Best of Flyer Flash: Teachers as Teens

Photo Courtesy of Tammy Miller

Teachers as Teens

by Isabel Sneddon

Reporter, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the January 14, 2013 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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For most students, imagining their chemistry or history teachers in high school is an unfathomable thought. These people who stand at the front of the classroom each day preaching their deeply studied subject, reprimanding slackers for procrastinated homework assignments and studiously marking up our end of quarter finals with their esteemed red pen. So, when students see that teacher pacing the white board, lecturing their class that they too were once a teenager, it is common for students to roll their eyes at their presumed made up stories of adolescence. Heck, it is difficult to imagine teachers having a life outside of Dixie High’s hallways. But, believe it or not when the final bell rings each weekday at 2:45, instead of miraculously vanishing until the bell rings the next morning the teachers go home to a life outside of the school. And even more surprising they WERE all high school students long ago, (in some cases very, very long ago.)

Focusing on these two specific teachers, let’s go back in time and have a blast from their pasts. Even more unexpected than their drastically changed hairstyles was that both were actually well liked during their high school careers.

Starting off with Mr. Eric Christensen’s earlier years. According to his lovely mother, “Eric always had a lot of friends. He was cool! Always bringing a big group of kids home from the school day, And he seemed to be the planner or ring leader of the group.”

As she goes on to describe her son. The previously commonplace image of a lerpy, already balding teen slowly morphs into a more athletic version of Mr. Christensen.  “He played TONS of sports. Tennis, basketball, baseball, football, he liked them all. He also was pretty popular with girls. He dated, not a lot, but he went to his fair share of dances.” So despite his notably sarcastic personality, and now his frequent, boring reading assignments, Mr. Christensen was once a very normal, average teenager believe it or not.

Best of Flyer Flash: For a Good Cause

Students wrap gifts for kids as part of the Angel Tree program.
Photo by Kirra Wilkinson, Flyer Flash

For a Good Cause

by Kristy Laub

Assistant Editor, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the December 17, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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This past week Dixie died a little inside with the loss of our dear friend, Mr. Christensen’s Beard, to Angel Tree Fundraising. The echos of moans still reverberate off the walls from the cries of those affected by this great loss. Thanks to each class’ contributions, over $8,000 were raised this year for Angel Tree. But at what cost?

This year the Interact Counsel did an outstanding job with Angel Tree. Over $8000 worth of presents went to those in the community who needed it most.

The Vice President, Chandlie Stratton reports that, “We got my people together and came up with  ideas for fundraising. We put a lot of time into it, and the rest is history.” It sounds simple, but those on Interact really worked hard to provide a great Christmas to those in need.

The winners of this year’s Angel Tree competition were Mr. Christensen, Mrs. Bradshaw, and Mrs. Stucki.

Mr. Christensen solely raised over $2,100 in his classes for angel tree. He raised this money by selling coupons for things such as twenty minutes late to class, selling pictures of his beloved beard (R.I.P.), and one year he extended the date of a 12-page essay by one week, which sold for $300. “I always do something for Angel Tree, I am happy to help in anyway I can.”

But what does poor Mr. Christensen’s beard think about this? “It is not uncommon that I am sold for money, and I’m happy I can do my part to ensure the happy lives of those not as fortunate as me. I’ve had my time to grow, live life, raise children, have a steady, and humble job. Those kids need the money more than I do. But I’ll be back; oh yes, such as the winter chill that comes annually, so will I be there to contribute to Angel Tree once again and make all of your lives that much better.”

Such touching, hair-raising words that all of Dixie can live by. Remember the words of Christensen’s Beard and have a very Merry Christmas.

Best of Flyer Flash: Senior Ball Royalty

Senior Ball Royalty

by Maddy Garrett

Reporter, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the December 3, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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No one knows who is going to be on Royalty for a dance. Some people get anxiety about it but when asked, most people act relaxed. Secretly, we would all love to be on it to have a chance to be the King or the Queen.  

There are many different ways that dance assemblies are put together. Sometimes they are dance skits, and sometimes it’s like a game show. 

For Senior Ball, it was another game show. 

“Newlyweds” was the game that was played, with each couple having to answer different questions about each other. Some questions were quite easy and they could answer immediately, while other questions were extremely hard that only true couples would know about each other. 

Luckily for Carli Larsen and Zach Emerson, their close relationship really helped them in this competition. These two lovebirds have been together for quite sometime now, which helped tremendously, winning the whole game for the happy pair.

The questions were extremely random, one example being, “What one weapon would your partner use in a zombie apocalypse?” Who in the world would know that? 

Each student that participated in Royalty were chosen based on votes from different classes. And because the dance is Senior Ball, all of the students were seniors. 

These seniors were Kaycee Combs, Cheyenne Lawrence, Kammi Anderson, Toria Bigham, Carli Larsen, Shaylenne Segmiller, Zach Emerson, Dakota Bair, Gavin Hall, Jason Quinn, Mitch Wilkinson, and Jordan Koopmans. 

These well-known teens were great sports throughout the competition. Kaycee Combs said, “It was awesome! I had so much fun being in Royalty.” 

Best of Flyer Flash: Champions!

Students celebrate the victory of Dixie over Spanish Fork in the 3A State Championship Football Game.
Photo by Kirra Wilkinson, Flyer Flash

Champions!

by Arthur Anderson

Reporter, The Sports Hangar

This article appears in the special November 19, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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From humble beginnings to being on top of the world.

The Dixie Flyers were much less than an afterthought in most peoples opinions. Time and time again critics, teams, and fans, would only see Dixie as a bump in the road.

Unranked in the Region 9 playoff picture, projected to not even see a playoff game this season, much less the field at Rice Eccles Stadium, Dixie was essentially forgotten.

Projected to have a losing record rivaled only by Canyon View, there was no belief in the Underdog Flyers.

Many Region 9 “Experts” predicted the Flyers to be left with a 1 and 5 record in region play, only to be blown out of the way when the Flyers finished with a 4-2 record.

In short Dixie wasn’t even given a chance this year, nothing but an afterthought in Region 9... Underdogs.

Underdogs that were picked to narrowly slip by Springville early in the season, picked to be blown out of the their own stadium by what were considered “Powerhouse” teams such as Pine View and Desert Hills; but as it can be recalled, the Underdogs showed each team whose house this is.

From the beginning, the Dixie Flyers had something to prove, and they proved it.

Best of Flyer Flash: Paula Freeman Walk-A-Thon

Students participate in the Paula Freeman Walk-A-Thon 2011.
Photo by Lauren Christensen, The Dixie Blog

Paula Freeman Walk-A-Thon

by Maddy Garrett

Reporter, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the November 12, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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This school has been so very touched by our very own Paula Freeman.
Everyone that knew her well, or just acquainted with her will always have a little piece of her sweet spirit throughout the remainder of their lives.
The “Paula Freeman Walk-A-Thon” is something the students and teachers of Dixie do every year to remember Paula’s life and to help raise money for her scholarship fund.
Everyone wore pink for breast cancer last Thursday, and walked around the track down at the football field. Students asked local people to sponsor them a couple bucks so that they could raise money to help Paula’s children, Kami, Spencer, and Nikole Freeman, so that they are insured for a good life.
Kami Freeman, senior, thought that the whole day was a great way for her and every other person to remember her mom. “It makes me really happy for there to be such a big deal made out of my mom’s memory,” she said. “She made such a big impact on everyone’s life, and it should be shared.”
It certainly has been shared. The turnout last Thursday was great. Lots of the students came out to help support which made it much more memorable.
Music was blasting throughout the entire field so everyone could rock out around the track.
The Freeman family was also there including their cute little dog Zoe.

Best of Flyer Flash: Super Great!

The Jetettes perform during halftime at a Boys Basketball Game against Snow Canyon High.
Photo by Kirra Wilkinson, Flyer Flash

Super Great!

by Skylie McArthur

Reporter, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the October 29, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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Everyone see’s the performance side of the Jetettes at football and basketball halftimes, but a lot of the time that’s the only side they see. They don’t realize how much really goes into being a Dixie High Jetette.

This could be due to the fact that they practice in the wee hours of the morning when no other students are on campus or even awake. Every single morning, April through June and August through March, the Jetettes are up and at ‘em and dancing in the main gym at six am.

They start out the morning by stretching in lines spread out across the floor, led by two of the officers, jamming out to pump up music. After about ten minutes, they’re all stretched and ready to do kicks.

“Shake it” by Metro Station blares through the speakers and the girls run to their kick line, tallest in the middle and descending height down the line. After a “5-6-7-8” and a slap, they’re kicking away any sense of sleepiness left in them.

After finishing the morning kicks, Mrs. P, the Jetette advisor, starts working through either the routine they’ll be performing that week or polishing their competition dances. They start out by cleaning the dances, which consists of straightening formations, matching arm and leg angles, and counting through the routine.

Best of Flyer Flash: Sadies and The Nightmare Before Christmas

Photo Credit: The Dixie Blog

Sadies and The Nightmare Before Christmas

by Maddy Garrett

Reporter, Flyer Flash

This article appears in the October 15, 2012 edition of the Flyer Flash.

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What an unforgettable night it was. Dixie's most recent dance was the one and only Sadie Hawkins.
With such a different vibe for this dance, it had to have an equally glorifying theme. If one can think back to a certain classic of the fabulous Tim Burton and remember The Nightmare Before Christmas, then they know exactly what was to be expected.

“This Is Halloween” was the theme for this well-loved casual social.
Most people remember this movie to be a family favorite, and others reminisce that it was a frightening experience that was followed by nightmares.
This was a nightmare turned into a dream! A pumpkin patch, pinwheels, and pops of black, orange and white! It could have been the perfect Halloween party!
Some people who love the movie were ecstatic to find out that it was going to be the theme, but it wasn’t the first idea Mrs. Johnson had in mind. “The dance was going to be held on top of the airport, and it was going to happen, except that they had some plumbing issues.”
Some people weren’t too excited about the theme because they were not a fan of the movie. “ I wasn’t (excited) at first, but after designing the jackets I got really excited,” said Skylie McArthur, senior.
As many people have not seen this movie, many of the students actually watched the movie during their day date. It was a great way to get into the mood of the dance, and it was a cheap and easy way to have a good time.
The dance itself was the perfect Halloween bash: music blasting, and lights flashing, what a sight.
Sadies was a successful second dance for sure, now can Senior Ball top it?