Dec 11 SA Times Marshall Doig - With semester exams and the winter holidays drawing near, Central High School students seem to be trying to make the time pass by participating in a countless number of activities.

On Dec. 3, members of the Bobcat Band traveled to Midland High School to audition for the All-Region Band. Four members made the band and five others were named alternates. Also, junior trombone player Brad Call was named an area candidate for the All-State Band. Central's National Honor Society met Tuesday at the House of Faith to fill stockings it had decorated last month.

On Friday, geometry and calculus teacher Becky Niehues was named the NHS Teacher of the Week for her hours of dedication and hard work. Members of the CHS Key Club met Thursday at Fort Concho's Barracks 1 to decorate the entertainment area in preparation for Christmas at Old Fort Concho, which was held over the weekend. Central theater students performed the play "Inspecting Carol" by Daniel Sullivan on Thursday through Sunday. It was their first performance since October.

Central's JROTC unit, TX-936, was recently named one of 12 finalists in the final round of the Presidential Academic Contest out of 869 JROTC units worldwide.

Central Principal Joe Coleman played the part of Mother Ginger, traditionally played by a man, in Angelo Civic Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" on Friday.

Other meetings held this week included Fellowship of Christian Athletes on Monday, with senior Mary Delaughter as a guest speaker.

Two student council committees met Monday, and Central's Business Professionals of America met on Tuesday. The CHS Spanish Club and Texas Association of Future Educators also held separate meetings Wednesday.

Final orders for the 2008 Westerner yearbook must be turned in no later than Dec. 17. The cost of one yearbook is $60. For more information, call (325) 659-3485.

Dec 18 SA Times Marshall Doig - Exams begin on Wednesday this week at Central High School, but between studying, students are staying occupied. The Bible history class held a living Bible experience tour through the Old Testament on Monday in the CHS cafeteria.

Students dressed up as Bible characters and explained or acted out their character's story. The tour was an effort to raise money for a trip to Eureka Springs this June. On Thursday, Believers in Christ had its final meeting of the semester as well as its Christmas party. The first meeting of the spring semester is scheduled for Jan. 10. On the same day, the CHS choir performed a Christmas concert at Holy Angels church. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) had its weekly meeting on Monday with FCA director Kevin Reid as guest speaker.

A couple of other organizations were making merry during the week, including the Texas Association of Future Educators, which held its Christmas party on Wednesday, and the CHS Key Club chapter, which had its Christmas party on Friday at Zentner's Daughter Steakhouse.

On Dec. 7-8, the speech and debate team participated in a 29-school Lubbock tournament, where the team had eight members place in eight different events. Final orders for the 2008 Westerner yearbook were due on Monday. The cost of one yearbook is $60, and for more information, call (325) 659-3485.

In sports, the Lady Cats' basketball team won a consolation title at the Hays Tournament on Dec. 6-8, and began District 3-5A play on Tuesday with a 52-30 victory over Abilene Cooper. The boys' basketball team played Abilene Wylie on Tuesday, and was defeated by the Bulldogs 75-60. The Bobcats' traveled to Lubbock Monterey on Friday for a non-district contest. The boys swimming team placed sixth and the girls placed eighth at the Mansfield Invitational on Dec. 8. Sophomore Alex Porter set a new school record in the girls' 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2 minutes, 3.80 seconds. Both boys' and girls' gymnastics teams won the Key City Invitational in Abilene on Dec. 7, as the girls' team began its quest for a third consecutive state title. Junior James McIntyre won the all-around for the boys and senior Cristin Harper won the all-around on the girls' side.