the
crimsonconnection
cypress woods
volume 1
issue 7
friday, may 23
Summer
Essentials
the
crimsonconnection Acting Editors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF bradley wargo
MANAGING EDITOR emma fritz
LAYOUT EDITOR shannon steele
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR david gay
NEWS/FEATURE EDITOR kauriana kendall
EDITORIAL EDITOR byria hamblin
SPORTS EDITOR colin gay
BUSINESS MANAGER abbie mcintosh
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 reserve 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 editor:
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Dear fellow Wildcats,
It’s that time of the year again. That time of the year when we face the realization that the seniors, whom all the underclassmen have grown to love, will be leaving. That time of the year when those same underclassmen are now becoming next year’s role models. And that time of the year when all those great memories that have come to pass will be just those, memories. As we leave this year take pride in the fact that you are now and forever shall be a part of the Cypress Woods legacy. I hope you all enjoy this issue, have a memorable summer and above all, continue on with the 212 spirit wherever you may go. Sincerely,
Bradley Wargo Editor-in-Chief
contents
Faster than the blink of an eye
Photo provided by: Craig Nowak
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Musical ambitions
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Photo provided by: Jahmaiki Nisbeth
What’s all the cluck about?
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Photo provided by: Reilly Knecht
Pushing away from the table
Illustration by: Laura Barbe
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Cover by: Shannon Steele, Delaney Vasisko, Abigail Paysse
“4 voices
thecrimsonconnection.com
MARCHING in their boots
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A day in the life of an AFJROTC student
Kauriana Kendall doing sit-ups with the ROTC. Photo by: Abbie McIntosh
Inspection day rolls around and AFJROTC students rush to prepare. They check their collars, tuck in their shirts and shine their shoes, news making sure everything is spick and span. Marching in formation, they line up in the hallway, awaiting the grade they will receive for having clean-cut and perfectly placed uniforms. This is one of the several occasions ROTC students spend under strict evaluation. The first day I spent with the class consisted of this inspection where the students stood still for a longer amount of time than I could ever bear. After their flag commander finished checking over each uniform, we headed back to the classroom where I was fascinated with their talk about nuclear bombs and an untraceable submarine. But, I wasn’t able to follow a lot of the conversation because it turned to acronymic terms and complicated government sounding words that simple folk like me don’t know anything about. I showed up to the class the second day not sure what to expect and was told that we were working on drills outside. I have to say, I never realized quite how difficult it is to move in sync with so many people. Cluelessly following the marching students outdoors, I hoped I didn’t look totally ridiculous to them. With all of us lined up next to the portables, Sergeant Rinehart went over the number of steps to walk and the correct way to pivot. I was confused at
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the unfamiliar commands, but managed to answer a simple question he threw at me during the instruction. “What angle are you going to pivot at?” Rinehart said. I hesitated, recalling the only angle-sounding number I had heard him say.
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something they participate in every Friday. I was a little unnerved when told to wear running shoes. Let’s just say I’m not at my physical peak. I came to the class pumped up and ready to go, but I didn’t get very far. We stretched out, and then were sent to stations in pairs. My first station was something called burpees. A burpee is completed by dropping to your hands and feet, kicking your legs out into push-up position, one push-up, quickly bringing your feet back in, then jumping up into the air. We did these (I might have skipped the push-up part on a few of them…) until Sergeant Rinehart told us to switch, putting me at inclined push-ups. I couldn’t do very many of those, since we had to put our feet up on the sidewalk and do the push-ups like that. I made a mental note to start working out more. At this point, classes were let out of the portables and many students were staring at us. It was slightly humiliating. I will never look at ROTC strangely again. The last exercise I participated in was sit-ups, which was the only thing I did well on. There were several more stations going on, including jump ropes and the foretold running, but I had to go to my own class before any of that. The three days I spent with AFJROTC were some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Although they go through serious training, in the classroom they learn about interesting topics and share lots of laughs during less formal moments. It’s definitely not a blow off class, but seems pretty cool.
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But, I wasn’t able to follow a lot of the conversation because it turned to acronymic terms and complicated government sounding words that simple folk like me don’t know anything about.
“45?” My reply sounded more like a question, but he congratulated me on knowing the answer after merely 20 minutes of being there. However, due to my lack of familiarity with something they have so obviously practiced many times, I spent most of the period out of place and falling behind the rest of the group. Thankfully, I was standing next to a girl, sophomore Asia Calhoun, who was willing to offer me plenty of advice. “Keep your hands in fists,” Calhoun said. “Make sure you line up with the people around you. Hold your arm out to see if you’re the right distance from the person next to you.” The experience would have been even more difficult without her guidance. I had to leave early, but promised to come back the next day for PT – physical training –
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Junior year for
Tips to deal with upcoming junior year stress sports
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As high school goes on, the classes get tougher, and the competition between students gets tighter. This reaches its peak in the junior year, known to many as the hardest year in high school. As the year comes to an end and sophomores are coming closer to being juniors, current junior students and teachers are giving advice to help sophomores Student preparing for junior year be academically Photo by: Rebecca Rudolph successful. This myth about junior year is already to be perfected. According to junior Leticia making sophomores dread their next year Dornfeld, there is no specific amount of time in high school. that a student has to study to be successful. “I am nervous, mostly about the work “It is how you study rather than how load being a lot worse and a lot heavier,” much you study,” Dornfeld said. “It is sophomore Joshua Gomez said. quality over quantity. In the end, you, as the Junior teachers do agree that junior year student, have to make sure you understand is harder and is more important than any the material and get the top grade on the other. test.” “[In] junior year, things change because As for how you study, it depends on how now we are preparing you for life after high rigorous the classes are. However, it is school,” English teacher Karla Fleming- important to stay on top of every class. Jones said. “When it comes to junior and “As a junior, I’ll definitely space out my senior year, we want to make sure that you work and make sure that I am not always finish strong and that you are prepared for on the hardest stuff all of the time,” Gomez either the workforce or college.” said. “But at the same time, I will be on One way that juniors prepare for life after myself making sure I am getting stuff like high school is using study skills that need reading notes done.”
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There are strategies students can use to make studying less of a hassle and more enjoyable. “I know that students are more familiar with websites like Quizlet which allows you to play games as you study,” FlemingJones said. “Also, making flash cards and studying with friends gives you an opportunity to socialize as well as prepare. Any time you can find alternative ways other than just drill, drill, drill, I think that will definitely benefit the student.” Sophomores are already practicing these study habits in classes like World History AP [WHAP] which gives them a taste of the junior life. Dornfeld said that her experience in WHAP helped her through this year. “When I look back,” Dornfeld said, “I’m glad they gave us the hardest textbook first because after that you are pretty much ready for anything.” Another piece of advice that FlemingJones gave is to stay on top of all of your class work and not to slack off. “Take junior year seriously and make every instance count,” Fleming-Jones said. “For instance, do your work on time, meet deadlines and prepare yourself by taking good notes. Those things that you may not have spent a lot of attention on in earlier grades need to be perfected because they are the skills that are going to help you even after high school.”
Wildcats emmafritz
managing editor
and their
weird allergies
According to foodallergy.org, every three minutes an allergy attack sends someone to the emergency room. To eliminate the need for hospital occurrences people do their best to adjust to the unsafe environment surrounding them. There is a wide range of students that battle with allergies and must acclimate to their surroundings here at school.
60
million Americans have allergies
[I’m allergic to] water. I react the most to salt water; I get little red rashes that are itchy. The red rashes kind of look like a bug bite that you have scratched. For the most part it is my stomach that reacts. I never thought it was weird until my grandma pointed it out. It goes away as soon as I dry so it doesn’t bother me that much.
Abby Baker [I’m allergic to] certain types of perfume, [but] I haven’t found the exact chemical it is. Depending on my vicinity, sometimes I get nauseated and occasionally after seventh period I throw up a lot and get disorientated. One time I fell down the stairs after school from it. I get a headache, I start coughing, my nose dries and my throat gets red bumps. It is basically a burn [in my throat]. [To stop this from happening] I started to wear masks. I can’t go into any stores that have perfumes and certain scented hand sanitizer. Once, after going to Kohl’s, my throat was burning for the next three days. Some allergy medications help [my symptoms] but it doesn’t help my throat.
Leo Perez I’m allergic to pineapple. [When I eat pineapple] my tongue swells up and my tongue hurts. When I was eight or ten I found out [I was allergic and] that my mouth hurts, so I shouldn’t eat it. It can hurt for about an hour after. I don’t face that many challenges, but last year we were making pineapple upside down cake and my tongue went numb.
Noor Ahmad Kasey Kerr
I am allergic to berries, apples, peaches, pears, plumbs, pomegranates, hazelnuts, and almonds. Sometimes when I touch them I get rashes on my hand or wherever [else] they touched. Pomegranates actually make my face break out in a rash. All the other fruits and nuts make my throat swell up and I can’t breathe. I found out in fourth grade when it started. I like fruit and I can’t eat it, [so] people like to torture me by eating it right in front of me.
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Order at: w w w. a l a n a w a t k i n s . tateauthor.com
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Sandwich eating contest Every Friday 3:00 pm For Cy woods students
Cross Country alum makes history abbiemcintosh
I
Nowak running in the Big 12 Championship
businessmanager
t is a cold morning in St. Louis, MO. After a good warm up and stretch, he kneels down at the starting line and says a quick prayer. “Runners, take your mark.” He gets into position. “POW!” He is off--pacing himself well in front of his competitors. Time goes by and soon he is on his last lap. The ripping of the ribbon is heard and the crowd goes wild. Class of 2012 alum, Craig Nowak, has just won the USA Cross Country Championships securing his spot on the USA Cross Country World Championships team to race in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Getting to the USA Cross Country Championships and World Championships does not just happen overnight. The hard work started in seventh grade for Nowak, and continued into high school and eventually to the collegiate and world stage. All of Nowak’s hard work in high school left him ranked as the second all-time high school long distance runner in Texas. When Nowak first heard the news, he had mixed emotions. “I was a little shocked that I was second greatest of all time considering the amount of professional runners that have come out of Texas,” Nowak said. “Anytime you hear news like that, it definitely brightens your day. It was also cool that I am actually
Faster than the blink
of an eye
friends with the only person ahead of me, Colby Lowe.” The only thing that separates Lowe and Nowak in the 1600 meter race is two-hundredths of a second, which is faster than a blink of an eye. Nowak would not be where he is today without a strict training routine, which started in high school. “My training got progressively harder and faster as I matured throughout my four years,” Nowak said. “We [the Varsity Cross Country team] would have practice at six in the morning before school and during the summer. By the time I was a senior, I was running times in training that I couldn’t race as a freshman.” Training is an important part of the sport and requires time outside of practice in order to be successful. Varsity Cross Country coach, Greg Zarate, knew Nowak was putting in the required work. “I never had to wonder if [Nowak] was putting in the needed work outside to practice,” Zarate said. “It was a true pleasure seeing him practice because he gave 110 percent every day. It was a joy seeing Nowak at the end of workouts because from his physical appearance, you knew he gave everything he had.” Nowak’s above and beyond efforts won him a trip to the State Meet not once, but four times. “Winning my first state title was a pretty amazing and shocking moment,” Nowak said. “It was my junior year and I ran my mile in 4:08. The three state titles I won after that during my senior
Nowak in Bydgoszcz, Poland All photos contributed by: Craig Nowak
Nowak running in a Big 12 meet
year were surreal.” During Nowak’s senior year, he won what is considered the Triple Crown in long distance running which consists of the Cross Country state championship, the 3200 meter race and 1600 meter race in track. That, combined with Nowak’s stellar high school career, caught the attention of many coaches at the collegiate level. “I started getting letters from colleges my sophomore year,” Nowak said. “I remember the Texas coach and the Baylor coach came and visited my house and I had about 10-15 calls from schools all across the country including Oklahoma State, Oregon, Wisconsin, Stanford, Syracuse, and Arizona just to name a few. It was definitely a pleasantly overwhelming experience.” With so many offers to choose from, Nowak had a tough decision to make on where he wanted to continue his career. After some time, Nowak made his decision.
achieve our third national title in four years.” Winning a National Championship in any collegiate sport is the highest honor a team can receive and puts that team on a national spotlight. Being on a championship team has its perks; like being invited to race as a part of USA’s world team. “The first USA team I ran on was THE STAFF, for a cross country race in Scotland ADMINISTRATION, against Great Britain and the rest of Europe,” Nowak said. “I have COACHES AND run all over the United States FELLOW STUDENTS [OF including Texas, Oklahoma, CY WOODS] WERE SOME North Carolina, Oregon, Los OF THE MOST SUPPORTIVE Angeles and New York City,” AND POSITVE PEOPLE I Nowak said. “I have also run HAVE EVER MET races in Edinburgh, Scotland and -CRAIG NOWAK Bydgoszcz, Poland.” Being exposed to the world stage, Nowak is hungry to compete at the highest level any athlete could compete at: “I chose Oklahoma State The Olympics. [OSU] because it had hands-down “I would love to run in the Olympics one the best distance squad in the country,” day,” Nowak said. “Rio 2016 would be a little Nowak said. “They had just won the National soon and rough to make, but Tokyo 2020 will Championship two years in a row before be my best shot.” recruiting me. When I went for my visit, No matter how big of a star Nowak is and will I found the athletes and coaches to be an become, he never forgets where he came from awesome group of people that I instantly and who helped him get where he is today. meshed with and the state of the art athletic “The staff, administration, coaches and amenities and training facilities are purely fellow students [of Cy Woods] were some of unbeatable.” the most supportive and positive people I have By becoming an Oklahoma State Cowboy, ever met,” Nowak said. “Without them and Nowak has now opened himself up to even Coach Zarate coaching and supporting me more opportunities not only within the throughout the journey, I am honestly not sure collegiate stage, but the international stage if I would be where I am today.” as well, and it all started with carrying on what seems to have become a tradition for OSU. “My freshman year, we won the National Championship in Cross Country,” Nowak said. “It was an awesome experience to be a part of right off the bat and help the team
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What is all the cluck about? Students are bringing the farm to the ‘burbs Before the sun rises over Cypress, feathers are being cleaned, eggs laid and bugs plucked from the ground. Chicken farms are a trend sweeping over online suburban backyards. Juniors Jack Landingham and Connor Homrighausen have partaken in this growing trend. Without prior knowledge, you wouldn’t know that these backyards housed little beaked creatures. It would not be until you looked into the coops that you would find these farm animals. “I own eight [chickens], way too many chickens to own while living in a suburban neighborhood,” Homrighausen said. A variety of chickens inhabit the backyards of Landingham and Homrighausen. “I have one called an Americana, and she lays blue and green eggs,” Homrighausen said. “There is also a Buff Opringtion and an Australorp.” The chickens entered the families in different ways. For the past three years the Landinghams have cared for their flock. “My step dad agreed to not get my mom a Christmas gift, so he got his kids to buy them for my mom,” Landingham said. “Now we have them for eggs.” For the Homrighausens, raising chickens became more of a new found goal. “After we saw the movie ‘Chicken Little’, it just became our destiny to become suburban chicken farmers,” Homrighausen said. The Homrighausens did not acquire all of their chickens from markets. One chicken in particular came into their life in an unusual way. “We have a chicken that has one foot,” Homrighausen said. “Someone found him in the neighborhood and we took him in.[Most] people take in dogs, but we take in chickens.” Caring for the chickens is not hard. According to Landingham, they are an easy pet to have. “[They are] self-sufficient; they scratch around in the yard for insects, but we do feed them occasionally,” Landingham said. “They eat pretty much anything. My mom feeds them left over chicken [and]it’s the grossest thing ever.” When it comes to sleeping arrangements,
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the chickens have made the suburbs a comfortable home. “I have a nice house for them, one of them sleeps in there and they both lay eggs there,” Landingham said. “One climbs into the tree as soon as the sun starts setting, and roosts there.” Even though the chickens live in the backyards of suburban neighborhoods, no deed restriction violations have affected the farms. Neighbors have become very accepting of the unusual pets. “They thought it was weird until our neighbors got a rooster,” Homrighausen said. “Now the tensions moved off of us, [since] the rooster crows from 4am to 9pm.” When dealing with chickens, there is never a dull moment. Both Landingham and Homrighausen have expierenced the good, the bad and the weird while nurturing these animals. “I remember coming home one day and Daisy, my dog, was sitting really happy in the yard with blood on her face,” Landingham said. “There was a pile of feathers and maybe a foot or beak. She ate everything else; she’s done that twice now.” From insect control to egg production, the chickens have been a good addition to the homes. “It’s a great i n v e s t m e n t because you pay $2.30 for them as a chicklet and you get hundreds of dollars in eggs,” Homrighausen said. The eggs that they produce are 100% organic. With around one egg a day, per chicken, eggs have become a staple food. “The first egg I ever cracked was a double yoked egg, one of the top five moments of my life,”
Homrighausen said. “It was incredible. They taste better than store bought.” Although the eggs are healthier, it was a hard adjustment to get used to eating something your pet produced. “My biggest fear is that I crack open an egg and there is a baby chicken in the pan,” Homrighausen said. “It’s not possible but I have a vivid image of it. I just have a vivid image of the chicken emoji running around.” People are constantly amused by the fact that the boys own chickens. Friends and neighbors have taken an interest in the topic. “My best friend has chickens, my neighbor has chickens and everyone else thinks it’s cool,” Landingham said. “I really like to show them off.” Both Homrighausen and Landingham can agree that being friends and having chickens is an added bond to their relationship. “We have this bond that will never be broken because we both have chickens,” Landingham said.
Photos provided by: Reilly Knecht
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under the
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Sophomore nominated for Tommy Tune Award steele
she’s working on,” Estelle said. “Every day you will get something a little different, and that’s what makes her unique.” Whether she’s learning a new dance routine or running lines, waiting off stage or cleaning off stage makeup, Maddox says it is all worth it in the end. “I’m just so glad that I still want to pursue it and that I’m interested in it,” Maddox said. “After all these years I still have a passion for it.”
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Late nights at school. Long lines to memorize. Stressful tech rehearsals. Once the lights dim and the curtains rise, it is time to put months of layout hard work to the test. For theatre students, there are only a few chances to prove that everything has paid off. For sophomore Ashlyn Maddox, this time it did. Maddox received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as Little Red Riding Hood in the school production of Into the Woods. The Tommy Tune Awards, an event hosted by Theatre Under the Stars [TUTS] every April, recognizes high school theatre companies for outstanding musicals presented throughout the year. Maddox is one of nine students nominated in the category and the only nomination for the school. Into the Woods, which the theatre company performed at the end of January, tells the story of classic fairy tales gone wrong. The school production involved more than 50 students in both cast and crew. “I really enjoyed playing Little Red,” Maddox said. “When I found out [about my nomination] I didn’t know what to say or do or whatever. I was very surprised.” According to theatre director Tim Estelle, Maddox’s dedication to theatre was well deserving of a nomination. “[We were] not surprised,” Estelle said. “In fact, I think we would have been more shocked if she hadn’t received a nomination.” The theatre company plans to support Maddox at the awards ceremony. “I was extremely excited when I found out about her nomination,” junior Megan Tupa said. “I think most of the cast, including myself, already expected she would be nominated because she is so incredibly talented.” In addition to performing in school productions, Maddox also participates in community theatre productions and dance classes at TUTS. “Juggling outside theatre with in school theatre along with school and everything
Ashlyn Maddox as Little Red Riding Hood, for which she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress Photo provided by: Kelli Maddox
is hard,” Maddox said. “It involves a lot of time management. I know that I have to get homework done because I have dance on certain days or rehearsal at school until five in the evening.” Maddox first became involved in theatre in fifth grade when she auditioned for a community production of High School Musical. Since then she has been in more than 20 productions. “[The production] was a really cool experience, and after that I just had to keep doing it,” Maddox said. “It was like second nature eventually.” Maddox considers senior Bethany Eggleston to be an inspiration. Last year, Eggleston received the Tommy Tune nomination for Best Actress. “She has just always been that person to keep chasing,” Maddox said. Whether Maddox wins or loses the award, Estelle knows that it is the experience that counts. “She is completely dedicated to whatever
r e m Sum #lifehacks summer remedies insect bite
dry hair mix avacado with a teaspoon of wheat-germ oil and jojoba oil. cover your scalp with the mixture and then rinse to make your hair stronger.
crush one or two aspirin tablets with water to make a paste. cover the insect bite with the paste and an ice pack.
itching underarm deodorants have ingrediants that reduce skin irritaion. simply rub it over the itchy area.
Illustrated by: Laura Barbe
swimmer’s ear
sunburn wet a few tea bags and rub them lightly on your sunburn or fill bath water with tea bags and lay in it.
mix rubbing alcohol with distilled white vinegar, 50:50 each, and use an eyedropper to put a few drops in your ear.
gum to remove gum from your fingers, skin or hair rub peanut butter on it. egg white will also remove gum from anything.
Illustrated by: Laura Barbe
traveling tips
1 2
roll up your clothes to save space put ribbons on your suitcases to find it quickly
3 4
wear your heaviest clothes on the plane
check the weather for your destination
Designed by: emma fritz, shannon steele
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Put toiletries into Ziploc bags to avoid spills pack socks in your shoes to save space
summer bucket list rip out and complete
✓
finish exams
camp in a backyard
volunteer
fly a kite
go to a concert
create a CD
get a “tan tattoo”
play flashlight tag
play a prank
eat s’mores
go to a water park
go to the zoo
collect seashells
take a road trip
make root beer floats
catch fireflies
go to a car show
have a bonfire
cheap summer fun tie-dye spend a summer day tie-dying shirts with friends
movie marathon spend the day watching movies from redbox
theatre go to the miller outdoor theatre with your friends
$9 $1.50 free for each movie
for equitment for two shirts
balloon fight buy a pack of water balloons from the dollar store and have a water balloon war
$2 for 100 balloons
boat ride take the sam houston boat tour around the houston port
playlist
enjoy an astros baseball game with friends.
free $15
summer beats
summer
astros game
play it again, luke bryan story of my life, one direction best day of my life, american authors summer, calvin harris i gotta feeling, black eyed peas happy, pharrell williams #selfie, chainsmokers talk dirty to me, jason derulo and 2 chainz chocolate, 1975 come get it bae, pharrell williams
for one ticket
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My Special Stuffed Monkey Teacher led trivia team takes Houston by storm Put the following things in order from least to greatest:
i. Population of the island of Lanai ii. Melting point in F of Aluminum iii. Top listed speed for the Concorde iv. Career stolen bases for Rickey Henderson
Look for the answer on www.thecrimsonconnection.com
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david
This is the type of question asked at trivia competitions around the country that stump most seasoned participants. This question knocked media the number one team from the Houston area to eighth place at the state competition.
“I go by age,” Wilson said. “I pick people who know modern topics and read current literature. Mr. Villamagna and I are mainstays on the team while Mr. Miller is on because of his science knowledge.” Steve Miller, an assistant principal at Spillane Middle School, participates on an as needed basis, but he is an important part of the team and now is a set member. “I have been on the team for the last two runs at the state championship,” Miller said. “And filled in when needed before that, so around two years.” Each person on the team has his or her own topics of expertise. “My best are sports, history, music and Shakespeare,” Wilson said. “The thing
very tough, multi-faceted question. At the city and state competitions, there are 10 total rounds and we can bet up to 30 points on the final question.” The first year that the team competed, they accomplished a feat rare for teams so young. “We won the city championship in 2012 and got $2,000 from it,” Wilson said. “We have also made it to many state finals, which occur twice a year. Our best place that we have ever gotten at State is eighth place.” That may seem like a low ranking but, according to Miller, that is a fantastic place to be. “Our best finish was eighth at State [1st out of all Houston teams] last year,” Miller
about Shakespeare is that they ask about all of the obscure plays and all that we know is about Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.” However, everyone on the team has topics that they are not experts in. Because of this, the team members rely on each other to get the answer even if they are not strong in that specific subject. “Literature, vocab and Shakespeare tend to kill me,” Miller said. “I let Mr. Wilson and Mr. V’s ‘seasoned wisdom’ handle the entertainment portions pre-80’s.” My Special Stuffed Monkey compete on a regular basis at various trivia competitions. They feature multiple rounds and involve a variety of points. “For the first three rounds we submit an answer and bet 2, 4 or 6 points,” Villamagna said. “At half time, there is a bonus question where we can earn up to 12 more points. The last three rounds we bet 5,7, or 9 points. After that, there is a final round where we can bet up to 20 points on what is usually a
said. “However, when you figure there are probably 700+ or so teams competing in this league with 300+ moving into semifinals that are serious competitors between the Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio areas, we’re not too bad.” Along with the state competition, there is now going to be a National Trivia competition in Las Vegas. “They are probably going to take the best five teams from all the major cities,” Wilson said. “We just started the trivia process for this year and hopefully we will get to go to the National Trivia Competition.” Because of the close call last year at the state competition, they have more motivation for next year. “We bet all our 30 points and lost,” Miller said. “The winning team only had 10 points more than our original point total before betting. It just puts fuel on the fire for next time.”
My Special Stuffed Monkey at a Trivia Competition Photo provided by: Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson and George Villamagna, U.S. History teachers here at Cy Woods, are members of a very successful trivia team in the city of Houston. My Special Stuffed Monkey won the City Championship in 2012 and made it to the State Finals multiple times. My Special Stuffed Monkey started playing at trivia nights at Buffalo Wild Wings in May 2012. “It started out with my wife and myself,” Wilson said. “I started to invite people that I worked with and people that I know and we started to play trivia together on Wednesday nights.” Both Wilson and his wife inspire the team. “It’s all about Mr. Wilson and his lovely wife Jan,” Villamagna said. “They are the driving forces behind the team.” Different people have come and gone from the trivia team, but there is a method for how Wilson puts the team together.
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MUSICALAMBITIONS
Sanyaolu sings
ashleypelton
Walking around school, you might have noticed a boy with his guitar, and wondered who he is. The boy with his guitar is no ordinary boy, his name is Jubril Sanyaolu. Sanyaolu not only writes original songs, but performs them for all who will listen. “I write my own songs and have played guitar since I was 14,” Sanyaolu said. “I share my music by performing around school with my guitar and uploading videos on YouTube.” Most people do no not know of Sanyaolu’s musical talents. For Sanyaolu’s American Literature teacher Jordan Decman, it was only a short amount of time before she found out. “At first I was surprised to find out that Jubril writes his own songs, but after a while I could see it,” Decman said. “I saw our schools production of Into the Woods, and when I saw him in it, I really could see his talent. I could even see him making a career out of it in the future. He is very passionate and I think that will take him
Photo by: Ashley Pelton
far.” The road to Sanyaolu’s music wasn’t always easy. He often uses things life has thrown at him to inspire his songs. “Music is so important to me because it saved me from the troubles I was getting myself into when I was younger,” Sanyaolu said. “I was hanging out with the wrong crowd at the time, and was really letting peer pressure get to me. My friend told me about Christ, and I turned towards music. It took constant practice, and even to this day, I am still learning new things. For junior Allison Wilkinson the fact that somebody so young is so impressive stands out. “I think it is so amazing how talented he is, considering his age,” Wilkinson said. “I can’t even imagine how talented he will be when he is older. I love hearing him perform; he sounds just like something you would hear off the radio.” Sanyaolu loves making music and hopes that he can make a living with it if possible. “I want to start recording and making CDs,” Sanyaolu said. “I plan on making a career out of it later on, as well as getting my major [degree].” Making a career out of music can be considered a risky move, but if you set your mind on a goal and have determination, Decman believes that anything is possible. “I think that society as a whole tries to tell us not to take risks,” Decman said “They say that if you want to be a musician, you won’t go anywhere, but I think that is what drives us. If you have enough determination, I think it’s absolutely possible.”
15“
people
Spitting bars& dropping beats
ashlynnbrown
Music has always been a way of expressing oneself. It can bring back memories or trigger emotions. Music is a regular part of life. For sophomore Jahmaiki Nisbeth, however, making music gives him an adrenaline rush that cannot be beat. Photo provided by: Jahmaiki Nisbeth Music has always Rapping is like poetry to been an important part of Nisbeth. When he is writing Nisbeth’s life. his lyrics, he sits alone in his “I’ve been [into] music my home studio and listens to the whole life,”Nisbeth said. “My rhythm. mom is a singer, so I’ve been “I write my lyrics by whatever around it a while. I just didn’t inspires me at the time,” know what I wanted to do with Nisbeth said. “I try to write my music or how to go into it.” lyrics to tell a story because I Nisbeth began rapping in the feel my fans like it better.” seventh grade. His stage name In order to be a successful is Jayneezy, his childhood rapper; it is necessary to nickname. His friends would promote yourself and get your call him Jay, short for Jahmaiki, music out into the world. and when he moved they called “People don’t know how him Neezy, short for Nisbeth, so much work goes into being a he just put it together. rapper,”Nisbeth said. “You have Rapping is more than a hobby to record yourself, figure out to Nisbeth it is a passion. how to make your vocals clear “My mom was doing reggae, and mix it down.” but I found rap and that’s what Whether they are helping stuck with me,” Nisbeth said. with lyrics or giving their “When I first started rapping, opinions, Nisbeth’s team is I was horrible. I had the flow, always by his side. but my lyrics just weren’t there. “We actually just give Over time I got better.” him reviews on his songs,” Nisbeth has a team that sophomore Dynique Jenkins promotes his songs and shows said. “For example, we tell him on social media, They also wear what he should add or what he shirts with his name around should change.” school. They are his backbone Nisbeth is following his and support him in everything dreams and plans to make a he does. living out of rapping. No matter “I really think Jayneezy will what people say about him, he go far in his career because he is keeps going. an amazing rapper,” sophomore “Jahmaki is a very determined Cameron Cavnar said. “He is dude,” Cavnar said. “He loves just very good with his lyrics. I rapping, and he’s sticking to met him in the ninth grade, and it no matter how many bad I am so blessed to have him as comments he gets about some a friend. I think I will still be by of his music. He keeps pushing.” his side 10 years from now.”
“16 voices
thecrimsonconnection.com
5.23.14
“
GIRL C DE GUY C DE Eating Etiquette
Listen up boys, this is my final piece of advice before you step into summer break and get your game on. If you’ve been following so far this year, then you should be well prepared for the summer and should be ready to tackle [not literally] all those single ladies. You’ve got your fears down, you’ll know how to handle all the crazy situations that you may face while dating. But before you go on your merry way thinking that you’re too cool for school, you need to know what to do when eating on a date. Yes, that basic thing that we have been doing since birth is what we need to review. Why? Because you don’t want to go on a date and come across as a beast like the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. So, to get the ball rolling let’s start with what not to eat—garlic and or onions. This is just a basic rule that needs to be reviewed, if you want to ever kiss a girl more than once then the first kiss needs to be out of the park, and having garlic or onion breath is just disgusting and will literally leave a sour taste in her mouth. I hope just reading that grosses you out so you don’t even think about doing that. Now that you know you’re not fighting off a vampire let’s talk about actually eating. When you’re eating it is best to keep your mouth closed, I repeat, keep your mouth closed. It’s really gross to be listening to your date and then she looks up and sees food all chewed up in your mouth. If you want to go anywhere else with this girl, don’t give her a reason to throw up and cut
the date wargo short. If she asks you a question and you’ve just shoved a whole editor spoonful of food in your mouth, you’ve got your choice on which route to take. The first would be the easiest, you simply hold your finger up to signify ‘hang on a second,’ the downside to this, you now have to sit there chewing in total silence with her staring at you… awkward. The second choice is to make a joke out of it, simply puff your cheeks out and make a funny face. More than likely, you’ll get a laugh out of her, helping to release the tension as you chew. The last thing to go over is stuffing one’s face. It’s bad enough to end up in a situation in which your mouth is full, but to have it happen again and again is not something that needs to be happening. If you’re starving have a snack beforehand and then order a lighter meal at dinner. Otherwise she’s going to get fed up with not being able to hold a conversation since all you’re doing is stuffing your face with food. This will lead to no second date. That’s it. My young pupil, you are now ready to face the world. To all the seniors who are leaving, take this knowledge and apply it to whatever situation you may find yourself in. And to our underclassmen, I say to you, ‘stay tuned for more.’ I hope you all have a great summer and find that perfect girl.
in-chief
editor
delaney
spinach stuck in your teeth. Girls, I recommend that you choose something that you can cut up and eat. This is one fool proof way to make sure that your eating habits do not come across as weird or gross. However, make sure that you know the tips and tricks to cutting up food so you do not look like you have no idea what you are doing. Two of the best foods to order would be pasta and chicken. I would highly recommend that you stay away from corn on the cob, garlic, and most of all, hamburgers. The last thing you want to worry about on a date is the mess that comes with a huge burger. Save that for at least the third date. It is super important to keep a napkin on your lap. Dropping food is embarrassing enough as it is, but you don’t need a food stain to remind your date of your slip up. Besides, it makes you look pretty classy when you sit down and lay the napkin on your lap. You can not only save yourself an outfit, but also an embarrassing stain. The first couple dinners are the most important because it is the make it or break it dates. I am not saying that you should never order anything garlicky, but wait till you are on sturdier grounds as far as your relationship goes before you start bringing in risky variables.
bradley
W h e n I am on a date, nothing grosses me out more than sitting online across from a boy and not only seeing what they are eating, but hearing them eat it too. Smacking while chewing just gets to me, and is on my list of things I consider highly unattractive. Words cannot describe the disturbing feeling I get when I hear people smacking their food. Eating etiquette is something that everyone needs to brush up on. For all you know you could be sitting across from your future husband. So please, make a mental note that it is not okay to show anyone your food after it has been put in your mouth. This means chew with your mouth closed. This is not a hard task. In fact, it is one of the easiest things to change. No matter if it is gum or a meal; keep your mouth closed while you chew. Your food may look good on your plate but I guarantee you it does not have the same effect while being chewed. Food choice on the first date is one of the most important things. It is beyond embarrassing to end up with horrid breath or specks of
vasisko
“5.23.14
thecrimsonconnection.com
6
Rants in 212 Words hamblin
editor
byria
Teachers who try too hard to be your friend need to stop. Stop inviting me into your personal life. Girl, I don’t care. Besides, it’s time to make opinion some adult friends. Shout out to everyone in WHAP and U.S. History AP. Aren’t the 50 pages of reading notes every week just lovely? No, they aren’t. Ain’t nobody got time for that. If teachers expect us to do this much homework they should at least make caffeine at school a thing. A Starbucks line in the cafeteria would be bae. Besides our school food is horrifying. Are those even real enchiladas?
Eating is hard enough with all of the PDA in the halls. Why does that even happen? And on the stairs? If you kiss on the stairs I despise you. That should earn students an automatic expulsion. You know what’s really crazy? Tardy sweeps. Making me even more late to class is definitely going to encourage me to get here on time. Thanks y’all. Besides, you all should be happy that I’m even going to first period especially after being late. I think we should all get rewards for even coming to school on time. Like free breakfast for you, you powerful soul. It could even come from the new Starbucks line.
17 “
opinion
Basic Starbucks cups like these would flood the halls Photo by: Flickr user Louis Abates
Co$t over Comfort The unending battle between the utilitarian and the fashionista rudolph
reporter
rebecca
Imagine walking into a closet, opening the door and examining each item remembering where it was bought and how much it cost. Thinking back on staff each purchase, the smaller and more intricate the item, the larger the gap in our wallet. Instead of buying clothes for practicality we are buying them with the thought in mind that the more expensive it is, the more popular it will be. The consequence is that as factory production increases and becomes more technological, the quantity rises, but the quality drops. Things such as Miss Me jeans, TOMS and Nike tennis shoes have been disappearing off the shelves leaving only the ridiculous prices scrawled onto the plastic signs in their places. In reality, these items are only temporary. After one year of wear-and-tear, their luster fades, the seams rip, the lace becomes fuzz, the beads are mysteriously eaten by the washer and the mesh dissolves along with the soles. Sitting for seven hours in classrooms wearing $100+ jeans and a $50+ skimpy top with painful sandals or unformed soles is not only unnecessary, but is just unrealistic. Putting ourselves through the expected pain of fashion is simply put, foolish. I have always bought simple and wearable
clothes, things that will stay in fashion the longest and look better the longer I wear them. Granted I have glanced at and bought a few unnecessarily pretty items, but after they went out of style and were discarded, the more practical things were still standing strong and looking just as nice as the day I bought them. For example, I have a pair of Levis that my mom gave me that she wore when she was 17. To this day, they have stood up to years of wear-and-tear and still look brand new. However, I bought a new pair of Levis last year for school and one day, after not even a year of wearing them, they ripped as if there was nothing really holding them together. Another example would be my favorite pair of Nike tennis shoes. I got them when I was seven and wore them for three years without a single tear. This year I bought a new pair of Nike shoes, made with the new “cutting-edge” material, and I’ve had to trash them because the mesh, the best material Nike has created yet, was ruined and frayed within a few months. I am currently on my second pair of Nikes this year and they have already begun to tear. Miss Me brand jeans are widely popular in southern states. They are a new rising brand that is directed at teenage girls. But what isn’t acknowledged is the fact that all the “bedazzling” that makes the pants as popular as they are, and as expensive, falls off after one or two washes. I own a single
pair of Miss Me jeans for this reason. The quality is not comparable to the price. I got a couple months of wear out of them before I surrendered them to the top shelf of my closet waiting to be patient enough to mend the gems back on. Furthermore, the newer shirts being sold at Victoria’s Secret’s PINK stores for teens have become increasingly more see-through than in previous years. When you consider the flashy neon bras sold to accompany them, modesty becomes nonexistent. Pardon me for liking my undergarments to be concealed. When all the lace and gems are looked at carefully on the piece of clothing, where they are put seems irrelevant to the item as a whole. Half the price comes from the decals on the rear pockets or the fancy lace backing that never seems to show itself despite that mere second after we remove our backpacks to sit down. When shopping, try to get something a little more practical rather than something impractically “stylish”. Chances are, those of us that normally buy fancy things probably don’t have many comfortable clothes in stock and will want to relax sometime in the next millennium. Being a fashionista is perfectly fine but surrendering our paychecks to an inch of fabric that is supposed to cover our “no-no-squares” is not necessary.
THROWBACK senior style
Page designed by: Shannon Steele Photos provided by: Senior staff members
nikkicarter
To my Big, I do not even know where to begin. You have been so much to me over these past three years and I do not know what I would have done if I did not have you to lean on through so many difficult times. You have become much more than just a friend; you have become my sister, and a sister I am grateful to have every single day. Even though you are going to A&M and not UT [Yes, I know you bleed Maroon and you would never attend UT,] I know you are going to do great things in College Station. I love you and come back and visit every chance you get! Love, Abbie
rachelkainer
Dear Rachel [aka big me], This year I found you, my best friend. Your leadership and friendship has shaped the staff into the crazy family it is today. I know that you were put in my life for a reason and I’m so blessed to have met you. I can truly say that you have made this year on newspaper unforgettable. Thank you for taking me under your wing and pushing me to be the best I can be. Rachel, you are my inspiration and I hope that I can make you proud next year. Don’t forget about us when you’re making it big in college! Love you, Emma
alexisstarkey
Dear Alexis, I cannot believe it’s already the end of the school year. You have been such an inspiration to me, and I am so glad to have gotten the chance to know you. I cannot explain how amazing it has been to work with such an amazing designer this year. You’ve been a perfect layout editor and an even better role model for the entire staff. I know you’ll do great things in and after college. Thank you so much for guiding us all through the year. Have so much fun in college and come visit us! Love, Shannon
gailmcgehee
Dear Gail, Buccee’s pajama pants, a pink sweatshirt and cowboy boots of course. This is what started our friendship. Who would have guessed that one picture would have formed this close bond we have. I really don’t know how staff would have been for me if it were not for you. I consider myself truly lucky to have met you. You have become one of my closest friends. I am going to miss you so much next year, but words cannot describe how happy I am for you. You have made my first year on staff so memorable. You have not only become a close friend but family to me. I’ll miss you so much, don’t forget me at Tech. I love you, Delaney
madelynnmarlow
Dear Madelynn, I have known you since my freshman year when I first stepped into Proclaim the Name. Ever since then, I have considered you as a friend that I could approach about anything. Thank you for being a great Christian role model in this school. Thank you for inspiring me to do the same wherever it may be. I have enjoyed what you have written this year and I hope you continue that when you go on to UT. Thanks for being a good friend and good luck! Love, Colin
Dear 2014 Seniors,
Dear Cassie-the-Cat-Queen, The earliest memory I have of you dates all the way back to my first day of sophomore year. The returning members were paired with “newbies” to distribute the back to school issue. This terrified me because I probably knew the names of about three people on staff. Luckily, I was paired with you and from then on you’ve been my number one resource for writing, everything cats and, of course, music. You inspired me to not only strive to be a better writer, but most of all, a better person. Thank you so much for all of the help you’ve given me personally and the staff as a whole. You were by the far the most extraordinary person I’ve met through this program and I want to thank you for that. We’re going to miss you so much. Please visit as much as you can! Love, Byria
cassiecotton sarahorr
Dear Sarah, When next year arrives, our staff will be left with a large gap to fill. Your funny personality will be missed among us all. Your beautiful and dedicated photos will be longed for by our rookies. As you continue on to college, we will know that you miss us just as much and that our staff will never be the same without you. But we will also know that you are gracing someone else’s presence with your insanely funny sarcasm and whispered, yet heard, jokes that make the room seem to rumble with unintended laughter. We wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors and hope you will find the time to come and see us. Love, Rebecca
sidneycross
Dear Sidney, Even though I haven’t been on the newspaper staff very long, I will say the time I have experienced has been filled with nothing but laughter and fun memories. Your witty comments never fail to make everyone crack up, and you lighten everyone’s mood just by being present. I have also enjoyed your positive look on life. No matter what life hands you, you handle it with pride and you try to get through it the best that you can. You are probably one of the most low-key people on staff and I really respect that. You just don’t seem to care about what others think, and I admire that a lot. I’m crazy jealous of how cute you look every day! Thanks for making me laugh, and just being you! Love, Ashley
cassiecotton
Thank you for making this year an unforgettable one! We’ll sincerely miss you all more than anything. We wish you the best of luck in the future. We love you so much! Love, the underclassmen
adayrebevill
Dear (drum roll please) Adayre, I want to say that first and foremost I will, no we as a staff will, miss your amazing stories. Your great way with words, boisterous hand motions and range of voices have made you and all of insane situations a joy to have on staff these past few years. I hope that as you go on into the world you keep running into interesting people, sharing your humor with those around you and attain your dream of marring James Franco. Best Wishes, Bradley
jacobweissman
Dear Jacob, From the first time that we met in History Through Film and talked about movies, I knew that you were a pretty cool dude. Throughout the rest of that semester and this year, you have been someone that I could talk about video games and Anchorman with and not be judged. In addition to that, you wrote some great stories for the magazine. I will miss your presence on the staff as one of the only guys this year. Good Luck after this year. You will succeed wherever you go and whatever you do with your life. Best Wishes, David
“20media
thecrimsonconnection.com
5.23.14
Pushing Away from the Table
Going beyond the standard dinner and a movie
byriahamblin
A date is defined by Merriam Webster as “a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character.” The most common date among students is the classic dinner and a movie. Although this kind of outing can be fun, it is not always what your special someone wants. Watching a movie in
utter silence is not social or even romantic. There comes a point when a girl or boy wants to do something more creative. So in order to get your date enthusiastic about spending time with you, here are some ideas to keep your date interested and coming back for more:
Making our way Downtown For a cultured date visit the art district. Start off with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to view the sculptures and paintings on display. However, if you’re looking for something a little less pricey there are also plenty of free art museums like the Menil Gallery, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Houston Center for Photography. Observing art with your date is good way to get to know each other while enjoying the unique art and cultures of downtown. Then swing by Discovery Green. Boating and kite flying in the middle of such a restless city is timelessly charming. This adventure would not only earn you a second date, but it would also give you more of an opportunity to get to know your date outside of the restaurant-movie theatre environment. After, take your date out to enjoy a hot dog style lunch while watching the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Thrift shops can be found anywhere and anything can found inside of them. A thrift shopping date can never go wrong. Photo by Flickr user pixeljones.
Despite the Astros disappointing start, seeing a baseball game is always classic. Photo by Flickr user NixBC.
Poppin’ Tags
Everyone always tries to dress fairly clean-cut and trim while on dates. However, instead of trying to dress-to-impress, take your date out somewhere totally unexpected- a thrift shop. Try to find the most ridiculous outfits for each other and then try them on. After you’ve found each other the craziest outfits, go out to dinner with them on. This will let you be less stressed about looking nice and more focused on spending time with your date. Despite all the judgmental looks you might receive, doing silly things like this will let you really get to know the person you are with.
Walmart Bingo Dates do not always have to be uptight and stiff. Some people do still enjoy a traditional dinner date. However, to incorporate a more creative twist, try Walmart Bingo. After you get dinner, go to Google images and search “Walmart Bingo.” From there you can pick between a wide variety of boards. Each board is going to be set up exactly like a normal bingo board, but here’s the catch, instead of finding numbers you and your date will be finding the silly things that are seen at Walmart. The squares will have things to find like a man with a mullet, a man talking excessively loudly into a Bluetooth or someone shopping in their pajamas, rather than the standard numbers. Then, go to Walmart and work together to get bingo. This game will not only make your date laugh, but it also allows you both to accomplish something together.
The amount of interesting things that can be found at Walmart will keep a date fun and full of laughter. Photo by Flickr user Walmart Corporate.
“
#revive212°
thecrimsonconnection.com
reviews
Bringing it Back to the 70’s
Return of Pixies Worth the Wait davidgay
Indie Cindy
Supernova
colingay
There is one word that can describe Ray LaMontange’s fifth studio album, “Supernova”: throwback. With the help of producer and Black Keys member Dan Auerbach, LaMontange successfully mixes the nostalgia of the sixties and seventies with his unmistakable, raspy voice. Each song depicts a different genre that was popular in the sixties or seventies. For example, the song “Julia” mixes the garage rock of the seventies with driving guitars and drums, and New Orleans type blues with harmonica. Another standout is the lead single “Supernova” because it mixes all of the aspects of the album into a short sample size. This song is a seventies rock throwback with driving acoustic and electric guitar and keyboard. “Supernova” does not compare with LaMontagne’s earlier work because the album sounds more rock and blues based than country based used in his previous albums such as his Grammy nominated fourth album, “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise”. However, LaMontange’s unmistakable voice makes the album of throwbacks unique. This memorable album brings the sound of the sixties and seventies into the forefront of American music again.
B+
Amazing, Indeed
A
A-
Not Just Another Movie The Other Woman
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
ashleypelton
With Marvel being as popular as ever, it is very clear as to why the superhero craze is in full swing. The sequel to the Amazing Spider-Man, definitely earned the title of amazing. Peter Parker’s [Andrew Garfield] story continues with new villains, Electro [Jamie Foxx] and The Goblin. Not only must Parker struggle with being a masked hero, he must also deal with balancing a relationship with Gwen Stacey [Emma Stone], as well as finding out the truth about his late father’s work at Oscorp. The film closely resembled the comics with the plot, while adding a unique spin towards the story line. Unlike most movies, all of the main characters were genuinely likable, even the villains. Electro and The Goblin are both villains viewers will actually love, since they are so in depth. Even though they are the bad guys, the viewer feels compassion towards them. As for the good guys, the relationship between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey is one filled with chemistry. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter’s old childhood friend, Harry Oscorp [Dane DeHaan] shows up into his life again, after 8 years. It was nice to see that Peter does in fact hang out with people besides Gwen, but they should have established a better relationship between the two, creating more depth to Harry’s character. Young viewers will relate to the problems faced by Peter and Gwen, such as graduating from high school and struggling to keep a relationship while their future is uncertain. The special effects were phenomenal, making the viewer feel as if they were shooting webs across New York with Spidey himself. Overall the film was spectacular. While most people have the stereotype that the sequel is never as good as the first, this movie certainly proves them wrong. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is definitely a blockbuster you don’t want to miss. [Be sure to stay after the credits!].
90’s college rock is back. Pixies, a band that has influenced including but not limited to Nirvana, Radiohead and The Strokes, has not put an album in 14 years, but have come back with a bang in “Indie Cindy”, an album that revives early 90’s alternative music. Even with the absence of loved former bassist/vocalist Kim Deal, this album brings back the “loudsoft-loud” sound that they made famous in the early 90’s with classic albums such as “Doolittle” and “Surfer Rosa.” The songs on this album were already released on three separate EP’s that came out before the album’s release so, super-fans of the band already had an idea of what songs were going on the album. “Indie Cindy” kicks off with a bang with the appropriately titled “What Goes Boom.” This loud and guitar centered song sets the tone for the whole album, which is chock-full of tracks that have catchy melodies and anthemic choruses. But, the real standouts of the album are the title track, “Indie Cindy” and the single “Bagboy.” In “Indie Cindy,” frontman Black Francis’s vocals drive the song. The funny and sometimes profane lyrics are the centerpiece and the catchy melody and chorus just add on to the song’s greatness. “Bagboy,” a single released by the Pixies in 2013, has an electronic centered beginning with the anthemic vocals making the song memorable. As the album goes on, some might get sick of the repetitiveness of the sound that each song brings. However, this is an awesome album for both newbies of the 90’s college rock genre and the individuals already familiar with it.
kaurianakendall Three amazing actresses, Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, cause lots of laughs in this hysterical movie. Playing a bitter lawyer (Diaz), a grieving wife (Mann) and an unsuspecting ditz (Upton), these women find out they are all in a relationship with the same man (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and decide to take revenge together. They create an odd and hilarious friendship and their interactions with their deceiving man are enough to make anyone smile. Pretending to still be loyal to him, they go behind his back to make his life miserable with entertaining acts such as switching his shampoo and secretly giving him estrogen supplements. There is also enough of a back story as well as a new successful love story for each character on the sidelines to make it interesting and sweet at times, without ruining the funny aspect. A few overly crude parts took away from the constant laughter, but for the most part it remains totally comical. It was a phenomenal movie I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
A
Life at the Woods
May//June
Monday
No School Seniors: 2nd and 7th Final 9th-11th: 7th Period Final
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
Friday
M a y J u n e 27
All: 1st and 5th Final 1/2 Day
2
Thursday
Final PTN Meeting 6:30 am in 1664 28
All: 3rd and 4th Final 1/2 Day
3
Seniors: 6th Period Final
4
29
Seniors: Senior Breakfast 9th-11th: 2nd and 6th Final 1/2 Day Last Day of School
30
Graduation! Good Luck Seniors!
5
6
#revive212°
thecrimsonconnection.com
June 6
22 Jump Street R
June 13
How to Train Your Dragon 2 PG
Cinthia Moncores
June 3
Jack White Lazeretto
June 10
Ed Sheeran X June 23
June 13
Wildcats their and Shiloh
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Only Run
andCrazyCats and Bella
Free Press Summer Fest
shows
PG-13
music
The Fault in Our Stars
Eleanor Tinsley Park
and Pete
and Uno Robert Rosenfeld
June 8
Fall Out Boy and Paramore
10
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 1
Shows to
binge watch
this summer • Lost (ABC, Netflix, DVD)
• House of Cards •
(Netflix, DVD)
• True Detective •
(HBO, HBOGO)
• Firefly •
(Fox, DVD, Netflix)
• Arrested Development •
Will Hudson
May 31 and June 1
Typhoon Fitzgerald’s
•
Alyssa Bernas
movies
New This Summer
(Fox, DVD, Netflix)
• Sherlock •
(PBS, Netflix, DVD)
• Breaking Bad •
(AMC, Netflix. DVD)
• Orange is the New Black •
(Netflix, DVD)
• Freaks and Geeks •
(NBC, DVD, Netflix)
• The Walking Dead •
(AMC, DVD, Netflix)
the
crimsonconnection The official student newsmagazine of Cypress Woods High School