LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Sadly, for the third year in a row Lake County has experienced a wildfire on a large scale.

However, this year multiple counties have experienced this tragedy including Napa, Mendocino, Sonoma, Butte and Yuba. More than 40 people lost their lives and close to 8,000 structures were destroyed.

Since Lake County has such experience with the large-scale fires, a lot of damage was avoided due to our experience with this situation. Many of us even had bags and valuables pre packed. Our pre-packedout to the families that lost their lives, homes and possession during these fires.

We the students and staff of Carlé would like to offer a huge thank you to Woodland College and its entire staff.

On Oct. 25 Carlé students were given a tour of this wonderful college. During this tour students were given the opportunity to see the wonderful Aromas Café run by Chef Robert Cabreros.

We then continued on to the library led by the unique and special Kandice Goodman who is one the sweetest people alive.

Ms. Goodman told us we could use the library to study and offered us the opportunity to apply for library cards. We then sat down and listened to an inspiring presentation by Bruno Sabatier.

Following that we listened to an opportunity offered by Charlotte Lee, who is a lead tutor at the college. Ms. Lee explained to us about the special tutoring programs for student who need assistance available at the college.

Finally, we revisited Aromas Café to listen to six college students – all but one a Carlé graduate – speak about their experiences in college and the benefits it offers.

The students who spoke to and with us were Jose Pelaez, Danielle Stennet, Trevor Giovacchini, Brianna Legg, Nicholas Kieffer and Emily Simmons. Thank you for your deep and moving words.

“The college was a very fun and informative experience,” Carlé student Jaime Miller said. “The Woodland College staff broke down the information very clearly. I felt it was individualized. We visited classrooms and met new people to help us get started with college.”

I then asked Miller what her favorite part of visiting the college was and she responded, “My favorite part was eating the delicious food that was made for us.”

We cannot show our appreciation enough. As a thank you to all these wonderful people that helped Carlé with getting started at college, Carlé ’s SBE program will be designing each of these helpers plaques to show our thanks.

Totes for Teens is an organization run by Cheri Johnson that assists teens in need by providing them with essential supplies such as hand-knitted hats, school supplies, sleeping bags and much more.

Because of the recent fires Totes for Teens is going above and beyond, helping not just students of Konocti Unified and Lake County but many students of the counties affected by the fires.

Due to Totes For Teens’ constant support of Carlé we are making each of these dedicated people coffee mugs designed and pressed by students of Carlé themselves. Thank you Totes for Teens for all you do for students and the community.

A Lake County rock contest sponsored by Carol Lynn Anderson has come to a conclusion. The first place winner was Remy McCosker, second place was Katie West and third place was Cheryl Johns. Each of these people received a plaque designed by Carlé ’s SBE program students.

Amanda Guyette, Sally Brown and Christy Clerk Jennings will receive a mug designed by Carlé’s SBE program students for their submissions as well. Congratulations to the winners we feel this is a wonderful program that really brings hope and joy to our community.

DJ’s Pizza held a fundraiser for Carlé on Oct. 11. We truly appreciate what this business does for Carlé and many other schools in our district. In addition to this fundraiser DJ’s donates to us a free pizza every week to give to our student of the week.

As promised in the last article, here are the results of the student council election: The president is David Bejar, vice president is Ray Azevedo, treasurer is Abebreanna Gonzales, secretary is Teagan Tompioner and, finally, activities director is Tarah Denson. Additionally Cindy Ramirez and Caiden Harvey are student council representatives.

Congratulations to all and we hope that you sponsor some great activities this year. Student council will sponsor our annual Harvest Fest which will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Lots of activities are planned and details will be in the next article.

Nicholas Phipps is a student at Carlé Continuation High School.