Knight Light Shines On Shauna Nicholson

by Jes Kalled and Casey Dryden

Do you feel fragile?

“Always,” laments senior Shauna Nicholson. About seven months ago Shauna was self-admitted to the Phoenix House rehab support center for abusing drugs and alcohol. Shauna was released after four months of rehab. She says she is determined to maintain her sobriety and leave behind the addict that she once was.

Shauna described her addiction as feeling invincible, yet not in control. “I didn’t want to abuse, but I didn’t know how not to.”

Last March, Shauna was rushed to the emergency room after a week long Adderall and alcohol binge. She was severely dehydrated, had lost 40 pounds, and was barely able to stand. Her doctors estimated that if she continued to abuse, she would have liver failure by the age of 21, and would likely die shortly thereafter. It was a turning point in her life. “I want to stop,” she said.

Since her choice to remain sober, Shauna has experienced many changes. Three times a day she attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. It helps people to hold on to their sobriety and identify other personal issues.

Shauna says her writing has changed significantly since she’s been sober. As an addict, her writing was pure adrenaline. “It was about sex and drugs…and sex and drugs,” she said.

Now that she is no longer abusing, her perspective has changed. “When I got sober I didn’t know how to write anymore.” It was hard for Shauna to start on a fresh piece of paper and have no thrills or highs to write about.

She misses the extremes of her old writing, but she knows that her writing is more substantial now. “It was the writing of an addict,” said English teacher Gordon Lang, referring to her pre-rehab writing.

The Phoenix House holds twelve beds, hardly enough room for NH’s adolescent addicts. Shauna was placed on a waiting list at first. When finally admitted, she found herself overwhelmed with choices. Kids would smuggle drugs inside the facility, she said; it was hard not to relapse.

Phoenix House has a strict no-drug policy. Sugar and caffeine aren’t even allowed, let alone illegal substances. Going to the Phoenix House and abiding by the rules meant quitting cold turkey, Shauna explained. The only privilege was gum distribution; it was like their cigarettes.

Shauna’s priorities have changed: “My sobriety comes first.” Since her sobriety, she says her grades are better, she’s learning more, and she has a better focus. What keeps her busy are her AA meetings, taking care of her younger brother, school, and her ever continuing recovery.

Partying no longer takes up her time. Shauna finds that the harder part of her recovery is resisting alcohol. “Alcohol is so normalized,” she said, “it’s everywhere. It’s so sociably acceptable.”

Shauna has managed to resist the temptations of her past and has remained sober. She says she has purpose now, including her new goal of opening an adolescent rehab center in New Hampshire, where Phoenix House is currently the only one.

Free of drugs and alcohol, Shauna is no longer reliant on anything but her own mind. She knew her sobriety had made a difference when her younger brother said, “You’ve really changed. You play with me now.”

Rock the Vote
by Jes Kalled and Hannah Zdrnja

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 1st, from 3pm to 7pm, Kingswood students and SAGA will bring Rock the Vote to Kingswood Regional High School.

The event will familiarize young adults with the presidential candidates and give them the opportunity to register to vote while they listen to local rock bands and folk singers.

“It brings music to voting,” said Sara Osgood, a student heavily involved with Rock the Vote. “You’re using your voice,” she said.

Founders Morgan Little and Shauna Nicholson brought it to the Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA) and the idea took off. More students volunteered to help out, all of them keen to get people psyched about voting.

Some local bands and artists that will be playing are Iuli and Aggie, Morgan Little, Seth Tremblay, Sara Osgood, Pulling Strings, and International Toast.

Students who aren’t eligible to vote are encouraged to attend Rock the Vote. “We’d love for the whole school to come. It’s going to be fun,” said SAGA advisor Maureen Wheeler. She went on to explain the importance of younger students getting involved because they can use their voice when they reach voting age.

Little suggested that many Kingswood students are out of touch with politics. “A lot of people don’t care,” he said. “Hopefully Rock the Vote will change that.”

Some students at Kingswood have been helping out with presidential campaigns this year. Student Michael Gibson is deeply involved with the John Edwards campaign, and will be advocating for Edwards at Rock the Vote. “I think a lot of people will come that are undecided,” he said, “to really hear about the different candidates and decide which one they’d like to support.”

Katie Lewis, another involved student, spoke of the importance of getting involved and knowing who’s representing you. “Use your voice,” she said.