Hundreds of years ago, animals like dogs and horses helped make early human lives easier. Today, they contribute to the education of NHS students in the form of class pets. Below are a few examples of the NHS menagerie ….

Sally the Scorpion

Don’t let the pincers and stinger fool you—Sally the Scorpion is a popular gal in Meghan Obremski’s biology classes. “I have several students that hold her,” Obremski said. “One kid in block 6 holds her pretty much every block. He made the little valentine for her.”

Cora the Corn Snake 

“Cora the Corn Snake I got from a rescue group,” Obremski said. And, ever since, Cora has spent her days socializing with NHS biology students, teaching them how to properly treat, care for, and respect snakes like her.

Bean the Hamster

Bean was named by PLTW teacher Caitlyn Foye’s students through a series of nominations and voting. Since then, she’s made herself comfortable in her new home at NHS. She’s even fallen into a regular routine. “She wakes up every day for treats. If you shake the bag of treats when she’s sleeping, she’ll pop up, it’s very cute,” Foye said. 

Ventress the Corn Snake

Ventress, named after a Clone Wars character by Star Wars fan and science teacher Skylee Shaffer, is an albino corn snake. Those brave enough to watch her up close are in for a treat. “We’ll pick a Friday, and I’ll feed her a dead mouse, then the kids will all gather around and will watch her eat, and I dole out snake facts,” said Shaffer.

Apollo and Luna

Lots of students dream of having a class pet before they graduate, but Shaffer’s pupils were able to convince her to make that come true. “We did a collaborative classroom effort, and no student could donate more than a dollar. Once we had enough to buy a lizard, we bought a lizard,” said Shaffer. Soon after Luna, Apollo came along and joined her. “Luna is named after the moon, and Apollo is named after the sun.” 

Pickles

Despite lettuce being his favorite food, Pickles is the name of science teacher Amber Sykes’s turtle, and he has his own fans. “Students usually come in the mornings and say, ‘Hello,’” Sykes said. However, the students aren’t his only friends at NHS. “The janitor Rob [Christ] usually feeds him, and he’s fed him everyday for as long as he’s been here,” Sykes said. 

Max and Ruby

Aquatic BFFs Max and Ruby are large and in charge. “My dad suggested to get Oscars because they’re very interactive,” said Sykes. “He said that they would be really fun to have in the classroom because they interact with you and like people.”