Cowboy Chronicles

ISSUE 5

APRIL 2014

CONRAD H IGH SCHOOL

Gustafson Claims Sighting of Bigfoot

By Molly Gianerelli

Former math teacher from Conrad High School and renowned musician, Erik

“Fingers” Ray Gustafson, recently visited Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the

30th International Blues Challenge. Gustafson, who won an award at the lo-

cal Granite State Blues Challenge in New Hampshire, was traveling to Mem-

phis because he was chosen as one of the eight finalists out of 101 for the

best solo/duo blues acts in the world. While on his trip to Memphis, Gus-

tafson, known for his obsession with Big Foot, was in for more than just one

life-changing event. While taking a tour of the Cherokee National Forest lo-

cated near Memphis, he sighted the Big Foot that had been reported to be

living there.

“I’ve had logical proof for years, and there was no doubt in my mind that Big

Foot was indeed real,” said Gustafson in an interview with a local Memphis

newspaper, The Commercial Appeal. “It is all simple deduction really, but of

course I am excited,” Gustafson stated when asked about his feelings on the

find.

According to another tour member, Gustafson spotted the hairy creature

when the tour group split up for a bathroom break. Others on the tour report-

ed they did not see Bigfoot, but they are firmly believe Gustafson’s story.

Gustafson said he headed up a hill to check out the view from the top. On his

way back down, he stumbled across a set of tracks he didn’t recognize, so he

took a photo on his phone and began to wander back down to the group. Sec-

onds later he heard a noise behind him, and he turned and found himself face

to face with the elusive Sasquatch himself.

Gustafson said that the creature stood over 7 feet tall and was covered in

brown matted hair all over his body, although his eyes were hauntingly more

human –like than animal.

(Story Continued on page 2)

Pictured here is the

footprint of the

mysterious Sas-

quatch that Gus-

tafson encountered

in the woods out-

side of Memphis,

Tenn.

Students Make a Case For a Vending Machine

By Brooke Van Eyk

Students Should Care about Current Events

By Ali Wakkinen

If you walk the halls of Conrad High School, you will hear talk of summer

vacation, spring sports, and prom. Rarely do you hear students concerned with

current events and global politics that aren’t directly affecting high school

aged students. Most of us have grown up feeling secure and sheltered. We are

often ignorant to the fact that teens in other parts of the world have to worry

about violence, war, pestilence, landmines, poverty, and may even be afraid to

step into their own back yard.

If you have read the news lately, you will know that not everybody is as privi-

leged as us. Right now, in Ukraine there is a lot of political and military con-

flict; Russia is breaching a treaty called the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

According to The Economist, a magazine that predicts the future trends of the

economy, this treaty was a compromise and trade between Russia and

Ukraine. Ukraine gave back the nuclear weapons after the breakup of the So-

viet Union, and in return, Russia agreed to “respect the independence and sov-

ereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine.” The memorandum was also

signed by President Bill Clinton, which is why the U.S. is involved with the

situation today.

You may be asking. why should I care? Because the U.S. signed this treaty,

we are responsible for making sure it is upheld. Therefore, Russia breaking

this treaty puts two countries with a large amount of military power in uneasy

conflict. As of yet the U.S. has not used military force against Russia. The

United States is putting pressure on Russia through economic sanctions, such

as banning defense items to be exported to Russia. Europe and America have

also offered financial aid to Ukraine. If this doesn’t work, the U.S. is faced

with the decision of whether to let Russia get away with breaking the treaty or

sending in military force that could lead to detrimental consequences.

Vending machines are often found in schools across the United States. Here at

Conrad High School, we have drink vending machines that can be found in the

commons, but we don’t have a snack machine. In a recent inquiry, having a

snack machine is possibility at CHS. Think

about the benefits. A student may not remem-

ber to order a lunch for homework help, or

they may just want to get work done in the

commons during lunch time, but they have

nothing to eat unless they brought their own

lunch. Skipping lunch is not a wise choice

when you are trying to focus on schoolwork.

If a student forgot their lunch, they could easi-

ly grab a quick snack from the vending ma-

chines to boost their energy for the rest of the

school day.

Nationally, schools want healthy options in

vending machines, and that’s one of the rea-

sons why some schools don’t allow any vend-

ing machines at all. Ken Larson, the principal

at CHS, thinks that “nutrition has to be con-

sidered” when a school is making a choice

about a vending machine. The goal is to get

the students to eat healthier, and adding a

snack vending machine with high- calorie

foods would not help. However, adding in a

healthy snack machine could be a very good option. Healthy snacks that are ap-

pealing to students could be placed in the machines. Some ideas for healthier

choices include: chips, granola bars, popcorn, trail mix, peanut butter M&Ms,

and Ritz crackers. Nutritionists say that school vending machines stocked with

potato chips, cookies and sugary soft drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but

what if the vending machine contained healthy snacks? The school would be

making extra money to provide for extra-curricular activities, sports, etc.

Students would have an option for snacks that are healthy, and it would be better

than skipping lunch completely. Lynne Spears, a senior at CHS said, “If the

school had a snack machine, it would help. When people are hungry, it’s hard to

focus on school work, and they could go grab a snack from the vending machine.

It’s just easier.”

Another student, Rose Hagee, a freshman at CHS says, “The school would make

extra money because students actually like to buy snacks.” Of course, the price

of a vending machine can be an issue. A high-tech vending machine can cost up

to $8,000 and a basic machine can cost up to $4,000. Plus the price to stock the

machine with healthy snacks can also be expensive. In the end, it all depends on

a school’s budget and what the school can afford.

So why doesn’t CHS have a snack machine? Larson supposes that the school

could make money from a snack vending machine; however, it just never oc-

curred to him to put one in. Nutritional values and storage for the machines are

his biggest concern. So, CHS doesn’t have any snack vending machines merely

because of lack of thought.

Photo of Becca Brown reading Up Front Magazine

Shaniqua’s Advice Column

Sasquatch (continued from page 1)

Dear Shaniqua,

I have been tempted so many times this year by people who

want me to conform to their ideas. Sometimes kids try to get

me to dress inappropriate or act a certain way that goes

against what I believe. I need help on how to handle these

pressures.

Signed,

Confused Christian

Dear Confused Christian,

Gurl, it sounds to me like you’ve been hanging around the

wrong people. Real friends wouldn’t pressure you into doing

activities that they know you don’t want to participate in. I

know for a fact that there are other people who are leaders

and possess moral standards in school who are struggling to

avoid all the peer pressure just like you! I know it’s hard to

make new friends sometimes, but if your standards are that

important to you, you need to seek the right crowds and ig-

nore the negative people in your life. I know that ignoring

negative influences is not the magic advice you want to hear,

but to be honest, that’s the only way to avoid trouble. Also,

keep in mind that these people who are making poor choices

now, have a smaller chance of being successful later on in life.

Remember, in order to be happy, you must be yourself. Trust

me, it takes someone with a great deal of strength to be a

leader, but I know you can do it!

Luv Yo Gurl <3, Shaniqua

“We just stared at each other for a moment, and then he took off. Unfortu-

nately I tripped backwards over a large stone and dropped my phone, so I

couldn’t take a picture,” Gustafson said in his interview, “but I won’t give

up on tracking him now. I plan on camping here at the rest stop until I see

him again.”

Oh, and by the way, Happy April Fools!

Newspaper Staff:

Editor: Jade Shepherd

Contributing Writers: Brooke Van Eyk, Ali Wakkinen, Molly Gianerelli,

Cashley Redd, Jade Breding

By Cashley Redd

During the past weekend, many Conrad High School students attended this year’s

prom, ‘‘A Black Tie Affair.’’ The room was decorated in red, black, and white tulle,

twinkling lights, and candles. The snack, bowtie cookies, fit with the theme. Junior

Prom is a timeless annual event where many teens have to experience at least once.

However, the money that is spent on that one night, for just a few hours of bliss, is

often equivalent to month’s rent or more.

Being that the junior’s sponsor the prom, the school voted on four junior girls and

four junior boys to be in the running for king and queen. The nominees this year

were; Shane Larson and Gabby Drishinski for the senior class, Jackson Grubb and

Michaela DeBoo for the junior class, Daryl Engleby and Jade Breding for the sopho-

more class and Brandon Bliss and Taylour Russell for the freshman.

The king and queen were picked at random out of the four couples, by choosing that

one lucky rose. This year’s king and queen were Shane Larson and Gabby Drishin-

ski.

Do you have questions, suggestions for stories in upcoming editions, or

would like to contacts the editors and writers for the Cowboy Chronicles?

Contact us as chschronicles@googlegroups.com

The Black Tie Affair

Above: Prom King And Queen Candidates from left to right; Gabby Drishin-

ski, Shane Larson, Michaela DeBoo, Jackson Grubb, Jade Breding, Daryl

Engleby, Taylour Russell, and Brandon Bliss

Pictured Below: Prom King and Queen Shane Larson and Gabby Drishinski

Pictured above from left to right: Deidre Mecham, Gabby Drishinski, Genessa Naylor, Taylour

Russell, Michaela DeBoo, Jade Breding, and Molly Gianarelli