Reed Johnson
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Today, my high school career will come to a close. After four years of a standardized education system, I am now deemed "ready" by society. Ready to make my own...
Picture a flashlight. Simple enough to understand, right? Light comes out of one end and you use it when it’s dark. They are extremely helpful for finding your way to your car at night, finding that tool that you lost, or finding where exactly you put those s’mores on your summer campout. But have you ever thought of how every single one of us is a flashlight? How every one of us emits light and has an influence on others? But why a flashlight? Why not a fire or light bulb? It is because we can turn ours on and off, and point it in any direction we choose.
Christmas break arrives in less than one week, as students all across Dickinson High School are looking forward to a couple weeks of bliss (aside from the whole spending time with crazy relatives part). But it’s bliss, nevertheless. Christmas break is quite longer than usual this year, extending all the way from Dec. 19 through Jan. 5. This is very exciting to those accustomed to shortened breaks, while for the majority of the senior class, well, they would just rather graduate right now.
Students from Dickinson High School came to the side of teachers during the tense negotiation meetings held Nov. 19 and on Nov. 24. While there, students silently showed their support, wearing “Support Our Teachers” buttons. According to DHS teacher Tracy Sipma, the response by students was “heartwarming.” Students were becoming informed and chose to go on their own decision. This move was not suggested by teachers; it was sought out by Dickinson High students. Senior Brittany Barndt led a movement that rallied students to the meeting on Nov. 19.
Veterans Day was a week ago today, but our gratitude should not start and end on that day. The freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and all the freedoms we enjoy in this country, were secured by veterans. We are indebted to them as a nation. I did not fully appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made until I attended North Dakota Boys State, which is sponsored by the American Legion. There, the virtues of patriotism and civic duty were stressed. We heard stories of how men and women answered the call to arms out of love of country.
The first quarter at Dickinson High ended on Oct. 31. Since school started on Aug. 27, a lot of developments have taken place. The first day of school ended with donuts, as Family Fare donated enough donuts for every student at the school. As teachers and students got the hang of things in the new school year, preparations were already underway for spirit week and homecoming, which was held Sept. 12. This year, DHS students wanted to have apparel options in addition to their homecoming T-shirts.
The special election to approve the building of a new middle school passed with a 74.3 percent “Yes” vote on Tuesday, Oct. 7. But before the vote itself took place, a lot of work had to be put in by the members of the community to make it all possible. The Dickinson “Vote Yes” committee was mainly responsible for providing the community with information on the single-issue election. The committee was comprised of different leaders throughout the community.
Setbacks in life are not easy to deal with. They take us by surprise sometimes, other times they have been building up for years until they reach the tipping point. It doesn’t matter what led up to the setback. It puts you on your back and leaves you feeling vulnerable. We have all been there. It doesn’t matter how you fell. All that matters is that you get back up and stand taller than you did before. This process isn’t easy, nor is it fun, but it does teach valuable lessons about life.
Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable. I’ve heard this saying multiple times throughout my life and now I am finding more and more truth in it. Deadlines are important, being past a deadline is unacceptable. This couldn’t be any more evident when dealing with college applications. It is advantageous for students to apply to their college of choice, scholarship or program as soon as it opens up. There are several reasons for this.
Dickinson High School’s annual homecoming celebration will be held Friday. This year, the Midgets’ football team is playing the Bismarck High Demons, and the game will start at 7 p.m. at the Biesiot Activities Center. The week leading up to homecoming is known as Spirit Week, when students and faculty alike get to dress up for any one of Dickinson High’s theme days. This year, the days were brainstormed by the DHS Student Council, which has spent weeks planning the festivities associated with homecoming.
