The Loss of a Friend

On April 19 tragedy befell the CHS community. Math teacher Debbie Elder was found dead in her hotel room in Phoenix, Ariz. This event affected her family, students at
CHS, and the teachers, especially those in the math department.
“We’re very sad, it’s like losing a family member. It just doesn’t seem like it’s real, doesn’t seem like it can be real,” said math teacher Jennifer Walls.
The members of the math department were notified late Saturday by department chair Susan Drozdoff after administration was notified by Elder’s family.
“Mr. Beck contacted the department chairs. I wanted to be able to personally talk to the rest of the department rather than have them find out by email,” Drozdoff said. “As difficult as it was, the one thing I try to take away from it was that she was really loved and will be missed.”
“It’s just devastating. When Mrs. Drozdoff called, I knew it couldn’t be good. To find out it was one of my friends… I don’t know what’s worse,” Walls recalled.
The closeness of those in the math department made the loss of Elder even more painful. “Our department is really close. We’re all friends outside of school,” said Walls, adding that Elder had been at her wedding and at every one of her parties and get-togethers.
“We were pretty close. She was my mentor and my neighbor and my friend,” math teacher, Shanell Cavener recalled. “It’s hard just not seeing her where she should be. I wouldn’t be teaching here if it wasn’t for her. She had a big heart and was always there for anyone who needed her,” Cavener also said.
The loss of their friend made it very difficult for the staff to come to school on Tuesday. Many teachers, as well as students, could be seen crying throughout the day. “I think we’re all just trying to be a little gentler, a little kinder. The kids have been really awesome today,” said Walls. “I’m just trying to keep to the routine but also let the students know that if they need to talk, we’ll make that happen,” Cavener added.
Drozdoff said that Elder’s death leaves a definite hole in the school. “I think that as a whole, not only was she a wonderful teacher, but she also coordinated the tutoring and found tutors for the MASH department. It’s going to be very difficult to replace her as a teacher. As a friend it’s impossible. I enjoyed working with her. It was always nice to be able to rely on her for advice and to also be able to rely on her many years of teaching. She touched a lot of teachers’ lives in a lot of different ways.”
Walls agreed. “She had a quiet way about her, but I still always looked to her for approval. She was tough on kids for a purpose. She was trying to make them better,” Walls said.

/Sophie Williams

CHS Grieves Loss of Teacher

With the untimely death of Debbie Elder, a beloved Algebra teacher at CHS, several lives have been affected. To have a successful high school, the responsibilities of the staff are constant. CHS has proved to be a tight-knit, amazing school that is always accommodating students. This alone is why the school focuses on the welfare of students through this rough situation.
Dean Gavin Ward described the typical protocol when a teacher dies. “A meeting was set up to notify teachers about the situation, and counselors were made available.”
With an emotional circumstance like this that directly affects kids, it became apparent that the attention should be put on the students.
Counselor Nicole Hendee said, “The main goal is to encourage students to do whatever works for them and encourage them to continue to live their lives and just get through the day.” She said that it’s important to help the students find something that makes them happy if they are having trouble coping. Hendee said, “Exercise, clubs, talking to someone.” All those things could potentially help a student realize everything is okay. Hendee said that psychologists were brought in and made available for select students. “The main thing for all of the counselors is to keep ourselves available and to keep our schedules open.” This provides a level of comfort for kids because they keep in mind that there will always be someone to talk to.
As a whole, there is always a period of grieving and sadness that comes along with any death. When it is related to a huge network of people like CHS, the effects are greater.

/Taylor Brown

Seniors Apply to College

Most seniors have a clue about what they want to do and which college they want to attend. Choosing a college to go to can be challenging but also it can be a great experience to learn about each college and what opportunities they have.
Angel Gomez, senior, said he plans to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and that during the applying process he had an idea of what he needed to do and how to apply.
“The website was most helpful because it took me step by step,” he said. While applying Gomez also said he was very excited to begin going to college next year. “College will be a new experience and there will be more opportunities,” he said.
Mario Escalante, senior, said that he also had an idea about what he was doing during the applying process. Escalante said that he hasn’t chosen an exact college yet but has narrowed it down to a few.
“I am excited for college because it has more opportunities and it will be a different environment then high school,” he said.
There are many avenues used to make the application process easier. Ashley Ackerman, senior, said she is using the Bridge to Success to apply. “It’s easier than applying on your own because it takes you through the steps,” said Ackerman.
Casey Farrett, senior, said,” The hardest part was finding the right college and the waiting.” There is a lot of waiting and even when students get a response from a college, they might get wait-listed.
In the end, applications can have a huge impact on what college students decide to go to and where they go later in life.
When applying to college it can be a bit stressful but can also be an interesting experience and a way to learn more about other colleges and what they offer. Websites, brochures and information packages are very helpful in research.

/Aubrey Born, Gurpreet Badhan, Anna Glenn & Skylar Glock

Mr. Carson High

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It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Mr. Carson High! On March seventh, the Community Center was packed, and the senior guys were in charge! 27 super-heroes performed for the looking and waiting eyes of the audience and the judges, only their secret disguises had names that weren’t also known in movies, shows, or are celebrities. Jared Akers, Chase Blueberg, Josh Breen, Sam Bruketta, Tony Cacioppo, Tylar Chester, Andy Cooper, Nestor Cortez, Kyle Denning, Ryan Doherty, Nick Donaldson, Dustin Dutch, Robby Easton, Theron Garzoli, Christion Hendee, Porfirio Jauregui, Austin Kiesow, Nicholas Lani, Tommy Mahoney, Adam Peterson, Garrett Schafer, Austin Shaffer, Kyle Sharp, Adam Shoaf, Stafan Sobkiewicz, Noah Teixeira, and Gehrig Tucker were all their own concealed hero!
The ‘men’ had to perform their best in front the sold out showing they auditioned for. They all performed with the perfect amount of courage, love, dorkability, and cockiness to impress everyone watching. They not only had to dance and perform any and… every, talent they had, they had to answer the ever so complicated questions from our very own, Ron James and Jennifer (Tartan) Walls. Thankfully though they could work as a team for their performances and they were even escorted the whole night by the very spirited cheerleaders!
Of course, the cheerleaders weren’t the only lucky ones for the night who got to be with guys, three of the contestants made a few girls’ nights by asking them to one of the most memorable experiences of their senior careers. First, Nick Donaldson started off the date asking line by asking Veronica Gonzalez. Next, Chase Blueberg stunned Delaney, senior and head cheerleader, by asking her in for her talent. Lastly, Åustin Shaffer ended the asking experience by asking his longtime girlfriend Kati.
Over all, music, friends, family, and surprises filled the room; love is what you need, acting’s what you want, and super-heroes are what you crave!

\Delaney Mott

Be Mine

Kyle Denning
Q: What will you be doing on Valentine’s Day?
A: Playing basketball at Douglas High school.
Q: Who will you be spending Valentine’s Day with?
A: I’ll be spending it with my Girlfriend Paris Regan.
Q: Do you have any special plans for your special someone?
A: All it’s going to be is just a really nice date.
Q: How have you spent past Valentine days?
A: Alone.
Q: What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?
A:”I think it’s very romantic and sweet and love is all in the air.”
Q: Who would be your dream date for Valentine’s Day?
A: She would probably have to be Kate Upton.
Q: If you could get anything on Valentine’s Day what would you want?
A: A big teddy bear, a box of chocolates, and a rose.

Abarham Roque
Q: What will you be doing on Valentine’s Day?
A: Just hanging out it with My Girlfriend Betty.
Q: Who will you be spending Valentine’s Day with?
A: My girlfriend Betty.
Q: Do you have any special plans for your special someone?
A:” I’m going to get her a Pillow pet and chocolates because she loves chocolates.”
Q: How have you spent past Valentine days?
A: With friends and having fun.
Q: What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?
A: It’s a great day to be happy and have fun.
Q: Who would be your dream date for Valentine’s Day?
A: Jennifer Lawerance
Q: If you could get anything on Valentine’s Day what would you want?
A: “All I want is attention a lot of attention

Patrick Henricksen
Q: What will you be doing on Valentine’s Day?
A: hanging out with my girlfriend
Q: Who will you be spending Valentine’s Day with?
A: I’ll be spending it with my girlfriend Josie Share.
Q: Do you have any special plans for your special someone?
A: Really haven’t gotten that far yet.
Q: How have you spent past Valentine days?
A: Hanging out with my same girlfriend Josie Share
Q: What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?
A: It’s a commercialized holiday
Q: Who would be your dream date for Valentine’s Day?
A: It’d still be my girlfriend Josie Share.
Q: If you could get anything on Valentine’s Day what would you want?
A: I would want Oreos

It’s a Doggy Dog World

Are you a dog lover? Are you looking for a great companion? Dog Town Rescue is the place to go! As a non-profit charity, Dog Town Rescue accepts all dog breeds from Pit Bulls to Husky’s! “Recycled Dogs are our specialty” is their motto. Within their first three years as a volunteer-only organization, they rescued over 600 dogs! Talk about over-the-top! Each dog rescued by Dog Town Rescue has been abandoned, abused, starved or neglected and with a little help, the dogs will be on a better path. Now it’s your turn to do a good deed; adopt or foster a dog! If adoption isn’t a choice for you, why not donate? All donations go to a good cause such as the medical care for the dogs. Donzia, a female Pit Bull Terrier puppy would love to be raised around children! Zeus, an 8 year old male Shepherd Mix is a real snuggler! There is a lot more dogs to choose from. Be sure to contact Dog Town Rescue at 1-800-Save-a-Pet.com for more information.

\Angela Miller