High School bands perform at Extravabandza pg. 6
Great Barrier Reef nearly extinct pg. 4
Shawn Mendes Album pg. 13
Construction provides new learning opportunities By Emily Ruthven Editor-in-Chief
Any student who attends Creek is aware that there has been ongoing construction in various parts of the school for some time now. However, construction has made more progress than most students might infer. In 2013, Clear Creek ISD was given a bond that would update and construct many facilities throughout the district. Clear Lake has been under construction, as well as Clear Brook along with minor renovations to Clear Falls and Clear Springs. Twelve elementary schools were delegated funds to majorly renovate campuses including Armand Bayou, Bay, Brookwood, Ferguson and Greene and McWhirter. Intermediate schools were also revitalized. Seabrook Intermediate was renovated to have seven new general classrooms, a food lab, an art lab and three new science labs, a vital edition as Seabrook is the district’s home to all Science Magnet students. The library, kitchen, locker rooms were enlarged and the performing arts centers were replaced. Renovations have also been completed at Clear Creek Intermediate, as well as Clear Lake Intermediate and Creekside Intermediate. According to CCISD’s website, there were several “testimonials from students and teachers on how much their school day has changed for the better now that the $11.8 million project is complete.” The Challenger Columbia Stadium was constructed and became operational in April of 2016. The stadium relieved the pressure on the football departments, resulting in less Thursday and Saturday games. Challenger Columbia Stadium also hosted many bands at the UIL Marching competition on October 22. “The 10,000 seat stadium features a field house complete with a community events room, a multi-level press box with film deck and student operated media and control room” according to CCISD. Initially, the Creek campus was delegated approximately 28 million dollars out of the 304-million-dollar grant. However, upon further research and circumstances, Creek was delegated approximately 34 million dollars to renovate the campus. “We are thankful for the voters, the board of trustees and Dr. Grey Smith for putting together a plan that is beneficial to Clear Creek High School,” CCHS
head principal Jamey Majewski said. Items of renovation include the construction of a third gym, the CTE building, a new theatre black box room, new locker-rooms for girls’ basketball and volleyball, football, wrestling, dance, golf, and swim, as well as a new weight room and wrestling room located above and to the left of Carlisle gym. Carlisle
In summary, this budget requires that all new facilities be implemented with new furniture, lighting and tools. “We don’t want to place old equipment in these new facilities,” Assistant Principal and head of Creek construction Mr. David Drake said. The new learning space has improved the experience for many students.
Photo by Emily Ruthven “Our CTE is in the process of receiving students are already new wooden floors. In addition, JROTC will have their own classrooms, benefitting from the work that has been and HST will have their own building. completed. They have more space; For the first time ever, Creek will house they have more access to the resources buildings dedicated to dental studies. This they need in order to enrich learning is the first of its kind in CCISD. High in the classroom,” Majewski said. It is evident that the construction school students across the district wishing has faced several to engage in dental study will be able to project resulting in delays. travel to the Creek campus and take dental problems, “The biggest obstacle is timing. This classes, much like Clear Springs’ culinary arts program. Creek has also completed has been due to weather and, in some renovations in the kitchen and main cases, it has been due to trying to tie in an cafeteria. Upon completion, there will be older structure that was built in the 1950s more parking spaces available for students. and trying to add something to that. It is a The CTE building, located at the very complicated project,” Majewski said. In 1956, contractors were not required exterior of the E100s stairwell, houses several state-of-the-art classrooms for those to meet the same architectural standards wishing to study engineering, agriculture, of today. This results in many unexpected woodshop or metal shop. All of the CTE delays, especially when trying to demolish building is complete, with the exception walls, foundation or any sort of piping of the installment of faux wood laminate in older structures. In addition to these flooring. All lighting and air conditioning delays, Barlett Cocke, Creek’s designated units are in full operation. Along with the contractor and PBK, Creek’s architect many other renovations, the CTE was given company, have been receiving a plethora all new equipment. This can be attributed of business from various organizations. to CCISD’s FFE budged. FFE stands Consequently, the contractor has not for furniture, fixtures and equipment. always completed Creek’s tasks in
the most efficient and timely manner. However, construction is still anticipated to arrive upon the set completion date. “Considering the rainy weather we’ve experienced and the limited contractors available due to a booming Houston construction market, we are pleased to have completed 23 of the 40 projects on our timeline,” Deputy Superintendent of Business and Support Services Paul McLarty said. Despite its long-term positive effects, construction has put a temporary strain on a few of Creek’s departments, such as choir and theater. “We want to hinder the students’ learning experience as little as possible,” Drake said. However, the theater department performed their first improvisation show of the year in the nearly completed auditorium. E v e n considering the inconveniences placed upon students, “all of the construction is important. All of the projects being completed at Clear Creek High School are projects that are needed. We had some outdated facilities on this campus,” Majewski said. He continued, “anytime we have the chance to upgrade our facilities, we get to make it more 21st century ready for our .” In total, the final completion date for the construction is August of 2017. However, many of the projects may be completed as soon as Christmas of 2016 and April or May of 2017. According to CCISD, more than 50 percent of all construction projects are complete. “I am excited for our students at the end of the day. They’re going to be learning in first class facilities. That will give them a greater opportunity to have a better school experience,” Majewski said. Future construction plans include new fine arts practice rooms, as their foundation has been damaged by the roots of the exterior oak trees, and a renovation of Creek’s courtyard.
2
Opinion
What are you looking forward to about Homecoming and why?
Freshmen
“Football Games, Because they’re fun and inspiring.” -Brenden Pena
“The carnival because it seems fun and there’s a science booth.” -Giselle Miralles
“Im looking for“Since i dont have a date i ward to the game and the parade.” look forward to binge watching -Shelby Fortney the Giver” -Danielle Dunavant
Sophomores “i like the dunk tank at the carnival because i’ll get dunked.” -Brianna Aranzeta
“i like to see all the really pretty mums and garters people wear.” -Sonum arora
Seniors “I can’t wait to decorate my mum pink.” -Bailey White
“fried oreos,mums and how they get bigger every year, the food, and walking around.” -Ava Manuel
“Dress up week because it shows how people express themselves” -Valerie Severence
“Not having to pay for a mum because i don’t have a date” -Justin Pacilio
2016-2017 HiLife Staff Principal: Jamey Majewski
Advisor: Wynette Jameson Editor-in-Chief: Emily Ruthven Troylon GriffinII Managing Editor: Issac Villarreal Design Editor: Hannah Pearson Features Editor: Brittney Melanson “I’m looking forward Sierra Dickey “I like the carnival to having a good time News Editor: Fizza Gilani because i get to hang with my friends.” Teen Interest Editor: Catherine Irvine out with my friends.” -Nicole Speed Sports Editors: Troylon Griffin II -Kalani Duong Around Creek Editor: Emily Ruthven Advertising Manager: Issac Villerreal Photo Editor: Hannah Pearson Katie Rodriguez Online Editors: Hayley Johnson Photographers: Gabby Martinez Alyssa Hutchison “I look foward Reporters: Dakota Wingard “I enjoy going to the to making my Skylar Threadgill Joana Mancia game and having mum for for Jose Mares Jr. Lilo Shelley dinner with my Justin Staton homecoming.” Minha Siddiqui friends.” Veronica Brown -Brenna Kie -JaDell Scott Published at Mirror Publishers in Texas City Visius at: http://clearcreekhighschool.ihigh.com or “The footbal games “Selling bandanas and www.creekhilife.com because they are merchendise for For ad rates call: (281)284-1889 Fax: (281)316-0587 always fun and we debate and get to cheer for DECA booths! Check our school.” them out.” -Lysabeth Nordin -Mercedes Holmes
Juniors
Editorial
3
Emily’s Editorial: Open letter to 2017
By Emily Ruthven Editor-in-Chief Here we are, fully submersed in the heart of senior year. My fellow class of 2017, I want you to take a moment to appreciate this truly rare moment of our lives that we are all experiencing simultaneously. In less than seven months we will walk across the stage at Challenger Columbia Stadium. Dr. Smith will call our name, and regardless of what may be adorned upon our gowns, various National Honor Society collars, cords, distinguished medals, or nothing at all, it doesn’t matter because we have all gathered for one reason: graduating. We are all both entering and exiting some of the most exciting times of our life. However, until that moment on May 31, we must delegate our time to a much more taxing task: choosing our path.
College isn’t for everyone. However, it is for me. I sit in a difficult position, where if I am to pursue my major, I can only attend schools that excel in it and are known for their extensively successful programs in the major. My first choice, The University of Texas, has the second best Journalism program in the nation. It may be difficult to require acceptance there, as I am not automatically admitted. My second choice, The University of Oklahoma, has the fifth best Journalism program in the country. Unfortunately, if I were to attend OU, my parents would be paying out-ofstate tuition. On the bright side, I have been admitted there, and qualify for a plethora of scholarships, which may in the end cancel out the increase in tuition due to it’s out-of-state nature. Lastly, if both The University of Texas and The University of Oklahoma do not work out, I have already been admitted to Texas Tech University and awarded
their Presidential Scholarship. TTU is definitely the most affordable route. However, I would be pursuing a bachelor’s in business if I were to attend. In the
the day, you’re going to want to love what you do. For all of those pursuing degrees in film, art, music theory, composition, or any other art form, do not let others lead you astray from your passion. As famed baseball athlete Al Lopez said, “Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it’s business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don’t love what you’re doing and you can’t give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You’ll be an old man before you know it” In the mean time, I, and the rest of the class of 2017, will be working on gaining admittance into various institutions, applying for scholarships, going on college visits and registering for housing, all while attempting to run a fully functioning newspaper company and keep my grades up. However, my fellow seniors, let’s not miss out on the rest of our final year. We still have to wear our Burger King crowns with pride and flaunt our excessively fantastic mums and garters at Homecoming, cheer our hearts out in the student section, dance like its our last night alive at Prom, own the stage as our names called at graduation and gamble at the Blackjack table at Project Graduation. We still have a lot of senior year left. Although I can guarantee you it will fly by. Before you know it, we’ll all be packing our cars with way more furniture than can fit inside a dorm room. Class of 2017, our time as
I always believed no matter where you are, as long as you’re doing what you love, you’re going to be happy -Roberto Alomar end, I know that wherever I may attend, I’m going to have the time of my life. I’m sure many of you are in the same predicament. Obviously, Journalism is a bit of a risky major. It’s much less stable than engineering or business for example. However, it’s what I love. And at the end of
Troylon’s Talks: Learning to believe
By Troylon Griffin II Editor-in-Chief October is a month that is probably most well-known for how it is the month of Halloween. Despite this iconic and culturally significant holiday taking place on the last day of October, the acknowledgment of Halloween begins practically at the end of September and throughout the entire month of October. During this time, Jack-o-lanterns light the porches of people’s homes, houses begin to look scary due to their decorations and television media has an absolute field day. Nearly every channel begins to bring out whatever they can find that’s scary, spine chilling or thrilling. Networks like Animal Alanet begin to air some of their more mysterious and paranormal shows like Finding Bigfoot and Lost Tapes. The SyFy channel begins to air movie marathons of the horror series like the Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm
Street films, and Fox and FX begin to syndicate reruns of the X Files. In general, Halloween being in October calls for a month of people having topics like the supernatural, paranormal, fright and the overall unknown on their minds. My ninth grade year of high school, I took a class that has now placed me where I am now: journalism. I deeply loved the class, but one thing that really stuck in my head, among many other things, was how my teacher dedicated the entire month of October to us learning about the unknown and the paranormal, or, as she called it, “what is real and what isn’t?” The whole month, we learned about unsolved cases regarding serial killers, paranormal topics like ghost hauntings and cryptozoological creatures like Bigfoot, the Chupacabra and the Loch Ness Monster. As someone who
had been fascinated with these things since elementary school, I was thrilled and downright excited. I was glad that a professional journalist could see the importance in covering such things. But
When convention and science offer us no answers, might we finally turn to the fantastic as a possibility? -Fox Mulder
at the same time, I was very surprised that she regarded such a thing as an important topic worth studying in a journalism class. Maybe people’s claims that such
things were bullocks really did affect me. However, three years later I have truly come to see that learning about such topics truly is something important to cover in the field of journalism. People like to instantly doubt the existence of certain creatures and supernatural occurrences, but why not think about what is truly out there? If science is about the search for the truth, journalism is about the spreading of truth. Nevertheless, journalism requires levels of investigating that rivals even that of some scientists in their search for the truth. As the X Files tagline says, “The Truth is Out There.” The show couldn’t be any more right. The truth about the world is out there, and it’s up to us as people to be open minded human beings and find what is really out there. We are a race of people who only occupy a small portion of the world. We have not seen all that is in the forests, waters and skies of this planet, and we’ve certainly barely scratched the surface of the galaxy, or even the moon. There is so much to discover about our world and it is our obligation as people to learn more about this world we have been granted life on. Do we have to automatically believe in all that is part of the unknown? Perhaps not, but we should want to believe in what exists beyond what we know. So lets not just make Halloween a time to dress up and watch scary movies relating to the unknown. Let’s take this time to acknowledge and truly think about what is out there, and the importance of trying to search for truth that is oh so definitely out there.
4
News
Great Barrier Reef is considered virtually extinct
By Emily Ruthven Editor-in-Chief
The Great Barrier Reef, considered one of the Earth’s greatest and most beautiful treasures, has been classified as virtually extinct after a long illness induced by human effects such as coral bleaching and rising sea temperatures. The 25-million-year old habitat was home to over 1,625 species of fish, “3,000 species of mollusk, 450 species of coral, 220 species of birds, and 30 species of whales and dolphins,” according to Rowan Jacobsen’s Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC-2016). The reef spanned over 132, 974 square miles, larger than the United Kingdom, off the coast of Queensland, Australia in the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef, during its lifetime, was once the largest living structure and was the only one visible from space. It had a greater biodiversity than all of Europe combined. The reef was once an exquisite visual display of some of the most vibrant colors in nature, appreciated worldwide by scuba divers. “It provided some of the most thrilling marine adventures on earth to humans who visited,” Jacobsen said. Its biological grandeur was regarded by marine biologists as one of the most important ecosystems in the world. As Jacobsen put it, the Great Barrier Reef was a “crown jewel” to scientists, artists and tourists. So many hard corals and endangered species depended upon the Great Barrier Reef for sustenance and nutrients. According to the World
Wildlife Fund, coral reeds are home to 25 to lease nearly the entire reef to oil and percent of all marine life on the planet. mining companies in the 1960s,” Jacobsen Corals are biologically sensitive said. This spurred the “Save the Reef” animals, requiring movement crystal clear, in 1975. relatively shallow Although, the water, 68 degree reef was facing to 90 degree water its first of many temperatures and attacks. In salt water. If the 1981, the Great temperature drops Barrier Reef or rises a few endured its first degrees, salt levels mass bleaching fluctuate, or the event. Coral phytoplankton or Bleaching is level of sediment an incident in increases, which water t h e r e f o r e temperatures decreasing the rise beyond clarity of the the living water, a coral conditions for reef can die coral. When instantly. They the temperature require some of of the water the most specific rises outside environmental the coral’s conditions in the ideal range, the world, yet, when coral expels given the right Coral creates a small canyon at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia surroundings, they can support a wide variety of marine zooxanthellae, or algae, due to its life. The reef was one of the largest breeding overproduction of oxygen. Without grounds for green turtles in the world. zooxanthellae within the coral, it loses For 24.99 million years, the reef its otherworldly pigments and turns bone flourished and lived in harmony. It white and starves. The coral can still be wasn’t until humans interfered, some saved if water temperatures returned to with a childlike appreciation, others normal, however that was not the series spying the financial potential of the reef. of events that occurred in 1981. Global The Queensland government attempted warming kept the high temperatures
present and two thirds of the reef was left bleached. More mass bleachings occurred in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Bleachings were not the only effect upon the coral reef. Ocean acidification is another major reason for its virtual extinction. Since carbon dioxide dissolves in water and creates carbonic acid, the ocean began to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere, causing the ocean’s pH levels to become more acidic. This acidity began to dissolve the reef itself. Many naturalists held conventions and gave speeches regarding the Great Barrier Reef’s mortal state. However, “no one knows if a serious effort could have saved the reef, but it is clear that no such effort was made,” Jacobsen said. In 2016, the reef experienced the most catastrophic bleaching events yet, as water temperatures continued to rise. Over fifty percent of the reef died. Veron, a famed marine biologist and advocate for the salvation of the reef commented that the reef “looks like a war zone. It’s heartbreaking.” The Great Barrier Reef, albeit catastrophic was not the first coral reef to pass away due to human interference. Previous deaths include South Pacific’s Coral Triangle, the Florida reef off the Florida Keys, and most other reefs in the world. Creek’s AP Environmental Science teacher, Mrs. Jamie Brownson has informed all of her APES students of the tragedy. “This is why I do what I do. I want to open students’ eyes. I want to be able to affect change for the future. If I can get students to see the problems, perhaps they can work on solutions,” Brownson said.
Nobel Prizes awarded to a record breaking 376
By Fizza Gilani News Editor
The Nobel Prizes, administered in Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Peace, and Literature were announced from October 3rd to October 13th. Alfred Nobel, the man behind the idea of the Prizes, dedicated them “to those who, during the preceding year shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind”. These citizens of mankind are decided by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and awards are distributed every year. 2016 holds the record for largest number of candidates to win the Prizes, with 376, breaking the 2014 record of 278. The Nobel Prize was created in 1901 after Alred Nobel dedicated his wealth to creating the award and its institution in his will. Nobel himself was well-educated, fluent in multiple languages, well-read and knowledgeable about the natural sciences, and later also become passionate about social issues such as peace. During his lifetime, he met and worked with several well-known professionals, such as Ascanio Sobrero, who invented nitroglycerine, and became a very successful and wealthy businessman and entrepreneur. His interests are reflected in his legacy, the Nobel Prize. The first Nobel Prize of the year, in the category of Physiology or Medicine, was awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi, a biologist at the Tokyo Institute of Technology on Monday, October 3rd, 2016. On Tuesday, the Physics Prize was announced, half going to David J. Thouless at the University of Washington, and the other half going to the partnership F. Duncan
M. Haldane at Princeton University David J. Thouless, F. Duncan M. and J. Michael Kosterlitz at Brown Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz were University. The Chemistry Prize was collectively credited “for [their] theoretical presented to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. discoveries of topological phase transitions Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa. and topological phases of matter.” The three The most well-known of the awards, the scientists unveiled matter in unusual states, Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded to Juan a new observation in the scientific world. Manuel Santos, the president of Colombia. Their work propelled the community Yoshinori Ohsumi, the first of the medal to start looking for “new and exotic winners to be announced, was honored “for his discoveries o f mechanisms f o r autophagy.” Autophagy means “selfeating”, and refers to the cell’s ability to recycle President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, with his wife Maria Clemencia its contents. Ohsumi’s studies Rodriguez, speaks during a press conference on Oct. 7, 2016 at Casa de Naruto in Bogota, Colombia. President Santos said Friday he was receiving revealed the the Nobel Peace Prize in the name of all Colombians and particularly the process in yeast millions of victims of the decades-old armed conflict cells and proved that similar mechanisms are used in phases of matter.” Using topology as the humans. According to The Nobel Assembly foundation of their work, they presented at Karolinska Institute, who decided the the qualities of superconductivity or recipient, Ohsumi’s achievement “opened suprafluidity. Thouless also proved that the path to understanding the fundamental they can occur in thin layers, disproving importance of autophagy in many the previous theory that thought otherwise. physiological processes.” Autophagy Bernard L. Feringa, along with was discovered in the 1960s, but the Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Sir J. Fraser first ground-breaking experiments were Stoddart, were awarded the Nobel Prize conducted in the early part of the 1990s. in Chemistry “for the design and synthesis
of molecular machines”. These three men “developed molecules with controllable movements”. The road to the award came in three steps. In 1983, Sauvage linked two molecules together using a mechanical bond instead of the usual covalent bonds. Stoddart slid a molecular ring onto an axle, enabling the ring to move by the axle, which later allowed for the development of a molecular lift, muscle, and a “molecule-based computer chip”. Feringa built the first molecular motor. The trio’s work now enables scientists to control the movements of molecular systems. Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize “for his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-yearlong civil war to an end”. Mr. Santos declared, “I receive this not in my name but in the name of all the Colombians, especially the millions of victims of a conflict that we have suffered for more than 50 years”. He continued, “Colombians, this award is for you. It is for the victims and so there is not one more victim, not one more death, so that we can reconcile and unite to finish this process and being to build a stable and lasting peace.” The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, which is not one of the original Nobel Prizes, was awarded to Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmstrom “for their contributions to contract theory”. The men studied the complexities and intricacies of business operations, and drew up what they call ‘contract theory’, which explains, in detail, the power structure and interactions between businesses, and helps people understand how businesses operate and how decisions are made in the industry.
News
5
Clowns sightings terrorize citizens across America
By Sierra Dickey Features Editor
Over the past few month, there have been hundreds of threatening clown sightings. Starting on August 29th 2016 in Greenville County, South Carolina, many residents called in reports about a clown lurking around an apartment complex, trying to convince children to follow him into the woods. Because this was the first sighting, many people gave the worrisome news a place in social media, leading to others following the footsteps of the original clown. Over the past few months, there have been multiple sightings of clowns in about 28 states including Texas, Louisiana, Florida and New York. The clown sighting epidemic went from creepy clowns lurking at night, harmlessly scaring others, to recent death threats to hundreds of people. Many of them are targeting general areas and some directly to people through social media, but, none the less, people are terrified. Along with that, the clowns have also gone from single party outings to going out as a group of clowns together, coming from all directions at people. Many people are scared to leave at night, the time when the clown are most active, but they have now grown to be sighted during the day. During the day, the clowns have promised to appear at schools and buildings letting many know of what they are planning on doing. Recently, here in League City and Dickinson, there have been a few sightings. The staff of the schools and the board of CCISD have been aware of these sightings
and have sent out messages to parents letting them know that their children are
Parents, students and staff are all petrified at the thought of terrifying clowns harming
Clowns in the traditional whiteface makeup, such as Pennywise played
still safe here, by Tim Curry in the Steven King miniseries “It,” are on the way out. s t u d e n t s their security is on The thick white grease paint has a scary connotation from movies and a t high alert and to television and kids open up more quickly to clowns with the more hu- s c h o o l s , man faces. stay calm and give which is as little attention leading as possible is the best way to handle this. many of the parents take In the Spring Independent School their child out for that day. District, the board had issued a security Not only have the clowns threatened statement overnight on Monday October 3. schools, but while they are on the roads,
day or night, they have been seen carrying knives, machetes while chasing the cars that pass them. The clowns have been sighted as well in cemeteries doing group meetings and planning for attacks. Some believe the reason fro the even the first sighting was because in the 1970s, there was a serial killer named John Wayne Gacy. Gacy would come to children’s birthdays and paint pictures of clowns. He would then kill the families afterwards. In the area that he lived, many people went missing and soon after, the police realized Gacy had killed at least 33 people and buried them in his crawl space of his Chicago home. Ever since then the connection between clowns and psychopathic behavior was forever fixed in the lives of Americans. Another belief for the reason of clown sighting was the upcoming remake of Stephen King’s movie It. Also the previous movies of clowns featured in the movie Poltergeist and Zombieland and the most recent, made in 2013, All Hallow’s Eve. Recently there have been several reports of clowns and and 12 arrests against clowns that have been roaming the areas of civilians. But even with the arrests the clowns will not stop. There have been sightings of clowns in vans, the woods, lurking in the shadows and chasing innocent people on roads and in cars. Some of the reports made from police say the clowns are just hyperactive imaginations of children, when their lives could actually be in danger.
Harris Country approves Astrodome rennovation
By Joana Mancia Reporter
Harris County officials have finally planned a $105 million renovation for the Astrodome. Many new additions will be happening for the dome, and it will assuredly leave a better future for Houstonians. Harris County Chief Executive Officer, Judge Ed Emmett, confirmed the plan anomalously on Tuesday, September 27. Emmett told Eyewitness News, “I believe what we did today is the most logical, common sense approach to a building that is fully paid for who belongs to the taxpayers of Harris County, and it puts it back to use so that the tenants at NRG Park can use it.” The dome was built in 1962 and was designed by W. B. Morgan and Hermon Lloyd, and was finally opened in 1965. It was used for the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo and sports venues. The dome is served as the second home of the Houston Astros, National Football League, Major League Baseball and the Houston Oilers. Unfortunately, the Dome was closed in 2008 due to code violations. Now that the 51-year-old dome will be renovated, it will finally be opened after nearly eight years of it being shut down. As Stated by Emmet’s office, finishing the dome will take at least 4 years to be completed due to its 2 phase process. The first process will be engineering all the architectural work, which will cost about $10.5 million and will take 12 to 18 months long. The second phase will be finishing the rest of the work which will be costing around $94.5 million.
The plan for the dome is to raise the floor 30 feet from ground level, creating two new levels of underground parking, it is estimated to have nearly 1,400
and rebuild it to a 9-acre green event center, including an air conditioning center for visitors and a museum. Nonetheless, Houston voters rejected the $217 million
The Astrodome exterior in 2004 parking spaces. plan due to Above the its expensive new underground level of 240,000 nature, and uncertainty of its effectiveness. square feet, guests will be able to find The Dome has not been in use since then. open space with air conditioning. The However, it was open April 9, 2015, to 350,000 upper level of the Astrodome commemorate the Domes’ 50th birthday. will also be under development. Wide The Astrodome has been closed for open floors with air conditioning almost eight years already. On June 15, will also be placed in the Astrodome. 1976, Houston had a massive flooding. In 2013, there was going to be a $217 That day the Astros were scheduled to million plan to demolish the Astrodome play a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates,
and they had to call the game off since most of the fans were prevented from reaching the dome and the umpires from the match came late. After the flooding, the Astrodome began to have many issues. In !995 the game between the Oilers and the San Diego Chargers had to call off the game because of the damaged condition of the playing field. After noticing many issues with the Astrodome they closed it. All the funding will be coming will be coming from three foundations: $35 million dollars will be used from county’s general fund, $35 million will be utilized from hotel taxes, and another $35 million for Parking Enterprise Fund. For all the reformation it will proximately cost $105 million or, more, and taxpayers will not pay a single dime. “The Astrodome’s days of sitting idle and abandoned are over,” Emmett told Eyewitness News, adding with, “Instead, Harris County’s most recognized building will again be proud and useful.” Many people are pleased to hear that the Astrodome will finally be put to good use. After the construction, it will now be used for festivals and private events, such as the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show. Countless of new and old memories will grow upon the new refurbished Astrodome, and it will be leaving an immense future for Houston.
6 Around Creek
CCISD schools perform at faculty Empower Rally
By Catherine Irvine Teen Interest Editor
The entire faculty of 5,200 CCISD teachers and administrators gathered inside the brand new Challenger Columbia stadium on Friday, September 30th, for the Empower Pep rally. The Empower Rally began at 9 a.m. after a series of pre-show activities and video tributes to teachers. The rally took place in order to excite the teachers and create team bonding. The Creek and Brook band programs performed for the pre-show, exciting teachers as they entered the stadium. The Creek and Brook bands were asked to perform due to the Varsity football players playing each other that night at Challenger stadium. The bands took turns, alternating between playing stand tunes, cadences and show music. Creek band preformed Seven Nation Army, TV, and a section of music from this years marching show, Dark Side of the Rainbow. The Brook band program played Danger Zone, The Horse and a mixed version of all their cadences. “The teachers were really helpful, and kept me going even though I was tired from waking up so early.” Carlos Vargas, Band member said.” I was so happy to play for these teachers who were here,
because they’ve always been here for me and they have been giving me this education, and it was nice to appreciate the teacher the way I did Friday.”
participated in the events taking place on the new Challenger field. The National Anthem was sung at the beginning of the rally by The Soundwaves Choir from Clear
When the two high school’s Lake High School. Photo courtesty of CCISD drumlines played their cadences, Clear Horizons Early they stood in the center of the football College High School students led the field and showed off against each other. pledges. Falls drill team, the Emeralds and Students from multiple CCISD schools Clear Views color guard performed dances
during a period of time in the pep rally. Clear Springs high school theater performed a section from the musical Newsies, a story based on the strike of newsboys from New York city in 1899, for the teachers. The band Burnt Toast, comprised CCISD administrators and teachers, performed Celebration, which allowed the crowd and other groups that had previously preformed to dance along. Before a speech took place, the stadium speakers surprised teachers by playing the song Footloose and enthusiastic teachers started dancing along to it. Gaynell Lyman was a keynote speaker. Dr. Dupont, and Dr. Smith also addressed the faculty. Two students from Springs filled the role of emcees for the rally. C3 students worked cameras, the voice board, and helped run part of the pre- show. Intermediate school children helped pass out cups to the teachers.
High school bands play at biennial Extravabandza By Catherine Irvine Teen Interest Editor
All five CCISD High school marching bands gathered at Challenger- Columbia stadium to perform their 2016 UIL Marching show on the night of October 11th. The Extravabandza is an event that occurs every other year. It involves all the CCISD bands gathering in front of their family and intermediate school students to perform that years UIL marching show. The first band performed at 6:30 p.m. and the other four followed after. There were a total of five judges that watched and commented on the band’s show. The judges were from across the country and state of Texas. There were judges who worked for Con Selmer ,the instrument company, former composers and band directors, and Judges from the state of Texas UIL. After all the bands had performed the judges sat down with the directors to
for 15 minutes each, in order to make comments on how the band performed. Clear Creek Marching band performed the show, Dark Side of the Rainbow, under the direction of Aaron Daniel, Kathryn Myers and Heather Hyde, and drum majors Diego Avila, Jordan better, Brandi Isadore and junior Jason Keyzer. The show consisted of music from La Nouba, Brahms Lullaby, Defying Gravity, Somewhere over the Rainbow and Symphonie Fantastique. Solos were performed by Joshua Oh on saxophone in movement one, Josh Hertzfeld on Euphonium, and Cameron Bachtel on horn in movement 2. Jason Keyzer and Jake Hinkel shared a Duet inside Movement 2. Creek band recived many positive remarks regarding their performance. “I thought the band did a very good job. We got several compliments judges that were very positive, like the fact that we had preformed at a high level and musically we
were doing very well, and we had a few minor things to work on, which is good. It’s where we want to be at this point in the year.” Aaron Daniel, CCHS Band director, said. Clear Creek’s marching band has been constantly improving on their 2016 marching show, The Dark Side of the Rainbow. On Saturday, October 8th, the Band competed against 17 other 6A bands and placed 9th at the Galena Park ISD Marching Contest, and are still continuing to add new rhings in the show. For the Exravabandza, Clear Springs Marching Band Performed their show Exploration: Courage, Reflection, Determination. The show included Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Their directors are Lester Williams, George Solis, Johnathan Witmer and Brewster Petron, and Drum Majors Sarah Lopez and Elijah Baetz. Clear Falls performed their show Gaia under directors Brian Moreno,
Russell Zavalla, Sarah Cole and Nathen Valdez and Drum Majors Cris Layden, Dereck Marcum and Hannah Hughes. Clear Brook Performed Victorian, with which they placed first in the Katy Marching Festival on October 8th. For the finale of the Extravabandza, all the High school bands were joined on the field by all 7th and 8th graders from the 10 CCISD Intermediate school bands. The Fine Arts Director Mr. Muths conducted America the Beautiful, and Land of a 1000 dance for the students. The Extravabandza was a way for parents and future marching band students to experience and enjoy what the future will hold for them inside CCISD’s Band program. Clear Creek marching band will compete again on October 22nd at the Region UIL Marching competition. The UIL performance will include all of the CCISD High school marching bands and take place at Challenger- Columbia stadium.
Around Creek Students join Ultimate Frisbee Club
By Troylon Griffin II Editor-in-Chief
For several weeks now, students at Creek have been taking part in a brand new club: The Ultimate Frisbee Club. The mission of the club is to enjoy the game of ultimate Frisbee and play both competitively and recreationally. The club was founded by juniors John “Jack” Mahon and Christian Dobbe. The club is sponsored and facilitated by physics teacher Mr. Michael McGregor, who came to Creek last year. All three had their own particular reasons for choosing to help in the inception of the club. Both Mahon and Dobbe had been playing the game of ultimate Frisbee for years now and had found themselves joking to friends about forming a club based around the sport during their sophomore year. Finally, during the early weeks of school, the two decided to no longer joke about the forming of a club, and instead form a real club centered on ultimate Frisbee. Despite holding the title as a cofounder, Jack Mahon credits Christian Dobbe with truly coming up with the idea and going forward with it. Dobbe acknowledges Mahon’s statement and notes that it wasn’t until the two discussed forming the club that Dobbe discovered Mahon was also a fan of ultimate Frisbee. Upon deciding to form the club, the two instantly knew to go to Mr. McGregor to get the club sponsored. Both felt that he would be willing to sponsor due to his own interest in the game, and because they felt he was a “cool” teacher. The two proved to be right when McGregor proclaimed he was on board and would sponsor the club. The club became official after the two founders went through the process of getting 15 student signatures, showing that there were several people interested in joining the club. McGregor noted that one of the most prominent reasons he decided to act as sponsor and facilitator of the club is because he knew this was something that physics could easily be applied to. Nevertheless, McGregor explained that he was indeed passionate
about the game of ultimate Frisbee. “I think it starts with my passion for physics, and because of the amount of physics involved in physics’ trajectory,” McGregor said. “That’s why I’m also passionate about the Frisbee. And I don’t want to say I’m necessarily good but I’m certainly better at throwing that compared
playing it with his swim members due to it being one of their “dry land activities.” The club generally has its official meetings be on Fridays, but Dobbe and Mahon have noted that they do occasionally have meetings on both Mondays and Tuesdays. After signing the sign-up sheet, the members begin to get into teams and play each other, while also being coached by Dobbe’s minister who is an ultimate F r i s b e e c o a c h . The club has found itself only continuing to grow with members, Photo by Troylon Griffin II to throwing a as Christian Dobbe said how many football or baseball.” of Creek’s junior varsity football McGregor explained how he players would be joining the club saw potential in students being able once football season comes to a close. to learn physics through the game. The members also spoke on how “Christian and Jack came to me while the goal of the club is generally to and asked if I would be interested in have fun and enjoy the game, the founders sponsoring the club, and I thought to and many of their members plan to take myself ‘Now there’s a way to learn the club in a competitive direction and physics outside the classroom’ and to begin playing other schools that also have apply what they’re learning to real world ultimate Frisbee teams. So far, the club is situations, like throwing a frisbee through making arrangements to play Santa Fe, the air.” McGregor said. “Once I realized Clear Lake and Clear Brook. That being how much this would help students’ said, many are training hard to prepare to understanding of physics, I immediately play the teams in the coming months and volunteered to sponsor that club.” weeks. Nevertheless, as they continue to He confirmed his belief in this train, the members are not losing sight by explaining how during training of the overall purpose of the club, which sessions, the club members actually is to have fun playing ultimate Frisbee. use common physics vocabulary Mr. McGregor feels very positive about such as “momentum” and “velocity. the club’s future for both the remainder of Since then, the club has grown to the school year, and for many years to come. have nearly 30 members, something that “I hope this club continues indefinitely, the two were somewhat surprised by. and I think the students involved in this Many members are swimmers and even club are going to have a bright future due some of Creek’s golf players, as both to the benefits of this club,” McGregor groups play Ultimate Frisbee in their said. “They’re going to have a better free time. Jack Mahon noted that his understanding of physics which allows admiration of ultimate Frisbee came from for better career opportunities for them.”
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Mastering Homecoming: By Hannah Pearson Photo Editor
Homecoming 2016 is approaching and excitement is in the air. The whole state gets overjoyed with the thought of mums, garters and of course football! The week leading up to the big game is filled with events to get students excited. The kickoff for homecoming starts when the homecoming court or the “princesses” are nominated, usually about two weeks before the actual queen is chosen before the football game. The princesses consist of one freshman, one sophomore, one junior, and five senior nominees chosen by their class. The day before the game, students vote in their third period for the queen. 30 minuets before kickoff, the princesses walk onto the field and the returning queen crowns the new queen. Whoever is nominated is expected to return in ten years to crown that year’s queen. There is a mini parade and candle lit pep-rally on the Monday night of that week. Students gather at the Veterans memorial stadium to watch and all the clubs and organization will be participating in the parade. Students wear paint and to show their school spirit. Mums and garters, but only seniors wear all white mums and garters Seniors can also add their favorite color if desired and create overalls.The biggest part of the school day is the carnival. Food, drinks, and spirit wear will be available for purchase. Tickets will be sold for one dollar each in the courtyard. Mums and Garters will be worn during the game as well as whatever spirit wear desired. This year, Creek is playing Clear Lake: an old rival of Creek. All attention will be on the boys playing the game and taking home the win. The most important thing to remember throughout the week is to have fun Make sure to go all out with your costumes. Memories last a lifetime so enjoy it with your friends; Homecoming is the most fun day on campus,.
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Features
NASA and Boeing celebrate 100 years of unity By: Minha Siddiqui Reporter
As the multinational Boeing Company turns 100 years old, the corporation finds itself still going strong as it continues its long term partnership with NASA in developing the agency’s next spacecraft. The company saw itself turn 100 in early July, having been founded in July 15, 1916. For 100 years, the company has worked to design, manufacture and sell airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets and satellites worldwide. It is because of this that the company has been in a partnership with every spaceflight mission the U.S. has been involved in and has been working with the Johnson Space Center since its inception in the early sixties. Today, the company continues to work with NASA in developing technology that will further man’s relationship with space. In late June, Boeing inaugurated a high tech astronaut and flight controller training facility near the Johnson Space Center. The company has also began developing NASA’s next spacecraft: the new CST-100 Starliner. The developing ship is being designed with the goal to ferry crews and cargo to the International Space Center. Manufacturers hope to have the spacecraft finished and working by late 2017. The Starliner will reinstate NASA’s ability to ferry crews and cargo to the International Space Center, with the last shuttle having been retired in 2011 due to the end of the 30 year space shuttle program. Up until the Starliner’s manufacturing, NASA had been relying on Russian rockets and private contractors to deliver crew and cargo to the space station. The money to build the Starliner came out of a $4.2 billion NASA contract that was won in 2014. The development of the spacecraft immediately began following the contract. Boeing had also previously received a $1.18 billion contract which funded its Space Training, Analysis, and Review Facility. The facility opened on June 21 in Clear Lake’s Johnson Space
Center. The facility contains a flight simulator to train astronauts to fly the CST-100
continued its contributions to NASA’s long term goal of exploration of Mars.
Starliner and develop their Logo graphic for Boeing The company skills for flight controllers recently won and other support personnel. The Starliner an early development contract to help is to include boosters, a crew cabin, will NASA design a spacecraft for a proposed be able to carry up to seven crew mem- manned flight to Mars. Boeing is also the bers or a mix of flight personnel and car- primary contractor for building NASA’s go and is currently being built in Florida. Space Launch System, which will include Besides manufacturing and designing the most powerful rocket ever designed, space crafts for the space station, and de- and is being made with the intention of veloping space facilities, Boeing has also eventually carrying astronauts to Mars.
Overall, the Boeing company has continued to contribute greatly to NASA’s mission in space exploration. “We’re actively involved in developing these new space products,” Tony Castilleja, a business development lead for Boeing’s space exploration division, said. “And we’re developing the next generation of batteries and the next generation of solar panels. None of these innovations would be possible without the expertise Boeing has developed over the past 50 years. We have the best brains in the business.” The company has especially retained a major status in helping NASA locally in the Clear Lake area, and Texas in general, having had a presence in Texas for 70 years, with nearly 3,800 employees working in the state. “I can tell you that from an engineering standpoint, they’re a big player locally,” Bob Mitchell, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, said. “And from a community standpoint, they’re a great leader. Besides their prominent presence at the Johnson Space Center, Boeing has operations in other Texas cities such as San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As 2016 nears its coming to a close, the 100 year old company only continues to make contributions to man’s goals of space exploration.
features Lin-Manuel Miranda brings Hamilton to SNL
By Emily Ruthven Editor-in-Chief
The founding father and star of the revolutionary Broadway musical Hamilton, Lin Manuel Miranda, took the stage in studio 8H of the Rockefeller Plaza as the host of Saturday Night Live on October 8. Miranda carried with him his backgrounds in rap, hip-hop, theater and activism in politics and implemented them into his monologue and featured sketches. As usual, the episode debuted with a cold open regarding the status of the 2016 presidential election, starring characters governor Mike Pence and senator Tim Kaine. The two vice presidential candidates were then interrupted by Donald Trump, portrayed by SNL guest Alec Baldwin. Baldwin satirized the candidate’s comments made in 2005 that were deemed misogynistic. After cast members screamed the iconic “and live from New York, it’s Saturday Night,” Miranda entered the stage to deliver his highly anticipated monologue. Freshfaced and excited, Miranda emanated youth as he explained his lifelong aspiration to host Saturday Night Live, as well as his loyalty and love for the show. “When I was just a kid growing up in Manhattan, I dreamed about standing right here on this stage,” Miranda said. His humility and genuine appreciation for the opportunity to host SNL was refreshing. Many hosts take the honor of hosting SNL lightly, not realizing the long-standing fame to which they are now becoming a member. He also gave recognition to his Hamilton-based fame, and on the
political and thing to worry situational about.” This i r o n y lyrical burn regarding left audiences the plot of hysterical. the musical The episode and today’s was comprised course of primarily of the 2016 successful, Presidential solid sketches, election. but was “It’s such peppered with a nice escape the occasional from all the dud. Highlights craziness in included the our world digital short right now. Crucible Cast It’s about Party, A Day two famous Off, and a New York satirical sketch politicians based upon locked in a the Netflix dirty, ugly, hit, Stranger mud-slinging T h i n g s . political T h e campaign. Crucible Cast Escapism!” Party was Miranda particularly Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives at the 70th annual then quickly enjoyable Tony Awards at the Beacon Theater in New York on escalated into an SNL due to its organic Sunday, June 12, 2016. themed version of the nature. Miranda Hamilton song My Shot, complete with has extensive background in theater, tributes to Saturday Night Live legends, as he starred, composed and directed Hamilton’s success and jabs at Trump. both In the Heights and Hamilton. The Alluding to the controversial candidate, digital sketch felt honest and close to the Miranda paused from My Shot and heart, regarding Miranda. Crucible Cast included a brief anecdote from Hamilton’s Party was genuine, relevant and original. The Reynolds Pamphlet, singing that Saturday Night Live slammed Trump Trump is “never gonna be president now, for his frequent controversial tweets and never gonna be president now. That’s one comments in the digital short Day Off. The less thing to worry about, that’s one less sketch depicts Donald Trump’s campaign
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manager Corey Lewandowski, played by Kate McKinnon, and her busy schedule. On Lewandowski’s rare day off, she receives several notifications on all of the scandalous comments Trump has made. Quite comically, Lewandowski drops whatever she is currently doing on her free day to come to CNN and defend Trump’s actions. After several accounts of defending Trump in a single day, Lewandowski essentially surrenders and calls Trump out herself. Overall, this sketch is comedic, yet lacks a spark. Saturday Night Live has made it very evident that they are in support of Hillary Clinton. While it is understandable that, with the election so close, there would be an increase in sketches mocking Donald Trump, the show had already slammed him within the episode. The time allotted to writing and shooting Day Off could’ve been delegated to the creation of a satirical Hamilton sketch, or anything else for that matter. At some points, Saturday Night Live has exhausted their creative nature regarding the 2016 Presidential Election. One sketch that fell short was Substitute Teacher. In this skit, Miranda plays a goofy, try-hard substitute for a class that has habitually scared teachers away. It had its few shining moments and laughs but, overall, Substitute Teacher was bland. The cast members and Miranda delivered the best performance they could, given the writing. The whole atmosphere felt forced, anemic and cliché. Its popularity stems from the actors themselves. Miranda’s own charisma, along with the innate talent of the cast, carries the sketch. Overall, Miranda’s episode of SNL was a success, complete with songs and several solid sketches.
Freshman Rep.
Isabella Contreras
Sophomore Rep.
Emily Mathews
Junior Rep.
Alexis Medina
2016 Home
Senior R
Justice Al-hmoud
Skiye Sparks
ecoming
Representatives
Shelby Stephens
Kathryn Escobar
Stephanie Patino Villegas
12 Teen interest Shawn Mendes debuts second album: Illuminate
By Joana Mancia Reporter
This late September, Canadian singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes released his second studio album Illuminate. His lead song on the album is Treat You Better. The music video already has over 197 million views on YouTube and it has hit number one on Billboards 200. There have been both negative and positive reviews towards the album. In The Daily Nebraskan, critic Ben Buchnat responded “man, does Shawn Mendes try on this album. Unfortunately for him, he’s about the only one giving any sort of effort on his sophomore release.” He also added, “the only captivating thing about the album is how bad some of the lyrics and concepts get.” However, Buchnat did appreciate “Treat you Better.” “Mendes has another excellent vocal performance. He really shines hitting those high notes in the song’s chorus. The song shows Mendes’ maturity as a songwriter in tackling the subject of an abusive relationship.” Rolling Stones critic Joe Levy discussed Shawn’s album with comments such as “Illuminate mixes professions of romance and agony like Mercy continuing with “If you think that seems third hand, you might be right. But you’re definitely too cynical for music that mixes this much sincerity and cunning, a trick Mendes learned first learned six seconds at a time.” There were positive reviews in the article as well, In 5 Best Songs on Shawn Mendes Illuminate. The critic Hayden Wright said, “All in all, Illuminate is full of songs that are elegant without seeming too polished, wrought without feeling overwrought, carefully crafted without taking the teen star out of his musical depth.” Wright also said on the song Bad Reputation “Though formulaic, Mendes’ aching vocals put a new twist on this classic premise.”
“Illuminate is so loaded with massive breakup tracks and heart-wrenching lyrics that you have to wonder where all of the
The music video shows a couple in which the boy is always hurting the girl, but yet she stays with him. Mendes named the
Shawn Mendes in concert
anguish is coming from.” Ella Ceron of Teen Vogue added. It is true, Mendes’ tracks mostly feature narratives of breakups; He possibly had a massive breakup; he even talks about a mystery girl. However, in his single, Shawn describes an abusive relationship.
song Treat You Better as in telling the girl that if he were her partner, he would treat her better than her current boyfriend. At the end of the music video, Shawn included the hotline for The National Domestic Violence. Many critics believe Shawn could do
better on his future albums and give a little bit more effort. If Shawn took some of the critic’s opinions, he would be able to become a better artist in coming years. Overall, Shawn was able to place a leading song which has hit number one in Billboard 200 and an increasing amount of views on YouTube. Many fans are longing to wait for what new songs Shawn will be coming up with later on through the years. On March 5, of 2016 Shawn started his Illuminate world tour, supporting his studio album Handwritten. His first show was in New York City at the Radio City Music Hall. His last show will be ending November 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia at the Emmore Theatre. Shawn has come a long way, starting with vines in 2013 and gaining millions of fans, and then to signing with Island Records and releasing his first single in June 2014 “Life of the Party.” After his first single, he went on tour with other social media sensations. He later released his album Handwritten which hit number one in the Billboards 200. After he released his third single album Stitches, hitting number one in the Billboard Hot 100. Now he is releasing collaborate tracks with Camila Cabello and ends with releasing his second album and heading straight to his first World Tour. Many fans are eagerly waiting for what Shawn will come up next.
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The Accountant recieves mixed reviews from critics By Troylon Griffin II Editor-in-Chief
The action thriller film The Accountant premiered on October 14, 2016. Having been in theaters for several weeks now, the film has found itself a box office success, with many lining up to see the greatly anticipated spine-chiller. However, in terms of reception, the film has found itself receiving mixed reviews from critics. The film stars Ben Affleck as the main protagonist, Christian Wolff, an accountant with autism who makes a living as a forensic accountant for many notable criminal groups. However, he finds himself facing a treasury agent played by J.K. Simmons who is coming close to finding out about his schemes. The film is the second major box office film to star Ben Affleck, who had previously made headlines in March when he starred in the critically polarizing Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film is also co-star Anna Kendrick’s fifth 2016 film, with Kendrick having starred in The Hollars, Get a Job, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and the animated children motion picture Trolls. Reviews have been mixed, with the review aggregator for Rotten Tomatoes giving it an approval score of 51%, based on 128 reviews. The film has an overall average rating of 5.8 on the site. While critics have been more skeptical of the film, audiences have received the film much more positively, with CinemaScore reporting that the average grade from audiences
was an A. On the popular film site IMDb, the thriller has a score of 7.9 out of 10. Many critics have highlighted the performances of stars Ben Affleck,
“The Accountant should be a straightahead thriller, but the film keeps tripping over its own incompetent feet,” Leitch said. “Maybe it was made for adults, but it sure
Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff in a scene from the movie
J.K. Simmons and Anna “The Accountant” directed by Gavin O’Connor. doesn’t Kendrick, but have f e e l criticized the films writing and production. like it was made by them.” Critics have pointed out the film’s plot Even in a rather positive review, holes, “sloppy” and poorly executed David Edelstein of The Vulture, subplots as well as the characterization. noted that the film “was laughable.” Will Leitch, of The New Republic was “But when you’re not laughing at particularly critical of the film’s writings. it, you’re laughing with it.” Edelstein said.
Nevertheless, there have been reviews that praise the film as an entertaining action flick and one that adds on to Ben Affleck’s resume of good performances. Vince Mancini of Uproxx gave the film a very positive review, even proclaiming the film had more potential as a franchise than Ben Affleck’s Batman v. Superman “ I t ’ s transparent in its attempt both to pimp a future franchise and give autistic kids their own superhero,” Mancini said. “ T h e r e ’ s a genuine sweetness to the latter that converts me on the former. Headshots, math problems, and pained social interactions? Sign me up. Of the two movies Ben Affleck has been in so far this year, The Accountant and Batman V Superman, The Accountant has by far the most franchise potential.” Overall, the film is one that is worth seeing and despite its flaws, seems to be one that can still be enjoyed by movie going audiences.
Balance and Composure debuts evolutionary album
By Hayley Johnson Online Editor
Three years after 2013’s The Things We Think We’re Missing, Balance And Composure has returned with their third studio album, Light We Made. Entering the pop-punk emo scene in 2007, Balance And Composure released their first EP, Only Boundaries in 2009. Not long after its release, the band comes around the corner with their first studio album, Separation, in 2011. Coming back with an unbridled yet mature record, Balance And Composure has set out to explore wide boundaries of self-expression. With the major debut on the group’s record label, Vagrant Records/ BMG, which got it’s start in 1996 started by Rich Egan in Los Angeles, California. Along for the ride with Balance And Composure, other bands such as The 1975, Death Spells, Dashboard Confessional and Alkaline Trio, are members of the record label. Light We Made offers a sense of direction for the band that has traditionally presented themselves as an alternative to the pop-punk scene. Too grungy to mess with their scene compatriots on No Sleep Records, their past record label, still polarizing enough to remain on the outside of the broader indie-rock realm, Light We Made reveals a new sense of agency due to lead singer, Jon Simmons’ new confident vocal technique and experimentation with a stronger electronic element. With characteristics of their previous
albums, Light We Made’s opening track, Midnight Zone serves as a thesis for the rest of the record. Much like Parachutes
with a much stronger electric presence that permeate the record and allow for more guitar, bass and drum parts. These stylistic
and Void provided a path for the Photo courtesy of WikiCommons endeavors are made emotional, raw vocals and bright, unambiguous with distorted instrumentation on their previous the record’s lead single, Postcard, where albums, The Things We Think We’re Missing Simmons combines the vehement vocals and Separation, Midnight Voices employs and almost muttered lyrics. Their second new droning, conversational voice styles single, Afterparty, reinforces some of
these new tactics, but also leaves a hint of something frustratingly accustomed. The newfound tamed instrumentation and sober vocals conjure memories of early works into the genre, such as the band Alkaline Trio’s Crimson, another Vagrant Records release from its more notable golden era of both punk and emo. Simmons channels a morose, yet commanding voice, akin to that of Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano’s performances on Crimson such as Time to Waste, Your Neck and Smoke. Taking these adventurous developments and hints of nostalgic inspiration into consideration, Light We Made ends up dipping into a lull. On For A Walk, the record’s most aggressive vocal and guitar work are buried into the mix behind the new electronic approaches. These effects laid on Simmons’ vocals are just audible enough to remind the listener of the band’s ferocious roots while being clearly overpowered by the catchy, refined beat that dominates the entire track. Despite moments like these, the sense of agency on Light We Made is transparent in its mission to broaden the band’s sound and discard any notions of absolute close-mindedness.
Mct Campus 14 Clear Creek HiLife
sports Athlete of the Month:
Dalton Way Senior Dalton Way has been swimming since he moved to Texas, from Connecticut, at age 8. He has described swimming as his passion and he plans to continue swimming at Louis University in Romeoville, Illinois. When he’s not swimming, he enjoys playing water polo and working on cars.
Sydney Albro Senior Sydney Albro has been playing tennis since she was a child. She considers her greatest accomplishment to be winning district with her team three years in a row, something that had initially never been done before in Creek’s history. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, hanging out with friends and playing with her dog.
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Lakers find themselves with new coach By Troylon Griffin II Editor-in-Chief
and general manager Mitch Kupchak firing coach Byron Scott in April. The team has seen itself experience many firings of their coaches. The Lakers have had three coaches come and go since Phil Jackson stepped down after the 20102011 season. Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni preceded Scott, and neither one
performance in April, many are quite optimistic that Walton will lead well as a coach and bring back stability to the franchise With Los Angeles Lakers beginning “I think that Luke Walton is somebody to embark on their post-Kobe Bryant era, that will be with us for a long time,” Jeanie the team finds themselves being coached Buss said. “We’re committed to seeing him by first year head coach Luke Walton. be successful. I believe with the leadership The 36-year-old coach had previously we have in Luke Walton, that we will get played for the Lakers in 2009 and back to the kind of standard 2010, years in which the team my dad set.” Matt Barnes, saw themselves be back-to-back a former Lakers forward, championship teams. Walton now also spoke positively finds himself tasked with bringing of Walton’s hiring the team back to their glory days. “Luke was a great “I think he is our best free agent hire,” Barnes said. “I think signing in a few years.” Jeanie he’s going to bring a new Buss, the Lakers president said. excitement to the team.” Both Jeanie Buss and her Jeanie Buss highlighted brother, Jim Buss, executive VP of Walton’s ability as basketball operations both agree a communicator as with the decision to make Walton one of his best assets. the new coach for the team. The “I don’t even think he two had gained their positions as understands the natural vital executives for the Lakers charisma that he has,” after their father Jerry Buss died Buss said. “He has an in 2013, following a long battle ability to draw people with cancer. Jerry himself was to him at all different owners of the Lakers franchise ages and backgrounds.” Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton talks to reporters during the team’s media for 34 years, and watched as his day on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 at their training facility in El Segundo, Calif. Even Byron Scott, the team won ten NBA championships Laker’s former coach whom Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) in the years he owned the team. Walton replaced, expressed It was after his passing that the team of the three served more than two years. positivity regarding Walton taking up his began to have a downslide in victory. Now, with Walton now faced with former mantle. Scott explained that while The team has dealt with some of the task of taking over as coach for the he thought the Laker’s management would its worst seasons the past three years, team, and prepare them to play their first give him “more time to turn things around”, with records of 27-55, 21-61 and 17-65. regular-season game since Kobe Bryant’s he called Walton a “fantastic guy” and noted Last season’s record led to Jim Buss remarkable 60 point career closing that he thinks he’s “going to do a good job.”
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