The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack

The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack

The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack

Starting his second lap of the race, senior Sanil Desai continues through the course at the Vista Ridge cross country invitational on Aug. 25. This was the second meet of the season and Desai finished in 19th place. “I was thinking about the team placements,” Desai said. “A lot of the schools at the Vista meet will be at districts so I was trying to pass as many people as I could, I’m mostly worried about Leander because they have an all around strong team.”
In It For the Long Run
Mai Cachila, Reporter • September 21, 2023

Getting into...

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In the weight room, Coach K directs her basketball athletes as they get a lift in during their athletic period. According to Coach K, she hopes to not only continue the success of the program but also make them better players and people. “I feel like one of my biggest roles is to be a mentor and a person they can look up to,” Coach K said. “Someone who will be there for them long after they’re gone from the program.”
Born to Ball
Penny Moreno, Reporter • September 20, 2023

Two minutes remain...

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Handing a towel to a coach, freshman Norah Goett  fulfills her duties as an athletic trainer at the JV game against Vandegrift on August 31. As a part of being a student trainer, Goett is required to go to every football practice and game. I enjoy the fun of helping people,” Goett said. “Being able to go to the games and be on the field and have that experience is really cool.”
Photo by Alyssa Fox
The Anatomy of Sports Medicine
Jane Yermakov, Reporter • September 19, 2023

In the gleam...

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“Barbie” was released July 21 in theaters, accumulating $155 million over opening weekend. What looks to be a happy introduction with the pink Warner Bros. logo, it soon turns into a movie discussing the serious topic of feminism. “I didn’t realize that it was going to be as in-depth as it was,” biology teacher Adam Babich said. “I thought it was just a fun, campy movie and when I went and saw it I just instantly fell in love.”


Photo by Caroline Howard
I'm a Barbie Girl, In a Non-Barbie World
Caroline Howard, Reporter • September 18, 2023

The lights dim...

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Starting the early morning practice, new swim and dive coach Kyla Gargiulo informs her student-athletes of their next set, giving them tips to help along the way. Gargiulo looks forward to keeping the swim team competitive and improving throughout the year. “The thing I love most about coaching is getting to be a part of the sport that I fell in love with,” Gargiulo said. “[I also love getting to] help the current team achieve and surpass their goals while having fun.”  Photo by Kaydence Wilkinson
Rookies of the Year
Kaydence Wilkinson, Reporter • September 15, 2023

Volleyball, basketball,...

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Leaning back on her right, varsity tennis member junior Mia Petty prepares to receive the ball with the traditional racket swing. For student athletes, the heat has caused many changes to previously created habits involved in sport practices, but it can also be a tool, according to Petty. The heat is definitely annoying, Petty said. There are so many things that you have to do to avoid exhaustion and it feels excessive at times. [However], I think the heat further encourages me to get outside. [I want to] be exposed to the heat as much as possible so I can better acclimate to being hot and tired.
A Love-Heat Relationship With Texas
Kassidy Wilkinson, Reporter • September 14, 2023

As the thin red...

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Facebook changes security settings and options

      The social networking site, Facebook has recently gone through some drastic privacy changes. As of December 9, Facebook made an attempt to simplify their privacy settings in order to give the users more control of their page. Users can now block information from certain people, allowing specific information or pictures to be blocked from certain people. These new settings are set up to give users more options with their private data. 

      Facebook was first designed as a way to connect users to friends and family, one of the many inventions that make this world seem smaller. Since this website was formed in February 2004, it has taken over the world. Many CPHS students have a Facebook, whether they use it regularly or not. It’s an easy way for students to communicate with each other. Even some teachers have Facebooks to post homework assignments on. Settings on Facebook can be set to user preferences, to allow for customized privacy and interface. However, most students don’t realize how open their page really is. When Facebook changed the privacy settings, there was a brief window when all Facebook accounts became public.  Unless settings were specifically changed back, accounts were open to anyone and everyone.

     “I don’t like the idea of people looking at my stuff if I don’t know them,” Travis Smith, junior, said.

     Most students would agree that it’s scary that their page could be open to anyone and everyone. It can be a real safety issue because most students didn’t even know that Facebook had changed their settings, and because of this, a lot of Facebook pages are still open to the public.

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“It’s bad cause there’s not a way to know [about these changes] so those who don’t know about it are [affected]” Zach Dahl, junior, said.

     There was an announcement about these changes, but it was either ignored or unnoticed by many. Facebook did the best they could to notify the public, but the task of privacy was up to the user. If the user ignored the message about the new settings, then their settings were reset and their page was reopened to everyone. It’s a change that has made the World Wide Web even less private than it already is and strangers can now view once-private pages without users even knowing

      This change is not all bad according to some students though. Those who utilized the new features have been generally pleased with the options. The new settings have allowed students to be more open with their Facebook without worrying about prying eyes.

     Now on Facebook, students can change their settings to allow only certain people to see what is posted. This change allows them to be friends with family and teachers, but hide certain things they don’t want seen. This can be applied to embarrassing pictures or status updates that could seriously affect relationships for some students. The new privacy settings also allow students to keep their social lives and school lives separate. If these settings aren’t updated by the user however, it could potentially lead to consequences. Their information would be posted for everyone to see, not just their friends which is potentially dangerous.   However, there are ways to stay safe on this website. Many students agree that accepting people you don’t know can be dangerous.

     “When people add you, make sure you know them, don’t accept just anyone,” Andy Springen, senior, said.

     It’s a mistake that many students make, and is possibly the most dangerous. Stranger danger is something learned in elementary school and it should be followed on the internet. Remember that people are not always who they say they are. Posting phone numbers, addresses and even birthdays can put unwary users in a very vulnerable position. If used correctly, Facebook is a positive device for staying connected with family and friends. The new privacy settings have allowed students to show their lives without the chance of getting in trouble. However, this change also makes people feel invincible, causing trouble later on. Everyone has to use common sense when posting things on Facebook, regardless of new and improved privacy settings.

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The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School
Facebook changes security settings and options