All week the children have been looking forward to a talk with the man with white whiskers in the red suit. Friday was the annual Community Tree Lighting.
The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce usually puts on this event each year and this year, in a great show of community unity, the Outdoor Club stepped forward and offered to help. Chamber president, Cathleen Searle, was busy printing the fliers and busily collecting oranges from Double J, cider from Raley’s, candy canes from Rays. Frontier Café and the Pizza House had specials so families who had little time before the Tree lighting could grab a quick supper . Doreen Mitchell and Nadine McElyea were busy popping the popcorn which smelled tantalizingl It was a very cold evening!
Instead of the caroling there was a very special song! David Arwood is one of the teachers of the Karuk Language and Culture Class at Happy Camp High School. The kids were spending all of class time this week learning “Winter Night Song.” Silent Night translated “ikxaram uskaaxti” winter night, “ishyav ikzdrum.” The song continues to picture a bright warm fire on a dark winter night when stories are told of long ago which help us to learn and grow. This Winter Night Song is sung to the tune of Silent Night. It was translated into Karuk by Auntie Violet Super and Sarah Supahan with help from Bill Bright. It was a most enjoyable musical addition to the evening!
The new lights that had been donated made a beautiful tree. At the top was a large star. It reminded me of a year George Chambers made a star for the top of the tree. When you drive down Highway 96 through Happy Camp the tree and the star is certain to be a bright sight on a cold winter night! Once the lights were lit, Santa Claus arrived in a red fire truck. He was greeted by cheerful children all running to hug him! He made it to a chair where he presided over the rest of the evenings events. Eileen Tiraterra deserves special appreciation as the elf that stood by Santa’s side and kept him supplied with candy canes and oranges for the kids.
Thanks to the Happy Camp Chamber and the Outdoor Club who showed community unity by jointly putting on this annual event for the children. The Forest Service keeps the tree lit. Thanks for the elves who served refreshments. To all those who donated and hung the lights and star, drove the fire truck, sang and served refreshments, the cleanup crew, and everyone else who helped—a big THANK YOU!
Michael Thom, Duke Arwood (Education Director) David West (Southern Oregon University) Sonny Davis, and Russell (Buster) Attebery (Tribal Chair elect & High School Teacher & Coach)
All of the Happy Cap High School students were welcome to participate in the Karuk Youth Leadership Conference last week. The most moving thought was a large poster re reminding all that Youth are our future. The event opened in the High School Hokanson Gym where Michael Thom introduced Sammy Davis for an opening prayer. The students and staff received t-shirts from the event which many have been wearing since then which keeps the lessons learned from the conference fresh before us.
The first speaker was David West from the Southern Oregon University where he counsels Native American Students. He shared some of his Algonquin background and how his grandparents moved to Oklahoma. Although he didn’t dwell on the experience all but the freshmen class have studies the Trail of Tears from history studies. Since his mother and auntie were sent to boarding schools from 7 to 12 years they didn’t learn the language and couldn’t pass it unto him. Therefore he is learning to speak the language of his tribe as a grown man of 62 years, Since there is no word for Grey in their language, his name is “white like old, eagle” which basically means Grey Eagle., He also shared how he was adopted into a tribe with a new name which meant “my brother I have found you” as a sister who had lost brothers adopted him,
David West encouraged the young people who have desires to help their family, their tribe, their community, their river and trees, to get an education so that they can. After a motorcycle accident, he was encouraged to go back to school on the G. I. Bill since he had volunteered for the service and was a veteran. He got a degree in Sociology from Rogue community College and then went to Alaska for a master’s degree in Community Psychology. That program included traveling all over Alaska talking to elders of a number of different tribes and he and fourteen other students in the program came back with ONE word that was most important to all, RESPECT David West said if you don’t have self respect, you are less likely to have respect for your family, your tribe and community, an even the earth and the whole world. He also talked about the storytelling in his tribe with twenty families in the long house on a winter’s evening with everyone from elders to the children listening together, He has been teaching young people how to enter college and succeed. He asked how many would like to do something for their people> for River” for forest”, Apply yourself and you can Creator Didn’t make no junk! You have strength and energy. The men out dip fishing didn’t get muscles for fishing dip nets in playing with an iPod.
In his travels he has spoken to the elders of many villages. He has spoken to the young women and children, but the young men weren’t there. In some many cases they were either in the graveyard or in prison. There are those who want to help young people succeed getting an education. At his door there are groceries for anyone to take if they are hungry and they can bring it back when they can. David West was born in a logging camp and traveled with his family in this area. It is a beautiful place. He has eaten huckleberries in many places around here. He encouraged the students, don’t look down on it because it is small, you will realize what a sanctuary it is someday. Many tribes aren’t on their own land, His own Grandparents went to Oklahoma and more Native Americans live in the inner city than any other place. …and closed saying, “May the Creator Bless you and we have opportunity to come together again,”
“We are responsible for the future, We are the Caretakers of culture, traditions and a singular person can have an impact on the community was the message Morgan Faucet broght.. Morgan isn’t much older than the students, yet he travels the nation with a message Ft rate photographer and plays the flute. He had a power point presentation that was very encouraging on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disabilities The example that Morgan and his grandmother shared was Alkali Lake where Alcoholism was rampant in the community with associated problems. There was a turnaround in the community and the community went from vast majority of alcohol problems to vast majority sober until all those who wished to live with alcohol left the community and it became 100% sober,
Following Morgan Faucets talk and playing of the flute. Students gathered in groups and wrote down whom were there positive helping mentors and why and if there were something the students could change about the community what would it be. Then the students took turns taking the talking stick and contributing ideas for writing on posters by the secretary of each group What is your vision for a healthy positive community What resources and tools do you need?> What would make it real? How can youth work with the council or village to promote healthy lose relationships and oaths to success?
The day was not yet over, there was a fantastic lunch at the Council Chambers and demonstration dances and traditional games. Many of the young people stayed. It was an encouragement that our young people are looking to work to bring healthy community and are on the pathway to success.
The Winners are in! Thank you to all the boys and girls who went fising at Kelly Lake for the annual Fishing Derby!
Special thanks to the volunteers who helped them!
Largest and combined fish for K-2nd
Angelina Moehring- 1st Place- Single Largest Catch (32.6 cm)
Jose Cortez- 1st Place- Combined Largest Catch (25.8 + 30.8 cm)
Micah Carrol- 2nd Place- Single Largest Catch ( 24.2 cm)
Autumn Goodwin- 3rd Place- Single Largest Catch ( 21.0 cm)
3rd – 5th
Javier Garduno- 1st Place- Single Largest Catch ( 42.5 cm)
Chris Aubrey- 2nd Place- Single Largest Catch ( 42.1 cm)
Isaih Wilson- 3rd Place- Single Largest Catch ( 42.0 cm)
Max Nelson- 1st Place- Combined Largest Catch ( 27.8 +27.4 + 30.0 cm)
6th- 8th
Sean Lindholm- 1st Place- Single Largest Catch ( 28.8 cm)
Anthony Moerhing- 1st Place- Combined Largest Catch ( 28.6 + 27.6 cm)
CASTING CONTEST
K-2nd
Angelina Moehring- 2nd
Maddy Davis- 1st
Abigail Rhoades- 3rd
The Happy Camp River Park was the scene of the 11th Annual Kids’ Fair Saturday!
Even though the day was overcast, the kids still enjoyed sliding down the waterslide with a big splash at landing! There were lots of fun and games and good things to eat. The food was not only yummy but also (mostly) good for you—like fruit and such!!
There was a cookbook for kids available, but first a sample of graham crackers with cream cheese and fresh sliced strawberries on them! Yummy!
Carol, Kyle and Cliff were grilling the hotdogs, to go with a delicious looking bowl for cut up fruit. There was a video playing with Sesame Street Characters discussing healthy habits!
Melissa Culbert was doing fabulous designs for the face painting.
Crafting cute little pantyhose people with soil and grass-seed inside was Jayne’s table. I’d like to see them when the grass grows out as I imagine they look like a little green Bigfoot. Other places were gluing and pasting things on other kinds of craft items.
First Five was making sure every child went home with a book.
The Volunteer Fire, Ambulance and several Forest Service representatives were there with treats for the kids as well as a chance to play doctor or firefighter! The Ambulance workers gave out a bag with stickers and games which looked like great fun and provided a place to keep other treasures that the kids collected. The Forest Service had balloons filled with helium for the kids too!
What did you do for St. Patrick’s Day? Did you have a great corned beef and cabbage dinner? You could have, if you came to the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at Happy Camp Elementary School. Besides dinner, there were also auctions and variety show. It was a delightful evening of visiting with friends and neighbors.
Cody Haskell and Glenn Rickel were the Masters of Ceremonies. They also served as auctioneers of some really neat donated items. All the proceeds of the dinner and auctions went to the 8th grade class of Happy Camp Elementary School. You would be truly amazed at all the talented people in our community. First Abbey Eadie, Bella Bryant and Madison Offield did a song and dance routine. Silas Yoshomoto played the piano. Brittany , Madison Offoeld and Matilda Peters cheered. Jessica Williams, Jessica Lantow Mekhia Gabriel and Maddy Offield jumped rope. We enjoyed Mirandas song. Natalia and Nikki also sang. Rudtz Galindo played a great song on the keyboard. After Megan sang her song, Chelsea King, Ella Galindo, Sylvanna Arwood and Royale Pinassi were up there keeping the hula hoops spinning, They even kept them going when throwing and catching a ball among themselves.
Abbey in white wings and a halo, and Cierra, in red and black from wings to horns tried to influence Bella, the young girl in the middle, for a skit. Natalia sang a song. Ryan Randleman sang with his guitar an original song. Then the Soggy Bottom Band played. Casey Chambers, Glenn Rickles, Cheryl Horvath, `Rana Scruggs, Rattj Sherman, and Melissa Rhodes played some most unusual instruments. What a fun time. The whole audience sang, “You are my sunshine!”
Oh, one more thing for the evening. The pies in the faces of Deputy Tygart, High School Principal Alan Dyar and Elementary Superintendent Chambers. Glen Rickles also got a pie in the face. Carmynne Neimoyer “got a pie” from the Cheerleaders.
The Elementary School Multipurpose Room was packed, and everyone had a good laugh. It was fun to see neighbors that we hadn’t seen in awhile. Those with grown kids looked at the performers and wondered where the years have gone. It’s great to have them off in the world, working and being busy but it wasn’t long ago that they were the little kids singing in Jon Saler’s choirs, playing in the band, and looking so adorable. Children grow up much too fast but we can enjoy them while they are young!
The School Board came to Happy Camp. Happy Camp High School is a part of the Siskiyou High School District along with Mt. Shasta, Weed and McCloud. Mike Matheson, the superintendent comes down the river to visit out school but it isn’t often the whole school board comes to Happy Camp. They wanted to ask the students questions, which were similar to the questions, asked of the staff at the In-service on Monday. The answers to the questions would make up a sort of “State of the District” statement.
Several School Board members introduced themselves to the student body at an assembly and told of their interest in the school. They also asked for input on what the students would like to see added to the school. Some suggested Karuk language classes, more advanced placement classes of various kinds, especially in science and environmental studies. There was a request for more classes that would allow students to express creativity, such as music or drama. When the school board member asked if there was no drama at our school, the students said, “We have lots of drama in the halls, but no theater or drama classes.” A track for running races was suggested, but also a swimming pool, indoor and heated which would be expensive especially with the present high expenses necessitated by the continuing need to repair dampness problems in the north end of the school.
At present the students don’t enter the north end of the school except to go to the office. The teachers’ room, with copier, and the two classrooms at that end of the building are sealed off. The joke is that it is the start on a haunted house project, but the black plastic only allows traffic through a narrow corridor to the office. The students enter at the south end of the hallway. Classes that were held in room 2 and 3 are now reassigned to other classrooms. This has necessitated a great deal of flexibility on the part of the staff and students, but they are facing the situation with fortitude.
One of the School Board members mentioned how much they had appreciated the courtesy and good manners of the students at Happy Camp High. One even mentioned how one of the boys had gone out of his way to follow her to the door to open it for her wheelchair. It is so nice to know that our students have made a good impression on these adults who frequent other high schools also. We do have a wonderful bunch of students, 95% of whom accomplish so much good and are never in trouble. It is an exciting time of the year because we see the Senior Class preparing to leave our school and go out into the world. They are preparing for a trip to College of the Siskiyous as some students plan to attend there after graduation. There will also be a College Options trip to which some of the students will visit several colleges in California.
Next week will be a bunch of basketball games PLUS homecoming festivities on Saturday Feb. 5th. Monday the freshmen have decided everyone will dress in neon colors! Tuesday the sophomores have decreed everyone will wear a necktie. Wednesday is “generation day” thanks to the seniors. That means the freshmen will be dressing like babies, the sophomores like little children or toddlers, and the juniors like adults and seniors like, well, senior citizens. That should be easy to grey hair, spectacles, canes or walkers. Friday, February 4th will be Blue and Gold day plus a pep rally before the team leaves for another game. Saturday in the gym the homecoming court will be crowned. Prince and Princess for Freshman Class are Justin West and Alexia Peidra. Sophomore Class elected West Timbrook and Cheyenne Moore. Junior Class royalty are Brandon McCartney and Florence Peters. The seniors’ selections are Rony Reed and Shauniece Polmateer.
Thursday night after Happy Camp Elementary School had their program, the Seiad Elementary School also had a Holiday program. What a rollicking fun Western time we had!!! The students were in calico and cowboy hats with bandanas. The kindergarteners even had horses! They were of the stick variety, not live horses. They were quite appropriate for the song, about a Cowboy needs a horse.
Students came in and sat on hay bales which fit right in with the western theme. Their program had a lot of music, by band, choir and individual students, as well as stories and presentations. First the choir sang Deck the Halls. The Band played Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Go Tell Aunt Rodie. Wren Crapser and Aleesha Lange performed Shady Grove with the first and second grade dancers. A group played recorders for Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Kaleia Caston told the legend of mistletoe. Jordan McCartney preformed Snowman and Old MacDonald. Katreese Crawford performed Watercolors and Jingle Bells before the first graders and kindergarteners rode in on their horses.
After The Twelve Days of Christmas, Phoenix Stoner performed Santa’s Sleigh and Morning Prelude. Treva Crawford played an Old English Air and the band played Ode to Joy. Devin Jackson and Allison Head played Jingle Bells and Cyrus and Treva Crawford performed What Child is This?” The last song of the program was a fun piece, Merry Christmas Neighbor, by the entire choir. Then Santa arrived and all the babies first had an opportunity to sit on his lap, which some appreciated and some objected to!
It was fun to see how much the kids we don’t see often had grown. Jeffrey Kanawyer came up to say he had read the column about the proposed Siskiyou Crest National Monument in the newspaper. When they become mature enough to be reading the newspaper to learn about things, you have to be impressed at how they’ve grown up!
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