I remember “fish” orientation at the ninth grade center, feeling on top of the world, as I had just graduated from the 8th grade. 8th grade. Wow. League City Intermediate was great but quick and I went from being a young bobcat to a fighting Clear Creek Wildcat.

I tried out for the basketball team that first year and was placed on the freshman “A” team. My basketball career was so much fun and I learned many lessons through my teammates and coaches. I want to say good luck to all my guys from the team and I wish you all the best of luck in your future. Tyson, your one of my best friends and I’m never going to forget you. Keep working hard and everything will pay off. Ed Winston, don’t pull any Chris Schmidt’s in college. You are going to be great and I look forward to seeing you one day on ESPN. Prince, you are a great friend and it has been fun getting to know you. Always remember algebra 2. All of you other guys, I wish you the best of luck and I hope you succeed in whatever you pursue.

This year I joined the Theatre Arts program and from that I have gained many friendships in people I might not normally have known. I met some amazing people through the program and hope to keep up with each and every one of them. First of all I would like to say something to the Macs, my drama teachers. Ms. Melissa, you were the first to really give me a warm welcome into Theatre, and I will never forget my first day of school when you had me get onstage to read from a Dr. Seuss book. Since then we have spent eighth period together every day and I have loved every minute of it. From Horton the elephant to Matt, the sophisticated, love-struck young man I have enjoyed getting to know you and experiencing your program. Ms. Melanie, though we didn’t have any classes together this year, I have grown to know you through after school plays. Midsummer was an experience that will live on inside of me forever and I want to thank you for helping me out in my very first production (after Horton). Your kindness did not go unnoticed and I cannot thank you enough for all of your help.

The students in Theatre also made a huge impact on my life as well. There are so many to mention so I’m going to try my best. George, you are such a great guy. I’m going to miss you tremendously when I leave for college but I would like to thank you for being so kind to me this year. Don’t get fat. Kessie Hanby, I love you so much and I’ll never forget you. Watch out for tornadoes and don’t underestimate Thing 1. Keep your head up and have a great senior year. Amara, you are such an amazing girl. Onstage you are fabulous, but offstage you are wonderful too. Not getting to know you sooner is my greatest regret, but I am glad I finally did. You have such a bright future and I am excited to see where you go from here. Love you. Lauren, you are the best dancer ever. Keep practicing and call me when you stretch. August, keep working out man. We’re going to be huge weightlifters one day. Or not. Have a great senior year man, I’ll miss you. Matrex, it’s all you now boy. I’m going to miss you man. You are going to have a great junior and senior year. Liz, I love you so much. The Air Force is going to be tough but you can get through it and excel above anyone if you put your mind to it. Miss Mead (TOBY), I care for you so much. Though you will not attend UNT I will always keep you very close to my heart. You are a very talented young lady and I won’t forget you. Dan, Watch over Mrs. J for me. You are a good guy and I’ll miss you. Katie, Derek, Justin, Amber, Mika, Rossy, BJ, Christa, Sam, Eric, Bryce, Steph, Djonna, everyone in Senior Musical and anyone else I could not mention, I’ll miss you all. You have all impacted my life and you will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Jameson. I truly do not think words can describe how much I love you. From sophomore year till now I have loved your class and I will never forget you. You are the best teacher a student could ask for. I’ll be back next year to help out here and there but everything will be fine. I love you so much.

I would like to thank my parents and my brother as well. From day one of life, you have been there and I am so thankful I have each of you. Moving to college is going to be tough but you have raised me to be strong, and strong is what I’ll be. Jacob, I love you so much. You are a remarkable young man with a voice to die for. Strive for the very best and you will undoubtedly reach your goals.

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to say something to Chris Schmidt. A best friend is something you don’t come by very often. They are someone who will stand by your side in desperate times of need. They are there through good times and bad times and even so-so times. You laugh with them and cry with them. You even have fights, which you always get over. Most importantly you have unbelievable memories with them. Chris and I have experienced each of these and I could not ask for a better person to know. I love you Chris and I am eager to see how we fare at the next level. You are such a great guy and I’m going to miss you. We ride together. We die together. Bad boys for life.

Clear Creek has left me with some fantastic memories and I will cherish my high school years forever (trying not to cry). Enjoy this time while you have it and make the most of every day you are given. Clear Creek, I bid you adieu.

Josh Shideler, signing off.