Optimism marks start of secondary schools

Douglas High School English teacher Karen Lamb set the mood for the first day of secondary school Monday morning.

"I'm trying to stay as positive as I possibly can," she said.

Lamb has much to be positive about: a renovated facility (new roof, re-keyed doors, upgraded surveillance); 20 new teachers to work with and bright, eager students.

"I'm stoked to be back," said 17-year-old Andrew Dewitt, one of Lamb's students. "The summer got really boring after a while, just working all the time."

Dewitt said he needs to buckle down in English class and graduate high school with flying colors.

"I want to go in the Navy or maybe become a firefighter," he said.

Such student enthusiasm is easily harnessed by Douglas High Principal Marty Swisher, who transforms enthusiasm into achievement.

"We are seeing more students who may not have traditionally applied to community colleges decide to pursue post-secondary education," Swisher said. "We estimate that 63 percent of the class of 2008 applied and are attending Nevada or out-of-state colleges and universities."

The graduation rate in 2006-07 was 85 percent, Swisher said. The graduation rate for Hispanics was 81 percent, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.

Swisher lauded Douglas High's special education program and bragged about the school's advanced placement students.

"We have a higher percentage of kids taking the advanced placement tests (equal to college credit), and some classes with over an 80-percent pass rate," he said.

Swisher also mentioned above average scores on college-entrance exams. But high school is more than taking tests and meeting competencies. It's also the beginning of intellectual education, developing the ability to think freely and delve into ambiguous issues with a critical eye.

"Do we have a moral responsibility for the art we create?" Christine Groman asked more than 20 students in her art class. "What part does art play in society? How does it affect society?"

Groman just transferred to Douglas from Whittell High School. Her first class was a mix of beginner and intermediate art students.

"Art overlaps everything; it's a critical component of life," she said.

Groman split students into groups and instructed each to create a definition of art. Juniors Nicki Harrison and Kayla Gagne joined forces with seniors James Abrigo and Zephyr Fry and devised the following definition: "Art is a creative way of expressing views, opinions and emotions."

Gagne had plenty of emotions to work with.

"The first day of school is exciting, nervous and awkward," she said. "There are new faces in different classrooms and new teachers."

At Carson Valley Middle School, eighth-grade teacher Angela Abawi was preparing students for a year of social studies.

"It feels like I never left," said 12-year-old Emelie Wurster.

Emelie said she's looking forward to a more rigorous curriculum, especially an advanced placement English class with friend Lynze Alaniz, who is 13.

"I'm a little scared," Lynze said. "I just want to get through and on to college."

Kelsey Endter, 13, just wants to get on to high school.

"I can't wait," she said. "There'll be different people and bigger choices to make."