2015 April HiLife

Coffee House pg. 7

Sheppard Review pg.17

Water Polo pg. 23

HUNCH designs table for International Space Station

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

As a part of the HUNCH program, High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware, a plaque with the names of the Creek students involved will be taken to the International Space Station.

This is to honor their involvement for designing and constructing a product to be used by the astronauts.

For over 12 months the engineering students from Clear Creek, Cy Woods and Cy Springs have partnered with Johnson Space Center to create The Next Generation Galley Table to be sent to the ISS in December.

Beginning the project in the summer of 2014, interns hired by NASA were responsible for making various parts using 3-D printers with aluminum in order to construct the idea.

Although many parts were constructed, the summer products were not to the flight table standards.

Every piece of material used must be tagged with a 911 tag, in order to keep track of every person who has touched what will eventually go into space.

The table itself has taken 12 months to create and about two million dollars.

The 12 months of planning out concepts

resulted in a table constructed out of high grade aluminum and stainless steel. . The precision required for this project teaches students to be patient and aware.

“We usually milled between plus or minus two or three thousandths to as much as plus or minus five thousandths

to be used as a handle bar, as well as a strap to connect the table to the wall in order to keep it from moving. With a green top and blue handle bar, the galley table will become the most colorful object in the ISS that is said to last the duration of the space station unless something else is needed.

Photo by Elena Rodriguez accuracy. The finish “In the current space has to be perfect,” station that we have now William Gibbs, Engineering teacher, said. the astronauts have to either float above With the design of the table right on it or float below it in order to go from the cutting edge of technology, the table is one part of the space station to the other, able to fold in half with a stainless steel bar with straps getting in the way. This way

they can fold it out of the way, naturally folding under the table,” Gibbs said.

Aside from the amazing opportunities, the HUNCH program has taught students what it is like to be in the real world and what it would be like if they chose to work in the engineering field.

“It has taught me that it takes hard work, dedication, and extreme precision to be able to work with NASA,” senior Sam Piccolo said.

With permission from NASA the students who worked on the Next Generation Galley Table were able to sign the plates that will be placed on the bottom side of the table.

“This took a special permission from NASA. Even employees that work for NASA that are engineers or machinists never get to sign a piece of hardware. In this case we were given permission to sign it because it is not going to effect the usage of the table itself,” Gibbs said.

After the table was completed, a special award ceremony was organized by NASA in order to recognize all the students in the HUNCH program and their many projects. With several students from Creek, the parents were proud to see their children walk on stage and receive their award.

Best Buddies hosts annual Friendship Walk in Houston

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor

Celebrating its sixth year of tradition, the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk is a celebration of inclusion for all and the power of friendship. It has taken place in over three countries, over 26 states and over 55,000 participants. Each separate walk location sets a goal to fundraise and this year the goal was $50,000. The Houston Walk surpassed that goal by raising $71,568, the most fundraising to date for Houston. Every year it is held at University of St. Thomas and took place on April 18 this year.

“Proceeds from the walk play a fundamental part in funding our state programs which provide one-to-one friendships, leadership development and integrated job opportunities for individuals with IDD. These programs can be found in all 50 states and will create promising opportunities for over 350,000 this year,” Best Buddies Texas said in a statement on their official website.

There is no fee for Walk Registration, but each participant is encouraged to fundraise $50 on their own in order to receive a t-shirt. Each Best Buddies Chapter in Houston is required to attend and set up a free booth. Creek’s chapter this year set up a photo booth, but other booths at the event included

karaoke, pie throwing and hula hooping.

The walk itself is only a mile long.

During the walk, walkers cheer and interact with each other to ensure that all those attending are as involved as possible.

“For me, the walk was just so much

pair that spoke together was Creek’s president, Sarah Creveling and her buddy Sara Goins. Creveling and Goins are no longer officially buddies because Goins graduated, but their friendship continues on. Goins is a Best Buddies Ambassador,

Photo by Lisa Nhan

fun to be a part of.

Seeing everyone from all around Houston come together to celebrate this message of inclusion was inspiring. It was just really cool to see everyone supporting each other,” Arbera Bedini, historian of Best Buddies Creek Chapter, said.

After the walk, there were performances and speeches on the stage, honoring many of the buddies involved. The only buddy

who gives speeches to help empower others with intellectual and developmental disabilities to inspire change.

“Being asked to give a speech is always an honor, especially when it is about my friendship with Sara. Sara has had the biggest impact on my life, I don’t know where I would be without her honestly,” Creveling said. “When she started talking at the walk, I did not have anything to say,

because I am so grateful for here. I do not even know how I anything I could say would have gotten her point across any better. She had the whole walk in tears.”

Afterwards, numerous awards were given out to recognize efforts to help promote the walk and raise awareness of the cause such as Most School Spirit and Sponsor of the year. Each award was presented by Miss Texas, Ylianna Guerra.

The winner of the Money Cup for the top fundraising team was given to the Woodlands Walkers with raising over 10K collectively. The second place team was Kempner High School with $9,385. The top individual fundraiser went to Dylan Ensell who raised $8,550 as a part of Mayde Creek High School, the third place team for fundraising. The Gold Sponsor for the walk was Admiral Transfer and Rigging, Inc. The Ginger Man was the Silver Sponsor.

This year was the first year in which walkers and their respective teams were invited to design and create a photo collage with the theme, “What About Friendship?”

The collages created were auctioned off as part of silent auction packages.

At the end of the day, despite the importance of raising money, the walk showed the value of empowering those around and how much difference one friend in life can make.

2

Opinion

What is your best memory during your time on staff at the Hi-Life?

“Having a party at Jessica’s house and acting weirder than usual.” –Tiffany Wade, junior, Reporter

ecoming carphoto booth at hom e th ith w ng pi orter el “H ry, sophomore, Rep te gh au D on is ad nival!” –M

e orking on th “Everyday w g around my in e b d n a ff a st yemory.” –Tro editors is a m , , sophomore lon Griffin II r Sports Edito

“Attending homecoming game and carnival while having fun with my friends.” –Monica Jackson, senior, Online Editor

“My best memory is when Issac told scary stories during the Halloween festivus.” –Madeline Williams, junior, Reporter

an reshm o f a s wa ss hen I ival. It wa h.” w s i t mory ming carn g our boo ek e m t re co sin bes “My first home d, adverti , Around C “Telling scary stories and karaoke at n Jessica’s party.” at my king arou ophomore –Hannah Pearson, sophomore, Photog l s a , rapher fun w Ruthven Editor y l i “I’ve had so many great memories–Em running the photo booth at the homecoming carnival, visi “My best memory would probting the KHOU y stud io, M all . the e fest n ivu o ses abl , k y be when Jessica asked me to Sec ret Santa and insane people is hard to pic it , st e n I e trie o d th h to sell e h an ad to. My favorite part is just spe prom.” –Issac Villareal, sophomore, “To b cted wit nding es are conne ri , o le m p e o tim e e m wit p h all t st the u e amazing people on staff.” b Photographer all abo s ily. They are y a –Em lw ily a Ber l thia il um e, w jun ior, I Hi-Life fam Teen Interest Editor ess. r and happin ed. w ie rv te their laughte in I “When our editor-in-chief came e students ts and n e remember th m o m y p p in on her birthday and I tackled ll for ha “When Ms. J re ariya VashThank you a M – ” s. n o her ad ti . The picture has been in Hia m y first story an onvers d r sa e id rt interesting c o th p at e R it r, Life infamy since.” –Audree Hall, was awesome! chenko, junio ” - Vidal Maldon senior, Design Editor ado, senior, Sp orts Editor a fun se fair and having “Attending the cour py r ve me a signed Hap junior, Photographe , ga lis ne So yo er eo ev –L n ” e. he tim was w ditor “My best memory e my stories s, senior, Online E m ew th ti at t M rs y fi ne e yd h “T aper Birthday card.” –S shed in the p uld be li o b w u p ry o re e m e w be my “My best m n year has to Santa for e t m re c sh e e S fr id no d when we ssa ory. There is ly m e A m .” te ff ri a o st v fa ething everyone on e seeing som eporter k R li , g n n e li m e fe sh e e Lobue, fr hard on com d e rk o w e ’v you .” the first time together for ior, Co-Man .” n us iv ju st , fe n a n h ee w N lo a al –Lis “Scary stories at H Photoge, or aging Editor om ph

Principal: Jamey Majewski so , as lin Sa n ly ve –E r to di E e in

Advisor: Wynette Jameson rapher and Onl s a n se

Editor-in-Chief: Jasmine Garza o hen Iwas ch w s a w r e tp c a e

Managing Editors: Lisa Nhan newsp s not exp memory from re year. I wa te o ri m o o v h d fa p n a y so d M y

Jessica Sieling “ of m s shocke ief at the end g called I wa in e b e f m ie

Design Editor:

Audree Hall a h Editor-in-ch n y r, Editor-in-C en I heard m io h n w se , so a , rz it a g G in

Features Editor: Jenan Taha d.” –Jasmine overwhelme

Teen Interest Editor: Emily Berthiaume

Sports Editors: Troylon Griffin II “I loved takin

Vidal Maldonado g pictures at every event to. You reall

Around Creek Editor: Emily Ruthven I w y get to expe ent rience Creek your friends

Advertising Manager: Audree Hall with when you’re capturing m ries. Being P

Photo Editor:

Elena Rodriguez e m ohoto Editor h as been the g

Online Editors: Monica Jackson reatest experien day of ce.”

–Elena Rodri “On my last

Sydney Matthews guez, senior, everyone Photo Edito junior year,

Evelyn Salinas r with surprised me “ E

ver card to Reporters: ing to y year my Photographers: donuts and a favor banqu msu d o o g a i e t Madison Daugherty staff.

Hannah Pearson wish m We gi et and cele e memory nce I si , k a b i v re s b i Alyssa Lobue r e r t Evelyn Salinas e ating go’s so f m out aw at o th u u y n rl a a r e r g a y d in nd ear s to Mariya Vashchenko Leo Solis was leav my fe amazing. I everyone on ha, a T n a n Je – ” Tiffany Wade ’ l , Kelsie Sullivan –Jess year. ica Si low staff m m going to and res and tu a e F e r, Madeline Williams e m Issac Villarreal l io n m i ng, se se iss bers!” n r o i it d o E r s , rt A Edito Co-Mana r ging Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City es ur Visit us at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com or ct pi is being able take c“My best memory www.creekhilife.com perien the athletes and ex e while standing by si el For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)316-0587 –K games with them.” e th of ill tr e th g in hotographer Sullivan, junior, P

2014-2015

HiLife Staff

Editorial

3

Jasmine’s Journal: A lesson to learn

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief As my high school career comes to an end, there is no doubt that the teachers who I have had throughout the years have molded me into the person I am today.

Beginning school when I was four years old has really allowed me to have a different perspective on the way I see things. It is crazy to think about all the time that has been spent at school with teachers who ended up becoming parental figures when I was not at home.

The memories that stick with you throughout the years become stories you will never forget. Thinking back on elementary and junior high years all the way until now, you start to realize why

you were taught certain things when you were younger. Things such as “treat others the way you want to be treated”; “sharing is caring” and “push yourself to finish things even when you feel like giving up”.

It is hard to realize in the moment why we are told to do certain things, but as a high school senior counting down the days until graduation, I can say I am truly thankful for those teachers who have always pushed me to be the best person I can be.

Looking back to my very first class when I was four years old. I remembered being so excited to go to school and see my friends. It was the first part of growing up and I knew it.

It is sad to see that many of the people who I started school are no longer the person they use to be. People change it is inevitable, but when the change is not happening for the best it becomes disappointing. To know that the main goal for many teachers is to see their students

succeed but where unable to influence them the way they influenced me is rough.

It does take an effort other than your

The power teachers have to influence a student is large. Some teachers do not realize the effect they have on students whether it be in a positive way or negative. Some intentionally take the effort to influence students and some do it with out knowing.

High school has definitely brought be to know some of the best teachers I have ever had.

Some I actually had as teachers and some I did not. I could probably pick out specific moments from each one of my teachers that have taught me something meaningful, but overall, my teachers have taught me the same ideas of respect, helping others who can not help themselves, creating a life for yourself that will help you prosper in all ways possible and to be wealthy you do not need money.

College will create a new chapter for me, one where I will not necessarily have those teachers to encourage me but rather to inform me. The end of the year has made me thankful for every person who has stayed with me since the beginning and those who merely just passed through.

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”

-Carl Jung own to succeed. Parents to encourage you to respect your elders, to try your hardest, but ultimately a voice that will tell you, you are important no matter what grade you get on something.

Jessica’s Jumbles: Divorce decoded

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor It’s always been a little strange to me that even though having parents who are divorced is a pretty common thing these days; it can still feel like a taboo thing to talk about. I understand, divorce can be a touchy subject. But it’s also an important one, because it affects so many people, especially children and teenagers who go through their parents’ seperating at such a young age. And unfortunately, a lot of times it’s misrepresented. Every family is different, and I certainly can’t talk for everyone out there, but I can talk for me and about my personal experience in handling it.

My parents’ got divorced when I was in the 6th grade. And I can remember that it was extremely hard on me. I was

an 11-year-old girl whose world basically flipped upside down in a matter of a few months. It is a very difficult transition, and something that dramatically changed my life. I went from having one house, to living in two different ones, and from sleeping in one bed, to getting used to another one as well. It was hard to adjust and adapt to my new surroundings and lifestyle.

Getting through that transition was difficult for me, and from what I can remember, it was hard to find someone to talk to who really understood what I was going though.

Of course, they were also my pre-teen years when I was wildly convinced that the world was out to get me and that I had the hardest life in the world (I was pretty dramatic.) But even with my slight exaggerations during that time, I was terrified about what the change would do to my life and to my family.

The scariest part about having your parents go through a divorce is having no clue what it means for your future.

Sometimes it’s hard to feel normal because it’s easy to feel like two different

people. I felt, and still do feel, like I was stretching myself so thin trying to make myself into two people. When you live in two different houses, you have to get used to two different routines. You also have to get used to two different living situations, and finding the boundaries of two different lives.

But it is interesting to look back at my parent’s divorce; I can see how many

be flexible in different situations. I guess living out of a suitcase every other week of your life can get seriously annoying but it teaches you an important lesson of going with the flow. It’s weird because a lot of the time; I feel like I’m on an extended vacation.

But you learn to work with what you have and learn to make sudden decisions based on what you can and can’t do, depending on the situation. Overall, I’ve learned to be responsible for myself.

In another aspect, I think one of the best thing to come out of my parents’ divorce is I really feel ready for college. I know that the separation from my parents and family is going to be hard when I leave, but in a way I’m used it to. I only see one parent for a week at a time and then switch. I know what the separation feels like, and I know that even though it’s hard, I know that it’s going to be okay.

Even though divorce is hard, it shouldn’t be hard to talk about. And even though everyone’s situation is different, it’s nice to know that other people are going through the same things.

“Divorce isn’t such a tragedy. A tragedy’s staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love.

Nobody ever died of divorce.”

-Jennifer Weiner things have changed for the better. It’s clear to me now that both of my parents are much, much happier in their news relationships, and I’m happy for the both of them. It also allowed me to meet some amazing people, like my step-parents and my step-sisters. I’ve got to experience what it’s like to join two other families.

Having to constantly go from one house to another, I’ve had to learn quickly how to

4

News

Blue Bell recalls all products due to Listeria testings

By Madeline Williams Reporter

Blue Bell Ice Cream recalled their three oz. institutional/ food service ice cream cups- chocolate, strawberry and vanilla because of a possible health risk.

They have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to young children, elderly people and anybody with weak immune systems. Now Blue Bell Creamers has voluntary expanded the recall to all of their products because of this risk, according to Blue Bell press releases. This is due to findings by Blue Bell of positive tests for Listeria in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream produced during March 17 to 27.

“We’re committed to doing the 100 percent right thing, and the best way to do that is to take all of our products off the market until we can be confident that they are all safe,” said Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and products. “We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers.

Our entire history has been about making the very best and highest quality ice cream and we intend to fix this problem.”

Blue Bell Ice Cream contaminated with listeria has been linked to three deaths at a Kansas hospital this year. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food

poisoning amongst Americans. The recall locations in Brenham, TX and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma are now being recalled in 23 more states. Wal-Mart has joined the list of major retailers who are removing all Blue Bell products from their stores.

“Although Monocytogenes was recognized as an animal pathogen over 80 years ago, the first outbreak confirming an indirect transmission from animals to humans was reported only in 1983,

turkey and deli meat, pate, hotdogs, seafood and fish,” according to The Marler Clark Network, a law firm dedicated to representing victims of food poisoning.

Listeria is a gram- positive rod-shaped bacterium that can grow under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions. There are six different species of listeria, but Listeria Monocytogenes is the only one that causes diseases in humans. This bacterium multiplies best at 86-98.6 degrees but

Photo courtesy of Blue Bell Press Release of the cartons that tested positive for Listeria

in Canada’s maritime provinces. In that outbreak, cabbages stored in the cold over the winter were contaminated with Listeria through exposure to infected sheep manure.

A subsequent outbreak in California in 1985 confirmed the role of food in disseminating listeriosis. Since then Listeria has been implicated in many outbreaks of foodborne illness, most commonly from exposure to contaminated dairy products and prepared meat products, including

can also multiply even faster than other bacteria at refrigerator temperatures.

Listeria usually results in a fever, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Listeriosis can prompt dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea and be especially harmful to people with underlying health conditions. The bacterium can also get into the blood

stream,” said Dr. William Schaffner.

On April 9, 2015, tests confirmed that three people in Texas have the same strain of listeria as the five people in Kansas. They all went to the hospital for different medical reasons and came in contact with the serious and fatal disease.

Blue Bell Creameries have recalled products from its Oklahoma plant, which voluntarily shut down. The recall includes supermarkets in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming, according to Blue Bell.

There are now other products not related to Blue Bell that are now being recalled because of possible contamination of Listeria. The Sabra Dipping Company has recalled 30,000 cases of its classic flavor Hummus. It learned of the contamination after Michigan health authorities inspected a sample of the hummus at a retail location.

There is also a spinach recall from Amy’s Kitchen and three other companies, whom voluntarily recalled organic and conventional spinach products last month.

Twin City foods issued a separate recall, because the spinach was sold under the Wegmans brand name, according to ABC13.

Knox has been acquitted after five years of trials

By Jenan Taha Features and Arts Editor

After enduring two trials spanning eight years and three countries, 27-year-old American exchange student Amanda Knox, along with Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted of the murder of their 21-year-old English roommate Meredith Kercher, who was killed in her apartment in Italy in November 2007. Rudy Guede, an acquaintance of the group, is still charged with her murder and is serving his prison sentence.

“I’m still absorbing the present moment which is full of joy,” Knox said.

The two were acquitted by Italy’s highest criminal court on March 27, after having spent nearly five years in Italian prison.

Their trial began in 2009, and Knox, Sollecito, and a former roommate named Rudy Guede were charged with murder and sentenced to 26, 25, and 16 years in prison, respectively. All three appealed their cases, and prosecutors found that forensic evidence against Knox and Sollecito was flawed; the two were acquitted in March 2013, but were tried again in March 2014 and found guilty a second time. Finally, a second appeal took place and the two were acquitted a second time and the case closed for good.

Knox was able to return to the U.S. in 2011 though her trial continued, and currently resides in Seattle, working

as a freelance journalist. Knox is simply “grateful to have her life back.”

Sollecito, also acquitted, is “happy and incredulous” about the final ruling.

The three were questioned over a period of four days. All three were reported to have changed their stories, although Guede’s did not remotely match the others’.

Amanda Knox, right, holds the hand of her mother Edda Mellas after arriving at Sea-Tac International Airport Tuesday, October 4, 2011, in Seattle, Washington. Knox was acquitted of murdering her roommate in Italy. (John Lok/Seattle Times/MCT)

The legal fiasco began in November 2007, when Knox reported to Italian police that she found Kercher dead in her bedroom after Knox returned from spending the night at Sollecito’s apartment. Signs of a staged burglary were present. Knox, her then boyfriend Sollecito, and Guede were arrested as the only suspects of the murder.

He first stated Knox was not present, then later said she was. He also stated that while visiting Kercher that night, after using the bathroom, he returned and saw Kercher on the floor, while a “dark figure” escaped through the window.

After serving a portion of their sentences, Knox and Sollecito were given a

trial. During the first trial, Italian prosecutors and police made several mistakes and biased assumptions about the two suspects.

No DNA from either suspect was found on Kercher’s body, belongings, or in her bedroom; police claimed Knox and Sollecito had somehow wiped away all forensic evidence. Several pieces of evidence had been neglected or tampered with, including the suspects’ computer hard drives, which were accidentally overridden by police.

The two were convicted and sentenced, but later appealed and were given a second trial regarding confusion over the murder weapon. In 2014, Knox and Sollecito were found guilty, but acquitted by the highest Court of Cassation in March 2015.

Guede received a separate trial, and his sentence was eventually reduced from 30 to 16 years. Several DNA samples from Guede, including skin cells and his handprint in blood on Kercher’s pillow, were found at the scene, though prosecutors decided there was no burglary, and reduced his sentence.

Knox, grateful of her many supporters, believes she was wrongly accused and incriminated

by Italian investigators, and wants to end such unjust practices.

“Countless other wrongfully convicted persons do not have such support,” Knox said. “I will work to give a voice to those individuals. I will do this because I know how a wrongful conviction can destroy one’s life and because we best honor crime victims by ensuring that the actual perpetrators are brought to justice.”

News

5

Clinton to run for Democrat nomination for 2016

By Lisa Nhan Managing Editor

For the second time in her political career, Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced that she will be running for president. Due to her background and political affiliations, many have seen her as the most prominent Democratic nominee.

“Everyday Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion. So I’m hitting the road to earn your vote- because it’s your time. And I hope you’ll join me on this journey,” Clinton said in her announcement video.

Her official two-minute announcement video was released on April 12. Before the video, John D. Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman, had emailed previous donors and associates to help rally for her candidacy.

Following her announcement, Clinton will start a series of small campaign events in Iowa and New Hampshire. However, these campaigns are still critical, as Clinton will be using them to help reintroduce herself to the population again and build the message of her campaign. As described

by The New York Times, her goals are, “improving the economic fortunes of middle class, with an emphasis on increasing wages and reducing income inequality.”

Clinton first came to political prominence when she ran for the Senate in 1999 for the state of New York. Before that

she served as First Lady of the United States 2007. “You, me, and about several from 1993 to 2001 under her husband, Bill hundred national press people.”

Clinton. Her main platform was a listening Clinton lost the presidential bid to tour, which she started in upstate New Obama. While the race started off with York. She ultimately beat Rick Lazio by 12 Clinton as the front-runner, Obama was able percent, becoming the first female senator of to beat her with his grass roots campaign. the state. She was re-elected again in 2006. Despite this loss, Clinton has been the In 2007, most successful C l i n t o n female candidate announced that in American she would be history. Obama running for the then selected her Democratic to be Secretary nomination. of State.

Clinton again Her biggest tried to do a adversity as listening tour, Secretary of which is defined State came as “a focused when she took effort to build responsibility community and for the lapses identify concerns in security in and priorities relation to the Hillary Clinton addresses the press after attending the annual in a specific Women’s Empowerment Principles event at UN headquarters in 2012 Benghazi neighborhood/ New York on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. The potential 2016 U.S. attack.

She workplace or presidential contender defended her use of a personal email account defended her for official communications, saying it was “for convenience.” (Niu organization,” actions, but Xiaolei/Xinhua/Sipa USA/TNS) by Poverty acknowledged Alliance, but this was much hard to the lives of American consulate achieve on a large national scale. personal that were taken due to choices.

“I want to hear from you, what She left the position after the first you think we should be doing. I want to term to be succeeded by John Kerry. have this as a one on one conversation,” For this political campaign, Clinton Clinton said in Des Moines on January is focusing on a new tactic. Instead

of a listening tour, she is building the campaign with “a series of small events and slow build up of staff members,” according to The New York Times.

In her previous campaign, Clinton did not make gender a part of her main appeal. But this time around, she is going to highlight on her chance to make history and campaign for full pay equality.

“Being the first woman to run for president with a real chance of winning, that’s a wild card, but potentially a net positive, particularly for undecided women,” Scott Keeter, director of survey research at the Pew Research Center, said.

One factor Clinton must work to overcome is her appeal to the younger generation. Clinton, at age 67, may lack appeal to the young voters. In other to reverse that, Clinton has been more active on social media than the other potential presidential candidates, according to CNN News.

Clinton’s 35-year-old campaign manager, Robby Mook was hired in order to help Clinton run a modern campaign. There had been field organizers dispatched to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

As of April 28, Clinton is the only Democrat who has officially announced a running campaign. However, many Republicans have come forward in their intentions to run, such as Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio.

Indiana governor signs in controversial RFRA Bill

By Emily Berthiaume Teen Interest Editor Indiana governor Mike Pence signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law on March 26, creating a storm of backlash and opposition from groups that advocate for LGBT rights, many celebrities, and corporations. The RFRA law formally says the government cannot intrude on a person’s religious liberty unless it can prove a compelling interest in imposing that burden in the least restrictive way.

According to some, including Governor Mike Pence, the law is similar to the 1993 federal law designed to protect American’s freedom of religion. The 1993 RFRA, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, was intended to ensure that interests in religious freedoms are protected. Although the law was ruled unconstitutional in City of Boerne v. Flores, it continues to be applied to the federal government and has inspired twenty states to pass individual State Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, which is what Indiana recently did.

However, many view the law as simply a thinly veiled attempt to legalize discrimination against gays and lesbians on “religious freedom” grounds. The law will

give business owners who oppose homosexuality for religious reasons the right to turn away gay, lesbian, and transgender customers. This would be specifically prevalent to businesses that perform wedding services, such as bakers and venues.

Pence denied the allegations that the law legalizes discrimination and promised to “fix” the law to clarify that it does not condone discrimination.

“It would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone,” Pence said in a press conference in Indianapolis on March 31.

In a dozen cities in Indiana, including Indianapolis, there are local nondiscrimination laws that protect gays and lesbians in employment, housing, education, and public accommodation. However, these laws do not apply to all of Indiana.

The RFRA law is mainly being criticized by LGBT supporters because of the absence of a statewide nondiscrimination law in Indiana. Illinois, for example, has both an RFRA and same-sex marriage law that codifies equal status and protection for couples and their families, making LGBT discrimination under the RFRA a non-issue. At the same time, Illinois’ Re-

ligious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act preserves religious rights by stating that religious officials are not required to solemnize any marriages that go against their beliefs, nor are religious facilities required to hold such marriage ceremonies.

Governor Pence and Republicans continue to insist that the law was not intended to allow discrimination and cannot be used as legal defense for discrimination because of sexual orientation.

“There was never any intention in this law to create a license to discriminate and we’ll clarify that in the days ahead,” Pence said on Fox News. “It’s important to me in this process and we’ll do it in legislation.”

Some support the law view it as trying to do good work for religious minorities but being manipulated but people who do not support same-sex marriage.

“They’re latching onto a vehicle that is just not designed to do what they want it to do, at a time of great social change,” University of Illinois law professor Robin Fretwell Wilson, who supports the law, said.

Many businesses have spoken out against the law, including openly gay Apple CEO Tim Cook, the NCAA, which is holding the Final Four tournament in Indianapolis this year, Salesforce, and Yelp.

“The law gives individuals and businesses the right to file litigation and go to the courts to decide whether or not their religious claims are justified,” said Robert Katz, an Indiana University law professor who opposes the law.

On April 2, Indiana lawmakers overhauled the RFRA with a follow-up measure intended to quell the backlash generated from the RFRA’s passing. The changes now prohibit businesses from using the law as a defense in court for refusing to provide service to a person because of “race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service”.

These changes come after governors in North Carolina and Georgia decided to back off of similar bills and after Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson rejected the first RFRA bill he was asked to sign until similar changes were made.

“What was intended as a message of inclusion was interpreted as a messgae of exclusion, especially for the LGBT community”, said House Speaker Brian Bosma. “Nothing could have been further from the truth, but it was clear the perception had be addressed.”

6 Around Creek

Creek organizes fishing club for upcoming school year

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

With Creek’s close proximity to multiple lakes and bodies of water, a school organized fishing club brings excitement for students and sponsors.

The first ever Creek Fishing Club was arranged by Math teacher Kathy Morton and English teacher Crystal Keill to allow students the opportunity to gain environmental skills, scholarships and friends.

“She knows how passionate I am about kayak angling and knew I would be interested. I was committed the second she pitched the idea. In the U.S., there are over 610 universities that have competitive fishing teams. We have so many students at CCHS who were born and raised near the water. Why would we not provide an opportunity for our student anglers to compete for scholarships?

We’re excited about the possibility of these students getting recruited to fish in college,” sponsor Crystal Keill said.

With the large responses from over 100 students, the club is bound to be a success.

And now the club has begun, after tryouts for tournament teams, professional speakers lined up and information meetings set to make it official. Students around the school

have added their enthusiasm for the club. instill an appreciation for the environment in “I decided to join fishing club because just one student, I will be thrilled,” Keill said. it sounds like a great opportunity to meet With the many different ways to learn, new people, as well as strengthen the bond the fishing club allows a completely different that I have learning with my style than friends C r e e k that are has ever joining to,” had. By junior Erin essentially Muellner offering s a i d . a class Aside outside from the of the skills the classroom students students will obtain are more f r o m l i k e l y fishing, the to excel club will by being also help involved in students something become they enjoy. physically “ Ye s , a c t i v e I think instead of fishing staying club will inside all day. help many students in a “I’m mostly excited Courtesy of Creek Fishing Club’s positive way, they say ‘not twitter about providing students an all learning takes place opportunity to get off the in the classroom,’ which X-box and into the tackle-box. If we can I believe is so true. A club gives us, as

students, the opportunity to combine components of our mental and social development into personal action, by allowing us to develop and maintain relationships with our peers that are also involved in the club,” Muellner said.

It has taken some time for Creek to create a fishing club, but the club is well organized it will be interesting to see how it helps Creek. With fishing clubs becoming more and more popular in high schools around the nation, it proves that it is important to have a club that represents the students’ interests.

“I think fishing club will help to further my knowledge on patience, respect and appreciation, for not only the people around me, but for the creatures and amazing creations (lakes, rivers, trees, etc) that we are surrounded with. I think sometimes we all get so caught up in life that we take the outdoors and amazing things that surround us for granted, and I believe that devoting time to fishing and being outdoors will help me to appreciate the Earth we live on a little more,” Muellner said.

Any student interested in joining the Creek Fishing Club can see Mrs. Keill in E215 or Mrs. Morton in room D116.

Students can also follow the club on Twitter with their username @creekHSfishing.

Around Creek 7

Coffee House showcases student talent A different perspective:

By Mariya Vashchenko Reporter

Afriendly circle of audience was ready to applaud, but on April 10th snapping awarded participants of the Coffee House.

Coffee House is an annual event, which gives students an opportunity to show their hobbies and talents.

“We wanted it not to be a show, but more like an intimate environment. We just wanted to seem more familiar and comfortable, ” Emily Berhiaume said.

The Coffee House was different from other shows and events.

“I think it’s really different from all the other stuff that, we’ve done before. On the stage it’s really comforting and homey and the atmosphere creates something that you just want to be in. Just nice to be surrounded by all these people that genially want to be there,” Ryliegh Loser said.

Instead of traditional clapping, people were snapping, making the atmosphere of the Coffee House comfortable and warm, like coffee.

“Intimate setting is more inviting and it’s more personal too. It’s not like a talent show. It’s just a nice time,” Anne Ngo said.

Although snapping added more spirit of the Coffee House, sometimes the audience responded in a traditional way, applauding.

“Oh, people clapped to me, I felt really good,” Brandon Williams said.

However, the fact that people were sitting on the stage added more responsibilities to the performers.

“You got to see people emotions, what their reaction was to you doing what you’re doing. If they actually smile or like: “What is this?”” Justin Rogers said.

For some of them preparation became challenging, but entertaining experience.

A band member Jenan Taha shared her story of overcoming a stage fear.

“I just played in public. I would just go to my park and get over the fear of people. It helped me. It was fun. I thought it would be scary or weird, but

it was fun. They didn’t mind. Some people watched, some people were just on their own business,” Jenan Taha said.

The show left a lot of memories, positive and funny moments.

“I did magic and I was pre-show person. People were really amazed. I came to the show, wearing a red vest and a black pants and a black shirt, and a black bowtie and people thought that that was super cool,” Chris McGlothlin said.

Singing, reading poems, playing the instruments, beatboxing, glovig lighting, stand-up comedies and even magic combined together into one show.

“Everybody wants to be a little superstar,” Raynie Leard said.

To participate in the Coffee House students had an audition, but they also save their performance for a surprise.

“We keep ahead, except the audition, and everybody else got to see it at the actual show, because it’s more funny, when they don’t know what we gonna do,” London Strickland said.

Students were excited, because some of them had very special reasons.

“I feel like if singing was a sport that would be my sport. I was going to do it for the first Coffee House, and recently my cousin was bullied and she was supposed to come to the Coffee House, but she didn’t come to the Coffee House, so I was gonna sing it for her all together, because I liked the massage of the song Titanium, ” Tierra Barron said.

According to the students, there is no secret of success, but rather just following their passions..

“It’s just something that we love,” Kyle Huddleston said.

Although the preparation was not too long, but for some participants it takes the entire lifetime. To write poetry students needed lives’ observation.

“I think, the best writing comes from what you experience,” Sierra Boudreaux said.

Writing became the way of expressing feelings for some students.

“I think keeping things bundled

up inside of you, it’s not good, even if it’s happy stuff. It’s good to express yourself. A lot of my friends write, as well. I have a blog. It’s really of fun, a lot of my friends online had inspired me over the year,” Ryliegh Loser said.

Each poem has a special meaning and important massage.

“Sometimes things are hard for you, and sometimes they are really hard for other people, and it’s ok to be upset, but you have to realize that other people are hurting too, and you are not the only person in the world. You can’t take everyone else problems and try to compare them to yours, because they are your own. I wanted to say just be honest. Everything that I wrote, I think is honest. It’s very important to be honest with people around you and with yourself,” Sierra Boudreaux said.

Stand-up comedy entertained people; however, students share with their successful element of jokes and their impressions.

“It’s just fun to laugh and being in the room of laughter, it was fun.

What is important? Don’t lie. You gotta do the truth in comedy, just talk about your own experiences, kind of what I did, “ Sebasian de Asas said.

Students have their favorite moments of the show.

“I like to see smiles on people faces after they see the light comes on,” Matt Hoskinson said.

Participants gave some advices about the Coffee House.

“Know that you are surrounded by friends and people won’t judge you. People will give you so much respect just for getting up on a stage,” Devon Breaux said.

Students didn’t get tired of the Coffee House, they just enjoyed keeping the show on. For any kind of performer, it allows a chance to share their passions with an audience.

“All the acts fluent very well together and they continuously made a good evening with very good energy and positive vibes,” Matt Hoskinson said.

Orchestra earns sweepstakes at UIL

By Alyssa Lobue Reporter

The UIL event for Clear Creek Independent School District Orchestra took place over the dates of March 27, April 7, and April 8. All classes of Orchestra had to wear uniforms for the event. The girls wore long black dresses and the boys wore tuxes and cummerbunds. Chamber One performed on the first date and made sweepstakes, Symphony performed April 7, and on April 8, Chamber Two performed and made another sweepstakes. Chamber One and Chamber Two were both awarded a trophy.

“This was the first time for years that Clear Creek’s varsity orchestra received sweepstakes!” said Justice Alhmoud.

Chamber One was the varsity group for Clear Creek High School. They performed Jubilant Overture by J. Reznicow, Sacred Dances for Harp by C. Debussy, and Concerto in D major by G. Telemann.

“We were all a little nervous, but our class still strode up with confidence and did the best we could. Though a few mistakes were made along the way, we got back on track and continued to play.

We were all extremely ecstatic when we learned we got sweepstakes and

we intend to work even harder for the next year,” Joseph Studer, ninth, said.

Chamber Two was the non-varsity group for Clear Creek. They performed at Clear Lake High School and were led onstage by students of Lake after warming up. They performed a total of three songs, Turning Point by Robert Longfield, Over The Sea To Sky by Carrie Lane Gruselle, and Carpe Diem! by Richard Meyer.

After being rated by the three categories of dynamics, intonation, and the overall professional appearance of the group, the scores were decided as sweepstakes.

“Every member of Chamber Two worked really hard to achieve the scores we got. I had a lot of fun and am very proud of everyone who participated. We were a great team!” Peyton Anderson, ninth, said.

Symphony was the sub non-varsity.

They also performed at Clear Lake High School and made superior and excellent ratings. The songs played were Theme From Jupiter by The Planets, Conquistador

by Deborah Baker Monday and Russian Sailor Dance by Reinhold Gliere.

“After the UIL event, we all went to the park. It was so much fun! We ate lunch and all hung out together and played games. It was great,” Jude Quaddumi, ninth, said.

The 12 assessors were hired from other districts of the state to determine the scores of the students. They are all very experienced with orchestra due to pasts of directing and tutoring privately.

Chamber one had Ellen Townley, Patrick Leaverton, and Chris Reidlinger as the assessors for the first the songs and afterwards had Ken Buck, Ann Roberts, and David Devoto as the assessors for the piece they sight-read. They had never seen the piece before and had nine minutes to slightly learn before performing for the second group of assessors.

Chamber Two and Symphony had the same assessors for their event day.The concert assessors that watched the performance of the first three songs of each group were Ellen Townly, Patrick Leaverton, and Chris Reidlinger. They also had the same sightreading assessors of Patrick Leaverton, Teresa Nguyen, and Shirley Astwood.

“The orchestra hasn’t scored this well for seven years! The assessors said Creek was the best host each year for UIL, Region 17,” Mrs. Bradshaw said.

“Our students really stepped up when they helped set up over 3,000 stands as well as chairs for the 16 different schools this year. Way to go Wildcats!”

From the Ukraine

By Mariya Vashchenko Reporter

People celebrate Easter with a family at the table full of tasty food after church. Everybody has their own way of celebration, but Easter traditions are very ancient and entertaining in Ukraine, they have their own meaning.

This is a huge holiday in Ukraine, which unites people together and brings hope.

Instead of the usual greeting during Easter in Ukraine it is a Christian tradition to say “Christ is Risen!” three times and to get the response “Truly, He is risen!” three times, as well.

However, the atmosphere of the holiday is in the air a week before Easter.

The Sunday before Easter is called “Willow Sunday”. People take small branches from the willow trees and create small bunches of flowers in it. A preacher sprays holy water on people and bunches after praying. Lightly, people touch each other with these bunches, saying: “I don’t hit you! Willow tree hits you! Easter is coming very soon!” This entertaining tradition means that people are looking forward to celebrating Easter wishing everybody good health and great mood.

It is impossible to imagine a Ukrainian Easter without colorful eggs. People boil and dye them in different colors. Although, this bright food is simple and tasty, there is another special purpose for it. Two people take one boiled and colorful egg per person.

The first person hits the egg with the words “Christ is risen!” trying to crack their partner’s egg. The second person does the same thing, saying: “Truly, He is risen!” If the egg is not cracked- you are the winner!

There is another ancient tradition.

The egg can be decorated with different pictures. Flowers, leaves, animals and other images have own special meaning. It takes certain knowledge and skills to draw pictures on the egg. Only an experienced person can create images, using fire, wax candles, dies and a lot of instruments.

That is why there are two names for eggs «крашанки»- just dyed eggs and «писанки»- eggs with pictures on them.

By the way, people cook a cake, called «паска» on Thursday before Easter. It has white icing and sprinkles on the top.

Every family is very different.

Some people go to church and stay for the whole night long to worship.

Mostly, people prefer to go to church in the morning. Every family takes a basket.

It consists of eggs, bread, salt, cake, meat and any other kind of food, covered with an Easter napkin which can be embroidered or just has any Easter pictures. Usually, people lined up outside the church, put the basket on the ground and light up a candle. A preacher comes outside and sprays people and their baskets with water, which is considered as holy. Even if your face is wet and a big drop of water is right on your cheek, don ot ever try to wipe it off! People believe that it is a good luck and a good sign if you got wet, because it makes you healthy for the entire year.

8 Around Creek

Cuevas and Wharton leave a leagacy for the band

By Emily Ruthven Around Creek Editor

After an extremely influential few years, assistant band director Daniel Cuevas and percussion director Josh Wharton have announced their departure from the program.

Wharton will be leaving to teach elsewhere due to an impractical commute time. While Cuevas currently holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, he is leaving Clear Creek to pursue his life-long dream of having a Master’s degree in music education. He will be attending Michigan University in the fall. Upon completing his degree, Cuevas plans on returning to high school to teach and then to advance onto teaching at a university.

“Teaching, without a doubt, is what I should be doing,” Cuevas said.

He began teaching at Harrison High School, located in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he conducted the Concert band, Jazz Band 2, and led the color guard and winter guard program. Prior to teaching, Cuevas was a member of the extremely popular drum and bugle corps, Phantom Regiment. While at Clear Creek, Cuevas has conducted the Symphonic Band, written the band’s 2014 marching show, Both Sides Now, and their 2013 show, Jacob’s Ladder and has assisted in the direction of the Cadettes.

Josh Wharton holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, Cum Laude, in Percussion Performance. He has also performed with the United Kingdom percussion at the PASIC, the symphonic orchestra in Carnegie Hall and toured China with the Wind Ensemble. Wharton also has a Master’s degree of Music in Music Theory from UH. Wharton also performed as a

soloist for Aura, the UH music ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Rob Smith.

During their years at Creek, Cuevas and Wharton have had a monumental impact on the band program, especially with the students. “ My favorite part of teaching is seeing how the kids grow and mature by the end of the year,” Cuevas said. “I am always so proud to see the kids become their own people and it is always exciting when the kids move up an ensemble.”

learned some lessons from the kids.

“I learned that while my passion may not be the same as all of my students’, there is still a way to share that with someone else and have them be able to enjoy and gain something from it. I learned how to help the kids develop a love of music that will stick with them even if they stop playing their instrument,” Cuevas said.

Wharton has also learned some valuable lessons throughout his teaching career at Creek.

Photo by Hannah Pearson

For Wharton, summer band is a staple in the teaching process.

“In our June camp, which is the week after school lets out for the summer, the new leadership team gets to lead the new freshmen for the first time, and that is always interesting to see. Its fun to watch the leadership members grow as individuals and leaders,” Wharton said.

For most people, teaching correlates directly with the students learning the lessons. However, Cuevas has

“I learned that you should never underestimate the talent of the kids. If you don’t tell them their music is hard, then they will not hesitate to play it and most of the time, they end up playing it really well,” Wharton said.

Being a band director at Creek comes with many memorable moments throughout the years. Some of the best ones come at homecoming.

“As much as I am always nervous for it, Fish Friday is always fun. I’m

happy to see the freshman feel a part of something. Before they are fished, some of them tend to feel like they aren’t really a part of the band, and Fish Friday really helps them feel included,” Cuevas said.

The band has achieved many successes under the direction of Cuevas and Wharton.

“My proudest moment was when we won the Best Visual Performance caption at this year’s Bands of America, or BOA. It was so cute to watch the kid’s reactions.”

Cuevas said. “Another great memory of mine occurred at the Midwest clinic with the 2013 wind ensemble. During our piece with Michael and Chris Martin, I walked to the audience to truly enjoy the piece and I saw people crammed in the back of the theater, standing just to hear the kids play. It was so amazing.”

Josh Wharton added, “It is amazing to see all of the kids step up and play super hard music. It was incredible to hear them on stage.”

For the past four years, Creek’s band has improved almost exponentially, both in marching band and concert band. However, the band is also known for its ability to have an insane amount of fun.

“I hope that Creek’s band maintains it’s awesome traditions like fish Friday,” Cuevas said.

Cuevas and Wharton agreed that, “without a doubt the hardest part of leaving will be saying goodbye to the kids.” Daniel Cuevas and Josh Wharton have helped the band program grow an incredible amount in a few short years.

“After Mr. Cuevas and I leave, I really hope the band keeps on pushing the standards like we have for the past couple of years. Lately, we’ve been sounding different from other bands in Texas, in a good way, which is really cool. I hope Clear Creek continues on this upward path that we’ve been traveling on the past four years,” Wharton said.

Around Creek

9

10

Features

Houston Art Car Parade displays outlandish rides

By Madison Daugherty Reporter

The road of creativity was certainly paved April 11, marking a 28 yearlong run of the Annual Houston Art Car Parade.

Artistic families and citizens from all around Houston, Texas participate in the Annual Art Car Parade. From sedans with un-proportional animals perched on the roof, to giant high heel shoes hooked up to motors, the gift of invention the participants have surely wows the crowd.

This parade has been a tradition since the year of 1986, on May 14. Although, there were not nearly as many vehicles entering the show as today. During the first parade only 11 cars were decorated and driven down Montrose Boulevard.

As the years progressed, more and more people decorated their cars and drove in the parade. By 2004 there were at least 250 entries. Not only did the vehicle count grow, but so did the crowd. At the 2004 Parade, a number of 10,000 citizens gathered to witness the wonderful artistic talent. Two years drive on and an additional ten cars add to the 250 contestants.

When 2007 arrived, there were 282 entries.

The artists who each parade design something different get better with every show. The level of creative construction rises year after year, as well as the level of expectation. The Houston Parade is no longer just for cool cars, but also wicked wagons and fast scooters.

People in the crowd bring an energetic attitude, appreciating every artist’s vehicle.

Some cars are so “out there” that it drops the jaws of the audience. Previous Art Car Parade winners know exactly how to have

an eye opening reaction. In 2013, a man named Joe Haden won first place with his “Tired & Feathered” car. His vehicle mocks

“Heroicar” and represents superman lying on the roof of the car. Many interesting competitors came out. Some entries had snow

a huge Wacky colorful vehicles move slowly along the parade route during the Art Car g l o b e s Parade in Houston, Texas. (Larry Bleiberg/Dallas Morning News/MCT) turkey glued all with long around black feathers draping the wheels. Anoth- the car, others were themed and styled. er first place winner that year was a man In 2012, Mark Bradford won the Maynamed Andy Hazell. His entry is named or’s Cup with his “Mr. Green” design.

For those whom may be curious on how to enter, sponsor or simple participate a bit more than watching. The official Houston Art Car Parade website offers limitless information and guidance. Positions available to the public to volunteer are duties such as, an ID checker, being in charge of parade set up and ticket takers. These are the simple options, yet there are more complicated jobs with a little more responsibility. Working as a bridge spotter includes warning the participants to keep caution of their head while driving underneath the Allen Parkway Bridge. The job of crowd control gives much authority and needs someone who is outgoing and bubbly. For the family-friendly, creative volunteers, the gift-shop is always in desperate need of fun citizens. Working at the gift shop involves selling Art Car Parade t-shirts, posters, hats, and other fantastic merchandise a child might desire. One other interesting opportunity to volunteer is to be in charge with the Green Team. This group is up and ready at the break of dawn and in town by morning. They ride bicycles, skates, or roller blades and keep sure that all vehicles in the show are working properly.

Being prepared for the show is an easy preparation, if the following tasks are preceded. Whether it be sunny and warm or cloudy with a chance of rain, it is always important to carry sunscreen with the family.

Sunrays are strong enough to seep through gray clouds; therefore any family member may be in harm of a tender burn. The website also recommends water, digital cameras for bright memories and a positive attitude.

The Houston Art Car Parade is an event that has driven through decades and will continue to ride on.

Features

11

Rare quintuplet girls born into a League City family

By Emily Berthiaume Teen Interest Editor

The first set of all-girl quintuplets to survive in the United States was born on April 8 at the Woman’s Hospital of Texas to the Busbys, a local League City family. All-female quintuplets are so rare that the most recent time it happened worldwide was in 1969.

Mom, Danielle, dad Adam, and four year old now big sister Blayke welcomed Olivia Marie, Ava Lane, Hazel Grace, Parker Kate and Riley Paige at 28 weeks and two days. It took only four minutes to deliver all five babies via C-section.

“We are all so thankful and blessed,” Danielle Busby said.

Adam and Danielle have been blogging their unique experience at itsabuzzworld. com and on their Facebook page, which currently has over 42,000 likes and growing.

According to their blog, the couple struggled with infertility for two years before getting their first daughter, Blayke.

They then began the process again, using infertility drugs and intrauterine insemination, or IUI, and hoping for another.

“I remember telling her, ‘look, I don’t want to do this a third time, it’s just a lot, so let’s hope for twins’,” Adam said in an interview with ABC13 before the girls were born.

When they found out not only were they pregnant, but with mul-

tiple babies, they were shocked.

“He about passes out,” Danielle said. “I started laughing, and was like, ‘Is this really happening?’”.

In early ultrasounds, there only appeared to be four embryos. However, one soon split to become identical twins Ava and Olivia, which is extremely rare. According to their blog, the doctors soon wanted the

ties of what bad could happen. There is too much good it we rely on our faith in Him.” At 15 weeks, an ultrasound revealed that Danielle was pregnant with four girls and one boy, however, a later ultrasound revealed that it was in fact five girls. The last time five girls were born together in the United States was in 1959, however, none lived long past birth.

Courtesy of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas Busbys to “reduce” According to Dr. in order to reduce the Jayne Finkowski-Rihealth risks for both the babies and Danielle. vera, the Women’s Hospital of Texas NICU “We held our convictions as Christians Director who helped deliver the girls, they and told [the doctor] that our heart would are all “in the appropriate weight range not change and we were committed to these for their gestational age, which is due to five miracles to the very end, no matter what their mother’s excellent efforts to have the the outcome,” the Busbys wrote on their healthiest pregnancy possible. They have a blog. “Our God is much bigger than this strong start in life, and we are excited to and we trust that He is holding all five of the watch them grow and mature,” she added. babies in his hands…we [were] not going At a couple days old, the babies only to make a decision based on the possibili- required “modest support” to breathe.

“Danielle is a trooper, and her positive attitude definitely shined through her pregnancy and the delivery,” Doctor Alexander Reiter, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist with Houston Perinatal Associates, who delivered the quintuplets with help from a dozen other medical personnel, said.

Since the birth of their little miracles, Adam and Danielle have appeared on Good Morning America and The Today Show and their story has been covered by countless news outlets, from CNN to Daily Mail UK to New York Daily News to USA Today to Time. According to their blog, all the media coverage has been “overwhelming” and “crazy” to see themselves on TV. During the interviews, the Busbys stress how well the babies are doing and how much their life has already and is going to change.

In a video update on their YouTube channel, Adam and Danielle noticed that the babies “little quirks” are beginning to show through, even at their extremely young age.

“I know I have six daughters now, and I have a joy for kids, but never in my life did I think I would have six kids, yet alone six girls,” Danielle said in a press conference.

“We have a lot of getting used to to find out what our new norm is going to be,” Adam said in a video on their YouTube channel.

14

features

Rock band Van Halen reunites for nationwide tour

By Madison Daugherty Reporter

North America is in for a tsunami wave of shock because the legendary 80’s rock band Van Halen has released 22 tour dates covering the United Sates.

Fans, especially in the Houston area, need to prepare to “run with the devil” since one of those tour date’s is set to be held at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

On March 30, Jimmy Kimmel Live! had Van Halen as the guest musical star.

The band played for a crowd of around 6,000 fans squeezed onto the streets for the performance, according to Kimmel.

Nearly three years have passed since Van Halen toured the land of the free, and during their live performance on Kimmel’s show the fans proved how much they missed them. For the live performance, Van Halen sung Panama and Runnin’ With the Devil.

Not only is it shocking that the renowned rock band is traveling on tour, but it’s also eye-opening that David Lee Roth has chosen to go along. Although they had a slight reunion of 1996, Roth and the band did not last throughout the entire tour.

The tale of Van Halen begins in the West Coast with Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen. Musical excellence was brought to life when Eddie mastered his guitar skills and noticed his brother Alex’s drumming ability. It seemed as though Alex Van Halen could drum at the speed of light.

The two brothers then formed the group now known as Van Halen. Their first appearance was in 1978 with their first album titled Eruption. This particular album is what produced the hits, such as Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, You Really Got Me and Running With the Devil. The years passed and the band did quite well, and was then considered

the “hottest rock band since Aerosmith.”

In 1979, Van Halen II was released followed by, Women and Chil-

For Van Halen, the following year of 1984 was bittersweet. It gave them much publicity and fame with the num-

David Lee Roth of Van Halen performed at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 19, 2012. (Marisa Wojcik/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

dren First in 1980, Fair Warning in 1982, and Diver Down in 1982.

ber one hits Jump, Panama and Hot For The Teacher, as well as what David Lee

Roth called “a bitter and ugly divorce.”

When Roth left the group, they came back strong with new guitarist and singer, Sammy Hagar. The fresh and compatible group went well together and their first number one album was 5150.

The number one charts were filled with Hagar’s striking vocals, such as Why Can’t This Be Love, Top Of the World, When It’s Love and Can’t Stop Lovin’ You. During the 1990’s, Van Halen did amazing. The group also had ups and downs while touring during the 2000’s.

Van Halen went into a dark hole for a couple of years, emerging recently.

The band has composed a new live album, creating a new vibe and a new tone for their fans. Tokyo Dome Live in Concert was released March 31, 2015 with David Lee Roth as the lead vocalist.

The album was recorded when Van Halen performed in June of 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. The album contains two separate disks. The first CD has mostly old hits from the late 70’s and early 80’s to a mix of a couple new songs. The second CD has all old hits from their previous albums.

The mix of new songs on this album, are from the bands previous CD, which was released in 2012. What excites rockers the most about this fabulous new album is that David Lee Roth agreed to sing the vocals, as he officially re-joined the band in 2006.

The personnel on this album are David Lee Roth on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Wolfgang Van Halen on the bass, Eddie Van Halen playing guitar and backing vocals and of course, Alex Van Halen on the drums.

Van Halen has certainly shook up the year of 2015 for all their fans in the United States of America.

features

15

LMNOP- A New Musical hits TUTS Underground

By Jasmine Garza Editor-in-Chief

LMNOP- A New Muzical made its debut at the TUTS Underground stage in Zilka Hall on April 7 bringing the novel of Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn, alive. The performance brought about the right amount of laughs and seriousness in order to make you feel thankful for the liberties we have.

With music by Paul Loesel and book and lyrics by Scott Burkell, the performance started with Ella Minnow Pea, played by Madeline Trumble, contemplating her life on the island of Nollop until Nate Warren, played

by Jared Zirilli,returns to the island and shows her his phone, a piece of technology she has never seen before.

As the members of the island are gathered together they begin their opening piece, Little Island, in the middle of town where the monument of the great Nevin Nollop resides with his 36 letter pangram, a sentence involving all letters of the alphabet in one sentence, The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog. As the members of the island are singing, the letter Z falls from the word lazy causing the elected officials to believe the fall of the letter Z is a sign from Nollop himself that the letter

Z should no longer be used in any form of communication if you are over the age of 11.

With the town’s new rule come new consequences for those who use words with the letter Z. The first offense a warning, the second offense a beating and the

cally and with their acting, the show could have had a quicker pace. As some parts dragged out a little keeping you struggling to pay attention.

The level of hard work and remembrance each member of the cast had to

Photo courtesy of TUTS

third offense is banishment from the island.

As the island believes speaking without the letter Z will be easy, they throw a party for the letter Z, but disastrous moments follow when more letters begin to fall each time limiting their vocabulary.

Although the leads were strong vo-

maintain once a letter was banned kept them on their toes. By the end of the musical the only letters to remain were LMNOP making it quite hard for Ella and the remaining sixth grader Eugenia Prather, played

by Erin Cearlock, to communicate.

“Just today we were staging a scene,

writers still making little cuts, little edits so we make certain we don’t use letters that have already been banned and one of the difficult things about this show for the actors, if we don’t remember our lines word for word, we’re in big trouble. Because we can’t kind of create things in the moment because we might be using an illegal letter.

That’s what’s so brilliant that the characters are so frustrated because they can’t use the words they want,” cast member Jason Gotay said.

Enterprise 32 becomes a project involving most of the main characters where they are required to create a 32-letter pangram in order to be able to use all of their letters once again.

As the time approaches for Enterprise 32 to be completed, mother Geogeanne Towgate, played by Michele Ragusa, shot herself and son Timmy Towgate, played by Scott Fonsenka, as they were unwilling to accept the change back to how it use to be.

The scene with Geogeanne and Timmy was quite surprising, as I was not expecting them to just be gone. It created a sudden serious effect to the play that did not quite fit with the rest of the play as it incorporated laughter, romance and government control.

16Teen Interest

The Maine’s American Candy shows “depth and talent”

By Madison Daugherty Reporter

Tempe, Arizona based band, The Maine released their fifth album entitled American Candy on April 1, marking a shift in their sound and growth musically. Back in my middle school days, The Maine used to be my favorite band. As the years went

by I eventually stopped listening to them. I was no longer interested in their punk-rock vaguely teen pop sound. However, this new album has absolutely changed my mind on the band. This new album has more depth and talent than any of the previous one.

“A decade into their career, The Maine are proving they posses one of the most elusive qualities a pop-rock band can have: consistency,” Annie Zaleski, writer for Alternative Press, said. “There’s not one bad song on American Candy.”

In comparison to their first album, Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, which was released in 2008, the band has almost done a 360.

Stereotypical lyrics about chasing girls and high school days have turned into songs that show off the best the band has to offer.

“The idea of ‘American Candy’ to me was about the junk they got us all hooked on in a force feeding way, the manufactured manipulative garage,” John O’Callaghan, lead singer, said to The State Press. “We’re trying to combat that by writing songs that were very authentic and genuine even if they were lighter in topic.”

The opening track, Miles Away, is easily one of my favorite songs on the album. “A tongue full of only tomorrow’s will never quench your thirst for today, so what do you say we take a trip miles away,” O’Callaghan sings. The song perfectly captures the feeling of wanderlust and carpe diem. This song is perfect

for any road trip or wistful daydreamer. the first song I heard on the album, as it The next track, Same Suit, Different Tie, was the first single released. It’s easy to see follows the previous track vibe of taking why. The song follows a story between an advantage of youth. This is the type of song exchange in a bar between an English girl that is supposed to be sung in the car with and an American boy. While the lyrics are your friends. It’s an enthusiastic anthem nothing extraordinary, they certainly are claiming that, “you don’t need high price catchy. In this song, O’Callaghan’s voice designs to has more of feel dressed an edge to up to the it accomnines.” panied by This is not a strong a song that bass line will make from bassyou think ist Garrett d e e p l y Nickelsen. about soTo g e t h e r, ciety, but the song it is a song gives off to dance a summer along to. afternoon M y vibe, inHair is next. fectious Again, this to anyone song folwho listens. lows the T h e lighter topnext track ic theme of on the althe album, bum is acbut despite tually my Photo courtesy of Instagram that retains sincere favorite. It’s called 24 message; grow your Floors, and it’s the slowhair however you want because you’re est song on the album, but it’s not acoustic. still young. While it might seem silly to Rather it’s the kind of song that makes you have song about growing out your hair, aware of breathing. The smooth rhythm and the lyrics reveal something deeper. It’s lyrics like, “take one more breath to clear more about doing dressing or express- your mind, this moment is relevant.” It’s ing yourself however you want without the perfect song to listen to after a long day. regard to what other people think. For a The next two songs, Diet Soda Sociband whose main demographic is young ety and Am I Pretty?, have the same theme girls, the message is well appreciated. about how appearances give society an The following track is the most popu- untrue and twisted perspective of how to lar one on the album, English Girls. It was judge and value someone. Diet Soda Soci-

ety talks more about being sweep up into the superficial world of needing to look a certain way, while Am I Pretty? develops on the insecurities social pressure creates. Personally, Am I Pretty? not only has a more interesting message, but also just suits O’Callaghan’s deep voice more.

My second favorite song on the album is next, (Un)Lost. While the title of the song looks pretentious, the song is actually the most relatable on the album.

“I’m not looking to be found, just looking to be feel (un)lost,” O’Callaghan sings. There is no teenager right now that is not a least a little bit lost, with their pending future in the horizon. This song helps to ease those worries and give perspective on what to value in the moment.

The next track is titled the same as the album itself, American Candy. It’s one of the more serious songs on the album, not discussing light-hearted topics like youth. Rather it discusses on how so much of our everyday lives are a result of a social pressure to be a certain way and how hard it is to change that.

If I had to choose a least favorite song on the album, it would be the closing track, Another Night on Mars. Not that this song is not good, it is a pretty decent track.

Rather it is just that it is too similar to past tracks by the band about their friends and how grateful they are to them. It is not a bad message, just one the band has already done in very similar sounding songs.

Overall, I am impressed with the quality of this album. There is no song on this album that could be described as bad.

Some of the messages and lyrics can be repetitive, but sound wise the band has never been better. The Maine has proven that even after ten years together, they are only getting better from their start.

teen Interest 17

Indie band Sheppard releases debut studio album

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor

The Australian indie band Sheppard recently made their first studio debut with their album, Bombs Away. Although the album lacks some coherency and some sophistication, there are still some great songs on the album, great potential for the band and room to grow into their own sound.

The band is partially focused on siblings George, Amy and Emma Sheppard with other members include Michael Butler, Jason Bovino and Dean Gordon. The band formed in 2009, starting as a duo with only George and Amy Sheppard, and only added the other four members in 2011. Bombs Away was released in July of 2014.

The album starts off with the pleasant and exciting upbeat Geronimo. For anyone who has heard the song on the radio in the last few months can tell you how catchy it is and how easily it can get stuck in your head. Although the words can get a little repetitive, with “Say Geronimo!” being the main words of the chorus, all in all, it is a fan-favorite. It is fun to listen to and a strong start to the album. It’s a good song and has been called a “bona fide indiepop gem” by critic Alex Lai. The next track, Something’s Missing, is a nice, slower song that flowed pleasantly after Geronimo.

There was something vaguely familiar with the chorus, but the lyrics are simple and the song is beautifully sung. Also- I am a very big sucker for nice harmonies and this song has beautiful ones.

The third song Let Me Down Easy is easily one of my favorites on the album.

Just the opening notes of the song automatically catch your attention and it is a song you find yourself swaying to without meaning to. Again, the lyrics are simple but they fit the feel of the song- a sad bittersweet song with the nice lyrics “Oh, let me down

easy, let me down easy, whoa, before you go.” The song is relaxing and enjoyable.

The next song is nice, but not my favorite. These People is easy-going and a little slow. The lyrics are subpar but overall it is an okay song.

The next track is my first major problem with the album. Having two lead signers is always a cool way to change up and keep the album from sounding monotonous but this song just really does not work with the album. Sung solely by Amy Sheppard, it just does not fit with the easy-going and

vorite, it is much better than the previous song. The lyrics are cute and the song is upbeat and fun. It fits more with the rest of the album with the background music and the beats. It is not the greatest song, but it is relaxed and enjoyable.

The Best Is Yet To Come is a refreshing song that goes back to the earlier theme of the album. Although the chorus is a little cliché with “All this emptiness has left me feeling numb/ But it’s darkest right before the sun” the other lyrics are nice with the opening lines “Take me to a different place/

Photo courtesy of officalsheppard.com

relaxing feel and instead sounds kind of like a bad Britney Spears song. The lyrics are a little whiny with phrases like “I was just an apple that you chewed till you through the core” and a chorus that starts with “Cause you’re a grade playa, a fighter, a hater/ And I know better than to waste it all on you”.

Although I really like Amy- and she totally has really cool blue hair, if anyone wanted to know- I wish that the song were more indie and less pop Top-40.

The next song, also sung by Amy, is called Smile. Although it is not my fa-

Where l o v e is not illusion based/ And fear is just a word they can define.” The vocals are good, with George singing the majority but with a nice bridge sung by Amy. The song is slow but works well.

The next track is, once again, not my favorite. This Electric Feeling has a nice rhythm but lacks some depth.

Amy’s vocals are good, but the song does not work well with the flow of things.

Although the next track, Find Someone, starts out kind of creepy with a halfwhispered, low-sung lyrics, it turned

out to be one of the better songs on the album. The chorus is not anything special but it’s fun to sing and entertaining enough, making a nice glam-rock song.

The tenth song, however, is another one of my favorites on the album. Lingering is a sweet love song. The vocals are soft and tranquil and the lyrics are adorable, especially in the chorus: “Oh I’ll be waiting holding my ground/ ‘Cause I know you’ll be coming around/ I could take a blow from cupid’s bow if it helps you find me baby/ Oh I’ll just stay here lingering for you.” Lingering is nice and helps bring back the pleasant tone from the beginning of the album.

Halfway to Hell is most likely the attempted power rock song of the album, especially with the cliché Western-sounding guitar intro. The song sounds weirdly familiar and to be honest, I thought that it was a cover at first. Amy’s vocals are strong and pretty, but the song with random and does not fit in well.

The album ends with duet

by George and Amy- Flying Away. In my opinion, this was probably not the best song to end with. It lacks depth and is not very distinctive. Usually albums try to start strong and end strong, but Flying Away is rather forgettable and sounds like it should have been somewhere in the middle instead of the ending song.

Overall, the album could have been better. Their better songs- Geronimo, Let Me Down Easy and Lingering- prove that the band has talent and has potential. But I think it is safe to say they are still fighting for their own sound. The majority of the songs all sonund familiar, but the album overall is not coherent. Some of the songs don’t all work together and having two lead singers sometimes confuses the tone of the album. I like the band, and I like some of the music they came out with, I just wish that the album sounded more like an album and less like a mix-tape of multiple bands.

18 teen interest

MTV Movie Awards honor most popular actors

By Tiffany Wade Reporter

The 2015 MTV Movie Awards Show started off with a bang in Los Angeles honoring the best actors and actresses of this year’s movies. The host, Amy Schumer, began the show with what the audience believed to be a reliably hilarious opening video segment. Afterwards she came onto the stage to a song, failed at archery and then introduced herself following with jokes.

“Half of you know who I am, half of you think I’m Meghan Trainor,” Schumer said in her monologue.

The first award of the night started off with Shailene Woodley receiving the title of Best Female Performance for The Fault in Our Stars. In her speech she thanked John Green for producing the story and claimed he “changed the lives of millions of people around the world”.

“You changed mine,” Green said in response to Woodley.

She was later presented with the Trailblazer award by Miles Teller, who gave a speech about Woodley that left her to tears.

“A trailblazer is somebody who breaks the mold, they said and that is absolutely Shailene,” Teller said.

“It’s not really about fame or fortune.

She maintains the person that she is.”

The Best Comedic Performance went to Channing Tatum for his role in 22 Jump Street. He was up against Chris Pratt for Guardians of the Galaxy, Rose Byrne for Neighbors, Chris Rock for Top Five, and Kevin Hart for The Wed-

ding Ringer. The speech that followed ment. His speech captured the audience consisted of just a few simple words. just as much as his entrance onto the stage.

“Thirty-four years have passed since “It’s unfair for me to get an award the birth of MTV. for just getting I’ve grown up. to hang out with I’ve struggled. my buddy Jonah I’ve failed.

I’ve [Hill]. Appreciate succeeded.

I’ve y’all,” Tatum said. partied way too Kevin Hart acmuch,” Downey cepted his Comesaid. “Dream big. dic Genius award Work hard. Keep with his children. your nose clean.

His speech moved Be of service. the audience by And in any way thanking his fiyou can, define ancé Eniko Paryour generation.” rish, thanking his While Dyex-wife Torrei lan O’Brien was Hart for giving not present for him his two beauthe award show tiful children and this year, he won thanking his son the title of Breakand daughter. He through Perforalso thanked his mance for his role friends, his Hartas Thomas in The beat Productions Maze Runner. He Company along also gained the with his fans. titles of Best Hero After strutting and Best Fight also out on stage to the s o n g Kevin Hart attends the 2015 MTV Movie Awards with his children Heaven and Hendrix for The Back in on April 12, 2015 at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Patrick McMullan Co./ M a z e Sipa USA/TNS) Runner Black, within Robthe night.

His co-star Will Poulter, who ert Downey Jr. accepted his Generation played Gally, shared the Best Fight title Award with his Avengers cast mates who with O’Brien for the thriller.

He also regot down on one knee while presenting ceived awards for Breakthrough Perforthe award in honor of his accomplish-

mance and Best Kiss for We Are the Millers.

Along with the reward presentations, singing performances consisted of different music genres. The widely-known pop punk band Fall Out Boy came out on the stage with their lead single Centuries from their latest album American Beauty/ American Psycho. Charli XCX who produces songs with a variety of genres but mainly sings pop punk performed Drop The Kitty, which was released in February along with the music video. The crowd cheered when Vin Diesel sang his version of the tribute song called See You Again to Paul Walker. Afterwards he spoke with a reporter of his co-worker and friend.

“It’s a beautiful thing and it’s bittersweet of course, but it’s the fact that the world embraced it and the fact that the world really just allowed it to be Paul’s legacy and kind of shared that moment with us and allowed it to honor him the way they did, it’s just a beautiful thing,” Diesel said of the fans mourning and appreciating Walker.

To end the awards show off, the final award for the Best Movie of the Year Award was granted to The Fault in Our Stars. John Green happily accepted the award and gave an especially long speech to express his thankfulness.

“I had nothing to do with the making of this movie, but I was the first one to the microphone. I wrote the book,” Green said.

“I just want to thank Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort for becoming Hazel and Gus so beautifully. I love you Shailene.

These people are such a gift to my life.”

Sci-fi show Orphan Black returns for third season

By Jessica Sieling Managing Editor

The return of the Canadian science fiction television show, Orphan Black, has sparked much interest with fans around the world eager to discover what the upcoming season has in store. Written by Graeme Manson and directed by John Fawcett, the show continues to tell the story of Sarah Manning trying to navigate through life after the discovery that she is a clone and part of an experiment for the operation, Project LEDA. The third season premiered on April 18.

Tatiana Maslany plays five main clones in the show- ex-con Sarah, soccer mom Alison, research scientist Cosima, Ukrainian assassin Helena and executive Rachel- as well as several other minor clones that have made brief appearances in the show’s history. Other characters include Jordan Gavaris playing Sarah’s foster brother Felix, Maria Doyle Kennedy playing Sarah and Felix’s foster mother and Évelyne Brochu playing Comisa’s French girlfriend Delphine.

This season starts exactly where the last one ended- with Sarah finding out more about another set of clones, similar to her and her “sisters”. Season two ended with the surprise revelation that the research that developed the clones gave the information to two separate divisions, Project LEDA, with the women clones, and Project Castor, a military faction using male clones. Ari Millen plays all the male clones in the new season.

“I can say that the clones are all in very disparate worlds right now,” Maslany said in an interview. “At the beginning of season three, there’s a real fractured element

to the sisterhood. We don’t know exactly where Helena is, and Sarah has had this revelation about the Castor clones and Alison is in her own little suburban world, while Cosima’s life hangs in the balance.”

The man clones seemed to be a bit of a shock, not only to the characters in the show but also the real-life fans.

“The story of the male clones is really seen from Sarah’s point of view,” because the show has “always been [her] trying to figure out what is going on,” Co-creator Graeme Manson said. “It was really a critical part of moving the ball forward this year.”

So far these male clones include Mark Rollins, a character introduced in the second season, as well as clones named Rudy, Miller and Seth. Millen, who started the show only playing Mark’s character, had no idea that the writers planned for his character to also be a clone like the others.

“It was a little surreal, but it certainly made me very excited,” Millen said about playing the role of so many characters.

Maslany has also addressed in interviews her excitement to not bear the weight of playing all the clones by herself anymore.

“The show continues to be somewhat from my clones’ point of view, but there is a huge element that is now being lifted off my shoulders that Ari is carrying,” Maslany said. “His clones have just as much at stake in this world and as much complexity as mine do. We’ve also had so many amazing guest stars and recurring guest characters on the show, and the supporting cast has been playing a bigger part in the show, too.”

With the direction the show is going, it seems to continue the nature vs. nurture debate that the first two seasons developed. This

time, however, always the Maslany clones to compare their experience with clone that were raised self-aware of their situation.

“This other side of the coin is just as important, and helps to give our show different viewpoints and another experience,” Maslany said. “They allow the LEDA clones to look at themselves in a different way, because the Castor clones were raised

as a unit, whereas the LEDA clones were raised separate. There’s a different nature/ nurture perspective that we can deal with.”

Only being two episodes into the season, it is interesting for fans to continue to guess what will happen later on, and what plot twist the writer will come up with next.

Orphan Black episodes premiere on Saturdays at 9:00/ 8:00 central on BBC America.

teen interest

19

Zayn Malik offically departs from One Direction

By Alyssa Lobue Reporter

One Direction started out as five teenagers put together by Simon Cowell after solo tryouts on The X-Factor but has now become four. After several months of supposed conflict between the members of the band, an official statement of Zayn Malik’s leave was announced on Wednesday, March 25.

“My life with One Direction has been more that I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I know my four friends will continue to be the best band,” Malik said.

The statement was released after Malik did not appear at several tour dates and appearances as well as reports of Zayn having multiple affairs although engaged to Perrie Edwards, the lead singer of the band Little Mix. Reportedly, Malik was given the choice to clean up his act or leave after several allegations of severe drug and alcohol use. People believe this may be the cause of the leave of Zayn from One Direction, but after all the suspicions and questions, Zayn Malik promptly explained his departure simply.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who’s able to relax and have some private

time out of the spotlight,” Zayn said.

Simon Cowell reportedly allowed Malike to get out of the contract of the band on the condition that Syco, a double music

Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band,” Cowell said.

Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan,

global venture of Simon Cowell and Sony and Louis Tomlinson, the remaining four Music Entertainment, would release his members of One Direction, have made solo ma- Zayn Malik of One Direction performs at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, v e r y Sunday, July 1, 2012. (Robert Duyos/Sun Sentinel/MCT) f e w terial. comC o w about the situation exell released a statement to express ments his gratitude towards Zayn Malik. cept several tweets and posts to “I would like to thank Zayn for ev- fans thanking them for support.

“We’re really sad to see Zayn go, but erything he has done for One Direction.

Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have we totally respect his decision and send grown very, very fond and proud of him. him all our love for the future. The past I have seen him grow in confidence and I five years have been beyond amazing, am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One we’ve gone through so much together, so

we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue. We’re looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour,” One Direction said in an official statement on their Facebook page.

All five boys are supposedly on good terms and understand their differences with no reason to break the friendship they have.

“My band has been really supportive. They’ve been very cool about the break. And they understand that, you know. They still want to do the band for a while, so they’re going to carry on doing what they want to do. And I think they are going to do okay for a while. I think they are going to be cool,” Malik said.

After the statement was released and an online argument between Naughtyboy and Louis Tomlinson over Zayn occurred, Malik’s official Twitter account lost over 50,000 followers. When asked about the loss of faith fans had in his decision, he was able to keep his positivity.

“I feel like I’m doing what’s right- right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good,” Zayn said.

Fans all around the globe have been taking the news differently, but most have had an extreme trouble accepting the news.

Hundreds of fans that were affected by the break took compassionate leave from work. Things became so out of hand, with death threats to themselves and others, a British mental health organizations called Mind released a statement to attempt to calm disturbed fans and keep the peace.

Announcments 20

22 Athletes of the month:

Isaly Carney Isaly Carney is a track runner.

She enjoys track because she “really loves the sport” and finds it “very thrilling and fun.” In her free time, she enjoys sleep and feels it is the most important thing for her. She enjoys hanging out with friends and eating. Her team is currently training hard for regionals and has faith they will make it to both regionals and state.

sports 21-year-old Jordan Spieth wins Masters

By Vidal Maldonado Sports Editor

press release talking up Spieth, its 21-yearold golf star who shocked spectators earlier this month won the Masters golf tournament Jordan Spieth might not yet be the next while tying the course record of score and Tiger Woods, but he served notice to the golfof age to win it only trailing Tiger Woods ing world with a record-breaking first major who’s was only months younger than Spieth. victory at the Masters on Sunday April 9.

In its earnings release, Under Armour The 21-year-old became the secondCEO Kevin Plank said: “We are incredyoungest player to win at Auibly proud that Under Armour gusta, behind only Woods’ 1997 athlete Jordan Spieth captured effort, and just the fifth man to the Green Jacket in record-setlead the prestigious tournament ting fashion at The Masters last from start to finish. In his four week. At just 21, Jordan is alrounds he shot 64,66,70,70 and ready firmly entrenched on the finished -18 under par. Spieth global sports stage and we look collected 1.8 million as reward to support Jordan throughout his money for his win at the Masters career winning major championand now has earned over four ships as he adds to his legacy.” million in his four short months Last week, we noted of playing golf alone in 2015. that analysts at Piper Jaffray But no analysts could have raised their price target on predicted that this young talent shares of Under Armour to would have come out nearly as $93 from $90 after Spieth’s strong as he did, but not only win. Shares were trading near did Spieth start strong he fin$84.50 on Tuesday morning. ished strong, now the weekend Spieth signed a 10 year commercials are bombarded deal in 2013 with under armour with advertising messages on in 2013 and for two years and how his club will add this much in January Under Armour reclub head speed and this much signed him for a 10 year deal loft for this much distance. You with undisclosed financial don’t see many, if any, on The terms being released, but he fading great Tiger Woods Jordan Spieth tees off on the first hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage Pre- has many performance based who tied for 17th in the Mas- sented by Boeing on Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head incentives to go along with Island, S.C. (Delayna Earley/The Island Packet/TNS) ters. The faces pushed on the with his long term contract. broadcasts and in these ads Spieth will not take any are the young guys who poke it 320 yards. ing its full-year revenue outlook to $3.78 break despite winning the masters and This 21 year old has given young golf- billion from $3.76 billion, shy of ex- will continue to climb as one of the most ers new hope into the future in the first pectations for revenue of $3.82 billion. talented, young, and up coming golquarter, the athletic footwear and apparel The company also spent time in its phers in the professional golf association.

Softball enjoys victory against Brook

By Troylon Griffin II Sports Editor

Logan Wene Junior Logan Wene is a water polo player. He has been playing water polo since he was in seventh grade and is now in his third year of playing at Creek. He is the starting goalie on varsity. Having been a state winning team in the past, Wene is confident they can live up to their reputation. In his free time, Logan enjoys soccer and video games.

company that sponsors Spieth Under Armour, reported earnings per share of $0.05, matching expectations, on revenue of $805 million, beating Wall Street’s expectations for revenue of $802.5 million, according to estimates from Yahoo Finance.

The company’s outlook, however, disappointed, with Under Armour rais-

The Creek varsity softball team enjoyed another victory on against Clear Brook High School on April 2.

The team ultimately won with a score of ten to four, a rather uncommon score according to softball Coach Andrea Cash.

“That’s a very high scoring game.”

Coach Cash said. “Normally you hear four to two, five to one, six to three. That’s really what you ought to highlight in this game. Our bats were really swinging.”

Coach cash credits their success to “being really patient at the plate and hitting the right pitches.

The team earned a score of six to one in the first round. Coach Cash noted that every game they had from now on was important if they wanted to be in the top four for playoffs.

“Every game’s huge from now on,” Coach Cash said. “We’re all fighting for four spots because only four teams make it to the playoffs. There’s five teams fighting for four spots right now.”

Eight teams overall compete for the spot. These include all the schools in the school district. Cash stated that three of the five teams are currently at the bottom and aren’t very close to making it to the top four.

“So every game is crucial.” Cash said.

When we played Brook that Thursday, that was the start of the second round.”

Cash stated the biggest highlight of the game was the offense.

“The score was ten to four and we had a lot of offense,” Cash said. “We had over

fifteen hits and a very high scoring game.”

Cash told of her satisfaction with her team and their accomplishments.

Katlyn Rivera was the winning pitcher.

“It was really exciting,” Katlyn said.

“It put pressure on me but I like pressure.

Photo by Isaac Villareal

I feel I do better when under pressure.”

Katlyn said in general felt the game was exciting and intense.

“All the games are,” Katlyn said.

“It was easier than the first game due to pitching and I guess our hits were good.”

Jordan Conner also spoke positively of the game.

“We won so it turned out pretty well,” Conner said. “We worked out well. We had

good communication so that’s always good.

I felt really good and it’s always good to win.”

Jordan also told of the success the team has had so far.

“Our record’s currently eight to one and we’ve had a lot of fun,” Conner said.

Vanessa Gonzalez expressed her thoughts on the game.

“At first things were tight because we had new defense,” Vanessa said.

“By the second inning everyone started hitting and that’s when we scored.”

She spoke positively of teammates Sam Skladal and Katlyn Rivera. She too told of how Katlyn struck out the last bat of the game.

“She had nice strikes,” Vanessa said.

Sam Skladal hit a triple and scored three runs, which helped them in getting a higher score.

The success of the team this season has certainly not surprised Vanessa.

“It’s been no surprise,” Vanessa said. “It’s showing all our hard work is off so far.”

Coach Cash also told of how the season has been so far.

“We got off to a slow start in preseason. We were in a couple of tournaments and preseason is really a time to get out the kinks, seeing what you got offensively and defensively.

District is what really counts and we’re doing very well in district right now.”

For now the main goal for the rest of season is to keep playing and make their way to the playoffs and make their way to the quarterfinals on May 16, 2015.

Sports

23

Creek varsity water polo succeeds in district meet

By Troylon Griffin II Sports Editor

Creek’s varsity water polo team has continued to succeed in district, as shown in their match against Clear Falls High School. For years, the team has continued to have success during their district game.

The water polo game ran seven minutes per quarter. There were four quarters in the game. During which, there are six field players and a goalie. The object of the game is to put the ball into the other team’s goal. Every player has to be able to do defense and offense. The field players can only use one hand to hit the ball while the goalie can use both hands in order to block their opponent.

Both the girls and boys team won their matches with an ultimate score of 13 to 12 and 13 to 3. The girls went into overtime and won by making the first goal in overtime.

“I was very happy,” Coach Woolweaver said, speaking on how things turned out.

Kinley Foster was very proud of his team and felt Falls had their defeat coming.

“We crushed Falls as usual, which was kind of payback since the last time they played us, we didn’t have some of our regular starters so they won,” Foster said.

The game continued to have many highlights. Jordan Castillo scored the last winning goal for her team.

“It felt great because my teammates were very proud of me,” Castillo said.

Other highlights included how Todd Lyle was able to shut down Fall’s best

player. Foster noted how the boys “shut down” Fall’s offense and made them not core for an entire half. He also felt a major highlight was “every time a teammate buried the ball in the Falls goal.” Coach Woolweaver noted how there were six on five of-

Gibbson Fleming got six assists and told of how there was much more sharing of the ball, as well as Jordan Castillo.

“I felt good about it. It’s team effort and lets other people know how it feels to score,” Flemming said.

Logan Wene fenses on both teams.

Photo by Lisa Nhan felt the boys did This means someone on Fall’s team was put out of the game very well in both defense and offense.

“It just shows we made a lot of improvefor not doing something right which led to the team being outnumbered by Creek. ment,” Wene said. “I was kind of nervous What was really common in both because we lost to Falls earlier in the year.”

Wene told of how the seathe girls and boys game was that both started off rather rough. worked together greatly, allowing others son We were losing against teams who normally do not score to get points.

we normally beat. But once we started showing up to practice more we started getting better,” Wene said.

Coach Woolweaver supported the statement, noting how both teams struggled with illness, injuries and the team has been rebuilding due to the many seniors who graduated last year.

“We just weren’t as consistent,” Woolweaver said. “We’d play really hard one game and not as hard the next.”

Nevertheless, Fleming said the season has been “pretty impressive.”

“Everyone’s trying their hardest,” Flemming said.

With the goal of getting to district complete, the team is now working towards their number one goal: preparing for state.

“But as a team, work better with one another and increase the group cohesion.” Foster said.

The team has already made their way through regionals, in which boys made their way to second, qualifying to state and girls came in fifth.

The team has also been working on their personal goals as well. Foster told of how his goal was to help his team “perform at its max potential.”

The team continues to work hard as they prepare for state and the championships.

“Even though we have lost a lot of the seniors we used to have in the past, our team can still excel this year and in future years,” Foster said. “We will make it to the championship and surpass the expectations of anyone who doubts us.”