State graduation requirements change

New cell phone laws aim to keep kids safe

2305 E. Main, League City, TX 77573September 2009- Issue 1

Clear Creek High School

Photo by Wynette Jameson

Allie Hinga

With the increased graduation require-ments put in place since Texas’ four by four plan, as well as Clear Creek In-dependent School District’s move to a uniform seven period schedule, stu-

dents have been ex-periencing increasing

limita- tions on the number of elective credits they can take dur-ing high school. For many stu-

dents, however, this restraint may decrease since the

state revised graduation requirements with the passage of House Bill (HB) 3 this summer. The new law allows additional flexibil-ity in elective class-es for those under the Recommended High School Plan.On June 25, 2009, school districts across the state were informed by the Texas Edu-cation Agency (TEA) that the 81st legisla-ture had made changes to the

state graduation requirements that would go into effect immediately, starting on September 1, instead of being phased in with the next incoming class of fresh-men, as is the traditional procedure. This allows all students currently enrolled in high school to benefit from HB 3.

The new law affects students on both the Recommended and Minimum High School Plans. Students on the Minimum Plan are now required to take one year of fine arts elective, and some students may satisfy their English IV credit with an-other related course if they meet specific criteria. Also, to qualify to graduate on the Minimum plan, students must be at least 16 years old, have completed two cred-its in each core subject, or have failed to be promoted to 10th grade at least once.

Students on the Recommended High School Plan (RHSP) receive additional space for elective credits under HB 3 by eliminating the requirement of both a tech-nology applications and health credit and reducing the number of required Physi-cal Education credits from one and a half credits to one credit. This will give stu-dents graduating on the RHSP six elective credits instead of three and a half. At this time, the Distinguished Achievement Pro-gram (DAP) was not affected by HB 3.

Each school reserves the right to decide whether the new law will be implemented in its district.

In response to the new law, both CCISD and Clear Creek High School have encour-aged students to keep the schedules they selected last February for the 2009-2010 school year. Since the district built its staff

for the year based on students’ course selec-tions last school year, district officials say it would be difficult to accommodate schedule changes for all students affected by HB 3.

“We don’t have the flexibility to just dump classes left and right,” Creek’s head counselor Ms. Ponce said.

Also, some colleges still require cer-tain courses no longer needed under the new law, such as technology applications. The district says that the courses students took prior to HB 3 will still count to-wards credit requirements for graduation.

Although many students may not be able to change their schedules, the HB 3 will help some students get back on track for graduation. Counselors will be working with some students to see if HB 3 may help those who do not have enough credits to graduate by eliminating those classes no longer required by law from their schedules.

Since many students will retain their original schedules, however, the full effects of the law will not be felt for some time.

“Students will enjoy the full ben-efits of House Bill 3 next February when they go through course selections,”Ponce said. “Those on the Recommended Plan will have the option to select electives of their choice if they do not want a tech-nology, health, or additional P.E. credit.”

Though this year may not yet bring significant changes for student sched-uling in CCISD, in the future options will be available to students to balance both academics and elective courses.

Jordan Little

As of September 1, Texas driv-ers will have to be more careful about where they use their cell phones.

As of the first, no driver will be able to use a cell phone while driving through a school zone, unless he or she uses a wireless device or the car is stopped.

Violators of the law can be fined up to $200. One exception to the law is if the driv-er uses a cell phone to call the police, fire department, or emergency medical services.

Some may be shocked to find that eighty percent of traffic deaths happen at speeds under 40 miles per hour, like the typical 25 mph speed in a school zone, and happen within 25 miles of home.

Drivers in the U.S. who aren’t pay-ing attention cause 1.5 million crashes each year, 4,000 per day. In the two sec-onds it takes for a driver to dial their cell phone, the car, traveling at 60 mph, has moved 176 feet, or half the length of a football field accordig to www.txdot.gov.

Another law that will go into effect Sep-tember 1 will make it illegal for anyone un-der the age of 18 to use their cell phone while driving. Drivers who receive their license on that day or after must abide by the law.

“It’s unsafe to text while you’re driv-ing. I watched a video on Facebook called Texting While Driving. It was so intense and I never want to text and drive

again,” senior Lindsey Carelock said.National teen driving statistics may

be one cause of the restrictions of cell phone use while driving. According to www.txdot.gov, in the year 2002, of a to-tal of 8,984 deaths in teen driver related accidents, 3,723 of those deaths were young drivers aging from 16-20 years old.

Car crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths and teens have a higher chance of be-ing involved in a car crash than any other age group. Drivers between the ages of 16-19 have a fatality rate four times the rate of 25 to 69-year-old driv-ers or older drivers with more years of experience (www.txdot.gov). Add use of a cell phone while driving to the sta-tistics and the risks are even higher.

A study of the current population trends shows that next year there will be 23 percent more 16- to 20–year-old drivers than today’s total of 26.1 million.

Sixteen year olds, the newest group to driving, will experience a popula-tion increase by 0.5 million by the end of this year. Their crash rate is three times more than 17-year-olds and 5 times greater than that of 18-year-olds.

The new laws passed by Texas leg-islature are relative to attempts made by the National Safety Council, or NSC.

Last January, the NSC became the first national organization to propose a ban on cell phone use while driving. The council not only works to prevent inju-ries and deaths on the road, but also at work, at homes, and in communities.

With the new laws in place, drivers must turn their cell phones off while driving.

Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk

Creek FootballPg 15

New StaffPg 6

HomecomingPg 7

OpiniOn2 OpiniOn2What are you most looking forward to

Welcome Back, Creek!

this school year?

FRESHMEN

“I’m excited to not be a freshman anymore!” -Andrea Lopez

“I can’t wait for the soccer season!” -Will Shivers

“I’m looking forward to concert season for band.” -Justin Lenfest

“I’m excited about helping make the yearbook this year.” -Kyndall Hadley

“I’m looking forward to summer already!” -Stephen Binion

SOPHOMORES

“I’m excited about all my classes, this year, homecoming, and meeting new people.” -Kaela Janszen “I am looking forward to making new friends.” -Edith Vasquez “The thing I’m looking forward to most would have to be Pop Show for Choir.” -Anna Barlow “I’m looking forward to Fusion and dance class.” -Ann Diab “I am looking forward to the new, challenging classes that I have to take.” -Marie Stephensen “I want to make sure I pass all of my classes.” -Alex Edwards “I can’t wait for Christmas time already!” -Jessica Sanchez “I’m almost a senior!” -Casey Hodgson

JUNIORS

SENIORS

Clear Creek High School2009-2010 HiLife Staff

Principal: Scott Bockart

Advisor: Wynette Jameson

Executive Editor: Jan O’Neil

Editor-in-Chief: Allie Hinga

Managing Editor: Chelsea Huebner

Graphics Editor: Ryan Munthe

News Editor: Jordan Little

Assistant News Editor: Amber Arnold

Around Creek Editor: Christine Sulkis

Features Editor: Shannon O’Neil

Creek Speaks Editor: Jacob Mancini

Teen Interest Editor: Kaitlyn Blake

Sports Editor: Christen Valcoviak

Centerspread Editors: Will Sheffield

Ellen Gaudet

Advertising Manager: Jordan Little

Photo Editors: Kaitlyn Boryk

Assistant Photo Editor: Katlin Foote

Photographer: Shauna Fererro-Donahue

Reporters: Jacob Arredondo Reanna Bain

Kaitlyn Casey Tabitha Dirrim Emily Dismukes

Ashley Farmer Derek Gay Katherine Gughiocello

Mary Veedell Meghan Mistry

Email us at: Creekhilife@yahoo.com

Visit us at: http://www.clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com

For ad rates call: (281) 284-1889 Fax: (281) 284-1705

“Relaxation that comes with senioritis.” -Scott Wahl

“The thing I’m looking forward to most is going to the foot-ball games.” -Ernie Artiz

“I know school has just started, but I’m already looking forward to graduation!” -Molly Yates

“I’m already set to get it over with!” -Meghan Caputo

“I’m looking forward to graduating high school and moving on to college.” -Meagan Bridges

“I am looking forward to softball season.” -Madeline Gaffney

“I can’t wait for an awesome year of StuCo and Young Life!” -Marissa Trevino

“I’m excited for Christmas Break!” -Sydney Clements

“I’m looking forward to district championship for football.” -Regan Adams

“I want to be able to know this school better and make some friends.” -Hugo Martinez

“I’m looking forward to golf team and meeting new people.” -Anna Hamilton

“I’m excited about finally being in high school!” -Madison Wright

EditOrial 3Allie’s Abstractions“Let your past be a part of you, but don’t let it define you”

Guest Editorial: Chelsea Huebner“Embrace diversity and make a difference this year”

Allie Hinga

September 11 is probably one of the most somber days on our national calendar, a time when the American people pause to remember those who lost their lives in one of the worst attacks on the nation in recent history and those who gave their lives try-ing to save others. To borrow the quote from FDR, it’s “a date which will live in infamy.”

Homecoming, on the other hand, is one of the most outspoken days of teenage rev-elry during the school year. It’s a day of fun, a day to show off our marginal school spirit, a day to worry less about work and our ev-eryday stresses as students and more about who has the best mum and who can get the highest score at the Rock Band booth.

What then, do these two seemingly very different days have in common?

I assume that by now most of us know

that the annual Homecoming game will take place on September 11 this year. When I first learned this, I was actually quite shocked for a few reasons. It seemed to me that school would barely have started, that we would barely be back into a working mindset, when all of a sudden we would have to figure out what kind of mum to buy or how to set up a booth for a club, not to mention that the newspaper has to come out before that date, leaving us with little time to produce a massive collaborative effort.

But aside from some of my more selfish motivations, I felt that the ac-tual date of the game would probably be the bigger issue for most people. My other thought was that setting one of the school’s more celebratory traditions on so sacred a day seemed more than a little irreverent. In an age when it seems like so many people aren’t connected to their nation’s history, I began to wonder if this would just encourage us to let what hap-pened on September 11 fall to the wayside.

It wasn’t long after this that I gained an interesting piece of insight from my teacher, Ms. Othon. During one of my not so infrequent rants about my perceived in-justices of the world, which happened to be about the date of Homecoming on this occasion, she gave me her point of view on the issue. Basically, she told me that

September 11 is most definitely a day that belongs to our nation, a day to remember those who gave their lives, but we can’t let the date own us as a people and as a school.

The more I thought about it, the more I came to agree. In no way should this country forget what happened eight years ago. To do so would be to dishonor those who died and our country’s history it-self. Its something we need to remember.

But out of tragedy can come hope, and from that, a new future. If we allow Sep-tember 11 to define us, to bind us, and re-fuse to let it push us to become a stronger, better nation, then, in a sense, we let those who attacked us win. The best way to honor those who lost their lives is not to hide from the coming future, but to embrace it and allow what happened to make us stronger.

We face this kind of choice, not just on September 11, but every day. We have all had our own personal set of hardships, the ghosts in our past that constantly re-mind us of things we would rather forget. I have some of my own, and every day I am faced with the decision of whether or not I let what has happened to me in the past dominate who I am now. I can choose to live in fear tinged with self-pity and regret, letting my past hang rule my thoughts and control my decisions, or I can give the misfortune in my life pur-

pose by opting to allow it to be a vehicle for positive change. Instead of living my life caught in the past, I can use my past to help me grow as a person so I won’t have to go through the same heartache twice, and can help those who are struggling.

It’s certainly not the easy choice, but in the end, it’s the best way to honor my past, who I am today, and who I will be-come. And when it comes to respecting those who have lost their lives, perhaps the best thing to do for them is to allow their memory to carry us on the road to recov-ery and make us better people. If we do this, then their sacrifice was not in vain.

So when homecoming rolls around this year and we wonder whether we should be excited or serious, maybe we can do both. We can remember and respect Sep-tember 11, 2001 and those who were af-fected by it, but we can do so by refus-ing to let it hold us back from our lives, even if that means engaging in a little bit of homecoming frivolity. As long as we don’t forget what happened on that day and what it means for this country, we can be okay with having homecoming on a hal-lowed day. As long as we don’t forget, we can let the past make us better people, if we will only make the decision to let it.

Senior year. It’s supposedly all about having a good time, making memories, and really learning about yourself so that you will be able to decide what you want to do with your life. While I feel that all of those are ingredients in the recipe to make a great senior year, I learned over the summer that there are a lot more ingredients to this recipe.

Last year I was invited to attend the Elite 100 Leadership Conference at UT Austin that was put on by UIL. I wasn’t very excited to go spend a weekend at what I thought would be just like school during the summer, where I was getting no credit and no grades. I was not looking forward to getting up at six in the morning to put on matching shirts with 99 other kids and go sit in a lecture hall and listen to some-one talk. I considered not going but then decided that it was an honor to be chosen to attend this conference. While I was there I did get up six, put on the matching shirt, and

went to the lectures. However, I enjoyed every minute of it because I met some re-ally amazing people and learned a lot about myself and how I want to live my life.

I learned something different from every person I met. For example, Joshua taught me that even if you have made mistakes in your life and you are going through hard times, you can still have hope and accom-plish anything you want. Jacob taught me that it’s ok to loosen up and have a good time. He taught me that bus rides with no air conditioning and picking up trash in hundred-degree weather can be fun. Kath-leen, who was almost the total opposite of me, taught me that appearances matter but they aren’t everything. Daniel, who was extremely shy, showed me that I will miss out on so much if I continue to live my live as I have been for the past seventeen years. My roommate, who didn’t talk to me the whole time I was there despite my repeated attempts and the fact that we had to sleep in the same room, taught me that even though you may not mean to come off as rude, it can happen and that you can’t be afraid of talking to someone just because they are different from you. These are the people that made the most impact on me while I was there. We became good friends in such a short amount of time despite our differ-ences in race, interests, and experiences.

When the conference was over, in just three short days I had learned a lot. I had learned what it meant to give back. I had learned how much people appreciate any small favor you do for them. I had learned

to line dance and two step. I had learned to let go and look past the negative things and focus on the positive. I had learned what it was like to put myself out there where I knew no one and walk away with almost a hundred new friends. Some of which I became very close with and still talk to on a regular basis. The first day I was there, I called my mom and told her that I couldn’t wait to go home. On the last morning when we were watching the video of the weekend I was sad. I was sad to be leav-ing all of my new friends that I had grown so close to in only a short period of time.

The workshops that I attended while I was there made me think about our school and how all of us at Creek relate to the big-ger picture. At Creek we are a very large and diverse group of students and teachers which makes school much like the “real world.” I found that this is an opportunity that we should take advantage of because not everyone has this opportunity. At the conference I met kids who attended schools that were grades kindergarten through twelfth grade and there weren’t even a hundred students enrolled. In our commu-nity as well as those surrounding us we are used to diversity, and we have started to overlook it rather than use it to accomplish something. That’s what I’m looking to do my senior year. That’s what we should all look to do every year. At Creek that isn’t very hard thanks to all of the organizations such as the HiLife and everything we look to do such as the annual Mix It Up Day. There are also clubs such as Best Buddies

Chelsea Huebner

and the Habitat for Humanity Club. Clear Creek High School makes it very easy to give back to our community and make a difference. All we have to do is utilize what is handed to us on a silver platter.

Just like you can’t make good cook-ies without the sugar and flour, you can’t have a great senior year, or school year, without adding the make-a-difference at-titude, the taking-advantage-of-every-opportunity stand, and many other ingre-dients. These are essential to the recipe of a senior year that one can be proud to look back on. It will be filled with good memories, triumphs, accomplishments, and new friendships. I figure that if I try to have a whole year like the weekend I had in Austin, I can make a difference as well as encouraging others to do the same.

In one of the workshops we had to promise ourselves and the people in the class that we would go back to school and “be leaders” and try to teach others what we learned. I don’t break promises so this is my first step in making a differ-ence, spreading the word. Plus, to be even more optimistic, I will have a lot more fun.

It took me seventeen years to realize what I needed to do in order to have a year like the one I plan to have. But why wait until your senior year like I did? Don’t waste time because every minute of every day is valu-able and in one minute you can change a life whether it be your own or someone else’s.

nEws4 nEws4Parent Self Serve replaces K12 Planet Amber Arnold

Clear Creek educators think they have found a better way for parents and students to keep up with their kids at school. Parent Self Serve, provides access for parents to view students’ grades through a CCISD secure website: http://teams.ccisd.net/selfserve/parent. The online tool is replacing K12 Planet, and the anticipated launch date is September 28, 2009. On that day only students’ grades will be available. “I think that the new system will be easier for teachers and i t will be one less thing that teachers will have to remember,” Mrs. Pereira said. When students came before school to pick up their registration cards for their parents to sign, there was a Parent Self Serve access box. If the box was checked yes, and the person listed as the student’s primary contact included an email, birth date and signd it, a username

and password for the new system will be provided. Parents of new students must go

to the school and present an I D to obtain access to

the website. The username is the

parent’s email address, and the password is the

parent’s birth date. The first time parents log into

Parents Self Serve, they should change their password from

the original o n e

p r o v i d e d . Passwords must be changed between O c t o b e r 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009 or the account will be locked. If the account becomes locked, parents will have to go through the whole process again. For some teachers, this new system is going to be easy but for others it will take some time to learn all of the new features.

“I think that it will take the teachers some time to get use to the new system,” said Mrs. Wright In the past, teachers had to record students’ grades into their computer and the technology department then had to upload that export to the website for parents to see them. By the time students saw a zero for an assignment, it was often too late to try recieve even partial credit. This year, teachers, parents and students in elementary school through high school will be plugged into

the district e4 website using Blackboard. When the teacher enters a grade, students will be able to see it immediately. When a teacher posts an assignment or syllabus or project rubric, students will be able to view it immediately. Many CCISD high

school teachers have been providing this information on Blackboard for a while now, but only students have had access. Now, parents will have access to these things as well. In addition, this year parents will be able to see their younger child’s information from elementary school teachers. “I think that the teachers will like the new Parent Self Serve better then K12 Planet because there is no special software and the new system is very user friendly,” Mrs. Pavish, curriculum

technology specialist, said. Students and parents will also be able to keep

emergency contact info rmation updated online, and they will be able to add money to their child’s lunch

account. Eventually, parents will be able to see their child’s discipline and

attendance record. The district believes Parent Self Serve will be a much easier way for teachers to enter grades and for parents to see student progress.

High school at night Kaitlin Casey

In CCISD students are having trouble earning all the credits needed to graduate high school. The state of Texas now requires student sto take four years of math, science, English, and social studies

CCISD is now offering night school. “Clear Stars” is a unique program which gives high school students the opportunity to earn credits t o w a r d s g r a d u a t i o n by attending evening classes. S t u d e n t s wanting to get some credits out of the way may find the flexible schedule appealing. The night school is another alternative to attending regular summer school. C l e a r Stars meets only twice a week. The classes meet on Mondays and We d n e s d a y s or Tuesdays and Thursdays. The classes start at 6pm and end at 8:45pm. They take place at the Clear View Education Center on South Walnut in Webster, Texas. Approval from a student counselor or school principal is required before signing up. The tuition for Clear Creek students is $150 per class and $250 for non-Creek students. Students passing the class and meeting attendance expectations are given a $25 rebate on completion. Late registration for the class after the session starts is available, however, absenses will

accrue beginning the first day of class. Clear Stars offers four sessions throughout the calendar year. The fall session is from September 8 through November 20. The winter session starts December 7 through March 4. The spring session is from March 8 through May 20. The summer session is from May 24 through August 5. Students can also take a TAKS

prep course. This course will give specific i n s t r u c t i o n for passing or increasing a student’s chances of success on the exam. The full tuition is refunded to CCISD students upon passing the class and reaching all a t t e n d a n c e requirements. GED prep courses are also offered to CCISD and non-CCISD students. Night school is a new opportunity but not everyone will take advantage of it. “I would not go

to night school because I do not have enough time in my day,” Brittany Dawson said. “No, the night school is not for me because I like to hang out with my friends at night, and I have more energy in the morning,” Rachel Lietz said. Check out the CCISD website for more information about the Clear Stars Evening Education Program.

Photo by: k12planet.com

Swine flu precautions Katie Gughiocello

As cases of the swine flu virus develop, MSNBC claims that by the end of the pandemic virus, two billion people will have been infected. Many people are not aware that the virus is still a problem, but now there are more cases than when the first sign of the virus occurred.

“I’m not really taking any precautions because I didn’t know it was still happening,” sophomore Sadie Payne said.

After the media coverage started to die down about the swine flu, people stopped worrying about it and began to think that the virus was under control.

The United States has bought over one billion dollars worth of vaccines, but it is trying to save it for the y o u n g , old and women who are pregnant. There are many precautions one is advised to take to avoid i n f e c t i o n . C u r r e n t l y , officials say the swine flu is not any more dangerous than the seasonal flu so the precautions are about the same.

“ I think the p r e c a u t i o n s make students more aware to wash their hands and cover their coughs,” Pam Alford said

O n e precaution that can be taken is students staying home if they feel sick for 24 hours after the fever ends. Another precaution that is to wash one’s hands often each day with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap

and water are not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer can also be used if hands are not visibly dirty.

For more precaution, wearing a facemask will help decrease the spread of the virus. Facemasks help an infected person from spreading the flu and helps those trying not to catch the flu. This is because one breathes in fewer bacteria with the mask.

When at home wipe down surfaces often. Solutions of Lysol, Clorox, or Mr. Clean products work well. Practice good health habits: adequate sleep, eating healthy food, and keeping physically active.

Other precautions suggest people cover their mouths or noses with a

tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue right after using it. If tissues are not available, coughing or sneezing into your a sleeve is better

than touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Avoid close contact with people who seem ill and who

have a fever and cough.

If someone is infected in a home, isolation in a section of the house

is preferable. If it’s not possible, keeping

them at a distance of 6 feet from others is

recommended. It is also a good idea to use doors and windows to take

advantage of the breeze. After being in contact with an ill person, be sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Clear Stars will allow students to earn credits outside of school hours.Photo courtesy of CCISD.

Cheyenne Henson takes precaution against H1N1.Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk

HOmEcOming 5

crEEk spEaks6 crEEk spEaks6Each new school year at Creek, students

and teachers alike experience many changes: new classes, new schedules, and new students. This year, the school welcomed its freshman class of 2013, and to help its new students transition from middle to high school, Clear Creek High School hosted its annual “Fish Camp” on August 10. The day gave students a chance to get acquainted with the campus as well as learn a little bit more about what it is like to be in high school.

At eight o’ clock that morning, Creek’s newest students arrived at Butler Gymnasium to be greeted by members of PALs and Link Crew. The band’s drum line also stood at the entrance performing to help get students excited. From there, students were ushered into the gym to meet up with their groups for the day, which were divided by last name.

Once everyone had arrived and gotten comfortable, various school groups got a chance to perform for the freshmen and showcase some of the talent that Creek has to offer. The JROTC presented the national and state flags accompanied by the choir’s

singing of the National Anthem, and then the JROTC got a chance to perform on its own.

Next, the students were introduced to the school assistant principals and their secretaries and then some of Creek’s newest students got a chance to show off to the school when the freshmen cheerleaders performed a routine. This was followed by a brief dance by the Cavalier officers and a skit by the drama department that introduced the freshmen to some of the campus rules about issues like cell phones, tardies, and food in the classroom.

Next, students divided up, with half staying in the gym to play large group games, while the other half divided up into small groups according to each student’s last name. In small groups, students played games, got “high school survival” tips, and discussed

Freshmen dive into Creek at Fish Camp 2009Allie Hinga their summers. Then students in small

groups got a tour of the school, which took them by all of the main buildings and the locations of areas like the library and

cafeteria. Later, these s t u d e n t s would get a chance to participate in large g r o u p g a m e s w h i l e the other s t u d e n t s broke up into small g r o u p s and toured the school.

The new f r e s h m e n

also received t h e i r

tentative schedules, IDs, textbooks and lockers and got a chance to look at booths set up by some of Creek’s extracurricular organizations, like DECA and Robonauts.

A number of the students who attended Fish Camp said that the experience was helpful in introducing them to their new school.

“I was kind of nervous because I was leaving all of my old friends behind, so [Fish Camp] reassured me that some of my old friends were there so we could probably meet up again,” ninth grader Erin Hinga said.

The event was put on by the PALs and Link crew, who tried to help the new students get excited about high school by leading small groups, helping with large group games, and being available to answer questions.

“I remember when I was a freshman at Fish Camp and it was really cool that I got to help work it my senior year,” senior and PALs member Lindsey Carelock said.

With the beginning of the school year already underway, the new freshman class has had to quickly adjust to its new environment. Between both Fish Camp and getting the chance to finally be a part of high school, they are preparing to take on these next four years as well as possible.

“I think it will be a new experience of meeting new people that I will be in contact with the rest of my life,” freshman Stephanie Ding said.

For many students, walking through the doors of Creek is something they are very familiar with. Some are going into their second, third, and fourth years here, meaning they are pretty comfortable with where they are going.

The new school year, however, has brought many new faces to the halls, the classrooms, and the offices of Creek. With all the hustle and bustle of everyday class life, it’s easy to forget about those working “behind-the scenes”.

This year, there are two new registrars, Ms. Tommie Barnett and Mrs. Erin Brooks. After making it through the first few hectic days of registration, they were able to fall into a fairly normal daily schedule, enrolling between 120 and 180 students a day.

“Creek is the best place on Earth!” Mrs. Brooks said, even after enrolling 140 students in one day.

They remain busy, working anywhere from 50-70 hours per week. They accomplish everything from calculating, evaluating, and managing transcripts to managing every student’s permanent file. Despite full days of hard work, they are still thrilled to be part of the team here at Creek. They have even earned the nickname of the “dream team” from their highly appreciative boss, Mrs. Ponce, for their hard work and efficiency.

Also new on campus this year is Mrs. Marty Humphries, the Assistant Principal in charge of the Communications, Law, and Social Services Smaller Learning Community. She has received an excellent reaction from many of the students, teachers,

and fellow administrators here at Creek.“She seems laid back, comfortable, and

understanding. The biggest impression she left on me was that she was here for the kids. Her goal is making sure kids get what they need out of education,” Mrs.

Spinks said after a morning meeting with her and other staff members.

Mrs. Humphries has been working in education for the

past 22 years. She says that it is important to grow and get better at everything she does and that is why she wanted to move up from her previous,

more traditional assistant principal position

at Pasadena High School, where she spent most of her time behind a desk in an office, to an assistant principal position here at Creek where she is able to enjoy the interaction

she has with the students in the Smaller Learning

C o m m u n i t i e s . She spends her days visiting c l a s s r o o m s ,

working with administration to provide services to teachers and students, while trying to overcome her greatest personal challenge, the maze also referred to as the Clear Creek High School Campus.

“My ultimate goal is to provide teachers the tools they need to implement good, sound, quality instruction.” Mrs. Humphries said.

She wants the students of Clear Creek High School to know that she, and other principals, teachers, and staff, are here because they care about the kids. These administrators do not just want to address students’ problems, but they also want to celebrate their success. With such dedicated staff and administration, the students here at Clear Creek High School have a bright year and a successful future ahead of them.

New workers at CreekAshley Farmer

When is the creation of Space Station technology and high school machine shop classes combined? Constructing training hardware for use in outer space can be extremely expensive. Manufacturing things you come into contact with everyday, lockers for instance, must be specially designed and assembled with fanatical precision for every detail. Traditional space cargo lockers for NASA astronauts to train with can cost $10,000 to create—per locker. And that is when NASA decided to extend their scope of space hardware engineering and reach into high schools with an experience that would rock student’s worlds.

A NASA engineer Stacy Hale envisioned a revolutionary connection between NASA and local high schools to create needed space hardware for the International Space Station. She asked Creek if machine shop students would be interested. The high school kids would be educated in high-level engineering and NASA would benefit from the extra hardware being manufactured. In the fall of 2003 the ideas sparked and the HUNCH program was officially born in Clear Creek High School. HUNCH stands for High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware; their name describes their mission clearly. Being taught by NASA engineers, Jacobs Engineering, and Clear Creek High School teachers Bill Gibbs Robin Meritt, students in HUNCH are discovering the intricacies of creating fine-tuned space training equipment. HUNCH was rolling—the first high school in NASA’s history to construct training equipment for the Space Station. Steve Rogers, a NASA engineer told CCISD, “These high school students are doing what engineers with 25 to 30 year experience are doing at NASA.”

On May 11, 2004, Creek’s HUNCH Program proved its competence and presented NASA with an incredible accomplishment—thirty multi-use cargo lockers, fully space-proof. They did it with elbow grease, training, tons of calculating, and an unwavering focus to keep them on track. Space Station Program Manager Bill Gerstenmaier accepted the homemade

lockers at Creek during a special event. But the HUNCH Program did not shut

down there. Instead they kept driving forward, and they are still assembling NASA hardware now. Now high schools in Colorado, Wyoming, and Alabama are supporting HUNCH. Some of HUNCH’s engineering feats include constructing the thirty storage lockers, a dormitory refrigerator, a freezer, and three first-aid kits. Just the first-aid kits were valued at $80,000 each and they were the sizes of the vending machines in the cafeteria. Net saving for taxpayers was brimming over at $1,000,000.

The current HUNCH job is creating a dining table for the ISS wardroom. Creek’s shop students are experimenting with fabricating the table with wax molds and flight-tolerant sheet metal, and one innovative aspect of its design is the crumb-catcher. In the center of the table will be the crumb-catcher—a suction device intended to collect every hovering crumb that could be dispatched while opening a package of crackers in space. Last year, to confirm that the crumb-catcher would operate correctly, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Richards, and three Creek HUNCH students, Alex Sweet, Ryan Cappel, and Austin Tim took a trip on one of NASA’s zero-gravity planes to test it. The table’s design is now NASA approved, and Bill Gibbs says the table should be usable in the International Space Station with dehydrated macaroni and cheese and fruit punch on top by 2010.

During the past two summers NASA has used Creek’s machine shop for their summer interning program. Last summer Josh Arnett and Arron Mettley were hired as summer interns by NASA to build the wardroom table. They realized while they spend time with NASA engineers just how flight-qualified the table will need to be. When the wardroom table is finished in 2010 Creek will be the first high school in the history of NASA to construct actual flight hardware for the ISS. The things these HUNCH Creek students have done has been so well received that Creek is under contract to build a second piece of flight equipment soon.

NASA has a HUNCHJacob Mancini

Freshmen welcomed to fish campPhoto by Kaitlyn Boryk

Ms. Marty HumphriesPhoto by Wynette Jameson

ads 7

arOund crEEk10Coach running for House of RepresentativesChristine Sulkis

Jeff Cherry, a teacher, former coach, and sponsor of the Academic Decathlon team, will be running for a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives for the Texas 14th Congressional District in 2010. He will be representing this area in Congress if elected. Cherry and his campaign team are currently undecided as to whether he will be running as a Republican or an Independent. If Cherry chooses to run as a Republican, he will be on the Primary ballot in March 2010; however, if he chooses to run as an Independent, he will run in the general election in November 2010. His campaign is focused on three areas: education, economy, and security. “We have a great public school system in America,” Cherry said, “but we must look for ways to provide for every young person as they face and ever-increasing competitive market.” Cherry plans to devise a system that will address every kind of student. “The world continues to evolve and we can lead the way,” Cherry said. In terms of economy, Cherry would like to provide job growth in areas that are taking advantage of the energy industry. He would also like to see an increase of nuclear and renewable energy, while continuing to support both the oil and the gas industry.

Boys volleyball teamDerek Gay

Cherry strongly supports our intelligence, military, and diplomatic departments, and plans to insist on a policy that will support all mechanisms necessary to keep Americans safe. “We must remain vigilant to the threats that we face at home and abroad,” Cherry said. Ultimately, C h e r r y ’s goal is to return to common s e n s e values that a r e focused on people as opposed t o

philosophy, and on issues as opposed to party politics. “Though Ron Paul is a powerful political layer, he is increasingly disengaged from the needs of his constituents. I am hearing on a regular basis h o w important it is today to return government to the people and wrestle it away from career politicians,” Cherry said. Over the past 11 years, Cherry has traveled to over 20 countries. He is also an active member of the World Affairs Council of Houston. In addition to his travels, Cherry has led many educational tours to Europe with current and former students. He has also met with many U.S. and world political leaders. These experiences have given him a better understanding of the world, which is another key focus of his campaign. “I absolutely believe that my many experiences have prepared me for the challenge of representing

Coach Cherry, a teacher at Creek, is running for the House of Representatives.Photo by Shauna Ferrero.

and fighting for the citizens of the 14th Congressional District.” Cherry has been giving serious thought to running for a couple of years now, but had not planned on running until he retired i n a few years. However, after

the 2008 Presidential election, he decided to run sooner, rather than later, due to many of the issues that came

up during Presidential debates and campaigns. He officially

announced his candidacy in May 2009. If Cherry is elected, he will go to Washington in January 2011. He will either have to take a leave of absence from teaching or enter early retirement. Due to the beginning of a new school year, Cherry is not planning any campaign events at the moment. He has already had several promotional events in the previous months. Cherry has received support from many people, including family and colleagues. “I have talked to many people in the

political world, former students, and friends all played a big role in my decision to run. However, my family’s support was the key to making my decision to officially enter the race.”

Creek has a new club this year. The guy’s volleyball program has returned. Tryouts

It’s time to get fired up to support the Clear Creek Wildcats. Of course, no one could do that without a week of showing true school spirit. Homecoming week will kick off Tuesday, September 8, with “Tree Hugger Tuesday,” on which students can borrow their parent’s favorite old outfits and dress like a hippie. That night, they will also be able to attend the Candlelight Pep Rally at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium starting at 7:00 pm. Then, on “Save the World Wednesday,” students are encouraged to dress like an idolized super hero. Starting Wednesday, students will be able to vote for Homecoming queen during their lunch period. On “Turn around Thursday,” Creek students will be able to surprise their friends and dress opposite than they normally would. Those who did not cast their vote for Homecoming queen on Wednesday will have another chance to do so during their lunch period. Prepare for the big day and “Freak Out with Your Creek Out” on Friday by wearing a maroon shirt to support the Wildcats. The Homecoming carnival will take place during all three lunches, starting at 10:24 am. Lunches will be extended on Friday to give students extra time to enjoy the carnival.

“There’s all the food, sugar, and activities you could imagine, so be ready to have a good time,” Meredith Harris, the sponsor PALS, said. During the carnival, students will be able to visit a number of booths sponsored by Creek organizations, one of which will be a moonwalk sponsored by the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Students will also have a chance to listen to music performed by local Creek bands. Students can show off their moves at the Japanese Anime club’s booth and play Dance Dance Revolution, and test their aim at the PALS’ water balloon toss. Those interested in going to the dance Saturday night can stop by the JROTC booth to buy their tickets. “PALS is helping run and set up all of the events of the carnival, and the carnival is going to be a lot of fun and you should definitely be a part of it,” said Amanda De La Garza. On Friday, students can buy tickets for the carnival (each ticket will cost one dollar), the dance, and the Homecoming game. During the carnival, each ticket will be worth a dollar in value at each booth, and each ticket students spend will raise a dollar for the club that receives the ticket.

Carnival highlightshave been going on for those men who aren’t afraid to hit the ball and the floor. The idea to reinvent the program was made in conjunction with the girls’ volleyball coach Scott Simonds and his former high school coach, Sean Carter. “We really wanted to get a team going because we know that if we started one then we could find enough guys to play,” Simonds said. The last time Creek had a guys’ team was in 2003; however, Creek has been known for men’s volleyball throughout the 90s. Simonds and recent Olympic gold medalist

Riley Salmon, who was awarded the key to the city last fall at a Creek

home football game, played for Creek Boys Volleyball.

Now, in 2009, the boys are back again and will be facing teams from Lake, Springs, Episcopal, St. Johns, and Kincaid. “I love the sport and want everyone to have a chance to

play,” said Simonds.

Reanna Bain

Photo: Kaitlin Foote

FEaturEs 11FEaturEs

Michael Vick, the new second-string quarterback for The Philadelphia Eagles, is starting his seventh season in the NFL after taking a short break for his criminal acts that he was convicted of in 2007. Vick used to be the Atlanta Falcon’s quarter back until he was found guilty of sponsoring and participating in dogfighting.

According to sportingnews.com and the Associated Press, Vick and three others began a dog fighting business at one of Vick’s properties in Virginia at the beginning of 2001. The business was named “Bad Newz Kennels”. When the alleged incident was first brought up in court in July of 2007 all the members involved, Quanis Phillips, Tony Taylor, and Purnell Peace, all pleaded not guilty to charges of dog fighting, fighting from state to state, and training dogs for fighting. However, problems soon occurred when one member, Taylor, changed his plea to guilty and gave the necessary inside information to convict the other accomplices. Vick claimed that he never bet on the dogfights but only funded the program. After the other two collaborators plead guilty, Vick signed a statement indicating his actions regarding the dog fighting. Soon after, Vick was suspended from the NFL by Roger Goodell. When Vick finally pleaded guilty he received 23 months incarceration in December of 2007. Vick was sent home in May of 2009 where he was under two more months of house arrest.

Vick also spent time in a rehab facility. Vicks accomplices also were incarcerated and served time for the committed crimes. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Vick only served 18 out of his 23-month sentence. Vick was out of the NFL for a total of two seasons after being one of the top watched football quarterbacks. Vick’s football performance was often compared to great players like O.J. Simpson and Gayle Sayers. According to the New York Daily News, Vick and his accomplices involved in fighting dogs would kill the dogs in inhumane ways. There was proof that some dogs were hung by their necks or drowned to death. The evidence of the fighting was uncovered in 2007 when the United States Department of Agriculture had reason to believe drugs were at Vick’s home. Vick ended up with a shorter sentence and a new football contract. According to the National Geographic Channel, a new dog facility, DogTown hopes to save four of the dogs with the worst behavior problems. DogTown is a new show on National Geographic Channel dedicated to helping dogs.Many students at Clear Creek have different opinions on Vick’s punishment and whether or not he should be let back into the NFL.

“No, because he should have thought before he did what he did and doesn’t deserve to come

back,” 10th grader Haley Albro said. “No, he shouldn’t be let back

in. He already had enough money and didn’t need to make money off the fighting,” 10th grader Shelby surface said

“Yes, he should be let back. He plays good football. He served his time and should be allowed back,” 11th grader Sohail Ahmed said. W h e t h e r its right or w r o n g Vick is back on the NFL r o s t e r as the s e c o n d s t r i n g Eagles’ quarterback.

Vick back in the NFL with EaglesShannon O’Neil

Only one thing was visible in the night sky, the Shuttle Discovery. The neon lights illuminated the Orbiter and its giant fuel tanks which sat on the launch pad awaiting lift off, the beginning of the end of the space shuttle era.

In a little more than a year the shuttle will become retired and NASA will come to a crossroad where the agency, and its employees, transition into the Ares Rocket and Orion Shuttle

NASA begins a new era of space technologyMeghan Mistry

programs, slated to start in 2015. With the program coming to a

close, the International Space Station must be completed. NASA has scheduled six more shuttle launches to carry up the remaining heavy pieces to finally complete it.

Once the ISS is completed, and the shuttle program retired, many employees will have no mission, so they will lose their jobs.

“The effects of the job loss will trickle down the

economy,” Coach Cherry says.Experts believe only way to

keep these 3,000 to 4,000 jobs would be to prove to the government that funding should continue because the space shuttle program is viable for more than just ISS transport. And with every shuttle mission, NASA is doing just that.

During the current Discovery m i s s i o n S T S - 1 2 8 , a MELFI ( M i n u s E i g h t y Laboratory Freezer for ISS) rack will be delivered to the Space S t a t i o n . As t ronauts will be able to take samples of their blood, urine, and saliva to place in the MELFI rack and bring back to Earth at the end of the mission. Scientists will for the first time, have a chronological series of samples to study to observe how the body changes in space.

Other projects include taking mice aboard with osteoporosis (a bone disorder where certain chemicals are deficient resulting in fragile bones and bone loss) and several without. They will be monitored while on board and then brought back so

scientist’s can study gravity’s effects on bones. This can help them pin down which chemical deficiency causes the disorder so that they can develop effective prevention programs and treatment. Also, DNA often behaves differently in space and can easily be manipulated above Earth. Scientists in the ISS work with DNA to see how it responds to certain diseases and vaccines.

In fact, this method has developed a vaccine for S a l m o n e l l a which will go into human trials within the next year.

These p r o j e c t s prove that the space shuttle program is more than just transportation to the ISS. If NASA c o n v i n c e s Wa s h i n g t o n to fund the p r o g r a m

longer, this research will continue, jobs be will be saved, and even more created.

“For the government, it’s easy to correct budgets for financial crunches, but they need to look at the future to determine where to cut. It’s critical for this to continue because it effects our future,” Coach Cherry comments.

Listen up all students under 16 applying for a driver’s license. Beginning September first, drivers eighteen and younger will need to take a behind the wheel driving test before receiving their licesce from the DPS (Department of Public Safety). Since the early nineties, drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 were not required to take the behind the wheel test. However due to two recent fatal accidents involving new teen drivers, the state decided created a new law. The law also states that a teen driver has to have 20 hours of behind the wheel experience before they can apply for their license. Ten of those hours have to be at night, and a licensed driver must supervise hours. There are restrictions on a teenager who just received a driver’s license. Teens are not allowed to have a passenger who is under 21 for at least six months unless that passenger is a family member.

Also, teenagers under 18 have a curfew, and cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless it is for employment, school activities, religious activities, or medical needs. Also starting September first, all passengers in the car have to wear a seat belt.

Students and parents need to be aware of these changed laws so they can be prepared to take a driving test and revive a license.

Change in licensesMary Veedell and Shannon O’Neil

Photo by badrap.org/rescue/vick/

Shuttle Discovery before launch.Photo by Meghan Mistry

ads12

tEEn intErEstCrazy for Chevelle’s “Sci-Fi Crimes” album

Time Traveler’s Wife Cooking with JuliaKaitlyn Blake

In a wash of mediocrity in hard rock (Breaking Benjamin, Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman), there is Chevelle. They have stuck around churning out ridiculously consistent albums and have found moderate success with this formula. Yet, their latest release, “Sci-Fi Crimes,” is a bit different for this three-piece band from Chicago. They have torn down a lot of the cliché boundaries that have burdened them and ended up releasing one of the most solid, consistent, and strong hard rock albums in recent times.

Nearly abandoning their cliché loud/soft rock dynamics and angst-ridden vocals which has been a trademark throughout their career, Chevelle has suddenly evolved into something no one expected. The tracks all still sound pretty obvious at first, but songs like “Sleep Apnea” and “Roswell’s Spell” have this hidden, darkened tempo that includes a bit of rhythm. The album’s most unexpected tracks, the completely acoustic “Highland’s Apparition” and the short “Interlewd” just expel this uneasy, foreboding tone that is absolutely surprising, especially coming from Chevelle.

However, with all this “progression,” Chevelle hasn’t forgotten how to make a smash hit radio single. Epic

breakout single “The Red” has found its successor with either “Shameful Metaphors” or “A New Momentum.” Both of these songs are classic material destined for radio

exploitation. Y e t , “Shameful Metaphors” is just too good to ever become radio trash. The constantly building groove, Tool inspired guitar riff, Pete’s heartfelt vocals, and the unusually dark lyrics altogether form the best Chevelle song of all time. In fact, “ S h a m e f u l Metaphors” is so good the rest of the album tries hard to stay on the same level.

The typical rocker, “Jars,” which keeps the album from being perfect, would have been amazing on a different album, but when you have songs as strong as “Shameful Metaphors”, the song is nothing. Looking

on to the rest of the album,

t h e

quick-sped grit of “Mexican Sun” just

exhumes pure adrenaline and “Letters From a Thief”

is a great track that has a pretty awesome guitar solo

with an oddly dark atmosphere surrounding the sound.

The biggest problem with their past albums has generally been their mechanical feel. It was hard to hear a band

through all the slick production. “Sci-Fi Crimes” has all the trademarks of the polished classic “Wonder What’s Next,” the noise and human sound of their debut “Point #1,” and isn’t mechanical like “Vena Sera.” There is plenty of human touch, as Pete sings unrestrained and

the guitars roar

sloppily, similar to their debut. Even then, this album is so much more refined and eclectic than albums such as their repetitive debut. “Vena Sera,” suffered from the same

issues the Smashing Pumpkins’ ambitious

“MACHINA” album had. That album was just so produced it didn’t have any spirit. Whether it be Pete’s unrestricted vocals, the vintage guitar sound, or these guys actually making an album that sounds like an album. But “This Circus” finally shows Chevelle developing an ability to make an epic closing track as the album’s finale slowly strips away instruments towards the album’s end. It is the first Chevelle album in which the closing track actually sounds like it’s actually supposed to close out the album.

At the end of the day, it seems this band has finally settled into a niche, and found that, much like the Deftones found with “White Pony,” hard rock does not always have to a black hole of commercialism. Instead, Chevelle discovered that, when played correctly, hard rock can be accessible, successful, and be absolutely awesome.

Ryan Munthe

Emily Dismukes

Norah Ephron’s “Julie & Julia” is essentially two films in one. It alternates be-tween the life of Julia Child (Meryl Streep), the well known and loved television chef, and Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a much less known “cubicle drone” from Queens, New York. The movie follows Child’s rise to fame as the author of the first French cookbook written for American women and, at the same time, P o w e l l ’ s y e a r l o n g challenge to cook every one of the 524 recipes in that book. E p h r o n ’ s script, most-ly based on Julie Pow-ell’s book of the same title, man-ages to suc-cessfully in-tertwine the two women’s lives without spending too much time on one or the other, but the con-trast between the separate plots is some-times disconcerting. There’s such a big dif-ference between the two main characters: both feel that they’ve been stifled and find cooking to be an escape from life, but when disaster strikes, Child forges on and Pow-ell often has to force herself to continue. Academy Award-winning actress Streep gives an outstanding performance as Child, whose storyline in the movie was adapted from her memoir, “My Life in France”. Streep nails every memo-rable thing about Child, from her voice to

her invincible attitude. She even has the height down: although the actress is short-er than the chef by eight inches, camera tricks enable Streep to tower over Stanley Tucci, who plays Paul Child, her encour-aging husband. The pair shine as a couple deeply in love in 1950s Paris, a location beautifully portrayed, though maybe not completely realistically, in the movie. Adams, as Powell, attempts to bring something similar to her own sto-

ryline but falls slightly short. It isn’t that the acting is bad, it’s just that, in comparison to the scenes in Paris, the whole modern half of the plot leaves a bit to be desired. Writer/director Nora Ephron tries to por-tray Powell as the typical, often cli-chéd female lead and causes her to come off as moody, annoying, and some-

what boring. Adams does the best she can, but there’s only

so much she can do when her character spends most of her time typing blog posts and having fits over cooking disasters. With wonderful sets and plenty of delicious food to look at, as well as a cast of amusing secondary characters, such as comedian Jane Lynch as Child’s sister, “Ju-lie & Julia” is an adorable, generally enjoy-able chick-flick. Wherever the “Julie” half fails, the “Julia” half picks up the slack. Don’t go in expecting a fluffy romantic comedy, as it’s more of a “girl meets food” than a “girl meets boy” story. It’s simply a charming, entertaining movie and it’s great for watching with one’s sister or mother.

This summer’s hit movie, “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” was everything it was expected to be. This movie is ro-mantic, funny, emotional, and ador-able. It was based off the best-selling novel written by Audrey Niffenegger. “The Time Traveler’s Wife” is a love story about a woman named Clare who is in love w i t h Henry, a time t r a v -e l e r . H e n r y can dis-appear w i t h -out any w a r n -ing into the past or fu-ture. It is never expect-ed and H e n r y has no c o n -trol over when it happens or where he goes. This gradually drives Clare and Henry apart as Henry misses im-portant events in their family’s life. Despite the constant and unex-pected disappearances, Clare desperately wants to have a baby and start a fam-ily. However, the baby is cursed with the time traveler gene, and Clare keeps hav-ing a miscarriage when the baby travels through time. She desperately wants to have a baby, so they keep trying. Eventu-ally, they have a daughter named Alba who is also a time traveler, but has a little bit

more control than Henry. Alba tells Henry that he is going to die when she is five. On Alba’s fifth birthday, the whole family is terrified of losing Henry. A few months later, he travels back in time to a forest and is shot by hunters. He then travels back to present time and slowly dies there. Both Rachel McAdams, who plays Clare, and Eric Bana, who plays Henry, give out-standing acting performances in this movie.

H o w -e v e r , t h i s m o v i e is also a bit hard to fol-low at t i m e s , o f t e n l e a v -ing the v i e w e r w i t h q u e s -t i o n s and con-f u s i o n as to

how some t h i n g s were hap-

pening. However, once the storyline was understood that Henry can travel to the past, as well as the future, his time trav-eling experiences made much more sense. Although this movie had its mo-ments of being a bit puzzling, it made the audience actually think, something that few movies these days require. Once all of the pieces had been put together, this movie became a work of art. “The Time Traveler’s Wife” ended up being a remarkable sentimental romance film.

Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams Photo courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures.

Shannon Baty enjoys new music.Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk

Meryl Streep in “Julie & JuliaPhoto courtesy of Sony Pictures

13“Chevelle has suddenly evolved into something

no one expected...”

14 divErsiOns

Courtesy of MCTCampus

spOrts 15spOrts

Creek Dynasty is back in action Clear Creek volleyball

girls are back at it again, and are pumped for the 2009 season. The team went to state last year, competing against the best at the high school level. This year, the girls are determined to reach that level, or even higher, to continue Creek’s competitive winning streak. Already the girls have participated in three tournaments and multiple scrimmages and non-district games to prepare for such a feat.

Suited out this season include returning players Madeline Gaffney (12th), Cherish Krohn (12th), Ericka Gordon (12th), Rachel Hobaugh (11th), Lauren Lancon (12th), and Amanda Watson (12th) as well as seniors Hali Maple and Reanna Bain, junior Ellen Shoemaker, sophomore Natalie Piznar, and Freshmen Ashley Smith and Courtney Richardson. It’s evident that Coach Simonds is focusing on rebuilding the varsity team for the years ahead, but is also determined to make this year as productive as possible by playing the girls who will get the job done.

Senior team captains Gaffney, Krohn, and Gordon help to lead and motivate the team. In the Duncanville tournament, kill leader Gaffney helped the team achieve fourth place overall out of 40 teams, and received the honor of being named the “All-Tournament team.” At the Spring Branch tournament, Clear Creek varsity finished second in the 36 team volleyball classic. Both Gordon and Krohn were named the “All-Tournament team.” Their experience at the varsity level gives the team a lead compared to the competition, and allows other team members skills to be perfected.

Among those eagerly polishing

their skills are the newest additions to the team freshmen Smith and Richardson. It originally surprised Creek volleyball players that freshmen were even being considered to play on varsity because Simonds has never placed anyone lower than a sophomore at such a high level.

However, these two proved that they could hang with the big guns of the

game. As a result, they naturally p l a y hard and remain

calm rather than doing the frequently w i t n e s s e d

“ f r e s h m a n freak-out,” a phrase given to the moments when a f r e s h m a n

m e s s e s up during b r o k e n

p l a y s or clutch

s i t u a t i o n s . “We’re honored

because Simonds has never put freshmen on varsity. But we also feel the pressure because we’re younger and must play at a higher

level, but it’s worth it. We love the team

and we’re excited for the season,” Richardson said.

Excitement is inevitable this season because of how

far Creek went in play-offs last year. “We have a humongous target on our backs this year, because everyone wants to beat the defending champs,” Simonds said. In order to prepare for district, Creek has played

against many non-district teams to rack up prestigious wins, including the August 21 match against Kingwood. The away game was set that Friday night right in the middle of the Spring Branch tournament. Although tired from playing earlier that day, the girls took on the huge team, some as tall as six feet, and won the match in four games. Among the excitement was the turnout of Kingwood fans. The gym got loud as the battle to win became intense, but the Kingwood cheers died down when Creek’s team took the lead. Eventually the crowd even changed sides and began rooting for Creek including chanting “Uno! Uno!” to player number one Maple and mimicking Creek’s leprecon kick that occurs after a team member gets an ace while serving. Creek won that match in 4 games, a huge victory for the girls ready to take on the elite teams they’ll be facing down the road.

Although the girls have demonstrated that they have the talent and capability to be the best, they always enjoy a good crowd to increase the momentum and motivation. “I feel like we’re going to go farther than last teams because we’ve already done better in both of our tournaments,” Maple said after the Spring Branch tournament. But, with lack of excitement, it’s hard for the girls to play at their best level—an example being the match against Friendswood. All of Creek’s volleyball loving fans can help out by rooting the girls on to victory.

In the past the team has seen costumes, body paint, fans “reading the newspaper” when the opponent’s line up is being called, and other outrageous cheers to increase the intensity of the game. Winning is tradition for Creek, and support in all areas of events unifies the school as a whole. The dynasty continues, but the Creek volleyball team needs the school to support their girls and witness school history in full swing.

Reanna Bain

Football is king in Texas. That’s a fact. The Wildcats have something to prove this season after another first round playoff loss. “A lot of people are doubting us, we know are ability, and we play with a chip on our shoulder,” starting Quarterback Jarryd Garza said. “We have a lot to prove and we are looking forward to show it on the field.” Garza leads an explosive, no-huddle offence that aims to keep any defense on their heels. “We have great team chemistry, a lot of speed on the field, we have put in a lot of hard work over the summer a n d we are anxious to see how we will do this season,” starting Running back Marcus Mata said. Mata has moved from quarterback, to running back. A can be put at quarterback anytime in the game. Mata i s another important cog in the juggernaut machine that is the Wildcat spread o f f e n s e . There is great amount of speed in the receiving corps that includes senior Brent Commardelle, who has recently committed to play college football at Tulane University. Starting opposite at inside receiver is junior C.J. McElory, who is ready for a breakout season this year. The receivers

make the spread offense what it is, with the great team chemistry that this team has produced; the offence could put Creek on the map in the tough district of 24-5A. We all know that offence wins game, but itís the defense that wins championships. Leading the defense this year is the seasoned senior Mike McCullough. “We’ve been working hard all year,” he

said. “Everyone on the team is really tight. We h a v e

really good t e a m

chemistry. We’re underrated again but we will prove people wrong this year.” Creek had the number one defense in the district last year and is looking to

continue their success this season. With a solid defense up and down the depth chart, the Wildcats are looking to give all the opponents they play a big fat goose egg. There have been two pre-season scrimmages this year that has tested the Wildcats both physically and mentally.

They held the Langham Creek offense to zero touchdowns, and that led to great drives by the offense. The

speed that Creek has will blow away most defense they play. There second pre-season opponent where the Spring Lions, which didnít start until late at night, still showed what Creek has to offer this season. They can run it, pass it,

or just let their defense handle it; the Wildcats will find a way win anyway possible. There is defiantly a chip on the Wildcats shoulder this year, they have something to prove and the time is now. Could this be the year where we break the cycle of losing in the first round of the playoffs? Or will this be the year where their team goals will be meet and make school

history? There are ten games to see if they can do it. The Wildcats can always prove the critics and media that they belong at the top of 24-5A, all they need to do is win.

Rowdy, riled up and ready to win Jacob Arredondo

Photo by Katlin Foote

Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk

Tennis The Clear Creek Varsity tennis team has been vigorously preparing for the 09-10 seasons. The varsity team consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The starting girls varsity players are sophomore Amber Darr, sophomore Peyton Hardman, sophomore Hale Albro, junior Sammy Siegal, junior Bianca Quintanilla, and senior Rebekah Taylor. The starting boys varsity players are junior Brendon Fang, junior Casey Armstrong, junior Hunter Carrithers, senior Chase Farmer, and senior Drew Rogus and senior Juan Barboza. Pat Marrie is the boys Varsity head coach and Chaysen Cornwell is the girls varsity head coach. Throughout the summer most of the players participate in an organization called U.S.T.A (United States Tennis Assoc ia t ion) . U.S.T.A i s a way to keep the t e n n i s p l a y e r s act ive throughout the summer and help s h a r p e n their skills. T h e y participate in

tournaments and this is beneficiary t o the players

because it puts them in real game situations and exposes

t h e m to some of the p r e s s u r e they will face when their actual season starts. The C r e e k tennis team even had practice before school started so they would be better prepared for the season. They did various drills, match play, and conditioning. The team continues to have p r a c t i c e Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 4:30 e x c e p t for game days a n d breaking on tutorial d a y s . “I think we are pretty prepared, but we could focus more,” Siegal said. Not only is preparation a big part of winning but teamwork is another key factor, and the Creek tennis team seems to have it. “I’m very excited about the 09-10 season because the team is not just unified, but they are dedicated and support each other as well,” Cornwell said. “I am excited because we are all close and have fun,” Siegal said. The team is working hard and hopefully all their hard work will pay off in the end. They practice hard, play hard, and on top of all that the team has a strong bond, therefore nothing is standing in the way of their success. The tennis team’s motto is “Love the Battle.” Different people interpret this various ways, but after a player has been on the team a while, and has experienced difficulties on the court, a deeper meaning comes to mind. That is what the Creek tennis team is all about, loving the battle no matter what happens. The Creek’s tennis team’s next game is Friday, September 4th against Dobie. To keep updated with Clear Creek tennis, visit www.clearcreektennis.com.

Christen Valcoviak

Photo by Kaitlyn Boryk

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