Daily Archive: November 11, 2009

Nov
11

Superior for the CCHS Marching Band

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Barry Cain, Staff Writer

Barry Cain, Staff Writer

Atmadja, Quidam, Ninkou Latora, and Incantation are all songs  which the Campbell County High School Marching Band played this season for their show “Cirque Du Soleil”.  All though members weren’t jumping through hoops of fire or juggling swords, the music and drill brought the same common amusement of the French acrobatic show to the field.

The band, directed by Christopher Lubken and drum majors senior Stephanie Matsunaga and junior Stephen Wadsack, pushed the band all season to become the best they could be.

“We improved so much over the season, plus the Drum Line was tight!” said junior Amy Bradley.

At the Marching Band Festival held in Casper on October 17th,  the CCHS Marching Band blew the crowds away with the show, earning them not only a Superior rating, but also a General Effect caption award.

“I wish some individuals would have stepped up. Five percent more and I know we would have gotten more captions,” said Lubken., “However, we did lose a whole week of practice to snow. Overall though, the band is moving in the right direction.”

This year’s music selection was much harder than last, showing how far the group has come. Last year’s theme was “On the Silver Screen” which featured music from Danny Elfman, and Indiana Jones. The band received a Superior rating and a Color Guard caption. Comparably, this year the band is miles from where they were.

The scores at State are compiled into six categories, making it very difficult to receive a good rating. The scores from the judges were as follows:

Percussion: 42.8

Auxiliary: 41.5

Drum Major: 83

General Effect: 86 and 80

Music General Effect: 189

Overall: Superior

The band,  has come a long way in paving the road to their second consecutive Superior rating. They have showed Wyoming that CCHS excels at everything, from sports, academics, and even to marching band.

This season will also be the last for seniors who have been marching their whole CCHS career. They include:

Barry Cain- Color Guard Captain

Alex Duval- Tuba

Kayla Graves- Trumpet line Co-Captain

Marlena Mills- Low Woodwinds Captain

Stephanie Matsunaga- Head Drum Major

Even though they leave, they leave with advice. “To future Drum Majors, be confident about your band; don’t be power hungry,” suggested Matsunaga.

So here’s to the band and all the participants. Thanks for upholding the Camel name and status quo.

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Nov
11

Soles4Souls

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Kate Young, Staff Writer

Inside the average teenager’s closet there is an abundance of clothes. Beneath the mounds of coats, jeans, sweaters, and t-shirts are the shoes. “Probably about 30 pairs of shoes,” said senior Jessica Reble.

Reble isn’t alone, “Twenty-five pairs, I think,” said junior Candice Curlee about her footwear. Old shoes might not seem precious, or of enormous value to a generation of people who are so accustomed to them, but somewhere, there are people who find them very precious indeed.

Soles4Souls is an international charity that has touched every corner of the world with shoes donated from thousands of people, to the millions who have none of their own. Among those less fortunate, 300 million are children. These kids have never owned a single pair of shoes; they have nothing to guard their soles from the ground underneath them.

Soles4Souls stated on their website, “Our primary target in our Global Efforts, focuses on orphanages throughout Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, we have been able to further expand into Asia as well as Australia. These abandoned and orphaned children cherish a pair of shoes more than something to eat or even a new toy.” Soles4Souls also works in the U.S. distributing shoes. Soles4Souls is active in disaster relief, homeless shelters, and inner city hospitals, to just name a few.

Soles4Souls has a simple mission: To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Anyone can help, either by donating shoes, money, or raising awareness. Such an easy task, digging out a pair of gently used shoes from beneath the pile of things in a closet, and giving them to someone who truly needs them.

Here in Gillette, there are already high school students working to raise shoes and awareness for Soles4Souls.

“ I joined because it’s a good cause,” said junior Lauren Seamans.

“I joined because my youth pastor told me to,” joked senior Taylor Hardy. Both Seamans and Hardy are members of the High Plains Community Church youth group, which is currently the only drop-off site in Gillette for people to donate shoes.

“I went around with our youth group door-to-door asking for shoes,” said Hardy. The HPCC youth group, called InsideOut, had a goal to raise fifteen hundred pairs of shoes, and if they met that goal, the youth pastor, Travis Shannon, would receive a new hair cut chosen by the youth group. The grand total, counted by the youth group members on Wednesday, October 28th, was 2,187 pairs!

There are lots of ways to help.  “I’ve told people about Soles4Souls, participated in the Barefoot Mile, and donated shoes myself,” said Seamans.

Also the CCHS Student Council has recently approved a proposal to start a Soles4Souls charity during the school year, during the weeks of January 25th-29th and April 26th-30th, so a new drop-off site will be here soon.

On Saturday, October 24th, there was a Barefoot Mile at the North Campus track. It was from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and people from the community dropped off shoes or walked a mile barefoot, in the rain, to support Soles4Souls.

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Nov
11

Break Out The Brooms

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Kate Young, Staff Writer

“To Sweep,” in tennis terminology, is to win the dual against the opposing team by defeating them in every single match. The week of September 13th through the 19th is known as Conference week, where every tennis dual counts for placing at Regionals.

Playing the boys top spot as a returning varsity veteran, and previous state champ, is senior Nate Dale, along with junior Beth Ferrier playing the same spot for the girls.

The ‘Taylors’ take over the No. 2 singles spots. Taylour Hinshaw is a returning player for the girls team while Taylor Holst enters the boys’ team for the first time.

For No. 1 doubles, seniors Kolby Matheny and Jon Fisher, both previous state champs, team up while junior twin sisters, Kate and Taylor Young, take on the same spot for the girls.

The rest of the spots are made up of new comers. For No. 2 doubles, junior Evan Lopez and sophomore Riley Swanson band together to face the competition. Senior Angie Hays and sophomore Erin Thamm also play together at the No. 2 doubles spot.

Taking up the last two spots on the boys’ team are junior Carson Cale and freshman Micheal Cook, while juniors Marie Norfolk and Jamie Barnett round off the top spots for the girls.

On September 15th both boys and girls faced off against Natrona, both teams swept Natrona in 5-0 victories. Kelly Walsh swarmed the Camel’s home courts on September 17th, only to crawl away, defeated after some rough matches, swept by both teams.

On September 18th came Cody. The boys downed their opponents in two sets each, yet another dual won, another team swept. The girls came out on top in a 4-1 victory over the Cody girls. No sweep, but still a win.

September 19th came early with a nine o’clock meet against Powell. The Camels stayed awake though, to walk away with victories all around. Sweeping teams may be a badge of honor for tennis players, but it’s not the only fun part of being on the Camel team.

“Team bonding,” said Hays, is her favorite part.

Ferrier said, “We know how to have fun and kick butt!”

The Camels played well this season and worked hard, so stay tuned for State results…

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Nov
11

Camel Football

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CCHS Fans cheer on the Camels.

Tyler McCabe, Sports Writer

Camel football is coming to an end; the Camels are 7-2 and have clinched a spot in the playoffs after a win over the Natrona County Mustangs on Homecoming night October 9th . “The kids played hard. They keep getting better and they’re getting better every week, and that is what football is all about,” said Coach Vic Wilkerson after the Camel’s home opener on September 4th.

The Camels started their season with a win a 23-14 on the road at Evanston. Sophomore Jordan Roberts had 17 carries for 169 yards rushing and one touchdown. Senior Alan Sisel passed for 135 yards and rushed for one touchdown.

The Camels prepare for their next play.

The Camels prepare for their next play.

Camel football pleased the home crowd on September 4th at their home opener with a 31-7 win over the Laramie Plainsmen. Sisel threw for 227 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver senior Matt Mordecai dropped a pass off of his fingertips in the second quarter, but redeemed himself with two touchdowns in the second half of the game. Junior Brek Carper caught a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Senior Steven Turpin had the crowd on its feet when he caught a pass on the 18-yard line and took it 82 yards to the end zone.

The Rock Springs Tigers paid a visit to Gillette on September 11th . The Tigers had not won a game in the season. The Camels scored twice in the first half and allowed the Tigers to score to make the game 14-8 at halftime. The Camels came out of the locker room and scored a quick touchdown to make the score 21-8. The Camels kicked a field goal to make it 24-8.The Camels were on a roll, winning their first three games of the season.

After the win at home, the Camels took a trip down to Cheyenne on September 18th to take on the Cheyenne East Thunderbirds, who were also winless this season. Camel second string junior running back Drake Kelley had 244 all purpose yards, which included three touchdowns, 155 yards rushing, and four catches for 57 yards and 32 yards on two punt returns. Junior kicker Jordan Rueschhoff kicked two field goals (36 and 21 yards) making the score 14-13 at halftime. The Camels forced two fumbles and two interceptions and rallied from behind to win 27-14.

The Energy Bowl on September 25th against the Sheridan Broncs was a heartbreaker for the Camels, losing 23-14.The first play of the game a Sheridan player ran a 70-yard touchdown. On the Camels first drive, Sisel threw an interception that resulted in another 70 yard touchdown. Down early, the Camels rallied back with a one-yard touchdown run from Sisel and an 85 yard touchdown pass  to junior wide receiever Carper making the score 21-14. Sheridan scored a safety after the ball went over the punters head into the end zone and a Camels player recovered. Sheridan broke Gillette’s 25 game win streak at home and they took the Energy Bowl Trophy back to Sheridan with them.

The Camels suffered their second straight loss to the Cheyenne Central Indians on October 2nd.The Camels allowed 158 yards rushing, 156 yards passing, and eight touchdowns in the loss. The Camels also fumbled the ball four times in the 48-14 loss.

The Homecoming game was a cold one with temperatures dropping down in the single digits. Natrona scored a late touchdown but missed the extra point making the score 20-14. Gillette would later score in the fourth quarter and make the extra point to take a one point lead. They would hold on to win 21-20.

CCHS Fans cheer on the Camels.

CCHS Fans cheer on the Camels.

Kelly Walsh was Gillette’s next opponent, who won their last game 46-6 Laramie Plainsman. Gillette won 45-15. Camel senior quarterback  Sisel was very consistent with four touchdowns, 286 yards passing, and one rushing touchdown. Gillette clinched a playoff spot and a home game to start the upcoming playoffs.

The Camels wrapped up the regular season with a trip to Green River to take on the Green River Wolves. The Camels came away with a 35-17 victory. Camel sophomore running backs Roberts and Nick Bazemore rushed for a combined 158 yards. Sisel threw for 131 yards and two interceptions.

The Camels finished the season with a 7 win and 2 loss record.The Camels first playoff game was at home against Rock Springs Tigers.  Following that match, the Camels traveled to Cheyenne where they missed out of state championship with a final loss of 27-14.

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Nov
11

R-e-s-p-e-c-t

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Ashlee Layton, Staff Writer
Ashlee Layton, Staff Writer

Ashlee Layton, Staff Writer

Respect is just another word. It seems that students no longer use their manners and they don’t respect their elders. This is just pathetic. What is respect, and how do you show it?

Kate Arhart, a junior, explained, “Respect is when things are done to keep the balance. When a teacher is talking, it’s respectful to listen, but normally they don’t think about it. When you have something to say, you want people to pay attention. Now don’t you think the people around you want the same?”

“Showing you care how a person thinks by listening and responding polite,” is senior Alyssa Terry’s definition of respect.

Senior Mariah Gengozian said,  “Lower classmen have no respect for upper classmen. They act like they’re better than seniors and that’s not right. Seniors have been here longer than they have.”

Jacklyn Smith, a junior, said, “I don’t have much respect for anything, just my friends and cool teachers. I don’t get much respect, so whatever!”

Dylan Brown, a senior, added, “You only deserve respect as long as you give people respect in return.”

The lack of respect students are showing the faculty and staff at CCHS is impolite, uncivil, and ill-mannered; the list could go on and on. If  you want respect from a teacher, then show that teacher some respect. Buy her an apple.

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Nov
11

Male Cheerleaders

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The CCHS Male Cheerleaders perform a stunt at a cold game.

Harley Kalb, Staff Writer

Count ‘em: 1-2-3-4, four male cheerleaders at Campbell County High School this year. These male athletes are very dedicated and excited to cheer on the Camels during this year. “The guys are a huge asset to our team,” said coach Kelsey Dewey.

The four male cheerleaders of CCHS are: seniors Chris Fink and Chris Pierce, and juniors Bryson Helms and Harley Kalb. “With out the guys, we wouldn’t be able to put up most of our stunts, so they are very important to our team,” stated sophomore Alysha Sisneros, a CCHS cheerleader.

Give these guys a pat on the back; they are willing to show Wyoming a new level of cheerleading. It’s not just standing on the sidelines of a Friday night game and wearing a smile. It’s working hard at practice and being dedicated to the team and not giving up. “They work really hard at practices and strive for perfection,” said junior Jesse Pond, also a CCHS cheerleader.

And they don’t stop there. The CCHS cheerleaders will be going to a cheer competition in March in Casper, Wyoming. “We will work hard enough to place well,” asserted Coach Dewey. They will compete against some of the top cheer squads in the state for first place in Wyoming.

“I’ve triedProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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lot of sports, but none compare to the grueling practices we have,” said Pierce. They practice and drill stunts and tumbling every Monday through Thursday and have two practices on Saturdays.

“Maybe with more guys, then the cheer team will grow, and be more appreciated,” said junior Jessica Musten.

Senior Brian Boyd also stated, “I think they are very talented. Thank God for them.”

The CCHS Male Cheerleaders perform a stunt at a cold game.

Push-ups for home team touchdowns!

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Nov
11

Swine Flu

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Jaeneaha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

Jaeneaha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

The swine flu pandemic of 2009 has put fear into the hearts of adults and children all over the world. Individuals are scared of getting sick, and many have already suffered through it. On Friday, October 16th, there were no substitute teachers available in the Campbell County School District and 10% of the student population was absent.

“Now that it’s a pandemic, it’s everywhere in the world,” said LuAnn Miller, nurse at CCHS North Campus.  Like the normal flu, swine flu has many of the same symptoms: unusual tiredness, headache, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or cough, loss of appetite, aching muscles, and diarrhea or vomiting. People that are sick should stay at home away from people and check up with a doctor. However, a swab up the nose is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis for swine flu.

Patrick York, a junior, was diagnosed with swine flu in October. He had a temperature of 103 degrees and flu like symptoms. “The school board makes you stay out of school for five days,” he added.

Like York, Sherlaina Callender, a sophomore, also had a fever of 103 degrees. Some of her worst symptoms included vomiting, and stomach and body aches. “The doctor gave me stuff for strep throat and nausea,” she said.

However, senior
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3ELeslea Hunt only had a fever of 101 degrees. “My body hurt. That was probably the worst part,” she said.

There are precautions that can be taken to keep from getting sick with any illness, including the swine flu. “I avoid being around people who are sick and have symptoms,” said counselor Carmen Heer from the school guidance office.

Some tips on keeping yourself healthy and totally swine flu free are the following: cough or sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, avoid people who are sick, make sure you eat healthy, and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

Do not return to school until you are free from a fever of 101 degrees or higher for over 24 hours without fever reducing medication. As long as you keep yourself healthy and take extra precautions, you can keep from getting sick and stay swine flu free. Though a vaccine has been developed, few have received it. So for now, wash your hands.

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Nov
11

Halloween Costumes

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Alex Hoffman, Staff Writer

Alex Hoffman, Staff Writer

“When I was 17, I was a chicken,” senior Katie Foster remembered fondly of a prior Halloween. “Though it was so embarrassing, I only went to a few houses trick-or-treating. One guy said it was cute, another guy just laughed.” Foster wasn’t the only student who has had memorable costumes.

Junior Stephanie Johnson remembered, when in the 5th grade, “I was the only girl that wanted to be a dinosaur, so my grandma made me a dinosaur costume that was green and yellow. It had sparkly claws!” she said with a smile. “I was so excited because I was the only girl dinosaur. It helped that it was warm and I remember I got so much candy!”

Senior Aaron McGee said, “I still wear my Batman costume, even though it is made for a child. People just look at me like ‘What in the world?’” McGee went on to joke, “I believe it has changed the minds of many.”

Librarian Sasha Davidson dresses up every year. “Last year I was little red riding hood.” Her children also love Halloween. “My youngest son was a big fuzzy duck a few years ago. That was the most unique costume picked out by my kids. My older son is going to be a zombie doctor this year, sticking with his usual bloody characters.”

“When I was five, I was a cow,” sophomoreProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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Cstrong> Jeff Shaw said. “I went trick-or-treating at the nursing home and all the old people pinched my cheeks. My costume was warm, white, and big.”

Obviously, Halloween is a time that students, as well as teachers, get to have fun and be as crazy as they want. Halloween is next week, so start planning your memorable costumes.

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Nov
11

Steel Drums: A Taste of the Carribbean

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Sammy Nutting plays the E tenor.

Kelsey Conley, Editor

That Caribbean sound coming from the band room is no mistake; that is the new Steel Drum Ensemble that has made its way to Campbell County High School. Brought to the school by band instructor Christopher Lubken, the steel drum group is one of the newest additions to the music department. “In Alaska at my old school, we had a steel drum group and all the students loved it and so did I,” said Lubken. “So when I came to Gillette and saw that you didn’t have one, I knew I had to start one.”

Senior Mason O'Dowd plays the bass steel drum.

Senior Mason O'Dowd plays the bass steel drum.

A steel drum is a fifty-five gallon oil barrel that has been shaped into a musical instrument. The drums are all handmade using hammers and it takes somewhere between forty to sixty hours to make.

“It doesn’t sound like a drum because steel drums have distinct pitches while regular drums don’t. They play steel drums in Under The Sea, the song from The Little Mermaid,” junior Amy Bradley said.

“It’s like metal crystals! With glass crystals, you get a ringing sound. With steel drums, it’s still that ringing Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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und but with metal,” said senior Marlena Mills, “It has a very unique sound all on its own; I don’t think it can compare to anything.”

The class currently has thirteen students. Each student plays six drums at a time. “They look like they are back there dancing because they have to get to the notes so fast,” said Lubken. The bass drums are played with a mallet with an end about the size of a tennis ball. The others are played with just a strip of rubber over a wooden stick.

Sammy Nutting plays the E tenor.

Sammy Nutting plays the E tenor.

Just like any other instrument, a steel drum can play any style of music. Anywhere from jazz to classical music, and even calypso. Calypso is the most commonly played style on a steel drum, which is like a Caribbean sound. “Calypso is a lot more fun to play than the usual classical music we play in regular concert band,” said Bradley.

“We don’t have any concerts scheduled yet, but for now my plan is the have the students play in the commons between passing periods. We did that in Alaska and the student body loved it,” Lubken said. “I’m really excited about the steel drum group here.”

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Nov
11

Camel Playlist

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Kelby Clements, Staff Writer

Kelby Clements, Staff Writer

The Camels are serious about sports, but what gets them focused before a big game? Many of them listen to music.

Hannah Earley, Luis Herrera, Cedric Walker all agreed that Lil Wayne got them pumped.

Josh King’s and Ashley Knofczynski’s artists were also in the Hip Hop genre. They both like Lil Scrappy and Bone Thugs N Harmony.

Kayla Corcoran, a cross-country runner; listens to Eminem, Tech N9ne and Fallout Boy to get pumped to run.

Swimmer Bevan Beck said, “I love to listen to things like Owl City, System of a Down, and Linkin Park.  So while I’m swimming, I have them stuck in my head.”

Golfers like Heather Dunham and Christian Dayton listen to things like Eazy E, Chromeo, Muse, Lil Wayne, 3oh!3, and Tech N9ne to get ready to play. “While I warm up before a meet, I try a get a little DMX pumping through my veins,” said golfer Nate Schelling.

Hockey player Andrew Dietz listens to Creed, Avenged Sevenfold and a little Madonna to help him get his game face on.

“Before a soccer game, I like to get down to a little Notorious B.I.G. and Lupe Fiasco,” said soccer plProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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er Geoff McGeary.

Not only do these artists get the players focused and ready. They also can comfort a loss on the long ride home.

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