The Leadership Team put on a great JSB

Cedar Park’s Junior-Senior Banquet was a land of candy and color. With the theme “Candyland,” students dressed in bright spring colors and arrived at the Echo Fall’s Country Club to a  beautifully decorative room with tables colorfully displayed with Candyland boards, lollipop trees and cotton candy. Students had a cake decorating contest and several brought greatly detailed and festive cakes all following the Candyland theme. Students enjoyed the photo booth where they mugged for the camera all night. Students not bringing dates found friends and went together with matching colored tuxes and dresses, in bright pastels. There was a wonderful pasta dinner followed by enough candy to make anyone on the “Goodship Lollipop” sick. Videos introducing Seniors willing a variety of hilarious things to underclassman, and touching advice from teachers, entertained students while they ate. At the end of the night, a  sentimental slide show featuring the seniors’ last 12 years at Cedar Park made the seniors sentimental about  the last banquet of their high school years. Amy Bettinger and her leadership team did a fabulous job on a very successful and sweet night.

By Mikey Holmquist

   On Tuesday, April 17th, Cedar Park battled Seattle Academy in a race for second place. The Eagles’ first meeting with the Cardinals was a disappointment, but CP  had high hopes to come back and beat them. The Eagles fell short on many occasions and ended with a draw of 1-1. In the final seconds of the game, junior Tristen Jurgensen was awarded a foul inside the penalty box and Junior Connor Mac was given a chance to seal the deal in this game. Unfortunately, he missed far right and just above the cross bar.

     The Eagles’ next game is against the Overlake Owls this Friday at 4:45, and will be held at Overlake. “We are continuely pushing forward to get to Tri-Districts, we just need to play our best and finish,” adds Senior captain Mikey Holmquist.

  The Eagles Burn the Blazers  

     On Friday the 13th, the Eagles hosted the Bush Blazers for this league game. After bouncing back from a tie in Orting, the boys were seeking a win. They came out with fire in the first half, and freshman Alex Ballard scores his first goal of the season. Ballard ended the game with a hat trick, a total of 3 goals. Senior Steven Dressler also had a phenomenal performance, tallying 4 goals, which helps him inch closer to tying with the league’s current scoring leader from Overlake. The final outcome of the game was CP-7 Bush-1. “Although we were missing players and were trying to enjoy our break, we came to win this game in order to achieve our goal of making it to state again,” Said Steven Dressler. The Eagles current league record is 4-3-1, and are 7-3-1 overall.

By Daniel Calhoon

    On April 21, the Cedar Park Christian Track and Field sent a few select athletes to different meets so they could experience a higher level of competition throughout the state of Washington.

     Captain Sally Larson competed successfully in the 3200m and in the 1 mile at the Pasco Invitational, one of the biggest invitationals in Washington.  In the 3200m Sally finished with a time of 11:33.04, placing her in seventh place overall.

    Coach Smith also sent captain Kyle Cole, and Danny Calhoon, to the Larry Eason Invitational at Snohomish High School. Kyle ran the 3200m and Danny participated in pole vault. Kyle Cole ran a personal best race that ended with a time of 9:53.36, placing him 7^th out of 56 other runners. Danny also had great performance and jumped his way to a new personal record as well as a new school record mark of 14’0”. This placed him 2^nd out of 37 other vaulters.

Cedar Park track and field team made the long trek to Joyce, Washington on April 14 to compete in the Crescent Invitational. The boys placed second with a score of 173 points and the girls took first with a score of 179 points.

    Joe Siegwald placed first in the 400m and second in the 100 meter race. Andrew Rickman and Dylan Keene took third in their events. In the 800m, senior Niles McClure placed second with a time of 2:13.4 and in the 3200m Matt Christiansen took first with 11:06.08. Sophomore Akio Namioka took second with a run of 11:23.25. In the 300m hurdles freshman Jacob Gutheil placed third, and in the 4×400m relay the team placed first with a final time of 3:50.90. In the field events, senior Andy Thomas placed first in the shot put with a heave of 45’00.5’ and took second in the discus with a throw of 110’11”.

     The girls swept the playing field at the invite, scoring in almost every event. In the 100m, Erin Beezhold took first with a time of 13.35. Korinne Zoellick took second with 13.92, and first in both the javelin and the 200m.  In the 3200m race Allie Beezhold took first with a time of 14:07.03, placed second in the long jump with a mark of 14’7”, and also took first in the triple jump with a mark of 31’10. Stephanie Lam finished second with 14:09.5 and Lauren Nelson finished third with 14:20.83.  In the 300m hurdles, freshman Victoria Kvasyuk placed third with a time of 57.72, the girls 4×400m relay successfully took second place with a time of 4:34.77. In the girl’s field events, Senior JJ Abbot took third in the shot with a toss of 27’07” and second in the discus with a throw of 93’07”. It was a very successful day for Cedar Park track and field and they show great promise for the rest of the season.

Danny Calhoon clears his mark

    By Abigail Dunn  

The CPC band and choir enjoy a day off at Disneyland

   The Cedar Park Christian School’s Revelation Choir and Jazz Band went to Anaheim, California to compete in the World Strides Heritage Festival. Both the choir and the band won the first place gold plaques in their categories. The awards ceremony was held in the California Adventure theme park, giving all the contestants a chance to have enjoy their time before discovering the outcome of the festival.   

            Mrs. Moore, the choir director of Cedar Park,  received many compliments from other directors about the group’s manners. One chaperone from another group commented that they were “impressed by your performance and enthusiasm.” And another man at the airport made note that “this is the most respectful group of people that I have ever countered.”

            While on their trip The Revelation Choir and Jazz Band also had the privilege to visit and tour Vanguard University. They had a chance to work with the directors of the universities choir and jazz band which sharpened the student’s skills. The group was able to go to Disneyland for a day, as a reward for their hard work and achievements.

By: Kaitlynn Isomura

Looking for an eventful and fun-filled weekend this summer? Check out Cannon Beach in Oregon Coast. There are many enjoyable things to do in Cannon Beach such as, horse riding on the beach, flying a kite, and visiting the candy store.

On your drive to cannon beach a fun family event is riding the Cathlamet Ferry. There are many great places to stay in Cannon Beach including The Waves, a hotel right on the beach. Here you have easy access to the beach and also the town to shop. For breakfast, try Pig’n’Pancake a wonderful meal to get the day started right. For lunch, go to the Mariner Market and pick up some food to make sandwiches and have a delightful picnic at the beach. Right next to The Waves is a great pizza restaurant called Fultano’s Pizza you can go to for dinner.

Throughout your day in Cannon Beach there are many fun activities to do. On a nice day you can go to the beach and build a sand castle or walk to Haystack Rock and observe the beautiful tide pools and creatures in them. Shopping is also a pleasurable thing to do and you can visit cool shops like Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, Gepeto’s Toy Store, Ice Fire Glass Blowing Shop, and The Shell shop for souvenirs. Cannon Beach is a great experience and a fun trip for the whole family.

by Dominck Tavitian

Cedar Park 8- University Prep 3

Bothell- On Wednesday March 23 Cedar Park Boys Baseball took the field for their second consecutive game against the University Prep Pumas. Cedar Park finally found their sweet spot on the bats starting the game of with singles and double and bringing in runs. Ace Pitcher Trey Dreschel threw the first 5 innings while relief pitcher Joseph Heath came in for the last two innings to close the game out. Cedar Park ran over University Prep after losing their previous game to them 6-5. The Pumas struggled all game even though putting up 3 runs, it clearly was not enough to take the high powered eagles. The Talon got a chance to catch up with Varsity player Josh Thompson, “We were a little more aggressive at the plate, more hitting, solid defense behind it and everything really came together for us.” Cedar Park goes to 1-3 on the year and play Overlake on Monday March 26th for their third league game.

By Heidi Collins, Editor

Are you getting tired of the nonstop rain and chilly weather in Seattle? Never fear, a perfect escape is only a short flight away! Take the quick, three hour flight south, and rainy Seattle will be transformed into hot, sunny paradise. Also known as Palm Desert, this beautiful location is your picture perfect California getaway. Whether you want to fill your week with adventures and activities, or simply relax by the pool-side under the sunshine and Palm Trees, you will enjoy every minute you spend.

Palm Desert is filled with fabulous hotels and resorts for any price range. The most renowned resort is the Palm Desert JW Marriot. Situatiated on 450 acres of lush landscapes complete with waterways, lawns, gardens, and lakes, this hotel is the essence of elegance, luxery, and style. The resort has a spa, 2 golf courses, 5 swimming pools, tennis courts, and three upscale restaurants, which can be eaten at even if you aren’t staying the night. Enjoy a free gondola ride through the beautiful waterways and enjoy the view of exotic birds such as flamingos and black swans on your way to a restaurant, such as Mikado Japanese Steakhouse for delicious Tapenyaki. Rates may seem pricey, starting at $250 for a room, but the accomodations make it worth every penny.

Palm Desert will keep you busy with numerous local attractions for extremely low prices. From recreation, to shopping, to family friendly fun, there is something here for everyone. Visit the Living Desert Zoo with your family and enjoy feeding the giraffes and riding the carousal. Attend the Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning and delight in the array of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, and homemade crafts. Make sure you don’t leave without picking up your authentic and delicious California dates and raisons! If you love hiking, exploring, or horseback riding, take the short drive to the Indian Canyon and enjoy the breathtaking views of the canyons and indigenous flora and fauna, such as the magnificent fan palms. If your prefer shopping, make sure visit El Paseo, the famous mile long shopping district with over 300 shops plus tasty bistros and bakeries.

Getting Hungry? In Palm Desert, you won’t need to worry about a place to eat, but rather which place to eat. There are numerous delicious restaurants, from local homemade diners, to upscale restaurants. If you love barbeque, make sure to eat at Babe’s and order their prize-winning BBQ pork sandwich, cornbread, sweet potato fries, and baked beans. Looking for fine dining? Visit Jillians, an elegent French resteraunt. Eat outside on their patio under the stars and palm trees for an enchanting ambience. The service is excellent and the cuisine is superb, especially the Cappleli d’Angelo Con Scampi and Lobster Salad. And don’t leave without trying their delicious apple dumpling drizzled with luscious caramel and cinnamon pecans; it will put your taste buds in heaven. You can also taste the Authentic Mexican culture by visiting the famous Mexican grocery store, Santanas, and eating at their homemade authentic restaurant. You will love their cheesy quesadilla and fresh out of the oven tortillas.

Palm Desert is an opportunity brimming with fun activities, delicious food, recreation, and relaxation. Even just driving through the desert and relishing the beautiful palm trees and landscapes is a treat in itself. Pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, and shorts, and and book your trip to Palm Desert today!

By Michaela Ammon

The Kragerud's share how much they love their son Jake in 60 seconds

The spring of each year marks the end of a season in the lives of the senior class at Cedar Park. Having “senioritis”, acceptance letters coming in, Senior Sneak, JSB, Mom and Me Tea, Senior Breakfast and graduation, the seniors’ spring is packed full of events that will be remembered for years to come as their last memories of being a Cedar Park senior. Last Tuesday, March 20, the seniors and their parents started out the eventful spring at the Red Lion Hotel for the annual Senior Dinner. Almost every senior came with their parent(s) to enjoy a semi-formal dinner and told how much they are appreciated and valued by their parents in a sixty second speech. The seniors’ parent(s) came with a speech prepared to brag all about how great their senior is and how much of an impact leaving them will have on their lives. Although most parents went over their sixty second time limit, were drowned out by growingly loud and obnoxious music, and the microphone turned off while some parents were crying, the night seemed to be an overall success and another bonding experience for the senior class. From heartfelt and genuine letters, poems, childhood stories, scripted plays, to a full on cheer chant with choreography and pompoms, the seniors felt appreciated and grateful for their parents and all that they have done for them.

Track & Field Interview: Kyle Cole

By: Danny Calhoon

Kyle Cole is a junior at Cedar Park Christian. Not only is he a captain on the track team, but he is also a strong runner that makes a healthy impact on the team. He had a strong Cross Country season and broke the school record in the 5k with a time of 16:30. He has big hopes for this season and has records to break.

The Talon: Why have you focused in on track instead of other sports? What do you get out of track and field personally?

KC: I have found that track is my best sport and I have learned to enjoy it.I feel like it makes me grow as a person by making me go through the pain of the sport.

The Talon: How do you feel about being a part of the team? Is there a family aspect to the team?

KC: Yes, when you go through pain (practices) with your fellow teammates it builds a special bond.

The Talon: In what areas do you feel that you have improved in? In what ways have you grown spiritually by participation in track?

KC: I feel like I have mentally grown stronger this year. It helps you learn that you can do anything through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

The Talon: What made you want to run distance over sprints? What do you feel is your strongest race?

KC: I am faster in distance races then I am in sprints. Defiantly the 3200meter, I speed up as the race goes on.

The Talon: Who is your distance-running hero? What do you feel is your advantage over competition this season?

KC: Steve Prefontiane. I feel like if I run my own races, and I get the times that I want, I win regardless of how I place on the podium

David Bissell, April Hall Jamie Cantero, Katrina Estrada enjoy placing at the Forensic Competition

By: Jamie Cantero

The Cedar Park Forensics team continues to grow as members add numerous trophies to the award case.  

Success is not only measured by trophies. Many novice and senior members are improving their speaking abilities, gaining confidence, making friends, and having fun. The team welcomes all students- the only requirement is a willingness to work hard. Congratulations to the team so far, and best of luck in the upcoming tournaments!

Here is a snapshot of recent successes:

Snohomish Panthers Invitational (Nov. 11-12)

Nathan Pillay/Josh Klassen- 1st place Novice Public Forum Debate

Tahoma Golden Bear Classic (Nov. 18-19)

Christine Brodie/Jamie Cantero- 1st place Open Public Forum Debate; Christine Brodie- 1st place Novice Impromptu; Jamie Cantero- 2nd Place Open Oratory

Renton Speech Tournament (Dec. 1)

Christine Brodie- 3rd place Dramatic Interpretation, Bid to Tournament of Champions; Jamie Cantero- Finalist Open Oratory

University of Washington Memorial (Dec. 2-3)

David Bissell- 1st place Interpretive Reading; Christine Brodie- 1st place Dramatic Interpretation

University of Puget Sound (Jan. 6-7)

April Hall- 1st place Open Dramatic Interpretation; Katerina Estrada- 2nd place Novice Dramatic Interpretation; Dalton Combs/Nathan Pillay- Quarterfinalists Open Public Forum Debate; Clara Cannon/Jacob Farrell- 3rd place Speaker Points Novice Public Forum Debate

Federal Way Invitational (Jan. 13-14)

David Bissell- Finalist Open Interpretive Reading; Jamie Cantero- 2nd place Open Oratory, Bid to the Tournament of Champions

******

     It’s been years since the Northwest School District had so many days off  of school for snow.  42% of the students at Cedar Park School said they had lost power at some point during the snow. Nathan Pillay interviewed 100 students and asked how many hours students wasted on Facebook during their days off :

18% said 4 hours or less     

63% said 4-8 hours

20% said 8 or more hours

Here’s what some other students did with their time off in the snow:

Jessica Moore: I watched way too much Netflix and played with my animals. Unfortunately, I also had to go to work twice and it was a little scary driving in the snow. By the end of the week I was very ready to get back to school and see my friends again.

Mimi Ammon: My friends and I made a huge snowman and then threw it off a bridge.

Lisa Mothersbaugh: I went sledding and skiing in my street. I also made a snow penguin with Jessica Leathers.

Amanda Knutson : I lost power for three days. It was fun for the first day but it got really cold after awhile. I also went sledding on the hills by my house.

Sarah Walker I made snow forts and snowmen with my brother

Ashley Howell: I stayed inside, watched TV and slept!

Wait, Wait, I Can Explain was the 150th One Act Directed by Matt Glover

Alex Marth, Grant Leibel and Christina Nelson in That Was No Lady, That was a Private Eye directed by Kaylee Dickerboom

A Mad Breakfast with Daniel Tang, Olivia Nelson, Akio Namioka and Sarah Martin

Birth of a Saleman directed by Jake Kragerud

Cedar Park Christian High School celebrated their 150th one act under the direction of John Shorb. Almost 100 students participated as actors and directors of the shows, as Cedar Park parents and students watched, laughed at eight one act plays. Actors and directors of the shows  have been working for weeks memorizing scripts and the cast has been busy designing sets, picking costumes, music and setting stage direction. The One Acts give students a chance to know what it’s like to be in a real play and the finished product is as good as any full high school production anywhere. The “Besties” is a formal  awards event taking place this Saturday the 28th at 6 pm where students will be awarded with Best Acting trophies and the Improv team will perform. Students and parents are invited and should dress formally.

By Heidi Collins

Birth of a Salesman won 6 "Besties"

The Cedar Park sanctuary was transformed into a dazzling red carpet hall and grand stage on Saturday night to name the winners of this year’s Besties. This glamorous event was well attended by Cedar Park students and families, anxiously anticipating the naming of these awards.

For those unfamiliar with Besties, these are Cedar Park’s distinctive and prominent awards recognizing excellence among the actors, actresses, and directors in the drama department’s One Acts. This year the awards were presented in a formal ceremony hosted by our very own Mr. Shorb, along with special guests and Cedar Park alumni, Dan Loudon and Mark Iancu.

The winners of the 2012 Besties in the acting category are as follows: Best Contrast Performance - Joseph Heindel. Best Comedic Performance - Michael Potter. Best Dramatic Performance - Joseph Heindel. Best Fight Scene - Detention Tension. Most Funny Moment - “I don’t know if we’ll be able to get out” and the handcuff breaks, from 39 Steps. Best Dynamic Duo: Dominic Finseth and Joel Hanson. Breakout Performance - Alex Rodarmel. Best Actress in Supporting Role - Megan Duffy. Best Actor in Supporting Role - Joel Hanson. Best Actress in Leading Role - Christina Nelson. Best Actor in Leading Role - Dominic Finseth.

The Director’s Awards, given by the director to a commend one member in their cast, are as follows: “Take it from the Top” directed by Andy Hislop - Donny Neary. “Detention Tension” directed by Megan Duffy - Lauren Setzer. “Wait wait I can explain” directed by Matt Glover - Nicole Penrose. “Birth of a Salesman” directed by Jake Kragerud - Dominic Finseth. “The Hotline” directed by Sally Larson - Hannah Nelson. “That Was No Lady that was a Private Eye” directed by Kaylee Dickerboom - Christina Nelson. “A Mad Breakfast” directed by Hannah Sullivan - Olivia Nelson. “39 Steps” directed by Aly Circeo - Garret Parker.

Finally, the two most prestigious awards were handed out at the end of the night. The first of these, Best Director, was awarded to Andy Hislop, who both wrote and directed his one act, “Take it from the Top.”  Finally, the Best Overall One Act was awarded to “Birth of a Salesman” directed by Jake Kragerud and written by Dominic Finseth.

The remainder of the night was filled with Red Carpet photo shoots of the glamorously dressed actors and students, along with delicious homemade refreshments. The night was wrapped up with uproarious laughter during the improv show “Laffter Hours.”

"Nick" blows off his potential date(Kelsey Sandburg(, as he worries about winning his sales contest

Cast of Best One Act, Birth of a Salesman

Review by: Heidi Collins

The final One Act this semester was “Birth of a Salesman” directed by Jake Kragerud. Awarded “Best One Act” in Besties this Saturday, this hilarious show was uniquely written by our very own Dominic Finseth. The storyline is a young salesman (Dominic Finseth) who has been unsuccessful thus far in his sales in the toothpaste company. When his boss (Alex Rodarmel) announces a contest among his employees to sell the most toothpaste, he originally feels he has no hope against his competitive and arrogant opponent (Joel Hanson). However, after he is visited by a boisterous and intense salesman trainer (Meghan Gallagher), he becomes determined to win the contest. Between strenuous training, violent fight scenes, and subtle romance, he becomes a master salesman and the contest winner. This clever and uproarous crowd-pleaser won numerous awards at Besties including Best Dynamic Duo, Breakout Performance, Best Actor in Supporting Role, Best Actor in Lead Role, and Best One Act.

Reviewed by Michaela Ammon

Set in London in the 1930s, “The 39 Steps” tells the story of Richard Hannay (Tim Merrill), a man caught in the middle of being accused for murder after meeting agent Annabella Smith (Katerina Estrada). Hannay must prove his innocence and solve the mystery of the 39 Steps, with the help of the lovely Pamela Stewart (Chelsie Prentice). From riding a train and encountering meddlesome women (Emily Nastase and Sabrina Ghazal), from traveling through different countries to possibly falling in love, Hannay has his work cut out for him.

Directed by Aly Circeo and awarded “Funniest Moment” at the annual Besties Awards with Tim Merrill’s impromptu line to Chelsie Prentice, “You’re not getting away that easy,” “The 39 Steps” was a hit that engaged the crowd from beginning to end. The chemistry between Tim Merrill and Chelsie Prentice made the one act a great success.

Cast: Katerina Estrada, Sabrina Ghazal, Marisa Jackson, Tim Merrill, Emily Nastase, Chelsie Prentice, Abby Shane, Matt Stubson, and Faith Teebken.

Tim Merril and Chelsie Play off each other in 39 steps and bring the house down with laughter

By Danielle Dufenhorst

Last Saturday, February 4, at the Comcast Arena in Everett  Cedar Park Christian Cheerleader’s participated in their first State competition. The Lady Eagles qualified for State for the first time, after winning first place in their first competition ever back in the fall of 2011. The heated competition at State included over 70 high school teams competing for cheer glory. The Lady Eagles took the mats with high spirits and big smiles, excited to perform their routine they have been practicing all year. Many Eagle fans showed their support and cheered along. After a long day, awarding took place and the Eagles were awarded second place. The girls  were screaming and crying with pride. 

Stephanie Ewton, Christina Nelson, and Sophie Dilio held in the air by their fellow team mates.

Senior Stephanie Ewton was ecstatic with their win and her ‘new team’ this year. Stephanie thinks “the biggest change is that in previous yeas the cheer program was mainly focused on football and basketball games and now our main focus is on competitions. I think our squad is better this year mainly because of our coach, Marissa Tomberlin, and how much time and effort she puts in. Everyone on the team get along and works together really well!”   Senior, Tessa Carter’s favorite moment at State was ”right before we went out to preform we all sat around and sang a worship song. It calmed all our nerves and was something I will never forget”. Along with Stephanie and Tessa, Seniors Nicole Oswald, Taylor Johnson, and Sarah Martin are all very sad this will be their last year, but are excited for the years to come for this program.  The future for Cedar Park Cheerleaders looks bright and promising.

The cheerleaders surround their 2nd place trophy from State with smiles.

By Mitchell McAuslan

Steven Dressler plans to own a hotel someday

Steven Dressler, a senior at Cedar Park Christian School, is a very talented and interesting young man. His intriguing personality and sense of humor make him a great classmate to be around. The Talon had the opportunity to interview Steven, the Varsity soccer captain, about the team this year.

Talon: What are your goals this year for CPCS’s soccer team?                    

Steven: I hope that we can do as good as we did last or better if possible.

Talon: What soccer players do you look up to or model?

Steven: If I had to pick a favorite player it would definitley be Steven Gerard. That guys the man.

Talon: Do plan on trying out for any college soccer teams?

Steven: Yes. I plan on hopefully trying out for Northwest’s soccer team, that would be great to play on.

Talon: How long have you been playing soccer?

Steven: Wow. Since I was like 4 years old, I guess that’s a pretty long time.

Talon: What activities do take part in outside of school?

Steven: I enjoy golfing, basketball, football, and hanging out with friends.

Talon: Do have any secret talents?

Steven: Yes, most people don’t know this but I am the Grand Wizard of ping-pong.

Talon: What is your career dream?

Steven: I hope that someday I can own a succesful hotel in the tropics.

Talon: What is one thing that being a Christian has taught you in life?

Steven: That you can never ever take anything for granted because you only live once and you need to cherish every moment of it.

Kevin takes on his opponent in a heated match

By  Nathan Smith

     Kevin Kirk , Cedar Park sophomore, has spent his last three years under the radar as an accomplished boxer.  Kevin, who is known for his gentle demeanor, boxes for the love of the sport and for exercise. In a recent fight, Kevin received a jarring blow behind his ear, giving him a concussion from which he is still recovering from.

     Outside of the ring, Kevin participates in several extracurricular activities such as skiing and is an Eagle Scout. In the future, Kevin wants to join the the Army Reserves and go into the business or politics world. Kevin has a twin sister, Rachel, who he says is very close to him.  He loves Cedar Park because of “the fellowship. I like the fact that I can talk to God whenever I want here.”

     Kevin sees the possibility of becoming a professional boxer, but he just wants to do it more for the fun of the sport. He looks up to his father, who also works out at the gym with  he and his sister. Kevin plans to keep participating in boxing and lives by the saying, “Never do the bare minimum.”

By Nikki Baker

By Martin William Lammers IV

Senior Dalton Combs recently was accepted to West Point Academy, making him the first Cedar Park Christian student to do so. I had the pleasure of talking with Dalton about his goals and anticipations.

TALON: WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING IN THE ARMY?

COMBS: I was raised in a military family. My dad was in the Army. He didn’t get very far and I’ve always kind of wanted to outdo him. I really like the idea of serving my country.

HOW DOES APPLYING TO WESTPOINT WORK?

The application process for West Point is very long,  confusing and tedious. You start [the process] your Sophomore year and they invite you to different regional “get togethers”. At the beginning of your junior year you start talking with teachers because you need recommendations and they are very specific. At the end of your junior year you start the [actual application] process for which you have about five months. It includes physical tests, teacher evaluations, multiple essays and then a little waiting.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST NERVOUS ABOUT?

The academics combined with all of the athleticism. I mean your day starts at 5 a.m. till 10 p.m. you just go and it’s every day.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS THROUGHOUT YOUR ARMY SERVICE?

One goal of mine is to graduate West Point as an infantry officer, because after that they automatically send you to Ranger school. How cool is it to go to Ranger school? After that it’s just seeing how things pan out. But it’s one of those things where I see myself being a career military officer.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS?

In ten years I see myself – pause – not married, hopefully deployed somewhere . . .

WHERE’S YOUR DREAM LOCATION TO BE DEPLOYED?

Someplace where there’s conflict.

WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS LOOKING INTO MILITARY SERVICE?

Dedication – you want to be sure of what you’re doing. You need to realize that every morning you’re going to work out and you might not have a lot of family time, it might not be something you want to get into. Specifically the academy, get ready early – Good Luck!

WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL REACTION WHEN YOU FOUND OUT YOU GOT ACCEPTED TO WEST POINT?

I was excited.

HOW WILL YOUR FAITH EFFECT YOUR SERVICE?

I will look to God in all I do. The military is a difficult route and I have peace because I know that God is with me.

By Michaela Ammon

 High school history teacher Matt Stevens, is getting prepared to have his second baby. His first child, a son, is named Matthew Jr. and is a year old. The Talon thought it would be good to aid him in his decision for a name. Random Cedar Park students were asked, “What should Mr. Stevens name his baby girl?”

 Martin Lammers IV: Cami Jr. because they already have a Matthew Jr., and I am into the “Jr” thing.

Raeya Deppa: McKenzie, named off the bratty girl on Toddlers and Tiaras.

Mr. Stedford: Andrea Jamie, or AJ Stevens. Yeah, he can name his daughter after me.

Daniel Hiatt: Mae Stevens. It sounds human.

Nicole Oswald: Anastasia, because I love the princess.

Mr. Stevens is excited to be having a baby girl

Eagles 64  Northwest 47

By Dominick Tavitian

Bothell- Thursday February 9th Cedar Park Boys Basketball took the floor against Northwest in the first round of the ECL playoffs. CPC started the game off as cold as can be starting off 0-8 from the field, 4 of them being open lay-ups and turning the ball over multiple times. They played sloppy basketball and Northwest capitalized on a few of the turnovers but never jumped ahead by much, their biggest lead only being 5 and that was in the first quarter. Cedar Park bounced back  and at the end of the first quarter the game at a low scoring 7-7.

    CPC started off the second on fire jumping ahead 20-11 in the first 4 minutes. Russell Bettinger was the main man in that second quarter run accounting for 6 of those points in the paint after missing two lay-ups in the first and turning the ball over multiple times but Cedar Parks lead 29-21 at half time.

     In the third quarter the Eagles never looked back, and went on a16-4 run. Trey Drechsel was on  fire and Evan Scholten shots started falling. At the end of the third the eagles were up 52-31. The fourth quarter was a replicate of the third and the Eagles won 64-47. Cedar Park now advances to the 2nd round where they will play at home against Chimmicum on Saturday, February 11th. Russell Bettinger commented,” We came out, started to overlook the team a little bit, realized I had to get my act together and play to the best of my abilities, thank you Lord

Notable stats, Trey Drechsel 17 points, Evan Scholten 14 points, Russell Bettinger 12 points and for Northwest Jake Buckner 17 points, Jesse Bolton 14 points.

By Caitlin Kereszturi

Mr. Warren uses his serious face

Mr. Warren, who has taught  high school history at Cedar Park for seven years, is described by his students as always right, determined, and sure-footed, especially during a game of Banana Grams. When asked about his gaming success, he simply stated “I am the best.” As a high school Junior and Senior Class President, Mr. Warren explains how he “always wanted to be a friend to everyone.” The Talon recently had a chance to ask him some questions about his life:
Talon: What is your favorite thing about teaching?
Mr. Warren: I love to see the student’s progress over time and even as a teacher I never stop learning. The more you learn the more interesting life becomes.
Who fascinates you the most in history and why?
Winston Churchill, because the challenges he faced as Prime Minister in Britain and the things he had to overcome to pursue what he was trying to achieve.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I was told I was created to be who I was, and I should always be myself and let God work and trust that He has control.
What strengthens your faith in Christ as a teacher?
It’s so encouraging to see the joy come out in my students from Christ, and seeing them seek God strengthens my faith each day.
 If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
I would love to understand the true idea of predestination vs. pre-will.

By Martin William Lammers IV

At the 84th Annual Academy Awards THE ARTIST took home five statuettes, including Best Picture, Best Director (Hazanavicius), Best Actor (Dujardin) and Best Score.

Theatrical Release Poster

The very concept of a black and white silent film in this day and age is peculiar. When it’s good, it’s a “God Save The Queen!” revelation. The film tells the story of silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) journey during the late 20s and 30s when “talkies” (motion pictures with sound) came to prominence. Along the way he (literally) bumps into an eager young lady, named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who has acting aspirations. As Peppy’s career in “talkies” takes off, George’s dedication to silent films ends up making him a star of the past. As this change takes place, Valentin is forced to confront this change in his stardom and ultimately his identity. This confrontation is both intriguing and intense as writer/director, Michel Hazanavicius crafts this tale beautifully. The film is slow in some parts, especially in the beginning as it takes a moment to establish the story as the very construction of the movie is foreign to the audience. But, foreign does not mean poor. Hazanavicius in essence has created a magnificent ode to a bygone era of filmmaking that is truly endearing and special. The storyline, I’ll admit was rather generic but there are a few unexpected twists that will excite your viewing pleasure. But despite this, the two leads make it worth watching. Dujardin is fabulous as Valentin in both the joys and heartbreake Bejo is perfect in her eager yet sorrowful role as well.  Bejo did deserve her nomination for best supporting actress, although she did  not really have a shot at winning her category (Best Supporting Actress) as THE HELP’s Octavia Spencer has been sweeping the category since award season started and did. Dujardin did edge out George Clooney from THE DESCENDANTS  for Best Actor and also won for the Screen Actors Guild Award.  Ludovic Bource’s lengthy and poignant score and Hazanavicius’ direction both won, as did the picture as. THE ARTIST is also currently the favorite to win Best Picture, making it the second silent film in the 84 year history of the Academy Awards (the first was WINGS with Clara Bow which actually was the first film to win Best Picture). However Martin Scorsese’s HUGO could pull an “upset” and take home the prize. All in all, THE ARTIST is a splendid gem of a motion picture, but be warned silent films are not for everyone (ask my mother).

The film is rated PG-13 for a disturbing image and a crude gesture.

Theatrical Release Trailer

By Nathan Smith 

Look for an In-N-Out coming to Bellevue

     After years of pleading and false rumors, Washington In-N-Out fans have finally gotten their wish: a new joint is opening in downtown Bellevue. The construction will start in mid-April off of Bellevue Way and sixth street.

      The famous chain can be found in 268 locations as of January 2012. According to eatbellevue.com, a deal of $6 million from private investors was made to expand the business. With the new Bellevue location, In-N-Out has officially gone against its rule of “no more than one day’s drive from the Baldwin Park distribution center,” which was officially set up in the late 70’s to early 80’s.

     In-N-Out was originally founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in 1948 at its famous location in Baldwin Park, California.  In about forty-five years, the chain grew to 93 locations in the California area. It was not until Guy Snyder, Harry’s son, took over, that the chain expanded to Arizona and Nevada. Today, people come from all over the country to try the famous burgers with the promise of the freshest quality. Now, with this convenient location forNorth westerners, the joint should continue to grow immensely.

By Danielle Dufenhorst

     As spring sports hit at Cedar Park, the girls softball team steps up to bat. The new season of softball begins with every day of intense training. On Monday February 27, the girls’ first tryout begins, where they practice fielding, pitching, sliding, and hitting. Many players return to get a swing at bat including Micayla Hoffman, Emily Potts, Dalia Davis, Mimi Ammon, Christina Patrick, Ryanne Fazio, Paige Kelly, Holly Bollinger, and Erica Girus. Coached by Stephanie Fazio and assisted by Katie Kaminske and Brie Hoffman, the team holds great potential for the fast approaching season. Many girls came out to tryouts and played through, even with the extreme weather of rain, snow, and very low temperatures. Varisty’s first game is March 15th at 4:30pm on our own home field. The girls will be playing against their tough competitor, Inglemoor HS, and are getting prepared and excited for this game.

Erica Girgus with the pitch.

     Senior Emily Potts, and Junior Ryanne Fazio, are this years captains and say they are excited to hit off the season with a win. Ryanne Fazio says “We are so ready for the season. Even though the weather was probably the hardest to deal with during tryouts. My prediction is that we ARE going to state.”  After attending State for the past nine plus years, the team is eager to make it back. The season is full of promise and will be an exciting season to watch as the team rises to meet State playoffs.

By Dominick Tavitian 

Adrien Vela and Trey Dreschel are promising sophomores

Bothell- Cedar Park Baseball is under way once again and it looks to be a promising year. After a great campaign last year their future looks bright and the team is expecting a wonderful season. Seniors Griffin Walker and Aaron Barrett  can lead the Eagles to state this season. Sophomore starters Trey Drechsel and Adrian Vela are a part of this core group of players to put the Eagles on top, and freshman  David Mclaurin looks to join that group, most likely being the team’s catcher. The Team’s pitching might be the biggest question after losing two aces last year, Ben Circeo and Brian Long. Drechsel is most likely to be up to the mound this year and new-comer Damien Cannon looks to add depth to the rotation and work his way up to be other ace on the squad. Two must-watch players this year are Griffin Walker and Adrian Vela. Griffin is expected to lead the team this year playing shortstop. Adrian Vela is recovering from surgery on his throwing arm and is taking it easy in practice in order for it to heal. Griffin playing shortstop and Adrian at second base are key tandems  as their chemistry develops throughout the season. The Eagles’ first game is at Archbishop Murphy on March 12th, where Cedar Park looks to start off the season well.

By Martin William Lammers IV

    Last week, the halls of Cedar Park were buzzing with excitement as auditions for the spring play took place, with cast list announced on Wednesday. This year Cedar Park’s drama program founder and head, John Shorb will be directing Seven Keys to Baldplate by George M. Cohan. The play tells the story of “a writer (Andy Hislop) looking for some peace and quiet in order to finish a novel, [who] takes a room at the Baldplate Inn. However, peace and quiet are the last things he gets, as there are some very strange goings on at the establishment” (Samuel French/IMDb).

   Mr. Shorb’s unique approach to auditioning revolves around finding the best person for the part, rather than looking specifically at the actor’s talent. First time auditionee and castmember Zach Orlando said, “it’s a very intimidating proccess, but it needs to be done that way.” This method is what makes Cedar Park’s mainstage productions truly memorable.

   Seven Keys to Baldplate will have eight performances in the Spring: April 26, 27, 28 and May 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5th. It is one sleuth you won’t want to miss. This will also mark the last of appearance of Seniors Jake Kragerud, Janie Loudon, Johanna Marcelia, Drew Mattocks, Marcus Piscuc and Zach Orlando on the CPCS Mainstage.

By Mitchell Mcauslin 

The Battle for the Republican spot is a steady race between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is ahead in the total number of delegates. 

Romney is a Mormon man who believes very strongly in pro life. He supports increased educational standards and better quality teachers, and he supports the moral value of abstinence education. He is strongly against gay marriage and says, “call me old fashioned, but I don’t believe in same sex marriage.” Romney is for increased energy production and in-state oil drilling, trying to help problems in the Middle East. Romney thinks the three pillars for a successful country are family, military, and economy.

Rick Santorum, the second major Republican candidate, is close behind Romney. Santorum is a strong Christian and is pro life and pro family. He aims for balanced budget amendment and lower takes. Santorum is strongly opposed to gay marriage and other immoral acts such as pornography. He believes in the production of fossil fuels in the USA and does not believe global warming is humanities fault. The fight for the Republican spot is very close, and the winner will most likely be determined this Tuesday in Ohio, at Super Tuesday.

Dear Mimi, 

I have been worrying extensively about the research paper, but everyone says it’s no big deal. How do I relax when it’s worth 1/3 of my grade?

-Freaking Out

Dear Freaking Out,

There is no need to lose sleep over worrying about your research paper, but at the same time, it basically makes up your entire second semester English grade. One way you can relax in thinking about your paper is to not save all your work until the night before it is due. Working on your paper a little bit everyday will save you so much stress and so much sleep. Remember to ask God to help you use your time wisely and keep doing your best from the beginning to the end of your paper. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” God will comfort you and get you through your research paper, trust in him, and he will come through for you.

-Mimi

Dear Mimi,

My parents don’t want me to be in drama, but I really want to. What should I do?

-Perplexed

Dear Perplexed,

It is good that you want to try new things and be in drama! But overall, you are going to have to be obedient to your parents. I encourage you to respectfully ask your parents if you can take drama, telling them all the benefits of being in the class, and have a good conversation with them. Your parents know you well and want the best for you, and if they do not think being in drama is the best thing for you to do at this time in your life, then you need to honor and respect their decision. Pray and ask God, tell him that you would really like to take drama, and if his answer in no, ask him to change your heart to accept not taking drama and believing that God has a better plan for your life than you do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

-Mimi

By Caitlin Kereszturi
On Tuesday, February 28th, at Chardon High School in Ohio, seventeen-year-old TJ Lane was accused and found guilty of murdering three students in the school cafeteria. The three students murdered were Daniel Parmentor, Russell King, and Demetrius Hewlin. TJ was taken into custody without resistance soon after he ran from the crime scene. TJ is currently undergoing a series of studies by police officials to find out what caused him to act this way. Officials have found he has a violent past, and that this is not the first time he has been in trouble with the law. He was also thought to have come from a broken family and is currently living with his grandparents. Fellow students describe him as quiet, withdrawn, and usually keeping to himself. A fellow student who was present on that Tuesday described the hallways having “a lot of running and a lot of screaming.” Another student shared the shock that “that morning I was sitting on a bus with a boy who had the intent to kill people.” School will continue soon for the students attending Chardon High School, giving the families and friends time to heal from this tragedy. Since “the community is very badly shaken and the community is in very deep grief” only time will tell what the future holds for this young gunman and his community.

   Cedar Park families and students are encouraged to pray for the community and the victim’s families.

By Amanda McInterff 

The Candyland theme was chosen by the senior class

     The Junior -Senior Banquet is the most anticipated event of the spring. JSB is going to be full of fun activities and loads of excitement. It was originally meant for the Juniors to plan for the Seniors to honor them, but the Seniors have managed to take over the past few years. Last year, the current Seniors pitched the theme “Candyland” to last year’s Seniors, but they shot it down. Now that they are Seniors they are bringing it back. Dalia Davis stated, “We chose Candyland to make every little kid’s dream come true!” JSB will be held at Echo Falls Country Club in Snohomish on April 21st, the time is currently to be determined.

by Martin William Lammers IV   

People with special needs have as much to offer as anyone

Down Syndrome Association PSA for \”Spread the Word…\”

In today’s society, a person would never use the “N” word to describe a person of African American descent. So then, why is it okay for people on a daily basis to derogatorily use the word, “retard/ed”? Neither group of people had any decision in who they are. If a person is born black, they’re black. In the same way, if a person is intellectually or mentally disabled, that’s who they are. They have no influence in the matter.

On a daily basis if one were to walk through the halls of a school, they’d unfortunately be confronted with people casually putting the ”R word” in their speech. This is wrong. When first introduced to the medical community, its purpose was to categorize a certain people group. Nowadays, its meaning has been perverted to become a synonym of stupid or dumb. A person born with disabilities is no less than you or I. They are simply different. God made them different. They are in His image and deserving of the same amount of love as any other person. So if they are deserving of this same degree of love, then why do people offensively say “retarded”, every single day?

Many people will say “As long as I am not calling an intellectually disabled person retarded, then it’s not offensive”. This is not accurate. When a person says, “Dude that’s so retarded” or “Stop being a retard” they are equating these disabilities with stupidity. These people are in no means stupid. Again, they are just different. When a person says this to refute someone saying that the word, retarded is offensive, they are fixating simply on their intention, rather then how it makes a person feel.

God calls us as Christians to love. How can people freely follow this commandment, when there is continuous hate spewing from their mouths? They honestly cannot. It is impossible to justify your speech in this way. The use of the word “retarded” is wrong. Many states have taken measures to remove the word, “retarded” and instead replace it with the term, “intellectually disabled”. Thankfully the Special Olympics has taken this issue to the masses, creating the “Spread the Word, To End the Word” campaign. The campaign’s aim is to promote the truth that fills this article, so that people will realize the true nature of this word. Once that is understood, true respect and love can prosper.

To pledge for elimination of the R word, fill out this form: http://www.r-word.org/r-word-pledge.aspx

By Danielle Dufenhorst

As the CPCS Lady Eagles begin their season with their first game against Inglemoor Vikings at CPCS home field. This was the first softball game on the new field and to celebrate Pastor Joe Fieton had the first pitch to start the game. As the National Anthem was sung and the prayer was prayed, the Lady Eagles gave their ‘For Him’ cheer and the game began.

The starters in outfield were Paige Kelly, Mimi Ammon, Erica Grigus and infield Holly Bollinger, Ryanne Fazio, Meggan Vanberg, Grace Hamlow with Mikayla Hoffman as pitcher and Emily Potts catcher. Hoffman quickly got her three strikes with incredible pitches only allowing one hit in the first inning. The ladies up to bat scored 4-0 in the first innings and the crowd cheered with excitement.

Hoffman with the pitch

     As the innings went on, the Lady Eagles held the lead. By the 4th inning the Eagles stretched their lead to 5-0, and kept the IHS Vikings at bay. The girls were very focused and did not let even the cheering crowd dismantle the intense focus. Hoffman kept her consistent pitches striking out many of the IHS girls swings. The outfield used their quick reaction and perfect balls, while infield tagged the runners. When up to bat, the Eagles had many good hits by Ryanne Fazio, Meggan Vandberg, and Paige Kelly. The Eagles dominated most of the game and came out with a 6-2 win.
    With the first win for the Lady Eagles, the season continues to look promising. The next non-league game is at CPCS versus Friday Harbor at 2:30pm. Sophomore Erica Girgus commented, ” This win has given the team a lot of confidence. We are ready for anything and any team and looking forward to the next games.” With their new confidence, the Lady Eagles are ready for the rest of the season and their journey to State .

Cedar Park and Bellevue Christian Host Track Meet

By: Daniel Calhoon

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Eagles Track and Field team flew through strong gusts of wind to a successful Emerald City League meet on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The men’s team came is second with a score of 130 points, and the lady eagles finished out in third place with a score of 107.

On the men’s side of the competition in the 100m sprint, Sophomores Joe Siegwald and Andrew Rickman took first and second place. Freshman Dylan Keene took second in the 200m. The 4×100m relay team consisting of Anthony Almedia, Andrew Rickman, Joe Siegwald, and Shane Rhodes ousted opponents finishing in first place. In the shot put, Andy Thomas and Chris Yang took first and second. In Javelin Anthony Almedia and Mark Stacy also took first and second place. In the pole vault, Danny Calhoon had a constant battle with crosswinds but prevailed by taking first as well as getting a new personal record and lastly breaking the previous school record of 13’6” and resetting it to a new height 13’7”.

On the women side of competition, Erin Beezhold took second in the 200m. Sally Larson had a very successful day taking second in the 1600m and third in the 800m races. The girls 4×100m and 4×200m relay teams both took second in their races. The lady eagles dominated in the throwing events, Michelle Mayer took first in the shot put and second in the javelin with a toss of 79’09”. Senior J.J. Abbot won the discus competition with a throw of 94’02”. In the pole vault, Kate Dedo finished in third place with a vault of 7’0”, and in the long jump Erin Beezhold won with a leap of 14’4” and Victoria Kvasyuk took third with a jump of 13’2”.

By Mariah Johnson 

For the past three years, Mr. Owens has taken a group of male CPC students on a ministry trip to Portland. He chooses the group of students that come from his mentor group combined with students he picks based on their leadership and musical abilities. They go for two days down to Portland, Oregon to minister to the Camas Church of the Nazarene.

They boys leave on Saturday at 8:00 am to Oregon. They arrive at 12:00 pm and after lunch they begin working at the church by cleaning up and helping out. They also lead worship on Sunday and give testimonies. After helping, they take some time to have fun by playing basketball, going out to dinner and to a Blazer game.

The boys greet church members as they come in the door