When you walk into science teacher Paige Scott’s classroom, the sound of small sharp nails scampering across the floor and a tail dragging close behind is going to be heard. Watch where you step, because OHS’s new scaly friend resides in room 210. 

“So when I worked at Fox, I had a student who got Tungsten in high school, and then she went to college and her sister took care of him. Then her sister went to college, and then their mom was like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to take care of this lizard.’ Therefore, I have Tungsten,” Scott said. 

While receiving Tungsten was not entirely on purpose, Scott feels he has been a wonderful addition to the classroom.

“I think having him at the time that cellphones were banned has really been the perfect time to get a class pet,” Scott said. “When there is downtime, it almost becomes Tungsten time, and they try and find Tungsten, play with Tungsten, watch Tungsten, watch Tungsten eat … He’s a great distraction. A positive distraction.” 

Students agree that the class pet has brought new energy and focus to the room. Though his favorite memory of Tungsen is him pooping on his desk, Andrew Nonnenkamp (12) and many other students have found Tungsten to be a good brain break or distraction in the classroom. 

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“Tungsten improves [the] class environment. I think it’s kind of just a fun add-on to the class, and it helps keep everyone focused more,” Ryan Durfee (11) said.

At first, some students and staff members were unsure of what to make of Tungsten.

“Tungsten, actually before school, started nibbling on my hair and next to my neck and it was terrifying,” English teacher Annaleise Czapla said, “but I was scared to pull him off because I thought he was going to bite me.”

However, as the school has gotten to know him better, Tungsten isn’t just making friends and memories with the students at OHS, but the teachers too.

“I love how he’s super chill and how Mrs. Scott can just bring him around,” Czapla said. “She’ll bring him into my classroom sometimes and the kids just love him [and] getting to pat him. I like to pet him now that I know he’s not going to bite me.”