By Kate Taylor, ‘11, Contributor. I’m not a lifer (probably as opposite as it is possible to get, actually). And I never will be. Honestly, I am a Non-Lifer and proud of it.

By Claire Heinichen, `11, Contributor, with assistance from Grant Hesser, ‘11. Grant and I began school here when we were 18 months old in the small building behind the gym known as the house. Not only did Grant and I begin quite early, we also had the pleasure of repeating Kindergarten. Seriously. As Grant puts it, “My finger-painting skills were just not up to par.”

By Kathryn Black, ’11, The Lens Editor. Grant Hesser is a memorable character, and it is not surprising that he stars in most of my memories as a CCDS lifer. Grant has not changed. What made him a larger-than-life character when he was five years old remains part of Grant to this day.

By Greg Dick, ’11, Contributor. From Mr. Gillmore’s Wall of Shame and Mr. Van Nuys’s football games to countless clubs, sports, and class trips, the best part about CCDS is the sense of community.

By Lilly Fleischmann, ’11, Contributor. In first grade, I was very jealous to learn that Baldur Tangvald’s initials spelled “bat” while mine made the incomprehensible “lrf.” And yes, I think it was about this time that my middle name became the “root” of many jokes… pun intended.