2012 October

2305 East Main Street League City, TX 77573

October 2012 Volume 89, Issue 2

Invisible Children continues Kony 2012 campaign

By Valerie Hellinghausen Editor-in-Chief

On November 17, 2012, the Invisible Children foundation plans to lead a massive march on the White House to continue their mission to raise global awareness about the war being waged in Sudan led by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and to arrest their leader Joseph Kony.

Invisible Children launched their latest documentary “MOVE” on October 7, urging viewers to support and attend the march on November 17. The thirty-one minute film offers viewers information about Invisible Children’s history as well an update on the war that inspired their cause, their company, and most importantly Kony 2012. Kony 2012 is a year-long experiment to gain the attention of civilians and world leaders alike to arrest Joseph Kony.

Invisible Children has been fighting to stop Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army from abducting children and forcing them to serve as child soldiers. Invisible children has been committed to fighting crimes against humanity for nine years, including 14 tours and ten documentaries. According to updated information in “MOVE,” the LRA has been committing acts of genocide for 26 years and has displaced over 470,000 people in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and currently Sudan. Alongside these statistics outlined in the video, Invisible Children’s CEO Ben Keesey stated that the LRA is at

one of its weakest point in history with approximately 200 to 300 active soldiers.

“If you just report the facts and the statistics of a war, people can’t relate, so

lives and encourage current LRA soldiers to return home, an Early Warning Radio Network has been established and extended to warn civilians of potential

Photos courtesy of Invisible Children

they turn it off. They don’t watch it,” Invisible Children’s Creative Director Jason Russell said in “MOVE.” In order to avoid being turned off and having their cause forgotten, Russell and other Invisible Children supporters have continued their efforts to stop the war by confronting this situation on a civilian level in both active war zones and recovering communities. To save

attacks by the LRA. Fliers along with radio broadcasts have also been posted throughout various areas to urge soldiers to return to their homes.

Despite their efforts, Invisible Children is still calling on U.S. citizens and people from around the globe to support their cause before the Kony 2012 experiment “expires” on December 31.

In order for what Invisible Children has called the peak of their experiment to

HOMECOMING

DRESS UP DAYS monday- Rodeo Day tuesday- Outdoorsman Day Wednesday- Mad Scientist Day thursday- Superhero Day friday- Creek Out SPECIAL EVENTS Wednesday- PARADE AND CANDLELIGHT PEP RALLY thursday- VOTE FOR HOMECOMING QUEEN friday- CARNIVAL DURING LUNCH, PEP RALLY, CROWING OF QUEEN @ 6:00 CREEK VS BROOK @ 7:00

work, specific numbers of attendees and global leaders are needed for the march in Washington D.C. on November 17.

Invisible Children has explained that this global summit serves to communicate between civilians and leaders what is needed and what needs to be done in order to stop the LRA. “We are fighting for a world where genocide and crimes against humanity cannot happen. The experiment is not over. We all have to make a decision.

Either we lead or we follow, but eventually everyone will have to move,” Russell said in “MOVE.” To join their movement, go to www. invisiblechildren.com/kony to learn more about Invisible Children, “MOVE,” and the march on November 17. Those wishing to attend on November 17 can do so online. There is no fee for signing up to attend or age requirement, however those 18 and under will need parental consent, and those 14 and under will need parental consent and to register with an adult in order to attend. The march will surround the White House and the ten city blocks surrounding it. In order to do this, however, Invisible Children asks that attendees and supporters email world leaders from the African Union, the European Congo, the United Nations, the International Crime Court, the United States of America, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Leaders can be directly contacted from the Invisible Children website to invite them to this event and to tell them why their support is needed.

oct 22-oct26, 2012

and homecoming dance october 27 7:00-11:00 pm, sponsered by jrotc

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Opinion g in k o lo e r a u o y g in th e n o is What ? g in m o c e m o H t u o b a to d r forwa

FRESHMEN “I’m looking forward to something totally new that I didn’t have at my old school in Panama.”

-Sophia Freedmann

“I’m lookin g forwrd to pla ing in the b and because ylow brass is the best.”

-Tori Gellm an

ant to see “I really w ecause I the game b le on both know peop sides.” rrall -Xavier Fe

“I’m excited fo r the carnival.”

-Lisa Hart

d because “I’m excite y ing is on m Homecom birthday.” udreaux -Sierra Bo

SOPHOMORES “I love the d ress up days! When else can I wear a ridic ulous outfit to scho ol?” -Faith Blanchard

rd to pering forwa ttes.” k o lo m a “I de ith the Ca forming w Simmins -Randi

rward to I am looking fo I like to rl asking the gi are R dance.” -AJ ob

“I always look forward to the dance because it is so fun!” -Cristina Graham

“I’m looking forward to watching Creek WIN the game!”-K elly Clark

JUNIORS to the g forward “I’m lookin g!” -Gina hoir singin Chamber C erini S “Superhero Day is going to be the best part of Homecoming.”-Marco Hernandez

I’m looking forward to Sarah Kaplan’s fake moustache booth at the carnival.”-Kristin Berthiaome “I’m looking forward to m akin mums! It’s m y favorite par g t of Homecomin g!”- Marley Foster

S ENIORS

“I’m looking forward to se nior hip hop, whic h any senior Cavalier wo uld say.”

-Clarissa Gar za

the rward to either “i”m looking fo e th on is ng who pep rally or seei a an nt Sa ourt.”

Homecoming C Day

“I can’t wait to have a big white and silver mum! I’ve been waiting four years for it!”

-Miranda Sandlin

to decoratI’m looking ward ith ROTC.” ing for the dance w -Kassidy Dees

“I’m really look ing forward to the pep rally because I’m finally seni or!” -Blaire McBurney

2012-2013

HiLife Staff

Principal: Scott Bockart

Advisor: Wynette Jameson

Executive Editor: Jan O’Neil

Editor-in-Chief: Valerie Hellinghausen

Design Editor: Hannah Brinsko

Management Editor: Madison Williams

Features Editor: Leticia Suarez

News Editor: Arlen Addison

Teen Interest Editor: Kristina Koonce

Sports Editors: Greg Brotzman

Dylan Hill

Around Creek Editors: Rachel Duncavage

Audree Hall

Advertising Managers: Bailey Clelland

Evelyn Shanks

Photo Editors: Gabrielle Renwall

Sierra Kemper Leilani Boren Breanna Jeffcoat Allison Rader

Mallori Flanagan Molly Johnson Jessica Sieling Jasmine Garza Lilli Lara Natalie Steele Hannah Gellman Shelby Lyles Jenan Taha Monica Jackson Sydney Matthews Rachel Wolfe Lisa Nhan Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City Email us at: creekhilife@gmail.com Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)332-9079

Editorial Valerie’s Voice

work harder than we ever have before to be better than we have even been. The problem is, while we are all fully capable of achieving our goals, it now lies in our hands to treat every rehearsal as a privilege like my private lesson teacher said. If we are unable to take anything positive away from our rehearsals, then it becomes harder to keep going out on the practice field.

I wish I could attribute this lack of motivation to something greater than stress, but in the past few months, I have allowed band to be something I am obligated to do, not something I choose to do because I love performing, marching,

By Valerie Hellinghausen and being surrounded with what I consider to be one of the greatest groups of people Editor-in-Chief on this campus. Every time I pull out my Now that the school year is in full clarinet, it is because I have to practice, not swing and assignments, projects, and extra because I want to go to Area in marching curricular activities have eaten up all of band, not because I could not dream of my time, the bell curve that comes with anything more exciting than making Allthis time of year is reaching a plateau. State Region Band. This absolute lack of For me, band practices seem to drag on enjoyment has translated into so much for hours, homework is a never-ending frustration, as I try to make music out of mountain I am forced to climb, and sleep everything I play but fail to because I do not is an unimaginable luxury. However, I immerse myself in the music or feel much feel that if I continue of anything when to reach the top of this I play except bell curve and place a the relief that It’s best to leap into limit on my potential, I finally found by the time I reach the something you know you time to practice. bottom I will not have While it love. You might change your reached all my goals, is unfortunate and not left everything mind later, but that is the that I have felt I have to give in these this way and so privilege of youth. next few weeks. have many of I have been in band -Charles Kuralt my peers in their and played the clarinet various activities since sixth grade, and as and areas of my senior season of marching band comes interest, it is a realization that has helped to a close in just a few more rehearsals, I me approach what little time I have in have started thinking about one private band, in newspaper, and in all the things clarinet lesson in particular. My private I enjoy about high school in a new light. lessons teacher has taught me for almost As a result, I have made that small piece of seven years now, and after observing her advice the mantra for the rest of the season, daughter’s dance clinic, she related one and maybe even senior year. In order to very intriguing piece of advice to me that make any of the past three months I have she had heard. She told me to remember spent on burning pavement worth it, I am that it is a privilege to do what I love, and if going to have to start seeing my practices, I am not doing what I do because I love it, performances, and all the time in between then I should seriously ask myself why I am that I spend with the band as a privilege, here. This small observation made me start as something I chose to do every year rethinking my attitude this entire season throughout middle school and high school, and how I treat playing the clarinet. For and was never forced to do by any means. many, it has been a countdown of practices, In a few weeks, I will have no clue what drill reps, and even performances, and I to do with the time I usually spend on the unfortunately have felt that way at times, practice field with the band. In a few weeks, despite being in one of the top leadership despite the number of trophies, plaques, or positions in the band. captions we won or missed, I will never In band, we always talk about how we have the chance to perform with the same cannot afford to have a bell-curved season, group of people again. In a few weeks, my and how, in order to be competitive, we final high school marching season and onehave to continue to raise the bar instead of fourth of my senior year will be over. While falling back into old habits. This year, our for some this will be the time to break out goal as a band leadership team is to make the tissues and cry about how much we are it to the Area round of the State Marching going to miss band, for others it will be a Competition. We have all the information, relief, but for me I think I want to make it the drill is all learned, and we have had the about achieving the goals we set in August, music since August, yet I find myself in enjoying the successes of an incredible search of motivation, despite experiencing marching season, and being able say that is last season where we made finals for the has been an absolute privilege to be a part first time in ten years, and knowing how it of one of the top-performing ensembles feels to finally receive some pay off after at Clear Creek and to be a part of such a a season of hard work and two previous dynamic group of people that have changed seasons of complete letdowns. In order to me over the past seven years. achieve our goals, it requires that we all

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Hannah’s Hullaballoo

By Hannah Brinsko Design Editor November 6, 1994. The handful of seniors born on or before that day are eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. This date leaves the majority of high school students unable to vote until the 2016 election four years from now.

However, students’ inability to vote should not deter students from getting involved in the political process.

The current political climate at Creek is one of apathy, and one might even argue ignorance.

There seems to be growing attitude of, “Why should I care?

I’m not an adult/ it doesn’t really affect me.” This simply is not the case.

The election matters. It matters a lot. Election buzz words that get tossed around on debates and commercials like “Medicaid,” “deficit,” and “energy dependence” may not seem very relevant to the daily life of a student, but fast forward four years. The man that is elected in November will be the same man that is in office when you enter college and are applying for student aid and seeing how much debt you will acquire to get a college education. The same man will be in office when you start looking for a job, working part time at the Kemah Boardwalk or Starbucks for $7.25 an hour.

The man that is elected will play a big factor in whether you can stay on your parents’ healthcare until you are 26 or until you turn 18 or graduate from college. So even if you could care less about immigration, gun rights, and social security, there are still pivotal issues in this election that will undeniably have a major impact in your life in the coming years.

If you feel strongly about the election, do not be discouraged if you cannot vote.

There are plenty of other ways to support the candidate of your preference. You can simply passively show your support for a candidate by liking them on Facebook, wearing a political shirt to school, or slapping a campaign sticker on your car’s bumper. Or, if you are passionate about a candidate, you can volunteer to make phone calls for their campaign with other local citizens, or host a debate watch party.

Overall, youth is not an excuse for not participating in the democratic process.

In addition to political apathy, another large problem at Creek is political ignorance. While a recent poll of 128 students conducted by the newspaper staff showed that 97 percent of students were able to correctly label a picture of Barack Obama when showed his picture, only 63 percent of students could not label Vice President Joe Biden’s picture. The mixture of incorrect answers received on the survey were simultaneously humorous and depressing, with students labeling Biden as other famous old white guys including former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

It is easy to keep up with current events and politics.

While students may not have the time to watch an entire news program every night in between extracurricular activities and homework or read the paper in the morning before heading to school, there are many other ways students can keep up to date.

Channel One news (www.channelone. com) puts out a short fifteen minute news program daily, specifically designed for students. Websites such as The Week (www.theweek.com) several different periodicals to let readers quickly learn about both sides of an issue. Finally, The Huffington Post has a special section (http:// www.huffingtonpost.com/news/2012our-election) that is filled with editorials written by high school students around the country following the election.

Our school is facing many of the same challenges that other schools across the country are facing, student apathy and ignorance in the midst of a critical election.

However, with a bit of effort, students can play an active role in the democratic process, even if they are not eligible to vote.

Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation.

Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.

If, however, they are left on society’s margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies.

-Kofi Annan

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News

The Endeavor makes its final flight to Los Angeles

By Lilli Lara Reporter

In 1987 the United States congress authorized construction of the Endeavour Space Shuttle (the fifth shuttle orbiter) to replace the Challenger. The Challenger was lost in the STS-51-L launch accident in 1986. Endeavour’s final launch was in Florida, as they headed to California for display. On the way, while being piggyback on atop a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet, the Endeavour took a stop in Houston, Texas at Ellington Field for public view. The shuttle is now retired, due to the ending of NASA’s 30-year shuttle program in July 2011.

The Endeavour Shuttle was built from spares, because they did not want to refit the Enterprise or accept a Rockwell International proposal to build two shuttles for the price of one. The shuttle is 75 tons and stretches 122 feet in length, measures 78 feet from wingtip to wingtip and is more than five stories tall standing straight up. This shuttle got its name from the British HMS Endeavour (1764), which is the ship that took

Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery. The name also honored Endeavour, the command Module of Apollo 15, which was also named after Cook’s ship.

Being delivered by Rockwell International Space Transportation Systems Division in May 1991, Endeavour first launched a year later on STS-49. Despite construction costing US $2.2 billion, Rockwell International

7 to May 16. Months after the first launch, the first female African-American astronaut, Mae Jemison, was brought into space on the STS-47 mission. Before she became an astronaut she was working for Kennedy Space Center in Florida doing launch support activities in 1987. Mrs. Jemison left NASA in March 1993.

A year later in 1993, the Endeavour

made i t s first mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour was taken from service for eight months in 1997, for a retrofit and new airlock installation. In December of 1998, the shuttle delivered the Unity Module to the Zarya module of the International Space Station. Endeavour flew its last mission, STS-134, to the International Space Station in May 2011, but the last mission of all what when Atlantis rolled to its home port, NASA Kennedy Space Center in July 2011.

Starting December of 2003, Endeavour had its last Orbiter Major Modification period that did not end until October 6, 2005. The Endeavour has spent 20 years, going on missions and orbits for NASA. On July 31, 1987 Endeavour won its first contract award. It has traveled a total distance of 122,833,151 miles, spent

The space shuttle Endeavour lands at LAX Friday, September 21, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

had made no profit on Endeavour.

In 1992, Endeavour’s first launch, the shuttle captured and redeployed the stranded INTELSAT VI communications satellite. This launch lasted nine days from May

296 days in space, deployed three satellites, and went on twenty-five missions.

For its fairly large size, this shuttle carried 154 crewmembers.

The Endeavour had its last flight on September 19, 2012 that lasted three days, while it traveled to Los Angeles, California to be displayed in the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, opening October 30, 2012.

On September 21, 2012 when the Endeavour landed in California, Daniela Derderian brought her son Michael and her daughter Angela to see.

She agrees with the retirement as quoted, “It’s a piece of history. It’s the closing of an era. I remember when the Columbia exploded.

This is like the end of an era of man traveling in space, especially with Neil Armstrong just dying.” Its twenty years of hard work have paid off with its 4, 617 orbits, and is now a retired orbiter of the NASA Space Shuttle Program. As of September 21, the shuttle is in permanent display in California, along with the Discovery, Enterprise, and Atlantis. After the Discovery was retired, only Atlantis had been left for removal from the shuttle program. Soon after Atlantis had been shut down is when the NASA’s longest running space-flight program came to an end.

On May 29, 2011, Charles Bolden, an astronaut who participated in four of the missions, stated “We could conceivably put a human on the surface of Mars in 2030, the president has told up he wants us to rendezvous with and put astronauts in the vicinity of an asteroid in 2025.” The space shuttle program has come to an end, the last space shuttle to grace the skies is put to rest, and a memory is left in all our hearts, while a new era is planning to be opened.

News

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Texas voting laws changed under Voting Right Act

By Leticia Suarez Features Editor

Here in Texas, a picture ID has always been required in order to vote during presidential elections. Recently, however, a Federal District court in Washington, D.C, vetoed this law arguing that it denied the opportunity to vote to the minority who did not own any form of photographic identification.

The state’s voter-identification law, known as Senate Bill 14, says it is mandatory to have one of five forms of ID, including a driver’s license or a United States passport. If neither of these is possible, the person is required to get an election identification certificate, which only available at a Department of Public Safety with proper documentation. Without the necessary paperwork, people would have to pay a $22 fee. This was seen as a problem because many counties in Texas lacked a D.P.S office, and such a trip would be formidable to the poor who could not afford it. The threejudge district court ruled that this law will have retrogressive effect, and that it establishes racial minorities in Texas. The law was passed last year by the Obama Administration using the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a law designed to protect the voting rights of minorities, but was subject to approval by federal officials as the V.R.A required.

Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry argued that the simple purpose of this law was to prevent voter fraud, and to impede

any attempts to interfere with the Democratic Process.

“Chalk up another victory for fraud.

Today, federal judges subverted the will of the people of Texas, and undermined our effort to ensure fair and accurate elections,” Perry said to the judges.

“The court’s decision today and the decision earlier this week on the Texas redistricting plans not only reaffirm - but help protect - the vital role the Voting Rights Act plays in our society to ensure that every American has the right to vote and to have that vote counted,” U.S. attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. responded.

The evidence showed the judges that the cost of compliance would affect the poor the most, which included a high percentage of African Americans and Hispanics, making the law likely to elude the Minority Voting Rights. The 24th amendment to the Constitution, Section 1, states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, and shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.” The courts believe that denying the opportunity to anybody would be seen as discrimination, therefore violating the Constitution.

Texas has spent an average of $2 million dollars trying to defend its voter ID law, and it is redrawing of political bound-

Dennis Brunn and Jill Murray of the Unitarian Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania cheer a speaker while holding a sign during a voter ID rally September 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held a hearing on Pennsylvania’s state Supreme Court justices on whether a law requiring photo identification from each voter should take effect for the Nov. 6 presidential election. (William Thomas Cain/MCT)

aries. In both appeal cases, federal judges sided against the state. Texas will appeal

again, in hopes of being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Around Creek

Annual Culture Shapers competition gives Houston students opportunity to show off art

By Jenan Taha Reporter

The annual Culture Shapers art contest will take place this fall—beginning November 10th—and the judges are looking for original and inspiring works created by high school students. Artists from all over east Texas enter Culture Shapers each year for a chance to win over $20,000 in cash prizes. The entry fee is $20. The contest includes six categories—drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and electronic media.

Culture Shapers began as a small art program by the Culture Shapers Church in north Houston. After the Columbine school shooting, which took the lives of 15 students and teachers, and was one of the most tragic massacres in U.S. history, the members of the church decided to begin a community project that would highlight the good of the students in the community.

Through Culture Shapers, students showcase their talent and compete for

awards. “It started out really small and now it’s huge,” said Mrs. Lienhart, an AP art teacher at Clear Creek. Now the contest also includes the performing arts, like choir.

Students from counties of Galveston, Harris, Waller, Liberty, Chambers, Brazoria, Fort Bend or Montgomery can enter the contest with a fee of $20. All participants receive a Culture Shapers T-shirt. First place winners receive $5,000, second place receives $2,500, third place $1,500, fourth 1,000, and fifth place receives $500. Sixth through tenth place receive $250. Although there are 10 winners from each of the six categories, the competition is tough. Thousands of students enter each year, ranging from art novices to art experts. The judges look for creativity, originality, accuracy and talent. Despite the stiff competition, Creek has had its share of winners. Last year, Zac Spears and Andrew Stephens both won in the sculpture category, winning first and third, respectively.

In order to qualify for Culture Shapers,

participants must sign up online at least two to three weeks prior to the contest to enter their piece into the correct category. The judges will narrow down the winning pieces in each category to ten per group. Each of those ten pieces in the six categories will receive a score from 1 to 50, 50 being the highest. This score will determine what place, first through tenth, the artist will be given. The piece must be less than one year old, and must be completely created by the student. It may not be traced using a projector or other device. If a photo is used as a reference, it must only be a reference and not copied entirely. All references must be attached to the back of the art piece, and all works must be original. No images from the internet are allowed or the artist could face disqualification. Profane concepts or words incorporated into the art piece are prohibited. Students should be respectful of the contest and not ruin their chance at a prestigious prize.

Since the competition takes place over a span of six months, the entry dates for

Culture Shapers vary. November 10, from 10 am to 4 pm, is the entry day for mixed media and drawings. Electronic media and photography can be entered on February 16, from 10 am to 4 pm. April 13, from 10 am to 4 pm is when paintings and sculptures may be entered. These dates only apply to those who choose to drop their piece off at Culture Shapers Church. Otherwise, students must enter online, which includes different entry dates than the dates shown here.

The top ten places in the contest will be posted the week after judging, on the Culture Shapers website. Winners of Culture Shapers will be notified by email, and will be invited to an awards ceremony. Culture Shapers is a challenging competition for all levels of artistry, but there are no losses, only victories.

“The competition is tough, but the results are worth it,” Mrs. Lienhart said.

For more information about Culture Shapers, go to http://www.cultureshapers. com.

Events in November Events in November Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

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4 4Renaissance

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11 11 iWalk for Walk for

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Renaissance Festival in Festival in Todd Todd MisMission, Texas sion, Texas

6 7 6All Time Low 7 Kemah Ghost Kemah Ghost All Time Low @ Tour@@Kemah KeTour mah

@ House of House of Blue Blue

ZooLights Lights @ Zoo @ the the Houston Houston Zoo Zoo

Saturday

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3Taking Back

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9 9Mayday Pa-

10 10Waka Flocka

Lunch with Lunch with an anAstronaut Astronaut @ @ NASA NASA Space Space Center Center Mayday rade &Parade The & The Maine Maine @@ Warehouse Live Warehouse

Taking Back@SunSunday day @House House of of Blues Blues

Waka Flocka Flame @ WareFlame @ house Live Warehouse Live

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Warehouse Dr. Dog @ Live Live Warehouse

Animals Animals @@ Houston Houston

Houston Houston Color Color Street Street Painting Painting @ City Hall@ City Hall

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Friday

BeginBeginner ner ClogClogging Class @ ging Class Friendswood@ Friendswood

Open Mic Open Mic Night @ Night @ CofCoffee Oasis fee Oasis

ThansThansgiving giving Day Parade Day Parade @@ Houston Houston

Lunch with Lunch with an anAstronaut Astronaut @ @NASA NASA

Christmas Christmas Bazaar Bazar @ @ Mary Queen Mary Queen Catholic Church Catholic Church

ket @ Market Clear Farmer’s Lake Shores @ Clear Lake Shores

Festival of Festival of Lights Lights @ @ Moody Gardens Moody Gardens

Around Creek Clear Creek hosts MD Anderson blood drive

By Hannah Brinkso Design Editor Three times a year the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Blood Bank truck makes its way to Creek, allowing students to donate blood to cancer patients. This year, the Blood Bank truck made its first stop at school on Friday October 5, 2012, where a large number of upperclassmen chose to donate blood.

“It made me feel good to give blood.

It’s cool to know that soon my blood is going to be pumping through someone’s veins helping keep them alive,” said senior Amie Geistman.

The MD Anderson Cancer Center reports that it requires 600 units of platelets and 200 units of red blood cells each day. Cancer patients may need blood for a variety of reasons. A patient may need donated blood after having an organ transplant or because chemotherapy has diminished platelet levels.

Students that want to donate blood at Creek must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and have a picture

students were shown a presentation about the importance of donating blood with information on how to register to be a part

Photo by Breanna Jeffcoat

I.D. Students were asked to register to donate blood with the school during their lunch or during class time. During advisory on October 4,

of the blood drive.

The day of the blood drive, students in Health Science Technology II volunteered their time to

7

work at the blood drive. Students shuffled in and out of the MD Anderson Blood Bank trucks parked in the horseshoe from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The process of giving blood took about an hour for each student, depending on the number of students donating blood each class period.

Students who did not know their blood type had to be tested for their blood time before donating blood After the donation, students were given a snack to help boost their energy level.

“Not giving blood would have hurt my consciense more than the need hurt my skin,” said senior Vijay Dharmaraj.

It is safe to donate blood every eight weeks. Because of this, Creek typically hosts three blood drives each school year: one in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the spring. The next school blood drive will be held shortly after winter break. Students can participate three times a year during the year and help save three lives each time they donate blood.

The League of Extraordinary Improvisers takes the stage for first Improv Show of the year

By Lisa Nhan Reporter On the night of September 22, 2012, the League of Extraordinary Improvisers opened their first Improv Show of the year The show kicked off with game, “The World’s Worst” with all the players on stage and Alexis Chudleigh (12th) as the host.

Chudleigh said, “I was introducing all the games and pumping up the crowd.”

Many games were featured such as “Director” where players made, “Forest Gump 2” where Justin Gibbons (11th) fell off the stage headfirst twice. The crowd fa-

vorite, Party Quirks, was a hit that featured the Improv troopers playing Paris Hilton and Captain Jack Sparrow. Other game made by the troop included Interrogation Room which features a Good

Photo by Laura Spiegle

Cop and Bad Cop,

it’s goal is to obtain a confession from the guesser.

The game’s coordinator, the person behind all of the planning, Ashley Haas (11th) was happy with the end result.

“It went really well and the audience seemed to enjoy it,” said Haas.

Not only was this the first show of the year, but a first onstage Improv experience for most of the troop.

“The new players are the beginning of a foundation,” Forbes said.

In order to prepare these new troopers, many games are played to explain the rules of Improv, which are critical for the show to work. The number one rule that all actors must follow is that the answer is always “yes.” The word no is never to be said in Improv; this allows for actors to build off each other and their surrounding,

“It was my first time…I didn’t know how I was going to pull this off but it was a lot of fun,” Christian Campbell (10th) said.

Campbell called this first show a learning experience, and he was able to get to build a stronger bond with fellow Improv Troopers.

Mrs. Forbes said that the show was not just a show but a learning experience for the actors for the upcoming Fall production, “Those Learned Ladies.”

“It’s huge challenge in a fast amount of time. It teaches actors to trust their instincts and fellow actors,” said Forbes.

She hopes that the actors will be able to learn from this experience and apply it to “Those Learned Ladies, ” and other future productions.

8

Around Creek

Creek’s spirit heightened for Beat Lake week

By Leticia Suarez Features Editor

One of the events the Clear Creek Wildcats look forward to the most at the beginning of the school year is spirit week.

During this period of time, the students dress accordingly to match the theme of the day to show spirit and support for the upcoming football game.

Last year, during “Beat Lake” week, Creek had tacky neon day, nerd day, camouflage day, color war day, and creek out day. This year, the school had Twin dress-up day on Monday, where students matched with one, or many, of their friends.

Some were humorous, some where perky, but all of them were equally exceptional. On Tuesday, it was Tacky dress-up day, where craziness filled the hallways with color and brightness. There were multicolored tutus, glittery headbands, flashy shoes, neon shirts, vibrant pants, loud shorts, vivid jackets, and even combinations of all of the above.

The next day, on Classy Wednesday, things calmed down a little. Girls showed off their stylish dresses when combined with the guy’s elegant suits created a fashion catwalk in every classroom. The Color War separated everyone by grade on Thursday.

Freshmen wore white, sophomores wore gray, juniors wore maroon, and the seniors wore neon and black. And finally, on

Friday, it was Creek out day. Most of the started with the choir group singing the National Anthem, school wore leading to the spirit shirts introduction of and others the current sports made their teams and their own outfits. accomplishments.

“The spirit Cheers filled week was the court as the really fun, Cavaliers officers because I danced with the actually Cheerleaders, as participated well as laughter as and went all the Football guys out in the kicked a falcon last three piñata and shredded dress-up it to pieces. Like days, and so did my every year, the grade levels friends.

I challenged each feel like it other by screaming was a great to the top of their start for my lungs to see which senior year,” one was louder. said senior The senior class M i r i a m took it home as they Pagan. chanted “seniors,” T h a t same Friday, repeatedly over the during the rest of the crowd.

Photo by Mallori Flanagan Pep-rally, there “I wish we had a pepwas even more rally every Friday,” said school spirit. It

junior Jaycee Meloy, “There was a lot of enthusiasm and happiness and plenty of school spirit! We got to see the choir kids sing, listen to the band kids play, watch the cheerleaders dance, and it was just overwhelming in a fun way. The screams got so loud with every performance that I think I was slightly deaf for a few minutes after it was over. Can’t wait for the next one.”

The Homecoming game is still yet to come, and Creek will be expecting the same kind of spirit during the “Beat Brook” Pep-rally. The students will have a chance to dress up during that week as well, but this time with even more exciting themes including Rodeo day, Outdoorsmen day, mad Mad Scientist day, Superhero day, and as always, Creek Out day.

Preview: Clear Creek Drama’s Those Learned Ladies

By Lisa Nhan Reporter

As fall approaches, Clear Creek’s annual Fall theater also begins. This year’s show is called Those Learned Ladies, and it is filled with comedic showcases of Creek’s talent.

Those Learned Ladies is set in Georgia during the pre-Civil War era. When it was originally written by Moliere it was set in France, but Mrs. Forbes wanted to try something new.

“It’s just for fun really,” Forbes said.

In order to accommodate the Southern Touch, most of the characters’ names with the exception of the lead, Henriette, were changed. Despite the name changes, it is still the same story.

Henriette and Clifford are madly in love. The two young lovers wish to spend the rest of their lives together, but before they can live happily ever after they face a challenge, Henriette’s family. While her father and uncle are happy to welcome Clifford into the family, Henriette’s mother, Patricia, wants a different happily ever after. Patricia wants Henriette to marry Trisstin who claims to be a scholar and

poet. Henriette’s sister, mother, and aunt have fallen for the educated charms as these ladies fancy themselves to be “learned.”

Their pretentious claim of education and culture fit perfectly with Trisstin’s mediocracy. Henriette and Clifford must find a way to wed before Trisstin ruins their dreams.

Along with the Southern changes, Mrs. Forbes has added a dance sequence of a classic waltz in a ballroom scene.

“We haven’t had a dance sequence in five years…it will be something new for all of the actors,” Forbes said.

This show’s cast and crew feature talents from all the grade levels. Leads for the show include Ashley Haas (11th) as Henriette, Christian Campbell (10th) as Clifford, Justin Gibbons (11th) as Trisstin, Rachel Petitti (12th) as Patricia, and Kara Watson (12th) as Beatrice. Sarah Timmons is stage manger in this production.

As the show coomes together, actors are struggling to find ways to get into character and perfect a Southern accent for the show.

“I’m trying to become my character that’s different for anything I’ve ever really had, along with an accent,” Haas said. The

show challenges her skills as an actress.

Accents are not the only thing that has this cast worried. Memorization of lines is a big part of what actors have to do. Many of the actors are concerned that they will forget a line on stage, a horrifying experience for anyone. Forbes, however, is not worried about the lines. She believes her students will make this show work.

“I think that the show will go really well. We’re making a work of art that comes together into this one performance,” Forbes said.

The production will premiere its

first show on November 1 in the Clear Creek auditorium. More showings will be performed on November 2, 3, 8, and 10. Tickets sold at the door will be $5 for students and senior citizens and $8 for adults.

Around Creek

9

Clear Creek goes all out for Beat Lake week

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12 Teen Interest Hotel Transylvania fails to leave audience with memorable comedy experience for the holiday season

By Lisa Nhan Reporter

Movies are made to entertain which it did These two men know how to be funny, but not. their rated R humor is far different from a I was not expecting the kind of humor PG movie. As far as animation experience It is that time of the year again. The box goes, the director Genndy Tartakousky had used in “Borat” or Saturday Night Live. I offices are filling up with the thrillers that a great repertoire. Tartakousky has worked walked into the theater knowing that it was entice the Halloween spirit. Movies made on some of my favorite cartoons such as be a child friendly film, but the humor was to scare such as “House at the End of The Street” are popular but the movie at the top of the box office is “Hotel Transylvania” which raked in $42.5 million it’s opening weekend.

“Hotel Tr a n s y l v a nia” is about a five-stake resort where the scariest monsters, such as Frankenstein and werewolves, can escape the horrible h u m a n s who have hunted them for years.

Dracula, the owner of the hotel, invites Photo courtesy of subpar. Perhaps it was my his closest friends to celebrate his “teen- Powerpuff Girls and DexSony Pictures Animation higher expectations for the age” daughter’s, Mavis, 118th birthday. ter’s Laboratory. I was writers that lead to my disThe celebration takes a turning point when interested to see how this appointment. the first human to ever come to Transylva- movie would turn out. Both the cast and nia, Jonathan, comes in and steals the heart crew had much potential. I was hoping to of Mavis. see it be taken advantage of. My hopes When I first took a look at the cast and were crushed.Hotel Transylvania just did crew I was torn. Adam Sandler as Dracula not reach the potential it could have. was starring with Andy Samberg as JonaI will admit, there were times that I than. Anyone who has ever seen That’s My laughed. The movie took a stab at “TwiBoy shares my discomfort in seeing these light” which was fairly clever but Pop Cultwo star together again. Keeping my mind ture references only go so far. The rather open, when I saw that Peter Baynham and sassy shrunken heads made me laugh once Robert Smigel had written the script, my or twice. The writers only wrote to accomhopes for the movie soared. Baynham has modate their main audience, children. In written many hilarious scripts such as “Bo- a way, I understand. When you get kids rat” and “Bruno” but those movies are far wanting to go to these movies, you get their from the PG rating of Hotel Transylvania. family to come in as well which can easily Smigel had worked on Saturday Night double or triple the ticket sales, but movLive and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. ies should not be made to bring in money.

Reelview’s James Beradinelli put it best when he described the humor in the movie as, “the level of comedy is disappointingly bland, with jokes one can acknowledge as being mildly clever but little that provokes more than a good natured grin.”

It is enough to amuse the little kids in the theater but I wanted more. This crew was filled with so much potential of making a great children’s animation but they only did a decent job, which is why I walked out of that theater happy to leave the movie behind.

As far as the plot goes, it was decent. Again, I wanted there to be more conflict with a human inside of a monster hotel. There should be screaming and fights but no. Dracula comes to accept Jonathan, a reminder of the people who killed his wife, way too soon.

The problem was played down to make it seem like it was not something to be concerned about. The plot lost so much because of it.

The point Michael O’Sullivan from the Washington Post made sums the plot up, “Friction… not a whole lot of drama, suspense or tension.”

The lack of humor and conflict in the movie just left me feeling like Sony only released this to catch the money that comes with the Halloween spirit and not to tell a real genuine story.

Teen interest 13

Emmy awards a night of laughs and victory

By Jenan Taha Reporter

edy. Modern Family won two awards, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, owing their win to Eric Stonestreet and Julie Bowen, respectively.

edy Writing went to Louis CK in Louie.

Louis also won Best Live Writing at the Beacon Theater.

Then came the Drama category. Home-

tor and Lead Actress, the awards going to Damian Lewis and Claire Danes, respectively. Aaron Paul won Best Supporting The 64th annual Emmy Awards debuted Actor, for his role in Breaking Bad. Best on Sunday, September 23, 2012. The night Supporting Actress went to Magwas full of awards, defeats gie Smith, for her role in Downand even a few pranks. Host town Abbey. Tim Van Patten’s Jimmy Kimmel started off the Boardwalk Empire won Best Dishow with a comical clip starrection. ring Kathy Bates and Zooey Next was the Mini-series/ Deschanel. While the girls Movie category. Best Lead Actor were prepping themselves in and Best Supporting Actor went the bathroom, they found a to Kevin Costner and Tom Besobbing Jimmy Kimmel, who renger for their roles in Hatfields said he overloaded on Botox. & McCoys. Game Change won “You look beautiful,” the girls Best Mini-series/Movie, Best reassured him. “You look like Writing (Danny Strong), and Best a Real Housewife.”

Directing (Jay Roach). Julianne Then Kimmel delivered Moore also won the award for a quick monologue, cracked Best Lead Actress for her role in a few jokes, and even asked Game Change. American Horror Tracy Morgan, from 30 Rock, Story’s Jessica Lange won Best to lie down on the stage and Supporting Actress in a TV ministay still. Then he told everyseries. one in the crowd to tweet that Last but not least was the Va‘Tracy Morgan just fainted at riety Specials. Best Host of a Vathe Emmys’, and to ‘turn on riety Series went to Tom Bergeron the television and look’. The of Dancing with the Stars. The messages went viral, and for Daily Show with Jon Stewart a few minutes, the Emmys won Best Variety Series for the gained a few thousand viewtenth consecutive year. Best Diers. Everyone in the audience, recting went to Glenn Weiss for at home or at the ceremony, his work in the 65th annual Tony had a good laugh afterwards.

Awards.

Finally, it was time to an“The Amazing Race’s” Jerry Bruckheimer, Executive Producer; Elise Doganieri, Executive Producer; Jonathan Littman, ExecuSome winners were predictable, nounce the awards. Celebrity hosts tive Producer; Bertram van Munster, Executive Producer; backstage at the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, and others came as a surprise. As the like Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey September 23, 2012, at Nokia Theatre, L.A. Live, in Los Angeles, California. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT) show closed, everyone in the crowd revealed the winners. Beginning exhibited expressions of victory in with comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Best Lead Actress in a Comedy, for Modern Family also won Best Comedy Se- land won Best Drama Series, and Best that they received a nomination for these her role in Veep. Jon Cryer, from Two and a ries. Best Director went to Steven Levitan, Writing went to Alex Gansa, Homeland’s prestigious awards.

Half Men, won Best Lead Actor in a Com- the director of Modern Family. Best Com- author. Homeland also won Best Lead Ac-

14 Teen Interest

16

Features

The origins of donkeys and elephants in politics

By Madison Williams Management Editor According to Mizzou Weekly, the State Historical Society of Missouri in Ellis Library will host an exhibit showcasing various political cartoons that date from 1912 to 2010.

The cartoons stereotype Democrats as socialists vying for more federal government involvement, while Republicans are stereotyped as being governed by money and wanting to eliminate government provided social services from the United States.

As elections approach, images of the Republican elephant and Democratic donkey are scattered throughout the media.

These animals are closely associated with each party and are used as universally defining symbols.

The Democratic donkey first appeared during Andrew Jackson’s campaign for presidency in 1828. His populist campaign slogan, “Let the people rule,” caused his opponents to label him a donkey.

According to kintera.org, Jackson adopted the name and used it to his own advantage by including the donkey in his campaign posters. During Jackson’s presidency, the donkey remained a symbol of his stubbornness.

The first time the donkey was widely accepted as the Democratic Party’s

symbol was in the 1870s when Thomas Nast, a famous political cartoonist, had his cartoon published in Harper’s Weekly.

Nast used the donkey to show the alleged Democratic uneasiness felt over a possible third term of presidency for Ulysses S. Grant.

Within this issue of Harper’s Weekly, Nast also helped to associate the elephant with the 300 dpi Hector Casanova illustration of the Democrat donkey and Republican elephant on a seesaw with the plank breaking in the middle. The Kansas City Star 2012 Republican Party.

The elephant had been previously President Ulysses S. Grant campaigning connected to Republicans in cartoons that for a third term in office. Animals labeled had appeared in 1860 and 1872. Nast’s as reform and Caesar ran away from a cartoon in 1874 solidified the elephant as donkey wearing a lion’s skin, while the the Republican’s universal party symbol. elephant, labeled “ The Republican Vote,” The cartoon, “The Third Term Panic,” ran into a pit of inflation. depicted the alarm Americans felt over By 1880 the donkey and elephant were

well established as the mascot for the Democratic and Republican parties. The Democrats have never officially adopted the donkey as their party symbol, but the donkey is still used in various publications.

However, the republicans did officially adopt the elephant as their symbol and use the symbol widely.

“Donkeys and Elephants: Animal Symbols and Political Cartoons” features 40 political cartoons, most of which were published in Missouri newspapers. Featured cartoon artists include, Harold Talburt from the Washington Daily News; Daniel Fitzpatrick from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Tom Engelhardt from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; and Lee Judge from the Kansas City Star.

The exhibit will focus on how the cartoons use animals to represent political issues. In most political cartoons a bear is used to represent Russia, a dove for peace, and a vulture or hawk for war.

“Donkeys and Elephants: Animal Symbols and Political Cartoons” will be open through November 30 in honor of the upcoming presidential elections.

TUTS’ Legally Blonde: the Musical excites audiences

By Bailey Clelland Co-Ad Manager

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) and Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) have dyed Houston blonde September 14-16 with the 40th anniversary of Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Legally Blonde follows the life of Delta Nu sorority girl Elle Woods. Elle’s uppity boyfriend dumps her for someone more

“serious” and a determined Elle follows him all the way to Harvard Law School in hopes to rekindle their love and show him how serious she can be. On her way to becoming a “serious” lawyer, Elle finds that being true to herself is more stylish than pretending to be someone she is not.

Legally Blonde: The Musical stars high school students from the surrounding Houston area. Delta Nu sorority girl Elle Woods is played by senior Megan

Director Michael Tapley, a Humphrey’s School of Music alum, directed the student production The Who’s Tommy. Tapley’s career at TUTS started in 1973 when he appeared in Kismet. Over the years, he has contributed to a multitude of productions. Charles McGuff from Glenda Photo courtesy of TUTS Swan, also a Humphrey’s alum, Dawson High School took the part of Associate Director and Warner Huntington for this production.

Swan has appeared in III, Elle’s uppity ex, is played by George many productions as well such as The Best Ranch High School junior Sean Hardin.

Little Whorehouse in Texas, Yankee Doodle Sean also starred in 13 The Musical Dandy, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who’s and The Who’s Tommy. Warner’s new, Tommy and Scrooge.

Musical production serious girlfriend and fellow law student, Vivienne Kensington is played by Bethany was handled by Luke Kirkwood who Eggleston, a Cypress Woods High School assisted in VOTE! A New Musical and The junior. Elle’s potential love interest and Who’s Tommy.

Legally Blonde The Musical is a first friend at Harvard, Emmett Forrest, is theatrical and vocal masterpiece. The played by Klein Oak High School senior singing was simply superb and the acting Ryne Nardecchia. Friendswood High was much more advanced than many School junior, Samantha McHenry, plays would expect of high school students. exercise goddess Brooke Wyndam who Megan McGuff was a fabulous and stylish is on trial for the murder of her husband.

Elle Woods, and definitely played the part Joel Sandel, a TUTS veteran takes the well.

Her songs Legally Blonde and What role of the “pompous and manipulative” You Want could not have been closer to Professor Callahan. Joel also starred in vocal perfection.

My favorite song from My Fair Lady, 1776, and Into the Woods.

Legally Blonde: The Musical would the show was Whipped Into Shape sung not have been possible without the perfect by Samantha McHenry (Brooke Wyndam). bend and snap routine made possible by All in all, Legally Blonde was practically choreographer Shay Rodgers. Rodgers flawless, the cast and crew put on a fantastic is a native Houstonian who is in her 25th show. year at TUTS. She has held almost every position in the theatre from performer to Manager of Education.

Features

17

Owl City rocks House of Blues with latest album

By Arlen Addison Editor

The electronica one-man-band, Owl City, returned to Houston to rock the House of Blues September 19th during the first leg of the The Midsummer Station tour in correspondence with the release of the band’s fourth album of the same name.

The House of Blues made for the perfect setting for the performance, from the wooden constructs of the The Midsummer Station’s cover art built on the back of the stage to the dark hall with glowing lights all created a calming feeling with would ultimately be shattered by the appearance of the band’s sole member, Adam Young, and the enthusiasm of the crowd which would follow.

The intro act, Matthew Koma, was a fresh mix of rock with a hint of electronica. The crowd was left energized and impatient after the intro act left the stage; cheering as every member of the setup crew took to the stage, preparing instruments and equipment, in the hope one of them might be Adam Young. The cheers only increased as the colored lights flared into existence and Owl City’s various touring members mounted the stage.

The energy of the crowd was left to simmer and overflow as the touring members told hold on their instruments and began to play a prolonged instrumental intro of the first track of The Midsummer Station

level of passion previously unknown by the crowd. The crowd mirrored the lyrics of the song and did “Not Slow Down,” Young has had changed immensely in his three years of fame from the selfdescribed shy and socially awkward boy from a small Minnesota town, in 2009, when Young gained fame with his hit song Fireflies, during performances he swayed the crowd while hiding behind electronic equipment, however during his The Midsummer Station concert Young jumped on Adam Young, of Owl City, has a new record that debuted on June 14, 2011. Young uses a concrete storm shelter in his basement of to the stage, playing as his Owatonna, Minnesota home as a recording studio. Here, Young if he were a rock star, stands for this portrait in the lobby of the iconic Louis H. Sullivan National Farmers Bank Building, May 31, 2011. (Richard Sennott/ very different from his 2009 debut.

Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT) After Dreams and Disaster Young continued spectators, but rather true followers of to showcase the songs of The Midsummer Young by taking to the stage, finding him, Station, straying his roots of soft and and dragging him to his post, Young took calming music of his first album Ocean to mic and like the last piece of a puzzle Eyes, in his new features Young presented completed the song and brought forth a a energizing hybrid of electronic and album, Dreams and Disasters, but Young was still absent from the stage.

Just as it seemed the fans were about prove they were not mere lukewarm

rock, present in song such as I’m Coming After You and Speed of Love, while still remembering his roots in songs like Embers, Silhouette, and Metropolis.

The organization of the song list followed the list of The Midsummer Station album list, beginning with the energetic song, freshest songs in which every person in the crowd attempted to out-sing all those near themselves, followed by Good Time, which was given an interesting twist with another vocalists to substitute Carly Rae Jaspen, followed the songs closest to his original features, and concluded with the calming song at the end of album list. After finishing the list from The Midsummer Station Young handed the duty of lead vocalist to crowd for Fireflies in which they sung the original hit in cordial harmony.

The remainder of the performance was a collection of songs from Owl City’s previous albums and recording such as Umbrella Beach and Take to the Skies, however leaving out such hits as Vanilla Twilight and Alligator Skies.

In short the concert was immensely enjoyable for any level of fan, but in general was more enjoyable for those who were familiar with Young’s work, however that did not stop apparent fathers, brothers, or dates of avid fans from letting lose and just having a good time.

Disney’s Finding Nemo returns to the theaters in 3D

nothing more,” said Fine.

Critics aren’t the only one who weren’t impressed by Disney’s attempt.

“It was nice to see it on the big screen, Disney and Pixar film studios make up but it felt a like the same movie as before. a large portion of a teenager’s childhood. There wasn’t much of a difference,” said Now Disney is re-releasing a whole set of Meagan Puckett (9th) on seeing the film in newly converted and improved movies. theaters once again.

The whole movie business is taken back The beginning of all these re-releases with the boom of re-releases. began in September 2011 when Lion Finding Nemo 3D, which swam into King came back to big screen in order to theaters on September 14, 2012, came in promote its new DVD re-release. Instead second place of just promoting at $17.5 those sales, Lion million in King became the weekend the number one box office. movie in the box Resident Evil: office for two Retribution weeks. Overall in beat the redomestic sales, release in Disney gained about $3.6 over $94 million. million. The The movie was a appeal of rehuge unexpected released films success. Disney is that it takes soon announced a relatively a list of movies low budget KRT STAND ALONE US NEWS PHOTO SLUGGED: DISNEY KRT fans could to remake, PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL (MIAMI expect to be OUT) (November 16) LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- Children wave w h i c h to Crush, the animated sea turtle from the Disney/Pixar feature film b e c o m i n g allows for “Finding Nemo,” during the grand opening of “Turtle Talk With Crush” back into more profit. attraction at the Living Seas pavillion at EPCOT at Disney World, in theaters, such T h e Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Tuesday, November 16, 2004. The attrac- as Beauty tion features breakthrough technology that gives visitors the chance to rush of re- engage in live, unrehearsed conversations with the animated sea turtle. and the Beast, release is (nk) 2004 F i n d i n g criticized by N e m o , critics such Monsters, Inc., and the Little Mermaid. as Marshall Fine, from the Huffington Post, Hollywood has found a gold mine by refor being a scheme. releasing old favorites in 3D. “The 3D gives the images a little more Many film studios followed suit, depth but they already had heft and weight. seeing a chance to gain some profit of The 3D is a money-making gimmick, their own. The Phantom Menace was

By Lisa Nhan Reporter

released February 10, 2012 and made about $44 million in domestic sales. George Lucas then revealed that Episodes II and III are to be released in the Fall of 2013 and will have three more Star War films to follow. James Cameron had Titanic rereleased in April of this year, which gave the Titanic about $57 million more in their overall domestic sale.

Universal is planning the release of the cult favorite, Jurassic Park. Warner’s Brother has released news of a new Dial

M for Murder.

Jeff Baker, Executive VP of Warner’s Theatrical Catalogue, said on the Dial M for Murder news, “This is not a conversion from 2D to 3D, but an original work.”

Baker believes that these works are going to show how 3D can enhance the movie going experience. He also hinted that the House of Wax will be the next one in the works.

18

Sports

MLB Starts their “Race for October” Athletes of the Month some fans to the team and has given the team fame despite their current lack of success in recent seasons. The A’s have As the season winds down for the gotten significant contributions from many MLB no quote rings more true then the players that had been written off on their one said by Pedro Martinez, “Winning old teams and were viewed as “washed a Cy Young or MVP is something every up” or just as decent fill in players. The player desires, but going to the playoffs A’s have also managed to win despite and feeling that rush of the postseason a pitching staff that is filled up with is something that every player keeps mainly rookies like Jerrod Parker and A.J. playing for, to try to reach that feeling one Griffin. Parker and Griffen have proved more time.” This season the playoff race their worth by performing well above provided expectations many close and leading races, many the A’s to the of which top of the Wild came down Card standings. to the last In the day of the National regular League the race season. is highlighted The by two teams first huge who made the headline playoffs last of this year making postseason a late run at came before the Wild Card the season this year. On even started August 27th when MLB the Milwaukee announced Brewers were that there 7 games below would be .500 and 10.5 another Wild games away Card team from even added to reaching a the playoff Wild Card picture. This spot. But since extra Wild that time the Card spot Brewers have will allow Bracket for the 2012 MLB playoffs; includes explanation of the new format that includes two played their additional wild card teams. MCT 2012 two teams that have the best best baseball of the entire record to face off against each other in season, winning 15 of their last 19 games, young stars, Adam Jones, Matt Weiters, a one game playoff, after the season is improving their record to 77-72 and and Manny Machado, have lead the team over. This will determine which team will pulling within 2.5 games of a Wild Card in many major categories, such as batting advance to the division series round of the spot, trailing . The Brewers have been average, home runs, and runs scored. playoffs. lead by the performance of reigning MVP Another team that has currently Another huge headline is the sudden Ryan Braun and the upstart performances surprised many people is the Oakland resurgence of the Baltimore Orioles in the of players like Carlos Gomez and Aramis Athletics. This team has gained some AL East. For years the division has been Ramirez. notoriety as of late because of the release dominated by the 2 powerhouse teams, the of the movie Monyeball. Which has drawn Another team making a run at the last wild card spot is the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies were another team that many people wrote off when at the trading deadline they traded away two players, Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence, that many people viewed as the centerpiece of their organization. Ever since star pitcher Roy Halladay returned from a groin injury in mid-august the Phillies have been playing the same baseball that gave them a 100 win season last year.

When the season finally wrapped up and the standings became final the runs of the Orioles and A’s continued as the Orioles became the benefit of the new 2nd wild card team rule, and the A’s came back from a deficit in the standings that was as high as 13 games on June 30th to win the AL West over the Rangers.

The Orioles would win the wild-card play in game against the Rangers 5-1 to keep their magical season going. In the NL The Cardinals were able to hold off vigorous runs by the Brewers, Phillies, and even the Los Angeles Dodgers to reach the one game wild-card play in game against the Braves that they would win (with a disputed infield fly rule) 6-3, and finally set up the bracket to reach the world series.

By Greg Brotzman Sports Editor

Yankees and the Red sox, and recently, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles always seemed to get off to a great start but fade to the bottom of the pack just as fast as they started. But this year things changed and the Orioles have continued their success from the start of the season and used it to catapult themselves to the top of the standings. The Orioles haven’t backed down when faced with series against the Yankees and Rays, even producing a winning record against these teams. New

Photo by Breanna Jeffcoat

Jarrett Hildreth has gotten off to a record setting start for the Wildcat football team this year. Jarrett started off the year with no varsity experience and having to pick up an offense that only returned two starters from last year’s team. Hildreth started off the year with a dazzling performance against Fort Bend Ridge Point by throwing for 332 yards and one touchdown. Jarrett followed up his strong opening performance with another strong performance against Kingwood in which he threw for a school record of 373 yards and two more touchdowns. Then against the best defense the Wildcats had faced so far, Deer Park, Hildreth was able to throw for 217 yards an 3 touchdowns.

Hildreth followed this up with with two games against Baytown Steerling and Clear Lake in which he threw for 249 and 308 yards and three touchdowns a piece.

After five games Jarrett was second in the state in passing yards trailing only Kyle Poeske of Boerne Champion high school by 57 yards. But after another remarkable performance against Clear Falls in which Hildreth threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns to help keep the Wildcats undefeated.

Photo by Breanna Jeffcoat

Emma Robertson’s success and dedication to running has developed over time. She first started running back in 7th grade, simply to please her parents. Her dad, a triathlon runner, and her mom, a marathon runner, left a pretty difficult path for her to follow.

“My dad is an inspirational athlete to me, because of all his accomplishments, and because of all the reasons that he competes. I would hope that I’m as good as a role model as he is. My mom and I are both very competitive, so we never compete against each other. We choose different distances.”

The pressure, however, pushed her past failure, and although her first year in cross-country was disastrous, it all led to the rebirth of the amazing runner that she is today.

She runs six days a week, including Saturdays and morning practices before school. Unfortunately, during her third district race, she injured her ankle, affecting her training routine.

“It was really hard to drop out of a race, because I knew that I was injured,” she said. “But it could have turned out worse.”

She is now healthy and has competed in the Liberty Cross-country race on Saturday, October 6. Despite her fears, she took second place in her individual race and helped her varsity team win second place as well, taking home a golden trophy.

Sports

19

Cross Country sets their sights on State meet

By Leticia Suarez Features Editor Under the hot sun on Friday, September 14, the Clear Creek High School Cross Country team competed against several schools, including Clear Springs, Clear Brook, and Fort Bend.

Due to previous rainfall, the course was covered with mud and puddles, slowing many down as they fought not to fall. Medals were given to the top twenty in Varsity and JV, as well as to the top ten in an open race held later on that same day. Despite the high temperatures and penetrating heat, the boys managed to earn a total of three medals, as well as bragging rights over the defeated schools.

The runners are already used to extreme weather conditions. The races usually start at 9:00am and end at around 11:00am. At this time of the day, the temperatures are at its peak, threatening the runners with dehydration and exhaustion. However, this does not stop them from crossing the finish line as strong as possible.

“The last meet was really tough, It started out with one of our girls passing out and people getting ill left and right!

I was scared, but still determined and I did it!” senior Megan Thibodeaux said The team went to Clear Lake on August 31, Alvin on September 7, Clear

With the best yet to come, practice has elevated to a whole new level, with intensive training in the morning as well as after school for the Track

Photo by Jasmine Garza

Brook on September 14, Santa Fe on September 21, stayed at Clear Creek on September 28, went to Liberty on October 6, will go to Clear Springs this October 12, and finally, for the beginning of the end, they will be expected to represent our school at the District Race, on October 26, at Walter Hall Park.

and Field Class. Coach Sanders, the coach for the Cross Country girls, has faith that her experiences and achievements as a runner will lead the team to, hopefully, the top charts of their league. “I think it’s great to watch my girls reach their goals and watch them become successful.” Sanders said With the former seniors having left

for college last season, the young, yet experienced new members, carry the weight of the team on their shoulders as they lead the Wildcats pack. Emma Robertson, the top timed girl, with a two mile time of 12:34 minutes, is currently a sophomore and hopes to accomplish many of her athletic dreams during her early high school years.

“The start to the new season has been astonishing!” Robertson said. “Everyone on the team has individual goals they wish to achieve and we are determined to reach them this season!

As we train, we are all pushing each other to the maximum, knowing it will pay off when we step up to the starting line. The team continues to run harder each mile, and we are all confident that the work we put in at practice now will lead us to shattering results later.”

The cross-country Wildcats hope to make it far this season. With a couple of races more to go, the pressure continues to increase. Rivalries and confrontations will soon make the headlines as foes clash and fight for victory. If the team continues to succeed as it has so far, the chances to make it to State will become more of a reality.

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