over your work, just pray about it and do your best in everything you do.” – John Luke West / “Don’t slack off. You have plenty of time to slack off senior year.” – Larae Scott / ”Be true to yourself.” – Sadiera Washington / “Expand your horizons and find what you love.” – Corbin Nguyen / “Don’t mess up your grades! It all matters when you graduate!” – Amber Pecina / “Enjoy your years you have at Cy-Fair. Have fun, don’t be stupid and start planning for your life outside of Cy-Fair.” – Remy Mixon / “Focus on school more than friends and partying. Friends won’t always be there for you when you need a house or money, but education will.” – Caitlin Randall / “There are still things in life to fight for so stay strong and stay in school.” – Kristen Spencer / “Do your research when it comes to what you want to do.” – Benjamin Chesser

2015

For the 2014-2015 school year, the average private university costs $31,231. For public colleges, in-state residents paid $9,139 on average and out-of-state residents paid $22,958 on average.

Based on information from the College Board.

2.14% of students are going straight into the workforce, with the most common professions being welder and electrician.

The most popular 4-year university was Texas A&M, with University of Houston and University of Texas also having large numbers of Cy-Fair students attending.

82.65% of collegebound students are remaining in-state for college, while 17.35% are traveling out-ofstate.

future

class of

Based on the student surveys we received, we compiled some statistics about the graduating seniors’ plans for the future.

$

The most common major is Business, with Engineering, Biology and Education also being popular.

Senior summer 2015 to-do list

It’s easy to get lazy the summer after high school. After all, it’s the last summer without real responsibility. While Netflix-ing the summer away sure seems tempting, staying active and busy during this summer can help you create lasting memories and get ahead of your lazy college classmates.

Get a job or internship

Continue to look for and apply for scholarships

Go on a road trip with friends

Volunteer consistently with a charity you’re passionate about

Design or update a professional resume

Go to a drive-in movie

Learn how to do your own laundry, cook, clean, manage your finances, etc.

Shop for your new dorm or apartment; clean out your old room

Teach yourself a hobby that you can enjoy doing alone or with others

Start eating healthily and exercising to avoid the dreaded “freshman 15”

See a free show or movie at the Miller Outdoor Theater

Spend as much time with your loved ones as you can

We will recall

with a sigh

life

05.21.15

Acting out

19

SOPHOMORE YOUTUBER TRANSITIONS INTO ACTING IN MAJOR MOTION PICTURES Gray { Audrey Opinion Editor When sophomore, Josh Wiggins, was 11 years old, he was making comical videos with his friends on YouTube. Now at age 16, he is starring in a movie and has worked with actors such as Aaron Paul and Josh Duhamel.

Ever since Wiggins was in elementary school, he wanted to be an actor. It started in fifth grade at Black Elementary when Wiggins and some of his friends started a YouTube channel called TTJshorts.

He continued this channel with his friends while he was attending Hamilton Middle School.

“It was a channel where we would make little comedy videos and generally make idiots out of ourselves,” Wiggins said. “It started off as just something fun to do, but it developed into kind of a love for movies and film making for me.”

Wiggins first major role was in a Sundance film called Hellion when

he was 15. He played a troubled teen fighting to get his brother back from child protective services. He was attending Cy-Fair as a freshman, but after his first semester started doing online school at home to have more flexibility while shooting films.

Soon after, he played the role of a young boy who is orphaned and tricked by an older man into robbing banks in a feature film called Lost in the Sun. Now, coming out in theaters everywhere June 26, Wiggins will star in a movie called Max, from the director of Remember the Titans and the producer of Marley & Me. The casting directors of Max found Wiggins through his Sundance short films and contacted him. He auditioned for the role of Justin in Los Angeles and was called two weeks later and offered the part.

“It was definitely a surprise. A lot of excitement and a lot of pressure,” Wiggins said.

Max was shot around various

Photos courtesy of Josh Wiggins.

locations in North Carolina, and began shooting around June and ended in July of 2014.

Max is about a family who just lost their military son/brother in Afghanistan who was a bomb dog handler. His bomb dog then develops PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and returns to the states. The family then decides to bring the dog in and care for it. Wiggins plays a kid who has the responsibility of taking care of the dog. At first, he is not pleased with this situation but soon starts to form a friendship with Max. While shooting for Max, Wiggins

Across the fjords Ryza { Julia Sports Editor

It’s snow fun. (above) Furberg and his dad sit together in the snow.

Photo courtesy of Lance Furberg.

When Lance Furberg got to catch giant, fresh salmon and cod in the Norwegian Sea, he knew he wouldn’t find any better tasting fish.

For four years from 2010-2014, a small town named Birtvarre was Lance Furberg’s home. After moving to Birtavarre with his father and stepmother, Lance got to discover what made the small town with a population of 900 special.

“The town we lived in is known for its music and its history of the mining up in the mountains,” Furberg said.

In upper Norway, the major difference when compared to America is the lifestyle, and how the people survive.

“The Norweigan people live off the sea,” Furberg said.

The whole culture in upper Norway is mainly dominated by the outdoors, as many live off the land as a way of life. Lance found himself enjoying the hiking, sight-seeing, fishing and hunting.

“I was part of both cultures,” Furberg said.

As there are many differences in food, Furberg’s favorite seemed to be the most simplest.

worked with big name actors and actresses such as Lauren Graham, Thomas Haden Church and Robbie Amell.

“It’s definitely daunting at first, but after a while you don’t really think of them as these super famous actors.

You think of them more as friends very quickly,” Wiggins said. “Working all day every day with someone will develop that kind of relationship.”

School and homework, shooting for movies and getting an acting career started can be a lot to balance all at once. That is why he is so thankful for all the support he gets

from the people around him.

“I’m very proud of everything my son has accomplished,” Josh’s dad, Steve Wiggins, said. “As long as he stays grounded and values his family I’ll be happy.”

Even with all that Wiggins has accomplished just by the age 16, he still looks for further improvement and experience.

“I don’t think I’ve met my goals yet,” Wiggins said. “There’re a lot of directors I’d like to work with like Scorcese, Spielberg, Nolan, Tarentino, and more. Whether that will happen is a different story but we‘ll see.”

FOUR YEARS LATER, STUDENT RECOUNTS LIVING IN NORWAY “The smoked salmon, it was amazing,” Furberg said.

Furberg’s most memorable experience was when he took an Easter vacation into the mountains surrounding the town he lived in.

“We spent a couple days up there and went ice fishing,” Furberg said.

“The coolest part was to watch the sun set over the ocean.”

Along with snowboarding and skiing, Furberg also got to enjoy the rare experience of seeing the Northern lights.

“They’re mainly a green, like a neon green,” Furberg said.

What brought Furberg back

to America were the education opportunities, as school in Norway ends in tenth grade. Furberg wanted to continue his education in America, since he was a natural born citizen.

“Over there you get ten years, and I figured that I don’t have the education to go onto college,” Furberg said.

Furberg finds that what he misses the most is the scenery.

“I lived in a valley, so there was mountains on both sides. But there was also the ocean at the end of the valley,” Furberg said. “It was extremely beautiful.”

20 life

05.21.15

Nickelodeon and Disney auditions give direction to childhood actor

Thrill of the song

BEGINNING HER FRESHMAN YEAR, SENIOR SOPHIA WOODY ATTENDS OVER 70 CONCERTS

Enojado { Emme Culture Editor

Parker { Valerie Assistant Opinion Editor Two simple words changed her life forever: quack quack.

Senior Ana Rodriguez grew up as a child actress who auditioned for more than 100 Disney and Nickelodeon roles. She appeared in commercials for industries such as JCPenney, but her most memorable audition was when she was 12 for the role of an annoying girl by the name of “Mandy” in popular TV show “iCarly,” better known as the quack quack girl.

“I’ve always been really dramatic and outgoing, my mom always told me if Shirley Temple could succeed with a script in front of her then I could go far because I never used one,” Rodriguez said.

When she was e i g h t , her mom signed her up for acting classes at John Robert Powers, an agency dedicated to teaching dancing, singing and acting. They often held auditions for various roles and through them Rodriguez was able to separately meet Disney star Brenda Song and Miranda Cosgrove from iCarly at age 12.

She got the chance to sit down with both of them and get a better insight on the industry while they gave her advice on how to be successful.

“I was so excited to meet them; each time was after an audition so they told me I had a lot of potential.

The more I talked to them, the more I realized that they’re just normal people like everybody else,”

Rodriguez said.

Her mom would take her to an audition every one or two weeks, and with the help of her agency she was able to audition for a wide variety of TV roles, helping her gain experience and allowing her to make lasting friends.

“Being on set was chaos.

Everybody was running around yelling instructions, but it was actually really fun,” Rodriguez said.

From the time she was eight to well into her teens she acted and modeled clothes for malls who wanted to display their clothes.

Disney branched out to her agency when she was 10, looking for kid actors to appear in their TV shows.

Rodriguez got a contract due to her auditions, but the contract was a bit too difficult to fulfill. It asked her to move permanently to LA for 5-10 years and to not be in business with another industry.

“For a young girl, being surrounded by picture perfect actresses messed with my self-esteem.

If I didn’t get pitched for a part I’d feel down. As much as I loved the scene, it just wasn’t meant for me. Especially with how all the stars from famous shows ended up, either doing drugs or in jail. I just didn’t want to end up like that. The pressure of being perfect gets to you,” Rodriguez said.

“But during that time I gained a new confidence and I began to see myself in ways I never thought possible.”

{ { “But during that time I gained a new confidence and I began to see myself in ways I never thought

Clockwise: Breathe Carolina. Woody poses with the band Breathe Carolina after a concert.

Bones Exposed. Of Mice and Men in performs the House of Blues.

On the Warped Tour. The lead singer of Summer Set gets in with the crowd.

Tonight Alive. The lead singer of Tonight Alive sings at Walter’s.

Photos courtesy of Sophia Woody.

There simply aren’t enough fingers on senior Sophia Woody’s hand to count the number of concerts she’s been to. From Hannah Montana and the Cheetah Girls to Fall Out Boy and meeting One Direction, Woody has seen 70 different bands and artists since the age of 10.

Woody’s first real concert experience was during her freshman year. She saw her two favorite bands, Simple Plan and Marianas Trench, perform in Austin with her dad and younger brother.

“It was my first general admission concert, which was very different and exciting,” Woody said.”It was an awesome experience, and I got to meet Marianas Trench after their set.”

After Austin, Woody was hooked.

She normally goes alone since her friends don’t listen to the same music that she does, but she is able to meet new people at the concerts.

Seeing a band live once just isn’t

enough, though. Woody has seen most bands (A Day to Remember, Marianas Trench and Issues, just to name a few) two or three times. She has seen Issues the most at five times, and it will be six after this summer.

“I try to keep a list of all the bands and artists that I’ve seen and the ones that I want to see, but the one band that I haven’t been able to cross off of my wish list is Green Day,” Woody said.

The Breathe Carolina concert she attended last year is her favorite concert yet. For $30, Woody met the band, got a picture with them, listened to their new album before it was released and got an outstanding spot in the front row.

“I got to the venue really early, and they were selling some extra VIP tickets,” Woody said. “It was one of the most fun concerts I have been to, and they were amazing live.”

Woody said that going to concerts

is definitely a big investment, but the experiences are priceless. To help pay for the tickets, Woody has a daily dog walking job. She also occasionally babysits or pet sits.

“I don’t really spend money on anything other than music and concert tickets, but to me, it’s so worth it,” Woody said.

Woody will attend Fordham University in the fall. Since New York City offers easy access to concerts, she hopes to continue to see a variety of bands and artists.

“I love being able to go to a concert and be surrounded by people who are passionate about the same kind of music as me,” Woody said.

“It’s definitely a way for me to relieve stress and let go when I have a lot going on. It’s the greatest feeling to be in a crowd of people who appreciate the music and are inspired by it the same way that I am.”

culture

05.21.15 The Decemberists The Decemberists are a folk rock quintet hailing from Portland, Oregon.

Since the release of their debut album “Castaways and Cutouts” in 2002, the mature band has dabbled in various sounds over the past 13 years, up until their most recent release “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World” in January 2015. Their songs are typically upbeat with a very feel good kind of vibe. For those looking for a low maintenance, yet a fun, easy going, solid set, The Decemberists are definitely a band I’d recommend seeing.

Similar artists: Band of Horses, Bright Eyes, The Shins, Fleet Foxes

St. Vincent Annie Clark, or St. Vincent, first got her start as a member of Texas’ Polyphonic Spree, and also as a member in Steven Sufjan’s touring ensemble. In 2006, she went solo and released her debut album “Marry Me” in 2007. Since then, St. Vincent has released three additionally critically acclaimed albums. Her latest single, “Teenage Talk”, was released on April 6. Her sound is best described as indie rock with emotionally intricate songs with rich, well-crafted melodies that allowed her music to cross over seamlessly into mainstream acceptance.

From watching her 2015 Coachella set, thanks to YouTube, I can only expect great things to come when she takes the stage in Houston.

Similar artists: Feist,

Cat Power, Laura Veirs, Regina Spektor

Chance the Rapper Following a ten day suspension during his senior year of high school in 2012, Chancelor Bennett, better known as Chance the Rapper, recorded his debut mixtape, “10 days”, and the rest is history.

The rapper, though his discography only consists of two mix tapes, is popular enough to land spots on major lineups such as Lollapoloza in 2013, shortly after touring with Childish Gambino as his opening act in 2012. He has even worked with other artists like Madonna and Justin Bieber. With his name becoming more and more known, Chance the Rapper is almost guaranteed to draw a huge crowd at Free Press.

Similar artists:

Schoolboy Q, Childish Gambino, Chief Keef, Kendrick Lamar

Weezer

Welcome to Houston Welcome to Houston is a group act featuring Bun-B, Slim Thug, Devin the Dude, Z-Ro, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Scarface, Lil Flip, Lil Keke, and The Suffers, a group of rappers who all got their start in Houston.

This will be their second year performing at Free Press Summer Fest.

FPSF LINE UP

How does one adequately explain Weezer? One of Kaylin Jones the most popular groups Copy Editor to come out of and survive the aftermath of the post grunge world of the 90s, their popularity hasn’t fizzled whatsoever in the past 21 years since their debut selftitled album, or as it’s affectionately known by the fans, The Blue Album.

They immediately found success with tracks such as “Undone – The Sweater Song”, “Buddy Holly”, and “Say It Ain’t So”. Years later, the band released a new album, “Everything will be alright in the End” during the summer of 2014. It’s Weezer.

Enough said. I’m quite literally emotional with envy towards the people who will be fortunate enough to say that they From top to bottom: saw Weezer play at the Yung Lean, Belle and Sebastian, G-Eazy, Skrillex festival. and Weezer Similar artists: Jimmy Eat World, blink-182, Wheatus, Ben Folds Five

{

Photo courtesy of MCT campus, Yung Lean and Skrillex

The time is almost here again.

A total of 78 acts will perform on six various stages at the Free Press Summer Festival on June 6-7, located at Eleanor Tinsley Park. More than 100,000 eager music festival goers are expected to attend. While the number of acts split between the two days, it can be a bit intimidating.

Belle and Sebastian

Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Belle and Sebastian is an indie pop band that formed in 1996. The group recently released their long anticipated 9th album, “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance” after taking a five year hiatus. Their songs are known for flourishes such as strings, wind instruments and wonky synths. Though I was sitting alone in my office at home, watching their Coachella set via YouTube was beyond perfect. Their music mixed with the setting sun in the backdrop made me an instant fan. There’s no doubt that the Scottish group will have the same warm reception here in Houston as well.

Similar artists: Camera

Obscura, The Magnetic Fields, of Montreal, Peter Bjorn and John

R. Kelly

Sonny Moore, the former lead singer of First to Last, took on the alias of Skrillex in 2008 where he found a new audience in the dubstep world.

It’s safe to say that it has worked out for him so far.

Skrillex has earned a total of seven Grammy awards, and will undoubtedly earn more in the future.

“Recess”, his latest album, was released in March 2014. Electronic dance music, or EDM, isn’t really my type of music, but Skrillex is one of the best at what he does. With that being said, I would absolutely see Skrillex live for the sake of saying I’ve seen him live.

The three time Grammy award winner and the formally known King of R&B, R. Kelly, is popularly known from his 1996 hit ‘I Believe I Can Fly’. His latest musical venture, which initially brought him back into the spotlight, was his cowriting and collaboration with Lady Gaga on her song “Do What U Want” from her 2013 album “Artpop”. Here’s the deal.

R. Kelly is no stranger to controversy, some of which is unforgiveable.

Upon the announcement of his headlining position, protest arose across the Houston area. While I think R. Kelly’s planned Free Press performance is just a big whopping no, I’m not the only one who thinks that the lineup would be a much better place without R. Kelly.

Similar artists: Diplo,

Similar artists:

Skrillex

Bassnectar, deadmau5, 12th Planet

Ginuwine, Tyrese, Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat

Yung Lean & Sad Boys

21

Gary Clark Jr.

Jonatan Leandoer Håstad, better known as his stage persona Yung Lean, is an 18-year-old rapper and record producer from Stockholm, Sweden. The young rapper’s debut mixtape, Unknown Death 2002, came out in 2013. His first full length album, Unknown Memory, followed a year later. His style of rapping is lazy at best, but his music has often been described as dreamy and chillwave-like, not to mention the epitome of sad rap. Somehow it’s working for him. I’ve heard way better rappers, believe me I have, but there’s something about Yung Lean. Don’t get me wrong, he shouldn’t be taken seriously in the slightest, but it’s safe to say his cult-like internet following has contributed greatly to his success.

Seeing him take the stage at a music festival should be interesting to say the least.

Austin, Texas native, Gary Clark Jr, got his start on the music scene in 1996, and now 19 years later, he is considered by the critics as becoming one of the most well-known faces in modern blues. He has often referred to his styles as being influenced by blues, jazz, soul, country, and hip hop as well.

I’m completely biased because I absolutely love Gary Clark Jr, but he definitely worth seeing, especially if you prefer music with a blues kind of feel. While his recordings are good, he’s absolutely unreal live.

Similar artists: Isaiah

Charli XCX

Rashad, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Thaiboy Digital

Tears for Fears

The English pop synth duo consisting of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith came together in 1981 and are still going strong 34 years later. Though Tears for Fears parted ways after the release of their album “The Seeds of Love” in 1991, they regrouped in 2001, released new music, and are reportedly currently working on their seventh album. With timeless chart toppers such as “Shout”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, “Mad World”, and my personal favorite, “Head Over Heels”, Tears for Fears is guaranteed to draw an older, more mature crowd, or just any avid 80s music fans, such as myself.

Similar artists: Duran Duran, a-ha, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet

Similar artists: Jimi

Hendrix, Dan Auerbach, Freddie King, Jimmie Vaughan

2014 was quite the year for the London based artist Charli XCX. Finding success in her hit “Boom Clap” from the film “The Fault in Our Stars”, and her collaboration on Iggy Azalea’s international hit “Fancy”, Charli XCX released her third full length album, “Sucker”, in December 2014, including her hit single “Break the Rules”, which received mostly positive reviews from the critics.

Personally, I am not a fan. Despite her claims of girl power, something is very off putting about Charli XCX. Regardless of what I think, she’s slowly establishing her place in the pop world, and she’s worth at least standing at the back of the crowd for a song or two before moving on to another act at the festival.

Similar artists: Marina

and the Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, Icona Pop, Sky Ferreira

22 culture Not just sushi

05.21.15

FROM TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CUISINE TO ATYPICAL TREATS, EDOJIN HAS IT ALL {

Natalie Berry Editor-in-Chief

This small sushi restaurant is modestly tucked into a corner of the strip center behind HEB on Barker Cypress. But there is nothing modest about this food.

Aside from serving traditional Japanese food, Edojin offers unconventional, yet highly coveted, food like fried ice cream and fried Oreos. Yep, just like what’s offered at the rodeo. And just as delicious and coma-inducing. For $4, they serve four of the Oreos with chocolate sauce and whipped cream on top and several scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side.

For me, it’s slightly too much to handle in one sitting, but they are the perfect portion and price for splitting with a friend. I can also tell you that the Oreos reheat very well.

Don’t get me wrong, the traditional Japanese food and sushi rolls are also far from disappointing. Upon recommendation, I tried the Godzilla

rolls, one of the seven types of “jumbo rolls” that are offered. The six pieces of fried avocado, salmon and cream cheese were fresh, flavorful and just the right portion sizing. For just $6, roughly the same price as the prepackaged sushi offered at Kroger, who could resist? I would highly recommend that any sushi fanatic try these.

Aside from the jumbo rolls, Edojin also offers huge variety in their classic rolls, such as the California and Philly rolls, and their specialty rolls. There’s truly a taste, portion or price option available to satisfy anyone.

For customers who are not fans of sushi, Edojin has a wide range of delicious appetizers, salads and entrees. Standard Asian offerings, such as fried rice, spring rolls and dumplings, all exceed expectations.

Personally, I enjoyed the steamed pork dumplings. When the waitress first brought them out, the size of each dumpling seemed pretty small.

But the dish ended up being perfectly

Red vs Blue

portioned, and the addition of fresh cilantro on top of the dumplings gave it an extra flair that I haven’t seen at other restaurants.

Even better than the food that I’ve gotten at Edojin is the service I’ve received. All of the waitstaff is exceptionally attentive, informative and willing to go the extra mile. Every time I have come in, the waiter has taken the time to make sure that every small detail of my order is correct: was that steamed or fried? Would

you prefer your ice cream on the side or with the Oreos? It was a refreshing experience.

There are many restaurants that have great food or fair prices. There are many that have superb servers or a relaxing atmosphere. Edojin possesses all of these qualities, making it a hidden gem in the Cypress community.

After my first time trying Edojin, I knew I’d return many more times. I’m sure you will feel the same way once you try it.

Faria { Lizzie News Reporter One hot summer day in June, I was becoming bored out of my mind with nothing to do but surf the Internet mindlessly. It was odd considering I was on an annual family vacation in Florida in a beach house on Anna Maria Island. Then, an idea popped into my head while lying on my bed, surfing the Internet. Why not watch a show that I could binge over the summer and maybe cure my boredom?

I had been following a company by the name of Rooster Teeth for some time on YouTube and had the idea of watching one of their most popular shows. At least, that’s what I originally thought. I ended up watching season after season, getting closer to the most recent season. I found myself falling in love with the lovable idiots talking in the middle of a box canyon, cleverly named Red vs. Blue.

RVB started off as a complete accident that all began in 2003. Burnie Burns, Gustavo Sorola, Geoff Ramsey,

and was the voice of Felix. It’s the final trilogy in the Chorus Arc, a planet that’s been at war with itself for as long as its citizens can remember. In come the Reds and Blues caught in the crossfire after crash landing in the middle of the civil war. Literally and figuratively.

The civil war is split up into factions: The New Republic, a rebel army fighting for their freedom and the Federal Army of Chorus, the planet’s military that is far better skilled and trained than the rebels.

Kimball, leader of the new republic along with rag tag soldiers, specifically Katie Jensen, Antoine Bitters, John Andersmith and Palomo who just want to catch a break and try to make it by and losing hope of ever finding peace. From the Federal Army of Chorus you have General Doyle, a man not cut out for war or battle but good at speaking. The cheery and psychotic doctor Emily Gray who I fell in love with after she interrogated a space prate with surgical equipment all the while singing opera.

*

Located at 12344 Barker Cypress Rd. Left 2 photos by Natalie Berry, Right 2 Photos by Gillian Lane

Photo courtesy of RoosterTeeth.

A WEBSERIES WORTH BINGE-WATCHING Matt Hullum and Joel Heyman started making the longest running Sci-Fi web series after the show had gained major popularity on the internet. Red vs. Blue takes place in the video game Halo with two teams, Red and Blue. It starts off in the capture the flag map Blood gulch and the hilarious antics of the Red Team (Sarge, Grif, Simmons, a Spanish speaking robot named Lopez and Donut) and the Blue Team (Church, Tucker and Caboose) made mainly with Machinima, a software used to animate and film things similar to how you would make a video or a game.

New lovable characters are introduced like Agent Carolina, a former agent of project freelancer with a rough past and a competitive streak.

More Freelancers that have earned a place in my heart are Tex, Washington, York, North and CT who probably have the most character growth and development I’ve seen so far.

Now flash forward to Season 13, directed and written by Miles Luna, who directed and wrote seasons 10-12

Top Left: Dumplings Top Right: Caterpillar Roll Bottom Left: Fried Oreos Bottom Right: Seafood Udon Soup, Super Shaggy Dog Roll, Godzilla Roll, Spider Crab, Tiger Eye, Asparagus Roll

Pros

Cons Unanswered questions: there are so many things that are unanswered to like what traits did Eta and Ioda inherit from the Alpha? How exactly did York die? Who’s the freelancer that Locus and Felix recruit at the beginning of season 13 and is it someone we already know?

Unexpected moments: Do not be deceived by this show, it may seem happy, but it will grab your heart strings and rip them out. You will cry when you least expect it when they tell the back story for a character. What really killed me was episode 20 of season 9: “Hate to say goodbye”. This very episode left me sobbing.

The comedy: The jokes are funny and some even have a great pay off after a certain amount of time like Donut saying something’s gay.

Another great thing about the comedy is that some of the lines are even ad-libbed by the voice actors.

The acting: Rooster Teeth employees play characters on the show so it’s cool to hear a familiar voice now and again. The voice acting is very well done especially when you have Gray Haddock voicing Locus the very terrifying mercenary who could kill you with his bare hands to Doyle, the complete opposite.

The Animation: The animation is nothing short of amazing combining Machinima and animation to create a hybrid of the two. The fight scenes are choreographed and thought out so everything is done right. The visual gags are funny and give more room for the writing.

05.21.15

culture

Top Four

The Wonder YearsThe Greatest Generation Did you know pop punk bands can be more than “I hate my ex-girlfriend my parents don’t understand and I want to get out of my hometown and get an anchor tattoo with my friends while eating pizza?” No? What if I told you there was a gem of a band with a diamond of an album that wraps up a trilogy of a young man grappling with faith, finding happiness in himself, coming to terms with moving through life, reflecting on the past, and struggling with the concept of legacy. Well there is an album like that: The Greatest Generation by the Wonder Years gives all the emotional depth anyone could ever ask for paired with powerfully energized songs that dare you to sing along, maybe feel a few things, shed a few tears, I don’t know man, the world’s a weird place.

For fans of: The Story So Far, Man Overboard, Four Years Strong Favorite Tracks: I Just Want to Sell Out My Funeral, There There, Chaser

The HotelierHome, Like No Place Is There

The Hoteliers’ sophomore album is warmlytoned, emotionally-drenched, sing along fodder perfect for road trips, camping, or just general outdoor shenanigans. Hailing from Massachusetts, the Hotelier are one of the strongest, most melodic, and best polished bands in the current emo revival we seem to be finding ourselves in. When I say emo though don’t confuse it with say Blood on the Dance Floor, or the pierced out multicolor haired kids one might see in the hallway, that’s scene, emo is bands like Title Fight, Modern Baseball, Jimmy Eat World. Put plainly, if you like emotionally gripping, punk spirited, melodic rock music you will enjoy this album.

For fans of: Title Fight, Jimmy Eat World, Modern Baseball Favorite tracks: Your Deep Rest, Among the Wildflowers, Housebroken

Summer Albums

Celebration Rock-Japandroids

My first exposure to Vancouver rock duo Japandroids was an episode of Tosh.0. A 15 second clip of beautiful sonic assault followed shortly by a clip of someone throwing up. The throw up being unrelated to the band, that’s just how the show works. Japandroids’ third album is the perfect backdrop for barbeques, pool parties, and the beach as well as the stellar soundtrack for 4th of July. The band dishes out all the reverbed guitar chords, punchy drums, and spirited vocals anyone could ever need on this album.

For fans of: The Thermals, Fang Island, Surfer

Photo courtesy of The Wonder Years, Japandroids, The Hotelier and Kendrick Lammar

Fails { Greg Culture Reporter

Blood

Mosquitoland

To Pimp a ButterflyKendrick Lammar

An album whose leak had hype big enough to potentially break the internet faster than Kim Kardashians rear end, To Pimp a Butterfly is loaded with throwbacks, catchy instrumental hooks, and socially conscious lyrics that will keep listeners engaged throughout the summer and well past the fall. This album is not just for hip hop lovers either, a gargantuan amount of artists from various genres and eras collaborated with Lamar to make this record a gem. Whether it be Thundercat’s pumping bass in King Kunta, Robert Glasper’s Jazzy Piano in For Free, or Ron Isley and James Fauntleroy’s soulful melodies and harmonies, none of this talent is wasted by Lamar who flows amazingly over this LP. For fans of: Tupac, schoolboy Q, Odd Future Favorite Tracks: The Blacker the Berry, i, For Free?

FOLLOW A QUIRKY TEENAGER’S JOURNEY IN DAVE ARNOLD’S DEBUT NOVEL

Kazmi { Wafa News Editor

Photo courtesy of Dave Arnold

23

Mary Iris Malone (or Mim for short) is taking life by the reigns, punching it in the face and doing things her own way.

Mosquitoland, Dave Arnold’s debut novel, features a spunky protagonist, complete with sass and lipstick warpaint. After her parents get a divorce, Mim is forced to move across the country to Mississippi with her father and new stepmother.

But then Mim finds out her mother has cancer, and she decides to embark on an odyssey across America via Greyhound to see her mom again. What follows is an adventure as unbelievable as Mim- with eccentric strangers like sly old ladies, a dreamy college dropout and a goofy, open-hearted, autistic, homeless boy who is an open book and an enigma all at once.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a good old-fashioned “travelling across the country to complete a quest book” book that never gets old. The characters were vibrant and were

realistically flawed. The author managed to allay the effects of heavy themes- such as divorce, the existence of God, and sexual assault- with fluffy, comical and sweet moments.

My favorite thing about the book was how Mim was able to convey such profound ideas through a very casual and comical tone. Almost

“Almost every page was filled with tattoo worthy quotes.”

{

}

every page was filled with tattoo worthy quotes.

The book also had a hint of romance in it, which was fortunately not suffocating. The dialogues between Mim and Beck (dreamy college dropout) are casual and sarcastic, but also very sweet. Their romance never goes farther than adorable conversations, which was

impressively realistic.

However, no book comes without its faults, and Mosquitoland is no exception. The ending of the plot fell flat, almost as if it wasn’t able to hold the weight of the rest of the story. The climax, in which Mim finally sees her mom and learns a “shocking truth” was very predictable, and aimed to convey the “forgive and forget” theme that didn’t really seem to fit the rest of the story.

Another thing I didn’t like was how hypocritical Mim got occasionally. In the book, Mim acts violently and aggressively when her life gets tough. But when she encounters truculent individuals, instead of sympathizing with them, she judges them relentlessly.

Whether that self-contradictory tendency of hers was placed purposely or coincidentally, it didn’t translate well.

All in all, this story deserves a four out of five. It had great characters, a fast paced plot, and was definitely something I would read again.

05.21.15

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05.21.15

opinion SENIOR COMMENTARIES

25

Senior year: it goes by too fast OVERCOMING THE COMFORT ZONE Steppe {Ryan Graphics Editor

TIME HAS A WAY OF PASSING BY

{

Kaylin Jones Copy Editor

It took me three and a half years to figure out what I wanted to get out of my high school experience. I spent three years in band before realizing marching wasn’t for me. I failed to join clubs I now wish I would have. I missed out on countless opportunities to network and meet new people. I was scared.

Despite these mistakes, I’ve managed to accomplish quite a bit my senior year. Over the summer, I learned how to play the double bass and joined the school orchestra. I started writing for the school newspaper and became our graphics editor. I survived a fall semester

of eight classes in order to fit orchestra and newspaper onto my schedule (I had to take Macroeconomics AP online as a distance-learning course.) I was offered admission to Rice University, though decided to attend the University of Texas at Austin. And, although it was very lastminute, I even managed to ask someone to prom, something I never thought I’d be able to do.

I’m very thankful to have had a strong core group of friends throughout high school. Without them, I don’t think I could have accomplished nearly as much.

They’re the ones who have, little by little,

encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone in everything from goofy English class video projects to several talent show performances.

I’m still anxious about a great number of things, but I feel like I’m finally starting to overcome that. In an attempt to make the most of these last few days of my senior year, I’m trying to be more talkative, more outgoing and more friendly.

I’m excited about college, as I’ll have the opportunity of a fresh start and the chance to avoid making my previous mistakes. I just wish I had figured out high school sooner than I did.

It was the 2004-2005 school year in Jackson, Mississippi, and I was on a second grade field trip, undoubtedly clad in my usual pigtails with white ribbons to match my school uniform, when I first heard of the concept of graduating. My little, understandably naive mind couldn’t conceive such a huge span of time, so I didn’t bother to put forth the effort to do so. Quite honestly, it never fazed me in that moment, but little did I know that time has a way of passing by.

It was the 2011-2012 school year in Cypress, Texas, and I walked down Main Street realizing that high school was nothing like it was in the movies. In some instances it was worse. In others it was unimaginably better. It was then, with my hair infused with blue, white and pink feathers, that I was reintroduced to the concept of the class of 2015 in a newfound significance. Then again, it too seemed so far away as I looked at the seniors intimidation. Some of them seemed like men and women compared to my incredibly awkward freshman self.

It seemed impossible to think that one day I’d be in their shoes, but little did I

know that time has a way of passing by.

It’s 2015 now, still in Cypress, Texas, and I’m weeks away from walking across the stage and receiving my high school diploma. I can’t help but wonder where the time went, as any senior probably would at this point. I look at the unassuming freshmen now, and I can hardly imagine what it’s like to be in their place because I’ve gained the one thing they will soon enough obtain in due time.

Experience. I’ve cried. I’ve laughed. I’ve done both simultaneously. In these past four years, I’ve learned within the four walls of a classroom, and no disrespect to my teachers, but my greatest quest for knowledge was fulfilled through my own exploration. Some accidental. Some intentional.

So what’s next for me?

It wouldn’t be true if I said I wouldn’t miss Cy-Fair High School and everything that came with it. I close my eyes, and I’m back in the crew, screaming for my boys in maroon, dancing while drum line did what they did best, partaking in after game traditions with people I wouldn’t trade for the entire world. I think about

the friends I’ve lost and gained and the ones that stuck around, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the memories they’ve afforded me. But then I look to the future with a naivety equal to the thoughts I had in the second grade as I anticipate a world I know nothing of. A world where my mom and dad won’t be there so easily to rescue me, or a world where my best friends won’t be a quick, guaranteed safe haven in times of desperation. A world more exciting, more grand, more real, and more life changing than any world I’ve ever known.

So as I sit here writing this, I listen to Heroes by David Bowie, myself proclaimed official senior year theme song, and I can’t help but look forward to what this next phase of life has to offer. I can’t but to be both hopeful and terrified of what’s to come. If there’s anything that 13 years of public school education has taught me, it’s to enjoy whatever curveball life throws my way, that I’ll be okay, because I’ve realized life is too short and time has a way of passing by.

be heading the right direction after high school. Seeing how bright their futures can be makes me excited and relieved since I may just be able to secure enough funds from them to finance whatever terrible kickstarter I want decades from now just by loyalty alone.

The teachers have taught me well.

This is of course by my standard being well enough that I can bring up an author, mathematical theorem, or another scholarly concept with enough background knowledge that the girl I am trying to convince to hang out with me may just believe I do more than try and

annoy my roommate every night.

In the end I am also proud of what I did in high school. For the most part I was a very positive individual and helped spread that feeling to others. I cared about my peers and wanted what was best of them. I was even able to get a few students want to associate with me by some oddity unbeknown to me.

I did what I wanted since I’m not like everyone else. I don’t understand y’all completely and I don’t expect anyone to understand me in the slightest because I’m different. Yeah I’m different.

ENJOYING THE SIMPLE THINGS IN HIGH SCHOOL Mattinson { Will Business Manager

Honestly school was just a fun time for me. I didn’t go through some transformation like I was Henry David Thoreau writing Walden or even a shift in personality such as LeBron on the Miami Heat. I just spent high school being whatever I wanted to be.

What I wanted to do was simple enough make friends, learn from teachers and make sure whatever I did I would be proud enough to tell my kids about it if they ever ask.

Well I did make friends and they seem to pretty solid choices. Not only are they highly entertaining but they all seem to

26opinion

05.21.15 SENIOR COMMENTARIES

Fun, fast times at Cy-Fair High

Parker { Valerie Assistant Opinion Editor

Pierce { Maddie Assistant Life Editor

THE VALUE OF LIFE’S HARDSHIPS

MEMORIES THIS SCHOOL HOLDS

EXPERIENCES AS A SENIOR

Life has its high points, but it has its low ones, too.

If there’s anything I’ve learned during these grueling four years, it’s that. Time has a way of changing things no matter if you want it to or not. Some very valuable lessons had to be learned the hard way, but, in a strange way, I don’t regret anything I’ve done in my high school career.

There are things I should have done, but as for the choices I made during this time- while some were just outright stupid and dangerous- I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I’m in the best place of my life right now, and no doubt it’s due to these choices.

Wow, senior year already. It’s hard to imagine the last four years are already over. Soon I will be starting college and making adult decisions on my own, but I hardly feel ready for the real world. Have I honestly been prepared for everything that I will have to face in the years to come?

I have mixed feelings about the last four years. So many memories were made and so many life changing things happened. I always imagined high school would be the point when everything started to change and serious things happened. But even though I expected it, I had no real understanding of how much I would change because of it. I had no idea what it would all feel like.

Even though I talk a lot about desperately wanting to leave this place, I know I’ll miss it when it’s gone. I’ll miss the memories that this school holds. I’ll miss the feeling of walking down a certain hall and having a flash back of when I met my best friend or my boyfriend or someone that I used to talk to everyday but now can’t even say hi to. So many things started and ended. People changed. I barely recognize people I once could have picked out of a line up in the dark. I’ll walk down the hall and see a girl I used to talk to and had always pegged as “the quiet type” only now she has cotton candy hair and clothes that I can’t even imagine where to buy. People who used to seem so concerned with grades are now completely uninvolved with school and you can see it in their appearance. People I once thought were harmless have managed to do the most damage and people that used to be intimidating are now nothing to be afraid of.

For me, it was the experiences I made here not the classes that prepared me for life. It was the lost friendships and the broken hearts and the confusion that showed me what the world is like. I can only imagine how many more experiences I’ll have in college.

Will it change me even more or will I remain as I am now? The thought of not knowing who I’ll be in the next few years is scary but also kind of exciting. So many options and paths lie before me and it’s all up to me which one I choose. I could choose multiple or one or maybe even none of them. There’s no way to know what this will all mean to me in the future. There’s no way to even know what my future is. I just have to go out and make it.

Finding it hard to find time to sleep with his large course load, senior Greg Fails has spent the past week improving his sleeping habits.

“Between my double late arrival and single homework assignment it’s hard to find time to get my full 8 hours each night.” says Fails. “Teachers are always having to wake me up, but how can they expect me to handle having 3 core classes every day?”

Tired of his teachers’ agitation at his inability to stay awake, Greg set to work to improve how he handles his drowsiness.

“He used to just fall asleep flat on his face, extremely obvious to anyone that even glanced over at him,” states 4th period Algebra teacher Mitch Lawyer. “But I’m really impressed with the initiative he’s shown, you can’t even tell he’s sleeping anymore.”

Fails credits his achievement to practice, saying “First I started off trying to figure out what made it so obvious that I was asleep, then I started incorporating things like laying on my elbow or holding a pencil to make it look like I’m working. I might grow my hair out to cover my eyes.”

At press time he is comfortably snoozing in a 6th period English class.

‘

It’s the flaws that have driven me to my current destination, and I wouldn’t change them for the world.

’

As weird as that sounds; I guess it’s kind of hard to explain.

Through these years, I’ve lost many people that I held dear to me- in various forms, whether it was death or the end of a friendship. Through all of these mishaps I have learned that life doesn’t stop for anyone and the best thing to do is always keep a smile plastered on your face.

I began taking notice of the simple things in life, admiring details that some overlook. It’s the flaws that have driven me to my current destination, and I wouldn’t change them for the world.

It’s true; I’ve never been so happy in my life. It may have taken many hours of pain and sorrow to achieve this state of bliss, but trust me when I say it was worth it in the long run. Now I’m prepared to deal with whatever life throws my way, whether it is a grain of sand or a brick. Come at me life.

Fails { Greg Culture Reporter

‘Teachers are always having to

wake me up, but how can they expect me to handle having 3 core classes every day?

’

opinion

The Reporter Editor in Chief Natalie Berry Co-Editor in Chief Harper Neitzey Managing Editor Will Davis Culture Editor Emme Enojado News Editor Wafa Kazmi Copy Editor Kaylin Jones Life Editor Karman Amdal

STAFF

05.21.15

27

STAFF EDITORIAL

Texting and Driving

A risk you shouldn’t be willing to take

Sports Editor Julia Ryza Opinion Editor Audrey Gray

Artwork by Gillian Lane.

Online Editor Cody Brown Graphics Editor Ryan Steppe Business Manager Will Mattinson Assistant Section Editors Amalia Trevino, John Sanchez, Maddie Pierce, Valerie Parker Reporters , Artists Greg Fails, Lizzie Faria, Gillian Lane, 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.

Every now and then the news reports accidents resulting from someone texting while driving, and people will sit around their TVs, or phones, or wherever they’re getting the news, and cluck about how irresponsible people who text while driving are.

We like to think we don’t do such things, but the truth is that pretty much every driver is a culprit of using their phone behind the wheel.

Adults tend to accuse teenagers of it, and our favorite argument is that they do it, too.

According to a study by Cohen Children’s Medical Center, texting while driving is now the leading cause of death among teenagers, surpassing even drinking and driving. In addition, a Virginia Tech study showed that drivers are 23 percent more likely to get in a crash while driving if they’re texting while doing it. So regardless of what age group gives in to temptation more, the fact is that texting while driving has become a serious issue for everyone.

Some states have passed laws that restrict the usage of electronics while behind the wheel.

Only Montana and Arizona have no texting bans in place. Texas, Louisiana and Missouri have bans only on novice drivers and in school zones, but the rest (including the District of

Columbia) have banned text messaging for everyone. Banning it is one thing, but proving it is another.

Catching someone using their phone is difficult, and even when people are cited for texting while driving, their cases are often tossed out due to simple excuses, such as they were looking at a map, not texting. Proving that someone was texting while driving is much easier to do when there’s a crash involved because the police can go through messages and see if there were any sent prior to the crash.

In 2013, a Wisconsin mother was on Facebook while driving four children and swerved into the path of a truck. Three of the children died, and police officers spent months digging through the snow to find her phone.

When they found it, they later discovered that she had been sending and receiving messages through Facebook just prior to the crash.

The bans may be hard to follow through, but they’ve still raised concerns. People argue that this is imposing on our rights, and that states shouldn’t have a say in what we do in our cars.

The argument is that they’re not causing damage to anyone or anything while glancing at their phones at a red light. But the thing is, this goes

beyond us as individuals. This is something that could affect not only us but the people around us. There have been too many cases where one person’s bad decision behind the wheel led to someone else getting hurt for us to argue that it’s our choice and our risk to take. The Texting and Driving Safety website shows that the minimum amount of time someone’s attention is taken away from the road is five seconds, giving distracted drivers plenty of time to swerve into unsuspecting vehicles.

However, texting bans may have actually increased accidents in some places. The Highway Loss Data Institution’s study, which they conducted in several states that had just enacted texting bans such as California in 2009, showed that in an effort to text while avoiding detection, drivers hold their phones lower and have to take their eyes off the road for longer periods of time to use it.

Bans or not, texting while driving is a risky thing to dabble in. It’s dangerous, and the consequences can go beyond the culprit.

Checking your phone really isn’t worth what it could cause. Your well-being and that of those around you is probably more important than whatever is on your screen.

28 photo essay Cody Brown Online Editor

“I love when people underestimate me and then become pleasantly surprised.”

–Kim Kardashian Karman Amdal Life Editor

Lizzie Faria News Reporter

“I brake for birds. I rock a lot of polka dots. I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours! And that doesn’t mean I’m not smart and tough and strong.”

-Jessica Day, New Girl

Ryan Steppe Graphics Editor

Greg Fails Culture Reporter

“Have I gone mad? I’m afraid so, “I don’t want her to know that my you’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell body is surrounded by a bio booster you a secret. All the best people armor creature.” are.” –Alice in Wonderland –Guyver Wafa Kazmi News Editor

Emme Enojado Culture Editor

“You callin me a LIAR!?!?!?”

–Drake Bell, Drake and Josh

“What is once well done is done forever.”

- Henry David Thoreau

John Sanchez Assistant Sports Editor

“You have an excellent face for radio.”

–Raben

“I ain’t callin’ you a truther!”

– Josh Peck, Drake and Josh

meet the

“Beware the groove! The groooove...”

–The Emporer’s New Groove

05.21.15 Will Mattinson Business Manager

“Mayonnaise colored Benz, call it Miracle Whip.”

–Kanye West

Julia Ryza Sports Editor

“Out beyond ideas, of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

-Jelaludow Rumi, 13 century

STAFF 2014-2015

“My mission in life is not merely Gillian Lane to survive, but to thrive and to Life Reporter do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” –Maya Angelou

William Davis Managing Editor

Amalia Trevino Assistant News Editor

Natalie Berry Editor-in-Chief Harper Neitzey Co-Editor-in-Chief

Esmeralda Harvey Opinion Reporter

“If you know yourself, you’ll not be harmed by what is said about you.”

–Lorde

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

–Albert Einstein

“Spite gravity, because beauty beckons.”

–Will Davis Maddie Pierce Assistant Life Editor

“The less you reveal, the more people can wonder.”

–Emma Watson

Valerie Parker Assistant Opinion Editor

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”

–Langston Hughes

Kaylin Jones Copy Editor

“Is it feel nice?”

-Nairobi Alford

“Is butter a carb?”

–Mean Girls

Audrey Gray Opinion Editor

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

–Anne Frank