Alec Lintz Named KPRC's Student of the Week

KPRC Channel 2 reporter Ruben Galvan presents Cypress Creek High School senior Alec Lintz with the KPRC Student of the Week trophy on Feb. 18 during a pep rally in the school gym.

By Hala Khan, Cypress Creek HS

Feb. 27, 2015—The Cypress Creek High School gym was silent as students and teachers waited with bated breath. Band instruments were still and the air thick with anticipation to find out which student would be chosen as KPRC’s “Student of the Week.”

Features reporter Ruben Galvan’s face spread wide with a smile as he announced...“Alec Lintz,” and the room erupted with cheers.

At the 5 a.m. pep rally for KPRC on Feb. 18, senior Alec Lintz received the “Student of the Week” honor for his spirit, involvement and support for the school. Lintz is a part of numerous school groups, including National Honor Society (NHS) student leadership, and is avidly involved in many of the school's activities and events.

Grateful for the honor, Lintz said he had no idea he would be chosen. “They said it was going to be someone, like one of the top players in the school, so you know, being StuCo president I didn’t think it was going to be me,” Lintz said. “I know there’s so many other people that were deserving of it, but I’m so surprised and thankful for it.”

Senior Travis Johnson said he’s proud Lintz was named “Student of the Week.” “He deserves it, I mean, he’s one of the hardest-working people I know,” Johnson said. “He’s involved in almost everything and he’s just an awesome guy.”

Johnson said Lintz receiving this honor shows a lot about not only Lintz but also the school. “We’re a premier school and we’re one of the best of the best, and he’s just the best of the best of the best,” Johnson said.

Student leadership teacher and NHS sponsor Kim Stelly said she wasn’t surprised Lintz was chosen.

“[I’m] extremely, extremely proud,” she said. “I’ve known Alec since he was freshman so I’m extremely proud. [I’m] not surprised, he’s so involved, he’s so proud of Cy Creek, he constantly strives to promote Cy Creek and make Creek look good. He’s a wonderful member of the student leadership class, wonderful member of NHS, all-around great kid.”

With the help of district input and teacher recommendations, principal Sandy Trujillo nominated Lintz for “Student of the Week.”

“He’s involved in as much as he can be involved in, he’s so spirited, he doesn’t miss anything,” she said. “He really shows that character and spirit that everybody at school wants to have. Looking up in the stands, he’s swaying, he’s singing, he’s enjoying every moment of high school and that’s what we want kids to do.”

After receiving his trophy, Lintz took the opportunity to ask senior Blakely Hill, in front of everybody in the gym, to go to prom with him.

“[The best part was] getting to ask Blakely and getting to be on TV most definitely, so I can show my family that doesn’t live in Houston,” Lintz said. “I was actually going to make a poster and ask her in the background, but that didn’t happen so I figured I’ll just go ahead and ask her, so it was an in-the-moment thing and she said yes and everything worked out.”

KPRC’s Ruben Galvan interviews Cypress Creek Principal Sandy Trujillo on air during the Student of the Week pep rally.

Following the Student of the Week announcement, Alec Lintz took the opportunity to ask his friend Blakely Hill to prom. 

Auto Tech Students participate in AYES Internship Interviews

Yesterday two students traveled to the Berry Center to participate in the AYES Student Internship Interviews. Out of a total of 15 students, one of ours, Tristen Kellar, tied for 5^th overall. The top 10 students are eligible to interview with our AYES partners for a paid internship over held the Summer. That internship could potentially lead to employment during next school year in the Practicum class and possible full time employment after he graduates from Cy-Creek. This is the first year that we have participated in the AYES program and I am extremely proud of Tristen for this accomplishment.

Twenty one Art students receive medals at Visual Art Scholastic Event

Ms. Guy and Ms. Crocker are pleased to announce that on Saturday February 21, 2015, twenty-two Drawing & Painting and Photography students represented Cy-Creek HS at the Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) for Region 4 West. VASE is a UIL sanctioned art competition with artwork being rated from I through IV, and IV being the highest/best rating. Students who received a IV rating were given a medal.

Students who received IV ratings are:

Taylor Trostle

Kendall Peterson

Katy Allison

Jenn Brown

Morgan Caesar

Maria Douglas

Tiffany Gillespie

Katie Kumbalek

Cat Maddox

Mackenzie Mireles

Lauren Odle

Joshua Ramirez

Adriana Reyes

Dulce Salazar

Ian Sims

Cecilia Vela

Priscilla Villarreal

Students who received III ratings are:

Lauren Kerbow

Tammy Tran

Sami Bauldry

Jenn Brown

Morgan Caesar

Shy Guerrero

Blake Hughes

Cat Maddox

Mackenzie Mireles

Lauren Odle

Joshua Ramirez

Adriana Reyes

Cecilia Vela

Congratulations on representing Cy Creek well at this annual art event!

Bowling teams made the pins fall this season

Good news! The boys and girls bowling teams swept Cy-Fair for the second time this year, both varsity teams winning 11-2 in their respective matches With this win, the girls' team finished with a winning record for the first time in school history and will advance to the Regional tournament on March 1st at Copperfield Bowl. Team members competing the tournament include Chevy Smith, Tara Autin, Chloe Robinson, Mackenzie Thomas, Breanna Derby, Hannah Freeman, and Michelle Henthorn.

Several bowling team members received All-District recognition last week. Breanna Derby was voted 1st team All-District and will compete individually at Regionals on March ISt Kevin Musick, Michelle Henthorn, and Mackenzie Thomas also received All-District recognition.

Silvies Score Big at Cy-Woods Champion Dance Competition

Congratulations to our Silvies who competed last weekend at the Cy-Woods Champion Dance Competition. The following teams and students received awards:

Ensembles:Champion Large Ensemble- Creek Elite
2nd runner up Social Officer routine

Military Officers:Judges Award
1st runner up- Officer Contemporary
1st runner up- Officer Jazz
Champion- Officer Novelty
Showmanship Award
Choreography Award
1st runner up in Division II
High Point Performance Award(highest scoring routine of the day!)- Officer Novelty 295 out of 300
Audience appeal award- Officer Novelty

Team:Judges Award
Super Team Contemporary  Champion
Super Team Kick Champion
Super Team Pom Champion
Award of Excellence

We saved 408 lives

Thanks to the Health Sciences students and Ms. Troquet for organizing the blood drive. Below are the preliminary results from the blood drive on 2/13.

• ​​~136 units were collected saving 408 lives 
• pictures from the blood drive are available for pick up outside room 1515

Four Wrestlers to represent Cy-Creek at State Tournament

The wrestling team is proud to announce that we have four wrestlers who have qualified for the state tournament. John Atiles(106), Kenny McAleavey(120), Tommy Martin(126) and Jordyn Rodgers(Alternate at 220) will represent the Cougars at the state tournament in Dallas on February 20th and 21st. This is a tremendous accomplishment and we are very proud of these fine young men.

Choir All-State Students attend Texas Music Educators' Convention

Congratulations to our wonderful All-State Students: Nathan Ponder, Matt Ramsdal, and Jordan Reynolds for incredible TMEA All-State Concerts. These young men attended Texas Music Educators’ Convention in San Antonio February 11-14, participating in clinics, concerts, college night, and learning from All-State conductors, Bruce Rogers, and Charles Bruffy.  It was a thrilling environment with over 10,000 teachers in attendance and a total of 28,000 including students, and vendors.

Senior Interact Club Members Win Scholarship Awards

Two of the three senior Cy-Creek H.S. Interactors who submitted essays about the guiding principles in Rotary's 4 Way Test  have recently won scholarships. Dana Luu's essay has won a $500.00 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Houston NW Sunset, which will be presented to her at the Cypress Creek H.S. Senior Awards Night. Tin La's essay has won the $2,000.00 Second Place scholarship in the R.I. District 5890 contest; his certificate will be awarded at the March 28, 2015 Interact Conference and the funds will be sent directly to the college he will attend next school year.

Interact club attends Youth Leadership Camp

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program is offered in many Rotary International Districts and is typically offered to high school sophomores and juniors. On the recent beautiful weekend of February 6-8, 2015 two Interactors from Cypress Creek High School attended the RI District 5890 RYLA program at Camp Carolina Creek near Huntsville, Texas. William Le and Michelle Cao attended the camp with all expenses paid by the Rotary Club of Houston NW Sunset and District 5890. Interact Club sponsor, Mrs. W. Bruner also enjoyed attending RYLA for the first time as a chaperon. If you have an opportunity to speak to William, or Michelle about RYLA, I hope you will still hear the enthusiasm each has when recalling the weekend activities.

Congratulations to these outstanding Interactors. 

UCTV PROGRAM RECOGNIZED IN STATEWIDE VIDEO CONTEST

Cypress Creek High School UCTV students’ video was a CTPS regional finalist in the Houston/Beaumont region. Pictured (front row, L-R) are Anastasia “Asya” Gorshunina, Miguel Sandoval and Donovan Hanson; (center row, L-R): Jake Meeks, sponsor Jana Bulloch and Gabrielle Hall; and (back row, L-R): Ahdor Manansala and Paige Parker.

Cy Creek High School has been named regional finalists in the 2015 Texas School Public Relations (TSPRA) Celebrate Texas Public Schools (CTPS) Video Contest, “It Matters.”

They are the Houston/Beaumont region representative in the Spanish division.

The Celebrate Texas Public Schools Video Contest, sponsored by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, offers students the chance to win $1,000 for their campus if their video makes the most effective statement about the positive differences being made in Texas public schools.

State winners will be announced at the 2015 TSPRA Annual Conference, to be held Feb. 23-26 in San Antonio.

UCTV was recognized for its foreign language video that sent the message that Texas public schools matter for everyone, regardless of origin or services needed.

“UCTV has continued to grow and impress over the past four years, with more accolades every year. The passion, creativity, and dedication of our students makes this possible, and that the state of Texas recognizes their excellence is cause for pride, indeed,” said Jana Bulloch, UCTV director. “We chose to enter the foreign language category in order to highlight the incredible cultural and linguistic diversity of Cypress Creek High School. One can’t celebrate Texas public schools without celebrating that.”

A full playlist of CFISD’s CTPS entries is available on the CFISD YouTube page. 

Interact Club Makes Impact on Community

In September 2014 a group of Interactors attended the District 5890 Interact Roundup to meet with Interact Clubs from around the Houston are and to be inspired for volunteering opportunities.

Interactors from Cy-Creek have gone out and helped the Houston Community in many ways. Our fall semester activities include, yet are not limited to: In October 20-30 students and sponsors went to the Houston Zoo to help with Zoo Boo festivities.  On another Saturday, numerous Interactors joined HOSA students and other students from the larger community to cheer on participants in the Alzheimer's Walk at Champion Forest Baptist Church's large campus. In November 20-30 Interactors were at Minute Maid Park to motivate and assist the families of Down Syndrome children and young adults in the Buddy Walk.

The spring semester is off to a great start with two weekends of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity N.W. in the Hamill Crossing neighborhood; we also donate funds to habitat for the Youth House. Each weekend Interact Club sponsors accompanied 20 students to the work site and approximately 35 different students filled those volunteer spots. January 31st saw many students volunteering at the Children's Museum of Houston.

Two of three Cypress Creek Interactors who submitted 4 Way Test Essays for a Rotary District 5890 contest have won scholarship monies. More details, once the awards are presented.

Upcoming projects include collecting eyeglasses for a Rotary Eye Clinic in Ciudad de Guerrero in Chihuahua State of Mexico. We continually collect canned goods for the local foodbanks and collect coupons to send to military families. A spring carwash will raise funds to donate to the building of water wells in third world countries and to the Rotary International campaign to eradicate polio.

The enthusiasm, organization, and great event planning of the club officers has helped grow the club to about 115 members, of which about half are very active.

If you or your students are interested in volunteering, please consider joining the Interact Club as members or sponsors.

HOLA Club participates in Leadership Conference

Members of Cypress Creek High School HOLA Club attended the CFISD HOLA/YMPA/YLPA Leadership Conference held at Campbell Middle School from 7:30 am to 2:30pm. Sponsor William Bozic and five members of the team participated in this event, which included members of the HOLA/YMPA/YLPA from elementary, middle and high schools all across the district. The students had a great time and also brought food as part of a district-wide donation effort from all of the organizations combining efforts to help the needy. Guest speakers from many different backgrounds came to speak to the students on topics like " A New Generation of SWAG", "Social Media Turn Down for What?", "Generation Why", and "In the News: The State of the Minority Male" Although the district-wide program was possible through the dedicated efforts of many volunteers, special thanks should be given to Kesha Bolton of Dean Middle School and LeKrystal Simon of Cook Middle School who orchestrated the program.

The CFISD ​HOLA Latin Dance Championship will be held Friday, April 17, 2015 in the Berry Center. Please come to support our students and enjoy some excellent dancing to a Latin beat.

Senior nominated for prestigious award

Story by Rebekah Kish, Online Editor. Originally published on February 10, 2015 on CCHS Press

As a result of his scholastic achievements, Cypress Creek senior Travis Johnson receives a nomination for The US Presidential Scholars Program. Johnson is the only CFISD student to receive this nomination.

Established in 1964, the program spotlights students who have the top SAT score in the nation. With a the combined Critical Reading and Math score of 1600, Johnson achieved perfection which made him eligible for the prestigious award.

The program nominates 3,900 students in the country, and out of those only 39 students were nominated from Houston this year. Johnson said that his diverse school involvement makes him stand out from other nominees.

“I’m very well-rounded and am very involved at Cy Creek,” he said. “I’m Vice President of NHS, I was the Pit Captain in the band, whereas many other students are probably only focused on school, and I’m very involved in YoungLife.”

Because of Johnson’s accomplishment he thinks Cy Creek will be seen as on par with some of the best private high schools in Texas.

“I am terribly excited because this is a tangible result of my efforts throughout my schooling,” Johnson said. “I know that I am a part of a very esoteric group and the honor of just being nominated is something that I am extremely proud of.”

Johnson will know if he is a semi-finalist by mid-April. If he wins the award he will have an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. He says if he wins he will meet other students with the same enthusiasm for learning as himself and will impress his dream university.

“Just being nominated will show to Texas A&M that I am part of an elite few who are the best of the best in terms of SAT takers,” Johnson said.

Congratulations to the CCHS UIL Science Academic team

Congratulations to the CCHS UIL Science Academic team for their success at the Klein Forest Invitational.  Shaikh Islam took 3^rd place overall and the team took 2^nd place.

Debate takes 1st Place Overall Sweepstakes at Klein Invitational

1st Place Overall Sweepstakes

Individual Results include:

Tournament Champion, Danny Lehmann, Congressional Debate

Tournament Champion, Avneet Randhawa, Program of Oral Interpretation

2nd Place, Harland Ashby, Congressional Debate

2nd Place, Dannny Lehmann, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking

2nd Place, Thomas Linden, Humorous Interpretation

2nd Place, Lauren Peters, Program of Oral Interpretation

2nd Place, Ethan Ramos and Khaliah Simpson, Duo Interpretation

2nd Place, Avneet Randhawa, Prose Interpretation

3rd Place, Thomas Linden, Poetry Interpretation

3rd Place, Emma Miller, Program of Oral Interpretation

3rd Place, Avneet Randhawa, Original Oratory

4th Place, Danny Lehmann, Program of Oral Interpretation

4th Place, Avneet Randhawa, Poetry Interpretation

5th Place, Colin Price, Congressional Debate

5th Place, Colin Price, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking

5th Place, Avneet Randhawa, Dramatic Interpretation

5th Place, Khaliah Simpson, Novice Original Oratory

5th Place, Peyton Williams, Program of Oral Interpretation

This is the last TFA State qualifying tournament for the 2014-2015 year.  TFA State is held next month in El Paso.

Congratulations Art and Photo Students

Great News from the Photo Department at Cypress Creek!

Around 20 Art and Photo students entered the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of Harris County contest.

Tiffany Gillespie, Joshua Ramirez, Carly Strickler and Yashomati Mukopadhyay all received Honorable Mentions for their Photo entries.

Carly Jackson received 2 Honorable Mentions for her Photo entries.

Abby Metcalf received a Gold Key Award and a Silver Key Award for her photo entries. Abby’s entries will be on display with other Gold and Silver Key winners from Harris County this month at Glassell School of Art and at Texas Art Supply.

Congratulations to all who entered and especially to these winners!

FBLA Area 5 Competition Winners 2015

Who's Who in FBLA - awarded to the exemplary student of Cy Creek's FBLA Chapter

• Hannah Le

1^st place winners:

• Public Speaking - Avneet Randhawa
• Marketing – Austin Heath
• Marketing – Jessica Klohn
• Chapter  Business Report  - Jessica Klohn
• Chapter Scrapbook -  Madison Garrett
• Hospitality Management - Andrea Tranchita
• Hospitality Management  - Alex Bridges
• Hospitality Management  - William Joseph

2^nd Place Winner:                                                                  

• Impromptu Speaking - Anyse Baldez

3^rd Place Winners:

• Public Speaking II  - Colin Price
• Computer Applications - Madison Garrett

4^th Place Winner:

• Computer Problem Solving  - Brandon Sheets

5^th Place Winners                                                                    

• Sales Presentation - Hannah  Le
• Entrepreneurship - Cory Sheffler
• Entrepreneurship - Drake Mutute
• Entrepreneurship - Will Harrison

Science team wins at Klein Forest UIL meet

Congratulations to the CCHS UIL Science Academic team for their success at the Klein Forest Invitational.  Shaikh Islam took 3^rd place overall and the team took 2^nd place.

Math Club successful at Klein Forest UIL meet

The Cy Creek Math Club competed in the Klein Forest UIL contest on Saturday, and Jacob English place 1^st in Number Sense, Mathematics and Calculator.  Matthew Clark place 2^nd in Number Sense.