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Video by Arianna Escobedo and Lily Heredia

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Several Lady Birds recognized with all-district honors

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Several Lady Birds recognized with all-district honors

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Arianna Escobedo and Lily Heredia interview the recipients of all-district honors for the 2022 volleyball season.

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Name: Eric Hill

Job Title: Teacher / Coach

Are you married: If so, how long have you been married: I have been married for 13 years on Dec. 14.

How long have you been in education: 18 years

Where were you at before Crane: Mcamey

What do you do for fun: Work on my Jeep or play with my kids

What do you like most about working in education: To see how kids learn and grow

How many siblings do you have:

I have one older brother, Ron. He is stationed in San Antonio.

What is one of you hidden talents: I played bass guitar when I was younger.

Children/Grand Children: Three kids: Brinlee, 11; Natalie, 9; and Braxton, 3

Do you have any pets? If so, what types of pets and what are their names?: Two dogs: Samson and Trixie

What is your dream vacation: It would be to go to Ireland and see where my family is from. It is a tiny peninsula in Ireland called Island Magee.

What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies: Mostly R.A. Salvatore books; The Ender Saga by Orson Scott Card; anything by David Dalglish. I have actually been reading the same series of books by R.A. Salvatore since I was 18-years-old .There are over 40 novels in the series.

If you won the lottery and decided to give up working in education, what would you do instead: Work on my Jeep and buy land so I could ranch and farm.

What would the students be surprised to find out about you: At one point in my life, I actually had hair.

What inspires you: My family

Is there anything else you would like to share:
My Family and I are really excited about coming back to Crane.

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Lady Birds volleyball team caps off great season in playoff defeat to Bushland

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Lady Birds volleyball team caps off great season in playoff defeat to Bushland

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This week, we interviewed the varsity Lady Birds on this past Saturday’s game against the Bushland Lady Falcons.

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Jacky Bedoy, junior, decorates her gingerbread house for her door in floral design.

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Crane and Wink fans hang out at the volleyball game in Crane on Tuesday. The game was between Wink and Sterling City.

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Aubrey Drake / 21 Savage’s “Her Loss” decent, but not great

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Aubrey Drake / 21 Savage’s “Her Loss” decent, but not great

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By Miranda Salcedo

The Canadian rapper and singer, Aubrey Drake Graham, also known as Drake, released a new album along with 21 Savage on Nov. 4. The name of their new album is “Her Loss.” Although it’s been out for a bit, it’s definitely an album to rush to hear!

A song I truly enjoy in this album is “Spin about U.” This song has a great beat and leaves me feeling an overall good vibe after hearing it. I believe this album deserves a decent rating.

I would give this album three Golden Cranes out of five. Drake did a great job on this album along with 21 Savage. I strongly recommend playing this album and listening to the awesome bops in it.

Check in next week, where we will review another song, album, movie or book!

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Basketball season begins for the Lady Birds

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Basketball season begins for the Lady Birds

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By Isabella Ramirez

The Crane Ladybirds basketball season just started, and they played McCamey this past Tuesday.

The girls put up a good fight and, unfortunately, one point cost them the win.

One of the seniors, Zithlalic Camacho, had a lot to say about this year’s basketball season.

“I’m extremely proud of my team,” Camacho said. “This was our first game, and I feel like we are off to a great start!”

Just like any other team, there are obstacles they have to overcome. And they will need to work hard to get to where they want to be. So far, the Lady Birds have put in tons of time and are dedicated to succeed this year.

“We only had one day of practice together as an official team,” said Camacho. “We did our best with the situation and feel grateful. I can’t wait to make it a great final season.”

Camacho said that the team really appreciates all the support from family and the community.

“It means a lot.”

Don’t forget to come cheer on the Crane Lady Birds at their next home game Tuesday in the Tommy C. Jones gymnasium.

Be there, be proud!

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Shown here are images from the Crane County cemeteries where graves of veterans are adorned with American Flags for Veterans Day.

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Article by Hannah Nichols

Photos by Bradley Pettit

This past weekend, I was honored to be able to go to the Crane cemeteries and place flags on the graves of the fallen veterans, along with a few other people.

On Saturday morning, we gathered at the cemeteries to collect the markers that the flags would be placed on. Before I went to find the section that I was assigned to, a clipboard with all of the veterans’ names was given to me so I could place a marker at each grave.

I believe that patriotism is not represented very much in the younger generations. I thought that if I was to participate and honor the fallen veterans by putting out flags in the cemetery, that maybe it would encourage other students to show their appreciation for our country and the people who served so that we can be free.

As I headed towards my assigned section, I pulled a wagon filled with the markers. I thought about how each of these markers would hold an American Flag. I thought about how all of these veterans earned this flag because of the sacrifices they made defending our country.

When I put the first marker into the ground, I realized that I was marking someone's grave who served. I studied the dates on the graves, trying to figure out if this particular veteran died in battle or after coming home from the service. I thought about how every veteran— whether they served in war or not— deserved the flag I was placing there because they had been willing to serve this country.

Before I knew it, all of the grave’s marked with a cross had received a marker with a place for a flag to be placed on it.

Sunday morning rolled around, and the time came to place the American flags in the markers we had left behind the previous day. I took the flags that I was given and headed out to my assigned section once again.

I started placing flags on the markers next to the corresponding grave. The flags had to be placed into a hole to hold the staff of the flag in place for Veterans Day.

Once all of the flags in my section were placed, I took a few steps back to view the flags that were diligently flying in the wind and thought of everything these brave souls had done for me and for this country. The sea of flags took my breath away.

Arianna Escobedo, a junior at Crane High School, participated in placing the flags on the graves of Crane veterans. Escobedo said that it felt good knowing that she was honoring those who served.

This was Escobedo’s first year helping put the flags out. She added that this will not be her last year, as she plans on helping again next year.

Escobedo said that her motivation for helping honor veterans is to spread PTSD awareness.

“My cousin served in the Army and passed away from PTSD. I want to help honor veterans like him, and this is a good way to do it.”

All in all, I am very honored to have been able to attend this event and help honor the fallen veterans in the Crane cemeteries. This Veterans Day has taught me a lot about what these brave men and women have done for us so that we might breathe free.

If you see a veteran, tell them “Thank you for your service.” And a little advice—you don’t have to wait for Veterans Day to do it.

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From left to right: Sophomores, Amber Delatorre (lawyer), Orlando Villegas (inmate), and Arik Aguilar (lawyer), dress for a mock trial on Thursday in Sunny Rodriguez's class as part of a class assignment.

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Varsity Football Area Playoff Game
VS. Idalou Wildcats

When: Friday at 7:00

Where: Denver City

FFA District LDE

Where: Sul Ross State University

When: All day

H.S. Girls Basketball vs. Midland High

When: Monday, 3:30 to 9 P.M.

Where: Crane High School

FFA Area LDE

Where: Ira High School

When: Saturday, Nov. 19. All day

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In an effort to mock the Alpine Bucks’ mascot, CHS students brought a stuffed deer head to the matchup against the Alpine Bucks in Alpine this past Friday for the district championship game. The Golden Cranes were named the district champs after an impressive victory!

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The Crane Golden Cranes varsity football team are proud of their accomplishments following a gold-ball win following the district championship game against the Alpine Bucks.

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Heads and shoulders above the competition

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Heads and shoulders above the competition

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Senior, Donovan Clark-Martinez, projects confidence and strength during this Friday's district championship game against Alpine.

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The Crane Golden Cranes celebrate their victory against the Alpine Bucks after winning the district championship.

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Crane Golden Cranes take home gold ball with district championship win against Alpine Bucks

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Crane Golden Cranes take home gold ball with district championship win against Alpine Bucks

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Article and photo by Dekota Scott

Crane and Alpine have had a rivalry for years, and it continues to grow. This past Friday night, the Crane Golden Cranes clashed with the Alpine Bucks for the district championship, defeating them, 56-28.

While the game was certainly a blow-out for the Golden Cranes, it wasn’t that way going into the second half. At the beginning of the third quarter, the score saw Crane down by a single point, with a score of 7-6.

One could tell that both teams showed up to play by the pre-game atmosphere alone.

Before the game began, as both teams took the field to warm up  and run through some plays, everyone on both teams, and in the stands on both sides, could feel the tension growing.

After the two teams sent out their captains for the coin toss, Crane ended up kicking off first. The whole season had been leading up to this moment.

During the first quarter, Alpine drew first blood with a touchdown. They tacked on the extra point, and it was up to Crane to answer. Crane eventually answered with a touchdown of its own, but then missed the extra point. And that was the scene going into halftime.

Bryan Galindo, senior running back, said he knew something was going to have to change if the Golden Cranes were going to defeat their district rivals.

"I was just thinking about doing everything I possibly could do to win the game and become district champs."

After halftime, the Golden Cranes returned and kicked off. Both teams were at a stalemate for a while, until the Golden Cranes tacked on a second touchdown. After this, it was as if the Golden Cranes caught fire, scoring touchdown after touchdown, some on offense, lead by senior quarterback, Keaton Sena, and Trey Larsen, junior receiver.

Touchdown after touchdown, the Cranes scored five in a row within the third quarter and early in the fourth.

Sena said the offense was good and defense stayed strong by earning several turnovers.

"After half-time, we had good offense, but after that it was all defense. We had three turnovers and a 28 point lead when it was all said and done, so shout out to the defense."

At the end of the game, Crane fans cheered with joy. The victory advances the Crane Golden Cranes to the playoffs, where they will take on San Angelo’s TLCA.

The Crane Golden Cranes—TLCA game will be held in Lamesa at 7 P.M. this Friday.

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A Christmas layout for a door in CHS is shown.

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Photo and article by Shauna Scott

Every year around the time of Thanksgiving break, everyone is ready to jump into the Christmas spirit. School hallways are now being decorated, trees are being put up, and the weather is getting chilly. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The floral design class has taken a big role in decorating the school. Like many years before, these students will be designing a Christmas-themed paper design to attach to the doors of CHS teachers.

Students are currently planning their designs and getting the right materials to move their ideas from mind to paper.

In this activity, the class is split into two groups. One group represents half of the school, and the second represents the other. They talk with each other and choose a theme for both sides. Each person in the group is then assigned a door, which they will decorate according to the theme chosen.

Some students in the class see it as a door-decorating contest, so everyone is working hard in creating the most eye-pleasing door. It's hard work trying to exceed the expectations of the others in class, considering some have taken the class before.

Isabella Ramirez, junior, was feeling the pressure earlier this week.

"It was a little stressful during the beginning of the project because I really didn't know what to do."

Ramirez took a look at what everyone else was doing and eventually understood.

"I saw what everyone's layout looked like and tried to sketch my idea out. After a while, I got the hang of it."

There are many ideas floating around the students' minds on what they might create.

I am in floral design myself, and I've been really enjoying it. This is my first year, and I'm working hard on my designs, which include a polar bear and the Grinch.

It may seem pretty easy to select a design and bring that design to life, but it's more complicated than it seems. First, you have to figure out what you're going to make. This is difficult because nobody can have the same design even though we all have the same topic. We then have to sketch it out and gather all the materials needed. You need to cut all of your pieces out and attach them together. Making sure all of your details are on point is really important. When you're finished, you figure out whose door you're attaching it to and hope everyone likes it!

The floral design class has been doing this activity for many years. When we come back from Thanksgiving break, the doors will be decorated like the North Pole, the Grinch, and every Christmas design you can think of.

At the end of November, come take a stroll through the CHS hallways and see the unique creations the class has come up with!

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Celebrating a big win over district rivals, the Alpine Bucks, after winning the district championship

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Celebrating a big win over district rivals, the Alpine Bucks, after winning the district championship

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The Crane Golden Cranes celebrate a big win against their rival, Alpine, after winning the district championship and receiving the gold ball.

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Cheerleaders and Lady Birds dance together at the pep rally Saturday.

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The Lady Birds varsity volleyball team joins together at the pep rally before heading to the playoff game in Post.

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Athletic Director, Michael Pittman, receives the gold ball following a district championship win against rival, Alpine Bucks, this past Friday in Alpine.

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Diego Garcia, junior, insults the Alpine Bucks after each and every Crane Golden Crane touchdown.

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The CHS band plays “Seven Nation Army“ bigger and better right after the Alpine Bucks play the same song.

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Angel Reyes, sophomore, is forced to turn around and run to the other side of the field as his team gives him cover to put six on the board for the Crane Golden Cranes during the district championship game in Alpine Friday.

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Blake Rodriguez, senior, puts six on the board during the Crane Golden Crane / Alpine Bucks rivalry game for the district championship.

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Tavian Bustos, senior, recovers the ball after stripping it from the Alpine Bucks’ running back.

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Kevin Iniguez, junior, makes a quick reception in the end-zone, scoring another six points for the Crane Golden Cranes.

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Trey Larsen, junior, scores a touchdown reception during the district championship game against the Alpine Bucks.

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#9 Manual Aranda, senior, makes a 30 yard touchdown after receiving the ball from his senior quarterback Keaton Sena.

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Senior, Bethany Todd, puts on her game face and gets ready for her next serve.

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Nayelly Sanchez, junior, stares down her opponents at the playoff game against Bushland Saturday.

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Seniors, Kenley Seabourn and Jaylen Pittman, strategize their play on Saturday during the playoff game against Bushland.

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Seniors, Kenley Seabourn and Amy Lewis, discuss their next play at the playoff game on Saturday against the Bushland Falcons.

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Cheerleaders, from left to right: Amber DeLaTorre, Mayson Brown, and Mariah Aranda, pump up the crowd at Saturday’s playoff volleyball game against the Bushland Falcons.

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Junior, Makenna Willis, high-fives her teammate, senior, Bethany Todd, during the playoff game against the Bushland Falcons.

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Senior, Hope Heredia, slams a serve in the faces of the Bushland Falcons.

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Makenna Willis, junior, and Bethany Todd, senior, keep their eye on the ball as they prepare to receive it at the game this past Saturday against the Bushland Falcons.

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Seniors, Jaylen Pittman and Hope Heredia, keep their eye on the ball during the playoff game on Saturday against the Bushland Falcons.

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Head volleyball coach, Jessica Barnett, huddles with the varsity volleyball team during Saturday's playoff game against Bushland.

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Senior, Jaylen Pittman, focuses on where she wants the ball to go at the playoff game on Saturday against the Bushland Falcons.

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Junior, Nayelly Sanchez, decides where to serve the ball next during the playoff game against the Bushland Falcons.

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Senior, Bethany Todd, prepares to dig out a serve from the Bushland Falcons.

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Senior, Amy Lewis, focuses to make sure her serve is a good one at the game against Bushland on Saturday.

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Syerra Lopez, freshman, cheers on the Lady Birds during the playoff game against Bushland.

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From left to right: Nayelly Sanchez, junior, Jaylen Pittman, senior, Hope Heredia, senior, and Bethany Todd, senior, get set at the net on Saturday against Bushland.

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Sophomore, Clarissa Velasco, smiles at the crowd Saturday at the varsity volleyball playoff game against Bushland.

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Stevie-Kate Pettit, Crane Elementary School student, cheers on the Lady Birds volleyball team against Bushland this past Saturday.

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Senior, Bethany Todd, powers her hit on Saturday at the playoff game against Bushland.

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The CHS cheerleaders pass the time by playing “Little Sally Walker” while waiting to see if the coaches can get the bus started.

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Junior, Makenna Willis, warms up before the start of the playoff game against the Bushland Falcons.

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By Mitzy Jacobo

Vanessa Velasco is  halfway through her first year as an Art/Spanish/Theater teacher, and she’s loving it so far!

Velasco grew up in Crane and wanted to make a difference.

“I wanted to start teaching because when I started working last year as a full time speech facilitator, I realized that this job was meant for me. I wanted to teach and be here for my students.”

Velasco mentioned how she doesn’t play favorites.

“I do not have a favorite class; each one has its own atmosphere and culture.”

Velasco has lived in Crane for 33 years, but she did leave for a season.

“I only left for a short while when my mom got her first job teaching in Odessa.”

Velasco lived in Odessa for one year, and another year in Lubbock, then moved back to Odessa and, eventually, came back home to Crane.

Velasco does not plan on leaving Crane anytime soon.

”I'm a loyalist and do not think I will ever leave until my kids do.”

Some of Velasco's accomplishments are being there for her kids and graduating from UTBP.

“It seemed almost impossible. And my last year there I worked full time, attending school online while being my husband's caretaker when he was sick. It was a lot, and I wanted to give up. I'm glad I didn't.”

When I asked what her favorite subject to teach is, Velasco said she likes them all.

“I do enjoy all three subjects. Theater is new to me, but I have high expectations for myself and the students, as well as for the kids in Spanish and Art. I want to push them to do great things and accomplish what they thought was impossible.”

Velasco said she’s enjoying her job very much.

“I love it!”

Velasco encourages students to get an education.

“My mom was my role model, so I saw that even though teaching is hard, it's very rewarding.”