What makes Cottonwood the BEST high school in Utah?

Samuel Vallejo

In my opinion I think cottonwood is the best school because it's a good community to be involved in.

Nicole Nelson

Attending Cottonwood High School the past year has been an experience I never thought I needed. I've learned so many life essons from the students and staff around me that I couldn't learn anywhere else. Such as always being kind. The other day while I was making a poster in the hallway many students using the restroom, or staff passing by would stop and take the time to compliment the artwork. These small gestures made my day and also made me feel more confident. Although, this is not the only good attribute of Cottonwood. We are also diverse and unique. I hope that this year we can all come together to make Cottonwood an even better place than it was this past year.

Mel Hernandez

Our big diversity in our school. and our fast majority of elective options.

Mason Kentch

The sense of community we share. None of my other schools have I felt that I could walk up to a stranger and have a conversation right then and there. However, here I have done this multiple times and not felt nervous about it. I have also seen this happen a couple of times. Which to me shows that we are in fact the best high school in Utah.

Itzia Lopez

Cottonwood high school is the best high school in Utah because of its diversity, in Cottonwood we have people from all over the world and it makes us one of the most unique schools. Cottonwood also has great staff and teachers, they care about the students and their education.

Aven Dilley

Cottonwood is the best HS in Utah because it just is! I LOVE Cwood and am so proud to be a Colt. What other HS in Utah has the cool diversity we do, the kindness of the faculty and students, and such a close community!? I see stuff on TV that shows high schools as a mean and scary place. I don't feel that way at school. It's a good place to be.

Ann Woodward

We have a unique opportunity to bring students from all walks of life into our school and help them succeed.

Aida Delaney

I think that Cottonwoods diversity and it's triumph to keep working hard is why it is the best school in Utah. Cottonwood is not always looked at as the best school, but we are trying hard to come back and prove them wrong. We have been kicking butt in basketball and have some amazing clubs here at Cottonwood that have made a great impact. Our diversity is also amazing, being able to see and learn about so many cultures creates a wonderful impact on the students.

What will you do as a class officer to make sure everyone in your grade feels valued at school?

Samuel Vallejo

Ill take time to greet everyone at school and try to get to know them, Ill also let them know that im there for them and that they can talk to me whenever.

Nicole Nelson

Something that has always been a huge impact in my life is kindness. Kindness is something everyone needs. A simple compliment, wave, or even just a smile could make someone's day. I never want to make someone feel that they aren't worth anything, because everyone at Cottonwood High school is amazing and they all have bright futures. I hope that I can spread this kindness, so others may start being kind too. If we are all kind, imagine the unity we could have at school, and the example we could set for other schools.

Mel Hernandez

I would just be myself, say hi to people in the halls, and invite others to events, not let them feel left out.

Mason Kentch

I will assist any classmates or anyone that asks with any homework. Also I will attempt to set a club that helps students with homework so those that need help will have access to it. Additionally I will set up an email where I will have students send in any questions or ideas they have and I will reply with either an answer to their questions or an acknowledgement of their idea and whether me and the other class officers think it is good. Exception apply to ideas that I believe to be inappropriate or useless.

Itzia Lopez

To make sure everyone feels valued, I would encourage others to participate in the activities, clubs, etc. I would also talk to my classmates and try to make them feel like they are included.

Aven Dilley

As a class officer, I'd like to make EVERYONE feel SEEN, especially for those who feel overlooked and misunderstood.

Ann Woodward

I could never have too many friends and I wouldn't miss an opportunity to make a new, I would go out of my way to make sure each student has a chance to be invited, included, and a part of Colt Pride.

Aida Delaney

I want to be able to help people create new clubs or be able to find new programs that they are interested in. This way students will be able to learn and be involved in new and exciting activities they want to try. Being a support to help students find what they are looking for in high school and being able to help direct them in the path they want to go.

What is one tradition you want to keep next year and what is one you want to see change?

Samuel Vallejo

I think the tailgates before sport games are really fun and awesome, and I think that we shouldn't change anything.

Nicole Nelson

One Cottonwood tradition I want to keep next year is Colts are Great Week. This tradition has been at Cottonwood for so long and it is such a fun tradition as well. I hope next year we can get amazing boxes to give back to the students. One tradition I want to see change is girls sports not being attended as much as boys sports. I think a lot of the time the girls teams are also amazing and fun to watch, but people still decide to attend girls sports more. The past year there also weren't always themes for the girls games, or even tailgates. I think we need to change that this year and make it equal.

Mel Hernandez

One I would want to see change is our senior night for our sports, I do like what we do already but I do think It could be a bigger celebration.

Mason Kentch

One tradition I would keep would be our frequent dances. I know every school has yearly dances. However, I haven't seen a school do dances so frequently. Everyday I walk through the hallway there seems to be anouther dance. For example, we had the sweethearts dance then a couple weeks later we had the cold hearts dance. The dances gives people to socialize making our community stronger. The one tradition I would change is kindness week. it isn't pushed enough with how strong the message is. All we get is an anouncement during lunch with few posters just stating that it's kindness week. Which is the loudest time of day and when i tried to listen to the anouncement I couldn't hear over all the people. The few posters we had just stated that it's kindness week. I would change it to instead have the posters to include the messages the peer leaders are trying to spread and have the announcement put into kolt news.

Itzia Lopez

One tradition I would like to keep is culture week and one tradition I want to see change is colts are great week with more hype.

Aven Dilley

Cwood has some awesome traditions! The Haunted Hallway is creepy crazy! We have to keep that one going. It was such a fun night and a huge turnout for so many families.

Valentine's Day is such a sad day for so many. That has got to change! I know there are things we can do to improve the day so that everyone at school feels happy and loved. It's a day of love, and yet why does it feel like everyone goes home crying? Maybe we stop the cravin (vote for Aven), and bring in cupcakes. It's a day of love, let's make Cottonwood kids feel loved.

Ann Woodward

I think Homecoming week is an awesome tradition and a great way to include our alumni. One tradition I would like to see change would be senior night for all activities. I think we could go bigger and make it a bigger deal.

Aida Delaney

A Cottonwood tradition that I want to keep are the homecoming game and fireworks. I feel like it is our best and most exciting football game of the year. And the fireworks are such a fun and memorable moment! I don't feel that we need to change any traditions, but to just keep making more for new generations.

Pick a letter of Cottonwood's GREAT and describe how your own leadership skills showcase that term.

Samuel Vallejo

I am goal-oriented because I will do my best to achieve my goals.

Nicole Nelson

The letter I pick from GREAT is G: goal oriented. Being goal oriented is something that can help us all. Even if it's not a big goal, it can still help you a lot. If we set small goals for the school, we can slowly make it a better place! I am goal oriented because I often set goals for myself. I set goals at the beginning of the school year, every quarter, and every semester. Slowly these have helped me build better habits. I also set goals for myself outside of academics, such as being kind to someone every day. These goals have also helped me become a better person overall.

Mel Hernandez

I would say I am Goal Oriented because Once I have a goal in my mind or task I will do anything I have to do to achieve it and have it completed, This shows how I would not easily give up in situations that require me to show my leadership skills.

Mason Kentch

The letter A in GREAT perfectly represents my best leadership quality. Which is that I encourage my peers to work harder by working hard myself. I do this by following the quote "No one copies what you say people copy what you do". If I tell my peers to work harder nothing gets accomplished. However, If I turn all of my work in on time or early, or follow through on all my promises my peers will my more likely to follow.

Itzia Lopez

I am goal-oriented because I focus on what I need to do and what I’m planning on making better.

Aven Dilley

GOAL ORIENTED-RESPECTFUL-ENGAGED-ACCOUNTABLE-TOLERANT

Being respectful is something we're all capable of. We can choose to do this, and it doesn't take a lot of work. I know it's important because as students, we have a ton to learn and a lot of growing to do. We have to improve in this area and respect the faculty and those around us. We are so lucky to have so many talented and motivated teachers and leaders in our HS, and they just need us to show up and pay attention. I am a respectful person, and I know that as more of us learn to show respect in areas where we are lacking, Cwood will become an even better GREAT place.

Ann Woodward

I am goal oriented because I thrive on something to achieve. I enjoy having something I'm able to work towards.

Aida Delaney

I am Goal-oriented because I have always been a very ambitious person. I come up with goals and I want to work hard to succeed at them!