By Sam Goering
CCS Teacher
LINK high school students had a busy week full of special activities before the school adjourned for Thanksgiving break. With two opportunities for service and a career exploration event, the high schoolers had learning experiences that exemplify why the Crestone Charter School’s mission and core values are not just academic in nature.
They attended a valley-wide career fair on Wednesday, November 15th, at Adams State University where over 60 companies, organizations, and colleges from across the region were represented. Students had a chance to explore post-high school pathways, ask questions of career professionals, and get an idea of possibilities for their future. Representatives set up display tables full of information, candy, and promotional swag, and were eager to engage with over 800 students from nearly all of the school districts in the San Luis Valley. The Army National Guard was on hand challenging students to push-up and pull-up contests, and students were given a scavenger hunt with a raffle entry prize to incentivize talking to as many people as possible. A special thank you is in order for SLV BOCES and their SWAP program as well as all the groups and individuals who helped put the career fair together, including ASU for hosting the event.
High school students served lunch Thursday, Nov. 16, at our all-school Thanksgiving lunch where each age-level class group contributed something special to the meal. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin cake for dessert. The whole school ate together outside Rainbow Hall in a giant horseshoe of tables, and is perhaps the closest thing to looking like Hogwarts Dining Hall that the school gets each year.
On Friday, Nov. 17th, LINK traveled to County Road GG to help the Orient Land Trust’s Adopt-a-Highway efforts by picking up roadside litter along a two-mile stretch of the highway. After watching a CDOT safety video and a quick breakfast of tea and donuts, students donned safety vests and gloves and hit the road. Trash bags quickly filled up and students felt satisfied with their service efforts and being outside. In the words of one student, “I have a good feeling after doing that, like I accomplished something good.”