The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack
Posing with their UIL State Trophy, the Robolobos Van Halen Team beams with excitement after their win. “It was a team effort,” junior Noah Vo said. “I was happy because something happened in the first match and the match was also really close. So [when] they finally revealed it, I was pretty happy.” Photo courtesy of Amy Lovelace
Drive to Success
May 22, 2025
Smiling at the camera, sophomores Audree Hearnsburger, Haley Evans, Emma McDougal, and junior Lucy Wigert pose for a picture after qualifying for state CDEs in their first year as a team. The girls competed on May 3 and placed 38th overall out of over 80 schools. “Making it to state was such a game changer,” sophomore Haley Evans said. “I’m so proud of us. I’ve never made it to state for anything, so I was really proud of both me and the girls. No matter how we did, I’m just super proud of us for making it to state.” Photo courtesy of CPHS FFA
The Judge of Excellence
May 19, 2025
Broadcast, yearbook and newspaper combined for 66 Interscholastic League Press Conference awards this year. Yearbook won 43, newspaper won 14 and broadcast took home nine. “I think [the ILPC awards] are a great way to give the kids some acknowledgement for all of their hard work,” newspaper and yearbook adviser Paige Hert said. “They typically spend the year covering everyone else’s big moments, so it’s really cool for them to be celebrated so many times and in so many different ways.”
In The Headlines
May 15, 2025
The Tracks Yearbook staff has finished making this year’s yearbook. The theme for this year’s book is “Bigger & Better,” and is organized on a weekly basis. “It was something new that we’ve never done before,” junior assistant editor Addison LoSurdo said. “I think we really delivered on how we did it and worked together to create each spread. The amount of new content, clubs and people that we were able to show on these spreads was a lot more than last year, so I think we should just be really proud of ourselves.” Graphic by Julia Seiden
Turning a New Page
April 28, 2025
Walking students through an in-class rat dissection lab, Anatomy and Physiology teacher Tyler Terry helps them connect rat anatomy to a human’s. Terry also teaches Medical Microbiology, Practicum in Health Science: Pharmacy Technician and is the HOSA sponsor. He expects district-proposed budget cuts to negatively impact class sizes in the coming school years. “It’s going to be a real challenge to try to reduce the number of teachers and squeeze the same number of students into fewer classes,” Terry said. “Classroom management is going to become more difficult for teachers, and students are probably going to feel even more cramped. It’s really hard to give individual one-on-one attention to every student who needs it when the class gets that big.” Photo by Allie Tseng
Budget Deficit to Cause Staffing Cuts
April 9, 2025
Captain Signing Out
Captain Signing Out
May 22, 2025
Holding his opponent to the mat, senior Max Brandt wrestles through the semifinals at Doc Hess, placing first. Brandt has been wrestling for 14 years and after qualifying for state sophomore and junior year he placed third in the 2025 UIL Boys State Championship . “Stepping onto the mat at state, I tried to remember to stick to my good stuff and don’t try new things,” Brandt said. “I had to remember to use the tools and moves I’ve practiced since I was four and I know I can do perfectly. Winning my last match at state, it didn't hit me that I just wrestled my final high school match, but I was happy I ended my high school career with a victory.” Photo courtesy of Max Brandt
Path to the Podium
May 22, 2025
With her varsity jacket wrapped around her shoulders, senior Charlotte Adair smiles for her senior photos. She will attend the University of Texas at Austin with a major in theater and dance, specifying in stage management. “There's only so many regional and big productions out there, but the opportunities that I hopefully will be able to receive are going to be really awesome, fingers crossed,” Adair said. “We are very lucky at Cedar Park High School to be able to do so many shows and have a pretty good budget for most of them, but then you go and see Broadway shows and they have crazy projections and moving set pieces. The possibility of being able to help with that is something that I'm very much looking forward to.” Photo by Melissa McKinney
The Final Cue
May 22, 2025
As summer rolls around every year, I always struggle to find the perfect book to read. So, to help others like me, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books from all my summers spent reading. Here are my top five favorite books: “Edenbrooke,” “Skyward,” “The False Prince”, “Ender’s Game” and “On the Fence.”
Hot Reads for Hot Days
May 22, 2025
Showing off her most recent tattoo and the book it comes from, English teacher Kimberly Vidrine tattoos a line of poetry each year to remember her students. She said she plans to continue the tradition for years to come, or until she runs out of space. “I think my students like it and a lot of people seem to like it,” Vidrine said. “Whenever somebody compliments me on my tattoos, I just usually say, ‘do you want to hear the story?’ And they say yes, and then they always love the story.” Photo courtesy of Kim Vidrine.
Permanent Marks
May 22, 2025
Broadcast, yearbook and newspaper combined for 66 Interscholastic League Press Conference awards this year. Yearbook won 43, newspaper won 14 and broadcast took home nine. “I think [the ILPC awards] are a great way to give the kids some acknowledgement for all of their hard work,” newspaper and yearbook adviser Paige Hert said. “They typically spend the year covering everyone else’s big moments, so it’s really cool for them to be celebrated so many times and in so many different ways.”
In The Headlines
May 15, 2025
Crowded around the newsdesk of KENS5, the broadcast class poses for a group photo. During the class's winter retreat in San Antonio, they visited the local news station for a tour. “When we're brought together, we have more ideas,” sophomore Drew Johnson said. “We have time to talk to each other about stories, and most of all, the winter retreat can be a story. I think bringing us together on the winter retreat really made us think about working together as a team.” Photo courtesy of Anthony Garcia
Behind The Camera
April 8, 2025
Typing away on her computer, junior Stephanie Manoel works on an assignment for her cybersecurity class. Being involved in DECA, which requires students to take CTE course, and having taken Computer Science I in her freshman year, this was the first course Manoel considered as she already felt familiar with the environment. “I’d definitely recommend this class to anyone interested in pursuing computer science or cybersecurity,” Manoel said. “The workload is manageable, but still gives you the knowledge you need. Overall, it’s the environment that keeps me motivated to come to class every time.”
Digital Defense
March 24, 2025
The Brainy Bunch
The Brainy Bunch
March 24, 2025
Senior Rushil Mehta, Junior Katie Liu, Senior Ashley Blair, Senior Anabelle Staples, Senior Jen Nguyen, teacher Amy Buffington, and Senior Kim Dao smile at the camera as they anticipate the upcoming HOSA competition. These students are working together in their Mental Health Campaign, and they have made various preparations for the competition. “We did lots of outreach activities, such as a gratitude jar for students on CPHS and Christmas stockings for children who have to stay at a hospital during the holiday season,” Liu said. “We hoped that it would alleviate anxiety in youth and help brighten their day.” Photo courtesy of Payton DeAngelis
HOSA: Hands-On Healthcare
February 7, 2025
Captain Signing Out
Captain Signing Out
May 22, 2025
Holding his opponent to the mat, senior Max Brandt wrestles through the semifinals at Doc Hess, placing first. Brandt has been wrestling for 14 years and after qualifying for state sophomore and junior year he placed third in the 2025 UIL Boys State Championship . “Stepping onto the mat at state, I tried to remember to stick to my good stuff and don’t try new things,” Brandt said. “I had to remember to use the tools and moves I’ve practiced since I was four and I know I can do perfectly. Winning my last match at state, it didn't hit me that I just wrestled my final high school match, but I was happy I ended my high school career with a victory.” Photo courtesy of Max Brandt
Path to the Podium
May 22, 2025
With her varsity jacket wrapped around her shoulders, senior Charlotte Adair smiles for her senior photos. She will attend the University of Texas at Austin with a major in theater and dance, specifying in stage management. “There's only so many regional and big productions out there, but the opportunities that I hopefully will be able to receive are going to be really awesome, fingers crossed,” Adair said. “We are very lucky at Cedar Park High School to be able to do so many shows and have a pretty good budget for most of them, but then you go and see Broadway shows and they have crazy projections and moving set pieces. The possibility of being able to help with that is something that I'm very much looking forward to.” Photo by Melissa McKinney
The Final Cue
May 22, 2025
Showing off her most recent tattoo and the book it comes from, English teacher Kimberly Vidrine tattoos a line of poetry each year to remember her students. She said she plans to continue the tradition for years to come, or until she runs out of space. “I think my students like it and a lot of people seem to like it,” Vidrine said. “Whenever somebody compliments me on my tattoos, I just usually say, ‘do you want to hear the story?’ And they say yes, and then they always love the story.” Photo courtesy of Kim Vidrine.
Permanent Marks
May 22, 2025
Senior Krish Muthukumar walks ahead on a pathway and said he's excited for the aspiration of what's to come. He spent four years in the school choir and theater programs, where he found his passion for performing. “I've spent so many hours in practice and rehearsal, but it's all been worth it,” Muthukumar said. “The most rewarding part is being able to tell a story through music and performance, and I'm excited to see where it takes me next.” Photo courtesy of Danielle Walker.
Hitting the Right Notes
May 20, 2025
Sitting in his home dugout, senior Kyle McClure stares out onto the turf he has spent all four years of high school on. McClure has been working toward receiving his private pilot certificate throughout high school, and said baseball has helped him learn the leadership skills needed to be a pilot. “I’m really big on how baseball’s helped me grow not only as a player, but as a person,” McClure said. “When it comes to flying, as a pilot, you have to have leadership skills. You don’t want to just let someone else do it because 150 people, 200 people are relying on you to fly that plane. I think being a part of baseball and being a part of the team is really going to help me in my future.” Photo Courtesy of Kyle McClure
From Pop Flies to Solo Flights
May 13, 2025
Bringing her arm over her head and taking a quick breath, junior Lauren Lucas swims the final laps of the 500 freestyle at the regionals swimming competition on date. Lucas broke the school’s 18-year-old record for the 500 freestyle at regionals and again at state with a time of 4:58.63. “I’d had my eye on that 500 record since my freshman year, so I was really excited to see if I could get it at regionals or districts,” Lucas said. “ State is always a really fun experience and medaling for the first time was really great. It was a very very tight race, [so] I was a bit surprised [that I medaled]. [There were] a lot of fast girls at the meet in general, [and] it was like a dogfight back and forth, back and forth.” Photo by Kaydence Wilkinson
Breaking the Surface
March 18, 2025
As the support team sits and poses for a photo in the cafeteria with the counseling team they eagerly wait to start their day. "We [all] seem to be a team, I get up every day and there's days where I don't want to go to work today, but I'm thankful that I have a job and I'm blessed to have what I have," Christopherson said. Photo Courtesy of Julie Weltens.
Heart of the Campus: The Fantastic Five
February 6, 2025
Officer Stephanie Cash is in her second year as an SRO at CPHS. “Seeing [students] grow over the years has been kind of cool,” Officer Cash said. “Freshmen that [are] all over the place and then in the next couple of years get a little more squared away and go to class and do work and start thinking about the future. Being a part of a student's growth is the best way to measure my success as an SRO.” Photo Courtesy of Cedar Park Police Department's PIO, Alicia Gallagher.
Securing the Future
February 4, 2025
Smiling at the camera, senior Nathan Rechtfertig reflects on how the NROTC scholarship program will affect his life in the future. Because he is a recipient of this scholarship, he will join the marines. “It means a lot [to receive this scholarship,” Rechtfertig said. “It’s very calming because a lot of the colleges I applied for are out of state which is expensive and this scholarship pays it off. And I want to serve so it gives me the ability to both go to school and then serve after.”
Nathan Rechtfertig – Future Marine
February 4, 2025
Driving towards the net, senior captain and striker Meredith Koltz scores the game winning goal to send the T-Wolves to State Semis. The team will face Barbers Hill Friday to attempt to make it back to the State Championship for the first time since 2001. “There’s nothing we can’t do together,” Koltz said. “If I make a mistake it’s not like ‘oh do this better’ it’s more like ‘hey, we got this, we can stick together’ and we’re working for each other. Not a single person wanted this goal by themselves, we’re all with each other and we’re just a big perfect family.” Photo by Alyssa Fox
Final Four Frenzy
April 2, 2025
Celebrating a goal, senior defender and captain William Gray poses for the camera. The team finished second in district with a 9-2-3 record. “I am, of course, very proud of this team,” Gray said. “But, we aren’t satisfied. We want to keep winning and go as far as we know we can in the playoffs.”
A Goal-don Season
March 25, 2025
Taking a breath as he raises his arm up and out of the water, sophomore Kaden Padilla swims the 500 freestyle at the UIL state meet on Feb. 21-22. Padilla placed 10th overall and second in the consolation final in the event, dropping two seconds. “My family was there, so being able to drop time for them was really special,” Padilla said. “It was awesome [finding out I advanced to the consolation finals]. I wasn’t expecting it, and I was very surprised. My parents being there definitely made me a lot happier knowing they got to see me swim in finals.” Photo by Skyler King.
Making Waves
March 7, 2025
The 5A state runner up team poses on the podium at the state tournament on Feb. 15. In addition to earning a team medal, sophomore Nathan Reilly won his second state title in the 113-weight class, senior Max Brant placed third in the 126-weight class, sophomore Jett Mentel placed 4th in the 175-weight class and senior Nathaniel Rechtfertig placed 5th in the 144-weight class at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas. “Watching Max hit 100 wins was really memorable,” Reilly said. “Along with hitting the podium for the second time.” Photo courtesy of Richard Eckley
Victory as a Family
March 7, 2025
Three defenders try to stop senior point guard Hope Edwards before the ball leaves her hands. The girls basketball team faced Liberty Hill on Feb 21, losing 58-40. “[My season was] definitely bittersweet,” Edwards said. It's definitely sad [because] I'm gonna miss all my teammates, my coaches and just the whole CP environment.”
Final Buzzer Sounds
February 27, 2025
As summer rolls around every year, I always struggle to find the perfect book to read. So, to help others like me, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books from all my summers spent reading. Here are my top five favorite books: “Edenbrooke,” “Skyward,” “The False Prince”, “Ender’s Game” and “On the Fence.”
Hot Reads for Hot Days
May 22, 2025
“The Amatuer” is a spy action thriller movie that has you screaming at the main character to run. Graphic by Ingrid Bonner.
No Badge, No Backup
May 22, 2025
High school is full of tests, friends, and a lot of change. Each year in high school is different from the last, leaving the question of what grade is better than the others?
Grading the Grades
May 22, 2025
As the 2025 F1 season tires in, the sport is gaining more popularity than ever. Essential information is compiled into this guide, with information on teams, drivers, tracks and more, helping new fans understand what they need to know. Graphic made by Rania Adil
Lights Out And Away We Go
April 28, 2025
This reboot of the beloved and iconic 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” came under fire after public relation scandals from the new Snow White’s actress, Rachel Zegler, CGI dwarfs and questionable acting. Although I was hesitant to watch the film at first, I will say, I was almost pleasantly surprised.
Snow White and the Mixed Reviews
April 10, 2025
As summer rolls around every year, I always struggle to find the perfect book to read. So, to help others like me, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books from all my summers spent reading. Here are my top five favorite books: “Edenbrooke,” “Skyward,” “The False Prince”, “Ender’s Game” and “On the Fence.”
Hot Reads for Hot Days
May 22, 2025
Posing at the Texas border, my brother, Riley, and my sister-in-law, Sarah, hold up a “T” and a “X” for “Texas.” We helped them move to Houston, Texas over the summer, and it’s safe to say that after copious amounts of Torchy’s queso and free access to H-E-B, they’ve been completely converted. Photo by Rachelle Wilkinson
God Blessed Texas
May 22, 2025
“The Amatuer” is a spy action thriller movie that has you screaming at the main character to run. Graphic by Ingrid Bonner.
No Badge, No Backup
May 22, 2025
High school is full of tests, friends, and a lot of change. Each year in high school is different from the last, leaving the question of what grade is better than the others?
Grading the Grades
May 22, 2025
Netflix’s recent releases of sports documentaries following teams and athletes that are in-season, the most recent being The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, which premiered on April 8 has brought attention to struggles athletes face such as mental health and fan interactions. These types of projects are created with an intent to give fans an inside look at the athletes and coaches.
A Look Beyond the Game
April 28, 2025
“The Amatuer” is a spy action thriller movie that has you screaming at the main character to run. Graphic by Ingrid Bonner.
No Badge, No Backup
May 22, 2025
As part of a field training operation, my brother, Hunter Williams, sits on top of a joint light tactical vehicle, JLTV, after going through vigorous activities. Like it is portrayed in the movie ‘Warfare,’ soldiers go through moments that seem unreal to the normal human. After watching this movie, I hope the recognition of my two brothers, Hunter, who's in the Army, and Hayden, who's in the Space Force, will become more prominent as well as recognition of other soldiers in the military. Photo Courtesy of Hunter Williams
The Guts and the Glory
May 12, 2025
Netflix’s recent releases of sports documentaries following teams and athletes that are in-season, the most recent being The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox, which premiered on April 8 has brought attention to struggles athletes face such as mental health and fan interactions. These types of projects are created with an intent to give fans an inside look at the athletes and coaches.
A Look Beyond the Game
April 28, 2025
This reboot of the beloved and iconic 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” came under fire after public relation scandals from the new Snow White’s actress, Rachel Zegler, CGI dwarfs and questionable acting. Although I was hesitant to watch the film at first, I will say, I was almost pleasantly surprised.
Snow White and the Mixed Reviews
April 10, 2025
On Feb. 27, Hulu released a documentary called “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.” The three episode documentary goes through interviews with the two oldest Franke kids (who are both adults) and Ruby’s husband, Kevin Franke, in addition to showing unseen footage from their YouTube videos. I give this documentary a 10/10.
8 Prisoners
March 31, 2025
Spirit Slideshow
March 13, 2025
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
2025 Golden Globes Review Podcast
February 21, 2025
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
Deal With It
February 21, 2025
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
Right or Wrong?
February 6, 2025
2024-2025 Fall Recap
December 19, 2024
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
2025 Golden Globes Review Podcast
February 21, 2025
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
Deal With It
February 21, 2025
PackCast hosts, senior Rania Adil and sophomore Kasanadra Reynoso review the 2025 Golden Globes Award Show.
Right or Wrong?
February 6, 2025
Jonathan’s Corner
March 20, 2024
Graphic by Stef Rios, Wolfpack Editor '20-'21
The Packchat 2-14-2024
February 15, 2024
The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack
The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack
Ruchi Sankolli

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor

Ruchi Sankolli is a senior, this is her third year on staff, and her first year as the Assistant Editor of the Wolfpack.  She mainly enjoys writing opinion pieces about current events. In addition to the Wolfpack, she is also involved in the 4-H Youth Toastmasters Gavel Club, HOSA and NHS. She enjoys listening to music, watching anime, reading horror novels, writng stories, and playing with her dog. She plans on attending either UT Austin or Texas A&M to major in the healthcare field.

 

All content by Ruchi Sankolli
More than 50 students, all donned in red T shirts, pose for a group picture at the front grounds of the school, holding various signs and symbols. These students all engaged in a silent, peaceful protest regarding the Roe v. Wade and abortion situation as of now. “It felt kind of empowering,” senior Aleksae Watson said. “Because they were all there for the same thing. We all are aware that what’s going on isn’t right. I’d say it’s not appropriate. We all deserve our rights and our freedoms and it’s just being stripped from us.”

A Loud Silence

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
May 23, 2022
Reporter Aahana Mulchandani’s spam account is displayed, showing a variety of posts, from details of her recreational life to her school life. Such spam accounts fall under the category of fake instagram accounts, or FINSTAS, and affect FOMO by increasing engagement with social media due to the daily amount of posts that users get to their feeds. “Sometimes, I find myself scrolling endlessly through social media purely because I follow a lot of accounts that post funny content,” Mulchandani said. “It definitely increased my addiction to social media and especially with the pressure of upkeeping a spam account.”

It’s a Social World

Ruchi Sankolli and Ally JohnPress
May 18, 2022
Biology and AP Biology teacher Adam Babich sits at his desk, concentrating on his paperwork. Babich is one of the teachers who have been affected by teacher burnout, and feels teachers are not heard enough when it comes to their struggles. “The most stressful part about teaching is not having your voice heard,” Babich said. “At a campus level, I would march off to war for my administration team; Mr Sloan, everybody, they’re great and they’re supportive. The problem comes from the higher ups; a lot of what we deal with, whether it is pay raise, or budget issues, or standards or state testing, we can give our voice, but really, nothing ever comes of it. These are legislative bodies that do a lot of the decision making and we know that, at a government level, things move at a snail’s pace. If an issue shows up, it often takes a very long time to see any results from it. For example, they’re putting together a task force to figure out why teachers are leaving. When we looked at the first task force, there was maybe two teachers on it; everyone else were superintendents, or people who had not been in the classroom for 10 years. So, as teachers, we felt like this was a slap in the face. I’m not saying that all teachers feel this way, I’m saying some of us do, and this is what we’re feeling. It’s like we’re in the trenches, we’re asking for help and we get decisions made for us by people who aren’t in the classrooms.”

The Burnout

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
May 16, 2022
With a look of concentration, senior Max Villarreal tests out his tattoo needle with a stencil. Villarreal has had a passion for art for a while, and has decided to pursue tattoo art as a future activity. “I like art in general, [but] I don’t think I would just do [art] as a career,” Villarreal said. “It’s not enough fun for me, and I feel like I need to constantly come up with new ideas and hoping people are paying attention to me. From a young age, I had been exposed to the art of tattooing, and it’s just something that has stuck with me. That’s something my mom wanted too, she wanted me to be a tattoo artist.”

Inked Dreams

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
May 5, 2022
The winner of the Library March Madness is 'Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. Due to its popularity, the book was able to stay strong throughout the multiple rounds of the competition, according to Assistant Librarian Jennifer Baskin, who applauded the book for its years of success and relevance. “I pretty much knew that was going to be the winner from the get,” Baskin said. “I was kind of hoping that I would be surprised that [‘Hunger Games’] wasn’t the winner, but I understand why. It’s pretty popular, and a lot of people read that book, and it was their introduction to reading. That’s something that got them excited about reading, so it makes sense that they would still be excited about it. I think that book has held up, just sort of like ‘Harry Potter’, or ‘The Lightening Thief’. It holds up even when I read it as an adult, but I was still surprised that it was still going so strong.”

Let the Madness Begin

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
April 4, 2022
As social media's influence grows, there are certain pros and cons that come along with it. In addition to liking Instagram posts or making music videos on TikTok, online relationships can form, people can educate themselves on important matters and both kids and adults gain exposure to the world around them. “Obviously, constant exposure to social media can be both physically and mentally draining,” senior Tolani Segun said. “However, if you are being conscious in its use, by limiting the time you spend on certain sites and refraining from pages that encourage negativity, then social media can be a very useful tool. Best of all, TikTok and Instagram let you play with funny filters, and TikTok even taught me how to dance.”

Two Shades of Gray

Ally JohnPress and Ruchi Sankolli
March 30, 2022
Choosing the path of vegetarianism is not easy: it can be a path full of sacrifices and adjustments that need to be made on a daily basis. From dealing with society’s opinions, to frequently asked questions, to limited food options, being a vegetarian is not easy sometimes, and it is something we need to talk about more.

The Dietary Outcast

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
March 24, 2022
Senior Evy Grenger focuses as she manages to get the “Word of the Day.” Grenger has been playing “Wordle” since January, and said it has improved her critical thinking skills and loves to challenge herself with the new “Word of the Day.” “I feel like it has increased my critical thinking skills because to figure out the word, you really have to think about where the letters go and which are correct," Grenger said. "It makes me think about the words I know and how they could possibly fit into the puzzle.”

It’s Just a Word

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
March 4, 2022
Senior Madelyn Roberts smiles in the snow as she holds her Colorado State memorabilia. Roberts chose to go out of state because of her interest in fashion and her admiration for the university. “I really wanted somewhere that was picturesque, [some place] that fits with my vintage style,” Roberts said. “I wanted somewhere where I could walk down to mainstreet and have a bunch at a cafe. Or go shopping. I’ll be a fashion major, and I have my own fashion Instagram [account] and I could just see myself pursuing these interests in Fort Collins.”

A Common Future

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
February 18, 2022
"There There" by Tommy Orange is a mesmerizing story in which multiple people are able to reconnect with each other through one crucial cultural event. Since culture is an important part of a person's life, more people should know about their own stories and other peoples' stories. This novel does a wonderful job of explaining the importance of culture and why being attentive to different cultures is important for our own knowledge and growth as human beings.

Culturally Connected

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
February 11, 2022
Driving is something that all students have come to rely on, especially during their senior year. The question of how interested modern teenagers are in driving is now being brought up in multiple studies, however, high school students still recognize and value the importance of driving as a whole, such as senior Jasmin Gonzales. “I think driving is a super important skill because it allows the person to run personal errands or help out others if they need a ride somewhere,” Gonzales said. “I think that is one of the best parts of high school is being able to start driving yourself to school. There’s something so maturing about it.”

To Take the Wheel or Not

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
January 26, 2022
The choir students smile for a group photo at Region in November. The choir recently participated in the pre-area auditions, and the top 15 candidates (10 for voice parts and six alternates) advanced to the Area auditions. “I am immensely proud,” Assistant Choir Director Victor Torres said. “I am so proud of them. We’ve been having Sectionals in here just about every day. The kids have been showing up, really working on their music."

In For The Long Run

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
January 7, 2022
Netflix and Chill suddenly got disappointing with how the new heist movie played out. "Red Notice" had a lot of potential, which kind of went to waste. While the whole movie was not up to my expectations for it, there were some exciting parts to it, such as the cinematography and the action scenes.

Below Egg-Spectations

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
December 16, 2021
Showing off his gold medal, senior Riley Pritzlaff poses for a picture alongside fellow UIL competitors and seniors Vyacheslav Adrianov and Aiden Seibel. Pritzlaff placed second in the UIL Congress Meet and will be advancing to the next round at the Texas State Capitol in January. “The first kind of debate that I got into when I first joined the Speech and Debate team was Congress,” Pritzlaff said. “So, making it to state my senior year is kind of a full circle for me, and owning my speech skills, learning this kind of thing, and having the opportunity and experience to debate all of these different ideas [with] these different people has been really cool.”

The ‘States’ Are High

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
December 9, 2021
As allergy season hits hard, taking care of yourself is of the utmost importance. There are many homemade and natural recipes, such as pepper soup, are just the remedies we need to keep warm and happy this season. In addition to over-the-counter medication, these natural remedies work just as effectively and are recommended for a fast recovery.

Nature’s Got You

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
November 24, 2021
DC has made some major changes to Superman in their upcoming comic set to release in November. Kent is married to Lois Lane, and together they have a son, Jon Kent, who identifies as bisexual. By doing this, DC is diversifying their stories.

With Great Power Comes a Better Tomorrow

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
November 1, 2021
While the Devious Lick Challenge is now seen as a threat that encourages theft and vandalism among students, not all of the stunts involved encourage theft and vandalism. A list shown above shows a positive side to the challenge, encouraging giving instead of taking; promoting these kinds of acts are much more professional and have an overall positive impact on students and teachers alike.

Helpful Vs. Harmful

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
October 7, 2021
Marvel really impressed audiences with 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'. The movie is a perfect blend of every element, from humour to sadness, and also included amazing scenery. This, combined with a compelling storyline, is what truly makes it one of Marvel's finest works.

Ten “Rings” Why You Should Watch This

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
September 14, 2021
Actively engaging in a conversation with her students, AP English IV teacher Michelle Iskra teaches her students about the importance of reading multiple stories to get proper context. Iskra is one of the teachers who implemented an approach designed to prevent academic dishonesty, and said she believes everyone should work together to ensure an honest academic policy for students. “I think everyone [plays] a role in minimizing academic dishonesty,” Iskra said. “I’m very straightforward about it. But, I also give students many opportunities to show me what they can do, to be successful in their own way, and to work with other students collaboratively in terms of thinking and ideas, and then to prepare their own work.”

Are You Cheating on Me?

Ruchi Sankolli, Assistant Editor
September 5, 2021
Eyes on his target, senior Rahul Kannam prepares to hit incoming tennis ball at the match against Leander on Oct. 2. Alongside his involvement in tennis, Kannam also wants to get involved in the process of business, particularly the financial aspect of it. “I would like to work in the finance area for business and understand companies’ finances and logistics,” Kannam said. “I would like to start a business, and I have tried to start one about t-shirts with a friend which ultimately fell through. I still had fun planning and designing it with him, though. In the future, maybe starting a business is very possible, but I would like to rather join a startup so I can learn more about the growing process before starting my own business.”

Getting Down To Business

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
May 20, 2021
Jasmine Cooper sits on the steps of her house, dressed up for the ACDA After Party. Cooper was one of the students who participated in the ACDA and was proud of the effort that the team put in. “For the people who wanted to view our recorded concert in-person, [which had] limited seating, just choir students and their families and friends [were allowed],” Cooper said. “We had an ACDA watch party in the PAC ,because us seniors, who were juniors last year, didn’t have a prom, and we had a great idea to make the event formal. Our recording and video, our concert, was amazing. To see our hard work and our choir directors’ efforts pay off was truly a sight.”

Fa La La Through Life

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
May 7, 2021
Junior Hemani Goje poses in front of a classroom with a HerDrive donation box. Donation boxes like these are available for students in front of classrooms throughout the school, and the items will be donated to women's shelters to provide hygienic support. “I really hope that we, the community of Cedar Park, donate and impact the betterment of the community, Goje said. “By giving resources to the women in shelters, I want to be able to empathize with them and support the often understocked shelters.”

Her Needs Come First

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
May 6, 2021
New Theatre Tech teacher Colin Falk faces the camera smiling while wearing his Disney Fantasmic Cast and Crew Jacket. Falk is an alumnus of Cedar Park High School who used to work for Disney's Fantasmic before joining the staff. “I worked with the fireworks team to produce the nighttime spectacular,” Falk said. “It was, really and truly, a magical experience. I tell people all the time that my favorite part of working there was that moment right before the show, when I could look out at the audience and see a crowd of 8,000 cheering people, and it was a new crowd every night, with another group of people waiting to be amazed by what we do.”

Hello From the Happiest Place on Earth

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
April 19, 2021
Participants of the HOSA Trivia Night, including HOSA members, smile at the camera over Zoom. HOSA hosted this Trivia Night as part of a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and collected close to $170. President Aashna Ravi is grateful for the support and to those to participated. “I would definitely say that the Trivia Night was a success, seeing that this was not only the first time we were doing it, but given that it was held virtually,” Ravi said. “As a team, we feel that this is a great event that we can continue to build upon in years to come, as we transition back into person, and one that will be successful in raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We appreciate all of the students who supported and donated their time to the event and also wanted to thank the organizations that offered hours to make this event a success.”

Giving Back Together

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
April 1, 2021
As classes get harder and the learning environment shifts online, students are increasingly losing motivation to work. Whether it is a lack of structure or engagement, students are struggling to find ways to get motivated again. Having said that, there are many ways to renew motivation, and that starts with pushing through.

There’s Still Hope

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
March 23, 2021
Two years ago, the state-bound DECA members stand together, smiling as they show their medals. President Suparna Swaroop , one of the advancing members, has expressed happiness and pride at these members for their work and advancing to state. “I am so proud of all the DECA members’ work and successes this year,” Swaroop said. “Especially with COVID-19 and the new virtual competition, our DECA members have really done an excellent job of working hard and staying motivated. I know that we are all going to do really well at state because our chapter is filled with passionate business students that are determined to compete.”

Fruits of Hard Work

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
February 18, 2021
Varsity cheerleaders pose in Cowboy Stadium as they cheer for the football team at the state football championships on Jan. 15, just one day after the they competed in the Spirit Championships in Fort Worth, placing fifth. Senior Captain Emma Vorndran expressed pride at the team's work and said she is grateful for her time with them. "I would not want to be on any other team,” Vorndran said. “I feel as if this is the best team I have ever been a part of in regards to both talent and friendships. The relationships that have been made on this team are meaningful to each and every individual, and I am so proud of how far this team has come. The best part about being a senior captain is watching the younger classmen grow in skill and their love for cheer.”

With High Spirits

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
February 16, 2021
COVID-19 cases aren't the only things that are increasing. The stigma surrounding the disease is also expanding, leading to discriminatory actions and even violence. This stigma causes division among society, something which is unnecessary at this moment. Therefore, it is important to address this stigma and learn to overcome it.

The Shame of a Disease

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
February 2, 2021
Junior MJ Kelly and Freshman Aidan Cox launched the "On Your Left" podcast on Jan. 15. This podcast covers political topics and aims to educate the public on political and social theories, topics, and issues through a leftist perspective and hopes to help people gain a better understanding and use it to their benefit. “I think the most important aspect to me is the social rights aspect,” Kelly said. “Yes, reading foundational literature by [people] like Marx and Engels is important, but I’d rather have people take other things away from this. I hope somebody listens and starts to make a difference in their life when it comes to being a better ally for others.”

An Auditory Education

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
January 20, 2021
"The Crucible" is an insightful story that provides an interesting perspective on the Salem Witch Trials. It closely follows a cynical theme and understanding of the Trials in order to highlight the harm that comes from such hysteria.

“The Crucible”: A Deeper Insight of Humanity

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
December 17, 2020
Racism is a serious issue in our society, and can have seething effects on the victim. Helping and speaking out against racism is what we, both as students and human beings, should do. Having that said, there are many ways for students to help fight racism in their environment.

Students Against Racism

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 26, 2020
Madison Cherry has taken her first step towards the world of business. The junior student has become an influencer for American Eagle and has started her own jewelry business, and has gained a lot of advice from her experience. “Being an influencer teaches me how to run Instagram, and see what my audience likes the most, when they are most active, etc,” Cherry said. “When I do get more serious with my jewelry business, I can see what my audience likes and what they don’t like, so that I can promote my product more and sell what [is] more popular. Definitely, being an influencer has given me a lot of advice, whether that be from business partners or my own experience.” 

An American Influence

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 20, 2020
Key Club Sponsor Amy Durden shows off some avocado pits that have been donated to her as a part of Harvest for Healing. Durden and the club's goal for Harvest for Healing is to spread positivity throughout the senior community. “[Our goal] is to try and bring joy and hope in watching the seeds grow into seedlings and then plants,” Durden said. “With so much depression, despair, isolation and sickness, [we figured that] it's a way to have a small [amount of positivity].”

Botanical Joy

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 13, 2020
"Among Us" is the most played game this year. This makes it the most popular and trendy game of this year. It is a game of secrets and sabotaging, and makes for a fun and thrilling experience. I have recently started playing this game, and enjoy every bit of it.

A Game of Sabotage and Guessing

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 2, 2020
Giving A Ray of Hope is a newly founded organization that strives to help children in hospitals, and are responsible for, not only participating in service projects, but also educating the community on diseases that infect children. The organization provides many opportunities for members to explore the medical field and contribute to their community. “I would say that this organization really helps you have that role in your community and trying to help others,” junior member Jillian Lach said. “Not only does it help build responsibility, but it [has also] helped me meet new people and research and educate myself on a lot of things that I didn’t know about before."

Seeds of Hope

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
October 21, 2020
Wrestling Booster Club President Jason Malmquist directs cars to the paper shredder and supervises the event. Malmquist considers the paper shredding fundraiser to be beneficial to both the wrestlers and the team, as personal connections are strengthened. “Other sports tend to do things a lot as a team,” Malmquist said. “In wrestling, we do have a team, such as team scoring. But this gives them a chance to bond, spend some time together, and it’s always fun to do something like this together. We think it’s important that the wrestlers are the ones raising the money. When they are here themselves, they actually have to come out and do something, and we think that [it’s] great that they put in [effort]for their own team.”

Shred for a Buck

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
October 19, 2020
Social media has become an essential tool for students to express their opinions and spread awareness about certain issues. As of today, it is the main source of current information for a majority of the students. While this is a benefit to the student population, it is also important to be kind on social media and respect the opinions of others, especially at this time.

Spare My Feelings

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
October 16, 2020
During the course of quarantine and online schooling, there have been reports of increased levels of stress and anxiety for students. This anxiety can develop into depression and other health issues. Addressing these feelings is highly recommended

Self-Health Check

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
September 22, 2020
Senior Alison Dye smiles for the camera. Dye has been a member of many organizations in school, from playing the role of Mary Poppins in Princess Tea, to being a member of PALS and the Spanish Club, and reflects on her experience in these activities. “All of these activities have helped me come out of the shell,” Dye said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with, [and the chance] to meet so many awesome people.”

Best of Both Worlds

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
May 26, 2020
With changes due to COVID-19, students are now expected to complete a series of virtual assignments and attend meetings as needed. Given the status quo, academic learning has been modified to better fit the variety of situations students are in. “For the most part, and for the majority of the students I would say [that they are meeting expectations],” AP Human Geography and AP Seminar teacher Cassandra Gray said. “I teach both AP Human Geography and AP Seminar and AP Exams are still happening, so there is a lot of review and prep work going into the next few weeks. For the most part, [the] majority of the students are completing the assignments as they are intended and are trying their best on them in order to get accurate feedback."

Teaching Blues

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
May 22, 2020
Junior Celebrities captain Rylee Tonacao (last from left to right), poses and smiles with fellow participants at the Colon Cancer Walk. Tonacao and her teammates wish to continue giving back to the community and helping to resolve community issues. "I think this event has definitely inspired myself as well as [the] celebrities organization to keep continuing to serve our community,” Tonacao said. “This event, particularly, has such a special meaning for us as a team as it relates to our late director, Stacy Danielson. The important thing about this event is it taught us, not only to give back, but to raise awareness for different issues, and different things that we need to solve. So, I think, as well as helping out the community, participating in events like this has showed us that we need to raise awareness for certain things, as that is an important factor to solving problems.”

Giving Back One Step At a Time

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
March 13, 2020
Many high school students suffer from sleep deprivation. Whether it be from stress or the downright lack of desire to sleep, depriving yourself of sleep is dangerous, especially at this age. Learning to adopt better sleeping habits is advised.

You’re Gonna Need Some Extra Zzz…

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
February 20, 2020
Sophomore Barbara Sylvester smiles at the camera as she designs the drive train of the robot. The robotics team is working on a new robot for this build season. "Our goal for this build season is to create a working robot," Sylvester said. "As we go through the building process, we create small goals to keep the process moving steady, but the overall goal is to have a working and moving robot that the whole team contributed on by our first competition."

The Robolobos Are Back

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
February 12, 2020
A few birds nests that Debby Barne's Crochet group had made. Barnes had started a crochet group in order to help the displaced wildlife in Australia. "It just breaks my heart to see these poor, little animals [suffering]" Barnes said. "Some of them are being burned. I saw a video last month on Facebook of this poor, little koala that was just crying because he was being burned."

Crafts For Lives

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
January 20, 2020
Anatomy and Physiology teacher, Nancy Matthias supervises a kidney dissection. Matthias believes that dissecting real organs and specimens enhances the learning abilities of the students. "Live dissection gives [the students] an opportunity to actually feel the tissue," Matthias said. "When the live specimen is 3D, they can see it, manipulate it, and [this makes it] a much better way to dissect and learn about the different organs and the body."

Would You Rather Do it or See it?

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
January 3, 2020
CPHS Librarian, Debby Barnes poses with a copy of "Radical Element." Barnes got selected to be a member of the TAYSHAS Reading Program. “I think its great and I think it is an honor to get selected,” Barnes said. “I’m kind of feeling overwhelmed that I have too read over a hundred books in a year, but I am proud of being selected.”

Booked for a Lifetime

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
December 9, 2019
As high schoolers, our lives are constantly busy and we find little, to no, free time. Our busy schedules often result in the increase of our stress levels. This can result in a lot of health issues, from thyroid diseases to asthma to gastrointestinal disorders. Stress isn’t a good thing for either our body or mind, but how do we prevent it?

How to De-Stress

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 19, 2019
An excerpt of 'Lighthouse' by sophomore Ireland Weaver. Weaver often writes things that tell stories that highlight the pain and emotional experiences in people’s lives.  “For me, talking about great tragedies, like losing people, losing yourself and then getting that back, struggling, finding out who you are, that’s what it's about,” Weaver said. “For a lot of people that have read my stuff, this seems kind of sad to them, but for me, it's like surviving. Telling the stories of people persevering.” 

Words of Wisdom

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
November 6, 2019
Junior choir student Zain Jabbar (third from left to right) sings in the fall concert. The varsity mixed choir had prepared extensively for their TMEA performance, dedicating every minute to preparation. Jabbar reflects on this work. “For four months, every Wednesday after school, we practiced for an hour and fifteen minutes on the four songs,” Jabbar says. “And these weren’t easy songs. Ms Holt made sure we chose really hard songs that the professional choirs do. I was really happy that all the hard work was recognized.”

Leaving a Mark on the Nation

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
October 23, 2019
“Challenger Deep” will take you through a portal and switch you back from normal school life and adventures among the unforgiving sea.

Book Review: Challenger Deep

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
September 26, 2019
The front office overlooks the streets, displaying its newly added extensions. The construction of these extensions began in May of the previous school year, and was completed in the beginning of this school year. Principal John Sloan explains the intentions behind this change, as well as the way the front office now functions. "When people come in, there is a secure vestibule, and they have to check in with the receptionist and make sure they have a good purpose for being here," Sloan said. "We have to make sure we are letting people in who are here for a good reason."

A Fresh Start

Ruchi Sankolli, Reporter
September 13, 2019
Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
The student newspaper and broadcast of Cedar Park High School
Ruchi Sankolli