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The Pack Press

The Student News Site of Clarkston Junior High School

The Pack Press

The Pack Press

The CHS Freshman Cheer team stand in a huddle.
Freshman cheers on undefeated team
Ani Melendez, Staff Writer • October 2, 2025

Since June of this year, the 2025-2026 season's freshman cheerleaders have been practicing and pushing themselves to success. As a whole, the Clarkston Cheer community is an uplifting...

In the photo above is Ella on the left and Isabella is on the right.
Make a splash in the girls swim and dive team
Kinley Cummins and Payton Erkfritz September 29, 2025

The Clarkston Swim and Dive team has been around for decades. Ella Johnson, a senior at CHS, has been swimming throughout her whole life and her years of high school.  " I...

Lia Gilbert, left. Lexi Hotchkin, right.
Running towards success
McKenna Gloger and Paisley Coleman September 29, 2025

Clarkston Junior High School Track and Cross Country students, 9th grader Lexi Hotchkin and 8th grader Lia Gilbert, run through their sports experience and how CJHS supports their...

Elle North, power forward on the Blue team.
Basketball players Elle North and Brooklynn Radlick share their experiences on the team 
Aubrey Caruso and Sophia May September 26, 2025

Elle North, Power forward, speaks on how the most recent 8th grade basketball game went, how teamwork impacts the outcome of each game, and gives advice to incoming players starting...

Clarkston freshman football team on a winning streak
Clarkston freshman football team on a winning streak
Jordan Carswell and Cash Donnelly September 26, 2025

The Freshman Football team has been on a roll this season, utilizing their teamwork and leadership to demonstrate that they have what it takes to be a complete team.  Under...

Freshman Volleyball Team
Teamwork and dedication define Clarkston volleyball
Demi Webster, Staff Writer • September 26, 2025

Clarkston Freshman Volleyball players Olivia Kilpela and Leanne Scanlon share their keys to success and their favorite parts of the Clarkston Volleyball program. It is important...

The 8th grade cheer team starts off a successful year
The 8th grade cheer team starts off a successful year
Elle Siwek and Emily Spurlock September 26, 2025

This past week, the Clarkston 8th grade Cheer team had their first game. The team is a very positive environment and the girls represent Clarkston Community Schools well by always...

Samuel Ashley left, Levi Sexron right
8th grade football players discuss their beginnings
Sophia Tringali, Staff Writer • September 26, 2025

On the field and at school, football players Samuel Ashley, an offensive lineman and a defensive tackle for the blue team, and Levi Sexton, a corner for the gold team, show a phenomenal...

Lila ready to cheer at the Freshman Football game. Photo Credit: Isabella Guy
Student Lila Reay Dwire shares an inside look at her daily life as a student-athlete
Brooklynn DeLosSantos, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

The Clarkston Cheer team has many dedicated cheerleaders, and an outstanding example is Lila Reay Dwire. Dwire balances her honors Math and English classes with her 2-3 hour cheer...

Ball in his hand, wins on his mind
Ball in his hand, wins on his mind
Stella Smith, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

Freshman football wide receiver Cole Gerling shares what he loves most about the Clarkston program, Gerling says “My favorite thing about being part of the Clarkston program...

Photo credit: Smooth Wave Photography
Freshman on Varsity shares her keys to success
Demi Webster, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025

Freshman Stella Smith has played in all 31 of the Clarkston Volleyball team’s sets. With a 2.23 serve receive average and already totaling 103 digs, Smith shared her mentality...

Varsity coach leaves a lasting legacy on players
Varsity coach leaves a lasting legacy on players
Ani Melendez, Staff Writer • September 17, 2025

Most athletes will know how hard it is to balance a student-athlete lifestyle, but what about a teacher-coach? Mr. Laidlaw, a freshman social studies teacher at Clarkston Jr. High...

Clarkston's freshman volleyball team is starting the season off with a bump!
Clarkston’s freshman volleyball team is starting the season off with a bump!
Brooklynn DeLosSantos, Staff Writer • September 15, 2025

The Clarkston freshman volleyball team is setting off strong this season, using their unstoppable spirit, impressive teamwork, and commitment as they face off against local opponents.  The...

Greg Carswell, #71.
Varsity football player Greg Carswell talks about the football life
Jordan Carswell, Staff Writer • September 15, 2025

Greg Carswell, a player on the varsity football team, has a lot to be proud of. Football is tough, and not many can put up with the challenge. "It takes a lot of dedication...

Violet Rawlings & Madelyn Swanson
Dedication of a freshman cheerleader
Demi Webster, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

Cheer is a big commitment; it’s difficult for CJHS Freshman cheerleaders to keep up with their school work, but they manage to do it. Cheer is a lot of work. The cheerleaders...

Marlie Smith commits to North Carolina Volleyball Program
Marlie Smith commits to North Carolina Volleyball Program
Stella Smith, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

As some may think leadership skills are beyond difficult, Marlie Smith leads the Clarkston Varsity Volleyball team with ease and tranquility.  Being...

The Clarkston JV Dance Team, taken by photographer Scott.
Clarkston student dancers’ experience on JV Dance Team
Alaina Platero, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

The Clarkston JV Dance team has been working hard to put on a great show and dance their best. Tenly Dasuqi, 14, a freshman at Clarkston Junior...

Charlotte Figlak on the chairlift.
The love of skiing carries through Clarkston teens
Sophia Tringali, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

 8th grade student Charlotte Figlak races the slopes of Pine Knob almost every day in the cold months of the year, training to be a better,...

The team celebrates their win against Grand Blanc. Photographer: Logan Brown
Clarkston varsity field hockey team, new players improving
Concetta "Rose" DeBlasi, Staff Writer • September 11, 2025

About 60,000 people play field hockey in high school. At Clarkston High School, 25 people play, and the majority of those players just joined...

The Clarkston boys have a pre-game huddle.       
Photographer: First Gear Media - Eli Hackstock.
Clarkston boys varsity soccer dominating the season
Katelyn Perlin, Editor-in-Chief • September 11, 2025

The Clarkston boys varsity soccer team has been on fire this season, demonstrating impressive talent, teamwork, and determination that have led...

Mrs. Castiglione reflects on her life as a teacher
Mrs. Castiglione reflects on her life as a teacher
Ani Melendez, Staff Writer • October 2, 2025

In the hallways or in the classroom, you'll see a helpful smiling face. Jennifer...

One teacher can make a difference
Stella Smith, Staff Writer • September 30, 2025

Some teachers just do their job with little excitement and enthusiasm, but 8th...

Josie Chirco poses at Cedar Point.
Josie Chirco discusses her childhood
Concetta "Rose" DeBlasi, Staff Writer • September 29, 2025

A person's childhood has a significant impact on who they become later in life....

Gabe Serrano
What a typical kid does outside of school
Cash Donnelly, Staff Writer • September 29, 2025

9th grade CJHS student Gabe Serrano explained his life after school, including...

Student Lee Ensley
A painting into inspiration
Paisley Coleman, Staff Writer • September 26, 2025

Everyone has something that pushes them everyday that makes them, them. For...

Bella King at CJHS.
Bella King tells us about her perspective on life
Sophia May, Staff Writer • September 26, 2025

A student, a daughter, and a friend, Bella King shared her perspective on life,...

Lillian and Hanna
Photo property of Lillian Moore
Lillian Moore shares her journey with cheerleading
Emily Spurlock, Staff Writer • September 25, 2025

Lillian Moore, a freshman at CJHS, cheers for Champion Force Athletics. We got...

Mr. Hilarides in his history classroom
Mr. Hilarides shares his experience as an Honors History teacher
Alaina Platero, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

Clarkston Junior High is home to countless great teachers; Albert Hilarides is...

Frau Turske
German teacher Frau Turske shares her journey on becoming a teacher
Aubrey Caruso, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

Frau Turske, a German teacher at the Junior High and Middle School, shares her...

Eighth grade science teacher, Mr. Foltz.
Ty Foltz reflects on his teaching journey
Katelyn Perlin and Concetta "Rose" DeBlasi September 24, 2025

Ty Foltz, an eighth grade science teacher at Clarkston Junior High School, is...

Mr. Fields at CJHS
Mr. Fields’s connection with students
Payton Erkfritz, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

Mr. Fields is a 9th grade ELA teacher at CJHS. He has good energy in his classroom...

Blas Gutierrez and Jordan Carswell
Blas Gutierrez’s childhood memories
Jordan Carswell, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025

Life is the most beautiful thing there is. Everyone gets only one, so I was...

Señora Valdez-Garcia in her classroom.
Meet Señora Valdez-Garcia, a new Spanish teacher at CJHS
Katelyn Perlin, Editor-in-Chief • September 23, 2025

This year, Clarkston Junior High welcomed a new face to the world languages...

Ms. Martin at her desk drinking her hot tea.
Positive Behavior Interventionist at CJHS
Kinley Cummins, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025

Stephanie Martin works at Clarkston Junior High with the role of a Positive...

Kind smiles of CJHS
Kind smiles of CJHS
Sophia Tringali, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025

In the lunchroom, every day you see friendly, familiar faces. We often look...

Piper Zientek at Honcho.
Piper Zientek shares about her school life at CJHS
Elle Siwek, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025

Piper Zientek is an 8th grader at Clarkston Junior High school. She shares about her first year here at CJHS, “Yeah I like it, it's really...

Mrs. Rebb and one of her favorite books, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Photo property: Mrs. Rebb.
Mrs. Rebb reflects on her inspirations and memorable moments
Katelyn Perlin, Editor-in-Chief • September 23, 2025

Erin Shaw-Rebb’s love for words and her students is what inspired her to become an English teacher. “My students always inspire me. I...

Dylan and Emma Schneider
Pontiac Lake Boat Explosion: The Aftermath
McKenna Gloger, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

Sunday, July 27th, a 45 year old man from Waterford Township, his son, and his son's close friend were attempting to start up a public boat when...

Gage Barton and his girlfriend, Nia.
CHS grad’s high school tips
Cash Donnelly, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

Many young teens in Clarkston are nervous about entering high school. Most of the time, the reason is that they don't know what to expect, nor...

A tutor, a teacher, Melissa Hills shares her perspective on her students and her school
A tutor, a teacher, Melissa Hills shares her perspective on her students and her school
Sophia May, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

Melissa Hills, a parent working 2 jobs, started teaching and tutoring a few years ago. “I have been teaching for 17 years, in Pontiac for...

Freshman Zoi Brown wearing Y2K trend.
Fashion trends explored at CJHS
Payton Erkfritz, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

A lot of different fashion trends have come and gone, but many Clarkston students have opinions on what they reach for. “My least favorite...

Amelie’s cheer photo from this past fall.
Photo Credit: Orser Studio
French exchange student, Amelie Ducasse, shares her experience in the U.S.
Aubrey Caruso, Staff Writer • September 12, 2025

17-year-old Amelie Ducasse, an exchange student from the South of France, shares her experiences so far as she navigates through life in a new...

Sophia May, Mrs. Dennis, Alaina Platero
Mrs. Dennis and her kindness
Emily Spurlock, Staff Writer • September 11, 2025

Mrs. Dennis is an Honors English 8, Digital Journalism, and Yearbook teacher whose kindness and welcoming classroom environment make her stand...

Photo of the building Oakland Schools Technical Campuses, Northeast location
Teens explain their experience at OSTC
Kinley Cummins, Staff Writer • September 11, 2025

Georgia Cummins explains what the Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC) is like as a junior at Clarkston High School. The school provides...

Jon Richy, Easterseals counselor.
One worker, endless impact: the power of an Easterseals worker
Paisley Coleman, Staff Writer • September 11, 2025

For more than 13 years, Jon Richey has dedicated his life to helping people through his work at Easterseals. What began as a second career has...

Mr. Breen displays his handcrafted wire moose.
Mr. Breen and students share about his art class
Elle Siwek, Staff Writer • September 11, 2025

Mr. Breen is the art teacher at Clarkston Junior High School. He has been teaching here since 2019, and has taught Art in many schools in the...

Students in the new CJHS gym.
Students share excitement about new CJHS gym
Demi Webster, Staff Writer • October 10, 2025

The new CJHS gym has finally been opened for public use. After waiting months...

School mascot promoting cancer awareness and showing support towards the cause.
Clarkston High School shows support for a student battling cancer by wearing pink and green during the month of September and October
Aubrey Caruso, Staff Writer • October 10, 2025

At Clarkston High, students and teachers are currently showing support for a...

Baking through fall
Baking through fall
Payton Erkfritz, Staff Writer • October 10, 2025

A lot of people bake for fall. Personally, I love baking for other people. Many...

Top 5 scary movies to watch this fall
Top 5 scary movies to watch this fall
Demi Webster, Staff Writer • October 10, 2025

Fall is here! What are some of the top 5 scary movies to watch with your friends...

Photo Credit: Starbucks
The Starbucks fall menu ranked best to worse
Alaina Platero and Brooklynn DeLosSantos October 9, 2025

Every fall, Starbucks releases a limited-time fall menu featuring appetizing...

Top 15 songs for your fall playlist
Top 15 songs for your fall playlist
Sophia Tringali, Staff Writer • October 9, 2025

When I think of fall, lots of people think of scary movies and Halloween costumes,...

This photo is created by Sabrina Sultana on Dreamstime.com
Top 10 songs for fall
Kinley Cummins, Staff Writer • October 8, 2025

Every season has its own genre of music. Some songs are meant for fall and others...

Autumn songs that are a MUST add to your playlist this season
Autumn songs that are a MUST add to your playlist this season
McKenna Gloger and Paisley Coleman October 7, 2025

The leaves are slowly changing colors and the air is getting crisp. The contemplation...

Photo Credit-The Tower
Fall foods
Concetta "Rose" DeBlasi, Staff Writer • October 7, 2025

Autumn is here, and I’m hungry. All I can think about is my favorite fall...

People wearing different fall outfits.
Good fall outfits
Emily Spurlock, Staff Writer • October 7, 2025

Some good fall outfits that are casual and comfortable to wear are a sweater...

Photo Credit: Pinterest
Top 5 fall activities to do during the fall season
Aubrey Caruso, Staff Writer • October 7, 2025

As the days become short and the air becomes crisp, you know autumn is here....

Photo Credit: AllRecipes.com
Top 5 most purchased Halloween candies in the U.S.
Stella Smith, Staff Writer • October 6, 2025

Fall is right around the corner, which means costumes and scary movies, but...

Here are 2 popular costumes from last year.
Popular Halloween costumes from 2024
Elle Siwek and Sophia May October 6, 2025

Halloween is coming up soon and that means Halloween costumes are on everyone's...

Photo Credit: Spotify
Songs to add to your playlist this autumn!
Katelyn Perlin, Editor-in-Chief • October 3, 2025

Want to kickstart your autumn with the perfect fall playlist? Whether you're...

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