Week 8. Day 56. No signs of life.  Hope is low.

On January 9th, 2024, Desert Mountain High School noticed something unusual in the Environmental Science and Biology class of Mr. Strohmeyer. Once filled with life and personality, the science room had been replaced with an empty hole. What was the cause, you may ask? Class pet Pascal the Gecko had gone missing.

It has now been eight weeks since this tragic incident, and Pascal’s existence remains to be seen.  Rumors of a student stealing Pascal have been up in the air, for Strohmeyer reported that the gecko was in his cage during Fifth Period, and by lunch, Pascal was gone. Though, Strohmeyer claims that, “more likely, he got himself out.” With the rock structure inside his cage stacked against the glass, it would have been easy for him to escape and have free-range around the school.

Pascal the Gecko has been in the loving care of Mr. Strohmeyer for seven years now, having been acquired in Pascal’s adolescent years. Strohmeyer recalls Pascal’s three previous escapes, saying, “he is known to escape when he can, but he never goes far.” Furthermore, Strohmeyer has “always found him in the exact same room.” While seemingly hopeful, all of these escape attempts have occurred outside of school. A new environment only adds more paths for this Gecko Case to go down.

Mr. Strohmeyer worked to keep spirits lifted throughout the first weeks. Mr. Strohmeyer has turned Pascal’s cage on its side to allow for him to easily crawl back in. He also informed us that geckos can survive around a month without food and water due to their tail’s ability to store fat.  This encouragement kept classes hopeful of soon reuniting with their speckled friend. But as time progresses, and the likelihood of survival diminishes, the classes’ optimism diminishes along with it. 

Even if he disappeared from our sight, Pascal can never disappear from our hearts. AP Environmental Science students plan to hold a funeral for their beloved classroom pet to remember the life he had led and the students’ lives he changed with his ability to radiate joy with a tiny lick. Until then, we will continue to hope and search for our lost gecko.