I am 17

I am mad.

Three hundred 

And thirty one 

Trans and gender diverse deaths this year 

Three hundred 

And thirty one

Murders.

Trans people 

Are four more times likely 

To live in poverty then the general population 

Trans people

Experience unemployment 

Twice the rate of the general population 

41% of trans people 

Report attempting suicide 

Compared to 1.6% of the general population 

Trans people 

Are a topic

Seen as controversial

They are seen as something similar to politics

Now I see politics as

Who to vote for

Height restrictions on buildings 

What to do about conflict with other countries 

I do not see it as something

That differs whether someone should have rights or not

The ninth amendment says: 

“The enumeration in the Constitution, 

of certain rights, 

shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

Which should mean that 

Trans people’s rights shouldn’t be argued or fought over

When that would never happen to a cis white mans rights

We gained rights for women

For black Americans 

For anyone that needed them

And now that these rights are assumed

They’re still arguing that we don’t deserve them

I am 17

I am too scared to use public restrooms 

Because people might yell

Or might do something much worse

I am 17

And I am too scared to get mad 

At someone calling me a girl 

Because they might get a lot madder

I am 17

And my mother told me she stopped loving me

When I came out

I am 17

And I regularly get asked

About my genitalia 

In public spaces 

I am 17

And I’ve tried to commit suicide 

3 times 

I am 17

And I’m scared

I won’t live to grow up 

Like my siblings 

I have the right to be angry

Do you?

-Jude Jackson

Thoughts on Crossroads

Crossroads High school is an alternative high school where they teach 236 wonderful young minds and help them grow and learn every single day. They offer a huge variety of different teaching styles and different ways to receive special support when you need it and not just for academic issues. The teachers at Crossroads are very friendly and will treat you like one of their own not just like a student. The kids here always do their best to be nice and treat everyone with respect. Since all of these amazing things happen it gives crossroads a specific feeling. The feeling is so welcoming and accepting of who you are and so full of support it is what truly makes it not just a school, but makes it a family.

 Crossroads is normally judged negatively because it is an alternative school and people see that as a bad thing, but I see it as a positive and here’s why. Kids are more engaged and willing to be at school because the atmosphere and energy at school is so much more pleasant than your traditional high school. Kid’s feel safer and love the feeling of the family aspect in the schools culture. They also enjoy having close relationships with friends and staff members throughout the school. We don’t have school on Fridays and school is an hour shorter witch makes kids more adapt to showing up and staying the whole time. Of Course I could go on and on about the things that make this school great, but the three words “It’s a family” sums it up really well.


Crossroads is a school unlike any other, the school has lots of features and principles that gives it an unfamiliar yet welcoming flavor. A good example of this is our bathrooms that have positive Murillo and sayings painted beautifully on the walls by students. Yet the only way to understand why little things like make such an impact on our students is too look deep inside our school, our culture, and most importantly our student body. No reporter could walk into our school and understand how or why these little things help, because to understand this school, you must be a part of it. Until you are, you will most likely look at Crossroads and its student body differently in a negative way, like most do. But once you a part of it you will see how truly special of a place it is.
I could go on and on about all of the amazing things about this school. The kids, the teachers, the energy, and even the environment that we are located in. But i'm not gonna go on and on because if a crossroads kid read this they would know what i'm talking about. By now if you don't know what I'm talking about then clearly you aren't a part of this crossroads family but we would love to have you.

-Jake Crystal

Though there are 1000’s of schools in the U.S., none compare to this little alternative school in the mountains of Western Washington. Crossroads takes pride in making sure its students are comfortable, with assemblies to bring the students together, some of the kindest staff in the state and all of the inspirational posters lining its halls, the campus has a loving atmosphere for all of its students no matter their background. Another thing that makes Crossroads a unique place is its small numbers yet wild diversity. Seems like every classroom is home to a large variety of students, making the place seem even more welcoming.

Crossroads has a reward system in place for their students as a way to have every student strive for excellence. Open campus lunch on Thursdays and no school on Fridays to those who have good grades are great incentives to inspire students to push themselves to work harder and really do their all. Staff at Crossroads are very clear that they care about their students and want them to live successful lives, having teachers be as loving as parents really makes students feel more comfortable and act like themselves. A very big problem in high school is students feeling like they have to act different at school and around teachers instead of being true to themselves, which Crossroads does a great job at eliminating this problem.

Having a truly safe space for students and have them be learning about real world things as well as state mandated things is a great combination that creates results. Crossroads has turned lives around for many. Crossroads is a sanctuary for students that couldn’t fit into the guidelines of public schools: teen moms, dropouts, troubled students, homeless students, victims of heavy bullying, and anyone else that feels that regular schools are not working out for them. Crossroads has something regular schools could never have: a family, staff and students united to show the district and the rest of the state that alternative schools does not only work. It works even better than anyone could ever imagine.

-Xavier Swanson

The people at Crossroads are like a family. Nobody is ever discriminated against or treated poorly. The students and staff in Crossroads really care about things other than GPA and tests. They care about your real life situations. They do things differently. This school was made for those kids who just didn’t fit right at a regular High School. The staff and students work hard and take pride in their work. Crossroads started with some pretty great people who wanted to make a difference in children's lives. They wanted to help and show that school isn’t just learning, so they took things into their own hands.

School starts at 8:10 am and goes until 1:50 pm. The first week of school is a critical week that starts off the year. How you look at it is on you. The first two days you go into small groups called check and connects that will be your first period for the year. You learn a lot about the other people in your group while doing a school beautification project. Each group does something to make the school a better learning environment. Then one day of the first week the school has a day dedicated to learning about others and knowing what it’s like to really be in another persons shoes. You learn a lot from people during that day.

Crossroads has some pretty amazing staff members. The staff are a vital part of every school and to learning, but the crossroads staff is different. They’re like parents to the students. They understand and take into consideration what problems and obstacles you may have. They make their work flexible so that everyone can get what they need done and graduate.

Crossroads also has some extraordinary students that attend. The students understand each other in a way many people wouldn’t. They all get that there are challenges and bumps that come along in life and they help each other through it. And that’s what makes Crossroads High School the place to be.

-Laura Grissom

Crossroads High School is a place like no other. Hugs are given on our bad days freely. Support is always found somewhere. It is a place of safety and love, unlike any other high school. In most schools students are left in a jungle. They are the prey, the hunted. Classes swallow them like snakes swallowing an egg. Bullies tear into them like a panther's teeth. In Crossroads, students are the predators. They are Bengal tigers, rare and beautiful. There is nothing coming to hunt them here because they are finally done being the prey.
       Coming to this school can be heard. Students expect so little from the staff and students. They expect kids to be mean and outrageous, either pregnant or considered bad. Yet when they relax, Crossroads swaddles them with love. When life has been so hard and school seems meaningless, this school brings the meaning back. The kindness is spread thick like icing on a cupcake. Students gifting each other drinks from the coffee stand is a regular. Compliments are given freely.
      Relationships form in the best ways. Due to the school's small size, students often have the same teachers until the graduate. It makes connecting to people easier when there's opportunities to see them again, year after year. Familial connections with teachers form, when you’ve never had anyone care. Teachers get to really know you. They remember you when your gone and are happy to see you when you visit. Everyone has a little piece of you in their heart!
       When a new student comes here the first person they meet is usually Lori Hanson. She’s super kind and will help you get set up. She leaves you feeling welcomed. Our principle is Bridgette McVay. She’s sorta silly and wild, in a super great way. You can always talk to her. Jen is our counselor. She’ll be there for you and help you out whenever you need. She’s genuinely a very kind and giving person. Mrs. Roberts is our crazy fun teacher. She’s super silly. There are forks in her ceiling and her hair is usually a bit out of control. She cares for us and treats us like her family. She’s our version of Mrs. Frizzle. Miss Land is our history teacher. She’s everyone safe place. We’re able to just go and sit with her on our bad days because she cares. Mr. Rose is rad. He’s Jewish, so us as students get to actively learn about his experiences and religion. He tries so hard to connect with us and it shows.
       Mrs. Orr is everyone's mom, especially Miss Land's as that's her daughter. She’ll take you under her mommy bird wings and help you get stuff done. She teaches us things we’ve never done before. Mr. Nelson is new this year. He loves dad jokes and he’s pretty silly like us. We have this awesome class called theater makeup too, taught by our Mrs. Roughton. She’s a pretty righteous teacher, and with her experience we all could learn a thing or two. Mrs. Carlson is our art teacher. She’s a chill relaxed lady who wants you to express yourself. She rocks. Mrs. Munn is incredible. She always has snacks if you're hungry and will give you the warmest hugs! Our business teacher is Mrs. Stark and she’s really smart with making money. She teaches us some really cool things and helps us get ready for the real world. Plus she’s chill. Everyone’s father figure is Farley. He’ll bear hug you when your mad and help solve your problems. He’s super cool. Now, saving the best for last, our janitor Jim. He’s incredibly caring, and loves us all, no matter the work we make for him. He gives his all for this school and it means a lot to us.
   
  Crossroads is our safe place. Everyone really loves and cares for our students. When we have to traverse the jungle, we know someones got our back. Crossroads is our pack.

-Jude Jackson

One Day for Change

 Over the past several years, Crossroads has been participating in what we call "One Day for Change." This day is an intense bonding experience where students and staff open up, set judgement aside, and learn that we are in this fight together. So, can one day make a difference? That is the question that was up for debate at the beginning of the school year. Typically this day for change is done the first week of school, but staff thought that it should be pushed off until mid-year. This was quickly seen as a mistake as students began demanding that we need it.

The need became evident when over 30 students showed up to participate in Voices of Youth, a club started by Principal Bridgette McVay, when normally there are only around ten students in this club. These students felt that the school was becoming divided, bullying was increasing, and the family-feel was lagging. They knew the importance of this day and they begged for the school to participate in it before it was too late. As students met in the gym for the event, Bridgette voiced her gratuity for students speaking up, "Sometimes staff think we know what is best, but I was reminded today that I need to listen to our students."

The day started out with students lining the gym with chairs and playing games. There was laughter as they ran across the gym floor and squeezed into chairs. Some students even tumbling to the floor with a competitive but playful energy. A beach ball was bounced around and students squeezed into a circle next to others they didn't know were going to be their friends by the end of the day.

After a little bonding and playing, students then joined into "family" groups. These groups were led by either a student or teacher. Each group had around 6-7 people. As we got to know each other a little more, we took a break to eat lunch. The tough part was coming next.

When lunch was over, we returned to a corner of the gym where guest speaker Ms. Julie Stark and former student Chelsea shared their personal stories. Everyone listened respectfully as they shared powerful life stories of overcoming pain, heartache, and challenges unimaginable. These powerful women spoke to our group of students and showed us what pure strength looks like. Showed us that it is OK to be vulnerable. That all of us are flawed. We have our doubts. But we must press forward and strive to love those around us with the talents and skills we were given. Stark is now a teacher at Crossroads who leaves an impact on students and pushes them to do their best. Chelsea owns a yoga studio where she offers free classes to current Crossroads students and shares her story of how mindfulness and healthy choices changed her life around.

After hearing their stories, we were ready as students and staff to get back in our families and talk. Students opened up to those they had only seen walk past them in the hall. Students shared stories of depression, being bullied, homelessness, and lack of parental love. As each student finished their part of the story, they were met with kind hugs and words.

Now was for the part that truly brings us together as students. This is called "Crossing the Line." In this activity, a statement is read, and if it applies to you, you cross the line.

Statements like:

                         I feel lonely

          I have been bullied

                        I have been discriminated against for my religion

                                        I have lost a loved one to suicide

               I have spent the night not knowing where to sleep
                                            
                                                      I am been in an abusive relationship

                        I have experienced domestic violence

          I got to be a child

As many students crossed the line, they saw others cross with them; people who have experienced similar pain. Tears streamed down faces and arms were wrapped around each other. There was a stillness. Quietness in the air. One that brought us all together. It was more than peace and comfort though.  There was something about hearing your own foot steps walk across the gym floor to the sound of others walking with you. The sound that echoes, "You are not alone."

As we completed the day, students did shout outs to each other. Students thanked and apologized. Students voiced how grateful they were to be here. New student Cesar stood at the front of everyone and said what we were all thinking, "I was told to come to Crossroads because it is like a family, but it wasn't until today that I really knew what that felt like."

-Journalism Team

How Students Feel About Crossroads

Crossroads Alternative High School. To many students, former students, teachers, and civilians in the community hearing about Crossroads might make them feel happy, nostalgic, just simply think about the good times they’ve had and could have, and the great benefits that come with becoming a part of the Crossroads family. To a few others, our school is like the ‘devil’, you could say. They almost want nothing to do with it. It’s somewhere where the bad kids go. Instead of going through regular high school, some might wrongly assume that Crossroads is a way to get out easier, and they might see it as people switching here to be unfair.

            At a regular high school, crowds and crowds of students flood the school every day. Loud booms of screams, laughter, and other mysterious sounds erupt through the halls, echoing off the tall walls and windows. There’s always the separate individual groups, or the cliché name, ‘cliques’. The preppy ones, sporty, hippies, nerds, etc. With all these different groups, people become insecure and worried about what ‘group’ they might be associated with. Even though there is more students at a normal high school, not as many of them know what it’s like to deal with things like childhood trauma, family problems, etc. so they might come off as less understanding or not sympathetic.

            In Crossroads, it’s almost the exact opposite. Of course at our school there is still groups, but it’s more just separated into different friend groups, who wouldn’t be against someone new sitting with them and joining them. Instead of being segregated into multiple categories, our whole school is one big group of people, maybe besides a handful, who care for each other and knows what it feels like to feel vulnerable, useless, depressed, and any other negative feelings they might have developed in the past few years.

-Jordan Trussell

Where do I start, maybe with the teachers who make the school so great? Of course I don’t have every teacher but the ones I do make my day so much brighter. I start my day with lovely Kayla Land for world history. She is so joyful in the mornings which really help when you’re tired. She writes great Power Points to discuss every day in class including an entry task to make you think, notes to take and remember, and our class outline whether we’re starting a new project or just a worksheet. She is amazing and I enjoy her as a teacher. Next is to the new addition to the Crossroads family, Mr. Rose. He is a science teacher and the specific class he teaches me is physics, which isn’t a very easy subject at all times. He provides great notes and is always around to help and explain. Physics equations are quite hard to remember for me so he is always happy to help and lets us take our time. Off and up to Mrs. Orr, my math teacher who thinks I’m a bundle of sass and smarts. She always, always helps with explaining and making sure we understand the task. She’s pretty cool because she accepts late work until the quarter ends which comes in handy because third period geometry can get pretty rowdy. She is an all-around favorite and she is for sure the school mom. 

Fourth period is check and connect which is short but never dull with Matlack. He always has something for us to do every day and at the end of the week he checks our grades to see how we are doing. He is a great motivator and always makes sure I’m doing well in the grade region because he knows I hate anything less than a B, and I’ll beat myself up on it. Thanks for being so invested Matlack, much appreciated. After everyone races to get into the lunch line, where we have a great server and cashier. They’re nice faces to see after getting through half the day. Lunch is everyone’s favorite time, it’s where we can all eat and enjoy our friends. Then up the stairs and to Roberts for two whole periods. She is the best I swear, I love both her classes, health lit comp and journalism. She’s unlike anyone, not only a friend in school but helpful. I enjoy having her around my life because she makes everything a little bit happier.

 Lastly I’m off to go see Carlson for relaxing yoga to replenish me from a busy day. She routinely ask us what poses we want to do most and if we feel okay or not. She takes our insight into consideration which is helpful because some days no one is feeling up to much or are cranky. She’s very compassionate and is light energy in yoga, you can really use your mind and body for the better of yourself without stress of interruption. What I can say about my experience so far at Crossroads is this is not a normal school; we are a community and a family. We all have the support we need to grow and develop good life skill and knowledge. We also have the time we need that is fair to us to learn and excel. I love my Crossroads friends and family they are amazing in all ways even with struggles.

-Samantha Mason

Crossroads is such an amazing school, and I am so glad I decided to come to Crossroads. I transferred from Granite Falls High school to Crossroads the start of my junior year. I don’t like schools that have a lot of kids and Crossroads is a smaller school. Also many of my friends go to Crossroads. This

school is also a great place to come if you are behind in school because they offer packet classes. We also have open doors for some of the students that have a hard time coming to school or if they work. There is also a daycare for people that have babies, such as teen moms. The daycare also helps out a lot with the parents and getting clothes or stuff. Just in general our school does a great job at providing food or clothes for the people that need it. A lot of kids that come to Crossroads have personal issues or just kind of a difficult life and at Crossroads and we are basically like a big family because we all look out for each other. The teachers here are also very caring for their students and they care about us. The teachers also look out for us and help us in school and make sure we are passing our classes. We get a lot of new students, and when they come to our school, we like to make sure they feel welcomed here and that they are part of our school. Our school is a much smaller school than many others and the thing I like about that is that there is less people in the classes so we can get more one on one help and it is easier to focus with less distractions. The staff at Crossroads is all amazing and crossroads is by far the best school I have gone too. I am glad I decided to make the switch because coming to crossroads made me a lot happier and all together it is a better school.

-Kendal Guzman

Crossroads is a very positive place to be. The staff here are a group of very caring and supporting people. They'll work with you anyway to make sure you achieve your goals and graduate. They will ride your butt till you get your work done. It's not just the staff that are there for us, we're also there for the staff when you're having a tough time. Students will write letters or make posters for them just to let them know that they’re loved. It's more personal here at this lovely school and you can grow some pretty amazing relationships with some of the staff members. My favorite part about this school is the daycare. The daycare is for the mamas of this school; they can drop them off and go get that education. They also provide transportation for them and their babies! There are also programs for kids who work and don't time to go to school full time. Crossroads is very creative and realistic; the students are crazy creative and it’s amazing. You can really learn a lot here; not just academically but personally you learn. I personally am a whole different person from Crossroads. It has impacted me for the better and helped get through school in a better way. This is a comfortable place to be, where a lot of people aren't afraid to be themselves. I love Crossroads, it's a very determined, supportive, positive, happy school and I don't think you could find another school like it!

-Alex Chavez

Oh Crossroads, what can I say about you... Where do I start? There is so much about this school that is amazing. I think the main thing is probably its positivity. You walk in and the vibes are just happy. The staff works their best to keep students happy. Teachers wants the best for every student, and will work with everyone individually if that’s what it takes. They are there to support your every move and be there for you if you fall, which is truly amazing. This school also gives many other programs for students who work, or have kids. It gives them an opportunity to still get school done and work. Another thing about Crossroads that just amazes me, is the daycare! Students who have their babies at school can drop them off there before class, and it makes it way easier on them. This school really works to lift the weight off students’ shoulders, every day of the week. I couldn’t be anymore happy to attend this school during this time of my life. They’ve helped so much, mentally and physically. Shoot, they’ve helped everyone. Almost every student attending this kick butt school have a close bond with some staff, and that’s something you don’t see a lot. Many students feel comfortable coming here, and letting teachers help. It’s sweet when you see the punks actually doing their work, because they feel motivated. It’s truly amazing… the vibes this school gives. There is so much good about this school, so much! The support is unreal here, no doubt.

-Mal Byron

Like many others, at first I fell for the stigma. Crossroads was nothing but a whisper in the back of my head, and a threatening one at that. There were of course vague rumors floating around about the school; of violence, mischief, and drugs. There were stories too though I don’t necessarily remember any, but the impression stuck. So in the end, it was hard not to feel like the school was a physical representation of failure, though I knew it was anything but that, and was aware of the sub-par qualities of our countries education system. The rumors of crossroads even ended up becoming more positive in the end. More and more friends of mine were leaving the high school for any number of reasons, because boy are there many.
In the end though, It was still hard not to feel the way I did with the pressure from my parents and peers, because to them, it was that, failure. I figured “not me” and thought I’d just ride it out at my other school, even though I disliked it there. I would just get in, get out. It didn't happen that way. I don't need to go into detail, many people at Crossroads understand. I had a struggle, what kind isn't important, but the fact is the same. I wasn’t successful, outside forces were holding me back, and I was failing all my classes but one. Even then, I held onto a passing grade by nothing more than a thread. To say it was difficult was an understatement.

Then one day Jackie pulled me into her office and suggested I try crossroads. I was stubborn, or maybe not even stubborn, just tired. I was too tired to look for another route, so I just stuck with what I was given. Wake up, do the necessary, sleep, repeat. There wasn't much time for anything else, and I had very few resources so it's not like I had a way to look for anything else, and I had no idea who or what to ask anyways. But this was different. And option was put before me, so, I asked questions, and there was no more push, I was gonna go to Crossroads.

So, I went, and I was scared. Anyone thrown into a new school would be, and this wasn't a regular school either. But I went all the same, and though I was anxious, I felt relatively welcome. I knew some of the attending class already, and It also helped that the staff was so welcoming. I remember success academy, and I also remember how emotional it was, and the very real struggle that was clear a lot of us had been through. So, though different, that's a connecting factor. Perhaps the fact that were all just different kinds of misfits, but misfits all the same, connects us. Were all fish, or deer, or maybe even a toad, who were judged on our ability to climb a tree. Well, each of us are finding different ways to get to that topmost branch. It's such a stark contrast to a regular high school, the teachers are understanding that life steps in the way sometimes. There's a genuine connection with your teachers and peers because of the small population. It’s clear to see all the care and effort that teachers go to for the well-being of students.

I also liked how the school was geared towards the students’ success. My parents were an obstacle for a long time, and their decisions stood in the way of my education multiple times. So, after switching, I became much more in charge of my education, and much more independent. It was nice to be able to take the reins, so to speak, when I had originally felt like wood drifting at sea. Crossroads has its faults for sure, but I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had there. I’ve felt unsafe in some ways, but safer in others. And I know I have the staff to thank for my success. All of those who go out of their way to help students to do their best. Those who put so much energy into keeping everyone safe. So, to close out, thanks Crossroads, thanks for the new friends and family. And lastly, a huge thanks to all the staff/teachers, thank you for doing so much to help us all grow, learn, and keep safe. I know a lot of us may not show it very well, but we appreciate it.

-Vail Bates

Crossroads Yoga

Crossroads is big on yoga! There are three class periods offered each day for students to meditate, stretch, relax, and push themselves to reach new goals. It is deeper than reaching for your toes, although we definitely have our fingers wrapped around them. It is a safe place to connect with ourselves and with other students. When we enter the yoga room, we are told to leave our stresses behind us. For the next forty-five minutes, drama, social media, and negativity are left outside the door. It is only us in the room; connected, lifted, and free. Then there are the poses we try. Some are easy, while others are more challenging. We are told it is OK to wobble, it is OK to lose our balance; we have to fall a few times to finally master it.

We start our yoga practice sharing positives we have experienced that day or the day before. Then we sit in easy pose and breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. In unison. Together. We then move onto basic poses, warming our bodies up and slowly easing into stretches. As we progress through the class, the poses get a little more challenging. Lifting from the ground and balancing on a single foot or just our toes. The teacher asks us to focus on points in the room, breathe deeply and plant our feet. Finding our balance through a mixture of steady breathing and concentration. Believing in ourselves and accepting mistakes. As we wobble, she commends us for trying, and we get back up. It is through this practice that we are able to experience and conquer our goals. Something we can apply in our lives outside the yoga room. We can conquer our classes, and we can be successful. We have all noticed growth as we become more flexible and balanced. Some of us are mastering poses for the very first time. Doing headstands and lifting ourselves into crow pose. Something we weren't sure we could do before.

-Namaste

A Day I will Remember

A day I will always remember was the day my grandpa broke my heart into a million pieces and didn’t respect my grief in any way, shape, or form. My grandma Denise passed away a few weeks before thanksgiving of 2015. She died from a bad mix of pills. Her older brother gave her some pills to help her with some medical issues that she was having knowing that it wouldn’t mix well with her everyday medicine for depression and anxiety. Denise only asked for the pills because she was too scared to actually just go in to the doctor’s office. Her brother later on found out that she passed, and he admitted to giving her the pills knowing that it would most likely kill her. I am so angry!  I hope that he has the worst karma for the rest of his life. She was the most sweet, loving, caring, respectful, understanding, and amazing women. She always listened to me when I needed to talk, and she was always there for me. It broke my heart when she passed away.

 I remember when my dad told me that she died. Right after he said it my legs turned to jell-o. I fell to the floor crying and yelling. A couple weeks later my grandpa called and told me that he was going to come up for Thanksgiving so we could all grieve about grandma as a family. Thanksgiving Day came along and he knocked on the door around 11 in the morning. I opened the door and I instantly was angry. He introduced me to this old wrinkly women that was standing next to him. His exact words were, “I’d like you to meet Patricia, my current girlfriend.” I immediately went and told everyone that he brought his new girlfriend before he got to them. They were all astonished. I couldn’t believe that my grandpa could be so cruel and mean. I was expecting just my grandpa so we could grieve but instead he brought a new girlfriend. I ended up staying in my bedroom the entire time he was there. Later on, when dinner was done, he asked me why I wasn’t downstairs with the family and I just said that it was because I wasn’t in a good mood. I didn’t talk to my grandpa for about a year after that happened and it really sucks. I never really told him about how I felt about her but it doesn’t matter because a few months after that thanksgiving he married her.

-Bryanna Daves

Should Crossroads have Open Campus?

      Recently at our school, Crossroads High School in Granite Falls, we lost our privilege to have open campus lunch. With open campus lunch we had the opportunity to leave 15 minutes into lunch and do whatever we pleased, for the most part. But with the luxury we also had some strict rules set. One being that you must return back to school on time after lunch time. Our school provided an even longer lunch than last year so we had more time to eat, hang out with friends, and spend time outside, but students still took this to their advantage. Some more rules we had to follow in order to keep open campus was to be respectful and clean up after ourselves. Since it wasn’t a secret that the majority of the students would go smoke cigarettes outside, it was expected of us to clean up the cigarette butts and put them in the cans we had provided for that. Since one of the main places to go at lunch is the car wash, conveniently placed by the street, we are obviously expected to stay out of the road in the way of cars.

         Sadly, though, our privilege to do that was taken away by the police. Which means not only do we not really have a chance to get it back, but we also made that much of a negative impact that the police had to get involved. A large crowd of us would typically be by the car wash, by the road, and that was a part of the reason we got it taken away. Another, bigger, reason is because a student, who’s staying anonymous, acted inappropriately towards someone who had a great impact on where we could hangout during lunch time. I don’t know exactly what the situation was, but we students weren’t happy about it. There was a good handful of students who, daily, would take advantage of open campus and come back late, and when we had off campus they would still leave without permission. When those individuals, who were usually the same, did things like that then the whole school would get punished, so we wanted to kind of compromise and only punish those who deserve it or make it more fair as to where only certain students who are eligible can have open campus lunch. Because even though open campus might just be seen as an escape to smoke cigarettes, many students used the time to actually drive and get food for lunch.

-Jordan Trussell

Why should we have open campus? Personally, I believe it's good for students to take control of something small every day. A breath of fresh air, or perhaps a quick stop at a coffee stand can brighten an otherwise glum and repetitious day. I loved being able to walk to the local grocery store, as it gave me incentive to do some exercise, as I live a rather sedentary lifestyle more often than not. Anyways, a break outside of a suffocating building can be phenomenal.

Yes. Some people definitely screwed it up, but I firmly stand in my belief that it was lack of proper punishment and select behavior that led to the removal of open campus. Students did not consider the small task of sitting in at lunch a big enough obstacle to stop them from constantly skipping. Moreso, it was only a few individuals who repeated the task. The unfortunate fact about alternative schools is their bad rap, and the few trouble makers become the face of the whole school. Everyone at crossroads does burnouts in front of semis. Everyone at crossroads curses out friendly local business owners. Everyone is a delinquent, because humans focus on the negative, because the negative is the loudest. So, that loudest incident becomes definitive of the whole school, and it’s an unfortunate reality that the masses suffer due to the misbehavior of a few individuals.

And to conclude, yes, some kids do misuse the time given, but frankly, what high school doesn't have its delinquents? Everywhere you go you will find people who wish to push the envelope in anything they do, and the difference is containment. You have to make sure they don't repeat the action, lest the punishment become a fair price for the crime, and the perpetrators grow. Most if not all students are trustworthy, and a lot do have behavioral issues, but isn't that also true of those who’ve experienced traumas as well?

At crossroads we see a concentration of kids who've gone through monstrous events, and have found admittedly unhealthy ways to cope, but you can't just ignore it, and that's not everyone all the time. I have my own issues, and enjoy the chance to grab food I can eat easier, as I have a very picky stomach due to anxiety. Anyways, those who made mistakes definitely deserved to have their open campus taken away, but to punish the many for the mistakes of the few is unfair. And as I leave you, I reiterate, when the punishment is lacking, misbehavior breeds.

-Vail Bates

Vigil for Jeffrey

Sunday of December 3, 2017 the Granite Falls community lost a member named Jeffrey Clark. Jeffery or commonly called Jeff was an extraordinary young man who had a whole life in front of him.  Jeff left us all before we were ready for him to go but one wonderful thing he left behind, his beautiful little girl Renesmee Rose Clark.

Jeff was born on August 6, 1998 and sadly passed on December 3, 2017. He was a kind and caring young man who wore his heart on his sleeve. He had a way of making everyone feel loved and special and I think that was his best quality. He sometimes didn't make the best decisions, like using a sparkler bomb to blow up a mailbox, but it's those kind of memories that keep him alive in our hearts.

Jeff’s candle lighting was something small that the community and his friends and family put together so we can all have a moment to take a break and remember all the good times that we shared with him. As his friends and his family told stories there were some of us that stood in silence just listening as if all happened yesterday.

I hate that there are people saying he took the easy way out, there is absolutely nothing easy about suicide, and it breaks my heart to think that he thought that he had no one by his side but in all reality he had the whole community. On Monday, December 11, we are holding Jeffrey's memorial service at the Granite Falls High School Gym. I know it would the world to Jeff’s family and friends if you could be there to show your support.

-Rhiannon Conrad

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Halloween Fun!

This year, the town put on a little Halloween Town Festival to provide a safe place for kids on this spooky night. Volunteers came from everywhere, including Crossroads Alternative High School and the “regular” High School. Not only was that going on, but they also had Trunk Or Treat at the Father's House. Along with snacks at the town Museum. These are mostly traditions for our town... for instance, our town businesses from restaurants to grocery stores all do trick or treating for the kids.

But back to the Halloween Town Festival!

It was such a great opportunity to catch some games and take pictures with the ones you love! The games and activities ranged from a Selfie Station to a Haunted House. We had volunteers doing face paintings, and supervising games like Ball Toss, Can You Guess, and the Fishing Game. We also had a picture board for family/group pictures, and seating for parents. It was quite the Halloween for all the kids in town, that’s for sure!

Pictures of students carving pumpkins in preparation

-Mal Byron