![The cross country team poses for the camera after finishing the district meet. The varsity boys, JV boys and JV girls all placed third and the varsity girls placed fourth. “Coach put in the right training for us for this season, so I think we will be peaking this week and the next couple of weeks,” varsity runner and junior Nathan Kukla said. “The chances of making it to state are very high, but we don’t settle for the lowest and there is always going to be that chance, so [we] race for the best.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Heidi-831-1200x900.jpg)
![Sucking in a breath of air, freshman Lily Pope competes in the 200 yard individual medley. On Oct. 25, the swim team competed in the AISD Swim Invitational. Overall, the girls team took second place and the boys team came in eleventh. “My favorite stroke is butterfly because I do the best in that stroke,” Pope said. “I feel like [butterfly] can test how [your ability] to convince yourself to keep going. The hardest part of swimming is convincing yourself to stay strong and keep pushing during a hard race [when] everything is tired.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/POPE-1200x804.jpg)
![Smiling at the camera, Author Ehigbor Okosun, members of Page Turners, and other students reflect on the author's visit. “I thought the visit was great,” Senior Amia De Leon said. “It was interesting talking to her and [getting to know] her process and her thoughts and books in general. But I think the reason it went well [was that] people got to ask questions. I'm glad that she said so much in response to the questions and it wasn't just one and done. [The author’s responses] felt very articulate.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Sebastian-5-1200x800.jpg)
![Standing in front of the field at a freshman football game, cheerleader freshman Jacob Gaudreau along with teammate freshman Bella Gibson pose for a photo during halftime of game. “[Cheer has] definitely given me a much more outgoing personality,” Gaudreau said. “I used to be very introverted, so it's definitely made me more extroverted towards people.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ingrid-204-1200x800.jpg)
![Holding a wooden pizza toy, senior Taylor Peterson plays with small children in Bucaramanga, Colombia. During the summer, Peterson traveled to Colombia to help build an elementary school that only had two classrooms but five or six grades with one teacher. “We add[ed] two more classrooms,” Peterson said. “It’s kind of hard when you have two or three grades in one classroom and you only have one teacher. It’s very hard to actually get some beneficial learning. [The extra classrooms will give the students] a better quality of education because they’ll actually have a place specific for their learning.” Photo by Taylor Peterson](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Taylor-P.png)
![Swinging with his arm extended, senior Nolan Park hits the ball smoothly over the net and to the opponent’s side. Park is one of four varsity tennis captains and helped the team win district championships. “Winning district champs was a pretty awesome feeling,” Park said. “We had lost to Liberty Hill a couple of weeks before, but when we played them [again], we came out and really took care of business. We took them out and it was just a really awesome night.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Kassidy-419.jpg)
![Standing proud, varsity senior athletes Rafael Escobar, Griffin Jacobs, Jakob Martin, and juniors Jackson Springer and Jack Morris pose with their newly earned medals. The varsity team finished third out of 14 teams on Sept. 25. “The team's primary goal is to win the district championship,” head coach Cody Price said. "We're confident that with our action plan in place, we can accomplish this mission. [For the next tournament], our preparation involves assessing our strengths and weaknesses, celebrating milestones and creating individual development plans." Photo courtesy of Cody Price](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/golf.jpg)
Holiday Happenings in Austin
Light Shows, Activities, Events
There are many activities to do around the holidays in Austin. Home to traditions over 55 years old, there is something for anyone and everyone.
December 13, 2019
With the holidays drawing near it’s important to save a little money while still spending time with the people that you love. Austin and Cedar Park offer many free light shows and fun performances hosted by local Austinites. Below you can find a list of the city’s most popular holiday happenings.
Christmas Towne in Round Rock
A wonderful and free way to experience amazing light shows. Drive the light trail located in Old Settlers Association with a carnival at the end. The carnival includes multiple rides and food vendors, tickets sold separately.
- Dates(light show): Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 19-29
- Dates(carnival): Dec. 12-15, Dec. 18-22 and Dec. 25- Jan. 4
- Single ticket for carnival costs $1
- Carnival located at the Dell Diamond
- Light entrance at 3300 E. Palm Valley Boulevard
- Hours: 5p.m-9p.m (Sunday- Thursday) 5p.m-10.pm (Friday and Saturday)
- More information at roundrocktexas.gov
Trail of Lights in Austin
An Austin family tradition for 55 consecutive years. Come walk through the stunning light displays and spin under the Christmas tree. Enjoy food vendors and live music for five dollars, or free on certain dates.
- Dates: Dec. 10-23
- Free on Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 15-18.
- $5 entry fee
- Location: Zilker Park
- More information and ticket purchases at austintrailoflights.org
ZACH Theatre Presents “A Christmas Carol”
Another city tradition, ZACH Theatre puts on “A Christmas Carol.” Following the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey on Christmas Eve, actors bring the story to life in an unforgettable experience. Although this may cost a little extra, the show will not disappoint.
- Dates: Nov. 20- Dec. 29
- Cost: $45-$102 (dependent on age and seat location)
- Location: The Topfer at ZACH Theatre
- Times: 7:30 p.m on weekdays
- Saturday and Sunday- 2:30p.m or 7:30p.m
- More information and seat reservations at zachtheatre.org
Austin Ballet: “The Nutcracker”
With beautiful dancers, costumes and colorful sets, Austin Ballet presents the classic story of “The Nutcracker.” Get into the Christmas spirit while enjoying a gorgeous annual production.
- Dates: Dec. 7-23 (dates do not include the entire week)
- Times range by the day
- Cost: $39-$99 (dependent on seat location)
- Location: The Long Center
- More information, calendar and ticket purchases at balletaustin.org
Ice Skating at Whole Foods Market
Enjoy gorgeous views and smooth skating at the rooftop skating rink at Whole Foods Market. After you skate, enjoy a nice coffee and some cookies downstairs in the store!
- Dates: Nov. 23- Jan. 20
- Times: 10a.m-10p.m
- Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
- Location: Lamar Whole Foods location
- More information and ticket purchases at wholefoodsmarket.com
Rhodes Family Christmas
Walk up to the grass or sit in your car to tune in and watch the dancing trees. The Rhodes Family Christmas is an annual front yard lights display open and free to the public. This display is also a donation site for the Cedar Park Area Food Bank.
- Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 31
- Times: Starts every evening at 5:30 p.m
- Location: 2410 Sharon Drive, Cedar Park, TX
- More information at the events facebook page at facebook.com
Chinati Court
In this small cul-de-sac, each house displays a different part of the Night Before Christmas story and incorporates fun themes all around the front yards. Drive the cul-de-sac in your car or even get out and walk around the sidewalk to enjoy the sights and sounds. This event also is a location for cash and toy donations for Brown Santa.
- Dates: Through Dec. 25
- Location: Chinati Court, Cedar Park, Texas
- More information at facebook.com
