October 2014

Taylor and the Wild Now pg. 16

Mrs. Johnson Profile pg.9

JROTC ninja course pg. 7

Preserving Creek’s legacy with restoration of photos

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor Hidden in the attics of Creek were forgotten stories from over a fifty year period. Some mold covered, some with worn down edges, some wrinkled from water damage; these stories once lined the hallways of Creek. This past summer it was brought to light that dozens of old class photos of past seniors had been hidden and tucked away for years. After realizing the importance these photos had to the school, the school began to plan a way to give these photos and alumni chance to be seen again.

This launched the Photo Restoration Project; in order to help find a way to bring back some of Creek’s rich history for all to see.

Mrs. Cathy Donahoe, head secretary to Principal Jamey Majewski, was first told about the pictures by a former alumni, and when she saw the pictures for the first time she “knew immediately [she] wanted to help save them.”

“Look at them. Look at all of that history. We cannot not share that. It gives the students that are here, especially the ones that have family members that graduated, how Creek got to be where it is today. It shows the times, the dress.

It’s just amazing to go back and look at all of that history,” Donahoe said.

The class pictures start from the first graduating class of Creek, 1957, until 2002, when the tradition of class photos stopped. However, some years are still hidden away unable to be found. There are four missing years in total: 1960, 1985, 1996 and 2001. After finding the photos, Creek had decided to bring

back the senior class panoramic photos.

This restoration project will be funded by donmations. Alumni have been sent letters detailing the plan and urging them to make donations to help achieve the renewal of these photos and the stories that come with them.

“If they’re a former student, I would

are coming from the Upper Bay Frame Gallery, a local business is the one Creek plans to work with to bring the pictures back. Currently, the administration is planning to set their sites at $7,000 and just work from there. Once finished, the photos will be hung up in the school for everyone to see. Many were handmade with hand

Photo taken by Lisa Nhan

want them to donate because it’s preserving their own history, their own legacy. Every student that comes through here leaves that mark. They can show that they left that mark with those class pictures. Your kids and your grandkids will be able to see what they left behind here,” Mr. Majewski said.

In a letter sent to past alumni asking for help, it was mentioned that quotes have varied between $7,000 to $32,0000 to restore all of the photos. These quotes

written names. Some will have to receive new glass and frames depending on the shape, but the goal is to preserve them as much as possible.

“The aging makes it perfect. It’s part of the photos. It’s part of the history. We want to keep most of the original as possible,” Donahoe said.

The photos used to be hung in the Auditorium foyer and down the halls from the gym, according to Donahoe.

Once the first decade is complete, the

pictures will be hung down the hallways between the auxiliary cafeteria and the C pod hallway. Other possible places include the hallways by the D and E 100’s.

As the storage was rearranged to accommodate the portables that were being torn down this summer, the pictures seeen for the first time by Mrs. Donahoe after hearing about it previously from an alumni. She decided to bring all the photos into the offices of Creek and keep them there until all of them could be restored.

However, the search for these photos began prior to the summer. For Alumni Duane Young, class of 1964, these photos and the restoration of them has long been a goal he wanted to see achieved. As a self proclaimed “history buff” and long time community member, Clear Creek and its history has meant a lot to Young.

After graduating, Young began work ing at the post office. One day he was asked to come back to speak about his job at a career fair. It was then that Young first saw his class photo hanging in the halls. When Young asked about the photos again some 20 years later during his first class reunion, he was told it was above the custodial office.

There he saw part of the collection, but to his disappointment, it wasn’t in its original state.

“Pictures were falling off the frames.

The glass was broken. Some people had been walking on the pictures themselves.

It broke my heart to see what kind of conditions these photos were in, that this part of history could be lost if someone didn’t try to fix it,” Young said.

He then searched all around for his class picture and was not Continued on pg. 8

Five National Merit Scholars “show up and do it”

By Mariya Vashchenko Reporter Five talented seniors from Creek qualified to be semifinalists of the National Merit Scholarship program. Logan Ellis, Hannah Gellman, Mark Hinkel, Jackson Majewski, and Eliot W. Robson showed high results and deep knowledge.

The National Merit Scholarship program is an American academic scholarship contest for students, which is administrated by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

This program was created in 1955. The National Merit Scholarship program is available to all students while the National Achievement Scholarship program is open only to African American students.

Finalists and semifinalists get recognition for their high scores from the PSAT test.

“I was in Mr. Fontenot prep course from freshmen year until last year when I took the test and so that helped and that

was a long process of studying vocabulary words and stuff,” Hannah Gellman said.

However, patience is not the only one thing that students needed to pass the test.

“There were some difficulties in it, but mostly just the time put into it. There is a lot of luck involved and difficulty, but the time was the biggest aspect,” Logan Ellis said.

It is very important to pay attention to some other things in preparation to the National Merit Scholarship.

“I would say that you definitely do need to put some work to prepare for it.

You can study but you need to learn lots of vocabulary words and practice doing the math, doing your writing,” Mark Hinkel said.

Creek’s semifinalists shared their happiness about being qualified.

“I am honored. I feel really proud of being able to do that well and I am really excited about what that means, “ Jackson Majewski said.

The semifinalists are excited and inspired.

“It was great. I felt good to get it

because after taking the other practice test as a sophomore, I knew that I was within range of getting it and so to finally get to that achievement, it was a relief,“ Mark Hinkel said.

Logan Ellis also thinks that the work was worth doing. “It was really exciting for figuring it out. I put a lot of work into it so I was really happy that I got the results back that I wanted.”

Creek’s semifinalists advise to practice a lot, be hard-working and have good knowledge.

“Just take a lot of practice with the types of questions that will be on there. It is available online, you can buy study books, and because the more familiar you are with the types of question there are on there, the easier it is,” Hannah Gellman said.

Logan Ellis advised to spend enough time to prepare for the test.

“Practice a lot, especially from past PSAT tests and work really hard to try to improve your score and invest a lot of time into learning strategy and skills.”

Although the PSAT is a difficult test, it is possible to get a high score. To get great results and to be honored as a semifinalist of the National Merit Scholarship program students need to be prepared.

“Don’t be too stressed out about and just know that I can do it, have some familiarity with it,” Hannah Gellman said.

Jackson Majewski shared his own experience. “Just work hard and study hard, and practice a lot of PSAT problems and stuff.” He also told how to be successful in passing the PSAT test. “My secret of success is just to show up and do it.”

The logo of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a Lamp of Learning- a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Congratulations to Creek’s semifinalists. As they try to reach their goals, and become the finalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program and will light up their own Lamps of Learning with new ideas, and excellent results.

Opinion What is your ideal fall date?

Administrators:

: s ior

Going to a pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins with your boyfriend.

–Brianna Lamora

n e S

e date would b My ideal fall pkins, telling carving pum rican atching Ame w d n a s, e k jo g. with cuddlin Horror Story -Nelly Rudd

Juniors:

A trip to the pumpkin patch followed by a horror movie marathon.

–Tori Gellman

Going kayaking because it’s super fun and personal!

–Jerrica Burke

Going to a Kenny Chesney concert.

-Ms. Laurie Delesandri, Secretary

ts onfire with lo b a to t u o o G lows nd lots of pil of blankets a d t the stars an a p u k o lo d an c. listen to musi er -Connor Oil

Spending the day grilling and barbequing outside.

-Coach Mike Roach, Economics Outside by the fire pit with s’mores and soft music and being with my family.

-Mr. Rupert Jaso, Assistant Principal Going to a restaurant with outdoor seating with my family with nice appetizers then going to an outdoor concert.

-Mrs. Perry Johnson, Assistant Principal

I would like to go to Phobia and then watch the Saw series all night.

–Ethan Elkins

Sophomores: Go to the dri ve in theater in our pj’s and cuddle.

–Bailee Hen neke

2014-2015

HiLife Staff

Principal:

Advisor: Put pillows in

Editor-in-Chief: the truck, go out Managing Editors: in a field and

Walk in a park in Houston then have look at the stars.

Design Editor: coffee at a small cozy café.

–Harley Everts Features Editor:

–Shelby Stephens

News Editor:

Teen Interest Editor:

Sports Editors:

Around Creek Editor:

Advertising Manager:

Photo Editors:

Online Editors:

I like bringing girls to meet

Reporters: my parents on Thanksgiving.

Freshmen: –Thomas Hays

I would take a girl to a scary movie so she cr ies on my shoulder. –Con ner Land

date My ideal fall ly b just would proba tside on be sitting ou joying the my porch en er. perfect weath her –Hanna Fulc

Cece Climaco Madison Daugherty Alyssa Lobue Crystal Marcuccio Mariya Vashchenko Tiffany Wade

Jamey Majewski Wynette Jameson Jasmine Garza Lisa Nhan Jessica Sieling Audree Hall Jenan Taha Carolina Sarria Emily Berthiaume Troylon Griffin II Vidal Maldonado Emily Ruthven Audree Hall Deja Harrell Elena Rodriguez Monica Jackson Sydney Matthews

Photographers: Jenna Parsons Hannah Pearson Evelyn Salinas Kelsie Sullivan Issac Villarreal Madeline Williams

Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)316-0587

Editorial

Jessica’s Jumbles

Jasmine’s Journal

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief Whether it is the excitement that runs through your body when the players emerge from the head of a Wildcat or the nail biting anxiety you get when your team is falling behind on the score board, there is something about Friday night lights that seems to draw people in.

For the past seven years beginning in middle school, the talk of the school would be about whom the football team was going to play and who would be attending. Posters would be made and cheers would be learned so the football players would be able to sense our support on game day.

High school is only slightly different in the fact that it is a bigger deal. Not only are the players who are on the field representing a school of about 2,000 students but they are potentially playing for their future. They play their best game in order to catch the eye of a recruiter willing to put their faith in them, and give them a chance to make it in the NFL. For the past four years of my high school career, I always tried my hardest to have school spirit. I would participate in dress-up days, wear maroon on game days and have no hesitation in expressing the fact that I was a proud Clear Creek High School Wildcat. But the place where I was able to truly show how much school spirit I had was at our varsity football games, where I made it a habit to attend all games, especially against Clear Springs or Clear Lake because that was when the intensity rose.

That was when it seemed the community came together to support their high school

football team and watch as they played their rivals, always expectant that their team would pull ahead and clench the victory.

Standing in the student section at football games has to be one my favorite high school memories. The support and pride the student body has for their football team is palpable as we all stand in unison, cheering for our team to help push them forward. It does not matter whether you’re a player on the field or a student in the stands, when you are standing in the midst of dozens of fellow class mates, you feel as though you are contributing just as much as the players on the field. You feel as though the chants and encouraging words you are yelling are going directly into the ears of the players and they are playing to make us proud.

From the flags to the giant cut-out heads, to the roller coaster and repetitive chants of “D, D give them the D,” and “U.S.A.” I have to say that our school sprit tops all others, especially when the legendary drum-line comes after half-time to give the student section just a little more “umpf.”

I think the most important attribute to have in no matter what you do, is the support from others. During school events such as pep-rallies and football games I think people from all different backgrounds and cliques come together and support each other.

People don’t look around during football games in hopes to see someone they don’t like cheering and stop. They continue cheering because not much else matters during those four quarters when you are trying to cheer, jump and pay attention to who is running on the field. As a senior being among such strong school spirit, uniting behind a team as one student class, these are memories I will cherish forever. These are memories that will serve as a reminder that when I can link myself to others and we learn to support our school as one, the possibilities are beyond what I could ever imagine accomplishing on my own. To me, that is the core of what school spirit is about, in its basic form- it is coming together, regardless of differences and standing behind a greater cause in hopes that each of our contributions creates encouragement that can fuel our team to victory.

“Sectional football games have the glory and the despair of war, and when a Texas team takes the field against a foreign state, it is an army with banners.”

-John Steinbeck

3

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor I have always considered myself to be a feminist. Even before I knew the word “feminism” or understood the definition behind it, I knew that I was a supporter of equality between sexes. It just seemed natural to me. Why would people not want to be treated equally or have the same rights as everybody else?

Growing up, I was pretty naive when it came to anything outside my perfect shell of a world as a middle class suburban white girl. Although my parents worked hard to make sure I was grateful for what I had, I did not really understand the idea of privilege and that I was very well off compared to many others. My parents also worked to ensure that all their children, my sister, brother and I, were treated equally within our household. So it wasn’t until I grew up more and got into high school that I started researching and realizing that equality didn’t come easily for everyone and that despite how far we have come, there are still people fighting to be considered equal every day.

Even though it’s 2014, people still seem to get the wrong idea when it comes to what feminism actually is. It is not hating men, like many people assume, and it is not the idea that women are superior to men in any way. The dictionary definition of the word “feminism” is: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities and the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes. So why is being a feminist such a big deal?

The answer is that it is not a big deal, but that people choose to make it a big deal because they tend to lash out against things that they do not understand.

Recently, actress Emma Watson gave a huge speech at the United Nations Headquarters about her new campaign

called, HeForShe. The organization is built on the idea that feminism can help men, as well as women, by eliminating gender roles and getting rid of the idea that men are naturally superior to women.

“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive,” Watson said. “Both men and women should feel free to be strong.

It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.”

HeForShe is a campaign that works toward helping men and women. It supports literally everyone. However, that has not stopped many people from criticizing Watson for speaking out on the matter.

In fact, she has recently received a lot of hate from people all over the world about her speech, with people even sending her death threats. And I cannot seem to wrap my head around the fact that the feminist movement has come so far, but still faces so much hatred by people who choose to stay ignorant.

Even though some people claim that women have gained their equality, statistics show that there is still inequality in our world. For example, in today’s society, an American woman who works full-time only makes 78 cents for every dollar that a man made for the same work. The gap is even larger for women of color; where African American women are paid 64 cents compared to white men and Hispanic women only make 54 cents compared to white men, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

This just goes to show that there is a definite gap between how men and women are treated in this country. And feminism is simply a way for women to fight for what they believe in: equality.

Strong women all over the world have been working to achieve feminism for decades. Anywhere from the 19th century when feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton began to pave the path for women’s rights in the United States, up to Malala Yousafzai fighting for girl’s rights to get an education today. There are women all over the country working every day to achieve something that, in my opinion, should have happened a long time ago. But it is important that we continue to push for equality, and fight for those people in other countries that still face discrimination based on their gender.

I think everyone should be a feminist. It is an important movement that encourages both men and women to identify as how they want, regardless of gender roles that have been previously set by society.

“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”

-Gloria Steinem

4

News

Malala becomes youngest Nobel Prize winner at 17

By Jenan Taha Features & Arts Editor

Going from an unknown face in the Swat Valley of Pakistan to the humanitarian icon of children’s education, Malala Yousafzai has now become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner at the age of 17.

The young activist, who was shot by the Taliban for speaking out against limitations on girls’ education, was excited to hear the news in the middle of chemistry class.

“I was totally surprised when [my teacher] told me ‘Congratulations, you have won the Nobel Peace Prize’,” Malala said. “I’m proud that I’m the first Pakistani and the first young woman getting this award. I think this is really the beginning.”

Malala, who was also nominated for a Nobel Prize last year, shares the prize with Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. After accepting the award, she continued through her school day and received several congratulatory praises from her classmates.

“This is really an encouragement for me to go forward and believe in myself and know that there are people supporting me,” Malala said.

Malala first attracted media attention in October 2012, when the Taliban attempted to assassinate the activist for speaking out

about the importance of girls’ education. in Birmingham, England, where she made a full recovery.

She began adShe now lives in vocating at the Birmingham— age of 12 and unable to return appeared on to Pakistan due social media to the Taliban and talk shows. threat—and atBy the time tends an all-girl she was 15, she private school. was one of the Many of her biggest threats friends and famto the Talibanily in Pakistan controlled Swat are proud of her Valley, and achievements, Taliban leadand Prime Minisers began sendter Nawaz Sharif ing her several congratulated the death threats. young woman.

Then, when “She is [the] Malala was riding the school pride of Pakistan, she has made bus home, an her countrymen armed assailant proud,” Sharif stopped the bus said. “Her and shot her in the Malala Yousafzai, who is a leading contender to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a c h i e v e arrives for an appearance on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Tuesday, head and October 8, 2013. Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck in a 2012 assassina- ment is uns h o u l d e r. tion attempt by Taliban gunmen, but has refused to be silenced as an advocate paralleled unMalala for educating Pakistani girls. (Zelig Shaul/Ace Pictures/Zuma Press/MCT) and equaled.” was immeHowever, Malala’s growing popularity diately airlifted to a hospital in Peshawar, and later taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital has caused resentment in her hometown of

Mingora, as her former school and many other schools are still being neglected by the government and receive no funds or supplies.

“It’s all Malala, Malala, Malala,” Saima Khan, Malala’s former math teacher, said. “There are hundreds of people who have sacrificed everything and lost everything. No one has given them anything.”

The hatred is not directed at Malala specifically; rather, they are disappointed at the lack of progress that they thought would come from her fame.

Malala knows full well that her campaign for children’s education is not over, and has actually just begun. Although many countries have made great strides in education, there is still much work to be done.

“I want to see every child going to school,” Malala said. “There are still 57 million children who have not received education.”

Malala published her memoir I Am Malala and started the Malala Fund, which will support education for girls around the globe.

“This award is for all those children whose voices need to be heard, and I speak for them and stand up with them and I join them in their campaign,” Malala said. “Their voices should be heard. They have the right to receive quality education and live a happy life.”

Air Force spacecraft to land after classified mission

By Carolina Sarria News Editor After spending two years in orbit on a classified mission for the U.S. Air Force, space plane X-37B is soon expected to land back on Earth at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Although the base did not give a specific time for the landing of the plane, a notice to aviators and mariners on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website stated airspace around the Southern California base would be closed on October 14. The Air Force has said the exact timing will depend on “technical and weather considerations” and also that the crews at Vandenberg are well trained for when it does land.

On December 11, 2012, the X-37B, which looks similar to a small space shuttle, took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The Air Force at that time said the mission would last nine months.

The X-37B space plane is 29 feet, three inches long with a height of nine feet, six inches and a wingspan of 14 feet and 11 inches. Its weight is about 5.5 tons.

The spacecraft was lifted into space by United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets.

“Team Vandenberg stands ready to implement safe landing operations for the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, the third

time for this unique mission,” Colonel structures and seals, conformal reusable Keith Baits, commander of the 30th Space insulation, lightweight electromagnetic Wing, said in f l i g h t a statement. systems, and According autonomous to an Air Force orbital flight, statement, the re-entry and spacecraft is landing. designed to However, demonstrate as X-37B has reusable been in orbit spacecraft for over 22 technologies months, there for America’s has been future in space speculation and operating on whether or experiments, not the space which can be plane was returned to being used for and examined other things, on Earth. The such as testing statement of a secret also said that space weapon technologies or spying being tested activities. in the program O t h e r include advanced speculations g u i d a n c e , A look at the U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane; the experimental include that spaceship, whose first mission was in 2010, launched navigation and unmannedfrom the spacecraft’s Cape Canaveral on Tuesday. MCT 2012 control, thermal small cargo protection bay is being systems, avionics, high temperature used to transmit sensors that can take

detailed photographs or communications on Earth, such as being able to track Iran’s nuclear program or suspected terrorists.

Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard University astrophysicist, agrees with this theory. He notes that any device could be returned, allowing scientists to build a better model based on the depletion it experienced from the radiation and debris in the outside atmosphere.

John Pike, a veteran space policy analyst, agrees with the theory that the program is designed to “give the Chinese a brain cootie” in an attempt to figure out the purpose of it all. This way, China would have to spend time and resources trying to counteract a range of possibilities.

The X-37B’s previous mission, when it landed at Vandenberg on June 16, 2012, lasted 469 days. This mission was flown by the second of the Air Force’s two X-37B orbiters. The current mission is the second for the first of the orbiters, which was repaired after spending 224 days in orbit after launching in April 2010.

The Air Force has said that the current mission might not be the last.

“Officials anticipate multiple missions will be required to satisfy the test program objectives, but the exact number of missions has not been determined,” the Air Force said.

News

5

Emma Watson delivers speech on feminism at UN

By Alyssa Lobue Reporter

On September 20, actress Emma Watson spoke at the U.N. Headquarters in New York on the topic of feminism and gender to help launch the “HeForShe” campaign.

She called for men to join the movement and also decided to clarify the stereotype that people often relate to being a feminist.

“I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive,” Watson said.

Watson continues with her thoughts on women’s rights.

“Why is the word such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men.

But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights,” she said.

Watson debates against campaigns like “Women Against Feminism” as those types of campaigns display the feminist cause as ‘man hating’. She hopes to destroy these accusations by both genders for HeForShe. Watson has been looked up to and admired by young minds due to her role of Hermione Granger, the universally adored

heroine of the Harry Potter series along The hashtag “HeForShe” has been with the role of a girl named Sam of The all over Twitter with multiple celebrities, Perks Of Being is Wallflower, and multiple such as Harry Styles, Logan Lerman, other movies. She Matthew Lewis, addresses the concern Russell Crowe, of not being taken and many others, seriously because of supporting Watson’s the role she played movement.

The for multiple years. #HeForShe calls “You might be out to both men thinking who is this and women to Harry Potter girl? fight sexism. Equal And what is she opportunities doing up on the stage between the sexes at the UN. It’s a good will never be able question and trust me to be reached I have been asking as long as only myself the same thing. half of the world I don’t know if I am can be welcome qualified to be here. to participate.

All I know is I care “Men- I would about this problem. like to take this And I want to make opportunity to it better,” she said. extend your formal Watson continues invitation as gender to express herself equality is your and feminists issue too,” she said. throughout the world A 15-yearwith a simple quote. old boy named Ed “And having seen Holtom wrote a letter what I’ve seen --and which Watson’s given the chance-speech inspired. He I feel it is my duty was “disappointed” to say something. about “how English statesman ignorant” the boys Edmund Burke said: Emma Watson arrives at the 86th annual Academy in his class are Awards on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre “All that is needed about feminism. at Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles. for the forces of “We’re lucky (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT) evil to triumph to live in a western is for enough good men and women world where women can speak out against to do nothing.”

Watson said. stereotypes. It’s a privilege. Gender

equality and feminism is not about ‘man hating’ or the Idea of ‘female supremacy’.

It is, by definition, the opposite. The definition of feminism is ‘A person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes,’” he wrote.

Holtom continued declaring how feminism should really be understood as.

“It’s pretty simple really, and if you believe in those things, then you’re a feminist. Feminism can also be interpreted as a woman owning her sexuality, In the same way men do, wearing clothes that make her feel good about herself, or that show off her body, not for the attention of men, with freedom from the threat of rape, because she wants to,” Holtom said.

Watson’s speech received more attention in the light of the scandal over leaked nude celebrity photos. The scandal started on the forum 4CHAN when anonymous hackers began to post private photos stolen from many female celebrities and leaked to the public.

Victims like Jennifer Lawrence, Victoria Justice, and Kate Upton faced ridicule for taking these nude and scandalous photos, with many criticizing that if the victims didn’t want the photos leaked, they shouldn’t have taken them. But the victims defended themselves saying that it was their private property, which shouldn’t have been stolen in the first place and that they reserved the right to do as they please with their bodies in their own private lives.

Watson was rumored to be among the next victims after her defense of Jennifer Lawrence’s choice in taking the pictures citing that feminism meant all sexes being allowed to make choices about their own bodies.

New iPads and Yosemite operating system revealed

By Emily Berthiaume Teen Interest Editor

When Apple revealed its new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus this fall, it was just a matter of time before they announced the new iPad Air and iPad Mini, which they did on October 16. At an event in California, they revealed the new iPad models, a new 27-inch iMac and accompanying OS X Yosemite operating system, and that their new Apple Pay system will launch on October 20.

The new tablets – the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3, both will come with TouchID fingerprint sensors, which allow users to unlock their tablet or purchase music or apps with just their fingerprint.

This feature was introduced with the iPhone 5s, and was previously only available on phones. The TouchID can now be used to purchase items online using Apple Pay, not just for Apple-run systems like iTunes and the App Store. It will not work to make purchases at cash registers in normal stores like the new iPhones do.

The iPad Air 2 is only 6.1 millimeters thick, 18 percent smaller than the previous iPad Air. It also has an improved processor, an improved Retina display and a camera that takes panoramic photos.

The new iPads were made available for preorder on October 17, and were shipped by the end of next week, around October 25. They are available in gold as well as silver and dark grey. The price for a 16 GB, Wi-Fi only Air 2 starts at $499 and the same model Mini 3 is $399. A 64gig Air 2 is $599 and the 128-gig version

is $699. A 64-gig Mini 3 is $499 and the 128-gig model is $599. For an additional $130 for each model, the iPad will come equipped with cellular data connectivity.

Apple also announced their new 27-inch iMac, which boasts a 5K screen. This means a 5120 x 2880 resolution, which is 218 pixels per inch or 14.7 million pixels for the whole screen. This is 67 percent more pixels than a 4K television screen and 4 times more than the previous iMac. This new iMac will cost $2,499 dollars.

Apple’s new software, OS X Yosemite, became available for free download from the App Store on October 23. The latest mobile software, iOS 8.1, became available on October 20.

Yosemite makes the interface of Macs look “more iPhone and iPad-like,” according to CNN. It also has the new iCloud Drive, which is a cloud storage feature that syncs all Mac folders across every Mac, iPhone or Windows PC that a user owns. This allows a kind of “continuity” function, which will allow users to pick up on one device where they started on another. It will also allow user to make calls or send texts from their computer. The new iOS for mobile devices will support Apple Pay and will bring back the camera roll.

Apple Pay, which works with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus at retail stores and the iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 for online purchases, was released on October 20. It allows customers to pay for items with their credit card using

just their iPhone. More than 220,000 retail locations accept payment on iPhones, including McDonald’s, Macy’s, Chevron, Walgreens and Panera Bread. Visa, Mas-

terCard, American Express and more than 500 banks are also on board. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users could start using Apple Pay on October 20 with the release of iOS 8.1.

6 Around Creek

Creek performs at Bands of America competition

By Tiffany Wade Reporter

The Clear Creek Marching band went to their first marching competition on Saturday, October 11. They performing their show Both Sides Now at the Bands of America contest, separate from Texas UIL, at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Conroe, Texas.

Bands of America is a Regional Championship held across the U.S. that promotes and organizes marching competitions for high schools. It is the largest and most prestigious national marching band event available to high school marching bands. BOA is also a program for Music For All, which has set the standards for scholastic music ensemble performances, since 1975.This competition is not related to any UIL competition.

Once the band arrives, they can sense the aura of professionalism. They are allowed to get dressed in the uniforms and start to warm up when they reach their designated area. At first they are not allowed to make any sound on their instruments at all. That time is allotted and dedicated to visual warm up such as step size and posture. Then, once finished with the visual warm up, the musical warm up begins. Warm up is finished when its time to perform and put on a show.

“It was really exciting the second time around because we were able to get the first time jitters out of the way and it was more about the performance and we could focus more on how the show was going to be and less about being in a new

with 60 percent value placed on music, 40 percent value placed on visual, 60 percent value placed on general effect and 40 percent on performance. There are certain judges for each category. Some judges are on the field and others are in the press box.

Photo courtsey of Emily Ruthven

environment for the first time,” Daniel Cuevas, assistant band directior, said.

This is his third year working with the Clear Creek Marching Band as a director.

BOA judges do not just choose a band that looks good enough to go to finals. It’s a process. There is an elaborate scoring system

When the performance is over and everyone is off the field, the band takes a break and eats, then watches the rest of the performances. After that, it is time for awards. Each band is categorized into a 2A, 3A, and 4A bands. There are different awards for the different categories that the

judges were given, such as visual effect, music effect, and overall general effect.

There are different places for each of those categories for 2A, 3A, and 4A. Luckily the Clear Creek Marching Band got their first outstanding Visual Effect award this year and proudly displays it on their shelf.

“I was so happy that we won a caption for the first time in this school’s history and I can’t forget that,” Mr. Cuevas said.

Once the categorized awards have been given, its time to announce the top ten bands that will go on to Finals. After they are announced and told the order that they will go in, there is a break period where the bands eat and wait till the gates open for Finals, or just go home.

When the gates open, the Finals begin and the first band performs their show again.

Everyone who did not win and decided to stay watches as the deserving bands display their hard-working performances. When the last band performs, awards are held for the second time. Then, the winning band is announced and receives their award.

While the Clear Creek band hasn’t gone to finals yet, they work harder each year and have improved immensely within the past three years.

“The band has absolutely progressed.

It’s a much higher level of demand and the band is achieving it at a really high level,” Mr. Cuevas said.

Around Creek 7

Student teachers educate kids about Halloween

By Mariya Vashchenko Reporter

Thirteen smart and tiny kids from Kiddy Academy will remember the 10th of October as a very special day. Kindergarteners had an amazing lesson about Halloween with unusual teachers, students from Teacher Education Training classes at Creek.

“The goal of the lesson was for students to experience first-hand, the amount of work required to teach a student, and to discover kindergarteners’ abilities, to learn about their development, their cross-motor skills, fine-motor skills, their cognitive learning and their social development,” Mrs. Radicioni, teacher from Teacher Education Training said.

Children were excited to meet new teachers and to do special Halloween crafts.

Students from Teacher Education Training were looking forward to this event as well.

“Meeting the kids was the most exciting part, they were just so cute, and getting to interact with them,” student Kyrie Irwin said.

The student-teachers were pleased with the kids’ behavior.

“The kids that we had were so cute.

They were very nice and very polite for their age and so energetic, like they were everywhere,“ student Samantha Miller said.

The lesson was divided into several parts. At first, students read a book about spiders to kids. Lively conversation, a

lot of questions, and funny discussion showed that the book was interesting, and children enjoyed it very much. After that, small students created spiders and witches.

“In the lesson we got the little kids and then we read them a story about spiders, and then we got their little hands, and they

around in a box with the paper, to make a web from paints. It took kids some time and efforts to understand how to move the boxes.

“The most exciting was probably the marble activity. I think they really enjoyed that, cause I think that’s something they’ve probably never had before. Painting their

traced, and then they got feet –yes, their handsPhoto by Elena Rodriguez to cut them out, which yes but the creating was pretty difficult for them. Then after the web I think they have never created that they did the spiders. Then we told them the web before,” Mrs. Radicioni said. about witches. We got their shoes off, and However, creating the witches was also they got footprints done with the witches. amusing and joyful. Creek’s teachers painted We made witches out of them and decorated the children’s feet. Kindergarteners used them. It was really fun,” Miller said. their footprints as bodies of their witches.

To create a spider web kids used marbles “The most exciting part of the lesson and paints. They needed to roll the marble was probably whenever we got to do their

feet, because they laughed so much, and that was probably when I saw the most smiles, so that was really fun,” Miller said.

Teachers learned a lot of new things about kids. Some activities, which seemed very easy, can be hard for children. Kids struggled with cutting, but they were very organized and did enormous jobs.

“I’ve learned a lot of stuff. I ‘ve learned to love how they worked with each other, they talk to each other, about how they were doing this stuff,” student Daniela Sandoval said.

Teachers also noticed funny things about their tiny students.

“They can’t sit on their pockets.

They just can’t do it. They tried but they can’t do it,” student Vanessa Chan said.

The lesson was very exciting.

“I loved the creativity the two lessons that children created. I loved watching students, as the teachers, working with them, and the smile across their faces,” Mrs. Radicioni said.

The lesson is over. Tiny hands, holding teacher’s hands, wide smiles, sparkling eyes, and a lot of energy are the brightest memories. Inspired by the Halloween lesson, children invited their new teachers to come with them. The yellow bus took kids away, but there was something touching in the farewell. The kids, like bright sunshine, left happiness and warmth with their student teachers.

JROTC hosts ninja obstacle course to raise money

By Madison Daugherty Reporter

as a workout. According to Colonel Harris, it was to help students physically and mentally grow as a person.

The Clear Creek Army JROTC program The racecourse was set up at the Clear Creek held their own version of a district wide Intermediate soccer field. The day of the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Challenge, impressive competition was on a Saturday based off the hit TV show of the same name from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A regular on October 4th, 2014. The challenging event course challenger cost was $30, although course included the CCISD tricky balance cadets had a beams, a tight discount.

On belly crawl, a race day, they complicated tire also sold T-shirts jump run and for $15. People other exciting who attended obstacles like a the course slippery mound received a goody slide and a bag as well. tunnel. Not only Obstacle was this event courses are not planned for a only something delightful time, schools all over but also to raise the country do as money for the a fundraiser, but Creek JROTC motivates people Booster Club. It to exercise their was the first time weak bodies for the JROTC to and get them host this event, to burn off all and due to its of those heavy success, will calories.

Photo by Evelym Salinas continue as a new tradition.

Many people say “We’re going to see if that the first attempt at maybe next year we can make it a little an obstacle course is difficult to do, more exciting, a little more challenging on but once they have been repeated it some and a little less challenging on others. multiple times it becomes easier.

And maybe serve food next time. If we Many people who attend obstacle courses have a big enough crowd, we’ll get some said that a rope climb up a wood wall is the of the health fitness guys to give massages most challenging to achieve. Hunter Crunk, afterwards,” Colonel Harris said. one of the participants in the obstacle Obstacle courses resembled those challenge course said that the incline wall in the show it was based off it with was the most difficult to achieve because all the intense courses and the hard it was “ nearly 15 feet tall.” To achieve work built in to challenge the students. it he had to “run really fast and jump.”

Although it was for fun, it also served According to Crunk and his experience,

the rope climb used muscle strength in the upper arms and also accessed the mind to alert the feet how and where to place them on the tall wooden wall.

This obstacle course not only involves difficult exercises to over come but it also teaches how important teamwork is.

“I think anytime you challenge yourself it’s beneficial so it’s a good chance to do some physical activity and challenge yourself physically,” Colonel Harris said.

There were people around to help attend to any competitor who seemed to be having some trouble climbing over a wall or a different obstacle. Along with teamwork,

the challenge works not only the body, but also the mind. It mentally challenges the competitor to think strongly and thoroughly of how to get through one course and jolt to the next. The men who were in charge of just about everything were Colonel Harris and Sepolvada. It took them quite a while to get this event planned together.

This year’s obstacle course was successful, especially with some off the kids timing.

“There were some kids who did it really quickly, and just turned around and did it again. But the fastest time was around nine minutes,” Colonel Harris said.

8 Around Creek

Murder by Poe provokes chills with haunting stories

By Troylon Griffin II Sports Editor

On October 23, the seven o’clock showing of Creek’s Murder by Poe play left many audience members with chills down their arms. It is written by Jeffery Hatcher and stars many of Creek’s current theater members, and I must say that it is an absolutely amazing play. There is hardly anything to say that is bad or negative about this well executed play.

Going into the theater, I had no prior knowledge of the play and only knew it obviously involved nineteenth century poet and writer Edgar Allen Poe. With only that known, I sat and watched as a story unfolded in what turned out to be quite the watch. The story begins with a woman who wanders into a house, requesting desperately that she is provided shelter. The woman, played by Madison Kiekel, is greeted by a detective known as Dupin and two other men who each stay in one of the three rooms in the house. Dupin reveals to the woman’s shock that the other two men, known as Heart and Cat and played by Christian Campbell and Samuel Shroyer, are murderers. The play then follows the two murderers as they each tell of their killings and explores their dark psyches. After their haunting tales, the woman is led to question and confront the detective about the obvious: everyone who resides in a room in the house has a story of a twisted murder to tell. What is the detective’s? This comes

and helps to lead to a shocking revelation.

The biggest highlight of the play is definitely the performances. Its lead performers Madison Kiekel, Brian Hughes, Christian Campbell, Samuel

portrayal of “Heart”, tormented man who ends up murdering a respected man because of his being tormented by the sound of a heartbeat. Obviously, with the plot focusing on the characters through their

Shroyer all give great individual stories, Photo by Hannah Pearson performances.

The the play provides accents several of excellent character the characters must pull off are well done development and one is truly able to get and there is not a moment in which there full looks at the tormented psyches of the is a slip of the tongue. The show stealer men and their dark past. The chorus is just was definitely Christian Campbell in his as excellent as there is great conveying on

Class photo restoration continued from page 1. able to find it. Now working for CCISD as part of the maintenance, he told his fellow co-workers that if anyone came across the photos to inform him. Eventually around two years ago, one of Young’s co-workers and nephew stumbled across them while working on the AC in the attic of the school. Young went up to take his own photos to have it restored using money from his own pocket. He informed Donahoe of their existence, hoping that something could be done to save the others.

“It’s important in my heart. It’s important to me. I have enjoyed being a part of a school that I graduated from. I know a lot of people who have been Creek alumni through out the years. This is part of our history. I worry about if I haven’t brought it up since, that they might still be up there. I have been looking around for these suckers for a while,” Young said.

Since then Young has borrowed his class pictures along with a few others to class

reunions to share with his old classmates memories of the past. Young is among of the many alumni who have been happy to see the photos brought back out again.

“It was really great to see the photos.

It brought back memories, and I was surprised how much I remembered like the head counselor and other staff members who were here while I was a student,” Mrs. Paula Radicioni, class of 1962, said.

The Yearbook staff currently has a team of students working to repair the 1970 class picture. In order to achieve this, they have been working even before school started to identify all the missing pieces and find ways to put them back together. The process is “really time consuming because it’s all about little details,” according to Raynie Leard, senior. Yearbook advisor, Mrs. Jan O’Neil, saw it as a chance to show her kids the “real world applications of what they’re learning in Yearbook and how that can translate into a lot more

than just putting together the Yearbook.”

“There have been a lot of times I looked at them and wondered what they did or what they were involved in high school, where they are now, and how they react now seeing this,” Bayley Tamblyn said.

For others, it was a surprise to see the difference in students and lifestyles that have occurred over the years.

“Seeing it makes me wonder how it used to be at school. They must have taken hours on their hair. Looking at them now, they just look so sophisticated compared to us,” Amber Griffith, junior, said.

Working on the project has caused the students to evaluate how their legacy will be a part of Creek’s history.

“It’s something that can last for generations. It’s a good piece of memorabilia.

It’s nice to know that Creek still wants to honors those who graduate, even all those years ago. It makes me wonder how we’ll be remembered or if someone will ever be

what each character represents instead of seeming like a lot of extras. The chorus also helps to give the audience a sense of fear and disturbance as much of their actions happen around the audience instead of just off the stage.

The production value is just as great. The sets are well designed and there are unique techniques done to display certain actions that take place. The costume designs are excellent as well as the lighting. Make-up and special effects are especially highlights.

Blood and gore is certainly done well and does not hold back for a high school play. The sound effects and music is done well and perfectly set for certain moments.

All of this is due to Brooke Hyde, Hannah Edmunds, Mary Brinsko, Jerrica Burke, Tanar Yocum, Hanna Burwell, and Evey Shanks, as well as their supporting crew.

Overall, the play is well done and is able to certainly stir up applause. With high production value, top notch performances, and a plot that certainly stirs things up, Murder By Poe is certainly a great and worthy play to go see. This is due to every single member of the crew’s participation and involvement and certainly due to director and technical director Bradley Hewlett and Matthew Samson’s direction. The cast and crew certainly pay great homage to the dark tales of Edgar Allen Poe that certianly highlighted the spirit of fall.

redoing our class pictures,” Tamblyn said.

The restoration project goes beyond just fixing some old photos. Behind each photo is a story of a past Wildcat, someone who walked the same halls and across the same courtyard. It’s a chance to continue the legacies of many before us and perhaps many after.

“It’s important because people aren’t going to be around anymore. They won’t always be there to talk about their lives. It’s important to know what Creek was doing at a time, how traditions have changes, how we’re grown as a school, how the kids have changed, and maybe how the kids haven’t changed that much at all,” O’Neil said.

To see more pictures of what the class photos look like, visit the school website http://www.ihigh.com/ clearcreekhighschool/. Donations can be mailed to the school or delivered in person with checks made out to the CCHS Photo Restoration Project.

Around Creek 9

Mrs. Johnson makes fine-arts shine

By Jenan Taha Features & Arts Editor As many students already know, Creek has held some of the best educators in Texas on staff, and many former teachers continue to work as instructors in their field long after they leave Creek. One previous visual and performing arts teacher, Mrs. MaryLou Johnson, continues to follow her love for art and teaching as the Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts.

Mrs. Johnson’s passion for teaching developed at a very young age.

“I felt a connection with children as they learned new ideas and had successful accomplishments in the area that I loved— the fine arts,” Mrs. Johnson said. “I wanted to give all children the opportunity to explore their passion of their choice.”

She began her teaching career at a youth detention center in Harris County, and then started teaching at Creek in 1980. She taught art for a few years before becoming CCISD’s first certified dance instructor and the head of the Cavaliers.

There were many obstacles that made it difficult to give students all the resources they needed to learn. Technology was extremely limited, as were supplies, but Mrs. Johnson managed to provide kids with everything they needed to succeed,

with some help from her fellow staff.

“The one thing that is closest to my heart is that all of the faculty worked together as a team so we all supported each other in providing the necessary tools for all students to be successful,” Mrs. Johnson said.

Mrs. Johnson held various jobs at

Photo courtesy of Wynette Jameson

Creek for 15 years, teaching art, dance, PALS, color guard, and managing the sets and choreography for musicals and plays. She was also a sponsor for the cheerleading team and an ISS teacher.

In 1995, Mrs. Johnson left Creek to teach classes at the University of Houston, and also opened up her own dance school, Starlight Studio. She later returned to CCISD to teach at Clear Brook High School, and then became assistant principal at Pasadena Memorial High School. In 2007, she resumed her place in CCISD to begin her position as Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, where she has been ever since.

Her current job includes judging various art and dance competitions, providing curriculum to art and dance teachers, and being on the Board of Directors for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts. She is also conference chairperson to the Texas Art Educators Convention and former president of Texas Dance Educators Association.

What Mrs. Johnson loves most about her job is “the interaction with students and their parents when they reflect learning something new that will be with them for the rest of their life.”

An exceptional staff member herself, Mrs. Johnson always recognizes the importance of her fellow colleagues.

“I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with the most outstanding group of educators who are dedicated to their teaching passion,” Mrs. Johnson said.

CCTD participates in TOTS-EAT

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

For the past seven years Clear Creek’s theatre department (CCTD) has taken the Trick-or-Treat so Kids Can Eat (TOTS-EAT) mission along with many other schools around the world to organize a project that will help feed as many people as possible during the holiday season, while connecting with the community in a positive way and this year is no different. Madi Kiekel, senior and vice president of the Thespian Society has organized the project for this year.

TOTS-EAT began as a chapter initiative in the state of Kansas that eventually led to the service initiative of the International Thespian Society when the state of Kansas granted permission to the Educational Theatre Association to adopt the idea at a national level in 2002.

In 2004 when TOTS-EAT launched four states participated raising nearly 19,000 pounds of food. Since then, 41 states have participated with a collection of over 390,000 pounds of food with 2013 making the largest contribution of 392,220 pounds.

This year the National Campaign Chair of TOTS-EAT, Chelsey Cavender, hopes to far exceed last year’s number and raise at least 400,000 pounds of food. “ It is incredibly rewarding to be involved with such a proactive organization. Knowing when I come to work each day that what we are doing is creating a positive difference at the local level makes all of the hard work and

cups of coffee worth it. As an alumni of the International Thespian Society and someone who went on to pursue theatre at the collegiate level, I know first-

Photo by Elena Rodriguez

hand what a difference our programs can make in a student’s life,” Cavender said.

As members of the CCTD you can earn

points based on different activities participated in. Once 15 points are obtained you become a lifelong member of the International Thespian Society. Once you are a member of the Thespian Society you can then receive additional points to become higher ranked members.

On Halloween night, October 31, instead of trick-or-treating for candy, all Thespians will be trick-or-treating in neighborhoods around the community for non-perishable food items with hopes to raise at least one ton of food to donate to the organization of their choice, Interfaith Caring Ministries.

Although TOTS-Eat is CCTD’s philanthropy project for the year, for the students it is much more than that. It is a rivalry between the different schools in the district that participate, a time to connect with the people around them and a time to be thankful for the difference they are able to make in someone else’s life.

“The event, above all, is a chance for our students to connect with their community and neighbors in a positive way.

Every year when we total the weight of the donations they collected, they are excited to see a quantification of their impact on those in need,” Bradley Hewlett, Clear Creek Theatre Director, said.

Starting at 5:30p.m. anyone who would like to participate in the event will meet in the Carlisle Field House parking lot where they will then separate into cars according to where they will be going to collect food items.

Once they have separated they will then go and collect food items in hopes that they will retrieve the most amount. The car that returns by 8:30p.m. with the most items will win a prize.

Although there is a small prize given to the car with the most items, what the stu-

A different perspective: From the Ukraine

By Mariya Vashchenko Reporter

It was a typical day. The sun rose up, yellow buses brought students to school, and classes started. Indeed, it was a beginning of an unbelievable week I will remember for the rest of my life.

Creative costumes, glitters, a lot of celebrities… It was not a red carpet. It was, even better, Monday Celebrity Day. It is Homecoming! Texas day, Twin’s day, Throwback Thursday and Creek Out Friday were all very unique. At the parade, Creek, the important word for students and teachers, lit up, beautiful sparkles flew, and cameras flashes kept this moment for forever.

On Friday morning, ringing bells, huge and charming mums, purple and white colors created a holiday. Texas has a very unique tradition. People in other states of America would probably be confused, while people from another country would definitely be surprised. Long ribbons, flowers, wonderful tiny toys, and even lights are essential parts of a traditional mum. As tastes differ, mums differed too.

During lunch another special event happened, the carnival. Small yellow tickets were used instead of money. I want to admit, it was a very creative way of selling.

T-shirts, bracelets, plenty of delicious food from chocolate candies, cookies, hamburgers, and tacos…the list seemed to be endless. Walking around different booths, talking to friends, taking a huge amount of pictures, made people happy. With the smiles of people, it felt like a holiday. I heard it sounding loudly even with the tiny bells and saw it with the colorful ribbons.

Nominees for Homecoming queen and football players were introduced during the pep rally. To increase the football team’s spirit, students of Clear Creek High School organized amusing performances.

Five beautiful nominees were waiting for the voting results. Cailey Jarmosco was crowned as the 2014 Homecoming Queen. Beautiful dresses, charming smiles, ROTC members in solemn costumes made the event of announcing Homecoming queen very special.

The most important event of Friday was the game. Clear Creek’s football team won the game. To be honest, it is hard to understand the rules of American football, as foreign exchange student, but it is not hard to realize that the team you cheered for scored if people beside you are smiling.

Have you ever been very excited?

Have you ever cheered to support you team? Have you ever felt happiness for people who you supported? All of that happened to me on Homecoming. My dream came true. Standing there, with two thousand students, watching cheerleaders dance and brilliant performance during break time, I realized that Homecoming is an amazing and unique holiday, which unites people in a magical way. I am very grateful for this chance. And it is true that reality was better than movies when it came to Homecoming. It is true that the game was perfect, and it is true that “You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it’s all right,”American author, Maya Angelou said.

10

Arts

Giving world issues a new perspective AP Art students take on the task of portraying conflicts important to them.

“Street Dog”

By Emily McFather “This piece represents the issue of stray dogs. I used a paper collage to make the background look like trash, and used watercolor to paint the city street dark and dirty. I chose to use pastel so the subject would blend well in the background.”

“I have a personal connection to stray dogs because the dogs I have adopted were strays. When my family adopts a dog, we always adopt from a rescue centers. To think that the dogs my family adopted were strays breaks my heart because they are so happy now and live good lives. I want viewers to realize that homeless animals deserve better lives.”

“She Still Glows”

By Lisa DeMoss “This piece is supposed to represent air and water pollution. The anglerfish is disappointed with humanity, and it shows that pollution has become a part of our lives and we have a passive attitude towards it. However, the anglerfish is still able to shed a faint light on the issue and still glow.”

“Since the collage background was a part of our assignment, I thought I could take advantage of using trash as the background.”

“People shouldn’t be desensitized to wasteful habits and unclean environments.”

Untitled

By Ami Artiz “My piece represents the conflicts that are going on with IsraelPalestine, and how the U.S. media focuses on the deaths of Israeli soldiers when there are hundreds more Palestinians being forced out of their homes and killed.”

“I chose to portray this piece because human rights are very important to me. I think it is important for people to know what is going on in the world--especially Americans; we don’t see any of these conflicts. It’s not ‘real’ to us.”

“I want people to be challenged, I want people to question what they ‘know’, and I want people to feel something that sparks activism.”

Arts Sculptures from the hand and the heart:

11 “Mother Nature”

By Jorge Martell “I wanted to express the symbiotic relationship between people and the natural world. This was a personal piece because I have a strong naturalist view of the world.”

“I used to live in the Caribbean, so this was a personal piece; I have a strong naturalist view of the world.”

Personal touches from sculptors show the different viewpoints each artist has.

“Body Love”

By Kelsie Sullivan “I chose to create this piece because I know what it’s like to be judged by my body and weight. The concept of this piece was to show that any body type, whether you’re skinny or much larger, is beautiful.”

“You are beautiful no matter what society says.”

“Noah’s Ark”

By Brandon Perez “It relates to faith and my belief. It’s because I’m just a Christian wanting to show my faith and one of the great stories in the Bible.”

“It’s simple, but that’s what makes it strong, for the viewer clearly know this piece and remember the story.”

Untitled

By Monica Jackson “I love Ireland, and this piece shows an old Irish castle that used to be something.”

“This piece is about my brother when he went to base training; the wall represents the family breaking apart.”

“Sometimes families have to split apart to follow their own dreams.”

14

Puzzles

Adopt a Pet

15

16

Features

Creek alumni succeeds in Taylor and the Wild Now

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor Taylor and the Wild Now, an Austin based band, has hit a landmark in their journey as a band. They released their first self-titled EP on August 12. Before the official release, the band had released Wanderlust as their first single. Other tracks such as Sun Song and Bewildered were featured as exclusive releases on Roughstock and the American Songwriter Magazine respectively. Since then, they have been sharing their new music with gigs all round Austin and other cities in Texas with other band such as Jericho and Blue Bear to help spread their names and music.

“I try to find ways to engage with the audience.

I’ve watched other more well seasoned performers who have this ability to captivate the audience. They’re funny without trying. We just want to be ourselves and let people be drawn to that,” Taylor Baker, lead vocals, said.

The band currently consists of Taylor Baker, guitar, lead vocals and banjo, and Drew Walker, guitar and trumpet.

Walker is a former Creek Alumni. During his time here he also pursued his music passion by participating in marching band and jazz band. The pair have a full band made up of good friends who accompanies them time to time for bigger gigs, but there are no other current permanent members.

Taylor and the Wild Now has opened for others such as Lee Brice and Noah

and the Whale. This is in addition to their appearances on Good Day Austin, Sofar Sounds, Balcony TV Austin and their performance at Durango Sound Stage at the CMA Music Festival. Taylor was

Taylor and the Wild Now have been able to create a folksy soul sound of their own.

For them it not about fitting into a genre but rather “finding a sound that is just [their] own, something that doesn’t remind

named winner of Photo courtesy of Taylor and the Wild Now Official [them] of everyone else.” Their lead the Durango Sole Website single Wanderlust has Performer Contest earlier that year. Winning this performance hit over 50,000 plays on Spotify alone and landed her in an issue of the Rolling Stones, their other track Wild is at over 80,000 plays.

“It was a fan favorite, and we get a “surreal experience to see in real life.”

Their self-described sound “spans the best crowd response to it live. It’s the spectrum from wild, upbeat sounds to also very radio friendly. It’s catchy, and stripped-back acoustics.” With influences I’ve found it gets stuck in my head. We such as Dawes, The Head & the Heart, Ben need our music on the radio to sound Howards and “just a little bit of everything”, like that so fans will remember us,”

Drew, on the song Wanderlust, said.

A theme throughout the band’s EP is wandering, which reflects the current growth stage of their music. According to Taylor, this comes from “the constant need to wander until we find our place in the music world.”

This theme can also be see in the band’s name itself.

“I came up with it just out of the blue. We wanted it to be something really unique, and it kind of speaks about where our music is going and what kind of music we create,” Taylor said.

Both Taylor and Drew wrote all of the songs on the EP before going into the studio. Taylor, who is self taught, and Drew combined both of their separate talents together to create songs they felt best represented themselves as a band. Drew claims his strengths in song writing comes from the instrumental side by “embellishing songs to help bring out a new sound” to the “beautiful melodies and lyrics that Taylor writes” “Writing music for us is like blank canvas that we can just throw our ideas out there on. There’s no specific goal in mind, other than for me personally, I want to write something that’s never been heard before. Whenever I write something that I think has been heard before, I try to delete it from my mind. I want our music to be fresh and new,” Drew said.

The pair plans to continue to share their music with whoever they can reach as they continue to wander their way through following their passions.

Features

17

Senior Raynie Leard’s art recognized Texan Talk:

By Jenan Taha Features Editor

Senior art student Raynie Leard won recognition for her artistic ability by the Texas Association of School Boards and Texas Association of School Administrators when her piece, titled “Vroom,” was chosen to represent CCISD at a school board meeting. The piece was chosen out of eight others in the district and is being displayed in Dallas along with other grade level art pieces.

The drawing was entered in the competition at the end of the last school semester and chosen by the school board over the summer. The piece is a detailed pencil drawing of professional rider Kevin Schwantz speeding around a track on a motorcycle road racer.

“I worked from a photograph that my dad took for the club my dad and I work for,” Leard said. “The sport in general has always been a part of my life, so it holds a lot of importance in my eyes.”

The drawing process was very tedious, and the small details of the motorcycle were slowly and painstakingly drawn to replicate the photograph.

“I’m a stickler for perfection, so this project just about killed me,” Leard said.

“It took weeks and at some points I want-

ed to abandon the work for a while. I was very meticulous with it, and while that was a difficult process, the outcome was worth it and I was very pleased with myself.”

Once the piece was finally finished, Leard felt proud of her unique and yet relatable artwork.

“Not only do I think I executed it

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Lienhart

well, but it’s an uncommon subject,” Leard said. “It’s kind of cool for people to see a drawing of a motorcycle speeding at over 100 miles per hour. It represents a huge part of my life—a part that is no doubt interesting for others.”

The piece gained popularity not only at school, but on social media as well.

“Mr. David Drake wrote to me and told me in person how awesome it was when it was displayed in the front office, and about 200 people on my dad’s Face-

book loved the picture he posted of it,” Leard said. “That definitely boosted my confidence. I’m glad I was so meticulous in the long run because those details are what made the piece in my eyes.”

Toward the end of her junior year, Raynie entered her distinguished piece in the school board competition.

“My teacher, Mrs. Lienhart, was extremely impressed with my work, and she informed me of the contest,” Leard said. “She entered my piece for me, and I was hopeful that all my hard work would receive more recognition.”

Leard heard her name as the winners of the competition were announced September 26.

“I was very happy and my parents were extremely proud,” Leard said. “Mr. Drake wrote me another congrats letter and I have been getting congratulatory remarks everywhere I go.”

Her piece is now being displayed in Dallas for the next three months. Although she does not plan to pursue art as a college major, she wants to continue art as a hobby, and has already planned to sell prints of her piece.

“A lithography of my piece will be signed by Schwantz and I, and sold in auction or online, which is really exciting,” Leard said.

CCISD stays prepared for any crisis

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease caused by a virus that has had an outbreak in West Africa. The only way to get Ebola is by being in direct contact with the bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, urine, stool or sweat, of someone who is sick with Ebola. Ebola is not contagious through air, food or water.

Being in contact with people who do not posses the symptoms of Ebola, are not threats to the public. It is also more likely for someone to become ill with flu, measles, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses than become ill with Ebola.

The likelihood of having an Ebola outbreak in the United States continues to remain extremely low. Although there have been cases of patients diagnosed in places around the country precautions are being taken to assure the safety of students in the Clear Creek Independent School District.

At this time no cases of Ebola or Enterovirus D-68 have been reported in our area.

Major stakeholders in the medical com-

munity such as Texas Children’s Hospital, their clinics and their physicians have not seen any increase in symptoms relat-

Graphic courtesy of CCISD

ing to respiratory of gastric illnesses com-

pared to previous years. The U.S. public health system has procedures to follow to help identify and isolate any person that may have symptoms of Ebola.

CCISD schools and classrooms meet with the highest guidelines of cleanliness and sanitation to ensure the safest environment for the students. Nurses have been well-trained in specific classes to recognize symptoms of certain hazardous viruses and have shared their knowledge with staff members about what to do should certain symptoms prevail amongst the students. Complying with the Texas Wellness and Health Services Communicable Diseases Policy (FFAD) the district stays in communication with the health departments of Harris and Galveston County to be informed should any reports of Ebola or D-68 be reported.

Students with the help of parents need to assure they are healthy before attending school. Temperatures of 100 degrees or more, vomiting, rashes caused by something other than poison ivy, diarrhea, contagious diseases or infestations, are all symptoms to be aware of when trying to stay healthy.

10 places in Houston, Houstonians do not normally visit

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

With over 2.1 million people in Houston and over 5.9 million people in the metropolitan area it can be difficult to explore every aspect of what the city has to offer. Tourists come and go trying to explore the endless possibilities of places to visit while most Houstonians do not even know they exist.

1) Lakewood Church- Tales have been told that tourists visit Lakewood in hopes of hearing a sermon from Joel Olsteen himself.

2) The Downtown Tunnels- Unless you work in the downtown area you may not be aware Houston even had tunnels but apparently the tourists did a little research.

Through dozens of people wandering the tunnels to escape their cubicle offices, you may catch a glimpse of a family’s stop on their list of places to visit in Houston.

3) Katz’s Deli and Bar- Although this place may be off the busy streets of Westheimer most of the people who eat there are actually not locals but people who travel a few dozen, even what seems like hundreds of miles to eat at the place that never closes.

4) Texas Prison Museum in HuntsvilleWhen “outsiders” think of Texas they seem to categorize us with a sense of violence. Whether it be the guns we own or how, murderers face their sentence in Huntsville, tourists seem to find their way to the Texas Prison Museum to see how Texan’s treat their inmates.

5) Johnson Space Center- With Johnson Space Center just miles aways from us it is sad to think that such a historic piece of who we are, has been visited mostly by outsiders rather than by locals.

6) The Chase Tower Sky LobbyUsually filled with tourists during the week, the Chase Tower Sky Lobby is perfect to catch a glimpse of the city from above when you don’t feel like paying extra to catch a ride in an airplane.

7) National Museum of Funeral HistoryAlthough it may sound odd, outsiders seem to find the idea of presidential hearses, creepy caskets and coffins interesting.

It may be right around Halloween but this is no place to find decorations, unless you are looking for a degree at the funeral director’s college next door.

8) Texas Seaport Museum- Since Galveston beaches are the closest to Houston, most Houstonians would rather complain about the water than actually try to visit and discover what Galveston has to offer, like the Texas Seaport Museum where the tall ship Elissa from 1877 sits.

9) David Adickes SculptureWorx Studio- On Summer near Interstate 10 and Taylor hidden next to Target, you can find an outside exhibit of sculptures.

For most Houstonians they never knew it existed until a wrong turn was taken.

10) Riverside Oaks Theatre- If you are new in the Houston area you may not be aware of all the historic attributes such as the Riverside Oaks Theatre that was built in 1939 and continues to play movies.

Living in a city with so many attractions and people you can become accustomed to your daily routine. Next time you have a night out in the city take a step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.

18

Teen Interest

Taylor Swift debuts pop-inspired fifth album, 1989

By Emily Berthiaume Teen Interest Editor

self and just having fun. The music video also features real fans dancing with Swift.

Taylor Swift, a seven-time Grammy winner, best-selling digital music artist of all time, and the only female artist in music history to twice have an album sell one million copies the first week of sale, released her fifth studio album, titled 1989 after her birth year, on October 27, 2014.

On August 18, Taylor Swift held a Yahoo live-stream from New York City where she released her single, Shake it Off, and officially announced the release of 1989. In front of a crowd of handpicked fans, Swift revealed that 1989 is her “first documented, official pop album”. While her first albums were mostly country, such as Taylor Swift (2006) and Fearless (2008), her trend toward pop was evident in Speak Now (2010) and Red (2012), and 1989 is fully pop. She also revealed that late-‘80s pop was a major inspiration for 1989.

“I really loved the chances they were taking. I loved how bold it was,” Swift said.

“It was, apparently, a time of limitless potential. … The idea of endless possibility was kind of a theme in the last year of my life.”

The music video for Shake it Off, the first single from 1989, was also released during the live stream. The video depicts groups of professional dancers, such as ballerinas, rhythmic gymnasts, and modern dancers, with Swift thrown into the middle.

As they dance seriously, Swift acts silly and crazy, as if she was dancing by her-

Shake it Off debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it her second No. 1 song,

after We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together in 2012. As of the week of No-

Photo courtesy of gomoxie.org

vember 1, Shake it Off was at number 2 and had spent 9 weeks on the charts. Shake it Off also

had 544,000 first-week downloads sold, which was the fourth highest of all time.

As of October 27, the music video had garnered more than 208 million views.

Swift also held what became known as “secret sessions” in London, New York, Nashville, Rhode Island and Los Angeles to promote 1989. Swift and her team selected special fans to get together with Swift at her personal homes to listen to 1989 early and eat her homemade cookies.

Next, Swift released Out of the Woods, which was not her next single but “a new song I think best represents 1989”, Swift tweeted. Out of the Woods, a collaboration with Jack Antonoff of Bleachers and fun., was released October 14 and went straight to number 1 on iTunes. She then announced she’d be posting a lyric from each track of the album for each of the 13 days leading up to 1989’s release. Welcome to New York, a collaboration with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, was then released on October 20.

Since Swift had recently moved from Nashville to New York, the song seemed appropriate and fit with the new pop vibe of 1989.

“The inspiration that I found in that city is kind of hard to describe and hard to compare to any other force of inspiration I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Swift said in an interview with E! Online.

“I approached moving there with such wide-eyed optimism and sort of saw it as a place of endless potential and possibilities. You can kind of hear that reflected in this music and this first song especially.”

Variety of performers attend ACL music festival

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor

Music lovers came together this month for the 12th annual Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The festival is held in Austin’s Zilker Park on the first and second weekends of October.

Austin City Limits, or ACL, 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.

In the past, the festival was a threeday event but because of the increase in attendance over the last few years, Austin City Council members decided to expand the festival to a two-weekend event. Last year marked the first festival with two different weekends.

The music festival is spread over 8 different stages, ranging in different sizes.

The time that a band plays and the size of the stage depend mostly on the band’s popularity. Headliners, or the most popular bands or performers, this year included Eminem, Pearl Jam, Outcast and Skrillex.

Other musicians included Beck, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Foster the People, The Avett Brothers, The Head and the Heart, Belle and Sebastion, and many more. The majority of the bigger headliner bands play both weekends, with the exception of Lorde, who only played the second weekend, but a lot of the smaller

bands tend to only play one weekend.

Because the festival is family friendly and welcomes people of all ages, ACL also includes music for children called Austin Kiddie Limits, where kid friendly band such as School of Rock and Ralph’s World play.

ent stores, such as a TOMS Eyewear booth, Teysha handmade boots, Ornamental Things jewelry, and various other stores.

There is also a General Store located in the Art area that supplies festival-goers with any basic needs, like sunscreen or medicine.

Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit performs at the Austin City Limits Music

A l o n g Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, Saturday October 5, 2013. (Jay JanHowner/Austin American-Statesman/MCT) with the perever, the formances, Art Market the festival also included an Art Market is not the only thing that attracts people’s that allows local artist to sell artwork, jew- attention during the festival. The Austin elry, posters, boots, and other accessories Eats food market is one of the main atthroughout the extent of the festival. The tractions that brings people in. With local market is located in the middle of the fes- favorites, such as Tiff’s Treats, Torchy’s tival and is a place for people to hang out Tacos, Tinos Greek Café and Tamale and shop while waiting for the bands they Addiction, Austin Eats keeps the festiwant to see. The Art Fest includes differ- val-goers feed and happy during ACL.

Along with the food and in order to keep everyone hydrated and healthy during the three-day long event, the festival is very good about supplying water to everyone attending the festival. Throughout the park, there are filling stations where people can feel up water bottles, Camelbaks and any cup with water for free as many times as needed. The filling stations allow the attendee’s to have fun without worrying about buying and keeping track of water. Camelbak is also a main sponsor of music festival and sells different water bottles and backpacks around the park.

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, while getting their signatures and talking to them. Fans could also buy Austin City Limits t-shirts, bandanas and bags, along with band merchandise for every band that attended the festival.

Because there are so many people who attend the festival, ACL has a great way of making sure the park stays clean and nice for everyone. The festival offers the attendees the option to collect recycle bags and fill them with cans and plastic bottles. Every person who turns in a full bag gets a free t-shirt and the chance to win 2015 ACL tickets and a free bike. It is a great way to keep the park clean and keep the people happy.

In one of Texas’s most diverse cities, Austin City Limits Music Festival brings in people from all over to enjoy great music, food and the company of other people who like the same things.

Teen interest19

SNL undergoing major growing pains Local Tales:

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor

the previous announcer, Don Pardo, died in August of this year. Pardo acted as the show’s announcer since the show’s start in 1975.

“I sat in for Don when he had laryngitis several times over the years,” Hammond said in an interview with USA Today. “He was a lovely person. When he passed, they wanted me; it felt right for me to be the one to replace him. It’s been a very improbable life; I didn’t expect

which also included a cameo from Pratt’s wife, actress Anna Faris. The Parks and Recreation star continued the monologue The popular late-night sketch by talking about his weight loss for the comedy show, Saturday Night Live, summer movie, Guardians of the Galaxy. premiered its 40th season on September The show features many sketches, 27, 2014. Actor Chris Pratt hosted the including anything from life-size action show and singer/actress Ariana Grande figures, to introductions to “NFL” preformed as the show’s musical guest. players and even parodies of 80’s Saturday Night Live, or SNL as it is sitcoms. SNL’s premiere also included commonly known as, has been on television a spoof Marvel movie trailer that since it first premiered on October 11, was particularly popular among fans.

1975. Created by Lorne Michaels and

Former Nickelodeon star, Ariana developed by Dick Ebersol, the American Grande, preformed songs including Break comedy show has been making people Free and Love Me Harder during the premiere. laugh through sketch parodies of modern However, despite the show’s popular politics and culture for almost 40 years now. guests, the reactions from fans seem to be all SNL is currently in what has been over the place, with many people enjoying called a “rebuilding stage”, in which the change and a lot of people discussing the show is going though many changes the problems with the new season. concerning cast members and writers.

“Are ‘SNL’s’ growing pains over Three cast members from the previous as it enters its 40th season? It certainly season, Brooks Wheelan, Noël Wells and didn’t seem that way from the show’s John Milhiser, were let go after only one bizarre season opener,” Entertainment season on the show. Nasim Pedrad, who Weekly’s Esther Zuckerman said. acted on the show for five seasons, also Despite the mixed reviews, most fans Bill Hader at the opening night arrivals of “Death of a left the show to join the cast of the new Salesman” agreed that the newcomer Pete Davidson at The Barrymore Theatre in New York on March show, Mulaney. Former writer Mike 16, 2012. (Alice Erardy/Starlitepics/Abaca Press/MCT) was one of the more entertaining aspects O’Brien, who left the writing team of SNL of the night. He received many glowing to join as a cast member last year, returned something like this, but it feels real good.” reviews from people on twitter and to the writing staff for the 40th season.

The show’s creator Lorne Michaels even some previous stars of the show.

However despite the losses, the SNL also commented on Pardo’s replacement “Pete Davidson—he’s in the movie team also hired some more people. The and how it will change the show’s dynamic. Trainwreck,” Bill Hader, former SNL new comedians include former SNL writer “It can’t be what it was, but it could sort star, said referring to the upcoming Michael Che and stand-up comedian Pete of be in the same tradition,” Lorne said. “And Judd Apatow-directed, Amy SchumerDavidson. Che will be replacing Cecily it will be nice to have Darrell around. He starring comedy. “He has a small part Strong as a Weekend Update co-anchor. understands the show and will probably be in it. I told Lorne Michaels about him, On October 20, 2014, writer Leslie Jones helpful in ways we haven’t yet figured out.” said he was really funny. And then they also joined the season 40 cast after her The different changes to the show were auditioned him for a piece, and Lorne appearances in several sketches in the past. noticeable, however, the premiere still called me to say Pete got the show. I was Former Saturday Night Live cast followed the same format that it always like, ‘Oh my God, that’s wonderful!’” member Darrell Hammond took over as the has. After the intro, Chris Pratt started Saturday Night Live show’s announcer for the 40th season, after the show off by singing his monologue, premieres on Saturdays on NBC.

Brandy Melville criticized for sizings

By Alyssa Lobue Reporter

Brandy Melville, an Italian brand that came out five years ago, has recently gotten more publicity due to the argument of sizes sold. The selection of sizes has always been limited to “small’, “One size fits most”, and sizes 00, 0, 1, and 2. The average American girl has a 31” waist, while Brandy Melville refuses to sell sizes larger than 25”. Women that are seven sizes below average have more luck being able to find clothing, but women two sizes above average are told to “eat less”.

Brandy Melville mostly received their fame from their Instagram, which has models with no unique variety; thin, tan, and long legged. The company currently

has multiple stores open scattered throughout the U.S. and also sells online and at Pacsun. According to a survey from the research firm Piper Jaffray, Brandy Melville has become one of the fastest growing popular brands among American teens.

“We focus on making clothes and we try to do our best… not the political stuff. We aren’t focused on branding a certain model or one race and we do not seek out a certain type of look,” said the owner of the store, Jessy Longo.

Researchers from Texas A&M found that females feel the most pressure to be thin when they mentally compare themselves to their peers. More than half of teenagers use unhealthy ways to control their size like Anorexia, Binging and purging, and other associated disorders.

Although other stores are scorn for not selling larger sizes, few have gone as extreme as Brandy Melville. Abercrombie & Fitch sells clothes up to size 14 and Forever 21 pants sizes rise to 24-30”. The average U.S. teenage girl would approximately be 5 feet 3” tall and 138 pounds according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s report from 2012.

The brand has fans that treat the Brandy Melville models like celebrities. They pin their shopping bags on the walls as décor and will even go to the store to only take a selfie and share on social media. Rachel Simmons, the co-founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, says Brandy Melville puts teenagers through the challenges of being the best and coolest at school.

“They’re getting a really toxic message of what makes them worthy,” she said. “All that matters can be your body.”

The workers employed for the store thoroughly adore what they do. They get to voice their opinion and help with new clothes and merchandise plans.

“Product research is made up of all teenage girls. There are about 20 of us.

Let’s say there’s a cut of a T-shirt that’s doing really well, they’ll ask our opinionThere’s all kind of things we get asked, and we give our honest opinion,” said Kjerstin Skorge, 16-year-old from Malibu.

Over all the scandal shows how media influences how young woman percieve themselves.

Forgotten Galveston urban legends and tales

By Emily Ruthven Around Creek Editor Cool air blows in, leaves turn to a beautiful amber glow, the scent of sweet and spicy pumpkin fills the crisp autumn air; October is here, and what would October be without classic, spine-tingling urban legends to awaken the fears that live deep within us all? What most people do not realize is that some of the most famous and spookiest urban legends are set here in the Galveston Area. After the terrible 1900 storm, which is named the worst natural disaster in all of U.S history, many spirits were left behind. Approximately 10,000 innocent lives were stolen by the malevolent hurricane that ravaged the bay area.

The city of Galveston is now ranked as one of the nation’s most haunted locations.

The most paranormally populated, and quite possibly the oldest existing home in Galveston is the Menard House. Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a founder of Galveston, Michel B. Menard built the house in 1838 and occupied it until his death in an upstairs bedroom in 1856. One of Menard’s wives also died in the home, as did several Confederate soldiers when the building served as a YellowFever hospital during the Civil War. Edwin Ketchum purchased the house in 1879 and owned it during the great 1900 storm. The building housed many Galvestonians during the storm as they anxiously searched for protection from the hurricane. While some of its inhabitants survived, not all of them were so lucky, as many of the drowning innocents littered the lawn of the house.

During the month of October, people can embark on Haunted History Ghosts Hunts; while the truly fearless can book overnight stays in the paranormal house of horrors.

One of the most mystifying stories of the bay area is known as “The Face”. On the side of the UTMB E-wing building, if one looks closely, they may notice a distinct collection of shadows and highlights that resemble a face. The employees of UTMB have tried countless times to power wash the face off, but it keeps reappearing, sometimes even moving locations.

Reportedly the most actively haunted location in all of Galveston lives at 2024 Seawall Blvd. Built in June 1911, Hotel Galvez is known to be the most terrifying urban legend of all. Adventurous guests can test their bravery and tour room 501. The story goes that a young sailor’s fiancé named Audra decided to stay in that very room. Tragically, her lover’s ship had sunk in a terrible storm, and Audra was informed that no survivors had been recovered. After waiting for days upon end, she climbed the rooftop turrets and hung herself. Tragically yet ironically, her fiancé returned a few days later, unscathed. Now she haunts the halls of the hotel, especially in the forsaken room of 501.

People can experience the thrill for themselves during the month of October, when Hotel Galvez offers exciting Ghost Tours.

During this unique time of the year, people can test their bravery and experience these paranormal phenomena for themselves, and possibly even return with even more mind-twisting tales to tell.

20

Teen Interest

New fashion line designed by student Diego Allison

By Emily Ruthven Around Creek Editor

Creek students are known across the district for their stunning creativity and innovative spirit, sophomore Diego Allison represents this ideal with his new fashion line, Diego Allison Summer 2014 Collection. This collection includes a total of 17 outfits, which can be divided into eight dresses and nine other separate pieces such as shorts, skirts, shirts and sweaters.

Allison began crafting his clothes when he was asked to create end of-the-year banquet dresses for his peers as well as two graduation dresses. When summer finally came around, Allison got to work, being able to sew an entire dress in one day, where as it took an entire week to sew one dress during the school year. However, creating a dress or any piece of clothing requires several hours of sketching out ideas finding inspiration.

“I know this sounds cliché but some really great sources of inspiration are fashion magazines and Tumblr. I get inspired by colors or patterns I see in my everyday life as well,” Allison said.

Before any fabric is chosen, Allison’s ideas must be put onto paper. This helps him solidify his flowing ideas into a solid pattern that can be followed and sewn.

“Drawing all of my ideas out on paper takes longer than most people think. I just

have so many ideas floating in my head and sometimes it is hard to really translate that onto the paper. It usually takes me at least four different sketches for me to get a solid idea of what I want to create,” Allison said.

then I would go from there,” Allison said.

Allison has plans to create a new, more exciting fashion collection in the very near future.

“For my next fashion line, I will

Photo curtesy of Diego Allison definitely After be sketcha final idea has been solidified, Allison is tasked with ing way more than I did for this collecchoosing the perfect patterns and fabrics. tion. I found that the more I sketch and “Once I got a solid idea of what I want- brainstorm, the happier I am with the ed to create, I would drive over to my local final product in the end,” Allison said.

Despite the fact that this collecfabric store and look for a certain pattern or color that resembled my final drawing and tion is exclusively for women, howev-

er Allison stated that he might include men’s pieces in his next fashion line.

“I am very excited to continue to create pieces of clothing that will make every one confident. I’m also really excited to learn and experiment with different colors, patterns and fabrics. In other words, I’m really looking forward to maturing as a designer…

If I were to do another fashion line, it would be haute couture inspired.

All of my pieces would be more intricate and detailed, meaning they would take more time to create and sew, however, they would be of a much higher quality,” Allison said.

To promote his debut collection, Allison had nine or so of his girl friends model his clothes for him.

“My cousin is a photographer, so I utilized his talents to help advertise my collection. I am so satisfied with the way the photos turned out. All of my models are so beautiful,” Allison said.

After shooting the photos, Allison would upload them onto the popular social media site, Instagram. These photos would receive an astounding number of likes, often in the 100s.

Like anything, Allison’s collection has a purpose. Strongly motivated by confidence and strong self-esteem, he wishes to strengthen women through his collection.

“I want to be able to empower women.

I want women to feel like they can wear whatever they want and not conform to the ‘norms’ of society.” Allison said.

New television shows premiere for fall 2014 season

By Emily Berthiaume Teen Interest Editor

Fall is the season of pumpkin spice, yellowing leaves, a chill in the air – and new TV shows. Pilots for brand-new shows often air in the fall, and this year the line-up includes romantic comedies such as Selfie and Manhattan Love Story, both on ABC, A to Z on NBC, and Marry Me on NBC. On CBS, Stalker, Scorpion and Madam Secretary all premiered, along with How to Get Away with Murder and the comedy black-ish on ABC. Fox premiered the reality show Utopia and the drama Red Band Society. Other comedies include Bad Judge on NBC, Cristela on ABC and The McCarthys on CBS. Forever on ABC, The Mysteries of Laura and State of Affairs on NBC are all new dramas this fall.

New romantic comedies seem to be a prevailing theme. Manhattan Love Story, which premiered on September 30, revolves around new New Yorker Dana (Analeigh Tipton) being set up with cynical Peter (Jake McDorman), and their love story together. A to Z, which premiered October 2, focuses on Andrew (Ben Feldman) and Zelda (Cristin Milioti) who met by accident, begin dating and, as a narrator reveals, will eventually break up. Selfie focuses on a social media addict Eliza Dooley (Karen Gillan) who receives a more practical makeover by a co-worker and marketing genius, Henry (John Cho).

Marry Me, which debuted on October 14, is a comprehensive account of a proposal starring Casey Wilson as a would-be bride who keeps sabotaging efforts by her boyfriend (Ken Marino) to get engaged.

Dramas are a staple of television, and this year’s new shows are no different. Red

Band Society, starring Octavia Spencer, tells the story of sick teenagers living fulltime in a hospital’s pediatric ward. The Mysteries of Laura, a police comedy-drama, stars Debra Messing as a Laura Diamond, a detective and single mother. Madam Secretary stars Tea Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, a female Secretary of State. It premiered to generally positive reviews, with The Hollywood Reporter calling the casting “spot on”, although the pilot was not perfect, mainly because McCord was depicted as succeeding with no struggle.

Scorpion, which is based loosely on the life of computer expert Walter O’Brian, focuses on when O’Brian and his brilliant team, called Scorpion, is recruited by the government to act as a last line of defense against threats of the modern world.

Huffington Post called the show “nonsense” and “formulaic”, and it generally received mixed to negative reviews.

Forever on ABC tells the story of Dr. Henry Morgan (Ion Gruffudd), a seemingly immortal medical examiner in New York City. In the first episode, Morgan is killed by a subway train and then comes back to life, as he always will. How to Get Away With Murder was perhaps one of the most highly anticipated new shows of the season, and generally earned fantastic reviews. Viola Davis’ performance as a law professor who becomes involved in a murder plot with her students was praised, and the pilot was said to have never had a slow moment. In contrast, Stalker on CBS received very negative reviews, with The Huffington Post calling it “exploitative, misogynistic trash”, and it received an overall score of 17 out of 100 on Metacritic.

Many new comedies also came out, such as black-ish, a single-camera sitcom

that focuses on an upper-middle-class African-American family that premiered to generally positive reviews. Bad Judge, a legal comedy, stars Kate Walsh as Rebeccca Wright, a judge who spends her free time partying being reckless. It received mostly negative reviews, and has a score of 38 on Metacritic. Cristela is a sitcom created by and starring standup comedian Cristela Alonzo as a law

school graduate who gets the chance to live her dream by working as an unpaid intern at a law firm. The McCarthys revolves around a working class Boston family who loves sports. In the pilot, Ronny McCarthy, an openly gay and athletically challenged man, gets the opportunity to become an assistant coach for his father’s high school basketball team, upsetting his other siblings. It is set to premiere October 30.

Teen Interest 21

Mary Lambert debuts new album Heart on My Sleeve

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor

Mary Lambert’s first album, Heart On My Sleeve, dropped on October 14, 2014, reaching number 29 on Billboard charts in the United States. The album is an assortment of 11 songs from Lambert, included her popular single, Secrets, from earlier this year. All together, the album is a beautiful collection of songs that has impressed and moved me, along with countless other listeners.

Mary Lambert is a 25-year-old singersongwriter and spoken-word artist from Seattle, Washington, who started her career in 2011. Although she was sexually abused as a child, Lambert taught herself to play and write music at the age of six.

She was raised in a very Christian household, which has played a part in some of her music and poetry as she found her balance being a devout Christian and coming out as a lesbian when she was 17.

Lambert first caught the attention of the public with her work on the song Same Love, with performers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in 2012. She later used the single to develop her song She Keeps Me Warm in which she used the same lyrics. Her first EP, or extended plays, called Letters Don’t Talk was released on July 17, 2012 and her second EP, Welcome to the Age of My Body, was released December 17, 2013. Heart On My Sleeve is Lambert’s first full-length album.

The first time I came across Lambert was when I heard the song Same Love on the radio. I loved the lyrics but my favorite part of the song was definitely Lambert’s chorus. It was catchy and beautifully written. As much as I loved the song, however, I had almost forgotten about Lambert

until I heard the song Secrets playing on it relatable to everyone. The next song on the radio and instantly fell in love with it. the album is So Far Away. For some reason Basing my hopes for the album based the song reminds me of a modern version on Secrets, I can honestly say that I was of the Hilary Duff songs that I used to listen not disappointed when I listened to the full to growing up, which is also a plus for me.

The song flows into Ribcage, a very album for the first time. There was just intense song something so that is counique about performed L a m b e r t ’s with Anstyle. She is gel Haze known for and K.Flay. her “singThe song talk” style is beautiof performful and uning, and her easy. It has songs are just an interestso hauntinging electro ly beautiful tune and a that it is hard “poundingget them out heartbeat of my head. underbelly” In rethat gives views, Heart the listener On My Sleeve an uneasy has been feel. It is described definitely as “brutala welcome ly honest” and interestand “vulPhoto curtesy of gomoxie.org ing change nerable”, of pace which in my the album. opinion, is a very accurate description. on The next “song” on Heart On My “The Seattle singer-songwriter’s first full-length, Heart on My Sleeve, demon- Sleeve is actually a spoken-word poem, strates her shape-shifting abilities, from entitled Dear One. Because of my deep gospel-tinged balladry and Regina Spek- love for spoken-word poetry and the fact tor-y whimsy to kicky early ’90s R&B-pop that I was not expecting it on the album and even earnest piano covers of ’80s hits,” was also very exciting. Lambert has a The Las Vegas Weekly said in a review. beautiful voice, even when she is just talkThe album starts with Secrets which is ing, and the poem is beautifully written.

When You Sleep is one of my favoralready one of my favorites on the album.

There is something fun and carefree about ite song on the album. The slow, mellow the song, and the honesty on the lyrics makes melody fits perfectly into the flow of the

album. The instrumental of the song is simply piano, which slowly builds toward the end of the song. It also goes nicely into the next song, Chasing The Moon, a more upbeat and fun song.

Next, Lambert performs an interesting cover of Rick Springfield’s Jessie’s Girl.

The song is transformed from the catchy, upbeat, fun song to an earnest piano version, slow and deep. Even though I am very used to the original, the cover works really well, not just by itself but adding to the anesthetic of the album as a whole.

The songs Monochromatic and Heart On My Sleeve are next on the album, both very different but beautiful.

Wounded Animal, however, I would have to say is my absolute favorite song on the album. The lyrics are so vulnerable and sad. Though the majority of the song is simply the chorus, the song does not really need the extra lyrics. The last song on the album is Sum Of Our Parts, which is more upbeat and kind of sums up the album. It is closely related to Lambert’s childhood, with the lyrics “We are more than our scars. We are more than the sum of our parts.” The song also includes the spoken word aspects and nicely ties all of the songs together.

The majority of the reviews I have read about the album were all positive and everyone seems to like Lambert’s music.

“Most impressive here is Lambert’s exquisite vulnerability—from naked romantic pleas to plainspoken admissions of regret and more carefree admissions of self-empowerment, she comes off as complex, imperfect and utterly charming,” The Las Vegas Weekly said in a review.

All in all, I was highly impressed with the entire album and would recommend it to anybody who is open to unique and beautiful music.

Popular YouTubers break into mainstream market

By Emily Ruthven Around Creek Editor YouTubers have been confined to laptops, cell phones and tablets for years now. However, many of them have become so popular that they are breaking the barrier between “YouTube-famous” and legitimate stardom.

YouTuber Shane Dawson, 26, released his very own full-length film, Not Cool. Dawson created the same movie as another director but put his own spin on it, all for the popular Starz program The Chair. Despite negative reviews from critics, scoring a measly 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, Dawson’s movie has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Dawson’s fan base, scoring an impressive 87% satisfaction rate. Not Cool is centered on former high school cool-kid and promking and current college freshman, Scott, who has recently gone back home for his annual Thanksgiving break. When Scott’s long-term girlfriend dumps him, his life is turned upside down. After befriending former classmate Tori, the two find the truth to lasting happiness in the short time that Thanksgiving break allots. Not Cool earned $10,329 on opening weekend and has grossed a total of $35,688.

Aspiring actor and singer, Chester See, landed a spot on the Broadway production, Rock of Ages. With immense support from his 1.5 million loyal subscribers, See had

his debut on the Broadway stage as the infamous rock idol, Stacee Jaxx on October 27.

“Today’s freshest young talents are emerging online though this new media rev-

does on the monitors across the globe.” said Matt Weaver, producer of Rock of Ages..

Beauty guru and popular vlogger, Michelle Phan released her own cosmetics

YouTube star Michelle Phan poses for a portrait with her L’Oreal makeup line at Ipsy Studios on July 22, 2014 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Jabin Botsford/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

olution, and we’re thrilled to be the first on Broadway to recognize the growing importance of digital platforms for reaching new audiences. Chester is an incredible artist, and just as our songs have transcended generations, we’re certain his star power will shine brightly on the Broadway stage, as it

line called “Em”. Phan will also be releasing a book called, Make up: Your Guide to Beauty, Style and Success-Online and Off..

This creation can be found in major retailers all over the country such as Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Target and many more.

Girl Online: The First Novel by Zoella

was written by Youtube star, Zoe Sugg, a.k.a Zoella. In more recent book news, comedian, vlogger and life guru, Hannah Hart released her first cookbook based on her popular web series, My Drunk Kitchen. Called My Drunk Kitchen: A Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Going with Your Gut. Best friend of Hart, independent vlogger and sarcastic comedian, Grace Helbig debuted her first publication called Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending How to Be a Grown-Up. Tyler Oakley has been found on several red carpets for popular events such as the MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Teen Choice Awards.

Felix Kjellberg, or “Pewdiepie” has the more than 31 million subscribers, the highest subscriber rate in all of Youtube’s history, and a net worth of approximately ten million dollars. Kjellberg makes an approximate four million dollars annually from his videos alone. People cannot seem to resist his plethora of wittingly comedic gaming videos. Kjellberg has received a Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Gaming, beating out fellow Youtube sensations such as Toby Turner, Joey Graceffa, Tiffany Garcia and iJustine. Along with his Teen Choice Award, he also was awarded the Shorty Award for Gaming.

As the digital age progresses, so does the definition of fame. These YouTubers continue to transform the boundaries between traditional and new media.

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Sports

Athletes of Volleyball continues winning streak the month:

By Troylon Griffin II Sports Editor

By Troylon Griffin II Sports Editor Melody Horton is a senior whose hard work in volleyball has taken her a long way. She absolutely loves volleyball. “I like playing with the team, we get along with each other.” As the team captain, her team “looks up to [her] in some ways.”

She looks up greatly to Ashley Smith, a Creek alumni who currently attends TCU and was on the Creek volleyball team during Melody’s ninth and tenth year at Creek. She is going to attend Grand Canyon University, on a volleyball scholarship, and hopes to “improve and get more time as a freshman.” She also plans to study to become a nurse.

By Vidal Maldonado Sports Editor Junior Corner Back Colby Burton, is nothing less than a defensive phenomenon, so much so that he expects opposing quarterbacks next season to avoid throwing his way. This season, Colby has recorded three interceptions and 38 tackles in his few games he has played, he expects to get at least 7+ interceptions and 50 tackles by the end of the season. He as on track to achieve both stats and is a high possibility he will surpass both tackles and interceptions easily. But more importantly Colby says “he expects this talented team to win district and then the state championship”.

The Creek Varsity volleyball team is now fifth in the state after a successful game on September 27. After winning all three sets, the varsity team was able to defeat Clear Springs with scores of 25-23, 25-18 and 25-16. Conveniently, the Varsity team was able to get some spotlight when one of their star players Melody Horton was named by KHOU news as their “Athlete of the Week” on September 21st.

The match took place on a Saturday afternoon on September 27th, a date that varsity volleyball coach Scott Simonds described as “pretty unusual” considering that it was the day of homecoming.

“But the kids came out focused and ready to play,” Coach Simonds said.

“The Clear Springs match was a good win for us. It’s a rivalry match and we had lost to them the last time we played last year to end district play.”

The coach went on to say how the loss to Springs at the varsity level was the first loss in Clear Creek’s history.

“I reminded the players about that several times leading up to the match.”

During the game, there were many successful matches and one particular Coach Simonds named was Melissa McNeil who was able to score 21 kills, which Simonds described as a “career high for her”.

Simonds was asked on who inspires the team and if there was anyone the players ever look up to.

“Our three captains do a good job of leading the team,” Simonds said, referring to Melody Horton, Allison Dono-

Photo by Issac Villarreal

van, and Mariah Pardo. “All of them have been on Varsity for the last three years and know what’s expected of them. The players also work to keep up the winning tradition of our program.”

The coach went on to speak on

how he wants to impact his players.

“I want them to be good people, good students, and good hard working volleyball players. That’s the goal from day one when they get in our program and we want to help them get there as a staff,” Simonds said.

The coach spoke on what he and his team speak about before games and during practice.

“We just need to focus on getting better everyday. We’ve set very high goals for the season: to win district for the ninth time in fourteen years, to get back to the State Tournament for the sixth time in our programs history, and to win our second State Championship ever. These are very high goals and it certainly won’t be easy to attain them so we have to work very hard to make it happen,” Simonds said.

Simonds went on to say how they’ve had a great season so far and the players are working hard.

“This is a great group of players who are also great people and students that the school can be proud of to represent them,” Simonds said.

Coaches like Coach Simonds have been coaching their players and making many goals to help get their team to the top and help to continue Clear Creek’s legacy. Like all of Clear Creek’s sports teams, the volleyball team practices with much ambitions to do their best in succeeding in their goals.

The Best Ever keeps champion title

By Vidal Maldonado Sports Editor

is known for his killer quick feet and his stellar dodging abilities. He has used these tactics to defeat all his opponents and even some of the all time greats of the boxing world such as Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton and Canelo Alverez.

On May 3, 2014, Mayweather faced one of his toughest fights versus Marcos Maidana, the fight on a statistical stand-

ing fans no reason to ever suspect they needed a second fight to begin with. Maidana came out electric through the first four “The best ever” Undefeated Floyd Mayrounds and at the end of the third round weather Jr. calls himself, but is there any staggered Mayweather with a big right doubt about his self proclaimed nickname hand connect directly to mayweathers face, after winning his 47th bout versus Marcos fortunately for Mayweather, Maidana had Maidana resulting in a unanimous decision no time to follow up for a knock out or a September 13 at the MGM Grand in Las big momentum shift. Mayweather looked Vegas Nevada, Floyd can tell you when a bit shaken walking back to his he says his life has not always been the corner as he prepared for the next best ever as his nickname suggests. round. At the start of the fourth Mayweather was born in Grand round Maidana kept his compoRapids Michigan and was raised part sure and remained to fluster Maytime between his poor grandmother, his weather with hard body jabs that mother, (who was addicted to drugs,) seemed to slow him down and and his father (who had many troubles give Maidana an edge for the rest with the law and was in and out of of the fight. However rounds five jail), the most time that Mayweather’s through 12 were all Mayweather father spent with him was taking him as he used his quickness and stelto the ring to work on his boxing. lar defensive technique to dodge “I don’t remember him ever taking most of Maidana’s attempts. The me anywhere or doing anything that a countless hours of training had father would do with a son, [like] gobuilt Mayweather’s body to ening to the park or to the movies or to dure the boxing ring and whatget ice cream,” Mayweather said Boxing legned Floyd Mayweather watches the first half of Game 4 of the ever it may have brought him as “I always thought that he liked his NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs at American he continued to connect jabs to daughter better than he liked me Airlines Arena in Miami on Thursday, June 12, 2014. (Michael Laughlin/Sun the body of Marcos Maidana.

Sentinel/MCT) because she never got whippings The fight ultimately reand I got whippings all the time”. sulted in a favorable score for Mayweather did all he could to work point was all Mayweather but many ar- Mayweather, two judges gave him a on his art while his father was absent, gue that Marcos connected more heavy 116-111 score and the third judge gave the elder Mayweather served his time hits than Mayweather did, Maidana also him a 115-112 score cruising to his 47th while his son put all his energies into commented that Mayweather was running victory and keeping him undefeated. boxing, and dropping out of high school. away the whole fight, but the statistics Mayweather has two more fights in “I knew that I was going to have to try show that Mayweather connected on 47 his contract with ShowTime and many to take care of my mom and I made the percent of his throws as supposed to Maid- hope a fight with Manny Pacquiao will decision that school wasn’t that impor- anas 17 percent, though this fight went to resonate before his retirement in 2015. tant at the time and I was going to have Mayweather in a unanimous Decision.

In the mean time Mayweather will conto box to earn a living,” Mayweather said.

Maidana made it clear he wanted tinue to live his half billion dollar lifestyle Mayweather is now deemed one of to fight the champ for a second time. and will wait until a new fighter will be the greatest boxers and is also called the On September 13, Mayweather looked chosen as Mayweather will try to remain greatest defensive boxer of all time. He to shut down Maidana and give the box- undefeated and receive his 48th victory.

sports

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Martin races towards goal of state championship

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor

He’s the one to take the road less traveled. Tyler Martin, junior, has spent the last three years of high school dedicating himself to cross country and track, most notably for his 5K runs. His most recent success was at the District track meet where he took second place with a time of 15:51. This landed him a place at the Regional meet to take place at Atascoita allowing him to continue down the road to hopefully a state victory.

As a sophomore, Martin was the first runner to secure a spot at State from Creek in many years. He placed sixth in Region with a time of 16:15.50, so along with the other runners that placed in the top ten, Martin received the chance to compete at State. At State last year, Martin ranked 46th with a time of 16:58. Compared to his previous freshmen rank of 40th at Region, Martin has proved that all of his hard work is paying off. After the 60 to 70 miles in the blistering hot summer heat to the additional hours of swim cross training, Martin has consistently strived to improve and push himself to be the “one the best runners and the best [he] can be.”

Entering high school, Martin had already set goals for himself. To this day, Martin continues to strive toward winning first place at State. He plans to make that dream come true senior year and to be on the podium this year.

Coach Ruben Jordan describes Martin as, “one of the hardest working kids [he’s] seen in a long time.” Jor-

dan believes it is his “drive to be the best think about the quote, ‘Pain is temporary and his drive to compete,” that allows and pride is forever,’ or ‘Pain is tempohim to reach the success he has today. rary and quitting is forever.’” Martin said.

“Some mornings Tyler will call me While running in itself is a solitary act, and ask me what time I’m getting to the cross country team provides a source school. He’ll get here before I do and of support for Martin. Together they help start his work out. It takes a lot of com- to represent Clear Creek and push each mitment. I’m just glad to other to, “achieve more be around a high school than you ever think you student who had dedicould alone.” Accordcated himself the way ing to Coach Jordan, Tyler does,” Jordan said. it is the team philosoHappy to handle phy that you “just can’t whatever pain comes lose or be without.” It his way, Martin is conwas his team among stantly working towards other friends and famhis dream to achieve ily that supported the self-satisfaction that Martin when he incomes with hard work. jured his knee last year.

His commitment comes Last year during in many forms. From getwinter break, Martin ting up at 5 am to squeeze became injured during in an extra run or finding a practice run. Around time in the evening to that time he was trying do it after school, Marto average 70 miles a tin tries his best to take week, pushing himself Photo courtesy of Tyler Martin every chance to make to train for the upcomhimself become the runner he wants to be. ing track season. On a twelve-mile course “I think what sets me apart is how around the seventh mile, Martin began to I push myself through more pain than feel a pain different from the type he usualanyone else. I try to go through more ly ignores. It took just one run to take away pain than everyone,” Martin said. the track season that Martin had spent With every step towards the finish line all year looking forward to. It resulted in or through every difficult training session, six weeks of physical therapy. This reMartin reminds himself of the success he sulted in him having to spend his summer is working towards with a simple mantra. slowly working back to where he was in “Whenever I’m going through a hard addition to improving his pre-injury state. workout or starting to feel pain, I just During this time, what motivated Martin

was seeing his other competitors work hard at track as he tried to heal his knee.

“It helped me realize that no matter how life can be and how it really is, you just have to keep moving forward no matter what. You just can’t give up,” Martin said.

In return to those on the team who have been his support, Martin tries to do the same.

For Coach Jordan, Martin’s supportive behavior “helps to make the program better” due to his lead by example work ethic.

“I’ve never heard him belittle a team mate. He even stands by them as they run and cheers them on. He’s one of their biggest fans. That’s the most gratifying thing about watching him. Someone with his level of success is still there to cheer on his teammates and not expect them to win, but expect them to compete the best that they can,” Coach Jordan said.

Starting from as a young boy who admired his father’s collegiate running photos, Martin is on his way to creating more running victories of his own.

Running has served as a constant in Martin’s life starting from practice runs with his dad as a middle school student.

As stress relief and sport, running has been Martin’s outlet to challenge himself to see just how much he can achieve.

“There are gonna be times when you easily want to give up and give into the pain whenever you’re in a race. The most important thing is that you just gotta keep moving forward. Instead of giving up your dream because of how far you’ve got to go, sometimes you have to look back and see how far you came,” Martin said.

VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS NOVEMBER 3- CREEK VS. TRAVIS @ MANVEL H.S. 6:30 P.M. VARSITY BOYS BASKETTBALL HOME GAMES NOVEMBER 25- CREEK VS. COLLEGE PARK @2 P.M. DECEMBER 12- CREKVS. KINGWOOD @7 P.M. VARSITY LADIES BASKETTBALL HOME GAMES NOVEMBER 11- CREEK VS. CLEMENTS @4.P.M. NOVEMBER 18- CREEK VS. SUMMER CREEK @4P.M.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE VARSITY NOVEMBER 1-CREEK VS. DICKINSON @1P.M. NOVEMBER 7-CREEK VS. LAKE @6:30P.PM. JUNIOR VARSITY OCTOBER 30-CREEK VS, DICKINSON @ DICKINSON H.S. 4:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 6- CREEK VS. LAKE @ LAKE H.S. 4:30P.M. FRESHMEN OCTOBER 30- CREEK VS. DICKINSON @ CREEK H.S. 4:30P.M NOVEMBER 6- CREEK VS. LAKE @ CREEK H.S. 4:30P.M.

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