CFISD STUDENT OF THE WEEK: ELIZABETH SULLIVAN

Cypress Creek High School senior Elizabeth Sullivan, the editor-in-chief for The Cougar Connection newspaper, maintains two jobs at Cypress Veterinary Hospital and Kumon in addition to her school requirements. As a caretaker of animals, Sullivan plans to pursue a career as either a veterinary technician or wildlife rehabilitator.

School: Cypress Creek High School

Age: 17

Grade: 12

Accomplishments: Editor-in-chief of the Cypress Creek newspaper; participates in FFA by competing in multiple speaking contests a year; book club participant.

Favorite class: English. “Since I was little, I have always enjoyed writing stories and reading every sort of book.”

Favorite things to do after class: “When I am not working, you can find me in the newspaper room working. To me, there is always more work to be done and more to be improved.”

Favorite song: Watch What Happens in Newsies (the original Broadway musical).

Favorite website: cchspress.com. “I spend a lot of time working to improve the website and making sure it stays in good shape. cchspress.com is my pride and joy.”

Favorite TV show: Sherlock. “I was a fan of the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ books by Arthur Conan Doyle and was pleasantly surprised with how enticing each episode of Sherlock was.”

Favorite movie: Stuck in Love. “The movie is fast-paced and interesting. It touches on subjects that almost everyone encounters in life.”

Ambition: “In the short term, I hope to produce some of the best newspapers the student body has seen and earn stars in competition. In the long term, after college I plan to either become a veterinary technician or a wildlife rehabilitator.”

What topics/things are you passionate about? “I have always been passionate about books and literature. I am invested in my books and what I can learns from them. I even made a website for my book reviews and am sent advanced copies of books from publishers. I also have a passion for working with animals, hence my future plans of working with animals. I spend a lot of my time learning about animals and working to become a better caretaker of animals in my job at the vet clinic.”

What inspires you? “I am inspired by my grandmother. I have seen my grandmother go through a lot in the past year—her house flooding, two of her siblings pass away, and multiple injuries from falling, but somehow she keeps a smile on her face. I find her strength inspiring and something to admire.”

What three things can’t you live without? My family, my dog and my books.

What are you most looking forward to this semester? “I look forward to introducing all of the new newspaper staffers to our wonderful publication team. We have a great group of students coming into the class this year and I see potential in every one of them, I cannot wait to get started and make the best publication possible.”

CY CREEK JOURNALISTS CLAIM 14 AWARDS AT TAJE FALL FIESTA

Cypress Creek High School student journalists brought home 18 awards from the Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE) Fall Fiesta, Oct. 15-17 in San Antonio.

Bringing home 14 awards, 18 students from the Cypress Creek High School journalism department attended the Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE) annual Fall Fiesta convention held in San Antonio Oct. 15-17.

Students competed in writing, design and photography competitions. Awards were given in three categories: Superior, Excellent and Honorable Mention. More than 900 students and teachers attended the convention—the most the organization has seen in 10 years.

Cypress Creek High School sophomore Caitlin Campbell’s photograph won a Superior award in the On-Site Photo – “Green” category at the TAJE Fall Fiesta. (Photo by Caitlin Campbell, Cypress Creek HS)

For sophomore Caitlin Campbell, a first-year staffer, this was her first convention and contest as part of the program. Campbell received three awards for her photos—two Superiors, the highest rating a student can achieve, and an Honorable Mention.

“For me, winning was crazy,” Campbell said, “especially since it was more than once. I was super nervous and didn’t expect to win anything.”

Jordan DeNike, co-editor-in-chief for the yearbook, competed in the On-Site Photo competition and received an honorable mention for her photo in the “Green” category. A third-year staffer, DeNike said contests like TAJE are a “stepping stone of learning for young journalists.”

Cypress Creek sophomore Caitlin Campbell’s photograph won a Superior award in the On-Site Photo – “Circles” category at the TAJE Fall Fiesta. (Photo by Caitlin Campbell, Cypress Creek HS)

“I’m so grateful I got to go for this experience,” DeNike, a senior, said. “By allowing photographers the chance to test their skills in the real world by walking around San Antonio with their peers, it becomes apparent what real photojournalism is.”

Winning an Excellent rating for Review Writing, senior Libby Sullivan said conventions like TAJE provide personal and professional skills.

“Going to TAJE helped me not only grow as an editor, but as a person,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan, who is also the editor-in-chief of the print and online newspaper, said this is her eighth journalism trip to attend and said winning serves as affirmation for her hard work.

“Winning was so exciting,” she said. “It was like someone patting me on the back and saying, ‘you’re doing a great job.’ It was a great end to a really fun weekend.”

The complete list of Cypress Creek award winners is as follows:

Superior

• Lydia Estepp, Editorial Illustration;
• Grace Grantham and Abby Akard, Yearbook Theme Package;
• Miranda Duncan, Editorial Writing; and
• Caitlin Campbell (2), On-Site Photo – “Green” category and On-Site Photo – “Circles” category.

Excellent

• Libby Sullivan, Review Writing.

Honorable Mention

• Chloe Crawford, Sports Writing;
• Caitlin Campbell, On-Site Photo – “Light & Shadow” category;
• Alexis Garrison, Feature Writing;
• Jordan DeNike, On-Site Photo – “Green” category;
• Hannah Felske (2), On-Site Photo – “Circles” category and On-Site Photo – “Unique Framing” category; and
• Fredy Erives, On-Site Photo – “Unique Framing” category.

Miscellaneous

• Sophia Lezama, Paloma de la Riva and Oli Kearney, third place Scavenger Hunt team.

NINE MARCHING BANDS ADVANCE FROM REGION TO AREA CONTEST

The Cypress Falls High School marching band was one of nine CFISD bands to qualify for the area competition at the UIL Region 27 Marching Contest on Oct. 22 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium.  (Photo courtesy Zachary Muddiman)

Nine CFISD marching bands advanced to the UIL Area Marching Band Contest after earning high marks at the UIL Region 27 Marching Band Contest on Oct. 22 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium. The competition was hosted by the Cypress Springs High School band programs.

The Class 6A varsity band programs compete in an alternating-year schedule for the opportunity to participate in the UIL State Marching Band Contest, set for Nov. 8-9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

A member of the Langham Creek High School color guard performs on the field at the UIL Region 27 Marching Contest. (Photo courtesy Zachary Muddiman)

The following CFISD bands advanced to the area contest:

• Cy-Fair High School;
• Cypress Creek High School;
• Cypress Falls High School;
• Cypress Ranch High School;
• Cypress Ridge High School;
• Cypress Springs High School;
• Cypress Woods High School;
• Jersey Village High School; and
• Langham Creek High School.

The Langham Creek High School drum major leads the Lobo band during its Region 27 Marching Contest performance on Oct. 22. The Langham Creek band qualified for the area competition next weekend. (Photo courtesy Zachary Muddiman)

CFISD will again host the UIL Area Marching Band Contest at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29. Bands from Katy, Spring Branch, Fort Bend, Clear Creek, Brazosport, Friendswood, Houston, Alief and Alvin school districts will participate in the largest area competition in the state in 2016.

Times and performance schedule will be available Wednesday, Oct. 26, after surrounding regions complete their regional rounds of competition. Performing band performance times will be posted on the CFISD and Berry Center websites on Wednesday morning.

General admission is $5 (cash only) for the area event next weekend, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. The CFISD Super Senior pass will also be accepted.

The Cypress Ridge High School band and color guard performs at the UIL Region 27 Marching Contest at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium. The Ram band qualified for the area competition. (Photo courtesy Zachary Muddiman)

2017 NATION MERIT SCHOLAR PROGRAM AWARDS

Cypress Creek has eight Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Scholar Program.  There are about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation.  These students are in the top 5% of more than 1.6 million students. Please congratulation these students:

Joan Ball

Matthew Clark

Katie Deakins

Luke Hill

Sarah Lindauer

Jonathan Mathews

Katherine Solgere

Timothy Yang

Ahh CC!

CYCREEK RUNNER FINISHES 10TH IN ELITE NIKE SOUTH INVITATIONAL

This weekend junior Megan DeRouen represented Cy Creek Girls Cross Country well at the prestigious Nike South Invitational. She finished tenth in the elite race. Her time ranks her in the top 25 in Region III-6A. 

CY CREEK FINE ARTS GROUPS WELCOME BACK OLYMPIAN CHRIS BROOKS

Olympic gymnast Chris Brooks arrives home from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Aug. 24, welcomed by the Cypress Creek High School drumline and Silverados drill team.

The Cypress Creek High School drumline and Silverados drill team provided a raucous welcome home for two Olympians including Cypress Creek alum Chris Brooks during an early-morning celebration at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Aug. 24.

Brooks and weightlifter Sarah Robles arrived at the airport from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a terminal full of percussion and choreography courtesy of dozens of Cypress Creek student musicians and performers.

Cypress Creek alum Chris Brooks, center, joins the Cypress Creek drumline and Silverados drill team at his welcome-home celebration on Aug. 24.

Brooks, a 2005 Cypress Creek graduate, was a member of the men’s gymnastics team in the Rio Olympics that concluded on Aug. 21.

“Although it was early for the Olympians and the students of Cypress Creek, the pride and excitement in the terminal was heartwarming,” said Christy Groschke, Silverados drill team director. “It was an honor to be a part of their homecoming. Cypress Creek is so proud of our Cougar alumnus, Chris Brooks. Ahh CC!”

Band Director Brian Drake credited the members of the drumline for their fantastic performance.

"The students were honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to perform for members of Team USA and to be part of honoring the homecoming of our hard-working Olympic athletes," Drake said.

Members of the Cypress Creek drumline keep the beat at the welcome-home celebration for Olympians Chris Brooks and Sarah Robles at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Aug. 24.

The Cypress Creek Silverados drill team performs a routine as the Cypress Creek drumline plays in the background at the welcome-home celebration for two Olympic athletes on Aug. 24.

Cypress Creek Silverados drill team assistant director Ryan Garcia, left, and director Christy Groschke display a sign welcoming home Cypress Creek alum and Olympic gymnast Chris Brooks.

Cypress Creek alum and Olympic gymnast Chris Brooks, left, fields questions alongside Olympic weightlifter Sarah Robles during a welcome-home celebration for the Houstonians on Aug. 24.

SEVEN HIGH SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED FOR HIGH SAT SCORES

Cypress Creek 2016 graduate Kathy Guerra shakes hands with District 7 State Sen. Paul Bettencourt after speaking at a March press conference hosted by Bettencourt on SB 1004 at Lone Star College–University Park. Cypress Creek ranked 23rd in the Houston area for SAT scores

Seven CFISD high schools were recognized among the top 30 in Houston for their high SAT scores in an Aug. 10 reportby the Houston Chronicle.

The report, which ranked Houston-area public high schools by their average 2014 composite scores in the standardized test, featured the following CFISD campuses:

• Cypress Woods High School – 1586 (13th);
• Cy-Fair High School – 1578 (15th);
• Cypress Ranch High School – 1553 (19th);
• Cypress Creek High School – 1522 (23rd);
• Langham Creek High School – 1500 (26th);
• Jersey Village High School – 1499 (27th); and
• Cypress Falls High School – 1485 (30th).

Dr. Mark Henry, superintendent of schools, joins Cy-Fair High School Class of 2015 graduates at the Berry Center in June 2015. Cy-Fair ranked 15th in a recent Houston Chronicle report on high SAT scores in the Houston area.

The SAT exam features math, reading and writing components and is widely used by college admissions offices. The highest possible score is 2400.

“I am very proud of all staff and students in achieving this ranking,” said Cypress Woods Principal Gary Kinninger, whose school ranked highest among CFISD campuses. “The behind-the-scenes intense academic preparation from all content areas that goes into preparing our students to shine on the SAT is a reflection of the quality instruction that takes place at The Woods. Our goal is to be the No. 1-ranked school in the Houston area. Back to work on Aug. 22!”

Cypress Ranch students celebrate winning a third-place trophy at the 2016 District Science Olympiad competition in February. Cypress Ranch earned a No. 19 ranking for Houston-area SAT scores.


Cypress Woods High School Assistant Principal Bruce Hill assists a student on the first day of school of the 2015-2016 school year. Cypress Woods was the top-ranking CFISD school in a recent report on SAT scores by the Houston Chronicle.