December 2013

cypress woods

volume 1

ec issue 4

friday, december 13

the

crimsonconnection EDITORS-IN-CHIEF nikki carter rachel kainer

LAYOUT EDITOR alexis starkey

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR cassie cotton

NEWS/FEATURE EDITOR gail mcgehee

EDITORIAL EDITOR adayre bevill

SPORTS EDITOR abbie mcintosh

PHOTO EDITOR sarah orr

BUSINESS MANAGER brad wargo

SOCIAL COORDINATOR byria hamblin

editorial policy The Crimson Connection is published seven times a year and distributed free by the Cy Woods Journalism Department. The Editorial Board consists of two editors. The Board determines the stances of editorials, as well as the content of the newsmagazine.

Letters or comments are welcome and should be sent to room 1866 at the school address. To be printed by the school newspaper, the letter or comments must be signed and legible. The editors reserves the right to edit letters. The opinion of the staff does not necessarily represent or reflect the opinions of the faculty of this school or this district.

Make your voice heard. The Crimson Connection staff wants to know your questions, concerns, or comments. If you would like to contribute to the next issue of The Crimson Connection, please email us at: abigail.paysse@cfisd.net Cypress Woods High School 13550 Woods Spillane Blvd.

Cypress, TX 77429 (281) 213-1913 abigail.paysse@cfisd.net

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Letter from the editors:

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Dear fellow Wildcats,

You’re halfway done! Whether you’re taking seven finals or none at all, the first semester is nearly behind us. This issue is our Christmas gift to you. We hope you enjoy the magazine, as well as your well-earned break from school.

Be safe, make good choices, and seniors: only five months to go.

Sincerely,

contents

Rachel Kainer and Nikki Carter Editors-in-Chief

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Senior’s Christmas lights show

Teacher choir takes the stage

Photo by: Sarah Orr

Photo by: Sarah Orr

Winter Fashion

Ice Hockey reaches great triumphs

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Photo by: Rachel Kainer

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&

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Photo contributed by: Cy Woods Hockey

Cover by: Nikki Carter and Rachel Kainer

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200,000 1,500 lights

thecrimsonconnection.com

spectators

cul-de-sac is participating,” Mayer said.

“We use about 200,000 lights, and our first year it was maybe 40,000 lights, so it continues to grow every year.”

This year the plans include having fire shoot out as a finale. Getting prepared for the show, putting up all of the lights and special effects, takes a lot of planning and is very time consuming. “[It takes] about a month to put up all the lights,” Mayer said. “We start the first weekend in November, and it normally takes right up until December 1.”

Roughly 1,500 visitors drive to the Mayer’s house to watch the light show every December.

“My neighbors love the light show; they ask for us to do it every year,” Mayer said. “The first night there are maybe 150 [spectators], but then it dies down, so maybe 50 a night. [The show goes from] December to January.”

One student who attended one of the showings admires the show the family puts on every year.

“I schedule a night every year to go

and see the lights,” senior Alexs Galindo said. “The lights are so pretty and fun to watch.”

Another student appreciates how the family accepts donations from the hundreds of spectators to various charities and organizations.

“The Mayer’s house is amazing,” senior Mary Peartree said. “It has almost every decoration you can think of, and you can even listen to a radio station while you watch the lights. I also love that they do it for a great cause, raising money for charities.”

There is a meaning beyond the outer beauty of the lights, and it stretches into a charity that hits close to home.

“The first two years we donated to Make a Wish Foundation, and the last two we have donated to Cystic Fibrosis for my cousin who has it,” Mayer said.

“We normally raise about $2,000 a year. She is really grateful for it because every year my dad gives her the money, she loves it. She gives the money to the charity to find a cure.”

Senior’s family puts on local Christmas light show It is that time of year again. Hot chocolate, cozy sweaters and of course, Christmas lights.

Hundreds illuminate the night photo sky for spectators to gaze upon. However, in the past four years, senior Heather Mayer’s family has taken it a bit farther than most families do by playing their thousands of lights to the tune of Christmas favorites.

After seeing a video, Mayer’s father was inspired to begin a new holiday tradition.

“We started it because my dad saw something on Youtube about it and he decided to do it too,” Mayer said. “He also started doing it for charity, and he actually tried to quit last year, but people kept requesting for him to do it again.”

Their light show has undergone major changes and expansions in the four years it has been put on, and continues to expand this year.

“This year [for the first time] our entire

editor

sarah

orr

Senior Heather Mayer’s house during one of its many festive productions Photo by: Sarah Orr

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thecrimsonconnection.com

Catching a na t

people

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real Santa revealed S Clause The through the eyes of Wildcats bevill

junior

“I was 10 years old when I found out Santa wasn’t real. I walked downstairs and found my mom putting a present under the tree for me. When I asked her about it, she said [Santa] left it by the door, and she was just putting it there for him. I knew this wasn’t true because I saw her get the present from the closet, and I know Santa doesn’t make a pit stop by the closet before the Christmas tree because he obviously comes down the chimney.”

Anonymous

editor

adayre

Caleb Robinson

H

ere comes Santa Clause, here comes Santa Clause right down Santa Clause lane, but what about that opinion awkward moment when you find out Santa is not coming—or even worse, he does not exist? These Wildcats have seen the real face of the man behind the red suit and share their stories of that fateful night. Looks like Santa will not be checking his list this year for these families, or any other years for that matter.

Peter Hoeft

“One Christmas morning, I didn’t have any presents under the tree, so I flipped out and asked my mom what happened. She proceeded to tell me that Santa Clause was held up that year because of the war in Afghanistan. So I kind of figured it out from there.”

“I found out Santa wasn’t real when I caught my mom and dad eating up all the cookies. I caught them redhanded. I have to admit, I was a little upset, but I got over it.”

Chance Bullard

junior

senior

“I went out of bed to get water in the middle of the night and found my dad and uncle in Santa hats eating my cookies while watching TV. I was seven years old when I found out, but I never told them I knew until I was 11. I flipped out so much that night.”

“As I got older, ‘From: Santa’ just started to disappear from my presents and slowly got replaced by ‘mom and dad.’ I guess I just figured he didn’t really exist. I wasn’t upset; I really didn’t care. But every once in a while, my family will put ‘From: Santa’ on the present as a joke.”

senior

freshman

Georgie Xenos

Amber Dixon

senior

Illustration by: Laura Barbe

“I was watching ‘Polar Express’ with my mother, and I turned to her and asked if Santa was real. After a long pause, my mother look[ed] at me and [said] no. I remember the tears streaming down my face, and to this day, I still don’t know how that movie ends.”

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Fa-la-la-la-faculty

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Teachers to perform with orchestra and choir gay

reporter

colin

At the choir’s holiday concert on December 10, teachers around the school sang a medley of traditional Christmas songs as a staff part of a teacher chorus accompanied by the orchestra and mixed choir.

Choir director Jason Womack decided this was a good way to bring teachers to participate in the performing arts.

“I was looking for something fun the teachers could be a part of,” Womack said. “I heard different stories about their experiences in choir in high school and in college, and I thought it would be fun, especially in the holidays.”

The teacher chorus brought an opportunity for teachers to bring out or improve their unknown talents.

“Honestly, I got kicked out of choir in the seventh grade,” Director of Instruction Kelly Ellis said. “I was told I couldn’t sing and I was ruining the harmony of the choir. I want to see how

Teachers Tina Fox, Lorrie Hall and Rebecca Rivard sing during a rehearsal of the teacher chorus.

Mr. Womack can fix me.”

Not only did Womack want to have teacher participation, but he wanted to raise the way choir is thought of around the school.

“I’m hoping it improved our visibility around the school,” Womack said, “especially by getting teachers and coaches involved to let them know that we are not just down here singing songs all day.

We are actually working for a goal.”

The teachers in this school already support their students who take electives in many ways.

“You’ll see them going to events, going to theater and to sporting events making Choir teacher Henrietta Lusk teaches teachers and students Christmas songs.

Photo by: Sarah Orr sure they are supporting

Photo by: Sarah Orr

their kids and being seen,” Ellis said.

“They want to see their Wildcats in their natural environment instead of the classroom.”

Womack rounded up the teachers in different kind of ways.

“We sent them emails and we talked about it whenever we had a chance in front of the entire staff,” Womack said.

This is what convinced English teacher Candace Tannous teacher to join. Her appreciation of music exceeds the singing and sheet music involved.

“The lyrics to songs are often poetry or based on fine literature,” Tannous said. “My [music] teacher explained the meanings of the lyrics and tied the music and the language together.”

Womack does not want this choir to only happen once.

“I definitely want this to be a tradition that we do each year that teachers look forward to,” Womack said.

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Troops to teacher

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Wildcats welcome new AFJROTC teacher steele

reporter

shannon

After seven years in Japan and 26 years in the Air Force, Air Force Junior staff R e s e r v e Officer Training Corps [AFJROTC] teacher Steve Rinehart traded life in the Air Force for life in the classroom.

The newest addition to the AFJROTC staff, Rinehart leads students in citizenship, responsibility and physical fitness training, which are some of the principles of the high school program.

Rinehart spent seven years in Japan as a Security Forces officer, which is similar to a police officer.

Rinehart worked his way through

junior college, but he chose to colors at a football game and enlist in the Air Force before assist in the Veteran’s Day completing his degree. program. Students involved in “While I was in [the Air AFJROTC participate in Force], I was able to drill competitions get my Bachelor’s and learn about degree and aerospace make a science. career,” With his Rinehart f a m i l y said.

“It finishing worked out the school very well year in for me, and J a p a n , it helped me Rinehart is stay focused on adjusting to his what I needed to first job as a high accomplish. That’s school teacher.

Photo contributed by: something I needed Cy Woods AFJROTC Facebook “I worked in a at the time.” lot of the training Since joining the staff, sections,” Rinehart said. “It’s Rinehart has seen the similar, but not quite the same AFJROTC present the thing [as teaching in a school].

I’m starting to figure out that it was kind of similar to what I’m doing now.”

According to Rinehart, his station at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan was much more relaxed and rural than Houston.

Rinehart valued his time in the country, and he certainly did not miss the traffic and fast-paced lifestyle in America.

“It’s taking me a little bit to kind of get back in the swing of things,” Rinehart said.

“I’m not 100 percent sure I have adjusted back to life in America yet, but I’m sure I’ll get there.”

Rinehart is a Senior Master Sergeant, E-8, which is the second highest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force.

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Show your 212 Spirit Buy your REVIVE shirt from a Yearbook staff member for $15 or in the Journalism room (1866).

Journalism wins big in Boston

Revive and thrive, let’s keep this spirit ALIVE!

Newspaper and Yearbook staff members traveled to Boston in November and competed in the Write-Off Contests at the National High School Journalism Convention. Along with attending forums and learning how to better their publications, they came away with nine national awards.

Staff Member

Adayre Bevill Cassie Cotton Madelynn Marlow Colin Gay Derielle Keiser Gail McGehee Julie Micetich Nikki Carter

Category

Editorial writing Review writing Commentary writing Sports writing Yearbook inside pages News writing Yearbook copy/caption Newsmagazine layout

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“12.13.13

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Spoiled kids need some coal Some kids just get too many expensive gifts mcgehee

editor

gail

So many children get presents due to a simple wish on a list. They range from iPhones to Xboxes to laptops, but are all expensive news gifts that come from a list. Presents are getting more and more luxurious as technology takes a larger place in our society that brings me back to my point. Even little kids are getting things I did not expect or ask for until I was in high school. Y’all, I am in high school now. I have seen countless children, when I say children I mean still believing-in-Santa children, receiving an iPhone in the third grade. The third grade people. I DID NOT EVEN GET A PHONE UNTIL THE SIXTH GRADE, and when I did, it was a crummy old slide phone that would not break no matter how much I wanted it to or how many times it ended up in the washing machine. Let’s face it; we all accidentally put our phones in the washing machine when we first got one, because we were kids.

A sixth grader has a Mac computer.

Y’all, #Ican’t. I don’t even have a Mac. It’s not even that my family cannot afford it, or that I don’t deserve it. It’s the fact that just because technology is more prominent in our society, people think it’s okay to give an iPhone to a child that will most likely lose it, break it, or what angers me most not even use it.

I get kids wanting to be in touch with their parents and vice versa, but why can’t they borrow a parent’s phone? At such a young age, I don’t understand when they will be so far away for so long without a parent to the extent that they need a cell phone. I’m pretty sure I would not put my kid in that kind of situation. I didn’t even think of asking for an iPhone in sixth grade, instead I wanted a RAZR. Yes I am old, but it was the coolest phone you could have. You could forget having a touch screen; that was out of the picture. By eighth grade those who did have an iPhone were considered spoiled. I get giving them something like a small Firefly, or a training phone, that’s suitable and cute, but going from a Firefly to a full blown iPhone is too

much. Just stop there with your reasoning, you have none.

I got my iPhone my junior year, so these nine year olds with iPhones make me so angry. THEY HAVE NO USE FOR THEM. I am sure they will use the maps app when the 10 year olds drive, or the email because they need to contact their important people, oh and don’t let me forget when they will need the stocks when they make their millions. Maybe it is because I am old and the “times are ahead of me,” but I am pretty sure when I have a child I will be able to hold off the expensive liability of a phone, even if I am as rich as Bill Gates. I hate being one upped when I see a 10 year old with a better phone than me. Like, cool man your parents seem to think you can handle an iPhone. (Something I couldn’t handle until I was 16) I am still humbled to have my iPhone and have learned to appreciate it. I can see it even now; the young children getting these amazing gifts are taking them for granted. Seeing these awesome gifts I would totally use go to waste just makes me so angry. Plus, I hate being one upped when I see a sixth grader with a 5S and I’m just sitting over here with a 4S. I also see little girls asking for lavish Michael Kors and Coach brand things along with other expensive gifts such as laptops. Like what? Why do you need this? You probably won’t even take care of it and all that money spent will be something you throw to the

Too many presents, and still obsessed with technology.

Illustration by: Laura Barbé

back of your closet and find years later. If I ask for something expensive it is usually ONE thing, I consider it my ‘big’ present and then I just ask for small things like sweaters… socks… simple things. I don’t even have the guts to ask my parents for another pricey gift when I have already asked for one. These children are expecting these and then some. Like why? What?

STAHP. I swear if I see another 9 year old girl with a Vera Bradley wallet, purse, wristlet, anything, I am done. DONE. When I look on Facebook and a parent is posting pictures of them giving their kid an Xbox and PS3 and things that cost at least $300 a pop, like why are you spending so much on one day on tiny humans that will most likely take them for granted and not even care for them? It’s not that I am jealous because I never got them when I was little, because I did, but I got a cool gaming console I had to share with my brother and we went crazy over them. We only got something that like every other year and we only got one. I know it’s easy to just buy expensive gifts because there are so many, but especially when kids are young, limit it, make it something special, and don’t turn them into ungrateful spoiled little humans.

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Christmukkha?

Family, tradition and the holidays weissman

reporter

jacob

For most people I know, the holiday season is filled with the pitter patter of reindeer hooves on the roof and the crinkle and crackle staff of dry firewood in the hearth. For many, this season of snow flurries and ice skates is filled with the gleeful hums of carolers as they skip with jolly down lamplit streets, the spice of cinnamon atop gingerbread men lying in wait for Old Saint Nick: the sounds and smells of Christmas.

I too spent long nights lying awake, listening for sounds of Santa tip-toeing through the house and early mornings sitting before the tree, eagerly tearing my way through a heap of presents, during holidays past. However, I also spent many winter nights watching my father light the eighth candle on the menorah, and playing “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel!” on the floor.

To many people, this seems odd.

How can you celebrate both when, by definition, they are so contradictory?

Christmas is a holiday based around Christianity, meant to commemorate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, Hanukkah, meant to commemorate the sacrifice the Maccabees gave to retake the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, is a holiday based

in Judaism, which rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah, holding rather that the Messiah has yet to appear before mankind.

I however find no conflict in celebrating both holidays and never will. For me they are both simply part of a greater whole, similar to how the Jewish Old Testament and Christian New Testament work in complement to form the greater whole of the Bible. Both holidays commemorate my past- the struggles and sacrifices my ancestors, some Christian and some Jewish, made to give me the life I have today.

I feel it would be dishonorable to scoff at either of these religious holidays, to not give my ancestors the respect of acknowledging the days they held holy at the very least, when they gave me so much. This is why, just as I will always honor Veterans Day for the sake of my Grandfather who fought in Vietnam, I will always honor and revere both Christmas and Hanukkah.

I also encourage everyone, no matter your faith, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or nothing at all, to take the time this December to celebrate what makes you and your family unique. Every family has a story, so take some time this holiday season to discover yours. To know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been.

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Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the United States.

An average of 5,800 people end up in the ER after suffering injuries from holiday decorating.

Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.

The Germans made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers.

YOU d o n’ t

Things

know about

theholidays US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes per second to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, traveling about 650 miles per second.

The US Postal Service delivers 20 billion cards and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

10% off your sub when you show your school I.D.

17400 Spring Cypress Cypress, TX 77429

“Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas, and was the first song sung in space, December 16, 1965.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created by the department store chain Montgomery Ward.

Conspiracy theorists claim that Santa’s crimson and white ensemble actually originated with a marketing scheme by Coca-Cola in the 1930s, when they featured a jolly, red-suited Santa Claus in its ads to boost sales during cold winter months.

reporter

delaney

W e ’ v e all gone through t h a t awkward staff moment when you open that one Christmas gift that you don’t like. Everyone is looking at you, waiting to see how much you like it.

You don’t want to be rude but the present is just awful.

That’s where the gifting code comes into play.

Whether it’s from your family or a friend it’s inevitable that you will receive a gift at one point that you honestly just don’t like. This person obviously means something to you if they’re buying you a gift so it’s important to make sure you don’t hurt their feelings.

Your facial expression is the first thing to watch when you open the gift. When you realize that you don’t like the present make sure your face doesn’t show it. Your facial expression is what everyone sees immediately. Don’t let your smile sag or your eyes squint or ponder the gift.

Look confident and excited

about what present was given to you.

When playing off getting a bad present remember that if its clothing or something of that sort that it is returnable or re-giftable. Of course you have to make sure that you don’t come out and say you’re going to return it, but knowing you won’t have to live with that gift and you can exchange it can make playing it off a lot easier.

Having the gift receipt can allow you to dodge a bullet of wearing or owning something you truly dislike.

It also makes it easier to receive the gift if you don’t like it because you can go and find something you do like. It eliminates hurting the feelings of the one who gave you the gift, and allows you to own something you like.

Avoiding hurt feelings is important when you receive a gift that you don’t like.

You have to remember this person took time and money to get you something. It’s completely fine if you don’t like the gift but play it off tactfully.

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GUY C DE

Accepting unwanted gifts

vasisko

voices

Now that your chance of getting out of a relationship has passed, it is time to brace yourself for the gift giving season. There is no need to spend time on what to get your girl as a gift; plenty of those articles are out on the Internet. What needs to be talked about is how to deal with those gifts that are just not what you’re looking for.

This is a time of giving and when someone gives you something they probably put some thought into it and you really don’t want to just slap them in the face by saying something like ‘do you still have the gift receipt?’

The best way to handle a situation in which you get something you don’t like is to not show it. I repeat, do not show you dislike the gift, especially in front of a crowd. It’s bad enough that you don’t like the gift, but to say that you don’t like it in front of several people makes the giver extremely embarrassed and they may play it safe next time and get you clothes, or worse, nothing.

Instead play it off as if you

don’t mind wargo it, no need to complain but also no need to business get overly excited.

After all the gifts are open and everyone has dispersed is when you try to talk to the giver privately. First you get them alone, not in a weird way, but again you don’t want to embarrass them in front of others. Then you thank them for the fact that they thought of you and got you a gift but nicely tell them that you would rather have blank instead and that you were wondering if you could exchange the gift for the item you wanted.

So now you know how to put them [your gift giver] down nicely. And whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or whoever else you can at least have an enjoyable time and possibly get some of your most wanted items.

manager

GIRL C DE

thecrimsonconnection.com

brad

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Buying for boys

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A look into why guys are so hard to shop for fritz

reporter

emma

A creature, far beyond a woman’s imagination.

A specimen only understood to other members of their staff breed. During the holiday season, shopping for guys is like shopping for a whole other species.

A breed that never gives a solid answer to what they want. Guys, come on, is it that hard to tell the stressed out female in your life what you want for Christmas?

Guys are hard to shop for for two reasons. First, they read into any gift you get them and second, let’s face it, women have no idea what goes through a guy’s video game playing mind.

Some of the most common gifts given to men every holiday season are cologne, tickets to a game or concert, a picture of the couple and a sentimental card and a nice watch. In a guy’s mind, each gift comes with a hidden message.

When given a watch or tickets to a concert or game, guys are happy with their gift but in the back of their mind

they’re thinking, “Darn, I have to get her a great gift now.” Receiving a nice card and a framed picture screams: too much commitment. Finally, probably the easiest gift and given with the least amount of thought is cologne. According to boots.com, cologne is the top selling thing to get teen boyfriends because it does not suggest too much commitment but also says you care.

If we are being honest, women have absolutely no clue what goes on with men.

For example, w h y wouldn’t my boyfriend want a shopping spree and cute earrings?

I don’t know, that sounds

pretty good to me. So guys, if you don’t want to end up with a cute purse or pedicure, tell us what you want.

Shopping for guys is a skill that we women must master, because we all know the men in our life won’t just come out and tell us what they want.

Illustration by: Noor Lino

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The Shack 16602 Cypress Rosehill Cypress, TX 77429 Phone: 832.405.3547

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Mr. Cy Woods2014

p r e v i e w Thursday, January 9

6:30 pm

Auditorium

Photo by: Elizabeth Kainer

Don’t lie to yourselves. You’ve all wanted to see your favorite senior boys - athletes, artists, goof-balls - make fools of themselves. Now that you’ve admitted it to yourselves, here’s your chance to find out how to make those dreams come true. The sixth annual Mr. Cy Woods will be held January 9, 2014, the Thursday of our first week back from winter break. It’s coming up fast, and you don’t want to miss it. Mr. Cy Woods involves swim wear, formal wear, and the crowd favorite: talent. Just a little preview of this year’s talent performances include group performances of the Jingle Bell Rock number in “Mean Girls” and a Jackson 5 number, and many other similar acts. Individual performances including musical numbers, and monologues.

Not interested in the talent? Then you may still be interested in watching senior guys strut their stuff in swim wear and formal wear. Overall, Mr. Cy Woods involves a lot of singing, dancing, joke-making, and of course, modeling. There really is no reason for you to miss it.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $30 for reserved seats; all the money raised will go to W.R.A.P. [Wildcats Right After Prom]. Seniors, this is helping raise money for your class. Teachers, administrations, parents, and everyone else, if you want a carefree night of pure entertainment you should be there, too. It’s a one-nightonly event, so you don’t want to miss your chance.

Contestants

Escorts

Raj Asarpota.....................................................Erika Wood Joshua Boyd........................... .....................Derielle Keiser Cy Bruce.....................................................Sydney Vaughn Ryan Chalmers....................................................Cati Radu Carter Clancy....................................................Dani Briney Cash Coffman...............................................Molly Jackson Alex Dillon.....................................................Judith Acosta Chris England......................... ...........................Josie West Devin Hokanson............................................Tyler Stewart Zachary Hutson...................... ...................Kelsey Franklin Samedh Iyer.....................................................Mattie Behr Kevin Johnson........................................Madison Kaderka Gaurav Lalsinghani..................................Mary Ameringer Ryan Lucker..................................................Rachel Kainer Quinn McGregor..........................................Maddie Sutter Gabriel Naudin............................................Anakaren Diaz Dashawn Ozuna...............................................Nikki Carter Mason Roberts.............................................Lauren Hymel Samuel Stewart............................................Mallory Smith Trent Strahan........................................Bethany Eggleston Alex Thompson...........................................Kathryn Briggs ..................Lauren McDaniel John Vasquez..........................

Bennett Vaughn...............................................Crystal Neill Connor Wakeford.........................................Abby Messina

Photo contributed by: Pinterest

Photo provided by: Pinterest

editor

alexis

starkey

For the holidays

layout Sometimes it is hard to find gifts for friends, and a gift basket is a great solution to this. You can make a gift basket for each friend. It can be big or small, cheap or expensive. It can also have a theme, like movie night or spa day, but that is up to your discretion. Maybe put candy, jewelry or books in the basket. Just pick up a basket or bag, a few items and you’re done. Have fun with it!

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The holidays are a joyful time of year; hot chocolate, festive music, family, and mounds of delicious food are just part of what makes the holidays so special.

But one of the stresses the holidays brings with it is the dreaded task of gift giving. Deciding what to give each person is a hassle especially when you are on a tight budget. Pinterest has many creative ideas on cheap or ‘do it yourself’ gifts. Have you ever pondered what to get your significant other, best friend, grandmother or siblings? Here are a few ideas from Pinterest that will hopefully help you on your gift-giving adventures.

Cassie Cotton gifts for friends Photo by: Lauren Starkey

Photo contributed by: Pinterest

Photo contributed by: Pitnerest

This could be a great gift for any guy in your life. But first, make sure they have a sense of humor. Not every guy will be too fond of receiving a dog food bowl for Christmas, but some may think it is the best thing since sliced bread. All you need is a dog food bowl; you can find one at your local pet store, and stickers. You can sticker his name, or as shown in the picture, “Man.”

1

This is a great gift for grandparents or parents. They love to receive homemade gifts personally made. And they also do not want to stain their good furniture surfaces with water from a drink, so why not make them a coaster? Better yet, you can combine both the ideas and hand-make a coaster. And it’s easy.

If you know anyone who drinks coffee or tea then this is the perfect gift for them. You can give this by itself or paired with their favorite coffee. It could also be used as a pen or pencil holder.

1.Buy white porcelain mug.

2.Pick a sharpie and color 3.Draw on the mug 4.Bake the mug for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. *** Hand wash or it could mess up your design

1.Paint layer of mod podge on front of tile 2.Place artwork 3.Paint another coat of mod podge over entire front of tile 4.Dry 3-4 hours 5.Spray front with clear enamel spray 6.Allow one hour for drying then re-spray 7.Dry overnight then glue felt on back

4

2

Rachel Kainer gifts for guys

What you need: 4x4 inch ceramic tile, artwork to put on the tile, 4x4 piece of felt, mod podge, foam brush, clear enamel spray

Nikki Carter cheap gifts

Abbie McIntosh Christmas gift ideas

c A dF K

‘Tis the season A to Z A guide through the holiday season

b

Baby it’s Cold Outside

e

Eggnog

I G

Candy Canes

Apple Cider

J

Deck the halls

Frosty the Snowman

h Q L o R mN P S V tu X Y Z Hot chocolate

Jingle Bells

Kris Kringle

Icicles

Lights

Gingerbread Men

Quilts

Ornaments

Reindeer

Presents

Menorah

Nutcracker

Vacation

Toys

Under the Mistletoe

Page by: Alexis Starkey and Abbie McInstosh

W Wreaths

Snow

X-ing off the days till Christmas

Yule Log

Zalig Kerstfeast

Her style Almost every Texas girl looks forward to the few months of sporadic, chilly weather Houston is graced with every year.

A welcome break from short sleeves and sandals, this shortlived winter season gives the opportunity to break out the scarves, boots and coats and layer up. With this scarcity of cold, girls want to make the most of the chilly weather.

Because this weather is a rare occurrence, Houstonians tend to overcompensate for the change in climate. During this season, the average temperature of any air-conditioned building is heated past the point of comfort, so girls have learned the art of extra layering. Girls tend to wear an undershirt, blouse, light jacket and heavy-weight jacket, so they do not overheat while they are indoors. On top of the layering, girls have a habit of wearing boots - riding, combat, or otherwise. In reality, winter clothing is flattering on nearly every body type.

Whether it is sixty-five degrees or thirty-two, Cypress girls take advantage of the chilly weather and slight winds, dressing in layers and layers of winter clothing.

thecompletelook

winterf Camryn Jerding [9]

lace-upboots

Photo by: Rachel Kainer

Jordan Castillo [12]

Photo by: Rachel Kainer

infinityscarfs Aaliyah Thomas [12]

Photo by: Rachel Kainer

Derielle Keiser [12]

Photo by: Rachel Kainer

trenchcoats

knithats

northface

fashion Josh Carter [10]

Photo by: Nikki Carter

argylesweaters Dashawn Ozuna [12] Photo by: Rachel Kainer

His style With the increasing popularity of “hipster” style clothing, winter is the perfect time to reinvent one’s style without a drastic change. Although guys typically have less leeway when it comes to dressing up, winter gives them much more room for creativity and style. With a wide variety of sweaters, beanies, and coats available to them, guys can easily look stylish during the winter season.

Although it may be a little harder to layer up for guys, it is not difficult for them to have a unique style. Guys can wear a different colored or patterned sweater every day and never be considered as having a dull style. New patterns such as argyle, tribal and paisley are becoming popular amongst mens’ clothing.

With numerous cold fronts coming through, one is bound to stay, officially beginning the winter season and opening up a window of opportunities for guys showcase their style.

Spread by: Editors-in-Chief, Nikki Carter and Rachel Kainer

Joshua Boyd [12]

Photo by: Gail McGehee

“18 student life

thecrimsonconnection.com

12.13.13

Christmasthroughfilm reporter

delaney

vasisko

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

staff

When the temperature drops and Christmas carols take over the radio, you know that one of the biggest holidays of the year is about to arrive.

Christmas movies have become a much anticipated part of the season. Both madefor-TV and big screen movies that have gone straight to DVD have become a popular past time during the holiday season. The introduction of ABC Family’s “25 days of Christmas” has caused the popularity of

these festive movies to skyrocket. Both classic and new, the seasonal movies have served as a way of bringing the Christmas spirit to households everywhere. But what movies are the must see for the season?

We’re taking it to the halls to find the season’s best holiday films.

The Christmas Carol

White Christmas

Norma Ventura senior

“It’s awesome; the Grinch is just really cool.

Cindy Loo is adorable and Dr. Suess is my favorite author and in the movie they really make it look like Who Vile”

“

Emmy Satterfield freshman

“I’ve watched this movie ever year for my whole life. It’s a family tradition.”

Debbie Delgado junior “Its interesting, I really like the whole movie”

Brian Vanderbilt senior

“I think because it’s funny, and it’s the real Grinch you get to actually see it it’s not the cartoon.”- Vanderbilt

Brandon Love junior

“I like it because it’s a heartfelt movie that always makes me realize to always be nice to people.”- Love

The Christmas Story Kyle Plengemeyer junior

“It’s just a classic, My favorite part is when he shot his eye out.”

Top 10 annoying

Christmas songs 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Santa Baby Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer Jingle Bell Rock Jingle Bells Feliz Navidad I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Twelve Days of Christmas Wonderful Christmas Christmas Wrapping

Elf

Paola Albors junior

“Elf is my favorite Christmas movie because it’s hilarious”

Stay Connected Wildcats www.TheCrimsonConnection.com The Student News Site of Cy Woods

Midnight Peprally

“12.13.13

thecrimsonconnection.com

Counter Cultural:

19“

Resolution Revolution

Rants in 250

words I love Vine so much, but why does it take up so much of my time? They are six second videos; there is no explanation for the time wasted. In spirit of the holidays, it wouldn’t be a rant if I didn’t demonstrate my malcontent for Christmas songs. How many times must I hear Jingle-Bells and Here Comes Santa Clause in order for someone to finally realize WE GET IT! We completely understand that a child stalker with a hit list called Santa sneaks down family’s

change, progress and innovation, it would be so beneficial for us to revisit the care-free days of childhood and remember what it is to just be. C.S. Lewis put it perfectly when he said, “We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”

This New Year’s, instead of being fixated on moving forward, I wonder what our society would look like if we did an “aboutturn” and resolved to revisit the peace and contentment that came so easily to us as children. Our society would be a much calmer, relaxed place if we took each day moment by moment and treasured constancy instead of craving change. Instead of inching along and slowly churning out change, our society could take leaps and bounds in progress in the most fulfilling, sustaining way possible if we could just be still.

bevill editor

reporter

6

with simply growing up and becoming mature, responsible adults. While taking on responsibility can be a good and constructive thing in our lives, it becomes unhealthy when we become chained to all of the commitments we have made. We have lost our sense of calmness in the chaos of our constantly changing culture and have become too easily held captive to the idol of change. We develop a deep hunger to do more and be more, and we become so fixated on fulfillment through progress that we often come up empty and still starved for something new and fresh. In our mission to break the cycle of our boring day-to-day lives, we’ve created a society starved for sustainment and stability yet shifting in nature.

Sometimes I think we’ve forgotten what it is to be still. Just simply be still. We’ve become so consumed in our cycles of change we’ve forgotten what it is to lay our guards down and simply just be content.

When we were children, we were content and filled with a joy that wasn’t dependent on change. In our culture’s obsession with

adayre

marlow

Regardless of the resolution, there is one common theme in the commitments commenced at the beginning of the New senior Year: change. Everyone wants to make some sort of change in life for the better. It says a lot about our culture that we are so fixated on constantly changing. Our society has become almost like a well-oiled machine, never stopping, always moving and continually churning out new ideas and innovations.

While progress is typically a positive thing, constantly moving and changing can often add just as much stress as living a stagnant life void of progress. Burn out has become all too common of a problem amongst teens and adults today. In the midst of striving to make progress in our careers and personal lives, many of us have regressed in our emotional and mental health by being so fixated on achieving the ideal standards we’ve set for ourselves.

Many of the stresses we endure come

madelynn

voices

opinion

chimneys in search of cookies and milk and leaves youngsters things under a tree. Everyone should definitely read our Newsmagazine.

Seriously peeps, I’m flattered that you love my rants, but there are SO many other pages with pretty pictures and lovely words that everyone can enjoy. And homedogs, I know your game, the main reason you read my story is because it’s so short. Don’t be lazy. IOS 7...#NuffSaid.

Instagram has gotten ridiculous to say the least.

No one wants to see your Starbucks. No one wants to see your #Basic pose with your bestie [hand on the hip and a peace sign, you know what I’m saying]. But, I am a fan of cat pics...so keep those coming. People who are not following me on twitter [@CyWoodsRants], what are you doing with your lives? If you post with #ICant, you might just see your name in the newsmagazine. If you have a burning passion that you need get off your chest, mention me!

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Dissection of Santa reporter

rebecca

rudolph

staff

MILK

For generations, children have attempted to catch Santa Clause in the act of climbing down the chimney, shaking out his big red bag and placing perfectly prescribed presents under the tree in wait of their eager owners. Much like the childhood fantasy of magic, the story of Santa Clause has slowly died down to nothing more than the hopeless belief of toddlers. Sooner or later, we deduce that no such thing as magical elves, flying reindeer and a plump, jolly man in a big red suit could ever exist, much less live at the North Pole and deliver billions of presents to people across the globe in one night. But was this elimination of imagination in vain? Does Santa Clause exist, even if he is just a normal person?

You can decide for yourself if it is possible.

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“12.13.13

thecrimsonconnection.com

We i r d

21“

Winter Sports

editor

cotton

cassie

action

media

Want to try something new over the break? Take a chance on these crazy sports.

IceBlocking

mixture climbing SpeedFlying ofA downhill IceClimbing Ice is just what

A winter sport for warmer climates, ice blocking is an activity that can be enjoyed year long. All you need is a large block of ice, a grassy hill, and people willing to make fools of them.

Ice blocking is essentially racing on ice.

Competitors sit on the large blocks of ice and propel themselves down the hill.

skiing and skydiving, speed flying is the epitome of extreme sports. A skier is dropped off by a helicopter and uses their parachute to navigate down the snowy mountain on their skis. They can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

you’d think; rock climbing in ice. Climbers scale slippery slopes with specialized tools to fight through the, lifethreatening, melting ice. The addicting sport often consumes climbers who spend all winter searching for the perfect frozen waterfall.

Skijoring

IceDiving

Curling

Children look forward to sailing down snow-covered hills every winter. Sledding is the most common winter activity and is often connected to childhood. Skijoring is the grown-up version of the innocent pastime. People attach their sleds to horses, dogs, or cars, and are pulled through the snow.

This dangerous activity is considered a competitive sport, with races taking place nationwide.

The dangerous cousin of scuba diving, ice diving challenges highly trained divers to explore the ice blue waters in freezing temperatures. Divers enter and exit from the same small hole cut into the ice. Any frozen body of water can be used for the dangerous sport, all you need is the willingness to plunge into the icy pool.

A combination of bowling, sweeping, and billiards, curling is one of the most complicated winter sports out there. The obscure Olympic event features intricate guidelines and weird rules. Explaining the game would take longer than a game itself.

If you are interested in maneuvering an object across ice there are multiple curling clubs throughout the US. Because it can be played on an ice rink, curling knows no season.

“22 action

thecrimsonconnection.com

Eye on the prize

12.13.13

“

Hockey team accomplishes success gay

reporter

david

Players sliding across the ice. Eyes glued on the puck. The player with the puck skates with a purpose towards the goal.

He brings back his stick.

GOAL! The crowd in the staff Aerodrome goes wild, and the team is pumped.

The Wildcat hockey team has been in existence since 2008 but has been getting more attention lately because they reached the playoffs last year and have had a successful start to their season this year. It was formed because there were many students who were interested in playing the sport for their school.

“The [team] started in 2008 through the [Interscholastic Hockey League],” junior defender Max Goldstein said. “Because there were too many people from Woods to play for the Cy-Fair team, the ISHL decided just to start one here.”

Most of the hockey players started playing for the team during their freshman year.

“As soon as I started to play hockey, I heard about the team and knew I wanted to be a part of it one day,” junior Co-Captain Robby Loving said.

The team does not only consist of Wildcats; there are also players from other high schools in the district.

“We have a few [players] on our team from other schools, so there’s no rivalry,” Loving said. “We all wear the same color jersey, and we all work together to accomplish the same goal.”

Even though there is no rivalry between the players on the team, one team is their archnemesis.

“The team we really go after is Fair,” Loving said. “That’s definitely our most intense rival.”

The team did well last year, placing third the in regular season and losing in the playoffs to Klein, Goldstein said. It was because of this that they gained more popularity.

Since their success last year, the team has been getting more and more attention from the student body.

“We’ve been around for a while now,” Loving said, “but for some reason now we are getting talked about which is cool.”

Continuing the success from last year, the team started the season on the right foot this year.

“We just beat the first place team, but lost our first two games,” junior Co-Captain Mark Oswald said.

Like any other sport, the team lost valuable leaders last year and is now in a rebuilding stage.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year, so we are a relatively young team,” Goldstein said. “But the future looks bright for the season.”

The seniors taught many things to the hockey players.

“Last year’s senior class was the best,” Goldstein said. “There were a lot of them, and they were all leaders. They pumped the whole team up.”

Along with looking up to the seniors, the hockey players also look up to professionals.

“Alexander Ovechkin is my favorite player because he is one of the greatest,” Loving said.

“He is known for some amazing tip-in goals, and I had one just like him, so it became a joke on the team.”

The hockey team’s popularity continues to grow due to their success. Catch their next game as they face off against Sugar Land at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center on December 15 at 6:30.

Hockey players out on the ice, including junior, Captain Mark Oswald and senior #22 Austin Bila Photo contributed by: Cypress Woods Hockey

Final Exam Schedule December 17th

December 18th

Regular Bell Schedule 1st Period Exam

7:25 - 9:16

6th Period Exam 12:43 - 2:30

3rd Period 9:21 - 10:16

Regular Lunch Schedule

December 19th

2nd Period Exam 7:25 - 9:16 3rd Period

December 20th

4th Period Exam 7:25 - 9:16

9:21 - 10:16

Regular Lunch Schedule

7th Period Exam 3rd Period Exam 12:43 - 2:30 12:43 - 2:30

7th Period Exam 9:30 - 11:30

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New This Month December 18

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty PG

December 25

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Not Yet Rated

Childish Gambino because the internet

December 10

R. Kelly Black Panties

December 10

Young the Giant Mind over Matter

January 21

January 17

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December 20

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