Nov2013odyssey

o d y ss e y Summer Creek High School

Issue 03, Vol. 5 sNovember 2013

14000 Weckford Blvd., Houston, TX 77044

PERSON PLACE THING See what people are passionate about on pages 7-9

news

FFA students find success at recent livestock show and ag mechanics

FFA students participated in the in the Youth Expo of Harris County Livestock Show and Ag Mechanics Competition on Friday, Oct. 19.

FFA had three students show pigs: Crystal Lewis, ‘15, Marissa Munoz, ‘16, and Summer Weckesser, ‘14.

Travis Haden, ‘15, showed turkeys.

The Ag Mechanics competition included Travis Haden, ‘15, Michael Snook, ‘16, Gerard Jefferson, ‘15, Erik Ortiz, ‘14, Josh Perrin, ‘15, Chase Seabranch, ‘15, Brandon McCullough, ‘16, Jesus Santana, ‘16, Drew Hicks, ‘15, Anthony Metoyer, ‘17 and Darla Spangler, ‘15.

“I was super proud, they work very hard,” FFA sponsor David Laird said. “They practice three to four times a week, and practices for welding are really hard.”

Haden won Grand Champion Advanced Welder and Ortiz won Reserve Champion Cutter. Austin Ramirez placed ninth in the cutting competition.

“I have three guys who are leaders,” Laird said.

“Erik Ortiz, Gerard Jefferson, and Travis Haden are all leaders on the team. I couldn’t be at the competition, so Erik Ortiz took charge and got the team registered. [the] FFA registrar said Erik was more polite and organized than most FFA sponsors.”

Food drive will add new components to the program.

The fifth-annual Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held once again with teachers collecting food during fourth period classes. As in the past, Teen Leadership is organizing the massive project.

A few new twists have been added this year. The competitions will be different, and each student will list something they are thankful for with each donation they make.

Those “thankful” notes will be labeled with a grade so that grade-level contributions can be tallied and displayed.

Information will be going out in advisory and through fourth period teachers soon. It will be collected about two weeks before Thanksgiving.

Each class will be given a grocery list of items needed to fill out the basket. It will include nonperishables.

The food and baskets are distributed to local families in the area before Thanksgiving break.

Prizes will be awarded to those who win the various contests associated during the weeks of collection.

25 Drive held to raise money for Boston The journalism department will head to Boston for competition. Money for the trip was raised at the 25 Drive to help pay for costs. michelle garcia staff reporter

The countdown is on for journalism students preparing for a national convention and competition in Boston this month.

Eleven students leave for Boston on Nov. 13 and return Nov. 17. Students will attend a national convention and compete in a certain number of categories, while also taking time to tour the historic city.

“Students will compete with 6,500 other students,” journalism adviser Megan Ortiz said. “They will take part in workshops and learn skills they can bring back to newspaper, yearbook and SCHStoday.com.”

The students are juniors and seniors from the newspaper and yearbook staff.

“The trip exposes staff members to what other people are doing which is good,” newspaper co-editor Madison Terrier, ‘14, said. “It is a good opportunity to see where you are at and it gets us out of our comfort zone.”

Each student received help to pay for the trip from the success of the 25 Drive, a fundraiser held Oct. 5. The dinner, which honored Astros legend Jose Cruz and Dynamo legend Brian Ching, was held to raise money for students who attended the state conference in October and will attend nationals in November. It will also help pay printing costs for the newspaper.

“The 25 Drive was very successful for our first time doing such an event,” Ortiz said.

“We had a great time, raised some money and I think a lot of people had fun.”

The food at the dinner was prepared by former assistant principal Al Segura. While guests were eating, Ching and Cruz participated in a Q&A about their careers.

At the end of the dinner, the winners of the silent auction were announced. The journalism program raised more than $5,000 at the event.

Photo by Shaianne Rubin

Yearbook editor Paige Gonzalez, ‘15, and her sister, Olivia Gonzalez, ‘17, serve brisket to Dynamo legend Brian Ching as former principal Al Segura looks on. Ching was honored during the dinner, which helped raise funds for journalism students to travel to conventions and competitions as well as help cover printing costs of the newspaper.

Photo by Shaianne Rubin

Above: Matthew Kramer, ‘15, poses with Dynamo star Brian Ching and Astros legend Jose Cruz. Kramer and his family attended the meet and greet before the dinner in the library.

Left: Dynamo forward Brian Ching talks with boys soccer coach Ramiro Cantu about the front page of a Houston Chronicle featuring Ching. The paper had been hanging in Cantu’s classroom, and Ching autographed it for him.

Photo by Shaianne Rubin

“The fundraiser was very successful,” yearbook editor Paige Gonzalez, ‘15, said.

“I think we ended up making a lot more than we initially thought we would make.”

Now, their focus is on the trip ahead. Students hope to learn new things from the convention that they can bring back to the staffs.

“I feel I will get more experience,” Paige Gonzalez, ‘15, said. “We are going to a lot of different sessions and I will learn things that I could bring back to the staff.”

This will be the second trip for some of the students this year. They attended the TAJE Fall Fiesta Oct. 19-21.

At the conference, the Odyssey was awarded Best of Show in the large newspaper category. It beat out the other schools in attendance for overall quality of its publication.

Briana Johnson, ‘16, won a Superior rating an on-site photography competition. Malia Johnson, ‘14, and Gonzalez won an Excellent rating in the yearbook theme competition.

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news

Students create real businesses, hope to make money during class The Accounting II class looks to practice real-world skills as they create businesses, make investments and open bank accounts. jordan Mobley staff reporter

A new project in the Accounting II class has formed where students will make their own business.

The class is even working to establish a small business in the cafeteria that will allow students to use microwaves for a fee.

The projects, which are associated with Junior Achievement, are getting underway and will continue to develop as the school year goes on.

“It’s just like a real business,” business teacher Laura Abel said. “It can make money and lose money.”

In order to make the class go more smoothly, Tre Simien, ‘15, was elected president after three different rounds of elections. When his class couldn’t decide a winner, another period was chosen to elect who would be president.

“I am most excited about getting the

chance to start a business, make a profit and provide a service to my school,” Simien said.

The purpose of this project is to teach kids how to get a start-up capital, form company bylaws and develop and sell products. By the end of the class they will liquidate their company. All the money that was saved will be in a Chase bank account.

“I’m very excited for us to be getting microwaves,” said Catherine Fisher, ‘15, who hopes to benefit from the new businesses. “I need to bring my leftovers from home. That’s my healthy food.”

The class is working to make a commercial for SCTV to get the word out about the microwaves. They are working to get the business up and running as soon as possible.

Warm lunches brought from home aren’t the only benefit for these kids. They are learning skills in business, working with others and preparing them for college.

“They can get scholarships with this, and it looks good on resumes,” Abel said.

“They also get the opportunity to compete with other schools.”

Raising the bar: Marching band reached Area competition for the first time in school history. They reached the finals before finishing six out of the 10 teams at the competition. Only the top four teams advanced to State.

No Place for Hate coalition team has big plans ahead The posters signed during a recent advisory class is just the first step for a plan to help reduce bullying in Humble ISD. Jazmyn Griffin schstoday.com editor

While high school can be the best years in peoples’ lives, not every student has the same experience. A prominent issue has come to light in schools across the world: bullying.

Humble ISD has recently taken a stand against bullying by partnering with the No Place For Hate campaign to stop bullying in the district. The coalition team at Summer Creek is made of four students, one parent and counselor Chastidy Sanders.

“There’s a difference between playful teasing and bullying,” Sanders said. “Students laugh at jokes about them but it could really hurt their feelings.”

The first of several events planned by the team was a powerpoint describing types of bullying and a school-wide pledge to stop it. Students signed to prevent and stop all types of harassment and

Photo by Jazmyn Griffin

Benjamin Holley, ’17, signs the Resolution of Respect, a pledge to stop prejudice and help those who are victims of it, the first of three No Place For Hate projects. Advisory classes had discussions on bullying and signed the pledges in October.

bullying to make a more peaceful campus and world.

“Our school systems have been corrupted with bullying for years,” coalition team member D’Anthony Reed, ‘14, said.

“I believe it’s time to put a stop to it and allow all of us to become mature young

adults.”

Reed decided to take part in the No Place For Hate coalition team this year to help jump start the program. He said the emotional toll that bullying takes can change people for the worse.

“I know how hurtful it truly is,” Reed

said. “I want to make a difference by standing up for what I believe is right.”

Although most students would agree that the stereotypical bullying such as “taking lunch money and shoving freshmen” portrayed in movies and television isn’t common, other kinds such as racism, discrimination and cyberbullying are noticeable among teens.

“In order to completely stop bullying, you have to change the people,” Briana Rollins, ’14, said after signing the pledge.

“Educating people about bullying and its negative consequences is the best solution.”

The coalition team has committed to making a difference in the school through the pledge signing and the upcoming Acts of Kindness project. They are also creating a Bully Board where students can tell their experiences about bullying, how they felt during that time and how they worked through it to inspire other victims to stand up for themselves or seek help.

“It’s OK to say, ‘I don’t like that,’” Sanders said. “You can speak up for anybody.

Take initiative to be a leader. Know that you have a voice.”

November 2013

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features

Anticipation builds with new production underway Students will take to the stage in their biggest production yet when they debut A Christmas Carol next month in the PAC. Connor black Staff reporter

On opening night, adrenaline is high and the feeling is somewhat equivalent to waiting in the line of a roller coaster. Of course this is the perspective of the actor, not the audience. “[The most thrilling thing is] the night of the first show, when you get up in front of the audience of 200-plus that are just all watching you, and your adrenaline is through the roof,” said Jake Brown who will play “Topper” in the upcoming SCHS production A Christmas Carol.

He has learned to remain calm though.

“Breathe and just go over the lines maybe in your head and just chill out,” Brown said about how he copes with nerves.

“Don’t get worked up over it because it’s Photo by Paige Gonzalez not as bad as you would think it is.”

Trying to find a quiet place to prepare, Kyle Adams, ‘14, runs over his lines for his character in A Christmas Carol. The cast is working diligently to prepare for arguably their biggest production ever.

Kyle Mendoza, ‘15, said he likes to pray Adams will play Marvel and The Guest of Christmas Yet to Come. about it before opening night.

While the way they cope with nerves may vary, they all have one thing in com- out of directing because I feel like I’m mon-- wanting to give a great show. This giving more.”

Cast list for A Christmas Carol... performance will be no different as the Kyle Mendoza So far theater has performed one play, Ebenezer Scrooge: Kyle Mendoza theater department prepares the biggest It Runs in the Family, which many hailed Graduate: 2015 Jacob Marley’s Ghost, Ghost Dancer: show it has ever done. as one of the funniest plays in school hisFavorite genre: “My favorite part is probably just be- tory. Even with all the praise, Marine said Justin Murphy Comedy ing able to give entertainment to other she felt her students have much more in Mrs. Dilber: BriAhn Hawkins Favorite actor: people, to the audience, for them to be them.

1st Solicitor/Party Guest: Christian Bale able to watch me and “For the short Favorite Actress: Alyssa Lehmann everyone else,” Brown amount of time Not Katie Holmes!

2nd Solicitor/Party Guest: said. “It’s a good feeling that we had to Favorite play you’ve done: A Funny Shea Stooksberry when you make someput it up I was Thing Happened on the Way to the Bob Cratchit: Rolly Reyna one laugh.” really impressed Forum Mrs. Cratchit/Claire: A Christmas Carol, with the kids,” the book by Charles Favorite movie: From up on Poppy Marine said. “Is Samantha Gonzalez Dickins, is the latest it the best play Hill.

Betty/Ghost of Christmas Past: endeavor of the theater we’ve ever done?

Describe yourself as an actor: Tatyana Ramirez department.

No, definitely not.

Unpredictable Bert/Ghost of Christmas Present: Theater director HolBut I was incredSpencer Jones lie Marine is overseeing ibly proud of the Toby Duncan Marvel/Ghost of Christmas Yet to the play. kids that were Graduate: 2016 Come: Kyle Adams - Theater director Hollie Marine “It’s the biggest cast involved because Favorite genre: Young Scrooge/Scrooge at 14: we’ve ever had” said they had to work Comedy Sam DeFazio Marine. “There are a lot incredibly hard.”

Favorite actor: of kids that this is their first play so that’s The theater department quickly shifted Fred: Matthew Rodriguez Leonardo exciting.” gears as soon as It Runs in the Family was Fred’s Sister in Law/Party Guest/ DiCaprio Marine is no stranger when it comes completed. The lead role, Scrooge, will be Ghost Dancer: London Glover Favorite Actress: to the theater world. She lived in places played by junior Kyle Mendoza.

Fan/Party Guest: Sarah Smithson like Los Angeles and Dallas to pur“I was whipping out my old man tacJennifer Aniston Belle/Fred’s Wife/Ghost Dancer: sue an acting career. Once becomtics and scary voices and whatever, and Favorite play you’ve done: Arsenic Valeria Moreno ing a teacher, the transition from acI guess I landed it,” Mendoza said. “She and Old Lace Fezziwig/undertaker/Old Joe: tor to director was a tough one but asked us what we were more excited Favorite movie: Inception Alex Carlson well worth it, according to Marine. about and I told her it was Scrooge. And Describe yourself as an actor: Mrs. Fezziwig/Beggar Woman/Ghost “At first it was very, very difficult to see she took into account all the other actors Captivating Dancer/Party Guest: Memona Niaza and not do it,” Marine said. “(I needed who tried, and they were all really great to) try to inspire the kids, but now I re- actors. I just happened to get the role.”

Topper: Jacob Brown ally enjoy directing. I think I get more Dick Wilkins: Toby Duncan Female Alternate: Brooke Rader Male Alternate: Robert Hermosillo

CAUGHT in the ACT

“It’s the biggest cast we’ve ever had.

There are a lot of kids that this is their first play so that’s exciting.”

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november 2013

features

Spring HS stabbing leads to big changes for Freeman Sophomore student transfers and finds new home after witnessing a high school stabbing.

by Katherine holmes staff reporter

F

or sophomore Madyson Freeman everything changed on what seemed like a normal morning in the cafeteria of Spring High School. She was hanging out with her friends by the vending machines when a fight erupted. Thinking nothing of it, they stood and watched until they realized something was seriously wrong.

“We had been watching the fight and then two of the guys ran off and another one started freaking out and suddenly he collapsed,” Freeman said. “That’s when I saw the trail of blood on the floor.”

There weren’t any teachers around so Freeman and her friends rushed to the front office to tell them to call 911. It all unfolded on Sept. 4, a day that will stay with Freeman for the rest of her life. One student died in the stabbing and three others were injured.

Photo by Katherine Holmes “We thought it was just another fight,” Varsity Cheer coach Tennille Williams and cheer manager Madyson Freeman, ‘16, discuss when Freeman should play the music for the cheerleaders’ routine during the Pink Out pep rally on Oct. 23. Freeman became the cheer manager in September when she transferred from Spring HS after witnessing the fatal stabbing before school on Sept. 4 in the school’s cafeteria. Her family chose Summer Creek because of all of Freeman’s cousins who were Freeman said. “I didn’t even realize somealready attending the school. thing serious was happening until I saw the blood.” evacuated, letting students leave through a because of her cousins who already attendShe said a group of guys picked up the back door. School was canceled for the rest ed the school: Cody Cannon, ‘14, Colton collapsed student, who was sophomore of the week.

Cannon, ‘14, Chase Seabranch, ‘15, and Josh Broussard, and carried him away.

“She immediately texted me, telling me Kelsey Cannon, ‘16.

Teachers then started coming in and telling what happened and what she’d seen and Since arriving, she has joined multiple orstudents to go to class and asking where that she was scared,” Madyson’s mother ganizations, including FFA, Student Counthey took Broussard.

Kristi Freeman said. “She wanted me to cil and cheer.

“I listened and started walking to class. pick her up; but since the school had been “I was an athletic trainer at Spring,” FreeThere was blood everywhere,” Freeman in lockdown, I couldn’t right away. But we man said. “When I got here, my cousin said. “Once I got upstairs it was like I was talked throughout the day, so she wasn’t Kelsey, a varsity cheerleader, suggested I the only person who alone.” be their manager. We sorted it all out with knew what had hapAfter the ordeal, the coach.” pened.

Freeman and her parThe biggest adjustment Freeman had to Madyson Freeman, ‘16, and cousin Kelsey Cannon, ‘16 “Everyone was actents decided to trans- make was in the classroom. ing like nothing was fer her from Spring to “The classes at Spring weren’t nearly as wrong, but since I saw Summer Creek where advanced as they are here,” Freeman said. it firsthand I knew she would feel safer “But I’ve had a lot of help getting my grades Favorite drink: Unsweetened Tea it wasn’t all right. I and already had fam- back to where I want them to be.” couldn’t stop thinking ily and friends to help Class work isn’t the only contrast FreeFavorite food: about it and wonderher heal. man has noticed about the two schools.

“My Ma-Maw’s cooking.” ing if he was going to “We made the deci“It’s a lot more strict at Summer Creek, Favorite Color: Maroon be OK.” sion pretty quickly,” which is a good thing,” Freeman said. “I Favorite Singer: Jason Aldean Within the first hour Kristi Freeman said. feel so much safer here. I feel like the staff is Favorite Movie: She’s The Man of school, Spring went “We had already in control. I don’t see something like what Favorite Book: The Notebook on lockdown and rethought about moving happened at Spring ever happening here.” mained that way for Favorite Place: Fredricksburg, TX out here; and now that Now that a change has been made, Freeseveral hours. her brother is off to man has a fresh start and can begin mov“Because it reminds me of family.

“That’s when people - Madyson Freeman, ‘16 college, we figured it ing past the traumatic experience she witIt’s a tradition to go up there started to understand was time. The stabbing nessed. every Thanksgiving.” what was going on,” just made the decision “It was hard leaving my friends, but I Favorite Animal: Dogs Freeman said. “We to leave a lot easier.” couldn’t eat in a cafeteria everyday knowFavorite Person: Her mom were watching the news for a while, but Freeman isn’t the only one to have left ing I’d watched someone die there,” FreeOne thing she couldn’t then they told us to turn it off.”

Spring behind. According to 13 ABC man said. “This whole thing has shown The students were notified during class News, at least 130 student left Spring ISD me that you never know what can happen. live without: Family that one student was pronounced dead and after the incident, many of whom decided You have to live everyday like it could end One place she’d like to travel: there were three others injured. After three to be homeschooled. at any moment. You just don’t know how California or four hours of waiting, the school was The move for Freeman was made easier long you have.”

“I couldn’t eat in a cafeteria every day knowing I’d watched someone die there. This whole thing has shown me that you never know what can happen.”

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November 2013

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Find photos, stories, scores and more

person, place, thing Buford Jones, Assistant Principal

Everyone has one particular person who has impacted their life in a positive or negative way, a place that they are drawn to, and a thing that they have passion for above all others.

sXavier Wiggins, ‘17, is passionate about theater. “I love it, you can be whoever you want to be. You can let out all of your emotions and be yourself and no one will judge you.” s Davione Eldridge, ‘14, is passionate about basketball.

“I bleed it. I taught myself everything I know.” sOlivia Gonzalez, ‘17, is passionate about school. "Sometimes we take it for granted when girls in other countries aren't allowed to learn. I want to go somewhere in life." sMelody Santamaria, ‘17, is passionate about Demi Lovato.

"She's my inspiration ever since I was 9 when she was on Camp Rock on Disney. Us teens connect to her, and the music she sings is amazing."

-Take a more in depth look at some of the passions found around the school on pages 7-9.

Diana Gonzalez, Sophomore

what I have to say.

MY PERSON My mom. I love her to death. She is always there for me when I need her. She’s like my best friend. I always go to her and talk to her. She does everything for me. We go shopping together, like a typical motherdaughter. We both like jogging, so that’s like quality time. We go jog or just walk around the Summerwood Lake and just talk. She’s understanding. She’s not like a person who doesn’t listen and only has her own opinion.

Of course she will tell me when I am wrong; but she will at least listen to

MY PLACE This past summer I went to Europe for the Ambassadors of Music. I was there for two weeks, and it was amazing to get to experience that with 120 other musicians from all over Houston that went. We just played concerts in Europe. It was really neat and probably why I love Europe so much. I remember one concert in Switzerland. I liked that one a lot because everyone in Switzerland got up and danced to the music. We had one jazz song and everyone got up and clapped and danced. I liked

MY PERSON My grandmother means the world to me, she is a strong woman of God, she has been there when I was at my lowest point, I can’t say enough of the impact she has had on my life. She may not even know it, just the way she lives and the philosophy she has, the impact is powerful. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my wife.

I live for my wife, she has been through so much in her life and I desire to stand by her all my days as a good husband. I want to be good father and good provider for my family, model that servant leadership, that pillar for my family like my grandfather was for us. My grandmother taught me to live by simple values, work hard, go to church, trust God. And my wife lost her mother and father at 5 but somehow managed to get through it. How do you make it through something like that? She doesn’t know that she’s my hero for that. I want to be that father that she never had.

MY PLACE Jamaica, my wife and I both love it there. We took our first vacation there and fell in love with the place.

I am also passionate about good old country living. I love the wide open spaces, beautiful trees and clean air.

I’ve always dreamt of getting away with my wife and my family after I retire and finding a nice quiet place out in the middle of nowhere with a lot of land. I’m from East Texas,

my family is still there. I’ve always enjoyed going back home and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city, somewhere where there’s not a lot to do so you have to make things to do. There’s a peace in that. Not too far from the city, but a place where you can stretch your wings out and not worry about your neighbors.

MY THING It’s more of an idea, the idea that we are called to do good and born for a purpose has really been a powerful thing for me. I believe we live in a nation of underachievers, not because we don’t have enough education or material wealth, but because we don’t value the things we can’t see. We are so busy trying to get ahead and create wealth that we forget the simple things. What about the simple things like being strong in what you believe and helping others to be successful?

I think our world would be a much better place if people held on to the idea that we were made to do great things. The older I get I realize there has to be more, something greater than what we are doing as people and as a nation. I love the story about God creating Adam. He breathed his spirit into Adam. We get so tied up in material stuff. Adam had nothing, and he didn’t even know it but he had everything. I think that we need to go back to simple things. Learn how to come to school and work with a smile. Be happy, not because we got everything we wanted but because we have everything we need.

- as told to Madison Terrier

playing for them. We played Stars and Stripes Forever, and they would always clap to the beat and try to hum to the music. I thought that was neat because it’s another culture, and they were still open to it.

MY THING Band. I feel like with music there’s always something to get better at. It helps you reach your full potential.

Well, not your full potential because you can’t ever really know your full potential, but it helps you. I like concert season more than marching season, because marching season is all about the brass. I play the clarinet.

- as told to Madison Terrier

Diana Gonzalez, ‘16, and brother Jose Gonzalez, ‘15, went on a tour of Europe this past summer with the Ambassadors of Music program.

The siblings along with other band members around Houston played concerts at various venues during the trip. Diana is passionate about Europe and her favorite concert she played was in Switzerland

November 2013

7

person, pl Augustine Martinez, Freshman

Robert Hermosillo, Sophomore my Person My sister Vanessa is my everything. She’s the person I look up to and go to when I need help. I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s in college now, so I barely get to see or talk to her since she decided to go out of the state. Even though we don’t get to be with each other often anymore, she’s still the person I hope to With a passion for New York, Robert Hermosillo, ‘16, be someday. She’s strong, (pictured with his sister Vanessa on a trip to New York) smart, and independent. visits the 9-11 Memorial this past summer.

I really wish she was here but I’m still proud of her. my Place New York is where all my dreams are. It’s where I want to be when I’m older. New York is the place where you can do whatever you want and be whoever you want to be. It’s just somewhere I’ve always wanted to be and I really hope I get there one day. my Thing My passion is anything art or music related. I’m pretty sure anyone who knows me could tell you that. It’s just something that makes me happy. Everyone has that thing that gives them motivation and drives them, and that’s mine. I play the cello, sing, and act. It lets me release everything I feel and put those emotions into what I’m doing.

MY PERSON My best friend, Amaya. She doesn’t go to this school, she goes to QUEST. But she’s really influenced me. We have the same interests, and I’ve never connected with someone as much as I have with her. We share a lot of stuff. We met in the eighth grade, through another friend, and we started talking about our interests. That’s how we bonded, and over the summer we just got really close.

MY PLACE A place that probably changed me was public school. I went to private school all my life and started attending public school in seventh grade. It’s changed me into the person I am and helped me figure out my interests.

It’s helped me dress because you don’t really get to express yourself in private school.

It’s also helped with my social skills because there’s a lot of people, and there’s only one class in private school.

Memona Niazi, Senior MY PERSON I’d have to say I’m passionate about Ms. (Brittany) Wheeler. She was my government teacher, my debate teacher and she’s my NHS sponsor. I have a very close relationship with her. I think she’s like my second mother. I’m passionate about her because of the way she has pushed me. She has pushed me as a person, academically, mentally, and taught me to use my strengths and weaknesses to my advantage. I’ve known her since junior year, and she’s taught me to grow. I also

MY THING I’m passionate about clothes, psychology and cosmetology.

When I dress well I feel confident. I like how you can express yourself through clothes, and your outer appearance can reflect how you feel on the inside. I like to dress very professional. I may not show it a lot because I have no money, but I like to feel sleek. It’s very nice.

I'm passionate about psychology.

I'm mostly interested in the brain and how certain factors affect how you see things and how you act. At first, I just found it interesting to learn people’s problems and try to help them. Then I just started reading stuff about it. It just fascinates me.

I like cosmetology.

I plan on taking Intro to Cosmetology next semester. I just like doing people’s hair and makeup. I think it would be cool to do it to other people. I have five sisters and they taught me how to braid and I just thought it was so cool. I practice on anybody who will let me.

- as told to Madison Terrier

love that she is such a fair person. She loves her on-level classes just as much as her AP students. She doesn’t discriminate and never acts like anyone is stupid.

MY PLACE I’m passionate about Fall Creek Elementary. I know it’s cliche to say, but the kids I work with every Thursday are my way of seeing the great minds of tomorrow. When I look at little kids, I imagine them in 10 years from now and I see them being

“Everyone has that thing that gives them motivation and drives them, and (music a

Allie Wilson, Senior

MY PERSON I’m very religious, so I would have to say Jesus.

I’m passionate about my youth pastor, Dale Young. He’s been through a lot, and he wants better for us than what he’s gone through. He wasn’t a Christian until he was 18. He devotes all of his time and all of his love to us. I think that it takes a special person to be a youth pastor. It’s voluntary. There’s no money involved.

He and I are very close. He always will give me an honest answer; he isn’t going to give me a lame answer. He always says that he sees so much in my class this year and that “we can change

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november 2013

our youth group.” I try to be the best example for him and God. He played baseball in high school, and he had an injury that ended his baseball career. Because that was the only thing that was important to him, it became like an idol to him. He had to have surgery and it made him realize that it was the only way God could get his attention. It’s amazing to me because he’s at peace with it and accepted it. I don’t know that I could be that way. He’s my dad away from home. I can talk to him about anything and he gives me advice about everything.

MY PLACE I would say I’m passionate about

Guatemala. I went on a mission trip. I wanted to talk about Jesus because very few people know about him there. I went with my church, Atascocita Community Church, and we were gone for seven days.

I stayed with two friends in a hotel and there were 26, divided into four groups.

I was a part of the children’s ministry which was like babysitters where the parents dropped their kids off while they waited. It was behind the medical center.

The children’s ministry was the best.

You didn’t worry about anything like your phone or posting a picture and you focused on what you could do for them.

Even with limited Spanish, they didn’t care. They just wanted you to love on them. They didn’t care what you were wearing or if you had on makeup, only that you could love them and talk to them. Most of the other groups focused

on the adults. I liked the children’s ministry because we talked to the kids about Jesus and told them Bible stories. I hope that if anything, we planted a seed in their heart about Jesus.

MY THING I’m passionate about soccer. I’ve played since I was 5 years old. I feel like playing soccer is another way for me to share God’s love on and off the field. Even to the people we play against. I show God’s love by not being nasty or playing dirty. I feel like people question why I don’t play that way, and it’s God shining through me. I also think I am using what God gave me to my advantage. I’m team captain of the varsity team. I’m a part of the bigger picture.

- as told to Jenna Duvall

place, thing Miranda Chachere, Junior

Amanda Fast, Art Teacher

MY PERSON Princess Diana. She had a really awesome fashion sense and was a really cool person, even when she had so much attention and pressure put on her. In fifth grade we did a project where we dressed up as a famous person in history and I chose her. Ever since I was little she’s been a kind of inspiration to me.

MY PLACE San Francisco.

I just think it’s really beautiful, especially the architecture of the houses and buildings. The people are also really diverse and unique.

MY THING I’m really into activism. I like it because equality is really important to me, and I don’t think that silence is ever an answer to solve problems in society.

- as told to Sean Perry

able to lead our country. They’re the next generation and I’m so proud of them.

I’ve been volunteering at FCE since my junior year. It was a National Honor Society long term project. It’s come a long way since last year. Northbelt Elementary has adopted the way we do things at Fall Creek. Each student is assigned to a classroom in a specific grade and they are like a second teacher to the kids. They aren’t a teacher’s aide, but they work with the students, pull them out to read, etc.

Miranda Chachere, ‘15, poses in a Princess Diana costume during a fifth grade presentation.

“Ever since I was little, (Princess Diana) has been a kind of inspiration to me.”

MY THING My brother Saud, who just graduated, recently bought me a James Avery bracelet.

It’s a little silver heart surrounded by a leather band. I think that it’s symbolic of our relationship because the silver heart is completely formed but the edges of the bracelet are rough, just like we have rough patches. I don’t hold much value to material things but this is one of the things that I hold close to me.

- as told to Jenna Duvall

MY PERSON A person I am passionate about is Martin Luther King, Jr. He just had so much integrity. My favorite quote from him is, “All that needs to happen for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” He was so peaceful.

Some people believe in something and are so passionate about it, but they have a backwards way of approaching it. As a Christ follower, he was always Christ-like. When people cursed him, he didn’t curse back at them. When people attacked him, he didn’t attack others.

Another reason I’m passionate about him is because I feel like if he hadn’t helped move for what he believed in, there would still be a barrier in race. The love of my life isn’t the same color as me.

I would be one of those people who was killed for loving someone of a different color if he hadn’t done something about it.

team, but more cultural. I also loved the “Harlem Gospel Choir.”

It’s crazy to me that the whole thing is free, even the seats. One time I took my friend’s engagement pictures there.

She worked in a lab and he was kind of nerdy, so she brought her lab coat and we made an “experiment” out of water and red food coloring and called it a love potion. He wore a plaid shirt and khaki pants with big glasses. We took pictures of her making him fall in love with her. We took pictures all over Houston, but the ones at Hermann Park and Miller Outdoor Theatre were my favorite.

MY THING I’ve been baking since I was a little girl.

Being in the kitchen with my mom and sisters is one of my fondest childhood memories. In 2009, I put my baking skills to good use when I started my in-home bakery. I love to experiment with flavors. Customers request customized cupcakes for all kinds of events. From snickerdoodle to chicken and waffle to pistachio cardamom, I’m willing to try just about any flavor combination to please my customer’s taste buds. Cardamom tastes like a nutmeg-licorice flavoring.

Americans aren’t used to the taste. I made them for a Diwali party for my neighbors and they’re Indian. She said everyone took a bite and said, “If you close your eyes, you’ll feel like you’re in India.”

- as told to Jenna Duvall

“Being in the kitchen with my mom and sisters is one of my fondest childhood memories.”

MY PLACE I would say that I’m passionate about Hermann Park. It’s near downtown and near the zoo. There are lots of little things to do. You can have a picnic, play on the splash pad, throw a frisbee, ride the train, or row the paddle boats.

Miller Outdoor Theatre is so close too.

My favorite show I saw there was “Step Africa” which was like a step

and art) are mine. ... It lets me release everything I feel.” - Robert Hermosillo, ‘16 Joceline Wiggins, Sophomore MY PERSON My mom is seriously the most important person to me. She’s gone through everything with me. When I was little I didn’t get to see her a lot because of her job, but I remember a lot of nights when she risked everything to visit me during her break time and say hi to me. After my mom and my blood father broke up, my mom did everything for us to have a nice house and the nicest stuff we could get. Even though we didn’t have the best things, it was good enough for me because I saw how hard she worked for us. My mom is my hero and she taught me to take pride in myself and to never give up, even when life gets hard.

MY PLACE Nicaragua is very important to me because it’s where I’m from. Living in Nicaragua when I was little taught me that the world doesn’t have as much freedom or as many opportunities as places like the U.S. does.

At the time, we lived in pretty bad poverty but many other people we knew had it much worse.

Some people we knew had to literally go out and find piles of trash to get food.

Nicaragua made a very big impact on me and now I know not to complain about my life.

I have to work my hardest to get what I want. Whatever happens, Nicaragua will

always feel like my home.

MY THING Theater and acting is something I really love because it lets me express myself.

Usually when I act, I let out emotions that I’ve always kept inside. It’s like a release.

If I have to act mad, I always remember something that made me mad that day and how I wanted to react but couldn’t. Theater just overall makes me feel happy and free.

I love the feeling when people see you do something that they never thought you could do.

- as told to Sean Perry

“Whatever happens, Nicaragua will always feel like my home.”

Joceline Wiggins is pictured with her mother and younger sister, Bonnie on her sixth birthday. Wiggins is passionate about her mother and thinks of her as her hero. november 2013

9

sports

Varsity playing time hard to get for freshmen

The likelihood of being on varsity as a freshman depends on the sport.

Danielle Miller sports editor

For any athlete, making varsity as a freshman is a goal. For football and basketball players, the chance of making varsity is slim to none until their sophomore and junior years.

College scouts are showing up to basketball practices these days to watch 6-foot-8 center Paul Thomas, ‘15. As a freshman, Thomas played JV. “He was not quite where he needed to be, especially on his defense,” boys basketball coach Ricky Mourning said. “In his freshman year, we had a lot of height on the varsity team. Putting him on JV that one year we were really able to focus on the fundamentals that he needed to work on. Then when he came up to varsity his sophomore year he was named the Newcomer of the Year for the district.”

Not all teams have the luxury of

holding freshmen out of varsity competition. Tennis, golf, volleyball and softball have found much success utilizing freshmen.

“On the boys side, they are not as fit when they come into high school,” head volleyball coach Tamika Newman said. “For the girls, as long as they are mature enough it will just take a lot of patience - not only from them but from the coach also.”

Mourning said it takes a certain amount of maturity to be put on the varsity team, and there is a big gap between middle school and high school.

“You have to distinguish between the effort and the level of play in middle school to the level of play and effort that they will now have to put in high school,” Mourning said. “You have to look at it from a team point of view. You have to see if they will help on varsity, look at the maturity level, work ethic and most importantly their grades.”

For basketball, varsity and JV one teams scrimmage every day. This helps Mourning add a more com-

Volleyball team heads to playoffs

petitive atmosphere for both teams.

“I have one kid Simeon Burton (‘15) who tore his ACL and didn’t get to play last season because of it,” Mourning said. “When he got better he was too out of shape to put him on varsity so I put him on JV, and he worked real hard and has now worked his way back up to varsity.”

When an athlete comes into high school there is more of a difference between the way they performed in middle school and the way they are expected to perform in high school.

For the athletes trying to play in college, Mourning said the coaches look at your AAU team during the summer and pay less attention to your high school unless they are really interested.

Just because it’s difficult to make varsity as a freshman on many teams, it’s not impossible.

“I have always said, I will put the best people on varsity who give us a chance to compete and win -- whoever those athletes may be,” Mourning said.

played Lumberton in the first round and lost. This year during preseason, the volleyball team went to the Magnolia tournament and beat Lumberton.

“We have been focusing on defense in our practices leading up to the game,” Newman said. “We have really gotten much quicker on our decision making and we need to keep the momentum that we have had going the past two games and bring that into the game against Lumberton.”

With the volleyball season coming to an end the girls are heading into playoffs as the fourth place team in the district. They have a record of 13-15 overall and 9-6 in district play.

“Our goal is to get to the second round, and I think we have a real chance of that,” volleyball coach Tamika Newman said.

As the team goes into playoffs they are counting on Danielle Miller, ’14, Danea Darron,’16, and Dani Poulsen,’15, to help guide them to the second round.

“Our strengths are blocking and hitting so if we have those two components there is a very good chance we could come home with a win,” Newman said.

On Nov. 5 the volleyball team will travel to a neutral site to play Lumberton. Last year, the team also

Runners qualify for Regionals

The cross country teams competed in the District meet last week and some runners advanced to Regionals.

Jake Bootz, ‘14, placed second overall and broke a school record. Cameron White, ‘16, got seventh over-

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November 2013

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Photos by Dominique Thomas

Dakota Jackson,’17, Danea Darron, ’16, and Iyaria Walker, ’15, prepare to triple block a middle attack against Barbers Hill. Jackson is one of two freshmen who made an impact on varsity this year. Darron is in her second year on varsity after making the team as a freshman last year.

all. Bootz and White received All-District honors.

The boys’ team won second at the meet.

“Overall the season was filled with ups and downs, we have had a sporadic season full of personal records,” boys’ coach Shelton Ervin said.

On the girls’ side, Angelica Jacobs, ‘15, broke a school record and placed seventh overall. Julissa Garcia finished 20th with a personal best.

“It was a successful year because all the girls hit their personal best,” girls’ coach Elton Ervin said.

Tennis team narrowly eliminated in district semifinals by K-Park

After a two and a half hour semifinal match for Olivia Zismann, ’14, the tennis team lost to Kingwood Park 10-9. They placed third in the bi-district semifinals

and were knocked out of the playoffs.

“We had mainly focused on our doubles,” tennis coach Thomas Lowe said. “We knew we needed to to win at least three boys doubles and one girls and we would for sure win. Unfortunately we just couldn’t do that against K-Park.”

Eli Harper, ’14, went undefeated and Lowe anticipates him being the MVP for the district. The boys showed a strong season and against K-Park they won eight out of the nine boys singles matches.

“Our strength was the boys’ overall play,” Lowe said.

“Our girls got much better as the year went on but the boys were strong and consistent all year.”

The team had wanted to repeat as district champions, but will now look toward improving for their spring season.

sports

double threat Juniors Caleb Del Real and Jonathan Del Real support each other’s goals of finding success at State.

Gerson Vilchis Staff Reporter

Born as fraternal twins, the Del Real brothers have grown up together both at home and in the pool. Beginning swimming lessons at the age of 8, they have competed and trained all around the state and continue to swim in competitions throughout the year.

They have pushed and supported each other throughout every challenge.

“We started becoming competitive and that’s when things really started changing,” Caleb Del Real, ‘15, said.

After the brothers learned the basics of swimming, their mother saw they enjoyed it and signed them up to compete. Even as they struggled in their first few meets they continued training and grew both as athletes and siblings.

Their mother recorded their races and they watched the videos to seek out imperfections and areas of improvement. They dedicated themselves to becoming faster and better.

“I think they grew up pretty fast because of their responsibility with what a swimmer requires,” their mom Lulu Del Real said.

“Training every day Monday

Photos by Shaianne Rubin

Jonathan Del Real, ‘15, and his twin Caleb Del Real, ‘15, hope to make a splash this year by reaching State for the second year in a row. The two have swam together since they were 8 years old. Jonathan is a sprinter and Caleb swims long distance events. Jonathan is trying to currently overcome a back injury that has sidelined him for much of the season. “Both of them have said swimming is their life,” their mom Lulu Del Real said. “But I have to remind them that one day it’ll be in their past, so to enjoy it and always try your best.”

through Saturday, waking up early, there’s hardly any vacations. They have more responsibilities than any normal teen.”

Their daily routine is challenging and yet always the same. After swim practice and school they drive about 30 minutes to The Woodlands to their swim practice for their club swim team. Having done this routine for years, their constant hard work has allowed them to both be on varsity three years in a row.

“Right now he’s motivating me to keep swimming despite an injury,” Jonathan Del Real, ‘15, said. “(Caleb) is supportive so I don’t give up entirely.”

This year, Jonathan suffered a back injury that has left him

unable to participate in meets and practice. As he continues to combat the issue, his brother encourages him.

“They swim in the same lane everyday,” coach John Dissinger said. “So there’s some times when things get heated with one another, but it’s good to see a little fire in the belly from the both of them.”

As the case with all brothers, both of them have a sense of rivalry. However, it is not all too serious since Jonathan is a sprinter and Caleb is a distance swimmer.

They generally do not compete directly against one another.

However, they still continue to strive to surpass one another and continue improving.

“My goal is to win the 400 Free

Relay at State and make it to the Olympic trials,” said Caleb, who also wants to finish in the top eight at State in the 200 Free and 500 Free.

Last year at Regions, Jonathan was Swimmer of the Year and won four events including two individual events. At the State meet he made two finals. Caleb made State in the 500 free after finishing third at Regions.

“Swimming is their passion,” their mom said. “It’s their everyday challenge. Both of them have said swimming is their life. But I have to remind them that one day it’ll be in their past, so to enjoy it and always try your best.”

Breaking Records

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200 IM: Matt Kraemer SCHS Pool Records 500 Free: Catalina Endo 100 Fly: Asia Quentin Boys 200 Medley: Alejandro Endo, Nick Rudy, Matt Kraemer, Jonathan Del Real 200 Free, 200 IM, 500 Free: Matt Kraemer Boys 400 Free Relay: Matt Kraemer, Caleb Del Real, Brenden Bennett, Jarvus Pennington

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November 2013

11

Perfect

sports

FIT

Senior A.J. Jeffery moved to the area last spring and has found his niche on the football team.

Regine murray staff reporter

When Vadie Jeffery put her son A.J. in football at the age of 4, she didn’t know he would dominate on the field like he does now.

“I put him in it just to be doing something, just for him to be in a sport,” said Vadie Jeffery.

Football has remained a big part of his life ever since. He is currently the leading receiver for the undefeated Bulldogs.

Jeffery played football at C.E. King his freshman year through first semester of his junior year. He then moved to the area last spring and enrolled at Summer Creek.

“We moved to Sunset Ridge for financial reasons, but C.E. King thought otherwise,” said Vadie Jeffery.

Because of rules that do not allow studentathletes to switch schools for athletic purposes, students often lose a year of eligibility.

Jeffery and his mom were worried that might happen to him.

“If A.J. would’ve had to sit out this season it just would’ve tore me up inside, it really would’ve hurt,” said Vadie Jeffery. “C.E. King just gave me a really hard time. I was really scared he wasn’t going to be able to play.”

After a number of meetings and a lot of paperwork, Jeffery was allowed to play at Summer Creek.

It was quickly apparent he fit well into the offense, and he built a good rapport with quarterback Aaron Sharp, ‘14.

“A.J. is a big play waiting to happen,” Sharp said. “When he first joined the team, he fit right in and everybody liked him. We all knew he was a good player after looking at the amazing stats he put up at C.E King. We are good friends and he’s great for the team.”

Jeffery has a team-leading 33 catches for 418 yards this season. He has five touchdowns.

“A.J. has been a great addition to our offense,” Ford said.

Jeffery said his season with Ford has also been good for his development.

“Me and Coach (Brian) Ford get along really well, he stays on me and makes sure I’m good,” said Jeffery. “He always tells me what I’m doing wrong so I can fix it as fast as possible, he keeps me on my toes and he is a really great head coach.”

The team is focused on trying to finish the regular season undefeated for the second year in a row. The squad is loaded with seniors, including Sharp, who is a Kansas State

12

November 2013

Photo by Dominique Thomas

A.J. Jeffery, ‘14, steps around a Porter defender in a 48-0 victory on Oct. 24 at Turner Stadium. Jeffery has 418 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season. commit and linebacker Dakota Allen, who is a Texas Tech commit.

On the receivers’ end, Jeffery shares catches with senior Torrey Johnson, who has 22 catches for 417 yards and six touchdowns.

“What I like about the football team is that there’s a lot of good players and they push me to do better,” Jeffery said. “I like that we have many weapons on the football team like Sharp and Torrey. They keep me on top of my game so I really like that.”

On Oct. 4, Jeffery faced off against his former teammates when the Bulldogs traveled to Crenshaw Memorial Stadium to take on C.E. King. Summer Creek won, 56-27.

“When we beat C.E. King I was so happy, I knew we would but it just felt good,” said Vadie Jeffery.

Jeffery said all the changes have worked out the best for him.

“The difference in being at SC and being at C.E. King, is that it is bigger and a lot more people,” said Jeffery. “Everybody supports the football team at Summer Creek.”

The Bulldogs have two more regular season games left before playoffs and have high hopes on ending the season undefeated.

Photo by DeeDee Durham

Senior A.J. Jeffery walks in front of the fans looking for family and friends after the Bulldogs defeated Porter 48-0 at Turner Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 24. The Bulldogs remained a perfect 8-0 for the season.

While their record doesn’t show it, the team did struggle against Kingwood Park and Humble in October. They seemed to clean up the problems against Porter, however.

“We played without any turnovers, we had a nice clean game,” Ford said of the Porter outing. “We fixed a few things. Our turnovers have gotten better. We played cleaner with assignment and execution. The biggest

thing though has been our fumbles.”

They travel to Barbers Hill tonight and will finish the season at home against Dayton on Nov. 8.

“For the rest of the season I’m looking forward to nothing but wins and helping my team the best way I can and staying healthy,” said Jeffery. “I’m looking forward to playing in the State game also.”

sports Off the Court

College visits add to senior year schedule Senior year can be one of the most stressful years. The questions seem to never end: What college do you want to go to? Will you get a scholarship -- or ANY money, for that matter?

In addition, you have to fit in your college visits. College Sports Editor visits are a very Danielle Miller important part of deciding which college you want to attend. For an athlete, it can most definitely make or break your decision.

I have visited two colleges. One I fell in love with one and the other I did not like so much. During one visit, I was lucky to go during their homecoming weekend. I got to experience many different things that I likely wouldn’t have seen if I had gone on just a typical weekend there.

I was able to attend their football game and be a part of all the traditions that they have at their school.

It was very good for me to be able to go and see all this because I was able to realize where I really wanted to go, which is what going on a visit should be all about.

For an athlete, the most important thing to make sure is that you like the team you might be joining.

You want to get to know them.

If you don’t like the team, you will not have a good experience because those are the people with whom you will be spending most of your time during the season and in the offseason.

Some people may already know where they want to go; but for many who are still deciding between various schools, you should pick a school where you feel the most comfortable. Choose where you believe you will fit in the most because you will be there for at least the next four year of your life.

If you like your school and you like your team, you’ll most likely have a great college experience.

Freshman brings his talent to the golf program Kevin Holtz, ‘17, will slide into the No. 2 spot on varsity behind 2013 State runner-up Connor Black.

YAzmin Lopez staff reporter

Kevin Holtz, ‘17, was only 9 years old when he moved to the United States from China.

“The hardest thing about moving would be leaving all my Chinese friends and family members,” Holtz said. “I also wondered if America was going to be good or not.”

Holtz started golfing right after he came to the United States. His dad was a member of the Redstone Golf Club, and he taught him how to golf. He then took some golf lessons to get better at it.

“My dad started teaching me,” Holtz said, “I didn’t know anything about golf and those golf lessons really helped me.

Now what I enjoy the most is having fun with my friends.”

Holtz was home schooled the previous two years to allow more time for traveling and golf. While practicing at Redstone, Holtz met current teammate Connor Black, ‘14, who was also home schooled for a couple of years before joining Summer Creek last spring. They became fast friends.

“I meet him at Redstone when I was practicing,” Black said. “He was with his dad. I guess we spent most of our time in there, and we ended up talking to each other.”

Both Holtz and Black are top golfers on the golf team, along with Connor Pittman, Toby Duncan, Jake Brown, and John Carr.

Photo by Paige Gonzalez

Kevin Holtz, ‘17, hopes to become a leader on the golf team as only a freshman. After spending two years being home schooled, Holtz said he is happy to be part of a team at Summer Creek.

“He has brought a lot of talent to the team,” said Black. “It’s pretty cool to be on a team with someone who really enjoys what they do. He has really helped our program.”

Despite this being only his freshman year, Holtz is on the varsity team. Holtz didn’t have that much problem fitting in because he already knew some of his teammates.

“I really like the golf team,” said Holtz.

“I have been practicing with some of my teammates for awhile now and it’s really nice to play with them. Also, a couple of my teammates are trying to get better and

when they do our golf team will get better.”

Coach Mike Tarver said he hopes for the golf team to repeat as district champions and make it to the Regional tournament.

“Some of our goals are to win district.” said Tarver, “also make it to Regionals as well as qualify for the State tournament again this year.”

Black finished second at State last year.

Holtz said his goals are to make straight As and also win every golf tournament.

“I feel like if I keep practicing harder, I will get far in my career,” said Holtz.

Latest change might be Kee to team’s success Softball team hopes to get continuity they have lacked now that their fifth coach in five years has been hired to take charge.

Jenna Duvall staff Editor

When Stacey Kee walked in to meet her new team, she understood that this was not the typical team situation. She was the squad’s fifth softball coach in five years. Nothing about this was going to be easy.

“Having so many different coaches has changed the mentality of the team,” player Rebecca Achee, ‘14, said. “We didn’t have a strong relationship with each of the coaches because they weren’t here long enough.”

Achee, like many other varsity team members, struggled to adapt to the con-

the program,” Kee said. “Garrison had a stant cycle of changing coaches.

“It’s tiring knowing there hasn’t been a similar situation, and I saw the tremensolid coach here for us in over two years,” dous successes they accomplished with player Alejandra Garcia, ‘14, said. “It’s the right leadership.”

During the past two weeks, been harder to build a program because we have to conthe team participated in team tinue to learn different ways building exercises in order to with each coach.” help with bonding and communication. The exercises Kee was previously coaching focused on trust. With better at Garrison High School but moved to the area over the skills and a consistent coach, summer when her husband’s the softball team looks forjob changed. When she reward to a strong season.

“The team was at a huge ceived word of the Summer disadvantage,” Kee said.

Creek opening in October, Softball coach she anticipated a team with“When there isn’t that steady Stacey Kee out structure and leadership. coach, the team starts to lack Kee replaced Michael Dansby, who left trust and leadership. I hope to improve after just two months. He had taken over that stability by showing them that I’m the program after last year’s coach Lind- not going anywhere.” say Cathey took a teaching assignment at the long-term center in Humble ISD. “I was excited to be able to take over

November 2013

13

opinion

staff editorial

editor’s corner

Banter between rivals crosses lines

Graduating early not ideal after realizing importance of senior year

Rivalries are an important part of every sport. No matter what level you play in -- little league, high school, college, or professional teams -- there is always one opponent you wish to beat more than all of the others.

For Summer Creek, that “It’s ridiculous opponent is Kingwood Park. that having Being in the same district and pride and supsharing the feeling of being an infant school, the similarities porting your originally struck up a friendly school turned rivalry.

However, in the last few into berating weeks, the rivalry has gone too the members far. Comments about the “class,” of another.” “intelligence,” and “wealth” of both schools were addressed during these arguments. It’s ridiculous that having pride and supportare at fault for what happened. Both ing your school turned into berating the schools need to realize that we are both members of another. representing the same district. Students Social media sites, such as Twitter and from both schools work hard and are acInstagram, have fanned the flames of complishing great things. improper comments taking place between It’s okay to want to beat one another at the schools. We have chosen Kingwood more sporting events or push yourselves Park as our Homecoming football opto work harder; but stooping so low as to ponent for two out of our five years as a make stereotypical, race, and class related school. During Homecoming, it’s not out insults at the cost of other students is of the ordinary to see posters encouragwrong. ing your team. Some of the popular signs These comments give both teams bad were “Skin the Panthers,” “Kill the Cats” reputations. Though this rivalry may soon and “SC keeping KP out of the playoffs be ending with our transition to class 5A since 2009.” These jibes aimed at Kingnext year, we should take away from this wood Park eventually found their way to experience the desire to not digress to the Twitter. same level as others. We need to respect Arguments began between individuals other students as well as our Bulldog and fan accounts of both teams. At the acreputation. It’s irrational to think that our tual football game, signs reading “Friends students won’t defend our school when don’t let friends transfer to K-Park” and insults are being thrown around, but other offensive posters were seen. think before you speak and don’t instigate The next week, after securing the more issues.

Homecoming victory by three points, the Rivalry is a good tradition that schools volleyball teams faced each other. Followhave established. As long as rivalries are ing all of the trash talk on twitter, more solely about sports and not the character controversy brewed with accusations of individuals, they should continue being thrown around between the two instigating camaraderie and support in teams after the volleyball game. schools.

Parties on both sides of the argument

Since the first day of kindergarten, high school graduation has been within sight.

Scrapbooks begin, semesters pass and the countdown to walking across the stage with a diploma takes off.

Being in school is a chapter book where each year holds a new story.

Jenna Duvall When the opportunity of graduating early was presented to me, it was a decision that required me to consider a wide variety of circumstances. Anticipation for my last year of school had began months before, and my first thought was that I couldn’t wait to be finished. Graduating early meant no more homework and the chance to grow up a little sooner than I was expecting.

Of course, my immediate decision was yes.

However, as I began to think about everything senior year would hold for me, my answer wasn’t so certain anymore.

Walking across the stage with my class in May would still be an option; but after six months of being gone, the experience wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t have the

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same memories shared across a cafeteria table as my friends would, nor would I have the classroom laughs or the drama they all experienced. Would graduation be as eventful for me if I didn’t have memories with my friends?

Everyone always said senior year was the easiest, but after the first nine weeks I thought differently. Spring semester of 12th grade is the easiest time of your life.

Back-to-back senior events line up and make school more bearable. Field day, picnics, pictures, college visits and prom speed up the semester, bringing seniors closer to turning their tassel.

Memories stood out to me. The memories made in high school are the ones that last forever and the ones you revisit at reunions and coffee dates 20 years down the road. Memories are more important than finishing the race a little early.

All of these things made me realize how important it was for me to stay at school as long as possible. Either way, graduating early or not, I’d start college and grow up fast enough, so there was no need to rush anything.

Graduating early is like reading the final sentence of a book before reading the last chapter. Even though the end is important, the key parts of a story are the events that lead up to it.

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s Thanksgiving break coming up. Hurray for turkey day. s The senior field trip to the Renaissance Festival. It’s good to be a senior. s New season of Pretty Little Liars and Awkward. s Thor: The Dark World. Chris Hemsworth is eye candy. s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Liam Hemsworth is always great to watch.

s Not enough time to eat lunch. Sorry we can’t shove our food down our throats. s Houston, Texas weather. Why is it so bipolar? s Crowded hallways. Excuse me stranger, but I do not like having you walk an inch behind me. s Girls straightening their hair in the hallways.

What is one thing that you are thankful for in this past year?

“I am thankful for making it to my

senior year of high school.”

- Bryce Sanders, ‘14

“I am thankful for my nana adopting me, so now I don’t have to worry about anything.”

- Brianna Alewine, ‘17

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“I am thankful for my mom because these last few months were stressful and I wouldn’t have been able to make it without her.”

- Mia Weaver, ‘14

November 2013

“I am thankful for God letting my aunt, who has breast cancer, see another day.”

- J.P. Powell, ‘16

“I am thankful for all the new friends and family I’ve gained.”

- Colby Roberts, ‘15

“I am thankful for all my travelling opportunities that I’ve had.”

- Math teacher Allison Ford

opinion

School mottos spark debate Attitude is everything vs.

Make it a great day or not

Madison terrier co-editor in chief

CONNOR BLACK STAFF REPORTER

The school motto “Attitude is Everything” has slowly started to die away. Though it is painted on the school walls, the saying is hardly ever uttered.

With the addition of new teachers and a new leader in principal Thyrun Hurst, the saying has understandably been replaced. New teachers have their own favorite expressions and Mr. Hurst had his own motto, “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”

However, “Attitude is Everything” shouldn’t be so easily forgotten and replacement of the phrase shouldn’t be an option.

At the very core both sayings are supposed to convey the same meaning: you determine your own fate.

But one has a more positive outlook, while the other sounds a bit ominous.

The upbeat sound of “Attitude is Everything” already puts you in a better mood just by saying it. It reminds students that your attitude, no matter what it is, ultimately becomes everything to the person. Your attitude will determine your approach to school work and family, the kind of friends you have and the amount of people that want to be around you, and eventually your attitude will affect self confidence and happiness.

Contradicting itself, the expression “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours” isn’t always true.

Sometimes people just have bad days. It’s not that they did anything wrong or chose to be in misery that day, but often outside factors cause the day not to go according to plan. Waking up with a flat tire, hearing news of a sick friend or family member, or having your boyfriend break up with you, isn’t something that you chose for yourself. Bad days are inevitable, and other people and circumstances are often the turning point of your day.

The attitude you choose to approach these uncontrollable adversities, however, can be instrumental in you becoming successful and happy. You may not be having the best day, but with the right attitude you can still make the day count.

Every school I have attended while growing up has had some kind of a motto, something they hope will remind students of what’s important. Like most kids, I always ignored or even joked with my buddies about the mottos because of how corny they tended to be.

This stayed true for me all the way until my senior year when I heard principal Thyrun Hurst say “make it a great day or not, Bulldogs, the choice is yours” in his deep solemn voice. It was fresh, even kind of menacing which made me realize how true it is. Whether I’m going to have a great day is up to me, not my parents, teachers or friends.

Many disliked the new motto, preferring the peppier “Attitude is Everything” which was used most often for the past four years. I couldn’t disagree more. “Attitude is Everything” is too happy, exaggerated, and a cliché. It travels through one ear and out the other, not causing the listener to stop and think about it.

If a phrase doesn’t change a person’s actions then what is the point? Is it just a nice thing to fill the space at the bottom of our school syllabus?

No. The point of a school phrase or motto is to get students to realize a universal truth which can help them with their life. Yes, attitude is important but wouldn’t it be better to use a phrase that gets the student thinking for himself? When Mr. Hurst says, “Have a great day or not, Bulldogs, the choice is yours” it makes us think. What does he mean by that? Does he mean that I should try harder or does it mean that it’s my perspective of the day that makes it good or not? Regardless of the answer, it is OUR own convictions that we get from this phrase that makes it have such an impact.

Maybe it’s just me, but I learn things better when I have to figure it out myself to some extent.

The transition from an overused, cliché statement to a thought-provoking phrase was a smart move by the administration. Any time I am having a tough day, I think about this phrase. It may not change everything but it helps a little.

o d y ss e y staff www.SCHStoday.com

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Madison Terrier Jenna Duvall SCHStoday.com Editor: Jazmyn Griffin Photo Editor: Shaiannne Rubin Sports Editor: Danielle Miller A&E Editor: Mackenzie Harper General Staff: Michelle Garcia Jordan Mobley Victoria Valentine Katherine Holmes Gerson Vilchis Connor Black Sean Perry Yazmin Lopez Regine Murray Esau Garcia Special Contributors: Paige Gonzalez Dominique Thomas DeeDee Durham Adviser: Megan Ortiz Principal: Thyrun Hurst Summer Creek High School 14000 Weckford Blvd., Houston, TX 77044 281.641.5400 November 2013 Issue 3 , Vol. 5 The Odyssey serves as a public forum for Summer Creek High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

Katy Perry’s new album PRISM lives up to expectations Sean perry Staff reporter

Since her 2010 release of Teenage Dream, Katy Perry fans have been anticipating a new album from the musician, and on Oct. 22 they finally got their wish. The new album, PRISM, combines the bubbly optimism of the old Katy we know and love with new and mature elements thrown into the mix.

The overall message of the album is one of rediscovering self-confidence and battling insecurities, which are most prominent in the songs “Roar,” “It Takes Two,” and “Love Me.” “By the Grace of God,” a ballad about overcoming adversities and a nod to her religious upbring-

ing, also conveys this message well. The lyrics are uplifting and inspirational, yet broad enough so they don’t alienate non-religious fans.

Even with the more serious nature of the album, there are still carefree songs on PRISM. “Legendary Lovers,” “Birthday” and “This is How We Do” give the album a dose of liveliness and youth. On PRISM, Katy experiments with new beats and melodies that one would not expect from her, including “Walking on Air”, an infectious dance song that sounds similar to ‘90s pop, and “Dark Horse,” which has a spacey beat that we have not yet heard from the singer.

While the entire album is not to be missed, standout

songs off PRISM are: “Legendary Lovers,” “International Smile,” “Dark Horse,” “By the Grace of God,” “Spiritual,” and my personal favorite, “Ghost.”

The only less-than stellar song off the album is “Unconditionally,” which is a little too generic and repetitive for my tastes.

All in all, PRISM truly manages to live up to the expectations. While it may not capture all of the magic that Teenage Dream did, it is still an exceptional album.

PRISM is sure to be a hit, and it is one that will leave both old and new fans alike satisfied.

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November 2013

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