APRIL_2008

UIL SUCCESS

TRAINERS

pg. 5

CUBA pg. 7

pg. 14

HILIFE 2305 East Main, League City, TX 77573

VOLUME 82

April 2008

ISSUE 6

Myths about the FITNESSGRAM debunked Chelsea Huebner

During the eightieth legislative session, the U.S Senate passed Senate Bill 530. This bill states that all students in grades 3-12 must be tested for physical fitness once a year, regardless of enrollment in a physical education class or not.

Each testing school must compile the results into a summary, not containing individual student names, and organize the data according to specific categories as designated by the commissioner. Then, the school must send the summary to the Texas Education Agency, TEA. The agency analyzes the results and looks for correlation between the outcome and

academic achievement, school attendance, student obesity, disciplinary problems, and school meal programs.

The agency also sends their findings to the School Health Advisory Committee.

In Texas, the TEA has decided to use the FITNESSGRAM program to conduct their testing. The FITNESSGRAM is a program created over twenty years ago b y the Cooper Institute. According to fitnessgram.net the FITNESSGRAM program is a “health-related fitness assessment [that uses] criterion-referenced standards, called Healthy Fitness Zones, to determine students’ fitness levels based on what is optimal for good health.”

The FITNESSGRAM offers different options to assess aerobic capacity, body composition, endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.

To test for aerobic capacity schools can choose between the PACER test, the one-mile run/walk, or the walk test. The school may choose either percent body fat (calculated from the triceps and the calf skin folds) or Body Mass Index (calculated from height and weight) to test for body composition. Assessing for muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility, a school tests using the curl up, trunk lift, and then

push up, modified pull up, or flexed arm hang, and back-saver, sit-and-reach, or the shoulder stretch.

Once testing is completed, the FITNESSGRAM program produces a report for each student and a special report for parents. This report explains the student’s results and gives fitness suggestions to encourage the student to get into their “healthy fitness zone.”

With physical education waivers and other on campus programs, there are many students who are not enrolled in a physical education class. These students must still be tested. While the large number of these students makes testing more difficult, the TEA allows the use of volunteers. These volunteers must be trained and approved by the specific district. The district also has the authority to determine who is not physically capable to take the FITNESSGRAM test.

For example, those students who suffer from asthma are not capable to participate in the running portion of the test. Also, students who have a temporary medical condition, such as a broken arm, will be tested at a later date.

According to fitnessgram.net, the FITNESSGRAM test measures good health, not athletic ability. The FITNESSGRAM report is to encourage better overall health, because it is easily understood

and offers individualized suggestions.

The FITNESSGRAM test cannot be used as a grade. It is only to help the teacher, the student, and the student’s parents or guardian determine the student’s overall health. The results of the FITNESSGRAM will not be posted or made public. Once the student’s results are sent off to the state, the students name is removed from their results. The student’s scores will not be compared in any way. They are simply based on Healthy Fitness Zones, previously determined after twenty-five years of research.

The FITNESSGRAM test is designed to help students become physically fit and healthy, not to make students feel too fat or too skinny. Before the end of the 20072008 school year, all schools in Texas must conduct the FITNESSGRAM testing, as according to Senate Bill 530.

Photos by Stephanie Haechten

After eight district titles...

Creek golfers are still under par Megan McKisson

For eight years, Creek has had a longstanding tradition of golfing excellence. At this year’s District 24-5A championship, the team proved their skills once again with a fierce lead of 593. The team’s success ranked Creek as the number-one district champs yet again. Placing behind Creek was Clear Brook High School, with a final score of 634, and Clear Lake High School, with a final score of 643.

Creek’s players were successful in the individual category as well. Juniors Will Dusenbury and Curtis Donahoe tied for first place with a score of 148. Dusenbury was declared first-place winner after a playoff game to determine the boys’ ranks.

“I played well enough to win,” said Dusenbury.

Other members of the team ranked as well, including Blake Wilson, 3rd, John Becker, 4th, Tommy Henshaw, 5th, and a tie for 6th place between R.D. Dusenbury and Travis Dennis.

Attention, PleasE!!

Golf Boys left to right: Travis Dennis, Tommy Henshaw, Will Dusenbury, Blake Wilson, Curtis Donahoe, John Becker, R.D. Dusenbury Photo courtesy of Coach McWhorter

“I am thrilled with Curtis’ participation in golf. Golf promotes good sportsmanship, integrity, and hard work. I was very proud of his performance at district and so pleased his hard work paid off. All the Creek golfers performed well and with continued hard work and focus over the next week and a half should provide them with the

opportunity to perform well at regional play.” said Mrs. Donahoe Coach Glen McWhorter will be taking the varsity first team to regionals as well as medalists Henshaw and Dennis.

The golf regional championship will be held on April 21 and 22.

The academic calendar for all high school campuses in CCISD has ben changed.

The late arrival day that was scheduled for May 8 has been cancelled due to a conflict caused by AP testing.

AP students have been preparing for these tests all year. AP testing gives students the opportunity to earn college credit for that class.

Because AP testing begins at 8 A.M., in accordance to security procedure, the late arrival day was cancelled.

All high schools in CCISD will be on a regular bell schedule on Thursday, May 8.

Opinion

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“April showers bring May flowers. What’s your favorite thing about spring?”

FRESHMEN

SENIORS

“I like going to the beach.” -Leslie Collins

“It’s getting closer GRADUATION!” -Kelsey Berkenpas

“All the flowers and stuff start growing, and I love the rain. The longer days are awesome.” -Emily Dismukes

“Spring means track season and going to meets.” -Sean Ollre

“We are getting closer to the summer.” -Gabby Wildman

“I love the weather during Spring and all the blooming flowers.”

- Marisa Roberts

“School is almost over, and it is getting hot enough to go swimming.”

- Clay Crume

“Going to the beach and fishing.” -Brian Goodheart

“The weather is so nice nd you can hang out outside.” -Emilia Capuzzi

SOPHOMORES “Beautiful weather, swimming, choir trips, and lemonade!”

- Stephanie Ortiz “You can start wearing bright colors and shorts cause summer is almost here.” -Michaela Adams “Schools almost over, and you don’t have to dress for cold weather.”

-Katy Parrott “UIL for Choir, perfect weather, and trips for random activities.”

-Katie Kuhlman “Outside recreation like swimming and ultimate frisbee.” -Blaire Moreland “My favorite thing about Spring is the fact that you can spend time with your family.” - Davide DeVries

JUNIORS

“The weather and gloomy skies, not to mention all the lovely flowers.”

- Tyler Leach “The weather and spring break! Its like a preview of summer! You get so excited and you can’t wait!” - Jade Warren “The sun comes out and gets hot, which means summer is coming up with NO SCHOOL! - Brittany Fraley “My favortie things are being able to wear shorts and go to the beach.”

- Lauren Carpenter

“The beach and all the girls, especially hanging with my friends.”

-Clark Garrett “It’s not too hot like the summer is.” -Rico Pardo

STAFF

“Sleeping Late” -Mrs. Pardo

“Warm weather, summer is coming, VACATION!” -Mrs. Poage “The end of winter!” - Mr. Astwood “I love the longer days and warmer weather that spring brings, and I like to leave work and it still be light outside.” -Mrs. Marks

CLEAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 2007-2008 HiLife Staff

Principal: Adviser: Executive Editor: Editors-in-Chief: News Editor: Features Editor:

Assistant: Sports Editors: Creek Speaks Editor: Centerspread: Online Editor: Ads Manager: Ads Designer: Layout Editor: Photo Editor Video Editors:

Scott Bockart Wynette Jameson Jan O’Neil Stephanie Haechten, Jessica O’Neil, Olivia Huynh Megan McKisson Ruth Rozas Chelsea Huebner Taylor Freudenberg, Destinee Walker Allie Hinga Cassie Lee, Amanda Compton Ryan Gripon Drew Walker Adam Vencil Olivia Huynh Fallan Drago Matt Lara

“All the beautiful pollen produced by the obnoxious flowers that makes everyone sneeze... thank you Claritin.” -Laken Day

Photographers: Hailey Stephens, Wendy Wright, Fallan Drago, Michael Gughiocello

“The Office comes back on!” -Ryan Milligan

Reporters: Ashley Black Hayley Boultinghouse Sarah Cisneros Alina Gregory

“My birthday and pretty days for the beach.” -Kelsey Richardson “That it is almost summer.” - Jena Devito “Baseball season.” - Steven Collins “My favorite thing about Spring is that we’re closer to summer!”

-Stephanie Grandy

Taylor Long LeeAna Loveless Jacob Lux Brett Morris Bobby Murphy

Albert Nkansah Sam Rodgers Haley Rush Christian Stephensen Melissa Devitt

Email us at: Creekhilife@gmail.com Visit us at: http//my.highschooljournalism.org/tx/leaguecity/cchs/ For advertising rates call: (281) 284-1889 or fax: (281) 284- 1705 We publish monthly using Mirror Publisher in Texas City.

Editorial

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Say “What’s up?” with Stephanie “This is your life, are you who you want to be?”

Stephanie Haechten “You can be anything you want to be when you grow up.”

This inspiring expression that opens wide the eyes of every young and naïve kindergartener is the fundamental groundwork for the dreams we begin to pursue as seniors in high school.

Although our, “I want to be a firefighter…

I want to be a doctor… I want to be a cowboy…” dreams transform into more defined and more realistic careers, such as, “I want to be a Biomedical Engineer…

I want to be a Criminal Justice Lawyer…

I want to be a Special Education Teacher…” there is still an undeniable clarity to the careers we intend to pursue because we are ignited by an ambition afforded to us by our youthful nature.

As a senior with less than two months till I wear my cap and gown to receive the diploma I have worked for my whole life, I have thought about nothing except what I want to be when I “grow up”.

There is no doubt, I have been blessed with various opportunities to travel, change, be myself, and create an image of who I will be in twenty years. The phrase, “You can be anything you want to be

when you grow up,” has beautifullypainted the picture of my life. Being accepted to both my dream school and my father’s alma mater has not made my college choice easy, and after three years of working with children with disabilities and eighteen years of searching for only God knows what, I will be leaving in the fall for school of my choice.

The unquestionable calling on my life has led me to make some very radical decisions by my parent’s measures, my friend’s measures, and sometimes, even my very own standards. But through the past four years in high school, the innumerable experiences that have transformed me, after quitting band, joining Newspaper, working with R.E.A.C.H., running a half-marathon, then a full, participating in Ready, Set, Teach for two years, and falling in love with every student I worked with, I have only three words of advice for anyone holding this paper: Follow your heart.

It seems kind of ridiculous, as I repeat “follow your heart” out loud to myself over and over again. But then I remember all that has happened in my life and I have to remind myself that this is my life, my life.

I have to stand up and be myself. I have to follow my heart.

I know it’s not really my advice to give.

It’s more like knowledge I feel should be equally shared among all people. I feel as though we hear this phrase all the time but we don’t fully understand the depth of the concept or the drive behind the meaning.

So when I say, “Follow your heart.” I’m really telling you: Follow your heart, where ever it leads you, whether it leads you to China, Russia, Ukraine, Colorado, Austin, College Station, or simply to your own front doorstep.

Follow your heart to do whatever you desire to do, whether you desire to be a fighter pilot, crocodile hunter, sushi chef, Ultimate Frisbee Competitor, the Governor of Texas, America’s Next Top Model, foreign missions coordinator, OB/GYN nurse, or a stay at home mom of beautiful little children.

Follow your heart to be yourself, even if yourself is a crazy dancing machine, a fluffernutter sandwich eater, a bandana wearing fly fisherman, an eclectic interior designer, or even an everyday wears-jeanand-a-hoodie kind of girl.

I know this all sounds very poetic and innocent. But I’m not so childish to believe that life is as simple as finding your calling, pursing it, and living a life of peaceful bliss. I know that chasing your dreams and pursing the life you want is not easy. Not everyone can see your heart or for that matter, understand your motives.

Sometimes following your hearts means you have to jump over a created boundary, run through an imaginary wall, and tear down the social norms. You have to be courageous enough to stand up on your own and scream with an overflowing heart, “I WAS BORN FOR THIS!!”

It all begins with giving your dreams a chance; all of your dreams. Don’t let them just lounge around in your head with all the infinite untainted hope of childhood diminishing. Let them grow wild with curiosity. Push the boundaries. Start a movement. Find yourself. Then you know what you do? You be yourself.

I truly believe that following your heart is the only way to have complete peacecomplete, whole inner peace, knowing that you are doing exactly what you were born to do. That doesn’t mean there won’t be turmoil on the outside. But opposition

does not mean defeat.��������������������� I am living this in my own life, every moment of every day.

I’m living and learning just like everyone else.

Some days I allow my dreams to get minimized beneath the standards of the ‘adult-world’. I get scared of the uncertain future, “Will I really make it? Is this really what I want to do with my life?” Some days I’m in a stand-still, stuck in the middle of what I truly want for my life, and what everyone around me is telling me to do. I literally just stop.

Then I begin to hear my heart beat.

Slow and steady. I take a deep breath. The constant thump of my heart reminds me that no matter how terrified I am of what could happen, what others think, I am me.

I just have to keep going. Keep trying and keep taking risks.

“To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk being called sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self. To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naive. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love. Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free.”

Being you is a risk, but it is the most beautiful risk you could ever take.

Guest Editorial: Megan McKisson “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent .”

Megan McKisson

Smash the mirrors, turn off the televisions, throw out the hairbrushes!

Okay, maybe the last one was a little extreme, but you get my point. I am sick and tired of our image-obsessed culture convincing us that we “aren’t ______ enough”. It seems like everything from beauty campaigns to makeover shows are insisting that we need their assistance to become successful, desirable, and attractive

enough to truly excel, stripping us of our dignity and our dollars.

A recent study conducted by Dove cosmetics found that an alarming two percent of women worldwide consider themselves beautiful, and more than half claim that their bodies disgust them. Girls as young as nine or ten have reportedly tried dieting, and 73 percent of seventeen-yearolds are unhappy with their appearances.

It’s time we stopped living the lie that through the right amount of diet, exercise, and makeup products, we too can achieve the ideal six-foot sixty-pound model image.

Only an extremely small percentage of women naturally achieve what the media presents to us as an acceptable physique.

Movie stars, inhumanely beautiful creatures on the red carpet, employ a personal army of makeup artists, physical trainers, wardrobe stylists, cosmetic surgeons, and hairstylists who carefully construct their every move.

Female magazines make millions printing infinite numbers of ways to “improve yourself” or create “the new you!”

The sad thing is, we know this. We know that the picture-perfect models we obsess over are airbrushed, Photoshopped, and backed by a team of appearance experts. We know that no one truly has a flawless body, and that those who appear so are probably just as inwardly insecure as we are. We know that finding a true “improvement” tip in a fashion magazine is about as likely as finding a needle in a haystack. We know that “it’s what’s inside that counts”. We know that our mothers think we are the most beautiful girls in the world whether we own the latest shade of lipstick or not. We’ve heard these clichéd phrases practically since birth, and yet we still don’t get it. We stare longingly at the slender, bronzed, glamorous goddesses, realizing that they are not an authentic example of beauty, and still run to the nearest tanning salon or fitness center to “fix” ourselves. We starve ourselves into believing if we refrain from eating, we will surely become beautiful. Gargantuan amounts of people are afflicted by the “I

am fat” epidemic.

What’s it going to take for us to accept ourselves – out knobby kneed, bucktoothed, pear-shaped, big-footed, squintyeyed, frizzy-haired, imperfect, genuine selves? Yes, daily bombardment of the media’s unrealistic image ideals makes it hard to focus on one’s less-than-perfect qualities, but with a little confidence, we can vastly improve the way the world looks at so-called “average people”. Erase the words “fat”, “skinny”, “pimpley”, “ugly”, and anything else of a self-degrading nature from your vocabulary – and realize that you are so much more than a madeup face. Take what you see in the media with a grain of salt – remember that these people aren’t any less plastic than a Barbie doll. Above all, value yourself for who you truly are – not your extensive collection of footwear or your unequaled ability to apply cosmetics. Be confident in yourself and take pride in the fact that you are a perfectly imperfect person, beautiful –and real – just as you are.

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F O L I O

L I N E

Diversions F O L I O

L I N E

M c C l a t c h y - Tr i b u n e

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Meryl Streep

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Test your knowledge of movie quotes with this three-part quiz

Tom Cruise

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Joaquin Phoenix

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Helen Mirren Illustrations

by Chris Ware/MCT

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. “It’s not that bad. ... Well, I’m not saying I’d like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.”

A. Cary Elwes as Robin Hood in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993) B. Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt in “The Village” (2004) C. Cary Elwes as Westley in “The Princess Bride” (1987) D. Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland in “Cast Away” (2000) 2. “This sucks. I didn’t hook up with one European chick while I was here. Europe is officially the worst country in the world.”

A. Jacob Pitts as Cooper Harris in “Eurotrip” (2004) B. Jason Lively as Russell “Rusty” Griswold in “European Vacation” (1985) C. Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr. in “Catch Me If You Can” (2002) D. Breckin Meyer as Josh Parker in “Road Trip” (2000) 3. “It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.”

A. Harrison Ford as Jack Trainer in “Working Girl” (1988) B. Harrison Ford as Han Solo in “Star Wars” (1977) C. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) D. Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard in “Blade Runner” (1982) 4. “It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.”

A. Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007) B. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible II” (2000) C. Tom Hanks as Dr. Robert Langdon in “The Da Vinci Code” (2006) D. Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris in “Training Day” (2001) 5. “Well I had no choice, did I? I’m a woman. Women are obliged to be far more skillful than men. You can ruin our reputation and our life with a few well-chosen words. So of course I had to invent not only myself but ways of escape no one has every thought of before. And I’ve succeeded because I’ve always known I was born to dominate your sex and avenge my own.”

A. Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth in “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) B. Glenn Close as Marquise de Merteuil in “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988) C. Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” (2006) D. Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth” (1998)

ANSWERS Multiple choice 1. C; 2. A; 3. C; 4. D; 5. B; 6. D; 7.

A; 8. C; 9. A; 10. B Matching 1. C; 2. A; 3. D; 4. B; 5. E.

BY WENDY ZANG McClatchy-Tribune

e love our movies. And we love them even more when we can quote them.

We quote them to our spouses (“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”), our friends (“I see you’re drinking 1 percent. Is that ‘cause you think you’re fat? ‘Cause you’re not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.”), our co-workers (“We need to talk about your TPS reports.”) and even our kids (“The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.”).

How well do you know your movie lines? Take our quiz, three ways, and find out. Why three ways? If we can get “beef, three ways” at trendy restaurants, we figure we can serve you three ways to test your knowledge and prove you are “the master.”

6. “Right now everything is great, everyone is happy, everyone is in love and that’s wonderful.

But you gotta know that sooner or later you’re gonna be screaming at each other about who’s gonna get this dish. This $8 dish will cost you a thousand dollars in phone calls to the legal firm of That’s Mine, This Is Yours.”

A. Judd Nelson as Alec Newbary in “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985) B. Meg Ryan as Kate McKay in “Kate & Leopold” (2001) C. Joe Mantegna as Andy in “Forget Paris” (1995) D. Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) 7. “We’re not playing Spin the Bottle; how old are we? More importantly, how old are they?”

A. Zach Braff as Andrew Largeman in “Garden State” (2004) B. Annette Bening as Carolyn Burnham in “American Beauty” (1999) C. Claire Danes as Sookie Sapperstein in “Igby Goes Down” (2002) D. Colin Firth as Jamie Bennett in “Love Actually” (2003)

Free response 1. Ben Affleck as Chuckie Sullivan in “Good Will Hunting” (1997) 2. Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now” (1979) 3. Steve Martin as Navin R. Johnson

8. “Rough business, this movie business. I’m gonna have to go back to loan-sharking just to take a rest.”

A. Joe Pesci as Jimmy Alto in “Jimmy Hollywood” (1994)

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Sometimes multiple choices are easier, sometimes not. Here are some well-known lines from our favorite flicks. Can you choose who said it?

Leonardo DiCaprio

in “The Jerk” (1979) 4. Paperboy in “Better off Dead” (1985) 5. Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman in “Dirty Dancing” (1987) 6. Renee Zellweger as Dorothy

B. Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in “Goodfellas” (1990) C. John Travolta as Chili Palmer in “Get Shorty” (1995) D. Jason Statham as Turkish in “Snatch” (2000) 9. “Now you listen to me, I’m an advertising man, not a red herring. I’ve got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don’t intend to disappoint them all by getting myself ‘slightly’ killed.”

A. Cary Grant as Roger O. Thornhill in “North by Northwest” (1959) B. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in “Psycho” (1960) C. Ray Milland as Tony Wendice in “Dial M for Murder” (1954) D. Jimmy Stewart as L. B. Jefferies in “Rear Window” (1954)

“

2. “There’s a 95-pound Chinese man with $160 million behind this door.”

3. “Go do that voodoo that you do so well!”

4. “Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.”

5. “The details of your incompetence do not interest me.”

A. George Clooney as Danny Ocean in “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) B. Lloyd Bridges as Steve McCroskey in “Airplane!” (1980) C. Chevy Chase as Irwin Fletcher in “Fletch” (1985) D. Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamarr in “Blazing Saddles” (1974) E. Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)

FREE RESPONSE You’re on your own. Here are the quotes. Do you know who said them in which movies?

1. “Every day I come by your house and I pick you up. And we go out. We have a few drinks, and a few laughs, and it’s great. But you know what the best part of my day is? For about 10 seconds, from when I pull up to the curb and when I get to your door, cause I think, maybe I’ll get up there and I’ll knock on the door and you won’t be there. No goodbye. No see you later. No nothing. You just left. I don’t know much, but I know that.”

2. “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”

3. “The new phone book’s here! The new phone book’s here! ... This is the kind of spontaneous publicity — your name in print — that makes people. I’m in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.”

4. “Two dollars; I want my two dollars!”

5. “I carried a watermelon. I carried a watermelon?”

6. “You had me at ‘hello.’”

7. “This week is not about me. It is about you. I’m gonna show you a good time.

We’re gonna drink a lot of good wine. We’re gonna play some golf. We’re gonna eat some great food and enjoy the scenery and we are going to send you off in style, mon frere.”

8. “You can’t really dust for vomit.”

9. “I am NOT going to New York to meet some woman who could be a crazy, sick lunatic!

Didn’t you see ‘Fatal Attraction’?”

10. “To infinity, and beyond!”

Rough business, this movie business.

I’m gonna have to go back to loan-sharking just to take a rest.

10. “Better were the days when mastery of seas came not from bargains struck with eldritch creatures ... but from the sweat of a man’s brow and the strength of his back alone. You all know this to be true!”

A. Geena Davis as Morgan Adams in “Cutthroat Island” (1995) B. Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa in “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007) C. Dustin Hoffman as Capt. Hook in “Hook” (1991) D. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003)

MATCHING Match the movie quotes, numbered below, with the actor/character/movie combo.

1. “Can I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo.”

Boyd in “Jerry Maguire” (1996) 7. Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond in “Sideways” (2004) 8. Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel in “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984) 9. Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin in

MOVIE QUOTES MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE

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BONUS Can you identify the quotes in our quiz introduction?

1. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

2. “I see you’re drinking 1 percent. Is that ‘cause you think you’re fat? ‘Cause you’re not.

You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.”

3. “We need to talk about your TPS reports.”

4. “The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.”

5. “The master,” a reference to “Now I am the master.”

S O U R C E : Q U O T E S A N D M O V I E I N F O R M AT I O N F R O M I M D B . C O M

“Sleepless in Seattle” (1993) 10. Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear in “Toy Story” (1995) Bonus 1. Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) in “Gone With the Wind” (1939) 2. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder)

in “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) 3. Dom Portwood (Joe Bays) in “Office Space” (1999) 4. Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon) in “Animal House” (1978) 5. Darth Vader in “Star Wars” (1977).

Courtesy of MCTCampus

Creek Speaks 5

‘Pirates’ capture treasure

Seniors, Kirby Alford and Julie Thornton Photo by Fallan Drago

Megan McKisson “Pirates of Penzance,” the swashbuckling senior musical that wowed crowds this year has been nominated to receive five Tommy Tune Awards by Houston area theater organization Theater Under The Stars (TUTS).

The show’s nominations include Best Ensemble, Best Crew & Technical Direction, Best Choreography, Best Orchestra, and Best Leading Actor for Kirby Alford’s portrayal of Frederic.

“I honestly didn’t expect to receive such great recognition,” said Alford.

“Pirates” was directed by Mr. Timothy Estelle, with orchestration by Mr. Michael Astwood, choreography by Ms. Traci Carpenter, and chorale by Mr. Kyle and Sean Pullen.

“I’m proud of all involved, and honored by their continued success. I was very pleased by the audience’s overwhelming response,” said Estelle.

“We had a great faculty, cast, and crew,” agreed Carpenter.

The musical stars Julie Thornton as Mabel, Kirby Alford as Frederic, and Anthony Puskus as the Pirate King.

“Developing my character was so much fun,” said Michaela Gifford, who portrayed the sergeant.

Endless rehearsals have paid off for this ecstatic cast. Though all involved faced unique challenges, the finished product was well worth the struggle.

“Uniting elements of dance, singing, acting and orchestra was slightly difficult,” commented crew member Alex Cloyd. “It came together beautifully.”

“Everyone came together to put on a great show,” agreed Travis Johnson, lights manager.

“It was exciting to see work over several months finally come together,” said Carpenter. “It was great to see the kids so excited.”

The Tommy Tune Awards are named for nine-time Tony award winner and Lamar high school graduate Tommy Tune. The awards honor Houston area high schools that exhibit outstanding musical productions.

Over 150 schools are invited to participate in TUTS’ competition each year, and the first 45 applicants are selected on a firstcome, first serve basis to compete.

“The recognition provided by these awards can provide the encouragement that a gifted student may need to become a successful professional,” said Tune.

The Tommy Tune Awards will be held at the Houston Hobby Center for the Performing Arts on April 22, 2008. The presentation is open to the general public.

From left to right: Megan McKisson, Courtney Cox, Haotain Xu, Hayley Boultinghouse, Allie Hinga Photo by Hailey Stephens

The Aces of Academic UIL Hayley Boultinghouse Clear Creek High School students were very successful at the 2008 Academic U.I.L District Meet. The competitors brought home a total of nine medals in seven events. In Ready Writing Amelia Looper placed 2nd and Haotin Xu placed 6th. In Spelling and Vocabulary Daniel

Ericsson placed 3rd and Eric Griffis placed 6th. Courtney Cox brought home 3rd place in Accounting. Journalism students brought home medals in four out of four events.

Allie Hinga placed 1st in Editorial Writing and 4th News Writing. Megan McKisson placed 2nd in Features Writing. Hayley Boultinghouse placed 2nd in Headline Writing. Congratulations to all of the winners and good luck to those who go on to the Regional Meet in April.

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7

Cut classes: more attention Cuban call for connections Jacob Lux

Studies show students perform better with smaller class sizes. Photo by Wendy Wright

Allie Hinga

At a campus the size of Clear Creek High School, class sizes can vary greatly.

A recent study has shown, however, that smaller class sizes help students improve their grades, often regardless of instructional strategies.

Four different countries conducted the study: the United States, England, Hong Kong, and Switzerland, and the results were presented on March 24 on the first day of the American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting.

The organization was founded in 1916 and strives to improve the educational process by encouraging research in education and evaluating and applying findings. The meeting in March was the world’s largest gathering of educational researchers.

Two of the four studies found that students perform better in smaller classes not because of how teachers instruct, but because students feel in the classroom. A smaller number of students allows individuals to receive more time with teachers and to work in small groups with classmates. One of the researchers who analyzed the data, Adam Gamoran, elaborated on the findings when he said in an interview with USA Today, “Small classes are more engaging places for students because they’re able

to have a more personal connection with teachers, simply by virtue of the fact that there are fewer kids in the classroom competing for that teacher’s attention.” In one conclusive study, researchers watched student behavior in ten-second intervals throughout a class period. They found that students in smaller classes focused more, misbehaved less, interacted with their teachers more, and worked in small groups more often than individually.

Despite the results, Gamoran said that there is little evidence that teachers modify their teaching strategies because of class size. In fact, he said that many continue instruction as if in front of a larger group.

In one study, researchers found that few teachers would use motivational activities or demonstrate what was expected at the introduction of a lesson. One researcher suggested that reducing classroom size could have even greater potential than was observed if teachers changed their strategies to fit a smaller group.

In March, researchers at Northwestern University released the results of a longterm effort to decrease class sizes. They found that the benefit of smaller classes is most visible in high achieving students illustrating that while students are improving, the achievement gap is not.

As the number of schools in the district increase, it is possible to reduce class sizes and help students to be successful.

Although cell phones have become a familiar sight through out the United States, this is not the case for Cuba. Fidel Castro, 81, was forced to retire as President last month due to illness. As a result, Fidel’s brother, Raul Castro, has recently been appointed After lift in ban, cell phone serivces avaliable to Cubans.

Photo by Wendy Wright power. A few subtle changes in freedom have come with the changes in the next few days,” in a statement published rule. For example, the ban on computers, in the Communist Party Newspaper, DVD players and other appliances, such Granma. as air conditioners, and toasters has been Though changes are becoming lifted. But perhaps the most progressive more prevalent in Cuba, Raul stated that change has been the recent lift on cell there would be no economic or political phone restrictions. changes to the nation. While the average Even though there has been cell Cuban citizen only makes less than 20 phone service on the island nation since American dollars, a cell phone seems out 1991, it has been virtually out of grasp for of reach for many, but the lift on the ban is the average citizen. The only people who a step in the right direction. were legally allowed to have a cell phone Deemed by many the “the practical plan were foreigners, Cubans working Castro”, it is a common hope that this is for foreign companies, and government only the beginning in a series of reforms officials. But on March 28, 2008 the Cuban performed by Raul. Raul has suggested telecommunications monopoly, Empresa that he would like to open dialogue with de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A., the United States. Change may be closer or ETCSA, announced it would “begin than it appears. [providing] service to the general public in

Favorite music to listen to:

dis cover

Hip-hop: 25% Country: 15% Rock: 31% Rap: 16% Classical: 3% Other: 10%

Favorite Subject at School: Math: 13% English: 3% History: 4% Science: 13% Elective: 46% Other: 21%

Favorite way to communicate: Text: 49% Call: 24% E-mail: 7% Instant Message: 10% Other: 9%

Greatest Fear: “I fear nothing.”

“Dying.”

“The dummy bags.”

“Being alone.”

“Spiders.”

“Tryout

“Running out of RED HOTTS.”

“Snakes.”

“Nuns.”

“Not accomplishing my dreams.”

“Ghosts.”

“I’m afraid of heigh

“Roach

“Dragonflies.”

“Losing someone I’m close t

ring Creek The one thing you cant live without:

“My Truck.”

ts.”

hes.”

“My Faith.”

“My Cellphone.”

“Music.”

“Food.”

“My Friends.”

“My Family.”

Orange: 18% Black: 5% Purple: 14% Pink: 5% Red: 18% Blue: 14% Green: 26%

hts.”

to.”

“Sleep.”

“Television.”

Favorite color:

“Basketball.”

“Money.”

“Xbox.”

“My I-pod.”

“Football.”

The number one thing creek students couldn’t live without were family and friends. This was followed by cellphone.

Favorite sport: Football: 34% Basketball: 13% Baseball: 6% Volleyball: 6% Soccer: 13% Other: 28%

10

Features

Pharmaceuticals make foul play The bases covered to start a new season Hayley Boultinghouse

The parents and grandparents of this generation were taught a lesson when they were children themselves: always dispose of pharmaceutical drugs by flushing them down a toilet rather that throwing them in a garbage can.

The thought was that this action would dramatically reduce the risk of harming the immediate environment. People believed that these drugs would be filtered Pharmaceuticals are not completely filtered out of nation’s drinking water. out of the water before it made it back to them in the form that including Houston. Because of and the blood cells showed they drank. Now this false sense the exclusion of some of the more inflammation. The cancer cells of security has been broken. populated cities, the extent of rapidly increase and spread.

Over the years these drugs have the problem is feared to be more Wildlife that reside in the not been filtered out completely widespread. Also not included in contaminated waterways are also from the nation’s drinking water. the study are those people who undergoing changes as a result It is the job of this generation to reside in rural areas and pump of the pharmaceuticals present. predict the risks that could come their own water from wells.

Most notably. some male fish from long-term exposure to the The problem is on a global are becoming feminized. They chemicals these drugs contain scale. Lakes, rivers, reservoirs are creating egg yolk proteins, and find a way to combat them. and streams around the world a process, which under normal A recent report estimates that are being contaminated with circumstances, is restricted to at least 41 million Americans are pharmaceuticals.

The most females. Also, sentinel species, consuming contaminated drinking prominent cases are located in such as earthworms, are being water. The water plays host to Asia, Australia, Canada and affected. This is a major problem a vast array of pharmaceuticals Europe. There are still countries because sentinel species are at including, but not limited to, that are waiting for testing. the base of food chains. If they sex hormones, antibiotics, mood With so many unknowns one are affected or eliminated, other stabilizaers, anti-convulsants, thing is certain. “There’s no doubt animals further up the chain, and some over the counter about it, pharmaceuticals are including humans, could be medications like acetaminophen being detected in the environment negatively impacted. and ibuprofen. The concentrations and there is a genuine concern This negative impact is what of these drugs are far below the that these compounds, in scientists are currently trying original prescribed does of each small concentrations, could be to identify and avoid on a large respectively.The potential problem impacting human health or aquatic scale. Enhanced allergies to comes from long-term exposure. organisms,” said Mary Buzby, nerve damage are on the list of The government currently doesn’t the director of environmental possibilities. Pregnant women require testing for the presence technology for drug maker Merck and the elderly are thought to be of any pharmaceuticals. There is and Co. inc. Research has already those who will be most at risk also no legislation to regulate this backed up her testimony. when it comes to the exposure. problem.

In humans, small amounts of This generation needs to break Only 28 of America’s 62 water exposure to pharmaceuticals have the cycle of pharmaceutical suppliers have currently been been shown to alter embryonic exposure to protect the health of tested for traces of any drug. kidney cells, blood cells, and future generations, and the natural Several major urban centers have breast cancer cells. The kidney resources of the nation. not taken part in the research, cells showed a sluggish growth

Chris Stephensen The smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of wood on leather, all fill the air. As April starts up, the Major League Baseball regular season is beginning.

It has been a few of months since the World Series ended. Trades have been made, free agents have been picked up, and players were named in the Mitchell Report. There are many things to look forward to this season.

Last year, the New York Yankees almost did not make the playoffs. This year they may not make it at all. Without acquiring Johan Santana in the off season, the Yankees starting pitching is lagging, and with the Boston Red Sox possibly being better than last year, the Yankees will have to go for the Wild Card.

The Toronto Blue Jays will be a contender for most of the season, while the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays will still be last. However, the Rays have a chance at its first winning season ever if they pick up free agent Barry Bonds. The Red Sox could win the American League East.

There is a two-team race in the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians are the contenders. The Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and the Minnesota Twins won’t be in the race for long. But if the White Sox do pull through and win the World Series, look for manager Ozzie Guillen to streak down Main Street, as he said he would do if his team won. The Detroit Tigers could win the AL Central.

There is really only one team that will win the AL West.

That team is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Seattle Mariners, Oakland A’s, and the Texas Rangers don’t have the pitching or the hitting that can carry them past the Angels. The LA Angels will win the AL West.

Also, the Cleveland Indians could take the Wild Card.

In the National League East, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets will be in tight contention for the Division title.

With the pickup of Santana from the Twins, the Mets have the dominant pitching. The Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins will hang in until around June. The New York Mets could win the NL East.

It’s anybody’s game in the NL Central. The Milwaukee Brewers should have another great season along with the Chicago Cubs. It will most likely be a race between these two teams. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Houston may not have the firepower to be a playoff team. The Milwaukee Brewers could win the NL Central.

Everyone, except possibly the San Francisco Giants, can take the reins of the NL West.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, and the Arizona Diamondbacks had great seasons last year. The Dodgers will win the NL West.

Arizona can take the Wild Card.

It is not a stretch to think that a Red Sox- Mets World Series is possible. Both teams have the depth to go the distance. The New York Mets could possibly become World Series champions for the first time since 1986.

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14

Sports

“The Wildcats are fighting for post season play,” said varsity coach, Jim Mallory.

Photos by Albert Nkansah

Creek baseball steps up to bat for a stellar season Taylor Freudenberg

This year the Creek Baseball team has been pushing hard to make their way to the top of District. With the talent on the team, that goal will hopefully be reached.

At the beginning of the season, Creek started off, knowing they had a long, hard battle ahead. The Wildcats played Pearland for their first district game. The Oilers started off the game with two runs in the first inning and managed to stay ahead for the whole game. The Wildcats lost 5-2.

The second district game was an easy win against the Alvin Yellow jackets. The Wildcats, won with a final score of 5-1.

“I pitched a no-hitter against them, it was the best game I’ve pitched,” said varsitystarting pitcher Jared Cosart.

With the win again Alvin fresh on their minds, the Wildcats played Galveston Ball.

The Wildcats easily won, 5-0.

The Clear Brook Wolverines were the next team up for district play. The game was high scoring, with runs being scored throughout the whole game. The Wildcats managed to pull through with a final score of 12-5.

The cross-town rival, the Clear Lake Eagles, was the next obstacle for the Wildcats. The Wildcats got the win against the Eagles, 5-4.

The Wildcats were on fire, and looking forward to continuing the winning streak, against the Brazoswood Buccaneers.

During the Brazoswood game, the Wildcats fought long and hard, and yet could not pull out the win. The Wildcats made several errors throughout the game.

The Buccaneers ended the Wildcats’ winning streak, with a final score of 6-1.

“The game obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to. It would’ve been a big win, but we came up short. We have a district record of 4-2, which isn’t bad.

But we have a big game coming up against Pearland, and hopefully that game will go our way,” said Cosart.

The second half of the season came

up fast, and the possibility for reaching number one in district was very close.

The second round meant that the Wildcats would soon face the Oilers once again. The Wildcats continued to practice long and hard, in attempt to achieve a win against the Oilers.

Unfortunately, even with the hard practices, the Wildcats could not handle the fourth-place ranking, Oilers, which added another loss to their record, which was now 4-3.

The season is coming to its end, and the Wildcats will be clawing their way to Bi-district playoffs. “[The] District 24-5A is very competitive this year and the Wildcats are fighting for post season play,” said varsity coach, Jim Mallory.

This type of

competitiveness will help the Wildcats, and there’s no doubt that the Wildcats will be in the playoffs at the end of the season.

Creek player prepares to go to bat.

Trainers tell all about their specialized first aid skills Michelle Garcia

Brittany Marquez, trainer, wraps an athlete’s ankle.

Photo by Albert Nkansah

Being a trainer is not as easy as it looks. From coming early to leaving late from games, trainer duty takes a great deal of time and dedication. The players rely greatly on trainer skills. Trainers are required to know how to stretch out the player; first aid procedures such as wrapping ankles or wrists; and how to make an ice pack. Trainers need to know the proper procedures for blood decontamination, first aid, CPR and wound care. Trainers help out with rehab and make sure that the training room is both clean and sanitized.

However, trainers are not only concerned with keeping the players at their best, they are required to maintain good grades and good manners. If an athlete needs or asks

for something, trainers “give the athlete the attention he or she needs,” said Travis Stiver, varsity trainer.

Being a trainer provides many opportunities. Not only do the trainers bond and build friendships, but they also receive a valuable education about physical therapy. A bonus is learning about sports medicine. Lauren Gillespie, a current JV trainer replied, “It’s fun and you learn a lot. It makes you feel good about yourself knowing that you helped someone out.”

With graduation coming up, new trainers will be needed. “I feel like it’s very good and we have a lot of interest, we usually have about 50 people try out in spring time, but we keep about 25 to 30. Tryouts are during spring football,” said Coach Bradley. Anyone interested is encouraged to tryout. See Coach Tom Bradley in the Spring Sports area for more information or any of the current trainers.

Sports

15

Athletes of the Month

Rico Pardo and his dad, Richie, share a love for the same sport.

Photo by Kevin M. Cox of The Galveston County Daily News

Photo by Albert Nkansah

Jordan Mattison

Photo by Albert Nkansah

Bobby Bassett

Taylor Freudenberg

Destinee Walker

She slaps, she hits, she steals, and of course, she wins. The athlete of the month is none other than the skilled softball player Jordan Mattison.

Mattison played basketball for League City Intermediate her 7th grade year, and then transferred to Creekside Intermediate for her 8th grade year.

Mattison never touched a softball bat, until her first year of high school.

“I first got started on softball because of my dad. His boys played baseball, so he wanted me to try softball.” Turns out that this little nudge had big results.

Mattison has been playing softball since her freshman year. She started as a natural righty (throwing and hitting right handed), until she found a way to use her speed to her advantage. She learned how to hit and slap on the left side, becoming a huge asset to the Creek softball team. Mattison is the starting center fielder for the varsity team and is also one of the bigger RBI (runs batted in) hitters.

During the beginning of her sophomore year, Mattison had a career-changing event.

During a game, she tore all of the ligaments in her ankle and was out for the rest of her sophomore year.

Mattison jumped back on the field during her junior year, working hard to earn her starting spot back on varsity. Jordan helped the team with her speed, her agility, and her ability to run and catch long fly balls out in center field. She is able to run out routine groundballs to the shortstop, turning them into base hits.

Mattison has received a seventy-five percent scholarship to go to the Division 2 School, University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She plans to become a psychiatrist and majoring in psychology.

“Hard work always pays off.” A quote exemplified by athlete of the month, Bobby Bassett.

Speed has always come easy for Bassett.

He first hit the track when he was four years old, for the La Marque Jaguars.

It became apparent during his years at League City Intermediate, that Bassett was several steps ahead of the rest on the track.

He set blistering paces amongst his peers, awing Coaches and competitors alike with a hard-pressed stride.

When it came time for his freshman year, Bassett wasn’t about to fall below the high standard he had set for himself. He lettered his first year and remains strong on the Varsity team today. Bassett is a key component for the track 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800 relay teams. His best times clock out to be 22.5 seconds in the 200 meter dash, 48 seconds in the 400 meter dash, and 1:56 in the 800 meter dash. As for the overall team effort Bassett said, “We’ve had our ups and downs this year, because of grades. But we will definitely be ready for district.”

Bassett has no worries when it comes to work in the classroom. He has consistent A’s and B’s in all of his classes. His consistency on and off of the track is a major factor to why Bassett is considered a large asset to the track team.

With three years of varsity running behind him, several colleges have taken an early interest in Bassett. He plans on running in college, but is keeping his options open.

“I have several in mind right now.

Tennessee State and Texas Christian University are interested, but I’m looking at Texas State and the University of Arlington too,” said Bassett.

Soccer: a Pardo family affair Destinee Walker Most teenage athletes pride themselves on bringing home district titles, and making play off runs. However, Rico Pardo, has taken his game to an international level.

For the third summer in a row, Pardo will be traveling to Puerto Rico to represent his mother and father’s country on the soccer field.

He competed in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Futbol, (CONCACAF) under 17 World Cup Qualifier in Trinidad and Tobago in 2006.

He plays forward on the field for high school soccer, but defense for Puerto Rico.

Pardo trained with the U-23 team last summer but was unable to travel because he was only 16.

Pardo was born in Texas, but has dual citizenship because both of his parents are from Puerto Rico. Pardo’s father, Richie, played for Puerto Rico when he was a teenager as well.

“It means a lot to me,” Pardo said. “It’s an honor to play for your own country. I’m proud of it. My parents are proud of it. I’m

grateful for another chance.” Pardo said.

International play is on a much different level then high school soccer. Pardo played against Anguilla, St. Lucia and Panama in 2006.

Pardo’s defensive skills contributed to the team’s powerful defense that held Anguilla and St. Lucia to zero throughout the game.

“When you’re playing against another country, they all play alike,” he said.

“They’re like brothers. They know how they all play. They know where to go.

They know where they want the ball to be.

It’s so much different from high school,” Pardo said.

On June 9 he will begin a month long training program with the U-20 team in preparation for a CONCACAF tournament beginning in July, in the Cayman Islands.

With many years of national, and international play, Pardo has a welldeserved advantage over most high school soccer players.

Colleges have already begun their pursuit of recruiting Pardo, but he remains adamant on staying true to himself.

“I hope I get better, faster and stronger in every way,” Pardo said. “I will bust my butt to get there. I will do my job and believe in myself that I can do it.”

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991-338-0446

16 Photofinish