April 2014Volume 90, Issue 6

2305 East Main StreetLeague City, TX 77573

Photojournalist creates COVR for iPhone 5 and 5sBy Jasmine GarzaEditor-in-Chief

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By Jenan TahaFeatures Editor

Culture Shapers comes to end with sponsor’s death

Due to the recent death of the prominent leader and sponsor of Culture Shapers, Ernie Fitzpatrick, the Culture Shapers board has decided to dissolve the 501C3 organization which funds the art competition, and to suspend the visual arts and vocal divisions until further notice. Fitzpatrick was 70 years old.

Fitzpatrick unfortunately passed at the beginning of March, in the middle of the Young Voices of Houston vocal competition, before the visual arts contest could take place. Because the vocal competition has been discontinued, the two finalists were both given $500 as a gesture of good will. All fees paid to the contest have been refunded.

The Culture Shapers board chose to terminate the funding organization in order to give closure to Fitzpatrick’s family and enable them to move forward. The board believes there is no way to continue their competitions without their most significant organizer.

“This decision was made for practical, financial, emotional, and dare I say, spiritual reasons,” the board said. “We all believe that, while we are reluctant to take this path, it is in the best interest of all involved. Put simply, Ernie is irreplaceable.”

Ernest Fitzpatrick, an Arkansas native, was both a real estate and business entrepreneur. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church. After moving to Houston, he became the CEO of Century 21 of Texas and COO of RE/MAX and taught students management skills. Fitzpatrick also founded and became the president of the Liberty Revival Church. After his death on March 6, 2014, a memorial service was held in memory of his legacy at the Houston Family Art Center.

“Ernie’s passions and drive were responsible for both the creation and sustenance of Culture Shapers and for the countless benefits this organization provided to young artists, their teachers, mentors, and families, and to the Culture Shapers family as well,” the board said.

Many Clear Creek art students were

prepared to enter their pieces in the visual art contests, and were disappointed with the news that the contest would be suspended.

“I understand why they had to cancel it, but it is really upsetting,” Ami Artiz, junior, said. “It hurts young artists’ opportunities to get scholarship money for their future careers.”

Culture Shapers is one of the biggest and most competitive contests available for high school students, and the possibility of its permanent cancellation is disheartening for many students and teachers.

“It was the only competition that offered kids a chance to be creative,” Mrs. Terri Foltz-Fox said. “It rewarded kids who took a chance, unlike Rodeo, which requests more conservative pieces.”

According to Culture Shapers, many young artists have pursued art careers because of the confidence and financial aid they received from the contest. Other than the Rodeo Art contest, Culture Shapers offers the most prize money to Texas art students—a total of $83,000 a year. Without the opportunity to win scholarship money,

many art students may be discouraged from enrolling in art colleges, which are some of the most expensive colleges in America.

The Culture Shapers competition was much less strict and traditional than other art competitions, such as VASE. It allowed students to enter all sorts of art pieces, some of which may have been too controversial for other contests. It was the only contest purely for high school students that let artists truly express themselves. Thousands of entries would flood in each year, also making Culture Shapers one of the most competitive competitions in Texas.

The Culture Shapers board is deeply saddened by the loss of their leader, and honored his memory and legacy in a message posted on their website.

“We may never know what is destined to bloom from the many seeds that Cultures Shapers has planted, but we can be sure that Ernie created the means for everyone associated with Culture Shapers to do good in the world,” the board said.

After finding difficulty in captur-ing “the moment” Thomas Hurst in-vented a new way to covertly capture the moment without losing the essence of the atmosphere around him. Inspired by the events in his life, Hurst created the COVR case for the iPhone 5 and 5s.

Hurst was born in 1971 in San Fran-cisco, California. Around the age of 21 as Hurst was attending college in Bay Area, San Francisco he encountered an inward struggle as he tried to discover himself.

“I was struggling to know what it was to be a man. I thought war and bat-tles shaped culture and society and I needed to go to a place of war to find the ability and courage of ‘manhood’.”

Before the summer of 1992 as a feeling was rustling in the core of Hurst’s soul, he was driven to the outside of his professor’s office where he was looking through a Time magazine. As he was looking though the magazine, an article about Sarajevo, Bos-nia captured his eye. He had a vision to go to Sarajevo and learn. Hurst sold his mo-torcycle, got a passport, made fake media credentials and borrowed a camera from a friend as a prop to prove his story. As he got to the airport he managed to convince the United Nations that he was a journal-ist, and his journey to Sarajevo soon began.

Once Hurst arrived in Sarajevo one of the first guys he met was a photojour-nalist who immediately knew Hurst was not who he claimed to be. John Downing

however, agreed to allow Hurst to stick around as long as he did not get in his way. Hurst learned his basic skills in Sarajevo and he realized photojournalism was, in fact, a career. Hurst then decided war photography was what he wanted to do.

“There were no eggs in any other bas-ket,” Hurst said about choosing to have a

career in war photography.Constantly being surrounded by war

was not an easy task to take on. The pho-tographer is stuck between capturing the moment and changing the moment. Hurst soon figured out the struggles with human-ity that came along with photojournalism.

“I was taking a photo of a little boy caught by a mob,” Hurst said. “I

experiences and the experiences of her son. “I remembered being tremendously

moved. I was inspired deeply by Kathy’s abil-ity to be poignant and stoic with such pride for her son, instead of mourning his death.

Months after Hurst won the Dan Eldon Memorial Award, the Eldons offered to mail him a check. However Hurst did not just want to receive a check, he wanted to receive much more that money could not buy. Hurst asked if he could fly down to Los Angeles and get to know more about the Eldons.

“The time was incredibly powerful and impactful. I had the chance to see Dan’s original journals that were about to go to the press, and was given one of Dan’s original t-shirts and bracelets that he used to sell in Africa.” Hurst said.

The t-shirt given to Hurst has much sentimental value for him. It was not just a shirt, but a story as well.

“I know when I wear his shirt I’ll be talking about Dan. One day I’ll have it framed, hanging on a wall with 20 years of memorabilia around,” Hurst said.

With the money the Eldons gave Hurst, he was able to buy an air-line ticket to Rwanda, where he cap-tured two award-winning photographs.

“Dan’s mother’s money bought me a ticket to the continent that Dan loved most. I felt Dan being Dan. I could feel Dan’s spir-it from afar every chance I got.” Hurst said.

Hurst finally reached the climax of his career. He was a photographer for the Seattle Times, he had reached all his goals and had

have his whole life of those last mo-ments. I didn’t do anything to help stop it. I don’t remember having conscious thoughts; my mind seemed to shut down. It was an out of body experience.”

After the eyes of Hurst cap-tured such an explicit view, he took a vow to never stand still again.

“I vowed I would never not try to help someone again, no matter the consequences. The ghosts never seem to go away, but before anything, I’m a human be-ing first, photojournalist next,” Hurst said.

A few years later in 1996 Hurst attended the Eddie Adams Workshop where he won the 1996 Dan Eldon Memorial Award. At the workshop Kathy Eldon spoke about her

Photo Courtesy of COVR

Continued on page. 4

2 OpinionHow has newspaper impacted

your high school experience?

“I’ve branched out and met new people and made new friends.”

-Elena RodriquezJunior

Photo Editor

“Honestly newspaper has im-

pacted my high school experi-

ence by teaching me real life

experiences.”

-Mallori FlanaganJunior

Photo Editor

“Newspaper has taught me a lot

about how the real world works

and has prepared me for a career,

hopefully in Journalism.”

-Jenan TahaJunior

Features Editor

“Newspaper has introduced me

to a lot of great people.”

-Mackenzie Jackson

JuniorReporter

“I met new people.”-Paige Coffey

JuniorPhotographer

“It has made me more in-volved with school activities and has been so much fun.”

-Carolina SarriaSophomoreReporter

“Newspaper has given me a

place to share stories I care

about with people I care

about.”-Lisa NhanSophomore

Managing and Around Creek

Editor

“Newspaper has presented me the chance to challenge my

writing skills and blossom into a more mature writer.”

-Emily RuthvenFreshmanReporter

“It has helped me bond with some of my best friends!”

-Audree HallJunior

Design and Sports Editor

“It made me want to major in Journalism.”-Brendan Hudspeth

SeniorReporter

“It has connected me to people, taught me patience, and caused

me to be more involved.”-Deja HarrellSophomore

Photographer

Principal: Jamey Majewski Advisor: Wynette Jameson Editors-in-Chief: Arlen Addison Jasmine Garza Design Editor: Audree Hall Managing Editors: Lisa Nhan Jessica Sieling Features Editor: Jenan Taha News Editor: Arlen Addison Teen Interest Editor: Jessica Sieling Around Creek Editor: Lisa Nhan Arts Editor: Arlen Addison Sports Editor: Audree Hall Advertising Manager: Jasmine Garza Photo Editors: Mallori Flanagan Elena Rodriguez Online Editors: Monica Jackson Sydney Matthews

Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas CityEmail us at: creekhilife@gmail.com

Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.comFor ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)332-9079

HiLife Staff

Emily BerthiaumeAllie Casey

Paige Coffey

Makenzie JacksonDeja Harrell

Brendan HudspethEmily RuthvenCarolina Sarria

2013-2014

“Newspaper has given me a new perspective on life, shown me how to work hard and play hard and given me friendships that will last a lifetime.”-Jessica SielingJuniorManaging and Teen Interest Editor

“Newspaper has introduced me to amazing people and facilitated great friendships.”-Allie CaseySophomore Photographer

“Newspaper has taught me what holding a real job is like and has helped me improve my writing.”-Emily BerthiaumeSophomoreReporter

“In the past four years, Newspaper has been the ma-jor driving force in my life. I’ve learned many valuable skills in my time here, and the people here have been

like family to me. If not for Newspaper, I would be a very different person.”

-Arlen AddisonSenior

Editor-in-Chief, News Edi-tor, and Arts Editor

“Newspaper helps me understand the world and helps me become a better person. It has also helped me understand what career I want to be in.-Monica Jackson

JuniorOnline Editor

“Newspaper has had one of the great-est impacts on my life. It has taught me to accpet life as it is, and help

anyone while you can on your journey through life.”

-Jasmine GazraJunior

Editor-in-Chief and Advertising Editor

“It has impacted my high school career by being allowing me to meet new people and having the abil-ity to share ideas in class.”-Sydney MatthewsJunior

Online Editor

HiLifers:

Editorial 3Jasmine’s Journal

By Jasmine GarzaEditor-in-Chief

The impact that people whom you have never met can have on your life is unreal. It seems at times the people you only see one time have a larger impact on your life than the ones you see everyday. Growing up with what seemed like a million family members and friends, it was never hard find-ing someone to talk to, someone to listen to you, or someone to just sit in silence with.

Growing up feeling surrounded by a constant sea of people, I have always respected people. No mat-ter what walks of life a person comes from, I have accepted them. I have ac-cepted them be-cause after every-thing I have been through and ex-perienced in my life, I know the importance of life.

I enjoy con-versations with strangers because you never know what their story is or where it be-gan. Some people find it strange and out of their comfort zone but when you talk to someone you do not know, there seems to be a deeper under-standing. No one knows the other person’s history. There is no judg-ment that comes along with a sim-ple conversation.

People seem to think a per-son’s past de-termines who a person is. Many times the past ac-tions of a person become who they are, and not who they were. They tend to become a constant reminder of their past by people who are unwilling to let it go. People go around with this façade that what people

think about them are merely just words that enter through one ear and escape the other, with no impact to their feelings. There comes a sense of relief at times to know, that no judgment comes at the start of a conversation with a stranger.

A sense of security comes by stay-ing in your normal surroundings, but re-cently I have been drawn to people and their stories. Not necessarily stories from people who have an abundance of physi-cal matter, but the ones who seem happy with very little. It is hard to accept the fact that people living so close to us can have nothing, yet are happier than the people who have the world in their fingertips.

It is comforting to know that hu-mankind is able to make a connec-tion with each other. From love, to pity, to hatred, emotions are felt. Emotions that sometimes cannot be described.

As I recently finished what I would consider my first real interview with Thom-as Hurst, everything about the atmosphere seemed fit. I almost felt as though some of the words he was saying were words meant for me. He spoke about his own life, but it somehow connected to mine. It

was strange and comforting at the same time. It was one of those mo-ments where you realize life itself is enough to have in the world. A moment where I realized how amazing it was for a him to have gone through so much in his life, but continue to keep faith in what he believed in. Most impor-tantly a moment where I real-ized someone I had never met, shared a story with me that had a larger impact on me than most of the people I have know for ten years.

I’m glad that I am the per-son I am, with my experiences, making me who I am today. My experiences will eventually cre-ate a mold for the future, allow-ing me to tweak it whenever I may choose.

I love people, I love

strangers, and I love the feeling you get when, even if it just for a few seconds, the smile on the face of a stranger tells you that they appreciate you because you didn’t just walk by, but said hello as well.

“Sometimes one feels freer speak-ing to a stranger than to people

one knows. Why is that?”

“Probably be-cause a stranger sees us the way

we are, not as he wishes to think

we are.”-Carlos Ruiz

Zafón

Arlen’sAnthropology

By Arlen AddisonEditor-in-Chief

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with what is supposed to be the most natural of human behaviors, simply being myself. Of course, this conundrum is a paradox in and of itself. If I am living a life then it is my own life then in tech-nical terms I am being myself, right?

Those who know me would generally consider me as a shy, not very outgoing person, with occasional bursts of en-thusiasm. They would very eas-ily come to the conclusion that I am simply an anti-social per-son who gets ex-cited from time to time; howev-er, that’s simply not who I am. If I were to be my-self all the time you would find a person who greatly enjoys wit and sarcasm, the company of others and just having an excit-ing time doing something new. The reason I am not my full self all the time is because of this barrier that I’ve lived in the shadow of for most of my life. This bar-rier is made of the bricks and mortar of fear of rejection, embarrassment and self-doubt.

I’m not sure exactly when I began building this barrier, but I know that I didn’t always live in the fear of it. In my el-ementary years, I was an incredibly outgo-ing person, eager to meet new people and do new things. However, sometime dur-ing middle school that began to fade.

In a time where being cool required lift-ing weights and wearing AXE body spray,

I was content to sticking with my other geeky friends and live action role play-ing on the field when I was should have been passing footballs. Strangeness was my normality, and normality was strange to me. Eventually when my abnormality was plain for all to see, the bullying be-gan. I found that the best defensive tactic was to draw up into myself with my new-ly discovered iPod and wind the day away until I could finally, blessedly, leave the prison I found middle school to be.

Once the bullying subsided later on in middle school and I began the experi-ment that was the high school experi-

ence, I still clung to my wall. Even though almost everyone in this amazing school was kind beyond comparison, I sim-ply didn’t know how to reach out, make friends and be social. That was a skill I never really learned in middle school.

It is only now in this last semester of my senior year that I have let my true self to the front and center. After having most of the bridges of my old life burned have, I been able to move on and finally be myself.

Having my family shattered by the fourth messy divorce in a row, being dumped by my three-year girlfriend and get-ting kicked out of the only home I’ve ever known by my own father has defined this past year for me.

Though these events were initially traumatizing, they forced me out of my comfort zone and eventually let my true self out; a witty, weird, person who enjoys go-ing his own way and doing his own thing. Just last week I could be spotted proudly parading down the hallway in full met-al knight’s armor, smiling and clank-ing all the way.

Currently I have been sighted with long, messy hair, a backpack that looks older and more beat up than I do and san-dals they may or may not even match, but despite all this I have never been more happy or free.

I’ve often won-dered about what how things would have

turned out differently if I had stayed true to myself these few past years. However, wondering doesn’t get you anywhere if you don’t do anything about it. For me, it took the forceful shattering of my old self to allow my true self out. Instead of let-ting hardships of this past year break me, they have broken down the wall that I’ve lived in the shadow of my whole life.

“‘Cause this is the me that I like to be

Charisma quick wit and charm

But that side of me rarely likes to be

In the face of causing harm

Can you see my fear as you disappear

Into someone else’s arms

Or are you unaware that the me you care

forIsn’t really me at all

This is me”-Charlie McDonnell

News4Second attack at Fort Hood claims three more lives By Jenan Taha Features Editor

The second shooting at Fort Hood claimed the lives of three sergeants, who have been identified as 39-year-old Daniel Ferguson, 37-year-old Timothy Owens and 38-year-old Carlos Lazaney-Rodriguez. The shooter was identified as 34-year-old Ivan Lopez, who took his own life immediately after the shooting.

During the attack, Lopez also wounded 16 other individuals, most of whom have been discharged from the hospital.

Sergeant Ferguson was shot while trying to hold the door closed to prevent the shooter from entering. He had recently returned from Afghanistan to reunite with his fiancée, Kristen Haley.

“If he wasn’t the one standing there holding those doors closed, that shooter would have been able to get through and shoot everyone else,” Haley said.

Sergeant Owens had served as a counselor and worked in Iraq. He had a wife and two teenage sons. Owens was shot at random by one of Lopez’s bullets.

“He was a good person,” Mary Muntean, Owens’ mother, said. “Why would they shoot a good person that was helping them?”

Sergeant Lazaney-Rodriguez also had a wife and family and planned to retire soon after serving 20 years in the military.

“It is a pity that seven months before that he was meant to leave the Army something

wounding two soldiers along the way. When Lopez reached the building, he continued firing, and fatally shot Sergeant Owens and wounded two other soldiers.

He then drove to the First Medical Brigade Headquarters, wounding two

soldiers on the way. Lopez shot and killed Sergeant Lazaney-Rodriguez and wounded two other soldiers.

The shooter then made his way to the parking lot of a building, where a female officer confronted him, fired and missed. Lopez then turned the pistol on himself and ended his life.

The Lopez family, originally from Puerto Rico, was shocked when they heard the news.

“He was always a good person,” Ronald

Lopez, Ivan’s cousin, said. “He was always interested in the Army and playing drums.”

According to Lopez’s family, he showed no signs of illness. He had returned from Iraq to his wife and daughter and was being evaluated for post-traumatic stress disorder,

though investigators do not believe this was the main factor in his motive.

They believe it is more likely that Lopez was angry about an earlier frustration in November, in which it took five days for him to obtain a leave to attend his mother’s funeral in Puerto Rico. Just a month before, his grandfather had died.

President Obama paid tribute to the three fallen soldiers and their families during a memorial service at Fort Hood.

“This tragedy tears a wound still raw from five years ago,” Obama said. “Part of what makes this so painful is we’ve been here before.”

The “raw wound” Obama is referring to is the first shooting at Fort

Hood, which took place on November 5, 2009. Army major and psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan fatally shot 13 servicemen and wounded 30 more. Hasan was shot by a police officer and is now paralyzed from the waist down. In August 2013, he was convicted and found guilty and now faces the death penalty in Kansas.

“It is love, tested by tragedy, that brings us together again,” Obama said. “To the parents of these men, as a father I can’t even fathom your anguish. We somehow bear what seems unbearable.”

like this happens,” Carlos Mendez, Mayor of the sergeant’s hometown, said.

The attack took place on April 2 and began with an argument between shooter Ivan Lopez and the 49th Transportation Battalion Administration Office. Lopez

requested a leave form in order to attend to some family matters, but he was told to return later to claim it. This caused a verbal quarrel between Lopez and several other soldiers. Lopez left the building and returned with a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire on several men in the building, including the now deceased Sergeant Ferguson.

Lopez then proceeded to his car and drove to the motor pool building he was assigned to, shooting at and

Spc. Kristen Haley, right, the fiancee of Sgt. First Class Daniel Ferguson, who was killed in the Fort Hood shooting, is consoled at the memorial ceremony for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting at Fort Hood,

Texas, on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman/MCT)

everything he wanted but a deep depression had still filled his soul that he could not get himself out of. He looked for answers but still emptiness filled him. Hurst was then assigned to a Christian church where the questions seemed to unfold. Hurst realized his purpose was to love other people and show them grace, and he began to feel free.

“It was a long hard season at first, but at the end I realized my purpose,” Hurst said.

It was a process for Hurst to find himself again, this time with a new pur-pose. Hurst soon became a pastor with his past experiences helping him with the people he came in contact with.

“Photojournalism is documentation, a study of human beings. You only get to do that by engaging with them,” Hurst said.

After everything seemed to be falling into place, Hurst’s wife, Angie, was diag-nosed with late stage colon cancer. After he realized his timing was not always the course taken, he began buying video camer-as and iPhones to capture the moments that might become the only memories their three young children remember of their mother.

As Angie was having struggle car-rying her young children and capturing pictures at the same time, Thomas be-gan to become frustrated at the struggle it took to take a candid photo of his chil-dren. The idea then came to him as he was pointing the remote at the television, switching between two baseball games.

“I thought, what if I could build something for your phone like this remote?” Hurst said.

Hurst then came up with the idea COVR phone case: an iPhone case cover that allows people to covertly capture a

moment. Along with his manufacturing en-gineer expert, Steve Vincent and his team, they have successfully created the product with a prism glass inside. The COVR phone case is geared towards any person. From parents with children to the street photo-journalists, the case is meant to bring ease.

“My biggest drive is to cap-ture one dimension beauty and mak-

COVR case continued from page 1.ing it multiple by allowing an emo-tion to be felt. I always want to take pictures that evoke emotion,” Hurst said.

With COVR on its way, Hurst contin-ues to be very humble. With a kickstarter campaign, $60,324 has already been raised with 896 backers. May 5 marks the deadline to support the case and become one of the first owners of COVR ever.

“I’m so thankful for the response I have received. I’m thrilled with the fact that people want it and are willing to put money into manufacturing it,” Hurst said.

On April 26, Shark Tank took their show to Seattle, Washington. With only 60 seconds to pitch an idea, Hurst at-tended with hopes of finding a part-ner and currently awaits the answer.

5News 5North and South Korea exchange fire during drill

Close-in map locating the DMZ and the maritime border between North and South Korea; North Korea fired artillery rounds into South Korean waters as part of a drill, prompting the South to fire back. MCT 2014

An exchange of fires occurred between North Korea and its neighboring country, South Korea, after the North fired first during a military drill. On March 31, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that some North Korean ordnance landed in South Korean waters and that the South responded with fire.

North Korea fired about 500 artillery shells into waters north of the Yellow Sea’s so-called Northern Limit Line over a roughly three-hour period. After about 100 shells fell south of the Northern Limit Line, South Korea responded by firing about 300 artillery shells into North Korean waters and dispatching fighter jets near the Northern Limit Line.

When asked if South Korea fired back, a South Korean Ministry of Defense spokesman said, “We are not shooting at North Korea, just shooting into the sea.”

No injuries resulted from the hundreds of shells that were fired between the two forces.

North Korea has at times engaged in more deadly military actions. A multinational 2010 report indicated that the sinking of the South Korean navy warship Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors in the Yellow Sea, was the result of a North Korean torpedo.

Later that year, North Korean artillery attacks on Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea killed two South Korean marines in what Yonhap News Agency called, “the first direct artillery attack on South Korean territory since the Korean War ended in an armistice” in 1953.

The two drones that crashed in South

recently accused the United States of “aggression and interference” through its state-run news agency, KCNA.

On March 30, North Korea warned it was

preparing to test a nuclear device, prompting fresh criticism from the United States.

“We would not rule out a new form

of a nuclear test aimed at strengthening our nuclear deterrence,” North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on KCNA. “The U.S. had better ponder over this and stop acting rashly.”

The incident raised stern warnings from allies of both Korean nations. China, North Korea’s staunch ally, expressed concern over escalating tensions.

“China opposes actions that undermine the peace and stability of the Peninsula and urge all parties to keep calm, exercise restraint, be discreet in words and deeds,” Hong Lei, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, echoed the sentiment.

“The provocation that the North Koreans have, once again, engaged in, is dangerous and it needs to stop,” Hagel said.

The biggest problem with speculating on North Korean intentions has been the claim that the information coming out of the country is just too limited to make any concrete assumptions.

“There are no countries as closed as North Korea,” Christian Whiton, deputy envoy to North Korea during the George W. Bush administration, said. “Its citizens aren’t allowed to travel, and the few North Korean officials who do go abroad are closely watched. You basically have to go back to Stalin’s Soviet Union to find something similar.”

“This makes it difficult to collect even the most basic background information about what is going on and recruiting espionage sources is very difficult,” he added. “The regime is very good at preventing knowledge of its inner workings.”

Korea raised questions over the nation’s air defense and North Korea’s aerial capabilities.

North Korean’s rhetoric has intensified in recent weeks. U.S. and South Korean

forces are currently conducting annual joint military drills, which North Korea typically denounces. The North

By Carolina SarriaReporter

By Jasmine GarzaEditor-in-Chief

Baybrook Mall announces new plans for expansion

Baybrook Mall has recently announced their multi-million dollar plan to expand by an estimated 555,000 square feet, adding to the 1.2 million-square-foot center already in the outskirts of Houston. General Growth Properties, Incorporation and the landowner will take on the project in early May of 2014.

Baybrook Mall is almost 100 percent leased and with the constant interest of the community, an expansion seemed fit. Since 2008 retail vacancy rates have progressively decreased and at the end of 2013 vacancy rates hit a low of seven percent. The 36-year-old mall will undergo massive construction and additions to keep up with the rising interest of leasers and growing popularity in retail.

Baybrook Mall will become one of the largest malls in the Houston area being surpassed only by the Galleria located in the heart of Houston. Plans include designs to make an environmentally

Jeff Green Partners in Phoenix, Arizona, said. The 285,000-square-foot construction

is to begin on the north side of the mall in the parking lot between Forever 21 and Dillard’s. With the expansion many

customers who attend the mall

on a regular basis are excited, while still some have their doubts on the traffic that will come along with the already busy streets.

“The land that the expansion will

be extending on to will have a lot of room for parking that will be included with the expansion,” Jeff Gionnete, Baybrook Mall general manager, said.

Along with the expanding space a single-story parking deck will be added with new entrances and exits to accommodate the high traffic expected.

The new additions to retail and food remain a mystery after GCP declined to name any of the retailers expected to sign on the expansion. Although no names were announced, high names and profiles were promised to become tenants.

“We envision this area as a place for fun, a gathering spot for the community. Cool and green, with benches and seating areas, it’s a spot to sit with a friend and visit. It’s a natural spot for kids to play. It’s a spot for events.

It will become the heart of the center and the community,” Colin Moussa, marketing manager for Baybrook Mall, said.

Plans to complete the expansion are hoped to be finished just in time for the holiday season in 2015.

and family friendly place for people to visit by adding more than 30 new stores, a movie theater, ten restaurants and an outdoor lawn the length of a football field.

“They’re combining the mall with

the specialty center concept, and I think it’s a great idea. The restaurant category is basically exploding and it looks like they’re really trying to set up a food and entertainment hub,” Jeff Green, president of

Photo Courtesy of General Growth Properties

Chile is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. It is located on the “Ring of Fire”, which is a boundary of crustal plates of the Earth’s surface where they intersect. Over 300 earthquakes have rocked far-northern coast of the country and were recorded in a span of one week. Activity began with a magnitude-6.7 quake on March 16 that caused 100,000 people to evacuate, but fortunately there was little physical damage from the shaking.

However, the land has not settled down. Over a dozen quakes were felt in the city of Iquique, home to 180,000 people, on March 24.

“The latest string of quakes is noteworthy because the last one happened in this seismic zone more than 130 years ago,” Paulina Gonzalez, an expert on seismic analysis at the Universidad de Santiago, said. “It’s a zone where quakes should happen more often, and they haven’t in a very long time.”

A major quake in the country’s north would threaten the economy of Chile, which is the world’s top copper producing nation. Most of the Chilean mining industry is located in the northern regions.

A magnitude-8.8 temblor prompted a tsunami warning for Hawaii in 2010. Hawaii geophysicists are monitoring

plate plunges beneath the South American plate, pushing the towering Andes cordillera to extremely high altitudes.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said its own analysis showed that in seven days there had been 41 quakes in the area stronger than magnitude-4.5. Janan Purstey, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center, part of the USGS in Denver, said seismologists in Chile would be better placed than anyone to assess the threat of the current activity.

Experts analyzing this data are worried the increased seismic activity could be a sign the region is about to experience its first devastating quake in 137 years.

“The situation is out of the ordinary. There’s a mix of a string of tremors and their aftershocks that make things more complex to evaluate. We can’t rule out a larger quake,” Mario Pardo, deputy head of the seismology center at the Universidad de Chile, said. “A big earthquake could strike in a number of years or it could strike sooner. The only thing we can be certain of is that it will strike.”

The last event, a magnitude-8.5 quake in 1877, killed thousands of people and created a deadly tsunami that reached Hawaii and Japan.

The strongest earthquake ever recorded on Earth happened in Chile in 1960 and became known as the

Great Chilean Earthquake. It was a magnitude-9.5 tremor that killed over 6,000 people and created an 80-foot tsunami that reached as far as Hong Kong.

the earthquakes taking place in Chile, and are ready to sound the alarm in case of a tsunami threat from the country.

Chile’s worrisome seismic activity can be traced to just off the country’s 2,500-mile Pacific coast, where the Nazca tectonic

By Carolina SarriaReporter

Earthquakes from March continue to distress Chile

News6

Map locating the epicenter of an earthquake off the northern coast of Chile. MCT 2014

By Jenan TahaFeatures Editor

Astronauts plan trip to Mars for Mars One Mission

Humankind may have reached the peak of its ingenuity with the latest mission in space exploration: Mars One. This program aims to permanently settle humans on Mars, beginning in 2023.

In 2011, Bas Lansdorp and Arno Wielders founded the Mars One program. They wanted to create a permanent human settlement on Mars using the innovative technology on Earth. Several countries are involved in all aspects of the mission, including the US, Canada, UK and Italy.

In April 2013, several thousand from around the world auditioned for a chance to be one of the few leaders on the mission, but only 1058 have qualified for consideration. Over the next two years, the selection program will continue to choose only the most qualified applicants, until there are 24 individuals, split into six teams of four. The selection program will continue to recruit applicants until the mission launches in 2024.

The recruits will train as astronauts for eight years each. They will learn to grow their own food, repair the rover, use medical supplies and survive in harsh environments, such as the Arctic desert.

crews will land every two years afterwards. Several documentaries have been made

about the mission, which explore the lives of the hopeful applicants. One film, titled Mars One Way, briefly documents the lives of five Utah applicants who qualified in the top 1058: Cody Reeder, Casey Hunter, Will Robbins, Katelyn Kane and Ken Sullivan.

Some of the applicants, like Will Robbins, find little or

no reason to continue their life on earth, and believe they have more of a purpose on Mars.

“I’m really not leaving that much behind,” Robbins said. “I’ll miss nature.

That will be the most absent thing. And I won’t miss people too much.”

The choice to move to Mars is more complicated for Ken Sullivan, who has a wife and three children.

“There’s a lot more drama in our relationship lately, about the reality of ‘Are you choosing family or are you choosing

mars?’ and how difficult that process is,” Sullivan said. “If my little boy Connor came up to me and said ‘Dad, don’t go’, that would probably change my mind.”

Cody Reeder, a beekeeper and physics student, is very hopeful for the mission. Katelyn Kane, a hairstylist, has also dreamed of living on another planet, and her friends and family support her choice. Casey Hunter claims to only have one reason why he would stay on Earth.

“If me and my girlfriend get engaged…that’s the only thing that would change my mind,” Hunter said. “Not even the planet Earth. Just her.”

All these hopeful applicants can do for now is wait for the day that will determine the rest of their lives.

More infomation about the trip and the team in charge can be found at the Mars One Mission’s website, http://www.mars-one.com/.

A demonstration mission will be launched in May 2018. Then in 2020, a Mars Rover and communication satellite will be launched to find the best location for settlement. Six cargo units will be launched in 2022, and in 2023, the Rover will begin setting up for the astronauts.

In April 2024, the first crew will start on

their journey to Mars. The 210-day flight will be the first of its kind; the crew will never be able to return to Earth. At most, they may be able to video chat with a seven-minute delay. The second crew will land in July 2027, and additional

Photo Courtesy of Mars One Mission

Rwandans mark the 20th anniversary of genocide

Photo Courtesy of MCTCampus

By Troylon Griffin II Guest Reporter

Central African Republic threatened with genocide

It began with an explosion, the explosion of a plane carrying one of the many powerful men of Africa. Panic, fear, and rage began, two groups already with tension now on the brink of war were finally pushed to the edge. In a catastrophic event worthy of comparison to other famous genocides, thousands, maybe millions died at the hands of a simple tension that cannot be explained in simple words. Twenty years later the Rwandan Genocide still haunts people of Africa and the whole world’s minds.

For years, two groups had been at war, both metaphorically and literally. One was known as the Hutu, the other, the Tutsi. In the country of Rwanda, Hutu president Cyprien Ntaryamira led his people moderately. On April 6, 1994, Ntaryamira boarded a plane for Kigali, the country’s capitol. He would never make it off. Around nighttime, the plane was shot down, killing all onboard as a result of an assassination that to this day no one knows who carried out.

Fearing for their lives, the Hutu feared that it was the Tutsi responsible and that their lives were in danger. With paranoia and rage filling their minds, the genocide began on April 7,1994. Using machetes and other blunt

beer, filled their minds with more anger and rage that helped them to further their massacres. One could only cry in fear as the country of Rwanda absorbed all the

blood, war and rape that went on until July 15, 1994. The genocide technically did not even really end; instead it simple began to fade off.

As the genocide went on, so did other countries in their own business. Only the United Nations decided to intervene and attempt to help. Even they however, were

not very supportive. The soldiers could only use their weapons if fired upon. Yet in a hypocritical act, the soldiers would shoot dogs just because they were eating the dead bodies. In the aftermath, the UN attempted their best to not call the incident a genocide. Had they said it was, by law they would have had to had intervene.

Twenty years later the genocide of Rwanda has stayed in the minds of survivors, journalist, the UN and of course the U.S. The United States’ act of not intervening led it to be under a swarm of criticism. The murders of the Tutsi have led to comparisons to other genocides such as the Holocaust. Movies such as Beyond The Gates have been made in memory of those lost in the sad events.

Sadly, the end of the genocide has not left Africa a peaceful country all around. Even now, there is conflict going on between different groups. History is repeating itself as the UN is not doing much and neither is

the U.S. It is reasons like this that the Rwandan genocide must be remembered 20 years later. If we do not acknowledge our history, then we are bound to repeat it.

objects, the Hutu began to slaughter all Tutsi, forcing the Tutsi to hide in camps and churches for their safety. The Hutu were relentless in their killings, camping and

sleeping outside Tutsi camps cheering and yelling in joy, hoping with all grace they could kill Hutu. Drugs the Hutu took, such as Qat and Banana

By Carolina SarriaReporter

After months of violence taking place in the Central African Republic, Abdelkader Khalil, a former Seleka general, has warned that the country was turning to a new Rwanda for the Muslim minority. He has accused French and African troops of failing to protect Muslims and restoring stability in the nation by attacking the Muslim protests and allowing mass killings by Christian militias, known as anti-balaka.

“French troops spoil the atmosphere wherever they go,” Khalil said. “Muslims and Christians want peace and the international troops are proving weak in front of anti-balaka.”

The conflicts in the Central African Republic first began when the Muslim “Seleka” militia started a murderous rampage in the northeastern region of the country. The militia seized the capital of Bangui in March 2013 and overthrew president Francois Bozize, a Christian, later replacing him with Michel Djotodia, a Muslim.

The Muslim militia killed countless Christian civilians, burned down villages and looted thousands of homes. To fight the Seleka troops, the Christian population organized their own militias and started carrying out retaliation raids on Muslim neighborhoods. By November 2013, the United Nations warned that the nation was at risk of spiraling into genocide.

Djotodia was unable to hold on to power and fled the country on January 10.

the violence. The force, authorized by the 15-member council, will be known as MINUSCA and will consist of up to 10,000 troops, 1,800 police and 20 corrections officers. The operation will assume authority on September 15.

Toussaint Kongo-Doudou, Central African Republic’s foreign minister, thanked members for adopting the resolution. He said that it “lays the foundation for a solution and a way out of the crisis.”

The new UN force also authorizes the mission to help investigate violations of

human rights and humanitarian law by armed groups and arrest suspected perpetrators.

On April 9, 55 soldiers from the European Unions Force (EUFOR) arrived in the capital Bangui with the intention of “maintaining security and training local

officers”, according to the Security Council. With the establishment of MINUSCA, the African Union force on the ground will receive logistical support from the United Nations.

According to the Associated Press, there was a mixed reaction to the approval of a UN force on the streets of Bangui. Unemployed Cyrius Zemangui-Kette, 25, said the UN troops should have been sent in long ago, but the international community dragged its feet and now things have gotten worse.

“They say they’ll arrive in September. Until then, lots of Central Africans will continue to die, so who are they coming to save?” Zemangui-Kette said.

Officials are concerned with the nation’s current conditions.

“This has become a country where people are not just killed- they are tortured, mutilated, burned and dismembered… Children have been decapitated, and we know of four cases where the killers have eaten the flesh of their victims,” Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.

The mass killings have come at a time when the world is observing the twentieth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, which took place in 1994.

Since December 2013, around one million Central Africans have been internally displaced inside their own country. Over 150,000 Central African Muslims have fled to neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo,

Republic of Congo and Chad. The death toll has climbed to 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, including women and children.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved the creation of a UN peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic to try to stop

Aicha Oumar and her daughter Badawiya, 8, wait for a convoy of trucks to begin its second day of travel as they and other Muslims riding in the convoy try to escape the violence of vengeful “anti-balaka” militias that have been targeting and killing Muslims in recent months, March 8, 2014, in Bouar. Entire towns across the country that once held Muslim populations are devoid of them now. (Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

7News

Around Creek8

Pre-UIL band concert helps land impressive score

Clear Creek High School bands demonstrated their musical prowess during the UIL Competition Preview Concert, held April 8, at 7:00 p.m. Performing a total of eight musical pieces, the student musicians seized the opportunity to reveal their hard work and dedication to presenting their best effort for the upcoming competition.

Under the direction of Mr. Daniel Cuevas and Mr. Stephen Meyer, Concert Band performed Dolce and Dance, by Gary Fagan, as well as all three movements of Simple Gifts, by Frank Ticheli. Dolce and Dance is a lyrical piece, while Simple Gifts varies from an upbeat dance presentation, to a more flowing melody, depending on the movement.

“I really enjoyed playing the third movement of Simple Gifts because it was very lyrical,” Alexis Dickerson, a freshman clarinetist said.

The Symphonic Band, directed by Mr. Daniel Cuevas, played St.Petersburg March, composed by Johnnie Vinson, Dusk, composed by Steven Bryant and The Hounds of Spring, composed by Alfred Reed.

“Dusk is a lyrical, flowing piece, while Hounds of Spring, and St. Petersburg March are very upbeat and fast-paced. Dusk was, by far, my favorite piece to perform because I loved the chord progression and the music within the piece, itself,” Sierra Morales, a freshman saxophone player in Symphonic Band, said.

The Clear Creek Wind Ensemble,

The UIL Concert Competitions were held April 23 – 24, 2014, at Pearland High School. Each band performed their rehearsed concert pieces in front of three judges, as well as an unfamiliar musical piece in front of three different judges. The bands were be scored by

three judges on a scale of I – III, with a I being the best score. If a band earns three Division I ratings for a performance, this is called getting “Sweepstakes.” The Wind Ensemble earned Sweepstakes and Symphonic Band scored a superior rating in the concert portion of UIL.

under the direction of Mr. Stephen Meyer, played three pieces titled, Easter Monday on the White House Lawn, composed by John Philips Sousa, Lux Arumque, composed by Eric Whitacre, and Music for Prague 1968, composed by Karel Husa. Music for Prague contains four movements, including I. Introduction and Fanfare, II. Aria, III. Interlude, and IV. Toccata and Chorale. Music for Prague is a very special piece because it was written in response to the 1968 Russian invasion of Prague, the hometown of the composer. The tone of the music conveys a wartime theme, with heavy use of percussion and surprising chord combinations to depict chaos and disturbance. A single piccolo represents the voice of freedom, while an overbearing timpani threatens to diminish that voice.

“I really enjoyed learning and performing the Easter Monday on the White House Lawn because it was upbeat and cheery Julie Chase, a junior clarinetist in Wind Ensemble, said. However some had different opinions.

“My favorite piece was Music from Prague 1968 because I’ve never played anything like it. It was very fun to learn such twisted, dark and unconventional piece,” Sarah Ruthven, a junior clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, said.

It is very important for the band students to have a pre-UIL concert because it gives them a chance to see what it is like to perform their music in front of an audience. It also gives the directors a chance to make any last minute changes the music if something does not sound right.

By Emily RuthvenReporter

By Lisa NhanManaging Editor

Choir sings the National Anthem at Minute Maid“It was five minutes of work

followed by hours of fun,” Stultz said. The choir walked on to the field in

front of hundreds of people to sing. Their performance was projected on to the Jumbotron. Mr. Park conducted.

“It was definitely an experience to

remember. You get to walk out on that field and see some of the players warming up before you perform. It was cool to see that

some of them were shorter than me,” Raymond Gonzales, 12th, said.

To some the experience of singing in front of hundreds in a

stadium that left an impression. “It was really fun being on the

field, because you don’t get that opportunity a lot,” Liz Miller, 10th, said.

For many of those who attended, the real fun came after singing in the stands while they bonded with their fellow choir members. According to Stultz, during their time in the stands, some member participated in a contest for the ugliest selfie with the hash tag #creekchoir14. This is a hashtag that members have used throughout the year to help document their adventures and successes.

In order to sing at an Astros game, choirs must send a performance to the Astros for approval. After that, they are entered in a data bank that allows them to be asked to sing at the games from then on. Last year was the first time they choir had this opportunity, and according to Park, he intends to continue it every year. Park has had his previous choir perform with the Astros, so this tradition was not a new one as him.

“It’s a good way to give back to the community,” Park said.

In addition to performing, this experience has given the members something to bond over.

“It was a great experience and a good opportunity to see the kids bond by singing together and spending a day outside of the choir room,” Stultz said.

The game ended against the Angels with a lost for the Astros. The final score was 11 to 1..

Members from all five Clear Creek Choirs sang the National Anthem at Minute Maid Park before an Astros game. The game was on April 4 and was played against the LA Angels. This is a continuation of an annual tradition that Mr. James Park and Mr. Sean Stultz plan to carry on. It was the first non-school related performance that choir had put on this year.

“It’s great for our students to go on stage and represent our school and community in front of around 2300 people. These are people who had no impression of Creek before and are walking away having seen our students perform in honor of their country,” Park said.

Over 60 choir members from all ensembles of choir participated in this event. A bus took them to Minute Maid, while many family members attended to watch the performance as well. There was not a practice for this event beforehand, as one of the first things students learn on the first week of school is the National Anthem.

“It’s a good song to start with teaching in the beginning of the year since we do sing it at so many event,” Stultz said.

They did practice beforehand before walking on to the pitch, but due to their experience with the song, extensive practice was not needed. The choir sings the National Anthem multiple times throughout the school year at events such as pep rallies and sporting events.

Photos courtsey of Jasmine Garza

9Around CreekJustin Adams’ documentary advances to UIL State

Sophomore Justin Adams advanced to the semi-finals in the state’s first UIL competition for film production with his film, Theater Revealed: A Production Like No Other. Out of 150 entries, only 29 advanced to the semi-finals, announced on Friday, March 21. Adams’ film was the only documentary from CCHS and the only documentary to advance to the semi-finals. The film earned several superior ratings, the highest scores from many judges. One judge even went so far as to rank the film first out of 150 others.

Adams’ documentary was based on the process of putting together a show, specifically CCHS’s Winter Shows: The Diary of Adam and Eve and La Dispute. The film took a total of three months to fully produce, starting in the middle of December and ending in early March. Adams used computer programs Adobe Premiere and Final Cut and a GH3 canon to shoot and produce the film. The finished product was a seven-minute documentary.

“Making a film definitely comes with its struggles, just like anything else in this world and, while filming a documentary, you really never

making sure that everything flowed and made sense. Editing was one of the most difficult parts of the entire process.

“After everything had been filmed, I had no clue as to how I was going to lay it

all out. I just didn’t know even where to start. But,

after some help, guidance and suggestions, I finally figured it out.” Adams said.

Aside from all of the hard work that went into the production of the film, Adams had a lot of fun with the theater students, describing it later on

as “the most enjoyable thing about the production of the documentary.”

“During the first few days of filming, the cast didn’t even notice me. They knew that I was filming, and I was expecting them to act a little differently, due to the fact that they all knew that they were being filmed. However, the entire winter show cast went about their business as usual. I was glad because this made the documentary much more relatable and accurate,” Adams said.

“Making this film was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. This experience has opened my eyes to the amazingly creative world of film production and it introduced me into the theater life and how hard everyone in there works. I definitely appreciate theater so much more now. I got to see how theater is all one big family, which was heartwarming.” Adams said.

Adams’ film was not one of the top six in the state, therefore, he was prevented from moving on to the next round.

“I was disappointed, however, I got over it quickly” Adams said.

On April 22, Adams submitted his documentary into the National High School Film Festival.

His next film will be a documentary on the Houston Food Bank, the largest food bank in the nation.

know what to expect,” Adams said. Adams faced several challenges

along the way such as the overall theme, learning how to use certain computer programs and video editing.

“When I started filming, I had a basic idea of what the documentary would be like. However, my ideas shifted changed before I was finally set on a common theme, or idea,” Adams said.

After weeks of filming, Adams endured about a solid month of video editing,

By Emily RuthvenReporter

Photo courtesy of Justin Adams

Around Creek10

National Forensics League brings success to Debate

By Carolina SarriaReporter

Cadettes perform variety of dances at Spring ShowSomewhere Over the Rainbow, by Eva Cassidy, was choreographed by Mr. Cuevas and was almost entirely a flag routine. The girls started off “sleeping”, then “woke up” to start dancing with a white pillow, brought out white flags to represent the clouds, and then each individual girl came out with a different color flag to make up the colors of the rainbow. The last set of flags were

a pair of multi-colored double swing flags which were later used as blankets at the end when the girls grabbed their pillows and went “back to sleep”.

The dance that followed was Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive, choreographed by Ms. Diegelman. This modern specialty piece featured black lace one-

piece costumes that covered the girls’ heads. The routine started off with a bang as the girls pulled off their head covers right before they started dancing.

Right before the final dance, a slideshow presentation created by Cadette members Lauren Eure and Ikeisha Waters was shown. It displayed pictures of the team members from all throughout the school year.

The finale was Mothership by Mason Bates, as performed by the CCHS Wind Ensemble at the 2013 Midwest Clinic. Choreographed by Ms. Allin, the contemporary ballet piece featured the black tutus from the opening number.

The night concluded with special thanks from Ms. Allin and strong applause

from the audience, who appeared to have greatly enjoyed the performance.

“In Over the Rainbow, the flag work was so precise and graceful,” Rachel Flores said when asked what she thought about the show. “I loved all the costumes, and Georgia was so cute.”

The Cadettes themselves believe that all their hard work finally paid off that night, and they are excited to see what is to come.

“My favorite part about the performance was how the team all came together as one. I hope everyone realizes how amazing they did,” Cadette member Kimberly Erickson said. “I’m most looking forward to the potential this team has and the future Cadettes becoming something amazing and unexpected.”

The team felt proud of their performance, and they also enjoyed the presence of being onstage.

“Performing was amazing,” Cadette member Eboni Childs said. “Knowing that you’re doing something you love and are proud of makes it worth while.”

Ms. Allin had several inspirations for the songs she picked to be in show.

“This year, we wanted to challenge the girls with a variety of dance styles and roles. Keeping that in mind, I think Mr. Cuevas, Ms. Diegelman and I just picked songs that inspired our creativity,” Ms. Allin said. “For example, one of my selections was a live recording of the CCHS Wind Ensemble’s ‘Mothership’. The first time I heard the Wind Ensemble play it this past December, I just ‘felt’ a dance inside the music. With American in Paris, I grew up in love with Gene Kelly’s suave

grace and seemingly effortless charm.”Those interested in joining the

Cadettes Performance Ensemble in the fall may attend the open auditions taking place on May 20 and 21 from 4-7 PM in the CCHS Band Hall. For more information, please stop by Ms. Allin’s room in D120.

The second annual Cadette Spring Dance Project Performance took place on April 4 in the Clear Creek High School auditorium. The show included a variety of dance styles, ranging from hip-hop, modern, lyrical and flag.

The performance kicked off with a jazzy theater group routine of An American in Paris by George Gershwin, choreographed by Cadette director Ms. Katherine Allin.

The dance, which was almost like a skit, featured three members of the CCHS Band, along with assistant band director Mr. Daniel Cuevas’ dog, Georgia. Stage props included a white Eiffel Tower in the background, a bench, a café table and the costumes were made more extravagant with black tutus.

Next, the contemporary routine of Christina Aguilera’s The Right Man featured a select group of girls whose costumes were the same as those worn in the fall season for the marching band’s show, Jacob’s Ladder. The dance was choreographed by Blake Dutton and staged by Mr. Cuevas.

Ms. Erica Diegelman, the assistant Cadette director, choreographed the third dance. It was an upbeat hip-hop number done to Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls) and was one of the specialty routines that required an audition.

Then came another specialty number titled Seasons of Love from the film Rent, a lyrical dance choreographed by Ms. Allin who added chairs to create a new dynamic to the piece.

The audience gasped and cheered when the Cadettes, dressed in black from head to toe, came out on a blacked-out stage with orange and green glow sticks for their techno group performance to Martin Garrix’s Animals, choreographed by Ms. Diegelman.

The girls enrolled in the Cadette class performed the routine that followed.

Photos courtsey of Yearbook Den

By Brendan HudspethReporter

On April 3-5, the Creek Debate team competed in their last non-UIL tourna-ment of the school year, the National Fo-rensics League South Texas District tour-nament, hosted by Bellaire High School. Creek sent 13 members to the meet, eight of whom competed in Public Forum.

Outside of PF, Claire Berlinger compet-ed in Lincoln-Douglas debate, Conner Kre-mer competed in Humorous Interp, and Rea-gan Brooks competed in Original Oratory.

The biggest success for Creek came out of PF, where the team of Lucca Tim-merman and Logan Ellis qualified for NFL Nationals. Ellis also qualified in Foreign Extemp. Another PF team of Sahar Ji-wani and Megan Puckett almost qualified as well, losing their quarterfinals round.

Both categories of Extemp, Domes-tic and Foreign, functioned like the rest of the tournament’s events. Instead of the

typical preliminary rounds followed by elimination rounds, Extemp was ongo-ing, with only the highest-ranking com-petitors advancing through each round. Creek sent the aforementioned Timmer-man and Berlinger as well as novices Chris Herrera and Arbera Bedini in Do-mestic Extemp, and Ellis, Puckett, Chris-tina Morrison and Cameron Littleton.

Ellis and Littleton also previously qualified for Nationals in Student Con-gress, at the South Texas NFL Districts Congress Tournament on March 1. All three members going to Nationals, Tim-merman, Ellis, and Littleton, went last year, which was hosted in Alabama.

“It’s exciting. It’s very fun to com-pete in a high-level debate tourna-ment,” said Logan Ellis, who will com-pete in PF, FX, and Congress, the most events out of the three competitors.

“I feel very lucky to have quali-fied for such a prestigious tournament. I hope to represent Creek well in con-

gressional debate,” said Cameron Lit-tleton, who will compete in Congress.

This year’s tournament will be hosted in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, in June. For the National Tournament, schools from two districts in Overland Park will host the earlier rounds, and the final

rounds will be held at the city’s convention center. The tournament lasts an entire week, and will result in over $4.5 million going into Overland Park’s economy, largely due to the estimated 12,000 room nights in over 20 local hotels, according to Amy Garton in an Overland Park Examiner article.

11Around Creek

By a mere 31 point difference, Creek’s UIL Academics placed second in the district Spring UIL Meet. Creek placed behind Clear Lake had 348 points to Creek’s had 317. However, compared to the other schools, Creek and Lake lead by a large margin.

Behind Creek in third place was Clear Brook with 270 points. In fourth place was Clear Springs with 174 points. Brazoswood came in fifth with a total of 141. Sixth place was Dickinson with 136 points. Falls came in seventh with 102 points.

This year the bulk of the competition took place on March 28 and 29 at Dickinson High School. Other aspects of the Academic meet such as the One Act Play and Cross Examination occurred earlier. Creek competes in the 24-5A District, which includes all of the CCISD high schools, Dickinson High School and Brazoswood High School.

Places first through third advance to Regionals, with the places following to act as alternates. Regionals for the Spring Meet this year will take place on May 2 and 3 at Cy-Wood High School. Unfortunately, May 3 is an SAT date. Due to this conflict, some of those who advanced to Regionals will be unable to attend.

Creek is sending a total of 23 students to regionals, the most in many years according to UIL Coach, Mr. Ken Fontenot.

Kayla Meyers placed sixth in Accounting. In Computer Applications, Emily Kampen placed fourth.

Ready Writing. Chris Walker also placed in Ready Writing, in fifth place.

Walker again placed in Science at sixth place.The Computer Science team placed second over all and will act as alternates for Regionals. Gabe Schuffield,

with third place, will be advancing

to Regionals. Eliot Robson also placed with fifth place.

Creek’s Literary Criticism team took first place in district. The team will be representing Creek at Regionals. Mark Hinkel placed third; Hannah Gellman placed fifth; Lauren Matthews placed sixth.

Journalism won first team over all for the district with six advancing to regionals. The whole Current Events Team, composed of Taylor Johnson and Ata Karagoz, will be advancing regionals. Johnson placed first, and Karagoz placed second. Jenan

Taha won first place in Newswriting. In Editorial Writing, Lisa Nhan placed third and Jasmine Garza placed fifth. Garza again placed fourth in Headline Writing with Jessica Sieling coming in second. Elena Rodriguez placed third and Sieling again placed sixth in Feature Writing.

Emma Robertson placed first in

By Lisa NhanManaging Editor

Creek’s UIL Academics sends students to regionals

Photo Courtesy of Yearbook Den

Speech Team won first overall. Five of their members will be advancing to Regionals. In their Informative Speaking event, they placed the most with Sahar Jiwani in first, Taylor Johnson in third and Meagan Puckett in fourth. Logan Ellis placed first in Persuasive Speaking with Claire Berlinger who placed sixth. Chelse Tillman won first place in Poetry Interpretation. In Prose Interpretation, Connor Kremer placed third and Heather Keenan placed fifth.

The whole Social Studies team will be advancing to regionals. Individually, Julia Griffis placed sixth.

For the Cross Examination Debate, Creek’s team of Sahar Jiwani and Lucca Timmerman placed in eighth. In ninth place was the team of Logan Ellis and Savannah Stevens. The last team from Creek to place was Taylor Johnson and Meagan Puckett in twelfth.

In the One Act Play section, Creek placed third in the district portion to act as alternate to Region with their play A Company of Wayward Saints. However, the cast and crew were presented with some individual awards. Winning spots in the All-Star Cast were Ashley Haas and Justin Gibbons. Drew McCord and Madi Keikel were awarded with Honorable Mention. The Technical Award for the school was presented to Sarah Timmons.

Last year, Creek’s team has placed in second behind Lake, but by a larger difference of 126. This year has shown significant improvement and a promised success for next year. Next year’s UIL will see the addition of Friendswood to the District.

Best Buddies rolls out Red Carpet for annual prom

Clear Creek rolled out a red carpet for some of the most important people in the district on April 25th. That night was dedicated to Best Buddies Prom, an annual event hosted by Creek’s own chapter. Every high school in the district was invited to take part in giving those who deserve it a chance to walk down that coveted red carpet.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit that is dedicated to, “establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one to one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)” according to their international website.

There is a Best Buddies chapter in every high school in the district.

“It’s important for us to have this event, because it gives us a chance to give everyone the inclusion they deserve. Seeing the joy it brings to everyone who comes give us the motivation to host it every year,” Nick Casey, 12th, president of Creek’s chapter said.

This year’s theme was Red Carpet, the same theme as this year’s senior prom. Mrs. Wafa Lotf, sponsor of the club, suggested the idea, because she wanted her students to have the same experience as everyone else.

To honor this theme, two red carpets were placed at each entrance to the prom; one up the stairs to the doors and

The night was filled with dancing and photos . Many people came with their Peer Buddy of came as an Associate buddy.

What ever title they came under, everyone seemed to have fun.

“I think it’s our best prom yet.

Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun, and over all everyone was really enjoying themselves,” Allie Casey, 10th, social media coordinator, said.

A “selfie corner” was made for students to take photos with their phones. It was complete with props and party blowers.

In the past, the prom has been held at Enchanted Gardens. However due to the cost and distance of the location, a different venue was picked for this year.

The Clear Lake Shores Clubhouse was chosen and proved to be a good match.

“It turned out to be perfect for us. It’s a definite possibility that we could have it here again next year,” Casey said.

Fitted with an accessible wheelchair ramp, kitchen, and built in sound system, the venue provided everything that would

be needed for a successful prom. There was an additional porch outside for more seating for people to enjoy the view of the docks next to the venue.

The venue was found with the help of the Ward family, as their son, Cameron Ward is the chapter president at Falls.

The profits from the event go to the chapter’s account for next year. This year’s profits ended up being $400.

Next year’s president for the chapter has been announced to be Sarah Creveling, 11th. The other officer positions have still yet to be chosen.

In other exciting news for the club, this year Creek has been named Chapter of the Year in the district at this year’s annual Friendship Walk.

another up the wheelchair ramp. Other decorations were made to fit the theme. Tickets were designed as movie stubs, and

there was an overarching theme of black, gold and red through the streamers and tablecloths.

By Lisa NhanManaging Editor

Photos courtsey of Hi-Life Staff

Features14Sophmore band Until Further Notice is on the rise

Five of Clear Creek High School’s sophomore students formed a metal band in January of 2014 called Until Further Notice.

The band consists of Adam Baker, who plays the keyboard and percussion, David Whitt, who plays the bass gui-tar and sings back up vocals, Kyle Hud-dleston plays the drums and other vari-ous percussion instruments, Alec Miranda sings the lead vocals and plays the lead guitar and Connor Vining who sings backing vocals and plays rhythm guitar.

Until Further Notice also has an Insta-gram page titled Untilfurthernoticeofficial.

With the band’s formation of an Instagram page, some fans have started to recognize the members of Until Further Notice in school.

“We had taken a band photo and we were going to post it on our Instagram page. We didn’t know what to put in the caption for our name, so we just said, ‘Until Further Notice’ and I guess it just kind of stuck,” Kyle Huddleston said.

Until Further Notice’s music is inspired by all types of music, particularly Metallica, a very famous metal band formed in 1981.

“We just really want to inspire people with our music, and I re-ally think we will,” Huddleston said.

Until Further Notice is current-ly in the process of writing their own music, but according to the mem-bers, it isn’t very hard for them.

The metal band has already performed at the CCHS Coffee House and at Seaworld :San Antonio, Texas for the Susan G. Ko-

men walk for breast cancer. The band trav-eled to San Antonio the night before and set up at Seaworld at 6:15 AM, not playing until 8:00 AM. Until Further No-tice played for 25,000 race partici-pants until 10:00 AM. Many run-ners stopped to take pic-tures with the band! The next day, the b a n d m a d e it’s way back to Houston.

Until F u r t h e r N o t i c e a s p i r e s to play at Wa r p e d Tour, a tour of al-ternative music and extreme music that travels all across the country, by the band’s senior year. Af-ter that is accomplished, the band hopes to release music on iTunes and gradually become a popular band across the nation.

Just like anything, being in a band takes hard work, commitment and has it’s

struggles. However, Until Further Notice has handled the rough patches very well.

“Even with the struggles, being in a band helps form strong re-lationships with your friends. Our band is like a family. We fight, argue, and disagree sometimes, but who doesn’t? At the end of

the day, we still appreci-ate each o t h e r even if we dis-a g r e e a b o u t s o m e things.” H u d -dleston s a i d .

F o r some of the band mem-bers, Until Further No-

tice has given the opportunity to gain experience in many things.

“The band has opened me up to new experiences and new people. Hanging out with all of the guys has shown me a different side of me that I really enjoy

being. Playing music and hanging out with everyone is an experience I will not forget and hopefully those experi-ences keep coming.” Connor Vining said.

Being in Until Further No-tice also presents the opportuni-ty to learn, grow and inspire others.

“Being in a band with a good group of guys is always great but whenever you have a group of people who seri-ously want to write and make music you don’t take it for granted .I’m so proud of how much progress we have made and I can see the we have the potential to in-spire others and have fun.” Whitt said.

For Adam Baker, being in the band gave him the chance to fully be who he truly is.

“Being in a band really gives me the chance to express myself and to show aside of me that others may not see. I’ve had a few people come up to me and rec-ognize me from a picture we posted online, which is awesome. I don’t want to say that popularity is everything in life, but in high school is pretty much is.” Baker said.

Other members have gained leadership qualities.

“They are all great musicians and mak-ing music that actually sounds good is a great feeling. The whole band brings me joy I can’t find anywhere else. In many ways I feel the band has given me a sense of prude and a push to leadership. Writing music, working on songs and then rehearsing them at the highest level possible is a challenge for me and the guys.” Alec Miranda said.

Until Further Notice will be creat-ing their own products so, “You can ex-pect to hear Until Further Notice’s own music very soon,” Huddleston said.

By Emily RuthvenReporter

By Jenan TahaFeatures Editor

dren in cities and the countryside who are all at risk of polio, which makes coun-trywide distribution extremely difficult. Electricity, which is required to refriger-ate the vaccine, is either on-and-off or nonexistent in several Indian hospitals.

The Indian government also had trouble convincing the Muslim minority that the vaccine was safe for their chil-dren. Muslims and other minorities be-lieved the vaccine was a plot by the gov-ernment to get rid of minority groups, but the government and health organiza-tions have convinced them otherwise.

India is now the first of the last countries to eradicate the dis-ease from within their borders.

Currently, there are only 37 reported cases of polio in the world. The amount of cases had been reduced by 99 percent since 1988. Now, there are only three countries that continue to report polio cases: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Various world health groups have planned to rid the world of polio by 2018 using a $5.5 billion vaccination plan. The plan includes vaccinating over 250 million children per year, and con-tinually inspecting over 70 countries to ensure the virus does not reappear.

According to the World Health Organi-zation, the world is 99 percent free of polio, and can eventually be completely eradicat-ed from Earth without the risk of a revival.

tion distributes polio vaccinations and also funds proper vaccination facilities.

In 1988, India reported over 200,000 polio cases in children per year. In 2009, they had 741 c a s e s —a l m o s t half of the w o r l d ’ s remaining cases. In an over-c r o w d e d and most-ly rural country of 1.2 billion p e o p l e , many be-lieved In-dia would be the last and most

difficult country to rid of p o l i o .

I n -d i a

had to overcome several challenges in order to distribute and utilize the vac-cine. The country has millions of chil-

man of Rotary international’s India National PolioPlus Committee. “Im-munize, immunize and immunize.”

R u k h -sar’s par-ents have now be-come advo-cates for an end to polio, along with the ongo-ing world-wide efforts that began a l m o s t three de-cades ago.

P o l i o -m y e l i t i s , which can cause paral-ysis in chil-dren usually five years or younger, afflicted 350,000 p e o p l e in 125 c o u n -tries in 1988. In the same year, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. This organiza-

Four-year-old Rukhsar Khatoon has become a sensation in southern Asia, not only for overcoming polio, but for being the last documented case of polio in India. On March 27, the World Health Organization announced that India, as well as all of South-east Asia, was completely free of polio—an effort that took several decades to achieve.

Rukhsar became afflicted with sev-eral polio symptoms as a toddler and was frequently in and out of the hospital with diarrhea and liver pains. Although her par-ents got all of her siblings vaccinated for polio, they decided not to vaccinate Rukh-sar, because she had already been through so much medication. She was only 18 months old when one of her legs began to swell. She was diagnosed with polio.

Rukhsar became paralyzed, and her parents did not think she would be able to walk again.

“Everything was our fault,” Rukhsar’s father said. “I thought she would never walk again.”

After extensive therapy, Rukhsar is now able to walk again and has re-covered from the disease with few ad-verse effects. She walks with a slight limp and still experiences some pain, but the worst of the disease is gone.

“There were three keys to our success,” said Deepak Kapur, chair-

India beats the odds eradicating polio from country

Photos courtsey of Kyle Huddleston

A child gets a dose of Polio vaccine during National Immunization Day in Salar, India. While Polio is a distant memory in the United States, it is still prevalent in

some poorer countries. The World Health Organization is pushing to vaccinate in all countries to eradicate the crippling disease by the end of the year 2000. (PH) PL KD

1999 (Sq)

Features 15By Emily BerthiaumeReporter

University Hospital’s radiology department, because he wants to become a doctor.

“Usually kids are good athletes or good musicians or good actors, but they don’t have all three and then on top add student government. It’s a balancing act. He somehow finds time to do it all and then volunteer at a local hospital,” Butler said.

Robin Rubin, the founder of Spark Admissions in Massachusetts, offered her

opinion on why Enin was accepted to all eight. “Standardized test scores and good

grades will get a student in the door to have their application read,” Rubin said. “But it’s their extracurricular activities, leadership experience, exceptional talents, recommendation letters and personal essays that will move a student from a pile of ‘maybes’ to a pile of ‘accepted.’”

For most students, being accepted to one Ivy League school is extraordinary. Cornell University admitted only 14 percent of applicants, this past year, and Harvard accepted just 5.9 percent.

Enin has “a lot of things in his favor” according to college admissions expert Katherine Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise, a New York based consulting firm.

These days, most students at prestigious colleges tend to be female. The US Department of Education estimates that females comprise 57 percent of college students, and even elite colleges are struggling to keep male and female ratios even.

“Colleges are looking for great boys,” Cohen said.

Enin’s parents immigrated to New York from Ghana in the 1980s and studied at public colleges to become nurses. Being a first-generation American from Ghana also helps him stand out, Cohen said.

Although he can choose from any of the eight, there seems to be a front-runner in Enin’s mind.

“I’m thinking about Yale. I really liked their sense of family, relationships between undergraduates and professors, and the residential college. They also have a strong biomedical engineering program, which is a wonderful combination of biology and creative tools that doctors and health care professionals can use,” Enin said.

Enin also likes Yale’s music program, as he hopes to continue that hobby in college when he is not busy studying.

“Follow your passions in high school and not just follow suit for what you think can get you into these schools,” he said as advice to future applicants. “Develop your outside interests -- not just academics.”

which puts him in the top 2 percentile, according to his principal Barbara Butler of William Floyd High School on Long Island’s south shore. He will also have taken 11 AP classes by the time he graduates.

“He is an incredibly modest, humble and respectable person,” Butler said. “He is incredibly dedicated and he has

his priorities straight. He takes advantage of whatever opportunity he is afforded.”

However, the most impressive part of Enin’s application does not come from the classroom. He plays three instruments for his school’s chamber orchestra, sings in an a capella group, throws shot put and discus on the track and field team, participates in student government and has had lead roles in school plays since 9th grade. And on the side, he volunteers at Stony Brooks

New York student accepted to all eight Ivy Leagues

Photo courtsey of William Floyd School District

A high school senior from New York achieved the seemingly impossible this spring when he was accepted to all eight Ivy League schools, from Brown to Yale. Kwasi Enin, a first-generation American from Shirley, NY with a great amount of extracurriculars, also applied to Duke and three state universities of New York campuses. He was accepted to all of them.

His choice will have to be made by May 1 and will probably be between the eight prestigious Ivy Leagues: Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Princeton and Cornell.

“I applied knowing that going to any of the Ivy League schools would be wonderful,” Enin told CNN. “I thought if I applied to all eight, I figured I’d get into one ... but from the first one onwards I said, ‘This can’t be happening!’ I was shocked seeing all these acceptances under my name.”

Others seemed just as shocked at Enin’s news as he was.

“My heart skipped a beat when he told me he was applying to all eight,” Nancy Winkler, a guidance counselor at Enin’s school, said. In 29 years as a counselor, she says, she’s never seen anything like this. “It’s a big deal when we have students apply to one or two Ivies. To get into one or two is huge. It was extraordinary.”

Enin got a 2250 score on his SAT out of a possible 2400, which means he is in the 99th percentile for African Americans and 98th percentile for students across the country, according to the College Board. He is ranked number 11 in a class of 647,

16PHOTO FINISH

Teen InterestTeen Interest18Series finale of How I Met Your Mother disappoints

Ted finally finishes telling his kids the story of how he met their mother, on the special one-hour series finale of “How I Met

Your Mother,” Monday, March 31 ( 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Cristin Milioti as “The

Mother.” (Ron P. Jaffe/Courtesy CBS Entertainment/MCT)

The Walt Disney Company recently bought Maker Studios, an online video production company that operates through YouTube, for $500 million, with a possible $450 million more if it meets “aggressive growth targets”. Maker, which generates more than 5.5 billion YouTube views on all of its combined 55,000 channels per month and has 380 million subscribers in total, is the most recent part of Disney’s effort to continue to reach teenagers who are spending more and more time online.

Bob Iger, the chief executive of Disney, said in a statement that “short-form online video is growing at an astonishing pace and with Maker Studios, Disney will now be at the center of this dynamic industry with an unmatched combination of advanced technology and programming expertise and capabilities.”

According to Kevin Mayer, Disney’s executive Vice President of corporate strategy, buying Maker Studios will help Disney reach young audiences.

“They have the biggest audience on YouTube. It’s very hard to replicate,” Mayer said.

He said that while Disney also reaches younger viewers, their habits are changing. “To the extent that they’re finding YouTube, we want to be there too,” he said. “We don’t want to have any vacuums.”

Maker manages about 55,000

“We haven’t bought something like this before,” said Mr. Mayer. “If I’m going to make a bet on the future, it’s short form video and younger audiences.”

The buyout comes after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, which runs the Star Wars franchise, and Marvel in recent years.

Maker Studios was created in 2009 by

Lisa and Ben Donovan, Danny Zappin, Shay

Carl Butler and Kassem Gharaibeh as a way to help people looking to make a business out of YouTube. According to Butler, Danny Zappin was the one that had the original idea for Maker.

“It was his idea, it was his brainchild,” Butler said in a video. “He’s the one

that called me when I was a radio DJ in southeastern Idaho. I remember, to this day, sitting in the DJ booth when Danny called me, talked to me about moving to LA and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m down, let me call my wife, I’ll call you right back.’”

According to their website, what began as friends with a vision quickly grew to several sound stages, editing suites, millions of subscribers and billions of views.

Maker has certainly become a very successful operation. It now manages some of the most popular channels on YouTube, including the most subscribed YouTuber, Felix Kjellberg, or PewDiePie. Maker also produces videos for Epic Rap Battles of History, Tobuscus, and Bad Lip Reading. Many other YouTubers have previously worked for Maker and then left, including Shane Dawson, The Fine Brothers, Philip DeFranco and Ray William Johnson.

Shay Butler, one of the original founders of Maker Studios, has talked frequently in his recent videos about when he moved his wife and three kids to California from Idaho five years ago to start Maker. They came to California dead broke, and he often wondered if he was making the right choice.

“Never give up, you guys,” Butler said in a video, talking about the $500 million buyout. “All the clichés are a cliché for a reason. Do what you love, find something you believe in and never quit. Never stop, keep doing it… do something you love every single day and eventually you will have major success.”

YouTube channels, which can provide a pipeline to young consumers for Disney’s characters and franchises. Disney is also counting on Maker to help it learn how to best interact with the “raised-on-the-Web generation”, according to NYTimes.

“Maker brings to Disney a substantial digital audience, some of the biggest stars

in the space and also a real understanding of how to manage big brands on YouTube,” Brent Weinstein, who leads United Talent Agency’s digital media division, said.

Disney’s ability to advertise through creators of YouTube may be limited by the fact that Maker partners with the producers of popular content, but doesn’t own it.

By Emily Berthiaume Reporter

Disney buys Maker Studios for 500 million dollars

Photo Courtesy of Scott R. Smith

By Jessica SielingManaging Editor

The popular CBS television show, How I Met Your Mother, ended with its ninth season on March 31 with a major plot twist that left many of its viewers upset. The show’s ending was, altogether, disappointing and irreverent to the rest of the season, as well as a let down to the show as a whole.

The comedy centered around Ted Mosby, in the year 2030, telling his two children the story of how he met their mother after years of adventures with his friends while living in New York City. The other main characters in the show consisted of Ted’s longtime roommate Marshall Eriksen and his wife, Lily Aldrin, Ted’s on and off girlfriend Robin Scherbatsky and Barney Stinson, the “player” of the group.

The show started in 2005 and was created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays. Thomas and Bays also worked as the sitcom’s executive producers, as well as writers for many of the episodes. Over the years, the show gained popularity over its various seasons and received many positive reviews because of its distinctive humor and storytelling.

However, the whole ninth season differed greatly from the previous eight, by focusing on one specific event: the weekend leading up to Robin and Barney’s wedding. Each episode spanned a certain amount of hours from the wedding, and slowly caught up to the actual event, despite some minor flashbacks that contributed to the storyline. The second to last episode featured Robin and Barney’s actual wedding ceremony

life, there was always something to look forward to: Ted finally meeting his wife and living happily with their children. From episode one, that was always how the show was supposed to end.

The whole show had continuously made references to the mother’s a p p e a r a n c e , introducing the mother’s old roommate as a friend of Ted’s, and by alluding to the symbolic yellow umbrella that connected Ted and the Mother in yet another way. All of the hints and comments about the Mother added to the big reveal at the end. Even the entire ninth season led up to the moment of them meeting by having each main character meet her

before Ted even knew about her.

But instead, the writers went in a different

direction with the show’s ending; one where Ted ended up with Robin after years of being apart, making the show have a circle ending.

All in all, the plot twist would have

made sense if the show had ended back in the third or fourth season, before the characters had fully developed. But in just one episode, the writers destroyed the build up to Ted meeting the mother by killing her off a few minutes afterward, shattering the relationship between Barney and Robin that had been building up along the way.

The finale did have some good parts, such as Barney having a surprise child and learning what fatherhood really is and Ted meeting the Mother. But the good parts were definitely outweighed by the bad ones, like the Mother getting sick and dying and Ted running off the Robin in the end. Altogether, the episode did not do the rest of the show justice and only made it that much more of a let down.

However, fans who did not like the finale will be happy to hear that they might get their happy ending after all. Carter Bays, How I Met Your Mother’s co-creator, tweeted on April 4 informing fans everywhere that the DVD set for the ninth season will include an alternate ending for fans who were disappointed.

“16 days ago today we were in the HIMYM edit room, trying to decide between two very different endings.” Bays said. “We only shot one script, but through edit room magic we had two possible outcomes for the series. We chose the ending we chose and we stand by it. But we loved the other version too. We’re going to include that version on the Complete Series DVD as an alternate finale to How I Met Your Mother.”

It has not been addressed when the DVD set will come out, however fans can expect to see the alternate ending soon.

and left the audience awaiting the much-anticipated Ted and Mother meeting.

But when watching the series finale, within seconds it was obvious that the hour long special was going to be much different from any past episodes. It began extremely melancholy and gave the entire episode a sort of gloomy feel, starting with a three year flash-forward in which Robin and Barney announced their recent divorce. The episode continued with scenes following the “gang” into the later years of their lives, including Ted and the Mother having their two children and getting married. But it still had a depressing vibe as Robin slowly drifted away from her friends. However, the episode took an even bigger d o w n w a r d turn with the ending plot twist.

Although the comedy had its ups and downs between Ted’s different relationships and complications in his

Teen Interest 19Teen Interest 19

Ralph Fiennes (left) and Tony Revolori star in “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” (Fox Searchlight Pictures/MCT)

By Lisa NhanManaging Editor

From pastries to art heists and murder mystery to prison breaks, Wes Anderson’s latest movie The Grand Budapest Hotel offers a wide array of grand quirks to attract any eye. Anderson’s ninth feature is not only his biggest commercial success, but proves to be his most “Anderson-like” film yet.

Set in a fictional Eastern Europe, The Grand Budapest follows Monsieur Gustva H., portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, the legendary concierge to the Grand Budapest Hotel. The hotel is in its glory days, but time is limited with a war coming up. Gustva is then framed for the murder of one of his returning clients at the hotel. He must prove his innocence with the help of Zero, a lobby boy who is under his mentorship.

Simply put, I loved this film. Every moment of the film was enjoyable to watch. Anderson is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors, and this film has been my favorite of his yet.

As per usual to Anderson’s standard, it was beautifully shot. From the color arrangement to the symmetry, every little detail in this film makes every shot a feast for the eyes. Anderson is known for his unique quirkiness that defines his style. It is hard to explain to anyone who has not seen his films, but once you see it, you know it. This takes all of film aspects that Anderson usually uses to a

close my eyes and perfectly envision the stunning Grand Budapest. Anderson lures his viewers into a visual feast, but does not leave them with just that. He is able to present a thoughtful plotline in the best packaging possible. It leaves an impression

that just cannot be missed.

The cast in this film was impressive to say the least. It is no wonder that Anderson is able to attract these talented

grand scale, as the title might suggest. Wes Anderson manages to do

something all storytellers strive for; he creates a world that viewers get lost in. He takes advantage of every aspect of the film. From the costumes, music and especially

the set design, he creates a separate world for the viewers. The whole time I was sitting in that theater nothing came to mind but the film. Even now I can

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel impresses

David Letterman to retire from Late Show in 2015

David Letterman, the longest running host in the history of late-night television, announced his future retirement from Late Show on Thursday, April 3. Letterman, who has been hosting Late Show since 1993 after an eleven year run with Late Night, will officially be leaving TV when his contract ends in 2015.

When he announced his retirement on air, Letterman said he and Leslie Moonves, chief executive officer of CBS, had spoken several times about what would happen when Letterman wanted to retire.

“We agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance,” Letterman said. “And I phoned him just before the program, and I said ‘Leslie, it’s been great, you’ve been great, and the network has been great, but I’m retiring.’”

Lettermen cited his want to spend more time with his family as reasons for his retirement. He told a story about going fishing with his son, and talked about his upcoming 67th birthday.

He joked that he has always said, “When this show stops being fun I will retire — 10 years later.”

Of course, as soon as the retirement news broke, talk immediately turned to who should become his replacement. One seemingly obvious option was for CBS to bump Craig Ferguson and the Late Late Show up a time slot. Names in speculation, according to CNN, included

more than 10 reasons #David Letterman will be missed”, with a photo of them together.

Daytime TV host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted, “It’s been 31 incredible years. Television won’t be the same without you, Dave.”

On Letterman’s original show, Late Night, new host Seth Meyers expressed his gratitude to Letterman.

“I grew up on David Letterman. I was a little too young for (Johnny) Carson, I discovered Carson in later years online … but Letterman for me was a show that you had a cool uncle, or one of your friends had a cool older brother that told you to watch. ... If it weren’t for David Letterman, this show wouldn’t exist. If it wasn’t for David Letterman, I wouldn’t be here,” Meyers said.

Letterman began his TV career on the Tonight Show, where he was featured as a stand-up comedian, and later became a favorite guest of Johnny Carson. He

then created Late Night on NBC in 1982 as a “younger” alternative to Carson’s Tonight Show, according to the New York Times. When Carson retired in 1992 and Jay Leno was hired to replace him, Letterman chose to move to an 11:35 time slot on CBS. There he found himself in constant competition with Leno and the Tonight Show for viewers, which created a friendly rivalry over the years.

According to the New York Times, Letterman turned the show into a kind of “personal forum in which events in his life played out in front of the cameras”. He talked openly to the audience about his open-heart surgery, battle with shingles and becoming a father in 2003.

By the time Letterman takes his final bow on Late Show in 2015, he will have hosted more than 6,000 shows over 34 years, three years longer than Johnny Carson’s legendary 30 year run with Tonight Show.

Jon Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres of Ellen, and Amy Pohler. Twitter suggested others, such as Louis C.K. and Jerry Seinfeld, and the New York Times wanted Neil Patrick Harris, now that his long-running sitcom How I Met You Mother is over.

However, on April 10, it was announced that Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report would officially replace Letterman in 2015 as the new host.

“Simply being a guest on David Letterman’s show has been a highlight of my career,” Colbert said. “I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave’s lead.”

Colbert, who currently hosts his show in character, will retire his satire conservative news anchor persona when he takes over Late Show.

“I won’t be doing the new show in character, so we’ll all get to find out how much of him was me. I’m looking forward to it,” Colbert said.

Letterman has created several unique bits throughout the years, including Stupid Pet and Human Tricks and the Nightly Top 10 List. When Jimmy Fallon addressed Letterman’s retirement on his show, he made his own Top 10 List of the reasons Letterman was leaving, including “Wants to quit while he’s still able to compete on Dancing With the Stars” and “Hillary/Letterman 2016!”. Number one on the list was “Jimmy Fallon is stealing his bits.”

Several other celebrities also shared their thoughts on Letterman’s retirement through Twitter.

President Obama tweeted “There are

By Emily Berthiaume Reporter

actors after watching the film. From Bill Murray to Adrien Brody, the cast is full of talented actors who give the audience characters to care about.

Granted it was little hard to get over the fact that Fiennes had previously portrayed

Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, I quickly forgot about his previous role and fell in love with Monsieur Gustva H. It is said in the film that many of the clients come to the hotel for Monsieur Gustva, and it is quickly seen that Fiennes’ portrayal of Gustva is what keeps the viewers coming back too. No one else could have done this role. Anderson even wrote the film with Fiennes in mind, and it shows. Fiennes brings this character to life with more than just lines.

Gustva’s trusted lobby boy’s performance was also of impressive caliber. Tony Revolori is on the less known spectrum of actors that this film works with, but he holds his own. He stars right next to Academy Award nominated Fiennes, and Revolori is still able to make an impression with his appearance on screen. He is only a year older than me at age 17, which makes me feel incredibly jealous of his talent at his age.

Overall, this whole film left me with a feeling of wonder and a sense

of motivation to create adventures as grand as those in the film, which is why I loved it so much. Anderson has managed to not only create a world that completely immerses you, but a world that leaves you wanting to visit over and over again.

ARTS20 ARTS

Emily Kincaid

I dream about the beauty of life,And what I dream is ofHills, sprinkled with little paint dropletsOf colorful flowers,All glistening with dew. And what I tasteIs the mountain airMusty like a cloud,But fresh and petrichor.Hares stamp down the weedsAnd birds flock and streak the wind.Rivers and wind and bees and birdsRush and whine and buzz and sing their musicals.And while I am only a child,Living blind under a clouded city night,I can almost smell the roses.

Caitlin Scheuny

“This picture is more than just an image on paper. It is a statement to people who went against the rules and took down more than just trees. I used chalk pastel to create this drawing and I’m really glad how it turned out. “

Maggie Oxman

“This is a self-por-trait bust made from raku clay, torn strips of fab-ric, and strands of beads. We spent a few weeks model-ing the features of the bust to recre-ate our own faces, only on a smaller scale. The neutral color scheme mir-rors the theme; becoming ne with nature.”

Hannah Carrol

“I wanted to draw two random male and fe-male character, but I ended up with a manga idea. The witch travels around on a mechanical broom with her cat, who is her familiar and who whose true form can only be seen by beings with magic. So if you see a guy on the back of the broom, you might be a witch/sorcerer. Congratulations!”

Dayyane Bueno

“There are different medias and techniques to making teapots. You can make more traditional medias like wood or clay. I prefer clay, and I do coil building instead of throwing on a wheel. Coil building is when you make rods of clay and stack them together into the shape you want.”

ARTS 21

Folded CornersRyleigh Loser

If you listen closelyYou can hear the footprints left of people’s heartLike heavy stomping in the forestOr the hallow sound of a empty chest

Memories flow through us so blindlyNot to be noticed until they’ve been missed

Us people are like booksSome go unnoticedSome have ripped pages and have been open far too oftenAnd their seams begin to rip

But regardless of our coversWe all bleed the same wordsAnd mutter the same “I’m fine”We all have far too many folded corners

And though it feels safer to dwell in the previous chapters of our booksWe have to move from the footprints left behindTo create the mess of wordsThat will be the end of our story

Poems and NovelsChelse Tillman

A poem is like a relationshipA relationshipthat is not worried about going slowSo much passion You fall in love with the first stanzaLike it’s a steamy first dateYou let each word invade you like a kiss on the neck You inject each wordAnd watch them transform your mindBodySpirit And soulIn that moment you don’t have to promise him tomorrowAnd when you’ve been to its pages enough times like his sheets that you travel to at night You’ll set it aside But always come back to it on the nights when you really need to feel something.

A novel is like a committed relationshipSlow to progressThe exposition is important But not every word is concreteThe plot is wonderful and the characters are complexYou take your time to discover their flaws And each flaw is now a pawn in a chess gameCareful with each move Careful not to disrupt the plot

With each turn of the page you grow closer to the climaxYou begin to speed readSuddenly unaware that you have began to go too fast Flipping the pages violently You feel violated that the author would let such things happen to the characters

But I guess we all inflict tragedy on the ones we love when we need a little excite-ment

The conclusion is bitter-sweetYou’re happy that everything worked out in the endBut yet sadBecause it is indeed the endWhen you walk away you feel as if each page turn was a dreamThe smell of your words never seem to leave my sheetsAnd on nights when I’m lonelyI think about opening you up and getting to know your familiar words againBut the thought of starting from the begin-ning is too exhausting Because in the end it will be the same story

You turn off your reading lightClose the bookAnd decide it is time for a new story

I’ve always preferred poems

They don’t cause the painThey cure it

Amanda Wheeldon

“I painted this acrylic landscape

for my grandma. I

was inspired by trip to Freeport

where I fish-ing. “

Sally Shroyer

“Antlers have always been an inspiring sight and often have hid-den symbolism. My bust is a self portrait of myself, I used antlers to express my more serious and mascu-line side.”

22 SportsBy Lisa NhanManaging Editor

Tennis leads Wildcat team to love the battle again

The Houston Astros’ Marwin Gonzalez (9) celebrates with teammates after he hit a home run against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 20,

2014. The A’s beat the Astros 4-1. (Susan Tripp Pollard/Bay Area News Group/MCT)

Astros’ Opening Day brings unexpected successes

On April 1, the Astros kicked off their season with a 6-2 win against the New York Yankees. Going into the game, there were a lot of concerns for both teams. The Yankees hope that Derek Jeter will be effective in his last season, considering that he just finished an injury-shortened 2013 The team in general was also plagued by injuries, causing them to miss the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years.

For the Astros, Opening Day brings new Opening Day starters in LF Robbie Grossman, 1B Jesus Guzman and SS Jonathan Villar. Also, new additions CF Dexter Fowler and SP Scott Feldman hope to prevent a fourth straight 100-loss season.

Immediate impacts were felt for both teams. An errant pitch from Feldman in the 1st inning injured Derek Jeter’s wrist, causing him to miss a few innings. Outside of that, Feldman was excellent, allowing no runs on two hits through 6 2/3 innings. The Yankees’ star pitcher, CC Sabathia, however, ran into trouble early, starting with a four-run 1st inning highlighted by a two-run home run from new Astro Jesus Guzman.

Leading off the 2nd for the Astros was RF L.J. Hoes, who hit his own home run

scored in the 3rd after hitting a triple. Jarred Cosart held the Yankees scoreless again like Feldman the night before. The Yankees only run came in the 7th in the midst of a double

play, and the Astros quickly responded with a Matt Dominguez home run in the same inning. The Astros won again, 3-1.

Game three saw the return of the all too familiar Astros loss, going down 4-2 to finish the series with the Yankees. The Astros were able to get hits early, but had trouble keeping them on base, hitting into four double plays throughout the game. The Yankees scored a run on a pop-up in front of the plate, which fell between four Astros, none of which signaled for the ball.

“We had our chances, especially early on there. I think we hit into four double plays in the first five innings. We had baserunners everywhere. It was probably one big hit away from getting some separation early in the game,” said Astros manager Bo Porter.

The big takeaways from the Astros’ debut are mostly good. New additions Dexter Fowler and Scott Feldman provided a huge boost to the team.

Fowler had multiple hits in every game from the leadoff position, and Feldman opened the season with a scoreless start. Jesus Guzman showed some power early, driving in the first

runs of the season with a home run. On the other hand, the Astros

showed they have still need a lot of improvement, making boneheaded mistakes like the pop-up fiasco in game three, and hitting into four double plays.

to extend the Astros lead to 5-0. Before the inning ended, 2B Jose Altuve hit an RBI single, the last of the Astros six runs.

Game two brought further confirmation

that the Astros have improved. Dexter Fowler started the game off with a home run, putting the Astros on top early. He later

By Brendan HudspethReporter

Clear Creek’s Tennis Team showed how they “love the battle” by becoming 2014 District 24-5 All District Team. Varsity’s District Tournament took place on April 4 and 5 at Creek.

In First Team Boys, Ford Cunningham won fifth place.

Six members of the First Team Girls placed in District. In Singles, Jessi Nifong was the highest placed with third place. Ava Manuel placed behind her with forth place in singles. After her was Sophia Brito with fifth place. Julia Brito placed sixth.

Julia found additional success when she placed third in Doubles with Jessi Nifong as her partner. Second place in Doubles was taken by Ava Manuel and Michele Raji.

Second Team Boys found great success with seven of the members placing. Dilan Behrle placed second in singles. Reagan Smith placed behind him in third. Fourth place Singles went to Tyler Norman. Safe Rahman won sixth place.

In Doubles, the team of Ford Cunningham and Ashton Duke placed first. Behrle and Tory Templin placed third.

Baillargeon again got another mention for her work in Doubles with Sophia Brito. They got first Honorable Mention.

For the Mixed Doubles, Elizabeth Le and Reagan Smith got an Honorable Mention.

After district, the players that qualified advanced to Regionals at Deer

Park on April 15 and 16. There the team achieved

In Girls Doubles, Jessi Nifong and

Elizabeth placed fifth. The Boys Doubles team also placed fifth. The team was made up of Ashton Duke and Ford Cunningham.

The Mixed Double Team saw success at the tournament. Dilan Behrle and Sophie Baillargeon placed fourth after reaching semi finals.

For the Sub Varsity District Tournament, it took place on April 11 at CCISD. They also proved Creek Tennis’ skill by JV Girls winning Girl’s District Championships.

Bailey Borne won the titles of District Champion in JV Singles Girls. The District Girls Double Champion title went to Meggie Conley and Kimberly Smith. Sydney Albro and Isabel Huntsman got third in JV Girls Doubles. Another JV Girls success was with Karolina Pazdrak by placing second place in singles.

Michael Nelson did well in Freshmen Boys Single by placing third.

More freshmen succeeded with girl’s doubles placing third. The team was made up of Madison Burington and Alice Burington.

In JV Boys Singles, Adam Moore placed third.

Overall as the season finishes, the tennis team has given Creek something to be proud of.

For Second Team Girls, Michele Raji found victory by placing second in Singles.

More of the team found more success with Honorable Mentions.

Ashton Duke got first Singles Honorable Mention Boys. For Doubles, Tyler Norman and Safe Rahman got second place

Honorable Mention.For Girls Honorable Mention,

Sophie Baillargeon got first in Singles.

Photo Courtesy of Yearbook Den

Sports 23

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (4) throws this pass that was intercepted in second half action. The Colts host the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on the on Sunday, Dec. 1,

2013, in Indianapolis. The Colts won the game 22-14. (Sam Riche/MCT)

Texans sign new players throughout Free Agency

After 2 weeks of Free Agency, the biggest news came from Denver and New England’s arms race, including marquee signings on both sides. New England got Darelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and re-signed Julian Edelman, while Denver signed Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware, and Emmanuel Sanders. The Bears re-signed 14 players before Free Agency started, and the Texans opened the period with… nothing.

After a disappointing 2-14 season, many fans expected the Texans to make moves in Free Agency, with predictions of Julian Edelman and Vince Wilfork, both from the Patriots, where new head coach Bill O’Brien got his NFL experience as an offensive coordinator. However, the Texans remained inactive, at least partially due to a lack of cap room, and Edelman and Wilfork were re-signed.

The Texans made their first signing on Day 3, re-signing Garrett Graham, the back-up tight end. By then, they’d already lost Ben Tate, Antonio Smith, Owen Daniels, Earl Mitchell, Bryan Braman, Terrell McClain, and Joe Mays. Shortly after signing Graham, they also lost Darryl Sharpton to the Redskins. The Texans next action was signing Jerrell Powe, a backup DT from the Chiefs. Later they’d sign his teammate, FS Kendrick Lewis. Both played for new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in his tenure as the Chiefs’ head coach in 2012.

On Day 10 the Texans made their

Case Keenum temporarily replaced him.Schaub being traded gave rise to even

more discussion as to the Texans will take in the draft, with more emphasis on

quarterbacks. T e d d y Bridgewater’s Pro Day was

‘average at best’, says Mike Mayock. This may have an impact on where he gets taken. Blake Bortles had a good Pro Day,

impressing Bill O’Brien, while Johnny Manziel blew everybody away his pro day.

As for the draft, the Texans received three compensatory picks, given out to

teams that lost more players than they signed in Free Agency. Their picks, which can’t be traded, are in the 4th, 6th, and 7th rounds, most likely from Glover Quin, Connor Barwin, and James Casey. These picks combined with the 6th round pick from the Schaub trade give the Texans a total of 11 picks, including both the 1st overall and the last overall, pick number 256, was also called “Mr. Irrelevant.”

The Free Agency period doesn’t end until June 1st, but most of the bigger signings are already complete. Most big name players left without a contract either failed a physical with an interested team, such as Jermichael Finley with the Seahawks. Most of these players are coming off of big injuries, such as Owen Daniels, who is also over 30, which is considered old in the NFL. The health and age concerns could drive teams away, meaning teams like the Texans could sign them pretty cheaply, filling holes in the short-term.

Regardless of how Free Agency plays out, the new mantra of the NFL

is to build through the draft. While free agents can fill holes, they don’t typically transform teams over night. Peyton Manning-level players don’t hit the market every year, so hoping for that will result in disappointment. Free Agency just serves as a placeholder during the offseason.

biggest signing so far, getting former Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on a 2-year contract worth $7.5M, $4M of which is guaranteed. Shortly after, on Day 11, the Texans made

their biggest news in Free Agency so far, trading Matt Schaub to the Raiders for a 6th round pick. Scahub came off a disappointing 2013 season in which

By Brendan HudspethReporter

Photofinish24