By Aldon Kline

Junior staff writer

Aldon Kline

Piercing and gauging has become a popular trend among the students who walk the halls of Campbell County High School.
“When I was four, I got my first piercing: my ears,” said junior Ashlee Keith. “Later on I gauged them, but my mom ripped them out. I still have my tongue pierced though.”
“I absolutely love my lip piercing,” said junior Seanna Lanich. “If I need to cover it up, I just throw a bunch of make-up on my clear ring.”
Students aren’t the only ones who pierce. “I have two piercings in one ear and one in the other ear,” said Drivers Education teacher Wayne Carrier. “When I got married 31 years ago, we exchanged earrings instead of rings. When my mother passed, away I made a diamond earring out of her rings and wore that. Piercings are personal; they mean something to me.”
Gauging is another type of piercing which involves the earlobes. It’s a stretching of the skin. Ordinarily ears are the most typically gauged, but one can also gauge the tongue, nasal passage, and lips.
Senior Addison Eldridge, whose ears are gauged, said, “I love my gauges, or else I wouldn’t have them.”
Senior Ryker Puls used to have gauged ears, but had them fixed this year.
“I got my ears pierced when I was a freshman. I did it myself with sharp earrings,” said Puls. “I was only 15, and I thought I could make my own choices.”
“I started gauging once my ears healed up from the original piercing. My parents did not approve and they constantly gave me a hard time,” said Puls.
“I decided to fix them for my future and to prove I could grow up. I was judged all the time, like when I went to Wal-mart and around Gillette. On top of that my girlfriends parents still hate me. I was treated like a freak.”
“To fix my ears, the doctors stabbed a giant needle through my ears to numb them and that was the most painful experience of my life. After the numbing, the doctor cut the side of my ear attached to my face and from then pulled the flab and cut off the extra skin off. With the extra skin, the doctor sewed back my ears. Now I have beautiful little pearls,” said Puls explained.
Though piercings and gauges can be repaired, it’s still a major decision not to be taken lightly. Either way it’s a trend here to stay.

By Antonia Wilburn-Aipperspach

Spirituality, religion, God or none; what do they all mean? Dictionary.com defines religion as a “strong belief in a super natural power, or powers that control human destiny.” Campbell County High School students characterize it with an even stronger opinion.

Senior Nick Fleming bluntly described religion as going to church. “I believe in God, but church is boring.” He considers himself as more spiritual than religious. “Religious people go to church and spiritual people don’t,” continued Fleming but he isn’t the only one who thinks this way.

Angel Bentz, a CCHS guidance counselor said, “I would say I am somewhat religious, but far more spiritual because whether religious or spiritual, I like to keep to myself.”

“No, [I’m not religious because] I don’t go to church at all,” stated senior Joey Speigelmeyer.

“Religion is trouble,” said junior Mark Jaramillo. “It’s just a pain in the neck. For me, I don’t really need religion. It’s not something that’s a big part of my life.”

Sophomore Linsay Rogers said, “I am not religious or spiritual because I have not decided what I believe or know yet.”

In much the same as Rogers’ statement, junior Chris Schultz expresssed, “I am not religious, but I believe in God. I just don’t necessarily accept all the teachings of church.”

“My aunt is very religious. She tries to force her religion on me. It’s weird because I don’t want it,” shared Sabra Kinsinger, a sophomore.

Senior Oran Tollefsrud said, “I think religious people are brainwashed by pictures and videos.”

So, if hardly anyone is religious, then what are they? Where do they get their hope? According to a new Pew Forum survey, more than one-quarter of Americans have abandoned the faith in which they were raised to pursue another or absolutely none at all. Are student at CCHS headed down the same road?

Kelby Clements, Staff Writer

  At least one person in your house has that one show they won’t miss. Whether it’s Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday nights or American Idol on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, millions of people tune into their favorite shows across the nation. “Survivor is my all time favorite, but my family and I also watch the Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race,” said Campus Supervisor Linda Settlemyer.

Some families no longer sit at a dinner table and enjoy a family meal, more and more are spending their dinner in the living room in front of the television. Senior Alex Johnson said, “I watch Scarred during dinner usually.”  

A lot of times watching a show can be a sanctioned event in a household. “Make it or Break it with my mom every Monday night,” said junior Megan Nedved. “It’s filled with all sorts of drama. It’s a chick show about gymnastics.”

At the same time, not everyone in any particular household has the same taste. “I watch Nitro Circus fairly often,” said junior Jim Penner. “It’s pretty intense and entertaining as well. My family on the other hand, thinks they’re all stupid.”

            “Chuck!” said senior Melissa Merchen. “I don’t think many people know about it, but it’s hilarious. It’s on every Monday at seven. My family and I have every season on DVD, so it’s great.”  

With all the new shows, many people still haven’t recovered from their cancelled favorites. “I miss Rugrats so much,” said junior Connor Shanks.

“It used to be my favorite show.”

            “Since I’m a little too old for Dragon Ball Z these days, I’d say Two and A Half Men would have to be my favorite,” said senior Patrick McCreery.

            Whether you’re a suspense fan or if comedy is more your thing, chances are there’s a show that you could potentially fall in love with. “My favorite is Numbers,” said senior Josh Nodland. “I like the mystery and suspense of how the crimes get solved. It’s on every Friday night.”

Disney has been making waves since Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens. Now even more tune into the channel for things like Cory in the House, That’s so Raven and the extremely popular JONAS. But the truth be told, we all know who sits on Disney’s entertainment throne. “Hannah Montana! It’s the best!!” agreed senior Cammryn Nelson, and juniors Shaylee Thar and Taylor Snowden.

            Even networks such as Starz and Encore have jumped on the original television series bandwagon and introduced shows like Crash, Party Down and Gravity. Juniors Jesse Johnston and Cody Kalbfleisch both said, “The best show Starz offers is Sparticus: Blood and Sand.” 

            “I enjoy watching Dexter, said junior Andrew Merryman.  It’s sick and demanding. I generally watch it with my friends or brother.”

            It seems like just about every other day there is a new show premeiring on television. Some will succeed, and others won’t last long, it seems America has developed a love for medical drama. Senior Kendra Leseberg and multiple others agreed that House was among their favorites.

Shows that follow people through their daily work schedule, or just a wild occupation have become popular thanks to Dirty Jobs, L.A. Ink, Deadliest Catch and Ace of Cakes. Along with that, America has also developed a love for fictional shows about the workplace.  “I like The Office because it’s really fun,” said senior Eric Shipman.  “It shows that you can have a ton of fun in a boring workplace. I usually set some time aside on Tuesdays and Thursdays to catch it.”

Yes, even teachers watch t.v. I like most of the things The History Channel shows and I also watch Masterpiece Theatre on PBS,” said Watercolor teacher Stevie Wilson. “I also watch Turner Classic Movies a lot, which is movies from the late 30’s and 40’s since then there hasn’t been to many good actors, with the exception of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.”

If that’s not your thing though, feel free to do some channel surfing and find something to suit you. Chances are there’s a show that could end up being your new favorite.

Julionna Skinner, Staff Writer

Solids or prints; short or long; fitted or poofy; strapless or v-neck, expensive or inexpensive: So many choices and yet some girls have already found what they’re looking for in a prom dress. Whether it’s online or in the store window, dresses have already been purchased for prom, which is scheduled for May 8^th, 2010.

            The local shop downtown provides a selection that have satisfied some. Sophomore Savannah Schiller said, “I got a short fuschia dress with a halter that crosses in the back from Lasting Memories for $110.”

“I got mine downtown for $140,” senior Devyn Hardy added.

“It took me two days to find my dress,” said junior Shannon Ireland. “I purchased a pink and poofy one at Lasting Memories for $315.”

Girls also took the time to go out of town to find their dress. “I spent two hours looking for mine and purchased it for $538 in Spearfish,” senior Morgan Pearson said.

            Junior Angela Christensen added, “I went with a fitted dark blue dress at Kathleen’s in South Dakota for $305.”

            Others have taken the time to search online for their dresses or simply borrowed a dress. “My dress is purple with a little bit of poof at the bottom,” junior Amber Gangestad said. “I looked for awhile before deciding to order it on the internet.”

Junior Liz Anderson added, “I got an orange strapless dress online.”

“I borrowed a green dress from a family friend,” junior Bailey Wenz said.

Many girls are prepared for this special event, ready to go with their dress. The date is approaching and prom will be here before we know it.

Shaylie Brown, Staff Writer

When students leave elementary school to go to junior high, and then once again leave junior high to go to high school, it is a big change. New building, new class structure, and of course, new friends. Often times, students slowly stop hanging out with their elementary school friends and hang out with their new high school friends. However, many students at Campbell County High School are still close with their childhood buddies.

“We are still best friends,” said juniors Wade Penfold and Kyle Hurst. “We have been since sixth grade at Paintbrush Elementary.”

“Yes, some of the people I hang out with from Conestoga Elementary School are still my best friends,” said sophomore Jordan Parsons.

“I don’t have many friends from elementary school. Maybe one or two,” said senior Alex Duvall, who attended Paintbrush Elementary.

“Yeah, Katie Wahe is still my best friend. We’ve been best friends throughout elementary school at Sunflower,” said junior Scott Walker.

Junior Becca Wollman had a different answer than most. “I’m not friends with anyone from my elementary school, Conestoga, anymore,” Wollman said. “I just lost touch with them.”

“I’m not friends with any of my elementary school buddies,” said Spanish teacher Renee Fritzen. “I went to school in Australia and moved around a lot.”

Whether or not students still hang out with their elementary school buddies, it is important to have friends to count on and be oneself around. Just like American Philosopher Elbert Hubard said, “Your friend is the person who knows all about you, and still likes you.”

Malaree Holland, Staff Writer

It’s the thought that counts, right? Valentine’s Day is about expressing love for one another, but what happens when your gift is totally thoughtless? If you’re someone who has a hard time giving gifts, you might want to keep this in mind for what not to give.
Senior Payton Young had the perfect example of a thoughtless gift. “One time I got a ton of chocolate which was bad, because I’m allergic to it.”  Remember: if it can kill them, it’s not a good gift!
Sophomore Kerri Manroy and senior Kris Nemec both said that they didn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day one year. Sometime’s nothing is better than something though.
“The first year I was married, my husband got me a kitchen table for Valentine’s Day,” said Kelly Morehead, Associate Principal.  “It was a very nice table, but it’s not something you want for Valentine’s Day.”
“I got some really old chocolate from my grandma last year,” said junior Kylee Loutas. “It was like three years old!”
Junior Amiee Sankovich said, “I got some old chocolate too. It was really hard and gross.” Before you give food, please reference the expiration date.
Another bad gift, according to junior Paula Andrie, is bad smelling flowers, “A couple years ago, I got a bouquet of really pretty flowers, but they smelt really, really bad.”
So remember this when you’re Valentine’s Day shopping:
What Not To Get Your Loved One
5. Stuff that smells bad
4. Furniture of any kind
3. Perishable items past the expiration date
2. Nothing
1. Things that pose life-threatening danger

Kinzi Zetner, Staff Writer

Dating is hard enough with wondering if feelings are even real and then trying to get the approval of your family and friends. Add boundaries, rules of what is and isn’t allowed, and it pretty much becomes impossible. The boundaries eventually expand to the family and the friends and whether or not it’s acceptable to date your best friend’s ex. Some think its ok to date your best friend’s ex. Some think it’s the worst thing to do.
“I think that if it’s okay with your friend first that you’re dating their ex, then it’s okay,” said junior Nick Christofferson.
“Generally, I don’t go out with anybody who’s kissed one of my friends,” said junior Brandon Kosier. “If it hasn’t gone to that point, then they are up for grabs.”
“A person that respects themselves and their ex, wouldn’t fall into one of these situations,” said Gillette College student Toni Iberri. “But we don’t always choose who we fall in love with.”
According to Teen Vogue the rules are simple:
Rule number 1- Ask yourself how important the friendship really is to you. Are you more confiding friends or more casual? If you lost his friendship how badly would you feel? Are you willing to break off other ties with your other friends for this person?
Rule number 2- Whose side are you on? If the break up was wanted by one but not the other, there might be a feeling of betrayal.
Rule number 3- Be up front and honest with your friend about how you really feel. Love and hate are just a fine line away from each other. Be prepared to lose a friendship.
Maturity and wisdom don’t always come with the years and decisions of the heart. Let it be friendship or love, it doesn’t always bring us happiness. Would you risk your friendship for a person whom you aren’t sure how long will be there for you?

Andrew Merryman, Staff Writer

Gillette, Wyoming. The beautiful…the beautiful…antelope? The need for vacations seems necessary for citizens in Gillette. There is not much in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, which makes locals crave vacations.
A student attends class every week for a good chunk of the year, and that seems to wear on the student. Vacations may act as a legitimate excuse for getting away from the repetitive school life. “Not having to come to school,” is the reason for vacation according to junior Dalton Carroll. “When you’re at school, it is stressful and you have to wake up early.”
Campbell County High School students take a few days off for a special occasion, also to spend time with family. “I went to Vegas for my cousin’s 21st birthday,” said senior Corey Walker.
A lot of students take vacations to visit family. Senior Gabby Bazemore visits family during summer. “We normally go to Arizona for summer vacation. We get to see our family.”
Other Campbell County High School students go to places a bit cooler to visit family for a vacation. “I went to Minnesota because I had to see my great grandma,” stated sophomore Logan Wambeke.
The meaning of vacationing is a period of time devoted to rest, pleasure, and relaxation. Some students beg to differ. “My favorite vacation was when I went to Park City because I went skiing,” stated Carroll.
Campus Security Linda Settelmeyer said she,  “Went to Disney World in Florida; we went as a family.” For some people skiing and going on roller coasters is not a form of relaxing, but for others that is the way to spend a vacation. Settlemeyer likes to use vacationing as a learning experience also, “Going on trips is a learning tool for my kids.”
From grabbing your skis and hitting the slopes, to digging your toes in the sand, vacationing gives people a reason to get away from their stressful lives.

Callie Wilson, Staff Writer

Starting second semester, there are only 87 days left of school for seniors, and 93 for juniors and sophomores. Plans for making summer vacations have started to fill students’ minds. From days spent at the lake, to trips to the ocean, every student dreams of that perfect vacation to highlight their summer.
“If I could vacation anywhere in the world, I would go to Australia,” junior Dani Hitt said.  “I have always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House because I love opera.”
Sophomore Erin Thamm dreams of going to Italy. “I have always wanted to see the Trevi Fountain, and Venice because there is tons of pretty architecture.”
“I would love to go live in a French chateau to relax, hangout, and tour places,” senior Kaylyn Bahnson said. Bahnson remembers one previous vacation that ended up going not as planned. “My family and I were going to vacation in Montana, but ended up in Canada. Since there were no hotels available for us to stay in, we ended up going to Idaho and then back to Wyoming,” Bahnson said.
“Oh man…dream vacation. I would like to go to Egypt, if it wasn’t too hot,” ceramics teacher Jason Linduska said.
Senior Corey Walker said, “I would go to Tijuana to play soccer with local kids.”
Whether you’re staying home for summer vacation, or traveling to a foreign country, everyone looks forward to those three months of freedom from school.     Start planning ahead to make sure your dream vacation for the year of 2010 is perfect.

Antonia Wilburn, Staff Writer

“Hey you!” Oh no, not again. The laughter bursts into the open air and a heated spotlight brought a cold sweat to the back of my neck. This couldn’t be happening. My eyes drooped south with horror as the last of the shout-out rang loud in my ears. “You’re fly is open.” My skin blushed at the silly mistake. I can’t believe it happened again. Those moments when you let your guard down, when life is carefree, and suddenly, like a slap to your face, embarrassment hits you with its best. As for senior Cory Lujan, he can reminisce on his 8th grade blooper.  “Looking back, I can laugh now, but I was dying of embarrassment then.”
TAKE ONE: TEACHERS AND STAFF
Getting in that ripe old age they can’t help but stuff their nylons in their skirts or trip over their own two feet. Let’s hear a round of applause for our teachers and staff!
“During my first year of teaching, I wore blue striped underwear with a white skirt. My students wrote me a note in Spanglish to explain,” shared Spanish teacher Renee Fritzen
Librarian Sasha Davidson said, “When I was in junior high, I blew Dr. Pepper out of my nose at someone’s joke. It really hurt!”
“In junior high we were doing pantomimes in English class and mine was to jump rope. My knee went out during my turn and in the end, four boys had to carry me across the street to the hospital on a stretcher,” laughed librarian Mitzie Neugebauer.

TAKE TWO: STUDENTS
They’re small and inexperienced when life throws a fast -ball. Of course these things are going to happen to the sophomores.
“When I was really little, I peed my pants in front of Albertson’s,” Jordan Robert admitted, “but I was really little.”
“I was heading downstairs in my house and decided to jump from the top stair. I hit my head and was laughing myself to death.” said Joe Averett.
Jena Zim added, “I pants my friend in the Wal-Mart parking lot at ten at night right as a family with little kids and old people walked around the corner.
Autumn Wilson said, “So I went to the store with my best friend and she thought it would be funny to rip my shirt off and she made me walk home without a shirt. It was like a mile and a half back to my house.”
They have their up days and their down days. There’s no telling what could happen in the rollercoaster life of a junior.
“A couple of years ago, when we were on our way to Minnesota, we stopped at a gas station to use the restroom,” shared Evie Martin.  “My brother had gone down the hallway where the bathrooms were and ignoring the signs, took a left when he should’ve went right. As he was getting ready to exit the stall, he heard women’s voices and thought, ‘Oh no!’ He walked out of the stall, looked at all the women, and while they were still laughing, he left the bathroom. It was then that he noticed the ‘women’ sign on the door. The funniest part, is that the shirt he was wearing said, ‘I Smile Because I Have no Idea What’s Going On.”
“My cousin and I were in the kitchen peeling potatoes,” Autumn Titel mentioned.  “We were laughing so hard about what, I can’t remember. And then my cousin poked me in the stomach. At the same time he poked me, I ‘tooted‘ and to this day, he still won’t leave me alone about it.”

Julionna Skinner, Staff Writer

Flowers, heart-shaped candy, and stuffed animals in pink, red and white fill the stores soon after New Year’s. Valentine’s Day is not too far around the corner. Although not the most popular holiday, some students still choose to celebrate.
Junior Amy Bradley said, “I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day because I think everyone should express their feelings everyday instead of just one.”
“I don’t really do anything,” added sophomore Brittney Lacek. “It’s more of a relationship holiday.”
On the other hand, junior Angela Christensen said, “I love Valentine’s Day. I’m making cookies this year and hanging out with the boy.”
“I take my wife out to dinner and get her flowers,” Physics teacher Glenn Knapp said.
Senior Katie Foster said, “I like getting presents such as flowers and candy, but I don’t like when I am alone for it.”
Whether or not you try to avoid the aisles in the store, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Make sure you don’t let down your special someone and be sure to spread a little love everyday.