LaRissa Simmons, Staff Writer

The day after surgery, I woke up starving, face swollen, and mouth aching. The surgery I am speaking of is the removal of my wisdom teeth. Most teenagers are known to get their wisdom  teeth removed around the ages of 17 and 18. Reasons for getting your wisdom teeth taken out are your mouth is to crowded to have them, you don’t really need them or the are causing  problems such as breaking off other teeth, growing in wrong, and rooting in the wrong places. Wisdom teeth are usually taken out the summer before or after senior year. “I had mine out the  summer before seventh grade; at age 12,” said senior Callie Wilson.
The actual procedure only takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but the healing period takes four to seven days. To have wisdom teeth removed, see an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a dentist can  extract them.
Before removal of a wisdom tooth, the surgeon or dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. “The laughing gas was hilarious, but for the    second time, I got knocked out,” senior Jay Frear said.
A general anesthetic may be used, especially if several or all of the wisdom teeth will be removed at the same time. “Make sure you get all four out at the same time, because the pain level is high,” suggested senior Courtnei West.
To remove the tooth, a small incision is cut into the gum. Next any bone covering the tooth is removed as well the tooth itself; sometimes the dentist will cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make removal easier.
After surgery, expect swelling of the face, bleeding, gauze and a small option for food. To help, bite gently on a gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call the dentist or oral surgeon if there is bleeding 24 hours after surgery. Do not lie flat, as this may prolong bleeding.
Prop up your head with pillows, and try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours. You can use moist heat, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water and wrung out, for the following two or three days.
After having this procedure done, you can only eat liquids for the first two days. After that, you’re supposed to slowly ease back into your normal diet. “When I had mine out, they didn’t give me any instructions,” said librarian Mitzie Neugebauer.
Everyone has wisdom teeth, and fortunately there are advancements in technology to remove them before we experience any problems.

Information provided by: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-tooth-extraction

Chelsea Patches, Staff Writer

The miracle of Christmas is repeated over and over again through the joy of caring and sharing. The traditional red kettle, representing the Salvation Army, is a common part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to help and support needy families, seniors, and the homeless.
It is also a symbolism of the holiday season. The stations located all over each town are hard to walk by and ignore. The helpful people standing outside in the cold to help others are greatly appreciated.
Some bell ringers will go the extra mile to volunteer. Senior Josh Geiser built the shelter located at Wal-Mart for the bell ringers.
“I’ve been volunteering for the Salvation Army for about three years now and it’s not bad,” Geiser casually stated. “I did it for good incentive, and it’s brownie points for when I join the Naval Academy.”
The donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need all around the world. Families of prisoners often are included in the donation process as well. Volunteers distribute gifts to the shut-ins in hospitals and nursing homes, and the shelters are open for sit-down dinners.
The Salvation Army helps to bring spiritual light and love to the ones in need that it serves at Christmas, so that the real meaning of the season is not forgotten. Many families receive aid over a period of months after the Christmas season as well, people struggling with difficult family, emotional, or employment problems. Christmas is the season for giving and the Salvation Army is a good way to show your holiday spirit!

Kate Young, Staff Writer

When the clock strikes twelve, be ready to scream. All across the country, from New York City to L.A., people come out in waves to celebrate the end of the old year and to embrace the new. A traditional sight on December 31st is the scene at Times Square. Approximately a million people are crammed into the famous NYC Times Square, with millions upon millions watching the ball drop and all the additional festivities from the comfort of their home. Emotions are high and the atmosphere is contagious. But what about Gillette? What do Campbell County High School students do to welcome the new year?

“I usually just hang out with friends; we watch movies and the ball drop,” said junior Holly Larson. “I love to watch the clock turn one-two-zero-zero.” Larson is in good company; a majority of students admit to watching T.V. and staying up late to greet the new year. Also a surprising number of people say the focus is on the family.

“I like it because I get to hang out with the whole family,” said sophomore Ashton Bolstad. In contrast to the televised version of New Year’s Eve, the celebrations of CCHS students may seem tame. However, there are people out there who know how to celebrate with flair.

“I shoot off fireworks,” said sophomore Dustin Hahn.

“I ‘festively’ celebrate,” joked junior Chandler McGovern.

Opposed to the exaggerate merriment displayed on Times Square, not all students welcome the new year with enthusiasm. “I hate the crowds,” said senior Lexi Wilkerson.

“It’s bad because people usually get drunk,” Bolstad said.

“The worst is staying up late; it’s so boring,” said senior Steffany Johnson.

Still others grumble about the morning after. “Being tired the next day is the worst,” said junior Carson Cale.

Sophomore Courtney Elder agreed, “You’re just so tired in the morning.”

Though there are several negatives to New Year’s Eve, that doesn’t mean that people are going to stop celebrating.

“People just want to have fun, anyway they can,” said junior Taylor Young. The celebrations and festivities aren’t going anywhere, when all the negative aspects of the last holiday of the year are totaled, they don’t seem to be able overcome the joy that people experience on that last night. As Larson put it, “It gives us a reason to celebrate.”