Drill Team girls helped serve at the NCCA Crab Feed Fundraiser last weekend

My classes sat in total silence listening to Randy spin his stories. He shared tales of gang violence, a kidnapping, and a hold up at a KFC that turned into a gunfight. They took it all in and then they started asking questions. They were thoughtful and considerate.

Randy asked them for help in editing his memoir and they readily agreed. We now have a collaborative project to proof, polish, and help Randy get published.

Later in the week I traveled with the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and their advisors Kerrissa Schall and Carrie Satica to their competition in Wheatland. A group of about 50 students competed in a variety of business employment events.

My job was to stand in the hallway where the public speakers were waiting to go before the judges. I was supposed to ease their nerves and give them confidence, but I wasn’t really needed. Their coach Jo Forsyth had already made sure they were more than ready.

Sophia Bennett and Renee Delgado at the Wheatland FBLA competition

I had the pleasure of watching Aryanna Saltsgver and Renee Delgado hype each other up before their competitions. Aryanna competed in Impromptu Speaking and explained that she would be given a topic and then have 10 minutes to prepare her speech.

I was impressed by how prepared she was. She was excited to show off her skills!

Renee had prepared a speech and was reciting bits and pieces as she paced up and down the hall, danced, and performed other feats of exercise. The energy was bouncing off of her! Both Aryanna and Renee placed second in their competitions and earned spots in the state competition.

Katelyn Kirack was waiting outside the Job Interview room with copies of her resume ready to go. She was the picture of “calm, cool, and collected.” I wish I could have been in the room because she absolutely killed it, placing first.

The weekend ended with a group of my drill team girls (and even more of their parents) serving at the NCCA’s second annual Crab Feed. For over two hours, these girls hustled raffle tickets, bused tables, and served over 1000 pounds of crab, salad, bread, and chowder.

Most of them have never worked at a restaurant, but they carried this off with grace and competence.

At the end of the night, my feet hurt and my hands were greasy from the melted butter, but I thought about the amazing things I had seen from the students of Lassen High in the past week and was overwhelmed with pride.

And that’s not all of it! It’s just what I witnessed. There were also girls and boys basketball teams battling at Central Valley high school, soccer players celebrating their senior week, our FFA teams competing at the Arbuckle Field Day, and wrestlers fighting to be NAL champs. If only I could clone myself!

FBLA students in Wheatland

Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

Probation Department Spreading Love

with February “Appreciation” Fundraiser

Show a little love this month in a unique way that also helps benefit a really good cause. The Lassen County Probation Department is doing a big fundraiser for the month of February where you can make a donation and your ‘special person’ will get a bucket of hearts!

Also, if you donate more than $20 your special person will get a sweet treat!

The teams are about halfway to their fundraising goal.

Unfortunately, heart bucket deliveries can only be made in Lassen County.

This is always a popular fundraiser and it’s best to get your orders in as early as possible. For more information call 1.530.251.8173.

Click here for an order form and more details.

Essence Goldman and Danny Evans as June Carter and

Johnny Cash in Johnny and June Forever. photo by Carolyn McCoy

“Johnny and June Forever” Tribute Comes to the Sierra Theatre this Friday

Fans of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s famed stage show are in for a treat this Friday, February 10th, when a group of talented musicians will visit Susanville to perform in Johnny and June Forever, a recreation of the pair’s iconic 60’s concerts.

Danny Evans and Essence Goldman front the show and are both emerging voices on the Americana landscape with their own careers, but in addition to their original music, they have come together to pay tribute to their heroes and dig deep into their passion for roots music with the tribute performance.

The show plays just one night only, on February 10th, at 7:00p.m., in the Sierra Theatre in uptown Susanville.

The snack bar at the theatre will be open with beer, wine, soft drinks and food.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at either the Sierra Theatre and at Margie’s Book Nook.

Lassen Junior College, 1946, from an Eastman Studio postcard.

Lassen Reunion

February 7, 1946

Planning the first homecoming in its history, Lassen Junior College here is inviting former students to return for a two day get together on March 1 and 2.

Prizes are planned for the classes that have the most members back.

Registration, general meeting and refreshments will occupy the first afternoon with a baseball game between the college team and the Reno City League champions in the evening. A public dance in the gymnasium will follow.

On Saturday afternoon there will be open house and refreshments at the college building. In the evening an entertainment and sports show will be presented.