Blue Out For Pauley

The Atlantic community shows support for AHSTW’s Grace Pauley.

October 17, 2023

The Atlantic community rallied together for Pauley by wearing blue to the football game against Creston.

A sea of blue at recent Atlantic activities has a deeper meaning,

On Sept. 18th at 7:23 pm Grace Pauley (15), a sophomore at AHSTW, was in a car accident. Pauley was driving a 2005 Trailblazer that went out of control, overcorrected, and rolled over into the ditch.

“My heart hurts for Grace and her family,” said Heather McKay, the AHS principal. McKay learned about Pauley over Facebook and began emailing other staff on Sept. 23, 2023, to plan something to show support. The theme for that week’s volleyball and football games was dedicated “Blue Out” in honor of Pauley’s favorite color.

The blue decorations for both games were done by AHS Fuel. The AHS football cheerleaders made signs and wore blue bows to show their support. Many AHS students and families showed up for the football game against Creston wearing blue to show their support for Pauley, and her family. Donations were taken at the football game and the volleyball game. The football game raised $1,172.32 and the volleyball game raised $439.00.

Rhonda Buck, Pauley’s mother, is very grateful for the surrounding areas and support for Pauley. “We are overwhelmed by the number of people praying for Grace and our family. We’ve always known Grace was special and loved by many, but wow, we have received messages from friends, family, schools, organizations, and strangers offering prayers and support,” said Buck.

Buck wants people to know that Pauley “is very active in lots of things.” Buck said, “She loves to be on the go all the time. Grace is energetic, fun, funny, kind, loving, and generous.”

As for an update on Pauley’s condition, Buck said, “Grace is in an unconscious state right now and has started physical and occupational therapy to help her wake up as well as keep her joints and muscles healthy and functional. Speech and music therapy will also be part of her recovery. When her medical teams feel she is ready she will hopefully be moved to Madonna’s Long Term or Rehab Facility in Omaha.”

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About the Contributors

Henry Knudson, Staff Writer

Junior Henry Knudson has a lot on his plate with being a part of the color guard, show choir, concert coral, tennis, student council, executive student council, dance team, musical, play, band, marching band, speech, and journalism. Knudson is very fond of being a member of the color guard. He explained that the members train in certain ways to spin flags at events like football games. Knudson enjoys everyone on the team participating and doing each other’s makeup for the games and events. He said it felt like a “real team.” So far Knudson’s favorite thing about journalism is being able to get into the action and catch emotion in taking photos. Knudson said, “One picture can say 1,000 words.” He talks about how you can see people interact and the emotions they show in photos. Something journalism has taught Knudson is how to “dive in deep” with people and help them open up about their experiences. It has also helped him make his writing more “wordy,” Knudson said. Outside of school, Knudson works at Walmart in Atlantic, Iowa, he dances at Villa Dance and enjoys doing his nails. Knudson’s future plans are to attend La’Jame’s cosmetology as a nail technician. He wishes to join a salon doing acrylics and basic poly manicures. One day he even plans to open a salon and “hire and possibly train” his own employees someday. Bio by Mabry Ohm

Jody Williams, Staff Writer

Jody Williams is a 16-year-old staff writer on the AHS journalism team. Williams originally joined journalism to take pictures. What intrigued Williams about photography was the thought process of it, breaking down all of the elements of the photo for the best picture. To Williams, journalism was a way to meet new people and keep up with the most recent news. Williams is involved in soccer and favors anatomy class. She said she enjoys the diversity of learning about the human body. Williams explained she joined soccer because her sister did nearly every other sport. Williams also said, "I wanted to make my own name." Williams wants to go to UNI college and major in either criminology, forensics, or criminal justice. Williams said others might describe her as "happy, laid-back, and energetic" Williams's hobbies include walking, reading, music-listening, swimming, and doodling. Bio by Dean Cook

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Blue Out For Pauley

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