Table of Contents

Page 4 - By Jack Grey
Page 8 - By Avery Mooneyhan
Page 12 - By Bridget Howes
Page 14 - By Gabby Gallaher
Page 16 - By Brock McKenzie
Page 20 - By Simon Novosad
Page 22 - By Aidan Skahan
Page 26 - By John Tujaque
Page 30 - By Will Nichols
Page 34 - By Caroline Rome
Page 38 - By Noah Hornback
Page 42 - By Will Pattison
Page 46 - By Isaac Wohletz
Page 50 - By Josie Dorsett
Page 54 - By Ellie Ochs
Page 58 - By Geneva Musolf
Page 60 - By Hana Hicks
Page 64 - By Savannah Blecha
Page 68 - By Oliver Rosendahl
Page 72 - By Oliver Mitchell
Page 76 - By Anna Rand
Page 78 - By Jackson Kindhart
Page 82 - By Cal Clark

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A Fire's Spark

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The Beginning

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“My decision was final when I witnessed my best friend die in a motorcycle crash. I felt helpless, I couldn't do anything. Destiny spoke and I became a firefighter, because I wanted to help.” This was the ride to Chance's future. 
24 years ago Chance A Grey, my dad, has been a firefighter and has been promoted through different ranks. From a regular firefighter to a Battalion Chief today. When Chance started he was a normal firefighter, going into a fire and riding on a pumper. Being hands-on was a normal day for him. He knew this wasn't it and wanted to be a higher rank, so he studied and took many classes and tests to get promoted. After one promotion he would stay with that for a while. Then he would study and take another test, until today Chance is a Battalion Chief. Hard work and dedication paid off for Chance. Although it's nice to be a higher rank, Chance stated, “A Battalion Chief doesn't go into the fire, (Chance stays standing outside and directs firefighters.) ¨With his new promotion he gets the ability to direct 20-30 men a shift. Like many people, they have free time. Nevertheless, firefighters have barely any; from 8-5 it’s business hours so they are busy. Chance said, “During 8-5 they run calls when needed, they clean the equipment, and the vehicles. They check the vehicles to make sure they have everything in case they get a call.” My dad took a breath and continued and said, “When you're not cleaning you are either cooking, training, or eating. After business hours and everything is done you would normally eat or watch a movie with the guys.”

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Chances' Early Stage

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I wanted to know a little about himself when he first became a firefighter. When he first started he was around the age of 21; today he is 47. Normally when you start as a rookie you ride on a pumper. A pumper for those who don’t know is a fire truck that has hoses and pumps water onto the fire. I asked what the trip was like and he responded, “During the trip I was overwhelmed with pride, knowing that I was about to help someone. On the way back I felt accomplished and proud that I did something.” Then I wondered if he had any friends on the station, he responded with a firm answer. His voice was steady and said, “There are no friends, there is just family, we are all family we see each other every day and help each other out.” Chance Grey said that he spent at least a third of his life being a firefighter and has made so many memories.

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A Fire's Spark

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By Jack Grey

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Chances' Early Stage

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I wanted to know a little about himself when he first became a firefighter. When he first started he was around the age of 21; today he is 47. Normally when you start as a rookie you ride on a pumper. A pumper for those who don’t know is a fire truck that has hoses and pumps water onto the fire. I asked what the trip was like and he responded, “During the trip I was overwhelmed with pride, knowing that I was about to help someone. On the way back I felt accomplished and proud that I did something.” Then I wondered if he had any friends on the station, he responded with a firm answer. His voice was steady and said, “There are no friends, there is just family, we are all family we see each other every day and help each other out.” Chance Grey said that he spent at least a third of his life being a firefighter and has made so many memories.

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“There are no friends, there is just family, we are all family we see each other every day and help each other out.”
- Chance Grey 2021

The Aftermath

“Being a Battalion Chief must be hard?” I asked. 
“No, not really. I take most of my knowledge from the past 24 years and teach the firefighters in my class. The helpful information comes from my struggles in the past.” Chance responded. 
With Chance’s promotion to Battalion Chief, he told me that being promoted is a huge accomplishment, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Receiving the badge and collar brass signifying your rank is a remarkable moment that you will never forget. 
Now you can see a life as a firefighter through the eyes of Chance Grey.

Everyday is risky if you're either going into the fire or simply standing outside and directing people. Firefighters are dying all over the world right now and you wouldn’t even know. Being a firefighter has stress and can fill you with pride. To help out you could contribute to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which helps families with fallen firefighters. After all of this maybe you can enroll to become a firefighter yourself. Firefighters all around the world put their heart and soul into their job to make sure you are safe, even Chance. After a long day Chance would take a nap because he had worked very hard to keep people safe and extinguish the fire.

This is Chance Grey

the most rewarding job

By Avery Mooneyhan

I've always loved helping people.

-Abby Carson

¨I´ve always loved helping people!¨ Says 26 year old Abby Carson, an ear, nose, and throat nurse at Kansas University Medical Center (KU med.)
Her busy twelve hour shift begins with getting information about her patients from the night shift nurse who stayed with them overnight. Next, Abby checks her patients vitals and gets them anything they need. Then, she discharges patients who are ready to be sent home and checks in with the patients' families.

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 Abby's job changed drastically last March when COVID hit. Since most of her patients are considered to be part of the high risk community, with most of them being in the age range of 55-65, she has to be even more cautious to not infect her already unhealthy patients. “They become like your second family,¨ Abby says while talking about her patients. Abby told me a story of one of her patients who was in the hospital for 3 months with no visitors around Christmas time, so Abby went out and bought a present for her with her own money.

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Abby (far left) with her family

Although Abby's job isn't always easy, she puts a smile on every day and is so excited to help others heal and get better. “Sometimes it’s hard working on holidays or weekends that you would typically spend with family”, she added, “but I wouldn't trade my job for the world!” Abby said. 
If you are wanting to become a nurse one day don't get discouraged. “Nursing takes a lot of work and patience but it’s so rewarding,” says Abby.
“Sometimes waking up early and going to work is hard especially on weekends when you just want to sleep,” Abby explained, “but I wouldn't trade it for the world!” 

Abby (left) and her co-worker