CHS Smoke Signal

CHS Smoke Signal Caldwell High School's student publication, the Smoke Signal

05/23/2025

CDL Program Now Offered at CHS
By: Nicholas Dimmerling

Caldwell High School is rolling into a new career as eight students prepare to graduate with more than just a diploma. They’re on track to earn their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), thanks
to our partnership with Mideast Career Center.

In response to having a shortage of truck drivers across the state, career centers and local high schools have teamed up to help fill positions by training the next generation of drivers. CDL drivers are retiring faster than they’re being replaced.

Caldwell students are now getting a head start. They complete the classroom portion of the CDL training at school, earning their permits before graduation. Then, in June, they’ll head to Mideast
for hands-on driving time and final testing to earn their CDL.

“This is a great opportunity,” said John Crum, who is guiding the kids through the program. Crum brings 11 years of experience from the oil and gas industry and also lives on a farm, giving him plenty of experience with large vehicles. “Most high school students don’t get the chance to work with big trucks like this, let alone leave school ready for a career.”

The first group of students taking part in the program includes: Ethan Lamp, Ethan Crock, Huck Harmon, Alex Herlan, David Cole, Tyson Nichols, Dalton Ward and Chaz Pfeffer.

To help students train safely and confidently, the school now has a driving simulator, purchased through a grant we have received. Each student logs in with a personal account to practice
different maneuvers and learn the terminology used in the trucking industry. They must master each level before advancing, giving them a solid foundation before they ever step behind the
wheel of a real rig.

By the beginning of summer, these eight seniors could be licensed CDL drivers, ready for a job!

05/23/2025

NHS Inductions Held at CHS
By: Ashton McAfee

The Caldwell chapter of the NHS held inductions for new members on Friday, May 16, after the annual award ceremony.

The NHS program stands for the National Honors Society, an organization that empowers students to participate in their community and encourages them to make society and the world a better place.

Caldwell High School’s NHS Chapter Advisor, Emily Regan, has managed the club for two years and plans to continue in the future. This year, they had many students participating in the program with an almost even number of juniors and seniors.

Most, if not all, of the students who participate in NHS are planning on going to college in the coming years with the hopes of pursuing careers in things like medicine, teaching, and business. These students all strive for excellence in everything they do, and never settle for anything less than that, showing the true nature of the organization they participate in.

Not only do these students strive for greatness, they show it in their actions as well. NHS encourages students to participate in their community, whether that's through community service, helping with local events, or even sitting in on town or city proceedings. But because this opportunity is such a high commitment, the screening and interview process are extensive.

The faculty council looks at a person's grades, their achievements, and their character before extending an invitation to write an essay explaining why they believe they would be a good candidate. After reviewing all of that, the faculty council decides on whether a candidate would be a good fit and then they let qualified candidates know from there.

NHS is an amazing opportunity for students to reach out in their community, build important status amongst peers, and most of all, it helps them build important fundamentals for the future.

05/16/2025

CHS Seniors Enjoy a Day at Cedar Point
By: David Cole

On Monday, May 12, 2025, the Caldwell High School Senior Class took a trip to Cedar Point.

The seniors who attended the trip left the school by bus at 7 a.m and returned at 12:15 a.m the next morning. The trip was awarded to the senior class at no charge to them. Kelly Fry, who is the Senior Class Advisor, was also in attendance.

Cedar Point is one of the most famous amusement parks in Ohio. It is known for all of its roller coasters. The most famous roller coaster is Steel Vengeance, which is also considered the park’s signature ride. According to Cedar Point's website, this hyper-hybrid coaster is a transformation of the original Mean Streak and is known for its incredible airtime and unique blend of wood and steel construction. The website also states that it is recognized as the longest hybrid coaster in the world and features a 205-foot tall, 74 mph experience.

Cedar Point is the second oldest amusement park in North America, and it’s on a mile long beach with on site accommodations and more.

The website states that tickets to Cedar Point start at $49.99 for a day pass, A Funday Bundle, which includes parking and meals, starts at $74.99, a Summer Pass costs $110 or $25 per month through Labor Day, and Season Passes range from $145 to $350.

Cedar Point opened on May 3, 2025, with full time operations opening on May 15.

05/16/2025

This Year’s Robotics Competition Experience
By: Maggie Howell

This year Caldwell High School robotics team worked hard to learn how to design, build, and program robots. The 2024 - 2025 team is made up of dedicated students such as Jacob Corder, Jason Marcum, Hunter Mackie, Rayden Berry, Conner Barnes, Kaiden Pakes, ELi Smith, Jonah Moracco, Dalton Kissinger, Mason Arnold, Gavin Hallowell, and Ares Glidden.

Robotics is a branch of science and engineering that deals with designing, building, and programming robots. Students in a robotics class will learn how to build robots, program by
using python coding, solve real world problems by designing robots that can complete challenging tasks, and work as a team by sharing ideas. Students will start learning at the beginning of the school year and continue until the end of the school year, working towards a competition by spring.

The big challenge CHS robotics team was faced with this year was the competition bot, their catapult bot, used to launch projectiles over a distance. The catapult bot is often used in VEX Robotics competitions. The team was unfamiliar with the catapult bot but was still able to work together to be successful.

The team went to one competition this year, the Ohio Valley Robotics Competition (OVRC) on May 13, 2025. Jonah Moracco and Hunter Mackie pulled through by winning the championship.

Junior Jonah Moracco said, “My first year on the team was fun and gave me a lot of different opportunities. I will definitely continue next year.”

05/15/2025

Caldwell High's Annual Award Ceremony Will Honor Class of '25
By: Nicholas Dimmerling and Claire Schafer

Tomorrow, Friday, May 16, the annual Caldwell High School Awards ceremony will be held at exactly 9:30A.M. This event is open to the public and will ask its attendants to dress “nicely” and appropriately.

At this event many different awards and honors will be given, there will be 38 scholarships spread amongst our 2025 senior class, one being worth $40,000 ($10,000 yearly), the “Ron Hill Memorial Scholarship”. We are also going to be honoring a senior with a large athletic scholarship from the University of Kentucky.

Alongside scholarships, there will be top of class awards presented by the teachers of those individual classes, honors diplomas presented to the seniors who earned them, along with the seniors receiving miscellaneous cords for participation in organizations like SADD and NHS and the mock crash. In addition, the top students of the class will be receiving their medals with their proper place such as “magna cm laude” . There will also be athletic awards, art awards, and engineering awards.

This year's ceremony will have the most community presenters in attendance in the last 5 years. Following the awards there will be NHS inductions. CHS staff and students invite parents and community to attend this event to honor CHS students and all their hard work for the 2024-25 school year.

05/14/2025

Special Olympics Held in Noble County
By: Claire Schafer

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a very important event, full of dedicated and hard working individuals, was held at the Noble County Fairgrounds. The event on May 9th was the annual Special Olympics, an event held by schools across the country, Noble County being very lucky to have one of its own.

In this year's Special Olympics, Caldwell and Shenandoah came together for something bigger than any rivalry; both schools brought athletes to compete in this event. From Caldwell
alone there were 34 participants! Not only were there athletes from CHS and SHS, but there were also many different individuals from the community that got to come out and show their skills.

During this event there was a 50 meter race alongside a softball throw, and at the end there were a few pickup soccer games.

This event is not just about athletics and rivalries; it is something bigger. CHS Intervention Specialist Natalie Ford states, “It is special
because it promotes inclusion of people with intellectual and physical disabilities, challenging stereotypes and breaking down social barriers. For many it is about independence”.

The head planner of this event is a staff member from Caldwell Elementary, Janae Tucker, who has been planning and in charge of this school funded event for 8 years. Her commitment and dedication to these young athletes is greatly appreciated by our community.

This year Caldwell High School had two very amazing representatives: Kaiden Spence and William Parsons. Both of these individuals put their best foot forward.

CHS students and staff are proud of these two athletes and the excellence they put forth. Caldwell as a whole should also be proud of this wonderful event that is held right here in our
community.

05/14/2025

CHS Choir Competes at State
By: Braelyn Haga

Caldwell High School Choir went to state on April 25, 2025, at Jackson High School in Massillon.

CHS Choir has 23 students this year; three tenors, eight basses, six altos, and six sopranos. The song choices they performed this year are "Gratias Deo", "I Am Song", and "There Will Be Stars". They were gifted a plaque for their accomplishments.

“My experience at state was great because I got to spend a lot of time with my friends, who are seniors that I won't be able to spend much more time with for much longer. I thought it was cool getting to go to Jackson High School and seeing how large choirs are around state,” said Freshman Jax Jones.

Not only did the choir go to state, but also they also perform at graduation, and host their own spring concert. Spring Concert is always a set number of songs for CHS High School Choir and Junior High Choir.

The Spring Concert will take place on May 16, at Caldwell High School auditorium.

The tenors this year are Trevin Harper, Blaise Haga, and Luke Clark; the basses are Jax Jones, Cody Crum, Jacob Pryor, Trace King, Connor Barnes, Preston Miller, and Jonas Copley; the altos are A***n Jacobs, Lydia Miller, Sophia Marshall, Kara Pasco, Evelyn Hill, and Allyson McAfee; the sopranos are Addysen Ontko, Bryn Boyd,
Braelyn Haga, Summer Dehart, Mckenna Sabol, and Shelbey Hill.

05/01/2025

History Elective Class Visits Maltz Museum
By: Lydia Miller

The CHS Holocaust elective took a trip to the Maltz Museum in Cleveland on April 9 to help them have a better understanding about Jewish people, anti-semitism, and the Holocaust.
Mrs. Ford’s class, who studied WWII and the Holocaust in social
studies, also attended.

The Maltz Museum focuses on Jewish heritage, especially in Ohio and the Cleveland area, instead of just the Holocaust.

One memorable exhibit was "An American Story," which focuses on how the Jewish people came to the US, what it was like to create communities and settle in Ohio, and some of America's Jewish celebrities. The exhibit has an interactive simulator that shows the experience of traveling on a ship in the US, clothing from the Gilded Age, pictures and newspapers of local Jewish communities and businesses.

There was also a theater explaining Jewish contributions to Hollywood and media, and Jewish contributions to war efforts and uniforms from the Civil War through the conflicts in the Middle East.

Another memorable exhibit was a hate room that discussed multiple instances of anti-semitism in the US and the world, even having a map on all the hate groups in the US. There was an exhibit on the K*K, and a strong focus on the Holocaust and N**i propaganda.

Another special exhibit included "Hi**er's War on Modern Art," which included recreations of the artworks, primarily Jewish works of cubism, Dadaism, and surrealism, that Hi**er banned in the 1930s and 1940s in his attempts to control education, art, and culture.

04/24/2025

Lunch Buddies Wrap Up for 2024-2025 School Year
By: Maggie Howell

A program that began with a simple idea is now creating a lasting bond between students at Caldwell schools. The Lunch Buddy program launched in 2020 and was facilitated by Big Brothers Big Sister of Zanesville. Caldwell’s Lunch buddies Program is led by Jessie Garrison and is creating a mentorship between elementary students and high students or adult volunteers.

The program pairs students from Caldwell Elementary School (CES) with high “Bigs” from Caldwell High School (CHS) or adult volunteers. The matches between “Bigs” and “Littles” are paired up based on lunch times, similar interests, and personalities. These matches enjoyed 30 minute sessions every Wednesday with fun STEM activities, conversations, and a chance to build lasting friendships.

The Lunch Buddies team this year was followed with Adult Volunteer Stan Randolph; Seniors Ethan Crock, Gwynn Lori, Preston Chandler, Heather Dimmerling, Chesne Long; Juniors Annie Saling, Sophia Marshall, Claire Schafer; and Sophomores Braylon Fry, Camy Crock, Lexi Kimble, Wyatt Clark, Addison Leake, Elle Baker, Talon Bettinger. These students and volunteers devoted time each week to meaningful, supportive relationships with younger students.

The program runs each year from late September or early October through April. “Littles” are recruited each fall during the CES open house. Families can also learn more or apply online at www.bbbsz.org. High school students and adult volunteers go through an application, interview, reference check, and orientation before being matched.

The goal of Lunch Buddies is simple but profound: to give children a positive role model and reliable friend they can look forward to seeing each week. The biggest benefit for elementary students is having someone dependable to talk to and for high schoolers, it’s about giving back and making a real impact-all while earning community service hours.

Lunch buddy “Big” Claire Schafer says she learned a valuable lesson from her “Little” : “That not every kid is blessed with the lifestyle that some of us grew up with.”

Elle Baker remembers a fun session: “The best day was when they brought snakes in to learn about and hold.”

“My favorite part is hearing about her day and taking a break from mine,” shares Camy Crock.

Braylon Fry described the experience in one word: “Blessing, because it not only changes our lives as Bigs but also for the littles.”

As the program continues to grow, organizers hope its long-term impact will be lasting by fostering trust, friendship, and emotional support. Lunch Buddies aims to give every participating child a mentor they can count on and memories they’ll carry for life.

04/24/2025

Prom Trends for 2025
By: Claire Schafer

Prom season is upon us, and new trends are blooming. Dresses have been bought, tuxedos have been rented, and flowers have been purchased. Juniors and seniors have been waiting for this time of year as prom is a memorable experience for high school students, one you never seem to forget. Let's take a deeper dive into what's the “thing” this year.

Many girls have taken a turn on style of dress; in past years you could expect girls from around the country to wear glamorous and extravagant dress, but now some can be seen in what you may call a “Sunday brunch dress,” which is more casual and less extravagant. As for local proms, they have all seemed to stick to your classic “extra” prom dress.

Many CHS students will say their dresses are colorful, bedazzled, sparkly and include a corset. As for for the boys, they all seem to be sticking with a classic tux, whether it be navy, black or tan, and they will wear a tie that incorporates their date's dress. As for where people are purchasing these dresses, we asked many different girls around the high school. Two of our most popular responses were Henris in Columbus, Ohio, and Elizabeth Michaels in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Junior Jacy Crock states, “ I purchased my dress from Elizabeth Michaels and hope to go back there next year; they always have what's trending.”

As for corsages and flowers this year, we have seen a change from in the past where a corsage was all the rage for singles and couples; many can now be seen with a stylish bouquet custom to their theme. Many are getting their flowers from local flower shops like The Flower Box and Archers Flowers and Gifts.

In regards to food, this year Caldwell's prom is joining the nationwide trend of dinner served at prom; after a successful catered event for homecoming, many were requesting that we do the same for prom. After lots of thought, the prom committee decided that it would be beneficial to provide a meal for students at prom this year. Eating at prom has been a trend for many years
amongst other schools, so it is nice to see CHS getting on board with these trends. At CHS prom, a pasta bar catered by Olive Garden will be served. However, not all students chose to eat at prom, so we asked the groups and individuals where they would be eating, and we got many different restaurants, but a few of the most popular were Texas Roadhouse and Tlaquepaque.

As for obtaining dates, many have heard of what is now called a “promposal”. A promposal is a form of one individual asking another to prom with a cute gesture like a decorated sign. For
example, some could be seen asking a softball player to “take a swing with me at prom?” We asked CHS Junior Maggie Howell how she was asked to prom, and she stated that her significant
other asked her with a sign that was decorated in red and white and black and had cheerleader styled decorations. The sign said, “Cheer me up and take me to prom.” She, of course, said "yes".

All these trends are what make prom, prom. It will be so exciting to see what everyone brings to the table in these next few years. One trend that is a little different, but for some reason these past few years has grown, is not attending prom or partaking in its activities whatsoever. For example, Junior Nicholas Dimmerling says, “it is
just not something that interests me”. Although some students are choosing not to attend prom, prom will always be a trend somewhere to someone.

Over the years prom trends will continue to change in drastic ways, but we will always have this special event that goes on to be remembered in our adult lives as one of the “greatest nights” of high school.

04/23/2025

Mock Crash Held for CHS
By: Maggie Howell

The Caldwell High School Mock Crash, now in its third year, took place on April 22, 2025, in the school’s auditorium. This event aims to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving by showcasing the consequences of poor decision-making behind the wheel.

The purpose of the Mock Crash is to teach students the importance of making good choices and resisting peer pressure, especially in situations that may involve driving under the influence or engaging in risky behavior. It also emphasizes the importance of reaching out to a trusted person if students find themselves in dangerous situations.

This year, the Mock Crash featured a group of dedicated students who took on roles in the accident. Participants included seniors Macy Crock, Dominic Fry, Sydney Yurco, Hanna Reiter; Juniors Jack Serdy, Remy Secrest, Maggie Howell, Mckenna Sabol; and Sophomore Camy Crock. Makeup artists were Junior Amaya Moten and Senior Gwyn Lori. Filming was controlled by Senior Gwyn Lori, Juniors Lexi Franklin, Colie Arick, and Annie Saling.

CHS will continue to have the crash at CHS auditorium, as it provides a more intimate setting that allows for a better emotional connection and clearer sound for the audience. Unlike previous years, the mock crash will not take place on the field, as the auditorium setting has proven to be more impactful.

Volunteers for the Mock Crash were the Noble County Sheriff’s Office, United Ambulance, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department, and Belle Valley Fire Department also participated.

Through this emotional and impactful experience, CHS hopes to impart a lasting lesson to its students: making responsible decisions behind the wheel can save lives.

Junior Claire Schafer says, “I think this will let my peers know it's never safe to drink and drive. The repercussions are a lot more serious than anything else.”

Junior Nicholas Dimmerling states,“It is a great experience for students to learn what could happen if they choose to make bad decisions.”

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516 Fairground Street
Caldwell, OH
43724

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