What year did you graduate?
1975

How has the school changed (positive and negative)?
Positive Changes: Technology is a HUGE change. Computers weren’t really a thing when I went to high school. We had typing classes. Some of the fun classes available now at CHS are Digital Photography, Web Design and Animation, Robotics, and Contemporary Music. I also really appreciate working in a school environment that represents the world we live in much more so than when I was in high school during the 1970’s

Negative Changes: Students seem much less respectful, both to staff and each other. Vaping has also become a big problem at CHS. I don’t think students realize how addicting it is. While cell phones have many positive benefits, I believe students’ overdependence on them at school actually makes relating to people face-to-face more difficult and makes it harder to engage in class.

Why did you come back to CHS?
I came back to CHS to be an Educational Assistant (EA).

Why did you choose this career/topic you teach/do?
I believe learning can be fun. Sometimes, there are barriers to learning. I do what I can to make learning more accessible and interesting to the students I work with.

Did someone influence you in high school? Both career-wise and in other aspects.
Several of my English teachers helped me develop skills as a thoughtful, creative writer. Miss Hansen taught me that it’s more important to be yourself than try to be popular and fit in. The home economics teachers sparked my interest in cooking.

What do you enjoy most about CHS?
I love getting to know the students and staff I work with. There are so many interesting people.

Who was your favorite teacher at CHS?
Mrs. Aasrud. She believed in me as a writer. She taught Humor Lit. Who knew an English class could be fun? And we got credit for it!

What was your favorite class that you’ve taken here?
Choir. I love to sing!

What classes were offered then that aren’t now?
There were more industrial art classes, such as woodworking. I remember there were several years that students would build a house. (These homes are on Marie Street, just off school property.) One of the coolest offerings were different English classes that were offered quarterly, such as Pop Lyrics, English Lit, Humor Lit, Creative Writing, College Vocabulary, Creative Writing, and War Lit. These classes were VERY popular!