Cy-Creek honors alumni with Wall of Honor

Recently retired Cougar Principal Jim Wells closed his combined nearly 20 years of service at Cypress Creek High School constructing the newly erected Wall of Honor that was revealed earlier this spring during a school ceremony.

Nine Cougar alumni, including three NFL players and a local news anchor, were honored during the inaugural ceremony in March to cap off the $70 million, four-year remodeling process between 2005-09.

Wells, who headed the preliminary developments, said the awards are distributed based on lifetime achievements instead of impacts made during years as students. Various disciplines of study are honored including politics, medicine, humanities, education and athletics.

"I didn't just want it to be about athletics—it's about people who make contributions to the world," Wells said.

Discussion of erecting Cy-Creek's Wall of Honor began during the mid-2000s before school renovations began. Wells said he wanted to give back to the Cougar community before retiring and leave a legacy of inspiration for the student body.

Although renovations were completed in 2009, the Wall of Honor did not take shape until January 2013. Students, parents and staff have praised the project and wish to continue the annual award ceremony, Wells said. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, only two to three awards will be distributed.

"I wanted to really acknowledge [past achievements] and create a sense of history for the kids that were there," Wells said. "Bottom line, somebody will have to pick that manner up. The whole concept is to create together the sense of what Cypress Creek is."