Homecoming Pg 7
Clear Creek High School
State
New Staff Pg 6
Creek Football Pg 15
September 2009- Issue 1 2305 E. Main, League City, TX 77573
graduation requirements change Allie Hinga With the increased graduation requirements put in place since Texas’ four by four plan, as well as Clear Creek Independent School District’s move to a uniform seven period schedule, students have been experiencing increasing limita- tions on the number of elective credits they can take during high school. For many students, however, this restraint may decrease since the state revised graduation requirements with the passage of House Bill (HB) 3 this summer. The new law allows additional flexibility in elective classes for those under the Recommended High School Plan. On June 25, 2009, school districts across the state were informed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that the 81st legislature had made changes to the
state graduation requirements that would go into effect immediately, starting on September 1, instead of being phased in with the next incoming class of freshmen, as is the traditional procedure. This allows all students currently enrolled in high school to benefit from HB 3. The new law affects students on both the Recommended and Minimum High School Plans. Students on the Minimum Plan are now required to take one year of fine arts elective, and some students may satisfy their English IV credit with another related course if they meet specific criteria. Also, to qualify to graduate on the Minimum plan, students must be at least 16 years old, have completed two credits in each core subject, or have failed to be promoted to 10th grade at least once. Students on the Recommended High School Plan (RHSP) receive additional space for elective credits under HB 3 by eliminating the requirement of both a technology applications and health credit and reducing the number of required Physical Education credits from one and a half credits to one credit. This will give students graduating on the RHSP six elective credits instead of three and a half. At this time, the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) was not affected by HB 3. Each school reserves the right to decide whether the new law will be implemented in its district. In response to the new law, both CCISD and Clear Creek High School have encouraged students to keep the schedules they selected last February for the 2009-2010 school year. Since the district built its staff
for the year based on students’ course selections last school year, district officials say it would be difficult to accommodate schedule changes for all students affected by HB 3. “We don’t have the flexibility to just dump classes left and right,” Creek’s head counselor Ms. Ponce said. Also, some colleges still require certain courses no longer needed under the new law, such as technology applications. The district says that the courses students took prior to HB 3 will still count towards credit requirements for graduation. Although many students may not be able to change their schedules, the HB 3 will help some students get back on track for graduation. Counselors will be working with some students to see if HB 3 may help those who do not have enough credits to graduate by eliminating those classes no longer required by law from their schedules. Since many students will retain their original schedules, however, the full effects of the law will not be felt for some time. “Students will enjoy the full benefits of House Bill 3 next February when they go through course selections,”Ponce said. “Those on the Recommended Plan will have the option to select electives of their choice if they do not want a technology, health, or additional P.E. credit.” Though this year may not yet bring significant changes for student scheduling in CCISD, in the future options will be available to students to balance both academics and elective courses.
Sixteen year olds, the newest group to driving, will experience a population increase by 0.5 million by the end of this year. Their crash rate is three times more than 17-year-olds and 5 times greater than that of 18-year-olds. The new laws passed by Texas legislature are relative to attempts made by the National Safety Council, or NSC.
Last January, the NSC became the first national organization to propose a ban on cell phone use while driving. The council not only works to prevent injuries and deaths on the road, but also at work, at homes, and in communities. With the new laws in place, drivers must turn their cell phones off while driving. Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk
Photo by Wynette Jameson
New cell phone laws aim to keep kids safe
Jordan Little
As of September 1, Texas drivers will have to be more careful about where they use their cell phones. As of the first, no driver will be able to use a cell phone while driving through a school zone, unless he or she uses a wireless device or the car is stopped. Violators of the law can be fined up to $200. One exception to the law is if the driver uses a cell phone to call the police, fire department, or emergency medical services. Some may be shocked to find that eighty percent of traffic deaths happen at speeds under 40 miles per hour, like the typical 25 mph speed in a school zone, and happen within 25 miles of home. Drivers in the U.S. who aren’t paying attention cause 1.5 million crashes each year, 4,000 per day. In the two seconds it takes for a driver to dial their cell phone, the car, traveling at 60 mph, has moved 176 feet, or half the length of a football field accordig to www.txdot.gov. Another law that will go into effect September 1 will make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use their cell phone while driving. Drivers who receive their license on that day or after must abide by the law. “It’s unsafe to text while you’re driving. I watched a video on Facebook called Texting While Driving. It was so intense and I never want to text and drive
again,” senior Lindsey Carelock said. National teen driving statistics may be one cause of the restrictions of cell phone use while driving. According to www.txdot.gov, in the year 2002, of a total of 8,984 deaths in teen driver related accidents, 3,723 of those deaths were young drivers aging from 16-20 years old. Car crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths and teens have a higher chance of being involved in a car crash than any other age group. Drivers between the ages of 16-19 have a fatality rate four times the rate of 25 to 69-year-old drivers or older drivers with more years of experience (www. txdot.gov). Add use of a cell phone while driving to the statistics and the risks are even higher. A study of the current population trends shows that next year there will be 23 percent more 16- to 20–year-old drivers than today’s total of 26.1 million.
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Opinion We lc o m e Ba c k, C re e k! What are you most looking forward to this school year? SENIORS
FRESHMEN “I’m looking forward to district championship for football.” -Regan Adams “I want to be able to know this school better and make some friends.” -Hugo Martinez “I’m looking forward to golf team and meeting new people.” -Anna Hamilton “I’m excited about finally being in high school!” -Madison Wright
SOPHOMORES
“I’m excited to not be a freshman anymore!”
-Andrea Lopez -Will Shivers
“I can’t wait for the soccer season!”
“I’m looking forward to concert season for band.” -Justin Lenfest “I’m excited about helping make the yearbook this year.” -Kyndall Hadley “I’m looking forward to summer already!”
-Stephen Binion
JUNIORS
“I’m excited about all my classes, this year, homecoming, and meeting new people.” -Kaela Janszen
“I am looking forward to making new
friends.”
-Edith Vasquez
“The thing I’m looking forward to mo st would have to be Pop Show for Choir.” -Anna Barlow
“I’m looking forward to Fusion and
dance class.”
-Ann Diab
“I am looking forward to the new, cha llenging classes that I have to take.” -Marie Stephensen “I want to make sure I pass all of my classes.” -Alex Edwards
“I can’t wait for Christmas time alre
ady!”
“I’m almost a senior!”
-Jessica Sanchez -Casey Hodgson
“Relaxation that comes with senioritis.”
-Scott Wahl
“The thing I’m looking forward to most is going to the foot-Ernie Artiz ball games.” “I know school has just started, but I’m already looking -Molly Yates forward to graduation!” “I’m already set to get it over with!”
-Meghan Caputo
“I’m looking forward to graduating high school and moving -Meagan Bridges on to college.” “I am looking forward to softball season.” -Madeline Gaffney “I can’t wait for an awesome year of StuCo and Young -Marissa Trevino Life!” “I’m excited for Christmas Break!”
-Sydney Clements
Clear Creek High School
2009-2010 HiLife Staff
Scott Bockart Principal: Wynette Jameson Advisor: Jan O’Neil Executive Editor: Allie Hinga Editor-in-Chief: Chelsea Huebner Managing Editor: Ryan Munthe Graphics Editor: Jordan Little News Editor: Amber Arnold Assistant News Editor: Christine Sulkis Around Creek Editor: Shannon O’Neil Features Editor: Jacob Mancini Creek Speaks Editor: Kaitlyn Blake Teen Interest Editor: Christen Valcoviak Sports Editor: Will Sheffield Centerspread Editors: Ellen Gaudet Jordan Little Advertising Manager: Kaitlyn Boryk Photo Editors: Katlin Foote Assistant Photo Editor: Shauna Fererro-Donahue Photographer: Reanna Bain Jacob Arredondo Reporters: Emily Dismukes Tabitha Dirrim Kaitlyn Casey Katherine Gughiocello Derek Gay Ashley Farmer Meghan Mistry Mary Veedell Email us at: Creekhilife@yahoo.com chool.ihigh.com Visit us at: http://www.clearcreekhighs : (281) 284-1705 For ad rates call: (281) 284-1889 Fax
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Editorial Allie’s Abstractions
“Let your past be a part of you, but don’t let it define you”
Allie Hinga September 11 is probably one of the most somber days on our national calendar, a time when the American people pause to remember those who lost their lives in one of the worst attacks on the nation in recent history and those who gave their lives trying to save others. To borrow the quote from FDR, it’s “a date which will live in infamy.” Homecoming, on the other hand, is one of the most outspoken days of teenage revelry during the school year. It’s a day of fun, a day to show off our marginal school spirit, a day to worry less about work and our everyday stresses as students and more about who has the best mum and who can get the highest score at the Rock Band booth. What then, do these two seemingly very different days have in common? I assume that by now most of us know
that the annual Homecoming game will take place on September 11 this year. When I first learned this, I was actually quite shocked for a few reasons. It seemed to me that school would barely have started, that we would barely be back into a working mindset, when all of a sudden we would have to figure out what kind of mum to buy or how to set up a booth for a club, not to mention that the newspaper has to come out before that date, leaving us with little time to produce a massive collaborative effort. But aside from some of my more selfish motivations, I felt that the actual date of the game would probably be the bigger issue for most people. My other thought was that setting one of the school’s more celebratory traditions on so sacred a day seemed more than a little irreverent. In an age when it seems like so many people aren’t connected to their nation’s history, I began to wonder if this would just encourage us to let what happened on September 11 fall to the wayside. It wasn’t long after this that I gained an interesting piece of insight from my teacher, Ms. Othon. During one of my not so infrequent rants about my perceived injustices of the world, which happened to be about the date of Homecoming on this occasion, she gave me her point of view on the issue. Basically, she told me that
September 11 is most definitely a day that belongs to our nation, a day to remember those who gave their lives, but we can’t let the date own us as a people and as a school. The more I thought about it, the more I came to agree. In no way should this country forget what happened eight years ago. To do so would be to dishonor those who died and our country’s history itself. Its something we need to remember. But out of tragedy can come hope, and from that, a new future. If we allow September 11 to define us, to bind us, and refuse to let it push us to become a stronger, better nation, then, in a sense, we let those who attacked us win. The best way to honor those who lost their lives is not to hide from the coming future, but to embrace it and allow what happened to make us stronger. We face this kind of choice, not just on September 11, but every day. We have all had our own personal set of hardships, the ghosts in our past that constantly remind us of things we would rather forget. I have some of my own, and every day I am faced with the decision of whether or not I let what has happened to me in the past dominate who I am now. I can choose to live in fear tinged with selfpity and regret, letting my past hang rule my thoughts and control my decisions, or I can give the misfortune in my life pur-
pose by opting to allow it to be a vehicle for positive change. Instead of living my life caught in the past, I can use my past to help me grow as a person so I won’t have to go through the same heartache twice, and can help those who are struggling. It’s certainly not the easy choice, but in the end, it’s the best way to honor my past, who I am today, and who I will become. And when it comes to respecting those who have lost their lives, perhaps the best thing to do for them is to allow their memory to carry us on the road to recovery and make us better people. If we do this, then their sacrifice was not in vain. So when homecoming rolls around this year and we wonder whether we should be excited or serious, maybe we can do both. We can remember and respect September 11, 2001 and those who were affected by it, but we can do so by refusing to let it hold us back from our lives, even if that means engaging in a little bit of homecoming frivolity. As long as we don’t forget what happened on that day and what it means for this country, we can be okay with having homecoming on a hallowed day. As long as we don’t forget, we can let the past make us better people, if we will only make the decision to let it.
Guest Editorial: Chelsea Huebner “Embrace diversity and make a difference this year”
Chelsea Huebner Senior year. It’s supposedly all about having a good time, making memories, and really learning about yourself so that you will be able to decide what you want to do with your life. While I feel that all of those are ingredients in the recipe to make a great senior year, I learned over the summer that there are a lot more ingredients to this recipe. Last year I was invited to attend the Elite 100 Leadership Conference at UT Austin that was put on by UIL. I wasn’t very excited to go spend a weekend at what I thought would be just like school during the summer, where I was getting no credit and no grades. I was not looking forward to getting up at six in the morning to put on matching shirts with 99 other kids and go sit in a lecture hall and listen to someone talk. I considered not going but then decided that it was an honor to be chosen to attend this conference. While I was there I did get up six, put on the matching shirt, and
went to the lectures. However, I enjoyed every minute of it because I met some really amazing people and learned a lot about myself and how I want to live my life. I learned something different from every person I met. For example, Joshua taught me that even if you have made mistakes in your life and you are going through hard times, you can still have hope and accomplish anything you want. Jacob taught me that it’s ok to loosen up and have a good time. He taught me that bus rides with no air conditioning and picking up trash in hundred-degree weather can be fun. Kathleen, who was almost the total opposite of me, taught me that appearances matter but they aren’t everything. Daniel, who was extremely shy, showed me that I will miss out on so much if I continue to live my live as I have been for the past seventeen years. My roommate, who didn’t talk to me the whole time I was there despite my repeated attempts and the fact that we had to sleep in the same room, taught me that even though you may not mean to come off as rude, it can happen and that you can’t be afraid of talking to someone just because they are different from you. These are the people that made the most impact on me while I was there. We became good friends in such a short amount of time despite our differences in race, interests, and experiences. When the conference was over, in just three short days I had learned a lot. I had learned what it meant to give back. I had learned how much people appreciate any small favor you do for them. I had learned
to line dance and two step. I had learned to let go and look past the negative things and focus on the positive. I had learned what it was like to put myself out there where I knew no one and walk away with almost a hundred new friends. Some of which I became very close with and still talk to on a regular basis. The first day I was there, I called my mom and told her that I couldn’t wait to go home. On the last morning when we were watching the video of the weekend I was sad. I was sad to be leaving all of my new friends that I had grown so close to in only a short period of time. The workshops that I attended while I was there made me think about our school and how all of us at Creek relate to the bigger picture. At Creek we are a very large and diverse group of students and teachers which makes school much like the “real world.” I found that this is an opportunity that we should take advantage of because not everyone has this opportunity. At the conference I met kids who attended schools that were grades kindergarten through twelfth grade and there weren’t even a hundred students enrolled. In our community as well as those surrounding us we are used to diversity, and we have started to overlook it rather than use it to accomplish something. That’s what I’m looking to do my senior year. That’s what we should all look to do every year. At Creek that isn’t very hard thanks to all of the organizations such as the HiLife and everything we look to do such as the annual Mix It Up Day. There are also clubs such as Best Buddies
and the Habitat for Humanity Club. Clear Creek High School makes it very easy to give back to our community and make a difference. All we have to do is utilize what is handed to us on a silver platter. Just like you can’t make good cookies without the sugar and flour, you can’t have a great senior year, or school year, without adding the make-a-difference attitude, the taking-advantage-of-everyopportunity stand, and many other ingredients. These are essential to the recipe of a senior year that one can be proud to look back on. It will be filled with good memories, triumphs, accomplishments, and new friendships. I figure that if I try to have a whole year like the weekend I had in Austin, I can make a difference as well as encouraging others to do the same. In one of the workshops we had to promise ourselves and the people in the class that we would go back to school and “be leaders” and try to teach others what we learned. I don’t break promises so this is my first step in making a difference, spreading the word. Plus, to be even more optimistic, I will have a lot more fun. It took me seventeen years to realize what I needed to do in order to have a year like the one I plan to have. But why wait until your senior year like I did? Don’t waste time because every minute of every day is valuable and in one minute you can change a life whether it be your own or someone else’s.
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News
Parent Self Serve replaces K12 Planet Amber Arnold Clear Creek educators think they have found a better way for parents and students to keep up with their kids at school. Parent Self Serve, provides access for parents to view students’ grades through a CCISD secure website: http://teams.ccisd. net/selfserve/parent. The online tool is replacing K12 Planet, and the anticipated launch date is September 28, 2009. On that day only students’ grades will be available. “I think that the new system will be easier for teachers and i t will be one less thing that teachers will have to remember,” Mrs. Pereira said. When students came before school to pick up their registration cards for their parents to sign, there was a Parent Self Serve access box. If the box was checked yes, and the person listed as the student’s primary contact included an email, birth date and signd it, a username
and password for the new system will be provided. Parents of new students must go to the school and present an ID to obtain access to the website. The username is the parent’s email address, and the password is the parent’s birth date. The first time parents log into Parents Self Serve, they should change their password from the original o n e
provided. Passwords must be changed between O c t o b e r 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009 or the account will be locked. If the account becomes locked, parents will have to go through the whole process again. For some teachers, this new system is going to be easy but for others it will take some time to learn all of the new features.
High school at night Kaitlin Casey
accrue beginning the first day of class. Clear Stars offers four sessions throughout In CCISD students are having the calendar year. The fall session is from trouble earning all the credits needed to September 8 through November 20. The graduate high school. The state of Texas winter session starts December 7 through now requires student sto take March 4. The spring session is from four years of math, science, March 8 through May 20. The summer English, and social studies session is from May 24 through August 5. CCISD is now offering night Students can also take a TAKS school. “Clear prep course. Stars” is a This course will unique program give specific which gives high instruction school students for passing the opportunity or increasing to earn credits a student’s t o w a r d s chances of graduation success on the by attending exam. The evening classes. full tuition is S t u d e n t s refunded to wanting to get CCISD students some credits upon passing out of the way the class and may find the reaching all flexible schedule attendance appealing. The requirements. night school GED prep is another courses are alternative to also offered to attending regular CCISD and nonsummer school. CCISD students. Clear Night school Stars meets only is a new twice a week. opportunity but The classes meet Clear Stars will allow students to earn not everyone on Mondays andcredits outside of school hours. will take W e d n e s d a y sPhoto courtesy of CCISD. advantage of it. or Tuesdays “I would not go and Thursdays. The classes start at 6pm to night school because I do not have enough and end at 8:45pm. They take place time in my day,” Brittany Dawson said. at the Clear View Education Center “No, the night school is not for on South Walnut in Webster, Texas. me because I like to hang out with my Approval from a student counselor friends at night, and I have more energy or school principal is required before in the morning,” Rachel Lietz said. signing up. The tuition for Clear Creek Check out the CCISD website students is $150 per class and $250 for for more information about the Clear non-Creek students. Students passing the Stars Evening Education Program. class and meeting attendance expectations are given a $25 rebate on completion. Late registration for the class after the session starts is available, however, absenses will
“I think that it will take the teachers some time to get use to the new system,” said Mrs. Wright In the past, teachers had to record students’ grades into their computer and the technology department then had to upload that export to the website for parents to see them. By the time students saw a zero for an assignment, it was often too late to try recieve even partial credit. This year, teachers, parents and students in elementary school through high school will be plugged into
Photo by: k12planet.com the district e4 website using Blackboard. When the teacher enters a grade, students will be able to see it immediately. When a teacher posts an assignment or syllabus or project rubric, students will be able to view it immediately. Many CCISD high
school teachers have been providing this information on Blackboard for a while now, but only students have had access. Now, parents will have access to these things as well. In addition, this year parents will be able to see their younger child’s information from elementary school teachers. “I think that the teachers will like the new Parent Self Serve better then K12 Planet because there is no special software and the new system is very user friendly,” Mrs. Pavish, curriculum technology specialist, said. Students and parents will also be able to keep emergency contact info rmation updated online, and they will be able to add money to their child’s lunch account. Eventually, parents will be able to see their child’s discipline and attendance record. The district believes Parent Self Serve will be a much easier way for teachers to enter grades and for parents to see student progress.
Swine flu precautions Katie Gughiocello
and water are not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer can also be used if hands are not visibly dirty. For more precaution, wearing a facemask will help decrease the spread of the virus. Facemasks help an infected person from spreading the flu and helps those trying not to catch the flu. This is because one breathes in fewer bacteria with the mask. When at home wipe down surfaces often. Solutions of Lysol, Clorox, or Mr. Clean products work well. Practice good health habits: adequate sleep, eating healthy food, and keeping physically active. Other precautions suggest people cover their mouths or noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue right after using it. If tissues are not available, coughing or sneezing into your a sleeve is better than touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
As cases of the swine flu virus develop, MSNBC claims that by the end of the pandemic virus, two billion people will have been infected. Many people are not aware that the virus is still a problem, but now there are more cases than when the first sign of the virus occurred. “I’m not really taking any precautions because I didn’t know it was still happening,” sophomore Sadie Payne said. After the media coverage started to die down about the swine flu, people stopped worrying about it and began to think that the virus was under control. The United States has bought over one billion dollars worth of vaccines, but it is trying to save it for the young, old and women who are pregnant. There are many precautions one is advised to take to avoid infection. Currently, officials say the swine flu is Avoid close not any more contact with dangerous than people who the seasonal seem ill flu so the and who precautions are have a fever about the same. and cough. “ I If someone is think the infected in a home, precautions isolation in a make students section of the house more aware is preferable. If it’s to wash their not possible, keeping hands and cover them at a distance their coughs,” of 6 feet from others is Pam Alford said recommended. O n e Cheyenne Henson takes precaution It is also a precaution that against H1N1. good idea can be taken Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk to use doors is students and windows staying home to take if they feel sick for 24 hours after the advantage of the breeze. After being in fever ends. Another precaution that is contact with an ill person, be sure to wash to wash one’s hands often each day with hands thoroughly with soap and water. soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap
Homecoming
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Creek Speaks
Freshmen dive into Creek at Fish Camp 2009 Allie Hinga Each new school year at Creek, students and teachers alike experience many changes: new classes, new schedules, and new students. This year, the school welcomed its freshman class of 2013, and to help its new students transition from middle to high school, Clear Creek High School hosted its annual “Fish Camp” on August 10. The day gave students a chance to get acquainted with the campus as well as learn a little bit more about what it is like to be in high school. At eight o’ clock that morning, Creek’s newest students arrived at Butler Gymnasium to be greeted by members of PALs and Link Crew. The band’s drum line also stood at the entrance performing to help get students excited. From there, students were ushered into the gym to meet up with their groups for the day, which were divided by last name. Once everyone had arrived and gotten comfortable, various school groups got a chance to perform for the freshmen and showcase some of the talent that Creek has to offer. The JROTC presented the national and state flags accompanied by the choir’s
singing of the National Anthem, and then the their summers. Then students in small JROTC got a chance to perform on its own. groups got a tour of the school, which Next, the students were introduced to took them by all of the main buildings and the school assistant principals and their the locations of areas like the library and secretaries and then cafeteria. some of Creek’s newest Later, these students got a chance to students show off to the school would get when the freshmen a chance to cheerleaders performed participate a routine. This was in large followed by a brief g r o u p dance by the Cavalier g a m e s officers and a skit by w h i l e the drama department the other that introduced the students freshmen to some broke up of the campus rules into small about issues like cell groups phones, tardies, and and toured food in the classroom. the school. Next, students The new divided up, with half Freshmen welcomed to fish camp f r e s h m e n staying in the gym to playPhoto by Kaitlyn Boryk also received large group games, while t h e i r the other half divided up into small groups tentative schedules, IDs, textbooks and according to each student’s last name. In lockers and got a chance to look at booths small groups, students played games, got set up by some of Creek’s extracurricular “high school survival” tips, and discussed organizations, like DECA and Robonauts.
Anumber of the students who attended Fish Camp said that the experience was helpful in introducing them to their new school. “I was kind of nervous because I was leaving all of my old friends behind, so [Fish Camp] reassured me that some of my old friends were there so we could probably meet up again,” ninth grader Erin Hinga said. The event was put on by the PALs and Link crew, who tried to help the new students get excited about high school by leading small groups, helping with large group games, and being available to answer questions. “I remember when I was a freshman at Fish Camp and it was really cool that I got to help work it my senior year,” senior and PALs member Lindsey Carelock said. With the beginning of the school year already underway, the new freshman class has had to quickly adjust to its new environment. Between both Fish Camp and getting the chance to finally be a part of high school, they are preparing to take on these next four years as well as possible. “I think it will be a new experience of meeting new people that I will be in contact with the rest of my life,” freshman Stephanie Ding said.
New workers at Creek NASA has a HUNCH Ashley Farmer
and fellow administrators here at Creek. For many students, walking through “She seems laid back, comfortable, and the doors of Creek is something they understanding. The biggest impression are very familiar with. Some are going she left on me was that she was here for into their second, third, and fourth the kids. Her goal is making sure kids get years here, meaning they are pretty what they need out of education,” Mrs. comfortable with where they are going. Spinks said after a morning meeting The new school year, however, with her and other staff members. has brought many new faces Mrs. Humphries has been to the halls, the classrooms, working in education for the and the offices of Creek. past 22 years. She says that it With all the hustle and bustle is important to grow and get of everyday class life, it’s better at everything she does easy to forget about those and that is why she wanted to working “behind-the scenes”. move up from her previous, This year, there are more traditional assistant two new registrars, Ms. principal position Tommie Barnett and at Pasadena High Mrs. Erin Brooks. School, where she After making it spent most of her through the first time behind a desk few hectic days in an office, to an of registration, assistant principal they were able to position here at fall into a fairly Creek where she normal daily is able to enjoy schedule, enrolling the interaction between 120 and she has with 180 students a day. the students in the “Creek is the best Smaller Learning place on Earth!” Communities. Ms. Marty Humphries Mrs. Brooks She spends her Photo by Wynette Jameson said, even days visiting after enrolling classrooms, 140 students in one day. working with administration to provide They remain busy, working anywhere services to teachers and students, while from 50-70 hours per week. They trying to overcome her greatest personal accomplish everything from calculating, challenge, the maze also referred to as evaluating, and managing transcripts to the Clear Creek High School Campus. managing every student’s permanent file. “My ultimate goal is to provide teachers Despite full days of hard work, they are the tools they need to implement good, sound, still thrilled to be part of the team here quality instruction.” Mrs. Humphries said. at Creek. They have even earned the She wants the students of Clear Creek nickname of the “dream team” from High School to know that she, and other their highly appreciative boss, Mrs. principals, teachers, and staff, are here Ponce, for their hard work and efficiency. because they care about the kids. These Also new on campus this year is Mrs. administrators do not just want to address Marty Humphries, the Assistant Principal students’ problems, but they also want to in charge of the Communications, Law, celebrate their success. With such dedicated and Social Services Smaller Learning staff and administration, the students here Community. She has received an excellent at Clear Creek High School have a bright reaction from many of the students, teachers, year and a successful future ahead of them.
Jacob Mancini
When is the creation of Space Station technology and high school machine shop classes combined? Constructing training hardware for use in outer space can be extremely expensive. Manufacturing things you come into contact with everyday, lockers for instance, must be specially designed and assembled with fanatical precision for every detail. Traditional space cargo lockers for NASA astronauts to train with can cost $10,000 to create—per locker. And that is when NASA decided to extend their scope of space hardware engineering and reach into high schools with an experience that would rock student’s worlds. A NASA engineer Stacy Hale envisioned a revolutionary connection between NASA and local high schools to create needed space hardware for the International Space Station. She asked Creek if machine shop students would be interested. The high school kids would be educated in high-level engineering and NASA would benefit from the extra hardware being manufactured. In the fall of 2003 the ideas sparked and the HUNCH program was officially born in Clear Creek High School. HUNCH stands for High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware; their name describes their mission clearly. Being taught by NASA engineers, Jacobs Engineering, and Clear Creek High School teachers Bill Gibbs Robin Meritt, students in HUNCH are discovering the intricacies of creating fine-tuned space training equipment. HUNCH was rolling—the first high school in NASA’s history to construct training equipment for the Space Station. Steve Rogers, a NASA engineer told CCISD, “These high school students are doing what engineers with 25 to 30 year experience are doing at NASA.” On May 11, 2004, Creek’s HUNCH Program proved its competence and presented NASA with an incredible accomplishment—thirty multi-use cargo lockers, fully space-proof. They did it with elbow grease, training, tons of calculating, and an unwavering focus to keep them on track. Space Station Program Manager Bill Gerstenmaier accepted the homemade
lockers at Creek during a special event. But the HUNCH Program did not shut down there. Instead they kept driving forward, and they are still assembling NASA hardware now. Now high schools in Colorado, Wyoming, and Alabama are supporting HUNCH. Some of HUNCH’s engineering feats include constructing the thirty storage lockers, a dormitory refrigerator, a freezer, and three firstaid kits. Just the first-aid kits were valued at $80,000 each and they were the sizes of the vending machines in the cafeteria. Net saving for taxpayers was brimming over at $1,000,000. The current HUNCH job is creating a dining table for the ISS wardroom. Creek’s shop students are experimenting with fabricating the table with wax molds and flight-tolerant sheet metal, and one innovative aspect of its design is the crumbcatcher. In the center of the table will be the crumb-catcher—a suction device intended to collect every hovering crumb that could be dispatched while opening a package of crackers in space. Last year, to confirm that the crumb-catcher would operate correctly, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Richards, and three Creek HUNCH students, Alex Sweet, Ryan Cappel, and Austin Tim took a trip on one of NASA’s zero-gravity planes to test it. The table’s design is now NASA approved, and Bill Gibbs says the table should be usable in the International Space Station with dehydrated macaroni and cheese and fruit punch on top by 2010. During the past two summers NASA has used Creek’s machine shop for their summer interning program. Last summer Josh Arnett and Arron Mettley were hired as summer interns by NASA to build the wardroom table. They realized while they spend time with NASA engineers just how flight-qualified the table will need to be. When the wardroom table is finished in 2010 Creek will be the first high school in the history of NASA to construct actual flight hardware for the ISS. The things these HUNCH Creek students have done has been so well received that Creek is under contract to build a second piece of flight equipment soon.
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Coach running for House of Representatives Christine Sulkis
Jeff Cherry, a teacher, former coach, and sponsor of the Academic Decathlon team, will be running for a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives for the Texas 14th Congressional District in 2010. He will be representing this area in Congress if elected. Cherry and his campaign team are currently undecided as to whether he will be running as a Republican or an Independent. If Cherry chooses to run as a Republican, he will be on the Primary ballot in March 2010; however, if he chooses to run as an Independent, he will run in the general election in November 2010. His campaign is focused on three areas: education, economy, and security. “We have a great public school system in America,” Cherry said, “but we must look for ways to provide for every young person as they face and everincreasing competitive market.” Cherry plans to devise a system that will address every kind of student. “The world continues to evolve and we can lead the way,” Cherry said. In terms of economy, Cherry would like to provide job growth in areas that are taking advantage of the energy industry. He would also like to see an increase of nuclear and renewable energy, while continuing to support both the oil and the gas industry.
Cherry strongly supports our intelligence, military, and diplomatic departments, and plans to insist on a policy that will support all mechanisms necessary to keep Americans safe. “We must remain vigilant to the threats that we face at home and abroad,” Cherry said. Ultimately, C h e r r y ’s goal is to return to common sense values that a r e focused on people as opposed t o
Carnival highlights
Derek Gay
It’s time to get fired up to support the Clear Creek Wildcats. Of course, no one could do that without a week of showing true school spirit. Homecoming week will kick off Tuesday, September 8, with “Tree Hugger Tuesday,” on which students can borrow their parent’s favorite old outfits and dress like a hippie. That night, they will also be able to attend the Candlelight Pep Rally at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium starting at 7:00 pm. Then, on “Save the World Wednesday,” students are encouraged to dress like an idolized super hero. Starting Wednesday, students will be able to vote for Homecoming queen during their lunch period. On “Turn around Thursday,” Creek students will be able to surprise their friends and dress opposite than they normally would. Those who did not cast their vote for Homecoming queen on Wednesday will have another chance to do so during their lunch period. Prepare for the big day and “Freak Out with Your Creek Out” on Friday by wearing a maroon shirt to support the Wildcats. The Homecoming carnival will take place during all three lunches, starting at 10:24 am. Lunches will be extended on Friday to give students extra time to enjoy the carnival.
“There’s all the food, sugar, and activities you could imagine, so be ready to have a good time,” Meredith Harris, the sponsor PALS, said. During the carnival, students will be able to visit a number of booths sponsored by Creek organizations, one of which will be a moonwalk sponsored by the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Students will also have a chance to listen to music performed by local Creek bands. Students can show off their moves at the Japanese Anime club’s booth and play Dance Dance Revolution, and test their aim at the PALS’ water balloon toss. Those interested in going to the dance Saturday night can stop by the JROTC booth to buy their tickets. “PALS is helping run and set up all of the events of the carnival, and the carnival is going to be a lot of fun and you should definitely be a part of it,” said Amanda De La Garza. On Friday, students can buy tickets for the carnival (each ticket will cost one dollar), the dance, and the Homecoming game. During the carnival, each ticket will be worth a dollar in value at each booth, and each ticket students spend will raise a dollar for the club that receives the ticket.
philosophy, and on issues as opposed to party politics. “Though Ron Paul is a powerful political layer, he is increasingly disengaged from the needs of his constituents. I am hearing on a regular basis h o w important it is today to return government to the people and wrestle it away from career politicians,” Cherry said. Over the past 11 years, Cherry has traveled to over 20 countries. He is also an active member of the World Affairs Council of Houston. In addition to his travels, Cherry has led many educational tours to Europe with current and former students. He has also met with many U.S. and world political leaders. These experiences have given him a better understanding of the world, which is another key focus of his campaign. “I absolutely believe that my many experiences have prepared me for the challenge of representing
and fighting for the citizens of the 14th Congressional District.” Cherry has been giving serious thought to running for a couple of years now, but had not planned on running until he retired i n a few years. However, after the 2008 Presidential election, he decided to run sooner, rather than later, due to many of the issues that came up during Presidential debates and campaigns. He officially announced his candidacy in May 2009. If Cherry is elected, he will go to Washington in January 2011. He will either have to take a leave of absence from teaching or enter early retirement. Due to the beginning of a new school year, Cherry is not planning any campaign events at the moment. He has already had several promotional events in the previous months. Cherry has received support from many people, including family and colleagues. “I have talked to many people in the political world, former students, Coach Cherry, a teacher at Creek, and friends all played a big role is running for the House of in my decision to run. However, my family’s support was the Representatives. key to making my decision Photo by Shauna Ferrero. to officially enter the race.”
Boys volleyball team Reanna Bain Creek has a new club this year. The guy’s volleyball program has returned. Tryouts
have been going on for those men who aren’t afraid to hit the ball and the floor. The idea to reinvent the program was made in conjunction with the girls’ volleyball coach Scott Simonds and his former high school coach, Sean Carter. “We really wanted to get a team going because we know that if we started one then we could find enough guys to play,” Simonds said. The last time Creek had a guys’ team was in 2003; however, Creek has been known for men’s volleyball throughout the 90s. Simonds and recent Olympic gold medalist Riley Salmon, who was awarded the key to the city last fall at a Creek home football game, played for Creek Boys Volleyball. Now, in 2009, the boys are back again and will be facing teams from Lake, Springs, Episcopal, St. Johns, and Kincaid. “I love the sport and want everyone to have a chance to play,” said Simonds.
Photo: Kaitlin Foote
Features
Vick back in the NFL with Eagles Shannon O’Neil
Vick also spent time in a rehab facility. back,” 10th grader Haley Albro said. “No, he shouldn’t be let back Vicks accomplices also were incarcerated in. He already had enough money and and served time for the committed crimes. Michael Vick, the new second- According to the Atlanta Journal- didn’t need to make money off the string quarterback for The Philadelphia Constitution, Vick only served 18 out of fighting,” 10th grader Shelby surface said Eagles, is starting his seventh season in his 23-month sentence. Vick was out of “Yes, he should be let back. He the NFL after taking a short break for his the NFL for a total of two seasons after plays good football. He served his time and criminal acts that he was convicted of in being one of the top watched football should be allowed back,” 11th grader Sohail 2007. Vick used to be the Atlanta Falcon’s quarterbacks. Vick’s football performance Ahmed said. quarter back until he was found guilty of was often compared to great players Whether sponsoring and participating in dogfighting. like O.J. Simpson and Gayle Sayers. its right or w r o n g According to sportingnews.com According to the New York Daily Vick is back on and the Associated Press, Vick and three News, Vick and his accomplices involved the NFL roster others began a dog fighting business at in fighting dogs would kill the dogs in as the second one of Vick’s properties in Virginia at the inhumane ways. There was proof that s t r i n g Eagles’ beginning of 2001. The business was named some dogs were hung by their necks or quarterback. “Bad Newz Kennels”. When the alleged drowned to death. The evidence of the incident was first brought up in court in fighting was uncovered in 2007 when the July of 2007 all the members involved, United States Department of Agriculture Quanis Phillips, Tony Taylor, and Purnell had reason to believe drugs Peace, all pleaded not guilty to charges of were at Vick’s home. dog fighting, fighting from state to state, Vick ended up and training dogs for fighting. However, with a shorter sentence problems soon occurred when one and a new football member, Taylor, changed his plea to guilty contract. According and gave the necessary inside information to the National to convict the other accomplices. Geographic Channel, a Vick claimed that he never bet on new dog facility, DogTown hopes the dogfights but only funded the program. to save four of the dogs with the After the other two collaborators plead worst behavior problems. DogTown guilty, Vick signed a statement indicating is a new show on National Geographic his actions regarding the dog fighting. Channel dedicated to helping dogs. Soon after, Vick was suspended from the Many students at Clear Creek have different NFL by Roger Goodell. When Vick finally opinions on Vick’s punishment and whether pleaded guilty he received 23 months or not he should be let back into the NFL. incarceration in December of 2007. Vick “No, because he should was sent home in May of 2009 where he have thought before he did what was under two more months of house arrest. he did and doesn’t deserve to come Photo by badrap.org/rescue/vick/
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Change in licenses Mary Veedell and Shannon O’Neil
Listen up all students under 16 applying for a driver’s license. Beginning September first, drivers eighteen and younger will need to take a behind the wheel driving test before receiving their licesce from the DPS (Department of Public Safety). Since the early nineties, drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 were not required to take the behind the wheel test. However due to two recent fatal accidents involving new teen drivers, the state decided created a new law. The law also states that a teen driver has to have 20 hours of behind the wheel experience before they can apply for their license. Ten of those hours have to be at night, and a licensed driver must supervise hours. There are restrictions on a teenager who just received a driver’s license. Teens are not allowed to have a passenger who is under 21 for at least six months unless that passenger is a family member. Also, teenagers under 18 have a curfew, and cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless it is for employment, school activities, religious activities, or medical needs. Also starting September first, all passengers in the car have to wear a seat belt. Students and parents need to be aware of these changed laws so they can be prepared to take a driving test and revive a license.
NASA begins a new era of space technology Meghan Mistry Only one thing was visible in the night sky, the Shuttle Discovery. The neon lights illuminated the Orbiter and its giant fuel tanks which sat on the launch pad awaiting lift off, the beginning of the end of the space shuttle era. In a little more than a year the shuttle will become retired and NASA will come to a crossroad where the agency, and its employees, transition into the Ares Rocket and Orion Shuttle
programs, slated to start in 2015. With the program coming to a close, the International Space Station must be completed. NASA has scheduled six more shuttle launches to carry up the remaining heavy pieces to finally complete it. Once the ISS is completed, and the shuttle program retired, many employees will have no mission, so they will lose their jobs. “The effects of the job loss will trickle down the
economy,” Coach Cherry says. scientist’s can study gravity’s effects on Experts believe only way to bones. This can help them pin down which keep these 3,000 to 4,000 jobs would chemical deficiency causes the disorder so be to prove to the government that that they can develop effective prevention funding should continue because the programs and treatment. Also, DNA often space shuttle program is viable for more behaves differently in space and can easily than just ISS transport. And with every be manipulated above Earth. Scientists shuttle mission, NASA is doing just that. in the ISS work with DNA to see how it During the current Discovery responds to certain diseases and vaccines. mission In fact, this STS-128, method has a MELFI developed a ( M i n u s vaccine for E i g h t y Salmonella Laboratory which will go Freezer for into human ISS) rack will trials within be delivered the next year. to the Space These Station. p r o j e c t s Astronauts prove that the will be able to space shuttle take samples program is of their more than just blood, urine, transportation and saliva to the ISS. to place in If NASA the MELFI Shuttle Discovery before launch. convinces rack and Photo by Meghan Mistry Wa s h i n g t o n bring back to fund the to Earth p r o g r a m at the end of the mission. Scientists will longer, this research will continue, jobs for the first time, have a chronological be will be saved, and even more created. series of samples to study to observe “For the government, it’s easy how the body changes in space. to correct budgets for financial crunches, Other projects include taking mice but they need to look at the future to aboard with osteoporosis (a bone disorder determine where to cut. It’s critical where certain chemicals are deficient for this to continue because it effects resulting in fragile bones and bone loss) and our future,” Coach Cherry comments. several without. They will be monitored while on board and then brought back so
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T een Interest 13 Crazy for Chevelle’s “Sci-Fi Crimes” album Ryan Munthe In a wash of mediocrity in hard rock (Breaking Benjamin, Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman), there is Chevelle. They have stuck around churning out ridiculously consistent albums and have found moderate success with this formula. Yet, their latest release, “Sci-Fi Crimes,” is a bit different for this three-piece band from Chicago. They have torn down a lot of the cliché boundaries that have burdened them and ended up releasing one of the most solid, consistent, and strong hard rock albums in recent times. Nearly abandoning their cliché loud/soft rock dynamics and angst-ridden vocals which has been a trademark throughout their career, Chevelle has suddenly evolved into something no one expected. The tracks all still sound pretty obvious at first, but songs like “Sleep Apnea” and “Roswell’s Spell” have this hidden, darkened tempo that includes a bit of rhythm. The album’s most unexpected tracks, the completely acoustic “Highland’s Apparition” and the short “Interlewd” just expel this uneasy, foreboding tone that is absolutely surprising, especially coming from Chevelle. However, with all this “progression,” Chevelle hasn’t forgotten how to make a smash hit radio single. Epic
breakout single “The Red” has found its successor with either “Shameful Metaphors” or “A New Momentum.” Both of these songs are classic material destined for radio
exploitation. Y e t , “Shameful Metaphors” is just too good to ever become radio trash. The constantly building groove, Tool inspired guitar riff, Pete’s heartfelt vocals, and the unusually dark lyrics altogether form the best Chevelle song of all time. In fact, “Shameful Metaphors” is so good the rest of the album tries hard to stay on the same level.Shannon
The typical rocker, “Jars,” which keeps the album from being perfect, would have been amazing on a different album, but when you have songs as strong as “Shameful Metaphors”, the song is nothing. Looking on to the rest of the album, t h e
sloppily, similar to their debut. Even then, this album is so much more refined and eclectic than albums such as their repetitive debut. “Vena Sera,” suffered from the same issues the S m as h i n g Pumpkins’ ambitious
quick-sped grit of “Mexican Sun” just exhumes pure adrenaline and “Letters From a Thief” is a great track that has a pretty awesome guitar solo with an oddly dark atmosphere surrounding the sound. The biggest problem with their past albums has generally been their mechanical feel. It was hard to hear a band through all the slick production. “Sci-Fi Crimes” has all the trademarks of the polished classic “Wonder What’s Next,” the noise and human sound of their debut “Point #1,” and isn’t mechanical like “Vena Sera.” There is plenty of human touch, as Pete sings unrestrained and music. the guitars roar
“MACHINA” album had. That album was just so produced it didn’t have any spirit. Whether it be Pete’s unrestricted vocals, the vintage guitar sound, or these guys actually making an album that sounds like an album. But “This Circus” finally shows Chevelle developing an ability to make an epic closing track as the album’s finale slowly strips away instruments towards the album’s end. It is the first Chevelle album in which the closing track actually sounds like it’s actually supposed to close out the album. At the end of the day, it seems this band has finally settled into a niche, and found that, much like the Deftones found with “White Pony,” hard rock does not always have to a black hole of commercialism. Instead, Chevelle discovered that, when played correctly, hard rock can be accessible, successful, and be absolutely awesome.
“Chevelle has suddenly evolved into something no one expected...”
Baty enjoys new Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk
Time Traveler’s Wife
Cooking with Julia
Kaitlyn Blake
Emily Dismukes
more control than Henry. Alba tells Henry This summer’s hit movie, “The that he is going to die when she is five. On Time Traveler’s Wife,” was everything Alba’s fifth birthday, the whole family is it was expected to be. This movie is ro- terrified of losing Henry. A few months mantic, funny, emotional, and ador- later, he travels back in time to a forest able. It was based off the best-selling and is shot by hunters. He then travels novel written by Audrey Niffenegger. back to present time and slowly dies there. Both Rachel McAdams, who plays Clare, “The Time Traveler’s Wife” is a love and Eric Bana, who plays Henry, give outstory about a woman named Clare who is standing acting performances in this movie. in love Howw i t h ever, Henry, t h i s a time movie travis also a eler. bit hard Henry to folcan dislow at appear times, withoften out any leavwarning the ing into viewer the past w i t h or fuquesture. It tions is never and conexpectfusion ed and as to H e n r y Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams how some has noPhoto courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures. things c o n were haptrol over when it happens or where pening. However, once the storyline was he goes. This gradually drives Clare understood that Henry can travel to the and Henry apart as Henry misses impast, as well as the future, his time travportant events in their family’s life. Despite the constant and unex- eling experiences made much more sense. Although this movie had its mopected disappearances, Clare desperately ments of being a bit puzzling, it made wants to have a baby and start a famthe audience actually think, something ily. However, the baby is cursed with the that few movies these days require. Once time traveler gene, and Clare keeps havall of the pieces had been put together, ing a miscarriage when the baby travels this movie became a work of art. “The through time. She desperately wants to Time Traveler’s Wife” ended up being have a baby, so they keep trying. Eventua remarkable sentimental romance film. ally, they have a daughter named Alba who is also a time traveler, but has a little bit
her invincible attitude. She even has the height down: although the actress is short Norah Ephron’s “Julie & Julia” is er than the chef by eight inches, camera essentially two films in one. It alternates be- tricks enable Streep to tower over Stanley tween the life of Julia Child (Meryl Streep), Tucci, who plays Paul Child, her encourthe well known and loved television chef, aging husband. The pair shine as a couple and Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a much deeply in love in 1950s Paris, a location less known “cubicle drone” from Queens, beautifully portrayed, though maybe not New York. The movie follows Child’s rise completely realistically, in the movie. to fame as the author of the first French Adams, as Powell, attempts to cookbook written for American women bring something similar to her own stoand, at the ryline but falls same time, slightly short. It P o w e l l ’s isn’t that the acting yearlong is bad, it’s just that, challenge to in comparison to the cook every scenes in Paris, the one of the whole modern half 524 recipes of the plot leaves in that book. a bit to be desired. Writer/director Nora E p h r o n ’s Ephron tries to porscript, mosttray Powell as the ly based on typical, often cliJulie Powchéd female lead ell’s book and causes her to of the same come off as moody, title, man- Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia annoying, and someages to suc-Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures what boring. Adams cessfully indoes the best she tertwine the can, but there’s only two women’s lives without spending too so much she can do when her character much time on one or the other, but the con- spends most of her time typing blog posts trast between the separate plots is some- and having fits over cooking disasters. times disconcerting. There’s such a big difWith wonderful sets and plenty of ference between the two main characters: delicious food to look at, as well as a cast both feel that they’ve been stifled and find of amusing secondary characters, such as cooking to be an escape from life, but when comedian Jane Lynch as Child’s sister, “Judisaster strikes, Child forges on and Pow- lie & Julia” is an adorable, generally enjoyell often has to force herself to continue. able chick-flick. Wherever the “Julie” half Academy Award-winning actress fails, the “Julia” half picks up the slack. Streep gives an outstanding performance Don’t go in expecting a fluffy romantic as Child, whose storyline in the movie comedy, as it’s more of a “girl meets food” was adapted from her memoir, “My Life than a “girl meets boy” story. It’s simply a in France”. Streep nails every memo- charming, entertaining movie and it’s great rable thing about Child, from her voice to for watching with one’s sister or mother.
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Diversions
Courtesy of MCTCampus
Sports
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Rowdy, riled up and ready to win Tennis Jacob Arredondo Football is king in Texas. That’s a fact. The Wildcats have something to prove this season after another first round playoff loss. “A lot of people are doubting us, we know are ability, and we play with a chip on our shoulder,” starting Quarterback Jarryd Garza said. “We have a lot to prove and we are looking forward to show it on the field.” Garza leads an explosive, no-huddle offence that aims to keep any defense on their heels. “We have great team chemistry, a lot of speed on the field, we have put in a lot of hard work over the summer a n d we are anxious to see how we will do this season,” starting Running back Marcus Mata said. Mata has moved from quarterback, to running back. A can be put at quarterback anytime in the game. Mata i s another important cog in the juggernaut machine that is the Wildcat spread offense. There is great amount of speed in the receiving corps that includes senior Brent Commardelle, who has recently committed to play college football at Tulane University. Starting opposite at inside receiver is junior C.J. McElory, who is ready for a breakout season this year. The receivers
make the spread offense what it is, with the great team chemistry that this team has produced; the offence could put Creek on the map in the tough district of 24-5A. We all know that offence wins game, but itís the defense that wins championships. Leading the defense this year is the seasoned senior Mike McCullough. “We’ve been working hard all year,” he said. “Everyone on the team is really tight. We have really good t e a m
Photo by Katlin Foote chemistry. We’re underrated again but we will prove people wrong this year.” Creek had the number one defense in the district last year and is looking to
continue their success this season. With a solid defense up and down the depth chart, the Wildcats are looking to give all the opponents they play a big fat goose egg. There have been two pre-season scrimmages this year that has tested the Wildcats both physically and mentally. They held the Langham Creek offense to zero touchdowns, and that led to great drives by the offense. The speed that Creek has will blow away most defense they play. There second pre-season opponent where the Spring Lions, which didnít start until late at night, still showed what Creek has to offer this season. They can run it, pass it, or just let their defense handle it; the Wildcats will find a way win anyway possible. There is defiantly a chip on the Wildcats shoulder this year, they have something to prove and the time is now. Could this be the year where we break the cycle of losing in the first round of the playoffs? Or will this be the year where their team goals will be meet and make school history? There are ten games to see if they can do it. The Wildcats can always prove the critics and media that they belong at the top of 24-5A, all they need to do is win.
Creek Dynasty is back in action
Reanna Bain Clear Creek volleyball girls are back at it again, and are pumped for the 2009 season. The team went to state last year, competing against the best at the high school level. This year, the girls are determined to reach that level, or even higher, to continue Creek’s competitive winning streak. Already the girls have participated in three tournaments and multiple scrimmages and nondistrict games to prepare for such a feat. Suited out this season include returning players Madeline Gaffney (12th), Cherish Krohn (12th), Ericka Gordon (12th), Rachel Hobaugh (11th), Lauren Lancon (12th), and Amanda Watson (12th) as well as seniors Hali Maple and Reanna Bain, junior Ellen Shoemaker, sophomore Natalie Piznar, and Freshmen Ashley Smith and Courtney Richardson. It’s evident that Coach Simonds is focusing on rebuilding the varsity team for the years ahead, but is also determined to make this year as productive as possible by playing the girls who will get the job done. Senior team captains Gaffney, Krohn, and Gordon help to lead and motivate the team. In the Duncanville tournament, kill leader Gaffney helped the team achieve fourth place overall out of 40 teams, and received the honor of being named the “All-Tournament team.” At the Spring Branch tournament, Clear Creek varsity finished second in the 36 team volleyball classic. Both Gordon and Krohn were named the “All-Tournament team.” Their experience at the varsity level gives the team a lead compared to the competition, and allows other team members skills to be perfected. Among those eagerly polishing
their skills are the newest additions to the team freshmen Smith and Richardson. It originally surprised Creek volleyball players that freshmen were even being considered to play on varsity because Simonds has never placed anyone lower than a sophomore at such a high level. However, these two proved that they could hang with the big guns of the game. As a result, they naturally p l a y hard and remain calm rather than doing the frequently witnessed “freshman freak-out,” a phrase given to the moments when a freshman m e s s e s up during broken p l a y s or clutch situations. “We’re honored because Simonds has never put freshmen on varsity. But we also feel the pressure because we’re younger and must play at a higher level, but it’s worth it. We love the team and we’re excited for the season,” Richardson said. Excitement is inevitable this season because of how far Creek went in play-offs last year. “We have a humongous target on our backs this year, because everyone wants to beat the defending champs,” Simonds said. In order to prepare for district, Creek has played
against many non-district teams to rack up prestigious wins, including the August 21 match against Kingwood. The away game was set that Friday night right in the middle of the Spring Branch tournament. Although tired from playing earlier that day, the girls took on the huge team, some as tall as six feet, and won the match in four games. Among the excitement was the turnout of Kingwood fans. The gym got loud as the battle to win became intense, but the Kingwood cheers died down when Creek’s team took the lead. Eventually the crowd even changed sides and began rooting for Creek including chanting “Uno! Uno!” to player number one Maple and mimicking Creek’s leprecon kick that occurs after a team member gets an ace while serving. Creek won that match in 4 games, a huge victory for the girls ready to take on the elite teams they’ll be facing down the road. Although the girls have demonstrated that they have the talent and capability to be the best, they always enjoy a good crowd to increase the momentum and motivation. “I feel like we’re going to go farther than last teams because we’ve already done better in both of our tournaments,” Maple said after the Spring Branch tournament. But, with lack of excitement, it’s hard for the girls to play at their best level—an example being the match against Friendswood. All of Creek’s volleyball loving fans can help out by rooting the girls on to victory. In the past the team has seen costumes, body paint, fans “reading the newspaper” when the opponent’s line up is being called, and other outrageous cheers to increase the intensity of the game. Winning is tradition for Creek, and support in all areas of events unifies the school as a whole. The dynasty continues, but the Creek volleyball team needs the school to support their girls and witness school history in full swing.
Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk
Christen Valcoviak The Clear Creek Varsity tennis team has been vigorously preparing for the 0910 seasons. The varsity team consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The starting girls varsity players are sophomore Amber Darr, sophomore Peyton Hardman, sophomore Hale Albro, junior Sammy Siegal, junior Bianca Quintanilla, and senior Rebekah Taylor. The starting boys varsity players are junior Brendon Fang, junior Casey Armstrong, junior Hunter Carrithers, senior Chase Farmer, and senior Drew Rogus and senior Juan Barboza. Pat Marrie is the boys Varsity head coach and Chaysen Cornwell is the girls varsity head coach. Throughout the summer most of the players participate in an organization called U.S.T.A (United States Tennis Association). U.S.T.A is a way to keep the tennis players active throughout the summer and help sharpen their skills. T h e y participate in tournaments and this is beneficiary to the players because it puts them in real game situations and exposes t h e m to some of the pressure they will face when their actual season starts. The C r e e k tennis team even had practice before school started so they would be better prepared for the season. They did various drills, match play, and conditioning. The team continues to have practice Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 4:30 except for game days a n d breaking on tutorial d a y s . “I think we are pretty prepared, but we could focus more,” Siegal said. Not only is preparation a big part of winning but teamwork is another key factor, and the Creek tennis team seems to have it. “I’m very excited about the 09-10 season because the team is not just unified, but they are dedicated and support each other as well,” Cornwell said. “I am excited because we are all close and have fun,” Siegal said. The team is working hard and hopefully all their hard work will pay off in the end. They practice hard, play hard, and on top of all that the team has a strong bond, therefore nothing is standing in the way of their success. The tennis team’s motto is “Love the Battle.” Different people interpret this various ways, but after a player has been on the team a while, and has experienced difficulties on the court, a deeper meaning comes to mind. That is what the Creek tennis team is all about, loving the battle no matter what happens. The Creek’s tennis team’s next game is Friday, September 4th against Dobie. To keep updated with Clear Creek tennis, visit www.clearcreektennis.com.
Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk
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