Julie Stark

My Crossroads spotlight goes to Ms. Stark. She’s inspired me since the day I started Crossroads and has motivated and pushed me to be my best ever since. I met Ms. stark the beginning of my Sophomore year, she was my brother’s favorite teacher. Before I started he told me to make sure I get Ms. Stark. The day I met her I understood why he loved being her student; she’s the perfect influence and will never fail to make you laugh. She never fails to keep me on track and does everything in her power to make sure I have what I need to succeed. Ms. Stark always has a smile on her face and a positive outlook on everything. She’s honest and will help you be the best you in any situation.

Not only is Ms. Stark a good person, but a great teacher as well. I have loved every class I’ve had with her; she’s so passionate with her teaching that you can feel it. Her words get you excited about the topic. I’ve taken things away from every class I’ve had of hers. I am working on my future goals, and I already am using the things that she taught me in her class. In entrepreneurship she taught us how to be a leader, how to be responsible, and how to give back to those in our community. She takes things beyond the classroom and applies them to the world. She shows us that we can make a difference beyond ourselves.

I have also taken Financial fitness from her, and this class is my favorite because we learn real life lessons that we will need to know after we graduate understand. She teaches us how to save money and how to choose the more responsible choices. These are math skills that we will use in our lives forever. Everyone learns math her class because she makes sure we all understand. I think Ms. stark chose to be a teacher so she could shine some light on us students and show us how to improve and be the best we can, but more importantly so we can know that we’re not alone. I think she chose to teach CTE classes to give students knowledge on the real life things we will need to know after high school; to me that’s really important. I feel every high school should not only teach the standard curriculum but also all the real life things everybody needs to know how to do such as saving money, writing checks, and doing taxes. I am grateful to have Ms. Stark as a teacher and to have learned so much valuable things from her.

-Kenna Watts

Dylan Morin

My name is Dylan Morin. I am 17 waiting to get out of here at the age of 18. I love the Ninja Turtles! Some people like to say I’m stuck in the 70’s because of my hair, personality and music taste. I say that's wrong... no not really, that basically sums me up. I have a big family. It's just kinda scattered. I have an uncle, sister, brother, grandma, grandpa and brother-in-law all living in Mount Vernon. I have brothers and sisters in a couple different states because of my dad thanks to him. One day I want to travel to the states they are in and visit them. I enjoy hacky sack, listening to music and hiking, but just like any other teenager I enjoy a lot of things. However, with Type 1 Diabetes it makes these things a little more challenging than they should be, but I get through it. It's easier being diagnosed for a while and doing these things because I have more of a handle of when I need to stop and check my blood etc.

 I decided to go into Open Doors because at the high school I felt like a part of me was drifting away during freshman year. I didn't really care like a lot of freshman, then sophomore year I got back on track a little bit. Then junior year came, and I lost one of my buddies around Christmas time. Right after that, my aunt who also has diabetes and was a big help for me, passed from a diabetic seizure on New Year's Day. As you can predict, I just stopped caring. Then I realized if I was to make it somewhat successful, I would need some type of school diploma so I turned here for my last shot.

Paige Stout

                    When I was younger, playing sports at school was the best. As I got older, the drama began to interfere with my life which affected my ability to play.  I played volleyball for nine years, mostly boys and girls club, and I wrestled on the boys wrestling team for one year.  Obviously volleyball is my number one sport, but I will never forget wrestling. I won 12 matches and only lost 2 and even competed on some varsities! 
            My boyfriend has been skateboarding for a really long time, and it got me to dabble with it for a few years.  Now we both really enjoy adventuring to new skate parks on our free time. Lastly, I have always been a naturally good artist and have enjoyed it all my life, which I probably get from my dad.
           

 My name is Paige Stout, I'm 18-years old. My birthday is December 27th, 1999; same day as my dad's! Although I don't live with my dad, I'm totally okay with it. I've always been very close to my grandparents and mom and have lived with them a lot of my life; always in Arlington where the rest of my small family lives. I have two older sisters who I don't live with and never really have as we all have different dads.  My sister Lora, 26, who is younger of the two is pregnant and about to have my second niece, and I couldn't be more excited!  Right now, I'm currently living with my mom and the love of my life who I have been with for about seven months now, but we've known each other for 5 years!

I started Crossroads my junior year during my second semester. One day my best friend and I, sitting at lunch in Arlington High School, decided to fill out an out-of-transfer packet by ourselves to go to Crossroads. Her sister had mentioned to us before many times that it was a great school. She had been enrolled in open doors and also went to school there before, saying all the teachers were very helpful.  Trusting her, I enrolled at Crossroads, and loved it from the very beginning. From the welcoming students, to the funny teachers, to the good vibes, I started to see hope in graduating. After some time, I sadly got back into my old habits, but I did not want to leave Crossroads! That's when I got introduced to Open Doors which sounded like a perfect fit for me. And so far, it's been working so we will see how it goes from here.

-Paige Stout

Jordan Trussell

Who is Jordan Trussell? Well she is one of our school’s top students who gets awarded for her hard work and input in school. The specific award I am talking about is student of the quarter. Only a select few get student of the quarter as each check and connect class has one student they can choose. These people can be picked for many reason varying from straight A’s to most improved. Jordan is an outstanding student and is a real butterfly in the working part of school, most don't have this quality that will really help in the long run whether it helps within college or the job atmosphere, and it’ll help greatly. She is not just great at school, but she is a pretty great person. She has a big heart, but most of it goes to her boyfriend, also his name is Jorden, and her closest friends like Hannah. She is always willing to try to help anyone she can. She is also very talented in makeup like a lot better and bolder than the average. My favorite she does is orange or red colors, which is really had for many to pull off, but she really kills it; I’m jealous to be honest. I should know more about her to write more, but I can say she is quiet and keeps to herself. I am very similar that way. What I can say, is she is an outstanding person and deserves this award fully. When I think of a ‘perfect’ student my mind pops up with Jordan.

-Samantha Mason

Alexandria Chavez

Hi, my name is Alexandria Chavez. I am a Junior at Crossroads High school before I was attending Granite Falls High school but switched over to get the extra help that I needed. I was at first home schooled till about 6th grade. I was home schooled because I couldn't handle being in a public school. I had really bad anxiety, I missed so much school. I would throw up all the time, even just being at home. So my mom decided to pull me out and home school me. I lived in Lake Stevens until was five when my baby sister was born Then we moved to Granite Falls so I’ve lived here for 11 years. I have six siblings, two brothers and four sisters. Another addition to my family is my three dogs and a fish. When I was younger, we had bunnies but they always got eaten so we stopped having bunnies. We had cats but they always ran away. Which was okay with me because I hate cats. Growing up was normal for me, I grew up in a Christian home. It’s a very important thing to people in my family. I do believe there is a God, but it's something that I’ve always struggled with.  

I play Basketball for the Granite Falls high school. I've been playing basketball since

third grade with the same group of girls. I trained for about a year-and-a-half with a training program directed by Steven Hume who is now like a father to me. I was going to transfer to Grace Academy in Marysville because they wanted me to play for them, but I never did because it was to much money for my parents. I didn’t want to leave my team I've been playing with my whole basketball career. I tried Softball, but that was too slow for me, so I didn’t play again after my first year. I also enjoy being outside, hikes and going on road trips during the summer.

 My plans after high school aren't completely clear to me. I will probably go to college for a business degree but after that I'm not sure, and I’m not too worried. I will definitely move out of Granite one day, maybe move somewhere warm like California. I really just want to work and travel the world, just taking life one day at a time though.

Kendel Guzman-Ormiston

Hi, my names Kendel Guzman-Ormiston. I’m sixteen years-old. I was born on March 14, 2001. I have lived in Granite Falls for my whole life. I went to Lake Stevens from kindergarten until 10th grade, half-way through the year I switched to Granite Falls High School. But this year I decided I wanted to go to Crossroads because I liked that the school was smaller. I was behind on credits so I coming here made it so I could  get caught up..

 I have a pretty small family. I live with both my mom and dad and my cousin who we adopted. He is four-years-old now. We all live with our two dogs and cat. I have another brother who is twenty-years-old, but he doesn't live at home anymore. I have only lived in two houses and both have been in Granite Falls.

There is so much stuff I like to do, but one of my favorite things is playing with my dogs. I have two dogs right now, one is eight-years-old and the other is six-months-old. I love dogs so much, they are my favorite animal. I even got a pair of custom made vans with a picture of my dog on them! During the winter I like to go snowboarding. I started snowboarding about three years ago. At first I was scared, but I actually like it so much! I would go every day if I could. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends. I like to go on adventures and find new places to go. Over the summer I like to go camping and swimming not only because it is fun, but I like going to new places and traveling. I'm not sure what I want to do once I graduate, but I am glad I decided to join Crossroads.

Samantha Mason

My name is Samantha Renee Mason, I am currently 16 years of age, and I was born in Everett, Washington. Two days after I came into the world I was taken home to my current and only residents in Granite Falls. As of now my dad has owned my home for 19 years, this is the only home I’ve know of. I grew up not having any limitations on what I should be, but we did have limitations on what we could have with this money is an issue.

I grew up very humble, but when I was coming of age I became a very sassy, independent girl and that's how I remained, I humbled myself up, but don’t get me wrong I don’t put up with nobody. I have recently moved schools from GFHS to Crossroads as of November 8, 2017, so I’m going through new experiences and changes. The reason I left was to get the help I need, be in a more comfortable environment where I feel I have more benefits, and grow to be the best I can, to my liking at least. Change is good, and I actually favor it; it’s good to be different.

There is not much I can say about myself because I’m not the surest in things, but at the moment some things I enjoy to do is write, which is a big reason I have joined journalism. I like doing yoga activities, I have been expanding my knowledge in the makeup area, and I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and animals, and their animals because duh. I have also worked on vehicles with my dad for a long time, and I’m at the age where I’m fixing my own car to get on the road. I’m ALWAYS changing so don't think this is all there is to me, but I hope you explore my post and enjoy them.

Student Spotlight: Hannah Andrus

Hannah Andrus

Hannah Lynn Andrus is a new student to Crossroads, so many of you may not know her. She’s shy to new people but once you get to know her and she gets comfortable around you, she’s outgoing, fun, and you won’t regret meeting her. She's hard to forget with bright ginger hair and a sweet smile. She was born on February 28th, 2002, in Edmonds, Washington. Since then, she’s lived in multiple places around Washington, like Kirkland, Renton, Granite Falls, Monroe, and now she lives in Lake Stevens.

       Hannah came to Crossroads for a series of reasons, and she fits in perfectly. She went to Cavelero Mid-High last year and had a bad experience with the teachers and the rest of the students. Her grades were going downhill and towards the end of the year she stopped going to school in general. So because of her grades and attendance, she thought that Crossroads would be a better decision for her than the regular high school.Animals are a big part of Hannah’s life. She’s had them all the majority of her life. On her 10th birthday she got a pet dog and named her Lady. A few years ago she got an orange cat and name him Ginger, but he died a few months ago. Hannah also has 3 other dogs named Josie,Dakota, and Bear. She also has 2 more cats named Benson and Charlie.

Another big part of Hannah’s life is her family. Throughout the years she has only really become close with her immediate family that she lives with, and even though they piss her off a lot, she loves them regardless. She lives at home with her aunt Sadie, her aunt's boyfriend Chris, her 16 year old cousin Christian, me, and her mom Michelle.

-Jordan Trussell

Student Spotlight: Nathan Edwards

Nathan Edwards

Nathan Andrew Edwards has lived in Granite Falls his whole life and was born November 16, 2000. He is vice president of Crossroads high school, and his goals for the school is to make everyone happy and make a difference in the school and the students. So far his constant parading around the halls cracking joking is causing plenty of smiles around the school. If he isn't stroking his fierce beard or showing off his gorgeous boots, he is giving hugs and cheeky smiles. Yes, there are times when his teachers want to pull the duck tape out to silence his chatter, but they all secretly love his comments and the laughter he brings to the classroom. Nathan is the person who can make the grumpiest of teacher's lips twitch into an unforced smile. So what brings Nathan to Crossroads? He came here his sophomore year because the high school was not his favorite place, and Crossroads respects you and treats you like an individual and not a little kid. To Nathan, Crossroads is more than just an education, it is a second big family for him.

Speaking of family, Nathan has a crazy big family who used to get together every Christmas Eve at his great grandma's house up until she passed away a couple of years ago. This was a really big tragedy for him. He loves his family more than anything. Besides family and Crossroads, Nathan enjoys driving his blue 1980 Toyota. This beast gets him where he needs to go! Nathan also loves to go wheeling and working on trucks.

He has big goals for the future, but right now his number one priority is to graduate high school. Then it is on to his next dream of owning his own mechanic company. A few more things you should know about Nathan are during the summer he does side jobs to earn extra money.  His favorite color is John Deer green and his favorite restaurant is Playa Bonita. Nathan is a junior now, likes dirt bikes, and is a Trump supporter. He loves this country! He also loves to help out his grandparents around their house and cabin; one day the cabin will be his. Nathan one day is going to have his own great family and do great things in his life even more than he is doing now.