Travis Ladwig, Junior Editor

On September 11, 2001 I left my happy small-town kindergarten class in Mellette, South Dakota to find my parents at home. They sat me down and explained to me that there was a fire, and many people were hurt.

Although I was only six, I knew that there was something more wrong. And now ten years later, the events of September 11^th have hit closer more to home than I have could ever imagined.

In the past year, my brother, PFC Bryce Ladwig, has already been to Iraq and back. I never stopped to think how my life, or his, would be altered 10 years later by the tragedy. My brother was just nine years old the day of the attacks.

Now, he is serving in the Army, fighting overseas alongside other brave soldiers, and keeping our country safe.

When Bryce first mentioned being in the service, I was still in elementary school. I didn’t take him seriously but now I wish I did. Later, when he told my family that he was going to sign up, I was in 9^th grade, and again, I didn’t think much

about it. I was just excited about the summer coming up, and being able to hang out with my brother. But instead of spending a summer of fun with him, I had to say goodbye. My brother was off to Basic Training; he had graduated from CCHS

just two weeks earlier.

Before he left, he and I had a heart-to-heart conversation about our dreams and goals. I asked him the reason why he really joined and he said, “I have always wanted to be part of something big like this, and September 11^th made my

decision final.”

I have witnessed first hand, the graduation of soldiers from basic training, at Fort Benning, Georgia. But at that time, I only saw happiness; the fear of war was being masked.

After graduating from Basic Training in August: my brother was relocated to another base, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was there until he received his orders. He then headed overseas to Iraq, to fight in Operation New Dawn. I finally

realized what was actually happening; the sheer tenacity of war had hit our home.

“Not being able to see him face to face, or knowing if he is safe or not is very tough. I miss being able to give him a hug and laugh at our silly stories.” our mother said.

After a deployment in Iraq, my brother came home, safe and sound. He now is located again Georgia. He and many other brave soldiers are waiting for the call of duty, to keep our country safe and free, and to prevent any more tragedies like

September 11th on our country.

In Gillette, remembrances were held in churches, fire departments, and the college. Some participated in a moment of loudness, where people city-wide sounded horns and sirens. In my brother’s case, he and other soldiers teamed with the

community in Hinesville, Georgia, which is outside of Fort Steward, to do a “Freedom Walk” to recognize the first responders and the lives lost. The freedom walk consisted of supporters walking down streets, carrying banners, in a parade

type manner. “A lot of guys from my company got together to join in. It was a great way to remember those lost, but was very emotional for all of us.”

Jessica Dinan, Junior Staff Writer

In today’s world, genuineness has lost its magnitude. Adolescents undergo the need of a barrier, keeping their true person latent.
It is said that 8 out of 10 women are discontented with their reflection and usually see a distorted image unpleasing to the eye. Yet men show a different reaction either satisfied or uncaring to their reflection. Typically, they fail to notice their flaws when looking upon their reflection.
Therefore, we all endeavor to create someone different out of ourselves thanks to the disparaging world surrounding us.
Thereupon, girls become vulnerable and learn to coat their insecurity with a blanket of make-up and vicious remarks. Boys conceal their feelings with a pass to the gym and indiscretion. And still, after becoming the plastic mannequin we’ve set out to be, we continue to set standards for others and ourselves that prolong miles above our heads.
Regrettably, many girls and boys suffer from low self-esteem and experience self doubt. They fear others opinions and let it manipulate them. They disregard compliments and continuously point out the negative areas in their appearance.
Insecurity emerges from low self-esteem, and the tendency of believing you’re never good enough constantly arises. It leads to feeling inept and incompetent.
However, reaching perfection (the standard we set) is hopeless. With it come expectations impossible to achieve. Copious amounts of disappointment waiting for you at the end of every challenge or obstacle you strive to overcome. And always the spiteful words and whispers from “peers.” We let them dig into our skin, and tear away at our shelter. In the end, we are left defenseless and susceptible.
Take into consideration that flaws are inevitable. In life, it is essential to overlook your imperfections that people point out.
Ultimately, few of us are immune to the murmurs seeping through our ears. However, for those of us not, remember they are insignificant and not worth suffering for.

Antonia Aipperspach

By Antonia Aipperspach

Senior Staff Writer

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”                  – Mark Twain

Forgive and forget, that’s what people say, but everyone has gone through the wilds of forgiving and being forgiven.  In much the same way as Mark Twain, the students and staff of CCHS believe in forgiveness as a way to set themselves free from burden and leave their offender in good graces.

“Forgiveness means to fully absolve someone of any wrong they have done to you,” said junior Christian Held. “When you forgive someone, your physical demeanor changes around them. You have peace and the whole situation doesn’t bother you anymore.”

Forgiveness is not an easy task. There are those who are harder to forgive than others and things that may be unworthy of the strength and release of forgiveness.

“It’s hardest to forgive my parents because they aren’t supposed to hurt you,” said Marybeth Henley, a senior.

“If somebody offends or hurts you, forgiveness is to release them from revenge. It’s hard to forgive family because you’re always around them and you’re all really close, so you’re more vulnerable to them because they know your faults,” band teacher Christopher Lubken said.

What about the other side of the puzzle? Of course, it’s important to forgive, but what happens when someone won’t forgive you?

“Not forgiving someone is more your problem then the person’s,” Jessica Christopherson a senior said, “You might feel like if you let it go, you won’t be punishing that person anymore but really they don’t care.”

Sophomore Cari Newsome said, “I lost my temper and yelled at a friend and I lost them because they wouldn’t forgive me.”

“Forgive and forget,” the wise and the old always say, but they never remind us of how difficult it can be. Forget maybe and leave yourself with a load of un-forgiveness, but forgive and remember the pain as a reminder of how it made you strong.

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.

As seniors in high school, we are being asked to step up and be adults. But how can society expect us to grow up when we are still treated like children?
On a Friday in September, all of the seniors attended an assembly presented by the president of the University of Wyoming. He spoke to us about our futures and about our post-high school education. We appreciate the fact that people are willing to take time out of their lives for us, but at some point you have to know what is appropriate and what is crossing the line. His speech, although given with good intentions, was biased and it offended not only us but also several fellow students. It seemed as if he was trying to convince us that the fine arts are a waste of time and are only available to fill up a schedule or for graduation credits. He said that to get into a “good school”, we must focus on math, science, and history classes.
Coming from two students who are both very serious about their art and have both taken blue ribbons from state competitions, we can honestly say that we’re not in ceramics, painting, watercolor, photo, and drawing classes for the “easy grade” or the “fluff”. We are passionate about what we do and art is just as serious to us as walking on the moon is to an astronaut.
Society’s views on what we should do when we grow up are tainted. Just because we love art, in every form, does not mean we will not be successful in other areas of our lives.
This is not an attack, but rather a suggestion that when one is addressing a room full of diverse and dynamic people, you use respect and appreciate all types of interests. Everyone is different, and when you insult something, you insult everyone who believes in it.
We simply want our passion to be respected more. Without art, the world would be bland. Whether it’s the label on a jar of peanut butter or a famous painting, someone has poured himself or herself into it to make it beautiful or interesting or captivating.

Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

Jayde Fristam and Alexa Cooper,
Campbell County High School