![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)
![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 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)
Couse selection sheets. We obsess over them, we agonize over them, we let them keep us up at night. It seems like the future revolves around them. It’s a constant struggle, trying to decide how hard we should push ourselves and often advice about course selection is conflicting. So what do you do?
- Be realistic. Any teacher and administrator will tell you that advanced classes are better, but not necessary in a large quantity. “It’s completely and totally depends on the individual,” AP biology teacher Brent Grissom said. “It’s not a perfect formula.” In other words, don’t torture yourself with expectations you can’t meet!
- The grade isn’t everything. Getting a B in an advanced class versus an A in a regular class is okay. Potential colleges want to see you strive not just content yourself with classes that are super easy, even if your average is an A+. Another bonus to AP classes is a leg up in college. “The experience of an AP class provides academic skills that stretch beyond high school,” Transition Coordinator Mitzi Powell said. And don’t forget the 1.0 GPA bump!
- Explore your interests. Some students think that electives are not important, but they are. Your elective choices say a lot about you. Colleges want to see you striving for something you’re passionate about. “[Take] classes that give you the opportunity for leadership,” Grissom said.
- Use time effectively. Contrary to popular belief, off periods are not just for sleeping. Off periods should be used to help manage other class work, according to Powell. “If you have a full academic schedule or if you have to work to either help your family or save for college.” Lead Counselor Lisa Semper agrees. “If a student feels like they have challenged themselves,” Semper said. “I’m fine with it.”
- Be flexible. You don’t need to have your entire life planned out by the end of freshman year. Your interests and aspirations will change, and that’s okay. Don’t deprive yourself of the opportunity to explore new things because you’re trying to stick to your four-year plan. The thing that matters most is that you set high expectations for yourself in whatever you do, according to Grissom.
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