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The theatre students work on performing improv in the auditorium Friday.

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By Miranda Salcedo

The Crane Lady Birds varsity volleyball team had a great victory against the Coahoma Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night in Andrews during their first playoff game, defeating the Bulldogs, 25-19, in four sets.

Both teams were head-to-head most of the time, leaving the crowd tense after every point. However, the Lady Birds won the first, third and fourth set, knocking out the Bulldogs and advancing to the next round of playoffs.

Brad Pettit, journalism teacher for CHS, was in the crowd that night. He said that the Lady Birds played with a lot of heart and emotion.

“It was good to see the ladies communicating and working hard consistently throughout the game,” he said. “They really showed up and seemed ready to knock out the Bulldogs. I was certainly on the edge of my seat the whole time.”

The Lady Birds were pumped up to be Bi-District Champs.

Junior, Makenna Willis, explained how not only did she feel thrilled knowing that they were advancing to the second round of the playoffs, but she was extremely proud of how well the team pushed themselves.

When asked what she was thinking throughout the game, Willis said she was pretty confident.

“I wasn’t ever too nervous because we had been working up to this moment for so long.”

Willis stated that after the win she was thoroughly relieved that it was all over.

“I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “We have been working so hard since April, so it felt so good.”

Willis said she knew the team would do great and felt confident for their next game.

“Yes, I am very confident in my team! I know we are going to upset Bushland and get this dub.”

Come out and support the Bi-District Champs Saturday as they dive deeper into the playoffs. They’ll be playing Bushland in Post at 3 P.M.

To quote Wild Bill, Crane’s unofficial mascot: “Go, Lady Birds!”

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Gracelyn Aguilar, Crane Elementary School fifth-grader, leads the cheer chicks at halftime during Thursday night’s JV football game at El Ave Stadium.

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Lucas Bernard, sophomore, blocks Alpine’s cornerback, helping the Crane offense get a touchdown.

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Arianna Escobedo, junior, celebrates with her family prior to getting in the suburban to drive to Round Rock where she will represent Crane High School at the state XC meet Saturday.

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Arianna Escobedo, junior, is all smiles during the send-off for her state cross country race. The send off was held at Crane High School Friday, and Escobedo will run in Round Rock Saturday.

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Crane Golden Crane trainers gather around head trainer, Doc Hailey, to pray before last Friday’s game against the Compass Cougars.

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Diego Garcia, junior, helps decorate Landry Mcneese’s room as part of a project for Principles of Education.

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By Arianna Garza

While varsity volleyball is still going on, the Crane Golden Cranes and Crane Lady Birds basketball season has officially begun.

The Crane JV Lady Birds had their first scrimmage against the Fort Stockton Lady Panthers in Fort Stockton on Halloween.

Even though the season is just getting started, the girls have already put in so much work.

This year, the “Lady Bird ballers” have been introduced to a new head coach, Coach Chris Tibbets!

“Our team motto this year is, ‘Hard work pays off.’”

“Coach Tibbs” isn’t joking around, either. He’s made his players put in work during the morning, at lunch, during the athletic period and after school!

Freshman, Shae Coates, explained why this year is different from the past years she’s played basketball.

“This season is different for my team and I. For the fifth year in a row, we have yet another new head girls basketball coach.”

Despite having to get to know a new coach and new approach, Coates said she and the girls are off to a great start.

“I think, with our situation, we are starting off well. We all are getting to know each other, coaches included, and I think by the end of the season, if we work hard together, it will turn out amazing.”

Coates said it’s a huge, but great, change to learn how to switch from middle school sports to high school sports.

“For my first year of high school basketball, I’m very excited. Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and to go from middle school, where it’s not as serious, to high school, it’s definitely a change. I get to play with upperclassmen, learn more, and even play more basketball. This season, I’m very, very eager to grow and learn as a freshman.”

Freshman, Mariah Aranda, said that she and her team are already adjusting great and improving.

“Starting new sports and adjusting from one to another is always a little rocky and takes some getting used to. But I think we’re adjusting great and fast. We are all getting closer and getting to know each other more. We’re learning everyone’s talents, personalities and overall just learning about each other. I think that by the end of the season all the hard work we are putting in is going to be worth it. We are going to be able to see so much improvement.”

Aranda says basketball has always been very important to her and thinks the team will come together to do great things.

“Basketball, to me, has always been something I have enjoyed. I am excited for the season and the friendships that are being built. We are improving and ready for everything that’s going to come our way.”

We are so excited to see what’s in store this season! Come on out and support the Lady Birds basketball program as their season officially begins soon.

Stay tuned!

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By Rodrigo Perero

Are you familiar with the Day of the Dead, otherwise known as “Dia de muertos?”

Dia de Muertos is celebrated from Nov. 1-2. It’s a pre-Hispanic Mexican celebration that has survived for hundreds of years. The tradition comes from a party that people had in Mexico to help their death “familiars” go to the Mictlán, what for us would be called “Heaven.”

The holiday consists of rituals carried out by families, where they visit the graves of loved ones and prepare a home or community “ofrenda,” or altar, and lay down flower petals and other items in their honor.

"This tradition is rooted in the native Mexican belief that life on earth is a preparation for the next world and of the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the dead," Juan Aguirre, Executive Director of the Mexican culture non-profit Mano a Mano explained.

With the passage of time, this celebration has changed and now occurs once a year. Participants see death in an interesting way, where they celebrate death as life, and go to graveyards to remember the ones who have passed away. In these moments, participants feel as though their loved ones have come back to life one more time.

At least, this is how Hispanics from the Permian Basin and nearby Mexico celebrate it. Hispanics from Spain, however, recognize it differently.

On Nov. 1, Spaniards celebrate what is called “Día de todos los Santos” (day of all the saints). Leading up to it, a different saint is recognized each day, and when there is an important one—like the patron of a city—people get a day off of work and school so that the Spanish people can celebrate them. However, because of the non-Christian origin of the holiday, this holiday is not recognized by the Catholic Church.

After participants have celebrated the saints, they travel to the graveyard to pay their respects to their death familiars. Unlike Mexico, where they put a lot of orange and other-colored flowers on the graves, and also place many different objects all over the place, it is a much more subdued event in Spain. In Spain, Spaniards place some somber-colored flowers at the top of the tombs that are usually much bigger than those placed by Mexican Hispanics; there, people usually spend a couple hours praying or talking quietly to the other familiars who have come to visit the grave of the dead.

In this tradition, the Mexicans use the vibrant colors of the flowers and objects as a symbol of life and family, and the Spanish use the gray-colored flowers and objects as a symbol of the memories of those who have passed on to the other side of the grave.

There is much to be said about both methods of celebrating this holiday. But at the end of the day, both are very similar and very different at the same time. For most on the outside looking in, the traditions look the same until they really see them and start to understand that the world is full of diversity. With this in mind, learning and appreciating others’ cultures is very important and respectful.

In short, the Day of the Dead is much more than merely an Hispanic form of Halloween. It is rich with culture and beautiful in many ways.

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Lockers have the names of each senior on them, including what are called “brag tags.”

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Senior Brag Tags: A new tradition for Crane High School seniors

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Senior Brag Tags: A new tradition for Crane High School seniors

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Photo and article by Hannah Nichols

This year, the seniors at Crane High School are being honored for all of their hard work by brag tags that are placed on their lockers, which show off all of their accomplishments.

The counselor at Crane High School, Dana Rizo, and the counselor’s secretary, Donna Lee, have taken the responsibility of gathering all of the information and assembling the brag tags, which will be placed on the locker of the corresponding senior.

The brag tags contain different decals based on what they have achieved.

Rizo said that most of the information for the senior brag tags is found in their computer databases, like the various test scores needed for College Readiness. However, some of the items are from word of mouth, such as college acceptance.

“We try to work closely with the seniors and encourage them to stay in touch with us in the counseling office so we can help them as they prepare for life after high school,” Rizo said. “As the seniors are in and out of our offices, they let us know exciting things, like where they applied, where they are accepted, which scholarships they have applied for, and which scholarships they have been given.”

Moreover, Rizo said that the goal of the brag tags is to bring attention to all of these items that are good for all seniors to be working on for life after high school. She added that students need to be preparing for either a career, college, or considering the military, and these brag tags focus on the students' accomplishments towards that.

Rizo said that the school also wants lower classmen to notice these senior lockers, and to realize that their turn is coming soon.

“These milestones are good for all students to be working towards for graduation.”

The counselor’s office is known to help students who are preparing for college, and Rizo said that her office meets with students and parents about college options, sends transcripts, helps with applications, including editing, and signs students up for required tests like the TSIA2 and SAT. Additionally, they disperse scholarship information and write reference letters, but overall, you name it and they do it.

Rizo added that there are many steps required in college planning, and they try to help out in any way they can.

Donna Lee said that though much of it was a collaborative effort, the seed of it somewhat began with Rachel Gerig, CHS assistant principal. She and Hector Limon, CHS principal, wanted to take pictures of those seniors who had been accepted to a college and then post the picture on several social media sites.

“Gerig discussed with me about maybe making some posters to put up in the hall, hoping to encourage others,” said Lee. “As Mrs. Rizo and I were brainstorming about the posters, she came up with the idea of the ‘brag tags.’”

Lee said others could see what some have already accomplished, and it might encourage or remind them to take care of those things for themselves.

A senior must "earn" a locker, and if they have accomplished any one on the list of brag tags, they will then get their name on a locker and that tag will be added.

The list of brag tags that are available is as follows:

TSI ELAR and Math: must have college ready score for each section

SAT Reading and Math: must have college-ready score for each section

FAFSA completion: must come show the documentation that it is processed to the counselor

Dual Credit hours: must already have nine hours completed

National Honor Society: must be a member. And this is great for scholarship opportunities

Certifications: currently, the CNA certifications are up

College Acceptance: Rizo or Lee will take a picture and make a small poster

Scholarship Recipient: tags for each scholarship must be earned

CCMR point: tags for College, Career, and Military Readiness points must be earned

College Logo: when a senior decides where they are going to attend school next year, their college logo will be added

Lee said that work was done to find a logo or create a design that would represent each task. Crane ISD is hoping to help encourage each senior to be as prepared as possible for whatever their next step will be—whether it be college, technical school, some career field, or the military.

Lucas Rizo, a current senior at Crane High School, said that when he saw the brag tags on his locker, he felt proud of what he has accomplished in his high school career. He added that he hopes to continue adding on to his locker list of accomplishments.

“I think the brag tags really show all of my merits that I earned through high school and all of my hard work,” he said.

Stop by the counselors office anytime if you have any questions in preparation for college. Make sure to look at all of the lockers on the first floor of the high school, and maybe even congratulate a senior in person for all of their hard work!

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Video by Jacob Bejarano and Adam McGuire

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This week, Jacob Bejarano and Adam McGuire ask a series of random questions to CHS students.

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Diego Garcia, junior, demonstrates how to do an abdominal thrust when someone starts choking. He learned how to do this at Crane High School in CNA class.

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Amy Lewis, senior, creates a life-size paper Santa for her door in floral design.

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Trey Larsen, junior, makes a 15-yard reception in the end zone, scoring for the Crane Golden Cranes at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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The Crane Middle School band puts on a half-time performance at the football game at El Ave Stadium on Friday night.

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The Crane Middle School twirlers put on the half-time performance at the football game at El Ave Stadium on Friday night.

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The Crane Middle School band puts on the half-time performance at the football game at El Ave Stadium on Friday night.

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Sarah Hill, Crane High School band director, beams with her bouquet of flowers in hand during Senor Night at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Upcoming Events / National Holidays

SCHOOL EVENTS

Veterans Day Assembly: Friday Nov. 11, 9 AM
Where: CHS Auditorium

State XC Championship
When: Saturday, Nov. 5

Where: Old Settlers Park, Round Rock, TX

Staff Development/ NO SCHOOL
When: Nov. 7

NHS Induction Ceremony
When: Nov. 10, 6:00-7:30 PM
Where: Crane High School SUR

Playoff Game
When: Friday, Nov. 11, 7 PM
Where: San Angelo TLCA, Lamesa

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Name: Dominic Rivas

Job Title: District PEIMS Coordinator

Are you married: If so, how long have you been married: Nope

How long have you been in education: Three years (One year as a Special Ed Para for CES & CMS, One year as the Physics Proctor for CHS, and current year in my current position).

Where were you at before Crane: I lived in San Angelo while working for a Catholic Church.

What do you do for fun: Spend time with friends and family. My nephews keep me pretty busy.

What do you like most about working in education: I am able to give back to my school and help us grow as a school district. I also love being able to help our Golden Cranes and Ladybirds Spread Far Their Fame!

How many siblings do you have: Biological Siblings, 3: Daniel (33), Demetrius (26), and Destinie (22). Adopted Siblings, 2: Bethany (17) and Brayden (12).

What is one of you hidden talents: I don't have any hidden talents but I can play any low brass instrument.

Children/Grand Children: I don't have any children but do have two nephews, Elliott Ray (3) and Weston Blake (4 months).

Do you have any pets? If so, what types of pets and what are their names?: No pets for me.

What is your dream vacation: I would love to go to Mykonos during the summer.

What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies: I have to admit that reading isn't my favorite, but both Sister Act movies and The Golden Girls TV Series!

If you won the lottery and decided to give up working in education, what would you do instead: I would feel like I would still stay in education, but more in the music education world. Just not in a full-time position.

What would the students be surprised to find out about you: That the Todd Family took me in when I was a senior in high school.

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Bryan Galindo, senior, makes an incredible touchdown during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium Friday night.

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Bryan Galindo, senior, poses with his mother and father during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Keaton Sena, senior, shares a moment with his overjoyed family during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Nailleli Rodriguez, senior, and JJ Rodriguez, freshman, cherish their family during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Oved Cruz, senior, smiles for the camera with his mother and father during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Jamie Casarez, English 1 teacher, dresses as Wonder Woman Monday at school for Halloween.

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Brad Pettit, CHS journalism teacher, shows his journalism class how to prepare a set for a video interview on Monday. The journalism class will branch out into the audiovisual soon, adding video interviews to El Ave News each week. Stay tuned!

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The Crane High School band throws up one finger to represent the ones they got this year at El Ave Stadium during Friday’s Senior Night.

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Aden Vincent, senior, thanks his mom Friday night at El Ave Stadium during Crane's Senior Night.

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Noah Garcia, elementary student, dresses up as a transformer during last Friday’s pep rally.

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Article by Arianna Escobedo

At the beginning of summer cross country practice, I set goals for myself to break a personal record by running 12 minutes in the two-mile and making it to state individually and as a team.

As soon as the season started, my times were a minute slower than last year. I started off as the fourth runner on the team. This caused me to get in my head and not give my full effort during my races. At the beginning of every race, I would run at a slow pace because I feared not having enough energy for the last 100m. This turned into a habit that I thought was unfixable.

My mental blocks kept building up throughout the season until my last race before the district meet. I knew that during my final “fun” race, I had to go out there and give it my all. Before the race, I told myself that I was going to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to stay with a Compass girl. I stayed with her until the last straight away and ended up placing one spot ahead of her. I broke my personal record from last year's state meet by one second. This helped me build confidence within myself and break out of my comfort zone.

Before the district meet, my family gave me a speech about how I am capable of placing in the top five. This had a huge impact on my mindset and gave me the motivation to run my race.

As I was running the district race, I started off stronger than before, ending up in the mid-front of the pack. I was playing a mental game and knew other girls’ strategies from previous races. My goal was to stay with girls around my time and push myself even harder before the end.

Fortunately, I was able to achieve my goals and place fourth with a personal record of 12:20. This gave me a wake-up call because I realized that I had a slight chance of making it to state individually. In my head, I doubted myself from seeing the times of the other girls in my region. I told myself that as long as I try my best and give it my all on the course, I would be proud of myself.

As I prepared for the regional meet, I began to feel nervous and ready at the same. Before the race, Jack prayed over me and the rest of the team to run safely and with God. This helped me because I felt like God was watching over me and giving me strength to do my best. As the race began, I knew to get out quickly before getting trapped in the pack. I felt like a fish trapped in a net because after every turn I took, girls trapped me in.

After breaking out of the pack, I pushed myself further up in the front. I set a steady pace and felt a little more confident until three of the girls who made the top 15 from last year strode up beside me.

I started to panic because a gap started to form as they crossed the bridge, and my legs and toes started to ache from the numbness. My head started spinning from questioning whether I should close the gap by pushing my way in front of them or play it safe behind them. I chose to stay behind them and then gradually made my way in front. At the last 800 meters, I heard my coaches yelling at me to start going. As I pumped my arms and fixed my form, I felt a difference in my pace. Girls were slowing down and speeding up left and right, fighting for a spot at state. The last 100 meters came around, and people gathered around the straight away.

As I raced towards the finish line, a girl full-on sprinted past me. I was in shock and began focusing on the number of people she was passing as I slowly made my way to the finish line. I collapsed on the floor, ignoring the helpers telling me to stand up. My legs felt weak and tight as the cold air hit them. I soon got up to congratulate every runner and walked towards my mom.

My team finished and we hugged, knowing this was the last race with our seniors. After finding out that I made it individually, I felt happy for myself for achieving my goals, but at the same time I was just sad that it was the last of my season with the entire team.

I am very thankful for my coaches, family, and friends for supporting me and helping me grow as a runner. I plan on running my best this Saturday in Round Rock!

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Ryan Miller, senior, throws his hands in the air during Senior Night at El Ave Stadium Friday.

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Kenley Seabourn, senior, embraces her mother at Senior Night on Friday at El Ave Stadium.

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Alexys Suarez, senior, is all smiles with her basket full of flowers at El Ave Stadium during Senior Night on Friday.

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The Crane Golden Cranes prepare to cross into the end-zone during the Senior Night game at El Ave Stadium on Friday.

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Mitzy Jacobo, sophomore, poses with the ghost grams she received from her family and friends. 

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Article and photo by Pamela Lupercio

Ghost grams is an NHS fundraiser thought up by Cassie Anderson, pre calculus teacher at Crane High School. Since then, this particular fundraiser has become one of the highlights of the school year for CHS students and also CMS and CES students as well.

Anderson mentioned how she first started the ghost grams fundraiser.

“I was the student council sponsor at the time and wanted to find a fun and different fundraiser for our organization. I searched pinterest and found someone had made ghosts out of suckers for their class. That’s how it all started.”

The ghost grams became so popular to both teachers and students that it has become an annual thing.

“One year, I thought about not doing them but then we were asked repeatedly if we were going to have ghost grams that year. So, I decided it must be something that students and adults enjoy, so I kept them going.”

When asked how successful it was this year, Anderson said it went really well.

“This year, we sold around 2,000 ghost grams and made about $1,700.”

Anderson mentioned how she has changed the organizations she sponsors over the years, but even so, ghost grams have stuck with her.

“Over the years, I have changed organizations that I sponsor but have continued to use ghost grams as a fundraiser.”

As the NHS sponsor this year, the funds raised will go towards something fun for the NHS students.

“We will use it to go on an NHS trip at the end of the year and to buy NHS shirts.”

Omar Reynoso, senior, mentioned how he’s been in NHS for a year and has had fun making the ghost grams.

“All the members in NHS run the ghost gram fundraiser. We do all the work from giving out papers, collecting money, sorting out grade levels and classrooms, to making the ghost grams themselves, which can take a lot of hours of work.”

Reynoso mentioned how his favorite part of the ghost gram fundraiser is actually making the ghost grams themselves and helping to earn money.

“I personally have fun while making ghost grams because you can personalize the faces you put on them. Additionally, I love knowing that I am helping to earn money towards the NHS program.”

The ghost grams consist of a tissue wrapped around a Blow Pop so that it resembles a ghost. Blow Pops are chewy bubble gum suckers that consist of many different flavors.

Next year, during Halloween, remember to buy your friend or a loved one a ghost gram and remind them how special they are to you.

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Crane high school performs blackout performance 

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Crane high school performs blackout performance 

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By Lilian Heredia

Lights out, glow sticks snapped, tempo set; we take off to the rhythm.

As a senior, I always feel the adrenaline kick in as we gather on the sidelines for our band performances. But for our last performance in a glow-in-the-dark theme, I felt almost relieved.

To have our hard work and dedication appreciated by having the community applaud in amazement felt surreal to say the least. We never imagined feeling this proud about putting on a performance this much until now.

A lot of seniors shared the same sentiment, and many wanted to share their thoughts.

Aden Vincent, senior, said he will always remember his experience in band.

“Band will be a time that I will always remember, and I'm sad that I will never be able to do it again. Band is something I love and will continue to love for the rest of my life.”

Even though many were excited to perform for a final time, Vincent had mixed emotions about leaving the Crane Band.

“I was feeling surprisingly sad. I never thought that I would feel as emotional as I did preforming for the last time. But it was worth it though, and I got to experience something that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Through the emotion and tears, most felt that the performance was a success.

“The glow-in-the-dark performance was amazing. It was neat that this was how it was for the last time I ever get to perform in a show. I will always look back on it with a smile,” said Vincent.

Performing in the band for Crane High School will always be an honor and a fond memory to look back on. Almost everyone who graduates comes back for support, and the younger kids aspire to perform the way our band does.

The band inspires, changes lives, lifts up many and brings people together. The Crane High School Band is a band that will never lose its shine.

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The Curse of Bridge Hollow | Official Trailer | Netflix 

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By Oved Cruz

Netflix has come out with a new movie for the Halloween season called "The Curse of Bridge Hollow.”

The Curse of Bridge Hollow tells the story of young Sydney, who moves to the town of Bridge Hollow with her mom, Emily, and Howard, her Halloween-hating dad.

Unfortunately, their arrival is the catalyst for terrible events taking place as Sydney accidentally unleashes the spirit of Stingy Jack, a man who centuries earlier was hanged to death for his crimes.

Jack’s return is bad news for both Sydney and the town’s residents, but the plucky young teen manages to put an end to the madness she causes by capturing his ghost with the help of her initially sceptical dad.

But at the end of the movie, just when Sydney and Howard think normality has been restored, the pair make a shocking discovery in their home’s attic. This could signify more trouble for the town of Bridge Hollow and potentially another movie if Netflix decides to green-light a sequel

Overall, I give this movie 3 out of 5 Golden Cranes. It’s nothing too special, but if you’re looking for a simple movie to get into the Halloween spirit, then I recommend, “The Curse of Bridge Hollow.”

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The Curse of Bridge Hollow | Official Trailer | Netflix

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Senior night: seniors celebrate their last home game in high school

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Senior night: seniors celebrate their last home game in high school

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Article and Photo by Dekota Scott

Imagine looking around and seeing all of your classmates with big smiles and tears in their eyes as they pass out flowers with hand-written messages saying how much they’ll miss and love you.

Last Friday was Senior Night, a day when CHS seniors celebrated the last home game they will ever have as students of CHS.

Before the game, seniors who participate in football, along with their trainers, lined up on the field with their families. Everyone had big smiles on their faces and joyful tears in their eyes.

Oved Cruz, senior trainer, said he was very excited to see his family and friends.

"It felt really good seeing the ones I know and love there to support me.”

As everyone was watching the game, the seniors walked around the sidelines and stands passing out roses to their loved ones and friends. These little flowers carried notes explaining how much they love and appreciate the person they were giving the rose to.

Junior, Erika Ortega, received one of these notes from her friend, Myranda Contreras.

Ortega expressed that she was emotional about her friend leaving, but tried to focus on the bright side.

"I felt very sad at first, but knowing that she stuck with me through everything cheered me up. I know that she is going to accomplish many things in the future, and I will miss her so much."

At the end of the game, all the seniors met up at the end zone of the football field. Forming a line, all the seniors held hands and walked together as a class for the last time.

Fabian Oyoque, senior, said he appreciated the serious moment.

“I was embracing those last moments with all of us together for one last time.”

To end the event, the CHS band put on a amazing and cool performance, in the dark!

Senior Night was a very emotional and fun day for everyone.

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Fernando Velasco, junior, cooks up some delicious patties Tuesday in culinary class. Velasco attends the Unit at Crane High School and learns life skills that will help him in the future.

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Senior parents perform Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance at the pep rally Friday.

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Senior parents perform Michael Jackson's Thriller dance at the pep rally Friday.

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Beware, the students are in for a scare 

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Beware, the students are in for a scare 

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Senior parents perform Michael Jackson's Thriller dance at the pep rally Friday.

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Naveya Porras, sophomore, and Nataly Reyes, senior, cheer during the pep rally at Crane High school on Friday.

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Miranda Salcedo, sophomore, smiles wide on Friday at the Senior pep rally for the mighty Crane fans.

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Myranda Contreras, senior, performs her flag routine at the Crane High school pep rally on Friday.

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Alexys Suarez, senior, does her flag routine at the pep rally Friday.

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Bethany Todd, senior, waves to the crowd on Friday during the senior pep rally for the senior football/cheerleader performance.

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Seniors, Donovan Clark Martinez and Tavian Bustos, live a memorable moment on Friday during the senior pep rally.

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Does this smile make me look like a senior?

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Does this smile make me look like a senior?

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Blake Rodriguez, senior, enjoyed every minute at the senior pep rally during the senior cheerleader/football tradition.

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Keaton Sena, senior, struts his stuff on Friday at the Senior pep rally.

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Andrew Rodriguez, senior, looks stunning in his cheerleader top at the pep rally Friday.

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Fabián Oyoque, senior, dresses as a cheerleader at last week’s pep rally.

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Seniors switch roles at the pep rally on Friday, with guys cheering and the girls looking pretty in football jerseys.

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From left to right: Maddie Bernard, Lilly Pinon, Bethany Todd, seniors, cheer at the pep rally Friday.

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From left to right: Miranda Salcedo, Alina Garza, Amber DeLaTorre, and Mayson Brown, all sophomores, cheer at the pep rally Friday.

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Mayson Brown, sophomore, cheers at the pep rally at Crane High School on Friday.

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Crane High School cheerleaders perform during last Friday’s pep rally.

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By Clarissa Velasco

This past Friday, seniors celebrated their senior pep rally. There were various special moments for different individuals in the pep rally, especially for senior, Tyler Tarin.

Tarin is known for his solo in a song that the band performs, which is called “Vehicle.” He performed the song in front of the whole Crane community at a recent pep rally, and every citizen enjoyed hearing his performance.

Tarin has known his solo for quite some time now.

“The solo was fairly simple to learn,” he said. “I learned how to play it my freshman year, so it’s been some time.”

Tarin was thrilled when he had the chance to perform at the pep rally.

“My main thought leading up to the solo was to not mess up. But as soon as I played the first note, I knew I was gonna do great!”

Tarin has high hopes for the next soloist.

“The decision of who gets the solo is not up to me. But, what I can say is that I'm sure no matter who does it will play it just fine.”

Train’s favorite part of music is performing.

“I like being able to perform after all the hard work and hours I put into practice. It is such an accomplishment to see all the hard work pay off in the end.”

In the future Train plans on pursuing a different career than music, however.

“As much as I enjoy playing trombone, I doubt I'll continue to play after high school. However, I might occasionally play, though.”

Tarin has certainly left his mark at Crane High School. He is not only involved in band but also is currently participating in football. He has been a part of the band for seven years now.

The Tarin Machine will forever hold a legacy at Crane High School.

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Seniors, Nylah Smith and Karen Santos, twirl their hearts out on Friday at the senior pep rally.

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Seniors jump around in a huddle at the pep rally on Friday.

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Ghost grams are delivered to all three campuses.

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Seniors, Aden Vincent and Holt Carlton, gather ghost grams on Monday at Crane High School to deliver to all the schools.

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Lilly Pinon, senior, is speechless on Friday at the senior pep rally after receiving a gift basket from her fellow cheerleaders.

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Sadie Varela, senior, along with her mom and son, enjoy some family time at the pep rally on Friday.

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Will always love you, Mom, even as a zombie 

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Will always love you, Mom, even as a zombie 

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Kenley Seabourn, senior, snaps a photo with her mother, Katy Seabourn, during the candle lighting ceremony during the Senior Night pep rally on Friday.

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Crane's Fall Festival brings people together

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Crane's Fall Festival brings people together

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By Paris Tafoya and Isabella Ramirez

Every year, Crane hosts a fall festival right before Halloween, which consists of fun games, delicious food, and trunk or treat!

The fall festival is an annual event that provides hours of fun for those who stop by. Those who participate also have tons of fun just setting everything up and getting ready to make yet another successful event for the Crane community.

Someone who loved helping out was Linda Contreras, CES Principal, who played a big role in helping make the event a success.

“This event is great for the community! Everyone always loves it, students and parents wear their costumes, and the community comes together to make it an amazing event.”

The fall festival has been around for years, and it has been successful every year.

Contreras said that she has enjoyed the event ever since her own kids were in elementary.

“When my own kids were in elementary, I would volunteer to work the booths. Then, when I became a teacher (way back then), I continued to volunteer. Now, as an administrator, I love helping and being a part of the Fall Festival.”

Preparing for such a big event can be stressful, but Contreras said it’s all worth it in the end.

“PTSA put in a lot of their time to prepare for the Fall Festival. This year, we had a great turn out--more than last year. It was good to see a lot of families come out to support PTSA.”

It means a lot to all the volunteers who put in so much work to see everyone show up and enjoy such events.

“I really do love seeing students, parents, CISD, different agencies, and the community coming out to support our events,” Contreras said.

Arianna Escobedo, junior, also dedicated her time and effort to help out the fifth-graders’ fundraiser so all of Crane could enjoy.

“I was happy to help, so it could be as stress-less as possible!” Escobedo said.

Arianna enjoyed spending her Saturday evening surrounded with kids.

“I was helping at the bouncy house, at first it was a little chaotic because the kids just wanted to keep jumping when they’re time was up, but after a while I got it under control and everything went smoothly.”

Many members of the community dressed up in creative costumes, showing off their Halloween spirit!

Escobedo was one of the many people to dress up, and she decided to dress up as a cute witch.

“It was a last-minute decision,” Escobedo said. “I originally had a matching costume with one of my friends, but the shoes that made the whole costume cohesive didn’t arrive in time, so I had to come up with something else to wear.”

If you see the PSTA members, don’t forget to thank them for all the hours they put in over the past few weeks.

The festival will be around for years to come, so don’t miss the opportunity to visit and recognize all the hard work Crane volunteers put in to make it enjoyable! See ya next year!

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Lucas Rizo, senior, Dana Rizo, Crane HS counselor,  and Jesse Rizo, Crane coach, take a family picture at the pep rally Friday.

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It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's Senior Night!

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It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's Senior Night!

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Alonso Sosa, senior, enjoys himself at the Senior Night pep rally on Friday.

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Seniors, Donovan Clark Martinez and Zaidd Ortega, create memories on Friday at the senior pep rally during the senior candle lighting ceremony.

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Seniors hold up their candles at the pep rally

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Article by Shauna Scott

Photo by Brad Pettit

Imagine grouping up in the middle of the gym with your fellow classmates. You're all holding up a candle when the band starts playing the school song. Then, the lights go off. You sing together with tears in your eyes, realizing your high-school experience is quickly coming to an end.

This was the case for the high school seniors last Friday. The school hosted a pep rally dedicated to the 2023 graduating class. Seniors and their friends and family gathered on the gym floor to celebrate the beginning of the end of their high-school career.

At the beginning of the pep-rally, the senior parents got together for a surprise dance. They dressed up as zombies and performed Thriller by Michael Jackson.

Sherie Russell, senior parent, said she thoroughly enjoyed the moment.

"It was a proud and emotional experience getting to celebrate this milestone with my baby boy, knowing he'll be leaving home soon to start his own life's journey."

Russell said the dance was particularly fun.

“Being part of the senior parent dance was fun, although I wish Brad would have left the video on so we would've had a guide and done a slightly better job as a group, Lol."

Following the zombie wave, there were many senior dances and performances. The football players wore cheer uniforms and hit some stunts for the crowd. Tyler Tarin played an unforgettable solo, and a handful of teachers showed off their dance moves with the help of the cheerleaders.

In fact, one of those teachers was Brad Pettit.

Pettit says he wasn't easily convinced to be in the dance, but ended up giving in.

"I don't like to dance because I have a torn meniscus, so I agreed to do it as long as I didn't have to squat down," he said. "Everyone else squatted down, so I had to squat down which hurt my knee, but I did it. What we do for our kids, I guess.”

Many moments later, the seniors gathered around to watch a slideshow that showed what they looked like as a baby, and what they look like now.

Hannah Nichols is a senior who witnessed this emotional moment. She enjoyed seeing the difference in her classmates’ appearances.

"It was very cool to see all my classmates as babies and see what they look like now."

The pep rally was a very memorable moment for the seniors and the community. It's a tradition to embrace their last year at CHS, so be sure to come out next year and experience it for yourself!

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Freshmen Taysia Ford and Mariah Aranda cheer at the football game at El Ave Stadium Friday during the final home game against Compass.

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The seniors of CHS take a bow during senior night at El Ave Stadium during the last home game for the year against Compass.

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From left to right: Sophomore, Mayson Brown; junior, Makenna Willis; and junior, Maria Lomeli, offer a gift a basket to the Compass team during senior night on behalf of the CHS Student Council.

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Crane Elementary student, Adam Valenzuela, carries the flag during Friday’s football game against Compass.

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The Bird, Taysia Ford, and her brother, Jeffrey Ford, stop for a quick photo before the Bird took the field with her cheer squad at El Ave Stadium this past Friday in the football game against Compass.

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The Crane Golden Cranes take a knee before the game against Compass this past Friday night at El Ave Stadium.

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Alberto Cardona, sophomore, and Fraizer Julian, freshman, help one another put up the American Flag on Friday night at El Ave Stadium on behalf of Student Council.

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The Crane High School band put on a special black-out performance last Friday after the home game against Compass. It was their final performance of this year’s show, “Valhalla.”

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From left to right: Seniors, Tyler Tarin, Oved Cruz, Nick Pettit, Lucas Rizo, AJ Rodriguez, and Dominick Mirelez dress up as cops and criminals at the fall festival in Crane on Oct. 30.

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Athletic director, Michael Pittman, runs the ring toss game during the fall festival Oct. 30.