Arapahoe Herald September Issue 2014 by Arapahoe Herald

A two-time Pacemaker winner.• 2201 East Dry Creek Road Room E2 • Centennial CO 80122 • Email aherald@comcast.net • Web: http://arapahoeherald.littletonpublicschools.net “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.” Arapahoe Award High School

Monday, September 22, 2014

Arapahoe High School | Centennial, Colorado

Volume 51| Number 1

CONTENTS

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

Evan Birt, 12, and Jack Smith, 12, lead the Ultimate Frisbee team towards the Homecoming Bonfire on Sept. 12 to roast marshmallows. Photo By Maddie Dorman On the cover: Graphic illustration by Emily Cunningham, Maddie Dorman, Keegan Fulwider & Mason Steiner

NEWS & FEATURE

SPORTS & CRITICAL REVIEW

3 LIBRARY REOPENS

4 GO UNDERGROUND

Positve reception by students and staff. By Mason Steiner & Madison Wacaser

9 GOTTA GO FAST

Cheyenne Serrano, drag racer. By Mackenzie Callahan & Abigail Guadnola

12 CLARITY COMMONS The Commons in photos. By Anna Zeek

Give some lesser-known music a listen. By Alissa Brown & Connor Scott

4 BUGS, NOT DRUGS Are bugs the new go-to snack? By Paige Paulsen

8 A NEW SHOT

Volleyball experiences a change of leadership. By Keegan Fulwider

FOCUS & OPINION

5 WHERE WE DIFFER

Adviser: Greg Anderson Editor-in-Chief: Maddie Dorman Managing Editors: Anna Zeek Brian Heissenbuttel

The differences betwen upper and lower classmen. By Lindsey Archipley, Carrie McDaniel & Monica Splain

Copy Editor: Lindsey Archipley

10 TAKE OFF THE BIRKS

Photo Editor: Emily Cunningham

Not everyone can pull off Jesus sandals. By Emily Cunningham

11 CHOICE OF STUDIES Independent study courses should be more accessible. By Erica Martinez

Member of CHSPA, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll. Arapahoe Herald is a student publication and operates as an open forum. If you have any comments, questions, concerns or guest content you would like to share with the Arapahoe Herald, write a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor can be emailed to arapahoeherald@gmail.com or submitted to room E8.

Design Editors: Mason Steiner, Carrie McDaniel

Distribution Manager: Erica Martinez Sports Manager: Quinn Trask Reporters: Alissa Brown Mackenzie Callahan Reid Conant Katie Franklin Keegan Fulwider Abigail Guadnola Paige Paulsen Connor Scott Madison Wacaser

EDITORS & STAFF

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

News

Students enter renovated library for first time

by Madison Wacaser & Mason Steiner

n Sept. 8, the Arapahoe library officially re-opened, allowing students to appreciate the recent renovations. After a weeklong delay, students waited eagerly to see the

library. The recent renovations include a new food and drink area, a computer bar, a quiet study area, comfortable sitting areas, a group study area and five small group study rooms. In addition, there are hundreds of new books available to students. School librarian Tracy Murphy said that the study rooms are one of the focal points of the library. The rooms have HDTVs which students can use to display class projects along with a whiteboard which will allow students to brainstorm for projects. “The study rooms and the food and drink area [are the biggest changes],” Murphy said. “The study rooms are the focal point in a lot of ways.” Students have already been using the study rooms, and are able to check them out for use by talking to the main desk in the

library. “Now, we have a place where students can go and can get things done,” director of technology Karl Fisch said of the study rooms. “There is a big table, a whiteboard and a big monitor that students can plug their laptops into.” Students are enjoying the new library, and are using it very often. The food and drink area is a huge hit with groups, due to the high tables and the view out of the window into the hall. Students are also using the comfortable study areas, which contain lounging chairs with swivel tables, to study with friends in an easygoing environment. “There were multiple challenges, one of which was the extremely short timeline,” Fisch said. “The fact that we got it finished this early is incredible. It is a tribute to all of the construction firms that worked on it, as most did it for much lower prices than normal and put [the library] ahead of other people in order to get it done.” These people who provided from their companies

were identified in front of the whole student body for their contributions to the library. These individuals were recognized for their donations and were thanked by Principal Natalie Pramenko for lending a helping hand at the beginning of the homecoming pep assembly. Although the renovations are done, the school still needs to raise $800,000 to pay for the project. The school has received many donations in time, effort and resources. The library staff also wants the students to have a say in part of the design of the library. Every student at Arapahoe received an email asking them to help with quotes that may be painted on the walls of the library. There is no word yet on what quotes are being used, if any at all. The quotes are simply being considered for the library. Those interested in contributing can get more information about donations by going to www.LPSfoundation.com and clicking on the Moving Forward Fund tab or clicking on the Warrior Strong logo to help the school cover the expenses of the library.

1. On the opening of the library, Cooper Cordero, 11, checks out the seating area with his friends. “I really like the size of the library,” Cordero said. “It is much more comfortable.” Photo by Mason Steiner. 2. One of many Native American statues overlooks the library. Photo by Cassi Guerra, Calumet Yearbook

YOU CAN

Get Ready to Move Mountains Dream of a better life. Of an associate degree and beyond. Of a new career path. Of a promotion. Of your own business. ACC can help you as we’ve helped thousands of others. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. ACC can help you every step of the way.

Contact Student Recruitment and Outreach for details at 303.797.5637 or email acc.recruitmentws@arapahoe.edu

Arapahoe.edu Associate Degrees • Transfer Credits Certiﬁcates • Workforce Training

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

CRITICAL REVIEWs

Jam to a new playlist with lesser known-artists by Connor Scott & Alissa Brown lmost everyone loves music, and it is always fun discovering a new artist to enjoy. Music has a powerful strength in altering human emotions. We use it as a form of self expression, and

Chance the Rapper Chancellor Bennet, or Chance the Rapper, is an American recording artist from Chicago, Illinois. Chance’s biggest album, ‘Acid Rap’, is a kind of soul music; “ghetto gospel” if you will. The instruments used range from organ to a guitar, and the variety of sounds and tones give the album incredible depth. Chance touches on the dangers of growing up in Chicago in the song “Pusha Man/Paranoia”. In the song, Chance raps, it is easier to find a gun than a parking spot. Despite the value behind the lyrics and the great beats, the album has quite a few drug references, but despite some of the content, Chance is a talented artist who produces some oddly beautiful music.

Image from Rollingstone.com

the range of different styles varies greatly. Whatever music you listen to and enjoy could be a reflection of your inner essence and self. We have got a range from Bluegrass to Rap that will introduce you to some good music.

Random Rab

Image from Randomrab.bandcamp.com

Taking a mellow, mystical approach on electronic music is Random Rab, based in the West Coast, with a noteworthy and individualized sound. The music opens the listener’s mind to reach a higher state of consciousness, in which he feels relaxed and content. Random Rab’s style is definitely distinctive and directed towards a certain audience who might not enjoy the popular, catchy-pop and rock bands. These tunes put one’s mind in a tranquil state by utilizing slow, peaceful sounds. His newest album, entitled “Visurreal”, was released on Dec. 9, 2011, and may feel long and drawn out due to the lack of different sounds and tones. If you enjoy upbeat and uplifting music then Random Rab may not be your style; but if a slow moving relaxed flow is, consider giving it a listen.

It will be an exciting journey through fresh and eclectic music. So prepare your earholes, ‘cause this is going to be good.

Leftover Salmon What is jam grass? No seriously, what is that? According to the internet, it is the redheaded stepchild of Bluegrass and Rock ‘N Roll. Honestly, we would have figured that would be something along the lines of The Avett Brothers. Nonetheless, under the humble genre of jam grass is Leftover Salmon, a band as unique as its name. Their music is an odd hybrid between Blues, Bluegrass and a little soft rock. It is very strange and finding their “grassroot” beginning in Boulder definitely warrants a reason to listen. Their most popular song, ‘Lovin’ In My Baby’s Eyes’, has a lot of banjo. So much banjo it almost hurts; but the twang might be intriguing.

Blitzen Trapper

Image from Fanart.tv

There’s an eclectic, Indie/ Folk band that very few people have heard of but somehow managed to hit the Top 100 in the Rolling Stone’s magazine twice. Blitzen Trapper is a band from Portland, Oregon. They have been featured a handful of times in the Stones’ magazine, and their hit single, ‘Furr’ earned itself a two page feature in the 2008 issue of the magazine. It is not surprising either, because lead singer Eric Earley is a crafty and talented singer/ songwriter. Some of the songs use a synthesizer during banjo solos, which makes for some interesting songs. Their style is reminiscent of The Eagles and Old Crow Medicine Show. A lovely hybrid of Rock and Folk under the name of “Indie Folk.” Some of their music tends to be a little odd; regardless, check them out. They are a neat band that writes unique music.

Image from Albumoftheyear.com

A message to every teenager: Do bugs, not drugs Reconnect with your inner child and let the bug eating phase be reborn

Graphic by Connor Scott

Would you like fries with that?

by Paige Paulsen Rarely have the words, “You have a wing stuck in your teeth,” been uttered upon finishing a meal, but that may change as more and more people indulge in the practice of dining on insects, a health trend known as entomophagy. As populations swell worldwide and demands for food escalate, people are searching for more options in reliable food sources. Both nutritious and sustainable, insects are a growing prospect for many menus as people come to realize the benefits these creatures can provide. In recent years, entomophagy has been considered as a solution for combating world hunger, as well as an alternative to the meat packing and food processing industries that so many people frown upon, yet do little about. While the insect-based diet is still finding solid ground in the U.S., it is nothing new around the globe. Other countries and what is estimated as half of the human population have been using bugs as the main ingredient in recipes for centuries. This is evidence of a promising future for entomophagy as the world gradually embraces the possibility that roasted crickets may become the biggest thing in the snack food aisle since potato chips. Soon the time will come for people to take up this trend out of necessity rather than a lifestyle choice. Understandably, it will ask a lot of the typical American who, since childhood, has been conditioned to be disgusted by the sight of insects, let alone the idea of eating them as an accessory to salad. For those who are less than willing to eat a bug, a majority of

suppliers have tweaked the preparation process to suit the tastes of a population raised on processed foods. Some grind the insects into flour that can be mixed into baked goods while others slather them from antennae to abdomen in chocolate or other flavored powders. Whatever the recipe, the practice boils down to the same end goal. In the name of feeding future masses of humanity, people must learn to stomach the idea of eating some of their worst fears even as the meal tries to scramble off of the plate. If you decide to test the waters of entomophagy, it is best to start slow. Companies such as Hotlix offer a variety of amateur products meant to ease the consumer into the unfamiliar textures and flavors that come with trying a new food. One of the most common and widely available options is the Hotlix insect lollipop which, to be honest, is about as good as it sounds. The candy could be used to pull teeth. It is so sticky it could put fly paper to shame. Any claim to a specific flavor is lost to the sweetness of the heavy sugar content. Once you manage to reach the bug, the texture might scare you away if the sickening syrup of the candy doesn’t first. The insects feel and taste like stale wafers or flaky cereal while their shells stick to the sides of the throat in a way similar to popcorn kernels. The fact that it is a bug is not easy to ignore; this is made even more clear by the texture of spindly legs. Regardless, the experience is worth the initial disgust. Whether for the story, the dare or the ecological awareness eating a bug is definitely something to check off every bucket list.

1 2

1. The flavor of this half eaten cricket had an uncanny resemblance to most breakfast cereal. Coincidence? 2. Get a good look because this is what a great source of protein looks like. Photos by Paige Paulsen

*Word of caution: for those with a shellfish allergy, eating insects has been known to cause a similar reaction

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community

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years of your life social boring

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busy chaos tiring

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worthwhile

awkward exhausting fun outstanding opportunity demanding

busy social boring eventful

diﬀerent knowledge crazy diﬃcult drama

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home it could

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inﬂuential fun alright tolerable

haven amazing

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are we done yet?

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corruption challenging

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nerve-wracking

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exhilarating bland work hard play hard

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rollercoaster overwhelming Senioritis best years of my life so far broken system

knowledge is power adventure

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punctual disappointing inconsistent excessive work hard but have fun bizarre unpredictable tedious

Battle of the Classes

Graphic illustration by Lindsey Archipley

A two-time Pacemaker Award winner.

Monday, September 22, 2014

ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL | CENTENNIAL, COLORADO

“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”

Volume 51 | Number 1

sports

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

Varsity football team experiences growing pains by Quinn Trask fter last year’s successful 6-3 season and disappointing first round playoff loss, the football team looks to get back to the playoffs this year headed by the 2015 senior class. After losing Ethan Brunhofer, Jose Cancanon, and Gabe Peterson to graduation, the Warriors will have to find some new leaders. These new leaders are captains Anthony Ferrie on defense and Nick Salas and Daylon Stutts on offense. With a new team there also comes fresh, new expectations for Warrior football. “I think last year everyone kind of expected to win most games because we had Ethan and Jose,” Tennant said. “This year we have a lot of guys who are playing their first year on the team, so we are experimenting. We should be something new so we will see how it works.” Senior wide receiver Alex Tennant has high hopes for the

new league. The Warriors switched from the Centennial League to the South Metro Conference. “We are in a new league now so the competition is not quite what it was last year. We are not returning as many guys as we did last year, but I think we are going to be a good fit for this new league.” Tennant is also wearing number 11, the number Ethan Brunhofer wore. “I was talking to Ethan about it and he told me to do it,” Tennant said. “I think it is a good little challenge for me and hopefully I will fulfill the expectations.” With as many players graduating as there were last year, there will be change in the way the team plays. “Last year’s team had a lot more talent, but less teamwork,” Tennant said. “So this year we will win by working more as a team instead of with raw talent.” The Warrior football team takes on Heritage at 7:00 p.m on Sept. 26 at LPS Stadium.

New head coach brings new game strategy to volleyball

Taking his penalty kick against Chatfield on Sept. 16, senior varsity soccer captain, Mike Chism, lines up against Chatfield’s defense alongside sophomore forward Ethan Fahn. With that kick, Chism scored and Arapahoe went on to defeat Chatfield, 2–1. Photo by Eli Bachali.

Varsity soccer looks to earn playoff spot behind captains by Reid Conant The boys varsity soccer team is a young team this year, yet the team is looking to make the playoffs once again after a rough start to the season. “The first two games were a wake up call for us and really motivated us to work harder to prepare for the rest of our season,” senior Duncan Malone said. This season, the ABK captains are seniors Mike Chism and Mitchell Fisher. “I am very honored to be voted captain two years in a row but at the same time I do not feel out of place,” Mike Chism said. The captains are striving to make this young team better day in and day out. “The young guys on the team are doing a great job of contributing so far this season. They are very crucial to our team’s success because our team does not have a very big senior class this year,” Fisher said. “I feel like the new guys are learning things very quickly, especially after our first two games of the season,” Chism said. The ball kickers’ strategy after losing their first two games was very clear: “Focus on staying positive and look forward to the next games

Center Samuel Gardinier lines up against Grandview’s defensive lineman Ricky Hayes in Arapahoe’s Homecoming game. Arapahoe lost to Grandview 27–49. Photo by Eli Bachali.

coming up,” Fisher said. “Our first win of the Warrior Invitational against Prairie View was the tipping point for us as a team.” This team just needed a little confidence boost to kickstart their season. As the team looked for a fresh start in the Warrior Invitational, they did not lose a game, winning four games in a row including the championship. This tournament lifted the spirits of the team and since winning the tournament the team has had two wins and one loss. “There is a lot of talent this year,” Chism said. With an overall record this season of 5-3, and the team is 1-0 in league play with their win against Grandview last Thursday. “I believe that we have a good chance of winning the league title, especially after our win against Grandview last week,” Fisher said. “We have a very hard schedule this season but if we keep improving each week and each day then we will have a good shot at the league title,” Malone said. The boys varsity soccer team continues league play against Mullen at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Arapahoe varsity field.

by Keegan Fulwider Coming off of a year in which the volleyball team was one game short of winning a state championship, the 2014 Warrior team is 5-3 in their first eight games back from the title game. Lead by coach Cara Syers, the 2013 team turned in a 25-3 record, good enough for a berth in the state tournament. This year, the team must overcome many challenges presented to them. At the end of the 2013 season, Syers stepped down as the head coach of the program. Her successor, Jordan Wright, was last year’s JV head coach and Varsity assistant coach. Last year, Wright helped with statistics and strategies. Wright, a former student of Syers, played in the Arapahoe volleyball program when she was in high school. “[Wright was] one of my right hand coaches, she was a very important part of our success,” Cara Syers said. “She brings a goofy and intense edge to the program,” said sophomore middle blocker Jayden Liberty.

Syers is confident that Wright will be able to carry over that success to the head coach position. “[The coaching transition] should be pretty smooth,” Syers said, and it is already looking that way. The team won their first game of the season against Heritage on Aug. 26, in dominant fashion. The win jumpstarted the team as they went 5-1 in their first six games. With only four returning players, the 2014 squad is a young one but the returning players are “battle tested,” said Syers, referring to last years playoff run, “and bring a lot of experience.” Both Syers and Wright expect the team to live up to the expectation and hype. “They have a lot of talent and I expect them to have a successful season,” said Head Coach Wright. This years team looks to “Continue a tradition of excellence, build a future on legacies of the past,” a team slogan coined by Wright. The team takes on their rival, Cherry Creek, on Aug. 18 in the main gym at Creek. Be there at 6:15pm to support the Warriors.

1. Senior captain Justine Langas jumps up to spike a free ball while playing against Heritage in Sitting Eagle Gymnasium on Aug. 26. Arapahoe won 3–0. 2. During the same game, junior outside hitter, Tylerann Cairns, serves the ball against the Heritage Eagles. Photos by Eli Bachali.

Going beyond stereotypes: Sports more than just a game

Photo by Eli Bachali

When you watch a Hollywood blockbuster film, you always know the ending. The good guy beats the bad guy and gets the girl. Pretty typical. In sports, nobody knows the outcome until the last second. Nobody could have predicted Chris Davis Jr.’s 107 yard kick return to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Hollywood couldn’t have scripted John Brooks’ header in the 85th minute to beat Ghana. Steven Spielberg couldn’t

have thought of Ricardo Louis’ 73 yard Hail Mary catch to beat Georgia. Sports are one of the true constants we have in this world. No matter the adversity, we can always fall back on sports. Steve Gleason’s blocked punt in 2006 brought the Superdome in New Orleans to life after Hurricane Katrina. Sports turns nobodies into somebodies. Sports change so many lives. An African-American

kid grew up in Brooklyn, never received any love from his family, found his release on the court and turned himself into one of the biggest names in basketball. Then, he fought through alcoholism and a torn ACL and put together a Hall of Fame career. His name was Bernard King, Hall of Fame class of 2013. As I keep referencing inspiring moments in sports, we can not forget about the flat-out amazing and jaw-dropping feats of athleticism, such as Michael Jordan’s free throw line dunk, Willie Mays’ “The Catch,” or Bo Jackson running up the outfield wall like Spiderman. Very rarely is the world gifted with such an amazing man and athlete like Bo Jackson. He was 6-foot 1-inch tall, 230 pounds, and a 4.12 40 yard burner. Jackson was the only player to ever be an All-Star in two different major sports. An All-Star in both football and baseball in 1989, he led off the 1989 baseball All-Star game with a monstrous

home run to straight away centerfield and he would later win the MVP of the game. The world had never seen anything like Bo, and just like that he was gone. In January of 1991 he suffered a serious hip injury and once again showcased his strength by popping his hip back into place. He would fight and rehab back to a stint with the Chicago White Sox where he “homered” on his first swing. Bo showed that sports brings out the amazing in all of us. Seeing fans lose their minds and scream for you can motivate you like nothing else. Being the hero and envy of your friends is every kid’s dream. Sports are truly what brings us together at our highest of highs and lowest of lows. Sports can bring anyone’s spirits up when they crush their rival. Sports are a true life-saver for some people. So next time you say it’s just a game, think again.

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

FEATUREs

Senior competes nationally with World Class drum corps 1

by Katie Franklin & Anna Zeek enior Andrew Meyers marched through the United States this summer. He logged hundreds of hours on a bus, as he traveled from stadium to stadium performing with a local Bugle and Drum Corps. His journey began in November 2013, when he auditioned for the Blue Knights, a band that was established in Denver in 1958. After earning a spot in the Blue Knights’ world-class drum corps, Meyers traveled across the country to a total of 33 college and high school stadiums. The Pride of Arapahoe High School Marching Band played a key role in preparing Meyers for his Blue Knights audition in November 2013. Arapahoe Marching Band brass coach and Concert Band trumpet coach Missy Steinbeck helped him practice his audition song on the mellophone and several technical techniques for three hours. In addition, after Meyers was accepted into Blue Knights, Steinbeck helped him convert from a high school level to a college level marching band by helping him learn music for an hour a week. “What was cool about Arapahoe was that we have a lot more complicated things in our shows [than other high schools] which helped transition into drum corps,” Meyers said. Once Meyers was selected for the Blue Knights, he attended camps from December to May in order to prepare himself as well as other members of the drum corps for their show, titled

1. Senior Andrew Meyers performs “That One Second” with the Blue Knights while at the DCI World Championship Semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. 2. Looking out into the crowd and anxiously awaiting to perform on the turf field, Andrew Meyers and the Blue Knights line up in their starting formation. Photos courtesy of Andrew Meyers

“That One Second.” Beginning June 20, he traveled across the United States averaging three band competitions in three different cities per week until the last performance in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 8. “Touring around the country was cool because you got to see a lot of stadiums, but the problem was that you were not able to see anything else,” Meyers said. “You were at a high school, then you got on a bus, you tried to sleep or listen to music, get to the show, get off the bus and perform and then repeat the process. It was interesting to see all of the stadiums because we went from a public park and a tiny stadium, which was really fun, to stadiums like Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Lucas Oil Stadium, Stanford, the Alamodome and the Georgia Dome, all of those different, big stadiums. Then, we also traveled to all of the high school stadiums. It was cool to see how they set up their stadiums as some of them were grass and some were turf.” Meyers said he recognizes that the title ‘Blue Knights Drum Corps’ can be misleading to someone with little knowledge about marching band. In a typical marching band, there is a brass section, a marching percussion, woodwinds, and sometimes there will be a front ensemble with xylophones and a timpani. Unlike Arapahoe’s marching band, which includes saxophones and other woodwind instruments, the Blue Knights does not include a woodwind section. “When people think of ‘Drum Corps,’ they think drums; however, it

is really all of marching band except woodwinds,” Meyers said. Although Meyers admits that traveling and competing for the Blue Knights was a tiring experience, he found it worthwhile. Over the course of the summer, he found sentimental meaning in the show, “That One Second.” “The inspiration behind the show is basically that in some moments, your life will flash before your eyes and it is said to last one second, and we [the Blue Knights] make a point that it lasts longer than that,” Meyers said. “In that second, all of these different moments flash before your eyes, and it is all of the good moments such as happiness, maybe like winning a state championship, getting married or having a baby. Then come all of the bad moments, like [the moments] we regret, but in the end, [we have] to be thankful for our lives. It got a lot more personal as the season went on because of how it affected people as they started living through the show. We would get messages after the show about how touched people were and how they had never seen a drum corps be so emotional. They sent us glowing recommendations about our show and how much they loved it.” With this in mind, Meyers continues to march to the beat of a different drum knowing that he, as well as the audience, can find meaning in a band performance. Now as a senior starting his last year in marching band, Meyers puts on his band attire and is excited to share his passion with the community. His journey was worth it.

High speed teen strives toward victorious racing season by Mackenzie Callahan & Abigail Guadnola As she carefully shut the hood of her 1969 Chevrolet Nova, Cheyenne Serrano checked the oil, the transmission fluid, tightened loose bolts and made sure the temperature of her car was correct for the absolute best performance. She waited to proceed to the staging line and begin the race. Serrano was ready for race day. For many, drag racing may be fun to watch but frightening to try. This is not the case for Serrano; she began her high speed hobby at age 16, following in her father’s footsteps. “My family has always been into cars and my dad taught me a lot about it,” Serrano said. “He also raced a year before I did, so then I just took it up.” Many personality traits are required in order to succeed in the motorsport: a strong mental attitude, the ability to make split second decisions and the ability to stay calm in high pressure situations. “At the end of the track, sometimes you have to make the right decision in order to win such as slow down or continue on the gas,” Serrano said. Drag racing requires an ample

amount of dedication, with late night training and rigorous hours perfecting her craft. She has to have to have the ability to leave the previous race behind, regardless of a win or a loss, and continue to the next race. Serrano works hard to stay caught up on homework and daily life while including time to practice and perfect her skills. “I go up to Bandimere on Wednesday nights and run my car down the track to work on reaction times off the line and when I need to shift,” Serrano said. As a result of her hard work, Serrano has won multiple awards such as a trophy for advancing all the way to quarter-finals and was given an opportunity to race for Bandimere at the Western Conference Divisionals which were hosted at Bandimere on Sept. 11-14. While trophies are rewarding, Serrano finds all other aspects of racing gratifying. “The most rewarding thing about drag racing is the commitment of working on the car to get it ready for race day, the excitement of race day and the feeling of joy when I win,” said Serrano. A key component in any sport is

strategy; racing is no exception. “A strategy I use is making sure I hit a reaction time under one thousandths of a second, and then dialing in my time a little slower than I expect to go so I have room in case my car cannot go as fast as I expect,” Serrano said. Strategy aside, it is very hard to be successful without an outstanding team behind you. Serrano’s crew has won two awards for best appearing pit crew, proving that Serrano’s support system filled with friends and family is working. “[Serrano’s] drag racing has strengthened our relationship with the group because we had to learn how to work together efficiently and quickly,” Tess Serrano, Serrano’s twin sister and pit crew member said. Even with an outstanding crew of family and friends behind her, racing and preparing for races can be challenging. Despite the challenges, Serrano does not back down in the face of fear or adversity. “I can sometimes get a little bit scared,” Serrano said. “To be able to keep my spot in points standing I have to make it past a certain round so sometimes it a bit nerve-wracking. But usually I stay pretty calm.”

1. From left to right, junior Maddie Hall, senior Cheyenne Serrano, graduate Devan Koehn, senior Tess Serrano and senior Caroline Powell pose with their Best Appearing Pit Crew award. 2. Awaiting the green light, Serrano sits on the staging line across from her opponent in the hopes of crossing the finish line first at Bandimere Speedway. She went on to win the race pictured. 3. Serrano poses in her 1969 Chevrolet Nova. Photos courtesy of Joe Serrano

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

OPINIONS

WALKING What are your views on the current events in the Middle East?

“I know we wanted most of our troops out but I wish [the president] would’ve left some to stay in and make sure nothing bad really happened then slowly moved them over a period of time. I wish we would do a bit more.” – Maddy Cable, 12

Bring current events to the classroom

t is safe to say that the month of August was littered with all sorts of domestic and international crises. From the protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri to the armed conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians and the emerging threat of ISIS, newspapers and news stations burst with breaking news for nearly the entire month. While anybody who picked up a paper, watched the news on TV or checked the internet in the last week of August could have read about the movement of ISIS into Syria and their further advances in Iraq, that does not mean everybody heard about it. Closer to home, not all our students are aware of what progressed. In an ideal world, all students would have the time, motivation and attention span to be entirely up to date on all stories both domestic and international. The reality is that many of our students have priorities above reading the news. The average high school student is deeply involved in the balancing act of grades, sleep, friends, clubs and whatever else is thrown into the mix. While this is a valid excuse, we still need a way to keep in touch with current issues. With schedules packed with other core classes, it is a shame that the only class solely dedicated to current events (appropriately titled,

“Current Events”) is merely an elective that takes up only two hours a week and provides a few much-needed social studies credits. While the Current Events class is an important part of our social studies options, it should only make sense that students should be required to be aware of large-scale current events, such as those in Ferguson, Israel and Syria mentioned earlier. This is not a proposition to add another class into our schedules. It is merely an appeal to the social studies teachers in our school. Everyone is required to take a social studies class every semester in their time here, so why not take advantage of that time? As one would expect, the social studies curriculum has teachers focus on teaching the history corresponding to the course title. That is why students in World Geography and Civilizations learn about the geography of Europe and Asia. Nowhere in the course title does it say that there is a current events portion. Beyond the social studies department, it would be reasonable for all sorts of classes to briefly mention recent news updates. If a calculus teacher asks, “who heard about the events in Iraq yesterday?” as their class notes load on the computer, that loans a bit of insight to the average student who has not yet read the

news in the last day or two. This is where the student who has not followed the news is put to a disadvantage, because many students are not taking a social studies class other than the one they are required to take for graduation. If the teacher is not on such a tight schedule where a day or two lost is tragic, it seems sensible that they should take up the responsibility of merely informing students of the large-scale current events. Just five minutes at the beginning of a class period to get students up to speed is beneficial. To clarify, this coverage should not take up entire weeks and months and there should be no tests or grades involved in the process. Being aware of global news is all we need, not memorizing facts, names and dates. The unfortunate fact is we will not be able to achieve this without losing time for other important lessons. If our social studies teachers inform their students on these current issues, there must be some tradeoff with the regular curriculum. But in this case, the pros should always outweigh the cons. After all, in the next few years we will be going into this world. We all should know more about it. This editorial represents the views of a majority of the Arapahoe Herald staff.

It is no longer a quirk, take off your Birks “I think the United States is doing too much in the Middle East. I don’t really feel that we need to have a presence there because people are getting killed. What we’re doing is not having an effect so I think we need to step back and let them handle their own problems” – AJ Cruz, 11

“I think that the U.S. should get involved and try to do something to help over there. What’s happening over there is really terrible, people are dying, and it’s been a conflict for a really long time so I think we should try and resolve it.” – Maddie Matthews, 10

“There’s no way to stop it without a little political blowback.” – Decker Graham, 9

by Emily Cunningham I have always been a big advocate for Birkenstocks. It all started in the eighth grade. I spent my own “hard-earned” money on a pair of beautiful Boston Soft Footbed Mocha Suede Birkenstock Clogs in a 37 narrow. My life as I know it had finally begun. The newly glossed cork soles made my heart race and the sound of the metal adjustable buckles clinking together with every step was therapeutic. These heavenly shoes quickly became my one true love. They brought me more happiness than Uggs and gaucho pants combined. Birkenstocks are the most comfortable orthopedic shoes on the face of the planet. They have drifted in and out of fashion for the past 50 years and they are considered a staple for all Phish-loving hippies. But my opinion on the once marvelous Birkenstock has changed drastically in the past month. What used to bring me joy now brings me discomfort and disgust. Arapahoe has been plagued with Birkenstock Fever. On any given day I can see an entire ocean of Birkenstocks in the school hallways. People don’t respect the Birkenstock like I do. Students are able to sign on to any new trend without having to fully understand their complicated simplicity and pure beauty. You have to truly get to know your Birkenstock before you can parade them around. As the exercise motto goes: “No pain, no gain.” It takes hours of blood, sweat and tears to train your wild, unruly Birkenstocks. It is common knowledge that it takes 40 hours of painful walking to break in a pair of Birks. The break-in process is necessary. There is no way around it. Cartoon by Paige Paulsen

If you don’t get at least three blisters in the process, then you are not doing it right. I refuse to accept the possibility that this many people have mastered the art of the breakin. Some of you people out there are dying on the inside as you put on a facade of how you think the stereotypical “Birk wearer” would act. Some people probably buy Birks and wear them once before abandoning them. Some people think that it is acceptable to wear Birkenstocks with clothing that does not match the overall aesthetic. You cannot wear Birkenstocks with basketball shorts (...boys), hats of any kind, or anything over the price of $15 not

found at a thrift store or handed down by friends and family. If you’re truly going for the hardcore Birk look, you might as well buy your granola cargo pants and Nalgene water bottle right now. Start eating organic and local foods and forget about Chick-Fil-A. What hippie in their right mind would eat such toxic food? You know what? Scratch that. True Birkenstock wearers only live on nudist communes in California run by Ken Kesey. If you’re not living the official granola life, you should not be sporting a pair of Birkenstocks. Birkenstocks: live, love, and prosper.

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

Allow independent study options by Erica Martinez here was a time when students went to school with a smile on their face, but we are no longer five years old. Those days are gone. Every morning we, as students, face reality and crawl out of bed bright and early to prepare for another day of learning. Like we have been told many times, the purpose of high school is to prepare us for life beyond the four walls of a classroom. We can only achieve our goals if we succeed in school, but what if schools did not care about education? What if high school refused to help students further their education? I am sure there would be total outrage from parents. This situation seems completely hypothetical, right? There is no way our school would disregard education in this way. For me this is not an imaginary example; recently, I have experienced a similar event. There is a little-known secret at many high schools: independent study courses are an option for students. Towards the end of last year, I decided to start the process of obtaining approval for an independent study course. I was trying to take one in a foreign language with a teacher I previously had two years in a row. My reasons for doing this ranged from the speed at which I complete my work, to the packed nature of my schedule and the possibility of working with my favorite teacher again. I predicted the application process would take some time so I started early. But I never imagined how difficult and timeconsuming this undertaking would be. I spent my off hours, lunches and time after school sitting in the Guidance Center waiting to talk to my counselor. After several meetings, I finally convinced my counselor to sign off on my application. Then came the really hard part. I had to receive an assistant principal’s signature on the form. This part of the process frustrated me to no end. My reasons for pursuing the independent study course seemed valid to me, my teacher and my parents, yet it was clear that the administration did not agree. I left for summer break feeling discouraged. Meetings and phone calls with counselors continued over the summer months. For weeks, my hopes went up and down. I was told that I had secured approval to pursue an independent study course, then days later it was taken away. I almost gave up. In one final effort, I scheduled a time to meet with an administrator. The meeting went poorly and I left feeling disheartened and beaten. However, after a couple emails, I must have somehow convinced the right people that my independent study course was

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worth approving. One evening, I received a phone call. My months of hard work had paid off and my schedule showed the independent study course. Even though my story ended in a satisfactory way, the process was complicated and aggravating. Education is supposedly moving into the 21st century. Classrooms are transforming, teachers are attempting to implement more effective ways to help students learn and

courses develop. Only students who can handle working on their own should apply. On top of that, administrations need only accept those who meet the strict criteria, such as a willing teacher and exceptional grades. I knew I was capable of successfully completing the assignments and I knew I met all the criteria. So why was it such a feat to convince the school to allow me to take an independent study course? I was trying to add an extra class to my schedule. My goal was not to slack off by not wanting to sit in a classroom and waste three hours of my time each week. Increasing my opportunity to learn does not call for restrictions; it calls for support. Students need encouragement when attempting to go above what is expected of them, not dissuasion. Schools need to open independent study options to all who are eligible, and spread the word of how students can benefit from them. If a student excels at a subject or thrives in a different learning environment, why would schools not jump at the opportunity to encourage a better situation? Non-traditional ways of learning are not the enemy, but rather a chance to welcome a new education system. But hey, what would I know? I am just a teenager who has spent her whole life growing up in the 21st century education system.

Students need encouragement when attempting to go above what is expected of them, not dissuasion.” utilize technology. Yet not all schools are fully embracing a new type of learning. Independent study options should play an important role in this innovative education. They force students to take responsibility for their own learning. If students do not put in effort or assignments are not completed, then it only does damage to the individual. They are useful in preparing for life after high school; college and the working world basically run like a large scale independent study course. Professors and employers do not go around holding your hand, coddling you and making sure everything is perfect. In life after high school, people are held accountable, and that is the mindset independent study

Graphic illustration by Maddie Dorman

ALS community: ice is everything

For victims of ALS and their families, this summer was our day in the sun. The first time I saw a video of an “Ice Bucket Challenge” on the news, I actually did a double take. A year ago, the words “ALS” were met with blank stares and shrugs. I would try again with another name – maybe Lou Gehrig’s disease? Still nothing. It hurt me to know that a disease that affects as many as 30,000 people in America could still receive so little attention. Behind my frustration lay the fact that I had watched my grandpa suffer for five years from ALS. Living with someone with a terminal illness is no easy feat, and this particular illness made it no easier. I watched him make the inevitable journey towards the end with first a cane, then a walker, a wheelchair, an electric chair and finally a hospital bed. He was an incredible person before he got sick – as a

kid, he taught me how to dance, all of the lyrics to “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and how to take a fish off of a hook. He was boisterous and loud, bullheaded and hilarious, and I loved him as much as anybody could. I saw that person fade after he was diagnosed. At nine years old, I realized that there is nothing worse than an enemy that you cannot fight. As of right now, there is only one medication to “treat” ALS – and the most it does is postpone symptoms for a while. The body attacks itself; motor neurons that travel through the brain and spinal cord degenerate. Slowly patients lose control of voluntary muscle movements, and eventually, patients in the later stages are completely paralyzed. It sounds scientific from the inside, but the view from the outside is horrifying.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, my family and I walked in the Walk to Defeat ALS in memory of my grandfather, like every other year. The ALS Association puts on the annual walk across the nation in order to raise funds to sustain research and support care services for those who suffer from the disease. Usually, there is a fairly large group of dedicated people who walk every year. But this year was different. More people turned out than ever before, and I truly believe that the “Ice Bucket Challenges” and videos like Anthony Carbajal’s that documented his experience of being diagnosed at 26 are responsible for the increased turnout. The numbers meant that more money was raised, and hopefully that makes us that much closer to a cure. According to the ALS Association, as of the end of August, the challenge had raised over $100 million and counting – compare that to the fact that it is a 3,500% increase from the amount that the Association raised in the same time period last year, and you get what a big deal this is. So on behalf of myself and everyone who has been affected by ALS, thank you. Thank you to those who braved the ice water. Thank you to those who donated. Thank you to the ones who walked, who shared their stories and who helped tell the world ours. Thank you.

Opinions

Dear iTunes It happens all too often. While sitting in the average restaurant or walking down the street, I hear a song I have never heard before with a good beat and lyrics. I fumble to take out my phone and open Shazam to get the title of the song before it ends. Next thing I know, I am on iTunes ready to give the Apple corporation another $1.29 of my hard-earned money. Suddenly, the entire situation changes as I see the two words that represent the iTunes equivalent of a hard slap directly across the face: “album only.” That is such a shame. I do not have the $10 to spare for an entire album, especially since I only know one song. If only there was a website (or hundreds for that matter) where I could download a high quality audio file of the song. If only I could choose the format of the file and had several different sources where I can download the song. My mistake, the internet is packed to the brim with such websites. It is not difficult by any means for someone to find a song through this method, given that about 99% of our generation can type “[Song Name] mp3” into a Google search. From the increase in price of an average song, from $.99 to $1.29, to the frustrating words, “album only,” iTunes and the music market in general has the habit of being very frivolous in their business practices despite the fact that there are so many other sources, most of which are rising in popularity. Internet downloads are just the start of this trend. The rise of Spotify, Pandora and even YouTube offer perfectly free access to your favorite music. While there may be a varying degree of convenience, the facts remain that all these services offer (nearly) limitless access to music at no cost to the consumer. Sorry, Apple. While, admittedly, your corporation monopolized the music market and made the CD obsolete, 2005 is in the past and other companies have dared to challenge your authority. Thanks to capitalism, there are worthy challengers to the mighty technology empire that insists on charging 30% more for songs and draining our bank accounts 30% more quickly. Despite this, there are solutions out there. While it may be unrealistic for the 30-cent song price to decrease, maybe it is possible to stop the price of the average song increasing any further and potentially do away with those two awful words, “album only.” Sadly, this won’t happen overnight. If more people transition to the Pandora and Spotify sides of the battle, Apple’s profits drop and they are forced to deal with the error of their ways. People just have to take the first step away from what has been the superior medium of music in the last several years. Unfortunately, internet piracy of music has increased exponentially over the last few years, giving this method a whole lot more momentum than it probably should have. Granted, searching for a song mp3 on Google is certainly convenient. However, that would also be detrimental to the other companies who we should be supporting for their higher quality services. As a consumer who is satisfied with my Apple products, it is hard to come out with a criticism like this when so many of their products and services are extremely high quality. However, it is time to take a stand in order to keep the monopolies which consumers flock around on a reasonable leash.

Graphic illustration by Brian Heissenbuttel

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, September 22, 2014

FEATUREs

Clarity Commons 3

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5. One day before the Opening Ceremony of Clarity Commons on Aug. 15, the walkway from Arapahoe’s east entrance to the intersection of Dry Creek and University was fenced off so that construction workers could make the finishing touches. At the Dedication Ceremony on Aug. 16, Govenor Hickenlooper, Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Scott Murphy and Desiree Davis, Claire Davis’s mother, were a few of the people that spoke to the Arapahoe community. They invited students, faculty and friends to use Clarity Commons as a place to love and remember. Photo by Eli Bachali. 6. While walking through the middle of Clarity Commons towards Arapahoe, benches, green grass and trees line the brick walkway. Located next to the brick walkway is a pillar where inspirational words and a picture of Claire Davis and her horse, Graphite, are shown. Photo by Anna Zeek.

1. Freshman students Gabrielle Gerle (left) and Andrea Hodge (right), complete their homework at a table located in the north side of Clarity Commons. Students now use the sitting area as a quiet place to focus on school, eat their lunch or to spend time with friends. Photo by Anna Zeek. 2. Construction workers from GE Johnson Construction Company lay the foundation for the grass and brick walkway in Clarity Commons on July 23. Photo by Eli Bachali. 3. Many students, staff, businesses and community members paid for a brick with an engraved message on it to be placed in the walkway through Clarity Commons. Among the bricks, Desiree Davis, Claire Davis’s mother, wrote a message to her daughter. Photo by Anna Zeek. 4. Another brick that can be found in the walkway is one from Claire’s Class, the Class of 2014. The message engraved is dedicated to Claire Davis and any Warrior. Photo by Anna Zeek.

6 Page Design by Lindsey Archipley and Anna Zeek

SAY WHAT?!

Ridiculous, out-of-context comments overheard throughout the school.

“I had a Baconator after I hiked a fourteener and it was a religious experience.” – Cafeteria

“I am a twin; I have to share my face with someone else. I deserve two pieces of candy.” – East Hallway

“Wait, do we need to know the alphabet?” – Freshman Pit

“The leprechaun was obviously having digestive problems.” – S8 “I am not a control freak; I just have control issues.” – E8