![After placing second in their respective LDEs at the Capital District contest in early November, freshman Jesus Jaramillo-Gallegos and freshman Wyatt Pickett will compete at the Area XII LDE contest in Georgetown on Nov. 23. Jaramillo-Gallegos is competing in Greenhand Spanish Creed Speaking, while Pickett’s LDE is Greenhand Creed Speaking. “Honestly, [I’m excited for] just traveling around, maybe meeting more people,” Jaramillo-Gallegos said. “And [I’m] nervous about probably just not being able to define my weak areas. I feel like I did decent for my first time ever doing this. I just think it’s fun.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Navy-and-Yellow-Simple-Group-Project-Presentation-1200x675.png)
![Holding up T-wolves, the tour group poses for a picture in the Chinese classroom. Sophomore Lydia Ou, junior Phu Trung and senior Yushan Pan gave a tour to Taiwanese diplomat Andrea Yang on Nov. 8. “I was so excited when I heard I would get to give the tour because it’s a big deal,” Ou said. “She’s from the US embassy for Taiwan, so she’s really important. I’m so privileged [to get this opportunity] and I’m so excited.” Photo by Skyler King](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Main-Taiwan.jpg)
![Sitting at a desk past the rows of books laid out for the Book Fair, senior Kimberley Walters assists people in purchasing books and finding titles. The Book Fair is taking place Dec. 16 through Dec. 20, and is an annual event during which students and faculty have the opportunity to go and purchase books and other trinkets in the library. Kimberley said she encourages all to go to the Book Fair, even if they think they don’t like to read. “If you make reading something that is fun for you and you find the things that you like to read, it will never be a chore,” Walters said. “So [the Book Fair is] a good opportunity to find something that will respark your want to read [like] when you were a child and you went to the book fair and you loved the ‘I survived’ books. Maybe you'll find your ‘I survived’ books of your high school experience, and it'll re-spark that kind of love for reading that may have died out.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Addie-L-47-1200x800.jpg)
![Smiling at the camera, sophomore Olivia Mahlmeister and seniors Samantha Jameson, Adhit Eswaramoorthi and Justin Khadavi celebrate completing first chamber in the Congress Meet. All four students advanced to the final chamber. “Out of the 20 kids in the final chamber, we had a seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th, and they took the top four to move on to state,” AP US History and Debate teacher Josh Marsh said. “[Even though] we didn't make state this year, all four of them moving on [and] placing is phenomenal.” Photo courtesy of Josh Marsh](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Regional-Congress-Team.jpg)
![Standing in front of a small audience, senior Kimberley Walters shares a social criticism poem titled “Pity the Nation” by Lawrence Felinghetti. Every month, sponsored by the poetry club, the library hosts a poetry reading. “I never thought I would be interested in [poetry readings] because I’m not the biggest poetry fan,” Walters said. “I think poetry is a very succinct way to express feelings and get a story across. Whereas lots of books have a span of a whole story, but it’s put in a lot of words. The power of poetry is that you can be so succinct within, and there’s a lot of power within the words that are used.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KIM-1200x800.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)
![Holding the Grand Nationals trophies, drum majors Helashi Wijayawardhana, Abigail Pettey and Eddy Kim pose for a photo. The BOA Grand Nationals competition took place in Indianapolis on Nov. 14-17. “My favorite thing was just looking back at the field, and I was like, ‘Oh, crap. I know all of their names, I know who all of them are’,” Wijayawardahana said. “It's just insane to me that I was able to make so many connections. [Being a drum major] taught me how to build relationships with people who I’m not really that similar to, and how to juggle a ton of things all together.”
Photo courtesy of CPHS Band SmugMug](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AJC.GrandNatsFinals-169-1200x801.jpg)
![Delicately placing the string to form the shape of a cornucopia, seniors Haley Burton and Avery Nelson create the November arrangement for the Flower of the Month Club. This club is led by Advanced Floral Design Students and provides a monthly arrangement to community members who subscribe to receive them. “I think flower of the month club is a really impactful way to show your loved ones ‘hey I really care about you,’ or even if they’re just for yourself, they’re a little pick-me-up throughout the month that [say] ‘I’m doing ok, and these flowers make my day a little bit brighter,” Nelson said. “I like giving people flowers because people value the flowers more and they value themselves more.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ava-Holmes-3-edit.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)
![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)
![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)
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
