Clear Creek HiLife

2305 East MainLeague City, Texas 77573

Vol. 81/Issue 4

Clear Creek celebrates because Mr. Majewski is here to stay as the new Associate Principal! Read more on page 7.Photo by Bobby Murphy

Three Creek atheletes all from one family.More on page 7.

Photo by Sarah Cisneros

The Bears, the Colts and several firsts in the NFL history at Superbowl XLI. See page 6 for more.Photo courtesy MCT campus

January/February 2007Hi Life

Tori Wycoff

A very important person in the history of Clear Creek ISD passed away on December 20. He was a World War II veteran, a thespian, an avid reader and a marathon runner. He was a religious man, an artist and a member of the United States Marine Corps. He was Arthur Goforth and CCISD will never forget him. Mr. Goforth came to Houston in 1938 to attend Rice University and play football. He can be found in the school’s football hall of fame. He graduated in 1942 and was drafted by both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Marines. He chose to defend our country and spent two years in the South Pacific and four in the Corps. He was an amazing runner and loved running the New York City Marathon. He ran it nine times and was able to complete it seven. “The New York marathon is habit-forming,” said Goforth in a recent interview with the school district. His jerseys from all of the marathons can be viewed in the library of Goforth Elementary. Mr. Goforth was a member of MENSA, a group of highly intellectual individuals, along with his wife Pat who was the first female administrator of the

CCISD remembers Art Goforthdistrict when she was the assistant principal at Clear Lake High School. Art Goforth began working for the district in 1955 and was only paid $3,400 a year. This was at a time when there was only one high school in the district and Goforth has said, “CCHS nailed everything together and it was the driving force behind Webster, Seabrook, Kemah and League City becoming one.”

He taught English and coached football and basketball at Creek then became vice principal and eventually principal in the 70’s. “The Clear Creek experience has been great for me,” Goforth once said.

He remembered all of his former students and could usually recognize one years later at local events. He worked in CCISD for 44 years and said that the district has, “a reputation for greatness and when I say greatness I mean outstanding students who achieve, outstanding faculties, and outstanding administrators.”

A few years after his retirement, the Goforths received a call that an elementary school was to be named after them for all they did for the district. Goforth

said that he and his wife were “absolutely dumbfounded” at the idea of a school being named for them at it was an “unexpected honor.”

The Goforth family could often be found at the campus, and after his wife’s death in 2001, the principal of Goforth Elementary, Cheryl Stephens and other

faculty members were allowed inside the Goforth family home to collect memorabilia for the school. When asked about Mr. Goforth, Mrs. Stephens said that he was, “a really interesting person, very gifted in many ways.”

Mr. Goforth loved the school, which has now been open for six years, and was invited to school functions and luncheons. Christopher Blackburn, an instructional mentor at Goforth Elementary,

said that Mr. Goforth was “always very insightful in speech and he had a smile in his voice.” He loved the building and once described it as a “complex design to be a teaching and learning instrument and if you don’t learn here, you don’t want to.”

He would visit the school and look at the display that had been put up for his wife and only had one suggestion, that the staff add the words “righteous woman” to the list of words that described her. On one trip, Mr. Goforth even brought some shoes that his wife had worn in their travels to Europe, Japan and the Great Wall of China to be put up for display.

Mr. Goforth was very active up until his death and was even able to drive his car. He is survived by his son, Bart, who went to Creek, his daughter, Cathy, and his granddaughter, Patricia, who is named for her grandmother. Services were held at Seabrook United Methodist Church. Mr. Blackburn attended the event and was shocked at the caliber of people that were there. This was a man that made a huge impact on this district and without him CCISD might not be what it is today.

PhoTo courTesy of ccisD office of Public informaTion.

Who is Creek’s Hottest Hunk? Andy Collins

Read more on page 11

sarah cisneros

Do you ever walk into class, take a seat and notice that there is always a really good-looking guy in your class? If so, you probably would have enjoyed attending the Mr. Clear Creek competition. This is an event where we get all of the most attractive guys attending Creek, and we find out who is the most charming, and most persuasive guy that should be crowned as this year’s Mr. Clear Creek. The Mr. Clear Creek competition was held this year on Saturday, February 17th at 7pm in the auditorium, the tickets for the event were selling at the price of $10.00 each. Mrs. Latulipe introduced this competition in the year 2005 it has been a Creek tradition ever since. Last year the Mr. Clear Creek award was presented to Senior Jon Rackman. This year the event was sponsored by the following companies: Wycoff Construction,

Al’s Formal Wear (who supplied our contestants in tuxes) & Starlit Soiree (who supplied our escorts in formals). Our judge panel consisted of the following judges: John Wycoff, Mayor Jerry Shults, Delva & George and Toni Sonnega. So, if you would like to know who our handsome nominees and lovely escorts were, they are as follow: Michael Beach escorted by D’lexis Kernan,Brandon O’Quinn escorted by Jessica Tallman,Ty Halford escorted by Tara Wright, Brandon Puzzo escorted by Laurel Sturrock,Austin Nardone escorted by Brittany Olsen,

Stephen Weigman escorted by Roseann Nauta,Van Blackman escorted by Hannah Wilson,Andy Collins escorted by Marial Biard,Robert McLemore escorted by Jenna

Rissky, Creighton Brooks escorted by Brittany Bradshaw, Colton Wegner escorted by Aurora Krog, Josh Hale escorted by Darin Montemayor, Andrew Jones escorted by Angela Brown, Adam Dodds escorted by Brittany Libby, And Matt Couch escorted by Shade Powell. For the competition

the nominees strutted their stuff to try and steal the audiences and judges hearts by showing us their talents, which consisted

of dancing and surprisingly there was a little bit of acting by Michael Beach and his escort D’lexis Kernman, the couple acted out the skit “Valentines Day Song” done by Jimmy Foulet, but they weren’t the only couples acting that night. Robert Mclemore and his escort Jenna Risky acted out the play “The Spartans” done by Will Ferrell from Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately, for this competition there could only be one winner going home that night. This year Senior Andy Collins was crowned as the one and only Mr. Clear Creek. If you would like to get a better look at who the contestants were for the Mr. Clear Creek competition turn to page, and see whom you would have voted for. Overall this years competition was successful, not only by the contestants, but the turnout of the crowed was just as awesome.

Creek kicks off a new soccer season. Read more on page 15.Photo by Destinee Walker

O PINION SURVEY

Clear Creek HiLife

Juniors

Seniors

E-mail us at Hilifenews@yahoo.comVisit us at http://my.highschooljournalism.org/tx/leaguecity/

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(281) 284-2377or fax (281) 284-1705

Principal:Adviser:Executive Editor:Managing Editor:Editors-in-chief:

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Fishbowl Editor:Online Editor:Ads Manager:Ads Designer:Photo Editors: Bookkeeper: Video Editors:

Gail LoveWynette JamesonJan O’NeilTori WycoffOlivia Huynh, Jessica O’Neil

Hayley Boultinghouse Haley RushSarah PooreTori WycoffCassie Lee

Bobby MurphyAmanda ComptonDrew WalkerAdam Vencil Micah Wesley & Fallan DragoAustin YoungTravis Hallett, Micheal SosebeeAndy Holcomb, Jacob Lux

2006-2007 HiLife StaffReporters:

Amanda ComptonLauren GillespieRyan GriponStephanie HaechtenCassie LeeTaylor LongAlbert NkansahRyan OwensMelissa DevittKirsty ReidRebecca RodriguezKearston RoweAllie HingaSarah CisnerosNadia AhmedTaylor FreudenbergDestinee Walker

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Clear Creek High School HiLife Newspaper

What do you remember most about 2006?

Freshmen

Sophomores

Being able to make new friends and start high school - Cassidy Bogar

All American Rejects and Fall Out Boy concerts - Meghan Turner

I met Vince Young and Jamal Charles - Keith Escobedo

Making the soccer team - Kyle Leonard

Going to San Antonio for a choir trip and coming back with six sweepstakes, and making all ones. - Amanda Drago

Starting high school, softball and meeting everybody! - Michaela Adams

Making new friends and partying with my best friend Haley - Kelsey Carlisle

The best part ‘06 was the end of my freshmen year in May - Scott Lenfest

The best part of 2006 was the end when we knew twice as much as we knew when we started - Valencia Maynor

Seeing my friends from camp at a gymnastics meet - Emily Winston

Coming up with the next the next years resolution! - Ashley Black

Starting the year as a cavalier New-New - Ashley Till

Moving to Texas and meeting all my friends - Ashley Bertot

Softball season because we got to go out to eat before every game - Allison Bright

Hanging out with friends and meeting new people - Stephen Lindsey

The summer because I got to go to a lot of fun places. - Alyse Durdin

The best part of 2006 was travelling and visiting friends and family, eating food and surfing - Ethan Gonzales

I made area!!! - Zach Joiner

Going to All-State - Jonathan Cardinal

Senior year how can it get any better - Anthony Terrazas

2 words Crazy Crew - Kara Rav

Last year of school for me - Ashley Mixon

2006 was another year with its ups and downs but the best part was getting a job with good pay and being able to drive around and also the Christmas Dance and a fun football season - Brittany Marquez

Boise State killed Oklahoma in their bowl game - Trent Adams

Going to Europe over the summer - Ashley Aubro

Christmas break because I got everything I wanted - Nicole Rogers

Marching band went to area! - Micheal Hild

I made area and got to tryout for state - Meredith Holmes

Making the Texas All-State Choir! - Kara Smoot

The best part of 2006 was getting my car, a Nissan 3002x. - Brittany Bradshaw

The best part of 2006 is when I got to dance at my 1st football game as a cavalier officer. The feeling was unbelievable and I couldn’t ask for anything else - Meghan Grout

Playing polka music throughout the fields of Germany - Garrett Bridges

Going to state in Water Polo - Jeff Otten

The best part was having more freedom! - Megan Montemayor

Clear Creek HiLife

e DITORIAL 3

Guest editorial: Haley Rush

Tori Wycoff

T o r i ’ s T a l k :

As I started my second semester of my senior year, I felt the senioritis rapidly approaching. I knew that I would have an open class period, so like lots of my peers, I opted for an off period so I could just go home. That lasted about two days and I realized that I could be doing something a lot more productive with my time.

I talked to a teacher I knew and decided to go to her kindergarten classroom every other day and help her out. I was having a horrible day the first day that I was supposed to go see them but as soon as I walked into that colorfully decorated classroom, my heart melted. The five-year olds immediately ran up to me and told me stories that seemed to have no point and just loved that I was there to spend time with them. This raw emotion and openness really startled me and made me think about growing up and how so much really does change from when we walk the seemingly expansive hallways of elementary school to the independence of high school.

Something really bothers me about the fact that I can walk around school and see people that I have gone to school with since kindergarten and we barely make eye contact. Sure I have friends that I have kept in touch with over the years, but I see so many people on this campus every day that I recognize but do not know well enough to step out of my comfort zone and say hi to.

This is what really affected me as I witnessed the events in that kindergarten class. When you are five or six years old, you want to be friends with everyone and you are always willing to help someone else. When a new student comes into the classroom, the kids can not control themselves when they are asked who wants to show the new student around- everyone wants this new friend.

I have witnessed some really amazing things in that room and it has really changed me as a person. One girl named Trinity is an amazing reader and breezes through any work put in front of her. I was watching her one day and Josh, the boy that sits next to her, was really

struggling with his work. Trinity sat there with him and helped him finish, even sacrificing her own time at recess which is a huge deal for kindergarteners. There is another girl that really stole my heart: Maya, a special needs girl in the class. Mrs. Ricks, the teacher, has this amazing way of calming the children down by simply rubbing their backs and I noticed one day that Junior, a boy in the class, was upset over something. Mrs. Ricks was out of the room and I watched little Maya walk over to him and simply begin to rub his back, mimicking Mrs. Ricks’ comforting gesture.

These events along with many others have really got me thinking about life in general. What happens to us from kindergarten to high school that makes it not cool to meet new people and help others out? I know that I am just as guilty of this as anyone but it is just so hard for me to understand. Our school would be so much different if everyone just said hi to someone they do not know or helped a fellow student with schoolwork.

Kindergarteners do not worry

about what people think of them or how they look. They just want to be friends with everyone. They do not notice physical or mental differences and they all get along. Sure they fight and scuffle about cutting in line or saying a “bad” word, but ten minutes later they are playing tag outside with the same kid that just stole their first place spot in the line from the library.

As we begin the end of this school year, I challenge everyone to meet someone new or simply say hi to someone that you have known since kindergarten. If our generation wants to step up and make a difference in the world, we must first unite as a force to be reckoned with.

This concept really hits home lately as we have recently lost one of our fellow Wildcats. Jessica Westbrook was a senior here and she was tragically killed in a car accident in early January. She really impacted a lot of lives with her contagious personality and her ability to make people smile, but she could have touched a lot more if people would just have taken the time to step out and meet someone new.

haley rush

“Labels”. I always hated the term. It just seemed not genuine, like you could never get to know people past their stereotype. How can you have ideas about individuals of a particular group, based solely on a clique? If you would just take the time to get to know the certain person you are judging, you might be pleasantly surprised. During Intermediate school I’ll admit I did label people. If they were a little bit different than me, I didn’t talk to them. I only hung out with my group

of friends, and to me, they were the only things I needed. I pushed away everything and everybody else, but in reality I needed a lot more. My group in intermediate school was mean and gossiped way too much. They made me a person I did not used to be and did not want to become.

When I look back now at my friends in intermediate school they represent the opposite of the quote my best friend, Kelsey Carlisle stated to me once. “Best friends, is a promise, not a label.” That quote stuck in my head and I wasn’t sure why. That is until I realized my best friends in junior high were all labels. They didn’t truly care about me. They cared about their social status. In ninth grade, I started a new school and was excited to start a new reputation. I tried to meet new people and get to know everybody, but I was still always longing for a group feel. I was holding on to a security blanket, but soon realized I needed to let go, be myself, and just have a good time. In the summer going into tenth grade, I finally felt like I had found

true friends. I started hanging out with my best friend Chloe, who is the nicest and most fun person anyone could ever meet. I never hung out with one certain group of people. I was everywhere and I loved it. I hung out with Cavaliers, choir students, athletic girls and amazing people that I never would have gotten a chance to meet if I had not tried to get to know them. Since I’ve been hanging out with all different types of people, I’ve never been happier and I suggest for everyone to step outside of the “group” and step into a much bigger world. I wish high school could be more like kindergarten. Nobody judged anybody and everybody liked everyone. There were not any cliques and there was no gossip. People say the older you get the wiser you become. Obviously, in some cases, this is not true. The older kids get, the meaner they become and the more they stereotype people to make them feel better about themselves. They label kids to hide they’re own insecurities.

My biggest pet peeve is when I hear people have said something negative

about me when I have not had one conversation with them my whole life. Who are they to judge someone they do not know and never even tried to get to know?

Everyone realizes from experience, girls can be vicious, but we can change that. Stop these labels and open up to different people. Bring out a side of you, you never knew existed. Say hi to someone tomorrow you never expected too. Do this for your friends, people who are not your friends, and most of all for yourself. If you show everyone you are not afraid to cross that imaginary wall holding everyone back, you will be able to start a new trend.

What I am trying to say is people should not feel like they have a huge sign on their forehead that says “band geek” or “cheerleader”. The truth is people want to be known as an individual not as a group. I know I want to leave high school being known as a genuine, fun person, not as the “ditzy cheerleader”.

Labels are not for people

Dont just sit there:Make a difference

NEWS4

Clear Creek HiLife

Crossword and Calendar

5

Clear Creek HiLife

A change in latitude: Japan

N EWSTori Wycoff

Last semester, a group of Creek students and administrators attended a conference in Chicago, Illinois. The students were very diverse and selected by teachers to attend. Mrs. Love, Mrs. Latulippe, Mr. Branch and the Clear View principal Mr. Carasco chaperoned the trip that consisted of 6 students: Breanna Talley, Derrick Thomas, Chris Tran, Morgan Wilson, Skyler Yancey and Jose Beach. They left on a Wednesday and stopped at Subway to eat some lunch before heading to the airport. They had an unexpected holdup when Mrs. Love had to put her perfume in her suitcase because she was not able to carry it on. The group wanted to enjoy the entire inner city experience and attempted to navigate their way through the subway system, and the supposed 7-mile trip took an hour and a half.

The conference was the Coalition of Essential schools and this group was started by the findings of a man named Ted Sizer. Mr. Sizer wrote the Horace series of books about a student in a large high school and his perspective on events. Mr. Sizer had witnessed a large inner city school first hand as he sat in on classes while obtaining a degree. He wrote three books in this series and eventually started the coalition that is based on ten standards including commitment to the entire school, staff development and personalization. He also uses the “Three R’s”- rigor, relevance and relationships, to help aide success in large schools. Mrs. Latulippe actually had the chance to meet Mr. Sizer and his wife, Nancy, at Harvard University two years ago. She, along with ten others from the district had the chance to sit down and talk with the Sizer’s about their research and findings on education.

On Thursday, the first day of

the conference, the group went to an all day, eight-hour class on “ism’s” and stereotyping. Senior Morgan Wilson said, “My favorite part of the trip was the youth conference.” In this meeting, racism and sexism were discussed, and the group participated in icebreakers. “The games really showed us that we can be who we want to be without making other people act like you or be like you,” Breanna Talley wrote in her book of memories of the trip. The adults attended a workshop called “Growing a Teacher” and that night the entire group really embraced the Chicago culture with a deep-dish pizza. On Friday, the group went to an art teacher’s class then to a class on advisories and “team leadership” where each smaller learning community has it’s own leaders. They attended another seminar on mini-courses, offered in some schools, where students can study a specific topic for about nine days. Morgan Wilson learned a lot on the trip and would

like to see some of the new ideas to be implemented at Creek. “I would like to see Creek make education more personal,” she said. Saturday included a session about internships, similar to the ISM program at Clear Creek. Along with attending the conference, the students were also able to soak in the sights and sounds of the Windy City. They ate dinner at a local restaurant called Grillers and went shopping. They went to the Navy Pier and Hard Rock Café and to one of the biggest McDonald’s in the world. “It was so big it even had escalators!” said Talley. Through this trip, the entire group learned a lot about education and the value of having smaller schools. New ideas were introduced that will hopefully be implemented at Creek to continue the school’s success. “The trip was enjoyable for all of us,” said Mrs. Latulippe, “one student had never even been on a plane before!”

Creek students attend leadership conference in Chicago

hayley boulTinghouse

Down Ekimae-dori, the main street through Sapporo, Japan, glimmering, glasslike sculptures are illuminated against the blackest of nights. Snow crunches beneath the feet of hordes of passersby. This is the center of the Yuki Matsuri, or Ice Festival. Six Japanese students from Sapporo went out on a limb in 1952. They had a hope of boosting local morale in the aftermath of World War II when Japan was suffering economically. In the middle, Odori Koen, a park in the middle of Sapporo, the students created several ice sculptures and caught the eye of the local media.

Their planed worked. In just a few short years, the trend spread wildly throughout the entire community. Even soldiers from the nearby Makomanai base began to participate in the festivities. Building an ice sculpture proved to be

a worthy way to strengthen teamwork, leadership and problem solving. Junior officers were even initiated by being given the task of building an ice sculpture.

In 1972, Japan became the first Asian country to host the Winter Olympic Games. The Sapporo Ice Festival gained international fame instantly. People sat in awe, watching the giant sculptures being built and other festivities on a television screen. From then on, scores of enthusiasts from several different countries formed teams and went to Japan with plans for their own ice masterpieces. Strangely enough even from places with a traditionally warmer climate like Hawaii, Australia and Singapore. Today nearly two million visitors flock into Japan for the Sapporo Ice Festival. Hundreds of sculptures compete for space in three main areas. The festival opens in Odori Koen. It hosts the artistic sculptures and large scale works created with assistance

from the military. The majority of the live entertainment and music echoes throughout the festival from this park. It is open all day and illuminated each night. S u s u k i n o , Sapporo’s famous nightlife area, hosts the spontaneous chainsaw ice-carving event on the first day of the festival. While it is open during the day it is best viewed at night when the sculptures are completed.

Satoland is a new site that made its debut at the 2006 festival. Unlike the other sites, this one is not located at the center of the city but rather on its outskirts. It is here that the oddities of the Sapporo Ice Festival can be found. Hot air balloons, an ice maze and even an ice drink and karaoke bar are among the most popular.

This year the festival will be

held for seven days, Tuesday February 6th through Monday February 12th. New ice sculpture creations will hope to rival old favorites including “Wallace and Gromit”, “Horyuji Temple”, “Spirited Away”, “Godzilla”, “Narnia” and “Brussels’. A true winter wonderland will emerge once more.

Photo courtesy of Pics4Learning

A homerun for League City with minor leaguessarah cisneros

Love Baseball? Well, if you answered yes, on Thursday May 24th, League City will have a reason to yell, holler, and cheer. League City will be getting its very own Minor League baseball team, and the team’s home field will reside at the League City Baseball Field of Dreams. The Continental Baseball League is not only disputing the placement of a minor baseball league in League City, Texas, but also Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. “The League is actively looking for communities with ballpark facilities, strong local support of baseball, and dedication to the vision. Creative in-game entertainment and promotions will also enhance the experience for fans and owners alike. The Continental Baseball League players will become part of their

hometown team community, providing complimentary autographs after home games, spending time at local schools, hosting camps, and participating in local events. With the league’s support, players will be given the opportunity to improve their skills, expose and parlay their unique baseball talents to scouts and if they desire and qualify, they have the chance to move up to a position with a Major League Baseball affiliated organization,” the Continental Baseball Organization said. The Organization’s main headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas. The company is run by CEO and President Ron Baron. Baron is also the founder for The Center for Sports Law and Risk Management, Inc., as well as Sports Fantasy Tours & Events. For now baseball fans might wonder when the team will start playing and how much they’ll play. The playtime is the

same for every team; and each season will consist of sixty games per team, there will be thirty away games and thirty home games, and the team’s games will be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you or anyone you know is interested

in trying out, tryouts will be held in Dallas, Texas, Friday, March 31, 2007. Registration fee will be $25.00 per player, payable by cash, check or money order at the tryout. For further information visit the website at http;//www.cblproball.com/

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Clear Creek HiLife

NEWSTaylor freuDenberg

Super Bowl weekend has come and gone, leaving all the tailgating, partying, and football nights done for. Most people were looking for the Colts to win, with their starting quarterback, Peyton Manning. Those fans cheering for the Indianapolis Colts were not disappointed when the Colts won with a final score of 29-17.

The Colts got to the Super Bowl by winning the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots in a win with Colts 38, Patriots 34. The game was a good match up for the Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning and the Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady. Manning’s winning to losing statistics are 27 and 47 while Brady’s are 21. The Chicago Bears won their game against the New Orleans Saints, with a final score of 39-14.

The Saints usually have a rock solid defense, with an average of letting their opponent score 12.5 points per game, but their average changed after their post-season to allowing 28.3 points per game. The Bears were the underdog going into the game, but were able to win by breaking through the unusually weak Saints’ defense. The conference championships provided excellent game-play, but the Super Bowl that followed was definitely one to be remembered.

The game started off with a great

play by the Chicago Bears when offensive corner back Devin Hester returned the beginning kickoff of the game for a 92-yard run touchdown. The game kept going at a steady pace, with the rain coming down as a light drizzle. After the first quarter, the score was 7-0 lead to the Bears. During the second half, Chicago Bear’s quarterback Rex Grossman dropped a few snaps from his center. The Colts managed to make use of these mistakes by the Bears. Joseph Addai intercepted most of the Bears’ thrown balls. The Colts’ running back Dominic Rhodes ran 26 yards by the end of the second quarter, and finished

with 113 yards at the end of the game. The Bears did have a lucky moment, however, when the Colts’ kicker, Adam Vinitieri,

missed a field goal attempt. At halftime, the Bears had a lead of 16-14. After the halftime show by Prince, the Colts received the ball at the beginning of the quarter. During the third quarter, the rain started to get worse, while the Colts put the Bears’ defense to shame by having their running back, Dominic Rhodes, break through the defensive line and score 3 touchdowns for

a total of 113 yards. During the fourth quarter, the Colts had a 22-17 lead against the Bears. The Colts managed to make one last touchdown at the end of the game and score another field goal, making the score 29-17 with a few minutes left in the game.

The Bears couldn’t keep up with the Colts’ offense. After having a final number of 4 fumbles from the Bears, and 2 fumbles from the Colts, the Bears lost the game with a final score of 29-17. Peyton Manning was given the MVP award after the game.

This year’s Super Bowl was not only a good game, but was also a new history mark and record breaker for the NFL. This was the first time that two African American coaches have sent their teams to the Super Bowl. This is a historical landmark, since African Americans were not even allowed to be head coaches twenty years ago. The head coach of the Colts, Tony Dungy, was actually one of the youngest to start his career as an assistant head coach for the Pittsburg Steelers. It was also a hard game for the Bears’ head coach, Lovie Smith, because he and Dungy weren’t just coaches, they were friends. Even though it was an emotional game, it was also the first time the Super Bowl was played in the rain, and was the first time that a touchdown was made after a game-starting kickoff.

Now, after an intense season of record-breaking games, it’s time to sit back and relax, that is, until next year’s football season starts up again. Now there’s only one more thing for everyone to do, start guessing who’ll be in the Super Bowl XLII.

Picture from MCT Campus. Used with membership.

S e v e r a l f i r s t s i n S u p e r b o w l X L I

7fISH BOWL

Clear Creek HiLife

sarah cisneros & Taylor freuDenber

Dugie. Sound familiar? It’s the last name of some of the talented athletes coming from one family. The youngest attending Creek, Kaylin Dugie, made the Girls Varsity Basketball Team as a freshman.

When asked how she knew what sports to play, she answered with, “I have better skills in basketball, and I think it’s more fun.” Kaylin is also considering playing softball and maybe running track this year. Playing sports has always been a Dugie tradition, “If you don’t play, you’re not a Dugie. If you’re not good, you’re practically out of the family,” claims Kaylin. Kaylin may keep up her performance in sports, but grade wise, she said that Hank’s (her older brother) grades are better. Kaylin plans to get a full ride scholarship to either the University of Texas, or to Ohio State University. But until then, you might ask, how does Kaylin handle her life at home and life on the court? Well, Kaylin states that she is usually caught babysitting her younger siblings. And if she’s not there, she leaves the babysitting to her older brothers, Hank and Justin.

Justin, the second oldest, is a sophomore and plays as a strong safety for the football team. Justin knew that he always wanted to play football when he got to high school and also considered playing basketball, but,those plans did not follow through. Being the second out of eight children, Justin has a lot of responsibilities for his family. After being asked how he handled things at home and at school, he replied, “It’s easy, I’ve grown up with it.” Justin also agrees with his younger sister saying that keeping up the Dugie tradition is a must. Justin doesn’t plan on pursuing sports as a career, but is hoping to apply to the Air Force Academy.

Hank, the oldest of the bunch, is a junior. This year, the two brothers played side by side on the Varsity Football team; Hank played as a defensive back. Hank has played sports for the majority of his life, his sports interests ranging from baseball to football. When Hank entered high school, he had to make a decision about what sports to play, and he concluded to narrow it down to football and basketball. Although Hank has no problem at school, what about his home life? When questioned about it, Hank replied, “It’s no trouble at all, it goes together, sports is a part of the family.” Hank is hoping to get a scholarship so he can continue to play sports in the future. However, Hank does have a backup plan, if he doesn’t keep going in sports; he’s going to go to college and become a lawyer.

Having a big family might seem a little bothersome at some times to these three, but all agree that they would like to see more Dugies in the family. With the eight Dugies right now, and some help from their parents, they could make up a whole basketball team! Each Dugie is a good athlete, and understands each other’s problems, either on or off the field. So, not only do the Dugies face challenges as a family, but also as a team.

(See photo on page 1)

Mr. Majewski promoted to Associate Principal

Eighth grade students attend course fair

Dugie Tradition

shannon o’neil & chrisTine sulkis (guesT rePorTers from lcis)

As we were roaming the course fair at Creek on Monday, Feburary 12, the size of the school and the number of available electives excited us. We’re sure many of you remember your glimpse of high school opportunities. Being able to choose courses of our own interests rather than those that are required is daunting but welcomed.

In middle school, we were limited to a few electives and only one foreign language. Now we actually have to decide

whether we want to take Spanish, Sign language, French, German, Latin, or Chinese. As middle schoolers, we were used to few choices of classes, but the course fair pleasantly surprised us. There was something for everyone.

The many electives ranged from metal working to dance. Each group did a wonderful job of advertising their elective. Being able to weld metal into your own creation was very intriguing. Dance classes ranged from beginner to professional, which was very relieving to those of us without the dance talent. The drama representatives

were very enthusiastic about their elective. The art rooom was filled with amazing works and the thought of letting your mind and hands experiment with things like clay, paint, and paper was inspiring. We were excited to learn that we might be able to write for an award winning newspaper and possibly have one of our own articles published nationally.

Of course, we have just scratched the surface of the courses offered here at Creek. We are looking forward to being able to not only please our parents, but finally please ourselves.

bobby murPhy

It’s that time of year again. The month of February has come around, and that means that it is time to pick next year’s classes. The task can prove to be long and arduous, but it doesn’t have to be. Picking classes can be quick and painless. Starting the third week in February, students in all grade levels, will receive course selection cards and catalogs in their academic coaching classes. Students will have until the following week to fill out their course selection card, get it signed, and return it to their academic coaching teacher. Students should choose their classes carefully. With pre-requisites, decisions between AP and regular classes, and lots of different electives, it can be easy to make a mistake. Before turning in schedule card’s students need to look carefully at the classes they have selected to make sure they are eligible to take those classes. Students should also discuss the classes they are planning to take with their parents to make sure there are not problems with them, because parents are also required to sign the card as well. It is helpful to make sure that the classes that are picked

do not produce to heavy of a workload for the student that is taking them. Ultimately, the decision of what is to heavy of a workload is up to the student taking the classes, but counselors recommend not to over-do it. AP and Pre-AP classes can be very hard, so it is recommended not to take more than four. Students taking these classes will have to devote lots of time to homework and projects. The decision between taking AP or regular classes is not the only thing that poses a problem for students picking classes. Choosing electives can be hard as well. For students in high school there are a variety of different electives to choose from, and each one provides experience for students who plan to major in these specific areas. Counselors recommend that students take electives that focus on the area of which they want to major in, in order to grasp a better idea of what the field they are interested in is about. It is also recommended that students try to become involved in extra-curricular groups. Colleges look at how well-rounded students are. The back of the

CCISD course catalog for high school students also provides a career path section that also helps students decide what courses they may be interested in. For those still weary of what classes to pick next year, there is help available. Over thirty pages of information are provided in the back of the course catalog to help students decide what courses they should take, what electives are the most relevant to their futures, information on how to prepare for college, and more. Students can also set up an appointment with their counselor, who is always happy to help; consult with their teachers and friends about what classes they think they should take next year; and be sure to make sure that the classes satisfy what is required to graduate. It may seem like a lot to do in a week, but for students who feel they need more time, but it with perseverance and determination it can be done. The schedule is here. The course catalog is available online at http://www.ccisd.net/parents_students_05/curriculum/high_school/index.html visit the link and download a PDF copy.

Time to pick next year’s courses

which is currently located in the portables area. Majewski had to take a makeshift classroom and turn it in to his office. “I love my new office,” Majewski said, “It’s much more spacious than [the] portable one.” Majeski’s new office is located in the administration section in the Ninth Grade Center. He said that he will make changes if necessary, but also said that he hopes to keep everything the same so others can become accustomed to their new principal. “Mr. Ruiz did a great job.” Majewski said. “We [the administration] will make changes if we believe they will lead to an increase in student achievement.” He said.Majewski also said that freshman year is the most important year in a student’s

“We will make changes....that will lead to student achievement”

bobby murPhy

Long time Clear Creek administrator Mr. Jamey Majewski recently replaced Mr. Joseph Ruiz, former associate principal at Clear Creek High School, after Ruiz accepted the job as associate principal at Clear Springs, which will open next year. Majewski took up the position at the start of the spring semester, replacing Ruiz who had only been the associate principal at Clear Creek for the previous semester. Majewski, has been at the high school for a total of seven years, including five as an administrator, and is now second only to the head principal in the levels of administration. “I went through an interview process. Applicants were selected by a committee. The committee selected applicants to be interviewed with the Superintendent. She then recommended my name to the Board of Trustees, and they approved.” Majewski said. Since the start of his new job Majewski has become accustomed to his new job and more associated with his fellow administrators at the Ninth Grade Center. Prior to becoming associate principal, Majewski served as one of the assistant administrators at the high school. He was principal of the Design, Technology, and Engineering smaller learning community,

high school career because it determines what they will be doing in their future. Faculity and staff were pleased to see Mr. Majewski promoted and remain at Clear Creek. “There is so much to learn in this new position.” Majewski said. To Mr. Majewski, the staff and students would like to congratulate him on his promotion, and wish him the best as he takes over the reins as the new associate principal at Creek.

8

Clear Creek HiLife

How To Get MotivatedHaley Rush I was lucky to have been brought up with amazing studying skills due to my mom being a teacher. I would make flash cards for every exam and finish my homework as soon as I got home. Sadly the older I have become the more lazier I have gotten. Now I know for a factI’m not the only student out there who has managed to lack in the study department. I’ve decided that to help motivate students to do their best, I would encourage them to study. I understand as much as everyone does, studying is not fun. However, I hope after reading this, studying won’t be something you will dread.

Studying to the LimitCassie Lee

Stress, headaches, and panicking can begin to show in some students as the year grows on. Students are procrastinating studying for their exams and tests, thus leading to cramming at the last minute. Scientists say that every student needs a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast to achieve good grades on a test. Instead, most students struggle to keep their eyes from drooping and cram all night for the next day’s exam. As the year drags on, weeks become more and more stressful and long. As teachers shove last minute lessons into student’s brains, students are troubled with last minute projects and tests. The thoughts of the exams are put off and forgotten until the day before the test comes. Students scurry to carve information into their memories and memorize facts. At one point almost every student feels hopeless to being successful to these exams. Tips for studying seem almost silly but to some, they have nothing to lose. Feeling overwhelmed is common when studying for many tests. Students become nervous and feel hopeless to succeeding. Keep repeating, “I can do this” or even ask a friend for help. By stressing out one cannot get anything done, take a deep breath and continue forward.

One method that many students use is to find their weakest points and take time to relearn it to better understand the lesson. This way the studying becomes easier as the student nears the end. Motivation can be a great key to studying. Try to set a schedule out and maybe give a reward, such as a break, after each category of studying. An advantage to managing time is more spare time to get involved with other activities. Also by taking breaks one can keep focus and concentration. By breaking up big sections and avoiding distractions, studying is much easier. To keep away from disturbances, most students find studying in a quiet environment helpful to their studies. Headaches become the most distracting problem when studying so make sure the surroundings are well lit. When a student feels that they can no longer shove any more information to one’s brain, memorizing tips can be great help. As silly as it may seem, putting facts into catchy tunes, rhythms, or even stories or sayings can help the student remember facts better. For example, “Columbus sailed the ocean blue, in 1492”, is one commonly used sayings. The more outrageous a story or saying is, the more likely one is to remember it. During the exam, be sure to watch the clock. Be careful that time does not sneak up and run out before the exam is finished. Do not spend a long time on a certain section trying to answer one question. Skip it and continue the test until finished, then go back to the question. By spending a lot of time on one problem, it will keep a student from answering other questions. A helpful tip also is that a proven experiment has shown that peppermints help the brain to recall information.

The most important studying skill of all is not to procrastinate. Students should separate studying time so one’s brain can rest. The keys to acing exams are to study hard until fully confident. Being confident will help a student not freeze up during a test and forget facts. Study hard and be prepared, the next test is only days away.

As a New Year’s risk, some of the Hilife Staff decided to create the first ever Clear Creek Magazine. By procrastinating, however, our money supplies ran low. Although we calculated what each staff member should do, it was too late. Our life experiences prove that by procrastinating, nothing will get done.

The Paw

How To Get Motivated To Study

1. Identify your goals in life. Maybe you want to be a doctor, or a famous singer, or a social worker. Realize that without a good education and good grades, you won’t meet your goals. Even if your fantasy future doesn’t require a certain education in a class, you will have something to fall back on. To get to your goals for the future, you must have an education. Decide to take charge of your future by taking charge of your study habits.2. Use your time wisely. Set priorities by making a calendar of the month. You should set aside specific time on specific days for studying.3. Give yourself enough time to do the work you need to do. If you finish early, you can have fun, but stick to your calendar. Don’t blow off studying for fun because you will end up regretting it.4. Study in small sections instead of long time periods.For example, you will accomplish more if you schedule yourself to study/work in 60-minute blocks than if you study/work for 2-3 hours straight with no breaks.Think of this when you’re creating your study calendar.5. Reward yourself after you complete a task. After staying focused on studying, do something nice to reward yourself. 6. Motivate yourself by studying with friends. Having a “study buddy” to help you stick to your schedule can be very helpful. Just be sure you’re both committed to the same study calendar.7. Break large assignments into small tasks. Do one piece at a time, instead of freaking about getting the whole thing done.8. Keep a reminder schedule and checklist of what you need to get done and when it is due.9. Make your environment work for you. Eliminate or minimize noise and distractions. Make sure you have adequate lighting. Have necessary equipment (pencils, paper, reference books) at hand. Don’t waste time going back and forth to get things.10. Be neat! Take a few minutes to straighten your desk. This can help to reduce daydreaming.

9

Clear Creek HiLife

Attracted to FashionKearston Rowe

This summer the mall received a much, needed upgrade for teenagers. Hollister, Forever 21, Zumiez and Metro Park are constantly crowded. Before, we only had, the ever so popular, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle and Aero-postle. Now that these stores have opened, the mall has been evenmore stocked with people. The relaxed look and feel of the clothing in these stores is what attracts us to them and that’s what leads me to believe that these stores are not just a trend, they’re here to stay.

Men On a MissionAlbert Nkansah For guys, getting ready for school in the morning is not that difficult. You wake up, brush your teeth, maybe have a shower, and put some clothes on and you’re ready to go. However, the problem is if you don’t have the right clothes to wear. Currently shirts are worn a size too large, unless you have a muscular build, then you can wear a tight shirt to show off the guns. Last year, it was popular to wear shirts with classic rock bands on them like ACDC, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Pink Floyd. However this year it is all about the classic rappers and rap groups like Run DMC, NWA, Tupac, and Notorious B.I.G.

Since it is still cold outside a lot of guys are wearing hoodies, and the name brand hoodies that are most worn are from Ecko, Bapes, The Billionaire Boys Club, and LRG. It is also okay to rock the sweatpants. It is good to wear pants that have a style to them, like cut jeans, but if you buy pants with a design, don’t wear the pants all the time. It is cheaper and easier to buy plain jeans, so you can wear them as much as you like. Every person has a style all their own, and every one is unique so it is all right to mix it up a little.

Need a Passion for Fashion

Melissa Devitt

Trends, trends and more trends! Spring is the season where new styles are emerging. No matter what your personal

style is, you will find something for you. Designers got in shape for the new craze, Sport Chic, to hit runways. Collections from top designers

were filled with colorful hoodies and elegant track pants. The models sported stripped leggings and parka dresses. If you’re a fashionable tomboy this is the

style for you. The new fad to strike the runways throughout the world is modern day romance. Designer Alexander McQueen perfected this new trend in his spring show.

These dresses are thick with layers upon layers of bulky 3-D flowers. When you hear Eighty’s I know you think big hair, mullets and weird balloon pants, but that’s not the case anymore. Since we are teenagers we never got to experience the 1980’s fashion first hand but don’t worry, here’s our second chance! A long time ago in galaxy far, far away girls were wearing ultramodern garments. Well all you star wars fans you can now live out your fantasies. The new Space Odyssey trend is the latest craze all over the stores. I’m not saying go too far and look like you’re getting ready to go out for Halloween but trust me, the future can be chic. To trapeze or not to trapeze? Oh please, that is not even a question. The new obsession though out the fashion industry is the trapeze artist. Various designers have constructed dresses and coats that flow freely around the waist. This new rage is ultra

girly and mega fashionable. In case forties is just not your style, don’t worry you can still relive another generation before our time! To fully capture the retro mood

of this style there is just a few things you need to know. For one, high waist dresses and shirts are a must, as well as black and white silk jackets and

coats. This new rage is tremendously classic and beautiful.Spring 2007 is the season for over the top clothes and accessories.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, there will be beautiful clothes for you!

Walking in Creek’s ShoesCassie Lee

The term ‘image’ dances around the minds of students every morning before heading off to school. Some people feel secure and believe that looks do not matter. Others counter that the way someone presents them self represents one’s personality. The latter sometimes, but not always, put them selves in a dangerous situation Media has brainwashed teens to believe that a skinny girl is a gorgeous girl. A star. Wanted. This leads some girls to believe not eating or over working themselves will make them the best. This can lead to serious heath problems. Instead opt out for a good healthy workout. By attending Clear Creek High School, the majority of students are in luck. By taking average of ten thousand steps a day you can improve your overall well-being. And, just by walking from the entrance of the Ninth Grade Center to the entrance of the Main Campus, a student walks about six hundred and eighty steps. This leaves out walking on stairwells, and other courses of action so a student might even be walking more. And remember that many students make this trip several times in the course of one day. Remember, beware of letting anxiety about portraying an image get in the way of overall heath and well being. There is another way. Being unhealthy isn’t beautiful and keeps a person from reaching their dreams and overall potential in life.

We tried but we couldn’t do it

As we discussed the various options around the state in regard to journalism, we took special note of a student magazine we had picked up at San Jac Journalism Day last year. Sixth period is a smaller class and we planned to all pull together and make a magazine to insert in this issue of the HiLife. Mrs. J said we could do it if we called the printer for specs and prices. She said we had to sell ads to print our magazine. Newspaper is a real world class and we are responsible for selling ads, as well as writing, editing, proofing, and designing. Cassie Lee did the design, more or less taking charge of the operation. She got ad contracts ready and had her “staff” sell ads to print the magazine. When the deadline rolled around, she asked her team one by one if they had sold their alloted ad space. One by one, they answered “No.”. Cassie is our new center spread editor this semester. Mrs. J told her that she put her “magazine stories” here this time. Each reporter wrote his or her story. Some wrote more than others. This is all the result of their experiment. The lessons learned:

1.You cannot go to print without money.

2. Teamwork means everyone contributes.

3. Someone has to take the fall.

4. Publishing newspapers and magazines is real world. If you don’t have money, you cannot print.

5. Never let your editor see you sweat.

6. That’s why this is all so random.

Comic and pictures used with membership to MCT campus.

10

Clear Creek HiLife

CREEK CLUBS

Link Crew The Link Crew will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Greater Bay Area Relay for life, a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. For more information contact Mrs. Bartlett, the Link Crew sponsor, or call Alyssa Kelley the event sponsor at 281 538 4695.

Auxilio!

“Auxilio” means “help” in Spanish, and that

is exactly what the club offers. Every Monday

and Wednesday the club meets for an hour

after school in room T-11 to help each other

with Spanish. Students in lower level Spanish

can get help from their peers in Spanish V,

and all students in Spanish are invited to

participate. If you feel you need help with

Spanish then come by to visit Auxilio.

Anime Club

The Anime Club has meetings

every Friday from 2:30 to 4pm. When

students come in they grab a bag of

popcorn and take a seat to watch anime

movies. Sometimes the club president will

speak on upcoming conventions and even

teach the students Japanese. The club can

be found in P-11 where a member of the

anime club will great you with a smile and

a handshake.

Movie ClubToo many high school students

go home, crash on the couch, and watch television. But Mr. Cloninger and the Movie Club have turned this ritual into something meaningful. Every Friday at 2:30, the club meets in C210 to watch and talk about movies. Join the club and share opinions on some of today’s greatest movies.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Are you an Christian who wants to

meet with fellow classmates and share

your faith ? Then come join FCA . This

club meets every Tuesday at 5:00 in NGC

gym . The meetings are sponsored by

Coach Cobb and presented and held by

Amelia Fontana . Hope to see you there!

Art Club Many students take art class only to get the fine arts credit. However, many aspiring artists forget their busy schedule for a short time outside of school in which they pour their passion and creativity into artwork. Each second and fourth Wednesday at 2:40 p.m., you can find the Creek art club in P-23.

Exit 26

Exit 26 is sponsored by Mr. Billingsley

and meets every morning from 7:00-

7:15 in the Main Campus Auditorium

Foyer. Students get together to talk,

share prayer requests, and pray as a

group. If you’re looking for guidance,

this is the place to be.

C.L.E.A.R

C.L.E.A.R club is in the spirit

of the New Year. The club will be

continuing their plans of the first

bowl-a –thon in March. Meetings

are every other Thursday at the ninth

grade center in room N119. The

C.L.E.A.R members are dedicated to

spreading the message of being drug

and alcohol free in the year of 2007.

So come, join, and have fun!

Red Cross ClubIf you want a way to give back to the

community while still having fun, then the Red Cross Club is the club for you. Every other Wednesday, from 2:40 to 3:00, in room P-45 the Red Cross Club meets to talk about helping the neighborhood and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Muslim Student Association

The Muslim Student association meets

every Friday at 2:45 in the main campus

library. Samina Bashir, a counselor at the

High School sponsors the club. If you have

an interest in Muslim culture and want to

spend some extra time with you friends,

than come visit.

11

Clear Creek HiLife

CREEK SPEAKSCreek’s Hottest Hunk continued...

Press release

The Clear Creek senior class is presented Brigadoon for their 2007 production. It is a wonderful love story that is set in a mythical town in the Scottish Highlands. Thursday night’s performance revealed another love story. Don and Bette Johnson met during high school forty-seven years ago while performing in their own senior musical at St. Mary’s of Redford, Michigan, the musical: Brigadoon. When the cast heard they would be in the audience on their forty-third anniversary watching the

same musical they felt they had to honor them. They autographed a photograph of the cast and presented it to the Johnson’s at the performance. The Johnson’s are long time Nassau Bay residents, Don is the former mayor of Nassau Bay and Bette is currently on the Nassau Bay City Council. All of their children graduated from CCISD schools and Bette is a reading specialist with the district.

Photo courtesy of the student activities dirrector.

Brigadoon cast honors anniversary

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

1. Colton Wegner2. Robert McLemore3. Josh Hale4. Matt Couch5. Brandon Puzzo6. Micheal Beach7. Van Blackman8. Creighton Brooks9. Ty Halford10. Andrew Jones11. Andy Collins12. Stephen Wiegman13. Austin Nardone14. Brandon O’Quinn15. Adam Dodds

12 fEATURES

Clear Creek HiLife

Restaurant review: Sudie’s Seafood bobby murPhy

Sudie’s Catfish and Seafood house is not only one of the only seafood restaurants in League City, but also a great place to go when people anywhere want a bite to eat. Located at 352 North on the Gulf Freeway the restaurant is in an ideal location where people can just turn off the freeway, into the restaurant parking lot, and come in and enjoy great food. The restaurant takes pride in its seafood delicacies including their farm-raised Mississippi catfish and their hand dipped butterfly shrimp. According to the menu, long-time Sudies’s customers rate their shrimp and catfish as the best anywhere, and the restaurant owners hope that new guests that come to visit will think the same. For the fish lover, restaurant managers suggest the house special, all-you-can-eat catfish. The special comes with pinto beans, fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies, served with every meal, along with tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. The special is available every day unlike most other

seafood restaurants who only offer all-you-can-eat specials as a promotion. For guests that do not have a very large appetite, Sudie’s has many other menu items that are both smaller and more affordable than the all-you-can-eat catfish special. The shrimp gumbo is a popular favorite among guests that are looking to save some money. It is both tasty and affordable. The Sudie’s Duo and Trio are two more menu favorites. Guests are allowed their choice of either two or three fried seafood items. Finally, for those who do not like seafood, come visit Sudie’s anyway. Not only does Sudie’s offer great seafood but also a variety of other menu items like chicken fried steak, Rib-eye steak, and many more all prepared as well as the seafood. However, for guests who visit the restaurant it is important to have a love for fried foods. At Sudie’s almost everything on the menu is fried, with a

few exceptions including five different salads and deserts. Sudie’s offers five different desserts that go great after any meal. Not only will guests be satisfied with the way that the desserts taste, but they will also be satisfied with themselves because the

restaurants donates a portion of all dessert sales to local charities. However, the restaurant has two locations so the menu does not state how much, or to which charity money

is contributed to, leaving guests with less satisfaction because they do not know which one or how much is being donated. This feature of the restaurant, however, remains unique beacuase it is not done by any other restaurant in the Gulf Coast area. Another unique feature about Sudie’s is that not only is it a restaurant, but it is also a candle shop. Sudie’s sells a variety of different scented candles with scents

ranging from French vanilla all the way to pumpkin. When guests walk in to the restaurant they are greeted by a shelf full of candles even before they reach the hostess podium. On most days guests might find Sudie’s a little crowded, and they may have to wait a while. Looking at the many different candles provides a diversion for those who visit the restaurant and find them waiting for a long tome. In the rest of the restaurant the walls are decorated with many different fishing items and framed newspaper articles proclaiming the restaurant’s accomplishments. The restaurant has been featured in many local newspapers including the Chronicle, the Citizen, the Galveston Daily News, the Bayrunner magazine, and now the HiLife newspaper. Sudie’s has been serving the Gulf Coast area for twenty years from it’s location in Pasadena, and the restaurant’s owners hope the same will happen at their restaurant in League City. For more information the restaurant will be glad to answer any questions and take

calories. A binge is different for all people. Purging methods usually involve vomiting and laxative abuse. Eating disorders are not due to a lack of motivation or manners; instead, they are sincere, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating grasp on a life of their own. The biggest influence on females between ages of ten and twenty is the media. When they see models and actresses on television and in magazines their view on body image is distorted. They don’t know that before an image is put in a magazine it is retouched and airbrushed so it can be perfect. Even though no real changes have been made, certain people who agree with the recent changes are keeping positive. They have faith that if the modeling world can change, people will be happier with their body images. The modeling industry at this point does not know the outcome of the future, yet they do know that models are not taking this lightly and they will fight for what they believe in as well.

the recent increase in anorexia and bulimia among young girls and boys. In the United States, the amount of people that suffer from eating disorders has doubled. About ten million girls and women and around one million men are affected by bulimia or anorexia.

Eating disorders can have extreme affects on their suffers. They can experience depression, isolation and the obsession of

being perfect. Anorexia is caused by the powerful yearning to be thin and a fear of becoming obese motivate the majority women and an increasing number of men. Anorexics deem themselves to be fat, no matter what their actual weight is. Often anorexics do not acknowledge they are too thin and may still see themselves, as fat at 85 lbs. Anorexics typically attempt for the unachievable outlook of flawlessness. A person battling anorexia may also believe the only power they have in their lives is what they eat. Bulimia is brought on by a series of binge eating followed by purging to try and eliminate the body of unnecessary

Disorders Association, a body mass index of 18.5 is considered underweight and anything over 25 is overweight. Presently, most runway models have a BMI of 16.3

A few big name designers are now catching on to the fuller figured models. “Thin is fine but it has to be healthy, When I see a model come in and I can tell this is not naturally how they’re supposed to look, we won’t book them,” said top fashion designer Michael Kors.

In recent runway shows, designers have been featuring healthier models on their catwalks. Yet officials wonder if this trend will really catch on. The majority of the fashion population disagrees with Spain’s efforts to ban bony models. They believe it’s been this way for about 15 years and refuse to change it now. Other designers believe it is unfair for them because they believe their clothes show better on thinner models. Besides the catwalk, body image has been a popular subject matter lately. Eating disorder specialists said that the negative body images the runway models send are the cause of

melissa DeviTT

What is the definition of an ideal runway model? Most people are probably thinking tall, slim, long legs and outrageously high cheekbones. Lately, models have been getting out of control. Models no longer have the beautiful womanly physique that they once had. The fashion runways are now filled with skeletal looking ladies. Models have always been lean but never to this degree. The fashion industry received a rude awakening last week by Spain’s decision to turn away underweight models from Madrid runways. As of September 13, 2006, the Madrid regional government now requires all models to weigh in or get out. Their attempt to put a healthier outlook on fashion has shocked the fashion world.

Although there is no actual standard to what is healthy, runway officials have now banned runway models with a BMI (Body Mass Index) lower then the healthy range, between 19 and 24. According to the National Eating

Healthier models, a new trend or a passing fad?

13

Clear Creek HiLife

fEATURES

haley rush

“Un teachable, at-risk” teenagers were what the administrators dubbed a group of kids at Woodrow High School in Long Beach, California. In Room 203, in the fall of 1994, a teacher named Erin Gruwell met her first group of students, who seemed to live in a completely different world than she.

The class was a diverse mix of Latino, African-American, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Caucasian students, many of whom had lived in the roughest neighborhoods in the area their entire life. The students made it clear in the first few weeks that they were not interested in what their new teacher had to say. Bets were even made by the teenagers on how long they believed she would last in their classroom. Gruwell was dumbstruck that she could not find away to get into the teenager’s heads that she was there to help. But soon Gruwell had an idea. She asked

her class how many of them had been shot; sadly, almost all of them raised their hands, and began lifting their shirts to show their scars.

Gruwell was shocked and inspired to take advantage of the dynamic energy she had sparked. She gave her class two books: The Diary of Anne Frank and their own personal journal. She then announced to her students that they would write in their journal every day, because it was time for their story to be told. The teenagers wrote in their anonymous diary, recording tormenting stories of drug use, struggles with physical and mental abuse, and reactions to Gruwell and her unconventional teaching methods.

Erin Gruwell began to transform her student’s lives. She encouraged them to reconsider daily decisions, believe in themselves, and to rethink their futures. With Gruwell’s constant support, her students shattered stereotypes and became aspiring college students. They even called themselves the “Freedom Writers.”

From the day they gave themselves the name “Freedom Writers,” the students of Room 203 changed from a group of frustrated teenagers into a motivated family.

Just as Gruwell promised, the Freedom Writers story was going to be told. The Civil Rights activists soon published the book The Freedom Writers Diary, an amazing true story of strength, courage, and achievement in the face of adversity. This is the story of how a teacher and 150 teens used writing to change themselves and the world around them.

Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers started a foundation to positively impact communities by decreasing high school drop out rates through enhancing the Freedom Writers method. Immediately after the foundation began, great improvements were shown in communities across the country. The Freedom Writers have since continued to spread their story throughout the world. In 1997 they held an “Echoes

of the Soul” fund-raising concert to help pay for a trip to Washington, D.C., where they presented their diary to Secretary of Education Richard Riley. In 1998 they won the Spirit of Anne Frank Award- the Freedom Writers traveled to New York to accept the award. Most recently, in the summer of 1999, one of their most far-reaching goals was achieved. The Freedom Writers and Gruwell visited Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam; the concentration camps Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Chelmno in Poland; and visited Zlata in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

A recent movie was made starring Academy Award Winner Hilary Swank. In the film Swank plays none other than Erin Gruwell. The Movie Freedom Writers has hit theaters all over the United States and it stays true to the actual events. It is based on the their story and their words.

Most important however, is all 150 Freedom Writers have graduated from High School and are attending college.

The real Freedom Writers take the box office

haley rush

From slavery to freedom, Black History Month celebrates the journeys and stories of African Americans. In 1976, Black History Month was started and February became officially known as Black History Month. Since then everyone, no matter what race, has come together during the month of February to celebrate the abolishment of slavery and the achievements of African Americans. Much of the credit for Black History Month can go to Harvard Scholar, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was determined to bring Black History into the public eyes. In 1926, Woodson organized the first annual Black History Week, which took place during the second week of February. Woodson chose the second week of February to include two men who had greatly impacted the black population, Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Over time Black History Week turned into

Black History Month, which we know today. 2007 is a very special year for Black History Month. This year marks the 200th anniversary of when Parliament passed the Act to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire – the start of a long road to abolition. It also enables us to remember those who campaigned for abolition, and suffered. “I belong to a group of people that God-omniscient, omnipresent God, God of all power-says, ‘You’re my children and you’re the same as anyone else.” Said Adam Clayton Powell Jr., a fiery politician who struggled against great odds to win equal rights and opportunities for African Americans. In 1941, he became the first African American to be elected to the New York City Council, and in 1945 he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat of Harlem. In Congress, he led the fight against racial segregation and

was repeatedly reelected. “I figured then that the white people must be right, but as I got older I said no, there’s something wrong, and if I ever get a chance I’m going to do something about it.” Fannie Lou Harmer, one of the civil rights leaders, said those great words on the roots of her activism. She worked on plantations until 1962, when she was fired for attempting to register to vote. One time Harmer was beaten and jailed for attempting to eat at a whites only dining room. Later she was elected to the Policy Council of the National Woman’s Political Caucus in 1971 and continued working to improve economic conditions until she died in 1977. “It is our fervent plea for strong voices to be raised, from all areas of our society, out of varying traditions and interests, to arouse the conscience of our land.” Asa Phillip Randolph was another very big civil rights leader. In 1955,

Randolph was made vice president of the nation’s massive new labor federation, the AFL-CIO. Highly influential in the African-American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, he was the director of Martin Luther King’s landmark 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Randolph retired from public life in 1968 after over forty years as president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He died in 1979. These people our only a few of the many civil rights leaders, only a few of those who have risked their lives for what they believed in. It just goes to show if you stand up for what you believe in, and for what is right, amazing things can be accomplished. Without these and many other civil rights leaders, Black History Month would not be celebrated today. African-Americans and others have come a long way in the world today.

Black History month celebrates its 30th anniversary

allie hinga

After the closing of Astroworld last October, Houstonians found themselves living in the fourth largest city in the nation, without any roller coasters to enjoy. However, that all changed when the Kemah Boardwalk unveiled its plans to build a roller coaster as the newest addition to the park. The coaster will open in the late spring or early summer of 2007, giving thrill seekers and coaster fans across Houston something to talk about. The Kemah Boardwalk sits on the shore of Galveston Bay in Kemah, Texas, a small suburb of Houston. Drawing an average of three million visitors per year, the Boardwalk boasts numerous dining, shopping, and

entertainment opportunities. Visitors looking for a unique dining experience can choose from a number of restaurants, from more formal places like the Aquarium, to the laid back atmosphere at Joe’s Crab Shack. Out of town visitors can even spend the night at the Kemah Boardwalk Inn, the Boardwalk’s exclusive hotel. A small theme park situated on the edge of the park is home to a few rides, ranging from the carousel for young children, to the Pharaoh’s Fury and the Inverter for more daring teenagers. The new roller coaster will be the first coaster to be featured at the Boardwalk. The new roller coaster, expected to be named the Boardwalk Bullet, was designed by Gravity Group to fit into a one-acre plot of land next to the Saltgrass

Steak House, and will run on a wooden track. Due to the small space in which the coaster must fit, it will feature more track crossovers than any other wooden roller coaster ever built. The ride will stand a tall ninety-six feet, or nine stories, with an initial drop of 92 feet. It will be able to reach speeds of 51 miles per hour, and its track layout will be 3,236 feet long. The ride will have two, six-car trains, with each train sitting two people sitting in each row. The two cars will be able to hold up to twenty-four people at most, and the ride is expected to have a ride capacity of 800 people per hour. The Boardwalk Bullet will incorporate a western theme, which coaster riders will be able to see in the many themed-tunneled sections of the ride. The contractor to oversee

the completion of this project will be Martin & Vleminckx Rides, LLC, based in Haines City, Florida. The completed roller coaster will be situated only a few feet from Galveston Bay, providing those who prefer not to look down with a great seaside view. With only a few months left from the projected opening date, the construction of the Boardwalk Bullet is already underway. Anyone interested in seeing the coaster before its opening can visit the Kemah Boardwalk to view the half-completed ride. While this new amusement is already causing a stir among the many thrill-deprived Houstonians, roller coaster fans will have to wait for the Boardwalk Bullet’s opening in spring or summer 2007 to experience it.

New rollercoaster to open at Kemah

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Clear Creek HiLife

alberT nkansah

The girls and guys basketball teams stormed through the season with several victories and made plans for post regular season play.

The Lady Wildcats have been dominating the court, putting their hard work into action. They were able to clinch an early berth into the playoffs, with a final record of 20-14 and a 7-5 district record. Now that the season is over, they are getting ready to make a playoff run.

Alvin , Clear Lake , Clear Brook, and Clear Creek all made the playoffs for girls’ basketball this season, and Creek

want to make sure they represent District 24 in the right way. The Lady Wildcats were by far one of the four best teams in the district as they were three games ahead of the fifth place Pearland team.There are many reasons, besides scoring, that they have had such a successful season. Rebounding is one of Creeks forte, with Jessica Flynn leading the team with 5.9 rebounds per game. Another reason is passing; the key passer is Caitlin Hill who has 24 assists on the season.

The Lady Wildcats were to play the Dulles Vikings, a very solid team that has had a fierce season. As they entered the Manvel High School gym they could

feel the playoff atmosphere, carrying high hopes and determination. Unfortunately for Creek, they were playing one of the best teams in the State. From the very beginning, Dulles continually scored. The third quarter put the Lady Cats away as Dulles outscored them 14-6 in the third. The Wildcats ended their season on that note, but things are still looking up for next year as they have ten players returning for the 2008 season.

The boys have also had phenomenal wins this season. Right now, they are third in the district and looking at a possible playoff spot. They have had many exciting games including two games against Alvin which both had the Wildcats winning 56-54, and a thrilling game against

Galveston Ball which came down to the final buzzer. The Wildcats prepared for anything that comes their way, including the final game of the season against Brazoswood.

The Buccaneers had no chance as Creek came out with intensity and won the game 69-50. With the win Creek clinched the fourth and final playoff spot, sending Creek into what will hopefully be a long post season.

Both basketball teams have strived for excellence this year, and both have achieved that goal. Now, we can only wait and watch for the results of the Wildcats’ playoff dreams.

Wildcat playoff dreams come true

sarah Poore

Clad in ear guards and spandex, the wrestling team might not be what we’re used to seeing in a sports team. But don’t be fooled- these guys and girls are having a fierce season as they make their way through the middle of their first year. The boys team is currently 16-8 in their season, a satisfying stat for Creek’s first year on the mat. John Speich currently carries the best record moving into district at 20-7. The Wildcats have several other successful athletes, including Mitchell Buckmaster,

Aaron Daniels, Jeff Nemeth,and Paul Vaughn. These boys continue to contribute to Creek’s victory at meets. Creek was triumphant at the Woodshed Classic in Brazoswood, taking an impressive 3rd place. At this meet, a member of the girls team, Heather Martinez, took first place at 119 pounds. Martinez also was awarded as the most outstanding female wrestler in that tournament. Her success says a lot about the dedication of Creek’s wrestling program. Other girls that make up the base

of the girls team are Sarah Greene, Emily Curlin, Tarah Brewer, Amber Williams, Caterina Jordan, and Alysia Kentner. Creek headed to District on February third, and walked away with multiple successes. The Wildcat wrestlers who qualified for regionals include AaronDaniels (aka peanut) (22-12), Heather Martinerz (14-4), Tarah Brewer (5-6), AmberWilliams (6-6), and Alysia Kentner (7-5). Athletes who finished third at district wereJeff Nemeth, John Speich, Kevin Tran, Connor Del-Basso, and Bryant Reinart. As a team, the Wildcats carry

a fantastic 16-8 season stat. Coach Thompson couldn’t be prouder of his team. “The first year of wrestling at Creek was very successful. We accomplished a lotas a team and the sport has been good for the community. I look forward to manysuccessful seasons in the future. I am going to miss the seniors and all ofthere hard work. Next year we will work hard to dominate the district.” Says Coach Thompson. The Wildcat wrestling team has made their mark on Creek athletics in their rookie year. The group is confident and is sure to go even further in seasons to come.

First Year Success for Wrestling

Taylor freuDenberg

Some of the boy’s sports that are recognized here at Creek are baseball and football, but what about the fantastic girl sports? In the past years, the Creek softball program has had an average team, not being the best, but not being the worst. This year, the team will hopefully become the best in the state of Texas. There are three teams this year in the softball program, the Varsity, the Junior Varsity, and the newly added Sophomore team. The Varsity consists of Kara Rau, Morgan Luksa, Jessie Bennent, Ashley Moore, Laken Vichich, Katie Moulder, Michaela Adams, Megan Tomayo, Megan Mcintyre, Jordan Mattison, Allison Bright, Amy Rossi, Jill Domingue, and Ashley (Jersey) Bertot. The team consists of one senior, five juniors, five sophomores, and three freshmen. The head coach for the Varsity team is Coach Andrea Cash, and the assistant coach is Mrs. Shannon Garner. The Softball team has been going through some tough times with so many injuries, and bad weather canceling some of their games, and practices. At the beginning of the season, Morgan Luksa suffered an injury to her leg. Kaylin Bowen, a junior on the JV team, tore the tendons from her knee while sliding in a scrimmage game, consequently taking her out for the season. Misty Munley, a freshman pitcher on Junior Varsity, sprained her foot while sliding into home

during practice, and Katherine Greene has recently been recuperating from surgery on her knee due to a prior injury.

The teams have already played their first non-district games, and have been managing with the loss of their teammates. Both teams have had a rough start, but have been able to roll with the punches by doing a successful job of not letting their worries affect their attitude. The Lady Wildcats have already played their scrimmages and some of their non-district games, being victorious in most of them. The Varsity team is hosting and playing in a tournament this weekend, along with the rest of the CCISD schools. The tournament will be held the following days, February 15, 16, and 17, 2007.The games will be played at three fields, Clear Brook, Clear Lake, and Clear Creek, and each team will be playing on their home turfs. Use this chance to cheer on the Lady Wildcats while they are in action.

This season the teams have had a rocky start, but with endurance and encouragement from fellow teammates, the Lady Wildcats have hit the ground running. The softball games are held on Wednesdays and Fridays, with Junior Varsity preceding Varsity games, so come on out and support the Lady Wildcats while they fight to take Creek to the State Championships. All three of the teams are looking forward to the softball season this year, and are hoping to make this a season to remember.

Creek softball season off to a good start

DesTinee Walker

The members of the Wildcat soccer teams have been braving the cold and rain as they kick off the 2007 season. Both the guys and girls seasons began February 2nd against the Clear Brook Wolverines. Returning to the Men’s Varsity team this year will be senior forward Creighton Brooks, juniors Danny Sandoval; defender, and mid fielders Rico Pardo, Diego Castro and Phillip Laughbaum. The team took a hard hit after losing fifteen of their seniors this year, but they still remain in good spirits. “ I think we will do well this season, we work together as a team and communicate well on the field.” Said varsity goalkeeper Andres Ortiz.

The team played well in the Corpus Christi Tournament on January 19th and 20th where they placed 3rd in the Gold Division. “It was a very competitive tournament and the weather was not in our favor, yet they displayed great sportsmanship and attitude,” said soccer mom Sandra Ortiz.

When asked about the season Coach Cobb said this, “This year’s team is smaller in size but we have more skillful players who play smart soccer. This year we’re 7-2-1 so far. I’d say it is a great

Clear Creek Kicks Off New Soccer Season

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Clear Creek HiLife

Athletes of the Month

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In any sport, it is really challenging to be able to be on Varsity for all four years of high school. However, Adam Pitts has found a way do just that and do it well.

Senior Adam Pitts has been a main reason for the soccer team’s early success this year and as the season goes on he will want more victories. He has had a very memorable time at Creek and he hopes there will be more memories to come, “My favorite moment was last year when we went to the second round in the playoffs.

Adam plans to go farther in soccer. He is currently looking at colleges like the University of Alabama- Birmingham , Trinity University , Southwestern University , and the University of Texas at Dallas . The sky is the limit for Adam who says that there is a possibility that he might go pro after college.

Adam has played for about 13years. “I was about five, started playing in the streets, then joined a league and just continued to play,” he says.

For Adam, the door is open for him to go as far as he wants to.

The Lady Wildcats basketball team has had a successful, playoff bound season and a big reason for that is Junior Kourtnee Pevehouse.

Kourtnee admits that her brother, Lance, got her some fame, but she thinks its time to emerge as the top Pevehouse. Last year, Lance Pevehouse led the boys’ basketball team. He was the starting guard for the team in coach Buddy Carlisle’s final season and received a scholarship from the Army Black Knights. “ I still keep in touch with my brother at WestPoint,” says Kourtnee

This year Kourtnee Pevehouse plans to come out of her brother’s shadow and lead the girls’ team. She is the leading scorer for the Lady Wildcats averaging 11.7 points per game and shooting 79 % from the free throw line.

Miss Pevehouse has played basketball and hopes to continue playing basketball by playing in college. Lubbock

Kourtnee is making a new name for herself at Creek and one of those new names will be the February Female Player of the Month.

start to what I predict will be a very successful season. Our district is very competitive and I expect tough games, but we will rise to the challenge and I’m sure we will have a good chance of getting into the playoffs as well as challenging for a district championship.”

The Varsity girls have gotten off to a good start this year as well by winning the silver bracket in the Gulf Coast Classic, where Erin Mackay and Danielle Schaefer were voted all-tournament winners. This year’s team is fueled by last year’s success, and has plenty experience to back it up with five returning players. The ladies’ hard work has paid off so far. At this time, three goals have been scored by the lady wildcats during pool play or regulation games. “This is a credit to the defenders and to the goalkeepers .” Said head Varsity coach Dede MacPherson. The over all record at this time is 6-2-1 defeating Laporte 1-0 and CC Carroll 3-0 in the Silver Bracket of the Gulf Coast Classic. Last season’s record was 13-7-3 they made it into playoffs, defeating Pasadena Memorial in the first round but losing to Kingwood 0-2. “[Our] goal is to go back to [the] playoffs. We are in a tough district. We will take one game at a time.” Said coach MacPherson.

Kourtnee PevehouseAdAm Pitts

Clear Creek HiLife

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