![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-900x1200.jpg)
![The shadows against a captivating blue are a nod to the “Catch Me If You Can” musical poster, both for this performance and the blue from the Broadway show. The detectives in this scene are at shooting practice, in preparation for when they finally encounter Frank Abagnale Jr. “We always say our motto is ‘theater is a team sport,’ and really just emphasizing to our students that everyone is welcome in the drama department. There's always a role for you, whether or not, on stage or behind the scenes, in the costume shop, in the scene shop. [There are] all sorts of different things that go into bringing a show to life. So we love our drama hawks and welcome everyone to drama,” Drama Director Mollie Jo Blahunka said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cmiyc-1200x800.jpg)
![Henry, Emily (2021). People we meet on vacation [Book cover]. Berkley Books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. Haley, Brett (2026). People we meet on vacation [Movie poster]. Movie poster courtesy of 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Made by Adilyn Hoop using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vacay1.png)
![Lockhart, E. (2025). We fell apart [Book cover]. Delacorte Press. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. The newest book in the “We were liars” collection was released Nov. 4.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/wefell1.png)
![A Group of PEOPEL PE students and helpers set up an obstacle course during class. The “Amazing Race” unit had started in PEOPEL PE where the students and helpers got to compete in a variety of different activities and games. “We try our best to make [inclusion] a school-wide event, but it's just so much more different when you actually engage with the students hands-on and actually get to know them as people.” Sophomore Bree Christensen said. Photo Taken by Ada McNulty.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-12-1200x900.jpg)
Years ago, at a past school, a teacher was attacked by two boys; one was expelled from the school, and the other was suspended. That boy who was suspended was in her class the very next year. That teacher is Deborah Cote-Glander (CG).
Her family and friends told her to stop teaching, that it wasn’t worth all that trouble. But she didn’t give up; she met with that boy one-on-one, and they proceeded to have a great year in class together. CG is still a teacher to this day and continues to show empathy towards others.
CG has been a teacher for over 30 years. She teaches Algebra Two, Calculus, and Trigonometry/Pre-Calc.
“I have two favorite parts [to being a teacher],” She explained. “I love math, I used to ask for extra math work to bring home from school as a little girl, and I love people, I love connecting with students and helping them reach their goals.”
CG works with students and makes an effort to make them feel loved. She works hard to help students meet their goals and needs. CG will often meet with students individually when they need help in her class.
“I like working with students with math problems; I also like working with students with life problems,” CG said.
Students have a deep love for CG. In conversations regarding CG, her positivity is most highlighted. Students don’t feel like they are restricted to only learning in her classroom; they feel safe to have feelings and struggles because of the environment CG creates in her classroom.
Sophomore Natalie Van Dyke, a student in CG’s first-period Algebra 2 class and member of the plant club, said, “Mrs. CG never fails to make the classroom feel safe. I am never afraid to ask a question because I know she truly just wants the best for me, both in and out of school.”
CG has a special passion for what she does. She truly enjoys the math she is teaching and has a deep understanding of the work she is doing.
“I loved the consistency of it, dependability, predictability, I love the structure. I love the logic. There was a level of familiarity and safety I found in math,” she explained.
In 2022, CG won the Best Teacher of the Year award. Dr. Johnson, the principal, came in one day during class with flowers and chocolate to congratulate her for being a finalist, and she was shocked.
“[The award was] incredibly humbling. I never thought I was doing anything exceptional. I didn’t think I did anything that deserved that award, but other people did. I just always wanted to be a master teacher; it never needed an award,” CG said.
In recent years, CG was diagnosed with cancer, which has disrupted her life. Despite this, she has continued to make an effort to still be present in everything she does at AHS.
“If you’re a student, you can usually tell her passion for what she does, and a big part of that comes from her faith,” English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and daughter of Mrs. CG Beth James said.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has recently designed a t-shirt for CG. The t-shirt says “Pray for CG!” on the back and a bible verse with a sun and mountains on the front. At first, CG was hesitant about having a t-shirt dedicated to her.
She shares that cancer does not define her, “What defines me is my faith, I wanted the shirt to honor my faith.” So FCA created a shirt that did just that.
Despite hardships in her own life, CG knows the importance of making others feel loved, and that is what drives her teaching.
“I think my faith teaches me how to change the world by loving in the way that’s transforming, and that’s the reason I’m here,” Mrs. CG stated.
