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Jack Romkema
“The hardest thing I ever went through was moving from North Carolina to Missouri. At first, I didn’t want to leave. I had friends there, and it felt like my whole life was in North Carolina. When we packed everything into the car, I just remember staring out the window and not really saying much. My parents tried to make it fun—we stopped at little diners and played music in the car—but it was still really hard. I was super nervous starting at a new school, but when I got to Clayton, people were really welcoming. I started making new friends, and it felt like I could actually be myself here. Now, when I look back, I guess moving wasn’t just about leaving something behind. It was like finding a new place where I actually belong.”
– Jack Romkema, 9
– Jack Romkema, 9
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HUMANS OF CLAYTONOliver Plein -
![“I care a lot about people's feelings. As a teacher, one of my favorite things is I get to meet so many students every single year. I've been teaching [for] 21 years, and that's hundreds and hundreds of students that I've gotten to meet and connect with over the years. I'm just really lucky that I kind of knew [that] in that moment I wanted to find a space where kids felt like they could make mistakes and explore new ideas.”
-Katie Storms, English Teacher](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image1-3-1062x1200.png)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONKatie Storms -
![“Just get your work done, period. If you don't think you can do [it], just know yourself. If you think you can do four APS, do four APs. If you can't do four APs, then know yourself. Listen to what your body's telling you. You got to learn how, because everyone is different. I know some people, my classmates, like they're taking six APs. Listen to what it is you want to do, actually be in this stuff you're interested in. Don't just take classes because they're APs.”
-Ashley Ngo, 12](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG-3137-900x1200.jpg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONAshley Ngo -
![“I think it's a really good community within the music, sports and [the] robotics [communities]. There's a lot of really great people who have a real passion [for the arts] and who really care. I'm really big in music, theater and choir. Aside from just learning the notes, rhythms and words, we connect as a choir, and we build a lot of special friendships, especially in theater. You get to meet tons of different people that you would have never met [if you hadn’t joined an extracurricular]."
-Brody Mitchell, 11](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image1-1-e1757531470501-1200x680.jpeg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONBrody Mitchell -
![“This would be my third year here. I would say [an] up is probably being able to work with everyone, interact with the kids, interact with the different families. I don't think there's any downs, because it's a growing environment. I really enjoy the environment, and we respect everyone.”
-Latoya Barry, Faculty](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image1-13-1200x900.jpg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONLatoya Barry -
![“My favorite thing I did this summer [was when I went] to Camp Sabra, which is a sleepaway camp. [I go] for a month, and I have so much fun. I love Camp Sabra, because I feel like it's the place where you can truly be who you are, and you don't have to act any [certain] way [to] please anyone because everyone loves you just the way you are. Especially [because you are basically] living in a cabin with 12 other girls [who] you build such special bonds [with]. You're around them, 24/7, so, the most important thing is that they see you when you're at your happiest, but they also see you when you're at your lowest. Obviously, there are hard days at camp, but there's also your best days at camp, so them being there with you, the whole time, it builds up trust, and it makes every friendship so much stronger than any friendship I've ever had in the school environment.” -Livie Gordon, 9](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_7327-e1757440446355-1200x901.jpg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONLivie Gordon -
![“I’d definitely say the amount of work is definitely way more [at the high school] than middle school. [That's why I really like] the Greyhound Time, where you get time to do work, and you can also go off campus. I like walking around, getting [a] change of scenery because you've been sitting all day. [Outside of school,] I'm either playing field hockey or doing homework or eating.”
- Biz York, 9](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_6091-1200x906.jpg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONBiz York -
![“I am passionate about cross country and running. I love the team atmosphere, and how supportive my teammates are. They always encourage me at meets, and cheer me on. Our dinners and team bondings are great. The best piece of advice I have ever received was whenever you think you are trying your hardest, you can always try harder. I apply that advice during my cross country meets because I always feel very tired and I want to quit, but I know I shouldn't, and I know I can keep going and [then] I go faster.”
- Lauren Karpman, 10](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_8652-1200x900.jpeg)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONLauren Karpman -
HUMANS OF CLAYTONZoe Bradley -
![“[Coaching] it's another way to get to know and work with kids. [It’s a] neat way to interact with students outside an academic environment on [a] sports field, so to speak. I grew up an athlete and know how difficult the game is so just understanding that how difficult the game is, I'm never gonna be upset with anybody on the team if they have a bad shot or a bad day. It’s a huge mental game. It's a game where you compete against yourself more than the other team. Understanding that helps people understand [those] who are on our team. ”
- Greg Schade, Golf Coach](https://www.chsglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-14-4.58.10-PM.png)
HUMANS OF CLAYTONGreg Schade
About the Contributor
Adam Yu, Reporter
Pronouns: he/him
Grade: 9
Years on staff: 1
What’s your go-to karaoke song? I AM by IVE
What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better? Getting a good grade on an assignment.
What are some of your favorite hobbies? Violin, Volleyball, and Watching Netflix Documentary’s.