Amanda Kinsolving, Introduction to Journalism

At some point in a child’s life, the brutal reality of Santa is eventually discovered.

“I found out that Santa was just imaginary at nine,” sophomore Chance Galleagos  “My dad just came straight out with the truth!”

“I saw my mom in the store shopping for our Christmas gifts when I was about six or seven” Senior Hailee Jayne said, “ I seemed really spiteful. Actually, I had to make the point that I had already known even though she didn’t tell me”

“When I was ten years old, I heard a sound downstairs. Hoping it was Santa clause I went to check it out,I caught my mom stuffing my stocking with toys and candy.” Junior Taylor Blankenstein said. “ When she told me the truth I started crying and throwing a tantrum, I don’t think I talked to her for a week!”

“ Seventh Grade is when I found out snooping around I found my Christmas gifts from Santa. I wasn’t quite sure what to think I was just completely shocked,” Junior Daniel Whelchel said.

“ I never stopped believing in Santa” English teacher Kisa Kron said. “ I believe that it’s human nature for us to believe in something because it reminds us of being little and the spirit of believing. Secrets and surprises that come with Christmas make us feel magical, so I’ll always believe in the jolly old elf”

Siblings can also be the spoiler.

“ I was probably about nine, I overheard my older brothers talking about it and even though I was sad at first and didn’t want to believe them I decided to say oh well because I got the toys anyways” Algebra teacher Donovan Voight said.

“Santa lived on in our house because it’s a fun tradition and no harm done”

“When I give a gift, I feel like an element of Santa. I, too, can be Santa,” added Kron.

Myranda West, Introduction to Journalism

Snow is falling; CCHS students get what make the season bright.

“The time I got a puppy for Christmas.” “This was my favorite because I really wanted a puppy and my parents surprised me by getting me one.” Math teacher Tonya Keith said.

“Jumping off a house into a huge drift of snow is my favorite memory.”  “This was the most fun I have had.” junior Ernie Preston said.

“Every Christmas cause Christmas is Awesome and fun.” Said senior Zack Hallcroft

“My favorite Christmas memory was last year because my dad didn’t have to work.”  sophomore Amanda Parsons said. “We finally got a Christmas as a family.”

“ The time I got to see my all cousins from Idaho.” sophomore Madison Strickland said. “ This is my favorite because I got to see my cousins who only come down once a year.”

“My favorite Christmas memory is waking up in the morning with all of my siblings. After we wake up we would run and jump on my parents. We would have a big pancake and sausage breakfast, than we would open our presents.” sophomore Sara Lunberg said with a smile. “Also on Christmas eve my siblings and I would open one present and our stalking. Then we would sleep in the living room.”

“When I was in third grade and my whole family went to rapid to celebrate it with everyone at my grandparents house. And all my cousins, sisters and I put on a little singing act and sang and danced to walking around the Christmas tree.”  sophomore Faith Archuleta said.

As the snow falls your Christmas memories just began.

excided because their favorite time of the year is finally here.

Amanda Johnson, Introduction to Journalism

“Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul, with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal.”

  Have these lyrics been replaying in your head since September? Especially if you have been to Wal-Mart or K-Mart. You probably have had your season’s dose of holiday music.

“I have two Christmas songs that I like,” said Student Assistant Coordinator Charlotte Carr. “The first one is Low How a Rose E’re Blooming when Cindi Lauper sings it, and the second one is Carol of the Bells because it is beautiful in every way.”

“The classics still reign supreme.

“My favorite Christmas song would have to be Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer because it is catchy,” said junior Bailee Burch.

 “Jingle Bells would be my favorite Christmas song because it reminds me of Christmas,” said sophomore Erica Morgan.

“White Christmas gets me in the Christmas mood the most,” sophomore Nicole White said.

Then there are some who love the modern.

“Under the Mistletoe by Justin Bieber would be my favorite because I have Bieber fever,” senior James Martinson said with a smile.

Not every one enjoys hearing Christmas tunes every where they go.

“I don’t like any Christmas songs because I don’t like their jingles and rhymes,” sophomore Matt Rodriguez said.

“The most annoying Christmas song would have to be Jingle Bells because it just keeps repeating its self,” said junior Kyler Robichaud.  

“I don’t like Grandma got ran over by a reindeer,” said Shawntel Obridgewitch. “Because it has no point to it.”

“I dislike the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas because every time I listen to it gives me a headache and it’s annoying,” said sophomore Zane Steeg.

Whether its the radio, your parents car or just walking around in Home Depot, your Christmas music wont be hard to find this season.

Kenzie Edmundson, Introduction to Journalism

The best Christmas gifts of all are the memories made throughout the years.

“When I was little I always wanted a GI Joe toy,” junior Matt Fogle said. “That Christmas was the most memorable for me.”

“My most memorable Christmas was a few years ago when my dad took my brother, my sister, and me to a playoff hockey game in Denver,” senior Austin Tennant said.

“It is hard to say what Christmas was most memorable for me because when I was in first grade, my sister told me Santa wasn’t real,” junior English teacher Nathan DeMonja said.

DeMonja isn’t the only one whose Christmas memories involve the truth about Santa.

“I found out Santa wasn’t real in fourth grade because my parents did a bad job of hiding the Santa gifts,” sophomore Katie Wilson said

“I never wanted to stop believing in Santa because my mom always told me that Santa wouldn’t come if I didn’t believe,” senior Josh Long said. “She finally told me in third grade after everyone else already had.”

“I thought I heard Santa in my living room,” senior Sean Kelley said. “I got up and went to see but it was only my parents pretending to be Santa.”

Some think the food is the best part of Christmas.

“Cookies at Christmas are my weakness,” Chemistry teacher Barb Eckhardt said.

“My favorite food around Christmas time are caramel rolls,” junior Katie Wilson said. “We only make them on Christmas eve.”

“Sweet Potatoes are the best food around Christmas time, because they are delicious,” Fogle added. “They have marshmallows on top too.

Whether it’s the gifts, Santa, or the food, the memories you make will last forever.

Amanda Wood, Introduction to Journalism

Christmas can be the best time of the year, but sometimes CCHS student don’t get what they’ve always wanted.

“I asked for a Burton snowboard last Christmas,” said sophomore Charlie Wille. “My parents said that I wouldn’t use it enough to buy it for me.”

“I always wanted a puppy,” said sophomore Triston Harvey. “When I was eight years old, I begged my parents for hours a day.”

“I love playing guitar, so I asked my parents if they would buy me one,” sophomore Isaac Lucero said. “My dad said maybe because they already had a present in mind for me.”

“Every year I ask for jewelry, specifically diamonds,” campus supervisor Linda Settelmeyer said.  “But I know that nobody will get them for me.”

A car seems to be the ideal gift for many.

“Last year I wanted a car,” said sophomore Jade Black. I begged my parents every night. Instead they got me a bunch of little toy play cars.

“I wanted a 2011 Camaro,” said junior TR Benson, I wanted one right when they came out, but my parents never got one for me.” Benson never got his dream vehicle.

“I’ve always wanted a street bike, specifically a Kawasaki Ninja 1600,” said junior Dalton Young.

“Having a black Mustang was always a big dream of mine,” said sophomore Kiara Lucero. My parents said it was too expensive to buy one for me.

Although you might not get everything you want from your parents, doesn’t mean you can’t always ask Santa. It’s not too late!

Taylor Snider, Introduction to Journalism

Leaping over tall buildings or even diving through the air, you never have the same feelings as having a super power.

“To fly.” Senior Taylor Blankenstein said.

Blankenstein isn’t the only student t CCSD who would enjoy the pleasure of flying.

Junior Collin Cane said “I wish to have the ability to fly, but only because I am just really lazy at doing everything. That includes walking.”
Cane would agree on the same thing that Blankenstein states.
“I could get to places faster with no speed limit.” Blankenstein finishes off.

Faith Rudland, Introduction to Journalism

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. You better bring a good credit card this time with gas prices at $3.78 and diesel at $3.89 per gallon.

“I don’t go anywhere for the holidays,” senior Hannah Kleiner said. “Gas prices are unreasonable these days. I fill up my Ford Taurus once every two weeks. It’s $50 each time”

“I travel during the holidays I have to fill up my gas tank all the time but depends on where I’m going.  I probably have to fill up my gas tank once when we do travel,” junior Daniel Whelchel said. “I probably have to fill up my gas tank 3 times a month. It’s about $80.00 each time.”

“Sometimes we travel to Texas during the holidays,” junior Bailey Burch said. “We don’t drive; we fly”

“I go to Washington with my family during the holidays. We have to fill up the tank around three times on our way there,” sophomore Kendal Mager said. “It’s usually $78.00 to fill up the tank each time”

“We travel to Nebraska,” principal’s assistant Annette Sloggett said. “It usually takes about two tanks of gas to get us there. It’s around $45.00 to fill up my gas tank. I get 23 mpg.”

“I have to fill up twice a week, and it costs $150.00 each time,” said Burch. “I drive a F350 v10.”

It’s getting more expensive to travel to Grandma’s house during the holidays this year. Gas prices are $0.65 higher than it was last year and diesel prices are $0.83 higher.

Emily Ransone, Introduction to Journalism

Once you pull on your favorite pair of jeans and wrestle with the top button for fifteen minutes, you know that you’ve had one too many cups of eggnog over the holidays. Many Campbell County High School students are coming up with New Year’s resolutions for 2012 and losing weight is one of them.

 Junior Lindsey Pierce said, “Usually I try to lose weight for my New Year’s resolution.”

“My New Year’s resolution is to lose weight,” junior Josee Arguello said, “My dad said I would get a new pair of Harley Davidson boots if I did.”

“This past year I’ve been working on running and reading three times a week,” Math teacher Donavon Voight said. “I always do them back to back.”

“Last year I wanted to keep up my grades, but I didn’t. Resolutions are really hard to follow through with,” said senior Hailee Jayne. “It’s not something that you have to do, it’s just something you want to do,” added Jayne. “I think it just makes it harder to stick to them.”

Many students at CCHS try to do New Years’ resolutions, but it turns out its a lot harder to stick to the resolution than many people think.

“I think it’s hard to push yourself into sticking to something you are not used to doing,” said sophomore Hailee Steele.

“The test is to see if you can make it past the first month then you will see if you are able to stick to the resolution,” said Voight.

The new year is heading our way and many CCHS students and staff are spouting ideas for resolutions. What’s yours?

Hanna Huus, Introduction to Journalism

Whether it is chewing on non-edible objects, or running around insane for no apparent reason, all pets have some odd behavior.

“Squeezer is a Collie and Shar Pei mix,” sophomore Mercedes Stilson said. “Squeezer constantly runs into our house walls all by herself.  She is still more adorable than ever, but she’s an oddball dog.”

“My Terrier and Pomeranian mix, Mator runs in circles all the time,” senior Logan Wambeke said. “He will run into something and then run in circles again.”

Running around wildly and being psycho is most common with bizarre, unique pets. However, give them something to chase and they get even more wild.

“Annie is a Terrier and German Shepherd mix and she is definitely not like most dogs,” junior Chris Frye said. “Annie will chase red laser lights all over the place and won’t stop until the light is out of her sight. She gets so into it and makes it fun.”

Age doesn’t seem to calm them down either.

“My dog Kitna is a Pit-bull and Retriever mix. She’s seventeen years old and has seven tumors,” sophomore Kendal Mager said. “But that doesn’t stop her from chasing mice around.”

Some animals may surprise you when you see what they’re putting in their mouths.

“My Black Lab will eat sparkled crayons and tin foil,” librarian Sasha Davidson said. “We will laugh and cannot punish her for it. Gill is just too cute.”

“My Dachshund eats underwear on my bedroom floor,” sophomore Damon Groh said. “Oscar’s really gross.”

“Raisin is a Black Lab,” sophomore Daniel Merritt said. “She eats socks and towels. My mom can never fold laundry when Raisin is around.”

Dogs aren’t the only wild pets.

“My Flaming Point Siamese cat seriously plays tag,” junior Karissa Bowling said. “Bentley will run to touch you and once he does, he’ll run away.”

Odd behaviors vary from pet to pet. Even though a pet has crazy behaviors, you love them anyway.

Jordan Engdahl, Introduction to Journalism

“Wearing boots doesn’t make you a cowboy,” junior Bailey Birch said.

In the eyes of many, cowboys may be no different than an everyday hick.  However, many disagree.

            “I’m not a hick,” Birch said, “I’m a cowgirl. Hicks aren’t real cowboys, just wanna-be’s.”

            Ag teacher Troy Gladson walks the talk, “I’m a cowboy, but the stereotype that comes with that doesn’t bother me. Stereotypes are what you make of them.”

            Sophomore Lexi Hamm believes a “true” cowboy is someone who does what work needs to be done while using those country manners.

            “Cowboys are almost of a different breed,” Hamm said. “No one else does what we do; we’re just good-hearted, hard-working country people.”

            Living this hard working life style has its ups and downs.

            “The horses, hands down, have to be the best part,” senior Garrett Ford said.

            “Rodeo is my favorite thing about being a cowgirl,” Hamm said,” Being a team with your horse and winning; it’s like nothing else.”

            “The best part is just getting away from everything, like students,” Gladson said with a smile.

        “I hate fixing things on the ranch. “Ford said. “There’s always something new that has to be done.”

            “If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is ‘Buckle Bunnies’.” Hamm added. “The girls who dress like they’re ‘country’ just to get cowboys, they drive me nuts. They’re worse than moving cows on a snowy morning.”

            Ranching is more than just work and dress. It’s a family affair.

            “The ranch has been in the family for 60 years, but our family has lived in Campbell County for over a hundred and fifty years,” Hamm said.

            “It’s a tradition,” Gladson said. “I was born and raised working on the ranch. It has been in my family for 85 years.”

            Regardless if they’re running the barrels, scaring away coyotes on the ranch or chasing the Buckle Bunnies from their cowboy, you know the ways of the American cowboys are still a way of life for teens at CCHS.

Julieanne Reum, Junior Staff Writer

Every morning at Campbell County High School, students trudge in with coffee in hand. Whether it is Starbucks, Mountain Mudd, or Espresso Lube, caffeine is necessary for many ready to take on the day.

“I drink Starbucks two-three times a week,” junior Taryn Juby said. “I drink Espresso Lube too, but Starbucks would probably have to be my favorite.”

Of all coffee shops, Starbucks reigns best among CCHS students.

“I get the same thing every time I go to Starbucks,” junior Thomas Bush said. “I get the Double Chocolate Chip frappucino.”

“Starbucks is my favorite,” junior Taylor Chaulk agreed. “However, I don’t drink coffee, so I usually just get hot chocolate.”

“I always get a White Chocolate Mocha every time I go to Starbucks,” senior Miranda Nygaard said.  “I go about five times a week, but only once a day.”

Starbucks isn’t the only place students find easy to get their fix.

“I drink coffee every morning,” senior Jakob Pletcher said. “I go to Loaf ‘N’ Jug and get coffee with French vanilla creamer every time. I probably spend about 10 dollars a week.”

Travis Ladwig, Junior Editor

A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. Usually, New Year’s resolutions are something to accomplish in the coming year. CCHS students are thinking about what changes they would like to make for 2012.

“I usually don’t have resolutions, but this year I would like to become a better person,” senior Caitlin Black said.

“I would like to become more optimistic,” senior Michael Quinn said. “It would be a nice feeling to always have. This is the first resolution that I’ve ever had.”

“I don’t want to be judgmental,” sophomore Cheyenne Palu said. “I chose this because I’m mean. Last year I didn’t drink pop for my resolution.”

Even CCHS teachers are joining in on the fun.

“I’m not going to buy any more boots,” teacher Irene Daly said. “I buy a lot of boots so this one will be good.”

Recent studies at Bristol University show that 52% of all Americans participate in the resolutions, while only 12% actually achieve their goal. Popular resolutions that make help lives include: improving health, finances, career, themselves, and volunteering. In addition, students at CCHS feel they should better their lives academically.

“I am going to get better grades from now on,” junior Cathryn Swisher said.

Not All CCHS students participate in resolutions.

“I never really have any resolutions,” senior Shawn Johnson said. “I never stick to my commitments.”

New Year’s is coming up quickly, and with so many choices to pick from, what will your resolution be?

Riley Swanson, Senior staff writer

As of December 16^th,when the last bell rings, CCHS students can catch their breath and plan for the next two weeks of winter break, where some will relax and play video games or go on an adventurous travel.

Junior Jacey LaManna said, “My family goes up to a ski resort on midnight for the great New Year’s experience.”

“I hang out with my Grandfather and family during break and play board games.” senior Keaton Smith said.

Having a two-week break is a great time to take a trip, having a shopping spree, or just chill. Students have unlimited options over the winter break.

Sophomore James Christianson said, “After I spend some time with my family and friends, and purchase COD, the outside world will be a two week long mystery.”

“Going up to Colorado to shred the gnar is always a must over winter break, ”junior Brady Durgin said. “New Year’s is a time to be shared with family and friends.”

Winter break is the perfect time in the school year to have time off, it takes some stress off, and students always take advantage of it.