Morgan Kasel, Assistant Editor
Morgan Kasel is a senior and this is her third year on the Wolfpack staff. The majority of her free time outside of school is spent playing soccer, reading or watching her favorite professional team, Atlético Madrid. She loves writing about people’s experiences in life, as well as creative short stories for fun. Her dream school is Gonzaga University in Washington and she plans on studying kinesiology and journalism. She hopes to continue on to graduate school for physical therapy. She is passionate about languages and writing and plans to travel during and after college.
![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)
![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)
![Focusing on the path in front, senior Meghan Wilcox competes at the state track meet on May 7. Wilcox participated in multiple events, including 200m and long jump, and placed third in the 100m. “The 100m [has] always been my favorite,” Wilcox said. “It’s always pushed me to perfect my running and push myself to my top speeds. It’s also just a lot of fun to run that fast since you can’t maintain top speed past a 100m.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MeghanPhoto.jpg)
![Holding her lamb, senior FFA president Skye Lindholm poses at the annual Williamson County Livestock show. Lindholm joined FFA during her freshman year and has held multiple officer positions and participated in many competitions throughout high school. “Being a member of FFA has taught me how to be a responsible, contributing member of society,” Lindholm said. “During my time in FFA, I was fortunate enough to be under our advisors who helped me grow and [become] better as a person.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SkyeFFA-e1620230091116.jpg)
![Holding their flags, the color guard performs in the gym. Although the varsity team did not make it to finals this year, according to senior color guard member Bolt Gonzalez, the color guard was able to overcome many challenges, including virtual competitions.
“We are all [in] guard to learn new things and be challenged so we are happy with the progress we have made this year,” Gonzalez said. “It sucks a little not having in-person competitions and performing in a mask is difficult at times but we can still be together and, to me, that’s what counts.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Colorguard.jpg)
![Looking to the side, senior Sydney Poulsen extends her leg while en pointe at the Celebrities holiday show on Dec. 13. This performance was the first time Poulsen had performed while en pointe in two years. "It was fun to be able to perform en pointe again,” Poulsen said. “I also loved getting to wear my old tutu because they are super pretty. It was definitely difficult to perform because I had a tiny piece of marley and I [couldn't] travel as far as I normally would. Overall though, the variation went super well and I felt strong on pointe."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1_Sydney-Poulsen_by-Piper-Hernandez.jpg)
![Setting the ball, sophomore Dylan Gilkey jumps in the air to prepare the ball for her teammate. Cedar Park competed against Georgetown on Sept. 29 and won the game with a final score of 3-1. The team was 12-2 in District, but lost to Dripping Springs in the Playoffs. "I think that this season went really well because we all came together as a team and strived to do our best, whether it be [at] practice or a game,” Gilkey said. “I love playing volleyball because of the team aspect; I think it’s so fun perfecting your craft with your teammates and laughing with them along the way.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/10_bridge-89.jpg)
![As a member of both Theatre Production and Musical Theatre, junior MJ Kelly has had to bring the usual theatre experience to her home. This year, with the separation between online and in-person students, many hands-on classes had to adjust to the new way of learning. “Theatre is still amazing, especially considering what we’re working with,” Kelly said. “But the lack of performances and shows, the main point of theatre, is making it a lot less [interactive] than usual. It’s just the way life is now in the pandemic.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MainImage-900x600.jpg)
![Playing the role of Michael Banks, freshman Ben McDanald performs during his eighth grade year in theatre's production of "Mary Poppins." McDanald has enjoyed acting and singing ever since he was little. "[Being on stage] is exciting," McDanald said. "The moment before you start, it's the worst. You're so anxious and you're so nervous. And then as soon as the lights go up and you start, then it's fine. You just have to leave everything out on stage."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ben-McDanald-1.jpg)
![Posing with medals, head band direct Steve Wessels stands with other directors and students during the award ceramony for UIL State Champions on Nov. 13. After dedicating 22 years to the band program, Wessels announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year. "For [the students], the future is going to be awesome," Wessels said. "There are rock-star band directors here. Over my years of experience, I have always been very blessed to have great, smart people that I work with. They may be called assistant band directors, but they've always been associates, meaning we work together as a team [and] listen to each other."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Wessels-photo-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Lindsey Elfred and junior Nixie Buettner, along with other students who received rewards from the Scholastic Competition, pose on Jan. 31. Elfred received a gold key for her sculpture as well as an American Vision Nominee. “I thought it was pretty cool,” Elfred said. “I didn’t expect it. Just thought I would submit something this year, [I] didn't really have my hopes up. So I’m pretty proud of myself that it went at least that far.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Art-Photo2-1-900x600.jpg)
![Freshman wrestler JJ Lovell gets ready to take on an opponent during the Capital Classic Tournament on Nov. 22-23. This was the third tournament of the season for the wrestling team, with five members earning top ranks, and senior captain Cassie King named Capital Classic Varsity Girls 110lb Champion. “After I won, getting my hand raised was one of the best feelings because winning a tournament against 25 other girls just shows finally how much work I’ve been putting into this sport by dieting well, training hard and constantly staying disciplined,” King said. “I ran and gave my coach a hug [after the match] because without him I wouldn’t have gotten this far."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cole-147-900x600.jpg)
![Sophomore Tamara Eslava practices fencing at the Texas Fencing Academy. Eslava began fencing a few months ago after she was inspired by the "Three Musketeers" movie. "At first I was kind of scared thinking I would never get the hang of [fencing] but [now], I've been practicing and practicing [and] I'm not there yet, but I think I am good enough," Eslava said. "What made me keep going was my own goals. I want to at least do a sport and if it's not a school sport, [then] an after school sport. I want to push myself to try new things and fencing was one of them."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/af2944be-a4b0-4511-80b7-2d558cca890a-900x600.jpg)
![The Spanish Wolfcast, or El Wolfcast, is filmed on Thursdays and airs on the CPHS News YouTube Channel on Fridays. Broadcast students, with the help of broadcast adviser Anthony Garcia, created the Spanish Wolfcast in order to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community at Cedar Park. "We have been testing [the Spanish Wolfcast] out and doing some practice shows this month," Garcia said. "The goal [is] to do a full launch in the next few weeks and role it out and announce it to the school district, announce it to the campus, announce it to parents that way our Spanish-speaking community members and parents are able to feel connected to what's going on at this school and feel like they are informed as well."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_9521-900x600.jpg)
![Talking with students, senior FFA treasurer Jeffery Morphis shows the animals on display at Meet the Timberwolves on Aug. 22. With FFA's floral and entomology teams placing 37th and 19th at State last year, FFA members are off the a quick start this year with competition in mind. “I love competing in Entomology contests,” Morphis said. “I got 37th individual [at] state last year, and hopefully will get to the top ten this year. I’m also looking forward to the major stock show season, and hope to hit up all six Texas major shows.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/FFA-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Faith Elliott and junior Izzy Castillo make bracelets for Rwanda during den on Sep. 17. After her trip to Rwanda last year, Elliott decided this year to bring with her handmade friendship bracelets. "They are such an uplifting, happy community [in Rwanda]," Elliott said. "They love knowing that other people from across the world, like the kids, are thinking of them and making bracelets, thinking of them and for them. They love anything that came from the U.S."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/aja-steiner-09-17Article-Pic-900x600.jpg)
![Club president senior Loree Morin and treasurer and secretary junior Efrain Vera III pose with club members junior Sarah Lailson and sophomore Alfred Morin during Meet the Timberwolves on Aug 22. Morin created the mermaid club this year in hopes of promoting the importance of community service. "I've been really into mermaids for a really long time and I thought it would be fun to apply my interests and share [them] with other people and allow them to discover how much fun it is," Morin said. "I really want to share [the club] and use it as a way to promote conservation."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/mermaid-club-900x600.jpg)
![Juniors Stella Grispo, Andrea Medoro, Nele Stoetzner and senior Ronja Bosy all abandoned their comfort zones when they left their home countries and came to the U.S. The four exchange students will be spending the entire school year in Texas. “When I was younger, it was always my dream to live one day in the U.S,” Stoetzner said. “My neighbor [spent] one year in Australia and she told me a lot about [the exchange program]. I wanted to do an exchange to the U.S for the experience and to improve my English [and] to meet new people.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Above-and-Abroad-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Sophia Roach runs a track meet at Lake Travis High School. She is attending Northern Arizona State University in the fall and has received a scholarship for running at the school. "I'm excited to try something new," Roach said. "I think that college is the best time to do that. [I'm] excited to branch out and see a new experience and make new friends. I know that there are a while bunch of people on my team [at Arizona] and they are from all over the world."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SophiaRunning-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Jordan Deyo dangles upside down at the Cedar Park Police Department during COOL Week. Deyo plans to join the Air Force, and said that she eventually hopes to become a police officer. "My grandmother was in the military, specifically the Air Force, which is what I want to go into," Deyo said. "And I'm in a law enforcement family. Being in that environment just got me really interested in [the military]. My end goal is to be a police officer, and that would give me a lot of experience as well as help pay for my college in the future and give me a very strong foundation to where I want to go."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Jordan-1-900x600.jpg)
![Sophomore Reese Parker rides her horse during a day of practice. She first started horseback riding when she lived in Virginia, and has been practicing the sport for 11 years.
"The way you feel, like [when] my ears pop whenever I jump," Parker said. "There is no way to describe it unless you have done it. It is the overall feeling that makes you feel so amazing. Galloping across a field at sunset, bareback, is something that cannot be described in words."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/reese-casey-jumping-900x600.jpeg)
![Club president senior Patrick Engle and junior Loree Morin posing with two other club members during their meeting after school on Monday, October 22nd. Morin joined the Harry Potter club at the beginning of this year. "Everyone really made me feel welcome [at] my first meeting," Morin said. "My inner nerd cried with joy when I found out what the club's activities were."](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HP_9862-900x600.jpg)
