![Walking through the tunnel created by the cheerleaders and Celebrities, senior Frances Tran smiles as the soccer team is sent off during DEN for their playoff game against Rouse tonight. Tran said the wins against Smithson Valley and Alamo Heights gave the team a morale boost to take on the Raiders tonight. “I know we were not 100% confident in those games,” Tran said. “But, Rouse is a big opponent for sure. We’re definitely going into tonight with a lot of morale [because of the previous wins].”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/frances-tran.jpg)
![Holding a bucket of materials in one hand and a roll of tape in another, anatomy and biology teacher Tyler Terry prepares for a lab. Terry said his proudest moments are when his students are happy to see him. “When I take my wife to a football game or something and a bunch of students want to say hi to me or they like to smile and wave and it just makes me feel good that the students are really kind and supportive of me,” Terry said. “[I’m also] proud when I see students perform really well in their extracurriculars because I can see how hard they’re working in my classes, [so] when I see that they’re also working so hard in other things. Like they’re winning band competitions or they’re getting awards for their theater productions, or I see them put on their choir shows, that’s like, wow, you guys are incredible.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rags-6.png)
![Catching a ball, junior Alivia Robinson plays at the Cedar Park vs Glenn game. Having played since she was 5 years old, she is dedicated to softball and has committed to UTPB for softball. “When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lilly-Adams-3.13aliviaedit-901.jpg)
![Holding her dog, Nova, senior Ariana Balakrishnan poses for her senior pictures while Nova wears a bandana with her college decision. Balakrishnan applied to 18 colleges in total, but she decided on Columbia in the end. “Right before I clicked the button to open Columbia’s letter, I literally looked at the camera and go ‘This is just gonna really suck because I wanted it so bad,’ and I clicked it and all of a sudden you hear trumpets,” Balakrishnan said. “There’s a video that plays when you open it and I actually didn’t watch the video, I just watched the screen go black, because every day of December before ED [Early Decision] I would go on YouTube and watch the acceptance video to manifest it, so immediately when the screen went black, I started screaming and jumping up and down. And my parents in the video are like ‘What are you doing, where’s the letter,’ and I was just screaming ‘I got in, I got in.” I just started crying, and it just felt like everything in the world came together.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ariana-2-300x217.jpg)
Christmas time is here and with the cold weather comes countless hours of shopping as well as numerous paper cuts earned from wrapping presents. Following this money swallower of a holiday is the fun-filled New Year’s Eve. During New Year’s many students participate in activities that are not appropriate and which their grandparents would never approve of. The regret begins when they log onto Facebook and see questionable pictures posted. But I am here to present entertaining New Year’s alternatives with a more wholesome PG rating.
Main Event
If you like activities’ ranging from bowling, rock climbing and laser tag – then Main Event is for your enjoyment. Grab your friends and family for a wholesome night of fun. Main Event stays open later just for the purpose to house all New Years Eve party goers. For all the Dick Clark fanatics out there, you don’t have to miss out on the ball drop either. They display the ball drop in Times Square on all of their TV’s. Main Event is the ultimate place to go if no other plans arise. *Required materials: Tennis shoes, socks (you definitely don’t want to wear theirs) and more than the minimal amount of upper body strength for rock climbing.
Fireworks
Old school fireworks can also quench those excitement thirsts. One downside to fireworks is that they are illegal in most of our neighborhoods. But, for those who live outside city limits, this one is for you! Just make sure you have proper supervision and the right amount of cool, dazzling fireworks. *Required materials: sparklers and roman candles.
Game Night/Movie Night
For all avid movie goers or World of Warcraft enthusiasts, a simple movie or game night at your place would suffice. Catch Phrase is highly recommended on these types of occasions but all other games, video and old school board, should suffice. If handling a 360 or Playstation controller proves to be too much, there is always the option of watching leftover Christmas movies from the holidays. *Required materials: Lots and lots of games, popcorn, cookie dough bites, Dr. Pepper and any other personal favorite.
Throw a Rave
Last but certainly not least, throw a rave. Pick a swanky place, grab your friends and pick up some glow sticks and you got yourself a rave! Just make sure to eliminate all illegal substances and you got yourself a PG rave. Raves make for some awesome photo opportunities and therefore a new default picture for Facebook. You can leave your parents home on this one because it might be awkward seeing your parents rave together. Overall the rave would be a fantastic way to spend your New Year’s night. *Required materials: Neon clothing, glow sticks and killer techno music.
This holiday season, avoid worried parents waiting patiently at home wondering about their kids’ safe return. By making the right decisions you can also avoid the guilt and regret that comes along with doing something you know to be bad. Be safe this New Years and have some good PG fun!
