Wildcatter
1
Issue
Calallen
2010-2011
August 2010 Photos and Text by Calallen Publications
Inside:
News Page 1
Feature
Page 2
Sports Page 3
Op/Ed Page 4
Now Open New Summer Developments In And Around Corpus Christi Since that final bell of school rang and summer began, Corpus Christi had experienced many changes brought among it. There have been many new restaurants, renovations, and new opportunities given to residents of the city. We now have a larger variety, new conveniences, and a refreshed atmosphere in the city. “I welcome the new changes Corpus Christi is undergoing,” sophomore Michael Huerta said. “The city has really been developing and bringing benefits to the community.” Some of the new restaurants include: Cheddars, PF Chang’s, Freebirds, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Takeniwa, Grimaldi’s, and Taco Bueno. “I really like PF Chang’s,” sophomore Joey Ibarra said. “I have not been to the new one in the mall yet, but I plan to take my girlfriend there sometime soon.” PF Chang’s is located in La Palmera mall. It serves well-known, good Japanese food. This particular restaurant was also built in an environmentally friendly way. It is a good place to order different plates and split the meals. “Takeniwa is a good restaurant. I went there for my birthday dinner over the summer,” senior Tanner Konarik said. “It
was a little pricey compared to my usual choices but it made for a good birthday dinner.” Takeniwa is a good Hibachi Japanese style restaurant. It also is good place for special occasions such as prom.
Bauch said. “It makes it looks much nicer and attracts more shoppers” The mall transformed from Padre Staples to the all-new upgraded La Palmera. It is revitalized with its new beach and aquatic style.
“Freebirds is like Subway but for burritos,” senior Devin Boyd said. “I enjoyed it and definitely plan on getting another meal there soon.” Freebirds lets the customer create his or her own specialized burrito. This restaurant is also promoted as a healthy place to get something to eat. “I think that the changes of La Palmera Mall benefit the mall,” junior Haleigh
“I think the mall really makes Corpus Christi look better,” junior Allie Downing said. “It now attracts more tourist and offers a much bigger variety of stores.” Not only does the mall look nicer but it also has better stores, and an improved food court that people actually go to, not to mention it now has a large cylindrical tropical fish aquarium. Downtown Cor-
Kayla Watkins Reporter(‘12)
pus Christi, on the other hand, has other changes taking place. “I didn’t want them to tear the Coliseum down,” junior Lina Young said. “They should have just renovated it. I have many childhood memories there of going to skate and now Corpus doesn’t really have anything compared to it.” The mall got upgraded while the Coliseum got torn down. The Coliseum has served many purposes in downtown Corpus Christi for the past 56 years. It hosted many concerts, shows, hockey games, and was an open ice rink. It became a Corpus Christi icon. “I think the Coliseum was beginning to look trashy,” freshman Ashley Cookston said. “It started looking out of date compared to the other downtown buildings.” Over the past decade the Coliseum has not been well maintained. While Corpus Christi is trying to look more modern it just lagged behind. “I like that the Coliseum got torn down,” senior Gabriel Longoria said. “I think they should do something with it like build a board walk or build the carnival they had talked about.” After years of much dispute and many
votes of what to do with the coliseum it was decided to tear it down. Right now it is completely demolished but it is still undecided what is going to happen with the area. At the end of the list of renovations and changes comes something more local. “The Del Mar classes opening up in Calallen give students a good opportunity,” senior Given McClure said. “Now, Calallen locals do not have to go out of their way for classes.” Del Mar College opened up a medical center across the high school at the Northwest Center. It had a grand opening July 27th. “After volunteering at Driscoll Children’s Hospital over the summer, I have realized the medical world can always use more help,” senior Osaki Benibo said. “I think these classes being conveniently offered in Calallen can give an opportunity for more people to start a medical career.” All of these changes really modernize Corpus Christi. It is interesting to see what else will change and how people will like it. “Corpus Christi is really changing into a larger, major city,” sophomore Tommy Conroy said. “The changes over the summer alone are really developing it.”
Page 2 Section
Stallard Takes Reins New Choir Director Expects Exciting Challange Choir director, Dr.Joan Lee, has left Calallen to be closer to family. There were definitely mixed emotions when she informed her students of her choice. “I was very sad when I heard Dr.Lee was leaving,” sophomore choir student Amanda VanZandt said. “She was a great teacher, and taught me a lot. It will definitely be different without her there.” Some of the students were worried about having a new
director because Dr.Lee had become such a major part in these student’s lives. “I think it’s going to be something different for everyone,” choir president Whitney Taylor said. “But if we can all work together it will only make us stronger, and I think Ms.Stallard will be an excellent addition to our Choir family.” Dr.Lee’s replacement will be Ms. Jolene Stallard. “This is my first
year as a choir director and a teacher,” Jolene Stallard said. “I was a bank teller at frost bank before I became a teacher. The choir will be undergoing some changes this year, but there is one thing that will stay the same that might make the students a little happier. “We will still have Monday night rehearsals, because I know the students love them!” Ms.Stallard said.
Britton Simpson Reporter(‘13)
Although new to the choir program, Ms.Stallard is “ecstatic” about this upcoming year. “ I know the choir students are great and it’s an honor to be part of a wonderful program.” Stallard said. “We are going to take the Calallen Learning the Ropes. Past choir director choir program SKY Elizabeth Harvey goes over class plan- HIGH!” ning with new director Jolene Stallard. (Photo by Britton Simpson)
Tech Showdown Apple iPhone 4 vs. HTC Evo 4G Both the HTC Evo 4g, from Sprint, and the iPhone 4, from AT&T, are stellar new products on the market today. Both phones incorporate a new front facing camera optimized for video chatting, and boast extreme Internet speeds, while providing an easy and simplified interface. “Both are awesome phones,” freshman Jay Espinoza said. “I wish there was no decision.” Apple iPhone: “The iPhone 4 is fantastic, it can do anything anywhere,” sophomore Cameron McIntosh said. “With the front facing camera and the new FaceTime calling system, you can call any person with an iPhone 4 and actually have a face to face conversation with them.” The iPhone 4 is a spectacular phone; it has
great features but also has flaws. The iPhone has a smaller display then the Evo, but has a much better resolution screen,(960 x 640 of the iPhone vs. 800 x 480 of the Evo), providing an easier to see and use screen. The iPhone 4 has problems involving the new external antenna. At certain times the phone would just lose reception. Apple’s response? You’re holding wrong. In a recent statement released by apple, it was said that if you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band. Also, Apple changed the iPhone’s design from the beloved rounded pebble like body, to a more boxy and edgy external. “I don’t know if I’d want one,” junior Maddie
Reese Gallagher Reporter(‘12)
Matula said. “They’re a little cannot provide.” The Evo sports a too boxy for me” Evo 4g: massive 4.3 inch screen, along “The Evo is amazing,” with Sprint’s 4g network, and customizable appearance. “This is truly one of the best smart phones ever made,” Chris Zeigler, an Engadget reviewer said. The Evo runs on android 2.1 with sense which provides a lighting fast and glitch free operating system. It Cellphone Challenge. The HTC Evo 4G is on also features a neat the left with its competitor, Apple iphone on the kick stand on the right. rear of the phone to showcase the huge said junior David Knars screen and enable you to when asked about the Evo, easily watch videos with it. “It has a wider touch screen Although some people might than Apple’s iPhone, a better prefer it, the Evo’s, memory web browsing experience, is stored to a removable and live updates an iPhone mini SD memory card. The
phone comes equipped with an 8 GB memory card, the iPhone comes with 16 GB of memory, and is located inconveniently underneath the battery. However, the Evo does have the better of the two cameras. It has an 8 Megapixel camera on the front, and a 1.3 Megapixel front-facing camera. “It’s just the beginning really,” junior Will Walz said. “The Evo should set the standard for many phones to come.” Which is the better phone? Who’s to say, both devices have similar specs and features, and each one offers things the other doesn’t. Some people will prefer one over the other, but ultimately companies, HTC, and Apple, have worked to put the best phones possible on the market.and how people will like it.
Page 3 Sports
Spiking Up The Season Volleyball Girls Begin Journey To Success The 2010 volleyball season is finally upon us and the Lady Cats are starting to work their way to another district championship. “This year we have a really great team,” junior Katie Baker said. “We have all become really close and have a great game between us.”
With all the new changes this year, including new Coach Alicia Ostmeyer, our girls will have a very different year. “Our new coach has proven to all the girls that she knows a lot about the game, even though it’s her first year as a head coach,” junior Emily Sacky. “It helps that
Hands High. The volleyball Ladycat girls come together as a team.
she played the game so she knows where to help perfect our weaknesses.” Our girls are starting this season off as co-district champions with rival school Flour Bluff. However, with the changes in the district, our girls will have to learn many different teams playing styles to help secure their chance of victory. Spike It. Katie Baker sends the “Our schedule is ball smashing into the opponent. much harder this year due to the changes in our district,” Varsity team by playing for junior Mary Floyd said. club teams, working with “However, I feel that Coach other teammates during free Ostymeyer is going to lead time, or even hiring their us far, hopefully all the way own personal trainers. “I’m honored to to state.” even be put on Varsity with The Lady Cats have been working hard during these amazing players,” their whole off season to sophomore Harper Hans help ensure their spot on the said. “I feel I have definitely
Tyler Kirksmith Reporter(‘11)
stepped up my game to a new level. It should be a great season!” The Lady Cats start district play Friday September 10th against Alice at Alice at 5:30 PM where they will start their ride to a better ending of a season than last year’s 2nd round playoff loss. “”If we push ourselves to our full potential and strive to be the best we can be, we can have a very successful season,” senior Demi Holladay said. “I expect us to be a powerhouse team like we have been for the past couple of seasons.”“We
have many new players and we will be victorious.”
Road To Redemption Football Team Prepares For Season
With the start of the new school year brings us the start of another exciting season of high school football. The Cats have been working hard towards preparing for their very difficult schedule ahead of them this year. “I feel we are going to have a very successful season this year,” junior Jared Langley said. “I’m excited to get this year started so we can prove to our community that we are a better team than last year.” The Cats last two seasons have both ended in disappointing Area Finalist losses. This year’s team plans to have a much better finish. “On this team we
that we’ve played with each last year’s Junior Varsity team need to find a way to other.” step up and become leaders on this years varsity. “Varsity’s game is a much faster pace than games for Junior Varsity,” junior Nick Espinosa said. “You can’t make the same mistakes on Varsity that you can on Junior Varsity and hope to get away with it.” Even though the Finishing Strong: Seniors line up for pictures after their final day of high school football season is just now circuits. Photo By: Mary Catherine Underbrink (‘11) beginning, players have been working out hard With only 16 since last year’s season Avery Cortez said. “We have all become closer as a returning varsity players this ended in December. “We have really team throughout the years year, younger players from have a lot more chemistry than last years did,” junior
progressed this offseason, including myself,” junior Jake Brearton said. “We have done every thing we can to make us a stronger and more confident team.” The Cats open up the regular season hosting the Costal Bend Classic Thursday, August 26th, at Wildcat Stadium against Corpus Christi King at 7:30pm. “We have a very strong team this year,” senior Gabriel Longoria said. “If we take this season practice by practice, and game by game, we should have a very successful year.”
Page 4 Op/Ed
Five For Freshman First Week of School Tips Tip 1- You are going to school to learn, not talk back. Teachers are here to enhance your lives, not ruin them. “RESPECT your teachers,” senior Blake Geary said. “They can FAIL you.”
Tip 3- Do your work! Take it from me, it’s better to have it completed when it’s supposed to be rather than five minutes before it is due.
Alex Price Reporter(‘11)
th
d Wor
of
on M e th
Flibbertigibberty Silliness and/or being impulsive
A perfect definition to describe our beloved Mrs. Presley’s teaching style.
Tip 2- Grades! Although its easy to slack off, you will look back your senior year and be glad that you made good grades. In the long-run it only benefits you.
7
5
6
4 7 3
9
5
4
8
Tip 4- When it comes to passing periods, PASS, for everyone’s sake. It’s called “passing period for a reason.” So please do not sit and congest the hallways.
1
8 4
2
3
7 1
Tip 5- Have fun. You only have four years and they will fly by sooner than you think.
2
8 9
9
7 6
4
Jacob Reinhard Reporter(‘14) As the incoming class of ’14 makes the big switch from middle school to high school, there are many things on the minds of this year’s freshmen. Now, we can’t have these things scattered around their brains, so the obvious thing to do is to organize these thoughts into an acrostic.
F
ood- Sorry, it’s still the same.
R
estroom- You can go to the restroom more than ten times a six weeks in high school because there are no school planners here. “Well, you can only control your bladder so much before going to the restroom is unavoidable,” says Michelle Alvarez (’14), “Unlimited restroom breaks seem convenient.”
Extra curricular-
There are many clubs to join at CHS. “I think the clubs are a good addition to our school because they create diversity and everyone will be able to find something he or she likes and wants to do,” says Carlos Trevino (’14).
Sports- There’s
a larger variety of sports this year, so more people can find a sport they like.
H
M
omeworkusic- We “The counselors told can listen to our us that every pre-AP mp3 players before class would have an classes start. hour of homework,” says Holly Raiborn (’14), “Either that’s a load of dog dirt or I’m going to have to cut out sleeping and eating from my schedule just to make time for it.”
Attire- We
can finally express ourselves through free dress. “It’s pretty wonderful!” says Layton Hart (’14)
N
ordic Skiing- Wait, What? How’d that get in there? There’s no snow skiing in south Texas.