Huskies nestle at foot of the mountains
The setting sun poured brilliant splashes of orange across the blue velvet sky as it dipped below the rough mountain silhouette. The lush rolling hills were tinted with golden flora by the regressing glorious rays, and the small town before the beautiful outline lay serene and frozen in the painting-like scene.
Where could such a stunning setting lie? Perhaps this is a well-known landmark, or possibly a site resting before the great Rocky Mountain range. Or perchance this gorgeous depiction lies no farther than Sutter Union High School's backyard.
This scene is none other than the magnificent Sutter Buttes, which is, in fact, the world's smallest mountain range. It is a striking mountainous figure in the middle of a vast plain.
Cameron Almeida, a senior at SUHS, said, "Having the buttes as our surroundings distinguishes Sutter High. We get to see a renowned landmark every day, and that's pretty special."
From season to season, the buttes change in color and tone, from vivid and luscious greens to warm and tranquil yellows to deep olive and gold, all while retaining their beauty. The students of SUHS are given the opportunity to marvel at these picturesque changes from day to day with just a simple glance up in between classes.
Some students, however, are much more familiar with the Sutter Buttes. To many student athletes, the buttes are not only a scenic view but a running route, a training terrain and, sometimes, a grueling practice.
Athletes become very familiar with the winding hills through the buttes, Pass Road and, of course, the water tower run — and just as the scenery changes with the seasons, so do the athletes with their sports.
But despite its being the world's smallest mountain range, a seasonal beauty and an athletic training course, the Sutter Buttes have a deeper significance to the students of Sutter High. The buttes capture the small hometown feeling that truly makes Sutter unique. They bring life into perspective and signify our central ties with friends, family and home.
Courtney Chatha, a senior at SUHS, said, "Whenever someone asks where Sutter is, I refer to the Sutter Buttes. The landmark identifies and characterizes our school, and it has ultimately become Sutter's trademark."
The buttes truly have progressed from a small mountain range, a tiny landmark, to a town and school trademark. They represent who we are and where we are from and are a defining point for SUHS. The Sutter Buttes are an everyday reminder of the natural splendor surrounding us, and their permanence reassures us of our proud and strong foundation.
Kelsey Bradley is a senior at Sutter Union High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.
