2305 East Main Street League City, TX 77573
August/ September 2012 Volume 89, Issue 1
Timeline of Summer Events: Centerspread
Video Music Awards Review: Page 14
Creek Goes Deer Hunting: Camo Day Pictures on Page 9
Creek Athletic News: Page 18
Brighten Up Your Day: Read the HiLife Online at clearcreekhighschool. ihigh.com
New Honor Code Policy: Page 6
Welcome back to the 2012-2013 school year By Hannah Brinsko Design Editor
Another fall has come too quickly, leaving behind the days of summer, and forcing teenagers to wake up at an hour ungodly early to come to school. However, in spite of the common misconception, high school really can be enjoyable. To the freshmen: welcome to “the Shark Tank,” fishes (just kidding). The first month of high school can seem terrifyingly overwhelming at first with the large student body, ever-changing bell schedule, and seemingly-massive campus, but the best thing to do is to try to get involved. Clubs and other activities are a great way to get connected on campus, make new friends, and have fun outside of the academic aspect of high school. Creek offers several different school clubs including Spanish Club which is constantly eating Mexican food and doing other fun cultural activities like learning to salsa dance. The Ping Pong Club simply meets up once a week to play some table tennis. If you cannot find a club that fits for you, it is really easy to make your own club for anything imaginable from table tennis to Harry Potter fan clubs. By getting the paperwork from the B100s, a couple
friends, and a teacher sponsor, you will have started a new organization on campus. Another way to get involved is through UIL activities. These include sports, the fine arts, and academic teams. Creek particularly is trying to build its Academic UIL division where students compete in various categories including science, social studies, English, journalism, speech, and mathematics that each take what we do in the classroom to a competitive level other than GPA ranks. For those interested in UIL Academics, posters can be found all over the school with the correlating teacher sponsor for each event. There are tons of other ways to get involved; the important thing is to find which ones match with your interests and schedule. As for the returning students: the sophomores, juniors, and seniors, welcome back to waking up at 7 a.m. and another great year at Creek. The sophomores are probably just satisfied to no longer be at the bottom of the class totem pole, the juniors are starting to get dark circles under their eyes from studying late into the night, and the seniors are busy worrying about what they are going to do once they graduate and how many essays they have to write to make those dreams happen. High school
can be busy in between SATs or ACTs, AP classes, meetings, practices, working, and everything else students juggle. As important as all that is, students need to try not to get lost in all of it. Be sure to do all the fun stuff that will not necessarily be available in the future outside of high school. Dress up on spirit days, lose your voice from cheering on the team at a football or volleyball game, and wear a mum or garter for homecoming that obnoxiously has bells jingle with every step you take. High school is what you make it to be. Clear Creek High School was named one of the top 1000 high schools in the country by Newsweek magazine. Three seniors, Kevin Chase, Stephanie Ding, and Laura Holzenkamp, were named National Merit semi-finalists this month. The varsity football team is currently 3-0, and ranked number one in Galveston County. Last year, the school’s Wind Ensemble had two members make All-State band, and the choir holds the record for the most TMEA All-State qualifiers from one school, 13. Clear Creek consistently has students make it to the national level of competition for DECA, a club for future business professionals, and last year the girls’ water polo team was ranked first in
the state. While this does not cover all of the awards, titles, and honors this school and its students and staff have received, Creek can be the home to an amazing high school experience if you take advantage of the many opportunities it offers from extracurricular activities to traditions to academics. Located in room D136, The Clear Creek HiLife Newspaper continues to serve as the student-run paper of Clear Creek High School since its debut issue in 1925. The HiLife is published monthly and is available in different locations throughout the school, as well as distributed during advisory. Whether you pick up a HiLife issue to look through the Photofinish, or to check out what is happening around school, this newspaper serves as a record of the incredible history you as a student of Clear Creek High School have the power to shape this school year.
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Opinion is th o d to t n a w u o y g in th e n What’s o school year?
FRESHMEN “I want to make new friends.’” -Courtney Kneupper
bring “I want to y family.” honor to m enderson -Kit Kat H
“I want to do a senior pran k.” -Stephanie P errine
“I would li ke to make district for varsity cross coun try.” -Tyler Mart in
“Get involved in clubs and extra-ciricular activites.” -Isabella Maruc cio
y.” star in a pla “I want to r ose -Ryleigh L
SOPHOMORES e the “I want to mak -Kim .” am softball te n so Erick
“I want to ag grandice my vocabulary.” -R achel Gaylor
xpand my to try to e g in o g m Bedini “I’ le.” -Laura c ir c l ia c so
“I want to get my letterman.” -Claire Sickman
“I want to be a second yea r superinedent scholar.” -Ashlyn Pe derson
JUNIORS drenline.”join Club A n “I want to hompso Madison T
“I want to go on a road trip.” -Teva White
S ENIORS
I want to go to a wrestling match.” -Felice Yarbough
I want to lear
n a new lang uage.” -Justin Shaw
ant to succeed “I probably just w rs in life.” -Seth Rive eshman.” “I want to eat fr -Ben Pilgrim
“I want to get ac cepted into the college of m y choice.” -Andred Spagnu lo
“I want to go to every home football game.” -Christina Whitten
2012-2013
HiLife Staff Principal: Scott Bockart Advisor: Wynette Jameson Executive Editor: Jan O’Neil Editor-in-Chief: Valerie Hellinghausen Design Editor: Hannah Brinsko Management Editor: Madison Williams Features Editor: Leticia Suarez News Editor: Arlen Addison Teen Interest Editors: Kristina Koonce Evelyn Shanks Sports Editors: Greg Brotzman Dylan Hill Around Creek Editors: Rachel Duncavage Audree Hall Advertising Manager: Bailey Clelland Photo Editors: Gabrielle Renwall Sierra Kemper Breanna Jeffcoat Megan Mayall Leilani Boren Molly Johnson Mallori Flanagan Lisa Nhan Lilli Lara Collin Freeman Allison Rader Shelby Lyles Jasmine Garza Jessica Sieling Sydney Matthews Natalie Steele Hannah Gellman Anoli Maxwell Monica Jackson Jenan Taha Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City Email us at: creekhilife@gmail.com Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)332-9079
Editorial Valerie’s Voice walk across the stage in June. One year to truly make these years the best ones I have experienced thus far. One year to prove to my school, my peers, and myself that standardized tests, college essays, and acceptance letters have not defined who I am and what I am capable of accomplishing. Throughout my entire high school career to this date, I have made straight As, been ranked in the top ten percent of my class, and have been accepted into my top choice school. Unfortunately, I feel that I have made a greater commitment to my By Valerie Hellinghausen academics, work, and various leadership Editor-in-Chief positions than my friends, my family, and In the midst of all things back to school, all of the things that I am passionate about college applications for 2013 also hang and love doing. My transcript and resume over the heads of this year’s graduating is a testament to three things: my ability to class. From transcripts to scholarships, manage my time, my work ethic and the it is extremely easy to let the GPA ranks, fact that I have simply learned how to be good at school. acceptance letters, Happiness is the conse- What I mean by and test scores define latter is that what should be your quence of personal effort. the I know how far I last and best year in You fight for it, strive for have to go, how high school. While the application process it, insist upon it, and some- long I have to study, and how is a necessary evil for times even travel around much I have to seniors, I am beginning to worry that I have the world looking for it. You be able to handle in order to be a let my entire high have to participate relent- part of the top ten school experience be controlled by what will lessly in the manifestations ranked students in my class and to make me a competitive of your own blessings. And be a competitive college applicant. applicant. From the moment once you have achieved a college While those three I signed up for my first freshman classes, state of happiness, you must skills have made me successful I knew that what I never become lax about and will most signed up for would maintaining it. You must likely continue correlate directly with my GPA rank or high make a mighty effort to keep to, I do not think I have succeeded school transcript. I have taken countless swimming upward into that in enjoying my school Pre-AP, AP, and Dual happiness forever, to stay high experience to the Credit classes for fullest because I afloat on top of it.” academic reasons only, have allowed my not because I thought -Elizabeth Gilbert own happiness I would enjoy them. to take the back Eat, Pray, Love While graduation plans seat and only require that students concentrated on take certain classes, they do not require that we devote numerous what is up ahead. For many of us, high school and hours to homework, extra credit, service hours, or extracurricular activities. All of college seemed so far away at first, and these things may eventually get me into now that everything becomes a “last first” my top choice school, earn me hundreds of or a countdown, I find it imperative to thousands of dollars in scholarship money, stop putting all of my energy into a single and result in several graduation cords and aspect of the high school experience, to medals, but who cares if I did not enjoy or stop worrying about if I am fulfilling the do the things that simply made me happy? It roles I was selected to play, and to stop seems that senior year is first and foremost letting my high school transcript write my about getting into college, leaving making senior year story for me, and start letting my last year my most memorable as second the things that matter most to me and make me the happiest fill the pages. priority. This is not to say that getting into my top schools with all the scholarship money and awards I can get my hands on will not make me happy, but it should not take away from the other aspects of senior year that also make me feel proud, ecstatic, and maybe even nostalgic. I have one year full of opportunities to not let my academic responsibilities control what I feel when I
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Madison’s Musings
fixes can also severely slow down your metabolism and cause you to gain more weight than you originally started out with in the long run. When choosing an exercise plan, pick one that easily fits into your schedule. Everyone has seen the quick work out plans on Pinterest that you do first thing in the morning when you wake up. While this might not seem ideal, it gets your blood moving and you heart pumping for the day. You can then go through your day with out having a guilty conscious for not exercising. Also, By Madison Williams be realistic. If you are not a runner, then Management Editor do not pick running for your main form of exercise. Try swimming or take an aerobics Summer has just ended and many class. Believe it or not, there is some form girls and guys are coming back to school of exercise out there that will not only get with sun-kissed skin and perfectly toned you fit but that you will also enjoy. Don’t bodies. But what makes a body perfect? Is give up on your plan either! It takes three this constant media induced frenzy about weeks for you to see a change in your body being a size zero a fad or an obsession? and six weeks for someone else to notice. It seems that more and more people Choosing to diet is a very personal are starting to become enamored with how choice and should be one you arrive at they look. They seek constant reassurance on your own. If from friends and not your choice As people we have be- it’s loved ones about then you will not be their body image, come obsessed with Health. able to stick with and if they are not it and will gain There is something funpleased with the the weight back as answers, they are damentally, radically unsoon as you stop. content to sit and choosing an healthy about all this. We When complain about their image you want to body rather than take do not seem to be seeaking project try to aim action to change it. feeling, not more exuberance in living for Girls tend that size. Diet and to suck in their as much as staving off fail- exercise until you stomachs and stand comfortable in ure, putting of dying. We feel sideways facing your body regardless the mirror while have lost all confidence in of what the size lamenting to anyone tag says in your thehuman body. that will listen that clothes. American “I’m so fat.” Guys –Lewis Thomas clothing companies will do the same actually inflate the thing as they claim sizes, so a size 0 is to have lost muscle really a size 2. They mass and wait for some girl to ooh and found this necessary as Americans become awe over them. more obsessed with their body image and If you are one of the people mentioned are more likely to buy pants that are a “size above, stop it. Accept your body for the 0” for the sake of being able to say that size that it is. There are genetic factors at they can fit into that size clothing. So don’t play here, and no matter how hard you try fall into the advertising gimmick. Instead you will not be able to overcome these choose what fits you, because clothing factors. If you want to change your body suited for your body type can make all the image, then go for it! There is nothing difference in making you appear thin rather stopping you. For seniors, it’s a great time than chunky. to get fit before heading off to college so So to everyone out there concerned that you can possibly skip the freshman about his or her body image, realize fifteen. And freshman, its never too late to someone is coveting your body type just as begin living a healthy life. much as you want his or hers. The perfect People do not seem to understand that body is based completely on biases and to be fit and healthy, you can’t just diet. varies from person to person. If you can You have to make being fit your lifestyle be confident within your own body, you choice, not some band wagon event will always look better than a starving size that you hop on for a few weeks before 0 model, hopelessly trying to achieve the quitting. confidence you have. If you choose to diet, please realize that eating healthy and starving yourself are not the same thing. Eating healthy will give you more energy to work out and burn calories while starving yourself will only confuse your body. No advertised diet will work as well as fitness and healthy eating habits Choosing to do quick diet
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News
Locals honor victims and heroes of 9/11 attacks
By Leticia Suarez Features Editor
Eleven years ago, on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack led by al-Quaeda on the United States brought down the World Trade Center in New York City. American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. Later, at 9:03 a.m. the United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. Five terrorists took control of American Airlines Flight 77 and at 9:37 a.m. they directed it into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. United Airlines Flight 93 was controlled by four hijackers, destined to either the White House, or the Capitol building. Knowing what was going on, the crew and passengers on board regained control of the plane, and at 10:03 a.m. they crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly three thousand people died in this tragedy, leaving the streets of New York City full of ashes and widespread grief. On September 11, 2012, Galveston officials held a ceremony remembering the 11 anniversary of the attack. James Short, a driver for the Galveston Fire Department, led a procession down Sealy Avenue to
the Eugenia and George Sealy Pavilion. brought us together in sorrow as a nation. We will always remember the events of Nearly one hundred people then gathered that day, and we at City Hall for reserve the memory the ceremony to of our friends, out commemorate family, and our loved the fire-fighters ones who lost their who fought lives.” bravely for the “We need to stop safety of those and remember the trapped inside men and women who the towers, and lost their lives that cried for those day…and thank them who died. for having the will, “We come the bravery and the together,” said Gilbert dedication to protect us all,” added Mayor Robinson, Lewis Rosen. the Galveston In addition Fire Marshall, to Galveston’s “united as commemoration, the America to pay Winfield Nursing respect to the Center in Houston two thousand hosted a “9-11 nine hundred Remembrance and seventyCeremony.” The seven lives lost color guard of as a result of Photo by Wynette Jameson the Vietnam Veterans of the tragedy of September America Dogwood Post 991 11, 2001, an event that
of Palestine carried out a 21-gun salute and presentation of the American flag. Residents of the Houston County honored the Fire Department and those who lost their lives trying to save others. Houston’s ceremonies continued with HPD Chief McClelland and the HPD Honor Guard who joined members of the Houston Fire Department and city leaders to recognize the performance of the New York heroes. In honor of their bravery, the Dignity Memorial Network (SCI) showed an outdoor premiere of “REBIRTH,” an award-winning documentary following the transformation of five people, over the course of seven years, whose lives were forever altered by the attack. Despite the eleven years that stand between now and that tragic day in our nation’s history, society still mourns the deaths of those who lost their lives on what started out as a normal day for the United States, and ended in a tragedy that many hope never to forget so that it will never be repeated.
First man on moon passes away at age 82 Leticia Suarez Reporter
Since he was a young boy, Neil Armstrong had an unusual interest in flying. This interest turned into a passion when he joined the NASA program in 1962 after serving in the Korean War as a Navy fighter pilot. Later in 1966, he was given the chance to command the Gemini 8, which led to a series of groundbreaking achievements. Last month, Armstrong, at 82 years of age, underwent a bypass heart surgery as a result of blockages in his coronary arteries. Although the surgery was a success, and the recovery process was fairly normal, certain complications led to his unexpected death on August 25. His fellow astronauts
and family ache over the lost of their hero and friend, but are blessed to have been a part of his amazing life.
hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than
Photo by Wynette Jameson
“While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work
themselves,” his family said. The former astronaut caused a commotion forty-three years ago with his performance commanding the Apollo 11 spacecraft on July 20, 1969. During this mission he became the first man to walk on the moon, along with the Lunar Module Pilot, Buzz Aldrin, and the Command Module Pilot, Michael Collins. Not only did he accomplish the most important goal President John F. Kennedy set out to achieve, which marked our victory over the Soviet Union during the Space Race, but he also became the new face of discovery in American society. After his last mission aboard Apollo 11, Armstrong became the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics at NASA from July 1970 until he left in 1971 to
teach Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Still, he executed the Aerospace Industry, and managed the space agency’s research. “He’s among the Greatest of American Heroes,” President Barack Obama said on his tribute to Neil. “Not just of his time, but of all time” On Friday, October 31, in Cincinnati, Ohio, a private ceremony was held in his honor. Guests like Astronaut William Anders, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and Senator Rob Portman attended to idolize their comrade. Other memorial services were also held in the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, and in The Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the memory of Neil was commemorated. According to NASA, they plan for a national service to be held in Washington, D.C. before the end of the month, continuing to celebrate his achievements. From Wapakoneta, Ohio, to the moon, Neil Armstrong will forever be engraved into American History. His bravery and audacity inspired millions of young man around the world, with dreams similar to his, to take a chance at the unreachable, and for this, he will be remembered for eternity. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”- Neil Armstrong
News
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LiftPort plans to contruct Moon-to-space elevator
Arlen Addison News Editor
While humanity is still several scientific breakthroughs away from an Earth-to-space elevator, a recently revived group believes they are able to build a Lunar Elevator with today’s expanding technology. The group, LiftPort, started out as part of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts Research Team and later went private in 2003. From 2004 to 2007 the group had backing from over 60 universities, over 1,000 volunteers, and a large fan base, they researched carbon nanotubes (the strongest known material in terms of tensile strength) and constructed robots to climb up to and down high altitude balloons tethered to the ground. However in 2007 the economy declined and LiftPort went under. Thanks to the crowd funding website, KickStarter.com, LiftPort has come out of its long period of inactivity after launching a three week campaign on Kickstarter, to raise funds for to restart itself. LiftPort began its campaign on August 23, with an $8,000 goal; the campaign ended September 13, with $110,354 in total backings. According to LiftPort’s President, Michael Laine, turning the collection of hobbyists with a dream into an organized team with a plan.
Laine said in the group’s KickStarter info page that a space elevator is still 20-25 years off, as Earth offers many troubles for any ground-to-space elevator: strong gravitational pull, and an everchanging lower atmosphere and a higher atmosphere which can reach extremely lowly temperatures, able to reach negative double digits temperature where lubricant freezes, motors stop working, and materials become very brittle. The Moon however
record high of two km (1.24 miles), with test platforms on the balloons, and robots climbing straight up to them. The team feels confident that if they can reach the two km goal going for three to five km will be attainable, altitudes beyond that where the cold becomes an issue. Michael Laine says how the Apollo Era brought, in one way or another, practical applications for things such as computers and the internet, Laine hopes to bring
Photo courtesy of has a significantly lower gravity “down-to-earth” applications LiftPort and almost no atmosphere to LiftPort’s balloon towers and making it the prime candidate future Lunar Elevator. The team for a space elevator, making 2020 the imagines the balloon tower in particular projected year of the lunar elevator. Laine to have several practical uses, many of explains in a video how the elevator would which could be potentially lifesaving. The work, “Current technology, single launch towers could have many communication solution, . . . ‘Sputnik-like’ simplicity,”. uses, such as replacing signal towers built The LiftPort team plans to reboot itself on hills and mountains to gain maximum by using the fund from its first Kickstart range. The balloon towers would be able campaign to begin a two-year feasibility to reach higher altitudes than broadcasting test starting next year in order to make towers ever could. Other possible uses their eight-year date. The feasibility test are communication in remote villages, an will center on continuing research with eye-in-the-sky to monitor crop cycles or to high-altitude balloons tethered to the watch for wildfires, and uses in perimeter ground, the team hopes to reach a new security or broadcast for Wi-Fi in large
university campuses. They also plan to use the tower in the midst of natural disaster, where communication broadcasts could be destroyed or overwhelmed, a tethered tower could be deployed within two-hours of arrival of in the area and can provide communication between rescue and aid workers. The tower could be equipped with infrared cameras to scan rubble for human heat signatures and connect the nearest victim to the nearest responder. The towers could also be used for more recreational purposes such as skydiving, as Laine put it, “What if you could us our balloon and robot to calmly, gently and quietly float into the sky, and then parachute jump from the top?” The group budgets $3 million for its lunar elevator, this Kickstarter campaign being only the first of many toward their goal and raising more than $100,000 in their first $8,000 goal shows they have the public backing, future funding, and plan for a future lunar elevator.
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Around Creek
CCISD introduces new student Honor Code
By Jenen Taha Reporter
Beginning with the 2012 school year, a new honor code will be in effect this year. The idea of the honor code was created by kids all over CCISD, to promote academic honesty and put an end to cheating. The idea sprouted during one of several routine meetings held by the CCISD superintendent Dr. Greg Smith. During these meetings, groups of students from all of the Clear Creek ISD high schools come together and share ideas for making their school a better learning environment. The honor code includes a set of rules and consequences. “The kids made it more strict than [Dr. Greg Smith] expected,” observed Mrs. Meeks, an avid supporter of the new code and of academic honesty. The consequences of cheating include receiving an automatic zero with no retakes, getting removed from Pre-Ap classes and losing final exemptions. Students who violate the honor code will be removed from any honor societies, and a report of academic dishonesty on the student’s college applications. Receiving a zero on an assignment will be detrimental to a student’s class grade. If a student removed from a Pre-AP or AP
class, it can drastically lower his or her GPA. learners and doing the best we can. FurA report of academic dishonesty attached thermore, we believe that academic honto a student’s college application can hurt esty is respecting yourself and others, as a student’s well as claiming your own chances of work. attending a We believe students prestigious are responsible for maincollege. taining and supporting the The ofacademic integrity of the ficial student school by completing all honor code assigned work, activities, reads as foland tests in an honorable lows: process without engaging T h i s in cheating, fraud, plagiaHonor Code rism, or prohibitive elecwas develtronic assistance. Through oped by this effort, we will become Clear Creek trusted members of society ISD high and prepared for the workschool stuforce of the 21st Century. dents with We believe teachers the expressed are responsible for moniintent to toring students during all Photo by Mallori Flanagan state that our Acaassessments and holding students demic Integrity is accountable for cheating. We bebeing challenged in the face of high stakes lieve that each class and teacher is only as testing and reports of periodic cheating. strong as each individual’s personal comTherefore, it has become a moral impera- mitment to integrity, honor, and respontive that our work ethic today will impact sibility. Teachers are also encouraged to our future. have faith in their student’s success and for We believe the students of Clear Creek making sure the class is highly engaging. ISD subscribe to becoming self-directed We believe the measure of success of
our school community is based on the success of our students so the consequences below shall serve as a deterrent to a violation of this Honor Code and Our Academic Integrity. These consequences will be listed in our Secondary Student Code of Conduct in addition to the In School Suspension consequence. As a result of clear and compelling evidence of student’s cheating: A student shall receive a “0” for the school work, and is subject to a “U” in conduct and disciplinary action (including ineligibility in the next contest/game). There will be no retakes for students who cheat. Students who are enrolled in advanced academic courses (Pre-AP/AP) will be immediately removed from the advanced academic course and placed in the next lower level class. A student is not eligible for any final exam exemption. A documented finding of academic dishonesty shall be reported on the student’s college application. Students in violation of the Honor Code shall be immediately removed from the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society and any other Honor Society that is an organized school event.
Events in October 1
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Volleyball game vs. Lake 6:30 pm
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Volleyball game vs. Dickinson 6:30 pm
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Texans vs. Packers
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Texans vs. Ravens
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The Shins @ House of Blues
Grouplove @ House of Blues
Varsity Football @ Dickinson 7:00 pm
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Late Arrival
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Volleyball game vs. Springs 6:30 pm
Candlelight Pep Rally
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30 Justin Bieber @ Toyota Center
31 Halloween!
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Matt & Kim @ House of Blues
26 Varsity Football vs. Brook 7:00 pm HOMECOMING!
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6 Varsity Football vs. Falls 6:00pm
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs
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Around Creek New Faces On Campus
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Ms. Dunn Biology
Mrs. Hicks Alegebra I
Mr. Lotz Assistant Principal
Mrs. Katherin Correll German
Mrs. Jennifer Chaney Bookkeeper
Ms. Jamie Huff Secretary
Ms. Jessica Rivera IPC
Mrs. Crystal Keill AP English IV Pre AP English II
Mrs. Krystle Conklin Secretary
Mr. Jeff Russ Geometry
Ms. Jessica Pittman World Geography
Mrs. Tanna Kohler Secretary to Counselor
Ms. Jessica Bonilla Algebra &Volleyball
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Around Creek
Creek Crumbs Campaign continues into new year By Lisa Nahn Repoter Many people have a passion, whether it’s about a sport or music; everyone has something they want to share with those around them. Coach Cherry is hoping to share his passion. As the creator of Creek Crumbs, an organization with a goal of helping those in need, locally and globally, Coach Jeff Cherry described the work as “about getting involved in something bigger than yourself by not only finding out how the world really is but to do one small things to make a positive change.” Coming into its second year Creek Crumbs has plans to re-inspire and improve on its presents at Creek. Recently inspired by his own travels to Africa and China this summer, Coach Cherry wants to show the students how their help really can impact the real world. While on his travels, Coach Cherry was able to meet teachers in training from the GUA Africa’s first school, a charity that Creek Crumbs had fundraised for in the past. Being able to see first hand the difference that Creek Crumbs had changed the way he saw giving. “It helps me realize you can work directly with people of need…no longer is it something big globally, it’s real,” said Coach Cherry. Hoping that students will see a real connection with the places they’re helping,
not as some far off place, Creek Crumbs will aim to get more student involvement in this year’s campaign. The Creek Crumbs campaign will have three projects although mainly focusing on help with GUA Africa project. Created by Emmanuel Jal, author of War Child the book that inspired Cherry to create Creek Crumbs, the charity’s motive is to help people who have had their lives stripped of previous opportunities by war and poverty by providing them with a chance to gain an education. Creek Crumbs helped last year by raising funds to build the first high school in Leer, South Sudan. In the 2010, only 1,600 children graduated from high school in South Sudan, Photo by HiLife Staff a country the size of literacy rate Texas. Opportunities, such as a basic for people education, are a privilege that most of the age 15 and up child don’t have. There is only a 27 percent in a country of over eight million people.
GUA Africa plans to improve the way that the young people of South Sudan live their lives. Another project for the Creek Crumbs is raising money for the Kyeeda School in Nairobi, Kenya where Coach Cherry taught for a brief time during the summer. The Kyeeda School aims to provide low cost education for the children of the Korogocho slums, estimated to be the 4 largest slum in Nairobi. Many children who are not granted admission into public school are left with the option of paying for private school, which many cannot afford. In the Kyeeda School, roughly half of the 400 children attending can’t even afford to pay the $2 fee per day. Coach Cherry, who now feels a personal connection to the school, wants to help them cover the costs they’ll need to provide young children with a better future. The first project coming up is help with the gathering school supplies for the American Indian Education Foundation, AIEF, which is a project that Creek Crumbs also tackled last year. These supplies will go to students on the reservation schools whom are struggling to even have the basic supplies. To fulfill Creek Crumbs’ goal of helping those in need, getting as many involved is vital. To join in on making a difference, stop by Coach Cherry’s rook, C116, for further information on Creek Crumbs.
Euro trip 2013 departs for southern Italy this spring By Lisa Nhan Reporter
Traveling the world is something that everyone may dream about. It’s a chance to see something that cannot be forgotten. Creek is giving its students a chance to
fulfill that dream. In the Euro Trip for 2013, Mr. Ken Fontenot is hosting a trip to Roman Italy were students will be able to become immersed in the rich culture of Southern Italy. These international trips are unlike any
typical field trip. The trip itself is nine days, during Spring Break, and gives students a chance to explore the culture and history of Southern Italy. Students will be immersed in historical cities and a new culture as they travel to Capri, Pompeii, Rome, Vatican, Ostia Antica, Naples, Paestum, and Tivoli. Visits to some of the most historic sites in the history will be made such as Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. Activities such as taking a cooking class in Classic Neapolitan food and training to become a Caesar Gladiator really drew the attention of students interested. “I’m so excited…it’s cool to get into that era of time,” said Kelsey Maple, a senior who is planning on attending the trip. Cost wise, the trip is more affordabe than most people think. For early enrollment, students pay $3,503. This cost covers transportation, travel insurance, tour guides and directors, a daily breakfast and three-course dinner, along with hotel accommodations in safe local three to four hotels. While some parents are often hesitant about letting their children go to a foreign country, Mr. Fontenot assures the parents that this experience is not a only a safe one, but “absolutely worth it.” He explained the safety procedures as very safe for the students who are never allowed to be alone and have parent guidance most of the time. This does not mean that students are limited; they are allowed to explore in places demined safe in groups of three.
For the five years that Mr. Fontenot has been hosting the travels, he’s never had an issue with safety and intends to keep it that way. It would not be a school trip without learning. Students attending will gain knowledge from seeing where history took place and have a tour guide to provide even more information. These tour guides are trained not only to be escorts but also to engage students in the culture. NETC Educational Travel, the company used to host the trip, wants to ensure that students are provided with a rich unique education. Being able to experience the actually history has much more of an impact than reading it in a textbook. Students will not only learn about from visiting the historical sites but from the experience itself. “Travel really changes you. Seeing the world can broad your outlook on life,” said Fontenot. Being able to see and experience another culture makes students, “much more open.” Fontenot has never had someone go on the trip and regret going. The experience is what he calls, “something you can’t get anywhere else.” For any questions or interest in the Euro Trip 2013, stop by Mr. Fontenot’s room, D107, or go to www.eduationaltravel.com/ login with the username “europe2013” and password “Fontenot” for more trip details.
Around Creek Best Buddies starts off 2012-2013 school year By Lisa Nhan Reporter
Friendship is something that everyone cherishes, but for some students, it is harder for them to make relationships but that does not mean that the ones they do establish cannot be important and fulfilling relationships. The Best Buddies Program strives “to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).” Best Buddies hopes to provide those dealing with IDD, which effects seven to eight million people in the USA alone, according to the President’s Committee for people with Intellectual Disabilities, a chance to be treated as equals. With over 1,500 chapters worldwide, in countries such
as France, Kenya, India and Pakistan, Best Buddies is reaching out to as many people as possible in order to create friendships and to help provide opportunities for people with IDD and without it alike. In CCISD, Clear Creek is one of the four high school chapters. This year, with a new council and leadership, will continue to impact the lives of those involved. “It doesn’t just impact the student you become a buddy with, it impacts you as a person. It has given them opportunities to have those important friendships…has made me grateful for what I could provide and do,” said Nick Casey, 11, Co-President of Creek’s Best Buddies chapter. Mrs. Ford, the teacher sponsor for Best Buddies at Clear Creek, wants students interested in joining to “not judge a book by the cover” and describes the students with IDD as “bringing joy to people around them and not hiding who they are.” Mrs. Ford has
seen the difference that these friendships make to the IDD students explaining the joy and meaning it can bring. For new members joining the program, co-President Madison Williams (12) advises for members to expect to learn a lot about themselves and the lives of those with IDD. Williams explained that the friendship she has made have a large impact on her and made her more aware of the “way [she acts]. [She realizes] how hurtful people can be now and [strives] not to be that way.” Matching for the one-on-one Buddies is still taking place but the Meet and Greet, where students will have their first interaction with their Buddies, will be happening soon. New plans for this year are centered on providing more time for students to make a stronger friendship with their Buddies. Field Trips, such as picking out pumpkins
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at a pumpkin patch and going go-karting, are being planned to really help continue building on the relationships with the Buddies. Parties will be held after school for special events and holidays such as Thanksgiving. Perhaps the biggest event is the Best Buddies prom that will be held at the Enchanted Gardens sometime in April. Williams wants to make this year “a lot less stressful for the officers and members of the club” and hopes to allow for money never to be an issue to get in the way of the program. She strives to help, as her year as President, by making the experience, “easy, fun to be in and not stressful.” For those interested in joining or gaining more information on Best Buddies, stop by Mrs. Ford’s room, B114.
Creek goes on a hunt for Deer Park
12 “Keep Creek Clean” Schedule Monday ROTC Cavaliers Cadets Generation Impact Baseball Spanish Club Choir Tuesday Football Drama Club Student Council Wrestling Cheerleaders Rotary Interact Club Wednesday Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball Boys’ & Girls’s Soccer HOSA Softball Boys’ & Girls’ Tennis Boys’ & Girls’ Track & CC
Features “Keep Creek Clean” project begins By Jessica Sieling Reporter
For many years it has been the same at Creek; students eat lunch, pick up their own trash, and are expected to try to keep the cafeteria or patio as clean as they can for the lunches that follow them. By doing this it makes our eating areas more sanitary and leaves less work for our custodians that clean up at the end of the day. The concept seems pretty easy, however the outcome does not always end as expected. This notion is what brings us to the change that Clear Creek students will be seeing this year as our school tries something a be different from the past. Starting this year instead of only being responsible for our own trash we will also be requiring students to help assist in making sure the cafeteria is completely clean. Each different curricular organization will be assigned a certain day of the week that they must help out. For example Choir and other groups are expected to help out on Monday’s,
Cheerleading on Tuesdays, Softball is on Wednesday, and so on. If a student is involved in multiple activities they are required to pick a day. Students will be asked to pick up any extra trash and dispose of it properly. Along with pushing in all the chairs and maintaining a clean place for the other kids to eat. Every week, a specific group will be chosen, addressed, and praised for their good work and service to the school. However, these new changes, brings up a point that students have different opinions on whether or not this is really going to help change “I feel like everyone should be responsible for their own mess. The “Keep Creek Clean” project could mean that students will no longer feel obligated to clean up their mess and leave it for another student.” Gabbie Waller states her concerns on the matter at hand. “It also bothers me that the kids that don’t participate in activities, don’t have to clean up as well.”
Due to the very large portion of the school that is involved in different hobbies or groups, it is affecting most of the student body here at Creek, for good or for bad. “I think it’s good that the school is making an effort to help keep [our school] clean and get the kids involved but in my opinion the kids making the mess, are the ones who aren’t actually involved in anything.” Bayley Tamblyn, a sophomore here at Creek said, “I am glad that other people are being encouraged to help even though these are things people should already be doing, but hopefully we can all help to maintain a clean campus.” While some students have their opinions about the new cleaning system we are asked to preform. It is simply a challenge that they must do during the year to come. Even though it is affecting many people it doesn’t mean that they won’t rise to the challenge and show the spirit that Creek is all about.
Marching band kicks-off the season By Hannah Gellman Reporter
During the month of August, while many of their peers were watching TV, hanging out with friends, and relishing their
one for the band as they potentially have a chance to take their show to the state level, something the CCHS band hasn’t done in fifteen years. “I think we have the ability to compete at state,” head band director Stephen Meyer
three is a change, but it is not the only one the band is adapting to this year. The biggest change is the new assistant band director, Daniel Cuevas, who moved from San Antonio at the last minute to fill the position.
Thursday PALS Boys’ & Girls’ Golf Band Volleyball Orchestra Newspaper/Yearbook Friday Nat’l Honor Society Nat’l Tech. Honor Society Nat’l Span. Honor Society Debate Boys’ & Girls’ Swim Boys’ & Girls’ Water Polo FFA JSA DECA
Photo by Hannah Gellman of Clear Creek Band students
last month of summer, the members of the Clear Creek marching band were hard at work preparing for their 2012 marching season. Starting August 1, the band students began a rigorous rehearsal schedule, improving their marching skills in the band parking lot for four hours in the morning and working on their musical skills indoors for four hours in the afternoon. By the start of school, the band had accumulated over seventy hours of summer rehearsal, more time than the band will have practiced after school by the end of the season in late October. This year’s marching show is called The Red Balloon, and includes famous classical selections along with some of the music from the Disney-Pixar movie Up. This competitive season is an important
said, “but we still have a long ways to go. Right now our goal is to compete in Area finals.” On the road to state, the band will first have to advance from the Region competition to the Area competition. Depending on how they perform at Area, the band could compete at the State level in San Antonio in early November. “The thought that we could compete with the best bands in Texas is crazy,” junior Dylan Way said. “A few years ago we were happy to even make finals at a marching competition. Now we’re talking about the biggest one there is.” Way, along with Jackie Koonce, will lead the band as this year’s drum majors. Having two drum majors as opposed to
While these changes are apparent to the sophomores, juniors, and seniors, they aren’t as obvious to the band’s newcomers, the freshmen. “Band helped me adjust to high school by letting me meet people before I started school,” said freshman Tori Gellman. “It was also helpful to know upperclassmen that could show me around and answer my questions about high school.” Although this is a landmark year for the band, the returning students don’t feel like anything has really changed. “We’re still a family,” sophomore Rachel Wolfe said. “We’re still striving to reach the same goals, just in a different way.” Between football games and marching competitions, the band is sure to have a successful 2012 marching season.
Features
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Apple unveils groundbreaking iPhone 5 to public
By Valerie Hellinghausen Editor-in-Chief
Six years ago Steve Jobs gave consumers their first glimpse of the original iPhone. Six years later, on September 9, 2012, Apple unveiled the highly-anticipated iPhone 5 at an event in San Francisco, California. While some may not feel compelled to purchase the newest model after the iPhone 4S release last October, the new iPhone 5 still boasts several new features and improvements that make this iPhone the thinnest, lightest, and fastest model yet. “It just screams,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s marketing chief, when revealing the newest addition to the iPhone line. Apple has revamped the iPhone down to its very core with updates to software, battery life, and memory all intended to make the iPhone faster to use for longer periods of time. The latest model introduces consumers to the all-new Apple A6 processor chip, a new design that is two times as fast as and still smaller than the A5 processor chip that was built into the iPhone 4S. The A6 will allow users to enjoy up to eight hours of browsing on a cellular network, eight hours of talk time, and ten hours of video playback. By combining the traditionally separate microSIM cards for voice and data into one 44 percent smaller nano-SIM card, Apple also helps consumers take advantage of 4G LTE speeds and faster Wi-Fi speeds up to 150 Mbps. on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon networks. With the iPhone 5, Apple boasts a clearer Retina screen display, allowing iPhone lovers to enjoy 326 pixels per square inch, a pixel density so high that the human eye cannot physically distinguish one pixel from another on the new four inch tall display screen. In order to make the iPhone 5 thinner, Apple also removed one of the three layers between the touch screen and the interior of the phone, making the screen even more sensitive with an increased frame rate that allows users to view different graphics with less time spent watching a spinning wheel and more time looking at the photos, videos, and apps users actually want to see. Apple has also updated the phone’s camera since the newer front-facing features were introduced with the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 allows photo junkies to take panoramic shots with the new panorama feature and offers a low-light setting that helps take photos even in awkward lighting with Apple’s new 8 megapixel camera. The HD video camera gives users the freedom to take still shots while recording HD Video without missing a second. After years of uncomfortable music listening with Apple’s ear buds, Apple sound engineers introduce users to the new “EarPods.” Keeping users with ears of all sizes in mind, Apple redesigned its headphones with silicone molding to find a 3D-fit that led to the overall design of the EarPods. As a result, Apple boasts that these new EarPods are more water and sweat resistant and offer high acoustic quality by reducing sound loss and increasing sound output through unique vents that allow listeners to hear even the lowest bass
parts.
These acoustics were carried over into the phone’s calling microphones. The new iPhone has three microphones located on the front, back, and bottom of the device. Apple’s sound engineers worked to achieve what they have come to call “soundbeaming,” a technique that focuses sound from a more centralized location, reducing background noise in calls for clearer call quality. The iPhone 5 also allows users to take advantage of the FaceTime application over their personal cellular network, making the application independent from Wi-Fi connection. Apple has also made a point to update and reorganize its applications. The new four inch tall display allows for another row of applications on the screen. One of the most notable application updates includes Apple’s Maps feature, which is now more comparable with Google Navigation. The Maps application now allows users to get directions like they would on any GPS:out-loud as they go from point A to point B with turn-by-turn navigation complete with alternate routes to help users fight off traffic annoyances. Maps can also show users a 3D panoramic
view of cities using Flyover instead of flat, unintelligible maps with several landmarks here or there. Another newly released application built into iOS 6 is the Passbook, a feature that allows users to keep everything from plane tickets to dinner reservations to gift cards all in one place based on location: the iPhone lock screen, ready to be scanned. For instance, if you go to the airport, Passbook will bring your airline reservations to the front screen. One of the latest updates that will also start to affect other Apple products is the new Lightning connector. No longer will the bulky 30-pin cable be used for the iPhone 5 and other future Apple products. The new Lightning connector is reversible, smaller, and requires a cable adapter to connect with older 30-pin accessories. This adapter is sold separately from the iPhone 5 in the Apple store starting at $29. “We don’t want to just make a new phone. We want to make a much better phone. iPhone 5 is the result of this approach. It’s been completely redesigned,” Jony Ive, Senior Vice President of Design for Apple said in Apple’s promotional video on the iPhone 5 updates. All of these updates and more will become available in stores on September 21, 2012 with the release of the iPhone 5. For those looking to receive the newest version right at their doorstep, go to the Apple website to preorder the new iPhone 5 starting at $199 on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon networks and the unit will be shipped within two to three weeks. Photo by Apple
14 Teen Interest
2012 MTV Video Music Awards re-cap By Kristina Koonce Teen Interest Editor
The annual MTV Video Music Awards aired live from the Staple Center in Los Angeles on September 6, with comedian Kevin Hart as the host for the year. There were live performances from artist such as Taylor Swift, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, One Direction, Pink, Alicia Keys, Green Day, Frank Ocean, and Rihanna. Rihanna started the show off with a mash up of her popular songs, Cockiness (Love It), with A$AP Rocky. Rihanna joined the crowd and started to perform Where Have You Been, and We Found Love. Later in the night, Rihanna took home the Video Of The Year award for her smash hit, “We Found Love.” The first award of the night went to boy band, One Direction for best pop video. One Direction swept up the awards, winning in every category that they were nominated in, such as the Best New Artist award, beating Frank Ocean and the Call Me Maybe singer, Carly Rae Jepsen. Not only did One Direction win every award that they were nominated for that night, they also performed their single One Thing.
Mac Miller and Miley Cyrus, who caught everyone’s attention by sporting her shortened hairstyle, introduced the singer Pink
the band Green Day also performed one of their songs Let Yourself Go. The Young Money crew had a very success-
Logo graphic for MTV. Photo courtesy
of MCT campus who performed her new ful night, with Nicki Misingle, Blow Me (One naj taking home an award Last Kiss). The perforfor Best Female Video for mance started off with Pink singing her her music video Starships and Drake winwell-known single, Get This Party Started. ning the award for Best Hip Hop Video Pink was not the only rock act of the night, for his HYFR video featuring Lil Wayne.
Accepting the award for HYFR would be Wayne’s second time on stage for the night but it wasn’t his last. Lil Wayne joined 2 Chainz on stage to Yuck and Lil Wayne’s new song No Worries from his new mixtape D4. Lil Wayne was not the only one from the Young Money crew to appear on stage more than once. Nicki Minaj joined singer Alicia Keys on stage while Keys performed her new single Girl On Fire which also featured Gabby Douglas, gymnastics Olympic gold medalist. Along with the great performances from some of the hottest names today, the longly awaited trailer for the final twilight film Breaking Dawn – Part 2 was shown for the first time during the awards with the cast of Twilight introducing the trailer. Between the Twilight trailer and the performances more awards were given out. Coldplay won the award for Best Rock Video for their music video to their song Paradise and the Best Electronic Dance Music Video award went to Calvin Harris for Feel So Close. Taylor Swift ended the show by performing her latest single, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. She started off in a recording booth and then made her way to the stage. Swift ended the performance and the night by jumping into the crowd.
The X- Factor Returns for a second season By Kristina Koonce Teen Interest editor
X-Factor USA made its way back to the small screen on September 12 and September 13 for a second season with two new judges. Last spring X-Factor announced that the returning judges Simon Cowell and L.A Reid will be joined by pop legend Britney Spears and singer Demi Lovato. This year’s X-Factor competition has been promised to be “unforgettable” and “unexpected” by Xfactor themselves. The X-Factor is a singing competition that originally started in the UK. Bands such as One Direction have had major success from the X-Factor. The creator of the show, Simon Cowell, decided to bring it over to the states, where it had major success, in 2011. The show may sound similar to another singing competition, American Idol, where you can also find Simon Cowell as a judge but the rules for the X-Factor are less strict
than American Idol’s rules. X-Factor is opened to all ages, and you are not required
to be a solo act. Each of the judges will have their own groups to work with and
L.A. Reid, from left, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set of “The X Factor,” which airs on FOX. (Ray Mickshaw/Courtesy FOX/MCT)
coach. The judges will help choose the singers in their groups song choice, style, and what the stage will look like while the singer is performing. The contestants will go through five stages, called the producers auditions. If the contestant passes through the producers, they will move on to auditioning for the actual judges and have a chance to have an embarrassing audition or one that will simply just be their first step to winning the five million dollar recording contract with Sony recording company. The next
step is boot camp. In boot camp solo acts that get rejected may be put with other rejects to form a perform as a group and continue on to the judges house stage. At the judges houses, the judges will have the contestants perform once again and see who will make it to the final stage which are the live shows. In the live shows, the judges and America will choose who has the best talent and charisma to be the next super star. So far in this season, we have seen a softer side of Simon Cowell, who is has been labeled as the “mean” judge and is not afraid to tell the contestants about how he really feels about their performance. Britney Spears seems to have taken that spot, telling an a man who audition that his audition was “just bad” and that he was off key. The two hour season premier showed a variety of performances from hardcore fans getting their chance to perform a Britney Spears song to Spears to performances that blow your mind to see that someone as young as 13 can be that talented.
Teen interest 15
League City to host first annual “Boogies, Blues & Brews” music festival By Valerie Hellinghausen Editor-in-Chief
On Friday, September 21, 2012, League City plans to host the first annual Boogie Blues and Brews Festival in Walter Hall Park for a weekend full of fun, contests, and music artists playing everything from gospel to zydeco to blues. With the help of local vendors and sponsors from the Houston and Bay Area, the music festival is sure to be a hit residents will look forward to year after year. The festival kicks off on “Hometown Tonight” Friday evening at 6 p.m. with performances by Nick Gaitan and the Umbrella Man at 6:30 and a performance by Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws at 8 p.m. to close out the night. Admission for Friday starts at just five dollars with the donation of a canned good that will go towards the Houston Food Bank. This night is meant to celebrate both great local music of various genres and League City’s 50th birthday.
Entertainment continues on Saturday
Photo courtesy of Boogies,
at 12p.m. with Blues & Brews Festival fun for the entire family from an arts and crafts fair, local vendor and specialty food booths, and a hotly-contested Chili Cook –Off with taster kits for those wishing to participate. Activities will also be set up around the park for teens and
younger children. The Octanes kick off the music for the day at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. show played by Johnny Brown and the Quality Blues Band with a 6 p.m. show by Louisiana native, Texas-raised vocalist, songwriter, and pianist Marcia Bell later on. Texan blues star and former Fabulous Thunderbirds member Jimmy Vaughan and the Tilt-a-Whirl Band along with Louann Barton will close out the night with an 8 p.m. performance including songs from Vaughan’s newest release: Blues, Ballads, and Favorites goes until gate closing at 10 p.m. Walter Hall Park’s gates reopen for the final day on Sunday for the “Gospel Brunch” starting at 12 p.m. with a Sweet Tea Brewing Competition with local restaurants as the contestants. The fun and music wrap up with a 3 p.m. performance by saxophone legend Grady Gaines
and the Texas Upsetters. The headliner performance by Los Lonely Boys featuring songs from their latest album Rockpango at 5 p.m. and will close the gates on this first annual festival event. Event managers ask that all attendees feel free to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for a more comfortable experience. However, event managers also ask that festival attendees observe and be aware of some of the following regulations and rules. All beverages, food items, golf carts, bicycles and other prohibited items and vehicles will not be permitted inside Walter Hall Park throughout the festival. ATMs will be located around the park at attendees’ convenience. Re-entry is not suggested, but will be allowed. Festival tickets and premium packages are also available online for a discounted price off the day-of-entrance fee of $15 for Saturday and Sunday admission. Weekend passes are also available online for those who do not want to miss a minute of this festival. All of this and more information is available online at the official festival website: boogiebluesandbrews.com.
Moore and Lovell inspire with debut book By Valerie Hellinghausen Editor-in-Chief
In over four months on America’s monstrous Mississippi River, citizen reporter for CNN Neal Moore collected positive stories from the incredible characters he met along the way. After encountering the most unlikely people along Mark Twain’s usual steamboat route, Moore joined forces with Dr. Cindy Lovell, the executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum to chronicle Neal’s journey and the hopes of those he met along the way in his new book Down the Mississippi: A Modern-Day Huck. “It’s hard to explain in words what I felt, out on my own in the center of the lake. The moment when I placed the canoe into the water, with all my worldly possessions, hopped in, and began to paddle out to the center of Lake Itasca was the moment everything changed. All at once, all of the stress washed off me, all of my apprehensions about surviving with nature, all of my pre-conceived notions that I might not make it. I smiled a great smile…I think in retrospect it was a smile of complete freedom,” Moore wrote in the opening chapter. With the guidance of Creative Visions founder Kathy Eldon, Clear Creek’s own Wynette Jameson as well as the inspiration of photojournalist Dan Eldon and literary
legend Mark Twain, Moore launched his America from modern Tom Sawyers to one-man canoe into the Mississippi on famous blues artists like Super Chikan to July 13, Somali-American 2009 at its girls rebuilding a source: Lake community here in Itasca in America. Minnesota. Moore’s book is His sights an especially inspiring set on read that refreshes M i d d l e his audience with a America, positive collection of N e a l stories, dreams, and paddled adventures that are his way all too hard to find down the amongst headlines Mississippi and tabloids today. making Moore’s “Flash River stops in Safari” as he called Hannibal, it takes the most Missouri, unlikely characters C a i r o , and reveals the Illinois, incredible tenacity of Clarksdale, every day Americans Mississippi in a time of economic with many struggle. With stories others along ranging from the the way. art of the Ojibwe In each dance to sustainable chapter, farming, Moore’s Photo by Valerie Hellinghausen M o o r e encounters offer his captures the hopes and audience a deeper look into struggles of every day heroes, survivors, the amazing people, traditions, and stories and inspirations found in the heart of that make up America’s melting pot. All
of this along with excerpts from Twain’s vast collection of written works reconnects the reader with “America at its finest” and helps us “forget the economics” for an entire 336 pages of raw, positive stories within Mark Twain’s own written works. Down the Missippi: A Modern-Day Huck has been completely surreal to read now after having heard Neal Moore speak to Clear Creek High School’s journalism classes in 2009 and share his journey with us. This book reminds us to take as many small, irrational journeys or “safaris” that we can and to travel as far as life takes us whether by canoe or on foot through a foreign town. The interviews with each of this book’s truly inspiring characters not only show us the heart of America but some of ourselves. Moore and Lovell have truly created and captured a refreshing perspective of America and all that its people have to offer and have experienced. To learn more about Neal’s trek down the Mississippi, view photos, or to watch the live iReports and interviews mentioned in the book, readers can go online to www.flashriversafari.wordpress. com. Moore and Lovell’s book is available in various bookstores as well as in an eBook format for the Amazon Kindle.
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Sports
Clear Creek Wildcats start season off with a bang By Dylan Hill Sports Editor
It’s the beginning of the school and that means another football season is upon us. This season the Wildcat Football players are ready to start the season off with a bang. The opening game is against Fort Bend Ridge Point at 7 p.m. in District stadium. They have high expectations for this season especially since for the first time ever the Wildcat 7 on 7 football team made it to the state tournament at Collage station. The first tournament that the Wildcat participated in is what advanced them to the state tournament. It was held in the Methodisttraining center also known as the “Bubble” right across the street from Reliant Stadium. They went undefeated all the way to the championship where they faced Houston’s Stratford High School. It was a close game but Stratford came out on top winning 2621. Even though they did come in second it still earned the Wildcats a spot in the state championship wich they were more than pleased with. The State Tournament started on Thursday, July 19, with the smaller 3A schools playing that day. But the next day July 20 the bigger 4A/5A schools play including Clear Creek. After all the paper work was in order, athletes from all teams were able to go and get a custom outfit made by adidas. They each got two jerseys, two pairs of socks, a pair of gloves, cleats slides, shorts, and a T-shirt all custom made with the 7 vs. 7 logo. The Wildcats started out great with a win over Alamo Heights. It was a very intense game and came down to the wire but they were able to get a victory with a score of 40-35. The next game, though, did
not go as planned. They played Mesquite and as hard as they played, they were not able to come out on top. The final score was 39-24 but despite the fact that they
With that loss, they could no longer play in the tournament and had to go home. With the state 7 on 7 tournament over with and behind them, they turned
Photo by Sierra Kemper
lost, they were going to put it behind them and get focused on their next game against lake Travis last years state champions. The Wildcats started off well, but fell short of a victory with a 41-26 loss. Even though they were 1-2 for the day, the Wildcats were still able to make it to the consolidation bracket. The consolidation bracket is not what they were hoping for but is gave the Wildcats a chance to redeem them selves by winning the consolidation bracket and earning the title of Texas consolidation champions. The first game for the Wildcats was held the next morning at 8:00 a.m. against Round Rock Westwood. They put up a good fight, but at the end they faced yet another defeat with the score being 33-27.
their focus towards their first game of the season against Fort Bend Ridgepoint. It was their first Varsity game ever and the
Wildcats welcomed them to Varsity with a Wildcat victory 45-17. In the victory over Ridgepoint the Wildcats did what no Wildcat football team has ever done before. They got over 500 yards of offense for the first time in school history. With the help from all of his offense weapons Jarrett Hildreth was able to break a school record. The next team the Wildcats faced was Kingwood High School. People had many doubts about the Wildcat football team saying that the Ridgpoint game was just a fluke. But the Wildcats showed that they could put up the same numbers against a better team. They not only got another game with over 500 yards of offense but the quarter back Jarrett Hildreth also broke the schools most passing yards in a game with 359, which beat the previous record by one yard. The Wildcats are now 2-0 and hope to continue their winning streak against Deer Park.
Sports
Lady Wildcats continue their success By Greg Brotzman Sports Editor
The Clear Creek Wildcats Volleyball team began the season with high expectations after winning the district championship and reaching the Regional Quarterfinals last year. Nine players returned from last years team that ended the season with a respectable 29-18 record. Despite the history of success that surrounded this Wildcat team, becoming repeat district champs will be no small task as many other schools returned just as many, if not more, players to their teams this year. The Wildcats started off their year by winning in three close games against new 5A school Pearland Dawson. The Wildcats followed up that performance with two more strong outings by defeating Fort Bend Clemens and the Martin Warriors both in three straight games. While a 3-0 start to the season is everything the Wildcats could have hoped
for they quickly had to get their head back in the game to get ready for the Duncanville tournament. The Wildcats got off to a fast start in the Ducanville tournament, winning games against Martin High School, Centennial High School, and even the host school
Photo by Audree Hall
Ducanville. But the quick start was followed by a fast downhill slide as the Wildcats ended the tournament by losing 3 straight games to top tier opponents Keller, A&M Consolidated, and Boyd. The Wildcats tried to break their sudden slide against a Friendswood Mustang team
that is routinely a contender in the area. The Wildcats battled through the whole game, even winning the first match, but ended up losing 3-1 and extended their losing streak to an unprecedented five games. The Wildcats were now badly in need of a win and finally got one in a home game against Kingwood. The win seemed to spark hope in the Wildcats as they went on to win six of their next eight games including wins against Deer Park and Cy-Ridge and a huge confidence building performance to end preseason play against Katy in a game that the Wildcats won in three straight sets. The Wildcats now face the upcoming task of trying to become repeat district champs. The Wildcats are for consistent production from pre-season all county players Ashley Smith and Ariel Froeschl. With the district schedule opening against two other teams that are expected to contend for a district title, Clear Lake and Clear Falls, the Wildcats will quickly be able to tell where they stand in their quest for another District title.
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Football 9/1vs. Ridge Point 9/6 @ Kingwood 9/14 @ Deer Park 9/21 @ Baytown Sterling 9/29 @ Clear Lake 10/6 vs. Clear Falls 10/12 @ Dickinson 10/26 vs. Clear Brook 11/02 @ Brazoswood 11/09 vs. Clear Springs
7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm
Photo by Sierra Kemper
Volleyball 9/07 @ Clear Lake 9/11 vs. Clear Falls 9/14 @ Dickinson 9/21 vs. Clear Brook 9/25 @ Brazoswood 9/28 @ Clear Springs 10/02 vs. Clear Lake 10/05 @ Clear Falls 10/09 vs. Dickinson 10/12 @ Woodlands 10/16 @ Clear Brook 10/19 @ Brazoswood
6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 4:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm
Photo by Audree Hall
Cross Country 8/31 Clear Lake 8:00am 9/7 Alvin 8:00am 9/14 Clear Brook 8:00am 9/21 Sante Fe 8:00am 9/28 Clear Creek 8:00am 10/6 Liberty 8:00am 10/12 Pasadena 8:00am 10/26 Clear Creek (District) 8:00am 11/ 3 (Regionals) 9:00am 11/10 AM (State) 9:00am
Tennis Aug. 20 Creek Aug. 21 Creek Aug. 22 Creek Aug. 23 F’wood Aug. 24 Ft. Bend (TBA) Aug. 28 The Woodlands Aug. 31 Dobie Sept. 6 Creek Sept. 13 B’wood Sept. 18 Springs Sept. 25 Creek Sept. 27 Lake Oct. 2 Creek Oct. 4 Dickinson Oct. 5 Creek Oct. 9 Brook Oct. 11 Creek Oct. 12 Falls Oct. 16 Creek Oct. 18-20 TBA Oct. 26-27 TBA Oct. 30 Creek
3:30 pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm 8:00 am 3:45 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 3:15 pm 3:15 pm 3:15 pm 3:15 pm 3:15 pm 3:15 pm 2:45 pm 3:00 pm TBA TBA 3:30 pm
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Photofinish