![A portion of the debate team’s flier advertising their duct tape fundraiser. Debate team captain Delaney McClure said she hopes the fundraiser will raise the necessary funds to aid next year’s team with their expenses as the formerly debate class-exclusive team transitions into a club. “It costs money to do certain things that clubs have,” McClure said. “I just wanted to make sure that [the debate team] is all set up for next year and start doing fundraisers so we can get to that position as a club.” (Photo Courtesy of @debate_cphs on Instagram)](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-12-234723.png)
![Soundwave poses for a picture after performing in the Legislative Prayer Breakfast for Texas politicians. Multiple audience members, such as State Rep. Terry Wilson, approached the students afterwards or requested to take photos with the singers. “[A woman] told us that it reminded her of singing when she was younger,” Ferguson said. “She said she sang the same song, but a different version and that it was one of her Dad’s favorites. She was really proud and really liked the performance.” (Photo Courtesy of Kyra Cox)](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG-4017-900x600.jpg)
![Starting the early morning practice, new swim and dive coach Kyla Gargiulo informs her student-athletes of their next set, giving them tips to help along the way. Gargiulo looks forward to keeping the swim team competitive and improving throughout the year. “The thing I love most about coaching is getting to be a part of the sport that I fell in love with,” Gargiulo said. “[I also love getting to] help the current team achieve and surpass their goals while having fun.” Photo by Kaydence Wilkinson](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/swimcoach.jpg)
![Standing in front of the DigiPen Institute of Technology sign in Redmond, Washington, senior Simon Moss visits the college campus on a trip to Seattle. While visiting the school, Moss got to see what different programs DigiPen offers more in depth and meet new people. “[DigiPen] is going to be great because everyone that was accepted got invited to a discord [server] and everyone has been able to talk to each other and get to know everyone,” Moss said. “I don’t want to be in a campus where they have too many fields and people have different interests, but here everyone is very like minded.” (Photo courtesy of Simon Moss)](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/simon-moss-900x675.jpg)
![Leaving his opponent on the ground after a quick and precise maneuver, sophomore running back Trae Hill sprints toward the end zone. The varsity football team will play against Round Rock High School tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Gupton Stadium. “[Being on varsity] made me work a lot harder,” Hill said. “It’s a lot more mental, [too]. People don’t understand that if you’re not in the right headspace, then you won’t be at your best. I hope we make a lot of memories [this season]. We’re confident and we practice hard for sure. We realize that we have a good team this year, [that] we have potential.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tylie-1871-1200x801.jpg)
![Striking a pose in front of the Tiger-Rock Martial Arts National Championship banner, junior Brooklyn Collinsworth shows off her flexibility and blue belt. The tournament was held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio from July 20-23. “I end[ed] up getting bronze in the overall board breaking competition,” Collinsworth said. “My opponents were much older and had a lot more experience.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kickin.jpg)
![One of the few stick vehicles in the school parking lot, senior Alex Trebilco’s 1970 Ford Maverick is a restoration project he worked on with his dad. He and his father have worked on cars together for all of Trebilco’s life, and have several finished projects because of it. “[My favorite memory with my car is] honestly just cruising with my dad in his truck and my car,” Trebilco said. “Both of the [cars] are restored. He did the truck and we did the Maverick, so it’s cool to roll down in two cars that we made run together.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ford-Maverick.png)
![Leaning back on her right, varsity tennis member junior Mia Petty prepares to receive the ball with the traditional racket swing. For student athletes, the heat has caused many changes to previously created habits involved in sport practices, but it can also be a tool, according to Petty. The heat is definitely annoying, Petty said. There are so many things that you have to do to avoid exhaustion and it feels excessive at times. [However], I think the heat further encourages me to get outside. [I want to] be exposed to the heat as much as possible so I can better acclimate to being hot and tired.](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Natalia-Varsity-Tennis-Mia-Petty-50.jpg)
There are few things more depressing than staying at home over the summer while your friends travel to exotic places, spending their exciting vacations abroad while you are trapped in what seems to be eternal boredom. Instead of moping about your situation, take some steps to turn your stuck-at-home summer into the perfect staycation.
Create your own destination
Are you dreaming of a tropical Hawaiian getaway?
Make your own island in your backyard. Set up your lawn chair and umbrella, make a fruit smoothie and relax. For added effect, fill up an inflatable pool for your impromptu beach. Get a tan or catch up on a good book and enjoy your tourist-free private oasis. If you’d rather be vacationing in a sophisticated European city, make some French cuisine and watch foreign films to immerse yourself in the culture while avoiding hefty travel expenses.
Be productive
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn French or how to play the guitar. With your newfound free time, now’s the time to learn. Show off to your friends when they get home from their unproductive vacations and know that you’ve done something useful with your time. Or better yet, find a job you love and make some cash for college tuition or that new car. Talk to your neighbors going on vacation and offer your services as a house- or pet-sitter, both high-paying and relatively easy jobs.
Tour your own town
Make Austin your holiday hotspot and take advantage of popular tourist attractions such as Barton Springs pool and the Austin Museum of Art. Have a picnic by the lake or take a day trip to Six Flags. Get your friends and family involved and embrace your inner tacky tourist. Do something cheesy you’ve never considered doing before, like a segway tour of downtown or Austin Duck Adventures, the amphibious boat/driving tour of downtown and Lake Austin. Then post your photos on Facebook like you would any vacation photos. Playing around in your own town can be just as rewarding as exploring a new one, and also much easier on the wallet. You may find some hidden treasures you never knew existed in your own city.
Make it authentic
Treat your staycation just as you would a real one. Turn off the TV, don’t check your email or phone and, if possible, lay off the chores. The point of a vacation is to relax and escape from it all, so don’t leave this part out. Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fun and relaxing summer.
