HiLIFE
October 2010- Issue 2 Volume 86 2305 East Main, League City,TX 77573
In this issue: Cash named Teacher of the Year Kaitlyn Blake
Engineering is building a Jeep Page 6
Homecoming 2010 Page 15
Katy Perry releases new CD Page 17
On Thursday, September 23, 2010, Mrs. Gwen Cash was honored as the 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas. She was presented with the award in front of all of her family, friends, and students. “I would like to express my appreciation to the Creek administration, faculty, staff, and students who helped to make the day a special one for me. The assembly was just an example of how the Creek family sticks together,” Mrs. Cash said. Mrs. Cash grew up in La Marque, TX and received a full ride scholarship to the University of Texas where she received her Bachelor of Arts. Not only is she a certified teacher, but she is also a nationally certified College
sees strengths in everybody and encourages them.” At the beginning of the ceremony, the Creek orchestra played the prelude music, Lucus Duncavage said the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kaleigh Sutula sang the national anthem. Felicia Andrews, the CCISD Social Studies Coordinator, introduced Mrs. Cash. Following this, Judy Brodigan, the Texas Preseve America Coordinator, presented the actual Preserve America History Award, a check for $1,000, and letters of recognition from both Governor Rick Perry and U. S. Senator John Cornyn. Preserve America honors only one teacher from each state every year. “She exemplifies what a history teacher should and can be,” Brodigan said. Dr. Greg Smith, the Superintendent of CCISD, presented a proclamation from the mayor of League City stating that September 23, 2010 was Gwen Cash Day. Monica Richardson, Creek’s head cheerleader, gave Mrs. Cash a bouquet of flowers from the cheerleaders to show how thankful they are to have Mrs. Cash as their cheer sponsor. And finally, Mrs. Cash reluctantly gave a speech. She thanked her husband Aaron, son Jeremy, Ashtyn Hopkins because Mrs. Cash used Ashtyn’s work on the application, and of course, her hairdresser (who, surprisingly enough, was in the audience). It’s not exactly a secret that Mrs. Cash’s AP US History class is a grueling, difficult, and tedious class to take. “I demand a lot of you because I expect a lot of you, and you return it ten percent greater.” And in the closing remarks, Dr. Greg Smith said,“she’s our hero,she’s our teacher.”
Fun run honors Special Olympics Kaitlyn Blake
Pets of the Month Page 17
Board Consultant, which allows her to conduct AP and Pre-AP workshops for US History teachers across the country. Mrs. Cash has been teaching for 30 years. She is the AP US History teacher at Creek and she has been the cheerleading squad’s sponsor for the past 26 years. Her AP students consistently have some of the highest AP scores in the district. Mrs. Cash said, “I was honored to receive the award on behalf of all of the outstanding teachers at Clear Creek High who go unnoticed.” Principal Scott Bockart said that two words to describe Mrs. Cash are “modesty and humility.” He said that “she never wanted to make it about her, she wanted to make it about her students. S h e
For the past three years, CCISD has hosted a family fun run. The past fun runs have honored CCHS teachers, Mr. Bradley Wims and Ms. Anya Herrera. The proceeds from the third annual fun run, held on November 13, 2010, will be donated to CCISD’s Special Olympics program. The annual fun run was started by the School of Health Science’s SLC at Creek, and both years there has been a remarkable turnout of volunteers and participants. The run has honored Mr. Wims, who had chondrosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the body’s bone marrow, but sadly passed away just a few days before the fun run. The second fun run honored Ms. Hererra, who was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer, and passed away on August 19, 2010. CCISD’s Special Olympics program was developed to help those with special needs compete in fair sporting events. The teams compete in 12 events: aquatics, golf,
bocce, softball, bowling, power lifting, volleyball, table tennis, basketball. tennis, track and field. The Special Olympics program’s budget has been nearly cut in half, and this year’s fun run is being dedicated to support their program. The fun run for Mrs. Herrera exceeded the expectations of those who organized it. Over 230 shirts were sold at $15 each and many people participated in the race. The course of the fun run will follow a path around Clear Creek High School and Clear Creek Intermediate. The 5K course can be viewed on e4.ccisd.net. There is also a shorter course for kids 12 and under. Kids under six must have an adult with them. The course will begin at the track at Clear Creek High School, go completely around the school, through Clear Creek Intermediate School’s track, and will end at the Clear Creek High School track. If you would just like to purchase a T-Shirt and not participate in the fun run, they are $10 and orders must be turned
in by October 25, 2010. The registration fee for runners above the age of 12 is $15, for runners under 12 years old is $10, and for late registration is $20. The fun run will be held on November 13, 2010. Mrs. Elizabeth Radicioni is the coordinator for the fun run and registrations should be turned into her. This year, the fun run will include all five high schools in the district and there will be a contest to see which school has the highest number of registrations. Mrs. Cash is presented with Preserve America’s Teacher of the Year award (Top). Mrs Cash stands with her varsity cheerleading squad (Bottom).
Photos by Tianah Brewer Photo Illustration by Kaitlyn Blake