The Tomahawk Press
Sierra High's Student Newspaper
Communications Commissioner
Hi! I'm Kacey Heirendt the current student running the Tomahawk for the 2019-2020 school year. I'm a junior, I play tennis, and I actively participate in ASB as well as multiple community service clubs. In my spare time I like to read and write, and one day I'd like to attend Columbia University to get a Doctorate in English, and become a professor.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
October 14, 2022
Presentation of Flags by Veteran's Wes Qualls and Kenny Long
National Anthem by SHS Vocal Ensemble.
On September 11, the battalion chief of Battalion 1 witnessed American Airlines Flight 11 crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center and immediately radioed a multiple alarm incident. Over the course of the next three hours, 121 engine companies, 62 ladder companies, and 27 fire officers were deployed to the scene. All off-duty firefighters were recalled—the first time the FDNY had issued a total recall in over 30 years. In addition to the regular fire apparatus and personnel assigned to the incident, the FDNY also deployed its only Haz-Mat unit, its mobile command center, its field communications unit, all five rescue units, both of its high-rise units, six of its seven squad units, and one of its two tactical support units.
There were 2,977 victims killed in the September 11 attacks, 421 were emergency workers in New York City who responded to the World Trade Center. This included:
343 firefighters of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY);
37 police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD);[
23 police officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and
8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics from private emergency medical services
And 10 other officers from special government agencies.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a way to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on September 11, 2001. Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY brother but symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others. Through firefighter and community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters and 78 police and emergency service personnel are honored and that the world knows we will never forget.
The Stair Climb donations were collected to support the families of your local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit.
We would like to thank everyone for participating and for their generous donations. A special thank you to our sponsor California Casualties for coming up and supporting our event.
HOCO Grand Marshall 2022
notes from: Rob Hastie
Rob Hastie married Kathy, the love of his life, in 1986 while living in Orange County, California where they grew up. Rob was a business major at Biola University and became a lawyer in So. Cal. After having 3 kids and coming to his senses about real life, the family moved to Auberry. Rob earned special education and social studies teaching credentials and applied for a job at Sierra High. He really wants to thank Melissa Ireland for taking a chance and hiring this unknown O.C. outsider guy.
Rob became heavily involved in MCRF youth sports and coached basketball and football. Ultimately he coached several sports at Sierra High and became the varsity head football coach for 3 years. They had the “dream season” in 2009 - remember how great that was?
Each of his 3 children graduated from Sierra High School: Kristyne, in 2008, is now a special education teacher at Santa Barbara High School; Tim, in 2010, is married and an attorney in Clovis and Allisa, in 2016, is currently a Ph.D. student at Stanford. Rob and his wife are forever grateful for the education and life their children received in Sierra Unified.
Rob just retired after 17 years teaching at Sierra. There aren't words to describe how teaching enhances your life, teaches the teacher the essence of what it means to be alive and impacts young kids in today’s world! Teachers literally share the meaning of life with their students. They can use the subject to show how a fully developed, interesting and moral person can be a huge value to our community and all of society. Rob simply spent every moment in class trying to help young kids become awesome adults - period. He tried to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He tried to live his mantra: “love kids, tell the truth, work hard, chip away.” And sometimes it was messy - but it was unspeakably terrific in the end, when the bell rang and life went on.
And life still goes on, long after Sierra. Rob will now have time to write books, think deeply and live what he learned in school. And let's hope that the lessons learned in U.S. History class, with all Rob’s rants about kids, and social media, and everything else that needs to be fixed in America - become practices that make awesome people and better our world. And isn't that the goal - to teach things kids never forget. So Rob will never forget you and his life has been forever changed for the good in so many ways. Thank you for the chance to give it all to the students.
Oh, and you all, please, never forget: “Don't be a chump”!
Thank you so very much for this recognition and the honor of being the Grand Marshall for Homecoming 2022-23.
Homecoming Court
Freshman Prince and Princess
Prince Stran Dunn
Stran is involved in multiple extra-curricular activities which consist of, baseball, basketball, and ASB. After completing high school he plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo and major in Construction management. Tonight he would like to mention his mom and dad, Joanna and Steve Dunn, his sisters Faith and Heather Dunn, his brother in-law, Johnny Couch, his grandma Delores Dunn, and grandpa Earl Dunn.
Princess Betty Burley
Betty is currently involved in ASB as the Freshmen Class Secretary, signed up for Native American Club, and plays for the Sierra JV volleyball team. After graduating high school with a goal of being a valedictorian, she plans to attend a four year college in which she would like to earn her degree in nursing, after this she would like to attend a graduate school that specializes in certified nurse midwifery. Tonight Betty would like to recognize her mom Joni, her sisters Bev and Bobie, her brother Trenton, her brother in-law Gavin, her uncle Richard, and her cousins, J Dub and TJ.
Sophomore Prince and Princess
Prince Isaiah Stewart
Isaiah is a member of Sierra’s water polo team, the DND club, CSF, the podcast club, and the history club. He plans on earning a certificate in cybersecurity and earning three CompTIA computer certifications while in high school. After graduating high school, Isaiah plans on attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and joining the Airforce. Isaiah is honored to be a part of the homecoming court and he would like to thank his class for voting for him. Isaiah would like to thank his mom and dad, Krista and Leo Stewart, along with his sisters Anna, Sarah, and Lydia Stewart for encouraging him and always being there for him.
Princess Zella Ellison
Zella is involved in drama. After graduating highschool she plans to pursue her dreams of becoming a flight attendant. Zella wishes to acknowledge her mom, Ashley who is with her tonight, and says hello to all of her fellow classmates.
Junior Prince and Princess
Prince Lucca Loman
Throughout high school Lucca has done to use a varsity soccer. After high school, he plans to be a fire fighter for Cal fire. Lucas states that he feels honored to be chosen as a junior class Prince, “I would like to say thank you to everyone that voted for me” Lucas states. tonight Luca would like to think his mom and dad, Kristi and Nathan woman, for being so supportive of him and helping him get through high school.
Princess Brielle Peters
Throughout her high school career she has been involved in ASB, Volleyball, basketball, and CSF. Currently Brielles future plans are undecided but she would like to enter into culinary and business with the dream of opening up her own restaurant. Another goal of hers is to graduate high school as a valedictorian. Brielle would like to thank the junior class and everyone that voted her. homecoming night. She would like to thank her parents Letty and Bryan and her siblings Chloe, Ashley, and Brian for always being so loving a supportive. (a special thank you to her mom for driving to all her sports games and picking her up from practices.) Lastly she would also like to thank all her coaches throughout the years for being such great mentors and teaching her to be a better person on and off the court.
Ireland Allen
Throughout high school ireland has been involved in waterpolo, volleyball, and tennis, she has also been a part of ASB and CSF. Irelands future plans are to attend a four year university after she graduates and get a degree in nursing. Ireland states that she is very excited to be nominated for homecoming queen alongside all of her friends. Tonight she would like to mention her mom and dad, Amber and Riley Allen, her sister Paris Allen, her grammy, her cousins Olive and Gus, her papa Matt, and lastly “her friend that’s a boy, Dylan.”
Abbey Cetin
Abbey is involved in multiple extra curriculars such as ASB, CSF, FFA, the podcast club, history club, NAMI club and is on girls tennis. After graduating high school she plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo and major in medicine in hopes of becoming a Physicians Assistant in Oncology. Abbey feels very blessed to be able to represent Sierras senior class of 2023 as a homecoming nominee. She would like to thank her class for thinking of her as an eligible candidate for this position. She had taken a great pleasure in being this years senior class president and one of the best. “Chieftain Country, let’s ride.” Tonight abbey would like to recognize her mom and dad, Gale and Dave Cetin, her brother Caleb Cetin, and sister Claire Cetin, her nephews Finn and Quentin, and her boyfriend Gavin Whitney.
Sophie McConnell
Sophie has been involved in ASB for three years, varsity soccer all throughout high school, and also a member of the CSF, ski club, and FCA. after graduating high school, she has the goal to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo, go to study entrepreneurship, and eventually own her own business. Sophie states, “ i’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to be in the running for homecoming queen. Thank you for recognizing me as a potential candidate as your 2023 homecoming queen. I would like to thank my mom for always being there for me, and pushing me to do the best version of myself. Thank you for being such a great role model. I would also like to thank my stepdad, Darrin, my nani and pa, and everyone in my family for being here and always supporting me. I would like to recognize my uncle, Eric Palmer, for fixing up his parents beautiful car for us to be able to use tonight, thank you.
Aurora Parker
Tonight Aurora is joined by her aunt and uncle Katrina and Charlie Ferguson, along with her boyfriend's parents, Bryan and Kandice Cable. Some of the activities that Aurora is involved in are track, wrestling, and FFA for the past four years, two of which she was an officer. After graduating high school Aurora plans to attend Reedley College and major in Welding and Business. Aurora is one of the candidates for homecoming queen which has been one of her goals since the start of freshman year.
Brent Craighead
Throughout high school he has been involved in ski club, football, welding, and FCA. After high school, he plans to obtain a business entrepreneurship degree or become an artist. Brent states that he is grateful to get voted as one of the candidates for homecoming king and he would like to thank everyone who voted and made this possible for him. tonight he would like to thank his mom Kristen for always being here for him and helping him the best she can with anything that comes his way and also his dad Brian for always pushing him to be and do his best. He would also like to acknowledge his step parents shane and Kelly and all his other friends and family for being here tonight and supporting him always.
Hunter Fowles
Hunter is involved in two sports at the high school which consist of football and baseball. He was also involved in FFA. After high school Hunter has the goal of attending Reedley college and majoring in welding. When asked how he feels about being nominated for homecoming king he explains it as crazy and that it has always been a goal of his. Tonight he is accompanied by his mom and dad, Kandice and Bryan Cable, along with his girlfriend's parents, Katrina and Charlie Ferguson.
Russell Judd
Russell is involved in FFA and has shown cattle for all four years, and is also a FFA chapter officer serving as a treasurer his junior year and a vice president his senior year. He is also a part of the natural resources team, and plays baseball. Tonight he would like to acknowledge his mom and dad, Leann and Greg Judd, his brother and sisters, Alec Grey, Emily Wheeler, and Michelle Martinez, his brothers in-law, Cody Wheeler and Jason Martinez, his nieces and nephew, McKinley, Melina, and Bowen and lastly his girlfriend Makayla McGrath. Russell’s plans after high school are to go into the military, then work in the US forest services as a law enforcement officer, then retire and work with a volunteer fire department. One of his goals is to stay living in the woods and to be able to ski more. Russell’s message for his classmates is that you should always be yourself, even when that means having a rockin 'mullet.He says that AG stands for ‘Awesome Guys.’ He is blessed that he was able to make so many great friends and make so many memories throughout his high school years.
Gavin Whitney
During his high school career Gavin has been a part of FCA, CSF, Podcast Club, History Club, and the baseball team. After completing high school he plans to attend a CSU and major in pre-med studies such as biology and health, along with possibly playing baseball. Once he has received his Bachelors degree he wants to work towards receiving his MD to become a physician. Gavin states that he is extremely blessed and excited to be nominated as one of the homecoming kings by his fellow classmates. He feels that it is an honor that he will be able to be a part of one of Sierras biggest events. He continues to explain how he is happy that he was nominated next to a bunch of my friends, including some of the best SLP (shaver Lake Pizza) employees he has met. Lastly he would like to thank Mr. Ashmore for always helping me out with whatever he needs, and the baseball team for keeping it 100. Tonight Gavin would like to recognize his mom and dad, Tenisha and Roy Whitney, his nana and papa Cantu, as well as the entire Cantu family.