2013 October

2305 East Main Street League City, TX 77573

Mumford and Sons Review pg, 15

Garden on TV pg. 8

New Stadium pg. 6

October 2013 Volume 90, Issue 2

Mr. Bockart chosen as Assistant Superintendent

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor The Board of Trustees in a Board Workshop promoted Mr. Scott Bockart, principal of Clear Creek High School, to the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education in an anonymous vote on October 14. Bockart announced the news to the staff of Clear Creek in an email later that day.

“Although I would much prefer to share this news with you in person, I also wanted to be sure you heard the official news from me,” said Bockart in the announcement email.

In the email, Mr. Bockart also states that he will be staying at Creek until a new principal is selected.

With almost eleven years as administrating roles in CCISD, Mr. Bockart has shown the traits and gained the experience required for taking the role as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. He has mentored ten other administrators into their roles and taken part in many committees such as Student Code of Conduct and District Design team.

Bockart has a his Master’s Degree in Education from St. Thomas University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Abilene Christian University.

Mr. Bockart will be replacing Dr. Alex Torrez as Assistant Superintendent

for Secondary Education. Dr. Torrez has process will interview with superintendent accepted the position of Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith. During a Boarad Meeting at the Pflugerville on November 18, Independent the Board will School District. give their official Both men have recommendation worked together, of a new principal and created a strong for Clear Creek relationship.

High School.

The process for Mr. Bockart choosing a principal joined the district had already begun. in 2002 as the The position was Assistant Principal posted online on of Victory Lakes CCISD website Intermediate. After on October 15. four years, he Teachers were then accepted a position invited to participate as principal of in a Principal League City Review meeting Intermediate, where they listed from 2006 to what they were 2007. He then looking for in a new came to Creek in principal.

May 2007 as the Photograph courtsey of Yearbook Den Mr. Travis Brown, principal, replacing physic teacher, who Dr. Fred Hayes who is attended the meeting, said the general currently superintendent of Athens ISD. consensus was, “Someone who cares Bockart began as principal at Creek about the traditions of the school and in 2007, following Mrs. Gain Love who students.” was intern principal before moving to be Screening of the applicants began principal of Clear Springs High School. to take place on October 28 of the In an interview with Houston applications sent in. After this, the Chronicle, Mr. Bockart described his goal committee will interview a select number coming into Creek. of finalists. These interviews are to begin “There are some good things in place on November 10. Those selected after this and some things we need to build up.

We’ve got to make sure that all of the students are successful and ready to go into the real world and workplace,” said Bockart.

Later when reflecting back on this goal, Bockart viewed his goal as successful.

“I think not just as a campus, but as a district it’s something we do really well, in preparing students for post high school endeavors,” said Bockart.

For Bockart, the hardest challenge has been adjusting to theopening of new schools. As principal in both the opening of Clear Springs High School and Clear Falls High School, the school’s loss of staff and student felt like a “loss of family.”

The thought of leaving Creek is bittersweet. Bockart said he will miss many things like graduation or “anytime we showcase our students talents.” Most of all Mr. Bockart wants to leave the staff and students letting them of his appreciation of his six years at Creek.

“It’s a privilege and an honor. There’s something about being a high school principal that is very rewarding and the students have made it rewarding. We have a great staff and a great group of students come through the doors here,” said Bockart.

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Opinion u o y n e h w d n i m r u o y o t s What come ? l l a F f o k n i th

F R ESHMEN

l because of “It is beautifu d the nice air the colors an flow.” tchins -Nicolas Hu

nd e of family a m s d in m re “It e turkey on th the smell of table.” no -Jeroe Quija

girlfriend “I love taking my weather, out in this beautiful on picnics.”

-Dwaine Hooper “I think o

f the colo and Hallo rful leaves ween.”

-Quintin Belcher

SOPHOMORES

S ENIORS

onfires, and “Cuddling, b er the stars.” looking und nan -Mikey Bren

“I think of all the beautiful colors, because it’s pretty.”

-Tabitha Kinney

“Spending time with my family, cold weather, and hot chocolate.”

-London Strickland

JUNIORS

es, , warm cloth ie p in k m u P “ fire place.” and a warm all -Alyssa Tind colors, cool “Pretty leaf being cozy, weather, and feels great.” hi -Mona Fatta

“I think o f da kin flavor rk colors, pumed food, windy we and cold, athe -Kayzel A r.” rpon “I think o fa cause win cool breeze beter is onit ;s way.”

-Vanessa Gonzales

“I think of lots of food and family because that is what the season is all about.”

-Gabe Garcia

2013-2014

HiLife Staff

Principal:

Advisor:

Executive Editor:

Editor-in-Chief:

Design Editor: “ I th in

Managing Editor: g, cold weath to th k about the dying n li d d u c s, e lea e Earth an Features Editor: all “Pretty leav d decay, h ves that fall ix, cold footb tfl e N e , r rs s e te g lp a row from ing produ News Editor: er, swe cks.” the energ c, and Starbu ts o o b y s, o e f

Teen Interest Editor: m a th g at once decayed le olk af.”

-Jaden Woolf

Sports Editors: -Issac Vil larreal

Around Creek Editors:

Advertising Managers:

Photo Editor:

Online Editors:

“Fall makes me think of assorted sweaters, because sweaters are UH-MAZING!” -Sheria Sowells

“Happiness because of the holidays.”

-Estefani Rivas

Scott Bockart Wynette Jameson Jan O’Neil Arlen Addison Jasmine Garza Audree Hall Lisa Nhan Jenan Taha Arlen Addison Jessica Sieling Lilli Lara Lisa Nhan Elena Rodriguez Jasmine Garza Elena Rodriguez Mallori Flanagan Monica Jackson Sydney Mathews

Emily Berthiaume Brendan Hudspeth Viri De Los Santos

Makenzie Jackson Carolina Sarria Allison Casey Heeldre Mancia Deja Harrell Natalie Steele Emily Ruthven 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

Arlen’s

Jasmine’s Journal

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

Behind the tragedies and devastations that come along with breast cancer, and the thousands of innocent lives it strikes, hope to find a cure still stands strong today.

The Susan G. Komen foundation started more than three decades ago in 1982, after Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

Today with the help of the Susan G. Komen foundation, the death rates due to cancer have decreased d r a m a t i c a l l y.

The month of October marked the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, the month where the color pink could mean so much more in one’s eyes, the month where survivors were recognized, the fallen were honored, and the awareness became clear.

The emphasis that has been put on breast cancer awareness, thanks to the Susan G. Komen foundation, has saved many lives.

Since the foundation was created there has been a 33 percent decrease in the mortality rate, a 24 percent increase in the relative five year survival rate, an $820 million increase in federal government research funding, and almost $2 billion dollars invested to fulfill the promise made in 1982 to end breast cancer.

With the Susan G. Komen foundation playing a great role in the world today, and the color pink seeming to be everywhere, other colors might often be overlooked.

The month of November marks the

month of Alzheimer’s Awareness. The month where purple takes the place of pink, and the number of fatalities is increasing instead of decreasing.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with a 68 percent increase between 2000 and 2010. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It is the only disease with no cure, no prevention, and no solution to slow down its progression.

More than five million Americans are living with the disease, one developing the disease every 68 seconds. It is estimated that 450,000 people will die with Alzheimer’s this year, and the cost of the nation is estimated to reach $203 billion.

Many times we are stuck in our own little world that we forget the world around us. We forget about the people struggling everyday to live, while we sit here and take life for granted. We forget about the caregivers of the the ones suffering, and the imapct Alzheimer’s has on them.

Not everyone has the same fate; some are here for a short time impacting as many people as they can, while the ones who live a hundred years impact not one single person.

These diseases hit close to home for me.

Coming from a family who has had to deal with hardships relating to these diseases, I think awareness is what we need to better inform our surrounding neighbors about the effects and side-effects of these diseases.

Many look at cancer and Alzheimer’s as a sickness that has an inevitable outcome, but that is not true. Organizations and people are teaming up to find a cure for these diseases, that seem to hit right when you think everything is fine.

Solutions are being found, precautionary steps are being taken to ensure that you get to live as many days as possible.

Today, about three million breast cancer survivors are in the United States, making it the largest cancer survival group in the U.S., and the research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s is still taking place today, because of people like you and me.

“ Suffering is always hard to quantify - especially when the pain is caused by as cruel a disease as Alzheimer’s. Most illnesses attack the body; Alzheimer’s destroys the mind - and in the process, annihilates the very self.”

-Jeffrey Kluger

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Anthropology

By Arlen Addison Editor-in-Chief This year, 2013, has been the most eventful year of my life yet by far. This rollercoaster ride has been filled with both positives and negatives, as are present in every person’s life. But, lately I’ve found that the negatives are weighing me down more far more than they should; they’re making me begin to question everything I thought I knew about my life and its place in the world.

As of a few short months ago I was relatively sure of my life. I had a family unit, which, while not the best, was still my family. I also had an amazing girlfriend whom I loved deeply and whom was my closest friend. While there were still parts of my life I was unhappy about, having a family and a girlfriend made things ok in the end.

However, I recently lost both my stepmother of seven years to divorce and my girlfriend of three years to break up. I’m no stranger to divorce and ending relations, having been a child in no less than four divorces in my first eighteen years of life; however I had begun to grow accustomed to the rag-tag family unit of my father, stepmother, our animals and I. Though relations between us were never perfect, having something I never had had before, a family unit, comforted me. But that comfort was shattered in a the blink on an eye between the time my step mother told me she was leaving and a mere two days later when she, along with half our animals and worldly possessions, were gone. Her leaving threw what was left our household into hard financial troubles and left me wondering how I could have ever thought that we made a family.

The divorce of my father and third step-

mother hit me rather hard and when I felt low I turned to my closest friend, my girlfriend, to find peace of mind. However, in my sadness I forgot to be a good boyfriend and be there for her when she needed support during her troubles. This, among other things, led to a breakup, which hit me as hard, if, not more, than the recent divorce. My girlfriend was among my closest friends and the person I trusted the most, so having that relationship shattered devastated me. Having little relations with my parents, siblings, or other friends or family, and with my stepmother and girlfriend out of my day-to-day life, I was unsure who to seek support from and have to deal with my feelings mostly alone.

As I mentioned earlier, this year has not been filled solely with negatives, having some positives along the way. I went from mowing lawns for money in dead heat to being a paid intern at comfortable position with NASA. I have also become editor-in-chief of this newspaper, which you read and have to privilege to write this editorial, among other things.

However, these achievements, and other ups this year, seem hallow and meaningless without those I once cared about, and still do, to share them with.

It was only in my last editorial that I quoted John Green saying, “In the end, at least in my experience, what you do isn’t nearly as interesting or important as who you do it with.”

I have found these words to be true.

One thing that has kept me going through these hard times is an ancient Hebrew proverb. It is said that the wise King Solomon had a ring with the words “This Too Shall Pass” engraved on it. This phrase had the ability to make sad men happy and a happy men sad. To know that all we feel, all we love, all we want, and we have is only temporary and will not last sets us free from all that we currently are.

While the events of late have been the worst of my life so far, I’m sure that far worse events shall occur in my future. And while future pain and suffering is guaranteed, I’m sure that there will also be countless pleasure and triumphs as well.

I don’t know what the good things will be or when they’ll happen, but they will happen.

In the end, ups and downs are just part of life, and there’s nothing to be done about it but just keep on continuing. I n the end the good things won’t always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things won’t always spoil the good things or make them any less important to me.

“Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d, Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me, Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined, The question, O me! so sad, recurring— What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”

-Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

4

News

Historic nomination for head of Federal Reserve

By Arlen Addison Editor-in-Chief

In a decision that could be one of the most important economic choices in recent event, President Obama announced his nomination for Janet L. Yellen as head of the Federal Reserve system, the central banking system of the United States.

As current Vice Chairwoman, Yellen, 67, has been renowned for being “one of the nation’s foremost economists and policy makers,” by the President himself.

If Yellen is approved by the Senate, a general expectation, she will become the first woman ever to lead the Fed. She will serve for 14 years as Chairman of the Fed. Yellen will be replacing current chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, who has expressed his desire to resign at the end of his second fouryear term this January.

During the nomination ceremony, President Obama praised Yellen as “exceptionally qualified” for the position.

“America’s workers and families will have a champion in Janet,” Obama said during the ceremony, adding how she “sounded the alarm early” prior to the housing crash and the 2008-09 recession.

“More needs to be done to strengthen the recovery, particularly for those hardest hit by the Great Recession,” said Yellen in a short speech following Obama’s speech.

“The mandate of the Federal Reserve is serve all the American people. And too many Americans still can’t find a job, and

worry how they’ll pay their bills and provide for families. The Federal Reserve can help if it does its job effectively.”

Yellen has a strong background in real world economics, having served with

nomics by a desire to help others, Yellen majored in the study at Brown University and received her PhD in economics at Yale University.

In 1977, she joined the Federal Re-

Federal Reserve Chairwoman Nominee, Janet Yellen (Left), President Obama (Middle), and current Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernake (Right), at a press conference in which President Obama announces his nomination for head of Federal Reserve. (Photo courtesy of MCT Campus)

the Federal Reserve for many years and served as Vice Chairwoman since 2010.

From a working class family in Brooklyn, Yellen was raised by father, a doctor, and her mother, a schoolteacher who left her job to raise her two children. Yellen received real-world lessons in economics from both her parents, who lived during the Great Depression, and the working class setting of Brooklyn. Drawn to eco-

serve as economist; there she met her future husband and fellow economist George Akerloff. Akerloff would later go on to win a Nobel Prize in 2001 for his work in economics.

Yellen later taught economic at University of Berkley, California before returning to the Fed in 1994. While colleagues fought against inflation, Yellen advised against zero inflation, arguing that some inflation

was good for employment.

Yellen has experience with previous Presidents; from 1997 to 1999 she headed President Clinton’s Counsel of Economic Advisers. She has also been known for making extremely accurate economic predictions.

“A big worry is that a significant drop in house prices might occur in the context of job losses, and this could lead to a vicious spiral of foreclosures, further weakness in housing markets, and further reductions in consumer spending,” Yellen warned in a 2007 speech regarding a possible housing crash.

During her tenure as Vice Chairwoman, Yellen focused on policies, which would lower unemployment rather than control high inflation. She expected to face stiff resistance in the Senate from Republicans who fear that she will not do enough to control high inflation.

While some Republicans oppose Yellen’s policies toward controlling inflation, she has drawn widespread support from Senate Democrats and economists alike. During the summer a third of Senate Democrats signed a letter urging President Obama to nominate Yellen to Chairwoman of the Fed. Last month more than 350 top-ranked economists also signed a letter urging the President to nominated Yellen.

“Janet has extraordinary experience and a proven track record of strong judgment and management savvy,” said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren in a statement.

News

5

Bayou City Art Festival brings culture to Houston

By Jenan Taha Features Editor

One of the most prestigious and diverse outdoor art displays came to downtown Houston on October 12 and 13. For over 40 years the Bayou City Art Festival has encouraged over 300 local artists to exhibit their art in 18 different mediums in a long stretch of canopies covering Walker, Bagby, and McKinney Street. The Bayou City Art Festival has consistently been in the top ten best art festivals in Sunshine Artist Magazine.

The festival began in 1973, as a small community art festival created by the Westheimer Colony Association. The craft festival was held twice a year, and began to gain popularity in the HoustonMontrose area. The proceeds from the event was donated to the beautification efforts of the community. By the 1980’s, the festival was nationally recognized as one of the best art festivals in America, and featured over 310 artists. In 1997, the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary, and had the most attendance ever in its history.

Other than art, the festival includes an array of musical and dance entertainment. It also includes a variety of food stands, all titled The Art of, followed by countries such as Italy, Greece, and India.

At the festival, art lovers can explore thousands of unique pieces of art and purchase some as well. Mediums range from

paintings to photography, jewelry to sculpture, furniture to clothing, and much more.

Prices also range greatly—one can find a

chase raffle tickets to win donated pieces of art worth thousands of dollars. Guests also enjoy extravagant culinary delights

Imagage courtesy of bayoucityartfestival.com

small trinket for $5, or an intricate painting for $50,000.

The festival takes place in the fall and spring. In the fall, the festival holds the Art Heist, at which patrons of the arts can pur-

catered to them.

The spring festival takes place at memorial park. Guests can observe and purchase art, eat delicious and culturally diverse food, and view “Emerging Art-

ist’s” pieces made by talented high school students. Instead of Art Heist, the festival holds Sunday in the Art, which has the same concept as Art Heist. Art students from Clear Creek have the opportunity to go on a field trip to the spring festival by entering VASE, a spring art competition.

“Every student who made it to VASE got the opportunity to visit the festival.

My friends and I went around to each booth filled with drawings, paintings, sculptures, and even jewelry made out of typewriter parts. Everyone there was so talented, and there was also a variety of delicious foods. I loved seeing all the booths from the various artists—they were so creative and inspiring,” Raynie Leard, junior, said.

Last spring, Clear Creek’s own Ms.Suzanne Lienhart was chosen to display her array of work at the festival.

“It was amazing to be a part of the festival, and everyone there was so wonderful. It was a great experience, ” Mrs. Lienhart said.

As spring approaches, Creek art students anticipate the art festival, which will take place from March 22nd to 24th, 2013.

“I can’t wait until next year,” Raynie Leard said.

Congress throws country into 16 day Shutdown

By Jenan Taha Features Editor

Initiated on October 1, 2013, the U.S. government began the shutdown of nearly all government departments and agencies. The shutdown was caused by the House and the Senate refusing to agree on a spending bill for the year. This could have staggering effects on the U.S. economy and government employees.

The government shutdown is not a total shutdown. Laws and regulations will stay in place, and local authorities will continue to govern. Only Federal institutions will be shut down, such as national parks, museums, the IRS, military, and courtrooms. The hundreds of thousands of workers in these professions will be furloughed, or laid off, or they may have to work for no pay.

The reason for the shutdown is rather complex. There are two sections to the legislative branch of the White House who decide upon laws—the House of Representatives, with a Republican majority, and the Senate, with a Democratic majority. Before September 30, the end of the fiscal year, the Legislation must agree on a new spending bill, which decides how the government will spend their money.

But this year, the House and Senate could not agree upon a spending bill before the deadline. The House proposed a bill that maintained current spending levels, but did not provide funding to implement the Affordable Care Act, more popularly known as Obamacare. The Senate disagreed with this and wanted to pass a continuing resolution, which maintains spending levels for all or part of the year with no policy

changes.

Because the House and Senate did not agree on a bill in time, the government was no longer allowed to spend any more taxpayer money. In order to make sure no

four week shutdown costs the economy approximately $55 billion. Others say it was not a big deal, and it only prevented Americans from doing small unnecessary tasks. These include not being able to visit

The Lincoln Memorial closed during the Government Shutdown. (Photo courtesy of MCT Campus)

money was spent, nearly all Federal institutions were temporarily closed down. At first, the White House expected the shutdown would last less than two days. However, the shutdown dragged on for approximately sixteen days.

This is not the first time the government has shut down. There was another shutdown in 1995 that lasted until 1996—a 21 day long shutdown.

Some citizens argue that the shutdown cost more money than it saved. A three to

national parks, or the capital.

“This is not Armageddon, this is a pinprick. It is not the end of the world,” Alaskan governor Sarah Palin said.

Many citizens who work for or have family members that work for the government are irritated that Congress and the President were still being paid while othr workers were furloughed.

“None of this is fair to you. And should it continue, it will make it more difficult to keep attracting the kind of driven, patriotic,

idealist Americans to public service that our citizens deserved and that our system of self-government demands,” President Obama said.

Americans mainly place the blame on three groups. Citizens overwhelmingly attribute the shutdown to the Republicans, because of their unwillingness to budge on not funding Obamacare. According to the New Jersey 101.5 radio station, 47% of Americans blame Republicans, 29% blame Democrats, and 24% are on the fence.

The shutdown became more complicated on October 16, which is the day before the government’s debt ceiling limit, which is the deadline to set borrowing procedures. October 17 is the day the government can no longer raise, lower, or change the debt ceiling, which decides how much money it may spend or borrow.

If the shutdown overlapped October 17, it would only add more problems for Congress to negotiate, while still having to decide on a bill to end the shutdown.

Fortunately, at the eleventh hour, literally, President Obama signed a bill proposed by Congress. The bill makes no significant changes to Obamacare, to the Republicans’ dismay, and funds the government through January 15. The bill also allows the government to borrow money until February 7, and provide backpay to all Federal workers who were temporarily unpaid. The bill was finally passed on October 16th, at 11:30 pm.

6

Features

Plans and renderings for new stadium revealed

By Brendan Hudspeth Reporter

PBK, the company behind the designs of Clear Springs, Falls, and Creek’s newest redesign, has created another design for CCISD. This time, it comes in the form of a 53.5 by 120 yards turf rectangle surrounded by 10,000 seats of spilt-level bleachers in a brand new football, soccer, and track-and-field stadium.

The new stadium will be the new home to the district’s athletic offices, with parking space for 3,300 vehicles and designated parking for teams and their support.

Included in this early unveiling is a new design for CCISD’s new Westside Agriculture/Livestock barn.

On November 10, 2012, the Citizens Faculty Advisory Committee, a group of CCISD’s taxpayers, reviewed two plans for a new stadium.

Many are aware that the current stadium, Veterans Memorial Stadium, is growing old and in need of repairs as well as just a lighter schedule for activities stemming from five highschool.

This concern was addressed by the

committee, who chose to build a new stadium, yet to be named, on the land purchased in 2004 behind Burlington Coat Factory on

cant portion of traffic from League City’s infamous “Five Corners” intersection.

This plan, however, will mean the

Photographs courtsey of PBK West NASA Road 1. originally proposed $15.7 This option will million plan of renovating cost approximately $39 million and should Veterans Memorial will not be put into aceliminate the need for Thursday night home tion. games, as well as drawing away a signifiThe declined first option of renovat-

ing Veterans Memorial Stadium had many drawbacks, although it was much cheaper.

It failed to address the concerns of constant nightly traffic at the Five Corners, the obvious dilemma of cramming five highly populated high schools into one stadium or scheduling concerns of chose five schools.

The staudiumoptions had been publicly available since November 12, 2012.

CFAC’s chairman also later presented the information at a January 14 open session with CCISD’s Board of Trustees.

As of February 27, 2013, the information has also been in the district’s bond website under Stadium Facts.

Since last winter, the stadium construction process has remained in preproduction, with designs being drawn and constraints addressed.

As of now, only a select few digital renderings of the stadium have been publicly released, but CCISD is moving forward.

Special thanks to Paula Drnevich, Lisa Lake, and Paul Miller at PBK Designs for their permisson of the use of these renderings.

New approved bond saves millions for taxpayers

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor

With a new approved bond-financing plan cutting two cents from the tax rate, CCISD’s District Board of Trustees could save $51 million for taxpayers. The original bond-financing plan would have caused taxpayers to see a 13-cent increase over a span of three years.

Instead, the District’s bond advisor proposed a variable-rate plan that would fund up to $200 million of the original $367 million with short-term loans. The loans themselves would be fixed at an interest rate of less then one percent. Compared to the original plan of long-term loans at a fixed interest rate of 4.68 percent, this plan presents a chance for taxpayers to save money.

“This is an opportunity to save taxpayers a significant amount of money down the road, draw down our debt at a faster rate than projected, and ultimately still achieve the goals set forward by the community in order to meet student needs for years to come,” said Ann Hammond, School Board President.

The meeting for this took place September 23, 2013. It had not yet been decided when the new financing plan will take effect. During this meet, the bond also approved a tax rate of $1.40 per valuation.

This is a 4-cent increase on the Interest and Sinking tax rate that was connected to the passage of the 2013 bond.

included in the 2004 bond. Other areas include parts of the technical education and athletics. The budget for Creek’s rebuilding is at $24,227,219.

Other parts of the bond effecting directly Clear Creek are those under the student safety, priority repairs, and growth category. A third gym will be added to accommodate the growing enrollment.

For 5A schools, the standard is Photograph courtsey of CCISD to have four gyms anyways. prove security CCISD has been watching the systems, resources for co-curricular and extracurricular pro- interest marker and refinances debt at grams, and take into account the growing lower rates. These efforts had saved enrollment rate the district is facing. It was $35.8 million in interest savings from previous bonds. approved with a 68% voting in favor.

In addition to the bond-financing The largest portion of the bond is going to rebuilding and improving existing plan, the District’s Board of Trustees schools in the district, some of these parts received news that the CCISD has rebeing 40 years old. The total cost of the re- ceived a “Superior Achievement” rankpairing of these schools is estimated to be ing from the Financial Integrity Rating $182,000,000. Clear Creek High School it- System of Texas. This is the 11th conself has plans to rebuild parts of the school secutive year the District has been honsuch as the fine arts department that weren’t ored with this ranking.

This community authorized $367 million bond was approved to help rebuild older schools, create extra facilities, im-

Features

7

CA school district monitors students’ social media

By Emily Berthiaume Reporter

A school district in Southern California is eliminating the gap between what their students say at school and what they post online at home.

In today’s rapidly changing world of technology and social media, it is hard to determine what is truly private. When a student sends a tweet or posts a picture from a public account, it is available for the whole world to see. However, who is seeing their posts, and who they actually want to see their posts, is a different matter.

The Glendale Unified School District has contracted with a California-based tech company called Geo Listening to monitor around 14,000 middle and high school students’ social media accounts. The program costs $40,500 per school year for the company to actively look into anything that can threaten the safety and well being of students in the district, including cyber bullying or self-harm.

After two students in the Glendale school district committed suicide last school year, the program was started as

an attempt to prevent any more suicides.

Soon after the test program was launched, a student who was speaking of ending his own life on his social media account was saved.

“We were able to save a life,” said superintendent Richard Sheean.”It’s just another avenue to open up a dialogue with parents about safety.”

The company only sees posts that the students willingly make public and is not able to see anything that is set as private.

However, the pictures or tweets could be sent from on campus or not, and during school hours or not.

As well as preventing self-harm and suicide, the firm searches for evidence of drug use and cutting class by using keywords to search all of the students’ posts.

The company then sends a daily report to the principal with their concerns, and the school decides if they wish to punish the student. No student has yet received punishment because of a post found by Geo Listening.

The students of the Glendale Unified School District were not informed that the pilot program had been launched, instead, they found out through rumors and the

news.

When asked about concerns of invading students’ privacy, Chris Frydrych, the CEO of Geo Listening, said that his firm is helping to bridge a gap.

“What we kept seeing is the chasm keeps building between how students communicate and the ability to tell adults about what’s going on in their lives,” Frydrych said. “I thought we could bridge that gap.”

However, the new program has proved to be very controversial, with students, parents and officials alike expressing their concerns.

“When the government -- and public schools are part of the government -- engages in any kind of line-crossing and actually goes and gathers information about people away from school, that crosses a line,” said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that defends privacy and free speech. “It’s not stumbling into students -like a teacher running across a student on the street. This is the school sending someone to watch them.”

“No matter where they are, if they are advertising it in the public domain, it’s no different than if they’re standing in front of

a teacher,” Frydrych said in disagreement.

There are also several concerns about how the monitoring is being done, and what will happen when the company finds anything that violates the student’s code of conduct.

“Nobody really understands what it is about or what the main objectives are of the program,” said Christopher Chung, a student in the Glendale district.

Also, Geo Listening is not provided with a list of students to watch, instead they use “deductive reasoning” to link students to the school district. Some other questions include if students will be disciplined for criticizing their teachers or their school, and if the program is limiting students’ freedom of speech.

This new way of monitoring and disciplining students, whether they’re off or on campus, is rapidly spreading, as Geo Listening is expected to contract with more than 3,000 schools worldwide by the end of the year.

Apple makes history releasing two new iPhones

By Carolina Sarria Reporter The iPhone 5 came out less than a year ago, but that hasn’t stopped Apple from releasing new versions of it: the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. This isn’t surprising considering the company has been releasing a new phone every year since 2008, but this is the first time the company has released two models at once.

The iPhone 5S costs $199 with a 2-year contract and includes an improved camera and battery life, a faster Apple A7 processor, and Touch ID. Instead of typing in a password to get access to the phone, the user can register their fingerprint with the Touch ID software. The phone is capable of storing up to five fingerprints, but users will still have to have a password to type in to be activate use of Touch ID. The iPhone 5S comes in gold, gray, and silver. It’s fast, twice as fast as the iPhone 5 and 5C, and almost six times faster than the 4S, which was the “must have” model only two years ago.

The iPhone 5C, starting at $99, has the same A6 processor and camera as the iPhone 5. However, it comes in the colors

catalog, a music app with green, blue, yellow, white, Courtesty of MCT Campus iTunes Radio that seems and pink. It also has to be competing with improved battery life, and has sort of a playful look to it, probably Pandora, and overall has a completely new due to the bright colors. look.

“You are going to be blown away by Unfortunately, it looks like these new how rigid and great it feels in your hand,” phones may be more likely to break if said Phil Schiller, vice president of Apple dropped when compared with the iPhone 5 marketing. as well as other phones.

Both the 5C and 5S run Apple’s In a durability test conducted by newest software, the iOS 7. The software SquareTrade, each device was reviewed is available for download for the older based on eight factors, which included the versions of the iPhone and iPad. Features materials of the front and back panels, the of the iOS 7 include the Control Center, weight, and the size. The other phones that which provides access to the settings from were tested include the Samsung Galaxy any screen, a camera app with a photo S4 and Google’s Moto X.

Robots were used to make sure the tests were consistent. The robots dropped each phone five feet from the ground and dropped them in water for ten seconds. The phones were rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 meaning that the device was more fragile than others. The iPhone 5S and 5C scored 5.5 and 6 respectively, which were worse scores than the iPhone 5’s rating of 5.

“We were expecting that at least one of the new iPhone models would up its game, but surprisingly, it was the Moto X that proved most forgiving of accidents,” SquareTrade’s chief marketing officer Ty Shay said.

Apple has made an exchange program available at its stores where consumers can trade old iPhones for store credit or receive a discount on a new phone.

Overall, critics have yet to be impressed, believing the new versions to be not that much different from the original iPhone 5. But this hasn’t stopped the sales, as nine million new iPhones were sold in the first weekend, nearly double the sales of the previous release.

8 Around Creek

“Kicked by the Cavaliers” raises funds for dancers

By Emily Ruthven Reporter

This year, in the spirit of the season, the Clear Creek Cavaliers have put a fun twist on the childhood tradition of tricking on Halloween.

Everyone has heard of getting “booed”.

Getting “booed” is a Halloween tradition that involves ringing a friends doorbell, leaving a sweet treat, then running out of sight, leaving the owner of the house confused and curious.

Instead of taking part in traditional fundraising; walking door to door, begging neighbors to buy frozen cookies, the Cavaliers have conjured up a more creative alternative. It is called “Kicked by the Cavaliers”. “Kicked by the Cavaliers” is a unique and different way to not only raise money for their booster club, but to spread Creek’s spirit.

When a student is “kicked”, several white, tall, sparkly boots are placed in their yard. This program allows students to fill out an order form for the Cavaliers to “kick” a friend.

The student must give a donation (of any size) to the Cavalier Booster Club if they want the Cavaliers to “kick” their friend. Once the receiving friend has been “kicked”, they can give a donation of any size to have the monstrous boots removed from the yard.

The receiving friend also has the option to send the boots to another friend.

Eventually, this becomes a fun and friendly chain reaction of “kicking” and donating.

All of the donations are put towards the Cavalier Booster Club. The Booster Club helps provide the Cavalier’s many costumes, props, shoes, etc. Having this

by Isabelle Huntsman, 10th, and kind of fundraiser is Photos courtsey of Allie Casey was very surprised to find the, especially fun, because big, white boots in his yard that it gets the whole school night. involved.

“It’s a fun and creative way for the “Kicked by the Cavaliers is a fun fundraiser that allows us to raise money for Cavaliers to support their Booster Club,” our booster club,” said Cavalier Captain, said Huddleston.

Huddleston then kept the “kicking” Allie Johnson, 12th.

People that have been “kicked” by the chain moving by sending the iconic boots Cavaliers are happy to be involved with the to fellow band member, Jordan Brown, Cavalier program.

11th. th Drew Huddleston, 10 , was kicked Nicole Matthys, 10th, was also kicked,

but by an anonymous sender.

“I was very curious as to who picked me,” said Matthys.

Once again, Nicole continued the chain reaction by sending the boots to her friend, and drum major of the Creek Band, Julie Vaughn.

“I think ‘Kicked by the Cavaliers’ is fun and unique way for the Cavaliers to raise money for their booster club, while getting the whole community involved,” says the junior clarinet player, Kerri Kroen.

Kroen was also “kicked” by an anonymous sender, but has a clue of who it might have bee, “I do have a hunch that it was Mrs. McCarty. She wrote me a note that said ‘Good luck at competition! Go band!’

We were going to the Lone Star Preview Competition that weekend; I thought this was just so sweet. I was on my way home from an exhausting band practice and I pulled up on my front curb. I saw these adorable, white and maroon boots. When I looked at it, I felt so loved,” said Kroen.

And that is just what the Clear Creek Cavaliers had intended. They wanted to make people feel all of those fall, warm feelings, all while supporting their booster club.

Just like how kids get “Booed” by their friends in elementary school, traditions evolve from childhood antics to teenage high school fundraisers.

The only difference now is that, instead of spreading Halloween cheer, sweets and treats, the Clear Creek Cavaliers are spreading smiles, school spirit, and of course, those little, white boots.

Alternative Academic garden featured on ABC 13

By Emily Berthiaume Reporter

Recently, ABC 13 did a “Hometown Live” piece on the garden that sits in the corner of our courtyard and its unique gardeners, featuring them on the nightly local news.

Every student at Clear Creek has walked by this garden, and it has become part of the scenery and landscape of the school. What some students don’t know, however, is that the Alternative Academic, or AA students at Creek tend to this special garden on a daily basis.

Gardening is known to be beneficial for students with special needs. According to KidsGardening.org, gardens provide real world examples and experiences that boost learning for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

These activities in the garden can allow students to connect with nature and each other in unique and important ways.

Products of the garden then become something the students can be proud of and share with others for praise and recognition.

Deborah Wrigley, reporter for ABC 13, described the Creek AA garden as “living proof” of how special and calming gardens can be.

Unlike a normal garden, the main focus of this special plot of soil isn’t on

what grows in it or how much of a crop is produced; instead, it is about the students and what they can gain from producing products themselves.

plants and weeds, how to water the plants, and harvest their crop. The garden has also helped them develop and grow, as well as providing them with a sense of purpose,

“I think that the theory Photo courtsey of Lisa Nhan according to Hometown Live. was to just help get them selfOne AA student had never sufficient,” said teaching assistant Lyn talked at school before, until one day when Linkenhoker. she was working in the garden.

The garden teaches the students the “When she came out to the garden, it basics of gardening, which is a vocational was her turn to use the water hose, and she skill. They learn the difference between used a complete sentence and said ‘It’s my

turn now,’” said teacher Stacey Lange.

Achievements like these have been helped to develop through working hard on the garden, and seeing the real, tangible results of a job well done. The students have produced preserves, natural soaps, and loofas, which are made from squash, as well as flowers and vegetables that will come later in the year.

When ABC decided to feature the garden, all the students were very excited. “Everyone wanted to be on TV,” said Ms. Lange.

Marnishia Gilbert, Cortes Allen, and Jessica Coleman were all interviewed, and they each talked about the garden what it means to them.

“I love my friends, I love my teachers. I like to help and do the farming,” Coleman said.

The League City Garden Club donates seeds and advice to the courtyard garden, and “they have so much capacity”, according to Alisa Rasmussen of the garden club.

The AA garden not only provides the Creek courtyard with beautiful flowers and plants, but helps special needs students grow and develop in extraordinary ways.

9

Around creek

Student Council helps to spread Wildcat spirit

By Carolina Sarria Reporter

The Clear Creek High School student council is made up of hardworking, determined students who demonstrate what it takes to be a leader in a school setting.

This year’s officers include President Carolina Dunbar, Vice President Kurtis Lester, Secretary Caley Szafarsadeh, Historian Natasha Edwards, and Treasurer Clare Collins. Student council is all about leadership and working on projects to help others in the community.

Several members of student council volunteered and helped make the homecoming candlelight pep rally at the Veterans Memorial Stadium a success.

The event was held on September 25 and was preceded by a homecoming parade.

The lineup of the parade included several sports teams such as volleyball, football, cheerleaders, Cavaliers, band, aquatics, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and also FFA as well as the homecoming court, who rode in convertibles.

The pep rally kicked off with the reciting of the pledges and then featured a performance by the choir, Cavalier officers, and of course enthusiastic cheers from the cheerleaders.

A skit was also performed showing painting, costumes, pumpkin decorations, how the Wildcats and goodie bags. would beat Student council the Clear Lake will be having Falcons at the 2 workdays to homecoming prepare prior game. The crowd to the event. showed great They will also school spirit, and be collecting the celebration donations for the concluded with orphans. the candles on “I am glad the stands on that these kids the opposite are doing this for side of the the community,” crowd spelling said Ethan out “CREEK”, Elkins, 10th. “It illuminating the will really make entire field. a difference On October in some of the 22,, student children’s lives.”

“I grew up council will in La Porte, be hosting a and grew up Halloween party Photo courtsey of the Yearbook Den volunteering at at the Boys and Boys and Girls Harbor and Girls Harbor orphanage located in La Porte. The orphanage houses it was such a great experience. You learn so 55 kids ranging in ages from 3 to 18. The much about people when you give back-event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. it’s not money they need, it’s your time and The activities being planned include a attention. It’s really amazing that me and 3-leg race, an egg toss, a dance party, face Mrs. Wischnewsky can take the student

council students there so the kids at Boys and Girls Harbor can have a fun afternoon with peers and get to interact with new friends. Our student council kids are so caring and lively- I just know the kids at Boys and Girls Harbor will have a blast!

It’s really cool for me personally, just to come full circle- going there to volunteer as a high school student and now returning with my own high school students, very cool,” said Mrs. Geise, student council sponsor.

The mission of Boys and Girls Harbor is to provide a loving, healthy home for children and families in crisis or who have suffered through hardship, neglect, abandonment, or abuse. It was founded in 1947 and now welcomes non-residents to make sure they have a safe place to stay when the school day is over. Those who are interested in donating, volunteering, or supporting a child at the Harbor can log on to www.boysandgirlsharbor.org for more information.

Members of this year’s student council have already proved what it takes to be a student leader. They have helped out not only here at Clear Creek HS, but also in the community and have made a difference in other people’s lives.

November Calendar Sunday 27

Monday 28

Tuesday 29

Wednesday 30

Thursday 31

Friday

5

4

11

12

Lady Golf vs Clear Springs @ Galveston Varsity football vs Brazoswood @ 7pm

18

24

13

19

25

26

14 JV Girls Basketball Tourn. vs Deer Park Musical Performance @ 4pm and 7pm

20

21 Late Arrival Girls B-ball Varsity Tourn.

TISCA MEET @ noon

Girls B-ball vs Galveston Ball Freshman @ 4pm JV @ 5:30pm Varsity @ 7pm

Musical Performance @ 2pm

8 Freshman and JV Girls Tournament @ Clear Lake

Girls B-ball vs Summer Creek Freshman @ 4pm JV @ 5:30pm Varstiy @ 7pm

Veteran’s Day

17

7

Girls Varsity Basketball @ Clements @ 7pm

Boys B-ball Scrimmage @ 4:30pm @Falls

10

6

27

2

1

Halloween

3

28

Saturday

Varsity vs Springs @ 7pm Girls B-ball: JV & Freshman Tourn. @ Clear Lake Varsity vs Madison @ 7pm

15

Lady Golf vs Clear Springs @ Galveston

9

16

Musical Performance @ 7pm Girls B-ball Varsity vs Cy Lake @ 7pm

22

Musical Performance @ 7pm

23

Girls B-ball Varsity Tourn.

TISCA MEET @ noon

29

Girls B-ball Varsity Tourn.

TISCA MEET @ noon

30

THANKSGIVING BREAK

12 Teen Interest

Gravity movie starring Sandra Bullock hits theatres

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor

The movie Gravity has been on the headline of every major media outlet. This blockbuster has been setting records in the box office, been claimed to be a new classic, and creating controversy over the accuracy of the science featured in the film.

Reviews since the world premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival on August 28 have been raving from critics and audiences alike. The film also ranked 44 with a rating of 8.8 on IMDb’s user-generated top best 250 films. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 97% of critic’s approval and 227 total reviews, Gravity has been leaving large impressions. Metacritic has an average of five stars with a 96% approval rate from 48 reviews.

“I think it’s the best space photography ever done, I think it’s the best space film ever done, and world it’s the movie I’ve been hungry to see for an awful long time,” said James Cameron, worldrenowned filmmaker known for his work in Titanic and Avatar.

On her first shuttle mission, Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock,

is an accomplished medical engineer.

Accompanying her is Matt Kowalsky, portayed by George Clooney who is on his last flight before retiring. What is supposed to be an exciting new adventure turns to

screenplay with his son Joan as a project for Universal Studios, but rights were later sold to Warner Bros. Over four years of work went into the film to reach the level of reality in terms of cinematography, visual

George Clooney stars in “Gravity.” (Warner Bros. Pictures/

disaster when effects, and MCT) the shuttle gets atmosphere. destroyed. Left to drift into space, the Cuarón was very involved with the two are completely alone as they struggle film; not only acting as director, but coto find a way to survive in the impossible producer, co-editor, and co-writer. Clooney environment of space. and Bullock underwent six months of The film has been in development for physical training for the film as well. many years. Alfonso Cuarón co-wrote the The most time was spent on practicing

Bullock’s breath. The breath was key in expressing her emotions.

“That breath is connected with stress in some instances, but also the breath that is dictated by lack of oxygen,” said Cuarón.

Cuarón had previously worked with producer David Heyman on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Some have criticized the movie for it’s scientific accuracy, however Cuarón has admitted that some liberties were taken in order to preserve the story. One of the inaccuracies includes the incorrect orbitals of the Hubble Space Telescope and the ISS in the opening sequence of the film.

Others have praised the movie for it’s overall attention to ideas presented in the film.

Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut who has taken part in two Hubble Servicing Missions, described the movie as, “nothing was out of place, nothing was missing.”

Overall none of the mistakes found in the film have been criticized for hindering the film experience.

Teen Interest 13

Music lovers enjoy Austin City Limits music festival

By Jessica Sieling Teen Interest Editor The 11th annual Austin City Limits festival took place in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on the first and second weekends of October. Austin City Limits, referred to as ACL by most people, is an American music festival where over 100 acts come together and play for audiences with as many as 225,000 people in the crowd. The first concert took place in 2002 and since then it has grown to be one of the most popular festivals in the county because of its vast variety of acts. At ACL, people can find bands playing any type of music, including indie, folk, rock, electronic and more.

Usually the festival is a three-day event ,but because of the increase in attendance for the festival, this year the Austin City Council members decided to expand to a two-weekend event to bring in more people. The line-up included popular bands such as fun., Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Muse, and more many of them preformed both weekends for the two different crowds.

This year, the festival included eight

stages, varying in sizes based on the popularity of the band. The main acts, including Muse and Kings of Leon,

allows local artist to sell artwork, jewelry, posters, boots, and other accessories. The market is located in the middle of the

Reignwolf performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival

preformed on the at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, Saturday October 5, 2013. festival and is a (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman/MCT) two main stages, place for people to Lady Bird and hang out and shop Samson Galaxy. while waiting for the bands they want to Along with the performances, the see. festival also included an Art Market that But the art market isn’t the only thing

that attacts people’s attention during the festival. The food market at the event allowed people to eat several different types of food in many different forms, anything from pizza to Greek gyros to Thai curry, and many pies.

To keep everyone hydrated and healthy during the three-day long event, the festival included filling stations where people can fill up water bottles, Camelbaks, and any cup with water for free as many times as needed.

The filling stations are located in different places around the park allowing the attendee’s to have fun without worrying about buying and keeping track of water.

The festival also included a Waterloo tent that allowed fans to buy different band’s CD’s, records, and other products.

It also had scheduled meet and greets with bands where fans could meet the members of their favorite bands and get their signatures. Fans could also buy Austin City Limits t-shirts, bandanas, and bags, along with band merchandise for every band that attended the festival.

Miley Cyrus steals spotlight while hosting SNL

By Emily Ruthven Reporter Ever since her hosting of Saturday Night Live, Miley Cyrus has become the biggest thing in pop culture with her “hardcore” personality and daring performances.

The public cannot deny it, whether it is positive or negative, Cyrus is popular.

Everyone has an opinion on her P!nk influenced hair style, her new style of music, and her raunchy performances; a complete transformation from her teenhood character, Hannah Montana.

In Cyrus’ monologue, she said, “I have an update on Hannah Montana. She was murdered.”

As sources would say, desperate to separate herself from the innocent and adolescent character, Cyrus’ has committed, as some may call, “inappropriate” acts. All of these acts have made Cyrus extremely noticed in the media.

Her popularity has only increased since she hosted. Many people were expecting a show full of “twerking” and raunchy sketches. However, the acclaimed SNL cast kept the amount Cyrus’ “twerking” to a zero.

In the monologue, Cyrus joked of

twerking, “Now that the white people are creating a comedic reference to FOX news’ republican roots and background. doing it, it seems kind of lame.”

The mini-series that This episode Cyrus stared in was was jam packed with an MTV knock-off sketch comedy and where Cyrus played digital shorts. Some of a hip-hop influenced the sketches included Clinton. a skit about Cyrus’ There was also a VMA performance, parody to Cyrus’ We mocking her and her Can’t Stop. About dance partner, Robin the government Thicke. The skit also shutdown, Cyrus included Will Smith played a partying and the “old Miley Michele Bachmann Cyrus.”

Another with Taran Killam sketch had Cyrus as playing Joe a bossy, high school Boehner. cheerleader. In the In this sketch, sketch, aliens came to the two, with many abduct her reluctantly preppy team. others, played the The digital short Republican Party; for the show was a committing racy comedic news Miley Cyrus attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at The dances and report about how, Barclay Center in New York City, NY, Sunday, August 25, 2013. severe partying (Nancy Kaszerman/Zuma Press/MCT) democrat, Hilary instead of making Clinton, had a decision on many TV network mini-series staring her. Obama-care.

Some critics ventured to say that Cyrus’ One of them was a FOX mini-series called, “Hilary Clinton: Cold, Mean, Woman” hosting of SNL was career redemption.

Others disagreed, believing that it was just an exploit of her recent fame.

“The cast seemed, for the most part, more organized this week, but it was hard to notice because the cast was basically relegated to, ‘Hey, look, Miley Cyrus is here’ mode,” said Mike Ryan of Huffington Post.

Through many articles and tweets, there hasn’t been a general consensus of what to think Cyrus.

Cyrus also preformed as the musical guest for the show, preforming her two hit singles, Wrecking Ball and an acoustic version of the popular, We Can’t Stop.

A few weeks later on the 27th, Cyrus made another appearance on SNL. She dropped by on Edward Norton’s Halloween themed episode with an announcement of her new tour for next year.

“Real quick, I’d just like to announce to all of my fans that I’m about to be going on tour,” said Cyrus in the monologue.

In the addition to her monologue appearance, Cyrus appeared in a sketch about a freed slave where she performed her signature twerking moves.

14Teen Interest

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to host Golden Globes

By Jessica Sieling Teen Interest Editor

On October 15, 2013, it was announced that two of Hollywood’s comedy golden girls, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, are to host the annual Golden Globes award ceremony show for the next two years, according to NBC and the Hollywood Forgein Press Association. Earlier this year, the former Saturday Night Live stars received a total of 19.7 million views while hosting the 2013 Golden Globes, bringing in the highest numbers of views for the award show in over six years. The ratings also beat the previous year by an amazing 17 percent increase.

Fey and Poehler, both well known for their work with NBC over the past few years, have both declared their excitement over the possibly of returning in various interviews over the past few months. In January, Fey told Access Hollywood that “[Hosting the Golden Globes] certainly was fun, we did have a good time. We’ll see if they want us back.”

Poehler, in an interview with Metro, stated, “We had such a fun time doing the Globes, and it’s been nice to be able to go to those shows in general, to be asked and invited. I’ve been to a lot of them now, and when you don’t win it’s really a funny, fun lesson.”

But along with hosting the famous award show, both Poehler and Fey have kept themselves quite busy over the years. Fey just finished the seventh and final season of her popular television show, 30 Rock, which she wrote and starred in as Liz Lemon and has announced her development of a new

series on NBC. She also wrote a book, talented comedic writer/performers in our Bossypants, which came out in 2011 and has sold over one million copies in the Untied States. Recently, Fey hosted the 39th season premier of Saturday Night Live, the famous sketch comedy show that she and Poehler used to star in.

Poehler, on the other hand, has continued her character as Leslie Knope in the hit show, Parks and Recreation, as well as starred in the new animated movie, Free Birds, along with Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson which is to be released Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler arrive for the 70th Annual on November 1 Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on of this year.

Sunday, January 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. (Kirk The two women of show McKoy/Los Angeles Times/MCT) business have received much positive feedback from the announcement business, and they were a major reason the Golden Globes was the most entertaining of their return.

“Tina and Amy are two of the most awards show of last season,” said Paul

Telegdy, the current NBC president of alternative and late night programming.

“We’re elated they wanted to host together again and that they committed for the next two years.”

“We are thrilled Amy and Tina have decided to return as hosts of the Golden Globe Awards for the next two years,” said Theo Kingma, the HFPA president. “Their return ensures that the Golden Globes will once again be the biggest, best and most entertaining awards celebration of the year.”

“Tina and Amy have a truly unique chemistry, making them one of the most talented and captivating pairings of all time,” said Allen Shapiro, the CEO of Dick Clark Productions. “We are thrilled to have them back in 2014 and 2015.”

However, despite the excitement over the hostess’ return, there was a scandal to appear in the entertainment news featuring rumors of the ladies demanding a whooping two-five million dollars each in return for their hosting jobs. According to a source, that would mean that the ladies would be making “more than any Oscar host in history with the exception of Billy Crystal,” who apparently made $5 million during his hosting job. The rumor was later proven wrong after Fey and Poehler’s representatives gave a statement to Vanity Fair explaining the exaggerated amount and corrected their paychecks to be most likely in “the low six figures.”

The 71st Annual Golden Globes Award show is to premiere January 12, 2014 with the two women hosting and will be held in Beverly Hills, California.

Rockstar releases record-breaking game, GTA V

By Emily Ruthven Reporter

To the excitement of many long awaited fans, the next installment in the hit game series, Grand Theft Auto, was released on September 17, 2013 and sold in stores everywhere. Created by Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Five made $800 million within the first 24 hours of its release. Ever since the first Grand Theft Auto game, released in October of 1997, critics and gamers alike conside Grand Theft Auto as a pinnacle of video games.

In celebration of this highly anticipated game, Rockstar Games created a Grand Theft Auto themed giveaway. This giveaway included a GTA themed “body bag” sleeping bag, a GTA t-shirt, and some rare, collectible stickers. Rockstar selected the winner at random from its pool of Twitter and Facebook followers.

Critics praised the game for its abundance of climatic moments, such as explosions and heists. Reviews say that these multitude of moments give clients a thrilling feeling of freedom of exploring the dark antics of Los Santos (the Los Angeles of Grand Theft Auto).

“It’s Rockstar’s greatest technological achievement to date, a virtual facsimile of Southern California rendered with exquisite detail. Los Santos is everything you want Los Angeles to be: a sun-kissed city filled with people cruising leisurely between

familiar landmarks on preposterously open and navigable roadways,” said critic Alex Wawro of TechHive.

One reason that the popularity of the

lived before; a chance to become a different person.

Grand Theft Auto Five has received praise for its gripping, thrilling and highly

game game is With a huge open world to explore, three playable characters s o p h i s t i c a t e d that, Grand and a wealth of side activities, “Grand Theft Auto V” is the gift plot line. This is that keeps on giving. (MCT) an advancement Theft Auto has from the previous missions and tasks that must be competed to advance Grand Theft Autos. Some critics have even in the game, but still lets the player have ventured to say that Grand Theft Auto the freedom to do whatever they choose; Five improved upon their previous works, something that is not given in the real starting with the game, which hit stores world. With immoral comedy and sinful in October of 1997. But others disagree deeds to the game, it often gives players a with this statement, saying it actually lacks sense of edginess that they may not have development.

“The problem with GTA V is that while in reality. In short, the game gives players the chance to live a life that they’ve never the scope and verisimilitude of the world

itself has grown by leaps and bounds, the narrative is stuck in a state of arrested development,” said Wawro.

Many players and critics have noticed that the game has many real world allusions. For example, the economic crises are present in the game, just as they are in America. Grand Theft Auto Five also includes references to celebrities, the middle, upper, and lower classes and much, much more.

Many players enjoy this aspect because it makes the game feel more realistic.

One special thing about this particular installment to the Grand Theft Auto series is that an online version will be available to gamers everywhere, beginning October 1. In the past, all Grand Theft Auto games have been single player, but now, with the online game, players can play with their friends.

For example, a gamer could use his Xbox live feature to communicate and interact with his/her friends in the game, creating a more social experience.

Unfortunately, many customers have been experiencing technical difficulties with this new feature.

Rockstar Games tweeted, “For those trying to get into GTA Online today, please bear with us on some tech connection issues that we’re working on to stabilize ASAP.” Advancements on these technical difficulties had progressed.

Teen Interest 15

Mumford and Sons performance amazes audience

By Jessica Sieling Teen Interest Editor

It was definitely an interesting and entertaining night on September 17 when the four men of Mumford and Sons hit the stage for a sold-out concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. And the indie folk band from West London certainly didn’t disappoint the packed crowd of over 16,000 people in the audience. The night was full of amazing music that had the crowd up on their feet and singing along the entire performance.

The concert, originally booked for June 12 earlier this summer however was rescheduled after one of the band member’s had a health problem, started at nine pm after the opening acts of Mystery Jets and Michael Kiwanuka. By the time the leading performance began, the audience was eager to see the line up that the men of Mumford and Sons had in store for them.

The band includes Marcus Mumford, Winston Marshell, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane. The four men came together in December of 2007 and released their first EP entitled Love Your Ground followed later on by their debut album, Sigh No More. Although the band name would suggest a family oriented group, the guys are not actually related to each other in any way.

Their name was created simply by

using the lead singer’s, who was the most “noticeable” performer in the group, last name, Mumofrd, and came up with the

new album, Babel, which was released in September of 2012 and, in the United Kingdom, the album became the fastest

Photo by Jasmine Garza

“and Sons” part later on.

According to the band’s keyboarder, Ben Lovett, the band wanted the group to sound like an “antiquated family business name” to attract more interest.

The world tour featured the band’s

selling album of the year. The tour lasted for about a year, starting in November 2012 and ending in September of this year and got excellent reviews from all over.

And the actual concert was not

disappointing in the slightest. The band members started the show off with a beautiful delivery of the song Lover’s Eyes.

The song was an excellent choice for the beginning of the show because it offered a slower, less well-known song that had the audience anticipating what was to come, as opposed to many artist who prefer to being with famous hits. It got the crowd in the mood for the amazing night that was ahead of them.

After the opener, the band quickly dived into song after song including showstoppers such as I Will Wait and Little Lion Man stopping briefly between each song to change instruments and address the audience.

Although the concert did feel a little rushed and the guys, understandable, looked somewhat tired, the performance was still the best I’ve seen in a while.

The four men’s pure talent was incredible and even despite the size of the venue, that still managed to connected to the audience through their music, which is something that I think all musicians and artists strive for. Even Marcus’s welltimed jokes about the Texas heat had the crowd laughing and smiling. At the end of the concert, I could safely say that the next time Mumford and Sons stops in Texas to preform, I will be in the crowd singing along.

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Diversion

Save a life

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Sports

MLS may face possible schedule changes this year

By Lilli Lara Sports Editor For years, Major League Soccer has thought about altering its calendar for the league to operate more combination with Europe and FIFA. The thought of this idea has risen through the air of the MLS and has brought great momentum.

MLS spokesperson Dan Courtemanche appeared to have refuted at least the timing of the change Monday morning, stating via email, “We will announce plans for the 2014 season before MLS Cup. The timing of the 2014 schedule will be very similar to the current season.”

Seeing as the offseason for the World Cup cycle has been established, it makes sense for the Courtemanche to announce so. In addition, Jurgen Klinsmann, United States manager, would probably find conflict in rescheduling.

After the World Cup, there is an open possibility that the change will happen, something that would no doubt please FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has long encouraged the move.

The New York Daily News has reported that MLS intends to make the switch in time for the 2014 season with a league calendar that begins in late July or early August, taking a winter break during December and January, and then concludes with MLS Cup the following May or early June. If the change does not start taking place in 2014, it would be held off until the year 2015.

This would either implement a shortened season during the first half of the year, or an extended championship that

would last a total of about 16 months. The former seems the more reviewed solution given that it would make for a quicker transition to the new schedule.

Television appears to be one of the drivers for the switch. The league’s ratings

diverts attention. It is common belief that if one team executive moves to a fall/ spring season, it would make the playoff portion of any television rights deal much more valuable, this is despite the risk of going up against the NBA and NHL during

Official logo for Major League Soccer. MCT 2006

remain low, with data from Nielsen indicating that the household rating for MLS matches on ESPN networks has remained at 0.2 for the last three seasons, including 2013.

The league’s television deals are also all set to expire at the end of 2014. Due to the MLS playoffs, they run smack up against the NFL and the conference championship games for college football, which could be a competition. The economic value of the MLS postseason and by extension the overall television contract is not what it could be. The timing of the playoffs makes it difficult to obtain time slots, and the overall competition from other sports

the respective postseasons of those leagues.

The change has other advantages as well. During the summer months, there is usually an increase in national team activity.

By finishing in May or June, it would help the league avoid the problem of scheduling games during international tournaments like the World Cup. This would add more competitive integrity to the regular season, since international players would be missing fewer league games. It would also leave the summer months free to schedule profitable friendlies with European clubs that come to North America for the preseason.

Being in alignment with Europe would

also aid in receiving players, since the transfer windows would now be roughly the same. MLS clubs could construct their sides for the start of the season when more players are available on the open market.

The concern of course is what the change might do to attendance, especially with the introduction of a two-month winter break, and the lag in attention that would ensue during that time.

The league, with some justification, has proudly pointed to its attendance numbers as proof of the league’s growth. MLS commissioner Don Garber has long stated that playing more games during the winter months wasn’t going to happen until fans “became agnostic about the weather.” That doesn’t appear to have changed.

There is concern over the attendance of teams like Toronto, Chicago and New England if they would be forced to play more games in February, March and November, while much of May, June and July would be abandoned.

The schedule could be constructed in such a way, so that warmer-weather teams had more games during the colder months.

However teams with colder climates would have to have at least a few games at home during these times to maintain their fans,-something that will already be tested by the winter break.

All told, the move brings considerable risk, one that MLS will have to work with carefully before making its final decision.

Once tested to see how the schedule works, and how teams and fans react, will determine the final move.

Sports

Adrian Peterson’s son murdered

By Emily Berthiamue Reporter

NFL Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s 2-year-old son, Tyrese Robert Ruffin, died on Friday, October 11, from injuries he suffered after being abused by his mother’s boyfriend.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota police reported that Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, called the police around 5:45 P.M. to report that a two-yearold boy was “choking” in his apartment. The officers arrived to find the child unresponsive.

After being rushed to the hospital, young Ruffin passed away two days later.

The police determined that Ruffin died from “injuries to his head consistent to abuse”, according to police spokesman Sam Clemens, courtesy of CNN. Patterson was the only other person in the apartment at the time. He was arrested Thursday night, and was charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated assault.

If convicted on these charges, Patterson could face up to 40 years in prison and an $80,000 fine.

Known to have a history of violence, Patterson had been indicted on several counts of simple assault involving an exgirlfriend and her three-year-old son.

“This is an absolute tragedy,” Tom Wollman, Lincoln County, South Dakota, State’s Attorney said Friday, “and the parents and the extended family are suffering greatly.”

Despite losing a son two days before, Peterson still decided to play in Sunday, October 13’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

“Even if it’s bad, I try and take the good

from it. That’s the way I approach life, with all situations,” Peterson said after the game.

“I never thought about not playing. It was all about going out there and praying that I had the strength to get through and help my team, so that was my focus.”

Peterson said on repeated accounts in interviews on how he was able to get through on game, despite the criticism he

appears to be named after, posted on his Facebook page after the death of Tyrese that he had raised him, and was essentially the boy’s father – although not biologically.

“I don’t blame AP for not really caring (because) him and I both found out recently who the biological father was. AP met my son for the first time (yesterday) when my son was already in coma … I was here today when we pulled the plug, not him. He was happily practicing and has no problem playing on Sunday,” posted Ruffin, courtesy of TMZ. Since the death of Tyrese, it has been revealed that Adrian Peterson is the father of five other children - with a possible two more according to Erica Syion, the mother of one of his children. His children include another twoyear-old son, Adrian Peterson Jr., whom he loves with, a three-month old daughter who lives with her mother in Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson takes a hand off during practice on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at Minnesota, and a four-year old son Minnesota State University, Mankato, in Mankato, Minwith Syion, and an eight-year old nesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT) daughter. These children are from at least three different mothers – received for it. including the mother of Tyrese, four.

“We mourn and grieve, but heaven had Peterson attended Tyrese’s funeral on the baddest welcoming party for my son. Wednesday, October 16. Later, he spoke That knowledge gives me peace,” Peterson about never knowing his son and the said. “I’m still hurt and feel the pain of funeral. life, but I’m able to function because of the “I was planning on seeing him. I had a peace and joy of knowing my loved ones talk with his mom and we got some things are in a much better place.” together as far as financially helping her,” Peterson rushed for a season-low of 62 Peterson said, courtesy of USA Today. yards and caught three passes for 21 yards “Unfortunately, this situation took place. in a 35-10 loss.

It’s devastating. It was a difficult day, Bobby Ruffin seemed to have another just taking in the circumstance and the explanation of why Peterson was able to whole situation. A child was buried. That’s play on Sunday. Ruffin, whom the child difficult for anyone.”

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Athletes of the Month

Mariah Pardo

Sophmore Varsity Volleyball Setter

“We weren’t expected to go far. We wanted to prove to people we would. So we really pulled together as a whole.”

Hildreth’s make family affair at game

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief The Hildreth brothers make football a family affair. On September 27, 2013 as the rivalry of Clear Creek vs. Clear Lake continued on one of the most populated homecoming games, sophomore Chase Hildreth stepped in for senior brother Jarrett Hildreth after a deep bruise to the thigh.

“It broke my heart to see him hurting,” said Carrie Hildreth, Creek’s very own teacher, and mother to the Hildreth brothers.

Stepping on the field after the first drive, Chase quickly got into the rhythm

of things.

“I was feeling nervous at first,” said Chase, “ but after the first drive, I was comfortable.”

Once Chase got into the rhythm of things, which did not take long, he managed to throw four touchdown passes and lead two more scoring drives, showing no signs of weakness.

“I was proud—couldn’t watch at times…and freaking out. But, he did very well,” said Mrs. Hildreth.

Although it might have been “different and weird” for Jarrett to see his younger brother step in for him, Chase managed to pull out a win for the Wildcats with a

score of 42-10 against the Clear Lake Falcons.

“I felt pretty good after the game, mainly because we won,” said Chase.

Both brothers might have different personalities off the field, but on the field they share the same dreams of becoming apart of the National Football League.

“At home their reactions were nothing less than respect. I’m very proud of my boys. I am honored to be their mother,” said Mrs. Hildreth, “love what you do and be a good person,” she says to Jarrett and Chase.

Tyler Martin

Sophmore Cross Country Star

“It’s always been my goal to go to regionals and make state.”

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