Seth Gipson

Crete-Monee defeated Sacred Heart Griffin High School, 38-35 in the quarterfinals of the IHSA football playoffs. Sacred Heart Griffin had a 39 game win streak that was snapped by the Warriors.

The game was intense and interesting throughout all 4 quarters. The Warriors came out aggressive and recovered an onside kick at the beginning of the game. They jumped to an early lead after a touchdown pass from Isaiah Rucker to Kevin pate. After a couple more touchdowns and a field goal, Crete-Monee went into halftime with a 24-7 lead.

However the Cyclones came back swinging in the second half. After scoring 2 quick touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, SHG cut down on the Warriors lead which made the score 24-21. Both of the  touchdowns were passes from Sam Sergent to Sam Bonansinga. The Warriors answered back on a long touchdown run by Clint Ratkovich. Ratkovich had 26 carries for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Both teams fought hard but the game was won by the Warriors. A fourth down sack by Lavall McNulty sealed the game for Crete-Monee. This game was a huge win for the Warriors. The warriors are 1 win away from playing for a state championship game 3 years after they won state in 2012.

Annual Crete-Monee Craft Show

Savannah Kiel

Staff Writer

This year’s annual craft show had a major turn out! Every year Crete-Monee High School hosts a craft show which contains dozens of vendors and hundreds of buyers for the up coming holiday season.

To get into the holiday spirit, the craft show vendors sell gifts, decorations and nick knacks for people looking for holiday gifts. The scent of sugar cookies smell throughout the air as the CMHS cheerleaders sell cookies and the CMHS Boosters run a variety of foods throughout the cafeteria.

Every year, the CMHS sports teams are required to help set up the craft show for volunteer hours by hauling the vendors items to their designated spots. The Boosters are who annually run this outstanding craft show and such an amazing job is always done. Crete-Monee would love to thank our Boosters for working so hard and being so outrageously creative when it comes to everything that they do for our school.

If you couldn’t make it to  the craft show, you missed out! But there will always be next year. Attending the craft show can instantly get you into the holiday spirit. Mark your calendar and plan on attending next year’s craft show!

Honor Band by Dijon Langston

What is honor band? Honor Band is the higher level of band. Honors band has to compete in many tournaments and usually to get into honors band you have to be an advanced instrument player. You would also have to show dependability in band and show you are responsible and mature enough to accept such an honor. Honors band is a combination between drumming, marching, and flag holding.This year Crete Monee High School came in second place with eighty-eigh pointst which was four points away from Thornridge High School Band.  In other good news the Marching Warrior Band’s drum majors Darius Francis and Tina Moscatel took home the honors of best drum majors in Class A and tied for first on the day with the drum major from Rich South High School. Darius and Tina have been working their tails off for such an honor as high as they have gotten. Now some people confuse band honor with honors band thinking they’re the same but actually it’s quite different than people think. Band honors are a high level of music but for one person. Honors band is the group of the band honors and it can be compared to junior varsity and varsity. Any and every band member wants to be in honors band, it’s the next step of music. It’s more challenging, more work, more practice and the challenges are difficult. But as there is a down to everything there is also an upside. The reward for the challenges an honors band gets is enormous! You are publically known, the friendships you make will last for what feels like an eternity, and you get the great satisfaction of being on “varsity” band with people just like you.

Paris Terror

By Quincee Henry
Staff Writer

As we all may know November 16, 2015 was the night's deadly attacks in Paris by gunmen and suicide bombers. The terrorist group Isis hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars, leaving at least 129 people dead and hundreds wounded.

This attack has been described by President Francois Hollande as an "act of war". Shootings and bomb blasts left at least 129 people dead and hundreds wounded, with more than 100 in a critical condition. There were three co-coordinated groups who appeared to have been behind the attacks.

The first of three explosions occurred outside the Stade de France stadium on the northern part of Paris were Germany was playing in an international football (soccer). A man wearing a suicide belt was prevented from entering the stadium after a routine security check detected the explosives.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the man backed away from security guards and detonated the explosives. Not only did the bomber die but also did an individual walking pass also died. Meanwhile, other attacks were happening near the center of town, around popular spots.

According to the Paris prosecutor, witnesses thought the gunmen arrived at the scene in a black Seat car. "People dropped to the ground. We put a table over our heads to protect us," said Ben Grant, who was with his wife at the back of the bar.

The deadliest attack of the night was at a concert venue on Boulevard Voltaire. The Californian rock group Eagles of Death Metal were playing while the attack was going on. Eighty-nine people died as the terrorist shot into the crowd. At least 99 others were in a critical condition in hospital.

Black Friday

By Taylor McKnight

News Editor

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. It is when millions of people wake up early to wait in long lines at shopping malls and super centers such as Walmart and Target to grab holiday gifts that are on “super sale”. Many stores open up early, recently even on the Thanksgiving holiday, in anticipation for the holiday shoppers in search of a good deal .

Faith Pearson, senior, said, “ I love to go Black Friday shopping, however I do not wake up super early to go because it’s the day after Thanksgiving so I just sleep and then go to the mall.” Christina M. Craig, senior,stated “I do go black Friday shopping because it’s been a tradition since I was little. My mom and I wake up really early and we get to the mall around six. We are there for most of the day. We normally do most of our Christmas shopping on that day.”

Although Black Friday shopping is really popular, some don’t take part in the early shopping festivities. “ I don’t go Black Friday shopping because I do not want to wake up early and I’m not really interested in going shopping on that specific day. I see some people on the news acting crazy over a video game system. It’s not that serious. I’ll just wait” responded senior Rachel Jannush.

New Year’s Resolutions

Meckayla Saxon

Getting a job isn’t really something people dont achieve because they don’t want to. Getting a job is actually harder for some people than you think. Though, there are people in this world who are too lazy to do what it takes to get a job. If you ask a person do they like their job they will most likely say “not really” but they like the money. So i guess its whatever pays the bills. It’s strange but the more job positions there are, the harder it seems to find people who really enjoy their jobs.

Saving money is hard for a lot of people including myself. This is my New Year’s Resolution because walking past any food restaurant gets me every time. A lot of Americans have no savings so let’s just hope we achieve this resolution this year.

Getting organized can only last up to weeks or a month at the most. Being organized can help you save time looking for things so you can get to places or get what you need done on time.

Improving a relationship can be hard for people but easy when it’s the holiday. During Christmas, people tend to be more helpful, kind and warm-hearted. Consequently, they sometimes resolve to improve a relationship with a family member. But soon after the holiday atmosphere and festive spirit is over, reconciling is the last thing people care for.

Junior, Amari Mason’s New Year’s Resolution is to focus more on making money so that he’s not impoverished in the future. This takes us back to getting a job and saving money. If you have a job you will have money and if you save your money you will not be in debt.

Senior, Cheyenne Cade New Year’s Resolution is to tone her body up and prepare for prom and graduation. She wants to feel comfortable in her dress and she wants to enjoy prom and graduate. This hits the lose weight resolution but no weight is being loss just the body is being toned up.

The Joy Of Christmas

By: Cortesia Simpson

Christmas is always the holiday that brings families together. The true meaning of this family-affiliated holiday is not to receive gifts, but to give. Many people misinterpret the reason and meaning of Christmas. It is not only about giving and receiving gifts, it is also about family. Each family celebrates Christmas in a different way; some families do not celebrate Christmas at all. I recently interviewed three students at Crete-Monee High School and here’s what they told me about their opinions on Christmas.

First I interviewed Tajah Burson; she was excited for the holidays.

Me: Tajah, are you excited about Christmas? If so, what are you looking forward too?

Tajah: Yes, but not for me, for my daughter.

Me: What will you are getting her?

Tajah: I haven’t really decided yet, but most likely I’ll get her a lot of toys.

Me: Are you looking forward to receiving gifts?

Her: Not really, but sort of.

Tajah is excited to buy her daughter toys; she explained how she does not really want gifts anymore. She is extremely eager to see how her daughter reacts to her gifts.

Next, I interviewed Alexis Lynch. Alexis is expecting to buy her family gifts this year.

Me: Are you excited about Christmas?

Her: Yes, because I get to buy gifts for my family this year. I absolutely cannot wait to see the looks on their faces when they open their gifts!

Me: So, are you looking forward to receiving anything?

Her: Yes, I am!

Alexis is overjoyed that she is able to buy her family members gifts this year. She described how happy she is for them to open the gifts she got them. Alexis understands the true meaning of Christmas, also Tajah.

Khalil Marshall was the last student to be interviewed. He is also excited for Christmas, but he more eager about receiving gifts. In addition, he is going to be happy to see a selective few family members.

Me: Khalil are you happy about the upcoming holiday, Christmas.

Him: Yes, of course I am. I’m more excited about Christmas break, because we get a break from school.

Me: Is that all?

Him: Um, I’m excited about getting presents.

Me: Are you excited to see any family?

Him: Yes, I’m excited to see both of my grandmas. I can’t wait to see all my aunts also.

Christmas is all about family, the gifts are just an extra cherry on top! The holidays are slowly approaching, meaning Christmas break is slowly approaching! Make sure you buy your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad, etc. a nice gift. Make those special people feel good on the inside, show them how much you care. Happy Holidays Crete-Monee!

Watch Those Warriors Act!

 Johnaye Smith

Did you attend the fall play Frankenstein? If you did not know the play Frankenstein is about a young science student named Victor Frankenstein he creates a grotesque unorthodox scientific experiment while in his lab. This mysterious yet horror filled play was first premiered on October28, 2015 in the Crete Monee school’s auditorium and some of Crete Monee High School students was first to see it.              

This is the first time that Crete has done the play Frankenstein and Mr. Thorsky and Mrs. Hysell were in charge of this play and all other plays that will be up coming. The scenes were so graphic from the smoke, thunder, and flashing lights you would have thought you were in the midst of real life events. One of Crete’s students Meckayla Saxon commented on the play and she says “I enjoyed the play. It was very cool to see my peers who I would have never thought had a passion for acting be so good at it and staying professional and in character.”     

I also got a chance to speak with one of the actors in this play Ashley Randle She says “I’m really happy that the play was a success. We only had a little over a month to get the whole thing together and the cast worked very hard.” She also went on to say how she appreciates her peers for being so supportive and attentive during the play. Although there were minor mistakes the cast stayed in character and professional. They truly have potential to make it to the big time and Broadway!

Women Empowerment by Meckayla Saxon

Meckayla Saxon

A movement for strong, smart, and driven women, this is a sister hood full of young ladies who inspire each other to do whatever they put their minds to.

Not only that but, they come to each other when going through something and they put their trust in their sisters to never tell whatever information given. This program teaches students to trust, communicate, meet new people, etc.

This year it’s not only for older girls, it’s also for young girls in elementary school. The whole idea is for the older girls to have a little sister and be their leader throughout the program. They must be their role models and they can join in different activities that the group involves. The different activities for our upcoming show are yet to be chosen.

This program builds a better future for women who want to achieve internationally agreed goals. Also make a better life for not only women but, for men, families, and communities. Another goal this group wants to achieve is increasing the social or economic strength of individuals.

Women Empowerment was such a success last year. Through all the difficulties, confusions, and complications the show went very well and a lot of people came to support. The cause of Women Empowerment last year was to earn money to help the needy.  The leader of this program, Mrs. Sanders is an intelligent, sweet, strong, educated, and enjoyable lady to work with as well.

College Application Tips

College is one of the main focus points for the juniors and seniors throughout high school. Therefore, there are many college application tips to get them on the right path when submitting anything to colleges. You must know how to prepare yourself when getting ready to fill out college applications.

Senior Ariel Phillips was interviewed earlier this week and she gave us a few key points on how to prepare for filling out a college application. She stated, “You should start completing them early.” Also, “Students should set deadlines for completing essays, collecting recommendations, and filling out forms a few weeks before they are actually required”, said Ariel.

Senior Tanelle Parker, was also interviewed earlier this week. She told us a very important key point when preparing for college applications. “You should be careful when filling out college applications”, said Tanelle. What she is trying to let us know is that careless mistakes on your application can hurt your chances of getting accepted into the school you would like to attend. For example, if you misspell any words throughout your application, some colleges will look at the fact that you did not take the time out to proofread your application and the college will not take your application as seriously.

Junior, Kembrya O’Neal was asked if she had any tips for preparing for college applications and she stated, “You need to alert your school, meaning that you should let school officials know which you are applying to so they can send out your transcripts.” That is a very good statement in many ways. One important way is that she is a junior and her mind is in the right place.