Graduates get help from Placerville shakespeare Club

News release announced the successful completion of its first-ever schoolwide STEAM Challenge, where students from kindergarten to fifth grade joined forces with buddy classes to construct a safe critter crossing for the protection of local wildlife.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club recently hosted its 2023 scholarship winners and their families at an afternoon tea at the Bedford Avenue historical clubhouse. Each student spoke to the members about their future plans and aspirations.

Anna Kerr, a Charter University Prep graduate, plans to attend University of California, Berkeley, majoring in renewable energy engineering, atmosphere science and physics.

Summer Dixon, an Oak Ridge High School grad, plans to study computation engineering at University of California, Los Angeles.

Bella Mendenhall, a Ponderosa High School grad, plans to attend University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in early childhood education.

Macy Little, an El Dorado High School grad, plans to study communications and journalism at California State University, Sacramento.

Also and EDHS grad, Daniela Nava Cisneros will pursue studies in the medical field at Folsom Lake College.

Taylor Bacchi, a Union Mine High School grad, plans to major in animal science/business at the University of Oklahoma.

The Placerville Shakespeare Club is pleased to support these young women from our community and wish them well in their future endeavors.

The STEAM Challenge, an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, brought together the young minds to address an important ecological concern: the safety of animals crossing roads in the area. With the region’s abundant wildlife and increased traffic, the need for a secure pathway for critters became a pressing issue.

Under the guidance of teachers and mentors, students were divided into interdisciplinary teams, pooling their talents in STEAM to design and construct a solution that would ensure the safe passage of animals from one side of the road to the other.

Through the collaborative efforts of the buddy classes, students combined their knowledge and skills to construct functional critter crossing models. The innovative designs include imaginative wildlife-friendly features such as natural vegetation, gradual slopes and appropriate fencing to guide animals to the designated crossing areas.

Principal Joel Dameral, expressed great pride in the students’ accomplishments. “The STEAM Challenge exemplifies the values we instill in our students, building cross grade level relationships between students and staff, encouraging them to become environmentally responsible citizens and creative problem solvers,” he said. “It is inspiring to witness our young learners collaborate and apply their skills to address real-world challenges.”

In addition to promoting teamwork and ecological awareness, the STEAM Challenge enhanced the students’ understanding of various scientific concepts, engineering principles and artistic expression. Through this hands-on experience, the students gained valuable skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly serve them well in their academic and personal pursuits. The completion of the critter crossing project marks a significant milestone for the school, showcasing the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the importance of integrating STEAM education into the curriculum.

Decubitus ulcers — more than just a pain in the butt

Mr. Clarke lived alone in his onebedroom apartment with his dog Buster.

Sarelle Driggs, RN Elder Options

Mr. Clarke recently fell, broke his pelvis and was transferred to skilled nursing for rehabilitation. After some rigorous physical therapy, he was able to return home with some support from his neighbors.

Since his return home, Mr. Clarke’s neighbors have been visiting daily to make meals, pick up the house and take Buster for a walk. During this time they find Mr. Clarke in his recliner watching TV. He is spending most of his day in his chair and even prefers to sleep in it.

Recently, Mr. Clarke’s son Charlie came to visit. He noticed his dad was disheveled and appeared in need of

Officers Continued from B1 a shower. Reluctantly, Mr. Clarke agreed to let Charlie help him in the shower. When Charlie was helping his father undress, he found what appeared to be a wound on his father’s tailbone. Concerned, Charlie took his father to the doctor where he was diagnosed with a decubitus ulcer. cars to the Rain Gutter Regatta where we built tiny sailboats and raced them,” reminisced Pyle. Other adventures the three shared over the years included camping (both in the summer and in the snow), backpacking trips, canoeing, kayaking and the aquatic Scouting program in Florida where Scouts experience deep sea fishing, underwater robotics and paddle boarding, among other things, Lowder shared.

What is a decubitus ulcer? A decubitus ulcer is a damaged area of skin caused by pressure to that area over a period of time, sometimes as short as a few hours. Pressure to an area of skin disrupts blood flow which can cause tissue damage or tissue death. Decubitus ulcers are known by many names such as pressure ulcers, pressure sores, pressure injuries and bed sores.

Who can get a decubitus ulcer?

Anyone can get a decubitus ulcer, but it most often a ects those with decreased mobility who lie in bed or sit in a chair for longer periods of time than not or are unable to change their position without the help of another.

“That was probably one of our best experiences,” he said. “I think I can speak for all of us.”

The young men’s relationships grew independently from the Scouts as well.

“We were really tight, socially,” said Scott. “We would plan Boy Scout meetings that weren’t really Scout centered at all where we would just hang out at one of our houses.”

For Jesuit High School graduate Pyle, who will attend Boise State in the fall, the Scouts engendered his love of service and he said this naturally led to a decision to serve in the military.

“All of a sudden I realized I enjoy being active; I enjoy being of service and helping people,” admitted Pyle. “All the volunteer stu (through the Scouts) was geared toward helping the community, which is also much like the military.”

After discussing the options with Jesuit’s dean of students and his uncle, a veteran, Pyle applied to the ROTC program and went for the scholarship.

Future Clemson University student and fellow Jesuit High School graduate Scott said he always planned on a life of military service.

“I’ve always wanted to go into the Army regardless,” he said.

His brother also won an ROTC scholarship so Scott heard firsthand how the program helped build bonds with fellow students. This encouraged him to apply for the ROTC program. A summer camp at West Point didn’t hurt either.

“I saw the bond that was built at the academy and how fast I could build bonds with people going through the same experiences,” he recalled.

Oak Ridge High School grad Lowder, who will attend University of Southern California, said the question wasn’t whether he would serve in the military but which branch he would choose. He had looked into the Air Force Academy but also wanted to have a “regular” college experience while preparing to serve.

“My dad had two of his very good friends growing up in ROTC,” he said. “My uncle did ROTC as well and they talked to me about it.”

Lowder also saw the benefits of the bond that would come from serving with his fellow ROTC students.

“You already have a bunch of guys you can be friends with because you have already built that bond,” he said, “which is sometimes hard in college.”

All three agree the move from the Scouts to military service was a natural progression.

“Scouts definitely helped in that it’s very structured and organized, like the military,” said Scott. “So I think it was a natural kind of jump to move into the military.”

“Boy Scouts built up, I can say for all three of us, our leadership skills,” added Lowder. “I think with those skills and then some of the other skills we

Pressure is not the only thing that can cause this tissue damage. Friction and shear can cause this damage as well. Clothing or bedding can rub against the skin making fragile skin more susceptible to the problem. Also, think about somebody trying to assist another person in changing their position by pushing, sliding or pulling them. They can easily cause two surfaces to move in opposite directions which is shear. This can frequently happen between skin and the bones it covers in various locations. Where do decubitus ulcers occur?

When you think about bony areas of the body in contact with a bed or a wheelchair, you will recognize the areas more prone to prolonged pressure. These include the back of the head, shoulder blades, hips, lower back, tailbone, heels and ankles. Are there other risk factors that contribute to the development of decubitus ulcers? Decreased mobility is not the only thing that can put a person at higher risk for pressure sores. Incontinence, or lack of voluntary control over one’s bowel or bladder, can weaken the learned we’re very prepared to go into this, in our future.”

Ironically, the three young men did not decide together to apply for the program. They each arrived to the decision on their own and then learned of the other’s similar plans. However, it was no surprise to Scott that they had made a similar choice.

“The Boy Scouts just kind of naturally inclined us to want to achieve more and kind of push ourselves,” he said. “And I think that’s why we, all three, ended up doing ROTC and applying for the scholarship.”

According to Lt. Col. Justin Ottenwalter, professor of military science at University of California, Davis and California State Univeristy, Sacramento, the balance of education that ROTC students receive helps them grow through the transition period into skin from prolonged exposure to moisture. People with a lack of sensory perception may not feel the pain or discomfort that normally triggers people to change position.

Poor nutrition and hydration can lead to a breakdown in tissue making bed sores more possible. Some medical conditions like diabetes or vascular disease a ect blood flow to tissue as well.

What can I do to prevent decubitus ulcers? There are several tips that can help prevent decubitus ulcers from occurring in the first place. This can include:

• Shift your weight, lift off a surface to reposition rather than scoot or slide, and use pressure-relieving cushions or mattresses.

• For caregivers who assist others with decreased mobility, ensure a proper amount of help is available to reposition someone appropriately without shear and reposition frequently, up to every hour.

• Use a wheelchair that reclines to allow a sitting person a change of pressure points. A wheelchair cushion

■ See CARE, page B4 adulthood.

“They’re getting an outstanding military education in addition to their academic education,” he said. “So I think it’s a really good balance and I see the students grow a lot as they’re in the program.”

In his time at this post, just under a year, Ottenwalter has seen five students commission into their military service and said it’s the highlight of the job. “We spend years teaching them and then, at the very end, we get to see them transition and we put on the full Army uniform; we put the gold bars of being a lieutenant on them.”

Each young man ships out to their respective colleges in August to start their new chapters in life and individual paths toward the ultimate goal of serving their country. They do, of course, intend to keep in touch.