In April of 2010, Gillette resident Ed Bruns received 1,501 piercings over his body to beat the Guinness World Record for most piercings at a time. Several students at Campbell County High School have received piercings, but maybe not to that extreme.

Sophomore Anna Atkins’ ears have been pierced since she was five, and now she has seven piercings. “I felt like getting my ears pierced more and I told my sister I would do it with her,” said Atkins. “ I own too many earrings that I can’t even count them.

Senior Grace Davis started getting piercing at five years old and now has six. Also, junior Misty Hadenham has six and has had them for two years. “I got addicted to piercings because of the artistic side of it,” said Hadenham.

Jamie Knickerbocker, a junior, has eight pProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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rcings. Knickerbocker was twelve when she started getting piercings. “It did hurt getting all four sides of my belly button done,” said Knickerbocker.

Dakota McCann, a senior, not only has his ears pierced, but gauged too. “I did it for fun and saw it on people when I was younger,” said McCann.  Both Handham and McCann want to get their noses pierced.

However there are students who won’t go that far. ”I don’t want my belly button, nose, or eyebrow pierced because I’ve seen people get them ripped out and it was gross,” said Davis.

Riley Swanson

It’s Christmas morning and underneath the tree is an abundance of presents waiting to be opened.   However, if you were like the average kid 10 years ago, you were hoping for that one special gift:  perhaps a Gameboy Color.  Was that special gift from Santa there?

We all appreciate the thought from Grandma: presents like socks and underwear, but every kid loves getting something greater. Junior Darby Kokesh said, “The best present I’ve ever gotten was my Australian Shepherd when I was nine years old.”

“Christmas Eve when I was 16, I received my first car: a 2008 Ford Explorer,” said sophomore Logan Wasson. “I received 700 dollars worth of speakers and lights inside too.”

“I still remember the day I got my first hockey stick,” said junior Austin Tennant. “I was five years old and it was the happiest I have ever been.”

For some teens the best gift they could ever get isn’t wrapped in shiny paper.  Senior Shantell Nygaard said, “My older sister only comes into town once a year and that’s for Christmas, and to me, that’s better than any present I could ever get.”

“Last year my dad came home from Iraq,” said sophomore Ashley Robins. “We all cried at the airport.  That was the best gift ever.”

Business teacher Toni Watt agreed. “Seeing my parents at my age is more important than unwrapping any present.”

Whether it’s opening presents, or seeing family for the holidays, no other occasion is greater than Christmas.  Oh, and hopefully you eventually got that Gameboy Color.

Lauren Seamans

Black Friday is not just a one-day event; it takes strategic planning, plotting, and spending. Hours were spent strenuously tearing through the millions of advertisements and cutting out thousands of coupons and then finally mapping out the stores to be hit on the quest for giant sales. All of this is before the turkey coma has even worn off.

On the morning of November 25 at my grandma’s house in Greeley, Colorado, my alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. By 6:30, my family and I were heading to our first stop: Kohls. Hoping that we had beaten the 4 a.m. rush, we searched the parking lot praying for a space. We gathered our courage and stepped inside only to be greeted by a mad house of frantic shoppers running around looting the store. There were no carts to be found and the store was complete chaos. The 4 a.m. rush had never ended.

After scourging around clothes and misplaced toys, my grandma found three sweaters that suited her and then the waiting began. The line wrapped entirely around the store and a grueling 45 minutes later, we were checked out by a flustered cashier.

Stop number two was Macy’s, and proved much more rewarding. As soon as I walked through the doors, I spotted the most beautiful coat I had ever seen. Rushing up to it, I realized that the price had dropped from $90 to $30, plus there was only one left in my size! Obviously, finding this coat was fate and not being able to argue with my own logic, I bought it on the spot.

The magic of Christmas shopping started to take control of me. Every time I spotted something, I suddenly couldn’t live without it; my palms grew sweaty and my heart beat a mile a minute. I was in love. A wise saleslady told me that 60 percent of Black Friday shoppers buy for themselves, so I felt that I was justified in my spending. I did manage to get a few presents for others; mostly my cash flow went towards a present for a friend, and then a present to myself from muah.

Black Friday was not all fun and games. I experienced my first shopping heartache after finding the perfect white-buttoned coat, only to miss out on the sale and completely losing it. Leaving the store feeling empty-handed left me with a sense of loss, and my money screamed to be spent.

For the most part, Black Friday was rewarding. I left with a giant hole in my wallet, but bags filled with presents for all, and a few bonuses for me.

Trista Fortuna

“One time I got this cheese grater, even better, an electric cheese grater for Christmas,” said junior Kaycee Schriber. “My parents thought it would be a definite necessity to my life.”

We all know the pain of an ugly sweater from Grandma, the little toys we receive when aunts and uncles assume we’re still five, but best of all, the gifts we look at and think, “…Really?”

“The worst present I ever got was a spandex mini skirt from my ex-husband,” said teacher Pat Waliser. “The weird part was my sisters got mini skirts the year before that, and I had made fun of them.”

“I got a paper lamp one time,” said junior Nikki Pellman, “It was strange because it was only a cord, light bulb and paper.”

Do you ever wonder what people are thinking when they go shopping for Christmas? Or in this case, raid their pantry? “Once I got a jar of pickles from my Grandma,” said senior Sam Crone. “Probably some of the best pickles I ever had though.”

“I once got a walnut from my 90 year old granny,” said art teacher Jason Linduska, “It was even wrapped.”

Giving away presents is the best part of Christmas, especially when you shop from your bathroom. “I once gave a friend shaving cream and a razor,” said Schriber.

Senior Wade Penfold added, “The weirdest present I have ever given away was Depends.”

“One time I gave away toilet paper,” said senior Ashley Knofczynski.

Receiving an odd gift only gives us an opportunity to give an odd gift back. “I once got a bunch of duct tape from my sisters,” said sophomore Tanner Sandvick. “So the next year, I got them tons of light bulbs.”

Christmas presents aren’t always the greatest, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Kate Young

Mom turns off the lights and tells everyone to get to bed. “It’s a big day tomorrow. The big man should be showing up any minute now.” It’s late at night on Christmas Eve. That jolly old man won’t get away this time! Operation Gotcha Claus is a go.

From the beginning of the Christmas holiday, the mystery surrounding this red-cheeked man has captivated children around the world. Children stay up late. They get up early, or sneak around the house, all in the hopes of stealing a peek at that white bearded fellow. All in vain, as he has eluded them.

“I remember when we were kids, my two sisters and my brother, hiding behind the couch because we wanted to catch Santa. Then we heard something on the roof and we said, ‘Shhh! Reindeer…,’ ” said Rene Fritzen, North Campus Spanish teacher, reminiscing about her Christmas capers.

Not all methods by the children are that simple. “When I was little, I had a reindeer and polar bear stuffed animals, and I loved them. Every year I would wrap up Comet [the reindeer] in a blanket with snacks, flashlight, and a walkie talkie. I would have my own walkie talkie with Almond [the polar bear],” said junior Erin Thamm. “Every Christmas Eve after I bundled up Comet, I would throw him out the front door into the snow and left him there till morning. He came back every morning. You see, he had to go help Santa. He was a reindeer.”

Senior Leilani Fowlke took a more high-tech approach by hiding her hand-held video camera across from the tree in hopes of catching that elusive Christmas champion in the act. Her attempt was unsuccessful. She was in good company.

Sophomore Cody Carpenter, an adventurous youth, remembers one failed attempt with his cousin. “We used to hide in the living room. I hid under the laundry basket and my cousin hid underneath the couch. We didn’t see him though, we got caught by my grandpa.”

The years go by but the mystery remains the same. Santa Claus, Saint Nick, or simply The Old Man in the Red Suit, leaves a trail of wonder and awe everywhere he goes. Whether you listen for the hooves of reindeer on the roof, stick a walkie talkie with a kidnapped Comet, record the Christmas tree, or simple sneak past your family in the hopes of seeing him, the reason behind these methods stay the same. However, it may be better that he’s never caught, so as to keep the sense of adventure and mystery alive.

Malaree Holland

Thanksgiving is over, Wal-mart has put out their stockings and tinsel, and the Christmas music is playing everywhere. Not only that, but Starbucks has brought back their signature holiday drinks and the shopping rush has begun. Christmas cheer is all around Campbell County High School.

“The time we get off of school really puts me in the holiday mood,” said senior Mitch Nedved. “School gets so hectic around this time, and we deserve a break.”

After school is released, individual homes start to prepare for the long awaited visit from old Saint Nick.

“I love the presents. It’s the best part of Christmas,” said Brock Ballweber, CCHS Social Studies teacher. “When I was in sixth grade, I got a Ricky Williams Longhorn jersey and it made my year.”

The rhythmic jingles of the Christmas music ringing through shops and imitating sleigh bells is a very popular way of spreading cheer. “I love Christmas music,” said junior Brittany Clausen. “It’s just so cheery and light.”

“To get into the Christmas spirit, I listen to Christmas music while baking some holiday cookies,” said sophomore Cole Petty.

Ballweber agreed. “The music is definitely the cheeriest part of the season.”

Senior Josh Wright gets in the spirit before Christmas by opening more presents. “My birthday is on the 19^th, so it’s a fun way to celebrate the season.”

From the hot chocolate to cheery jingles and twinkly lights, Christmas cheer warms the hearts of CCHS students.

Kate Young

The Bishops

The Bishops

Question: Do you and your sibling have twin telepathy?

Brenda: That would be scary.

Bobby: Nope.

Q: What is your favorite story about you and your twin?

Brenda: We had this little pool and my brother hated the water. Our dad would put him in and I would splash him and it would  make him mad.

Bobby: Same as Brenda.

Q: What is your relationship like?

Brenda: Better now, more than in the past.

Bobby: I kinda like her.

Q: Are there any sort of strange questions that people ask you?

Brenda: If we’re identical.

Bobby: None.

Q: Do you like being a twin?

Brenda: It’s not bad.

Bobby: It’s okay.

The Youngs

Taylor and Kate Young

Q: Do you have twin telepathy?

Kate: No way, that’s only in the movies.

Taylor: No, but I wish I did.

Q: What is your favorite memory between you and your sister?

Kate: When we would sneak off and hide from our mom in the department store, she would freak out and Tay and I would just be giggling in a rack of clothes.

Taylor: I loved when we went to Disneyworld. There was no one there, literally no lines! It was so much fun!

Q: What is your relationship like?

Kate: We’re really close; we’re always together.

Taylor: Of course we’re close! She’s my best friend.

Q: Is there any questions you get asked a lot?

Kate: If we can read each other’s mind.

Taylor: We get asked if we have twin telepathy and if I like being a twin.

Q: Would you rather be a twin or an only child?

Kate: I wouldn’t know what to do if I was an only child.

Taylor: Twin, because I always have someone with me.

The Pownals

Taylor & Tyler Pownall

Q: What is your relationship like?

Taylor: Best friends, we get along great.

Tyler: Yeah, we’re best friends.

Q: Frequently asked questions?

Taylor: Can you feel if he [Tyler] gets hit?

Tyler: Do we have twin telepathy? Or, do we have our own language?

Q: Can you read each other’s mind?

Taylor: No, we get asked that so much.

Tyler: No, I think that’s made up.

Q: What are your favorite memories with your brother?

Taylor: In 5^th grade we switched classes on our teacher Mrs. Shultz. It didn’t work. We have two different personalities; I was always nice to her and my brother had an attitude. She just laughed.

Tyler: Beating him at the wrestling match.

Q: Twin vs. Only Child?

Taylor: It’s nice being a twin, some one to talk to and get so used to having someone with you.

Tyler: Twin, cause you’ll always have a friend.

The Leiss Girls

Megan and Jacklyn Leiss

Q: Do you and your sister get along?

Megan: Kinda, most of the time we don’t, but sometimes we do.

Jacklyn: No, we’re completely different.

Q: What is the best part of being a twin?

Megan: Every time we move, we have each other and I hate being alone.

Jacklyn: We’re never alone at a new school or anything even though we move around a lot.

Q: What is your favorite memory?

Megan: When we were little we would always hang out together.

Jacklyn: Our vacation to Hawaii with [Megan] and our dad.

Q: Do you have twin telepathy?

Megan: Not really. I can’t really tell.

Jacklyn: No, not really.

Q: What sort of things do people ask you when they find out your twins?

Megan: Like if one of us sleeps in, does the other one?

Jacklyn: Do we feel the same thing or know what each other is doing?

The Fischers

Dani & Demi Fischer

Q: What is it like between you guys?

Dani: Pretty close. I’m closer with my brother though.

Demi: We’re really close.

Q: Twin or only child?

Dani: Twin, because it would suck being an only child.

Demi: Twin, don’t really know anything else. I never thought of not having Dani as my twin.

Q: Can you read each other’s thoughts, or have some sort of twin telepathy?
Dani: No, not at all. I have brother telepathy.

Demi: No, I don’t think people can do that.

Q: What kind of questions do you get asked a lot?

Dani: If we’re identical. And no, we’re not!

Demi: If we’re identical, if my twin is a boy or a girl, and who’s older.

Q: What’s your most memorable time with your twin?

Dani: Running from our dad. We ran and hid under the table because we didn’t think he could find us. He did.

Demi: Oh my gosh, mine is the same as Dani’s!

The Greens

Alex & Zach Green

Q: Relationship

Alex: I work, so I don’t see him very much.

Zach: We don’t see each other very much. I live with my ma and he lives with our pa.

Q: Twin Telepathy?

Alex: No.

Zach: No way.

Q: Best memory?

Alex: I guess when we got our first dirt bikes.

Zach: Definitely the first time we bathed together.

Q: What questions do you get ask?

Alex: Does he look like me?

Zach: Nothing really.

Q: Twin or Only Child?

Alex: I’d kick his butt out.

Zach: I’d kick him out too.

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.