Sponser: Carol Durham

Editors: Laura S.; Taryn D.

Sponsor: Carol Durham

Editor: Lincoln F.

Reporters: Chad W., Justin S., Jake B., Ashley T., Landon F., Layne F., Jasmine R., Shelby G., Chelsea H., Haibei P., Savannah S., Headon M., and Brooke M.

STOP and THANK

by: Justin S.

Have you ever taken the time to shake a soldier’s hand and tell him, or her, how grateful you are for his service? Many of us take for granted the liberties we have today, forgetting what sacrifices were made to obtain them.

Recently I was watching an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The design team was building a new home for an Iraq veteran who lost his leg in combat. The Marine, a single father of four, was trying to take care of his children living in a small, less than perfect house all the while getting used to life with a prosthetic leg.

What I watched that night on my television screen was something that hit me right in the chest and put a lump in my throat. The one thing that the Marine asked for before letting the design team rebuild his home was that a flagpole be placed in front of his home.

The special request flagpole project was completed not by the design team, but instead by fellow Marines, some of whom helped save his life on that dreadful day.

When the veteran returned from a Disney vacation, the Marines were in full dress to ceremonially raise the colors in front of the new home. Once the colors were in place, he was able to have a reunion with those who helped save his life, all of which was a very emotional occurrence. Watching these rock hard Marines show their emotion with one another was eye opening to say the least. I’ve only witnessed such a thing once before in my lifetime.

Last summer I was privileged enough to attend the 2007 Boy’s State which is put on by the American Legion. While at Boy’s State, I witnessed many more of these moments in which veterans showed how passionate they are about Old Glory and what it means to them. It was an experience that made me realize how valuable our freedom is.

So the next time you see pass a soldier, whether a veteran or present day, show some respect. Make sure to let them know how proud you are to be an American and how thankful you are for their service. As for the flag, it’s not just a flag, a piece of cloth. Instead it is a symbol of America and everything she stands for, so respect it just as much.

America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, needs your support. Make sure to do your part here on the home front. Don’t abandon your troops. After all, they are people just like you and me doing their jobs. Give them the respect they deserve. President John F. Kennedy put it quite well: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

From the Beginning of CHS

By: Landon F

Established in 1894, Cleveland High School has been the starting point for many successful alumni, including businessmen/women, athletes, politicians and musicians. Probably, most famous is 1949 Cleveland graduate Billy Vessels, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy at the University of Oklahoma and then to play in the NFL. During his last year at CHS, the Tiger football team had a record season, yet in all the years of CHS, neither the football team nor the basketball team have won a state title.

Cleveland’s first school building was built in 1897. It was located  on the corner of the school grounds on East Wichita Street. Before it was built, the school was held in the best vacant buildings available. In 1910, a new school was built on the west side of town. CHS later moved to another new building that has been destroyed in the recent years due to the lack of use and maintenance.  The building was three stories and was located on the east side of town. Years later, Cleveland High School was returned to the west side of town  where it remains today. The high school has been remodeled since then.

In 1909, Cleveland had its first graduating class that completed 11 years of school; another year was added to the following year. That class included only four students. Since then, thousands of students have graduated from Cleveland.

Throughout the years Cleveland High School has become very modernized. Just recently, the high school received a new wing with all new technology. From the Eastside Gym, where the little league still plays basketball, to the new Cleveland Event Center, Cleveland High School now has one of the nicest high school facilities in the state.

Other changes CHS has been through include the fight song. Cleveland’s fight song was once to the tune of the “Old Gray Mare.” The fight song later changed to “Onward Tigers” made from the tune of “On Wisconsin,” (Wisconsin University's fight song). Cleveland’s official logo also changed last year from a traditional tiger to a more progressive tiger, resembling the University of Missouri’s mascot.

Through all these changes, Cleveland High School is still successfully  moving  forward.

The most recent project is the new indoor facility expected to be built in the near future.