2017 November/December HiLife

Dog park opens pg. 5

Astros win the world series pg. 8

The Man Who Invented Chrismas review pg. 18

Coach Warden finishes last football season at Creek

By Jacob Madden Sports Editor

Coach Darrell Warden just finished his 30-year coaching career with the 2018 class of Clear Creek Wildcats.

Warden has overall coached and worked in schools for 30 years and announced his retirement after this 2017-2018 season.

“Next year at this time, I will be trading in my coaching hat for a cowboy hat, and I will not be watching players practice on the field. I’ll be watching my cattle grazing on the pastures. It’s been 30 years. It’s been a wonderful career, but I am looking forward to a less stressful life,” Warden said.

Even though Warden will not be here next year he still had a few ideas on what to do for next season.

“Finding a quarterback is our priority.

We had a great quarterback in Sam Matthews but he’s hard to replace. We have a lot of players in our program who are capable of playing that position. Overall our players need to commit during the offseason and dedicate to getting stronger. Leaders need to emerge in the weight room and show it on the field as well.” Warden said.

Warden served two years as a board member of the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association. He was a five-year member of the Touchdown Club player of the year selection committee, he was a Touchdown Club coach of the year finalist in 2010 and 2015, and he was 24-5A and then 246A coach of the year in 2013 ,2015 and 2016.

Warden finished up with the 6A Houston Touchdown Club Sportsmanship award.

“I felt this was a good season for us

because a successful season is not always about going undefeated or making it to playoffs. It’s about how much effort the team puts in and how much they buy in to the

to try our hardest on the field but just life were together, no matter how the season in general,” Xavier Leal, senior, said. went, he always kept moving forward,” Coach Warden came to Clear Creek Destry Cope, Assistant coach, said. in 2004 and ever since then he changed Warden was a great mentor to the students and helped them get through anything that came their way.

“Coach Warden was a great coach to me. I am so glad that my last year was also his. I loved how when we didn’t win he was still positive.” Sam Matthews, senior, said.

All throughout his years his players have always said nice things about who he was and what he did for them.

“Coach Warden made me feel like I could do anything when I put my mind to it. I am thankful that I was able to play for Coach Warden. He was a great guy towards me and for that I hope the best to him in the future,” Cole Speed, senior, said.

Even though this was not Warden’s most successful team he still had a positive things to say about them.

“I’m very proud of this 2017-2018 team. I’m as proud of this team as I am of the teams that went to the playoffs. I loved the team chemistry, attitude and effort every game.” Warden, coach, said.

“I’m glad I’m retiring in a good spot for our program because our freshman class is very good and I expect our varsity team to be good for the next few years,” Warden said.

Coach Wardens #13 jersey was retired at the last game of the 2017-2018 Photo courtesy of Sydney Hunt program,” Warden said. the mindset of the season. It was for his 13 years of head “He has done a students, the city and coaching at Clear Creek High School. The great job coaching us the four years I the faculty. His assistant coach also had ceremony took place after Creek seniors have been here, especially the first two. some remarkable things to say about him. walked the field at the last football game.

No one knows the team better than he “Coach Warden is the best man that Mrs. Warden will also be does. He has inspired us players not only I know. Throughout all the years that we retiring after 30 years of teaching.

Former Creek student acts in new Nickelodeon show

By Maddie Moore News Editor

here, that I realized I needed to stay. It was I’m from Texas. I’m really, really happy just perfectly meant to be,” Nelson said. with what I’ve decided to do and with where Her former Theatre Director, my life is going, so, no regrets,” Nelson Nicole Alyse Nelson, a 21-year-old Bradley Hewlett agreed completely. said in an interview with Open the Trunk.

“Nelson’s success as an actress Nelson also had the opportunity of former Creek student, landed her first big role in the Nickelodeon television show I is not surprising. In my time working working alongside Lady Gaga in season six Am Frankie as Frankie Gaines’ best friend Dayton Reyes. I Am Frankie, starring Alex Hook, is a new 20-episode television show about a girl named Frankie who is secretly an android. In the television show, Frankie must hide her identity and stay clear of EGG Labs, a tech company attempting to hunt her down. The first episode aired on September 11 and the finale aired on October 6.

“I have to say, I somewhat took the easy way out meaning that when I did come to Los Angeles I was not planning on dropping everything and leaving my life behind…It was kind of like a three-month trial. It was the summer, and I had a summer internship at a filmproduction company,” Nelson told Connor Photo courtesy of IMDb Nicole, she of American Horror Story: Behrens, writer for Connection News. with When she had completed her consistently demonstrated intelligence, Roanoke, and as production assistant on the summer internship, she received a job a determined work ethic and a genuine short Albedo Absolute and the television offer as a production assistant on the respect for the craft of acting,” Hewlett series In-Between. In the coming years, The Daily News of Galveston. Nelson would like to continue working ABC television show The Goldbergs. told Although Los Angeles is extremely with Nickelodeon and children’s television Nelson had attended The University of North Texas before deciding to pack up different from League City, Nelson networks before moving to more mature and move to Los Angeles two years ago. doesn’t regret moving whatsoever. networks such as The CW, Freeform “There isn’t ever a moment that I’m or possibly a Netflix original series.

“I’m in school to do this, and I’m “When I’m no longer playing already doing it,” said Nelson. “That was like, ‘Oh, I’m not sure if I can handle this,’ looking 14,” Nelson said. the moment, three months after I was or ‘I just wish I was back in Texas,’ because or

For now, Nelson is extremely happy with her success as a Nickelodeon star.

Growing up, she mentions she was a “total Nickelodeon kid”, and comedy came naturally to her. She tends to talk using her hands and speaks in a “quirky” voice, which is extremely useful when working in kids multi-cam. The lighthearted tone of the television show fits her fun personality, and lets her show off her best acting qualities.

Although I Am Frankie may or may not air a second season, her role as Dayton Reyes will absolutely help lead her to pursue new opportunities. Until then, Nicole Alyse Nelson can be spotted in the upcoming short films Ocean directed by Presley A. Aronson, known for his role in Shameless and Face Off, directed by Nino Aldi, former producer of The Voice and crew for Inception.

Nelson is a wonderful role model for aspiring actors and high school students.

Her experiences showcase that a passion has the ability to blossom into a career, and that theatre kids have the capability to reach their dream as long as they’re willing to take risks and work hard.

It seems as if there has been a lot of success around CCISD Theatre Departments recently, as just last year, Maddie Baillio, former Clear Falls student, made it big as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray Live. As Nelson moves on to bigger and better things in her acting career, she will continue to represent Creek’s Theatre Department for years to come.

2

Opinion

What is your New Year’s resolution and why?

“[My resolutio n is] to be more patie nce because patienc e is key.”

-Katie Nifong (12th)

“I would like to make it through Junior year.”

-Marie Frere (11th)

“[My resolution is to] stop binge watching Netflix so I can accomplish more things.”

-Katie chambers (12th)

“I want to finish watching my favorite show.”

-Sanjana Shah (11th)

“I want to manage my time better because I am about to go into college and want to do well.”

-Peyton Linder (12th)

t “[I want] to be more patien s ing and open minded to th re because I want to be a mo humbler person. I want to step out of my comfort zone.” -Ashley Pfeiffer (9th)

] to “[My resolution is raft finish the first d s.” of one of my book awa -Tyler Stokes-Kuj (9th)

] to tion is u l o f s e “[My r a ton o t a e d an y.” get fat I can be happ o ter food s Slaugh n o t l Da (10th)

“I would like to read more books, but mostly books my students are reading.”

-Mrs. Becker

“Don’t let your mind hold you down. Don’t be afraid to do things you want to do.”

-Tyler Magee (10th)

“[I wan t] time o to spend le n ss social becau media se I fe el as t social ho m e d ia can ugh up so t much unnec ake essary tim -Kayla e.”

Pfeiffe r (9th)

“My N ew olutio Year’s Resn is to more eat Chick F i l -A.” -Natal ie Cox (10th)

ive back to “I want to g ity this New my commun lp out more Year and he ed.” people in ne ro -Kate Navar (11th)

2017-2018

HiLife Staff

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Around Creek Editor:

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Briana Harris Leah Burnam Neil Smith Kadyn Chatman Nicole Alvarenga Ashleigh Lewis Cece Huff Olivia Fost

Jamey Majewski Wynette Jameson Catherine Irvine Sierra Dickey Brittney Melanson Brittney Melanson Maddie Moore Lilo Shelley Arrington Linder Joana Mancia Jacob Madden Morgan Severson Brittney Melanson Photographers: Sebastian Sandoval Danielle Dunavant Clarissa Valcoviak Erik Kouth Christifer Castillo

Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City Visit us at: www.creekhilife.com or http://clearcreekhs.ccisd.net For ad rates call: (281)-284-1889

Editorial

3

Cat’s Chats: Loneliness of technology

By Catherine Irvine Editor-in-Chief With smartphones and social media sites like snapchat, Twitter and Instagram available to almost everyone, technology has become a huge part of daily life. It is easy to spend hours scrolling through timelines and sending messages back and forth. Social media has allowed us to connect, share posts with and message friends. But does social media truly connect us all, or does it just bring us farther apart? In my experience, social media is a distraction from real interaction and decreases the quality of my time.

While it is entertaining to take ugly selfies and send them to my best friend, it provides no true connection between us. When I post a picture of myself to

Instagram, it adds no value to the experience except a number of likes. When I tweet out a post about liking cats or Christmas lights, it does nothing to form a relationship between myself and another person.

What does form connections with other people, is going to a bonfire, eating dinner out together or working on a school project.

Face-to-face interactions are the best ways to develop socially and form connections with other people.

Even though these ways are perfect for social interactions, all it takes is a ‘ding’ from a phone to distract someone.

Social media and phones, which were made to connect people, create a distance between us. Most of us feel the need to immediately check or reply to alerts that pop up on our phone screens. When going to the mall, eating out, seeing a movie or walking the halls at school, if you take the time to look up from your own screen, you will notice all the bent

over heads and lack of conversation between friends. Phones distract us from each other.

Not only does social media distract people from each other, but it simply takes up so much time. This month, I downloaded an app that tracks how many hours and minutes

in myself when I could only get the hours down to five. Social media can truly be an addiction. Social media can also create a longing for an unrealistic type of life.

“Social media is addictive precisely because it gives us something which the real world lacks: it gives us immediacy, direction, a sense of clarity and value as an individual,” David Amerland, British journalist, said.

This new generation of people growing up with social media has created a society where we can instantly share our thoughts and ideas, but also one where consequences are not considered and relationships are weaker.

Luckily, there is a simple solution to this. When going out, shut your phone off. Believe it or not, we can survive a few hours without knowing everything a Kardashian ate that day or seeing that one cute picture some boy you had in one of your classes just posted to Instagram. Enjoy those around you. Have a conversation about the weather. View your life through your own eyes and not your phone screen.

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”

- Christian Lous Lange my phone is on and I’m using it. I was horrified on the first day when it showed I had wasted a total of eight hours. Those hours could have been used to develop a skill, finish homework, get a job or hang out with a group of friends. I could not help but be disappointed

Sierra Shares: Dreaded finals week

By Sierra Dickey Editor-in-Chief A week some would rather ignore till the very last minute. A week some plan for in advance. A week filled with stress, ambition and sometimes hopelessness. A week that can either make or break a person. The dreaded finals week.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say the only good thing about finals week is that it is the week before Christmas break. We are all so close to tasting the sweet freedom filled with Christmas lights and ginger bread houses that it seems almost impossible to focus on studying.

Even though decking the halls is calling your name, unless we want our grades to pay the price, focus needs to be our best friend. Here are a few tips to keep calm and collected during this dreaded week.

Tip #1: You need to make sure to take breaks. Cramming your head with all the knowledge you should have been learning throughout the semester in one short week is no easy task, and my number one rule is

making sure I don’t burn out after Monday. I always take some time to enjoy little things that I love, like a twenty-minute break to watch the latest episode of The Good Doctor. Maybe reading a few pages out of the latest book I’m reading. Or I’ll even try squishing my head between two of my textbooks hoping, unfruitfully, that I can learn by osmosis.

Whatever takes your mind off the black and white pages that have been staring at you for the last three hours.

Tip #2: Please, do not forget that you have to eat.

I know how appetizing knowledge can be, and how fulfilling learning is, but feeding your body is just as important.

I find that short little snacks that are filled with protein and carbs make for the best energy boost when I’m starting to read the same paragraph twelve times in a row. My go to snack is apple slices dipped in peanut butter, and if I’m feeling salty because I can’t figure out my PreCal notes I might throw in some roasted peanuts.

Tip #3: SLEEP. Using those wee

hours of the morning to cram as much into your brain as possible the day before the test may seem like a good idea, but it won’t do you much good if you’re sitting at your desk like a zombie. Sleep is a very important aspect of memory, and ignoring it is like writing notes out, taking them to

with the femur, don’t start trying to memorize it by writing flashcards. If doing a thousand practices problems is how you learn every step of every pre-calculus problem on the test, don’t start watching random YouTube videos from the 60’s of people trying to explain it to you.

If studying by yourself works for you, don’t try and study with a group of friends that are just going to get you side tracked with memes. My main point for tip #4 is don’t fix what isn’t broken, because that will just break your grade and your spirit.

T i p # 5 : Relax. Remember to breathe. One bad grade will not define your life. It will not define you. It does not decide your future. So, if your back is hurting because you’ve been leaning over your desk for four hours, close the book and go take that bubble bath.

If you know you’ll be cranky if you don’t get your daily yoga or workout in, do it. You deserve it!

In conclusion, I think it is imperative that everyone put their health and sanity first during this dreaded week. Just follow the tips I outlined and we should all survive to see another Christmas, and another semester. And always remember to treat yourself because you definitely deserve it.

“I failed in some subjects in exam, but my friend passed in all. Now he is an engineer in Microsoft and I am the owner of Microsoft.”

-Bill Gates class, then burning them before you walkin. It just doesn’t make sense and will not help your grade at all. Plus, how can anyone ignore the sweet call of their mattress?

Tip #4: Know what strategies work for you. If writing things out a hundred times till you feel like your fingers are going to fall off is how you remember which bone articulates

4 Responsibility is the ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization and completing the task given. Student Council member, Maria Buendia best fits the core value of responsibility.

Maria Is one of the StuCo officers. She will jump in and help out with anything, even if it was not her responsibility. She checks in almost every week and if there is an event, she checks in at least once a day. She is amazingly organized, energetic, and easy to work with.

News The CCISD Core Values

RORIE WEIDMAN

MARIA BUENDIA

Fairness is the act to justly treat or behave towards someone without discrimination or favoritism. Senior theater student, Riley Tamblyn best fits the core value of fairness.

Riley is constantly encouraging all members of the Department, whether they are a four-year veteran actor or a first-year, backstage Grip. She consistently offers advice to new Improvisers in the Improv Class.

As President, she works to create opportunities for all members of the Department.

RILEY TAMBLYN

Citizenship is the character of an individual viewed as a member of the society. National Honor Society President, Raelee Wilkins best fits the core value of citizenship.

She does so many amazing things as the president of NHS. She keeps everything organized for the other students.

RAELEE WILKINS

Respect is using good manners, practicing tolerance, being considerate of the feelings of other and dealing not hurting anyone. Varsity Symphonic Chorale Choir student, Rorie Weidman best fits the core value of respect.

She embodies the value of respect in the wat she interacts with teachers and students. She is hardworking, excels in group work and pursues group goals.

Responsibility Respect Fairness Trustworthiness Citizenship Caring

Trustworthiness is the ability for others to be able to rely on as honest or truthful. The ability to be there when people need you and when promises are made.

Orchestra student, Annika Neadeau best fits the core value of trustworthiness.

She plays cello. She’s very trustworthy because every day she comes into class everyday prepared. If she ‘s absent, she is very proactive and asks what she can do to make up missed time. She is also very mature .

ANNIKA NEADEAU Caring is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Senior Band student, Hannah Brandon best fits the core value of caring.

Hannah, no matter whether they are freshman or a senior, makes every single person feel welcome and like they are a part of the group.

She always has a great attitude and is excited towards everything she does.

HANNAH BRANDON

News

5

League City Dog Park Association opens new park

By Arrington Linder Features Editor

Just recently, the League City Dog Park Association opened the first League City dog park. The park is located at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside. The grand opening was on November 12, 3 PM to 6 PM. Activities at the grand opening included “free popcorn, snow-cones, face painting, a petting zoo and more.” Owners could bring their pets for vaccinations and microchipping. On-site adoptions were also an activity for people adopting a new pet into their family. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony and K-9 demonstrations.

Over 3,000 people were in attendance.

In July of 2016, the League City Dog Park Association was formed. The LCDPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating the first League City dog park and many more. As soon as the organization was formed, they “hit the ground running.”

They hosted festivals and fundraisers all to raise money for the dog park.

Currently they have raised over $50,000.

In the beginning, there were many petitions signed from the fundraisers to open the park. Getting citizens to sign was the easy part. Getting the city council on board was the hard part. People were “protesting” to have the park opened.

Before the city council meetings, some citizens would bring their dogs and wait outside on the front steps. Before the association was formed, four previous groups had attempted to open a dog park

and had failed. In addition to the petitions, many citizens emailed city council members to get the park opened and start building. After sending out a survey, the city learned the citizens most wanted

into the dog park. The park was given to the city as the Homeowners Association could not afford to keep maintaining it.

The city had did a study on the park. It showed a lot of crime was occurring in

the area. It made it the perfect facility was a dog park.

Photo courtesy of Pexels area for the park. After that, The association asked for they had two weeks before some money to be put aside for the park. $150,000 was put aside. the meeting regarding the park. The “I attribute our success completely to association went around the neighborhood our president. Sandra Kelly was previously collecting signatures and petitions. Almost the Galveston County Republican Chairman 97 percent of them were for the dog park.

On February 14, the city council and used her political skills to work the City Council.” Melissa Kelly, Secretary of the voted yes, unanimously. The next day League City Dog Park Association, said. John Baumgardner, the city manager, The park inside of the Newport had bulldozers and workers ready to start Subdivision was offered to them to renovate building. In 269 days, the park was built.

The park has stairs, slides, training equipment, huge culverts for the dogs to climb on, picnic tables and benches.

There are plenty of trash cans avaliable for waste management for the dogs.

When you enter the park you will see bricks laid down in the concrete. Each one of these bricks represents a dog that has passed away. Families may purchase a brick and customize it for their dog.

“We all learned a lot throughout this process. When people disagree with you they don’t care about what would be good for others or the community as a whole.

They stoop to all lows to try and defeat you. But for us, it wasn’t about these nay sayers. It was about the dogs. It was about the disabled and elderly owners who can’t walk their dogs. It was about the citizens who love meeting new people. It never made any sense for the opposition to tell us to go to other cities to enjoy their parks.

Why not build something that draws people here? Why not encourage our citizens to play in our parks, shop at our pet stores and eat at our dog friendly restaurants with patios? This park has always been so much more than an economic benefit for the town. We have created a place of community and peace. We have so much planned centered around this park. From Adoption events, to Yoga in the park with your pup to free training days for dog owners. We have the opportunity to create an entire community around our four legged friends.” Melissa Kelly, Secretary of the League City Dog Park Association, said.

Argument over net neutrality in the U.S. continues

By Neil Smith Reporter

this in prior history was service provider, ‘more orderly.’ Another motive to repeal AT&T, blocking the app FaceTime and net neutrality is the belief that the internet is forcing customers to pay for the otherwise too unregulated and in need of reformation.

In America and all over the world, free app through a ‘shared data plan.’

Ajit Pai has been pushing this plan people want to have the freedom of choice. However, as people’s lives begin to revolve more and more around the internet, they have the possibility of losing a fair, open, unbiased view and accessibility to the internet. Net neutrality was a term first used by a Columbia University professor, Tim Wu, in 2003. It is the belief that internet service providers must treat all data on the internet equally and not block, slow or charge money for specific websites. Not charging differently based on the user, content, application, platform, or website is included. Since billions of people have access to the internet, net neutrality is a concept that effects an immense amount of people.

The ‘Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality’ was an event on July 12, which over 50,000 websites and organizations Those in favor of net and the FCC will vote on his Photo courtesy of Flikr contributed to the cause. The chairman of neutrality believe that proposal on December 14. the Federal Communications Commission without new regulations, the internet If this plan goes through and the United or FCC, Ajit Pai, has been the face for the service providers can favor private States loses net neutrality, the companies fight against net neutrality. Pai believes networks. For example, Comcast and who give many people internet access that the internet as people have it today Microsoft struck a deal allowing users ‘stifles innovation and competition.’ to stream television through the Xfinity Under the FCC’s proposed bill, internet app on Xbox without it counting towards service providers will be able to block, their bandwidth limit, whereas using other slow, speed, or do virtually whatever apps like Netflix, Hulu, and SlingTV they want to the internet and its websites will count towards the bandwidth limit. with no law in place to prevent possible With all this talk of the fight for net corruption within the service providers. neutrality, many are wondering why people A proposal of an ‘internet package would be against the practice. Those plan’ has recently surfaced that shows a arguing against net neutrality are mainly possible future without net neutrality. The internet service providers, broadband proposal includes restrictions to messaging companies, and hardware manufacturers. apps, social media, video and streaming, Those who oppose the regulations argue music, email, cloud services, etc. Unless that with the control of the internet and someone purchases a plan that includes its content, service providers can better their desired material. An example of control the market and make the internet

could limit access to some websites and apps by slowing speed or blocking them all together, while giving other websites and apps high speed loading or promoting them through their control of the content that they would get. This is called curving traffic and is seen as monopolistic amongst those in support for net neutrality.

The fact of the matter is that as of now, everybody has a relatively unbiased and similar view and accessibility of the internet. However, if on December 14 the FCC votes in favor of Pai’s plan, then the entire internet and all of its services will be in the hands of the companies that people buy their internet from. The internet could very easily become restricted and selforiented towards that company’s own ideology, blocking available websites, apps, information, etc. that compete with the company, or just simply what they don’t want their users to have access to.

The FCC is putting up a strong fight to repeal the laws in place for the freedom that internet users currently have, but as a result of their agenda, millions of people are protesting to maintain their right for net neutrality.

6

News

Volcano delays flights on popular tourist island

By Kadyn Chatman Reporter

made up of pyroclastic materials, debris more dangerous and many public activities and water, killed an additional 200 people. within six miles of the peak are unsafe. At Another eruption occurred on May 16 least 60,000 travelers are stranded in Bali’s In Bali, Indonesia, an island located that led to more pyroclastic flows killing international airport due to the ash from the south of the Philippines was struck by an another 200. The eruptions continued volcano. Police do not know when it will eruption from the restless Mount Agung. More than 100,000 people have had to leave the area, and tens of thousands of travelers have been stranded due to airport closures.

Mount Agung had been spewing volcanic ash that had been constantly increasing since the start of the eruption. After a conformation was made that the volcano was moving into magmatic phase, authorities raised the warning level to the maximum of 4. The first eruption began November 26 around 5:30 pm.

More eruptions followed after the first, all the way to Sunday. As the eruptions became more severe, lava reached the grass which could cause have an explosion.

This volcano has a history of having deadly eruptions like the one in 1963, which was the largest and most devastating in the history of Indonesia. The eruption began February 18, 1963 when a local resident heard a loud explosion and saw clouds rising from the creator of the volcano. Lava then began on and off until the next year, be safe for those stranded flowing down the northern slope of the making this eruption the Photo courtesy of Wikipedia to travel. The airport mountain and ended up traveling 7km in deadliest of Indonesia’s history. is located in south Bali 20 days. On March 17, the volcano erupted Approximately 30,000 people have which is close to the edge of the island, and sending debris into the air and generating a already left the area around Mount Agung. Mount Agung is located in the north part fast-moving current of hot gas. The flows Residents that were evacuated are now of the island, because of this, many people caused destruction of villages and killed living in evacuation zones that were built wonder why it is not safe for planes to fly. about 1,500 people. Clod lahars caused by by volunteers. Authorities believe that the Mount Agung sent ash 30,000 feet heavy rainfall, which is a form of mudflow eruptions will continue to get larger and into to the air after the first eruption which

caused the local airports to close. Airplanes that fly during a volcanic eruption can cause long term consequences during the flight. If the ash cloud is at a low density an erosion can occur in the gas turbine blades and it can cause build ups on some of the parts of the engine. This does not automatically stop the engine, but it can stop the engine during later parts of the flight and can lead to emergency landing. The build of the engine all depends on the type of chemicals that are coming out of the volcanoes when they erupt. If a plane were to fly straight through a volcanic cloud, no matter what type of chemicals are in the cloud, it will most likely lead to problems with the flight. The best way to avoid this from happening is to keep planes out of the air until it is clear and safe for them to travel.

Authorities know that the volcano is going to erupt, however, they aren’t sure when it will happen.

They believe that when there is a deep volcanic earthquake 10-15 kilometers below the surface of the melting rocks, interacts with water in the ocean causing it to bubble, telling them when it is going to erupt. Until then, there are scientist monitoring the volcano every minute to help inform those who are trapped or near the volcano so that they can get to safety.

Since the first eruption started, on November 21, lahars have been flowing down the summit along the rivers on both the north and south side of the mountain. The lahars have not caused any fatalities, but have made locals find a new source of water.

7

News

Earthquake destruction along Iran-Iraq Border

By Briana Harris Reporter

Near the borderline between the countries of Iran and Iraq, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the two touching countries.

The earthquake was felt along the Mediterranean coast line. The quake has caused mass destruction so far and has a continual rise in the death toll. The quake took place late at night around 7:30 on November 12. Iran’s Press announced around 530 people have been officially confirmed dead along with 7,460 injured.

In Northern Iraq, seven people are confirmed dead with 535 injured. So far, the powerful earthquake has been the world’s deadliest to take place this year.

“People have been scared. People do not dare to go back home, so they have camped around the city and they are sleeping in tents. It is very cold. But, being afraid of their lives, scared of what happened last night, they all stayed here outside”, Hamzeh Zarei, local citizen, said.

The earthquake struck in a rural area along the edge of Iran’s border, south of Iraqi city of Halabja. The earthquake stretched as far as 19 miles, hitting everything in its path. The buildings were said to have violently shaken. It even caused Dubai’s mega tall skyscraper to shake from the volume waves. Iran reported that 7 large cities, 1,950 villages and 12,000 houses have been destroyed.

Sarpol-e Zahab suffered the most damages to its town, which looked as if a bomb

Shelters have been filled and thousands were left to sleep on the streets, breathing the debris floating in the air.

There was no electricity, water and food supplies was running dangerously low.

Sarpol-e Zahab’s only hospital collapsed in the natural disaster. All patients and staff inside during the falling, buried

to attend to the wounded.

Many of the medics had to be flown out of the town by helicopter to aid the seriously wounded individuals.

Over 100 aftershocks continued through the night, stretching over the regions of Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan and Kuwait. Most people lost everything in their homes or manage to grab a few

possessions in time before their buildings collapsed. Rescuers and volunteers began to search for missing citizens immediately after the destruction. They used heavy equipment to dig beneath the wreckage of what was once a few hours earlier a building. Aid workers, firefighters and police dogs stood on top of what remained of apartment buildings to get an easier overlook of any trapped survivors in need of rescuing. Blankets were used to carry out corpses of the non-survivors.

Iran government officials said to believed that over 100 dead bodies were located beneath the wreckage, and will take days to discover the remains. Many eyewitnesses to the destruction were weepy and stressed over loss of homes and decreased loved ones. Government leaders offered their deepest condolences.

“This was a pain for all Iranians.

Representing the nation of Iran, I offer my condolences to the people of Kermanshah, and tell them that all of us are behind Kermanshah. The faults and shortcomings in the construction of these buildings should be investigated.

The government will definitely follow up on these issues and identify the culprits”, Hassan Rouhani, Iranian President, said.

Iran suffers from a lot of earthquakes since it sits on major fault lines between Eurasian and Arabian tectonic plates. None have cause as much destruction as this one, but this wasn’t the deadliest. A magnitude 6.6 earthquake took place in 2003, killing over 26,000 people in the southeastern city of Bam.

This was a surprise attack and the victims had nowhere to go because they had people set up all around the mosque shooting.

The attackers had machine guns and some terrorists were even coming in the mosque and killing people. These attackers came in with armed automatic machine guns and big SUV’s. Survivors say they could hear loud explosions and described the attackers as long bearded men with long hair who were seen to be entering the mosque with huge machine guns.

A person was seen to have entered the mosque holding up an Isis flag. There

has not been a claim of responsibility for the attack from Isis nor affiliate on Egypt, which has not given peace to the north of Sunyani nor the families who lost friends, kids and parents. The bomb was known to have ripped through the mosque followed by a shooting attack. These militants choose to attack on one of the busiest days, when the people of the mosque were in the middle of Friday prayers. The attack was mainly targeting the mosque frequented with Sufis. The militants had fired from four different road vehicles, they also had blocked off escape routes out of the mosque by blowing up the area of cars along with burning up roads. Dispatches of police officers reached the mosque, witnessing a horrible attack against innocents. Past attacks come nowhere near how terrible this attack on innocent people was.

Just this past month there has been many attacks on the police and others.

Because of this, it’s been hard for Egypt to deal with these random attacks. The

security forces have been fighting militants of the north of Sinai for years, these attacks are just so unexpected hundreds on soldiers and militants have lost their lives.

In these conflicts, the number of killings on these military forces are unclear because journalist, photographers and independent investigators are not allowed to be in the area.

Egyptians were gathering outside of the Rawda mosque and the capital North Sinai after the bombing and the shooting attack. Before the shooting, the mosque was the worshippers place of gathering for Friday weekly prayer for the people who attended and lived near the mosque. After this attack, the military of Egypt were trying to target and strike back by firing missiles. There hasn’t been any claim of the bombing and this will hopefully bring the Egyptians together to repair damages to the Mosque and for the loss of people who have passed away during this catastrophic attack.

exploded. There was major confusion as to why the newly built building have collapsed, since the complexes were part of a city plan to be indestructible to natural disasters, like the earthquake that occurred.

beneath the rubble, are expected to have died from the impact. Official volunteers were looking for any survivors or bodies.

The hospital could not attend to the injured, so the army had set up a few field hospitals

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Egypt suffers mosque bombing and shooting

By Cece Huff Reporter

On November 24, a terrible bombing took place in Egypt, killing more than 305 people and wounding more than 128 others.

This will go down as the deadliest terrorist attack in Egypt’s history. The attack at a Sufi mosque in northern Sinai resulted in 305 people dead with 27 children among the 305 total deaths.

The attack at the mosque was carried out by 25 to 30 armed men. The attackers first set off bombs, then shot those fleeing.

Photo courtesy of VOA News

8

Sports

The Houston Astros win the 2017 World Series Morgan Severson Around Creek Editor

After the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Astros winning the World Series is exactly what Houstonians needed to lift their spirits. The Astros have been the epitome of the phrase Houston Strong, and the team’s uniform has a Houston Strong patch on the left chest.

“We wore that patch, we wore it proudly, and the people of Houston were never far from our minds,” Lance McCullers, pitcher, Jr. said.

Even the Astros’ Manager, A.J. Hinch, feels as though Houston was relying on the team.

“We could feel how important the Astros became to the city of Houston and the residents. What does the World Series do to that city? Obviously, it gives some hope. It gives appreciation.

It gives a smile or two for people going through some hard times. And for that we’re happy to be a part of it,” Hinch said.

The Astros won game seven with a score of 5 to 1. The Astros did not waste any time, making 3 points in the first inning by outfielder Gorge Springer, second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. In the second inning, Springer made a two-run homerun and the score was five to zero.

Over forty million people were watching game seven on November 1 as the Houston Astros won the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

After the game, there was a huge celebration. Shortstop, Carlos Correa proposed to his girlfriend, Daniella Rodriguez, shortly after it was announced that the Astros won. Had they not won the World Series, he was not going to propose.

“I was planning if we were World Series champions, I was going to do it right there…I’ve been thinking about it for months now, but I was waiting for the perfect opportunity, you know. I knew we had a great team, we could accomplish this, and I wasn’t wrong,” Correa said.

Springer was awarded with Most Valuable Player of the World Series. He had a .379 batting average and according to MLB, the team could not have won without Springer. He hit 11 out of 29 at bats, made three doubles, five homeruns, and seven RBIs. Springer is tied with two other players, Reggie Jackson from the Yankees in 1977 and Chase Utley from the Phillies in 2009, for hitting five homeruns in a single Fall Classic.

“The wildness of this series, the wackiness of this series, the emotional ups and downs, being able to play in this is something that I will never, ever forget, even if this is the only time I will ever get here,” Springer said.

The Astros had déjà vu at game six, losing again with the same score as game one; three to one. The only point scored by the Astros was a homerun from Springer in the third inning. The World Series was tied three to three.

Sports Illustrated called game five, “Ranking the Craziest World Series Games Ever.” The ten-inning game went on for five hours and seventeen minutes. With twentyfive total runs, game five made history again. The last time twenty-five runs were made in a World Series Game was in 1997.

Up to game five, the Astros had a total of twenty-seven outs. Making history yet again, this game was the first World Series game with three home runs with two bases loaded. The Astros won thirteen to twelve,

taking the lead in the World Series with a score of three to two. In the tenth inning, the score was tied twelve to twelve and Bregman hit the game-winning single.

“Just pure joy…When you feel like you came through for your team, and you see the joy on their faces, there’s nothing like it,” Bregman, describing the hit, said.

Game three took place at Minute Maid

hard fought, and thrilling, World Series of all time,” CNN said. The Astros broke a 56-year streak of not winning a World Series and made history for Houston.

After winning the World Series, the Astros went to Disney World to celebrate, but McCullers Jr. stayed behind to help at a free pet adoption event with the shelter, Houston Pets Alive! The shelter waived

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Park on October 28. The pet adoption fees on Astros won again, taking November 4 and 5 so the lead in the World Series two to one. Houstonians could adopt pets for free.

Highlights from the game include; Brad McCullers Jr. started his partnership Peacock, pitcher, striking out four Dodgers with Houston Pets Alive! in 2016. and Yuli Gurriel, infielder, making a He is on a mission to make Houston double in the bottom of the seventh inning. “no-kill,” meaning shelters won’t put The Astros beat the Dodgers five to three. down animals that do not get adopted.

“It was crazy. In the 8th A.J. asked “Together, Houston Pets Alive me if I felt good, I said ‘yea’ and he said and McCullers want to promote pet I was going back out. I was shocked…I adoptions, raise awareness, and continue didn’t think I was going to make the team on the journey to make Houston out of spring training and then someone no-kill,” Houston Pets Alive! said. got hurt, and I just got a save in the World “I wanted to impact the Series. It’s unbelievable, man, I’m never community. I think with the platform going to forget this, ever,” Peacock said. that is given to us we should do Game two of the World Series; a something with it,” McCullers Jr. said. record-breaking game. On October 25, In the aftermath of Harvey, McCullers the Astros won their first ever World Jr. volunteered with Harris County Public Series game with a score of seven to six. Health to donate supplies and food to animal The game had a total of eleven innings shelters all over Houston. He also has a and six homeruns in the last three foundation called the Lance McCullers Jr. innings. The most memorable homeruns Foundation. On his foundation website, he were made back to back by Altuve and is selling T-shirts, which say Houstrong, Correa. The two other homeruns made to raise money to donate to shelters. by the Astros were by Marwin Gonzales According to ABC 13, the money and Springer. The Astros tied the World donated by McCullers Jr. helped Series one to one. Game two had a total transport displaced pets to new homes in of eight home runs making history for the California. The hundreds of misplaced most homeruns in a World Series Game. pets departed for California on October 30.

“This year, I felt something in “The Los Angeles Dodgers or the spring training in the locker room. Like, Houston Astros will win the championship, you know, a lot of talent but … I saw a good chemistry between everybody, players, coaches everybody. And we only talked about winning, winning, winning. That’s all we wanted to do, and now we’re here,” Altuve said.

The first World Series game on October 24, broke the record for the shortest World Series Game in twenty-five years with a time of two hours and twenty-eight minutes.

Unfortunately, the Astros lost game one with a score of three to one. The only point scored by the Astros was from Bregman, who hit a homerun in the fourth inning.

The 2017 World Series has been called “one of the most evenly matched,

one player has already won the admiration of animal lovers for helping dogs who have been thrown a curve ball by life,” Dogtipper, pet blog, said.

Voted by the Baseball Writers’ Association, Altuve won Most Valuable Player of the year and he won by a landslide with 405 points.

“I wasn’t expecting this. When you see Aaron Judge and Jose Ramirez, they had really good seasons. I was really happy to be in the top three finalists, and then all of a sudden, they announced the MVP and that was me. I couldn’t believe it. I have to thank my teammates and my fans,” Altuve said.

Two writers from every American League city submit ballots where they rank the nominees. The way the ballots are scored is 14 points for first place, nine for second place, eight for third place, and so on, through one point for 10th place, according to the MLB. Altuve received 27 out of 30 first place votes, being second Astro in history to win MVP. The first Astro to win MVP was Jeff Bagwell in 1994.

“I can’t think of anything better to cap off the year for us. Jose, he’s all that’s good in baseball. A kid that gives everything he has, has fun doing it, a total team player that makes it fun to watch baseball. It’s exciting. He’s just special. Everybody makes a big deal about his size, but you never take away his heart. He plays as hard as anybody and he’s just fun to watch. I can’t tell you how proud I am of him. It makes you feel good,” Bagwell, former Astro MVP, said.

During games in Minute Maid Park when Altuve was at bat, the crowd would chant “MVP!” Altuve had a total of 204 hits in a period of four seasons.

He is the eleventh player in the MLB to make over 200 hits in four seasons. This season, not including playoffs, Altuve hit 24 homeruns, 81 runs batted in, stole 32 bases, and had a .346 batting average.

“It’s awesome for him and our organization. I’m so proud of him because I think even watching him on TV, you see the humility and how he automatically tries to bring up as many teammates as he can in the conversation. He was consistent and his standards are high and he wants to get better, and to see him as one of the few guys that’s sort of run his entire career through this organization, it’s nice to see him get rewarded and earn this,” Hinch said.

Hinch was also as nominee and a finalist for the American League Manager of the Year Award. It is Hinch’s third season coaching the Astros and this year he lead them to success. This season the Astros had a total of 101 wins and their first division title in 16 years. Like the Astros’ unofficial motto says, the Astros “earned history.”

9

Sports

Astros celebrate victory

By Cece Huff Reporter

November 2 was an amazing day in downtown Houston, Houstonians gathered to celebrate the Houston Astro’s first World Series win. The streets of Houston were filled with many happy fans as they watched several floats including a Coke-Cola float and a Chevy truck that had a huge replica of the World Series Trophy. The parade included the Texas southern baseball and softball programs. The University of Houston drumline walked through the streets.

Necklaces, shirts and other objects were being thrown from the top of floats.

It was amazing to see fans decked out in their Astros gear. People were crammed from the fronts of streets all the way to the highway near Minute Maid Park. It was amazing to see all these people excited and an amazing city come to come together and celebrate this impressive win. Confetti and cash flew down on people as the parade was going on and dollar bills were being thrown from tops of parking garages.

When the float with the Astros and their families passed, the crowd got super loud. Everyone was excited as the fire trucks drove by with the World Series trophy and M.V.P George Springer.

After the parade, the players float took them to the stage where they thanked

the city of Houston for the support.

Some lucky fans got to take picture with the Astros players. It’s great to see what an amazing city Houston is. This was a very special moment for H-town after people lost their homes to Harvey and so many people have to start their lives over rebuild and repair things they lost. The Astros players wore their jerseys,“Houston Strong,”and to be able to celebrate something like this as a city was very special for the city of Houston. The Houston Astros big World Series win will go down in history.

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Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia commons

Supreme Court to make decision on sportsbetting

By Leah Bunham Reporter

Sports betting has been around for thousands of years, and seems to have originated in Rome. Emperors would gamble by placing a wager on the outcome of two competitors. However, it was only legal at the time to place a bet at circuses or chariot races. Recently, sports betting has become more controversial by being involved in operations rings, and is currently only legal within the states of Oregon, Delaware, Montana and Nevada, which houses the largest sports betting operations in the world.

New Jersey made a complaint recently, stating that the federal law should not be prohibiting additional states from getting into sports betting operations.

The Supreme Court will be hearing and investigating the case made by New Jersey for a change in the law. As of now, New Jersey is being supported on the case by 18 other states, along with the Trump Administration, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Football League, Major League Baseball and many other professional sports leagues.

Other states not agreeing with the case being made by New Jersey say that the law should be changed, and are stating that the law is in place to protect the integrity of the games. If changed, the economy of these operation rings, which is worth at least $150-400 billion, could be at stake.

“It is the most important federalism case the Supreme Court has heard in many, many years. The decision could have repercussions in areas that go well beyond sports betting: gun control, immigration, sanctuary cities,” Daniel Wallach, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer who specializes in gaming and sports law, said.

Theodore Olson, a previous United States Solicitor General who served under President George W. Bush, has

been representing New Jersey in the case.

New Jersey has been reportedly failing to convince the Supreme Court that their case should be approved. This is because of the courts deciding to continually upholding the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, stating the legality of sports betting throughout the United States.

The act was heard in June 1991, by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks.

The committee found that gambling had become a national problem and could eventually inflict harm beyond the borders of the United States. Leading them to exercise their authority under the Commerce Clause, which allows them to regulate commerce of states/nations.

“The interstate ramifications of sports betting are a compelling reason for federal legislation,” David Stern, commissioner for the National Basketball Association, testified in court.

The Supreme Court is hesitant to get involved with the case New Jersey made considering they have already shot down their other attempts in legalizing sports betting twice before in 2012. The second time New Jersey tried to make a change in the law they followed up with a passing comment from the United States Court of Appeals for the third Circuit, which holds jurisdiction over district courts. Federal law did not prevent New Jersey from repealing laws that imposed criminal penalties on the betting practice.

However, the court yet again turned down their case stating that their intention was the same preventative activity.

Currently, the Supreme Court has already accepted to hearing the case in order to decide if federal law prohibits repealing or modification done by states. The federal government could not simply direct states to carry out federal regulatory programs.

New Jersey will argue that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act will

allow them to carry out such programs.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act does not require states to take action to carry out a federal program.

“The law does not compel states (or state officials) to do anything. It simply

interested in making the case to legalize sports betting, they could have very easily had the chance to get their case approved during the yearlong window Congress opened, but they chose not to. Although the National Basketball Association does not

“The law does not compel states (or It simply prohibits them from prohibits them from authorizing sports betting,” the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act’s organization briefs to Sandra Day O’Connor, justice of the Supreme Court, said.

Sports leagues who do not agree with New Jersey explain that if they were so

state officials) to do authorizing sports

anything. betting,”

agree with New Jersey, their commissioner Adam Silver does. Other sports organizations discussed the topic of betting at a Capitol Hill symposium sponsored

by Sportradar. The case made by New Jersey will be presented this December to the Supreme Court for approval.

12

Features

Remembering the life and career of Liz Smith

By Lilo Shelley Online Editor

Well known gossip journalist Liz Smith, who began to write a column for the New York Daily News in 1976, has died due to natural causes. She died at age 94 and was found at her house in Manhattan, November 12. Smith for more than three decades, was one of the most famous gossip columnists. The Texas native was also recognized as “The Grand Dame of Dish” for her extraordinary work, which covered a chronicle of Donald and Ivana Trump’s divorce that made front-page news, Madonna’s pregnancy in 1996 and the death of her friend Nora Ephron.

After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in journalism, Smith headed off to New York City with two suitcases and 50 dollars. Smith started her journalism vocation as a proofreader at Modern Screen magazine in 1949 and worked her way up as a CBS Radio news producer for Mike Wallace, an American journalist. However, it was her superior writing at Cosmopolitan that lead her to break the Daily News. Smith’s column titled “Liz Smith,” became a principal in the publication for a quarter century, and was shared in almost 70 newspapers nationwide from 1976 to 1991 and in New York Newsday from 1991 to 1995. When the newspaper closed, she continued in the Long Island-based Newsday until 2005, with some overlap in the New York Post from 1995 to 2009. Her 33-year run with print also translating onto the online news site In the New York Social Diary. The daily Live at Five television news acknowledged Smith after the newspaper strike in 1978 and gave her a reporting gig. In 1985, Smith won an Emmy for her show and continued reporting with Live at Five for

eleven years. Liz passed away at the age rely on networks for their information Natural Blonde, Jane and Michael Stern of 94 and with her, a piece of New York. and tips, she was able to get everything for the New York Times Book Review.

“I was fortunate enough to work with she needed directly from celebrities.

Her commentary became one of the leading examples for journalistic celebrity coverage. A big role of her fame with her readers and with the people she had writtenn about was with her kindness and her drive of wanting to unfold rumors. She brought it from nasty gossip to modern era of celebrity reporting.

Smith’s income regularly exceeded one million dollars a year, greater than any executive editor or newspaper columnist.

Reporting and writing wasn’t Smith’s only pursuit, she also worked passionately for numerous charities around the city. She supported literacy and raised about 37 million dollars for Literacy Partners who reportedly helped 27,000 people learn to read. She also raised money for the Women’s Action Alliance which encouraged full equality for women.

Smith was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1923. She was the daughter of a Baptist Photo courtesy of ew.com amazing Liz Smith. During “When she escorts mother and father. Smith said her dad my time at WNBC she was nothing short of us into the private lives of popular acquired spiritual enthusiasm more from the fabulous,” Al Roker, weather anchor, said. culture’s gods and monsters, it’s with race track than the pulpit. She is survived in a One of her most ambitious scoops a spirit of wonder, not meanness,” family of nieces and nephews. There will be was in 1990 when she spilled the story reviewing Smith’s 2000 autobiography, Memorial services held in the Spring of 2018. of Donald and Ivana Trump’s divorce in the Daily News. She knew the couple personally because they invited her on trips with them. At the time, Mrs. Trump asked her to come to the Plaza Hotel, which Mr. Trump owned during the time.

“When I got there, she threw herself in my arms and told me that Donald didn’t want her anymore’ and I tried to give her some motherly advice. I said, ‘Get yourself a PR person who’s respectable and defend yourself against him,’” Smith, to NPR said.

Along with her television broadcast, she grabbed attention of celebrities and was welcomed into high social circles.

Rather than other journalists having to

Features

13

Colin Kaepernick awarded GQ’s Citizen of the year

By Ashleigh Lewis Reporter

Colin Kaepernick is an American football player who, last year, started protesting police brutality against African Americans by simply kneeling down during the U.S National anthem. He was named “Citizen of The Year”

by GQ magazine. It was published as a new feature story on November 13.

When GQ announced Colin Kaepernick for citizen of the year, Kaepernick agreed to collaborate with GQ on a special project for GQ magazine December Men of the Year issue in an effort to, as the piece explains, “reclaim the narrative of his protest.” He helped GQ assemble a ten-person team.

Confidants of Kaepernick’s closet which includesrapper J. Cole, director Ava Buvernay, activist, Harry Belafonte and women’s march co-organizer, Linda Sasour. This group wrote about the subjects of activism, protest, equality and offer to get rare insights about Colin Kaepernick in GQ magazine, Kaepernick was not quoted in the story titled “Colin Kaepernick will not be silenced.”

According to GQ magazine “Colin also made it clear to us that he intended to remain silent.”

“As his public identity has begun to

shift from the football star to the embattled activist, he has grown wise to the power of his silence. It has helped his story go around the world. It has provoked the ill temper of Donald Trump…Honored, to be recognized.” Kaepernick tweeted.

to help us make progress on these issues.

But, the next step is to get Colin back in the NFL, because he’s the one that started this. I think we’re finally getting where me and Colin Kaepernick envision this going.

Now it’s time for him to get back in the

“My goal this league.” Eric Reid, Photo courtesy of Popsugar.com year has been to get to the NFL, said. the narrative back on the track” Eric Furthermore, Colin had his whole Reid, linebacker of the 49ers, said. NFL job on the line when he took a knee Later on that day, Eric Reid apparently down to police brutality at the National went to the NFL to have a talk with them. Anthem. Because of this, all of the other “We started having communications football players followed to do the same. with the NFL, and they said they’re going “Kaepernick, who led the

San Francisco to consecutive NFC championships games and one Super Bowl appearance, has remained unsigned since opting out of his contract with the 49ers in March. He fialed grievance last month, that NFL owners colluded against him because of the protest, which are aimed at raising awareness of police brutality against African Americans and other issues” GQ magazine stated.

One NBA player had something to say about the situation it was also in the GQ magazine “Kaepernick, is just a guy that stands in for what he believes in, standing up for people who don’t really have a voice, it was a tremendous honor to be on a cover with him, somebody that, his words have started a country and his actions that started conversations, so his honor is a blessing and I’m definitely grateful to be on the cover and to be…with amazing people.” Kevin Durant, NBA player, said.

“He’s been vilified by millions and locked out of the NFL. All because he took knee to protest police brutality.” GQ, on the subject of Kapernick, commented.

It cost him his job, it also transformed Colin Kaepernick into a lightning rod and a powerful symbol of activism and resistance.

14 Around Creek

Creek Girl’s Golf team wins nationals tournament

By Niclole Alvarenga Reporter

On November 17, the Creek girl’s golf team won the nationals in their playoffs tournament. They were playing at the Galveston Country Club and were competing against the Clear Lake girls golf team. Creek girls golf team ended the Clear Lake girls golf team’s 17-year winning streak for the girl’s district 24-6A golf championship by winning both events on November 18, and 19.

The Lady Wildcat golfers had twoday total points scores from 333 and 341 which added up to a total of 624 points to push off the Lady Falcon’s golfers, who had total points of 688. The girl’s golf teams are both headed to the Region III-6A tournament in Mont Belvieu to compete against other high schools on December 9.

The golf team was led by Laurent Bentley who had scores of 82 and 83 which added up to a total of 165, along with Lady Wildcat Bianca Zamora who had finished fourth with an 81and 87 and 178 totals points. The rest of the Lady Wildcats golf team who are going to regionals are Lauren Stovall, Caroline Frederick and Ana Vallejo.

Some of the Lady Wildcats medalists are Peyton Galyean with scores of 103 and 104 with a total of 207 points, Lindsey Ashorn with scores of 114 and 110 with a total of 224 points and Aubrie Sultzer with scores of 107 and 111 with a total of 218 points. The overall team scores for all of the high schools that competed were Clear Creek with scores of 333 and 341, with a total of 674, Clear Lake with scores of 330 and 358, with a total of 688, Clear Springs with scores of 361 and a total of 722.

“The girls on my golf team are very

hard workers, they come in to practice every day with bright looks on their faces, and I’m very proud of them for winning their championship in Galveston County,” Kayla Williams, the Creek girl’s head golf coach, said.

Some teenagers’ think “football and basketball are more important to us, golf is more for old people.” When really, golf

Photo Courtesy of Lady Wildcat Coach Williamson

can be entertaining to anyone who is really interested in it.

“I wear a knee brace on my left knee and I already have a weird tan from that and my golf shoes.” Peyton Galyean, one of the golf players, said.

Golf is just like every other sport.

People compete against other schools, get points for how much they score, win trophies, go to nationals and playoffs as well as other things. When the Lady Wildcat golfers compete against different high schools, they always make sure they try their best and never let their coaches down.

15

ANNOUNCEMENTS

16 Around Creek Creek Orchestra students excel at 2017 region

By Morgan Severson Around Creek Editor

Photo of Clark Crookston being congratulated on being an All-State String Orchestra member.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Dupere

Hours of practice and dedication went into the music Creek students used to audition for the 2017 TMEA All-State auditions. On November 4 and 5, Clark Crookston gave it his all when auditioning.

Making history for Creek, Crookston, senior bassist, was named a member of the 2018 All-State String Orchestra.

“I’m so excited to announce that we have an All-State Orchestra member from CCHS. Clark made Creek Orchestra history [on November 5.] This is an amazing achievement and we are all bursting with pride. He worked extremely hard and he’s been aiming for this goal most of his high school career,” Ms. Katherine Dupere, Creek Orchestra director, said.

The last time a Creek Orchestra member made All-State was ten years ago

in 2008 and the last time a Creek bassist made All-State was 24 years ago in 1994.

“I practiced a lot, normally at least an hour a day. I took a lesson at Baylor with Mr. Sandor Ostlond and I did a lesson a UNT with Jeff Bradetich. And I got both their opinions on the phrasing and bow stroke and all that with the music,” Crookston said.

There are two rounds of All-State auditions and out of 127 basses, Crookston ranked 16 after the first round and 26 after the second round. In February 2018, Crookston will travel to San Antonio to perform at the 2018 TMEA convention with the other top high school musicians from Texas.

“I feel accomplished and excited to go meet new musicians. Last year I was one spot away [from making All-State] so it feels really good to actually make it this year. For sure All-State auditions make you a better musician. You get to play new music and you’re forced to practice because you don’t know how hard everyone else is practicing, so you have to practice as much as you can. Hopefully, I’m going to go to college and major in music, and see where that takes me,” Crookston said.

In addition, Daniel Better and Brian Dawn were quite close to making the All-State Orchestra. After the first round of auditions Better, senior violist, ranked 31 out of 154 other violists. Dawn, sophomore bassist, ranked 45 out of 127 basses in the first round. According to Dupere, Better and Dawn barely missed the cut off in the second round of auditions but they ranked incredibly high.

“We are extremely proud of these young men. They represented Creek very well,” Ms. Dupere said.

Before All-State Auditions, orchestra students auditioned for the 2017 TMEA Region 17 Orchestras on October 13. Out of

34 Creek students, 23 made region, setting a record for our school. For the second year in a row, Creek received second place against the nine other high schools for the number of students that made Region.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of all 34 students that prepared the music and auditioned. Learning the difficult music alone is challenging and then to play under pressure is yet another layer. The experience is valuable and I am so excited that we had so many students go through the process. It is helping us move on our path towards success.” Ms. Katherine Dupere, Creek Orchestra director, said.

There are two Region Orchestras.

The top one is the Full Orchestra, which is composed of band and orchestra members.

This year the Full Orchestra has 72 orchestra members. It is the more advanced orchestra of the two and is more challenging for students to get into. The second Region Orchestra is the String Orchestra, which is composed of only orchestra students. The String Orchestra is smaller than the top one, with only 54 members.

Ten Creek students made it into the Full Orchestra. Freshmen, Helen Ding made chair nine in the second violins and Matthew Ha made chair six in the cellos.

Sophomores, Georgia Smith made chair nine in the violas, Gabriella Allen made chair two in the basses, Bryan Dawn made chair four in the basses and Rachel Whitsett made chair seven in the basses.

“To prepare for Region I practiced like a crazy person and now that I’ve made it I feel relieved. To get ready for All-State I’m going to practice like crazy again and play in front of more people,” Allen, sophomore bassist, said.

Junior, Jason Chaviers made chair 15 in the first violins.

“I practiced a lot for Region. I feel alright that I made it since I’ve already done it before. I’m going to audition for All-State but I still have to practice a lot,” Chaviers, junior violinist and Creek’s Orchestra President, said.

Seniors, Daniel Better made chair 15 in the violas, Jonathan Tran made chair 14 in the cellos, and Clark Crookston made chair one and is principal of the bass section.

“I practiced two hours a day in the weeks leading up to Region and I practiced all summer. I’m disappointed with the spot I got, since I got higher last year and I’m auditioning for All-State. To prepare for AllState I’m getting a new viola and my bow rehaired. I’m also going to practice for two to three hours a day,” Better, senior violist, said.

13 Creek students made it in to the String Orchestra. Freshmen, Hannah Heydorn made chair four in the first violins, Elise Matthews made chair one and is principal of the viola section. Also freshmen, Hudson Murray made chair three in the violas, Emily Klang made chair five in the cellos and Nik Risoldi made chair two in the basses.

“I went to sectionals and practiced the parts that were hardest for me first to prepare for Region. I’m very surprised that I made it and I’m proud of myself,” Heydorn, freshman violinist, said.

Sophomore, Katie Peterson made chair ten in the cellos. Juniors, Tracy Vu made chair four in second violins, Pauline Nguyen made chair eight in the violas and Rebecca Trumble made chair six in the cellos. Senior, Joseph Studer made chair one in the first violins and is concert master of the String Orchestra.

More seniors include, Montserrat Montoya who made chair six in the second violins, Josh Anderson made chair 11 in second violins and Taylor Lochel made chair three in the basses.

“This is a huge accomplishment for all of these students,” Ms. Dupere said.

17 Entertainment It is Just the Beginning for singer Grace VanderWaal

By Arrington Linder Features Editor

Grace VanderWaal was the season 12 winner of America’s got Talent. She was only 12 years old when she won. She received the golden buzzer from Howie Mandel. VanderWaal released her first EP, Perfectly Imperfect on December 2, 2016.

Her first album Just the Beginning was released November 3. Just the Beginning is a 12-track album. Prior to the album’s release, VanderWaal released the songs Moonlight on June 21, Sick of Being Told on August 11, So Much More than This on September 15, Escape My Mind on October 5 and City Song on October 26.

Shortly after VanderWaal’s win on America’s Got Talent she released her first EP, Perfectly Imperfect, consisting of the songs I Don’t Know My Name, Clay, Light the Sky, Beautiful Thing and Gossip Girl. I Don’t Know My Name is the song she performed at her America’s Got Talent audition. Her EP performed very well on the Billboard 200, debuting at number nine and on Billboard’s Canadian Albums Chart at number 11.

Her EP was the best-selling EP of 2016.

“I’ve never done this before; it’s kind of weird to go into a room with usually a 30-year-old man and just be like ‘Oh, let me open up about my life to you with a super personal song!” VanderWaal, singer, said in an interview for Rookie Magazine.

The first single off her album, Moonlight was her first new song to be released after her win on America’s Got Talent. Her song was released at VidCon in June of this

year. The music video was released about a she received on it was both positive and month later and it has accumulated over 15 negative. Fans commented on the song million views on YouTube. All of her songs saying that they didn’t like it because it are originally acoustic with her ukulele but “wasn’t her,” yet the whole point of the song this one is more pop and dance. VanderWaal is to show everyone she just wants to live her wrote this song about her friend’s depression. life her way. Part of the chorus says “I’m “The story is someone going through sick of being told, of what I should know. I depression just wanna and seeing let go. I the way wanna run they’re away just changing to live and that my life fake altered my way.” personality.

S o A lot of M u c h people go M o r e through Than This depression is the fifth and if song on you know the album. someone This song please talk describes to them and popularity try to reach and how out. I wrote there are it because, I m o r e don’t know, important it was things in something life than happening b e i n g Photo courtesy of Moxie at the time. And I popular. In the first verse of always write about the song part of the lyrics say whatever’s happening in the moment “Close your eyes and just let it flow… in my life.” VanderWaal, singer, said. Doesn’t matter how your hair looks, so what Sick of Being Told is the second track on they are thinking.” In verse two it says “The her new album. VanderWaal describes it as whole crowd seems to like me now cause a rebellious song. It has a different tone to I think I’m cool but back when I was in it than others she has written. The feedback school they found it very easy to hate me…

Back then it was so easy to shatter but now in the end it doesn’t really matter.” This is describing how before she realized what people think don’t matter, she found it so easy for kids to not like her or be rude to her.

Escape My Mind is the sixth track off of the album. This song is an up-beat song you can definitely dance to. The lyrics to the chorus read “I wish I could get you out of my mind but I think about it all the time and I wish I could not think for once in my life but when I see your face I can’t escape my mind.” On her YouTube channel, she uploaded a video titled Escape My Mind (Behind the Song) In the video she explains the meaning of the song.

“Escape My Mind is about feeling like you’re so trapped in your thoughts and hating it, wishing you could just sit and not think about anything for just two minutes in just silence but every single time it just floods back in” Grace VanderWaal said.

Many news sources call her the “next Taylor Swift”. USA Today describes her musical language as “vowels get twisted and mashed together like PlayDoh, and constants are treated as just a suggestion.” Overall, this album has a mix of pop songs and slower, calming songs but no matter what, her songs always have a deep meaning behind them.

Every winner on America’s Got Talent is awarded one million dollars and their own Las Vegas show. Grace VanderWaal headlined at the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on October 27 through 30 of last year.

She was joined by the runner up, The Clairvoyants and a fan favorite, Tape Face.

Dua Lipa releases first successful album Dua Lipa

By Leah Burnam Reporter

Up and coming artist, Dua Lipa, has recently released her latest album titled Dua Lipa. Her album revolves around her views on love and self-empowerment. One of the songs featured on the album, titled New Rules, has gained much traction in the U.S. since being released. Dua Lipa is an English singer, songwriter, with many of her singles having been a success overseas. New Rules is what changed all of that for the English artist by giving her credibility. New Rules reached a peak of no. 38 on the billboard charts. Along with the New Rules music video surpassing 450 million on YouTube.

Since New Rules’s release, it has opened up many opportunities for the English singer. Dua Lipa is planning to go on tour to many cities. Most are located within the U.S. However, she does have some located outside. The first tour date begins on Saturday, February 3, at the House of Blues in Houston. She is visiting many other places such as, California, Florida, New York, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The 22-year-old, began her career when she was just 14 years old, covering songs on YouTube. Lipa was born to Albanian parents and grew up in London, England. She attended Sylvia Young Theatre School. She grew up surrounded by her father, Albanian rock singer Dukagjin Lipa, singing. In 2015, she signed with Warner Music Group, and soon released her first single New Love. A documentary about Lipa was released later in December 2015, titled See in Blue, produced by Fader Magazine. In early January 2017, Lipa won the EBBA, European Border

Breakers Award, Public Choice Award.

New Rules, is Lipa’s sixth single and became her first number one song in the United Kingdom, and number one song by a female in the U.K. in almost two years, since Hello, by Adele. Her song also became successful in other places such as, Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, and Scotland, r e a c h i n g the top 20.

Along with New Rules being featured on the album. Other songs included are Genesis, and Homesick.

The album gives off a fresh since of selflove and inspiration. It has a fun beat, that is catchy and will not make you want to stop dancing. Lipa’s voice has the ability to jump between all different ranges, which is what makes her songs so enjoyable to many people, along with the relatable aspect of a relationship.

Before the album was released, Lipa was overcoming a break-up, which is partly what inspired her to create the album in the first place. The album’s meaning gave girls and boys, men and women, across the world inspiration for their own lives. New Rules is set up in the sense that these are “rules” that one can wish to follow when going through a breakup of any relationship.

“They’re not necessarily rules I’ve been shouldn’t get back together,” Lipa said.

Lipa’s music video for New Rules, able to stick by – But [they’re] rules that I feel like it’s important to be able to tell following the release of the song, includes a woman, Lipa, going through a breakup, and her friends are helping her cope by having her participate in a “girl’s night out,” or in.

Lipa prides herself on staying involved with her music and her fans.

Along with staying in touch with her music and fan base, she has always remained in touch with herself, and has often discussed her feminist and selfconfidence beliefs in many interviews.

“Body confidence issues have definitely played a big role in my life and having that has made me change my mindset – It now makes me see things in a different light. Being true to who you are is so important and being able to use your voice to empower that is great.”

In all, New Rules shows that love and heartbreak, along with many other things, yourself, to tell your can be overcome by self-empowerment.

Photo courtesy of Moxie friends...

There’s The inspiration others took from this song a reason people break up, and it’s proves that things can be changed and probably the same reason why you that you have control over your own life.

Entertainment 18 The Man Who Invented Christmas inspires viewers

By Catherine Irvine Editor-In-Chief

The Man Who Invented Christmas is an inspiring and heartfelt movie about the creation of Charles Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol. The film was released on November 22 in the U.S. The film was overall extremely emotional and awakening to the viewers.

The film is based on the nineteenth century English writer, Charles Dickens, who is played

by Dan Stevens. The movie is about how one of his most notorious books, A Christmas Carol, was created.

It recreates his life and tells you how his characters were products of his challenging life.

Dan Steven’s portrayal of Dickens brought out laughter, tears and a sense of hope for mankind. The film shows the struggles of those not born into riches and the negative side of the upper class in a way that invokes the feelings of shame and anger. The actors depicts strong senses of emotion whether their character was exploding with joy, helplessness or forgiveness.

“God has blessed us, every one, with Dan Stevens, who inhabits the character of Dickens beautifully,” Susan Wloszczyna, Washington Post journalist, said.

The character Ebenezer Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol, is played by the actor, Christopher Plummer. Throughout the film, Scrooge is brought to life and helps Dickens to develop the short story. Scrooge represents the greedy rich that Dickens met around the same time he was writing

characters and Charles Dickens himself.

During the time period this movie was set and when Dickens’ short story came out, Christmas was not as valuable to people as it is today. Christmas and its spirits were not celebrated before A Christmas Carol. The Man Who Invented Christmas

the short story. Scrooge, who clarifies the difference in Photo courtesy of Vimeo represents everything wrong society’s celebration of with society, slowly begins Christmas before and after to resemble Dickens as he deals with the Charles Dickens and the impact he had on pressure of finishing and the possibility humanity as a popular writer of the time. of falling into debt. In the duration of the “Plus, just the depiction of the writing movie, you can seethe development of the process gives the movie more heft than

you’d expect. For having ‘Christmas’ in the title, the movie mercifully holds off on, say, famous Christmas carols playing on the score, and it depicts a time in Christmas history when the holiday was in danger of being run over roughshod by capitalism,” Todd VanDerWerff, Vox journalist, said.

At the end of the film, Dickens seems to reconcile with his wife after the emotional struggling they endured.

Historically, Dickens ended up divorcing his wife, Catherine, and leaving his family. He fell in live with Ellen Ternan, an actress from his play, Frozen Deep.

The Film was directed by Bharat Nalluri, who also directed Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day which came out in 2008.

The best way to describe his work is as “clever.”

The film received 79 percent on Rotten tomatoes, and a 7.3 on IMDb. Other Film critics gave the film positive reviews.

On opening weekend, the film made $1,353,297.

The film was rated PG or mildly crude language and frightening images.

Although heavily dramatized, the biographical drama is one which enlightens, brings out the goodness and faults of people and inspires the viewer to simply be a better and appreciate one’s life. It was entertaining and a worthy movie to see during the holiday season.

Justice League receives mixed reviews from fans

By Arrington Linder Features Editor

Just a few months after DC Comics Wonder Woman was released, Justice League hit the theaters. Justice League features Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg in a mission to defeat Steppenwolf. A big part of the movie also revolves around bringing Superman back to life.

At one point in the movie it shows Superman’s funeral and both the audience and the movie deciding the world needs Superman. Bruce Wayne attempts to fight crime by himself until a Parademon crosses his path. Batman enlists Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg for help to defeat the Parademons and Steppenwolf. Simply put, Steppenwolf is a villain who wants to destroy the world. Critics are complaining that the character is too simple as he shows no development throughout the film and his end goal is “basic.” While that may be true, the actions that surrounds taking down Steppenwolf makes the movie all the more interesting.

“He’s definitely different from previous incarnations. I feel like this is the natural progression from the end of Man of Steel into what he is now. This is a rebirth of the character, to join the D.C. comics franchise right now: It’s a refresh.

This movie highlights the qualities of Superman that exist in the comic books.

That’s something I’ve always been very keen to highlight in the character.

This rebirth provided opportunity for me to play those characteristics.”

Henry Cavill, Actor of Superman, said.

Although Batman is usually portrayed as “brooding,” Warner Bros. adds in a few comedic lines to the character. Throughout

Bruce Wayne allows her to be” and that “Diana’s role is reduced to make way for Batman.” To the viewers who don’t break down every aspect of the character, she is seen as a role model who helps Cyborg and The Flash realize their true potential.

the whole film, The Flash/ Barry Although the Wonder Photo courtesy of Vimeo Allen can be seen providing the Woman movie received a comedic relief for everyone. Ezra Miller, 92 percent in Rotten Tomatoes, Justice actor of The Flash, makes sure the character League’s rating was a 41 percent on Rotten is portrayed as quirky and funny. Critics Tomatoes and received a 7.3 on IMDb, are complaining Diana Prince/ Wonder falling only .3 behind Wonder Woman. The Woman is seen through only the male’s Rotten Tomatoes website has 82 percent as eye and she can only be “a leader when the audience score. The movie Coco took

first place in the Thanksgiving box office making $72 million with Justice League taking second place at $60 million. Some articles are saying a reason the movie didn’t perform that well in the box office was because of the release of Thor: Ragnarok and others are saying the release of Wonder, which was released the same day as Justice League.

The budget on Justice League was $300 million making it the second most expensive movie ever made. Warner Bros. is expected to lose up to $100 million on the film.

“Justice League leaps over a number of DC movies, but its single bound isn’t enough to shed the murky aesthetic, thin characters, and chaotic action that continues to dog the franchise.” Rotten Tomatoes, said.

After the movie is over there are a few clips in the credits, one of them being The Flash and Superman racing to see who is faster. Another one of them involves Deathstroke and Lex Luthor.

A live-action Aquaman will be released December 21, 2018.

The movie features Jason Momoa as Aquaman. Momoa also played Aquaman in Justice League.

Flashpoint is a movie featuring Ezra Miller as The Flash. Flashpoint was originally scheduled to release in 2018 but due to script rewrites and finding a director it was pushed back to 2020. Justice League Part 2 is on track to release June 14, 2019. The plot and full cast is unknown but Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill are to be in it.

Entertainment 19 Selena Quintilla honored with Hollywood star

By Joana Mancia Entertainment Editor

Selena Quintanilla, a cherished Mexican -American, was honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 3, 22 years after her fatality. The unveiling was done by Quintanilla’s own sister, Suzette Quintanilla and Chamber of Commerce, President Leron Gubler. Quintanilla’s family also attended the ceremony, as well as her widower Chris Perez.

“Before there was [Jennifer Lopez], Shakira or Beyoncé, there was a transformative female artist called Selena. Selena is one of the most influential music icons of the 20th century; her music, style and smile are timeless and now her star will grace our city forever.” Otto Padron, president of Meruelo Media, said.

“Selena said the goal isn’t to live forever but to create something that will. And I think tonight is a perfect testament of that.” Suzette, Quintanilla’s sister, said at the revealing of the star.

The unveiling of Quintanilla’s star took place in front of the Capitol Records building at 6:30 pm. That night, over 4,500 of her fans attended, along with another group of 4,000 fans of mariachi singer, Vicente Fernandez, who also attended the ceremony. The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti and Eva Longoria also appeared at the unveiling of the star. The Mayor proclaimed November 3 as “Selena Day.” “This day is finally becoming a reality and we cannot be any happier.

We are grateful Selena’s life has been an inspiration to so many, and we hope it will continue to encourage people to follow their dreams.” Suzette, Quintanilla’s sister, said.

Selena Quintanilla was known as the “Queen of Tejano Music” by her beloved fans. She was a Mexican-American

The late Tejano singer was the youngest of her two siblings. At a very young age, Quintanilla recognized her passion for music. At the age of ten, she began to perform in a band as the lead singer featuring her brother, AB Quintanilla III, on bass guitar and her sister Suzette

singer and songwriter. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons on drums. The band was known as “Selena y Los Quintanilla sold over sixty million albums worldwide. Her album Ven Conmigo Dinos.” Their father Abraham Jr., a former became the first Tejano record to reach gold musician, produced and managed the group. record status. In 1993, she won the Grammy They started out playing for weddings and award for best Mexican-American album then clubs and became known to the world.

The late singer was also a model and a for her album Live. A year later Quintanilla and the band, Selena y los Dinos, toured. fashion designer. On January 27, 1994, just That same year, they released the song a few months after she won her Grammy, Amor Prohibido which instantly went gold. Quintanilla opened her own boutique named “Selena Etc,” which was a Texas

based boutique, clothing store and salon.

Quintanilla only opened two boutiques, one in Corpus Christi and the second in San Antonio. Both boutiques were closed a few years after her death on July 1, 2009.

Quintanilla’s last concert before she was fatally killed by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995, was at the Houston Astrodome February 26, 1995. Quintanilla’s family released her final album posthumously, crossover of English and Spanish, Dreaming of You, July 18, 1995, and it ultimately became her number one album on the Billboards 100 chart.

On October 17, Google also premiered their first Selena Google doodle to celebrate her life and legacy.

The doodle was of the late MexicanAmerican animated cartoon performing her hit song Bidi Bidi Bom Bom. “I grew up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant single mom living in a small (primarily white) town outside of Fort Worth, Texas. There were always two women who taught me I could do anything and be anything I set my mind to: my mom and Selena. Selena has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.” Perla Campos, project manager for the Selena doodle and Global Marketing Lead for Google Doodles, said.

Quintanilla changed the music business in many different ways. She broke the barriers of the male-dominated music industry and she also introduced Latin music into the industry. She also became the first Tejano artist to win a Grammy. After 22 years of Quintanilla’s passing, her legacy continues to change many young Latinas’ lives by inspiring them to never give up.

“Always believe that the impossible is always possible.” Quintanilla said.

Taylor Swift introduces new style with Reputation

By Arrington Linder Features Editor

Taylor Swift has had an eventful year.

Swift usually releases a new album every one to two years but this year, it has been three. She had a trial against DJ David Mueller for groping her at a meet and greet and she has introduced a new music style that some fans are not so happy about this change. Swift’s album was released November 10 but prior to the release, she released four new songs. Her first song off her new album, Look What You Made Me Do was released August 25. …Ready For It? was released September 3. Gorgeous was released October 20 and Call It What You Want was released November 3.

On August 18, Swift deleted all of her posts from Instagram and she deleted her profile photo from Facebook and Twitter and deleted posts, but the ones she didn’t delete were from 2015. Fans immediately jumped to conclusions and assumed “a new single and album era” was coming.

Fans were right because one week later she released Look What You Made Me Do. Look What You Made Me Do is a different style than Swift’s previous romance- breakup song. This song could be described as alternative pop. LWYMMD is a “diss” to Katy Perry and Kanye West.

In the lyric “I don’t like your little games don’t like your tilted stage,” that refers to Kanye’s tilted stage during his Saint Pablo tour in 2016. This line can also refer to Katy Perry’s tilted stage during her Super Bowl performance this year. The line “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to

the phone right now. Why? Oh, because she’s dead!” has been the spark to many new memes. Fans were surprised by this new song as the song is darker than others.

In the Look What You Made Me Do music video all of the previous Taylor’s such as the Taylor in the Out of the Woods music video and the Taylor from the You Belong With Me music video are coming back as zombies, symbolizing the old Taylor(s) are dead. In the bathtub full of diamonds lays a one dollar bill. The one dollar bill symbolizes the money she won from the trial between her and DJ David Mueller.

The music video was released August 27. …Ready For It? is the lead single for her album. This song is also a part of Swift’s new style. The song starts off with a heavy bass and goes into the lyrics. In the beginning, it sounds more like she’s speaking rather than singing but as it gets to the chorus she starts singing. This song is rumored to be about her current boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

The …Ready For It? music video was released October 26. There are many references to Joe Alwyn in the video such as typing his birthdate into a phone or his and hers birth years spray painted onto a wall. In one scene, she is shown touching a wall and breaking it. ET Canada breaks down the scene as “breaking free from the medias expectations using the glass box as a metaphor.”

Gorgeous is the first new single to be released that is not dark like the previous two. In the opening of the song a child says “gorgeous.” The child is rumored to be Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ daughter, James Reynolds. This song

has a happier, more whimsical tone to the song. The song is talking about how “you’re” so gorgeous it hurts as it says in a line of the song. “Cause you’re so gorgeous it actually hurts (honey, it hurts).”

The most recent single to be released is Call It What You Want. This song is going into more detail about her new romance with Joe Alwyn. This song

is a midtempo song and many fans are saying “the ‘old Taylor’ is back.”

Overall, the album is a mix of the old Taylor and the new Taylor. The new Taylor shows a darker side to the Taylor the media has known for years, the Taylor who only sings about breakups, but now she sings about breaking free from that stereotype.