FEBRUARY /MARCH 2011 by Clear Creek HiLife

HiLife February/March 2011- Issue 5 Volume 87 2305 East Main, League City,TX 77573

In this issue: History of Valentine’s Day Page 9

Rodeo Schedule Page 9

Budget cuts affect CCISD Page 5

Basketball wins district title Page 18

Pink Bow Classic returns to Creek Hannah Brinsko

The junior and senior girls suited up Thursday, February 17 for the first powderpuff football game Creek has hosted in several years. In addition to the football game, the Clear Creek “Swagaliers,” the most swagalicious guys on this side of the creek provided half of the entertainment. The evening started with a pregame dinner provided by Pomodoros. The members of the junior and senior teams, along with the swagaliers and faculty, attended the meal. Mrs. Latulippe, Mr. Bockart, and George McKinnis all spoke while penne pasta and salad was served. The game started off with the JROTC presenting the flags, and Coach Cherry singing the national anthem. The juniors quickly took the lead, with Christi Leonard scoring several touchdowns for her class. Despite their efforts, the seniors were unable to catch up, with the game ending at 48-14. For the halftime show,

fourteen junior and senior guys donned the Cavalier’s traditional hats and skirts to perform under the name the Swagaliers, the most swagalicious guys on this side of the creek. The group performed a dance choreographed by the Cavalier captain Brooke Fontenot and Social Committee president Sloane Schaumberger. “The boys worked very hard on getting their routine ready. It was so much fun to work with them,” said Brook Fontenot, “The end result was hilarious to watch.” The routine included musical clips from “Good Girls Go Bad” by Cobra Starship, “Jump on it” by Sir Mix-A-Lot, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce, “No Matter What” by TI. The routine ended with the worm, and the performers lifting their shirts to reveal the message, “Swagaliers 2011.” The team was led by Social Committee director Connor Johnson, Senior Lieutenants Brandon Stinson and Tom McCullough, first Senior Lieutenant Ross Wagner, and Captain David Zabinski, who were all recognized before the routine began. Prior to the Swaggalier’s performance, Mr. Clear Creek was officially crowned. Contestants for Mr. Clear Creek consisted of three juniors and five seniors. The three juniors were Brandon Martin, Brent Wagner, and Cory Zunker all three of which are on the Clear Creek football team. The senior nominees were Dustin Houbaugh, Tom McCullough, Christos Patelis,

and Nate Taylor. Students voted for Mr. Clear Creek by donating money to their candidate of choice in the days leading up to the Pink Bow Classic. Christos Patelis was crowned Mr. Clear Creek by the senior class president Jordan Stroike and vicepresident Bianca Quintanilla. Christos secured the crown by soliciting $200 more than the other candidates. The elections raised $1000 for the senior class. Other events from the night included the auctioning off of a Pink Bow Classic shirt, Coach Cherry acted as the auctioneer as students and parents in the stands bid on the shirt which was signed by all the senior girls participating on the powderpuff team. The shirt was purchased by the Stanley family for one hundred dollars. The Wildcat drumline also performed during the game, helping to pump up the crowd. Project Graduation sold raffle tickets at the game for a premium parking place. The first winner will be drawn on March 25. The Pink Bow Classic, the game, Mr. Clear Creek election, and the Swagalier performance helped to raise school spirit and funds for the senior class. Students participate in The Pink Bow Classic.

Photos taken by Emily Cruz Photo illustrations by Kaitlyn Blake

Creative Visions opens Orphanage Shannon O’Neil Creative visions has opened up a new orphanage in Cura, a village in Kenya, Africa. Cura Orphanage is a safe home for fifty children who have lost their family due to the AIDS epidemic. These fifty children are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend school, be fed, clothed, and receive love they need. Creative Visions hopes to not only help the children in the orphanage but to help the entire village as well. They rely on donations to maintain their maximum occupancy of 150 children. The Project Coordinator for Cura Orphanage is Evelyn Mungai. Mungai has been working to empower the women in Cura for a long time. She has been the president of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, chairperson of Transparency International in Kenya, and recipient of the honor of Order of the Grand Warrior by Kenya’s President. Mungai is married to Mike Eldon who also is a supporter of the Cura community. Eldon, like his wife, has been a member and president of the Rotary Club of Nairobi and is part of the council of a local Kenya university. There he is the director of an alternative energy company. Another member of the Cura Orphanage team is Hayden Bixby. Growing up in

Kenya, Bixby attended the University of Nairobi and has graduated in the US with a degree in English and Third World studies from Pitzer College. Yassi Somen moved to the United States as a young girl with her family, escaping the revolution in Iran. As a volunteer at the Cura Rotary Home and Primary School, Somen decided to invest her time in the orphanage. Dan Eldon was a photojournalist who was murdered in Somalia in 1992. Eldon was raised in Kenya, Africa and never turned his back on “his” Africa. Eldon was determined to document the famine in Somalia during the 1990s and his photos were seen throughout the world. However, a fateful accident caused the people of Somalia to turn on all non-native persons and stone Eldon and three other journalists to death in the streets. From there Dan became more famous and well known than he could ever imagine. His mother, Kathy, and sister, Amy, published Eldon’s journals that showed Dan’s insight and artistic view on the world. Amy and Kathy formed Creative Visions, to help make the world a better place by funding different charitable acts including Cura Orphanage. Kathy and Amy strive to promote Dan’s philosophy “Safari as a way of Life”.

Amy Eldon began her own journalist career and completed a documentary honoring her brother. Amy was the producer of Global Tribe that was dedicated to making changes across the world. Her mother and she have written numerous books. Amy is the Co-Chair of the Creative Visions Foundation and plays a major role in the operation of Cura Orphanage. Jon Turteltaub, another member of the Cura Orphanage team, is the husband of Amy Eldon. Turteltaub is the director for National Treasure, While You Were Sleeping, Cool Runnings, Phenomenon and many other films including his newest The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Susan O’Neal is another member of the Cura Orphanage Advisory Committee. O’Neal is a humanitarian and strives to make the lives of others in poverty-stricken countries better. Cura Orphanage is dedicated to the improvement of children in the Cura village. With the help of donations from people, the Cura Orphanage team hopes to make their goal of filling their 150 beds.

Opinion HEY CRE E K ! What ar

Freshmen

e you doing fo r Spring Break ?

“I’m going to Colorado to go skiing with friends and family.” -Julie Vaughn “I’m spending time with my uncle and cousin from Korea.” -Nikki Lloyd “I’m going with my good friend and her family to Pensacola, Florida.” -Sarah Morlan “I am going to my friend’s beach house.” -Natalie Pardivala “I’m going to North Carolina to visit my grandpa.” -Patrick Severance “I’m going on a 50 mile backpacking trip on the Lone Star Trail.” -Dakota Spenrath

“I’m going to San Francisco to play with stingrays and see the Golden Gate Bridge.” -Alyssa Cannon “I’m going to Canada to see my grandma and play in the snow.” -Michaela Pinder “I’m going to the beach volcanoes and hula parties in Hawaii.” -Michael Sulkis “I’m going on a church retreat and starting driver’s ed.” -Alayna Pena-Mendez “I’m going with my family to Six Flags.” -Sara Genke “I’m going to UM Army where I will be volunteering over the break.” -Jacqueline Koonce

Juniors “Going to travel through Italy.”

-Austin Hinkle “I’m going to Padre Island with the soccer team.” -Josh Hartman “I am going to Washington State to visit my family." -Nicole Lide “I am going to San Antonio to visit friends.” -Juliana Zudocnan “I have a track meet and I’m going to see Jason Aldean on my birthday at the Rodeo.” -Andrea Lopez “Going on the Europe trip with Mr.. Fontenot to Italy.” -Alex Gaston “I plan on going to Virginia over Spring Break.” -Cameron Campley

“Training for a figure skating competition.” -Melanie Franzen “Going on a college visit to Harvard.” -Tanner Ranhals “I’m celebrating my 18th birthday and going to Howard University to play basketball and modeling runway shows.” -Adrienne Phillips “I’m so excited, my best friends and I are going on a road trip to San Antonio.” -Zoe Foster “I am going snowboarding in Red River, New Mexico, with a bunch of friends.” -Sarah Clubb “I’m going on a tour of Turkey.” -Amy Wang “I am going camping at Garner for a senior trip.” -Bianca Quintanilla

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HiLife Staff

Principal: Advisor: Executive Editor: Editors-in-Chief: Advertising Manager: Centerspread Editor: Features Editor: News Editor: Teen Interest Editor: Sports Editors: Around Creek Editor: Creek Speaks Editor: Online Editor: Photo Editor: Staff: Ashley Barba Emily Cruz Kara Loewenthal Olivia Payne Madison Williams

Scott Bockart Wynette Jameson Jan O’Neil Amber Arnold Kaitlyn Blake Shannon O’Neil Ashley Farmer Ellen Gaudet Tracey Griffith Stephanie Johnson Madison Borowitz Jacob Arredondo Derek Gay Hannnah Brinsko Ashley Farmer Mary Veedell Shauna Fererro-Donahue

Kaitlyn Boryk Tianah Brewer Morgan Geenen Brooke Griffis Jacob Mancini Marie Nelson Gabrielle Renwall Aimee Sierra Valerie Hellinghausen

Email us at: Creekhilife@gmail.com Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)316-0581

Editorial Kaitlyn’s Korner

“Some people, however long their experience or strong their intellect, are temperamentally incapable of reaching firm decisions.” -James Callaghan

Kaitlyn Blake As my senior year is coming to a close faster and faster, I realize that I have some important decisions to make. Actually, I have one important decision to make – possibly the most important decision I will ever make in my life. During lunch, I hear my friends constantly talking about how exciting next year is going to be, attending a college they have chosen. Every time this conversation comes up, I can feel myself getting more and more stressed. Can’t I just decide already? I’ve been accepted to different schools, done significant research, made my pro/con lists, and I still can’t seem to make a choice between my three top schools. Do I want to be a Baylor Bear, a Boomer Sooner, or a North Texas Eagle? I’ve flipflopped and changed my mind every single week about which college to attend next year. I will come to school and tell my friends, “I’ve made my decision! I’m going to Baylor!” And then they all turn away

and finish their previous conversations. (They’ve all heard this statement about each school at least 30 times.) Not only am I dealing with the stress that I put on myself, but also stress from my friends. I wish I could join in on the conversations about “their” schools and be excited about next year. I think that once I make my college decision, it will seem much more real to me and I will be able to be genuinely excited to leave League City and live the next adventure of my life. Some well-meaning friends are trying to influence me to go to a certain school because it will be closer to their school, and we could visit each other often. While I love my friends and would love to be closer to them, I have always told myself that I was not going to let anyone influence my decision. However, this has proved to be easier said than done. I have found myself secretly adding my friends to the “Pro” list of certain schools. And then there’s my parents. My parents mean the best, but they constantly point out negative things about whichever school is my favorite at the time. It makes me feel that no matter where I go, they won’t like the school I pick, even if it is my brother’s alma mater. They are constantly trying to push me towards the schools that I have already told them numerous times that I don’t want to go to. They won’t accept that I have actually narrowed

down my choices to three schools. It seems that everyone around me has chosen and committed to a college, and I feel so far behind. All of my friends are applying for housing and signing up for orientations, and I haven’t even pressed the “commit” button on a college. But then when I began to sit down and actually make the most important decision of my life, I realized that I was taking the wrong approach to things. This decision is going to affect my life, not my parents, not my friends. So I need to base this decision solely on what I believe and on what college I want to go to - not anyone else. People tell me to close my eyes and picture myself at college. They say that whichever campus I see myself at is the school I should go to. However, the hardest thing about this is that I cannot physically picture myself at any college campus. I tend to be very indecisive. I was the girl that people would ask, what do you want to be when you grow up? And I would reply with a new answer every week. It ranged from a teacher to an interior designer to, finally, a psychologist. I can never seem to choose between one thing or another. I always see a major good thing about each choice. This same thing is affecting my college choice. It is not just a matter of where I want to go, I also have to take into account other factors such as cost, how far away from

home the school is, and which programs I like at each specific school. One of the things that drives me most crazy is that I know that no matter which school I choose, I’m going to love next year. My top three schools are great schools and are all very different. I should just pick a school and be done with this decision, right? Wrong. I can’t help but be a perfectionist, and I have that fear that I will regret my decision next year. I know that I can just transfer to another school if I really don’t like my decision, but I would rather take a longer time deciding now, than living with a terrible decision all of next year. I am hoping that the school that I truly want to go to will just suddenly come to me and I’ll have an epiphany, but I know that is very unlikely to happen. In my head I know that I can’t let other people affect my decisions, but I subconsciously can’t help it. As I am growing up, I realize that it’s time to make decisions for myself and no one else. In deciding which college, I am going to take into account all different factors, finish my Pro/Con lists, and choose a favorite. The Pro/Con lists have to come to an end eventually, and when that time comes, I am going to make my decision based on what I want, and I am going to do anything I can to make that decision a reality.

Guest Editorial: Madi Borowitz “You are undefinable” -Siri Bahadur Sometimes the feeling of apprehension and anticipating the future can be a heavy burden to carry. I have witnessed how much time and energy is spent worrying about the future. My classmates have become consumed by it. On a daily basis, I over- hear students and friends talking about long term goals, what they want to be when they grow-up, and what they`ll have to do to get there. They discuss Madi Borowitz class-ranks and GPAs and test scores, and As a sophomore, I am only halfway many other anxiety provoking numbers through my high school career, yet I that school presents to the table. I too find already find myself amid the chaos and myself thinking and talking about these scramble into the future. This year I feel nervous numbers, and it doesn`t do any more pressure than ever to figure out where good in the end. It just sends me into a I am going to go to college, what I want to bewildered place where I am confused and do after that, and what kind of person I am weighed down by my own rash thoughts. My mom was a very aware and driven in general. At 16 though, being a teenager, and being awkward and weird as it is, student, who did very well in high school I feel like I am really not ready to make and college. That part of her personality those decisions yet. Sometimes the stress has never changed. She always knew that that comes with those decisions makes working hard on her grades had to be me feel like they aren`t even important her priority, and in this she really never enough to bother with at all. Normally I faltered. She stayed up late studying, she become frustrated and confused by all my always put a heavy course load on her dreams and fantasies I have about how plate, and she never skipped a beat. When I would like to live the rest of my life. I ask her about when she was my age, and

in school, however, I am not met with the joyful reminiscent tone I always hope to hear. She speaks in a proud, harsh voice and tells me how she persevered. I know she regrets missing out on experiences because of the agenda she gave herself. Now as a mother, she tells me, “Yeah, you should be mindful of the future, but never let it keep you from living your life right now.” Though I admire her discipline and planning, I always wonder how it would have been for had she remembered to appreciate, and enjoy her youth. I wish she would have been able to let go and have more fun. Seeing my peers spend so much time in the future, and hearing that my mom did this as well, has helped me to realize that I often forget about the life I am living in. Right now I am 16, I am a young teenage highschooler, I am growing, and absorbing new things everyday. I am between childhood and legal age, even though sometimes I feel like I am are ready to conquer the world. I am not grown- up yet, and I don`t carry as many responsibilities and obligations because I am just now coming to realize what that even means. Being young means I can be light-hearted and

quirky and care-free. I can make mistakes, learn from them and tell the tales later. These fruitless worries about the future were completely washed away one day in a Kuhndalini Yoga class a couple of weekends ago. The class was more meditative, and I was having an immense amount of trouble trying to stay still and keep the worries out of my head. When I finally decided to tune into what the guru, Siri Bahadur, was telling us, I realized he had the answer. “Surrender to the flow of life,” he said in his sweet old mans voice. “Do not attach yourself to any label or name, do not feel like you have to be anything, you just are. You are undefinable.” He was totally right. I don`t have to be anything. After he spoke, my questions and concerns were answered. He helped me grasp the idea that who I am, or who I will be in the time to come is not so monumental as I made it seem in my mind. I understand that I am an adolescent, and I am new and free. After hearing him, it seemed silly to even look past the moment. I know now that if I do I won’t go anywhere. So I am going to “surrender to the flow of life,” and not worry my fun high school years away.

News

Mardi Gras originated from French traditions Valerie Hellinghausen In a flash of vibrant colors and showy spectacles, Mardi Gras is more than just a celebration. Behind all the beads and masquerades lies a long line of history dating back thousands of years that, despite popular belief, did not originate in New Orleans. Ancient Roman and Greek societies celebrated multitudes of festivals throughout the year, but the Lupercalia and Saturnalia are two pagan celebrations that influenced the start of Mardi Gras. When the Roman Catholic Church was introduced to Rome, church officials combined Lupercalia, the festival of fertility, and Saturnalia, the festival of spring, instead of abolishing both all together. Mardi Gras became a celebration preceding the beginning of Lent in the Catholic Church when France declared the day before Ash Wednesday as “Fat Tuesday” in honor of the feast day held before 40 days of fasting in Lent. Traditionally, families would feast upon the remaining eggs, meat, and cheese that could not be eaten during Lent. This celebration also took the name of “Carnival” in relevance to medieval Latin’s word carnelevarium, which means to remove or take away meat. According to historians, the first Mardi Gras in American history is expected to have taken place when French explorers Iberville and Bienville landed in what is

now modern day Louisiana just south of Mardi Gras’ current home, New Orleans. On March 3, 1699 the explorers held a small Mardi Gras celebration and named t h e location Point du Mardi Gras. As French settlements and colonies were making their way through the

was ratified as a U.S. State in 1812. “It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of the Cowbellian de Rakin Society, formed in 1830, traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation of the Krewe of Comus, considered New Orleans’ most prestigious Mardi Gras

U.S., lavish parties, masquerades and parades also followed. Spanish control abolished the celebrations which surfaced again after Louisiana

society,” said the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the celebration lies multiple threads of history all inter weaved into the Mardi Gras celebration. The festival, while sometimes thought of as raunchy, is intended to celebrate all forms of indulgence before a

NYC Chronic Truancy Stephanie Johnson

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City is prerecording celebrity walk-up calls to get students out of bed and into school. The new program, “Wake Up! New York City,” is designed to cut the truancy rates in New York City schools by providing kids phone calls from celebrity idol explaining how school helped them reach the fame and success that they are now reveling in. New York City has long suffered from “chronic absenteeism,” and though attendance has improved over the years, one out of five kids still miss over a month of school. “Through Wake Up! NYC we’re putting on a full-court press, using mass media and digital media to drive home the point that ever student should be in school every day. It’s the next step in our efforts to cut absenteeism and put more students on the road to success, in school and in life,” stated Mayor Bloomberg. Beginning next week, 6,500 calls will be made to chronically absent children

apart of the twenty five schools selected for a pilot program. These calls will contain motivational messages by stars such as NBA All Star Magic Johnson, award-winning artist Trey Songz, and celebrity Jose Reyes. “Morning, it’s me, Magic Johnson,” begins one of the recordings, “I won five NBA championships and Olympic gold medal so I’m calling the shots today. Get up and out of bed and to school; try hard to do well. School go me to where I am today so be there every single day and of course give it your best shot.” Mayor Bloomberg hope to reach 250,000 chronically absent students by spring time with this new program helping kids city wide to get an education necessary to success. Trey Songz told CNN, “I hope to use my fame as a positive influence and keep kids in school and out of the streets.” Bloomberg hope this positive influence from celebrity idols will be just what kids need to understand the importance of an education. “We want kids to hear from someone they will listen to,” continued Mayor Bloomberg.

season of sacrifice. In fact the traditional colors of Mardi Gras weren’t chosen until 1872 by Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanov who was given the honor of choosing the colors for the Krewe of Rex as well as the House of Romanov. In the 1892 Rex Parade, the three colors were chosen to symbolize gold for power, purple for justice and green for faith. Another largely celebrated tradition of Mardi Gras is the king cake. King Cakes are a New Orleans tradition that coincides closely with European traditions. The oval cake is meant to symbolize the unity between faiths and celebrates the three kings that came to visit Jesus who is represented by the small baby baked into each cake. The search for the baby in the cake goes along with the biblical search for baby Jesus and tradition has it that those who find the baby are rewarded with good luck as well as the responsibility of bringing another King Cake to the next gathering. Depending on where Mardi Gras is celebrated, the traditions will vary and each party is different. Mardi Gras this year falls on March 8, 2011. For those going out to New Orleans to celebrate, Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne assured partygoers that despite the BP Oil Spill, Mardi Gras will be just as it always is. “It is our nature to be resilient. It will be as big and great as ever. The mood is upbeat,” said Dardenne.

Mardi Gras celebration begins.

Photos and Photo illustrations by Tracey Griffith

News

President delivers State of the Union Address Stephanie Johnson President Obama addressed the congressional chamber and 50 million American citizens in his 2011 State of the Union on January 25. After receiving five minutes of applause, Obama began his hour-long speech, remembering the victims of the shooting in Tucson, including Christina-Taylor Green and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people and we share common hopes and a common creed. That the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled. As we mark this occasion, we are also mindful of the empty chair in this chamber,” began President Obama, “and we pray for the health of our colleague and our friend Gabby Giffords.” This was President Obama’s first address since Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives. He re-emphasized his push for bipartisan politics by having Republicans and Democrats sit together instead of on opposite sides of the aisle as in the past. Many in Congress felt was appropriate because of the tragedy that happened in Tucson less than a month ago. It created a sense of

community in the minds of many politicians. In the address, President Obama stressed reducing the national debt and

over 200 years: reinvented ourselves,” said the President. “We’re not just handing out money. We’re issuing a challenge. We’re

be done to enhance it. He stressed the math and sciences, stating that America’s future is in the hands of its children. He explained how students from foreign countries come to American universities to get their education, but then return home to work in the labs of other countries. “But if we want to win the future-–if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas–then we also have to win the race to educate our kids,” said President Obama. This is in accordance to Obama’s announcement of the government’s new Race To the Top campaign, which aims to raise the bar on the level of performance that educators expect from students across the country. “To all 50 states, we said, ‘If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we’ll show you the Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) sits with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) during the State of the money,’” the President explained. Union address on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Rod In the address, President Obama Lamkey Jr./MCT) made it clear he hopes to work with both parties to achieve what is best emphasized how the size of the deficit telling America’s scientists and engineers for the country. Though the address lacked is crucial to our national and economic that if they assemble teams of the best minds the laundry list approach that marked many security. Specifically, he told Congress in their fields, and focus on the hardest State of the Unions, such as President that the nation must do more to support problems in clean energy, we’ll fund the Clinton’s and President Bush’s, Obama technological advancements and clean Apollo projects of our time,” said Obama. was clear in what he wishes to accomplish energy to compete with the rest of the world. Additionally, President Obama focused in the next year of his presidency. “That’s what Americans have done for on American education and what needs to

Texas budget affects Clear Creek ISD funding Ashley Farmer

According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in the 2010 Financial Allocation of Texas study, CCISD has earned 5 out of 5 stars and been recognized as a district with high student performance and low operating cost despite the new restrictions. In 2006, the Texas Legislature implemented House Bill 1. This bill capped per student funding based on 2006 property values, sent additional revenue due to local property value growth directly to the general fund in Austin, and did not account for a year-to-year increase for inflationary costs associated with fuel, electricity, and health insurance. To face the challenges posed by these modifications, the school district, under the leadership of Dr. Greg

Smith, reduced operating expenditures by $12 million. Some of the greatest cost saving measures included meeting the 22:1 student to teacher ratio at elementary schools, reducing fuel and utility usage, and more efficiently utilizing funds. Some of the programs that seemed to most directly affect students and stimulate discussions across campuses include the change from block schedule back to seven period days, saving the district a total of $780,000 and canceling the Smaller Learning Communities program, saving the district a total of $323,000. According to the Office of Public Information in the Impact of Proposed State Cuts report, even with these cost saving measures, CCISD is projected to be $27 million in debt due to “inflation and

[meeting] the needs of 38,500 students.” Early in 2011, Texas legislatures proposed Draft Budget Cuts that would significantly affect the over 10,000 schools in the Texas Education System. The House proposal would cut back the Texas education budget by $9.8 billion. The Senate’s proposal would cut back the Texas education budget by $9.3 billion dollars. For CCISD in particular, these cuts would mean a 40 - 50 milliondollar budget reduction towards the end of May or beginning of June. CCISD has never before faced a cut like this. The bulk of the CCISD budget is made of its employee base. Eighty five percent of the budget goes to the people that work for the district, including janitors, teachers, administrators, etc. The proposed budget cuts would require the district reduce their employee base by around 975 positions. According to Dr. Smith, administrative positions will be among the first evaluated, but all positions will be analyzed. This would potentially decrease the number of teachers, in turn increasing class size. Dr. Greg Smith, the Superintendent of CCISD, will have to propose a new district budget to the Board of Trustees for the 2011-2012 school year and then implement it. A steering committee consisting of 53 community members has been formed in order to propose recommendations regarding the budget that will ensure the needs of the students of CCISD are met. This

committee has met three times so far and will continue to hold meetings through May. In regards to programs throughout the district, Dr. Smith claims that programs that have a small number of students involved in them, are not mandatory, or may not be strong in the future will have to be evaluated. Cutting clubs and activities will, however, be a last resort for the district. Dr. Smith does not support the implementation of a participation fee such as the Friendswood School District has because it “separates the haves from the have-nots.” He advises members of organizations to strategically plan out all budget details of their year and acknowledges that sacrifices will have to be made on all levels. “It is never going to be the same, but this will force us to be more creative, innovative, and efficient than ever before,” Dr. Smith said. Dr. Smith plans to make a trip to Austin this legislative season to remind the politicians at the capitol that “there are students and souls attached to these decisions.” He hopes to encourage the legislators to use part of the $9.4 billion “rainy day fund” in order to alleviate some of the financial burdens the budget deficits will cause. “We just have to cut back. Everyone in the district is going to have to make sacrifices, and everyone is going to have to adapt,” Dr. Smith said.

Photos By: Tianah Brewer and Jennifer Huxta

Hat Day

Around Creek

New Staff Members are Welcomed to Creek Ashley Farmer Throughout the 2010- 2011 school year, there have been many new editions to the Creek family. There are new teachers, new principals, and new staff members on campus that are quickly adjusting to life at Creek and forming relationships with the students and other administrators. Replacing Mrs. Alderson as Bookeeper this year is, Mrs. Michelle Harris. Mrs. Alderson and Mrs. Harris became acquainted as they exchanged stories and advice through Mrs. Harris’ training. “I absolutely love her. I still call her at least once a week to ask her how to do certain things or for advice,” Mrs. Harris said. Mrs. Harris started working on campus September 3, 2010. Before working at Creek, she worked as the office manager for a company called Suntrac Services. Mrs. Harris says that “there was a lot more pressure there then there is at Creek” and she likes the environment the students, teachers, and administrators create here. Now that Mrs. Harris works at Creek, she has more time to spend with her fouryear-old daughter who will be starting Ms. Harris and Ms. Wilson joined the Creek staff this semester.

Photos by Emily Cruz Photos illustration by Hannah Brinsko

Kindergarten in the fall. The duties of Bookeeper include collecting fines for cell phones, b o o k s , parking tickets, towing, a n d more. S h e also works

closely with teachers and students when she collects fundraising money from clubs or concessions or provides money orders for purchasing supplies. “The part of my job that probably gives me the most interaction with students is when they want to go to prom or graduation and have to make sure they

are off the not clear Mrs. Harris said. According to Mrs. Harris, her favorite part of working at Creek is the

list,”

people. Her future goals at Creek consist of getting to know what she is doing, where she is going, and making it through the year so she has the experience to be even more successful next year. She hopes to remain at Creek for a long time. Also new on campus this year is Mrs. Michelle Wilson. She replaced Gwen Archie, who

retired last year, as the counselor for the Business SLC. Mrs. Wilson was a Spanish teacher for three years and a counselor for three years, both at Clear Brook High school. She wanted to work at Creek so she could be closer to home and could remain in her community. Her first impression of Creek came from previous counselor meetings when she met Ms. Archie. “She was very nice and always told me good things about Creek. She said you guys are like a family and I thought that was good,” Mrs. Wilson said. As a counselor, Mrs. Wilson is in charge of schedules, which she claims giver her the most interaction with students. She also is in charge of college planning, course selection, and “responsive services,” or talking students through stressful times, conflicts, and choices. This year Mrs. Wilson hopes to get more involved in campus activities. At Brook it was difficult because she was so far away but here she hopes to “get to know the students and what they are involved in.” The 2010-2011 school year has brought many good byes to members of our Creek family, but it has also brought us many new members.

Creek Excels at VASE, Seven Advance to State Valerie Hellinghausen On Saturday February 19, 2011 art contestants from around the district gathered at Clear Falls High School to compete in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). Among the competitors were art students from various levels of experience in grades nine through twelve, to show their different pieces of art in multiple categories. “It gives people a chance to display things that they couldn’t present before. I feel it allows people to find their place in art that wasn’t available to them before,” said Samantha Creech, a Division 2 State qualifier in three-dimensional art for VASE. VASE is open to all grade levels, but allows a student to compete against others within their level of experience. It offers each individual the chance to present their projects in an equal competition, as age isn’t a measure of ability for these students. Each student is placed into a division based upon the number of years of experience. Division four students are students who have been in art for four year(s), while others may have only been in art for three, two, or one year regardless of grade level. The competition involves Natalie Piznar and David Zabinski show off their paintings for VASE.

Photo by: Emily Cruz Photo illustration by Hannah Brinsko

an individual judging contest that requires the artist to prepare, execute, present, and support his or her artwork that will be judged in several areas of excellence.

“The preparation is basically a bunch of stressful chaos. Filling out paperwork, boxing up artwork, and finishing the piece on time. It’s all just madness,” explained Samantha Creech. There are five m a i n a r e a s being judged for each piece. T h e first is purpose, which focuses on the reason for executing the piece of art as well as it application and the artist’s research. Technique is the second scoring area that evaluates the use of media and tools and how well the piece was executed. The contest also

judges upon the organization of a piece, which includes the use of artistic elements and principles. The final two areas are integration, which evaluates the purpose’s expression in the piece as well as the personal expression or individuality of the piece. Also varying in the contest is the classification of the entries. Each student is permitted to enter up to two pieces in categories such as drawing, photography, sculpture, electronic media, and so forth. The contest is open to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces that will be rated on a scale of one to four with four being the highest ranking achieved. After the initial judging, each of the pieces ranked with fours are reevaluated and judges give a sticky note to the pieces they feel are superior. At the end, the pieces with the most sticky notes go onto the state round of the competition. Along with this award, a four-ranked piece can be chosen to be a Gold Seal piece, which is the highest award given at the competition. Gold Seal pieces proceed on to be exhibited at the Gold Seal Exhibition at the TAEA(TexasArt Educators Association) Conference in the fall. Clear Creek High School competed with a total of 82 pieces of art and brought back 67 regional medals. Eight of the submitted works will proceed to the state round of the competition in April including Lacey Leonard (jewelry and sculpture), Nicole Lide (jewelry), Madison Doeckel (jewelry), Allie O’Banion (sculpture), Alex Bercich (sculpture), Samantha Creech (sculpture), and Chelsea Bulseco (printmaking).

Around Creek

Kathy Davis helps Creek with senior musical Jacob Manicini Kathy Davis, a dedicated district coordinator for CCISD, has had a great impact on Creek recently in directing the 2011 Senior Musical, “The Wiz.” Active in theater for about forty-five years, Davis is savvy in performing and directing shows, especially musicals. Throughout the years Davis has acted in “Cinderella” as the Wicked Stepmother, “Little Mary Sunshine” as Henrietta, “Fiddler on the Roof” as Golda, and “Mame” as Mame. Davis has been working in public education as a teacher and administrator for

38 years. In the past twelve years she has been involved in school administration in CCISD. Before coming to Creek, she taught theater in Galveston on both high school and college levels. Davis directed several plays and musicals as well, including “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Sweet Charity,” “Roar of the Greasepaint; Smell of the Crowd,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” “For the past two years, I had the good fortune to direct the Senior Musical at Clear Lake High School,” Davis said. “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Crazy for You” were the two musicals that she directed at Lake. “It had been many years since I had

Creek has Presidental Scholar nominee Madison Williams

Armiya Humphrey, a student at Clear Creek High School was one of the 3,000 academic candidates selected as Presidential Scholar this year. Students are selected based on their SAT and ACT scores. Twenty males and twenty females are selected as finalists from each state. Application is by invitation only. Students cannot apply and schools cannot nominate students. A review committee then reviews each candidate, evaluating his or her academic achievement, personal character, leadership abilities, service activities, and essay composition. The 560 candidates that make it past this round are named semifinalists. In April, the Commission of Presidential Scholars reviews the applications again based on the same criteria as before. At this time the 141 scholars are selected. All of the scholars are honored for their accomplishments during National Recognition Week held in June in Washington, D.C. The scholars are guests of the Commission during this week and enjoy an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. During the weekend, scholars are given the opportunity to visit museums and monuments, and to attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies. The scholars are awarded the U.S Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. Scholars are asked to nominate the educator that influenced them the most. The educator that the scholar named is honored during National Recognition Weekend at a special reception to recognize and thank them. Nominees are presented with the Teacher Recognition Award. The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President.

The program was founded to recognize and honor some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, 141 seniors are named as Presidential Scholars. This is one of the highest honors a high school senior can receive. By honoring these students the United States is symbolically honoring all graduating high school seniors. From 1964 to present day the Presidential Scholars program has honored more than 5,000 of the United States’ finest graduating seniors. Originally founded by President Johnson, this program selects one male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Americans living abroad. President Johnson starting this program stating that it is not just a reward for excellence but a means of nourishing excellence. The program was intended to stimulate achievement in a way that could be “revolutionary”. Scholars will participate in seminars with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and other important political figures. To become a candidate for the art program, students are selected based on their artistic ability. Students must participate in YoungArts, a national program that recognizes talented students. About 60 students are nominated for this category. Arimya is a three-time Superintendent’s Scholar who earned a perfect verbal and math score on the SAT. Arimya will graduate Summa Cum Laude and plans to major in either business or engineering in college.

Armiya Humphrey is a Presidental scholar award nominee. Photo by Emily

Cruz Photo illustration by Hannah Brinsko

done any theater as I was busy raising a family and working on my career, and I missed working with students,” Davis said. “So, being asked to step in as their director was a wonderful experience for me.” This year, Davis was invited to direct Creek’s 2011 Senior Musical. Not bound by a contract with Lake and wishing to continue working in the district’s musicals, Davis accepted the opportunity to lead in the production of “The Wiz.” “I was completely blown away by the caliber of talent I saw at auditions. Everyone in the show was outstanding, and I am so proud of all they accomplished. They are a group of wonderful, caring individuals, and I had the time of my life working with them,” Davis said. “I loved doing the senior musical because I met a lot of new people. I enjoyed playing a tornado, munchkin, crow, citizen and a winkle,” said junior Andre Lopez. Although her job as district

coordinator for the secondary ELA, LOTE, and AP programs consumers most of her time, Davis says that she will always make time to work with students when it comes to Senior Musical. “I sincerely hope I will be invited back to Clear Creek next year, and I’m looking forward to bringing the CCHS musical back to its glory days when it was the first school in the history of the district to do a senior musical,” Davis said. Davis’ dream is to reignite the flare of the Senior Musical at Creek so that there will be more student involvement in the show, more parents and teachers volunteering to help put the show together, and live music accompanying the performance. “There’s just something about having a live orchestra; it makes an audience’s musical experience complete,” Davis said. Davis plans to begin work on next year’s musical before the end of school this year, and she hopes that the Senior Musical will continue growing into an incomparable experience for the entire community to savor. Kathy Davis directed this year’s senior musical, “The Wiz”

Photo by Emily Cruz Photo illustration by Shannon O’Neil

FFA shows livestock Jacob Manicini CCISD’s annual livestock show was held on January 24 through January 27, 2011. All high schools in CCISD with an Agriculture Science Program participated in the show. Creek, Brook, Lake, Springs, Falls, and View all brought the best of their animals to compete for a spot in the auction of champions. The shows were held at the West Ag facility off of West Nasa Parkway. On Monday chickens, turkeys, and rabbits were featured at the show. Tuesday’s show featured goats and lambs. The show on Wednesday included pigs, steers and heifers. On Thursday was held the Auction of Champions. All animals that were shown were placed in classes according to their weight. A judge then evaluates the animals into ranks. The first place winners are brought back later and judged for Grand Champion. “Clear Creek FFA has a tradition of winning at the CCISD show and this year was no different, as Creek students took home a champion or reserve champion in all species but one,” Natalie Voges, Ag Science Teacher and FFA Advisor, said. Clear Springs won the grand champion pig. Creek had high placing students in every animal category and even had a few floriculture arrangements competing. Benny Felts won the Reserve Champion Turkey, Cora Bontemps won the Reserve Champion Rabbits, Michaela Pinder won

the Grand Champion Goat, Amber Ashcraft won the Grand Champion Lamb and the Grand Champion Heifer, Hunter deMasi won the Reserve Champion Heifer, and Morgan Ferrell won the Grand Champion Steer. “I was very proud to carry on Creek’s tradition of winning the Grand Champion Steer. It was the happiest moment of my life,” Morgan Ferrel said. The CCISD show is the culmination of months of hard work for the students. FFA members wishing to show an animal must constantly be at the barn to feed, wash, and exercise their animals twice a day, every day, rain or shine, no exceptions. Even on school holidays these dedicated students are working with their animals at the barn. There are no breaks for the FFA students, and the teachers are no exception. Students showing steers or heifers spend their summers at the barn, as cattle is a year long project. All the hard work literally pays off, however, when the students take advantage of the opportunity to auction their prized animals. This year the grand total of sales for the auction was somewhere around $140,000. Students proceeds from each auction goes directly to the student. Most of the time, the students use their sale from one year to help fund a project for the next year.

Features 2011 Rodeo Performance Schedule

• Clay Walker March 1, 6:45 pm • Trace Adkins March 2, 6:45 pm • Sugarland March 3, 6:45 pm • Janet Jackson March 4, 6:45 pm • Billy Currington March 5, 3:45 pm • Selena Gomez March 6, 3:45 pm • Tim McGraw March 7, 6:45 pm • Keith Urban March 8, 6:45 pm • Martina McBride March 9, 6:45 pm

• Rascal Flatts March 10, 6:45 pm • Lady Antebellum March 11, 6:45 pm • Gary Allan March 12, 3:45 pm • La Arrolladora Banda el Limon March 13, 3:45 pm • Kid Rock March 14, 6:45 pm • KISS March 15, 6:45 pm • Miranda Lambert March 16, 6:45 pm • Zac Brown Band March 17, 6:45 pm • Alan Jackson March 18, 6:45 pm • Brad Paisley March 19, 3:45 pm • Jason Aldean March 20, 3:45 pm

Valentine’s Day origins explained Madison Williams

celebrate Valentine’s feast day in the middle belief that February is a month of romance. Every February 14, across the of February in an effort to “Christianize” The oldest known valentine still in United States and in other places celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia existence today was a poem written by around the world, candy, flowers, and festival. During this festival goats and Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife gifts are exchanged between loved dogs were sacrificed and paraded around while he was imprisoned in the Tower of ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. the town. The Catholic London following his capture at the Battle February has long been a month of “Church of Agnicourt. The letter, which was written romance in Christian and ancient Roman in 1415, is part of the manuscript tradition. According to the History collection in London. Channel, one legend claims that Emperor Valentine’s day became Claudius II outlawed marriage for young popular in the seventeenth men because he believed single men century. By the middle of made better soldiers. Valentine disagreed the eighteenth century, it was with the Emperor’s decree and continued common for people of all social to perform marriages in secret. When classes to exchange small tokens Valentine was caught, he was ordered of love and gratitude with friends to be put to death by the Emperor. and loved ones. By the end of the Another story claims that century printed cards began to Valentine may have been killed replace handwritten notes as printing for attempting to help Christians technology improved. Pre-made cards were escape harsh Roman prisons where an easy way for people to express their they were often beaten and tortured feelings in a time when showing emotion One legend claims that Valentine was discouraged. Esther A. Howland, actually sent the first “valentine” known as the Mother of the Valentine in greeting himself. While in prison, the United States, made elaborate it was rumored that Valentine fell in Valentines given to a teacher by her students. Valentines with real lace, ribbons and love with a young girl who might colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Photo by Kara Loewenthal have been the jailer’s daughter. According to the Greeting Before his death he supposedly Photo illustration by Tracey Griffith Card Association, an estimated sent her a letter signed “from one billion valentine cards are sent your Valentine.” All legends depict strongly disapproved of this pagan ritual. each year, making Valentine’s Day the Valentine as a heroic and romantic figure. Pope Gelasius declared February second largest card-sending holiday of While some believe that Valentine’s 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. the year. Approximately 85 percent of all Day is celebrated in the middle of During the Middle Ages, it was commonly valentines are purchased by women. In February to commemorate the anniversary believed in France and England that addition to the United States, Valentine’s of Valentine’s death, others claim that the February 14 was the beginning of the birds’ Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, Christian church may have decided to mating season. This added to the popular the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Challenger explosion remembered Stephanie Johnson

January 28 marked the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. The loss of the Challenger and its seven crew members ushered in a new era of greater safety precautions and caused the entire NASA program to rethink its procedures and systems. The Challenger’s entire crew was killed when the shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after its launch, 46,000 feet in the air. The seven astronauts aboard included Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, and New Hampshire teacher, Christa McAuliffe. “Such a loss was hard on everyone, especially the lab technicians that worked with the astronauts personally,” said Mary Ann Janca, Creek’s grading coordinator, who was a programmer in building 7 at Johnson Space Center at the time of the disaster. The destruction of the Challenger was ultimately due to an O-ring on its right solid-fuel rocket booster (SRB). These O-rings are used to seal the joints between multiple segments of the SRBs. The failure of the O-ring allowed flames to leak out of the SRB that affected both the external fuel tank (ET) and another device on the SRB. Many factors contributed to this tragedy. Unusually low temperatures prior to liftoff caused a pivotal structural failure of the ET. The damage resulted in a complete loss of the dome that covers the lower tank and a rapid release of hydrogen. This hydrogen created a forward thrust of about 2.8 million pounds, pushing the tank into the structure that connects the liquid hydrogen tank and the liquid oxygen tank. The hydrogen and oxygen then began to

burn causing explosions. Furthermore, the Challenger’s reaction control system ruptured, resulting in the burning of its hyperbolic propellants. The orbiter was then forced into an altitude that caused it to endure extreme aerodynamic loads, with the resulting stresses causing it to break apart. “Being in the back room, I did not witness the explosion,” said Cathy Donahoe, administrative assistant to Mr. Bockart, who was working in the back room of the payloads at JSC at the time of the disaster. “We knew something was wrong when the data on our screens went blank, but we did not know what all had occurred until we received communication from the front room.” It was a hard time for the space program, not just because of the grief from the loss of lives, but also because of the new restraints that were the result of such a disaster. There were safety reviews on all aspects of the shuttle, and NASA even created a mock mission. It was a long two years for contractors, who had little guidance as to what to focus on when

everything was halted for two years for reviewing processes, though such processes were very important in determining what had caused the explosion and how to keep such a tragedy from repeating itself. “This was the first launch my dad had watched on T.V. This flight received so much more publicity because this was the first time a teacher would have ever been in space,” said Janca. McAuliffe’s involvement sparked a national interest in this particular mission, despite launches becoming a more regular practice and receiving less media coverage over the years. With McAuliffe on board, students all over the country were invited to watch the launch live over NASA TV. In 1985, she was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project. As the first teacher in space, McAuliffe was planning to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from the shuttle. “This tragedy certainly affected a lot of people. I still hold my breath until the SRB’s separate during launches,” said Donahoe.

Creek Speaks

Lakewood Photography captures memories

Jacob Mancini

Lakewood Photography has been capturing timeless snapshots, pictures, and portraits in the business of professional photography for 26 years. Located at 1010 East Main Street for nearly 8 years, Lakewood continues to bring the highest quality in photography to every smiling face they can. Ranging from portraits of children, high school seniors, families, engaged couples, brides and grooms, executives, commercial products, and old photos digitally restored, Lakewood offers many variations of exceptional photography to all people and occasions. Don Carico, the owner of Lakewood Photography, is one of the few Certified Professional Photographers in Houston and serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston. He is also a member of the Texas Professional Photographers Association and the Professional Photographers Association of America. In addition, Don taught photography, cinematography, and videography to the NASA astronauts for seventeen years. Don takes pride in his accomplishment as a certified professional photographer. Though most photographers in the market

have top-dollar cameras, which does not certify them as a professional or equip them with the fundamental

knowledge to even operate the camera at full capacity. Many photographers do their work primarily outdoors, but Lakewood has an indoor studio as well as general outdoor options. Don sees that every pixel, print, portrait and frame meets his highest standard and the customer’s utmost satisfaction. The 3 photographers at Lakewood are Dawn Stevens, Jennifer Broddle, and Aleta Levesque. Lakewood offers four different sessions in which people can be photographed. The

Basic session includes headshots and 2 outfits for the customer in the studio. The Deluxe session includes 4 outfits in the studio. The Deluxe Combo includes 6 outfits and offers unique special effects such as white on white, high contrast black and white, one face, many personalities, and stagemakeup. The Elite session is Lakewood’s finest. Including 8 outfits and 2 creative choices of where and how to take the pictures, the Elite session is Lakewood’s most popular. Mary Carico, Don’s wife, professionally retouches all of the

photos for all of the sessions, making people look their best on the final product. Prices for the sessions are competitive and consistent with the one-of-akind quality of the photography. As a testament to good business, Lakewood has not changed its prices in 5 years. Until the end of March, Lakewood is featuring a rodeo special that is halfoff on child sessions when they are dressed in their cowboy or cowgirl best.

The photographers at Lakewood are happy to go on location. Sessions have been held at held at gardens, offices, home parties, the beach, and in downtown Galveston with the vintage buildings and historic areas of the city in the background. Lakewood loves to photograph Creek seniors in their portraits before graduation. Many seniors are creative with their prop choices and backgrounds, making the entire process more original and fun. Recently, Lakewood went on-site to photograph a senior with a burning passion for golf. The student ignited his golf club with a lighter fluid and swung while the snapshot was taken. In studio, Lakewood also can frame their portraits with a selection of more that 200 picture frames to choose from. Photographers are prepared to help find the perfect frame to accompany and accent any type of portrait. Lakewood photographers have also been the official photographers for Creek’s Cavaliers for the last 3 years. For more information about Lakewood, please visit www. l a k e w o o d p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m .

Creek students get their senior pictures done at Lakewood Photography. Photos by Lakewood Photography Photo Illustrations by Ashley Farmer

Ads

Teen Interest

Fun trivial game gives clean water to Africans Madison Borowitz Created to entertain internet users while giving back, a trivia game has already raised enough money to provide over 10,000 days (23 years) worth of safe drinking water to African children in need. OhMyGov.com has joined with its non-political charity partner Blood:Water Mission to create the trivial game “Real or UnReal.” For each correct answer you choose while playing, money is donated to Blood:Water Mission which goes towards providing safe drinking water and fighting HIV and AIDS for our friends in Africa. The game is full of tidbits dealing with current news, history in politics, science, and even strange stories that OhMyGov tells on its political blogging site. “By playing Real or Unreal for a few minutes a day and sharing the link with friends, everyone can help to make safe drinking water a reality. “said co-founder, and executive editor of OhMyGov, Mark Malseed The animated game sponsored by Microsoft is web based and can be played on computers, iPads, or iPhones. The game challenges players with questions while a water truck at the bottom helps

track how many glasses of water are raised. A calendar on the right-hand corner shows when an African resident has been supplied with an entire month’s supply

of safe drinking water. “People get tremendous satisfaction from helping those in need, but let’s be honest, they also love to relax

and waste time on the net - so we decided to combine the two and make it easy to support a good cause,” stated Malseed. When Blood: Water Mission receives

Screen shot of Real or Unreal game. Photo editing by Madi Borowitz

the donations from players of Real or UnReal, they are able to fund projects to continue providing

locally relevant solutions to assure access to safe drinking water in Africa. Over 617,000 people, in a total of 11 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa have received clean water. They are also capable of carrying out their HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment programs. At present, the organization has tested almost 26,000 people, and served 6,500 as well with the opening of 3 new medical clinics. The Blood: Water Mission strives to “Empower communities to work together to fight against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa, ”Their goal is to assist communities, but not so that they become dependent on them. They work to give people a hand-up, rather than a hand-out. “As a grassroots organization, we are fueled by the passions and creativity of others to impact the lives of our friends in Africa.” said Mike Lenda, the director for Blood:Water Mission`s US programs. “Real or UnReal invites those who enjoy the challenge of putting their knowledge to the test to creatively make a real difference in the lives of others.”

League City Animal Shelter needs volunteers Madison Borowitz

While the League City Animal Shelter on North Kansas St., expanded its facilities in 2009, the steady flow of stray animals has not slowed. Their space is full, their staff, is slammed, and they are in need of volunteers. Even with a steady rate of adoption, they are currently holding about 25 cats and 150 in foster homes. Due to space, they can only care for about 30 dogs. Laura Powell, the animal control superintendent stated, “We have a 71% placement rate, which is high considering normally shelters place about 20%. Despite high rates of adoption, the animals are accumulating because we have no limit to how long we will care for them.” Powell has had over 20 years of experience in the animal welfare field and has served as Board Director for the Texas Animal Control Association.dic Though the shelter avoids euthanizing animals because of limited space, it becomes an issue if the animal is not adopted within six weeks. Not only does it take a toll on employees, it affects the animal itself. Strays, and shelter dogs over a prolonged period of captivity have mental and physical health problems, and become aggressive, and territorial, according to Powell. A few animals have been in and out of the shelter for almost a year. To reduce the stay, Powell feels that they must increase adoption placement options, and try to implement more sterilization clinics. They would also like to set microchip clinics up at low fees. Adoption events are coming up, but shelter staff has little time to participate and promote such functions while they are busy cleaning and caring for the animals. “Catapalooza,” a community cat adoption event will be held at the Civic Center, next to the library in

League City on Saturday, March 12. From 1:00pm-5:00pm cats of all ages, size and color will be up for adoption. “We have all kinds of beautiful friendly cats,” said Yvonne, a volunteer that can be seen at the LCAS five days out of the week. “There are so many breeds that we have rescued, we could find any type of cat an adopter is looking for.” Monica Millian, another regular volunteer, knows that “initiatives to boost sterilizations, and adoptions will only work if the staff have enough time to do so.” “They’re so busy... they’re just treading

water. It takes 20 hours a day to clean kennels and cages,” Explained Millain. “They don’t have time for these community events because of the number of animals.” The shelter would benefit most from is volunteers willing to donate their time to help the animals. Preparation for adoption means that the animals need frequent interaction with humans. They need to be played with, and the dogs especially need to be walked. Volunteers can also help keep the cages clean and sanitary for the animals. The LCAS is always taking volunteer applications. You must be 18 years or

older to be considered an adult volunteer. Volunteers can work Tuesday- Thursday from 10am-6pm, and Saturday from 10am5pm. Kids and teens ages 10-17 can help on Tuesday-Thursday from 3:45pm-6pm. For those on a tight schedule who don’t have time to spare, there are other ways to help. The shelter has essential items that are always in high demand. On the list is cat litter, canned or dry dog or cat food, milk replacements, blankets, towels and shampoos. Any help received by the shelter is greatly appreciated.

Teen Interest

53rd Grammy Awards bring great performances Tracey Griffith The 53rd annual Grammy awards aired February 13, 2011. Around 26.66 million people viewed the awards making it the most viewed Grammy awards in eleven years, according to www.pcm-tv.com/news, up 680,000 more viewers from last year. There were many great performances this year, including performances by LadyAntebellum, Eminem, Miranda Lambert, Katy Perry, and Arcade Fire. Some of the biggest winners of the night were Lady Antebellum, winning Song of the Year, Best Country Song, Best Country Album, and Record of the Year. Lady Gaga, won Best Pop Vocal, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Short Form Music Video. Although the program definitely had some great performances, other performances were questionable, not family friendly, and some award choices left many people confused. Paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, the Grammy awards began this year with a medley of Franklin’s songs sung by Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, and Yolanda Adams. The artists took turns singing solo, while the others sang back-up vocals for the songs. All of the women sang very well, successfully

belting out Franklin’s most known songs. Another great performance of the evening was by Lady Gaga. Known for her outrageous wardrobe and unusual

featured Gaga entering in a giant egg while preforming a tribal-like dancing. British band Muse rocked the stage as they performed their single “Uprising.” The

performances, Lady Gaga did not disappoint for her Grammy performance. Photo of Lady Gaga being Her vocals were carried in the egg before the outstanding as usual and costumes were awards. Taken by Kirk McKoy courtesy of MCT campus made out of latex. The performance

band then went on to win Best Rock Album. Best Rock Song, however, was awarded to Neil Young. Mumford and

Sons, the Avett Brothers, and old-school folk rock artist Bob Dylan put on an outstanding show, each group becoming completely absorbed in their music and giving a great performance. The end song with Dylan was particularly impressive as the other bands joined in and everyone began jamming together. The performance by Rihanna and Drake, however, featured a scantily clad Rihanna, dancing way too provocative to be on a respected awards show, much less family oriented television. Several of the 2011 Grammy Award choices were very confusing to the audience. Grammy awards should be about what Americans as a whole have been listening to and enjoy. Giving an award to a highly unknown artist seems to defeat the purpose. For example, the award for Best New Artist was given to jazz artist Esperanza Spalding, but other nominees for the award included Justin Bieber, Drake, and Florence and the Machine, all artists with wellknown hit songs. Another confusing award choice went to artist Arcade Fire for Album of the Year. Although this Indie band has many loyal fans, they are not known and loved by America as a whole. There is no doubt that these artists are respectable, with lots of talent, but Grammy Awards should be given to artists with not only talent, but also who are well-known and loved by America.

Students struggle balancing work and school Hannah Brinsko Whether they are just looking for extra spending money for the weekend or helping their family pay the bills, teenagers all around Creek have or are looking for jobs, which is becoming even harder to come by in today’s economy. However, a new study from Child Development journal showed that teenagers who work more than twenty hours a week are less interested in schoolwork, and are more likely to break

Hank

school rules and the law when compared to teens that work less than twenty hours a week or don’t have a job. Teenagers that work more intensely are also more likely to drink or use drugs. These teens also had lower academic goals and were more likely to carry a weapon or steal. The study also showed that working less than twenty hours a week is unlikely to harm a teenager’s habits or academic performance. “I don’t have a job because I’m busy with all my school activities and I do not

know any place I could work and really enjoy it,” said sophomore Laura Holzenkamp, who plans to finding a job this summer when she won’t have to balance a job with school. “I will try to find a place where I can work on a flexible schedule and where I will have something interesting to do.” Researchers from the University of Washington reexamined data from high school sophomores and juniors from the late 1980s. The study showed that teenagers who had jobs were more independent

Pe ts of the Month! 1 ye ar old Male Border collie labrador mix- thick brown and white coat

Sque akers

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PLEASE! ADOPT US TODAY AT:

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decision makers than those without jobs. These students also have higher GPAs, though researchers attribute this to employed teens taking easier classes. There was no evidence found that showed that working less than twenty hours a week had a negative effect on teenagers, however, students that quit their jobs or lowered their hours experienced the negative effects of having an intense workload for over a year. The majority of teenagers that have jobs do not work more than twenty hours per week. “I don’t ask for hours during the school week so I can focus on my coursework and soccer,” said senior Paco Saavedra who has worked in the games department at Kemah Boardwalk for the past several months. Another recent study from the University of Maryland shows that fifty percent of seniors that work ten to fifteen hours a week receive their bachelor’s degree, but that figure drops by eight points with every five hours of work added to a teenager’s weekly schedule. Out of the students who worked over thirty hours a week, twenty percent of the students went on to receive their bachelor’s degree. This study differs from the one published in Child Development. The Universities stated that illegal substance use is higher in teens that work longer hours because of their heavy workload. “For me it’s all about keeping prioritized,” said junior Alain Peterson who started working at West Marine this summer. “Sometimes there are late nights doing homework but normally working during the week isn’t that bad.”

Sports

Varsity basketball wins 24-5A district title Jacob Arredondo For the first time in years, the boy’s basketball team has captured a share of the 24-5A district title. The boys continued their undefeated run through the second leg of the district schedule. Plowing through Brazoswood, Alvin, and Pearland, Creek out scored them all with a total of 187 to 104. Seniors Devon Caskey and Ian Hill led Creek, scoring 19 points and 18 points in the 58-57 win over Brazoswood. Caskey, Tre Webb, and Dustin Hobaugh all scored in double figures in the 62-37 win over Pearland. Caskey, Webb, and Dion Lewis scored in double figures as well in the 67-20 win over Alvin. The district run took a hitch when Creek played their cross-town rival Clear Springs. In the first game, Creek out played springs in a largely one sided game. A victory over springs would give Creek the district title out right, along with a number one seed in the playoffs. Creek played to an enthusiastic home crowd anchored by the spirited student dubbed the “Carlisle

Crazies” by Club Adrenaline. The students wore white to support their Wildcats for another win. The first half went back and forth with Springs taking an 18 to 12 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats clawed back in the second quarter, taking over the lead 33 to 31. But there was a change in the tempo in the second half with only a total of 22 points scored, twenty of w h i c h w h e r e scored in the third. A f t e r taking the lead o v e r Creek,

Springs stalled under the half court line for a little more than half of the third quarter. Creek kept back in a zone formation and let Springs stall the rest of the quarter. Springs as up by 2 points in the fourth

quarter and continued to stall with the ball. With about three minuets left in the game, Creek went after the ball and gained possession. Creek then held the ball for about two minuets, but the strategy backfired. Creek missed the shot and gave Springs back the possession. With only 17 seconds reaming, Hill missed a game tying three pointer giving Springs the victory and a share of district.

Creek was seeded first in the district and played Fort Bend Elkins in Pearland for their first meeting in the season. Creek was down early in the first quarter after an 11-0 run. Creek fought b a c k cutting the lead to only nine at the end of the first. Creek couldn’t out score Elkins and played from behind for the entire game. Creek lost 6950 to Elkins with Hobaugh scoring 17 points and Webb scoring 15 points in their final game as a Wildcat.

C r e e k needed to win against Clear Lake to share the district title with Springs. Creek pulled in front Lake in the first half with a 2321 lead, but a 27 point third quarter for Lake put the game out a reach for the Wildcats. Webb scored 18 points, pulled down seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists in the 66-53 loss. Creek still took a share of the district title because Springs dropped its final game against Brazoswood, 55-52.

Dustin Houbaugh and Tre Webb lead the Wildcats to the playoffs Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk Graphic illustrations By Shannon O’Neil

Creek dives in regionals and state competition Jacob Arredondo

For the first time in school history, Clear Creek has sent three athletes to the diving state championships in Austin, Texas. Creek sent eighteen athletes to the Class 5A Region VI swimming and diving meet in Sugarland, and had high hopes in the diving competition. Creek won the girl’s first and second place district champions. Junior first place winner was Samantha Lera and senior second place second winner was Brooke Lera. Creek sophomore Brandon Casey also took home the first place title at the district meet and advanced to the regional meet. Each diver has a total of eleven dives and each dive is scored on a scale of one through ten. The scores is then multiplied by a pre-determined degree of difficulty. The Lera sisters have been winning district titles together but this was their first shot at placing first and second in the regional meet. Casey also had his first shot at a regional title in his first appearance to at regional meet in his first year of diving. Samantha Lera executed her triple and a half front flip dive to solidify her spot at the top of the regional standings. Samantha scored a 415.40 on her total amount of dives and Brooke scored 385.85 points. Casey won his regional gold medal with a score of 224.25 points. Sa-

mantha, won the gold medal and was honored as the regional diver of the year by Region VI for clinching her third straight trip to the state meet along with scoring

the highest amount of points at the meet. Coach Anne Woolweaver received the Region VI diving coach of the year award for advancing three of the four spots to

Champion divers from left to right Brooke Lera, Brandon Casey, and Samantha Lera. Photo by Tianah Brewer Photo illustration by Jacob Arredondo

state. “I was more excited and proud for my athletes,” said Coach Woolweaver. This was her first award for diving since she joined the Creek coaching staff in 2004. Coach Woolweaver has high hopes for her athletes, projecting Sam to place top three in her third state meet, Brooke in the top ten at her first year at state, and Casey top fourteen in his first year at state. The state meet was held at the University of Texas’s natatorium. Hundreds of boys and girls competed in 24 events over the weekend. Samantha placed the highest out of all the athletes from Creek, scoring a 466.00 on her dives granting her fourth place overall in the state. She was only 13.20 points away from placing third in the state. She earned a total of 15 team points for Creek as well. Brook scored 398.65 points and placed 13th overall along with contributing four team points. The Creek girl’s team placed 30th over all in the state with 19 points. Both of the Lera sisters scored high enough to qualify as a diving All-American. Casey qualified for the finals with a score of 166.35 and scored 223.65 points in the finals. Casey placed 16th overall in the state and scored one team point for Creek. The Creek boy’s team placed 53rd in the state with one point.

Sports

Creek names soccer athletes of the month

Kristi Leonard Jacob Arredondo Kristi Leonard is a junior forward who plays soccer for Clear Creek. This is her third year of the program and her third year as a varsity letterman. She has been a captain for this team since her freshmen season. The Houston Chronicle has named her as the girl’s athlete of the week, the first of her career. She has also verbally committed to play soccer for the Texas A&M Aggies

and was MVP at the Aggie Soccer camp in 2009. Leonard has been named on the 245A All-District team in her freshman and sophomore year. Leonard has been part of last year’s soccer team who made it to the playoffs and provides exceptional experience to a young Lady Wildcat squad. Leonard also produced in the first annual Pink Bow Classic. She and her fellow juniors beat the senior girls 48-14. Leonard scored three touchdowns from over 50 yards and made 6 of 7 point after touchdown attempts. Leonard also was the team’s kicker on special teams and played defense in the first half. She also plays for Space City FC, a highly successful club soccer team, when she isn’t playing for Clear Creek. “She is a great leader and a natural soccer player,” said junior Sierra Fox who has been playing with Leonard on school and club teams.

Photo by Emily Cruz Photo illustrations by Jacob Arredondo

Terence Meeker

development team, New York West. Meeker plays forward and leads Creek with eight goals, several coming off penalty kicks and also has four assists for Creek. Meeker has a 3.39 GPA on the 4-point scale and is in National Honor Society. He is considering Southern Methodist University, Penn State University, and Houston Baptist University to go to school at after graduating. His biggest game for Creek was with two goals in a 3-2 victory of Clear Springs. In the off-season, Meeker plays with the Houston Dynamo’s Academy 18-U team. “I feel that I have been so close with my team since I have come to Creek,” said Meeker. “Once our team started to click, we all played better,” Meeker added.

Jacob Arredondo Terence Meeker is a senior transfer student from Sayre, Pennsylvania. Born in Singapore, Meeker started to play soccer at the age of ten. Prior to playing for Clear Creek, he played soccer for Sayre Area High School. At Sayre, he was a three-year letterman in soccer, two-year letterman in basketball, and a one-year letterman in football. He also played for the Olympic

Photo by Emily Cruz Photo illustration by Jacob Arredondo

Girls basketball advances to the state playoffs Jacob Arredondo For the fifth season in a row, the girl’s basketball team has lost in the first round of the state playoffs. The Lady Wildcats started their second half of the district season against Clear Springs. The first contest between the two teams was largely in Spring’s favor. But in this go around, the Lady Wild-

for post-season contention, Creek was at a .500 overall record with the loss against Lake. Branch led Creek in scoring with 22 points and three assists. Sophomore Sarah Brown scored 5 points, brought down 7 rebounds, had 5 steals in the game. Senior Adrienne Phillips was the seconding leading scorer with 13 points and three rebounds and three blocks. Creek ended the two-game losing streak with a victory over Dickinson on the

Clear Brook 48 to 44. The lost forced Creek to win their remaining games to make it into the playoffs. Branch scored 20 points with three assists, Harris scored 11 points with six rebounds and three steals. Creek played Brazoswood in a mustwin game. Creek battled through out the game and beat Brazoswood 66 to 55. The win put Creek into a better playoff picture with the possibility of landing the third or fourth seed pending on Lake’s results. Creek

to playing the Lady Wildcats. Creek lost to Elkins 75 to 65. Creek had four players score double digits: Branch with 18, Harris with 16, Phillips with 14, and senior Callie Parsley with 10 points. Creek will lose four seniors this year and return their leading scorer, assists leader, rebound leader, and steals leader with next year squad. The sophomore class is the core class that had three of the top four scorers for Creek.

cats made the game closer. With Springs jumping in front with a 30-23 lead in the first half, Creek stormed back with a 23 point third quarter. But Creek couldn’t pull in front of Springs and lost 57 to 54. Sophomore forward, Amber Harris had a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds and sophomore Brentney Branch led all scores with 16 points and six assist. Creek continued the losing slide with a 52-49 lost against Clear Lake. This was their second consecutive lost to the Lady Falcons and put Creek in a grim picture

road. Creek dominated the entire game, not dropping the lead through out the game. Defense played a key part in the 55-36 win over Dickinson, with Creek limiting the Dickinson offense to only 18 percent field goal shooting and forced 17 turnovers. Branch and Phillips were the top two leading scores in the game with Branch scoring 27 points and Phillips with 17 points, Phillips also had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Brown led the team with eight steals and eight assists and contributed four rebounds. Creek dropped its next game against

continued the streak against Pearland with a 58 to 44 win at Pearland High School. Branch had 24 points and Phillips had 14 points in the 14-point victory. Creek ended regular season with a 44-40 win over Alvin. The victory earned Creek a three-game regular season streak and clinched the girls in a spot for the playoffs. Phillips had 12 points and nine rebounds, a rebound away from another double-double on the season. Creek was the fourth seed and played a tough Fort Bend Elkins team that was on an eight-game winning streak prior

The Lady Wildcats went 8-6 on the season giving them the fourth seed in the playoffs. Photo by Tianah Brewer Graphic illustration by Jacob Arredondo

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